Okay. Uh this meeting is being held in accordance to public law 1975 chapter 231. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given uh and provided by notice sent to the star ledger, the
local source and posted in the main lobby of the municipal building and on the township website. I would like to call up American Legion Vice Commander Mark Krauss to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Always great to be on this side of the podium. I pledge allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> And please remain standing for a moment of silence for our service members at
home and abroad. Madame clerk. >> Okay. Mayor Lauer >> present. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser >> present. >> Committeeman Capidis will be here. He had a work commitment. Committeeman Huber >> present. >> Committeeman Weber
>> here. Before we start uh at the request of a couple residents, please speak into the microphones. That goes for everybody up here and everybody who will be giving reports or possibly saying anything uh
from our professional side. So, thank you in advance. Proclamations and announcements. The Springfield 55 plus residence calendar uh for March 2026 is out. It is
jam-packed with events and fun things. If you are interested in serving on any boards or the finance review committee, please send an email to residentsreview at springfieldj.
us. The Springfield Public Library vault reveal is on Sunday, March 15th at 2 PM. Bulk pickup, one of Robbie's favorite times, uh is scheduled for Wednesday,
March 18th. Please have all items out by Tuesday evening, which would be the 17th. Coffee with a Cop is March 19th at 900 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Halo Roers. We have a mobile shredding event on
Saturday, March 21st at 9:00 a.m. to 100 pm at the Springfield Community Pool. We also have the Egg Hunt and Kitefest new feature, the Kitefest, Saturday, March 28th from 2:00 p.m. to 400 p.m. at
Chisom Park. The rain date is Sunday, March 29th. Bring your baskets, bring your kites, photos with the Easter Bunny, DJ, music, and much more. And finally, Springfield Community Pool
membership registration is open online at www.thesay.orgscp. Now, we're going to do uh public comment on agenda items only. >> Okay, moving right along. Reports.
Mr. Bicolo. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Uh, a couple of things now that the weather has started to turn. Give you some idea on what we're doing down at DPW. And Robbie, if I forget anything, please jump in. We're making repairs and on all of our plows and our spreaders
before we store them for the spring and summer. We're washing all the salt off all the trucks. The street sweeper is out and began canvasing the town. We started clean up in some of the parks beginning with all the tennis courts. We also have a crew out filling all the
potholes. With such a harsh winter, we've got a lot of damage on the roads. Uh we'll reach out to American Water regarding road repairs. We had 14 water main breaks over the winter months. We contacted the county and the state to
begin coordinating the removal of the blockage at the Rawway River. That's another it's an issue that we end up with on a fairly regular basis, once every six months or so. >> Yeah. And and again, we've got to contact the state because Mars Avenue is
a state highway. We've got to use traffic control there. we've got to get set up and then the county brings the crane in because a we don't have the equipment and b technically we're not supposed to be in the river so we've got to coordinate it. So Mr. Ber will
coordinate that and hopefully soon we'll get that cleaned up. I did want to touch on Tamar. Can you bring up the the uh tree >> one that we have? >> No, no, the the chart. Did we put that on there? >> No.
>> Oh, okay. All right. So, let me go over because last week, uh, Ali Miller had mentioned about the trees that we replanted and not replanted. So, I just wanted to go over and give you guys what we've done. So, in 25, we removed the
township trees. We removed 87, we replanted 120. Private, there was 298 removed, 219 were replanted. Uh, so we're we're down by 46, but
that's because anyone that are removed on somebody's property, we can't force them to replant them, but they do contribute to the tree fund. We have $37,000 now in the tree fund, which will give us approximately 90 more trees. So, if you
look at the total, we're actually plus once those 90 trees are bought and planted, we're actually up. Um, I followed up. We talked about the rails to trails. I got an email from the county. They gave me the gentleman's
name at DT to contact. I have called them three times. I have not received a call back yet. As soon as I do, I will keep you in the loop on that. I wanted to touch on Mike, you might want to comment with me on this. Make sure I cover it. We've been working on Duffy's lot. I think as everyone knows
application was deemed complete and D is going to start the review process. We did send the money in for the application. So everything as far as we know at this point is now it's all in their lap. So that's 30 days 30 days to
deem it complete which they have. Now they have they're under a 90-day time clock to actually render a decision. So, I think actually we're in pretty good shape on Duffy's lot. We're hoping that we're going to get approval and we can start looking at trying to get the
flooding there taken care of. Um, I wanted to talk about Tamar. Can you bring up the covert? >> I think probably everybody knows that they started the covert on Caldwell actually today. Mike and I and Robbie were over there. Uh, they've already got
the covert out. The road is dug up. We looked today. They actually have a saw cut on the side where the bank is. And Mike, I know you spoke to them. The saw cut should be where they're done digging. Correct. >> That's right.
>> And that looks like it leaves us enough room to be able to get around it. We spoke to them and they're going to try to to get us a path. So hopefully that's going to take care of itself. We won't have an issue with trying to get the school over to Ruby Field. They also
have angled the jersey barriers so that if we come down Caldwell, we can actually make a right into the park. So, we'll be able to maintain the fields. So, I think we're in in decent shape there. So, if anybody's wants to take a look at
that when you're out, they're they're digging away pretty pretty quick already. >> How long is it? How long? >> They said they won't be done totally until July. >> Oh, >> is the end date. So yeah, I don't know if that section will be closed until July, but >> I mean they're they seem to be moving
pretty decent. So it was encouraging. >> Yeah, once they finish the demo, the utility companies who which have temporary water and gas in there will go in there, put their permanent lines in under the covert. At that point, they go in there and put the culvert back in.
And it's a pre-cast culvert. So once they start that, it should be pretty quick to close up the opening. then it's just all the other ancillary improvements. >> So, we're hoping we're going to we're going to not have an issue there that we were very concerned about. The last
thing I want to touch on is um we want to talk about as everyone knows this past winter was very difficult for us. We had a difficult time getting salt. So, we're looking we think it would be prudent for the township to have a backup. So, we started looking at
locations. This is the location that is up on treetop. And this lot is the one I think we swapped with the school years ago. >> Yeah. >> If you look at it, it slopes from front to back. We'd have to remove basically
every tree on that lot because we need to have room to turn around. We need to be able to put a dome and we need to be able to have a tandem trailer go in there with salt. The other thing that is very concerning is Tamar if you can go forward.
>> Yeah. It's wetlands. So quite honestly, we'd never get past the EP putting assault on back at the end of that. It's just not in the cards. So I I think for those reasons, I don't
think that's the place that we could should be looking. So, the other place we looked at is the far end of the parking lot at the pool. This is all the way down the very end where the water company owns the property after us. We'd be down against that fence. Our dump
site is down there for for DPW. So, we're looking at a How many tons are we looking at? 450 >> 400 >> 400 ton salt dome, which the dimensions on that, Robbie, is >> You're on. You're off. Green light.
Green light. Green light. You're off. Keep pushing. >> There you go. We go. >> It's uh 35 by 40. >> 30 by 40 would be the salt dome. Tamar, can you bring up the picture of the salt
dome? So, we're looking at We're looking at the hoop because that protects the sides. Are we looking No, we're looking at the other one, aren't we, Robbie? >> Right. Right now, you Right now, you're looking at the side view. >> Yeah, but we're looking at We're looking at the one with square sides, right? Not
the hoop. >> Correct. >> Because we're worried about the hoop getting hit. >> Yes. So, we're we're going to have a gable on that. >> Yeah. >> So, and it's going to sit parallel to the fence in the back. So, you'll always be looking at the side view, which is this.
>> So, we're going to have 6T in block, then the wall coming up, and then pitching. This way, we can get the salt and we can go in with our equipment and not worry about hitting one of the sides like around the hoop. Uh, we're looking at about 150 grand to put the dome up.
>> I want us to uh I want us to discuss that before we >> Well, yeah. I I mean, we're going to discuss it. >> Yeah. >> But keep in mind that in order to be done in time for the fall or so, we got to get going in the next couple of months. So, if there are any questions
on that, we certainly are here to answer. And anything further you need, >> um, it's up to you to conclude your report. Um, >> wait for him to end the report. >> Wait for him to end the report and then we can let the record reflect that Committeeman Capidis is here.
>> Yes, you can you can go from there if you'd like. >> Okay. Um, so I I think this is a good time to talk about the the salt dome if anybody has any comments, questions about it now. Um, we'll just go down the line starting
with Rich. Um, I think in my opinion, why wouldn't we put it on the dirt or, you know, down toward the p baseball field, softball? >> You're not allowed. They won't allow us to put it on dirt. You'd have runoff. >> That That's also a flood area down there.
>> I mean, in the middle of a parking lot. >> I I I I want a dome, but in the middle of the parking lot, I just don't >> But Rich, Committeeman Huber, it's not in the middle. >> It's all the way down the very end. It's not in the middle of the parking lot. It should not impact anybody parking there for the pool. >> What's the proximity to to individual's
houses? >> Um because I know that that one it does on the left houses you have >> or or is it not? Because doesn't American water have a >> a road behind and then it's the backyards and then the houses after that >> and then the houses have their backyard.
So you're probably talking I don't know probably 450 500 ft >> and and and there is ample uh >> coverage >> and and we can put additional screening up also >> the other is is how do you protect against the runoff
>> the best we can I mean I'm sure there's >> Mike would you like to comment >> or or will there not be any runoff >> the runoff of the salt material oh well again with the the structure the fabric you're enclosed on all sides Except in the front whether you have a a drop down
front >> which we are going to >> which we are going to have >> then you basically are weatherp proof from you are >> yeah 99 and 44 the ivory snow ivory snow >> and and this winter was particularly bad but knock on wood I'm praying next year
is not does the salt last from year to year or is there a time period an expiration date >> last for a year or so >> it Again, the the goal would not be to fill it in Jul, you know, early so it's sitting up there. >> No, no. That's my uh >> from year to year. Once we're done in
the winter, we're not going to fill it up immediately. >> No, no, no. Trying not to have >> But say you filled it up, we get very lucky. There's no year. It's not like we have to empty it out and buy new. >> No, >> it would last us until the next season. >> Yes.
>> It's the same as anybody else's dome. If we have a very light winter, everybody stocks up for the winter. If we have a late winter, that's sus. it lasts >> just until the following year. And I do want to just bring up that for years that's where we stored our salt for when
we partnered up with the county. We used to put it in the parking lot. We covered it with a giant tarp and uh at the end of the year we would push it to the back of the parking lot, recover it, and we would leave it there until the following year until we partnered with the county.
>> Rich, sorry. Did you have anything else? >> Oh, for right now. No, >> Chris. >> Yeah. Uh, I'm not for this at all. Um, we have a beautiful parking lot. I understand it's at the end of of there. I'm not looking to put a tent that looks like it parks army trucks in there with
salt at our at our pool. I don't know what the county's malfunction is or or or how or why we don't have access to salt when we need it. Let's be clear on this because we're building a salt dome because the county doesn't want to open
up the gates for us at specific times. Am I accurate on that one? >> There's been times when I was unable to get salt from the county because there was nobody up there. There were other times when >> in the middle of a storm that there's nobody up there. >> No, in the middle of a storm they're up there, but their roads are different
from ours. And when we need to treat our back roads, they're finished with the county roads and their home. and I need to get salt. Sometimes it's tough for me to get up there. >> So, so for me, the the park is the easy for me, the pool parking lot's the easy grab. I I I had asked John to look in
the treetop up there and I would I would be interested in that, but my vote is that there is no way I would take this beautiful pool situation we have, which is arguably one of the nicest around,
and it is finally gaining steam with membership and everything else, and put a salt on there. That's all I got. >> Good evening, everyone. And forgive me for being late. I had a work commitment, but I'm glad to be here. And I want to
uh apologize again for what I might have missed. But I I I know that me and uh Mr. Bcher have been talking quite frequently with with the DPW and over these storms and and uh you know, it goes without saying you guys and and and the supervisors and and
the crews, they do a hell of a job. And I remember that we were talking at some point about a situation where we were perhaps partnering with Milbour to try to cover the cost of a larger dome and salt and have a surplus
uh due due to circumstances beyond our control. Milbour is is not in play anymore for whatever reason. So we were going to go smaller >> that uh because we reduced the size of the dome once we saw the footprint in the parking lot. >> Right. I realized at that point that
that particular dome to partner with them was way too big. >> So, so I reduced the size down to the smallest I could to present to the township committee. >> Okay, understood. And I appreciate the clarification. When it comes to the dome itself, I too was that that's what I was
and forgive me for being a little naive. I was thinking, you know, you drive down the Parkway, you see the the the domes. Is is that what you were initially envisioning something like that or is this >> this is what I was planning to put up there. This is what your surrounding
towns, your smaller towns, Milbour, uh Mountain Side just put one up. That's actually Mountain Side's dome. >> And how would this might be a silly question, but it's an important one. How much does this help
during a snowstorm? Not only having the snow, the salt, but the serpent. How does this help your operation during a storm? >> Well, uh, for instance, this year the county could not get deliveries for the longest time. So, we were going to other towns trying to get salt and their salt
domes only hold up to 600 and they were having trouble getting deliveries. So, having a dome, in my opinion, was a source for us to access when we run into these situations. >> And we had salt. And I get it there.
there's real no property for us to put a dome. So, I just looked at every option. This was the only one that I could come up with. >> And I'm assuming, and again, this is kind of piggybacking off of what uh Committeeman Weber said in terms of I I
do agree the pool parking lot. I think it would be out of all the locations in Springfield the most appropriate, but I'm concerned about the location of the specity of the location that it would be. Can you kind of explain to me again where where you were
planning on putting the dome? >> If you go into the pool, you go all the way down the very end where American Water is. >> Yes. >> All the way down against that fence. As far away from the entrance as you can get. >> You can sell this all you want. It's
still when you drive into the parking lot, you're looking at a tent filled with with salt. >> Is Is there a >> Let's be clear on that one. >> No, I I don't want to cut you off. Sorry. No, it's okay. But I'm I'm saying that if there if there wasn't if this
and and I I think this is an appropriate location, but in in for the totality of the circumstances of Springfield, was there other locations considered? And if there were, why wasn't why would they be
a not a strong choice? >> Yeah. I'm curious though, why would you say that that the pool parking lot's a great loc? I I would like to know your reasoning because maybe I'm off why a pool parking lot's a location good location for assault zone >> where being used.
>> I think it's a situation where it's out of the way. >> Let's not worry about aesthetics. Go ahead. >> It's out of the way. It is in a remote location.
>> It is. We we we have a big enough area over there to accommodate this dome without interfering with any other service. And we obviously have a need for this because of the amount of salt that we're
given or have access to. We need a supply and the totality of the circumstances with the situation. This would be the prime location to do this if you were going to do it. So, couple couple more questions just on other locations. >> Can I
>> Oh, are you if you're still going, I'm happy to. >> No, you guys can go because you guys I mean I have questions, but if you guys want to >> Oh, no, no. I I already went I will >> go after. >> I mean, I know again I'm sorry I was late and I know I didn't listen to all
the conversation before I came in. I thought you were done, >> but I thought the mayor was going to go down the line and then that kind of >> Yeah, it got it got blown up >> over each other and I just didn't think that was >> conducive. So, I'll I'll >> committ still you. >> No, it's okay. I I've had conversations
with Mr. Dutcher about this for >> maybe I could bring >> a little while off the dis and and and that's fine. You guys can say what you need to say. >> If I could, I just like to make another comment. Uh, so I just spoke to Mike. So
we actually, and John, you know what I'm talking about. Adjacent to my Hershey building is a stone lot which we own next to lot. >> I was going to ask >> and right now we're keeping all of our trucks on it. So that could be >> could we pave that and make it there?
But then to that point, isn't that in the middle of a residential? >> Yes, but we have >> And where are you putting your trucks? >> Exactly. which is why I'm having a hard time finding. >> And then you got the people in the Gomez building looking directly across at it.
>> So I I'll take my time now. Um have have we given any Have we gone to the part of price yet? Is there an approximate cost? >> 150. >> Yeah. >> 150,000. Um and how many how many tons?
>> 400. >> Yes. But how many tons does it take to coat the town? >> Depends on the type of snowstorm we get. I could use >> for for the for the heavier >> 22 in of just, you know, white >> between 100 and 125 on a real heavy
storm. >> On a real heavy. Okay. So, I mean, this this would give us a 4x approximately >> supply. Okay. Um I know we're I know we looked at the pool, that side of the pool. Have we looked back by the
baseball field tucked against those walls? Does that not work? Cuz that's much more out of the way. >> There was a um and I know Mike had mentioned that when we were out today. It's um so you have the Jity lot that goes down about a third of the way.
There's some other activity there, but the biggest activity is for the ball field and that's where everybody parks. Um I don't know. It it could be a spot that we could go look. Is that a flood area back there, Mike? >> If you're when you when you go on the pool
property and you go from the pool building towards the baseball field, that's where you enter the flood area. The other concern there is, it doesn't appear to be, but DOT owns the lot immediately adjacent to the the the wall. So that that area that you see
there, including where probably some of our vehicles are parked, it's technically on DOT property. So if you wanted to put it down that area, you'd have to keep it left justified to the fence of the pool property. >> Okay.
>> No, you're good. You're good. Go. >> Favor your favor where you have the drop off for the grass for everything else. And then you could put the dome. Is that where you're saying the area could be >> still? >> I mean, >> I don't know. Could you fit it where we
have the the grass that the drop off and electronics and that in that, you know, >> that row there? >> We would have to look at it. But again, that's where the Jity Park. But is that to your point, Committeeman Weber, is that then more visible to the people in
the pool there as opposed to the other end of the parking lot? >> Microphone. >> My opinion is when you have something as nice as the pool, you don't mess it up with other stuff. You leave it alone. It
is taken. TC's before us, us between the building, the the the resurfacing the landscaping. I don't want a salt there. I mean, there are other places, whether it's parked on the side of of of of the Hershey building,
whether we figure out a way. You have an entire empty parking lot that the police use that has a garage there on Codwell that is useless. make them find some other place to park >> that that is in the residential area. >> I I hear that. But there there is also
other means to construct a nicer building. >> I was going to say is that right now you have >> a gravel parking lot that has nothing in it but a rundown garage. >> Nothing else. >> Yeah, but it's right next to that's residential.
>> You can put it on the side of of of like you said the Hershey building res. You're residential right there next to the pool. I mean, it's it's at least backed off a little bit. There is an American uh water uh right of way. I I
I'm not saying that's ideal, >> right? >> Um but I'm I don't know if I want to put it right in the downtown. I think people want to get rid isn't Milburn's salt dome, as I understand, in the downtown. Aren't they trying to get rid of it there? >> And their lot and their lot is based
downtown. Then let's then then then I say we park it and we keep searching for different situations just because that's the first one that shows up and that's the that's the easy grab. >> What how about a Could we partner with the school about
>> to maybe use a a school parking lot or the high school in the back there? I mean >> well being as they get their salt from us. >> Yeah, >> maybe that's an idea that we could possibly look at. And again, I'm bringing this up because there has been situations where we really had a
scramble for salt. And I'm not looking to sever ties with the county, but rather when we run into those situations to have a good supply of salt for the safety of the township. >> I I don't I don't think you have a disagreement on the need for it. I think
the issue is location. >> Where it is, >> that's it. Um, and John, could we start a dialogue with the superintendent on possible locations? >> More. >> Are there any are there any parks? We We have >> Adam's not here. I don't know what we have 13 parks. 14 parks that we have.
>> There's There's an There's an access issue with parks. Uh, I mean, you putting in the middle of a park is incredibly difficult to get to in the middle of a snowstorm, >> right? Is there anything? >> Because you have because you'd have to pave it. But >> and Treetop is definitely out. It's it's just the site work alone that
you would have to do up there. And I don't know how the DP would play. >> Well, also just going to it, you're going up a fairly steep incline to get to that lot in the middle of a snowstorm. Do we want to try to be driving? >> And you would definitely you would definitely have to remove quite a few
trees. U then you got the residents that are directly across from the driveway going in. You're going to have triacial tandemss coming. They're going to deliver. You're going to have backup beepers late at night. So you're saying it's not >> like >> it's residential? No, >> I don't think you get past D with the
wetlands. >> No, that it's probably a poor life choice. >> Oh, so that treetop land is, let's be clear, is completely >> There's a sign on it says wetlands. >> But what about >> Good deal they made for that. >> What What about on top of that hill? There's supposed to be used to be a
baseball field years ago. And um um I didn't even know how to get up there up to the top of the field. Isn't there a field? Wasn't there? up there years ago. >> There used to >> Used to be a field. >> Yeah, there used to be a baseball field up there at the
>> I know there was a field up there years ago and I I never was up there. I mean, I got to agree with Chris on the location. We need it. And I agree with you 100%. >> Also, I'm imagining that you the the
trucks it's probably easier access down not up in there. >> Yeah, down down here. um >> be a very difficult location. >> Uh uh how about partnering you know I don't know there's the the the buildings on
uh now they are private area but the the buildings towards like where do is and then there's the commercial properties on the other side of dos going to Milbour. >> So you're talking off Edison Place. >> Yeah. Would there would it be possible to maybe purchase some of their parking
lot? We actually own the property behind the one building on Edison Place and years ago we were looking to buy that. It was an ideal >> here. >> It was an ideal spot for DPW because we own the property behind the building in
Main Street. So it it just never came full circle. But I mean if there was something where we could talk to them and you know there would be >> I think we got some ideas to >> I think I like that and possibly we'll reach out to Rachel. I would definitely be away from any uh residential
>> that would be. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good conversation. Uh now for another really good conversation. I want to I want to punt it to uh Well, first everybody up here knows that the Springfield Police Department is switching dispatch services from an
internal dispatch to the county. Correct. >> Yeah, we did that last January. >> Yeah, we correct. We did that, you know, back in the Mesazoic era. Um, but this presents a uh a unique challenge as it pertains to overnight parking. Uh, so I
want to punt it to Captain Rachel who's here in Chief Cookstead to give a quick um update as to how it impacts the operations of the police department and what uh and what you would be looking for from us if you don't mind. So
currently the overnight parking um approval process is kind of antiquated where the residents call up on the telephone, officer answers the call and then grants or denies permission for overnight parking. Um with moving to county dispatch, we're no longer going
to have um officers manning the police desk 24 hours, 7 days a week. We're not going to be able to answer the overnight parking phone calls anymore. So, we're going to look to update the system to a online portal that's going to be integrated with our CAD system where the residents will go on, log in, and put
their address in, vehicle information, and request overnight parking in that manner. It's going to be reviewed by police supervisor and um the list will then go out to the officers for enforcement purposes. Um along with that though, I think it's time that we look at revamping the ordinance too to create
um more specific parameters for grace periods for overnight parking and then for residents that have long-term concerns. Um possibly establishing some kind of a permit program. Um that way everybody was on the same page and you
know there's there's no questions as to um you know who gets approval, who doesn't. Um and it's it takes you know some of the officers discretion out of it. It just it is what it is. >> Um so see so seeing how uh going down
the deas worked so well the last time uh I'm not going to advocate for that. Does anybody have any uh >> does anybody have any comments and would anybody like to kick it off? >> Didn't we talk about that last year? So, we we had talked about overnight parking
and with the delays in in in the dispatch, we kind of just punted it. >> Now, it looks like county dispatch is becoming >> much more realistic. It's becoming much more realistic. So, I mean, we're we're looking at making a decision
>> and we need to make a decision. I thought we I thought for parking we were going to anywhere in town and all the time we were going to go on a computer and um you know I I I'm parked on Mountain Avenue and I go on a computer
or go on my phone and say I'm here I'll be here for an hour. That's you know. >> So I guess that's the first question. Is there a reliable >> is there a reliable program out there available that we can use to allow people to plug in their their their
request? >> Yes. >> And then is it automatic or does a police officer still need to accept that request before it's uh >> So to answer the first part, there is a reliable system. It's integrated with our CAD system, so it goes right into
all of our police records. Um, there still is a review process that'll have to be done by the supervisor who's on duty. >> So, like if I was to text it or email or whatever, I would then get a confirmation sent back saying >> you'll get an email notifying you it's accepted or rejected. Yes.
>> Okay. >> Now, what would happen if somebody is not very tech literate? um possibly a senior citizen or somebody who who is disabled or somebody who just simply isn't good at tech like Rich. Um how
would they go about getting overnight parking for their loved ones or whoever? >> Well, they would call >> because right now all you have to do is call the desk and it could be 159 in the morning and you call the desk and you're added to a list. So, how would they go
about getting parking? >> They would have to contact the county dispatch. You know, they would call the police department number. They would answer. And at this point, I'm assuming they would redirect it to us or take a message and have the supervisor call them back. >> None of that works.
>> None of it works. >> You can't count is not going to relay >> an overnight parking request to us. And by the time they get through it, >> if it does, it would be like three days. The ticket's written. The the only way this thing works is either you do a park mobile app with them, you sell parking
permits by the month and and give residents an x amount of days for it, >> or you or you staff a civilian in there to for emergencies and they take the calls if if that's what we have.
>> What What do other towns do currently? Because I'm sure we're not >> There's a combination. >> There is. So, some just do >> most of them that have overnight parking. Um, they just you just get permits. Um, there are towns that use the same portal that we're going to be, you know, we're actually going to try to
do a test phase with it soon because obviously we want to make sure everything's functioning before we go to the county dispatch. Um, I don't know of another town that physically takes phone calls for it anymore. >> You know, everything is usually app based or computer- based.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. It's unfortunate, right? DMV, you have to do it. People figure it out. Or you >> or you just don't get served. >> Or you just don't get served. And to be completely honest, actually, I I think I find in my run of life, the seniors are
more apt and and have more ability nowadays than probably some of our younger people. Th this this this parking overnight thing has been kicked around for for for more years than it should have and should have and it needed to be it needs to be done at this point. And my
recommendation then is listen not everybody should be entitled to overnight parking. I have a 100 foot driveway. >> Correct. >> My car my driveway luckily fits five or six cars. How depending on size. Right.
Chris has a driveway that fits two cars. >> Nothing else has two kids. Rich, you got a driveway that fits >> or three or four cars. >> Yeah, three or four, you know. So, so they vary. I I I really think that some you know zoning has to go around or whoever has to go around take a look at these driveways see if they can apply
for permits and a permit structure has to be come up has to come up with where it's yet affordable for residents to purchase but not so affordable that they're just going to go buy parking permits and just
park on the street if they want. >> Yeah. I don't but then see that's where you're going to get into a slippery slope where people are that's what they're going to want to do and I I just do not like it. I've been against overnight parking. I've been zero tolerance for it. If you if you call it in and it's approved for that evening,
of course, if you're having a party, if you're having people over, but I I am not for opening it up uh uh uh for for long term at all. We could always go say >> Alex, you have a car and it's you're here visiting somebody.
>> That's different. I I'm for >> I understand that. And we give a permit for a week, that's it. But I'm saying and I agree with Chris where I'm not going to give like my me um Clark Blond should say even if it's $50 a month, I
don't care, right? >> I don't think you should do they can go park in a lot over here. you can purchase. Yeah, there there's there's opportunities to purchase parking, additional parking in the lot. I I I I think opening >> extended parking for anybody on the
roads is the wrong move. I think it's just I think it makes a cluster. I I look how it's it's hard navigating union at night sometimes. >> I I I I understand that some people might have uh more cars now. Well, then you got to
find a way to to maybe purchase a permit from our local library lot, which has plenty of parking and and and availability. >> But how does Chris Chris Caves? >> Um that and Alex, I'm I'm I'm I'm on the fence about this, but that that
particular idea for me, like getting a permit to park in another location, that that doesn't work for me. If I have three cars and I have a driveway that only has two, I have an issue. like and I don't know and I don't know what the answer is but but I that is that just is
that that system >> I'm not for I I I'm not for >> I'm telling you what I'm not for I'm not for overnight allowing overnight >> I'm just uh can >> I'm for keeping it the way it is.
>> Okay. So I want to have a goal here that maybe we can have a discussion. And I know that we're have talking about a lot of exciting topics, but I would just I just want to say maybe we can have a conversation where everybody can finish a thought before we jump on each other.
It's exciting. We're all we're all into it. We're all passionate. We're all excited. But if we can >> I'll reiterate. I'm not for it. And I'll leave my comments there. >> Okay, cool. No, I appreciate it. Um, is this an issue? How big of an issue is
overnight parking, would you say? I know that's a broad question, but is it is it really becoming an issue in Springfield? >> I wouldn't say it's becoming an issue, but it could become a logistical issue once, you know, we're not having people answer the phone anymore. So, something has to be done with that. We actually ran some
statistics when we were discussing this and we found that um there's about 90 addresses that have gone over 14 days in the past year. So, it's not that bad. Um, you know, those would be the ones that would be considered getting, you know, possibly a long-term pass. And
reasons for that could range from, you know, children being home from college over the summer. We get a lot of those. Um, construction on the house, the driveways are inaccessible. Um, handicap people, um, things like that. >> And
again, another silly question, but I'm just trying to wrap my head around this. The enforcement of it. You, this is a daily >> every night. >> Every night. >> Every night. So, it's it's not it's an issue that's been okay because and I've sat up here and talked about this before. I am and this is a to be
continued certainly, but I am in favor of a parking permit situation. Um, I don't know what it looks like. I don't know all the criteria for it, all the the totality of the circumstances for for that. But, you know, we we we put a permit uh fee together that's not
minimal, but large enough that families do need to consider if it's worth the investment and do it because and it's nobody's fault. It's just these driveways and and all these different original builders, the driveways are just not long enough. As Chris said, >> part of the I'm sorry to cut you off. Um
part of the requirement that we have talked about um as part of the approval for the permits is actually having an inspection done um committee Weber said by um somebody in zoning. We can have a police officer do it as well to confirm there is you know physically no space
for a vehicle to be parked because we can't have you know vehicles parking against the ordinance just because they have the permit now. >> Right. >> So it has to still be curtailed as much as possible. >> Can I ask >> I'm just looking at my street and I know not including myself. I know of
>> four of my four of my neighbors that are going to have an issue within two years, you know, um five if you want to include my household. So, it's and if and I'm not sure exactly what other driveways may or may not look like around town,
but I have to imagine as kids get older and and cars are are are it's gonna become a larger issue. Um, so I am definitely in favor of expanding the conversation, having a larger conversation about the permits and the
process and procedures for that. And if and if it doesn't pass this town committee, it certainly won't. But I would be one in favor of expanding that conversation. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah. >> John, does Park Mobile have anything that could help us? >> Park Mobile, you can, you know, you can
log in and we could possibly set up a zone for overnight parking. People can pay per night. Um, >> can can they just go by plate or where or >> It would be by plate. >> Well, I'm saying where the police forget zone where they just roll up to any space specifically, run a plate and go
paid or not paid. >> It's not as straightforward as going out with the list like it is now like checking the plates. >> Okay. >> Um, so we >> possible, but >> would need work to do that. >> So per year, how many overnight parking
tickets? Oh, I don't have that number off the top of my >> I like set you up perfectly because you gave me the number. It was like it was it was it was over 800. >> I mean, we we discussed this last week. It was there was a lot. >> Yeah. I mean, I and these are $60 tickets, right?
Because they're township ordinances, >> correct? >> So, I mean, it's a significant chunk of revenue for the town. Um, so if if and I'm just saying if we go through a a a permitting process, which I think is the real question that's in front of us, um,
we do need to be cognizant about lost revenue. >> Well, we have a catch right here because we have, you know, I'll just put us Alex's opinion, right? We have a catch here because our our job up here is number one to maintain the aesthetics
the safety of the town, but our concern also is not to inconvenience and cause residents undo hardships for something simple like parking or or so
on, you know. So, so it all ties in together. There is a solution. And I think we just have to figure it out because and I I I keep using henchaw henchaw because henchaw is is one of them and you can use you know colonial or there's a few of them you can use were just unfortunately
the time frame that these houses were built in the family had one car >> and that was that and um >> we have to find our job up here whether you like whether anybody likes it or not is to find a balance that's going to
again preserve because as a the cop will tell you over there it's really convenient to drive down a block and see no cars on a block. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. >> And one guy or or or one a oneman car can can can patrol one sector. It's not
unreasonable to put to bring a car with 50 miles in at a night just driving around and seeing the streets clear. I think with what we're facing uh in the area of you know increased breakins right attempts to to steal vehicles and I'm
not saying it as a worrisome thing right like I think we've done great job and that's a credit to the police department and and our area but when you add to people parking on the street I think there's not only an aesthetic which I do not like I will be very candid we we've had a lot of the communities around us
don't allow parking on the street right uh Why would we change that now? Uh uh uh just the aesthetic alone. And then the public safety when you're allowing people to do it and then the fights that we're going to my my well my neighbor got it and what are you talking about?
Are you telling me that my 30 ft extra I can fit a car? I don't you know and and and the fights that we're setting up to for our zoning and and police. I just don't like that. I I I agree. I think we should institute some kind of app um uh
uh for allowing what we currently allow to go forward. But when you open it up, you're you're you're kind of rubber stamping it that yeah, you can get a a a permit. You can do it. And and I really don't like how you're going to set up an opportunity where we're picking and
choosing some winners and some losers. I really don't like the aesthetic look of I I like at 2:00 in the morning, it's clear. you're able to find it. And then and then three, in the in our current climate that we're facing with with increased uh uh uh break-in attempts,
increased burglaries, uh uh uh keeping people off the street for the most part, I think is the right policy decision. >> Well, but didn't didn't you say, if I misunderstood you, I apologize. You have about maybe 14 cars that abuse it.
There's 90 addresses that have gone over 14 days. >> 90 residents. 90 residents out of 5,000 >> 17,000 >> wherever it is. >> Let's that's addresses. >> But and and and to that point and to that point, right? If you're calling it
in, if you're doing it, I'm less if it is is even for the long term, at least doing it. When you're then getting into a permit, do they just leave the car parked there? At least there's some effort every single day, a cognizant awareness where you have to call it in
to the police. I like that where then somebody isn't just there rolling up, parking the car, leaving it for 3 months, uh, as they go away to school and just being like, "All right, I'm piecing out, right?" Like there is an awareness of the resident that has to call it in every day. At least we're
checking in. Even if they are, as Richwood might say, uh, exceeding or abusing the system, at least they're making the effort and they have to do it every day. >> Well, and there's there's nothing to say that if we did some type of permit system that we would put together a very
specific criteria of which they would have to abide by to include all the comments that we're talking about here. And you know, >> yeah, street cleaning, your driveway has to be a certain amount of length or else
it disqualifies. You can't, you know, um certain amount of day limit, you know, to it. I mean, we can talk about all sorts of criteria, specific criteria that I don't think it would be I would certainly not want a cart blanch system where we just give anybody who wants to wants to apply for one. I think there's
got to be a specific criteria under which to do so. And I'm wondering in terms of making a better informed decision, and I exactly don't know what this looks like, but maybe we could put out some type of survey to residents, streamline it to, you know, residents that have, you know, children of a
certain age or young adults of a certain age with driveways of a certain length. I'm just spitballing here to say, listen, what, you know, what are we looking at? Is there is there a need for it? Is there not a need for it? And then maybe we can have a better informed decision about what what if it's really
necessary and then if it is necessary then we could talk about specific criteria under which someone can apply for and qualify for such a permit. >> So that was that was going to be my that was going to be where I was going to leave it. I was going to do a I was
going to do I was going to ask everybody for a straw poll permit yes or no and then uh doing some sort of public outreach to gather solicit to to solicit more input. So those are my two questions. I'm just going to go down
rich go down the the dis yes or no. Do you want a permit? And yes or no. Do you do you would you like to solicit more input from the public? So Rich and then we'll move on with the meeting. >> Solicit the public. Yes. I would go for a permit. >> Thank you.
>> But you don't just get a permit for >> 100%. >> You know, the whole summer like, you know, the whole summer. That's it. >> Got it. Weber. Yes. With established criteria. >> Thank you. >> A survey with criteria attached to the application. >> I would like to hear more info from the
public. Um, and I'm open to a permit process. Alex, >> I'm not going to ever say no to getting public input, but no. >> Okay, moving on with the meeting. Um, Alex's favorite part of the meeting, minutes.
>> Finally. >> Uh, I will make a motion to adopt the regular meeting minutes of January 27, 2026 as emailed. >> I second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. You >> All right. >> Okay. We have a second reading reading
on ordinance 20263. This ordinance repeals sections 35 and 86 development fee regulations to repeal and replace section 35-34 affordable housing of chapter 35 land
use of the municipal code of the township to address requirements of the fair housing act FHA as amended and the uniform housing affordability controls UHAC as amended regarding compliance
with the township's affordable housing obligations. >> Make a motion to adopt ordinance 2026-3 is read by madame clerk. >> Second. >> All right, we have a uh public hearing
on ordinance 20263. Um the the podium is now open for public hearing on ordinance 20263. Anybody? I'm going to close the public hearing.
Um, Madame Clerk, >> Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser, >> yes. >> Committeeman Capes, >> yes. >> Committeeman Huber, >> yes. >> Mayor Laugher, >> yes.
>> Okay. Uh, ordinance 202604. This ordinance amends section 35-17 overlay zones and mandatory set aside ordinance of article 5 district regulations of chapter 35 land use of
the code of the township. Chapter 35, land use regulations to effectuate the fourth round housing element and fair share plan of the township as amended and enacted pursuant to court order by the township committee of the township of Springfield County of Union, state of
New Jersey. >> Make a motion to adopt ordinance 20 26-04 as read by madam clerk. >> Second. Okay, we have a public hearing on ordinance 20264.
The podium is now open for ordinance 20264. >> I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing. Madame Clerk, >> Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser, >> yes. >> Committeeman Capid, >> yes. >> Committeeman Yuber, >> yes. >> Mayor Laer,
>> yes. We have no ordinances on first reading. Uh so now we're on to resolutions. If anybody would like to pull a resolution, uh please indicate after it is read. 202687 202688
202689 2026 90 2026 91 2026 92 202693 2026 94
2026 95 2026 96 202696 7 2026 98 2026 999 2026 100
>> Wait, hold on. Uh, pulling 96 and 99. pulling 96 and 99. Uh 2026 101, 2026 102, 2026
103 and 2026 104. Remember that's pulling 96 and 99. Uh, I will make a motion to uh adopt the following resolutions by consent agenda.
Resolution 2026-87 through resolution 2026-95. Uh, picking that up with resolution 2026-97 and 2026-98 and then 2026-100
through resolution 2026-104. >> Do we second? Perfect. Uh, Madame Clerk, >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser, >> yes. >> Committeeman Yuber, >> yes. >> Committeeman Capidis, >> yes. >> Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Mayor Laughler,
>> yes. >> Okay. 202696. This resolution of the township committee of the township of Springfield is adopting an affirmative marketing plan for the township of Springfield. I'll make a motion to adopt resolution
2026-96. >> Second. Um the reason for pulling, can somebody explain what we're doing here? >> We're required by law in to affirmally market all the affordable housing units to very low, low and moderate income.
>> Gotcha. Okay. I was just wondering that if that was part of that or not. That was my confusion. Got and just unfortunately mayor went too quick before I could have just asked you on the side. >> Okay. Deputy Mayor Kaiser, >> yes. >> Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Committeeman Capid,
>> yes. >> Committeeman Huber, >> yes. >> Mayor Laugher, >> yes. >> Resolution 202699. This resolution is in support of the New Jersey Climate Super Fund Act. >> Make a motion to adopt resolution
2026-9. >> Second. I just was looking for a roll call vote. >> Okay. Deputy Mayor Kaiser. >> Yes. Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Committeeman Capid, >> yes. >> Committeeman Yuber, >> Mayor Laugher, >> yes.
>> Um, one other comment before moving on. Can we make sure resolution 2026-87 uh uh was part of the I believe the Broadway uh mayor's group that we can get it to them? >> Yeah, I have the whole list.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Discussion and action items. request from uh Troy Hills of Springfield Condo Association to hold meetings at the Chisum Community Center, Margaret Bandowski meeting room for the following dates. Tuesday, March 17th,
Tuesday, June 16th, Tuesday, September 15th, and Tuesday, December 8th. Signed, hold harmless agreement and COI is attached. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second, >> Madame Clerk.
>> Committee Manuber. Yes. >> Committeeman Capid. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Weber. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser. >> Yes. >> Mayor Laugher. >> Yes. >> Alex's uh second favorite part of the meeting. >> Finally, I will make a motion to adopt payroll for the period of February 25th,
2026 through March 10th, 2026 in the amount of 4,993,83620. >> Second, Madame Clerk. >> Okay. Deputy Mayor Kaiser, >> yes. >> Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Committeeman Capidis, >> yes. >> Committeeman Yuber. >> Mayor Laer, >> yes.
>> Correspondence, we have Westfield ordinance 20264, intro amendment to Prospect and Ferris redevelopment plan that has been received. Whoa. That has been received and filed.
Now we are on public comment uh for any governmental issue. Would anybody from the public like to speak on any governmental issue? You you you can come up. Absolutely. Yeah, you can come. You can come up.
>> Just name and address. Correct. >> Um I'm not sure if this if I >> speak into the microphone, please. >> You need to hear more. Okay, perfect. >> Perfect. Um, I am not sure that this is a public issue. Um, so I'm not sure. >> Can you please have your name and
address? >> Uh, Laurel. Um, I live in Short Hills, New Jersey, so I'm actually not in Springfield, so not sure if this is the best place to bring this forward at. Um, but, um, I am just here to make sure that people are signing up for petitions for the
upcoming primaries. Um, I'm working with Michael Roth for Congress. So, if you folks are not signed up with petition, even if it's not Michael Roth, I just want to encourage civic engagement. Um, and make sure that you guys are informed on the primaries that are coming up. Um, and I'll be outside over there if you
guys want to talk about it further. Um, any candidates really and and just want to I'm you guys are like I'm sure informed about what's going on. Um, I was hoping there might be some more uh public members here.
>> Us too. I enjoyed listening. So, uh, it was, uh, fun to learn more about Springfield. Um, so I'm sure you guys are aware, but for our one friend over there in the audience, if you would like to talk about that, come ahead. >> That one's a tough tree. >> Okay. All right. Well, I'll be right out
there if you want to talk. Um, but again, thank you so much, guys, for your service and um, for serving your community. So, have a good one. >> Thank you, Laurel. Really appreciate it. Uh, >> any, uh, final comments from the deis? Is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion to adjourn. >> Sec. >> Uh oh, we are cancelling executive session uh tonight. Uh >> Committeeman Huber made a motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I We are adjourned.