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It's a beautiful day. Good evening everyone. Please take notice that action will be taken on the following items at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 in council chambers, Sparta Township Municipal Building, 65 Main Street, Sparta, New Jersey. Regular

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meeting is now opened at 7:25. All council meetings are now livereamed and can be viewed at the following link. youtube.com symbol spartatwpstreams. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the public and the press on

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January 7th, 2026 by delivering to the press and posting on the township website a copy of the notice. Madame clerk, could you please do a roll call? >> Councilman Scott >> here. >> Councilwoman Murphy >> here. >> Councilman Clark >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester

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>> here. Mayor Bummedi >> here. Would you please join me in a 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

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justice for all for all. As we begin tonight's business meeting, I am fully confident that everyone here on the deis and in the audience cares deeply about this town. And again, a reminder, we're not going to agree on everything, and that's okay. And actually, it's a healthy thing. However, please assume positive intent. We're all

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trying to do what's best for this community. I respectfully ask that each of us on this day and in the audience maintains decorum and acts respectfully to one another. Thank you very much. Uh before we get into the actual agenda, I just want to pass it over uh to Mr.

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Ferry just for a moment to um clarify the wording on the resolution for the uh budget amendment. I know a couple people have asked me uh and were slightly confused by the wording. So if you wouldn't mind, Mr. Furry, just for one minute um just to clarify. Sure.

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>> And then we'll get into it more later. So, this has been a standard budget amendment language and form for the past 60 years by the state of New Jersey. Uh, for the most part, we just don't recreate these things. They're handed

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down to us from the division of local government services, uh, division of, uh, community affairs. Um, so I think the mayor was asking me about the wording uh about the saying that the budget was approved on April 28th. Um,

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which is we've always used that synony synonymously with introduced. So um, and actually the state budget itself uses the word um, approved. Um, so I I I

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know that's a little confusing. When I was a young auditor, I could never figure that out, too. I'm going, "Wait, is that the public hearing date or the approved date?" Um, but no, approved on April 28th. Um, is the introduction.

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Um, and if you go back to the April 28th meeting, um, resolution 8-1, it says resolution to introduce 26 municipal budget. At that point, the mayor and council uh vote yes or no. Um and that's

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all you do and then we move on. But we were state exam this year, so we had to hold off until the state examined the budget which is done every third year. Good. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. So rest assured, tonight is a

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resolution to adopt the amendment or introduce the amendment. There will be no discussion. um from the council on this and in two weeks we're going to have the full hearing and vote to adopt the final budget as amended. >> And and just so it's clear on the

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resolution where you have the word from that's from what was introduced to what is amended. So if you look at that that's the question I have when you have the from and the to. >> Oh yes. >> Okay. So that's not from a prior last

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year. This is from what we initially submitted to DCA to what we're now having to amend. >> As a matter of fact, being that [clears throat] what I did is I actually had the state give me they gave me a PDF of what we submitted to them because I

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wasn't involved in that process. I wanted to make sure that I had the exact budget >> that I had the exact budget that was submitted to the state. And then what I basically do is I put the two together. I have the intro budget on the left. I

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have the adopted or the uh corrected budget on the right. And as I go through, if something changed, I put it from and two. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. That's very helpful. >> Okay. So, we have no minutes to uh

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approve tonight. So, we'll move on to number three, which is the manager's report. So, town manager Zach, would you please present your manager's report? >> Sure. Thank you. Good [snorts] evening, mayor, council members, and all Sparta residents joining us in person or watching from

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home. Thank you for being with us tonight. Spring recreation programs are wrapping up at the end of June, and our summer programs are gearing up to begin. There's still space available in various programs. Please visit the recreation department website for details and

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registration information. Our Sparta senior citizens proudly participated this morning in the Sussex County Senior Olympics at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. It was a wonderful event filled with camaraderie, fun, and friendly competition. We're happy to share that several of our participants

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brought home medals. Congratulations to all those who took part in this event, and thank you for representing our community so well. The senior pool at Null Heights officially opened yesterday, June 8th, for the season. Saturday, May 30th, the public works

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department hosted its annual free paper shredding and e-waste recycling event. A total of 74 vehicles dropped off paper for shredding and 33 vehicles brought e-waste for recycling. Despite the cooler weather and several other events taking place in town that day, turnout

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was strong. Thank you to the members of the public works department for organizing and running another successful community event. This Sunday, June 14th, at 10 a.m., in front of Town Hall, the Sparta Elks Lodge number 2356 will hold a special

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flag day ceremony in honor of our nation's 250th anniversary. The program will feature patriotic songs and a presentation on the history of the American flag. The event is free to the public and will take place rain or shine. All are welcome to attend and

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join in this patriotic celebration. [snorts] The township municipal clerk's office extends its sincere thanks to our public works department for their dependable and efficient support during this year's primary election. Their work is essential in preparing, monitoring, and closing the polling locations across all

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14 districts. We also offer a special thank you to Brendan Felman, Matt Molinaro, Joe Scalia for their organized, reliable, and courteous assistance, as well as to our dedicated our dedicated clerks, Tyianne Gunther and Britney Kyle for their invaluable

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assistance throughout the process. District workers consistently praise the professionalism and smooth setup provided by the entire team. Their combined efforts ensure a safe and seamless election experience for all residents. Residents may have noticed an increase in road

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work throughout the township. Current projects include road paving on Konesoga Trail and Sawmill Road, as well as gas line restoration work along Glen Road and its connecting streets. We have received several calls from residents requesting new gas service. Please be

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aware that if your street was recently paved and is under the township's 5-year moratorum, the gas company may not be able to install new gas service at this time. Installing service on a mortorium road would require the gas company to repave the entire roadway from curb to

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curb, which is why some requests are being denied. A full list of mortorium roads is available on the township website under the engineer and road section. Thank you for your patience and understanding as construction improvements continue throughout the township.

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Chief McCarrick is unable to attend tonight. Therefore, this concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tom. Uh, may I have a motion to accept the town manager's report as presented? >> So moved. >> May I have a second?

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>> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay. Motion carried. We're now at our first open to the public segment for tonight. Um, this is for items that appear on tonight's agenda, including the resolutions. Uh it

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does not include ordinance hearings but there are no hearings tonight. Also note that the hearing for the amended budget uh which is again as mentioned earlier is up for approval as a resolution will be at the next council meeting. That's when the hearing for the budget will be

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for final approval. There will be a second public comment period later on for items not on the agenda. As you approach the microphone, please do state your and spell your name for the record. Each speaker is limited to one comment of no more than five minutes and no yielding of time to another person.

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>> Jere um so what you're saying is that questions that we have about the budget will be held will be answered next meeting. So Mr. Zep you have a list of questions that I was already submitted and you'll have those for me. Thank you.

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>> Thank you Jenny. Good evening, Ronda Sparta. Um, let me [clears throat] start off by saying thanks for the for the clarification, Tom. I appreciate it. Um, I'm still a little concerned with the wording. Um, especially when you look at the second whereas um, you know, where you talk

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about the minutes budget was approved. I get it introduced. Could we somehow put the words introduced in that whereas just so it's real clear because the next warehouse you settle says the public hearing on set budget has been held as advertised. There was no there has been no hearing there. There was what I'll

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call a a quasi workshop where there was no handouts, no slides for the public. So that second whereas to me is is incorrect and like to see that stricken. Um, I think the intent here sounds like is that

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the new amended budget will be introduced hopefully in its entirety. Um, and there will be a public hearing at the next meeting. Is is that the intention? Just so I'm clear. [snorts] Tonight's resolution, which I presume is

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going to be approved, um, acts as the introduction of the amended budget. And then in two weeks, we don't have to wait 30 days this time because yeah, in two weeks, we'll have the hearing for the budget, which will be the full hearing with questions, answers, discussion from the public and also amongst the council members.

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>> So, so again, before you approve it, you know, the second way I I think is is incorrect. And I think the first one needs clarification. That is an introduction. Um, and when you put the two together, it looks like it was approved and hurt, which definitely is not the case. So, I'm going to ask that before you approve it, that you consider

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amending the language there. Um, the only couple other things I had just on on the budget, get my notes here. Basically, uh, a lot of what I had doesn't need to be said now. So, that's a good thing. Um I think last week when we were talking about the budget there

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was it was mentioned our last uh meeting that is there's a 10% change in any line item that the budget needs to be uh readvertised in its entirety. And when I look at some of the changes that this amendment included there was a huge reduction in the water surplus I think

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like 1.3 million that certainly exceeds the 10%. There's something called uh consent director of local services was a special revenue for like 38 83k that wasn't there in the last one. So that's a you know that's 100% increase on that line on and um delinquent taxes uh I

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think were increased by 200. So the question I have is based on all that if we're reintroducing the budget tonight um will there tomorrow will there be an updated version put on the website that gives us the detail that we

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need as the public to see the action that's being taken line by line similar to what was put up before. >> You don't your questions I don't want to take up your time. >> Okay. I'll leave that one there. Okay. Um >> quick answer. Yes. It's going to be posted. >> Okay. And >> not tomorrow, but it's going to be

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posted. I think it says in the resolution, but it'll be well in advance of the required. >> So, this is the same discussion we had at the last meeting. You know, if the budget exists, you can't introduce it if it doesn't exist, right? >> It does exist. >> I'm not saying I'm I'm I'm with you on that one. So, if it exists, there's no

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reason it can't be posted tomorrow. And I think when you introduce it, one of the requirements of a proper introduction is to provide the budget. Not down the road you get to it or not 2 days before the hearing. it needs to be done at the time of introduction. So I think tomorrow's reasonable if not you

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know um I I'll leave that as a question. Well, technically no, please don't speak from the seat. Let's just >> hear we're aware of it. >> I advised it, but thank you. So, I'm going to ask for a couple extra minutes.

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Um, >> so at the last at the last meeting, um, I I sent out an email to folks just before the meeting. Didn't have a chance to look at there were some questions. I just want to restate your questions just so you can answer them tonight or or at the next meeting, but I don't want them to get lost. So I I provided u some

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suggestions on how to reduce what I thought was you know hundreds of thousands of dollars 20 300 4,000 was depending on the answers. Um just my question was was any of that considered as part of the amendment budget and if so I'll say thank you and if not I'm going to ask you know why not. Um, also

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at the last meeting I asked if if if it's to the best of everyone's belief that there's sufficient litigation funds in the budget to avoid an emergency appropriation for litigation uh being being floated right after the budget's approved cuz what that does that basically says now you're taken away

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from 2027. So, you know, my feeling is if we know about it, we have an estimate now you guys we we've been through enough this we got history. What's in the budget and does it cover it? So, that that's my question there. Um along this the same lines, you know, one of the things I talked about last year, you

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know, similar to like a a business, a business has a five-year plan. You don't just look at one year at a time. And you guys may be doing this or just not seeing it, but once the budget's approved for 2026, what does that do to 2027? I I think a lot of our revenues and a lot of our

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appropriations are pretty predictable. Some aren't, but so we take the best guess what we can. Things like medical expenses. So, we we assume it's going to go up. If we don't want for the last two years, it'll probably go up again next year. So, so what I'm looking for is something that says, you know, we're not

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just looking at this year, but we're looking at the future to make sure that whatever we do today is not going to hurt us in 2027. You know, my initial gut feeling looking at this budget is I think there's a possibility there. I need to look at our harder, but I'd like your your expert

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answers on what do you feel? um is is does 2026 set us up for success in 2027 or are we going to walk in here, you know, from the next budget meeting all of a sudden all gee, you know, no more surplus or no more this or we can't meet it. So again, what I'd like is if you guys could consider giving us your

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thoughts on what 20 27 will look like after the uh the budget's approved. So that's my questions. >> Okay. >> Now, do you want to answer those tonight or you want to wait till next week? >> No, we'll wait till next time. I will say though that I I can assure you that the posting public posting is done according to law.

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>> Well, the law the law says it's got to be done at the time of introduction. That's not tonight. I get that. But tomorrow I think I think last time we did it. We raised it and I think by the time I walked out here it was posted. >> Okay. But it's it's being done according to the law. >> And the law says what?

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>> Mr. Mayor, I have some clarifying questions of Mr. ferry that I think address I don't want to interrupt but if you have time just I can ask but I I no probably have some clarifying that may clear up what Ron is saying >> regarding posting or yeah on the

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website. >> Yes. So I'll just ask them um Mr. Ferry uh in the resolution uh it identifies the amendments to the budget that was introduced in April 28th. >> Correct. And so it's if if one wanted to

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know that so what's identified here are every line item in the introduced budget that was changed. >> Is that correct? >> Okay. And so and we published the April 28th introduced budget. >> Okay. And so if you I mean I I guess

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it's not ideal. >> But you take the and we published the resolution on Friday. Is that right? >> This one? >> Yeah. >> It's going to be done June. Yeah, >> this 81 resolution. Yeah. So, on Friday, um, we had, am I right, that we had then

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identified to the public what was changed about the April 28th >> budget, right? >> Yep. >> And you essentially have to take those two documents and look at them and say because you didn't think it was necessary to re replicate the entire

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budget for the resolution, only those things that were changed. >> That's the state format. >> Okay. But >> we don't make our own format. >> Okay. >> And we'll be posting posting the >> we're posting this amendment um June 15th on the website

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>> and and if we were to prior to amending and voting to amend it had if we were to say here's the budget prior to amend would we be in violation of the law if we did that? >> If you put it on the website prior to you approving it >> the budget and we just automatically started incorporating.

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>> Yeah. You can't you can't post anything that's not approved by the mayor and council. >> Okay. So then there's a reason why we don't publish on the website the changes to the budget until such time as we've actually been able to introduce the changes to the budget >> which I think you're going to do

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tonight. So that says and and again >> from other people and we have to be careful. >> The last thing I just want I want to watch for you taking 100 here then taking it back there in the net zero. If the budget exists and it's detailed please publish that. >> It'll [clears throat] be published.

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Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Furry. Thank you. >> Thank you, Neil. >> Dan Rogoff. Um, I just had a question because, um, I had taken a look at, um, the agenda for this evening and sorry for interrupting before. It was just about the live stream. I just wanted to

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make sure he was saying some really important things as all of you were. So, >> no, thank you. >> No. Um, but, um, I took a look at the agenda and I reviewed everything and I thought I had a handle on what was being discussed tonight. And then I looked after work and I realized at 2:00 this afternoon that suddenly 2612 had

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appeared. Um it wasn't there previously. So I quickly reviewed it and and just because I land use is not my thing. Um I've been very clear about that but I'm learning as I go. And I was just curious because um it's a specific tract of land. So I was curious just given the

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history of what we're dealing with if there are any proposals that have been presented to the township engineer or to the township in any way that involved the particular tract of land that we are speaking about in 2612. >> I I'll say one clarifying point that

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2612 as you know the agenda is subject to amendment that's why it was amended. Um 2612 is not for any particular piece of land. It's if you notice it's for ED zone, the PDRM1 zone and the PDRM2 zone. You >> mentioned very specifically that tracked on 15 from houses corner.

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>> It's that whole section of town basically. So the ED is Yeah. mainly to the left and to the right a little bit past North Village. PRM is before that to the right on House's corner road. There's two big segments over there. >> Is that part of our sound thing you just cut out? >> Did I too? Okay. >> I can hear you, but I don't think I

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think I did. >> Well, you're back. >> There we go. [laughter] Okay. Awesome. >> Attorney Dash, I can you can answer the maybe the second question if there's any more clarification. What was the second part? >> Yeah. No, that was I was just curious if there is >> um you know if there are any proposals

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that have been brought to the attention of the town either planning board or township engineer or whoever it needs to go through um that directly affect the track of land that are involved in 2612. >> I'm not sure who's uh feeding that there, but >> I'm not sure if it's me or you.

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>> I don't think it's me, but I'll just step back. [laughter] >> We have a megaphone from the back corner. >> That works, too. Um, >> yeah, I'm not I don't I'm not sure I fully understand the question. This this ordinance affects three zones in the

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township as outlined. Uh, it'll be discussed at the hearing. The three zones are, as stated, the ED zone, the PDRM1, PDRM2. So, it affects all three zones. >> Okay. Well, specifically, are there any projects that have [music] been

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introduced? This one's really bad. Um, you know, that are in that zone that is being those three zones or specifically, I guess, I mean, I feel like we keep hearing about Route 15. Um, and that zone from Houses Corner to White Lake.

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Um, so I was curious if there's any proposals that have been presented to either the planning board or the the engineer or any of those things that are specific There's there's a number of [music] [bell] >> this is

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that I don't think so >> on the main console there should be a volume >> over here right >> you don't want messing with down. Thank you. No, I appreciate you just trying to

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get it up and working for everybody at home too. >> There are a number of pending applications in the planning board that affect numerous zones in the township >> and and the towns that are specifically me those zones that are specifically mentioned in 2612. So there are already

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applications or proposals that have been presented that are in this zone. Are there any that fall outside of the changes that are being asked? I you know given the history I'm curious >> I'm not sure I'm not sure I fully

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understand the question >> applications is this in response to those applications absolutely not >> yeah so that's we don't draw that inference this is I think you know all of us have a duty here to reexamine our land use ordinances to see where they

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could do improvement and I think that's what 2612 is about so um just to be clear it's not relating to we're doing this for one particular application or other. Um I think these are zones that we've identified that can be problematic

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with respect to traffic and other things and we've heard the public loud and clear about hey can you do something about the traffic in and around this area. And so that this is what that's in response to is kind of the overall duty that we have to fix our ordinances to

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address the needs of of that the public has made us aware of. Thank you. Sure. >> Thank you. >> As we do now, good evening, uh, council, Eric Wilson. Uh, I think I know most of you. Um, couple questions, um, about the

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budget, and it sounds like maybe those answers are coming next or in two weeks. Um so uh and forgive me if these are just coming you know from a place of just not understanding the process. Uh I I noticed specifically utility op

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operating surplus has a reduction of about $1.4 million. And then if you scroll forward to well not scroll but page forward to the water utility budget um I'm assuming that that's kind of where that comes

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from cuz it goes from about 1.8 8 million down to 1.08 and then there's some from the previous I guess budget to what's so the from I guess is what was introduced and the two is now what the new change is going to be um removing

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um $600,000 in revenues for water improvement fee and POS reserve. Not sure what those are. It seems like a real significant amount of money that's reducing the revenues for the town by like almost 20%. Um, so I'm curious like what what brings that about? Maybe it I

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don't know, maybe we got like a one-time payment last year that boosted it. Maybe we're going back to baseline. I don't know. That's why I'm asking. Um, and then separately if there's any information that could be provided on um under the summary of revenues on page five of the I guess that's either the

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agenda of the of the document that's here. Um, receipts for delinquent taxes is increased about $300,000. Curious what the logic is to believe that we're going to suddenly receive more money on delinquent taxes. Uh I'm sure there's a

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logic behind it. Curious what it is. And also the changes under section F. Those are just special items. I don't know what that is, but it's increased substantially. So, I guess what I'm asking about is there's a huge decrease in utility revenues and then there's

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some bumps up of, you know, roughly $600 $700,000 kind of in these special items that at least here don't have a lot of clarity. Maybe they're in that other document. I was trying to find it on my phone after I heard uh Mr. Clark's uh questions, but I I was unable to resolve

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it in like 3 minutes. So, those are my questions there. And then I guess hearing the last public comment, I'll ask maybe a more specific question. Are there any recent pending development projects that have not yet received um have not yet been deemed complete

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that would be impacted by the ordinance introduced tonight? Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Now I just uh ask you the budget questions. We're going to wait till the hearing for those. So good questions though few weeks. >> Yeah. And they were very those were kinds of questions I I had as well.

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Those are very good. So, I hope you you'll get an answer. As much as we want to answer them right now, we have to follow protocol. So, yeah, but I thought they were excellent. >> I'm afraid. >> Okay. I don't know if it's on off or what

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happen. >> I I think we answered that there are pending applications right now for air for stuff in that zone, but this is not a response to those. seems complete. There will be >> I I don't know the answer to that cuz that that not to sound like a lawyer, the word complete is a legal conclusion,

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>> right? And so I don't have the facts or evidence and I don't think everyone else here does to make that kind of determination. But again, just this isn't in response to any application. This is these are big zones in an area that's highly trafficed and we're trying to do something about it. That's

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>> I'm sorry, Chris. Hey, Chris. Good. Good. Everyone good? Okay. So, Quinn, I have a question and it's a process question. Um, in the answers to full disclosure, I'm on the planning board. So, I'm I'm I just want to understand how this is going to work.

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So, this is a process question for each of the ordinances that are on here. They affect spec one um addresses um basically some of the things that you would see for example in a master plan change, right? So we're talking about

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uses, we're talking about all the different things that you have in an ordinance. Um the other one also is talking about a specific use case. So my question is separately for each one of these is the plan that the planning board is you are going to introduce them

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tonight and then both of these ordinances are going to come before the planning board next week to be reviewed for consistency against the master plan. and then come back. Is that the process

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or is one or both of these going to be done as part of the master plan? I know the master plan is going on at the same time >> and I'm just trying to figure out what what's happening with these after after tonight. >> Yeah. No, these are the the traditional

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process for these is as you explained first. So every ordinance that is regarding land use needs to go as you mentioned to the planning board for a consistency review against the current master plan. Meanwhile I see some master plan subcommittee people out here. That work is underway still. That's this does not affect the future work future master

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plan. This is current day consistency review against the current master plan comes back here. So that typical >> back and forth. >> Okay. So I just want to make sure. So both of these are going to come to the planning board for the next meeting and then for consistency review for the master plan. Correct. All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome.

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Okay, seeing no one else, we'll move on to expenditures. Uh, Deputy Mayor, would you please read the expenditures for June [clears throat] 9th, 2026? >> Yes. Bill list, as of June 9th, 2026, total $769,72.76. May I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. We have a second.

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>> Second. >> All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Expenditures have been approved. >> Moving [clears throat] on to item agenda item six, introductions of ordinances. Uh, madame clerk, would you please read

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the title of ordinance 2611? An ordin ordinance of the township council of the township of Sparta, Sussex County, state of New Jersey, amending chapter 18 entitled comprehensive land management code to define and prohibit data centers within

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all zones throughout the township of Sparta. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to introduce 2611? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Madam clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please? Before we do to can I just

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ask a clarifying process question? Sure. >> Is that okay? Sorry. Um, and this may be for Mr. Dash. Um, the prospect of a town doing a master plan

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kind of that does not require a township to forebear or stop passing ordinances dealing with land use matters. Is that right? >> Correct. >> Okay. And then when it comes to

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consistency review, um is it the would it be appropriate for a planning board in that consistency review to say well we think this would be better if done as part of the master plan process as opposed to kind of a peace meal

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ordinance. Would that be a proper use of uh the consistency review? >> It would. [clears throat] It would not. >> Okay. I just want to make that clear that, you know, we're we're we have a standing obligation here. >> I didn't hear Mr. Dash. I'm sorry. >> It would not be appropriate. >> It would not be appropriate.

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>> The statute is very clear on what the defined task is under section 26 of the municipal land use law to make a determination on consistency alone and they can make recommendations if they find inconsistency how those inconsistencies can be addressed.

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>> Okay. Thank you. >> Welcome. Sorry to delay. I just had that question in my head. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, so, Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please, on 2611's introduction? >> Councilman Scott,

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>> yes. >> Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bumemedi, >> yes. >> Ordinance 2611 has been introduced. Moving on. Madame Clerk, would you

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please read the title of ordinance 2612? >> An ordinance of the mayor and council of the township of Sparta amending chapter 18 entitled comprehensive land management code to amend portions of section 18-4.29 29 entitled economic development

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district. Portions of section 18-4.35 entitled PDRM1 district zone and portions of section 18-4.36 entitled PDRM2 district zone. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to

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introduce ordinance 2612? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. Madame Clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please, for introducing 2612? >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark,

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>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bumemedi, >> yes. >> Ordinance 2612 has been introduced. >> Okay, moving on. There are no hearings for tonight. We'll move on to resolutions and we'll handle these two resolutions

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just individually tonight. Resolution 81, resolution of the Township of Sparta, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, to amend the 2026 budget. May I have a motion to approve resolution 8-1? >> So moved.

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>> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstained? Motion carried. And resolution 82, resolution approving the execution of a shared services agreement with the town

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of Newton to provide CMFO/Municipal Finance and Finance Management Support Services for the period of June 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026. May I have a motion to approve resolution 82?

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>> So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. I >> I any opposed? >> Motion carried. Okay, we're now up to our second open to the public segment. This is for items

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not on the agenda. Uh again, please state and spell your name for the record and each speaker is limited to one comment of no more than five minutes and no yielding of time to another person. >> Good evening again, members of council. Uh I believe this is not an agenda item.

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That's why I didn't bring it up earlier, but um don't often feel like as the public we get to come here and share good things, but uh much to my surprise about a month or maybe 3 months ago now, the time flies. I have a young child, but I was on my way into work and I

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noticed that the traffic light head on Route 15 and Houses Corner Road now has a left turn arrow, which I have been trying to get somebody to bring to the attention of DO DOT for many years. So, I'm not sure if you all had something to do with that or Mr. Zep did or or what

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that was the outcome of, but I believe it's vastly improved safety at the intersection I traverse every day. And uh you know, in an area where there are some accidents that was a simple improvement, and I'd like to, you know, obviously it's the DOT. We don't have any control over them, but just

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encourage you to continue to look for those sorts of like simple things that can be done that you get a a big gain for relatively, you know, minor change. So >> appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I've received some other people with the same sentiment thanking for that.

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[laughter] It must make must make a big difference. >> I do too. >> Thank you. >> Hey Ronda again smarter. Um so also in the memo I spoke of before this is unrelated to the budget. Um there's been a lot of questions about what are the litigation costs? How much have we been

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spending over the last couple years? So, in the memo that I provided uh two weeks ago, I had found what what looked like to me was about $1.5 million um in various places, and it's it's laid out in the memo in terms of what accounts there were in, how much it was, and why

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he thought it was there. And I'd asked for uh someone to take a look at and give me an opinion. Do you think does that look reasonable if it um or is it overstated? Is it understated? You know, what's what's your view of how much we spent or or budgeted for litigation, you know? So, um I don't know if you if you

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get answering that tonight or is that for something you need to look at, but but I would like it answered eventually. >> Okay. Yeah, not not prepared tonight to comment off the top on it, but >> what what I'm going to do is um this is a copy of the memo that I I sent everybody. I don't know if anybody everybody has it or if you lost it. I'm

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going to leave it here. Anybody wants it, feel free to get another copy. But it sets out my rationale on all the numbers that were given and uh you know gives you some thought on some ideas behind what my thought process was. So hopefully that helps people. >> Thanks.

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>> Um just so that you know it seems like your microphones are working but it doesn't seem like the live stream still doesn't have audio. So just >> I'm trying. I appreciate it. I I just I thought I thought it came on when everybody else's microphone situation was resolved. I was hoping that was

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resolved as well, but it's not. Um, but I'm actually here because um I received a phone call this afternoon from a member of the community, Mr. Castmore, who is traveling and is not able to be here this evening. And he had two questions and he asked if I would present them. Unfortunately, um,

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wherever he may be, I believe he's out in Colorado. He won't be able to hear my questions or the answers. Um, but I did tell him that I would and so here I am. So maybe a kindler, gentler Mr. Castmore, but um, [laughter] so prettier. >> All right, we'll go with prettier. I'll

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take it. Um, but uh, he did have a question in regards to the ordinance um, changing um, I guess with the definition of bed and breakfast and I guess that's 2607. So his his question was who wrote the ordinance? because I know I was here when we had the discussion and

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rightfully so several council members had to recuse themselves from part of the discussion. Mr. Dash um because there was some zoning issues that also affected the club and things he was not able to give legal advice on that. So the question simply is who wrote the ordinance

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and I don't know if >> I can answer that. >> Yeah, sure. Um there's not one author as you can imagine with these ordinances. Um, I think that Lake Mohawk had their own lawyer, which wasn't the gentleman beside me. Um, and then, uh, that was

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then brought to our attention. Um, I made some changes to it. I think Dean, you made some changes to it. >> And what you see is sort of a collaborative thing between um, this coun council members and also Lake Mohawk and and their lawyers. So,

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there's not like one author. Um, but that's the best way I can answer it. in the most obviously the most accurate and truthful way is that it's a really a kind of collaborative document which these tend to end up being at the end of the process. >> Well, if he wasn't able to hear your

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answer, I will relay it and he may some have additional questions but not I had nothing to do with New York council. >> No, and I understand that. That's why I said you guys Yeah, >> I apologize. I meant to say me Dean and my >> Yeah. No, that was I understood that

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completely. Um and the second question that he had um had also to do with the land use and zoning changes and it was um specifically that um the question was asked of the planning board attorney Mr. Porro. Um he was asked if everybody

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affected by the changes was notified and notified via certified mail and Mr. Porro's response was I assume they were. Um and it appears that um the the businesses in the plaza did receive notification. >> Oh, you mean the C1H?

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>> Yeah. So, so they did. So, that was correct. Those people confirmed that. However, um there is a commercial zone on Route 94 that is also affected by the changes and that area was not notified.

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Is that correct? Mr. Poro's response was that he um it was I assume they were. However, it does not appear that they were. >> Well, two [clears throat] comments. One is it's not a planning board matter. I appreciate the conversation. I watched every minute of the planning board meeting. It's not a planning board

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matter. I I the question came up. Uh that's a municipal that's the clerk's responsibility, not the planning board. It's not a planning brick function because the planning board wasn't having any hearing on that. So planning board does not need to notice on it. The township does for the ordinance hearing. So my assumption is that happened as

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normal and that went out. We'll we'll double check on it. And >> so as of today, um those affected in the commercial zone on Route 94 have not received notification. >> Okay. Well, I'll we'll look into it if that's what you're hearing. Um my understanding, my assumption is that

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things worked as normally and within the right areas of that change, they got noticed. So, we we'll look into >> Okay. The the plaza, it appears that appears they were notified, but the commercial zone on 94 were not. >> Um >> and [clears throat] by the way, the hearing hasn't happened yet. Um obviously, it's not on tonight's agenda.

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So >> yeah, I I honestly don't know what is the time frame prior to the hearing. Do they need to be notified? Is there a certain time frame? I'm looking >> I think sorry embedded in your question is the assumption that 94 people should have been notified.

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That's an open question. So, or we when we when an ordinance goes to the planning board, it it's all the notice requirements to our understanding has been complied with cuz I know I've sat here where we've wanted to introduce an ordinance at a certain time frame. It's like no, you can't because we got to

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send out notice and we we we've held back ordinances for so when it shows up on their desk, I think it's a reasonable assumption to think that notice has been complied with. So, um >> So, are you saying that perhaps they didn't need to be notified?

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that I if they have not been the time relates to whether they they need it to be and what I'm telling you is when an ordinance shows up at the planning board um it's our view that it doesn't get there until the notice requirements under the law have been met and so the fact that it's there it's a reasonable

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assumption to believe that notice has been uh complied with. Yeah, we could we'll we'll verify. Yeah, we can verify. >> Um and then the um the >> you are at limit. So, please make it super concise like 10 seconds or or save it for next week. >> I can save it for next time. Yeah, no

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problem. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Y Murphy Murphy. Two quick questions. Do we have a conflict attorney when Mr. Dash is conflicted out? Specifically, the item

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that uh Mrs. Rogoff just brought up. >> We do have a conflict attorney. >> Who is it? >> That's Steve Warner. Correct. Yeah. Attorney Warner. >> What's his name? >> Eve. Steve Warner. Warner >> of what firm? Long >> Sheek. He's also our affordable housing.

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You may have seen him on some affordable housing stuff. >> What? For the record. >> What do you mean for the record? >> Oh, I don't It's one, you know, lawyers have way too long names for their law firms. >> Okay. And the uh the attorney for Lake Mohawk, his name

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>> uh it's someone from I don't remember his name, but I think he's from Dolan and Dolan. >> Dolan and Dolan >> over Newton. >> I don't I'm sorry. I don't remember the gentleman's name, but I think that's who they got uh when uh Mr. Dash is unable to >> So Mr. Dash's firm had no input

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whatsoever. >> No. >> No. >> No. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. [clears throat] Um just a couple things. So, first and foremost, um the Sparta BFW did a great job on the parade. I thought everything went really well. Luckily, it was

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beautiful out. Um it was nice to see everybody in the community. The rain held off, I should say. Um so it was great. Special thanks to Valpac and to Wax Masters who supported and came out and um and contributed and supported the

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event. Um I have a question about the 4th of July. So I'm hoping you have one meeting left till the 4th of July. And I'm really hoping that in that meeting you have a a really great proclamation put together to recognize the 250th

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birthday of this country. We missed the mark on Memorial Day. There was no proclamation here for that, which is unfortunate, but I'm hoping that that is not going to be the case when we are looking to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. So I wanted

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to bring that up. In addition to that, I also want to kind of jump on to what was said before about traffic lights. Um, so I've been complaining about one for probably about 11 years now, and it is the one at the light where you have 517

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and Sparta Avenue. So you have the pharmacy on one side, you have Shell Station on the other, um, you have the Methodist church on the other one, and then the blue industrial building on the corner. The problem is two of the of the four when you come to the intersection

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have left turn arrows. Okay? So if you're coming up so the shell's on your right there is no left arrow there. And if you are at the light where shells on your left there is no left arrow but there is a left arrow across and on the other side. The problem is it's limited

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visibility and at night time es in the morning and at night especially during rush hour times if you're at that shell station and you don't get a window you could be sitting there for a really long time and someone you know there's been many many very serious accidents there

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because people are the light turns yellow and they're trying to fling through the traffic. I know it's a New Jersey thing. It was going on when I was sitting on this council. You've all heard me complain about it before. But if they're coming up here and we're getting lights fixed, I would ask that you guys please look at that light.

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School buses, a lot of school buses are going through there all day long as well. And if we can get some help from the state to make that intersection safer, I think we'd all be much much better off. Um, so that's it for me. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. >> And by the way, we do already have a planned uh 250th anniversary proclamation. It'll be next meeting. >> Okay. Of course. Thank you. the Revolutionary 250 events. I think you guys said that was supposed to be posted on the um historic. >> It's being posted

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>> cuz I don't see anything out there. >> It should be on the website. >> Okay. It's that's where it is for all the events that are going on. I went to the county one over the weekend which was really well done and I wanted to know what was going on locally and I couldn't find anything. So, is it the

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what website? This what website? We have a re Rev 250 website on It should be on the >> smartenj.org. >> It should be on the township. >> Okay, that's what I'm trying to figure out. Okay, thank you. Thank you. >> Hi. Uh Thomas Blake, T H O M A S B L A K

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E. Uh Senator Blake. Um I uh was here about the flop cameras before. Um, and I did an open request. Um, not, you know, wasn't in like a not trying to be a jerk about it, just like, you know, wasn't wasn't trying to, you know, whatever. Okay. Um, but, uh, I, uh, saw that it

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was $70,000 over 2 years was the contract. Um, and I remember that, uh, the officer had said that, um, you know, about half of it was covered. Um, it's renewing this year, and I just wanted to talk about it because I really do think it's a bad idea to renew it. Um uh

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there's a professor John Gain from Herimer College. He found 51 security vulnerabilities with him. You literally just go up to it and push a button on the camera and anyone can access it. Um if you have any technical knowhow, which I don't and most people don't, but 51

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security issues with it and anyone can then have access to the camera footage and watch people going by. Um, you know, I totally insert if people feel I don't personally feel this way, but I can understand the argument of having more cameras to keep our community safe, but it's a private company that owns the

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cameras, not the town, and they obviously have security issues. So, I don't I do have an issue with it. They will come when the Fox safety people will come when it's time to renew and try to pitch it to you guys. Um, I do think we should all read up on it because there's a lot of known security

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issues. Um, and on top of that, there was last year there was, do you guys ever use Park Mobile instead of parking app? There was a breach with all their data. So, everyone's license plate information that's attached to your name with Park Mobile was released. So, if someone had access to the camera, they

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could take pictures of your license plates and easily stop someone because they can cross reference the Park Mobile breach and have license plate to name. Um, so it's a huge thing. You know, communities all over America are talking about it right now. Um, so I just wanted you guys to be aware and think about it

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before they come to ask you to renew. Um, yeah, and on top of that, you know, I you guys sent the terms and conditions for the contract. Um, and they're just the standard terms that Flock has for any town, which they're able to keep the

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data for 21 days once it's collected. Um, and store on their servers, which aren't secure. Um there's a ton of security problems like I said and and any police um any police um town any town is like town police person across

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the country would be able to access our cameras as well because it's put into a national system. So you know even if we forget about our town doing it like it's not just our town that has access to the footage. Um, last thing is that the cameras say that they're supposed to

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delete pictures of people's faces within a couple days of that being taken, but there's a bunch of evidence that they don't. So, they take more than just license plate readings, but that's it. Just wanted you guys to be aware. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you.

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>> Yeah, thank you. Is it Matthew? >> Um, I'm sorry. Um, yeah. you know, I I I I have been following that and I I did look into um you know, with respect to New Jersey, we you know, we as a township are abiding by all the privacy protections

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that are in New Jerseyy's privacy act. Um, and but the point you raised is a little different and I I I now get the nuance of it which is the fact that we are abiding by it and we're doesn't [clears throat] mean that it has security vulnerabilities that a third

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party could do. And then I think that's another sort of legal issue that I I would like sort of answer. What's potential if you know there's a camera that's vulnerable to outside um you know manipulation not by us but by a third party. What

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obligation does a municipality have? I don't know the answer to that but I would kind of like it. Um I know you know there are some cases out there about it. the only the ones in California. Um but that California has a very specific statute but all the cases that where someone has tried to say well

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the municipality this is a violation of privacy have failed because you do have a right as a municipality to keep track of this information but what you're saying [clears throat] is a different legal issue which is if you're yeah which is all right who's liable more than likely it's flock that has a

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vulnerability but then I understand we would have our own contract issues involved right like I don't want to put something in the township that can be completely um tapped into by third parties. So, I I get it and I appreciate you raising that issue. Thank you.

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>> Sorry. Good segue. [laughter] >> Couldn't resist. >> Thanks, Jen. And as far Jim, I'm going to ask you. I'm sure if there was a movement on a landfill, you would have told me. >> Okay. Thank you. And not to speak for the chief, but since he's not here, I

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know I know because of conversations I've had with him that he has been working with the DOT on that um getting that turn signal for years was in my understanding from speaking with him was instrumental in getting the new light on

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that Mr. Wilson referenced as well as a turning lane by Anderson Farms. He wanted it somewhere else, but he said it couldn't be accommodated. the state said they couldn't accommodate it anywhere else and then I think some brush was clipped back also as part of his

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discussions with the DOT. So, >> thank you. >> Okay, seeing no one else, we'll move on to council liaison updates. Um, I will start on my far left with Councilman Scott. >> I have no update.

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>> Okay, happy mayor. I have none as well. >> Okay. Uh I'll share a few. I attended the LEAD day celebration uh for fifth graders last Tuesday on the second at Station Park. And for those who aren't aware, LEAD stands for law enforcement

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against drugs. Uh it's an annual 10-week program led by our police department for all fifth graders in Sparta. Um and not just the public schools, but all fifth graders. It's a national initiative that uses a curriculum to equip kids with the

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skills to uh resist peer pressure, resist drugs, and talk teach them about bullying. So, it also helps them um establish and build a little trust with law enforcement uh individuals too, especially at that age. So, I I really enjoyed witnessing it. Uh they had many

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obstacle courses and physical events and competitions. It was a half-day celebration. Um I think there was 300 to 350 children there. So, it was a huge operation, extremely well organized, and I just wanted to congratulate I'll do it again in two weeks, but our police chief and all the officers and volunteers that

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uh made the program, the whole 10-week program, but even the last day there um such a success. It was wonderful to see. Uh, I was overwhelmed by the amount of kids because each each class had a different color t-shirt and I was standing there talking to some of the officers and some of the volunteers and I thought everyone was on the field and

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then three more buses pulled up and lots of other t-shirts come flying out and the the police officers are all giving them high fives. It was really a nice event to see and the dunk tank was a big hit. I don't know the officers, the gentleman's name and and the water was the water came from a fire truck so the water in the tank was like pond water.

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So I think they put tablets in there to help but it was not a pleasant experience. But he was having fun and the kids were up there and they were thrown and once in a while they go up there and hit the button. So it was it was a fun event to be at. So again, congratulations. No, I I did not do it. [laughter] I was asked. I declined. Um

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second is I had the honor of attending the 125th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus, the local Marquette Council. And wow, what an event. It's an extraordinary milestone. 125 years, this group has been an

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inspiration and a true example of what charity and service and support looks like. So, um, congratulations again. Congratulations to everyone that's part of it and has been a part of it for 125 years. Um, I said a few words during the program and I I brought out um four

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different items or organizations or companies that also started 125 years ago and it was incredible. It was like the Gillette Safety Razor, the first Nobel Prize, um I think it was US Steel Corporation, and um the first electric

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powered vacuum cleaner. So those were actually started the same day as that council started. So it was it was a nice event to be at. Uh finally, the master plan subcommittee met again last night. I see some uh dedicated volunteers out there. Progress continues. we have with

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multiple elements of the new plan coming together um including the overriding goals and objectives in addition to the standing monthly meetings. The group now that we're in the home stretch has um had several and we'll continue having several interim meetings with smaller groups just to kind of keep the ball

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rolling and uh keep progress going and um it's uh yeah it's the work's going well and we're looking forward to it uh wrapping up and uh looking like end of the summer, early fall. That's it for me. Uh, Councilwoman,

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>> uh, yes, I have, um, for the Rev 250, we are having a Fourth of July house decorating contest. Can you hear me? House decorating contest. And what you need to do is take a picture of your house and submit it to Sparta July

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4gmail.com. And this should again is all on the web on our website. Um, that's one. We did a We did not We were not at the uh fairgrounds because we are the only one

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having a Fourth of July parade. So therefore what we did do there was did you see the beautiful um uh not Afghan but the quilt that was done by each mun each town gave a little piece and ours

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was of the Sparta first Sparta Presbyterian Church even though it was originally I believe Hardeston. Um, but that was uh that was our donation to the quilt and

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we will be having uh the Rev the uh historical society will be in the parade and that's like a combined Rev 250. Also, we contributed to the time capsule that will be o opened in 50 years and we

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did donated a Sparta High School mug and a Sparta um was the little the ceramic coaster or the stone coaster >> um into the time capsule which was a nice square but it's the first time I've

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seen it and so that's what was going in there and I don't know when that's going to be buried or if it does get buried or if it just gets locked up at the Sussex County. I don't know. We also have a um a board at the Sussex County uh at the

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office. We have a big board that they put together for the from the uh historic society with all references into Sparta. Um a big board to view which was also at Sussex was also at the fairgrounds. And

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we are um uh let me see what else we are doing in the near future. um on in September which will be coming up September 10th at the Presbyterian

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Church Hall. We will be having the ministers of Apollo which is a uh a band with his pre with historic instruments. We were originally gonna do it out uh at

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the Oh, on White Lake Road. Thank you. And uh that didn't work out. So, thank you. I have a I had a bad experience there. It's just not No, [laughter] when I was

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little um at Saka Jia and we did not do it there. So, we're we rescheduled it for the September 10th. Um and then we are opening our time capsule on October 4th at the library. So the

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Sparta time capsule from 50 years ago and at the Sparta day we had a table and uh also at last year at Sparta day and at Earth Day and asking people what they wanted to put in it and the most

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requests we got were from kids and it was cell phones, makeup, jewelry. [laughter] It was really quite interesting the list that we got. So maybe we'll just put the list in there along with some other things into the time capsule and that's

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when we're opening ours from 50 years prior. Um so the Rev 250 uh the and the Elks Club we are thank you Jim the uh flag day is here on

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Sunday and uh also the Sparta Elks for the 4th of July are looking for donations if anybody is interested in either sponsoring a trophy or signing up for uh for sponsorships

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for trophy sponsorship parterships or if anybody hasn't signed up to March yet and um for any other vendor application, they're still taking them. Also,

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what else? Uh for liaison for Lake Mohawk, the so far the roads are still are going to be closed at the end of June. I do not have an exact date yet. I don't know if you do, Neil, but uh when they're going to start working on the

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bridge and on the this the wall by the gate house down to Manito Island. So, as soon as we get that, we will let them let you know. Um also the environmental committee we did have at Sparta today. It was a great turnout for Sparta today.

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It was a beautiful day. little bit windy, things were flying, but uh we had a really good turnout and we were right by the sustainable jersey table, so that helped tremendously. Had a lot of inquiries and we also have sign up signing up for to become part of the

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committee. Um that is all I have for right now. >> Council Clark, >> sure. Um so the

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school um uh board of education were scheduled in July I think Mike to meet with them so we haven't met with them since our prior meeting we'll be meeting with them in July. Um Lake Mohawk we haven't met with since the last meeting.

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um ones where we have met the uh trails committee, you may have seen they did a trail hike on Saturday um and that was well attended and so people got to see the new maps that are there, the more specific maps. Um, as I've alluded to in

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prior meetings, uh, we're just waiting to hear back from the county about, uh, our grant application, uh, to have a trail going from, uh, Demeris to Sunset to So, it will link up to the Pollinskill. So, Sparta residents

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will have, uh, access from Sparta to the Pollinskill trail. um no idea yet when the county will get back to us on that, but we're um we put together a very solid uh application and thankful to

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really our um you know volunteer members who put in a lot of time and effort and Sears and Doug Dystra, Anne Lepick, um Christine White House, Christine Dunbar. um we met probably four or five times

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just to make sure you know we did the best application that we could. So a lot of time was put into that and I thank them for that. Next is the um Sparta film committee. Um they did attend Sparta Day um was you know very su

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successful met with a bunch of people showed uh footage that they've taken of Sparta um that's made its way into some what they call sizzle reels which is when you're trying to pitch uh a streaming platform or a network

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television about a show that you want to do um you you give them sort of a short reel and we had one filmed two years ago uh in Spark Florida um that I think is finally at completion. It takes a lot of time for these post-prouction. So, they

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got to do that. Also, we're able to talk to people and business owners who would be interested in either, you know, offering their services once a film comes to town or in case of people's houses if they wanted to have, you know, a film shot at their house, they would

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be interested in being uh located cuz as happens a lot, you get a lot of location scouts are kind of in Sussex County now trying to figure out um you know, what they want and it it gets very specific. Um, I know they were looking for a lakehouse in Sparta, so we were able to

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get them a couple names, but they're artists. They're very particular, and if it doesn't fit their vision, then you don't make it to the film. So, it doesn't mean people don't take it personally. If your house isn't selected, it it's just you're dealing with creative people and they have their

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own kind of idea. So, [clears throat] in any event, that that went really well, but we have like 30 or so people and businesses that are interested uh to being kind of on a location list when we get location scouts come in. So, I thought that was a very productive meeting. Sparta beautifification.

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Uh we have been meeting regularly and I want to thank uh Mr. Stoner who is here who um one of the programs that we're doing uh looking into doing it's patterned after a lot of towns do this. It's called adopt a garden. Um, this is where you take kind of highly visible

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public areas and you offer to either landscapers or even businesses can sponsor it and they beautify it, put flowers up. Um, and so we have uh with his help we've kind of identified places within the township that we could do that that would meet the kind of

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setbacks and other things. So, we are hoping to finalize that where we can start going out to some of the landscaping companies or even a private business that wants to sponsor a certain spot um to make it more beautiful that so we think of sometimes on jug handles,

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things like that as long as it doesn't impair the visibility. So, hopefully we can get that off the ground uh soon. We also were looking to put, you know, hanging baskets along Main Street. The issue is where the heck are we going to put them? Um, obviously the lamp posts

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are already spoken for. Um, so, you know, we're trying to figure out what we can do to sort of beautify uh along Main Street cuz that's something that the public has has consistently brought up. And so, we're trying to figure out the logistics of that. And um and also we're

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going to and I think there's going to be some great synergies with our business development committee um because this is also pig piggybacking on other townships um where you know a private business can we can pick you know who has the most beautiful landscaping and and businesses

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and it's a way to promote the business but also encourage business owners to kind of beautify the outside of your shop right and so it's called the um golden crow award. So people who are gardeners probably know what a TR is. I don't do much gardening. Um so

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[laughter] but that's the little shovel thing. So it would be like awarding businesses uh each year that have sort of beautiful landscaping is the way to encourage them to really do a very good job on the upkeep of the outside of their building. So those are just some of the ideas um that these really uh

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good members of our committee have. and I can probably get into new business, but I know uh we have a a new person and he's not new to Sparta who wants to join the beautifification committee and I know there will be absolutely no um objection to him. That's Mr. Jerry

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Yonkers. Uh so [laughter] if anyone who knows anything about Sparta, um he is legendary when it comes to beautifification and SP our park supervisor. And so I I felt, you know, we all felt blessed and honored that he'd want to belong. So I'll do it in

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new business just to be formal, but I'll make a motion that he be appointed to the beautifification committee. And we're thrilled to have him and can't wait to learn from the wisdom of his experience. >> Thank you. Um well, uh let's just uh segue right into new business. As a

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reminder for the council, this is specifically intended for council business. So, unfinished council business that's being carried over or new council business um for discussion and consideration, future follow-up. >> Well, before we do that, I just I forgot to send something about the uh the

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police uh with the Special Olympics uh torch run. Um, Councilman Clark and I had the opportunity to, you finished, I attempted to finish and help support the run, but our police force does a phenomenal job and I just wanted to give

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a shout out to Chief McCarrick and all the officers that supported that. Um it's it's a heartfelt event and they're you know they participated over the weekend and I know uh Sparta athletes participated as well and we'd like to maybe in the next meeting or two

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acknowledge those who participated and a lot of them did win medals. So >> just exciting to be part of it. So sorry I forgot to mention that. >> Yeah >> that was great. And they are they do need more people for the last leg. When I found out what why the no one wants to [laughter] do the last leg, it's because

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it's a mile and a half uphill. So me and [clears throat] some other ridiculous runner decided to do that carrying a torch and a flag. The flag if you rest it on your shoulder, it's a lot easier to run with. So don't don't let that scare you. Um so we look forward to more people participating in that and

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more people particularly on that last leg. [laughter] >> Well, thank you Mike and Neil for proudly representing the council and being able and available to to participate. So, it's my honor. >> Um, okay. So, let's go to unfinished and new business. Uh, Council Clark, want to

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segue right into >> So, I I make a motion that we appoint Jerry Yoners to the beautifification committee. May I have >> I will second. >> All in favor? >> I >> All right. Well, we're very happy. >> Welcome. >> All my life. No, >> that's all I have right now.

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>> Okay, Councilwoman. >> No, >> I have none for tonight. >> Deputy Mayor. >> Yeah, just two uh quick administrative things. I know the audio is out on >> the live stream. So, are we going is this still being recorded here? Are we

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able to maybe get the transcript out or get the get another audio piece out to support it? And how what's the process? >> Yes, we have a recording on that and the FDR. We have a whole separate process. >> Make that available because we're getting a lot of inquiries. >> I know my phone's pulling up, too. All

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right. Just want to make sure we address that. Uh secondly, uh Sussex County Chamber circulated a list of EDA grant and incentive programs available. Those that are available, subscribed, overs subscribed or closed, but I thought it

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was helpful. I know we've seen I think we've seen it circulated. I would hope Jim just if you can if you may may get that over to our grants uh writers and see what's what's applicable and what we could take advantage of in light of the budget. As you know, we look at everything >> and

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in light of the budget hearing next week, uh, next following two weeks, uh, if just out of courtesy, I, you know, I think if we're going to have an executive session, we're un certain if we are or not, that we either start early, either start it, end on time, or

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consider moving it to another date. Um, you know, with with respect to that that meeting coming up. All right. That's just my recommendation for that. All right, that's it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, >> Councilman. >> Yes. I'd like to uh >> microphone, please.

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>> Oh, yeah. Recording. >> I'd like to make a motion that we do a request for proposal for township manager. >> I I think this is more an executive session conversation. No, this is a in

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No, it has to be done in public and it has to be done under new business. >> Tony Dash, >> he it's correct. A decision like that has to be made in public >> to go out to an RFP. You're not making a decision on the manager if it wants.

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>> He's correct. >> Okay. >> Okay. Well, I would >> But you need a second. My recommendation is that we meet and have a discussion and conversation around the >> I agree >> plans for the township. I think it's inappropriate to do that prematurely. >> I think you need a second to discuss it if you want to discuss it.

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>> Okay, I'll second so we can discuss it. >> Okay, my comment stands. >> Um my understanding is that I believe the contract is up and through this year and so I think the prudent thing to do um would be to to have an RFP now. Um,

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so I I would I would support that just because um I think that you know most townships kind of do an RF RFP almost every year for almost all their professionals uh just as to do their due diligence and I think we should sort of abide by that as well. So I would I

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would support the motion to do an RFP just I think it's consistent with what a prudent exercise of our powers is to be. It doesn't mean we're picking a new town manager. just means we're going through the process in light of the contract expiring. If the contract was expired, I

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would say it's in premature, but my understanding is that it expires this year. >> Do you have any comments, questions? Okay, >> I don't >> I Okay, go first. >> No, you want to go ahead. I'm sorry. That's what you said. >> No, I I Yeah, I think that out of respect for active colleagues and

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professionalism and courtesy that we um have further discussions around this and see what the plans are um for renewals and for the coming year and we then have a conversation around that and then we decide if we want to do an RFP and what the right timing is for it.

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>> I agree with I agree with you, mayor. Um, I don't think it's appropriate that this even came up this evening in light of our colleagues sitting sitting to my left. Uh, secondly, uh, in light of an election coming up and with Mr. Ferry being on board through shared services,

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I don't think anything should be considered until after a new administration's elected and considered uh, for next year. So, I would not be at all interested in RFP for that position. And if we're doing that, then we might as well put RFPs out for other positions

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and and professionals as well, not just our our RBA. >> Mhm. >> So that's just my position on it. So I'm not in favor of that. >> Yeah. Same here. >> Any other conversations, discussions?

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>> Okay. Uh, Madam Cler, would you do a roll call vote on the motion to do an RFP? >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> no.

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>> Mayor Blummedi, >> no. >> Okay, that motion has passed. >> Any other new or unfinished business? >> Just clarification on that RFP. Who is handling that and how much is that going to cost?

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likely the u question, right? >> Great question. >> The QPA, the QPA, we have a QPA that would work with the township to handle that. I don't know what the cost is. >> Can we see that before the process just starts? I mean, I don't know what the

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formal process is to put an RFP out for that position, but if there's if it's that one, I'd like to maybe uh be involved and suggest others as well. >> Yeah. Uh Sean Canning is uh now our QPA, so he might have um boilerplate ones.

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>> Yeah, that would be helpful if council's completely updated prior to any RFP going on the street that were aware of the cost and the process >> that's involved in doing that. >> You guys, you don't you don't do an RFP

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for a town manager. You get an executive search consultant who would go out and do an executive search. All right. The RFP is for the professionals. All right. Though I am a professional, most towns

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would would would hire a search firm. All right. You would RFP a search firm. >> All right. There's a lot of towns doing that right now. And it does take a process. It takes time to be done. All right. I I I appreciate the response, but I I want to put you guys on the

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right track here. You don't RFP a town manager. You RFP an executive search firm to go out and get you your executive. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, with that being said, this we passed

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a motion to do something that's relevant. >> Well, then what change the motion? Look, >> I I'll make a motion that we do an RFP for an executive search firm for the purpose of uh identifying possible candidates for a township manager.

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>> Second dash, do we need to do something about the first? >> You can make a motion to resend the prior motion >> have to happen first or not necessarily. >> You could just I don't stand on ceremony. You can >> I make a motion to resend the previous

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motion. >> Wait. All right. So, let's do one at a time. So, we'll strike all motions on the table. Make the first motion that you'd like to make. >> Motion to resend. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All right. Now, you can proceed to

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[clears throat] make the motion. >> Okay. I make a motion that we do an RFP for an executive search firm for the purpose of identifying candidates for township manager in light of the expiration of the contract of our

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current township manager. >> Second. >> So again, I'll go back to my comments that this should be a a more thorough discussion between council members. >> Oh, okay. and should be not in five minutes. I

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mean, this should be a more thoughtful process. This is an important decision. It's an important job. I mean, the most important job and it deserves a little bit more than just a um a random motion from the deis on a meeting. Let me finish. So, >> that's my position is that this deserves

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further conversation, further discussion, more thought, more interaction >> to get to a point where then we think this is the proper course of action. >> No. No. >> No. Doesn't work. No. No.

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>> Yep. >> Okay. >> I'm gonna I'm gonna echo the mayor's uh last comments and and damn if I'm going to sit up here and play politics with our what you just acknowledged the most important position this town has to hire. And I'm not going to sit here and

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play politics with with that position when we have great support to our left trying to get us out of our budget pro process right now and um work through some difficult times. So >> I I'm supporting her. >> I hardly believe that. And if there's anyone up here that has an ounce of

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scapegoating or blame or fingerpointing going on here, it's absurd thing I've ever heard of. >> Um so I I I think it deserves more time and more consideration >> should talk about >> and you know this should be a more thoughtful conversation. >> No, it's this is necessary.

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>> Yeah. Don't give me the finger. It's necessary. >> It is more necessary to talk about it. But what you said you would talk. It >> is true. Well, we'll get to that in two weeks. Um, so that that's my position that this deserves much more than that than a flippant motion at the end of a meeting

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>> and that deserves if it's the right path and that's what's agreed upon then fine. Please I'm speaking right at the quorum. >> That's my position and I think that it's deserves more time and worthful process. >> I don't know.

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>> This meeting needs to be recorded and make sure it gets out to the public, please. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'll just I don't think this has anything to do with politics or scapegoating. This is we're facing the end of a contract and it's the prudent exercise when you face the end of a

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contract to determine you know whether you want to maintain and even if you do have already decided you want the current person to stay in. If you haven't interviewed anyone else that's you know a lot of townships don't do that and we have talked about it and you know we can't have paralysis by

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analysis. >> Yeah. But we have we have to get the this is to get rolling. >> We haven't even spoke to Mr. Zap >> and give him the courtesy or courtesy >> to let us know if if he wants to come back or or have a discussion. >> Even if he does, I think it's incumbent

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upon a township to do a proper uh screening of other candidates who may be interested in it. That's just whenever you face the end of a contract. So I don't I reject the characterization that this is scapegoating or blaming. Um you know it's this is just get the ball

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rolling on it. That's all. >> That's all. >> I think respectful thing is you wait till you need to see if you can get the ball rolling on. >> That's all. But >> this is not scapegoating or blaming. This is figuring out it is what it is. >> Looking at the alternatives that you have before you make a decision.

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>> Should we talk to the gentleman to your left to get an alternative? Maybe we don't even need an alternative. That's your opinion. >> And if we're going to have it, then I support the mayor's point. If there's some concerns about his performance, maybe we should all talk about it and maybe talk to to to the manager as well,

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not just put it out here and litigate it out and then hold a congressional hearing about it. >> Well, this is the way the process works, Mike. >> When you're talking about personnel issues and things of this magnitude, >> you're slippery slope. >> No, this is the way it's done.

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>> It's the way it's done, Dean. >> No. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's not. >> No, it's not. >> It's not. >> Mr. Dash, any comment to to shine on that? >> The there's there's a motion on the table. The motion is not per se unlawful. The

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council has a difference of opinion on it. It's as with any motion, the council should vote on the motion as passed. So, there's been a first and a second, but I don't think we >> There's no roll call. Yeah, there there's been a first and a second. >> Okay.

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>> But not a roll call vote yet. >> If everyone's finished with discussion, it would be appropriate for a roll call vote. >> Okay. I think Yeah, I it's a enormous mistake and the timing is wrong and maybe down the road it's the right decision, but it's >> it's the inappropriate way to do things

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with respect in a small community. >> Ty, >> and excuse me, it's not your call. I'll call the role, >> Margie. And I'm speaking still. No, we're having a discussion when I let you know I'm finished. Please don't be disrespectful. >> I didn't know we were having discussion. >> That's what happened after the second. You have a discussion.

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>> Okay. >> Fine lines on my comment. >> Go ahead. >> So, this is this is I think this is inappropriate to do it at this time. I think there needs to be more conversation and more consideration um for our fellow professionals and dedicated employees. I'll leave it at that.

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>> Sure. The other thing that the public to comment on this >> they don't. >> No, >> that's that's where resolutions are on. This is a this is from the deis. This is

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a new business item. We have the authority to proceed without public comments. Yeah, >> I know. I know. We're not going to open up to a public debate on both sides of the issue. We can't do that with everything.

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It'll be debated, but not here. >> Okay. If there's no other comments, uh, roll call vote, please. >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Murphy, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> no. >> Mayor Blumi, >> no.

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>> Okay, the motion has passed. >> All right. Uh, may I have a motion to adjourn I have a motion to adjurnn. Have a second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> We are journaling.