meeting of the Monroe Township Council is now called to order on this date of August 4th. Would you all please rise? Thank you. Our police academy graduates
Left there left. [Music] Last, please. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> You all may be seated. >> Now I need to do this. >> Will the clerk please call our role? >> Councilman Charles Dapiro >> here.
>> Councilman Michael Markel >> here. >> Councilwoman Rupa P. Seagull >> here. Council Vice President Terrence Van Derza >> here >> and Council President Miriam Cohen >> here. Would you please read the Sunshine Law into the record? >> Sure. In accordance with the Open Public
Meetings Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the minutes of this meeting that adequate notice has been provided by the following. One, posted on the bulletin boards within the within the municipal building on December 27th, 2024 and remains posted
at that location for public inspection. two printed in the Home News Tribune and the Cranberry Press on December 27th, 2024. Three, posted on the Monroe Township website and four sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.
In accordance with chapter 3, section 17 of the Monroe Township Code, public comment shall be limited to five minutes unless further time is granted by the council president. >> Thank you. Item five on our agenda is National Fentanel Prevention and
Awareness Day. There is a proclamation to that effect. The date is August 21st, 2025. We next are honored to have a presentation recognizing the Monroe Township Police Youth Academy graduates.
Officer McCann, please. Hello. Thank you for having us. Thank you very much everybody for coming out. Uh the stars of the show, the the girls and guys that you have sitting right there in the first and second row. Um they're the best part of this town. Um, this is our favorite week of the year uh
for a police department is that I look forward to this week and us as a police department look forward to this week every year. Um, we have 15 kids here right now, but we had 47 that graduated the Monroe Township Youth Police Academy. Uh, I understand that people
have busy schedules and lives outside of uh the Youth Police Academy. So, it is okay, but I'm very happy uh to see the turnout that we have right now. um the 15 kids that you see in front of you uh and the other ones who are not here necessarily tonight, they are the stars.
Um they are the future of this town and not only this town but this world. Um I'm very proud of them. I'm proud to know them. They make us better. Um there are about 1500 kids of their age within this town that could participate
in this youth academy. Uh we had about 53 apply and then 47 graduate. Um I am beyond proud to to get to know them and they are going to be the leaders of this world. Um they deserve to be recognized
and uh thank you Chief Beos uh and the whole police department and the town itself for letting us have this. As long as I'm here, I promise you it'll get bigger and better each year. Um so let's give him a round of applause. But thank you very much and we'll see you next year as well.
[Applause] >> Yep. >> I gather we have had a request from the police that we take a five minute resource this moment. after the next presentation. >> I did I'm
>> have the next presentation. Thank you. And we are going to Mr. Mayor. We have the honor of having our mayor present uh regarding recogni the camp directors and recognizing Monroe Township summer recreation camp
directors. Sir, please. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you, Madame Council President. I'd like to call up our uh superintendent for recreation, Mary Lang, to join me at this uh particular time. Mayor, since I got you up here, mayor, I'm going to I'm going to for the price
of two here, price of one. Um I just want to uh say that July 2025 was Park and Recreation Month. Uh, and one of my handy dandy proclamations here for you. Uh, you can put it up at home on your
refrigerator. Um, or obviously share it with everyone at at our community center. We're all so uh so proud of what you do there. And uh, just a just a little bit of a token there. >> Don't go anywhere.
So, so it's one of the big things, right, that our wreck department does is summer camp. And if you have participated in summer camp or if your children have
participated in summer camp, you know that when school ends, you're like, "Uhoh, what are we going to do?" Don't worry. The Monroe Wreck Department knows what to do. Our wreck program um and their summer camp has just been
amazing year after year. So besides the summer camp, we have our Mount Se. And I get to visit the camp every year. And I'm just, you know, much like the detective was proud of of all of the
cadetses here, I'm just proud of of everyone involved with our um camp program. And we want to call up and recognize some of our allstars. First, I'm going to call up from uh the rec camp charm and Sam. So, if you want to
come on up and I'm just going to just going to read off the highlights here, please. It's all good. So, we would certainly like to acknowledge Charm and Sam who have taken our summer wreck camp to new heights
over the past two years. Our director, Charm and Sam. Charm came to us with experience working with various camps and schools. And by the first interview, the parks and rec staff immediately knew Charm was meant to be for the director
position. That's impressive. As a camp director, Charm's excitement, desire for inclusivity, and creativity have really created an exciting environment for our summer rec campers and staff.
Sam, assistant director, has ro risen through the ranks of the summer camp, starting as a camper and worked as a counselor in training, counselor, supervisor, and ultimately our assistant director. Now, that's impressive, too.
The staying power and the ability to move up, baby. It's all good. It's all good. Sam's knowledge as both a camper and staff member is integral to his ability to organize work with staff and campers and create new and fun activities for campers both on site and
away at trips. Charm and Sam bring different experiences to the table and their heart for children and combined vision making every camp experience meaningful, fun, and empowering for all of our campers. Overseeing a program of about
800 campers over four sites is no small feat and we are continually excited to see what Charm and Sam have in store for us next year. Thank you so so very much. Let's hear for Charm and Sam.
So Mount Sep, I'd like to call up Joan and Debbie. Didn't I tell you the other day I'd see you soon? I don't know if you heard that. >> Did. >> Okay. So, we would like to acknowledge two people have made a powerful and lasting impact on the lives of so many
children and families for a combined 60 plus years. Our incredible Mount SEA camp directors Joan and Debbie. Joan and Debbie lead with heart, patience, and deep understanding what true inclusion means.
Through their vision and dedication, this camp has become a place where every child feels safe, seen, valued, and empowered to be themselves. Whether it's adapting facilities uh activities to fit every ability,
training staff to be compassionate leaders, or simply being steady, supportive presence, Joan and Debbie bring kindness and purpose into every corner of this camp. as a liaison for the recreation advisory board representing Mount Sip. But Joan
works tirelessly not just during the summer but throughout the year at monthly board meetings to make the programming as great as it is is constantly advocating for the needs of the campers and staff behind the scenes in the off season as well as during the
summer. We are so very grateful and honored to acknowledge um Joan and Debbie and we thank them for their years of service. Let's give them a give them a and I stand before you. Yes, as the mayor, but I stand before you as a
parent who attended Mount Sa. Both of my boys went there. Both of them were counselors. And just to see over the years, my my many years here in Monroe Township, being the mayor now, to go back and see the value added um
programming, what they do for our children of Monroe Township. Again, thank you all so so very very much. Madame President, I would thank you now. And if you want to take a moment for photos, I think this would be an appropriate time.
>> Time. Thank you. >> Folks, we'll take five minute recess so we can all get pictures and then we will reconvene. Five, which is the ordinances for introduction at the August 4th, 2025
regular meeting with the deputy clerk. Please read the ordinance. >> Sure. Ordinance 8 2025 019. It's a bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of North Disbro Hill Road for use as open space in and by the Township of
Monroe in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey appropriating 2,635,000. Therefore, in authorizing the issuance of $2,59,500 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof.
>> The next ordinance, please. Ordinance 08202520. Ordinance to acquire by negotiated agreement and donation real property known and designated as tax block 2 lot one and block 3 lot 25 on the official
tax map of the township of Monroe, Middle Sex County, New Jersey, located off North Disbro Hill Road for open space and recreation purposes. >> Thank you. Item six is resolutions Oh, I missed a third. I only have two.
>> Oh, ordinance 08 2025 021. >> It's not on my agenda. >> And ordinance amending chapter 108, article 6, zoning district regulations for the reszoning of highway development district along Butcher Road.
>> Thank you. Item six is resolutions for consideration under the consent agenda at the August 4th meeting RA2025-150 through RA2025-170. Council, having reviewed these, are there any that you like to bring to the
attention? Yes, please. >> Thank Thank you, Council President. >> You're welcome. R8 2025-158 R8 2025-163 and the last one's R8 2025-164
>> Thank you. Anyone else? We move to the public comment section of the agenda meeting. Please remember it is limited to agenda items only. 5 minutes per speaker. May I have a motion to open public comments?
>> Motion. >> Thank you. A second on that. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Anyone wishing to address the council, please come forward now stating your name and address for our records. >> George Conungleman Monroe.
Um in the consent agenda item 168 um the uh I wasn't able to access the details of
the agreement. Uh I just got the the outline of the of the uh of the ordinance. So I'd like to know what's in the agreement. Um, I'm concerned about uh where the town stands
and its financial uh we we've talked about this thing for a couple of years here and originally it was thought that we were going to be able to hold BFI responsible for the roughly $5 million the township has spent in rectifying the
condition that they left for us. uh what does the agreement do with that? Uh are we getting any compensation and who inherits the the ongoing uh liability for the site? >> So
the answer to the question is is what the agreement does is this is as you know there's a lawsuit BFI has sued the township. The township has counter claimed for their cost. BFI has sued for their costs. This first settles the lawsuit. The second thing it does is it transfers it will ultimately end up in
the transfer of the ownership and all of the responsibility for the landfill to a company who is going to build a community solar project on the landfill and it takes BFI out of it completely. So right now um the landfill is owned by
the township and it's operated by BFI in accordance with um a probably 30 or 40year-old agreement that included the township BFI and the federal government. So we'll be getting BFI out of the equation completely. We will then have a
the community solar uh project there um and we'll enter into a redevelopment agreement for that purpose. We don't have the complete financial details of the redevelopment agreement yet, but the way the township would always recapture its costs with regards to any u sewer
infrastructure is based upon how it is the um restructure the industrial sewer charge. So that's that's probably the methodology we'll use to collect that money. Um >> so the costs are going to be passed on to users, >> the industrial users and they're
>> they're one. >> We don't have many. The landfill is one. That's not true. The landfill is an industrial user. >> So, how many years is it estimated it'll take to recover the $5 million the townships taxpayers have spent?
>> They Well, the taxpayers spent it, but they they haven't paid it, right? Because they borrowed the money. So, the answer is >> the same thing. >> It I'll tell you why it's not. If we recover if it we pay it over 30 years and we recover it over 30 years the taxpayers are made whole. >> It's the difference between the
taxpayers having paid >> 30 year recover for the outlay >> correct >> of of that roughly $5 million. >> Correct. And ultimately we'll have to get to you know Mr. Stroins >> is that with interest or there's no calculation of interest.
>> I don't think that we crunch the numbers that way. >> Well at 5% it would double in 20 years. Correct. >> If it was 5%. >> Yeah. So, we'd have to recover approximately um what 15 million.
>> That's not true. The bond was $3 million. So, let's let's we're Yes. Well Well, if we assume that the $3 million bond is $5 million and we assume that the $3 million we borrowed was5 million and if we assume the interest
rate is twice what we think it is, then your numbers are correct. But all of those assumptions I don't necessarily think are correct. >> What what assumptions are that? >> Your assumption that the amount of the bond and the amount of the interest rate I don't think are correct. >> Okay. >> So that what I'm saying is that we're I
don't have those numbers. So we haven't we haven't gotten into that detail yet because we're a while away from before we'll get to a point where we have to strike any kind of rate. Um, so >> what assurance do we have that D is going to be on board with any of this?
>> So this is not the first time that this has been done. It's a it's a program that actually is sponsored and encouraged by D. Um, and the onus for getting the approval is on the solar um, company that's going to build Glenn. It's not there's no cost to us to do the
permitting. They're going to do all of it and they've done it before. Uh, South Brunswick and Mount Olive are two places that it's been done before for sure. Um, so it's not this is not like we we >> are those sites that are having problems similar to the problem that we've had.
>> I well they're not having problem they're not having problems now. I don't know if they were having problems before. >> Okay. >> But the problem with landfills is as long as as you you know because you understand this this side of it a little bit is the longer you own a landfill the more the more you have liability. I mean
landfills are liability. we're we are offloading a liability to another private company. We're not going to be the owner anymore. We're not going to be the responsible party. They're going to def, you know, hold us harmless and defend us from all of those costs. So, that's a good thing. We still have our regulatory responsibility because we
still have a health department. We still have an engineering department. We still have MTUD, but we won't have the financial responsibility that'll be offloaded to another company. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Uh I don't have any time. You don't have any job. >> Okay.
>> It would be such a shame. I'd like to know what what what in the world a non-comandation development area is, but I guess we won't find out. >> We will find out. >> It's an area that's designated as an area in need of redevelopment, but the town's not authorized to use its condemnation powers.
>> Pretty simple. >> That was a bonus answer. [Laughter] >> Me too. your name and address 7 Monarch Road, Monroe Township. Uh
this is kind of a thought process of an item that I want to bring to your attention. Uh there are several items on here uh resolution 154 56 and 7 that total $129,000
for resolutions to authorize and repair for MTUD Municipal Utility Department. Now that's this month. Every month there seems to be requests for payments
for repairs to equipment. Now, I understand because I'm going to recommend this, and it might not be prudent to even recommend this, but I'm a believer of reserves.
And I know reserves increased tax rates, but I believe that these things should be funded through a reserve rather than a pay as you go basis because I don't understand without combing through the financials,
how we pay for this 209,000 that's this month whether or not and what line item it comes off in our budget. If it's already a line item out item that this is applied to that doesn't exceed the
budget, then I'm out of order by saying I'm not really out of order. My recommendation is not important. Can can something like that be answered? >> Can they? >> So, uh, council president, I may ask u
Mr. trying to come and and elaborate, but you're correct. When when these items, not just at MTUD, but at DPW and other places, >> anyone that's correct >> when they are budgeted for during our budget and they come out of our operating budget, they are already a line item. They were an anticipated
expense and now we are spending from those budgets. If it was a capital item that we took out an ordinance to finance, then it would be coming out of that account. So I'm I'm not sure if that answers your question, but >> it it kind of because I always believe in establishing reserves for these
things. Uh but if the but if it's already been calculated in the budget, then in essence, then in essence, it is a reserve because you've estimated what these extra items are going to cost during the course of a year.
>> Sure, Council President. There's always that analysis in the writing of every budget uh based on history, experience, and expertise about what what we anticipate we might need in terms of repair costs. And sometimes we are overestimate, sometimes we
underestimate, but we do our best to get >> it's very important for u any kind of business entity. And even though we are a municipality, we are a business, we run as a business. Uh I believe reserves are essential for the long-term stability of any operation or any
organization. And therefore, you know, I just want to be on top of the fact that anything that we have in a resolution is already been provided for in the estimate in the budget. So, I thank you. >> You're welcome. With the reminder that we have a double
A+ bond rating, which would be I know you know that which would be evidence of the fact that we have responsible budgeting and planning going on. Ma'am, please your name and address for our records. >> Deborah Schneider, 23 Harwood. Um, quick
question on 153. Uh, almost $162,000 for paper bags seems like an awful lot of money. What quantity are we talking here? >> The grass bands. >> Um, so, Council President, I know that
uh, Pabco was the only bidder the last time we went out to bid, and I think that's true for the last couple cycles that we've gone out to bid. There is a provision in the um contract that we have with them that we can extend this year and if we choose to we can the
council can extend next year before we would go out to bid the following year. I just have to check through the resolution to see if it lists how many uh bags exactly. But this is the common cost that we've had over a period of time and they were not just the low bidder but the only bidder in this
regard. >> Don't you think a little bit more research needs to be done? I mean, geez, $161,000 for paper bags. >> Correct. And council president, part of our part of our clean communities grant uh which was this year is $132,000,
which was which was higher than many other towns got um part of that much of that is we need can go to and has gone to pay uh for this expense. So, it's uh it's it's a large town. It's 43 square miles with 50,000 residents. So, this is
the this is the lowest possible price we could get. There's there's nothing lower out there. >> Well, I still like to know how many bags that is for. And have you ever considered charging maybe 10 15 cents a bag to the consumer on the other end?
>> The consumer being the residents. >> I apologize. I don't have the exact number of bags uh in front of me. I can certainly get you that information, but >> I'd like that information. Yes, >> we are uh not looking to add an additional cost onto our our residents who are our consumers.
>> Well, tell me about it. I got my tax bill. Um my second question is um the open space for 1920 and 21, were those increases included in this tax bill or would that be our next year's tax bill? And what are you anticipating an
increase again of in the open space tax? I don't think there is an open I don't think there is an anticipated increase in the open space tax. >> There is not. >> We just got one. >> There's there was no increase in the open space tax. >> There was no increase in the open >> Excuse me. We did get one. >> I >> No, the rate of the open space tax has
stayed the same. Right. >> Well, I went from paying last year a minimum of $152. I am now up to $1646. So, there was an increase. >> There was no increase in the rate. So, it would have to be increase in your assessed value. It's based upon an increase in your
assessed value. The rate has the rate is fixed every year. I don't know how how many pennies is it? It's >> 0005ents. >> The the municipal space tax did not increase for 2025's budget.
>> Okay. But if you could get back to me on on the bags, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to address this, please come forward now. Good evening, Michelle Armin Nathaniel Street. On resolution,
>> sorry I just got in, but uh in case this resolution was already discussed, I still have a couple questions. Uh 168, the BFI resolution. >> Sure. Okay. So my first question is will there
be continued monitoring uh monitoring of the release of methane gas? >> Yes. >> Okay. So that's >> that's done in in accordance with the environmental permits. >> But who will be doing who will be responsible for that? >> The the the owner of the landfill will be responsible for >> the new owner of the landfill.
>> Okay. And the percentage of the super fund that has been remediated. I thought it was a relatively small percentage as I recollect, but do we have that number? Does >> the Well, the answer is is that it's it's all been remediated and it is and
the there's a closure plan in place, so there's not new remediation that's happening. >> I I thought when when we were having the trouble a couple years ago with this that one of the uh because I was at I was at the site with others. Um, sure. I thought it was only 25% remediated.
>> I think you're I think you're referring to the cap. I think that the the cap that is in place is the cap that that D required. You're not you're not when you say remediate, I think what you're talking about is that there was numbers kicked around that it's only 25% of it is hard
capped, but whatever the cap is is what was done as a result of the super fund designation. And >> so everything is still in the soil. There's never been any soil taken out or anything like that. So leech it can still occur. Is that correct? >> Right. And that's why there's leech pumping. That's why we built a new pump
station to make sure that the lee is there. And this company will be responsible for all of that system. >> Okay. And everything that we've done to date um since you know a couple years ago when they saw the leech and everything that has been the cost to Monroe Township. Is that correct?
>> Correct. And that's >> how much is that? >> Well, the answer is I don't I don't know what the exact number is. I don't know if if if Kevin does, but it's a cost to maintain the public health. So, yes, the answer is we've incurred those costs. >> Not objecting. I'm just asking. >> And we and those are costs that, as I indicated, you probably weren't here
when I asked answer the question a couple of minutes ago, those costs to be captured in an industrial charge that will apply. >> Industrial charge to who? >> Industrial users, this being one of them. overall. Oh, first of all, can we
answer the question whe if if if um Mr. McGawan knows how much we've spent? >> Yeah, it's a between the pump station and the force main uh both hard and soft soft cost together, it's about 4.1 million. >> Okay. And wasn't there a promise that
BFI would be paying that cost? We would be getting reimbursed. >> No, I think there was a promise that we would be seeking it. But what we got, which is in all due respect better, is that we got somebody else to take the entire liability for the landfill. So over the course of time, the the
township actually saves a substantial amount of money. >> How much has it been calculated? >> Well, it's I don't think that I want to publicly calculate what I think the potential liability risk is for owning a landfill, but I think anybody who owns a landfill who can get rid of it and not have the responsibility for it
understands that it's avoiding a sub. You know, there's there's one way to one way to get money is to get it. The other way is to avoid having to spend it. >> But we don't we never owned that landfill. >> We absolutely always own the land. >> You did own the landfill. Yes, the landfill is owned by is has always been
it was started by and owned by the township and BFI was deemed actually republic and then BFI, their successor, was the responsible party. So, we are the owner of that landfill, which means we're always on the hook, which means if BFI went out of business, we would be
completely responsible. We are now going to sell and be held harmless for all of the liability with regards to the landfill. It's a substantial savings now and into the future on behalf of the >> So, the township is selling this property. >> Yes, we're actually pretty much giving
it away cuz, you know, you really can't sell a landfill. >> So, that's what I'm saying. We're not re we're not recouping any any of these. >> No, not in this transaction. So, we're on the hook for 4.1 million until such time in the future, you say?
>> No, because well, the $4.1 million was spent under a bond ordinance and we're paying X a year and I don't know what the >> No, I understand that. It's still we're paying >> over the course of the period of time that we have to pay off the bond will we'll be recapturing the money to cover the bond cost.
>> You said but from whom, sir? from industrial users of the system, not residential users, >> industrial users of that particular system or in general? >> The system in general >> and the system on specific to Monroe or county or state?
>> No, no, no. This is Monroe. We set our rate here. >> So, we have an industrial system established a fund. >> Well, one of the thing we have an industrial system established. No, we have a utilities established, but we can set rates for different classes of users.
Okay, >> which is what we'll be doing. >> So users who are not responsible for this are going to be paying it off. >> I think that there's only one that is responsible and it's them. I think they're the only industrial user. >> Oh >> yeah. >> Okay. Can we find some time calculate
how much that will be to to us? >> Calculate how much money we're going to save over the next 30 years of not owning the landfill. >> Time is now off at this section. We'll come back again in the next question. Anyone else wishing to address the council, please come forward now. Seeing
and hearing none, I'd like to make a have a motion to close the public comment section, please. >> Motion. >> Thank you. May I have a second on that? >> Second. >> All in favor of closing the public comment section. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nay. May I have a motion to adjourn the
agenda session, please? >> Thank you. Second on that. >> Second. >> Thank you, sir. May I have a roll call, please? Councilman Zakira, >> yes. >> Council Markeel, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Van Dura, >> yes.
>> Council President Collins, >> yes. >> Meeting is adjourned. We now call the regular meeting of the Monroe Township Council to order. Motion, please. >> Motion. >> Thank you. Second on that. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call.
>> Councilman Dapiro. >> Yes. >> Councilman Markell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull. >> Yes. Council Vice President Van Derza. >> Yes. >> And Council President Cohen. >> Yes. May I have a motion to approve the payment of claims for the run date of July 30th, 2025? Motion, please.
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> Councilman Shapiro. >> Yes. >> Councilman Markell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull? >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Van Derzo? >> Yes. >> And Council President Cullen? >> Yes. May I have a motion to approve the
minutes of the following meetings as written and presented June 16th and June 30th, both agenda and re regular combined meeting? Motion, please. >> Thank you. Roll call. Second. Good. May I have a roll call? >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Markell, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Seagull, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Vano, >> yes. >> Council President Cohen, >> yes. Would the would the deputy clerk please read the ordinances for the first reading?
>> Sure. Ordinance 08 2022 019. It's a bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of North Disro Hill Road for use as open space in and by the township of Monroe in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey, appropriating 2,635,000
therefore and authorizing the issuance of 2,59,500 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. >> Motion, please. >> Motion. >> Thank you. A second on that. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Zapiro. Yes. >> Councilman Markell.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Vanza. >> Yes. >> And Council President Coll. >> Yes. >> Ordinance 08 2022. It's an ordinance to acquire by negotiated agreement and donation real
property known and designated as tax block two, lot one, and block three, lot 25 on the official tax map of the township of Monroe, Middle Sex County, New Jersey, located off North Disro Hill Road for open space and recreation purposes. >> Motion, please.
>> Motion. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Zapiro, >> yes. >> Councilman Markell, >> yes. Councilwoman Seagull. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Vanerza. Yes. >> And Council President Coin. >> Yes. There is one more. We only had
>> Yes, there is one more. It's >> not still not on my >> Ordinance 08 20221. It's an ordinance ordinance amending chapter 108 article 6 zoning district regulations. The resoning of highway
development re the resoning of highway development district along Butcher Road. >> We need a motion. >> Yes. >> We need a motion, folks. >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Zapiro, >> yes. >> Councilman Markell,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Vanera, >> yes. >> And Council President Cohen, >> yes. We move to item five, resolutions for consideration under the consent agenda. caller, please indicate what resolutions
are being held. >> Uh, it's resolutions um 158, 163, and 164. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda minus those three resolutions, please?
>> So moved. >> Thank you. May I have a second on that? >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> Councilman Zapiro, >> yes. >> Councilman Markell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull, >> yes. Council Vice President Van Derza. >> Yes. >> And Council President Cohen. >> Yes. Resolutions that will remove from
the consent agenda. Please read those numbers again, please. >> It's resolution R8 202251 158, R8 2025 163 and R8 2025 164. >> Motion, please. >> So moved.
>> Thank you. Second on that. >> Second. Roll call. Councilman Zapiro stand. >> Councilman Markell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Seagull. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Vandera. >> Yes. >> And Council President Cull. >> Yes. >> We will now move to our administrators
report. Mr. McGowan, please. >> Thank you, Council President. So, for the last year or so, uh, the township has been working with, um, at with the authorization of the council, we've been working with a firm called Schneider Electric to develop an ESID project, energy savings improvement project,
whereby we would, uh, develop and implement various solar and other energy saving improvements around the township. Um, that firm is here with us tonight. And, um, I'd like to invite Mr. Dan Wgle um to to the table over there to give a
brief presentation, pardon me, um about his uh their firm's final proposal for us. Um there's nothing on the agenda tonight to uh to approve this final proposal. We're hoping to do that in September. Um, but we wanted to provide
the council with uh the overview um and give the council enough time to digest this project and we can certainly answer any questions and have additional conversations um between now and and September and then hope to bring this back at the September meeting for uh for
for another consideration. Thank you, >> sir. If you'll just bear with us, uh, Council President, we're just going to set up the, um, PowerPoint presentation. All right. Well, thank you, council. Appreciate the time. Oh, Mike.
He's going to introduce himself right now. >> Okay. Hello everyone. My name is Dan Regular Schneider Electric. Appreciate the time here. So, as Kevin mentioned, going to give you all an update of the energy savings improvement program that we've been working on for quite some
time now with the township. So, uh as Kevin mentioned, um you know, we're going to be highlighting some of the solar projects and some of the other projects that we've uh come up with uh across the town. Uh so, we'll kind of start with what the goals were. uh look a little bit about the scope of work,
the financials, and then talk about some of the next steps uh in this process. So, starting out um really there were kind of three main driving goals uh for this project for the township. So, number one is savings, right? How can we help uh drive budgetary savings for the
township? So, looking at things like electric, natural gas, uh water, looking at operations and maintenance costs, but really across the board, uh how can we help drive some savings? And then number two, how can we then reinvest some of those savings into capital needs uh into
projects that the township uh needs to get done. And then the third piece is how can we improve the sustainability uh primarily through on-site solar. Um so we'll we'll touch on kind of where the the big opportunities for that are. Um so just to start the whole concept here
which was established by the New Jersey legislature in 2009. Uh the industry's been around longer than that, but the current version is called the Energy Savings Improvement Program or EIP. Um it really was just a program that the state set up to allow public entities to uh to borrow money to fund energy
savings projects that uh achieve capital needs. So a lot of schools and towns will use this type of program to do HVAC projects and roofing projects and solar projects. So really the concept is uh coming up with a budget neutral solution where there's some savings in the budget
that is that is then used to fund uh debt service payments to uh get needed improvements for for the public entity. So one thing I'll note about this process is it is uh what's referred to as design build. Um so different than
most construction which is uh design bid build where typically you would hire an architect or an engineer. They would come up with designs or drawings and then uh a project would go out to bid and usually you would hire a contractor, maybe multiple contractors, maybe you'll have a construction management firm. Uh
but in general, a lot of different parties involved. Um this is different than most traditional construction in terms of design build. So what we mean by that is we're the designer and the builder. So, uh, doing this development that we spent, uh, about a year on with the township, uh, doing all the
engineering and the drawings for the scope of work, uh, and then subcontracting, um, all of the actual installing contractors. So, really one point of accountability, we're doing the development, uh, we're building the project. So, uh, a lot of towns like this because, you know, who's
responsible ultimately, we're responsible for what we come up with. Uh and we also provide a financial guarantee for the savings um that we are projecting for these projects. So one thing if you haven't uh heard or noticed
on your utility bills, rates are going up uh really across the state um especially starting June 1st. Uh there were some PJM charges that have kind of filtered down to uh you know to residents in JCPNL territory about 20%
uh of an increase. And uh for commercial customers, it's a little bit more complicated, but um you know, the graph here is is typically a small portion of the electric cost, what they call capacity charges, which come from the grid operator on those peak summer hot days like what we've had in the last
couple weeks. Um so what's been a very small percent of the electric cost has gone up significantly as of June 1st. Uh 833% increase. Um they just recently did the auction for next year's rates. So this charge uh which is buried in the
bill is going to be another 22% uh next summer. So the point being um there's a lot that drive utility costs but in general uh those rates are driving upward. So if we take the current energy usage um electric and gas and the
current energy rates we're looking at uh over a 20-year um lifespan about 25 to 32 million that the township would spend uh on electric and gas. So that's assuming no changes. That's assuming it keeps going up 2.2%. Obviously it could
go up less than that, but it also could go up more than that like we've seen. Um, so you know, long story short, from our perspective, it seems like a good time to try and mitigate against some of these cost increases. Um, and I think the good news is there's there's a lot that could be done. So the biggest
opportunity being solar. Um, we sat down with the township. We looked at all the uh facilities across the whole town that are that are owned and um you know came up with where where does township staff think it makes sense uh to potentially put solar. We looked at roofs. We looked at putting it on the ground. We looked
at covered uh parking canopies. Um came up with a list. We then took that and had our preliminary designs. We took it to the utility because any solar system 99 plus% in New Jersey has to be approved by the utility. So uh there were certain facilities where the grid
could not support additional uh on-site generation via solar. So we had to refine the designs and what we landed at is something that's already been approved by the utility uh that can be interconnected and you know more or less uh you know final uh type of
design. So we say 90% at this point because you know there's still opportunity for feedback from uh from the council from staff um and also from other stakeholders. Um, but we're, you know, very close to being able to, uh, to finalize a project here. So, uh, looking at DPW,
we've got the aerial shot. Big blue square is where solar, uh, would be going. So, on that long southacing roof, uh, which is perfect. And then also a large, uh, new canopy. So, you guys have probably seen in parking lots, uh, covered solar canopies. There's kind of
two main designs, I would say. one that kind of mirrors the parking rows. And then this is what we would call a long span, which would be a bigger kind of larger canopy that goes all the way across. Um that produces a large amount of solar, but also provides covered
parking. Um you know, a lot of towns either because they're regulated and they have to or because they want to uh want covered parking, right? because you got a lot of expensive equipment, a lot of expensive vehicles um that could be protected from the elements, uh sun,
wind, snow. Um so that's a benefit uh that would be bringing to DPW. And because the energy use is uh low at this facility, it's actually qualified for uh remote net metering, which is crediting the solar that's being produced at other
buildings. So this uh facility would be 100% offset by the new solar, but the solar would also be credited on the JCPNL bill to offset this facility 90%, the community center 91% and the senior center uh 90%. So a big uh offset to the
township's electric uh electric costs. Uh similarly at the library, we would also be looking at a covered uh parking canopy system. So, uh, over the three rows, uh, of parking there, there's still some, uh, you know, kind of fine-tuning with with the township and
various stakeholders, uh, on the design, but in general, another opportunity to provide, uh, shade for the public, uh, that's parking and using the library and also, um, offset 97% uh, of that facility's usage.
So, the EMS building is smaller, but still a good opportunity on the roof. Um there's a new roof warranty at that facility. So um that's a good thing. And uh again, we could offset 100% of this building just using the rooftop. Uh and
what we call police because it's it would be tying into the police electrical meter, but it's actually north of the EMS building. So, similar to DPW, another opportunity for covered parking uh for vehicles uh and equipment that would offset 100% of the expected
use of the police building, including that new addition. Uh so, the last one, which is exciting, and it looks pretty small, but it's actually a pretty large system, is at the utilities on the pond. Uh potential for a floating uh solar system, which is
uh you know, may sound fairly novel, but it's actually fair fairly established. There's quite a few installations at New Jersey, mostly at kind of similar municipal uh water and wastewater um reservoirs and ponds. Um but yeah, that would that would offset uh close to 100%
of the utility usage and would be a great kind of leading case study as well. Um so those are really the big solar opportunities. We did uh look at the the usage in the buildings as well and uh one of the big opportunities we saw was uh you know sports field
lighting. So this is partly an energy savings opportunity but more so just a benefit um you know to recreation areas right where you may have older lighting that is a uh maintenance issue but um also
you know may not provide the ideal levels of of light on the field. I may switch mics here if this is Am I okay? Am I crackling a little bit? >> No problem. >> You're doing much better than many of us do. >> All right, I'm gonna keep going. Um, so this would really be more of a community
benefit project, right? So improving the light levels uh on the field, not having kind of the humming of the ballasts of the older light systems. Um, you know, going to about 50t candles, which is a pretty solid light level on the infield, 30 foot candles in the outfield. So, uh,
this would be really a a benefit to the community in having, you know, more adequate lighting, uh, at the softball complex. Uh, we did notice a couple other lighting opportunities. Uh, a lot of it has been done. The township has been pretty proactive in taking advantage of different opportunities
that are out there, uh, for funding and doing HVAC and LED lighting, but there still is a handful of buildings where we would really make sure all the lighting uh, is completely updated to LEDs. um so that the township doesn't have to worry about uh the maintenance associated with
those older systems. Uh and then, you know, one last piece here, envelope and insulation. Something you usually wouldn't see, but uh just outside air coming into the buildings or in the summer when it's hot and humid, you know, trying to tighten up some of those gaps, right? So, uh a lot of times what
we see is along the exterior wall where the roof uh meets the wall, just a gap where you have air coming in. no one sees it because a lot of times it's above a drop ceiling, but it's affecting comfort. It's affecting the HVAC systems. And in this case, uh you know, we could save about 11,000 a year just
from tightening up a handful of the um a handful of the facilities. So, yeah, moving on to numbers. Um looking first at kind of the utility impact. If we look at gas and electric about a 55% emissions reduction um which is significant mostly through the solar
but adding up all that other stuff uh makes a pretty good dent as well. I think if we look at that from a cost basis uh potential for about 21.6 million over 20 years um and again you could see a little bit more in the summer when that solar is producing at
its highest with the green bars on the right and then a little bit less in the winter but uh overall a pretty significant impact. And again, we're we're using the rates that the BPU establishes for escalation. So 2.2% for the next 20 years. Um obviously rates can go up more than that. So I think
it's a a solid hedge against uh you know what is potentially to come. So uh so yeah, we're looking at about 21.6 million in savings, incentives, and revenue uh over 20 years uh for about a $15 million project. Um you can see the
lion share of that is the solar and and getting those systems installed. Um but that's also the lion share of uh of the revenue for this project which uh is significant as well. So there would be about 3.5 million that would
come from the federal government and then another uh about 2.5 to 3 million a total of about 5.8 million in outside funding. So funding that would not be coming from Monroe Township. uh and then additional savings off the budget um like we talked
about. So with solar being the main piece, we've got a little breakdown here of sight by sight what the cost would be, what that federal solar incentive would be, the ITC, and then what the annual savings uh off the utility bills, and the annual SSRE
revenue, which is a New Jersey incentive that gets paid out every every single year for 15 years. So uh all in all adds up to be about 5.8 8 million uh in the incentives and then when you add the savings on top of that about 19 uh 19
million just for the solar. Um so I know this is a lot. I will try and uh stop talking here. I'd love to get any questions if you guys have any. Um but yeah, really the the the summary is a big savings opportunity for the township. Uh a little over $500,000 a year in potential savings. Um total
incentives of of about uh 9.4 million uh if we add everything up there. And then again some meaningful improvements with the sports field lighting and some other you know smaller stuff throughout the buildings. Um and certainly a a big hedge against uh utility costs. Basically being able to lock in uh what
those utility rates are going to be for the township for the next 20 years. And at that point the system is paid off uh and any additional production beyond then is just basically for free for the township um which is a big win. So that is uh that's the scoop. As Kevin
mentioned, this is really informational. This is a big potential project. So we wanted to make sure that everyone had time to digest it, ask questions now or go back to Kevin. Um you know, there are some some items being contemplated for the next couple of months. Uh but at this point, it's really um to get everything out there and uh give you
guys a chance to digest it. So thank you for the time. >> I'll take some questions if you have any. >> Do we have any questions? Any of you now, >> please, sir? >> Yes. Thank Thank you. Um, when you talk about a lot of these carports and um, it
looks like majority of of these properties have carport units. There's no nothing on the ground. >> Uh, there's there's always something underground. I mean, >> the floating Yeah, the floating pond. >> Oh. Oh, you're saying there's no other systems on the ground, >> right? >> Uh, no. I think just from like a space
utilization standpoint, um, yeah, there there wasn't a whole lot of real estate. So, the construction of all these carports, is that included in your numbers? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. These are allin numbers. Construction cost, engineering cost, everything included. Yeah. >> So, you say we got a savings of
$500,000. Does that also include the cost of what the interest is going to cost us to do the system? Um, a $13 million system. I mean, you calculate what the interest is for the 13 million. >> Yeah. >> That's all that's all incorporated. >> So, the the savings covers uh Yeah.
covers the cost of not just the construction but also the interest also the uh the maintenance for 20 years. So basically and that's what we're required to do on any any of these projects across the state because we've got to send it to a third party reviewer working for the township as well as the BPU. But the requirement is there's
enough uh you know savings to cover not just construction but also cost of issuance. So yeah, we work with the township and their financial adviser to come up with okay, what's a reasonable interest rate and make sure we've got enough savings to cover all of that. What other communities have you your company done around here?
>> Uh around here, we're in construction right now in Piscatoaway Township, other municipalities, Jersey City, um Sakus, uh local school districts which are similar, but they're schools uh North Brunswick, West Windsor, Plainsboro, um those are probably some of the closer
ones. Yeah. >> Is there any guarantee is there any guarantee on the savings? Yeah. So we um we offer a guarantee on on pretty much any of our projects. So uh here we would be measuring verifying the solar uh every year. We guarantee 90% of of the
production coming off the panels. Uh and that's what our company you know offers for for the whole system. And then um there's also a guarantee from the panel manufacturers which usually goes out 30 years which more of like a warranty but it's a production warranty. So kind of a
de facto savings guarantee. What's the life expectancy of these units that >> uh so so the production warranty is 30 years for the ones that we're looking at. Um it has a slight degradation. So at year 30 they're guaranteeing um 87% of the year 1 solar production and we
factor that in you know half a percent per year it's going to go down. Um various inverters are a 10-year warranty typically. Um so those are the big components you know the panels and the inverters >> and there's no service charge to the town at all during this time right? Uh so there are maintenance costs uh we
have that factored in to the budget um for you know fairly basic maintenance. I mean there's not a massive amount of maintenance um but we have budgeted for that uh just in terms of monitoring in terms of um you know checking uh checking inverters you know doing on-site inspections twice a year things
like that um so it's a nominal cost comparison to the construction but uh that has been factored in. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Anyone else have questions at this point? >> I'm Mr. Vanzur. who must be very excited about this. >> Um, as uh Mr. McGowan knows and uh Mr.
Weinberg beforehand, this is something I've been excited about for a long time and first of all, thank you for coming and and presenting this to to the public and allowing people time to digest it. So, um, but basically, so people understand in layman's terms, we're
going to pay a certain amount of money for construction costs, but the amount of money we pay is going to be offset by the amount of savings we make from the energy savings themselves, right? >> Correct. Yeah. >> That comes a point in time after we've
paid off our construction costs where the amount that we're saving increases exponentially. Right. >> Correct. Yeah. And that's about after how many years would that? >> Yeah, 20 years is what we're looking at. And that's typically what we look at because these systems again that you know the panels have a 30-year warranty,
you know, so 20 to 30 years is a healthy kind of lifespan. So um and that allows uh you know talents to get more done, right? Like we talked about the sports field lighting >> and I remember when we first talked about this we were talking about adding adding it here adding it there adding
all now you did have a certain amount of limitations on places that you could add the electricity because JCPNL for example limits the amount that they will accept from our system. Is that right? >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. >> That was a big driving factor to kind of narrow in the scope. Yeah.
>> Right. So in case people are sitting out they're going why don't you put it on this roof and that roof. But we're doing the best that we can with the amount that they're they're willing to accept. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. Um I I think you guys are doing a great job. One of the other things with the canopies and stuff, I hadn't really
thought about this and I'm sure it's probably incorporated into the design, but with all the the terrible weather events that we've been having over the last few years, is there some level of protection? You know, certain protected against a certain amount of wind or or
things of that nature? Yeah, I would need to double check the specifics. I think it was like 100 120 mph rated um in this zone because it's based on, you know, the climate zone and everything else. So, we've got a design around that. Um but I believe it was somewhere in there as far as like wind goes and
then um based on, you know, the geotechnical conditions if we're building the carport, right? One of the next steps that we're looking at over this next month would be to come out and basically, you know, do a a ground sample to see, you know, are we looking at bedrock or are we looking at sand or clay? Uh, and then that factors into the
design to make sure that we're going to meet those requirements. >> No, I think that's important because people would want to know, you know, that you're putting this up, it's not going to get destroyed or whatever. But I I appreciate your uh explaining that so people know. And I think my overall
assessment is my my favorite two words that I heard from you were financial guarantee, that we guarantee enough that we will be able to cover the cost. It's not going to cost the the town overall. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Sorry. Thank you. >> You are going to be here for the rest of
>> I have a question also. >> Yes, I wasn't. Miss >> I'm sorry. Um JCPNL when they limit the amount of solar you can provide us, is that for the whole town or is that just like can individual communities like a
senior community go to you and say we want to put solar in our community >> as a separate project or is that included in what you're okay? what you're okay for right now. >> So, it's really based on each building. So, every building or meter or interconnection point is what they're
approving or denying. And sometimes they'll approve you up to a cap, right? So, um yeah, it's really based on the building. So, we looked at all the township buildings and then we kind of narrowed that down. But, uh as far as the rest of the town goes or other, you know, building owners, um they do have
like a map. They call it a solar suitability map. you can kind of plug your address in and see red, yellow, green, you know, how suitable is it? Uh, which is a good first step, but we did find when we actually submitted the application, some of the green ones turned out red and and vice versa. U, but yeah, that that would be one of the
steps, but really any um, you know, commercial building could kind of go look at could do they have the option from the utility um, to be able to do a solar project. There are adult communities in this town that already have using solar power for some of the
larger buildings. >> Yep. >> That they have. >> Yeah. And and the senior center here was one that that did not allow from JCPNL, but we've done, you know, senior living communities and other other towns that were municipally owned. Um but yeah, we we stuck exclusively to the municipal buildings in our analysis.
>> Thank you. >> I have one question. >> Oh, sure. Y >> woman, >> thank you for the presentation. It was very informative. Um, how long does it take to complete a project like this? >> Uh, typically 12 to 24 months. Um, I think in this case we'd probably be
looking at uh, you know, 14 to 18, you know, somewhere in that range. Um, I think as we get closer we would tighten that up a little bit, but I think a year and a half is a is a pretty safe average for the construction period. >> Thank you. Yeah.
>> Like Mr. McGowan, you're good. You're not leaving us. You'll be here. >> I'll be here. Y'll be here. >> I'll be here. Fine. We can continue. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Appreciate the time. >> Um we appreciate the report. We Mr. Raz
Mowitz. >> Thank you, Council President. Um quick update on a few of the pro, excuse me, quick update on a few of the projects. The uh police station building. Uh a lot of work going on over there at this point. Uh flooring is installed, the
siding work is getting completed, site work has resumed. Uh possibility of paving uh near the end of the month. Um James Monroe Park, the concession stand and park improvements. Uh we have concrete footings that are poured. The
utilities will be going in. They'll be pouring a concrete floor out there. Um we also have the roof trusses are already on the site. So again, that's moving along uh well at this point. Our 2025 road paving project, we're repaving
approximately 12 roads. About six of the roads have been completed as of today. And again, that's continuing well. Weather is uh on our side with that. So uh so that continues inwood estates. Uh that was a project
from uh we started last year. at the end of the year. Um there was uh utility work that was being done there the last couple months. Uh that's been completed and they resume paving out there. So that paving in that neighborhood should be complete uh by the end of this week
if not early next week. >> And let's see for information uh Middle Sex County um their project for Prospect Planes and Applegarth Road intersection. They actually awarded that project last
month at the county commissioners meeting. So, I will be expecting uh at some point to get an email regarding a pre-construction meeting and I'll uh let the council know as that uh proceeds. And lastly, tonight on the council
agenda, the resolution awarding the uh pickle ball courts and parking lot improvements at the senior center. Um, we expect that to start uh sometime in September. And the contractor is D. Abalino, who we have worked with before.
They did our inclusive playground over on uh by the soccer complex as well as our volleyball courts in Patriots Park and Veterans Park. So, uh so I'm looking forward to that project starting. And that's my report. >> Thank you very much. Um I'd like to go
to our council reports. I will begin to my extreme left as you're continuing to make little notes for yourself. Councilwoman, >> thank you, Council President. Uh just a couple quick notes. Uh it's summer. There's a lot of things happening in
Monroe. Um as liaison to cultural arts and historic preservation. Just wanted to remind everyone about the summer concerts that we've been having in Thompson Park. They're free, so please come join us. They're on Thursdays in Thompson Park starting at 6:00 p.m. Our Historic Preservation Commission still
has open houses going on the first Sunday of each month through October beginning at 1:00. And I just wanted to put something out there for your calendars. In September, we have our annual vintage baseball game at Die Farm on Saturday, September 13th from 12 to
2:30. Again, it's free admission. It's a really great event. They have a nice turnout each year. Um, and I wanted to mention we had recently attended a state medal cere ceremony for our veterans and it was a beautiful event that we had.
Thank you for to everyone who coordinated that event and it was an honor to see all our Monroe veterans who received this honor to receive their medals. So, thank you to all that brought that to Monroe. Um, and then I want to share something that I went to
the first time is the Middle Sex County Plays. I don't know if everyone anyone's been there. I know I'm still excited about this. Um I never went to it before, but Middle Sex County puts on plays in the park in Roosevelt Park in Edison and it was a wonderful
experience. They put on some great plays. Um I went to see Rent which I've never seen before and what's nice about it is a lot of the performers are from Middle Sex County themselves. They practice throughout the year. So I encourage you to go. Greece is playing right now. So, if anyone's interested,
check out the plays in the park um from Middle Sex County. Thank you. >> You're welcome, Councilman Markeel. >> Okay, Rupa kind of hit everything uh that's going on, so we kind of leave that out of it. Um I just wanted to
mention I was at the military um program at the senior centers, which was uh absolutely fantastic to see the um saw Mr. Buzzy there. Everybody was there. It was a great event uh giving out medals uh to all a lot of our veterans. Um and
that brings to mind the only thing I really want to mention. Um you know, a town like this, we have a lot of great things like we saw today with the police and with the um camp and everything else, but ultimately what drives a town is the people that live here. And we
have some great people that live here. And one of the people, one of the people I want to just mention is this gentleman by the name of Ed Horninger. Um, he was a veteran and he lived in Clearbrook and he lived the I think he was 90 or 91,
just turned 90. I was at his birthday party actually. >> He passed away about a week ago and his um funeral was this morning. >> But I just thought I'd like to mention uh Big Ed as he'd like to be called. Um, if you see people, a gentleman at all
our events with his camera telling people where to stand and butting in and he was a real pain in the neck to tell you the truth, but we loved him. Great sense of humor. And um, I got to know him over the last 7 years that I'm here in Monroe. And I just want to say uh,
give a shout out to Ed and his family and say he was a real asset to our community and we should remember people like that. >> I'm going to miss him. I hope everybody does. Thank you. >> Thank you for speaking for all of us who who often would say to him, "Please stop
taking pictures. Can't you please stop?" And he cared and he loved and he kept taking his pictures. Um, Councilman Dapira, >> thank you. I I just also wanted to talk about the Veterans Appreciation Medal at the
senior center. It was um it was an honor to be there and to watch um watch them walk up with with pride and um to for our freedom just to think as I I sat sat
next to Mike at the uh event and we just talked and we said imagine imagine the stories and the events and what everybody went through for our freedom. And if we all just took a minute and we and you think about that, I mean, my dad
was in Korean War, my father-in-law as well, and you know, I've always asked them so many questions and what happened and and sometimes they want to talk about it and sometimes they don't. But when you see a veteran, a true veteran, and and you say you say we we took that
time to be there, our mayor and and council and our senior center, everybody that put that together for our veterans, it's it's just to say thank you and we and we need to do that more often. Um also, we we went to the ribbon cutting
at the um the Veterans Building, Valor Point, this past Thursday. Uh it was very well organized. It was hot, but it was it was a well uh organized event and proud to have that in our community. It
it's just incredible, amazing. And to see um everybody come together, the the people that live there in the community become friends and and they talk about their experiences and their future. and it makes it makes you smile when you see
uh the community like our community have something like that in Monroe Township. Um I I wanted to also talk about National Night Out tomorrow night uh Tuesday 6:00 um at Thompson Park for our first responders, our police or are the
leaders for this and the car show and everything. thing I want to say thank you to are our police and and our administration there that's handling this something that we go I try to go to every year and it's a very uh very well attended event whether hopefully we'll
be well and and the people there are always always smiles and usually we see Allan making hot dogs but hopefully Kevin will be doing them tomorrow night >> doing hot dogs so hopefully he'll be there making the hot dogs um street street lighting plan have we have heard
Anything from JCPNL on street lights? >> Council President, we had sent a um a master list of uh street light outages. Thanks to our police for helping us put that together. I'm supposed to receive a uh summary of their progress by tomorrow
or the next day. So, I apologize that it's not here, but uh it'll certainly have that for the next meeting. >> If that's something you could put on our website to help our residents, that would be helpful. Um, also the county fair started today. Uh, Middle Sex counties, uh, fairs on Cranberry Road at
the county fairgrounds. It's it goes on till Sunday. Uh, it started tonight. Uh, recycling also starts today, I believe, with the new recycling cans. Everybody asks, you know, what do I do with my can? What do I do with my can? So, if you read the letter and it starts today
and if you have your old can, you could place it inside the um the new can, I believe, and you can discharge it up that way or you could just hold it for uh whatever reason. Um Terry and I joke that our cans aren't big enough, but maybe we might have to keep >> Terry's serious.
>> Yeah, Terry's serious. I know. Uh I wanted to talk about the rec center. Um the flashing lights in the curbs. Hopefully, we can get that done this month. Is there any progress on that? Please, Mr. Esmo Mowitz, it's your turn. Council
>> President, um, yes, we anticipate that happening in the next two weeks. Um, they were scheduled to to come out last week and then, you know, something came up and anyway, it's delayed for about another week or two, but we anticipate before school starts.
>> Okay, great. Thank you. And also, there was um there was some talk about the hockey rink. Are we doing any repairs or any anything with the hockey rink at the rec center? >> Turn again. >> So, council president, that's part of our long-term recreation plan, but there's certainly nothing in the works
in terms of the hockey rink this year or or probably even next year. Of course, there's, you know, there's common maintenance and and filling in cracks and and that sort of repair, but in terms of um in terms of larger improvements, uh we don't have we don't
have that in the works just yet. Okay, thank you. Um, a lot of us attended the Fourth of July fireworks. Um, it was it was really a celebration to see Jamesburg and and the surrounding towns
including Monroe to uh to to have the fireworks right here in in Thompson Park. And it was just very well organized. police, the uh buses, our DPW, uh every everybody came together and as
far as I know, everything went smooth. The entertainment was amazing and also uh the events for the children was was really really every year it gets better and better. I just wanted to put a shout out to everybody and thank everybody on
Primeville Road. There's a lot of dead trees that and branches over the road itself. uh in particular um if you go down Union Valley, you go go south maybe a quarter mile down the road or less, uh there's dead trees between there and
Federal. So, it's just a big concern with the storms that we have and the amount of trees that are dead over over Primeville Road. And that road is pretty well uh heavily trafficked along with dump trucks and every and regular cars,
buses, and and it's just a lot of dead trees that on Primal Road. Maybe we could inform the county to u cut them down and uh and cut the branches for safety. We um and also talking about the county,
do they have a plan on any other paving in Monroe for this year 2025 or drainage or any bridge uh projects for 2025? >> Mark, you look like you're scouring no. >> Council President, I'm I'm deferring to Mark. I seem to remember that that the
southern part of Pineville Road that there was another stretch that they were still looking to do if I'm unless I'm mistaken. Yeah, I recall that as well, but I'll have to follow up. I I I don't recall offh hand. >> Yeah, we talked about it, but I just don't know if they gave us a schedule.
Um just cuz school starts in a month and it always helps if we can do it before school and um the flooding that last Thursday we had some flooding in Regency. We had some flooding through the community and uh I just want to say thank you to all the first responders. I
mean, you listen to the police, you listen to the first responders, and it gets a little hairy at times, you know, and everybody gets on everybody's nerves, but uh and then you get social media that likes to put everything out there that's not true lots of times. And
I just want to say to our police that do an amazing job and also our our fire companies and our first aid, they they do an amazing job. And as being a fire commissioner for over 20 years, uh I see it firsthand that our that our men and
women to to these our first responders are second to none. They're the best that we have in the in the state and they're the best in Middle Sex County. And I want to say thank you to our administration that makes makes everything work. No matter what the
weather is, they rise to the occasion. So thank you and enjoy the rest of the summer, everyone. your turn. >> Thank you, Madam President. >> M must be smiling still. >> When you go toward the end, a lot of things are already mentioned, so I'll
try not to be too redundant, but I was also at the uh the Valor Point ribbon cutting, which was our uh our uh uh place for seniors to live with affordable housing. And uh one of excuse
me, one of the great things about that, you don't realize how much goes into it and uh the people that put it together explained a lot about it. Um because it's it's the town being involved, but also the state providing financing and then the different groups that went out
to uh solicit the uh the different veterans. So we we continue to strive to have as many veterans in there as we can and it was a very nice event and it was well attended. So, I thought that was a great thing tonight as we sit here and you see these uh young people come
forward again. It's tonight was the police youth academy and we've had other events where you know students have come forward and uh I just always I think that's the best thing cuz they're the future of our town and uh to see them come forward and uh the respect that
they show and and the way they conduct themselves is is very encouraging. You hear about the summer rec camp. We were talking about the people that run the camp, but as I was telling them afterwards, um, we got I it was either an email or somebody posted on Facebook.
It was something along those lines about the effect that a couple of the specific counselors had on their children and how much it made their their children so happy because uh these these particular and I don't remember the name of the of
the uh of the counselors specifically, but there were at least two or three people that took a couple of people under their wings that maybe they weren't the most popular kids or whatever and really made their summer. So when you hear stuff like that, it's it's it's heartwarming. It's very
encouraging. So that was great. Um I would like to uh compliment uh our administration as as well as our our legal team on uh working out the uh uh program with the BFI. That that has been a a headache for a while. And now we can
sort of see a light at the end of the tunnel which will provide some uh positive things for the town instead of being a constant negative. And I think that's going to be great. And uh yeah, the thing I was most excited about tonight was hearing from our solar
representative because it's something I've been pushing for a while. And uh you know, we're going to be able to implement something and it has so many different good things about it. Not just for the environment, which is something big, but also financially for the town
it'll be a plus. Maybe in the beginning it it sort of evens out a little bit, but overall, you know, for those kids that were sitting here that might live in our town 15 or 20 years, their their energy cost will go down significantly. So, uh overall, it's going to be a great
thing. And uh it's nice to see the town moving forward on on projects like that. And I think it was uh very good and and I I thank uh uh Schneider for coming and uh explaining uh exactly what's going on. So, thank you everyone. Enjoy the
rest of the summer. I might see you at National Night Out tomorrow. Um, it always is a nice event, but wish you all the best. Stay safe and uh stay cool out there when it gets hot. Thanks, >> Mr. Mayor. I just want to take a minute. I understand it's going to be 80°
tomorrow, not 180. So, that the weather for National Night Out should be more comfortable for all of us who will be there. And I'd like to tell the council woman that I started going to those plays when we moved here over 35 40 years ago and they've always been a
wonderful wonderful uh event. We used to park our chairs and leave them and go off to work and come back and see plays. So that was always a a lot of fun. So all of the things we are doing are really very valuable. It is an honor as
usual, Mr. Mayor, to ask you for your report. Please, before we go to public health. >> Thank you, madame council president. It's more some musings than uh reporting. Everything everything's been touched upon. Um however, I will um talk a little bit expand the discussion of
players in the park. >> Um obviously, um my father who was a director uh freeholder for many many freeholder for many years, he oversaw the plays in the park. So I saw my share of them. Uh however uh my recollection
of place in the park was cleaning up afterwards. I used to work in Roosevelt Park uh cutting the grass and then cleaning up. So it was always always lots of fun. Just a >> useless fun fact that I worked for Roosevelt Park. So take that report there.
>> Uh July 4th again it was discussed. However, I I I do want to recognize uh the mayor of the day. every uh every July 4th, I designate somebody to be uh mayor of the day to do the countdown uh for the 4th of July and it was Connor
Diodario. Uh otherwise known as the baby bearded one. His parents own the bearded one. I wrote 33 there. Connor did a great job. Uh he was very mayoral in his uh number counting and uh something to be certainly his his parents very very
proud of. Um, uh, yes, the medal ceremony. I do want to at least publicly also thank the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs who helped coordinate that. Um, and just in closing, it was
mentioned about Ed uh, Horniker. Um, Mandro's luster is indeed a little less bright. Uh, with Ed's loss, uh, we also lost Mr. Joel Greenberg who was uh a uh
uh a member of our community garden um shade tree commission as well. Uh Ed had passed away. I mean Ed passed away um couple this week. Uh Joel was the week before that. So uh please keep keep them in your thoughts and your prayers. And I
uh I feel that that luster will certainly shine a little bit brighter with those young men uh and young women who were here uh who went through our police academy. And it's just always that's what Monro is about. As Councilman Markel had mentioned, it's
about the people. So, let's keep it going. Thank you, Connie. >> Thank you. I'd like to move to the public comment section. Uh I would need a motion to open public comments, please. >> Motion. >> Thank you. May I have a second on that? >> Second. Thank you. All in favor?
>> I. >> Any opposed? I The public is invited up. You're very quick. Remember, >> I am one in the public. Yes, I am. Gary Busman, 7 Monarch Road. Um, next Monday
night, the 11th at 7 pm at the senior center, the uh Monroe Township Friends of the Garden will be having a meeting. Um, I being one of the original founders
of the uh library uh are calling out to anyone besides the members of the garden to come out and attend this meeting because as the mayor just said, our mentor and the hardest worker in the world was Joel Greenberg. Joel Greenberg
passed away and we will probably need five people to replace the work and the effort that he put into the garden. So, on the behalf of the board of directors and the friends of the Monroe Township Community Garden, uh I I wish Joel's
family uh peace and good memories and a good future for all of his children and grandchildren. And please, those of you that hear me speaking tonight, come out and help us
support the garden. Monday night, August 11th, 700 p.m. the senior center. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Remember your name and address for our records, please. And it is a 5m minute time limit, sir.
>> Hello. Good evening all. Uh my name is Har Krishna Mutella. I'm from the villages at county view 695 spotboarding English town in buckle view. So we came Thank you so much everyone. Good evening everyone. We came last time we came in
the January for the regarding our community recycle issue. The recycle is flying on the air when the recycle come. We met lot of our recycle department in mayor and Kevin also we so finally that's working out. They bring the new
community for the making our mono terms committee clean and green and make a mono terms again great. Thank you so much under the step mayor. Thank you so much all whoever made all this possible and make a this clean and green our community for recycle. Thank you so much
all whoever put the efforts we have to say for only thanks to and gratitude to whoever did all this pro for our community making a clean and green. So that's from my side. >> Thank you. >> I am Shankar. I am from uh villages at country community from Englishtown
spotstone road. Uh we came really here to uh thank all of the people esteemed council members mayor um Kevin uh department heads recycling. We met a lot of people uh made our way up all the way here to discuss about the issues that we faced with our uh coverless recycling
bins creating a lot of issues in our community for the small kids and pets and uh we really appreciate the time uh the township took to talk to the Middle Sex County officials uh to get the recycling c. Uh we are very happy to see the recycling carts already delivered on
time and uh we are very happy to see uh this week uh the carts being picked up uh by the uh people. So that way we can get uh all these things working nicely without having any side effects of the trash lying uh all through the community because of the wind uh having here uh
and saying thanks. Uh we would also like to uh request uh that if you can uh when you are talking Kevin to the JCPNL our community also have a lot of light bulbs that are not working. We have been waiting uh for them to fix for almost a
year now. Uh and they keep closing the ticket and opening. I don't know what fun they have with this without actually fixing it. They keep closing the tickets. It'll be great if you can talk about that as well. Uh thank you. >> Yeah. I have one more question. Last question. So mo most of the Mondo township Mondo communities high school
buses coming into inside the community. So my we are the new community. So a lot of kids are there for high school. Is there any chance to buses coming to inside for the because I saw a lot of communities a lot of people they say hey this coming to my community inside for the high school bus. So can you please
consider this any possibilities anything? So, so council president, any school bus questions would have to be referred to the department of uh transportation within the board of education, their transportation department certainly can answer any of those questions. >> Okay. Thank you so much. And the last
Thank you so much. You guys make our HOA board members life is easy. Thank you so much each and everyone. Great day. Pleasure. You're most welcome. [Music] Mr. Gunglman. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Moving slowly.
>> George Gungleman Monroe. Um I'm I'm assuming that the recycling we're going to stick to the same date. So if we were every other Tuesday, it'll be every other Tuesday. >> Correct. Exchange. >> Thank you. Um, there are two items in the consent
agenda, 158 and 165, which are one-year leases for uh from uh township land for uh gardens or farms. Um, no acreage there. Um my my
interest there is to ask if what we're doing about insurance and liability issues uh during these leases. >> Mr. McGowan, please. >> Sure. So, um they're both township property. They're both included in our
insurance policy. our insurance carrier through the Garden State uh municipal GIF, the joint insurance fund are uh are aware of the continued farming activity. It's not that uncommon. The county on its property also allows uh neighboring
farmers to to continue to farm the property. So, it's all been factored in in terms of liability coverage with uh with our joint insurance fund. It's a good question. >> Great deal for the farmer. Um, yeah. No,
I I have farmland in another state that I lease and and my insurance costs are considerable. Yeah. Um, going back to BFI briefly, what how are we managing that so the solar timing
uh is that we're not in a gap in between? So, we make a deal with BFI where they're off the hook and the solar group is unsuccessful at getting a sign off from um uh you know,
state agency D or whatever. Uh are we left holding the bag? >> No, all happens at one time. It's kind of simultaneous. Once all of the approvals from D are done, then there'll be effectively a closing, a three-way kind of closing. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I had two questions
for this the solar gentleman. Um one he mentioned something TJM regarding the rate increases. PJM that's the that's the PJM that's who owns the grid. PJM it's the people who own the the grid the
multi-state grid that supply the power into our grid. >> Okay. >> Pretty good. >> It's not bad. Look at that right over here. >> They're the ones that negotiated our rate increases. They're the ones who passed on the rate increases. The reason that our utility, they're the ones that
the utility companies buy the power from. >> Right. The other question I had for the gentleman was what happens at the end of the life of the project? Who has the liability for um the demolition and the disposal of the equip of the equipment
and >> whoever does that? What is the environmental impact of when you are decommissioning? solar panels. >> So, it would be, I think, the same as any other township owned asset. It's owned by the town from day one. It's
just financed through through like a bonding uh you know, method. Um, so I think it would be, you know, similar to any other asset the township owns. Uh, as far as like decommissioning and and and demolition, uh, I'd have to get back to you on specifics. I mean, I think again, it's
a, you know, 20 to 30 year lifespan to him, not me. >> Yeah. get back get back to Kevin on that. Um, >> but if there's a considerable expense in doing that, we need to know it and factor it in on any decision we make going forward. That's all.
>> Yeah. I mean, I I think that presumes that after 20 or 30 years, it would have to be demolished. I mean, we don't sort of Well, one, we don't know what the technology will be at the time. Maybe it has to be refurbished in some way or upgraded or updated. I I think it's tough to tell, but I mean, it's a good question. I just
>> if they say the lifespan's 30 years, I would take them at their word. I I I I'm not saying that I don't I'm saying that maybe other solar panels could be replacing those ones at the time and it could continue to be a project, you know. So, >> yeah. Well,
>> and what about the environmental impacts of disposing panels? >> Again, I'd have to look into that. I know I know a lot of it has gotten better from what I've read in terms of the, you know, the source materials being primarily sand. uh you know >> you didn't have to give back when you
were telling us about the wonderful environmental aspects of of the ongoing thing but there there is >> it's a good question yeah >> should be aware of >> Thank you horses
>> Michelle Armin Nathaniel Street um I'm all for the leasing of the property to the farmers can you tell do We know um what commitment they've made to what are their growing what they're growing. If they're using pesticides on the land, will it be organic farming
since we own the land? >> It's all regulated by D. >> It's all that's that's exactly the answer. So, they're all regulated by D. whether it's municipally owned property or privately owned property, um they are, you know, permitted to use whatever
the NJ u um you know, regulates for them >> and we don't know what that is. It's on our land. >> Um again, I don't have a list of pesticides that I can read off to you, but uh but certainly, you know, that information is available. >> Will it be in the resolution?
>> No. >> I mean, is there any stipulation in the resol? I mean, I have the resolution. It's very small. >> No, no, it's not in the resolution. It's in the state administrative code. >> And and we monitor that because again it is our land. >> The state does. >> Yeah. But it's our land. We're not
enforcing those regulations. And how often does the state go out and look at those things? >> Never. Right. >> As often as they go out and look at it on every other farm that's in the >> Yeah, but that's not a good answer, sir. >> No, but it is it is the answer though. Well, well, it's a it's a terrible
answer given the I mean the states >> townships don't typically regulate agricultural sites or do inspections of understand but we don't have any authority and at some point like I know that that someone had someone had asked um to use some of the uh golf that old
golfing range uh for farming that's owned by the board of education and if you put pesticides and things like that eventually when we need to put a school there it might be a problem. So if it's public land that Monroe is using and if we ever use it for is that for municipal
purposes those properties or are they open space? >> So so we've we've done council president we've when we purchased those properties we did environmental analyses on those and and that area was already being farmed at the time. So it was taken into account in terms of the environmental analysis. Those reports are all
available if that if that's helpful. >> That's that's helpful. Okay. Going to the solar project. Um, I'm all for anything environmentally sound. Um, but there I mentioned the board of education and again the board of education has I'm
sorry, the board of education has a similar program um and they used uh not to diminish uh this gentleman's presentation. It was fine but the board of education used a different um
uh con construction people or the people who are doing it. So maybe you can ask the board of education. Maybe you can get a second opinion. I don't know. I think that might be prudent be or and get their numbers and estimates. Um the board of education is has I think it was
last year that they agreed to do it. And it's a different company. So I think it might be a prudent and good business practice maybe to contact them and see what they're what they're doing and what they can provide. And I I have a couple questions on that. Um, and the reason
why I I'm asking this question because I was at the presentation for the board of education. The guarantee, there was a guarantee of income to the township from the project, but the guarantee had a cost involved. The board of education had to pay an insurance premium for the
guarantee. I'm wondering if that is included in this, >> Council President. It is included in Mr. Wrigles analysis and it's about $19,000. >> Okay. See, I think that's important because it it's not it's an option. Is that correct? It's an option to have
that guarantee. >> Yeah, correct. It is an option that the state law requires it to be an option to the um uh to the townships and to the schools above and beyond kind of the third party verification that the state and the BPU provides. So, uh yeah, it is an option. >> Optional, but silly not to do it because
>> well, that's a decision, but the public should be made aware of that when they talk about a guarantee. We're paying for a guarantee. We're paying a premium for ensuring that guarantee. I think that's an important position. No one up there asked the question. All right. In the lighting, the lighting portion. Um, are
they going to be >> what? >> What? You always have to make a comment. >> Well, it's a free speech, sir. Is this a free speech? >> Please, would you? My comment is for the >> don't >> I'm sorry that you know first of all we
talk about our veterans. Secondly I just want to let you know I've paid my taxes for this portion. I paid my taxes since 1980. I am mostly respectful and if I make a comment that doesn't please you. We already know on the national level
when comments aren't pleased by administrators they make fun of people. Are you doing the same thing to the public here? >> You will address your comments through the chair. Number one, you will not continue to engage in conversation. Mr. >> Again, free speech again. You're stopping me.
>> Your free speech has regulations and responsibilities and you are aware of that. Would you please >> Are you talking about censorship? >> Okay. So, I have the lighting portion. Is that going to um help with >> Times up? I'm let her finish this. If
you don't want me to finish, I will finish. >> Finish your question. Just be aware that you're being granted additional time. >> I am I am I am >> Would you just please finish your question? >> The generation of solar panels, are they the most recent generation that you're
using or are they older generation when when they get put on? I mean, sometimes these things are obsolete when they get put on. So, what generation of solar panels are we talking about? And will they be the most? >> Yep, they are the most current uh you know modern from what they call tier one
manufacturers, but yeah, they're definitely not older units or technology. >> And the lighting, light pollution, are we going to take that into consideration >> when we talk about putting all these new lighting? The light pollution, you know, is is also a environmental issue.
>> Yeah. Mo so the sports uh or the softball complex is the main kind of exterior lighting uh location and there are uh basically lighting diagrams that show what they call the spread of where the light is landing. One of the benefits of LEDs is they are more directional. So in general the light
pollution is improved but we do have diagrams that show at you know 50 or 100 foot radius like what the spill is from the lighting. >> That's good. Thank you very much. And um my taxes are in the mail. Anyone else wish to address the council,
please come forward now. Seeing and hearing none, I would like a motion to close. Thank you. May I have a second on that? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I have a motion. >> Motion. >> Thank you.journ. >> Second.
>> Thank you. >> We are adjourned.