In compliance with the >> we in compliance with the open public meeting law. I wish to state that on December 5th, 2025. Notice this meeting of the upper township committee was posted on the official township bulletin board, the
upper township website and mailed to the Atlantic City Press, the Ocean City Sentinel ledger, the Herald Times, and filed with the township clerk. Tonight's meeting is being video recorded up until the close session portion of this meeting and will be available on the upper township website. I hereby
direct this announcement be made part of this meeting. Would everyone please stand for the >> flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and
justice for all >> will you please call the role >> Mr. Casaceio >> here >> Mr. Nappen >> here >> Mr. Sam Palumbo >> here >> Mr. Zach Palumbo >> here. >> Mayor Corson >> present. >> All members are present. >> Has everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes from the last
meeting? >> Yes. Motion to approve November 24. >> Second. >> Please call the RO. >> Mr. Casaceio, >> yes. >> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> abstain. >> Okay. We also have a motion for the
November 10th minutes as well. >> I'll make that motion. Second, >> please call the RO. >> Mr. Cassaceio, >> yes. >> Mr. Nappen, >> abstain. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, >> abstain. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> guess I have to.
>> Motion carried. >> Um, reporter Governor B members, we're going to start tonight with Sammy. I'm sure you got a little bit for us. >> I sure do, Mayor. Uh we just came from our opening for the pickball courts in Caldwell Park. Uh obviously great pickle
ball conditions. A lot of pickle ball was played and enjoyed by many. Uh but in all seriousness, it's it's a really great project and I'm really excited to close it out. Um and thank you to public works for all the work they did and to Larry Cole as well. Um being able to take advantage of these grants. It's
incredibly important for this township and trying times financially and I'm really excited to uh basically look forward but enjoy the pickball courts. So, uh thank you to everyone who helped out with that project. That's all I got. >> Thank you. Tyler, do you have any
tonight? >> Uh be very brief, Mayor. I just wanted to highlight we had the tree lighting ceremony at the end of our last meeting and it was a nice event with the choir and band and deputy mayor there leading the way and nice way to kick off the holiday season there last week.
>> That's all I have for tonight. >> Jack, do you have anything? >> Just want to echo what committee stated about the lighting. I think public works did a great job decorating around here outside. I also thank public
works for getting job done on the pickle ball court. And I know uh everyone's hearing about leaves, leaves and leaves and when are they getting picked up? They have been uh going around uh picking up the debris and leaves that are left in the streets. Uh obviously we
want to focus on getting the leaves up off the ground as soon as possible knowing the fact that we have the potential for snow as we get to the colder months and uh that's all I got for you. Just looking forward for the next project for public to get started on. >> We have plans.
>> Yes, we do. >> Vic, do you have anything tonight? >> I do. Quick, good evening everybody. Thanks so much for coming out as always. um IT front, we're focusing uh very firmly on updating some of our cyber security, making sure that the township is safe from any cyber attacks. So,
we'll be rolling out some changes pretty soon. Have details that as well. John Britain's been doing an amazing job as boots on the ground helping with all of that. Uh along with cyber security, we'll be looking at updating our website. If you've ever been on our website on desktop, it's wonderful. it
uh has some drawbacks on mobile. So, if we can get our website going, I think it'll be better to get some information out to the township. Um, I want to thank everybody on committee, especially Committeeman Palumbo, Sam Palumbo for uh the pickle ball. It was great. I was out there. I'm as my kids call, I'm in sport
mode tonight. I have my sneakers on. We were out there playing. My toes are still cold, but it was a great time. And thank you all to come uh that came out for the holiday lights and for EMS. Just excited to honor Dan honor Daniel in a few minutes. And That's all I have. >> Thank you. You're welcome. Um, first of
all, I'd like to thank everybody that participated in the last meeting. Last meeting, I was not here and I saw all of the uh Christmas celebration, the pictures. It was very good job. Well done, everyone. Thank you. And I just want to reiterate what everyone else
said. Public works did a wonderful job in assisting prepping the spot for public uh pickle ball. It was a project that we started under the last administration, but we altered it quite significantly, found almost twice the amount of grant money, and made it a
project that plans for the future. And Sam was very instrumental in heading that up, the recreation department, the assistance of Zach and uh public works. And job welcome, gentlemen, for >> Thank you, Mayor. I was very happy, very
proud of you guys for getting that accomplished. There's been a lot going on. Obviously, our beaches are still in an influx. We've uh had some correspondence. We have a couple things in the works and hopefully there's going to be federal funding available. The
state funding is in place. D is there, but we can't do it without the federal government. So, that's all I have at this time on that issue. Okay. Uh Jim, do you have any words tonight? >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. U committee.
Um, on that front, so the beach and dune maintenance permit was finalized and received to the township. Um, good for five years. So, we are no longer operating under an emergency permit. Um, which is a good thing. Uh, thanks to the Blasio team for carrying that ball across Enzo. um in preparation of the
2026 calendar and budget year, I've been meeting with department heads um to to conduct a review and discuss um their individual departmental budgets um more so to educate myself to to kind of understand kind of what is what is it we're putting in the budget um so that I
can get really smart on it before we take it to the committee for approval. Um so far we've done about four or five departments. I look forward to sitting down with every department head and discussing every budget line item. Um and then lastly, um last week I had my first meeting with the Warwick group,
who are the federal federal lobbying group, uh that is representing the township, um in order to kind of uh familiarize myself with the processes they use to leverage and achieve the best result for for federal funding. Um
you know, think sand on the beach, think u you know, congressionally uh directed spending opportunities. Um and so yeah, it was a great meeting. and I look forward to working with them and integrating them into our internal processes when having capital projects so that they can seek uh federal federal
dollars for our projects. Um that's all I have this morning. >> Thank you. And just so everybody knows if if you have something for the budget item that a project or something that might be of importance, please reach out to Jim. Don't wait till after this
process is started and I'll give you an example. Our bathrooms in town hall here have not had any work done on them since they were built in 92 93. Um the men's room for example needs work. So I told Jim to look at that
public works put some numbers together. So that's where we need to be. If you have something that needs attention, now's the time to mention it. >> So Joanne, do you have any? >> I do. I just want to correct a typo on the agenda under close session for the second pending litigation. And it should
be block 599, lot 51. >> 599. Okay. >> My apologies. >> Thank John, do you have anything for us tonight? >> Nothing right now, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Barb, do you have anything for us tonight? >> I have nothing. Thank you.
>> John's here. So, moving right along. Uh, tonight we have a presentation. >> Yep. We have honoring Daniel Dubs on the occasion of of his retirement after amazing 27 years of service with the Upper Township Division of EMS. >> Okay. At this time, we're going to ask
Dan to come forward. Vic is in charge of uh fire and rescue. We're going to have him read the resolution into the record. Danny, if you want to come on up here with us, we can >> All right. So whereas Daniel Dubs began his service as a part-time emergency medical technician with the Upper
Township Division of Emergency Medical Services on December 28th, 1998 and for 27 years has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to the health and safety of the residents of Upper Township and surrounding communities. And whereas Daniel who also volunteered
his time and expertise with the upper town rescue squad where he served as captain under the leadership of former Chief Jay Potter and was an invaluable mentor and trainer to the new members of the rescue squad ensuring that the next generation of EMTs and volunteers were
equipped with the skills, knowledge, and commitment to serve the community with excellence. And whereas Daniel's contributions to both the division of EMS and the upper township rescue squad, there's professionalism, dedication, leadership have made a lasting impact on
the safety and wellbeing of Upper Township community. And whereas after 27 years of selfless service, Daniel has announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and a profound profound dedication to emergency medical care in Upper
Township. And now therefore be it resolved by the township committee the township of upper in the county of K May in the state of New Jersey as follow follows. Number one, the township of upper citizens hereby express the deepest gratitude and appreciation to
Daniel Dubs for 27 years of service as a parttime EMT with the division of EMS and as a dedicated volunteer with the upper town of rescue squad. Two, the township of upper recognizes Mr. exceptional leadership, mentorship, and commitment to training new members of
the upper township suppressor squad, ensuring that the community's emergency services remain strong and responsive. And three, the township of upper extends its best wishes to Daniel Dubs for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling
retirement and offers heartfelt thanks for his years of outstanding service to the community given under our hands today, the 8th OF DECEMBER, 2025. I THINK YOU SHOULD get >> hopefully come back to our >> Yeah,
I said 27 years. Then I'd go in a couple years. It's the kind of dedication that makes up a special place and it works well for Thank you for all you've done. Like said, we'd love to have you back. >> And Daniel just said he just had his
hip, so we made him walk all the way up the stairs. PT >> PT, right? Yeah. Keep moving, Dan. >> Keep moving in retirement. Yeah, >> let's get the rest squad. I've heard Dan get in the middle again.
>> Yeah, we'll maybe we'll stand up. The rest squad all around. >> That's good. >> These are all the faces I see at the football. Scooch in because it's because it's not very wide legs of like stagger. Scooch
in so you guys are all seen. >> You guys got the most expensive man in THE AUDIENCE for that, sir. Do not print that. >> And there goes our whole audience, too. >> You're all, by the way, you are all invited to stay, but you don't have to.
>> Have a great night. >> See you guys. Yeah. >> What'd you forget? >> Nice. >> Never miss. >> Yeah. Why are you catching strange sport? >> It's the second time this year. >> Is it really, man?
And I sent him no Kansas City Chief jokes today. I had like 10 of them and I was like, you know what? I'm not going to >> I appreciate that. >> It was a bad night. >> At least he's not wearing that Kansas City T. >> Can I have a motion for that resolution? >> I'd like to make that motion. Second.
>> Please call a role. >> Mr. Casachio. Yes. Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo. Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. This time we'll open to the public. Is there anyone that would like to comment on any agenda items? Agenda items only at this time.
>> Hearing no public comment, we'll close this portion of the public meeting and move on 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 a particular agenda item to be considered separately, it will be removed from the consent agenda and acted on separately.
>> Motion to approve consent agenda. Second. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes. Mr. Nappen, yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo, yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Under ordinances, we have the public hearing and final adoption of ordinance number 10, 2025, an ordinance amending
revise general ordinance chapter 13, streets, sidewalks, and sanitation of the municipal code of Upper Township. >> Um, before we open to the public, would somebody like to just give us statement, brief statement. >> So, essentially what we've done here, I
mean, the the reason that we went back to amend this was really relate it to um payment of application and escrow fees for each individual application that was brought. Uh the prior version of our ordinance really didn't set forth specific application and escrow fees for applicants to make and the township was
incurring a lot of those costs as opposed to the individual property owners who applied for doing so. So by amending the ordinance in the way that we've done, we put that burden on the property owner making the request as opposed to the township. >> Additionally, it contains uh the
provisions to obtain speed humps, township roads that we discussed in a prior workshop. >> Okay. At this time, we're going to open the public. Is there anyone in the public that would like to address ordinance number 10 of 2025?
Hearing no public comment on ordinance number 10 of 2025, we'll close the public portion and move for motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt ordinance number 10 of 2025. >> Second. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes. >> Mr. Napen, >> yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo,
>> yes. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Number 16, we have the public hearing and final adoption of ordinance number 11, 2025, authorizing the sale of land to a portion of block 455, lot 29 to the state of New Jersey Department of Transportation.
>> And before we open the public, just so everybody knows, I I'll have John tell you this is portion route 610 and Route 50 on the corner. >> Correct. >> I believe it's an area that's already cleared and they maintain. It's not that much range. John, if you
>> Yeah, already cleared. They have also marked it out for where they're going to be widening. So, the proposed area taking that they're going to purchase has already been marked out and really it's just for the purposes of creating more access in that turning area there. So, they're taking a portion a small very small portion of the township's property in order to do this. Um, so
what you're authorizing tonight is just the uh signing off on that in order for them to allow them to do it and move forward. >> So, at this time, we'll open to the public. Is there anybody that would like to comment on ordinance number 11 of 2025?
>> Hearing no comments on ordinance number 11 of 2025 will close the public portion and move for motion to adopt. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second, >> please call the >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nap. Mr. San Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. Yes.
>> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Under new business, we have Christian Pitman request to vacate a portion of Woods Road, also known as Washington Avenue and Old Turnpike Road. >> So, this is a request that came in. Uh there's a correspondence in your packet
from late November from Mr. Pitman's attorney. Um also accompanying that is a map of the area and it's really a unimproved street known as Woods Road that runs directly through uh Mr. Pitman's very large lot. Um, it's been
unimproved, I guess, forever at at this point. But what he indicates is that there are a lot of people who cruise through there at a pretty high rate of speed and pretty often. And a lot of dumping goes on along his property. I think people ride back there just to dump trash. So, he's looking for the
township to u vacate that so that it can be closed off to any sort of public access. It won't take away any access that anybody has. there's roads around. So, we're not um you know taking away the only access anyone may have. >> It's not um that that's the request in a
nutshell. But again, the map is included in your package too to show exactly where it is. >> Does it create any issues with any ambulances needing to get back there, fire trucks, anything like that? >> If ever a fire truck that needs to get back there, it's going to be forest fire and they don't need boats. >> They're kind of like Back to the Future.
>> They don't need boats. >> He may be too young to get the joke. that that noted though and I have talked to his attorney. What they did indicate he plans on gating this area off and he has indicated to me that should the town should be amendable to that and they
wish to have a key in order for emergency vehicle access should it ever be necessary. He's happy to provide it but again I don't know that we'll ever need it. >> Every emergency vehicle has a key. >> Great. >> Right. >> Cut the lock and go. >> Or cut the tree it's tied to either way.
>> Smash a window and go. So I guess the next order we have to to vacate this because you have to do that by ordinance, right? >> He'll have to provide a survey so we can prepare the ordinance. >> So I guess we >> and I believe he's already contacted a
surveyor to begin that process. >> So we need a motion at this level to proceed. >> I I at this point if if you're amendable to it, I can relay back to their attorney that you are so that they can have the or have the uh survey prepared and we can then proceed in the ordinary course with an ordinance.
Okay. I don't >> Number 18, we have 2011 West Millard Avenue dredge project. >> Okay. And what this is, I guess, is Dville is dredging their sand out again. >> Correct. Correct. Yeah. There was a request made by Doville's attorney um
somewhat recently. Uh she indicated they'd be dredging out their boat slips again in the near future and the request is to use the Willard Avenue street end to back trucks up to so that they could put the dredge spoils into the trucks and then move them off site with the spoils and get them out of there. We
entered into a similar agreement back I think it was 2021 the last time they did this. Yes. >> Um so there was a license agreement entered into with them at the time. Back then what they were doing with the dredge spoils was actually putting it on our beaches at our request. that wasn't
something that was expressed um when they initially made the request as something they'd like to do this time. I have followed up with with Miss McClen to ask if they would do so. I just haven't gotten a response as of yet, but I but I know the mayor that was that was something he wanted me to ask. >> Well, I wanted to ask you last time when they did the dredge bowls, there was
some clay material and there might have been some foreign debris that was not native like dishes and forks and stuff like that from the nature of what it was. But I believe with their dredge permit, they're not going to be doing anything deeper than what they did
before. It's probably just sand that's washed out there. So I I venture to guess it's probably nothing but sand. But even if it was the clay material, it does break down, dry out, fall apart. Um last time I think it was 40,000 cubic
yards of sand or material we dumped on the beach and there was some foreign material and they did address it, pick up Obviously, Williams Avenue entrance way is um
compromised to say the least. You can't get a truck down, but I can't see taking sand off an island when we need sand on the island. I would like to see it
>> put out whether it's a 1400 or they use it to build a ramp on Williams or whatever. >> That's just my opinion. Is it going to have foreign material in it? It may. Is there going to be people upset? There may be. But
when you don't have anything, something's better than nothing. >> That's a perfect way to recycle material. I agree. So, I mean, I guess I I'll make a motion we allow him to use Willard Street in Okay. >> truck the material out, >> but I want to emphasize we should try to
get the material. >> Do you want to make that a condition of allowing it or just request that they do it? I mean, it's kind of hard. >> I don't think it should be conditional because they need to do this to regardless regardless. >> Definitely. >> Well, I can tell you it was done in 21.
They did do a yman's job in keeping the street clean. Um because obviously going on the beach and coming back off, they got the street dirt. They cut the street very clean. Once they realized
there was foreign material in it, they were very uh proactive about picking it up. And what what I'll do too is similar to how you did it last time, I'll prepare a license agreement for their consideration to sign too because that'll put the protections in place
related to keeping the street clean and things of that nature. I'm sure they have to do it. >> I think with our beach maintenance permit, we're allowed to do it. I think D certified the material before. I don't know if the material has been certified, but I think with the nature of the
amount of complaints they had, we didn't have the erosion we have today, >> right? >> I don't think those complaints are going to be there just because of the sheer amount of erosion we have. >> As far as uh you know, everything on the beach requires a caffer permit, right? So, is the burden of getting the
approval through DUP on the municipality or the or going to be on the do >> they will get the we have to sign is the property owner of the street end, but it still be their permit. >> I mean, I got to believe trucking in a block and a half is cheaper than
trucking it wherever they were. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I I'll prepare the agreement. I'll follow up with them related to >> any foreign materials up here. I guess I I don't I took the heat last time. I'll take it again. >> So, we have a motion second. Mr.
Cassachio, >> yes. >> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Sam Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Uh, what's your pleasure in the bills, gentlemen? >> I hereby move that all claims submitted for payment at this meeting be approved and then incorporated in full in the
minutes of this meeting. >> Second. Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio, >> I have three abstains tonight. 25-00615 25-0022-00 >> Mr. Nappen >> yes >> Mr. San Palumbo >> yes >> Mr. Z Columbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Pson. >> Yes.
>> Motion car. >> At this time, we'll open it to the public. Is there anyone in the public who would like to address the taxing committee on any subject? Well, this is correct. Hearing no public, we'll 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 public meetings act. One, pending litigation state agricultural developmental committee. Two, pending litigation block 599 lot
51. Three, contract negotiation and annual appointments. Four, personnel. I will also include in my motion the estimated time and circumstances under which the discussion conducted in close session can be disclosed to the public
as follows. A is anticipated that the matters discussed in closed session may be disclosed to the public upon the determination of the township committee that the public interest will no longer be served by such confidentiality. be with respect to the employment and
personnel matters. Such discussions will be made public if and when formal action is taken or when the individuals involved consent to that it be made public. C with respect to contract negotiations such matters will be made
public when negotiations have ceased and there are no longer a reason for confidentiality. D with respect to litigation matters. Such discussion will be made public when litigation is complete and the applicable appeal period has expired. >> Second.
>> Please call the RO. >> Mr. Cassaceio. Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo. >> Yes. Mr. >> Zach Palumbo. Yes. May >> Coren. >> Yes. >> Stretch our legs for a minute.