compliance with the open public meeting law. I wish to state that on January 9th, 2026, the notice of meeting the upper township committee was posted on the official township bulletin board, the upper township website and emailed to the lane city press, the Ocean City Sentinel ledger, the Herald Times, and
filed with the township clerk. Tonight's meeting is being videoed, recorded up until the close session portion of this meeting will be available on the township website. I hereby direct this announcement made part of the minutes of this meeting.
Would everyone please stand for the >> pledgece to the United States of America to the standice for all >> please call the role. >> Mr. Casachio
>> here. Mr. Nappen here. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo here. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo >> here. >> Mayor Corson >> present. >> All members are present. >> Has everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes for our December 15th close session and our January 5th reorganization meeting? >> Yes. Motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Mr. Caceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Okay. At this time, uh, report of governing body members,
>> Sam, we'll start with you tonight. >> Love that. Um, good evening everyone. Thank you all for coming. Uh, I just wanted to start with thanking public works for the action they took at the community center. Uh, not only was it necessary putting that sound deadening material up in the ceiling, but also
with very much a cost-saving like win for the township generally. um the other two vendors that we had looked at would have been a significant investment and the option that we ended up going with was effective, quicker and saved cost. So, winw win. Very pleased with that.
So, thank you guys for all that you did there. Um, also this week, um, this past week, we met with the Upper Town football organization as well as the Upper Tundra softball and cheerleading. Uh, and we made some great strides in
terms of long-term planning, uh, not only at our Amanda Field Complex for softball, but also, um, plans for cheerleading and football, how they can kind of integrate together, um, in terms of long-term planning and asset uh,
maximization. So, I look forward to that dialogue continuing, and thank you to our business administrator for setting up that meeting and really taking control there. And that's all I got for you, mayor. Tyler, do you have anything? >> I do, Mayor. Um, Saturday, January 24th
will be our first annual free rabies clinic of the 2026 year. It'll be from 1 to 3:00 p.m. at Shore Veterinarian Animal Hospital. It's at 73 Hope Road in Seedville. Um, another thing I just wanted to mention was a new business
tonight. We have the RFP results for the renewable energy generating facility on township property that, as you know, you and I have a couple meetings with uh some groups about this or they're going to uh rent the old township landfill on Butter Road and they're going to lease
the land from us to put solar panels and they're going to pay us $12,000 a month with 2% escalator, I believe, in there. So, that'll be nice. income for the township to have uh yearly as we're going forward and uh not a whole lot can do or build on an old
abandoned landfill. So good way to use of the space and some money and that's all I have for this even >> thank you. Um Zach, do you have anything for tonight? >> Yeah. Uh so public works has done phase one of the leaf collection. I believe
we've collected well over 1,400 tons of leaves in the township. Uh phase two is starting actually started today. Uh we have quite a few uh uh operators out trying to get it. Hope hopefully we'll get the uh leaves up as much as we
possibly can before the next snow. Uh I do want to uh also echo uh our meeting on last Wednesday with uh Sam and Jimmy about how we're moving forward with also try to get make sure that all the plans
are out and that each rec uh affiliation is going to have something to look forward to. I know softball definitely wants to have bathrooms uh at their Mandis Field. I know that football really wants to try to get that concession stand up and running. Um but
we're going to try to as as quickly and uh as economically feasible as possible. So, it's all good. We also have public works working on that, getting us quotes for uh various building materials. I mean, it's good it's good to see that we're going to put our organizations in
specific spots within the township. So, that way it'll be also saving on maintenance as well. And just to clarify with Texas when he said phase one of Leafs and phase two, that's the first rotation through the township is phase one and the second
phase is the final cleanup. >> And then uh one more thing I'm really excited to for us to approve this uh adult fitness uh recreational thing that we're going to be on our consent. >> Yes, that's going to be very good. >> Deputy Mayor Bernie, you have any tonight?
>> Good evening everybody. I do have a few things. Thank you so much for spending the evening with us uh as always. And I want to just thank anybody that did come to the reorganization uh inviting Tyler and I back to serve the township. We're happy to be here. So, thank you for
everybody that came out. Uh it I don't really talk about it too much, but uh excited to announce we're going to be having a meeting very soon and do some great updates to our website. I want to thank uh John Britain who stepped up and has done a ton of IT work along with his busy work uh as a as my EMS chief as
well. So, thank you John and looking forward to getting our website mobile friendly which I know is a problem for a lot of people. Uh on a downside though, uh I did find out that our EMS grant um is stalled. So, we're going to be approaching that from another angle.
Meeting with with Jimmy and John as well on that one. And uh speaking of football, it just popped in my mind. We want to make sure to get that uh the undefeated championship JB team in here at one of the upcoming meetings so maybe you guys can reach out to football and we can honor those young gentlemen and I
believe that's it on my list of things. So that's all. >> Thank you. Sure. >> Um well it's been a very busy start to the new year as you know so far we've been pretty fortunate with our beach erosion. seems to have
subsided a little bit. We have lost a little bit of doom and scarfing, but it's, as you know, we're one storm away from having a catastrophic event. That leads me into Wednesday. Wednesday,
Jim and myself are going to Washington. We have approximately seven meetings set up and they going to hurt us around. But our lobbyists, it should be a pretty busy day. Jim and I are leaving at 4:45 and we're going to go to Wilmington, get
on the train, go to Washington, and we anticipate leaving Washington sometime after 4:30 on. So, we're doing a turn and burn. Um, it's going to be a very busy day. I'm
kind of looking forward to it. snacks. We're packing snacks. >> They said bring water, bring snacks. I'm bringing a backpack. So, >> don't say too long. >> But it's should be interesting. It's basically we're going down working with
our lobbyist group. Other municipalities are going down to lobby and try to encourage the politicians to come up with a permanent solution to funding for speech. So at that time at this time that's all
I have but it should be a very a long day. So moving on Jim. >> Yes sir. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um, gentlemen of the committee, I have a number one trip to Washington check. Um, number two, Caldwell Park snack stand discussion, greater sports program
outlay check. Um, the last thing I have was leaf collection. Um, I prepared a little bit more granular notes I'd like to just go over to set expectations. And, um, so I think it's important to clarify that our base start times um, for leaf collection are not based on a
calendar date. They're based on conditions on the ground. Um, due to the unseasonably warm fall, leaf stayed on trees much longer than usual. Had we stuck to the traditional November schedule, our crews uh may have been patrolling empty streets. So instead, we waited until the volume warranted the deployment to be an efficient use of
taxpayer dollars. Um, when the temperatures finally dropped uh earlier in the winter, later in the fall, we experienced a rapid townshipwide leaf drop. This created immediate volume issues that block drainage and narrowed roads. public works uh made a tactical
decision to prioritize routes based on safety and access rather than the historical rotation. This meant some neighborhoods usually collected earlier on um ended up being moved to the end of line. Um while this operational pivot was necessary for safety, uh we failed
to communicate that shift to the residents. This lack of information created uh friction upon uh some of the members of the community and for that this is on me. Um, that's something I need to get better on communicating and getting the township better. Um, communicating when we make an
operational pivot. Um, and to illustrate this, I had a resident write me explaining that because he didn't know the schedule had changed, he raised his leaves to the curb daily um, based on historical timing. And because we didn't arrive when he expected, the wind blew
the piles back into his yard. Um, and without him knowing when we were going to come, he had to rake his leaves daily to the same location waiting on us. And uh, so to speak on that, we cannot have residents guessing when to put materials out. This creates redundant work for
them and frustration with the township and the the hardearned tax dollars they pay. This is unsatisfactory service delivery on our part. So to fix this moving forward, uh what we're going to do is uh at the start of a season, we will post a forecast to Facebook and our
website um letting you know the route we will take for the entire round of leaf collection. That is going to be our pre-season plan. Additionally, we will do a weekby-eek forecast leading up to it. So going into the week on Monday, we will advertise the neighborhoods and
roads which we will collect leaves on. that will go on week by week so that people know when the their reliefs will be collected um and they are not left guessing raking to the curb breaking daily and just to uh kind of demonstrate
the sheer volume that we're dealing with um as the mayor and Zach mentioned round one was concluded today January 12th and we immediately started round two in a typical year the combined tonnage of round one and round two is typically
between 1,500 to 1700 00 tons. As of today, just round one, we had 1400 tons. Right? So, we're dealing with an unsizable amount of volume that slowed us down in our collection. Right? So, we have essentially hauled a full season worth of material in the first pass
alone, which concluded today a little later than normal. Um, and for that, I apologize on the communication front. We will get better and going forward. You can anticipate in knowing what we're going to do the week of every Monday until the culmination of round one,
round two. That's all I have. >> Thanks, Jim. That sounds like a possible solution to the problem. >> Joanne, do you have anything tonight? >> I do. I want to request that we can add a resolution to the consent agenda authorizing a payment from the affordable housing trust fund.
>> John, do you have anything? >> Uh, nothing right now, Mr. Mayor. >> And Barb, do you have anything? >> I have nothing. Thank you. At this time, we will open it to the public if anyone has
public comment on any of our agenda items. >> Just note this is not related to the ordinances. This is really just for the resolutions that are on the agenda. >> Okay. In regards to the resolutions, >> Barbara, Seville, New Jersey, um Zach T
number 16, I think it is. Can you tell us what the outdoor fitness court is? 16 resolution to adopt and allocate funds for an outdoor fitness court as part of the 20 2026 National Fitness Campaign. Does anybody know what that is?
>> Yes. So, the outdoor fitness court is going to be part of the skate park renovation. Outdoor fitness parks, if have you ever seen the one in Ocean City by the Ocean City football field? It almost looks like a playground to the eye, but it's actually a workout facility that's free to for people to use.
>> Okay. I apologize, Zach. I thought you mentioned that that you were excited about that. >> Yeah. So, so I I'm excited for that for the simple fact that, you know, as someone who's frequently been to a man's field, I think all of us have, you know, you use that opportunity like go for a walk around the trail or also, you know,
just do something else. But now there's an opportune opportunity for someone to actually work out while they're there, while their kids at practice. It's open to the public. It's going to be free. It's going to be done done appropriately. I mean, to Vic's point, like when I drop my daughter off for
cross country practice in Ocean City, that place is jamming from six o'clock to 8 o'clock and it's like it's a good it's a good thing for us and it's like, you know, it's something for for us as a good community that, you know, we have something that is increasing people's
physical health as well. So, it's a this is something that's going to be open to everyone. It's not just something that's a kid oriented thing. You're going to have teenagers, adults in there. It's It's just a good way to blow off steam and also be healthy. >> So, this is in addition to the like the walking area where they have stations.
This is a totally separate thing. >> Well, this what this is is our skate park. We've >> we facilitated grant money to rebuild that. Some of this is going to be grant money, too. This is going to be when we remodel our skate park. >> This is going to be next to that.
>> Okay. It's all in one spot. You're not walking the trail around the station. No, I know what you're talking about. Like Caldwell used to have like stations like a station to stop and >> do field. I think there is some stations there to do like different things. Maybe maybe I'm hallucinating.
>> No, I know. I know. Dennis Dennis Township still Dennis Township still has the uh the stations along their walk walkway path too. This is going to be a consolidated area >> for now. >> Thank you. I just was curious.
Is there anyone else who would like to comment on agenda items resolution? Hearing no more public comment on this portion, we will close this portion and move to the consent agenda. >> All consent agenda items listed below
are routine in nature and will be enacted by one motion. If the mayor or any committee member wishes the particular agenda item to be considered separately, it will be removed from the consent agenda and acted on separately. And this also includes >> payment from the affordable housing trust.
>> That would be item number 20. >> 25. >> Okay. >> I'll make a motion. Second. Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. >> Yes. And I just want to shout out Pam
Jones for getting EMS uh safety employee of the year. I think that's awesome. And also number 19 will be starting to have some coin drops around town. So if you happen to see more fire or any of the other companies out there over the next coming months, please donate. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sam Flomo.
>> Just a yes for me. Thank you. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Corsen. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Under ordinances, we have the introduction and first reading of ordinance number one, 1226, an ordinance amending chapter 20 zoning of the code
of Upper Township to designate class 5 cannabis retail licenses as a conditional use in the CM2 zoning district of the township of upper and to create a cannabis overlay zone within the CM2 zoning district. >> If we could have the public hearing for
February 23rd. Well um just I'm going to ask John to give a explanation and then we will move forward with an introduction or >> sure there's a time frame of what has what has happened. >> So based on feedback received uh from
you guys and direction to move forward with preparing an ordinance to amend our zoning ordinance that currently lists cannabis as a prohibited use in any zone within the township. Right. So, the first ordinance that's now been introduced relates to amending chapter 20, which is our zoning ordinance, in
order to allow class 5 cannabis retail sales in particular zoning districts in in this case in the CM2 zone. Uh and then what we've also done through this ordinance based on additional comments and wants from the committee is to create an overlay zone within the CM2
zone. Essentially a subsection of that zone in which you're going to allow class 5 cannabis retail sales is a conditional use. Right? So there's certain conditions that have to be met including location and a number of other items that are contained in the ordinance in order to allow it to occur within that area. Right? And that is
particularly lots that are to the east of the Parkway interchange along Roosevelt Boulevard between the interchange and all the way down essentially to the bridge going into Ocean City. So there's a particular area number of lots within that zone that this would be allowed to occur within.
Um and that those are highlighted and listed in the in the ordinance. But that in a nutshell is what the first ordinance seeks to do through amending the zoning chapter. >> Is there any questions for my colleagues? Okay.
>> So once we introduce it, it leaves here, >> right? So So with the zone and like any ordinance that is going to amend your your zoning chapter of your code, if it goes through a first reading and is introduced, it then gets referred over to the planning board for review and
consistency with the master plan, etc. They then have a period of time for which to recommend any sort of revisions or approval back to you before your second reading public hearing and and potential adoption of this. So this will go to the planning board next.
>> Yes. Just so everybody's aware time frame and what's happen. And at this time we'll entertain a motion to introduce and have a public hearing. >> February 23rd. >> February 23rd. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Next, we have the introduction and first reading of ordinance number two, 2026, an ordinance amending chapter 4, general licensing of the code of Upper Township in order to establish annual licensing
and registration fees in relation to cannabis retail and delivery businesses. >> So, I can just briefly touch on this too if you want. So, the reason that we have to introduce this ordinance, uh, in addition to that, what we just did is your current licensing section of the code doesn't consider obviously a class
5 cannabis license existing. Um, and not only that, but it doesn't have any parameters around annual licensing fees and renewals, etc. So, what we're seeking to do is amend chapter 4, which is your licensing code, in order to introduce this as a new license available within the township. It will
set an annual fee um as to renewal and annual renewal of that license moving forward uh as well as an application procedure for anyone that's interested in applying for the license. That's all contained in this ordinance. This won't have to be referred to planning, right? This is not one that amends your zoning
ordinance, but my understanding is we're going to have all these set up for second reading at the same time so that they kind of float together. >> Yes. So at this time we'll entertain a motion to introduce and have our February 23rd 2026 meeting. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Forson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Number 27. Introduction and first reading of ordinance number 3, 2026. an ordinance amending chapter 27 taxation
of the code of upper township to impose a transfer tax on the sale of cannabis by licensed businesses operating within the township of upper. >> John will ask you >> Sure. So uh what this uh ordinance does is again it amends a different section of our municipal code particularly chapter
27 which is your taxation code or section of the code and the reason for doing this is that anytime a municipality introduces cannabis retail sales licenses you are statutoily able to enact your own municipal ordinance tax uh taxing the sale right any dollars
made up to a 2% tax on each of those right so in terms of revenue generating by imposing such a tax. That's what makes the municipality money, right? That's in essence, right? That's why you do this, right? So, without us taking steps to do this, the tax wouldn't be
collected on its own. You have to have this done first in order to be able to collect that on a monthly basis once you award a license and have somebody up and operating. So, that's what this seeks to do. And again, this this doesn't have to go anywhere else. You will have to come back here for a second reading. And we'll do that uh simultaneously with the
other two. do want to state this in this ordinance. So the 2% tax that we are collecting, we have taken it a step further and we are designating where that revenue will go. >> Yep. >> To the basically onethird of it will go
to beach replenishment funding. Onethird will go to the upper county recreation trust fund to be utilized for capital improvement for recreation. >> And one third of it will go into our general fund for any and all other things necessary. And
for that to be changed, it requires >> an amendment to the ordinance, >> not a simple resolution, amendment to the ordinance. So, >> mayor, if I can just make one clarification for the recreation portion of it, it's still one-third, but it would go to the recreation trust
donation fund. The the word donation needs to be in there. >> Okay. >> We can make that amendment before it >> that's not a significant change to our ordinance. effective. >> Okay. Thank you, Barbara. So, at this time,
we'll entertain a motion to have the a public hearing and final adoption February 23rd of 2026. >> Please call the RO. >> Was there I'm sorry. Was there a second? >> Do you have a motion? >> Second. >> Mr. Cassaceio, >> yes.
>> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> May Corson, >> yes. Motion carried. Under new business, we had RFP results for renewable energy generating facility on township property. >> Just to I know Tyler mentioned it in his
opening comments, but what we're going over. So, as the committee knows, we previously went out for proposals related to municipally owned property, the former landfill along Butter Road that right now is just not getting any any use by the township yet is being owned and it sits there. Um, so what we
did was we uh prepare did a request for proposals for any interested party for which to submit a proposal for uh energy revenue generation, right? some form of whether it be solar or otherwise um to utilize that property for the creation
of renewable energy. Uh we publish published it according to to law. We we had it out. We only received one bid. Uh the bid was from Cultivate Power and uh the specifics related to the bid that they're proposing. Uh as Tyler had
mentioned, it's a they're paying $12,000 a year assuming that they can use 12 acres. So, it equates to $144,000 in year one to the township. They are proposing a 2% annual escalator on that for an initial 20-year lease. They also have four five-year options that they're
seeking. So, if all exercised, you'd be looking at a 40-year lease in a sense. Starting at 144,000 a year, escalating 2% each year. If you do the math, by the end of it, you're you're talking about between eight and $9 million that you're generating for the township for use of this land. Um, all the costs associated
with obtaining approvals, with building it out, with operating it rest with with the applicant, Cultivate Power. The township has no responsibility to do anything related to the operation of the property. You're really just collecting money hopefully over the course of the
next 40 years for solar generation. Um, some more. >> Barbara, anything before I kind of go further with this? >> Yeah, >> I do want to say which been I think was March or April we met with him.
>> It's been a long road and this is a good source of revenue make this happen and it's a gift that keeps on giving. >> Yeah. And we should know. So initially when they came to us I think there was a hope that we would just award contract and we obviously didn't do that. Uh we
let them know that we need to go out to bid here, right? It's public property. Talking about money that could come to the township that noted it despite the fact that we did go out, they were the only people that submitted a bid. Um but we weren't betting against ourselves either, right? We they had to give us their best offer because they risk potentially losing it if somebody else
came in with a better number. So I think this worked out for all parties involved. Uh and at this point, if um you know, the committee is inclined to accept the bid, uh we would just essentially need to let them know and then move forward with with signing a contract to reflect the the pertinent terms.
>> Well, I think it's pretty much a no-brainer to me. I mean, we have a landfill. >> There's not a whole lot you can build on a good option. >> It's a great way. >> Yes. bring in money and raise land. >> Found money.
>> Now, there is one I should go over one more thing, right? So, so what they do need to do first, obviously, we we might like the idea of them doing, but there's a lot of approvals that they have to go and obtain, right, before they can actually start operating. So, there is a diligence period built into the will be built into the contract. Uh, initially,
it's one year for them to go out and do it. Now, they have to pay us, I believe it's a $5,000, if I'm not mistaken, Barbara, I think it's $5,000 upfront, non-refundable, that we obtain while they go through that development period, but assuming they get everything at that point in time, we then kick the first year of the >> I mean, Capper's involved with it
because of the wetlands issues around it, >> right? D's involved with it because it's a landfill and they're worried about the closure and the runoff and the capping. So, there's multiple agencies that they have to get apples for Cape Atlantic soil township, right? We're psych. We're gonna have to do all that here, too.
>> Yes. >> So, I think a year is probably not enough, but I think >> they can extend it if necessary, and they pay us additional monies to do so. >> There there are provisions in the RFP. If they go past the year, then they pay us 7500. If they need a second
extension, it's 10,000. So, >> there are provisions in it. If if they need more time, >> any questions anybody ask? What do we have to do to >> So at this point if the committee I'd recommend you just take taking a role co as to whether you're agreeable to
accepting this submission and if so then I will contact them and we'll work up a a contract to formalize the terms that you've signed. >> I will make it a motion that we ask John to pursue contract. >> Second. >> Please call a roll. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. Yes.
>> Mr. Sam Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Porson. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. What's the pleasure on the bill? >> I hereby move that all claims submitted for payment at this meeting be approved and then incorporate the full in the minutes of this meeting. >> Second.
>> Please call the RO. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Uh yes, I have three abstains tonight. toain on 25-00615, 25-00173, and 25-0022. Yes.
>> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Coren, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> At this time, we'll open it up to the public. Is there anyone that in the public that would like to address us on any subject?
Please come forward to the microphones, name and address, please. >> Would you like my address? >> We're section of town. We don't need your physical street address. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Hello. My name is Diane Leo. I live in the Mara section of Upper
Township. >> Perfect. >> I've been a resident and homeowner in Upper Township since 1994. My husband right there. Raise your hand. Niles. Nile web. I told him to come up here with me to support me. We often
talk about how fortunate we are to live in such a safe and friendly township. My um concerns are about the cannabis 25 26 and 27 on the ordinances here. My first point is that in 2021, this
governing body decided that it was in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and visitors to prohibit all manner of marijuana related land use and development. Put on the timer.
So, why is that not a concern? Now, my second point is that you stated that Middle Township earns about $240,000 annually from cannabis sales. Middle Township has 20,380
residents. Upper Township has 12,510 residents. If we have the same percentage of drug users, that would mean Upper Township would earn $144,000. That is 59% of 240,000.
Unless we have nearly twice the number of drug users that Middle Township has, I do not think that it is a lot of money to be risking the safety and health of our citizens. My third point is that we have an
everinccreasing problem of drug use in our country. There are many studies that found that marijuana use can lead to more serious and lethal drugs. One study stated that 40% of people using lethal drugs had started with
marijuana. That is not an insignificant number. The FDA has not approved the cannabis plant for any medical use. However, the FDA has approved several drugs for rare
forms of epilepsy containing a purified form of CBD derived from cannabis. Modern cannabis products containing higher concentrations of tetrahydroanabanol,
most commonly referred to as THC. In the 1960s, marijuana had 1% THC. Today's cannabis typically contains more than 15% THC.
The high potency TN THC has potential health implications such as dependency, cognitive impairments, and adverse effects including cardiovascular issues, psychosis, depression, suicide,
violence, and at the very least impaired driving, which we know could cause death. My last point is research on our most vulnerable people, those under the age of 25. In 21, you can buy it. The brain is still developing until the age
of 25. THC disrupts the hypocampus, a region critical for memory formation. This may lead to difficulties in learning and retaining information. It can lead to a decline in IQ scores
and cognitive performance. And this would be our high school and college actually our college kids. THC exposure can reduce gray matter volume in the pre preffrontal cortex, impairing executive
functions like planning and impulse control. Other parts of the brain affected are the white matter and brain circuits. These all contribute to developing cannabis induced disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and
suicide. Adolescents are more likely than adults to develop cannabis use disorder due to heightened neuroplasticity during this developmental stage and making the brain more susceptible to addiction.
Cannabis use is associated with suicide related outcomes both in adolescents and adults. I do not believe that having cannabis sales in our community is in the best interest of our citizens. is putting everyone at risk, even if
anyone is just under the influence while driving. I hope you will can reconsider your intentions of having a cannabis store here. And if you are still considering, I propose that you put it in for a vote during elections. I don't think the public really realizes what's
going on here. I've contacted a lot of people and they were very upset about I had about 50 people on my email list and they were all upset, but they're not here. This is a terrible time to have the public to come out. I am sure you know that Summers Point voted this down
and amazingly it is still illegal in Pennsylvania. Amazing. One personal story, not a personal story. I'm almost at my time. One of my neighbors, she goes to church with me many times during the day at daily. Her
son lost his life this summer, 45 years old. They've been a resident their whole lives here. and he started marijuana use when he was in his teens and went on to cocaine and heroin and finally fentanyl which is what killed him and she tried many
rehabs. So my time is up and thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you for coming out and I do understand what you're saying but the obviously the marijuana he was using reference was not legally obtained
through a dispensary or anything of that nature. Obviously, fentanyl is a drug that's invaded our country and legal cannabis, and I'm not necessarily for against it. I have my own personal beliefs, but it is an upper township. It
was an upper township when I went to school. It was an upper township when my children went to school and I'm sure all these gentlemen saw in school. Like you said, you're the gentleman that passed away. He started in his teens. Well, that was not bought legal
in any state. He bought it off the street and that is very problematic and I agree with you. But right now, cannabis is in township. I can call to the dispensary in Middle Township and have it delivered to my
house. Not that I do, but I can. Every liquor store in Upper Township sells cannabis based drinks. It's in the liquor stores. It's approved. This is something
you personally the only reason I'm even entertaining is for the revenue side. >> I don't agree with you. >> I Well, you're saying 144,000 because more than upper residents will go there. It's not just the upper township residents. Did you see the cannabis zone
we've picked where we are choosing it to? We're not targeting us necessarily upper township residents. It's going to be on Roosevelt Boulevard to Canada. >> Yes, ma'am. Well, the people
>> if you would like to give them to our clerk, I mean, our clerk would be more than happy to accept. Just thank you for coming out. Is there anyone else? Him and then Yeah, sorry.
>> I'm not Uh Thomas Drinker still from Seville, New Jersey. Uh Diane really covered 99.9% of what I was going to say. So I'm not going to probably repeat it. I guess the really the main thing I'm
really concerned about and this is as a uh product of the 60s, graduate of Pens High School, class of 72. The pot back there was not good. for 20 bucks 1%. But we did it.
Went to Stockton, stopped using main because I went out for the tennis team and I couldn't run around the lake Fred once, let alone three times. I found that my cognitive powers got better. I found that my coordination as
a tennis player got better. I found that I wasn't as uh say shaky. So I the the the medical side pot is is part of the problem because we are even though we're
educators on this board, we're citizens of our of our fine fine heart township. We're really promoting it. So it's not just a matter of raising money. Uh, I would like to know approximately how much you anticipate because the number
of 144,000 that Donna uh that uh Dian Leo brought up. >> Well, that was based on population. >> Yeah. No, I I know, but it's coincidentally was the same number that we think we could raise by having the solar panels over on Butter Road. So if
we didn't have marijuana revenue, that would also be money we get providing that the remediation of Butter Road is okay. I also thought about a different aspect. We have two other forms of money that we probably could raise but just
haven't done it for some reason. And I'm a big proponent of free beaches. I don't like beach badges and I think you could do a Strathmeir beach badge without charging upper township residents. >> We did >> actually is unconstitutional
to not charge upper township residents. >> If you're going to have beach tags, they have to be across the board. We did a lot of research. I actually I did under the previous administration and I got all my notes and I talked about it and thought about going down that rabbit
hole again. But the anticipated revenue from beach tags was 65 to $80,000. I forget exactly what it was. It was in that ballpark. Um there's people that are contesting whether beach tags are illegal to begin with in the state.
>> And right now there is some legislation or some people in the state of New Jersey higher up in the assembly that question the legality of beach tags. >> Well, that was just that was one revenue source. Now the second revenue source would be rather a new idea.
As a tennis player, I commend you gentlemen or people who acquired the grants. I commend you for the fine work done at stage coach road. Uh you did reduce the courts from four to two, but you did create 13 pickle ball courts.
There is a lot of tennis courts throughout Upper Township. Well, I was if if I may finish the the reality is at 72 years of age, I've actually considered about going over to the dark side. The dark side.
>> That's what I call it, too, by the way. >> U just maybe 10 12 feet behind Zach is where I would have to run to get a drop shot if I'm back by the fence because somebody hit me a deep shot and I got to run up. You don't have that in pickle
ball. Uh let me go back to my suggestion. Uh Ocean City has a very nice facility. I believe they have as many as 18 to 19 courts over there using some of the school besides the ones they use for the tennis courts. I suggest you
work up a plan to have a fee. They have a fee. Avalon has a fee. Vendor Margate have a fee. Here's my worstc case thought on this is that you don't have a fee and all the people
from Ocean City, Avalon, Veterinary, Margate, they don't all live there. They live sometimes west of where we are now. Yes, >> people come as far as Vinland, Billville, Maze Landings, Stone Matter to go to Ocean City to play. Number one, you need an opponent. Number two, you
need the courts. Well, now we have the courts. My worst fear is that an upper township resident would go to the courts on any given day and not be able to get on the courts. Uh
unlike tennis players that actually exercise, work up a sweat, these people bring bottles of wine, cheese, crackers. It's a big event really. It's it's a fun day. But the problem with that is Ocean City, by the way, has hour and a half increments. get on the court an hour and a half later, you have to let the Latinx
group go in. >> Well, we do have as far as bringing wine to our public facilities that is we have ordinance in place that's not a prohibit that's a prohibited use just like smoking cannabis, cigarettes or anything
like >> So, so I would just simply say think see how it goes. See how it goes. Okay. >> Our recreation committee, just so you know, we do have indoor pickle ball. They have looked at putting together and we're studying
that is free right now. >> Yes. >> Other indoor pickle ball things you play to play. >> Yes. We are looking at all possible revenue in sources. Just to follow up on what you said, first time I did play pickle ball was at the community center.
It was a nice setup. It was free. I thought I got there early. When I got there, there was like 44 people and like 10 brackets in front of me. So people will come to play pickle ball at Stage Coach Road. >> Yes. >> So I think maybe some sort of a nominal
fee to you're not going to raise $144,000. >> No. >> But you're also going to maybe discourage some of the people that don't want to pay $100 over at Ocean City for a season pass, so to speak. And a lot of that stuff could be done with a QR code.
Some they scan pay with Apple Pay or iPhone or I'm not sure how a lot of it works. >> And out of curiosity, what why did you reduce the courts from four to two for tennis? >> Because we have multiple courts, tennis courts throughout the township and it
was based on usage and >> you have a court over on uh off of Butter Road. What's the name of that development? Chad, you have a court in Chadwood, but it's also line for pickle ball. >> Yes. >> At least it's not a double line court because they don't like it. Tennis players don't like it.
>> Uh that that court's usually filled up pretty early. I think now that you know, stage coach has their own courts, you'll see people going over. People will go people want to play a competitive game, by the way, and that's why they'll go to that's why they'll go to stage coach. So lastly,
if there was a way to put the marijuana dispensary, the the drug dispensary in a different location, I think that would be the biggest thing for upper township. >> Well, if you we the ordinance we introduced, it talked about
location, thousand feet away from a resident, thousand feet away from a church, thousand feet away from daycare, thousand feet away from fire companies thousand feet away from school. It was 1,000 feet away from
everything. So short of putting it in the middle of >> the woods >> the woods out by the landfill >> where we're not going to have any customers and we won't make 2% of nothing is nothing. So, so you're the feeling is is that say
location location location Tahoe road 50 boulevard somewhere where it's a main thorough affair basically would would attract more people I guess you're thinking >> just like if you look summers was mentioned Summers Point and Roosevelt
Boulevard have two of the biggest busiest liquor stores >> in this in the state of New Jersey. Why are those liquor stores out there? because Ocean City is dry. >> Ocean City doesn't even have BYOP. Um those liquor stores both delivered to
that municipality. We as a governing body, we sat here and thought, where's the place we can get the best bang for our buck? Cannabis is in Ocean City. Cannabis is a It wasn't too long ago,
what was that? They weren't even allowed to open. Aspbury was shut down for Sundays. Now, Aspbury is open. The doors are open. I mean, they're used to blue laws. >> The boardwalk is always open. And
that's why we picked that zone. And it it does not affect any residents. There's not a residence within 1,000 ft. >> My my question though, it seems like people are focusing on the property across from uh the liquor store location.
>> There is multiple properties in that zone. >> Okay. So it's not a fixed thing at that particular location. Okay. >> There is the Papy's location. There's obviously the sket there's the uh seafoods place. Then there's the Boulevard liquor. They can change their business model if they want. Then
there's >> the marine. On the other side there is and there's >> yesterday. So there was seven properties I think that could be >> the other thing I'll just if I can
mention and you'll see it in the ordinance while while the municipality is not required to do this in New Jersey what the committee has decided to do is not only loca you know use those locations as the overlay zone for which you can place it but they're going out
for proposals as well. They're not just going to award a license based on somebody saying hey I've got this property put it here. They're going to consider anybody that either owns a property, maybe has a leaseold interest, has some other idea for how they're gonna get control over a property in that zone are going to be able to apply.
There's going to be an evaluation method and criteria that everyone's going to be viewed the same the same way under, right? So, so there's no >> the idea of that property being picked is it's inaccurate. It's just an inaccurate state. Not that you stated it, but but I know that that's a theory
that's floating around. >> Yes, >> it's inaccurate. Um, lastly, what what type of revenue do you anticipate? What would be a a solid number from the township standpoint? >> I think a conservative estimate in my
opinion is probably about $20,000 a month, >> 240 and then roughly $80,000 would go to one third one third 2% of gross sales is what you get. So you can based on the
gross sales of the business and then annually >> a license fee. >> We'll talk to her about our annual license fee >> in our process. We're going to have an annual license fee. The annual license fee >> $7500 >> is $7,500. >> Okay. And it's it's one one business
because it's plural in the ordinance. It's only one there's only one. >> We are awarding one license one and done license only. >> Okay. Um the then there's an application process. The application process you apply
the process was set. There's criteria for that. There is a $10,000 application fee. If you are not the applicant, you will get five or if you're not awarded. If anybody can apply that has a plan,
you will get if you don't get chosen, you will get $5,000 back. The administrative is keeping 50%. So it's going to separate >> serious >> serious we want legitimate business and
then besides the revenue tax the building because it's a commercial building will probably be taxed and there's two ways to tax them as a brick and stick building or a revenue producing property. The tax assessor usually takes the one
that generates the township more. So if you have a building that's generating let's say $10 million and given us our 2.4 and they test it that way but probably be uh quite significant in real estate tax coming.
>> I I agree. Would the hours be similar to say alcohol sales? >> The hours of operation are alcohol sales. >> Okay, good. Well, thank you for your time. 9 to 10. >> Nine to 10. >> Okay. >> Which isn't
>> that's a >> that's what you're permitted to offer. They can do less. They can do more. We're no more. >> Thanks for keeping the uh the Nets up over the winter. It's not the best idea, but thank you. >> Well, we're going to be kicking this around for a while. >> No, I'm I'm not kidding about the Nets because they >> Oh, the pickle ball
>> where I play No, no, pickle ball. I don't care about those, but the the Nets in tennis come down where I play in Kate May, the tennis center. They take like 12 of the 14 courts down because they they weather poorly. >> Yes. >> So I would just simply say be prepared
to spend about 425 bucks on new nets every four or five years. >> Yes. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yes, ma'am. Come on. Please state your name for the record. >> My name is Carol Griffith. I live in Osprey Point. I've lived there for about four years. Uh I'm recovering from a
back operation, which is why I'm doing this. And um I know that there are a lot of people who are obviously very concerned about having a cannabis store near us. Uh I when I was in a lot of pain from my before I had my back
aberration, I went down to the uh Kate May Point cannabis store and bought some CBD tablets which helped a lot. Um, I had an aunt who died recently who was in terrible pain at the end and her doctor also uh suggested that she get some CBD
tablets which is the non hallucinogenic part of of uh cannabis. Um, the store in Cape May Point is a very high-end store. You don't just walk in there, okay? You have to they let you in. You have to be
a c I think you have to be 18. Um, and it's >> 21. >> 21. Okay. Well, it's a very elegant store. Um, they have all kinds of people to help you. Um, everything. It's not cheap. Okay. So, you're not going to have u 21 to 22 year olds who are
begging for money going in and getting uh CBD or THC. And most of the stuff is actually CBD with a little bit of THC in it or no THC in it. You can certainly buy stuff that doesn't have any THC. Um, I think that it's not anything to be
concerned about. I would be more concerned about the people who go into the liquor store down the road than people who would go into the cannabis store. Um, I think that there's much more of a problem with alcohol and alcohol-related diseases and alcohol-related crime than there is with
uh with this kind of u CBD that you buy in these kinds of stores. Um, I think that um I think that you guys all have been looking at this carefully and are regulating it really well and I think it would be um a good thing. We do need
ratables and this would be one that does not hurt the environment or anything. I think it's a it's a good idea and I think that if it were I mean I know the store down in Kate May Point there aren't any problems with that. Um and I know that it brings in a lot of money
for Kate May Point. So, I think this would be a good idea. >> Thank you. And then just so you know, I have personally visited a couple stores just because I wanted to see myself. I had reservations and I have taken
my this very serious. I've only been in one or two, but I've driven by probably 45 or 50 of them. >> Yeah. >> So, I've learned a lot by just observing the outside and what I wanted to see and what I didn't want to see. ordinances reflect that.
>> This is not something we've taken lightly. We put a lot of thought. >> Thank you, Miss. >> Yes. >> Sure. >> You can't maybe lock the they lock the courts up at night time. There's a code. The members have a way to get in. Uh my
biggest fear, and this is from 50 years of playing tennis, Some of my best favorite courts have been vandalized at Carver Township Slayball School. That was great. Vandalized. And who used to vandalize it? Call vandalized was the
street hockey players who use the net to like bang each other into. So I I think just monitor that because I don't know what the lighting is. I don't know if this officer can >> Well, we don't our tennis courts and our pickle ball courts are not lit,
>> right? But I mean at night time with some kind of a light shining on something to for the kids who are like in that >> I think if >> 11 to 15 year age group are not driving yet but they're allowed to be out at night. >> I think the fact that we don't have them lit prevents that from happening and
people don't go in there and do that. >> Okay. I just pray to God because they're too nice to be vamp the gate at Cogwell Park I believe is still closed at night >> every night and have somebody that closes the gate. >> So it's we're trying our vandalism
whether it's it's not just reserved for hockey or >> we're going to have a I don't know about the uh how how close the homes are to the pickle ball tennis the ball makes a different noise >> the the biggest objection to pickle ball
from neighbors is that pinging noise so I think if you have players playing there after 9:00 at night when in the summertime you can you can still >> it's not lit so won't have once it's dark. >> Okay. >> We're not going to light it. We all be I
I'll be honest with you. Somebody need a knife and cut the ribbons. >> When are you going to put lights on? >> Well, we're not. >> Good idea. What What about the start time in the morning though for uh start? >> Pardon me. >> When the gates open, that's when they can start going in. >> Oh, so they will be locked.
>> The gate we have the park is >> Oh, the park gate will be locked. Okay. >> Well, once again, thank you for building I would say the number one, two, or three item that or the reason why people move upper township is the recreation
facilities are second to none. And I thank you for that. >> And that's thank you. >> I don't know if you noticed, but our cannabis the income third of that is recreation. That's Is there anyone else in the public would
like to address town committee? My name is Spencer Bells located in Marura. Um I have been working in the regulated cannabis industry for eight years. That means that for the last eight years I have worked for licensed regula state regulated operations within
the state of New Jersey. Um, so first off, I would like to applaud the council for for taking on these ordinances and uh and voting for them to move forward tonight. I know this does not guarantee anything, but I appreciate that we are taking the necessary steps to to get
there. I was somebody that called in during the public comment period back in uh I think it was July of 2021 when the council ultimately voted no. So, I'm very very grateful that about five years later that is turning into a yes. I think you are not going to regret this decision by any means and we are all
collectively going to benefit from it, including the way that you guys are allocating these funds. It is for the community. You're not lining your own pockets. You're not doing anything behind the scenes. You're being very transparent with that to the benefit of the public and I appreciate that. Um, couple things that I want to talk about
is relative to some of the other people that have made comments tonight. Uh, number one, it is safer to purchase cannabis in a regulated store than getting it off the street. Anybody that you've heard that has overdosed or had something laced, as Mayor Corson had mentioned earlier, has come from street
products, not from a regulated entity. All of those products have to go through third-party testing by state licensed testing facilities. And they also have recall uh protocols in place. So, if it is found that products in certain batches are not healthy for public
consumption, the state will issue a recall and pull all of those products off of shelves and destroy them so they are no longer consumable. So, it is safer for people because cannabis does exist and will continue to do so. It is safer for people to purchase them at regulated dispensaries as opposed to finding it on the street without any
type of confidence or confirmation on what they are consuming. Cannabis has been legal in the state of New Jersey for almost four years. April 21st will be the 40th year anniversary of recreational sales. I'm one of the people that were able to make one of those first sales in the state of New
Jersey on the morning of April 21st. We're coming on to four years. Washington state has been legal for almost 15. The state of California has had medical cannabis for 20 over 25 years starting in 1999. We have decades worth of data and proof to show that
cannabis is not as dangerous as many people have foretold it to be or even our own government believes it to be. Number one, the the a lot of those studies that show that 40% of users that go into harder drugs started with cannabis, that same study shows that
about 66 or maybe 67% of those people also have used alcohol prior to getting into harder substances. So the data will show you that alcohol is more dangerous as a gateway drug as opposed to cannabis is. Number two, just because cannabis is intoxicating, it does not inherently
mean that it is bad or people cannot be successful. When I was working for a certain cannabis operation located in Egg Harbor Township, I was overseeing a $45 million operation. I have consumed cannabis on a daily basis for well over a decade. The fact that I'm able to manage a budget of $45 million while
being a frequent and regular cannabis consumer is proof within itself as is the rest of the industry that it is possible to use these products safely and with common sense and not put anybody at risk relative to the concepts of incre you know DWIS and consuming
while driving. If there was over the last four years in New Jersey an increase in DWIS where the leading substance is cannabis we would have those data sets. We have a a plethora of data sets about DWIS or DUIs from alcohol. There is not a measurable
increase in this state or any other state in the country to be able to show the the increase or the the the increased dangers of consuming while driving. That does not mean that I am here for it. I do not approve of any type of driving while intoxicated. But it is important to note that we have not
seen that increase or the data sets to to prove that. Somebody had mentioned the state of Pennsylvania is not legal. Literally every single state surrounding Pennsylvania besides uh West Virginia is legal. Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New
York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, uh and uh and New Hampshire as well. The entire uh Mid-Atlantic and New England region is legalizing cannabis. It's branching out further into the Midwest and further down south. There is
a consistent trend with 25 states in the state of New uh in the the country that have legalized it with 40 of them allowing medical use. On the concept of the dangers, the FDA under a Republican uh federal administration is rescheduling cannabis
from a schedule one to a schedule 3 drug. This means that the federal government no longer deems cannabis to be as dangerous as heroin and fentanyl and it shows that it does have potential medicinal use. This is really important. We heard from somebody tonight on her personal benefits as well as other
people. The grand majority of cannabis users are using it for medical reasons. Whether or not they're a medical patient, they are self-medicating through the process by treating things like anxiety, pain, depression, sleep, PTSD. There is a long list of medical applications that doesn't always require
medically licensed products, but we see that nationwide and we see that in the state of New Jersey. The fact that our federal government is changing the tune on this is really, really important and we need to pay attention and I applaud the council for getting ahead of our federal government, allowing these
sales, allowing us to bring in this tax revenue to reinvest into the people of this municipality and also taking advantage of the opportunities that uh Upper Township has by capturing Dennis Township, a lot of Middle Township, working out further west into Woodbine,
Corbin City, Summers Point, Lynwood, and of Ocean City where you have probably billions of dollars traveling in and out of that town on a on an annual basis that we can capture down Roosevelt Boulevard. Um, so again, I want to I want to thank you guys. I want to applaud you for doing this. I understand
this was not an easy decision. I understand that this was a long road for you to get here, but the fact that we are here now is the most important thing and people will see the benefits of it. I have uh two more things that I want to touch on as well. Um, relative to the leaves that uh had been mentioned earlier, I would recommend uh taking a
look at how Dennis Township handles that, they have a leave the leaves uh like program that they've initiated, educating people on why they should be leaving the leaves in their yard. If it's a cons if it's a safety concern, that's one thing, but it's incredibly beneficial for the ecosystem and for nature itself to not remove those
leaves. And having less properties and a smaller volume of leaves to pick up, that would save funding for the public work system and not being so, you know, burdened as you guys have been recently. >> Dennis, there is something to be said about compost and Dennis Township is in the same bar we are with they are I
think we're actually a head off pickup. I'm very familiar with Dennis Township section and I go through Dennis Township almost every day and I actually went out to friend of mine's house today and Dennis Town they're just as behind as we are. >> Well, it it wasn't a question of the the
capability or competency of the upper township public works. They do a phenomenal job as it was mentioned with the the changing of the climate that changes the the seasons and how often or how early the leaves are dropping. >> Townships taking on leaves. >> My my whole point was that there are
ways to educate the the people of the this municipality on the benefits of leaving the leaves. It's then less of a burden on public works not having to pick up as much and it benefits our environment. That was my whole point. I would just recommend taking a look at how they handle those programs. It's very effective and very beneficial for
everybody collectively. Um and then uh my my my question, you know, and probably for for legal counsel, where will these or uh these three ordinance be posted publicly for people to review? >> They'll be on our website. They'll be uh published in the newspaper and on the
bulletin board and town hall. I can also email them to whoever requests one. >> Perfect. >> They will be available on our website as soon as >> tomorrow. >> Tomorrow. >> No worries at all. Again, thank you guys so much for doing this. I understand that this was not an easy decision, but I very much look forward to the positive
impacts that this is going to have on our community. Thank you. >> Thank you, Spencer. >> Is there anyone else in the public would like to comment on anything on our agenda? >> Question members of Township Committee. I >> Bill, you're going to have to state your name for the record.
>> Okay. William Brewer, >> section of the township, >> Osprey Point. Okay, the floor is yours, Bill. >> All right. I I don't want to get into the details of it. I know there are a lot of positive reasons for doing this, a lot of negative reasons for doing
this. U it just reminds me of years ago I was talking with a a member of a the Democratic party who was a leader in the Democratic party and we were talking about the Affordable Care Act and he was saying oh it's a great idea but if it
doesn't work we'll just do something else. We'll do something else. And you see where that has gotten us. I'm just afraid this might be a similar situation where it seems like a good idea and we say, "All right, let's just try it and if it doesn't work, well, we'll go
back." And I don't think we're going to be able to go back. >> There is there's a lot of good ideas. They had well-intentioned things in the New Jersey lobby. One, the Atlantic City casinos are one I mean, Atlantic City Casinos were going to save Atlantic City. Well,
>> Atlantic City is a >> right? And you see also Atlantic City issued a lot of permits. >> They issued a lot of permits for cannabis dispensaries and now they're pulling them back. >> Yes. >> Because they realize they overpaid.
>> They oversold. >> Yeah. >> One one we're going to sell one. >> Yeah. Mr. Brewer, I to that point I think where Upper Township waited. We kind of let a lot of neighboring municipalities and other places
have their own trial and error. And I feel like we're positioned in a good place to see what's worked well and what hasn't worked well. In fact, when we came up with our RFP uh for this, we looked at some municipalities that have gotten jammed up doing things the right
way or the wrong way. So, that's why we felt poised to to to make the decision here. Which municipalities in the area have rejected it? I know Summers Point has rejected it. >> No, for we were looking at ones with that are >> let me committee if we voted to the
state of New Jersey gave us a timeline. You either were going to allow it or specifically vote no. >> Well, that's not what I'm was saying. >> No, but he a lot. So, basically every municipality, even Middle Township at the time, voted no. Then they had to
vote to change it such as to not vote no though in four years ago, five years ago, whatever it was. Nobody knew. It was the unknown. Why would we vote for something that we didn't know? We have now four years of history, four years of
seeing the good, the bad, the four years of >> and and modeling. What I was trying to get to was modeling our ordinance after places that are successful with it. >> So my no vote four years ago was not the
same as today. And I I I haven't voted on this. I voted to introduce to get public input to hear what's happening. My no vote was based on purely a lot of unknowns, >> which nobody knew how it was going to run. and and you're pretty sure you know all the
possibilities that could go wrong. Now, >> you can you can try to legislate and protect yourself from something that could go wrong, but none of us have the ability to forecast the human element. >> Anything can go wrong. Yeah.
>> The main reason for the township is the income though. >> Income that's Yeah. Because right now it's an outer township. It was enough potential for when I went to school. It was enough potential when all these gentlemen went to school. When my children went to school, my kids were exposed to it at
14, 15 years old. I was involved with my kids. Well, actually, probably younger than that. I know I certainly was in high school. I mean, Bill, let's be realistic. You were You weren't We didn't grow up in bubbles. We were all exposed to it.
>> It was a lot weaker back then. >> Yes. But the kids today are not going to go into this store and purchase it just like they're not going to go into a liquor store and legally purchase. Will it happen? Yes. Because I mean
we were all exposed to alcohol at our younger age. I mean was 18 and kept moving up. But yes, so we were all exposed to things. I mean parenting still needs to be involved. Parents need to be responsible. Parents
need to control their children. And if you're a parent in upper township or in this world today and you think my kids in high school are never going to have been exposed to alcohol or marijuana, you're pretty naive. >> Well, again, there are many situations
that we look at and we legislate and then we think five years, 10 years later, why did we do that? And you can't turn the clock back. Can't put Genie back in the bottom. >> No, you can't. But you can change legislation. You can change what >> legislation can be changed.
>> Sure. But you see how difficult that is to do with, for instance, the Affordable Care Act, which is anything but affordable now because if it were affordable, we wouldn't need the government to subsidize it. >> Just an example. >> Affordable Care Act. Of course, it's
different, but it's it's an example of a situation that was thought to work well and they thought they had considered everything and it turned out they hadn't and it got it was and now the situation is worse than when it was back then.
>> Have you been by the one in middle middle? >> Uh, is that on >> Avalon Boulevard? The old blah blah. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I stopped in to take a look at it. It's worth the stop if you if you're to see
what's there, to see how professional it is. I mean, sit in the parking lot if you're scared to go in. I mean, there's it's you'd be surprised. Most of the clientele is people in our age, right? >> It's not. >> Every every retailer that we met with
when we were factf finding over the summer, we had a few meetings with different dispensaries just to fact find, see what was going on. every single one of them uh said that their top user base was the 55 and older that it's not a younger crowd as um the young lady said I think she she's not here
anymore but uh the cost of everything there is it's it's expensive >> so it's not cheap >> it keeps it keeps the riff raff out >> they give veterans discounts too because I asked you questioned it you can get a veterans discount if you're a veteran
>> okay thank All right. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else in the public? >> Well, I I just want to say something here tonight. Obviously, we have a fivem minute limited conversation tonight. I let people go on and this is a very
sensitive subject and I do take the input serious. My moral compass has struggled with this myself. But be open-minded. Investigate. You're shaking your head.
No, I was ma'am. Six months ago, I was a hard no. I've looked. Investigate. Fact find be objective. >> And >> we can't we can't we if you're going to speak, you have to go to the money. And
then, like I said, I'm giving a lot of latitude on this subject because it's very >> I understand I understand that um we had a vote on this, which I don't remember, but that there was a vote to have it decriminalized. >> Yes.
>> Okay. I'm certainly not against that. I hate to see people go to jail if they have a small amount of pot unless a crime has been committed. Okay. But I don't even remember that vote. Why can this not be put to the vote to the public? This is a terrible time for people to come here.
>> Thank you, Miss Leah. One that we did consider that and one of the numbers that we looked at was when New Jersey was voting itself to legalize. The numbers in upper township were significant voting for legalization. So >> I have the numbers right here. 66 and a
third in favor, 33 and a third against. >> So we figured wasting all that time, it's expensive to to put it out. Those numbers would come back quite similar. In fact, I think they might go the other way. I appreciate you had mentioned earlier, you speak to a lot of your cohort. Um I'm 40 years old. The cohort
that I engage with, parents in the community, the at kids sports are all talking about, you know, that that they're they're using gummies and like Spencer said, still operating um in a full facet of things. So, we looked at it as as a controlled substance just
like alcohol that it's legal and and for a huge opportunity for us to tap in to the income side of things. If you look at cannabis statistics versus alcohol statistics, alcohol has destroyed more lives than
cannabis has. >> I certainly agree that that alcohol is a problem. So why aren't we putting in another drug in our community? >> It's here. >> It's here. >> It may be here, but it shouldn't be here. And I think that we have to put a stop to it
>> unless we put up we can't stop stuff at the border. fentanyl and all that. There's no way to stop cars coming in upper township and and search every vehicle for cannabis free. That's not illegal. That's not constitutional. It is an upper township. >> I'm not asking you to search cars, but
if somebody is under the influence and kill somebody, you will be responsible for it. This is only the third time I've ever come to these meetings. And I want to tell you, I always trusted you to do the right thing. I am very disappointed. I'm sorry. >> All right. Thank you.
Spencer, we're not going to toe. >> Okay. >> Very quickly, >> very quickly. >> I'm not here to cause problems. I I was nothing but supportive of you guys all tonight. >> All I want to do is make sure that people, you know, have a better
understanding. Most of these studies that you're looking at are very, very old. If you go on to PubMed and you take a look, okay, I'm I'm I'm, you know, >> you're not the committee. You're not you address us. No, we're not going to toe. >> Not a problem. Then I just want to remind you guys that you are not
responsible for anybody driving uh under cannabis that kills somebody. The council is not responsible for those steps. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else in public? Hearing no more public portion. We're going to close the public portion and entertain a motion to go into close
session. I hereby move that a resolution be incorporated into the minutes authorizing the township committee to enter into executive session for the following matters pursuant to open open public meetings act matters one contract negotiation share service agreement for CDLA two contract negotiation fix asset
inventory three contract negotiation New Jersey turnpike authority four safety and security cyber security I also included my motion that the estimated time and circumstances under which the discussion conducted in closed session can be disclosed to the public as
follows. A, it is anticipated that the matters discussed in closed session may be disclosed to the public upon the determination >> of the township committee and that the public interest will no longer be served by by such confidentiality. B with
respective contract negotiations, such matters will be public when negotiations have ceased and there is no longer reason for confidentiality. >> Second, please call the role. Mr. Casachio, Mr. Nappen, yes, Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes, Mr. Zach Palumbo, >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes.
>> Question. >> All right, we'll take a minute quick.