Good evening and welcome to the January 28th, 2025 meeting of Bquinonic Township Council. Before we get started, I'd like to wish my friend and co-consil Dave Cole happy birthday. Happy birthday. There you go. Oh, wow. You're officially
old. You're officially older than me. 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 moment of thanks for individuals serving our nation. I pledge algiance 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 Quana Township. Amen. Amen. Amen. Will the clerk please call the role? Mrs. Lawrence Lynch here. Mr. Cole here.
Mrs. Russell here. Mr. C Syracus here. Mayor Cole is absent. I mean, mayor here in the old there are no presentations scheduled for this evening. At this time, are there any reports or comments from any
volunteers serving our community? Seeing none, the next agenda item is public comments. This 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 during the comment period. However, the
purpose of this 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 to come to
the microphone and provide your name for the record. Nope. Going once, going twice. Sold. The next there being no public comments, we will continue on with the agenda. The next item on our agenda is the manager's report. Mr. Brewer. Good evening, everyone. Thank you, ma'am. Um,
first item quickly on my written report, there was a question regarding access to Cedar Crest at the last council meeting and the council directed that I look into it. Um, regarding ambulance access. So, research of the file indicates that there is an emergency access point off
of Cass Road, the other side behind Raymore and Flanigan. The graphic that's included behind my report is not as easy to see in black and white as it is in color. Uh but I did want to just confirm that the required emergency access is there. It is gated. So it is for
emergency responders only. Um looking at a map and driving there, I believe the regular access point is the easiest access point. Something should happen to that that as required at the planning board. Uh that is present. Next item, we have the proposed budget schedule for 2025. Based upon the
conversation at the last council meeting, we move the uh Saturday meeting up to the 15th of February. So unless there's any issues, uh I'll ask that the clerk provide the notice associated with the identified meetings and we'll have
plenty of time before that to review. He said it comes out the 31st. We'll have it Friday. Okay, perfect. Definitely. 9 to 12 meeting on Saturday. Yes. 92 whenever the council wants to close. So, February 15th. I only noticed the
beginning, not the end. Start late. Can't start early. Um, next item. The council has for it consideration this evening a resolution authorizing an application in New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the fiscal grant 2025 local wreck
improvement. Uh last year we successfully applied for this for uh lighting controls at Washington Park where we had some issues over the years and uh the year before that we also were successful in getting support for the Green View Park realigning project. So
this year as a result of the capital requests we identified the Green View Park playing courts lighting upgrades and controls as a subject of the application. U right now the bus the estimate is approximately $152,000 and the current maximum is 60,000. So, anything we can get that
offsets local taxpayer dollars. Uh, next item is a resolution on for the approval of the Chamber of Commerce as as an event. Um, representatives are here from the Chamber of Commerce, so we may want to discuss that. Uh, I'll leave that to the council's prerogative before based upon
meetings with staff, costs were identified for the public works department and the police department. And in the past, um, those those costs have been identified and the council has been asked for direction on how we were to handle that. Um, for the benefit of the record, the public works department
estimates the security cost to be roughly $4,000 and cleanup and and uh finish costs to be $4,437 and the police department $8,460 for security. Next item the council has for its consideration, the ordinance establishing and preserving a cap bank.
This is a New Jersey fiscal management ordinance. Uh it does not authorize additional spending that is done through the budget. But in the state of New Jersey, there's something called the 1977 appropriations cap law which limits the extent to which the levy can be
raised. And by doing this, we take the balance from last year that wasn't used. So the bank, it gets carried forward and we establish the bank this year. Uh this council has been very conservative in terms of tax increases. As I've discussed in prior years, I view this as an insurance policy in case, goodness
forbid, something happens. But again, this action would not create any additional spending. It would just create a insurance policy should one become necessary in future years and carry. Uh item F, fire department. As the discussion item included last year
or excuse me, last meeting, the fire department made a request that junior fire members be permitted to live outside of the township. current municipal code requires any junior fire department member to be a resident of the township. Uh the direction of the council was to proceed with the request
of the fire department which was to allow members to be residents of a contiguous municipality. Um as in summary in these days it's hard enough to get people to help out. So if someone wants to come help us and they just happen to live over the border or in an area where they're comfortable making the trip, we'll we'll we'll we'll
happily uh include them in our volunteer. Lastly, uh we got fantastic proposals with respect to the pumps railroad station exterior restoration project. The council and public remembers this is something that we got a grant for last year and the bids came in in excess of
the budget uh that that wouldn't allow us to move forward with the project. We went back to the county of Mars and the open space uh historic preservation trust fund which is funded through the open space trust uh offered an addition to the grant based upon our experience in bidding and we had uh three proposals
submitted uh the lowest from Alen Daily Restoration Corporation the amount of $324,810 which is within budget review of the proposal by the town of Attorney historic architect and me showed it to be responsive and responsible so we recommend that award uh to the governing
body as under resolution later. And it's important to note that this is the subject of a grant in the amount of $345,000. So although the grant amount will scale based upon the proposal being slightly lower than was estimated for construction services, as will our cash
match scale. So the the good news is we're going to be able to get the project done and we're going to be able to get the project done with support from an outside source. Unless there's any questions that we have open items then you know there's change orders could go up. Correct. And that wouldn't be done until the the grant is finalized
and submitted for reimbursement. Nice. That came in nice and low. Good good team effort by a lot of people. I would say low reasonable within budget. Within budget affordable change. Yeah.
Thank you, ma'am. Anything else? Any other questions? Next on the agenda is the in I'm sorry. Did you have something? I I agree that the Cedar Crest uh emergency access is not the best for Yeah, I have a feeling that they've always known about it. They just chose not to use that. Correct. Next on
the agenda is the introduction of ordinances. Miss Marsh. Ordinance number 202501 is an ordinance to establish and preserve a cap bank in accordance with NJSA 4A 44514. Mr. Ber, any comments? Nothing unless
there's additional questions beyond my report. Are there any comments from council? Nope. Is there a motion to introduce this ordinance on first reading? I'll make a motion to introduce ordinance number 2025-01. Roll call, please.
Mrs. Florence Lynch, yes. Mr. Cole, yes. Mr. Syracusa, yes. Mrs. Russell, yes. Next on the agenda is the introduction of ordinance number 2025-02. Miss Marsh, it's an or uh 202502 is an ordinance amending chapter
5-87 of the revised general ordinance of the township of aquanic and expanding eligibility for the junior firefighter program to include individuals residing in any municipality that is contiguous with the township of aquanic. Any comments, Mr. Bar? No, ma'am. Any comments from council? No, I think it's
great. I think this is a good thing. I think, you know, we want volunteers if they're close enough and they can make it to a call. We'll take them. We have, you know, they can learn. We can learn. It's awesome. Is there a motion to introduce this ordinance on first read? Second. Roll call, please.
Mrs. Florence Lynch, yes. Mr. Cole, yes. Mr. Syracusa, yes. Mrs. Russell, yes. Motion carries. The next agenda item is resolutions. Miss Marsh. Beginning with resolution R20557, designating initiation and
authorization roles for EFT transactions. 202558 appointing individuals to serve on the open space advisory committee. 59 appointing Nicholas A. Galante Esquire as municipal prosecutor. 60 awarding a contract for the Pro
Compton Plains Railroad Station Exterior Restoration Project second bid to Alden Bailey Corporation for the contract amount of $324,810 and accepting unit prices number one and number two in accordance with the bid specifications
202561 authorizing submission of the SFY25 local restoration improvement grant application and execution of the grant agreement for the project to upgrade and replace the Green View park, plane, court, lighting, and controls. 62, approving the designated special
event permit application for the Chamber of Commerce Street Fair. 63, authorizing tax office refunds, overp payments, or cancellations. And R202564, approving payment of the itemized claims is set forth on the January 23rd, 2025 bill list and 2018
FEMA Elevation X score list. Um, do you guys want to invite Heidi up to talk about the event? Sure. Yes. Heidi, you want to come up? And after we do that, I do have a question on one of the resolutions. Okay. It's not.
[Music] Hello. Questions. And this is my business partner, Jessica. She'll be running this with me. I mean, for the benefit of everybody, if you don't mind, I'd like to hear some history about the way it's been run
before. Okay. And and what the challenges are and somebody's raising their hand. [Music] Yes. I [Music]
festival 2015. Um, and she's a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Yes. And I'm a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which is what this is about. And I And I want you to give a little background about how long the chamber's been running it, how you got
involved, not involved. I think that this year will be 25 years. The Street Fair has been running for 25 years. This year, right? We just didn't run it last year, right? And the year before it wasn't really it was Yeah. It was like a
PV park or something on here then. Yeah. Yeah. So, so your company is being paid to run this, correct? The chamber asked me and in the past I am a I was a chamber I still am a chamber member and
I ran it for the chamber. It wasn't a company that was running it. Um this year they want the town a lot of town members and people have asked me to bring it back. Uh so now I have a company with with Jessica and I have
helped them. So yes so now the they want to hire me to run it. Um how it's going to work is I'm going to pay the chamber um and then we take care of everything. So, in the past, the chamber and myself
has have split all the costs. It costs about $13,000 to run a street festival before these costs that we just found out about a few days ago. Okay. Um, and that's basically it. So, we get
money from the vendors and and that's and from sponsors, concert sponsors, right? We don't it doesn't really make a lot of money. It's not a great money maker for the chamber. It hasn't been. Um the costs, insurance, everything just
went up. Um so it's there's not a lot of wiggle room. And then because of uh I spoke with what what I have to say which was really nice. I spoke with the chief. I spoke with um Detective Cheti and the head of DPW
which I have I never met with them before an event before. So it was really nice and they are excited about it and we were trying to talk about different ways but because of what happened in New Orleans they want to have dump trucks at all the side streets and those of course
are going to need overtime for all the DPW workers in case they have to move it in an emergency. Um and then the police, they want two police officers, my understanding, at each one of these street um outlets that are along because it's through it's Jackson by uh Quick
Check to the corner of Jackson where Newark pump and turnpike meet from Evans to Frankfurt. Okay. So it's the tape and it's been that way ever you know for Yeah. I think after what happened they we have to be completely secure after what's been happening around the
country. completely. I I completely understand it would let me rest. Exactly. As well, but it's expensive and I don't we can't absorb that cost. It It just won't happen there. There's not enough money, right? Um so, we don't know. That's why I guess we're here
today. Um and it's my understanding it's not just going to be for the street festival. It's going to be for the Rotary Run. It's going to be for whatever other events they have in town. Not to this extent, I don't think. Well, this extent is because of all the outlets, all the streets. So, if we can
make it shorter or it it's still going to be expensive. I mean, I I don't know. Like, we were looking into different instead of using dump trucks, uh Jessica looked up these water barriers that we can use. Um like there's different options we we can talk about. I don't
want to see it go away. I'm happy to provide the event. I love doing it. Um, but it's expensive. I mean, I have a couple of questions or comments just that because we have so many volunteer organizations in town, is there a way to
get volunteers, but you have to know that they're going to show up? And are they even capable to do what it is that the police and DPW and and the town is asking them to do? And you know, we
talked a little bit about is it like why dump trucks? Why not volunteer fire trucks or ambulance cuz they're always there as well. So I'm trying to understand that part of it. Um and I I
don't have the answers to that. Uh my experience is same five people show up to help. Uh that's it. Otherwise, I'm paying people to be there and you have to have checkin. Check-in is like an hour. Um, setting up all the vendors,
the stage, like there there's a lot of moving parts, especially the week before, uh, two weeks before. Um, but like I said, we can have a conversation about it. I'm not sure why they need two police officers at each um, street. You
know why we have to use dump trucks? I I mean I say that volunteer fire department put up just barriers, right? Or whatever. What are barriers? I don't know. I don't know. Um I I'd be up for any of that. We just It's another
$13,000 that we can't So you paid the chamber the $13,000. Is that what you're saying? The town. Who do you pay? No. Oh, in total you're putting out Yes, we're putting out 13 between the advertisement, between Okay. the
dumpster, the garbage people, the sanitation place that has to clean the streets afterwards. Um there there's a lot of costs uh involved. So So roughly what do you expect to take in? Cuz I'm sure you're I'm sure you're doing
this there's got to be a profit for yourself because even though you love doing it, yeah, there's profit. Well, I didn't do it for a profit before uh for years, but this I got paid $1,500 from the chamber. Okay. For the entire year's
worth of work. So, take that into account. That's what they paid you this year or No, what are they paying this year? Guaranteed I think 2,000. We are going to pay them. We're going to pay the chamber 2,000. Oh, that's what it was. They knew you were paying. That's all we would make. That's That's like
what we make. We make between $3 to $5,000 running the event. Oh, so you're running it. You're keeping all the profit and giving $2,000 to the chamber. Chamber. Yeah. And you're saying that the But that's more than they've made in the past. And we're guaranteed.
So what is your projected income? 15 to 18,000. This is the 25th year. It's a big year. Any sponsors that they get, the money goes to the chamber. Um, unless I get the sponsors, uh, then
it's a different cut. I I do this in Kitan. Kilon pays me close to $4,500 plus I get 75% of the vendor fees cuz I and get the old vendors are mine. I I scout them. I get them. And 25% goes
back to the community, goes back to the found. So that is worth it for me to do because that's a good deal. Uh, this is not like that. This you're not paying me that $4,500 plus the 7. Like it it just
And this is more expensive because we're running it from scratch. We're also running hopefully a uh beer and wine garden and that will be run differently. Uh that was not good. Um but yeah, so I
mean I do love doing it. I love getting the community together. I think I run a very good event. Um, the only thing I'm I'm thinking is so you're running the event, not the chamber. The chamber is running the event. They hired me to do it. They will be there, but they're not
going to do as much as the And who's in charge of the chamber right now? Uh, Jim Hart, I heard he wasn't president anymore. Yes. Yeah, he is. Dave talked to him today or yesterday. He said he's not vice president. He's still president. He's still president.
He's president, but he's not in this event. Yeah, he's not. No one wants this event in the chamber because it's so much work. So that's why Can I respectfully make a suggestion? No, the only thing the only thing I was going to say before you make a comment is
that I think it's great for the town. We just have to figure out a way to run it. Everybody wants it back on the street, but if we can't make it feasible, we can't. So I want to hear from you. It sounds like we're coming up with more questions right now than answered.
That's my awareness. So I I don't Yeah, my my respectful recommendation to the council would be to table this and we'll try to get better answers as to exactly how it's working from the chambers in cuz it's different than kind of I understood it before. How did you understand it before it differently? So
that way we can kind of get all the information ahead of time and make a presentation to the governing body so you can make a more informed decision on how you want to proceed with it. um as well as you know check with the police department and the and the public works department on how they are planning to harden the the perimeter for the event.
Um I appreciate all the ideas and suggestions but my concern is I'm going to leave it to them because the minute you know me not doing this the minute I decide to put my thumb on this if something goes sideways I just bought a prop tape. So not only you there's a bigger problem and I've interfered and
made it worse and I I I never want to be that and I think and I think we all But yeah, I'm I'm leaving you guys out of it cuz I'm on my own these days. And I totally I totally agree. When we saw that come out, we were not even understanding everything, right? And I think the entire town, not just the
chamber, not just I not just the council, the community. They want to see the event, but it's got to make sense on both sides. It definitely was better on the turnpike than it was at complaints from vendors. They thought
I was running and it not to sound not not to throw a monkey wrench into this but you know I think like over the years like all of a sudden you see all these different vendors come in and you're like why but that's how you make your
money so let's try to figure out a way to make this a community event. There's not everybody she's not going to make enough money then there's not there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just saying we have so many different
groups that if they have a job to do like the Rotary or Boy Scouts or Girl like I think that there's a way to get volunteers involved but I just don't know the that's part of the cost though. Right. Do you have any sponsorship opportunities and do you have any
sponsors? I will get them. Yes. Do you expect to get any sponsors? Yes. So the sponsors would just add to the profit. Yes, but not my profit. It goes to the chamber. You just said you're paying
$2,000 to run. Yes, but sponsors are different. Sponsors the chamber. Yes. Okay. So, all the sponsorship money goes directly to the chamber. Yes. And you have it. You're right. There's a lot of questions. Yeah. We need So, so if the
council permits, it is fixed. Yes. We can wiggle a few different things on rides or whatever. You know, it depends on whether we have rides. If some of the sponsors want to pay for some of the rides, that's great. And what was the proposed date of this? September 21st.
Do we have time to vet this a little bit? How long do you think? Because my goal would be to have something on for the next council, which is two weeks. Two weeks. Okay. Is that doable? Do we need So if the council permits, we can still give them the permit application,
right? Or no, does that include the money? I I would recommend holding off any approval before I can get details on it's already started. We're gonna take out the momentum is going up. We're gonna take out R25-62. Yeah. If the council permits it, I think
Rob and whoever's in charge of the chamber, whether it's Mr. Sardo or somebody else. Yeah, there's not in charge, but he is in charge of it. Yeah. Yeah. You need to get them involved as well. Plan to be able to get around all this. Yeah. Okay. So, I'll reach out to you. Okay. Thank
you, Heidi. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks. Thank you. [Music] Okay. Does somebody would like to make a motion to adopt these resolutions minus R 2022- I did have a question. Oh, I'm
sorry. Um I had mentioned before. So there was something about some approvals on I think the open space committee or something on here, right? Is that was that involved in this? So, I just had a question about I want to make sure I understand. Um, you think this was
supposed to be a question? No. No, but I I do have a question. So, we have commissions and committees. So, like the day after or the day be like the day after some of these applications had to be in, we did get a few for other
committees, whether it be, you know, uh, economic development or flood or whatever. And we said, and I realize this might be different. I'm just trying to understand for my own uh thing. So we said we would do appointments in June and appointment I mean appointments in
January and appointments in June. So which committees were commissions or are different? These appointments are state statute and they couldn't and which ones are they? Actually, the reason these are held is excuse me if you don't mind is
because because they're representing their committees um in the in the past they've waited until the committee is formed so they can decide who gets I mean right but isn't it doesn't it the state says that
we should have someone from we should have someone from that's a local statute it's a local law the the statutory committees are those that formed by state law which is the planning board, zoning board, shade tree commission, environmental commission. That's my understanding. So these
applications did not come in after we appointed everyone. They came in after we' appointed the committees because the committees had to say, hey, who wants to be the liaison or who wants to be on the open space committee for parks and wreck and who wants to be in a sense there
wasn't applications at all. There were recommendations from the committees. Yeah. Right. Or requests from the committees. Okay. know where does this one fall as a recommendation? This is this is a request from the committees. Okay. I I'm just trying to understand cuz people are asking me well why are we
appointing and I just want to make that clear because yeah we needed a liaison to start committee and these are not applications and that's fine. I'm just wanted on record because a lot of people had asked so I wanted to make sure we understood
one one of these applications wasn't even on the board when you made the appointments in the first time. she was appointed. So, it would have been pretty hard for you to say, "Well, you're appointing her to both." You could do it that way. It would just take a little more to the committee. Yes. You're right. All right. Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate it.
Go ahead. Okay. Anybody else? Any other questions? No. Is there a motion to adopt these resolutions? Go ahead. Okay. I'll make a motion to adopt resolutions R 20225-57 through R
20225-64 with the exception of R25-62. Is there a second? I'll second. Roll call. Mrs. Lynch, yes. Mr. Cole, yes. Mr. Sakusa, yes. Mrs. Russell, yes. There are no items listed for discussion
and there are no reports or notices. Next item on our agenda is council reports and announcements. Councilwoman Florence Lynch. Uh just uh one or two things. The economic development committee met and um they were working on a survey. I know
uh one of the members of the committee met with the town manager and they're going to work on an initiative um about business openings. Um so that's in the works. You'll hear more on that. Um I don't think there's anything else.
Right. theater. That's it. Um, none of my other committees met yet. Um, so I really don't have much more to report at this point. That's it. Good. Councilman Cole, I'd just like to say congratulations to Chilton for
the third year. Chilton Medical Center for the third year in a row. Chilton Medical Center has been named among America's 250 best hospitals by health grades. uh that's the top 5% of uh the hospitals in the nation for overall
clinical performance across most of the common conditions and procedures. Additionally, HealthGrade was ranked uh has ranked Chilton among the top three hospitals in New Jersey for critical care. Uh so congratulations to everyone
that works in the leadership of Chilton. Um, to me, I mean, it's pretty impressive that we have a hospital in aquatic that is getting these this type of recognition. Uh, also, uh, I'll beat my PBA beef steak drum again. Uh, it's a
PV, uh, beef steak/trick tray, which will be Friday on March 21st. And right now there is over 200 people signed up and paid going. So, if you want to go, please make sure you get your tickets in. If you want to donate a basket,
please get your baskets in. So, but it should be a great event. Is that the castle? Nice and close. 100 bucks a ticket. That's all I have. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councilman Sarakusa. Uh nothing to
report. Uh my uh my community. Awesome. Um as for me, uh congrats to Chen. That's awesome to hear. And you're right, it is nice to live in a town that has such a great place to go to when you're sick. Um the only one that met this week is the library. It's doing
well. We're getting painting done. Um we're still waiting on new um plans being drawn up, adding in, I think, some furniture and a desk for the library. So, things are getting [Music]
done. Next on the agenda is public comment. As a reminder, we welcome comments, suggestions, and questions rather than dialogue. Comments are 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. [Music] Michael, my name for the record is Valerie Montro. Hi. Can you spell your last name? Montro. M O N T R O S E. Thank you. Okay, perfect. Um, so I'm a
representative from Prime Equity NYC. We just purchased the Pumpton Plains Shopping Center, Fireside Plaza. I'm not sure if you're aware, 679-717, um, on Route 23. Um, so I wanted to come to ask if we could establish a
relationship with someone on the council, if we could set up an introductory meeting to just explain us, explain what we do. Since we plan to hold uh we are a private equity firm, we typically hold um real estate properties, commercial properties for about 5 years. So while we're during the length of us holding that property, we'd
love to build a relationship within the community um or just you know open the door for relationships or conversations. Maybe um did you join the chamber or come to an economic development committee? I can do that. I I need I have a pen in my bag. And me personally,
I think it would be best instead of one of the council that need to have that. phone to the town. He has a card. Reach out to him. Right. Definitely reach out to the town manager. Have you been in touch though with the chamber or No, but I can reach
out. I can reach out. Any plans for the uh shopping center? The shopping center where Fireside used to be? Yes. Yes. Uh Fireside Furniture. We're planning on um starting construction on the property. Um so we're currently kind of raising funds to start the construction to add value to the property. Um, this is kind
of a picture of what we planned for it to look like. I have more copies. Thank you. So, um, I'm redeveloping the property. Um, we can eventually sell out, of course. Um, we do have some tenants that are coming to us who are
interested. Um, various tenants that will along the way too as well. So, um, we're debating cuz right now it's about 12 tenants we can fit. We have about three or four. So, we're either going to, you know, do construction, close out some of the units for bigger. And now
you have septic shores. Where septic? Yes. Exactly. Yes. Um, so getting permits and things of that sort. So, I could get more copies too as well. So, just established a relationship, let you know. We are so glad you came. Yeah. We don't want to
just buy our property and then just kind of like leave. No, we're h we're happy. Definitely touch base with Adam. I think Okay. Adam might in all the right direction. This looks similar to some of the properties that are on Route 10. Do you own properties on Route 10 in Whippony or No, this this is our our first major highway property. Um we
previously um invested in multif family properties, but we're making the shift over to more retail commercial spaces. How long ago did you purchase? Um I think this was purchased last year. Last year. Last year. Late last year. And where is Prime Equity located? We're based out of Inglewood. Our office is in
Englewood. Um Okay. Thank you for investing. Thank you very much. We're just excited. Good. Good. Good. Anyone else want? [Music]
I'll take one. Mary K. Schmmer. Um, this is basically to Adam since John isn't here. It's a follow-up question as to if you and John had had a chance at to talk about uh Barbara Musio and a uh honor
for her. Uh you know, it was talked in the last council meeting. So, I don't know whether or not you've had a chance to decide that or not or any ideas. And the second question I have with the grants that you were talking about, are they federal grants, state
grants, or would they be affected with what the um what happened today with the freeze on different funding? Would that affect what the grants are that you were talking about tonight? Do you know? Once we close, I'm
happy. Oh, okay. I'm done. Oh, so if you got it, I'm writing them all down and the mayor or the mayor asks I'll provision. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other public comment?
[Music] Good evening, council. Sharon Taylor, how are you? Hi, Sharon. Hi. Sure. Um, just a quick question. Um, regarding the Pontton Plains Railroad
Station, the the company that was granted the bid, is it just based off the lowest bid or is there other factors that are considered when choosing that that company? So, if somebody bids
higher, is it based off of just money or is it based off their services plus the lowest bid? And then, um, another further question, just a comment. Um, the DPW did a great job. We had a lot of snow and it was great to see them keep
the streets clean and we're always supporting our township. So, uh, kudos to them and, uh, thank you very much. Have a good night. Any other public comment? Seeing none, the public comment
portion is closed. Adam, uh, thank you, ma'am. Um, I have not spoken with Mr. Drei regarding the proclamation. Um, with respect to the grants, the local recreation improvement grant is through the state of New Jersey. I'm not aware of that being federally impacted, uh,
but I have heard one way or the other. The uh grant for the pumped planes railroad station is from this the county of Mars through open space taxes that are collected around the county. So it's returning money back to us that is definitely not affected by the federal uh government or the federal
budget. With respect to the award to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, this is going to be fun. NJSA411-1 is the local public contracts law which dictates the process for that. And essentially, you receive bids and the lowest bid is reviewed to determine
whether it's both responsive and responsible, meaning it's a package that can be accepted. There are no fatal flaws and that the bidder meets all the qualifications necessary. So, you start with the low and hopefully don't have to go to the next person. So, in this case, uh we we started with the low. We did not have to
disqualify them for any reason and are happy to make the appointment. But there are there are a long list of criteria. The bids are probably 100 pages. 100 pages. There's bonding requirements, sharing. There's all kinds of stuff that um are are necessary in order to make awards of
this nature. So, they they both succeeded in being the lowest price and being responsible. Why don't you explain it's not only you that is reviewing this attorney? As as the purchasing agent, I review for the things I'm responsible for. The district attorney reviews for legal matters. The architect
reviews for the items identified. For example, this is a historic project. So there needs to be a demonstration of success on historic buildings. It can't just be someone that has a handyman job that does phenomenal windows is now going to come in and restore historic structure. Nothing against the handyman
does phenomenal job or she does phenomenal job, but it's a different. So the requirements were all met in the situation. It's almost like the reverse of an apples to apples comparison. You just have a laundry list and they have to meet all that. It's it's a checklist.
Yeah. There's there's throw them out. Um and then thank you. I'll pass the compliment to the public items. They are good. Yeah, they are. Okay. Anything else? There are no minutes presented for approval. Next on the agenda is a close session discussion. Is there a motion to
approve resolution R 2025-65 authorizing the township of Aquanic to meet in executive session to discuss contract negotiations with the board of education regarding solid waste recycling collection and the bureau of Kennalan on shared services? So move
second. I'll second. All in favor? I opposed. At this time the public portion of the meeting is recessed for the close session. [Music] Thank you.