Well, it costs more. First of all, your initial investment, if you connect to a sanitary store, it's going to cost you less than building new subject system. And you're going to have to service the subject system anyway every year, just like your store pay like. So, Hello, Mr.
Wednesday. Wednesday. How are you? Everything is great. Do you have children? No, the food Okay. No, no, you're getting Yeah.
Gretchen, you ready? Yes, I am. Good evening. I'd like to call the July 21st, 2025 Burough Council meeting to order. Will the clerk please read the open public meeting statement? Adequate notice has been provided as required under chapter 231 PL1975
specifying the time, date, and location of this meeting by posting a copy of the notice at the municipal building on the municipal website and providing a copy of the annual notice scheduled to the official newspapers of the bur. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Dan Brana here. Councilman Collins
here. Councilman MO. Councilman Posnki here. Councilman Payne Payne, I apologize. Councilman Potter here. Mayor Murray present. Attorney VNO present. Engineer Mike Mclen
here. Engineer Luke Lasanka here. Administrator Fred Carr also here. And I am here as well. Will everyone please stand for a moment of silence which will be followed by a salute of the flag 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. We have a presentation from the MCIA recycling program.
Yes, please. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Good evening, members of council. My name is Jim Polos. I'm the executive director of the improvement authority. It's a pleasure to be with all of you this evening. I'm here to inform you that uh as you are already aware, we're beginning our new recycling initiative
uh beginning with the August pickup in Miltown with all of our communities. This is a new initiative for Middle Sex County. We've been doing curbside recycling for some 20 odd years, I suspect, but this is a new initiative utilizing automatic side load um service
for our communities. Uh the improvements are that we're going to be giving our uh residents more capacity, 95gallon wheeled totes. They'll have lids. The material will stay dry. The members of the governing body and whoever may be here from public works will be happy to hear that. It also means that things won't be blowing all over the streets on
windy days. So, it'll keep your community cleaner. Uh and again, additional capacity much more efficient. Uh and we believe that the level of service will improve as well because of the type of efficiencies of this new equipment. So, we're excited about the new program and I just wanted to come in, take a couple minutes to tell you about this new initiative, answer any
questions that you may have and we're looking forward to working with you. I should also note your recycling coordinator has been enormously um helpful, cooperative, uh proactive. We've had meetings with them. Uh we've made some changes to the schedule here in Miltown, but all with their approval
and of course the approval of the governing body. But you should know that your second coordinator is well qualified uh and doing a wonderful job representing the burrow. Uh I'm here happy to answer any questions if there may be any. So I I just have a couple. Sure. Nice to meet you by the way. Pleasure.
Um so what what was some of the um some of the questions that I received from folks uh in town in my neighborhood or just around town is what was the um what was the thinking behind moving it from recycling from a Thursday to a Monday? What would what was that?
So there was a meeting that was held with um IWS is the provider. they're the vendor recycling. Um, we've been doing rear load for many, many years and that's obviously worked. It's had its benefits and it's it's had its downsides. Um, with the advent of automatic side load, the vendor has had
to purchase all new equipment in order to be able to provide this service. There's actually, I think, 11 or 13 new sideload trucks that have been purchased by IWS that will be dedicated to Middle Sex County to create this program. So what happened is is that they looked at the entire commu community uh
involvement. We have about 17 towns participating and they had to look at the schedule to determine how do they best utilize that equipment, what works, what's most efficient. Uh so they approached the community uh your community to talk about the possibility of moving it because of the way that the the days fall and what commutes were
being done. We felt they felt that they could provide better service, more efficient service by putting more trucks here on that day versus the prior date with the rear load. So, it's actually a level of improvement uh for the community. I think that they've also agreed to do some additional pickup for
you at some of your facilities here as you know as their way of saying thank you to uh for your moving of the calendar date and it's just going to create more efficiencies for us and hopefully some more efficiencies for you as well. So, another question that I also received from from a from a neighbor of mine who lives on the other
side of town is narrow streets. I don't know if you've ever been down Koul. Sure. It it's it's not a great, you know, stretch of the the road in any way, shape, or form. So, the concern is how if if both sides put their uh recycling
out on the same night, how is that going to work? Sure. And and is there a possibility to get a smaller recycling bin? So the program is for a 95gallon tote. But with respect to the small uh small narrow streets, I should say that KFAW is probably not the
most unique comm you know situation in all of the county. We have had this situation posed to us in other communities. Um and the vendor has said look if for some reason ASL does not work on a particular street, they'll go back and revert to do uh rear load in that particular area. They have what
they call a mini packer that they have on basically running through the region on those pickup days. And the purpose of the miniacker is act is exactly for that. Also, in the event that there was a mislo, someone might have put theirs out late, uh the truck came through and rather than, you know, make an issue of
it, they will just send a miniacker to go do the pickup of it. So, if there is a problem with access for the ASL, they're still committed and they're still required under the contract to provide service. They'll provide the miniacker in that sit situation. Okay. One more question that I heard um and then it'll be my last question.
No, please. I'm That's what I'm here for. I had a resident ask if uh this change um to the to the to the side loaders resulted in a loss of jobs or was it just we had all these jobs open or the county had all these jobs opened and this is a way to kind of get around
that? Sure. Well, first of all, this is has nothing to do with county jobs. Uh this is not a county program, county employees. This was a bid that was put out in an open public bid fashion under the state bidding laws. Uh IWS was a successful private bidder who received
the contract. Who they employ and how they employ them and what their employment is, I I have no clue about that because we're not involved with that. We only bid for the level of service that we were requiring which was automatic sideload. But again, no county employees are affected or impacted by this change to automatic sideload. Appreciate it.
Of course, that's all the questions that I have. Certainly. I'm the lean on to DPW and I work with Ralph who you've probably spoken to. Yes. And we've met um your people a couple of times. The one thing I just like to clarify if it's true. I was told that every time the arm comes down at a particular household that's a
$5 charge. I don't have a problem with that. It's just natur that that the arm comes down to pick up a container that it's a $5 charge. I I've not heard that. I I don't know where that came from, sir. That's certainly not part of our contract. So, our contract provides a flat fee for
each home and each container at each home. Uh, that's under the contract rate. There is no additional charge for the arm coming down. So, you pay a contractual rate uh for each location and each home and each tote. Right. There's no additional charges. Yeah. Well, the reason I want to clarify
because the reason I brought that up is be because if that's the case and especially some of the seniors, they'll have that giant crate with with this much material inside. And so I what I would have said if you told me yes is to wait until you have enough to bring it out to the curb.
Well, the way it works, sir, is is that it's a bi-weekly contract. So, you're being the community is being charged like our other communities for bi-weekly service for the truck to come through and pick up every location that's on our list that you provided to us for each home twice a month. Now, whether that
can is full or partially full, it's still part of the pick. It's the same pickup rate. And candidly, that was the same situation even with rear load. whether you had a 30- gallallon open bin or 95gallon tote, whether it was half full or completely full, it's still only the one flat fee that we charge. Okay?
And there's no additional charge. And and this isn't this isn't for you, but it's for the people at home. Um the DPW has they're going to have a a container at their site. And what Ralph had told me is that you guys will come on a Monday. He said on a Saturday they'll have I guess like half a day where
people can bring the cardboard because if people look through town they know that how much cardboard is out there. So instead of having to worry about cramming it into that container, they can bring it there on a on a every other Saturday. Yeah. And most of our communities, participating communities do have municipal pickup locations where they'll
do something at DPW or at a local public building to allow for overflow and additional uh material. I will tell you I've had a 95gallon tote for recycling for a number of years and you can fit quite a bit in there. It there there is a little bit more work involved uh cutting up boxes or clo you know
breaking the boxes up but in all honesty that was supposed to have been done all these years anyway. Uh so but if if one does that you'd be surprised how much material can actually fit inside of it. Well, a lot of people here have been spoiled because for the most part the people just throw their boxes except for every once in a while they they get a beater in the bonnet and they say no
they need to be yeah sliced up or whatever. But yeah, and when they were doing things like that, particularly putting them out on the streets, I'm sure that's when you've got the most complaints about how filthy the streets were, things blowing all over, boxes all over your public works people had to go out and do extra work. Uh this is definitely going to make a
much neater, cleaner uh and safer, I should say, um pickup situation. You're also not going to have people on the street. There's always that fear of somebody getting hit uh you know driving around the people who are doing the rear load. So, this is actually a much safer method of pickup as well. Okay. Thank you for being here tonight.
Absolutely. Good evening, Tim. How are you? Good to see you. Good to see you. Uh question I received is this will be our this coming Thursday will be our last pickup with the old. So, people that have those old containers, Sure. How do they dispose of them? Do they have to put them in the new
container? Will that count? So, or they're going to leave them separate and they'll be able to just take them away. They can do one of several things. Uh, they can keep the container and use it around the house. Um, they could put it inside of the new tote to be able to be recycled and taken away. Some of our
communities are making provisions to be able to have them brought to a public works location and dropped off. That's certainly something that you could consider. Um, but again, the container, we're leaving the containers with the residents to make the decision of what they would like to do with it. Okay. But if they did want to if they did want get picked up in the next one.
They have to have it in the tote for them to get put it into the tote. It'll be picked up as part of the recycling. Okay. Excellent. And so you did say Monday night we'd have if we when we switch it to Monday, you have more trucks. So there'll be more than one truck coming around milk. I I don't know how they're working that out. They're working that out with your recycling coordinator. Okay. The key is
is that they'll have more trucks available. Um recognize too that even though it's new equipment, something can always happen. Sure. So when in the past when we were uh thin on vehicles for pickups if there was a mechanical failure or a problem or a driver got ill sometimes it would peel
to the next day because there just was no backup. Uh they're happy that they're going to have sufficient backup equipment now. So in the event of a problem they'll be able to re you know kind of readjust and send another vehicle over here to try to ensure that we're doing it the collection on the data that's supposed to be done.
Excellent. Thank you. That's all the questions I have. I had a couple questions. Jim. Yes. uh are you going to favor Main Street and get it done in the first street so that you know when traffic increases on the by the hour that we don't have like a lot of uh backups? It's a good question. I don't know if I
have the answer today. Uh but that's certainly something if your police department you have a by the way I if I can say parenthetically you have a a wonderful police department. They do an outstanding job and they have a great reputation in the county throughout the state. uh between your police department, your recycling coordinator, your DPW representatives and your and
the councilman in charge. If you prefer for us to do that, and I say us meaning the vendor, we certainly could make accommodations to do that. Yeah, I think that would be advisable. The the next question is what do we tell the seniors? You know, it's a big container and some of them are very frail and, you know,
having less size. You know, they're about less than 3/4 of the container and they're saying they're not going to be able to get it out. Like, how are we going to do that? I can't say for each instance for every single senior, but I can tell you that we've had many seniors that have applauded it because um others have
complained about the fact that the containers that they have before when they put their paper products and supplies inside of it uh when it rained it all got wet. So what was a light container to start with two days later was saturated with water and now maybe 11 or 12 pounds heavier. The benefit
here is that this is a rolling cart. So, if there is that additional weight in it, it's so much easier to be able to get it to the curb. Uh, you know, and and I will tell you too, and I'm sure you're already aware that sometimes it's just neighborly help. If the happens to be help, you know, a little heavy that
night, uh, asking the neighbor who's putting rolling their cart out, you know, could you please help me roll mine as well is certainly something that could be done. But we think that we have heard from many of our seniors that having the rolling cart will actually make it easier for them in the long run than it was trying to drag out the the wet heavy open container in the past.
That's a good idea. Help your neighbor. Well, we do that with snow removal and other things in our communities, right? I mean, having been a a mayor as well, it's it's sometimes you just have to depend upon your neighbors to help, right? Thanks. Of course. Okay. Two more questions.
You go first, Pat. one qu one question that I also a resident uh asked me about and thank you for being here. It's nice to meet you. Um so uh they were talking about you know uh Amazon had four Prime Days in a row right and so um for uh shoppers right
that are taking advantage of Prime Days there could be a lot of boxes right delivered to the house. So um just to be clear just for clarification each household has one tote right they are so there was some dis the question
was can I buy an additional tote can in case I you know have an overflow of of cardboard. So I just want to make you know if you could make that clear. Mhm. So, there may be instances where a homeowner says, you know, based on
volume, we just think that we're not going to be able to fit everything every two weeks in one cart. We prefer to have a second cart. Uh, as we explained to the to your coordinator, we're going to be making provisions to be able to have a community purchase additional carts to be able to put at those locations. Obviously, you will be build for the
additional cart for pickup because we'll be picking two carts up every two weeks instead of one at that location. uh everything is bar encoded and and you know tied to the carts for our building purposes, but those will be available to be able to be purchased by the town. Uh we're just kind of working through the
details of that, but yes, a homeowner could have two containers if they prefer. So, do you have any estimate of what the cost is for an additional tote and what the cost would be for the extra pickup? Oh, cost is the same. It's the same. It's the contractual rate. So, whether we pick up two or whether it's one or two, it's the same thing because it's
pick up. But we don't know the cost of the extra, right? So, no, it's not an extra charge on a bus. It's just billing twice. So, whatever our flat rate is for that home, there would be two bills for that that would come into the town. Understood. But they have to purchase if they were to purchase a I don't know the exact amount, but I think it's sub $100.
I I think it's below $100. Okay. Thank you. Just two more questions really quick. And so, I'm going to I'm going to tag on to Councilwoman Payne's um um uh answer about prime and boxes. I don't want to interrupt you, but I we should have also
told you I have three teenage daughters. Yeah, I could tell you stories about Amazon Prime boxes coming to the house that would you can only imagine. I know this is new. I know this process is new. What's your big What is your biggest problem so far? Is is it the cardboard?
We haven't had any problems yet because you haven't started the pickup. Uh the pickup begins in August throughout the entire county. Uh I listen to be very honest I think that there will be people who will be upset about the fact that they can't put anything out and just throw it to the side. Um I can tell you that we have been
fortunate in the past that the vendor has picked up a lot of things that in all honesty they should not have been picking up. Uh when I started this position several years ago, the first thing I did was actually came in and rode the truck for two days with IWS. uh when you're on the back of that truck
throwing recycling into the rear load, it's amazing what you see that people consider recycling that really isn't. Um so we have had the good fortune of a lot of that being picked up. This does containerize it. This does compartmentalize it quite a bit. Uh but
at again at the end of the day a cleaner community, a safer community uh for the vast majority of people much more capacity rather than the 30- gallallon barrel and 95gallon tote. the ease of wheeling it out, the ease of it maintaining being, you know, kept dry
are all positives that kind of supersede some of the potential negatives, we think. Last question. How early does pickup start every day? Uh, I believe it's at 7, but I I'd have to verify that for you, council president. I don't know. Okay. Thank you. We are mindful of the fact that it's a
noisy situation and we try to also be observant of municipal noise ordinances and that type of thing. Well, I hope this was helpful. If you have any other questions, please never hesitate. Give me a call. I'm always available to try to help work through any details. Okay. Thank you so much.
Have a good evening. You as well, too. Now is a time for public comment limited to the resolutions on the agenda only. If you wish to speak, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Again, this public portion is limited to the comments only on the resolutions listed
on the agenda at this time. There'll be a fivem minute time limit set forth by the rules of council. If someone raises their hand, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Nick Fagatti, nine Janet Court. I have a couple of resolutions. I have
questions on. So, um I guess it's 2025 265 terminated contract with hire and grl. Um as far as I know at the reorg they were assigned as our planner. Um is
there an agreement in place with them that there's no recourse? Was there a anything that was done? Did we have to pay them out the rest of the year to terminate that contract or that resolution I think which was 2025-15.
Mr. Lagatti, yes, we have a contract with them. It's got a 30-day termination clause and it requires us to pay nothing more than the invoices that have already acred for the services they've rendered. Perfect. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Uh my next resolution I have a question on is 2025261
designated uh person certify certif certify officer. Um I'm reading that that resolution the is our CFO. Is that correct?
So, the person doing that position is an absentee isn't here Monday to Friday or during business hours. Is that acceptable? Is that going to cause any problems? Cuz, uh, previously it was a person that was here full-time.
So, uh, I'll take that question. I I don't think it should be an issue even though Mr. Zangga isn't here uh, Monday through Friday. U, it's not only Mr. Zanga, but it's also um our our uh employee in the finance department who's the certifying officer, like backup certifying officer. And of course, we
needed to find somebody because our former burough clerk um who who left to um uh have find another job in in in North Brunswick, she was a certifying officer. This is just replacing that, making sure we have a backup and there's no additional cost or
payment for doing that service. N thank you very much. Just just naming somebody. Thank you very much. And the last one I have a question on is resolution 2025260. Um, in reading that ordinance, it looks like we're contracting out our crossing
guards. I know that's a hard uh thing to get crossing guards. I I I know it is a very very stressful thing, but my question is does anyone know currently per year what it cost us to provide
crossing guards at this moment? Based on that ordinance, it's going to cost us $160,000 for the first year and $164,000 the second year. Does anyone know currently what we pay the whole, you
know, I'm guessing that includes uh uniforms, whatever else equipment they need and things along those lines. So, again, I'll take that one. Um I can probably give you a better answer tomorrow um after we have a finance meeting to um go over the six months
actual versus budget for 2025. Um this is something that actually came up over two years ago um by our police chief as something that we needed to look into because yeah, we we have a problem. We've had a problem like many towns finding crossing guards. And so what
ends up happening is we end up putting a police officer there instead. And you're taking a police officer out of a duty that you know might not be the best fit for them at that point. Um but uh I could tell you after tomorrow what it is. I I appreciate that. The only reason
I ask is that um I'm sure somebody has done their due I hope somebody has done their due diligence. Um and I don't know if an increase in paying our crossing guards would help that as long as the cost was not anywhere near. Um if you're close to the 160, I think you're you're
you're better off going contracting it out. the the one thing that this will do is to make sure that um we have a crossing guard at what where at whatever location is needed which was not always the plan in the past what happened in the past and if for some reason there is
not a crossing guard there this company will be paying the burrow so okay yeah Nick also just to add um the research um by the chief was exhaustive and we met with the public safety committee um more than once to discussed
this and we looked at costs and benefits and the cost of overtime to have police officers staffing the crossing guard positions. Um, and I can certainly say with great confidence this is the right thing to do. Uh, that makes me feel a lot better.
Thank you very much. Thank you guys. Seeing no further comments, I'll close audience comments. Ordinance introduction first reading. This is an introduction on ordinance 25 minutes. Minutes. Oh, I'm sorry. It's okay.
Apologize. Um, I have a motion to approve the minutes for May 12th, 2025. So moved. Second. Do you want to take roll or if you want otherwise you just do an all in favor?
Okay. Uh, and then may I have a motion to approve the minutes on May 28th, uh, 2025? So moved. Second. In favor. All in favor? I. Any opposed?
Okay. Ordinant. Ordinance introduction. First reading. Ordinance 251571. There be no public input on this ordinance tonight. This introductory summary will be published as required by law and a second reading public hearing
and final adoption will be considered on August 18th, 2025. Full copies of the ordinance will be posted on the bar website on the bulletin board at the municipal building and available at no cost in the office of the municipal clerk's office between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Will the clerk please read ordinance 251571 by Dutton? An ordinance to amend chapter 11, establishment of police department of the revised general ordinances of the burrow of Miltown to establish the
position powers and duties of captain of police. Amend the d the powers and duties of lieutenant of police and establish the duties of sergeant of police. May I have a motion and a second for order? Motion second. I have a motion made by Councilwoman
Payne, seconded by Council President Zbrana. Um, is there any That was Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. Um, are there any comments? Seeing none, will the clerk please call
the role? Council President San Brown, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mo is absent. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnki, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries, ma'am. Thank you. Ordinance, public hearing,
second reading. The following ordinance was introduced on June 23rd, 2025, published in accordance with the law. If any members of the public wishes to comment on this ordinance, they may do so after reading. Will the clerk please read ordinance 251569
by title? Ordinance to fix and amend salaries and wages for Miltown Burough employees to include full-time apprentice linemen. May I have a motion in a second, please? Motion. Motion. Second. I have a motion made by uh Councilman
Collins, second by uh Councilman Potter. I will now open up the public hearing on ordinance 251569. Please state your name and address for the record. These comments are limited to the ordinance only. Seeing none, I'll close audience
comments. Uh, is there any council comments? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zbrroner, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Menco is absent. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnansky, I. Councilman Potter,
I. Motion carries. Thank you. Authorization payment of municipal obligations. Next on the agenda, we have authorizing payments of municipal obligations. Will the clerk please read resolution 25 2025-244
by title authorizing the payment of bills, claims, and statements against Burough of Miltown in the total amount of $4,29,960.36. You have heard the re reading of this resolution. Is there any questions? Seeing none, may I have a motion in a
second? Motion second. I have a motion made by uh Councilman um Ponzanski and seconded by Councilman Potter. Will the clerk please read uh the role? Council President Zambbrana I. Councilman Collins. Hi.
Councilman M is absent. Councilwoman Payne. I Councilman Pnansky. Hi. Councilman Potter. I motion carries. Consent agenda. A consent resolution has been prepared for resolutions listed on
the agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature and haven't been reviewed by burough counsel will be enacted on in one motion. Any items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any council member and if
so removed will be treated on as a separate matter. Any items requiring expenditures are supported by a certification of funds. If any member of the council wants any resolutions acted upon individually, please give me the resolution number and it'll be pulled from the consent resolution. I just have
one question. I don't want to pull anything on resolution um 2025-250. What day is that? Does anybody know the day? Saturday. This past Saturday. This past Saturday
this past Saturday passed. Got it. I I have two I'd like to pull. Um 2025 262 2025 257 262. One is just a question.
Yes. I'd like to pull uh 258 uh 2025 258 2025 259 and 2025 260. Okay, hold the uh and then let's see. Okay. Will the clerk please read
resolutions uh minus um 262 I'm sorry 257 258 259 260 26 sorry 262 and 262
Okay. Motion on the consent agenda may or no I'm sorry resolution helps. Whereas pursuant to the rules of council, the council may establish a consent agenda for any regular or special meetings upon certain conditions. And whereas each of the
following resolutions presented before the Burough Council at its July 21st, 2025 regular meeting appear to have the unanimous approval of all members of the Burough Council. Resolution 2025 246 through 256
and resolution 2025 260 and 61. Resolutions 2025 263 and 264 and 265. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Burough Council of the Bureau of Miltown, that each of the above list of
resolutions be approved and adopted by the Burough Council with the same legal effect as though each was read in its entirety of July 21st, 2025 regular meeting and adopted by separate vote. May I have a motion and a second to approve minus all the pulled resolutions, please?
So motioned. Second. Thank you. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Councilman Ponzanski. Will the clerk, please call the role. Council President Zambbrano,
I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mos absent. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Pnansky, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025-257
authorizing payment number four for the contract with core and main for the water meter replacement project. What's the pleasure of council? Make a motion that this resolution be adopted. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Councilman Collins.
Is there any questions or comments? Yes. Um the meter replacement Are people being shut off? No. Mr. Carr, are they go are they going to be shut off? Yes. I'm going to make a suggestion because I live in this town and I care about these
people and I understand that a lot of people have not contacted, but I'm also thinking of my 90 I I won't give his age out friend who's scared and he has not applied. And I will go personally to people's homes to get them to to to sign up for this. I don't want to see anyone's water shut off.
Councilman, I agree. I don't either, but if you'll remember, I've been up here for probably two months sending emails to the council with a list of people asking department heads and council to talk to your friends and neighbors, understanding that they're concerned.
Uh, Councilman Mango just recently uh spoke to a lady who was concerned about her home uh and her heating system. I had spoken to her and emailed her a number of times. he was able to convince her that this is just a replacement. It's not going to damage. So, if you
have that ability to reach out to the 200ome people who have not yet answered the mail, sir, please do so. But we have not yet turned off any water, but the council has indicated that we need to take action eventually. And if the
council says don't, then I will not. Okay. I I I appreciate what you're saying. My my feeling always is that at least me, we work for the people. They don't work for us. And like I said, I'm considering my my one friend who I saw there and I know I know there are others
and they're names people would recognize here and I'd be willing to go to people's homes to talk to them. I don't want to see anyone get shut off. I don't either, sir. And like I've said for the last two months, please do. Okay. Please do. Phone call, email, text, uh facts,
smoke signal, whatever. Knock on the door. Okay. But you know, at the eventually we'll get to the point in the conversation where we're going to have to make some hard decisions for what do you want to do next? I don't want to shut off anybody's water just because they can't answer the mail
or they're afraid. But what are we going to do? Well, I I understand and I know my not me. I don't live here. You guys, what is the council's desire to the 200 people who have failed to respond? Well, Fred, I would like to know who on
council actually is the one pushing this because um so far, as far as I know, it did not come well as a council decision to say you're going to shut off uh people's water. So, sir, you uh passed an ordinance that said that we have access to the burrow's
water passed by this council to the meters, which are the property of the burrow. Okay. And people who are not responsive to the burough's property, which is the meter, fall under that category. So, I'm at I'm at the quandry. And council
member uh Pnaski is correct. I do not live here. These are not my residents. But the borrow passed an ordinance, sir. You were the mayor. This is our property. If you don't want me shutting off the water, that's fine. Hey, Mr. Carr. We passed this ordinance last year, right? Yes, sir. As part of this meter replacement
program. Yep. If we want to we want to replace the meters, we want to use the grant. We want to properly account for the water flowing through the town. We've had numerous conversations where we have 20 million un
metered gallons of water, which is money flowing through somewhere that we can't have control over. Then I ask you again, whatever the council would like me to do, mayor, council, I'm good with it. Did Did we Did we recently
hire a meter reader? Did we What? Did we recently hire a meter reader? Yes, we have a part-time meter reader. Correct. And what will they do if if all the meters are not having to be read anymore? What What is that? So, this is So, so we still have electric meters
that we have to read manually. So, he's a part-time meter reader. Only works a couple of times a week. and we've probably gone through half a dozen if not more meter readers since I've been here. I'd like to make a motion we don't shut
off anybody's water right away and we institute a fine system and this way if they don't want the meter replaced, they'll have to pay, you know, $50 or $100 a quarter extra. Well, there there are optout programs in other towns I've looked into and I understand these people's
concerns, but I also understand that I don't want to have water shut off from my neighbor. That's what I know. Sir, I totally understand that. And there are so you know, the council chose to replace the meters of the town. There is no opt- out provision. Now, if we
want to opt out or find people, that's a council conversation. That's not Fred. Well, in in water payments, people that have water, is it true that there it's over 10% of the people in town do not pay their water bill? 12%, sir.
Okay. What do we do with them? Well, people who don't pay their water bill on time. Okay. They go to tax sale. Y Okay. And we get the money at tax sale. So, Councilman, we've had a probably conversation other times. You don't pay your taxes in a timely manner. You don't pay your water bill in a timely manner.
the burrow will get their money at tax sale. Does that The difference is we pay you're gonna pay 18% interest on a late payment for somebody to buy the lean on your water bill, which is yes.
So I I asked the council again, decide what the council would like to do and I as your designated representative will fulfill your actions. Fred, when's the contract up with the installation Horn Mane? Yeah.
Well, at the end of this summer, you know, they're going to they're going to start, as we said a couple months ago, they're going to start winding down uh their abilities to have staff here on a daily basis based on a dwindling demand of appointments. So, instead of
having a person here with five days a week of appointments, they'll go to four or three. for all intents and purposes, you know, we can just do this forever. Uh, and just as they go to other
projects and go to other towns and then we'll be able then our then our choice will be to do the best we can when that person becomes available, but eventually they will quit. Well, we have a water department here. You have three people. We have a water department here. Can
they not do that? Can they not do those installations? Yeah. Don Don and Ian did about 50 installs all of last year plus water water water water um um
leaks water leaks and things like that. Thank you mayor. So it that you know we have 200 people who are who have not responded. It would take them four more years to do that. Okay. If you remember also part of the conversation councilman is that this broader meter replacement
project dovetailed with the D requirement that we inventory each and every lead service line or galvanized line in this town which we have to do and I believe we're five years into the D requirement. Part of this is the benefit is let's
replace the meters for free. They're the burough property. Okay. I'm advocating right for so talking about why we're doing this. We can adequately meter and account for water that we pay for. We get the water from another town and
we pay for it whether we build for it or not. So that 20 million gallons of water I'm talking about is wasted money, wasted water. Okay. added to the fact that we have the D requirement to account for and inventory
service lines. Well, the 20 million gallons that we lose, where where does that water go? Where? Because we don't know because the meters don't count it. The meters don't count it. There are water leaks, iodi and infiltration and infill. It goes through
the meter. We don't bill it. Why Why can't we find out where that's why we're replacing the meters? That's part of the process of replacing the meters and installing. If you look at the bill list, there is there are water meters on the bill list to install meters on all the municipal buildings
which are nonresidentialsiz meters. They're bigger like 1 in meters. They cost more. There are business meters 20 million gallons that way. Yes, sir. You can absolutely an old system like this town and any other town where there's a lack of
maintenance and capital the water can flow through the water mains and you won't see it running down the street because if the water if the pipe is broken and the water follows the line the water line straight to a sewer you'll never know the water's there
unless you're standing there one day and I've seen this or heard it. You're standing there and you're like, you know, it hasn't rained in this town in three weeks. Why do I hear water running through this manhole? And you open it up and it's found out there's a leak seven blocks up the road. It's just flowing into the sewer,
which by the way, you paid us you're treating and paying for water that came right out of a a water pump and now it's in the sewer and you're paying for it again. So this is not an easy question and I know that conversation somewhere down the line for
this council with me here or not will be what do we do to those residents who have led service lines? Do we pay for ourselves? Do you pay for the red? Do we choose that we will pay the we I want to say we we township the
pearl of Miltown will pay for the replacement of the lead service line for our neighbors which or we going to go out for a grant which may or may not be available or are we going to charge the resident? Are we going to put an assessment on that resident's property as a special
assessment? He does it. We pay it. We get a hold of Mike and Lou. They tell us what the price is. We replace it through an open bidding contract. They send us back the bill. I'll practice a little law here, Peter. We put a special assessment on that person's on that person's property and they give them the
easy payment plan for the next 10 years, let's say, and they pay it a little bit every year. We send them a bill, no interest. That's a decision at the council level. If they sell the house, they come clean at the selling of the house. That's part of the closing documents in your HUD one special
assessment to the Burough Miltown. Those are decisions that have to be made by this council, not by Fred or Peter or Lou. Not an easy question. Don't want don't don't think I'm pushing back, but I'm saying that we're we're trapped in a tough situation and the
decision has to be made. And right now, council's indicated they don't want me to shut off any water. we keep working at. We're doing that. We haven't shut off anybody's water. So, Mr. Carr, what what would um if we took that list um which which three
people should drop off that list because they're they're in my neighborhood and I talked to them today. So, it's not like 205, now it's like 2011 or 202. We're really moving now. And you got one from Gary that's take that list. If we take that list, hot dog, and we and we uh have our our folks in
in in the burough tax and collection department and divvy it up, you know, a third, you know, a quarter, whatever, and see where we are, you know, by the next burough council uh meeting. Is that a plan? Just to see. I mean, they're doing that right now. Okay. That mean that Kelly and the ladies and
anybody who knows anybody are trying to reach out to people and call them and and talk to them and answer their questions. I have any of a number of people still who call and leave voicemails on my phone in my office though it says call the 800 number doesn't say call Fred. Yeah.
But they call me anyway. We forward them into Kelly and the ladies and they reach out to that person to act to answer their question. Yeah. I mean so so I would think at some point, you know, in the very near future that we would try not to turn anybody's water
off, but you will be receiving a search charge of some sort. We got to move on. We we can't we can't continue to do this. I mean, this is going to hold up the entire project. The It will hold up the project and it will endanger our grant. Exactly. I mean, we have $2 million grant. We need to close it out. Y I don't think it's going to cost us $2
million. Okay. Our estimates were not that. We could still replace water lines or use it to replace uh use the grant money to replace the lead lines if the council so decides, but we have to make some decisions. And that's a nice thing that you brought up. This isn't just a smart meter replacement project. It's a smart meter
slash identifying whether you have a lead line service or not, which it's all part of the project. It's all part of the project. Yeah, it sounds I will tell you that we're much because of this water meter replacement project, we're much further ahead than other towns. Yep. In the state of New Jersey.
Yep. Okay. Fred, have all the burrow buildings had meters installed on them yet? Not yet, sir. No. I'm sorry. That No, sir. Have any? They have not. I just saw I just saw the the bill for the bigger meters just this bill cycle.
So whether those meters have been actually installed in this building or not, for instance, or at the pool uh or the public works, I do not know. Is there an anticipated date or no? I don't I just I know it's in it's going to happen, but I don't know when the specific date is for that installation.
Mike, you were out there. Separate prices had to be obtained for those meet because they're larger than the size that was specified. They've been provided prices. We've reviewed them and recommended that they be added by change order for the contract. You have remember you have a contingency built in SS4. So it's probably eminent next 30
days. I'd say they'll be installed within the next 30 days. I would say yes. Let me just say one thing. Uh this is not something that easy for Fred or us, but the number dropped almost 200 in one month. So you're making very good progress in terms of these schedule. but seems to be
working. Thank again. If anybody's out there listening and you know somebody on the list, call them. Right. Don't don't don't make don't don't make me sick Don Herman on you.
Councilman Cons, did you have any more questions? You look like you had another question. Mike was saying the the meters are very expensive, I guess, for the different buildings. So I guess we're going to have to capitalize that over the water meter budget, right? No, sorry. It's part of the It's part of
the It's a contingency built in. So we have in the project of about a minute and a half a contingency built in for these kinds of things. Another one of those contingencies built into this. I go into your house. Um we put the wrench on top of that water pipe that hasn't
that that nut hasn't moved uh since the flood. And I'm talking about the big one, not the one we had here. Uh and it breaks the pipe. that splits it. We have to fix it. It's contingencies built in to replace that pipe and fix that. Okay. Okay.
Thanks. Okay. Seeing no further discussion, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrano. I. Councilman Collins. I. Councilman MO is absent. Councilwoman Payne. I. Councilman Posnki. Hi.
Councilman Potter. I. Motion carries. Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025 258 authorizing sale of surplus burough property by use of online auction pursuant to NJSA 4812-13
your what's your pleasure councel make the motion of this resolution be adopted second have a motion made by Councilman Potter seconded by council president Zumba is there any discussion yes Mr. may pull this because uh I see
down here we're using municipalbid.com. Last year, last year we used uh gov deals and we were very successful. Why the why the change? No, actually this resolution was copied from last year. We used municip
deals. I heard just I'm just saying this resolution was copied from last year where it was municip. I I don't remember that cuz I spoke to Monica. Can I get a copy of that one? Sure. Sure. Thanks. That's all I have, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you. Um, seeing no further discussion, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Sampo, I. Councilman Collins, I was absent. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnitki, I. Councilman Potter, I.
Motion carries. Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025 259, please? Resolution authorizing an increase in the bid threshold to $53,000. You have uh heard the resolution. Uh what's the
pleasure of council? Move the resolution be adopted. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Collins, seconded by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion? Yes, Mr. Mayor. I just That's It seems like a large jump. What are we at? 17,000 now and we're at 44 now. We're
Oh, at 44 now. We'll go to 53. That's all. It's still a big increase. So, if you look at the uh on the attachment to the resolution, the local finance board uh change the bid threshold for any of a number of different units.
Uh we went from 44 with a QPA. Remember this is with a QPA to 53. Now, without a QPA, we're back at 175. So, that so with Mr. Dolan there would have lots of good bids for the IT
services for the crossing guards. Uh and because of that we have a higher bid threshold. Okay, that's all I want. Yeah, I will point out also that the 175 lumber for a contract. So anybody does contract with the burl 175 hasn't
changed regardless of the bid threshold. Okay. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zan Brown. I. Councilman Collins. I. Council Me is absent. Councilwoman Payne, I.
Councilman Posnansky, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025 260. Resolution of the Burough of Middletown County of Middle Sex, state of New Jersey, authorizing the award of contract for crossing guard
services from bid number 25-02. You have heard the reasoning reading of this resolution. May I have a motion? So moved. Second. I have a motion made by Councilwoman Payne, seconded by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion?
Yes, Mr. May. I I go back to Mr. Gulati's questions. I was wondering how much money that we spend on uh the crossing guards this year. Does anybody you don't have any idea? No. It's actually in the packet. It's in the packet. All the information the chief gave all
the referenced information in the packet. There's numbers and what the costs are and the overtime overtime cost. That doesn't include the police cost, right? That does it does include the police. Yes, it does. Yeah. Quite a bit in overtime. Okay, that's all I had.
Seeing no further discussion, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zamba, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mango is absent. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Pnansky, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries.
Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025 262? Appointing Don McDonald as Dawn McDonald to the title of part-time clerk 2 in the business administrator's office. Uh you heard the reading of this
resolution. May I have a motion? Motion. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Councilman Collins. Is there any discussion? Yes. I have uh some questions for Mr. Carr. Yes, sir. Um, what the what
department are we hiring the clerk for? The title is clerk 2, but she's working in finance with my office helping Stephanie. Okay. What is the do job description? It's I understand clerk too, but what is the description? What what So,
I'm sorry. So, have you been in my office lately, sir? Yes. Okay. So other than Stephanie in there, we're surrounded by paper that we need to get a grip on. And Don being a former clerk uh with a region
of Joe Zanga to come in and help my office and get control of some of the paper that's in there and file it. We have three years worth of purchase orders in three different filing cabinets that need to be filed away. Uh it's beyond the ability of one person.
Uh there are probably if I could in my office if just go into my office itself I have not had the chance myself to go through any of the piles of paper that are across uh that on the dis or on the bookcase and they have other than
occasionally when I've moved them back and forth in the last 18 months haven't really done anything with them. In fact, that office looks except for what's physically on the desk myself looks a lot like when I it was when I walked in on the 4th of January of last year.
Well, we we've had the clerk that's there. We have we've I suppose we still have supple Clooney to an extent. She's an auditor, sir. Not uh not I'm looking for we're looking for So, we still have Supple Clooney. Michelle Swisser still comes in. You'll see the bill list. There's about $3,000 on there
for and they do the bank reconciliations. uh versus what we pay and what's on Edmonds. Uh we have about 25 different bank accounts in the burrow and she she balances those bank statements.
Her job is not to get control of the paper in my office. So realistically, is that a three-person office then if everything is to be done correctly? There once upon a time there was. Sorry. Yes. And now you have one in change. Okay. I I have some other questions then.
Sure. Absolutely. Um, what are the required hours and days per week? So, what we're going to do is she works five days a week. Uh, the her hours are what Stephanie's hours are. The days that she is in here, since she's an hourly employee, they're going to work out themselves. And the reason I say
that is for instance on days that Stephanie does payroll if you've been down in my end in a hallway at the at the risk of your own life if I may mention. Okay. Um uh that's not a day for Don to be there.
The day that Stephanie does uh the bill list again. Another day that you take your life in your hand to go into that office because she's trying to focus on a $4 million bill list. not whatever question you happen to have about a purchase order that you're
missing or something like that. U Stephanie's got to the point, Councilman, where she's had to go into my office and close the door, turn off the lights to not be bothered, and she needs help down there because of the volume of work. We can't find anybody in there. Again, I go back to
the council. If you know somebody with finance experience that would like to work for the burrow, send our resume. We'll hire them in a heartbeat if they meet the qualification. Well, I understand she needs help because I I do talk to her. That's why we So, so Don uh being a
former clerk and being very capable uh individual working in South River, her job is decreasing there and Joe Zanganger recommended that if we need some help her here to uh hire her and that's a fine plan.
Would she also fill in if um if if uh the clerk that's there now goes on vacation? If Stephanie goes on vacation. Yes. Um that's not our that's not our intent at this time. No. Okay. She's not I mean she hasn't been hired
yet. I mean you would hope so. But she has other duties other than this. I will tell you from a frank that you know she still works in South River. She like me has duties other than other assigned other than this job which for for me is taking care of my granddaughter for her
grandkids babysitting. It's a much cooler job than this, frankly. Okay, it is. So, you said it's f it's five days a week. Well, she could work five days a week, but she won't be working five days a week. She'll probably be here like two days a week, maybe five hours a day if we're lucky.
Okay. Was the job posted? Yes, a long time ago. We've been posting for a finance a payroll clerk forever. Okay. And and you didn't find suitable candidates then? We did not. No, sir. Okay.
Okay, I'm good. Okay, and we're good, sir. That's why we're here. Seeing no further comments, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Sbrano, I. Councilman Collins, I Councilwoman Payne, I.
Councilman Pnitki, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Thank you. reports from and comments from elected officials. Council President Zimbra. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, as I as I mentioned uh earlier in tonight's
meeting, uh um the question to Mr. Lagatti, uh finance will be getting together tomorrow. Councilman Potter, myself and Councilman uh Pnansky with Joe Zena and Fred Carr to look at our actual spend to date through the first half of this year. Um, and then look at
the plan for uh the rest of the year. Um, I've done that pretty much in previous years and it kind of worked out so by the time you get to the end of the year, you know what your transfers are um and and not um be taken by surprise. Um,
I do have a Ford Avenue report uh at the last Ford Avenue meeting. Um, actually, I'm going to I'm going to do this first. Instead of that, I'm going to talk about um since we just talked about water and sewer and smart meters and stuff. Um,
the burrow will be receiving a million dollars in infrastructure um water um funding. Um, so I'd like to um if if they are watching this meeting to uh to send a shout out to Senator Dagnen and our Assemblyman Cara Benshack and
Sterling Stanley. Um, I've been in their ear just like Mr. Pot, Councilman Potter was in their ear last year about, you know, funding for a firetruck. I've been in their ear for about a year. Um, the fact that we got a million dollars that would help with leadline replacements. Um, you know, as Mr. Carr said, you
know, uh, 2031 is is the deadline. It can't wait till 2031 to come up with a plan to kind of take care of some of these things. Um, I probably won't be here in 2031, but at least there'll be the money there or or something will happen before then. and and that's the whole point of that. So again, uh a
special thanks to uh Senator Dyman, Assemblyman Car Benshack, and Assemblyman Sterley Stanley. Now, Ford Avenue. Uh so Ford Avenue at the last Fort Avenue meeting um just to give a summary uh of highlights. Um the the judge in the federal court proceeding um
is inclined uh to ask the developer or will make the developer um deposit money into an escrow account. Um, and the deadline for that is uh the deadline for the developer to do that is 90 days. And it's either deposit the monies into an
escrow account or abandon the project. So, we're at like one of those moments in this long history of Ford Avenue where developer is going to put up some money. And so far, from what it seems, um, at that meeting, uh, the developer is inclined to deposit those monies uh,
into an escrow account. Now, does that mean there's going to be shovels in the ground next year? No. You know, obviously there's going to be an appeal because there's always an appeal because it's Ford Avenue, right? So, whether we appeal or or the owner appeals, it's it's just a matter of um you know, who
appeals first. But, um I would I would say uh at some point within the next 3 to 5 years, of course, there's a remediation process that has to happen. uh there is a um uh an amended plan that has to be um forwarded that that the
developer will agree with. Um but at some point within the next 3 to 5 years um and I don't know specifically what the trigger is going to be that um but the the trigger will start when that money is deposited into the escrow account um where title starts to change
and then um that site can uh start to be cleaned up. Um and again October 6th is a deadline. So, as we get closer to that time, uh, if I have any further updates from the Ford Avenue redevelopment agency, I'll share them with everyone. Um, and that concludes my updates. Thank you, Councilman Collins.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just have the library uh program uh drop in play Tuesday, July 22nd and August 12th at 10:30 a.m. Mine Craft Island Survival Test Tuesday, July 22nd at 4:30 p.m. 4th
to 8th graders, registration required. Crochet for beginners, Saturday, July 26th at 11:00 a.m. Adult yoga, Monday, July 28th and August 11th. Registration required. Journalizing for the mindfulness Monday,
July 28th at 11:00 a.m. Library book club, Tuesday, July 29th at 6 p.m. Wednesday, movie matinea, July 30th, 2:30. Jaws, New Jersey Snake Man, Saturday, August 2nd, 10:30 a.m. Registration required.
Estate Planning Basics, Tuesday, August 5th, 6 p.m. Registration required. Lucky Cat Bingo, Saturday, August 16th, 11:00 a.m. And that concludes my report. Mr. Mayor, thank you. Um, Councilwoman Payne.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have a police report, a fire department report, and then um a report as the liaison to the board of vet. Um the fire department between June 1st, 2025 and June 30th, 2025 responded to,88 calls for service.
During this period, the police conducted 92 radar details in numerous locations, made 490 motor vehicle stops during this period, investigating 19 investigated 19 motor vehicle accidents.
Um, the chief had asked me to be sure that I mentioned um letters of commendation that were issued to patrolman Nicholas Espinosa and patrolman Robert Worley. Uh, and I'll tell you a little bit about um that uh
the reason for those commendations. On June 19th, 2025, at approximately 3:35 a.m., they were both dispatched to the area of Cherry Hill Drive in response to a report of a suspicious individual observed walking up residential
driveways. Recognizing that this area had recently been targeted by early morning vehicle burglaries, um they immediately relied on their training and tactical awareness. Their diligent efforts in canvasing the neighborhood led to the identification of a suspect
matching the description dressed in dark clothing, wearing a ski mask, carrying a dark backpack. When the suspect ignored verbal commands and fled on foot, um the officers initiated pursuit. Despite those risks inherent in pursuing a
potentially armed individual, they both displayed exceptional courage and restraint in apprehending the suspect safely in the backyard of a residence. Upon um during the arrest, um they also discovered that the suspect was armed
with a butterfly knife concealed in his waistband. Further investigation revealed that he had stolen numerous items from unlocked vehicles in the area. Despite facing resistance during the arrest, including an assault in which controlman Worley was kicked in the face, they both maintained their
professionalism and composure throughout the encounter. Um they exercised bravery, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment uh to public safety. Uh and so congratulations um to both of those police officers, our
police department. Um as um Mr. Polus noted they they are a great department. Um and so um uh excellent work um the fire department um report. So the
um fire calls for the month of June, there were 17 um for a total of year-to- date 92 calls. Uh total number of incidents, 378 so far this year um and
um 3200 3262 uh 3,262 year to date. Um there were a few notable calls in the neighborhood on RTOR, one in North Brunswick um during during Fourth of July activity.
Um and uh the chief just uh of course wanted to make sure that he mentioned that there was a tremendous amount of prep by the Miltown Fire Department for Fourth of July. Um and and in addition to that, handling some of the fires uh
around town. Um and so they had a very busy month. Um they did their annual uh training uh in terms of a drafting drill um on water for water rescues and did of course their regular vehicle and equipment maintenance uh and of course
always asking for volunteers. Um so I attended uh as the board of ed liaison on behalf of the council I attended a com a community relations committee meeting on July 16th last Wednesday. um and where I met the new
superintendent um for the district and his name is Steve Wnooki and Dr. Wnookki is leaving his position in Robbinsville that's where he was an assistant superintendent uh and I believe September 1 I think is
his uh start date. Um so there are a lot of issues that were discussed. A district comprehensive equity plan um that included um targeted areas uh for professional development for our teachers and staff. Um they talked a
little bit about continuing uh district discussion series which sounds like that that will that will happen in the fall. So I asked to be invited to those meetings. Uh so you know of course we'll see how the new superintendent wants to you know what programs obviously he wants to continue.
Um, but one of the things that I wanted to make sure that I shared with the council um, in light of some discussions that we've had publicly uh, here at council meetings was that I mentioned about some of the conflicts in the calendar, you know, with our meetings
and their meetings and the willingness by um, my understanding the willingness by the council to switch some dates so that we're not always meeting on the very same dates every month. Um and so I
uh suggested that you know with new leadership um in the district uh that you know we were we were certainly willing to have conversation with them to discuss uh calendar issues to which um the outgoing superintendent uh
informed me that they don't have any other option and they are not willing to change the dates. So to that I said well um we are and we'd like to have that discussion. Um and then the other issue that I
uh raised was also another topic that we've talked about we've talked about briefly and that is uh for the board of education to televise their meetings. Um, and so, you know, I said how we do that and we post our meetings, you know,
on YouTube and, you know, it's all, you know, very convenient for people that may not be able to attend in person and can watch it at a later time and transparency and all those things. And the board of ed president um said that
in response to my suggestion of having some conversation uh about that um he said they don't do board of ed meetings for the public. They meet to do board work. Um so I said that was an
interesting uh comment. Um and I said, well, you know, when I was elected to the board of ed um for two terms and being an elected council woman here in Miltown, my primary function is to serve the public.
um to which he you know uh insisted that there was no legal mandate and they were not willing to entertain um the idea uh at least last Wednesday uh about televising uh their meetings and posting
them on YouTube. I did um just a little sort of mini research project Robinsville where the new superintendent comes from. they televise their board of ed meetings live and post those meetings uh on YouTube. So, you know, things may
change um with new leadership. So, um the um the su uh superintendent also sent a letter to the mayor and I um email uh like his kind of I am here um you know um kind of welcome email. And the one
thing that I forgot to mention, thank you Dave. Uh, National Night Out is Tuesday, August 5th from 6:00 to 900 PM. We think it's at the American Legion. Um, but stay tuned. The chief, I had asked the chief at the beginning of the before the meeting began. Um, if he
would send out a civic ready notice, he will uh as that date gets closer, but that's coming up upon us. So, I encourage the residents to uh come out. That's a really great night. And, uh, that concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Pansi.
I will do my report, but I'm going to bring a concern that I have first. Um, it's a procedural issue that I see. Um, and I seen our agenda template for tonight. The change that was also in the last agenda. Uh, what I do know is that
our bylaws, which follow Robert's rules, stipulate that we follow the agenda as it was created. There's absolutely no deviation except by a majority or twothirds vote by the council members. any change of any change going forth is a breach or violation of the law. According to Robert's rules, only
council members may amend the meeting agenda template. So, so placing council comments with the reports, it it's it's um it's a breach of of of our bylaws
and it needs to be changed. You have a report? Yes, I have a report. Thank you. Okay. Um I'm going to talk about the old DPW site. Um John, what what what Councilman Collins had brought up before. Um he uh
contacted uh Gov Deals and uh a representative came and spoke with us. I realize there's a a different auction group, but I'm just bringing this up because we did have a person come. Uh we got into the uh the old abandoned garage and it's filled with a lot of sellable
items. I don't know if the other auction group is is is uh looking into that. Uh we have all the the der derelic vehicles, metal metal containers, and um I I just want to give credit to to Councilman Collins for uh for bringing
that up. And uh also um I I am thankful that the uh representative came from the the county tonight talking about the recycling bins um because it does begin on August 11th. The last pickup will be August 4th. And um I've had a lot of
people contact me because here in um our reports uh um Miss McCarthy has me listed as recycling. A lot of people have contacted me. that's part of public works, but people have been contacting me because they haven't gotten their containers and a lot of people are
complaining. So, I actually have I have a meeting set up for next Tuesday at the senior center. And if anyone here on the DES would like to to join me, um this this will be the last time that that we speak about it. People are still confused if if if everyone was out last
at least in my area last Thursday all the new contain most of the new containers were in front of people's homes and they did not pick them up and and people aren't quite getting the message. So like I said I'm going to have a meeting next week and and that'll that'll be it. Um
I have to go into something else. It's it's for uh for the senior center. It's um we had uh applied for CDBG grants and I'm very disappointed to say we did not receive any money this year. Um the the
application came in late and there I believe there are 18 other uh municipalities and everyone got one except for one that had not applied and last year I I believe we received almost $60,000
and um it's an easy grant to get. I I I was trying to get windows for the seniors this year because they're they're uh they're very leaky and and drafty. Um the granite's an easy one. It's lowhanging fruit and it's a shame because um it's like setting your tax
dollars on fire. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Councilman Prior. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh first of all um coming this Thursday to Miltown is the mobile DMV um at the senior center
uh from 9 to 2. Even though there may not be real ID spots available, there are other services available if you need to surrender your plates, registration, everything that can be done at the DMV except for driving tests. No driving test. I've had that question. Can they
do driving test? They can't do it there. Everything else they can do there. So, just make a note. This Thursday at the senior center from the Miltown Recreation Department, sorry, Albert Avenue camp kicked off Monday, June 30th, and it's been a fantastic start. The kids are having a blast, and
all of our trips have been a big success. We're now gearing up for our exciting year-end carnival day celebration, so stay tuned. Uh, Miltown Burough Pool August family memberships open this week. Don't miss your chance to enjoy the pool for the final month of
summer. Every Tuesday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., kids ages 9 through 12 are invited to pre-teen night at the Burough Pool. Admission is just $5 and the Snack Shack is open. Join us on Thursday, July 31st
from 7 to 9:00 p.m. for our Christmas in July bash at the pool. This event is exclusively for Miltown families with children ages 12 and under. Registration is required, so please sign up now on Community Pass. Adults, treat yourself
to a night of relaxation with Hush Studio on Wednesday, August 13th from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a unique floating sound bath in a peaceful poolside setting. Register now on Community Pass. Space is limited.
Lisa and her ma and her amazing snack shack staff have been wonderful additions to the pool this year, serving delicious variety of foods and snacks. The adult co-ed softball league championship game took place on June 26th. It was an incredible night of
competition. Fall registration opens soon and after a weather delay, Splash Squad officially began on Friday, July 19th. There's still time to join. Registration remains open on Community Pass. The adult yoga and beach volleyball programs are having a
fantastic summer. Thank you to all the participants for making the programs a great success. Celebrate your summer birthday at the Miltown Burough Pool. Count the recreation department to check availability to reserve your date. Swim lesson registration is now open for our
second swim lesson session running July 28th to August 8th, Monday through Friday. Register now on Community Pass. Last call for the musical theater, mini camp, multisport camp spots are filling fast. Please check mini pass for dates,
locations, and full details. Basketball clinics with Sandy Molinowski are coming in early August to the Park View School Gym. Registration opens later this week on Community Pass. Fall program registration for all adult and youth
will open in early August. Planning a family picnic, graduation, or birthday celebration? Enjoy the outdoors at Albert Avenue Park. Contact the recreation department to reserve your date. Once confirmed, complete the fillable application and email it to Kim
McGrath. Please be sure to visit our recreation web page to familiarize yourself with upcoming programs and help us to continue to make Miltown Recreation a community in motion. Uh for the Miltown Planning Board, the last meeting occurred on July 9th, and if
needed, the next meeting is scheduled for August 6th. And finally, from the Miltown Fourth of July organization. We had an amazing 100th anniversary celebration on July 4th. A special thanks goes out to our DPW,
utilities, police, fire, county fire marshal, rescue squad, burough clerk's office, our sponsors, participants, residents, spectators, vendors, and all of our volunteers for their efforts in
making the the day a success from start to finish. I would also like to give a heartfelt thanks to our Fourth of July committee for their hard work and dedication and to our families for their patience and understanding. I always say it takes a village to put on this event
and I would like to call out the names of our committee members. They are Russ Einbinder, Neil Marada, Mike Finch, Denise Finch, Debbie Miller, Charlie Miller, Christine Potter, Russ Tangan,
John McNamera, Terry Walsh, Laura Khan, Jason Khan, Rob and Sha Cheffhouser, Melissa Elmmyer, Lacy Earl, Jackie Young, Garrett Conger, Dave Pearl, Ben
Freed, and Ray Growlik Jr., please join me in giving them a round of applause for their incredible effort. And finally, Mr. Mayor and my fellow council members, thank you once again for allowing us to put on this event. And we're already in the planning stages
for next year's 250th anniversary celebration of America independence referred to as the semiquinn centennial. And Mr. Mayor, that concludes my report. I' I'd like to finish my report if I if I may. I'm sorry.
No, you had your opportunity. I Well, okay. I And I'd like to do comments. You had your chance. You had your opportunity. So I I didn't have my opportunity to do comments because what I brought up is lawful if council goes
along with that and council has not gone along. It doesn't change the law. Okay. So now I'm going to correct you with this. So correct me. Okay. Go ahead. Yeah. So first of all, since I do not do the agenda. This is something that council decided and you as long as the rest of the
council members approved this in January. We did not approve the change that was done last last meeting. Well, I'm sorry. I do not create the agenda. So, I do not and council did not approve changing council comments with the reports. It's okay. I don't know. You're not correct in
this, sir. I don't create the agenda. That's right. You don't. You're right. So, so the agenda is wrong. I pointed it out and we go forward differently from tonight to the way it was two two meetings ago. That's how it goes.
No, it doesn't. Yes, it does. Mr. Mr. Vinola, do you have any report? Do I have a report? Uh yes. One thing, Mr. Mayor. Um as the council is aware, uh as of uh 30 days from tomorrow, they will have no planner. Um the the
rationale behind that, just for people who aren't aware, um Mr. Barry, who has been the planner engaged at Hierarchal uh for a number of years and has worked with the burrow on its affordable housing plan as well as the Ford Avenue redevelopment, is no longer with that entity. Um, so in light of the fact that
the bureau will need a new planner, uh, I was going to ask the council if it would consider, uh, during new business adopting a resolution which would authorize a request for proposals for a new planner. I have a form of a resolution which the board uh, which the council could consider and I would hand
it out after um, you know, including my report. Thank you. You got it. So move Burough engineer, Mr. Mike Capone or Luke Mayor to get the report tonight. Hey, Mr. Mayor. Um, just one thing to
report tonight. The uh local aid applications were submitted prior to the July 1st deadline. The resolutions you adopted tonight will be uploaded this week and that will complete the applications for this year. That's all we have. Thank you.
Um, business administrator Fred Carr. Uh, mayor, I have only one comment. I will not be at the meeting of 18 August. I will not be in this time zone. I will not be calling in. We will miss you.
Stay as long as you like. Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. No, thanks. Okay. Um, does any member of council have any old business to bring before council? Yes, Mr. Mayor. I was just talking about this uh uh gov deals that they uh we
came I met them at the League of Municipalities. They came up and they said they'll take the building down and they'll pay lock, stock, and barrel and we'll get money from taking the building down. I think it's a good deal. I don't know how we move forward with this. Maybe Mr. McNo has some insight.
I'm not exactly even sure what the ask is. Mr. Collins, if you want to get Councilman Collins, if you want to get me the information, happy to review it and try to figure out a path forward. But because they said they could take the building down and the tax credits will actually get money from this taking the building down cuz I I'm sure that we
had put money in there when we built the new buildings over there but somewhere the money disappeared. So I don't know of any I wasn't the burough attorney when that process began. Uh nor have I any oversight of the process. So I don't know whether there was money and whether
I think you were the burough attorney since 2015, weren't you? No, I was not, sir. No, I was not. No. No, sir. When did you start? I started again I believe in 2020, sir. 2020. So, Councilman, I can answer that question. As I said last year to the
mayor and council president Ravalinski, if the council wishes to take down the building, then come up with a bid spec, come up with some kind of task list other than take the building down and haul it away, you know, and then we have a QPA and we go out for a public bid. We
open the bids and the winner wins. Simple, but without that I caution just calling in a single person and engaging that person. I think it's a good start. You just changed the bid specs, did you?
Yes, sir. But you have to go out for bid. You still have to go out for bid. You just can't call another of a guy in the state of New Jersey. Last time I checked, Peter could be wrong, and say, "Sir, please take this bid down," which is public property, without going through a process.
Okay. So, if you have some data, we could put together some kind of a spit. Yeah. Uh I could say something crazy like we could go out and form a subcommittee and it'll die right there. So, but let's just get, you know, this what we want to do. Be retired by then, Fred.
Yes, sir. That's three and a half years. is win longer draw, but put together what you want to do and we can go out for a bit. Thanks, Frank. Thank you, sir. I had another uh question uh old business too about replacing the uh
camera and sound system on here. And uh I think uh some of the councilman agree what do we have to do with that? We have a budget of $5,000 of what I gather that we could replace it for 2500 where we can have a camera system gives us a
panoramic view and then when someone the councilman or someone speaking it puts the camera on them. Is there a way we can update that? Because I've heard I got a lot of complaints the last couple meetings about the camera not turning people sound. They can't hear it. They can't
see it. And um this has to change. So, so Councilman, can I ask a question? Um, the the the rest of the committee, do they have any input in this? Do we do we have a plan on what we want to buy? No, there is no more comm I mean, there's only Russ and me. Is is there anything is there anything that you could forward that to say,
"Hey, here's what here's what the plan is. Here's what it is. Here's what we want to do." Yeah, we we can have it done. We could have that done. Can you Can you $5,000 and it's only 2500 to do? I No, I understand. Can you forward it? Can you just forward it? Yeah, we can have that forward. Yeah, I've actually looked into that, Council Council President. and I'll get some
information for you. Beautiful. Thanks, Councilman Bosski. That's it. That's it for new old business. Does any member of council have any new business to bring before council? I'd actually like to make a motion of what Peter provided to us regarding the
uh the hiring of the uh professional planning services. So, it would just be would be a authorization to request proposals. I would authorize to request propulsion. I'll second that. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, second by Councilwoman Payne.
Will the clerk or is there any comments Peter? How's this going to work? 266. You would go next step. Next step. Next step would be your QPA will issue an RFP and there'll be submitts and you'll review them and
um you know uh with any luck the individual who you have been engaged with for a number of years will submit a proposal that you find acceptable. You may not submit a proposal in which case you'll need to find somebody else to assist you. So 30 days uh this proposal should come in in advance of your next meeting.
That's okay. So it won't it'll be on on the docket for the August 18th meeting and we won't have to wait until September. No, you you'll be able to prospectively appoint someone for the period uh at the conclusion of the 30-day termination window for your current planner. Thank you. That's our hope. Yes, sir. Okay.
Will the clerk please call the role? Well, you still got new business on. This is what we're doing right now. New business. I'm sorry. Council President Zambbrana I. Councilman Collins. I. Councilwoman Payne. I.
Councilman Pnansky. I. Councilman Potter I. Motion carries. May. Thank you. Okay. Councilman, you got new business. You still want new business? Yes. Yeah. I share Councilman Pazinsk's uh uh
concern also that we moved the council comments into the council um reports. And I don't understand this. Does anybody know anything about this? Yes, I did because I read about it. And it's not legal to do that without
council's approval. So, how did this happen? Photo of council has to do it, not someone else because otherwise it's arbitrary and capriccious. Right. But I noticed mayor's comments wasn't changed, but just council comments were changed. And I don't think that's a fair uh uh thing to do to the
council. No, it's not. And I also found this other thing that I found highly unusual. Here I got a disclaimer on the bottom of this uh port of agenda here. It says, "Please note items listed on the agenda may be changed prior to the meeting." Thank
you. Uh we can't change this, Mr. Vnola. Sure. We can't change it. Council's approval, Mr. approval. We can't just change decide, you know, last find it for you. So, if I could So, you just count you just changed the
agenda, sir. How's that? And under new business, you adopted a resolution that was not published that was brought to you by the or attorney to go out for bid for the planner because the old planner is no longer working for the town and we need
a new planner. So during council uh council during Peter's comments, he said during your new business, I'd like council to consider this resolution. So you just changed the agenda by council action and went out for to go for an RFP. So
we're allowed to do it because it's at the meeting. It's legal. Again, it's at the meeting. So this is legal. We can't do it behind closed doors. We didn't say behind closed doors agenda behind closed door. The agenda was changed is the point, sir. Right. But we have It's the council meeting. That's why we can change it at
the council meeting. We just did. Right. But we can't just say I'm going to take something out of here. We actually didn't take out comments. Comments are still in the agenda. So on the other comment, I was going to address that. So they're still in the agenda. We just combined
council, sir. So, do we need you still need to make a motion? It can't be the clerk changed it. The clerk didn't do it, sir. We said I did. Okay. Yes. Robert's rules, sir. It's not about Robert's rules. It is about Robert's. That's our law. Is
that what What do you go by? Are you What I go by, sir, is you have the opportunity to speak. Okay. What law do you go by? I have the opportunity to speak. If you're going to give me a chance, you're going to ask me a question, let me a chance to answer. If you don't want me to answer, I'll shut the hell up and go
home. You choose. You're the council member. You have a chance to speak during reports. You have a chance to speak during comments. We just combined it for efficiency. It's okay to not do that by law. Sir, I looked into that. You cannot change that by law.
That's right, sir. Sir, just for a second, Councilman Faz, what law is what law dictates? It goes by Robert's rules. I looked into this. I looked Do we go by Robert's rules? But it's are they bylaws? Do they are they our laws? You can Are they our laws? No. There are
rules of procedure that we generally observe more in failure to adhere to. So we don't always follow Robert rules. Correct. We do not. We they are a guideline. We do not follow Robert's rules lock step because they really don't apply to a governmental body in this of this sort. Council comments always come after the
open public because if somebody makes a statement, we can comment on it. It doesn't go before. I mean, this is highly unusual. I've been up here almost 10 years. Well, no, I've been up here almost 7 years. I'm sorry. And it's never changed like this before. Why does it change?
We're just trying to streamline the process or we should get council approval or you just do it, you know, force it down our throats. I mean, that's what you're doing here, Harry. That's like going to a restaurant and somebody giving you something or somebody else's meal and say, "Here, you eat this." What do you say? Okay, fine.
I got food. So, so Mr. I'm I'm incorrect because I spent a lot of time looking into this. Yes, sir. Am I incorrect? Yes. Are you incorrect? Yes or no? That's a yes or no question. Please. Am I Am I incorrect here? I I can tell you no other town. Are you going to let me speak? Council
me, you're not. But if you're going to interrupt me as I try to speak, I'm going to stop talking. Okay. Okay. I'm I'm just saying this. No other town does this. Council comments comes after audience comments. Every council has different agendas. Well, why did we change ours?
Do not have identical agendas. No towns do. But why did we change ours without council approval? And by the way, that that disclaimer on the bottom of the agenda has been there at least a year. I didn't put it there. That's news to me. It's been Don't look at your agenda, sir. It's been there.
This is the uh open to the public. The public comment portion of our meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention or concerns or comments. The council will respect the public's time by refraining from any comment until the speaker is finished.
Should be further noted that the public comment portion of our meeting is not structured as a question and answer session. Please state your name and address for the record. When you come to the podium, just a reminder, under the rules of council, individuals wishing to speak during the
public input part of the meeting should be limited to five minutes and may after others speakers have finished be allowed to speak for a second 5minut period. Good evening. Entertaining evening. Thank you.
Um, my name is Scott Seagull. I am the owner of the property over at 111 South Main Street. I'm here today after trying to speak to your public works department. I'm here after done trying to speak to Mr. Carr and listening to this committee, this board about the the
lead pipes in this town, which is an issue. uh as I'm told by Don over at the uh public works, it encompasses about 100 properties. Uh and that's about the extent of it. That's what has been uncovered by doing the water meter
changes. Council uh President Zambana pointed out something that's very important. By the time you guys get to resolve this issue or discuss this issue, you may not even be here. And the new people that are going to take your place and and to do
this and make a decision on this are going to be someone new that is going to be stuck with the situation of how to handle it. This board has the opportunity to and the time to handle this issue, but yet I've heard it kick
down the road three, four times so far just this evening. Okay. Yeah. Uh council president, you did it once. Mr. car did it once. Okay. And you're just kicking it down the curb. And the answer that I heard was appalling to me. Oh,
we'll just put an assessment on the property owners and when they sell the property, they'll it'll be a line item on their closing statement. That's not leadership, gentlemen, ladies. That's not what you've been elected to do. You're elected to hire. You're elected
to handle tough issues. And this is a tough issue. With all due respect, Councilman Potter, yeah, it's nice that Fourth of July parties happen. That's great. I'm all about it. They happen on my property all the time, and I love seeing people sit
there on my property. I do. I think it's it's a very neighborly thing to do. But those are happy times. You're really elected to handle the tough issues, not the easy issues. And this is an issue that is going to affect a lot of the seniors in this town. Okay? And that's
what this board needs to wrap its arms around, Mr. Mayor. This is your job. This is what you've been elected to do because you're the leader. That's what mayor stands for. This is the leadership of getting people to do what they don't want to otherwise do. Otherwise, guess
what? This is just Miltown being Miltown and continually kicking the can down the curb. That's all this town has ever done and it's continuing to do. I heard it tonight. I've heard it been in this town over 20 years and that's what always
happens. Well, this board needs to wrap its arms around getting water meters changed, putting lead pipes. Those are the issues before this committee. Okay? And yes, I will be back and I'd like to see some progress on this issue because
again, that's what you have been elected to take care of. Thank you. So I I would like to comment on that is because I did run because I was sick of seeing a can kick down a curb as well. Um Mr. Mlen did provide me with the
number of uh units uh that have lead or galvanized lines. I think it was 90. You said approximately 40 or 50. Sorry. Approximately 40 or 50 at this point. Approximately 40 or 50. So to
with all due respect, I disagree with you because that my number came from Don and and I'm telling you from the engineer, I like his number better. Don't misunderstand me. Yes. So now what council president Zbrano was saying about this grant that
they talked about. So now that they have this grant, so now $1 million. So now we this burough council and the engineer need to come up with a plan of how that's going to get
implemented because typically it's the responsibility of the homeowner to replace the lead service line. Not in East Brunswick. That's East Brunswick. Okay. Miltown ordinances are from the main to the house is the responsibility of the homeowner. So what we have to do is
since there is money available, we have to come up with a plan of how that's going to get resolved because right now currently the current ordinance says from the main to the house is the homeowner's responsibility. So there has been conversation about is it from the
curb stop to the house. Still have to go through that. Mr. Mlen is we talked about that before the meeting of how we're going to resolve that. So, I I'll be honest with you, and with all due respect, Mr. Mayor, I've got to tell
you, after speaking to Don and speaking to your business administrator, they're not aware of that. I'm I'm not trying to throw anybody under the curb here, but nobody knows anything about this. This is the first that I've heard about it after doing some We just have We just had the conversation just now before the
meeting. Yeah, I understand. our business administrator and Don isn't going to hear it because we just had the conversation and and so let me put put a little pressure on when do I anticipate hearing back as with regards to what progress is going to be made. In other words, what should my expectation be as far as when
these decisions are going to be made? I will have a more uh in-depth conversation with Mr. Mlen and have a u an update for the next council meeting in August. In August.
Fine. I'll see you then. Very good. Have a good evening, gentlemen. You as well. Thank you. Rosa Tvaris, 100 Reva Avenue. Thank you, President Council President Zambrana for your efforts in securing the million-doll grant.
So, let's just be clear here. Uh, it's going to be more than a million to kind of take care of this stuff. and I asked for more, but I'll take what I can get. Absolutely. It's great news. Right. Is that in addition to the existing $2 million grant you mentioned?
So, we have a $2 million water line improvement plant. That's for the meters. Okay. We anticipate not using it. All the grant that Councilman uh Zbrana spoke about is from my mind a rumor. I I believe him, but until I see
it, which I will eventually, right, and then we'll do it. Okay. I don't I've heard about it. He talked about it. I believe I believe the councilman but at the end of the congressman but yes we have money available the the conversation for the council is to decide what they want to do with
that monies or how to fix the problem. And as we we mentioned, yeah, if they're doing that in East Brunswick, okay. But I will tell you that in other municipalities that I've worked for, they didn't fix the lead lines at the taxpayers's expense. It was your line.
you had to fix it. Okay. And they did it through town. So they had to make those conversations individually in each town. If you had a lot of money, I guess East Brunswick has lots of money and they can do buy their own recycling trucks, fix their own cool beers. So I I'm
So we haven't got that for you yet. I I got it. So I'm assuming that we're not going to spend $2 million on just the water meter replacement. So there'll be money left over. We're hoping that. Yeah, we're about a million and a half million. some hopefully some of those funds can
be pulled into the mil. Okay. So, I just wanted to clarify something. My understanding and correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that Miltown has a utility easement. You own the utility. The water utility.
Miltown owns the the water utility. Yes. Yes, ma'am. We have water utility. My responsibility as a homeowner, since you own the utility, my responsibility and obligation as a homeowner is to give you access to the property to maintain
that utility, which is what this whole debate is about homeowners not letting you in to change the meter, the water meter. Right? So, I didn't get a letter saying, um, you need to hire a plumber to change your water meter. you are
changing the water meter because it's your utility. You're responsible for maintaining it. So my confusion lies in if I'm not responsible for replacing the water meter, why is it my responsibility to replace the lead service line from
the road to my home? It is part of the utility that is owned by the town of Miltown. That's my confusion. Now, I can understand that there may not be money to do it, but to put that on the back of homeowners when clearly we as residents
don't own the utility. Now, Mr. Carr, I can appreciate your sentiments because you're looking at the budget lines. You're looking at the bottom line, the money. I can understand that. And all I'd like to make
clear to this group and to you is please try to understand where we as well I'm going to speak for myself where I as a homeowner am coming from. When I chose to become a homeowner 20 plus years ago, I knew that there's a possibility that a
roof might leak, that um uh the hot water heater might go and might need to replace it. So, as a homeowner, I plan on those things. I don't call the landlord. I'm it. I plan on those expenses. Now,
to now have the state and in turn, you say to me, the homeowner, hey, you've done all the right things to preserve the value of your property. But now, whether you choose to stay in your home or you choose to sell your home,
uh, we're going to hit you with a $20,000 decrease in the value of your home for a repair. That is not my responsibility. So, I would respectfully ask all of you to
really consider. I don't know if I'm alone in this. There's probably 100 plus other homes. I don't know. But I would respectfully ask all of you to consider that for those people who have been in their homes much longer than me, 30, 40,
50 years, who for whom, you know, home ownership for many people is a major life investment. For some, it may be the only major life investment. So for people who are in their 70s and their 80s and their 90s, this is what
they've got. And whether or not they're they're going to stay in their home or they're going to sell it and go into a nursing home to now take what's been referred to here as the possibility of a $20,000
off the top. It it's it's not right. So, I know that every other municipality in New Jersey is dealing with this and some may be doing it one way, some may be doing it the other way. And I mean, I I would just ask that you try to find a
way to consider that instead of having it just be, well, one way or the other, the homeowner is going to pay for it. The homeowner pays taxes. The homeowner pays right to have to have these things and to all of us. This is an infrastructure
issue. I've said this before. This is an infrastructure issue. Is not the responsibility of the homeowner. It can't possibly be. That's all I have to say. And I'm willing to sit on any committee or work with anybody on this topic. I've done I've
sent you information back in March. I've done what I can or what I know how to do. I know that there are firms out there that know how to secure money from the state. Perhaps it behooves us to hire one of those firms or to even hire
uh a consultant who writes grants. I mean, I'm not a grant writer, but I know there's money out there. You know, that's what the infrastructure bill was all about. So, and and I would really encourage you all to do something while um Governor Murphy is still in office
because who knows what happens after that exactly. Um, so and I know, you know, this is down the line to 2031, but 2031 is around the corner. And to kind of second the gentleman's um
comments earlier, from what I've observed, it seems like things have been kicked down the the can has been kicked down the the the road a few times on a few issues. this isn't something we want to kick back
down. And again, if that's been the case all along, now to have the residents have to pay for something that is an example of the incompetence of pre and I'm not, you know, the incompetence of previous council.
Again, it it seems unfair to me, right? Like I think this is to his comment. This is something that's on the table now. Let's deal with it. let's find a way to deal with it. You know, perhaps there isn't a money enough money for every single resident to have
their But so we divvy it up. We find, you know, but I really don't like to hear the comments of one way or the other the resident's going to pay for it and one way or the other we're going to put this at, you know, put a um
uh some kind of, you know, at the sale of the property. Why should a lean on the on the on a a homeowner's property? Why do I as a homeowner who am doing all that I can to do the right thing by my home so that I have the value in it. Why
should I be penalized for something that the state a mandate that the state has come down with? That's all. Thank you. Um Debbie Miller, 92 Ford Avenue. I happen to agree with you. Um it is a big
burden to put on people. Um though, while we're on the meter talk with um at one point it was discussed that maybe multi-dwellins would be seen if they have meters to
cover each unit. Is that taking place while the the uh smart meters program is in place? I think No. No. No, I think the process that was last year's conversation about uh going into for instance multi-unit
dwellings, apartments, uh homes, homes that had that were subdivided into maybe two or three or four homes where there was a meter going into the house uh to have each one with a separate account, if you will, or a separate meter. But
this project does not do that. Okay? It's just replacing if there's a meter at the curb or a house meter and that meter feeds three rentals that are in that home then there's not going to be in part of this project three additional meters put in there replplumbing the
house because that that would require the house to be replplumbed Debbie not just replacing the meter and that landlord would would would have to do that of their own to have three separate meters on a house where there are three separate accounts, if you will. So, this
is not that project. No, ma'am. But we would be sharing the burden. They would be sharing the burden, but that is not the focus of this uh project. That was something that was discussed last year and it didn't get off the ground. Um, as far as the grant, we got a grant
for the meters, correct? Is that already money in the account and then it's being drawn from? Yes. Okay. So this was this was a so this uh was wasn't the water meter replacement project grant. There were two separate water grants for a million dollars to
fix the infrastructure. We're talking about the mains the the main pipes the infrastructure of the town. Uh last year we took we made a decision at the at our level that says we've got repurposed those $2 million grants for 20 22 and
23. Right. Can't remember the right years but yes for $2 million grants. and we got a hold of D and the state and said instead of replacing water manes like we've done in the past can we use this for the water meter replacement project and this is why we give them a
big long reason and they said yes obviously the intent as the lady mentioned is that when the dust settles at the end of the day we're going to upload about a stack of paperwork about that high to the state who's going to say yes you've used your water grant appropriately and we agreed all these
bills from Corin Maine that passed tonight from CME, from everybody, and you now have $300,000 left on those two grants. Mike and I will obviously get back to them and say, "Can I do something else with that?" And they'll say, "Of course."
They want you to spend the money. They don't want to give it back because giving it back will tear up a a state budget three years old, four years old. That that the state hates to do that. I hate to do that. So, we then go back to
the state and say, "Look, I got $300,000 left for these two grants that used to be for water manes." Then we changed it to uh water meters, and we still have money left. We fixed all the meters, everything's good. Now, we want to go back to replacing water manes or fixing
the lead lines or doing other things, improvements to the water system. Whatever we do, the state says yes, we have to go out for bid and then off we go. Okay. But again, we're way far away from
that right now. I would say if we're done by the end of this year with all the meters and the replacements where we can get to that conversation with the state of New Jersey and asked to repurpose money, we'll be lucky. It's a slow process. Last year, I finally
closed out a grant from 2020. It's not they're not speedy. See, thank you. Oh, anyone? Now, I'm going to ask something different. Sure. So, in the bill list, it was um there were a couple lines for loans. I'm
assuming they were bond loans. So, there are six loans. So, six uh NJIT infrastructure loans. Uh five that are paid with wire transfers and one it's paid for with an a withdrawal. They're
from previous uh burrow of Miltown uh NJIT water loans for the most part. So they were mostly for mostly for water. Yeah. And I I looked back through to the beginning of the year. Are these loans
only paid every so often? Twice a year. Twice a year. Twice a year. We get We get a principal and interest payments for the most part. Twice a year. Are they because it was like almost $800,000? Yes. They're insane. Are they almost paid off? No. One of them was from 2013. They're
20-year loan. Okay. Thank you. So the advantage between an NGIT, an infrastructure in New Jersey infrastructure trust bank, and a conventional financing at a bank is that the interest rate is a lot lower. A lot of people say, "Oh, they forgive
part of the loan." I've never seen it happen. Maybe I'm wrong, but very few people forgive loans, but it is a lower interest rate, which is very good. Thank you. Lee Weisenberger, 99 JFK Drive. Uh, Mr. Pazanski brought up a point before
about how many gallons we're losing with water yet. We're never going to know that until all the meters get installed, right? To be correct. It just so happened I had a report here with that coming out of the archives again in the paper done in May of 2000. And this is
the state of New Jersey statewide water supply plan, the eastern Ritton River basin feasibility study. And they reference the Lawrence chain of lakes, which is Lawrence Brook going all the way up because water is controlled
by Brunswick basically for the water supply. And they talk about a lot of different things, but one of the biggest ones was dredging that whole system. And this is a scary number. I'm going to give you right now, this is back in
2000, 900,000 cubic yards of material, which would have to go to the landfills. And you can imagine the cost. That's in 2000. I can't imagine what it is now.
Our dam, as you can tell, if you go over there, that sediment's almost to the top of the dam. I would guess in the chain it's just as bad in other places or halfway part way wouldn't matter. Farington Lake and once again with the water cost it's
interesting this was mentioned here in this article too by Elizabeth Town Water Company. A water leak of two tablespoons in a minute will waste 15 gallons per day 105 per week 5460 gallons a year.
I did the numbers quickly. 26 homes, 2600 homes in Miltown, 14 million gallons. Adds up quick. And I bring that up because Mike, back when we had our water man refurbished and extended,
I believe that was Dukon. Yeah. Right. And I mentioned this once before, but I had two lines going to our property. I never knew that uh because it was two lots. They didn't know where the house was
going to be built, I guess. And so Dukon came across that line and uh the extra one. And they never tested it to see if it was live. They just crimped it. And that line leaked later. Leaked for
months until it started popping up all around our culde-sac. And then Mountain came in there and fixed it. $35,000 plus. So, you wonder where where the gallons go and where, you know, how much it does
cost. But once again, if you have a water line break, a leak in a pipe anywhere, depending where it's at, it could be leaking forever. You're never going to know. Like I said, until these meters get installed, maybe we'll figure something out. But be
patience. And I believe in the past, the young lady brought it up that once again from the main to the house, I believe years ago, most towns would have replaced that. That all changed years ago because they I think they saw the problem coming and said, "We're going to
get away from this. They're going to put it on the homeowner and that's about it." So, but uh moving along uh once again with newspaper archives, I'm going to I printed up a bunch of these tonight.
This is 1971 once again. Mil Pond Region. This is Democrats, Republican going back and forth trying to get a plan together. And it's just scary that since 1971,
nothing has happened. Although it was dredged in 77 and Alol and Miltown paid equal amounts to have that done. How much was done at that point? I know it went down below uh past the big trestle. I'm not sure
how much if they they got into the mil pond itself, but uh the fact that there are many articles out there about the mil pond weed problem going back into the 50s. So this has been going on a long time.
This one is of interest because it's in 71. They're talking about the repairarian rights. They're talking about alol Mr. burger. Like I said, they own it. But in 71, the D was in its infancy.
1970 they started. So they were dealing with different agencies and they reference, like you said, Army Corps, everybody else. That's all changed since then. There's there's a lot more different programs out there. or Mike might be able to help with that because
state money, grant money is available for private owners and towns to work together, I believe. And from what I've read on DV D sites and sometimes when you get a low interest loan from them
even, it may be forgiven. So, it's a crapshoot. But once again, the fact that this has been going on in this town since the 50s, we we got a minor judging done in 778,
but that this continues yet. That's what I'm saying. We have to settle this this dispute, whatever it is, with Mr. Burger over ownership. And like I said, fix it. Okay. Appreciate it. That's a really interesting
um concept you had about the water. Does anybody know how much water's leaking over at the Ford Avenue? Could be leaking out of your own house. We could be. Yeah, but I mean they could be leaking millions of dollars over millions of gallons over there and we'll never find it.
A lot of pipes in town. Who knows? Yeah. We might narrow it down once we get all the meters in. Yeah. But I mean, how how old are some of those pipes 100 years old over there? That's all supposed to be shut off now from what I understand. All right. All
the utilities were cut off. Hopefully, maybe we'll find that out, too. So, stay tuned. We don't We don't know where we own it, too. Whatever. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you.
Nick Lagatti, Nina Court. Um I have a few things here. Um first is um with the crossing guards. Um I happened to be sitting next to the police chief during the beginning of the meeting and uh he did verify for me that uh none of our
current crossing guards would lose their job. I forgot to ask that question initially. Um I just wanted to let everybody know that as well. Um I also would like to put something out there for the November election. Um, I do coordinate uh the poll workers uh for
the Democrats. Um, please, I'm sorry, Gretchen, but if you can contact the burough clerk, she definitely has my contact information if you're interested in being a pole worker. Gretchen will get you in touch with me and we'll try and get you squared away.
Um, I know this is not supposed to be question and answering, but Councilman Pasnansky, I got a little confused on when's the last recycling pickup and when is the August 4th is the last. August 11th is a
new one. So, no. No. Okay. August 11th I've seen listed as the new one. All right. Somebody can get back to me. I'm going to have a meeting at the senior center next Tuesday. You You're
welcome to come. All right. Perfect. I just got confused and I just I'm sorry. No, no worries. Um I am a little also concerned on our, you know, with all due respect to Mr. Carr,
I think he's a great business administrator. I think he does very well at his position. Um, besides the burrow website, are we still actively looking for a full-time business administrator
or not? Um, is it advertised on the League of Municipalities or is it not? When was the last time we actually had candidates come in for interviews? Is that still going on or is that at a stall?
I could be wrong, but I'm not under the impression we're actively looking for a full-time VA at this point. So, I will say that uh it we had a fine candidate who took another job closer with more money and it stalled at that.
We had about a dozen applicants. Uh the personnel committee um we have not interviewed for probably or advertised for a couple of months. So, is it the opinion of this council that going with an absentee No offense. No, it's okay. You absentee business administrator that
doesn't quarterback this town in the day-to-day operation that that's fine with this town that you don't want to actively look for a business administrator. I'm not allowed to say I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to say I don't get council comments.
True. I would encourage you, council, to find somebody other than me, sir. I I would agree. Not that I'm all for that. Not that I'm disappointed in any of your work. I'm all for it. Um but I really do think that this town needs someone to run the day-to-day
operation that I've got people telling me that they're going to burrow buildings and there's signs saying close for today, come back tomorrow. That's unacceptable. That is extremely unacceptable for a municipality that in my opinion is in
the customer service business for the residents of this municipality. That is unacceptable on any level and you need someone to quarterback this whole situation. I I agree with you, Nick. Um and we for
many months, right? So I So I'm the new person here, right? soon I won't be able to say that much. Um this doesn't count to my five minutes and as soon as we um as soon as I came on board I was uh you know appointed to the personnel committee and um you know
we went full steam ahead you know and trying to find a full-time business administrator um and we went through several rounds of interviews you know and so we looked at a lot of candidates and as Mr. car had mentioned, you know, we thought we had
won, you know, that bit and, you know, he left for a bigger district for more money. So, um, you know, I don't I don't really consider Mr. Carr, you know, or Mr. Zena as being absentee administrators because you can't contact them during business
hours on Monday to Friday. So, that's absentee. I don't know that that's true. I don't think the town that he works in or the municipality that Mr. Zangga works in would agree with you. So I know that I can only speak for myself, right? And and maybe in my
capacity as council member, uh it might be different, but I I can call either one of them, Mr. Zanko or Mr. Cart anytime, any day, and I get a call back or I get an email back, you know. So So for part-time employees,
at least in my council member role, right, they are accessible. I I I don't I don't ever go um wondering, you know, about an answer to anything and in my experience in the last six months. Um and I but I don't disagree with you that
the business administrator plays a critical role, but that um they're few and far between the kind of experience that you need and they can be very very selective in where they want to work. That's that's what I've seen in my experience so far.
I I appreciate your take on it and I appreciate that both Mr. Zanger and Mr. Carr communicate during those times. But in addition to that, there's quarterbacking of the burrow dayto-day operations that there's no one here
doing. There's no one here doing it. You have uh what what do we call them? uh directors or bit uh department heads that are policing themselves. You need someone to that answers to you that does
that and there's no one doing it right now. Yeah. And I I just want you to know that I can speak for myself and then as a member of the personnel committee, we wholeheartedly agree with you and we've done so far what we can do. Um, and I don't disagree that, you know, we can
open a search, but we're going to end up in the same situation because we've done those searches already and the pool is very limited. It's only my opinion, but I think it's it's magnitude by many in this municipality
that if you're not actively looking, you are doing an injustice to the to the residents of this town. The reason I actually came to this meeting tonight is I am questioning our two old firehouses in town.
We have missed out on the last three real estate booms in New Jersey. those two firehouses per a former mayor, Mayor Steber while council was here while while c while he
was on council, it was promised that those two firehouses would be sold to recoup some of the money that would cost that was spent on building the new facility across the street. That has never been followed through on. council
members made decisions based on that at that time. I don't know what has to be done why it's stalled off over all these last five or six years. I've personally come
up here and asked you to get the burough attorney to subdivide to start the process to subdivide the property, get the parking lot included, make it more, you know, um nicer for sale and nothing.
I I don't think anything has been done and you waited for some I don't know some project of increasing Main Street whatever that really has done nothing absolutely nothing and we're losing out
on real estate booms and money that relief for Miltown residents that's just not happening. I I don't care who wants to run lead on it. I don't care who's responsible for making it happen. I don't think the residents care who's
responsible. They just want some relief. They want you guys to do the right thing for Miltown, for the Miltown residents. It's just it's too long. It's too much you missed out on. You've you just missed, you know, you're missing out on the last real estate boom now. It's
towards the end. I I don't think there's anything you can do about it now. But that's another thing that really needs to happen, you know. Um I'm not looking for responses. I I know this is just comments, but if anybody wants to pull
me aside, I've been asked a few times to help out. I will always help in any way I can. It's and I'll spe I'll I'll say it again. It's just my opinion, but I think it's of many in this town that we need to move on a business administrator
position here. and to get forward uh to get our two firehouses sold so that we can get some relief for our residents. I thank you for your time and I do also appreciate everybody's efforts up there. Being a former councilman, I know it's
not always a nice experience, but I hope it will be at the end. Thank you again. Thank you, Nick. Thank you. Thank you. So, Mr. Legatti. Um I have two comments to that because I I
um want you to understand it as well. So the personnel committee I was removed in January as well. So uh things were or February. So that's um things have changed with that. So, the firehouse subcommittee I tried to get um pushed
through in April has been uh just basically denied to get that on the agenda since April uh by the uh by council president because I'm not comfortable with uh waiting for uh this
main street rehabilitation plan to design how the firehouse is going to be. Um, I h was approached by uh multiple residents and business owners about converting that into a micro brewery um
to help generate revenue in this burrow and this council was not entertained by it. So um you have to put that on the shoulder of this council that they do not want to move that forward. I've been
trying since April to move that forward with the subcommittee so we could get a better determination of what to do with the firehouses. Excuse me, Nick Dick. I'd like to talk to you at some point. So, at this time, I'd entertain a motion
to adjurnn. Motion. Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zumbbrana, second by Councilman Potter. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you. Thank you.