I call to order this regular meeting of the township committee of the township township of Mars this Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The time is now 700 p.m. This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meetings act Act and
adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required by law. Specifically, notice of this meeting was emailed to the daily record and the Mars Newsby on January 8th, 2026 and posted on the Township of Mars website. The
agenda and resolutions for this meeting are available on marswp.com under the agenda center. Certain portions of this meeting may be closed to the public for the purpose of personnel andor other matters as outlined in the sunshine law. Notice the
members of the governing body and township staff. Any use of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purpose of township business and any communications are subject to the Open Public Records Act. Madame Clerk, roll call, please.
>> Mr. Griselle, >> here. >> Mr. Janata, >> here. >> Mr. Ravitz, >> here. >> Miss Rothman, >> here. >> Mayor Griglia, >> here. >> Would you please rise for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag 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. We have the approval of the minutes. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes of March 18th, 2026, the regular and
close session meetings? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Now, can I have a motion to approve the minutes of April 13, 2026, the special meeting, regular meeting, and close sessions? Miss Rothman will abstain as
she was absent during this meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> Madame Clerk, roll call, please. >> Mr. Ravitz? >> Yes. >> Mr. Janata? >> Yes. >> Mr. Grizzelle? >> Yes. >> Miss Rothman, abstain. Mhm. >> Mayor Griio.
>> Yes. We have one proclamation on our agenda this evening. Um we're celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. So the township would like to I'd like to read the proclamation into the record. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the
United States of America. Whereas on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence established the United States of America upon the enduring principles of liberty, equality, representative government, and the unaliable rights of all people. And
whereas the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, providing an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, honor those who secured our independence, and celebrate the democratic ideals that continue to
unite our nation. And whereas Mars Township proudly holds a distinguished place in American history as the home of Jockey Hollow, where approximately 10,000 Continental Army soldiers endured the difficult winter encampment of 1779
to 1780 under the leadership of General George Washington, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance and commitment to the cause of liberty. And whereas the residents and farmers of Mars Township contributed to the success
of the Revolutionary War by providing food, firewood, livestock, shelter, and other essential support to the Continental Army during one of the most challenging periods of the war. And whereas the preservation of Jockey Hollow and other historic resources
within Mars Township serve as a lasting reminder of our community's vital role in the birth of our our nation and provides future generations with an opportunity to learn from and appreciate this remarkable chapter in American
history. And whereas the Township of Mars proudly joins throughout the United States in commemorating America's 250th anniversary by honoring our nation's past, celebrating our shared heritage, and renewing our commitment to the
principles of freedom, democracy, civic responsibility, and service to others. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the Township Committee of the Township of Mars, County of Mars, State of New Jersey, that we hereby recognize and
celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, and encourage all residents to commemorate this historic milestone by learning about our local revolutionary history, participating in community events,
preserving our historic resources, and embracing the ideals of liberty, unity, and civic engagement that have guided our nation for two and a half centuries. Be it further proclaimed that the township committee extends its gratitude
to the generations of Americans whose courage, sacrifice, and dedication have strengthened our nation and recognizes Mars Township's proud contribution to the founding and continued success of the United States of America.
Any comments? >> Deputy Mayor. >> Would I'll second that. >> Yes. I'd like uh to have a copy of that resolution if we can get >> Sure. Yep.
>> Should be in your packet. >> Absolutely. Be a nice pretty one. >> Thank you. >> I'll talk more about that in my in your comments. Yeah. I think we're all going to talk a little bit about >> Okay. for sure. All right. Thank you. Okay. So, we have our first public
commentary. There are currently four members of the public joining us via Zoom and four members in person. At this time, we will open the meeting for public comment. We'll begin with comments from those who are here in person first, followed by participants
joining by Zoom. If you're participating by Zoom, please use your raise the hand. And if you would like, wait a minute, what did I do here? The raise the hand feature. Before speaking, please state your name and whether you are a resident or not. For the record,
comments are limited to 5 minutes. If you have questions and would like a response, any remaining time will be used for that purpose. Is there a motion to open public comment? >> Some move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Is there anyone here in person?
>> Uh, good evening. Charlie Shaker, 10 Raleigh Court. Uh, so this is the eighth consecutive township meeting that I've attended to raise concerns about gas leaf blowers. Um, no one on the committee seems to
disagree with the fact that the noise and air pollution generated by gas leaf blowers pose multiple hazards to human health. Uh, these machines are also an ecological disaster leading to water pollution, wildlife disruption, and the
destruction of ecosystems. Uh all summer long this year, I've watched landscaping crews use gas leaf blowers on hard surfaces like driveways and streets. They blast dust and debris into the air. And I have never seen
anyone collect this material afterward. It is simply shifted from one resident's curb to another. And I don't see how that is fair to the resident whose curb it is shifted to. Uh in reality, these hazardous machines are completely
unnecessary for the nine months of the year when leaves are not falling. Uh furthermore, safer alternatives are readily available, leaving no justification for their continued use during these summer months. Uh during a
few hours at the Grow It Green Farm stand last week, I spoke with people about the quiet summer initiative. Uh while residents from Madison and Chadam, of who there were only a few that I spoke to, uh were familiar with it, uh none of the Morris Townships uh
residents I encountered, had any idea it existed. Uh despite it being established right here, uh this surprised me. Um this clearly indicates that we must do a better job of sharing information about the quiet summer with our community. And
I have the following four suggestions. Um, one I I hope that a um dedicated prominent section in the municipal messenger could be published with this information. It is currently uh been the last two months has been buried in the
um section about the environmental commission itself which is at the very end of that communication and I fear that most people simply miss it. Uh again, it's one line, it's buried at the end, there's no accompanying graphic and I just fear that most people miss it. I
think the municipal messenger would be the most effective way to get it out. Uh two, I would hope that this initiative could be added to the news flashash section of the uh township website. I think it's perfectly appropriate to go there. It seems to fit in with other news flash items and that would again
disseminate the information more broadly. Uh three, I would love it if the health department could get involved in this by incorporating in their regular newsletter. Again, it is very much a human health issue. And then fourth, I still um hope that
possibly there could be some display of of information about this initiative on the electronic signage by Streeter Pool. As we all know, tens of thousands of cars uh travel past that sign every day on on Sussex Avenue. I drive by it multiple times a day often, and I think
that would be perfectly appropriate as well. Uh so while I appreciate very much the committee's backing of the quiet summer initiative, uh its success depends on significantly increasing public awareness of it and I think that um that is something that we can do.
Uh additionally, I am prepared to look into grant opportunities to help the township transition its current gas leaf blowers to comparable electric models. Uh however, to start this process uh and this research, I first need an accurate
count of the equipment currently owned and operated by the township. Uh given that this data should be straightforward uh to compile and that I've been asking it for it since the May meeting, um I hope to receive those figures shortly. Um and once again, I thank you for your
time and consideration and if you have any questions for me, please feel free. Any questions? I >> I do have a question for Mr. Caner actually or Mr. Quinn. Um, so I'm always been curious if a neighbor blows leaves
onto another neighbor's property, one property to another, is that covered in our code and what does it say? >> I I I could look at it. I could try. I I wouldn't think I would think it would just fall under like generally you can't litter on other people's properties, but
I don't know about leaf blowing specifically. >> Never gotten a complaint on it. Jeff, >> I'm just curious if it was covered in the code. That's >> I think there would have to be some reasonleness. Obviously, when you're doing your lawn, some stuff may go onto your neighbor's lawn, but I think if it was excessive, I think would fall under
probably another ordinance or or a criminal statute, but I don't I'm not unaware of anything in our code that relates to that. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anybody else here in person?
Good evening. My name is Steve Laris, 20 Oak Park Drive, Mars Township. I've been here for 29 years. I originally came here tonight to really thank Tim Quinn and the mayor for what's gone on in this township the past couple days.
The township was amazing cutting people's trees that had fallen on their electric lines. And even when they came to pick up the rubbish that would, you know, the debris, they came with the right equipment. They came with a with a
bulldozer that kind of grabbed everything together. They came with a big dumpster on a truck to put everything in. It was really amazing. And honestly, Tim, I was really impressed. So, thank you very much and tell everybody in the town if you can
that it's really appreciated. >> Um, the last thing I wanted to mention to you is I was one of the few people that went to the Ford Mansion to hear the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. It was amazing. It was probably more pertinent to this time in this
country, in this township, in this county than ever before. And um, it's a teaching moment for me. 65 years old because it was about freedom. It was about freedom to do the things that you want on your land. And unfortunately,
and I a lot of what you say and I really appreciate your effort here, but it's my property. I own it. Okay? I've been blowing leaves on my property for 29 years. And the one thing that I've never gotten is a complaint by any of our
neighbors. Not one time has anybody said, "Please don't blow the leaves right now. There's a barbecue or a party." I don't do anything like that at all. And we've never had a problem on our block. The problem that we have on Oak Park Drive in the Mars Township is
kids don't come outside. They're inside watching TV. They're inside playing with their games. And if you want to do something, and I'm going to say this, it's an invasion, okay? When we have these illegal immigrants that come to
rake our leaves, cut our grass, okay? They are not paid a fair wage. They have no insurance. They sleep in Marstown, six people to a bedroom. If you want to do something about the noise, you want to pro promote families, people playing
ball with their kids out in the street on a Saturday and a Sunday, then ban commercial landscaping on Saturday in the township. I know you've banned it on Sunday. Ban it on Saturday, too. Let's make weekends available for families and
for kids. These commercial landscapers have 5 days a week to do their business. They don't need to do it. We don't need to wake up at 7:30 in the morning on a Saturday to hear leaf blowing. The other thing that I wanted to mention to you is maybe it's time for the town
to think about a Twitter account to talk with with the township residents about things like this meeting about things power lines that are down about other events in the town. We don't we don't have one. I mean, I sat here. I got a I
got a tweet from the Morristown Police Department. Maybe it's time that we start to get a little bit more aggressive. I know Jeff does a great job with his email service. He gives a lot of information to me and everybody else. Maybe we need to expand that. And then
the last thing that I want to mention is this is a beautiful town. It's a wonderful town. You guys give your own time, which is amazing to do keep this town the way it is. I was very disturbed about what happened in Marstown a couple
days ago with this uh Ces Levie robbery where five individuals came in in in masks and gloves. And I've talked to this about Tim in the past that I believe I really believe that crime is coming out of the inner city and coming
to towns like ours. This was I'm not going to say these people were professionals, but boy, they did a pretty good job in a short period of time. and the um I think we got to think about this. This is not a this is not the f this is the first time that we've
seen this in our area. I think it's not going to be the last and I think it's going to expand. And I think we need to and I've talked to you guys about this in the past. Maybe once a quarter have the chief come up to answer questions from the residents about crime in the
town. not as an attack on the police chief because you guys are you guys are great but just to talk about discuss it openly on what's going on within the town and that said Tim mayor thank you very much for your time I really appreciate it you guys did an amazing
job the past couple days >> from our DPW coordinator all that >> it was amazing >> thank you we love the positive feedback >> we really do appreciate it of course we've got a lot of it and I think I know in our commentaryary remarks marks at
the end. Um, a lot of appreciation will be shown to not only our DPW, but all our first respond, everybody, the township, police, fire, um, and everybody jumped in and did an incredible job and even our relationships beyond right here in the
township. Um, we were served very well and I think that has a lot to do with who the township is, who are the people who help run it, and especially all of the township employees and all the departments that add to that. So, it's very much appreciated. Thank you.
Uh, anyone else here in person? If not, I see no hands raised. So, can I please then have a motion to close public comment? >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Ordinance for public hearing and
adoption. This evening, we have two ordinances scheduled for public hearing and adoption. Ordinance number 26-26 was tabled and carried from the June 17, 2026 meeting because the agreement had not yet been fully executed and
therefore the ordinance could not be adopted. Mr. Quinn, can you just give us an update on where we are with that ordinance? >> Yeah, thank you, Mayor. I am going to again ask for a continuence to the August 19th meeting. I'm still waiting for the signed contract agreement from
the FMA. Unfortunately, I do not have that as yet. Um, so I would request that you carry this uh ordinance to the August meeting. >> Thank you. Based on that explanation, I will entertain a motion to table ordinance 26-26
and carry it to the August 19th township committee meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ravitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Janata, >> yes. >> Mr. Gazelle, >> yes. >> Miss Rothman, >> yes. >> Mayor Grigley, >> yes. The public hearing and final consideration and adoption of ordinance
number 26-26 will be held on Wednesday, August 17th, 2026 at 700 p.m. in a municipal building 50 Woodland Avenue. As for ordinance 27-26, an ordinance of the township of Mars,
Mars County, New Jersey, establishing salaries and compensation for employees of the firefighters association, FMBA Local 270 of the Township of Mars. I understand an amendment is required as well. Mr. Quinn, would you please
explain? >> Yes, Mayor. We did reach agreement with the fire superior officers. uh when we reached the agreement um that called for the contract of 3% raises which were the same as all of other municipal employees. Uh during our contract
negotiations, we also discussed with the fire superior officers association about doing a trial schedule which put them on a what they call a 2472 schedule where fire superior officers currently get uh holidays off. They would no longer get the holidays off
unless it fell on their regularly scheduled day off. um it does require a minor change in compensation. So for that ordinance which based on the 40hour work week, we have now uh put in a section that deals with the 2472
schedule as a secondary uh compensation with those officers if we do go to the trial schedule as to how they will be compensated. So I'm asking for that amendment and then um have the public hearing and adoption at the August 19th meeting. >> Thank you. Based on that explanation,
rather than opening the public hearing on this ordinance, I will entertain a motion to amend and reintroduce the ordinance with a public hearing on the amended ordinance to be held on August 19th, 2026. May I have a motion? >> So moved. Second.
>> Is there any discussion by the township committee? >> Seeing none, madame clerk, please call the role. >> Mr. Ravitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Janata, >> yes. >> Mr. Gazelle, >> yes. Miss Rothman, >> yes. >> Mayor Briglia, >> yes. The public hearing and final
consideration and adoption of ordinance number 27-26 will be held on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 at 700 p.m. in a municipal building, 50 Woodland Avenue. As far as our resolutions, we have 11 on tonight's agenda. I have a motion to
approve resolution numbers 150-26 through 161-26 by one motion. So moved. >> Second. >> May I have a roll call vote, please? >> Miss Rothman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Janata? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gazelle? >> Yes. >> Mr. Roberts?
>> Yes. >> Mayor Grigley? >> Yes. We have two items on the consent calendar this evening. Can I have a motion to approve the items on the consent calendar by one motion? >> So move. Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Consideration of monthly reports. The following reports are on file in the office of the township clerk and the township administrator, the May 2026 fire and police, the June 2026 tax collector, and the Marstown Mars
Township Library. Can I have a motion to approve the monthly reports? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Claims for payment list of bills and vouchers. The total amount of bills and vouchers for this meeting is
11,174,165.74. We are also the tax collector for the school district, the library, and the county. May I have a motion to approve the list of bills and vouchers? >> So move. >> Second. >> May I have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Janata? >> Yes. >> Mr. Griselle? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabbitz? >> Yes.
>> Miss Rothman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Griglia? >> Yes. received. For the record, we have one item, a letter of registration from Joshua S. >> Resignation. >> Resignation. >> Resignation. >> Oh,
say registration. >> Re, we have one item, a letter of resignation from Joshua Saxs from the swim pool advisory committee. And we thank Mr. Sachs for all of his work and wish him well either actually moving out of the state. At this time, we'll do the
standing committee reports and general commentary will be provided by each township committee member. Committeewoman Rothman. >> Thank you. Um so I just wanted to give a quick update about some things. Um first I wanted to talk about the storm
response. So um I totally echo the words of Steve. I was this is my first time being on the committee going through a major event like this and I was proud to be a part of this team. Um I thought the
professionalism particularly that uh Mr. Quinn and the DPW handled this situation right away getting roads open so that first responders could get through. Um, I did have a meeting up at the County College of Morris uh with JCPNL staff
there and uh the governor and when our uh representative from JCPN, I said, "Are are you from Morris Township?" And I said, "Yes." And he right away said, "Your DPW has been so wonderful at helping us where we've needed help." So,
um, kudos to all of our our staff and also just an acknowledgement that it was their holiday, too. Um, so a lot of them miss time with their family and friends and we're just very grateful. Um, we continue to get calls coming in just following up about debris removal. Uh, T
DPW has been very responsive and residents have been grateful. Um, so along those lines, one of the things I did want to mention was um, just reminding homeowners that the trees on their property are similar to the batteries in your smoke detector or the
gutters on your roof, they need regular attention and regular maintenance. So, um, please use professional services. Um, and that also too when these storms do happen, unfortunately, and we have not gotten any reports of this, but I want to make people aware that there
will be the random people with chainsaws offering to help clean your property. Please use license and insured people um for your safety and for theirs as well. Um also too one of the things you know circling back to trees is that um one of
my priorities is also working toward having systematic um management plan in place for municipal trees. So that is uh something that I'll continue to work on um and that is clearly of interest to me. Um I also wanted to reach out and say thank
you to Chief Nun. He gave me a wonderful tour of all of our firehouses and all of our equipment. Um, so it was a real educational experience. So I thank him for that. Um, I'd like to also give an update on Normandy Park Bridge. So for those of you who don't know, the bridge
was built in 1914. Um, that intersection used to be a very dangerous intersection apparently. Um it was a blind turn uh with Madison Avenue, Washington Avenue and a bend in the the tracks there. And
when they rec when they constructed the bridge, they also actually changed the pattern of the train. They changed Madison Avenue and they changed Washington Avenue. So um it's a very historic location and the bridge obviously received um significant damage
from a car crash about a year ago. So, people have been asking when is this repair going to take place? And so, we have been in um contact back and forth with New Jersey Transit. We do have a letter uh from NJ Transit that we are
still working on the details of for them to make the repair. Um and we're hoping that that work will start in August. Um nothing is set in stone or concrete as the bridges, but um we have made progress, so there's hope. So, I wanted
to give an update on that. Um, and lastly, I was able to also attend the beautiful reading of the Declaration of Independence at Fort Mansion. And Steve is right, it was it was a really wonderful event, especially seeing so many people come out in the heat right
after a storm and just spending time together, enjoying um the history and the the people who were in costume. It was really beautiful. It's the first time I've actually been to that event. Um, so come next year because it was
great. And that's all. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Committee Woman Rothman. And I just want to say um to Mr. Larish, your point about in the future whether having some kind of a bigger social media presence in when there's these
types of storms or important information to get out. We're continually working on how to do that better. However, it it should be clear that the information does have to make sure that we put out as the township is completely accurate. You know, now on social media, people
can jump in and but I do also want to commend uh Miss Rothman because she did personally get on social media and she was giving updates to and accurate updates to she was attending the meetings. So, it was nice to see that
and I think we all agree and know that's something we're continually working on to get information out there every way possible. And I I do think in the future we'll see more of that. And I noticed also around many of the other towns for the first time they too were jumping in
and doing live uh takes of being different places. And again, I just caution that it does have to be accurate information and make sure that we're putting things out so we don't have residents that get confused or are hearing two different uh whether it's
when their power is going back on or when DPW might get to them or whatever. We just want it to be accurate. So, really appreciate that though. Committeeman Grazil. >> Uh thank you. Um thanks to the public
for coming out. Thank you guys for your questions and your comments. And I too want to thank the Morris Hatchim employees for their response to the storm. It was incredible. Um I drove back actually Friday night after having
dinner with my parents in Englewood to my house and I arrived about 10:00 after the storm had come through and there were trees down everywhere. I couldn't even get to my house uh without driving a very very way. Uh but along the way I saw multiple police out uh tending to
the issues. Uh firefighters out tending to the issues. Um and the response from the municipality was just tremendous. Uh the next day there were guys clearing a tree on my street that had come down. I also had a tree down on my property. Uh but those guys had worked the night
before and had come in in the morning and was were working another shift on July 4th. So the response from the municipal employees was really above and beyond and they were they were out there. They were enthusiastic for getting things cleaned up and their
spirit was high and it was truly amazing. So um thank you for Tom to Tom Ehman who led the charge at DPW. Um thank you for all our department heads who were involved. We had health department involved to to look after the elderly and the sick. We had building inspectors who came in on July 4th to
inspect homes that had been damaged. uh the the dedication of the municipal employees was just un unbelievable uh quite frankly and uh I do want to give special kudos to uh Mr. Quinn who's sitting here. I know he likes to give uh credit to all his department heads and
and they deserve a lot of credit but he's like uh the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain. He's working magic on his computer and his phone uh coordinating things behind the scenes. You don't see him out there. Although when I was driving home, I called him and reported
incidents and Tim was out in his car uh on July 3rd that night as well uh surveying the damage in the township. Um so Tim, really kudos to you. Um tremendous, tremendous job. Um goes unnoticed often the things you do behind the scenes. Um but you deserve a lot of
credit. I know you don't like getting credit. Um um but you you really deserve it this time. So thank uh thank you. Thank you. And thanks again to all the township employees. Um I am the proud chairman of the standing committee for
the police department here in Morris Township. We have we have chairpeople of oversight for all the departments we have here in Morris Township and I am proud to always do that for the police department. I'm very supportive of all the work they do. Um there was an item on the agenda tonight that I just wanted
to inform the public of. We uh we're we have an allocation of money towards tasers and people have asked me if we're buying new tasers if this is new to Morris Township and want to let you know that we have a very progressive police department here. We're always looking
for new methods and ways of policing better and the tasers were deemed to be a method of policing that were a where we were able to use less force. you know, right? When you pull out a gun, it's deadly force every time you pull
out a gun. And un, you know, and may have to use it. And the taser gives the police officers an option to do to to pull out a taser and use less deadly force when it's not, you know, when it's deemed to be not needed to pull out an actual gun. Um, so it's a great uh piece
of equipment to have in their armory. And uh what we had on the agenda tonight was just replacing the 10 tasers that we have currently in our in our police department. Uh upgrading the equipment, bringing it up to today's standards. I won't go into all the details of what went into that. Um but I just want
everybody to know these are not new tasers. We're just replacing the tasers that we have. Um so our police department can do their job as as effectively as possible and they do a great job. Um, also related to the police department, uh, we have an annual
Morris, uh, Tri Morris Junior Police Academy, which is a two-eek summer camp co-sponsored by the police departments of Morris Township, Morristown, and Morris Plains. And the program offers local 6th, 7th, and eighth graders uh, an inside look at the criminal justice field through the hands uh, through
hands-on training and physical fitness, emergency first aid, uh, defensive tactics, and uh, crowd control. And it's a really really wonderful program that exposes our kids to uh what it's like to be a first responder. Um and just a a note for something that happened this
year uh that the kids northern New Jersey uh the safe kids northern New Jersey had the chance to provide injury prevention education and stop the bleed training at the Tritown uh Junior Police Academy. So, I just wanted to thank them for coming out and helping with the
program and helping uh the future leaders of our town with the skills that they can use to stay safe and respond uh to an emergency uh themselves. A number of people have mentioned the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Uh it's something I have
done numerous times uh with my children. I've probably been there at least 10 12 times over the years. It's something I try to arrange my schedule around because I love it so much. So, glad you got to experience it for the first time. and Steve, thanks for going out. Um, I tried to I got there at the very end. A
a usual 12 to 15 minute drive took me 50 minutes 50 because I couldn't get down around the trees that were still down everywhere I was in the western end of town. Um, so I got there at the end. So sorry I didn't see you guys there. Uh, but I made my best effort to attend
again. It is a wonderful event and everybody who hasn't experienced it uh should experience it. And I had one more thing to talk about, but I can't remember. So, I will just turn it back to you. Uh, thanks so much, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Committeeman Rabbitz. >> Thank you, Mayor. As you often say, by the time it gets to you, everything has been said. So, um, boy, I don't have a lot left. I I want to echo certainly what my colleague, Mr.
Grazelle has said. It it absolutely he he said it so so well. Uh our DPW uh did a phenomenal job. Tom Eshman, every one of our township employees. I mean the circumstances were for this storm was
just an extraordinary freaky thing. And of course to happen on the July 4th weekend kind of put a damper on, you know, festivities. But uh I just want you to know that the township committee was in constant contact even though we were all kind of spread out uh to our
different where we you know we were celebrating our our the 4th of July but we were in constant contact and one of the things and I think the mayor mentioned this and I want to reiterate it. No I want to iterate it. I don't like the word reiterate. um is the fact
that official news and and uh about town the township and events on the township really the first place any resident should look is the township website or uh the township municipal messenger or the township official uh social media
pages. I know a lot of people mean well when they're posting things, but you know, one of the things that, you know, before we post, anything gets posted, the town it's it's vetted through the township committee. So, we we know the language that's going out. We understand that that it's going out with the proper
context. We also appreciate, you know, that residents um you know, certainly share township news and events on their own website, which is, you know, what a number of us do do. Uh but in terms of official business, no candidate, no
committee member, no nobody, no resident has official information unless it's shared from an official source. So I really want to make that clear because there was misinformation out there and stuff that wasn't in the proper context. So u there are times when, you know, we
get scooped, but when it comes through the township, it's official. Uh, regarding the um the celebration, the July 4th, I hope everybody had a good July 4th. I know with the storm and all it was difficult for a lot of people.
Um, personally, you know, my we were unscathed in in my home, but just a block or two over uh these micro burst storms, you know, hit 80 mph winds and, you know, a lot of tall trees came down. Unfortunately, they came down on
people's homes, driveways, power lines, roadways, and and this goes back to the fact that, you know, all our township people, the first responders, Tom Eshman's DPW, your township committee, we were all on, we were all over this
and we were getting news out as fast as we could. Uh, and we appreciate, Steve, what you were saying, uh, the feedback you get. It's nice to get positive feedback from from the residents that you know we do a good job and we always love hearing that and I want to just
thank you for you know saying those words too. Um the um regarding the Declaration of Independence it it is worth reading. I know it it's hard to read in its original form but you can see it online.
There are 27 grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence. And I do urge for all those folks who um you know who consider themselves patriots or good Americans to understand what those grievances were uh and how it relates to
uh events that are going on in the country today. So uh I do I do urge people to to go ahead and read that. Uh couple other things. Um the mayor and I serve on the, you know, master plan
steering committee. Make sure that your voice is heard, respond to surveys, any input. Uh because this is your town and and for the next 10 years after we adopt the newest master plan next year. Uh this is going to be our guide book. So
make sure that uh your voice is heard and your your input is is received. And lastly, uh, before I turn it back over to the mayor, we are starting to plan our 25th commemoration of 911, which is
coming up on either the 10th, 910 or 99. Uh, stay tuned for details. We are going to release the details of the where and when we're going to plant a tree um in in commemoration. this will likely be
the last commemoration uh as people uh who were alive back then. Um they begin to age and the people that were born after 9/11, it doesn't have the same significance. And you can think back to, you know, Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination,
you know, Martin Luther King, all these major milestone events that happen. It becomes less and less meaningful to each succeeding generation. So this may be the last one. It'll be 910 or 911 and it'll be most likely across the street. So stay tuned for details. And I think
that's all I had. Mayor, >> thank you, Deputy Mayor Janata. >> Thank you, Mayor. Again, I want to echo everybody's thanks for the extraordinary efforts from Mars Township personnel in the aftermath of the recent storm, in particular DPW and the first responders
as well as the JCPNL crew as and those who came from out of state that helped repair the down power lines. And as one of the residents that was without power for nearly a week, this is proof that township elected officials do not get
special service. Yay me. And we're now uh so I'm very thankful. I remember the the lineman zapping the the the power with the hot stick and lo and behold, we got power. And uh we're also the World
Cup is coming into its final days. And I want wish to thank the Brazilian national team for using the Red Bull's training facility located here. We hope they enjoyed their accommodations even though they were eliminated in the round of 32. And best wishes for the teams in
the finals, Spain and Argentina. If you're not lucky to have the tickets, join a local watch party. And transportation advisory committee. Our next Mars Township in Motion event will be this Saturday on July 18th at 10:00 a.m. Rain date is Sunday, July
19th. It'll be beginning at the Gan Street Community Center site with a walk around the neighborhood. As an incentive, the health department has a tick removal kit to give away. If you want to join, just sign up at the TAC website and um and you can get your
free tick removal kit. Also on the TAC website is the bike, walk, and roll mobility survey. So, be sure to fill that out when you get the chance. And in the environmental commission last Saturday, members of the EC and I went to Summit to see their
tiny rain for tiny forest near their community center. It's situated on a quarter acre lot. The tiny forest began 5 years ago and is thriving. They have an 8ft high wire fence to keep away the deer. And during the downpour when we
went, it had a rain rainforest effect. and uh when we're talking to people there, our walk also gave them ideas. So maybe we'll see something in the future. Also, I want to acknowledge the tragic
situation that occurred at the pond in Jones Woods. Our condolences to the family of the young man and thanks once again to our local first responders as well as those from Morris County. This was heartbreaking for me personally since this tragedy happened in my own
neighborhood and it did help put a damper on the festive weekend at um again many celebrated the 250th anniversary just so in spite of everything else
you know we still had we did uh find ways to do to celebrate and and although locally we were tempered by the recent storm and everything. Invariably, when such events take place, those of us of a certain age can
remember when of this celebration of the bicesentennial back in 1976. If you recall, that time was a time of contentious events as well, such as the Vietnam War, assassinations, and Watergate. So, the multi-year celebrations that followed were happy
catharsis for many of us. Personally, I remember a huge parade in Morristown as well as fireworks at the high school. If you visited any of the national historic parks at that time or later, many of those facilities date back to this time
period, including Jockey Hollow. Although one member of my family was a citizen at that time, my brother through birthright citizenship, my family felt proud of being in this country because we first lived in Philadelphia before moving to the military capital of the revolution. So,
the spirit of 76 pervaded our home. Being young, I enjoyed collecting such memorabilia as I could, and I found a few magazines that are still in my possession. This was a time magazine issue from n
1976 and it was written in a you are there format saying 17 as if it was published in 1776 include it includes a women's section which quotes Abigail Adams quote on remember the ladies so if anybody wants
to borrow however musty it is also I found this the great chips if you remember opsale 76 six. >> Yep. And um I got this little brochure there and this picture here is the
Italian ship Americas Buchcci. And because I I remembered that I wanted to see them by myself. So, I took my my I missed the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which I usually go to, but I did go to the Hudson River with my
kids in the hot weather. And we saw the uh sail ships go by and including the America Vaspuchcci and that was that was called um Sail forth 250. So, and it just brought back memories. I
remember talking to somebody who was also remembered from the bsentennial time and he he was he he saw that personally and it was a very memorable time for me. If you if you know our Facebook friends of mine, you saw me share the pictures
and just the the that we all had different ways of commemorating the time, but this was one of something very memorable for for everybody who witnessed it. I know people saw it on TV, but just just to see those ships sailing in person was um was very
moving. And so although we went back to the problems and the tragedies that awaited us, we did enjoy that brief respit of celebration. Back to you, mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. And again, we always appreciate your historical take
on everything and uh love the fact that you have been so good as a father with your kids and and bringing them to so many different events and teaching them all about so many historical things. >> Well, this is my wheelhouse. >> What? >> This is my wheelhouse.
>> Yes, exactly. So, um again, I would be remiss if I did not. So, I too am going to thank Superintendent Tom Ehman and the DPW crew, um, as well as OEM, our police and fire departments, all the first responders who did such an
excellent job. Um, I stopped in to see Tom and he, it's so funny. He's just like Mr. Quinn. They kind of sit back. They're very humble. They never want to take credit. And I said, "Yeah, but you know, you you your guys did such a good job." and his response is always that's
that is our job and that's why we get out there and do it. So, um can't say enough about how great they are. Um I also want to thank Bob Flynn from JCPNL who was very responsive. The township actually did have a very high number of
outages. So again, due to the relationships that are built by the very people within the town hall here and on the committee, um we have relationships that we can reach out and get to people and can get answers and can get things done in the township. So we really
appreciate that. Same with the governor's disaster recovery office and the governor's policy team for doing all the outreach they did to all the local municipalities. We had calls from JCPNL. We had mayor's calls with the governor's
office. They did an excellent job. And the great thing about that is they too continue to take suggestions and information from us on what we thought they could possibly do better. So taking all that information and the suggestions
will be help be make us and everybody even more prepared for continued storms of this nature which we are going to have. uh sadly this is probably not going to get better in the near future and we're going to have to be more responsive. So we too are having those
discussions and looking at how what is that protocol? How do we make it even better so we get to people as quickly as possible. Um I also want to thank our health department and the sewer department. I
think many of you, not everybody knew immediately, but you know, we have two uh sewer centers here in the township and when they have to go on generators, we are very concerned and want to make sure we can get them back online as soon
as possible. So again, nothing but dedication on the part of everybody involved to be there and make sure that we can get things so that we didn't have that type of mishap on top of the other damage and things that occurred in the township. Uh a couple notes about the
master plan. Uh the economic development advisory committee met last night. They actually went through their process with the planners. We're going through all the different advisory committees. The public has received the survey. So again, please fill it out.
You have plenty of time. This is an ongoing process, but there are going to be many opportunities. And please, we need that feedback so that we can move forward with all of your input. So, I'm going to conclude with, you know, this summer has had its challenges
already, which the township has met head on. We continue to seek our community, see our community spirit through residents helping out in so many ways, which was really special during this storm. Neighbors helping neighbors, elderly people, the having neighbors
next door come over and try to make sure that they weren't upset as they waited a little bit to get some help there. We continue to work on solutions that prioritize the well-being of our residents. it is due to your dedication and support that we continue to become
even stronger and more resilient. So truly we want to thank the residents as well because that's what makes everything come together and appreciate uh how we're going to do that going forward. I do want to say last uh month I ended with the quote about you know
everything magical happens between June and September and I thought well not a lot of magical stuff was going on at the beginning of July so let's all just hope that get gets better as we go on. With that being said um we'll open up our
second public commentary. There are currently five attendees joining us on Zoom and four here in person. We will begin with the comments from those here in person first. Then we'll go to Zoom. Please raise your hand if you would like
to participate. Before speaking, please state your name whether or not you are a resident. For the record, comments are limited to 5 minutes. If you have questions and would like a response, any remaining time will be yielded back to you for that purpose. Is there a motion to open public comment?
>> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Charlie, >> I'm back. Um, so Charlie Shaker, 10 Raleigh Court. Uh, I do not want my singular focus on the gas leaf blower issue to, uh, give you the impression
that I am also not extremely grateful for the township's response to the emergency that happened over the Fourth of July weekend. Uh, I live in the Butterworth section of town. Although I my property did not experience uh, any dramatic damage, there was some very
dramatic damage throughout the neighborhood. And um I take daily walks and and saw the uh work of the DPW firsthand and it was extraordinary. Um I also want to mention that a few years ago I did sign up for the uh police
department's advisories which come across in email for me. uh those are quite excellent and uh really uh you know often about road closures but also often about issues like this and I find them to be uh most helpful and I would
urge everyone uh in the township to sign up uh similarly. Um, and uh, again, thank you for your hard work and thank you, Administrator Quinn, and uh, thank you to all the township professionals uh, for your uh, incredible response to
what was an extraordinary um, natural event. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Quillin. >> Hi, George Quillin, 9 Barbberry Road. I'm always afraid I'm gonna say the wrong address for myself and give my uh
the address where I used to live. Um so I I'm feeling nostalgic and and kind of sorry that I wasn't here over Fourth of July weekend. I was on the West Coast where the weather was much better and uh when Jeff was trying to get to the to the reading of the um of
the Declaration of Independence, I was watching a Mariners um Toronto Blue Jays game in Seattle. So, uh, feeling guilty now though that I missed all of that. And, um, I certainly see,
um, from the changes to the trees, from the from the, um, remaining, uh, branches that are down and the wires that are down, the tremendous um effects of of the storm. Was it just one storm or were there two storms?
>> It was literally a 20 minute 20 minute >> Wow. came through and had microbar areas, so did a lot of damage. >> Yeah. Unbelievable. Um, so I'm I'm sure great work was done. I see there are a
lot of trucks still at um at JCPNL that I don't normally see in that parking lot. So, they're they're working uh extra time on a lot of matters. Um, I wanted to um to bring up a
different topic and um ask for um the township committee to consider a change in practice to I think um would improve that I think would improve communication with the residents. Um so I wanted to mention this. I've mentioned it privately I think to to a few of you
and I wanted to to um bring it up now publicly. uh and it has to do with the attachment of attachments um to resolutions and ordinances uh in what's posted on the township website. So, a good example came up um
for this meeting and that's why I thought to to um comment today uh on the um sewer agreement with Harding Township um there's a resolution 161-26
uh which says in effect uh we are going to enter into an agreement which is attached as attachment one attachment A but attachment A is actually not attached to anything that the public can
see. So, um, my suggestion is if you are able to pass the resolution tonight, then I would think you would be able to also attach the um the meat of the agreement, the
attachment to the resolution um on the website in advance of the meeting. >> So, George, this that example, there may be other examples. So I don't know the practice but for that particular that was actually a topic in close session tonight and the agreement was not uh ready for approval until we came out of
close session. So it would not have been appropriate to have released that prior to our close session meeting. I there may be other instances where it would be but I'm just saying that particular one that you're pointing out. We did discuss that agreement in close session tonight. We came out of close session approving it.
>> Will it be posted on the website now? I don't know, but it's certainly openable. It's certainly >> it's available. >> Certainly available, but I don't know if we posted. >> It hasn't been executed yet. >> If you had entered, let's see. If you had pass the resolution next month instead of this month after the close
session discussion tonight, would that have affected the business of Mars Township or Harding? In other words, if you had waited until you could post publicly before before this meeting so that someone who was interested could come in and >> there was there was there was time there
was a timing issue on this agreement. >> All right. Well, I would ask that when when it's not urgent that um it be a standard practice to attach everything that's relevant to the ordinance or the resolution that's um up for
consideration. Uh, and I would say, um, please do it before, >> uh, not just before the meeting, but going into the weekend before the meeting as you publish the draft agenda.
That would be wonderful. That's the way to really communicate with residents. >> I think it would be a big improvement. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Uh if I could just uh just point out one additional thing. Uh after we
have our meetings and you go on and look at the agenda, um you can click on each of the ordinances and the resolutions to see what we voted on. >> And and the reason I'm bringing it up is in the case of resolutions, yes, you you're not aware of some of the
background details. Uh but for all the ordinance, we introduce them one month and then actually vote on them and have a public hearing the next month. So on on the ordinances, just so everybody's clear, they do have advanced notice for a reading of the ordinances prior to the
final vote. It's not the same with the resolutions. Um but at least for the ordinances, that's available. >> Well, as long as the ordinance says something, it says everything that's material to being to what's being passed. My my comment is about attachments. So attachment A to this
resolution contains what's really important in the resolution. >> Mhm. >> Another good example would be a um would be a um payment in lie of taxes agreement. I mean the last time I
remember looking at one of those uh it was laid out in an attachment and the attachment was not available on the website. Um it would be better to make those available. That way uh people can read them. Not many people will read a
u a payment in le of taxes agreement but you might get a couple of people who do and especially if it's available on Friday night the following Wednesday they might be ready to ask a question. So that's what I recommend. Thanks a lot.
>> Thank you. Steve Steve Leris 20 Park Drive for 29 years. I'm not going to talk about my leaf blower right now, but I just want to say um you know we have a natural gas pipeline in the township. We have a pumping station. We have an airport. And
this was just a 15 or 20 minute micro burst. So when you people talk to the utilities, please reiterate to them that these facilities are a major concern. Would really hurt a lot of people if there was a problem at any one of these.
And then the last thing I want to say is Jeff Grael mentioned something that's not just a term. He said stop the bleed. Stop the bleed is not a term. is a a national organization that trains people to use tourniquets, Israeli bandages,
compression gauze, uh for people that are shot or stabbed and really have moments left to live. If the township somehow could get more involved with that organization, maybe have classes at the fire department, you bring these
people in, maybe have them at the gyms for kids in high school. Um, you know, these mass shootings are every day we're seeing these things and a tourniquet or an Israeli bandage, compression bandage, gauze really saves lives. So, Jeff,
maybe you could do something here. It's a great organization. It I mean, we have line dancing. We have volleyball open to the residents. This is more important. Let's have a couple classes with Stop the Bleed. It's a great organization. And thank you all for your time.
>> Thank you. Appreciate it. If there's nobody else here in public, I see no hands raised online. >> Before we >> Before we close it out, I do want to correct myself because I went online and
all the resolutions and the ordinances for tonight's meeting are also available if you click the header to the section. I thought was it post meeting, but it's actually the day. Yeah, >> the yeah the meeting the the agendas that are posted online you can click
doesn't go to your point George about the the backup details right >> um but everything that we're voting on upon is available for public viewing >> thanksing no other members will someone make a motion to close public comment >> some move second
>> all in favor >> the time is now 8:03 can I have a motion to adjourn the regular session >> so move >> second All in favor? I. >> The next regular meeting of the township committee is on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 at 7 p.m. for the regular meeting,
5:00 p.m. for closed in the municipal building, 50 Woodland Avenue. Thank you and have a good night. Thanks for coming