Action will be taken on the following items at the regular town council meeting on Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 in council chambers, Sparta Township Municipal Building, 65 Main Street, Sparta, New Jersey. The time is 7:06. All council meetings are now livereamed
and can be viewed at the following link www.youtube.comwpstreams. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the public and press on January 10th, 2025 by delivering to the press and posting on the township website a copy of this notice. Uh, Madame Clerk, may we have a roll call,
please? >> Councilman uh, Sylvester >> here. >> Councilman Scott >> here. >> Councilman Blumeetti >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Murphy >> here. >> Mayor Clark >> here. Uh let's stand and salute the flag to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic which stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all for all. >> Okay. I would like to have all of you join me in thanking Mayor Clark for his
service for the past two years. Um, unfortunately your plaque wasn't ready. I'm so sorry. But it's it's been a lot of things that we've had to go through in the past couple years. And uh, above all everything that you've
done, I commend you and thank you. and it's uh with all the best interest at heart. I uh I'd like to thank you for your service very much.
>> All right. Thank you. Um thank you for that. I appreciate it. Um >> just like to also Oh, sure. >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. Extend my thanks and appreciation to uh to Mayor Clark uh for his his service. It's uh there's a lot that goes
on in the background. um a lot of a lot of activity probably almost every day and it's not an easy job and most of us including probably the rest of us on council don't know exactly what it's like. So uh and he always uh does what he thinks in the best interest of the township and the council. So thank you
for all your dedication and for the sacrifice of time and energy. >> Thank you. >> I commend you and agree with Dean on your commitment uh for your service over the last few years as well. So congratulations. Thank you. I appreciate
it. >> Thank you, Neil, for great service. >> Um, it's um >> always focused. >> Thank you. Um, it's my pleasure to to serve with you. I I do want to take an opportunity. Um, I tell people that being the mayor in a Faulner town is
kind of like being the tallest Um, you know, we're I'm just one of five. Um however, you are sort of the focal point for um you're the first person that people contact when there's an issue. Um you also have to do a lot
of the uh you know negotiating uh with our our township staff and and and what I'd like to do at this time. Um these are not my accomplishments. These are the accomplishments of this township and of the five people who are up here.
And so I'd like to go through with it because I think it's important um to to highlight that. And so in this and and the thanks does not belong to me. Um it belongs to uh our township staff uh and
the other council members who who made this happen. First off, I want to talk about grants. Uh grants are simply um these are usually things that we would have to pay for anyway. Um that we don't have to because we have a township staff
uh including a great grant writing um outfit that that jumps on these and is able to get us funding. And so they include 7,000 for drive sober or get pulled over, 7,000 for click it or tickets, 7,000 for distracted driving.
Um, and then another one which people have been able to witness is $160,725 in a grant for Sparta Avenue improvements. Um, some accomplishments uh that this township has done. We did a full water
utility full system analysis um which will enable us to make the best decisions and investments going forward. Uh we've had uh meetings with the Department of Transportation about how to improve um traffic along the the much
congested Route 15 corridor. Uh we've established a shared service with Hardison for prior fire prevention services. Shared services is a way that a township can defay uh cost and lower costs for a service that we would have to provide.
Um, and we've we've renewed our three-year labor contract with the Sparta FOP Superior Officers Association. Uh, those are very uh important negotiations. They're also uh, you know, a driver of our costs. Um, but
we are, you know, we have an excellent excellent uh, police force and so we were able to get that contract done. Um, most importantly, after 20 years of trying, we are as close as we've ever been to closing the landfill, having gotten the long-awaited wetland
mitigation permit. Um, we've also, this township has taken issues and tried to provide um our count our residents uh information with respect. We brought in representatives from the D uh to talk
about the AO AO polymer remediation uh to get expert input into that. We did the same thing with the Sparta Mountain. Uh we brought in experts from both sides uh to enlighten the public um about that project.
Um capital improvements. These are improvements that you see. This is the sort of nuts and bolts of what a township does. um this is what the people expect. They want the roads to be paved. They want the potholes to be fixed. Um and a township really has to do those things
and this is what they expect and we've been able to do that. Um with respect to paving um we have done uh on Balsam, Maple Birch and uh and uh Maple Birch and Balsam Parkways. We've paved Shelley
Byum and Wsworth roads uh after gas line installation. We've paved Sussex Mills after gas line installation. We've assisted in Elizabeth Town Gas phase one and two of service up on Glenn Road so the people who live along there who've wanted gas service can get it. We've
done town hall renovations as you see out front and the main street sidewalk and concrete curb improvements that we just finished recently. Um so these are real important capital projects that we've done. And finally, we've done uh important initiatives that I'm I'm pl pr
proud to say that um part of these were ones that I'm uh initiated which were the film ready were the first film ready town which has now had a ripple effect across the entire county uh with other townships now following suit and now a countywide uh committee that will bring
uh economic development uh to Sussex County. uh we've established a a trails committee um and begun phase one and then we have a beautifification committee which will get underway next year. So all of these I think this this
council uh and this township deserve uh recognition for that and it's really my honor uh to do it and you know I look forward to uh next year and um and whoever takes his seat and uh I've been
lucky to be a deputy mayor my first year and the mayor the two years and maybe one of these days I'll just get to be a regular council person. Um we'll see. So, in any event, um we will get on with the regular business, uh which brings us
to the minutes. And so, may I have a motion to approve the October 14th, 2025 regular meeting minutes as presented? >> I move to approve the October 14th, 2025 minutes as presented. >> Uh may I have a second, please? >> I'll second.
>> All those in favor say I. >> I. The motion has carried. The October 14th, 2025 minutes have been approved. Um, manager Zep, may we have the manager's report? >> Surely, before I do that, I know we did
the uh the outgoing mayor recognition, but um I do think that uh there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and uh we've had a a pretty wild year, mayor, this being uh your consecutive second year as well. So, um, on behalf of, uh,
the staff and all, I I I offer you, uh, kudos. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening, mayor, deputy mayor, council members, and all Sparta residents. Whether you're here with us
or watching from home, we're glad you're here with us tonight. Tonight, I have the honor of appointing a new volunteer to Sparta Township Fire Department. On the recommendation of Fire Chief Ryan ODM, I'm pleased to welcome Michael Melany Jr. as the newest
member of our dedicated team. Mr. Melany joins us as a trained firefighter transferring from Harrington Park, New Jersey. With his experience and readiness, he will immediately contribute to the department's mission and serve the residents of Sparta with distinction. We thank Mr. Melany for his
commitment to public service and are proud to have him on board. Welcome to Sparta. You may recognize in the town center the old Fiser building at Field was taken down last week by our public works and parks staff
as it was becoming a public safety hazard. We plan on replacing it with a smaller storage facility in a pavilion in 2026. To improve service during the winter season, our IT and public works departments work together and have launched an online form on the public
works web page for residents to report mailboxes that have incurred damage during snow and ice control operations. The winter brochure in our recreation department is now available on the website and registrations for winter 2026 programs and events will begin
tomorrow, December 10th for Sparta residents. Entries for the holiday home decorating contest have closed. We encourage everyone to visit the recreation Facebook page to vote for your favorite decorated Sparta home between December 16th and through the 18th. The winner
will be announced before Christmas. Sparta's visit with Santa took place on Saturday, December 6th at Station Park with almost 400 people enjoying the live entertainment, games, fest festive stacks, and touch a truck event. The
photographer took photos of over 85 families with Santa. 90 letters uh to Santa were will be sent to the North Pole. We thank all those who attended and made donations to to the Sparta food pantry. I'd like to thank the recreation
and park staff for all their hard work for this event. There is still time to request a call from Santa for your children this holiday season. Please register with the recreation department by Friday, December 12th. Seniors, do not forget to register for the annual holiday party at the senior
center from noon to 2:30 p.m. on December 30th as seating is limited. Cost is $15, so contact the recreation department to reserve your seat. The Sparta Library continues their book swap outreach to seniors in the community by going to Null Heights on the second
Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 and to the Chelsea on the fourth Monday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30. Those who have participated in the book swap appreciates this outreach. Chief McCarrick is not able to attend tonight's meeting, but the police department was awarded $7,000 through
the New Jersey uh Department of Highway and Traffic Safety, the Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over campaign program. This grant was secured with the assistance of our grant writer. Lastly, please be advised that all municipal offices will be closed for a half day on Christmas Eve, Christmas
Day, and Friday, December 26th, so that employees can spend time with their families for the holiday season. This concludes my report and I wish everyone a happy holiday season. Thank you. >> Thank you, managers. Uh, may I have a motion to accept the manager's report?
>> Like to make a motion to accept the manager's report. >> May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. uh their manager's report as carried. >> I'd also like to add to that, excuse me, Neil, that uh also the parks and w I'd like to thank them very much because
they also had a donation box that they kept for the Sparta community food pantry which uh this year more than ever has needed it. So, I'd like to thank them very very much for doing that, for collecting for the food pantry. >> Thanks.
Great else. Okay, we are now up to our first public comment period. This is limited to items that are not on the agenda. So, if you see an item on the agenda that you want to talk about, now is not the time. Uh this is only for items that are
not on the agenda. And please be cognizant of the fivem minute limit. >> James Gast Sparta. Mayor, I attended a U trails committee meeting here in town hall and uh Mr. Dyster had all his um
maps and so forth in reference to the transfer of that property and uh you explained to us that it was being done by Dystra for free. I did an Oprah request
and I find that Dyster Engineering charged the township of Sparta for a phase one. The bill was over $19,000. I just got it. I just opened it and got it. So, how did we go from free
to $19,000? I don't understand. because you're the one that sat in that meeting and you've said it more than once that Dyster was doing all this for free. Free to me is zero, not $19,000.
Could you explain that to us, please? >> If that ends your public comment, I can answer that for you. >> Say, >> are you done with your public comment? I don't want to take your time by answering. >> No, no, go right ahead. >> Okay. Uh my understanding that relates to not to the trails but to the um
wetland mitigation that we've had to do with respect to the >> for the closing of the land. >> The invoice clearly reads phase one. >> It it it shouldn't >> it does. So >> maybe we can get a correction on it and let me know. I we get a correction on
your Oprah request, but there's there's two there. The the only voucher for the Dystras is for the surveys that that Doug is doing for the parcel donations on behalf of the landfill, and that's actually taken out of an escrow provided by the leasing group.
>> Why would the township be paying for it then? >> They maintain the escrow. >> So, that phase one is different than the phase one over here. >> No, there's no phases. This is for the landfill closure and it's >> No, this invoice clearly reads phase one and the mayor keeps talking about phase one.
>> I I'd have to look at it. Okay. I'm happy to go over, but the only uh expense that we're paying to to Dystra is is on behalf of the landfill. >> Okay. Well, if you can check into this because the invoice clearly reads phase one. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> No problem.
>> Good evening. Uh I am David Sears Sparta New Jersey. I am a uh partner in and design architects here in town. We've been in town for more than 25 years. I'm here to express some of the frustration our clients are having with the zoning and building department processes. Uh
most recently, uh a client submitted their application October 24th and it was not until last Friday, December 5th, that they received a denial letter. So that's 6 weeks. Um I'm
not sure why this process is taking so long. Uh I know there's a a lot of elements that go into it. There's approvals from Sussex County Health Department. There's approvals from the uh Delaware Soil Conservation District and there's for some reason there's also
an approval required from the Lake Mohawk Country Club. Um the Lake Mohawk Country Club as far as I know is not an enforcing agency and doesn't have um any kind of uh say um legally. Uh but I am a
little bit worried why Sparta Township is providing uh enforcement of the Lake Mohawk bylaws. Um it doesn't seem like that should be even part of the the application process for a zoning permit.
Um I do have a couple of comments about uh section 185.3 which I know is an ordinance that is coming up. Should I hold my comments about that one until then or should I >> Is that Oh,
>> that's the latest not storm water. Yeah. >> Um which is 18.5. >> Yeah, I think that would be probably best because that one is an amendment to our storm water that's mandated. >> Okay, I can bring up some comments about that then. >> Okay. Yeah, you can do that during the hearing. >> But I don't I don't know why this process is taking so long. We have, you
know, um supposedly there there's 10day period that the the zoning office has to review their, you know, their applications. Uh, the people go in, they have their applications, they pay their fee of $45 or $60. They also have to write a check to the soil conservation. No, not the
soil conservation, the health department at that time. And what happens after that, I don't know, because it's taking way too long to get this process done. Um, after that zoning process is done, there's still another four weeks after that to get a building permit issued. So, we're talking, you know, two and a half to three months just to get a
building permit in this town. And it doesn't happen in any other municipalities. Um, you know, most municipalities will turn those around in 3 to four weeks. Building permits are issued, zoning permits are issued, and they're done. Um, so I'd like to try to find out how we can get that process moving a little bit faster. Um, and
that's really all I had to say tonight. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, yeah, I think that that this isn't the first I've heard uh uh about this and I think that, you know, we have uh folks uh on this council who have either
served or are serving uh and have, you know, command of the the planning issues, but I understand the frustration. Uh I understand that has effects where people uh stay away from Sparta uh because of these delays and
that has an effect on our bottom line. It affects uh our commercial uh properties that remain vacant that could otherwise be um people businesses in there which then would increase the valuation of those properties. So, it's
it's a serious issue and um I commend you for coming in and letting us know. Um I know that there's folks on here that are working on that. Um and I think you know, Councilman Blumedi and Councilman Scott at uh another part of this proceeding we will talk about uh
the business development committees meeting uh that they had I think last week um sharing some of I think there were some other business owners that expressed similar concerns and then uh if there's a plan going forward to deal with it. But thanks again for for mentioning it.
Any other member of the public wishing to be heard? >> Ben Ro, one Millstone Court. Um so back to the land situation. Uh Mr. Dystra did come out to my property. He walked the property um with myself and several
other residents, explained to us the different types of markers. So I appreciate his time on that. Um but he did also point out that there is a Sparta owned right ofway at the end of Old Cedar Drive which is adjacent to the wetland property. Um which he was not
sure if it was included or not included um in this land swap arrangement where he he actually had highlighted the map for me. He did not include it. So that's something else that um I would like to know whether or not that right of way is included or not in this proposed plan.
Um I think that that would be something important to know and if not why not if this is part of a preservation act. Um he did also make some comments about um he did refer to it as phase one because this is an investigative phase
of the project and he did say if the cost of the trails proved to be exorbitant and not doable then that would then the land swap would not be something that we were moving forward with. So, I was curious about where we are and I know we had talked about
writing deed restrictions and all of this and is that something then that we are turning to the town attorney? Is that something that we're now are we writing are we finding out what the cost of the trails are? Are we getting estimates or plans or where are
we in this phase before we I know we it's a process and I get it. It's step by step, but I am curious as we go each step of the process. I I I know that we would all like to be informed. So, do we have do you know anything about the rightway? I because
>> um you know No, I don't. Uh I think as we indicated earlier that this is the process that we're undergoing which is you know you have to um really dig down uh deep to you know make sure that the property that's being conveyed um is is
proper. And that's that's that's why um we're just doing that now. It hasn't started. We haven't had any negotiations with the New Jersey land trust whatsoever. Um obviously if there's an issue with you know what are the mets and bounds of the land that's being
conveyed that that's what we're doing now. We haven't come to shore on that. We just literally got approval two weeks ago to even start this process and we couldn't start that process without the approval. So, um, we have a trails meeting tomorrow, um, where, you know,
that that probably will come up of where we are, uh, in that process. Um, but like I said before, you know, nothing gets signed, uh, by this township, uh, until council has had an opportunity to look at it and to approve it. Um, in
fact, even, you know, we we'll get buy in before we even begin the negotiations with New Jersey Land Trust. And we haven't even started that. And I think Mr. Dyster had indicated that process could take over a year um to do that. So we're we're we're literally just getting started.
>> Can you clarify what you mean by negotiations with the land trust? Because as far as I mean they unanimously voted to accept the land. So as far as they were concerned, it was just about deed transfer. So what do you mean by negotiations? >> Well, I mean that that that's uh deed
means the Mets and I mean it has to go to a contract, right? They they agree it was a concept, right? A concept of at that meeting was simply approval of it going forward as a concept. And as I've explained repeatedly, um nothing is
legal until it's it boils down to an actual contract that describes the deed transfer. We're just not there yet. And so before we even negotiate with the New Jersey Land Trust about what we want that deed to look like, we have to get approval of the five people up here um
as to what that contract is going to say. And then we present that to the New Jersey Land Trust um and make sure that it's consistent with um you know, with what we want. And then like any negotiation, I don't know yet. I can't
um predict what they will come back with. Okay. >> So again, this process is simply just starting. >> Okay. Is it correct then that before that you would move to the actual transfer of a deed that you would have an estimated cost of the trails that are
intended to be built? >> Um I don't know that. I'd have to talk with um with you know as a committee about that. I think as I pointed out earlier, even if these trails do not uh happen, there's a particular uh very
important uh by putting this into this property that has no restrictions on it now, which is if I think that uh uh Doug had explained that the deed restrictions that are on there are pretty wide open. putting this property in the hands of
the New Jersey land trust preserves that land, preserves open space, which again was the number one reported priority uh when we've done a survey of what Sparta residents wanted. So even if you don't build this particular trail, the fact
that you've preserved into a open space, I think has its own standalone benefit. >> Okay. It's just a little different than what Mr. Dyer said. So that's why I was looking for GL. >> Well, I wasn't I wasn't present there. So I I can only take your word for it and I I will talk to him about that. Um
it's been my understanding that you know that there may there's benefits to this even if the trail isn't built. I hope that it can get built, but simply leaving this property in the hands of Sparta Township with no deed restrictions and not uh giving it and
having it overseen by the New Jersey Land Trust, I think um if we want to preserve open space, this is the best way to do it. Okay, thank you. >> Anyone else for public comment on items not on the agenda?
Okay, not seeing anyone, we will move on to the expenditures. Deputy Mayor Murphy, would you please read the expenditures for December 9th, 2025? Yes. The expenditures for December 9th, 2025 are $725,357.98.
>> Okay. Uh may I have a motion to approve the expenditures for December 9th, 2025? >> So moved. >> Uh may I have a second, please? >> A second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I
>> uh the expenditures for December 9th, 2025 have been approved. We're now up to we don't have any ordinance to introduce, but we have three ordinances uh for a hearing. And so, Madame Clerk, could you please read
the title of ordinance 2520? An ordinance amending chapter 2 administration article 11 taxation and revenue of the revised general ordinances of the township of Sparta amending section 2-62 100% disabled
veteran tax refunds. >> Okay. Uh we are now uh open to the public for comment uh specifically on ordinance 2520. So if I have any comments uh to 2520 uh please do so now.
Jerry Murphy, 161 Alpine Trail, Sparta. This is a flawed ordinance. It should not be adopted. It should be rewritten, corrected, and reintroduced at a later date.
If you're using AI or chat GPT, it really comes through on this For one thing, you're supposed to use the most recent version of a universal citation, and you haven't been. I gave
it to you in November. You've ignored it. It's New Jersey Revised Statutes 54, dated 2024. You're leaving out words. First, whereas
it says the dwelling house and the lot or curdage is in the citation. You leave the things out. You're also missing text at the bottom of that whereas
the one item number four whereas says the desire the township council desires to establish a formal policy providing that there shall be no
retroactive refund refund granted. This is punitive. If you can't balance your budget because of lack of experience or expertise, don't do it on the backs of
100% disabled American veterans. Let's be more professional. Find a way. You're trying to claw back things that were given to them by a
previous council. That's unsatisfactory. You got a section here, section one down at the bottom. You're making uh a reference, an incorrect reference. Again, you're supposed to be referencing revised
statute 54 4-3 decimal 30. It doesn't read that in part A, paragraph A under section one. Also in there it says in the time of war. What does that have to do with somebody
who's in reserve or in training? It's poorly written. You've got to clarify things. Also at the very last sentence in there it says to have a service connected disability and to be determined to be 100%
permanently disabled. What does that mean? you paragraph B under section one also goes the tax assessor's office will be supply the applicant with the appropriate paperwork.
I've never seen a word paperwork in an ordinance before. Is it a blocking lot? If so, say so. But don't leave it open like that. What are people supposed to write? The little white house on a hill.
Come on people. The description on number two under that par or parenthesis two. A description of the property for which the exemption is claimed. Again, block and lot. Let's be precise.
And then also you're completely missing section two, the paragraph on severalability. Like I say, this thing is flawed. It has no right even being presented to the public. Anyone else wishing to be heard?
>> Hi, Christine Quinn, Alpine Trail. Good evening. I'm here to speak in strong opposition to ordinance 2520. This proposal to reduce tax refund support for Sparta disabled veterans is
not just a budget adjustment. It's a reflection of our priorities and our character as a community. The portion of the refund being eliminated represents minimal savings to each of our individual tax bills. But for the
disabled veterans who rely on this support, the impact is very significant. These are men and women who served or are serving our nation and sacrificed for our freedom. They deserve our full support, not just partial measures. I
understand the argument that Sparta will still provide part of the refund, but let's be clear, reducing the benefit sends the wrong message. Other towns may have chosen to cut back because state law now will allow you to do that. But
Spart has never been a town to follow bad policy. We have always led by example. In our town, we have set the standard for what it means to honor the service and sacrifice. So much so that Sparta
Township received the New Jersey Governor's We Value Our Veterans Award just 3 years ago. When families choose Sparta that are coming up here from east of us, specifically in two municipalities in Morris it's 36 and in
Sussex it's 23 other municipalities that they overlook to decide to come here. They choose Sparta because of what we stand for. Our hometown heroes banner initiative and salute 07871 programs are
proof that honoring veterans is part of our identity. Budget decisions come down to priorities. There are many alternative ways to address 2026 budget challenges without reducing support for
disabled veterans. Let's keep the program intact and show that Sparta's commitment to its heroes is unwavering. I urge you to table this vote tonight and explore other options. Let's
continue to lead, not to follow. Let's keep Sparta, a community that honors its veterans, not only in words, but also in its actions. Because what we save under this ordinance may cost our community much,
much more. I do have a question regarding the current policy of the two-year look back because how it was explained to me is how it was explained by the council and I believe that I misunderstood. Um it I
was explained that the two-year look back was something that was um that that all 100% or veterans within our community who were deemed 100% disabled were entitled to. And that does not seem to actually be the case. And I'd like to know if I'm misinterpreting it, which is
the correct stance, but it is my understanding that it is up to two years. So often for many of our veterans, the Veterans Administration um doesn't process these things in a timely manner. I know members of this community that have been working with the Veterans Administration and have worked uh 15
years to finally receive the status of 100% disabled. and that individual was entitled to a two-year look back under the current policy. I know another veteran within our community who is also deemed 100% disabled, but their process was much faster. Their time of
initiation of the process with the Veterans Administration and the approval of their 100% disability status was 9 months. And therefore, they were entitled to a look back of 9 months, not two years. So, just like the gentleman who had it took 15 years to receive that
status, he didn't get a 15-year look back. He was entitled to the two years. However, the gentleman that had a much more timely process of 9 months received a 9-month look back. Is that correct? Because I thought it was two years for everyone, and it is not. It is it is up
to two years. And I think that needs to be clear. Mr. Zep is shaking his head. >> Spot on. >> Okay. >> Your understanding is correct. Uh, okay. the the look back is up to 24 months, but it starts when the VA receives the application, and it can take some time
to be reviewed. Some folks are are are lucky and they get it within a few months. And so, >> I don't like to think of our 100% disabled veterans as lucky when they're when their process is is handled in a timely manner. I I I close to my heart.
I can't use the word lucky for that, Mr. Zeb. >> All right. Maybe it was a poor choice of words for me, but I I think anyone who who can process paperwork through the bureaucracy of of the of the government, >> I would I've heard many type people's
call it lucky. All right. I of of course I'm not referring to the status of veterans. I I I would like because I've been in the middle of this. I've been listening to a lot of people on this. You did the best job on explaining the look back on that. However, people need
to understand that it's the federal law state mandate that when the that the VA hospital deeans that that vet is now eligible and that vet comes to our tax assessor and the assessor signs off on it, they now are property tax exempt for
paying property taxes in the town of Sparta for as long as they own the property and their spouse. All right? So that that that person is now they pay zero taxes as 100%, right? >> That cost is born on the rest of the
residents in Sparta. And it's not just the municipal cost. It's the school cost and the county cost. It becomes a substantial amount of money. All right. However, it's mandated. We don't have control over that. we have we do not have control over once they become
eligible for for the the property tax exemption. What we do have control over is that look back. All right. I was receiving memos from my tax assessor and tax collector saying, "Hey, Jim, we're hurting financially. You guys are you all know this. The budget is very tight
right now." And I I do use the term because you hire me to run this budget in this town. All right. We are not in in a in a in in a comfortable area right now. I tell the mayor and the council they cannot afford this benefit right
now. You cannot it's irresponsible and it it is be when we are in better shape and we and we have a a a healthy surplus that is the time >> healthy surplus. >> We do not have a healthy surplus. >> We had
Exactly. Exactly. And and and we've been drawing down on that healthy surplus and one of the draw downs has been the look back. That is one of the culprits. Right now, this year, we're spending $274,000 in the look back. All right. That is
that is is what the the council had deemed at the time. Every time we get we get that. Now, it all varies. It's it's a moving target. You all say, "Oh, you could budget for it." Actually, you can't because you don't know the value of the property that the person's going to have, and you don't know how many
you're going to get in that given year. That's why it comes out of your surplus. on that that that's why we it's a it's a tough target. All right. And and the thing is is common sense. I you I I really do apply. We all love our veterans. I love I went and I talked to
Commander Lichfield about this. He knows this. Chris knows that we do a lot for our veterans. We We bend over backwards. We do what we can for our veterans. God knows they deserve it. All right. that. But the the question for me as the manager of of your budget is is it
responsible and and and I got to say right now and I'm telling my council and it's up to them. Fortunately, I don't have I don't get to vote on this, but I'm telling them at this time, at this juncture, sustain that benefit right now until we're in healthier financial shape where
then you all can come up and say, you know what, let's acknowledge our veterans one time more. It does say something that you only have two towns in the state of New Jersey that offer this look back right now. >> Yeah. You know, that it takes a little more to be a Spartan, proud to be a
Spartan and all of those things. >> I get it. I I get it. But I just feel like there has to be somewhere >> financially irresponsible right now. And and and that's that's my stand on it. That's what I that is my delivery on it. I do like your understanding of the look
back because I I've seen it really confused and all some it goes up to 24 months. All right. And you're right. There have been people who've been longer than that and they only get to 24 months. There have been people shorter than that and they get whatever the time was at that time.
>> And these people have sacrificed so much for all of us, not just you standing up there. >> Jen, absolutely. We have 82 100% deemed 100% veterans in the town of Florida right now. >> God bless them all. >> All right. Yeah. And
>> Yeah. And and another thing that >> we're going to be introducing a budget soon and and and this is part of the equation. It's part of it. And um >> I urge you to look elsewhere, but I do want the council to know one additional thing. And there is a an event out of
town this evening that um has been on the calendar for quite some time. And that is why many of our veterans who have been attending meetings and who have been speaking on this are not able to attend tonight. So I do want that to be noted that they are not here not because this isn't something that they feel so strongly about but that they had
another commitment that's been on the calendar for quite some time. >> Right. So thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to be heard on ordinance 2520? >> Hi Joan Furman. um speaking on as a private citizen and I wasn't even going to speak tonight, but after listening to
this um and talking about the budget and the deficit and all um just a few weeks ago, I would just like to know how I think it was $450,000 that you paid for a street sweeper. We have street sweepers. We have veterans.
That's all >> Jim Castmore Spartacle. You know I Jim just said the magic words in financial bad trouble. Well, let's see. First, we started out with an ordinance film ready. We spent thousands and
thousands of dollars, rewrote the ordinance, went back and forth. How many dollars we generated off of that so far? Zero. Next item up for grabs, cannabis. Everybody walked in here and said, "We
don't want cannabis in Sparta." Council people said, "We don't want it." Got to do it anyway. Went to a vote. That vote probably costs $50,000. All said and done. Now we're to this.
We're going to do away with disabled veterans benefits. We can spend money for all these things. We can have the mayor order be ordered
to have the township attorney start a lawsuit against NJD without a resolution. Just just go do it. Spend money. Mr. Dash isn't working for free. And you're all concerned about, well, we
got to find the money someplace. Well, let's see. We have no plan for the trails. We don't know what it's going to cost, but mayor wants to move forward. Going to we're going to swap land. We can't get a landfill closed
that was shut down in 1984. That landfill's been sitting over there open for 41 years. Nobody did a thing about it. Everybody kicked the can down the road. And there's a former mayor sitting right here. He knows that we couldn't get it closed. Everybody's worried about water
quality. Going to start this thing. Sparta responsible development. Got sued twice. Once on an appeal, once straight through, once on appeal. Two of those people today sit on this town council. Sued the township of
Sparta. caused the township to spart thousands upon thousands and defends themselves. Thousands. Now we're into court again because we can't make a deal with the developer for that building. The state says water quality plan
improved. Ah, we don't like that. We're going to use our egos and sue. And it's all on the back of the of the veteran, 100% disabled veteran. Not one of you sitting up there council people are veterans I don't think but
you take it out on a veteran 100% disability that's a pretty sad state of affairs I hate to tell you that when you can spend $340,000 on a street sweeper she can't take care of your veterans it's all I got to say you spent you've wasted money
in this town over your egos. Thank you. >> Uh Mr. Mr. Castmore, I just have a a question unrelated to this. Um, it has to do why you're here. Uh, it's a letter that we sent you on September 9th, 2025.
>> Yes, sir. >> Um, and are you represented by council in that matter? >> You're not. Okay. Uh, I just have to ask that because I do have some questions about that. Um, go >> ahead, ask your questions. >> Yeah. We had asked you uh we had believed that you were in possession of
a document uh that is attorney client privileged. Um, and we had asked you to turn that document over, but you haven't so far. And we just While you're here, is there a reason why you haven't done so? >> Have no intentions doing that. >> Okay. So, you you would >> answer me a question, mayor.
>> What if I could finish? >> Ask me a question. >> Oh, yeah. >> Why didn't you down call my chief and fire department down here to a meeting try to get me dismissed from the fire department? >> I didn't try to get you dismissed. I
pointed out that you had been you had we had sent you a letter saying that you had been possession of something >> sir has nothing to do with this town. I'm not a member I'm not an employee of this township. The only time I'm an employee of this township sir when I step on that fire
truck. The rest of the time I'm a private citizen. >> Okay. So just to be >> So that's the end of that right there. >> Okay. So, just to be clear that in response to our letter of September 9th, uh, you have no intention of obligating it without subpoena. Is that right?
>> No, sir. >> Okay. Thank you. That's all I needed to know. >> Explain something. >> Jim, wait. Jim, wait. You have no right. I know you're a lawyer. This is a private citizen. This is not a courtroom. And and what he's saying without legal counsel present is a
problem. This is this is gross overreach. It's a deflection against the topic we're here to talk about. We're here to talk about an ordinance and you're bringing up litigation. Jim, you need to stop this. This is not right. And somebody's got to stop. Stand up and
say something. >> Let's get back to >> about the ordinance, not about your lawsuit. >> What is going on? >> Hey everybody, my name is John Finkled. I live at 33 St. Mary's Place. I'm a veteran of the United States Marine
Corps. Served 21 years. And I'd like to talk about this ordinance. Taking a quick look at it, it's like you're walking over dollars to pick up pennies. >> You guys are not looking at this correctly. What you can and can't
control, you're going to control a small fraction. You can't control the state law that gives the exemption to the 100% disabled. But you're going to go after people for a small amount. So what
you're doing, Mr. Zep, is combining the taxes with the discount or the look back. You're saying we're how much did you say? Cuz these are these are the numbers I got from just the look back. We started off in our conversation at 90
to 125. Can't be budgeted. To me, that'd be 100,000. Now all of a sudden I hear it's 274. Is that 274 in look backs this year? >> Yes. >> Okay. 274 in look back. How about last year? How old's the ordinance for the look back?
>> 22. >> 22.2. So it should be pretty easy information to pull up. So it's 274 this year for what? 2025. >> Yes. >> Okay. What was 2024? Does anybody have an idea? >> It was it was very similar because we had almost a similar
>> All right. similar similar >> just under 200 >> um 23 20 cuz it was mid 2022 that it came in. Um I'm just saying it's not a good look. I mean this is absolutely sad. I can't even believe I'm standing
up here talking about this to this council. Um like I said, you're stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. There's a lot of other ways we can save money around here. Uh you and I have discussed it. water, stuff like that, wastewater,
bunch of other stuff. I don't hear us talking about that. So maybe we should investigate other things. I'm vehemently against this ordinance. >> Joanne Scally, Sparta, New Jersey. Um, first of all, um, you were so
disrespectful in trying to draw Jim into a legal problem. Um, and it was supposed to be only on the ordinance, but yet you went away from only on the ordinance because it was something you desired. Okay. Now, on to the veterans. Um,
totally against this. I came from a family of long line of veterans. My uncle's buried in Europe, died during World War II. Um my stepson um was born with spinobipida because my husband served in Vietnam and um is agent or
orange orange afflicted and his son was born with um severe spobipida. He was in a wheelchair his entire life because of the agent orange and my um stepson could have got money from the um state because of his disability but my husband chose
not to um because he said let some other family have it. But when a person has disability, the whole family suffers. So my husband could have went and got um disability too, chose not to. Um but the whole entire family suffers with these
disabilities, not just a veteran. We owe our veterans. We owe the families of veterans. These veterans come home from war, wherever they got injured, and they're forever scarred. Their families are forever scarred. They need our respect. They need our help. Um you said
it's 82 um veterans that are receiving the 100%. That's 0.40% of the Sparta population. We owe these 0.40 part of the population this money. It's
not something that um we're just giving out. This something they deserve. It's not something that you should say well you know we don't have the money for these people deserve this. They suffered for it. Their family suffered for it. Their children suffered for it. Um my
stepson died at 52 from it. He suffered his entire life because of affliction from war. We owe these people this. You don't know how it is to come home from war with an affliction. Whether it's loss of legs, a traumatic brain injury,
um PTSD, you have to live this your entire life. You don't just come home for war. Oh, I'm 100% go on with my life. You do not go on with your life. You struggle through your life. For the rest of your life, you struggle. So, they gave us our freedoms. They gave us
everything we deserve and more. And they sacrificed for us. And they would do it again. A lot of these um soldiers, Marines, Air Force, they would go back and do it again. Like I said, my whole family was involved in my children. Um
my grandson just got out of um the Navy. So, I'm a proud person to support our veterans and we should be supporting them here in Sparta, not throwing them away. It's a measly sum of money. What would be maybe $40 a year, we throw
money away, like one gentleman said about you ordering um a lawsuit against the D. How much is that going to cost us? You didn't have any problems then. So, why do you have a problem now? You have no problem with the lawsuits thrown here, here, here. But you have a problem
with the uh veterans. That's shameful. Very shameful. It's It makes me sick. It's just so shameful that you have no problem. You sit up there and write up this ordinance and have no shame about what you are
doing to our veterans. But you could throw money away at all these lawsuits. And I would love to know how much it costs, but we'll probably never know. But again, um, please vote no to this and give our veterans our appreciation.
They deserve it. We do not need to throw this. I'm just speechless with it. Okay. Well, thank you for your time. Please remember our veterans. Thank you. Um Quinn again I have a quick
recommendation to what you said Jim which is um that you guys aren't looking the ordinance the way this is presented right now says that you would be doing away with it. It doesn't say you're going to hold on it. It doesn't say you're going to just put it on hold somewhere until the town is healthy
again. My understanding of the significance of these costs is not so much around the fact of the municipal taxes which are only 17.5 cents on the dollar. It's the fact that the township still needs to be whole when it comes to
the county and also the school. So you have to pay 63% of the tax dollar and the other 18 cents of the tax dollar and you're on the hook for that even though that money is not coming in. So, I would make a um a recommendation if in fact
the spirit of this is truly what you say it is, not that I agree with it, but if you're going to move forward with something, then maybe an option is to put that in the ordinance to say we're suspending it, but don't don't um
withhold the whole thing. give them the 17 cents what you can control what you're not on the hook to give out at the very least and say we're going to do this for a year or two but don't take the whole thing away because when you take the whole thing away then you have to start at ground zero and bring it
back. I don't think it should be taken away at all. I don't I stand very firmly to what I said before, but really it looks like this is the way that you guys are looking to go and I'm pleading on behalf of the veterans on behalf of whatever and to stay in spirit with what you're saying. If your intention is not
to take it away altogether, look at other options. Give them the benefit at the very least of the municipal tax if that's really necessary. I mean, it's shameful that you're in this position to be honest with you that you don't have the money for this. It's shameful. It's
ridiculous. But here's here's where we are. But again, to to Jerry's point, to put it on the backs of just one demographic in this town that is so special to us is craziness. I mean, what about, you know, someone was here before talking about being more
businessfriendly? That would help with funding for sure. Um, you know, there's a lot of other things that you guys can look at. So, again, before you move forward with this thing, please really listen to what everyone is saying. maybe just table it, take it down and look at
other options before racing to this. >> Anyone else wishing to be heard on ordinance 2520? >> Gary Murphy, >> just to correct >> I I do want to just get a point of order about the the you know do I you have a
fivem minute limit. Do people keep get able to keep coming back up? >> That's not a point of order. >> No, it is. >> I just got a simple clarification for Mr. >> Sir, you don't you're not you're not being recognized to speak. >> What? >> You're not being recognized to speak. This is You already had a an
opportunity. >> No, no, no. There's no qualification like that. Come on. You dash knock it off. >> You could disagree, but the right just to correct you. >> No, you're not going to correct it. We're not going to >> hospital has nothing to say about a veteran's disability. >> Have to leave the meeting if you keep
>> it's called a rating board and a rating board is the one that determines the percentage of disability. >> Every single veteran is a different >> Where's the word rating board? >> The the rating board can be in Indianapolis. It can be in Philadelphia. It could be all over the country.
>> Explains why it takes so long. >> And they're and they're all civilians >> and they could care less in a lot of instances about veterans. So that's one mis mistake that you made. Secondly, every veteran is an individual
case. Once their disability rating is established by Department of Veterans Affairs from that point forward should be what they're get their taxes back from. not a look back from that
date established by the VA forward. Any taxes they have paid is reimburseed back to them with the exception of maybe penalties if they haven't been current in their taxes. >> But the the state mandate right now says
when when the assessor >> validates it, not when the rating board does. >> Correct. >> No. >> Yes. The assessor has to validate the eligibility of the veteran. >> The assessor here validates when the claim here was put.
>> We need to move on. We we >> Oh, wait a minute. I'm clarifying things so you people can make a informed >> we allow everyone to have extra time then we'll never get through these meetings. Really? We have allocation and I think you had the opportunity. >> This is a public hearing on an ordinance
>> when you had the Yes, you had the opportunity. There's no qual there's no time limitation other than 5 minutes per Yeah, we we we've established that. >> Well, I'll I'll yield then. Back to you. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Jerry. >> Okay.
Anyone else from the public uh wishing to be heard on ordinance 2520? I might not be as art. Oh, Scott Rogoff, one millstone Sparta. I might not be as articulate as some of you on the board, especially you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I'm a
veteran of 23 years in the United States Navy and I served all over the world as a hospital corman taking care of p people that were grossly injured in combat. So, some come home with noticeable injuries,
some do not come home with noticeable injuries, but all have served and all have the scars of having served across their their respective services. Some you can see, some you can't. Um, I'm embarrassed that our town of Sparta
would not just immediately put aside this u talk of money and taking away money for veterans. It's embarrassing. But what's more embarrassing, Mr. Mayor, is that you would stand up in this discussion of veterans
information and this this discussion and accuse somebody of something that had nothing to do with anything related to this. That's that's just it. You should know better. You're an attorney. You should know better. That's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you for your service.
>> Anyone else wishing to be heard on uh 2520? I think we will take a fivem minute recess. I think there's a a legal question that um Councilman Bumatti needs to make um which would be privileged to our attorney. So, I'd like
to make a motion uh for a fivem minute recess. >> A second. >> Okay. Do we have a second? All in favor of a fivem minute recess say I. >> I. >> I. Okay. again. >> All right.
I'd like to make a motion to uh reconvene. Second. >> Second. So >> I would like to Okay. All right. And just everyone is uh everyone's had the public comment period. So it now uh goes
back to council for discussion and comments. And I know uh Councilman Blue Matty seems to be chomping at the bit. So I'll let him go. >> Uh I'd like to make a motion to table ordinance 2520 for now. Have a second. >> I will second.
>> All right. that we can take it back to uh council. What would be the reason uh that you're uh for tableabling it? >> Just to give us another chance to sharpen the pencil a little bit and see if there's a uh a way and perhaps perhaps not fully eliminate it but find
some kind of middle ground that uh is a palatable solution to our financial situation to what we see as the future and um to what our veterans need. So just another chance to go back and look at it one more time. Okay. >> And I'd like to uh I'd like to say that
it's not taking away from the veterans and I know it is something that was put through Miss Quinn when you were on the board and it's it's wonderful. Unfortunately, the the budget that we had that the surplus has
been drawn down because there were things that happened in the past that should have didn't happen and should have. But we can we can readjust it, sharpen the pen, and I would never do anything to harm the veterans or take anything away. They're still getting
100% disability. I've tried to help people get 100% disability myself. Uh I've tried to help with the VA process and it is a horrible process. Horrible. But uh I agree to table it and work on it.
>> May I? >> Sure. Yeah. Yeah, I mean just first of all I'm disheartened to have just witnessed and you know experienced the dialogue that just went back and forth and I'm hoping that moving forward whether from the balance of this meeting and well into next year that the public
and this council will find a happy medium to have open dialogue respectfully and and and with more of an amicable approach with open dialogue on both sides. So, I'm saying that I mean I look at I I look and I listen to what's
going on and I think the the ordinance as it stands right now and the poll purpose and intent of what I was hearing and I'm going on record with it is that this is a symptom to a bigger cause and um you know whether it's a a shortage in revenue or shortage in um surplus
there's other ways to to look at it than other than just immediately defaulting that this will be the reason to balance a budget when in fact we haven't seen in a budget as of yet. So until I see a budget and we see the proposed budget and look at other alternatives and other
areas to either generate additional re revenue to offset this andor cut expenses to make manage and balance this out. I going to support Councilman uh Blummedi's uh motion to to table it.
And I will also say in the event the state does come back and make changes or modifications to this program, we can always revisit that if they're equal to or advantageous to benefiting the veterans. So I just want to go on record saying that. So thank you and give thank
you for giving me the time to speak. Thank you. >> Scott, >> how long would we be tableling it for? >> I mean it's indefinite until it gets brought back up. So, I think that um you know, Councilman
Boumeti may have some ideas about what what the revisions would be and so I'd encourage him to um to submit that and to to uh and let the rest of council know and and see if there's uh something more palatable. >> Yeah. Yeah. Doesn't mean zero doesn't
mean it's going away that we're not going to revisit it, Mark. But uh let's just take another look at it. So, it won't be this year obviously >> and let's hope the state comes up with what they say they're going to and possibly re to uh help the the municipalities and reimburse
municipalities for some of it. >> I mean, that would be the win-win for all of us. >> It would >> if in fact the state >> if in fact that happens >> offset that through funding. >> I'm talking about it now in the assemblance, but it's just talk now. >> We'll see.
Yeah. >> Yeah. I just want to make clear this ordinance did not originate through any individual council member. This this came through our township staff, the people closest to the budget people, you know, it it comes on the
recommendation of our CFO, our tax assessor. And so our council is sitting here thinking, okay, you want this. You're in the best position to determine how best to do this. And so I want people to understand that that's this wasn't a way to say let's penalize a
veteran. And I think it would be very unfair to think that anyone up here doesn't have the utmost respect for our veterans. You know we we were simply faced with a situation where you know we don't run this town. We just that it's
run well. And this became the recommendation of the professionals that we had. And I think it would be unfair to walk away with regardless of how people vote that somehow you don't you're less supportive of veterans just
because of how you vote on this because I don't think anyone can deny that Councilman Murphy is a steadfast uh proponent of veterans. Mr. Sylvester, Dean, I all of us and we're faced with a situation here that is not of our own
making. We're not the one causing the delay. That's the Veterans Affairs. And in the October budget, they are recommending cutting 30,000 people from the Veterans Affairs Association. Those of those 30,000 will be people who make
these disability determinations. And so we need to get serious about if we respect our veterans, we need to be advocating in Washington to tell them, don't get rid of these 30,000 people. was going to lead to more delays.
And then the state is the one that imposed this on us. And I don't think we can say that the 562 other towns that don't offer this somehow don't like veterans or somehow are not patriotic. So I don't want people to come away with this viewing, oh, if we don't if you
however you vote that somehow you're not patriotic enough. That's just unfair. And it's really unfair to the actual veterans to put them in that situation. So what are we supposed to say? Oh, if we um vote for this, then therefore it's the veteran's fault that we couldn't pay
for something. You know, we couldn't we couldn't do the trails or we couldn't do something else because we had to fun. That's not fair to them. Don't put them in that situation. And so, you know, we are offering a substantial benefit that other towns don't make and and the point is well
taken. that is something that distinguishes Sparta from other townships and it may be worth trying to preserve. But I I I didn't want it to look like, you know, it's been framed as sort of a false choice. You know, that somehow if you if you support this, if
you if you you know, vote against uh if you vote for it, then somehow you're less supportive of veterans and you want to spend money on a street sweeper instead of this. I think that's just a false choice and it's unfair. It's really frankly unfair to the veterans to put them in that kind of as political
pawns in that that's just not right. And so it should rise or fall on its own merits. I think your suggestion to come up with is a good one. And so um we need to do a roll call on a motion to table because it has to involve an ordinance.
So a roll call would be appropriate. >> Councilman Sylvester. >> Yes. >> Councilman Scott. >> Yes. >> Councilman Bli. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Murphy. >> Yes. Mayor Clark. >> Yes. So, ordinance 2520 uh has been tabled.
>> All right. Next up, we have um ordinance 2521. So, madame clerk, could you please read the title of ordinance 2521, >> an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 18, comprehensive land management code in the code of the township of Sparta.
>> Okay. Okay, we're now uh open to public comment on ordinance 2521. So, Mr. Sears, I think now's your moment. >> All right. >> Um >> I've speaking what the point I talked about before was dealing with the uh
zoning and planning department and many times we have or my clients have been denied based on 18-53. Um and I really would like to find out
about the applicability of this. Um I do have a copy of the ordinance here and this uh ordinance should be applicable to nonresidential major developments aspect of uh residential major
developments that are not preempted by the residential site improvement standards and to non- major developments that are subject to review by the Sparta Township Planning or zoning board. Um,
as far as I can tell, this section would only be applicable to those elements and those applications which would go in front of the planning board or zoning board. Uh, we have been denied several times or my clients have been denied
several times um in sections of 18.5.3. Um, and those none of those clients wore, you know, any of these. They were not a major development. They were not a residential major development and they were not a non- major development as um
defined in the ordinance. So I I would just like to clarify who 18-5.3F is applicable to. >> I suggest you leave your contact information with me, Mr. And I'll get you an answer back cuz it sounds
engineering uh related to me. >> As far as this, >> it's pretty it's pretty clearly laid out in the comprehensive land management code. Um under that section um 18.5 C1 and it has a whole section on
applicability right here. And that's you know they don't mention anything else but what's in here. Um, this is actually uh a point I've taken up with the town engineer, Mr. Stoner. Yes. >> As well as Miss Fox from the zoning department. Um, and they have been
pretty steadfast that everything in section 18.5, which is subdivisions and site improvement standards um is applicable to whoever they feel like applying it to. Um, so I'd like to
get that clarified. Just so I'm clear, uh, manager Z, the the ordinance 2521, this is we are simply adopting at this point the recommendations by or not, it's not really a recommendation because
we kind of have to do it a state >> from the state, >> right? Okay. And I think, am I right, Mr. Sears is that you think a clarification should be put into this ordinance which is not a clarification that the state is mandated but one you
think that needs to be in here >> based on the experience that you have. Is that right? >> That's correct. >> Okay. And so um >> what I think >> I mean the section is already in the land management code. Um it just it it's seems to be very vague on who it gets
applied to and who it doesn't get applied to. And so you >> I just like to see, you know, a a level playing field. This is where you need this and this is where you don't. >> Okay. And so I think what I'm hearing is that, you know, we we are free to um add
additional requirements above and beyond the state. We're not allowed to um give less. Correct. But I think what would make sense to me is you know we we go ahead and adopt these um ordinance this ordinance which is recommended by the
state but I think we should take up uh Mr. seers that maybe further clarification of this so that that may help the confusion that is happening um apparent confusion at our planning office. So that provision you're talking about we can further clarify so the
person reading it um there won't be as much ambiguity as as you say that's what I'm looking for. Does that make sense to you? >> That's exactly what I'm looking for. >> Yeah, we we can do that. We can enhance the ordinance. So why don't we, you know, we go ahead and, you know, I, you know, we can go ahead and after further public comment take a vote on this and
then I think, you know, there should be a dialogue and and then at another point we can amend uh this ordinance uh under you know, if it needs further clarification, then we can do so. >> That's right. >> If you have an engineer, Mr. Stoner, and you're explaining in English what this
is, >> I I've got I've spoke to him from the state. >> Well, it's mandated. >> It's mandated. >> It's mandated. Okay, we have no choice. So we have to ours has to reflect the state. Doesn't mean later on we can't add clarification languages that as long as it doesn't weaken it, right? That's my take on it.
>> So this is just a something we have to do, right? >> We want to clarify later to help is just applicability. They're two separate issues that are going on. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to be heard on ordinance 2521?
Okay. Um, I will take it back to council for for any comment. Um, I think as has been explained, this is something that we're mandated to do. It wasn't us coming up with these changes. This was the state. And what's
my is what's the um if we were to do nothing and just let this languish and not adopt it, what are the downsides of doing that? we'd lose our stormwater permit and then we would be subjected to to fines and summons. Um,
>> that sounds like a bad thing. >> It is a bad thing. And you know what? I did speak to the engineer and I got some cliff notes here and I'll read that may just help uh attaches proposed storm water control ordinance amendments for Sparta Township. This ordinance updates portions of chapter 18 section 5.3
stormwater control. These updates are required to bring the township stormwater control code requirements up to speed with the current NJD regulations. Amendments to the township current code are related to new definitions and updated design requirements. These amendments ensure
Sparta Township's compliance with the updated NJD stormwater management rules. They improve environmental protection, address future climate impacts. The ordinance provides clear technical standards and centralized resources for design, maintenance, and public
transparency. Um I'm told that the the the largest impact of these current ones has to deal with the um the calculations that the engineers and developers use um it's no longer for the traditional 2 10year
storm. uh they've been u uh increased uh because of the climate change and um that's why we're uh here right now tonight adopting these. >> Okay. Thank you for that explanation. Any other council wishing to be heard?
>> Okay. Madame clerk, may I have a roll call, please? >> Councilman Sylvester. >> Yes. >> Councilman Scott, >> this is to take This is >> to adopt. Yes.
Yes. Can we do a motion? >> You're probably right. And then that's my that's on me. Uh may we have a motion uh to adopt 2521? >> So moved. >> All right. Madame uh clerk, can we have >> second it? >> All right. We have a roll call, please.
>> Councilman Sylvester, >> yes. >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilman Bli, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Murphy, >> yes. >> Mayor Clark, >> yes. So, ordinance 2521 has been adopted. Uh, we are now up to 2522. Madame clerk, could you please read the
title of ordinance 2522? >> Ordinance of the township of Sparta County of Sussex, New Jersey, repealing and or withdrawing Ordinance 25-07, Ordinance 25-08, and Ordinance 25-09 relating to cannabis zoning, licensing,
and taxing regulations. Okay. Now, uh it's open for public comment on ordinance 2522. Anyone wishing to be heard on 2522 again. I just have a quick clarifier. So, you guys had already made these ordinances law. um they were not
rescended within the 20-day period of time when originally these were were put in and when they were adopted as law. So my understanding is that the state of New Jersey once that happens uh regardless of uh the fact that because
they were not rolled back that in the eyes of the state once you're in you're in for a 5-year period of time you cannot back out of that agreement or these ordinances for a period of 5 years. Um, I think in my opinion, just my humble opinion, I think everything was done sort of backwards. I get why
we're going backward, but my concern while we're talking about budgets and deficits and all kinds of stuff like that, is how much is this going to cost us? Are we setting ourselves up now, can we roll these back in the state of New Jersey? Can we roll it back without
getting really sued again? Um, and I again, I am not I am in support of rolling them back. I just want to understand what we're getting ourselves into because these things are already ordinances and the state was very clear. >> Yeah, I can answer that question. It's a
good question and the short answer is yes, we can we can lawfully um repeal these ordinances. Whether we get challenged by a lawsuit is always a possibility. But um in my opinion, we we do have a valid basis to be able to
repeal these. >> But if we repeal them, is that recognized by the state? I understand that you're saying you can repeal the ordinances locally in land use law. I understand that's what you're saying. I'm more worried about the state. So, because once these are law, the state
takes over. >> Well, we we're complying both with municipal law, zoning law, state law. So, if the state has a different interpretation of its law, it would be free to make that. But I don't believe that the state has a basis to challenge or repeal. So, has anyone reached out to
any represent representatives of the state, the board, uh the cannabis board, the regulatory board of the state to make sure that we can roll these back without getting sued? >> I mean, I don't believe that. I I haven't certainly I can't speak for the council, but I don't believe that
inquiry is necessary for the purposes of for this evening. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Jenny Derek happened to Sparta. Just to follow up on what uh Miss Quinn was saying, I've read the creme creme creme
act, however you say it. I couldn't find it in there anywhere that said that once you're in, you have to stay in for five years. >> That that's correct. >> So that's not that's legend. It's just not in the law. I couldn't find it. I'm not a lawyer.
>> No, your observation is accurate. There is nothing in the language of the statute that prohibits a municipality that has opted out to later opt in. Um, >> but what about the other way? >> And and vice and >> and the other way. >> Correct. Correct.
>> Um, is it also true? >> I'm sorry, I I should have said that once you have opted in, there is nothing prohibiting you from passing or in fact the language of the statute expressly allows for a prohibition subsequent to you opting in. So you can at any time
even if so the town say we had a shop open already the town could still repeal it just that shop would have to >> be able to stay open >> right be grandfathered is you're asking >> right and so
we haven't had anybody apply >> correct >> correct >> has there been any notice of an intent to sue >> no >> so there's been no activity on this on these ordinances since the council took their action back in the spring to suspend and announce that it was going
to referendum. >> Not not to my knowledge. >> There's been no action. There's been nobody threatening a suit. >> Not to my knowledge. >> And so right now what we're doing is we're taking action to say no, we changed our mind. We don't want it. No harm, no foul because nobody is working
in the in the town already with a with a with even with an application. >> Correct. And um but we we are not relieved of the responsibility. Every five years the council has to review and decide once again whether or
not they want to opt in. Is that correct? >> That that's in the Yes. That's in the language of the statute. >> So that means next year because 21 we opted out. >> Mhm. >> 26 we have to opt out again. Is that correct? >> Yeah. under section I think it's 45 of
the statute. >> Okay. So, right now we're in the clear. There's nothing going on, no litigation, no applications, and there is nothing in the cream act that creme act. How do you say it? Do you know? Anyway, uh so there's nothing in the act that says once you're in, you
have to stay in for 5 years. >> That's my interpretation. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else from the public wishing to be heard on 2522? Okay. Um, I'll take it back to uh, council for any comments. I'll start to
my left, far left. >> Sure. I'm of the belief that it was a defective vote to begin with. So, I am certainly for repealing it. >> Deputy Mayor Murphy. I have no comment.
I >> Councilman Sylvester. >> Yeah, I mean my position has been very clear. I was going to the support the residents of Spartan the uh the referendum. So I'm uh definitely in support of repealing and withdrawing
this ordinance. >> Councilman Lunetti. Yeah, I I believe we we likely need to get there um allowing cannabis use or uses probably a use in the future. Um the fact is that many New
Jerseyians, many Spartan residents enjoy cannabis products. I don't personally, but occasionally, whether it's for recreation, similar to alcohol, whether it's for wellness or sleep needs or what have you or helping with fight disease for pain relief, but it it's out there. It happens. And I just my why I'm saying
that is access to safe legal product restricted to those only above 21 and over of course is crucial. So that's that that I think is a fact that we need to have that safe access regardless of where it is. That's people need to be protected. Um, at this moment in time,
uh, majority residents either aren't ready for, uh, retail where it was proposed or retail at all, or there might be a disconnect in, um, the understanding of what the ordinance represents in terms of scope or impact, positive or negative. But,
um, so perhaps we'd be better served a little down the road, reviewing, refining the timing, perhaps the details, perhaps looking at location again. Uh in the meantime though we you know we'll have to rely of course on our wonderful police to keep a keen eye out for illicit activity and for the unre
unregulated market in action because it's it's it's going to come back. Uh so that's that's kind of my comments for now. I'm not going to debate how we how we got here if that was appropriate or not but um you know I think it's something that we'll need to revisit down the road at some point.
Well, I like to add a comment that 250 ft within a school, a playground, a church, uh it's not where it needs to be. And any town you come to get into our beautiful town, any road has several
right at the border, at least two. So, I don't feel we ever need it here. It's my position and my opinion, but uh I'm very glad and the think our constituents spoke. So, I'm very glad and I'm happy to repeal this.
>> Thank you. >> Yeah, I think the residents spoke very clearly that they don't want cannabis sales in town. If they need it, they can stop on Route 15 at Gas and Grass. You know, >> the newest one, >> our newest one. Um,
and there as as as we know, there's 11 pl places within 2 milesi of Sparta. We don't need it in this town. I I I don't want to hear, you know, I I I disagree with uh Councilman Bli because I'm I
just hear him setting us up to debate this all again in the spring. And I I mean, we're not going to do that. Well, if it needs to be debated, we will. Uh not saying we're going to get there, Mark. It might be never. It might be down the
road. Uh but if it needs to be debated, it'll be debated. >> Well, you know, you should look at what the people say. >> Mark, don't forget uh one-third of Spartans wanted it that voted and half of Sparta did not vote. So, just remember, I reflected on how many residents now aren't ready for this. And that's why I have my position that I
explained. But uh don't don't overestimate it or don't think we should never revisit it because if we need to as a council we we need to debate it down the road. >> We have to decide to opt out again anyway. So >> yeah. Yeah. >> Um
so I I think you know an explanation you know as someone who voted for this initially um it's something I bear with me. I'm going to kind of explain to you some of my reasoning and and I'll get there about how I intend to vote. Um,
and as I thought about this vote this week, you know, I am reminded of a scene in a a quote um from probably a book everyone read in high school called The Tequilla Mockingbird.
Um, and there is a scene in that movie where Attekus Finch is um confronted by his daughter Scout who's just gotten bullied at school. Um, and again, if people know what uh Tequila Mockingbird about, it's about Adakus Finch. He's
representing a black man accused of rape and everyone in the town thinks the man's guilty. And Scout has been bullied at school and is asking, you know, "Dad, why the whole town thinks this guy is guilty? Why are you even bothering with this?
And Attekus says, you know, before I can live with other folks, I have to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience. And so, it's my conscience that I've been thinking about, you know, after
this November 4th vote. Um, this ordinance, as I've said repeatedly, was what I thought was good policy, which is what we're tasked to do. Why is it good policy? Because cannabis is
legal. And I believe that we need to put a regulatory framework around it. Because we all have experiences when you fail to put a regulatory framework around it. What has happened? We've had not one, not two, but three separate
raids of smoke shops selling illegal cannabis. And so, and at no point were the the people who have been opposed to this did they ever come up and tell us that we need to put a stop to these these smoke shops. It wasn't until we tried to regulate it um that we got a
lot of brush back. And so, again, it was with I thought this was good policy. It had nothing to do with uh people had accused me of somehow this was part of my political ambition. Somehow I was
going to do a favor to someone. Well, go check out my NJ elect and find any contribution from any cannabis industry. You won't find it. This had nothing to do with any kind of political stepping stone or something
like that. And it's insulting to me and the job that I take seriously to even make that kind of accusation. And then I've seen whether it's good policy or not. How do I know that? I went to a mayor's uh Sussex County a
month ago. They had a meeting of all the mayors in Sussex County and there's an opportunity for all the mayors to stand up and highlight um outstanding achievements in their town and every single town that has
authorized this that was something that they were proud of. They didn't say, "Oh my gosh, what a big mistake. It's turned into this nightmare." No, they were applauding the revenue that they've generated. It's been ease of administration. it's ensured that they
know where that cannabis is coming from. It's regulated and so they were saying how good of a thing that again it's about the policy. So I think it's bad policy to repeal this. Um I also think it is there is
legal risk as count former councilwoman Quinn pointed out. Um, I think that we did opt in uh when we voted validly for this and so and we haven't been able to find a case where a town that opted in
by virtue of not um taking any action within 6 months. No town uh we couldn't find any case where so for example a town failed to opt out. So they're automatically opt in then decide oh my gosh we need to get out of this let's
repeal it. couldn't find a case on that. And I think what to me the nub of the issue is they do have a mandatory opt-in. If you fail to act within 180 days, you were opted in. And so given that provision, I think there's a legal
question about whether you can opt out by virtue of repeal given the mandatory opt-in provisions that exist. And I think that's a debatable issue. Whether the state of New Jersey wants to litigate that, I don't know. But there is legal risk and people should be aware of that. Um, and
so again, I think that we may stand in the same shoes of a town that failed to opt out that then tries to repeal. And I get that generally ordinances are are able to be repealed. Um, and whether there's not a specific prohibition on
repeal in this, but given the opt- out provisions, I think it's debatable. And so there is legal risk and I'm I'm concerned about that. So finally, you know, thinking, hey, it's I think it's bad policy. I think it's a bad legal risk. Um, so what next?
But I remember that the reason why we are here is based on the consent of the governing the consent that the people give us, right? And you have to take seriously that of the 50% of the people
who voted, 65% say they don't want this. So not only have they consented to us doing this, I think they've also consented to the downsides of it, right, which I've artriculated. I think we will continue to see the unregulated uh distribution of cannabis in our town
without a regulatory framework. I think we will also see uh possible uh incursion of legal risk, but the town has consented to that. And so I'm kind of reminded of a vote I took two months ago or months ago uh involving a turf
field um at Angererman. And uh my some of my fellow councilmen made a very impassioned argument of why we shouldn't allow turf fields and and frankly I I agreed with it. Turf is on the way out. We shouldn't be doing it. But standing before me were the people who were going
to play on that turf field, the children and the parents. The people most affected by that were there saying, "We want that turf field." And so I voted to have that. And so I feel like I'm in the same situation now, which is the people have consented to
repealing this. They then consented to the downside of doing so, and they've also consented to the legal risk. And so I don't think I have if if if I believe in that concept of consent of the govern I think they've given the consent not stand notwithstanding all my
reservations and so um I will vote to repeal this with a lot of reservations that I put out but I I think that they gave the consent and what who am I to stand in their way. Thank you. Anyone else from council wishing to be
heard? >> I would just like to add to that, mayor, that being being in Colorado a bit and having seen what happened out there with one of the first states that made it legal. And
now, how many years later, maybe 10 years later, they have closed more than half of their stores. And it's they had a lot of problems. There's more there's more arrests. There's more
accidents. There is more I can get you the stat statistics, but I just at this point in time doesn't feel I don't feel it does any good for our town whatsoever. So, thank you for agreeing to vote and repeal it.
>> Okay. So, may I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2522? I make the motion that we adopt 2122. 2522. >> May I have a second, please? >> It's 2520. >> I have a second that.
>> Okay, Madame Clerk, may we have a roll call? >> Councilman Sylvester? >> No. >> Councilman Scott? >> No. >> It was to adopt >> a positive adopt. This means to repeal it. >> Repeal it then. >> Take two. >> Yes.
>> Council Sylvester. Yes. >> Councilman Scott. >> Yes. >> Councilman Blumeetti. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Clark. >> Yes. So, ordinance uh 2522 has been adopted. Um and
>> you're all paying attention. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Don't worry, Mike. I do it every other week. >> All right. We are now at our uh second public comment period having to do with the resolution. So, if you have a
comment on the seven resolutions that we have, uh, please stand up and do so today and please be mindful of the five minute limit. I'd like to sparta comment about 93 and 94. I've had a fair familiarity with audits
and typically there are highlighted uh I don't know you call significant variations or whatever and they generally require a corrective action plan. It looks to me like you've got that 93 is the statement of the audit in
a sense and 94 is uh the corrective action plan. If I look at the corrective action plan quickly, some of them look like they're fairly both surprising and maybe significant errors or whatever.
So I assume if it was if it's a finding that it did happen to some extent such things as uh first one is that procedures be implemented to ensure budget line items are not over spent. That sounds semi egregious. Maybe I'm
overstating it. A couple of the others seem like they're pretty substantial problems. I guess my question is what's your assessment of how serious these findings were and are you confident that the corrective action plan is will be adequate to reverse them?
>> That's my time. >> Okay. I think it's a fair question and and why don't you give us a little background about what this audit is and I think that my understanding of the things that came up to the correction corrective action are the things that the auditor deemed significant enough
one to identify it two to recommend a corrective action and >> okay ju just uh uh for your information I have posted the audit on the website you'll see it under the the finance web page so uh the public and anyone who wants to see it they can do that and it is a mandated practice that I do that.
So, that that is done. And I'm pleased to report you all may be wondering who the gentleman is sitting next to me. He is our financial consultant. Um the CFO couldn't be here tonight. Um she had a a prior obligation here. So, uh Mike Reno is our financial consultant and he helps
me uh all things finance. So, I'm going to just uh duck out here. I'm going to let Mike uh explain uh to your questions. >> And Jim, can I just clarify for the public, too, just a reminder because I did this myself. This is about 2024, >> correct? >> So, this is Yeah, this is it's unfortunately we get it a year and a
half or year and three/4ers later, but just recognize it's for 2024 is a year. So, >> okay. >> Um the budget in the of 2024 was >> an extremely tough year to deal with. I came in at the end to help administer
and help guide uh the situation. the there was many fires to put out many as we had a prior uh administrator come in and say 1.3 million worth of transfers. Yes, because
the budget was not put together as well as it should have been for 24. We have corrected that. And yes, on tonight's uh meeting, there is the first goaround of transfers for this year
of 2025's budget, and it's substantially less than what happened occurred for the 2024 budget. And the state gives each municipality two months at the end of the year and three months of the following year to
help make sure that this doesn't happen happen as the procedure to implement budget line items and not over spent in 2024. There was so much going on I missed a couple. I'll be I'll be honest. So
>> when it says budget line items are not over spent, do you have any sense of the magnitude of the overspending that happened? >> Um I mean to be a significant finding it must have been some kind of consequential number. >> I'll put it to you this way. There are several line items that were over spent,
but in in overall the budget still has shoot uh of 24, there's still 400,000 that has not been spent. So, in totality, the budget was not overspent
and was not covered by the transfers that should have put those fires out and some some of the line items were missed. >> Right. I don't I don't I'm not trying to beat you up here. >> No, that's fine. It's fine. >> That's why I'm here. >> Finding for all grant. No, I mean uh
yeah, finding for all grants to be approved before being charged. >> So somehow that seems like a pretty strong >> matter of fact uh I was surprised this evening that the police received a $7,000 grant. I was not told that that
grant was uh just received. Now it has to be put in. and it's called a 159 agreement to give us yes we received the grant but we still have to notify the state so it can be budgetarily approved to be spent. So again here was something
even tonight that we have to let notify the departments that they have to notify us so that we can do the procedure to be able to spend it by the state guidelines. So in summary, if you tighten up all these things, which I
guess is your responsibility or somebody's, >> it's the new CFO. I am guiding her in the proper procedures. She is Yes, she's passed all the uh state required courses. It takes a while to uh learn all the >> What's your expectation if we when we
audit 2025, will we see any repeated of any of this stuff or do you think it's been tightened up? >> I guarantee there'll be a repeat. 48 hours. >> Yeah. >> Why? because you have Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday of Thanksgiving. You're not going to be able to make those
deposit within 48 hours. >> How about 26 by then? >> No, you'll always that one will always be there. It is almost like given. >> Some of these are pretty fundamental procedural practices, right? >> Yeah, some of these I do not anticipate
the first one as we discussed the second one as well. things have been put in place that the new CFO has eyes on the indiv these items that are going on. The 48 hour thing is it's almost like almost
an order an auditor freebie. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Good luck. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Any other member of the public wishing to be heard on the resolutions? Jenny Derek, I'm just asking in the similar
vein to Mike. Um, how long are you going to be around to continue to consult? >> That's up to the council. >> So, you're here for the year. You were here last year. You were here this year. Do you want to >> I'm I am reducing my time. Uh, last year
uh because of the 11th hour, I was in maybe three days a week. >> Currently, I'm in one day a week. Okay. >> So, my time is being reduced. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Any other >> Why was 24 a tough year? Is it because the taxes hadn't been raised the year before?
>> Uh they actually were raised that year, but the prior years, but the budget put together, not as tightly as we've done. Uh there's been procedural changes that uh Jim sat through last year and even
>> he's he's quiet over here. The police chief actually thanked us for doing the process that we are doing now. Uh we sit down with each department, discuss their their line items and make sure that they're facilitated and or know that
they are uh their feet are held to the fire on the spending side of that. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Mike. >> You're welcome. Hey, any other member of the public wishing to be heard on >> any of the resolutions recommendation?
>> Well, three, but yeah. >> Okay. Um, so I think that there's at least two of these resolutions that we can do to uh as one. Um, so I would make a motion to approve resolutions 91 and
96. So may I have a motion to approve resolutions 91 and 96? I move to uh approve resolutions 91 and 96. >> Um and just so we're clear, that's a res 91 is a resolution authorizing the cancellation of tax for disabled
veterans. Uh 96 is an ABC renewal. 2526 for the Homestead Restaurant. So we have a first. We just need a second for the approval of resolutions 91 and 96. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> All right. 91 and 96 have been approved.
Uh, may I have a motion to uh approve resolution 92, which is a resolution setting the date for the township's 2026 reorganization meeting? >> So moved. >> Uh, may I have a second, please? >> Second. >> And um,
>> that is. >> Yeah. What's >> December >> January 6th? >> January, sorry. January 6th. >> Okay. >> Reorg meeting. >> Okay. So, we have a second. All those in favor of resolution 92 say I. >> I. All right. Um,
so I'm going to do these two together since they are related. Um, 93 and 94. So, may I have a motion to approve resolutions 93, which is a resolution of the annual report of audit, and 94, which is a resolution authorizing acceptance of the 2024 corrective action
plan. >> I make a motion to approve resolution 93 and 94. I'll >> second. Uh, >> I'll take it back to council. Anyone have questions about it? Okay. Uh, all those in favor of resolutions 93 and 94 say I.
>> I. >> All right. Resolutions 93 and 94 have been approved. Uh, next up, may I have a motion to approve resolution 95, which is a resolution amending the township of Sparta's personnel policy and procedure. >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution
95. >> Uh, may I have a second, please? >> Second. >> U, I'll just take it back. Uh could you just give us a little background on 95 and the how it came to be? Sure. Th this as usual the our we belong to the uh
Morris County GIF association and what they do is they will uh annually give us uh language for updates in our policy manual to keep us uh in the good graces of our insurance. Um, and what we do is we take a lot of that and I give it to
our attorney who reviews it and um, we make uh, the appropriate changes in the policy manual. Um, doesn't happen all the time, but when we get enough items and then um, we review the policy manual again and update it um, for language and
whatnot. And it's a concerted effort between us and and uh, township attorney. >> Okay. Thank you. Right. All those in favor of approving resolution um nine >> five >> five
say I >> I >> I resolution 95 has been approved. Next up is uh may I have a motion to approve resolution 97 which is a resolution authorizing the transfer of calendar year 2025 budget appropriations.
>> I'll move to approve resolution 9-7. Uh, may I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Resolution 97 has been passed.
>> Mike, can I ask a question on that? This you you this is the first of there will be another resolution at the end of the year or in January to uh >> I guarantee it. We have the state gives provides us the mechanism from November
1st to December 31st >> of 2525 but 2025 budget and then the following three months >> three months >> the the from January 1st to March 31st to facilitate
not getting that uh recommendation of line items are not over spent. So we move the monies around to facilitate shortfalls of one department into another. And each time this occurs, we discuss it with the department so they know that we are utilizing some of their
funds. Some of the funds they especially the salary and wages, they don't really know, but we do because we're the ones administering it on the backside. So we make sure that that everything is covered. Hopefully there's not as many as last year. Please.
So, >> thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> And we'll get the full report on that. >> Okay, we're now up to council liaison updates. Um, like I guess it's Councilman Sylvester, you haven't been assigned any, so you probably don't have
any. Uh, as of >> none to report. >> All right, don't worry. You'll get your chance. >> Um, so I'll then move it to Councilman Blumatti. So uh my uh major update I guess is on the business development
committee. As was mentioned earlier uh we had our final meeting of the year on Thursday December 4th. Last Thursday evening we hosted three guests from the business community um and they joined the BDC to share their experiences and
ideas related to how Sparta can better encourage um new businesses and support existing businesses. Um, our town manager, uh, Mr. Zep participated as well. Special thank you to our three guests who did join us. And remember to the BDC
is comprised of business owners and residents as well, but these were three um, people from the community that have businesses uh, that are typically included in there. So, uh, Alex Bardi from Bardi Building Company, Chris Merch from Wagmore Pet Boutique and Bakery,
and uh, Andrew Milling uh, from WERT Realtors. So, uh, just want to thank managers too and Michelle Landal for help with, uh, getting us all set up in there and, uh, having a nice evening for folks. We had a very productive discussion. I'll be sharing more at a future meeting, including, uh, topics
that the BDC has been, um, uh, pulling together over the last number of meetings about recommendations to the council. And they'll it'll also include um, feedback that we heard a couple nights ago. But uh the topics ranged from the planning board, planning and
zoning department, ordinances, uh ways to attract and support businesses, uh miter site plan, waiver, subcommittee, forms, uh processes. So it was a a full spectrum of discussion and uh uh people uh I think were were glad to be there
and we appreciated their input. Um, so we need to now take that and uh come up with some ideas and plans on how to uh help improve things and support the experience for the business owners and potential business owners and also just to support the business community in general. Uh, so more to come on that,
but it was a it was a good evening and a nice way to wrap up the uh the last meeting for the BDC. Uh, the switching gears a little bit, just a quick update, the master plan uh, subcommittee met last night. Um and
again we had a a productive meeting. Um we talked a lot about um uh the process for moving forward in next year and also we spent a decent amount of time um uh finalizing ideas for next Wednesday's planning board meeting. there'll be a a
brief presentation at the planning board meeting uh just to the public just to share a quick snapshot of kind of where we are at this point um and to share a summary of all of the research we've gathered now. So we just pretty much are concluding the research phase. There's
been other work going in parallel, but the research started with the the survey that the public took and then a number of focus group uh sessions with key stakeholders uh you know half a dozen or or nine or 10 of those and then a large public meeting at the high school back
at the end of October with 50 people attending it. So the idea now is okay, we've captured a lot of public input. We have a lot of data about what's important about the vision for Sparta. So this this will be a quick little update next week just for people to kind of get a glimpse at the themes and some of the things that we found out. Uh and
we'll be having more of those going into next year as well. So uh that's pretty much it for the master plan group too. So thank you. >> Great. And so um I think you alluded to it. What's the next step with respect to the information that you got at the business development? Like what's sort
of the next you know how do you take what you heard and then distill that into an actual action item? >> Yeah. So >> deliverable. Yeah, it's a good question. So, the BDC is an advisory only committee. Um, so our our our goal and our plan is to create um some
recommendations that will go to the council to the planning board. Um even in fact maybe directly to uh planning zoning office, but we're going to come up with recommendations on things we've heard ideas on how to improve things. >> Okay, great. Thank you.
>> Okay. Um, so committees, uh, the wreck committee met about 2 weeks ago. Um, so you you heard in, uh, one of our accomplishments was a white lake poleb barn maintenance garage. That was something that the wreck department had been wanting for a long time. Why is
that? Because those are substantial fields that every time we wanted to cut the grass, we had to shle the stuff all the way from the DPW, then shle it all the way back, um, causing time and expense. And so this is a way that we can keep some of that equipment on site
uh which will expedite the cutting of the fields and also um reduce transit time. So they were very appreciative that we were able to do that. Um also they spoke about the um you know the the the meeting the Santa thing that happened. You know you can tell my kids
are grown. I don't pay attention to um that but I 400 people is an amazing uh that's huge and um that's our solely put on our wreck department um to handle that and they've done a fantastic job. Uh things that they're contemplating in
next year. Um I think they're still looking for possible pickle ball courts at White Lake Field. Um and so that's something that they are uh investigating. Um next is um I had asked
for an update about Kids Castle. Um that will be I think done next year. Um they are looking at uh if people recall Kids Castle we at first we were contemplating using Jacob's Law funding through Green Acres to make it a Jacob's Law
compliant. um this council decided against that because of all the requirements that would be uh incumbent upon us were we to take that grant money. So we thought it better to uh simply do that inhouse and and fund it ourselves. So we're doing that. Um but
they are looking at I think there's another playground in that station park that they're going to try to look to make uh Jacob's Law compliant. Jacob's law is the law that um you know tries to uh get our parks to be more accessible to those with disabilities and so they
are looking uh toward that. So that um are some of the big events uh for and you know it it and also I want um people should be on the lookout for a mailer that is going to come from the recck department. Um on that will be a QR
code. That QR code is going to link to the latest um offerings of our recck department and you can and and it will constantly be updated so you can preserve that and anytime you check that QR code. So you can check that QR code a year from now and you'll get the latest
um schedule for uh all the offerings of the recck department. So that should be coming uh I think in the next two weeks or so if I'm not mistaken. Um but take a look at all that they do. It's it's quite incredible all the programs uh that we offer. So, um our next wreck
meeting will be in about two months and maybe I'll have an update about um the possible pickle ball courts because I know folks may be interested in that. Um don't have an update for either film or uh trails as we haven't met since then.
um with the Rev 250. Um they have been uh extremely busy and uh we now have um substantial uh progress on actual events that we will have in Sparta to celebrate
our 200 the country's 250th anniversary. I'll just mention those. One is the tavern talk that I've mentioned that's going to happen January 26th >> which is sold out. >> Yeah. Which sold out like that. Um, and next up will be in February. Uh, we are
going to get, uh, it's Dolce Harps Accord Colonial Era Music. We're trying to nail down the location for that. That will probably be, I think, February 28th. Um, then in March, uh, we're going to have, uh, Martha Washington
reenactor. Um, that will be, uh, March 26. Then in April, we have a cemetery dedication. um uh and at uh that's going to be at the Presbyterian Church if I'm not mistaken. So, uh at least for the
first four months, we have something May um still looking we uh to possible um events. Then we have on May 26, it's Memorial Day parade and remembrance. Uh that's going to be also a Rev 250. Um
then in Sparta Day in June um Flag Day June 26th there'll be another event and then the July 4th um parade. So there's significant number of events. Uh and really Sparta is taking the lead of any town in Sussex County. I don't think there's any other town that has has done
this much and I really applaud to our um Sparta Historical Association because they they've really done a great job and based on their relationships that they have um I mentioned before we are going to be the repository of the the state NJ
Rev 250 traveling exhibit for 10 days. So not every town got this exhibit. The reason why we got it is because we've been taking the lead on this. And so, um, it looks like we will pick that up on April 29th, put up on April 30th. It will be on display at the historical
society from May 1st uh to uh May 26th um or May 11th, sorry. So again, that will be an exhibit that's um by this the state has given us uh the right to to have that. So that's that's a huge accomplishment. So there'll be other
events that I'll announce or Margie will announce along the way, but really applaud to our committee members who made this happen. Um Margie and I just kind of show up and and they tell us what they're doing and uh so we're really lucky to have um the folks that
we have on that committee. And oh, the Sparta beautifification um we will start that in earnest in January when we appoint people as part of our reorganization meeting. But I do know that we I think we've nailed down funding. I don't know the exact amount for that, but we you know we got a
donation um which is much appreciated and then we will then staff that um committee and then then it will be sort of up to them really to decide how best to uh spend that money that they've been appropriate and then find ways to other
ways to get revenue. So um to support that effort and with that that is all my council leaison updates. Okay. Um the the uh exhibition that'll be at the historic society with the it was the
flags of New Jersey. Uh the Rev 250. >> Well, it's coming. >> I Well, the flags may be part of it, but it's an entire display which will kind of lay out the history of in New Jersey. What significant, you know, um Revolutionary War history happened here?
I don't know. Which was a Yeah, a ton. Right. Um, so, uh, that that's, you know, I don't know all that's will be involved in that, but that's something that's sort of a, you know, it's sponsored by the actual state NJRE 250 association, >> and this will be all on the website.
>> Yes. >> And uh, but if you haven't gone to the Vancirk Museum, please make an effort to do so. It's really quite amazing. Quite amazing. Um, one thing I would like to congratulate from the environmental
commission is that we were again awarded the bronze award for all of the efforts that they have done and uh it will be hanging out front if is it isn't already
>> question. Okay, it'll be hanging out front. But again, we did Newton just joined. But um it was a down at the League of Municipalities lunchon. They had a really nice lunchon and it was a really really lovely event to find all
the people that were to really care about keeping New Jersey sustainable and all the efforts that all the different towns have made. And there's so much more we can do, but another time. Slowly but surely, we'll get there. um
that I don't have anything on the on the seniors committee and the rev 250. And that is all that I have for now. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Murphy.
>> Are you sure? >> I think so. Okay. Um I just want to make a comment on the cannabis. This has been a great accomplishment for our council and our town, truly reflecting the wishes of residents and voters. Let's keep Sparta the wonderful and safe
community it is today. I hope the council remembers this when we are under review of cannabis sales in the spring. I had the opportunity to stop by the Chamber of Commerce holiday party just before the meeting tonight. There are some new businesses in town and we hope
to identify and list them on the town website. I ask to support I ask all of us to support our local businesses during the holiday season. As Dean As Dean mentioned, we had a very beneficial meeting of the business
development committee last week. Uh we realtors, developers, property owners, and business operators expressed planning and zoning operational concerns to the council. We're also working I think uh Dean might have missed this but we also are
going to work on improving the website and the functionality between planning and zoning and and and the ability to get forms etc. Um and also to get recommendations to get
>> to get the process uh on the website >> to get an approval. The uh municipal Alliance uh wishes to thank the work of our county coordinator Lisa Lombardo. She we have been SPARTA has been awarded
additional seven several thousand dollars of additional dollars from the state and the county to boost our programs in 2026. As I finish my first year on the council, I've learned a great deal of how our town works. I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday and I look
forward to a fresh start in 2026 with new ideas and a positive direction for the town in 2026. I think that's a reiteration, but thank you. Okay. Um, we are now up to uh unfinished or new business. And um I'll start again
to my far right. You think you might have some unfinished or new business you want to mention? >> Yeah, just uh two quick comments. Uh first off, I wanted to acknowledge Bardi Building for their upgrade and renovations that they're doing. I thought it came out fantastic and I do
understand that they were able to keep the current tenants in that space uh functioning, operating and moving forward. So, it was great to see them work closely with the business community and and keep those tenants there. So, uh it's going to come out beautiful. I
think there's even additional upgrading and paving going to happen in the spring. So, congratulating them. And then secondly, I just a reminder, I mean, it was great to see the township in the VFW partner to do the community tree lighting this Saturday at 6:30. I
thought that was terrific. Um, and hopefully that that will be a tradition moving forward. But just a reminder that, you know, encourage everybody to come out and and celebrate. The VFW has a he heavy day of events there, so it should be a fun-filled day. and uh
ending by caroling and and having a tree lighting as well. So, and then finally, mayor, deputy mayor, fellow council members, and everyone in attendance, just wishing everyone a happy holiday season and wishing you all the best. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Uh two announcements. One is again with the new year approaching, a reminder for anyone interested in our township boards and committees, anyone watching at home right now, please uh consider it. Fill out the short volunteer candidate form
online and township website. And then secondly, uh similar to what we've heard, I just want to wish everyone, the public, our dedicated employees and professionals, both who aren't here tonight and even our special ones here tonight. Uh and all my fellow council members a very happy holiday season.
Same. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to wish everybody and everybody online the happiest holiday ever and moving forward the happiest holiday ever.
>> Yes. >> Absolutely. And we have with the tree lighting at Lake Mohawk on Sunday, the tree lighting here in town on this Saturday just to start off our season. >> Great. >> And we would have had the barge and the
reenactment of Washington's crossing, but the lake, unfortunately, with the water being so low, we couldn't have it. So maybe next maybe next fall we can reenact. Mhm.
>> Yes. So, thank you all and have a happy happy holiday. Thank you all for your participation and uh dedication this year. >> If I could just reiterate, thank you. Um that we, you know, what happens at the
reorganization meeting is that we we make new appointments. We um including staff, we're going to need to staff up like our our beautifification committee. So, we I think we've already gotten some applications in, but I encourage folks it really is a way um to
help uh and participate uh in your town and you can see actual accomplishments and I think a lot of the committee people get a lot of of pride and joy when they actually can see the results of of of their hard work. Um, you know, I I see it all the time with our Rev 250
when we sold out that event uh within the, you know, very short amount of time. You know, that that feels good. Um, so it really is a way to give back to your town and there's a lot of talent in this town that I've that's just untapped. Um, and and you know, it's
kind of our job to seek that out and get people and it's really a way for the council itself to really do some good. Um, so again, I I look forward to seeing who applies and and trying to get these fully staffed out. Um, with that I do
have, you know, with our recck department, I've been trying to have them do an additional event or additional off additional offering, which is um, and this is going to be I have my own particular interest in this uh, which would be offering uh, track
workouts at for uh, endurance athletes, people who are runners. Um, that I'm we need some coaches for that. I I can't do I'm one coach. Uh, I need probably two more. So, if you have a background in running and have some experience with that, let me know. Um, because we just
need people to, uh, volunteer to staff that when we do have the workouts. We'll probably be like once a week, but we can't do it until we can have a a staff for it. So, uh, in any event, um hopefully we can get that filled and probably offer that in the spring. So, um, that's one thing we're working on.
And again, I I hope everyone spends time uh with their family. I know as someone who has adult children now, you don't get to see them that often. Um and I hope everyone enjoys the time that they have with their family and we can get back uh in January. We have a lot of
work to do. Um I look forward to really, you know, the ideas particularly of our um uh business development committee. And I I'm very glad that we have Councilman Sylvester here who has quite some experience with that and really look forward to seeing him. Um I know he's going to contribute in some really
tangible ways and I look forward to um having him participate. So and I hope all my fellow council members have a safe and happy holiday and thank you to our staff who make this possible. I think, you know, a lot of what we do up here and the things that get
accomplished in this town are not the result of the five people up here. It's a result of the staff that works day in and day out. And so, they're they're really worth, you know, say thank you to them when you see them. So, all right, with that, we are now at our final
public comment period. Um, which you can speak on whatever you want to speak on. >> Do we Okay. Mike Divine Sparta. >> I'm going to be a little bit nasty or blunt, let me put it that way.
>> My two biggest concerns for the town are Route 15, which I think enough people have heard my concerns about that. It never gets any traction, so I think you're tired of me talking about it. The other is the business friendly issue. The complaints of people about time to
get permits, the complaints about planning process, etc. the I forget what it's called the the short application process minor site plan. The point is I've as you may know I was on the planning board two or three times. I was on council a total of 10
years. I can guarantee you we've heard those exact same complaints since the last century because I heard them myself and I've heard it continuously through. I I'm happy to hear what Dean's talking about doing. We had a similar uh
initiative way back and we did three things that I can remember that had at least a temporary effect and have improving over time. Faces change, boards change and they kind of fell away. But let me just mention what they were. It's a little bit hard to talk about this because they're people I
respect, colleagues both up there and as well as on the volunteers on all the boards. Having been one myself, I know it's easier to critique than to function sometimes. Three things I remember that we did is fairly simple business process. We flowcharted the planning and zoning
approval permitting process. Takes 10 minutes, 15 minutes to flowchart it. You applied metrics to each step. The manager is a day-to-day guy. You say, "Okay, part of your appraisal is is would be measured by achieving these metrics and that start to improve
things." There are a lot of reasons that are kind of irrelevant why the individual pieces don't happen streamlined or they're not oriented towards being successful as opposed to the process. If you get metrics to it, you quantify it and if you hold the ma
the manager accountable for it that had made some improvement. I felt personally that the planning board spent a lot of time on things that they shouldn't and specifically things like and it's a touchy subject parking spaces signs I've been hear adnauseium
since forever we tried to say to the professionals the engineer and the attorney were applicable when you get these issues with parking spaces and signs you guys work it out come up with an algorithm that can solve 90% of it
before it ever gets to the planning board. So the planning board can talk about things like the proposed architecture, is it going to be compatible with the town? Is the net effect of this application going to be positive from a tax base, etc., etc. Is
it compatible with the neighborhood that it's going in? I'd rather see the planning board focus at that level than spend time on on parking spaces and signs. The last is and the people in the planning board when I was here kind of eventually shared this perspective at
least some of them did. Let's let's do what a planning board should do. Let's function at the conceptual level that the planning board should be and it's not obvious how that works. We did try to I think at that time there were courses from the League
of Municipalities that kind of helped you focus the way a planning board is expected to operate. I think our attorney at that point, I think it was Tom Collins way back, he had experience with many, many planning boards throughout the county and beyond, he
kind of gave us a tutorial as to here's the kind of things that the planning board should focus on and it was very effective. So those just three examples of the kind of things we did. So I encourage and applaud what Dean's talking about. There are ways to make it better. It's going to rub some people
the wrong way, frankly. But if you quantify what you can and you reserve for the planning board and the other boards things that are appropriate to that level, I think you might feel you might see more efficient. You might change the prevailing attitude that the
town is not businessfriendly. And we all know the implications of that. People don't do things. I've had people say, "I'm not going to work in Sparta because it not it's such a pain in the ass to get things done." Uh the last piece is and I don't know if we can do it. To me it would be nice if we can become
proactive in the planning sense. I know other towns some even in New Jersey say I'd like to have this kind of business here. We have a perfect opening for it. Kind of find people who might want to do that business. See if there's an incentive we can give them to do it. If
that's possible statutoily in New Jersey, I don't know. It would be nice to find out. One specific example, and maybe I shouldn't even say this, is I guess we're committed to uh all these story structure behind the Burger King, which I guess is on hold now because it
was sold. At the same time, we're looking for senior housing. Senior housing, it may not be an ideal location for it, but we have to put something there. It might be the best use of that space to solve the senior housing problem. Is there some way that we could
engage whoever owns that property to do that? I mean, I when I was in all these boards, I would try to find ways to maybe cut through the bureaucracy, so to speak, and find out ways to maybe outside the lines a little bit, accomplish things that were very good
for the town. So, that's that's my piece, and I wish everybody happy holidays as well. Thanks. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mike. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Thank you, Mike. Joanne Scally. Um, Mayor, I just heard about Kids Castle and Jake's Law. Um, I think that's great. Like I told you, my
um, stepson was born with spobipida, was in a wheelchair his whole life. I've been to countless um, wheelchair meets um, countless family days at like a Harry Moore in Jersey City. And I always felt so bad that the kids live their life in their wheelchair. There was
nothing else. they could see their brothers or sisters um friends playing on the playground and basically it's they sat in a wheelchair. So, it's great to hear and thank you for that information on Jake's Law. Um I want to thank everyone up here for everything they do for the town, the town
employees, especially the police. Thank everyone for that and happy holidays and happy new year. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Any other member of the public wishing to be heard? um happened to Sparta. Jenny Derek's Mr.
Zep, do you have anything new about the landfill? >> I I I dealt with Jenny. >> So, we're still on hold waiting for the state to approve the transfer of land. >> Correct. >> And the Brownfield designation is
waiting for that or is that a separate track? Uh, no. I believe it's the process of getting the parcels accepted first and then finding out, you know, if they're eligible for the brownfield. >> We have to talk about things. >> We would have to close the landfill
first, get it officially closed, and then they would apply for the brownfield designation, but um I'm not sure exactly where they're they're at at this point. >> Okay. Because we had already applied and got rejected for that. So, okay. Um, last meeting there was a woman here very
upset about uh something that was going on at the property next to her 809 uh West Mountain the parking lot. Has there been any update on that? Has the township done anything about it? >> There has. We we aggressively uh looked
into it as as we said we would. We we um also addressed uh the property owner and um I'm pleased to report that uh it's going to be mitigated. It's in the process of being mitigated. The the the truck parking is is in the process of being removed and uh the soils are going
to be addressed. So, um I'm actually really pretty pleased with the way we're going right now because uh the property owner um uh kind of uh you know listened to us. We explained to him all the violations they were doing and and he's going to uh
take care of it and uh we're right there to watch them. >> Okay. Um because from what I've seen so far, this started a year ago. It started October 2024. The first notification, the first I'm sorry, the first complaint
was signed November 2024. The next action that was that I was able to get documentation of didn't happen until May. and follow up on that didn't happen until July. And there it sat for July
from July for a year to July where they got notifications um and they continued to operate with impunity and now we're because this woman finally, you know, couldn't take it anymore, came
here and was able to get some movement on that. So, you say you're pleased with the way things are are going. Remediation, does that mean they're going to scrape all the all the dirt, the stuff out that they brought in? Are they going to return the land to the
correct elevations? >> I know they're working with the engineer right now. And the engineer is also working with Delaware Soils because they were brought in. I'm sure you saw that in your request there. And um I I don't know enough information to tell you
exactly what they're going to do. I it is being addressed and uh I know the homeowner is being kept uh a breast of what's happening. >> Okay. But other than remediation, are there going to be is there going to be any consequences for what happened both within this building because it wasn't
followed up on seemingly the way it should have been and outside to the property owner that did what they did for so long. even knowing that it wasn't right. Especially, you know, you um the property owner next door, the one that
made the complaint, said that they were delivering dirt and it's it's noted in your in the documentation, delivering dirt in the middle of the night. So, they clearly knew that what they were doing was not right. Um are there going to be any consequences for this or are they just going to get, you know, and hope that it doesn't happen again
somewhere else in town? >> I'm not sure right now, Jenny. Um, we have ordinances that address that and we we'll follow the ordinances and the procedures that we have in place and I'll also uh seek guidance from uh the township attorney and and I'll be able
to give you better information from that. But the best outcome is that uh it's being addressed. Uh I know we've we've dealt with other issues uh with different violations where uh um the uh offender is not so forthcoming. I
understand that there is no code enforcement officer currently employed in the town. Um but some things are obviously being done that are not following our ordinances. Um and they seem to be done you know
with again same use the same word impunity and without consequences. I would, you know, as I I live here, too, and would hope that there are consequences for >> I I understand that >> for what allowed it to go for a year
and finally a woman coming to this microphone is what finally got it to stop. >> If I can just speak. Yeah. No, I I think um Yeah. I went first, Jenny. >> Yeah. No, I think on the consequences point, you
know, definitely having to shut down and do all the things that he's going to have to do, that is a consequence. But I think to your point, um, I'm particularly, just speaking for myself, I'm particularly disturbed and concerned about that someone would think that they
could do such a thing in this town to open up a very intense use in a residential zone and not even bother to do a permit. Um, and the purpose of consequences is
to deter further action. And so I think that I'm I think that beyond having to remediate, beyond having to do that, we have to think seriously how do we prevent this from happening in the future? How do we prevent um another person from saying, you know what, we
can just come in and do whatever use we want, you know, ordinances, notice of violations be damned. We can't have that happening here. Um, you know, the the the residents expect us uh to be vigilant about that and um it shouldn't
have to take um a homeowner coming in and and telling us what's going on at on my property. U there's bulldozers, there's tractor trailers. Um that just shouldn't happen. And we have to, I think, take seriously that not only
should that be remedied where it is, but we have to think about how do we deter such conduct in the future. So, um I hope we can have a robust discussion in 2026 about that because I know >> and have it taken care of immediately. >> Yes, exactly. So, >> with that, anyone else?
>> Thank you. >> Merry Christmas. >> I have one more thing under new business, old business. >> Sure. >> I just wanted I just wanted to know and and and I want to correct it, I hope, by the reorganization meeting. um on the plan
when you look on the on the planning board site on the on the website all a few weeks ago or just a week or so ago just magically Rob Otto's term as a
member of the planning board his four-year term was decreased into one year and he is all of a sudden on the website now uh done with his term at 1231 one of this year. He was appointed to be a four-year
member and I just don't know why and how stuff like that could happen. So, I would just hope that we could find out what's going on there. Jim, >> sure. >> Thanks. >> Thank God we have a new IT department helping us.
>> Yeah, the the the website is is been moving along and I think everyone's starting to see all the improvements for it and um I also welcome suggestions uh from from the public, from the council on ways to improve it. And um
>> you know, every day we we we work harder to to to get accurate, updated information, make it more user friendly, easier to to navigate. Um but uh I do have two great IT guys and um they're very responsive and um I'm really pleased.
>> Yeah, I I can attest to that, Joe. Before the meeting, I was looking on our volunteer application form and on the drop- down menu, there were three committees that were missing, which were trails, beautifification, and film. And I just asked Joe to do it. He got it done like less than an hour like that.
So, I encourage people, um, if you have, you know, um, suggestions, I mean, committee folks, council who was on a committee where you want to get more information about your committee, uh, talk it amongst yourselves as a committee. come to consensus on what you'd like and then you can communicate
with Joe and and and work that out about how to make a more robust uh website for all the various committees because he he does a fantastic job and we are very fortunate uh to have him. >> One last question just um clarifications on the events coming up with the tree
lightings. I know Councilman Sylvester and Deputy Mayor Burf you mentioned VFW. Do you know what time it is on Saturday just so people know? >> Okay. and Lake Mohawk. >> It was last Sunday. Oh, that was last Sunday. Yeah. Okay. So, next year maybe 6:30 next. Okay. We'll figure it out.
>> Maybe six next year. >> Okay. >> All right. What's that? >> Huh? >> Lighting is Sunday. >> Okay. >> Sunday the 14th. That will also >> I believe so. Yeah. their light
>> out here >> Sunday afternoon for the minor light before sundown. >> Okay, that's Sunday just everyone can hear at home. Sunday 4:30. Okay, thank you. Okay, anyone else? All right, uh may I
have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right.