Good evening. Welcome to the March 11th, 2025 meeting of the Pakana Township Council. Miss Marsh, in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey's Open Public Meetings Act, notice of this meeting was included in the annual meeting notice which was filed in the office of the township clerk, posted on the bulletin board in the municipal
building, published as a legal notice in the suburban trends and daily record newspapers, and distributed to all persons requesting notice in accordance with township policy. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance followed by prayer in a moment of silence and thanks for the individual serving our nation. I
pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Most gracious providence, we ask that you bless this governing body with an
abundance of wisdom and understanding so that every deliberation will result in actions which will promote the common good and the general welfare for all of the people of Puanic Township. Amen. Thank you.
The clerk will please call the role. Mrs. Lawrence Lynch here. Mr. Cole here. Mrs. Russell here. Mr. Syracus here. Mayor Dre here. The next item on the agenda is presentations. We have a presentation from the New Jersey State Resolution
recognizing Henry Strugal. So, we will read this. We will take turns and read it. We're all going to go down. Oh, we're going to go down. Yeah. Yes, sir. [Music] that first. So I'm going to read the first part. [Music]
So, um, during our rework meeting, Senator Fernacio was here and I mentioned that Henry had won the Steve Dorio. I said Dorio award and he came up to me after the meeting. He says, "Why are we
doing a proclamation for this kid?" I said, "I'll put you in touch with his father." So, uh, he got in touch with Gary and then, uh, you know, I got the proclamation. So I think it definitely will mean more for all of us to read a part of it. So we're all going to take a part of it. So it says
whereas the Senate of the state of New Jersey is pleased to honor Henry Strual and admired resident of the guard state and commends his im in merciful contributions within his community which have earned him the Super Football
Conference prestigious Steve Dorio young man of the year award. I know I screwed that up again but They progress. In 2018, 11-year-old Henry Strug began restoring and selling old bicycles to earn some cash. But the project quickly evolved into a
charitable initiative when neighbors turned out in droves to donate their used bikes, thus inspiring the young entrepreneur to utilize his profits and furtherance of the common good. Whereas to date, Hank the White Kid, as he's known on social media, has
refurbished more than 1,000 bicycles and raised some 25,000 for first responders, libraries, food pantries, animal shelters, and other worthy recipients. an eminently beneficial endeavor that secured for him the grand prize during
the Super Football Conference's fourth annual community service awards which included two tickets to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. But this multisport athlete and high school senior contends the greatest reward above all the
recognition and well-deserved accolades is knowing he has helped those in need. And whereas New Jersey's young people who set their goals high, who preserve, who I'm sorry, who persevere in the pursuit of those goals and who
reach their desired milestones and accomplish their objectives, stand as an example to their fellow citizens of all ages. Whereas is altogether fitting and proper for the members of this house to pause in their deliberations to acknowledge
Henry Stewart who through his death efforts has provided a glimpse of a great future filled with hope and promise. Now therefore, it be resolved by the state of New by the Senate of the state of New Jersey that this house hereby congratulates Henry Stro, pays
tributes to his notorious record of service, leadership, and dedication, and extends their sincere best wishes for continued success in all the days to come. be further resolved the the duly authenticated copy of this resol
resolution signed by the president and attested by the secretary be transmitted to Henry Shu. So Henry, congratulations and I'll just say this. I had the honor to uh to go down for the award that Henry received and I think it
was seven finalists. Yeah, all very very impressive young men uh from New Jersey from the Super Football Conference. Uh but any one of them could have could have won the award. That's how impressive they all were. I was happy that that you came out the uh the
winners. Congratulations again and uh best of luck to you in your future. Thank you so much. All right. I told my father I said it's definitely something worthy of getting framed. So yeah, and when you're done with college or
whatever you decide to do here [Music] from a couple of things that he's waiting [Music] on Congratulations.
Congratulations to Henry again. It was nice to to be recognized by the state. Um, next item. There are at this time are there any reports or comments from any of the volunteers serving our community. Seeing none, we shall move on to public comment. The next item on the
agenda is public comments. This comment will period will be limited to a total of 30 minutes. Additional time is reserved later in the meeting. We welcome comment, suggestions, and questions during the comment period. However, the purpose of this 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 a staff via telephone or email. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Please, if anyone wishes to address the council, please wait to be recognized and come to the microphone and provide your name for the record. Yes, come on up.
Hello, Dana Whitac 6 Brian Coronic. Okay, I saved this all up for the past couple of meetings. Couple of weeks ago, two sessions ago, um David Cole asked about um the vegetative waste if we would be Well, wait, let me back
up. You're either about to start interviewing disposal companies or you already started the process. And the question asked out to us was um would we be interested in bringing our own vegetative waste to a I guess a a
recycling center. I am anti- vegetative waste. However, I would be interested in bringing my own recycling. But then I gave this some thought and now I have some reservations about it because people don't recycle enough the way it is. I'm not a tree hugger, but I do care
about the environment. And I'm afraid that people are just going to start putting their collect, you know, their collections or whatever into the regular garbage and not separate the containers and bring him bring them to the recycling center. So, that's my my thought on that. Um, another thing that
I I've been kind of thinking about is this library. Okay. Um, at the last meeting of the year when Ryan Herd, Mayor Ryan Herd, was giving his last name, he engaged in a
conversation with Kyle Russell about how rude some of the people that go to these board of trustees meetings are. And I have to say, I've been going to these meetings for a while now. Um, ever since Debbie Maynard had been forced to resign. And yes, I say those words,
forced. And unfortunately, um, I feel the the trustees are the ones that are actually kind of rude. And our response to their rudeness is more rudeness. Doesn't make it right, but that's that's how it is. And she resigned because of
somebody that was so rude to her and treated her very poorly at those board meetings. Whether you agreed with her or not, the way you handled that, Carl Russell, was was very inappropriate. Very inappropriate. And I am also going to follow the pack and I would like her
to resign from from the board of trustees. Okay. And another thing is the parking lot. This this just is a thorn in my side. This parking lot since the town council is so good at saying yes to
spending the libraryies money. Um, I think that because a lot of these board members have amnesia, like you record the meetings here, we should start recording those library meetings and then this way there would be no question as to what was said, what wasn't said, who didn't take the right notes, who's
calling who a liar, okay? Cuz this is just too much. And um, at the board of trustees meeting, I'm going to bring this up as well. It's Wednesday. That's it. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment? Okay. Um, all right. We're going to just
close the public comment session. I guess just Adam on the parking lot. Are we Where do we end up with that? I guess the agreement calls for a split between the township and the library. Um, the budget includes the township's portion which is 2/3. Okay. In 2025, right? So,
we're going to we're going to get together with the board and do it, I guess. Yes. Once once the budget process moves forward, there'll be a meeting with with whoever the library designates as the appropriate individuals and staff will get together design out in front of the door is a little bit it needs to be done. It needs to work. So, so we'll
work on that. And regarding the w the vegetative waste and stuff, yes, we're going through the process. Don't know where it's going to land, but we appreciate your your comments. Okay. Then we'll take them into obviously consideration, but we need to see where all the the numbers come in at. So,
[Music] Okay. So, moving on to item number eight, the manager report. Mr. Brower. Thank you, sir. Two quick items, although one is an 8-year-old item. Uh, the flood information rate map
effectively referred to as the firm from FEMA. The township of received what is known as the letter of final determination. Um, just to refresh everybody's memory in 2017, uh, FEMA issued maps alleviating flood areas that were problematic, uh, the township went
through a formal process of, uh, appeal after an informal process of communication was ignored and ultimately prevailed so that the maps had to be reddrawn and uh, participated in a significant effort there. um maps were made much more accurate and we've
undertaken the process required by the administrative code of federal government. We received a letter of final determination on February 19th. The effective date of the new map will be August 19th, 2025. So that'll be nice. Long time coming. Uh a lot of
effort by staff and professionals who are no longer here, but finally it's going to be rectified. There will probably be minor legislative action. An ordinance may need to be adopted. not point linking to the effective map. Additional language that just may need to be updated which we will present
prior to uh the time period. Next, prior to August. Prior to August. Yes. Uh next item is and it wouldn't affect the effectiveness of the house in any way. It's just the house. Uh next item. The township is uh reviewing possible
subjects for an application for the 2025 Mars County Trail Construction Grant. based upon a review of possibilities. Uh there was there is a recommendation that there be a connection made from New Be Street to the county trail. Um there are two maps
included within the council packet. Uh, one shows kind of what the path of the trail would look like with the two little covered rest areas. And the second shows essentially that this would provide access to a fairly large neighborhood to the trail without going
down the turnpike. Um, 75 25% match to to application. We've discussed other applications in the past. Some council favored, some the council didn't favor. So, we we made the ones that were approved. Uh, letters of intent are due
by April 4th. So, staff and I put together this to see if the council had any thoughts or input regarding the application. And within my memo, there's a greater description uh that would be included for the purposes of the grant. I'm good with it. I think it's great. We
get it. That tended town needs a little love there. Mhm. It seems like it's a good location. It takes you right to the county trip. So, it's it's an in essence an access point. Yeah. Good for kids on bikes and stuff too everybody. And I'm sorry it was it
was really staff that came up with the correct when they when they announced these applications we kind of put our heads together and say all right who's got an idea and then we kick around what might be eligible, what might not be eligible and in this case accessible for the police
vandalism. Could it be accessible for the police to monitor it for vandalism? I mean, we have so many problems at the train station. I I don't think it would be any more or less accessible than anything else. Okay. Yeah. Works for me. And the more people
that use it, probably the less vandalism because there's people around. So, I mean, it's adjacent to residential properties, train stations, the proximity. Yep. True. So, okay. Any other comments on the report? No. Very good. We will
proceed with the application. Yes, please. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Broer. Uh, public hearings. There are no public hearings scheduled for this evening. There's no ordinances scheduled for introduction. So, we're going to move on to resolutions. Miss Mark, beginning
with resolution R 202581, approving the designated memberships in the Bona County Shift Fire Department. 82 authorizing temporary emergency appropriations for operating purposes. 83 designated official designating official depositories for the year
2025. 84 authorizing tax office refunds, overp payments or cancellations in 202585 approving payment of the itemized claims is set forth on the March 7th, 2025 bill list and 2018 FEMA elevation escro list. Okay. Is there any comments
on the resolutions from from council? No. No. Is there a motion to adopt these resolutions? I'll make a motion to adopt resolutions 2025-81 through 2025-84. I'll second. Okay. Roll call, please. Mrs. Lawrence Lynch, yes. Mr. Cole, yes.
Mrs. Russell, yes. Mr. Syracus, yes. Mayor Drey, yes. Yes. Yes. Sorry. Item number 12, there are no items for um listed for discussion. Um number 13, there's no reports and notices. The next item on our um our agenda is council reports and
announce announcements. If I can read tonight, Councilwoman Florence Lynch, you're up. Okay. I'd like to congratulate uh two Eagle Scouts. Uh the council presented a proclamation to Benjamin Trousale. His service project
was to design and build a prayer garden dedicated to St. Joseph at Our Lady of Fatima uh Chapel in Buffonic where he goes to school. He is a member of Troop 27 which is out of town. He resides in Wayne but he attends here in Bquanic and
that's where he chose to to do his service project. So we um you know congratulated him and gave him a proclamation. The other was to town resident Jacob Van Barrick. Jacob refurbished Lyman Park in Bquanic. He
worked with DPW to finalize the plan and DPW uh helped as as well, you know, with like um he installed a new basketball backboard and hoop. So, DPW um you know, helped with that and his troop and his
friends and family uh helped build a new picnic table there and gave the playground like a good facelift, put down new mulch. So, it looks great. If you haven't seen Lyman Park, a lot of people forget about that park. on the south end of town. Check that out.
Congratulations to Jacob. Um, also I wanted to just congratulate Henry Strubal again on his award and presentation of the state senator uh state senate resolution. Um, congratulations to Joe
Denello, if I said that right. Um, on his membership to the Quanic Township Department as a junior firefighter. Um we had uh on to other stuff. Planning board met last night. We
approved a a simple um I think they had to go for one small variance for a sign on Jackson AB for TD Bank. They just were doing a refurbish on the out, you know, updating their sign in the front. They already had an existing um sign and
uh that was approved unanimously by the board. they replace the one um that is on a pole, you know, a standalone as well as one right at the top of the building. So, it's just an updated fresh look and makes it easier
for um people to see. Uh what else do I have? Um, other than that, my other boards and committees have not met yet, like nothing new than what I reported last time. Oh, historic district commission
did meet. Um, I know they've been in contact with the town manager about the uh work that's going to be done through the grant process. Um they've been doing a lot of work at the train station to pack everything up and get that ready so
the work can begin. So all the volunteers have been coming in cleaning that up, packing things up. And then last but not least, I just wanted to say I was sad to see I was just reading and I just uh found this yesterday that we
lost another resident who was a firefighter. His name was John Woods. He passed away at the age of 75. I know he was a longtime facade firefighter and then he had moved to BCronic and he was also a member of the American Legion
Post 450. I see that they are having services for for him on uh Wednesday from 4 to 8 at Scanland with a memorial service to follow on Thursday at Scalins. He has been in in the fireman's
home for the last couple of years. And that's my report. All right. Also, thank you, Councilman Cole. All right, I want to start out by congratulating one of our own council people. Uh, as you probably don't know, Vinnie Sarakusa was uh selected to be a
major subordinate command of the new uh the ops post from operations operation for Dix. What does that mean in English? So, um promotion. Yeah, I'm getting promotion. Yeah, sorry. It's a 06
command. Um I'm very privileged. Um it's very competitive as I went against my peers and those who were senior to me and uh was nothing short of a privilege to to be selected for that committee. Congratulations. Congrats. Congrats. Um John and I attended the grand opening
of the backyard birding store on March 1st. It's not a cool sport. Yeah. No live no live birds. Uh you know bird feeders, bird food. Uh really a lot of neat stuff in there. Uh if you haven't been by, it's in the old Fireside Furniture store. If you're looking at
the Fire Store store furniture is all the way to the left on the end. Really a nice store. Uh very nice owner. So, uh congratulations to them and best of luck. Uh, I'd like to congratulate all the high school winter sports teams, especially the hockey team and the boys
basketball team who had very successful seasons and uh Sophia Kletcher who placed sixth in the state in the female wrestling uh category. So, congratulations to Sophia. Um, I'm surprised Melissa didn't mention this,
but Angeli Angel and I attended the Rotary Rotary wine tasting which was at parties. Melissa was there. It was a great event. Uh, you know, Rotary does a lot for the three towns that they take care that they service and it was a
pleasure to support them. Uh, this past Sunday, uh, again, congratulations to Eagle Scout J. Jacob Van Barrick um for uh, you know, becoming an Eagle Scout and doing all the great work at Lyman Park. That's all I have. I did. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Russell.
Thank you. Um the first aid squad had 86 calls in February. 36 of them were Cedar Crest. Um but 86 they they do a lot of work. Think of it 28 days.
Yeah. 86 calls. Most of the time they've been working with only one ambulance. The other ambulance was coming back after many many repairs. Um I believe it's due back Wednesday. So they had a lot of lot of turnaround, you know, where they had to do something then go
back. But there's, you know, still they could use help. Their membership drive is slow. Their trivia night has been cancelled. They were going to do a trivia night. They cancelled that. Um they there's a new triage app used by Chilton and Chilton called them and
thanked them for using it cuz they they said they were one of the only ones who are using that app to let them know. So it was good. Um, environmental meets tomorrow night, but I did want to mention Kirk Bell who been on the environmental for about four years now. He passed away. Um, he was very
dedicated and we showed up and and we just did stuff. So, he will definitely definitely be missed. Uh, congrats to the Eagle the New Eagles. Um, I also wanted to ask if we could add another budget meeting. I I still have some
questions about the budget and some other things have come up. So, if you guys wouldn't mind, I would really like to have one more meeting. I think we have time to have one more and I know I wanted one. Um I would might if we can
still squeeze it in. Wait, can we squeeze it in? Do we have time? Whatever they come for us to do. We do what? Do for the next council meeting. You just need 48 hours notice. I need 48 hours to send for pay. I I'm okay with the way the budget was
presented. Um, yeah, I was I was okay, too. But I mean, I think we should get the questions answered, but Okay. If you think Yeah. Yes. questions and I I'd like I know I I spoke with Adam on the expenditures. Is there any way we can get the expenditures for the full year
instead of just till November? because I I was asking about expenditures and it turns out the expenditures that we have is only up until November 1st. So when we're is it always like that? The report's been the same for years. Okay. So when there's been questions about
unique things then we've decided what needed to be addressed. But so yeah I would like to see the full year expenditures and then I have just other questions. I would just you know one more meeting just to get everything settled. You know, the budget's 22 million and we met for about three hours
and I I just want to make sure that we all know everything that and understand everything. Go from your side. Well, I think if there's any questions I think I thought it was okay. I thought we were in agreement, but um does anybody
objected to it? Just a once more over so everyone's comfortable. Yeah, it's the most one of the most important things we do. Yeah, it is one of the most important things. We spent less time on it this year than we ever have. Well, I just I think it's it's rolling. So, Adam knows what we're going to have.
I almost ask before we ask you. So, I think that's But but I think we should do it. So, should can we do it before the next council meeting? Well, you know, if Kyle feels rushed, we're going to be rushed at the next If we do it before the next council meeting. My recommendation would be if we do plan to
have a meeting, we we won't be prepared to introduce on the 25th. So, we're going to have a meeting that will move reduction until the first meeting in um April, but we're still good with dates. Yes. And I've never received a fine for
not adopting on time. So, this is something within the council's prerogative. We always strive to adopt on a on a strict schedule to be compliant with the best practices, but the council's prerogative to do whatever the council Well, what was the deadline for the strict? We we have a two week buffer in
case there were issues in the budget presentation. We never want to present it and ask people questioning last Saturday. So then it would have been a week and a week. So we definitely have to be right. The original schedule called for the first one. Do you want to try to pick a date out now or is that
too hard? Original schedule was 23rd. No, the first time you came out and asked us for it, it was last Saturday because I said I couldn't make it cuz I was going to be in Florida. Originally it was the 20th. the standard schedule we would follow would be the 23rd notified return. There were three people that couldn't make that because they
were both class 22nd. So whatever if the council wants to schedule another meeting obviously miss Marsh that's that's your area is scheduling but how much time present? Do we just need an hour meeting or a three-hour meeting whenever the council
No, I mean if we could meet at 5:30 before the next meeting this way we're not rushed and then like okay we got to be done. I don't have a lot of questions. If I can get that other stuff, you know, 5:30 on the 25th. Yeah.
Yeah. That's when we were going to say that if we needed another one, that's where we had That's the buffer week. So, that'll be the buffer week. It's either that or come in on a Saturday. Uh, no. All right. Let's do that. 5:30. 5:30 on the 27th.
Yeah. I just think it's like you said it's the most important thing we do. Can you make 5:30 then? I can make 5:30. I'll I'll make Thank you. Okay. So, this is just before the town council meeting then. Yes. The next council meeting. Yes. Thank you. You're
good. You're good. Thank you, Kyle. Thank you, Councilman Syracus. Congratulations again. So, but you're up. Thank you, sir. Um, I appreciate it very much. Um, do we have to call you like general now or No, we're not doing that. That that's not going to
happen. So, open space uh meeting uh did not meet this this this month. Um, which is fine cuz um I guess it was a slow month. Um, parks and wreck, however, did. So, senior Olympics coming up fast and furious. So, if you're 60 years or
older and you want to participate in the senior Olympics, get your physicals, do your calisthetics, and work out, right? And uh look forward to participating, right? Do that. Um let's see. Uh the rates have not changed for PB Park. Um when there was a
significant discussion on the rules for pickle ball and uh you know, so we're going to Yep. Yep. So, I think we're going to finalize uh what that's going to look like and um so after that next park and rec meeting um we're going to have some some great information on how
we're going to move forward with the pickle ball courts. Hit the ball over the net. Yep. Yep. It's a little more complicated. It is. And um but it was very it was very thorough, very detailed uh presentation. Um so um so we're we're
good with that. And um yeah, so that that's offer I got for that. Um without going into too many details until it's finalized. Uh and that's all I have. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you. Um Shade Tree Committee did not
meet. They're going to meet soon and hopefully we can um um get on board in next couple months to get the rest of the trees planted. Correct. So I think that'll be good. Um I want to say congratulations to Joseph, our new um uh junior firefighter. It seems like we have like one of those every month and a
half, month, month and a half. So that's that's good. That's pretty cool. Membership. Yeah, that's that's pretty um congratulations to Henry again um on another proclamation. That's good. Congratulations to the e Eagle Scouts. Um we just have we seem to have a lot of
those in town, too. So that's so so that's very good. Um Mr. Sherman, sorry I owed you an answer. I think what we decided to do is um on the uh the resolution for um Barbara, right? I think we're going to do the same thing we did last year is at the end of the year we're going to include everybody,
you know, just all the volunteers in one. Okay. So, I think that's what we decided to do. Um and then I just want to say um uh it's getting warmer out, a lot more kids out, crossing guards, make sure you watch out for them. Watch out for the kids on bikes. Oh yeah, it's um
it's uh just it's nice and warm out, so there's a lot of kids on bikes and they don't really obey the traffic laws too well. So keep your eye out for them. So I just want to say, you know, shout out to the crossing guards um for keeping our kids safe out there. So and that's all I
[Music] got. Next item agenda is public comment. As a reminder, we welcome comments, suggestions, and questions rather than dialogue. And comments are limited to 3 minutes. Please, 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 [Music] up. Barbara Musio is the name of my name. Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. Mary K. Schmurman. Um just a quick note, Carol, on the um
R202584 and then there's another 84. Are they combined? No, I either 284, one should be 85. That one should be 85, which is how I announce it and how it is. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Typo. I got three resolutions and proves we're human, right? Yeah, I prove that
regular basis. That's right. Yeah, we all do, Carl. We all do. Um, I do have a couple questions now that we're talking about the budget. Um, will we be affected by any of these freezes that are coming down from the
federal government, if they're still in effect or not? Um, what will happen if the Department of Education is demolished? Uh, what will that do to our school system and possibly the budget of
Puquanic? How will that work? If you've gotten any information or um things about that. Um the other thing I had was I hear every day about different
health things not being put on health media um things. Uh is our health department still getting directives and updates about different health problems? Um,
and I heard today that the RFK Jr. said that the way you deal with measles, and I don't know whether I should say this or not because somebody might believe me, but it's not accurate because you need to have measles vaccines in order
to prevent measles. And we've already had two babies die, one in Arizona and one in New Mexico. I don't know whether New Jersey has any measles outbreaks yet, but the vaccine is really the only way to protect somebody from uh getting
the measles. So, I didn't know whether our health department was still getting updates as to what we should be doing, flu vaccine, co vaccines, and things like that. So, um will that affect the um grant that you're trying to get uh
for the trail? And in terms of safety, I was wondering, you know, when I come upon the trail, I really think it's great that we have this trail, but when people push the button, the light comes on a little bit delayed. And so when I'm
real close to the trail and somebody thinks that the the flashing light is going to help them, I don't know that it always works that way. Um, is it possible that those lights could be just on all the time so that we all slow down
at the intersections where the trails are? So, those are just some of my comments, but thank you very much. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? All right. Seeing none, we're going to close that portion of the meeting. Um, I just want to address the
um on our health department. Um, our health officer is very on top of things. In fact, there was an email I guess I was on with Chilton. Um they're getting together and meeting about, you know, what the town sees in the future. I know um Thomas is is is on top of stuff. So, I know he's getting directives on Adam.
I don't know if you have any other comments on that, but but I have a lot of faith faith in him that he's doing the correct job. So, if I could, Mayor. Sure. Unless you want to do them at all. No. Go ahead. Um, with respect to the federal budget, the the biggest impact the township of
aquanica has experienced is because we haven't adopted a budget. We've just had continuing resolutions. There was an earmark uh gained by council or uh congresswoman Cheryl's office for us for the PAS mitigation project. So, because
the budget hasn't been formally adopted, earmarks haven't been included, we've just had continued resolutions. So, that's that's the biggest federal budget issue that's really affecting us. Otherwise, our federal grants and programs um you know, for example, the 2024, even though it's 2025 home
elevation grant was submitted last week, uh as as it normally would be submitted. So, we've we're proceeding as if everything is continuing and our fally funded programs are moving forward and and we haven't had any notification otherwise. Uh with respect to the Department of Education, I'll punt I
don't know. Uh no, I do. I I'll kick that to Dr. Poris and our colleagues across the parking lot. Um uh luckily for us at the moment that's not something for us to contend with. Um echoing what Mayor Drei said, uh the health department's operating normally uh with respect to
investigation into disease and providing uh flu and other vaccines, providing programs, providing clinics. There's nothing abnormal about the operation of our our health department. It's not as it was during COVID when it was really ramped up with the directives that were coming out of Trenton. Uh but I'll say
it's normal. Uh so everything's happening normally. And then with respect to the trail, the grant is is from the county uh park commission. So that's not affected by federal government to the best of my knowledge. And um I'll have a conversation with the county engineer regarding the flashing
lights. I think the goal is to create contrast. So when you have something that's on all the time, it kind of blends into the background. So when it's activated, it will light up. um you know like usually it's more dangerous than
normal. Yeah. You want to you want to create something that's different. I and and unfortunately like human nature whether it's a crosswalk in front of the municipal building or otherwise people unfortunately when you're a pedestrian or bike rider you have to exercise a certain amount of caution because distracted drivers are distracted for
whatever reason. And I think it'll be a learning curve. I use the trail myself. I love it. At lunch I'm going for a walk. You have to really stop and look. You know, I don't know what everybody else does, but when I'm at the light of Jackson and Route 23, when that light turns green, I don't gun it to shoot
across 23. I wait for a minute. Maybe I get honked at and then I proceed with caution. Oh my god. Did you see that accident down in Tom's River? No. No. The one with the BMW that hit the girl. BMW driver doing
114 mph and they had the video of it. The light turned, she went and they came and killed two. killed two people. So, so it's going to be a learning curve and and you know, as as the mayor pointed out during his comments, you know, safety is key. So, as a motorist, be aware and and hopefully people as
they're learning to ride their bikes and walk in the community, you know, unfortunately have to be very aware because people otherwise aren't on. So, thanks, sir. Yeah. So, I I think that's some something that the pedestrians, yes, they have the right away, but that doesn't mean you just walk, right? So
they have to, you know, kind of be aware of their surroundings, too, because the the definition of a distracted driver is kind of paying attention. Now, it's not right. We're not saying it is, but you know, we all got to watch out for ourselves. So, we should also tell our kids, make sure you stop, right? If you
see a stop sign, make sure you stop before you go across. So, but thank thank you for your comments. Um, item number 16, there is no minutes presented for approval. The next item on the agenda is close session discussion. Is there a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the township council to meet
in executive session to discuss contract negotiations of shared services with the burrow of Kennel? I'll make that motion. Second. All in favor? I opposed. At this time, the public portion of the meeting is recessed for close session. [Music]