Please rise for a short prayer. God, grant us wisdom to make those decisions that are in the best interest of all our residents. and heavenly father of us all bless those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation and may you watch over and protect our service men and women now
guarding the gates of freedom to our flagg 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
Please >> take notice that this regular agenda meeting of the mayor and burough council being held on this 8th day of December 2025 has been posted and advertised in accordance with the open public meetings act chapter 231 public law 1975 >> roll call >> council persons Bala
>> here >> here >> Novak here >> Roberts >> here >> Sarski >> here >> Zabrowski >> here >> can I get a motion to approve the minutes >> so move second >> council persons Novak Yes. >> Bala. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sinarski. >> Yes. >> Zabowski. >> Yes. >> Okay. We have a couple of proclamations and presentations. >> Am I getting to do this? >> Somebody else got to read. >> Yes. >> I think the whole
Dan do. >> Okay. So, should we have Dan? >> Yeah, you're all gone. Dan all go on up. >> All of us going up. Okay. >> Okay.
[Music] I'm only going to introduce, but then I'll allow every council person to uh to say a few words, but uh I want to present Councilman Daniel Balo uh with this uh token, but but more um from the bottom of our hearts for your efforts
over the last three years on behalf of the Burough of Saraveville as a council person. I'd just like to say personally I appreciated all your efforts particularly on the budget uh uh situation. last year this was or I should say this uh present year was the first year that I served on the budget
committee along with Mary and uh Dan and it was a very eyeopening opportunity for me and I would say that Dan uh you certainly was a great steward in first of all mentoring us on the process and making sure that uh everything was done
uh in a most appropriate fashion and for that I really appreciate it and you know we want to also thank you for your dedicated service for the town uh over the many including your board of education service as well. We look forward to seeing you at council meetings hopefully bringing up some great uh opportunities and discussions
for us. And again uh we want to thank you uh and this uh presentation says presented to Daniel Bala for his distinguished service rendered as a member of several burough council 2023 to 2025.
um Kennedy O'Brien Mayor, Rural Council, Mike Kacy, Mary Novak, Donna Roberts, Stanley Sinarski, and John Zabrowski. And I'm going to pass this along now. Mary >> Dan, I uh I really enjoyed working with you. I know. And I I've worked with him
so often. And matter of fact, I was here when you were first hired. And it's been a pleasure to work with you at both levels. Um, this year in particular, I want to thank you for all the seconds I got on my motions, things that were dear
to my heart. Dan did make the seconds and I appreciate that. Um, your knowledge of finances were second to none. It was really wonderful working with you on finance. You showed me a lot of things that I had missed and uh I I really hope that you consider coming
back at some time, but you always give your heart and soul to the town no matter what you do. Thank you, Dan. Same sentiments here, Dan. I mean, you know, you you've provided the integrity and everything that you need in a councilman and you know, I appreciate
everything that you've showed me and taught me along the way. And um you know, uh I hope that you continue to come on my bus trips and you know, our friendship grew just not just on council, but personally as well. But uh
thank you for all this time here and uh everything that you're going to continue to do through us. >> I'm going to pass this along before you have your last words. >> Take first. >> You want to take a >> Dan, we ran together and we're leaving
together. Um it was a pleasure working with you. I know we didn't always agree, but we often did agree and um learned a lot. you um were the perfect person to be on admin and finance and I'm glad that you were here and were able to step up and fill that position because you
know how critical it is and you did a great job with that. So, thank you. >> Uh thank you Dan. Uh definitely was a pleasure to work with you. Uh you know, you helped me out many many times on a lot of different things. Everything we do in life is just another chapter and I
hope you enjoyed this chapter and move on to your next chapter in life and have a lot of fulfill your needs. But thank you very much. It was an honor to work with you, Dan. Thank you. >> Your final >> just thank everyone for their support over the years and I wish you guys all
the best of luck moving forward and just keep doing the right thing for the town. Thanks. >> Congratulations. And then we have another uh presentation this evening as well and to uh Donna Roberts and uh again we'll every council person will have an opportunity but I
would just like to say thank you for all your efforts over the last several years. You had uh quite a few um I would say items on your agenda that you wanted to get forward. Uh here's some flowers as well. Uh I think first and foremost what always
comes to mind to me is the issue of transparency and you work that through organization of the depart of all our divisions and departments within the bureau wanting to make sure that uh information was available but that it was also um collated and put together
and filed in a way in which it could be found and presented in the right fashion as well. Uh that's a legacy that's going to continue and you should be very very proud of that and I know a as someone that's grown up in Saraveville how important it was to see Saravel continue
to move forward and I know all your efforts uh all the efforts that you've given so far are going to continue uh moving forward and as well as I hope you continue to stay involved in all that you do. Uh it's very important that you see that agenda through
Mayor Donna and I were practically joined at the hips for a couple of years together. We uh she was one of the most informed and prepared council people I've ever worked with. And it only goes to prove it doesn't matter whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. Um she taught
me how to use the computer and she made sure my mic was off when I was saying something that I shouldn't have been saying or I didn't want anybody else to hear. And I really say it's been a pleasure working with you, Donna. and uh you always had the best interest of cable at heart. >> Thank you.
>> Sorry, I have to go with what I read or what I wrote. Donna, tonight we pause to honor your service. For six years, you've given Saraveville not just your time, but your heart.
As council president, you've led with fairness and steadiness, ensuring every voice at this table was heard. You've guided us through tough budgets, championed improvements in our
neighborhoods, and always kept the focus on what's best for our residents. Your career and background have brought so much to this council. From your early work at Dow Jones and
Credential to your years as a small business owner, you've always been someone who solves problems and lifts others up. That same spirit carried into your public service.
You supported our veterans. You stood with our civic organizations and celebrated new beginnings with the ribbon cutings. You've been a voice for our community and you've never forgotten that
Saraveville was your hometown. Your leadership has left a mark that will last well beyond tonight. You've shown integrity, professionalism, and compassion in every decision. While your time on this day may be ending,
your impact on Sarville will continue. On behalf of all of us here and our residents, thank you for your dedication. I wish you nothing but success and happiness in the next chapter and we know you'll
remain a valued member of our community. Thank you. >> I don't know if I can compete with Mike on this one, but um I know Donna and her family for over 50 years. And when I found out I was going to be on the council with Donna, I I jumped on it.
And I appreciate everything you showed me. And like I said before, this is a part of a chapter in your life. Please, you tried very hard to get reelected and and now the next chapter is going to take you to the next step in your life. And Randy, you're going to have a good time. So enjoy yourself and thank you
for everything. >> Thanks for your service, Donna. Thanks for being my partner three years ago when we ran. I know we didn't always agree, but we always came to terms afterwards. I wish you the best in anything you do in the future and whatever it may be, even if it means
coming back to here if you have a mental lapse or something like that. But good luck. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. Um almost made me cry up here, but thank you. Um it has always been a pleasure working for the people of Serville. It's not always been
easy, and I want to thank everyone who supported me. um those who are sitting here at the deis, the professionals, the residents that have given me their opinions so that I can have a stronger statement to represent them. Um it truly was an honor and I am looking forward to
the this store may have closed, but a bunch of others have opened that I'm looking forward to. Um my contract has been extended. Ry's book is out. Um so we've got a lot to do and a lot to work with. And remember, I still live in Seville, so I still have a vested
interest in it. So, I'm not going that far, but thank you for allowing me to serve you for these six years. Thank you. [Laughter] That's okay. Um, we have to redo the minutes. Um, November 24th, I was not
present and nor was Mary. Um, so I need I Sorry, I thought it was another date. >> Um, so can I have a motion to approve November 24th from someone who attended? >> Make a motion. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Okay.
>> Council person Zabrowski. >> Yes. >> Valka. >> Yes. >> His >> yes. >> Novakain. Roberts >> abstain. >> Sinarski. >> Yes. >> Okay. I understand we have need for an executive session today. Jessica,
>> whereas section 8 of the open public meetings act chapter 231 public law 1975 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances. And whereas this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist. Now therefore it be resolved by the mayor and burough council, the burough of seville, county of Middle Sex, state of New Jersey as
follows. The public portion of this meeting is hereby adjourned in order that the governing body may meet in close private session for approximately 10 minutes to discuss the following matters. Attorney, client privilege, litigation, bus depot. Following the conclusion of said closed session, the governing body shall reconvene the open portion of this public meeting to consider any other matters which may be
properly brought before it at this time. The nature and content of the discussion which occ which occurs in close session shall be made public at such time as the need for non-disclosure no longer exists. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Do >> I have a motion? Move. >> I move the resolution be approved and roll call vote.
>> Second. >> Council persons Novak. >> Yes. >> Bala. >> Yes. >> Kesi. >> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sinarski. >> Yes. >> Dowski. >> And I need to uh recuse myself from this session as the board of ed is my employer.
motion. We need a motion to reconvene. >> Yep. >> I need a motion to reconvene. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Persons. Novak. >> Yes. >> Ala. >> Yes. >> Police. >> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sinarsi. Yes. >> Drowski. >> Yes.
>> Okay. I just want to report that I received the resolution from the several planning board following a meeting on December 3rd, 2025 recommending block 246 lots 1 1.02 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08
2.02 2.04 2.11. Block 247 lot 1.03. Block 247.02 lots 1.01 and 1.03. and blocks block 251 lots 1.01, 2.01, and 2.02 to be designated as an area in need of redevelopment.
We we have a resolution on >> actually I may if I may just um I was looking at that the resolution that we have on the agenda is actually for different properties. This is the Crossman Road uh redevelopment area. The other properties are the transit
village. So what we'll need to do is for the the uh next council meeting in January, I will prepare a resolution declaring these areas uh in need of redevelopment accepting the planning board's recommendation which the council can then um consider and either adopt or not make make this decision at that
time. So we have sorry >> okay we have no new business and um we will do a public portion and for the resolutions only open to the public Mr. Robinson.
>> Thank you madame council president. It's nice to see you sitting there. Um I have a couple questions about a few resolutions here. One, we're transferring $20,000 into the recreation department. Um, I personally think that
for a town this size, the recreation department is underfunded. But is this transfer because the Festival of Lights, which cost $63,000, um, was over budget? Is that the reason that we have to transfer? The Festival
of Lights I think was cost 63,000. We got 285 in sponsorships. Um I think it was over budget. Is that the reason we're doing a transfer? I know there 12,000 came out of the
police department budget. I think seven came out of the park. The total was about 63,000. And I'm that was a great event. I I we should have more events. Um council president, you weren't here at the the meeting after that event, but Alberto
poll the council and they all agreed they want to do that again in the future. I thought it was a great event. I'm not I'm not questioning that that $63,000 cost. I'm just asking if that's why we're making the transfer. >> I'll answer when you're done, Mr. >> Okay. All right. Then the next question
um has to do with vehicles. You remember we spoke about this bond ordinance in early October. It was on the agenda and then the council president had asked that it be postponed and then I think Councilman Sowski made the motion that we table it until after the election.
In that original ordinance, there was supposed to be nine SUVs for the police department. Um I remember commenting that our patrol men and women on the road 24/7. They should have reliable equipment. And I was very happy to see that there were
going to be nine new vehicles for the police department. Today's resolution calls for only five vehicles. It's $284,000 for five vehicles for the police department, not nine. And there are 2025
vehicles, not 2026. Some of the other departments, construction, they're getting 2026 vehicles. Some of the other trucks are 2026, but the cops are getting only five and they're 2025 vehicles. I've been told the reason there's only five and not nine were
available was because of the delayed bonding ordinance that we held for I don't know a month and a half until after the election. Is that is that the reason? Does anybody know? Keep going. Okay. And I'm also being told that because there are only five
being ordered that that those five are going to the brass, not to the road patrol. I guess rank has its privilege, but you know, it's the guys and women operating vehicles 24/7 that that that
are putting the miles on and and ought to have the uh the newer, better cars. We know the captains don't put as many miles on their cars as the patrol division. And I'm just I'm just wondering about this. And will the patrol division get and I
guess what happens is those when the captains and the chief get their five, they'll be passed down to the detectives or whatever. At least that's what we always used to do. Will the patrol get those four additional vehicles um
sometime in 2026? Now, and I asked this because these were included in the 2025 budget. And you recall the budget was late being adopted. I think it this is the latest it's ever been um adopted.
And it wasn't just for cars, but there were pickup trucks, SUVs, a fire engine, fire equipment, a mini packer truck, a street sweeper. And I assume all these things are necessary. I'm not questioning them, but these are in the 2025 budget. We're not
buying all of them. We normally get these things after the budget is adopted in March. And here we are now doing this at the very last meeting of the year and we're not getting everything that we had
talked about. And I'm just I don't know that just doesn't seem like the best way, the most efficient way to run things. And that the the cops, the folks that are out there 24/7 might not be getting cars cuz we're only getting five instead of nine. And those
five might be going to the brass. just is reason for concern. That's all. My time is up. I'll wait for your answer. >> Um, you can you can be seated while you get your answer, please. >> I'm sorry. >> Would you please be seated while we give you an answer? >> Thank you.
>> Certainly. >> Okay. So, trying to do this in relative order. As far as the uh transfer to rec trust, I don't know that necessarily the festival of lights ran over budget. I will find out tomorrow and I'll email you that answer. I could tell you that generally speaking, we had some later
additions into the wreck process that weren't anticipated in the budget from last year, and we did move some money around in order to deliver all of those uh all of those things. But I can get back to you on that tomorrow. As to the uh uh the Taho uh
initially when we did the budget process the the request was for nine vehicles but we're having some I don't want to say push back a preference expressed by the police chief that we did a certain amount of Taho and a certain amount of explorers because we've got some people
that aren't too tall and the Taho are a little bit harder for them to handle. Uh, in my experience, I could tell you that whether it's March or this late in the budget year, uh, we generally participate in the Cranford co-op for police vehicles, uh, we'll actually be
in a better position to get the first bunch of those as they get released in the next month or two and get the Explorers that were designated. I've not heard this rumor about uh, the brass getting the new vehicles. Uh, I could tell you that every chief I've worked for and the chief that we currently
have, the priority does go to uniform patrol with vehicles. So, I'd be shocked to see if that was happening, but I'll make an inquiry of the police chief tomorrow. >> Did I cover everything? Did I miss anything? >> I think you did. >> Thank you. Anyone else from the public
on resolution items only? Resolution items. >> Seeing no one, can I get a motion? Move the resolutions be approved on roll call vote >> and close the public. >> Thank you.
>> Roll call. >> Council persons Novak. >> Bala. >> Yes. >> Kesi. >> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sinarski. >> Yes. >> Zabowski. >> Yes. >> Motion to accept the correspondence.
Motion to accept the correspondence. Council persons Novak, >> yes. >> Bala, >> yes. >> Kesi, >> yes. >> Roberts, >> yes. >> Sarski, >> yes. >> And we'll go on to council reports, administration, and finance. Councilman
Belala. >> Thank you, Council President. I just want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays. And uh let everyone know that finance is busy wrapping up 2025 and getting ready for 2026 and other than that, progress. >> Thank you. planning and zoning. Councilman Zimrosski.
>> Uh thank you, Council President. Just a couple items uh from the Active Adult Center. Uh last week was a big week. They had a couple of big events. One was the birthday celebration for the quarterly birth birthday celebration. So one, congratulations to all that were uh
at their birthday uh this quarter, including myself and um and those who attended. Uh and also we had the um the concert holiday concert as well. and want to thank all the uh all our staff as well as volunteers who put those events together uh and make them great
celebrations for our community. Uh as noted earlier, the planning board did approve a recommendation uh to design designate a certain area around Carlsman Road for an area in redevelopment. Um it was noted during that uh during that presentation to the planning board uh
that all property owners had been notified and had had been discussed with them. And in fact, Saber was actually a couple uh property owners were there including Saber and Saber was not included within that listing of properties as that is a very thriving
and uh uh business at that point and and we appreciate them uh their continued uh opportunity for them to serve and be part of Sarable. Um yesterday morning we all attended the U Pearl Harbor celebration uh gathered the
riverfront uh as always a very solemn uh moment and I want to thank our Veterans Alliance, the VFW, the American Legion, all those that came out um be able to uh give honor um not simply to those that
lost their life but also to those in several that have over the years have uh have given the ultimate us and also to those that are still currently serving in our armed forces. And then finally, if I can, and I'm everyone will do, I want to wish all our uh residents a very
blessed holiday season and a a wonderful grand new year. That's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Public safety Councilman Kesi. >> Thank you. So, um, throughout, uh, from our last meeting, uh, at the end of, uh,
November, since November, the police department held its annual Cram the Cruiser food drive at Shopright. Thanks to the generosity of our residents, a significant amount of non-p perishable food was collected for our local
pantries. The Messiah Lutheran Church pantry shared that more than 120 families were directly supported as a result. Then on November 26, our police department participated in a statewide
goal zero campaign focused on eliminating deaths, injuries, and crashes on New Jersey roadways. Officers conducted enhanced enforcement throughout the holiday weekend to identify and remove impaired drivers.
This year's effort also honored the memory of Brandon Tyler Narleski, whose charitable foundation offered discounted lift rides to encourage responsible travel. Then on December 7th, our officers
proudly participated in the Wayne's Auto Body Toys for Tots drive and the holiday parade of lights, supporting events that bring joy and connection to our community during the holiday season. And I have to say, this year's Parade of
Lights just gets better. Every single year, it's just been better and better. An awesome job by Brian Van Dungeon and the entire recreation commu committee for putting together such a fantastic event. And of course, a big thank you to
Rich Paplowski and the entire DPW crew for their hard work, support, and behind the-scenes efforts to make that all possible. At the same time, the fire department Santa runs are in full swing. Residents can listen for the sirens as
Santa and our firefighters make their way through the neighborhoods, spreading holiday cheer. The department is also once again partnering with the Rain Foundation out of Hasllett, delivering donated goods to families in need.
Looking ahead, the fire department will be conducting a pre-planning work through of the new bass pro shop with the Riverton Group to prepare for any potential emergency responses. As the year concludes, the department extends
its appreciation to Chief Gavvern for stepping into the role of chief for an unprecedented fourth term, helping guide the department through a safe and productive year. Later this month, on December 22nd, the
Saraveville Police Department's public safety emergency communication center will undergo its final on-site accreditation assessment by the New Jersey State Associ Association of Chief Chiefs of Police. Members of the public
are invited to participate by calling 732-4275870 between 10 and 11:00 a.m. or by emailing Lieutenant Tom Shehan at tshihan saraveville.com. You can find them online. from our
office of emergency management. Director Chris Barsley reports no new issues at this time. He also offered a very kind personal message, thanking me for the support I provided throughout the year and sharing that it's been an honor
serving under my leadership. I sincerely appreciate his thoughtful words and his continued dedication. I would also like to extend a warm thank you to Jen Bell and the entire office of the aging staff for inviting me to their annual
Christmas party. It was a wonderful event featuring the music from the fog and enjoyed by all in attendance. And finally, my thanks to the Saraveville Historical Society for their ongoing partnership and for the work they continue to do preserving and
celebrating the history of our burrow. I look forward to continuing to work closely with them in the coming year. And I can't forget um a thank you to um Deacon Andy and uh Ken Kelly in the
mayor's office for uh guiding me through the uh public safety um ongoing uh light problem that we had in town. So, um, did a fantastic job catching up with all these lights that
are out and continuing to work on what we have, uh, left so left to do. So, my sincere thanks to them. Um, as we close out the season, I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a
happy, healthy, and safe New Year. May the holidays bring joy and peace to you and your families. That's all I have to report tonight. >> Thank you, Councilman. Public works. Councilwoman Novak. >> Yes. Uh I'd like to uh many of you know
our superintendent of public works is uh under the weather and we're wishing him a a speedy recovery. But in the meantime, be aware that the rest of the department is uh very well educated in everything that has to be done. And
although everybody will miss George for a little while, uh, you know, they're going to handle everything just great cuz I'm saying my rosaries were not getting any snow, at least till George gets better. Um, I'd like to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy new year. The parade yesterday was
second to none. Um, I had one suggestion that I mentioned to the uh to the BA, but other than that, I mean, it was really I have never seen one so well attended and one that everybody stayed around and all of the different activities they had afterwards. It was
really great. And we we didn't have a big traffic jam on Ma main street. Um, the first date also does Santa runs and they have their schedule posted the times and the uh the times they anticipate being in certain areas so you
know you'll know when they're coming and they updated all day long so it is on their uh page and it's posted on practically all the sable sites. Um, let's see next year's schedule. Everybody knows I've been around for a long long time and we used to have
agenda sessions that were separate from the business sessions and uh I think we got a a lot less things were happening that everybody wasn't aware of and didn't put their two cents in on. And I know it's never going to happen that we're ever going to go back to those two
meetings for that. But I was hoping that the council might consider breaking the business meeting and the agenda meeting up. Even if we do it on the same night perhaps do the business meeting and then go into 308 or 3:10 and sit down that whole thing about talking
around the table. We had a lot more you know discussion a lot more things were talked about than than happens I think out here. I mean I sometimes I trying to ask a question and people are saying you're not talking into the mic and I'm trying to talk to somebody down there.
So I think I think for conducting business that's better. I mean, just this week, um, I was sent pictures that, uh, USA architect was, uh, we paid them $25,000 to, uh, to do renderings of the
firehouse. And I didn't even know it was done. And I, I thought perhaps I missed something. I thought perhaps that it was the resolution was passed while I wasn't back on the council in the last two months of last year, but there was no resolution. We they just it was
authorized I guess the business administrator authorized it. Usually that's done through a resolution. We will authorize so and so like I think on the agenda tonight it's authorizing CME to to pay money to be paid a certain amount of money to do the roads.
Normally we would have had a discussion on it and we would authorize USA architects to you know for a certain amount of money to do this rendition and I knew nothing about it and unfortunately this year an awful lot of stuff I find I find from the residents
when I'm attending a particular function. So I hope we can consider that for next year. Um, correation was just for me and uh we have we discussed what we're doing on January 1st, what the schedule is? >> Full-blown January 1 meeting.
>> Okay. But what time are we? >> Noon. >> Noon time. Is that the agenda? And then the business >> don't have an agenda anymore. We go right into the regular. >> I I we can't have that. We have to discuss these appointments prior to walking in here.
We we can't have that. We have to have an agenda meeting where we discuss the appointments. How can we vote on something that would the last time it was I'm I'm trying to write down everything as it was being said >> if it's the same meeting as always. Has anything changed?
>> No, we had we talked about the appointments and then there was resolutions appointing them. No, we except for last year when I wasn't, we we always had an agenda meeting prior >> and we we changed that last year. >> I know, but I'm asking that we go back
to it because the appointments we need to know about these appointments, >> you guys. That's not my decision. >> Well, I'm I'm asking for that. That's why I mean I I think we absolutely need We can't, you know, h how can we vote on appointments if we're only getting them
as somebody's reading them off to us? We don't have time to sit down and discuss it at all. >> Well, if I remember correctly also in the agenda session, nothing was discussed either if I remember correctly. >> But at least we kind of went through the we did it the same way at the agenda
session that we kind of moved it to the regular session. So I it sounds to me and I'm not going to be here for this is we will get the standard package that we always get um with all the professionals who submitted and >> that will be going out this week >> and that'll be going out this week that
will have the list of all the professionals for all their their um what they applied for and just like any other year we would have to determine who we wanted and there would be a motion made at the meeting and we would either approve or deny that motion and
that's how it's has been. Um if the discussion needs to happen, it would happen at that point in time. Is that correct? And that was typically we're going to come in here on January 1st and not know who the appointments are until they're read out.
>> Well, you'll know who you want to appoint because you'll have the same package everyone else has received. >> That's going to be a long meeting January 1st. because there'll be questions asked. There won't be just, you know, we we just can't we just can't conduct
business that way. I thought that perhaps last year when we didn't have the agenda session, I came in here and I said, "Who are we appointing?" There was no printed when we used to come into the business meeting, we had a printed agenda in front of us with everybody's
names in there that we discussed in the agenda meeting. Last year, we had nothing. I had absolutely nothing. Well, I I'm going to make a motion that we have a separate agenda meeting prior to the business meeting. Is there a second?
>> Council member Donna will be here. >> Roll call. Council persons Novak. Yes. >> Ala. >> Yes. >> Khesi. Uh, no, because you know nothing everything worked last year. What's the difference? >> No, we had a there was a list too last
year there. I don't know why you're saying there's no list. We had a list of people with their names in there and we went through it. >> We did >> that day. Yes, we did. >> No, we didn't. >> No, we didn't. >> Jessica walked into the meeting. I said, "Where's the list of appointment?" And
she said she didn't even have >> Roberts. We did not have a list of points. Sinarski. >> Oh, >> Zabrski, >> just to be clear, um, >> ordinarily or in the past, it's part of
the part of the agenda. It's included in the agenda or it had been in the past. Clarify what you were telling me how it happened. >> It was a totally separate meeting. >> Okay. >> So, what happened was last year we included it. So you guys came in, you guys made your motions to appoint the
resolutions got adopted according to who you guys appointed, >> but having a separate meeting or not having a separate meeting and I and I'll throw this to Joe. Is is there there's still room for discussion in each case? Is that not
>> back? >> Yeah. Yes, absolutely. Um do you >> what I asked Ken was will there whether we change or not is there an opportunity for discussion among the council on these issues and I referenced that to our burough attorney. >> Yes
normal uh procedure under Robert's rules a motion second discussion and then a roll call or or roll call vote or all in favor but yeah this discussion on any motion at that time. Uh my and if I may I'm just because I'm I'm new to the borrow myself. Um, it's sounding that
this agenda session wasn't held in public, which I don't understand how that was done. >> No, it was a public meeting. It was held in room 310, >> but was still invited to attend. >> We went through the whole agenda and then we came in here and we did the same exact thing. So, that's why we >> Well, no, I I I understand that's a
policy decision. I'm I'm just I just want to make sure because on the legal end, it's I thought it sound like it was almost an executive session the agenda. Okay. Okay. Yes. >> Want to make sure it's it's up. It meets the law. That's all. >> I'm satisfied there's enough opportunity for discussion. So, my answer would be
no. >> Okay, Mary. Anything else? >> No. >> Thank you. >> I do have a question in reference to Mary's report and I don't really know how uh I didn't really know anything about renderings as well. I knew that we did hire an architect. I was aware of that, but I wasn't aware that there were
renderings. And in fact, I guess they've kind of slipped out to certain members of our community. Not really sure how that is. And I don't know if that was that's effective or correct or the right policy to do that, but I'm going to make a suggestion that since those renderings
seem to be circulating, why don't we post them on our website or on our Facebook page so the whole so the c so our community can see them at this point? not not so much for the purposes of getting well maybe getting back feedback but more or less so that it's not they're not just sitting out there
for just special people to see. Um so that's that's my suggestion. >> Yeah. I when I'm I'm the one who sent it out to people after I received it. Now you sitting here saying that you were aware of all of this. I wasn't. It seems like >> No, I No, you're mis you're
misrepresenting what No, no, no. You're misrepresenting what I said. I was not aware that there were renderings. I was aware that an architect, we have an architect and the architect I believe was hired for that purpose. That can be confirmed or not. I was not aware that there were renderings. I don't think most of the council did. I think at that
point the staff and the architect were still working because that's why they're renderings. But my point is since there are renderings that are now circulating when they probably shouldn't have been, we might as well put them out to the public so that everybody can see it so that it's front-facing and transparent.
That's that's my that's >> my point is is you just said that you knew the architect was hired to do this. I didn't. It was never discussed at an open public meeting. >> That's not my point. My point is about the renderings that should not have been circulated at this point but apparently have and I think that they should go
out. That's my point. >> Nobody cares about my point. Next year maybe. >> How many renderings are there? And and may I say that and I may be incorrect but a rendering at this point in the project is still a draft that it can change as things move along.
>> We never discussed sending this to an architect to do any kind of rendering. All of that is usually taken care of. >> The the architect is a professional employed by us last year for the whole year. Yeah. As part of the RFP process
>> and the expense was under the bid threshold so it did not have to go to resolution. it was part of the larger project which was authorized by the council to proceed with the remediation and preservation of that building. So as a consequence you know the architect was
given the go-ahad out of my office which I can do up to 54,000 without having to come to the council. So and as far as the renderings they're they're they were for internal discussion because we had to make sure that we can accommodate the new use for
the building. We still don't know which rendering will be used because there's still engineering determinations that have to be made in terms of the structural integrity and what has to be done internally visav the engineers plans at which point then we can come up
with a comprehensive final rendering and final floor plan bring it to the council for their approval and then proceed with the rest of the project. You know, I again I keep making the same point again that I'm hearing about this
at affairs in town. I don't know about half of the stuff that went on this year. I was totally in the dark, but everybody else seems to be aware of it. So, there's obviously some backroom discussions that are being held that people know about this stuff and I don't
and I would I don't I'm not saying that I would have had any problem with it, but to have to constantly hear about things outside from residents of the town, they tell me this, you know, it that's not the way things
are supposed to be done. The council is supposed to be making these decisions. Every time CME, who has been our he's our engineer, he does this all the time. He has to come up here with a resolution to to start working on the roads for next
year. He asks for it, we write it up, we vote on it. And here we spent money on this. I asked several times, what money have we spent on this building? And I'm told, remediation only, remediation of the environmental. I was I asked the question. I was never told, "Oh, by the
way, we spent almost $26,000 to to do renderings for the building." I asked a question and I'm not even getting answers. It business can't be conducted like this. So, it it correct me if I'm wrong, but
we have not received anything to vote on yet. So, therefore, it's it's there the bigger problem is leak. It's not. So when construction when >> it should be a leak >> when construction sent you the email was on that email besides you.
>> None of us was on that, right? Who else was on the email when it was sent to you? >> Nobody knew about it but me. >> Not everybody knew. You didn't see my name on there. You didn't see John. You didn't see >> John just said he knew about it. >> You didn't see Dan. You didn't see anybody. >> Putting words in my mouth again. I didn't know anything about a rendering and I didn't see it. Apparently you had
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. because somebody who was given them thought I knew all about it and I said could you send that to me and they did >> it with historical society >> but it was none of us I saw your
>> oh it wasn't I would have been more happy if somebody on this council >> would you know actually told me that we spent this money but I don't hear anything from the council >> no it's not part of the process >> no it isn't
I'm sorry. >> Would you care? Do you have anything else? >> No. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Water, sewer, and environmental. Councilman Sinarski. >> Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you, Council President. Uh, as far as the water and sewer, what's going to be happening
because of the weather change? Now, we're going to be experiencing more pipe breakages from the ground frost heaves and the way the ground changes. So, even though there's a 3-ft flush level, the ground still changes. So, we're going to experiencing water line breaks. So, be careful if it's freezing outside and
you're going through the water. It could be very icy or black ice or whatever. So, be careful around the town. Uh, yesterday was an exceptional day. Uh, we started off at the Pearl Harbor Service, the memorial down the river. Uh, very
touching. We attended every year. We've been going for many years. Uh, I want to thank everybody that attended. I'd like to try to publicize that more to get more people down there every year. Uh it seems like the same group is there all the time. I'd like to to
earlier start making it more so we can get more people there. Uh the next one was the Wayne Speed and Sport Marine Toys for Tots. We had a lot of cars. We had boxes and boxes and boxes that
filled vans and cars with toys for all of the kids. There had to be over 200 cars, I would say, on South Pine. Also, I want to commend the Sable Police Department. The way we angled all of the cars this year. Uh we were able to fit more in the dense area instead of having
them spread out all the way past Ted's Bar. But the whole area down there on that bottom of South Pine before it hit 35 was just packed with all kind of beautiful cars, beautiful people having a great day. And it was a great day. They had a great 5050. They had a lot of
lot of good time. And then at night, the same police that I saw working that show were also working the festival of lights that we had here or the Christmas holiday parade or Christmas parade. Uh it was just uh a very busy day and a great weekend and I want to thank
everybody that attended and that's the end of my report. >> Thank you, Councilman. Um I'll have a a short report now about what people have already talked about so far. So, we of course had the um Pearl Harbor, and I think that's a great idea to try to
advertise that more, maybe do a live feed so that um we can get some traction on that. So, that might be something that can move forward in the next year. The um parade was amazing. This, I have to say, is the greatest perk of sitting
up here is being able to be in the parade and being at the receiving stand because watching the parade come down Main Street is just magical and that is something I will dearly miss. and all the people that have um participated in
the parades in Memorial Day or the parade of lights, the Christmas parade, whether it's cultural arts, the human relations commission, Arlith School, or the historical society, they really go all out on these floats now with lights
and and snow and just filled with the the Christmas spirit. It's wonderful to see our town come together like that. Um, so it's a very proud moment. And then looking across from the podium
across to the crowd with the um, First Presbyterian Church in the background, it truly is a hallmark moment. Some of my favorite pictures are from that vantage point, and that's something I truly will miss. Um, other than that, we can now move on to
business administrator. >> Excuse me, council president. I got one more thing to say. Uh being up here in the council, we do a lot of different things beside go to the council meetings every two weeks. Our phones ring constantly and I got a shout out to the
postmaster at the cereable post office up here. I had residents complaining about a couple minor things at the post office and within two days they were all completed. The same day that I was there, the postmaster called me back and we discussed what was going on. So, even
the residents that told me about the issues call me and say, "Boy, everything is perfect. Thank you very much for what you do." And that's what everybody up here does all the time. So, I just want to say that we do some positive things in town before getting shot down all the
time. Thank you. >> Thank you. And you just reminded me um recreation had requests from about 103 children and we have gifts for every child. Unless there were new ones put on the list today, we are able to provide a gift for every child that signed up. So very proud of the recreation department
for that. Now, business administrator, please. >> Requesting authorization to call for a certified list for patrolman from the department of personnel. >> Any objections? >> Authorization to hire Bianca Khan as
clerk one in the municipal court effective January 1st, 2026. >> Any objections? Is that a open position? >> Yes, a vacancy. We had a resignation. Authorization to promote Deborah Turner and Susan Feno from record support
technician 2 to record support technician 3 in the police department effective January 1st. >> Same question. They just change their title. >> That's it. Yeah, it's it's a bump up for title. Uh and generally all of these are with regard to
seniority and a title and it's time to move them up. Uh authorization to promote Shaun Jacel and Leslie Anne Palano from record support tech one to record support tech 2 in the police department effective January 1st. >> Any objections? Authorization to appoint
Michelle Dunn from Perdeium public safety telecommunicator to full-time public safety telecommunicator in the police department effective January 1st, 2026. >> Any objections? Is that a new full-timer, Glenn? >> Yes. >> Okay. Recommend the chief needed.
>> Yes. >> Um authorization to promote uh Gene Maria Liry from keyboarding clerk 2 to record support technician 3 in the clerk's office effective December 16th, 2025. Any objections? >> And lastly, authorization to promote
Caitlyn Malkee from keyboarding clerk one to keyboarding clerk 2 in the clerk's office effective December 16th, 2025. >> Any objections? A CFO Danielle. >> Thank you, Council President. Um,
progress. Thank you. Burrow engineer Jay report this evening. >> Okay. Burough attorney. >> Uh, thank you. Yes, I actually do have a uh brief report. Uh the Sarah uh planner uh Venus Sant was going to be here this evening to make a small presentation.
Unfortunately, she was ill and couldn't make it, but she asked me if I would just update the council. Uh in uh the coming year, uh there's going to be an ordinance adopting uh presented to the council for its consideration uh a amending the existing former Sunshine
Biscuit redevelopment plan uh to uh change uh the development for uh one of the warehouse developments. a new company coming in. Handover company uh is looking to actually um change the approved development there from a large
warehouse to two smaller warehouse buildings uh reducing the square footage uh by uh approximately 350,000 square ft. Substantial reduction. They're also uh looking to change the construction of the building. It's going to be uh very
environmental friendly with green infrastructures. They're actually seeking what's called a green globes energy rating. It's similar to like a lead type uh certification uh on a on a um federal level. Uh so they're really uh and they're also looking to work with
Conrail to try to use the trains for deliveries to and from the site rather than uh the roadways and the truck traffic to reduce truck traffic. So uh it's a recommendation from uh Sarah. Uh we've already gone through the redevelopment process by adding we amended the redevelopment area earlier
this year uh for this site and the planner is going to be uh coming when we uh introduce the ordinance uh in January uh that amends the plan she'll come to go into more specifics of it but I just wanted to make the council aware that it is this coming and it's something that
Sarah is very supportive of. It's going to be a better in uh their opinion as well as the planners a better development for the for the borrow versus what was previously approved and previously authorized by the existing plan. So uh they were pretty excited about it. But I just wanted to give that
bring that to the uh council's uh attention and uh we'll get more information come January. >> Thank you Joe. All right. Now we don't have to do we have to get a vote for the public? >> Okay. So I would like to open up to the
public portion and first I'm gonna get a box of tissues. >> Sorry. >> All right. Anyone from the public? >> Sure. >> Mr. Prescrow >> Randy Prescrow 369 Washington Road
Serville New Jersey. Um, I'm a writer, which means I don't use 50 words from 500. It'll do. But rest assured, I'm going to observe the uh sanctity of the clock here. Um, my
friend Jim Robinson mentioned during the discussion of the vehicles for the police department. I want to uh emphasize that the two brands being considered represent the only two companies I
haven't been kicked out of over a 47year career. General Motors and Ford. Ford, by the way, just to show you where my attendances lean means found on road dead. Let me tell you a little story. Um,
hometown heroine lady born in Saraveville, bred in Saraveville, went to high school in Saraveville and then went off to make her fortune.
And this really took several forms. uh bed and breakfast owner, computer expert, technician, lawyer for a lawyer recruiting firm and back to home
with no inclination, no political experience, just being pissed off at the way things were, decided to enter politics. She happened to have the misfortune to know a guy who knew absolutely less
than what she did. But amazingly enough, she was the only candidate for her party who won election to the Seville Burough Council that year, >> which happened to be a COVID year. You remember what that was like? the
deep dark dead days of CO. >> And even though she didn't know much about politics, she held pizza packet meetings, anything to educate herself about the process, the burrow, and these protocols and proceedings.
Along the way, she was subjected to some uh pretty nasty stuff for somebody who didn't really understand it. Um she was uh verbally vilified. uh and by extension I bore some of that.
So things have a funny way of working out. Uh she served with distinction for over six years to the burrow she came home to. She can hold her head high. She can put
a broomstick up her backbone and said this buffoonery will not pass. And so you have council person, council president, you have the everlasting thanks of
myself and the citizenry of Saraveville, New Jersey. I commend you. I applaud all of you for your public service. Jay, Mary, John, Mike, Glenn,
Council, Person, Roberts, Joe, Stash, Dan, Danielle, Jess, Nicole. You perform a service which is no less important than what our
servicemen do or what the men and women and our highest political officers do. You do it with the grace and statliness of people whose passion for service
is exceeded only by their excellence and a measure of integrity little seen in an era of cynicism and selfish. I applaud all of you, but mostly
I look up to the Burough Council President as you ride off into the next chapter of your life. I meant ride off. Writ. Um, thank you. Our heartfelt
appreciation goes out to each and every one of you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Um, Mr. Osheski and Alaski Sarville. Um,
changing a little format of what I came here for tonight. uh after I heard some of the comments here and how it looks like we're going to repeat the same mistakes from last year into the coming year. Let me tell you something. Abraham
Lincoln once said, "You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." I've stood here and said how many times that you're running a secret government.
If you think I get pleasure out of doing that, if you think I get pleasure out of calling people puppets, you got the wrong guy. But you continue to do that. And if you're not personally doing it, you're sitting here allowing it to be done while the mayor has done most of these. I'm not going to repeat them.
You've heard me talk about them a dozen times. So don't pull this innocent stuff about how you've done so many good things. You're running a secret government. What is going on? You don't. Number one, you don't answer questions. I've told you this a dozen times. No.
When I tell people that, they think I'm joking. People from around I've talked to people in New York State, Pennsylvania, etc. You, you know, you're not running a secret government. I hear about this firehouse next door. We're going to put offices in there. I come to
a lot of meetings. I read a lot of stuff. I talk to a lot of people. Who who decided that? I asked that the last time I was here two meetings ago. Nobody Oh, the mayor answered. Oh, that's the way it's always been. Who decided after we had a public referendum, which
several people opposed here and and fought against, including the mayor? I know Star, you were against it. I'm not positive about I think you're all against it. Uh who decided what we're going to do? If that is the secret, where's the public input? Time and
again, you're you're doing the same nonsense. So, so much for that. But, uh, I I want to address what I'm here for, and that's to to speak about Dan Bala and to thank him for being a representative of the people instead of a representative of
developers and a representative of secret government. He's done. And I can't I'm not going to try to enumerate them, but I I I'll just give a couple of highlights. The Arsenal project where we gave away $100 million to a developer to a multi-billion dollar developer. And by
the way, how's that project going now after we all stood at the planning board and said that was going to be a failure at people that were truck drivers for 35 years? I cited warehouses for a multinational corporation. I told him that's not going to work. You're too far from the major highways. How's that
going? By the way, Dan Bala voted against that pilot. And he did rightfully so. Take it away $und00 million over 30 years from the taxpayers of this town. the the town hall, the the the 1909 town hall firehouse. Uh how
many resolutions may we talked about? How many resolutions have we had to declare this a historic landmark and they've all been voted down? Thank God Dan Bala was right there to vote for it. Uh the people wanted you you had a
referendum. You campaigned against the referendum and the people they beat you two to one. And when Mary and I think even before Mary, they've asked for resolutions to disclo to disclose and and declare this a historic landmark.
It's voted down. Uh Mike said not yet. Sash said not yet. Well, tell us when the time is. After you blow all the burrow money. Is that it? After you blow all the burrow away. That's the right time to do it. The historic society
asked for it. They spent a lot of time working with people and they told them they could get it. I personally I talked to some people. I talked to to Congressman Palone. I I talked to uh I talked to uh our to Coughlin about uh at
trying to get grants for this. All of a sudden there's no money available. Everybody here's an expert on it. Oh, is that right? That's very interesting. Well, Dan, I want to tell you I thank you on behalf of the people. I I I your
parents, your family, your friends, your relatives should be proud of you because you are here to fight for the people all of the time. And I wish I could say that about some of these other people. Unfortunately, at the moment, I can't say it. And I've been on boards a long
time. Maybe Mary's been on the council. I was there six years. I served five years on the county utilities authority. And I've served on almost every board in town. So, I know a little bit about government and I know a little bit about about what is open to the public and
what should be hidden. Yeah, it should be hidden in there when you're talking about Yes. when you're talking about what you did tonight. I understand that. But most of this stuff there should be public discussion on it. You're not doing it. You're running for government. Thank you very much.
>> Anyone else from the public? Mr. Robinson. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President Kim Robinson from Parland. I had hoped to come here tonight really just to say goodbye and um be very
upbeat on things. Um but that changed because of the discussion here. And I sat and watched a lot of 42 votes in the last actually last two years. Um when Christian was
here, there were a lot of 42 votes. Um and I'm disappointed in a lot of them. I was disappointed in tonight's 42 vote because what Mary was basically asking for was the opportunity to sit down and
discuss some things. Now, everybody remembers, you know, we hear people say up there, and I don't want to say anybody was less than candid or honest, but we said there was discussions last year, well, you know what, or it's January 1st of this year,
I was here January 1st, and when the mayor appointed the engineers, he appointed CME and Morgan, you could hear in the room, everybody say, "Wow, what did he say? Huh? Who's that?" Nobody knew. Nobody knew. But then it just kind
of like slipped that in cuz there was no discussion in 310. Mary said she's been around for a long time. I've been coming to council meetings a longer time. There used to be real discussions, a give and take. Nobody has a monopoly on wisdom. You're not supposed to rubber stamp what
the mayor says. You're supposed to sit around that table, discuss, decide, change, ex um exchange opinions, and maybe convince others. You know, the mayor said, I don't agree with the mayor on too many things, but after uh a motion
was made at the last meeting, the mayor said, we don't win too many of these cases. And he's absolutely right. There's a reason you don't win a lot of cases in court. It's because you don't sit down and discuss things. There are
two big cases right now. There's the mosque suit and there's the schoolboard suit. You know what? That shouldn't be decided by a judge in New Brunswick. That shouldn't be decided by a a federal court judge in Newark.
Folks should get together, sit down, say, you know, there's a way to resolve these things. It's not going to cost the taxpayers a lot of money. We want to do it in a way that's in the best interest of everybody in town. But you don't do that. You don't have
those discussions. You go in, you listen to what the lawyer says. You take I guess you take a vote in close session. I don't know. I didn't think that was possible. But um you really ought to have more of those discussions. It's good for everybody.
That's a fundamental part of democracy to discuss and debate, not come and vote yes, yes, yes, yes or 4 to2 votes or not yet or whatever silly other thing. But I I I want to talk about the two council folks who are leaving. First, I'll talk
about Dan Bala. He was listed first. I first learned about Dan Bala when he was a member of the board of education and some people in Morgan called me when the board had this crazy idea to take away the Wayne A Grant memorial field and put
a bus depot there. I didn't really know Dan, but I know that he was opposed to that project from the beginning. It's thoughtful, independent, and when it was done, they had a little celebration there, and they invited me
because I helped them. And I said to Dan, "How come you were opposed to that from the beginning?" And he said very succinctly. It just didn't belong there. It was subtle. It was quiet. He was effective. And that's the way he
governed. Then he got elected to the council. And as Ken Oeski said, I think he was on the right side of the pilots, not just the arsenal, but but the uh mini warehouses or the personal the firehouse. I don't know how many 4-2 votes you've been on the losing end of.
>> 11 >> and and maybe there'll be another one tonight before we end. But you've been on the right side of that on the Sarah appointments. You've been on the on on the right side of those appointments. You've stood with the people. And I'll say this, I'm running out of time. Like Randy, I want to respect time. I want to
get to Donna. Um, they're going to miss you. Your financial acumen, you're a professional. They're going to miss you when it comes to the budget. Donna, because um, I don't want you to sit me down. I I I don't want to not say anything nice about you. So, I will say
this. I respect everybody in public service. Randy was telling me about the wonderful book that he wrote. I hope that with this newfound time, I certainly wish you health and goodwill, but with this newfound time, maybe you too will write a book on politics or
something like that, which I think would be very interesting. I wish everyone else a a merry Christmas, a happy holiday season, new year of only good things to you and your family and everybody involved with the burrow. So, thank you. >> Anyone else from the public wish to
speak? Anyone else? Okay. Can I get a motion? >> Move the public. >> Public closed. >> Roll call or all in favor? Okay. Um I do
have a few comments I would like to um wrap up with and these will probably be my last comments sitting on the deis. Um, first I just want to clear up, um, just because I agree with someone else doesn't mean I rubber stamp anything. It just means I disagree with you. So,
let's not call people rubber stamps anymore. We all have our own opinions. Um, and we have our reasons for it. And I do want to share some final thoughts. This won't take long. I just want to congratulate several in New Jersey. You've spoken through your
vote. Although I did not vote for those you elected, I understand that in this recent election that you voted for less transparency in elections. Even though it was named ETA, the Elections Transparency Act, it raised contribution
limits, weakened pay-to-play rules, and made oversight by New Jersey election law enforcement lack less robust. And I'll find I'll provide citations for everything I've mentioned. You also voted to remain a sanctuary state through the immigrant trust directive
limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. You voted against school choice. You voted to make it easier, and this is important to several. You voted to make it easier to allow for more highdensity housing. This I don't understand. I'm
veantly opposed to the fair share housing program that's been around since the 1970s and has done nothing to improve the housing market. In fact, it seems like it's making it worse. So, with New Jersey's recent 2024 affordable housing law based on the Mount Laurel
doctrine was upheld by state court in 2025 rejecting legal challenges by dozens of municipalities. This means that the statewide framework forcing towns forcing towns forcing towns from the state level to plan for
fair share affordable homes including units for low and moderate income households remain in effect and will likely move forward. And just in the last month, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced over $35
million in funding for projects in 23 communities, adding rental and those highdensity housing from the state level. You voted for higher energy costs. A recent summary forecast estimates bills could increase another one and a half to
5% in 2026 for most tax rateayers um just from capacity cost increase and the surge is driven by a combination of rising electrical demand, data centers, electrification EVs and limited growth
in new generation capacity and delays in the interconnection of renewable clean energy projects. So those are some of the things we voted for at the state level. And just before I go on to local, um I was looking at the state constitution because
affordable housing has been called a a constitutional requirement and it doesn't seem to be in the constitution. The the the linkage to that seems very loose. Do you have any insight to that? I mean it the the mount original Mount Laurel
decision is where the Supreme Court of New Jersey determined that there is a constitutional right for affordable housing. Uh that decision's hundreds of pages long so I couldn't get into all the specifics now but I can say what they essentially did is they read different aspects of the new New Jersey
Constitution and while it doesn't specifically state that the Supreme Court had found that you know applying this section applying that section reading this section and that section that they found that there was a mandatory right for affordable housing. >> Okay. What I did read was that um the
affordable housing is based on the constitution saying that there should be no discrimination in housing >> and that to me was quite a leap. >> Yeah, that does it doesn't say specifically say it anywhere in the constitution but like I said that if you
it's a very long read and it's been a while since I've actually read it to give it I won't be able to quote it but it does talk about it through various aspects of the constitution. It's really the mount, that's why they call it the Mount Laurel doctrine because it's the Mount Laurel uh Supreme Court decision that really established it.
>> Got it. Okay. And now for local um suggestions, no resident is authorized to represent the public. That's the responsibility of your elected officials. When one comes up to the podium to speak, it's on their own behalf, especially if the individual
is a political activist. If anyone has a question, issue, complaint, or praise, there's a structure in place for you to be heard. And in most cases, find a solution. So come to your officials, come to those professionals that are there to help us. And let's stop playing
the game of coming to the podium as the first and only outreach because there's a lot working for you. There is always a benefit and a consequence to every item on the agenda. In most cases, the council, regardless of party, agrees.
There is very little dissension. Where you may see some grandstanding, especially for the issues that matter to us the most, like highdensity housing, we must follow New Jersey law and what the majority voted for in the state just recently.
So, let's not just focus on one property. And there is a resident that believes he's an expert in planning and offers some suggestions. However, I know that our board members and professionals are working diligently to find the right answer, not only for a
single property, but for what's best for all affected properties and neighborhoods. These solutions may or may not include the suggestions. However, I believe this resident throws out anything they can think of to get credit
for whatever decision happens to be made eventually. As for planning, this resident is also proud of his service on the planning board and regularly states that they know a thing or two about planning. And to that individual, I do have to ask, what planning?
Where's our business district? Where? Why are our roads unable to handle existing volume, let alone the projected volume? What happened to downtown? As in, where is it? Where is a location that can hold a
traditional wedding? Where can my guests stay in town when visiting? Why do we have a road to nowhere? Were there any affordable housing in the 4579
units you approved? And finally, why didn't you purchase the property behind Kennedy Park when it was up for sale during your service? These are just some of the problems we face today because it was not addressed in the past.
So, I'd like to start suggesting that our council in the future work together to fix problems and not argue about what's happened in the past. We are where we are and we need to fix it for the sake of our town. I will
tell you it was my pleasure serving. It took a lot of time, effort, and learning. I'm proud of my service and I look forward to the next chapter. I still live in Seville and have a vested interest in our success. So, I'm sure you will partic So, I'm sure I will participate in some capacity,
and I want to thank you for your trust and support over the past six years. On a personal note, my professional contract has been extended. Ry's book, This Car Sucks, is out, has been published, and I'll be working with him on book signings, including setting one
up at our local library, as he is one of our local authors, as well as across the country and spending more time with my family. The kids grow up too quickly. In conclusion, I want several to succeed. I do not want to see any more
highdensity housing. I don't want higher energy prices. I do want this town to thrive for us today and more importantly for future generations to call home. So, thank you everyone. Do I have a motion to close the meeting?
>> To adjourn. >> Second. Okay. All