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Council agenda Township of Pacific Troy Hills Township Council Agenda meeting of July 7th, 2026. Introduction posting a notice. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the requirements of the open public meetings law by following notice in the office of the township of clerk and by posting the meeting notice on the bulletin board at the m building on December 4th, 2025,

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where it remained posted since that date. A notice appeared in the daily record in the Northstar ledger on December 17th, 2025. Can I please ask everybody to stand for the flag salute >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it

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stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call. Mr. Kipi >> here. >> Mr. Kavanagh >> here. [clears throat] >> Miss Patel >> here. >> And Miss Hernandez >> here.

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>> Mr. McGrath has an excused absence. Council President, we have a quorum. May we begin? >> Yes, please. >> Upcoming meetings 7:21-26 at 7 p.m. which is the regular meeting. And then we have 8426 at 7 p.m. which is the agenda meeting. At this time, I'd like the council to quickly review ordinances

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second reading, uh, which will be on for action at the next meeting. Okay, moving along to the public session. At this time, I'd like to entertain a motion to open up the public session. >> Motion. Motion made by Mr. Kuripi, seconded by Mr. Kavanagh. Roll call. Mr.

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Kuripi. Mr. Kavanagh. M Patel. Yes. Mr. Hernandez. Yes. >> Okay. The floor is open to the public. You can speak on any matter. Please state your name. You have 5 minutes to speak. [music] >> Good evening. My name is

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>> Just tap it. See if it's on. >> Nope. Not yet. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Dr. Victor Joe, 48year resident of 17 Forest Drive, located in the original development named Locust Hills, and here to speak on

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the road project involving Forest Drive and Woodland Drive. This is the second time I appear before this body. The first time was 40 years ago arguing against the decision to open Forest Drive from Innovail Road to Parciponyany Boulevard. I along with my neighbors

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argued this move would encourage speeding and create a safety hazard. And that's exactly what has happened. Before us now is an attempt to increase the safety hazard by widening Forest Drive under the misguided assumption that a

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wider street is safer. It is not. I spoke to four of our police officers who were on our street and each stated that each time streets have been widened in the town, speed has become a problem, which ultimately becomes a safety problem. In essence, this project is an

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an expensive solution desperately looking to solve a problem that does not exist. In speaking to the assistant engineer, he stated that the present curve on Fars difficult to navigate. However, we the neighbors know that curve serves as a natural speed bump.

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Drivers slowed down precisely because of the curve. In 48 years, I and my neighbors do not remember any accidents at this location, and I'm sure no more than on any other township driveway roadway. By modifying that curve, you will simply encourage additional

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hazardous speed, resulting in greater safety issues. The addition of curbing will simply encourage people to park on the roadway and defeat the purpose of widening it. Currently, neighbors are conscious not to park on the road. I asked your assistant engineer about the

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possibility of adding speed bumps or humps, and I found his response incredulous. He indicated that the speed bumps, and I quote, "Speed bumps do not slow down speed." specifically, and I quote again, he said that the drivers might slow down at the bump, but then

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they speed up again. He also indicated that lawn service trucks create noise when they go over them. Yet, when I spoke to the same officers, they indicated that speed bumps are indeed an effective deterrent. I think that some noise from a car or a truck going over a

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bump is preferable to a hazardous speedy. I know that you and I slow down when we drive down Park Road. What is the logic of widening Woodland Drive since it is a small culdeac? Have any residents been clamoring for a

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wider road or curbing on woodland? Are you confirming that the trees you are targeting are dying? Clearly, the trees that were cut on Pit Road were healthy with no signs of decay as some of us have documented. Widening the road, adding curbs,

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destroying trees and shrubbery will have a damaging impact on the character and the real estate value of our quiet, close neighborhood. There are even environmental issues when you destroy healthy, mature trees. The community takes pride in being recognized

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nationally for our trees. Are we annoyed that you're attempting to take away several feet of frontage from our homes? Of course we are. While you can use the rightway argument, it must only be used if it's documented, there's overriding public necessity, and only after

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exhausting all good faith negotiations with property owners. None [clears throat] of those things have taken place. I along with two other NE neighbors met with the mayor and business administrator. While I give them credit for pausing the project, we were disappointed when they indicated

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they knew nothing of the project. I spoke with a county commissioner of how this situation evolved and he could not believe the lack of transparency with this project. This has been a public relations nightmare. How do you not meet with the residents to discuss the scope

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of this project? The meeting should have occurred months ago even prior to preparing bid specifications. This entire process was handled through an illconceived strategy strategy. You even have a section on your township website titled transparency. A

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handdelivered notice on June 22nd announcing this project will begin on or about June 29th begs the question of transparency and there was absolutely none. [clears throat] Fair or not, this lack of transparency

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has created this unfortunate anger destructural atmosphere. I've got two sentences. We hope you will continue only with the paving aspect of the project and apply the remaining funds for other overriding public necessity projects in our township and there are

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many. We trust that you will reconsider the scope of this project to be consistent with the wishes of your constituents on Forest and Woodland drives. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Good evening.

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I'm Matteo Pettto of 18 Woodland Drive. I've come up here tonight in opposition of the Forest Drive and Woodland Drive reconstruction project. Mayor Desai, Council President Hernandez, Councilman Kavanagh, Councilwoman Patel,

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Councilman Karifi, we the residents of Forest Drive and Woodland Drive and the surrounding neighborhood right to express our strong opposition to the proposed reconstruction project affecting our community. The residents of our neighborhood have signed a petition because we do not want this

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project to proceed. We believe the project threatens the character and integrity of our neighborhoods. Qualities that have made this area one of the most desirable places to live in Pipony. After reviewing both the mayor's June 16th letter and the engineering

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department's June 22nd letter, not 22nd u notice, it became apparent that this is far more than a simple paving project. The town is proposing curb installations, water system improvements, storm drainage work, road widening and realignment, tree removal

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and removal of existing roadways and reconstruction, [clears throat] excuse me, of an entirely new roadway. These are major and permanent changes. For decades, our neighborhood has maintained its rural appearance, mature

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trees, and natural winding roadways. The existing streets have become a part of the fabric and identity of our community. They're one of the reasons many of us chose to live here. We love the rural character of our neighborhood and do not want it disturbed by

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unnecessary widening, excessive curbing, or other changes that would permanently alter its appearance. Equally important, many residents are unaware of any recurrent drainage problems that would justify the extensive drainage improvement proposals in this project.

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The township believes such work is necessary. We we request that the engineering studies and support data be released so that residents can understand the basis of these recommendations. We are also deeply disappointed by the timing of the notice provided to the

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residents. The engineering department letter advised that tree removal could begin as early as June 24th with construction beginning at June 29th, leaving residents virtually no meaningful opportunity to review the plans, ask questions, organize, or

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provide public input before we work commences. This is not meaningful public engagement. The administration has repeatedly spoken about transparency in government. Unfortunately, that commitment to transparency has not been reflected in the handling of this

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project. Residents were not meaningfully and timefully consulted before the project magnitude was re was scheduled. We learned of the extensive roadway construction only days before the construction and tree removal were set to begin. We also find it particularly troubling

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because council president Judy Hernandez, Councilman Matt Kavanagh, and Councilwoman Dia Patel all have campaigned on protecting precipitating environment, preserving neighborhoods, and conserving trees, especially environmentally sensitive areas such as

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ours. Those commitments were important to many voters and we respectfully ask that [clears throat] I'm sorry, excuse me, that they now honor those promises by protecting the character of this neighborhood. Accordingly, we respectfully request that the township

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immediately suspends construction activities. Two, meets with the affected residents before any further work proceeds. Three, releases all engineering reports, traffic studies, drainage analysis, and environmental reviews supporting this project. Four,

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provide a complete accounting of the project's cost, funding, source, and long-term financial impact. Five, explain why less intrusive alternatives, including roadway reservices, or targeted repairs, were not pursued. Six,

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preserve our existing character and mature trees and rural appearance of our neighborhood to the greatest extent possible. This neighborhood has been carefully preserved for generation. Once these changes are made, they cannot be undone. We respectfully urge the

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township council to listen to the residents who live here. >> I have one more paragraph. Township council to listen to the residents who live here every day. We ask that you hold this project. honor the petition signed by our neighborhood

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and work collaboratively with us to find solutions that address legitimate infrastructures need without sacrificing the unique character and environmental qualities that define our community. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt

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response respectfully the residents of Forest and Woodland Drive and surrounding neighborhoods. I appreciate that. I haven't heard about this project. So, >> you're going to you're going to give me that right in your

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>> condition. Can't scream out from the audience, please. >> Can't scream from the audience. If you're wanting to come up and speak, >> I will. Thank you. Can you give your what you have to the clerk, please? >> I'm sorry. Can you give >> No, he's okay. He's okay, Judy. He's

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fine. He's going to meet with us after. >> You know, we'll get that from you after, Matt. >> Hi, C. Hi, Council and and Mayor. Uh, good evening and I hope [clears throat] everybody had a uh a happy 4th of July, Justin Mella, uh 39 High Ridge Road. Um,

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I'd wanted to be at the last council meeting, but I was on vacation. Uh what brings me here tonight um is I've noticed in the last 30 days I there has been a substantial amount of new debt

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that the municipality is taking out. Uh in June we issued over 4 million in bonds. Um and on this agenda uh there's approximately 20 almost 22 million um in new bonds which makes for uh almost 35

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million in new debt um in under a year. Um and I think coming on the heels of an 8 12% tax increase. Uh the concern is is this what [clears throat] we'll be expecting from the new administration annually? Um, and as

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someone that understands municipal finance, I'm not opposed to municipal debt. I understand that it's a very vital tool for various capital projects and I haven't made up my mind on whether or not all these projects are are

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justified. Um, but I'm certainly raising a red flag because this is a substantial amount um that I have seen. Um, and uh, I was hoping that we'll get a breakdown of what the the bonds are for and what

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all the um, and and what all the projects will be financing. >> Thank you, Justin. You done? >> Yeah. >> Okay, have a seat. Go ahead. Uh, Angelica, you can go ahead and answer that. Um I if you read the bond ordinances, it does spell out what

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each project is in the bond ordinances. And uh the is the debt that's being issued is the yearly debt that has been issued in the past. It's actually less than it was last year and the year before. >> Thank you. Go ahead, Nick.

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[clears throat] >> Uh good evening, mayor, members of council council. My name is Nick Amirus. I'm here to ask the council to immediately halt the unnecessary widening and curving curving of woodland and forest drives. This legacy contract from the previous administration was

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forced on us with zero community consultation, notifying us just one week before the work was scheduled to commence. We are unanimous. The residents do not want this modification. We urge you to look at Pit Road where trees have already been decimated and the contracted stonework is drastically

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subpar. I worked masonry when I was in college. The mortar smeared carelessly across the front of the stones cleanly between them, forcing sloppy workmanship onto our culde-sac will permanently ruin our neighborhood's aesthetic and depress our home resale values. Artificially expanding asphalt on a dead-end street

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so serves no practical traffic purpose, but it will permanently damage our environment. Straightening forest will facilitate speeding, which is already rampant in other parts of our town. This project will destroy three mature, healthy oak trees on woodland. According to the USDA Forest Service, mature oaks

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are irreplaceable municipal infrastructure, delivering three critical defenses. First, they absorb pollutants where we're adjacent to Highway 287. These trees act as our first line of defense, filtering out toxic vehicle exhaust, heavy metals, and microscopic soot before it enters our

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yards and children's lumps. A mature pin oak the size of one near my home absorbs approximately 210 to 240 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. It has an estimated lifetime accumulated storage of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 lbs of total carbon. Locked safely inside its wood

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and root structure. This is equivalent to running 7500 miles in a gas powered car. Once cut down, these trees begin to decay and release the carbon back into the atmosphere. Second, they keep our homes cool. Removing this canopy shade will instantly increase our household

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summer cooling costs by 10 to 15%. In a time of rising utility rates, this product project actively penalizes residents financially. Third, it creates a flooding crisis. Currently, our natural grassy slope and robust tree root system safely absorb hundreds of

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gallons of storm water, forcing concrete curbs onto the silly terrain will destroy this natural drainage. Alter established water flows and funnel the runoff directly towards our home foundations. In addition, the oak tree produces acorn which sustains local wildlife. Its wide branches provides

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ample nesting sites for birds and squirrels. Our neighborhood was intentionally designed to blend with nature. We ask you to we to we ask you to preserve this intent. I say keep the woods and woodland on the in the forest and forest. I formally request that the council is an immediate stay on all

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construction for the woodland and forest. Let's work together to protect our town budget, our property values, and our health. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> THANK YOU, NICK. GOOD EVENING. Tracy Mier, Forest Drive homeowner and resident. Full disclosure, I'm a crossing guard within this town

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and I am not here to represent that position. Mayor Desai and council members, although I was denied my right to a public community hearing, I would like to now thank you for allowing me to bring to light the serious pedestrian safety, the serious pedestrian

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[clears throat] safety, quality of life, and environmental issues that will impact the community should the Forest and Woodland Drive road project proceed. I've been a homeowner resident on Forest Drive for over 34 years. I raised three children from infancy to adulthood here

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without incident. I can only recall one minor traffic accident which involved a woman from Mountain Lakes and a sanitation truck. Therefore, I was completely blindsided when in my mailbox, I received a wet piece of paper informing me there is a road improvement

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project which includes permanent changes to the streets affected. Upon contacting Mr. Mihoff from the engineering department. I learned the project included widening the roadway, straightening the natural road curvature, stripping natural grass slopes, and the installation of Belgium

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block curving. He also confirmed there was no environmental or traffic impact study done on the project. He further informed me I would lose my off- streetet parking and we would collectively gain on street parking. Mr. Mr. Nhof confirmed we were denied our rate to a public community hearing as

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the project was beginning the next day or so on Pit Road, which it did. Widening the roadway and forcing on street parking actually narrows the drivable lanes, interferes with line of sight, and creates a hazard for public

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safety, issues we do not currently have. It will also cause a hardship for residents during snow removal and any other emergency. Curve linear alignments serve several purposes and offer unique benefits to our community. They not only follow the natural terrain. They minimize driver

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speeding by minimizing the drivers long distance site. Drivers have to naturally lower their speed. This can be confirmed by the non-existent accidents. Stripping natural gas also grass also [clears throat] proves counterintuitive

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as that will cause a rise in significant runoff. Destruction of trees without proof they are decaying dis disrupts their environmental impact. These trees are storm water absorbers and they also provide natural cooling canopies. I

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personally have approximately 16 abberite trees that are not in harm's way from the ground up. However, the project has a great probability of destroying their roots which will destroy the trees. Is the township going to replace these trees? Will they

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replace all of them and will they be replaced by the same tree? Installation of Belgium block curbing may aesthetically be pleasing. However, it will bring a higher risk of injury to children, pedestrians, and cyclists who use the roadway as sidewalks are not an

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option. Belgium block also has a high cost, causes significant damage to tires, rims, and brings alignment issues. They cause damage to snowplow blades and speeds up degrading of the surrounding asphalt on the roadway due to water that freezes and expands within

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its joints. Due to my occupation, I see firsthand the negative realities I presented to you this evening. They are real and you all know they're real. I am not opposed to water valve upgrades nor repaving. Other than that, I request you

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please ask yourself, is this project really worth the environmental impact and systemic safety risk to all those who travel and live on these roads? I hope you choose safety over government waste and outsourced premium contracts. [applause]

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>> Can I ask one of you people, you said, did it start yet or not? No, no, it started. Judy, we're not going to ask them. You can ask me. We're not going to ask members of the public cuz we don't want communication back and forth from the audience. So, if you want, you can ask me. But the >> standing >> Yeah, we don't You can ask them at the

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end, but not a back and forth. >> Chuck, no talking from the public. Okay. >> Good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Amarie Jaton and I have been a resident of Forest Drive since 1996. My husband and I purchased our home from the original owners Fred and Helen

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Mlesco. We were newly weds looking for a perfect place to start our family. We are only the second homeowners. This holds true for many of the people that live in my neighborhood. Like many of our neighbors, we didn't move here. We stayed. Many families on our street have lived here for 20, 30, or even more

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years. We have chose this neighborhood because we love our homes. We love our neighbors and we appreciate the unique character of this neighborhood. One of the things that attracted us to this neighborhood was its rural feel. The narrow streets, the absence of curbs

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and sidewalks, and the lack of on street parking are not shortcomings. There are part of what makes this neighborhood special. In fact, they are exactly what we wanted when we were choosing where to raise our children. Most of all, if most if not all of Interville Heights and

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many neighborhoods throughout Pipney have these rural attributes, we could have purchased a home further up Forest Drive where there are curbs, sidewalks, and a more suburban design. We deliberately chose the section because we preferred the quieter,

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quieter, rural, rural character of the street. [clears throat] For more than 30 years, while raising our children here, we never felt that Forest Drive and Woodland itself was an unsafe place. Our children played outside, they rode their bikes, they walked through the neighborhood, and we always felt that the design of these

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streets encouraged drivers to be cautious. Like many of our neighbors, our primary concern has always been drivers traveling from the Interale Interail Road towards Precipany Boulevard. Some vehicles do approach at higher speeds. They naturally slow down

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as they reach Forest Drive Park and the curve in the road at the top of the hill. Those are attributes that cause drivers to slow down. That narrow section as an calming feature without the need for additional additional infrastructure. Likewise, traveling from Parcipany

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Boulevard to towards Interville Road is generally not a concern. The narrow roadway and the curve naturally discourage excessive speed. As they approach Barstrife Park going towards Intervail, the speed picks up because the wider streets provides comfort that

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is safe to do so. The problem occurs after drive. That is why we encourage the council to carefully consider how any proposed changes could unintentionally alter the character of our neighborhood and driver behavior. The very features that some

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see as outdated, the narrow roadway and rural appearance have, in our experience, helped calm traffic and preserve the neighborhood we choose to call home. Please preserve the qualities that have made this neighborhood a wonderful and safe place for families for decades. We invested in this community because of its unique

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character and we hope future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy the same neighborhood that we have loved for the past 30 years. Thank you for time and consideration. [snorts] My name is Jonathan Hemway. I'm uh 22 Forest Drive. Um I'm not going to stand

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up here and go over everything that's been said. Uh my family, my wife and I are very against this uh and these improvements. Um, I wore my shirt because this past July 2nd was uh my 14th year with the District 6 Fire

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Department. And in my 14 years, I've never responded to a call on our street. I find our street to be very safe. And I agree with everything that's been said here tonight. So, I just kind of wanted to say that and put that on the record for this evening. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Tony, 41 Robin Hood Road. I've got three different issues. Uh we call state of emergencies in the state under 6 in of snow. We had many Sandy and no state of emergency was called. I'd like to know why.

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Second, I'd like to be writing letters and actually to every one of you and all of our public to join the other 10 counties that are being that are pulling out of the sanctuary act. So you you know it up front. There are

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nine right now. Hopefully Mars County becomes 10. Mr. Mayor, you're doing a good job, but we have an issue. We have a lot of people will due to the storm damage instead of leaving their stuff on their lawn for another day or

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two or throwing it into the streets. So cars are swerving, people may may get hurt. So if we can put out some sort of public notice to turn around asking to just leave it there until the town gets there to pick it up and we get it shredded. Uh power just came on to my

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friend that was with me uh after uh Thursday. Uh, personally, I set out six generators and tapped into houses. >> It's crazy. >> So, uh, that's our community working together. But like I said,

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Murphy under 6 in of snow called state emergencies. We had a mini Sandy happen and it's going to take us weeks to get recover from this. Besides that, we could have FEMA here and funding which we are not going to get.

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>> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Huh? Bob Venezia uh Paripony, I I just have one question tonight. I would like to know if Paripany has any other land arrangement uh arrangement with the developers like

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we did with uh like you know like existed with the Glenmont Commons because you know I'm worried that we're going to get stuck you know millions more in road repairs. >> That's your only question Bob? >> That's it. >> Okay. have a seat and he'll answer

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my report. >> Hi, good evening um Mr. uh mayor and council. Uh I lived on a 15 Forest Drive where is right where the the curve is and um if we going to open them up that

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road even we going to have a hard time to even get out of our driveway and to go onto the road because right even this time people are flying from there and as soon as they come out over there because it's a narrow road they automatically

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slow down and if we going to open it up it's going to be nightmare for us. So please think about and don't go for this project. I oppose that. Uh Nick from Lake Hayawaka. What I'd

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like to know is how did the other administration not inform this administration about that project? Cuz council president, you said you were unaware of it, right? So that seems like some unethical practice.

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I is is this a a done a done deal with some kind of uh arrangement with a developer? It just doesn't it it there just it doesn't sound right. And we need trees now mo more than ever. And these micro

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storms that we're having, it's only going to get worse. And we still have people who are climate change deniers. And it's not that hard to understand. Everything can change. Progress.

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Short period of time. It accelerated. 1950 they stepped on a gas pedal. But climate doesn't change. Are you kidding me? I mean, uh, climate change has been known about since the 1840s.

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And I mentioned this before. There's a book, Earth Transformed by Human Action, George Perkins Marsh. So, this is nothing new. All your environmental problems stem

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from complex systems being simplified and concentrated materials being diffused like the trees coming down on Forest Avenue.

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One degree of global increase in the average temperature equals 5 x kajjoules. An excjle of energy is the total consumption of the United States

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for roughly 4 billion years. That is the sequestered carbon that we're putting back into the atmosphere the millions of years of life before we got here. So climate uh scientists and

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earth systems they come up with a number and the number is 18 zeros 10 one extrajel 10 to the 18th power. So when people say, "Oh, there's only one degree." You don't know the power you're

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messing with. And these little butterfly effects like taking down healthy trees, disturbing the soil, it's all catching catching up with us. You have to live within the laws of nature, not some

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engineers fantasy. You can't replace nature. You could don't even come close to it. When it used to rain years ago, 80% of the water were going to the aquifer. Now we're lucky if 20% gets in cuz the the

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impervious surface. Philadelphia 8 1776 when they signed the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, the temperature was 76°. What was it the other day? and we're not

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that far from Philadelphia. So, happy uh happy 4th, whatever that means. Thank you, MAY. Any other member from the public? >> No other member from the public would like to speak at this point. Okay, seeing no one, I'd like to entertain a

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motion to close the public session, please. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Karifi, seconded by Miss Patel. Roll call. Mr. Karifi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kavanagh. Yes. M Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Yes. >> Okay. Your floor is closed. >> I'd like to I'd like to make >> Go ahead, Mr. Kip.

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>> Um, first off, in listening to all the people that have come here, I mean, it's obvious that the people that live there do not want this. So, for one, unless the town can prove to me that this is a 100% needed, I don't know

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why we're doing that and widening the road. Um, [applause] I I can see the the the paving, the need for the paving, and maybe if if there's a need for some sewage and drainage work. Um, my experience in law enforcement, if you

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widen that road, you're going to get more speeding on that road. There is no doubt in my mind, you are going to get more speeding on that road if you widen it. Um [applause] it it was said by one of the residents that there's only been one accident maybe in the last 40 plus years there.

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So uh if it's not broke, don't fix it. And again, like like I said, the people don't want this. They don't want their neighborhood. I totally get everything that you're saying. I couldn't agree with you more. Unless the town can prove to me that this is 100% needed, um I'm

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in favor of just just repave the road. Any sewage or drainage work that needs to be done, have that done, but just leave the road and the trees alone. >> Well, um >> any other member from council? >> Well, yeah, because when I mentioned

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something before, I got shut down. >> You didn't get shut down. >> Hold on. because every other council president has spoken out and I get shut down. >> No, they >> I am an environmentalist. You all know that. And I am not for cutting down the trees. I need to have it proven. And

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you're right. Trees are the most important thing. Don't. And they do cut down trees in this town. We have to have an ordinance in this town, which we don't have yet with replacement for any removal. And I want to see why they're

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cutting these trees down. I want to see why I'm also an engineer and the curve in the road does slow down traffic and I know that road cuz I used to canvas that road a lot and it's a beautiful area. So, however, I do understand that

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there's a lot of problems with sewage and storm water and so we do need to talk to the engineers and find out what their plans are for the that infrastructure. So, they might be thinking that they're

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doing a good thing with these curbs cuz a lot of people do like them, but as this neighborhood has complained about it, let's see what's going on. And of course, we need to talk to the mayor, too, cuz the mayor is part of this as well. So, that's my two cents and Mr.

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Cre's two cents. >> Any other member from council? Seeing no one, moving along, can you please review the consent agenda? Seeing no questions, we're moving along to the approval of minutes. At this

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time, presentations and reports. Mayor So on the forest lawn and uh forest and wood lawn project uh we'll be meeting after the meeting. Uh so we'll discuss in detail uh your concerns that you have given to all of us tonight. uh I will

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listen to you and then we'll come to some kind of a a conclusion uh on how but I will tell you that over the last 5 years we have done projects like this across town close to 25 streets with the

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same exact procedure that we have always done and this is a turncore operation you know we notified all the neighbors in the past you know and I would say majority of the people you know in the as and I was one of them said okay we

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got curves no problem you guys are vocal about it we put you through the exact same process you know that we have done over the last 5 years now granted I only came here 6 months ago this was something the road the road crew engineers they do automatically they're like this is a part of road improvement

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project uh the other thing that they do is you know of course you have to improve the the water that goes into the drains I agree with Mr. Karifi that we have to wind the roads but as far as anything else is concerned that is something that we'll discuss tonight. Uh

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Mr. Maiden is uh the engineer will be here this evening or no? >> Uh engineer was not able to make it uh he's on vacation this week but we can still have the discussion with the residents with regards to this matter and come to a conclusion so we can put this to bed. >> Absolutely. So that's what I can offer

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unlike uh and I am listening. I did not turn anybody away you know regardless of the criticism. I'm here to listen and come to a resolution because this is the first time uh that anybody has ever you know spoken up and I have paid attention over the last you know 101 15 years that

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under the roadside project you are guys are the only ones that have spoken up so that's something to be said and I will listen to you. >> Thank you. >> On to my report. It's a little long but uh please uh allow me. So I had the pleasure of swearing in two new police

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academy recruits. Caitlyn Amaroso and Julia Scrollbacks. We wish them success as they begin their career in law enforcement and protecting the residents of Peripany. Recent heat storms before and after July

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4th. Peripany experienced extreme heat followed by severe storms that brought down trees, power lines, and caused property damage throughout the town. I want to thank our util our utility workers, police department, fire district, OEM volunteers, forest and

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forestry crews, and all our first responders who worked around the clock to keep our residents safe. I was with them Friday night up until 3:30 a.m. and was just few hours later, they were back working preparing for the Fourth of July festivities.

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Now, keep in mind, when trees are down without power lines, our crew clears them first. when power lines are involved, JCPNL has to be there first. So the crews can move in and then remove the trees because safety is uh extremely

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important. You know, this is a coordinated effort and we are working closely every step of the way with JCPNL. So when I hear criticism that our workers are just standing around not doing anything, this is the reason JCPNL has to clear the power lines first

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before uh our parts and forestry crew gets there. Each team has their role to play in this situation. Another thing is a common question that I got asked, why did my neighbor get powered before I did? Well, the answer

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is JCPNL restores the largest outages first. If one repair brings back power to 50 homes and another restores power to only 10 homes, they'll focus on the larger outage first. As those are completed, crews move to smaller outages

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until every until everyone is restored. So, every storm teaches us something, as I've learned with the past two snowstorms. We'll continue working with JCPNL and our emergency responders to improve our coordinated effort so we are even better prepared for these micro

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burst storms that are becoming more and more frequent. Overall, Paripony weather the storm better than many surrounding communities and we're prepared to assist our neighboring towns if they need help. Some good news, summer concerts. I want

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to thank Provident Bank for a generous $5,000 donation in support of our summer concert series. Nothing new with me. They've been doing this for 20 years in partnership with Pipony. Graduation season. So, graduation season was busy and I enjoyed

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every minute of it. I attended a prek graduation at the learning experience in the Goddard School where the students proudly sang songs and shared what they hope to become what when they grow up. I also attended the Parcipony High School of Graduation. The student speakers were

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outstanding and the best part was a loving family brought a mariachi band and that was absolutely fantastic and their family the kids who graduated were absolutely in tears and the excitement from this graduation was contagious and it continued till project graduation.

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This uh I joined the students from both high schools. The event was at Funplex and the other one was at Bransburburg Sports Complex from 11:00 to 3:30 at night. Was I tired? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Every minute. It was great spending time with our graduates,

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hearing about their plans, and watching them celebrate this milestone safely with their classmates before beginning the next chapter of their lives. So, congratulations to the class of 2026. your families, teachers, and this entire community are proud of everything you

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have accomplished. Farmers Market, I say this every week or every meeting, and I'll continue to say this. Our farmers market continues every Friday through September 11th from 3 to 11:00 p.m. Please stop by and support our local vendors and enjoy fresh

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produce, food, crafts, and music. I'll certainly be stopping by every week as I have and see what goodies I can bring home. Last but not least, resident outreach. One of the most important parts of being mayor is getting out into the community. Sometimes you can solve more than

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standing on the street corner or walking through a neighborhood than sitting behind the desk. And I visited both Forest Lawn, I'm sorry, both Forest and Woodlon Drive. The best ideas and many of the biggest concerns come from conversation with residents like you have demonstrated tonight. That's why

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I'll continue visiting neighborhoods, listening and following up. It's the best way to understand the issues and the best way to serve our community. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, town council. >> Yeah, I have something. I just want to say that after Friday's micro burst,

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which hit really like Sedgefield and Glacier Hills pretty badly, I was stunned to see the damage so concentrated in that area and no injuries. At least I think there were no injuries, but um it's a lot of houses damaged and cars. Um, I want to thank

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the first responders, the utility workers who have been working multiple shifts and um to and they can be injured, so it's dangerous work, too. So, I want to thank them and I appreciate it. I mean, they they come out all the time and it's

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happening more and more. So, that's all I have. >> Any other member from council? >> Uh, no. But I forgot one more thing. Uh there's a company in particip called Vitquest and they generously donated $12,500

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towards our fireworks this year. Uh just another good partnership with the company that we are forming and I appreciate that and I just wanted to mention that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> I just uh just want to also thank our our volunteers. I know, you know, we have a gentleman here that's a volunteer fireman. I know they were out they've

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been out the last couple storms that we've had helping tremendously. So, thank you to you, sir, and thank you to all the volunteers. >> I just want to very quickly echo that. Um, we had a ton of volunteers at the fireworks. There were a ton of

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volunteers out on the road. There was police officers helping everywhere they could. We had OEM, CERT. We had everyone helping out all hands on deck this past weekend. So, thank you to everyone who helped. It is much appreciated. you make this town run and we are so appreciated

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for it. >> Dr. Pni, >> um so I just want to comment on the one um there are no other I'm not aware of any other developments in town that are seeking a similar concept to Glenmont

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that was a unique situation um that goes back decades on the formation of that development. um it wasn't formated properly and so we wound up in that situation uh you know a decade or so later but there is nothing else on the horizon.

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Thank you. Uh this is going to combine the BA report and the clerk report. Uh I simply at this time want to thank all our township employees for all their hard work especially this last weekend. in this Fourth of July celebration had a lot of moving parts, a lot of

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departments involved and I just want to thank all of you for all the hard work and effort that you guys put in this week and always. Uh I also want to take the opportunity to thank all the volunteers uh for all their hard work and effort especially over this last storm and in general. So thank you guys.

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Um that concludes my report. Uh do we have anything for township officers and committees at this time? >> I have one report. I will try to be quick. The Parcony Troy Hills Economic Development Committee continues its efforts in support of business growth uh in its support to in

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its effort I'm so sorry in its effort to support business growth, attract investment, and strengthen the local economy through a series of ribbon cutting ceremonies and new community outreach initiatives. The committee joined by Mayor Poca Desai welcomed Discover Strength located at 1515 Route 10 during an official ribbon cutting

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ceremony on Wednesday, June 24th. The fitness business is the first tenant to open in the redevelopment complex with additional businesses expected to follow. The committee and Mayor Pokeet Desai recently celebrated several other business milestones including Pilates

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Body Valley Bank and Dubberry. In addition to supporting new businesses and expanding new and expanding businesses, Precipity Troy Hills Economic Development in partnership with Mayor Pulit Desai has launched a new welcome to our community program designed to introduce new neighbors and

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homeowners to our many resources, organizations, businesses, and other services available from the township. The monthly mailings include information from the township, the public library, local nonprofit organizations, and special offers and discounts from

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participating Piponyany businesses. The program is intended to help new residents become familiar with the community while providing local businesses with an opportunity to introduce themselves to potential customers. The economic development committee remains committed to supporting local businesses, encouraging

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investment, and promoting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for our residents. The Pacific Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board created the Meet the Merchant program to highlight local businesses, introduce owners to the community, and encourage residents to shop local. Through the

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program, participating businesses are featured by the Economic Development Advisory Board and Parcipony Focus. Each profile shares the business owner story, services, location, hours, and what makes the business special. Meet the merchant gives the local businesses added visibility while

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helping the business discover while helping residents discover the business as well as other restaurants, shops, professional services, and family-owned businesses throughout Precipany. Businesses interested in participating in either program can contact Frank Cahill at 973-559600.

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The next Pipony Troy Hills Economic Development Committee meeting will be held this Thursday, July 9th, at 6:30 p.m. in the third floor conference room at 90 East Holly Road. Meetings are open to the public. For additional information, contact Chairman Frank Cahill at 973-5596000.

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Thank you. That is all from me. >> Okay, moving along to any other township offices uh reports. Okay, moving along to the non-consent agenda. R2026153 making application to local finance board pursuant to NJSA 58 col26-9.

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Motion to approve the resolution above. >> Motion second. >> Motion made by Mr. Kavanaaugh. Seconded by Mr. Karifi. Roll call. Mr. Karifi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kavanaaugh. >> Yes. >> Miss Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. R 1226 154 approving a

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new amusement games license for Family Entertainment Group LLC. Motion to approve the resolution book. >> Motion. Second. Motion made by uh Mr. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Karifi. Roll call. Mr. Karifi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kavanagh. Yes. M. Mel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Hernandez? >> Yes.

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>> Moving along to our 2026 155 authorizing an amendment to the contract between the town of Pacific Troy's Hills and Exus Public Services LLC. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion. >> A motion made by Miss uh Patel. Seconded by Mr. Kavanaaugh. Roll call. Mr. Kipi.

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Yes. Mr. Kavanagh. Mattel. Yes. >> Mr. Hernandez. Yes. >> Motion passes. Moving along to approval of payroll and bills list. CFO Angela Sabatini recommends authorization for payment. Number one authorizes payments for 71 and 7726 for regular and miscellaneous payroll and estimated at

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1,650,000 and payment of bills from bachelor list of 7726 which is 967,6421. Can I have a motion to approve the authorization for payment? >> Motion second. >> Motion made by Mr. Kavanaaugh, seconded by Mr. Karifi. Roll call. Mr. Karifi.

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Yes. >> Mr. Kavanagh, yes. Miss Patel, yes. >> Miss Hernandez, >> motion passes. Can I before I have a motion to adjourn the meeting, I just want to say to the residents of Woodland and Forest, if you could please just stick around after the meeting, so this way we can have a quick discussion and uh come to a resolution about this

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matter. Okay. Thank you. With that being said, motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Kavanaaugh, seconded by Mr. Karifi. Roll call. Mr. Karipi. Mr. Kavanagh. >> Yes. >> Miss Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Yes. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you

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everybody.

