Good evening and welcome to the May 12th, 2026 meeting of the Bquanic Township Council. Miss Marsh, in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey's open public meetings act notice of this meeting was included in the annual meeting notice which was filed in the office of the township clerk, posted on the bulletin board in the municipal
building, published as a legal notice in the suburban trends and daily record newspapers and distributed to all persons requesting notice in accordance with township policy. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance followed by a prayer and a moment of thanks for individuals serving our nation. 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, with liberty and justice for all. Most gracious providence, we ask that you bless this governing body with an abundance of wisdom and understanding so that every
deliberation will result in actions which will promote the common good and the general welfare for all the people of Aquanic Township. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Will the clerk please call the role? >> Mr. Drei is absent. Mrs. Lawrence Lynch
>> here. >> Mr. Cole >> here. >> Mayor Russell >> here. There are no presentations scheduled for this evening. At this time, are there reports or comments from any of the volunteers serving our community? The next item on the agenda is public
comment. The comment period will be limited to a total of 30 minutes. Additional time is reserved later in the meeting. We welcome comments, suggestions, and questions. However, the purpose of this time is to allow public comment, not to engage in a dialogue. If you have a specific question, please
feel free to pose it and then follow up with staff via telephone or email. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. If anyone wishes to address the council, please wait to be recognized and come to the microphone and provide your name for the record.
All righty. Since there's no public comment, we will continue on. The next item on our agenda is the manager's report. Mr. Brewer. >> Thank you, Mayor. A number of the items within my written report have been discussed at some length. So, I'll run over them quickly. Um this evening for
the council's consideration and for public hearing are a number of ordinances. Uh the first is an ordinance that was recommended by the health department after 18 plus months of research um regulating uh smoking devices, vape shots, ed vape shops,
excuse me, edibles and psychoactive substances and drugs. Uh next we have the general capital ordinance which is consistent with our usual budget process um for public hearing and potential adoption. I always like to note that uh based upon the prior planning and forethought of our predecessors and some
people in the day this does involve a capital program with no issuance of debt which is a good savings for the residents. Uh we have the water util water utility capital ordinance. Uh also that does not involve the issuance of any debt. Uh we have the sewer utility capital ordinance. And there may you may
have more to talk about that later. Um, this is a reapprop reappropriation ordinance existing balance of a private project. As a result of that being a little different than the other fully funded cash ordinances, it requires a twoth3 majority vote of the governing body as we only have three council
members present. Uh, the mayor will lead us through potentially carrying that to the 26th. Uh, we have the salary ordinance. Uh that is the annual uh ordinance authorizing compensation for those individuals not represented by the union that work for the township of aquatic.
Uh we have an amendment to the historic preservation easement. This is an authorization by resolution whenever the township has received grant funds from the Mars County Historic Preservation Trust Fund. You're required to have uh a deed amendment. In essence, the grtor
would like there to be protections for the property that they're giving the money to you for. Um, there is an existing deed restriction for the Pmpton Plains Railroad Station as we received a subsequent grant. This is essentially an extension of the same deed restriction.
Uh there's a discussion item which is the uh 2027 NJO team grant. Uh the subject of that I'll be looking for direction from governing body. give us some input from detached engineer and other than those items in my written report, I have nothing further to listen
to. >> Any questions? >> No. >> No. >> Okay. Next on the agenda is the public hearing of ordinance number 20263. Miss Marsh. Ordinance 202603 is an ordinance providing for various capital
improvements in and by the township of Aquanic in the county of Morris state of New Jersey and appropriating the sum of $2,778,000 for financing thereof. Are there any comments from councel? >> No. >> Is there a motion to open the public hearing?
>> So moved. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? I. If anyone in the audience has questions or comments on this ordinance, please come to the microphone and identify yourself for the record. Is there a motion to close the public hearing? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Is there a motion to adopt this ordinance? >> Make a motion to adopt ordinance 20263. >> Second. [clears throat] >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Mrs. Fence Lynch, >> yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Russell, >> yes. Next on the agenda is the public hearing
on ordinance number 202604. Miss Marsh. Ordinance number 202604 is an ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Quantonic Water Uti water utility in the county of Mars state of New Jersey and appropriating the sum of
$325,000 for financing thereof. Any comments from council? >> No, we need to do it. >> Is there a motion to open the public hearing? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. If anyone in the audience has
questions or comments on this ordinance, please come to the microphone and identify yourself for the record. >> Is there a motion to close this public hearing? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Is there a motion to adopt this ordinance? >> I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance
number 2026-04. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. Mrs. Florence Lynch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. Mayor Russell. >> Yes. Next is a public hearing on ordinance number 202605. Miss Marsh. Ordinance number 282605 is
an ordinance reappropriating $628,000 of proceeds of obligations not needed for their original purposes in order to provide for design costs for the Brooklyn sewer pump station in by the township of Aquanic in the county of Morris, New Jersey. As Mr. Brewer said
um because we don't have the correct number of people to vote on this, I'll be asking for a motion to move the public hearing of this ordinance to May 26 township council meeting. But before I do, is there anyone here who'd like to speak? You're welcome to do so now. If anyone in the audience has questions or
comments on this ordinance, please come to the microphone and identify yourself for the record. Is there a motion to move this public meeting for ordinance number 2026-05 to the May 26th meeting? I'll >> make that motion.
>> I'll make the motion to >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Next on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance number 202606. Miss Marsh. Ordinance number 2020606 is an ordinance amending the town
amending [snorts] the code of the township of Aquanic and establishing regulations governing electronic smoke devices, vape shops, vape shops, edibles, and psychoactive substances and drugs. >> You jumped on vapes, but you got psychoactive. [laughter]
I was like, [laughter] >> are there any comments from council? >> The only comment I was going to make, I mean, for the benefit of the audience, although they might have been here last time, is I see that we have our have Tom here. So, I wondered if we can just ask
for just like a quick um how, you know, how we'll be able to regulate this better. Are we allowed to do that at this point again or No, we did it at the last meeting. Are we allowed to I think we did it, right? >> We did. I just didn't know if anybody wanted to clarify. Um if they have any questions, that's true.
>> Stopping anyone under 21 not being able to buy it. >> Yeah. Right. Keep it keep it out of reach of the kids and nobody under 21. >> Yeah. So, you know, I think it's great ordinance and we need to do it. So, I'm glad to see that we're doing it. That was my only comment. >> Is there a motion to open the public hearing? >> So, go ahead.
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> If anyone in the audience has questions or comments on this ordinance, please come to the microphone and identify yourself for the record. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Sandy Party. I know I've addressed you by email, but I just want to put it
out here on the record. >> I'm sorry. It's H A R D Y. Party with a P. P A R D E Y. Thank you. You're welcome. I want to note it's a very important step for Puquanic to take in adopting this ordinance. There are many substances cited under the chapter
vapes. Um but of major concern should be those listed under psychoactive substances which include products like credto07 and uh tenpatine also known by the slang term gas station heroin. I understand your hands are tied in banning a product
from our township that is completely legal in our state. But there definitely needs to be stricter regulation and local enforcement and making sure these products don't end up in the hands of our children. I applaud our health department for presenting this ordinance that will help to do so. Most of the
public is completely unaware of how dangerous these products are and how freely they are sold in front of our children. I was up until 3 weeks ago. Home drug tests will not expose the use of these products, nor will legal or
hospital talk screens. These products are extremely addictive and can be easily abused or lethal. They mimic the effects of opioids and the withdrawal process is very difficult. In addition to passing the ordinance, I'm going to ask that your council as well as the
health department help educate our chronic parents and spread awareness about these products until New Jersey state lawmakers pass Senator Turner's excuse me, proposed bill S301 to get them classed as a schedule one controlled dangerous substance and ban
their sales in our stores. It's the least you can do to help keep our community safe. Thank you for your time. >> That's awesome. And I do want I responded to you, but I do want to thank you for your letter because I didn't know either. And it opened my eyes. And then when I talked to him, he's like,
"Yeah, that's what he was working on." And hopefully this is this is a step, one step. One step. And I understand we we got a couple more steps to go eventually. And hopefully we'll get there. Yep. And I understand our hands are tied on a municipal level. It's more
so from the state, but but at least we can keep an eye on it and regulate it and and really push push push an awareness at least. >> Exactly. >> At least save the kids. So, thank you for save the kids. You know, adults can have problems with the products as well. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. Anyone else? PETER. >> My name is Peter Schmidt. Um I'm speaking out of the blue. Is it possible to go into our sewer system and take a sample and measure how much of these substances are actually used in our
township? We could get a feeling. I don't know whether that's possible, but they do it for all kinds of viruses and all kinds of of diseases and what people just uh consume. And the um the equipment nowadays is so sensitive. I
have no idea. I'm speaking out of the blue. Maybe we can see a little bit how how much impact it has on our community. Thank you very much. >> Yeah. Thank you, Peter. >> Anyone else? >> Is there a motion to close the public
hearing? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Is there a motion to adopt this ordinance? >> I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance number 2026-06. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. And roll call, please. Mrs. Flinch, >> yes. >> Mr. Cole,
>> yes. >> Mayor Russell, >> yes. >> Next on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance number 202607. Miss Marsh, moving fast here. Ordinance number 202607 is an ordinance establishing minimum and maximum salaries and pay rates for designated
officials and employees of the township of. Are there any comments from council? >> No. Do it every year. I just want to say I'm I'm glad that we take care of our employees because they do a really good job. >> Is there a motion to open a public hearing?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> If anyone in the audience has questions or comments on this ordinance, please come to the microphone and identify yourself for the record. >> Is there a motion to close this public hearing? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second.
>> Second. All in favor? I. Is there a motion to adopt this ordinance? I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance number 202607. >> I'll second. Roll call, please. Mrs. Lawrence Lynch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> May Russell, >> yes. There are no ordinance scheduled
for introduction at this time. The next agenda item is resolutions. Miss Marsh, beginning with resolution R. 2026 133 cancelling grant fund balances. 134 reappointing Jason Licker, CTA as PCON Township Tax Assessor. 135 authorizing
the execution of an amendment to deed of historic preservation easement from the township of Aquanic to the Mars County Board of County Commissioners for the Pompton Plains Railroad Station property. R 20226136 authorizing the purchase of a 2025 Chevy
Tahoe with the detective bureau and a 20 2025 Chevy Tahoe and a 2026 Chevy Tahoe for patrol from designated vendors awarded contracts by the New Jersey state contract 2026137 authorizing tax office refunds overpayments or cancellations
2026 138 approving payment of the itemized claims as set forth on the May 7th 2026 bill list and FEMA elevation escro list. >> Are there any comments on this resolution from council? >> No. >> Is there a motion to adopt this
resolutions? >> I'll make a motion to adopt resolution 2026 133 through 138. >> Is there a second? I'll second. Roll call. Mrs. Florence Lynch. >> Yes. Mr. Cole.
>> Yes. and I'll abstain for 2026-136. Mayor Russell. Yes. >> Next item on the agenda is NJ DOT municipal aid grant application. Mr. Brewer. >> Thank you, ma'am. Uh, as I pointed out briefly in my manager's report, the
township annually submitted the Department of Transportation a grant uh to the state of New Jersey. This helps us pay the street. A couple years ago, we had a conversation about Sunset and broke the road down into four phases. Uh, the first phase included the narrowing of
the throats of the intersection. After discussion, the second phase, we went back to leaving things as they were originally planned and designed. Um that uh work is is getting ready to go out to bid now. We're waiting for approval from the state for the plans and it was anticipated that we would be requesting
funds for phase three of sunset but as articulated by the township of engineer in his memo which is in your packet the deterioration of Greenwood um has significantly exceeded the deterioration in the status
of the next phase of sunset. So, uh, the the township engineer who revisits his, uh, pavement rating report annually when getting ready to submit this application said, "Hey, I think we really should do Greenwood Avenue in lie of Sunset. We're getting back to Sunset in the future."
But, uh, Greenwood is an unpaved road and based upon the winter we had, it just expanded and the deterioration is significantly greater than than other areas. So, if it's okay with the council, we'll prepare that application. If the council has questions or would like to see something else, we'd be happy to provide whatever responses required.
>> No, I totally agree with that. Actually, a couple of residents had brought it up to my attention and I drove down there and it >> I agree with that after I read it. >> So, I don't know if it came from residents complaining or whether the engineer just noticed it on his report, but >> whatever it is, >> it's really bad.
>> Right. Good. >> Okay. Phase two of sunset, that's moving forward this year. So, that was approved. >> That was approved and funded. Um the challenge with the DOT grants is there's a different level of complexity to the plans that they require as well as quantity testings to ensure there's
enough uh thickness density in the asphalt. So can't just go out today. We have to get them to the DOT mate office. They then give us a green light. I'm good. So that's the standard to agree with. I'm good. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you. >> There are no reports or notices. The
next item on our agenda is council reports and announcements. Councilwoman Florence Lynch. Yeah, I don't have much tonight, but which I'm sure you're glad of, but uh [laughter] um what we had a successful I don't know if any of you knew that we had the Pathways of History tour in the county
last Sunday and they had a really good turnout in Pquanic. They had um the Martin Berry House open and the railroad station and I know they had over 100 people through so that was a very successful day and I think it was a nice day as well. Um
and then everything else is just um I don't have anything else to report from the committees. Just our um Rotary Club, Bquatic Valley Rotary held a senior lunch here last week across the street, a friendship hall and served over 200
meals. It was a great success. Um, and in addition to that, right before I came here, I ran up to uh the Unico had a taste of the town event and it was at Cosmopolitan. They sold over 400 tickets. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, it was a success, but that's
it. I didn't have anything new to report on anything else. >> Gotcha. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Cole. >> Uh, I really don't have anything. Company one met on May 1st. Company 2 will meet on Thursday night. Uh we had a planning board meeting last night. The
application on West End got approved for a flag lot. Uh and that's all I have, mayor. Thank you. >> Um thank you. Um couple of things. Uh a couple of us attended the ribbon cutting for chapters and coffee over in the
Scott Center. Um it was packed. It there was a lot of people there and it was just wonderfully run. I mean the line people were leaving cuz the line was like snakes. So, I'm very happy for them and it looks like a very comfortable place. And Peter, we have a new meeting
spot now, right? [laughter] I also um I just wanted to say I there we there was a woman Kathy Juritz who did a lot in town and and there was a funeral mass for her and a lot of people from town did show up and it was really good to see the support. Um she passed
away about a month ago. Um other than that, my squad meeting was changed till next Monday. The environmental commission meets tomorrow and library meets in a week. So that's all I have.
Next on the agenda is public comment. As a reminder, we welcome comments, suggestions, and questions rather than dialogue and comments. I'm limited to 3 minutes. If anyone wishes to address the council, please wait to be recognized to come to the microphone and provide your name for the record.
I always want to hear like the Jeopardy thing. There are no minutes presented for approval. Next on the agenda is a close session discussion. Is there a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the township council to meet in executive session to discuss litigation of the
Dorso Realy Tax Appeal and a personnel matter related to the municipal clerk? Carol, what' you do? I don't know what you're talking [laughter] about. >> She went retired. >> I'm kidding. It has really nothing to do with Carol.
May I have a motion on that? >> Some move. I'll second. >> All in favor? I oppose. >> Please note that action is expected to be taken following the closed session. At this time, the public portion of the meeting is recessed for the close session