I call to order this regular meeting of the township committee of the township of Mars this Wednesday, October 15th, 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 marswp.com under 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 to 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 open to the public records act. Madame clerk, roll call, please. >> Mr. Gazelle >> here. >> Mr. Dorphy >> here. >> Mr. Ravitz >> here.
>> Mr. Janata >> here. >> Mayor Grigglia >> here. Please rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from July 16th, 2025 for the closed and regular session and August 20th, 2025 for the closed and regular
session by one motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> We have one proclamation on our agenda this evening for breast cancer awareness month. So, I will read the proclamation and then have a couple committee members
that have a few remarks they'd like to make. Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 2025. Whereas breast cancer awareness month observed each October raises awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening and prevention. One in
eight women in the United States will face breast cancer in her lifetime, making it the most common cancer among women after skin cancer. And whereas according to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, more than 310,000
women and nearly 3,000 men in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. And whereas breast cancer is expected to claim the lives of about 42,170 women and 510 men in the United States
in 2025. And whereas the breast cancer death rate has dropped about 44% since 1989 thanks to detection, increased awareness, and better treatments. And whereas when breast cancer is found early and is
still localized, the five-year survival rate is 99%. And whereas the American Cancer Society recommends women talk with their health care providers about when to begin screenings. Women ages 40 to 44 may choose to start annual mammograms. Women
ages 54 45 to 54 should get yearly mammograms. And women 55 and older may continue annually or switch to every two years. And whereas breast cancer awareness month reminds us to take preventative action, schedule
mammograms, support loved ones in doing the same, and honor survivors, advocates, and those we have lost to breast cancer. And now therefore, be it proclaimed that the township committee of the township of Mars recognizes October 2025 as
breast cancer awareness month and encourages all residents to raise awareness, support early detection and treatment, and continue the fight against breast cancer. Committeeman Janata, do you have remarks you wanted to make?
>> Yeah. Um, well, cancer never really ran in my family until just recently because several years ago, my sister-in-law, my wife's sister had breast cancer, but she's she's a survivor. But uh but it's
still she was weakened by it and which means that uh my family at then had that gene and my I always encourage my wife and also my daughter to g to be aware of that and uh
they so far as I know that they keep that in mind and I would encourage anybody else to do that and even though might people might not think that cancer might not run in the family eventually it does and that's always something that we have to
be wary of. So, thanks. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else? >> Committee Rabbits, >> just real quick, uh my my ex-wife had breast cancer. She's still a survivor 20 21 years later. So, early detection, as
is in the proclamation, is is supremely important. But let's not leave out uh the self-examinations that women can do. um that really will be your first indicator rather than a mammogram. So I I would encourage women
to, you know, to continue to do self-examinations because that's your first your first line of of offense. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we will open our first public commentary. There is currently one member from the public on Zoom and five
members in person. At this time, we will first take comments from in-person attendees and then switch over to Zoom. Please use the raise hand feature in Zoom. If you would like to speak, please state your name and if you are a resident or non-res resident for the record before speaking, please note that
your comments are limited to five minutes per speaker. If you have questions you would like answered, your remaining time to speak will be yielded back for this at the podium there, sir. >> Will be yielded back for this purpose. Is there a motion to open the public comment?
>> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Ken Dosski. I'm a resident of Paripany and I'm also a member of the Empower New Jersey board. Empowering New Jersey is supporting a bill in the state
legislature called the Climate Super Fund Act that would provide funding to help offset the financial burdens of climate change on all New Jersey towns, residents, and businesses by making the largest fossil fuel corporations pay for the damages caused by climate change in New Jersey. The bill would not affect
local providers of gas or oil. We are asking municipal councils to support the act by simply passing a resolution. I know that Mr. Janata has provided you with info on this act, but you are seem to be unwilling to support it. We're here to ask you to reconsider. So far,
we have 56 municipal resolutions and two county resolutions. This bill is modeled after similar legislation passed in New York and Vermont. The bill applies the logic of the original super fund act to the climate crisis. It is reasonable to estimate that New Jersey could receive
$50 billion in revenue over 25 years from this act. If it's successful, the state will collect this money from the major climate polluters and create grants for municipalities to address the costs of projects for remediation from and adaptation to climate change. It is
not the act's purpose to penalize fossil fuel companies. It is simply applying the same principles as the tobacco settlement, opioid, opioid settlement and other EPA super fund settlements by which companies whose products pollute and cause disease, property destruction, and death should be made to pay for
these harms. Not the individuals, families, and businesses who suffer because of these companies actions. No products, no matter how beneficial, should be exempt from product liability laws. The bill is moving far too slowly in the legislature, unfortunately. If we
don't pass the act this year in lame duck, it may never happen. Senator McKeon, the prime sponsor, stated that passage of this bill is not assured, that municipal resolutions would be very helpful. The act does not violate the constitution or any other laws.
Participation in this effort will not involve any financial or legal risk to Mars Township, but we must press hard now. Costs that can be covered include infrastructure resiliency such as energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades to schools and municipal buildings,
flood protection, home buyouts, remediation of toxic algae blooms, upgrades to storm water drainage systems, storm recovery, and more. Any costs related to climate would be candidates for a grant. This law will reduce the financial burdens of these events on town residents and in some
cases may provide the only means to address these costs without tax increases or bonding. The global cost of climate change remediation and adaption are increasing every year. A New York State senator stated repairing from and preparing for extreme weather caused by
climate change will cost over $65,000 per household by 2050. Also, as you know, the federal administration is planning to deeply cut or eliminate FEMA, which will force states to increase their costs to handle disasters. From 2011 to 2024, New Jersey had the
fifth highest per capita spending on climate disasters in the nation. Every county has experienced at least five disasters. One of the world's leading climate attribution scientists stated, "Over the 30-year period 1991 to 2022, New Jerseyy's economy had lost over 108
billion dollars from extreme heat alone. If we don't pass this act, we will all be paying for these costs." In September 2025, this last month, the D in New Jersey published a report, Economic Risks of Climate Change in New Jersey.
It stated, "Climate change presents mounting challenges for local governments in New Jersey, threatening their fiscal stability, access to credit, and ability to maintain essential public services. Municipal governments face compounding financial pressures. These impacts could weaken local government's capacity and reduce
long-term community resilience. It focused on three factors: lost revenue, bond market pressures, and reduced government services. One question we often hear is whether forcing fossil fuel companies to pay for their harms will cause them to increase the price of their products in New Jersey. The answer
is no. The price of oil is set by the global market based on global supply and demand. Gasoline and oil are price sensitive commodities and not all gasoline producers will have these additional costs. The retail gasoline market in New Jersey is extremely competitive with prices changing daily
if not hourly. severely limiting how much of a cost increase gas station owners can absorb from suppliers. Raising prices will simply cause retail customers to use other providers. Gas station owners are also independent retailers who have very thin margins and can switch providers if they start to
lose sales due to higher costs. Our elected officials were voted into office to protect us, the residents and businesses, not global fossil fuel companies who make billions of dollars in profits every year. >> Mr. You've raised your 5minute limit. >> Can I I'll just finish up.
>> Somebody else can finish for you, sir. >> By opposing this act, elected officials are saying that taxpayers should pay for these costs. We understand you opposed it. Could you please explain your five minutes, sir? >> I'm done. Could you please explain why you opposed the bill in the past? >> So, I just want to say and I would like
to committeeman uh Janatada, if you would also like to give some background. I mean, I'm just saying I'm not sure we opposed it in the past. I know there were some questions from committee members. So >> yeah, I think one question I think people might are asking is um I mean
there are there are no known super fund sites in in our township but um so how would this affect us but if we pass a resolution >> when you say super fund sites there's no EPA super fund sites. Okay. This bill has nothing to do with the EPA super
fund cleanup sites. It's just the same principle in term, you know, it's like a principle of law, a principle of practice. So, this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you don't have a site that needs to be cleaned up. What it's saying is every town is going to have costs due to
climate change. You're going to have costs for remediation. You're going to have cost for adaptation. You're going to have costs for prevention. I gave you some of the examples like if you wanted to weatherize all the the town buildings and the schools um because of increased
you know heat um you you could apply under these grants for money to do those things instead of having to ask your taxpayers to to pay pay that money. Okay. It has nothing to do with having a super fund site. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> So are there any other reasons why this isn't a conversation? I apologize. There's other speakers here. for your five minutes. >> She's talking about the same thing. >> That's okay. It's her turn. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. Uh my name is
Jennifer Nielsen. I live at 17 Eggbert Avenue in Morristown or Morris Township and I'm also active with Empower NJ currently through third act New Jersey. In June I lost my job in global health as a result of the illegal shuttering of
USAD. So my family and I have been trying to live within new tighter means. At the same time, the cost of almost everything in New Jersey is going up. Electricity, housing, health care, especially if you don't no longer have an employer
provided healthare, property, insurance, and taxes, food, and much more. In fact, the listing seems endless, and politics in Washington are only making things worse. In my opinion, one point of light in the struggle for more affordability
in New Jersey is the New Jersey Climate Fund Act, which as Ken pointed out, has the potential to recover about $50 billion from massively profitable fossil fuel companies and as you also mentioned without adding to the cost of fuel.
Companies, as we all know, were aware decades ago of the planetary damage their products would create. And it's amazing to me that any legislator would refuse to support a law to make these mega companies pay for a small fraction of the cost of this damage. The
inevitable consequence will be to push the costs onto residents of our state. Experts have added up what recent storms have already cost and the amount is a staggering $100 billion plus. New Jersey residents face the fifth highest per
capita climate damage bill in the nation. Uh Ken also mentioned that costs in New York have been or I guess you didn't include that. Uh it has been estimated that costs in New York will rise to $65,000 per household by 2050 and things
won't be that different in New Jersey. Add to that the cost of work stoppage and lost businesses resulting from heat waves, flooding, and power outages. And of course, we all hear about the deep cuts underway at the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA,
which will shift even more of the costs of rebuilding to New Jersey households. And it's not just rebuilding after devastating storms. We will need significant investments in mitigation projects like tree planting, pavement and rooftop modifications to reduce
extreme heat in urban areas, wetlands restoration to reduce flooding, infrastructure on the coastline, and wildfire fire prevention. I've read estimates that there are already 86 billion dollars in proposed projects with far more expected to come. It's
also important to note that this bill has strong popular support. A survey conducted of registered voters in New Jersey this past spring by American Strategies for the National Wildlife Federation found an overwhelming 68% support the bill. This despite efforts
by lobbyists to misinform the public and members of the legislature so egregious that Senator Bob Smith called them out saying, "I'm very disappointed in our business community. Your membership is going to get destroyed like other homeowners." So, I would respectfully observe that it
should be an absolute no-brainer for our our lawmakers and our township committee to ensure that industries who have profited wildly from a commodity that has caused and will continue to cause incalculable damage to life on Earth assume the responsibility for a modest
proportion of the costs rather than hardworking, financially squeezed New Jersey taxpayers. I would therefore ask you to vote as soon as possible to pass the municipal resolution that would support that supports passage of the legislation by the New Jersey legislature. Thank you very much for
your attention. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Yep. If if it's your turn. >> Um my name is Dean Nielsen. Um, I'm very glad to be in this house for the first time. I'm a resident of Morris Township.
I live in on in Edward Avenue with my wife who it seems like I'm always following. Um, I am here to just elaborate on a couple of points and in fact I'm going to reduce mine because some of them have already been covered.
Uh I wanted to go back to two two decades ago when uh several states through the courts fought the tobacco industry and uh there were two main points. One was uh that they were obscuring the
facts about the bad health costs health res results from smoking and they were also polluting the environment. and they lost their cases. And in this case, it was several cases
uh throughout the country and they ended up uh playing billions of dollars in uh essentially damage and being asked to curtail their advertisements and their marketing. We all know that. But the
fact is that many fewer of us smoke now. That was a very important precedent for what we're talking about here. It it's essentially an issue of being accountable. The fossil fuel industry is
accountable or is is producing a huge amount of pollution which affects our environment and they have never come clean about that so to speak. They just like the tobacco industry have
have been essentially obscuring the data and we all know that uh it's about time that the fossil fuel industry would in fact own up to the real costs of producing this much oil. The real costs include the impact negative on the
environment. I would like you to join us in a resolution that would help us deal with that true costs of producing gas and oil
and hold the and this u essentially um this uh oil >> industry >> industry. So that's the word uh hold it accountable. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone else who wants to speak on this issue first before anyone else goes up? Because I just want to say and again I'll take comments from any of the other committee members, but we certainly uh thank you for coming in and we'll look at um a municipal resolution. I think if the
committee hearing some of the information you've brought tonight, we certainly would consider this. >> May Mayor >> Yes. I I to our first speaker I I this governing body does not oppose what
you're as you're asking for. As a matter of fact, it's a seems to be a worthy cause. I think the problem was in the communication and I don't think we properly understood what you were asking and what this entails. So I think that we can go back as as a a governing body
and to discuss this and maybe we can do something before the end of the year if we if we are in agreement. >> Is there anyone else from the public here who'd like to go to the podium? [Music] Seeing no hands raised, is there a
motion to close public comment? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. At this time, we have a discussion on the best practices inventory questionnaire as submitted to the Division of Local Government Services that will be presented by our business
administrator, Tim Quinn. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, or approximate required each municipality to complete a best practices inventory. Um, and it's also then tied into any state aid that you are entitled to from the state. And
depending on your scores, um if you're very low, you could have some of your state aid um withheld. We have always been very good um on these. And again, I'm pleased to report that um again, we did very well on the inventory and
compliance for 2025. But basically, the 2025 inventory will assess each municipality's compliance with various laws and evaluates the implementation of fiscal and operational best practices. Um, inventory answers provide taxpayers
with additional means of evaluating the municipality's performance. Uh, the best practices inventory features new and repeat questions from previous years. Um, this year's inventory was approximately 70 questions
that dealt with budget, capital projects, emergency services, environment, ethics, financial administration, insurance, lead remediation, opportunity zones, personnel, procurement, redevelopment, shared services, technology,
transparency, and utilities. Uh, some of the questions are scored, some of the questions are an unscored survey. The core competency is approximately 37 questions and the best practices 13 questions and 20 of the questions are the unscored survey of different avenues
that the state wishes to explore. Um each municipality must receive a minimum score of 32. The maximum that a municipality can receive is 43.5 points. Um we have completed everything
um in this inventory which addresses the statutory and regulatory compliance obligations and other areas that were critical to sound municipal finance and operations. Um 2025 inventory also included a best practices category which involved fiscal and operational
practices that are significant to the benefit of many municipalities but are not foundational in nature or uniformly applicable to all municipalities. Um I am pleased to report that with the best practices uh the municipality
scored a 42 out of a possible 43.5 >> well above um the minimum score and consistent where we have been year after year with uh best practices um as presented to us from the DCA in the state of New Jersey. So
>> thank you. a great job and want to thank you and um our CFO Sean Ferguson for doing such a good job on this and everybody who's involved. >> The questions and everything else is public information. So, we have it if anybody would like to see what the questions are and our our responses to
those questions. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> You're welcome. This evening, we have two ordinances scheduled for public hearing and adoption. Madame Clerk, please read the title of ordinance 24-25 into the record
after which we will open for the public hearing. Ordinance 24-25, an an ordinance of the township committee of the township of Morris authorizing the mayor and the township clerk to execute that certain agreement with the county with the county of
Morris to accept the transfer of a certain property identified on the township tax as block 1901, a portion of lots one and 1.01, 01 block 1 1901 to be consolidated into new lot 6 in
block 1 1901 consisting of approximately 3.5366 acres. Note ordinance to accept transfer of county owned property for affordable housing. We will take comments from in-person
attendees first and then switch over to Zoom. Please virtually raise your hand in Zoom if you have a question. May I have a motion to open the public hearing on ordinance number 24-25? >> So move to second. >> All in favor? >> Are there any members of the public
wishing to speak? Seeing no hand raised, hands raised, is there a motion to close public comment? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> My I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 24-25. So move.
>> Second. Any discussion or questions? Madame clerk, may I have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Jury, >> yes. >> Mr. Griselle, >> yes. >> Mr. Janata, >> yes. >> Mr. Ravitz, >> yes. >> Mayor Grigia, >> yes. I, Donna J. Garriglia, mayor, declare ordinance number 24-25, approved
and adopted, and direct the tangent clerk to publish proper notice thereof in the official newspaper. Madame Clerk, please read title of ordinance 25-25 into the record after which we will open the public hearing. >> Ordinance 25-25,
an ordinance of the township committee of the township of Morris repealing ordinance 22-25 and reauthorizing the sale of that certain property known as block 8602, lot 10 in Township of Morris, County of
Morris, state of New Jersey. note reauthorizing sale of four old turnpike turnpike road for supportive housing. >> Again, we'll take comments from people here in person first and then on Zoom. Please raise your hand on Zoom if you would like to speak. May I have a motion
to open public comment on ordinance 25-25. >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I. Seeing no members from the public and no hands raised on Zoom, may I have a motion to close the public comment on
ordinance number 25-25? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 25-25? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion or questions?
Madame clerk, may I have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Gazelle? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabbitz? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dorphy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Janata. >> Yes. >> Mayor Greglia. >> Yes. >> I, Donna J. Gerriglia, declare ordinance number 25-25 approved and adopted and
direct the township clerk to publish proper notice thereof in the official newspaper. We have one ordinance for introduction on tonight's agenda. Madame clerk, please read the title of ordinance 26-25 into the record. Ordinance 26-25
amending chapter 410 sewers and sewer sewers disposal of the code of the township of Morris. Note sewer service fee and connection fee for 2026 through 2030. >> May I have a motion to introduce
ordinance number 26-25? >> So moved. Second. >> At this time, could I ask Mr. Quinn, could you give us some background on the the situation with the sewer fees? >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, mayor. Um, Detachive
owns and operates a sanitary sewage system that serves local sewer users, residential, and commercial. We also serve users in Mars Plains, Randolph, Harding, and Madison through service agreements with each of those municipalities.
Sewer user rates have not increased since 2008. Over the 17-year period, while virtually all costs of operating and maintaining the system have increased, the residential user charge of 565 per unit and the commercial user charge of $6.75
per 1,000 gallons of water consumption have remained unchanged without a rate increase or without relying on continued elevated levels of investment income, connection fees, or surplus supplied as revenues. expenditures are effectively capped at
$9.3 million. Over the past years, the variable sewer utility expenditures have increased by 2% 2.8% annually, but substantially higher rates. For example, we have seen in fringe benefits for our employees at twice the average of 5.6% annually,
electric energy at 8.1%, sledge disposal at 12.6%, 6% and our service contract payments at 5.5% and our insurance premiums at approximately 15.8%. Over the same time, the revenues from the sewer service charges were
essentially flat at that approximately $9.3 million. So, we are proposing that for the stability of the sewer utility and looking at that over the next 5-year period, um recommending an increase of $85 for 2026 for the residential users
and then a 3% increase for the following four years. We're also recommending the same percentage increases for the commercial rates. However, because of inequity to make sure that the residential and the commercials are
paying their quote unquote fair share, the commercial rates would go up significantly more in 26, I'm sorry, in 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Um the rate increase is essential to
fund the operations through 2030 and it is recommended that we implement this um so that we have enough funds to move forward with all of the capital projects that are going to be taking place. We have to do a major upgrade to our butter sewer plant which is called the
headworks project. Um that project is estimated to be approximately $8 million for that. The last time that the sewer plants were had this major upgrade was back in 1990. Um and to continue the efficient use of the sewer plants, we
need to move forward on these um necessary capital projects. Um we're recommending this additional rate that becased for 2026. Um again with outline that the commercial rate will also go up more significantly in the following years um
of 27 28 29 and 30. So before you is the resolution for the increases. Um at the present time residents are paying $565. It would go to $650 and 26 go up $20 in 2027
up $20 in 2028. up $20 in 2029 and up $20 in 2030. Even at the top rate in 2030 is still below most municipalities that are contiguous to the township as to what their their fees are for sewer. So even though we're projecting out 5
years, we're still below most municipalities as to what the rate is. On the commercial side, it's even significantly more. It'll go from 675 to 775 to 855, $9.40, 40 cents 99.90 and then topping out at 1040. So
significantly more increase on the commercial side than the residential side but making sure that it's equal. So um there's fair share between residents and commercial properties. Um so the other section of this is also to increase our connection fees uh for
this. This would apply to mostly to new construction as the township is approximately 96 to 97% sewer already. um as it comes in. The sore fee was calculated in 2014 at $9,533. It is recommending that that being
increased to $10,800 uh for that. And the primary purpose of the connection fees is to support the sewer plants moving forward um for all of the improvements that will be needed to take place um for the efficiency of
those and that they're also paying their fair share uh compared to the long-term longtime uh users that have been using it for a number of years and they're not being hit with all of the fees. So, we have a recommendation for both the increase on
the annual sewer fee, but then also for the connection fee for any properties that need to join into the system um for that. >> Okay. Thank you. Any discussion, Deputy Mayor Grezel? >> Uh, one question. This comes under
chapter 410. Is this a complete replacement of the chapter or just portions thereof? So I think it's it's replacing it's replacing it's it's replaced the entire chapter but the entire chapter isn't being changed. Only portions of it are
being changed >> like the rates and a few connection >> and the connection fees. >> So the rest the rest of the document in front of us is what was previously in the chapter. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other discussion or questions?
There was some cleanup language. >> Yeah, I have a >> Yeah, there was a um equivalent dwelling unit definition that was added and and the point is the the other changes were
just the minimus, correct? >> Yeah. The only substantial changes was to was to the Okay, material change, I should say. >> Thank you. >> All right. Seeing no other discussion, Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Ravitz,
>> yes. >> Mr. Janata, >> yes. >> Mr. Griselle, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorphy, >> no. >> No. >> Mayor Griglia, >> yes. The public hearing and final consideration and adoption of ordinance number 26-25 will be held at the next regular
township committee meeting on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building here at 50 Woodland Avenue. We have 16 resolutions on tonight's agenda. May I have a motion to approve resolutions number R221-25
through R236-25 in one motion? >> So moved. Second. >> Madame clerk, may I have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Dorphy, >> yes. >> Mr. Donatada, >> yes. >> Mr. Griselle, >> yes. >> Mr. Ravitz, >> yes.
>> Mayor Griglia, >> yes. We have two items on the consent calendar this evening. May I have a motion to approve both items on the consent calendar by one motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> The following reports are on record with
the township clerk and the township administrator. August 2025, fire, police, and joint court. September 2025, tax collector and library. May I have a motion to approve the monthly reports? >> Summer. >> Boy, you guys are slow on the draw
tonight. What's the deal? >> Second. >> All in all in the >> claims for payment and the list of bills and vouchers. The total amount of bills and vouchers for this meeting is 27,639,51047.
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. >> Here we go. >> Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote? >> Mr. Janata? >> Yes. >> Mr. Griselle? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Dorphy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ravitz? Yes. >> Mayor Grigley? >> Yes. We will now hear standing committee reports and general commentary from each member of the township committee. And we'll start with committeeman Janata. >> Thank you, mayor. First, I wanted to
talk about the transportation advisor committee. They finished up their Morris Township in motion events uh with the two uh three walks. So one was the senior citizens walk at the future
community center on Jean Street and another was September 20th of Jockey Hall at top Saunders Field and then October 4th was a traction line walk they had an option to either bike or walk or walking was chosen and then at
the Marstown fall festival on September 28th the TAC had shared a tent with the environmental commission for the second year they gave away signs and bike helmets for children and and adults. I actually got one. They emphasize safety and using bikes and scooters which is
now becoming a universal concern for many and and local ordinances seem to be needed but state needs to pass laws in regulating these new found vehicles. And in environmental commission they shared that tent with Morristown at the
Morristown fall festival with TAC. The theme was native plants and there was also a children's activity for seed seed planting and EC has done this for several years and there so there is it was a well well-manned tent that as they had and in
October 28th in this same forum we're going to have a sustainable landscaping event at 7 p.m. And the event will be here be I think it will be recorded or zoomed and will include people from other towns including Madison and Morristown who will speak on the days on
on sustainable landscaping. Also several holidays during the past month have uh completed and there's more to come. Jews all over the world have celebrated the high holy days. Rashashan the Jewish new year the day of
atonement. Then just last week was the holy day of sukat. Hindus celebrated a few holidays themselves. Mahi mahashiva the night of Shiva the Hindu god was on September 26th where chants were performed in temples into the morning
and da puja was celebrated on September 28th for the Hindu goddess Durga. And then in October 2nd which also happened to be Mahatma Gandhi's birthday was Dasher which commemorates the triumph of good over evil where Lord Rama killed
the demon king Raana. And next week is the Hindu new year of Diwali where the c is the celebration of lights with lamps lit throughout the house and beware of firecrackers into the night and just as
a warning. I'm not sure we're going to have in my house, but if you hear fireworks, you'll know why. That's again uh October 20th. And then Halloween is October 31st and the Mexican holiday dia do muertos, day of the dead, is on
November 1st. So what better way to speak about either of these holidays than to talk about cemeteries. At the beginning, people buried their dead in churchyards and church graveyards. The Presbyterian Church and St. Peter's Episcopal Church have
historical burial places. When these church graveyards were filled to capacity, there was a need for more space. So, large open spaces were designated for cemeteries and were used as public parks for many. Some famous ones are the Arlington Cemetery near
Washington DC for military personnel and their spouses. And this is America's most hallowed ground which was formerly Roberty El's slave plant slave slave plantation. And there are several boot hills. Most famous one is at Tombstone where among
others was a Clanton gang who were the victims from the OK Corral shooting. New York has two famous ones. Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn and Woodlon Cemetery in the Bronx. And in New Jersey, Princeton Cemetery has many famous names, including a one
president, Grover Cleveland, and one vice president, Aaron Burr. Not to be outdone, Morristown and Morris Township Share Evergreen Cemetery located on Martin Luther King Boulevard. It began in 1855
on property that was donated by George Cobb, who was a former congressman and later mayor of Marstown. In fact, he is one of the people who are buried there. Among the other well-known locals was a Supreme Court justice, Malan Pittney,
and several other congressmen and a US senator, mayors, bankers, and industrialists. one of whom lived on Cadina Road and was an executive at AT&T as well as a famed tennis player who was came second place at Wimbledon and who
also survived the sinking of the Titanic along with his future spouse future wife. His name was Carl Bear. And there is one section for patients from Greystone Hospital who are only identified by their numbers. Another
section is reserved for US military personnel including those who are killed in action. We we commemorate them dur on Memorial Day and Veterans Day services that are held there. Evergreen Cemetery deserves more research than the limited
amount that I have just shared and I hope someday somebody would actually do that. And finally, let us be thankful for the release of the living Israeli hostages who were captured from two years ago. May they and their loved ones
be healed from their inflictions brought on by their capttors. Thank you, Madame Mayor. >> Thank you, Committeeman Jory. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I was unable to be here at last month's meeting. Um, I was on a family vacation, but I wanted to
comment that I'm extremely excited about the purchase of our senior citizens bus. Uh, and I know the senior club uh is very excited about that. We um are able to purchase this van for our seniors thanks to a DOT grant from the state that is refunding us money for road work
project. So we're using those funds to buy our first first bus uh which we announced uh last year. So thank you Tim and to our staff for picking out the uh the vehicle that'll come in hopefully in the next 3 months or so. Uh we're very excited about it. This is the first time
we're going to have the service. Uh and I'm can't be more excited for it. I'm looking forward to seeing how we design the outside of it and seeing what the root the routes we develop are going to be. But um I did want to say that um this month um earlier um I visited uh
Common Station with uh Mr. Quinn uh and New Jersey Transit officials to go over uh security upgrades. Um, in our budget this year, we have $100,000 to upgrade the security cameras and put in emergency call boxes at Conf. Uh, we met
with um New Jersey Transit Police and folks from um the buildings and grounds of New Jersey Transit to make sure we're thinking about the right things. Um, I know we'll be going out to bid for that those improvements at some point soon, but uh these are necessary improvements. We have put in emergency call box and we
already have security cameras there, but this will just expand the scope there. uh which is a good thing especially considering not only just commuters going there early in the morning or late at night but we also have folks going to sneeze uh the university and the high school. So uh those are much needed uh improvements. I'm looking forward to
seeing those completed soon. Um, also for uh my being on the shared services committee, we have a site visit planned in early November to the Paramis DPW uh to see their shared service maintenance program for their fire departments up in
Bergen County. Uh earlier this year, we had a phone call with various fire departments nearby uh to see what their needs were for fire maintenance. Um, fire apparatus now are much more difficult to work on than they used to be and you need specialized mechanics
with specialized certifications to work on them and they're very expensive and a lot of towns wind up shipping their uh trucks like us out to Bergen County or down to Middle Sex County just to get them worked on and it's very expensive. Uh so we're looking into sharing that service with our local towns uh
potentially housing it here in Mars Township and getting grant money to then all just share one or two mechanics uh so we have better access. We don't have to wait months to get some certain things worked on and get get those jobs into completion. Uh lastly, I just want to note um next month is Veterans Day.
Um November 11th we have services here at 10 a.m. But that means our veterans banners will be going back up on Woodland Avenue. uh at the beginning of November. We had our application uh period opened up in August and it closed recently and I'm looking forward to seeing some new names uh and new photos of veterans going up there this year.
So, uh with that, I will turn it back to you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Committeeman Rabbitz. >> Uh thank you, Mayor. I'm I'll be brief tonight. I really don't have much in the way of reports other than to say that our annual trunk or treat is is
scheduled for October 25th at Ginty Field from 4 to 6 PM. Uh if you'd like to be able to um give out candy to the Little Tikes, then you do need to register and you can do that through the parks and recreation website. I don't
know if there's an end date to registration, but it's always a very popular event and and getting bigger every year. um what happens in in in Washington doesn't stay in Washington. You know, the
decisions that are made on the national stage about health care, taxes, infrastructure, environment, they all ripple down into the municipalities. And when Congress or in my opinion a lawless president cuts funding, it is we the
people that have to make up the shortfall. and I um and when um they undermine democracy, it's our local elections and community voices that actually lose the power. And that's why local leadership matters. We can't
control every decision made in DC, but we can make sure our communities are resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking. We can invest in our people, protect our environment, and stand up for fairness and accountability right here at home. Because in the end,
every every national issue becomes a local one. Every policy, every law, every act of leadership or lack of it touches our streets, our schools, and our families. So, let's stay informed, stay engaged, and remember what happens
out there only matters if we make it matter here. And lastly, as you go about your day, do remember to be kind. Kind to yourselves and kind to others because kindness has a ripple effect and it really matters. Mayor,
>> thank you, Deputy Mayor Gazelle. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. I would first like to acknowledge uh I'd first like to acknowledge one of the resolutions uh we have that a point uh
Ron Off as our construction code official um like to congratulate Ron on on this on this promotion and I'd like to thank Albert Master Batista for all his years of service as the code official for for Morris Township. Tim he was here for how
many years? 32 sir >> 32 years of service to the municipality. So um thank you Albert for all those years and um best to you in your retirement. Um I don't have any other uh committee reports um but I do do have one uh general comment
and that is that almost two years ago to today on October 18th 2023 this governing body voted and passed a proclamation titled in support of the state of Israel against Hamas. The
proclamation opened up with its first paragraph stating, "Whereas the state of Israel is a long-standing friend and ally of the United States of America, and the people of Israel share a deep commitment to democracy, peace, and security." And the proclamation then
went on to state various acts of aggression committed by Hamas, including the firing of rockets, the use of human shields, and the taking of hostages, including numerous American citizens and other foreign nationals. The proclamation closed with the following
statement. We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and express our hope for a future where peace, security, and prosperity prevail for Israelis and Palestinians. This proclamation is hereby issued to
show our support for the state of Israel and against Hamas and to reaffirm our commitment to peace and security in the region. I'd also like to point out that as of today, two Americans were still are still among the deceased
hostages held by Hamas as the Palestinian terrorist group has failed to meet the terms of the US broker peace plan. Those two American citizens are 19year-old it who I've mentioned up here before from New York and Omar Neutra aged 21 also from New
York. Both were US-Israeli dual citizens and let us all pray that their remains come home to their loved ones very soon. I would also like to say that I am deeply honored to be a member of this governing body that had the strength of
character to put forth and pass such a proclamation. It was and continues to be a testament to the values we hold here in Morris Township. I want to thank Mr. Rabbits to my right for his work to put the this together
two years ago. And I'd like to thank Mr. Jorphy who was our mayor two years ago uh for putting it forth on the agenda and to thank both Mr. Ravitz, Mr. Jory and Mayor Gurriglia along with former mayor Kathy Wilson who passed this proclamation unanimously.
And in closing, I just want to repeat that final paragraph that I mentioned before. We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and express our hope for a future where peace, security, and prosperity prevail for Israelis and Palestinians. Let us all pray for peace
finally in the region. Thank you. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor uh Grazel for sure. And our own Mr. Quinn is actually going to be in Israel for two weeks. So quite a time to be going over there. I only have a couple quick updates. Um,
one thing, uh, Committeeman Janado already talked a little bit about transportation advisory committee. Just wanted to update everybody that we continue to get, we just got in today some more information on, um, ordinances from the other municipalities on ebikes and e- scooters. So, we're working on
that. So, that we too, the township will draft an ordinance um, for us on that. Um on the seniors, they had a very successful health fair at the Fairchild Firehouse. Over 50 people showed up. Um
the senior citizens committee along with our department of health did a great job and they were giving flu shots and um we probably the they felt that we won't do this every year but maybe every other year and they had over 20 different
vendors and people there. So it was very exciting. Uh we also did there was a mayor's walk on October 4th um with the mayors from Chadam and uh from both Chadams. Um unfortunately Mayor Connley couldn't be
there because it was Bottle Hill day in Madison, but that's something that we're doing and we committeeman Janata and his family showed up and Mr. Quinn led the walk all around Jones Pond and we pointed out former mayor Jory's house.
It was a great day. It was very hot, but it was really um nice and it gives people who do come along to talk to some of the other mayors from the other municipalities and we share certain things we're working on together. Uh the one other thing that I do want to mention is um a couple of us actually
all attended the veterans valor pro valor project which is something the Rotary has put together. The ceremony was held at the Freeling Heisen Arboritum and it's part of our continuing partnership with them and the other veterans groups and we will
continue to prioritize veteran community engagement. We welcome our residents to help support this project as it moves forward and we hope it will foster a sense of ownership and community spirit even here right in the township to help promote and maintain the gardens as
they're developed. At that event, I closed um with an a quote by an unknown author that says, "If you want to thank a soldier, be the kind of American worth fighting for." And I said there, which I want to repeat here, that I also think
this pertains not just to thanking soldiers, but I think this also pertains to our democracy and our elections that are coming up. Voting ma matters and if you want elected officials who will work for you and what's best for your
community, we all need to get back to being the kind of Americans worth fighting for and coming to the table to address our commonalities and stop emphasizing so adamantly what our differences are. And the last thing I want to close with
is um a very valued resident um of the Morristown area. Willamina Willie Julen, a devoted mother and teacher, a Holocaust survivor, an amazing photographer, and a longtime resident, passed away peacefully in the presence
of her family after a decadesl long battle with cancer on September 12th. She was 85 years old. She was a longtime League of Women Voters member and she was a big supporter of Foots Pond. I just wanted to let everybody know there will be a celebration of her life
featuring many of her awardwinning photographs. It'll be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. There'll be a eulogy at 6:30 on Friday, November 21st at the Morris Museum. So, if you've never had the pleasure of seeing any of her photography, you you really should stop
by. And at the end of it all, I just want to wish everybody a very happy and safe Halloween. It's such a great time of year, especially for all all of our little ones. So stay safe out there as you participate in Halloween. At this time, there are six members on
Zoom and four here in person. We'll open the meeting to public comment. We'll first take comments from people here in person and then we'll switch over to Zoom. Please raise your hand on Zoom if you would like to speak. State your name and if you're a resident or non-resident. Please note comments are
limited to five minutes. You will if you would like questions answered your remaining time to speak will be yielded back. Is there a motion to open public comment? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Is there anyone here in public who would
like to approach the podium? >> Seeing no hands raised on Zoom, is there a motion to close public comment? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> The time is now 7:58 p.m. May I have a motion to adjourn the regular session? >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> The next regular township committee meeting is Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 at 7 p.m. for the regular meeting 5:00 PM closed in the municipal municipal building here at Woodland Avenue. Thank you and have a great
night.