What is this? Evening everyone in section of the open public meetings act of this meeting, excuse me, a notice of this meeting by posting on
the bulletin board in town hall forwarding to the officially designated newspapers that this meeting would take place at Milbour Education Center at 7:00 on August 12th, 2025. Meeting details of the draft agenda were also posted on our temp website. Please stand
to salute the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll, please. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen,
>> here. >> Mr. Costrog >> here. >> Mr. Sakamandi >> here. Mr. Stler >> present. >> Mayor Romano >> here. May I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I I >> may I have a motion to approve the June 17th, 2025 township committee minutes. >> May I have a second? >> All those in favor? >> May I have a motion to approve the June 17th, 2025 special township committee minutes?
>> May I have a second? >> All those in favor? I. >> May I have a motion to approve the June 26, 2025 special township committee minutes? >> So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> May I have a motion to approve the June 15, 2025 township committee minutes?
>> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> I have a motion to approve the June 15, 2025 special township committee minutes. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. So today we are celebrating a very
special birthday week. So I'm going to come over you can sit standing whatever you want to do. >> Do you want to whatever you want? Whatever you're comfortable >> you want to get up. >> Do you want to face everybody or you
want to face forward? Sure. >> Right there. So, today we're celebrating a very truly remarkable milestone. 100 years of life, love, and legacy. As a longtime resident of our resident of our community, you've touched countless lives with your warmth, wisdom, and
presence. and we are all honored to share this special moment with you. Here's to a life well-lived and a community made better by your presence. So is going to be 100 years old. Whereas Hilda Gutierrez will joyfully
celebrate her 100th birthday on August 17, 2025. Whereas Hilda was married to her late husband Raul for 69 years and has resided in Milbourne Township since 1957. And whereas Hilda is the proud mother of
Jerry Gutierrez, Ida Espinosa, Armando Gutierrez, and Patricia Heatherington, grandmother of 11, great grandmother of 25, and great great grandmother of seven, known and loved by many others who have joined her
family and good friend and neighbor to many more. And whereas Hilda is being honored this day for the exemp exemplary way, she has lived her life since arriving from Bagota Colombia, maintaining a very positive outlook,
loving her faith and cared for and adoring her family and friends. Now therefore I Annette Romano, mayor of the township of Milbour, on behalf of the township committee and members of the Milbour Township community on this 12th day of August 2025 wish to extend my
congratulations and best wishes as well as that of the township committee to Hilda on her 100th birthday. [Music] Happy birthday. >> Happy birthday, dear. Happy birthday to you.
[Music] Thank you. Thank you again. two because I'm >> You want We're going to take one more. >> Your part is >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Happy birthday. >> Happy birthday. Thank you so much. >> The committee members are scheduled to present the proclamation to the fire department members. Are we do it before they come to you? >> Thank you.
>> All right. Whereas the Milbour Township Committee values the hard work, dedication, and courage of our Milbourne Township firefighters and police and recognize those who have performed outstanding service for our community. And whereas our Milbourne Township fighters protect us from harm, keep our communities safe
every single day, and t and the township appreciates these noble individuals, acknowledges that others like them to continue to make sacrifices safeguard that which we hold dear unselfishly. And whereas on July 14th, 2025, the Milburn Township Fire Department was dispatched
to Union County Division of Emergency Services for a mutual aid request for the 5-tonon highwater rescue truck, Rescue 5. The Union County area inclusive of Planefield, Westville, Cranford, and Scotch Plains, was inundated with numerous calls for service with many reporting trapped
residents, employees, and stranded motorists due to six plus inches of rain, which created perilous and life-threatening situations throughout the township of Scotch Plains. And whereas under the delegation and support of fire chief Robert Etchavaria,
Milbourburn fire feed firefighters alongside Scotch Plains Fire Department, Denville, Hanover, Morris County, and Bridgewater water rescue teams utilizing frontend loaders, fire apparatus, boats, and high water vehicles reached and rescued many trapped and/or stranded
motorists on Route 22. Milburn firefighters conducted approximately 30 water rescues. This fast-paced, life-threatening flash flooding caused extreme property damage and endangered many lives. Many lives were saved because of the heroic actions, hard
work, and dedication and teamwork by the firefighters working in an immediate hazardous environment. And whereas without regard for their own personal safety, the Milbourne Township Fire Department assisted in the heroic and successful rescue of the many residents and stranded motorists from perilous situation. Now therefore be it resolved
by the township committee of township of Milbour on behalf of Milbourne Township residents on his 12th day of August 2025 recognize fire captain Merson, firefighter Terrant, firefighter Carol and proving firefighter Vaughn who all assisted in the successful rescue and
extend our appreciation that Leone rightly deserve for their selfless and heroic acts in assisting in protecting the many lives. Thank you guys. Yes. Okay. Anyway, Don't worry.
>> Thank you. Uh, Chief, you're up. Are we doing the permission? >> Yes. I'm sorry. Resolution 25-189. Governor motions. >> Thank you, mayor. First of all,
congratulations to the poor individuals uh for their heroic actions that night. Um it's a good feeling that was okay that night and that we were able to share our resources with our neighboring communities uh to assist them. Really owe owe the bank the
committee for that. That high water rescue truck was purchased after it. So we're just fortunate that we have that we're able to house. So thank you for the committee and the individuals. >> Good evening, Mayor Romano, Deputy Mayor Cohen, esteemed members of the Township
Committee colleagues and on behalf of all the members of Mil Fire Department like to convey our profound gratitude to the township committee and to the community. It is both an honor and uplifting privilege to present the candidate for promotion this evening. The person whose
dedication and hard work has been an inspiration to all of us. Joe Bod firefighter Joseph OD is being promoted from firefighter to the rank of fire captain. Joseph was born and raised in Fairfield, New Jersey. 2012, he joined
the United States Marine Corps and served as a mortman with the second battalion, eight marines out of Camp Luna. He served multiple overseas deployments including Eastern Europe and Afghanistan where he earned a combat action ribbon. Having worked with diverse backgrounds,
held previous leadership positions and experienced high pressure situations, Joe knew that fire service was right fit for him. After joining the Marine Corps in 2015, he was hired by the Milbour Fire Department as a firefighter ENT in 2016. Firefighter OD's accomplishments
include the Yasui Metro Strike Team and the Department apparatus committee. Joe always strives to lead by example and make things better than they were before. That's his model. Joseph OD is joined by his loving
family, father Joseph OD, mother Maria, brother Vinnie, and his brother's fiance Brianna. Their unwavering support has been a pillar of of strength for Joseph, and their presence here today is a testament to the unity and warmth within our fire department community. As he
steps into his new role, Captain OD will be assigned as the company officer on the second platoon. His leadership and experience will undoubtedly bring a positive impact to his new team and to our department as a whole. Mayor >> Y.
>> May I have a motion to approve resolution 25-189 which confirms the promotion? >> So move. >> May I have a second? Yes. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cosgrove. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakandandy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler. >> Doubling. >> Mayor Romano.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Congratulations. I state your name. I just >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> I will support the Constitution >> I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> Constitution >> of the state of New Jersey
>> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> and I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of captain >> duties of captain >> of the Milbourne Township Fire Department >> the Milbour Township Fire Department >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratul
That's We're going to take a five minute break. Thanks. get started every excuse me excuse Excuse me. Thank you. >> Excuse me, everyone.
>> Thank you. >> All right, so let's go ahead and start doing some reports. Committee updates. Uh special improvement district. uh town hall remains a vibrant hub of summer activity where Milburn meets drinks and eats open container law.
Uh marker calendars for family movie night uh sponsored by home instead. And I always mention the sponsors because they're doing a great job for us. It's Tuesday, October, August 9th at 8 p.m. the uh original Jumanji starring Robin Williams will be showing.
We're also celebrating the tremendous success of the upper Milbour Avenue block party. Saw a lot of people there. It was fantastic. Uh just there was the place was packed. It was a thousand attendees that participated in 50 local businesses. Uh one of the best events
yet and a special thank you goes out to their our generous sponsors for that. Garden Homes and the Metropolitan whose support made that event happen. Uh exciting news for downtown Explore Builder and Shore Hills received the first $75,000 installment of the
$150,000 Main Street, New Jersey transformation grant. Uh these funds will go towards sidewalk improvements along Milburn Avenue between Main Street and Lacawana Place. Um we're collaborating with uh the BA and Christine Bugle on the project's design
and scope and share more updates as it progresses. Board of Education Leaison Kyle Arlington joined as a director of human service, human resources. He was the former assistant superintendent in Milburn and has come back and we welcome
him back. Construction projects are all well underway at the schools. The resurfacing of the football field is now complete and it looks great. Hope to see everybody out on Friday nights. We have an opening on the board due to a resignation. Applications are due by
September 4th to fill the remaining term which is September through December 2025. If anybody wants to put an application for that. >> Which board? >> Board of Education. >> POE. >> Joint facilities. No current updates.
Mountain Valley Emergency Communication Center. No updates on summer break. Uh flood mitigation. U gave an extensive uh overview last time. We can listen to that if you if you want the updates. Uh open space tax fund of which I chair. We
had our first meeting. It was a very productive meeting. We went through setting the procedure procedural basics and bylaws etc. And we'll be having our next meeting uh to review such items uh next month. And then on the affordable housing I will defer to your council
because nothing I can say will not get me in trouble. >> Michael. Yeah, actually actually on the joint fields we do continue to make progress with the with the board. Um we're not there yet, but we're we're close. So hopefully um you know in the
next few weeks we will come to an agreement on on that project. Um and then planning board has really been uh ratified the capital plan for town hall plaza for the the town hall renovation. Sorry town plaza town hall renovation.
Um and then um also uh reviewed some of the ordinances that are uh on the schedule tonight for um consistency with the master plan and they were all >> um committ.
>> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Um on the u report on the HPC activities, um you'll see it on the on the um agenda tonight. They're um they've been busy working on getting certain properties in town uh designated. of the paper mills on tonight, town hall plaza and Taylor
Clark. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen covered the planning board. Uh so the environmental commission uh is working on a skip the stuff ordinance. Uh this is a great ordinance that will uh make it so that
uh purveyors of you know take out food and whatnot instead of just automatically throwing utensils in the bag will have to ask you do you want those because a lot of times people don't want them and why generate extra trash. So we should see that uh sometime this fall. Um the EC will also have a
booth at October Fest uh and they're going to be setting up temporary water filling stations. So uh be sure to bring your water bottles. uh and at their booth we'll be giving out information on a number of initiatives. Um and finally on September 6th uh at St. Rose will be
there for stewardship day uh and they're going to give out community information about some of their initiatives and they'll also give out some information on the uh new seasonal restriction. All I have >> Thank you. >> public comment. When invited to speak to
offer your comments, please come to the lectctor and clearly state your name and whether you are a Milurn resident and or property or business owner. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. Um, go ahead.
>> Sure. >> No worries. >> Good evening, mayors, members of the township committee, and members of the community. Um, brief report this evening. Um, we've just got a lot of projects going on in town. Just want to provide a brief update on those. Uh the Ridge Red Ridgewood Greenwood drainage
project is slated to begin starting next early next week. Uh there's been a lot of pieces delivered already. The pipe for the actual project will be delivered sometime next week and tree removals will begin either on August 21st or August 22nd. Our 2025 road improvement
projects underway and paving can begin sometime next week as well. Um, and we're also waiting for PSD and D to come in and do their projects that they've uh that they've got a committed to for this year. Um, they will be communicating their work before their actual projects begin and they mobilize. Um, one other
note, just want to share with the town to the township as a whole, just make sure if you're putting any bags of waste out that they're in a closed container. Um, we just want to make sure that there's no issues there for garbage getting around in the community. So, just want to make note of that. We share that out on social media as well. That's
all I got for this evening. >> Thank you. >> Committee Monday if you want. I drafted a skip the subordinance for the time for Livingston. I'm happy to share it to you. It was adopted last month and I would just like to the one key is the education of the businesses that I'm
sure you have on your radar, but I'm happy to pass that on. Yeah, the EC is working with Explore Milk Hills or more specifically Steve Brillo to work before we even pass ordinance um to inform what it is and what it entails because it'll actually come.
>> Yeah, I'll forward that to you, Mr. >> Great. Thank you. >> Um affordable housing update. Um I have a third our third round update. We had a very brief uh case management conference on August 4th. Um the township and the developer RPM submitted competing orders
of compliance. Uh the board still has decided which order or a hybrid of the order that uh will be entered. Um but I fully believe that our third round compliance order should be entered uh into due course and probably in pretty
short. Um fourth round um objections to our fourth round are to be made by the end of this month August 31st. To date, no objections have been filed. Um, I do represent other towns and I have been in consult with other attorneys. It seems
like there's a conscious effort from Fair Housing Center developers to wait till the last minute to file the objections as there's been very few filed even though some are known and I'm not saying there's any known to the township. Um, so once those objections are if any objections are filed I'll certainly notice committee and the
public will be aware of that also. Um, other than that I have no further updates. Thank you. When invited to speak to offer your comments, please come to the elector and clearly state your name and whether you are a Milbour resident and or property or business owner. Please do not provide
your full address seeing our meetings are recorded and readily available to the public. To help facilitate a norly meeting all to be heard, speakers shall limit their comments to one three minute session. You will be prompted when there's 30 seconds remaining. A reminder that this is not a time for dialogue or to debate a matter and this is a time
during our business meeting for the public to offer comments. I will now open public comment. >> Hello. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. This is my second meeting in a row. So, thank you all for listening. My name is Jennifer
Duckworth. I am a Melbourne resident and I'm here today to speak with you about Tour to Melbourne. Tour to Milbour is Sunday, September 7, 2025. Since 2020, to Milbourne has registered over,700
participants. After January 2020's New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition, the um Jorge Masipro and me joined with other Milbourne Short Hill residents Pria Patel, Lillian Cho, and Joe
Espazito to form the tour to Milbour steering committee. When COVID struck, Milbour Township listened and offered this f fun, familyfriendly, COVID safe, community building bike ride that celebrates safe biking in Milbourne and
Shore Hills. Dedicated township staff from the recreation department, the police department, the public works department, the department of parks, and volunteer first aid squad support every year, and we appreciate their support. Tour to Milburn offers three rides.
There's the two-mile, which is a closed course for families riding together and for individuals who are inexperienced wanting to ride that closed course. It's it's two miles and it's at 9:00 a.m. There's the seven mile, which is for experienced cyclists 10 and older who
have more experience riding longer distances. That's at 8:30 and at 15 mile for advanced cyclists 16 and older who have more experience riding long distances. and elevation changes and that is at 8 a.m. So they they go in
opposite order. The Milbourne Township website, if you Google tour to Milbour, it will come up as the page, there's a QR code on it. And for more information and how to register and also we're looking for volunteers if anyone wants to help. Thank you to the rep department
for continuing to support us and we are looking forward to seeing everyone there. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, I'm Trina Franco. I've lived in Ture Hills for over 50 years and practice general internal medicine in town for over 30 years. I want to thank Jamie
Hawkins, our town senior citizens coordinator, and Shaunie Jarvis, outreach manager of Tripoa Northeast, for a wonderful program they held last week at the Jirro Center. Nine senior drivers, or as they call them, seasoned drivers, participated in a program
called CarFit. We sat in our cars while teachers from Triple A showed us how to make sure we were self safely belted in, the correct distance to sit from the wheel in case the airbag is deployed, how to adjust the mirrors correctly, and
other safety tips. Keeping seniors safe on the road helps them, but also protects everyone. Of course, it also keeps insurance costs down. This was a great example of government and private industry working together to improve our
communal life. A community does not prosper if we see it as a zero game where if you get more, I get less. We do not pay taxes as a quidd proquo expecting all our money to be spent on our local needs, but because we pay
taxes because we believe when the least of us benefit, we all benefit. We are part of a group much larger than our little town. We cannot put walls around millions hoping to keep us protected from the
problems of the greater world. Rather, providing health care for all prevents the spread of communicable diseases. Providing good education for all, affordable housing for all, healthy food for all protects our families, enables
the next scientific breakthrough, preserves our planet, and helps our economy grow. So, I would ask our township committee to keep this bigger picture in mind as they advocate for milk shorts. Thank
you. Thank you. >> My name is Debbie Jacobe. I live in Maplewood, but I am a longtime member of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church. I am an elder of membership of mission and outreach. And I come to you to speak this evening in uh pertinance to
ordinance 2715-25 and ordinance 2708-25. The first paragraph kind of says it all. The township of Milbour master plan re-examination and update adopted December 19th, 2018 to seeks to protect the character of the established
residential neighborhoods. I dare say that Wyoming Presbyterian Church has defined the neighborhood of the Wyoming District of Milbour for over 150 years. We celebrated our 150th anniversary last year. and what we do to serve that community and the immediate area is
outstanding. As 35 year a 35 year member, I will tell you that we are known as the pumpkin patch church. Many of you have come and helped buy pumpkins and whatever. I'm particularly concerned about these ordinances and the limitations about
which would be allowed for us to use our building. defining a 900 pm limitation on a rental. We don't do a lot of this, but if somebody comes into the building, it's unreasonable to expect that a
gathering would end at 9:00 p.m. There are so many other uh aspects of this that concern us. But I'll leave you with that. Uh Wyoming Church is a very important part of this community, as are all the churches and houses of worship
in this community. Religion is under attack in so many different ways. It won't always be such and there's a lot of people who find solace in these houses of worship. They are important to continue and if you limit what we do,
you will limit how we serve our community and perhaps close our doors. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Beverly Freedellander Ostraki. I'm a resident of Milbour and I am the interim pastor at
Wyoming Presbyterian Church. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Uh I'm shortly here. I just moved here in bank and I'm very excited to be a part of this community and I rise also to speak about the same two ordinances that our elder just did. Um,
my first concern with 2708 is there was no notice given to our church by any kind of certified letter and so we do not know if we are protected for having been here 150 years but I'm certain
we're going to and certain I'm not a landscaper but I can look out my window and tell you we don't meet some of these regulations on buffers. Um, so I'm concerned about whether we would end up in violation and never had a chance to
come to you with a plat or anything to be show our concern regarding that. And finally is to the programming within the facility. I would like to hear discussion from you particularly about
how a uh town clerk is supposed to determine what constitutes the worship or educational work of our ministry. Given that we uphold adherence to our faith, uphold a law that says we should
love our God with all our heart and mind and soul and strength. That is the whole of our life is about worship. And the second like it we should love our neighbor. So we take very seriously our next door neighbors, our across the
street neighbors and the ones further out and even globally which means our reach and programming has many varieties. And it is our hope that we are constantly making this gift to us,
the stewardship of this facility available to anyone who might want to call Milbour home or come to Milbour to explore our town and support our businesses. And we don't want to be concerned with
limiting that. One way to think about it is weddings. If a non-member were to ask to use the facility for a wedding venue, what if they didn't fit the parameters that you think about with that and they
wanted 150 guest in a facility rated for over 200 people. We could not meet the 75 max for an event that our staff was not supporting on site in that moment as the officians. So I think there's just
more discussion that we'd like and I thank you for your service. Our founder John Calvin says that public service is the highest p. So thank you. >> Thank you. the community and media. My name is Tara Nazareth and I've been a homeowner and
resident now for almost 15 years in lovely Melbourne in the R5 Wyoming district. In that time, I've seen the town develop significantly. So today, I'll share with my residential perspective on the ordinance that we voted on tonight uh with regards to buffers, etc. For many residents like
myself and my husband, we moved to Milbourne to be in this wonderful community. Milbourne offered serenity, proximity to nature, and access to key amenities and locations both in state and in neighboring states. I have a few key points to communicate with regards to consideration of proposed ordinance.
First, I want to thank the DC for their continued commitment and their efforts to balance growth and neighborhood preservation in our town. My view is that this ordinance recognizes individual homeowners and families that have invested in being in Milbour and it
lends necessary and helpful residential protection during development. I support these measures and allow res which allow residents to enjoy their properties as the town walks. My second point is to request that mitigation components from the ordinance
where reasonable and possible be standardly applied to pre-existing non-conforming use properties of budding single family homes in cases where redevelopment is being proposed. I live behind the Wyoming Club on London Street now purchased by the Little Cub LLC
which is the major tennis club. Over the years, some of the uses have dramatically and negatively impacted literally all the adjacent residential properties, which is eight bordering properties alone. Negative impacts have included intense and unprecedented noise levels to the
point of multiple neighbors calling them over police for help. As well, there have been privacy and storm water management issues. The impact of these issues on residents should be mitigated even if they are not part of the new development and they are part of redevelopment. For example, lighting and
tree screening measures from this ordinance could easily be lifted and applied to cases of redevelopment, reconstruction, or renovation of existing structures. My third point is a question to the TC to consider and clarify how the implemented ordinances will be upheld by the town in the
future. What support and cooperation is needed from other county entities, the HBC, the zoning board, the police? How do we ensure these are upheld? And finally, I request that key points from the development ordinance be documented and today's discussion be documented and
shared with other township partners who can steward consistent consideration and implementation such as the aforementioned township entities and decision-m components. Thank you. >> Thank you. Ed Mer resident
first of all I want to thank all of you for your dedication service to the community. I have some concerns considering the uh two ordinances that were on the agenda
tonight relating the houses of worship. As many of you know, uh, the township many years ago, uh, was in effect required to pay attorney's fees because the earlier ordinance relating to house
of worship was found to be violative of the loop by state court. We have ordinances tonight that I think are even more violative of the ordinance. I have a question concerning the DOJ
investigation which related to the township's actions against a house of worship in this town. There was a uh multi-million dollar attorney's fees uh that Milbour ran up
that ultimately were paid by the insurance carrier. I'd like to know uh if you could tell us whether or not uh the insurance that we have is experience related and whether in effect that JIF
and Mel raise Milburn's rates uh to compensate for uh having to pay a multi-million dollar uh uh attorney's fees. I have a few comments on the uh proposed ordinances. Uh, first of all,
relating to the Wyoming Presbyterian Church, I was on the zoning board when one of the applications came up for the expansion. The Wyoming Presbyterian Church doesn't have a single on-site
parking space. I voted for it because I think it's uh a benefit to the town even though they did not have uh any on-site parking. Uh I think uh the the comments
were that you may not uh conclude some of your events by 9:00. As I read the ordinance, you're not even entitled to have the events. The ordinance says the site must provide sufficient off- streetet parking for all attendees. So
therefore, you can't have any events if this ordinance is adopted. Uh the uh uh second is if you want to proceed with this, I think you should uh tell uh the township the reason that
you're intending to adopt this ordinance. Uh have there been complaints against house of worship? Uh why aren't we including public schools in this ordinance as well as private places of assembly such as the Racket Club, the
Short Hills Club, uh Canoe Brook, and the uh Wyoming Tennis Club? Will existing houses of worship and uh uh private schools be grandfathered in or are we going to uh adopt enact this
against all of them? And also uh I think it should address whether this is going to be compliant with Rupa since it treats religious places of assembly on unequal terms with non-religious >> time is up. I'm sorry. Assembly.
>> Yeah, we don't have a beep. Sorry. >> Hi, I'm Bar. I've lived in Milliburn for 32 years. Um, I know that the town did not have the prize center plans to expand. And now I understand
I was negotiating with them again and going back to the table to discuss things. But um as I read in one of the minutes just bring me a plan that complies with the town ordinances. So but now there are ordin there are things
that are not even in the ordinances that we want the high center to comply with. I don't get it. Either the rules are the rules or they're not. I mean, you I I read in the minutes that if you bring this to me, I will sign it. But now
you're moving the goalpost in the middle of the game. The same board member who said, "I'll sign it said that this rabbi is untrustworthy. We can't trust him anyway." Well, this sounds like a very untrustworthy thing. Changing the rules in the middle of the game. Why
why would you why would anyone have to comply with something that's not a rule or not on the books? If you vote for it and you pass that, that'll be for future construction in town. But I was told that this is not an act of vengeance or
hate of the of the Orthodox Jewish community. But it sure feels like they're being singled out, and I don't like it. I would like to someone to explain why the rules could should be different for them when it's not the law.
>> Thank you. >> Good evening. Diane Egllo, former town committee member, mayor, lifelong member of Mr. Sakamundi, you were elected for the entire town. I mistakenly supported you. Big mistake. I was completely taken
by surprise at the last TC meeting when you carry on a tie rate against Democrats in Trenton for a half a million dollar grant that would pay for the muchneeded pump station at the Gilbert Road in South Mountain section. Such a completely inappropriate and partisan speech that I was waiting for
mayor Romano to stop you. But no one seems to be able to stop your destructive path. You have decided that Martha Callahan, the town engineer of 25 years, should no longer be the engineer to review planning board applications. Miss Callahan knows every road property
in this town. She does not play favorites and nor is she compromised in any way. Now, is your idea to only bring on engineers that have been pre-screened to clear or reject applications as you and several others on the planning board want? You have spearheaded these new and
completely preuditial ordinances that absolutely target the high center. You are simply adding to the case against the township. Now tonight there's another new ordinance that targets every house of worship and private school in the township. Gingry Winston standalone
preschools in the middle of August. Have these entities been notified? Do they know what your plan is to step on their religious and educational and civil rights? Why haven't the public schools been included included? Is this the latest? Is this latest ordinance even
legal? Why is the Rapids Club and the Short Hills Club, etc. not included? I am not an attorney, but this seems pretty suspect to me. Since when does Milurn Township government interfere in this matter? And if by chance if you have three votes, which I certainly hope
you don't, to pass this, are you going to do a final read in September again when everybody is just coming back from school from vacation, starting school? Is this your plan, Mr. Sakamande? And if you have two votes um up from the
township committee, disgraceful. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Ruth Kersner. I'm a resident of Melbourne Township and I'm also the president of Congregation Ben Israel on Milurn Avenue.
I'm standing up here tonight to express my concern about ordinance 2715-25. While I understand the concern about the need to preserve the character of residential neighborhoods, the fact remains that we also need to support our churches and synagogues who provide so
much support to our community, religious and spiritual, but also communal and even at times financial. They are a lifeline to so many. The reality is that our houses of worship are already struggling particularly since co. They
need to creative find creative ways to stay afloat and to create connections to the community so that they will be able to better to continue to serve the Milbourne community. I'm concerned that the proposed ordinance has major implications for our houses of worship.
Strict township oversight over the activities of houses of worship down to details about how many people can attend and what time the event should end is not only impractical but also could have a chilling effect. In all of my years in
involvement in my house of worship, I am unaware of any complaints regarding our activities. So why make us go through these hoops? I hope that you will vote against this ordinance. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Hi. Uh, Debbie Frank, township
president. Um, I have real concerns about these ordinances which seemed to me as a high center, not least because of its timing, but I'm want to address another aspect of this, the problem it shares with recent decisions on
affordable housing. With respect to both of these issues, the committee seems to feel that your decisions are responses to particular circumstances divorced from the decisions or in the case of affordable housing non-decisions that came before. To a limited extent, this
is true. There may there may well be certain aspects that are somewhat neat. Prior committees may have felt the same and seen themselves as fashioning discrete solutions, discreet circumstances. The problem is that these decisions are not only or even primarily
decisions made by a particular committee. All decisions committees make are decisions of the township of Milra and will be seen in the context of earlier decisions by not any particular committee but by the township of Mil. Whether it be regarding affordable
housing or the PI center, history matters. Decisions made by any township committee are part of a continuum, a pattern of responses to recurring issues. I can't judge the sincerity of this committee regarding whether or not there is bias against the high center or
affordable housing beyond my ability. What I can do is warn you that when seen in relation to all that has come before, the credibility as to lack of bias on either of these issues could be called into question. The township carries with it the weight
of all decisions and non-decisions previously made. The history of the township's interactions with a high center and with affordable housing matters. Appearances matter. The history matters. >> Thank you.
>> Good evening. My name is Jeffrey Bel. I live in the poet section. I'm going to be spoking speaking about the consent agenda. Um, as Sheila Oliver to admonish me, the devil is buried in the details.
As my custom, I sent you a heads up letter with comments, chronology, and various case law. None of you have mentioned or responded to any of these questions. drawing like to build this. We're paying
about $260,000 for the renovation town hall. How we funding it? We haven't issued bonds yet. How are we funding it? And the reason I raised this is at the last meeting, you approved a payment
for the council of the city. You paid $1,000 in excess of what you did under your resolution. Did anyone read this? Did anyone? And according to the resolution, DA and municipal attorney were supposed to review. The reason I raised it, you just heard a big praise
about the upper Milbour um fair. I made an open request to see if you had any permits or applications. There were no permits approving that block party. Later on, you're going to be approving a
beer garden where October Fest. When the advertisements for the fair street fair occurred, they said there was going to be a beer garden, but they never came to you for approval. Who's watching the barn? Tonight, you're going to be proving two agreements. We're getting
back to the same issue that we had with the nine Main Street settlement and the high center settlement that happened years ago. Why can't we see the agreement? The two agreements that there's going to be a forestry plan. Why can't the public see what the plan that
you're approving tonight? You're approving a settlement with the S SOA. Why can't we know what the terms are? Why can't we know what additional costs there are? What if there's going to be additional manpower? What is the secret? This is the problem about trans lack of transparency that we've had throughout
this community. Um there's a memorandum of understanding not memorandum giving um topology to do a redevelopment plan. What when was the area of need of redevelopment done? Is it still valid
versus West Orange? Question is who owns the redevelopment plan? Is it you or is it the plan board? These are things we need to know. Close executive session meeting. You haven't approved executive executive minutes for since January for
January 1st, 2025. How do we know that you're getting proper advice? Because one thing that we haven't been talking about is the beer properties litigation. There was a trial, bench trial on April 7th. We're still waiting for that decision. There
are motions that were heard on July 15th. She designed one of the motion. We're still waiting for an order. We are entitled to answers. >> I question. >> I'll be back later. Thank you. >> Evan Frankle, Six Park Road, Short
Hills. Good evening, Township Committee. Thanks for your time and effort and energy around everything you guys do in the town. Um, I'm here to express my strong support for ordinances 2515-25 and 2708-25. These measures are not abstracting
abstract zoning tweaks. They're essential tools to preserve the residential character, safety, and environmental stability of neighborhoods like ours. In recent years, we've seen proposals for large-scale non-residential developments on residential lots that push right up to the limits of our code.
Even when technical technically compliant, these projects have fundamentally changed the nature of the neighborhood. They bring extensive impervious coverage in one recent case more than a t-fold increase which raises serious concerns about storm water management, flooding, and long-term
maintenance responsibilities. They can also bring increased traffic and parking demands into areas where designated which were never designated for such loads. Our streets near schools and parks already experienced congestion and safety risks for pedestrians. Without strong requirements for buffers,
setbacks, and traffic controls, these impacts spill directly into our driveways and crosswalks. Ordinance 25 2715-25 addresses the root of this by tightening limits on non-residential expansion in single family zones. It closes loopholes that can allow commercial scale
buildings to appear in lowdensity neighborhoods without the rigorous scrutiny they deserve. Ordinance 2708-25 goes further by strengthening the standards for site plans requiring real functioning buffers, appropriate setbacks, and clear controls on lot
coverage, parking, and lighting. This is not about preventing institutions from thriving. It's about ensuring that they grow in a way that respects the neighbors rights, quiet, safety, and the use of their property. We've heard from our environmental commission that large impervious expansions can cut a site's
permeable area by nearly a quarter, risking runoff problems for decades. We've seen planning experts recommend better screening, safer traffic flow, and more thoughtful site layouts. These ordinance will give our our boards the teeth to make those improvements a
reality upfront, not after costly hearings or litigation. Ultimately, this is about balance. Our neighborhoods can welcome diverse uses, but not at the cost of flooding basement, unsafe intersections, and losing the very qualities that drew us here in the first
place. Both ordinances strike the balance. They safeguard property values, environmental health, and public safety while still allowing projects that meet high community standards to proceed. I urge you to adopt these ordinances. Thank you.
Anyone else before we go on the question member president I would like the board to strongly think about what you're trying to propose especially tightening the ordinances that extreme
that are already the most restricted in the state of New Jersey. Look at any similar town in New Jersey. The conditional use ordinances for house of worship as is as they are right now. They are the stringest they are in the state.
You're trying to tighten them further in in essence basically precluding creation of town of house of worship. Also, you're saying we're going to try to improve the residential character of the town.
The current house of worship, are they an up front to you because none of them are meeting the current or proposed zoning requirements? Are we going to take down the bell towers of the churches and their spires because they're too tall?
Why are we trying to tighten the already impossible to meet requirements for the house of worship? this the the the which is not a commercial but it inherent the beneficial use according to
the federal and state law. In fact, those developments should be afforded more leniency. Nobody tries to build unsafe house of worship. But even to put something in
town would require a 3acre lot which barely exists in town. It already eliminates the possibility in the in the vast majority of the township to do that. And now you're shrinking the envelope of building. Now you're shrinking the now you're increasing the
buffers and you're making the extremely honorous requirements more honorous. You're trying to clarify the currently ambiguous zoning ordinance, but you're clarifying it by tightening every restrictions possible by by making
buffer or whatever setback all of a sudden from 25 to 50 making it a buffer in fact precluding ability to create a a house of worship in in town and That's I think neither state nor
federal government would look like would look likely upon and I think this creates significant legal risk for the town for no reason because house of worship by their definition improve the community at
least in the in in the eyes of the law. J Morali Township Resnut. I'd like to start uh by thanking all the committee members for their service to the community. Uh I'd like to talk on two topics tonight. First, I'd like to compliment the township on all of the
fabulous activities that were hosted over the summer. Uh, committee memb block party, um, the Thursday night concerts at the park, the town hall plaza events, national night out, just to name a few. These have all been
fantastic and um, I really want to uh, compliment everyone involved, the planning, organizing, volunteers that make these events possible. So, thank you. Next, I'd like to turn uh the attention to the topic of school safety
as yet another school year is about to commence. On July 3rd of this year, a squatting incident occurred at our high school. The police department received a call from an unknown individual claiming he was armed and present at the Milbourne High School. Fortunately, this
threat was determined to be not credible. With that said, it is a stark reminder of the danger students face. According to Education Week, there have been seven school shootings this year through May on the property of K through2 schools that resulted in
injuries and deaths. And there have been 228 since such shootings since 2018. In the vast majority of these cases, the shooter was a student or a former student and they obtained the firearm from their home or
that of a family member or friends. And these numbers do not include shootings on college campuses or shootings where there were no injuries. That number this year is about 75. I asked the TC to direct Chief Gilfeder
and the police department to issue a reminder to residents on the importance of safe storage of firearms and to do this annually, if not more frequently. Safe storage of firearms is recommended by advocates on both sides of the
firearm debate. And after all, we can remind that residents to lock their cars. We can certainly ask them to store their firearms securely where minors cannot access them. Thank you and have a good night. >> Thank you. past resident.
>> This past Sunday, a fellow resident, a member of the planning board who's a neighbor, sent me a text asking if I was also awakened around 7 a.m. or 7:30, uh, by the five to six five or six construction vehicles parked on Conniston Road working on a new construction project at that at that
site. Uh, I was um I'd like to know what are we doing uh to enforce our zoning laws with developers and their construction crews. They're constantly pushing against the rules for many years now, and whatever we are doing is not enough. For them to turn up on a Sunday
morning at 7 or 8 a.m. with five construction vehicles kind of demonstrates that. Um, I'd also like to say these zoning related ordinances that are under attack this evening by some members of the public do something very important. They simply standardize the
treatment of non-residential development adjacent to residential zones. Why would anyone be against the important exercise of the fiduciary duties of our TC members to protect our residents per in the December 2019 updated master plan
and I'd like to turn to Miss Egllo who was a former member of the township committee and mayor. Uh I think it's important to put in context her remarks. She was a member of the township committee in 2018 and she and her fellow members opened this town to the
builder's remedy lawsuits that ensued. She was also a member in 2021 who signed the fair share housing agreement that brought the dump project with $1 sale of our taxpayer funded public land and a $50 million financial backs stop.
meaning we are on the hook as taxpayers for the full $50 million to build this project on contaminated land. We'll never own it or manage it, but all we will have is the liability and the responsibility to deal with everything about the project. Is this someone who
has any credibility in this town? >> First mayor ever. >> Oh, thank you very much. Is this on? >> Okay. Christine Bastil Township. Um I'm going to talk first um
about all these ordinances um that are developed. I've read through some of them briefly. Um I do see some concerns about um existing houses of worship that exist and that are authorized in the township that have existed for a long time. You know places like the Jesan um
the Israel etc. you know the Wyoming church and all the other you know facilities. I mean you can't go back in time and make them comply. So I do think that should be part of the regulations. Um, you know, and I think what's really challenging is is that there's only so
much land available. So, everybody seems to want have a piece, right? Developers want a piece. They want to make money. Everybody wants to be in this town. But the value in this town is the beauty of this town. It's just like Malibu in California. The biggest trout by fire.
It's going to be redeveloped in a not a great way. This town is special. It's really special. People come here because it's specialist. They want to build a religious organization because it's special. They want to live here because it's special. It's beautiful. If you just allow open zoning and buffers and
just anything goes kind of wild west building, which is what is occurring here, and I'm I'm taking across the board, not just for religious institution or schools, the town's going to collapse and it's going to actually be not a pretty place to live and people are just going to move out, you know.
So, I I do think that though these should be passed. I think there should be some reooking at some of the finer things that some of the people commented on. Um, but I do also want to talk about I noticed you put in a provision a little provision about viet like
wireless okay like or antenna setup. You know, one of the things that's interesting is the Heartshorn Church is obviously making some type of revenue because they have a five some type of cellular I didn't go up and look at it tower in their church and you know anybody can put that on any church's
property or temple's property and I think that's really also another reason um and then in because they are pushing it up to the you know limits of our code as Mr. Frankle have said um and I think it does as some other people talked to
about loopholes um and it does respect neighbors rights you know to live and I actually have a constitutional right to live in a secular environment and to not practice religion I am a Christian I'm married to somebody Jewish and I do go
to temples and churches quite frequently but I don't need to be disturbed by people's practices of religion so I think it's very important that people have the to live in peace on their property, not see blinding lights that are 12 feet high. It's not appropriate in a residential area. You make
residents not put in lights like that. Why do people get to come in and just throw up big lights? So, I think the buffer is completely adequate. I think these were wellcraftrafted pieces. And I also want to point out you read it. >> Okay. Thank you.
Hi, my name is Kathleen Gillson and I live in the Wyoming section. Um, I just wanted to speak on two points. One, I do live very close to the Wyoming uh, Presbyterian Church. They've been a terrific neighbor. So, um, I think any way they have operated and any way I
could envision them operating, I think they should be grandfathered in. Um, however, I'm very close also to the Wyoming Club, which is now under new um, ownership. And that's a situation where I think that I I would hope some of
these ordinances would be expanded to um to be effective with a situation like that. It's not a house of worship, but my property is right there. And if that um if the new owners develop it to rent
it out for um all kinds of different events that go late into the night, that's that's a real impact on uh the neighborhood and it's a residential neighborhood. So I hope when you are looking at these ordinances you won't only look at the few um types of places
that you've spoken of u but that you would expand it to look at uh places such as that. >> Thank you. >> My name is John Trnik. Uh a resident of Milbour. um been actually a resident for
the last 57 years. Um I graduated high school here, came back to town. Um I have been a member of the Wyoming church for 57 years. Uh I'm concerned about uh the ordinance that's being passed or
being considered and hope that you vote against it. the church and all the churches with houses of worship here do so much for this community and part of the reason I came back after I graduated was because of the experiences I had uh at the church and I think that's something that the committee should
consider and I appreciate all the hard work that you do on these committees but I would question the constitutionality uh when we're looking at houses of worship and uh private schools and not considering all the other social clubs that are not going to be affected uh by
this So, I appreciate your time and would hope that you vote against the >> Is there anyone else that wishes to speak? You're muted. >> Right. Sorry about that. Hi guys. Sorry. I'm on my tiny phone. Just peeled off
from the evening dog walk. Sir Regina Truit. I live in Short Hills. Just a couple of things tonight. Um I enjoy your weekly updates. um the ones that are uh delivered by phone and also emailed. But I would and I en enjoy when you talk about all of the wonderful
activities that are taking place in town, but I would also request that you add um equally important um ordinances that are coming up for first reading and final patches second reading to your weekly updates. Um it's awfully hard for residents to keep track of that. So, I
would ask that you um include those in your weekly messages, these important ordinances such as this one that's passed that's that's being presented in August. Um and also further on your agendas, it would be great if you could have a link to the ordinances so that people could find the actual language um by just clicking a clicking a link in
the agenda. Um, lastly, um, I'm on the zoning board, so my comments only represent my personal comments and not those of the zoning board, but I wanted to make a few comments about ordinance 271525 that is up for first reading tonight. I was
concerned about some of the language in it. Um, houses of worship are de facto community centers. We actually had this discussion at the board of ed years ago. Um, they are a center for community members to meet. Sometimes some people consider them the bedrock of communities. And if you're secular,
there are also events held for community members in these houses of worship. To limit the ability for them to have events there at 9:00 p.m. not only affects their revenue and their members, but I think it should be coordinated with the noise ordinances if you're going to put any restrictions on those
activities. I am concerned about the constitutionality of selecting just houses of worships and private school and not other community entities. So, I would encourage you to vote no on that first reading and go back to um the drawing board. Anyway, thanks for all
you do guys. That's it. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh everyone, Jamie Sudo, lifelong Milbour Short Hills resident. I wanted to comment on a couple of items. One in particular, thank you to uh Crystal Woods and the Milbour Police
Department for an amazing amazing um National Night Out. Uh an amazing time to support our police, especially when they need uh that support more than ever. And um thank you for always making us feel safe. All the first responders who were present. Um, we all know
Rocktoberfest is coming up on Saturday the 13th and we encourage uh members of the community to and businesses to sponsor as well. You can go on the Ed Foundation website uh for that information. Um, I also just wanted to highlight uh my support for the
designation of the Paper Mill Playhouse uh Taylor Park and um as well as Town Hall as historic. Um, I believe we must preserve our historic landmarks and history and strive to preserve our bucolic community and uh by designating
these areas we are of course uh setting us setting ourselves up uh to continue to be a prosperous Milbourne short hills. Um and in particular Taylor Park as I'm referencing Rocktoberfest, National Night Out concerts, so many great things. Um it's really important.
So I think uh it's on the theme of course uh with our 250th uh celebration of independence um which there's a a committee of the township which I do sit on and members on the day sit on as well. Um so let's not forget our history. Stay safe and I'll see you
around town. Support local. >> Thank you. Uh, good evening. I'm Mike Sts. I'm the executive director of Paper Mill Playhouse. As you all know, Paper Mill is a tenant of the properties at 13 uh
to 23 Brookside Drive, where Paper Mills resided uh since 1938. Ordinance 2711-25 to historically landmark this property has come up rather quickly and appears to be a rushed approval during the
summer months when people are not probably paying as much attention. Seems to be a running theme this evening. Actually, Paper Mill has sought legal counsel on this matter. Last night, I submitted to Mayor Romano and Deputy Mayor Cohen a legal analysis of this
ordinance and its impact on Paper Mill. I'd be happy to share with all of you. I will cite just one paragraph from the analysis and respectfully ask the township committee to kill this ordinance or at the very least postpone the vote so that conversations can take
place between the township committee and the paper mill board of trustees. I think the board of trustees at the very least uh of paper mill deserve this simple courtesy. The township cannot use its position as a governing body to enact a law that
only affects Paper Mill and no other private member of the municipality and in doing so effectively uh impose a greater obligation on paper mill under its lease agreements. Pursuance to paragraph 1605 of the lease agreements,
any amendment or modification to the terms of the agreement must be in writing and signed by the parties. In other words, both parties must approve the modification of the lease agreements. The township is effectively modifying the lease agreements by
imposing greater responsibility on paper mill a by requiring it to comply with historic preservation requirements that impose more stringent maintenance, repair and replacement responsibilities than pro than provided for under the lease agreements. B. Thereby requiring
Paper Mill to incur corresponding increased costs. C by imposing a new layer of governmental review due to the historic preservation designation of the property. And D by adding new limitations to any future renovation and expansion over the remaining potentially
50 plus years of the lease term. In addition, the imposition of the historic designation impairs the right of purchase expressly provided for in the paper mill property lease by adding a new level by adding a new level of restrictions on the property and its
operations expansions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening, Perry Erso. Um, in regards to the uh comments during reports regarding events that were being held up on Upper Milburn Avenue, I do echo uh
Mr. uh resident Mr. feld attorney uh comments um not because he represents us but because I end agreeance with him uh and I make my own decisions also in regards to that event that was held. So
I have a question because this is a controlled entity by the township are they exempt from obtaining any type of um permits? So as we heard Mr. feld said that there was no records found. So Upper Milbourne
Avenue or any of Milbourne Avenue is a county road and so were they required to get a permit from the county? Are they required to get a permit from the municipality? So I was sadly Mr. Um, uh,
McDonald is not there tonight, but he's very, I'm sure, seasoned about this. And if, if I, as a property owner or a business owner, would I be required to obtain those necessary and and and do the proper protocol if I were to have an event? Um, if someone uh, maybe Mr.
Hoffman or attorney um, Caner couldn't please answer that for me. And also what I'm concerned about as a prominent property owner on Upper Min Avenue, I'm concerned about the liability. The liability that was impacted
by an event not only for property owners, but the liability that was placed upon the township of Milbour. So, do we condone having events that are not
properly um and correct me if I'm wrong, if it's not required, it's not required, but I do believe history does matter. And I believe strongly that the rules are for me and not for thee. And I just wanted to get that out there and
hopefully you can answer questions. for li liability purposes um should the township been held harmless by that entity and should the property owners also been held harmless by the entity for that event. So, I just feel that,
you know, the township of Milbourne and property owners were put into risk. But if you feel or if it's not, then you condone it and and do events without this type of um protection, then you make the rules. You're up there. And
lastly, I'd like to say um how we were I believe it was the July 17th meeting. I would hope that you all have the opportunity. April 7th uh was the due date for the property taxes. My property taxes currently to my
knowledge are paid in full. So feel free to uh check that out. And my property taxes are always paid in full. So we do pay our property taxes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I will now close public comment. >> Can we give a second one?
>> Sure. fun. Um, all right. So, first I want to start by addressing Miss Eglo's um comments. Um, Miglo, your comments were were in many ways false, misleading, and
defamatory. Uh, so I'm going to explain. Uh, you you made a comment about a report I gave at the last meeting. So, at the last meeting, I pointed out that it was great that the town received half a million dollars in funding from the state for a
much needed pumpout. I also pointed out that that pales in comparison to the amount of revenue that they're going to get from the mansion tax that they pushed through uh with all Democrat votes. It was not done in a bipartisan manner. So, our residents are going to
end up paying millions of dollars in this additional tax. And what do we get back? We get back scraps. So, my point was we should be getting more back from the state for all of the money that we're paying in. We have a lot more that we need to do in way of flood mitigation
and if the state would help us out, we could make a much greater income. So, you definitely misconstrued my second um mentioned some point tonight that I'm some sort of ring leader. uh you know driving a lot of these ordinances. So um
perhaps I'll give you a refresher. You know considering you were a former mayor and you were on the township committee, you should know this. Just because someone is sponsoring an ordinance doesn't mean they wrote the ordinance and it doesn't mean they're even going to vote for the ordinance. Okay? So, in
the case of ordinance number uh 2715-25, the first I saw that ordinance was when I received the agenda pack. And the reason that we have a first read so we can decide if we want to move forward with that. We're actually going to be tableabling that ordinance because there are are some unintended consequences
that could create for uh houses of worship. Some some people spoke about that tonight. So, we're going to go back to our planner that actually wrote the ordinance and we're going to ask them to make changes so that uh it's not going
to have unintended consequences. So, that's for that ordinance. As far as the other ordinance, I'm going to address that uh when it comes up for second read. But, you know, I I'd also like to point out that you know, you claim I'm some sort of ring leader against the high center. Nothing could
be further from the truth. The planning board voted 7 to1 on that matter. Okay. And the or zoning ordinances that we are introducing now um are to make clarifications to issues and deficiencies found in zoning codes.
Oftent times we don't find issues and deficiencies in zoning codes until we have people come and try to push the bounds or stretch the limits of our zoning codes or do things that are against the um you know the the spirit
of our zoning codes but are perhaps you know unclear. So, we're trying to clarify our zoning codes and we're trying to strengthen protections so that residents in single family neighborhoods don't uh have undue burden from commercial properties come.
Um, M. Patnack, uh, I appreciate the history lesson. I think it's important that everyone remember uh that there is blood on Miss Aloans and I find it I find it offensive that, uh, she would come up and make us walk out here. I'm
not the only one being moving on. Um, >> so for all of for all of you that came out tonight, >> what is your name? >> Excuse me. >> Mayor, we have some order here, please. >> Um, so for all of you that came out tonight, uh, from the Wyoming
Presbyterian Church or the other houses of worship, really do appreciate you guys coming out. Um, I understand you'd reached out to some of us in advance and we had decided in advance that we were going to table this, but we didn't announce that at the beginning of the meeting because we wanted to hear all of your comments in case there was
additional concerns that you had that we hadn't already been made aware of. So, we will definitely go back to our planner who probably is the one that actually wrote the ordinance and we will have the necessary clarifications made uh before it gets reintroduced. So, thank you for coming out and speaking
up. much. Um, I think that's all I have. Thanks. >> Oh, no. I'm final. Thanks. Uh, Mr. Sts. Yes, Mr. Stats. Um, you know, it's interesting that you say that this uh
historic designation for the paper mill, which is owned by the town, it's town owned property. We bought it back in 2009 when the paper mill was going under. Uh, and we saved you guys. um you're you're there because the town bought the property. It is historic and
if we as a township want to designate it historic, we have every right to do so. The fact that you're a tenant doesn't give you the right to tell us that we can't do that. Uh I'm aware of the legal analysis you provided. It's faulty. Um and you know, I think you made
misleading statements uh when when you're claiming that uh it would be a violation of the lease for us to declare it a story. That's simply not the case. I also find it ironic that you're concerned about the cost of future repairs considering even though the paper mill is contractually bound pay
for repairs on the paper mill. You guys have never done so. In fact, you deferred maintenance and then came to us and as part of asking for $7 million from this township, you said some of that money would be used to make repairs that you guys should have been making all along the way. So, I think it's
disingenuous for you guys for you to come here with such an attitude uh and accuse the township of trying to do things that are in violation of the lease. That's simply ridiculous. Now, >> yes, thank you, Mayor. Um,
I'd like to just echo uh comments made by Regina Truit about seeing if we can add big or you know important ordinances to the mayor's weekly message and I'd love to see that we could add links to the agenda that goes out there so people
can get to it. Thank you. to the entire agenda. >> I mean, yeah. So, yeah, I mean, good point. Um, it'd be better to link them all. >> Yeah. I have a few things. First of all, I should have mentioned this earlier on, but I'll just do it now. At the last
meeting, people talked about uh during public comment their concerns about what was going on with ICE. In response to that, the uh township has on its website and will be sending out a public message. They've codified what the agreement is between New Jersey at the
state level and the at the county level, local level in terms of what the police can do with respect to ICE. That's as far as we can take it without giving we're not able certainly to give legal advice to to residents, but at least if you read that, you'll have a better
understanding of what the police are and are not going to do. So that's one thing I mentioned. I said that earlier. Um as uh as per ordinance 2715-25 as committee me secondy mentioned we are going to table that. I think what was
lost sight here is that this ordinance was intended to deal with when when the conditional use um is involved with outside entities. So when they rent space to someone like that that was the intention and to put some to put some controls on that. It was not about
activities like some of which that were mentioned um where you know it's an activity within within the main purpose of the organization something the organization is holding for itself any of those things that would that is that was not in the ordinance however I as as
has been mentioned based on tonight's comments and some others that I have received there are some unintended consequences and we'll be looking at at tweaking that um for tableabling it and then bringing it future meeting. Um I would like to ask
um Mr. Hoffman to make sure that uh Mr. Morali's request of the safe storage of firearms that announcement that that go out to the public because that is important and it's something that that we should do. Um uh as as for some of
the other concerns with the other ornaments again um for the for the existing houses of houses of worship um it is I'm I'm not on the zoning board but were you to certainly if you're not doing any any project or whatever no one's going to come and say well you now
all of a sudden you know you have to do this. However, if you were doing some kind of expansion or renovation and you did go to in front of the planning board or the zoning board to have to to and you have an existing non-conforming use, that is something that you that would
come up and depending on what it is, that's typically something that is understood and granted. Obviously, I can't say 100%, but that is typically how things are handled in that situation. Lastly, for all the people that talked about the Wyoming Club, um
what I would request that you do, as we've said many times, the best way to get those kinds of things resolved is to put an entry into the the uh SDL portal. That's the best name for it, but if uh you go to the main page of the website, I think it says something like, you
know, have a complaint or something like that. Fill that out. talk about the activities that are going on or they're going on late or whatever it is that you feel is bothering you. That then gets tracked. It'll go in this case probably then go to the police department,
whatever, the code officer and and then it's tracked and you can follow it and somebody will will act on it and you'll see the you'll see the status and if it's not acted on, you know, you'll see that too and and and can escalate that. So that's the best way to get these
problems solved and I hope uh you know I hope you're able to do that for the Wyoming. >> Great. Thank you. >> Sure. So so when I ran for this township committee what seems like forever ago. Uh we ran on a platform of transparency,
perfectionism, competence, civility, bringing all that back to the township and empathy and kindness really as well. You know, in the mortal words of a prior national can, there's more that unites us than divides us. Uh, and we we lose
fact lose sight of that. These two ordinances that we're discussing tonight, I was going to vote no on both of them. Uh, we tabled one. I'm going to vote no on the other one. Not because I don't agree with it, because we're not educating and communicating to the public like we promised to. It seems
that all the comments made on both sides were relevant, good comments that need to be discussed prior and ironed out prior to bringing it to make it an ordinance. Uh the comments that that Tara made on the on the tennis club in over on
Lyndon, I 100% agree with stepping on the rights and the civil liberties of of u of houses of worship and precluding them from having events. Agree with Mr. Frankle just walked out. What his comments were very eloquent. Uh a lot of
the comments made made probably why are we airing this out here? It needs to be aired out prior to it going onto the agenda and coming to front of the town or we look like the village idiots sitting here discussing these and then actually tableabling them and voting on
the other one. It doesn't make sense to me and I'll do everything in my power to rectify rectify that and make sure it's done appropriately. Uh the issue with the historical designation of a paper mill, should it be designated historical? Yes. When
should it be should it be done in in communication and education with the folks who run the paper mill? Absolutely. Business decisions are made face to face are not made by bureaucrats sitting up here writing laws and ordinances and just passing them uh and and playing
hard ball with people. I would rather have a place where we all discuss it, communicate, educate each other and move that forward. Um, you know, but but it absolutely should be and from that standpoint though, it
needs to be done on a in a business manner. Um, Mr. Feld. Um, it's my understanding and I'm on the explore board. Uh, we don't need a permit to have a uh a fair on upper Milbour. And I
could ask Mr. uh caner to verify that um and that there is no uh mun that the municipal authority is there to have that 48 hour fair if we wanted without having to pass that they have that discretion as the BA andor township as
long as that's granted. Um so many great things going on in our town. I can't even I know we're town hall plaza's packed, the Thursday concerts are packed. Uh, Paper Mill's killing it. They have another show going on a Broadway. Uh, uh, they have um uh the
businesses are are packed. Difficult finding parking spots, which are good. Uh, the fiscal uh uh position of our town has never been better. Uh, and we continue to attract the best businesses out there. Uh, and it's just a fantastic
time to be a Milberite. Uh, Short Hill and Short Hills resident. So I think we should embrace all the good things going on. Uh but we do have to do a better job of communicating and educating with the public at large on some of these ordinances instead of ironing it out on
the deis. Uh and you know we all need to take responsibility for that. Um the WPC I live on Wyoming on the same block as the WPC. The good they do for our community and I don't think anybody is arguing that they don't or wants a step
on that. I just think it's a byproduct of passing an ordinance too quickly or pushing it out there without the proper education and communication. Um 100% believe that we have rights as residents. We don't want them to be impeded upon by uh by by uh commercial
businesses etc. Uh and then we also have uh and I like a lot of what they say but we have to be better do better. Uh, I appreciate you all for coming out and uh sitting here at uh nine o'clock almost nine o'clock on a on a Tuesday night.
Thank you. >> Thank you. I just want to echo everything that you said from the ordinances to the paper mill historic designation. Um, thanking everybody for coming out tonight. You're right. you know, the summer is normally when it's quiet and this was a packed agenda and I
don't think it gave everybody an opportunity to thoroughly read through everything and, you know, that's why we are in a situation where we are now where we're taping it. Um, and I also agree with you with the paper mill. I think that we should wait until um the
construction is done and um have a conversation with the paper mill and I told some of my fellow committee members about this. They should not be finding out about it by seeing it on the agenda. Maybe they heard about it in advance, but someone should have had a conversation with them from the HPC,
whether they're a tenant or or not. That's just not something a landlord does. Um, and as far as the upper Milbourne Avenue, from what I understand with the beer garden, he didn't get his permit in time from the state. That's why he wasn't there. That's what I was
told. And this is reminiscent of of of about 90 people showing up at a township committee before I was elected uh with signs saying no to HBC for something that was actually probably beneficial to the neighborhood in in in totality, but
it wasn't communicated or educated to anyone. It was just thrown on an ordinance, thrown on a on a on a agenda and and thrust upon the community. So, you know, to do that >> that's actually a false statement. So the proper procedure outlined by the
historic preservation ordinance at the time was followed. Those that were affected by it were within 200 feet of it received letters. There was a hearing schedule and at the hearing the matter was tabled. >> Well, once again, you're missing the point of good communication and
education and getting buy in from all constituents which are the 22,000 residents of this town. It's it's not whether you did something by the letter of the law, etc., etc. The whole idea of a community is is working together to get the best outcome of the community.
But I digress. >> Just going that extra step just to educate. >> Okay. Um Mr. >> Uh I really have no response. I'll look into this. Um I don't have enough facts regarding uh the festival. So I'll work
with Mr. McDonald on that. I'll get a response. the committee on the public holding for the next meeting. Um any questions regarding the ordinance hearing if they anything um on the our end we'll look into the um adding the agenda to the Milber message
and also the request for the state storage notice. Are there any other items the tent committee would like us to look into? Thank you. Consent agenda items. The township committee will cons will consider consent agenda
resolution. Are there any comments from the committee in regard to any items listed on the consent agenda? May I have a motion to approve resolution 25-190 through resolution 25-206 which are listed on the consent agenda.
So move. May I have a second? rollers. >> I got a second. >> I can second. >> Thank you. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cosgrove. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakamandandy. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Stler. >> Mayor Romano. >> Yes. >> Are there any comments from the committee in regard to resolution 25-207? May I have a motion to approve resolution 25-207? >> May I have a second?
>> Second. Roll call vote, please. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cosbro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakamandandy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler. >> Yes. >> Mayor Romano. >> Yes. >> Ordinance 2715-25. >> Is there a motion to table?
>> Motion to table. Ordinance 2715-25. >> Second. Roll call. Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Crossbro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakamandandy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler. >> Affirmative. >> Mayor Romano. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Committee. You're scheduled to sponsor ordinance 2708-2. >> I I'd like to make a motion to table that as well. >> I'll second that. Well, any second for sense, yeah, for for more education and communication
with the public at large, I actually believe a lot of it that's in there and it's benefit to our town. However, the way it's being thrust upon the residents, I just don't agree with as seen from a number of residents that showed up tonight and the discussion thereafter.
>> Again, Mr. Stler, that is a false and misleading statement. The first day of this ordinance was many, many weeks ago. In fact, it was already delayed at once. Um, so the public has had adequate time and notice come and speak out against it and there are some that chose to do so
and there are plenty that came and spoken favor on it. So I think uh since it passed on first read uh and scheduled for tonight we should vote on tonight >> we have a motion. Yeah. So you're voting on a motion to
roll call mayor. No >> Mr. Cosgrove. >> No, >> Mr. Sakamandandy. >> No, >> Mr. Stler. >> Affirmative. >> Mayor Romano. >> Yes. >> Command and second. You are scheduled to
sponsor Ordinance 2708-25. >> I present for consideration an ordinance entitled Ordinance 2708-25, ordinance amending and supplementing the Township of Melbourne development regulations and zoning ordinance. Tonight is the time set for public
hearing and final passage as advertised in accordance with the law. I declare the hearing open. >> I move that this public hearing be >> closed. [Music] >> Okay. I'm just going to wing it tonight.
I'm ready for my flight tomorrow. Um, I just wanted to talk about some other things. I've been going back to your right to enjoy a space. This town is being slowly chipped away by unscrupulous builders that have zero
taste. There's realtors that are like banning roach. By the way, I don't see these houses. They're pretty bad. They're like built out of like facility. Um, so there's so many things. Again, I do
think things should be grandfathered. Not everybody can always get what they want. You know, I'd like to live in certain houses. I mean, I'd love to live next to the lake. I can't afford it. And even if I could, the person's not selling their house. So sometimes you
can't shove yourself into a box into a residential area that's already established and beautiful. It's very unfair to people that are already pre-existing in the open area to have a parking lot. If I had a parking lot slammed against my house and there's no
buffer zone, which was going to happen to one of the residential um people near Ultra Hills Road, I would be literally in tears because people spend, you know, people, there's residents here 30 years in their homes, okay? They
bought their house. They scrapped everything together. They waited and built bit by bit. There's a lot of people here that just work hard and aren't super wealthy. And I I think it's just it's obnoxious to be so entitled that you can come in and just demand to
dump down. And there's a lot of buying up of properties which is really concerning to me. And we have really laxed zoning codes. And quite frankly, if I was in charge of this, it would have been a lot stricter. Okay? And it should be applied to any kind of group,
organization, country club, school, etc. It should be completely across the board. And you know what? You might have to wait till a church or a temple goes out of business to buy the property. I know that they're opening up a um a Latter-day Saints temple. That's a big
controversial issue in Summit. So, that property looks like it's available. You know, it's right it's right there ready to go. You know, why not look at something like that? Why do you have to force yourself into into situations? So, I really really I know I don't have anything really eloquent eloquent to say, but I feel really strongly in
support of this. And this was notified. And by the way, no one notified me about the cell tower that was put up close to my home. It was done on September 2nd last year. So, kind of speak out of both sides of your mouth. Thank you
>> again. Beverly Ostraki, interim pastor at Wyoming Presbyterian Church. I need to say that I am not speaking on behalf of the ruling board of the church because we did not have a chance to discuss this ahead of time. And I want to thank all the residents of Milbour
for all the wonderful things you have done and you as our leaders to make this a wonderful place to live. Wyoming Presbyterian has been a part of that much longer than any of us have been of trying to make this that community that
you all want to be part of. I'm concerned about this particular ordinance. In case you don't know, the Wyoming church property includes a historic building that we are not allowed to do anything to except
maintain and take good care of. We cannot sell it. We cannot um change it. We must maintain it and we are allowed to use it. It's called the pony barn or the cottage. And I would say it's in really good
shape because not only have we taken care of it, but just this past week, we were leasing our space to a Netflix production company who came in and painted the building. something that would have stretched our finances at
this moment and caused significant challenges to us. But also again, the the boundaries that are set here with no clause of being grandfathered in really concerns me that we're going to be in violation. I I'm not great with math,
but 100 ft setback on frontage to our front door, that's 30 yards. That's a football third of a football field and I'm fairly certain we are not 30 yards back and there's nothing that's going to change that. The sidewalk into the main
office door is this far from my neighbor's property line. That means we have to somehow adjudicate that. We just need to know what we're going to do and whether we're going to be protected for
these kinds of things. So, as far as the physical property, you have already approved that the Open Door Nursery School can pick up and drop off children on Lyndon. We don't have any off-site parking, off-
streetet parking. Thank you again for your dedication to trying to keep Milbour the community you want to live in and that you want people to enjoy whether they live here or visit. And we just ask that you consider
holding off on this vote trying to amend it to take into consideration some of the concerns we have offered tonight. And I thank you again. [Music] Good evening, Rabski, township president.
Thank you committee members for everything you do for the township. My wife and I have lived here with our thank God seven children and many grandchildren for 32 years. We work in town. Our people live in town. We love
the town. We're very grateful the town is such a wonderful town. And um we're grateful for all the town communities throughout those 32 years who have shown selflessness, dedication, showing up to meetings when nobody else would show up, when there's hot outside,
cold outside. So when we come up and complain, we're not complaining about you personally. We're complaining because sometimes when your toe is hurting because your shoes are wearing out, you give a little yell, but you're not angry at the shoe maker.
simply yellow. So I think this ordinance um that you've just decided to discuss is very very poor taste and the reason is and I've been involved with the changing of the ordinances
since 2006. So, as you know, Milurn Township's code was first adopted in 1985 or 87 and um it was changed for the first time back in 2006. Tried to change it tried to change it in for no reason
except the fact that we bought a piece of property and then you tried to change it again in in 2008. that was tabled because we came and complained and then when we sued you guys and you paid our lawyer $62,000 at Judge Mardi in Newark issued that
order and unfortunately township had to shell out that $62,000 to our lawyers because the ordinances were out of compliance. He then went and made 12 conditions. Now you're adding a number of conditions. Not a single house of worship complies.
That's a travesty. You cannot write an ordinance that de facto makes every one of your houses of worship non-compliant. It's like writing a law that says, I don't know, you can't cross the street because I don't know what and everybody
crosses the street. Why are you writing that? That's the question you got to ask yourself before you vote yes on this ordinance. Why? Whis ordinance into law. not a single current house of worship 30 seconds um complies.
So they didn't comply with the ordinance as it is except for Benjan and now with this ordinance bene also will not comply because one of the components is you can't have light poles that are higher than 12 ft but many light poles are 25 ft. So if they decide to put another one
additional light pole anywhere on their property for whatever reason, they have to not go before the zoning board, not the planning board. And it is a travesty. I'm sorry my time is up. Gives me very very poor judgement. >> Thank you.
>> My name is Is it on? >> Yeah. Yeah, live in town since 1992. I want to read something. As a reaction to our plans, the township made three attempts to tighten the House of Bush ordinances, plus one that passed. Little
history. November 2004, we negotiate for the purchase of one of the six remaining creative laws in town. November 18th, 2004, counter committee introduces an ordinance removing houses of worship from the list of conditionally permitted use in any zone.
The ordinance is later rejected by the planning board because they deemed it unconstitutional. They're waiting for a headline in the New York Times. I have the recording of it. February 2005, we purchased a property containing 1.2 acres at one
Jefferson Avenue. Lo and behold, November 2006, Ordinance 2275-06 is introduced to increase requirements for parking and setbacks for houses of worship. We make a fuss, they are not passed. During questioning, it becomes
apparent that no other application for house of worship has been made since 1950 besides our own. May 2013, John Labardi strikes down the 3acre house of worship requirement in response. The
township passes ordinance 2417-13 more than doubling parking required required and adding eight new conditions to the four existing making it thus more harder harder September 2024 to June
2025 we finally applied for a full conforming house of worship 165 Oo Hills Road after 13 hearings the board votes to deny application And what do you know? June July 2025.
Right now, the township introduces a new house of worship ordinance reducing law coverage allowed by 30% and adding strict buffer requirements. Um, members from Anthony, you said you're here just to clarify things. You're not clarifying reducing 35% to
25%. That's making something new on the on the books right now. live coverage is 35%. You're reducing it to 25. You're not clarifying anything. There was no dispute that it had to be 25. The only dispute there was was the requirement of
the 50ft buffer, which does not pertain to residential zones. So, let's make it clear. You're not clarifying. You're adding new ordinances. >> Thank you. Amen. Can you turn your camera on?
In that case, I move this public hearing be closed and the ordinance be adopted on final reading and that the township be directed. >> Can I finish this and then we can have a discussion. That's the proper procedure. >> Okay. Thank you, Matt. I move that this public hearing be closed and the ordinance be adopted on final reading
and that the township clerk be directed to publish the ordinance by title as passed on final reading in accordance with law. Now before we go further, I'd like to point out that I think a lot of you have misunderstanding about how pre-existing non-conforming structures work the ordinance.
>> You got to ask for a second. >> Oh, I have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. >> No. So, when you have zoning ordinances that come out, they don't apply to pre-existing non-conforming structures.
I mean, that would be ridiculous if they did, right? You'd never be able to make a new ordinance because then potentially, you know, a lot of people would be in violation. So, for example, the Wyoming Presbyterian Church, you don't have to worry about uh any of
these zoning ordinances um or this particular zoning ordinance because it won't apply to you unless you decide to expand uh what you already have or if you decide to tear it down and build something new, then they would apply. Furthermore, um when you have an
application that goes before planning board, the rules that are in effect for that application are the ones at the time of application. So if zoning code changes are made subsequent to that, it's still based on the time of the original application.
So, what this ordinance does is it takes things that were identified over the past several months as deficiencies in their zoning code or lack of clarity, seeks to clarify them, and then it also seeks to make changes to help protect
single family residences through commercial properties that might be coming in and encroaching on their their property. It clarifies the offer requirements. Um, and and quite honestly, you know, I think it's a it's a good ordinance. And yes, I agree. We
should have had the provisions in there in place way before. You know, in hindsight, everything's 2020, right? But zoning codes evolve over time, and they evolve over time because new issues are identified, things that hadn't been thought of previously. And when they
are, it's the responsibility of the township uh and the planning board and in some cases of the zoning board when we identify these things, we should address them so that we don't continue to have ambiguity and lack of clarity. So that's that's the purpose of this
ordinance. >> Thank you, Frank. So to my point, this is why we need better education and communication. If we were going to grandfather in all the H our houses of worship, uh it would have been nice to know that prior to uh for our township
committee meeting uh tonight. Um understanding that there's no effects on existing structures and houses of worship u etc. I mean, I think that will be appreciated by a committee. Uh
talking about how these apply to uh builds like the um the tennis club, you know, in principle, I think, but this is points to my to the problem that we need better communication and education prior to these meetings. It would have been
nice to have a community meeting or open uh night where we could just discuss this for a community at large. which I think would have taken a lot of aggravation, a lot of stress, uh, a lot of consternation by residents. Uh, but thank you for making that statement.
>> That's why we have public comment. That's why we have township meetings. That's why we publish an agenda, right? When this went up for first read, residents had the opportunity to comment twice. Uh, there were two public comment sessions. We then had an opportunity for
residents to make comment earlier tonight. We had a second opportunity. We had multiple weeks in between first and second read. So yeah, a lot of people aren't paying attention to things, but we can't go and send a notice to every single person in town every time we want to pass an ordinance. It's just not
feasible. And there's a reason that that's not required. >> Yeah. And I tend to agree obviously though for certain items like this to have the civility and professionalism and to avoid these type of situations. I think it would be nice especially for ordinances as important as this uh to
avoid distress on residents. Uh but I I still thank all the residents for coming out both sides you know great but you know there is really only one side now you say that these are going to be grandfathered in. I would have liked to have started with that comment >> that's something that any of us that
that been involved in zoning would would know and actually you as an elected official I would expect you to know some of these things. These are basic land use concepts. >> Yeah. But I'm not on zoning or planning, right? So, you know, we all have certain items that we're bringing to and we're spending, you know, I want eight
committees. The time that's spent at those committees. Uh, as a professional, even in my organization, not working at home or in it or whatever you do is good communication always wins the day. It really does. and you know explaining
everything to your peers is very very important because it helps eliminate situations like this. But thank you for finally getting that point. Appreciate >> roll call. Um the planning board uh passed a
resolution and found that it was not inconsistent with master plan. However, they did make uh seven recommendations. So the recommendations were considered uh by this committee prior to this vote. So we did we are receipt of that resolution. Uh the first two comments
are dimminimous. They're nonmaterial. They're basically typos uh in the ordinance. So I would ask at least that we incorporate uh those typos. One was um as carried through the entire agreement um that we add and public and private schools to the last whereas
whereas clause as it's within each whereas clause um the whereas clauses are not material to the ordinance but the therefore all has uh house of worship link with public and private schools and secondly the word buffer in section two at 1.j J
is lower case where it should be upper case. So I asked first we amend to incorporate the first two comments of planning board. I found that not material continue to have amended with those two minor modifications. >> So we need a motion to amend to incorporate those first two comments. >> I make a motion to uh amend the
ordinance as per what attorney camper just explained to correct those errors. >> I'll second that. >> I don't remember the other recommendations that we >> Yeah. The intention is to then incorporate those in the subsequent
sort of >> or more general more general in case you've got some stuff on new business that's going to cover your roll call. >> Roll call vote please. >> Oh to amend roll call to amend.
>> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cosgrove. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakamandandy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler. >> Perth. Mayor Romano. >> Yes. >> So now to adopt. >> Okay. So now motion to adopt as amended.
>> So I make a motion that we adopt the ordinance as amended. >> I'll second that. >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Costco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakamandandy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler. >> Approved. >> Mayor Romano.
>> Yes. >> Okay. The committee is second. You are scheduled to sponsor ordinance 2711-25. >> I present for consideration ordinance entitled ordinance number 2711-25, ordinance designating the Paper Mill
Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive as a historic landmark pursuant to the historic preservation ordinance of the township of Milbert. Tonight, the time set for the public hearing and final passage is advertised in accordance with law. >> I declare the hearing open.
>> I'm making a comment. Um I I'm on the HPC as an alternate and um I'm just making a comment as a homeowner and a resident in Milberg Christine Best. Um I fully support all the new HBC designations you've
made. I'm very excited about it. It's such an important um organization and the paper mill playhouse. I mean, I remember going to it when I was a little girl. I used to come up from Westfield and drive to the reservation and come back around to the paper mill and it's
so exciting to me and it's so similar to what it was and some of the restorations they're doing are in keeping, you know, with some of the historic nature of it. It works visually, but it's such a beautiful building and it should 100% be historic. And as the other designations,
I don't want to speak to this one. And you know, this the people, you know, talking about the lease. I mean, it's just really just ridiculous. I mean, we just gave them 7.5 million. I'd like 7.5 million to set things down. You know, that's a lot of
money for a private organization. And I wasn't really for it, but I understand why the town did it. So, I respect your decision, but you know, they maintain that building and it should be historic because if it's not historic, it really loses its charm. And again, we just turn into Route 22.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Again, Mike Stoz, executive director of Paper Mill. Um, you know, all I am really doing here is trying to implore the township committee to um enter into
a conversation with the Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees regarding this ordinance. uh we did not find out about it other than in tap into a couple of days before uh the last uh township committee meeting and I think that given
the fact that we are a tenant in the building and we're the only uh building of of the three properties that are being designated tonight. uh we're the only one where as far as I know there is a a long-term tenant that does have uh
some uh uh will have some effects uh that we have to incorporate into our operating plan because of this designation and I do think uh it would be a courtesy to our board uh to have that conversation. So, I I hope that you
consider that and uh uh I thank uh Ben Stler for everything that you said about being transparent about it and um entering into a conversation so that we can actually have a real conversation around what uh implications there may or
may not be on our lease. Let's have that conversation. Thank you. >> Thank you. That is all. I move this public hearing be closed and the ordinance be adopted on final reading and that the township clerk be directed to publish the ordinance by title passed on final
reading in accordance with law. >> We have a second >> second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mayor Cohen, >> yes. >> Mr. Costco, >> yes. >> Mr. Sakamandi, >> yes. >> Mr. Stler.
Mayor Romano. >> No. >> Uh, Deputy Mayor Cohen, >> I say the ordinance pass. >> Um, Deputy Mayor Cohen, you're scheduled to sponsor ordinance 2712-25. >> I present for consideration an ordinance
entitled Ordinance Number 2712-25, ordinance designating the Milbour Town Hall at 375 Milurn Avenue as a historic landmark pursuant to the historic preservation ordinance of the township of Milbur. Tonight is the time set for a public hearing and final passage as
advertised in accordance with the law. >> I declare hearing over. >> I move that the public hearing be closed and that the ordinance be adopted on final reading and that the township clerk be directed to publish the ordinance by title as passed on final reading in accordance with law.
>> May I have a second? >> Second. Roll. >> Depending. >> Yes. >> Mr. Coffgrove. >> Yes. >> Mandy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler. >> Mayor Romano. >> Yes. >> Committee and second you are scheduled to sponsor 2713-25.
>> I present for consideration an ordinance entitled ordinance number 27 2713-25. Ordinance designating the Taylor Park 100 Main Street as a historic landmark pursuant of the historic preservation ordinance of the township of Mil.
Tonight is the time set for the public hearing and final passage as advertised in accordance with law. >> I declare the hearing open. I move that this public hearing be closed and the ordinance be adopted on final reading when the clerk be directed
publish the ordinance by title as passed on final reading in accordance with the law. >> Can I ask a quick question now? >> Yeah. >> Sorry. You have as much stuff now as you like. >> Okay. So my question with this one is um
if at a later time uh we wanted to put in a girls softball field and we wanted to build dugouts. >> What does that mean? >> Um all that would have to do is go in front of the HBC for review. But
>> a dugout >> considering that it's you know a park and that those are things that you might typically find in a park. I don't see why that would be any issue whatsoever. What this will do is potentially give us opportunities for grant funding in the
future for restoration work uh on the park >> if it's a state designated I believe >> well the first the first step is to >> to do the local designation >> I I would think a dugout may be more challenging Frank a cement dugout in the middle yeah Taylor Park might be more
challenging so just you know full information disclosure that you know I am pretty sure they're not letting a brick a cement structure be built a historical designated park and I don't think that's a bad thing I don't want to dug out Taylor next to a 100y old
>> right yeah for government work what the HBC would do is advise >> so we can if we wanted to put a dog out we can absolutely do that >> okay >> if we wanted to >> if we wanted to yes >> you're not advocating I'll put a tug out >> I'm not making
>> I'm not saying it's happening tomorrow but you I I don't know. >> If we wanted to, we we could. It is municipal. >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Costco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakamandi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sto.
>> Mayor Romano. >> Yes. >> Okay. I am scheduled to sponsor ordinance 2714-25. I'm not ready. I present for consideration an ordinance entitled Ordinance 2714-25,
an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 5 general licensing of the code of the township of Milbourne by adding section 4-4 commercial landscaping and lawn maintenance licensing. Tonight is the time step for public hearing and final passage as
advertised in accordance with law. So this is our landscape lac. I declare the hearing over. >> I move that this public hearing be closed and the ordinance be adopted on final reading and the township clerk be directed to publish the ordinance by title as passed on final reading in
accordance. May I have a second? >> Second roll call. >> I have actually I have a question on this one. I just I I support it. I say that up front. But my question is how is this what is the enforcement and and and as we talked a lot tonight about
transparency. What what is the plan to build and how do we know all the landscapers that are in town because they range from someone that has a huge business to somebody that may have may just do one house in town. How do we keep track of that? My understanding
there would be a decal that it would all land would have in that case and it would be up to the foresters to prevent a public works code enforcement officers to be able to actually enforce the so if they saw a truck that didn't have that detail. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And and part of the operational
rules inside of this ordinance mean no parking within 50 feet of other vehicles. All for it. Cones in signage behind it so you don't run into the back of it uh you know by mistake. All for it. So, I think there are some good operational rules in there. U and and
the enforcement is going to be the big issue because I we could drive through the town on a Saturday and you're not going to see one sign or one or one cone. You're going to see especially on Wyoming Avenue truck. But I would suggest that using some of the knowledge
came from the leaf blower um ordinance where they were able to call an assembly of landscapers that we do something similar to advise them not just of licensing but also some of the the new requirements that Stler just spoke
about. >> Sounds great. Thank you. >> Roll call vote please. >> Deputy Mayor Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Costro. Yes, >> Mr. Sakamandi. >> Yes, >> Mr. Stler. >> Mayor Romano.
>> Yes, we have no matter all business. Uh, Mr. Po. Good evening, uh, mayor, members of the committee. My name is Grant Ped. Good evening. touch. Um we have for you this evening uh for just initial discussion
prior to introduction are two additional ordinances uh just the other land use ordinances um here on referral from the zoning code examination committee. Um the two ordinances uh that are here for initial discussion for your advisor in advance of uh introduction. Um govern
two different uh pieces of uh code. Um first is proposed amendments to the accessory uses in residential districts. Um this is an ordinance that would amend section 609.1 uh creating some clarifying parameters regarding uh location and installation of air conditioning units that service
residential properties. Um specifically would add a section prohibiting location of rooftop installation of HBAC mechanical units. Um and also clarifying and restructuring uh this section of the ordinance to better better convey the permitted locations regarding screening
requirements and also uh creating a new section for replacement exemptions. So existing units in a location can be replaced in time um as long as they're no longer not larger or um you know different than the units I should say different uh is installed in the exact same location and is not larger in size or height in the unit being like this.
Uh second the ordinance uh also further clu clarifies um classifies regulation of accessory uh buildings structures and uses as they are treated with respect to principal buildings. Um we have uh in the ordinance already some existing language um that uh accessory uses and
structures that approximate or attached to or you know very close to principal buildings are to be treated as part of the principal building. Um we've just clarified that language so it's a little bit more user friendly and transparent uh and easier to understand and convey the regulations therein. Um and then finally the the last section of this
ordinance is also to uh establish a prohibition on accessory dwelling units. Um so this uh prohibits accessory dwelling units um within residential districts and creates very clear um parameters around that framework for that prohibition as well. >> Any questions on this first order?
>> So so I can cancel my five or six accessory dwelling units I ordered on Amazon, right? Um is this in line with other towns similar to uh Milbour, Short Hills, i.e. Livingston, Summit, Westfield, etc. similar uh uh uh
permissions in place >> back to the accessory felling units >> or no for the air conditioners and all of the other items that are discussed in this. >> Yes, sir. Correct. Yes. >> Any questions? Have a consensus to move forward.
>> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Now, I'd like to point out Mr. Solar if you would like to avail the community uh that this will be coming up in the future on first reading now's a opportunity in the coming weeks. >> Sure. Thank you for that. You know it
might not hurt to have a discussion or communication or even put it into the uh into the message. I mean there's not enough transparency that we can provide as leaders in this town neglected by the residents. So I I would like to have a lot of education and communication. If
you're against it, so be it. But I I do believe in good education and communication. >> And if I can just to facilitate uh some of that communication, I'm happy to, you know, work with uh the administration to answer any questions that may have or, you know, provide an opportunity to address questions or comments below in
advance of introduction. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh the second ordinance um that is scheduled for initial discussion this evening uh in advance of initial introduction um is an ordinance that would amend uh the DRC 512 section. Uh
it's DRC 512 and DRC 5 sorry one second uh 5 um 513 would establish a new section 513. Um it's important to note that the the DRZ uh has in the 500 series uh a series of uh requirements uh related to site plan and
subdivision standards. Um these are regulations applicable to um developments uh for uh applications for development uh pending before land use boards. Um and specifically the proposed draft ordinance um revises and amends
the lighting standards for site plan applications specifically um presently within the ordinance uh the lighting standards are only applicable by specific zone district. they are not applicable to projects um or applications for development at large irrespective of their location within the township. Um so the proposed
ordinance herein um modifies that and now makes a series of uh regulations and requirements that are applicable to all types of development applications without regard to their location. Um the ordinance uh went through a lot of work at the zoning code examination subcommittee requires submission of a
detailed lighting plan. Uh establishes parameters for uh lighting temperature, height of fixtures, a series of requirements as well. Um and also a consideration of those lighting fixtures to be installed adjacent to residential offices um and separation there from for those light fixtures as well. Um second
the second part of this ordinance uh that will be introduc introduced um should the committee wish to move forward um creates a similar series of standards around landscaping and treatment of landscaping um requiring a 70% native provision consistent with the township's policy um for native
plantings on on these applications for development on these site plans um and also some buffering and other landscape requirements shady tree coverage etc. uh there's a series of requirements that we work through. Um the existing site uh design ordinance uh for the township does not contain many of these standards. So these are new standards
that will bring the township in conformance with many other surrounding communities that do require this level of sufficient um and this detail of their development application to make sure that they are consistent and you know have long-term longevity within the community as well. >> These are um residential I mean uh new
developments and what size >> it's applicable to site plan applications. So um you know it would be any uh non-residential development uh mixed use developments uh multif family housing developments applications >> that applies across the board. >> That's correct. Yeah. Irrespective of which one of those it applies to all
community and so some of the stuff in here I think add some clarity and we've seen the years since the planning board a lot of talk lighting. Um would you say that this ordinance helps clarify that and establish clear guidelines that
people can follow prior to coming before one of those? >> 100%. Yeah. And that's that's really kind of one of the the key basis basically for this ordinance is to establish that framework within the um site design section oftent times applicants developers uh go through the ordinance in detail to see what are the
requirements and the lack of requirements I think was giving us kind of deficient submissions at the land use board. So now we have kind of the road map as to what the boards expect to see in designs. >> Uh has it the town of Forester signed off on on this as well and given her uh
not of approval that she is on board with these? >> That process has not been completed but I think that that might be a good recommendation from this body to do so prior. >> I would recommend that being done prior to it coming but just happy facilitated.
>> Okay. Okay. Yep. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Uh final public comment. This public comment period is to allow for final comments from the community. When invited to speak to offer your comments, please come to the lecture and clearly state your name and whether you are a
Milurn resident and or a property or business owner. Please do not provide your full addressing. Our meetings are recorded and readily available to the public. A reminder that in order to help facilitate an orderly meeting to be heard, speaker shall end their comments to one three minute session.
>> Again, Phil um just a few comments regarding paper milling. I'm really confused. Our VA sits on their board of trustees and we just heard that they had no
constructor back notice of this ordinance. I mean, I'm just confused. This goes back to the original COVID. Did he have a conflict of or VA have a conflict of interest when he deferred
the payments and did not use the monies that were under the original lease to go into our general budget? I mean, that's one issue. Also, I think based on some of the comments best that when we talk about we heard
the word transparency a lot today. That's a major theme. I think if we could have a map or where all the 5G new cell towers are, I think that would help I think a lot of people because you hear different confusions where they're located.
Um, on National Night Out, I discovered for the first time that there is an expanded, more inclusive 911 memorial black to the left of the
entrance on the Main Street uh to Tella Park. The question I have, I wish the VA was here. What was the cost of that new plaque? Why can't that plaque be also be placed in front of the 911 press
memorial? I've been talking about that. Gene has been talking about that. Our families were impacted on that event. And if the cost is minimal, I'll go in my pocket. But I think this community, many people were impacted. I know
neighbors whose brothers were on one of the planes. I know people that never went back to work because they witnessed planes coming in and I just like that being more a community building. Um, and also
I think we you heard the word wild west think we need to keep a little eye on what's going on and a lot of projects permits people about to open up their buildings changing uses they find out
they had to go to the boards. How did the construction get done? This is was not the first time. There's been many incidents in the last few years where new businesses come in, they're about to open and they're told they have to go to the zoning or planning board. I think we
need to have a little more oversight in our planning. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> J Morali, resident. Um, I just want to say I was very heartened to hear the conversation uh back and forth about informing the
public of uh potential ordinances. Um, and I'll highlight a couple of examples that just came to mind during the discussions. I remember there was a recommendation rec committee a few years ago to replace the par three golf course
with five turf fields. um it never got to the ordinance stage, but a public uh due to public feedback on a proposal, a series of sessions was held with the public gathering
information. Um the surveys were held. uh uh information was gathered and I think the town learned an awful lot about the needs of the recreation uh department, the needs of the schools and
it even resulted if I'm not mistaken in a change to the uh an element of the master plan and I think that would have never happened if you did not hold those public information sessions. Those information sessions are different than the three minutes that people are
allowed to give a comment, may or may not get a response, but it is a different atmosphere where people are having dialogue with officials. And I encourage um the township committee when there are controversial
ordinances or proposals to hold those sessions with the public. I think that's how you get meaningful comment. On the flip side, I can point to a 2021 ordinance regarding the distance that restaurants are allowed to be uh in proximity to residential housing. There
were no public information sessions. The ordinance was pushed through. Residents first found out about it um when they got the notice in the mail. uh residents even hired a planner to uh rebut the ordinance
but but the planner was given three minutes in a town hall meeting and they got through about onetenth of the information they wanted to present. So I think when we have these very controversial or very impactful changes
that we want to make to our ordinances that we do do what's been suggested and hold an information session. It can be virtual um it can be uh a one-time thing um but township committee
um may in fact learn something in that process. So thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, Jean Pastnac, resident. Uh, I just want to thank Mr. Sakamandandy, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Costro for performing your fiduciary duties tonight for the residents of this town in spite of the
ignorance and misinformation that was discussed here tonight about the ordinance that was uh obviously hotly debated. I want to also point out that I know Mr. Sto's got on there um making claims Paper Mill lost over a million
dollars in 2024 and the executive director Hobie and his I believe his co-executive director got raises. Interesting. Uh there was an argument made early on when the paper mill $7 million uh payment was being discussed
that it was all about we had to save our downtown restaurants. I think Mr. Stler made a pretty strong worded argument about that. Yet, we found out later, long after that proposal was presented to the public, that the Paper Mill restaurant was being substantially expanded.
I don't know about the transparency on that one. I wonder what business person would find this proposition that we now have put our town into with Paper Mill as a good one. Miss Romano, you chaired this meeting. You've set the agenda. So, anything that
people don't know is really your responsibility because you're the one that chairs the meeting. That's your key responsibility as mayor. So, the other thing that I would also like to point out that this meeting got out of control this evening. There was a member, a former mayor that was shouting for quite
a long time and nothing was said. I found that rather interesting. Mr. Stler and Mr. Romano. Uh, you offered a lot of advice, Miss Romano, sorry, about transparency. But what happened when dozens of calls, emails,
texts, conversations came to you from many members of the public about the $7 million taxpayer funded transfer of money to the paper mill. Not any of us were heard. Not any of us were listened to. There were very skilled and knowledgeable people who came to you to
talk to you about this. And you were ignored, you were yelled at, etc. So, I don't really like to hear people being admonished about transparency when in fact I can say personally that's not how I was treated when I came asking for transparency. Perhaps because this is an
election year and Miss Romano is on the ballot that explains some of the theatrics going on here. Thank you. >> Thank you, Republican Chair Pastor. >> Boy, I didn't expect to get Amy Shear.
>> Um, should I cut you off? Okay. Um, 30-year resident. Paper Mill is not a normal tenant leasing lease war situation. Milbour is a paper mill. Paperville is
Milberg. They can't just pack up and go somewhere else. They're big part of this town. Restaurants profit from it. A lot of people profit from it. It's a jewel. and to and to not discuss with them any
changes in an ordinance it is really appalling. Um I think it does a lot for this town. I've been a a subscriber for 30 years as long as I've been here and I I do think they should have been taken into consideration before. to me at
first I thought oh making it a historical um whatever it was um but there are implications of that um and I just think you're treating it kind of like a normal tenant landlord
type of thing which it is not okay so you gave them money you enable them to survive they deserve to survive it's a great organization and I hate to see them kind of sidelined on Thank you. Thank you.
>> Just a couple of things. One to say that uh the Wyoming Church, as every Presbyterian church, does not actually own its property. We're held by our constitution. All of our property is held in trust for
our denomination. And so in the interest of transparency, I'll let you know that I will need to share these documents with our denomination in case there are things they need to be aware of in the effect of the ordinances you pass.
Secondly, um I lived in Fam, this is a personal, totally personal thing, lived in Fanwood, New Jersey when I was in middle school. Went to Park Junior High School at that time. Um, I have interviewed for a variety of churches in
this area over the years as a career uh in ministry, but have lived in Georgia the pretty much the rest of my life. Every time I interviewed with a church here, my mother spoke about how much she
enjoyed coming to the Paper Mill Playhouse. and I hope that you will do everything to continue to support uh this valuable arts community here. Um my mom died last year. I didn't get a chance to tell her
I was coming here and intended to attend a show at one of her best memories of going to the Paper Mill Playhouse. Thank you for taking care of it. >> Thank you. Now, I saved the cookies for last. I'm going to talk about 5G. Um, we're seeing
best and learn. Um, I think you guys all know that there's three small cell towers and one with a mini called the mini cell on top of the small cell node. I'm not a tech person, but um
I I asked you not to put that up, Ben. I I I didn't get a response from anybody on the township committee um because of health reasons for myself and also for the fact that you didn't notify anybody in the town about what you guys are doing. And I just happened to be driving
up the road one day and I'm like, "Oh yeah, there's Verizon or AT&T or whatever random cellar towel company like putting up a tower and I want to know like why you guys I I literally talked to you guys about this. I presented so much science. There's
science. People like there's no science. There's tons of white paper studies. Okay, don't insult me and say that there aren't because they are. And the fact that you couldn't tell somebody, like you had a whole year to tell everybody. There's a woman I went and spoke with the doctor. She's a retired neurologist.
She popped that right in front of her house. She's like didn't even know. And she was intimidated to come here tonight to speak, by the way, because they were so rude to her town hall about it when she asked about it. Also, there's another doctor across the street that I spoke with who had no idea. You can't
put a cell tower within 100 feet of the house. Then you're going to fry these people. Five years from now, they're going to be sick. You cannot do that. There was a safety study done by the state of New Hampshire. Okay, I talked about it in the last meeting. 1640 ft.
Okay, why didn't you have the respect to like relook at that? You never developed a commission. I've been asking you since 2022. And you know what? You guys probably don't have a cell tower within 69 or 40 feet of your house. So, you know, hey for you. But it's really it's just it's
rude. It's subhuman. And then we sit and we're talking about many things like, you know, arguing like we didn't get proper notice about sewing stuff. That sewing stuff is important, but this is really important. This is people's health. Okay? I don't know if anybody
here on this diet has ever had somebody who has any kind of physical disability or limitation, but I can tell you that I do. And you're also violating the ADA law. I don't want to have anxiety from having a solid family. I think what
you're doing is completely wrong. And you're also not even looking at a town like Palo Alto, California. Okay. Home of the most brightest and most brilliant VC and tech people. They don't allow within 1640 ft. But we do because we're
not smart. And honestly, I really it really upsets me that everybody's doing this sort of dog and pony like I'm on a social committee show popping up in like photo ops and not even caring about people that pay 30,000 $200,000 in very
very upset. Hi, thank you. Perry Erso, upper Milburn Avenue. Um, I just wanted to go back to my comments about the Upper Milurn Avenue event that was being held. Um, based on uh my questions and the answers that were made by committee member and
our mayor. So you can confirm that there was no type of permitting required and I believe that you said it was at the discretion of our BA. So I just want to make sure that as a property owner and
business owner that if I want to have an event, all I have to do is ask the BA and I could shut down an entire street because I want to have an event um in front of my business. So if that's the case, that's great. Um, I did a quick Google on the um, uh, and I went to like
the township website and quickly uh, Milurn Township, New Jersey dated uh, March 28th, 2024. And if you click on that link, can you tell me would the township's recreation department special event permit apply?
Can you also tell me would the township's block party permit application apply? And >> so no one made those comments before, but you can continue. >> Wait, wait. >> I'm sorry. I didn't hear that. >> Continue.
>> No, I didn't hear what you said. >> Continue. You can continue. I said those that that's not what was >> I'm sorry. With all due respect, with all due respect, Mayor Romano, I was stating something. You interrupted me and I'm asking you to tell me what you said.
>> That's all. I stated that we did we did not say anything about permits with Upper Melbourne Avenue. >> Okay. Well, then I stand to be corrected. So, um, according also to the ecode 360.com,
would authorization for the closing of any street apply? And when also when I go back to the quick Google and I go to the um to close a street for an event in Mburn Township, you need to apply for a social affair
permit with the municipal clerk. Now, social affair permit does that mean because there's alcohol being served. Applications should be submitted online at least 21 days before an event. For applications submitted less than 21 days notice, a paper application must be
submitted at least 14 days in advance. And here's other more uh other breakdowns and you can click on all of these application process there's an online application the paper application um endorsement and then there's the key information about timing um there's fees
that have to be paid to like DPW the police responsibility and what struck me mostly is the liability applicant must release township from liability related to the event and agree to identify the township against any claims or losses.
Additionally, there's other resources and yada yada yada. But that was just a quick uh Google search. But when you click on special event permit applications, there is a PDF and that's what I got this um coincidentally it is a Milbourne Township special event
regulations and procedure from the rec department. That's uh it's called the Milbourne Township Recreation Department special event permit. So, um, if kindly if anyone would be happy to opine on that, I'd be, uh, greatly appreciated. Thank you. Have a wonderful night.
>> Thank you. Second voting second amended you're voting against it. We're talking about five plays a five sitdowns a year times 60 seats is 300 seats lost to 300,000 visitors coming to town per year for uh
the paper mill playhouse. Uh we went extensively. There's no person I didn't meet with and discuss why we were going to do it. Just for the record, it's $347,000 of positive inflows versus $200,000 200 just under $200,000 of net outflows.
uh our CFO did a complete financial analysis show we were net positive on the trade um versus letting the paper mill possibly go to another town. Uh it's incredulous that that would even be brought up tonight, especially without the facts. In fact, I think we should
ask, you know, elections do matter, so we should ask the new Republican candidates what their position is on the paper mill playoffs before we do have them jump ship and leave town. Honestly, it it's the biggest gaslighting I've seen in a long time at one of these
meetings. Uh, Miss Best, uh, I sent multiple emails to Alex to understand the location of those pieces. I'm not sure if you're talking to me or just looking at me, but 100% I agree that we
need to look at the at the modality of how internet's being offered to our residents. We had a whole host of people calling in going, "Thank God we're going to have some cell service in Short Hills." Uh, and they were not worried about the health effects. Uh, our job is to make sure we understand all of the
all of the different residents concerns. Uh, not just not just a few people, etc., etc. We went through this on the leaf blower. Um, uh, Amy Sher, it's great to hear your story in terms of of the paper mill and the memories that you built and and and
had over your life and and your departed mother. Uh, thank you for taking that story and sharing it with the with the township committee. Uh, and to uh, Mr. Mayor Romano, uh, we didn't say that. We deferred the question on the permit to
our council who said he would look into it and come back with an answer. So, uh I'm not sure where we're we're being, uh questioned there. Uh and Jay, thank you for those positive comments. uh that part three course and that communication did promulgate a lot of uh vision to
what's the most important part of this town is our children and do they have the recreational fields that are needed and and in comparison to other towns where we look like a third world country with our fields versus uh you know
Westfield, Livingston, Sparta, you can name them. I've coached just about every sport in this town and it's an embarrassment of what our fields look like and that was all started and precipitated off of that part three conversation. Um
that's it. Thank you. >> I don't have anything to add. >> Nothing. >> Sure. Um, so there's been a number of comments about the paper mill tonight. I'd like to point out the historic designation for the paper mill is something that's been contemplated and
talked about some former since 2022. It predates this township committee. Um, so for them to say they didn't know this is coming, that's kind of ridiculous, especially considering that our business
administrator, Alex McDonald, sits on the board of the paper mill. Alex McDonald is also aware of the fact that we were going through this process. The historic designation process is actually a fairly long process. So what happens is it goes to the HBC. We actually just
did an uh update to the HBC ordinance um early on in in our term, kind of in my term. Um and it clearly outlined what the process was and the timeline and all of that was followed and Alex McDonald
in fact would have been the one to uh let the HBC architect know that we wanted to go ahead and get a report done etc. So, if Alex failed to let the paper mill know, that's that's kind of disappointing. And we'll ask him about
that when he returns. Now, I I also think doesn't the mayor also have some sort of advisory or or honorary position on the board? No, it's not the case. >> Okay, >> fair enough. Um, so I don't know for the paper mill to say they didn't know about this, that's just ridiculous. Um, and
then they sent to our attorney a letter that was sort of threatening in nature and that just doesn't seem like them being a very good tenant. Um, Miss Pastor Neck, thank you for pointing out that the paper mill lost a million dollars last year. Uh, and their directors did receive a raise. Um, that
that's kind of ridiculous. Um, it's also just in the sake of full transparency since we want to make sure everyone's aware of what might be coming down the line. Uh the paper mill is currently right now behind the scenes working to try to renegotiate some elements of their lease. They want to reduce the
amount that they pay us uh for certain things that are in in the lease. So it's it's just astonishing that they would come and make the fuss that they have after we've been so generous as a town with our money to keep to prop them up, keep them around. Um, and furthermore,
I'd like to point out that at at no point during the past two years was the paper mill ever considering leaving. They never gave us any indication that they were going to move to a different town. They still have like 15 plus years left on their lease. So, they weren't
going anywhere anytime soon. Um, this best uh you and I have had extensive discussions about the 5G um towers. Um, you know, I I think this is a an instance where we have to benefit or how we have to balance the public good
versus, you know, the the special needs of a few individuals. Um, dead zones in town can create problems for police and first responders. Uh, our police cars have a lot of advanced modern technology that relies on cellular connectivity. Uh, in order for license plate readers
to work, in order for them to look up license plates, etc. Um it's just really important that we have solid coverage. And so what uh the cell phone carriers have been doing is putting these small cells in places because the small cells
actually emit far less RF radiation than a full-size tower. Um and from what I understand, um these small cells put out a tiny fraction of what's allowable by
law. So if you needed to have cellular connectivity, um a small cell is going to be safer than a large power. Um so I I know that's that's not going to alleviate all your concerns, but I just want to put that out there. Um and also
you know the thing about the science behind this is you know there's there's science on both sides but the preponderance of the science um and the science that is accepted by the US government and the Federal Communications Commission indicates these things are safe and our town is
following all guidelines when it comes to the placement of these devices. >> Thank you Mr. Just two minor points of clarification and then just to echo uh committee second command comments just regarding the 5G tower. It's my understanding that
that was approved back by the time she committee in September. So there was an opportunity for discussion about that. Um and regarding Upper Min Avenue, we'll be in contact with Mr. Caner just to go through the timeline on that. But that is something that took a lot of coordination with township resources,
police department, fire department. We're all obviously involved in that. Um to close the streets is not a small thing. So that that does take a lot of effort on the township side. Um so that's not something that just happened. So I just want to be clear on that front. >> Thank you, Mr. Caner. Do you have anything?
>> Nothing. Mayor, thank you. The only the only thing I want to add as far as setting the agenda um what I have before me during agenda uh agenda meetings is bills that you know whatever um I contracts need to be addressed or um
resolutions and ordinances normally come from or new business old business come from other committee members or from the from planning or HPC or environmental or somewhere else. I just don't um create the uh agenda by myself. I just wanted to hear that. May I have a motion to
adjurnn? >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you.