Okie dokie. Let's remind everybody that all workshop meetings will be audio and videotaped and shown on the Township of Oceans community cable channel 22 on Verizon Fios and channel 77 on cable vision. Can I have a roll call please? >> Mayor Nepatani >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer
>> here. >> Council members Aera >> here. >> Katherine here Alica >> here. The notice requirements of the open public meetings act for this meeting have been satisfied and a copy of the annual notice was sent to the Aspbury Park Press in the coaster posted in town hall and filed in the office of the municipal clerk on December 18th,
2025. The only item we will have for discussion tonight is the budget draft that has been prepared by our CFO Ricky Garts. So Ricky, we have your document. So uh I guess what we'll do is turn the
floor over to you. do some explanations and then we'll turn it over to the council for Q&A. >> All right. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, everybody. >> Good evening. >> Uh this is that fun time of year when we get to put down together the budget for the town. Um
this year's budget is proposing uh an average increase the average homeowner of approximately $180 for the year. The assessed value uh average assessed value of a home went up to a million8,76.
Previous assessed value was $931,676. Uh this is all on the front sheet of your small document here. I'm just going over that for you. Total budget is increasing by $2,46,000. Of that, there's $1.8 million that
cannot be controlled. >> That $1.8 million consists Sorry. >> Hello. Welcome. Thank you. >> The um $1.8 $.8 million that cannot be controlled. It consists of uh $284,000
in pension increases, $681,000 in health insurance, $738,000 in salaries, which are contractual and step increases, $59,500 in utilities, which is primarily our electric, which is going up 11.2%.
And uh social security, which is going up $49,000. The health insurance, as much as it doesn't sound like it's a good thing, it's going up 19%. However, the state increase was 36.5%.
So, we have uh Kimber has actually done a great job with uh going over the health insurance plans with our employees and they've taken the high deductible plans, which has saved us a considerable amount of money, which is how we get to the 19%.
So, you know, it doesn't sound good, but in reality, that could be up another 17% if everybody stayed in the plans they were in. >> I'm dealing with that right now. And as we park in a negotiation, and the health benefits are the major sticking point right now. I wish we had the ability to
do the high deductible like the township is doing right now. That's a gamecher for us and really does keep the health cost down. smart move if you can, you know, if the employees and it sounds like she's been doing a good job of getting the employees to move over because, you know, um, >> she spends a considerable amount of time
sitting with the employees to explain it to them, >> right? Most of the cops, you know, they're, you know, there spoke to the chief this morning and uh, you know, he was saying they they do it. I'm like, it's it's a great idea. I mean, high deductible, give him the reimbursement on that, keep the cost low and it's good to go. >> Yes.
>> Good. We have explored uh other angles that have not come to fruition yet to try to help lower those costs further and uh Dave and I will continue to look into those matters to try to help alleviate that cost going >> looking at potentially other HIFs. >> We've uh we've looked at everything we
can and our experience rating is the problem at this point. >> Okay. Because there's a new HIF from what I understand that people are starting to funnel into. You know, again, if our experience is too high and I believe we're like 120 130 or we
higher >> last time we got received the report. That's correct. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, uh >> we would have a very difficult time moving insurance companies based on the experience numbers >> at 120. You got to be around 90 95 in
order for it to move. >> Okie dokie. >> Gracie. >> Yes. So, does every staff member get the same health insurance policy or do they get to choose the plan that they >> We offer the best >> for everybody? If
>> you decide to choose something that's different, that's higher, you pay the difference between what the base is and the higher one. >> If you go to the lower one, obviously you're saving us money and yourself money. So, >> and and what do we pay? We pay 100% for staff and then
>> No, the staff reimbures us based upon their salary. So it could >> it's a percentage of their salary. >> Correct. Depending on what plan they have >> under chapter 78. There's it's a uh percentage. And Ocean Township was so far ahead of the curve. They were
already getting chapter 78 relief here in the town before it even became a law and whacked the rest of the public sector employees. So Ocean did a phenomenal job over the years in maintaining and and keeping containing those health care costs. It's it's it's actually I was surprised at what we do
here and it's you know helps us out during budget season. >> So what's the percentage? >> The actual is uh 19% is our health insurance. No, no, I'm of the employee salary. >> It all depends what your salary is. >> Whether it's a family plan, a single
plan, husband, wife, parent, child, there's a whole there's four different >> There's a cap on the percentage. Yeah, there's a cap on the percentage of the actual health care plan. I believe if you make over 135, it's about 35% of
the health care coverage, whereas the 65 gets paid by the municipality. >> Okay. >> Yes. At the highest level, that would be correct. Yes. That's good. Thank you. >> You're welcome. So, with that being said, um we can look at some of the line items behind the
front sheet. So, you can see what actually has transpired on the first page. There is our salaries and what has changed between salaries by line item from our last year's budget to this year's
budget. Um, I will point out that on the second adjustment column where you see the letter A's, >> that nets to zero. And that's just because we're moving people around. So their salaries are there. We're just putting it into a disclassification
to for the budget purpose. The left hand column is basically the adjustments and that's what I considered when I spoke about the salaries and the contractual salary increases and the steps
>> and the uh the police department was because of changes in the contract there. >> Correct. their contract. Uh, I think each step is another $7,600 per officer. >> And with each patrolman, I think we had
23 of them getting that step this year plus their regular increase. >> But then subtract out the breakage that we get and that kind of helps us a bit especially when the higher guys go and the younger guys come in.
>> That's correct. >> But you don't budget for that. You consider that a gift if you will. for lack of a better term something that we want that I was advised that you'd like to hire two individuals additional that I've left that in there for that purpose >> if that was to come to fruition.
>> Okay. Because that ask was technically last year and he couldn't film it. >> Yes. So I left that in there if you wanted to pursue that further for the additional two officers. >> That's correct. >> So um Ricky the So total salary and wages wages on this page is 656. If I
heard you correctly, you said salaries went up 738. >> That is correct. >> What's the delta? >> Well, if you take out the uh the $93,600 adjustment for uh Planefield and the shared services with Allenhurst and the
safe and grant, most of it is up above this is the 738 the >> locals don't commit the pledge, but they fund themselves. >> Fair enough. Got it. So the big book that I had gave you details line by line when you have a
chance to look at it. Uh I I our goal I believe is to introduce the budget at the February 26th meeting. >> So that gives you two weeks to review it. I would prefer if you had any questions or comments to get back to me within a week to give me enough time to put the actual budget document that I
have to submit to the state together so I have something ready for you. So, >> so I would say probably if you can uh email Ricky the th by the Thursday before the next meeting which is the 26th of February, but he's here now. If
you see anything that you want to chat about while he's here so that you can get some clarification before you go and send the emails off to Ricky. Um just, you know, fire away at this point. I'll start. Um who wants to
go? Anybody? I just a quick >> not even a I apologize. Not a specific question. What's the coding? Why why are some items on the draft uh page two? Actually, it's on page one too. No, the second page page three. Sorry. Fold it. Yeah, >> page three. >> Page three. >> That's for me. >> Okay,
fair enough. >> Good question. >> So Ricky, you're saying right now that based on this budget, 1.8 8 is untouchable, which basically gives us a quarter of a million to make improvements and stuff that we need to
do. >> Not even 150. >> Not even. >> So, uh, >> well, for 1.8, we got two. Yeah, that's two 246. >> Yeah. >> So, >> that's not a lot of money >> when you're looking at everything else in the budget.
>> Well, >> we're really we're still only at this point on the municipal tax bill. What are we around 24 25%. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Yeah. >> The school and the county up by far. >> The road repairs and maintenance. Didn't
we allocate more last year? What? What? Where are we with that? I see like 239 then we added 10. >> Did I make something off? Didn't Didn't we do something last year >> on what? >> Road repairs. >> Didn't we allocate more? That's the bond for new not repairs but keep me honest.
>> I think we added we did but that that's in bonding that's whole separate that's on the capital side. This is the road repairs for public works. They were so like potholes. >> Right. Right. >> I have a question about road repairs too
because there is on the agenda tonight about moving allocating um $50,000 and moving it from road repair and maintenance to the storm recovery trust fund. >> Was it not used during the year? Like why would we move $50,000 from one to
another? Like what would be the purpose for that? >> It was not used during 25. Correct. It's left over. >> Okay. >> So, we move monies to the storm recovery so that if a year like you have this year with the snow, >> I have other funds other than hitting the operating budget with the taxpayer,
we put monies away so you have it for reserves. >> Okay. Go ahead. Okay. >> Thank you for that years ago. It's like a rain gate. So, um I have one other question about the reserve for the uncollected taxes because I know there
is a bond to where's my notes? Um a refinancing of the $23 million bond anticipation notes. So, I understand that's not new debt, right? This is to um refinance existing debt. But there
was a a question from a resident about are we um the bonds for the reserve for uncollected taxes like why do we need to >> I have the resident's question >> you do okay could you please read it because I don't have it >> which is stipulated here it says the
reserve uncollected taxes is not in the January 8th temporary budget $4.4 million in borrowing was required to fund the $4.4 million in the reserve on collected taxes totally not true >> okay could you not putting $4.4 $4 million in reserve on collected taxes to
fund any debt. >> Okay. >> One has nothing to do with the other. >> So the 20 million for the bonds, what is that being used for? We have about 16 ordinances that are uh open
that deal with anywhere from acquisition real property, road improvements, sidewalk improvements, acquisition of DPW equipment, garbage trucks, you name it, we have it. The golf utilities in here. So that number
>> is not all on the tax dollar. >> Okay. I just I'd like to understand it just a little more. That's all. Is that in here? >> No. >> Okay. Can I get a copy or can I talk with you about it? >> Sure. >> Okay. Perfect. >> So, one does not have to do the other. So, that just No,
>> I appreciate your >> side right now. >> explanation because I think you know obviously people are talking about that. So, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Ricky, the golf utility. Um, how are we doing with the whole utility? >> Golf utility. If you want to go to the
last page and the small packet that I gave you. Yep. >> You'll see that uh revenues far exceeded what we anticipated. >> We had $672,000 in greens fees uh etc. anticipated and we brought in $857,000.
>> Wow. >> Now, is that including the new >> facility 10th hole? So, no doubt >> this utility is a home run. >> So far, we're doing well. >> And he's only increasing the numbers there. >> Yes. Um once >> there was the first full year of operation. Yep.
>> So it should only get better. >> Is ahead. >> On that same token, is the course covering the simulator or or they are they both making money? >> Yes. >> Could actually have $100,000 in this year's budget to start repaying the debt
on the simulator. >> Very good. >> How much is the debt for the >> 1.5? >> How much have we paid back so far? >> Just started. just >> based on the revenues, we're in really good shape. >> Said it's the first full year. So,
>> and I don't see it going down, especially that simulator is is hot. We're getting a lot of compliments on it. And, you know, I I did a family party there over the summer. >> Um, it's just we have really I mean, it's just really great space. The patio
outside with fire pits. I mean, Mike did a great job >> and the TV. So, now that we talk about the winner, let's talk about the loser. >> I have a couple questions too also >> on utility golf. >> Um, not necessarily golf, but I wanted to talk about two quick things. >> Okay.
>> Um, the grants on the front page here. Yes. >> What's going on with that? >> I just zero that out for this purpose. Okay. >> Because the revenue and the appropriation offset each other. >> Okay. >> So, for giving you your tax summary, I zero out. We'll have like five grants in the budget this year. >> Okay.
>> I just for this purpose don't detail it. Second question, how much does ocean bring in from shared services roughly >> 40? >> We have a shared service with the sewage authority that we have $366,000 anticipated this year.
>> We have another one with the Florida >> for $136,000 for our sle3s. >> Mhm. And then the Burough of Allen Hurst will bring in $53,60. So it's $556,000 in revenue in uh shared
services. >> Okay. And the other question I had for you was I see that the hotels bringing in about $75,000. Do we have anything in here for cannabis or are we putting that in a different column? >> I do not have anything in here for cannabis because it's kind of
dimminimous at this point. >> Okay. So, so >> I think that one we can hopefully if they all get up and running by Q3, four, then he can anticipate it. But right now, he doesn't have any revenue. >> Who's up and running now? Just two or one? >> Just the Ganja Mja manufacturing. That's
it. >> That's the only one running. >> That's it for now. And I believe in Q the other one. The guy just finished his manufacturing. So, he's already ready to roll. Then you've got the dispensary coming online by the end of the first
quarter. And I'm not sure what they're doing with the other manufacturing license. We haven't got any word about the grows, right? >> I'm hearing that that the grows, they're not even going to do it. That there's not enough money to be made in the grow. They said all the money's made in the
manufacturing. >> My understanding was that property is up on the market again. >> Which one? >> The 3500 sunset. was gonna >> Those guys are all sitting there. They're already >> I don't know about that. That's what I heard. I
>> talked to Michael yesterday. >> All right. Um, yeah, those are the two questions. So, nothing. We haven't brought in any weed at this point. >> Nothing. The great promise. >> Got to let them get open. There's a lot of regulations with it, unfortunately. I
mean, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, they count everything and they've got to have everything in that facility buttoned up like you wouldn't believe. I mean, it's a tough tough process to go through >> and they don't meet that often.
>> And then the other problem isn't us or them, it's JCPNL making them go back for another plan and they wanted a new architecture plan for the, you know, the electricity going in. It's a it's a pretty intricate thing. I
mean, it's it's tough, but I I can't see how by midyear he doesn't have start seeing some numbers coming in. >> Is the hotel about the same >> or is it just a budget number? I mean, have we seen more revenue coming in from the hotel because it's been a full cycle now?
>> We brought in almost $150,000 on these. Yes. >> Okay. >> We're anticipating 110 this year where we anticipated 75 last year. >> Okay. >> The hotel >> and there was basically >> another one, >> Ricky. That's basically the one hotel again. Mr. CFO, >> we need another hotel.
>> $300. >> I know a guy that wanted to build one. >> Jesse will fill you in on what we used to get. >> We used to get like3 $400. >> Wow. >> On three hotels. >> Yeah. >> On the jockey tower and >> the jockey tower. >> That's a whole other >> I'm sure they were reporting everything.
RIGHT. >> That's about 10,000 a month, which is nice coming in up the street. Um, all right. Let's Dave, you got anything else? >> I'm good. >> All right, Ricky. >> Well, I ahead. >> Were you going to ask about the pool? I just Yeah, I was just curious to know
where we are with the pool, how things are going. >> You want some time to think about that? nearly $100,000 this year without even having any capital associated with it. >> That's without the repairs that have to be done on the existing pool. >> I missed the opening line. 100,000 is
what >> without that's how much we lost on the pool. >> Got it. Okay. >> That's just in membership >> revenue versus expenses. >> Can we look into to cover some of this more camps utilizing the facility at a rate? You
know, I know Mike got a couple of them in last year. But can there be more of a push just to try to cut this this this down a bit? >> I'm sure there's things that we can do in that respect. I just don't know how that portray plays into the fact that
you've sold a membership to somebody >> that now you're telling them what hours they can be there and what hours they can't be. >> Well, no, I think Mike still had the members come in. It was they were they had to understand there were a lot of, you know, kids coming in with camp. >> Okay. And I think he might have had two
there last year. They came in various times. Um, and I it didn't affect the operations, especially on the weekend. I mean, there's not a lot of people that use it. I went over there a couple times in the summer to see what's going on, >> right? >> And it's, you know, obviously, you know,
I think we were 300 and some odd residents that were members. >> Yes. >> Not a lot. >> Not a lot. >> Versus non-me what was the total membership? Do you know >> that off the top of my head? No, I do not. I can get you that done.
>> If I That's fine. Don't go crazy. >> I wonder. Yeah, the more we could rent it out, I think the better. >> I think we should even look at possibly in the next couple years looking at an RFQ on the place >> to see if somebody wants to actually operate it.
>> And maybe, you know, that's a good idea. >> What we did with the uh concussion staff, they have nothing to do with that. >> Maybe just get rid of the whole thing. I don't know. That would be ideal. >> We have to really look into some options here. >> We just get a payment and they worry about the operating cost. >> Yeah.
>> Well, the smart thing this year was him farming out the food this year to peel that. He didn't have to worry about the staff and have to worry about going out to Costco and Restaurant Depot buying stuff. >> You know, that cut down that staff. So, we probably would have lost 150 to 200
if we had kept that in place. So that turned from a loss into a, you know, less of a loss. >> Place need some repairs too, Rick. >> Oh yeah. >> Said minus the capital. >> Once you add that in that 100,000,
>> what are they on the pool? What are they anticipating needs to be done? Um, as it rel within do we have any idea in the next 5 years? >> I think Michael said something major next year. So much >> something major's next year. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but >> capital. >> Yeah.
pool's 50 years old. >> So maybe was that >> after budget season, you know, after we're done, we can get some numbers from Mike, see how much it's going to cost to do some uh do capital in there. And we have to make a decision as a council
what we want to do cuz it if we're losing money, it's not a real smart move unless there's a way to turn it around. I'm open to hearing suggestions. Yeah, we like Mike and I and Ricky, we're all in conversation, so we'll bring back some ideas to the council.
>> All right, cool. >> I think the camp idea is probably the best. You just have to sell the memberships that this is how it's going to be. You know, the hours of there's going to be kids here and you know, >> yeah, light traffic hours. >> I just don't know how that's going to play into the uh shared service with Long Branch.
>> Yeah, I was thinking about that, too. >> You know, they have x amount of lifeguards for >> what they consider just a general operation. I don't know if that's going to affect >> Well, it won't be affected this year. >> No, I know. I'm just saying when we go out to do something like that, what we would have to do lifeguardwise.
>> Maybe it's a conversation about >> Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Yeah. >> There's always other companies. Uh, you know, it's I know it's hard to staff these things. Terribly hard to staff. >> Yeah. >> Rick, outside of the numbers that you mentioned, what else has changed
in not in the budget, but what the budget represents? So whether it's headcount, services, equipment, what is not >> headc count I think is up to >> okay >> overall but there are two positions downstairs
that if we that are in here that whether you use it or not is another story. So it's basically flat on the headcount. >> Okay. >> Um it's just everything that you're paying for we pay for just living. Everything you buy is that much more. fixing buying
tires now for something over there is you know 10% more you know this I'm glad you bring it up because we're appro there's two different caps that we follow there's a tax levy cap and there's an appropriations cap what you asked me about the highlights was
because I had to cut things to get under the appropriations cap for us to submit this budget which means we're at the max almost and with things that are coming forward like let's say for next year's an election year you You know what that election cost us if you kept it on the
same level as regular the regular elections like 20 to 22,000 I think that year when we did it the last election was 80,000. So me having to come up with 60 grand for an election next year >> that's next year >> on top of we only have three and a half%
that were allowed that shoots that budget through the roof. I have to find the difference now elsewhere to keep us under the three and a half%. So, there's all those types of things that where I said that the utilities, our workers comp insurance, I didn't mention, and our liability insurance, they they're up
like 14%. I don't know why, >> but they are. >> What? Um, so I What what's the word? Not exceptions. That's not the word I'm looking for. Waiver, is that the right word? Doesn't the state give you a waiver for certain things? >> They don't know if that's the right
word, >> but not on the appropriations cap anymore. They give you two waivers right now. One is for the pension, one is for the health insurance. >> Okay, >> they did two years ago the workers comp and liability insurance and then they said no way no anymore. You have to factor that in. You have to figure out
irrespective of what those percentages are. So you need to start budgeting if it's going up 12%. Where are you cutting 9 and a half somewhere else to get under your three and a half? That's up to you. Now there is talk down at Trenton that that might change but as of today that is the case and there's we're not the
only ones struggling with this. So a lot of places struggling with it, but this is the first time I've had to actually go through and say, "Okay, what you asked for, you're not going to do that because you can't cap, >> right?" >> And going forward, >> so that's three and a I didn't do the
math. That's three and a half. >> Three and a half% that we're allowed >> and that's what that 2.046 is. >> 2.046. I'm sorry. Where are we at? >> Did the increase. Let me let me ask it a different way. What does the three and a half what is three and a half%.
>> If you look at >> pages two, >> three and four together. >> Yeah. >> So if you go to page two on my first column under the 2025 municipal budget, >> right? >> Salaries 18.6 million.
>> Uh sure. >> Okay. 25's budget is 16 almost 9 million. Uh, >> I'm Yoi, page four. >> Oh, you're got it. >> Right. >> Put those together, multiply it by 3.5%
and that's basically all you're allowed to go up with all of those. >> Wow. >> Minor exceptions, but basically, yes. >> And we're at the point that's why we do that ordinance that allows they allowing us 2% this year. We do an ordinance now
to increase it the other 1.5% so we can go up 3.5. >> Yeah, it's >> tight. >> Yes. But because there's a tax levy cap, there's been a lot of speculation and talk down there saying, "Well, what do we need the cap exception for? If
they're meeting the criteria for their taxes, how do you care how they're spending it?" So there's a debate down at threaten right now that you know from my perspective and a lot of accountants perspectives that do this work. We're hoping that comes to fruition and we
don't have to worry about this anymore. But right now I have to calculate it two different ways. You could be under on one and over on the other which means you're going nowhere. You still got to cut to get back under the other one. >> Yeah. >> There's two things that really glare at
me here. One is the assessed value of the homes from 2018 to 2026. >> You know, at what point does that become unsustainable? You know, >> well, there's a conversation right now, right? >> Segue. So, where do we stand with the
pilot program and ADP and are >> Aberdine is >> somebody's making noise. >> Yeah, making noise. >> Commissioners are making noise. I don't want to speak out of turn, but I know that there's a lawsuit and it was a lawsuit that for people who weren't in
it that once this came through, the county said that they were going to be mandated to be put in it because they had to add a revaluation. >> That's how the lawsuit started. And they were like, "No way. You can't mandate that." So, if that comes to fruition and the state and the the courts say that's
not going to happen, a lot of people are going to say, "Well, then we don't need >> then we don't want it either." Right. >> Exactly. Does that help us? >> Yeah. Doesn't it? >> Or are we still we just moving money from one side, you know, to the other? >> It helps you in I think in a perspective of your assessed values will pretty much
be level year in year out till you do till you do a rebound. >> Till you do what? >> Okay. >> From the perspective of our side, you're going to see so many more tax appeals at the county level. The the good thing about the program was is that the county appeals got adjudicated before we
actually adopted our budget. So we would never refund a penny. The assessed value got reduced and that's what your tax rate was based on. The old way was none of that ever occurred. So you did your tax rate, you had x amount of dollars
and then everybody won their appeal. Well, now you got to come and take the money you had that you used for your budget already and give it back. So depending on how that works, I mean I can't honestly answer give you a straightforward answer. But uh and the county gets their piece no matter what.
So if they if they look at this you're 10 billion and they say based upon their calculations it should be 11.2 and next door should only be like 80%. They get to 100% before they calculate their levy. So they get to 100% no matter what.
>> That's how we do ours. Could you give a breakdown of the percentages for the taxpayers? So, the school gets how much of the taxes and >> but not off the top of my head. >> Okay. >> I can when you got your uh
>> your card, it's got the breakdown right on there between the fire district, the open space trust fund that's out of the county, the county tax, our open space trust fund tax, >> the school tax. There's >> county library. Yeah, I said that first.
>> Bottom line is we're tiny. >> Yeah, our budget's very tight. >> Yeah. >> Well, >> the other thing to know that seems unsustainable to me is the healthare cost. And I don't know being in healthcare business. I don't know where this is going because we have seen a
health care increase for the last three years maybe four 23% 19% another 23%. I mean at some point how is this going to become affordable for any township you know? Oh, the employee can't like for
example, we have in our system, we got direct 10, direct 15, New Jersey Educators Health Plan, and Garden State Plan. Garden State Plans Gardens. New Jersey Educators Plan is around a $48,000 plan, you go up to Direct 10, it's $75,000. And when a staff member,
even with my cap that I have at 25%, I begged them to get out in October. I said, "You're going to get hammered when you get your first check in January." And I saw my staff member today. She said, "I should have listened to you on paying $900 a paycheck, $1,800 a month when it used to be nothing." And it's a
it's a it's a great plan, but you know what? It's just as good going to the educator's health plan. Believe me, that it's that thing's not missing anything and it saves everybody money. >> You know, what are you really saving? You know, you save a little here and then next year it's going back up again and get back up again and it's at some
point, you know, this is going to break. >> There's no way. It's close to being broken. >> But it's not just us. It's everywhere. >> Of course, it is everybody. >> The state plan itself has let itself go. >> I mean, here it is, a 12 member board, six from New England and six from the
other side. Nothing's ever decided. >> That's been the problem for years. Nothing ever gets decided because they both vote the way they want to vote. So, it stays the way it is. And that's why we're at where we're at right now. >> They are trying to overhaul that right now, but it might be too late in the game to overhaul it. Yeah.
>> I don't know. Now, >> Ricky, when we had you mentioned the uh election at how much? 80 >> $8,000 it was the last election. >> But last time in 19 23, I mean, we split
it with the other municipalities, right? >> With Red Bank. >> With Red Bank. Yeah. >> Now Red Bank's do a November cycle. >> Yeah. There's not many towns left doing a May election. >> I think the
>> no one knows there's elections in May. >> We'd be the only ones in 27. >> 27. >> So, we have to pay the full. >> Yeah. >> And the only reason I bring that up is because I know I'm tight on this three and a half%. I know it's coming up next year, next year's budget. >> I don't know what we're doing with that number. >> The way I'm coming up with it without
slashing something to get under cap again. >> Could have a big sale. Well, your only other option is to go out the rest. >> Not not if we can keep it below 3.5, which is what we want to do. >> Exactly. >> No one wants to go above. >> So, if you move the election in
November, it cost how much? >> 22,000. How much is that your number? >> Not even. >> Not even. >> No. I'd say >> we paid >> last year. What was it? We had 13 >> six 19,000 20,000. Yeah,
>> that was two. That was the primary and the >> general was 13992. Yeah. >> So everybody's moved. Fire departments moved, board of eds moved. >> Fire was the one that really dug their heels in for a long time. >> Well, of course they had the February election that no one ever remembered.
>> And we're the May election that no one ever remembers. >> 400 people voted. >> Family members. >> Yeah, that's what it was. >> And it all comes down to our office. We have to find the advertising. And we have to find you. It's everything. We
have to pay for the pole workers. >> 80,000 is a crazy number. >> Yeah. And it's only going to go up. >> 80. >> Why does it cost 80 grand? >> Because they charge for everything. >> And the printing and the picking up the ballots. It's the only place you have only thing that you have to have to come to. >> And they're a courier that's going
around constantly picking stuff up. They >> So they're only curing to our town. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. something to discuss. >> Sure. >> Board of Ed move moved to November. We're the only one not November, so we should consider it. >> Mayor, we say what you talking about
Ocean Township. >> Yeah, they're November. >> Most school boards are November now. >> Very few are April, I think, if any around here are. >> Ricky, any promising uh things in here as far as new growth? give us some news.
>> Well, I hate to tell you, I mean, the growth, you you look at the growth, you see your increase in your AV, your growth isn't the problem. >> It's your expenditure side that's the problem. And the revenues that if we could get the cannabis going, we need another source of revenue besides a tax levy.
>> We need we need >> filling the pool. >> Right. Right. Throw some sand on it. >> Beach and parking. >> We need a Netflix. We need a Netflix. 50% doesn't cost anything.
>> Would the town uh how would the town benefit if they were to start to film in Ocean Township? Is that uh is it just kind of pie in the sky money or is it could actually be some real money? >> I don't know what ordinance rates. What would they have to pay for? >> Not that much. >> Yeah. >> A lot of filming. >> Yeah. Are they really going to film so
much here? >> I think the benefit is more for the businesses than is for the government. >> So So the b the businesses will benefit, but it's not like the town's going to get permanent fees and all that. Oh, we'll get more people, more >> business. Okay.
>> Anything else? >> All right. So, Ricky, uh, if we have questions or whatever, we will email them over to you. uh very enlightening seeing the numbers and stuff but you know I think we're limited on what we can suggest
looking at it you know skimming it take a deeper dive but I mean it's the 1.8 that you're locked into so really you only got quarter of a million to play with >> Mhm. And you know I
you know I you don't see any areas in here that >> I will go through it again. I've gone through this four times but one more time before we actually put the budget document together. I uh >> well I mean look we're you know the tax rates the same almost from what it was
last year. >> Introductions at the next next council meeting the 26th. Yes. >> Introduce it then we'll have public comment >> 28 days. Yes. March 26th. >> Public comment will be on the 26th of March. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So, we'll introduce the budget at the
next meeting on the 26th of February. People will have a month. It will be advertised and then any Q&A we got at that point at the uh budget meeting when we adopt it. You'll be at that meeting, right? In public. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes.
>> Um you'll do a quick presentation for the public. >> Yes. Okay. >> Mhm. >> I think that's important. Help people understand what exactly we're doing. >> No doubt. >> You're doing slideshows for us. Like, you know, >> that's not my wheelhouse, huh?
>> Just his I can make it my wheelhouse if you want to sit there for an hour before the put it together. >> No, no, no. We're we're we're pretty good, dude. We're pretty good. >> All I got to do is ask. They'll throw it together for me. >> That's true. >> I'm sure >> that's Rob. >> I'm sure.
>> No, no. We're good. you present like you did last year, we're good with it. >> All right. >> You know, we appreciate it. Thanks for your hard work on them. >> I appreciate your time. I just point out that these are working documents and they remain with you only. Please until we actually have a budget in place.
>> Yeah. Please hold on to them. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> I got some updates, man. >> Yes. Let's uh start with our manager. Okay. So, as you all know, we had um the
environmental commission come in at the last meeting talking about the tree ordinance. Um I met with the community development director uh who initiated a contract with Jim Higgins. He's working on doing the tree ordinance itself. So,
we want to combine what the environmental commission had plus um what the tree ordinance is. So, I want to get the full tree ordinance and work it up the ladder to um the environmental commission, shade tree commission, and then get it back here to
the council. Um and then I'll be calling you offline as the liaison, council woman, to make sure that that you know what's going on before we bring everything here. Um the other thing regarding uh >> Dave, can I just interrupt? That's the
that's the commercial tree ordinance. No, that's the regular tree ordinance because the Well, okay. So, the commercial one is the one that the environmental is looking and I think Jim Higgins is working on a tree ordinance in general.
So, let me see what he's got. So, I don't want to misspeak. I don't know if he's combining them or trying to make it better, >> but but he's working on the tree ordinance. So, I don't like I said, let's let's put it Colleen asked you wanted everything to go together. So that's why I'm just telling you just in
case if you were looking for an introduced ordinance or anything. The other thing on the environmental commission tip, um this is good news. We finally uh we're at 95% completion on what is known as the uh community energy
plan. So we are right there. I got the draft here that I have to review. This will be my weekend federal holiday reading. Um so once we get that we we lined up with um Julia who's the chair and we'll be I think we have a meeting a
when's our meeting April 9th. >> Mhm. >> So we have the council meeting right after the council meeting the um the person who put this together the firm will come into the environmental and do a whole presentation. So, I also
uh Tom, I know you're listening. Uh so, we we're asking uh if Tom could come out and make sure we get it taped and everything so that those who can't make the environmental commission meeting because that starts at 8. Um so, on the 9th that this will be this will be aired
on our uh TV live and perhaps at least if anything it'll be on YouTube so they can go back and watch it. Um we have to figure out if council's going to come or not because you guys would make a quorum. So >> I can't be there. >> So only two of you can come but the rest
of you can watch it on TV. >> I'll watch >> just just for the record. Even in a presence it >> Yeah. Let me just ask that question. So if there's no business just and I don't know I'm asking but if we're just sitting there watching if if there's no if you're not going to conduct any business or participate in the meeting
you can sit in the audience. Okay when we did that presentation >> but you are limited in in what you can do. If I say in other words, you can't get should have a comment and talk about it. Start delivery. >> You can get you can't make the 9th. >> I can't make the 9th. It's >> neither can I. That's over.
>> Both of us >> the council meeting and the environmental >> I'm not going to be in the state April 9th. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, we we'll definitely have to talk then. >> Okay. >> Um the other update I have so far um we
got two companies that came in for 1515 Logan for the auction. One came in at 8%. The other one came in at 7% on the first 100 grand and 5% on the balance. So
that's the one I'm kind of leaning in on. And that payment would not be made by the township. That payment would be made by the buyer, the purchaser. So, I haven't done any homework, but have you
asked around checked around is the five or 7% >> when Yes, it was at 10 when I first originally asked. >> No, no, but that's good. But do you find do I know what they'll tell us, but what do we have we asked around? Because I've
asked some people and they they're split. Sometimes they say the auction's better, sometimes they say it's not. What are you hearing? Because we haven't decided that we're going. >> What's the ask here? >> The ask is, are we going to see a better price net to the town not using an
auctioneer or using an auctioneer? >> If we go out for general bids, it's only going to hit our normal newspaper. So the the idea by using these companies is a wire net is cast. >> Why do we have to pay them to do that? Why can't we do that ourselves? >> We don't. We're not paying them. >> Let me do it a different way. Well,
Why are we expecting a potential purchaser to be willing to pay five or 7% more just for us to be able to advertise to find them? Why can't we just advertise beyond what? >> Well, if you recall, I presented that in the beginning. I want to just go out for
bids, but the governing body here asked me to go out and get this, >> right? But we didn't make a decision which way we're going yet. So that's So I'm asking y >> in your opinion, which way do you think is better? for the net net of the town. >> I would just go out with normal bids,
but again, we wanted to to look into this. >> Correct. >> So, and again, this one, when we go out normal bids, we're just going to go to Coaster, Aspbury Park Press. You're only going to get >> Well, that's what I'm saying. Why are we only doing that? >> Well, I think the benefit is that you're bringing in either a national type of
group or you're bringing in a statewide group because these guys have connections all over the state. This is what they do on a daily basis. I don't think this property is a particularly large piece of property, but it is it does seem to benefit in that sense that you're not, you know, so if you're going to get X, the idea is this guy's going
to bring an X plus. >> That's the idea. That's the idea. But I'm asking in practice, does it work? >> If you go the oldfashioned way, the way the way I suggested, you're only going to get probably a couple bids. If you go this way, you're probably going to get more bids and people bidding higher,
which is going to pull in more money for the township. >> And we have evidence of that happening. >> I would give Bill Gap follow this. He's done this. He was a manager. He's, you know, that's the only reason why I even brought it up is because I had a
conversation with Bill and cuz I was against it. I felt the same. >> I'm still on the fence. I mean, now because of that the wider net said the same thing that we will probably drive the price up by going doing this type of route by having a company do the auction.
>> It just I mean I don't same thing. I haven't done any homework, but I just feel like if we can drive the price up, it's better for the town and we're not it's not we're not coming out of pocket for the fee then and this is something they're used to. >> That was my understanding where if you remember, I thought we had to pay that%. >> No, then it then it becomes not even what
>> we would all been out at that point. >> But if we're not paying for it and it's >> I'll just use frankly Italian American Association, John. We are subsidizing we're letting people use credit cards to pay their dues, but we're paying for that. I get, but my point is that
nobody's using the credit cards. They're paying cash because they don't want to pay that extra four, 5%, whatever it is. My point is here >> if they're cuz that adds up. >> Yeah. >> Another organization I'm in, we changed our policy that the if you use your
credit card, you have to pay. >> We just decided that last night. >> So that that's that's fine. Let's let's do some more. >> That was that was burning a hole in our pocket. >> You losing 3%. um >> four and a half four. You need a new vendor. >> Most of you got this because I emailed
it to you. We we didn't get the complete streets uh grant. But one of the things is and I' I've all my career I've not seen this where we're automatically in to the next round. So, we'll automatically be placed in and they said
we um we had a a very competitive uh >> Did they say that to all the losers? >> Well, that's what I want. That's what I want. Did you see my >> and I was talking on through email and and one of the things that I do as part of my practice is that I'm going to make
a phone call to the government to say, "Hey, what what was the reason? Can we do something better or did you really have that many good people?" So, >> right. >> So, we'll see at the end. Sometimes people will give me a straight answer, sometimes they won't. Um, but last but not least to go with
the complete streets, Mammoth County is introducing something called State Streets Mama and we're going to get involved with that and that should be good too to um help keep us busy and filter into what they're doing while we wait to get them. We're not going to
stop working with the Complete Jeep Group. We're going to continue to meet with them on a monthly basis and um over in the water master section and make sure that we keep moving forward with that project. >> They had like an interactive map. Can we give our residents the ability to like
can we somehow tell >> safe streets >> on the Mammoth County safe streets? >> Yeah, they're working on that cuz they're getting surveys from us now. They want crash data and all that stuff. So I I have to talk to the police department, >> the the usual suspects in town so we get them all our correct information. >> Okay. And then I think once that is that
is ready to go then we should release it to the put in the newsletter. >> I think it could be helpful to get to bring in different opinions. >> We got the spring newsletter getting ready to get the articles and stuff in. We can
add what we want to put in. >> Yeah. >> I also told uh Tracy that we should add the QR code in there for uh the complaints and the other stuff that we have there for uh what we talked about today. >> Right. the QR because it's one thing to have it on your Facebook page, but how
do I get my QR code with my phone? I can't scan myself. So, if we put it out in more like paper things like the newsletter and articles and things of that nature, >> we got a ton of business cards, >> right? And we can just get people to sign up and this is how they roll it,
you know? >> Right. And last thing I just want to update the council on because my office and the code enforcement office been inundated as you know with this extreme cold weather. Um you know things are breaking and breaking down and some of these privatelyowned
um apartment buildings are not providing the adequate heat or hot water. So our code enforcement has gone out and done several site visits. Um, supposedly these landlords are are fixing them. But at the same time, code enforcement has
reached out to DCA to see if they can do because it is beyond our inspection uh parameters. DCA uh they regulate the hotels and multiple dwellings. So, we're making sure that um DCA comes out here and do what they have to do for these
places. And then um basically code is going out tomorrow to revisit all these places. And then if uh something positive has not been done, then summons will begin to be issued. >> Dave, the only thing I'm going to ask is
maybe we can get because we know Middbrook obviously with the Silver Skates. We just got the connection for 777 West Park Avenue and the other Heritage and Popppler. The areas where we could use a connection or a contact
to get the information out is Twinbrook, Continental, and West Park Matter. We don't know who to even contact when we get the complaints. Like right now, I've gotten several on the units. >> Mayor, let me first want to clarify the
three. You said Twin Brooks, >> Twin Brook, we have Continental. >> Mhm. >> The third one, >> West Park Manor. >> Okay. and one of massive gardens apartments. That's been another when you say we, you're saying the governing body doesn't have
>> I think you should have a contact or you do have >> Yeah. When I say I, not me personally, but every uh apartment commercial building is required, >> right, >> by law to hand into our fire inspection inspectors. You're supposed to have
contact point of contact >> so that there's an emergency. >> I haven't got here's what I'll do in community development. If I get anything else on those places, I'm going to go obviously contact you. But Robbie, I'll call.
>> Um, we now have uh Tommy involved with the other three units, so he's easy to call and get stuff rectified. >> Can I ask like an unsophisticated, naive question? >> I I mean, we're talking about code enforcement going in, rectifying the
problem on like a more global level. Someone doesn't have heat for an evening. It's freezing. Is there some sort of I don't want to say crowdsourcing, but like can we put it on some sort of page where we could say, "Can anyone help? I don't know. Get this guy a space heater fix like some sort of
>> I don't know, just to help in town, help each other >> when I get it. Um, again, Tom's listening. Um, we usually go to between OEM, PD, and the county. >> Okay. >> And we reach out to them >> to them personally. That's what I feel like.
>> Yeah. If it if it's if it's like an emergency situation, >> it's unsustainable to ask somebody to stay outside and >> different um social um like nonprofits out there that will help out. Red Cross, >> folks like that. But >> yeah. >> Yeah. As far as us internally doing
something, I guess we could take a look at that. >> Yeah. Just internally or even like you said, just our general agencies and okay, this is what we're going to do. First, we're going to call this person. We can give them a list of phone numbers. Even the resident, you can call X, Y, and Z. Maybe we could have like some sort of
>> Yeah, it was about when that when it was really really cold. >> Yeah, it was freezing. >> Um, we had um I think it wasn't heat, it was hot water, I believe it was, >> but regardless, heat, hot water, whatever it is, >> we we had I put on notice to OEM, >> okay,
>> PD, everybody went to go check it out. Code goes over there, does what they do, and then we we put in the we activate the list to call people if necessary. >> Okay. As long as we're doing >> something to fix the immediate need, I think it's helpful. >> I actually went to Heritage Apartments
today. >> Yes, we were communicating two weeks ago. >> Well, we did Wan Masa Gardens last week and then um Mr. Shutman here. >> Yeah, >> it's his relative that um >> Yes, I'm well aware.
>> So, that has been there's been no heat in her apartment for 6 days. >> Mhm. So what exactly does happen on a code enforcement side because this is these are elderly disabled >> people as a township unfortunately we're
private we don't have too much say we can go in code will we'll we'll go and speak to the landlord or the property manager but mostly the landlords are not there and say hey and then they'll say oh we're fixing it they could be giving us the runaround or whatever we'll come back in a in a day or two and see what's
going on and if it continues to keep reporting Only thing we can do is write a summon. But here's what the summon does. Sends them to court. You get a court date to win. >> The person still doesn't have heat. So that's why we have to go over and call DCA because DCA regulates that they can
come in and do stuff. >> So when is when will DCA come? >> I hopefully we'll know that tomorrow because DCA was reached out to as uh that's I just read you from what Ken sent uh myself. >> Do we have a contact person there that >> Oh, I'm quite sure Ken does. And when I
say Ken, Ken is our division director for CO >> for code. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. I mean, I'd like to talk to you on the side. >> Yeah. Call me tomorrow anytime. >> Thank you. >> Y >> but trust we're doing everything from a township perspective that we can do. >> But 6 days is just not acceptable.
>> I'm going to hardly agree with you. >> I think that's why we need just like a quicker government is slow or in that predicament. 17 people have, not in our town, but 17 people have died because of the freezing cold. And >> now we have elderly, medically
compromised, vulnerable people that have no heat for 6 days. If they had no other place to go, >> they'd be sitting in goes as far as call in touch with the landlord is the ones who respond back to us. >> But generally, >> I mean, we had a good outcome with Wanomasa Gardens, right?
>> Look what it took to get there, though, and that's kind of where we're at now. >> It took multiple phone calls. And I was actually going to thank you and Chief Serantino and Ken for the work that they did over last weekend because not only
did they not have hot water, they also were losing heat in some of the apartments. >> They end up fixing that, right? They >> they did. So after I contacted you and we went, you know, talked back and forth. >> Um I I guess you had contacted the you found the landlord and then >> it wasn't me personally. It was a team
team effort. >> Okay. Okay. to the team >> and uh it was a good outcome because they did go in and send a plumber for three days and we're in there fixing all the hot water and put in three new furnaces so for each building.
>> So I mean that was a great team effort and it was good that they did this and you know I followed up with them as well but heritage now we have to be on top of that because >> it's not okay for >> for people not to have hot you know
heat. I can't express how much we are on top of it, but we're only limited so far. So hopefully DCA will come in and do what they have to do. >> So can I ask a when at what point does code enforcement call DCA? >> They're already done.
>> Oh. Oh, you mean in in a general case? probably um I'm going to take a guess without Ken being here, but probably somewhere uh after 2 days or so, I would I would begin to call DCA and bring them into the picture because landlord only can say so much that they're getting it
fixed. Getting it fixed, getting fixed. >> But meantime, person's cold, but they should be making other appropriate arrangements. >> Yeah, that's and I'm using case example. A space heater is good, but that's not a that's not a >> No, it's not a solution. They need to move that person.
>> Is there any chance that I get to address this issue? >> You got to speak to the mayor. >> We're going to actually we're going to be going downstairs in public right now cuz we only have a few minutes left. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um Dave, >> but to finish my statement would I if
I'm that landlord, I'm moving that person to an adequate uh hotel or something >> 100% >> and paying for it while it gets fixed. >> But I'm not the landlord. Unfortunately, they're not required to do that. Out of the kindness of their heart, they could, but they
>> I don't know what DCA powers. I won't speak to it. >> Okay. >> Oh, good. Good. >> DCA can declare it basically uninhabitable and say you're forced required to move them. Okay. The issue comes people don't always want to be moved, >> right? So, >> right. Is there an ordinance that we can
create to request, you know, the landlords to >> to provide like a safety plan when this sort of thing happens? because it's obviously a safety issue if your heat is broken and you're elderly, medically
compromised and you know disabled and you have they I mean I have the temperature it was under 50 >> you know I mean these are situations of emergency management >> tough answer is I don't know I I know that you know apartment millions of a
certain size are mostly regulated by the DCA I'll look into it maybe but there I know there's issues are like preemption like the DCSA say you can't do that we're doing that but let me look into it and I'll get back to you. >> I appreciate that because I think we really do need to do this for the residents.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I appreciate all your help. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. We're going to get and that's an idea say we got to research that. Um I've never seen an ordinance like that but >> not easy. >> I mean it's been like
>> two buildings now in nine days, right? So I feel bad for folks. >> Going to remind everybody that all council meetings will be audio videotaped. They'll be shown on the town's community cable channel 22 on Verizon Bios and channel 77 on cable. As
you can I have a roll call, please. >> Mayor >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fisher here. >> Council member Zera here. >> Here. Can everyone please stand as we say pledge allegiance and remain standing for this pray
of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all. Please remain stand. You may be seated. The notice requirements of the open public meetings after this meeting have
been satisfied and copy the annual notice is sent to the Aspbury Park Press and the coaster posted in town hall and filed in the office of the municipal clerk on December 18th, 2025. There are two fire exits to my right that'll take you to the front of the building. There's one fire exit to the back that'll take you to the back of the
building. Please make sure that all your cell phones are turned off and if you need to make a call, kindly step outside. We are going to be doing questions on resolutions and vouchers only. So all matters. What's that? Oh, council. I'm sorry. Skipping through. Deputy Mayor Dave Fischer. Sorry about
that. >> Yes, Mayor. Thank you. I just want to let everybody know that we celebrated Joe's legacy last week. We had a wonderful turnout. Uh it's incredible what his accomplished he accomplished here and he's a real son of Ocean Township. So it was a very nice
ceremony. I also want to thank our DPW and uh uh Steve Higgins. Most people don't realize how difficult this snow was and you know, you see the snow piling up and you complain, oh, it didn't go curve to curve, but the amount of work and labor that these guys have been doing is is almost unbelievable.
And it's also unprecedented. I don't think we've had a storm like this since 2018. Does that sound about right? So, thank you guys. I think you did a wonderful job. This wasn't easy. And um I've had uh a couple of people have called me where they've actually had, you know, real need to get out of their
driveways, you know, elderly people, people who had special needs, and the town really did a great job of accommodating those people. So, congratulations to those guys. Um it's a real testament to the leadership there. And in closing, I just want to wish my daughter a happy 27th birthday.
>> Happy birthday, Nat Councilwoman Katlin. Just echoing Deputy Mayor's comments and just uh wishing everybody a nice long President's Day weekend. >> Thank you, Council Sarah. >> Uh two things, Mr. Mayor. Uh the Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce has
two major events coming up. Uh Diane Rabber, for those of you that know her, she's the executive director of the New Jersey Film Academy. We are doing a breakfast with her uh business and breakfast. It's uh Thursday, February the 26th at 8:30 at the residence in at
the corner of Deal and 35. only $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Uh the next major event after that is the 26 uh awards lunchon and um service awards lunchon, excuse me. Uh that is Thursday,
March the 24th. It is at 11:30. It is at the Renaissance. Uh we will be honoring a number of individuals who have uh successfully provided services to the greater Ocean Township area. Uh, the community ambassador award is Sheriff
Shan Golden. Lifetime achievement award is Paul Eden Eden, excuse me, who's the historical museum's past president. Uh, distinguished community service award is our own chief Michael Santino for his years of service here. Community impact award as I mentioned Diane Raver. She is
getting that uh for her uh development of the film academy. Unsung heroes awards is officer Dwit Bacon and John Walsh, also a former former Ocean Township resident uh for saving the life of the resident Park. And last but not
least, uh the outstanding community service award goes to the township of o the Italian-American Association of the Township of Ocean for servicing uh the community for over 50 years. So that again is March the 24th. you go on the website for either tickets, uh, go t
gocc.org and get them fast. They both will be selling. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Talerico. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I attended my first Shade Tree and Environmental Commission meeting. So, I just want to
give a few updates regarding that. I want to thank the chairs and members of both commissions. They're very gracious and welcoming um and all the information that they provided to me. In the shade tree meeting, we were given an Ocean Township municipal tree plan outline
draft for 2026 regarding the tree planting priorities that are being discussed. Um, this will help improve air quality, enhance township aesthetics, strengthened climate resilience, and storm wear mitigation. Discussion regarding continued partnership with our school district is
to help with this initiative. Um, we just wanted to remind everyone that there is an ordinance regarding Noah excavation and cutting down trees on Sundays. So, all trees need a permit for removal. Since there are no code enforcement officers on weekends, if a
resident sees a tree being cut down on Saturdays with no permits, please notify the police. Um, one member asked, "What can the police do in these circumstances and for followup?" We are in the process of working on New Jersey urban accomplishment report which
gives count of how many trees we planted last year in our town and how many u were taken down and how much money was spent on that. And we are pushing for more community involvement and we are expected to get that up and running to get more trees planted in Ocean Township. the Environmental Commission
discussion regarding a new law that prohibits plastic, forks, and others be given out at takeout um unless they are requested by the customer called skip the stuff. It's the catchphrase and the focus is on looking beyond plastic to help the environment. Um an awareness
campaign to engage students and residents is being created by our environmental commission. I took or I took part of an LD11 elected check-in with our senator assembly of women and commissioner just a few topics
that were of discussion. Um there was a discussion by director that there is no salt shortage and the towns are coordinating directly with him. Um I asked questions about regarding homelessness and shelter capacity and also federal the end of federal
healthcare subsidies. I listed both on my Facebook page regarding 211 and Mammoth County social services that can be contacted if anyone is in need of a shelter um overnight. We also discuss school consolidation, utility costs,
privatized trash, and appropriations cap. So, it was a good discussion and I appreciated being invited to that. And I would also like to thank our police department, fire department, uh department of public works crew for all their hard work through the winter storm
and also to let them know that we and well myself and the residents appreciate uh their attention to all the concerns days even after um the snow with regards to walkways for school bus stops which were icy and dangerous and they did take
good care of cleaning them. And that's about it. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dave. >> Thank you, mayor. I just want to echo the sentiments of uh the governing body uh and just thank the Ocean Township
team for their response to the storm and then their response to posttorm actions, too. And just continue to remind everybody. Um I know most of it's frozen now, but do your best to get your sidewalks and areas clear. Thank >> Thank you. Yes, the uh coordinated
effort was excellent on the part of OEM, police, uh public works, and everybody that was involved. Totally appreciate everything they did. March 12th is our annual um St. Patrick's Day uh dinner dance. Uh the Eddie Tested Man will be
there. Information is on our website. Uh the library hopefully will be open tomorrow after a broken pipe in there that basically uh caused a lot of damage. We also have sponsorships available uh for our community celebrations. So, if you have a business
out there, we would appreciate it if you contact Jen Nordstrom. I appreciate everything she did putting this sponsorship packet together. That being said, we are going to do public questions on resolutions and vouchers. All listed under the consent agenda are considered routine by the township
council and will be enacted by one motion form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired on any item, that item will be considered separately. The purpose of the public portion is to solely ask questions and to understand
resolutions that appear on the agenda and is not an occasion for a public hearing on an ordinance. All questions not related to an item on this agenda should be asked at the end during public comments portion at the conclusion of the meeting. You have three minutes to ask your questions. Please ask the
questions. if we can write them down and then we'll we'll respond. Anyone wishing to be heard on the consent agenda, please step up to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. >> I have to Alex Hayes Oakst. Um I had to Google the uh Dunkin Donuts performance
guarantee thing and I was so excited to see there's a wander. Am I saying that right? A wander coming to Ocean Township. It seems when you Google the address of what's coming in where the Dunkin Donut is, that's what it says is going to come soon. So, I'm wondering, my question is, do you know when that's
happening? I'm too lazy to drive to Shrewsbury to theirs. Um, and it's very close to my house. Um, and then my only other question, I forgot what resolution that was, but that is one of your resolutions. Um, resolution 17 about the curb, sidewalks, and driveway aprons.
Can you just in layman's terms um explain I thought we didn't have automatic assessments or are these a things that people sign up for and then what's the average cost that homeowners are going to have to shove if they say yes I want that sidewalk in front of my house and can they decline? Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh no idea about the wanderer get into that. Dave, I don't know if you've gotten anything. >> No, just send me an email and I'll find out for you. >> Okay. Thank you. And >> that's a really old developer. We're trying to clear up this super old ones. I think it was from 2007.
>> A Google article was recently >> or a long year ago. I don't want to go. We're just trying to >> and Dave uh sidewalks curves. You want to just elaborate on hand that offline too because I don't have that information in front of me. But um and
Greg Lash is more versed to answer that question. So if just send me an email, I'll get Greg involved and we'll we'll get that answer for you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, ma'am. >> Is this where I um put out the the issue that I came to ask the council about tonight?
>> If it's a res if it's one of the resolutions, no. If it's not on the resolution, we'll be done in in a couple of minutes and then you can ask the question. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Seeing here no more questions on the consent agenda, I have a motion
to approve the consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Individual action vouchers in the amount of 16,257,78852.
Can someone please offer? >> I'll offer. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Fisher. Yes. >> Yes. >> Rico, >> yes. >> Yes. Ordinances up for adoption. Ordinance number 2532, which is an
ordinance to amend chapter 12 to revise general ordinances of the town of Ocean 1965 authorizing a stop intersection at various locations in the township of Ocean. Can someone please open public comment on ordinance 2532? >> I move to open public comment on
ordinance 2532. >> Second. >> Second. Roll call for a >> yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Catherine, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Anyone wishing to be heard on ordinance 2532, please step up to the microphone, state
your name and address for the record. Seeing here none, do I have a motion to close public comment on ordinance 2532? >> I move to close public comment on ordinance 2532. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> The chairman. >> Yes. >> Fisher. Yes. >> Yes. >> Rico. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Action on ordinance 2532. >> I move to approve ordinance 2532 and publish according to law. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. That ordinance passes. Ordinance
2533, an ordinance to amend chapter 12 of the revised general ordinances of the township of ocean 1965 prohibiting parking in front of mailboxes. Can someone please open public discussion on ordinance 25? >> I move to open public discussion on
ordinance 2533. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Rico. >> Yes. And >> yes. Anyone wishing to be heard on ordinance 2533. Please step up the microphone. State your name and address for the record.
See none. Do I have a motion to close public hearing on ordinance 2533? I'll move to close public hearing on ordinance 2533. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Chairman. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Ordinance is up for introduction. >> Foul action on ordinance 2533. >> I move. I move to approve ordinance 2533 and publish according to law. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Taller Rica. >> Yes. >> Negligent. >> Yes. Ordinance 2534, an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 21 of the comprehensive land development ordinance of the township of ocean article
article 4 zoning provision sections 21- 17 establishment of zones. Section 21-18 official zoning act. Can someone please introduce ordinance 2534? I move to introduce ordinance 2534. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Roll call. >> Aera. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Kathine. >> Yes. >> Terrio. >> Yes. >> Yes. That ordinance will have its public hearing on February 26th. Ordinance 2535, which is an ordinance to repeal
and replace sections 21-9A, affordable housing development piece, and section 21-B, affordable housing. Someone please introduce ordinance 2535. I move to introduce ordinance 2535. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Fisher.
>> Yes. >> Tap. >> Yes. >> Terrio. >> Yes. >> Yes. That too will have it public hearing on February 26th. Now we'll open it up for public comment. If you have a public comment, anything germaine to the township of ocean. You may step up to the microphone. State your name and
address for the record. >> Yes. You're now the >> Hello, my name is Mary Johnson and I live in Nobility Crest. My address is 7 Central Street, unit 2111
Ocean, New Jersey. I'm right at the very edge of ocean. I'm two steps in the Neptune. Um I have been a part of the Women's Health Initiative for over 30 years. We've done a number of studies on um
healthy aging for women. Um a project that I'm working on right now is to create um communities that um provide healthy um places for walking, more walking rather than driving. In my
community, um we're all over 55. There are a number of us who enjoy walking and some of us are no longer able to or are are not driving anymore. Um during the summer last summer, a group of us were
talking and it came out that a lot of we were within walking distance of two um I guess you call the malls Shopright and on the other side Costco and Target. We could walk there but it's not safe.
So, we've looked around at some possibilities, and I'm wondering if the town council is willing to look at possibilities with us for making this a safer walking place so that we could walk from Nobility Crest to those two
places. Um, I'll tell you if we you have who's who's in charge in Nobility Crest in particular and Cedar Village, are they involved in the discussion as well? No. >> Okay.
>> I I wouldn't ask them because those properties don't extend all the way. So, it wouldn't be up to them to make safe walking. I mean, it's very safe walking in in both places. Not in Cedar Village right now cuz they didn't clear the snow
from their sidewalks. >> Can um you I'm going to give you my telephone number. Let's set up a meeting so that we can find out. >> Oh, thank you. So, you will Okay. and then we can meet with Dave, our our manager. >> I would I very much appreciate it. Thank you.
>> We'll do that. Thank you. >> Anyone else who need to be heard? >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> I'm Jonathan Chuck. I live at two Chevan Drive in Ocean, New Jersey. Is that all you need right now? >> Okay.
I was listening to the conversation uh uh upstairs and I want to thank uh Mrs. Telerico specifically. She showed up with uh my wife and I today at the Hidden Village and she got to see firsthand what is happening there and
frankly what is not happening there. Um, I went online while folks were having a meeting and I started to look at some of the comments about these in particular hidden village complexes and I invite you to do the same. Uh, ranking is
deplorable. Uh, the people who run this place do not care to serve the residents. The place is filthy. It is frankly seems to be unsafe. And one would wonder why that is. Is it because these are low-income
people? Is it because elderly people, well, they'll die soon and we'll get somebody else in there. And I'm not trying to be facitious. I think there is something actually ugly that is going on in terms of how these places are being managed. Now, I was talking to uh uh Mr.
Brown a moment ago and I had heard that um the same management whoever owns these places and profits from them and greedily to my opinion uh profits from them uh is now asking the township to uh
build more and I would I would please encourage the township to ask these people what are you doing with your current properties that would encourage us to want you to build more. I think it would be wrong
for you to want to build more until they make uh proper amendments to or proper corrections to what's going on there. Now, that's a general statement. My mother-in-law is 62 years old and somebody said this, I think upstairs and I think I'm sorry. How old is your
mother-in-law? >> Oh, I'm sorry. 92 years old. I'm not even 62 years old. >> All right. You want to know? I'm 77. But anyhow, who cares? Um, somebody made a statement upstairs which is very true. They don't want to be they
don't want to go somewhere. I have offered my wife has offered to pay for my uh uh mother-in-law to go to uh a hotel or a placement where she could be taken care of. Unfortunately, she can't be taken care of also although she was at her home. Uh number one because she
has a dog that uh my wife is allergic to. But more seriously, there's not a comfort comfortable space for her in the downstairs of her house. She would have to climb the stairs that she can't. So, she's been staying with her other daughter and uh that's really untenable
for both of them, but it's the only uh option we have right now because uh she is unwilling to move out. Now, I understand today that there was someone there after many phone calls. So, I have made copious phone calls including the DCA, I believe it's called, and also an
email there. Uh, Mr. Palatani, you've gotten an email from me. Uh, I copied an email to Mr. Telerico. Um, if anybody else wants the email, I would assume, uh, the mayor would would would share it with you. Uh, I I believe Mr. Brown, did you get the email also? Yeah. Okay. And,
uh, I frankly don't understand this. I just don't understand it. Um, I really don't know what to do, frankly, because I have made many calls during the day. I can show you my cell phone records and the people there don't answer or when they
answer, you get the typical response, we're working on it. Well, 6 days later, they're still working on it. And I I can't imagine what else goes on there because I believe the people there feel there will be retribution particular the older people are the ones who are uh
there because of low income and I think a serious assessment needs to be made of both these properties. I understand there's another one here and a serious assessment maybe all of you ought to show up there. a serious assessment and
that the state be contacted as well as whomever else might be involved. Maybe the Park Press needs to be involved in this. Uh maybe uh some uh kind of media from uh uh I understand ABC has
something called ABC or somebody on your side. That's where I need to go now. you know, I'm going to do whatever I need to do to get people to help my mother-in-law be able to live in a place that she pays for. So, I thank you for listening to me.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Shut. And we uh actually just got a new contact for that um facility, handed it over to Ken, our head of code, so that he already reached out to DCA as Mr. Brown advised you, and
they're staying on top of it. Thank you. I don't think anybody up here disagrees with what you're saying. >> Hi, I'm uh Jim Bay David Street and um David, I gave you a copy about referencing Capwell. I want to thank you. I spoke with Mike Patrugo. He spent
15 20 minutes and we went through the mathematics of excavation elevations and egress for if excavations did did take place at Keepwell. And I want to thank you for the time that Mike Patrico spent
with me on the engineering considerations for Keep. Very thoughtful of uh Mike Patrico to go through those notes with me. On the other one, I noticed that uh John and Rob and you do Facebook posts. So, it's uh tax season
now and I do the income tax in the libraries and I gave you some notes there. If you wanted to Facebook the times, Neptune does free taxes on Wednesday and Thursdays from 9 to 1. Asbury does free taxes um Friday and
Saturday from 9:15 to 3 and Shrewsbury does free taxes Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 to5 and Saturday uh 9:00 to 1:00 p.m. So if you want to pop that in occasionally to Facebook um we're there to help these
people with their taxes. We did 3,337 people's taxes last year at these places and um send people on and I have nothing for >> Thank you, Jim. Appreciate that. We'll get it up for you. >> Anyone else wishing to be heard? >> Hi, Alex. Alex Hayes Okin. Um three
things. So, this is, I believe, the second um meeting in a row that I've been at where things went over upstairs, which is your prerogative, but there's supposed to be a public comment upstairs so that now people have to wait what 45 minutes to then do it again to the end
of this meeting. So, I'm wondering if maybe you would consider throwing in that extra public comment that gets um thrown off at the beginning of this second meeting. Just I don't mind staying till the end, but other people might. Um, so that's a comment. Um,
uh, upstairs the pool was mentioned. Um, I was actually going to come today and ask you all to consider, um, free swimming lessons at the pool to low-income students in the town. Um, so being that I heard some complaints about how much the public pool costs you, I'm
going to assume that the appetite is not there. However, I still think we need that. but also $100,000 to run our community pool as a taxpayer is a loss because you all called it a loss upstairs. Um I'm fine with that and I
think many others would be too. So whatever your plans are to um maybe privatize the community pool or have somebody else take it over. Um I hope you just keep in mind um that it's affordable for residents because it's gone up significantly in the last 5
years. Um, and quite honestly, that's why we stopped joining because it's too expensive for our family. Um, that was my second, I guess, comment. And then lastly, this is a question probably from Mr. Brown. Um, under the ordinance about the fair housing. So, there's a mention,
um, it's a lot of fair housing speak. >> Yes, it is. >> In addition to what is it, the 10,00 pages online or whatever it is that I al also don't have um, patience for. Um, uh, there was mentioned Herbert Avenue and English Manor as like two new
developments. Um, I'm curious. It says 10 to 15 units per acre. I don't even know what are those like lots for sale. Are we is someone building um, apartments and how many new units is just in particular those two things, the Herbert AB and the
English Manor? >> Those are two new overlays and right now I don't have the details on that. one is in the works, but it's private. I did speak to the um attorney dealing with that one, but they're not even set yet. Nothing is uh set in stone, so there's
really no answer details that you're looking for right now. But we had to get that into this piece of legislation to make sure that those overlay loans are there if those projects were to come to fruition. And then soon as those projects have more details, trust me,
they'll be they'll be out to the public. >> What does English manner mean? like is there not going to be English man anymore and there's going to be apartments? >> No, I think there's some vacant land over there and there there so there's a possibility. So that's why that's why we did the overlay zone over there as well.
>> Okay. And I'm sorry, fourth question. Um also on one of the um things in the packet here, uh the Toll Brothers, I'm assuming it's Toll Brothers with that. It just says Toll Inc. So I'm assuming um 76 lots at the corner of Green Grove
and Westport. I'm trying to imagine. >> Um supposed to answer you, >> but it's there. >> Where is that? Cuz I see homes. I drive by that like all the time. That's that's 86 82 acres of of the lot. Or is that
the old aquest or the other one that's right at behind the blue house or the formerly balloon house? Okay. So, it's the current one. It's not a new one. >> No, it's the old one. >> They posted monies when they built it and now they're getting their monies back. It was just a performance guarantee. I was like, where are we
putting 82? >> Okay. I was like, there's homes there. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, I'm going to put the public comment one over to Kevin or attorney on the public comment portion. >> Oh, yeah. As we discussed upstairs, it's
it's one meeting. Public comment can be done at the discretion of council >> and the pool with free lessons. We can check with uh recck department on that. I'm not sure how they operate the lessons over
there. I know we have a lot of different groups that go in and out of the pool. We can check into that, Alex. All right. I mean, we're not doing anything with the pool yet. We're just giving numbers as it relates to the pool that it's uh not 100,000 operate. A lot more than that. Plus, it's going to need a
significant amount of money uh within the next 5 years. We'll get a report from public works and our rec department on that as well. So, no decisions have been made. Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to be heard, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record.
>> Seeing here none, do I have a motion to adjurnn? So, move >> second. >> Second. >> All in favor? Okay. Healthy.