tomorrow. Are we good to go? >> All right. Welcome everybody. This uh this meeting is uh being held in accordance with public law 1975 chapter 231. Adequate notice of this
meeting has been provided by a notice sent to the star ledger, the local source, and posted in the main lobby of the municipal building, and on the township website. To lead us in the pledge of allegiance, we'd like to welcome uh from American Legion Post 228, Vice Commander Mark Krauss, and his
son from Sons of the American Legion, Post 228, Judah Krauss. 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. >> Please remain standing for a moment of silence for our service members here and abroad. Madame Clerk, >> Mayor Lauer >> present. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser >> present.
>> Committeeman Capid >> here. >> Committeeman Huber >> here. >> Committeeman Weber >> here. >> All right. Now, uh for the for the for the uh part everybody's been waiting for, announcements.
Um, our Springfield 55 plus residence calendar is available and published. It is packed with events. If you are interested in serving on any boards or committees, please email residents
review at springfieldj. us. Springfield community pool membership registration is open. It can be found at www.thesay1. the say one word.orgscp.
The environmental commission, our forester and DPW will be providing seedlings at Walton School on Arbor Day, April 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Springfield Community Cleanup Day is
Sunday, April 26th from 11 to 2. Meet at Laurel Park. Gloves and bags will be provided. Reconciliation regarding building the bridge Jonathan Dayton High School will be on April 29th from 700 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. The 60th anniversary of the second time. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke in Springfield. Overnight parking permission requests will now be accepted online. Please visit our township website, www.spr
springfield NJ usep departments backps can be directed to traffic at Springfield NJ usually
start the part you're all here for I would like to welcome representatives from Assemblyman Mccertie's office uh Assemblyman Vincent Carney and representatives from his office commissioner Rebecca Williams uh all the members members of our Springfield 250th
committee, former mayor Clara Herelic, former deputy mayor Margaret Bandowski, um and other community members. Thank you for coming. Um and I also before we want to start the regular business meeting, we are removing uh resolutions
123 and 124. Now we can start. I just want to give a little background on how we came to receive the painting that you see behind us. Back in January 2024, Margaret called me and said that
Wells Fargo was doing their offices over and they were looking to donate the painting. So, I went over, talked to them, they gave me the name of corporate. We called them up. That painting was going to go to Ohio to their storage if we weren't able to get
it. So, we looked at it right away and said immediately we want it. Now, we just had to figure out what the procedure was. So, they sent us over a bunch of paperwork that Craig was involved in that we had to sign off on. The next problem was we had to move it quickly. They gave us like a day or two
to to get it out. Uh, as you can see, it's quite large. We did not have a truck in DPW that was clean and closed in that we could put it in. Luckily, our DPW director called in a favor from someone who had an 18 ft box truck that
was enclosed. We slid the painting in. We brought it over. We left it in the garage. The next step was, "How do we get it in the building?" We looked at it and we said, "It doesn't fit through the front door." So, we're all scratching our heads and finally somebody says, "There's a roof right outside the court
in that little hallway there. There's a roof." We said, "If we can get that up on the roof, we can get it in through the doorway." So DPW brought the bucket truck over and we had to wait for a day that it wasn't windy because the picture had a tendency to act like a kite and next thing you know it's flopping in the
breeze and it it's really not very rigid when we put the frame around it. But if you minus that the picture's not very rigid. So we were able to get it up on the roof, walk it in. We decided this was a place for it. We had it hung and our director of buildings and grounds built the frame around it. So, that's
how the picture became part of Springfield. I'd like to turn it over to our deputy mayor >> where I will read the plaque that will sit under the mirror. >> Well, it's there or you can go right >> You want to unveil it or you want me to unveil it?
>> Oh, okay. >> All right. So he'll always wait till he unveils it. And >> we've already deviated from the script. So >> all right. The Battle of Springfield, June 23rd, 1780.
A mural by S. Allen Schaefer. This painting by S. Alan Schaefer, an artist who resided in Mountainside, uh, depicts the action in the village of the Springfield during the battle. Commissioned in 1971 and donated to the township of Springfield in 2024 by Wells
Fargo Bank, the mural greeted visitors entering the building at Hillside Avenue and Route 22. The invading force, having battled across the Rawway River, fights past the Dayton home, the historic known as the historic Cannonball House, to
confront the American defenders at the Presbyterian Church. the single America uh the single American cannon fires uh and Reverend James Caldwell hands out
hims from the church by Isaac Watts to use the pages as watting for the colonists musketss as he shouts out give them Watts boys. Behind Reverend Caldwell is the road connecting Springfield to Milbour Main Street, now
Church Mall. It was during the retreat down this road that the British forces attempted to burn the uh parcinage and succeeded in burning the church which was rebuilt in 1791. Springfield was the site of the last battle fought in the northern colonies
during the war for American independence. The defeat of the British at Springfield convinced them of the futility of their cause and they withdrew from the area, moving the war south to their final defeat at Yorktown in 1781. Okay.
Now >> your words >> please. >> Sure enough. >> Positive. The dedication. Where am I? Sorry. One second. Of this painting and plaque. deep
meaning for the means deep meaning for the residents of our town. It reflects not only our local history but also the vital role Springfield has played in the in the story of our nation. This artwork represents the battle of Springfield and
the significance during the American Revolution reminding us especially as we celebrate our 250th anniversary and our 200th anniversary 213 >> 250 you know >> 2 no 250 nation
>> 232 for spring >> 213 all right 232 >> of the courage it took for people to stand up for what they believe in as committee men we we are fortunate to sit before this
painting at every meeting that serves as constant reminder of sacrifices made say with me made to secure the democracy we are entrusted to represent today. I have had privilege of being part of that
democracy in our town for many years and I am continually humbled by the legacy left to us by our forefathers. It is because of their courage and vision that we are able to celebrate the milestone
anniversary. This painting must continue to remind us not only of what was done here in Springfield for its residents, but also the impact our town had on the foundation of this great nation. This
painting is more than just a work of art. is a symbol a symbol. Oh Jesus of unity and of the endurance light of the democracy that was fought for so bravely. I am honored and proud to stand
here today and dedicate this painting and plaque to the our entire township. Thank you. Okay, we are now going to move on to the act of the state of New Jersey establishing the township of Springfield
Committee Manapidities. State of New Jersey, an act to incorporate into a township a part of the township of Elizabeth and Newark in the county of Essex. Whereas a number of the inhabitants of the township of Elizabeth and Newark in the county of
Essex have by their petition set forth that they have long labored under many difficulties by reason of the length of the said townships for remedy whereof. The township consisted of Elizabeth Town and Newark in the county of Essex, Union
County was not established until 1857. In 1794, Springfield included all or part of what is now Summit, Milbour, Maplewood, Livingston, and South Orange. Section one. Be it enacted by the
council and general assembly of this state, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that all that part of the township of Elizabeth and the township of Newark, lying within the following line, beginning on the bank of the railway river, in the line which divides the wards of Springfield and
Westfield, then running in the same line to the top of the mountain, and from thence to New Providence, Meeting House, and then to Paic River, then down the said river to the bridge. said bridge commonly known by the name of Cook's bridge. Then down the old road
to the top of the mountain. Then on a direct line to Kain's Mills. Then on a direct line to a bridge which crosses the east each branch of the railway river commonly known by the name of Pearson's bridged by his mill dam and
from hence down the river to the place beginning shall be and is hereby set off from the township of Elizabeth in Newark and made a separate township to be called by the name of the township of Springfield.
In the 18th century, property boundaries were determined by natural landmarks like boulders, bodies of water, or notable trees as shown by legal documents of the time, or even on scraps of paper for less formal documents.
Section second. And be it further enacted by the authority of for said that the inhabitants of the said township of Springfield shall be and are hereby vested with an entitled unto all the like powers, privileges, and authorities, and shall be and are hereby
made subject to the like regulations and government which the inhabitants of the other townships and precincts in the said county are subjects and entitled to. provided always that neither this act nor anything herein contained shall
be in force or take effect until the second Monday of April next section third and be it further enacted by the authority of for said all taxes here for assessed or to be assessed by former laws of this state shall be
levied collected and paid as in and by said laws has been declared and enacted. anything in this act contained to the contrary and notwithstanding. >> Residents are now citizens of the new township and have assumed all the privileges and responsibilities
previously owed to Elizabeth Town to the township including of course payment of taxes. Section fourth and it be further enacted that the said inhabitants of the township of Springfield shall meet at the dwelling house of Abraham Woolly
inkeeper in said township on the day appointed by law for the first annual township meeting after the passing of this act and proceed in all respects agreeable to an act entitled an act for regulating the election of town officers
passed at Burlington November the 19th 1793. Three. >> Section four establishes the date and place for the first meeting of the inhabitants for the purpose of establishing what will be the governing body of the newly formed township and
the election of the governing body according to the laws of the state. The township committee form of government celebrates its 232nd year on this date, April 14th, 2026.
Council Chambers, May 27th, 1793. This bill, having been three times read in council, resolved that same due pass. House of Assembly May 27th, 1793. This bill, having been three times read
in this house, resolve that same due pass. Next, we will read the minutes of the first uh governance governance committee of the newly established township of Springfield 1794. >> Meetings were held in various public
places like ins or taverns, the homes of committee members or the school. A dedicated town hall was finally built in 1921 on land donated by Mr. Trivet. At a town meeting held at the house of
Mr. Abraham Woolly in Keeper in Springfield the 14th day of April in the year of our Lord 1794 pursuant to an act of the legislature of New Jersey passed in at Trenton the 27th of May 1793. The following officers were
duly elected. Samuel Potter Esquire moderator and Elias Van Arsdale town clerk. The title of mayor was not used at the first meeting of the township committee. In 1794, Samuel Potter was called the moderator of the committee.
However, he is thought of as the first mayor of Springfield. Today, members of the township committee are elected at large to serve three-year terms. At the first meeting in January of each year, the committee elects one member to serve as mayor. To date, there have been 97
individuals who have served as mayor, 92 men and five women. Wilbur Sander holds the record for most consecutive terms as mayor, serving from 1935 to 1948. Joanne Rajapi became the first female
mayor in 1977, serving one term before eventually going on to serve as Union County Clerk, a position she holds today. I hold the record for being the only female mayor to have served three terms. >> Freeholders Walter Smith and Elijah
Squire. Commissioners of appeal Nathaniel Little, Samuel Tyler, and Jeremiah Molford. Assessor Matias Mer. Collector Abraham Woolly. Surveyors of the highway, William Steele, and Matias Denman. Overseers of the poor, Ezra
Baldwin, Samuel Potter, and Joseph Pearson. Poundkeeper John Woodruff. >> The pound was an area set aside on a township green in which any animal that strayed from its home farm would be held until its owner paid a fine to ransom
his animal. >> Constables Nathaniel Bud, Steven Mohouse, and Isaac Samson. There was no organized law enforcement in Springfield until the 1920s. Prior to this, the township appointed constables whose duties included the arrest and
transportation of criminals to the county jail in Elizabeth Town. Overseers of the highway, Amos Potter, David Pearson, Joseph Dodie, Caleb Potter, Obadiah Wade, Benjamin Pettit,
Ephine Little, John Wilcox, Steven Denman, Jacob Brookfield, Uriah Smith, Simeon Squire, Enus Baldwin, Aaron Carter, Steven Lion, Walter Smith,
Bryant Duran, Watts Reev, John Smith, John Squire, Jonathan Mer, Isaac Hollyy, Philip Denman, Isaac Ser Jr., Cornelius Williams, and Samuel Tyler. >> In the days when the roads were few, and
the roads might cut across private property, the property owner was responsible for maintaining the road. The overseers named were likely the major property owners of the township. On motion, it was agreed that Joseph
Holly, Samuel Potter, and David Little should be appointed a committee to examine the conduct and accounts of the collector and overseers of the poor of the township and make a report thereof to the next annual town meeting. and also that the overseers of the poor
before mentioned should be empowered to take all necessary steps to affect a settlement with the overseers of the poor in the other townships and make a report thereof to the next annual town meeting. On motion, it was agreed to raise by tax the sum of 100 pounds for
support of the poor of the township and also that the poor should be farmed out to the lowest bidder. The poor therefore being set up at vendue and Isaac Ser Jr. then and there bidding the sum of 54 pounds and no person bidding less. They
were accordingly set off at his bid. Care of the poor was obviously a major concern of the first committee. At the time, an annual sale or venue was held at which bids were submitted for care of the poor. The lowest bidder assumed
responsibility for maintaining the poor for the coming year. The poor were housed in the poor house. located in the Milbourne area of the township. The overseer could rent out the poor as laborers and pocket fees. The town
meeting was then adjourned to meet at the house of Abraham Woolly inkeeper on the second Monday in April next as the law directs. So, that was the Springfield Inaugural Town Meeting for Dummies. Um, and we
would like to call up, uh, Assemblyman Vincent Carney, uh, and Commissioner Rebecca Williams to present a proclamation, um, a state legislative proclamation to the township. I have no resolution with >> No, I I I know that. I just wanted to call you up.
>> But but I do want to uh on behalf of the entire uh board of county commissioners and our chair, uh Joseph Bodk want to congratulate everyone here in Springfield, 232 years strong, and I'm sure there will be many, many more. This
is a wonderful painting and I want to thank you for inviting us here uh inviting me here. Uh I love the township of of Springfield and I come here often. So without further ado, I will introduce you to Assemblyman Vince Carney. He's got a resolution.
>> Uh thank you, Commissioner. And uh good evening, Mayor Lurer and Township Committee staff and everybody here. Um it's really an honor to uh to be standing here as a uh member of the assembly and a representative of this
district which um in addition to Springfield includes uh a lot of municipalities that have a lot of American history in them. Uh standing here before this this painting and even hearing the story of the uh ingenuity of how it got into this room. Uh that's
just kind of the uh can do spirit we're we're known for uh throughout Union County. uh and our district. Uh so without further ado, I will read you a joint legislative resolution uh offered by myself along with Assemblyman Mccertie and Senator Bramnik.
Uh whereas the township of Springfield, Union County, highly esteemed within the Garden State, will mark and celebrate the anniversary of its first township committee meeting on April 14th, 2026. And whereas the state and general
assembly of the state of New Jersey are pleased to join with the residents of Springfield Township upon this felicitus occasion and commend their immeasurable contributions to our state and this nation throughout many seasons of change and growth and whereas as we just
learned formed on April 14th, 1794 and officially incorporated as one of New Jerseys original 104 municipalities on February ruary 21st, 1798. Springfield Township was a pivotal location in the American Revolution with
the critical battle of Springfield proving to be a turning point in the conflict and foiling the British campaign in the colony. And whereas today numerous landmarks from this historic engagement can be found throughout the township, including the Cannonball House and the First
Presbyterian Church, which was burned by the British forces and rebuilt using much of the original structure and still stands on Mars Avenue generations later. And located on the northern boundary of Union County, Springfield Township has garnered a claim as one of the best
places to live in 2010 by New Jersey Monthly magazine. And its Jonathan Dayton High School has earned distinction as one of Newsweek's best secondary schools in the United States, an accolade secured by just 6% of all
public schools in the country. And whereas within all sphere spheres, Springfield Township has has established a model worthy of emulation and set a standard of excellence towards which all
others might strive. And whereas it is altogether fitting and proper for the members of this legislature to pause in their deliberations to congratulate the many fine people of Springfield Township as they commemorate centuries of
successful participation in the story of New Jersey and our nation. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey that this legislature hereby salutes the Township of Springfield,
pays tribute to its illustrious history, and extends sincere best wishes for continued prosperity and vigor in all the days to come. And be it further resolved that a duly authenticated copy of this resolution signed by the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker and
attested by the Senate Secretary and the Assembly Clerk be transmitted to the township of Springfield and signed by Senate President Nicholas P.Qatari and Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. All right. For those who would like to
stay for the regular business portion of our meeting, which I assure you will be will be more riveting than this. Um, you are welcome to stay. For anybody who would like to uh enjoy their evening, uh, we're going to take a fivem minute
recess. We are we are recessed. My wife won't let me Okay, we are back for our administrator's report. >> Wait, >> that that did meeting? >> No public comment on agenda items only. Sorry.
>> All right. >> Seeing none, we're going to go to our administrator's report. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A few things I want to touch on if I may. Um, some items that we are working on. I want to talk about the soft. We've looked at all the >> Oh, please speak into the microphones. I
know I'm going to hear that. Please speak into the microphones. >> Uh, we've looked at all the properties that we own in town and there's a piece on Edison Place which we've narrowed down that we think that's where we should be. It's by no residents. We own it. It's about an acre of of of land.
It's in a perfect location because we're between Springfield and Milbour. Milbour wants to go in with us. Uh they're willing to split the cost right down the middle. So I I think it's a great option. You know, if you look on the map, that's where it's located. It's in
the industrial area on Edison. So we've got GPI is going to do a survey on it. So that >> we've got all the corners. >> It's across from Yes. Yes. So there's no residents anywhere as close. Uh we just got to clean it up a little bit. And I
think it makes a perfect location. So if if you guys are in agreement, I would like to at least start and have GPI do the survey so we can get prepared so that we can get moving on it. >> Yeah. >> Does anybody have an objection?
>> That would really mess you up if I had an object. >> No, I don't have any objection to that one. >> That was funny. Thank you. >> That was funny. Thank you for for this. No, >> thank you. Um, let's touch on a couple other things. DPW activity, road repairs are underway
after the harsh winter. We're trying to do a bunch of permanent repairs. Crews have been per performing spring cleanup and mulching on all the parks. Sport fields have been prepped and are ready for play. Our street sweeper has been canvasing the town on a regular basis.
Uh, Tamara, can you find the the Hershey building? Yeah. >> So, the Hershey building we started last year, if you remember, we did the front of it. The sides were were in poor shape. They were peeling. The cement was coming off. So, they're stuckcoing it as
we speak. That should be done in, you know, probably a week. We should have the building finished. You can see on the left, that's where the new part was done. You see on the right where we didn't do it. It's actually in pretty poor condition. So, and since that's our building, we're keeping it. We need it.
It's it's a tremendous value to us. We need to take care of it. So, and and again, this is kind of almost in our downtown. So, it does go along with our theme of trying to upgrade the downtown. So, that's where we are on that. Um, let
me see what else we want to touch on. We did GPI. Uh, Duffy's Corner. I got an email tonight that we are in review right now with D. They've come up with seven additional questions that now we have to answer. So, we'll get those over to them
shortly. Tamara, can you pull up Caldwell? So, Caldwell, we were there the other day again. They've got the old covert is out. It's dug as you can see. The utilities are coming to put the water lines in shortly after that's
done. The covert is pre-cast. They do have to put some footings in and then they will put the covert back in. We're still looking at June though. But what we did do is we asked them to put another path in to Ruby. So they paved the path for us. We're going to leave
that. We think that's a great idea to have two ways into that park. We're thinking of possibly fencing off the right hand side and putting a gate so that if people want to take their children into the playground area, they can go through the gate and the cars, if they want to use it, can only go
straight back into the parking lot. So, it gives us another way to get into the park. Uh they did leave us an opening by the bank next to the fence. They took down some obstacles that were in the way and there is a walking path so our baseball team can get through there and
get into the field. So that worked out well. That's just another picture of the of the work site. It's actually extremely deep and wide. It was very shocking of how much work needs to be done there. So you can understand after going there, you can understand why
we're looking at an extended period. Um, we were over today at the library helping Bonnie out with the ceiling once again. We're still working on that and we touched on the salt dump. Tamar, what else we got there? Oh, this is a
picture. Go to the next one, Tamara, so we can explain. Oh, is that our courtroom? Yes, it is. And that's Lori Medcaf in our courtroom. If you tune in to Netflix, you will see the show Big Mistakes. And it is filmed in our
courtroom. some of the scenes which came out actually very distinctive. I mean, you could tell immediately if you've ever been here, you know, it's our courtroom right away. We're hoping maybe they're going to use us some more. Yeah. Well, you know, I talked about this in when they were here, I guess, in the
October Township Committee meeting. they were here and I'm not trying to give any spoilers away, but it uh sounds like or it appears that this town hall is going to be a major plotline in the story, so it
is hopeful that they'll be back. Um, you know, they were here in October. We had the the the release uh a couple days ago and uh they they did an excellent job. I was here for a little bit of the taping. I mean, it was just incredible how they
transformed this place from the logos to the paintings to the name plates. I mean, it Yeah. And having the shot outside, I think it's a real boost for us. It's a real boost for the community. And, uh, you know, talking about, you know, a desirable place to live and a
desirable place to be. You know, you have major major networks choosing us, choosing Springfield to uh to tape in our town and and that's that's absolutely outstanding. uh and they couldn't have been nicer and they were very efficient and uh we look forward to hosting them again. It was just an
outstanding job that they did and it was quite a quite incredible their operation >> and I don't think we really had too many bumps to be honest with you. It went pretty smooth on Chief. I don't think we had any real issues with them filming here. It was pretty easy. So, we're hoping that they return.
>> Yeah. No, it was it was an interesting experience and very professional and yeah, they're very curious. >> You can see the outside of our building is our front door. So it again, if you know the town, you know exactly where it is. So >> yep, >> I know we're in episode two. I don't remember whatever other episodes 2,
three, eight, and some others. So if you get a chance to watch it, you'll see us. >> She was off that day. >> I was on vacation, actually. You know, it's amazing though. You watch that scene,
you know, and and it's obviously the daytime, but they, you know, due to movie magic that was filmed overnight and they had a whole string of lights coming through these windows and it it just absolutely made it like it was the middle of the day. It was quite impressive, quite amazing. And um again,
this is uh I think I was here recognizing the scenes. I think I was here watching them film it. it had to be the the season finale. So, it was it was pretty cool. And I think the most our we're again we're we're probably featured in about four episodes, but the
bulk of our the bulk of the shots the bulk of our town hall is featured probably in the in the season finale, which is amazing. It's it's you know you you you can't help but watch something like that and think it's really cool that like you live in the town where
you're watching a Netflix show on and that's you know it's a cool feeling. It's a feeling that never goes away. >> One thing you may notice is that the picture that we just talked about in the back is different because they couldn't get a release to film the picture. So
what they did actually is they built in panels. They built a picture very similar and it actually fit right inside the frame. There was probably four or six panels that they put up to cover the picture. So you see it is different. But
>> unfortunately they couldn't use the one that's up there >> because they couldn't get a release. They tried to track down the artist or his family and they couldn't. So in order to to you know abundance of caution they decided just not to use it
as it stands. So and I think that's it. Is there any questions or anything I can answer for any >> Yeah, I have a question. Do we have Do we have an update on Oakland Park? >> On what park? >> Oakland. >> Yes, we have talked about this with committeeman Weber and I think Do you
want to comment on that? >> Yeah. Um, we uh got the two. So, we have three. We We do We did get the third one. Um, we're having a bit of a uh small problem
with um the amount of money that they're requesting for certain items. It it it you know, it can't help but aggravate you, but it's almost like that government tax where they're charging for for a few things that we are are
looking for roughly the price of what it would take to build a 4,000 foot house. So, we have enough money with the grant to get the park, get the landscaping,
get the hardscaping, um, electrical, water, get all of that done. We were looking for a gazebo type of of structure to put there. And we were also looking for almost like a a small stage
kind of structure to put there, which got a price tag of almost 400 thou $400,000 attached to it. >> So So that's where we're at. So right now where we're at is we're going to park what? um
we know that we can't afford or what we think that we're being um drugged over the coals for and we will get the part done. >> And Committee Weber, I did speak to one of the suppliers today and said, "Do me a favor. Come back with a more standard
kind of gazebo, something off the shelf that will bring our cost down." So, let's see what they come back with. If we can get something that's more reasonable, maybe we can still do more of what we wanted to do right off the bat. and and if we have to add on as we go along, but they should be we should be
settling down on one of them within the next week or so. >> Yes, >> it was just a matter of formalizing the best bang for our buck. >> Okay. So, we should expect something to approve for the next meeting. >> Well, I I don't know how you know I
don't know what we got to talk about what approvals you want. >> Okay, that statement concerns me a little bit, but okay. Um, >> well, we're going to cut a PO. >> Yeah. No, that's what I'm asking. We're cutting a P. We're hoping to cut a PO >> as soon as we get all of our details
finished. Yes. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> Yeah, there the there's um I I I will tell you that I think we've we've this is another thing we have went over and over and over again. We had a meeting at it with
in here. We invited the entire town. Four people showed up. Four people were here. Two were against closing Oakland. Two were foreclosing Oakland. We are going to leave Oakland open for right now. We're going to try to work on a hybrid system where we can
close off Oakland if we need it. If there is an event that is warranted for it, if that proves to be okay, then we will continue on for it. But as of right now, um, you know, it it's really going to be whatever the drawing has come down to,
whatever these uh the designers have come up to and and um we'll present that, I guess, next next meeting and show everybody >> and and can we invite the public just to see the drawings next meeting? >> As long as we don't stall this any
longer. If we do, >> you're going to show them the drawing that >> if we're not done in time. >> I'd like to see some concepts here. >> We We can You've got all the drawings. >> Committee Weber. >> We can John, could we make sure that the
township committee gets a copy of the drawings? >> Sure. Um we can abs committeeman Huber we can absolutely uh have the meeting open for viewing of the drawings but if we would like to move forward next meeting if everyone is on the same page
up here >> because if we miss the window >> I don't want to miss the window. >> We can't afford to. >> Exactly. uh when it comes to so so you you'll see you'll you'll you'll see through the drawings it's it's it's
presented very nicely. It's everything that we had talked about and that the the the initial concepts that we had done uh probably 6 months ago. They're very similar to it. So um not much has changed but we'll give you the we'll give you the what they consider the
final rendering on that. Um go to to Ruby Park fence around Ruby. That that fence will go down Codwell and along the driveway. Correct. >> Yeah. What we want to do, Tamar, can you put that back up? New driveway that
they put in for us. So, as you see, Committeeman Weber, what we're thinking is that they were going to put a chain link fence up. Our thought was go down this side. Yep. >> All the way to the end. Leave a gate up
here. So if you have children, but it's fenced off. >> Well, it'll be fenced off on the Cordwell side also, right? >> On this side also. >> No, no, no. Along Yeah. Along the street. >> Where's the fence here? >> It It's going to connect to it. Is Okay.
So, so just to be clear, children will be able to play in the park and will not have means to go into the driveway or the street. >> That's correct. >> Excellent. >> They could go around >> if you go out into, you know, I don't think there's a fence between that park
and Ruby Field. >> No, but I would hope Do you want to put a fence there or No, I mean, you could be able to catch the kid by then. Is I I'm just wor worried about >> sometimes they're quick. >> I mean, they're going into the park >> at that point. But I'm just concerned about running into the street or the driveway. >> 100%.
>> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Okay, any other questions for the administrator? Okay, moving on to Alex's uh second favorite part of the meeting, which is minutes. >> Uh, no, this is my favorite part. >> Wow.
>> I'll make a motion to adopt the regular meeting minutes of February 24, 2026 as emailed. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> All right. >> A little behind. Getting a little behind. >> All right. Moving on. Ordinances. New
business ordinances on second reading. Madame Clerk. >> Ordinance 20265. This ordinance amends the township code at chapter 7 to modify the township's traffic regulations.
Make a motion to adopt ordinance 2026-05 as read by Madame Clerk. >> Second. And can I ask can we can we go over this? I I I >> Yep. >> forgot. >> Yep. We're going to have a public hearing and I'll then I'll turn it over
to Craig. Um I'm going to open the public hearing on ordinance 20265. >> Craig. >> Right. Uh, so this ordinance right now there's permit parking only on Profit Avenue. Um, and that's really only on the east side of Profit Avenue down to
where it connects with Tulip between Morris and Tulip. Uh, and this eliminates the the requirement for having a permit. Uh, it's does not eliminate the no parking on the west side of that of that street, but um eliminates the permit requirement. My understanding is that
>> Yeah. Why did we have a permit? There weren't really any or very many permits issued for that street over the years. Uh I think the chief might be >> there's none open right now. We have no permits there. >> Can anyone call why did we have permit pardon? >> That was back. Do you remember chief?
>> I many years back uh I couldn't tell exactly when. Um prior to 2010 there was a doctor's office up on Morris and Short Hills Avenue. It was an extremely busy business.
>> Yeah. >> Um which is no longer there, but they had people in and out all day long. They actually had to hire a uh valet company to take the client's cars drive and they would park them all over the place. >> That's crazy. >> Um
yeah, so that business is no longer there. So that issue has gone away. Uh we did that because it was very inconvenient for the residents. Uh again, it's no longer a problem. So, um, you know, it does that profit. It
does affect some of the businesses there as far as them having places to park other than on the other side of Mars Avenue and we don't want people running across. >> Yeah. No, no. Make sense. >> Okay. I'm going to close the public hearing. Um, madam clerk, can we call the role?
>> Committeeman Weber. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Capid. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Huber. >> Yes. >> Mayor Laugher. Yes. >> Okay. Ordinance 2026. This is the first reading. This ordinance is to establish a cap bank for
the calendar year 2026 pursuant to NJSA48 colon 4-45.14. >> I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance 2026-06 as read by madame clerk. >> I second.
>> Okay. Is there any discussion? Um when will uh this Yeah. You want to tell me uh when will it be final uh reading scheduled? >> Final reading I think scheduled for
>> Yeah. >> I think Yeah, I think it's two I think it's two meetings, right? >> We can do it next meeting. It will be posted tomorrow on the town website. >> Okay. Okay. >> The legal posting. So that that date is >> that would be the 24th.
>> Okay. So it'll be for a final hearing on the 2. >> Final hearing on 20 on the 24th. >> 28th. >> 28th. >> 28th. >> Just want to read that into >> Okay. Uh is there a roll call vote? Madame clerk. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser.
>> Yes. >> Committeeman Capid. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Huber. >> Committeeman Weber. Yes, >> Mayor Ler. >> Yes. >> Uh, let me know if you'd like a resolution pulled. Resolution 112 2026 1112 2026
113 2026 1114 2026 1115 Resolution 2026 1116 2026 117 2026 1118
2026 1119 2026 120 2026 121 1 2026 122. We have removed 123 and 124. Resolution 2026
125. Resolution 2026 126. Resolution 2026 127 >> and and resolution 2026 128.
>> Okay. Okay, I will make a motion to adopt resolutions uh by consent agenda resolutions 2026-1 112 through resolutions 2026-
uh 128 uh with no numbers for resolution 2026 1- 231-24. >> I second. >> Madam clerk, we hold on. We pulled 123 and 124 though, right? >> No. >> Well, they they were removed from the
agenda. >> Yeah, there's just no numbers. >> It's as if they were never here. >> Got it. >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser. >> Yes. >> Capid. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Huber. >> Committeeman Weber. >> Yes. >> Mayor Laugher. >> Yes. We have no discussion and action
items on this agenda. Now, moving to Alex's new second favorite part of the meeting, finance. Uh, I will make a motion to adopt payroll invoices for the period of March 25th, 2026 through April 14th, 2026 in
the amount of $4,113,3164. >> Madam Clerk, >> Deputy Mayor Kaiser, >> yes. >> Committeeman Huber, >> Committeeman Capidis, >> yes. >> Committeeman Weber, >> yes. >> Mayor Laugher, >> yes. correspondence. We have uh the
Springfield Planning Board has a meeting on April 16th, 6:30m. The applicant is Congregation Israel. Subdivision approval rear lot at 18 Pit Road. That wraps up correspondence.
Public comment on any governmental issue. Seeing none, would anybody from the dis like to speak? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Uh, if you will, I have two short announcements. Uh, first, I'd like to congratulate Springfield's first
aid squad on, uh, the grand opening of their long- aaited, highly anticipated brand new ambulance. It was a great day. Beautiful weather for it. Uh, it was awesome. It was also so great to see so many residents show up in an am for an ambulance to celebrate and support the
people who show up for them uh when they're needed. I think it was a great uh a great day. Plenty of activities, wellrun uh and it was an honor to be there. Uh and it was uh really wellreceived and again they had another day uh the following day at Chisum,
another um awareness day which was great and I really applaud them for both the organization and and the the well- needed well-deserved um ambulance uh to to you know for the for the customer service for our residents. Uh the second uh thing is
more of a statement. Um you know um I just want to take a moment to acknowledge what happened uh last weekend uh in Union Saturday evening on Route 22. As many of you are aware um that is my hometown of Union. That's where I grew up. Um you know it has been
reported that six individuals were injured and uh one person has been identified as deceased. Um I've spoken to the mayor. Uh I've reached of union. I've spoken to her. I reached out to offer our support on behalf of the
township committee. Um, you know, Union obviously is a place of uh a place where I'm deeply connected to. You know, it's it's where I'm from and from and I'm sure many of us pass that area, you know, on uh on a weekly or daily basis and it hit close to home. Um, and I just
wanted to say that, you know, we stand with Union. Our communities are closely connected and uh we support one another in moments like this. And I know that um uh I was made aware that several of our own were uh responding to the scene as
well and is helping out in the investigation and the follow-up. So again, uh we are here for Union. We're here to offer our support and uh whatever they need, we'll be there for them and we appreciate um their efforts as well. And just want to let the township of union know that our thoughts
are with them during this uh time. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> 100%. Anybody else? Uh >> I I just have one thing. Uh it's gonna I'm make it quick. It ties into our to our 250th and our 232 anniversary of
Springfield. And um you know, it's it's not lost on me on on what Springfield means to establishing the United States of America. You know, I absolutely love this country. Like love it.
A flag is not a political statement. It's not something that one party owns. It's not something that one party doesn't own or or you know, it's something that everybody should fly. It's something that everybody should be proud of as this country for better, for worse of what's going on. There there's
there's things in the world that are just absolutely insane at times and there are things in the world that are absolutely magnificent at times, but this country is hands down the greatest country in the world. The township of Springfield played a part in making this
that country. Put your flags up. Be proud to be an American. No matter where you stand on it, you're here because there's no other place that's better than here cuz we are the greatest country of the world. So, that's all I
want to say. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, I also want to congratulate the first aid squad and new ambulance. I'm upset I was there late. appreciate FD and PD for showing up as well. Um, it
was a really nice event. Thank you, uh, Chris for making remarks and, uh, a poo. Congratulations on your new toy. Um, and, uh, and, uh, you know, it was it was really a great event. Um, and they really are
one of the they really are one of the backbones of our town. So, thank you. Um, and with that, uh, do we have a motion to go motion to go into executive session? Madame clerk, you got to read it first. I forgot. >> Resolution 41426.
Whereas article six of the open public meetings act provides that a public body may hold the close session and whereas the township committee will during this meeting enter into discussion of the following matters. Attorney client privilege and potential litigation.
Attorney client privilege and litigation. Whereas the matters to be discussed in close session are to remain in the strictest of confidence by all township committee members in furtherance of their fiduciary duties to the township. Now therefore, be it
resolved matters discussed at this meeting will be released to the public when the reasons for discussing and acting upon them in close session no longer exists. >> So I before we vote on the motion because we do have a motion in a second,
I forgot uh to mention uh a couple days ago was Yom Hashawa. It was Holocaust Remembrance Day and um at the end of the meeting we're going to take a moment of silence before we adjourn. Um and now we
can vote on the motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I we're we're enclosed. later. 5:30. I'm 5:30 every morning tomorrow. Are we good? >> All right, everybody. Please take a moment of silence in memory of uh everybody that was killed during the
Holocaust uh as we commemorate Yam Hashawa. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. All in favor? Hi, >> we are adjourned.