I call to order this regular meeting of the township committee of the township of Mars this Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The time is now 7:01 p.m. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings 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 3rd, 2025 and posted on the Township of Mars website. The agenda and resolutions for the meeting are available on
marstownship.com under the agenda center. Certain portions of this meeting may be closed to the public for the purpose of personnel and/or other matters as outlined in the sunshine law. Notice to the members of the governing body and the 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. Gazelle here. Mr. Jory here. Mr.
Ravitz here. Mr. Janata here. Mayor Griglia here. Please rise and join me if you can for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, liberty and justice for all. The next item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the February 19th, 2025 meeting closed and regular sessions? So move, mayor.
Second. All in favor? I I We have two proclamations on our agenda tonight. And I would now like to please call up to the podium to do our first pro proclamation on honoring public health and school nurses our public health
nurse Kathy Whitehead and Carolyn Ericson from the Mara school district nursing coordinator and what oh and and Liz too. Sorry Liz, I didn't see you sneak in there. If you would all
please come up. She's like me. Okay. and Dr. Samuel is here as well school nurses association president of the New Jersey state school nurses association and also thank you to Judy Wolf who helped initiate everything with
this special proclamation proclamation in honor of school nurses and public health nurses recognizing the power of nurses in our community whereas registered nurses in the United States constitute our nation's largest healthcare profession and are
consistently voted the most trusted profession year after year. And whereas the depth and breadth of the registered nursing profession meet the diverse and evolving health care needs of the American population in a wide range of settings. And whereas public health
nurses and school nurses address the home and community factors that impact the community members health. And whereas public health nurses improve the quality of our lives, help children thrive, and reduce human suffering,
public health nurses work behind the scenes to prevent hazards and keep people healthy, such as tracking disease and vaccinating community members. And whereas public health nurses are professional nurses that focus in all spectrums of the community, assessing
community needs, developing complex health challenges, and providing solutions to the issues. And whereas school nurses are professional nurses that advance the well-being, academic success, and the long lifelong achievements of all students by serving
on the front lines and providing a critical safety net for our nation's most fragile children. And whereas school nurses act as liaons to the school community, families, and health care providers on behalf of children's
health by promoting wellness and improving health over outcomes for our nation's children. And whereas school nurses work together with the public health nurses who understand the link between health and learning and are in a position to make a difference for every
child every day. And whereas the American Nurses Association 2025, the theme for nurses celebration is the power of nurses with appreciation for nurse's unparalleled impact and their contributions to our community and an
open invitation to hashank a nurse for enriching our lives and the worlds we live in. Therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor Donica, and the Mars Township Board of Health President Robert Katz, ask that all residents of Mars Township, New
Jersey, join me in honoring registered nurses, particularly school nurses and public health nurses who care for all of us. And be it further resolved that the residents of Mars Township, New Jersey, celebrate the accomplishments of
registered nurses and their efforts to improve our health care system and show our appreciation for the nation's registered nurses, not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year. Congratulations. And we have
[Applause] the podium gets. She's gonna hide it. She's funny. Thank you. Thank you.
[Applause] Thank you. Congratulations. You guys have a great night. Thank you. Thank you everyone. Thank you so very much. Yeah, we can do that after.
The next proclamation on the agenda tonight is honoring Junth and that will be presented by committeeman Janada. Thank you, mayor. Whereas on January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation
setting in motion the end of slavery in the United States. And whereas the Civil War ended with the surrender of General Lee at Appamatics Courthouse on April 9th, 1865. And whereas the news this news reached Texas when Union General Gordon Granger
arrived in Galveastston Bay with Union troops on June 19th 1865 he announced the people of Texas are informed that in accordance with the proclamation from the executive of the United States all slaves are free. And whereas celebration
of the end of slavery which became known as Junth is the oldest known public celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. And whereas in 2021 Junth was established as a federal holiday opening
it to symbolic and global interpretation and providing a better understanding of the evolution of our nation and its people. Junth celebrations then and now recognize the ongoing fight for human rights and equality and are commemorated through family gatherings, faith
services, music, and storytelling. Today, Junth honors African-American resilience and achievement while preserving historical narratives that have promoted racial and personal advancement since freedom day. And whereas on a larger scale, the
celebration of Junth reminds us all of the enduring promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity that are central to the American dream. Now, therefore, the township committee of the township of Mars does hereby
proclaim June 19th, 2025 as a day to celebrate Junth and urges all citizens to join in this commemoration. And I'd like to add that Junth started as a as a tradition in Texas and later
in the s south by African-Americans and later nationally by African-Americans and then this tradition became a national holiday. So which is very appropriate and I'm honored to read this proclamation. Thank you. Thank you
committeeman Jory. So happy Junth to everyone. Janata. Janatada. Long day. We will open our first public commentary. There are currently three members of the public, four members of
the public joining us on Zoom and four members attending in person. At this time, we will open the meeting to public comment. We'll begin with comments from those here in person, then move to our participants on Zoom. If you're joining on Zoom, please raise your hand. If you
would like to speak, please state your name and if you are a resident or non-resident for the record before speaking. Please note that comments are limited to five minutes. If you have questions you would like answered, your remaining time to speak will be yielded back for this purpose. Is there a motion
to open public comment? So move second. All in favor? I. Are there any members from the public who would like to speak? You can approach the podium, please. Yeah, my name is Candy Wong and I live at 5 Jacob Arnold Road in Marstown
and this is actually my neighbor across the street. We have a water problem. Nothing is draining. I've talked to Tim. I have a USB if you want to see it of the water that's flowing down my
driveway when it rains. It's eroded all the soil. My Belgian block has sunk and my driveway's cracked. I mean, you fixed somebody else. They fixed Kings, right? Kings was fixed by the
town and nobody has given me any satisfaction. I was told by the engineer, uh, well, you know, your block is sinking. Yeah, my block is sinking because it's soaking wet. And then he said, "Well, why don't you put in a new driveway?"
I I don't have $30,000 to put in a new driveway. Does the town want to put in a new driveway? You know, it's got to get fixed. It's not only mine. She has a lake in front of her house every time it rains. When was the first time you brought it
to the township's attention? Um, last time it rained really bad. Right. So, this is a new problem, though. I'm saying this. Well, it's not a new problem. It's a new problem I started complaining about. We've lived there for 30 years. I spoke to Mr. But I mean, if
you walk down the hill on the side of my driveway, you can basically almost see underneath it because the soil's gone. It's like a ditch where it used to be sloped down. You want to see it? I know. I've seen it. I mean, you've
seen it, but I can't take a stick drive and put it up in a public meeting. I can't hear you. We couldn't put We couldn't look at it now. I don't know what he said because we don't know what's on that stick drive. I'm know I'm sure it's fine, but as a policy, we just can't take images and put them up during a public meeting without first seeing
them. So, my question is, which I'm sure you're going to answer. So, the first we heard about it though was two weeks ago. So, has someone been out there? I think it was the storm at the middle of May if I recall that 14th, 15th of May storm. Am I correct on that? Yeah. Nothing. I
haven't seen one person come out. Our inspector was out there. I didn't see anyone. I'm just telling you, he never came to the door and I didn't see anyone. And my husband works from home so I haven't seen anyone. There was an inspected that did come up and then he's been And what did he say?
It has to do with some of the road configuration where it's coming down because you don't have any other Belgian block when the developers put that roadway in. It's just asphalt that goes to the side of the road. So there's no diversion force. Some of that water when we had those heavy duty storms uh was one of the issues that I mean we all
have drains. We have a drain that's past my driveway. And the same with her. Her drain is past her driveway. So it all just stops right there. Mine just flows right down my driveway. The water comes across the street and right down the driveway. If I believe they have the
video because you had sent You have to speak up, Tim. I can't hear. They have the video. I believe you sent the video because they have the right. They have the video for that for their their evaluation of it. But is somebody going to do something? We'll have to just keep I will check with the engineer and have him get back to you the beginning of
next week. You want to come talk? Tim, as an interim solution, can we ask DPW to put up an asphalt burm as a temporary solution to block the water? As she said, it's going to go right down her driveway because where it's coming
in from Gaston Road, it comes down and out on the other side of her driveway. Which direction is it coming from? From Gaston. The Gaston side. Okay. It's coming down Jacob Arnold. Half of the water is make it a pond in her yard and the other half is literally turning and
coming right down the driveway. And when we had the really bad rain a few weeks ago, it actually looked like waves in the driveway. The water, that's how hard it was coming down. Wow. The bottom of my driveway was cracked from all the water. I mean, it's a problem.
Yeah. No, it definitely sounds like a problem. I'm just trying to determine when it it got that we first heard about it just two weeks ago. or have you have you been in prior to that about the whole situation or No, I've had this problem for a really long time and I think we got to the point that my
husband was just fed up because now all the soil's gone driveway and now we're afraid we're going to lose that part of the driveway. Yeah, I it it sounds to me and I'd like to let Could you just state your name and we'll hear your comments? Loensteiner six Jacob Arnold Road and we have a
gully on the side what I we call a gully on the side of our property part of which is in the right away and it doesn't empty out. the bugs in the summer are just latent there and I can
clean it out in in the you know in the fall and in the winter but now it's all full again and it can't drain to the street and years ago this is we had complained at least 25 years ago we've
lived there for 32 and a half we complained probably 25 years ago So the town engineer told us to put in rocks. The rocks have gone below the soil and
the soil is there and there's no way to get from the what I call the gully to the drain, the storm drain, cuz we would have to dig up the street. And that you
can't do without a permit. Obviously, even if you were piping it through there, because somehow or another, they have to pipe it out and underground into the storm drain. And well, Cathy's was fixed. They fixed
hers with no problem. The town went over there and did it. Yeah. And she's got huge rocks all the way right to the storm drain. They did nothing. Ours. Is this a residence on your same street? Yes. Right next to her. Eight. Jacob
Arnold. Jacob Arnold. Okay. And they did that right after they moved in and they just ignored us. How long ago was that? At least 25 years.
Not been there 25 years, has she? Yeah. Well, it it sounds like again we'll find out. Ongoing. Yeah. And there's nothing we can do. And yes, we walk the dog a few times a day. And in a few weeks, we won't be walking
on our side of the street. It'll be so buggy. I mean, she we just adopted her from St. Hubert's and we can't have her mosquito ridden again. No, we will look into what they're already looking into it, but I will get an update where they Yeah, we'll get an
update and see what we can do. And sorry that I just leave this for you because you can see her. You can definitely leave it. Yes. Yep. You want to bring it up? I'll take it. Yep. Yeah. Okay. Just give it to our Give it to our bring it right. Yep. We'll hold on to it. We'll take a look
at it. And uh again, I sorry that this is happening and I know I'm not saying it's just this reason, but unfortunately we've had tremendous amount of rain in No, but it's every year couple weeks as well. You know, it continues to happen till you get to every spring and every
fall. And it part of it is on your not your but the townships right away. Sorry, I'm not No, if we can try to help like whatever we did at 8 Jacob Arnold if we can figure out. You also told me to put a bur like the pump at the end of
my driveway and maybe the water won't come down. I sold real estate for 40 years. People are going to know I have a water problem if I put a bur at the end of my driveway. Yeah, totally understand. Let's find out what what they come back with and we'll
see what we can do. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Mrs. Mrs. Wong, Mrs. Wong, you just made a comment about the burm at the end of your driveway, which is I was going to suggest. Um, I had to do that at my house, too, because I had an awful lot
of water. I'm opposite of a slope at myself and water comes at my house. And the burm at the end of the driveway has helped tremendously. Yeah. Bur the end of your driveway. Actually, can I ask you go back to the microphone just so it's on the the public can hear? Thanks.
I'm just telling you right now, I I really been selling real estate for 40 years. I owned a relocation company in Marstown for 35 years. Everybody that comes to your house is going to know that you have a water problem if you have that in your driveway. I'm just saying until you fix until the problem
gets resolved. It might be something you should consider. You can take it out later. Why should I have to go through the expense? Okay. Well, maybe we'll see what we can think can put a temporary burn of her driver to help these. Well, it sounds like she again I think this is
worth getting beyond. Let's find out what we can do. Let's find out what they did at 8 Jacob Arnold. I know there was a problem on Jonathan Smith with water, too, and they got theirs corrected, but it took her a year. If we can help, we definitely will do everything we can to try to help. We
certainly don't want you to be suffering through having water coming down your driveway this often. What was the address where the problem got fixed? Eight. Jacob Arnold. Eight. Who's it? Jacob. Who's it? Eight. Is that the Kings? The Kings. Okay. Yeah. 25 years
ago. But yeah, that was a long time ago that it was corrected, but the town did it. Okay. Whatever the problem was, the town fixed it because they were town trucks doing it over there. Okay. Is there Do you know of any other um residences?
Well, I know Jonathan I don't know the number on Jonathan Smith, but I know she had a terrible water problem and had to fight the town for a year. It took her a year to get it straightened out. It can I just y um it does take a while because
we budget every year for specific projects. We can't just add projects middle of the year if we don't have it in our budget. So um it usually goes to a general services contract where we do typically handle drainage issues like this with driveways and streets. Um but we have a very finite budget and we are
unable to for the most time part to add projects for the amount of time and for the fairness you said this has been happening for 25 years. We just heard about this two weeks ago for the first time. So we need we need some time to figure out what we're going to do. Taxes that we pay. I'm going to have my driveway fall off, the corner of it fall
off because of a water. We will We We have a process. Yeah. And we will have the engineering department look at it and if we need to budget money for it to fix it, we will do so, but it may take time. And we appreciate your patience as we will get you an answer for sure as
quickly as possible on what we can on what we can do. But thank you for sharing your situation. Is there anyone else from the public who would like to speak? Seeing no hands raised, is there a
motion to close public? So move comment. Second. All in favor? I. This evening, we have one ordinance scheduled for public hearing and adoption. Madame clerk, please read the title of ordinance 20-25 into the record, after which we will open the public hearing.
Ordinance 20-25, an ordinance of the township of Morris authorizing the execution of a water mane easement agreement with the Southwest Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority. Note, water main easement agreement for 15 Gan Street.
We will take comments from in-person attendees first and then we'll switch over to Zoom. Please virtually raise your hand in Zoom if you would like to speak. May I have a motion to open the public hearing on ordinance number 20-25? Some move.
Second. All in favor? I. Seeing no one from the public and no hands raised. Is there a motion to close public comments? So move. Mayor, is there a second? Second. All in favor? I. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number
20-25? So move. Is there a second? Second. Is there any discussion? Madame clerk, may I have a roll call vote? I would just like to mayor comment call for discussion just to let the public know that we're doing this to streamline I think operations here at
town hall um so that we give the authority to to a taxi to settle some claims that used to have to go through a lengthier process. And so it said talking about different ordinance talking about smoking ordinance 15. This is about the easement the water. Oh, I'm
looking at 21. Oh, this is 2025. I'm looking at 2125. I am so sorry. You can hold those comments till we get those comments. Deputy mayor. This is so we can get water to the community center. This is so Yeah, sorry. My apologies. I'm looking at the wrongd Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call
vote? Mr. Griselle, yes. Mr. Ganada, yes. Mr. Mr. Dorphy, yes. Mr. Ravitz, yes. Mayor Griglia, yes. I, Donna J. Gerlia, mayor, declare ordinance 20-25 approved and adopted, and direct the township clerk to publish proper notice
thereof in the official newspaper. We have three ordinances for introduction on tonight's agenda. Madame Clerk, please read the title of ordinance 21-25 into the record. Ordinance 21-25, an ordinance of the township committee of the township of Morris, authorizing
the tax assessor to settle tax appeals. Note, authorize the tax assessor to settle property tax appeals under $10,000. May I have a motion to introduce ordinance number 21-25? So moved. Second. Is there any questions or any
discussion? Well, I will now make my comments. Sorry for making them out of turn before. Uh but just let the public know that we're doing this to streamline operations. Uh used to be a lengthier process, but we're going to allow the tax assessor to uh make some decisions on appeals that are under $10,000, which
are very small, and it'll speed up the process for for our residents. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote? Mr. Dory, yes. Mr. Griselle, yes. Mr. Janata, yes. Mr. Ravitz, yes. Mayor Greglia. Yes. The
public hearing and final consideration and adoption of ordinance number 21-25 will be held at the next regular township committee meeting on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 at 7 p.m. Madame Clerk, please read the title of ordinance 22-25
into the record. 22-25 an ordinance of the township committee of the township of Morris authorizing the sale of that certain property known as block 8602 lot 10 in the township of Morris County
of Morris state of New Jersey note authorizes the sale of township owned property located at 4 old turnpike road may I have a motion to introduce ordinance number 22-25 so moved there second any questions or discussion
question, Madam Cler. Oh, I was just going to say I think it warrants discuss uh some explanation while we're selling township own property. Tim, would you like to talk about that? Sure, I can. Okay. This is a piece of property that the township bought with the original
intention of moving our recreation department there, but then once we're able to secure the Gan Street property, it would make more sense to move our recreation department up to the Gene Street Community Center once it's ready. Um we have an opportunity with a 100%
affordable developer for a group home to help us meet our affordable housing obligation in the fourth round. Um they are willing to purchase the building from us and as we've done with other 100% affordable projects in the past. We will assist them with our affordable house trust fund money um so that we can
build this and then this will count towards our our fourth round obligation uh to meet our afford affordable housing. Sorry I just want to add one thing mayor. Yep. Um to what's before you. The agreement is in draft form. If it there's still some
negotiations that need to be done. If there's any substantial changes, this ordinance will have to be any substantial changes to the agreement. The ordinance will have to be reintroduced at the next meeting. But we're trying to get this done as expeditious as possible. I don't think there'll be any substantive changes, but there is still some negotiating that
needs to go. It's mainly like it's mainly mostly legal things that I would deem nons substantive but there is a there is the possibility we would have to reintroduce this at the next year. Understood. Y and if I could also add you know to mention that it's a group home but this
is this is doing uh affordable housing with a purpose as I like to say instead of just building affordable housing. Um, it's it's going to meet a need not only for affordable housing, but meet a need in the community for uh developmentally disabled or special needs people to have
a group home to live in dignity. Um, and it'll be it'll be a nice addition to what we the housing housing stock that we have here in Morris Township. And I'm glad that we're we're moving forward with this. Thank you, Madame Clerk. May I have a roll call
vote? Mr. Ravitz? Yes. Mr. Gazelle? Yes. Mr. Jory? Yes. Mr. Janata, yes. Mayor Gerlia, yes. The public hearing and final consideration and adoption of ordinance number 22-25 will be held at the next regular township committee meeting on Wednesday,
July 16th, 2025 at 7 p.m. Madame Clerk, please read the title of ordinance 23-25 into the record. 23-25, an ordinance of the Township of Morris, Morris County, New Jersey, adopting the redevelopment plan for Catch Road,
regarding the property identified on the township's tax map as block 1901, a portion of lot 1, 540 West Hanover A, and a portion of lot 1.01 0181 catch
road pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law NJSA4A12A-1 note adopts a redevelopment plan for portion of 540 West Hanover A and 81 Catch Road after determining the area
qualifies as in need of redevelopment. May I have a motion to introduce ordinance number 23-25? So moved. Second. Any discussion? Any comments? Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call
vote? Mr. Dorphy? Yes. Mr. Janata? Yes. Mr. Griselle? Yes. Mr. Ravitz? Yes. Mayor Grigglia? Yes. The public hearing and final consideration and adoption of ordinance number 21-25 will be held at the next regular township committee meeting on Wednesday, July 16th at 700
p.m. We have 29 resolutions on tonight's agenda. Committeeman member Jorphy will recuse himself from resolutions 142-25 and 152-25 due to his role in the fire department.
May I have a motion to approve resolution mayor? I'd like to request that 158-25 be pulled for a separate discussion. Thank you. And mayor ask 156 be pulled for separate vote, please. Those are the two that
I missed. I think we should vote on block first, Jeeoff, before you go. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's fine. I was just looking for the numbers to make the motion. So, the motion will be You're refusing from which two? 142. So, so we're going to make a motion to
approve 133-ain the remaining the remaining resolutions other than 142526 and 158. Correct. Okay. Very good. I'll make that motion. I'll second them up. Do we need a roll call vote? Yes. Yes.
Okay. Um, who's first? I'm sorry. It was Mark and then Mark. Okay. Mr. Jory. Yes. Mr. Griselle. Yes. Mr. Janatada. Yes. Mr. Rabbits. Yes. Mayor Griglia. Yes.
So, are we going to do 156 first? And I'll do Why don't I do 14? I'll move that we do 142 and 152. 142. Is there a second? Yes, I'll second. 142 and 152 together and block together. Recused.
When you're ready, may I have a roll call? Yes. Sorry. Um, Mr. Gazelle, yes. Mr. Ganada, yes. Mr. Ravitz, yes. Mayor Griglia, yes. And I'll move that we move 156-25.
Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Uh, mayor. Yeah. Um, I appreciate um that uh we're going uh we're awarding this contract because of a state required um a state imposed
deadline. Uh it's a large contract for the sewer department uh of over $200,000. Um when we're spending that kind of money, um I would prefer that we go out to RFP to solicit several bids on it. Um I understand again this is being recommended by our engineering
department and the sewer department and that we are running up against a state deadline towards the end of the year. However, I'll oppose this resolution because we did not go out to arcate. Any other comments? I I have a question and a comment also. So um Mr. Caner, can
you explain nonfar and open how how we can approve 325 $235,000 without going to bid? What's the process? So, the way I like to explain to the public is it's the worst named law in the state because what nonfair and open implies is that
there's been no political contributions and the vendor needs to certify that there's been zero political contributions uh to this governing body and they're not allowed to make any political contributions to this governing body uh during the extent of their contract. It's a professional
services contract. Um so, we're allowed to select a vendor um without having to go out for bid. Um, so the idea is in a fair and open, um, they would disclose all their political contributions and they'd be allowed to to make donations up to 5200 or whatever the cap is for
that. So the non-fair and open means that they've certified they haven't made any contributions. Um, and we didn't go out for an RFP on it. And again, it's a it's a um it's a professional services contract, so we're not required to bid those services.
Professional services contract. You're not required to bid. Correct. Okay. Same with all of our professionals. Very good. Um, so my com I have two comments. One that uh this is coming from the state that we're required to do this. Um, but as we often like to say, it's an
unfunded state mandate. Uh, this large cost is going to be borne by all municipalities across the state with no help from the state to pay for it. And I am not sure what it's going to do for us
by putting the putting our sewer drains in the GIS in the short term when we have so many other storm water issues uh to deal with and the money I think could be spent better in other ways. Um so that's one of my issues that this is a
state mandate that's making us spend money that I think could be spent in other ways. Um but the other issue is I I would like to piggyback on what Mr. Jorphy said in uh putting out an RFP, um you know, I I know that it's a short timeline. Um but I I agree that we
should be doing RFPs for for big projects like this. Thank you. Any other comments? Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote? Mr. Gazelle, yes. Mr. Janata, yes.
Mr. Dorphy, no. Mr. Avitz? Yes. And Mayor Grigglia. Yes. May I have a motion to approve resolution number 158-25? So moved. Second. Any discussion or comments? Uh yes, I I have several
comments to make. Um, so, uh, just as I just stated with 156, uh, being a little frustrated with the state and imposing this mandate on us, um, we do have a mandate for affordable housing and I agree that the state is very unaffordable and we need more affordable
housing to meet that need. Uh, but the timeline that the state has set is really unrealistic. Our town has rushed to meet this obligation. So many towns around the state have rushed to meet this obligation and when you rush you
don't get the best result and I feel that what we're putting forward tonight is understandably the rushed process um is not the best result. Um I am a little frustrated at the process that the state has imposed on us. Um also a little
frustrated with the process that uh we have gone through in our own town um with very few meetings with not only the the municipal body the governing body but also with the planning board. The planning board saw it for the first time
on June at their June 2nd meeting. Um, we have put in place some very very good people and very thoughtful people at the planning board and I really feel like they should have been involved in this process much earlier on um instead of just uh having our professionals as good
as they are uh tell us what the best plan should be without input for the from the planning board who actually has to and did approve the plan the other night. that they did approve it because we have a deadline up against that we're up against. Uh just as we have a deadline that we just talked about for
156, this deadline is much sooner uh June 30th. Uh but I I am I'm I'm frustrated in the fact that I don't think we got the best results on a number of these projects. Um I am a little concerned about the density of the Columbia Road project and I have
expressed that to my fellow colleagues here. Um, I'm also very frustrated that we haven't gotten the best result out of the the Madison Avenue project at the old JCPNL site where I think we could have done better. Um, I have a question for Mr. Caner. So, we are when we
approve this and the planning board approved this, we are just approving concepts with allocations of the affordable housing at those sites. Correct. They still have to come back with plans that can be altered at the planning word level. Is that correct?
So, it's a little more than that. So, it's not just yes or no. Um, first off, this governing body tonight is just endorsing a plan that was adopted by the planning board. So, there's no ability for this governing body to modify what the planning board did. Uh, the state left it up to the planning board to
develop the plan and to adopt the plan. But part of the fourth round obligation of this body is to acknowledge the fact that you have an obligation that the planning board uh determined how that obligation should be met and that you are endorsing that. Um as far as a
procedure at this point, what's only been approved is really the density on those properties and how many units those properties um can hold and um what um how many affordable units would come out of that density. Um I know we've
seen, you know, some modified designs, but they're still going to have to have um zoning put in place to accommodate those projects. That would be by ordinance. There still has to be site plan at the planning board. Um and that legislation to um to facilitate the
actual development um and the zoning that's going to be required for this project will come back before this governing body. Um the timing for that is um all ordinances must be approved by March of 2026. Um it's again to to the deputy mayor's
point, the legislation was not well thought out. Um it's putting tremendous strain and stress on this governing body as professionals and even when you get to the legislation, this governing body is going to have to consider an early 2026.
Um the reason why that date is is scheduled is because between July and August, uh developers can come in and object to our plan. Um if there's a project that didn't get into our plan, a developer can come in and say, "I should have been in the plan." Um
starting in September, the courts will deal with those objections. And the deadline to have those objections resolved is December of 2025. Following December of 2025, everybody in theory, everybody's plan should be set. Then all legislation is required to be adopted by again March
2026. And it'll be done by ordinance. So it'll basically be they'll either all be on our January calendar or February and adopted in in March. So um that's the process. And then once those ordinances are adopted, um you know, the builders or whoever on
those properties, if there is a capable builder, can obviously go in and build. Mhm. So we're adopting in the second phase by March of next year, you said the zoning at each site, individual sites. Yeah. All all all all legislation
to allow our fair share housing element to be put in place has to be adopted by March of 2026. Okay. But to be clear there, we're just locking in the density and the proposed affordable units coming out of those sites right now. I mean, yeah. I mean there's not there's not
much outside of before I mean for us it's just the endorsement and unless Mr. Quinn has any more information I think I don't know it I think that's basically all I just have one comment in reference to planning board the planning board chairman was involved in the process along with members of the town committee the professionals didn't do it by themselves
yeah but the planning board didn't get the plan with all due respect to to the chairman of the planning board the the planning board didn't get the plan till January June 2nd they And the plan was finished on June the 1st. I I understand. It wasn't that we were
holding it or anything else. It's a very detailed plan. I I understand night and day to get it done. I I understand. I am not I'm not I'm not blaming anybody per se. I'm just expressing my frustration with the process and the timeline the
state has imposed on us. And what we're getting out of it and what I think a lot of towns are going to get out of this compressed timeline is something that's not as good as it could be. if we had all had more time. And this is a big problem with our state and the mandates that we get. Um, and I'm just expressing
my frustration up here. I know the professionals worked really hard and they did a good job. Um, but but they didn't do it on their own. But they didn't do it on their own. They didn't do it on their own. I understand. But like I said, we put very good people in place of the planning board and the planning board, I think, should have had
a look before they had to vote two weeks later on it. And there was no opportunity for any input from the planning board. Yes, that is not correct, sir. Why is that not correct? Okay. They had it in closed session for two
weeks, but then we took their input on what date? May June 2nd. No, no, two weeks prior. Two weeks prior. In May. Yes, sir. So, they they got it well in advance and we took their input to finalize the plan. So, okay. They were
I said it was reviewed with them in close session. Mhm. They all had their input, discussed it. Mhm. Very good. So the bottom line is is the biggest this win for me is what came out of the
Madison Avenue project which uh EDAC our economic devis development advisory committee have made recommendations for the Madison Avenue corridor uh that have not been included in that plan. And I am just very hopeful that the developer of that particular site will be work with
us and be flexible a little bit and possibly take additional input that was not able to be communicated maybe within this compressed timeline. Um and sounds like we have a few months until the zoning is put in place where additional discussions could take place. Are
additional discussions allowed between now and then? Of course. Yeah. All all the input that we got from the planning board and the potential committee was given to to those developers. Yeah. And I just want to restate because some of the the language is is awkward. What's
before you is called an endorsement, but when you look at the statute, what it's really referring to is more of an acknowledgement that you're aware that you have an affordable obligation and you're aware that the planning board adopted this and you have an obligation to fulfill it. even though it's called
an endorsement, which we all know endorsing means like we're totally behind it, but it's it's it's used that way because you have to support your planning board's decision on how to implement the affordable housing. So, by endorsing it tonight, I don't think you're even if you object to some of the
projects in it, I I don't know that a vote against endorsing it, it's not an acknowledgement of what the planning board did, but that's for everybody in this space to to kind of, you know, deal with on their own. And and one last question and we can stop. Um why is why
is it on the why is it why is it given to the planning board to adopt as opposed to the governing body to adopt? So that was a decision made by uh the state legislature the extension master plan if I'm correct. Yeah, I mean but yeah, but in
the past what we did was I mean in the third round the governing body negotiated with fair share housing came up with a settlement agreement and that settlement agreement was then made part of the master plan and that was ultimately adopted by the planning board. Um for some reason the legislature thought that this was a
better process. Yeah. Because generally the planning board can't reszone properties on their own like like we're doing right now. But we're not we're not which is which is why they doing this why which is why this stage is mandated. So your endorsement of it is your
acknowledgement that you have work to do up here to implement what the planning board did. Okay. Later in the year we'll be zoning ordinance before this body. Yeah. Or early next year. Right. Very good. So between now and then I hope we can continue to work with some of the developers uh to improve the projects
that have been proposed at a couple of the sites. I mean I would hope they want to cooperate with with the township. Yeah, I think I think they definitely will. Are there any other comments before I make comments? Just real quick, I you not not withstanding the process
that was imposed on the township by the state and the deadlines and all that which frustrated all of us, not just here on the DEAS, but our professionals and our our planning board. Um the plan that that um was approved by the
planning board is a good plan. It's a good workable plan. It gets us to our uh affordable housing obligation and uh might even give us some, you know, a little extra for um in case things happen.
What we're voting on basically what the what what the planning board has done is it's it's given some developers a seat at the table um to you know based on the the plans that they've uh preliminary plans because they are preliminary um
that that shows a concept. there's still a lot of work that has to be done to you know take that concept and bring it to fruition and with the input from the governing body and the planning board on how to make it you know workable. So, you know, this is basically a a a
kickoff starting off point for for uh the township and to work with the developers to come up with something that is going to work for uh the township and our residents and meet our obligation because as as the deputy mayor said, you know, the housing, we
need more low and moderate income housing in New Jersey and Mars Township is certainly going to, you know, uh kick in their fair share on this. so to speak. So the plan is a good plan. We've we've seen it. Um it there could be
tweaks, but you know, these these um developments are just uh preliminary and further discussions will always be under undertaken. And that's not to say that someone can't come, you know, some developer who's not on this particular
plan can submit a plan uh for, you know, to the governing body for some new development. Uh we're just saying that these are these are the few that we're elected to work with from day one and that's it. Anything can happen. some,
you know, some things can go south. Um, and then we'll need some some backup and I think that, you know, all of us are open to what might come in the future. So, I'm going to vote I'm going to be voting yes on it.
Um, I'll just say, mayor, um, I was originally hesitant on supporting the plan. I am supporting it tonight. I did want to just call out the work that the professionals did earlier in the year on reducing our quota. uh and challenging the original number which I think was
around 570 affordable units to down down to 3 375 um which is really going to lessen the impact on our town and over the next 10 years. That's a that's a tremendous reduction and I appreciate all the work they did and pointing out all the mistakes the state made when they handed
down our number. Um, one benefit to this plan that I think is really important is that most of the projects in this plan are retrofitting commercial office space that is either vacant or struggling. Uh, and it's going to have a limited impact on the
environment in our town, the open space in our town. Uh, the one project that is included that does have mature forest, uh, we will be working to get open space out of that project. And there's a land conservation easement as well to limit the disruption to the neighborhoods
nearby which I'm very grateful for. Um so I I I agree with you know Mr. Graall's concern. I think the state enacted this law on a short timeline on purpose because they wanted the towns to get it done and not get drawn out. Um and because of that we all lose because we're all just trying to get all this
work done uh without enough time. you know, recognizing that our professionals are also professionals in other municipalities doing the same job and juggling many different projects at once. So, I appreciate the work of Mr. Quinn, Mr. Caner, our planners, our uh planning board attorney, um, and the
engineering department for getting this done on time. Um, but yeah, I agree, Mr. Grael. I have a lot of concerns. It's not the most ideal project. I totally agree on that. But uh to me the good news is we're having limited disruption to the um you know I would say the
character of our town. We're not getting we're not tearing down a lot of forest for this like what happened in the previous rounds which is a good thing. Three out of four is pretty good uh for limited disruption here. So that's why I support it. Thank you. Any other comments? I just want to build
I'm sorry. No, no, finish cuz I'll just my on something that you know that's been spoken up here and I serve as treasure house and council to to not to this township but to four other municipalities and I I think that you know something that you know committee said
the bodies has a tough challenge tonight and they will have challenges in the future but what makes it special is they've gone out and they've picked out projects that they like not that they like but if you don't do it Now projects can be forced upon you and what they're
trying to do is protect the township as as as commun buildings are be retrofitted. If you don't come up with a good plan now and you're not ahead of it if you're behind the eight a ball it allows developers to come in and dictate to you and I think we're dictating to developers although
it may may have been rushed. Um I still think there's a lot of uh advantages to the way that this that this committee has handled their fourth round obligations. Thank you. And so I just want to wrap it. Sorry. Can I Sorry, mayor. Thank
you. Just want to echo something that Mr. Jory did say and I agree with a lot of your comments. So, thank you for those thoughtful comments. Um that I wasn't trying to come down before on our professional staff. Um and as Mr. Jory stated stated before, they worked really hard to reduce our number from what it
was originally to a much lower number. And I thank them and thank Mr. Quinn uh for doing that work. Um the frustration really is just with the process itself, not with the people. I just want to be clear with that. Thank you. Understood. I just want to wrap up and say that um I
one thing that I will disagree with the deputy mayor on is we all agree that this was a rushed process. We all agree that the state um did not effectively put this together so that any of the municipalities, one had any input in the beginning, but then we all had to rush
to try to get it done. But what I will disagree with is that the comment that it was rushed and it's not a good plan. I almost feel the fact that it was rushed and we came up with this plan that the professionals and everybody who worked on it. It's almost like it's a
really good plan for being under the gun like they were and literally not just working for Mars Township but other towns. And I do think that we will have time to have some other input, but overall we are going to approve what the
planning board unanimously put in front of us or endorsed what the planning board put in front of us. And I I just want to go on record that I don't think it's a bad plan that was rushed through without any consideration. Obviously, there's always room for more people to
have input and they will be able to do that. But the fact that we got this done within the timeline and that we'll be immune from builder's remedy lawsuits, I think again, I wasn't here for the first three rounds. So, you know, I I can't imagine what it was like to go through
it then. But overall, I just want to go on the record of saying I think they did an incredible job. And so, I I will vote yes on the redevelopment plan. But mayor, just to be clear, I don't think I used the words that it is a bad plan. I didn't say you said it was not a good plan. You said it was rushed and it was
not a good plan. Okay. So, there are elements the elements that are I have concerns with elements of the plan, but overall it's a plan that works for the municipality. Um, again, I think there are those two sites that I think need additional work and I hope that we can
negotiate that in the interim. Um, but the other elements of the plan are actually very good and as Mr. majority set fit well within the municipality. Agreed. Thank you. You're welcome. Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote? Mr. Ravitz? Yes. Mr. Janata? Yes.
Mr. Gazelle? Yes. Mr. Jory? Yes. Mayor Gria? 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 moved. Is there a second? Second. All in
favor? Consideration of monthly reports. The following reports are on file in the office of the township clerk and township administrator. April 2025 fire May 2025. Our tax collector, Marstown, Mars Township Library and
Police. Can I have a motion to approve the monthly reports? Seconded. All in favor? I. I. The amount of bills and vouchers for this meeting is $9,641,191.51. 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. Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote? Mr. Dury, yes. Mr. Gazelle, yes. Mr. Janata, yes. Mr. Rabbitz, yes.
Mayor Gia, yes. At this time, we will have standing committee reports and general commentary will be provided by each township committee member. And we will start with committeeman Janata. Thank you, mayor. First, I want to congratulate our committeeman Jeff Griselle
for getting a winning a nomination for town another round of township committee as well as his opponent George Telerico as well as the others who had won their primaries on both parties, especially our candidates for governor,
Congresswoman Mikey Cheryl and Assemblyman Jack Chitterelli. And also we celebrated Pridefest at Ginty Field on June 8th aly led by committeeman Mud Rabbitz. It was a fun and well attended event and I'm sure uh Committeeman Rabbits will summarize it
for us. I had also attended a networking breakfast for the 250th anniversary of the revolution on June 6th at Mayopek May Performing Arts Center in Morristown. It was headed by Morris County's 250th anniversary committee led by Menum
Township Committee woman Sarah Nyart. Carrie fellows of Crossroads of the American Revolution updated this on the statewide planning and events for next year's celebration and beyond since the revolution did not stop in 1776. Morris Township's former chair of
historical preservation Carol Barkin also spoke. She spoke about the farewell tour of Marque de Lafayette which will be taking place on July 13th at Marstown Green and July 14th at the county library. I have made some networking contacts to see how Morris Township can
participate since this area played an integral part in the revolution. Morris Township and Morristown was the military capital of the American Revolution where the Continental Army stayed here for two winters and that that Continental Armies was
born on June 14th happened to be flag day 250 years ago. It also happens to be Mayor Guruglia's birthday. After an eventful morning celebrating mayor the mayor's birthday among other things I had attended a banquet given by Pikatini
Arsenal to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. Now I was not there on an official capacity as an elected official but was invited by a friend from a from a toast masters who belonged to a club located at Pikatini.
I had learned that the army loves its grog and they love cheering. Huzzah. I met Senator State Senator Tony Buo and Morris County Commissioner Typhen Selin who did attend attend on an official capacity. There was much impressive
pageantry and moving symbolism in particularly for one for the fallen comrades in arms. The keynote speaker was one Erica Jeff Perau. She was a civilian aid to the Secretary of the Army. She was a graduate of West Point who served several years before leaving
the service. Interestingly, Mrs. Perto, an African-American woman, commended the US Army for its diversity. And I noticed how diverse the Pikatini arsenal of personnel were considering the interesting times in which we currently exist.
And speaking of the Continental Army, the I'll speak of one of the engagements that that army had fought, and that was the Battle of Springfield fought in Springfield, New Jersey on June 23rd, 1780. That was 245 years ago. This was
the last major battle fought in the north. Subsequent fighting would be in the south, ending in Yorktown in October 1781. Last fall, Deputy Mayor Griselle had given me given me a brochure on a future commemoration of the battlefield. The sponsors were looking to place
markers to show where the fighting took place, mainly along the main street of Springfield as well as the skirmish line at Short Hills. Right now, there is little to show that the area was ever a sight of major battlefield. If one drives from Route 24 in to
Springfield, you enter the fighting immediately when you reach Route 82. Some sites are the Presbyterian Church and the Cannonball House. Other than that, nothing else. The major place of fighting is now a strip mall named after General Nathaniel Green who led the
Patriot Army. Currently, nothing in Mars County is proposed. The British count forces including Hessen and German troops had eyed the troops in Morristown and wanted to attack this area. Two weeks prior on June 7th, the Crown troops fought at Connecticut Farms which
is now Union New Jersey. The fighting there led to a draw. On June 23rd, they struck again led by Hessen General Wilham von Nipausen. The ground forces numbering by 5,000 crossed from Staten Island to Elizabeth,
then through Connecticut farms along modern route 82. The f first fighting occurred along the east branch of the Raway River, and they were met first by the militia. The Continentals were alerted by the beacons being lit once the British left Staten Island, and
5,000 of them marched from Jockey Hollow along Route 24 Madison Avenue right here. They split in two prongs to meet the two prongs of the British. One was at Springfield, the other smaller forest north at Short Hills. The British and Hosians kept steadily pushing westward
from the river to the center of town. The major engagement took place in front of the Presbyterian church along an open field which is now the location of the strip mall. The pastor of the church, James Caldwell, sided with the patriots, and when the soldiers were running out of wading, he offered pagers from the
church himnels, which he said puts Watson in them, boys. Isaac Watts being the himmwriter. As daylight began to wne, the two armies waned as well. Wrighting stopped along the western branch of the Rawway River, which is now currently cannot be found since it's a a local located
underground. It's one of those hidden rivers. As noted, this was the last major engagement fought in the north. A final note on the battle. When the British retreated, they burned the town, including the church, except for four houses that belong to Tories or
loyalists, including the Cannonball House. This country was very divided back then, just as it is now. The recent murder of Minnesota State Senator Hortman and her husband shows us the depth of the depravity of how some are willing to go.
The lives of elected officials and judges in this country are in constant threat. This level of political violence is not seen has not been seen except in developing countries that show that have shown signs of instability. In addition, there is divisive rhetoric
from some politicians, opinion makers, and so-called influencers praising these actions and warning potential victims. This all makes it a dangerous for anyone who is either in a leadership position or just have views contrary to those currently in power. Those of us who are
sensible wonder how this division can never be fixed. I believe we can learn from historical examples as well as in the present. For example, the Continental Army had an array of opinions who fought for the common cause of independence for this new nation.
They were made a patrician aristocracy that followed a hierarchical path such as George Washington as well as a new New England Puritan levelers who had a more egalit egalitarian spirit. I also saw 250 years later at the Pikatini
Arsenal banquet with a diverse personnel both military and civilian. This diverse group of people helped defend our nation just as the Continental Army create created one. Let us strive for the spirit of unity for a for a common cause
and may find the solution to our current strife. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much, Committeeman Jory. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Keep my report brief. Um, I wanted to thank the Memorial and Veterans Day Association for uh running their services as always on Memorial
Day. Um, I sent my regrets to Jim Coons. I was unable to attend due to illness, but um I know it went well. And I want also to thank our DPW for putting our veterans banners up on Woodland Avenue for the first time this year. It looked really great and it was great being able to see all the banners up and down uh
which is the closest thing to our main street. Um and I'm looking forward to working uh later this summer to reopen the application process to our veterans banner program so we can honor veterans from across the community. um and continue to expand uh how many veterans
we we uh we honor. Um it being the summer, there are a lot of parks projects going on. Um we had some delays at our Collinsville reconstruction project due to um certain levels of chemicals found in the soil. We got sign off from the state to proceed with work.
So, we're really excited about that. Um again, this is a very large reconstruction project that we got federal and state funds to help build. We're looking forward to transforming that neighborhood. I know Mr. Rabbits has been very involved with this as well through the design process. So, we are hoping to get this done soon and I know
the contractor is hoping to get it done soon once they're back. Um, there are other projects going on at the parks as well from uh Cromwell to Saunders Park. There's just a lot going on because the summer looking forward to seeing the success of all those projects be completed. Um, just lastly, as a member
of the shared services committee, I'm hoping that we have um, we had been in discussion with some local municipalities about sharing maintenance uh, workers for the fire department apparatus. And I know on our radar this year was to go visit a facility in Bergen County that has a co-op. Uh, and
I'm looking forward to uh, doing a site visit there in the coming months over the summer. Hopefully, we get it done before Labor Day. Um, and see if we can find some opportunities there to to share uh some maintenance personnel to save money. We have the space for it here in town in at our fire
headquarters. And um I know a lot of towns around us need help getting mechanics because there aren't qualified mechanics enough to go around to work on these million-dollar pieces of apparatus that require technical expertise for pumps, for electrical uh technicians.
and we wind up sending our apparatus to Bayon or down to Middle Sex uh and we pay probably close to $100 an hour for the mechanics to work on these things. So, um there's grant money out there or at least there was. I don't know if it's still out there because of all the cuts of the federal government, but we were
hoping to apply for a grant to help pay for the mechanic and buy equipment. Uh we will have to re-evaluate that, but we did get buyin from the state department of community affairs that they wanted to help this pro prog uh project succeed. So, more to come on that. But with that, I'll yield back. Thank you, Committee
Jory. Two things. One, you were definitely missed, especially by all the veterans on Memorial Day. Many people were concerned and about your health. I I have the blisters still I I ran into Lou and he said, "Stay away from me, so Jim Coon." So, I'm happy I didn't get anyone sick. No one wants hand, foot, and mouth on the world. And the other
thing is maybe we should talk to Liz Zami in our health department about getting some of those grants. I I have to say my son's daycare was in constant contact with the health department for the uh outbreak in in his school. So, everyone's okay now. Good.
Committeeman Rabbits. Uh thank you, Mayor. I will also be brief. Uh just a quick u updates on swim pools. Swim pool season is open. Business is brisk. Uh looks like we're heading into summer this um what tomorrow for the next
foreseeable future. It's going to be real swim pool weather. So uh you know I I advise folks to you know put the sunscreen on and enjoy the swim pools and all the activities that we have to uh the township has to offer. I believe we're also starting up our summer
concert series at the Ginty Gazebo in what next week or next week. So come on out to, you know, to Ginty and enjoy some some music. Um, as committeeman Janata had had mentioned, I had the
privilege of uh chairing the Pride 2020 25 Pridefest, which was our second Pridefest, and what a difference a year makes. Back in January, I uh read a proclamation that the governing body had
had approved that declared Mars Township a um an open and welcoming community. And this is just one of the ways that we walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Um as I said, you know, what a difference a year makes. We probably
more than tripled attendance. I want to thank, you know, the businesses, the local area businesses and and allied groups that had come out and set up tables, something that we really didn't have much of last year. Um the recreation department was absolut an an
incredible pleasure to work with. um got us t-shirts, entertainment, a DJ, and I am looking forward to stepping aside and and letting a group of citizen volunteers uh lead the effort, you know,
in the coming in the coming years. Uh I will I because it's near and dear to me, I'll stay involved in it, but I'm going to let others who could take this to the next level do that as I move on to other projects. So, I just wanted to thank everybody again. uh the mayor was part
of the team and um I think could say was just a a real solid success. So, right, looking looking forward to our third annual PrideFest next year. Any members of the public wishing to be on the
committee um can contact us. Uh the more the merrier. We had a great group of people and we couldn't have done it without them because they were solid. And with that, just going to say when going about your business out there during during the day, be kind. Be kind
to yourselves. Be kind to others because you never know who what kind of difference your kindness is going to make in somebody's day. Mayor, thank you, Deputy Mayor Gazelle. Uh thank you, Mayor. I always like to point out the
investments that our our governing body is making in the infrastructure of our town. And there were a number of resolutions tonight. Uh 143 dealt with Harder Road which is going to get a resurfacing. Uh then we had 153,
154, and 155. Uh sorry, 150, sorry, I got that wrong. 143 had to do with uh Gast with uh Gaston Road. And the reason why Gaston Road project is being extended is because thankfully the water department is addressing a water man
issue before it actually happens and they're going to replace a water man on Gaston Road. So, we're getting a double infrastructure project there in that we're getting a replace water main on Gaston Road and then we're going to resurface the roadway and and clean it up. Um, on 153, it's the annual overlay
program. I was just looking on the website, Tim, to see if we have a list of the streets. Uh, have we determined that yet? Yes, it is. We have that. It's going out municipal messengers. Okay. So, it'll be going out shortly in the municipal messengers and you'll see which streets the funding that it's all set to go. Right. So, now that we put
the funding in place, we'll we're going to alert the the public which streets are going to be uh resurfaced this year. Um so, take a look out for that. Um the crack ceiling is uh 154. So, investing in those roadways that have the minor cracks um and filling them up. And then
the 155 is the harder road resurfacing. Um there's a survey job that's going out. Um that project is got a little bit delayed also, but again, we're going to be resurfacing the entirety of that roadway, too. So, I always like to point out the investment that our town is making in the infrastructure of our
town. Um, I have no other committee reports. I just have some general commentary. I wanted to uh commend uh committee man Rabbits on the great job that you guys did. You and the team did on the Pridefest. I was amazed when I showed up. I couldn't believe how great
it looked. So, congratulations on that and looking forward to next year. Yeah, it was really nice. Um, thank you, Mr. Jenna, for congratulating me on the election. I appreciate that. I was unopposed, but still nice to be congratulated. Um, but I do want to say it was really nice to see democracy at
work here in the state of New Jersey with the governor's uh primary election. Uh, there were six Democrats that ran and four Republicans that ran. And it was just wonderful to see the voters in the state finally have a choice. Uh we haven't had much choice on a lot of
things um at those higher level offices, but this one was a very contested race and it was great to see democracy at work. Uh I congratulate our congresswoman Mike Cheryl on her victory as the Democratic nominee and Jack Chitterelli as the Republican nominee
and look forward to uh another race over the next few months between those two uh up until election day in November to decide who's going to be the next leader of our state. Um, so congratulations to both of those and uh, congratulations I think to democracy here in New Jersey.
Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for sure. My remarks will be pretty quick as well. Um, I do want to say about the Pridefest and and again, Committeeman Rabbits is so good about and it was a real team effort, but I do have to like everybody else give Committeeman Rabbits um the
credit for starting this a year ago and the effort that was put in this year because it was under your direction and what came together with the help too of Alexis in parks and wreck and Tim Quinn and a lot of others that were there to support and we had a lot of young
residents that came along. But please uh Committeeman Ravage, you deserve the credit for doing a a job well done. So appreciate that you're sharing that with others, but truly Committeeman Janata and Committee Deputy Mayor for also mentioning it. I'll
unanimous. So I just want to bring you up to speed a little bit on um transportation advisory committee. our last meeting. It was nice to see um we had residents that all came in. Um they did come in because of there had been an accident at the
Normandy Parkway Bridge there and they had concerns. But we do encourage our residents to come in, not only when something like that happens, but they should also come in to talk about any improvements that they see. There were several of them that did express that
they love the new sidewalks. They loved a lot of the work that was put in along Normandy Parkway, but there is still work to do. We are doing everything we can to continue to make that as safe as possible and we will work with our partners New Jersey Transit and with
Marstown um to help try to make that more safe and more secure as we go forward. We also talked to TAC a little bit about having bike parking at our pools and some other locations trying to encourage more both kids and adults to
get out on their bikes when possible. Um, and I had never heard about um, a bike bus, but one of the members of TAC actually puts this together where some municipalities do it on the way to school and they get adults to ride with their children and it's kind of like you
go through the neighborhood on the way and pick up others and you make a big it's like a big bike bus so it's safe and there are adults getting the kids to and from school. Uh we talked about the Collinsville upgrade with the crosswalks and
uh Betty Simmons who is on the transportation advisory committee with us. That is her neighborhood and she was talking about how she thinks it might be a good idea which TAC will try to do this to go around and do kind of a look at all the crosswalks have a crosswalk
audit and see which ones some of them are faded. Um, we do know our guys are always out looking at them, but when you are out or around any resident, if you see something or an area where there's improvement, let us know. We like that input. Um, we also received from Madison
um an ebike draft ordinance and this has gone to our police chief to look over and it will we'll get it at some point. We're not ready yet. We're not the only municipality. There's about four of us that are all looking at this. We're waiting for some information from the
state, but we are also have the concerns about ebikes and e- scooters and that there really aren't regulations in place. So, we know that will be coming at some point. The next Mars Township in Motion event is called Men into Marketplace. It's on June 28th at 10:00
a.m. Starts at Menon Arena and it will be a walk through the new walkway there all the way through the marketplace on the economic divi advis development advisory committee. Uh we are working on a form. I mentioned this last time but
we are trying to get a form together where we will honor a small business. So as soon as we get that we can start to have uh recommendations coming in. That's something that we're looking forward to. and on our senior citizens advisory committee. They continue to work on a health fair that they're going
to have on September on the 27th at the Fairchild Firehouse. They've had a great response from vendors who want to attend. And one of the other interesting things the seniors are talking about um there's been some information put out on
how sharing AI can help seniors with loneliness. So that's an interesting concept and something we're going to look at as well. There will be a presentation sponsored by the Mars Township Health Department, the Marstown and Mars Township Municipal Alliance,
and the Mayor's Wellness Campaign on June 24th at noon at Town Hall. And there will be this Saturday from 11:30 to 1:30 coffee with the mayor, which is usually held at one of our firehouses, will be held at Tucker Field. And we are
we're encouraging anyone who wants to come out. You're welcome to come anytime between those two hours, but we are going to have a Collinsville update and we're encouraging everybody who lives in that area to come out and we will have an interpreter there who speaks Spanish.
So, we encourage our Spanish- speaking residents to please come and we'll provide you with all the information you need, not just about Collinsville, but any concerns that you have in the township. I I think you heard tonight and I just want to encourage all the residents to
please understand we will be welcoming more input on affordable housing as we move forward. So please we encourage you to either come to any of our meetings or provide any of the committee members with any input or feelings that you have
as we continue that process. I want to congratulate all the Morristown High School graduates who I think by now probably that's just about ending or it might have already ended but because we had our meeting tonight we could not represent there but congratulations to all the Marstown High School seniors
that are graduating and good luck to you and wishing you every success. The last thing I'm going to close with is that it's summer and uh I think even as we leave the building tonight feels a lot different than it did this morning. So, please enjoy all of the events that the
township puts on. Parks and Wreck does do a great job. Our pools are well staffed. They're both excellent places for your families to and friends to go. So, be safe and enjoy this time because the summer fly but flies by so quickly.
Thank you. We're going to open up our second public commentary. There are currently five attendees joining through Zoom. There are two people here in person. We'll begin with comments from those who are here in person first and then we'll move to Zoom. Please raise your hand on Zoom if you would like to
speak. Please state your name and address if you're a resident or non-resident for the record before speaking. Please note that your comments are limited to 5 minutes. If you have questions you would like answered, your remaining time will be yielded back for this purpose. Is there a motion to open
public comment? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. Are there any members from the public who would like to speak? Seeing no hands raised on Zoom, is there a motion to close public comment? So moved. Seconded. All in favor?
[Music] The time is now 8:22. Can I have a motion to adjourn the regular session? So moved. Second. All in favor? Hi. Our next regular township committee meeting will be Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 at 7
p.m. for the regular meeting 5:00 pm for closed in the municipal building here at 50 Woodland Avenue. Thank you and have a great night.