--------- all right I'd like to call this work sess session meeting to order Please Roll call please Mayor Romick here Commissioner Hwitt here Commissioner Suie here Vice Mayor Watson here Commissioner Cosoon here May
we please stand to salute the flag I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all
This meeting is being conducted in accordance with the Oakland Public Meeting Act of 1975 Was advertised posted and made available to the public as required by statute The municipal clerk is directed to include a statement in the minutes of this meeting Madam clerk are there any changes to the agenda No mayor Presentations
Uh we have a presentation by the New Jersey Department of Transportation on the Route 47 and Henderson Road Safety Project Ready when you are Good evening everyone My name is Kimberly Nads I'm with the New Jersey Department of Tation Department of
Transportation the Office of Government and Community Relations I'm here on behalf of the department to present the route 47 Henderson Avenue to High Street uh mile post 3923 to mile marker 4193 in the city of Milville Cumberland County I
do have um on my team is the project manager Arpita Opute who is here and we also have our consultant who will be leading the presentation So at this time I'm going to turn it over to the PM She can give you a little background on the project and why we are here to present
to council tonight Thank you Good evening Um I'm Arpata I'm the project manager for the Route 47 Henderson Avenue to High Street project So this project started as a concept development study for pedestrian and bike safety and intersection
improvements uh we have the mile post starting from 39.23 23 to mile post 41.93 roughly about 3 miles uh where we will be addressing ADA compatibility We will be addressing uh bike lane We will
be giving a shared path use uh and also we'll be addressing missing sidewalks um along this entire route Um and also we are going to be upgrading u signalized intersections along the corridor Um this project actually started um few years
ago in concept then it was shelved because of funding and we are now currently in the preliminary engineering phase and um we recently had a meeting in October with the township where we presented the project and at that point in time it was relayed to us that um the
ad great crossing at wine street should remain open um whereas previously the PPA that was picked uh was uh to close the wine street at the request of the township back in concept development So we are here today to actually have this
dialogue and ask for your comments and get a resolution of support um if we need to revert it back or we are going to keep the wine street open and I will uh hand it over to Mike Killer He's the PM for the project from um NV5 They are
the designers who will be design who are designing this project Uh and we'll go over the presentation and after that if there are any questions we'll be happy to answer them for you Good evening Uh my name is Mike Kyler I'm with NV5 the consultant engineer for
DOT My actually the PM for the project Denise Dona couldn't make it tonight because she had funny enough another public meeting As for the project limits as Arvvada described the Route 47 Henderson Avenue to High Street project is present
along Route 47 between mile 39.23 from Henderson Avenue heading north to the High Street intersection at mile post 41.93 The segment of the project runs also along Foundry Street and High Street which will be discussed further
in the presentation As for the background which we just covered a little bit the project initiated to address safety and pedestrian deficiencies along Route 47 between mile 39.60 to mile post
41.93 The section of Route 47 contains 27 intersections within the 2.7 mile segment This includes six signalized intersections and three railroad crossings two of which are on Route 47 one of which is on Vine Street which we'll discuss
The speed limit ranges from 25 miles an hour to 45 and a majority of the section is designated a safe corridor The section of Route 47 also known as Second Street is classified as an urban minor arterial and travels through the center of Millville City and
Cumberland County As we just noted concept development phase was completed in 2021 The CD and PE phases of the project have been in coordination since 2018 That includes local officials
briefings a public information center so far for the CD phase and a diagnostic team meeting with um Winchester and Western Railroad for purpose and need The purpose of the project is to improve various signalized well various intersections and address bicycle and
pedestrian safety This includes improvements to curb ramps crosswalks signing and striping as well as the associated intersections and traffic signal upgrades storm water management and guide rail upgrades The proposed improvements will also be updated to include signalized
intersections for MUTCD and MADA compliance So for the preliminary preferred alternative that was developed during the concept development phase This serves to accommodate and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety along route 47 in the project limits due to
the changes in the typical section mainly the width The PPA improvements for bicycle lanes will basically uh change as the roadway width changes as well So in certain sections it'll have a separate bike facility a 4 foot or a 5
foot wide bike lane where practical where a separate facility is not feasible mainly um the roadway width is too narrow or there's on street parking cyclists will be shared the road and shared lane markings with signage
proposed at the project's northern terminus the southbound travel direction can only be accommodated cyclist on the power roadway high street So northbound direction will have a dedicated bike lane Southbound will use High Street and then make a left turn onto Foundry
Street In addition to corridor improvements drainage crosswalk relocations traffic signal equipment upgrades curb ramps sidewalk improvements will also be included So this table actually shows the varying typical sections throughout
the project limits and what we propose to improve So they vary from where the roadway is wide enough a 5-ft bike lane with a three-foot buffer on each side Certain areas are too narrow so shared lane markings Um as you move further in
towards Millville one side has on street parking so we'll use shared lane markings The other side the southbound direction will have a dedicated bike lane And then as you head towards High Street towards the end of the project that's where the roadway splits So
northbound will have its dedicated bike lane heading in towards Vinland while southbound will take high street and go to Factory Street For environmental the anticipate environmental documents include a categorical exclusion document CC
CED We anticipate approvals and permits to include NJTP storm water management regulation compliance freshwater wetlands permit number 10 water quality certifications flood hazard area individual permits uh state historic
preservation office approval green acres approval but that might come out because of Vine Street potential NJD CAFRA depending on the potential impacts in certain areas and right away may be needed for basins As for the anticipated rightaway
we anticipate potential parcels will be required for drainage basins potentially guide rail and work outside the public rightway And currently we're being we're assessing the impacts to the rightway based on the design But some of the parcels may include permanent sidewalk
easements where sidewalk segments are outside the rightway Site mitigation and right of entry for driveway improvements and grading which will be coordinated through the DOT access process Temporary construction easements potentially for traffic signals or temporary work
outside the rightway and then it's not a permanent parcel and in some cases permanent fee parcels if we do need drainage basins But as of right now we're not anticipating drainage basins So in addition to the corridor improvements we also have focus
locations from the C CD phase Um signalized intersection improvements include the three signalized intersection replacements improvement to the route 47 route 49 intersection The signal equipment is brand new but we're just going to adjust stop bars and maybe
a curb ramp at the Route 47 Main Street intersection Adjustment to the stop bars turning lane lengths and changes to the curb radi at the northwest corner of the intersection Then as we move on for the
route 47 near West Harrison Avenue there's a gap segment of sidewalk near the Atlantic City Electric substation and pedestrian considerations at West Harrison Avenue So that'll include curb ramps sidewalks a driveway apron and crosswalks from West H West Harrison
Avenue Um we'll also be coordinating with New Jersey Transit because there's also a bus stop there that we might be able to move closer towards West Harrison Avenue to shorten the length for Route 47 at Weeden Plaza and Espoma Road We're planning on installing
a gap segment of sidewalk near Weeden Plaza with potential for back curb and inlets along the private property to capture storm water runoff from the shopping center and then potentially tie it into the NJ DOT drainage system But we're still coordinating that And you
could actually see the flooding from the CD phase in the top right hand corner picture It was about 400 500 feet long and it got pretty deep So we're going to address that Then Route 47 at G Street Foundry Street and the Atra railroad crossing
Crosswalk relocations and traffic equipment upgrades will be made for the signal to be compliant with NG DOT and MUTD requirements Improvements to curb ramps and sidewalk segments And this is one of the two locations that we actually discussed during the diagnostic team
meeting held with Winchester and Western Railroad which is now referred to as Omnitras back in June of 24 And for the last focus location it's Route 47 in Vine Street The previous design from the concept development phase in the problem statement was to
install a dedicated bus pull out including sidewalk connections fencing along the railroad and street lighting Uh Vine Street would have to be closed to accommodate the bus pull out which uh will well actually was coordinated with Winchester and Western Railroads But
following the diagnostic team meeting and input received from the city Vine Street will be remaining open to traffic So the bus pull out was removed from the project And so far we're currently upgrading the design to maintain Vine Street access to improve curb ramps
through the area sidewalk segments crosswalks and bike lane striping And this is one of the items that will need confirmation from the city council And then the graphic on the screen is actually from the original problem statement and coordination
between the city and um NJ dot and the railroad company at the time So let's see the middle picture shows Vine Street being closed with the bus pull out towards the right The graphic on the right shows decorative fencing and a
better bus shelter And basically it was coordinated between 2013 and 20 well 2013 in the CD report Yeah 2019 So as for the project schedule we're currently in preliminary
engineering phase which started in 23 and we anticipate it going until spring of 26 The final design phase will then start summer of 26 and continue through 2028 And then construction is anticipated early
2029 Then we'll leave this open for open discussion and the next steps of the project We're hoping to get a resolution of support from the city We'll be holding a public information center for the PE phase which will be in person openhouse format So it'll be display
boards where you can ask the project team and engine DOT ask questions give comments It won't have a formal presentation like this Once that's completed we'll prepare the environmental documents which is the CED and then we'll advance the project
towards the final design phase That's about it I have a question Uh comments from engineering and or commissioners Well I my first question is I think it said you wanted to answer by resolution by the
25th of April Is that correct Isn't that the date I saw somewhere I mean if that date's flexible great But if you can wait till May because this is our last meeting in April is what I'm asking
Yeah it's flexible All right that was my first question It's flexible And I want to make sure that Vine Street is not going to be closed I know I heard you say that but I want to hear you say it one more time It's going to remain open Okay That's the recommendation that came I was at the meeting Yes October
2024 we open it up and look at it again And that's why it brought us to where we are today So that we wanted the council to be present so that you can see exactly what was done the changes and again if there's any other thing in this presentation that you want addressed we
can actually address it Thank you That's all I have I have nothing further Engineering any comments One thing we'd like to request we're not sure where you're at with your drawings
but 30 or 60% drawings a set of drawings that we could review and mark up and send back with comments from the city Um also would be some coordination between your drawings and South
Jersey They're doing high street improvements and you have your bike route on high street Let's make sure We talked about that intersection where Harris Trucking was an issue There's also been a historical turning radius
issue 49 on Second Street with buses turning to head west I think that was one of the areas we're going to consider I think we are draw a lot of changes to that area I believe that was an open project
which was we did have a meeting with them and I I think we did coordinate uh the beginning of I believe we did take this location into our project Yeah absolutely Perfect Yes sure I think
we could also forward our draft to you guys problem Oh Plaza Yeah Thank you engineering Um any public comments regarding this We'll now open public comment regarding this project Anybody from the public would like to make a statement please come to the
podium Seeing no one I will close public comment on this presentation Thank you Steve Thank you Thank you We're now open public comment on agenda items only Anybody from the public would like to comment on the agenda items
please come to podium Seeing no one I will close public comment on agenda items only Discussion of commissioners Commissioner Huitt go ahead Nothing at this time Mayor Commissioner Suie nothing at this time Commissioner Kasaboon nothing at this time Vice Mayor
Watson I just wanted to bring up uh we have the DRBA negotiations uh meeting with them on Thursday Um should we establish like a negotiations team I thought we did that in close session We were going to
negotiate them before we voted It was going to be me you and Brock But correct me if I'm wrong I know I know the mayor wanted to be involved Um yeah Brock I think I should be involved Just so do you want to be you and Steve You and me What do you want to do Who's
available once I can only attend by phone on Thursday Then you're in person I can be there in person Okay We'll share All right Moving forward we'll just attend as we can I know if you want to establish you know an actual committee um and base the meetings with
the DRBA based on the um times available from all the uh committee personnel Yeah I'd like to be there the majority of it But like if I can't then I always delegate um between you know all parties and then we'll have to be uh uh you know
be able to tell Brock what's happen always in inside So you'll be able to hear right from Brock what the discussions were about All right Do I have any businesses Nope I don't have anything New business Seeing none Public comment We have now reached the public
comment portion of our meeting Anyone who would like to address the commission please go to the podium state your name and address your concerns Seeing nobody from the public I will close public comment portion I don't think any other my commissioners have uh closing comments No Any
resolutions No Mayor motion for adjournment Make a motion Second All in favor Part: 2
Call the regular session meeting to order. Roll call, please. Mayor Romnik, here. Commissioner Hwitt, here. Commissioner Suie, here. Vice Mayor Watson, here. Commissioner Cospoon, here. May I please have Reverend Jonathan Murky come to the podium, followed by
our salute to the flag. May we please rise? Last Thursday morning, it was my honor and privilege to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Milville's finest and with the first responders and from other departments as well for a
city that responded to a tragedy uh that is beyond understanding and I want to salute uh our first responders in Mobile for the good work that they did. I'm grateful to be a part of this journey and I wonder if we could just take a few moments in light of that tragedy just to
take silence to pray or or however you would uh lift up those families that lost loved ones and lost all they had. Thank you, God, that this season is a reminder of the hope that we have. Thank you that in the midst of such great
tragedy, our community has come together powerfully. May that be the spirit with which we live and serve those around us. Thank you for tonight. I pray for your guidance and wisdom on our commissioners, on our mayor, and I ask God that you would lead us forward by
your grace in all things. May this be a season of hope and life and love because of your presence and grace. For we ask it in your name. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This meeting is being conducted in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975. Was advertised, posted, and made available to the public as required by
statute. The municipal clerk is directed to include a statement in the minutes of this meeting. Madame Clerk, are there any changes to the agenda? Yes, mayor. We have an addition of resolution 13 authorizing the introduction of the calendar year 2025 municipal budget. We have an additional uh resolution item
number 14 certifying that the city of Milville's hiring practices comply with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest and conviction records and employment decisions under title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
We have an additional resolution item number 15 approving shared services agreement between the county of Cumberland and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the city of Milville for the provision of public safety services. And we also um added a new business item for the sunrise
service on Sunday sponsored by the First United Methodist Church at Corson Park. Thank you. Presentations You're good. All right. Tonight we have a presentation uh promoting Sergeant Jason Vinski to the rank of lieutenant.
Uh recently the police department was able to change the city ordinance to allow for additional lieutenant. uh that'll give us additional supervision in our patrol division um and a better use of our uh personnel. So with that um
I will read a brief bio for Sergeant Venzinski. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Venzinski was hired by the Mobile Police Department in September of 2005 and graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy where he was assigned to the patrol division.
Lieutenant Vinski was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2016 and he has supervised the department's patrol division, neighborhood crime prevention unit, and the detective division. Prior to his promotion, Venzinski was assigned to the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant Vizinski has received multiple awards and commendations in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the department. I look forward to seeing him serve as our next patrol lieutenant. And with that, take your oath.
I state your name. I, Jason Vinski, do solemnly swear or affirm do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith and allegiance that I will bear true faith
and allegiance to the same and the governments to the same and the governments established in the United States established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully that I will faithfully impartially and justly and justly
perform all the duties of the office of police lieutenant and perform all the duties of the office of police lieutenant according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. Congratulations. Sorry. You want me to
signage? Thank you. I'll be short like always. Welcome. There's your guys. Congratulations. Thanks, sir. Victory. We're good.
All the way down. What else? Jesus. Okay. Bills, please make a motion to pay bills. Second motion. Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes.
Commissioner Costoon, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romik, yes. Petitions and letters. We have a motion to receive and file a letter from Ricardo Lim resigning from the zoning board. Make that motion, please. Motion. Second.
Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Costan, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romick, yes. Reports of commissioners. Commissioner Huitt.
Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to send my deepest condolences on behalf of the city and all the public safety team to the victims of the fire. Those who lost their homes, their pets and families and
friends of the two young girls who lost their lives in this tragic fire. The community's response to come together has been inspiring and I am glad to see some of the public here today. The tragic events remain under
investigation and I am unable to release any further information. I appreciate the public's understanding and patience. I would like to thank the following departments and agencies that were on
scene during this incident. Milville Fire Department, Milville, Milville Police Department, Milville EMS, Milville OEM
Team, Milville Police Department Chaplain, City of Milville Water, Streets and Streets and Roads, and Parks and Recreation Departments. The following outside departments, fire departments,
Vinland, Cedarville, Bridton, Cumberland, Downtownship, Rosenhane, Ghoultown, Laurel Lake along with New Jersey State Forest
Fire Service, New Jersey State OEM Office of Emergency Management inspire Byra and Spir EMS squad, alcohol, tobacco and firearms
units, battalion chief and county fire marshal from the city of Vinland, Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office and Cumberland County and Cape May County Prosecutor's
Office. Thank you everybody. That'll be all. Mayor Thank you, Commissioner Huitt. Commissioner Suie. Yeah. Again, first on my mind is the tragic loss of life at the fire on Fourth Street. Uh my thoughts and prayers are with those that
lost loved ones. I can't imagine the pain and suffering of losing two children. And there really are no words to suffice. My thoughts and prayers also go out to those that lost their home and belongings. It's it's truly tragic. And the tragedy has brought out the best of
many of our citizens in Millville and beyond. I want to thank everyone who has rallied to support the victims of this tragedy tragedy. The work of our first first responders and city personnel working together. Again, as Mr. Hwitt said, fire, EMS, police, streets, roads,
parks, public property, engineering. I saw personnel from nearly every department at the scene inside city hall. Folks were also working later on to find shelter for displaced residents. I know there are some firefighters that suffered injuries during this incident and I pray for their speed to recover.
The psychologically the psychological impact of an event on everyone such as this can't be understated. As I said, our community came together. Many organizations and individuals came together to aid these families in their time and need and and continue to do
so. Uh Sammy who was in the fifth grade and Valerie in the seventh grade at Bishop Shad. So their school was taking donations for the family. Anyone wishing to donate can contact contact the school or drop off items at the school. Additionally, many donated time and
money belongings belongings and gifts. local businesses and nonprofits including the Phenom Factory, Christy's Funeral Home, Betty's Way, Volunteers of America, Parabell and Tattoo, Jim's Lunch, Coldwell Banker, Julio's on Main,
Crumbs Cafe, Wawa Store 720, Trinity Hope Center, Outlaw Burger, Milville Soccer Association, Rainree Shopping, Cumberland Mall, Brian Page Masonary, Child Family Center, and the Teachers and staff at Nova Public
School all donated time, materials, effort, etc. So, I want to thank those countless volunteers, each and every one of them. If I missed any, I apologize. So, and you know, outside assistance from many other fire departments, as Mr. Huitt said, he's a better that than me. So, with that, uh,
progress. Thank you, Commissioner Hewitt. Sorry. Thank you, Commissioner Sylvia. Commissioner Kazabone, I have no words other than the deepest sympathy for th those families that lost
everything. But I am so very, very proud of our city that has rallied together, our fire departments, our EMS, all the first responders. I've watched how hard they worked and all I can say is I'm proud to
be in Milville. And yes, thank you to everyone that has come together and has come together as a family. We are a city and you have just proven that we are resilient. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner Kasaboom, Vice Mayor Watson. Uh never have been never have been involved in such a uh you know tragedy of this scale. Uh it's completely overwhelming. Um to
those that you know lost their homes and lost their little girls, families. Um again, we we send out our condolences. Um, you know, the statements made by Commissioner Huitt and Commissioner Suie, um, and Commissioner Kasabun so
far is, you know, the statement is it's just a strong statement how how strong the, uh, community can be to come together and, uh, you know, the face of this tragedy. um being there the first day and you know just seeing how you know things
progress you know it doesn't start or it doesn't end just with uh you know putting out the fire and to all the departments and the surrounding areas that came to help support this community. Thank you so much. That's all I really have to
say. Thank you, Vice Mayor Watson. As my fellow commissioners have just said before me, our biggest condolences go out to those families that have been affected, to those individuals that have lost everything they've worked for, they
loved, and those loved ones that were lost. It has put undue stress and tension in the community, but we are moving together through that and working and
bonding all the groups that Commissioner Suya said and all the groups that will continue to form and help and donate. There'll be many more coming. We will get through this as a community.
I'm once again so sorry for those that lost everything ordinances in the second reading. Seeing none ordinances in the first reading. No before we uh go further. Thank you. I got to sorry I did not see make a motion to receive and file the tax collector's report. Second
a motion. We have a motion and second to receive and file the tax collector's report. Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson. Yes. Commissioner Cospoon. Yes. Commissioner Suie. Yes. Mayor Ramenik. Yes. The second ordinance is in the first
reading. We have an ordinance rescending ordinance number 7-2025 adopted April 15, 2025 to change the dates of a coin drop for the Millville Police Athletic League to June 7th, 2025 and June 8th, 2025 at the intersections of Bucksham
Road and Cedarville Road. Move the ordinance on first meeting reading. Second motion. We have a motion to second an ordinance in the first reading. Item number one. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Casaben, yes. Commissioner
Suie, yes. Mayor Romnik, yes. Resolutions. Resolution item number one is a motion to remove resolution appointing an acting municipal clerk as required by NJAC 532-5.3 from the table. Make a motion.
Second motion. A motion to second. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson? Yes. Commissioner Kasabun? Yes. Commissioner Suie? Yes. Mayor Ramick? Yes. Resolution appointing and acting municipal clerk as required by NJAC
532-5.3. Make motion. Second a motion. We have a motion and second in the resolution. Any comments? Yes. So, you'll see later on that we are appointing a city clerk that doesn't take effect for two weeks. So,
uh if it makes everybody happy and I said if we didn't have one, I would support it. So, we don't have them for two more weeks. So therefore, I will support this resolution for the two weeks it will be in effect. Thank you, Mr. Commissioner Suie, because I definitely think we do need
this. This is just to cover ourselves making her active because we don't know what's going to happen. She may this new person may not come in. We don't know. So, thank you, Commissioner Suie. Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt,
yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasabun, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Ramnik, yes. Resolution item number two is a resolution appointing Emily Dylan, RMC and CMR to serve as a city clerk for a three-year term effective April 28th,
2025. Make a motion. Second motion. We have motion second. Resolution item number two. Any comments? Yeah, I got the opportunity to meet Emily. Uh, very excited to welcome her. Uh, it's much needed in her department and city needs her. U and thank you again Joanna for filling in and you know you and Robin
and Wendy did a great job in the meantime. So roll call please. Commissioner Hwitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson. Yes. Commissioner Kasaboon. Yes. Commissioner Suie. Yes. Mayor Romnik. Yes. Resolution item number three is a resolution
approving first amendment to shared services agreement between the county of Cumberland and the city of Milville regarding code blue warming center for an additional amount of grant funds of $20,000 with a new total amount of now 50,000. Make a motion. Second motion and second resolution item
number three. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Cospoon, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romick, yes. Resolution item number four is a resolution authorizing adjustments to the tax and utility records. Make a
motion. Second motion. Have a motion to second. Resolution item number four. Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasaboon, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romik, yes. Resolution number five is a resolution awarding a fair and open contract to Multi-T
Mechanical Inc. for HBAC maintenance and service contract for sewer utility, water utility, and public properties in the amount not to exceed $90,000 from April 15, 2025 to April 14th, 2026. Make a motion on resolution item number five.
With that, I do have certification of availability of funds in the contracted amount of $90,000 signed by our CFO, Susan Quenunes. Second motion. We have motion a second on resolution item number five. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor
Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasabun, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romnik, yes. Resolution item number six is a resolution amending resolution number 345-2023 to change the address from the suitability of a cannabis facility
granted to Happy Cola Brands LLC from block 526, lot 5, 328 South 2nd Street to block 483, lot 1.05, 05 210 South Wade Boulevard. Make a motion. Second a motion. We have a motion in a second.
Resolution item number six. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, I would like to abstain. Commissioner Kasabun, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Ramnick, yes. Resolution number seven is a resolution
of support for suit suitability of cannabis business with Craft Growers Co-op LLC at block 260 lots 1 and 5300 Wheaten Avenue. Make a motion. Second a motion. We have a motion and
second on resolution item number seven. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, stay. Commissioner Caspoon, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romik, yes. Resolution item number eight is a
resolution authorizing the submission of a strategic plan for the Milville Municipal Alliance grant to the Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder for the period covering fiscal year 2026 in the amount of GCSUD for
14,305, cash match 3,57625 and inind amount of $10,728.75. make motion. And with that, I have certification of availability of funds in the amount of $3,576.25 signed by our chief financial
officer, Susan Canyon. Second motion. We have a motion and second resolution number item number eight. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasabun, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romik. Yes. Resolution
item number nine is a resolution authorizing special assessment of municipal leans for certain properties due to expenses incurred by the city of Milville relating to board and secure plus administrative fees in accordance with chapter 11 article six of the
municipal code. Make a motion. Second motion. We have a motion second. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kospoon, yes. Yes. Commissioner Suie. Yes. Mayor Ramenik. Yes. Resolution 10 is a
resolution awarding a professional services contract to Clark Kaitton Hines. I think I pronounced that right. Pursuant Kate Hints. Hins. Hints. Hints. Pursuant to a non-fair and open contract for affordable housing services to comply with the state of New Jersey
affordable housing legal requirements in an amount not to exceed of $5,000 from April 15, 2025 to December 31st, 2025. Make a motion on resolution item number 10. With that, I do have certification availability of funds in the contracted amount of $5,000 signed by our CFO,
Susan Quinonz. Second motion. We have motion and second on resolution item number 10. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson? Yes. Commissioner Kasibon? Yes. Commissioner Suie? Yes. Mayor Ramick? Yes.
Resolution item number 11 is a resolution authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement and purchase and sale agreement with PD Milville Redeveloper the second LLC for property identified as block 136 proposed lot of
1.04 at 1400 Dividing Creek Road. Make a motion. Second a motion. We have a motion second on resolution item number 11. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasaboon, abstain. Commissioner Suie,
yes. Mayor Romik, yes. All right. Resolution item number 12 is a resolution authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement and purchase and sale agreement with PD Milville Redeveloper, the second LLC, for property identified as block 124, proposed lot of
16.06 on Buckshoot Road. Make a motion. Second. Motion and second on resolution item number 12. Any comments? Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasabun, Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Romick,
yes. Okay. Resolution item number 13 is a resolution authorizing the introduction of the calendar year 2025 municipal budget. Make motion. Second motion. Motion and second resolution item number 13. Any comments? Roll call.
Commissioner Huitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson. Yes. Commissioner Kasabun. Yes. Commissioner Suie. Yes. Mayor Romick. Yes. Resolution 14 is a resolution certifying that the city of Milville's hiring practices comply with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission's enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest and conviction records and employment decisions under title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Make a motion on resolution item number 14. Second motion. A motion. Second resolution item number 14. Any comments?
Roll call, please. Commissioner Hwitt, yes. Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kasabun, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Ramenik, yes. Resolution item number 15 is a resolution approving shared services agreement between the county of Karland and the Kerland County Sheriff's Office
and the city of Milville for the pro provision of public safety services. make a motion to table this as I have not been involved in any discussions personally or in person. I just get second hands on this and I need to see
just how and where uh what UE funds are being used for this. Make a motion table. Second motion. Motion second of table. Roll call. Commissioner Hwitt. Yes. Vice Mayor
Watson, yes. Commissioner Casaben, yes. Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Ramenik, yes. Okay. New business. We have a motion to authorize the following special events on public lands
application. Pending approvals. We have an off-road timekeeping motorcycle event sponsored by competition dirt riders beginning in Marstown Fire Hall on Sunday, August 24th, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m. Uh we have a
hope day compassion event sponsored by Milville First Assembly of God Church. Saturday, June 7th, 2025 from 12 to 3 at the lot between Archer Foundry Dock and Arnold Streets. And we have a sun sunrise service sponsored by First
United Methodist Church at Corson Park on April 20th, 2025 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Make a motion. Second. We have a motion and second on new business items number one, two, and three. Any comments? Roll call, please.
Commissioner Huitt. No on item one and yes on item two and three. Guess I should have separated them. Can you vote on each one separately? Okay. So, we'll do a motion for one first. Make a motion. All
right. So, for the off-road timekeeping motorcycle, we have a motion for Huitt in a second. Is that what you want to do? Yeah. So, we're going to vote separately. I probably should separately motion in a second on
number one, offer a timekeeping event. Roll call, please. Commissioner Huitt, no. Commission. Uh, Vice Mayor Watson, yes. Commissioner Kabun, yes.
Commissioner Suie, yes. Mayor Ramenick, yes. Okay. Roll call on item number two, hope date compassion. Make motion. Second motion. Motion to second. Roll call, please. Commissioner
Huitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson. Yes. Commissioner Kasamon. Yes. Commissioner Suie. Yes. Vice Mayor Romik. Mayor. I'm sorry. Mayor Romick. Yes. Sorry.
Motion on item number three. Please make a motion. Second. Roll call. Please. Commissioner Huitt. Yes. Vice Mayor Watson? Yes. Commissioner Casabon? Yes. Commissioner Suie? Yes. Mayor Ramenick? Yes. Okay,
thank you. Thank you. Public comment portion. We have now reached the public comment portion of our meeting. Anyone who would like to address the commission, please go to the podium, state your name, address your concerns, and please limit your comments to approximately 5 minutes. Thank you.
Good evening, Patricia Kes. I just have a question um as to why public comment was uh not called on agenda items. I I think it was just missed. Yeah, I just missed. So any comments I guess are mood at this
point. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Hi Cindy Cook Balain. Um I first of all thoughts and prayers are with the families that were devastated by the
fire. My program John 6:12 has been all the donations we've been receiving of food either cooked or not cooked has been being distributed to the
victims. Um second, today is officially the last day for the season for code blue. There will be no more code blue, but they are preparing now for code red for when the it heats up in the summer.
Next, I want to mention something about the Levoy Theater. They passed out some information. For those that do not know, this is why I I brought this tonight. In 2024
alone, the volunteer hours that people put in at the Levo was 4,394, which is a pretty impressive number. 1,238 students were working alongside and on
stage with arts professional and participating in summer camp since 2012. 1,541 productions have been done since then.
Tickets sold 423,630. Now you figure that that's how many people have come to Millville to see shows. Even more impressive to me is
11,828 children, that's our kids, have participated in the daytime educational and theater program for free or at a reduced price since
2020. These are kids that are learning the arts. Now, why I want to mention that one is if any of you saw Milville High School's production of 42nd Street, you had to have been impressed.
You had to have been. First of all, it was a really a hard undertaking. And I mean, the kids were worn out Wednesday, th Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday alone
before the show. Those kids were at the high school rehearsing from uh 4:00 in the afternoon till 10:30 at night without dinner. This is the dedication and this
is part of what they've learned from the Levo. Now, when I say you had to be impressed, I want you to be aware that of the at that show, there were only four or five
dancers. The rest of those kids never had a dance lesson or had very few. So, if you saw that show, you had to have been impressed by the performance that our high school put on. And I say kudos
to all the kids and to the directors and those that train them. Thank you. Thank you, Cindy. Glenn Perea Milville. Um, you passed the first resolution on the budget tonight. I'm shocked that nobody said a word about it. No one discussed it. I hope
you discussed at the work session. I couldn't make it to that because that's important to all the citizens of Milville. There's going to be a tax increase again this year. You increase taxes every year. I hope you would consider taking some money from the surplus because there's enough and putting it to make a zero tax rate this
year. I know you're probably worried about the future, how you will meet expenses. However, you just sold two prop properties tonight. You have a contract for them. That's over $4 million. You sold the 300 acres out the airport. I believe that was n 19 million, I think. So you have a lot of
money that can be put to good use to keep on offsetting taxes by giving the citizens the services that they deserve. Um the other thing was I'm also shocked that you tabled the shared service with the sheriff's department. I'm sure there's some back reason for all of it.
There was no discussion. That's what you're supposed to be doing. Public safety, making the citizens of Milville safe. That's what would have happened with the shared service with the sheriff's department. the police department sorely understaffed. I know you're trying to build it up, but it takes a lot of time to get the force
back with the number of people that it needs to have. And that was the perfect example of the departments working together and using uee money and the and the money so it doesn't affect taxes. It was a win-win. And I I hope you can explain why you would table that one.
It's really important. It was rushed through the sheriff's department. That's going to be a kick in the pants to them. They rush that through to give that to you guys. and I'm very disappointed. Thank you. I got that covered. Hello, my name is uh Darius Smith and
I'm here to give public comment. Does this Does this go up? I'm here to give public comment on the fires that happened the other night. Um, as you guys might be aware, I've sent an email requesting basically um, you know, an
explanation for this. you know, um acknowledgement that infrastructure failed. Um I'm also asking for hydra inspe inspection records and any other city related inspection records for the past 24 months so that we can see if our
tax dollars have been actually being used properly and efficiently to make sure that our city's infrastructure infrastructure is up to date. So if something like this happens again, then we don't have to, you know, worry about the issue of of our firemen having to
run 800 ft plus or 1,000 ft plus as confirmed by media outlets and multiple um you know, eyewitnesses at the scene to to, you know, try to get a a good source of water. That in my opinion, you know, that may not have been the cause of the fire, but the fact that they had
to do that was a huge aggravating factor. And then the fact that the infrastructure failed was the reason that two little girls died. So, like I said, I don't know if you guys haven't just decided to respond to my email or or what, but um it has all the the details in there. If you guys don't
respond, then I'm going to just um you know, do an Oprah request and and get the forms that way because my ultimate goal is to um you know, force transparency and accountability. At the end of the day, I'm a a property taxpaying citizen here and I need to,
you know, make you guys remember that you're accountable to us, not the other way around. So, you know, I want to make sure that my tax dollars are being used wisely. And to what Miss Perka said, I also don't agree with tableabling a uh public safety agreement. I think that's very important. If it's not the fire hydrants, it's the crime. If it's not
the crime, it's the dirt bikes. If it's not the dirt bikes, it's the substandard uh inspection and rental standards. So, it's not just the fire hydrants. I'm um up here because you know a lot of this stuff is a lot of downstream effects from you know when when you're uh when
you're when you're like lack laxidasical in one area it has a downstream effect on everything else and and that's why I'm up here is because I want to force you know transparent transparency and accountability. Um, you know, if it was um up to me, I also wanted to see a plan to implement maybe like a Doge style
audit kind of like what Elon Musk is doing with the federal government so we can see where all of our money is going line by line um and and you know slash spending that doesn't make sense or if there's wasteful spend spending andor fraud to address it and to make sure that our tax dollars are are being used
in a best practice case. I even was able to look up that, you know, like I don't know if this is true or not that the city doesn't even use um, you know, GAP accounting principles. And that's to me is kind of concerning because that means you can kind of fudge the uh fudge the numbers to make it look like you're uh
financially um sound and you're not. So, you know, that's another uh concern as well. But um I think I've addressed everything here. Like I say, a public acknowledgement of any and all infrastructure failures that contributed to this tragedy. A full release of fire hydrant inspection logs, maintenance
records, and test testing data for the last 24 months. A clear explanation of how the city currently tracks its infrastructure readiness and how it failed in this case. Um like I said, I actually called for a um emergency public meeting specifically for that uh
you know, for the fire so that way we can have a full Q&A, you know, full breakdown of all this. So, um I think I'll yield my time. Thank you. Rick Millville, uh a couple things. Uh I mean that was very well said just about
we come up here all the time about different things that's going on at different times, but then you look back and you realize this every meeting there's something else negative going on, fires, crime, things like that. So, as a city plan and a master plan, I
don't know what your goal is. I I'm not sure. Um, but we probably should look at whatever that may be to try to fix some of these things. And the master plan, this is just a question. I went on a city website said last revised 2012.
Supposed to be done. It was re-examined in 2012. The land use element was done by the state. They assisted us in 2017 and the planning board is currently in the middle of a re-examination of the entire plan, all the elements including the housing element because it's
supposed to be what 10 years every 10 years. 10 years, but we're in compliance because we last did the land use element 2017. Okay. I just saw the 2012. Thank you, bro. Um, city clerk, wow, you guys did move fast. That was awesome. Right. Last meeting we were talking about we
have no clue we're having one. in two weeks we have one. Um, did we have multiple candidates? Did we hurry through the process? Was it one and done? I don't know. Like I'm glad we got one, but like last meeting, you know, we were praying that, you know, Joanna
wasn't have to do it for the next three months. And that was quick. Good if it's works out, but I'm just curious if we had multiple candidates. Um, who's our e economic developer? I don't know. I'm just asking. Uh, urban
planner, city planner. What about answer that? Rick, we answer all questions at the end. Okay. Yep. And going back to public safety, that's a big deal, right? That's a really big deal that we're losing or postponing that money. Um, police department's
hurting bad, right? They're hurting bad. Um, and that help that really could have helped. Now, maybe we're tableabling it to make sure it's done right. make sure that Lisa and Milva officers have a chance at some of this overtime. Uh the sheriff's department, whatever we got to do, whatever is going on between behind
the doors, let's work that out because it sounds like we just put something on hold that could have been done a lot sooner. So, thank you, all people. Uh Joe Southerntherland, Noval Municipal Alliance uh program
coordinator. Um I want to thank you for again supporting the alliance and uh submitting the uh the plan for for next year. Sure. Can't hear. Okay. Let's try
that. I would also um like say we're we're going to be working with the uh the ball teams in town to help reimburse them for supplies. Uh you have uniform stuff with uh balls and all that kind of good
stuff. And then just as a not as the coordinator, but just as a citizen of Melville, uh I would definitely like to thank all the people that showed up at the fire to help with
that. Um and uh I I can't imagine the pain that all these people are feeling. Uh cuz all of them lost everything. And uh so I'd like to, you know, thank the firemen and uh and everyone else that
showed up there that night and spent the whole night out there, you know, trying to to do the best they could. Thank you. Thank you, Joe. Yeah. Hi, my name is Mike Gold. I moved to Milville 30 some years ago to a house
at Fifth and Railroad. At that time, that house had a fire had a uh fire hydrant. A few years ago, having been knocked down by a truck, it was never replaced. If the same fire happened on Fifth Street, the same results would
happen because there's no fire hydrant. And uh I think we should I think that should be replaced. And well that's my point. That's all I want to say. My name's Ian Griffith live in Millville. I'd like to
know what where the money went for the to fix the water manes and lead pipes. I got a list. I live on White Avenue. White Avenue, Leonard Drive, and Valia Drive. Valatia Avenue. They got more
broken water manes on there. There's about 15 or 16 patches where they fixed them. And uh the fire hydrants, they look like heck where they don't they don't paint them. We used to paint them, flush them, paint them, and put
grease around at the caps. I'd like to know what what they're going to do with that that money for they got for the the lead pipes and the water manes translate. That's all I got to say. Hi everyone. My name is Tamira. Um, this is actually like my first meeting
because I'm a new resident here in Milville, but although I have many, many family in here. And I just want to say my heart goes out to the families that lost their home due to the fire. And my heart really goes out to the family that
lost their home plus lost their two children. Not only do they have to rebuild um their house and find housing, they had to bury two children, two loved ones that didn't even get a chance to bloom, didn't even get a chance to
prosper in this world. Their life was clicked from them at such such a young age. And I know not to question God, and I know not to say why. And I know that there's a purpose um for everything. I'm over the outreach department at my
church. So my church is um you know reach what you know want to reach out to the families and I just got the names tonight and I learned about this meeting tonight and I do also know because my cousin stay um next door to one of the
house and by the grace of God it didn't go over to her her fence it stopped right there but I do know that the fire hydrants that was my biggest concern is that they had to go down to get fire when it should have that fire should have been able to been that fire hydrant
should have been able to be utilized when it's needed. And I know sometimes a lot of people they do not properly prepare until something like this so tragic happened. But the only thing that I'm asking you guys is to properly prepare have something just in case the crisis management um crisis come up. you
have c you have crisis um plans in place already and make sure your um city inspectors is going out ahead and expecting these type of things. Um I also hear stuff I don't know if y'all got to speak about it before I came in. I came in a little late but I do know a
lot of people do stuff um in the community far as events and stuff. I think I did hear upcoming events, but a lot of people like to just scratch the surface just to say they this they had this many people come out to events, they um helped this many families, but
are you just scratching the surface or are you making an impact? Any organization that's going out? Are you making an impact? My thing is I would love for the whole community for the city to work with different organizations so they can make an impact not just with trouble teens, not just
with victims, not just with parents, but as a family dynamic together to come up with different projects and different things that each family could utilize to become better. So our um our um violent our crime rate could go down in here.
Again, I'm new in Millville. I know a lot of I have a lot of family. So, um I was in and out in Millville like almost every day and I I hear shooting. I hear families just losing crying twice crying twice twice and losing their loved ones.
I just want the city to work with the families instead making judgment of how the family dynamic was inside the house. Just talk to them, get a better a better uh conversation with the families. I don't know, maybe do a Q&A panel,
something like this, because once you learn a person and what they're dealing with, you can make a better impact. That's all I got to say. Thank you for this time. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening everyone. My name is Sean Tho resident, executive director of
nonprofit our future first. So, first I just want to start by expressing our deepest sympathies to the families and the victims of the fires. Um, as well as our gratitude to the first responders who stepped in from all around our area to help put this blaze
out. Now, it should be unfathomable to think that lives, especially children, were lost in our city due to a massive fire in Center City. It should also be unfathomable to think that our city uh can allow fire hydrants to not be in working order in the most densely populated area of our city, which
impacts response efficiency. Unfortunately, for those of us who grew up in Center City Mobile or live in or around Center City, we know it's a sad reality and none of this is unfathomable. Whether it's landlords, elected officials, and their policies, or improper maintenance and monitoring
of taxpayer funded utilities, this area of town is consistently neglected by those in charge. Everybody in this city knows it happens, but it has become something that is widely known and accepted. Those who live in the area do everything they can to make ends meet in
spite of things, while many who do not live there do everything they can to act like the issues don't exist. This level of neglect that may have contributed to children dying and numerous families being without their homes and belongings did not happen recently. It has been a
systemic level of neglect that has festered for years over many administrations, not just this current one. It's not a new problem. It's just a problem that those in power actively ignored to focus on other things that they deem more important. A good friend of mine put it best when she said,
"Milo's like a donut. All the best parts of the donut are on the outside of town and while there isn't anything in the middle of the donut because it is empty. Look at the way services are rendered and distributed around town. The areas on the outside are consistently taken care of and negligence is more prevalent in center city. It's systemic and
intentional and the donut effect is real. While the exact cause of the fires are unknown, non-functional fire hydrants near the homes may have increased the time needed to put the fires out, as well as increasing the difficulty for first responders. It's no secret that these responders had to haul fire hoses hundreds of feet away from
the fires to find hydrants that worked. They deserve the best resources possible to help them save lives and protect themselves. And this was not the case in this situation. It's fire hydrants now, but what other essential services and safety measures have been neglected in and by the city? How has something like
this persisted for so long? How could this have been prevented? Who was responsible? I have no clue what the answers are, but I know our community deserves and demands answers. This needs to be investigated to the fullest extent, and we must ensure that what happened this week does not happen again. So, I will ask four specific
questions of the commission, which I hope to receive responses by the end of this night. Will complete findings of the investigation be made public regarding the fire? How often are fire hydrants tested and inspected in the city of Moo? Is there a public log that
shows maintenance status and inspection of the fire hydrants? And finally, is there a log that shows what hydrants are damaged, missing, or need repair? Thank you. Good evening, Tim Cardi, Milville. Um,
first off, um, I feel sorry for the loss of everybody involved in the incident. And I really hope the city has, uh, crisis counselors on hand or has offered them to the first responders and everybody on that scene because if not, you failed your first responders and
everybody on scene, which I haven't heard of. Now, as some of you are aware, there was a fire by my house back in 2024. I completed an OPER request
for I'm I was requesting all 2023 and 2024 hydrant testing reports on the following streets. Lloyd Terrace, Cedarbrook Avenue, Roselle Drive, Helen Drive, Joanne Drive. Um, water superintendent responded back.
The water utility doesn't have any hydrant test information for the requested area. Thank you. Ex-Chief Lip Lip Cop, we have no records for this request. Uh, engineering, we don't have no requests. No records. I followed
up. Now, I went to different parts of the city. Third in Oak to sixth in Oak. My father lives on Oak Street. Fourth and broad to seventh and broad thunderbolt academy school. Fifth and broad to fifth and D. That's a rounded
school. Seventh and broad and seventh in E Rick Avenue and Pleasant to Rick Avenue and Redwood Drive. Rick Avenue School 10th in Malbury to 13th in Malbury. I have family on that street. Third in Kates Boulevard. Third in
Whitel Bacon School. You notice how I went to the high high frequency areas, high populated schools, Broad Street and Wade Boulevard to West Main Street and and Wade Boulevard senior high. I'm requesting all hydrant testing
information and flow rating reports from 2020 until 2023. Superintendent um Derek Chesman, Cheeseman. The only ones we had was in 2020 for the high school, the new high school expansion. And that included pressure,
residual, static, and the flow and the gallons permitted from his department. That was it. engineering has nothing and neither did pass chief flipping cop. So I dug further. Maybe I should have kept kept
my foot on the pedal. Um New Jersey state law. This is where I should have kept going. But I didn't cuz I was hoping the open requests were going to fix things. First, I'm going to start with that the water proprietor complies with all
federal state drinking water regulations, including water quality sampling, testing, and reporting requirements. The hydrant and valve requirements set forth in section 3 of PL 2017 C133. The water provider shall post an
annual C certification requirement pursuant to this section on the internet website if acceptable. I can't find it on the city internet website. State law assessment plan report. Every water proprietor shall implement and assess
management plan designed to inspect, maintain, repair, and renew its infrastructure consistent with the standards established by the American Water Works Association. I'm skipping around. as assets management plans and systems conditions report shall be certified by
a licensed operator. The assessment management plan prepared pursuant to this section also state law. Now, a comprehensive inventory mapping and evaluating the condition of the public community water system
following asset classes, transmission and distribution piping, valves, service lines, hydrants, water treatment plant facilities, and water supply facilities, including wells, reservoirs, and intakes. It's right there. Another state law. Inspections and testing by the
water proprietor. Cleaning the area around the valve to ensure full access and valve for operating purposes of the hydrant. Cleaning out the valve box. Dynamic testing of the valve by opening and then closing the valve for either the following number of turns. A a number of turns recommended
by the valve manufacturer and to constitute a credible test. Uh a number of turns with constitutes 15% of the total number of turns necessary. Complying with other criteria required by the department pursues the laws and regulations adopted
pursuant to the administrative procedure. Each water proprietor once a year test every fire hydrant in its system in order to determine the condition. Flushing every fire hydrant in the public community water system and even dead end of the main in the public
system. This plan of flushing may be combined with a periodic testing of hydrants required to pursuant to the paragraph. Each water proprietor must keep a record of all inspections, tests, flushings conducted pursuant to this
section for a period of at least 12 years. No records are unfound from 2020 for them certain areas to 2014. No records. The fire hydrant shall be marked each
hydrant with the initials of its name, abbreviation of its name, corporate symbol or other distinguishing marker code by which ownership may be readily and definitely obtained. Each fire hydrant shall be marked with a number or symbol on both by which the location of hydrant
may be determined on the water proprietor's official records. And it goes into how the marking should be made. Whenever the order of proprietor is issued pursuant to 10 of PL 977, another
state law, three notices of violation for any reason, or two notices of violation related to the exceptance of a maximum containment level within the 12-month period, the water proprietor within 60 days after receipt of the third and second
notice shall submit the department migration plan. I don't know if that was done. Um, on November 8th, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed in law to PL 2021, previously known as
S746 water quality water act. And that included test all hydrants annually, no change hydrants tested annually, maintain records for inspections, test and flushing for at least six years. That got changed to 12 years. Hydrant
shall be marked with paint brand just like it says or soft metal. Now NFPA, I don't know if the city adopts NFPA on fire hydrants. I have that one right here.
They should be pressure tested with the correct color caps on the top and on each outlet. That way the fire department knows exactly what kind of pressure is coming out of that. And if we're doing pressure testing, it would be a lot easy if the GPS coordinates were entered and
the amount of pressure coming out of that hydrant so it could be put in a CAD system in Cumberland County Communication Center. That way when that truck's responding to a fire, they can notify the fire department or the officer on the hydrant location and what the PSI coming out of that hydrant
is. This is not old technology. This is modern technology and it's used every day by departments across the country. As far as the Oprah request go, I would hope that this is a learning experience. Unfortunately, it's an
unfortunate learning experience. It's too late to be proactive. It's time to be reactive. And I believe that the water department should be out there. I know there are flushing hydrants today. My question is, were they doing the pressure testing, GPS locations, and so on.
Thank you. Thank you. Seeing no one else, I will close up public comment portion of this meeting. comments of commissioners. Commissioner Hwitt. Yes, if you will. Uh I'm sorry in this situation I am
looking at my phone. I just got a message that I would like to put out to uh the residents. This does pertain specifically to the fire area. It's happening. Uh it's not
happening tonight because it's so windy. We understand this is a difficult time for the community. In an effort to keep the community safe. If you add remembrance candles to the memorial on South Fourth
Street, we the fire department, public safety, and residents are requesting that you not put burning candles next to the teddy bears, flowers, or anything combustible. This is to prevent anything from
happening to the memorial. This has been happening. So, please be a little bit careful, folks, if you would. Now, I'm going to answer just a few of the questions. I'm going to answer one that I caused, which
is three of you's asked, four of you's asked, the shared service with the sheriff's department. I need to be involved in the discussions. I need to make sure we are doing this right. I had some phone calls today
along with other numerous calls and that is why I did this. I am not in any way even alluding to the fact that this is stopping. We are using UE funds for this and we must use the right category of funds.
I can just about absolutely assure you that this will be back on the agenda at the next meeting and will be passed. Uh there is not much more that I can say or
this commission can say at this time. This fire is still under investigation. It's going to be under investigation. And if you were here earlier when I gave my opening comments, I read all of the authorities that are involved in
this. It's all I can say about that. Couple of you brought up grief counseling and such. My departments are public safety. They don't show their grief and their hurt after they come off of a
shift. They don't show their grief and their hurt after coming away from a fire, but they showed their grief and their hurt after coming from this fire. My guys all around public safety
and employees of this city, the water department, parks and wreck, streets and roads, everybody's hurting. People look at us like we don't do anything. And I'm not looking for anybody to give me
kudos. I responded to that fire 13 minutes after it went off from my house. I got there after parking on East Main Street and walking to the end of it. Those of you that know where it is,
it's a walk because I didn't want my truck anywhere in the way because I already heard all of the help companies being responding and on their way. I stayed there and the commissioners came out there. I was calling them and waking them up at 2:00
in the morning. They all came out. They didn't all stay all the time. We're not heartless people up here. We have to follow the law. And unfortunately I even as public safety director cannot sidestep that
law. City employees, utility employees, water department, streets and roads, parks and wreck that brought the fencing out to secure that property. Everybody was involved. Everybody. I read off the list of
federal and state people that are involved in this investigation. When we can release, we will release information. All of it. We will release what we can. That's all questions I'm taking questions early
with. My police department doesn't show their anxiety, but yes, they do. Now, I didn't leave that fire scene until 9:30 the next night. My fire department is
hurting. Yeah, guys, I know you're hurting. They have grief counseling, but you know what? It's going to take a lot of counseling for the guys that were there. It's going to take a lot of counseling for the residents that lost their homes
and especially for the mom and dad that lost their daughters. You want to say something? Okay. No, I'm just looking around. I'm not targeting anybody. I have a city email address. I have a city phone number. I
am in this city sometimes seven days a week in these buildings. You come to me I will tell you what I can tell you, but I can tell you right now that this entire city, including everybody in
here, is feeling pain and suffering. And that's all I have. Thank you, Commissioner Huitt. Commissioner Silly. Sure. The citizens of this town deserve the truth.
All of it. Not part of it, all of it. So, I'm going to address first the shared services agreement. Before this meeting, Commissioner Hwitt said to me and said he didn't want any arguing, so he didn't get any when he made the motion to table it. So, at 9:37 a.m.
upon discovering that the shared services agreement was not on the agenda, I called Mr. Russell, asked him why, I then talked to Commissioner Hewitt. So, yeah, okay, let me talk to Ross, Chief of Police. I called the chief of police myself and he's like,
"Yeah, okay. It's I wasn't in a hurry, but okay." After giving Mr. Hugh time to talk, I called Mr. Huitt again at 9:46 a.m. and he was okay with all this, with every bit of it. I explained to him
where the funding was coming from. In between, I talked to Mr. Russell, and Mr. Hewitt told me he talked to Mr. Russell as well. At 4:47 p.m., I had another conversation with Mr. view it. Everything was good. At the last meeting, you saw everybody agreed that
this was a great idea, and it is. So, now we're going to be about 2 and a half more weeks without the extra police protection we had. And at 7:00 p.m., approximately 7 p.m. I watch Mr. Hewitt rip up the certification of funds in a
fit of anger. Mr. Hewitt is upset with me. It's no cause for proarication. In fact, it's ridiculous. Now, I understand you guys kind of vote together. You know, we've seen that. So, I get it. You don't like me, whatever.
I'm fine with that. But what the hell do you have against the rest of the taxpayers? That's what baffles me. Next, I'll get to the uh Now, the reason we can't discuss too much of the fire, the fire hydrant, the water, etc., is
because our insurance company's lawyers don't want us to. We know there are going to be lawsuits. No matter what happened, there was going to be lawsuits. But you know why I saw the best in Milville this week? I've also saw some of the worst things I've seen.
Most of that being on social media from people that don't know what they're talking about. And that's unfortunate. That's how rumors get spread. That's how maybe the wrong department gets blamed. Maybe there's several things going on that nobody knows about. So what has to
happen when this entire investigation is complete when everything gets tested that should be tested for any purpose then the results should be released to the public all of them should be released I'm sure the lawyers are going to get their hands on everything
obviously both sides of lawyers will get everything in discovery so I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be released to the public but I'm going to heed that advice for Now, um, what else? So, the budget. So, I looked at the budget and as you said,
there's a 3 whatever two uh cent tax increase. There's an additional fund balance of $3.9 million. Uh, there is more economic development coming online. There were 19 a $19 million increase in ratables. I believe much of that was marketing. You
saw my fellow compadres vote against that before. I don't think everybody up here, let me say it this way, delved into the budget as much as they should. The problem's going to be, as you mentioned, uh, Miss Perka, Mrs. Perka comparing, is
that contracts are going to take a big chunk out of that. You saw a sale of $6 million for 15th Street. The previous fund balance was between5 and $600,000. Now it's 3.9 indicating that about $700,000 of that money was used to fill gaps in the budget and that gap will be
bigger next year. As the increase will be all year, there will be more police officers. All that will come into play. So that's how that ties into the budget. That's why economic development is important. I'm glad that we approve those projects this evening. Um I'm
hoping my fellow commissioners understand that. And again, I really believe it is very important to tell the public the truth. It's the only way that you're going to have confidence in government. I take a
lot of heat for telling the truth. People get mad at me all the time. Sometimes they don't want to hear it, but you actually deserve it. Progress. Thank you, Commissioner Suie. Commissioner Cosmood.
Nothing at this time. Nothing. Vice Mayor Watson touch base on the clerk interviews. Uh we did have a couple candidates that came in, interviewed both of them. Um there are circumstances that played a role in our decision and uh I think that with Emily coming on board, that was the
best decision. Um she interviewed very well. She had all the control that she needed and I think she's going to be a uh big key to success um you know taking this role. Um, for the tax increase, it's kind of tough to make
comments on u, you know, things you're currently learning. Um but from what I'm grasping and what I'm trying to put together is you know if we want to have um you know the infrastructure we want to support the infrastructure we want to
have police officers and we want to have um competitive wages to uh you know for city employees to work here. If we want to have all the services that we have um from trash, sewer, water supply, public safety, all of it, it costs money. the
sale of a couple properties isn't going to sustain a budget but you know unfortunately tax increases and increased ratables will you know that could be depended on in this situation I feel as it's necessary to you know move forward with a tax increase at this time
um but after further evaluation it can be amended amended uh come time to adoption um As you know, at this time, we're kind of limited on the statements that we can make. Um, we all would like to give residents
answers and, um, we all would really like to support, uh, the the departments that are taking a lot of scrutiny over this. And, um, I wish I could say more um,
especially to back the fire department and especially to back the water department in this situation. Unfortunately, I can't and I apologize to those and uh I hope that those that are you making these comments on Facebook and you know saying these bad things about our departments that work
hard and uh when the truth really comes out um about all the hard work that each department does that the residents that posted these things on Facebook uh put in as much effort to apologizing to the departments that they're uh that they're making comments
about. That's all I have. Thank you, Vice Mayor Watson. Plan Rick planning board is in master review right now and there will be a dedicated planning board meeting on May 12th at 6:30 of just master plan review. There's an emergency meeting on
May 5th for all planning board agenda previous items. Zoning board will also take place on May 1st. Vice Mayor Watson and Commissioner Suie said it best. It's we have been advised by council not to speak on matters such
tense that preceded days ago in the city. Vice Mayor Watson said it right with it. I'm just a loss for words for those that lost their lives. Motion to forjourn. Make a motion.
Second. All in favor? I