Six. Can we get a roll call, please? Can we get a roll call, please? >> Commissioner Taylor >> here. >> Mayor C >> here. >> Commissioner Reell, >> present. >> Commissioner >> here. >> If you'd like to join me, please rise and we'll have an invitation. Pastor
Christine Christine. >> Good evening. Good evening. Gracious and loving God, >> Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for this day. Thanks for the opportunity to gather in service for this community. For this community, we lift before you the middle city commission and all who are present at
this meeting. You have entrusted them with responsibility and care for this city and its people and its people. Grant them wisdom and clarity as they discern the matters before them matters before them. Keep their focus on what serves the common serves the common
good. Help them weigh each with integrity with integ. We pray for the work we pray undertake tonight. They will undertake tonight. In difficult conversations, converside their words their words. Where there's disagreement, where there is disagreement, bring respect. Bring
respect. And where there is uncertainty, where there is uncertainty, bring insight, bring insight. Remind them that their worth matters. Behind every decision, every decision, their calling to their calling to serve and give them justice and give them toly
humility and lead with humility. We ask your blessing upon your blessing upon the city of Mil and all who call it home. May this place grow. May this place grow in opportunity and opportunity. Guide this meeting from beginning to end from beginning and all that is said and done
and faithful. In your holy name we pray. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Please join me in sales to the flag. Join us in the salute to the flag of the United States. One nation indivisible and justice for all.
>> This meeting is being conducted in accordance with the open public meeting 1975. Advertised advertis made available as required by stat by stat minutes of this meeting. Mr. >> Good evening. Good evening. Uh as you
can see as you can see item number five we had to remove the oring chapter amending chap I know is a dear near and dear item in many people's hearts apologize for this we apologize we are obligated to have a notice to the public
on this and it's unfortunately a software issue we didn't make that two week time anybody that's here for the data center we're going to have it on our agenda for the 19th I apologize for and I apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. >> Madam Cler. Madam clerk, are there any changes to the intent of the agenda? >> Mayor, we're just Yes, Mayor. We're just removing the ordinance I just mentioned. An ordinance amending chapter 30, land use development regulations. >> All right. Thank you, Madam Cler. We've now reached a public We've now reached a
public comment portion on agenda items only. Anyone who would like to address the commission, please go to the podium. Save. uh state your name and address and your concerns. Please limit your comments to approximately 5 minutes and please remember that that item was removed from the agenda.
>> I'm John Worthington of the Milville report. Uh I had a couple questions regarding ordinance 17.1 um ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation. Um it calls for an addition of $479,000. I'm assuming that represents the
additional 1.5% um but I'm not sure. Uh the ordinance shows a total increase of 1.18 million over the 2025 budget. Is that a theoretical maximum or is it or is it the commission's projection of what the
actual budget will be? And with this being just the municipal portion of the tax bill, uh what is the projected tax rate increase for the 2026 year over 2025? and how will that impact the third and fourth quarter tax bills?
Thank you, Mr. Wington. Seeing no one at the podium, we will close uh the open uh uh public comment on agenda items only. Uh madam clerk, are there any presentations? >> There are none, mayor. All
right, let's move on to bills. >> So, we just need a motion to approve the bill list. >> Like to make a motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kabun. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes.
>> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. All right. Let's [snorts] move on to reports of commissioners. Let's start off with Commissioner Taylor. >> Just have one quick item. Um on April 29th or actually yes 29th we uh swore in
10 new officers uh to the police force uh for the academy. Um we also have uh four more spots reserved for the June Academy and that should bring us very
close to the 85 number and that's about all I have. Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Commissioner Reanella. >> Yes. [clears throat] Want to discuss some upcoming events. National Day of Prayer will be held this
Thursday, May 7th at noon in front of City Hall. We hope you'll join us as we come together as a community. Our Philly's Home Run Derby is set for Thursday, May 14th at 5:30 p.m. at the Rob Shannon Complex. Kids ages 7 through
12 are welcome to participate. Just remember, bring your bat and helmet. Our senior barbecue is right around the corner and only, last I checked, the number keeps going, 27 of the 200 spots are still available. If you haven't signed up yet, don't
wait. Call Samantha Cruz in the morning to reserve your spot. The event will take place at the Millville Elks on Wednesday, May 20th. The doors are going to open at 10:30 a.m. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. and lunch is going to be served at noon.
The Memorial Day parade will be held on Monday, May 25th. Please note the route will be a little different this year due to the Main Street Bridge construction. We'll start at the American Legion at 9:00 a.m. We're going to head down Buck
Street to Brand Avenue. Uh we'll uh pause briefly on the Brand uh Avenue Bridge there for a naval memorial ceremony. And from there, we're going to continue down West Main Street and proceed to Mount Pleasant Cemetery for uh for a se ceremony. I'll make sure to share this again at the next meeting.
We're trying to make sure everyone knows about the change in the parade route. We're also hosting another citywide yard sale on May 30th from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Um after such a strong turnout last month, uh even with the weather, we decided to do it again. Do it bigger, do
it better. There's still plenty of time to sign up and start gathering items to sell. registration uh will place your address on the official list for the day and it removes any need for a permit for that day. Um I'd also like to share a few uh department updates. First uh I
want to provide some context regarding the recent parks and recreation announcement that has invited veterans and their families to submit names for our wall of honor. About six or seven years ago, the original Wall of Honor was severely damaged and ultimately it was destroyed.
Unfortunately, that board was in such poor condition that many of the names could not be recovered. A new wall of honor was installed in the summer of 2020. Over the years, there have been social media posts encouraging veterans and their families to submit
names for inclusion, but those efforts didn't really reach as many people as we had hoped. Uh, I believe it's incredibly important that we properly recognize all of the men and women from Milville who have served our country. So, I'm asking for your help collectively. If you're a
veteran or you have a loved one who is, please reach out so we can ensure that their name is included. Since our last meeting, we've already received 24 new submissions, which is really a great start. So, let's keep that momentum going to fill that wall up with the names of those who have served. To
submit a name, please email the veteran's name, rank, and branch of service to recreationvillej.gov. Uh, with that, I'm just going to move on for a few updates from our parks department. Parks department has been busy mowing and irrigating our ball fields, cleaning, maintaining our parks
while also keeping up with all of our public buildings, which is no small task. I want to give them a shout out for all of their hard work. Our clean team, they've been putting in tremendous amounts of work. Today alone, they cleaned Sharp Street from Main Street to Columbia Avenue. In the last two weeks,
they've tackled a major illegal dumping site, made significant improvements along Riverside Drive and Fulton Streets, as well as Silver Run and Dividing Creek Road and Eden Road in the industrial park. Since our last meeting, they've also collected and
returned nearly 25 abandoned shopping carts, all while staying on top of their regular trash routes. And it's worth noting this entire effort is being handled by just two people. So progress doesn't happen overnight. Real strides are being made. The department is working very hard behind the scenes
every day to make our community cleaner and safer. And it's really starting to show. If anyone has a question about our upcoming events, would like to sign up for our senior barbecue or our community yard sale, or you just have a question or concern about our parks and public property, please call Samantha Cruz at
8568257000 extension 7394. Thank you, >> Marissa. I have I have a question. The Wall of Honor, is that past, present, future? >> It's names. >> It's past and present. I >> present, you know. Well, I mean, you know, >> you you got me there for a second.
>> Sorry. Sorry. But >> yeah, >> past and present. Okay. Yep. >> I want to do so much with that. >> I know. So, >> thank you, Commissioner Melo. Commissioner Cman. >> Okay. I have nothing from Wood Department. However, streets and roads,
we have just finished up with 82 8,250 bags of loose leaves and grass clippings have been collected this month. 219 street sweeping tickets were issued. We collected 337 and a half tons
of loose leaves. We did repair the sinkhole repair on Chiola Field. That's completed. Catch basin on 10th Street between G and Kums Road. That's been completed. Loose leaf collection is over. If you have loose leaves now, you
have to take them either to the compost out on Cedar Street and or put them in bags and put them out for trash collection. Brush collection started yesterday. Streets and Roads will make one pass going through the city. If you didn't get your brush out in time, you need to take it to the compost on Cedar
Street. Currently, our street sweeper, Miss Mary, is currently down for routine maintenance and should be back up and running next week. If you have any other concerns about streets and roads, give Mr. Gresman a call at 82570007388. In recycle and clean communities,
50 violations were issued for clean communities. Nine tickets were issued. The group from Bacon School that signed up for adopt our road program did their first cleanup on March the 28th and they had seven volunteers and collected about
700 pounds of litter. We have a third group that's in the process of completing the paperwork to adopt a road in our center city neighborhood. If any individual would like to adopt a road, a drain neighborhood, please
contact Chris Finch at 8257000 extension 7612. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and clean up your community. We supply everything for you. We will give you a vest. We'll give you the gloves, the bags, the trash bags.
We'll even give you some water because you'll get thirsty from working. This is a great way again to meet your neighbor and to coming back and reclaiming your city, your streets, your neighborhood. Uh just a reminder, I have left some flyers over there in regards since it is
cleanup. It's springtime in regards to what you can put out front and what you can't put out front. They look like this. I think they're very informative. They'll let you know what's going on and when it's happening. And that's about all I have for my department. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Casab. Vice
Mayor Cai. >> Uh yes. Uh we've been uh busy a lot of it with the budget. Um that that's been going on pretty much a full day every day. Fact filling positions, interviewing for new hires, uh personnel issues, uh streamlining processes,
um working on the fleet, trying to get that more budget friendly. Um and just working on ongoing projects with uh pretty much every department in here and just trying to move the city forward. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor C. All right, from the fifth floor, we have
completed our first draft of the 2026 annual action plan for our CDDG program. That's our community development block grant. Um, the plan is available for review for 30 days. You can see it on our website or you can stop in here to
the fifth floor to take a look at the plan. A public hearing on the draft will be held on June 3rd at 4 p.m. right here in city hall chambers. you'll get a chance to hear the plan, listen to the plan, and make public comments on the plan. Uh what we're going to be doing with CBDG funds. CBDG funds is a great
way to clean up the community, to uh take care of blight in the city, and an opportunity for uh citizens to actually get repairs done to their house that are needed. So, you'll get a chance to see how that money is being spent, how it's being used, and to lend your voice to
how it's being used. So if you don't like something or you love something, you can come to the podium and and tell them what you like or don't like about it. So take advantage of that. There are six properties that we've been working very hard to demolish in the city. One of the things that we're working on very
hard is to make the city look better, to make the city cleaner. And there's six uh properties that have been coming uh they've been submitted for environmental and historic review. Some people think you can just say, "Hey, we don't like that building. Let's go tear it down." As we found out, nothing is simple, but
there's a process for everything. So, right now, it is in environmental and historic review. Once it passes that, we will be much closer, uh, Mr. Solicitor, to getting that done. >> Yeah. I just, mayor, I let me just jump in. We're not looking necessarily to
demolish it. Obviously, the process would give the owner of the property an ability to rehabilitate it first. There's been no predetermination of any demolition, but we're looking at safety hazards inside the city to correct them by an appropriate means.
>> Yeah, Mr. [clears throat] Solicitor is always there to keep me on the straight and narrow. I am already swinging the crane and he is stopping me from doing that and and uh I'm already got the crane swinging and he's uh putting us where we ought to be. So, yes, he's correct. There will be an opportunity for the owners of the >> I knew what you meant. I just wanted to
make sure everybody >> Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Scholister. you're always there to uh cover my uh backside as they say and I appreciate that. Um so right now the fifth floor is examining uh the way that the system works with rental properties. I don't think there's anybody in the city that
would argue that uh the rental [snorts] properties and the way that the rental rental properties are administered is a problem. So, we're going to be taking a very close look at that over the next couple weeks, and we're going to be uh streamlining that process and making the process of becoming a rental unit in the
city much more accountable. I think everybody in the city uh doesn't like uh a system where landlords are unaccountable. So, we're going to be streamlining that and making sure anyone who wants to have a rental unit in the city um does so in a responsible manner.
Uh, I think we can all agree with that and that's something that we're working toward. Um, and the last thing is the cut and clean program is beginning this month for non-compliant properties and that is well on the way. Um, engineering
uh we're firming up our order of streets that we're doing in uh Laurel Lake. Myself and Commissioner Kasaboon were part of that meeting and we're kind of putting our list together and that's something that's going to be happening down the road pretty soon. and I will hold the rest of my Oh, economic
development. Always great things happening in economic develop no matter what you might see online. Um 64 at uh active projects we're working on right now in the city. It's quite a big uh a big task and I I want to thank Mr.
Coucher for all his hard work. He walks in here and half the time he's hunting me down in the building to try to get uh feedback from me on things that are happening. Um he's busy. I don't think he takes a lunch most days. That's probably true, right? Um when he does, it's it's a rarity. So, u he's a hard
worker and 64 active projects he works on. I think he I think sometimes he works on them every day. So, thank you, Mr. Couchy, for all your hard work. Uh really, I don't know how the city was able to adequately
track down a uh economic development without somebody doing that job full-time. I just don't know. uh trying to split that between a business administrator and e economic development would be impossible and and that's no wonder that economic development was probably on a back burner for so many
years here. So thank you Mr. Couchy for all your hard work and I will save the rest of my comments till the end. Madame clerk, let's go to regular business. >> Yes, we have ordinances for second reading. Ordinance for second reading item number two, an ordinance approving
and authorizing an application to the Cumberland County Roadway Department for Milville Girls Softball League to hold a coin drop on June 20th, 2026 and June 21st, 2026 at the intersections of Buck Shootum and Cedarville Road. And there is a public hearing as well. >> If you'd like to comment on this, please
approach the podium. >> Seeing no one at the podium, let's move on. Can we get a motion? >> Like to make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Casabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinella, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes.
>> Ordinance for second reading item number three, an ordinance authorizing the revisions to sewer searchcharge concentration limits, industrial wastewater searchcharge calculations, and elimination of trading credits. >> Make a motion. >> Wait, there's a public hearing on this. If you would like to come to the podium and comment on this, please approach the
podium. >> Seeing no one, can we get a motion? Make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Can I get a roll call, please? >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Casabon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Minnello, >> yes.
>> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> Ordinances for the first reading. Ordinance for first reading item number one, an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank. >> Yes. Uh so if this is ordinance uh that
is um we do annually to increase it from 2% to three and a half% doesn't mean we're going to. It gives the option if we needed to to do it. Um nothing's definite at this point but it just gives us that option there. >> Thank you Mr. C. Mr. Vice Mayor C. Um
can I get a motion, please? >> I'd like to make a motion. >> Second. >> Can we get a roll call, please? >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasabun. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo? >> Yes. Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Resolutions. Resolution item number one, resolution
authorizing tax and utility adjustments. >> Uh yes. Uh this is just adjustments of the monthly adjustments for like water, sewer, and various refunds that have to be done through the tax collector's office. >> And a motion, please. >> I'd like to make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Roll call, please.
>> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Vanelloo? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon? >> Yes. Resolution item number two, resolution authorizing the tax collector to add back deductions to properties due to post annual tax statement not being returned. >> Yes. So, every year people can apply for
the um a tax reduction and they have until March 1st. We actually extended it to April 1st. And if these are anybody that didn't hand in their application, >> get a motion, please. >> I'd like to make a motion. >> Second. >> And roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Casaboon,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Vanelloo, >> yes. Yes. Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Resolution item number three, resolution authorizing disabled veteran property tax exemption in accordance with NJSA54-3.30. >> Yeah. If this is a resolution to give um a disabled vet uh property tax exemp
exemption anytime you apply for that. There has to be a resolution. So this isn't for everybody. This is for a new person joining the roles. >> Thank you, Mr. K. And a roll call. I'm sorry, a motion, please. >> Like to make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Caspoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ranelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> Resolution item number four, resolution appointing a temporary purchasing agent for the city of Milville pursuant to NJSA4A 11-9. >> Yes, we've had a share service for a
while with Vinand with a part-time uh purchasing agent. Um, that person has now uh left us as of April 30th. Um, I'd like to congratulate him. He's gone back to his, you know, full-time position over uh vinyl that we've been borrowing them from. Um so this is just appointing the CFO which we're able to for at least
a year temporary uh purchasing agency by keeping all the requirements. >> Thank you Vice Mayor Cot. Can I get a motion, please? >> Like to make a motion. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasabun? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ranella? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon? >> Yes.
>> Resolution item number five, resolution to appoint a public agency compliance officer in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Code. >> Uh yes. Yes. Once again, uh, our emergency agent had this position as a compliance officer. Um, it is the person that oversees the records, so we are giving it to the clerk who does that
now. Anyway, >> so, >> thank you, Vice Mayor. Can I get a motion, please? >> I'd like to make a motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Caspoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinella, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> Resolution item number six, resolution
authorizing the discharge of mortgage 1121 Robin Terrace. So, this is a pretty uh good thing. Um, you can get a grant uh for up to 150,000 I believe through our CB uh uh CDBG if this uh these
individuals got that grant um and paid it off. So, it's just a relinquish them of the of that debt. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. Can I get a motion, please? >> Like to make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Casaboon, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. Yes. Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Resolution item number seven, resolution authorizing an interlocal services agreement for the 2026 household hazardous waste and document shredding collection days. >> If I can just jump in real quick. This is something that we do shared service
with Vineland and another Elite Bridgton and we do it every year and it will be you can take your certain trashes, shredding, etc., etc. This is also over there if you need it. It's done three times a year and it'll be June the 6 and
then again on September the 12th. >> Thank you, Commissioner. >> Make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ranelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. Resolution item number eight,
resolution supporting the establishment and operation of a facility for a class 5 cannabis retailer on premises occupied by Taste of the Earth LLC, located at 1205 North High Street, Milville, Block 257, Lot 8. >> All right. I I won't go through everything. We went through the work
session. If you'd like to see a little bit more about the process we used, uh refer to the work session uh on YouTube. Um what I will say, it was a long process. It was a fair process and uh all of the uh commissioners looked independently at the information that
was given to them and they came up with a clear winner and even though there were um very there were a number of very good applicants. However, there was one that stood out to all the commissioners and that's who we're voting on tonight and that is Taste of Earth. Um very
excited about that. They are a great candidate. Um I believe they still have to go through uh the state process but uh this will give them our blessing to to move forward with the process and we're very uh pleased and happy. I think you guys are in the give a wave over
there guys. I'm very excited that you guys will be uh doing this uh with the city. So we you know the city gets 2% of all your sales. Very happy about that. So we want you guys to be super super successful. >> Um I don't partake myself but however I
will tell everybody about you. So uh [laughter] But, uh, you know, it's a good it's a good thing for the city. Um, a lot of people are opposed, but, uh, this is something that was put in place prior to us and we're just following through with it. And I will give shout out again to
Mr. Couchy. Mr. Couch and I um were very involved in the process and he spent hours and hours speaking to attorneys and and uh they called him multiple times a day about this because it was a you know high stakes game that people were playing and uh he did a great job
uh working with this. We're glad that the process is over with. I myself am abstaining from this vote because I was involved in the process that um I helped put the process together for uh choosing
the candidate. So I will not be myself voting. Uh I will be abstaining for that reason. I I we didn't think it was fair that I would vote on something that I was involved in the process of uh of uh coming up with the process for you know
the the ch the choosing Um, can I get a motion? >> I'd like to make a motion to get this started. >> I'll second it. >> And let's get a roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes.
>> Mayor Dixon, >> abstain. >> New business items. New business item number one. Motion to approve special event on public land application hope day compassion event on June 6, 2026 from 12 to 3 p.m.
>> Make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> New business item number two, motion to approve special event on public land
application, farmers market at Buck Park on Thursdays from June 4th to October 29th, 2026. So, so this is exciting. Um, for those who don't know, we're going to have a a farmers market [snorts] every um Thursday at Captain Buck. Uh, we want
some activity down there. Uh, we want to get uh Milville excited about things going on and we're hoping this grows into more things. Um, this is going to be ran through Kamari's uh uh market which is out at West Main Street um past
uh summertime pools right around there. Um you guys might see the flags if you drive from here to Bridton. Uh but they have a lot of backing. Uh my news is old. I know at one time they had 11 to 15 vendors. It might be more now. Um
they're going to have uh all kinds of activities there. We're looking to build off of this. Uh we wanted to get more things going on in downtown Millville. We wanted to get a lot more positive things and she stepped up to make this happen. So, we're very very excited
about it. Um, and I'm hoping you might even get to meet her during the public comment, but we'll see. Um, she doesn't always like microphones, but uh, hopefully we can convince her to come up. But, um, she's very energetic and we're looking forward. We walked it with her. Um, shared, you know, she shared
her vision with us, and we're excited as well. So, um, looking forward to it. >> And the vision grows >> every time we talk, right? >> Vision grows. It's great. And I I think it would be a great idea if she came up to the podium during open public comments and uh introduce herself to the city as well as maybe one of you guys
could come up during open [clears throat] public and and say introduce yourself to the city that you're going to be a important part of. >> All right. And that brings us to the public comment. >> I'd like to make a motion. >> Yeah, you would like [laughter] Yeah, we
don't want to forget that. Sorry. I wasn't trying to >> I'll second that motion. [laughter] >> Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. Sorry about that. >> Now, we've come to public comment
portion of the meeting. Anyone who would like to address the commission, please go to the podium, state your name and address and your concern concerns. Please remember your comments will be timed at five minutes. >> I'm going to grab the microphone by the
right spot and not embarrass myself again. Good evening. Steve Solah from Vinand 1816 Railway Drive. I'd like to share a perspective tonight from a member of our local community who has asked me to remain anonymous anonymous. [laughter] And I'll refer to them as my source.
They've chosen to remain anonymous out of concern for job security, but they felt it was important that their perspective be heard. My source is what's called a big enterprise back-end.NET C developer. in plain terms that somebody working in the tech
industry specifically within the ecosystem of Microsoft the same ecosystem connected to the type of data center project already underway in nearby Vinland. So this isn't just a random opinion. This is a local resident with firsthand relevant experience in
the exact field we're discussing. And I want to emphasize that because we've already heard strong opposition from members of the community, including people like Zack Landiscini, founder of Sustain SJ, who I've had on my radio show, to voice his concerns that have
now turned into outright opposition. My source is simply another member of the same community with a different perspective who also deserves to be part of the conversation. One of the biggest points my source raised is something that I get I think gets overlooked. Local workforce
opportunity. Despite the common claim that data centers don't provide a significant amount of jobs, because of my sourc's background, this project represents a real practical job opportunity for them, the ability to apply their existing skill set locally
instead of having to go to places like New York or Philadelphia. And that ties directly into something we hear all the time from local leadership, the need to retain our youth and our talent. If we're serious about keeping skilled workers and students in this region,
then projects like this at least represent one pathway to do that. At least some on on-site jobs will exist and potential career pathways for students could be funded by data center projects. So, we talk about temporary bans or even permanent bans. My source
thinks it's worth acknowledging the trade-off that limiting this type of development may also mean limiting opportunities for people in our own community who already have the skills or could develop the skills to participate in that industry.
My source also emphasized that the impact of a project like this isn't just the building, it's the infrastructure that comes with it. Facilities of this scale require major investments in things like fiber connectivity, power systems, site engineering, and drainage.
While those improvements are primarily built to support the facility, they don't necessarily need to stay isolated if we negotiate. They can create opportunities to expand connectivity, increase grid capacity and reliability, improve storm water infrastructure.
Again, none of that is automatic, but these companies have the resources and the incentive to build strong infrastructure for their own needs and the incentive to keep the surrounding community happy. So, the question becomes, if some of that investment is
already happening, is there a way to align it with broader community benefits as well instead of taking it off the table entirely? There's also the question of tax impact. Based on what my source looked into, their opinion on projects of this scale, depending on how
they're structured, while accounting for pilot agreements, can generate tens of millions of dollars per year in local revenue, potentially higher in some cases, especially in the long view. And that matters for a county like ours. We regularly talk about being resource
constrained and needing to strengthen our tax base. That doesn't mean environmental concerns or community character should be ignored. They're real. But it does raise the question of whether temporary or outright bans are as straightforward a solution as they
might seem, especially when they take both the potential risks and the potential benefits off the table. Before I wrap up, my source doesn't necessarily have to be perfectly right about every detail. They're not an advocacy group or a policy expert. They're a member of
this community with relevant experience offering a perspective and I think that matters. A lot of people have said they felt blindsided by the data center in Vinland and that's fair. I was caught off guard too. But being caught off guard doesn't automatically mean the
answer is to be against something. In my experience, there are people in this community across the spectrum opposed, supportive, and many still undecided. So, I think a fair question for this governing body and neighboring governing
bodies is this. As we consider bans or restrictions, are we confident we're representing the full range of perspectives in this community or just the loudest ones? or even better yet has the broader community, not just leadership and some members of the
public along with an activist group. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Solo. >> Thanks, >> Mary of Milville. I'd like to thank the uh parks department. uh situation was brought to their attention which basically was costing
the city money by having lights turned on when they shouldn't have been turned on. Um that was quickly resolved within nine minutes [laughter] from a from a message. I thank this I thank the parks
commission for that. and where you guys were talking about talking about doing roads in Laura Lake. Appreciate the fact that the dip on Horththornne was taken care of, but that still doesn't solve all of the problem
for the road on Horththornne, which is still a dirt road with stones and stuff. Lawnmowers are kicking up with the weather being the way it is. People are out cutting grass and stones are going
here, there, and everywhere. When you make your turn, you have no choice. You're going to catch part of that dirt road. And there go the stones. And there's cars that have gotten dings,
windshields that have gotten cracks. So, please keep that in mind when you're looking at what roads down in Laurel Lake to pave. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Thanks, Mary. >> Good evening, guys. Uh Bla1 Menzone,
Noville, proud resident and uh one of the owners of Taste of Earth. So, uh first of all, thank you guys. I know it was a long process for everybody and we are honored to be the chosen recipients of this uh license and we do promise you
that we will do our best to be good partners with you guys and stewards of that. Right. We take this really seriously. Um and we want to be 100% compliant with all the laws and make sure that there is not one negative impact to the city that I live in and call home from our business. I know
there's probably some naysayers and we faced that in Buuna when we opened and we've been there for a year and a half with not one complaint with not one arrest. The cops not called one time to our location and uh you know we're really proud of that. A lot of places
have not been able to say that but we really run this business like it's one of the most important things in the world to us like our kids. it is one of our kids, you know, and uh we're just honored to be a part of this and you know, I'm pretty easy to find. Anybody could Google my name and my phone number
pops up. So, if anybody has questions, whether it's city council, concerned citizens, I I would encourage you to reach out. We are part of this community and it was going to happen whether it was us or somebody else. And uh I'm really proud that you guys chose us uh
because we felt really strongly that we were the best candidate. And you know, we are Milville. I am Milville. I love this place. I live here and uh we're gonna make you guys proud. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hey. Hey. What's up, guys? Um my name is
X Xavier Jackson. Um I'm going to put my sunglasses on, you know? Um because this is how you guys are going to see me, right? Um you know, this is my hometown, right? Um I'm glad to be home. Like, I'm glad to be home. Like, this is where I wanted to be at first. So, this means a
lot. you know, born and raised here, right? Uh went through kindergarten, preschool, kindergarten, middle school, lakeside, high school, marching band, football, right? Like I'm Millville and I can't wait to, you know, uh support this city and give back to the city,
right? I want it to be, you know, how I I grew up here. It's different. It was different when I grew up and that's how we're going to get it back, right? Um you know, you guys are going to see me at the store, right? Uh you guys are going to come uh become friendly with me, right? like uh this is what it's
about. It's all about community and you guys will see and I just want to say mayor, thank you. Council, thank you. Thank you for believing in us. Um I'm home and I couldn't be happier. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Brian Cruzman. I'm also uh one of the
owners of Taste of Earth and I just wanted to say thank you and uh really dittoit to to what Blaze and X just just said that um you know our phones are always on and if during the whole process uh from the final uh approval if
there's any questions or if you guys would like to see things a certain way or changed or something's uh of concern, please raise those questions to us and uh we'll do our best to to address them right away and get and get in front of any uh issues you may have.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Kumari. >> Hi. >> Hello. >> I'm scared. >> Don't be scared. >> Don't be scared. [laughter] >> I'm the owner of Kamari's Garden Market
right here in Milville, 2018 West Main Street. Um, >> I'm here today with my husband. He's hiding behind a pole and um >> he's more than welcome to come up with you. >> Yeah, I >> I don't think you're getting him up there.
>> Um Oh, boy. Okay, I'm gonna just jump to the end. >> I think this first time I've ever seen her shy. I know. Julie talk in a mile. >> I know. Um, I believe cities are like
gardens and with the right opportunity and the right care, it will grow into something beautiful. That's what the Millville market is going to do. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> You did it. [laughter] >> Anybody else? All right. Seeing no one else at the podium, I will close the public comment portion of the meeting and we'll end off with our comments from commissioners, let's start off with Commissioner Taylor.
So, I think the happenings that are happening in Mill are great. the honor walk, some of the other ideas that the parks and recreation have, stuff that streets or roads are doing, water, sewer, all
the departments, finance, public safety, it just it's all coming together. Economic development, as the little pieces fall into place, things are getting better and better. Um, and I just hope it keeps going in
the direction that it's going. I know it's going to keep going in the direction it's going because the five of us want that. So, I think it's I think it's great that people are stepping up. Hometown people are stepping up for
business and ideas. And I mean, we get calls and phone messages about different ideas every day. And just keep them coming because it's it's great. It's really great. That's it. Thank you, Commissioner Taylor.
Commissioner Riddell. >> Yes. [clears throat] Um, we have a a lot of great things happening in our city right now. Um, with our events. I I've been encouraging everyone to check out our calendar for events through they're
available on our city website or on the Millville Recreation Department's Facebook page. and uh just encouraging everybody to take part in everything this city has to offer. Uh I often hear there's there's nothing to do. Um I I
could tell you that this was a very busy weekend for me. Uh just on Saturday alone, uh the day began with the annual Christopher Reeves run >> uh which I believe had about 70 participants this year. uh raises uh funds for scholarships awarded uh to
graduating seniors in Officer Reeves' name. Um ran by the community garden forth and vine. Holly City Development Corporation was out there. They had a little sibling group uh that was cleaning up and everything was getting ready uh for gardening. Ecoair was at
Wheaten Arts. That was >> Commissioner Kasaboon, you were there. It was wallto-wall people and uh I was trying to get to my car with a box of plants. Uh that was kind of crazy. Um Milville Historical Society had their cemetery tour. Uh and that was uh I
heard there was what about 70 people there as well. And uh I'm really excited about Kamari coming into Buck Park. Uh I've often said uh which sounds silly to some people um that I'm nostalgic for Milville Rocks because there was
constant foot traffic in that park. And when you have uh people doing positive things in your community and there's families walking around, it kind of chases any bad element out. People that are up to no good don't want to hang
around families that are uh doing things with their children. So, um I think the last time uh Kamari and I spoke, I think she had up to almost 20 vendors. Uh, so that was really exciting and I'm really hoping that I see people in the park on
Thursday evenings from June 4th through October. Um, support support that positive uh environment. Um, and I'm I'm really looking forward to that. So, thank you Kamari for stepping up. Mary, I wish that uh we could resolve every
issue in less than 10 minutes. If only life was that easy. Um, Taste of Earth. Happy to see you. Uh, invite the community uh to, you know, discuss. There you go. We're over here. Um, just just opening that door to inviting the community to, you know, uh, ask you guys
any questions and happy to hear that you want to support Milville in every way possible. Um, and just uh, oh, sorry, one more thing. We had at the last meeting uh, we had somebody come up. They were saying that Coventry Ways lights were out. They were
concerned about that. We did have ACE out there. Those lights are going to be worked on. It was an electrical issue. Um, I reported the lights out on Riverside Drive. They were all out. They're up and operational. And the lights in Corsen Park that were out, they've been working on them, so they should all be on within the next day.
So, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Casabu. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Reella. You have been busy. Yes, you have. Uh, just want to say thank you to Mr. Couch. has been working very very hard for economic development. Uh welcome to our
new taste of earth. I look forward to you've already had this. You're successful and I know it's going to be successful here. Um the honor wall, I like that the rental issues being addressed. That has been a very big concern for me since I started
campaigning last year. Um I'm so glad to see that being looked at. I that makes my heart happy. as I would tell the children at times. And if there is anyone that can grow something beautiful in this community, it is Kumarie. I've known her for several several years now.
And if anybody can do Buck Park and make it successful, she will do it. I've seen what she's done at her building and I've seen what she's done at her flowers. Welcome. I am so happy for you. I really am. Thank you. And that's it for me. >> Thank you, Commissioner Costa. >> You got it.
>> Vice Mayor C. >> Uh yes. Uh just to I might reiterate a lot of things. I I'm really upset that I was unable to go to the cemetery tour. >> Um if you would like to personally reenact that just for me, I would not I would be okay with that. Um >> and I'd be there.
>> Yes. >> I had I had ecoair. I >> I I looked at the pictures. I saw as much as I could. I I was I was away and I was like I was upset that it got postponed >> because I could have made the first one. But um >> I like what you guys are doing. I like what the historical societyy's doing.
They're relevant now. They're out there. Um, and they're doing a lot of good stuff out there and spreading the word. So, uh, the honor wall, love that. I believe I already sent my name in there. So, um, Chris Reese run, that's been going on
now for >> Did you serve in the military? >> I did. Desert Storm. >> Very nice. Thank you for your service. >> Thank you. Uh, Chris Ree has been going on for about 15 16 years now. That does give a lot of scholarships out. They've been given a scholarship every year since we started that and they're
continuing to do that. And the I love that that's still going. Um, Taste of Earth, two mobile guys don't disappoint us. I'm telling you right now, part of the reason why they just rose up a little bit. There were some
great people out there. Um, great. It It did make it tough. Uh, because the top the top couple, top few started to being local, too. But mobile graduate, man, you're going to have people calling you out on that, right?
So, we need you. Uh we need you guys to do some good stuff. And I really think you will. Um I'm exc I'm excited to have the 2%. Uh I do like that. I am revenue and finance. I do like that part. Um but I'm sure we'll see you in the community
as well. And good luck with that. And um talk about skilled workforce. Uh you will see some public relations coming up soon about skilled work workforce. We are really trying to work with the local schools to get the talent to stay here
and we're going to be rolling out some stuff very very soon. We're already actively working on it. Um so we're doing a lot of things locally. Um we want to keep Milville people in Milville and we want to keep them working here. uh
the the the market, Milva Market. Uh first of all, we're we're now learning who Kamari is, right? But let's not forget him, Chad, back there sitting there on quietly. So, um he does do a lot of the work. I guess he's on break
right now. Um but yeah, he he's he's the man behind it that helps her as well, too. So, they do great things out there. So, if you if if you're looking for a place to go, I definitely suggest you check it out. And I'm looking forward for June to start. Get people out there,
get vendors out there, just get [snorts] positivity in that park, right? It's what we all want. Um, so there's a lot of things coming. Um, our website is a little clunky as a lot of people know, as we witness. We are working on that.
>> Oh, I can't talk no more. Um, >> but that's all I'm gonna say about that and that's all I have. >> Well, thank you, Vice Mayor. >> So, that's what I was starting off with was the website. We are Thank you, Vice Mayor. You've led right into me. Um, we
are working on a total revamp of the website and the direction we're heading. Everything you'll see on the website is meant to be public facing in the sense that it will let the citizens of the city everything that know everything
that's going on in the city. Uh from events to what's happening in government to what's happening in each department. You're going to have a real good view uh just from that website. Um because we want to combat you see on social media a lot of people it's almost looks like the
game telephone where you know you see somebody ask a question and it's like you look at the answer and you're like that's not right that's not right and you can't there's so much misinformation on social media and you know when you get in the public eye you know you become the the spotlight of you know uh
of things just so people are very you know I am the mayor and you know we work in the Faulner government which doesn't we're all equal commissioners here but people are very concerned about my personal life. And I just want to let you know about two weeks ago, my wife was pulling in the driveway and as she
pulled in the driveway, the car went clunkity clunk clunk. It was a very sad day. It was her Bronco. So, she had it towed up to Lilith Ford. You don't know where I'm going with this, do you? I'll tie it all in. I'll tie it all in, Mr. Bitterman.
as uh she called up there, went up there and they they got you know you know when you take a car to the uh dealership and they can't reproduce what it does and they make you feel stupid and they're like it's not doing it now you must be crazy nodding so you know what I mean. Luckily they were able to reproduce what
it did. So it went clunkity clunk and it so we waited. They gave my uh my wife a laner car and it says on the back courtesy vehicle um from Lilison Ford. So, she's been driving that around uh for almost two weeks now. They finally called back and said, "We think it was a
torque converter." And it's great because I think we're getting it back this Friday. It's under warranty. So, I'm real happy. And that ties it into misinformation. I'm sorry to disappoint some of you people. Some of you people might be sitting right here tonight. My car was not repoed. So,
that's how I'm tying in. The misinformation we see online is ridiculous. And um my car was not repoed. So I want to just put everybody's mind at ease. Your mayor is not losing his car. He's not losing his house. Actually, business is very very
good. So uh just want to put all your minds at ease. Um and uh how [laughter] uh let me move on. Neat. Did I tie that? Did I tie that all together? Misinformation website and all that. Thank you. Um let me move into uh Neat
Streets and Clean Team. As Commissioner Ranelo said, they're working very hard to keep uh the streets clean. Very happy. I I called Sam the other day and said that for some reason Sharp Street was I drove down there and I called Sam up right away. I said, "Sharp Street
needs to these guys need to get there." And no sooner did I call, they were out there and Sharp Street looks way better now. Very happy. Um I don't know what happened on Sharp Street, but it looked like a disaster hit through there. So, they got that cleaned up and very proud. We are making this city safer. We're
making it cleaner and we're making it more economically prosperous every week. It doesn't always happen, you know, as quickly as we want, but it is happening. And we're very happy with the direction that we're heading. Taste of Earth. Good to see you guys. Um, you know, with
with what my wife just told me about my, you know, I can't afford to come out because my car is getting repoed, but if I if I could, I would go out there and probably partake uh with you guys. Um, and Milville Market, thank you very much. Very excited to see what you guys
are doing. And, uh, city's heading in the right direction. As always, every meeting I want to thank the commissioners cuz I know I know what it's like being in the spotlight and people saying and doing things that might not be true. So, thank the
commissioners here for all their hard work and uh their commitment for very little and doing so much. Thank you very much. Can I get a motion to adjourn this meeting? >> Like to make a motion. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor,
>> yes. Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kaspoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinell, >> yes.