It's tonight, the May 12th, 2026 uh County of Pake Board of County Commissioners regular meeting. >> I'm sorry. Yes. >> Okay. >> County Commissioners Bartlett
>> here. >> D'vor >> here. James Remaglia Stratz >> here. >> Deputy Director Cruz >> here. >> Director Lazaro >> here. >> Okay. Can we have an announcement of the open public meeting law? Ladies and
gentlemen, the notice requirement of the open public communities law has been satisfied with respect to this meeting specifying the time, date, location, including at the reorganization meeting the follow with the county uh current posted administration building and mailed to
two newspapers in accordance with the provisions of the law. >> Thank you. And can we have a moment of silence to remember all the men and women who have died while serving in the army forces? Thank you. You can keep standing and
join us in the pledge of allegiance. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. >> At this time we're going to move on to the administrator's report. Thank you, director. Uh, first on my report is an update on S County Community College by the acting president, Dr. Jacqueline Canary.
>> Canvi, excuse me. Dr. Knevi. >> Thank you for inviting me. Uh my name is Jackie Canabi and uh I am currently the interim president of the sale county college. Um I have worked at the college since 1989. I came to the college as the director of
the nursing program and I've progressed uh into the position of the senior vice president for academic and student affairs where I reported directly to Dr. Steven Rose for 25 years. Um we are um still in a state of shock at the college
but uh we are we're adjusting. We're making the best of it. That's what he what he want us to do and that's what we're going to do. We're going to continue to make the state county college uh the best community college ever. That's what he would want and that's what we'll do. Um um we were up
here uh about a month ago uh to attend the board of trustees meeting for the uh college and we were so excited about this facility and what we can do with it. Uh especially this uh big room here where we can we can find many uses of
and also the two labs that are in the hallway across from this large room. Uh we are planning to offer courses in science up here in the fall. Uh we have a number of courses we feel that we could offer first of all environmental
sustainability but we also have the ability to offer anatomy and physiology up here and also the uh lower level chemistry courses. We think that those would be appropriate here. Also this large room uh we feel we could uh run
general ed large places so u so we can also offer this as a community service room where we can probably have some lectures and um other kinds of activities for not just the college student but also the community. Um so
I'll take any questions that you have for me if you have any or if there's anything that I did not cover in this short time. Uh I'll be pleased to do that right now. >> Okay. I'll just add this that uh the college board of trustees um has um
contracted with a search committee to look for the next president of the college and uh they are going to be beginning their process very shortly. So that there'll be concerts as we go along the process. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Dr. Kito, we all join you and the faculty and staff in mourning Dr. Rose. I got to tour this building with him a couple of years ago when it was less finished and uh we all are feeling that loss.
>> Yes. Uh thank you, doctor. And this building is an example of the great partnership that the commissioners have had with the community college and I know that's going to continue um in the future. So, thank you, >> director. That's all I have. Thank you. We're going to just back up a little bit
and vote on the approval of the minutes from April 28th, 2026. >> I'll move those second checkpoint. For the record, he second the motion. It was Bartlett in Cruz.
>> Thank you. >> Second. Thank you. >> County Commissioners Bartlett, >> yes. >> D'Vor, >> yes. >> Ratz, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz, >> yes. >> Director Lazar, >> yes. >> And at this moment, we have Father
Patrick Ryan here to lead us in the invocation. >> Would you like >> You can't even take your sunglasses off. >> So, we'll have a short prayer. You're so enthusiastic. Pray father of the son and holy spirit.
Heavenly father, we thank you for this beautiful day. In a particular way, we remember those people who have been touch touched by violence. those people who are no longer with us, those people
who are suffering because of the loss of their loved ones. We pray that we might be able to find another way to resolve our issues, no matter what they might be, that we might always be able to see you in one another and see the good that
exists in all people. And we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Okay. Um, can I have a motion to suspend the regular order of business? >> No, I apologize. >> Okay.
A motion to suspend the regular order of business. >> So moved. D'Vor second. divor county commissioner Bartlett. >> Yes. >> D'Vor, >> yes. >> Tratz, >> yes. >> Debbie Director Cruz, >> yes. >> Director Lazar, >> yes.
>> And can I have a motion to adopt the 2026 budget for the county of Pake? >> So move. >> Cruz. >> Second. D'vor. >> D'Vor commissioners Bartlett. Yes. >> D'Vor, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz. >> Yes.
>> Director Lazar. >> Yes. >> Okay. Have Well, it looks like we adopted the 2026 budget. So, can I have a motion to resume the regular order of business? >> So, moved. >> Second.
>> D'Vor and Bartlett. >> County Commissioners Bartlett. >> Yes. >> D'Vor. >> Yes. Stratz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz. >> Yes. >> Director Lazar. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, we're moving on to commissioner reports. Um
so for we just had um a cookoff challenge down at the New Jersey uh what's it? >> Association of >> Thank you. Association of Counties. I got brain freeze for a minute. And I just want to give a huge shout out to
Pay County Technical Vocational Schools. They came in with a bronze medal on the people's choice awards. They made crispy saffron arisini which is those rice balls with breaded chicken.
Then they had second place which was a silver medal in the professional chef's awards for the same dish. So, if you haven't been up there, you should really try to get up there because that sounds really good. But, um, the judges awards
went really smoothly and we couldn't be happier than to have our kids place in in the top three for each of those categories. The bronze medal went to them also for display. So, display is a really big thing when you're cooking food, the way
you serve it. And they also won with that same dish, the crispy saffron arcini with breaded chicken. So we're very proud of our students at P County Technical Vocational Schools. They did a great job and uh that's my report.
>> Commissioner Cruz, >> um I don't have much today. I just I just want to said I know we have on a future agenda we'll be voting on lowering the threshold for our PLA agreements. And so I'm just looking forward uh to that uh vote in order to empower
our unions a lot more here in PT County with our projects that we have coming up uh to be able to give them more uh of those projects and allow us the opportunity to involve our union brothers and sisters in our upcoming uh projects. it really a testament to how
we operate as a county and as a board and supporting our local union members to offer local residents well good paying jobs for projects that are truly important to us and continuing to reinforce our infrastructure uh so I'm proud of that uh and I'm looking forward
to that upcoming vote that's all I have directly >> thank you commissioner Bartlett >> thank you director well it's very suitable that we're sitting here in our newest college facility because we're heading into graduation season as anyone who is
on Facebook or Instagram knows and I just want to congratulate all of our community college and college graduates that are celebrating this month. Uh one of them is my son uh who's going to be graduating from UC Berkeley this weekend. But wherever you went uh whether you came here for college or
left here for college uh congratulations and best wishes and we hope you come back. >> Thank you Commissioner D'vor. I just want to say this year I I actually did attend uh NJAK, New Jersey Association of County Government. Uh it
was it was very informative. I met some some uh veteran government uh associates that I can tap into as we process how to manage and put county uh business forward. So
uh I was there when we won the bronze and we won the silver. I actually uh gave the awards to PA County Tech uh culinary department as well as we were able to be uh
blessed by the vocal department as well. On Thursday, they came down and did a capella uh for NJC as well. So, I want to give a shout out to the PCTVs vocal shop for coming out on Thursday as well. They represented bulldog pride
very well. So again, we think uh and appreciate being on the panel on Friday as well for NJC for my first time being there. And someone asked, "How did you enjoy NJ?" I said, "I enjoyed it very well this year opposed to had I gone
last year." Uh last year it was just a lot of dots that I was processing, absorbing, but this year I was able to connect the dots and how to move PT County forward and how do how to do better business with uh uh others around
Pay County and making us better uh moving forward. So we thank you for the opportunity to attend and it was a very good experience. Thank you. >> Thank you. and Commissioner Shrez. >> I don't have any uh committee reports,
but I I do want to congratulate also the students in PCTI. I know how hard they work. My son is a student also in the culinary program. So, you know, just kudos to all of them because I do know how hard they work and the dedication
they have to the PCTI culinary program. >> Thank you. Okay. Can I have a motion to open the public portion of the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Bartlett and D'vor. >> County County Commissioners Bartlett.
>> Yes. >> D'vor. >> Yes. >> Stratz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz. >> Yes. >> Director Lazera. >> Yes. At this time, the public is welcome to come up with any remarks they may have. Please state your name and address before starting. And just know that
there's three minutes to speak. So if anyone would like to come up to the podium, it's all yours. Hi there. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Evening. And >> yes, for the
>> 268 Washington, New Jersey. Um, glad to see you all here and I think it's an occasion that you're all here on Garrett Mountain all at the same time. Is that a first? Maybe. I'm not sure. Um, maybe not. Um, and
I just want to um just speak just a little bit about the significance of the nature center and the education here that we're welcoming back onto Rifle Camp Park. Um, it's always a great place for education and learning about nature. And in that spirit, I'm going to let you
know that uh Garrett Mountain is a national and New Jersey Autobon Society important birding area. Um, recognized as a significant migrant stopover for land birds during their spring and fall migrations. There's been 245 different
bird species observed here. And so maybe 60 in one day just the other day. We're in peak season right now. There's a lot of contests going on on burgers. They bring a lot of um a lot of equipment with them
and also a lot of commerce that you really should be thinking about. Um but right now it's peak season. So I would encourage you to check out the Friends of Garrett Mountain reservation Facebook page. anyone here and out there to see
all the birds that are coming through. It's it's a beautiful display and people really don't realize that unless you see them, you know, up close and magnified like that. So perhaps the binoculars come on up this weekend, join a birdie group. Um there's plenty of things happening or if you want to see that
home, you can take take use of all the pictures. Photographers have a great time here. Um Garrett's also designated as the natural national national natural land farm part of the Great Falls Patterson Garrett Mountain NL by the National Park Service for its excellent
illustration of jointed basaltic lava flow. Um and just want to um advocate as I do for conservation efforts to be made for this area because there is a case to be made for conservation of Garrett Mountain. It's
really special. And um I'll quickly I know I have limited time. Um what you have here is a um it's a funnel. So the birds don't have any don't have any area to land on their long trip to South America and back. So you have Cape May,
you have Sandy Hook, and you have Patterson here, especially the north end of the pond and the the pond and the the park up. So a lot of these birds congregate here. So it's significant ecological area. You also right outside
here have um a trap rock blade that is a a rare area and some rare uh plants also rare plants and birds that also could you know any conservation efforts you can send this way would be very welcome and look forward to working
collaboratively um with you guys on that. So that's all just welcome you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Hi biker 718 west camp road I'm here just
to talk about the barber some of you may have heard of it um all the burgers in the community right now really upset about what's going on we agreed this is a terrible
The problem we have is the barbar is the only understory we have. We have nothing else. Everything else has been eaten by the deer. And the removal of this barber without a program to replace it with
some other plants. We just destroy the park. we would destroy and the habitat for several species that nest them in.
And what it what it comes down to, the problem is the deer. And we we've all gone through it. I know some of you here were here when you know there were the death threats, the people trying to
control the beer. Uh, I know that uh, you know, something happened with the hunt or some really cool stuff, but I I also know that politically it really got tough for you guys. U, but if we don't do something about the
deer, doing something about the barbary is going to be devastating. It really uh well I would like to invite you all you please to go and see what
has been done when you enter the park where the stream comes down from the basketball court where the stream comes down from three tier parking lot all the barbar has been taken out there and you'll see how bad that is
without some other plants it's just it really is bad. I I uh I don't know. I I've spoken to Chuck. I'm hoping that the plan is not to just rip out all the barber with a sledgehammer.
I'm hoping that we can go a little bit slower. I would like to see what I would love to see is is the exposure, which you guys you guys put an explosure. It's fantastic. And we are getting
underground. is coming back. But we have Barbberry, we have uh multifllora rose, we have uh alantthis. These are all things that actually should be taken out of there. So we can
see this work better. Um I don't know when when was the explosion put in? Eight years ago, seven years ago. And you can see how slow it is. So this transition this this getting rid of the fireb brain has to be done
very slowly otherwise the damage to the park will be it will be extreme. So it just please if you have a minute drive into the park. All you have to do is drive in the one side, drive out on
Weasel Drive and you will see what I'm talking about. And I'm sure you you know that a lot of people have called the county. We're not getting any response. We don't know what the program is. We
know that the the New Jersey has a program to get rid of uh the barbar, but we really have to do it in a in a really well thought out way. That's all I can say.
>> Thank you. Good evening Lazar 22 Spencer Avenue in Clifton. I'm very glad to be here. Congratulations on the completion and opening of the new environmental center. I look forward to hearing about classes
that may be offered here and especially interested in the new observatory. I hope there will be public astronomy nights like there were years ago. Would also be great if the college could offer an adult education astronomy class.
Um, tonight I also wanted to follow up on a request made by the late historian Edward Smike. Mr. Smike would often talk about Rifle Camp Park and the history of the park's creation. There were two important people associated with Rifle
Camp and with the original nature center built on this site. In the words of Mr. Smite, park director John J. Crowley was a prime mover and creative force in the development of the 158 acre park.
Regrettably, John Crowley died on March 13, 1974 at the age of 66, having served the commission for well over a decade. In 1974, the park commission staged what they called the grand reopening of the
most extraordinary and beautiful natural park. It was on this occasion that the Nature Study Building, a structure intended to be harmonious with the rustic surroundings, was named the Crowley Nature Study Building. Also in
1974, the commission hired Philip J. Delveio as a science consultant and to advise Philip Conroy who was engaged as a full-time naturalist. Delveio was responsible for the cent's science wing and among other things the acquisition
of a telescope. In recognition of Delveio's cumulative achievements on August 8, 1982, the park commission dedicated the Philip J. Delveio Science Wing at the Crowley Nature Study Building. Before his passing, historian
Ed Smite had requested that tablets memorializing these two men would be hung in the new building so that their names and accomplishments would live on. I would like to follow up on this request and hope that these memorial
tablets will indeed be hung on the walls of this new environmental center. Thank you. Thank you Ver. >> Hi my name is I am not a resident county
>> but I live in field and I'm here a lot because I'm I come to mountain to bird very often. I've done some breeding bird surveys here. This is a rich bird environment there.
And um obviously here I'm here to talk about the pro project of barberry. I know it seems silly but is the only remaining undergrowth in the park
because the deer have devastated there. So when you have birds coming in, this is a a major migratory pathway. Birds come here each spring and fall to rest and refuel and it's a critical habitat
with what bird and birding um area by. So it has some national recognition and global recognition. I've got people burning here from Europe. that people are coming from New York City where they convert in central park
but they come here to Parent the bird. So huge amounts of birds are in and out of that park. If you remove the undergrow the places that they can hide that they can be protected that they can go invade
that they can nest. Um this is not ideal but it's what we can hide. So I ask that you do this in a very considered way um where in a thoughtful way to take time think about it do it you have the exposure it's a perfect place to start
this project of removing barberry it it's it seems to me that this needs to be a very considered thing this is an ecosystem not just one little piece of something it is it's all intertwined you
devastate the undergrowth you devastate the ecosystem. So please give it your give it your all. Talk to the parks department. Get them to rain this thing back and do this in a proper and considered way. We have lots of
expertise in New Jersey water is one of the places that I recommended that you Thank you. >> See no one else at the podium. I move to close the public portion. >> Second. Was that Cruz and D'Vor?
>> Yes. >> County Commissioners Bartlett? >> Yes. >> D'Vor, >> yes. >> Stratz, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz, >> yes. >> Director Lazar, >> yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Director, you want me to address some of the public comments. So, um, Ann, it's good to see you again. It's been a
while. Um, we share your sentiments. It's why the commissioners partnered with the friends of Garrett Mountain and and other groups to put all of the signs up. Um so we want to continue with those efforts. I know you and Ver speak a lot to our parks department and uh we appreciate the partnership that we've
grown with the friends of Garrett Mountain. Uh Mr. Fiper and and M fishbine. Um just some background on the on the barberry removal. Um, a few years ago the county retained a state approved uh forester uh in consultation with the
New New Jersey Department of Protection. Um, this isn't being done haphazardly. It might seem that way. Um, but this is part of a stewardship plan that was approved. Um, I know uh our parks director Daryl Sparta has been talking a lot to Vera. Maybe we can set up a meeting and we can go through the
stewardship plan. This is just one part of it. um you know, we understand the importance of um the birds and and the migratory patterns and everything else and we're we're not trying to um destroy that. Um we're trying to improve the ecosystem. So maybe we can set up a
meeting and just talk through the the stewardship plan. I believe it's on our website, but I think the director included me on a on a response she sent to you. I can forward you the plan. You can review it and then maybe we can discuss it. Um, and Vera, if if we could talk after and you can just get me some
more information, we can certainly talk about the monuments and recognize those people. So, thank you. It's all directed. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. Can I have a motion to
accept items M1? Oh, do we have anything? >> Does anybody separate? Yeah, that's I just Does anyone have to vote separately? No. So, can I have a motion to move the agenda
items M1 through M69? >> So, moved. >> Second >> and Bartlett. >> County County Commissioner Bartlett. >> Yes. >> D'vor. >> Yes. >> Stratz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz. >> Yes. >> Director Lazera.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Could I have a motion? Uh, new business personnel agenda. >> So move. >> Second. >> Cruz and Bartlett. >> County Commissioners Bartlett. >> Yes. >> D'Vor,
>> yes. >> Traz. Yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz. >> Yes. >> Director Lazar. >> Yes. And have a motion to move the bills. >> Move the bills. >> Second. >> Cruz and Bartlett. County Commissioner Bartlett. >> Yes. >> D'vor, >> yes. >> Traz, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz, >> yes.
>> Director Lazar, >> yes. >> Could I have a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> D'vor, >> second. >> And Bartlett. >> County Commissioners Bartlett. >> Yes. >> D'Vor, >> yes. >> Bratz, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Cruz, yes.
>> Director Lazar, >> yes. Thank you everyone for joining us tonight. >> Thanks very much to our technical team tonight as well. just at the beginning of the meeting.