Good evening. Welcome to the April 28th, 2026 meeting of Pquanic Town 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 of the municipal building,
published a legal notice in the Pervin 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 for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Most gracious providence, we ask that you bless this government for an
abundance of wisdom and understanding so that every deliberation will result in actions which promote the common good and general welfare of all the people. Amen. >> Will the clerk please call the role? >> Mr. Tracy, I'm here. >> Mrs. Lawrence Lynch, >> here.
>> Mr. Cole, >> here. >> Mr. Syracus >> here. Mayor Russell >> here. There are no presentations scheduled for this evening. At this time, are there any reports or comments from any of the volunteers serving our community? Randy.
Uh good evening, Randy Shamber. Uh nice to see everybody again. Uh I was at the previous meeting a couple weeks ago. uh came and uh did my report on uh Propel's activities which also includes uh
Pridefest coming up on June 6th at Green View Park. Um I did have three uh things that I had asked the council to consider uh to approve. Uh these are all items that you have approved in the past. So,
I'm just making sure that uh we can move forward um with all of these. Uh the first is a um pride proclamation. Uh the town council has been very supportive of the pride month and pride proclamation
since 2021. So, this will be the sixth year of doing this. Um and then having that proclamation read by a council member if you're available at the event. And if no one's available, then maybe we can have it read here in the meeting
sometime in June. Uh the next item is the pride flags which we have had out in front of town hall um for the past 5 years. Uh we have worked with uh First Reform Church since it's you know their
property to make sure we've got full approval from them. Not only do we have full approval, um they they are very much behind the celebration of Pride Month um and the LGBTQ plus community within the township of Aquanic. So like
Propel, they are very much in favor of having the pride flags up for the entire month of June since it is pride month. Uh and then the third ask that we have is just like last year we had um we've asked Chief Commune if he is available to provide a car and an officer for the
day at Pridefest. Uh he has confirmed that he can provide that. Um and last year the town council supported that by um uh you know picking up the tab for any uh expenses that the police officers
have that day other than lunch. we will buy them lunch. So, um, and that's very important because it provides a very safe environment for PrideFest. Um, as I think I said last week, uh, it's
unfortunate that even though we feel like we've made a lot of progress in the past 6 years, there has been kind of a backlash in recent um, years. Um, and we just want to make sure that everybody is safe. So, so I'm asking these questions
and I come here and hopefully that I can get approval. So, have you guys come to any decisions on that? >> I think we're all good with the proclamation. And how does everybody feel about paying for the police?
>> I don't have a problem doing the same thing we did last year. >> Yeah. And then do the same thing we did last year >> with the police? >> With everything. Yes. >> With everything. the proclamation, the police, and the flags for >> the flags. Now, the flags last year we did for a week. We're asking to go back
to a month and so is First Reformed Church. They'd like to see him up there for a month. I >> I think we were good for a week >> and but I never really understood why we went back to a week. Can somebody explain that to me? >> I I just think there were other things
going on. Um and we felt that a week was fine and you had agreed last year. Well, I had agreed only because I felt pressured and since that had happened last year, there's been
backlash from our community as to why is the town not showing full support for Pride Month? >> That we are giving full support. We're doing everything. We just think that a week is plenty of time that the American flags are only up for less than a week. Really?
>> The American flags. What do you mean Memorial Day? from moral >> along the turnpike along the turnpike. I think they stay up longer as long as they're there. But I'm not here to argue that >> right. They stay until they they
disappear. >> They do take them down. They do take them down. >> So, but that's that's kind of what we're asking. It's it's a it's it's a month-long celebration of Pride. Um your support for Pride. um since I've
been coming here for the past 6 years um has has been um wellreceived and appreciated. Uh as I said, the first year that we had Pridefest and we had the Pride Proclamation, I literally had people coming up crying, tears of joy to
me because you show that support. Last year there was just um a question as to why it went to a week. Um and it just felt like a slide backwards. Um more than last year. >> Yeah. The date we did it the last year.
>> The date of Pridefest >> of this year again. >> It's it's the first Saturday which is June 6th. >> Oh yeah. >> Rain date of June 7th. >> I think it was the last two years. We did it one week and I'm good for a week. Any everybody else? Anybody else? >> Yeah. >> Okay. We'll do a week.
Can I ask anybody from council to possibly come and meet with uh Dave Sipple over at First Reformed Church cuz he is in full support and the church is in full support of doing the entire month. I'd be happy to set up a meeting. I'd like you to hear what his his take on
this is as well. He would have liked to have been here tonight, but he has been uh he had other commitments. All I was going to say is I remember one year there was an issue with flags going up for Memorial Day and Pridefest being before that. But this is after Memorial Day, right?
>> Oh, absolutely. Yeah. It's June. It's June 1st. >> Yep. It's June 1st. Pride month >> whether we decide a week or >> Yeah, I think everybody's in agreement on a week. So, >> okay. Thank you, Randy. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> At this time, are there any other reports or comments from volunteers? Hi, my name is Sierra Clawson's. It's good to see you all this evening and some familiar faces. Um, I didn't even recognize you. >> My god, you've grown up. >> I know. I know. It's been a while.
You're like, I went to school at Kenny and I'm like staring trying to figure out your >> always good looking. Go ahead. Are you um I'm here tonight in support of Propel as well. Um, I'm happy to be joining them as a board member and in support of what they're asking for tonight. I am
also in support of Community Partners for Hope and wanted to share a couple events that are coming up in the next few weeks with the Empty Bowls team. So, our first event is Make the World a Better Place, which will be taking place this Saturday, May 2nd, at Friendship Hall. We have over 50 community members,
volunteers who are already signed up to be helping us bake, decorate, and package cookies at Friendship Hall. Um, we will be baking 250 dozen cookies to give to families through the food pantry in town. And our second event is on May
9th, the following weekend, which is our Mother's Day cookie sale. This will be another MPs fundraiser to raise money for us to continue events raising money for the food pantry in town. It'll be taking place from 900 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Chapel again on um May 9th. And
it was May 2nd was what time is the May 2nd one? >> May 2nd is 9:00 a.m. to 300 p.m. There are signups on our website just community partners for hope emptybulls.com. Um all the signups and information is there. We are always looking for
donations both food and monetary donations to keep us supported in order to help the families in town. That's awesome. >> I didn't drop the chips. >> Yes. Thank you. Don't put him around cookies. Do do you need any donations for that or
is it all >> uh we are happy to facilitate food donations. There's always a need for flour, sugar, any of those things. Um you can contact Colleen Clawson's my mom. >> Um if I can share her email, I'd be happy to. Um and
like you said, you can just go on the website. >> Yes, you can also go on our website. There's contact information there. Um I'm unsure of the exact donations that are still needed, but we are always happy to take what people can offer. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other reports or comments from any
of the volunteers? The next item on our agenda is public comments. 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 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. >> Hi, my name is Matt with Firehouse uh Company One over there across the street by Jackson. I just want to thank you guys for your support last year for the turkey trot. Um I know voted on it. So I just wanted to ask you again for your continued support and uh hopefully we can make it a nice tradition for the
town. Um we had a lot of people come out last year and we're hoping to see everybody else out there this year. And uh again, thank you for all the resources you guys gave us last year to make it a tremendous success. >> Awesome. Thank you. That was a great event. It was amazing. >> Anyone else for public comments at this
time? Okay, there being no additional public comments, we will continue on with the agenda. Okay, PUBLIC HEARING on the 2026 municipal budget. Welcome to the public hearing for the 2026
municipal budget. Before the hearing is open, resolution 2026-118, which provides for the budget to be read by title, will need to be adopted. Is there a motion to adopt this resolution? Make >> a motion. >> Second. >> I'll second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Dre, >> yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch, >> yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Syracuse, >> yes. Russell, >> yes. >> Mr. Brewer, do you have any comments before we open the hearing? >> I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to represent my presentation on March 24th.
>> Yeah. No. Uh well um it's a long process as has been described in the past. It starts really in September for most of us for the CFO. It never ends. Uh so this is a a really fun evening to culminates like when the term paper gets done and you get to take
a breath. Uh hopefully the budget represents a $24,459,173 spending plan that was the subject of a lot of discussion and debate. Uh the total appropriations are actually up about 5 to 3/4% over the prior year, but based upon the hard work of all involve
all involved, uh it's only a 2% increase on the tax levy. So for a average assessed home of $589,195, it's $38 uh for the year. Don't get excited. Township only collects and
keeps 21 cents of every tax dollar. So that increase is only limited to less than a quarter of the tax dollar. Uh the the other taxing entities, primarily the the county and mostly the board of education are the rest of the money. So you'll have to look to them to find out whether or not your tax bill is going up, but I would guess it's not going to
be limited to $38. Uh in addition to that, the utilities are financially in good shape. Unfortunately, we had to undergo a significant increase in the solid waste utility based upon the increase in cost to collect and dispose of the material. But the utilities are in good shape and balanced and a real
priority this year was for uh volunteers and the service provided to the community by those volunteers. The budget includes the acquisition of a new 1.25 million fire engine for company 1. Welcome. uh as well as the refurbishment >> and reboxing of an ambulance in uh for
for the uh first aid squad first. >> So we'll talk a little bit more about the capital ordinances later, but all of this is accomplished through smart budgeting without the issuance of debt. So my compliments again to the staff who was involved, the CFO especially, and ultimately the governing body for getting us to this place.
>> Thank you. >> Are there any comments from council? >> No, it was a pretty good uh session. Yeah, I want to say, you know what people have to understand is we ate a 16% increase in in insurance, bought the fire truck, got the refitted ambulance,
and with >> a couple streets, sidewalk. >> Yeah, we were still able to pave and do sidewalks and and get stuff done. So, um, there was a lot of slash and burning, but I think we all did a great job. But, is there a motion to open the
public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget? So, move. Yes. No, we did res title. >> I just so moved. Okay. Do I have >> a second? All in favor? I >> If anyone in the audience has questions or comments on this budget, 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. >> The next agenda item is adoption of the 2026 municipal budget. Any further comments, Mr. Brewer?
>> Only if you let me. >> No other comments. >> Nope. I shouldn't have asked. No comments from council. Is there a motion to adopt resolution R 2026-119 adopting the 2026 municipal bow jet?
>> I'll second. All roll call, please. Mr. Drey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Syracus, >> yes. May Russell, >> yes. The next item on our agenda is the manager's report. Mr. Brewer. >> Thank you, ma'am. Obviously, the
budget's banned. Thank you to everyone involved. This is a huge time under you're taking um and and it's a nice feeling to be done. Uh with respect to this evening meeting, there are a whole lot of things scheduled for legislative action, most of which have been prior discussion. So, I'll just run over
things briefly. Uh this evening the council has for its consideration an ordinance that's been prepared and recommended by the health department to uh regulate electronic smoking devices, vape shots, edibles, psychoactive substances and drugs that are now kind of being sold all over the place uh with
little regulation from anybody. So uh credit to Mr. Canazano, the health officer in the health department for coming up with this recommendation. Uh the council's aware of an email that was just received regarding a resident who's had to have uh a person under the age of 18 hospitalized on multiple occasions due to things that are bought legally
from a convenience store. So uh it's a crazy time right now and uh this is a a a great piece of legislation that I think is recommended by the health department for the council's consideration. Um with respect to the general capital water utility capital and s utility capital ordinances uh each ordinance
identifies those items that are uh identified for funding. The caveat again is that all this is accomplished without the issuance of any debt. Most municipalities issue debt for these things. Uh the township through many many years of proactive planning does this through fully funding with cash
which ultimately saves money in the long run so you get more done with the tax dollars. Um all items within the various capital ordinances are consistent with the capital plan that the council discussed and approved as the budget as part of the budget process. The salary ordinance which is also typically done
at the meeting where the budget is adopted is scheduled for potential introduction. This is the legislative authority to pay those non-represented staff members their salaries. So uh any anything in the salary ordinance that has changed is bolded. Uh the open space trust fund. Uh this
evening the um council has an opportunity through public hearing to potentially adopt this. Uh as was discussed over many meetings, there's a desire to open up the approp appropriate and approved uses for the open space trust fund to be
those that are consistent with what's allowable by statute. Uh when our open space referendum was done, there were less uh uses permitted. Now, that expands that um there's a resolution scheduled authorizing the submissions of the letter of intent for the Foothills Park
Trail. At the last council meeting, there was authorization of an easement agreement with the neighboring property owner. That was a prerequisite to get this grant done. Uh so this is a letter of intent authorizing the submission of a grant to the Mars County Park Commission for phase 2 of that trail project, which should be a neat use of
that property to allow for uh more of a a circle to try to get around uh the word. Unless there's any questions on anything within my report or on the meeting. That's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Next on the agenda, public hearing on
ordinance number 2026-02. Miss Marsh. Ordinance 2602 202602 is an ordinance authorizing a referendum ballot question regarding the use of open space trust funds. >> Are there any comments from council?
>> I think it's a great idea. >> Yeah. Long overdue. >> Is there a motion to open the public hearing? >> I'll make that motion. >> Do I have a second? I'll >> 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 the public hearing? So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Is there a motion to adopt this ordinance? I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance number.
>> 2026. >> 26 262. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Drey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cole. Yes, >> Mr. Syracus. >> Yes, >> Mayor Russell.
>> Yes. Next on the agenda is the introduction of ordinances. Miss Marsh, >> beginning with resolution um 2020603, an ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of in the county of Mars, state of New
Jersey, and appropriating the sum of $2,778,000 for financing thereof. >> No, ma'am. >> Any comments from council? Is there a motion to introduce this ordinance on first reading? >> I'll make that motion to introduce. >> Second.
>> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Tracy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch, >> yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Syracusa, >> yes. >> Mayor Russell, >> yes. >> Next on the agenda is the introduction of ordinance number 202604.
Miss Marsh. Ordinance 20264 is an ordinance providing for various capital improvements in by the township of Mlonic water utility in the county of Mars state of New Jersey and appropriating the sum of $325,000 for financing thereof. >> No ma'am.
>> Is there any comments from council? >> No. >> Is there a motion to introduce this ordinance on first reading? >> I'll make that motion to introduce ordinance 2026-04. >> Roll call, please. Who seconded them? standing. Thank you, Mr. Drey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch,
>> yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Sakusa, >> yes. >> Mayor Russell, >> yes. >> Next on the agenda is the introduction of ordinance number 202605. Miss Marsh. Ordinance 2020605 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 the county of Morris, New Jersey. >> I got one for this. >> Okay. >> Thank you, ma'am. Uh so this is a reappropriation ordinance. This is a
little unusual. Uh these are proceeds that were left uh as a balance from the Route 23 sewer project because that project if the council recalls came in under budget which is an unusual event in public sector. Um but so as a result of that the next highest priority for the township is the Brooklyn sewer pump
station. It's an undersized antiquated pump station that is in a flood zone. So, in addition to the reappropriation of these funds towards that project, uh there also has been a request made for congressional directed spending uh to our our senators to see if we can get some support for that from the federal
budget and it will also be identified for potential I bank funding when we move forward. It's roughly at this point estimated to be a 2 to3 million project. So, it is a significant undertaking, but this will give us money to uh one, show the federal legislators that we've got some skin in the game, and two, begin
design. Okay. >> Any comments from council? >> No. >> No. >> Is there a motion to introduce this ordinance on first reading? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Tracy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch, >> yes.
>> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Syracus, >> yes. >> Mayor Russell, >> yes. Next on the agenda is the introduction of ordinance number 202606. Miss Marsh. Ordinance 2026 is an ordinance amending the code of the township of Aquanic and establish
establishing reg regulations governing electronic smoke devices, bake shops, edibles, and psychoactive substances and drugs. >> Mr. Brewer, any comments? >> No, ma'am. >> Are there comments from council? >> No, I'm just glad it's long overdue.
Yeah, just the question when when does this go into effective? Does this include all that? Correct. >> So, uh, following public hearing and potential adoption in the 20-day stople period, the ordinance will become effective and then it will be up to the health department to begin a scheduling process to inspect and license various
establishments. >> Okay. They they they can go in. Do they need a complaint to go in or they can just walk in? >> No, they'll begin a progressive inspection. Um, because it'll require the issuance of a license. That's how it's being managed. So in order to acquire that license, there will be inspection almost like a food establishment. So if there are items
that are not permitted anymore, they will have to be removed. So the delies, gas stations, or whatever, they can't have their stuff anymore. >> Correct. >> I do have a quick uh question or comment similar to what uh John just said. The reason we're just doing this now is
because we didn't have control over before. You have to first like be able to like in other words it was still allowed and now you have to monitor it and then you can put that into an ordinance. >> So the regulator >> through my conversations with the health
officer my understanding the timing is really following the legalization of adult use marijuana and cannabis there became a proliferation of other substances that weren't specifically regulated that could be sold in various establishments. So that that's what really led to the timing. The legal
approach Mr. USA can opine on but the um management of it is like you have a restaurant that has to have a license. So in order to comply with that license they have to comply with regulations of the health department. These establishments are now required to have a similar license and in order to do that they have to comply with the requirements as well.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> And licensing is a standard way that we you know try to exercise control. There's two aspects to once we set the regulations but how do you enforce it right? So licensing has been set up to enforce it and licensing it's sort of a recognized municipal tool for for
regulation. So we don't anticipate that that particular tool is subject to being it's anything could be challenged but we don't anticipate a successful challenge to that. >> And we're doing this while we await state and federal regulations on the same thing. Um the state regul the state
does have regulations. They're on hold right now um in the courts and the federal government has been working on them but not yet. This is just just like the ebikes. We came out with rules and regulations for ebikes. >> We can work with states that came out.
>> No, I'm glad we're on top of it. >> Yeah, me too. >> I'll make a motion to approve 2026-06 >> 150%. >> Me too. 200%. >> Roll call. Okay, let's do 300%.
>> 100% you got I don't know. They just >> roll call, please. Mr. Tracy, >> absolutely. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch, >> yes. >> Mr. Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Syracus, >> yes. >> Mayor Russell, >> yes. Next on the agenda is the
introduction of ordinance number 202607. Miss Marsh. Ordinance 202607 is an ordinance establishing minimum and maximum salaries and pay rates for designated officials and employees of the township. >> Mr. Bur, >> nothing further. Mayor, >> are there any comments from council?
>> No. >> No. Is there a motion to introduce this ordinance on first reading? >> Yeah, I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Second. Roll. >> Mr. Tracy? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch? >> Yes. Mr. Cole? >> Yes. >> Mr. Syracus? >> Yes. >> May Russell? >> Yes.
The next agenda item is resolutions. Miss Mark, beginning with resolution R. 2026120, approving the designated special event permit application for the company 2 wdown. 2026121, approving the designated special event permit application for company 1's
Turkey Trot 5K. 2026122, authorizing the submission of a trail construction letter of intent to Mars County Park Commission for Foothills Park Trail phase 2. 2026123 providing for the insertion of a special
item of revenue in the 2026 budget pursuant to NJSA4A487 for opioid funds. 124 requesting permission to include a dedication by writer for the animal control trust fund. 125 requesting permission to
include a dedication by writer for the donations to the youth development and drug prevention education program. 126 requesting permission to include a dedication pipe rider for the unemployment compensation insurance trust fund. 127
cancelling unexpended sewer capital appropriation balances. 128 authorizing utility office refunds, overpayments, or cancellations. 129 authorizing tax office refunds, overpayments, or cancellations. and R2026130 approving payment of the itemized claims
is set forth on the April 23rd, 2026 bill list and FEMA elevation escro list. >> Thank you for that. That was long. Are there any comments on these resolutions from council? >> I just, you know, some clarification on all of these uh
dedication. >> Yeah. Mhm. So, uh, every 3 years, the township of Quanic is in what's called state review for our budget, which means you have to send down not only all the documents that are a component of the legal budget document, but also all the supporting
documents, all the contracts, uh, everything associated with everything that is essentially on your books. Uh, we've had these accounts for decades, and every 3 years you go through state review. Uh this year the state reviewers said that they did not have on file these resolutions which either means
that we never did them or they lost them. Um which happens believe it or not from time to time. So it's not that anything was improper or not done. Uh but the adoption of resolutions approving the dedication by writers simply allow us to send something down to the state to check a box to make sure
we're complying with whatever they've asked. >> All good. >> Good. >> Thank you. >> Is there a motion to adopt these resolutions? Is there a second? >> A second. Roll call. >> Mr. Tracy. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Florence Lynch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cole. >> Yes. >> Mr. Syracus. >> Yes. >> Russell. >> Yes. Next item on the agenda items for discussion is the Chamber of Commerce Street. Mr. Brook. >> Thank you, Mayor. As we discussed at the last meeting, there's presentation
during the volunteers uh presentation by volunteers section. Uh the council said perhaps you could meet with representatives of the chamber and uh address some of the outstanding questions. We did have that meeting as indicated in my report. So we have representatives of the chamber here if
the council would like. >> Yes. Can I hear them? >> Yeah, that would be great. >> Hi everybody. Hi, I'm Jessica Reits. I was here last or two weeks ago. We did meet with DPW and the police, but I also wanted to
preference that I am a part of RNR Festivals, but RNR Festivals is now just me. Um, there is nobody else a part of that and I am also on the executive board of the chamber. So, we met with DPW and police last year and I mean last
year, last month, a couple weeks ago, and we confirmed that the price for DPW is 7,865, which is a little bit different from last year due to the addition of additional trucks to blockade the side
streets. And then police will be 7,723. I have a question. I have a question or two. Okay. So, what has changed? Like I remember having a conversation last year about you know
like because of the like because of the climate we needed more of DPW and more barricades and whatever. Do we still need all that we've had before? is my first question from from a
DPW and police standpoint. Do we need what we've had the last couple years? And if we say no, we don't and there's an incident that happens. So yeah, as we discussed with other public events, um Homeland Security, both the federal and
the state uh agencies as well as PD have basically said for public events, they need to be hardened sites and over the last several years based upon the things we've seen tragically in the news, um there are there are requirements that didn't used to exist. So the security team that includes and I was at the
meeting too. I felt left out. That's why I'm talking. >> Um you were there. >> That's okay. I just want to make sure I wouldn't they don't want to think I'm fib until um >> it's okay. We know he wasn't there. So, so, so, so the bottom line is whatever the security team comes up with in
recess, we want to incur all kinds of liability by changing. >> That was just my first >> I was just going to say that I'm sure that the chief of police did a and honest >> assessment
through due diligence and >> coordinating with the DPW and everyone else that's necessary to make sure that's a safe event for attendees. that's fair moving it to try and less ofen it. Um, which I do believe we kind of all were on the same page. Uh, Mr.
Brewer, uh, myself, just uh, DPW employees that we would like to start alternating it from one side to the other. We just are not prepared for that. When we move, we might see that maybe we don't need as much blockades and this, but we don't know that.
>> When you say one side to the other, you need >> to downtown. I want to use that um to highlight both sides because there are businesses and as the president of the chamber I do get verbiage from both sides of it's not fair it's fair I have
you know brick and mortar I'd like to share my >> talking about one end to the other >> right so if we could start alternating that something we'd like to look at for the future because again I mean you know we have people that don't always have things that can be necessarily brought
to a stand. I'm just using this as an example. You know, you can't exactly do cycling in the middle of uh somewhere. It's kind of difficult to bring your whole studio. >> Party is not going to like to be closed on a Sunday in September. >> And they don't necessarily have to be
closed. I mean, I'm not closed for when we do shop to town. It's an open. It's open. You can be open. I mean, it might not necessarily people can't get us. >> We have to look at the routes. >> Yeah. And that's what we're not we emergency vehicles. Correct. So things
so because of heightened security and thing recommendations this is why it's changed from what it was in the old days where it was handled differently. >> But by change I said that's why there are increased costs associated but they always paid 100% of the cost and last year we said we would but we
were told that the chamber was getting all the money from all the donations and then we heard that the chamber only got $500 that RNR festivals made all the money. I'm going to say I was not the I was in the process of becoming the president last year. There's a lot of things that have changed. Two new sheriffs in town. Jess is literally the
only one that is running RNR festival. I am the new president. We She is also on my executive board. Um that is not going to be the case this year. We are working out the contract between us as of now. Um there will be free um stands andor
trucks for chamber members. There will be a donation to the uh to the chamber for uh towards our uh scholarship and we're working on a percentage of sales that will go back to us as well. >> How much of the donation, what percentage of sales and how do you track
that? >> We're going to do it by Go ahead. We have >> That's your business part of your business. um because it's part of my business. I don't disclose all that information, but we are working out a fair percentage. And for the donation, we're working out
to match the FBI scholarship. >> And how much is that? >> Currently, we're doing $2,000. So, >> I was there last year. I mean, it was a very well attended event. I would say it was probably a 6040
split. 60% residents, 40% out of town. I would say there was probably close to 10,000 people there during the course of the day, >> right? >> Oh, yeah. When the weather is great, you have it on the street. That's great. >> The weather's good. I mean, >> but if we're giving 15,000 so the
chamber can make three, I'd rather give the chamber three. >> But the chamber's not making three. And that's not really what I feel it's about. I mean, it's about the businesses being highlighted. And with all due respect, our businesses don't get highlighted the way they should a lot of times. And I do feel that this is a
great way for I mean just for my personally myself I probably gained 15 to 20 new people that didn't know I existed on the other side of town because they got to see me on the street over on this side of town. So it's kind of where I I think Right. But that's what kind of shocked the town is this
has a lot of out of town vendors. You had over 200 vendors last year. >> No, last time. No, I thought that's what you said last year. >> No, it was a total of 90 vendors. >> 90 vendors. 30 in town, right? But then I also did a um sponsorship where I went
to local businesses and I asked if they wanted to donate a gift card and then for all of the car show winners instead of doing a trophy, I gave them the um gift cards and that kind of showed their business. Also, so I had two TVs set up throughout the whole entire festival
with their logos rotating and I did that for free. I offer I went up to people asked them if they wanted their logo to be showcased and I did and I added the chamber members as well and a lot of people had questions about like where the businesses are because some of you know where they were.
>> Right. Yeah. >> You know I I think that you know we we provide police to a number of events in town. Yes. This is one of the biggest ones and we don't really provide DPW for any other events that I can remember. Uh
it does showcase aquanic. I like the idea of moving it to both ends of you know chain. >> Yeah. >> Um >> what if we just pay for the police? We can cover the police cost. See years ago it was rent so different where they had the volunteers doing the
>> Well, they didn't hire a company to come in and do it. They did it themselves. But what if they just from what I've heard it was a lot of work and it was almost the same. >> Yeah. Yeah, we do 50/50 split. So, my feeling is if we do a 50/50 split, it's
not going to happen. So, I'm I'm in favor of doing it to to showcase the businesses in our town. >> I mean, the only thing that I noticed is I mean, I get it. Years ago, the chamber ran it themselves and it was a lot more localized businesses and organizations.
And I'd like to get back to that. Like I know we have the hoown, but you need to have not just outside vendors, you need to have local businesses and community support from Well, it's hard because we have to ho down a month later. I know. >> And it's also like harder and harder to
get people to be involved, >> right? But you do want to highlight the town and we want to be business friendly, >> right? You know, even if it's 4,000 people from out of town, >> I mean, they're coming into town, they're looking at our businesses, >> right? True. >> Especially cuz after I talked to the
people that I used, like I used their logos on there, I wanted to follow up and yeah, some were from Lincoln Park, but primarily from Puquanic and they said that they did receive a higher percentage of people coming in, people that didn't even know them before. So, I think that was also just from the
flashing logos. Yes, cuz it had two TVs rotating. And then this year, I kind of want to get a map up there so they know like where things are around the festival. But yeah, we had locals rotating all day. >> Yeah, >> John. And I need to I feel like we need
to support I'm fine with supporting half. I I we never did last year when we did it. We did it with the preface that we were going to see how much the chamber made out. I know stuff has changed, but if we do if we do half and then RNR comes up with half, I I think
that's fair cuz it's an individual person cuz if we do for one, we do for everybody. >> But we have been doing it for everybody. We have it not DPW. >> Not DPW. >> Right. >> We don't How do you guys feel like why we >> Well, I think it's a good idea. I just
just question a little bit about us providing all these services to a company that's making money, right? We do it for the Rotary 5K. We do it for the turkey truck. We do it for all of that. But it's like it's it's like a town event or a town nonprofit making the money. But that then I agree with
what Dave says is if we said we're going to split half, this thing's not going to happen because I don't even know if you make that much money, right? So, um I like what Gina said that we need to promote the businesses. So, I'm not crazy about it, but I would be for >> I want to promote the businesses or
whatever we need to do to promote the business >> just to showcase the businesses. Yeah. >> But I think that is the difference between >> So, if we only do half, you're not having it at all. No. So, you will throw your nomination if we just do half. >> Yes, because I also pay for the street cleaners. I do the ATMs, we do the
garbage. Um, there is a lot of time that goes into it as well, which I'm I know that that's comes with it and I have no problem with that, but it's not going to be possible to pay for half. Well, can I also say that her business is definitely a Puquanic business. She just doesn't
have a storefront, but she's a Puquanic citizen. I mean, a Ponic resident has has her business here, you know, >> right? But but yeah, the only the only thing I think is if then some if another business wants to come and do stuff for the town and they want to do it on our streets, we have to say yes and we have
to pay for the DPW. >> I don't think we have to. I mean, >> I mean, it's still a chamber sponsored event. >> It's still a chamber event. We still are the main, >> right? But the chamber only made $500 last year, >> but there we paid $15,000. >> Yes. And I understand that. But again, I
think there was a lot of confusion as to what was going on. There wasn't even really a president at this time when they got presented. >> Is it going to be different this year if we say we're going to do >> right? So, so I the question is how much is the chamber going to make? >> I mean, essentially
if if we're not paying for any of the members the what did you have? So it's like six. >> There's not a member fee for any member members. Then they're not paying for that. And then we match their donation for FBA, right? Which is 2,000 right
there. And then whatever the percentage is of what did you do this on the the sales from the liquor or for the tickets for the kids? What did you do the the percentage on the ticket of the sales for the kids? >> Right. And then we were coming up with a percentage from the ticket of the sales for the
kids for us, which was about 25% of the sales is I think what was in the original contract. >> I think it's difficult for anybody to say how much they're going to make. If it's additional, you can go by the numbers last year, which is that's one of the things we
stipulated last year is we want to see all the numbers >> this year so we can decide what you know what we're going to do. I think there was a, you know, there was a couple of rough years there where, you know, they had it
at a different location and then they had the weather to deal with and then the first time No, you know, Okay. It's 5 5%. >> You're in favor of paying the whole amount. I'm not crazy about it, but I see you're
a yes or no. >> I would say yes. Just say yes. Dave, you're a yes. John, you're a yes. Okay, it looks like it's a yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Just make >> Yeah. Well, real quickly, just procedurally, this was previously scheduled as a resolution. I included
the resolution as an example in the packet for consideration. I can just respectfully request a motion to second and uh a vote to approve the resolution. >> It'll just be a different number. >> It'll be a different number, but just just an actual resolution. I'll make the
for the the motion for the unspecified number. >> The unspecified number. >> No, not the unspecified dollar. >> 131. >> Yeah. >> 131. Okay. And I'll second that. >> And same phone number.
>> We're reading the municipal fees, right? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Florence Lynch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cole. >> Yes. >> Mr. Syracus. Yes. >> Mayor Russell. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Make it nice.
>> Yeah, absolutely. >> For nice weather. >> Thank you. >> YEAH. OKAY. Where are we? There are no reports or notices. Next on the agenda is council reports and announcement. Council.
>> Oh, thank you, mayor. Um the Shakes Street Commission did committee did kind of um start up and I think they met briefly. Um my apologies for not organizing that better. That's on me. Um but I was not in town so I was not able to go. Um congratulations to everybody
on the budget adoption, the staff, the CFO and even Adam. Thank you. >> It's it's good to have that that piece behind us. Um, and uh, I just like to say thank you to all the volunteers that help out in town, you know, on the committees and
all the people that help us dayto-day, keep everything running smoothly, provide recommendations, etc. So, your help is very much appreciated. Thank you, Mayor. >> Councilwoman Florence Wish. Uh, yes. Number one, I just want to recognize um
and congratulate um our Eagle Scout. Um, it was uh Zachary. Was that Zachary, right? >> Yes. Yes. Unfortunately, I was not able to go to the Eagle Scout ceremony, but I
understand um cuz I had to work, but I understand the mayor can talk about it, but I understand there was a a patio he built at the Pompton Plains Preschool and First Reform Church. So, congratulations to our newest Eagle Scout from Troop 144.
Um, number two, um, our BU, I don't know how many went, but our BQONIC senior citizen advisory committee, they sponsored a senior health fair today, um, across the street at at the friendship hall. It was well attended. I stopped there. There was tons of people
there and they were having a good time and getting a lot of information. So, congratulations to the committee for running that. Uh just wanted to make another couple of announcements. Um one of our organizations in town, the Bonic
Valley Rotary is sponsoring a a senior lunchon um on Wednesday, May 6th, also across the street at the Rickworm Church at Friendship Hall. And that's from 12 to 2. Um you can sign up for probably
another day or two and then the final numbers have to be in. So, uh, it's been all over Facebook and if anybody wants to sign up last minute for the senior lunchon, you can do that at the senior house or calling the number on the flyer which is on Facebook. >> How long do you have to be for that?
>> Um, they consider they consider seniors, I think, and we're over well, you know what? They went to Bill have to be how old to be there? >> 62. >> I don't think 62. So, um, if you think you're a senior,
you're invited. Um, I don't think I'm senior. And then the only I think we're all seniors up here. And then the only other like speak for yourself. >> Um, and Paponic Unico is presenting Taste of the Town. That's coming up May
12th. Tickets are available. Um, and you can go to uh email unicopronic@gmail.com. Uh that's also been on Facebook, but that should be a great event at the Cosmopolitan. And that's my >> not a night of our council. >> I know >> every year it's the same night,
>> but um that's my report, mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Cole. >> All right. Uh company 2 had a lunchon for members that serve uh have served our community for 50 years or more, and they were Ralph Hook, Rich Gerard, and
Jardan, and Archmitt. Uh they also recognized um some of our some of the new members there and some of the junior members. Uh was a nice nice lunch and so it was on a Sunday last week or the week
before. So uh and also I attended uh Brody's uh Eagle Scout pasta fundraiser. He's uh >> he's raising funds to redo the senior house. It seems like uh >> every 2 or 3 years we have somebody doing redoing a senior house.
>> But senior stop. >> It looks it looks like a great project. So take it when you can get a picture that he's that was amazing. >> He had a he had a nice turnout for his pasta fundraiser that was held down at company 2. So that's all I have. Thank you, mayor.
>> Thank you, Councilman Sarah Cruz. >> Yes. So um the committees didn't meet so things to report. Um, however, um, I was at the library the other day. >> Looks good, doesn't it? >> Looks amazing. Amazing job at the
library. So, uh, kudos to all those who were responsible for that and, uh, hopefully we get these kids in there and get some adults in there to use some of those private spaces for studying, for whatever else they need to do. >> And, uh, and, uh, get that done. I was quite impressed with the the DVD
selection. >> Yes. So, I was going to break mine out from the attic and look through. >> That's it. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yep. >> Thank you very much. Um, first aid squad is having a 75th anniversary on May 30th
at the squad building. Um, and this the ceremony is at 12:30 followed by a barbecue lunch. Um, you can go and meet them. They're a great group. Um, we all had a good time at baseball opening day. It was run very well. Beautiful day, so
kudos to all the kids. I'm glad we were all able to go there. Um, the same day we had the library fest, which was packed. Very good attendance there. And there was also the anniversary party for the Suburban Women's Clubs, which also was was well attended. So, it was a very
busy week here. Um, congratulations to Zachary. Um, it's funny. Um, when when we go to these Eagle Scouts, they wear their what is the sash? The sash, right? >> He had so many badges that his mom had
to tie three sashes together. >> So, three of them. Well, I mean, his sash was probably >> It was like this big and um just just a really nice kid and and I'm so proud of him and congratulations to him. >> Congratulations. >> And that's all I have. Next on the
agenda is public comment. As a reminder, we welcome comments, suggestions, and questions rather than dialogue. Comments are limited to three 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.
Come on up, Amarie. Hello everyone. Ann Marie Finnen. Um, I have um a couple of thank yous to all of you, but I did have one question regarding the ordinance about the regulations for the electronic smoke devices, etc. I just wanted to
understand um better than I do. I I I um I appreciate the explanation. Um and the regulations give the town the ability to license um the sale of these items.
What would a business need to do to get a license to sell them? And are we talking about selling them um regulating the sales for everyone or just for minors? just want to understand it. So, Amy, you're gonna ask all your
questions. We're going to do it on purpose and then they're going to address it. If you can, that would be great. Um, I wanted to um thank you and congratulate you for the passing of the budget. I can only imagine the amount of work that went into that. Thank you for always being, you know, so fiscally um
sound and and taking your fiduciary responsibilities so seriously. Um, I also wanted to thank the council for appointing me to the library board of trustees. I have not had a chance to come here before this body to thank you for that. Um, I'm very proud to be
serving along with my fellow trustees. Um, I believe the library is a treasure. I'm happy that um we're getting such positive reaction to the renovations um which of course I had nothing to do with. Um um but I am certainly very I I
take I'll take your I'll take the credit um but uh it is a a wonderful board and doing important work and and so I appreciate that you appointed me. Um I would like to also thank um all of you for your support of Pride Month in town
for the flags for the um um the resolution. Um, I I think about it a lot as a a teacher. Um, not currently teaching in town right now, just retired. But, um, I know that in addition to that being very important to
the members of our community who identify as a member of the LGBTQ community, I know we have a lot of children in town who are children of these individuals. And so, I think it is really a positive thing that they see their parents represented and supported.
And so I thank you for doing that um every year. I think it means probably a lot more than some people might think. Um it's it's not an empty gesture and and I know that it's something you take seriously. So thank you for that. Um I think
uh the license I think that was everything. Thanks for all of your work. Really Oh, one other thing Mr. Corette the um uh eagle project. So Anthony Finnen did his Eagle project about 8 years ago was landscaping and irrigating
the front of the senior house. I believe from the pictures that um this um youngster is doing the other side. I think it's going to actually complement my son's project very nicely. So I'm excited about it. Thank you. Thank you.
Anyone else for public comment? Hello, Isabella Vile. Um, I wanted to talk a little bit about the pride flags. I would really appreciate it and a lot of other people part of the LGBTQ plus community if it if they were up for a full month cuz it's not pride week, it's
Pride Month. And for the Memorial Day, Memorial Day is a day and it can be up for a full week. could be up a day, but Pride Month is a whole month. So, it's not the same thing as Memorial Day. So,
I just want you guys to all consider um thinking about the younger generation and the older generation having something that supports us. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? >> You got one behind post. >> MARY KATE
Mary Kay Schwarman. Um, I would love to support what you just said about Pride Month, and I totally agree that the flag should be um up for the full month of June. I don't understand
why it's only for a week. If someone could give me an answer to that at the end of these comments, we heard from the mayor. I didn't hear from other people on the council as to why they feel the week is enough. So, I fully support your
statement about Pride Month is a month and I fully support what Amry said about the people here in town who have have you know the Pride flag is really really important to a lot of people and um I'd
like to see our community continue to support support PrideFest which is great but I'd love to see those flags in for a whole month. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Randy.
>> Uh, well, I actually wanted to speak about the, uh, Street Fest. Um, thank you so much for approving that. That event for me as a small business owner from Aquanic, the Shamrock School of Music. If it was not for the Street
Fest, we wouldn't be who we are today. The ability for our students to go up on those stages and perform in front of thousands of people is an experience that I have students that are now in their early 30s come up to me and they
tell me that that was a defining moment of their life. Uh but from a business standpoint, being able to meet all those people to be out there and perform um the Street Fest is more than just dollars and cents. So, I I know that
it's a tough decision. You always have to decide what is right for this town and what we should do with the tax money, but I think that if you know the community was to be pulled, should we have this or not, it's going to be an overwhelming support. I know that I I
ran the street festival from 2011 to 2018, and those were different times. Doesn't sound like a long time ago, right? Sounds like yesterday, but those were different times. We didn't need all that security, but now it's needed. But the event shouldn't be sacrificed for it. So again, I thank you for the
support. And people would come up to me after 2018, they're like, "Are you going to do the Street Fest again?" I'm like, "It's a lot of work." I just had to tell people I'm done. So I appreciate Jess and Gina for stepping up and doing this. Thank you so much for doing this. It's a
lot. >> And I just watched a big spider go around the front and around the side of the podium. >> Well, maybe he lives in here cuz this THING IS ANCIENT. I WAS LIKE WATCHING A MOVIE AND I'M GOING LIKE THIS. I'M thinking people must be like, "What kind of face is she making?"
>> That's historic. >> Do you see it? >> What's a story? That's historic. That's historic. That's true. It's historic. >> So anyway, I wanted to thank you for that. And again, thank you for the support of all the Pride events. And I'm just going to once again echo what uh
others have said. It is Pride Month. And again, if you could do that. Oh, I wanted to mention one other thing, too. It's it's this is the thing that really hits me is when we decided to do the pride festival. Uh before we decided to do it, we went and asked uh the students at uh Quanic High School and the Gay
Straight Alliance, what would you like to see in a festival? What would you like to see in a Pride festival? And all they said was, "We just want a safe place to be." Now, think about that.
We are all privileged that we always feel safe where we are. The young people that are part of the LGBTQ plus community do not feel safe. So, we are happy that we're able to provide that for them. And and you know, I hate to say this, they
stopped going to the hoown. The reason they stopped going to the hoown, people would come up to them and harass them. That's awful. It is awful. Uh so we're happy to provide this for for us and your leadership in in allowing um what
we do to celebrate the month is fantastic and again the flags up the entire month really makes a statement. So thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Okay. This period of public comment is closed. Do you have an answer for any reason?
Well, so yeah, with respect to Miss Finn's question, um, it's a 17page document, took 18 months to draft. You're welcome to my hard copy if you want it after this. Um, what I strongly suggest is it it talks a lot about what
can be done, where it can be done, how it can be done, to whom it can be sold and can't be sold, what is regulated and how it's regulated versus not regulated. And ultimately, if an establishment is licensed and doesn't follow the rules, that license can be revoked and they can be closed.
So, it's there there's a lot to it. Um, it's not an easy answer to that question, but it even gets into situations where if you operate this kind of business, you can only display things in this way in this area. Um, and prohibit sale of things to people under 21. Um, so there's there's a lot of,
like I said, who's and where's and hows. Um, but you're certainly welcome my hard copy to save a tree if you want to read it and the health officer and I will gladly make ourselves available offline to sit with you and kind of go over any more questions you may have. >> That's perfect. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Yeah. When when they first legalized
weed we we did do a resol resolution that there was no selling of it allowed but then you know through the back door and all this other kooky stuff that they're selling it. So now we'll get a hold on that. >> Well, then they say it's been truly marijuana, >> right? Yeah. And and one of the
challenges that the the the cannabis industry faces with respect to the adult use legalization is they have a license that's $10,000. Um they have extraordinary costs they have to go through to sell THC, whichever number,
but then you can come with THC a different number and have no license, no regulation, no anything. And who knows what it does to your body and you're allowed to do this. This is actually being widely supported um by the cannabis industry because they're trying to do things in a way that's consistent with the law and other people are
operating without any regulation. >> What are they calling a gas station? >> Gas station heroin. >> YEAH. Bad stuff. >> Okay, moving on. 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 Robertson versus Puquanic Township Council matters of attorney client privilege and PBA/SOA contract negotiations? I'll make a motion. >> All in favor?
>> I opposed. At this time, the public portion of the meeting is recently close session.