Good evening. I'm going to call our meeting to order of the combined agenda and regular meeting of the Monroe Township Council, August 3rd, 2026. May I ask everyone to please rise to salute the flag. 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. >> Clerk, can we please have a roll call? >> Councilwoman Councilwoman Miriam Cohen.
Councilman Charles Dapiro >> here. >> Councilman Terrence Vanzora. Let the record show that Councilman Vanzora is absent this evening. Council Vice President Michael Markell >> here. >> Council President Rupa P. Seagull >> here.
>> Clerk, can you please read item four? >> 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 board within the municipal building on December 26, 2025
and remains posted at that location for public inspection. Two, printed in the Home News Tribune and the Cranberry Press on December 26, 2025. 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. Moving on to proclamations and presentations. We'd like to congratulate the Monroe Township
Police Youth Academy graduates. They're not present this evening, but we will invite them to a future meeting. And I'd like to at this time ask Chief Banos to please come up to the podium for the swearing in of our new police officers.
>> Thank you. Good evening. Uh we're fortunate enough tonight to swear in three of our uh newest uh officers. They've been here for a few months, but we like to see them get off training before we uh do this in case we have to, you know, tell them goodbye. So, three
of them made it off. So, that's good. So, uh we have a very strict um hiring process here. Um whether we hire off resumes or give a test, um we have a very strict background. Um we really go in depth. Uh because I see this as a
family. Uh these guys and and girls spend more time with us most of the time than they do with their own uh families and people they're living with. So, uh we take it very serious. We only want the best of the best coming in. And I think we do a pretty good job of that. So, uh, tonight we have three officers.
Officer Risco, Officer Ole, and Officer O'Neal. Um, Officer Risco, please come up. [cough and clears throat] [applause] Officer Ryan John Risco is 33 years old and grew up in South River, New Jersey, where he attended South River High School and was a member of the wrestling
team. Upon graduating South River High School in 2011, Officer Risco began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and eventually earning the rank of black belt and also fought professionally for Cage Fury Fighting Championships. After fighting professionally, Officer Risco got hired by the Milsis County Department of Corrections. While there,
he was a member of their special operations group where he dealt with rowdy and unruly prisoners. In July of 2025, we hired Officer Risco and sent him to the Cape May County Police Academy where he graduated in January of 2026. Since graduating, Officer Risco has been assigned to the patrol
division. Here with Officer Risco tonight is his wife Nikki Risco, his father John Risco, his mother Jill Rrisco, and his niece Alexis uh Mano. Uh holding the Bible will be his wife Nikki. Come a little closer.
Okay, repeat after me. I please state your name. I, Officer Ryan Risco, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of New Jersey
>> and the State of New Jersey. >> And that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States. >> and the governments established the United States. and in this state >> and and in this state
>> underto the authority of the people >> unto the authority of the people. >> And that I will faithfully >> And I will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> and faithfully and partially and justly perform >> all the duties of >> all the duties of
>> police officer of the Monroe Township Police Department. >> police officer of the Monroe Township Police Department. >> According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratulations. >> You need your microphone? Yeah,
>> that will help. >> Officer Bole, please come up. [cough] [clears throat] Officer Riley James Oil is 21 years old and grew up in Manhawk in New Jersey. He attended Southern Regional High School where he was a member of the Southern Regional Wrestling Team. While there, Officer Bole made the state finals his
senior year and placed second. After graduating in 2023, he attended Millersville University in Pennsylvania where he was wrestling and majoring communications. That's where he stole him from. Monroe hired officer O Bole in July of 2025 and sent him to Kate May County Police Academy where he graduated
in January of 26. Officer Ole is currently assigned to the patrol division. And with Officer Oil tonight is his father Patrick Oro Bole, his mother Jennifer K, his sister Caitlyn Oil, his stepmother Sarah Oil, and his stepsister stepsister Jocelyn Hiler. Holding the Bible for officer Bole will
be his father Patrick. [applause] Right hand left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Repeat after me. I please state your name. I, Riley Oil, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of New Jersey >> and the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in
the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform
>> impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of >> all the duties of >> police officer of the Monroe Township Police Department. >> police officer of the Monroe Township Police Department. >> According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. [applause] Officer Neil. [applause] Officer Cameron Bernard O'Neal is 23 years old and grew up in Aberdine, New Jersey. He attended Madawan Regional High School where he had a very successful wrestling career. Seems like
a major common theme tonight. Wonder how wonder how that happened. [clears throat] Officer Neil graduated in 2021, attended Delaware Valley University where he's member of the wrestling team. Officer O'Neal was hired by the Monroe Township Police Department in January of 2026 and was assigned to the patrol division as he had already
completed the Mammoth County Police Academy where he graduated in December of 2025. With Officer O'Neal tonight are his parents Sharon and Kevin O'Neal, his brother Chandler O'Neal, and his aunt Tara O'Neal. Holding the Bible for Officer Neil tonight will be his brother Chandler.
Okay, repeat after me. I please state your name. I, Cameron O'Neal, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of New Jersey
>> and the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States
>> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> impartially and justly perform
>> all the duties of >> all the duties of >> police officer of the Monroe Township Police Department >> police officer of the Monroe Township Police Department. >> According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God.
>> So help me God. Congratulations. >> Congratulations to everyone. We're going to take a five minute recess so we can take some pictures. We'll move on to item six. >> We'll move on to item six. Clerk, can you please read? >> Ordinances for second reading at the
August 3rd, 2026 regular meeting. Ordinance 06 2026 010. Ordinance amending chapter 39 of the code of the township of Monroe entitled fees. Ordinance 06 202611.
Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a deed of permanent easement by Theodore Walker and Jennifer Walker concerning property at block 6, lot 30. Ordinance 06 20226012. Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of
a deed of permanent easement by Lewis S. Deino concerning property at block 6 lot 27.3. [snorts] Ordinance 06202613. Ordinance amending chapter 108 article 6.16A
POC CD planned office commercial district and article 6.18A HD highway development district and article 6.19A L1 LI light industrial district and
6.25A 25A OP office professional district ordinance 06 20226014 ordinance recommending the adoption of the municipal landfill redevelopment plan for property known as block 148
lots 36.01 and 37 and block 148.60 lots 23.01 01 24 25 26 and 27. Ordinance 062026015 bond ordinance providing for various
capital improvements in and by the township of Monroe in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey appropriating 2,392,45 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 1,882,855 bonds or notes of the township to
finance part of the cost thereof. Ordinance 062026016 bond ordinance providing for various improvements to the water sewer utility in and by the township of Monroe in the county of Middle Sex New Jersey
appropriating $4,368,200 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $4,368,200 bonds or notes of the township to finance the cost thereof. Ordinance 06202617. Ordinance authorizing the township of
Monroe to convey a portion of property located at Spotswood Englishtown Road block 54 lot 5.04 Monroe, New Jersey to Middle Sex County for roadway/ Culvert improvements. >> Thank you. And clerk, can you please
read item eight? >> Resolutions for consideration under the consent agenda at the August 3rd, 2026 regular meeting, R8 2026136 through R8 2026 156. >> Thank you. Council members, can you
please review the resolutions? Does anyone have any that need to be removed? >> No. >> And sorry, Council President. Just want to make a note for the record that um we are uh removing resolution 155 from the
agenda. Um this was the um resolution to amend our capital budget. We we usually do that every year when our bond ordinance is slightly different than the capital plan that we developed early in the year, but actually this year it's not necessary. Um as we looked a little deeper into it, our ordinance and our
capital plan match. So there's no reason for that um resolution. So, we would ask that that be uh removed from the consent agenda. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to item nine to our public comments. May I have a motion to open? >> May I have a second? >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? This is public comments is open. It's for agenda items only. Five minutes per speaker. Please state your name and address for the record. Alan Marine 64 Starlight Drive. Um
the attendees will be happy to know that I will be brief. Um I direct my >> Is this better? >> Yes. I address my comments to um ordinances
015 and 016. when the once the ordinances are passed and I have little doubt that they will be, they become um debts that the taxpayers have to pay
back and that is legitimate. But it's it's kind of shoehorning in the sense that we do it now. It's painless and then the payments come at a later point in time when there is no
particular um ability to oppose making those payments. What I'm leading up to is um there is a way that I think would be uh much preferable although politically
impossible and that would be to um obtain the funds and of course it would have to be through taxation but to obtain the funds first so that um the people are do have a say in the future
amounts that they're going to have to pay as opposed to passing it now as a bond ordinance when they would not have a say at a later point in time. And again, I realize that that is probably politically impossible, but I just um
stated as something that would be nice. >> Thank you. Council President George 5 Kelly Monroe. Um I have a question about the uh 014 which is uh the adoption of municipal
landfill redevelopment plan. Um what's the story of that landfill and uh how did it become ours and not the people who owned it? Uh where's the liability there? And and I I I don't
know any of the backstory. I don't even know where it is. I don't have a lot in block map at home. Um, so without a location, I don't know what we're even talking about, let alone I don't know if there's an existing plan or this isn't
an ordinance to prepare a plan. Um, so if someone could enlighten me, please. >> Sure. Uh, council president. So this landfill is on our northern side of town. Sits be it's about 80 acres that sits between uh Lonnie Street and
Spotswood Gravel Hill Road uh between the Inwood Estates neighborhood and uh Spotswood Gravel Hill Road. Um it was historically and I won't be able to capture the entire history but uh it was historically a uh municipal waste
landfill in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s. It was closed as a um super fund site uh throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Uh the township has always maintained ownership of the underlying land, but the way super fund sites work is that
the EPA and the DP appoint an entity that has operational control and liability and responsibility for the site. and that was BFI Waste Systems or Browning Ferris Incorporated, which is now owned by Republic Services, the national corporation. Um,
this redevelopment plan essentially changes the underlying zoning of that 80 acres to permit nothing except the solar array project um that um that we've negotiated with the redeveloper on this
project. and and the redevelopment plan lays out the uh the buffer requirements and and some of the other bulk standard requirements, but the redeveloper still has to come before the planning board with a full site plan just like every other applicant and that has to be
approved by the planning board. That process hasn't happened yet. This is an init one of the initial steps to change the underlying zoning at that site. >> Who is the redeveloper? Uh it's C Renewables and they're a company that has a lot of
experience in creating um community solar um on top of closed landfill sites throughout New Jersey and throughout other states as well. >> Who will own the the field when it's done? >> It'll be it'll be C renewables will own
the field when this is when this is complete. >> And are they leasing this land from the township? So, this acquisition is being conveyed to them as part of a settlement of a federal litigation between the township and BFI uh waste systems.
>> Okay. So, we spent all that money to get the waste water out of there and we went to court with them and we lost because now we're giving them something. >> Well, what what we're doing is we're bringing in a new operator. We're negotiating a deal with a new operator
which moves BFI out of the equation, moves the liability away from the township, settles the lawsuit, and uh and provides uh a community solar program for that community uh with in and around in in Wood estates. So, I would not characterize it as we'd
lost. I characterize it as as as the mayor has talked about at at this meeting many times and has provided that that communication to the public. This was the uh settlement that that the mayor and this council uh agreed to uh to settle that litigation.
>> Thank you, Madam President. That's all I have. Praashpura 33 Dana Drive. Uh President, I have questions on the same resolution. Uh it is good to have solar panels and all but how the can you please explain
how the deal is done the electricity produced by them. uh whether they sell it to the market or what what things we are put in so that we will it will be provided to us how the costs are determined because you know the
electricity prices are going on and uh so can you please uh explain how it will benefit our community? >> Sure council president. So this um when it's completed and constructed, this will be a community solar program where residents will be able to buy into that
community solar to reduce the electric bill on their own homes without putting solar on their own roofs. The traditional sense that I'm sure many of you seen or experienced yourself is you put solar panels on your own roof and that um adds uh additional supply into the grid and therefore you get a
reduction in your uh home electric bills. This is a similar concept except instead of adding solar to the roof of your own home, you're participating in a membership in a large solar field. Sometimes this happens on the top of warehouses, sometimes it happens in
projects like this. And what that does for those who participate in that membership, it will reduce uh a portion of their home electric bills. uh one followup question there where it is suppose I use that
energy it doesn't mean that I cannot put solar system because technology is changing the citizens should be free >> oh yeah >> to do so that will be there no >> yeah you're saying does a does an individual still have the ability to put solar on their own home absolutely this
doesn't this doesn't prohibit that >> okay thank you very much of Good evening, Michelle Armeno. I'm going to talk about the or ask questions about the resolutions, please. On page two, resolution 139,
uh, the award of bid contract for 937,650. Is this the Spotwood Englishtown Road to drill? I mean, that's is that the most recent well we have constructed in Monroe. >> Council, I'm going to ask Mr. Stroin to
uh speak to this contract. and what does it entail and why? [clears throat] >> Sorry. Good. This has to do with the county uh installing new culverts on Spotswood Englishtown Road, which requires uh the township to actually
relocate its water man to allow those culverts to be installed. And what's the purpose of relocating the water man is for all the new construction that's going to be going on in that area. >> Has nothing to do with that. >> So what does it have to do with police? >> It has to do with the fact that the culverts can't be constructed in
conflict with the water man. So we have to move it. >> I know. But then why do we need the coverts? >> The county's installing it for flood control. >> Okay. I mean I think it sounds like it might be benefiting the the rapid development along that side. So, and and
that's the county. So, that's t I don't I don't need an answer. I'm just making a comment. That's taxpayer money going into that as well. Even though it's county, we pay county taxes. All right. I'd like to move on to resolution uh 148, the resolution authorizing the
refund of tax overpayments. And there's no dollar amount, but I looked it up and I think it, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, $93,000 overpayment. who overpays 93,000. >> Uh this council president, this wasn't one uh particular uh taxpayer. Um this
or property owner um our tax assessor um has put in for um I believe it was 14 or 16 different property owners where there was an there was an overpayment. >> Okay. So that's where that's going. Correct. Um and we've had settlements in
in 2025. Do we know how many settlements there have been where people have been relieved of of their taxes uh to Monroe? >> Council President, I don't have that number in front of me. Our tax assessor has the authority to uh to settle all tax appeals. I can certainly get that
number and have it for the next meeting. >> Okay. Because I think uh um if I'm again, you can correct me if I'm wrong. Um we're it's in the millions. There have been a couple entities that have not paid taxes or gotten tax relief of at least, you know, upwards of a million
dollars. Does that ring a bell, >> Council President? In any particular year, I'm not aware of uh over a million or or a million dollars in tax refunds, >> not refunds. >> Uh tax appeal tax appeal settlements, excuse me. Yeah. >> Yeah. There's a difference, right? Because refunds are one thing that's
after they're paid. settlements are and how many times do we actually win those settlements? I'm wondering, >> council president. So, when you when you say win a settlement, um so a settlement is a is a negotiated agreement between both parties. Um both parties probably
don't get everything they want and uh you know, come away a little unhappy. Uh so I don't know if I would characterize that as a win or a loss, but only one in 10,000 um tax appeal cases in the state of New Jersey actually go to trial, right? Most of them do settle, of
course. So, um I I don't have an example of when our township or any of our neighbors have gone to trial on a tax appeal. >> It's not the Thank you. It's not It's not the trial that I'm concerned about. I think um >> uh you know, both parties are probably
quick to settle. So, I think the majority of the money will come from settlements, which is public record, right? Our settlements, >> of course. >> Okay, good. Thank you. And um my third question, but I think uh I don't know if I heard Brett. Is 155 eliminated from
the agenda? Okay. So that was my third question. Do I have any time left? I do. Okay. So let me go to um I I I want to thank the the gentleman in in the public who who
brought a different um perspective to the two ordinances. uh 015 and 016. It might be time for us um to get a little progressive with some ideas instead of relying on the old way of doing things. Maybe we can bring some
new ideas. Uh I noticed no one really responded to that gentleman, but uh as a taxpayer, I want to thank him for bringing uh and I think uh I would hope that going into the future, we have some issues with uh government. Maybe we can
bring some fresh ideas. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Pad Swalj 586A Madison Drive. Uh my first question is about 013 uh uh the um second reading of the ordinance. Is there enough of a quorum
today to take a vote on that? >> Yes, there is. >> Okay. All right. >> There's only one council member missing. >> Okay. And my second um uh well my question my next question is how do I get a copy of the entire zoning code? I
know it's probably many many many many many pages. I can I can see things on my um computer but I can't necessarily always run them off. Um is there a charge for that or can you get a copy of it? Sorry, that may be
more I I was going to answer about how we have it on our website, but I apologize. That may be more of a question for the clerk's office if there's a full copy of the code available for sale. >> Um, it's a very very thick book. Um, so I would have to reach out to who
um makes that for us and get a price. It would just be regular cost of reproduction for that. >> Okay. All right. >> So, you could email me with that request and I'll look into it for you. >> Okay. Um [clears throat] my next question is about 014. When uh where does the energy what's the
next step for the energy that is um generated by the solar panels where where does that energy go next? Is there a storage facility or council president? I I don't have the specifics uh of of sort of the mechanics
of how that that operates, but that applicant will need to come to the planning board and discuss the entire process of how they gather that energy, how they store it, how they send it back to the grid. I I don't want to, you know, I don't want to try and guess and give you the wrong information, but um
at the appropriate time in the process when they come to the planning board, um that's that's when I they would be able to answer that question. >> Okay? because I I believe that that would be a really important question and a really important thing that residents can find out. Where does the energy then
go next? Um >> Sure. And and there's lots of there's lots of community solar programs around Monroe and Middle Sex County um that have been doing this for for many years, like I said, on the tops of warehouses and in in in other other landfills. So
um so those questions can definitely be answered. I just don't want to give you the wrong information tonight. >> Okay. But you know, we have as as rate payers as our one of our new titles is um in America nowadays as rateayers, we've seen a very significant rise in
our electrical bills. So um and and I do see a lot of solar farms going up. So I think it's important that we start asking where's the energy generated by the solar projects? Where does it go?
Oh, and I will be back with more at the public portion. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak, make comments on agenda items? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Any opposed? Moving on to item 10. May I have a motion to adjourn our agenda meeting? May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilman Dapiro, >> yes.
>> Council Vice President Markell, >> Council President Seagull, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Time. >> 7:12. >> Great. Moving on to our regular meeting. May I have a motion to open? >> May I have a second? >> Second. Roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Cohen, >> Councilman Dapiro, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Markell. >> Council President Seagull, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> 7:13. >> May I have a motion to approve the payment of claims per run date July 29,
2026. >> Thank you. May I have a second? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cohen, Councilman Dapiro, >> yes. Council Vice President Markell. >> Council President Seagull. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Thank you. [snorts] Moving on to item three, approval of minutes. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the following meetings as written and presented? >> Motion. >> June 29, 2026. Agenda and regular combined meeting. We have a motion. May I have a second, please? Roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilman DPro, >> yes. Council Vice President Markell. >> Council President Seagull. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Clerk, can you please read our first ordinance for second reading?
>> Ordinance 06 20226010, ordinance amending chapter 39 of the code of the township of Monroe entitled fees. >> May I have a motion to open the public hearing? May May I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Okay, public hearing is open. Five minutes per speaker. Please state your name and address for the record. >> Pat SWJ, 586A Madison Drive. Once again, I'm sitting before this council because um as I am happy and hopeful that you
will vote to pass the um second reading of of the um amendment to our zoning code as it stands now. The push to improve zoning >> this is for our ordinance 010. >> Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. Okay. All right.
>> Do you want to come back up for the next >> Yes, I do. [laughter] >> Too eager. Any [laughter] other members of the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> Motion.
>> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> May I have a motion to adopt? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Clerk, roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cohen, >> Councilman Dapiro, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Markell,
>> yes. >> Council President Seagull, >> yes. Yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Clerk, can you please read the next ordinance? >> Ordinance 06 20226011. Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a deed of permanent easement by the by
Theodore Walker and Jennifer Walker concerning property at block 6, lot 30. >> May I have a motion to open the public hearing? May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Public hearing is open. Anyone wishing
to speak? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? May I have a motion to adopt? >> Second. >> Second. >> Clerk, roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Cohen. >> Councilman Dapiro. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Markell. >> Council President Seagull. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Clerk, can you please read the next ordinance? Ordinance 06 2026 012. Ordinance authorizing the
acceptance of a deed of permanent easement by Lewis S. Deino concerning property at block 6 lot 27.3. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to open? May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?
Public hearing is open. Seeing no one wishing to speak, may I have a motion to close the public hearing? May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> May I have a motion to adopt? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Clerk, roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Cohen, >> Councilman Diapro, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Markell, >> yes. >> Council President Seagull, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Clerk, can we read the next ordinance, please?
>> Ordinance 06 2026 013. Ordinance amending chapter 108 article 6.16A PO/CD planned office commercial district and article 6.18A
HD highway development district and article 6.19A LI light industrial district and 6.25A OP office professional district. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to open the public hearing? May I have a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Public hearing is open. [laughter] Once again, Pat Swalj, 586A Madison Drive. Um, I am uh happy that this is
coming up for a second reading. I am happy that the council took um quite a you know a swift um look at this and I am hoping that all of you will vote uh to amend the zoning code. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Praash Parab 33 uh dinner drive. Uh I know that throughout United States and manywhere there have been debates not to have data centers because they use electricity and water and that
impacts to us. So go our governor has already passed a I think legislation uh her prior is saying the data centers are coming they have to produce their own electricity and all that criteria.
So I agree that we should not have data centers high capacity data centers because when you say data centers it should be legally I'll ask question what do you mean by data center you have to define
it because even the computer which you use analyzes the data so are we putting away any companies technology companies coming here and um they are going to be
evaluating the data. The banks will come, other companies will come. How you define data centers? You know what is the capacity? You like to just passing a rough amendment. The language can be challenged and
interpreted in different ways. So can I please get some answer on that? >> Council President, I I think it's a good question. And I I think the point of the ordinance amendment is to, as the mayor has talked about at at prior meetings
and and with many residents in town, is to thoughtfully study, you know, what what what what are these uses? What are the regulations? What are the protections? Um and and how do we want to approach this moving forward? And in the meantime, um clarifying in our
ordinance that we currently don't have data centers as a permitted use. There is some vague and and unclear language from from the code from about 35 years ago. And the point of this is to just remove all doubt. Data centers are not currently a permitted use in the
township of Monroe. And um and as the mayor said, you know, thoughtfully look at at what the future what that technology is. Is it appropriate for Monroe? Is it not? And this just gives us the ability to do that without potentially um trying to manage an applicant who's looking to come in to
build something that we don't believe is a permitted use. >> The question is how you differentiate between data centers and computer centers. See it is a different category then. So you when you put computer
centers means computers are used even in my house everywhere in schools. So we cannot I've been seeing here people going and writing no AI. Come on guys, this is a leap for the
America and you say no AI that's you know I agree that data centers because they consume lot of electricity they consume lot of water and impact to our ecosystem and neighborhood.
So if future technology comes with the selfdeveloped electricity production on site and use of less water and efficient at water kennels that is what New Jersey should be thinking about and then the town
should be thinking about so I want here today I'm speaking I have seen people walking around and taking petition signatures no AI that is wrong this is you United States the next leap for us. So I'll comment on
the public forum later on. Thank you very much. Tom Walsh is my name. I live at 1624A Windsor Way. I endorse the amended removal of the data processing computer
science um language from that particular ordinance. Thank you very much. Hi Katherine Hunt 121P Loel Lane. Um I just want to remark again on the data center um amendment here. Um I think
it's a step in the right direction but it has to specifically state in every single zone that data centers are not permitted. Otherwise a data center can buy for another purpose and then say that oh well that didn't work out so
we've started building a data center. It doesn't specifically say we can't. And this has happened in other townships. So we have to be very specific or the ordinance could say or we could
put a sentence in the ordinance that says um if [clears throat] data centers are not specifically mentioned in these laws, they are prohibited or anything that is not mentioned is prohibited.
That way we cover ourselves in every case to make sure that data centers will not find a way to weasel in. Um, and wanted to know if this language is already in the ordinance.
>> Council President, >> what? >> That exact language is already in our ordinance and it's a great point that you make. Um, and it's also in in >> in the municipal land use law. Um, but it's in it's in our ordinance as well. If it if a particular use is not
specifically permitted, it is by default prohibited. U and someone can't just change the use of their property after they get, you know, a planning board or zoning board approval. They they'd have to come back to the town. They'd have to go back to the beginning of the process and if it's not a permitted use, it's a
it's a prohibited use. So, it's a great point and and thankfully, uh, Monroe, like many towns, already has that language in in its ordinance. >> That's great. Um I looked and I could not find uh the ordinance itself so that I could actually read it.
>> Sure. >> And uh I realized it the whole thing is a long book. Quite quite a thick book. >> I don't counsel mind putting it on the record. It's chapter 108-6.5. [sighs] I want to say D. That's my handwriting. But I'm pretty sure I'm
pretty sure that's a D other in in any event. It's 108-6.5. >> All right. Well, thank you. And uh just wanted to also mention that um the excessive use of electricity uh by these data data centers competes
with our families and our just you know general rateayers um and competes directly through the grid. I experienced a shock when I got my bill last January. This is a bill for for
December and December wasn't even all that cold compared to January, February, and so forth. Um, and I looked at that bill and I realized I could not pay it. It's because our rates have gone so high
because no matter where you put the data centers, they stress the grid because about 13 or 14 states on the same grid. So I realized that not only that bill I couldn't pay but I would not be able to
pay the January bill, the February bill and so forth. The bills would stack up. I couldn't wouldn't be able to pay them and what happens next? You get cut off and then you have to pay the reup fee in order to get back, you know. So I just
turned off mine. I'm upstairs apartment. The pipes would not freeze. It was not pleasant. I wore my outdoor clothes indoors the rest of the winter. And I asked my neighbors what were they experiencing with this great increase in
the rates. They one lady said that she tells all her friends uh if you come over dress warmly. It will not be warm in here. other people when they had the capability they were able to turn off
the thermostat for other rooms in their house and only heat one. Very clever if you can do that. Um and other people simply turned down their as far as they could stand. >> Thank you, Miss Hunt. Your time is up.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak? My name is Barbara Ber. I live at 551A Sheldon Way. Uh I'm also commenting
regarding the ordinance 013. Um perhaps you can enlighten me. I I understand it that if data centers are permitted to come that the taxpayer ends up paying for their water and their electrical usage. Is that correct?
>> Good. Um it can be correct. Um I don't want to say that never happens. There are municipalities that make deals with data centers um that provide for certain tax breaks, utility breaks, things like that in which they become taxpayer funded.
That's not something that Monroe does. It's not something that's ever been contemplated by anyone on this council um or in this administration. Um that's a direct cost that some municipalities chose to take on in
dealing with them that you may have heard about. Uh, alternatively, uh, as has been pointed out, when they do stress the grid, when they do, um, drain excess resources because of either poor design or poor management, that can
create additional search charges that the utility companies then go to the uh, Board of Public Utilities to raise their rates or get temporary uh, bumps to their rates that the rest of the rateayers feel. And that would be other taxpayers. So that is one of the dangers
of them that um if they're poorly designed, planned, managed uh and implemented or if they change things after they get their permitting and force it through um that can create uh additional cost to the taxpayers. Um but
the there's there's no danger of of that being a direct cost here. >> So what advantage is there to having data centers in Monroe Township? at this point there isn't one um which is why this ordinance is being put
through um so that the the idea can be studied you know and you've heard from the gentleman back there where not all data centers are bad not all technology is bad but the thoughtful implementation
the appropriate uh regulation and the thoughtful management of it by the township in where they go how big they are what they're permitted to use um can be beneficial from a um you know a ratable perspective um because those
centers do get taxed uh from an economic development perspective. There are potential advantages, but until the township has time to study that and time to learn about that and time to implement thoughtful um regulated uh legislation, it's not
something that anyone has any intention to allow. Well, I support the resolution that prohibits data centers in Monroe Township. Alan Schwartz, 19 London Drive. Just so everybody really understands what the B Kevin had stated earlier and what Pash
was talking about, they're perfectly right. There's not not every business is bad for the township. And what and really listen to this. What this ordinance is going to do for us the taxpayers is give our township and the council time to figure out what are going to be the beneficial businesses to
bring in to this township that will give us ratables and not be a burden to the taxpayers. And that's what this ordinance is all about. Thank you. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> Motion. >> May I have a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> May I have a motion to adopt? >> May I have a second? >> A good second. Roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Cohen. Councilman Diro. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Markell. >> Council President Seagull. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Clerk, can you please read the next ordinance? >> Ordinance 062026014.
Ordinance recommending the adoption of the municipal landfill redevelopment plan for property known as block 148, lots 36.01 and 37 and block 148.60,
lots 23.01, 24, 25, 26, and 27. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to open the public hearing? May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Public session is open. >> Seeing none, may I have Seeing no one,
may I have a motion to wait. We have one. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you. My apologies. >> Armen 09 Street. Um, I have if I can get a quick I don't want to use my whole five minutes, but if I can get a quick idea of how this process worked. I was
at the planning board meeting and on the agenda it said that it was a discussion item. Uh, so who discusses this first, the council or the planning board? And who makes these recommendations?
How does this come about? >> Council president. So, um, the it starts at the council level. I'll try to go quick. I'm sorry. It's a long process, but and we could always talk about it at any at any time as well, but the >> public wants to know, too. >> It starts at the council level. Um, it
was either earlier this year or or late last year. The council tasked the planning board with doing a study to to determine whether this site could be designated as what's called an area in need of redevelopment. There's criteria. our uh township planner, planning board planner did that study, went through the
criteria, recommended um to both the planning board and the council that it be designated as an area in need of redevelopment. So both the c sorry both the council and the planning board um approved that >> and that was when I mean I pretty much come to all the meetings and when was the deliberation in public t when did
that take place? Council President, there was public deliberation at both of those council meetings and planning board meetings. >> No. No. The public was able to ask questions, but I never saw the council deliberating in front of the public. The
Open Public Meetings Act recommends that these kinds of things be discussed in public. And very rarely do I hear the council either talking about these proposals or bringing them up. I mean, it's pretty much a yes vote on almost every measure in the last 26 years that
I've been coming here. My question is when were these things deliberated? I have been to the meetings. I have heard and I I was given very nicely a copy of the municipal landfill development. Um, but there is no deliberation from our
elected officials and there really wasn't too much deliberation at the planning board. There were some questions asked. deliberation is in order. These meetings are really to educate the public as to what's going on. Um I I think we are
running shy of what the expectation of the public is and they might not realize it or we certainly are running a muck of the open public meetings act by not having things deliberated in public. there's rarely a question by our elected officials and there's rarely a
discussion by our boards and commissions. So, um that's my comment. My concern about this is that um we talk about the landfill being um it's re I have I have issues.
I've been in this town since 1980. We have even a few years ago there was leechet coming from this site. Um, is there a guarantee that there will not be no longer leech? I know we spent millions of dollars. I don't think we've ever retrieved that money. I know it was
said to the public that we were going to put we were going to divert whatever the leech it was. Um, and we put piping and I think it went to Seerville. I don't know where it went for cleanup, but I'm not sure that we've actually and I know
the DPA has some no action necessary, but over the years we've had problems with that area. And I just want to know that the residents will still be safe. And who will be the um you know
responsible if oh and if this is a a private entity and the township is really not going to get any any resources back from this. People have to buy into it. So that's a couple of my statements about this.
If you want to comment or deliberate that would be great. [laughter] So, council president, I can answer a couple of those questions. So, um, leeate, which is the substance that happens when rainwater falls through the closed
landfill, um, still has to be removed from the site from here, maybe into perpetuity, right? And so our pump station at the foot of that landfill collects that leech and pumps it out to um another pump station which as you say
eventually goes to the Middle Sex County Utilities Authority. No matter who is has operational control of that landfill and the D and the EPA have to approve whoever has that operational control. That system is still in place uh and will be in
place forever. Um what what we did several years ago was remove the leech from going through the residential sewer laterals in in the neighborhood and and created um our our MTA worked hard created a dedicated force man to remove
that leech from the site without ever uh passing by anyone's house. So and we can certainly have more conversations if if necessary about that. Well, I I would imagine that once again everything's going to be a yes without
deliberation. So, I'll watch that. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak on this ordinance public hearing? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> May I have a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? May I have a motion to adopt? >> I have a motion. >> May I have a second? >> I have I have a couple questions. Um before um the the public reach out about
this facility. Uh as we know it was a a Monroe Township landfill that the public used for many years. And it's I think the question that everybody has u should be answered. What happens if something goes wrong? Will this will this
developer just go bankrupt? Will the the LLC uh limited liability company just walk away? Will um the township still be held responsible because I think the deed is still going to be in our name, right? Which which would would mean um I
mean if we can just explain a little bit more sure to the public it to just ease everybody's mind please. >> It's a great question actually. As this process plays out, as we get to the end of the redevelopment plan and um and a and an application by the
applicant to take over that site, um the township actually will not hold on to the deed. It'll be transferred over to this entity. that has to be DP and EPA approved to take operational control and put in place a significant amount of
bonds and financial shies to ensure that should anything happen to that entity and this is very common from from what we're learning all over the country that there is uh that there is a financial um shity involved so that the township and its taxpayers don't have to take on that
burden. >> Okay. So thank you uh Kevin. Will it be deed restricted? Uh, example, I've watched lots of times where we get cell towers and a cell tower would be with an AT&T or Verizon or whoever Sprint and
then they sell that lease. So, is this something that if we transfer the deed to this company, they get the approval and then they can they sell that to another company from California or wherever and then we're then we have no
control or is it going to if after this is it going to be deed restricted that it comes back to the town >> deed restricted that it comes back to the town? I I don't know if such a deed restriction would exist. >> It was done on Avenue K. The township
did it to a uh fire company. Deed restricted. If you did not build a firehouse, the town would get the property back. It was on Avenue K, which our pump station for this leech is going to K pump station. I think a lot of the
public are aware that we spent multiple millions of dollars for this property. And you know, I've asked that question sitting here many years ago. How are we going to recoup our money? You know, and we're not recouping. It doesn't seem like we're recouping anything. We're
getting out of a lawsuit. I understand that, but I think that it's more than just getting out of the lawsuit. Are we getting any are we getting any money for this for this property? So, Councilman, as was as was explained last year when
when this council unanimously passed the the resolution approving the the the settlement of this lawsuit, the the the strategy and the calculus that was made was to um to rid the taxpayer of the liability of this site, which comes with
cost and uncertainty, and to rid the taxpayer of the cost and uncertainty of uh multipleyear, per perhaps multi-million ion dollar federal um litigation. Um I I understand the I understand the other argument. I understand the criticism that that may
not be enough. Um that's what the council decided to do and that's the that's the path and the trajectory that we're on. I am aware of between two public entities like the fire district and the township or even the township and and the board of education. If
certain property is not used for school purposes, it could revert back um to the township. I'd have to look into whether or not that kind of a um of a of a of an agreement of a transaction can exist between the township and this private
entity. But to lay your fears at rest a little bit, I hope is that the only permitted use on this site per the redevelopment plan would be the solar energy system. A company can't just put up anything that they want at this point. >> Yeah, I to I totally understand that.
But sitting here um as a taxpayer, as a councilman, and um a lifetime resident, well, I used to go to that landfill when I was a kid, so with my father. So, but I want to tell you the thing that questions me is we just we're doing a
$15 million solar project right now that we that we asked the taxpayers and we got the approval for for bonding and we're doing that right now at the MTUD facility and we're doing another approximately 20 million with our
schools. But now when you look at all of that expenditure for the next 30 years, here we are giving away a solar, you know, solar field of 80 acres and we're telling the public you can buy into the project. Is that is that what we're
saying? You can buy into this. You can, yes, you can subscribe to be part of the community solar program like you can at the Costco warehouse, like you can um and a number of other sites. It it creates a savings for you. Um not
not a detriment. You don't you're not required to to participate in that membership, but the um the first uh priority will go to the Inwood Estates neighborhood. After that, it'll go to the larger Monroe community. And then if there's still space left over, it could
go further than that. So it is it is meant to lower your electric bill, not create a cost, doesn't create a cost for those taxpayers, >> right? Like as one of our residents came up uh and I know a lot of our communities, the adult communities, all electric, one of our residents came up
and she she said she had to shut off for electric and and some are electric controlled, room controlled. You can put electric heat on one room and shut the others off. I mean, are these are all of the residents of Monroe that are in adult communities, outside adult
communities, or the ones struggling to pay electric, are they're going to be able to join this program? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I think we had a motion. Second. >> We're on a second. Thank you. We can't >> Thank you, Council President.
>> Thank you, >> Councilwoman Cohen. Councilman Dapiro, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Markell, >> yes. >> Council President Seagull, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Cler, [clears throat] can you please read the next ordinance? Ordinance 06
20226015 bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Monroe in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey appropriating 2,392,45 therefore and authorizing the issuance
of 1,882,855 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to open the public? May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Public hearing is open.
[clears throat] Shell Armin 9aniel Street. Um I have a copy of the ordinance here and um the cost the um projections are for several communities. Um, some acquisitions I see, uh, road projects and heritage
chase, acquisition of police radios. Uh, how often are all of these things uh, accomplished in the in this ordinance? Because I know when Nathaniel Street, well, my community, um, Mr. Tambbora
used to brag that it was on the list, but he was never going to get the work done when they bonded for it. And true to his true to his word, it took years for him to do our community. But in any case, um, will all these be done?
>> Council President, >> they excuse me. So they're appropriated for these specific things. >> So, so the bond ordinance, sorry, not to interrupt. The bond ordinance, the council is giving authority to secure this funding. Each of these items still
has to come before the council for separate resolutions at future meetings for approval to move forward. For example, this allows us to go out and bond for the funding for the Heritage Chase paving project, which also has a a
400 $415,000 grant to it. However, when we go out to bid for that project, that still has to come here for the council for um for specific appropriation, right? This is simply authority to bond for that money, put the put the money in place, but it still has to come back
here to the council. >> But my question is, uh, does it come back to the council with this specific appropriation? Let's say when we're talking about, [clears throat] uh, Heritage Chase. Yes. So, Heritage Chase will, >> even though you have to come and and get
an uh, approval, it's definitely you're going to go down the list and try to hit all these uh, improvements. Correct. Uh this year we've paired this down to the items that we and our department heads from the administration feel are the
most needed. Uh we are going to pursue all of these projects. The only variable is we can't always predict the market and where these things go out to bid. At times um financially uh if something comes into bid something comes back from
bid too high sometimes we can't do the project or we have to um come back to the council for additional authority for some from additional funding. But as best as we can tell these are our estimates moving forward and we plan to do each one of these projects.
>> And uh in the in the case as Mr. McGawan is is talking about um are there prioritizing because I see that H looks like a big priority. Uh drainage improvements throughout the township. Um we always have issues with drainage. So
uh will the council be prioritizing some of these improvements? >> Council President, some of these work in parallel where we we are, you know, uh uh pursuing contracts on multiple items. I would say the Heritage Chase project, and Mark can correct me if I'm wrong, is
the greatest priority because we're getting an NJ DOT grant. We've got to get that moving uh before the end of the year. And so, if I had to pick one to prioritize, that's what we would pick. >> Well, yeah. Don't forget the drainage, though, too. We're not absolutely not. Did >> What kind of grant are we getting on?
That's not noted here, is it? >> Uh, a New Jersey Department of Transportation state level grant for 415,000. >> That's great. Okay. Thank you. Praashpur 33 day drive how much nowadays my question President is we I'm not
expert on bonds but I'm learning about treasury ills how they are going up how much interest we are paying what interest are going on at present for the bonds because we borrow the money and we pay the interest.
>> Correct. So, so council president uh and I always give this caveat, right? We have not u actually gone out to um to to secure this financing yet. This ordinance is the authority to do so. However, in the last um in the last round of financing that Lori and I did,
uh we were able to get a great rate for a temporary one-year note at 2.6%. Uh which is which is very very good in this market. long-term financing, which is um as this ordinance talks about, this would be an eight-year bond because the average aggregate useful life of these
items is eight years. Right now, the market's hovering around three and a half%. I can never guarantee that, but with our double A plus bond rating and and our uh uh you know, good reputation among investors as as a township, um I'm confident that we would get, you know, we're always getting competitive. We
always get 8 10 13 bids from investors to buy these bonds. And so I'm I'm confident that that'll be the case again. >> That rate is very good. Thank you. >> That is very good. Yes. Any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none. Or are you >> I'm sorry.
>> No, not yet. >> We're still We have We have many. May I have a motion to close? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> May I have a motion to adopt? >> May I have a second? >> Council President, I have a quick
question. Um, when when we put up uh on this agenda, we do these agendas, who actually makes a decision if to go out to bond or if we should just use the reserves that we have to make these purchases. example, uh we're buying like
100 91,500 for a pickup truck, 32,000 for uh body armor for a police who like why wouldn't we use our reserves and not borrow the money uh and not pay any interest?
>> Sure. Council President, so the administration makes this recommendation to the council that there are certain items that are um better paid for through capital dollars, meaning if an item is going to have a useful life of 10 years or 15 years or 20 years, then
the taxpayers over all of those years would pay for that item or that project as opposed to the entire the entirety of that project being paid by taxpayers upfront right now. And to the I I I appreciate the other gentleman's point
as well about why, you know, why can't we create a program where we're simply buying this out of our typical budget. I mean, that would unfortunately it would reduce our overall debt, but towns don't do that because it would skyrocket taxation. It would it would triple or quadruple taxation.
>> Well, I think Kevin, I think what that resident said was, you know, collect the money first and then spend it. Don't don't spend money that you don't have. And I think I think that's um the my question is when I look at all of these smaller item purchases of like 30,000
20,000 um money we have in reserve like why wouldn't we use that to our reserve money to spend the little expenditures and borrow less? >> Well, we I mean we want to maintain um you know a healthy surplus to a certain
extent, right? If we burn through all of those reserves, no reserves left for next year. Um, and if there's catastrophic situations, that's what that surplus is there for. We're also the collector for all of the other public entities in town, right? Every town is, right? We collect all taxes and
distribute to the school district, the fire districts, the county, etc. And and to blow through that reserve would make it very very hard to do so. So, we strategically pick um in the budget what should we pay out of the operating budget this year. Um and the council has
the the benefit of seeing you know reviewing that budget and approving or disapproving of it. But these capital items um again like like every other town does it is more cost effective instead of uh instead of blowing through surplus to capitalize uh and monetize those projects over time. So uh again
there's lots of different opinions, lots of different ways to skin the cat on this, but I you know I think over time we've we've made uh we've made those strategic decisions wisely. >> Thank you. Thank you, council president. >> We have a motion. We need
>> We need a second, please. >> One second. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilman Diro, >> no. >> Council Vice President Markell, >> yes. >> Council President Seagull,
>> yes. >> Clerk, can we please read? >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Can you please read the next ordinance? >> Ordinance 062026 016 bond ordinance providing for various
improvements to the water sewer utility in and by the township of Monroe in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey, appropriating $4,368,200. Therefore, and authorizing the issuance of $4,368,200 bonds or notes of the township to
finance part of the cost thereof. >> May I have a motion to open the public hearing? >> So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay, public hearing is open. >> And council president, I just want and I apologize just I I won't take the
resident's time. I just wanted to make a quick note. Um, bond ordinances require four affirmative votes. So, that was 3 to one. So, that that that ordinance actually failed. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you for that correction. >> Michelle Armenio, nine Nathaniel Street
again on the cost of the debt. Um, when and I I understand going out to bond. I was on the board of education for nine years and we had to do the same thing on occasion. But also the point of the financial prudence is you know
there's always uh a tension between both. But when we calculate the cost overall and you're saying you know we spread it out over 10 years um the cost of an item if we paid for it and the cost of an item with the bond um
calculated in even if it's over 10 years it might be and I'm not I'm not in finance so it could be double the val the cost of the item even if it's over 10 years I mean just like uh you know any amortized loan I don't know are
these amortized this these bonds council president. >> So I mean it wouldn't be double the cost but yeah your point is taken right when you when you borrow just like when we all borrow for anything in our lives right there is an interest rate and there is a cost over time to be able to
access those funds. Now, of course, you pay a little bit more throughout. Um, >> because Yeah, because what it seems like it's not it's not equal. If we pay 30,000 Councilman's example, if we pay $30,000 and have no debt, but we then borrow
30,000 and have what are I think the bond just went up, the the long-term bond, I don't know, 6 point something today. I'm not sure. >> Uh, no, it's fluctuating crazy. No, go ahead. I'm sorry. It's a It's a volatile market for sure, but I I haven't seen numbers that high. We
>> I listen to the radio. Who knows which one I'm you know what number the the numbers are volatile like you say, but I think um and you know I also have been here long enough that the utility company had $44 million um between sewer
and water and we sort of blew through that. And I know that there was a surplus that was a surplus that we blew through. uh I don't know if it was COVID or the last I think 2008 perhaps but that kind of thing we really I'm concerned about constantly
putting bonds out because the debt on those bonds is starting to increase like we pay millions of dollars a year in bond uh I mean in debt uh costs correct
>> okay thank >> [clears throat] >> Praashpura 33 DNA drive entire United States we take debt our depth is in trillions and that's how the country works and our dollar value is
very very strong entire world believes in our economy and that's why they buy our bonds. That's how the country goes forward. My question is if the ordinance fails today, this particular ordinance fails
today, what is the impact to our SU system and all because I don't want to know because we cannot question when the ordinance fails. So, want to know if the ordinance doesn't pass, what is the impact?
>> So, council president, um the particular ordinance that we're on is 016. It is a utility department bond ordinance. It puts money in place for the applear tank uh refurbishment. Um the water uh relocation project on Spotswood
Englishtown Road, which Mr. destroying spoke to earlier um at the area where the county is doing the coververts that actually um is is a resolution that's on uh tonight as well. So, if the bond ordinance doesn't pass, these projects can't move forward because we won't have the funding for them and we'd have to
we'd have to pull that resolution and we would have to um you know go back to the drawing board and re re-examine these projects and and uh and make some make some decisions and some recommendations from there. >> Yeah. So as a public person as a
resident if the bond fails what is the impact to the residents and community should be known and if it is rewritten why it is rewritten how it is rewritten how we are satisfied everyone here and we should understand because
failing something to finance which is essential is very important because if you don't repair it then if further damage comes Then to fix it you pay more. So thought it has to be thoughtful discussion
just you know approving or failing either vote it should be thoughtful very well. So, thank you very much. George Conungleman, 5K Monroe. Um, the the the history of what's gone on
with the, you know, the town taking over the MTU and all that money that went to help the town uh in a financial crisis and and now
we're forced to um bond um or forced is not the right word, but choosing to bond um to to take care of these projects. I'm as much as I have difficulty with at
times with bonding uh most of those kind of projects are will have a life longer than the bond which is a very good start on any uh bond funding project [snorts] but I my
major concern is that should it fail and we don't fund these these projects the temptation for the found um to sell our water department becomes
higher. And to me, that's the worst thing that can happen in town. I've I've worked in in communities that have done it, and it's everyone that I observed was disastrous for uh the the residents.
their rates went up, their service uh became weaker. So, I'm advocating for uh passing this uh resolution um because it's going to help
us keep the MTUD. Thank you. >> Yeah. Gary Busman five road my road township. So I'm in favor of the bonding. Let's go
back now since the for $44 million 10 12 years ago. I mean longer than that probably 18 19 years ago came up. If it wasn't for the fact that the township took the surplus
and used it to fund current operations, each year all of the homeowners who are taxpayers in this community would have had to pay more taxes to fund the budget. So that's a detriment. So
let me give you an example of why it's important to have reserves. I live in a senior community. We have a budget just like the township has a budget. I made a proposal at one point to
increase the dues to pay for legal fees $5 a month so that we would have the money in the reserves to fund future payments.
I was booed by my community for $5 a month in fees. I don't get it. I am a proponent and I am an accountant with 60 years of experience of reserves.
Reserves are the most important thing that any community or municipality or state government can have. If it wasn't for reserves, the moment that there's a flood, a fire, a catastrophe in this
town or the equipment for the you public works departments gets destroyed at a flood, where's the money coming from? If we had a reserve, it would or we'd have to bond for it if we had no reserves. So bonding
becomes a necessity of every financial organization including all of the stock market and all of the major entities that work in our society. They all borrow money. They can't self-
sustain. That picture of not borrowing disappeared 40 years ago, maybe 50 years ago. And I'm talking from experience because I had clients that are third and fourth generation that never borrowed, but in order to expand and pay current
expenses, they had to fund it by borrowing. Thank you. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> May I have a second? >> Second. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? >> May I have a motion to adopt? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. [clears throat] >> Councilwoman Cohen, >> Councilman Dapiro, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Markell, >> Council President Seagull,
>> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Clerk, can you please read the next ordinance? Ordinance 062026 017. Ordinance authorizing, excuse [clears throat] me, ordinance
authorizing the township of Monroe to convey a portion of property located at Spotswood Englishtown Road, block 54, lot 5.04, Monroe, New Jersey to Middle Sex County for roadway culvert improvements.
>> Thank you. May I have a motion to open? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> any opposed? Thank you. Public hearing is open. >> Justformational Michelle Armin Nathaniel Street. The property block 54 lot uh
5.04. Is that owned by the township currently? >> Yes, it is. And was that taken by eminent domain or is that the township's property? >> Oh, the history of how we acquired the town uh the property, I don't know. But
the county is not taking anything by imminent domain. They've asked for a negotiation to take just 100 square feet, a sliver of land along the front so they could do their culvert project. >> Just out of curiosity, like what location is that on spots with Englishtown Road? Is is that in is that
in front of the >> It's across the street from where Greek's Playland was. >> It's across the Play World. >> Okay. Because there's an individual that I would u be very upset about. one homeowner that's there's a development
all around them and they [clears throat] hardly have any land left and they've been encroached upon and I know the county I don't know if the county or Monroe approached them or portion of their land and I would object to one
single um homeowner who's been there for a long time and not getting the land from the developer because whatever's going on here is probably going to You can shake your heads now, but it's probably going to benefit the im immense development that's going on in that
area. And I would certainly object if one poor homeowner who's been there for a long time's land would be taken away because they have very little to begin with and they've been pressured a great deal um with the encroachment of huge uh
uh development. Thank you, >> Council President. If I can just clarify one point on that, just looking at the deed included in it, it looks like the the municipality has owned this since uh November 7th of 1990 as part of an INREM
foreclosure from >> decades ago. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> Second. >> Second. Roll call, please.
>> I'm sorry, not roll call. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? I know we're on ordinance whatever number. >> Um, may I have a motion to adopt? >> Second. >> May I have a second? Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilman Diapro, >> yes.
>> Council Vice President Markell, >> Council President Seagull, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Okay, moving on to item six. Clerk, can you please read the resolutions? >> Resolutions for consideration under the
consent agenda, R8 2026 136 through R8 2026 156. Uh removing resolution R8 2026 155. >> Thank you. May I have a motion, please? >> May I have a second? >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilman Dapiro, >> yes. Council Vice President Markell. Council President Seagull. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. And I believe we have no resolutions. >> No, nothing under seven. >> We'll move on to item eight. Mr.
McGowan, our administrator's report. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, just want to give a quick update on the progress of our solar EIP project. It was mentioned earlier. Um, our contractors have been moving swiftly and have already completed a number of important tasks to keep us on schedule
for completion um, in the late spring, early summer of next year. So, the library will begin construction of its uh, solar carport after the conclusion of our farmers market uh, which concludes at the end of uh, September.
uh our EMS building um approximately 75% of the solar panels have already been installed um and the um the equipment pad has been successfully poured. The concrete um work has been completed for the carport that that will be
constructed and behind the EMS building. Uh at DPW, construction crews are expected to mobilize throughout this week with drilling activities beginning after uh that mobilization. Uh there's actually a roof coding application that
we're getting uh at the DPW building um included in this project. So at no cost to the taxpayers and it's about a $300,000 refurbishment to our DPW roof that comes at no cost to the township and extends the roof life by at least 15 years, possibly more. So we're excited about
that. Um at the utility department, the DP um is continuing to uh review our permit applications. LED lighting upgrades are substantially complete at the senior center, utility department, at our rink, uh, at the rec center and the um, and the new LED lighting at the
softball field has just been completed, which is very exciting and um, and and, uh, and we've heard a lot of great feedback about that. Um, as well as we have HVAC uh, upgrades that are that are happening and building envelope upgrades that are nearly complete. So, just want
to thank uh DBW and all the teams that are working on that as well. Is my five minutes up? It's totally okay. Um [laughter] that's what my wife does. She's like, "Stop." Um thanks so much to our audit team and all their work to complete the
audit. Um uh and thanks to our finance department for a clean audit with no deficiencies, no recommendations. And so that is that is a beautiful thing. We greatly appreciate all their hard work. Um just a couple of quick announcements. Our 250th fireworks celebration is um is
rescheduled for Friday, August 28th. Um the mayor wanted me to make sure that we thank everyone who was uh contributing to that event on July 4th and unfortunately the weather uh did not cooperate and uh and made the decision for us. Essentially, uh the mayor's
office, the recck department, the library, the PD, EMS, uh engineering, DPW, and I'm sure I'm missing some. so many of our departments um go into the planning and execution of that event. Um and we'll all be back out there on on Friday uh the 28th at at 5:00. So,
please join us, weather permitting. Uh knock on wood. National Night Out is tomorrow night uh from 6:00 to 9:00 in Thompson Park um as a way to uh honor and celebrate uh and uh and have some fun with all of our first responders who do so much for us. And that is my
report. Council President, >> thank you, Mr. McGawan. We'll move on to engineers report. Mr. Razimoitz. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh just a quick update on couple of the township projects. The 2026 road milling
and paving. Uh we've completed about six roads. There's still about 12 roads to go. Um weather has slowed the uh the paving down, but we hope to finish uh in August. Uh James Monroe Park Concession stand park improvements. They do have a
temporary certificate of occupancy there. Um the concession stand is open uh during the ball games and uh we're working through some of the final items there to uh to get a full certificate of occupancy. Lynx Drive the uh milling and paving and
the curbing on that road has been completed. That was uh with the help of a $552,000 NJ do grant and uh that project was completed last week. And lastly, the pickle ball courts and parking lot at the senior center. Uh the pickle ball
courts are open. The project's complete with the exception of landscaping. A contractor will be back in the fall to com to replace some uh landscaping that has uh has uh has died and then also to complete the remainder of the landscaping for the site. And that's my
report. >> Great. Thank you, Councilman Dei. We'll start with you for council reports. >> Thank you very much, Council President. Um, I had a question. Um, back in 2021, we had, um, special counsel for BFI. Uh,
we hired a company, Van Nef's Feldman LL LLP. Um, and we gave them a retainer of $50,000. Um, so now that everything's resolved with this BFI with the with the lawsuit and
everything, is there if there's someone can look into it, see if there's any money left on our retainer of the 50,000. Uh, I'd appreciate that. >> Sure, Council President. We only used 5,000 of that retainer at the time, so there was 45,000 left over. We then uh
engaged um another firm, another environmental expert, um, and this council. We reappropriated that money uh by resolution to that council and I don't believe we ended up needing him for very much and so that uh we'll get you a real dollar amount but most of
that was still left over. >> I just want to get our taxpayers money back if we could. Um thank you Kevin for that explanation. Uh railroad crossing Hoffman Station Road they did a um they were closed for three or four days. It
looks like it was done. Um, okay. Not not like the one on Schoolhouse. So, I don't know if there's something that Mark could look at or if our uh if our DPW guys um maybe they might have to put up slow down, you know, signs over at
that uh almost like a speed bump the way I look at it. But it's just my comment. But I appreciate them coming out Conra and doing a schoolhouse and also that intersection. But if he could take a look at it, I' i'd appreciate I mean that railroad crossing. Um the concerts
in the park. Um very I want to say thank you to um cultural arts that that put that together. Um I know we had a couple at the senior center. Uh the last one was a band called Dragonfly. Council president was there a mayor was there
and it was interesting um to listen to a band play and then one of the leads the lead singer just started an hour before the concert. And as they say the show must go on, they really mean the show must go on because they did a great job and I just wish we get a little bit more
public uh in the park uh to to see the concerts in the park. So I just wanted to say thank you to everybody that puts that together. Um I went to a um ribbon cutting Monroe Dental in Monroe Park and it was it was very interesting because
he's uh the dentist there has been there for 13 14 months and he just decided to do a ribbon cutting and he gave the mayor and I a tour of the facility and it's just nice that you have professionals come to our community and we should just give them a shout out
when they uh when they open a new business in town. Um I I noticed on Prospect Planes there's a telephone pole um and then a a bump out on a curb that
um I don't know if it's a temporary curb because JCPNL no one can see uh the lights aren't on at JCPNL so no one could really get them to do anything and it seems like they can't move these poles. They can't get street lights
fixed. It's it's like pulling teeth with JCPNL. Uh it's frustrating. I know our mayor, you know, done so many things to try to make it happen. Um and I think it starts even at the governor because every town has the same problem with the
utility companies. But on Prospect Planes, there's a small curb and I'm just concerned that snow plowing for a good part of my life, putting a plow against that curb is very it's an accident waiting to happen. I don't think an engineer would design that. I
don't think an engineer would sign off on it, and I don't think we should accept it. So, u I pointed it out a couple times, but this time before we do, uh do final paving, I'd like to see, you know, a better plan than having a
bump out on that curb. Um I'm the shade tree liaison uh for our shade tree uh commission which they work very hard and I just wanted to ask if there's a way we can make the public more aware that to cut
down trees that you do need permits and the process of going through to get the permit. It's not hard, but it's something that a lot of people are not aware. And going through the community, a lot of times people will say, "I had no idea that I needed a permit." And if
we could just make the public more aware to please call, you know, Pam, she's our secretary and then Gary's our harvester. He can come in, he can help them along the way, pay pay for the permits and and or if they need, they might not even
need a permit. But we just need to get a better handle on getting the public notice out there. So if there's something we could do in Monroe News, our websites, stuff that we can do. And then also the dead trees hanging over these roads. It it's like it's scary. Uh
lower Machoponics. Uh I mean, I can name so many roads. Uh Primeville Road, Schoolhouse Road, Federal Road, almost, you know, almost every road out there. if we can get these trees um the branches over the county roads, the town
roads, the dead ones. Um you know, we just had one fall on Schoolhouse Road not too long ago. Uh it closed the road down, but um I think that's something that we could do now before the storms keep coming and the trees keep falling.
Also, um Mark mentioned before about the stone museum, you know, um the owner, Drake Spyro, was uh you know, there for a long long time. I I it almost hurts me to ask this, but because I do I remember
him very well. He was a great he was a great public asset in my opinion. He was a good good businessman. He was good to our community, helping helping the handicapped children. and he did a lot for a community, but the county still has uh road signs up that say stone
museum and there is no stone museum anymore. They're on Matroponics. They're on spots with English town. It's going to be a hard pill to swallow when you drive by there and we see a development. Uh and I know you know Mr. Spyro from looking down, he's going to be really
hurt when he sees it. But we can if we can let the county know to please remove those signs. I'd appreciate it. And then also um I'd like to attend several MTUA. I know council president went one time.
Kevin, you were there. Um we did that with Dave Samuels. I like to go see that lake with the water um at on their facility with the solar. I know you said you're busy. I sent you an email, but if you can make an arrangement, I would love to go and if anyone else wants to
join in that, I I would love to see what the solar is going to look like on the lake. Uh because I'm worried about is DP really going to let us do this on our facility. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Cohen. You're next.
>> Oh, thank you. That's usually the mayor's job. Make sure I put on a microphone. Appreciate that. Uh hello. Um, we didn't have a meeting in July. And I don't know if you were all aware of the lovely art exhibit that is at our
library that is by an organization of women artists whom I learned when I went is over the organization is over 100 years old and their names have changed as how we address women has changed over
time. But there is some very beautiful artwork there and it will be there for another few weeks and it's well worth a trip to the rotunda to take a walk around and look at that. Uh a reminder this year it's the [clears throat] 25th
anniversary of 911. Uh we will have our annual ceremony and we hold that at Memorial Tree Park on Prospect Plains Road. And last year, as is my habit, I nag some people into
coming. And afterward, she said to me, "I am ashamed that I wasn't here before." So, please to remember those who were murdered. Um, it's a brief and very moving ceremony, and I would hope
everyone would come and remind ourselves of whatever goes on in our country. We are fortunate that we live here. Uh the other is I'm would like to just go back a moment if council president will permit me and when the woman from
Rosmore was talking about the people who apparently went without heat and as um I would hope that everyone is aware that you can apply for relief from your rates
would be so that your bills can be lowered and if you know of anyone who is experiencing difficulties in paying those bills. We have two social workers who work at our senior center who are
really, you all know if you've dealt with them, are really good and efficient at their work and would encourage people to solicit some assistance and see what is available to them. It is a terrible
thing for anyone to be without heat, cold or food. And those are all things that we can people can get some assistance with, including prescription assistance, and the social
workers will help you do that kind of information. And so I would hope that you tell people who are having a a problem or even just make general announcements, you know, at a at a community meeting for those of you who live in adult communities to make people
aware of those services and supports that are available and you don't have to make anyone unc uncomfortable by saying, "By the way, were you freezing this winter?" So with my heat on, I was freezing. And I can imagine how awful
for anyone who did not was not able to heat their houses adequately. Wish everyone I see them all at the fireworks and I'll see [snorts] you all at the memorial event, please. Thank you. >> Thank you,
Council Vice President Markell. >> Uh hello everybody. I'm going to make this quick. I just have a couple of things to say. Um, as far as the um, on August 24th at the senior center at 10:30 in the morning, JCPNL will be
there for a kind of a se a seminar on how to help you lower your heat. So, make a note. The senior center 10:30 on August 24th, they're going to give pointers on how to not lower your heat, lower your electric bill. I'm sorry. Um,
everybody knows how to lower their heat, I guess. It's uh it's pretty easy. Um the other thing I want to say on September 23rd we're having a taste of Monroe at the senior center and what we do is we have various restaurants bring their sample food and all you have to do
is bring a can of something to donate to the Betty Snider uh food pantry which is one of the best food pantries in Middle Sex County right now. Um, I wasn't going to really mention anything about trees, but I was called by one of our residents
um, in Clearbrook was very upset that she couldn't cut down a tree in her backyard. So, um, I went over there. She asked me what she could do about it. She got denied by the town. So, she said the town is very uncooperative. So, I went
over there and I looked at the tree just to give you a brief um, summary of what what it was all about. And there was a simple solution, relatively simple solution to her problem without cutting down this
beautiful tree. Um, which our arborist actually told her how to do it, which unfortunately, um, I don't know if she's willing to do it, and I'm not going to get into the details, but sometimes it's not always to cut down a tree. There's other
solutions to, um, some problems to cut down a beautiful living tree. Uh, I also just want to congratulate the new uh recruits we have. Um, it's amazing how they uh look like wrestlers. Um, I actually wrestled in high school. Uh, I
don't want to tell you what my record was, but I did do it. Um, but anyway, uh, everybody have a good rest of the summer and we'll see you at our uh, Fourth of July in August celebration and hopefully at the 911 celebration. Have a
good rest of the summer. Thank you. Uh, I have a few updates I'd like to share. So, our cultural arts commission, they've been busy with the free concerts this summer, but we also something to put on your calendar. This fall, they're going to be hosting a free
fall concert at Die Farm on September 17th with the rain day to September 24th from 5 to 6:30. There'll be food trucks and there'll be an opportunity to walk around the historic site if you haven't had an opportunity to. Um, we will have overflow parking at the senior center
and shuttle buses and you do need to bring a chair. So, it is beautiful there. Come join us for the concert. And in addition to the new business that Councilman Dapiro mentioned, Monroe Dental, we also had another ribbon cutting this month for Petal and Pine
Farm off of Mount Road. And I went there this weekend. It's lovely. Beautiful flowers, lots of family activities, animal farm, mini golf. So, go check it out. It's beautiful over there. Uh they even had Christmas in July this past weekend. And you know, once again,
always support our farms if you can. There's so many farms, lots of great produce. You don't have to run to the grocery store. Sorry. >> Yeah, you can go get lettuce from the farms and you know where it's coming from. So support our local farms for all their great offerings.
And thank you. And we'll move on to public comments. Five minutes per speaker. May I have a motion to open, please? May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you. Public comments is open. Five minutes. First speaker,
please state your name and address for the record. >> This is Kevin's fault. He triggered something in my head. Um at at the intersection of Mounts Mill and and Buckaloo, uh there's that
property there that the town has. The house has been torn down. Um there's a building down there, a metal bu building uh that's not historic, but the historic
uh community uh uses it for storage of things that they currently don't have on supply. It needs uh the roof painted so badly. Uh the first building that you
come to, the roof has collapsed on that. That's an very old historic building and it was a shingle roof and it's collapsing. Probably we're going to have to demo that building. But the the building if we would preserve the roof
of that with with a painting uh can last for another probably 10 years or more and be good storage for the historic community. Um on so if if someone could look in to see
what the opportunity is there um maybe we can steal some paint from the guys that are doing the building stone at the [laughter] um uh authority. Any the only other thing is to pile on to what other people were
saying about JCPNL. um they're just holding up so many projects in in the town and whatever pressure we can figure out how to pull on them. Um um
the the intersection of uh of Applegarth and and Prospect [clears throat] Plains is um is is held up by JCPNL as are several other projects around the town. and it
costs money to have police there for extended periods of time and it's just an invitation for serious accidents. Um so it's it's not simply an inconvenience. It's it's a um a risk to
the community. So whatever else we can do to put pressure on them, let's keep it up. Council President. Uh just regarding the B uh the barn on uh Mount Mills and Buffalo. Actually, I was out there today. Uh I
was in the barn. The barn roof doesn't leak. I It was pouring rain. But we are looking at uh demolishing the uh I'll call it where the leanto portion next to the barn. Uh we were looking at it for uh uh the structurally. The concern is
uh right now we need to do some temporary support of the barn wall before we take down uh the building next to it that it's leaning on essentially. So so we are looking at that. Um you know I don't have any dates yet when we'll be out to bid for the demolition
and the support of the barn but uh but we are working on >> Great. Thank you. again, Pat Swalj, 586A Madison Drive. Um, I want to thank you for the changes
to our zoning code, but I want to also say that that job is not finished. As it stands right now, there is a push all across the country to uh a call for making regulations, zoning regulations
and land use regulations data center ready. Right now we don't have uh we have few to none regulations on this industry that also comes with dangerous
impacts. It is our our concerns are all across the United States from regular citizens such as myself about the impacts of this industry are one of the few weapons that we have to make sure that our children
and our grandchildren will be safe and will be taken care of. Technology is quite different from an AI data center. technology that we are used to dealing
with has been developed by humans. Uh our intelligence has created the wonderful advances in technology and yes we have some new uh advances technological advance advances that
comes from this artificial intelligence. But let me be very very clear. There is a distinction and what Americans are concerned about right now is no regulations on this industry. We marvel
at the use of this uh technology particularly in our medical systems. There are lots of wonderful innovations going on. We use technology every single day all day long. We've done that for
decades. We're used to it and we're used to being surveiled by our own technology. When we have a conversation about going on a trip or buying a product, about five minutes later, we'll get an
advertisement for that. So, we are being surveiled by our own technology and we've grown used to that. But I want to caution all of right now all of that human intelligence is going into millions and
millions of AI data centers. Artificial intelligence isn't creating their own intelligence. They're mining it from humans. We don't have a copyright on personal photographs, on artwork of our school children, on the
photographs of our grandchildren or children. We don't have a copyright on our computer searches, our TV viewing, our conversations or our telephone calls. Our human intelligence is being processed into the artificial
intelligence. The protest of the AI data centers doesn't have a whole lot to do with technology. It has to do with safety and the negative impact on our electric grid. Currently, that impact is costing us 20% more than it did a year
ago in our electric bills. New Jersey has been classified as being in a drought. Yet, we have no regulations on the nonrenewable water sources that these data centers uh require.
Tech giants are eliminating thousands of jobs. Every couple of months we hear a new um thousand dollar, several thousand dollars of jobs eliminated. We know now that half of the 2026 college graduating
class, half of that class all across the country cannot find jobs, white collar jobs. As we move from human to artificial intelligence data centers, there is a real increase in the importance of our government and
governance and clearly delineated regulations on who bears the cost of the of the electricity and the energy that needs to be used. And beyond just the energy, the infrastructure that needs to
be created because as a country, we don't have that now. We have to create that. Who's responsible for the cost of that? AI data centers admit air pollution from their cooling systems
that they they need. Noise and levels are clearly known to be harmful to humans and environments. >> Thank you, Miss WJ. Your time is up. >> I'm sorry my time is up because I had a little bit more to say about being data center ready. We are going to hold you
guys responsible >> at the town, at the county, and at the state. Good evening everybody. My name is Todd Gman. I live at uh 16 Elmarev. Um I just wanted to just talk about what um
Councilman Dapiro talked about with the Sha Tree Commission. We just got to get the word out a little bit more about [snorts] the permitwise, how to get a permit and just stuff like that. It's
just it's amazing that you know a lot of people don't know they just chop down trees and you know obviously that's not the way to do it. So as Councilman Diapro said you know if there's any other way we can get the word and we're
also going to be at the uh national night out tomorrow. So we encourage all the residents to come and talk to us. We have applications. So, >> um I'm Carol Singer, 15 Doorchester
Chester Drive. Uh I've been putting uh notices on Next Door about the Shade Tree, what's required. I think it'd be good to print out flyers and leave them at the uh desks of all the uh 55
communities. Uh I just did it with the recycling. I put a whole bunch of booklets by our concierge and yes many of my friends do not know about uh needing a permit to cartanetry.
So that's import education on this is very important. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Praashpur 33 uh Dana Drive. Uh very happy to see the pickle ball courts in the senior center. Uh there are parking
lot. It looks beautiful. The courts look beautiful. Very well done. I'm sure uh rest of the things uh going on and uh came to know that the courts are available for residents of Monroe uh
from Monday to Friday uh sunrise to sunset. Uh only thing I learned today that they are not available on Saturday and Sunday because senior center is closed. My request is reconsider that uh because we have uh you know fire
district there and uh our police are all over you know so security will be there. So please reconsider whether they will be open for public on Saturday and Sunday because most of the people work late and uh they love to play. So it
will be good to reconsider that's a request but people are public is so happy. Okay that is a positive and I got comments that Pash you know Saturday Sunday if it is made available. So yeah.
>> So uh council president, so the courts are available on Saturday and Sunday. I I think uh the confusion might be that um if the senior center is not open, then someone using the courts, you know, there's no restroom to use, but you can still certainly use the courts. >> I called today, this morning, and uh the
reception said Saturday, Sunday, it is closed. So I think communication we can do. Fair. Okay. So thank I think there's a miscommunication there. Fair enough. But I thank you for that. I will announce tomorrow. So that will be very positive note. Another one thing important thing going on for last one
year and more. We get warranty letters in the mail. Your house this thing is expired. You should act and they are in different colors and you get your car is this thing is expiring. You have to act
by next Wednesday. So what is happening solitary you know solitation whatever is called salesmanship is going on throughout neoy or I don't know uh it is all over the place I'm going to send copy to you tomorrow I'm going to write
to senator greenstein because governor already passed a resolution I was saying that you know cost you know how the put pricing they're manipulating and all here they're stealing our poor senior citizens. They're
stealing the innocents and this is a business going on uh indirectly. So want to act on that. I I'll be sending a copy. So you all come to know at least two letters I kept in last 15 days. My son is New York. He got a copy. So it is
all over the place. So we have to act. Now talking about the AI, the elections are coming. the things will be moving on. So we had different leaps in our United States.
Aeroplanes came, cars came, you know. So internet came. So those innovations always create you know innovations. When internet came many people lost jobs but the productivity went on and we learned
adapted to it and we prospered. Artificial intelligence has been there for ages. Now the term is there. Now the aeroplane flies by itself. You know when it monitors the pressure
it flies. I worked on tablet machines. When I in pharmaceutical we manufacture 3,000 tablets every two minutes. The machine adapts to itself. That is our children are going to learn be better
mathematicians better scientist only thing is how we can use it to solve the problems of the society in positive way. So I agree with the concerns how the how we this monster is out. How we
can control the evil people will use it for bad purpose. How we can stop those evil people using this artificial intelligence we can stop those evil. Okay. And use it for positivity. So that
is my request. There is lot of opportunity. It is lot of otherwise I tell you if we America don't adopt it China will move forward India will move forward other European countries will move forward and we will miss America is
always frontr in technology today President Trump said $200 billion investment will go to the private not to the universities we have to be careful thank you >> thank Thank you. Carol Singer, 15 Doorchester Chester
Drive. I just wanted to say in in China they are building AI centers underwater for cooling. They are building them in mountainous cold regions. So they are not sucking up the resources of the
civilians. AI can be a great thing but it has to be done without punishing the citizens. Thank you. Allan Marine 64 Starlight Drive. I am [snorts]
impressed over the knowledge of the council people and the department heads. Um I don't know what your salaries are. I know you're not getting rich out of it.
Um you put so much time and effort into it. you've had the answers to the questions that have been asked. Um and um you put up with a lot of complaints.
Um you do what you can. I know um Councilman Markle went to look at a tree that a citizen had a concern about. Um, [snorts] and I'm sure that everyone here
has those chores to um to deal with people that have legitimate concerns. And um I think that um you're all underappreciated. Good evening. My name is John Keski,
five Galatia way, Monroe Township. I met with the mayor last year in regards to uh the landfill, our street. The mayor was supposed to have another meeting with me. I've been coming up here asking about a meeting with him, have
him call me. He's yet to call me. I know he's not here, so that's okay. I'm going to go on with my uh issues. >> Pardon? >> I was a police officer in Monroe Township for 33 years. I started August
19th, 1974. I know about the landfill. I stopped the tankers coming out of there. I asked for the Bill of Aladdin. They gave it to me. It said water. I was a patrolman. I turned it into the chain
of command. You got to follow the chain of command. You can't jump the chain of command. Nothing was done. Then all of a sudden, years later, the chief of police, Garvey, calls us all upstairs for a meeting. They're dumping poison
chemicals in the landfill. I want a car at Matroponics and Spotswood Gravel Hill. I want one by toast chicken farm off by Ellingham and I want one where milk and stuff milk and stuff wasn't
there a car there we left the meeting went downstairs said to the sergeant what are we going to do we going to do it no they already had the information so they knew the poison was coming into that
dump now I suggest that Before you put solar panels on the dump, you just do X-rays cuz they got the sophistication where they can ground penetration and they can see the tankers that George
Allshimer who was the game warden years ago told me, John, they back tankers in there and they buried them with chemicals in them and BFI was the culprit.
They brought in chemicals from all over. You talk to any of the old people in the town, Councilman Deiro, other people that I know, you talk to them and they'll tell you about it. So that dump should be before you put solar
panels do the ground penetration. There's vehicles that are buried in there. I used to ride the police car through Lanny. They were putting the slabs in. ride through the chemical coming out. Stunk so bad. Go back to the headquarters, wash the car off because
it was so bad. The public service workers told me, "You don't want to live within a mile of this place." Well, I think I live within a mile, Galia, to the dump. It's a horrible dump. The mayor told me that they put a pipe from
the dump to Avenue K. So, I told the mayor, "Let's go down to Avenue K and I'll take give you a cup. You drink it." Mayor didn't say nothing to me about it. I wanted another meeting with him. He was late for our meeting. He was come
with Mark and he was late. And I tell the truth, I'm honest. [clears throat] Always done my job. 33 years. I worked for the town. I did the job. I was honest. Let's talk about old reliable water
company Paxton's Hill. You're not familiar with it where the Jewish center is on Corell. Across from the Jewish Center was all reliable water company had a big water tower. It took care of that whole area down
here giving the people water. That's why the cancer rate is so bad. Birth defects in that area. Donukan, Monroe Delhi was a 711. I would go there on the weekend,
midnight shift, stop when they were doing newspapers, have a cup of coffee, play peekaboo with the little cute, beautiful girl. Well, she died from cancer. Danny Ryan, a friend of mine, a football field named after his son. He
died from cancer. The dumps got poisoned. Councilman Deiro wants to go to the station where stuff is all pumped to. I would like to go too and see how they're treating the chemical. When a pipe broke in Sherville
in the lowlands where it took the stuff through, the waste goes over the chemical lays low in the pipe. I believe, it's my belief, that's why the pipe broke
because of the poisons that were put into that dump. So, what kind of treatment are they getting? And another thing, money leaves towns through two ways that I >> Sir, your time is up. Thank you for your comments. >> My time is up.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. like to talk to me when I leave, feel free to talk to me. >> Any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close? >> May I have a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you. >> We are adjourned. The time is 8:56.