All right. >> The open public act state law, be advised that the notice this meeting was made required by law. meeting would take place at the member library at 7 p.m. June 18th, 2026.
Meeting details and the draft agenda were also posted on our township website. Please all stand to the flag of America for it stands one nationy and justice for all.
Roll call, please. >> Here. >> Mr. >> Here. >> Mr. >> President. >> Here. >> I have a motion to approve the agenda. So, >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I have a motion to approve the May 19th, 2026 Township Committee regular meeting minutes. >> You have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. We have a motion to approve the May 19th, 2026 special town committee meeting events.
>> Motion. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Uh Chief Gil Feather, uh you are up provide background on the appointments we're going to be doing.
>> Thank you. I just like to thank the mayor and Dr. for allowing us to make uh these two appointments tonight. Um first person up is Jack L. Jack is 20 years old and a resident of Whip, New Jersey. Grew up in Short
Hills, New Jersey and attending the Melbourne public schools until 8th grade. Then attended Oratory Prep High School and Summit. Graduated in 2024. He's currently attending Morris County College. He's pursuing a degree in criminal justice. He's was an intern in
the mil department for three months in 2024 and currently is a volunteer for the first aid squad in Melbourne and inform. For the past year, he worked as an EMT for Barnabas Health providing free hospital care medical patients. Jack
will be attending the Norris County Police Academy this July. And our next candidate is Dennis Padilla. Benjamin. Dennis is 22 years old, currently resides in Morristown. Uh Dennis was
born in Morristown and also live in Ecuador where his family originates from. He's bilingual in English and in Spanish. Dennis graduated high school in Ecuador in 2021. Following his graduation, he returned to New Jersey and attended County College in Morris.
2022, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Continues to serve as an active service. Most recently, Dennis was employed at Morristown Medical Center as a belly parking attendant. Dennis is scheduled to attend the Morris County Police Academy in July.
>> So, I have a motion to approve resolution 2658, which confirms the appointments. >> Motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Cohen, >> yes. >> Mr. Cos, >> yes. >> Mr. Ser, >> yes.
>> Mr. Fuller. >> Yes. >> Mayor Sakan. >> Yes. All right. I'm now going to administer the OA office. first. >> All right. Repeat after me, please. >> I state your name. I, Jack Larson,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of police officer
>> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of police officer >> of the Milbourne Township Police Department >> of the Milbourne Township Police Department >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. I see this.
All right. Thanks. Ready? I state your name. I >> Dennis Piao >> do solemnly swear >> Do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of police officer >> And I will faithfully discharge the duties of police officer >> of the Milbourne Township Police Department >> of the Milbourne Township Police Department >> according to the best of my ability. according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. Thanks. >> Congratulations. Okay. And now we are going to do the police department awards. Those will be presented by Bill.
>> Thank you. Tonight we're going to present our 2025 awards. First up is Officer Galadian. >> January 9, 2025 will receive the license plate rear hit for stolen vehicle out of Washington State that just scan
eastbound on Avenue. quickly located the vehicle on CH Road near the train station and made a successful apprehension recovering his phone vehicle, phone checks, stol residential burglary on Avenue patrol units had arrived on scene and upon
leaving the victim was discovered that intruder had entered an apartment that she was sleeping. Detective which through his investigation was able to identify suspect vehicle and subsequently the actor investigation led to seizure of the vehicles which he utilized during
the crime burglar tools and evidence of the crime. Uh the actor's residence also revealed evidence of the burglary as well as other burglaries that he had committed through us from jurisdictions. Next up is officer responded to Blooming Dales on a report
of a credit card fraud that was going on with the suspects having a young child. Officers Ford and Jaki were able to make stop on the vehicle and that the thorough investigation of the recover of many stolen credit cards for goods, 45
caliber handgun and a BMW today. up is Sergeant Royce and Captain And those on patrol at the mall short hills, Sergeant Royce throw the black Dodge Challenger back into a parking spot along JFK Parkway at heavily tinted
windows, no inspection sticker, and no front license plate. An investigation into the vehicle reviewed a New Jersey dealer plate beyond the rear of the vehicle and the video was reported stolen out of Elizabeth. Once the documents returned to the vehicle, a takedown of vehicles was conducted by
Sergeant Royce, Captain Duso, Mr. Lanny, and Officer Simos. The driver who alleged to own it was arrested. He was found to have warrants and charged possession of the stone. Detective Melson responded and initiated investigation processing both crime
scenes in a burglary unit at the Berkeley area surrounding the residents were campus for surveillance camera footage which helped identify the suspect vehicle. license plate check of the vehicle returned to an individually known the detective menson and the Melbourne police department with the history of numerous residential
burglaries. The effective menson through his extensive investigation collecting additional surveillance footage and obtaining cellular data records was able to develop additional evidence placing the suspect and be of the residence which he attempted to verbalize. Suspect
was charged and detective and serious. were dispatched upon a fraud report. Essence County Adult Protector Services contact the Milber Police Department after having received communication from a bank of elderly fraud unit that the
Milurn resident was making large cash withdrawals in excess of $120,000 raising their suspicions of possible fraud. We learned that the elderly resident had been scanned out of cash by individuals posing at federal agents. Perpetrators convinced the resident that in order to safeguard her money, she
needed to make patrols which they would then set up pickups. The witch's deposit is initiating investigation learned that the perpetrators were still contacting the residents to deal with which and sergeant voice cooperation of the resident set up operating to the perpetrator.
Grounds was set up on that day. The money was then to be picked up and the suspect was apprehended. Detective Melson Man. We received police intelligence network. Two individuals near the vicinity of the
postal mailbox on end of Juni and Manuag utilized surveillance cameras rapid response to the latest suspect's gain in the vehicle. Traffic stop was conducted with the assistance of detective Benson, officer Jenno and officer. This led to the arrest of male sus uh male theft suspect
recovering 46 pieces of mail by victims and identification of other suspects related to Officer Sweeney and Officer Law enforcement intelligence officer screening see information that both box have been opened without authorization.
Panero was enabled to determine a suspect vehicle. Suspect people were then stopped by officer Kerwin, Sweeney, and Tucker. Found a vehicle were blue, ski mass, belt, and small nails. Relations Officer
Griffin Police requested assistance finding a suspect wanted for aggraate assault using a license received serious injuries. Officer Renos and Griffin responded with our drone to the area until the suspect was last seen. After extensive shirt uh search the drone
pouring rain, our officers were able to locate the suspect hiding in the backyard. Coordination with the Union police, the suspect was apprehended. They know which ones Melbourne Police Department detective Dur was requested and responded to a residential burglary. Detectives came in
for surveillance located video identifying the suspect vehicle. Vehicle was located and stopped following day in Bl County. Detective responds to the vehicle stop and upon conducting further investigation identified one of the occupants involved in the red as he was seen fleeing the suspect vehicle from
the scene. A second occupant in the vehicle was wearing an item of jewelry that was stolen from the residence. Occupants were all placed under arrest. Uh the vehicle was seen and told police headquarters and suspect vehicle further evidence was uh Sawyer Manager Tucker. Officer
post office with us. >> While on burglary patrol assignment, Sergeant Manu observed a black BMW parked on the road near the USPS mail dropbox on hardturn. Short time later, he observed a male wearing a black puffy coat, black pants, run across the road and towards his vehicle. The male
attempted to get in the car. The car drove away, conduct their traffic stop on the vehicle. The male then attempting to get in the vehicle fled in the opposite direction. Short time later, Officer Tucker then located the male uh that was attempting to get in the vehicle. At the time, Sergeant Panera
and Officer Sweeney came the area where the vehicle person was observed, which was near the post office mail drop box and located 21 envelopes of Christmas cards laying on the ground. Investigation was conducted and were arrested um were made for theft. Mail out of the mailbox and stolen credit
cards were returned to I just want to mention some of the other officers that weren't able to make it tonight because of uh conflict in the meeting. Um we have officer Ford, Officer Moss, Detective Smi, Officer Lanny, Officer Renos, Officer Barrett,
Officer Kerwin, and Officer and Ser. Thank you. Thrilled all of you here protecting us every day. Um, real quickly, we're going to do a proclamation and then we're going to do a brief recess so that those who don't
want to stay for the rest of the meeting have to stay. Um, Stler, you do the parts. Sure. >> I don't see anyone from the rec department here. Chris, is it
Nick's not coming? >> No. >> Okay. >> So, this is a uh the proclamation. Whereas parks and recreation is an integral part of communities throughout this country, including the township of Milbourne. And whereas parks and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health
of people who participate in recreation programs. And whereas parks and recreation promotes time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance and well-being and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer's. And whereas park
recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking, trails, swimming pools, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles. And whereas park recreation program and education activities such as out of school time programming, youth sports and environmental education are critical
to childhood development take the phones away. And whereas parks and recreations increase the community economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, increased tourism, the attach attraction and retention of businesses and crime reduction. And whereas park recreation
is fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community and is an essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our community resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change. And whereas our parks and natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provides a place for children and adults
to connect with nature and recreate outdoors. And whereas the US House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month. And now therefore, be it resolved by the township committee of township of Milbourne in the county of Essex, state of New Jersey upon the recommendation of
the Milbourne Township Board of Recreation Commissioners recognizes the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources and proclaims July as park and recreation month in the township of Milburn, New Jersey. resume.
Start with >> any staller. Sure, I'll go. Thank you. >> Uh, all right. So, we did the proclamation for the parks and recreation. We'll hand that to uh the guys. Uh, one big thing on this week,
uh, with the, uh, kids at family soccer skills day is on Saturday 20th. Uh, if you guys have kids, it's 10 am to 1 pm. Uh, it's going to be great. Uh, there's going to be a lot of activities with the Milbour Soccer Club, the goalkeepers academy, Jack Physical Therapy, Game
Changer Fitness, Art of Living, Excellent Protective Services, Milurn, Milbour Autism Alliance, and Milbour Library, much more. Uh, no updates on finance. No updates on BOE. Uh, joint facilities. Uh, the high school field improvement project is out to bid with
the bid received data. I think it's July 8th. Is that right, Alex? >> Uh, so July 8th. Um, you can see the bid notice online. Um, open space tax advisory committee. No updates right now. Um, affordable housing on the front of council. And then big shout out to my
New York Knicks, our New York Knicks world champions. Appreciate that. That's it for me. Thanks. >> Tony, >> yeah, excuse me. The uh planning board met right after our last meeting. The two historic designations for the church
and for the bridges were deemed non inconsistent. So they with the master plan so they could move forward. Um there was a proposal from the cano country club to make improvements to their pool area which was approved. And we had a presentation from the environmental commission on the
environmental resources inventory which is an interactive map that shows for the town where all of the where the the streams are and where all the environmental assets are. Um the uh the
hard arboritum net they run on kind of a September to June calendar. So they've elected five new trustees for next year. They are Allison Canfield, Jihabi Gupta, Japa, Megan Lee and Madrasan
Pakurum. So they will the next meeting there will be in September. They'll be joining the board of directors. And then lastly, I had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of the mural in Taylor Park yesterday. It's beautiful. And I just want to express my thanks to the to
Jack Lieberg, Scott Mupta, all the volunteers that made the tiles, and the artist, Michael Cooper. It was a really beautiful ceremony, and I was glad that I was there. >> Deputy Mayor Costco. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I I missed the
last HPC meeting, but looking at their agenda, looked like they had five four matters, five matters on, one was denied, and the others were appropriate. Thank you. Good evening. >> Uh I would say congratulations to our new police officers. You know, it's
great to have uh some townies as well. Uh very well traveled uh police officer and another that grew up in town which is really awesome. So congratulations to police and all the awards. Um,
the Short Hills train station information session is scheduled for next Wednesday, June 24th at 7 p.m. here in at the Milurn Library. And there will also be a Zoom session. I encourage the community to come out on Zoom or in person to give
feedback. You know, we'd like to move forward u with the plan. Obviously there's a timeline with the end of the year but you know communicating about parents and the flow of traffic u etc. So I encourage everybody to come out Kenton. Um
the cultural diversity committee is hosting a cultural global craft showcase this Saturday the 20th from 1 to 4 pm community center and encourage folks to check that out. uh mark your calendar
for uh Wednesday, July 29th at 7 PM for a community meeting presentation with Tom Wright uh as part of the long-term strategic planning committee. So that is Wednesday, July 29th at 7 p.m. Um the flood mitigation committee is working on
an RFP uh and discussion about dredging uh with the upstream ponds. That's Taylor and Campbell, excuse me, Campbell Diamond and then of course Taylor Pond as well that's being worked on. And uh finally, Saturday,
July 4th, 2026 celebration is uh will almost be upon us. So I encourage the community to come out. Um the Milbour Shall Fourth of July committee um and their sponsors in partnership with the township is putting together uh an amazing program starting with the flag
raising at 9:00 a.m. honoring Barcel and their historic revolutionary heritage with the Patriot Award and there will be a bike trike stroller parade starting at 9:30. You can sign up through community pass, tons of rides and games and of course the most famous fireworks show at
Milber High School. enourage you to go to mshjuly4th.com information and thank you very much to um because this will be our last touch committee meeting through uh July 4th 250th celebration. Thanks to all members of the 250th committee for their work.
Um, and don't us. >> Excellent. Um, so over the weekend, uh, I had privilege of attending the Junth celebration put on by the black Americans of Bill and Short Hills. It was a fantastic event. Um, and look
forward to it again next year. Um, all the reports I have, Mr. Thank you, Mayor. So, um the the the one report that I've been uh waiting to give uh for a long time and happy to do it. Uh the town hall
renovation in addition is out to bid uh as of today. Uh we are looking to receive bids on July 23rd and um you know, just uh just excited to get that project moving. Uh in addition, the Taylor Park entrance improvement uh project is on the township committee's
uh consent agenda for consideration tonight. Just want to provide some additional background to to that uh process. We um attempted to bid this out last year and uh received bids close to
$800 $850,000. Um we reworked the bid specs, value engineer some of the items in it. Uh however the scope did not change at all. It stays the same uh from the uh from the curb to the circular path uh is the
scope of work uh to improve that prove that entrance. Um the bids came in at uh the low bid uh came in at 321,000. And so um we're looking forward uh given if the township approves to move forward with that project. But again, just want
to be clear that the scope hasn't changed. We just value engineered a couple things. Uh in particular, uh the lighted handrail was an expensive item. Uh so instead we put in an additional light. Um and uh not having lit handrail
um the seal and you know the granite block uh was removed. Um just some of the more kind of expensive items but was able to bring the price down. So just wanted to uh to let the public know that. In addition, town hall will be closed to me tomorrow and observe Junth.
However, garbage and recycling will be picked up just for everybody to know. Uh we had a PAP meeting uh last week safety advisory board meeting. Uh in that meeting uh pedestrian safety advisory board discussed the uh
implementation of an allway stop at the intersection of Hobart and station plaza. Um they have made a recommendation and we'll be making a formal recommendation to the touch committee uh to move forward with codifying that that hallway stop um uh
which was uh which was reviewed by engineering uh by an engineer and met the tenants and warrants for an allway stop. Um in addition there was some discussion in pedestri safety advisory board meeting about um doing a report uh getting some
assistance from a news of motion or a separate consultant to look at safe routes to both transit and schools and identify areas in township that could be improved uh with sidewalks um where it does make sense and where it would provide uh value to pedestrian.
Uh lastly, um just to ask that for all those that may or may not have been involved in the la latest um election, if you could please remove your signs. Um and uh that's it. Thank you.
>> No report may have one more thing. >> Sure. >> Uh so I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I was the MC at the Project Opportunity um walkathon this weekend. on Saturday. Uh it's the the head of it, Julie
London, who runs it. It's a uh treating a brain injury uh rehab and such a 60 Willow. I tell you what community means to be at that event and see everyone working together to help these people who have been inflicted with some type of brain injury.
Being a parent of a someone who experienced a neur neurological event, my son, when he was 11, he's 21 now. It was just very heartwarming to see everybody come together, committee come together, Tiffany Lavine, uh the board, etc. And now they are part of RWB
Barnabas. Uh so they will be uh uh under that as well. So just a big shout out to everybody opportunity project opportunity. >> Thank you, Commander. All right. Uh public comment when invited to speak offer your comments. Please come to the lecture. Clearly state your name and
whether you are a Melbourne resident and or property or business owner. Please do not provide your full address seeing as our meetings are recorded and are readily available to the public. To help facilitate an orderly meeting and to permit all to be heard, speakers shall limit their comments to one three minute session. You'll be prompted when there
is 30 seconds remaining. A reminder, this is not time for dialogue or to debate matter and this is a time during our business meeting for the public to offer comments. And now open the public comment period. Um yeah, brand Denmark belt. I haven't been here
since the new configuration took office in January and it's good to see everybody. I really feel like I watch on Zoom every time, but it's something's lost. You know, I miss being here. So, but that's not really the only reason I'm here. Um, I did want to discuss Five
Segs of Park Taylor Park gateway situation. Um, from a point of view of someone who's been in in town for a very long time. I've taken some satisfaction in how this thing had has evolved because that project started as a female
dream. The way I saw it, some people wanted to be some insane grandiose sort of the yellow brick path to the Wizard of Oz, you know, type of thing. and they found some design firm that designed something that looked like that. Now, of course, this is just my
opinion obviously, but um so that didn't work out too well. They were asking multiple millions for some crazy project that we didn't work for town. But luckily, everybody went back to the drawing board. And then um I got up like
this and made a comment and I said, you know, if you're going to have a project like this and you don't really know what the schematics are going to be, then you need to have a budget of this and you have to go to this design firm and say, um, here's our budget. What can you do
at this budget? And even if you want a really nice bottle of wine for someone's birthday and you don't know much about wine, the wine guy, if they're really good, will say to you, "What how much do you want to spend on the bottle?" Right? So after I made that comment, Richard Blossom, who was still here, got up and
said, "Well, I don't often agree with Randfeld, but I agree with this." So I knew we were on to something. So now it sounds like you guys are ready to go ahead, which I didn't know was happening. and I saw it on the agenda tonight and I said what this is one of
my things that I'm interested in is Taylor Park and I just wondered I I sat through the last the second and the last presentation like in town hall by the company that um gave a fair price what
they thought it would cost and um it's the one with the miller wheel and and whatever it was but that was the original and we're going to use the same stones as that we're going to use. And then I was told we can't go ahead with that one
until the arts commission um until the arts commission and the um I guess the start people approve it. It needed more approvals from the town. So I guess you got those and that's it. Now you're ready to go ahead. It's already
out for you. >> It's a fair completed. Okay. Thanks. Good evening. My name is Jeffrey Phil. No relation branch. Um I just want >> because who would want to be related to
>> what >> I'd like to start on the agenda. It's my custom. I've sent you various heads up questions. I've also gave you a post June 1st knowledge of case law and various things. I'm just concerned. It seems this is our third major tax appeal
settlement that we've done this year. Um, and I'm just trying to track down in this process starting 2020 and it's only when we had control that were following settling liability.
Go back to 2020 and the first payment is $1,750,000. But when I'm looking at the resolution, it doesn't say where the source of funding is, typically when you have a resolution where money is coming out,
there's usually certification from our CFO saying what the source is, whether it's a line item or bond, but it's not in here. Um, the way I see is there's three payments. One payment is due at the end of this month of $1,750,000.
Next year, $200,000. Then I guess in year three will be a unlquidated amount which I assume will be based on what the taxes will be for this year that we reduce based on deduction of assessment. Um this um I do appreciate that you
patched the stipulation this time to document at the last meeting you approved a purchase of property. I received the appraisal after the meeting was for $1 million. When I was in law school, when they
taught evidence, they talked about looking for patterns. You've seen three times we had Milburn paper mill playhouse lot 22 East Willow was a premium paid.
There's a premium paid here of $700,000. That's what peers were. I don't know how he got to that number, but that's something that we have to be conscious of. Um, if Mr. Caner can tell us if the deadline to follow our merit round three has been extended. Um, I think it was
due in middle of June. If it has or prior, but if it has been filed, I'd like it to be posted so the public can see what our opposition is. notice. Unfortunately, the appellet division, you have problems getting access documents, but if you have filed a merit
brief, I would appreciate it be shared with the public. Um, I think that's really it for my first time up here, but we talk about tactical game. We talk about Oh, yeah. The killer part. Who was
involved in it? Did we have an engineer that looked at it or was it just the administration? um business administrator that approved the bid. It was going back to years ago when we did the uh parking removal. There was a big differential
like Thank you. Just couple questions. Um July 4th fire starting your name. Uh uh no resolution 26-167 uh it says at 9:30 p.m. on Friday July 4th which is July 3rd
on the resolution. So is it July 3rd the Friday >> is it Saturday or Friday? >> Saturday. >> Okay. So just just when you make the resolution
I was just reading this last night. So, so it's Saturday night at the fire in case it's going to be on Sunday, right? I was some place they do have. Okay. Uh when I was reading about this
flood mitigation uh and there's a report only once a year, I was just thinking maybe there might be a report twice a year and uh because there's an awful lot that happens in a particular year and maybe
even the town committee more than once a year and more than just once one for the general public and there's a lot of interest in flood medication and things do change during
year just a safe thank you very Hi, Kristen Bass Township. Um, I would like to ask if somebody could maybe help me out on this. Um, I'm new to explore. Um, and I'm I'm very privileged to be on
the board. Um but I um have you know evidence that was sent to me of a Democratic chair and another person on the Democratic committee actually soliciting people during an explore event. Um I actually posted that myself
on lower township politics and I just want to understand so we're all clear. It's under my impression that the bylaws in section 2.01 of explore the virtual hills is supposedly safe but that's not allowed. And I want to understand like
can we create an ordinance that's very clear that people cannot use public funds that are supposed to be used for community the development of our retail presence for campaigning. So I really think that's really really important and that law should be carried
out because I don't appreciate my tax money being used having that and having party crash by the Democratic party. Not to say that it couldn't happen on the other side, but it didn't this year. So, I really appreciate that. And also, I'm generally don't make political
comments, but I'm going to tonight because other people do it, and I'm going to make an exception for myself. But I just, you know, there was a lot of propaganda put out here. And so, I'm going to address this specifically to David and Michael. I was really concerned that there was complete
fabrications and you are part of that committee that there were dangerous rules. Okay. And one of the biggest things was there basically were statements that the taxpayers are going to pay this ungodly amount of money and the world is going to end. We're all going to die and you know we're going to
go from $30,000 $35,000 houses. I'm going to tell you right now I got to pay an extra $3,000 a year because of the fast. All right, which nobody's enforcing by the way. So to say that when you know that it's $7,500 for each
township member and it's a total of 15k for our town. We spend a lot of money on a lot of other things. I'm not saying and I don't disagree with doing stuff for paper mill, but to sit and actually put out propaganda that that's going to raise your taxes when it's 68 cents and
you know that because you I hope you actually took the time to read the charter commission study because they did an amazing job. They didn't rush. They were elected by the people. It was actually a democratic centric party group of people and they did an amazing
job. Okay, so how did that happen? And in terms of enlarging the bureaucracy, I have watched every township council member, okay? You guys all work incredibly hard, every single one of you. And I I sit on two little committees and I I literally see sometimes you guys are tired, okay?
Because you're like, I just flew in from this country and I'm on eight committees. Okay? You can't do a great job when you're tired all the time. So that doesn't make a bureaucracy. >> Thank you so much. There anyone online? >> No.
>> Right. In that case, I now close public comment responses to start. Um Mr. Feld, um you we can't control who does a tax appeal. We prefer no one does
them. U but they happen every year. Uh we do, it's my understanding, I think we do have a reserve set aside for tax deal refunds. Um so we have a reserve and sometimes we do have large settlements that need to be dealt with. Uh especially when you have larger
buildings. Um you know, we tend to to get tax appeals from them from time to time. So it's just sort of something that all municipalities have to deal with. But we do have a reserve. >> Um Mr. Carlin, thank you for pointing
out the typo on the agenda. Make sure that gets rectified. Um, with regards to the flood mitigation uh committee, we actually have a TC member that sits on that board. So, we have regular feedback
and communication between the township committee and the flood mitigation advisory committee. So, while they might do a formal report once a year, there's definitely a lot more collaboration uh back and forth. Um so no need to worry about that. Um Miss Miss Best uh with
regards to Explore uh board members campaigning during an official uh explorer event. I find that quite troubling. I think that should be investigated. Uh and uh maybe we'll do that and uh we'll have to seek to uh
deal with whatever we find. Um but that is quite troubling and uh that is maybe a good idea that we take a look. We won't discuss internally whether we have a ordinance for something stronger. Um because I have noticed over the years there have been certain individuals that
seem to uh violate our our our rules and and campaign during official uh events that are operating in capacity. That's that's no good. uh with regards to the campaign, you know, political campaigns.
Unfortunately nowadays, um people love um you know, we see that in in a lot of campaigns that people didn't, but seems like in the most recent campaign. There's definitely some misinformation going around. Um I find that troubling as well, but unfortunately
um you know, that's part of the course with these political candidates. But it's unfortunate. Um, over to you, Mr. Sto. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, >> Mr. Feld, tax appeal settlements. Happy
to walk through that process with you and understand how how they come about, when everything comes up to be settled and why they're settled in terms of different ratables and etc. And you know as a found as the base grows uh people
feel somewhat agreved and that's how we work through those all through attorneys. And then you and I've had a discussion on appraisal versus uh appraisal versus um uh the actual market price of which something would fire. Usually when you're a buyer the
price is much you know you want to put the price much lower. Seller wants to be much higher and you meet somewhere in the middle. But we can go through that as well. Um, from a hip as a standpoint, uh, uh, Christine, thank you for your
comments. I mean, honestly, it's exhausting up here. It would have been nice to spread out some of this work amongst the the different parties. I mean, we were up here at one point and one Dash committee person had zero committees. And I can't even tell you now how great it is to to sit on those
committees even with explore uh with the wreck department with the flood mitigation with the joint facilities with the emergency etc. And you really get a flavor for what's going on in the town and you're able to bring that information back to this township committee. Unless you're
involved, you get that experience, you get that teaching, it's very difficult to be effective up here. Uh but it would be nice to spread some of that work. U nice to see you again. Thanks >> person.
>> Yeah. >> You know, if you're going to run from office, you ought to know what what uh what it entails. And if you don't have the time to to do all the work, then you should probably choose something else to do with your time. Um, and as far as
campaigning during explore explore events, I remember last year when I was running, I attended the upper the explores upper Milburn Street Fair and I was not campaigning because I just wasn't, but other but my opponent was
with the Republican chair. So, it happens. We don't have any rules like that explore and I'm and I we even questioned her and she said it's free speech. We can do what we want. So I mean we don't have any rules. Explore can't set the rules in a public place
like that. Prevent people from from doing that and it's a you know you could you campaign where the people are and that's where the people are. It was a wonderful event and you know so that's what I would say about that. As far as the campaign itself we said it was a we
said there was additional cost. There is additional cost. I was more concerned about some of the other issues that I also mentioned in my video in terms of fact I do think it was rushed. Um there was no reason why it needed to be held and the election needed to be held at
such a busy time. It certainly could have waited until November where there would have been a bigger turnout. At this point I'm happy with the results, but the provisional the provisional votes haven't been counted. So who knows where this is going to go. You know I I certainly hope it stays the way it is.
No surprise there. But um I do think it was rushed and that to me was the most one of the most important things and it was an all or nothing. That's what I thought when I was campaigning. There was a lot of things in there and you had to vote for all of them and there was one thing you didn't like you had to
vote no. I think that's really what was the result behind any of the no votes. That's my view. Just a point of a clarification uh to Cohen, there's a big difference between someone that's actively on a board uh hosting an event.
So, for example, if a member of the Explore Mil Short Hills board was at an official Explore Mil Short Hills event campaigning, I think that that is problematic and if there's evidence of that, it should be sent uh to me and the other committee members and we'll evaluate that. Um, but a private
individual that's running for office that's not on one of those boards, that's that's entirely different. That is free speech. So, I think there is a distinction. >> It was the board member that was campaigning. I know it was >> I know it was the chair, but I don't know that it was the
>> I didn't say that, by the way. Just to clarify, I'm not trying to >> I disagree. Mayor, if we could have some order the way people are speaking here as a point of order, I I do not think this should be taken offline at this point since you've been addressing it.
>> Are you saying we should continue to address it? if we continue to address it, the chair or should not be soliciting votes at an event. But I don't know what the I I don't know if it's true or not. I have no idea. >> It's not true. It's not true. >> And I think you would actually agree
with that. >> Mayor respond. So, first we're going to have the deputy mayor responses and then we'll turn it over to you. Thank you very much, deputy mayor. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'm disappointed that um, Miss Best decided to make a a
speech about politics here. I'm disappointed in my fellow members who have who have addressed it as well. Um, I will tell you though that if we're contemplating an ordinance uh or if we're contemplating an investigation of something that occurred, we should also
investigate uh and determine who it was and called the police on me um and had the police investigate me handling handing out uh flyers on the train tracks. So, we're going to do that. We need to really do an investigation. Really do. Let's find
let's get to the bottom of all the the things that speaking or unhappy >> sure. So Taylor Park Gateway excited to see um the numbers come in in a good place. There's a lot of really awesome things going on in particular um
>> sprucing up the sidewalks um and the entrance to Taylor Park. Um, number two, um, and the and the entrance, uh, number two on flood mitigation. I sit on the flood mitigation advisory committee and I give regular updates here. There's
RFPs that are going out. Um, and Jim McKenna is the chair. I direct anybody to contact him as well. Um, but certainly we can look at an information session. Um, everything that we discuss here is
nonpartisan and I'll leave it at that. I think uh I think that's uh that you know want to talk about my six months in office and looking at how election went and then how the
governance votes um it's not getting two political parties versus team up here at five that agrees on most things um you know very nonpartisan way. So, um, support nonpartisan local
government and, um, not going to comment on anything further. I I agree. I don't think we need to litigate any of this in public. Um, and, uh, you know, I think there's a call for, especially as the school year's ending and summer is
coming in, you know, of of peace and of, uh, positivity and of unity. Um, and I think that's where we need to center for ourselves. >> Thank you. Um, business administrator
McDonald's. >> Um, just a few points that, um, mostly a report that I hadn't given, uh, if you don't mind, mayor. Uh, regarding the parking on Avenue. I just wanted to uh
let people know that we are nearing the end of our pilot, our experimentation uh with the first head in angle parking, the reverse angle parking. We intend to u break that parking down uh towards the end of June uh to return it to parallel
parking and then you know I'll work with the touch committee on the decision of where we go uh moving forward with the bid specifications to improve pedestrian safety in that area. and uh I think uh spruce up uh area as well. Um just uh as
it relates to Mr. Phil's question. I just just want to be clear too when it comes to tax appeals. Uh oftent times, much like any litigation, the time frame of how long that takes doesn't have anything to do with um anything that was
mentioned except for that, you know, litigation takes time, especially with larger properties and bigger ratables. And the amount of discovery and expert expert testimony and and reports that go into that. um any amount of effort that goes into that, mediation, different
things. Um if that takes four to five years, that's probably about what it takes. And so I think um I think particularly when it comes to the short hill set, which is what this appeal is on, it was an extensive uh process. It goes all the way back to CO and the
impacts that CO had on that property. So uh I just would relate it to the the fact that it's litigation. Uh but the mayor is correct. We do have a reserve for tax appeals which would be utilized for the sub. >> Attorney
thank you may respond to Mr. Fel's question. Um there was a motive filed for 9day extension but there was a there was a motion filed in the division the second request for an extension. Uh we requested a 90day extension to file our brief based on ongoing settlement
discussions. uh that request was consented to by RPM at Bure Housing Center. So we assume the television is going to consent to that. It would be 90 days uh from yesterday. >> We're looking for this is not a time for
back to September. But thank you. >> All right. Consent agenda resolutions. Township committee will now consider consent agenda resolution. Mayor U. I just would like to pull out 26167 to be voted on
>> and committee you'll be recusing. >> Yes, I will be recusing myself from 26167 and recusing myself from bill number 1053. >> All right. So in that case we need to put the bills which is the first resolution
but there was separate roll call for that and >> and the clerk will note that um that one so in that case the consent agenda resolution form consist of 26-160 to 26-166
and then also include 26-168, 26-169, 26-170, 26-171. Um, I have a motion to include the resolutions of the consent agenda as I
just excluding those that we are excluded. Motion >> second. >> Second call vote, please. >> Mr. Cohen, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler.
>> Yes. All right. Uh, so next we'll do the bills list resolution. Resolution 26-159. I have a resolution to approve. A motion to approve resolution 26-159. >> Motion. >> A second.
>> Second. >> Right. Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cosro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ser. >> Yes. Recusing one 053 >> Mr. Solar. >> My second. >> Yes. All right. Resolution 26-167.
I have a motion to approve resolution 26-167. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Call vote, please. >> Mayor. >> Yeah. >> We need to fix the date on that. >> Um,
>> yes. Um so we will have to amend the typographical error that uh currently says July 3rd should say July 4th. So we will leave Friday. >> Yes. So it should say Saturday instead of Friday. So uh we will be making that
amendment and we will be approving as amended. So may I have a motion to approve resolution 267 as amended? >> Motion as amended. I have a second. >> Second. >> All right. Vote, please. >> Mr. Cohen, >> yes.
>> Mr. Cosro, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. >> All right. Deputy Mayor Costro, you're going to sponsor ordinance 2756-26.
>> Uh, thank you, Mayor. I would like to present an ordinance entitled ordinance number 2756-26. An ordinance amending and supplementing the township of Milburn developed regulations and zoning ordinance to revise the definition of floor area
ratio residential. Would you mind? I could do it or you can. I'm happy to. Thank you very much. >> Good evening. Members of this house committee, Graham Ped planner. Um, this is an ordinance uh that's a product of the zoning code
examination subcommittee. Um, this was brought to our attention by the zoning officer. Um, the definition for the floor area ratio contains a dimensional standard. Um, towards the end of the definition you'll see in the struck text. Um, it says such computation should not include basement or floor area of that part of any room where the
ceiling was less than 7 ft in height. uh the dimensional standard of 7 feet is inconsistent with the UCCC uniform construction code which defines a half of a room as being at least 50% uh at 7 ft in height and then still a remaining area of the room. So um the zoning officer was encountering some push back
as far as the definition of standard calculation of the floor ratio requirement. The definition amendment here uh corrects those and the definition. >> Thank you Mr. W. I move that this ordinance be taken up
and passed on first reading and that the township clerk be authorized to have the ordinance posted in accordance with law on the Milbour Township public notices page and for hearing and final passage on Tuesday August 11th 2026 at the
Milurn Education Center located 434 Milurn Avenue. >> I have a second please. >> Second roll call vote please >> Mr. Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cosro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sudo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stoler. >> Affirmative. >> Second.
>> Yes. All right. We have no old business. New business. Uh item put on by Mayor Costro. Uh data center proposed regulations. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um folks, we had uh
people commenting at various meetings u about protecting the town from largecale uh data centers. Um so this is the u the result. Uh Mr. Pedto, thank you uh for putting this together.
Um it doesn't it doesn't bar or ban everything meaning there's a business here that has ger but it's it's focused on giving server type that that's the business there's a an ordinance before us I don't
know if anyone had any comments changes >> yes so thank you um Mr. McDonald data centers are not currently permitted use are they >> not they're not they're not explicitly >> they're not so it's not use so data
center wanted to go before >> I think I think you have your planner here some of those >> yeah purpose of the record Um the uh data center you said to today
your question mayor um data centers are not presently expressly permitted in the ordinance under the land use law. Any use that is not expressly permitted is considered to be prohibited or not allowed disallowed under the ordinance. Um the ordinance uh that have been put together, draft or performed for
discussion purposes at this point um would add uh data centers as expressly prohibited use um within the ordinance uh rather than just high admission not um and if the data center was seeking to open with township um under the present formation of the ordinance they would
require a D1 use variance should facility request but with this addition they wouldn't be able to request It would be unlawful. Guess >> well they're currently not permitted and
one wanted to come in they may be a legitimate reason. I don't know what that might be. They could see a variance and if the zoning board adjustment is the zoning board would then way consider it. just seems to me we're doing an
ordinance for the sake of doing an ordinance if it's something that's already not allowed. Why do we need to expressly >> they could they could the merits here they is that correct? Uh what I what I will say is um you know an applicant may request the final application in either
case uh you know if the use is just absent of the ordinance or even if it is listed as a prohibited use uh but the the in my opinion and just based on inclusion of it as a prohibited use within the ordinance the test threshold becomes higher because it is expressly
prohibited. So the incumbent uh the the u burden is on the applicant to demonstrate why the municipality should deviate from the prohibited uses as the ordinance to establish or allow such use. Um essentially the threshold becomes higher because now there's policy basis within the within your
legislation. The end result is the same. If you want to have data center you have to go before zone board. >> That is correct. You know, my other concern is we do have some large office buildings and there
are businesses that I've certainly seen in my career where they might have an entire floor that's dedicated to their server room. They're not a data center company. They're not servicing other clients, etc. But we want to make sure that, you know, we don't adversely
impact something like that if that's something that we think is reasonable because there are a lot of offices, law firms, financial firms, etc. that do generally have on-site computer rooms
that can be quite large. Though, um, I mean, to me, I I would have to get more information on this. And it seems like we're just proposing an ordinance to ban something that's already not turn it over to rest committee for their
comments. Well, just uh just just to address one one piece of additional information just already here is they read through the ordinance. There is a definition included here which defines what a data center is. Presently the ordinance doesn't define what a data center is either. So just which may help clarify
the distation that you're referencing. Um I I don't know the exact situation you're referring to, but that may provides for that opportunity and it also presents an opportunity to maybe perhaps clarify that issue to make those cases have any
>> I think being explicit makes the prohibition stronger than just admitting it. You know, it's like, well, maybe maybe they want it, you know, whatever. It didn't, you know, it's it's more catch. I think I would rather see it be
clear. I see Summit just has one and then they just watered it down a little. They did something based on noise. Well, maybe a lot. They did it based on noise and I'm glad to see that was not part of this. So, I think that what we want to do. I mean, we know that there's someone
going into Kennor, you know, it certainly could be somewhere close to here and I would say it's not something we want. I agree that we should be careful not to to write out, you know, an existing firm that has a computer with it, but I don't think
that's the spirit of what this mean building that serves as a data center for, you know, that's it sole purpose. I I think sorry I think 2JD on this too also takes care of the mayor's concern
that there might be a you know a law firm or a company in town that has you know servers as well the definition sorry other comments >> uh I guess are aside from summit. Are we
hearing anything else on our partners? >> No, I understand on the on building itself but on the regulations as with respect to ban. Yes, there are a number of obvious state um you know we we have looked at other communities that are
considering this as well. So >> I I share the same concern about um who's currently north uh who's currently uh within the municipality. Um, I read the summit ordinance. Um, you know, you know, was,
uh, it left a little hole. Someone upset about that. Um, I think I just need a little more information, but I would agree with uh, sort of, uh, the idea that we don't want to outlaw the um, what's currently. And then uh
type two JD. >> I think we also should get some input from the public um because there are a lot of different types of data centers and there are some that are more um
more disruptive than others. For example, data centers that use closed loop cooling uh don't draw water like some of the other data centers do. become data centers do draw a lot of electricity. I don't even know if our town's infrastructure would allow for
data center uh enough electrical capacity. Um but data centers also can bring in fair amount of tax revenue and depending where they are in town you know I don't know I just like to get more input from the public. It seems that you know throughout the state
there's sort of this knee-jerk reaction to ban data centers for the sake of banning them or because people have feelings about AI etc. Um but I want to just make sure that we're doing something because this is what the public wants and not just something that we think is well this is what all the
other towns are doing so we should help on the bandwagon feel. Um, so I welcome and encourage members of the public uh to come and speak one way or another about how they feel about
this. Um, that would be I'd like to get some more information. >> I would it would move to old business. I'm not we're not ready to move into an ordinance yet, but I would say that we should tweak it to make it clear that we
don't mean the law firm that has The inclusion of limited service network will not constitute data center by such equipment support in the peritted principal use and used primarily to support on-site operations.
Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, we'll move it to old business. That could be the public to come, I guess, at the next meeting. >> Yes. >> All right. Happy to assist as you all. >> Thank you.
>> Comments. Public comment period is allowed for final comments in the community. I'm invited to speak to offer your comments. Please come to the left turn. Please state your name. Whether you are a neighbor resident, property or business owner, please do not provide your full address seeing as our meetings are
recorded and readily available to the public. Reminder that in order to help facilitate the early meeting and all to be heard, speakers shall limit the comments to one three minutes. Now open the public period. Um Jeff Bill give you my address. My
pass to the tax appeal question goes to why was there availability of bud certification? That's a standard operating procedure municipality spending money that was purpose of that comment. I'm glad that we heard that we have round three
merit brief has been basically pushed back to September. The reason I raised this was yesterday I had an adventure. I went back to Newark did a town city council. This is civilization. You need to go to see what the wild meeting is
when you go to Newark. But I get there for a question that affects the brief in round three and round four. And this is something you might want to get not tonight but ask your counsel. The validity of a non- taxexempt
non- urban renewal entity sponsor the mixeduse affordable housing New Jersey P mortgage housing finance mortgage ordinance. The reason it has implications it goes back to we never approved our pilot
supposedly to RPM by ordinance. There's questions as to the validity of HMFA mortgages, whether it was repealed. There's case law going both ways like this. But more importantly, it passed all the taxpayers is under the HMFA
scheme. No money is go to account. 5% of all pilots under long-term tax deduction law goes to the county. Why are we subsidized? This might be a great win for us for another reason. In round four, one of the arguments were saying what are exact urban municipalities. The
building we're talking about is on right across from military park was an office building owned by person owned the Lincoln Motel. He lost his penny. He wants to make it 100% affordable housing. Why don't we get credit for that? It's in our region. So I think you
know might be move us Milbour to write a letter to the county in New York saying one why isn't money going to the county. This is an issue that I raised in October 2019, but it's now coming surface because it'll be part of our briefing in round three, but it's
something issue that we should be looking at maybe writing to the county saying, "Why aren't you making sure you get 5% of the monies or New York where why don't we get credit? We're not going to get money. Why don't we get credit as a subsidy for those these units?" I just
throw that out for you to think about as someone said in orange anyone online. >> All right. I was waiting for you to go. >> I just want to clarify and I apologize Mr. for speaking out but I did not want
Jackie to think that Jackie did not distribute any materials. I was not referring to her. I was referring to the head the Democratic committee and one of the buddies were sitting in this room. Um, that's who I was referring to. So, I'm be very clear about that. I I don't know how that got out there, but and and
explore does have like we're supposed to be responsible and we're not supposed to have people going around campaign. Whether G did that three years ago, I don't know. I I don't know. But he thinks I have photograph of it. So, there's a difference between her saying
photographs. So, I just and it's not it's just I don't want to work on a building and have people crash at the party. Okay. I just that's all I'm trying to say and I'd like to look at making it stop. So, that's really all it was. And then I wanted to comment just on the data centers. I'm really thankful
that you guys are actually bringing this up for conversation because I've been posting about it on uh Facebook a lot because I'm really passionate about it and I really hope that the environmental commission picks that up because it's a critical big win. And um yes, you're right. Um closive systems are way more
um like they use less water, but they still use 30% like only they only reduce it by 70%. And what I'm very concerned about is we are like prime real estate and we're also next to this prime giant reservoir. Okay, so plus they already
have solar plant panels, which I'm sure many people don't know, floating in water putting leeching toxic heavy metals into the water. Okay. Um, so just something to think about. And it's also next to a golf course that leeches a ton of pesticides. So it's kind of a toxic
water supply system already. So maybe we should just not have a data center. I hope that you guys will put in something. I think allowing a variance is really I mean that allows somebody to get in and you know through a backward deal and I really think that it should be a definitive blowout. No. And you
know what you can always change the variance if like you know the closed loop system improves and you see that other people are having success but let other people test the waters. Why do we have to be the ones to test the waters and then our town is ruined permanently? So you there's no going back. So I do um
appreciate what you said um specifically Michael and Frank. Um so thank you very very much. And I did want to quickly ask um I'm really concerned about the lack of um I guess going to the HPC for
running any type of historic property. I don't know why that continues to go on. I feel like I'm just heartbeating on the same issue, but I don't know why we have a historic preservation board if we're not even allowed to actually have comments and a say on things. Um and again, I don't agree with the Gateway
Project. I think it's going to actually kill that tree. I I still think you need to do a master plan for the design. I think the design is owned by people that are not designers. I'd love to see Jorge on the committee >> and that's it. So actually you're talking about data
centers and we may open it because we need data centers this work in the future we use data center for every offices are using in the space on
computer space because we are using the cloud for it. What I feel and I saying as somebody who use the cow but also as an architect I believe that we should legislate how to build data centers and
I don't want to look just at summit why we don't look at Europe how they build those data centers so we can use everything that is against their centers in favor and build for that noise we cannot use the noise that's not a
problem the heat we can use the heat and use for cooling. So today there is technology we can use have a green roof on top of that which will protect but also rain water. So there are things
that we can work I feel that what we need is a good legislation we can not avoid. 200 years ago nobody wanted to have factories and today we are looking for factories to come back to our country. So we need I feel and I may be
wrong and I'm open to disagreement. >> I feel that we need those is our future but we need to regulate how to >> hi dearis 35 year resident of short hills. I don't want to get involved in a
back and forth. I just want to say that there's no need for an investigation that I was in fact talking to people um in the town on that night. Uh but my understanding that they said there's no ordinance against that that I did not I
was trying to be very respectful, very polite. The town was not closed off for that event. There was not it was not a ticket event that you you know had to uh buy a ticket to to participate in. and that I was in fact, you know, when Mr.
Sterno took my picture, I was walking into the town and was speaking to people who actually weren't even participating in that event. They were um dining in a local restaurant and asked me what this was all about. And so I was and that's why I was speaking to them. So, like I
said, I did believe that everything I said was protected under false free speech and there was no ordinance against that. And if that offends people, I'm sorry. I know that as Mr. Cohen has said that the um during other campaigns
um both sides and and definitely the other side has um participated in the Senate in a similar manner in these events. Thank you. >> Oh, sorry. I also just want to reiterate
that that no member of explore participated with me in this campaign. No one gets real good reviews from out of town because I spent a lot of time out of town and New York City and so forth and uh gets great reviews and I
don't know if you've seen Westside Sto I'm sure and it's playing to he audiences and it's doing quite Well, as you know, and uh also what you see online sometimes by people talking about Milburn and so
forth, a lot of it is detrimental. They don't understand what Gilburn is. Talk about these people and those people. Please continue. >> Go ahead. Please continue. say things about Milton
and they look and they say this is what's happening these people these people and unless you come to the meetings and understand don't understand exactly what's happening in town you talk about affordable housing they don't know what affordable housing really is
what the people really want and this is unfortunate the Gothamist who the heck Who the hell is this Gothamist son of God? Anyway, uh I asked for talk about affordable housing. Jaclyn Ace Suarez
commissioner, come on down. Talk to us about affordable housing. Love to hear about people would love to hear that also Congress. Come on down to talk all
about the importance of education. I'm to see what education is all about, what Milbury schools do and hope things get done properly. You know, just my opinion. Uh I've been around here for 32
years and I think the town is doing fairly well. I could be very very difficult and Mr. Stler, I disagree with you. You say, you know, more brain power. I've been around some very very smart people
in Washington and sometimes too much brain power is no good. They get so smart and they come up with some rules and regulations. It's totally unbelievable. You guys are doing very well with just
five of you. If you can't you okay you guys are doing well. Thank you very much. Good evening, Jerry Kills resident. I just wanted to thank Jorge for his comments. I think that you know too often I think the default in our
town is to be reactive rather than proactive. I think that you know we have enough talent in this community to be leaders and not followers. And I think yes we see a lot in the news about Kennaworth and Summit and their knee-jerk reactions to AI data centers
but I think you know we shouldn't be following them. I think we should set the stage to be setting an example for other municipalities. I think you know too often and too long in this town we've just been very very reactive. I I
think back to the stop and shop um where the metropolitan is now and you know people fought tooth and nail against that and then they got something worse. So I think we just need to you know be creative. I think we shouldn't just look at something and say no. I think we should look at something and say what is
the possibility there last chance from case I now close the public comment period I'm going to respond first um yes you are absolutely 100% within your rights to campaign uh as a private
individual my comments earlier were that if there was a member of the board other milk and shortfills campaigning that event then that would be inappropriate. If anyone else wanted to campaign during
that event, that's nothing we can do about that. That's free speech. It's the first amendment and you're right and your rights to do that. Um both parties have been known to campaign at events like this. And while some of us may find this tasteful, uh I don't think there's
anything we can do to prevent it. I don't necessarily know that we want to prevent um but I just did want to clarify there's definitely a difference between you know someone that's working uh you know on the board campaigning versus
an ordinary citizen. So it sounds like there was no one from the board campaigning at that event and therefore I think to rest. Um Mr. Master Petro I really appreciate your comments. I think you absolutely have the right way of looking at this. Um and Europe is
actually a fantastic model. Um they I know that data centers they have there they've actually found ways to take the excess heat and use that to heat homes and generate uh power. Um there's also a lot of new emerging technologies that
allow data centers to actually power themselves. there is cold fusion nuclear reactor technology that's evolving and starting to uh get to the point where it actually can exist in the market. Um, so there's some exciting stuff on the
horizon and uh I think perhaps looking at what the complaints people have surrounding data centers are and finding ways to address those might be more productive than wholesale banning something that we may find that we want more of in the future or may need more
of in the future. Um, also furthermore, if a lot of towns are banning this and we're a town that has a way to responsibly have a data center that doesn't uh impact uh our residents in any negative manner, that could be an opportunity for our town to bring in
some real tax revenue. Um, also, you know, if you have large data center uh that's occupying land that perhaps there's something else that would be built there that you don't want built there, right? So, uh, I really do think that we should take a thoughtful approach to this. Um, and, uh,
Ambassador PH, I will certainly consult with you, uh, outside of this, uh, to get your thoughts because I think we're on the right track there. Um, that's all I have to say. Anyone else?
>> I'll go. Um, Mr. Bel, I agree with you in terms of, you know, looking for a credit or cash uh savings out of that that 5% needs to come and be spread across county residents. Um,
where do I want to go here? Uh, Mr. Carlin, I I can't disagree with you more. I'm not talking about bismerching or imputing the competence of this day. I'm talking about spreading some of the work across additional members at the at the appropriate time. So, and I'm not sure why you put those words in my
mouth, but that's absolutely furthest thing from the truth. I think everyone here is doing a good job. Would like to have a few more members to spread that work. Uh, I also agree with you that Milbourne uh we're all inside this little bubble. It looks so critical here, this and that, political this, that, whatever.
I've traveled three continents in the last nine months. Wherever I go, I need somebody from Short Hill, Milbour, Short Hills, and it always has the same great response. Great school system, great economy, great mall, great commute to
Manhattan, great homes, great green uh green areas, etc. So, I I agree with you 100% on on that. I do wonder why um the environmental commission will spend all this time uh bitching and moaning about
wreck fields for our children and they have not put anything forward on AI centers. Uh you know, go figure. Uh you know, they could fight tooth and nail to stop our kids from having fields to play on. Yeah. Yeah. I don't see anything
from the the D&P passing in a half hour, the the Woodmont project that's going to put 162 units right on our aquifer. Talk about leeching, etc. Um, but I don't want to get caught up in that. Um,
I don't know. We we're going to hear a lot about about AI, etc. Embracing change, uh, p pushing them out, you know. Mr. Uh Jorge, thank you so much for those comments. They are wellreceived. Uh you know, I just wish we had some of those comments too as we
look at tax basis. You know, we just thought we we we put a moratorum outlawed uh cannabis dispensaries in our town. Those would have been good for taxes and things along those lines and we made a uh we passed a resolution to outlaw. So,
you know, we just have to look at all sides, all the benefits, etc. uh for for those type of things. Um and uh I'm glad to hear that uh you know I I didn't I've known Jackie now for quite some time. I think she would be out there hustling votes or anything
like that during a board event. So appreciate that. Thank you Cheryl for clarifying that. nothing to add. >> I'll just say I know uh I believe in protecting the first amendment and expression uh you know certainly uh
people saying a lot of things uh about me and uh I've got thick skin and uh I would say that um public street public sidewalks do what's within your bounds. Uh, I'm not alleging or accusing anybody of anything and I don't know where that
came from tonight. Um, you know, I ran for office in office. Many people have run for office. Long as you do it legally, do it legally. >> All right. Uh, Mr. McDonald.
Thank you. In that case have a second in >> favor.