Yep. County audio tape and we'll be showing up community channel 22 on Verizon channel 77 cable. Can I have a roll call? >> Sure. Mayor Neplatani >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer
>> here. >> Council member Cher >> here. >> Kaplan >> here. and Terica >> here. >> The notice requirements of the open public meetings act for this meeting have been satisfied. A copy of the annual notice was sent to the ASR park and the coaster posted town hall filed
in the office of the municipal clerk on December 18, 2025. We're going to start off with D1 which are our various town projects update by our engineer. Go ahead there, Greg. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Paul, >> we were going to start with the elections.
>> Okay. >> Yeah, Mr. Mr. Mayor, if I may interject this Dave Brown, uh we wanted to start with the uh election uh piece first. >> Jesse's going to make that presentation and then we're going to go to Greg. >> Okay. >> Okay. Wasn't an email that that was
being taken off. >> The ordinance being the ordinance got taken off. We're going to talk about in work session. >> Okay. I thought it was taken off. I'm sorry. What this is all about? >> Okay. We'd like to switch our election. When
the legislation changed in 2010, it was intended to promote economy, efficiency, and cost savings in the administration of municipal elections. The township pays for everything during municipal election, poll workers mailing, printing of sample ballots, polling place fees,
required advertisements, and delivery of voting machines. Early voting costs are not included and can up to $25,000. These costs increase from election to election. Uh it's consolidating the regular municipal election to the general election will defay most of these costs.
The general election doesn't cost us anything. The primary the only thing we pay in the primary are the ballots and the postage. Municipal we pay for everything. In 2015 we had total registered voters of 18,66.
3,834 votes were cast. In 2019, 20,000 registered voters, 4,600 voters cast. And in 2023, 20,786 voters and 4,160
votes cast. As you can see, the costs keep going up and up and up, and we don't have anyone to share the election with. Even when we do, it's minimal. And Long Branch is holding their municipal election.
next May 12th. Just estimated costs from the board of elections only, not including the clerk of elections or the superintendent of elections. Their costs right now are up at to $44,23.14 and that's just who knows what it'll be by the time they're done.
>> What else adds on to that? >> We have to pay for everything. We paid for just the cost for a 2027 May election. We have 19 districts. We have to pay each pole worker $300. We have four pole workers per district. That's 77 76 pole
workers. So pole workers alone are 228. The prices could go up to pay the pole workers. They're looking for pole workers and it's hard to get them to pick up and drop off bags. That's $30 for 19 districts. That's another $570. We have
>> Hey, Jess, can I interrupt for a second? Sure. Could you share this information with us or is this the first time we're seeing it? You're hearing it. >> That one I had sent you before. >> This But this new But the May Yes, the May costs are the one I I just did them today.
>> Jesse, can you send that email to the other council members? >> I just handed them out. I just I and Dave Dave, I'm sorry, John, I just handed it that information out. >> You hand Okay, thank you.
>> And a master Yes. >> Okay. And a master pole worker will cost $450. We also pay for polling site rentals, which are 200 per location. Thank god we only have two that we have to pay for. That's another 400. So, right off the
bat, we're talking about $24,220. That's not >> refresh my memory real quick. Um, and maybe Kevin knows this. >> Uh, Titan Falls, they were a May years
ago if I recall. >> Yeah. All All towns with nonpartisan um uh government were in May at one point uh including Tim Falls, which switched uh to November. But they didn't change the form of government. They just changed the date of the election.
>> Correct. Yes. There it used to be until about 200 I don't know five or the law changed. You had to switch to partisan but then they allowed nonpartisan to switch to November elections and Tinf Falls did it after as as have I think
most of the town's nonpartisan elections have switched from May to November. Most in the state of New Jersey. talking about >> there there's there's about 21 that happened >> in the state. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Out of out of 500
>> no slow down. Out of the nonpartisan ones, there's 21 that have not changed >> in the state of New Jersey. >> Yeah. And I don't know the total nonpartisan um forms of government. I read an article said 42 towns are the are all
that's left for the nonpartisan elections. >> That's only half then. >> So half of them are still in May if my numbers are right. >> Uh >> yes, some switched from May to November and became partisan, but not not many.
Maybe half a dozen. Red Bank shifted to nonpartisan but they shifted to November but they did do a change of form of government >> but they stayed nonpartisan >> right so we stay nonpartisan or are we looking at
>> nonpartisan proposals stay nonpartisan >> so our total election cost in 23 were 62,13863 so it can only go up >> guess it doesn't go down huh >> and we really pay zero for for primary
>> for general they do everything we'd get a better turn we'll have a better turnout we can have early voting >> they charge us for everything >> how many votes were cast in the November >> yours was 8 >> I know I don't remember you know what I don't get
>> you remember how many people voted for you >> mine >> I know how many people vote for me but I don't know the total >> mine there were like 12,000 in mine that was the year before you >> you had 12 I had about eight or Maybe a little more than eight. >> Yeah, November has >> maybe nine >> has a bigger much bigger turnout.
>> Oh yeah. >> Much much bigger turnout. We pay for their fuel. We pay for their food. Every time they come to this box down here, >> we pay for that. We pay for all the advertising, all the ballots. >> So, I have some questions. Is that okay? I don't know who to direct my questions
to. >> Um, okay. So, obviously I'm new to this, so please bear with me, but is there any consideration for keeping our election in May? So our residents are solely focused on the Ocean Township concerns and not like the other topics that are
going on within the state, the county, um you know, and other elections. So that's one question I have. Will that kind of shift what the focus should be? Is that the reason why we have May instead of
>> I don't know. That's why I'm asking. >> I'll take a shot. I don't I don't know why. back in the day they were I mean decades ago they're made in May but I think probably that's the argument in favor of keeping May that all people think about is the
>> that one local township election obviously they don't >> but but yeah they don't think about it much um you know I I think in if you have it November people are still going to vote for local candidates on nonpartisan bases in your town so I
wouldn't say they don't focus on pushment in November. But you're right. That's probably the >> that's probably the reason, right? Um >> can I just jump in? So, did you ever get involved with the fire elections? >> I've seen them. That's not a lot that >> it was my absolute
>> pet >> because it was in February >> and it was an obscure day and it actually directly affects your tax. You know, one of the few things in this town that actually directly affects your taxes and it was like it came and went. If you were not focused on that day, you
missed it. and 200 people, 150 people of a of you know 20,000 voters. >> What was it? Remember it was like there was a big deal a few years ago. >> You know, sometimes these things are important and you know it it was nothing against the firemen. It was just a terrible obscure election.
>> They've moved all that to November and so it it's I think it in my opinion it's much more relevant. >> Okay. >> So >> that's why I like this whole thing. >> The school board too. They used to school board is now on a Wednesday. So I guess I just have one other question because again I thought this for
whatever reason was being moved. But >> so why are we doing this now and not allowing the residents to make that choice in November and just put a referendum on the um the voting in November because they may say, "Yeah, that's great. Let's save the money." And
why are we doing this? That's I guess my question. Why are we making that decision instead of the residents? We've been talking about it for years or the council's been talking about it for years. Just never. >> But we have an election coming in November, right? >> Yep. Next. >> Well, this next draw you have. >> Well, for us, but I'm saying in
November, you could just put that on the ballot and just say, "Hey, referendum. Do we want to move it from May to November?" And that way they make the decision instead of us. I I mean, I'd be more in favor of that
>> and it doesn't cost anything. I have a question too. It's a parliamentarian question. Are we still if we move this election to November, are we still valid as elected officials >> even though our term goes to question?
>> The answer is yes. What happens in the law provisor is your your term right now ends on June 30th, 2027, >> right? >> Your term would be extended everyone's term be extended to December 31st, 2027. >> All right. So that's okay. by law and
you'd be in the November election and then it would automatically start January 1st of 2028 all right same thing goes for all the uh appointments you know a lot of appointments um you know expire the appointments you make on July
1st 2027 I'm sorry July 20 July 1st 2026 >> would be in effect 18month appointments or it might be July 1st 2027 they're six-month appointments but say, >> you know, I think they all get extended for six months.
>> Just wanted to make sure it was all legit. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yep. And that's not subject to anybody weighing in on it. The election changes, the terms change, it goes together. >> Okay. Good. >> Okay. >> So, I think one comment
uh say this to great hand. As elected officials, we are elected to do the judiciary responsibility of the municipality to make the decisions, not to sit and referendum every
question or decision that's made with the township. Um, the fact that honestly the biggest one, uh, Deputy Mayor Fischer brought it up, the biggest push back were the fire commissioner races. They never wanted to change it. I was
actually surprised when they did because as you said, Dave, it's a it was a very obscure day. Now, my problem with the May election, and we've been saying this for since I've gotten on, it's 20% voter turnout. You've got 4,000 people. And
honestly, if we're worried about politics entering into it, uh Grayan, you've been on a November ballot. I've been on a November ballot. GE has been on the November ballot. Okay. uh Gita, you know, had high numbers. I
had high numbers. You had high numbers. Uh politics entering into it. I I think you proved that they didn't enter into it. You actually proved in this past election that really politics have no no
really saying it because you you proved it by actually taking out an incumbent. So again, we have a judiciary responsibility in this municipality to make the decisions that are financially, you know, put us in a financially better
position and spending that amount of money on an election now that the costs are going up and we have been speaking about this for years. So if anything, we've been kicking the can down the road. >> Can I make one more statement? I I agree with
>> So I'll jump in with a couple of comments. So um one, you know, just for the record, I'm not sure which way I'm voting. I don't want it to be construed that I'm against it. I'm against the process that was proposed to have a conversation today and introduce an
ordinance today without discussion. I also think, hey, Rob, we on your on your request, it was pulled. So, you now have three bites of the apple. You can talk about it tonight. We can talk about it at the next work session. Obviously,
it's pulled tonight and then we can introduce it at the next meeting and then vote on at the meeting after that, >> right? >> So, but you're getting what you want on the discussion. >> Well, but that that was only the beginning. So, what about having the to
comment whether it's a referendum? I mean, we've done referendum for deer. So, I I would say the moving of elections are considerably more important than deer. So, I I would argue that, you know, a referendum repeater once done didn't get us anywhere. I
don't know that we would, you know, you're saying we're kicking the can down the road. I'd love to know what the residents think. Um, so that that would be one argument for a referendum so that we can get the pulse of the entire community and not just the five of us.
Um, you know, to the Long Branch point, uh, well, to go back, it's been our form of government for 65 years. The has been the cost. Um, so that's been budgeted for for 65 years. Um, keep in mind it only happens every four years. So really
that cost should be spread out over four years. It's not like a municipal government that is doing elections every year like some of the towns that you're referencing do. So they're not every four years. So that cost if we're using 80,000 which I think is high but let's
use 80. We're only talking $20,000 a year. I think that's a small price to pay to keep the focus on Ocean Township as opposed to uh national uh or state or uh county for that matter. Um and it no
matter what we do, politics is going to be involved in it. It's involved in the May election. it'll only be amplified in the November election. But if the residents think it's a good move outside of the cost or including the cost factor, then let's do it. But I think we
should be having them make that decision and not us. Again, we've done it for deer. We've had focus meetings on Bibler Avenue where we've had 60 people deciding. We've had conversations about Snell's Pond. there there's tons of conversations that we have on important
issues and this can't I don't think there's a more important issue that we could vote on. >> So, can I chime in because I I'm just thinking out loud and I I have an issue with referendums in general. Um maybe that's anti-
patriotic, but the truth of the matter is that every single time we've had a referendum in town, it has been misconstrued, miscommunicated. People have no idea what we're talking about. Yeah. I don't mind a meeting where we invite residents to come and speak their mind about something. But the referendum
on the zoning, the combining the zoning and the planning boards, people had no idea what the pros and cons were. There is not enough room on the ballot to explain the details. The deer, the same thing. People had no idea what they were
voting for. Yeah, everybody wants to save the deer. the the middle of the road um option where we kill some, save some sounds like the best compromise for all, but no one really knows what they're voting for, why they're voting for what they're voting for. So to leave it to a referendum actually seems
counter to what we want to do here. Um that's just my take. I have no problem though. I like the idea of a of a meeting. Um I don't have an issue with that. >> Hey, can I jump into >> Hey, uh that was me. That was Kea. Hey
Rob, can I jump in too? >> Great. I'm sorry. I apologize. >> No problem. >> So Rob, >> on that topic, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> So I've asked around and know and it's an informal conversation. I've just been asking people in my world. Most people
don't even know that we even have a May election. I know this sounds horrible, but I think generally speaking, most people would not feel the difference. And I've asked people from different walks of life, you know, people that are in charge of things, people are business owners, people that are just, you know,
who are politicos, most people really are not going to be affected by this. If anything, it just offers more opportunity to come out and vote because they're going to come out and vote anyway. I know some old-timers may feel like, well, hey, the Faulner Act, we did this sort of thing, but these costs are
exorbitant. And this also, we had an unfortunate situation. Kelly left a fortunate situation. Margie got to the assembly, next thing you know, these things are adding up. And it is really ridiculous how much this costs. I mean, this is this is another one of those
things that just make your head shake when you realize how much money that that we spend on this. So, that's my, you know, straw poll, but I just wanted that, you know, out there for you. >> Yeah. So, as far as the costs are concerned, again, you know, they're they're going up like any other cost. I mean the cost, if you look at our labor
cost, you look at our benefits costs, um this is small compared to those and we're absorbing those. Um, on the point of the referendum and knowledge and information, uh, shame on us for not doing a good enough job, but now that we have a whatever we call Emma, um, you
know, would it be her responsibility and that department to communicate properly to the residents so that the information does get out there? When we did the school referendums for increasing the budget or excuse me, building, we made sure that that communication was out there and the residents knew what was
going on. Again, I think it's a residential issue, not a council issue. And from a fiduciary standpoint, the savings isn't that great. I mean, we're we're we're talking 20,000 $8,000,000 years. We pay
>> compared to what, John? Over four years, it's $20,000 a year. And what's the increase? It's $8,000 next year, Bob. Yeah, but we only have elections. >> We only have elections every four years. So you're looking at 40,000 to $20,000 a
year. And what was it last year? The last time we did it, how much? >> 62,13863. >> So went up $18,000. >> You're projecting to go up 18,000 >> at least. >> Okay. So 18, if we're only looking at the increase, 18,000 over four years,
you're looking at $4,500 a year. Again, a small price in an increase. We have done we have seen much higher increases on other things that are considerably less important. >> This comes out to >> I just think the residents deserve the the ability to vote on this.
>> Anyone else? >> Where does this leave us? So Kevin, can you just speak a little bit to what Tinton Falls has done and what Redbank's done and and what the ramifications were, if there were any, you know, just, you know, how it went and that sort of thing?
>> Yeah, I I I can't speak as as much about Redbank. Tint Falls I'm very familiar with. Tinton Falls switched um I've been there municipal attorney there for about 10 years. Um it switched before I got there. Um, but I can tell you that currently in Tinton Falls, it it
politics it's has a very small effect in Tinton Falls. They and I can tell you the current composition. They have a mayor, a mayor and five council members. The mayor is an independent, they have one independent council member, they have two Republicans, they have two Democrats. Um, having said that, I I
know that because I know what their registration is, but they don't function as uh kind of like here. They don't function as political people when they're when they're working, unlike um I'd say another town I'm involved in uh is brick, which is a partisan town.
It is it is carved up Democrats and Republicans, and you can see it at every single meeting. Um, Tin Falls. I I don't think it would make a difference there when the elections are because to me, nonpartisan, it's a I think it's a good thing. This is a nonpartisan town. I
don't see a lot of politics here. I don't think that changes when you go to uh to a November election. At least based on what I see in falls, it hasn't changed. >> Do other towns have referendums before they switch elections? >> Do other towns have referendums before they switch elections?
>> I don't know of any town that's ever had a referendum. Well, did >> did they switch? >> They had a referendum, but they had to change a form of government. >> Oh, when you change a form of government, when you change form of government, a referendum is required. >> So, we keep we keep referendum was
required when they started. >> They had a charter they had a charter study commission done on the existing form of government that they had prior to the change. The Charter Study Commission recommended that they change the form of government, which they did,
which they needed to have a referendum for that, but changing the date of the election didn't require the referendum. >> Correct. >> Yes. Changing for government. >> So, we can't use them as a nonpartisan town that stayed that went to May because it was part of their charter.
So, what >> they are still a nonpartisan form of government in a November election. They were the same way. Only difference was they went to a dyeleed mayor. >> Got it. So, let's talk Warm Branch. Dave, why is Warm Branch staying in May?
>> I I don't even know the answer to that, uh, Councilman, because there's probably after the election and sworning in of the council members, there'll probably be the same debate. >> And why haven't they done it sooner? >> I can't answer that. I'm not on the
council yet, sir. >> Sounds complicated. Not yet in about five minutes. I'll ask him, but has anybody done any homework on them? >> What he say? I'm sorry. >> He says if anyone did any homework on changing the election to November in
Long Bridge. >> Oh, again I I have no idea. >> I'm just getting into the conversation. >> No, no, I'm saying Indiana council people. You're referencing Titten Falls and and Redbank as convenient ones that have changed. Have we looked at the ones
that haven't changed and why? Can I ask one more thing? >> I don't know if I need to raise my hand or what. So, I guess I'm listening to all this. I want to take it just one step further here because in my election, you know,
there was a lot of political endorsements and they didn't really work in the favor of who, you know, my opponent, but there was. So, how do we keep that out of our race if we're nonpartisan? I mean, that
is really, I think, a big component to what we're talking about as well because we want to focus on our town's issues and concerns and our residents and all the other stuff, you know, I mean, how do we keep that out of it? And can we do
we have to make a decision to talk about it amongst you know ourselves and have an ordinance like no political endorsements for our you know the the people running. I mean I don't know the candidates. I don't know how we do this because I'm a new person here and I'm kind of new to all this stuff. But I'm
just wondering how we keep it focused and nonpartisan at Ocean Township >> if we do change it. >> It might help to picture the the ballot. It might it might have seen it in yours where your um Ocean Township will be off to the side. Any election be off to the
side on the November ballot. So you'll have the the R column, the D column, the whatever other columns you have. >> Okay. >> Um Ocean Township won't be in that segment of the ballot. So um I don't know that you can keep people from endorsing candidates. They could endorse
in May or November. I think you're you're right that you're seeing the same effect because a lot of times, you know, the the endorsements, people run down the column, right? And it happens in every election. People vote for the top and they go straight down. They know the people at the top, whether it's, >> you know, Trump or Biden or Obama,
whoever, whoever's at the top of the ticket and they run straight down. That's not going to happen because >> you're not going to be on those comps. You're still going to be off to the side of the ballot as nonpartisan. >> So, let me ask you one extra question. So the marketing materials, the flyers
all going out, can that be um state, county, can they put people from our town on those flyers and that be legal? >> Like political flyers >> and add people from our town. I I think
that might be an ELC violation, but I'm I'm >> I can't say that because I'm not an expert in that >> field, but >> I mean, I'd like to know that because to me, that's very important. >> Question. Can Can nonpartisan candidates
be put on partisan campaign flyers >> of people that are being are running for election? >> Good question. >> I've never seen it. >> I've never seen I haven't either. >> Well, I'm asking not to because of the school board. I had an election with someone else 2022
for 2023 and there were campaign flyers that were sent out for people that were being elected and my opponent was placed on that >> on a on a partisan >> the opposite side of the flyer. Yes, that's why I'm bringing that up because
I would like to know >> that because it was an ethics violation but is it a legal violation >> if we change this from >> I can gauge that. I I don't know the answer off the top of my head. >> Excellent. >> Okay, that's my two songs. Thank you.
>> What's the What's the next steps? >> I think you guys review the cost that Jesse uh put there and we obviously revisited at the next meeting with the introduction. We pulled it off for tonight and we introduce it and you vote, you go for it, you go for it. If
not, oh well. That's, you know, how it plays. >> So, we're not going to have a discussion of making it a referendum instead of an ordinance. >> Yeah, do that. >> You can have the discussion right now. We're having the discussion. So, you want to discuss having a referendum? Referendum. You heard what Gita said.
I'm not for a referendum on it. I mean, we were elected to make the decision. So, you know, >> we're elected to make honest decisions and we've had referendums on other things. So, why is this any different? >> We had referendum on a deer. That was it. And we had and no change brought up
the planning and zoning board. >> That that required a referendum. >> Understand. But why wouldn't we want to do it and bring the town in to get their opinion on this? the the plan >> why do it now? What's the rush? Why not >> right
>> go out there, ask >> have meetings, have conversations, and have a referendum and educate the people? >> Why are we against that? Or why are you against it? I'm doing what every other town did. Did the board of ed do a referendum when
they switched from April to November? Did the fire commissioners do a referendum when they went from February to November? We don't have to do anything. >> You You were on the board of ed when they when they shifted, right?
>> I I was on Fair question. I was on for one and I think I ran again in May for the November and the second. But you know what? That was 15 years ago. I'd have to check. I don't know how it was done. Fair question, but I don't
remember how it was done. But regardless of how they're doing it, why don't we want to do it? >> Well, why don't we just make a motion? We can do that, right? Let's make a motion to have a referendum to ask this question to the public in
November. Do I have a second? >> Who draw right now? >> I just want to make sure they heard me. >> I don't know. I don't think so. I think Rob did not. >> Rob, did you hear that? I made a motion
to have a referendum for November to ask the residents if they want to change the election and >> well, why not introduce an ordinance to do both and whichever one wins wins. >> Okay. I mean, >> so before we get all excited here and
offer offer all these exciting things, we have a meeting coming up >> May 14th. >> May 14th. Is there any reason why we can't have a conversation in May 14th that you know I do we need to put our backs against the wall at this particular
>> we're having it now which I'm happy about. Um I >> I think it's wonderful we're having this conversation >> and it requires more input from various residents and not all of the res. >> Yeah. So what I'm saying Rob is >> just the five of us. >> So Rob, what I'm saying is why don't we think about it?
>> I respectfully disagree. You want to do a straw poll on doing a referendum? do a strawfall right now. I'm not for a referendum. >> I like a pause, but >> you haven't said it. Why? >> We don't need to do a referendum on the
change of the election from May to November. I'm doing it based on the cost savings and getting more people out to vote. >> Right now, in a May election, you get 20%. In a November election, you're going to increase it >> by 50 to 75% to get people out to vote.
We have to drag people out in May. rush, but it seems like there's a rush. There seems like this is being pushed through very quickly. I don't know. >> I mean, if you guys have already made up your mind and don't want to hear what the residents say, that's fine. Let's do
this poll. I'm just more interested in what the res has nothing to do with not hearing what the residents want to say. You're asking us to get input from all the res. >> Well, in actuality, you only get 4,000 of them out during a May election. Why
don't you ask those 4,000? >> Can we have a Can I ask a question? Is it possible to have a meeting and invite people to the meeting? >> I I just don't like the referendum. I I think it's >> Yeah. Right. Right. We can invite people to our meeting.
>> You're you're also required to have a public hearing on the ordinance before it passes. >> Okay. So, let's do that. I just the the referendum >> what we do when we do an ordinance anyway. It's a public hearing. >> The referendum is so confusing. I don't care how you structure it. It's
impossible to explain it fully on a on a piece of paper that's a page wall. >> I have to agree with Gita and I've been on the receiving end now of what two or three of these and man I don't know where we fumbled the ball on on the goal line but man our referendums have been
rather confusing. >> Okay. So we can improve them. Now we know what we did wrong. Let's >> I'd like to I'd like to believe you, Rob, but man, we have had some massive confusion. >> I get questions more about the referendums than who should I vote for.
>> What should be simple very complex >> and I talk to let's say 10 people, 100 people at most, you know, we're talking about 20,000 people who are like, "Oh, I don't know what this means." A B C D E meenie miny mo.
>> I think you're giving the residents all I think you're underestimating the knowledge of the residents and candidly you're underestimating our ability to put a question on the ballot that says we're going to move elections from May uh to November. And I think that's pretty selfexplanatory.
>> And as I said, we hired a person who's on the payroll whose job it is to promote ocean. So I think that person's responsibility to educate the resident should be simple. But if you guys have already decided, that's fine. Let's do the straw vote.
>> I'm in favor of a referendum. I'll start. >> What did you say? >> In favor of >> if it's helpful to wait. I don't want to wait a month. >> I'm uh I'm not in favor of referendum, but I am in favor of a pause so that we
can have some discussion about this. I can go. I'm not in favor of a referendum. I'm fine with a pause as well. >> Great. >> I am in favor of the referendum and to hear the residents and what they would
like to do. I'm not for or against changing it. I mean, there's a lot of pros and cons and good reasons for this. I just feel like the residents need to weigh in before I make any decision. >> Can we Let's have Emma
publicize it now and let's, you know, invite people to comment at our next meeting. >> That works. Smart idea. Good point. >> Great idea. >> I mean, if the turnout sounds like it's going to be astronomical, then we could have a town hall meeting. If it's just people want to come to the, you know,
our regular meeting and discuss this, I'm fine with that, too. But, um, I guess I'd like to see what the real >> what's the real pulse of what people want, you know? I mean, if if 20 people show up, you know, there's your answer. But if 200 or 300 or 5,000, you know, 100 people show
up, it's a big deal. >> Emma can get something together. Dave, I guess you can um work with her on that. Dave Brown. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> So, how would we get that done though for all the rescuing
me? I'm sorry. So we're not introducing the ordinary direct >> but not letters like we did to colonial letters to 20,000 >> that'd be too expensive >> just the one meeting. I I don't think this has to go on forever. I just you know let us to what do we got? Are you
good with introducing it next month? Uh next month and then >> people will comment >> at the ordinance adoption because it doesn't get adopted at the next meeting. >> I'd like to see what the uh turnout is for this whole thing. You know, let's
let's see what the feedback is. I don't know. I mean, whether it's the 14th or the the next one. What I mean is are we it's not like we've got to do this today. >> Correct. >> Is there any deadline for anything? >> Well, I'm quite sure there will be a
deadline. >> Yeah. By >> Okay. Uh Greg, >> I think we're on we're done with the subject. >> Go ahead, Greg. >> Is it off the agenda? >> Dave Brown work with Emma on putting
something together to put publicize it. >> We're not sure. >> Dave, are you good introducing this at the next meeting >> and then it will get discussed? Obviously, public comment at the
ordinance hearing. >> Well, my my question is does it have to be introduced next meeting or can you push it off to the next meeting? Let's see. Let's see what the feedback is from everyone and and go from there. I mean, if it's a a massive feedback, then you're gonna have to address this. If
it's, you know, a light turnout, then we can make a decision. So, I guess my question is, I don't know if I need to be pinned into next meetings, uh, ordinance, you know, versus another meeting. I mean, I don't want to push this back forever, but I don't think
it's got, you know, you tell me. I don't know. I don't feel like it's got to be done right away. >> I agree. I think if if Emma and Dave Brown put together a narrative, um obviously if it gets introduced
again, it's not getting voted on for, you know, pass or fail. It's literally getting introduced by the next meeting after that. You should have feedback. I I would think you'd have feedback.
You're going to have at least two to three weeks of it. I was personally looking for a couple of months, but if that's all you guys are willing to do, that's fine. >> A couple But but we need a couple of months for >> When are the next two meetings? >> May 14th.
>> I mean, a couple of months. >> May 14th and May 28th. >> Okay. So, why don't we discuss it on May 14th and make a decision about whether we're going to introduce >> I'm okay with that, John. We discuss on the 14th. We decide whether we're putting it on the on the 28th for
ordinance introduction. I think you just let it get some press. Maybe an article pops up in the coaster, something like that, so we can see where we're at. I I think that the residents of the town should have a chime, you know.
>> Thank you. >> I mean, we are changing something. It was from what 1965 or whatever our, you know, our founding fathers decided. I mean it it is the practicality says the cost is ridiculous. I get that part. But yeah, let's see what the residents have to say and then we'll go from there. I
mean the outcome very well may be the same in this conversation. I just think the pause makes sense. >> I agree with you. >> Okay. Sounds good to me, Dave. >> All right. Um
>> Okay. Good evening, >> gentlemen. I'm dropping. Have a great night. >> Okay, first item is 24 road program contractor supposed to be starting tomorrow. He's had a few delays. Uh the 25 program, uh we're I'm going to be scheduling the assessment meetings with
Jesse for probably mid to late May for that project. 26, we're waiting for the the budget amount. I don't know if that's been I think it's still in the works for what my real program money will be. Fireman's Pond is complete. >> Wow. >> How we cross one.
>> I personally I think it looks pretty nice. >> I drove by today. >> I'm very surprised we had zero complaints on that project. >> Good. So, it was very nice all the way through and everybody was very happy with that. Lollipop P. Wait for the approvals. Mayor, one thing I if I could ask a favor, you I sent all that stuff
to Tom Arnown if you could reach out to him for that letter. >> He's going to give us that support letter. letter from uh you need for Arno. >> Yeah, for putting the uh the dredge spoils in the landfill if we don't have a site. >> Yep. >> I need that for the approval at the D.
>> Greg, what was what do you need from me? >> Uh if you could just call Tom Ron and ask him for that letter. I sent him everything I think two weeks ago asking for the letter. >> Okay. >> If you could just reach out. >> No problem. >> Okay. >> I'll just go ahead. You You can keep
going. I'm just going to shoot him a text. >> Okay. Now, >> what was the total cost for the drudging of fireman's pool? >> Um, off the top of my head, I'm not exact, but it was around 385 >> 385,000. >> Yeah. And unfortunately, we got a grant for 500,000. So, we got to see how that goes, but because I don't want to give
any money back. So, I got to see if we can put some of the engineering costs into that. >> Usually, they let us put not that it's going to be 125,000, but anything we can save the town, we will try to do. >> Absolutely. >> But, I think the last accounting I was at 320 and then we had to buy some extra stone. I think that pushed us up to
about 385 and then the storage of it moving it to our storage location. >> Okay. >> I think it's it's it's under 400. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> But that was based on our discussion we had the other night. I mean there's a lot of reasons why it was that low versus higher than that.
>> Okay. >> Uh next one. Terrace Pond is our third priority. Um just waiting for the uh the approval to do the work on that. Snails Snells Pond. Um, we had a meeting with the residents a couple nights ago. Uh,
it seems that we will not be having an assessment district to clean that pond out. Um, I think what came out of was pretty nice input. I think the residents now understand what we're faced with. And I'm pretty sure almost everybody in the room was a agreement with us other than one individual that we will be
going first to ask for easements from the 15 property owners for the pond. Once we get them all to sign off for that, we'll then get them to sign off on a D permit. Once we get the D permit processed and then then we can ask for funding from our some of our legislators and I think everybody in the room was
happy with that except for one guy. So I think that's definitely the way we should be approaching. >> So the next steps would be to ask all 15 of those residents for the >> if we don't get all of them. I mean the only way we could do the project if we didn't have all of them is if the people that didn't agree were at the exact ends
>> you know because you can't cross a piece would be trespassing essentially. So, but it it would make sense if they all don't go. This the pond will look kind of pretty bad if one end was not done, the other was. >> Is it possible we can ask for both pieces, the easement and the D at the
same time? >> I don't want to confuse them. >> Okay. >> Because, you know, the problem is I think it's going to be quite a shock for them to tell them, hey, we want a 15 foot or 35 foot wide ement across your backyard to the township. And most people might, why am I giving you this? I'm I'm fearful and I'm going to try to
explain it very well in a letter. We'll go over that before I send it. >> Probably go with Kevin, too. But um you know, it's going to be a shock when you tell somebody you want property for nothing. >> And so because we're trying to maintain your pond is the reason we're going to give them. And then if we have any my strategy is if we get any kickback on
that, that's when I'm going to give it to Mr. Agular. I'll let him go explain it because he's more passionate about his property and maybe he can convey that to them because this would truly just be the property owners of the lake now. We wouldn't expand it beyond that. They all have to agree to give us this. And then after we get that, I think
getting the D sign up would be easy because that's the reason they gave us the easement in the first place. >> Do we need FEMA, too? Because I know you mentioned FEMA the other night. >> No, that's that's a different uh >> different issue. >> Yeah, that we we do need them for permission to cross the property, but it has nothing to do with easement at this
time. You know what concerned me, Greg, was that, you know, there was you you mentioned it, too, is people said, "Well, if I'm going to pay for this, and I would like some access to this. I want to use this pond." >> If we go in this other direction, I think we've got to figure out a way to say, "You can't cross our Blue Acres
property. It is trespassing. This lake is not >> for your >> still private, >> your ice skating or your kayaking or your fishing." And it's going to be, you know, a little bit of a situation there. >> Yes. And I think that was part of the problem because the two gentlemen that were in the room that night said they had no problem with people coming canoe,
but that's two out of 15. >> Yeah. >> I don't know that the other 13 would appreciate, you know, >> someone trespassing for their back. >> It would be trespassing at this point. Even with an easement, it would still be trespassing because our ement is only going to be for maintaining. >> Maintenance. Yeah. >> You know, it's not for access for anybody. >> How often would the maintenance take
place? >> Probably. I mean, for dredging probably every 20 years. >> Every 20. >> It's not I mean, it's been there like the one gentleman since the 60s. This is the first time being dripped out. So, but the rain >> or like in the case of the uh the resident on the very end where everything was cluttering, we might be
in >> Should we be taking care of her property, too? >> Clean it out. >> Yeah, that corner when she was really getting hit with a lot of the sediment, >> but we did clean. We cleaned out every storm now >> with that access. We go in and clean out that outfall so it it operates properly
before it rains. Like they're probably doing it tomorrow to just do an eyeball on to make sure it's not blocked. So yeah, we we try to do that as much as we can to help out. >> Yeah. >> You know, I just want to thank the two of you for coming to that meeting and, you know, what you presented and, you
know, just how calm and and easygoing you guys are really because it makes a lot of difference. >> Greg was Greg was cool as a cucumber. All I had to do, >> but I want to acknowledge that >> you did all the heavy lifting
>> and and I did acknowledge that with Greg when I first got here today, but I want to acknowledge that because people want to feel heard and I feel that the two of you are very good at that and I thank you for that. Um, and >> the laptop that was big laptop was a huge help.
>> Laptop was Jesse. Thank you, Jesse. One of those laser pointers. >> Yeah, that was important. But but it's good because I think we're all trying to work together with the residents and I think they feel that. So thank you for that. >> So >> trying to make everybody safe. That's what it's all about. >> Yes.
>> Safety and cleaning it up. >> The notices. So they're going to get something in the mail. >> Well, it's going to Yeah, we're going to send them a mail a mailer, you know, like kind of a break the ice kind of thing, >> right? And if if need be, then I would probably suggest we have a a group meeting with all 15 of them
>> just to see how it goes because I'm sure >> I think we should do that period. >> Yeah. Okay. We can send out >> just those four people or the right. It was four people that didn't respond or we couldn't find them >> process. You can even have the forms at that meeting for everybody.
>> Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's go down. >> I like it. Pressure room. >> Here's a 10. Yeah. >> Yeah, that's fine. I mean, I I think probably, you know, to I'll send him a little map and we'll show everything and the easement we need and invite we'll probably invite them to another meeting
with just >> Right. >> And I think it probably will be helpful for, you know, you guys to be there, not necessarily for participation, but just to be so they show that support if you want to be. That's fine. >> Absolutely. But I I I my guess is though just out of optimism we're probably not
going to get more than half of them >> because most people are going to think that that this is a land grab, >> right? >> That's why I got to try to explain in the letter with Kevin D, right? Is like we're not trying to we're just trying to maintain your property. The only way we can legally do that is we have to have this easement.
>> So that's how it's interpreted. >> Okay. So I I will I will do that and then we'll talk about I'll do a letter and we'll get to that. >> Okay. And Greg, realistically, like you said, the only way that it's a go is if they all agree to it. >> Yes. >> They have to.
>> Yes. All 15 have to be on board. >> Also, for the county, the county is not going to go near this thing unless they have full agreement. >> Correct. >> Oh, yeah. >> Correct. That that's the Yeah, that's was kind of the crux of why we told them the county bowed out because it's private. >> So, yeah, it would have to be all 15 have to be in and then I think getting
the signature for the D form will be easy after if we get all 15 for the easement. So speaking of that, we got make sure the ement actually says M County and township. >> Greg, do you have anything else? Because Dave, do you have a couple of items or >> No, may I don't have anything and we're getting we're getting closer to 6:30,
but Greg's got one more. >> I got one more biggie. Uh the other meeting we had at the park was Bimler. Um, just really quickly, mayor, you can't see the the uh the little package I presented tonight, but what happens is on Bibler, we the police went in and on the on the on the paragraph, the the
plan you have, it shows three yellow spots. These were what was discussed at the meeting about putting the no left turn for trucks with a 4 ton weight limit. >> Those three signs were going are going to be installed by the police as we
speak. They're probably, you know, probably next week will be in. >> Uh so we're going to do that. That was one of the things that the president's discussed. >> That's great. >> Yeah. The the next thing is stop signs. We had told him that we were going to put look at putting stop signs in. I recommended that we put two on Lincoln. Those are shown at Lincoln and Colonial.
A lot of the north south streets have stop signs. The east west do not, but I think that's the most heavily traveled other than Bibler. And Lincoln is nowhere near as traveled as Bibler. But I think if we put one in the middle there, I think it's a start. We told them we were going to do a slow start on the stop signs. So, that would kind of
feed into that. The third thing on the list was um we looked at stop signs on Bimler. They're really not practical. We're going to cause all sorts of traffic problems by putting stop signs on Bimler and even a crosswalk. We can probably took one crosswalk maybe at Hillrest, but I got to find out where the bus stop is. But one of the things
that we've looked at, the police kind of came up with the idea. They call it a uh a soft pill or >> speed cushion. >> A speed a speed cushion. And what it is, it's kind of a misnomer. It's not a it's it's a rubberized bump like we had before. It's just the difference is is
they call it a cushion because there's three pieces instead of two. And what happens is if you look back in the package, I I brought a copy of it in there. It's the last sheet. That's actually what a cushion is. And you kind of look at the middle pictures on the left and you see the fire truck. And
what it does, it puts three pads in. It puts one in the right lane, one in the left lane, and it puts a little piece in the middle. And what it does, it gives enough spacing where the emergency vehicles can go through the middle without hitting the bump. >> So, it's a great idea except for the only problem you're going to have is
the times when there's low traffic, we're going to have people crossing the center line to go down over that middle piece. >> We'll put a double yellow line in, but it's still going to be, you know, you're going to be crossing illegal. So, we could have situations where you're almost creating a head-on inter.
That's my only concern with that. So, that was answering my question of why don't we do this in so many other places in town because we're afraid of the >> Well, the other thing is what I would probably recommend also and that we not that I want to make a decision on this and I'm we're not going to re I don't
think we give this to the public as what we're going to do yet. I want to come back to you next meeting because one of the things I want to do is the way I think we should put in speed humps or speed cushions, whatever you want to address them as. I think we should base it on the volume of traffic >> because we just don't want to have
residents coming. Well, I want one on my street because they >> Right. Yeah. >> Now, the the rules, not the rules, but the standards are a residential street can have up to 1,500 trips a day on it and be considered a residential street. Gets higher than that. They call like collector streets, major, minor
collectors. So, what I wanted to do is we we'll probably put a standard out there and say if your traffic or your daily traffic is over this number, we will investigate the town. Mayor Council will investigate putting a speed hump in. But for example, if you look at Bibler, the 1500 trips, they have a 500
car in just a peak hour. >> So the volume of traffic going down there is probably more like a collective street of over a thousand. It's probably over about seven or 8,000 cars a day probably travel up and down that on a Saturday. >> How would you know that though? Like how would a resident know? >> We put a We just studied it.
>> Oh, the county go county. had a count traffic con by electrically constant. >> You ever ride over those things? It's like a look like a wire. >> Yeah. Yeah. Are there others? >> They actually have eyes now. They don't even put the wires on so they don't know it's there, which is nice. >> Wow. Wow. Okay. >> Are they I mean, Bimler has been on an
issue for years and years and we've been talking about it for years and years. So, this seems like a good solution. I'm just wondering if there's anywhere else in town that's similar to this that we should that has that kind of volume of traffic. We might have a couple that get close but they're really they're already they're not considered residential like
you might have like the Wikipe those are already collector trees those are our main collector and deal and Wikipek those are our major collectors >> right >> and we lowered the speed limit on that >> yeah and yeah so but that's but then just to kind of quickly summarize I don't know how many of you had gotten the letter from Nick he was the guy who
was the uh res representing the neighborhood watch group >> and going down his list of priorities so what we do is we're kind of addressing one by putting stop signs and we aren't putting any on Bimble. We're adding them on Lincoln. So, that stops as number one. >> Number two, I'm going to investigate where the cross talk is with respect to
the bus stop. Uh three, we're going to we're recommending putting the hump in based on the next meeting when we talk talk about the volume condition. Um and number five or number four, we aren't going to put rumble sticks in because we're going to recommend a speed hump. five on his list was we did we are
putting the five the four the three five four ton things in uh the no through traffic number six is moderate priority one that's that's kind of illegal we can't really do that because it is a through road so you can't really falsely say it's not and then the rest of them I
mean we're pretty much addressing a lot of the things on his list so I think we're in pretty good shape with that >> how does this affect we >> won't still is still going to Yeah, we're not going to affect ways either way because
what happens is ways is is actually very very instantaneous. The only way you affect ways is if you know it bases it on all the people using it >> and it it'll it'll dictate it'll detect how many people are backed up on Bibler and it'll say okay now it's fast going on Anther Avenue.
>> Okay. >> Same thing with Asbury. So it's just a function of the traffic on the road and how long it takes you to get there. So if there's no traffic at all it's probably going to send you the shortest way >> take you that way. If it's if you have five cars backed up on Bimler, it's going to say stay in Asbury. It's faster and make the left down at
>> I thought one of the residents said something about if it's something about local traffic only. It will take those big trucks and take them away from those two streets. >> But we but we are taking the trucks out by the no truck left turns. We were putting that sign of no trucks. >> So it'll still come up on ways for those
trucks to come that way or will it come up as >> No, when we put the left turn lane, it'll restrict and ways will pick that up. >> That's great. That was my question. Perfect. >> All the trucks will be out of there. It's just a matter of traffic and you really can't >> that's going to make a lot of residents very happy. >> So I think we I think and then I guess
we'll probably I don't know if we want to have another town meeting with them or how you want to handle the >> meet with association. >> Okay. So maybe after next council meeting when I come back with the volume of traffic thing couple weeks after >> that's all I had. >> 1515 or when does that go into uh 1515?
I think they uh the guy who won the bid on that wanted to delay it a week because he wants us to get the county and field so small approval. >> Okay. Those should be coming in the next couple weeks. So we we probably say that's a good idea because the fewer things that are open, the better bid it's going to be. >> Yeah. Somebody asked me when it was
going to bid. >> I think it's he's got it in June. >> Okay. June. >> Yep. >> All right. Somebody's already excited about it. >> Yeah. >> John, I'm hanging up on you and I'll call you when we get downstairs. >> Okay. Perfect. >> Okay. Bye. >> Thank you. >> All right. I'll
>> be down there in a second. I got to ask. >> No. >> Oops. >> Mayor Neatani >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer >> here. >> Council member Oh, he's not here. Kaplan >> here. >> And Telerico. >> She is outside. We'll be in in a second. >> Okay.
>> And everyone standing as we do a silent prayer. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. Please remain standing. >> You may be seated. The notice requirements for the open public meetings after this meeting will be satisfied. Copy the annual notice sent to the report poster posted town
file in the office municipal on December 18, 2025. There are two emergency exits on the wall to the right that will take you to the front of the building and another one to the left that will take you to the rear parking lot. Please make sure that all cell phones are turned off. If you need to make a call, kindly
step outside. I'm gonna start off with council comments and at the suggestion of our council, I'm start over with woman's calorico. >> Thank you very much, mayor. I just have a few. Um, some of the, uh, comments I
had actually were already commented on at the other meeting. So, um, I do want to thank all the residents that came out for the Colonial Terrace and Snells Pond meetings. So, it was great meeting all of all of them and hearing their concerns regarding traffic patterns, safety issues, and the need for the pond
dredging due to sediment concerns. I appreciate their passion, advocacy involved in getting their concerns addressed, and I'm confident that our administration will continue to work with them all to come to viable resolutions. So, I look forward to future meetings. Um, I would like to extend my gratitude to the police
department, the DPW, our town engineer and town manager, uh, for their collaborative efforts in addressing concerns raised by residents on Elberon Boulevard. After I met with residents and the business owner team quickly took action to clear debris from storm water
pipes and removed an abandoned vehicle. Additionally, ongoing discussions about the street's narrowness continue as residents are worried about their traffic flow as only one lane is accessible when cars are parked on both sides. The residents from the street are asking for parking to be permitted on
just one side since large trucks visiting the Lumberyard Deli require adequate space and there are many cars laying the street in the summer which can present a safety hazard for first responders if they need to get down the street. Um, I do have some questions regarding
when we'll be receiving resumes for the Combined Zoning and Planning Board so we can make a collaborative decision on who resides on this new board. So, I'd like to get that information um because I know that's going to come
up I guess July 1st. So, I'd like that before. And a couple of announcements. So, I did visit the senior center and it's now open on Thursdays and Fridays. So, I want to from 900 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. I
want to thank our human services and recreational department for that. I visited last Friday with councilman chair and it was wonderful to see all the activities that our residents were involved in. Um, they were learning and playing my jang jin rummy putting
together puzzles and socializing. So, I want to I hope more seniors will come out. There is bingo this last Monday of the month. So, April 27th, we have bingo. And I hope to see everyone there. So, the uh couple more Shade Tree
Commission will be giving away tree seedlings on Sunday, this Sunday, April 26th from 10 to 2 at the Ocean Township Pool Complex, 615 West Park Avenue. Please bring your own bag. Um, I'm hearing our chair of the commission,
Norm, was able to secure a variety of amazing trees this year to give away. So, please come out. And our next Shade Tree Commission Environmental Commission meetings are uh May 7th at 7 p.m. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh, Councilwoman Kaplan.
>> Okay. So, um, just to echo Grace and I, I think we're all, um, we're all in this because we love, um, with government and I think the last few weeks of meetings with our terrorist residents and our
Snell's ponds residents have really, um, been a great demonstration of residents coming out and expressing their opinions. Um I do want to say with respect to Smells Pond, we are trying um to work with the residents in that area to get easements for the people that
live adjacent to the pond. There are about 15 of them. So if you're listening to this um please pay attention to your mail um because we do want to work with you guys to get um to get the stretching going and the time in the best and most
efficient way possible. Um I had the privilege of attending on behalf of the mayor the mayor summit in Brookdale last Friday. Um it was a very very um exciting uh event. Uh he was privileged to listen to um speakers about uh the
future of agriculture in our town in Manmouth County. Um they talked about how to build a resilient economy by bringing agricultural products on western Mammoth to the shore. Um you know the farm to shore food system and I'm looking forward to seeing how we can
implement some of their ideas in our tail. Um and just uh I guess two other things the we had a 250 meeting um a few a week or so ago. Um Jen Nordstrom is doing a fabulous job planning um a
series of events. We are going to have um the flag day on June 14th at 11:00 a.m., the fireworks, a special firework celebration on July 2nd. And then on July 3rd, the the following Friday morning, um we're inviting all of our
our kids to come out um and and decorate their bikes in a bike parade. And I think that's going to be really fun um for our kids. So just keep an eye out for for information on those events. And finally, just thank you to um our police and everyone that attended the flag
raising for Israel Independence Day this past um Wednesday. Thanks. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I wish you could see me sitting in this chair right now, but um >> have fun.
>> Feels pretty good for the moment, but um I'm probably stealing some of your thunder, but uh hot off the press. The uh DA commission has agreed to put a fountain in the center of our newly renovated fireman's pond and I think it will look tremendous. It is going to be
a wonderful addition to this uh dredging project. It's a real nice addition to the township. Uh so I think you know these type of things really enhance the quality of living. You know something that we can be proud of and I I think this is a real brilliant step uh moving
forward. I thank all our legislators for coming up with the grant money. Uh this is uh really a good thing for Ocean Township and according to our engineer that project is complete. So check that box. Fireman's pond is done and they're going to work on to the other two ponds.
Uh I just want to echo uh what Councilman uh Kaplan said, Councilwoman Kaplan said. Thank you to Oceantown Japi and Chief Serantino. You guys did a tremendous job. It's uh it's a real testament that we can live in a beautiful country like this and and know that we have the rights to express
ourselves and I I think it's really a wonderful thing. So once again, thank you chief and uh thank you for the uh to the men and women in blue. That's it. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor uh Dave Brown, our manager. >> Uh not too much tonight, Mayor. I just want to uh thank all the township
residents that came out to the last two meetings for Snell's Pond as well as the Colonial Terrace folks and the council and the administration will continue to work with both of them in a very positive way so that we can resolve these issues and let everyone live as
they want to live and live peacefully. >> That's it, Dave. >> That's it, Mayor. I'm done. Thank you, sir. Uh, just to echo what our manager just said about Snell's Pond. Yes, we've been working and and I have to say uh
shout out to Eric Agalar who's very tenacious about the Snells Pond project. So, people that live around Snells, you know, really can attribute, you know, the awareness to Eric and the years of discussions we've been talking to him about this and trying to come up with a
viable solution. and and I I think we're getting closer at this point. So, I I I'm very, you know, staying positive about how that meeting went and I'm I'm happy that Eric has been, you know, really driving the train here and hopefully we'll be able to get done what
we need to get done. But it's going to take, like you said, Dave, you know, partnership with them as well so that everybody's on the same page. So, you know, in uh in talking about the lakes and the ponds, yes, fireman's pond is
finally complete. I've been sending out various videos of it. Uh Dave, thank you for deputy mayor, thank you for letting the residents know that yes, I put a request in for a fountain and it got taken care of at the DA commission
meeting Thursday. They have already uh getting ready to procure that. Uh, and they're also going to, one piece you forgot, Dave, they're going to stock the pond also. So, that pond is going to be an absolutely fantastic functioning
pond. It's clean. I implore everybody to get down there and check it out. Uh, our next project will be Lollipop Pond down uh on Wikipekco Drive. And again, that's going to be a joint project with uh the
county, the state, the municipality, uh and there will also be the Chestnut Bridge. We're looking at starting that in the fall of 2026. And then the final project will be Terrace Pond, and we'll keep you informed uh as to the start and end date
of that as well. So, I really um I want to thank the county and the state again, Senator Gopal and Assemblywoman Donlin and Peter B for funding it and Commissioner Director Tom Arnown for, you know, coming up with a true partnership here. This is how things get done. You have good working
relationships with your county and state legislators. you have the ability to get things done at a very cost-effective way and that's our job as elected officials to do what we have to do because we have a judiciary responsibility to the municipality. Also want to let people
know that the plans for and many questions have come into me about it. Uh Orchard Plaza site is getting closer to a plan that they will be presenting in front of the planning board. um they've been going back and forth with our professionals, our redevelopment
attorney, our architects, their architects, their attorneys. Um and again, this is all being, you know, funded by the purchaser because it was an area in need of redevelopment. So, what we're trying to do is get the best product for the township of ocean so
that highway 35 can really start to sparkle a bit and look a lot better. So, I want to thank uh the owner of that property for keeping us in the loop and really working with the municipality to make sure that the right project's there. So, again, I want to thank
everybody involved on that. And that's all I have. So, let's get started on the meeting. I just want to say that all list all matters listed under the consent agenda considered routine by the township council and will be enacted by one motion in the 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 this public portion is to solely ask questions 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 during the public
comments portion at the conclusion of the meeting. Are there any questions on the consent agenda? Please step up to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Deputy Mayor Fischer, I will let you uh handle that as they come up. Thank you, mayor. >> Since you're in the big seat, you can
handle the big questions. >> Alex, I want to turn on the mic. >> Yeah, I did a great job. Seeing you're hearing no one, we can move on. >> All right, see you here. None. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?
>> I'll move to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. Fisher, >> yes. >> Kaplan, >> yes. >> Terico, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Uh, individual action. Uh, we have no vouchers. Do we, Jesse, unless I have
the wrong agenda? >> Oh, yeah, we do. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Fisher, read it off, please. >> Yes. It's 10,26,658.668, please. >> Someone Someone please offer. Offer.
>> Second. Second >> roll call. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> That's it. >> So public comments. We have no ordinances tonight. Open up for public comment. Anything germaine of the
township of ocean? Uh Dave, this is why we'll turn it over to you. You can handle the Q&A and I'm going to step out at this point. >> Okay. >> Okay. Have a good night. Have a good night. >> Thank you. Public comment. You may step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Direct your questions at Deputy Mayor Fischer. Thank
you. >> It is on. Okay, >> it is on. >> Um, Alex Hayes Oakst. Um, couple of questions and a couple comments, so I'll just rattle them off and then hopefully you can address them. Um, and this one, um, I usually have at least one for, um,
Mr. Starky. So, first one being at the last meeting, um the mayor had mentioned that there was a presentation by the Orchard Plaza people to the town council members um in exe and I'm I'm presuming that's an executive session because then
when I asked about executive session and it was kind of vague and it just said like real estate and I was like how do we find out about that? But then later on in the meeting, um the mayor had said, "Oh, we heard from the developer." And even just tonight, he said, you know, the developer has some plans that he's going to present to the um planning
board. My question is, um how can the public get a hold of whatever was presented to you all? Because I don't think you were voting on anything. Um if it was just a presentation, I would think that would lay under open public records um and public meeting acts
requirements. So, if you could talk on that when I'm done. Um, I know upstairs I was having a hard time controlling my head from exploding when we were talking about the moving of um the May to May elections to November. I just as the
reporter in me, you know, quickly Googled stuff. Um, the mayor at one point said, "Well, why did you know did the school boards do the mass exodus from May to November a couple years ago?" though that was in fact in 2018 and it was because the state gave an
incentive. The state gave a reason why 500 school districts should do that and that's why like 99% of them did so they didn't have to put their budgets up to the public. So there was an actual reason for that. Um and and the mayor saying there's you know the mass
majority of towns don't do it in uh May. That's wrong as it was proven what there's 21 out of 42. So, I think um you all should possibly ask some of the nonpartisan towns, the 21 who have stuck with May,
and maybe ask them why. Um I don't think the due diligence has been done on this proposal. And it kind of seemed like four out of the five of you were like, "Yeah, why do we need to do this and talk about it next week? Let's give it some time." But still, at the end of that halfhour long conversation, it
seemed like you were like, "Okay, we'll we'll talk to the people in the next two weeks and then we'll find out more." more. So, if you're really committed to finding what the residents want to hear, um it's going to take more than a couple social media posts from a new social media person. It's going to take you all to talk to your public to you all post
on social media, not just the town. It needs to be like a campaign and you need to hear what the residents have to say. Um sorry, uh Tene in 2021, for example, left it up to the residents to vote. Other towns did. Mount Laurel also
switched after from what I gathered letting the residents vote. Um I also think one important note is if you do um move it, you're essentially if you all vote to move and don't have the residents do it, you're essentially giving yourselves a six-month extension
on your term without the voter having any input on that. I'm not saying I'm for it or against it, but that might seem a little inappropriate that you are deciding this for yourselves. Um, and there was one comment that, well, we're nonpartisan, so if we move it to
November, um, you know, it's still going to stay not political. In no, um, in no uncertain terms, elections are political. Whether you're nonpartisan or not, your election in May will be political. Your election in November
will be political. So, for anybody to say it won't be political because you're nonpartisan is bonkers. Um, I don't know if you are actually timing me. I don't know if I have any time left. Um, I have a couple of Um, oh, I'm not so sure I'm for or against
any referendum, but um, I think it's been stated it kind of was leaning for the four out of the five of you. Referendum or not, you need more input. And if you're going to put this for a first reading on the next, um, council meeting, that doesn't seem right. Um,
and then I think this is my last question. Um, the community hope fund. You guys are asking for 2500 and 2500. I almost stood up under resolution 7. Um, they have like $500,000 according to their most recent tax statements in the bank. Ask for more. I have no idea what
they do. I know they give a couple of scholarships out to like what, four students a year. Ask for more. Okay. Uh, I think that's it. Thanks. Bye. Okay. Um I'm going to let you answer the question on uh Orchard Plaza. Um yeah, I
I believe I if I'm not wrong, I think I think that was an executive session, the Orchard Plaza discussion. Um the reason for that is there there's a couple reasons for it. Um one of there's it falls under the category of contract negotiations. There are discussions about um different um uh contractual
provisions that can be made. There's also not uh I you know there's also always the potential um that if does we can't reach an agreement. There could be um litigation. There is a condemnation option in there as well at some point. >> You mean reach an agreement though? They've already bought it. It's their
property. >> Yeah, but there's not an agreement on what will be uh if anything will be allowed to be redeveloped on that site. >> That's a zoning. So I don't understand why the council >> it's not z it's it's got a component of zoning. It's got a comp uh redevelopment is different just from zoning. component
of it. There could also be financial components to it. There could also be, as I said, litigation components to it at some point. Um, yes, it will be made public, but uh >> well, of course. >> Yeah. But not not today. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Um, so just about the elections, you were, you know, obviously you were in the workshop meeting. Um, I asked for a pause. I think it's it's prudent. I want to do my homework. I know the rest of us want to do our homework. So, I agree with you on that. So, let's let's see what's going on. Um,
>> is it not going to be on the next >> It's not going to be on the next one. >> I think that was what we just I think that's >> sounded like you. >> No, the next meeting is the 14th. Will not be on the 14th, but the 28th it could be on there. >> I did not get that from >> I did. Is that what you got?
>> Did I miss something? Just for clarification from what I understood was that the administration is going to do a posting inviting people to come to the next meeting to be part of the public and speak on it. There was no talk about putting an introduction on for next meeting.
>> Agreed. >> So that's that's where I stand on that. >> Um let me just say a little something about Community Hope. um they do a lot of really behind the scenes things and they do some things that are that would blow your mind uh as far as helping
people in this community. I know for a fact come Thanksgiving they do crazy good work. I mean there are people in this town who you know we have this community of gracious living but there are unfortunately people who really need help and they provide wonderful Thanksgiving for them. uh they hit
Christmas time. They do wonderful things uh in conjunction sometimes with the uh the PBA. So, as far as community hope goes, there's much more to that conversation and I think there's a deeper dive in there um that I know of. So, if you really want some, you know,
Denise Parlamos is excellent. She we'd be glad to tell you what goes on, but uh it's a very good organization. Those people give from their they give from their hearts. They really do. All right. Anybody else want to be heard? Seeing or hearing none, do I have a
motion to uh adjourn the meeting? >> Second. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Been waiting to do this all night. Meeting adjourned. >> All right. >> The last time I >> Good job, Deputy Mayor.
>> Yeah. Oh, yeah.