Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 in Council Chambers, Sparta Township Municipal Building, 65 Main Street, Sparta, New Jersey. The regular meeting is now opened at 7 26 p.m.
All council meetings are now livereamed and can be viewed at the following link, youtube.comwpstreams. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the public and the press on January 7th, 2026 by delivering to the press and posting
on the township website a copy of the notice. Madame clerk, would you please do a roll call? >> Councilman Scott >> here. >> Councilman Murphy >> here. >> Councilman Clark >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester >> here. >> Mayor Blumetti >> here. And would you all please join me
in a salute to our flagg to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> As we begin our time together tonight, I
would just like to offer brief reminder uh that we're all here because we care deeply about Sparta. We want to keep it a special place, that special place that it is. uh we belong to one small community. We're all neighbors here. I respectfully ask that we all of us,
myself, my colleagues on the day and you the public just strive to listen to one another and to be respectful as we interact tonight. Thank you for your consideration. Uh it's a pleasure for our first item on the agenda is a proclamation for Women's
History Month. So I'm going to read it and then we'll uh present it. I believe we have uh people here from the junior women's club. Excellent. Good. All three of you. Exc. Thank you. Whereas throughout our nation's history,
women of every background have shaped our communities and country through their leadership, creativity, perseverance, and service, often without recognition. And whereas women have long driven progress in the economic, cultural,
civic, and social life of the United States. contributing substantially across every profession and every home. And whereas volunteers across the country have historically been and continue to be powered by the dedication
and compassion of women who invest their time and energy to strengthen charitable, educational, and cultural institutions. And whereas women have answered the call to serve with courage in our armed forces, contributing to the security and
defense of the United States. And whereas women have led and propelled transformative movements by advancing voting rights, civil rights, labor protections, equity, and justice, helping to build a more fair and
inclusive society for all. And whereas the achievements, sacrifices, and ongoing contributions of women continue to shape our nation's story and enrich our communities, including here in the township of Sparta.
Now therefore, be it resolved that the township council of the township of Sparta does hereby proclaim March as Women's History Month and encourages all residents to celebrate, learn from, and honor the countless contributions women
have made and continue to make in our nation and in our lives. So, I'd like to welcome them up. I believe um Mandy Major, Mary Fischer, and Michelle actually I certainly can.
>> That's okay. Yeah. Okay. It's either you're in or out, but you're not. Okay. You're good. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you again for being here tonight.
Appreciate it. This is our file or what? Okay, let's move on to minutes. We have a number of minutes tonight to approve. The first one is a regular meeting minutes and then we have five from the executive session meeting minutes, all from last year. uh two preliminary
comments is one is the uh there are two minutes that I will be abstaining from and it's not because I disagree or found any problem with them. I I I'll blame it on the power outage. I had left the last hour of this afternoon to review my
minutes and then our power went out uh right up until I was leaving. So I will just abstain for two. Okay. We'll start with the regular meeting minutes from the reorg meeting on January 6th, 2026. May I have a motion, please, to approve the January
6th, 2026 reorganization meeting minutes as presented? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. I'll abstain from that one.
Okay. Next, we have five different executive meeting minutes. Uh, Deputy Mayor Sylvester will abstain from voting on these because they were all due to meetings that occurred before he was up here with us on the council. May I have a motion to approve the March
11th, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented? >> So moved. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed or abstained? Okay, those minutes have been approved.
Next is the executive meeting minutes from May 27th, 2025. May I have a motion to approve the May 27th, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. No opposed, no abstains.
May I have a motion to approve the June 17th, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented? >> So moved. May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I I >> Those meeting minutes for June 17th have been approved.
>> May I have a motion to approve the July 8th, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> The July 8th, 2025 meeting minutes have been presented. And finally, may I have
a motion to approve the August 12th, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented? >> So moved. >> Margie motion. Okay. Second, please. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? I'll abstain from that one
as well. Those meeting minutes have been approved. Okay. Town manager Zep, would you please present your manager's report? >> Sure thing. Good evening, everyone. and just want to give a quick update on that power outage. Uh, power has been restored to all but 12 customers as of
6:15 tonight. So, hopefully your lights are on when you get home, mayor. Good evening, mayor and council members and all Sparta residents joining us in person or watching from home. Thank you for joining us tonight. Please take notice that the town hall
column lights will be lit up in recognition of the following. March 8th through the 14th will be lit up in green for National Girl Scout Week. March 15th, it'll be in teal for long COVID awareness day. The Sparta Township Environmental
Commission has launched a new Facebook page, Sparta Township Environmental Commission. Follow us to stay informed about upcoming events, announcements, educational webinars, and useful resources about our local climate and environment. Stay connected and learn
more about how we can all help protect and preserve our community. Some announcements from our departments. The senior bus trip to Wind Creek Casino Outlets in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Thursday, April 16th still has seats open, so please register if you're
interested. The St. Patrick's Day lunch held for the seniors on this last Thursday, March 5th, was enjoyed by many as the event sold out. This event was supported by funds received from the county of Sussex. The recreation staff held the Puzzle
Palooa program also on March 5th, which was a full house with the winning team finishing just under an hour. Day camp at Camp Saka Jia is open for registration on March 3rd. BARTs are filling up quickly. Families are encouraged to register as soon as
possible to secure their preferred weeks. The camp runs from six weeks from June 29th through August 7th and is open to children entering first through 8th grades this September. All registration and brochure details are online on the township recreation
web page. Spring is just around the corner and our park staff are hard at work preparing the turf and grass fields for the upcoming spring sports seasons. They're also getting park bathrooms ready for use. Please remember that all fields remain closed until staff determines
they are safe and ready for public enjoyment. Our public works team is also busy with seasonal cleanup following re recent snow and heavy rain events. Their work includes removing fallen trees, natural debris and litter from the roadways, inspecting BMS, and checking
siltation ponds and known catch basin problem spots. Thank you to everyone who attended or viewed our budget workshop this past Saturday. The session provided valuable information and helpful insight into the pro full process of preparing our
municipal budget. We are currently awaiting the annual financial statement from our auditor. Once received, we remain optimistic about introducing the 2026 municipal budget on March 24th. This concludes my report. Please stay
warm and safe. Chief McCarrick will now present his portion of the report. Thank you, Manager Zeb. Thank you, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council. A few updates from the police department. Uh, I want to talk to you about Operation Goal Zero. Operation Goal Zero in New
Jersey is a high visibility uh 2026 statewide traffic enforcement initiative aimed at eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Spearheaded by law enforcement agencies, it targets dangerous behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, and seat belt violations through incre increased
police presence, notably during high-risisk times. This initiative is supported by the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association. Today, from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m., our department participated in the Goal Zero campaign with heavy motor vehicle violations enforcement. During this time, our
officers conducted 31 motor vehicle stops and issued 15 summones in high crash areas on Route 15 and Route 181. With the seasons changing and the weather warming up, we want everyone to enjoy out outdoor activities. You will see many individuals out walking,
running, riding bikes on our roadways. We want to remind everybody to be extra vigilant while operating their motor vehicles and be aware that more people will be out on the roadways. Our officers will continue to show a presence amongst our township and enforce any violations. As a reminder,
if you would like to report a traffic complaint, you could do so by calling our main number 973-729-6121 extension0 or submitting it through an online portal on the township website spartanj.com under the police department.
Last week, the police department held its annual full department meeting. And during this meeting, we reflected on the accomplish accomplishments of 2025 and also look forward to our vision of 2026. Additionally, we celebrated department departmental awards for our 2025 top cop
and top prop. Animal control officer Don Kitchaw was voted by his peers as the 2025 top prop which is for the nonsworn personnel employees of the year. His peers uh described him as a outstanding service
community in our department. always a positive attitude, extremely positive, patient, compassion, skills, uh, always happy to with a smile on his face. And if we all know Don, that's exactly how he is. Very dependable, always figures out a way, consistently goes above and
beyond the expectation of his roles. He handles challenges and unpredictable situations, volunteers his time, always lending a helping hand, well-liked and well respected amongst the county. seeming always to seeing him always seems to put a a smile on my face and most importantly he loves his job and that
man certainly does. We're lucky to have him. So congratulations to Don Kitchlaw. Corpole Greg Crowholtz and Detective Matt Pletcher were awarded together the 2025 Top Cop award which was voted on by their peers. Detective Pletcher was
described by his peers as a dedicate as dedication and excellence. Takes time to teach his co-workers completed numerous investigations. answers the call of the department when professionalism with professionalism, hard work and determination. Always goes above and beyond, humble, not afraid to put in the
work, looking out for others, assisting wherever he can. And he puts his heart and soul into the cases. He most certainly does. And he was also, as I remind you, uh, awarded the Cesus County Detective of the Year for 2025. Corporal CJ Growalts, his peer describes
him as very knowledgeable, always willing to lend a hand. He cares about the department. Creates a helpful and extremely positive and humorous atmosphere. Motivates officer. Has a vast knowledge of commercial motor vehicle enforcement. Extremely vital part of the department. Dedicated, loyal, dependable. He cares about
everyone in the department as if they were his family. Always there when you need him. Wealth of knowledge, voice of reason for younger officers, and always willing to assist in critical incidents to make sure the job gets done correctly. Last award was I awarded dispatcher Paul Willie with a 2025 cheese combination
award. Dispatcher Willie was recognized as an individual who consistently puts force those positive contributions to our department, the community, and most importantly to her fellow co-workers through efforts not only behind the desk but beyond the desk. So congratulations to Paul Willie and to Detective Pletcher
and Corporal Growts and again Don Richlaw. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Chief. Thank you, town manager. Chief, congratulations to to those recognized for their dedication and um their achievements and their their positive impact on all those around
them. I heard that constantly in some of your comments there, that impact and that positive uh hard to describe uh feeling that they bring to those who interact with them. >> Thank you. >> May I have a motion to accept the manager's report? >> So moved.
>> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I report has been accepted. Now we will move on to our first open to the public segment. This is for items that are on the agenda. So items on the agenda only
including the resolutions but with the exception of the two ordinances which each have their own public hearing tonight and they all have their each have their own public comment segment for those ordinances. So again this is items on the agenda including
resolutions. The second comment period later on will be fewer anything for anything not on the agenda. >> Can you clarify uh 2602 is that the time or is there another time >> left later? Yeah, they'll have a
hearing. >> Jenny Derek tap into Sparta. Um just a couple of questions on the resolutions. Do you want me to just go through them, Dean? And okay. Um year to date, do we have a amount that we've paid out for the veterans t tax rebate to look back?
Do we have a number on that so far? Uh 86 the self um is this self self- sustaining or does it cost Sparta? Will there be um a cost to Sparta to have the
um fire marshall be it in uh Hardeston uh 87 um the uh deputy mayor sounds like fun. I'm just curious if it's common or if uh or
if there is a need or what is sparking the uh this ordinance I mean this resolution and 88 um are there any strings attached to this grant? Are there any incumbrances to the town for the art uh the ERRI? Uh
looks like a good thing but we we know that sometimes that isn't always the case that there are some requirements that come along with the money. Thank you. Oh, one other thing. Um, Gan Monttoirano was acknowledged. Uh, she received an
award for administrative excellence from her association. Thank you, Jenny. So, I'll uh I'll start with the the lowhanging fruit, the easy one, the meatball that you gave me there. So, 87. I I love doing weddings. I've done one done one already. This is just in case
I'm unavailable. Uh either for that date that the bride and groom would like or in case there's an emergency. Um we can't do a last minute switch. It has to be done in the public meeting in advance. So deputy mayor has offered to be a backup and just in case. So that's that's the easy one. Um I'll take a shot
at 86 about the uh I'm sorry 88 about the grant uh the environmental commission to do the ERRI. Uh my understanding from the environmental chairman is that there's no matching portion of that. So there are no strings attached. If we get the grant, we can
use it to move forward to do an RRI, but there's no um >> I mean, are there other requirements? I'm sorry, the clock. Um Roxan, um are there other requirements that come along with having with accepting this money? In other words, do we then have to
cordon off anything? Is it we have to No. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. >> And I'll just add to that. I made a call to the program directly today to confirm all that there was no additional cost expenses to the town or any attachments as you referenced.
>> Okay. And then I think for your other two questions I'll ask match up if you have the answers tonight for those. The veterans. >> Yeah. Uh Jenny emailed me and I would have had that information ready for you right now. So, I don't have that information, but I'll get it and uh I'll
I'll let I'll let you know. On 81, that is the year-to-date uh veteran uh amount spent for the tax exemption for veterans. Uh for look back and uh on 86 there is no cost uh where we're where shared service. The reason that you're
going to see the both the ordinance, I'm not jumping ahead. There's an ordinance introduction and this resolution. it is to be compliant with the state under the shared service uh agreement with harden. So we had to adjust the uh action dates the actually uh applicable dates and
that's what this is for. Your question about expense there is no expense. Uh I was actually you know if you run these things real well and you're the host you can do real well with them. We weren't in a position to run them anymore. We just didn't have the personnel. There's
a lot of reasons. So instead we're we're using the shared service with Hardistan. There is no cost for us using it with Hardistan. Um they get the uh the fees when people need fire prevention work done. They collect them directly and that's how they're compensated. So that
um when I did the budget this year it was zeros under fire prevention. >> Great. Thank you Tom Andrew. Anyone else from the public for items on the agenda tonight? Okay, seeing none, we'll move on.
Next on the agenda, expenditures. Deputy Mayor Sylvester, would you please read the expenditures for March 10th, 2026? >> Yes. The expenditures for March 10th, 2026 totaled 555,643.50. >> We have a motion to approve those.
So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor of approving expenditures for March 10th, 2026, say I. >> I. >> I. >> Expenditures have been approved. >> Okay. Next, we're moving on to item six,
which is an introduction of an ordinance. Uh, as you may recall, introduction happens typically two weeks before the hearing. Introduction, there is no public comment period. There's not even discussion amongst the council. This is pretty much to get it out there and to give people a a heads up in
advanced notice of the hearing. So, we uh we will I'll read the title and then we'll move on to a vote for this one. Ordinance 2604, an ordinance of the Township of Sparta, Susk County, New Jersey, amending and repealing portions
of chapter 16 of the Township Code entitled fire protection and prevention. May I have a motion to introduce 2604, please? >> So moved. >> May I have a second?
>> Second. Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please? >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bli, >> yes.
>> Ordinance 2604 has been introduced. Now we'll move on to the first hearing tonight of an ordinance. This is item number seven. Ordinances 2602, an ordinance of the Township Council of the Township of Sparta, Sussex County,
state of New Jersey, amending chapter 18 entitled comprehensive land management code to prohibit detention, correction, or other carceral facilities within all zones throughout the township of Sparta. Uh before we move on to the public
comment, I would like to acknowledge the council has is in receipt of the planning board's master plan consistency review which is required by law and the planning board has found that this ordinance is consistent with the master plan.
>> Thank you. So the council has acknowledged the report and accepts the report and as you noted it is consistent with the master plan. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Okay, at this time I'd like to open up to the public for comments on ordinance 262.
>> Robato uh Sparta resident. Um so I'm speaking on behalf just a few remarks from the environmental commission. Um thank you for putting this together. I don't think we've put together a memo for you guys yet, but uh
I just want to point out that the charge that the environmental commission for Sparta has are to conduct research into the use and possible use of open land areas of the township to study and make recommendations concerning open
space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna. Um and
then kind of skipping ahead, uh serving as liaison between local conservation needs and regional, state, and federal agencies, ministering to those needs as authorized by the town council and to do such other acts and things as are reasonably related to and designed to
carry out the um objectives of the the goals and objectives of the commission. So, uh, I want to just point out that, uh, I believe the average wastewater production,
um, per bed, um, or per individual in New Jersey would be 70 to 100 gallons per day. Uh, so if you had like a 1500 bed facility, we're talking about, I think, in excess of 150,000 gallons per day of waste water generated. Um,
many of you know that 70% of New Jersey relies on water from the New Jersey Highlands. Um, there are obviously unresolved concerns about, you know, water quality management plan for a proposed facility as illustrated in 2602.
Um, we also acknowledge that the federal government may overstep um, state and local guidance, but kind of wanted to, I think, point out that the federal clean water act uh, CWA of 1972 regulates
discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. And then on a state level, NJAC714A point source discharges are regulated as well as NJAC79B protect New Jersey water and classifications
as well as the associated water wetlands protections federal section 404. So kind of just want to lay that out there. Uh and you know obviously if and when we had to wrestle with this I would say
we would ask that this governing body consider that while we all recognize that the federal government may choose to implement something which we may or may not agree with that uh the the
protections of our local waters flow from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. which are fed federal acts. So we are consistent with those on a local level. So we would expect that the governing
body and township attorney would vigorously defend um the local community's rights to those protections. Uh and I will I will just let someone else speak. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Auto.
>> Thank you. Any other public comments on ordinance 2602? >> Hi, Sally Larson. Uh, Mountain Spring Drive, Sparta. Um, I want to encourage
you to pass this ordinance. I'm Oh, I'm by the way, I'm wearing the right shirt for today because of elect women. Very nice. But um I I really think we need to uh make sure this doesn't happen here. It's
not what we like in this community. And as Rob just said, uh, water, wastewater, and I think water supply and fire, I don't think we have the in infrastructure to support anything like this, and I don't think we want to build
it. So, I would encourage you to pass this resolution. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Larson. >> Thank you. Any other public comment on 2602 at this time? Okay, seeing none, I will bring it back
to the deis. I will start um at my far left with Councilman Scott and uh we'll just work our way down if any comments. If if none that's fine, too. And we'll start.
Uh I too support this uh ordinance prohibiting detention centers in the township of Sparta. I've seen uh the impact of detention centers in in other towns and uh I certainly don't
want that impact to happen here. That's my that's all my comment. >> Thank you. >> Mayor, >> yes. I just want to just share a few points, but to start off, no, I do not want nor will I support any detention centers in Sparta Township. So, get that
on the record. Um, I do want to make the public aware that when we pass ordinances like this, it cost the town money. So, I have, you know, obligation to bring the financial aspects aside. There's filing fees is a minimum 3,000 and depending upon the co complexity of
the ordinance and with this one wasn't as complex. There's additional legal fees. So when we pass any ordinance whether it's this or something else uh there's fees associated with it. So this one makes good sense. The people wanted this. This is where politics and people
kind of collide. And as I did in the past and I will continue to do in the future I always will support what the people of Sparta wanted. saying that I just wanted to ask Mr. Dash is by passing this is there any legal exposure
um whether it's likely or unlikely that ever happens but can we get pulled into any future legal litigation matters in the event this had to get get called would we can we be sued by passing it andor would it be challenged and then therefore pulled into a lawsuit should
it happen? Yes, I think uh Deputy Mayor, as you recognize with any ordinance or resolution, there is always the risk of a legal challenge. Um there's always the risk of a lawsuit that is inherent in the operation of a township, in the operation of a business. So, the short
answer is yes. Um that risk is always balanced uh with the benefits of passing the ordinance versus what that risk may be. >> Okay. Well, thanks for the clarification. I thought it was important to get that on the record. doesn't change my opinion, but I did want everybody in the public and also uh
watching it on the live feed that there is a potential risk. I think it's low probability, but it's there. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh short and sweet, I I fully support this. Um, as I said in the past, especially recently,
regardless of what your national politics are, I I I would I personally and I would find it probably hard to find many people that would be in favor of something like this in our town given the nature of our town. Um, we'll just leave it at that. >> Councilwoman, >> I also firmly
support this. It has nothing to do with number one, we cannot support it in our town. We don't need it in our town and uh with the rural structure, we don't want it at all. It has nothing to do with any of our officers or anybody that does a fantastic job for us. So
>> that's all. Thank you. >> That's all I have. >> Councilman Clark, any comments? >> Um >> I would just say that again this is not partisan. This is practical as uh Rob kind of eloquently told us
about the intensity of this type of use. Um so I can give you an example. The one that's being proposed in Roxberry is between 65,000 and 165,000 gallons a day. The previous operator had an
agreement with the town when it was just a simple storage facility of 12,000 gallons. So that gives you an idea of how much water these type of facilities use. They needed only 12,000 to run it as a storage facility. Once it becomes a
detention facility, we're looking at 5 to 16 times greater. So that that intensity is just astronomical. The next thing is it's too much traffic. Um, you can find out how much detention centers generate by simply going to the
international traffic engineers trip generation and it's basically between 2.9 to 7.27 trips per,000 square ft. Um, so something like a 470,000 ft detention center that would generate between 1,365
trips to 3,400 trips. Again, that intensity is just way too much. Another thing, and I think our planning board kind of alluded to it when they found the consistency, was what I call the crowding out effect. Um and what that means is
if you have a something of this scale, uh what that would do is and and our master and our planning board said this, it uh we have a master plan goal of preventing development patterns that place significant and irreversible development pressure on commercial and
industrially zoned parcels that might otherwise remain candidates for open space protection or low inensity uses. So when you get a big use like this, it's going to crowd out the ability of that zone to get other more practical, more helpful uses for Sparta. And I
commend our planning board for picking up on that. Uh the final thing is private prisons are a big big business. It's a $4 billion industry right now. And though we see today it's the federal government that's one of the big
players. Um, as we know, presidents come and go, administrations come and go. And if one of these were to be in Sparta and no longer operated by the federal government, I am sure that a private
prison um, which would be probably either Core Civic or the GEO Group, uh, which last year combined made $4 billion in private prisons, they'd be more than happy to take over. And so this is looking forward. I think it's our job as
council to see a problematic use and stop it and do whatever you can before it happens. And so I think when we kind of weigh the, you know, there are some administrative costs with this ordinance, there are the cost of actually having this facility in Sparta
would far far outweigh whatever kind of administrative uh dimminimous costs we're incurring as a result of this. And so I think, you know, is it a silver bullet? Maybe, maybe not. We don't know. Um, but I I think we need to stop
problematic uses before they arrive as an application before our planning board because as this township knows all too well, at that point it's often too late. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Any other comments
from the deis? Mayor, I think we need a motion, a second, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Seeing none, may I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2602? >> I move we adopt ordinance 2602. >> I have a second. >> Second.
>> Okay. May I have a roll call vote, please, Madam Clerk? >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Blumetti, >> yes. So, ordinance 2602 has passed.
Okay, moving on to the next ordinance hearing for tonight. 2603, an ordinance of the Township Council of the Township of Sparta in the County of Sussex, state of New Jersey, amending chapter 18, comprehensive land management code, including section
18-8.4, four, residential development fees for low and moderate income housing and section 18-8.5 incentive zoning and mandatory set aides and replacing them in their entirety and
repeals appendix A-18.4 residential development fees for low and moderate income housing of appendix A B schedule and replaces replace it in its entirety. I would like to also start by saying the
acknowledging that the council has re is in receipt of the planning board's master plan consistency review and the planning board has found this ordinance consistent with the master plan. At this point, I'd like to turn over to Attorney Dash for a comment or two about context. First, um, Councilman Scott and
Councilwoman Murphy, as as you did during the introduction, if you wouldn't mind recusing yourself due to the same conflict that we had in the first time, you can stay seated there and just recuse yourself from any discussion. Thank you. Um, with that, I I can provide a brief introduction to this
ordinance. This is an administrative ordinance that every town, 400 plus towns in the state of New Jersey have to by law um pass and enact. The ordinance, it amends the township's current zoning ordinances by updating the affordable
housing requirements based upon statewide regulations and then it goes on to incorporate regulatory requirements as required by the New Jersey Administrative Code. The ordinance goes on to then also amend certain portions of the development fee
ordinance that is required again also by the state of New Jersey. We are tracking the language as required by the state's development fee ordinance. And finally, the ordinance uh creates a red creates certain set aides for uh units that
result in five or more new family or single family attached dwelling units that produces affordable housing at a set aside of 20%. Um so those are a three-prong basis uh of this admin what I would call an administrative
ordinance. It also uh as the title indicates, it repeals certain sections of the current existing ordinance to remove an overlay zone that already provides for certain affordable housing. Um, for those who have been paying
attention to this the development of this ordinance, it is running parallel to but is distinct from the housing element and fair share plan that the township last summer uh and the planning board had adopted. There was a process
for that. uh there have been uh that process has been followed by the township and by the most recent order of the court by April 30th of this year we will have an uh a new or amended fair uh housing element fair share plan but this
particular ordinance does not govern any specific affordable housing projects. It does by its terms amend the fee requirements, the set aside requirements and the existing uh set aides that are
in the township ordinance. Um >> thank you, Attorney Dash. >> Thank you. >> Okay, at this point I will open up uh for public comment on 263. Hi, David Fortunado Sparta. Um, the
existing um ordinance section 18-8.5 L1B has a 2acre restriction in it so that the rules apply to properties greater than 2 acres in size.
Proposed 2603 does not have that restriction. Is there a reason? Was that required by the state? because it seems to be a particular carve out that would allow certain properties now to fall under this um ordinance where previously they
didn't. Yeah, I I understand the question. I think I understand the intent of the question. Um, but please be assured that this specific ordinance by removing that section 18-8.5 is not looking to license or regulate
any specific or authorize any specific development or property within the township. It is it goes beyond any specific project. The removal of that requirement uh was done in conjun in conjunction with the statemandated
requirements in addition to the repeal was done in order to tie the the municipality sewer requirements with respect to the um housing element fair share plan considerations. >> I wasn't putting the two of them together. >> Okay. >> It's a simple question about why is it
in the existing one and not in the current one. Was that required by the state or was that drafting done here? >> The repeal of the 188-5 >> only the 2acre limitation. Why is that not in the current one? >> Well, the township did not find that
that was necessary. That 2acre that 2acre requirement was part of the old uh the prior incentives that were provided in in conjunction with that ordinance. when the township decided to repeal it, it no longer wanted to have any of those
incentives, including incentives or requirements of the 2acre requirement. >> So, I I would suggest to the council that they consider putting that back in. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Jenny Derek. Tap into Sparta. Um um just
piggybacking off Mr. Fortunado's comments, the incentives that were previously noted in section 8.5 that include allowance for underground
parking, four stories, 10-ft setbacks, uh 65% impervious coverage, all of those goodies, including the restriction on 2.5 acres. Um, all of those goodies were there previously, and I'm just asking for to confirm this. All of those
incentives were previously added to our land use code to incentivize, just as the name implies, to incentivize a builder to come in and provide lowincome, moderate income housing in any project that they were going to be
doing in one of the TC zones. Is that correct? >> Correct. And so now we're removing those because the requirement for fair share housing extends to all zones in Sparta. And so we no longer need in to
incentivize a builder, a developer to build low-income, moderate income housing. They are required by virtue of the fact that they're building more than five acres. They are now going to be required um five units. they're now going to be
required to include low-income housing regardless of where it happens. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. So, it's while it seems like it may be um making it easier
um because we're not continuing to have the restriction of the 2.5 acres. Is it accurate to say that in fact we're taking away some of the egregious or the offensive incentives that were previously allowed that's going to go to
something like the Flust Holdings apartment building behind Diamond uh Burger King with four stories 10-ft setbacks 65% in purchase coverage. Is that correct? That >> is correct. >> So it's more of a safety for Sparta than it is giving something away.
>> Yes. Um to that end, does that preclude? So, if a builder is coming in to develop a piece of property regardless of where and it is going to fall within the um where they're going
to have to give us fair share units, will they still be required to come before the appropriate zone whether it zoning the appropriate board whether it's planning or zoning to get the approval? So regardless, so they don't
get a pass just because they're giving us low-income units to help with our fair share number. They still have to go through the entire application process. Is that correct? >> Right. The So yes, they still need to come before the planning board for site
plan approval. um they will come before the site plan of rule planning board but the initial number of certain challenges that they may have negotiated with the township will be allowed as a threshold matter the remainder of their application will have to go before the planning board.
>> So you're speaking specifically about um properties that have been identified who have presented challenges to our builder number to our um fair share housing plan. So that's a separate but anything other than that and even those will still have to go through the full
application process they they'd even have to if they wanted to say put a >> put something in on Main Street or wherever residential housing is not allowed even though we're saying anywhere in Sparta any zone they they might even have to
come for a devariance if it's a use issue if they're asking to put residential in a zone where there's no residential. Is that correct? That's a good good summary of that. >> Thank you. And one of the main um restrictions for any of this any housing
is water. I think you mentioned it um in part of your presentation, but our water the availability of water and sewer is a driver or a restrictor on where properties can be developed regardless of whether they're fair share or not
fair share. Is that accurate? >> Correct. >> Thank you. It was good. Thank you, Jenny. >> Uh, Rob Sparta again. So, so based on uh I know well based on what Jenny just was connecting some dots. So, I was going to
save this for the open session, but I just want to kind of put a pin also in something else. It sounds like you're backfilling general uh standards um that make sense uh if you get an applicant that goes through the process for
mediation and has to proceed. So I would just ask I think I asked over a year ago um that there seems to be an error in the zoning map for Sparta regarding C1H. Um and and the reason this is related is
because you just said on record uh that this somewhat related to certain properties that have been identified. So from 18-4.21 um the purpose is designed to provide for community commercial use with
preservation the historic value of the commercial zone. the goal of historic preservation. The district is intended to accomplish the following and I just want to read the one which is accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of the Lake Mohawk Plaza
area which has been designated as a historic landmark and other structures and resources within the central business district which reflect the elements of the architectural history of the township. So, as we talk about like the master plan, which I'm no longer on,
um maybe Dean, you could you could push this forward, but I think I had I had brought this up again over a year ago. I think there's a very simple error on the zoning map. It seems like it happened at some point around or before 1999.
um where the white deer historic district C1H is now not labeled C1H as TCC. Um and when we talk about passing ordinances because I envision this as just a corrective ordinance to
restate that that's C1H as C1H as this language still exists within the code. Um the administrative costs I think would be negligible as we've heard a couple thousand dollar and they would help with
some of the small small businesses and tenants within that historic zone that we are trying you know we all recognize the value of white deer plaza. Um it would it would help to just clarify the guidance that exists in here if we could just say this is C1H. So, I know this is
not a direct 2603 ordinance. It's just general guidance for uh affordable housing, but at the time that I brought this up, um I know we were in the midst of that fourth round housing fair share element. Presumably, we're past that. So, I would
just ask this governing body to consider revisiting it. Uh the 100red-year anniversary of Lake Mahawk is 2027. Um, and there's simple design standards. And the other reason for it, too, and and I do know that, uh, Lake Mohawk may be working on their own kind of
revision. Um, as a homeowners association providing an ordinance to you guys, but since it already exists, it seems like a just a ministerial fix. Um, and I see the C1 TCC, all of the village zones seem to flow from that
most restrictive guidance in C1H. So I think it would be advantageous to just simply restore that in advance of the 100redyear, gain clarity for all tenants, property owners, applicants within that zone, and then if further changes are determined necessary, then
they're done. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else with comments related to 2603? >> Hi, that's Broad Sparta. Um, is this ordinance a general ordinance or is it
regarding a specific property? There's been a lot of discussion as to whether it's town and general or is it regarding a particular property. >> This ordinance does not govern any specific affordable housing projects. It
is general to the entire township. >> So, there's not it's not about a specific application or anything like that. >> Correct. >> Okay. Question two. Rob was just talking about Lake Mohawk because of the plaza. Is the town and Lake Mohawk working
together? Have you guys talked about this or is there some kind of collaboration because of the >> Beth is this related to not this ordinance that >> this ordinance? Yeah. No, this ordinance because I know that Lake Mohawk was at the planning board meeting with several
questions. One of the trustees and got got up and actually asked specifically about this ordinance. Well, that this ordinance is general as the attorney just mentioned is not related to any property related project. >> They but it was this this ordinance came up and there was a big push all >> that was there that we're telling you the facts now this is not related to any
specific project. This is >> okay. But what I'm you let me finish please. What I'm asking >> 2603. >> Okay. And have you I I know that part with tied with the master plan and the ordinance and the overlap and everything and a big push for open communication.
Have you talked with Lake Mohawk because of the plaza and the zoning and all of that other stuff? I just want to make sure and I know that there was a big discussion previously about Lake Mohawk and Sparta and ordinances. I just want to make sure that everybody is on the same page and we're not all
>> I'll say is that we're we're in constant or frequent communication with them about that and other things and I won't comment on affordable housing with Lake Bhawk or the community or any objectors or litigation or anything like that. So, okay. I wasn't Yeah, we are in we're in communication with them on a regular basis. That's all I was asking. I wasn't
getting at any kind of litigation or any that I know you won't talk about it on the record. So, thanks. >> Thank you, Beth. Any other public comment on 2603? Okay, seeing none, I'll bring it back up to the deis. Is there any council comments or
discussion on 2603? I'll start here and if not, that's fine. We'll just keep moving on. Just a question I have. I I looked through this and did not see design standards and and that that's right. This does not do a design standard. And so
if there were an ordinance passed, I think uh Mr. Otto brought in the C1H, which would which would obviously have design standards in it. that by passing this that does not preclude the township from later passing a zoning ordinance
like C1H which will likely have design standards. It would not be preempted by what we're doing tonight. Is that right? >> Correct. >> Okay. So again, we we're still free to pass ordinances that deal with design standards, things like that. Um this in
no way affects that. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um that's all I had. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thanks. Good clarification. Councilwoman, anything? >> No. Okay. >> She's She's recused from this. >> We can't. Sorry. I did not ask that question.
>> Okay. I I have no further comments on this. Uh >> none as well. I'm fine. >> Okay. All right. With that being said, we have three eligible uh council members to vote on this. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2603?
I move we adopt ordinance 2603 as read. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Madame clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please? >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bli, >> yes.
>> 2603 has been passed. >> Okay, moving on to resolutions. Would anyone on the deis like any of the resolutions carved out for from bulk approval? I will I will note too there
was a last minute addition of resolution 8-9. Um I'm not sure if it's in the packets. I'll just I'll just read it for now. So 8-9, it's a one-day ABC social affairs permit for Our Lady of the Lake.
So, that being said, is there are there any resolutions that anyone would like carved out from bulk approval? If not, I'll proceed with asking for 81 to 89. >> I have a question about 87. >> Okay, we'll carve that out. >> Okay.
Anyone else? >> Yeah, let's carve out 87 out. Maybe I want to hear all about this. >> All right. Okay. So, I will then ask for a motion to approve resolutions 8-1
through 8-6, 8-8, and 8-9. May I have a motion to approve those? >> I'll make a motion to approve those carving out 8-7. May I have a second?
>> Second. All in favor of approving resolutions 81 to 86 and 88 and 89 say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Actually, we don't have an 89, do we? It's >> Oh, that's the addition one. I'm sorry. Yeah.
>> Yes. Okay. Any opposed? Any abstains? >> I know. Okay. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Those resolutions day >> have passed. >> Okay. So, 8-7. Um, let's go with a motion in a second, then we'll discuss it. So, may I have a motion to approve 87?
>> So, moved. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Discussion and questions. Um, I I'll give you a cheat sheet, though. I have my vows all written out. I can hand them off to you if you want to use them. >> Okay. >> No, I I I think this is a good idea. I think that um we ran into this when I
was a deputy mayor. I think the mayor at the time was not able to do it and we had to do some kind of paperwork. Um, this question is simply my own selfish self-interest because some of the most fun you can have in this job is actually doing weddings. And so, um, am I right
that even though you're you may be in you're not allowed to marry folks as an ex mayor until your term is up, until you're no longer in the office. So, it's not like they could I'm just volunteering. If if Mike can't do it and Dean can't do it, I'm more than happy to do it, but I understand I can't do it
>> while you're on counsel. >> Yeah. Okay. I just wanted So, >> can I be doing being an ex deputy mayor >> because you're still on counsel for the same reason I can't do it. But, uh, they are a lot of fun. And Mike, you will have a lot of fun doing this. So,
>> it's limited to mayor, but right now deputy mayor because we're authorizing him. >> Once he's off council, he can do it. >> The statute speaks to the current mayor or the deputy mayor. >> Okay. Bomber. Nothing precludes either one of you from getting your own
certification outside of that. Correct. And doing it. >> I think that's right. >> Well, I do have that as a I am an internet pastor, so I I have married friends of mine. So, um >> So, we're in competition is what you're saying. >> Yeah. This will be a burgeoning business
if I ever stop doing this. >> We we just wanted to give the township choices and you know, we're competing for if we're in high demand right now. So, just having a little fun with it. This was looking forward to backing you up if we can. I'm one of those so far. So,
>> I'd like I'd like to amend this 87 to allow exuty mayor. >> Cuz I didn't get to. >> Yeah. No problem. >> Actually, it's not not permitted, I don't think. >> Yes. >> It's not allowed. >> Yeah. >> It's not allowed. >> No.
>> Well, that's why we're in charge here. >> All right. With that being said, uh may I have a uh we have a motion in a second. So, all in favor of approving 8-7, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstains?
>> Okay. 87. Congratulations, Mike. >> Thank you. >> Okay, moving on. Uh this this is the second open to the public segment. Again, please state your name for the record. You're limited to five minutes maximum. And this is for items not on the agenda.
Carol Selli, Eileen Mappy, both of Sparta. We're here to ask you tonight, we are >> If you could just uh be close so that people watching at home can hear you. >> Um we are here tonight. We're are members of the Sparta Women's Club and we volunteer at Jinny's house in Newton.
And uh Jinny's House, as you probably know, is a child advocacy center. And April is child abuse prevention month. And Jinny's will be doing their pin wheels for prevention. and they do a display in Newton and we just heard that they're going to be doing one in Andover
also. So, we thought, well, why not come to you and present and ask you to purchase one of the kits or more of the kits to display. It's a sign and 10 pin wheels and that would be on display in Sparta somewhere in a hightraic area and
the cost is $35. So, we were hoping >> and we have a picture. >> We have a picture if you needed to see it. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I mean I let's uh let's talk afterwards. I mean it sounds like a wonderful idea and I I'm familiar with that cause. It's tremendous. So uh let's connect afterwards either with the
clerk or we can do that. >> Okay. Thank you, >> mayor. We usually do a proclamation for >> Okay. >> for this in May April. >> Okay. So we'll do a proclamation also in April. >> Great. Thank you for being here. >> David Fortunado again.
Um my questions uh concern my question concerns the HFSP. I'm not sure if you can comment on the court's order of March 3rd. Are you allowed to comment on that? You you
>> you can ask a question. Depending on your question, we can decide whether we can comment. >> Okay. So in the order the judge ordered um with respect to Jersey investors that the conditional settlement be approved and
that the HFSP be included uh be amended to include that project. The order then went on to state that the conditional settlement to reszone 5 west was also approved but the court did not say that the HFSP should be amended to include
that project. You interpret that to mean that the the the council is not obligated to amend the HFSP to include the five west property. >> Yeah, that's a good question. I'm I'm I'm afraid I can't give you a definitive answer. Okay,
>> I understand the question. >> Okay. So then my other point with regard to the HF HFSP in five Westshore um the owner of the property has just undergone a significant change of circumstances which is likely to result in that property being seized by the federal
government. So I think the council would be ill advised to include that in the HFSP. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you >> Rob Sparta again. Um, environmental commission doesn't have a liaison yet, do we?
>> In a few minutes. >> Thank you. >> Good timing. >> Jenny Derek's talking to Sparta. Um, Mr. Zep, how are we doing with the landfill? Um, when last we when last I asked this
question, you said we were close to having you had identified a person in Trenton who was going to be accepting the land swap. Do we have any further movement on that? >> Said that on Saturday. >> On Saturday. Yeah. >> So, we are getting closer. I have I
don't have anything new since Saturday. Okay. But uh we have identified an individual who is now evaluating all all the uh u the ruling by the wetland mitigation council accepting our proposal. We've submitted now the parcels. Uh they're being evaluated
uh and and I'm I'm closer to it. Um we thinking that they're looking for title search and some other uh conditions. And once they're fulfilled um I'll be uh approaching the council for resolution on the donation. and uh our uh uh
environmental scientist Laura Nugar, she'll give a a a question and answer. She'll be here for for uh assisting on the process and answering a lot of your questions, I'm sure. >> Um can I give you one in advance? Um and that is what protections will we have
down the road to make sure that these pro these lots are not um either developed, built on, tracked or in any other way uh have anything done to them other than leave them as pristine.
>> I've already given those to Laura so she she knows that she's going to be answering those. >> Okay. And then la um one last question for me for tonight. Um the the snow is mostly gone. Um >> next week >> I'm referring to
>> I know what you're referring to. The uh West Mountain Road. >> Correct. Right. So we have a date for testing. >> Survey is scheduled for next week uh now that the snow is cleared. Um and um they'll be resuming uh all all the um
agreed to um action items that u the engineer had uh presented before. Um, but I spoke to uh the engineer earlier today and he told me that the schedule is for next week for the surveyor to start and we'll start seeing more activity and addressing it. Um it it's
somewhat troubling looking through all the documentation that I've received through my Oprah requests about the um discussions that went back and forth between township um employees and township professionals and um the owner
of that property uh the co-rances family farm folks. Um, even though there had been an uh an um a complaint filed way back in 24, correspondence in 25 indicates, oh, we just talked about this yesterday, or
thank you for letting me uh thank you for meeting with me um and to discuss the expansion of your paddock area or something like totally off the off line from what was happening when we we know it was a truck parked.
parking facility. We know that for sure and yet it seems to have been ignored and um I keep asking and I keep getting told um we're working on it. There's no implications for anybody who's who knew
about it that they didn't do anything about it. Um so now you're saying a survey is scheduled. Is the survey what's the purpose of the survey? Is that to do soil sampling? Is that too? >> I don't know if I'm in the position to answer what the survey is for. This is
what my engineer had advised as an action item. It'll be followed up with the the soil sampling. I believe the surveys are also going to be done with a drone. I I think it's going to be to measure the impact of the the foreign soil that was brought in, but I'm not in
a position to answer that. And is the um Delaware soil conservation folks, are they going to be involved as well? >> I'll have to consult with the engineer on whether I know that they initially were involved. Um but now that they
brought in an LSRP and they have a a procedure of evaluating the soils and all, I'd have to defer to my engineer. >> The co-rances family farms are the ones that secured the LSRP, not Sparta. Not sure who who secured it. I I I think
um my engineer may have done that, but again, >> okay, >> those details, give it to me ahead of time, Jenny. I'm happy to give you more accurate information. >> Sure. Is this survey going to include um water testing? So, that's my last question. I recall he said that it would
uh depending on the depth of of the soil and all. >> It would be nice for the town to have selected the LSRP. >> They may have council. I I I don't know for sure. That's why if I had the questions ahead of time, I'd have the
information for the folks right now. Y >> Okay. Thank you. Hi, Beth. >> Beth, um do we have a liaison to the planning board yet? Oh, there there has been since the beginning. >> No, I mean, no, there was a VA there's a
vacancy on the planning board. Oh, >> the class two spot talking about. Okay, that's we're going to address that later on. >> Okay. And Mark Kumari, you guys are the leazison to Lake Mohawk. Do you have a meeting set up with Lake Mohawk as council leaison? >> Working on it.
>> Yeah, working on that. I've heard it's in the works. >> Yeah, >> we're we're waiting for them to get back to us. >> Okay, thanks. >> Thank you. Welcome. Okay. Any other comments from the public on items not on the agenda this evening?
Okay. Seeing none, let's bring it back up to Deis and we'll move on to council liaison updates. We can start um let's start at the my far left with uh Councilman Scott.
>> Okay. The uh economic development committee met on February 26th at 7 PM and we had a a great meeting. Uh Dan Cherell, our former mayor, came in and spoke to us about Spartaet, which is a network that he's been trying to put
together of Sparta communities in the United States and in Europe to trade information, trade goods, see if we can uh put some type of commerce together between our towns, and uh just grow the
knowledge of what Sparta means. Um the second thing I want to talk about was we have had some favorable changes to the planning and zoning office. We're trying to make it more user friendly. Um number three, we are uh developing a uh
pro business website for the main Sparta Township website. Uh we got some quotes from from thirdparty vendors and today we had a detailed discussion with uh Civic Plus who is the the vendor that
provides our website now and uh you know I was on the phone with these people for like 45 minutes and they were just just tremendous and uh are are going to help us set it up and and get a new page and get a business development page that can be useful to to the community and
hopefully when someone is looking to come to Sparta, promote Sparta and and make it easier for them to to get to the finish line or get, you know, move into town. Um,
and so we are that's what we're doing. We're working moving ahead with Civic Plus right now and we'll see how that goes and uh going to talk to the uh Sparta IT people tomorrow. Thanks. >> Great. Thanks, Deputy Mayor and can use your microphone.
>> Yes. >> All right. So, I'm excited about the um as I also sit with Mark on the BDC uh committee is to get that website up. It was interesting.
It was if I heard it that mark during that meeting it was over like there's 400 registered businesses in Sparta which was shocking to me and that could be very small to medium to large size businesses but it was interesting that I
think on our current website we only had like 52 identified. So there's the need to support you know the effort to redo this website and I appreciate uh Councilman Scott's efforts of taking the lead on that. So, as it relates to the planning board updates, the one update
is obviously the uh class two position. There was no other uh further follow-up needed. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh master plan subcommittee held its second meeting of the year last night. Uh some of you may have been
there on February 18th at the planning board meeting where there was a presentation on the circulation plan element. It was a snapshot, a status of the circulation plan element where it is now and it's going to progress further. It'll be refined further. We're going to be working more on that uh over the next
five or six months. Uh you should see more presentations uh at the planning board meetings. Uh the first one will be the climate change vulnerability assessment which is an required element. Then there'll be the land use element and then after that would be the
comprehensive public presentation of the overall master plan. So expect that to occur over the next five to six months uh at the planning board. I received an update on the environmental commission from chairman Neil Neil Sourine. So I'll go through
that. Uh the Earth Day event is Saturday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. here at Town Hall. It'll be both indoors and outdoors. There will be numerous exhibitors u including the recently added ridge and
valley conservancy which specializes in land preservation in that region. Also the Sussex County Beekeepers Association and the Sparta High School Ecology Club. The ecology ecology club will actually demonstrate a biodiesel
biodeiesel produced in its classes and will utilize that fuel actually to operate a rented popcorn machine. So you don't want to miss that. And this shows how you can provide a sustainable food uh demonstration and use uh sustainable resources to do that.
They've also been talking about uh proposing an ordinance regarding data centers in town. So coming soon will be a recommended ordinance for consideration by the governing body. Uh draft is ready and the environmental commission is also checking with the New Jersey Highlands Council for any
guidance. Uh in terms of forest management activities on Sparta Mountain. The environmental commission discussed the comment period for the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife review of forest management activities on Sparta Mountain. That
comment period remains open until March 31st. uh all members were encouraged to submit their comments during that period and the environmental commission is also discussing the idea of possibly a collective comment on behalf of uh perhaps the commission or the township.
The Facebook new Facebook page was already mentioned in the manager's report. The prior sustainable jersey grant for the trail signs has now been closed out. And as you saw on tonight's agenda
there, there was a resolution supporting application for a 2026 grant. And again, that's to develop a natural resource inventory. Uh environmental commission member Christine Dunar organized a community science event on March 4th and 5th to
collect salt snapshots from over 60 sites in Sparta and throughout the county. That data will contribute to ongoing research by the Straoud Water Research Center, adding valuable New Jersey data to their regional database. The Environmental Commission is also
planning its speaker series for the rest of this year. Uh more to come on now in future announcements about who will be coming to speak at their meetings. And finally, the next environmental commission meeting is actually this week is Thursday evening, March 12th, right here. So feel free to stop in and join
them or watch live stream. And that concludes my liaison updates. Council, >> I don't have any for I there's been no meetings since our last town council meeting for the um not be for rev 250 or
for the uh seniors commission. So that's all I have and ignore the Lake Mohawk leaison. >> Thank you. And council clerk. >> Sure. Um, so although the film committee uh did not meet since the last meeting,
I did attend uh an event at Sussex County Community College uh and also with Barnlight Studios. Uh it was called C Cultivating Creators. It was a Q&A that they put on uh with various folks
from the industry including the president of the New Jersey State Film Commission, John Crowley. um and there he was able to share with us some of the kind of economic statistics involving this endeavor. So right now um New
Jersey is likely to uh almost surpass New York with film production in the state. So we're kind of neck and neck with New York. California obviously is up top. Um and then we're actually we'll surpass probably Atlanta or Georgia. Um
so it's it's still probably economic impact. We're looking at close to a billion dollars um industry right now in um in New Jersey. And there were people from the industry there, including someone who did all those kind of
special effects that you saw in Independence Day and Batman and the Marvel movies. uh he was there um not just to provide a Q&A but he was also there because they were scouting out various areas for an upcoming production
and they had been in Sparta that day. Um obviously that is still in the works but again they were looking at Sparta for a possible film in 2026 and so I attended that. It was is very well done and very helpful to the
students uh at at uh Sussex County Community College. Um I did meet with the cultural affairs committee uh last week. Again, as I indicated, my hope is to try to grow that to expand beyond the
fantastic summer series that they do. They are in the midst of planning that as we speak. as you know that's been a staple in Sparta for dec you know what almost two decades now and there is a lot of work involved in that it really helped me to go to that to see that you
know they they really scout out original artists so not just your you know Pink Floyd cover band these are original artists and so that and they really put their heart and soul into it so they're in the process of figuring out who the they are going to be part of that's
going to be driven by what their budget is going to be there's questions about the rollover from last year of unspent funds and we're going to try to clarify that. Uh we do have an additional member who joined um who was not previously there and we are going Janelle Leonard
and we're going to kind of figure out what based on her experience and background what we could do to expand some of the offerings of the cultural affairs committee. But I will make a pitch that we could use additional members because the members that we do
have are plenty busy putting on the summer series and really don't have the bandwidth to take on other projects. So if you're interested in expanding the cultural offerings in Sparta and you know this is an opportunity to be creative to really show an impact to do
something fun for your town. I really encourage you to apply. Uh next the trails committee has not met yet. Uh we will meet tomorrow. So I don't have any updates with that one. Um
have not met with Rev 250. And I do have another one. I'm trying to find my notes on it. Just bear with me for a second. uh school board leaison. We are due to meet uh uh deputy
mayor Sylvester and I uh will hopefully plan that within the next uh month or so. And with that, I think that's all I have. Those are all my updates. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Okay, let's go on to unfinished and new
business. Uh we'll start actually back Councilman if you want to start there. Any unfinished or new business? Sure. Um I do want to So on Saturday we had our budget meeting and I will be candid with you. I left that meeting um and quite
stressed um because it was you know we have a uh our budget has gone up and and and Jim can correct me if I'm wrong. I think by $3 million and 70% of that $3 million increase is driven by uh a
nondiscretionary obligation that we have for the medical expenses for our employees. So that means we don't have any control really over that. And so that $3 million then presented um at the time a shortfall of close to $700,000.
Meaning and you you can't just simply raise taxes or float a bond to come up with that. you have to figure out where can you cut to get that down. And so Jim and all our department heads have had really um some difficult conversations
about how to cut costs. And I and when we present the budget, we'll have more on that hopefully next meeting. But I left there thinking, wow, that's you know, we're asking a heck of a lot of our of our employees, of our
departments, and so what can we do as a council? And I understand that and and one of the costs that you know we do have some control over is something that we addressed at the end of the session last December um December 20. You know
we had the ordinance to repeal the veteran tax look back. And so we tabled that. But, you know, I would um you know, before I I want to ask a question about that, before I make a motion to
maybe bring that back to the agenda, which is, am I right, Jim, that the repeal would not affect people who are currently veterans and currently getting property tax relief? >> Correct. Okay. And so it would only
affect people who may have uh who haven't already applied for disability uh with the VA. It would it would affect them if they got the disability after we passed the ordinance, they would not get the benefit of the look back. Is that right?
>> Right. Once you pass the ordinance and you have the 20-day stop period. >> Okay. But any veteran who is currently getting property tax relief, that ordinance that we floated back in December, it would not affect them. They correct. >> Okay. Got you. So I would like to make a
motion that for the March 24th meeting, we bring back uh the ordinance. It was 25 I believe 26 2520 was the ordinance. So it will be 26 whatever. But I think in light of the budget concerns that we
have, I think it's it's simply probably prudent management to at least bring this up again. Uh particularly when we're asking a lot of sacrifices from our our township employees and the services that they provide. So, um I
would move that the March 24th meeting have on the agenda the introduction of the ordinance that is substantially similar similar to ordinance 2520 uh which we introduced at the end of the year. So that's my motion.
I just need a second. I will second. Just for clarification too that I know we have time to talk about this but just the question you asked town managers up this does not affect current
ongoing um elimination of taxes right still anybody who is not paying taxes now that will go forward and anyone new that comes this year once they qualify they also won't pay taxes going forward this is just about that initial look back right this
is not about disqualifying people from paying no taxes is on on a long basis even people that we don't know about yet. >> Correct. That's >> correct. That's a state statute that we don't have any control over that that benefit. So that it doesn't affect that at all. >> Okay. Okay. And the time frame that the
look back went from was it the time the veteran applied to the VA or to our town? >> To the VA. >> To the VA. So it could be as much as 24 months as it's written in our ordinance
currently. >> Right? So once they apply and they get it from the VA and then they apply to the town, it goes we will enact that's when it's enacted from the time they apply to
Sparta. That's the date that their taxes are they're granted. Well, I if you're asking what the the ordinance that was tabled, what it would do is it would eliminate the 24month look back, right? And what it would do
is as soon as our tax assessor looked over the VA paperwork and approved it, >> from that point forward, >> the the the veteran would enjoy the tax exemption. and us being only one of two towns in the state, municipalities that
actually have that um that look back. Not that I'm I am totally for that look back for anything for our veterans, but it's it's putting us in a bind right now. And it's not to say that we can't change it in the future. And this we're
also waiting on the state to pass an ordinance to re actually to to compensate the municipalities in the future, but they've done nothing about it. It's just sitting there. >> Correct. >> So, we need to do something to get on to
the state to re to help them refund the municipalities for doing this as well. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other question or comments? Um, I'm not trying to get ahead of ourselves, but just at least for tonight's motion, which isn't to
pass anything except to say that we're going to put this on the agenda for two weeks from now and it'll be introduced and then for in theory four weeks from now, there'll be a hearing on it and there'll be a discussion. There'll be public comment, there'll be a whole thing. This is just tonight to say this has enough interest or legs to get on
the agenda. two weeks from now. >> But procedurally, it's going to go through the normal process that it would. So, giving the public an opportunity to speak the veterans because I know we haven't >> spoken to them as well. So, it would go through the the sequencing that we're
used to. >> Correct. It would be an introduction of the ordinance. >> Yeah. The purpose is simply to put it on so people know that we're it doesn't just pop up on the agenda kind of out of nowhere that hey, we're moving to because of its significance. I think that I felt like we at least we needed
to notify the public that at least there was an intent to put it on the agenda again and so they know how that came about and it's coming about through this motion. >> Yeah. >> And the amount of money that we spent in 2025 was $275
>> $75,000 was how much we refunded. >> So right at this point in time just look back. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilman. It's also it's probably one of the it's a best practice too probably to that you know we talked about cost of ordinances. So just instead of having ordinances pop up
out of nowhere in advance for someone in new business it's a good idea to flesh it out a little bit to see almost like a committee like a state and federal government to kind of flesh it out to see if there's enough interest from at least at least two or three whatever just to move it forward so we can have a further analysis. That's it's good practice.
>> Okay. Um, so let's let's um vote on Councilman Clark's motion, which is not to approve the ordinance at all. This is to put it on the agenda in two weeks to start the process of evaluation for it. Um, so u Madam Cler, may I have a roll
call vote, please? >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, I'm gonna abstain, please. >> Mayor Blumeetti, >> yes. Okay. So, that motion has passed. So,
we're going to proceed forward with u an ordinance evaluating the ordinance for uh repealing the look back. Okay. >> Um Councilman Clark, uh we done with new business and unfinished business. >> I have 10 other ordinance I have ideas
for. No, just kidding. Um, no, no, no other new unfinished business. >> Don't be fooled. That clock's an hour behind. It hasn't been changed. We need a big ladder. >> Okay. Councilwoman Murphy, any uh unfinished new business? >> No. >> Okay. Okay. I have a few this evening.
Um, four specific motions for um appointments or changes to appointments for liaison. So, uh, first I would like to make a motion to appoint Councilwoman Murphy as the environmental commission liaison. Thank you for volunteering again.
Appreciate it very very much and so does the EC. Um, so may I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Thank you, Margie. >> No, no oppos. Okay. Excellent. So, congratulations.
>> I abstain, Margie. >> You aren't kidding, right? Okay. Okay. Second is uh the planning board class two position. So I would like to make a motion to appoint Michael Wallace as the class 2 planning board member for
2026. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Um all in favor? >> No. Is there any discussion? >> Any discussion? Could we just give the public a back some background about Mr.
Wallace? >> Yeah, I wanted to mention that I haven't had a chance to speak to Mr. Wallace and uh maybe we could table this for a week or two weeks. >> I think I think I'd rather move forward
with it tonight. It's pretty pressing, Councilman. Um they're they're going to be starting getting applications soon and um it's been floated out there for quite a while. So, I would like to move forward with this tonight. position's been empty for years. >> I don't know about years, but it's been for a while. Yeah. That's even more more
reason to to get somebody in there. I think the question was just who is this guy? Sorry to be blunt, but I think if we're going to appoint someone, we should probably let the public know who they is, where they come from, what are their qualifications, that kind of thing.
>> Yeah. We could I mean >> at one point do a quick Yeah. >> At one point last year we were going to have public interviews. >> I remember that it got shot down. That was my idea. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, to be honest with you, this application was shared with the council
probably a month ago at least and the phone number was on there. I reached out to everyone and we've seen each other in meetings and it's it's been around for a while that there was a candidate out there. Um so with all due respect, I think we need to just move forward with this tonight and we could have a discussion. town managers up. Would you like to just It's very hard to find
class two candidates. >> Exactly. I mean, get the context. >> I don't oppose it. I fully support it. I'm just saying that, you know, this is a public position. I feel like the public has a right to know who's going to be their class 2 rep and the background that person has. >> Yeah.
>> So, as the mayor had indicated, as you all know, the class 2 is very difficult to fill because it has the requirement of being an employee of the town and right and this is a volunteer position. and the person's not getting paid to to participate. So that's one of the main
reasons why had been open for so long because employees will work all day doing their job here and then, you know, they got to come back and sit and do. But um I'm actually proud of of this individual. Mike Wallace is our construction code official. He heads up
the construction department. He's also our electrical inspector and he's also a Sparta resident. and um he's been with us for a while and um I think that he the fact that he wants to participate in the process says a lot of positive volumes about him and uh I know that uh
bunch of the council members did have a chance to talk with him and and and and all. So I I think this is a a great move and I I think the the the board will uh benefit from it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
You know, it has been a kind of a cloudy cloudy situation with the class 2 position because we didn't have anybody appointed there taking that position. Yet, the alternate
on the planning board voted in in in in in the in the voted in the class two position. And I would think that, you know, I'd like to have some asurances that Mr. Wallace is not going to be just elected
and then then not attend and then just we would have the class we would have the alternate voting in that class two position. Again, it's just not it's it's it's not really the right way to do it. I would expect anyone that gets
appointed that's willing enough to volunteer their time and show a commitment and get appointed by the council and accept it. I would expect them to participate and enthusiastically participate and learn the job and take part in it and give back to the town. I
we shouldn't have a reason to doubt every person that gets appointed, especially an employee of the township. We're employees. I mean, he's a fellow employee. >> I understand. >> Yeah. So, I I mean, if there's an issue down the road, then we can probably have the planning board address that if there's a a tenant Shouldn't it be you you adjusting it because you're making the appointment?
>> No, I'm not making it. I'm making the motion. This is a council decision. It's a vote. We need to vote for this and this the plan council could decide this isn't working out or or this is working out. >> No, that if you're talking about once the person's in the spot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If the person if the person a
person can be removed for cause by a council vote and they're allowed to have a public hearing about that if they're being removed for cause and they can defend themselves. The council can't unil just say you're gone, but there has to be cause and the person has the opportunity if they want to have a
public session. Yeah. But tonight's vote, I'm just making the motion. Anyone could have made it, but this is to get someone in that spot. So, it needs to be voted on by the council. This is not a mayor um appointee like the class one is. >> What's the term on that position? >> Just this year. >> Just one year. Just to put that on the
record. >> Yeah. Just 2026. >> You don't see. >> Thank you, Mr. Wallace. I I think given his background very very fortunate to have someone of that >> that background I think he'll have a lot to offer as anyone who's sat through
some of those planning boards. >> They're very technical and someone with his technical background I think he'll um provide a very helpful uh service to both the township and to the planning board. So um thank you for your efforts and finding someone of that caliber to
to do it. And thank you Mr. Wallace for serving your community in more ways than you already do. >> Well said. >> So, we need to vote. >> Mhm. >> Yes, we need to vote. We think we have a motion in a second already. So, we will do a Let's do a roll call vote um on the
motion for the class two planning board, please. >> Councilman Scott, >> I'd like to talk to him. No. >> Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. Mayor Bli. >> Yes.
Okay. Welcome Mike Wallace to the planning board. I'm sure they're celebrating. Okay. Uh moving on. The next one is a uh simply a a change in a liaison, one of the liaison for the Lake Mohawk Country
Club. Um, so I'm going to make a motion um to uh relieve Councilman Scott, not see anything wrong. Um, swap Councilman Scott out of the Lake Mohawk Country Club liaison spot and add Councilman Clark in as one of the two liaison with
Councilwoman Murphy still for Lake Mo Country Club. Is that clear? Yeah, it's a swap. >> Congratulations. >> So, may I have a second first? I'll second. >> Okay. Any discussion
>> just because we don't want to be conflicted. >> Okay. Yes. Exactly. >> Yeah. >> I think I I will raise the issue that I think that puts now six liaison that I have. So I may be going to the council to say can you take me off one of them. So we we'll cross that bridge when we
get to it. So >> just throwing that out there. >> Thank you. >> But I'm happy to do it. >> Okay. All in favor of the swap say I. >> I. >> I. >> The opposer abstained. No. Okay. Uh the fourth one actually addresses uh the
other one of your leon. I have it on for tonight. >> Oh, you do. You want to move forward with it? Okay, >> go for it. >> Okay. >> So, uh the last motion is for the Rev 250 committee and the two liaison right now. This motion is to relieve Councilman Clark of his role as one of
the two Rev 250 liaison. Uh may I have a second? I'll second. >> Okay. Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Hi I. >> Okay. >> That has passed. >> So just me.
>> That is a fantastic committee. Um and it's in good hands with Margie. She's she's really good at it and uh so even though she's she's >> oh it >> pretty busy, but um >> please don't that's simply just a matter of bandwidth. Uh
>> yeah, I understand. And any we're always looking for members as well. >> You're also looking for money, isn't that correct? >> Well, never can hurt. >> Maybe we need sponsors, right?
>> Or could you just >> Maybe we could use some sponsors. Is that correct? >> Probably. Okay. >> I have to talk with the person in in charge. I'm just lay on. So yeah, that's a good idea. Okay, >> very good idea.
>> That concludes my unfinished and new business for tonight. >> Margie, what is the Rev 250? Could you explain what that is? >> The Revolution 250. It's celebrating the country's 250th anniversary. And there's um as I mentioned last time, there's a a
an exhibit at uh the fairgrounds by each of the municipalities. And it's we've got we had one planned every month. We had the tavern talk at crows which was terrific of of people dressed in period costume and talking as
if they were living at that time and from this area and what was going on at the area which was tiff was terrific and it's because we were part of hardest at the time we were not Sparta um and different we're having it at the um Birk
Museum there is the Martha Washington u exhibit and then there and a woman coming in acting as as Martha Washington. We've also got a flag uh the flag representation from the different
um from the different years >> was it that's coming from Trenton. Uh they've got something planned almost every month. We tried to have the uh reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware across Lake Mohawk, but the water was too low and we couldn't get we
couldn't get the barge in. But that may happen in this in the fall. You never know. But um it's just a celebration of our country and what we in this town being so close to Washington's headquarters as well. And a lot happened up in here, >> right? >> And if nobody's if people have not been
to the Vancirk Museum, you should you should really go. It's terrific. >> It really is. And they do a lot of work there. So >> that is the celebration ongoing and it will be posted in the town council
website uh for news and agendas. >> Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> All right, Mayor Bumemedi, I'm sorry I forgot to mention we did have a meeting of the first meeting of the Sparta Beautifification Committee. >> Um and so uh we met actually yesterday.
I'm very pleased to announce we have a really solid committee. Uh, one we have, um, someone who helped spearhead what you see in White Deer Plaza, those planners. Uh, she's also was on the board of trustees for the na uh, state botanical garden. U, she is very
experienced. We also have a gentleman um, who handles for I think a club in town, all the landscaping, etc. So, yesterday was simply a get to know you meeting, but also to start thinking about what we want to do. Um and there's
going to be what what what became very evident in that meeting is there's going to be synergies between this committee and some other committees that we have particularly economic development. Um because be a lot of towns do beautifification as a way to spur economic development. There's things
showing that you know you you spruce up a place it drives people in. Um and we'll have to be working with some of our existing businesses. I know in Branchville they that is a Tree City USA town. uh whereby the business owners uh
allow the the town to plant a tree in their um you know private business area. Um and they've they've done really well with that. So we're going to be reaching out to them. But also there's you know logistical challenges because shocker flowers need water. Um and who's going
to water them, right? And so we got to figure that out. So, um, ideally we could get help from our, you know, township staff, but obviously they're obviously stretched thin as well. So, we're trying to figure out what will have the most, uh, bang for our
logistical buck. So, we'll be talking about that. I hope to bring more information in the coming weeks. But, I'm very happy with that committee. I think that that could have an immediate kind of tangible impact on on Sparta, what you see. I think we're also going
to look into uh improving the signage. Um you know, as you come into town, um those signs have kind of worn out and um I know there is I think Sussex Tech actually has done signs for some of the
HOAs and they did a really good job. So, we're going to look into that about maybe improve some updating some of the signage, the welcome to Sparta signs. >> I know a lot about that. >> Yes. Okay. >> So, fantastic. But um I apologize for not remembering that during my
>> and council Clark if the uh business development committee needs to maybe link up with the beautifification committee and talk about how to get the word out and vice versa and trying to support that and get the word out to the uh the businesses as well. >> Yes, because I told them you were
working on um I think it's a fantastic idea trying to get a listing of all the businesses in Sparta and I think there's some things we can do to reach out to them. I will be I will be attending the Sparta chamber on March 17th and I will let them know about the beautifification
committee. Um so again I I I look forward to this really getting off the ground. So thank you to all our volunteers who who volunteered for that. >> Thank you Councilman Deputy Mayor Sylvester. Any unfinished or new business?
>> Yes. Um, just want to pick up on what I heard out in the discussion, uh, earlier about the C1H. Um, I, you know, the question was, you know, where was it and if it's going to be reconsidered? Um, when you meet with
the Lake Mohawk, can you get an update, maybe get an update from them on their position or their current status of it? Was there something that they wanted to do with it to either support the comments or not? just to just to just to touch base with them that there was a
discussion or some comments made on it. So, we just wanted to get clarification on it. That was all more information gathering. >> Okay. Yeah, I think I'll I'll do that and then let everyone know and then even flag we could even do it the way we did uh the veteran appeal is that if it it's
if it's ready to go, that's maybe something that we could consider putting back on the agenda at some point. I >> I'll add to that the master plan subcommittee is also one of the elements is historical preservation. So it may just dovetail into that work as well. So >> was it being discussed there as well?
>> Sounds like it just sounded like I heard today there was a there was a kind of a a typo or an error where it just kind of fell off. >> No >> the zoning map or whatnot or there's some history behind it. Regardless moving forward just like to try to get some information clean it up.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Let you all figure it out. >> All right. Any other new or unfinished business? >> Thank you. Okay, Councilman Scott, any new or unfinished business? >> Mark. >> Mark. >> Yep. Any any new or unfinished? Okay. Thank you.
>> Okay. With that being said, I think it's time to go home. Uh motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. All thanks.