WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=8dUeUqqf84k Part: 1 1 00:00:09.120 --> 00:01:19.040 Yes. Township in the county, New Jersey hereby authorized to I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice 2 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:43.200 for all. Open public meeting statement. >> Adequate meeting adequate notice of this meeting of the township council of the town of was given as required by the open public meeting on December 31st 2025. Notice tax record 3 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:59.119 and published in the daily record. Notice she also remained hosted throughout the main building. Council woman >> here. >> Councilman Kerry >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Crowley >> here. >> Councilman >> here. 4 00:01:59.119 --> 00:02:22.000 >> Councilman Hall >> here. >> I'm going to go ahead and give an opening statement. So, Roberry Township remains firmly opposed to proposed federal processing facility pushed forward under former secretary Christine 5 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:37.360 Dome for the reasons clearly laid out in resolution 2026-029. These concerns include the site's inappropriate location within the residential area, substantial limitations on borders and sewer capacity, environmental impacts, and 6 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:52.400 significant traffic risks at one of the township's most hazardous intersections. In addition, the proposal could place strain on our 42 member police department and all volunteer fire and EMS, slowing these services down for our 7 00:02:52.400 --> 00:03:08.720 residents while also resulting in the immediate loss of approximately $1.8 million in tax revenue for our community. In response, Rockberry Township in partnership with the state of New Jersey has initiated legal action against the federal government to 8 00:03:08.720 --> 00:03:24.400 challenge a proposal of the conversion of a warehouse at 1879 Route 46 into an ICE detention facility. Mr. Buo is stuck in traffic, but he continues to represent our township in this matter. We'll provide an update as soon as he 9 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:41.040 gets here uh in a few minutes. So again, as of today, no application or permit requests have been filed with the township of Rochester. No plans have been submitted and no additional information has been provided by the Department of Homeland Security. We have formally invited Secretary Mullen 10 00:03:41.040 --> 00:03:56.799 through Senator Kim's office to visit Roberry Township. There is no set date or confirmation, but positive messages have been returned from Senator Kim's office on this meeting. This council remains unwavering in his commitment to safety, protection, and best interest of 11 00:03:56.799 --> 00:04:16.799 Roxbury Township. Moving on, presentations, award, etc. There are none. Moving on to item five, approval of minutes. April 14, 2026 regular meeting. April 21st, 2026. >> I'll make a motion. 12 00:04:16.799 --> 00:04:43.600 >> Motion in a second. Any discussion on this? >> Any discussion on this? >> Roll call. >> Council. >> Yes. Councilman on April 14th and yes on the 21st 13 00:04:43.600 --> 00:05:00.000 >> Mayor Crowley. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Hall. >> Yes. >> Riley. >> Yes. >> Mayor Patello. >> Yes. This brings us to our first public portion. Does anyone in the audience wish township business? Please come to the microphone. We will have a second 14 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:22.080 public portion later on the agenda. How you guys doing tonight? I'm Eric Dardia with the uh local for brick layers and allied prep workers of New Jersey. I'm the apprentice coordinator and the training director and I just want to say on our behalf that we are excited to work with you guys through our direct tire program to take care of 15 00:05:22.080 --> 00:05:38.479 your sidewalks um in your township in Roxbury. Uh and we definitely look forward to working with all you guys and I think you're going to have a great outcome because we have a great membership uh base and apprentice program to go behind that to have some uh upcoming, you know, apprentices and 16 00:05:38.479 --> 00:06:00.560 journeymen to be working with you guys to get your sidewalk. >> We're excited for the program to start the program. So, you know, obviously, as the uh council knows, we've been after the 17 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:18.240 sidewalks now for 20 plus years. Um, and we've had some successes and we've had some challenges with a variety of different things with just availability, um, getting people show up. So, you know, this program with the the aid of the brick layers, we're going to be able to dictate a lot of that work where they 18 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:34.560 have a very strong labor force. We're going to work hand in hand with them and we're going to be able to determine where and when the work happens and obviously we're going to be able to stretch our tax dollars with this with this project as well. We're not paying a profit margin where we have done so in 19 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:52.880 the past. So we're we're really looking forward to this uh this program ultimately to benefit the residents and kind of resolve a lot of these issues that we've had for so many years. >> Thank you, Steve. put a lot of effort into this program more 20 00:06:52.880 --> 00:07:15.199 dollar. >> Hi. Hi. I'm Linda McMahon. I live in Sakasana and I do come to these council meetings as often as I can to show how supportive I am of Roxberry Township, this township that I do love. And just a 21 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:29.520 brief statement. I know that everything that's going on, the condos and you know the other facilities and all that in our town is going to affect all of us as people as residents of Roxbury Township. 22 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:45.360 But I'm supportive of my township and I have to be supportive of all of you because of that. But I shouldn't say but I didn't mean to say it like that. just said I am supportive of my town. I love 23 00:07:45.360 --> 00:08:08.720 my town. Thank you. >> Public council represent council committee new business old business. I have nothing this week. >> Thank you mayor. A couple things we had economic development meeting tonight. 24 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:23.280 One of the good news is that we'reing website actually the whole township website and you'll see that they'll change a little bit but all pieces will look like they all lock together and that's what we're 25 00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:39.919 working for and I want to thank everyone to a product called Civic Plus that we used other sites for many years but now we're trying to get all the whole township behind that website also attended the called CAC meetings it's a 26 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:56.000 citizen advisor committee for set up by courtroom. Essentially, it's a group from all the towns around the lake looking at water quality and water height. As you know, there's always a 27 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:13.200 controversy, how much they drain the lake, how much water has to go down the lake, the lake must uh when to refill, when the ice is off. This committee is the one that works on that with the D trying to determine what the rules are. And so we had our second 28 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:41.040 meeting. We didn't have for about three years in that. Now the commission has taken over CAC and >> I actually don't have anything. >> I I think Jackie does have some very good news. >> My daughter may have gotten engaged last 29 00:09:41.040 --> 00:10:06.080 week. >> Um, lots of stuff going on, folks. Um, uh, just for council's notification at our neighborhood meeting coming up, we're going to attempt to bring in some of our sports programs. um 30 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:20.399 take care of some of the backlog. We have this will be the Eisenhower Middle School basketball and soccer teams which won county titles uh over the last fall and last winter. Um we had our annual 31 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:37.839 stream cleanup um at the Black River and uh pulled up quite a bit of garbage to be quite honest with you. Unfortunate as that, but you know, people did a great job. A big shout out to rear headquarters association. Uh these 32 00:10:37.839 --> 00:10:53.680 people are good people and they always help sponsor this along with the Roxbury Environmental Commission. Had good participation. Uh cleaned up the park and the park couldn't look any better. I got to be honest with you. It's really in good shape. 33 00:10:53.680 --> 00:11:10.560 On last Wednesday we had the Earth uh celebration at the recreation center. um combination of Roxberry Environmental Commission, Roxbury, you know, Roxberry Township got together 34 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:26.640 on this one and we hand that out over 400 trees and very very nice event and uh you know people were very thankful and hopefully going back and planted those trees and start the big plant Roxbury. Our community cleanup was 35 00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:42.880 cancelled on the 25th which is a terrible terrible day. So that is going to be scheduled for next year. Um, one thing I I went to I went to they had a uh a celebration ribbon cutting ceremony for the aviation program. I don't know if people realize it now, but we have 36 00:11:42.880 --> 00:11:59.760 the high school aviation program and it's uh it's really very unique. And what they did is they brought in the donors of a Sesna um and they came in for for for the ribbon cutting and and I was showing 37 00:11:59.760 --> 00:12:16.160 around on how to actually operate a Sessment. It doesn't really work right now, but it will someday. And uh one of the interesting parts of this is that The person that was showing this was a high school senior and he's like, "Listen, you know, a lot of these 38 00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:31.200 gauges, the horizons and the brakes, they all um, you know, they were all listed right on the dash. You show me how to use them." He's like, "But you know, they've changed quite a bit over the years. Just keep in mind this thing's pretty old. It's from 1959. I 39 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:47.279 had to tell him so was I." >> So, it was very, very well done. It's something special about high school. did a good job with that. Um, we had a boys lacrosse tournament this weekend. So, my boys, that's what that was. We had over 40 00:12:47.279 --> 00:13:05.279 80 teams in that. The girls portion is this weekend. You get a chance to come out and see it. Um, it's it's a pretty pretty good event that's put on for that. We also host the uh on May 6th or 9th year around at Park is the girls 41 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:20.880 high school softball champ, which is Morris County. So hopefully, you know, our girls will get in there. If not, we'll still have the tournament and we've been hosting that for over 10 years now. May 13th, I believe, Steve, 42 00:13:20.880 --> 00:13:40.240 we're going to have the trees planting Memorial Day parade on May the 25th. We have the beach blast on May the 29th. So don't miss those items. And I think Mayor 43 00:13:47.600 --> 00:14:30.720 late. We had firefie chief Steve last week. Thank you. Just one really ter around the town come together. Chamber of Commerce 44 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:49.120 Chamber of Commerce great local business and everybody has a great Everybody try to get tickets as soon as possible. Being held Monday, May 18th from 6 to 8 p.m. and it's in the 45 00:14:49.120 --> 00:15:16.639 Horseshoe Lake Center. It really does. The tickets go this evening was that the board of education yesterday adopted their uh their 2026 27 school year budget and uh 46 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:34.800 as thoroughly publicized the tax rate is going to increase to 1.937% um equating to about $53 for home $500,000 47 00:15:34.800 --> 00:16:05.839 and uh that's all I clerkship manager. >> I had a meeting with the school administrators. So, I wanted to cover some of what we discussed with the school administrators. First, the federal government purchased the warehouse on February 19th in Roxbury by 48 00:16:05.839 --> 00:16:22.560 DHS took $1.8 million off the tax. As a governing body, Roxberry Township is obligated to collect and distribute taxes collected to the Roxbury School District as well as Mars County. And the township fully plans to meet our fiscal 49 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:38.959 obligations. By law, the NBT was established in early January 2026 for the fiscal year before the property was purchased by the federal government. the previous owner paid first quarter taxes. 50 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:55.759 The first quarter taxes collected were redistributed to Mars County and the Roxbury School District already. The 2026 taxes owed on the warehouse property for Mars County are 200 approximately $210,000. Mars County has agreed to work with Roxberry Township on it share tax 51 00:16:55.759 --> 00:17:14.400 revenue understanding that Roxbury cannot collect taxes moving forward on the warehouse parcel now owned by the federal government. 26 taxes owed on the warehouse property to the school district are1,147,0422. Regrettably, the school district's 52 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:30.240 administration has informed the township it intends to continue to require the township, more specifically its residents, to close a budget gap they created by not putting forward a budget that reflected the publicly disclosed loss tax. 53 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:45.919 The township is looking at figuring out how to close this new gap. It could cause delay of much needed township projects such as the parks building, replacement of Imagination Station, much needed PPW equipment or other impactful 54 00:17:45.919 --> 00:18:24.559 projects. Whether DHS moves forward with this project or not, we are going to fight to make sure the Department of Homeland Security helps Anything else tonight update on the litigation? >> Uh, first I apologize. I was at a 55 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:39.919 veterans service program that went a little longer than I anticipated, but as you know, uh the end of March, uh the township in conjunction with the state of New Jersey filed a complaint 56 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:56.960 against um the Department of Human Services, DHS And um that complaint was filed shortly 57 00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:13.760 thereafter in conjunction with the state again. The township applied for preliminary injunction. DHS submitted opposition to that application last Thursday. 58 00:19:13.760 --> 00:19:31.360 In their opposition, there were some inconsistent statements. There were also um changes in some of the facts that we had been previously told regarding the number of uh folks that might be housed 59 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:47.840 at the warehouse. All of that has been taken into consideration and we are presently working with the attorney general's office on our final response to their opposition. That final response 60 00:19:47.840 --> 00:20:04.320 um is due Friday provided um there is not an extension of time depending on what happens between now and the completion of our response. So as of now the date 61 00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:34.919 is Friday but that could be subject to extension. So the case continues to move forward and um then we'll see what happens once court datify that they had done no interior 62 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:50.880 >> they did nothing has been done at the site as of Um they did indicate that they were in in the process of starting um an environmental assessment which 63 00:20:50.880 --> 00:21:09.440 should have been done prior to them purchasing the building which is part of the NEA requirements. Uh so we'll see we'll see how far along they get. >> Thank you. Moving on. The matter 64 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:26.320 requested referred by council members, managers, attorney clerk. There are none. Item nine, introduction of proposed ordinances 12-26, ordinance amending chapter 524 of the revised general ordinance of the township of Roxberry establishing the 65 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:53.840 fee for potential potentially dangerous dog license. Second item 10 hearing adoption of ordinances on second reading 07-26 an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of township owned real property to 66 00:21:53.840 --> 00:22:11.600 Morris Habitat for Humanity Inc. 27 Mount Arlington Boulevard 12002 block. >> Does anybody in the public wish to be heard on this orance and this ordinance alone? Please come to the microphone. 67 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:41.600 Seeing none, I'll close public. >> All in favor? >> Yes. Council, >> yes. >> Mayor Crowley, >> yes. Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Hall, >> yes. Councilman, >> yes. Mayor, >> yes. 68 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:58.400 Second reading for 09-26 capital ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery new information technology equipment and new automotive vehicles by and for the township of Roxbury in the county of 69 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:25.919 Morris state of New Jersey and to appropriate the sum of 3,353,261 from various grants open space trust funds and capital improvement funds of the township to pay the cost there. >> Yeah. 0826 is being deferred till the 70 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:42.080 May 12th meeting. >> Thank you. A motion to open a second. >> All in favor? >> Does anybody in the public wish to come up and be heard on this ordinance and this ordinance alone? Make a motion to close. 71 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:57.360 >> All in favor? >> I move to adopt a motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Roll call. >> Counciloman. >> Yes. >> Council. >> Yes. >> Mayor Crowley. >> Yes. 72 00:23:57.360 --> 00:24:12.559 >> Council. >> Yes. >> Councilman Hall. >> Yes. >> Council Riley. >> Yes. >> Mayor, >> yes. Second reading 10-26. capital ordinance of the township and county of Morris, New Jersey, authorizing the making of various water system 73 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:28.640 improvements and the acquisition of a new automotive vehicle including original apparatus and equipment in and four utility of the township appropriating therefore the sum of 430,000 from the utility capital 74 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:49.279 improvement fund of the township. Motion >> second. >> All in favor? Anybody please come to the microphone for the record. >> Hiington. Um I'm concerned about this ordinance 75 00:24:49.279 --> 00:25:06.400 and the one following it. So, we know that one of the main problems with this warehouse being turned into a detention center for people is the water and sewer. Why are we putting so much of taxpayer dollars directly out of a 76 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:28.919 million dollars to half a million to the water right now while we're trying to get an injunction to slow things down? if you increase capacity or capacity. >> Okay, the next one is >> just 77 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:48.080 a moment. >> It's not the money. So, it's not tax. >> Okay. I'm just expressing my concern of the timing for water and sewage upgrades 78 00:25:48.080 --> 00:26:10.080 at this very moment to the Department of Homeland Security DHS home security. >> Thank you. >> I understand your concerns that this doesn't expand or make the water or 79 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:39.120 sewer ready to accept warehouse. All >> in favor? >> Yes. Council, >> yes. >> Mayor Crowley, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Hall, Councilman Riley, 80 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:54.880 >> Mayor Pat, >> yes. Second reading 11-26 capital ordinance of the towns for Roxbury County authorizing the making sanitary sewer system improvements in and by the sewer utility of township appropriating 81 00:26:54.880 --> 00:27:32.080 therefore in favor or this orance alone. Hi, my name is Author Shupta. I'm uh I'm in Newton. Uh I was wondering, so I was here for the budget deliberations. It seems like there's a market increase in the amount that is being put towards the 82 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:55.520 sewer. Uh is there a reason that this ordinance is being passed now uh instead of during the budget hearing? It hasn't changed. >> No. >> Okay. >> So, do you have information about what 83 00:27:55.520 --> 00:28:22.559 areas the town will be serviced by improvements? >> Just in the last year. >> The ordinance does describe in the ordinance what the money is being. >> Okay. >> I appreciate your transparency on that. 84 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:59.159 Counciloman. Yes. >> Councilman Crowley. Council >> Councilman Hall. >> Yes. >> Council Riley. >> Mayor 2026-098 to include 2026- 85 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:27.679 99 20. 26 discussion. Yes. Councilman Council >> Council Riley Mayor >> Yes. >> Item 14, personnel change. There are 86 00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:48.120 none. 15 communications. April 24th, 2026. Any discussion? This brings us to our second public portion. If anybody in the public wish on any topic, please come to the microphone, state the name, and address for the record. Please make any 87 00:29:51.120 --> 00:30:08.000 Hello, my name is Susanna. I'm from Landing Road. On page 23 of the DHS response to our case, um Rockberry in New Jersey. Uh DHS did disclose important facts about it for the facility to the county planning and 88 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:23.039 zoning board as stated in exhibit one pages 13 through 17 that were attached to the legal response. This was signed in February and provided in March. Did anyone here in this room receive a copy 89 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:40.960 of this from the county planning board? >> Did anybody review it since it's been updated and provided through the uh public uh posting that was made with the um uh response? Has anybody reviewed the 90 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:59.120 uh planning um exhibit pages 13 through 17? >> Did you review it? Is this whole the whole document from DHS since it was published? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, you should be aware of that. So, there's some key improvements. um 91 00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:14.720 installing a 4600 linear feet perimeter security fencing, constructing 150 foot guard shack, building four exterior recreation course on an asphalt and existing asphalt, and adding exterior lighting, security cameras, telcom, and 92 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:31.600 100 kilowatt emergency generators. Have you um looked at doing any immediate zoning modifications that could be made based on these um plan recommendations? >> Okay, then I'll give you some are that are suggested. The first one define mass 93 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:49.120 detention as distinct from warehouse or light industrial zoning. This would trigger a high bar variance and you would need um public hearings for institutional housing recreational areas and D real rules requiring water and quality treatment for any redevelopment 94 00:31:49.120 --> 00:32:06.000 of asphalt um um areas. Um there's uh even with no added footprint, repurposing of asphalt for recreation now triggers a complex storm filtration and Highlands 0% net increased mandates. Lighting zone mandate for dark sky 95 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:22.320 lighting and a 10 p.m. 50% banning curfew. This would create an operational conflict where the federal 247 security standards cannot be complied with. Fencing. Ban any security style fencing over six feet with razor and or electric 96 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:38.880 or barb wire within township of Roxberry. Security cameras. Ban residential facing security uh cameras and restricting enforcing strict zone of a 25 skate landscaping buffer. Generator. ban 100 uh 1,00 kilowatt 97 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:55.120 generators from being used within the township of Roxberry for any building zoned as mass detention or require generators to be framed in box which violates ex existing imperous coverage ratios security shack zoning ordinance to pro to prohibit any additional 98 00:32:55.120 --> 00:33:11.440 structures be added to the property because the warehouse is already itself maxed out due to coverage. Just want to make a side note that I wanted to build a flower box and I was told that I would need a engineering study 99 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:37.760 >> design and a um um >> what's it called before I could even put in a flower box. >> Please do your job. Uh, good evening, great hearts of uh, the beautiful town of Roxberry. My name is Rabbi Mosha Ruden, uh, 841 Mountain 100 00:33:37.760 --> 00:33:54.000 Way in Symphony. Um, I just just being here and seeing u, uh, your your web page about all that you've done to oppose the uh, the ICE incursion into your township makes me proud of you. Uh, you really are ground zero. And I wanted 101 00:33:54.000 --> 00:34:10.560 to add my words that I as the uh, uh, the chair of the uh Morris County Human Relations Commission wanted to share some um some support that we were sending a letter to uh our governor, the honorable Cheryl like to read have read 102 00:34:10.560 --> 00:34:27.679 here for your record. Dear Governor Cheryl, as members of the Morris County Human Relations Commission, we are shocked and horrified by the actions taken by the Federal Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency in our county and beyond. Due to these actions, our Morris County community, whose stability and 103 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:43.679 diversity testified to the strength of American values and law, has been disrupted, and our residents have been subjected to violence, intimidation, sudden arrest, and internment. These draconian measures are carried out without transparency or legal due legal 104 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:59.200 process. the presence of an ICE detention center in Roxberry and Morris County with the attended illegal interment for people under the humane conditions we have seen in Newark's dining hall has cast a p of fear and distrust over the general public. We 105 00:34:59.200 --> 00:35:15.440 have seen how a student doing his family's laundry was seized. How children and parents are afraid to perform the normal daily acts of living such as attending work or school. We have seen how car chases, gunfire, and acts of violence have become the trademarks of ICE. The atmosphere of 106 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:30.800 fear and shock created by ICE far exceeds the scope of the issues of immigration status. This must not be allowed in our civil society. We applaud your efforts to monitor and impede IC's incursions in New Jersey as a whole and Morris County specifically. We fully 107 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:46.560 support your policy of implementing parts of the immigrant trust act into law and we urge you to make certain that New Jersey laws are enforced. The task of government is above all the protection and nurturing of the government by opposing the immoral and illegal implementation of the 108 00:35:46.560 --> 00:36:02.160 enforcement and removal operations in our county and in Rockberry. You have done much to fulfill that task. We thank you and support your efforts to persist in your fight against this erosion of our freedoms and basic human rights. respectfully 109 00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:24.960 representing the Morris County Human Relations Commission. Thank you very much. >> Hi, David Foot, Lower Berkshire Valley in Roxbury. Um, I've spoken here a few times over the last couple months. It's been a few weeks since I have come up here and 110 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:40.880 spoken. Um, I've been thinking a lot you know what I've said and what other people have said in conversations and it gets a little contentious sometimes. Um I thought I'd press something a little different um because at the end of the 111 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:56.240 day and the gentleman who spoke before me put it so um eloquently um and the statement that you read at the beginning of this mayor I mean you are standing against this and that's the great thing and I guess I have a question for you 112 00:36:56.240 --> 00:37:12.800 which is basically what can I do to help? Um you don't have to answer it right now. Now, I know I'm kind of putting you on the spot, but I am I am a resident of Roxbury. This is obviously an issue that is extremely important to me because I keep 113 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:30.400 coming here. Um, and so I stand behind you and the rest of the council and I want to support you in whatever way I can. I mean, I don't have a legal background or anything, but I do want to help. So, I would ask if you guys could just think a little bit about this and and you know, let me know what I can do 114 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:51.440 because I I really want to help you guys out. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Patrick Gallagher. I live in Long Valley, New Jersey. Um, I just want to say foremost, I definitely thank you for being transparent about the sewer and water 115 00:37:51.440 --> 00:38:08.160 stuff. I've been coming to a lot of these the last couple months. I sat through all those presentations. I totally understand the work that needs to be done on water and sewer. Thanks for answering my friend's question about that. Um, oh, I'm also at the Democratic Socialist of America. I'm 116 00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:23.280 just here to uh I'm sure you're aware that uh next week, a week from two weeks from today on May 12th in New York, right, the court's going to be uh doing a hearing about this injunction. Um, and you know, me and a lot of the 117 00:38:23.280 --> 00:38:38.800 people that I organize with are hoping that they issue that preliminary injunction against the warehouse. And I'm just letting you know that at 9:30, uh, at 50 Walnut Street, Newark, Project Ninja, North NJSA, Sussex Visibility Brigade, American Friends Service 118 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:55.200 Committee, Roxbury Dems, X Christy, and other works. We're going to be having a nice uh rally to uh just kind of um yeah, just to let people know what's going on and hope that junction gets passed and hopefully some of you some of you might already be there in some legal 119 00:38:55.200 --> 00:39:18.480 capacity, but it'd be cool to see you guys outside this room. We could uh hang out. All right, thank you Wilson. Sierra Wilson from Bud Lake. I have a few quotes I'd like to read for you today as I do every other Tuesday. 120 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:33.520 The immigration officers are very derogatory. They look at you like you are inferior. They won't tend to you. They will look at you rudely. To them, it's like Latino people don't matter. This is from an asylum seeker who was 121 00:39:33.520 --> 00:39:49.280 one minute late to her citizenship hearing. She was detained by ICE and still remains. Is something funny? She still remains in the ICE jail. I'd like to point out that Anthony Buo was 15 minutes late to appointment and I was a minute late. I got in here as you were 122 00:39:49.280 --> 00:40:07.760 saying the pledge. Does that should I be detained? Should I be arrested, kidnapped, held in a cell? No, wider than a bathroom. No. The next quotes, the mothers tried to reach their children, and I saw children pressing up against the fence of the 123 00:40:07.760 --> 00:40:22.480 cage trying to reach out to their mothers, but officials pulled the children away and yelled at the mothers. This is testimony from a California ice girl. And finally, this is from David Cantor. He is a 124 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:39.760 survivor of the Nazi Holocaust. So, I'd like to read this and I'll give you a minute after just to let this sink in. The point of understanding the Holocaust in Europe is to prevent and halt other ones, not to remain narrowly focused on 125 00:40:39.760 --> 00:41:03.119 that particular one. Traumatic though as it was Thank you. >> Good evening. Diana May, 30 East Ledgewood here in Roxbury. Thank you, Senator Buco for the update on last week's DHS response to the temporary 126 00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:20.319 injunction request. Um, I'd like to share my observations from my first reading of the response. And while I do not enjoy drying legally documents, I feel it was important to spend quite a bit of time going through it. Um, but some things that were revealed in these documents is that DHS states that their 127 00:41:20.319 --> 00:41:36.079 plan is, as Mr. Luc said, now to detain just 542 detainees here. This is far fewer than the 1500 initially indicated. And to me, it's nonsensical given the enormous size of this warehouse. Um, I feel it's 128 00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:50.560 convenient for them to lowball the number to address our concerns of water and sewer limitations, but How would we know if they far exceed this little wall number? We have no oversight authority over them. Their immediate plans, uh, 129 00:41:50.560 --> 00:42:07.599 this to address Mr. De's question, their immediate plans include erecting temporary fencing, security cameras, and lighting in the next few weeks, reconfiguring office space, adding communication wiring, installing an alarm system, and making any repairs over the coming months. They acknowledge 130 00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:24.400 the six federally threatened species in the area and they promise that they'll contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service if they encounter any when they're doing their work. They promise. They revealed the project also includes an interior gunfiring range for staff training. But don't worry, they have noise reduction 131 00:42:24.400 --> 00:42:40.000 so as uh to result in no measurable increase in ambient exterior noise. Again, what can we do afterward if the noise is disturbing to those neighbors that are so close by? They that the wastewater and portable water systems might need to be upgraded for an 132 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:55.359 increase in occupancy, but they promise to work with municipal sewer authority if upsizing were determined to be needed later. Um, Mr. Mayor mentioned the fact about that intersection being a very dangerous one. They responded that this 133 00:42:55.359 --> 00:43:12.319 facility will not substantially increase the number of vehicles in the area. The timeline was revealed. They did a site reconnaissance on 123. They conducted a certificate of inspection on 1826. I don't believe we can trust them when they have circumvented working with us 134 00:43:12.319 --> 00:43:28.480 all along. Um their own response to the injunction request includes many contradictions. One document states um that New York City has abducted over a million people. New Jersey they expect to detain 351,000 people and the 135 00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:44.480 limitations in New York are 1,000 and in Elizabeth are 425. But only going to use our warehouse for 542. Finally, I do respectfully ask when um will the information provided by this 136 00:43:44.480 --> 00:44:09.920 DHS response be added to the ice warehouse tab in on our township website so that all of our residents can be up to date on the most current information. >> Thank you very much. saying um we were talking about before how our 137 00:44:09.920 --> 00:44:26.480 taxes are going to have to fill the gap. They're not going to be paying the amount of money that we were of getting off that building. We don't want to have that gap. Uh we want to fill it ourselves u because the federal government took away a building on our land for their use. We want an 138 00:44:26.480 --> 00:44:41.200 establishment that is there that isn't torturing humans to utilize it and to pay proper taxes. you're doing. What are you doing in your rebuttal to refuse to sale this property? It doesn't matter if it's 1500 people or 540. Um, we don't 139 00:44:41.200 --> 00:44:56.560 want any people in that warehouse and it's not made for that. Um, and they're not truthful of anything they say. So, we can't believe them. As she just said, we can't believe anything that they say. Um, what can be done in litigation rebuttal sympatically state that we 140 00:44:56.560 --> 00:45:13.359 don't want them here and also without the environmental does that make the sale illegal and void? Would you hold them responsible for not following directions and proper protocol? Um, and I also second what the gentleman said of what can we do to 141 00:45:13.359 --> 00:45:29.760 help? Is there anything that we can do except to stand here and talk about how we don't like it? because we want to do something as a community and anything we can do whether we have the resources or we have the knowledge it doesn't matter we have the manpower and I think a lot 142 00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:45.440 of the organizations show that people are willing to help and we really really want to do something about it so any guidance you can give us is really appreciated um that aside in my community trees are being taken down um 143 00:45:45.440 --> 00:46:22.160 I was wondering if the trees along the sidewalk our director. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Anthony Lee. I'm from East Hover, New Jersey. Um I am 144 00:46:22.160 --> 00:46:37.359 a member of the Democratic Socialist of America. First, I wanted to thank you all for taking legal action against the DHS. Um understanding that understanding that a town council going up against the 145 00:46:37.359 --> 00:46:53.119 federal government is probably a difficult thing. Um I like the other speakers hope that you do not would ask that you don't trust DHS to play by the rules. Uh your your own attorney know 146 00:46:53.119 --> 00:47:10.640 the inconsistencies in the response. Um I did want to point out that that number of 542 detainees was has actually been used in by has actually been cited by ICE in every lawsuit that they've been presented with thus far. 147 00:47:10.640 --> 00:47:29.599 And it's not clear how they've reached that conclusion. They um Delaney Hall itself, Delaney Hall alone houses many more than that. Other than that, we're my organizations 148 00:47:29.599 --> 00:47:45.440 here, my comrades are here because we as democratic socialists see the connection between workers within the US border and those without we're all mothers and fathers trying to provide provide for their families. They're all trying to 149 00:47:45.440 --> 00:48:02.720 get by while corporation corporations and people like D industries and Goldman Sachs make back make deals that impact the t impact the towns that they operate in without any without any say from the 150 00:48:02.720 --> 00:48:16.720 people who live there or elected or our elected officials and then you have to clean up the mess. I mean at the end of the day it's all against them and I just hope that every uh hope that uh you all remember that and everyone here 151 00:48:16.720 --> 00:48:40.800 remembers that. Thank you very much. >> Anybody else wishes to be tonight, please step online? >> Uh Bonnie, she her pronouns round off and it's some questions. It's not controversial. Um do you guys as a council get reports as to what's going 152 00:48:40.800 --> 00:48:54.480 on on the legal front and all? I know you guys have an attorney working obviously with the attorney general, but does the council is the council made aware of all the the intricacies of what's going on? >> We are informed by >> Okay. Thank you. 153 00:48:54.480 --> 00:49:13.119 >> Okay. Um so and um as the process continues, unfortunately, are you guys allowed as individuals to act as individuals like to to to go to rallies to do different things or are you required um because you're town council 154 00:49:13.119 --> 00:49:28.960 members, but you're not allowed to do things outside like have your own personal ideas. It's not it's not a >> as the mayor I represent. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Um so, um everybody 155 00:49:28.960 --> 00:49:45.920 knows you guys are Republicans and I'm not saying anything bad about Republicans, but we know that typically Republicans like watch Fox News and different things. So, I mean, I'm not I'm not being funny here. um about the fact of I hope you guys are watching um 156 00:49:45.920 --> 00:50:01.520 because what Fox News says about these detention facilities and what MS now says about these detention facilities are two very different things. So I hope that you guys are getting the whole picture of what's going on. Um again not 157 00:50:01.520 --> 00:50:18.000 um and the last thing I'll say is um and I'm addressing you mayor Patello. I have a problem with the um senator's statement, Mr. Brier's statement of we'll see where it goes. That like I I heard those words where we'll see where 158 00:50:18.000 --> 00:50:33.440 it goes. We need you guys doing everything you can and you have people out here. >> Let me just clarify that for one second. When I said we'll see where it goes, I mean we'll see when the court establishes 159 00:50:33.440 --> 00:50:49.280 there and response times and you know parties requesting additional time. So we'll see where that goes. >> Okay. Thank you for thank you for the clarification and all some of us like 160 00:50:49.280 --> 00:51:06.160 myself and all. No, I'm not this no criticism of you guys. I've been here more than some of you guys have. I've been here every single Tuesday since December 30th. I know I'm not criticizing in any way, but we've got some really dedicated people and we have 161 00:51:06.160 --> 00:51:26.480 dedicated people who work for the town like um Chief M over there and JJ and Radar, you know, radar works very hard. >> Hi, my name is Costa. I live in New Jersey and I'm part of the Democratic 162 00:51:26.480 --> 00:51:40.559 Socialist America North New Jersey chapter. Uh I wanted to re retouch on the points that some of uh the town that the town's people have brought up about um DHS's plans to build a fence to build 163 00:51:40.559 --> 00:51:58.800 other security measures on the site. Uh I would like to suggest similar to Miss Olivea that you take zoning uh protocols that she suggested to prevent the implementation of generators, security cameras uh and 164 00:51:58.800 --> 00:52:13.760 the like. Is that something that you guys are considering? Is that something that you I can expect to hear ordinances on at the next meeting? >> Next question. >> Okay. Um can I uh do I have the chair's permission to direct direct a question 165 00:52:13.760 --> 00:52:30.960 to uh Senator? >> Okay. Um what is the the legal um you know are the legal arguments that DHS is making about breaking development into three different sections. Is that 166 00:52:30.960 --> 00:52:51.359 feasible? Is that going to hold up? And does the does your legal representation have any comments about that? >> Okay. Um yeah. Well, so some some other people have asked what can they do. Uh we are outside of the warehouse every 167 00:52:51.359 --> 00:53:09.200 Friday at 4:30. Um and we are keeping an eye on things seeing if construction vehicles are coming. Uh to my understanding, Mr. Murphy has also been out there which we appreciate to to see if any construction is happening. So, if anyone is interested, any of you are interested in helping us monitor the 168 00:53:09.200 --> 00:53:24.720 site, please come uh contact me after this meeting. Um we can get you involved because uh you know, we're we as the citizens are the first line of defense against incursions from the federal government. So, we will continue to do 169 00:53:24.720 --> 00:53:40.400 that. And uh additionally, May 12th, the pre preliminary induction hearing is that day. We are holding a rally in front of the hall of power to show our uh support for this council as well as the state government in their defense 170 00:53:40.400 --> 00:54:02.000 against or in their case against DHS. Uh you guys are all welcome to come there and uh if anyone else wants to come, it's a weekday so please make sure you take time off work. Thank you. I was saying not just welcome but encourage you guys to come. That would 171 00:54:02.000 --> 00:54:18.319 mean a lot. Um hello my name is Zoe Best. I'm in Stanh Hope. I grew up here. Um I want to stay here and raise a family here. My home currently overlooks our beautiful Lake Musket Kong, but right in 172 00:54:18.319 --> 00:54:35.800 those mountains sits that ugly warehouse and looking at it makes me sick. It's unsafe for humanity and it's unsafe for our environment. So, I will keep showing up here and doing what I can. I hope you will do the same. And thank you. 173 00:54:39.760 --> 00:54:55.040 >> Hi, my name is Robert. I live in Long Valley and I was here at that first meeting when this news broke and took everybody by surprise and I remember sitting in the audience aside from all the in the background with the TV in the 174 00:54:55.040 --> 00:55:11.359 canoe. And I just thought there was a time when when this area looked like that. And if we look around now, I'm sure we don't have any um indigenous people in the audience. And I'm sure no one speaks drove them out of this area. And now the people who originally lived here, their 175 00:55:11.359 --> 00:55:26.960 ancestors are in desolate areas of the country. Um then we have civil war where people thought fought against each other because certain people thought other people had a right to own other people. And I just think we have a history of being on the wrong side of history. And 176 00:55:26.960 --> 00:55:42.480 who would have thought that here in Roberry of all places you would get a chance to actually take something so devastated devastating and be on the right side of history on the right side of people on the right side of rights. And because these people I know a lot of undocumented people and they're good 177 00:55:42.480 --> 00:55:59.599 kind of people who came here because of how our actions have undermined their countries. They have a history of getting involved in everybody's business and and decimating and then they flee here and now we're turning them away for committing a misdemeanor. So in order to be on the right side of history, you 178 00:55:59.599 --> 00:56:15.520 need to be on the right side and now and I applaud you for what you're doing to try to fight this. I know that we've got Democrats and Republicans and independents, but at the end of the day, at the beginning of the day, at the middle of the day, we're all just people trying to do better for our families. And we try to put all that other stuff 179 00:56:15.520 --> 00:56:32.400 aside and just try put us on the right side of history of doing the right thing so that when Rob is learn about 100 years from now, they're the ones who stood up to this. They're the ones who stood up against inhumity for us. And what I really like since I'm 180 00:56:32.400 --> 00:56:47.520 live here and they've overpaid this. It is not fiscally responsible to deport 10 million people. You just can't do it. It's it'll bust this country. We're already busted. And how do you think terrorists are made the children of the people that we're doing this to? That's 181 00:56:47.520 --> 00:57:03.680 who Hamas is. They're there, the adult children of Palestinians whose families were killed and homes were taken. The children are going to remember what we've done to their families and it will come back to get us. We have to stop it now. And um what I would really like to see is in my dream is to take that 182 00:57:03.680 --> 00:57:20.240 property that our taxes paid more than double for and turn it into a center for citizenship. How cool would that be and how much money would that save? would that be if we actually made it a center for citizenship where we brought fellow immigrants in like our ancestors were. I 183 00:57:20.240 --> 00:57:36.559 just feel very strongly about this and I compel you to look in the mirror and look in your hearts and think about being on the right side of history and what an opportunity you've been given to stand up to your party. How I've stood up to my party and we stand up to this nonsense if we put people first. So, 184 00:57:36.559 --> 00:57:56.720 thank you for listening. I said that lady just spoke here. I'm Loving. I've been in Roxbury for 20 years. I'm a member of the human relations 185 00:57:56.720 --> 00:58:13.040 commission, Martown human relations commission. And as I said, I've been a resident of Jesuit for over 20 years. I don't care whether you're Democrat, Republican, or independent. What we're looking at here is a 186 00:58:13.040 --> 00:58:28.480 humanitarian issue. And I heard about that child down in Marstown being accosted. That just broke my heart. It really did. And then then to find out that they had the same issue here in my town that I've been in for 20 years at, 187 00:58:28.480 --> 00:58:43.119 it's heartbreaking again. We're better than that. We've done better than that. I look forward to you do you guys doing better than that. Let's do the right thing. Let's support 188 00:58:43.119 --> 00:59:00.480 our town. We support you and again it doesn't matter to me what political persuasion you are but let's get this thing done. Let's stop talking about what we going to do and let's do something. And you've done some things but let's do something else. You might have to do something a little bit 189 00:59:00.480 --> 00:59:18.240 different. You can't continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. Let's do something good. I don't know what it is, but you guys are smarter than I am. That's why you're there. We anticipate that you're doing something 190 00:59:18.240 --> 01:00:07.760 better, something different, something good to save this town, to save this community, and get that dog on place up out of here. Thank you very much. You're in executive session tonight. >> State of New Jersey. resolution of township council town of 191 01:00:07.760 --> 01:00:24.880 Baronbury and County of Morrison, New Jersey authorizing the conference of the township council with the public excluded. Whereas it is inappropriate town of council discuss the matter here and after mentioned without the presence of the public in accordance with the provisions of RS104-12 192 01:00:24.880 --> 01:00:40.480 being section B of the open public meetings act now therefore be it resolved by the capital council for litigation county state of New Jersey versus DHS shall be discussed by council without presence of 193 01:00:40.480 --> 01:00:52.640 the motion executive. We will not be taking any action in executive. I don't have time.