Please take notice that action will be taken on the following items at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 in council chambers, Sparta Township Municipal Building, 65 Main Street, Sparta, New Jersey.
Please note that all council meetings are now livereamed and can be viewed at the following link. www.youtube.comship youtube.com at sparta townshipstreams. 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 this notice. Uh the time is now 7:22. Madam clerk, may I have a roll call, please? >> Councilman Scott, >> here. Councilman Murphy
>> here. >> Councilman Clark >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester >> here. >> Mayor Blummeti >> here. >> All right. Would you please all stand and join me in salute to our flag. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Before [clears throat] we get started, I just wanted to share a comment or two from a few weeks ago. Um,
just a reminder as we look into this new year that we're a very small community. We're all neighbors who care deeply about our town and we all want to keep it a special place. I would ask that
up to your ability to please uh try to listen and look for areas of commonality to don't judge and to be respectful. I'll strive to do my best each week on these and I'll try hard and I
respectfully ask that my colleagues and you the public try to do the same. So moving on to the agenda. We don't have any minutes tonight for approval. So, let's go on to the third item on the agenda, our manager's report. So, manager Zep, would you please share your report? >> Sure.
>> Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council members, and all Sparta residents joining us in person or watching from home. Thank you for being with us tonight. First, I want to extend sincere appreciation to all our employees who work tirelessly during
this past weekend snow and ice storm. public works, parks, police, EMS, and fire department teams did an outstanding job keeping roads open and ensuring public safety during one of the largest storms we've experienced in years. Thank you for your dedication.
Tonight, I'm honored to announce the appointment of two new volunteers to the Sparta Township Fire Department. On [snorts] the recommendation of Fire Chief Ryan ODM, we welcome Daniel DeMarco and Dustin Stefen. As the newest members of our dedicated team, we are grateful for their commitment to public
service and look forward to their contributions in serving our community. The tax assessor's office reports that notice of assessment postcards will be mailed shortly. These notices will provide residents with their current assessed value, last year's build amount, and instructions for filing an
appeal. Postcards should arrive no later than the first week of February. I am pleased to share that Sparta Township with the assistant from our grants writers has been awarded a $400,000 congressional grant from Congressman Tom K's office to fund
critical upgrades at the White Deer Plaza pump station. This $500,000 project includes new pumps, controls, a generator, and electrical service to prevent system failures, protect water quality, and improve energy efficiency for our residents. The township will
contribute a 20% match of $100,000 and we have two years to complete this important infrastructure improvement. Special thanks to Deputy Mayor Sylvester who received the call from the Congressman's office notifying us of the award. The recreation department reminds
everyone to check the winter program activity calendar and brochure on our website for upcoming special events, workshops, and programs. Many senior and children's programs are filling quick quickly with new sessions starting in March. There's still spots available for the
senior citizen day trip to the Mars Museum on February 19th. Finally, mark your calendars for the Environment Commission's Earth Day celebration on April 25th. It's never too late to think about spring. At town hall, more details will be announced
soon. This concludes my report. Please stay warm and safe. Chief McCarrick will now present his portion of the report. >> Thank you, Manager Zep. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, council. First off, I'd like to say, you know, welcome to your new position as mayor uh and deputy
mayor. We look forward to working with all of you on council as we have in the past on behalf of the PD. Um it's with great sadness to announce the unexpected passing of retired Sparta police officer John Seville and Andover Township telecommunicator Kim Brown. Uh
Officer Seville grew up in Sparta. He was hired by the police department in August of 1997. He served the town for over 13 years prior to having to take an early retirement due to medical conditions in 2010. Uh John was a friend to many of ours and he definitely will
be missed. Uh dispatcher Kim uh Brown was a devoted dispatcher who worked full-time with Andover Township. Earlier in her career, she served as a part-time dispatcher with the Sparta Township Police Department and she was set to retire on April 1st of this year. I ask
that you please keep both the civil family and the Brown family your thoughts and prayers. Uh to piggy back off the manager, um on behalf of the police department, I'd like to thank the community first for being very considerate and staying off the roadways during the storm and the cleanup efforts. This makes our job much
easier and much safer when responding to uh minor motor vehicle accidents and vehicles that were either struck or slid off the roadway. Uh, I want to thank the state county road crews and as well as our Sparta public road crews and the parks department for taking care of the roadways, sidewalks, parking lots, and
keeping our officers uh clear for travel to respond to these emergencies. And also, thank you to our vehicle fleet team at the DPW. Um, they're all great out there. They maintain our vehicles and keep us ready to go and respond to emergencies. So, thank you all. Update
from OEM. Uh with the weather continuing staying below freezing, our township's OEM is offering warming and charging center locations at the Sparta Police Department, Sparta Library during the operating hours and 24/7 at the Sparta VFW Hall. I would ask if there is a scheduled
event at the VFW Hall, uh you utilize the Sparta Police Department instead of the hall during that event. I'm very proud to announce that our own very own detective Matthew Pletcher has been named as the recipient of the 2025 Sussexus County Detective of the Year.
Detective Pletcher received this award last week from the Sussex County Detectives Association. Over the past year, Detective Pletcher has been involved with numerous cases on a municipal, county, state, and federal level. His [clears throat] strong work ethic along with his investigative knowledge, passion and
teamwork are just a few of the charact characteristics that lead led him to solving cases and making arrests. The Sparta Detective Bureau has always played a large part in extending resources for multi- agency investigations. I'm confident we will continue to play a role in leading
through investigations. Last thing I want to talk about is a small overview of 2025. Sparta Police Department ended the 2025 calendar year with approximately 39,054 service calls. And during those uh incidents, the Sparta Township Police
Department only used force on a total of 14 individuals and that related to 25 use of force reports completed. This equates to our officers using force on 03584% of the total incidents handled. Very
proud of that. During my annual review, it was determined that the police department conducted an approximately total of 1,200 random body warn camera reviews for the year 2025. These body warn camera reviews are conducted monthly by department supervisors. Each sergeant must conduct no less than three
random body warrant camera reviews each month for the subordinate that falls under their direct supervision. Additionally, the captain and lieutenant also conduct monthly body warrant camera reviews of each of the six sergeants. The supervisors complete a detailed nar narrative for each of these reviews. If
there are any training issues, policy violations, or infractions that need to be addressed, they are immediately addressed by the sergeant, the next level of command, or through the internal affairs function. Additionally, there are several in incidents where the officer's actions were recognized as
going above and beyond. Officers are made aware of their actions by their sergeants and their level of command. Body warn camera footage is often used for training techniques amongst the department as well. In addition to random reviews of body warn cameras during an officer's normal course of actions and duties, supervisors conduct
meaningful reviews on all officer involved use of force incidents and vehicular pursuit incidents and any critical incidents. All incidents where use of force was utilized are reviewed at several levels, including a command level review. All
reviews consist of many factors, but some of the most notable areas during the review are was the officer dispatched to the incident or was it self-generated activity? Were there deescalation techniques utilized? What was the number of officers to the number of subjects that force was used against? Did any of the individuals have
any kind of special needs or certain impairment issues? What type of force was used? Was it appropriate level of force? Was anyone injured? Was there a crime associated prior to using force? Are there any trends with a specific officer using
force? Are there any trends with a specific officer using force against a specific protected class? What video can we review? Body warn camera, uh, motor vehicle camera, CCTV, private cell phone, private res residential cameras. Reviewing of witness statements. Were
there any complaints about the force internally or externally? Was it according to policy and procedure? And was the officer properly trained? And again, all this is reviewed on a command level review and and that's done prior
to my final review. And for 2026, our mission stays the same. And that is the Sparta Police Department will provide our citizens and guests prompt, courteous police services, whether emergency or routine in a timely and effective manner. We will proactively seek new innovative ways to reduce crime
and work with the members of our community to provide public safety. And the vision is simple and we're going to carry this out, carry our mission out with excellence. And that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. >> And our our thoughts go out to the Civil and Brown families. Thank you for
letting us know. And um a different congratulations to Detective Fletcher and to um the entire entire police force for its ongoing excellence >> in serving our community. Um we're very very proud. Uh thank you for your detailed report. >> You're welcome. Uh, may I have a motion
to accept the manager's report, please? >> Motion to accept. May >> I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Manager's report is accepted. Okay. Now we enter our uh first open to
the public segment. So this has changed a little bit since the end of the year. So this is for items on the agenda. So, it's open to any items on the agenda, including resolutions, which is
typically when we have most comments, but it excludes ordinance hearings when we have those. We don't have any tonight, but ordinance have ordinances have their own hearing part of it that has a public segment. Uh, but this is for all items that are on the agenda. And later on in the meeting to the end,
we'll have a second segment like this that's for all items not on the agenda. So [clears throat] if you see something on the agenda that you want to make a comment on, this is your time. >> I do, please. >> Um, and please, uh, limit your comments to no more than five minutes. Yep. >> Jim Castmore, Sparta. Um, the resolution
926 is the transfer of funds from here to there. And uh, once again this year, we're in the process of taking $28,000 from the fire prevention. Some time ago, we asked the town manager if we could possibly get a new pickup truck, and he said, "No, we don't have
the money." Well, we sent our pickup truck over. It's 16 years old. Rims are so rotten. Had to put four new rims on it. The frame is shot underneath that truck. And here we are. We don't have the money, but we're taking again. You did it last year. Took our money away. And here you're doing it again. [sighs]
I mean, it's fire prevention money. It's not to be used for whatever you want to use it for. Belongs to us, not to you. The other thing I would like to ask, there's a transfer here to the town clerk for $36,380. What's that for? Why is it going to the
clerk? Is aren't you a salary employee? >> Yeah, the questions come dust, please, Mr. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I don't want to cut you off if you have any other >> No, no, that's it. >> Okay. Uh, I'll take a stab at those and we can get back to you more details and maybe Mr. Zeb can also fill in information. Um, going reverse order, I
believe that that transfer to the clerk is to the clerk's office for unforeseen purposes that happened last year in terms of the budget was a little underbudgeted. So, that's why these payroll or what's it for? Yeah, that's salary and wages. Oh, >> okay. Okay. >> Yep. Yep. And the first question was
about the money being taken away from >> fire prevention. >> Fire prevention. Mr. Zep, do you have any thoughts on that? Was the >> that money that was transferred was from the O and budget. When we buy vehicles, trucks, or anything, that'll come out of the capital budget. All right. >> Why is our added an additional 25,000 to
the fire department's capital budget in 2025? Yeah. Right. Additional monies that was supposed to be used towards a vehicle. Um, this is the first Jim that I've heard that that all of a sudden there's an issue. >> We've asked and asked and asked for a
new truck and it's like, "No, we can't get a new truck." >> So, I I don't know what the deal is. That's not true. And what the deal is here. Now, you're taking $28,000 from fire prevention. >> That's fire prevention money. That money is to be used for training of volunteer
firemen and for things of that nature, not to be shifted around and taken, you know, let's just take the money. You did it last year, you're doing it again this year. It's like a revolving door. >> Jim, you're welcome to come to my office and I'll explain to you that the firerevention money that was used for
transfers was used because of the new shared service with Hardon. All right. There was monies that were necessary to make that transition. >> That's done. And we were using those monies. >> That's a contract township. That has nothing to do with the township as part of fire department.
>> Yes, it does. Fire prevention. You said it yourself. >> They don't. >> And my final question, I got two minutes left. When I was here at the last meeting, uh, we talked about that phase one, it was we were told it was being done for free. There was a bill from Dyster Engineering to the tune of 19,5.
Were you able to check into that? >> Yes, I I know all about that. >> Okay. And and I said it I I believe back on that meeting that money was used for the landfill parcel donation uh surveys that we were using to donate the properties so we can close our landfill.
>> Why does it read phase one? >> I don't know why it was phase one. It was but it's those those funds came out of an escrow. >> Okay. >> From from the lease agreement that we have. So the township actually didn't pay for that. >> But I really wish you'd stop taking fire prevention money and it's just just
doesn't set well with me. it. I'm sorry. That's all. >> Welcome to visit me, Jim. We'll we'll look at it together. No problem. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Just to clarify, too, these numbers you see here are not the 2026 budget. These are end of year, >> but I realize what it is. >> So, it just affects last year. There's excess dollars there. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Are any other members of the public have any comments or questions on items on the agenda? Okay, seeing none, let's move on to expenditures. Uh, Deputy Mayor Sylvester, would you
please read the expenditures for December 23rd, 2025? >> Yes. 6,59,697.72. May I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> I have a second. >> Second. All in favor say I.
>> I. I. Okay. Expenditures for December 23rd, 2025 have passed. Uh, Deputy Mayor Sylvester, would you please read the expenditures for January 13th, 2026? >> 1,112,345.76. May I have a motion to approve? >> I'll make a motion to approve.
>> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Approved. And finally, Deputy Mayor Sylvester, would you please read the expenditures for January 27th, 2026? >> Yes. 6,988,952.95. May I also have a motion to approve?
>> So moved. >> Have a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Expenditures approval has passed. Okay, moving on. We have one introduction of an ordinance tonight. Uh again, as a
reminder, introductions have no discussion by the council or the public. It's just a notification that the ordinance is coming. So, I will read the ordinance. Uh ordinance 26-01, Township of Sparta ordinance to exceed
the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank based on NJSA4A 4-45.14. May I have a motion to introduce this ordinance 2601?
>> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> I will second. >> May I have a roll call vote, please? Madam clerk. >> Councilman Scott. >> Yes. >> Councilman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bli, >> yes. Ordinance 2601 has been introduced. There are no hearings of ordinances tonight. So, let's move on to agenda item 8, which are the resolutions, and
there are plenty. So, uh, fellow council members, I plan to carve out individually a number of these and then do some in bulk. Uh, let me know. I'll read off the ones I'm planning to carve
out and let me know if you'd like any others to be carved out. 85, 8:18, 821 through 8:24, and 8:26. [clears throat] Would anyone like anything else carved
out from the bulk motion? >> None for me. That's fine. >> No, that's fine. None for me. >> Council Scott. >> Mr. Zep answered all my questions. >> [laughter] >> That's wonderful. Okay. >> And mine. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Zepp. Okay. So, therefore, may I have a motion to approve the following resolutions? Resolutions 8-1 to 8-4, 8-6
through 8-17, 8-9, 8-20, and 8-25. >> So move. >> May I have a second? >> A second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Right. Those motions, those resolutions
have passed. Thank you. Okay, let's go through the rest of them one by one. So, we're at resolution 8-5. This is appointment of emergency management coordinator. May I have a motion to approve 8-5?
>> So moved. May >> I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion or questions on this one? My understanding is a shift from a one-year to a three-year appointment. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. No questions. >> And that's the role that Chief McCarrick takes. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Okay. No more discussion here. I see. Uh let's have a vote. So, all in favor of approving resolution 8-5, say I. I. I.
Resolution 85 is approved. Next, we'll go to 8-18. This is a professional services resolution for Associated Appraisal Group. May I have a motion to approve 8-18?
>> Make a motion to approve 8-18. May >> I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Any questions, comments on 8-18? Now this is a renewal of their contract, isn't it? >> Yes. >> Yeah, >> it is. >> This is my understanding used by the tax
assess assessor. >> And so when improvement is done on a house, >> these people go out and and assess the value that's been added. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Okay. All in favor of approving
resolution 8-18 say I. >> I. >> I. Resolution has passed. Next up is resolution 8-21. This is a resolution authorizing the township's QPA qualified purchasing
agent to award window contracts below the bid threshold of $53,000. May I have a motion to approve 8-21? >> I'll make a motion to approve 8-21. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second.
>> Okay. Any questions, comments, discussion? >> 53,000. Where did that number get set at? >> DCA. >> State DCA. >> Yep. And you folks passed this exact resolution last year. It's just being a
resolution. We have to do it each year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can you uh move your mic up, please? >> Want me to repeat everything? >> Uh, I think we're good. >> Okay. [laughter] So where the where did this uh name window contracts come from? [laughter] >> It's the window between 175 and 53.
>> Okay. >> 175 is the paytoplay threshold for uh the QPA uh to to go out and get bids. >> Excellent. >> Window. >> Window. [laughter] >> Any other questions, comments?
So, you don't have to go out to bid for any services that are under 53,000. Is that right? >> That's true. But the QPA will look at that, make sure it's still done properly through all those uh uh you know, co-ops and state contracts and whatnot. And uh
she would also determine uh under the 53, you would have to get the qualified quotes and adhere to the public contract law. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Okay. So, let's uh let's do a vote on 821.
All in favor say I. I. >> I. 8-21 has passed. 8-22 resolution authorizing an emergency purchase for repair and replacement of the Sparta Township Public Order System, SCADA,
SCADA, Equipment and Services. May I have a motion to approve this, please? I make a motion to approve this. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Any questions, discussion, comments?
>> What is the what was the failure communication? >> This is uh in the water department, our water utility. All right. It has what looks like the Starship Enterprise in a room up a control center and they
monitor all the tank levels of the of the 14 tanks we have and they monitor the water levels and they monitor when the pumps are engaged to fill the tanks and when not to. >> Sometimes we lose communication with those sites and it becomes perilous sort of when you lose communication. That's
what the SKA systems for. So, we had to do an emergency repair on a communication line. >> Okay. >> And um managers, [clears throat] my understanding is despite the communication failure, there was no um
damage to our systems or any other problem. um we just caught it in time and determined that we do need to repair the communication systems uh before uh any other problem that could have resulted as a result of having a failure of the communication system.
>> That is correct. >> Okay. >> Any other discussion, questions? All right. Uh for resolution 8-22, all in favor of approving say I. >> I. >> I. I. >> 8-22 is approved.
>> You know what the life of that system is, Jim? >> That 10 years, 20 years. >> I I don't know what the life I know we've we've uh upgraded the software, but when it comes to the communication, uh there was it used to be landline. Yeah. >> And then we went to cellular. Uh we have
fiber optioned. I'd have to talk to the director to find out exactly where he's at with that >> contracts through July of 2027. >> Okay. >> Okay. Resolution 8-23. Resolution to award a contract to Kosha
Ford of Flemington for a 2026 Ford F350 Super Cab 4x4 pickup truck utilizing the uh Mars County Cooperative pricing for amount not to exceed 61488.25. Uh may I have a motion to approve this
please? I'll make I'll make a motion to approve resolution 823. >> May I have [clears throat] a second? >> Is there a second? >> Okay. Uh questions, comments, discussion on >> What is this truck for? >> It's for the water department. It comes
out of their capital fund. Uh he had budgeted for this truck. Uh I sent some information out. It's replacing an existing truck. Um they're in sad shape, those trucks, as you can imagine. They run around the town a lot servicing all
the pump stations and tank sites and uh many times they they carry chemicals too that will affect the body of the truck and whatnot. >> And that's in addition to the um one we just approved for emergency doesn't fall
under that one. Right. >> Corre correct is for the same department though. >> Yes. >> Is this in the capital? >> Yes. Yes. Budget it was already planned for and yes in the capital budget. >> It was in the and it was actually last 2025's capital budget that it's being
used from. >> Okay. So it carries over of course right the capital over. >> Is the timing critical right now for this? >> It is. It's why it's 2026 and we're buying the truck now. [laughter] So, it is uh and unfortunately Cory's not here
right now, but he would tell you is it the same. [clears throat] >> And the truck it's replacing is not operational. Is that correct? >> It's on its last leg. >> It's It's costing a lot just to keep it going. >> Okay.
>> Now, we're not forbid. >> No, we utilize the Mars County. [clears throat] Any other questions or comments discussion >> in the Morris County co-op is getting the best price available in the market. Right there. >> Some sometimes
you you guys did resolutions for all those co-ops, >> right? >> Right. my QPA, she'll scour all of them and find the best price. So, uh you're not always set on one co-op to be the end- all beall. We use them all. That's why we become members of all of them.
And you also have state contract. And then in in in some instances, bidding is is the best way to go when you're buying a canned commodity like a truck or something like this because it is canned. It's pretty straightforward stuff. You don't have to do any fancy
bidding or anything like that. You can find them on the contract much cheaper than going through a bid type process and all the while adhering to the New Jersey public contract law. >> Is our local Mike >> I'm sorry. Is our local Ford dealerships
in that co-op? >> Uh it doesn't appear so. They have the option to join those co-ops. They're they're aware of it. Um, a lot of the co-ops, the the Mars County, uh, the ECJ, um, they all go out
to bid and all the dealers have have the ability to to to bid on those proposals. >> Just to reiterate, those co-ops are always optional. They're always our choice on if we want to use this one or that one or the third one or skip them all together. It just gives us the option, right, to participate.
>> Exactly. It gives we become a member when we do the resolution. and we send the resolution to the co-op when we become a member and thus eligible to utilize that contract. >> Okay. >> All right. Um you don't want to not be in the co-op, need something, find it on a co-op that you're not a member of and then go
through the process of of trying to become a member. So, I know it seems like we have a lot of co-ops, but there's an advantage for for for having that menu of options to find the best price for the commodity that you're purchasing. Okay.
I mean, just moving forward and purchases like that, I'd like to, you know, buy local, you know, give our businesses and uh dealerships the opportunity, but if they're not part of the co-op as you're stating, then encourage them to maybe look into it. And
>> well, that's the hook, right? That's the hook. You you have to be compliant with the public contract law and as much as you would like to uh do that. Now you we can in many other ways. Anything under 175 we go out to quote and the locals usually will help out. You know we can
use them and we do. >> Great. >> Um >> okay think we're ready for a vote on this one. So all in favor of approving resolution 8-23 say I. I. I. >> I. [clears throat]
Right. 8-23 is approved. Resolution 8-24, resolution for Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder Fiscal Grant Cycle, July 2027 to June 2031. May I have a motion to approve this
resolution, please? [clears throat] >> So moved. >> I have a second. >> I'll second. >> Any questions, discussions, comments? 8-24. Just wondering what the money is used for. Um someone who has familiarity with
the municipal alliance and what they use the grant money for would be helpful to know. >> Sure. We have we go out the m municipal alliance and I'm the liaison for that. um municipal alliance goes out for these
grants so that we can continue to fund our programs whether it be girls on the run or or uh talking about uh anti-drug prevention. Uh >> they're used for um substance prevention programs through the schools.
>> Okay. >> And also uh there's programs for seniors too. And um do do we have any um I mean I know having done some work in the nonprofit world uh sometimes there's like metrics that you have to follow
like if you're going to spend the money is that going to be effective. Do we have any way to gauge whether the outreach programs that we're doing actually have like an effect? I mean, I know that's kind of nebulous to figure out whether you prevented a kid from using drugs or not, but you know, how do
we gauge, oh, we want to put our money into Girls on the Run or some other program? >> They have to be approved evidence-based programs. >> Okay. >> And also, when we meet, we get feedbacks from uh the programs directors such as the schools on on if they're effective or not.
>> And everything is approved um through the county and the state on the strategic planning. >> Right. Thank you. Mhm. >> At the county level, Sussex County is the leading county in the state in terms of spending money for prevention in
terms of by percentage. I believe it was 67 or 77% of the budget has already been ex expended. So, we use the money for these programs and you know, other towns may hold on to it and lose it or they
don't they don't get it these counties. So, we're using it and I think it's a great program and this is just new money to our program. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Councilman. >> Okay. Going to a vote. All in favor of
approving resolution 8-24 say I. >> I. >> I. >> Resolution [clears throat] approved. Okay. Last and last resolution for tonight is 8-26. Resolution authorizing the transfer of calendar year 2025 budget appropriations.
May I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions, [clears throat] comments? I know you've all seen the list. Any questions, comments? Just a question for the accounts where
it's coming from. Does that represent unspent funds for the calendar year? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, they were allocated a certain amount. They didn't spend it within the calendar year. As a result, it then gets transferred to a department um that has
maybe exceeded their budget for the particular year. Is that kind of roughly how it works? >> Okay, >> that's correct. Can we put any set aides or is it has to be an all or nothing transfer >> i.e. the fire prevention 28,000.
>> I believe it's all or nothing because the dollars transfer to in different quantities from the from accounts to the two accounts. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um I'll get back to you on that, Mike. I don't want to give a wrong answer. No, >> but if we approve tonight, can we could
could it be a contingent upon that followup or >> I don't want to hold that up, but it just be something interesting to look into if that's a possibility. >> Too bad Dawn was here. >> Yeah, >> I had her here to answer because she put this transfer list together. Um,
>> well, again, this doesn't affect anything anymore because this is a 2025 just on the paper on the books, right? 2026's budget we're going to be working on and figuring out the departmental budgets for 2026. This >> it's just this a bookkeeping. >> No, I understand. So there's there's
excess there. They're taking that they're moving it here. But what's the guarantee that 28 andor more will be there next year? >> Well, >> the next budget, right? So this is approp this is appropriated for this particular budget, right? So at least they have 28
>> in that fire prevention fund. No, no, >> this is for last year's budget transfers that that that she's doing. When we do this upcoming year's budget, you'll be able to >> I understand. But the transfer, but the money's we're we're asking to transfer that money now, >> right? Because it's part of the O and
the salary and wages, right? It's not it doesn't roll over. You you know what I'm saying? Like that that money is not doesn't roll over. >> So we're in other other words, we're starting from zero, right? We need to build up this year's budget for every department, right? Doesn't matter if it had excess or under, >> right? >> And that'll inform our decisions, right?
But it's not >> right >> fixed. Okay. >> And just I think you know to Mr. Castimmore's point, there wouldn't have been a way so they were allocated >> money they didn't use at the time. >> Mr. Mr.
So the 28 um sorry the the amount that was allocated for fire prevention that meant that the fire department had unspent funds of 28,000 related to fire prevention. Is that right? >> Yes. >> Okay. And there's not a mechanism where
the fire department could say, "Hey, we didn't spend our firerevention money. Could we transfer that to capital and put it toward a truck?" >> No. Although in in the firerevention budget, there are certain funds in the trust that remain there, right? But
that's not part of this budget. That's in the trust. You'll see that in an account line. But in this situation though, it it's just it wasn't used. And a lot of the reason why is because we went to the shared service mid year with Hardistan. All right. And and we had a transition going on. And that's one of
the reasons why a lot of that plus um one of the fire inspectors also uh got hurt and we were only funding one fire inspector at the time. Uh so there's a lot of reasons why you can have that little bit of surplus and so the finance officer would take the surplus and put
it you know in another area that's been overexpended. It's it's it's done often um on the unanticipated expenditures and a lot of times the departments who do well though they'll usually get a a return to the
what they budgeted for if not more because they're responsible but we had some movement in fire prevention last year because of the transfer over to Harstston. >> Well, I mean I could we going into I mean we'll get to the budget later on and you know a subsequent meeting
though. Is that something that we could take into consideration to increase the fire department's capital budget by the amount of the unspent funds in the fire prevention for 2026? So, hey, you folks don't need fire prevention like you used
to, but sounds like you need some capital updates. So, how about, you know, you didn't spend 28,000 in fire prevention. We're going to kick you 28,000 your capital for 2026 27. Um, is that something that is a possibility? I'm not asking anyone to commit to that.
>> You're the council, >> but that's something we could do. >> Sure, it is. >> Yeah. >> Well, I would I would urge us to consider doing that in light of what Mr. Castmore said about the condition of a truck that they have. >> Agreed. >> I think every department gets evaluated on its merit and that's what we go
through during the budget workshop >> and and you take it from there. >> Okay. Okay. Great. >> Thank you. Okay. So, let's get to a vote for this. All in favor of approving resolution 8-26, say I.
>> I. >> 8-26 has been approved. All right. Thank you. Uh, it was a big list. Let's move on to council liaison updates. I'm going to start at my far right with Councilman Clark and then we'll move
along. And this is for liaison updates. After that, we'll go on to unfinished and new business. Okay. All right. Uh first is the um film committee. Uh they met uh last Thursday. I was unable to attend due to a family
uh situation. Uh but they are in the process of updating the site database and all that means is sites that in Sparta that would be uh good for uh filming. One outreach they
are going to do is to um trying to work with homeowners in Sparta who would be interested in having their home uh used as a location uh for movies. Um you know that that can happen and so you know figuring out how best to make that
outreach. We'll probably end up meeting with some uh realtors about that. But that's one thing that they are going to do. Um we do uh we had the attendance uh by two additional members and if if uh the mayor will indulge me I I could make
a motion for the appointment. One um is Ken Hagerfield. Um he is a Sparta resident. He is a camera uh man. He's done a lot of work with some of the work that the Sparta Township uh Sparta film committee has done with the short films
that they filmed in Sparta. Um and according to the members uh he would make a great addition. Uh the next person is Sam Halivox. Uh Sam uh is also working with the county uh who as folks
if you're reading the SWAT independent or anything they're uh the county has um really moved along pretty rapidly in building out their um film committee and attracting uh entertainment. And so if
if if it's okay, um I would make a motion to appoint Let me get their names precisely right here. Um just one second because I don't want to mess their names up. So I would move to appoint Sam Holivac
and Ken Hajador HDR to the Sparta Film Committee. >> I'll second that. Um, >> all in favor say I. >> I I >> I. >> So, welcome Sam, welcome Kent. Um, they're already being uh productive
members. Next, there was uh also a trails meeting uh last week that occurred on the same day of the day that I wasn't able to attend to a family issue. Um right now the uh committee is still uh uh the Smart Glenn trail signs
I think we talked about, you know, last year. Um we're going we've got those built out. We just need to install them. Uh we'll uh stay tuned. We'll probably have an announcement and and have kind of a s celebratory event around that.
We're going to wait until there's not 2 ft of snow uh to put the signs in. But stay tuned for that. And again, thank you to our environmental commission who actually helped make that happen um by I think transferring funds that they had and given it to the trails committee and
we were able to purchase signs that will make it a lot easier for folks who go there to um follow the path and and and know where the paths lead, etc. Um we have not yet met with uh the New Jersey
land trust regarding uh the land swap. Um, and so we, you know, as that, as we have, you know, significant events related to that, I I'll keep you posted. Um, in January, uh, the trail committee hiked a possible trail that would
connect Sparta to Hardison and eventually to Franklin Burrow because both Hardison and Franklin Burrow are working on their trail. So, the idea is the townships are, you know, hopefully as other towns are building out their trails. I know if you guys are on Route
15, you'll see along there that they're making a lot of trail improvements uh in Jefferson as well. So, um hopefully, you know, all all these towns are kind of working simultaneously to eventually we'll have a lot of interlocking trails
that will connect um all the way um from Hardston to Franklin Burough. Uh the county now is getting more involved with trails and they're have a Sussex County trails grant. The deadline for that is May 15th and so the
committee right now is is uh formulating uh how best to u put in a grant uh for that and that that's in its early stages. And that is all I have about the trails. I'll let Margie do the Rev 250
cultural affairs. Uh I now have a list of all the members um including addition new members. Um, again, I think as I indicated at our reorganization meeting, I would like to expand the scope of our cultural affairs to um, they do an amazing job putting on concerts, but my
hope is with the addition of some more people, we can expand this committee um, and and figure out as a committee what other cultural offerings we can provide to Sparta residents. Uh, the Sparta beautifification committee uh, has not
yet met. Um I will be meeting u finding out what a mutually convenient date is for them. Um another I considered a committee um which is the opioid recovery fund. I think we meet tomorrow. Is that right
Jeff? Yeah. So um I will be able to report on that um or Jeff will be able to at our next meeting. And with that, I think that is all the committees um that
I'm on. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. [laughter] Councilwoman, >> um use my voice here. the Rev 250. We had an amazing amazing town tavern talk
at Crows and we had people there was six actors in time costumes I should say from the 250 year
years ago and they all enacted as [clears throat] being in this location which at the time it was part of Hardeston and they all sat down at different tables. There were 40ome people there that uh had come and they
all enacted in different parts. One was a colonist, one was a a loyalist and you just carry on conversation as it were time period. It was really really quite amazing. one was she was the cook for president for
Washington, General Washington at the time and traveled with him and cooked wherever they were and um it they did an incredible job and they're traveling all over New Jersey doing this and one of them was a member of the Rev 250 committee and he also lives here in
Sparta. So in somebody's home that from it's a I don't know how what year his home was built but it's >> it's like 17 >> 17 Yeah. Yeah. It was really quite amazing. They're h we're having another
event uh harps accord event at uh camp sack jia at the end of February. So, look on the on the township website and you'll find all the information about the Rev 250 and all the upcoming events, but um tickets will be available
and it will be a doulamer and and uh harps accord concert the last weekend in February, I believe it is. And other than that, the seniors, the seniors are really looking to see what we can do to put together a senior
recreation department official complex. So, um that's something that is really high on the list. [laughter] They have a tremendous amount of activities going on, exercise, and the
pool will be the pool. They're looking for anybody that wants to be lifeguards. They need life lifeguards for the pool. And uh again, that's all the information is on the website on the Sparta Township website. [snorts] And that's all I have
right now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. So, [clears throat] I have a few updates. Um none of my current boards or committees uh have met yet this month. So, the master plan subcommittee is meeting soon. the library board. Uh
uh the I haven't the role of Sussex County liaison has not uh kicked in yet. The health department I've been uh getting up to speed on working with um the health department notifications, reports that we get from the county on a
regular basis and getting to uh to know our uh our consultant better who is our interplay between the two. So I'm looking forward to that. Uh secondly is I because we do not have currently an environmental commission liaison. I uh
had asked our environmental commission chairman Neil Sarowine just to send me a quick summary. So I'd like to just share that. Um they had their first meeting their reorg meeting just recently um last week last Thursday. A couple things that they handled and talked about. They
swore in uh their new member Alex John Birdie. So congratulations, Alex. They uh uh discussed the NJP's notice they had received on ecigarette and vape pen management and disposal.
They also reviewed a zoning board application. It was for uh uh 25 16 to 25 uh Sparta Main Street up to 29 Main Street um block 2001, lot 41. They went over and did a review on uh on that.
That went over. They did it here. [laughter] Um, they also talked about there was supposed to be a salt watch snapshot that was to take place on January 31st. It's been postponed just in light of the recent snowfall for safety reasons. But, um, as some of you
may know, they're doing a a salt study to check on u salt that enters our streams from snow plowing and salting of roads. They also discussed um possibilities, possible ideas for a PSENG grant through
sustainable Jersey. Um Councilman Clark mentioned just a little earlier about a grant that they had applied for last year. Um which helped with Sparta Glenn signage. So there is a deadline coming up. I believe it's in February. Um I can find out more, but they're actually looking for ideas, too. So, if anyone
here in the public, any council has ideas we can offer to the environmental commission, um they'd be game for applying for another grant to help the community. And finally, um there is there are two open alternate seats on the environmental commission. So, anyone
out there interested, please go to Sparta's website, f a volunteer application, and um the environmental commission can sure use you. The next meeting, I believe, is on Thursday, February 12th. And lastly is um I'd like to share as I
mentioned in the last meeting of December when the year was closing down for the business development committee uh I had mentioned that during the year the committee got together and uh we worked through at least by the end of the year certain recommendations. So I wanted to just share what's in the
report that's coming to the council on that. U just for a background the business development committee the BDC it's an advisory committee so it makes recommendations concerning policy and process or procedure uh that's that's
the scope of the committee it is definitely separate and distinct from a chamber of commerce although we have someone on the committee who was liaison and when we get to the further reports I'll let um Councilman Scott and deputy
mayor Sylvester talk about the first meeting this year they had already the 2025 focus of the BDC was really um to refocus on the scope and purpose of the committee and um we spent a lot of time centering on
how do we better support and encourage our businesses new and existing. So a few of the recommendations top line you just in case you don't want to hear the rest become more business friendly right that's the topline message and that's what we talked about a lot and
there were three recommendations plus a few other minor ones that I want won't get into right now but there's three recommendations um that the BDC is recommending to the council. Um first one is kind of lowhanging fruit. It's a it's the
website. So, it's to enhance and expand on a township's website the business directory and go out to communities, blast messages out, try to recruit businesses to go on there and put their information on there because we don't have a lot
andor to update their current listing. Also to upgrade the location of the spot on the website right now. It's it's it's a little bit deep. So basically the first recommendation is to just look into what it would take to make it more prominent on the website and get a lot
more businesses on there so that people looking for a local business. We talk a lot about supporting local can go there and find these businesses. A second one, second recommendation is a develop a playbook. And that would be a
playbook for the top eight or 10 most common needs that a customer comes into the planning and zoning office for. And right in this case, we're talking mainly commercial customers. Uh it can be expanded to residential customers too. But for the top eight or 10, what are
they coming in for? We could look at volumes and seeing what the highest volume last year was and create a playbook to enhance transparency and expectations of the customer that could include the process they would have to take, what's going to happen with the process for their request, what forms do
they need, what are the expected timelines, and then we'll post that online and make it available in the planning and zoning office. As part of this, we we'd revisit prior work because there has been some thought put into this in the past and make sure that we included the most valuable or
the relevant components from those the past thoughts that have gone into creating this playbook. And then third really focused on the minor site plan waiver subcommittee. Uh the recommendation is and this this is going to be happening revisit the framework a little bit for the
subcommittee and the process that they take and even the manner in which applicants come to them and get heard and adjudicated by the site plan waiver subcommittee. Uh there's also a suggestion which needs more exploration
is to see whether additional professional guidance by that I mean either engineer or attorney whether those services can be provided on a little bit more frequent basis to the subcommittee because technically they don't have access to those professionals and there is no budget for the site plan
waiver subcommittee. So that would that would be another component of that third recommendation is to explore that just my own personal perspective after living through this last year and I don't think anyone's going to disagree but if we're going to improve our ability to attract and serve our
business community in addition to those recommendations I think we have other work to do and I kind of think of it as we have certain components that need a little work right it's like a three-legged stool we have the planning board we have the minor site plan waiver subcommittee And then we have the planning and zoning
office and all those have areas of improvement that we can find and they need to work in harmony. They need to be in sync with each other and supporting that we have to have our professionals be there and be communicative and help support them. Again, that means
engineer, planner, attorney. So I I think that's you're going to hear a theme this year around that here and in the planning board and elsewhere around how can we do some of these things and create real improvement this year to improve how we serve how we track businesses and how we serve our business
community. So more to come on this um this will be the report will go to the council but I wanted to share those three recommendations that came up um last year through the BDC. So with that I'll turn it over to Deputy Mayor Sylvester.
Thank you, mayor. Um, agree with the uh the BDC recommendations. We look forward to receiving the letter and taking them into consideration. Uh, additionally, just to bridge from bridge on to the BDC meeting that we had last week, our our
kickoff meeting. Um, the one thing that came to mind other than making introductions being my first meeting as as well as getting familiar with the the current committee members was that um we had a lack of members. So my battlecry
to all of you out in virtual andor in the audience and across the the township is we're asking all of any all of you to get involved. Whether you're a business owner, a community leader, a business community leader, a professional that
supports our businesses or property owner, we'd be uh more than welcome to have you come in as a volunteer. And I encourage you all to be involved and as as the mayor mentioned to help support whether it's an administrative or recommendations related to policy or whatnot. It it all starts with
collaboration. Uh the the folks that were on that committee, we had very good dialogue, but uh we we need energy. We more need more activity. So in order to promote it, you know, we need a good basis and a good committee to help start and springboard us into 2026. So,
Councilwoman, would you like to add anything else? >> Sure. The year looks promising under your leadership. >> Um, as my uh 10 tenure on the planning board has come to an end, I wanted to go over several business suggestions the planning board tried to accomplish last year. The planning board under Joan
Ferman's leadership tried to help businesses by creating a certificate of zoning to expedite the process. We brought the plan to the town council. Neil Clark decided last year to block this progress by not allowing it to move forward with the town council. The
reason remains unknown other than to undermine chairwoman's efforts. So the business community was not helped here. Additionally, I brought up for vote from the planning board for design standards to expedite the minor site plan committee efforts and planning board
process. Dean under the opices of they wanted to wait for the master plan to to they wanted the master plan to be completed derailed this effort. We're looking for great success this year
under Councilman Lester's leadership. And on the municipal alliance, I'm going to flip this to uh Chief McCarrick. Um, so last week we had a quarterly municipal alliance meeting. Uh, so just
to piggyback off what we talked about before during the resolution, uh, we review review the current alliance plan and these are the programs that are evidence-based that um, you know are funded by the uh, governor's council. Um, many of these are done uh, within
the schools. Um, some of them are done with our seniors such as uh, the wise program. Um, and it's kind of gives a little bit of a prevention uh program targeting older adults. Um, we're looking to incorporate a wellness program for our local veterans and um,
we'll be talking to um, Commander Lichfield about that. Um, we talked about some of the new funding. So, we did get an increase in funding this year um, from the state um, almost $1,200 and then there's additional portion of funding from the county that we get.
Last year was $10,000. This year it's $15,000 which is nice so we could expand programs. The money that we used last year for that um was for a program called screen aers that was for a three-year um a three-year program
within sparta schools. Uh and it really talks about the effects of technology um on students and teens. Um we talked about our quarterly reporting that was completed. uh third quarter is up and with the the reporting that goes
directly to the county and the state county Lisa Lombardo from the county who's the coordinator for the municipal alliance. She'll come in and do audits which she has done with us. Um and then we put it out to the members if anybody has any new programs they want to bring
up. One of our partners, Center for Prevention and Counseling, they really provide a lot of those programs. they have the staff that are trained to present them um give us a list and see mostly what the schools would would want to be involved in. There's many stakeholders within this committee um
from residents to um uh obviously council school uh principles, vice principles, counselors, superintendent um from all the schools within Sparta. So, we had a good meeting. It was productive and uh we'll meet again next quarter.
>> Thank you. And I want to thank you also for the donation for the Sparta Community Food Pantry. We have grown exponentially 30% in the past 3 4 months. So that helped us amazingly. I can't even tell you.
>> The money for that donation is through that is through uh the opioid settlement funds from the township and that you know is going towards uh helps with recovery efforts. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And may I also uh conclude
with I just received the flyer for the um the minerals of Apollo is the name of the band that'll be playing the harp the harps accord concert at Camp Sack Jia and it is on the 28th from 4:30 to 7. Uh
tickets will be available through Eventbrite and it will be on the website as soon as they get it up there. Right. Thanks for the additional in costume. [laughter] >> Okay. Uh, Councilman Scott, were you done? >> I think so. Okay. I appreciate your
comments despite the accusations, but I hopefully your passion will come through this year even more for the business community. Thank you, >> Mayor. Um, if you may indulge me. Um, so since my uh motives uh in violation of Robert's rules were impuged with respect
to the certificate of zoning, uh my understanding the reason why that never saw the light of day was that our own planning office uh didn't think it was appropriate. Um so um the our planning office knows a lot more about what's appropriate than say I do. So I tend to
listen to them. Um, so that that was the reason that that one uh never saw the light of day that it actually wouldn't fit within the ambit of what they actually do. So that that's the reason. So >> good. Thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, Councilman, sorry, deputy mayor.
>> Yes. Thank you. Just a planning board update. Uh, the planning board had a successful reorganization meeting and I'd like to congratulate Celeste Luciano as chairwoman and Janette Burke as vice chairwoman. So congratulations on their
on their appointment. I was asked to uh bring forward to town council the question related to when will we be filling the class 2 position. So that's the action that was requested from the lay being the layison on. So overall the
planning board um you know uh was energetic was um you know energized and looking forward to having a really productive 2026 as well in the spirit of what you had mentioned before. Mayor, >> thank you very much.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh let's go on to unfinished and new business. Uh I will start at my far left this time with Councilman Scott. any unfinished or new business. Uh I just wanted to recommend that people uh take a look at the uh tap into
letters to the editor today. Uh has an interesting article about uh the planning board and and this class two member position that that's extremely critical. um it was left open last year and it was never filled and as a result
we had alternates voting in that position and I don't believe that's uh appropriate and we're doing it again this year. So we'd really like to clear this up and uh do the right thing and get the planning board on on a good good
basis. Um the new the uh minor site plan committee which is uh was has really been essentially taken apart and is now being put back together with all new um
planning board members. Uh is announced announced that it would be comprised of two full-time members and two alternates. Um, alternates are not allowed to be on the minor site plan committee and I hope that they can
straighten that out. Thanks a lot. >> I think we need an attorney to weigh in on that. I think it's permitted. Um, I I think the planning board attorney has weighed in on that and also on the fact that the alternates can vote during the year, but that set aside, we do need to look really hard to try to fill the
other seat. I think we're all in agreement on that. So, we have to figure out according to the statute who's allowed to be in that seat and see if they're willing and able to to take that last seat. I think we're all in agreement on that. >> Deputy Mayor, any new or unfinished business?
>> I'm finishing my reports. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. I'll start off with mine. Uh first with respect to the we'll call it a blizzard. It was a blizzard, right? I just want to thank also chief um thank you. Thank our police, fire, ambulance, other first responders, and to our DPW [clears throat] and all of our other township employees
for keeping us safe and helping us manage through the storm. Uh secondly, on January 17th, I attended the Sparta Ambulance Squad's annual banquet and had the honor of participating in their installation ceremony. Uh as I mentioned that night,
the ambulance ambulance squad's logo features three words: dedicated, caring, and compassionate. And like I said that night, I I thank each of them. We all thank each of them for being that and more. And they have our gratitude and appreciation.
Uh on January 20th, I attended the the monthly Sparta Chamber of Commerce meeting. [clears throat] >> Uh met some local business owners, some new ones that were there, and also shared some uh some of my what I see as some of our priorities for the year. So looking forward to keeping that going on a monthly basis.
So, next under new business, I have uh for the zoning board, I have three items, three motions to make. And um I'll go through them each separately. So, we have a current member in the alternate one spot, uh Mr. Michael
Steinberg, and I'm making a motion to elevate Mr. Steinberg into the open regular term role, which is an unexpired term vacated by Landon Teneri last year. So, I'd like to make a motion. I make a motion to elevate Michael Steinberg from
alternate one to the unexpired regular role on the zoning board. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Do we need a roll call or do you want to do uh >> All in favor? >> Yeah, we could do all in favor. All in
favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any oppose or nos? Abstains. Okay. Okay. Next is a motion to appoint uh Mr. Brian Romanowski into the open now open it now open alternate one role that was
previously occupied by Mr. Steinberg. Um so may I have uh I'll make a motion to appoint Mr. Romanowski to that alternate one role. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any nos are opposed? Yes.
>> No. Oh, sorry. Any no any Let me do it again. Any nos? Councilman? No. Okay. Any abstains? >> Mayor, just for clarity going forward, let's do a roll call vote. >> Roll call on these. Okay.
>> All right. Let's let's start over on the second one then for Mr. Romanowski. Can we do a roll call vote, please? Councilman Scott. >> No, I don't think all the candidates were considered. Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes.
>> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Blummeti, >> yes. >> Mr. Romanowski has been appointed to the alternate one role. And finally, for zoning board, I'd like to make a motion to appoint Isabella Ardone into the open
alternate number two role, the zoning board. May I have a second? >> I'll second. Uh, may I have a roll call vote, please? >> Councilman Scott, >> uh, abstain. >> Councilman Murphy, >> no.
>> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bli, >> yes. Congratulations to M. Ardon for joining the planning board in alternate two role. And finally, my last piece of new
business is I would like to uh appoint a mayor's designate to the planning board, sir, for this year. Um, I make my design and appoint Christine Quinn to the planning board as
the mayor's designate. Council woman, >> any new new or unfinished business? >> Uh, no. >> Councilman Clark. >> Um, yes. [snorts] So on u new business, uh folks may have
seen um that uh some towns have been grappling with uh being picked by the federal government to be the location uh for ICE detention facilities, aka prison. Um Rockaway is in in the middle
of that now. and you know despite the unanimous unanimous uh opposition by the council um that that may move forward um and there's that's it's a tricky issue uh when it involves the federal
government. they can sometimes bypass local zoning ordinances um and then all of a sudden they put a very intense and um use into your town that most residents don't want. So in light of
that development um I know with uh having worked with the League of Municipalities, you often hear from them uh when they talk about state overreach, right? that they take the interest of municipalities and try to advocate for them uh when the state overreaches on
certain things. And so I had reached out to the executive director and say, "Look, towns probably need some guidance here about what to do if their town gets picked on the list to be the location uh for an ICE prison and what availability
uh they have to uh stop it." and they are working on uh their lawyers are working on that now. Um and so there'll be some advice to that m municipalities can consider um if they find themselves
uh the unfortunate target of having to be the location uh for a prison. So um stay tuned for that. But I did want to mention that. Um, so that would be and um I will say about the uh with the
class 2 position I will say that uh I think it was implied if not explicitly that somehow town council was purposely not filling it. Uh nothing could be further from the truth. I know that Mr. Zep had reached out to uh township
employees uh to see if any of them would be willing to um do that and that was unfortunately unsuccessful. I know we'll renew those efforts. But any accusation that somehow we are purposely not filling this position um is incorrect.
Um another thing um I think that uh with respect uh to the alternates that's that will be up to the planning board to decide how they do that. Um and that's not the role of council to determine who can vote on the planning board and who
can't. Um that will be done by them. Uh, one thing that they will need to grapple with, however, is that the same people complaining about alternates voting, uh, they were in charge when alternates voted, uh, when the only person absent
was the class two, and why is it that they allowed that to happen if now a few months later now they don't agree with that happening? So, they'll deal with that issue. Um so but I did want to point that out that this seems to be an issue that was raised only after uh
their tenure and their respective roles had changed with respect to the planning board as they did not raise that issue at the time uh when they were in their respective positions on the planning board. >> And with that I don't have any more
unfinished or new business. >> Thank you Councilman. >> I I just want to respond to that if I may. Um, I'm not sure that the uh that we are aware of the rule, but if you look in the MLUL, it does explicitly say that if
there if there's no one in that seat, the alternate can't vote. Just want to go by the rules. >> Well, well, thank you. We'll we'll follow the legal guidance from the planning board attorney. Great. Appreciate it. >> Also, one more thing on the zoning board. Sure. >> Um, recently the zoning board chair, Mr.
Ken Lori indicated he sent a chair to the town council sent a letter to the town council regarding a zoning board le liaison along with his suggestions for along with his suggestions for to
eliminate the feather flags that are in town single room occupancy units and and recommended the change of the ED zone at the top of the Woodport road etc. This is the second year in a row that he sent a letter to the town council. I didn't see last year's letter
and I haven't seen this year's letter from Mr. Lori. Mayor Betti, have you seen the letter? >> No. Have you? >> If if you do see the letter, please uh share it with the entire council. >> Of course. That's my All right. That's my motto. >> Okay. Also, a zoning board member could
be appointed as a class 4 planning board member, which would accomplish the goal of having that liaison that Mr. Lori seeks. Well, the class 4 positions are filled. >> They are filled. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Prior proper planning. That's all. >> There is no
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. We're not required to have a zoning board leaison. >> Okay. Well, he would find it helpful. >> Yeah, I would too. Okay. >> Yeah, we had an applicant. >> Future planning. Thank you. >> Okay. Moving on to our last item on the
agenda, which is our second open to the public segment. Um, and this is for items not on the agenda. And again, please state your name for the record. Address not needed. Uh, each speaker is limited to one appearance of no more than five minutes.
Miss Null. >> Hi. Um, hi everyone. I'm Kimberly Null. Um, so I live in Sparta. Um, I am speaking tonight on my own capacity as a private citizen. As not a member of the board of education. Everything expressed
is my own personal opinion. Sorry I have to say that. Um I'm here tonight to ask the town council and all town leadership consider what is at stake. Should detention centers be set up in the surrounding area? We have seen ID ICE agents get more and more aggressive with
their activities. Not here. I'm talking about in Minnesota. I've seen them federal agency employees paid with our tax dollars kidnapping people. not just immigrants, but anyone they come upon in the streets and now outright shooting
people with no due process. ICE does not seem to discriminate who it targets or who it brutal brutalizes. ICE claims to target the worst of the worst, but in reality, I've seen them holding children, 5-year-olds, pregnant women,
etc. DHS statistics. So DHS their own statistics say that three-fifths of the people detained have no criminal backgrounds and only 3% have violent criminal backgrounds. They target whoever they can arrest should meet quotas because they collect bonuses even
when that means detaining US citizens. In the last month they've killed two US citizens in the streets. These [clears throat] are not the only lives lost. Last year 31 people died in detention and so far this year six have died. These behaviors have no place in
civilized society. So imagine my alarm when the news of a proposed detention center in Roxberry was leaked on December 24th, which later was proven as fact as with a visit to the site by the DHS ICE officials just two weeks later.
The site at 1879 US46 in Roxbury is 700,000 square feet facility which could house about 5,888 human beings. That is five times the current uh number of detainees that
could be held that are being held in Delaney Hall. [clears throat] It's also likely that the federal government can try to bypass local zoning laws as Neil mentioned. Um, this could have consequences to us based on our own problems with a current unnamed warehouse that I won't mention.
Roxbury is a mere 10 miles from here. A second room detention center is also proposed in Chester, New York, which is just 28 miles from us. We are smack in the middle of two proposed detention facilities. Roxbury passed an ordinance against
using the warehouse as a prison or detention facility. Chantham Burough has that on the agenda this week. So, a number of towns around the area are clearly against this and are trying to fight back. Other towns in other states have successfully fought back following
um they have c uh done lawsuits against DHS and block them. I'm aware that the Sparta Police Department has an SOP outlining how the department will deal with the immigrant community. It primarily outlines incidents related to crimes committed
within Sparta. They will ensure immigrant status will not be used to discourage victims and wi witnesses to come forward and ensure compliance with New Jersey Attorney General Directive 208 28-6. Sorry. But I'm asking what precautions
we have should ICE agents commit crimes in Sparta. My understanding is local and state laws cannot be ignored or pardoned. If crimes are committed in this town by ICE DHH agents, we should be prepared to arrest and prosecute. Under state law, crimes committed in
Stein estate fall under state jurisdiction even when federal agents are involved. DHS and ICE are not above the law. I ask that you explore what our options are to prevent detention centers and prepare now for any ICE raids in our community, especially since the
detention centers are going to be so close. We need to make it clear that the ICE and the detention centers are not welcome here. Every sign you send or roadblock we can put up will discourage these activities and show that a thriving town and thriving businesses
are more important to Sparta and protecting our community. Sorry, I spoke very fast. I know I only had five minutes. I know it takes five minutes to say this. So, [laughter] thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Appreciate it. [clears throat and cough]
Hi everyone. I'm uh Mike Frabel. Thanks for the opportunity to speak to you tonight. Uh I have two uh items uh concerning New Jersey legislation that was recently passed. Um, for about 26 years now, I've been involved with as a volunteer for Family Promise of Sussex
County, a uh, homeless advocacy 501c group. And, uh, we have we have petitioned in many ways the county commissioners over the years, but we never really got our fair hearing on the homeless trust fund. This is a countybased uh trust fund that takes uh
$3 from every uh document processed through the county clerk and it goes to a homeless trust fund in order to uh build shelters, uh provide rental vouchers and other support systems for homeless families. Uh 15 out of the 21 counties in New Jersey have approved
this. But um I was heartened to just find out a few days ago that u right before Governor Murphy sailed off into the sunset, he signed uh a leg a piece of legislation that is called the New Jersey Municipal Homeless Trust Fund.
And I just I'm just FYI, I'm bringing this to your attention. I know one of the members of the a couple members of the Newton town council and I emailed him today about this because Newton does have more of a problem with homeless than Sparta. I acknowledge that I live
in Sparta but uh our offices in Newton and uh the point in time survey of homeless people in the in Sussex County last year it was over,200 uh and that's only one day uh of counting heads. Uh that was a 24%
increase. We have had homeless in Sparta. It's it's it's a rare occurrence, but uh uh I just want I just want you guys to be aware of this uh new act. It's uh if I uh remember correctly, it's a 5% fee or 5% cut you can take
from your licensing fees, tickets, and other uh fees the municipal uh government charges uh to use directly for homeless sheltering, uh rental vouchers, and other services for the homeless. Um, so I think it's um, if you
want to get technical, I think the assembly designation was A3360. It just passed like 5 days ago, the 21st, 6 days ago. Um, so if you're aware of that, great. Just, you know, trying to find out do you is is there a plan uh in the
planning board or in the council for uh, homeless homeless advocacy, if you will. If you're not aware, I'm bringing the good news because I was heartened to hear that it it was stalled in committee for quite a while. Um, another piece of legislation is on a different subject,
but um I'm concerned about it just as Kim was. Uh right before uh Governor Murphy left office, he also passed or signed a bill called the um Safe Communities Act. Now, the Safe Communities Act kind of goes handinhand
with the uh immigrant trust directive, which uh I know Sparta Police has a a really good SOP on their website about the whole uh principle behind that, which is, you know, uh we're not we're not uh you know, people disparage the
term sanctuary town or city or state, what what have you, but it's actually a legal precedent for um local law enforcement not to uh um not to stop people just because of what they look like, check their immigrant status for
local traffic stops, have what have you. This goes a little further. This makes it illegal for federal agents such as ICE or custom and border patrol to go into um houses of worship, schools, funeral parlors, um shelters, and
there's a few other uh courouses. This would qualify. uh it'd be illegal to arrest um even a class one uh undocumented uh alien in those spaces. My uh question to you tonight is uh you know I know uh
the immigrant trust directive has been talked about since 2018 and you guys know how to handle that and the police have an SOP on their website about it. I know this is new. First of all, are you aware of this one? And if so, um, say ICE goes into Sparta Methodist Church
after somebody, how is that enforced? And how does the police and how do you guys, uh, plan on dealing with that possible scenario? And, uh, thanks for your time. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> [clears throat] >> Hi, Beth Broadick, Northshore.
Question for liaison. When are you guys meeting with Lake Mohawk? Are they still saying that they're too busy? >> We don't have any date as of yet. We were supposed to have a meeting this morning um that got postponed.
>> Okay. My other question is going back to class two with the planning board. you guys were or people knew that there was a vacancy for several months last year. Why are we like where are we? I'm not trying to be snarky or make accusations
or anything like that because I'm not tonight. That's another day. Um why is it taking so long? Why are we why was it months and months and months last year? And also, are we in some kind of
violation of statutes and laws and stuff like that by not having a class 2 person if the stipulation is that there should be a class two person on there? >> You have any other questions? I don't want to cut off your time. >> No, those are the two big ones. I had a
few others, but honestly, I kind of want to go on. >> Okay. Uh to my knowledge, we don't have any eligible or known class 2 candidates because it's a very specific um set of rules in the statute around who can fill a class two. It's not any
resident that volunteers. Um it's a specific so we don't have we're right now, at least speaking for myself and looking at the list, we don't know of any candidates. We don't know of anybody interested to so we have to go out and ask people and identify and try to recruit to fill a class 2. According to
Mr. Porro on last week's planning board meeting which I I watched he said that it's extremely common and many towns face a class two vacancy u for that same reason because a lot of times it's an employee an official of the town or certain types of employees and it's
overtime but they're not paid. So there's a lot of other constraints around finding someone but so there is right now there is no no known candidates that we have. Um so in my I don't I believe it's not a violation. I'm not an attorney but Mr. Porro said it's >> okay. >> He's the planning board attorney so I'm trusting him.
>> Do they have to work here in this building to be class 2? So it could be >> somebody like a teacher person like anybody. It doesn't have to be somebody specifically here. Like anywhere you could literally pull,
forgive me for saying this, like somebody in the cafeteria, somebody that like anywhere, even whatever. I I don't honestly I'm not I don't want to give you legal advice or anybody legal advice. I'm not sure what the answer is to that. I would trust our attorney uh our planning board attorney, which we'll
do again when we get the list of who's which what are the uh criteria, but I don't want to answer that blanket because I'm not I'm not positive if it's could be anyone. and a school teacher for instance. Um I I doubt it but >> yeah I think it's an employee.
>> Yeah. >> Anen can you answer that please? >> Yeah that's correct. The municipal indies law provides the class 2 shall be a government official and to clarify the township is not in violation of any statute or case law by not failing the
class 2 appointment. It is not willfully it is not willfully not filling the class two appointment and case law is very clear that it is not a violation of any of any law. >> Thank you. >> I think the issue that concerns people is that the class two has not been
filled yet the alternates are voting in that class two position. >> No, they're not voting in the class two position. They're voting alternates. >> They're Yeah, they're voting as alternates. That's their job is to vote. >> Yeah, but if there's nobody in the position, they can't vote.
>> You got to read it. >> Well, we'll let the we'll let the attorneys handle this. The advice we've gotten so far is that it's not a violation. >> Okay. >> So, >> Scott Null, Spartan, New Jersey. Um I I had a question about um the buying
co-ops. I wondered if there was a fee to participate and since we're both in multiple ones, if we're paying multiple fees to participate or if there were purchase minimums to uh participate and if maybe they could be consolidated and then also if we were using source well
so that we could um source off of um uh the the piggyback the program that the government has for sort of shortcircuiting pointless bids. Um, the other thing I wanted to to to say was um I thought that was great. Um, I know I'm supposed to address you, but
it's it's for the police. The uh the force stats that you listed, that was amazing. And I think that um that's largely because of accountability and training and vetting your people and
supervising them and and being part of the community. And I need think we really need to to focus on making sure that any law enforcement um that comes in to assist um follows those same standards and uh you guys do
a great job for us. I hope that that remains the case. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Great to hear great to hear positive feedback and encouragement. >> Nice. Um I I just will uh address the questions you had. I'll try my best. Um but then Mr. Zep, if you could fill in. So, um, my understanding is you asked
about are there fees for all these different co-ops, >> right? >> Um, my my knowledge is that no, there's not except there's one except for one, but all the other ones there's no fee to to join. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> Okay. And are we in Sourcewell? Was that the question? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Are we in Source Well?
>> Have used Sourcewell. >> It's it's a that's a national contract. >> Okay. >> And we have used them. >> Yeah. I I just want to say to Mike >> Exactly. We do too. >> Great. Thank you.
>> Good evening. Uh Ron Day is part of New Jersey. Um couple things. I have to watch the clock to try to jam them all in. Now, um first I just want to say great job on the snowstorm. Uh the the the the police, the the DPW, all the messaging that went out. You guys just
did an outstanding job and I can't thank you enough. Um, the other thing I wasn't planning to talk to, but I I I feel the need to at least make a comment and then I'll come back probably in a few weeks talk some more on it is the change in the uh the
the the the agenda in terms of when the public can speak and what they can speak. I think that's a terrible decision. Um, I'll come back and talk about that more in the future. Um, what I what I wanted to talk about tonight was the budget. Um, you know, as we head
into 2026, I I think that many people would agree that one of the top challen challenges of this town is going to be developing and adopting a 2026 budget that accomplishes a couple of things. Three things I'll give you just in particular that are high on my my list is, you know, it doesn't require a
substantial tax increase for the part of property owners. Um, second is it takes a significant step towards replenishing the reserves. And third, that it doesn't reduce or eliminate essential town services such as the police who are doing a great job or other emergency
responders. Uh in fact, I think there may be a need to support growth in some of these areas such as within the police department that needs to be addressed and talked about as part of this budget. [laughter] Um like most other municipalities, Sparta is likely going to be faced with having to make some
tough choices to offset some of the the rising health costs that we're we're seeing. Um and again that's that's nothing that that anyone here cause. Um it's we're having the same kind of decision we have to make at home. But I think while we can't control um the
cost, what we do have control is is how we manage that. And that's what this this budget is going to be all about is what are the tough choices that need to be made? Make sure everything's put on the table. Um as as a resident, I'm hoping to have an opportunity to offer public comment and
feedback on the proposed budget. I'm also hoping that this year's budget will will occur in a more timely manner than previous years. Previous year's budgets were not introduced until May and June. I believe the typical state guidelines calls for the budget to be introduced by the end of March and
approved by the end of April. Now, I I recognize that that's you you can get an extension to that, but but let me suggest that, you know, we lose opportunity to to control the costs for every month where the township is appropriating fundship funds without
knowing what the overall budget targets are on an account-by-count basis. [clears throat] You I suspect people when I'm done are going to say, well, the public has always had the opportunity to comment. So, I want to remind you of what happened uh last year where, you know, I I sat through the budget workshop
meeting and there was literally no time for public comment because they had to run, you know, that the town council had to go into the town council meeting. So, there wasn't really that that opportunity that should have been there. Um, last year it was also suggested to me that providing comments sooner in the
process rather than later would be helpful. So with that in mind, I want to give you four thoughts just for your consideration when developing a budget. First one is until such time as as a budget is adopted, I suggest that you consider no new hires are permitted
except for replacement of existing positions such as the zoning enforcement officer and any new hires essential to maintain public safety such as with the police department or other emergency services. they need to be talked about now and can't wait till April, May,
June, whenever whenever the the budget finally gets adopted. Second suggestion, and I brought this up last year, is to look for non-essential items that can be deferred until late in the year when POSA moved into 2027 if we run into unforeseen problems. That was something I recommended a few times last
year, but it didn't seem to gain much traction. Um, a third recommendation is any non-recurring special projects over 100K that they they they be required to be given a discrete budget line so it can be tracked separately from the standard recurring cost such as salary
and wages. So if the numbers overrunning, was it the salary and wages or was this a special project? Um, the fourth thing and this is something you I I'll say you do well very well is to continue to look for opportunities on shared services. I think there were some new ones and resolutions tonight. So, so good job
with with doing that. But yeah, I still think there's probably a few more that we can look at s such as, you know, um can we is there anything we do in terms of sharing street sweeping or is there any extra capacity in in the salt shed that we talked about that years ago? Um that maybe we can get some additional
revenues from town's always done a good job here. So I I you know I I expect you're going to continue to do so. But those are four suggestions that I'd like to make upfront. So when I look at last year's elections, >> Mr. today. Yeah. >> Yeah. We have to close it down. >> Okay. I I just It's terrible.
[clears throat] >> If you have a closing sentence or two, but we're at >> Let me leave three questions that I was I wanted to end with. Is number one is um can you offer an estimate of when you'll be posting the 2025 year end financials? I believe it's typically due
to the state in January. Usually posted in January. That'll give us a feel for how we did. Um, and then, uh, lastly is, you know, I'd like to request again that we have more frequent financial status in terms of how our town is doing financially as part of the manager's report. Maybe
that's done quarterly, maybe that's done, you know, twice a year. U, but I I I think when you look at the elections, people want more more information, more transparency. They want to be more involved. So that uh, thank you for your time. Thanks for answer. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Great
suggestion. Copious notes. Good evening. Jenny Derek's tap into Sparta. Just had a couple of questions. Most of them I think are for Mr. Zep. Um, do we have a code enforcement officer hired yet? And that moves into the next question is, uh, has anything
been done about the 8 809 West Mountain illegal parking lot? Has there been any movement there? Any changes, any cleanup? any summones or other actions, any implications or or uh consequences to
anybody involved? [laughter] My usual question, where are we with the landfill which started in March of 2021? C renewables was hired in June of 2022. Um, do we have a contract with June with
C and or can that be renegotiated since we have not seen the returns that we were told we would have uh within a year or two in that time frame. So that's it for me for now. Thanks. >> Is that
>> all right? I don't know if I got them all. >> Uh code enforcement officer officer is Yes, we have a hired code enforcement officer. any update on the uh parking lot trucking West Mountain? >> My town engineer has been working closely in correspondence where it is
being uh addressed. Uh I can't tell you what part of uh progress they're at, but I believe it was active uh in disabling the whole thing. I know the advertising was taken care of and they were removing uh the the the the vehicles that weren't
supposed to be there. Um, but I'd have to get you an update on exactly where we are today on that. Um, the landfill right now, um, we are trying to locate the proper person in D
to accept [clears throat] the submitt of our donation parcels that was agreed to by the wetland mitigation council. We're getting there, but um, I'm in the bureaucracy of Trenton. Um it's part of the D though. That's the
the green acres. Uh C is still the leasey. Um they've been footing the bill on the surveys and the work out there. They continue to do that. Um I think uh they're just waiting to get uh uh the green light to to start mitigating that wetland area so we can close the
landfill and they can proceed forward with their project. Um, I know though that a lot of uh the environment has changed when it comes to the SRE market that they were working on and all that and there's probably a very good chance we'll end up renegotiating terms.
>> Did I miss anything? Jay, >> uh, I'll have to get back to you on that. I'm not aware of any right now. Uh, again, I'm just happy to see it's being addressed. >> Thank you, manager. >> Zepp may I suggest with the landfill if they
could just give you a uh monthly update if they don't already just to keep you instead of you getting the question every time we could just get an update from the engineer. I know you're working the administrative side with some of the >> well right now >> and then a schedule of when upon this
then are going to implement their work. >> This project is is actually active with me every week. Right now it's a go back and forth with our environmental scientists >> all right from eco science. She's the one who's communicating with D on this
and we've made great strides. It's just and I'm anxious to get going especially with spring coming up. it'd be a perfect time for us to start really hitting this. Uh, and she knows that and so she's been every week she hit she I get copied on the emails to D. It's just
>> it's that bureaucracy that unfortunately they had that reputation [clears throat] for. >> Um, I I can't wait for the day to come where I can report differently for you guys. >> Thank you, man. Zep. Any other comments? I I don't think I got an answer on when
the 2025 year end financials will be made available. >> Do we know when the fin >> I know that we are still waiting for the end of the year numbers from my auditor and and um my finance office is working on it. Ron, you you went down a whole
list of stuff there. I know there's a bunch of things I like you would love to start as early as possible on budget workshop and it it is this is going to be a challenge for us all. I'm looking forward to to doing that and making those tough decisions uh with the public. Uh just so you know, I have not
made any new hires in town all year. We've we haven't because I'm aware of of of of the the stress. I But uh you you sent the question out and I want you to know though in 2025 we had no new hires whatsoever. We had some vacancies that
took a while to fill but uh no new hires because of of the financial stress. >> But if you don't have it tonight, can you the next next town meeting let us know 25 2025 be available? >> Yes. Follow up on that.
We'll follow up on that. Okay. Um, any more comments from the public? Seeing none, let's bring it back to the deis. I know two things actually. First, um, Councilman Clark, you had something you wanted to share. >> Sure. Um, and picking up on what um,
Miss Null said, I've been contacted by quite a few people um, who've seen what's been going on in uh, Minnesota and they're very concerned that if ICE comes to your town, you're not safe.
You're not safe. And I want to assure people that everyone on this dis puts the safety, health and welfare of the citizens first. In fact, we took an oath to defend the laws of
the of the federal government, the constitution of New Jersey and this nation. And what we have seen unfortunately are violations of the first, the second, the fourth, and even the 10th. And if you don't know what the 10th is, that that's
when the federal government commandeers the state and makes the state spend money on things that are really a federal policy. And we've seen that happening. And these aren't what we've seen is not just based on what you may see on a
video. I encourage everyone to read Judge Mendoza's opinion uh on where she granted a temporary restraining order against ICE and it describes in there based on affidavit that are signed under penalty of perjury
about just wanting violations of people's constitutional rights. And so this concern is ICE comes to your town and they just run roughshod over the citizens
and their constitutional rights. And it is remarkable because we trust our local police. Absolutely. And that number speaks for itself. 39 thou was it 37,000 stops
and they and use of force didn't even make 1% because they're trained they live in the community and they care about this community and so what we need is to assure that you know I know our local
law enforcement wants to protect us but I think they feel somewhat hamstrung when the federal government comes in so it's really incumbent upon the hate and others to give guidance to them. If you see a violation of of of law right in front
of you, our local law enforcement should feel empowered to make the arrest immediately. Right. There is, you were correct, there is absolutely the right of the state to sue and to arrest and detain federal
officers who violate the law. But they it's unclear. They're not proper guidance. But people are scared rightfully so. But they trust their local police. And so I would wish that our federal
officers had the same training and experience that our local police do. If they did, we'd feel a lot more safer. But we don't feel safe right now. A lot of people don't. And so, um, I'm hoping that Governor Cheryl, the attorney general's office, and there will be
pressure put on them to give guidance to this so that we just don't let uh federal officials and the federal government come in and run rough shot over community violating people's constitutional rights left and right. So, um, as I did with, uh, the warehouse
issue, um, I think hopefully the League of Municipalities, you know, will take up this other issue about what what can local law enforcement do if they see a federal official make a blatant violation of someone's civil rights right in front of them? Because we've seen people
killed right in the street, 10 bullets in the back. As I pointed out, another thing, our our local police stop people all the time in cars and vehicles, right? Not a not a single shooting,
right? Because they're trained on deescalation. They're not there to escalate the situation. They're to deescalate it. And so, my hope is that going forward, we can empower some of our federal law uh our local law enforcement officers to hold these
federal officers accountable. And if I think if we can do that, people will start to feel a little bit safer uh if ICE comes to your town. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council and Councilwoman Murphy. Did you comment? >> Uh I just wanted to uh offer my
condolences and my families to you, Neil, and on Councilman on your family loss and uh my heart is with you and your family. >> Thank you. So, my dad of uh 84 years died last week and he was uh I think
I've shared with you he was my rock and um a lot of what I do here is in in an homage to him and to my family. So, thank you. >> Thank you. We're all thinking about you still. >> Thank you. Okay, with that, let's uh move to
adjournment. Uh this is the quick and easy one. So, [laughter] may I have a motion to adjurnn, please? >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.