point. >> Are we good here? Evening everyone. Get started. Welcome to the November 25th, 2025 organization meeting of the Milbourne Township Charter Study Commission, which
is called to order. In accordance with section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231, Public Laws 1975, be advised that notice of this meeting was made by posting on the Bulletin board in town hall and forwarding to the officially designated newspapers that
this meeting would take place at the Milbourne Education Center at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25th. Meeting details and the draft agenda have been posted. I kindly ask everyone to please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance. Algiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. At the 2025 general election, the following members have been certified and elected to serve on the charter
study commission. Jerry Kung, Christopher Ducker, Shanaka, Cory Biller, and Joanna Parker Lens. I kindly ask them all to please stand so I may administer their oath of offices for appointment to the Charter Study Commission.
You want me to? >> He's going to hold that. You all going to raise your right hand after me? >> That's fine. They can all just raise their right hand. >> This is all history. >> Go back to the old one.
Thank you. >> I state your name. >> I state your name. Do do solemnly affirm >> do solemnly affirm >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States
>> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established
>> and to the government established >> in the United States >> the United states >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. I do f further solemnly affirm >> I do further solemnly affirm >> that I will faithfully
>> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of the office >> all the duties of the office >> of commissioner >> of commissioner >> of the Milbourne Township Charter Study Commission
>> of the Milbour Township Charter Study Commission >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> to help me God so Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Take your spots,
>> please. You're fine. >> I will now call a roll call vote to note those present. Mr. Biller >> here. >> Mr. Ducker >> present. >> Dr. Kong >> here. Miss Parker Lens >> present. >> Mr. Tana >> here. >> The record will show that all members of
the Milbourne Township Charter Study Commission are present for this meeting. >> Is there a nomination for chair? >> I nominate Chris Ducker. >> I second. >> Will the nominee accept the nomination? >> To the best of my ability.
>> Are there any other nominations? I would now call a roll call vote to elect Mr. Ducker as chair. Mr. Biller. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ducker. >> Yes. >> Dr. Kong. >> Yes. >> Miss Parker Lent. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tana. >> Yes. >> Congratulations.
>> Yes. >> Chairman. >> Take my seat. I don't know if you want to move down or switch. You >> want to sit here? >> All right. >> That's his first official act chair. >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Yeah.
for the nomination. >> Is this on? >> No, just we're gonna has a right now. >> There you go. >> Oh, thank you. Well, first off, uh, thank you, Commissioner News, for the
honor of being the chairman. And, uh, now, as chairperson, I'd like to call for nominations for the secretary of the chart commission. >> I nominate Jerry Con. >> I second that.
>> All in favor? >> Yes. >> Accept it. >> Oh, you got to accept. >> Yeah. Accept this, Jared. >> I accept. All right. All in favor then? >> I
>> Good. At at our next uh meeting, we will we will have a uh treasurer and a um and a uh >> co-chair. >> No, vice chair. >> A vice chair. >> And so, um
before I read the uh public comment, just a few things. uh when we all were campaigning, we we do not set policy. We are here to see what our how our municipality runs
and how other municipality runs. Okay? And what we are going to do is do do a uh thorough study on on other township municipalities. And what we will be doing is we will be interviewing, you
know, not only the folks here in Milurn Township, but we will be having other towns come in and see how their form of government runs. Okay? And also, when we were campaigning, we have
absolutely nothing to do with affordable housing. So please, nobody come and ask us about affordable housing. And contrary to popular belief, the high school isn't going to become a charter
school. That was another thing that that that people were asking us. So um uh what I would like to do now is uh public comment and I and I have to read
this. Uh when invited to speak to offer your comments, please come to the lecture room. Clearly state your name and whether you are a Milbourne resident or property or business owner. Please do not provide your full address seeing our meetings are recorded and are readily
available to the public. Please help facilitate an orderly meeting and and permit all to be heard. Speakers shall limit their comments to one three minute session. You will be prompted when the 30 sec when when there are 30 seconds
remaining. I will now open the public uh for the public to speak. Anybody online? >> Sign up. Take your time. Jeff, say something. >> Anybody on the best?
>> Well, if there's no uh if there's no public comment, um are there any uh comments from the commissioners or anything like that? Any any commissioners would like to say something? Sherry? Uh sure. Um, I hope
that the public will attend our future meetings and give more public comment because I do want this to be a collaborative process. I think the more we hear from the public, the better we can do our study. Um, so maybe today is just not a great day because it is two days before Thanksgiving. Um, but we
were statutoily required to have our meeting, you know, as soon as possible after the election. Um so hopefully this is an anomaly and more people will show up in the future but right um I do hope that the public will take more interest in this very important study and process
>> and um we had a uh unofficial meeting uh yesterday and Joanna Parker Lens was kind enough to host it at her house and we had all the uh 14 candidates come you know and we had a very very nice
informative uh discussion uh about not only how our township runs but how other township runs and everyone was giving their ideas, opinions and and everything like that. So, as Jerry said, we definitely
want uh the public input and we will do a thorough uh investigation of all the municipalities in town in in in the town in in New Jersey and how other towns
run. Uh thank you. Anyone else? >> I'm good. >> You good? >> Good. >> Good. >> All right. I call this meeting. Oh, I can't do that yet. >> Yeah, just >> I got to follow this resolution. Resolution
>> resolution. >> Oh, yeah. Resolution adopt charter study commission meeting schedule. >> Chairman, would you like me to to read along? >> Yeah,
>> are there any comment there? We have a resolution before the uh commission this evening. Are there any comments from the commission in regards to resolution 25001? >> This is setting your meeting schedule for the through January. May I have a motion to approve resolution 25001?
>> Motion. >> I'm sorry. >> I have a motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. I'm going to do a roll call. Mr. Biller, >> yes. >> Dr. Kong, >> yes. >> Miss Parker Lens, >> yes. >> Mr. Tana, >> yes. >> Mr. Ducker, >> yes.
>> Thank you. >> Are there any comments from the commission in regards to resolution 25002? >> No. >> This is regards to rules uh Robert's rules of um order establishing that. May I have a motion to approve resolution
25002? >> Second. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Biller. >> Yes. >> Dr. Kong. >> Yes. >> Miss Parker Lens. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tanner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ducker. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> You have a new business item. Commission next steps in regards to draft bylaws, proposed interviews, and administrative needs. This is for the commission to just touch on in regards to next steps and what look forward to.
>> What are we talking about drafting bylaws versus >> Yeah. So, I took a look at some other charter study commissions that have occurred in the last 15 or so years. Um and most of them adopt draft adopt bylaws just to help you know make things go more smoothly in terms of how the
agenda gets set. Um defining the roles of the secretary, the treasurer and the vice chair. Um so I compiled the draft um for the commissioners to review and that was in the draft agenda packet. Um so hopefully you know we don't
necessarily have to have a discussion on it today. Um but take it back and give comments. Um you know was just based off of what I had seen in other charter study commissions just formalize the process but we can do what we want. There's not much guidance in terms of
you know requirements from the city. >> Um so if we are just going to take a look at those bylaws and vote them next time or Yeah. um do we go into proposed interviews and think about what you know who who we
would like to put on our agenda and the type of questions that we want to be asking. >> So yes, so I also um came up with a list of potential former township committeemen um people that we might want to interview. Um so the last time
that Milbourne did this in 1972, they had gone back 40 years um in the life of the town. So they had gone all the way back to the 30s and they had come up with uh commissioners or committeemen um that basically starting
from the 1930s was an unbroken chain of people that had served all the way up until 1972. >> So I think that's I I think that's a good model to follow. I don't know if going back 40 years is super relevant um given >> but um I think that's a place to start
um and the folks that I put in um as a list of proposed trans committee people they span both political parties I think that's a good perspective to have um but of course you know it's these were just ideas that I had um not written in stone
I think best practices for us to maybe have a few people to start with and then, you know, course correct as needed, you know, in terms of questions that we're asking um folks that we decide to interview. Um but, you know, towards the end, we want to make sure that it's not going to spiral out of
control in terms of interviewing everyone under the sun. Um so, I think it would behoove us to, you know, start that conversation early because it could be a complicated process. >> Yeah. And we will we we will have
standard questions for these folks depending on you know if someone's a former TC may uh TC mayor or or council council person or someone is head of you know uh the fire department the police
department DPWs folks like that correct >> yeah so I think um we would have a set of questions that we'd want to ask everyone but >> we don't want to feel constrained by that necessarily. You know, if someone brings up something interesting, we might want to delve a little bit deeper
into it. So, >> right, >> I'm thinking more along the lines of, you know, this is a guide. We want to make sure we get these questions answered, but it's not when they >> It's an outline for how to conduct the the discussion, but if there's some way,
some interesting answer that has you go off of it, that's fine. It just you have that as an outline to come back. Well, do do we want to create the basic list of questions that we'll email as like a an interview prep so people have a chance to like think about what their answers might be and then we'll have
follow-up questions, you know, sort of on more on the fly based on, you know, the responses that we get. >> Um, >> I think that's a good way to do it. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, that way we at least have certain things answered in writing um to help inform us and then we can we can influence the conversation when we're
there. former committee members. We have former employees potentially, >> right? >> Current current and and former. Yes. >> Um >> I think that would be very helpful. >> And how about um interviewing others in
I mean people in other townships who have potentially done 30 have gone through a transition. >> I think we have to experience. >> Absolutely. I think I think that we must look to other townships. I think if we we have a basic,
you know, number of of things that we want to accomplish and and review, we can't review every single township in in the state, right? So, if there are certain things, maybe it's based on for us, there are certain things that just don't make sense for our township because we're not the same size as somebody else. Maybe we evaluate
the townships that are more in line with our size, >> right? >> Um, and start there and really evaluate, okay, what are those towns? And maybe I don't know if we limit it to a geographical distance from something city train. I I'm not sure if that makes sense to be so, you know,
focused on that yet, but I think maybe town size first. Let's see how many towns there are in the state that, you know, correlate to that to start with. I do think the idea of being along a train line actually is a good way of sort of
at least initially because it it sort of defines our community so much and so it would help limit the scope of how do we figure out which communities we're going to talk to is because it's most similar to ours like you know you can go to places in Mammoth County but they're not
going to they don't have to deal with New Jersey Transit when there's a strike or there's some down power line or something like that >> but all of the towns have to do with, you know, like the things that the TC has to deal with and vote on. >> The entire state's dealing with. So, like you said, we're not here to answer
the questions of housing and, you know, things like that, right? >> But other parts of the state are all dealing with it. So, we have to kind of inform ourselves based on >> what the future TC or other form of government will have to deal with. So, I think we probably should look at some townships that have done these kind of
studies. Um I don't know at the moment how many in the state there are. I'm sure somebody >> Jerry does. >> Well, so in terms of um towns that have done studies, I want to say it's about four or five in the last 10 to 15 years. >> I'm curious to see what they've I mean
I'd love to stand on their shoulders. I think that we are all working professionals and you know the town is certainly made up of all all of us retired, not retired, whatever. Um so maybe we stand on our shoulders a little bit and >> I think from a process perspective yes but then as far as informing our
knowledge of different forms of government and how it works I don't think we need to be constrained by those who have done well number one there aren't that many >> right >> but we don't need to necessarily be constrained that's what I was sort of talking about as far as trying to figure out what works what's good what's bad is
is trying to target communities that are have similar type of needs and issues demographic scholars. >> But I think in terms of research, so and research questions like how do they go about it? Y >> what worked and didn't work for them?
How did the public, you know, respond? What was positive? What was negative? We'd rather avoid the negatives if we can help it. You know, they've already gone through it. So learn from that if there are mistakes because we're we're going to make mistakes. We're just citizens, right? >> But if we can avoid them based on past
experiences from other people, that'd be great. So that would be a basic you know grouping small grouping and then targeting the towns that you know we think are most similar to us >> and there might be overlap that >> right um any other
>> so I think it's a good opportunity to just explain to the public how you know the commission study process works >> perfect >> um so you know this is based off of a handbook very helpful handbook out of Ruckers University um so the charter
study commission process basically happens in three phases. Um so the first study phase is the examination of our present form of government which is the township committee. Um and normally how this first phase of the study works is the commissioners are going to find and
read pertinent studies related to our current form of effort. So we're going to look into the historical record, look into potentially motivations for why things are structured certain ways. Um, counter committee has a long history in this state dating back to before 1800.
Um, and it's been revised several times since then. Um, so I think that'll just be a good opportunity for us at least to get up to speed in terms of how our government has evolved through the years even though it's ostensibly still a township committee. Um, you know, going back to 1857 when Melbourne was founded,
there were actually three people on the township and that changed in the late 1800s, I believe. Um and then we added an administrator at some point. So even though we can look towards the 1972 charter commission report, you know, as guidance, it has our government has
changed substantially since, you know, 53 years ago. Um so getting off on a tangent um the other part of the first study phase is to as we've discussed is to interview um current and former elected officials, current and former
municipal employees um and just to get a sense of how they feel our government is working, where it's not working, and how we can you know basically gather information for the next part of the study um which is phase two. So phase two is going to be we're going to look
into the strengths and weaknesses that we identified and consider the alternative forms of government that are available under state law. Um we would then do a factf finding mission basically as you suggested Joanna um looking into other similar communities how their forms of government are
working how they have addressed the strengths and potential weaknesses of their forms of government. Um once we take all of that information, we'll enter phase three of the study uh which is to delve deep into based on the strengths and weaknesses identified in phase one, the alternatives and the
strengths and weaknesses of the alternatives in phase two, how can we make a decision as to whether or not to recommend whether or not to you know stay with what we currently have or potentially change to something that might address the weaknesses that we see in phase one.
And another question I have for really the five of us is how in addition to offering, you know, this podium or right there to have public comment, how can people voice their opinions, is there a list of
questions that we can have on our website that are posted so people can just go on there and say, you know, like give comments, you know, and maybe it's basic and and and there's just like we're going to create a very basic list of questions. for our interviewees. >> Um, is there something that we want to
ask the public to say, how do you feel about this? How do you feel about that? What's your opinion? You know, have you done research? I mean, allow people to give us, again, stand on their shoulders, too. Like, that was the purpose of last night's get together is to figure out if there are 14 people running passionately for a role like
this, why shouldn't we learn from their reasons why they ran? So give the public an opportunity to maybe they're not going to eat my fkaca that day, but you know, but give them an opportunity to say, "Hey, I care about this town. I know about it from this perspective. I've lived here for 60 years, 50 years,
20 years, or I've lived in another township that had something happen that might be interesting to hear. So, let's figure out a way to get those opinions as well and let's have them be productive opinions as opposed to comments that have nothing to do with what we're doing like we're not schools
and not this or that, but have four basic questions or whatever it's going to be and then have a little, you know, word limit on other comments and we can get back to those people. We can decide. >> That's a great point, Joanna. We will uh formulate, you know, basic questions and
uh we'll go from there. Uh I don't know if the general public knows this but uh we will have a comprehensive report at the end of nine months and then we will present it to the township. >> Yes. >> So the earlier the better. I feel like the problem sometimes when we get to any
any town I think you know people don't really pay attention till it's like at the very end. All right, six months. >> But but it'd be great if people gave us the opinions or started to, you know, decide what they're thinking. And if people are doing independent research,
that's fantastic. Um, but let's try to get that that in there earlier so that we don't get hit with something at the end of like, wait a minute, but you didn't consider my opinion. Like there has to be something a time limit that we can compile the public's >> data and research that they've done, you
know? So you're just talking about an additional avenue for public comment essentially right because public comments may do >> right people don't may not may not you know they might look at this later and say wait a minute I wasn't there and have a chance to look at it so give give
people a live version of public comment to us >> without us having to sip through five I mean I hope that there's 5,000 people want to comment but I don't think we will get that so >> we should figure out a way to effectively advertise our schedule other than the township website because a lot of people don't go to the township
website >> maybe asking tap if they can do an actual article on this to gain >> happy mil all those different things so that we actually >> draw as much opinion out >> we also each of us have very healthy networks I think there's a reason why
we're sitting here right we have voices >> that we can echo >> and it's not just an echo chamber it's just different places that we can advertise what is what we're seeking >> we just have to be careful if we're copying the whole group because >> no we right we can't so
>> we can't have discussions amongst ourselves of more than I think two or three >> so if each of us takes our network our list serves that we're ors groups and says here is a link to a place to comment and we encourage you to come and
tune in to these dates and maybe we have a preset like um since some of us they might be more techsavvy than others like a little preset of like >> this is the link these are the dates, this is what you should look for. I mean, short attention span theater for all of us. You know, we're all very
busy. So, we can put it on WhatsApp, any listers, any um Facebook pages, our own Instagrams, things like that. >> Yes, that would be really >> Yeah, that's great. We will formulate uh questions. >> Yeah, I think in general it's hard to get public engagement in our town. I
don't know. I think that is part of sort of our mandate to study how we can improve public engagement because we are sitting here under the authority of the people and any potential government form is going to be under the authority of the people. So to the extent we can maximize public participation, I think
that can only fix. >> Well, I think the fact that the public voted yes to start with, you know, they have to have known something about voting yes and the fact they voted us in statistically, you know, improbable to have the five people that ran together. It means that we have a voice to say, "Hey, maybe don't pay attention to every
single week." That's a lot, but this is what we're looking at. And maybe when there's points of like, "Hey, we could use an opinion or we'd like your opinions to start with so we know what to consider." Now's probably the time for us to advertise the next couple of dates. And if we can formulate our
questions that are going to be asked and answered by the public, these next kind of kind of two months are probably the right time for us to digest what people think. them and they can tune in at the end too if people just, you know, hibernate for a little while. Well, our first like five meetings are
going to be through Zoom because of the holidays and everything like that, but I as chair, I would like to have a public forum, you know, have a set building for us to come and have have our meetings
like starting in January, you know, and so we we can encourage the public to come and have, you know, face-to-face talk >> and everything. I I think that would be extremely helpful. >> So after the January 8th, >> are we the Bower Center or something?
>> Yeah, I I um do it here. >> They're a little limited here in regards to openings. You could certainly if it's during the day, maybe like an afternoon after school. I um I I spoke to uh Chris Meyers and uh we could have the Bower
Center every Thursday starting in January at uh 7 o'clock in the fireplace. >> Oh, that's a good size room. >> Yeah, it's a good size room. >> But how do we get like for example this facility has this fabulous ability to record and broadcast? So
>> So the township did purchase a second kneeboard. So that TV thing over there helps us record and everything on Zoom. Um I think that that second one is going to be living in the library once the renovations are complete. >> So which might be dicey on timing for
January. >> Exactly. >> Okay. So let's figure out if there's another I mean maybe there's a tripod with you know like a gimbal and can we use a gimbal and like put on a tripod and have it broadcast us from someone's phone. So >> Zoom if someone's not if the public
can't be there in person. >> We have to look into that. Yeah. >> But the library might be an option. I know the voucher center if you want to stay there. But the library if that's going to be there and they they do have openings, you know, and room availability. That might be something you want to consider. Yeah. >> For a location as well. >> As long as they're open by the time we
get to that. >> Yes. I think Yeah. They're they're finishing their renovations and they're hoping by January. >> All right. I'll reach out to the library. >> Yeah. Kelly or what else? >> Banning probably. Okay. >> Okay. >> Great.
>> I can help facilitate. Thank you. >> Corey, anything else? >> No. >> By post interviews, administrative needs. Um, do we have administrative needs that we know of at the moment? Is there I know last night's discussion
went revolved around you know discussing um cons consultants consultants lawyers things like that so I don't think we need administrative anything I feel like between us administratively there's a good protocol >> especially once we set up the meetings
that's >> correct so once right once we have our location set so the next would be when do we set up consultants and we want to be cognizant of being frugal um and learning from other people who can offer free advice.
>> So I spoke with um the chair of the Red Bank Charter Study Commission. So they went through this process about three four years ago. Um she said that in terms of their costs, there wasn't much um administrative. It was mainly just
legal counsel. Um and they spent $34,000. So they had an initial budget of 50,000. on the job spending 30. >> At what point did they utilize legal counsel? >> Um sort of towards the end with compiling
the report was my understanding. >> Well, we I mean if we have lawyers up here, can somebody else save some money and compile the report and have an attorney just review it? >> Especially we have access to their report.
we can sort of mimic it and use it as a talent whatever. >> I know we need a lawyer, but if we have a lawyer on staff here for free and we have people who are really smart in their own fields, if we again stand on the shoulders of what's been done before
some degree and save not again >> I think there certainly we can divide it into procedural issues and uh substantive issues. Um, procedural, we may want to have an attorney, you know, just to make sure we're doing everything correctly. Okay.
>> Um, substantive, we can build off of what has been done before. Um, but if we find ourselves in a situation where, you know, there are certain nuances in terms of different forms of government we can move to, we may need some assistance there as well. >> Yeah. Yeah, and I know we've gotten recommendations because it's a very
small field and last night's meeting with, you know, former candidates who ran was very productive because people recommended, you know, so I think if we we can do we make a decision when do we have to make a decision on what >> it sounds like there's a decision to be
made a couple of months down the line at the very least. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> So maybe we just revisit sometimes. >> So maybe we interview whoever we're considering, >> right? and designate somebody who might be a lawyer to interview and just decide
if that's the right direction. >> Well, so for anyone I didn't get to speak to before the meeting started, my name is Victoria Luc. Um, I was hired as the special election council. I worked closely with Christine um throughout this whole process. Um, so I would love
to audition for the full-time gig. Um, happy to submit, you know, my qualifications to Jerry. Um, and you know, I know there's, um, a small pool of attorneys who have done this before, um, who I'm sure that means, too. So, um, I just would, you know, of course,
recommend having a lawyer. Um, and you guys can certainly put parameters on whether or not you want the attorney to attend every meeting or, you know, draft the report or just strictly review the report, things of that nature. >> Thank you.
>> Great. So, >> anyone else with regard to our resolution and things that we were going to go over? I feel like we've gone over that. Yeah. >> So, >> oh, just one last point because you brought it up earlier in terms of
similar communities. So, in the 1972 report, um they actually did go through and catalog as part of phase one. They said what makes Milbour sort of unique in some sense or comparable to other towns. Um so they went through and covered the demographics and the socioeconomics and everything. Um and
then in phase two they made a list of similar communities. So here they had Summit, Springfield, Bridgewood, Livingston, Westfield, South Orange, Madison, Maple, Cranford, Hesllet. Um and then they used that as sort of filter of what forms of government are
they using? Um how have those towns exper what were their experiences under those forms of government? Um and then they use that to help hone in their things to study. >> Curious they have like Westfield, Red Bank. >> Westfield is here. Um but this was
basically so the the columns here are you know state equalized property valuation municipal government expenditures per capita equivalent full-time municipal employees. So they were looking at it from an efficiency and economy standpoint in terms of how efficient are their forms of government.
Um I think they had found at the time that Milbour had a lot more municipal employees per capita than other towns. Um mainly because it's a town that requires a high level of service that the residents. So that was their point of comparison back then. >> Okay.
>> And did they give population size to each town? >> They did. Yes. Um >> so do we like that idea? I mean it's it to your point before where you're like where would your book attempts are similar and but >> I think it when you define similar I think it's population size socioeconomic
and then features of the town features I mean a downtown train >> no but I I think are we are we also evaluating other towns that have like we have great financial boosts from like the mall and you know JFK Parkway and
the things that I can sell as a realtor to people that like this is why you want to live here because our taxes are lower than so many other places >> county we have more ratables than >> ratables yeah so so do we consider that >> as part of our comparison study we we're
kind of unique >> to the extent that it would impact our recommendation for a form of government >> anything's on the table in terms of that study Okay. >> But I I did read that we should we
should always keep that as sort of as our north star, right? There's we're going to be studying a lot of things, but >> not everything will be affected by or will impact the form of government that we right. So, you know, if we change to a different form of government, our mall is not going to suddenly disappear,
right? I know obviously that's a sort of ridiculous example but you know to the extent that the former government will impact the ratables you know and how the evolution was more in terms of how we select the four or five compet
but we also can't cast a wide net to the entire state because that's not practical for us >> right >> as volunteers >> and as residents too like it just doesn't make any sense. So, um, and I'm sure other residents will also have opinions about that, too. So, and other
people hopefully will be doing some research on their own because they'll want to watch about us and, you know, and make sure we're we're doing the right thing. And we're certainly happy to have other people do homework. I love hearing opinions and and love
help and collaboration. That was our whole mission last night too is just to make sure my mission >> right >> is to make sure that we are collaborative and inclusive and have ears that are willing to listen.
>> All right, no more new business. >> Any any other comments folks? >> Um so just one last thing housekeeping. So, uh, if we could aim to elect the other officers by the next
meeting, which would require having the bylaws, that would be good, I think. Just so >> So, we'll have to make the bylaws by next meeting or >> um, so we have the draft bylaws. Um, I guess
if we could get those adopted, that would be good. Then we'll have the officer provisions. >> Okay. So really >> it's going to be the first agenda item for next meeting. >> Yeah. >> So for December 4th >> December 4th >> we should we should figure out but we can't discuss prior so we just have to
come. >> That's why I wanted >> everyone thinks about who they want to elect for the next two positions. >> Three positions and vice chair >> okay. So Christine can we have this building
on December 4th? Do you know? Can can we find out as as opposed to doing it uh you know through Zoom >> at this point there it's a little it's too late to have an inerson meeting on the 4th >> they need to be noticed.
>> Yeah. So I I did notice that meeting virtually and all the meetings virtually but the meeting thereafter that second meeting in December you can if you find a location you can try to >> to see >> and you'd have to check with um it is a little difficult because they do have
you know we utilize this the space often because we don't have a home either right >> um for various boards and committees >> so it depends on the night I can't remember off the top of my head what the date is Thursday night >> Thursday December >> 11 sid is Thursdays HPC I'm trying going to think of some. It's just off the top
of my head, it's hard to say, but you can certainly, you know, reach out and and see or even if you want to use >> as I said, we could use the ball. >> Yeah. Until and until you find like a, you know, a spot. >> Yeah. Until January. Library might be a little more, you know, because you definitely want to find a place then
everybody knows it's there. The library in December. So, >> that's right. >> At the Bower Center on December 11th, >> if we go from Zoom to in person. >> Yeah, >> we do both. >> Right. Great. will offer. >> It's fine because quite frankly on the fourth I don't anticipate a lot of
participation soon. So >> yeah, it's fine to do that too quite frankly >> and December is a rough month. >> Yeah, that's what I you know that's a call I wanted to do January in person. >> Okay. So so if we don't reinvent the wheel and it doesn't change to in
person. I mean I'm always an inerson person. So >> yeah, me too. Yeah, >> you can see if it's available, the hour is available on the 11th and if it works out, great. You have it noticed and you can just add, you know, you can revise the notice and add the location. Have both options. >> Okay. Do we need to make a motion for
that given that we passed the resolution earlier? >> I think you can do that at your next meeting. I think you may know more then and then you can time to renotice. >> We can notice it before that, but that will be the formal action. >> Got it. Gotcha. >> That was just a super quick note. Um, it just came up a couple times just for you
guys all to know since you're a board of five, three is a quorum. So, never more than two on an email or like group chat or whatever, just be careful of discussing the official business with any more than two of you. >> I know it seems like a small amount, so it can't be three. >> Well, also to your point, um, if people
email the five of us, right, we can't reply to all. >> Exactly. >> Because I learned that people me like I can't reply to you. >> So, can one person reply to that one person? Yes. >> So maybe we have a designated person because I imagine some people like what I didn't know that was a rule as a
general, you know, person. >> Um and I was like, why are people ignoring me? >> Is there some someone we can designate if people email the five of us? >> I designate either that or Chris, you respond and
say, "Thank you for your message. Um I will figure out the most >> autoresponder." Right? >> Is it an autoresponder that says if you've copied the five of us, we can't respond back, but this one person
will respond to you within seven days or something like I'm not a good emailer sometimes work. >> We do have an email account set up for us. Um it's charter study at milburntw.org. >> But that mean that implies that all five
of us are being emailed on that, right? So if somebody emails that or >> if we want to set it up that way. Right now it's just its own email. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It was set up as more of a general and it's certainly up to the commission how you want it. And you can you have you're going to have a web page. Yeah. >> Um and you can you know expand upon what
that looks like and it can say this is this place just we're collecting information or if you're going to be putting out information from there. It's up to you if you want to autogenerate. It's completely up to you guys how you want to >> Well, I think it'd be nice to auto auto respond. Like, so I I deal with a list
serve in town that services almost 2,000 people and it's really hard for the two of us volunteers to continuously say the same things and FAQ and whatever. So, there is an autoresponder that says, "These are the things you need to send in. This is what you got to do. If you have this, please don't expect us to
respond within 24 hours or volunteers." So if there's a set communication that goes out, the public doesn't feel like they're not heard. So I think we we should absolutely have an autoresponder and maybe that is the one email. So yeah, people are not responding, but if they do respond to all five of us at an
official email, I think each of us should probably have an autoresponder to say we can't respond if you responded this way. Like we should probably use the same communication back to be really transparent. So whatever is sent to our one email, >> we should put on our each of our
official township communication email to say you will be responded to in this manner. >> When you say our official township >> Well, I imagine we're getting an email address. >> That hasn't been determined yet. >> Oh well, that is up to the commission if you feel it's necessary.
>> Amazing. No, I I don't >> I just I know it's difficult. >> I think having the common email works >> great. There's no reason for individually. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I love just one voice. Maybe it's up to you. It's how it's how you feel you want to communicate. So, common email is
great, but I don't know if we were required to. Okay, cool. That's awesome. I think the one email can represent all of us. That's great. And we should definitely our time limit of like if you don't hear by from us by X, we get in trouble. No, I don't know.
>> We get in trouble >> with ourselves. Yeah. Okay. So, we'll figure out an FAQ. That's great. >> Yep. >> Maybe that's on the agenda for next week or the week after. >> Anyone else? >> All right. I'm going to call the meeting
to motion to >> Oh, there's another couple. >> Hold on. There's another Sorry. After your business, we've got public comment there. Yeah, we already got it. >> When invited to speak, please come to
the lectum. Uh, clearly state your name and address and speak into the podium microphone so that your comments can be understood and all properly recorded to help facilitate an orderly meeting and permit all to be heard. Speakers are asked to limit their comments to three
minutes. I have to work on the enthusiasm. >> Hi, Frank Zach Mandy, president. I'm also a member of the township committee. I just wanted to thank you all for for stepping up uh and running. Uh this is a very important process. It's going to
determine the course of the government of our town. uh for years and years to come. Um so, you know, I think uh what's important to note is there was sort of a two to one majority in favor of this. So, there's definitely a mandate from the people uh from the residents for
this uh to happen. Uh so, I think people are enthusiastic about it, excited to see uh what you guys come up with and you know, ultimately there's a referendum and we'll make a decision. Um, one thing I would advise, um, if you're going to have meetings, I would
make sure that there's always a Zoom option. Um, what I found in my experience, uh, government is that oftentimes it's sometimes easier for people to engage via Zoom, um, with their schedules and kids and activities
and whatnot. Um, so if you're going to have meetings in the Bower Center, I would try to see if you can get Zoom capability there. if not have it someplace that that has that. Um if you need the township committee to nudge to get another one of these. Um let that be
known. I'm not sure we can make that happen. I think it's just important that this be an open and transparent process. >> Um so that would be my my advice. And then uh the other bit of advice is capitalize on the momentum that you have. People you know voted in in favor
of this two to one. So I think there's momentum. We're aware of it. You know, having meetings at a regular cadence and trying to get a lot of the engagement up front is going to be important because even though you have nine months to do this, that doesn't mean you have to wait nine months to present a report. You
guys can, you know, work efficiently and when you're ready, get the report out there. That way people have time to digest it, especially if you're going to make a recommendation for change in government referendum. So, um, that'd be another piece of advice I have. But again, thank you all for stepping up
and, uh, being willing to serve in this very important role. >> Thanks. >> That's actually a good point, Frank. You know, have our, uh, and we, you know, if we're very efficient, you know, we could have our report sooner than nine months.
You know, I like that. >> All right. >> We're rewinding time. >> Oh, >> you're erasing time. resetting the time. >> Short. >> Go ahead. >> Phil, a long time >> resident of the town. Again, I echo
Frank's comments and I thank you for serving. Um, but for talking about um transparency and trying to have robust and form civic participation, hopefully you can publish or post the former 1972 report. I think putting the
links to the various public forums that were held by the short hills um civic association when they had professor Feifer who's you know from um from Rucker's education because we're trying to educate the community. Um also when
we look at 1972 we should look at certain events that occurred after that date around 76 the county changed its form of government partly because we and Melbourne was an impetus to have a county executive in 2004
this township tried to succeed from the county and we should understand why we did that because there's more of a historical factor if not if you haven't received you I hope each of you get a copy of the history book that's that the
um township has $5 donations because you get the history because when Cherry was talking about it um when this when the township was formed um we basically had once a year a giant township comm meeting township you know when we
talking about like the New England form of government and one issue that you I hope that you do consider is the importance of the Faulner Act around 1952 two, we formed uh they try to revolutionize
the form of government but giving different rights like the rights of initiative and referendums. Right now, citizens do not have the right of direct participation of uh submitting ordinances or challenging ordinances for
and that's one of the issues of the Faulner Act and one of the issues that hopefully you'll be considering whether we go to have elected mayor. But I'm here I know I'll be involved watching and just telling the public what the dates are and the best and I thank you for serving. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Chuck. Anyone the line? >> We have one attendee but >> Oh no, there is a there is a chance do this correctly. Can you hear me?
>> Y now we can. >> Yes. I thought you said there was one one attendee, so I thought I would comment. Chris Hinrich's a longtime resident. Um, thank you for your service. Very much looking forward to this effort. I'd like to echo Frank's
comments that uh I think there is a mandate as I was out there talking to the people during this recent election. There was uh lots of interest in this topic. So I think moving expeditiously uh will serve the community well and and uh if you have nine months that doesn't
mean you have to take it. I would encourage you to to move as quickly as possible. And I very much like all your comments on how to engage the public and get them involved. I think the uh the showing here tonight is not indicative of the level of interest that there is
in this topic. So, thanks again. >> Thank you, Chris. >> Thank you. We'll we'll try to go full term, but if a premium is needed, we'll we'll get there. >> Close public comment. >> Yeah, we got to close the public comment.
Gav, >> may I make a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> Uh, >> second. >> Good. >> All in favor? >> I >> I good. >> First meeting >> three times. You wanted to hit
>> your back.