Take notice that action will be taken on the following items at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 in council chambers, Sparta Township Municipal Building, 65 Main Street, Sparta, New Jersey. The regular
meeting is now opened at 7:06 p.m. All council meetings are now livereamed and can be viewed at the following link. youtube.com atspartatwpstreams. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the public and the press on
January 7th, 2026 by delivering to the press and posting on the township website a copy of the notice. Madame clerk, would you please do a roll call? >> Councilman Scott >> here. >> Councilman Murphy >> here. >> Councilman Clark
>> here. Deputy Mayor Sylvester, Mayor Blummeti >> here. Thank you. Would you all please join me in a salute to our flagged America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. As we begin our time together here tonight, I'd just like to highlight an obvious fact that we're all here because we care deeply about Sparta and want to keep it the special place that it is. We're neighbors and we all belong to one small community. I respectfully ask that
all of us, myself, my colleagues here on the deis and you, the public, strive to listen to one another, be respectful as we interact tonight. Thank you for your consideration. So, we have three sets of minutes to approve tonight
and Deputy Mayor Sylvester will uh be able to just vote on the last one due to the timing of these meetings when they took place. There are three executive meeting minutes. So, the first one, may I have a motion, please, to approve the September 9th, 2025
executive meeting minutes as presented? >> So, move. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Herbstainings. Motion is carried. >> May I please have a motion to approve
the November 13, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented. >> So approved. May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed or abstains?
Motion carried. >> I did vote I on the last one. A little late. Sorry. >> Okay. So, we have four eyes. >> Okay. And finally, may I have a motion to approve the November 25th, 2025 executive meeting minutes as presented?
>> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. I. >> Any opposed or abstains? Okay, that motion has carried. approved. >> Town manager Zep, would you please
present your manager's report? >> Sure. >> Good evening, Mayor, Council members, and all Sparter residents joining us in person or watching from home. Thank you for being with us tonight. Many of you have may have already
noticed that we will not be introducing the 2026 municipal budget this evening. Our finance team has been informed that our annual financial statement will be delivered later this week. Once it is received, we will be able to finalize the remaining figures and prepare the budget for introduction. We will also
compile the usual budget handouts and post them on the township website for public review. Most recently, we added a link on the website to the YouTube stream of the budget workshop for anyone who may have missed it. At this time, we anticipate introducing the budget at our
next town council meeting scheduled for April 14th. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I am also happy to share with everyone when our employees are recognized through their affiliated associations. Sparta's recreation director, Gene
Monttoano, has been awarded the Michael Burman's Administrative Excellence Award through the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association. She was nominated and honored with this award for her outstanding leadership and dedication to public recreation, parks, uh,
conservation and leisure services. Sparta's building department's Dmitri Checker has been selected as the 2026 plumbing inspector of the year by the New Jersey State Plumber Inspectors Association. He was chosen for his outstanding contributions in enforcement
of the uniform construction code and related duties. The state DCA considers this recognition as the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a code official. On behalf of the mayor, council, and co-workers, congratulations,
Jean and Dmitri. Some announcements from our departments. The senior bus trip to Wind Creek Casino and Outlets in Bethlehem, PA on Thursday, April 16th still has seats open, so please register if if interested.
Summer day camp at Camp Saka Jouia registration is open, but spots are filling quickly, so please register your children as soon as possible. All registration and brochure details are online on the township's recreation web page, and the spring and summer brochure will be online soon with
registration opening on April 15th. On Saturday, April 25th, at Town Hall, the Environmental Commission will be sponsoring an Earth Day fair. This free family event will showcase numerous exhibitors from conservation organizations throughout New Jersey,
featuring a kids corner with activities and crafts for the children. Sparta Township's free paper shred and e-waste event has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30th, rain or shine, from 9:00 a.m. to noon here at Town Hall in the lower level parking lot. We will
start advertising for this event in April on our web page and social media pages. Lastly, you may have noticed the new left turn signal arrows now operating at Route 15 North in Limerest and Route 15 North and White Lake Road. Chief McCerrick and I
have been actively petitioning the New Jersey DOT for these improvements and we are pleased to see them implemented. We believe these improvements will improve traffic flow and make these intersections safer for all commuters. Uh, Chief McCarrick was not able to
attend tonight's meeting. So, this will conclude my report for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, town manager. And congratulations to Jean and Dmitri for making us proud. May I have a motion, please, to accept the manager's report as presented?
>> So, move. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All in favor say I. I. I. >> That motion has carried. And yes, Jim, thank you so much because one who goes out there every single day,
I actually made it through the first time I got up to the light. >> That's great. >> It's dramatic. Just >> so dramatic. >> Small wins. >> Small wins. >> Okay, moving on to next on our agenda,
item number four, which is the first open to the public segment. This is for items on the agenda. uh this includes the resolutions but with the exception of ordinance hearings because ordinance hearings each have their own public comment segment.
So this is um for items on the agenda and please note that resolution 8-5 was a late addition to the agenda. So you should have five resolutions on the agenda and the second public comment period happening a little later tonight is for
items not on the agenda. So, opening up to the floor. >> Yep. Come on up. >> Clarify something before just so in regards to the ordinances. So, they are on the agenda, but are you saying the public is not open to speak about those
items because it's an ordinance? Am I understanding that correctly? What you just said? Attorney Dash can correct me. My No. So, my understanding is they're on the agenda. So, you can speak about them. Uh the council cannot speak. We can't answer. We cannot discuss an ordinance
that's being introduced. The discussion happens during the hearing of the ordinance. >> Okay. But the general public, we could we could make a statement. You just can't respond in kind at this point. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> That's correct. So in that case, Jennifer Roa,
um in regards to um the ordinance 26 um-06, um I stood before you in December when this was brought before the council at that time. Um it was tabled that evening um after discussion of other parameters
to be discussed, whether it was legislation that was potentially coming down the pipeline that would be of some assistance, whether there were other parameters that could come into play, how this would affect people that are already having their veteran status
evaluated by the VA system at this point, but are not through to that 100% qualification mark. Um, this is something that that is truly impactful. Um, and these are are 100% disabled veterans in our community. They deserve
nothing but our respect and our gratitude. And I feel that pulling and amending or changing the ordinance to remove the two-year tax look back. And yes, I do understand, Mr. Zep, and I we went through that last time. I clearly understand how it works. And I feel that
taking that part of the ordinance away from these people, there has to be a better way. There has to be another place to find the numbers to make the numbers work. Budgeting is about priorities. The these are members of our community who were injured or hurt or
damaged because of their service to our country. and we're turning around as a community and saying our budget isn't balanced, so you don't deserve this for what you've sacrificed. And that doesn't sit well with me. So, I stand here
before you and I and I hope you're listening and and I I really felt like when it was tabled last time that there were other options that were going to be explored, but when I saw the ordinance brought back and this is verbatim what we read in December, where are the the
the ideas? Where is the outreach? Where is having someone from our community VFW right across the way? They know how this process works. Involve them in the language. Involve them in the process. We're here as a community. We need to
work together and we need to do what's right for our veterans. And this isn't it. I feel deep down in my heart this is this was painful to see. It was hurtful. It was painful to see it introduced in the same format in which it was
presented in December. There there has to be other options as a group we and as a community we have to look at our priorities and and these are the people who should be our top priority. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Hello. Good evening. >> Evening. >> My name is Angel Diaz. Um I served eight years in the Marine Corps. I'm a member of the VFW right across the street. I'm a veteran of two wars. You might remember some of them.
The 1983 invasion in Grenada. I was an anti-tank gunner on that island. First coming in one of the waves and a CH53 helicopter. I was then stuck with 18 Cuban prisoners where I end up being a Spanish translator. It's very proud of
what I did. Then we went to Lebanon after the Beirut bombing in October of 1983 where 241 of my guys were killed in the barracks. I stayed there until Reagan, President Reagan pulled this out
in ' 84. Um, I was brought I was explained uh this situation. I received benefits from the VA. I've been a member of this town since 2004 when we moved here.
I love this town. I never will say a bad thing about it. Never. You folks work hard. You get paid peanuts. I understand. I don't know if any of you are veterans. Not going to judge anybody.
I just know that having that type of rating, there's a reason for that. I served as a drill instructor in Paris Island, South Carolina. This is a picture of me a long time ago. This is
proof of my words. I ask that if you could be so kind to really just kind of think about this two-year aspect and just understand that it took me five years to get my benefits. I was almost killed in Beirut
by a sniper with a bullet went right over my head. I had a 1- inch thick uh Kevlar plate on and even a Kevlar helmet, but that sniper took a shot at me and it went right over my head. That
haunts me to this very day because I would never have been a father. I would never I would have died when I was 20 years old. So, it altered my uh my mindset a little bit. I won't deny it. And um I'm not complaining, okay? I
don't want you to hear a complaining person. I'm just asking you with all due kindness as somebody who served in two wars to please see if there's another way that we could uh try to please help
these veterans. If they got to 100% there's a reason. If you don't understand what that reason is, then you should ask each and every one of these members who are applying to this program here, bring them in.
Ask them what happened. See if they're willing to even talk about it. It's hard for me to talk about it to this very day because I should have been in that building when that bombing happened in Beirut. I was assigned a second battalion, eighth Marines. The Marines
that were killed in that building were first batt Marines. A clerical error as to when I was assigned to my unit when I got out of infantry training school. I don't want to take up any more of your time.
Please reconsider. Find the funds somewhere else. These members deserve. They deserve what they have coming to them. Embrace them as you folks have embraced me and my family. This is our home. I'm going to stay here for the
rest of my days and be buried in that cemetery in Sparta. I ask you to please, with all due respect, please think, put yourself in their shoes. Put yourself as as a soldier who
literally put their lives on the line for this great nation. Please help them. Please fair be fair to them and understand where they're coming from. They're not asking for a hound out. They got their rating. They deserve
it. If there's more that they're entitled to, please give it to them and let them be whole. Let them show they have a home here that loves them, respects them. I ask you to please listen to this this 62year-old man who uh who loves this
town more than I could ever explain. I'm sorry to bother you. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And thank you for your service. >> Joanne Scaly, Sparty, New Jersey. Um the last time I was here, um I spoke about
my family. My entire family is involved in the military and I want to echo everything Jen said. I'm not going to repeat it. Um but I think you should look somewhere else for this money. I think it's only like 1% of the population is military veterans in our
town. Show respect for military veterans. They apply and it might take years and I heard that they are catching up. Um so it's not going to be this much money every year. Um the two-year look back is nothing. They could be waiting four, five, six, 10 years for their
money. Two years out of waiting 10 years been disabled um is a big deal. and it means a lot. We should respect our veterans. Um must be able to find money somewhere. Pull some of these lawsuits. Pull that D one that um former Mayor
Clark asked the manager to put in. We're not going to win it. Pull that. Stop wasting the money on these lawsuits. Everyone should um give a little bit. Um it shouldn't be on the backs of our veterans. Maybe your siphons, give it up for a year. Um show that you have some
skin in the game. um may do pro bono work on some of these lawsuits instead of the town bearing the responsibility of these lawsuits that most likely we're not going to win and they should be settled. But we shouldn't be doing this on the backs of our veterans. Um they
suffer, their families suffer. They are not the only ones to suffer. Like the gentleman before me said, speak to um the veterans. Speak to the families. they suffer just as much as if not more and their children suffer because of um the disability of a parent. Um the
entire family suffers from the grandparents of parents. Everyone in the family suffers with a disabled veteran. It's not just disability. It's beyond that. So I'm asking to find it somewhere else. 250,000. It's not going to be that much every year. I can almost guarantee
it. They're catching up on this. um do it that 1% of the population. Show them some respect and find the money somewhere else. 250,000 of a multi-million dollar budget um is nothing. And I thought that we weren't
in this budget mess because every time like Mr. Castmore brought it up, said no, we're not in this. Um Mayor Clark said, no. Asked the manager, are we in this budget mess? No. So, I didn't think we're in a budget mess, but now I come home and I find out we're 750,000 in a
budget mess, but don't take it out in the veterans and please show some respect for them and find the money somewhere else because they do deserve it and they applied and they're waiting years and years for this money. Why? They were disabled. They didn't just
become disabled the minute you approve them. They've been disabled for years and suffering along with their families, broken marriages, broken families. Please respect our veterans. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Hi everybody. Ron Day, Spartan, New
Jersey. Um I I guess first I just want to thank the gentleman back here for his service and and his comments. I think that really there's nothing that I'm going to say tonight that's going to add to that. Um, and I recognize that you all can't comment on it tonight. Um, but
I do want to go on the record be before you vote to introduce it that um, we're not ready for this. Um, I'm strongly against eliminating the the look back. I think the impact that decision is being made on dollars. I think the dollars
that we hearing need to be better quantified. Um, and if this does go forward, it should be part of the overall budget discussions we have in a few weeks, not tonight. It's a separate standalone item. Um, I believe the cost that that we've heard tied to the uh to
the look back. I believe they're overstated by by about a factor or two. Um, and during the week, um, I' I've been fortunate enough that our our financial team and our tax team has been willing to meet with me and we've been going through it and I think they would
agree with that that comment as well, but you need to hear that from them from from them, not from me. Um, so in in the end, I I think we need we need to look at it further. We're not ready for this to go forward. Um, in in terms of, you know, one of the things
we've heard is we're one of two towns. I I disagree with that as well. We may be one of two towns that have a 24 month look back, but there's other towns that do it differently. Um and and I I got I have to thank our AI we have we've got
some AI experts in our township here. You know, have them look at Avorhees, Galloway Township, Lynwood, Green Township, and then see what they find. And if they find something, ask them to dive deeper and maybe we'll find something in there. But let's let's look
a little bit harder. Let's let's figure out what are the real dollars. What are the other towns doing? So, um again, this decision should not be made on dollars alone. It is um
I I I think let me just end by saying I think that Spartans, including each of you up there, and I I know that we all want to support our veterans. It's important that we that we give the support to our disabled veterans that they need. So Spartans are smart people.
You're all smart people. So let's not introduce this bill tonight and let's figure out how do we do this right going forward. I don't think we're ready for it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Jerry Murphy, 161 Alpine Trail.
>> Who drafted this ordinance? Did you, Mr. Dash? >> We're not discussing it tonight. >> Former Mayor Murphy, >> I'm not discussing it. I'm just saying >> that's a direct question, but we're not doing that tonight. This is an introduction only. I'll respectfully ask you to hold it for next two weeks, three weeks from now.
>> There. Yes. At the public hearing. Um, waiting in the wings, Assembly Bill 2939, introduced by Assemblyman Alex Sawiki, 12th Legislative District.
It's to provide meaningful property tax relief to honorably discharge veterans with service connected disabilities rated below 100% up to $5,000.
So, if you think you're dodging a bullet, stand by. >> Thank you, >> Jenny. Derek, step into Sparta. I have a different question. uh 2605 I know it was just introduced
but um always ask on these ordinances what is the delta where is what has changed from uh the fee ordinances to past to current are there new categories
um what what has the fe how has the fee structure changed every year we have a listing of all of the different fees this is different looks different anyway way. Um I don't think we've had one like this for a while. So um hoping that I don't have to ask that maybe it will be
pro provided at the next meeting when this is uh voted on for the hearing. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else from the public on items on the agenda? Okay. Seeing none, we'll close the open to the public segment.
Thank you for your comments. Next, we'll move on to expenditures. Deputy Mayor Sylvester, would you please read the expenditures for March 24th, 2026? >> Yes. Thank you, Mary. Uh expenditures for March 24th, 2026
are 6,586,343.30. >> All right. May I have a motion to approve those expenditures? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstain?
Okay. Expenditures have been approved. Next, we're moving on to introduction of ordinances. Again, as a reminder, these are introductions. So if they pass, if each one passes, it'll be then up for a hearing at our next meeting, which I
believe is 3 weeks from tonight, second Tuesday in April. So the first one is 2605, an ordinance amending the general ordinances of the township of Sparta in order to adjust certain fees and escros.
May I have a motion to introduce 2605? So move. >> May I have a second? >> I will second. >> Madam clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please? >> Councilman Scott, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Murphy,
>> yes. >> Councilman Clark, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester, >> yes. >> Mayor Bli, >> yes. >> Ordinance 2605 has been introduced. 2606. >> Could we see um
uh the delta that Mrs. Derek's talking about before next meeting? >> Maybe it's it's maybe because it's it's a very good question and and more than a fair request. the the um style that the
township has been following to date doesn't lend itself easily to show the the red line um as to what I I completely agree that both the council and the public should be afforded that um opportunity to see the distinction. I
I'll try to see if between now and the hearing we can find some way. It is um not necessarily easy to do. Uh not saying that it's not can't be done. Uh going forward, we are going to try to follow the state legislaturator's
um style of changing ordinances. The state legislature uses underlining to show new additions and uses brackets to show deletions. I think that would be tremendously helpful for the public um at large as well as the council. So,
with apologies for the lack of showing the quote unquote the delta, but uh we will make every we will labor to provide that going forward after this ordinance. >> Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to ordinance 2606,
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. May I have a motion to introduce 2606? So moved. >> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Open discussion. >> No. >> No. >> Not an introduction.
>> There's no discussion. >> Uh, Madam Clerk, may I have a roll call vote, please? >> Councilman Scott, >> this is only to introduce it. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct. Uh, uh, yes. I'd like to discuss it.
>> Yes. Pass. Yes. >> Councilman Murphy. >> Yes. >> Councilman Clark. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester. >> No. >> Mayor Blatti. >> Yes. 2606 has been introduced. >> 2607.
An ordinance of the mayor and council of the township of Sparta amending chapter 18 entitled comprehensive land management code of the township of Sparta code to amend section 18-4.21 entitled C1H community
commercial-historic zone. Attorney Dash, would you please share uh some context around this and guidelines? >> Yes, of course. So, as an initial matter, um I've discussed with Councilman Murphy and Council, uh excuse me, Councilman Scott and Councilwoman
Murphy that due to a conflict, they will be recusing themselves from the uh substance of this ordinance. >> Right. >> That's correct. Okay. Uh in addition uh because my law firm represents Lake Mohawk Country Club, I will recuse
myself from any substantive uh or um uh substantive discussions with respect to this ordinance. Uh I will provide procedural guidance with respect to all ordinances. Um I do understand there was discussion uh by council prior to today.
Uh probably at this point I'll turn it over to Councilman Clark to uh indicate he and others may have had some change requests for some changes. As a matter of procedure for all ordinances, not just this ordinance, any changes that
are material uh would obviously impact the ordinance, but the time for those changes uh would be after the introduction. The New Jersey statute uh statutes do not allow for amendments to ordinances to be done at the
introduction stage. Therefore, the council has two options if it wishes wishes to make an amendment. It can either a table the ordinance uh tonight and it can um propose the changes prior
prior to the next hearing. Alternatively, it can introduce the ordinance as is without any changes or and then at the hearing stage, it can propose an amendment at that time. And depending on whether or not that
amendment is material, uh that will determine whether or not the ordinance has to be reintroduced and renoticed. So for those members of the council who can vote, uh I'm happy to answer procedural questions and not substantive questions.
>> So just to also clarify, this ordinance was submitted by Wake Mohawk uh and presented to the township today as as well, right? They're in support of what's what we're discussing and what's in front of us tonight. Right. >> It was submitted by Lake Mohawk. I
understand it was submitted by Lake Mohawk. Um the the board is a large board and I I I think I mean again I not speaking for them in my capacity as lawyer but yes this ordinance originated from Lake Mohawk. >> Yes. I I was just procedurally just
wanted to let the public know that Lake Mohawk >> correct >> asked us to you know consider this for introduction. >> That is correct. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Welcome. So, may I have a motion to
introduce ordinance 2607? >> Well, I'd like to, if we can, make a motion to table this ordinance in light of council's instruction. Uh, the reason being is um in light of the requirement that uh you have if it's going to be a
significant change, you'd have to do that. You'd have to reintroduce it anyway. I think um it had been pointed out that bed and breakfast is a permitted use. the which is fine. The issue is it's not defined. Um the
definition tracks back to the definition in the prior 18.2 which simply says it's the bed and breakfast as defined by the New Jersey bed and breakfast association which we can't find even exists. So I think there's more homework that needs
to be done to put parameters about what is this bed and breakfast going to look like. And I think in light of that I don't want to face a situation where we get to hearing we have a very specific definition that then gets determined it's a significant change and then we
have to reintroduce it anyway. Uh the second one is um I think that at least looking at it from my perspective um one part that I would change um would be in
the uh under section two paragraph 5 um I would strike the phrase existing or approved at the time of passage of this chapter. I think that's tanamount to a prohibition on apartments. Um because what it means is the only way you get as
a permitted use would be if the application exists um at the time of the passage of this ordinance which right now there isn't any. So I think if you know if I make a motion to amend and
that passes that's going to be another that could be viewed as significant change. So, plus I want to give notice to the community that that's a possibility that that provision gets struck and so we can hear more about I have reached out uh to the board of
trustees at Lake Mohawk flagging that issue for her. Um and I think we could get more feedback from the community about that. So those are the reason why I think the better course in my mind would be to table this until we get a better definition and also get some more
feedback about if that provision gets struck on section two uh five. >> Now attorney dash I I know I had flagged the definition issue pretty strongly and >> I know your guidance was that adding a definition for a use that is already in
there in the introduction would not be material. We're just defining it more clearly. Correct. >> Um, correct. In your case, you're not adding a definition. The definition is that you're not adding a use. Um, the use for better and breakfast is there, but um there's a gray line um on your
issue on Councilman Clark's issue that is changing the nature of the use and it could be considered a material issue. So, your issue is certainly debatable as to whether it's a material uh change if you're adding the scope of a bed and breakfast, but arguably it can. But if
you have Councilman Clark's issue that addresses a use that's not currently allowed, that could certainly be considered a material change. >> Okay. I was under the assumption until just now that both were not material. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah. I think our emails may have crossed later this earlier this
afternoon. So, >> okay. Okay. So, we have a motion on the table to table the introduction of 2607. Well, if we're going to consider that, mayor, I I would like to say >> actually, do we we need a second? >> We only All I have is a me making the
motion. So, it needs a second. >> You need a second and we could discuss or >> Okay. Yeah. >> All right. Okay. >> So, can I have a second to further evaluate the motion to table? >> I I'll second it. >> Okay. So, we have that. Let's discuss further. >> Yeah. So, I think this is an opportunity to get this right. I mean, we have we
have Lake Maul community asking us to administratively put some fixes in into into their an ordinance in to fix their um their bylaws, etc. And they've proposed this to us. If there's significant changes, I heard Councilman
Clark and and Mayor as well as far as clarifying definitions, but I would suggest that whoever uh is handling those discussions that um we sit down with Lake Mohawk and and get it right. I mean, let's, you know, the next time this ordinance comes up here, it should
be a pass through and where everybody's in agreement and there's just full consensus with it. I mean, it's, you know, I don't want to use this ordinance or any other ordinance that we talked about previously running up expenses, legal fees, and all this if we're never going to get there for political reasons
or uh differences of opinions. I just really would like to, you know, if the community is looking for something, let's make it right. let's get it right and put forward something that's best for for the community as as well as the township. So, I just wanted to get that
statement out there and whoever is going to be representing or carrying that forward, Councilman Clark, would you be handling those discussions or who's going to be um discussing them? Um yeah and I mean listen I will uh I think
people are entitled to my reasoning why um I have a an issue with that particular provision. Um I think the reality of it is is that uh there are apartments uh in that area. Uh there's a certain area and that uh in Lake Mohawk
now that has remained kind of in a blighted condition in my opinion for quite some time. um and is probably ripe to have uh commercial uh with apartments over the top. And so I think to make it
more attractive, it just puts another barrier if you make it a non-permitted use. You have to go and get a use variance. Um I think that for right now and there's certain parameters you can do around the development itself to make sure it fits within the aesthetic
profile of Lake Mohawk. Um, I think that for me this that's that's why I think we need to encourage that type of development there. I think it makes sense and so that's why I would like to get that provision struck so it's clear
that apartments with commercial on the bottom is a permitted use. The way it reads now it's kind of a de facto prohibited use. Okay, good. So, we have a motion in a second. Um, yeah, I mean, I don't think there's a
urgency to get this through. Um, if I if it was true that these two were nonmaterial, I would prefer to go forward tonight with it. Um, given what I've heard and some of the other opinions here, uh, we do need to get it right. And if there's going to be a risk that we come back in three weeks and it's going to be material changes and
that's just a waste of our time to wait three weeks. Um, okay. Um >> and we'll communicate um as reasonably as fast as possible with the community to work through this. Correct.
>> You mean the >> this thing so this thing doesn't lag months and months and months. I mean I would hope that we get some dialogue. We discuss whatever your concerns that were discussed here and if there agreement or we could come to some agreement then great. Let's get this uh back to the
back to the board. If not, then at least give an update on where the discrepancies were, where where the the rub is, so to speak, >> if we're not able to do so. >> Yes, we should do. >> I think it's important to communicate that. >> Yeah. Thank you,
>> Madam Cler. May roll call vote, please. >> Councilman Scott. >> No. Um, >> I'm passing. I'm >> actually just u apologize. Just okay. >> Councilman Clark. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester. >> Abstain. Mayor Blumeetti.
>> Yes. >> You're abstaining. Just to be clear, you're abstaining from the vote to >> I I don't even want to table it, but you guys tabled it. So, you don't even need my vote. >> Correct. >> Yeah. We had two over three. So, we have majority. >> No, you're good. You're good. >> No, we just need two, right?
>> Yeah. Okay. Okay. So, the vote to table has passed two to and one abstension. So 26-07 is tabled. Okay. Moving on to hearing of ordinances. So we have one hearing
tonight. This is ordinance 2604 which was introduced two weeks ago. an ordinance of the township of Sparta, Sussex County, New Jersey, amending and repealing portions of chapter 16 of the
township code entitled fire protection and prevention. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2604? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, this is now on the table. I'd like
to open up to the public for comments on ordinance 2604. And please uh please note that the same public comment uh guidelines apply. So five minutes uh please state your your name. >> Okay.
>> Jenny Derek's tap into Sparta. What is different from this ordinance compared to what ex currently exists? >> Once this once the township of Sparta entered into the shared service agreement with Hardon Township, the state needs to recognize that shared
service. The state recommends that we well recommends actually they mandated that we change our ordinance about agency designation. So in the ordinance uh the original ordinance had Sparta being the lead agency when it came to fire prevention.
uh that's not the case anymore. It's hardest and so we had to amend the ordinance accordingly just to match up with the current shared service agreement. >> So you you called it agency what was the >> designation >> designation. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public comments or
questions regarding ordinance 26-04? Okay, seeing none, we'll bring it back to the deis. Any discussion, comments, questions on the deis for 2604? >> Start with uh Councilman Scott first. >> Yes, sir. Um, this agency designation,
uh, the the first sentence says, "The local enforcing agency shall be the Hardy Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, which will here and after be known as the local enforcing agency or Bureau of Fire
Prevention pursuant to a shared services agreement, blah blah blah blah." Um, is that is our fire department is all good with this? Yes, this in fact our fire department really isn't involved with this. This is fire prevention, fire inspections.
>> Okay. >> Uh adherence to the fire code. >> Okay. >> All right. So, um they do there is some crossover, but there isn't uh you know a whole lot there and yes, they are fully on board. Uh we've been doing the service now for two quarters and it's
it's worked out fairly well. I'm I'm very pleased with it uh with the transition went real well. Hardistan has been very uh responsive and um you know one of our lead inspectors uh Tom McIntyre he continues to work uh
part-time for the hardest side and um it's worked out very well. This is just more of a preuncter language changes. >> Okay. >> So there's nothing really of significance of concern on on this. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Sure. And Deputy Mayor Sylvester any questions? I'm good. >> I have none. Councilwoman, >> no. Councilman, I don't. >> Uh, no questions. >> Okay. >> Madam Clerk, may I please have a roll call vote for 2604? >> Councilman Scott? >> Yes. >> Councilman Murphy?
>> Yes. >> Councilman Clark? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Sylvester? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bli? >> Yes. >> 2604 has been adopted. >> Moving on to resolutions. Again, just a brief reminder that resolution 8-5 was
added recently added to the agenda. So, I'm going to walk through these each individually tonight instead of doing any bulk resolution approvals. So, once we do the motion and second it, then if there's any questions or comments or discussion, we can have it at that point.
May I have a motion to approve resolution 8-1 adopting an affordability assistance program policy and procedures manual for the township of Sparta. >> I motion to make a motion and have a second please. >> Second. >> Okay.
Any discussion, comments, questions? Yeah, I just these are all predicated upon what the state is mandating. Correct. >> Yes. >> Just so the public knows. >> That's a great point, Councilwoman. Thank you. Yeah. One, two, and three are all related to affordable housing um
requirements. Any other questions, comments? >> So, there's no changing this. This is the way it is. The state >> laid it. It is. and it provides a a lot of good information in there on the current status of of the account that
the township maintains for COA and that account is very strict on where the monies can be used and applied for and um it's very transparent and and the the new rules with the affordable housing is that we have to do uh constant reporting
with DCA on on the balances and and the spending and the acquisition of the funds. So, they're really on top of it now more than ever. >> And included in these three also, there's lots of detailed forms um for the a resident who wants to apply, what
they need to fill out, what are the requirements, what are the guidelines, how much assistance they can get. So, there's a lot of um uh public facing information in these these manuals and policy guides. We we do have a third party administrator in CGPNH because this is a
a complex process, but they make it easy for applicants and and they actually manage a lot of the details of this on behalf of the town. Um, and I'm grateful for that. >> Okay, let's go to a vote for 8-1. Uh,
all in favor of approving resolution 8-1 say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Durbaines 8-1 has been approved. Resolution 82, resolution adopting the administrative procedures manual for affordable housing. May I have a motion to approve?
>> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Any further comments, questions, discussions? Okay. All in favor of approving 8-2 say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed or abstained? 8-2 has been
approved. Resolution 8-3, resolution adopting the Township of Sparta affordable housing trust fund fourth round spending plan. May I have a motion to approve that? >> I'll make a motion to approve.
>> May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions, comments? Nadas >> and just yes just um these can be found online on the town website >> if anybody needs to know and is there
any other place >> I believe they're also attached to the agenda online for this evening's meeting >> right >> okay yes there attachments there yes >> thank you all in favor of approving resolution 8-3
say I I >> I >> any opposed or abstained? Okay. 8-3 has been approved. Resolution 8-4, resolution of the township of Sparta supporting the New Jersey Highway
Traffic Safety Mobilization 2025 distracted driving crackdown. May I have a motion to approve 8-4? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. Any questions, comments, discussion?
>> And we got a uh grant last year because of this, correct? For our police department did such a wonderful job. >> Yeah, I believe we have a grant this year that's funding this. >> We do a good job applying for as many grants as we can. >> I know. >> Um yes, we are lucky to also get this. So, this is just in support of the
grant. >> All in favor of approving resolution 8-4, say I. >> I. I. Any opposed or abstain? 8-4 has been approved. Resolution 8-5, a resolution supporting the Sparta Township Environmental Commission's
application for an ANJ, which is the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commission open space stewardship grant for a community bat conservation and education project. May I have a motion to approve 8-5? So moved. May I have a
second? >> I will second. any questions, discussion, comments? >> And this is just uh for applying for a grant for educating because there's a lot of um animals, bog turtles, certain
bats that are becoming extinct and it's just another part of the environmental to help protect our land where these could be inhabiting. >> Yeah. And just to clarify too, last, if you remember, you might recall last meeting, there was a also an
environmental commission request to for us to support them going for a grant. That was not through ANJ. That was through Sustainable Jersey. Those are two different organizations that environmental commissions collaborate with. >> If you don't mind, I'd like to just make
a plug for our clerk. >> Yeah. >> As you know, the reason this wasn't on the agenda, it came really light late late last minute. Turned out there was a deadline that we would have missed if we had put this on the next council meeting. >> Thank you very much. >> But uh thanks to Roxan for keep getting
that on for tonight. >> Thank you. >> One quick question and and there's no uh expense to the town. This is 100% grant. >> This is a grant >> that we're matching. There's no administrative correct requirements. >> I think it's $1,500. >> Yeah. 1,500.
>> Right. >> Excellent. Yeah. It's exciting. Yep. >> We need the we need the EC to keep pushing these types of things to help educate the public on things that >> that's Yes. >> Yeah. They're doing a good job. >> Okay. Uh may I have a >> I just have questions about but no one
probably can answer them other than the college. What's so important about the bats? >> Because they're ext they're becoming several species that are the guy who freaks out of the bats in the house. >> Oh well that's true population. Yeah,
>> but this these there's particular ones that eat mosquitoes that eat a lot of um problematic insects. >> And um and if there's land that they happen to be inhabiting, this keeps open space.
>> Okay. >> And there's like four or five that are becoming extinct. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They're a key part of the ecosystem. Yeah. >> Thank you. And >> they only come out at night. >> Yes. And they're actually not very aggressive.
>> Say so. >> They do. Okay. All right. All in favor of approving resolution 8-5 say I. >> I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed or abstains? All right. Resolution 8-5 has been approved.
>> Now we're moving on to item nine. Uh our second open to the public segment. This is for items not on the agenda. So items not on the agenda tonight, please state and spell your name for the record. Each speaker is limited to one comment of no more than 5 minutes. >> Rob Otto R O I'll spell it backwards. O
TTO. Um, so this is not relating to any particular ordinance, but I would just uh ask if there's a question about bed and breakfast just in general um which are referred to in 8 18-2.1
if there's any attempt to clarify um for future ordinances that's in and you would know this but uh 1211.2 2 184.27 Town Center Lower Main Street Commercial 18-4.37
18-4.24 18-4.12 as well as uh C1H. So just if if some changes are going to be made, I would just ask that rather than duplicating the efforts, do it all. All right. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Auto. I raised the exact
same point. We're thinking along the same lines. just change it where everyone needs to apply and get get really detailed and define it properly. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Quickly, >> Rick Fle I N Kle Sparta. Um, first of all, Jim, did you say that there's a
YouTube link for the replay of the budget meeting? >> Correct. >> Because I was on the website earlier. I didn't see any media files. uh you go to tax and finance and then you'll see the budget documents then you got the tabs of each year. >> Okay. >> I was looking at the
>> you'll see you'll see the link there. >> Okay. Super. Um the other question I had was around a previous meeting a couple weeks ago and there was a couple questions asked that I want to come back to. Um, some of you know I was on the school
board for seven years. So, I'm pretty familiar with what gets included in executive sessions and what's excluded from executive sessions. So, I'm going back to the discussion around the meeting that took place with Diamond Ship a couple weeks ago.
First of all, I think these questions are certainly able to be addressed at this meeting. I'm not asking for any confidential negotiation topics. Who initiated that initial meeting a couple weeks ago? >> Which meeting?
>> There was a meeting several weeks ago. I think Mike was in the meeting, the attorney, not an odd, but the attorney and someone else. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, let me answer the question this way. Uh, Rick, >> you're right. The question is not
strictly prohibited by any rule, >> right? or confidentiality. But let me say this in a litigation why we why we as attorneys are careful in answering questions like that because anything we say in a
litigation can be used against us that we are either I understand the interest of transparency but we are in in an environment now that any types of questions even though innocuous as that you had just asked uh it's a slippery
slope every time we as Sparta, the planning board, the council tries to answer a question as innocuous as that um there is a risk and it's not a right or wrong risk. There's a risk and so I
um respect the interest by the public to understand the details related to that and I respect your knowledge of what is privileged and what's not privileged. But there was a nuance to what we can answer and I I just ask you to mutually respect that.
>> I'm not sure about the mutual respect because the evasion of the answer is concerning in itself. >> Well, that mean respectfully that's you're entitled to that Rick. invasion of the answer is concerning
and whether it's their side or our side, we're kneedeep in litigation to answer who originated that meeting is not going to cause any additional damages from my perspective. >> That's from your perspective. From my perspective, I have a I have a different
experience. >> Okay. Has there been any subsequent meetings, discussions, or correspondence with them since the last meeting? >> Same answer, >> concerning. Um,
okay. I'll share the other comments that I'm hearing from the community. It's not just my personal opinion that there seems to be some negotiations. I won't call it back room negotiations, discussions to get ourselves out of this pickle
because per there's individuals that are affected by potential personal lawsuits and a settlement could get those people out of this predicament. That's one thing I'm hearing. The other thing I'm hearing is that the attitude towards the town has changed and we're desperately
looking for additional funds and there's a percentage of the people in the community think that we're changing our position to address budget gaps and I think that's shortsighted don't
I'm curious to see when we're going to be able to find out who initiated this meeting because I don't think it's as damaging as you're implying it to be. So, >> thank you. That's >> Thank you. >> If I could just add, I think that the issue really is if when you get into
who, it inevitably leads to an argument with whoever you've identified. They'll say, "Well, we weren't the ones that started it. You were the one." And we're dealing with a very leticious opponent. We'd rather avoid issues about who
started what. Um so I think that's and I I think um you know there is I mean it should be public at least I think you know the court has ordered mediation I think that everyone that knows the public that wasn't something that was
initiated by anyone here or the other side that's a function of the district of federal court in New Jersey and so that was you know ordered by the court so we don't have a choice we have to show up for that um >> I tell you to reach out to diamond ship
or vice versa. They they just said >> the court said the mediation who started the what you're referring to. You know, I understand attorney Dash's concern and I'm just echoing that that when you get into issues about who said what. It inevitably leads to a fight and so it's
not in anyone's litigation interest to do that. I think that's sort of what he was driving at. So it I understand how it's perceived as evasion. It really isn't. It's trying to protect our own kind of litigation position. Um, so but I appreciate the concern. I understand
the public is rightly concerned about it and has every right to stand up here and ask about what's going on with this. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> I will just say too that both parties agreed to meet and in good faith. I mean that's that's how I saw it.
>> Sylvia Salone Sparta S a N. I'm here today to represent New Jersey Forest Watch, which if you don't remember who we are, but we are one of the advocacy groups in the state that's working to protect and preserve our public lands, especially on Sparta Mountain. And I
wanted to remind the mayor and council, that uh March 31st is approaching very soon. That's next Tuesday. Comments are due to the DP regarding the next logging project, which is the last of this
10-year plan. Um, it is on stand 9B, which just to let everybody know, if you've ever hiked on Sparta Mountain, it is um off the Edison Monument Trail, which is, by the way, the most widely
used recreational trail on Sparta Mountain. and it's also in a NA natural heritage priority site. We've already had one area destroyed which was considered 9A. That's what the D deemed
that. Our group along with the Highlands uh coalition filmed the invasive species that are now growing in an area that before did not have invasious species. Because when you do log, what happens is
the logging equipment that comes in spreads seeds that are often found in the um passageway or the trailway. And so as much as we tried back then to not have this area logged because we
knew invasives were going to spread, it has already proven so. And because this is an area that is so near and dear to so many of us who hike, who recreate, who love to be out in the outdoors to look at birds and other animals, to now
go into another area that's a natural heritage, which by the way, it means it's high conservation value. Uh, for example, with resolution 8.5, one way we could help our bats stop logging. And
that is a fact. Um, in addition, I want to just clarify and I have a document for all of you that so far on Sparta Mountain, 150 acres have already been cut. That is the equivalent, and I want you to think about this, 113
football fields. That is egregious in today's climate crisis that we're in. When you start to include the rights of way, which is our, you know, power lines, those are always going to be early secessional or young forest
habitat, that's an additional 140 acres. So, if you add the 150 that the state's already done, the 140, right, you get now an area that is equivalent to 219
football fields. And so I have this form for you so you can see all the data. And remember that doesn't include the new roads that have been created on Sparta Mountain because of the logging equipment. Doesn't include the marshlands which technically are
considered that younger forest because trees will not grow in marshlands. And if you just go down Edison Road, you see all of that early successional habitat already there. But the state, our group
has found out has put out to bid a inventory analysis on Sparta Mountain for the next plan. And this is, you can probably hear it in my voice. It's not only egregious, it is wrong. We as
taxpayers paid to protect these lands. We all pay green acres. We want areas to recreate and to enjoy. if CO taught us something is that how much we need our outdoors and yet the DP has been
misguided. Um there's plenty of other areas in the state like brownfields they can go to. Um one of the comments we're going to make as a group is that instead of going into this area that is so pristine and so beautiful, why don't you go to an
area that was cut 11 years ago, 12 years ago, manage that area. Don't go into a pristine area and destroy that area. Instead, manage what you've already done on Sparta Mountain. That makes the most
sense. And so, I encourage our Spartans that are here today, as well as those listening. We have to fight for what's right. And what's happening on Sparta Mountain is wrong. And I thank you for your time. I'm hoping that we can rally
and this proposed plan for another 10 years we nyx and with my six seconds left there was a resolution that was on the table I don't know what happened to that um if we just include no removal of
wood most environmental organizations would be fine with management just don't remove the wood thank you does anybody have any questions Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Okay. >> One question. Sure. When they log for this on stand 9, are they going to have
to because that is like there's a bunch of trails there. People use that. Are they going to close it down? Yes. >> So, if I'm trying to go hiking up there, >> I'm not going to be able to use that. Is that right? >> Correct. >> Okay. And how long is it? Is it indefinite? >> They usually close it from November 15th
through March 31st. That's the time frame. >> Yep. And um Roxan I have this and I will also email this to you Roxan because it has the scientific papers like if you click on the PDF this obviously paper you can't do that.
>> Yeah. I would love to read that. That's terrific. I just have two quick questions. So >> the purpose of all this logging from the D's perspective is for what reason? >> Okay. They >> actually let's keep it brief here. I don't want to get into dialogue. >> I'll I'll read up on it's to create
habitat. It's to create younger forest, but there's areas that you can go into that you don't have to cut the nice trees. >> Okay. And my last question, real simple. They consider all the storm damage that's been going on and all the down trees that are there. Do they go out and log those and pick those up as well?
>> They do not. And that is something that we have brought to their attention as well. But there's no value in trees that are already down. And that's the key. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. You keep me on a tight string tonight, huh?
>> Joanne Skellyy. Um, I just want to come up here to thank the sport of police or township for their vacant home program that they have when people are away from home. Uh, the police will come periodically to check on your house. And we are away this past winter and the
police did come and do a check around 6:00 a.m. and they saw water coming out of my garage. I had a burst pipe and I called the water remediation company right away and they said the pipe was probably burst about an hour or two before they got there. So thankfully our
Sparta police noticed it and um I end up at 37,000 in water damage which quite a bit but our insurance company approved it which is great. Um but it could have been a lot worse if we didn't have that program in place. So, I want to thank um
town the police department for putting that in place. It's a wonderful thing and I think more people should be made aware of that program because they check for the doors for um >> break broken windows, doors open, water
coming out of garages. But thank you all. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. manager Zep. How do uh how does someone sign up for that if the public wanted to take part in that? Uh >> just online. I think it's under on the
police web page. >> Okay, that's great. Thank you. >> I voted Ronda again, Sparta. Um, don't want to go back to the ordinance on on the uh the veteran tax refund, but I just want to ask when it comes time to
have the hearing. Um, Jim, if you could, let's see if we can get a number. I know I know there's been a number floating. I don't think people believe that's the number anymore. So, when it comes time for the vote, make sure everybody has what what you believe is the right number. >> Okay. >> Sure. The other thing I want to talk
about tonight is the elimination of the second public comment period for items that are not on on the agenda. There's obviously a lot of topics um that aren't on the agenda and the public should be given the opportunity to comment on them. I mean, we could talk
about disabled veterans, presentation of the uh the budget, the annual financial statement. Jenny's always bringing the brownfields, keeping us in front of us. Thank you for that. We heard about long and tight things, a lot of things that just aren't on the agenda. And and my feeling is that one five minute comment
period just is not enough. Um you know, if I remember correctly, when when many of you campaigned for this position, you promised more transparency, better engagement with the public. You wanted to hear what the public's
collective thoughts and concerns were. And yet at the very first meeting of this council, you voted to to eliminate that second that second public comment period for items not on the agenda. So, you know, if there was a misunderstanding, and I think there may have been by some
um on on what was being voted on. So, my question would be, how do we get that back on the agenda? Does somebody need to make a motion? Does it need to be voted on? And if so, I'm going to ask that people consider doing that tonight as part of the the other new business. Let's get it back on so people can have
the time. I know time in the meeting was a consideration, but I think when you look at the, you know, I you guys are doing a really good job getting through the items on the agenda tonight. We'll probably get out of here, you know, well before 9:00. I think we've had other meetings. So, I don't I don't see the need to to reduce
it. So, um, let me go let me go back to something Dean Dean started with, and that's that, you know, we're all here. We want to do what's best for Sparta, but we have to listen to each other.
Well, you can't can't can't do that. You can't understand us if you don't give us the opportunity. And again, one five minute comment. I mean, I I I get tired of of looking at this clock and not at you guys. And and and I hate see people come up here. Great, great thoughts and
I'm watching the clock on them. You know, it's let that was the wrong decision in my my view and I ask that you really consider fixing it. So, thanks. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thanks, Ron. >> Jenny, Derek Stein as far as So, Mr. Zep, do we have any Have they
accepted our land swap yet for the >> You want me to answer it? Sure. >> Yeah, we're we're getting closer, Jenny. Um we have our contact down at the mitigation council. They have requested uh title commitments on the parcels and
um Anolutions for the parcel donation and um our eco science uh expert Laura Nugar will be present here to answer any questions when it comes to that point. So, um uh it it's it's either the next meeting or
the following meeting that this will happen. So, stay tuned. Uh but we're getting closer. >> Okay. Thank you. Um the grant from the economic from the I'm sorry, the environmental commission. There's no you asked um about township I think you had
asked about township um fees or other money that we may have, but are there any other strings attached to it? like do we have to then cordon off any property or is there anything that we're required to do that isn't maybe necessarily money but we're the town has
to abide by to get the grant. It's just them giving us money >> to get the grant or to >> it's part of its education as well. >> Okay. >> It's for education >> but that's there's nothing else we have to do. >> No. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Dean, I don't know
if this is for you or for Mr. Zep. Um uh at the last planning board meeting, the chair um just took it on herself that the reason why there were no minutes is because she's been doing the minutes because they're short-handed in the
department. And um just curious why a volunteer would be taking on a a job that's supposed to be done in house. Um and then one last quick thing, the B&B. Um I had brought that up the question
that there's no um framework behind the B&B ordinances that are as Mr. Otto explained. Um I did check into it about a year ago and I brought it to the attention here uh that there that that was lacking. Um Andover as a as just as
a direction um Andover has a small carveout for bed and breakfast and they're one of the only ones in the area that actually do. So there might be some place to look. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Um I'll attempt to address the question about the planning board minutes and managers if you would like to jump in. But um as you know the staff is short-handed right now uh with the uh departure of the uh the department head right from
planning and zoning. Um so my assumption is that they are backed up on doing things like minutes. Uh, I personally don't see an issue with a member of the committee filling in to do minutes, especially the chairwoman. I don't think that's um necessarily a bad thing if it keeps getting minutes going. Um, I don't
know any time measures up. Anything else to add? >> Yeah, this is the first I heard of it. Uh, I thought I had the minutes covered by another staff member. Okay. So, um, this is news to me. >> Yeah, she took the blame for not having minutes. She said it's up on it's on me. I didn't get to it. I didn't have enough time. It just seemed inappropriate.
That's all. So, was this for planning board or minor site plan or >> planning board? >> Planning board. All right. Okay. >> Okay. Anyone else from the public on items not on the agenda? >> Okay. Seeing none, we'll bring it back to the deis. Moving on to council
leazison on updates. Hi, >> Marjgerie Castell, 353 North Church Road, Florida. Um, I was just um curious about the 809 West Mountain Road, the
them dumping and it was I thought it was supposed to be addressed March 1st and I haven't heard anything. >> Talk to Jenny. That's a joke. >> Um, from from memory recall, uh, Jenny
had asked the same question and, uh, I had, uh, given her an extensive reply from the township engineer. Um, they are actively surveying the property right now. They have an L LSRP uh, ready to address uh, the soil remediation. It's just, uh, I know it
was very wet with all the thawing and the snow. Um they are actively working on it right now as we speak. Um we should start hearing results of those soil samples um momentarily. Um but it is an active cleanup right right now.
They have the appropriate personnel, my engineers on on top of it. >> It's an active cleanup >> with the surveys and the soil sampling. Right. They're going to sample the soil. >> I'm not familiar. So you don't have to get angry with me. I'm not not angry.
It's just I I know >> happier. >> I'm sorry. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry I come across that way. >> You bet. >> I We can address this outside then. Okay. That would be a better way to do it. Thank you. >> Okay. So, we'll regroup after the
meeting or offline. >> Yeah. So, just to clarify the the statement was intended in the best intention. When he said active cleanup, there's not a presumption that there's contamination, ma'am. So um if you interpreted it to be that there is contamination um there is no finding
from the township that there is contamination yet. >> Okay. So if if I were to have truckloads of dirt, not just a few truckloads, we're talking days and days of truckloads of dirt coming onto my
property. Would anybody like this has been going on this has been reported in 24 would I mean I don't understand that there's no urgency th this could be contaminated. I mean
I've never heard of people dumping unlimited dirt and it just still just keeps not getting addressed. >> Um well I'll just appreciate your concern. the I will say the illegal
dumping of dirt in New Jersey is probably more common than you would think. Um, number one, but the urgency uh I can tell you that the township engineer is working um as expeditiously as he can with the property owner to
take all steps necessary to ensure that there is no contamination. I understand your concern that they may not be working fast enough and um you know I don't have a satisfactory answer for for your view that the township is not
working fast enough. >> So you're saying that dirt gets dumped in Sparta frequently? Not in Sparta necessarily, but there are his there are there are instances both in Sparta and every town just about in New Jersey that
um the illegal dumping of dirt is is bringing in dirty dirt. Uh putting it in places you're not supposed to is unfortunately not uncommon. Uh but in other words, you're it doesn't mitigate what you are experiencing. And so I'll
just say that we are the township is trying to take all necessary steps to address your property. >> It just doesn't seem I I I don't know. I just don't I don't see it. >> I understand. >> If I may just jump in real quick.
There's a there's a lot we pay a lot of taxes in this town and on top of it the proper the property is zoned farm residential and if they're trying to make a truck
stop on a farm then wouldn't that like do something to their applic's law that how to keep our farmland assessment because it's a privilege. >> Mhm. >> I mean, it's a privilege for the whole
town because we keep a lot of the town pretty, you know, and with a lot of trees and the environment and the bats are our friends. But I don't know, it's just it's a little confusing. If I may,
manager Z, if there's a I think I mentioned this in the past. Is there an opportunity to maybe get a report updated report from our engineer or whoever's overseeing that to maybe keep us all informed? >> I I have one and I'm happy to share it with you. I I've kept the mayor plugged
in. I've uh kept uh Jenny had asked about it. Uh the cleanup or I'm not the cleanup. >> Yeah, >> the assessment of the property. That that is my bad. I you know because I'm not the professional on that. So, I keep calling it that, but the survey is
active. I I've I've I've got the updates from my engineer. The LSRP is is hired. Uh uh she she's she's ready to go out there and and and and do her job. The soil sampling will be done. I understand there is a lot of material that's been brought out, but you want to see if it's
contaminated material. Does it need to be removed or is it clean dirt? See see what that the actual uh substance is of the the material first. So they're taking it in a logical periodical method as they would any other area and it is a
process and we have been fighting bad weather and every all the parties involved are aware of the urgency and what what I've been informed and what I've seen is it is active. They are doing things on it. Uh they did a a
survey with a drone. I understand already they've had drones out there doing >> I believe that cuz I >> did you see the drones? >> Yeah, I did. Okay. So I saw them. We are >> and I've seen a surveyor on the ground on their feet as well. >> Excellent. >> But there's still tractor trailers parked there.
>> All right. We we address that as well, Miss Castile. And I'm told that the equipment there, they're waiting for the soil because apparently it's very soft and muddy because it's loose. They're waiting for it to dry to remove the the equipment that's not supposed to be there. Meanwhile, the agricultural
equipment that is allowed to be there will will remain because it's an active farm. I understand they they have activities they're doing there and that is also being monitored. So uh the owner is aware that the eyes are on him and and and everything that I I'm seeing is
a process in in in taking care of all your rightful concerns. >> Manager Zep, is there a case number assigned to this D case and an LSRP assigned to the project? >> There is an LSRP. I don't I haven't seen the case number. I'm I'm I'm sure there
is, but I just a quick update because if if there is and it sounds like there is there's a process and a simple update from that. There's a process. Yes, they brought it in, but there's a process to make sure it's taken out properly, it's disposed of properly, it's it's determined if it's contaminated or
non-contaminated, and if any of the uh existing or original soils were impacted as well. So, there's there's a procedural steps at this LSRP will make sure that that gets facilitated the correct way, assuming that that's the program it's under. So that's why I
think just a quick update would be helpful for everyone. >> And my engineer said, "Jim, should do you want me to come tonight, >> right?" And I'm like, "Well, I I really don't want to pay the fee for that, but I should had him here." >> All right. >> My apologies.
>> So >> So you we'll plan on it for a next meeting for sure to have an update. >> I would, >> but you would get her you'll get Margie an answer. >> Absolutely. I'll have and I'm sure I'll have more information uh at the next meeting because it's an active process and we've seen the drones and the
surveys and I the weather hasn't been great because we've been getting all the rain but >> and they've actually taken dirt out. >> I don't haven't seen that. I know they're sampling dirt is what I'm told. >> They haven't taken any dirt out. They haven't taken a tractor trailers and the road that they put in with the millings,
>> the tractor trailers could leave and they brought stuff in before the most recent snowstorm. So for them to tell you that everything is too soft. >> Well, >> I don't want to say it's hogwash, but
>> there is a we'll be monitoring it. >> Correct. Excuse me. Yeah, if we can let council know about this, I think I think it would have been helpful >> uh to the resident for someone to explain the process, >> right? We're going to be here. This
period is going to take x amount of time. We're going to do x amount of steps and the reason for the steps, right? Cuz you're you're coming to us with questions that I have. I have no idea and I sit behind here. To me, I'd be asking the same questions and I understand why you're concerned. I think
it would be helpful for someone to sit you down and explain the process that they're going through to ensure as you're rightly concerned that you want testing done, but you need to understand what are you testing for? Why do you think this methodology is going to work? What that kind of thing you are the
adjacent homeowner who just saw, you know, five stories of dirt come up in your backyard all of a sudden. So, you're rightly concerned and I think the rest council could probably benefit from that too, which is how long is this going to take, right? How many steps do you have to go through? How long is the testing take? Um because all of us
sitting here want an answer soon about whether this soil in um in your yard or nearby is contaminated because that opens up a whole another can of worms if it is. So, we need to know about that sooner rather than later. Yeah, because the email said March 1st and I
understand we had a tough winter. I get that. But it's still like and the the the soil conservation was Delaware so soil conservation was notified in 24 and I don't understand
why I don't even understand what soil conserv I mean I know that I had to use them when we were putting in an additional septic and an additional well but I don't understand why none of that got this ball rolling sooner before I
came to you folks. I I just don't I don't know. >> I I would suggest to maybe going forward. I'm not >> uh you're welcome to speak here. It might be easier, more convenient for you if we you don't have to come to a town council meeting every twice a month and ask these questions and maybe we can just set up a separate communication
channel, have you come up here, talk to the engineer, whatever it is, like to make it easier so you're not having to come up here and try to get your questions on the spot and make sure that you understand what the process is and just kind of I don't think necessarily you're welcome to, but I don't think it needs to be a council meeting. We should probably have a different way for you to
communicate with you and maybe we can work something out along those lines. >> No, I'm very happy this woman is here, that Margie is here because I mean I can't imagine that this is legal activity that the land owner is conducting on their property. All right.
And and I I'd like to know, you know, just just what the hell's been done on this, right? This woman's been here two or three times. her pro she's her neighbor is impacting her life and her
property and I I don't hear of any legal or or police activity to correct it and and and please let me stop and I I just think this woman deserves answers. I think we need some action here and I
understand we're dealing with the D and I understand it takes forever but it this just doesn't seem like it's uh legal or ethical behavior in a neighborly fashion. I mean I don't know how I'll say that. >> I just sorry I didn't want to cut you
off. >> My I didn't want to cut you off. Okay. So my thoughts are that the illegal activity is not happening any longer. That stopped a long time ago from my understanding. >> The what? >> The illegal activity that's The trucks are still there. The trailers are still there. >> They're sitting on the property, but there's
>> they've added they've added and I sent a picture prior to the last meeting that I went to and that was had just come in a few days before that. But it's like another box truck comes, then a a landscaping trailer comes, then that other yellow truck came, then I sent you
folks the I mean like >> and it has nothing to do with what they're doing on the property. >> I do more than just farm. So, I have several hats. I wear a I have a lot of responsibilities. So, I don't have time to keep taking pictures. And then when they start, you
know, and I thought that it was supposed to be like a stop work order, which I think that's a phrase, but they were out there working stuff. So, when am I supposed to go video them? Like, I'm not a cop. I have enough responsibilities.
It It's very frustrating. And like you said, it's it's scary because nobody seems to like nobody seems to be, you know, nobody was served with any type of summons. There's no penalties. There's I
mean, it's it's a lot of dirt. And Sparta, I mean, I always thought it was a really upscale town and that we all cared for one another. It's just pretty sad. But thank you for your concern.
>> I think you're 100% correct. >> Thank you. So, Councilman Scott, there is there is process. There is things that have happened. I don't want you to mislead the public that there is things that have happened. The LSRP, the drones, the surveys, there is some progress. Maybe it's too slow or too early or too small, but again, I don't
think again, I didn't say I didn't I did not like her to be here. I love having you here. I wish you didn't have to be here. I'm saying we need to go further. Let me finish. Let me just finish. Yeah, we just need to maybe make this easier and have a longer conversation than squeezing it in now and get all the facts on the table. That's what I was suggesting.
>> Maybe we should have uh you know, maybe Jim could bring in the the people, the players. >> I don't think you'll need to bring them in here. It's not a public >> here, not in here, but in our conference room and we can answer this lady's questions. >> Absolutely. And no, I you raised a point
that actually concerns me, which is you and listen, it may or may not be true based on what you've eyewitnessed. If you're witnessing that they're continuing to do the operation for which they were prohibited in the first place, that's a problem. It's a problem. And so
we need to understand whether that's ongoing or not. And that should the burden should be on the land owner to give assurances that that's not what you know the trucks that you see has nothing to do with the operation for which you are shutting down. It has to do with something else. But I don't know that.
You don't know that. I don't know if our town administrator knows that. But everyone here needs to know that because we can't have I mean as you know when you first told us this we have a truck stop which is clearly a prohibited use existing in a residential community.
shouldn't have happened. >> It has. >> All right. And then once it comes to light, it definitely shouldn't be happening after it's come to light. And if it's continuing to happen, that's that's you're right to be outraged and your right to stand up here and say, "What the heck is going on?" And you
know, so I I'm going to want to know that we're going to need some kind of assurance that these trucks that are coming in that you say you see, they have nothing to do with the prior operation. It has to do with the cleanup or whatever it is. We're going to need some explanation. But um
>> I just I don't want to play cop and I don't you know I'm not out for my neighbor. You know what I mean? I I didn't invite this. >> I just you know I just want to >> Well, I'm I'm going to suggest they go back to my original recommendation about
what what's the clock say 10 minutes ago. Let's get a quick update and update from the professionals overseeing that, including ours, and get this council and and and all the responsible uh parties updated. We're speculating. We've been
we're speculating. We don't know what's going on, whether it's still continuing or they're in the point of remediating. We just don't know. But to hear drones are flying around, there's activity. Let's get updated. I'm very curious myself. >> Thank you. >> And understanding understand your concerns. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Appreciate it. Have a good evening. >> Thanks, Mar. >> Anyone else from the public? >> Mr. Pinkle, I'm sorry. You were done. You only can come up really come up once during each segment. >> Use the five minutes.
>> I believe so. Uh, pardon me. >> I wasn't watching the exact countdown. >> I don't >> I'm going to use my executive privilege to allow you to finish your two minutes. >> Yeah. >> Be good to clarify that anyways, but >> Okay. >> Um, sort of what Ron was saying. Sometimes you have to come back for a
different topic. Anyway, really quick, full disclosure, Margie's a good friend of mine. We both born and raised in Sparta, 65 years. Um, a couple things. One is the trucks they moved from the farm are now sitting at the Homestead Restaurant.
>> They are. >> So, so did we really accomplish anything? Because I don't think the Homestead Restaurant's a parking area for commercial trucks either. No, but they own that too, right? >> They do. So, Jim, do we have a um code enforcement officer now? I saw a
business card on the table. Okay. So, I I didn't know. Second of all, is that LSRP was that assigned by the state or the property owner? >> Property owner. >> Potential concern. >> Um >> the the LSRP has to maintain strict levels to maintain their title no matter
who hires them. >> Okay. Um, I'm going to say something controversial. This property owner has been getting away with this kind of stuff for many, many years. Okay? Sparta has made accommodations, turned a blind eye.
Maybe I shouldn't be saying this, but it's been obvious over the six decades I've lived here. So, I'll just leave it at that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Anyone else from the public? Items not on the agenda.
>> I just wanted to make a short. >> Just share your name, please. >> Elizabeth Neand address. I was with Marjorie Castell when Corey Stoner came to the property. Um I think it was like December 21st or 22nd. It was right
before Christmas in 2025. just this past we walked the property, we visualized all the took pictures, had long conversation. Um, he was very articulate. He did make some points that were very clear. He walked her through
the process at that time. We're going to do this, we're going to do this, we're going to do this. He promised a soil sample and promised that we were going to get um a notification of the soils that when it
was going to be when the soil was going to be taken, when it was going to be tested and the results. And he said, "We're going to give them until March. We're going to give them until March 1st." And we're like, "That's kind of a lot of leeway." But we didn't have a bad
winter at that time. But then we did have a bad winter. Um um I've farmed my whole entire life. It the soil's not that soft where you can't go in and take soil samples. That's for sure. There's been plenty of really nice days and there's dirt. I mean, you can't even you
can't even imagine for two or three years the amount of dirt that came to that farm. And I myself have farmed. I know that getting agricultural farm assessment tax break is a huge thing. We have to jump through hoops. We have to
make sure that our tees are crossed and our eyes are dotted every single year. If they have farm assessment taxes, I don't see how they're getting it. I really don't. I don't see how they're getting it. But um we were promised that by March 1st and we asked a lot of
questions and we got a lot of answers from Mr. stoner, but we haven't heard from him since. I think Marjorie just um emailed him recently and got a short answer, but um and I I didn't even read the answer, but we haven't been brought
up to date, but we were promised all these things back in December. And for something to be going along since 2024 is quite a a long time. So that's why the tension is getting higher and higher. If you saw the amounts of the
trucks and the dumping and the machines, you would be horrified. It was like beyond anything I've ever seen and I've been around a long time. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. I have seen it. It is a lot.
Okay. >> Anyone else from the public? Okay, seeing none, we're going to go back to the finish up the agenda. So, we have council leaison updates. Uh we'll start at my uh far right.
Councilman Clark, any updates tonight? >> Um we had a trails meeting on March 11th. Um we had a guest uh Glenn Sumpner from the South Sussex County Chamber Executive Director. Um the Sussex County
Chamber of Commerce is making a big push uh for trails and was just updating us about um you know some that are I think Franklin's working on and um so he was encouraging of our uh efforts to get
this underway and one we are going to try to meet with the county because you know one of the trails the Ironbound trail that would be from kind of behind the DPW going uh up through to Sussex VOTE. Um that and then following along
the Skuma line that obviously we have to talk to Skuma. Uh we also are having a meeting hopefully soon with Sussex Votech uh because part of the trail would go there. So we're continuing to meet with them. Uh we are also
there's a grant available. Uh the deadline is May 15th. Uh so we are meeting with um and the county that's a county grant and so we're meeting with folks who are you know can kind of walk us through that grant process. So we're
focusing on trying to um get that that grant up and going and um that's really all that is going on right now with the trails committee. Um, no, nothing on all my other committees. The
four other ones. I'll let um, uh, Deputy Mayor Sylvester talk about the board of ed, which we just had, if that's okay. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Um, so there's nothing really. Uh, I haven't had meetings for the three or four other committees that I'm on. I did
attend the Sussex County League of Municipalities. So, as you know, there's a state league of municipalities, and there had always been a Sussex County one that went kind of dormant during CO uh but that is back in um operation. And
so, we had a um a meeting at uh industry restaurant and they're um there presented their survey. They did a whole big survey about towns that had passed cannabis ordinances. Um I think though that survey is available. Uh most of the
towns said they had a positive uh uh impact and then they identified the revenue. Um so that was presented. Uh we also had a representative from Governor Cheryl's office who is our uh liaison between the state and um Warren County,
Sussex County. So, he was there and um there's certain, you know, it was good to have him there because one of the issues that we're going to try to deal with with at the trails is the degree to which the state um trails can get involved if the trails are built uh
whether they would maintain them and so that's an issue that we have to address with them. So, we'll be doing that in the future. And other than that, that is all the updates I have. >> Okay. I'm glad to actually
Uh, I have the LMCC. We will be having a meeting within the next two weeks and environmental committee. I will be starting in a month, but we got the Thank you again, Roxanne, for putting the
the grant online, uh, the grant on the agenda. Uh, Rev 250. Well, this was actually through the, um, Vancirk Museum and the Historic Society. They had the Martha Washington reenactment at the Presbyterian Church last weekend and
they did a really good job. Had a great turnout. There was probably, I'd say, 40 people there. Um, and all of the uh the Rev 250, all of the upcoming events will be posted on our website on the upcoming
events. Um, and that is about it. Well, mine is senior. I don't have much. >> Okay. Thank you. >> If anybody wants to get involved in any of the senior activities, you can contact the senior center and any of the
trips. They've got quite a few trips coming up and you can sign in up there. We will post also online. Good. Thank you. I uh also like Councilman Clark, last
Wednesday um I attended the Sussex County League of Municipalities event as well. Um I found a really valuable opportunity to make a number of connections with individuals uh colleagues both at the state level um as he had mentioned and the county level too. Um so it was uh quite quite
valuable and um I've been in touch with some of them already since then. So look forward to more of those. The uh that was it for my leazison updates giving calendars. I have some other items I'll leave to new business.
Great. >> Yeah. Um, Councilman Clark and I met with this school board and um, we made our first introduction and got an update and as as we are experiencing NAV as well and dealing with their budget. So,
they're faced with a significant budget deficit. They put a plan together. I think they rolled out if I'm not mistaken. Um, they had their public workshop as well. um and they've put an action plan together and are trying to, you know, mitigate and manage their
their budget as best they can as well. Um the issues were very similar to what we're experienced with health insurance increases and the like. So there's there was nothing um that jumped out uh much differently than what we're being faced with as as well as other townships and
school boards in the area. Um, one one thing they I asked was the the enrollment and the enrollment was uh comparative to you know say the 10-year uh look back or since 2018 if I'm not mistaken was pretty consistent and it
was an increase of maybe or a decrease was it increase or a decrease of a very small number of students so pretty level. >> Yeah. So, it wasn't like we've had a major which was surprising to me. We were interested in understanding um the
the enrollment trend that was that was being experienced at the school board as well. Other than that, I think it's sensitive information. They're they're managing um their budget process as well. Um so, it was just great to make contact with them. One question that did
come up uh manager Zep was um is there any shared referendums or anything that we are working on with them that need to >> be discussed or you know as far as shared services and things like >> not not that >> question for us that we
>> not them aware of um most of the time we're we're helping them out. So >> okay uh anything else Councilman Clark think kind of just broadstroked it a little bit. No, I I think that yeah, there was like anything the biggest increase for them was also health
insurance I think is 16% increase. Um and they're doing the same thing where they're just kind of going across the board trying to figure out where they can uh make the appropriate cuts kind of like what we had to do department by department. So, uh, very
similar. And again, this isn't I mean, if you read about it, I mean, what's kind of shocked me, Montlair, New Jersey, which has a home value twice of what Sparta is, $5 million deficit. I mean, it's, you know, it's um not sure what's driving that one, but anyway, it
was um pretty significant, but they're going to, you know, do the best they can, but they have some capital improve. I think they're going to they reduced their capital improvements significantly as well. Kind of the same thing we had to do, right? We had to not we had to forstall capital improvement this year.
>> Mhm. >> That's it. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Councilman Scott. >> Hi. Um >> if I can just ask you to use your mic, Mark. Thank you. >> Oh yeah. on business development. Um, we're working with our our town IT
professional to design and and build a uh uh informationational page about the business development committee. Um we are going to use a thirdparty provider third party vendor to produce a
a uh link a I'm sorry a a workable website with all sparta businesses and contacts listed. This is I guess Jim found us some money. Um much of this is uh you know still still in
the planning stage right now. And uh but the uh town website will be updated by the time next next time we meet. Um and then we'll get this uh additional web page rolling. Um on the municipal
alliance, I just want to announce that uh we have for uh children in in grades 5 through 12, we're going to have a Sparta summer arts workshop June 29th, July 16th every day or Monday through
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. I've got information and we I think we'll put this up on the uh Barta website also. So, thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, now on to unfinished or new business. Uh, does anyone have any unfinished new
business for tonight? Uh, we'll start again on my right. Uh, Councilman Clerk. >> No. >> Councilwoman Murphy. >> No. >> No. >> Uh, just two items like like to share. Uh I had the honor of attending the
hundth birthday celebration for one of our residents uh Patricia Ketta yesterday and presenting her with a proclamation on behalf of the township. I it was truly appreciated learning about her family uh her her remarkable life story and meeting some of her
family members there. Um so uh if any of her family members are watching or any if if if Pat's watching uh happy 100th Pat. It was a real pleasure. Uh also the other item is that uh volunteer training is being rolled out.
Um and this is really gear geared at all members of our township boards and committees. It's provided uh through the GIF which is the our joint insurance fund. And it's simply a a it's very short but it's valuable. It's a 15-minute online video to watch and it
covers topics uh such as conduct, ethics, responsibilities, etc. while serving as a volunteer uh of a township like Sparta. So, um we're going to be asking uh all of our gracious volunteers that are on our boards and committees and thanking them in advance uh to to
take a part in this and um try to complete this. So, we'll get that to the the right uh liaison and to the right uh departments to roll that out. That's it for tonight. Uh Deputy Mayor. >> Yes. Just quickly to revisit what Mr.
today brought up regarding the um public hearing sections of the agenda. Um if there's a way to reconsider or um reinstate that, I would be in favor of us consider, you know, taking that into consideration. And then, you know,
I I think I even re recommend it uh just increasing the time if we're going to stick to this maybe to seven minutes to give the residents an extra few minutes to speak if um if that would maybe help satisfy the time push or the time crunch
to get your comments in. Other than that, for those that are observing uh the upcoming Easter holiday, I wish you a very happy and healthy Easter and be safe and enjoy. So, that that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. And Councilman Scott. >> Yes. Hi. I just had uh one thing I
wanted to talk about on the veterans tax issue. Uh I know we discussed it, but I just want to go through this. At the uh budget meeting, I I brought this idea up. Several veterans came to me and asked me, "Is this the solution? Is this a way that we could work or compromise?"
The veterans tax issue. There are those that need it the two-year look back and truly benefit from it. There are others that qualify for it but have done well financially despite despite their disability. I've spoken to several veterans and they suggested we consider
this. In order to save Sparta the crucial money it needs at this point. I suggest suggested at the budget workshop that we limit the annual tax waiver. All right. The average single property residence
tax in Sparta is 13,669. We'll call that $13,700. Any disabled veteran up to this amount would get the full benefit. For someone with a $50,000 property tax, their benefit would be $13,000700
and they pay the balance. If you think about it, if you think about it, why should one person get a higher amount than another if they're deemed similarly disabled? And this is just a compromise that I'm
talking about. If you have a veteran and he need and he is fully disabled and here here he can get this $13,000700 13,700 credit.
I I would hope that that certainly helps them, right? But if you live on if you have a $100,000 a year tax bill and living in a 7,000 foot house to have that look back would be punishing to our
budget here. Um so I just that's just an idea. It's a compromise idea. I just wanted to throw that out and I hope that we can talk about it some more. Um that's it. Thanks. >> Great. Thank you.
All right. All our business is conducted for tonight. Uh, may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> We have a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? I >> I we