I'd like to bring this meeting to order for April 21st 21st 2026. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor. Here. Vice Mayor Cott. Here. Commissioner Rinella. Present. Commissioner Cosaboom. Present. >> Mayor Dixon. Here.
If you would uh Actually, we're going to do the invocation first. Pastor Jamie Branham, if you'd please come forward and please rise for the invocation. Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight and we give you thanks and praise for all of your mighty works.
You are a loving and good and a gracious God. Thank you for being with us from day to day. We thank you for our city and we thank you for our elected officials, the businesses, the churches, the families, and the individuals that make our city the great place that it is.
We thank you for the freedoms that have been extended to us as citizens of Millville. Lord, thank you for our city commissioners. Give them wisdom and guidance to govern our city with excellence and consider the items before them this evening. May every decision be made with
integrity and care for the citizens of our town. I pray that you would bless and care for us all. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Please join me in a salute to 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 open public public meetings 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? There are none, Mayor. Now we've come to the public comment portion of the meeting for agenda items
only. If you would like to make a comment on public agenda items only, please come to the podium. Limit your uh comments to 5 minutes and please state your name and address. Uh Is this on? Yeah. Uh Tamara Day, this Millville.
Just a couple questions on some agenda items. First off, from the bill list, there is an expense or bill number 2600733 from National Highway Products for uh City Hall parking lot signs for $287.84.
Uh can you would you be able to elaborate exactly what these signs are what the purpose of these signs and where they're located and why they're there. And then the last question I have, and I'll save the rest of my comments for the end,
resolution the I-bank resolution, the very last one, whatever it may be, the number uh 18-6. Um doesn't that require a certificate of funds? That's my um last questions cuz it is a
contract. Um I don't believe it falls within in um any uh dollar amount, so there's no certificate of funds attached to it and you're expending money. So, just wondering cuz I've never seen a resolution that involves money without one. So, that's it. Thank you.
Um Seeing no one else at the podium, I will close agenda items on uh close public comment on agenda items only. Madam Clerk, do we have any presentations? Yes, Mayor. We have a presentation for recognition of Positive Vibes Basketball. Awesome.
Um is JT here? Uh he's here in the parking lot. Okay. Well, do you want to skip the bills and come back? Can we do that? Come back to it. Can we flip things around? You can if you you want to. You don't have to take it
in order. It's just a standing Okay. Let's uh move to bills. Yes, we just need a motion to approve the bill list. I'd like to make a motion. Second. Commissioner Uh roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor. Yes. Vice Mayor Cott. Yes.
Commissioner Cosaboom. Yes. Commissioner Rinella. Yes. Mayor Dixon. Yes. Let's move on while we're waiting for JT to show up. Let's move on to reports of commissioners. Let's start with Commissioner Taylor. Okay. So, the fire EMS and police report, we
had 127 calls for the month for the fire department. We had 694 calls for the month of March for the EMS. And we had 3,348 calls for the month of March for the
fire police department. Uh I'd like to make a motion to receive and file the police fire and EMS reports for the month of March 2026. I'll second it. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor. Yes. Vice Mayor Cott. Yes. Commissioner Cosaboom. Yes. Commissioner Rinella.
Yes. Mayor Dixon. Yes. Okay. I do have a public service announcement from South State General Contractors. Uh notice to all residents, the Cumberland the county of Cumberland has contracted South State Incorporated to
complete roadway improvements to the following roadway in Millville. Cromwell Road from Mariah's Avenue to Smith Road. Construction will include sections of full depth uh reconstruction as well as milling and paving.
Work will be performed with a combination of detours and lane shifts. Uh please be aware that of the changing traffic control. Follow the posted detours when this condition exists. During construction hours, we kindly
request that residents keep their cars out of the area of the operations. Uh construction is scheduled to begin on or about Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 and is expected to last approximately 2 weeks. Work hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents will have limited access to their driveways. Emergency vehicles will be permitted through. Uh please use caution while traveling through the work zone for your protection and the protection of their workers.
South State would also kindly ask that the residents to mark their sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads. Any damage to the unmarked sprinkler items or lines or heads will not be the responsibility of South State. So, that's that.
As far as meetings go with uh public safety, we had a very productive meeting, myself and Mr. Biderman, with the uh courts today. Um we met with the our court staff and we also met with the administrative office of the courts uh for our vicinage
um with Judge Telsey and his staff. Uh we talked about several items and issues that we've uh been having or that we'd like to create or or um correct. Um and we'll be
Some of the programs are actually through the AOC for like mental health and a couple other things that we talked to them about. Um we want to wish our EMS Chief John Feldis a speedy recovery and a get well soon. Um I want to offer my deepest
condolences to the I'm sorry. to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department and the family and friends of retired sheriff's officer Arnie Escobar. I was friends with him. I'm sorry.
>> [snorts] >> Who passed away yesterday. Um Arnie and I worked together at at PYW in the kitchen for a great number of years. He was very close to my wife and and myself.
Um >> [clears throat] >> I'd also like to con- offer condolences to his family and friends. Uh the world lost a great man. It's truly a loss. That's it. That's all I have. Thank you, Commissioner Taylor.
Uh Commissioner Cosaboom. All right. From Streets and Roads for this month, mid April, we've collected so far 137 and 1/2 tons of loose leaves. As of this morning, Streets and Roads were on Fairton-Millville Road to finish up that loose leaf collection in that
area. Lloyd Terrace, Isabel Ave, Carlton Ave, Ireland, Cedarville Road, White Marsh Estates, Cedarwood Village, and Laurel Lake are the areas that are left for collection. Once we're finished this these loose leaves, we will begin the brush collection. So, just a reminder to
the residents, you have until April the 30th to get your brush at curbside for collection. Please keep in mind that brush cannot be any longer than 6 ft in length and we only make one pass through the city. Providing we finish loose leaves
collection brush collection, we will begin on Monday, May the 4th. So, hopefully they'll have it all done. From our water department, meter tech installed another 280 meters from March 31st to April the 17th. They've been busy with uh a lot of
service leaks popping up. Pleasant Drive, the water service upgrade project has went out to bid. And the 2026 hydrant maintenance program should be starting shortly. And that's it for my two departments. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Cossaboon.
Commissioner Rinella. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, everyone. I'd like to begin with some of our upcoming events. Friday is Arbor Day and we encourage everyone to join us to plant a cherry tree at noon at Patriot Park. We also have the community yard sale this Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. Amazing turnout so far. We have over a 100 homes registered right now. It's not too late if you still want to register. Last day of registration for the community yard sale is tomorrow. So, we're going to post the list of all
participating homes on Facebook and the city website this Thursday so everyone has a list of all the homes to hit for their yard selling. Um I'm sure [snorts] Commissioner Taylor, I might see Commissioner Taylor out there. We both love yard sales. >> [laughter] >> And [clears throat] after everyone's
done searching for their treasure, we encourage you all to join the Millville Historical Society at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. They're going to have a guided walking tour and a history lesson of mausoleums, mayors, and memorials. Sounds pretty cool.
Even though it's pretty chilly out there, we just had our new chiller installed and we are all, I think, pretty grateful and very excited for that. We've also had the gazebo beside the orr house painted recently. The funding for that project came from the neighborhood
preservation program. It looks clean, it looks bright, and it looks pretty good. So, when you go by there, check it out. We've also been approached by local artists and a donor who are interested in revitalizing the sculpture at the park on High and Broad.
Uh We're going to hopefully add some care and some color to that. We'll share more details and updates on that proposed project at the next meeting. Um grass season is here. The parks department has completed its first round of cutting and the irrigation systems
will start this week. We also have some events coming up at the Millville Public Library. By the door, there's a whole list of events that the library supplied us with. But on May 16th, I know that they're really excited about this event. It's explore and enjoy the India
Festival. That's going to be on Saturday, May 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. As far as the sewer utility, jobs completed in-house by the sewer utility employees, not including normal duties, operation sludge processing,
there's 21 total of those, but we've had 28 sewer calls with 6,864 ft of lines cleaned. We've also had five station calls. There's numerous items here of jobs completed, but just to give you a few,
they repaired aeration foam control sprayer system lines. Bulbs at the operator rooms have been replaced. Search protector in zone one. They cleaned the grit chamber. They replaced the heater in the vector garage and the jetter garage. It's so many other things that they've
got going on here. And that's all I have. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Commissioner Rinella. Vice Mayor Cott. Uh yeah, so we've just been busy with um working on and trying to finish up the budget. I know everybody's anxious to get that completed.
Backfilling positions, interviewing, making sure there's funding for projects and um then also I just want to make a motion to receive and file the tax collector's report for the month of March. Second. Roll [snorts] call, please. Commissioner
Taylor. Yes. Vice Mayor Cott. >> Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon. Yes. Commissioner Rinella. Yes. Mayor Dixon. Yes. Um I'm going to want to save a lot of my stuff for the end. Um I will say on the fifth floor, we've moved dumpster permits from the third floor to the
fifth floor. It made more sense to do that because when they're coming in, it used to be on the third floor and all of the construction permits are on the fifth floor. So, it doesn't make sense to me to have construction, you know, dumpsters on the third floor. So, if you're looking for a dumpster permit, go to the fifth floor. And it helps them
coordinate people who were trying to get past the permit system um when they're doing work in the city. Um we're coordinating well with the clean team. The fifth floor is coordinating well with the clean team in order to get problem areas cleaned up and I'm going
to talk a lot about problem areas and a clean city in my final comments. Construction permit fees are up year-to-year 22% versus last year, so that's good. That's a good thing. Means work is happening in the city. And as
far as economic development goes, we are currently queued with about 51 different projects that we're working on. So, things are happening. Things are exciting that are happening in Millville. So, 51 projects that we are currently following and working through the process. As everybody knows,
nothing happens quickly in this city. But there are 51 projects when these planes, as we say, start landing, there's going to be a lot of projects going on and happening. So, I'm very excited about that and I will reserve the rest of my comments to the end.
Madam Clerk, should we move to presentations now? Yes, Mayor. Mr. Burks, could you come on up? Do you have a list or you want to use my list, Mr. Burks? All right, I have a list right here. So, something We used to give certificates and I thought I don't think there's many kids in the world that want to have a
certificate. So, I have these cool little things that I have, little city keys to give out and you can pin them on to your jackets and put them on. I thought they were really neat. I've been wondering what to do with these when I came in, I found them in a drawer. I I think
they're really neat. And if I were a kid, I would prefer to have a cool little pin to pin on my jacket, city a key from the city. Um do any of you guys really want a certificate? Boring, right? So, you get a cool pin and you can pin it on your jacket and show everybody you got a key
from the city. I think it's cool and myself and Commissioner Rinella are going to help hand these out and shake your hand and congratulate you for J- Mr. Burks is going to tell you exactly what they did. This mic here. Got it. Give it up for Coach Day.
Clap it up for >> [applause] >> She's our girls varsity eighth grade head coach. She'll do the presentation for the girls team. We just calling them up. All right. Um I'm going to start with Giselle Hayes.
>> [applause] [snorts] >> Okay. Delia Maze. >> [applause] >> Peyton Myrick. >> [applause] >> Amelia Martin. >> [applause] >> I'll just say the ones that aren't here. Alana Gabby Bella
Jayla and Imani. Imani. >> [applause] >> All right, give another round of applause for our girls eighth grade varsity >> [applause] >> championship team. I'll give the shout-outs for the fifth and sixth JV boys championship team.
First up, we have Osias Burks. >> [applause] >> Jaevion Barnes, he couldn't make it, but give it up for Jaevion. >> [applause] >> Aiden Frost. Will Higginbotham. >> [applause] >> Desmond Bethel.
>> [applause] >> Broderick Young. >> [applause] >> Carter Scott. >> [applause] >> Rashid Hover Telfair. >> [applause] >> MAXIMUS YOUNG. >> [applause]
>> JONAEL RAMOS. LIAM LUDWIG. >> [applause] >> Josiah Rivera Santiago. >> [applause] >> And also honorable mention for Narayah Gill and Jayden Martinez. That's our boys championship team right here.
>> [applause] >> Representing Millville. We play in the Salem County Royal League. We play teams like Penns Grove, Salem, Pitts Grove. And we won the championship for the eighth grade girls and the fifth and sixth boys. So, again, give them another round of applause for all their
hard work and dedication. [applause] Oh yeah, bring the banners up. This right here is one of the banners that we were presented with for the championship. >> [applause] >> Madam Clerk. Let's wait a few seconds. We can do it either after after this.
Or before if you want. We can do it after if you like. >> [snorts] >> They're excited. Absolutely. Who wants the keys? Yes. Yes, I think they like the keys. All right, Madam Clerk, shall we move on to regular business?
Yes, ordinances for second reading. Ordinance for second reading item number one, an ordinance amending the salary ordinance. I'd like to make a motion. Second. And there is a public hearing on this ordinance as well. If anybody would like to approach the
podium and speak on this matter, please approach the podium. Seeing no one at the podium. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Ordinances for first reading. Ordinance
for first reading item number one, an ordinance approving and authorizing an application to the Cumberland County Roadway Department for Millville Girls Softball League to hold a coin drop on June 20th, 2026 at the intersections of Buckshutem Road and Cedarville Road. I'd like to make a motion. I second.
Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. >> Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Ordinance for first reading item number two, an ordinance authorizing revisions to sewer surcharge concentration limits, industrial wastewater surcharge calculations, and
elimination of trading credits. I'd like to make a motion. I second. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Let's move to resolutions. Resolution
item number one, resolution certifying the list of volunteer firefighters who have qualified for the length of service program benefits for the year 2025. I'd like to make a motion. Second. And this is a public discussion. If anybody would like to discuss, please approach the podium.
I think it's just a discussion for us. Okay. Let's discuss. >> [laughter] >> It's the length length of service awards for the volunteers that came in for the required calls and training. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor?
Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Resolution item number two, resolution authorizing tax and utility adjustments. >> I'd like to make a motion. Second the motion. Yes, so this is just adjustments such as overages and refunds for the
water sewer. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Resolution item number three, resolution authorizing amendment number two to professional services contract
Multi-Temp Mechanical. Make a motion. Second. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Resolution item number four, resolution
authorizing amendment number one to professional services contract Univar Solutions USA LLC. Make a motion. [snorts] I second. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon?
Yes. Resolution item number five, resolution amending 13-2026 authorizing additional emergency temporary appropriations pending final adoption of the calendar year 2026 budget. I'd like to make a motion. Second. Yes, so this is
looking for an extension for the budget. The pay another 35%. So we don't want to keep doing this. We're getting close to finalizing it. It's not something we want to do. But we have been working hard to try to streamline a lot of
things that were um in that budget. There was tons of line items that probably should been consolidated. And we're just trying to make it easier and more accurate to try to make, you know, hopefully not make any mistakes. This does not affect
any tax base at this point. This is all based on 2025. This is so we can pay the employees health um contractors. It's just paying bills that already from people that's worked or or going to work. Roll call, please.
Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Resolution item number six, resolution authorizing a purchase order to Triad Associates for the preparation and submission of an I-Bank application.
I'd like to make a motion. Second. If this is a contract with Triad, we're looking to try to um Well, we want to go into contract with them so they can they're working on a grant for us. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? Yes. Commissioner
Cossaboon? Yes. Commissioner Rinella? Yes. Mayor Dixon? Yes. Madam Clerk, is there any new business? There is none, Mayor. 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 and your concerns. Please limit
your comments to approximately 5 minutes. Hello. Uh Tanner Dusky. I'm live on Wood Avenue here in Millville. Um to my right is a wall of portraits of Millville's former mayors. Among them, right in that corner right there, that's Benjamin Corson.
He's a former former member of the Millville Historical Society and and the man of for whom Corson Park was named. Uh in 1954 under his mayorality, the Millville Historical Society was revived. His legacy is a reminder that Millville has a history worth preserving
and that is exactly what the Millville Historical Society continues to do. In fact, Mayor Corson's grave will be our first stop at our cemetery tour. And I mentioned to you guys this before, but there's more mayor pictures out there and I want them up.
So the Millville Historical Society's guided walking tour, mausoleums, mayors, and memorials takes place this Saturday at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 601 West Main Street. The tour will run from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Uh the um
which is right after the the citywide um uh yard sale. This Saturday also happens to be um like I said, the citywide yard sale. If you're already out making rounds um Mount Pleasant Cemetery is worth adding to your route. Have you ever wondered
who was entombed in the large stately buildings at Mount Pleasant Cemetery or wanted to discover the final resting places of Millville's many distinguished citizens from the city's history? That is what this tour is designed to answer. Mount Pleasant Cemetery is home not to not only to mayors, but to figures of
state and national significance as well. Edward C. Stokes, who served as Millville's superintendent of public schools before going on to become the 32nd mayor of sorry, the 32nd governor of New Jersey. He's buried there. So is Leon Henderson, a Millville native who served as head of
office of price administration under the President Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency, making him one of the key architects of the nation's wartime economic policy. Their stories and many others will be part of our tour on Saturday. >> [snorts] >> This year carries particular
significance. 2026 marks the 160th anniversary of the opening of Mount Pleasant Cemetery and incorporation of Millville as a city and the and the first mayoral election, that of James Wells. It is a milestone of this year for the city and the this tour reflects that.
As one of your tour guides on Saturday, I will be portraying James Wells, Millville's first official mayor and the first superintendent of Mount Pleasant Cemetery in period costume. Wells was elected in 1866, the same year that the cemetery had opened. His story is woven
throughout the grounds that we will walk. After attending after entering through the cemetery's main arch entrance, proceed to the top of the hill where a small parking lot is located on the left. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. There are several several uneven surfaces throughout the site.
Following the tour, all are welcome at the 1814 Wood Mansion House, 821 Columbia Avenue for refreshments, conversation, and a pictorial history of Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Mansion tours will be available upon request. This event is free and open to everyone with donation and donations are
appreciated. We hope to see you out there. One final note, the forecast for this Saturday is not looking great. If the tour needs to be canceled due to rain, a new a new date will be announced immediately on the Millville Historical Society's Facebook page. But as right
now, the tour is on. And yeah, thank you very much. Thanks sir. Hi, Cindy Cook, Millville. Just a reminder. Tomorrow, Millville is going to be very
very busy. We have over 800 students coming to participate in the Teen Arts Festival representing Cumberland County and Cape May County. Now, this is 800
over 800 students, let alone the parents that will be coming to view their children as they're being adjudicated for their performing arts. They will be on High Street, on Buck
Street, and on Pine Street. The different show. The sign-ups are on Pine Street next to the LeVoy. So, I just wanted to remind everybody if you're in Millville, be extremely careful. Sometimes these kids get very excited as
they're rushing from one class to another or to go get judged. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um My name is Journey Stubbs. I'm 12 and I live in Millville. On the financial bill for the Associated
Human Humane in society, we paid $17,940 for animal holding services in the month of April. Are we still paying the Vineland shelter? Are we going to contract with a new animal shelter to hold the strays? Do you have an
impression of the cost of a new shelter? In the meantime, what will we do with the stray animals around the neighborhoods? I have two topics. They There are many ar arbors. For example, chip drop. Um
My pros and cons are they're free, they are small company, they bring a lot of chips and all natural. The con they're not black chips and I seen outside that they had black chips. Chips are a lot. I tried to find the
price on the financial bill list. D&R was all I found and it that was $13,338 on the financial bill. Um This could be supported by small companies and help taxes get lowered and
it's much healthier for the environment. Um Thank you. I'm Tamara Davis. I'm I'm still hoping to have an answer to my questions regarding the the one particular bill for the signs and as well as the certificate of funds.
And in addition, I have two other things to mention. Um At the work session, from what I saw on the recording, Mr. Cott, you mentioned something about getting the resolutions at the last minute and you know, for the commissioners to review, which I can understand, but maybe
possibly if you could include a time limit from when you get the resolutions, so you as commissioners can review them in due time for the work session, so you have the information. As much as I understand that the work session is for the commissioners and for you to discuss if you have a project or whatever you're
passionate about and you want to get that resolution or the information in due time, so you yourself can present it. So, possibly have the information given to you prior to a work session, maybe 24 or 48 hours to the meeting, rather than the night before. You
mentioned that the information comes to you the night before, so make a cut-off. I know a lot of Board of Educations work that way. Like they have certain dates where they cut off anything that would go on the agenda at a certain point. And then if it doesn't make it by that cut-off, it has to wait for the next
meeting. So, I'm just giving you that suggestion to help you for the sake of getting more you know, having the information available at least to you for the work session. Um >> [clears throat] >> Prior to the meeting, there was a one of the basketball mothers was sitting in
front of me and she had wanted to speak at the end of the meeting, but she was a bit shy, so she had asked me to mention this. I'm not going to mention her name. So, she lives on Coventry Way, which is by the high school. She has a complaint that there is a lot
of cars and it's it's a dead end cul-de-sac. And there she's mentioning a lot of cars speed down that road and it's a very dense street with houses and cars parked. It's so Non-residents of that street tend to
speed down that road and spin their ways around the the the cul-de-sac and it's sometimes almost hitting children that are playing and or other vehicles that are parked there. She also mentions that the street is not well lit. And she's concerned for the safety of
her children and the other children that live on that particular street. She mentioned that she has called the police about it. Um She does not blame the police for anything, but she wants to make it an issue and make it known to you. So, I'm just passing on the
message. So, because she had asked me to and there's no reason for me not to. So, there you go. Um and that's it. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Davis. >> Thank you. Thank you. Mary Messick of Millville. First of all, I'd like to thank
this commission for I don't know which department did it, but they did sit there and kind of put a little bit of a better lighting system up in the area by the pump house there uh
on Sunset. Don't know which department it is, but whatever department it is, please thank them for me. It has helped some. The other thing of it is, I'm grateful that this commission is actually paying
attention to our city's history and not forgetting it. I've said it I don't know how many commissions ago and I'll keep saying it until somebody paid attention and finally someone has paid attention.
This town or city, borough, whatever you want to call us, has a great history. And for some odd reason has always been swept under the rug.
Now, it's finally coming to light. We're finally speaking about our history. I've always said, you look to the past to learn. You live in the present and you dream
and work for the future. We've got the best of all that we can have. We've got people that are zilliant, resilient. They're willing to volunteer. They're
willing to give it their all. We've seen it many a times through Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Katrina, Andrew, the whole nine yard bit, even past fires.
We've seen it where we came together and we developed Code Blue, which became the nation's guideline to how a Code Blue should run. This shows Millville has what it takes
to go and grow and go forth. But it can't do it if we're not going to sit there and acknowledge it. And I'm so glad. Unfortunately, J.D. Burke and his crew had to sit there and go.
But it's great that we're honoring our kids, our youth, because our youth is our future. They're going to be come maybe the next leaders.
And they can't do it unless we sit there and stand behind them. And for this, I thank youse. Thank you, Mary. Thank you, Mary. >> Not seeing anyone at the podium, I will close the public comment portion of the meeting.
And we shall move on to comments of final comments of commissioners. Let's start with Commissioner Taylor. So, I agree with Mary. Our kids are our future. You know, we definitely definitely have to get behind our children and our uh juvenile programs.
I think our history is great. You're absolutely right, Mary. We have a great history here in this town. This town was built on sand and glass, you know? And Mr. Dusky, you're doing a fabulous job over there at the Historical Society.
Um I think a mayor wall is a great idea. I think he should be able to go on he should come here and fix it. Mayor wall, Commissioner wall, it you know, we need to dress it up a little bit and be proud of our history, you know? We don't need
Our history shouldn't be in a box in a corner somewhere. It should be on the wall where everybody can see it. Um you know, we this commission here is all about that. Like we are all excited about, you know, about certain things.
Um I when I had my storage area out to the 15th Street, the uh ice wagon was in in our storage area, and we needed to move it.
So, it took us about 6 hours, a forklift, some 6 by 6s and a and we moved it very gingerly, me and Sergeant Static from the police department. And uh you guys came in and just pushed it, wheeled it right up on a thing like, "Oh, yeah, okay, you know."
And so, you know, but I heard it looks amazing. I got to get over there and see it, cuz I saw it from what it was and you know, but we definitely, you know, we need to look at our future and our past is great, and I
think our future's going to be great. That's all I got. Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Commissioner Renello. Um yeah, uh Cindy, I want to thank you for bringing up the Teen Arts Festival. Um That is a really
amazing thing to see on High Street. All of these uh young men and women uh running around and enjoying what we have on High Street. Um And they're enthusiastic, and I know the Riverfront uh the RRCA uh sets up all
sorts of activities for them, and they have a blast. And there's smiles uh for miles, basically. Uh Mr. Dusky, uh thank you for coming up here uh and constantly reminding us and the public, and I I try to include I I try to include every time uh for the
Millville Historical Society. It's really exciting to see that energy, and we feel it. Uh Uh the young lady who came up, I am so sorry I didn't catch your name. Um I'd like to thank you. I think it's incredibly brave uh for you to come up to that podium at your age.
Um I love when young people come up here, and they are passionate, and uh we do hear you, and I would actually like to talk to you for a moment, because I was having a little trouble hearing you. So, I just want to clarify a few things that you had said. Um
Miss Davis, uh Coventry Way, I know you were repeating that for the another lady. Um and if that lady is watching, um I will personally go out there to look at the lighting situation uh to see if any light bulbs are out and report them if they are. Um I know that myself
and a school board member, uh Mr. Jeff Lambert, uh have spent he spent a lot more time out there than I do on Wade Boulevard cleaning it up. Uh but we did we did observe uh some of the the speeding that goes on uh throughout there. Um and maybe we could, you know, get
that looked at as well. >> talk to the chief tomorrow. Yeah. I have something to add on that, too. And uh Mary, uh Ms. Massek, um the youth are our future. Uh The youth is everything here, and it's exciting uh to see so many community
leaders working with our youth, and uh we should recognize them every opportunity that we get. So, with that, thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Renello. Commissioner Cossabone. All right, I'm basically going to highlight what the rest of the board has
said. Uh I want to thank J.T. for what he's done for our youth. Um The their involvement, the coaches, their time, you are setting a role model for our future, because these kids are our future. We are the role models. That's
why we need to act like the adults sometimes to show you guys, because what he's doing for our youth is wonderful. Uh Yeah, also to the young lady that got up and spoke, I did not get your name, but thank you. Thank you for your passion,
and it takes a lot to get up there and talk. I it certainly does, and I'm very proud of you. And your mom your parents should be proud of you, also. So, yes, I'd like to hear what you have to say. Um Let me see, Tanner. I can't wait. I'm hoping it doesn't rain.
Uh we got the coaches. The gazebo does look very nice. I was there Friday night. And that's I think that's about it. And Mary, yes. Mary, thank you. Thank you for all your positivity to reinforce for us. We need to hear that. It's hard sometimes. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner Cossabone. Vice Mayor Cottrell. I know we can almost uh just rewind and keep playing, right? But um it's too important not to just keep thanking you guys. Uh Tanner, I'm looking forward to seeing what you look like as a first mayor. Um
It is supposed to rain, so I'll I'll be watching your your Facebook to see if they get canceled. Uh hopefully you give us enough time um before you cancel, but weather permitting, I do walk through that cemetery often, and I do wonder exactly what you say, "Oh, who's in that
grave site?" Uh some of them are ginormous, and I would like to learn a little bit more about that, but thank you for doing that. Um that Teen Arts Festival, I've worked it. I've been part of it. That is amazing. It's just a great day of teens
out there being teens and learning and going up and down High Street in different businesses. And it is very fascinating to watch the work that they do, the efforts that they do, and just watch the joy that they get from from that day. Um I love watching
it. Um Ms. Stubbs, great job. Like that's crazy. Good job. Um we are very proud of you for coming up here. Uh the animal shelter, uh we're still working on it.
Everything's still good on our end. Um we're doing what we can do, but trust us. We will not leave any animal unattended or or not cared for. So, whether the future holds them or somewhere else, uh we won't do anything unless we're making sure um all the
animals are taken care of. So, um the other part, the mulch, I'll let that defer to Commissioner Renello. >> That's what I'm trying to do. Um Also, May 4th, uh the Hope Center is having a big community event.
Um they are bringing the complete care mobile unit along with a lot of other things coming. If Tanner wishes to dress up like Star Wars, you may on But it's not just open to the homeless and anybody that needs medical service
is able to take care of take advantage of that. So, if you know anybody that's struggling, just, you know, with with medical expenses or need to see a doctor or something, tell them to come out there that day. Um The the work sessions, I I know it seems
like it's the day before. Um and I know you know, a lot of places have their stuff before that, but most places don't have a work session like we do. Um so, we actually get the agenda out 7 days before this meeting.
So, we sort of forget that a little bit. We do try to cut off resolutions and everything by Tuesday is our goal. Uh we also try to do legal review on Wednesday, and we try to have the agenda by Thursday morning. Do things happen?
Sure. This is a city of Millville, and there's a lot of moving parts, but we do try to do that. And that way, the commissioners can look at the agenda prior to Tuesday, when they can learn um from the professionals that are here, along with their administrator, and ask
any questions that they want for as long as they want on that day, and then still have a whole weekend plus Monday and all of Tuesday to ask any questions throughout the day. So, there is 7 days of preparation, and there's only 2 weeks in between meetings.
So, I I mean, we can't go a lot farther than that, otherwise we're just running into a meeting. So, we are trying. That is something that's never been done before that we enacted this year to try to give commissioners more than an hour between a work session and a meeting. Now, they have four days
between the work session and the meeting to try to ask any more follow-up questions after they leave. So, I'm very proud that we're doing that. I think that's doing great. I feel like the commissioners have a lot more time than prior to make informed decisions. So, I'm proud where we're going and I think
we're doing a great job on that. Um that's all I have, man. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor Cott. Uh where to start? Um first, if you were here or tuning in to see comments on the data center ban, I just want to update anybody tuning in
who didn't see the work session. Um we were waiting for word back from the planning board. Um the what the planning board does is they review consistency with the master plan. The ordinance that went out, is it consistent with the master plan? They
got back to us and told us that it was the board the ban on data centers was consistent with the master plan. The vote was 8 to 1 in favor of consistency with the master plan. The letter came back from our planning board attorney on Wednesday that didn't
give us enough time for public to publish for the needs 10 days. And that's why it's not on today's agenda. So, we'll be on the May 5th agenda [clears throat] and we will vote on it then. Um just want to let everybody know why that isn't on there.
Um some things that I was able to attend. I the Millville Girls Softball League on Sunday, April 12th, I was able to go out there with Sam Cruz and do the first pitch. What a wonderful group of girls that are playing softball. I think it's about 150 girls out there. It's
great to see so many youth involved in rec sports in Millville. Uh it was a great time. Did you throw a strike? It was an underhanded pitch and it went over the plate and it was caught. Okay. It wasn't pretty, but uh My pitch [snorts] was better.
It It might have been. It might have been. Um but I didn't see you at the Millville Little League um this past week. >> game with my grandson. >> I'm afraid that you missed it. I personally high-fived 205 young baseball
players and that was quite the fun, especially when you got to the T-ball kids who they were they were supposed to run out, high-five us, and get a pack of baseball cards. And when you get down to the three and four-year-olds, they just start running in every direction and it was pretty funny and I had a great time.
And to I think they have a new president out there and I'm sorry I don't remember their names uh president, vice president. They did a a phenomenal job organizing the event for opening day and I had a great time doing that. Um was I also able to attend Genesis, our long-term care facility here. They had
their 40-year anniversary. I was able to give a a proclamation from uh Congressman Van Drew and from myself and our county commissioners were there. It was a nice event. They had a It was not what I expected. There was champagne and and
roasted pigs and all kinds of I walked in not expecting anything fancy, but it was very fancy. I felt very out of place. Um but it was a great event and Genesis is a a a big part of our our our community in the sense that we need somewhere in our community where
we take care of our sick for long-term and it's a great facility and it was good to see there's so many people there that have been there for a long time. They give flowers out to um you know, 20 years, 30 years, some people 40 years they worked there since
the very beginning. It's pretty amazing all the how long some of the people that worked there were. So, that was a great event. Um let's see. Um Tanner, always great seeing your face out there. I want to jump on the bandwagon there and and yes, I think
that wall over there would be great for mayor's pictures. Yes, let's get it let's get it happening. >> [laughter] >> Um let's see. One last thing I want to talk about is we are working very hard. You know, you look on social media
and I see a lot of people talk about how dirty the city is. There's trash here, trash there. We worked very hard this week. This was probably one of the first weeks where um I felt really happy at the end of the one of
the days that I was here because it felt like we made progress on something. And um we're working toward a system where we can reliably clean up litter and trash and dumping where it's not going to be departments point, it's your job, it's
your job, it's not our job, which happens a lot because and it's not because nobody wants to do the work, it's because of how things are funded and how ordinances are written and not ordinances, but how department rules work on whose job it is to do certain things. And we've spent a lot of time this week with the business administrator
clearing up things and streamlining things to where this city's going to get cleaned up. It really is. High Street and the UEZ zone is already on the way. The clean team is doing a great job. We stopped by the other day and watched what they were doing and they're doing a phenomenal two guys who
just go up and down the UEZ zone and clean it up. Love it. Um we're working on the other areas of the city. And we need to have some pride in the city. This is a cool city. And it's going to keep getting cooler over the next four years.
And we need to somehow spread the word that we have to have pride in the way we take care of the city. I just saw today somebody said they caught somebody on camera dumping trash. And I believe it's a $5,000 fine for
dumping. Um we're going to be updating ordinances to make the penalties um if you're dumping and littering we want to get you. So, we're working on that. It takes time just like anything in the city, but we want people to have you know, I'm tired
of seeing the social media posts about how the city is you know, I'm not going to use the words I see. This can be a great city once again. We are working toward it. We're working toward more police. We're working toward I know Commissioner Renello and
Commissioner and Vice Mayor Cott have been working with the homeless. They did a phenomenal job two weeks ago. I think they're going to be out there again doing the same thing soon. Everything that we've talked about during the campaign is on the way to happening. Economic development, 51
projects Joe Caucci works on, our economic development director. He works I've looked at the it's it's a very busy amount of projects he's working on. Things are moving in the right direction in the city. They really are. And as the city gets cleaned up um we want people
to have pride in it. So, if if there's not dump zones all over the place hopefully people say, "Hey, let's keep it clean." And we're going to be having initiatives toward that that people start to have pride, hopefully start to have pride in the city and we move toward a point
where people can look in the city and and you don't see those types of comments on on social media, which uh which which actually hurts to see. It really does. Um and as always, I want to thank the city employees who work very hard in every department. They all work hard. Everyone
works hard. We're here to see it. Um you know, we I see what these city employees do. Um and I'm very impressed with how hard they work and their dedication to their jobs. And as always, I want to thank the commissioners. Every meeting I always thank you guys for your um dedication to the city and to doing a
good job in your departments. We work This is the Like I always say, this is the most present and engaged commission that I think has been around in a long time. And I'm proud of you all and I thank you all. All right, with that can I get a motion to adjourn? Like to
make a motion. Second. Roll call, please. Commissioner Taylor? Yes. Vice Mayor Cott? >> Yes. Commissioner Cosaboom? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Renello? Yes. >> Mayor Dixon? Yes.