game. 8:00, buddy. It's 8:00. 8:00. Okay, now you got faith in you, Howard. Let's go, buddy. If talk to uh Sir Mayor talks a lot, Manny, you ready for your report? Manny, you ready for your report? No report.
Get it organized now. I'm always ready. Get it organized now, man. Manny, ready? Quinn, you ready? All done. Good. two things. Yeah, that's why a lot going on here today. What's going on? How are you? How's
everything doing all right? I saw you. Yes. If that's okay, we should begin. I'd like to I'd like to call the May 27th, 2025 council meeting to order. 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. A moment of silence to remember the service and sacrifices of the armed service members who protect our nation
and the first responders to protect our neighborhoods. Cler, please take the role. here. Councilman Zack, these aren't working, but here. Councilman Quinn here. Mine's not working. None of these are
working on. Councilman Brooks is yours working. Councilwoman here. Councilman Salbert here. Councilman Ovich here. Council Vice President Brooks here. Council President
Morrison here. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the daily record and the official newspapers for the township of Rockway. Notice was posted on the official bullet board for Rockway Township Township website and notice was filed in the office of the township clerk.
Council President, I just want to make sure is the camera working. Everything's good. Okay. I just want His mics are not working. He's working on the cord. Um the council president and I have been working with the administration to you
know the system seems to have come to end of life right like any piece of technology after a while it has to be replaced so we are working on it with the administration I appreciate all the time you guys are taking uh to get this fixed I know there's a little patch in place if we need be for the time being
but I just want everyone know we're just as frustrated we have these meetings streamed for a reason you know we don't have to do it we choose to do it and it's really important to us that it gets fixed and it gets fixed permanently. So, I just want to thank everybody for taking the time and putting that as a
priority. I'm done. Thank you. Uh, approval of the minutes of the May 13th Township Council meeting. Can I have a motion? So, move. Second. Clerk, please take the role. Councilman, yes. Councilman Zach, yes. Councilman Quinn,
yes. Councilwoman Newton, yes. Councilman Salbert, abstain. Councilman Welovich. Yes. Council Vice President Brooks. Yes. Council President Morrison. Yes. At seven yeses, one abstension. Motion
passes. Mr. Mayor, like to celebrate some of the great things going on in the community, some of the great um things that are being done by our residents on a volunteer basis. Let's call Senator Buco, Assemblywoman Dunn. Um, and uh, anybody
from Unico that wants to come up, you know, everybody come up. Um, recently Rockway Township Unico did a walk to benefit the Jersey building services and uh,
check and Senator. Yeah. How did you know? You never asked an elected official if they want to say especially when the camera's working. Um, and not just because my last name is Buco, but the UNO does such
a phenomenal job volunteering across our neighborhoods and municipalities. Um, and for things like this shelter, JBW, um, this is something that's going to happen. It is not often that your
neighbors can do something that would actually have the potential of saving somebody's life. And that's exactly what happens every day at JWS. They are saving lives. They are protecting families. They are giving
somebody an opportunity to get out of domestic violence and on to a productive life. So, every dollar that you raised here today, I can assure you because I've been involved with this organization for many years now, will
put to good use and the folks that will receive it when you see the smiles on their faces as a result of the help that they get there. It is lifesaving help. So, I want to congratulate you for the work you did and you've done and you
will continue to do. And I want to congratulate JBWS for just the tremendous opportunities and and just being a sense of comfort for folks that
don't understand what that means at that particular point. So, so thank you and it's an honor for me to be here uh to help in this presentation. Good evening everyone. I'm Assemblywoman Dunn and I'm happy to be here to present
to be here for deliver some good news. Uh I'm I volunteer for JPWS um and have been part of the the organization for quite some time almost two decades. Uh so I can attest they do excellent work. Um, and you know, today
we're being you're being asked to do more with less. And so this really comes as a huge huge source of support. Um, and I just want to thank UNICO for you know, there were so many organizations you could have chosen, right, to to to
benefit from the wall and you chose JBWS. We know unfortunately the need has really grown. The uh calls um and cases have in in Morris County um and in this year
uh alone. So um I want to thank you for raising that awareness and the key is keeping that conversation going. Um so you certainly did that day on our the walkathon uh and you'll continue to I know it was a windy day uh but it was a
great successful day. So again, pleasure to be here to to celebrate all of us and thank you for for all the strength that you bring to this to this town and all families that will benefit. And I know it comes at great time because there is a summer camp program which is really
critical and know the children really really love the families at the shelter. Thank you. I'm going to try not to get emotional when I talk about these kinds of things because when a community comes to together to support their neighbors, it's so incredibly
impactful. Domestic violence is one of the worst kept secrets in in Morris County really in the nation. And you wouldn't think that one of the wealthiest counties in the United States it would be happening here, but it is. And so that you know last year uh we had
over 1,300 people that needed crisis response team dispatches to police stations or emergency rooms in Morris County alone that were victims of domestic violence. And we also had over 1100 people that came into the courthouse looking for restraining
orders. And that was in Morris County, one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, and almost 200 survivors and their children came for shelter last year. So this means so much at a time when both state and federal funding is in question. So the fact that a group
comes together to help support a cause is so incredibly impactful. So I want to thank them. And behind me are are two of the most amazing legislators that JBWS has ever experienced. And so I'm just grateful for this community. Thank you so much.
[Applause] We're going to take a five minute break. We'll have some pictures. You're not those are HDMI. They're all HDMI. They're not audio. All right.
Wow. Do it. Maybe he got the wind. Window well for him. Excuse me. Sure. Okay, we're going to move on to the
consent agenda. Council President. Yeah, Negan. Um, I just want to take a minute before we approve the consent agenda for R2511. And I just want to thank everyone involved, the administration, everyone involved in writing the grant and the application for the 25 trail design
project at Eggert Lake. If anyone knows, Edgar Lake is like the it's just another gem up in the six ward and I personally love walking it. My dog not so much, but I love it and I am so excited that this is finally on the agenda for approval
and I am confident you guys got it. So, I just wanted to thank everyone and highlight that. Yes. Which one? Uh 112. Thank you. Okay. So, we are going to vote on R25
101, R25, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124. Can I have
a motion? So move. Second. Clerk, please take the role. Councilman Freander. Yes. Councilman Sak, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. Councilwoman, yes. Councilman Salber, yes. Council,
yes. Council Vice President Brooks, yes. Council President Morrison, yes. That is eight yeses. Motion passes. Um I am going to move I'm sorry 25112. Um my question is just we're asking for
a six-month extension on a on a grant. What are the chances of it getting denied? And if it does get denied, what happens? That's a very good question. Yes. Yes. Reservility relocation and
wetlands had to ask for extension request. There is a possibility that does not have to look at the scope of work and see what we go forward with. Uh, okay. Uh, agenda item R2512. Can I
have a motion? So, move. Second. Cler, please take the role. Councilman, yes. Councilman, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. Councilwoman, yes. Council, yes. Council,
yes. Council Vice President Brooks, yes. Council President Marson, yes. It's AS's. Motion passes. Uh I'm just going to move up the one item uh for the uh fire company. Uh so uh William Ding, fire company 3 transitioning from junior
to full membership. Can I have a motion? So move. Second. Clerk, please take the role. Councilman Frelander. Yes. Councilman Sack, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. Councilwoman New? Yes. Councilman Sal,
yes. Councilman, yes. Council Vice President Brooks, yes. Council President Morrison, yes. That is APS's motion passes. Congratulations. [Applause]
Is this Mr. D? Congratulations. Yes, sir. I would have made you stand up here. Had I done that, I think he'll pass. Um, okay. Before opening the public portion of this meeting, I want to remind everyone of
the rules that apply to anyone who wants to address the council. Any member of the public wishing to address the council will have three minutes to do so. While an extension of time may be requested, it should not be assumed that an extension of time will be granted. While addressing the council, members of
the public may not address or question any individual council member. If anyone addressing the council violates these rules or conducts themselves inappropriately, their speaking opportunity will be terminated and they will be instructed to return to their seat. A refusal to comply will result in removal from the room. Members of the
public in attendance may not be comments from the audience without recognition by the chair. Persons doing so will be subjected to removal from the room. As council president, I have tremendous respect for my fellow council members and the public who take the time and effort to attend council meetings. These
rules are necessary to permit the council to do its business in an orderly and professional manner. Michael Good evening, Michael Drive. Um, a few things. The trees on Hibernia and Lakeshore Drive
and White Middle Lake that I've been discussing for quite a while have finally been cut. So, I'm glad to see that. Has it been taken care of? I don't know if the township did it or if the resident was obligated to do it, but three big trees that were dead hanging over the road are now gone. Um, I know
we have a the mower that comes around or the town guys with the weed whackers, but the corner of Kyoga and North Brookside Drive has an invasive fragmitees problem and they grow at least a foot a week. So, I've we racked
them in the past, but it's a constant thing. But that's something that needs to be addressed more than a couple times a summer because it's just a blind corner. cars come around and if you're walking the dog or something, you don't see a car coming and they don't see you because these things are I mean they're
already about four or five feet and I whacked them down about a month ago but they're out of control. Um, the stop lines I've been talking about, especially on El Donquin coming down to North Brookside Drive, cars just continually the entire hood of their car
ends up on North Brook side before they stop because the angle of the road and the hedges, they just don't know where they should stop. If the line was there, maybe they would stop sooner and then creep up to see instead of stopping when they do see. Because if you're coming and a car is coming at you and you have
nowhere to go around, I mean, my wife and I, we go slow. We ing it and it happens once or twice or once or every two weeks. One of us almost gets t-boned there. Um, another issue that's happening now, the four corners by the
liquor store in White Metal Lake used to years ago, I was told had a four-way stop is a two-way stop, but that house on the corner that was sold and renovated. They have a car that parks at the end of the driveway now, they added a parking spot and they park like just in from the street. So people that are
at that stop sign heading out of the lake, they can't really see cars coming down because that car kind of blocks the view. So they think it's clear, then they go. Um happened to me about two days ago and I've gotten people giving me feedback about that concern to to
bring here because they know I I usually come to these meetings. Um the lawn signs, I know it's election season, but I don't care about the election signs, but people are running running their business with signs all over the township and Green and Fleetwood. It's
just they're running instead of advertising in a paid newspaper or online, they're sticking signs all over the place and it just it just looks like garbage dump. Um if administration possibly can give an update on the water department building. It's coming along quite
quickly. Uh a time frame for usage on that and and what the plan is for uh on road. I know there was discussions about paving that when the uh project was complete there. And lastly, um I see a lot of pool tanker trucks uh filling up
with water at the fire hydrant on the green pond. Um is it being metered or people's keeping track of that? Is the township getting paid for that? All right. So I don't want to be told I can't water my tomato plants in August
because we build up everybody's pool. answers. Excellent. We'll take her. Uh, apologies if I get the name wrong. Erin. The court. I didn't. I said the court. I don't know
what you heard. You mean the court? It's my accent. Um I'm here as a representative of the Rockway Township Environmental Advisory Committee. So I'm going to read a letter um put together by the committee itself. So addressed to
Mayor Joe Jackson and members of the town council from the Rockway Township Environmental Advisory Committee today's date May 27th 2025. This is in regarding to request to dissolve the Rockway Township Environmental Advisory Committee.
The advis environmental advisory committee, I'm going to call it the EAC, has currently constituted um as currently constituted, was reformed approximately four years ago under the leadership of chairperson Neil Weiss and Councilman Manny Freellander. After
applying, committee members were appointed by the mayor to serve in an advisory capacity on environmental matters of importance to the township. The committee's charge includes conducting research and offering recommendations on issues such as open space preservation, water and air
pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, marine resource preservation, and the safeguarding of local flora and fauna. According to its mandate, the EAC responds to requests initiated by the mayor, township
council, zoning board of adjustment, planning board, or the open space committee, a subcommittee of the EIC which is currently vacant. Notably, the committee is also intended to maintain representation from a member of the planning board, an obligation currently
unmet and has has been unmet for the last four years. Since its reformation, EAC has met regularly to fulfill its responsibilities. However, over the past two years, the number of requests for guidance or input has declined sign significantly, especially in matters
involving planning, zoning, and environmental oversight. As a result, the chairperson with the full support of the committee members scaled back the meeting schedule to re reflect the decreased workload. The committee notes with disappointment that significant
environmental initiatives such as the recent update to the township's open space plan have proceeded without consultation or engagement with the EAC. Over the past year, there have been no new requests for advisory input, leaving the committee with no active
role in township affairs. In this light, the committee respectfully recommends that the environmental advisory committee be dissolved at this time. This request is made criticism of the mayor, council, or any governing body, but in recognition that our time,
expertise, and energy of EAC members are currently underutilized. Dissolving the committee will relieve members of their duties until such time that their cont contributions are once again needed. The EAC extends its sincere gratitude to chairperson Neil Weiss and Councilman
Manny Freellander for their steadfast leadership, dedication, and service. We also thank all committee members for their commitment to environmental stewardship on behalf of the township respectfully submitted the members of the Rockway Township Environmental
Advisory Committee. Thank you. Is there anybody from the public that did not put their name on the sheet that wishes to speak? Okay, moving on to reports. We will start with Councilman Freed.
Yes. Just want to say met with the library committee. They were real pleased with the program that they had this festival day library. Hopefully they're working on adding things. They want to get over
4,000 people. This year it's 35 3500 and growing. So that that was really good. Historical society uh the grants uh they're still working on the house and hopefully we'll get some dates together this month for an open house that we can
finally have one uh substance abuse uh alliance as I stated last month and it's coming to the last phase. Uh this Thursday is uh celebrity day. That's the last part of the four phase program and
everybody's invited. Uh Copeland Middle School is a VIP breakfast at 7 and the program starts at 8 right after that. Uh you want to know who could be there. It's probably about 22 celebrities.
Burley, David Kyrie from the Giants, Sanders, former NFL player, Kevin Wilkins, former NFL player. Just goes on and on. Shelley Bruce, Broadway star of the hit musical, is going to be there. We also have
Caitlyn Develis next to the teacher from Sandy Hook Elementary. She's going to be there. She these people just they're engrossed in helping this alliance grow and I just want to say
shout out to Les and his daughter president or chairman of the committee uh right now I should have hit M senator there is uh something before uh
Congress and the Senate to form just they want to send it's celebrity day to see uh what's going to push and getting the bill introduced. They're introducing the bill because this program is so successful in Rockaway.
They want to make it a state program as far as that goes. And well, you heard from young lady in the back about the environmental commission committee. It's unfortunate uh the way it it's turned out. Uh I was listening
and talking about it. Appreciate the on that letter. I didn't know anything about it, but uh who knows what's going to be down the road, but it was their decision and I just let them go with what they
felt. That's it. Counciloman, a couple things. Um council mentioned celebrity day at last year was the first year I was able to attend and I was very impressed with it.
And this year also look for Um, I got to attend a few of the Memorial Day ceremonies across in town over the weekend and as always a great job. Um, parade, great job. And just two questions. Um, the
Richard Street project has all the rain deleted. No. No. No, actually. All right. Good. So, it's still on track. Yes. Okay. And then the other question I want to ask at the last
meeting and I forgot the helmet project, the environmental helmet project. Weren't they supposed to do something in June? Have we heard anything about that? Yeah, we actually just got an email that they completed remediation on adjacent sites on adjacent sites. I don't believe
they started the large activities. Okay. Because they were supposed to come back to us before they started. Correct. Okay. All right. Thank you, Councilman Quinn. Yes. Thank you. My
mic's not working, so thank God I have a gym voice. All right. So, uh, start off with the planning board. Uh we approved the business uh off on 18 Old Beach Glenn
Road. They do flowers and they grow a lot of the flowers there. They're starting uh it it's looks like it's going to be a very successful business. Um hopefully it will. Uh they do bring
in a few things, but pretty much they're trying to grow everything there, make the arrangements, residents can go there and buy them. Um it's going to be a nice add-on to Rockaway Township in the
business end of it. And then also at the planning board, uh the mayor had a concept drawing plans for the planning board to respond to. Uh we had those plans. We looked at it. We gave some
suggestions and uh they'll take them back and look at them and hopefully get it back before us. Memorial Day, thank God the weather worked in our favor. We were able to get decent weather for the
parade and it was a great day to reflect on all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free and keep us enjoying our life the way we are. Other than that,
um I appreciate everybody putting their signs out, but please do not steal signs. I already lost some already. I don't understand why, but they're gone. It's crazy. And uh Peterson Field is up and running.
Great. We're We're really enjoying it. My grandson played against Livingston and scored the final goal to beat Livingston 6-5. my old alma mada where I started and uh he was determined to make
that goal. He did it. So, thank God. All right, that's it, sir. Councilman second. Thank you, Council President. Um, a lot of activities at Rockway Township this weekend with uh Fox Hills on Sunday, Marcela Union uh
cemetery, the community club, and then we finished off Sunday night with the deck opening with the hot dogs and the the fun time all the kids. It was packed. Actually, the biggest crowd I've ever seen there in all my years living in White Middle Lake. There was no parking. It was great to see. So, great
job by everyone that volunteered over there Sunday night. So, excellent. And then Monday at the sunrise service bright and early at 6 am exciting to go to that always a good service and and the parade just very nice uh you know we we brought it back to Rockway Township
mayor brought it back last year so it's good to have our own parade and everyone uh working hard and there were so many people at the end when we finished we get a chance to actually see everyone sometimes we don't see everyone being up front a little bit so so many you know kids smiling kids and kind of notice while we're walking we didn't see as
many kids this year because they're all in the parade So, um, that was really, uh, really good to see. And then just a quick question, council president. I know summer meetings, I don't know if you're going to talk about at the camp, stuff like that. So, that was my only other thing. So, that's my report. Thank you, Councilman. Great. Thank you. Uh,
nothing to report from the county commissioners. Uh, very short meetings lately. Uh, yeah. uh regarding Memorial Day. Just want to thank the White Metal Lake Fire Department, all of the memorial volunteers and of course the administration, you know, all of the observances I thought were very fitting and uh you it was great to be part of
that. Uh also down at Parks Lake, it was great to see the hometown heroes manners up. Uh just wonderful. Saw a lot of people kind of looking at it, you know, taking note and hoping that uh more people see it. Uh more people, you know, want to get that up there and it really becomes uh you know, an integral part of
Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Um, also on May 31st coming up, uh, Holy Trinity, uh, Church up on Green Pond is having their, uh, summer celebration and car show. You ever been there? They always get a great turnout. It's a lot of fun. So, uh, again, got nothing to do on next
Saturday. Come on, come on up. That's all I have. Council to I don't have a report. Thanks, Council Vice President. Thanks. Um, just a reminder, there's no second meeting for the board of ed in
the month of May. They do have another meeting on June 11th at 7:30 Copeland Middle School. Um, I just wanted to highlight Celebrity Day and the Substance Abuse Alliance that we have in Rockaway, I don't think people realize how truly blessed we are to have such an
amazing program for children at such a young age. Um, as a person who had a brother who struggled with addiction, we lost him four years ago due to it. I think it's really important for kids to understand at a young age. Um, you know, you make poor decisions and sometimes
they snowball and unfortunately you can't always come out of it. So, um, I can only give all the gratitude to the Wexlers and everyone involved in the substance abuse alliance here in Rockaway. We're extremely blessed to have it. Um, I'd also like to just give
a quick thanks to Telmark Park. I know the rain has not been our friend. Um, but I saw the paving got completed today, so that was super exciting. Um, just another step closer to a really awesome summer down there. And last but not least, I want to congratulate Liam
Durning to his full transition to company 3. I think we've noticed in the past few years more and more young members of our community are stepping up and becoming firefighters and volunteering their time. And I can only thank you. It's an amazing thing to see
and it shows your character. Um, your parents I'm sure are super proud. I've known you since you're a kid, so I have nothing but high hopes. Um, but again, it's just really awesome to see. We have we've transitioned and have junior firefighters in the past few years, quite a few of them, and it's really,
really awesome. Um, and I want to thank them. And that's all I have. Uh I just I just want to remind everybody that the June 10th uh council meeting is cancelled due to the conflict with the uh election day. Uh the next
meeting after that will be June 24th. Uh Councilman Sack to answer your question, you were talking about the summer. Yes. Uh much like in the past, we just need to make sure that there's no necessary business on those meetings. Um in the past, we have canled the second meetings
in July and August. as long you know we'll make that call as we get closer as long as there's nothing necessary Mr. I have no report council president but I'd like to turn over briefly to our
engineer Alison affordable housing okay congratulations on your promotion second Thank you, Mr. President. Um, as you guys are aware, we're slowly chipping away at our
affordable housing obligations from last year's change in the legislation. In January, you guys passed a resolution regarding our um affordable housing requirements and obligations. I'm happy to report that court recently sided with
the township for the lower amount. We had one objector and that was um the builders association. So the judge number would have been here tonight but it's his birthday so I gave him the night off but you will be seeing him at
our next meeting as he presents our housing plan and spending. Good Mr. Mayor. I think I'd just like to add to what Miss Grant said. I think it's important to recognize um a lot of towns in the county joined a lawsuit and
spent thousands of dollars of taxpayer dollars to sue the fair share housing committee and I I went to Miss Fant should we join this lawsuit and her professional opinion was we didn't think it would make sense they could hold it against us whatever well all I know is
all those towns lost their lawsuit and we won our appeal because that action I appreciate your professional opinion as other ways. Um, I got a bunch of stuff to go around. Let's start with um when we were at Fox Hills um after the ceremony, you go inside and they uh play
music, but there was a a gentleman medic um he's an immigrant from India and he wrote a poem um that they had him come up and read and uh he got a standing ovation. So I he gave it to me and I told him I would read it at the council
meeting. So I'm going to read the poem uh Medic wrote and it's called an immigrant appreciation. I had this urge to live but not in woe. I looked at the world where should I go? I came to this great God-gifted land of freedom for every woman and every man. Where I can smile,
I can laugh. Where I can gossip, I can talk. Where I can ride, I can walk on any mountain, plateau, or plane. Where I can live again. Where living is easy. As easy as how you see. where living is free, as free as liberty. You can be
what you want to be. There are hopes and opportunities. You can be what you want to be. Among the brave, among the free. Now, I am so glad it's hard to hold out. I want to sing. I want to shout. I want the world to hear it loud. America, God
blesses you. America will never, never discontinue because America, America, a realm of virtue. America, I love you. That was from very nice. Um read some things here too. Um this is
from uh Lorie Seate. Uh for those you uh recall, Art Seate passed away. Art was in the Boy Scout cabin in Mount Hope and we actually renamed the cabin after him. Um so it's a separate scout cabin. So I want to read this uh email she sent to
myself. Um I want to first apologize doing this sooner. Writing you has been on my mind to do this every day. Um, and this was addressed to me and my wife. You two made the celebration of Art's life so special for me, my family, and everyone who was there. The dedication
to the cabin and your kind words are still what I think about from that weekend. You two are amazing. Your kindness, dedication, making and preserving Rockway Township a special place to live. I follow a lot about the township on Facebook. Even though I moved away, that was my home and my livelihood for 20 years. working for the
people of the township. My heart will always be there and I thank you for being very special people. So, um Lori, thank you for being a special person and for sharing art with our community. Um we have great um police officers. I
think we've read so many things about these police officers and um things they've done. And I want to read something that somebody posted on Facebook. Um, and and you know, just let it sink in, right? In January, my wife
and I unexpectedly lost our 5-year-old son. The first to respond were the Rockway Township PBA. But they didn't just respond, they showed up with compassion, humanity, and heart. They mourned with us. They comforted us. and officer 9 spent hours with our
three-year-old bringing light to his world when ours felt like it had gone completely dark. Today, months later, and completely unexpectedly, they all showed up again. This time with a gift from my wife and I, a small gesture that reminded us once again
um that uh their son hasn't been forgotten. So, I would just like to commend Officer Nine House and the other officers. I think officer was involved um in their actions that day and their follow-up actions and you know it's just uh
incredible um what they did. Um I received feedback from uh the president of the board of Fox Crest. We're in the middle of transition from builder ownership and control HOA ownership and control. We've been somewhat disappointed with the relationship of the ownership group and several
government agencies. As part of our transition, we ran across the fire safety issue and a lack of response from the builder. We the board tried to mend the relationship and and Jeff Heitzman and Edward Nun um were tremendous helping us along the way. Last night we
held a general membership meeting of all of our owners and both of them came to the meeting and made a great presentation to us about fire safety and fire prevention. It was a great value to all of our residents who have many questions for Ed and Jeff and which they answered. So, Wanted to let you know you
have two home run hitters. Right. This is uh this for a resident that was grateful to our nurses, particularly the actions of public health nurse Bridget Sagis. Our nurses were of necessary aid and
comfort to a 91year-old resident upon her arrival at a recent skin cancer screening. M went far and above and beyond taking time effort to help put this troubled Illinois resident get home safely after her screening and follow up with her the next day. Um like to thank
Bridget for work around that. Sorry, John. Um, I want to point out right at the White Metal Lake. Um, Miss Stegman, how many years been doing it? 48 years.
46 years. 46 years. So, the service starts at 6 o' at probably 558. fire alarm goes off and they had to go out on a call, but there were enough firefighters from other because I believe it's all the firehouses. It's just held at the White Metal Lake
firehouse. So, there were there were enough firefighters there to hold it. But, you know, that's the life of a firefighter. Um, you know, when you're called, you got to go. It doesn't They were all in their class A's, right? All dressed and they just boom, dropped everything and went on the call. Um, and I think they had to get somebody out of
the car. I think I heard that on the radio, right? They were extracting from the car. So, um I did also want to read something um and make a statement um to the people that live on Richard Mine Road. Um the
township will never understand, but we appreciate the burden that has been placed on all the residents that live on Richard Mro as a result of the Route 80 situation. I was approached by a resident at the parade and questions about repairs to the road. So, here's what I will promise to the residents of Richard Mine Road that upon full opening
of Route 80, the township engineering department and roads department will evaluate the um we'll evaluate the condition of Richard Mine Road and make recommendations on any needed repairs. Based upon the repairs needed, the township will work with the state and federal government to secure funding to
make all necessary repairs. We are committed to making your roadway safe um as it was before um this situation. So, I did want to make that statement. Um, Jack already talked about the planning board meeting. Um, I want to
thank Eileen Horwitz and Michael Lardy for running their blood drive of White Metal Lake. They got a pint for me again. Um, the Memorial Day ceremonies were outstanding. Our parade was great. Um, I I can't um commend enough to Tom
Slackower and the Memorial Association. They do an amazing job honoring veterans. Um, speaking of honoring veterans, thanks uh, Councilman Buovich, Captain Datson, Dave Dyer for getting those flags up and we'll be getting the next round of flags. Um, we just got to
talk about the funding of them. Um, we'll start taking applications for them again. And as uh Councilman Freedellander and uh Councilwoman Brooks mentioned the Lisa little less, the Wexer family, their commitment um to the youth of our
community is just astounding. Um and and their heart and soul is in that substance abuse alliance and going to the meetings, going to events, it's unbelievable. 25 years. It's a long time and it's, you know, what what they're able to do is just
amazing. Um, I did want to address um, thank you, Mr. Dorte. Um, but, um, on a serious note, the environmental committee, I think I I don't think there's been a lot of environmental type issues going on. I
have really enjoyed working with um, Neil. Neil's an incredible person. He's an incredible um um volunteer for the township and it's definitely disappointing um what happened. I think the I think part of the problem I'll
take the the hit on this the open space plan I think so we have liaons to committees like this. So, Councilman Freedellander is the leazison for that committee and I my thought process is the night we had the person come and speak um about
it. Um he might not have been here because of the situation he was going through because my expectation would be he would have taken that back to the committee and then we would have uh you know had you get engaged in any way. So I I think I it was an oversight on my
part because he wasn't here um and and uh you weren't included in the development of the open space plan and I I I'm regretful of that uh for sure. Um the last thing I want to finish with, I do want to straighten some things out.
Um there's there's statements made continually at our meetings and in public um by Tucker that just aren't accurate and aren't um fully vetted out in fact. So, one of the statements he
made at at um the last meeting was, you know, it's costing the township money for his over request because we require him to submit over requests. Him submitting the request doesn't talk to town doesn't cost the township anything additional. What cost us money is the research we have to do,
the attorney reviews we have to do on his information request. If we didn't, you know, I think the council president said he's averaging an open request every other day. If we didn't require him to do an open request, I'm pretty be here every day and would cost twice as much money. So, um, you know, he he
leaves out little bits and pieces like that. Um, Tucker made a comment about the 4.5 million in wasted government funds due to offering multiple prescription plans. I I'd just like to point out that the contracts that created that situation, um, he was
one of the council members that reviewed and approved those contracts that created the situation. So, not take any accountability over your part in it is just not um not right. Um and and I just uh you know that bothers me that he just
puts it out there like he has no accountability to it. I I also talk about this comes up a lot. It's come up multiple times and you know he goes back in the time machine to 2018 where they cut the budget. So I want to just put some of the facts out there, right? These are facts. This isn't you know
speculation. I know there's been a lot of back and forth. So, how they cut the budget was they eliminated a bunch of positions, including four police positions. Okay, that's a fact. They were positions that were eliminated. Okay. Um they eliminated
um uh the technology budget. Any budget around technology was was removed. There were vehicles that were needed by a road crew, by our recreation department, they eliminated those from the budget. Um they eliminated money that was earmarked for
improvements at Peterson over $100,000. So, you know, you can it's not like they were identifying waste and government waste. They were just making blanket cuts to things that lowered public safety that decreased services being provided to the township and at
what price? $100 for an average taxpayer a year. So, you know, to me that makes you ask the question, you know, is it worth it? Is it worth lowering your public safety, not providing services to save $100 a year? And I, you know, the
way I look at it, the taxpayers gave their opinion. Um, you know, one of one of those people was recall, the other three didn't run again, and Tucker lost the next three elections he ran in. So, I just want to, you know, again, it's important to me that there's facts out
there. Um, I recently reviewed a uh analysis that was done by the administration at the time. I wasn't part of this in 2017. They reviewed all legal costs created by Tucker from 2007 to 2017 and it totaled over
$450,000. So that's, you know, $50,000 a year. So, um, the way I figure it, if he donates his, uh, council salary to the, uh, he'd have to be a council member for like 55 years to reimburse the township for all that money. So, I just think it's it's important for people to see
that um some of the things he's done recently that aren't directly tied to cost. They hurt morale. They hurt morale on our our staff. Um they cause burdens to our administrator to have to make additional phone calls and contact DCA
and all the things he's doing to disrupt the operation of the township. He just does things that disrupt it in many different ways. And I think it's important for people to know that because he comes up here every council meeting and like he's innocent and doesn't do anything wrong. So I think
it's important for people to know facts and I want to get them out there. So with that that's a tough one to follow. Actually I'm sorry the mayor took everybody else's time. I just want to remind everyone Rockway Day is Saturday.
Not here, but he asked me to report on his behalf. The gypsy moth spray is scheduled for tomorrow early morning, weather permitting. I know it's been postponed a few times now, but hopefully with the rain holds
off in the morning. Thanks. And that airplane flies very low. And we will have uh people working the health department. Some people be out in the road. So if it does seem to get calls from your constituents, you can refer them to the health department.
closely guided bytorney as well as Richard Street. Richard Street is about to come to an endemass. not coming back out to the seed that contractor put down. Uh we also talked about park which was paid today. Um got
a couple more items to button it up before it's open. Again, it's still closed to the public. And lastly, the utility building has come along building and now you see the roofing
material go September depending on material delays. But I want to give a big thank you to the assistant who is running from the north end of town to White Lake and making sure that these
contractors are putting every conceptual at the planning board for Peterson phase three. We will not be coming back to you guys if you did have any questions. We're off to detail design and construction drawings and
hopefully that will be out on the streets for bid this fall winter. Um so if you have any questions chief thank you council president. Uh nothing really to report other than I'd like to echo the sentiments of Mayor
Jackson in reference to the amazing work of the officers, the compassion that they showed in that very difficult situation, as well as the mention of all of the other employees that serve here in Rockway Township, whether on staff or
volunteers or or or new volunteers. We we appreciate uh all of their efforts here at Broadway Township. As far as I80, uh, Friday is supposed to be the day for two westbound lanes being open, but
between now and then are three days of rain. So again, that's the latest, Mr. Coward. Nothing tonight. Thank you. Thanks. Nobody brought up Councilman Sberg's birthday. Didn't that happen?
Yes, sir. Yesterday. Happy 39th. 39 years. That's it. Uh like to make a motion to adjourn by consensus. All in favor? I being