the official bulletin board, the upper township website, an email, the Atlantic City Press, the Ocean City Center ledger, the Herald Times, and followed the township clerks. Tonight meeting is being video recorded up until the close session portion of
this meeting and will be available to the upper township website. If you're by direct this announcement, be a part of the minutes of this meeting. At this time, we will stand for vice to the flag of the United States of
America and to the stands nationy and justice for all. At this time, we will have a moment of silence and reflection. >> Amen. Please take your seat. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Casaceio 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 of our previous meeting? >> Yes. Motion to approve. >> Second. Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Napp. Yes.
>> Mr. Sam Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Okay. At this time, we're going to start. Let's see who's going to be the first. >> Sam, do you have any?
>> Uh, I do, mayor. Um, two weeks ago, myself and the other committee, meno met with the Upper Township Softball Association, and we made some pretty drastic plans uh, in terms of the long-term vision of the softball
facility. Uh, and I'm really excited for that to come to fruition. Obviously, these things can take time and it won't be for this season, but it'll be for next season. Uh, and we also met with Football Association and we made some longterm plans with them as well. So, I'm really looking forward to continue
to make changes uh with these organizations and collaborating with them for not only their short-term success but also their long-term benefit as well. >> That's all I got for you, Mayor. >> Thanks. >> Colin, do you have anything for us tonight? >> I'll do I'll be brief. Mayor, uh the
township free rabies clinic on the 24th of January during which 88 dogs and 20 cats were vaccinated. 32 dog licenses were sold. We'll have our second rabies clinic will be held Saturday, February 21st from the three shore veterinarians
on hope and work there in Seville. And I just want to give my appreciation and thanks to public works for all their hard work during the snowstorm and uh I was out there myself and the way the ice came about there at night was a lot to
deal with. So I appreciate all their hard work and efforts there. >> That's all I have. Jack, you have >> just want to uh echo what Tyler just said about public works getting out there for the first snowstorm. Uh you know was the biggest thing is you know
we just got done talking about you know public works is ideally public safety in this township because we need to make sure you know roads are cleared so that way EMS can get to a call or also that the fire department can get to get to uh you know something that's drastic you
know. So it's great to see uh public works get out there. I think they were rocking and rolling as soon as the first snow uh you know flakes hit the ground >> started at 2 a.m. >> Yeah, they were out there too. I mean the fact that we have a committed staff to get out there even with the elements
was a was a big deal. Obviously dodged the bullet uh you know this weekend because we were looking at potential heavy snow and it pushed out to the side and then it doesn't look like we had as significant beach damage as we thought we were going to have from the nor. So,
that was a that's a blessing in disguise. And uh to piggy back off of Sam's uh uh report, it was a very productive meeting uh with the softball association and public works. And ideally, we can get all of our
organizations into certain I want to say corners of the township. It'll make for a little bit more efficiency uh for the w programs and also public works to help upkeep with the uh facility. So, I'm really excit excited to see this if it
comes to fruition, you know, and uh you know, the Amanda Field will look like a like a great place for any anyone to have their program and also uh tournaments and and uh be crown jewel
for the county for rec sports. >> Do you have anything tonight? >> Sure do. Good evening everybody. Thank you so much for coming out. Um, as always, uh, along with all the hard work that public works did and and it was incredible. I want to thank the IT department and, uh, everybody that's
keeping all these the township updated of everything online. I know a lot of people sort of wonder where where are they? Are they coming to my street? And there was a flurry of Facebook announcements. So, please make sure you continue to follow that. It's uh, a lot of work to to communicate and keep that
updated. I think it's very helpful. Uh so any suggestions are also welcome from the public on that front. And then on the EMS and fire, uh it's pretty much that time of year to go to every either EMS or fire company for all their swearing in and ceremonies and things
like that. Had the pleasure of attending EMS. Last week we have Seville uh coming up. We had a chief's meeting this week. It's been very busy, but a lot of fun. very challenging times with all the weather and everything like that from the emergency side, but um township's
doing a heck of a job and I thank everybody for their hard work. That's it. >> Thank you. Then again, I do want to echo what my colleague say. The public works uh did a great job. Um and obviously we had some we canceled
last week's meeting because town hall was closed. We had issues. We actually lost heat in town hall which was restored on Tuesday. So that worked out. So uh and I wish if people had a problem with
what's happening, they don't need to go on Facebook. Facebook is a good tool if it's used properly, but if you have nothing positive to say, stay off Facebook. Um you know, is the sense of entitlement out there is absolutely ridiculous. I
mean, there no first snowflake comes down and they wonder why their street's not getting plowed. Well, there's 65 miles of streets in Upper Township. We will get there. I think our guys do a spectacular job and taking your gripes and your moans and your complaining to
Facebook doesn't do anything but upset people. So, I'm not that's all I'm going to say about that because >> I think what Mayor Corson's saying is all the different smaller Facebook groups we're what I would say is if you want to get great township information,
all of the stuff that we're doing, please follow Upper Township specific Facebook page. And if you have a specific question, the best thing to do is ask us because we can give you the proper information. There's just a ton of misinformation on some of the subgroups. Well, Vic, you don't have to sugar coat it for me. There's a bunch of
keyboard cowards out there. If they if they want to man up my phone number, could give me a call. >> I was just going to end on a positive that tomorrow's tomorrow is bulk trash day and public works will be out picking up bulk trash. So, let's >> So, uh
it's been a very busy couple weeks. Uh Jim and I went to Washington. I'm going to let Jim elaborate on that. That was quite the day. We left at 4:00 in the morning, got back at 8 o'clock at night. We had a good day. It was But Jim will
give a more systematic report on that. But uh this non flood issue we had last this weekend was great. It did trap south of us. I don't know if you followed it, but North Carolina, South Carolina got
absolutely hammered. The outer banks had 10 inches of snow. initial storm had that coming over us. Thank God we didn't get it. It blew. We never got the northeast wind. It blew west the whole time. We did have flooding.
It was not significant. It did not top the oceanside bulkhead, but it did top the bayside. We had some flooding in the street Sunday morning. We evaluated it, looked at it. There was no need to put salt down. was 20 some degrees. Salt
doesn't work in those temperatures. So, but public works was very uh diligent. Got all the storm drains cleared. We were ready for it. That's all I have. Tim, do you have anything for tonight? >> Uh yeah, thank you, mayor. Uh shout out to public works. Uh mission
accomplished. Job well done. um can't speak enough about how professional and how, you know, dedicated our workforce is in that department and other departments across this township. Uh makes me be proud to serve here. Um as Mayor Corsy said, we went to Washington
uh left uh you know, our comfy beds about 4:00 a.m. got there um about 8:30. Our first meeting was at 9:00 a.m. um with the Army Corps of Engineers. We met with uh the leadership team kind of expressed our concerns um getting uh through their regulatory hurdles and to
find up and free up money to dedicate to beach and shore replenishment. Um after that we followed up with a meeting with uh Congressman Van Drew personally um in which case uh he he spoke about two initiatives he's engaging um to our
benefit. One is passing a bill to generate reoccurring um transparent and um reliable funding through oil drilling offshore. Right. So he's he's got some billies running through the house. It's
uh bipartisan support um that's going to generate revenue dedicated earmarked for future beach replenishments nationwide. um that covers this funding gap we see every year it seems where you have to get supplemental funding to do beach replenishments and has a dedicated
funding stream for beach replenishments. Right. So um the second item that he covered was dredge availability. I think there's only one dredge company in the United States that does beach replenishments. I think it's great links. >> Yes. Um and there's no others. Right. So we we call that where I'm from u the
public school system in Kansas. We call that a monopoly. Right. And so one thing he's trying to do to reconcile that is engaging other dredge companies from other countries that do it cheaper and quicker and more reliable and um to see if they would, you know, come compete
and then that will lower down the cost that will increase inventory and then make stuff like beach replenishments and dredging um become cheaper and more reliable. Right? So we follow that up with uh we met with both appropriation staff, House and Senate. Um, they heard
our woes. They heard our sad songs about our beaches. Um, they didn't fall in deaf ears. And then we concluded the day with uh Senate office calls with uh Senator Booker and Senator Kim staff's to discuss what we're looking for as far as funding metrics or support from the
governor's office to declare a state of emergency. Uh, both those went very well in my estimation. Um, I I think uh, you know, they heard us out. uh um they they frequent the beaches here so they understand our our troubles and they are
going to uh it sounds like uh either apply money or apply pressure to the governor's office. One of one of the two. We'll see. And that's is a big thing. There is money there. We found that out from the Army Corp of Engineers. There's a big pot of money. the governor of the state of New Jersey
has to declare a state of emergency and that opens up all kinds of doors, but that takes a lot of time and effort on the governor's part to sign a document, I guess. >> Yes, mayor. Um, and the last thing I'll cover is, uh, at our chief's meeting,
um, a public safety concern was brought up and that's, uh, Friday night wrestling Route 50 creates a significant hazardous situation for pedestrians. And so, uh, one thing I worked out, uh, with, uh, you know, our good buddy here, Tom, our brother in blue, is, uh, you
know, he is going to support us, um, through the state police channels with providing pedestrian support at the community center on Friday nights in conjunction with the rest of the weeks for the remainder of this season. That gives us until next season to figure a more enduring, long-term plan to address
this. Me and U Committee Man Palumbo were talking about maybe finding way to work with the school, maybe temporary solution until such a time we can get a dedicated parking lot big enough to support. So that's all I got. >> Thank you.
>> Joanne, do you have anything tonight? >> I have nothing. Thank you. >> John, do you have anything? >> Uh just uh one announcement, mayor, related to the second reading um public hearing for our um ordinances related to cannabis. Uh we originally had those published for February 23rd at 5:30.
That meeting is actually a 6:30 meeting time. Um, if you remember, we're starting that late because of the EMS awards that are going on beforehand. So, uh, Joanne is going to be renoticing that, uh, through legal advertisement to make that correctly listed at 6:30. We're just trying to make that public
now. Uh, it will be at 6:30, not at 5:30 on the 23rd. >> It's better to advertise earlier than later. So, we could actually >> Yeah, we have time to get that done now and then that'll be done. >> That's all I have. >> Thank you. You have any questions?
All right, moving right along. At this time, we'll open it up to the public. Do we have any public comment on anything that's on the agenda? Agenda items only. >> Hearing no public comment, we'll close the public portion and move on to our
consent agenda. Join. >> All consent agenda items listed below are routine and natural and they'll be enacted by one motion. If the mayor or any committee member wishes a particular agenda item to be considered separately, it appropriate the consent agenda and acted on separately. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda.
Second, >> Mr. Cassaceio, >> yes. >> Mr. Nepin, yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> This time we'll have a move on to ordinances. >> Right. We have the introduction and
first reading of ordinance number 4, 2026 bond ordinance providing for various 2026 capital improvements by and in the township of upper in the county of Kate May state of New Jersey appropriating 5,143,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $4,898,94 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. >> At this time, what date do we anticipate? >> February 23rd. February 26:30. >> We want to do that all the same night. >> Okay.
>> At this time, we'll move for an introduction. >> Move to introduce. >> Second. Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio. Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. May >> Coren. >> Yes. Motion carried. Okay. >> Moving to new business.
>> The Strath Fourth of July parade along Commonwealth Avenue and Bayiew Drive from Prescott Avenue to Williams Avenue. >> This is basically just information only. >> We need to send a letter to the county saying that we've >> Okay. >> notified.
>> Yes. Okay. It's I guess we'll have that. >> I have a letter ready to go. >> Okay. I You need a motion. Authorize the letter to go. >> Why not? >> Okay. I'll make a motion we approve this. >> Second. >> Draw a roll. >> Mr. Casachio. Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Sam Palumbo? Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo? >> Yes. May Coren? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Just for the record, that's the extent of government involvement in the Strat Parade. That's why it works. Next, we have the Ocean City Crew Boosters request hold raffle RA613 at E-
Marie Hayes Boat House, 34th Street, Bridge, Marura, on various dates beginning April 30th through May 28th. >> Motion to approve. >> Second, please call the RO. >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes. >> Mr. Nin, yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. Mayor Corson, >> yes.
What's your pleasure in the bill, 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, >> Mr. Centio, >> yes. >> Mr. Nappen,
>> yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, >> yes. >> Zach Palumbo, >> yes. Yes. >> Uh, at this time we'll open it to the public. Is there anybody in the public that would like to address the tit committee? And how about any subjects?
Please state your name, Alice, for the record so we know who you are. >> Alice March from Strathmir. First, um, a little administrative detail. In the new business in number 16, it says that the Strathmir parade is along Commonwealth Avenue and Babiew
Drive from Prescott Avenue to Williams Avenue, but it's the opposite way. It's from Williams to Prescott. >> We're going to run backwards this year. >> Will it be hard to end up in the dough? Hope the ready.
>> We don't set the route which was a typo on our part. Thank you. >> Right. Thanks. Um and the real reason I'm standing in here is uh I want to say thank you to public works for plowing and salting in such a timely manner. My dead end beach block street where I'm
the only resident at this time was plowed late Sunday afternoon before the freeze so I could get out there and shovel the big boulders of snow that are at the end of the driveway before they froze solid.
Of course, I did that in the rain, but >> yes, >> but it got done. >> The smart people did shovel in the rain. >> That's right. It's an adventure. My friends in Ocean City did not have the same fortune and they uh ended up having
big boulders of ice that they couldn't dislodge until this point. And my friend in B and the Baltimore suburbs had not been plowed 24 hours after I was plowed. So hats off to public works, but you'd want to put them back on because it's
cold out there. >> Thank you. >> Public Works does respect your job. Thank you, Alison. >> Is there anyone else that like comment? Please state your name for your record. >> Elsie Jameson, Five Sparks Court, Seville. Um, I was just wondering with the vendors, is there any way we can add
like a local tax to them? Maybe a dollar per sale just to make some more revenue. And then another question I had is, can we require them to carry trash bags? Um, because I just don't want more trash on the beach. I don't think we can tax him above and beyond the vendor fee, but we
can make them provide trash receptacles. Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And my other question was, can we require the uh construction workers to empty their vacuums into individual trash bags before putting them into the dumpster so they don't get caught up in the wind?
>> We're back to public awareness. That's the approach we're going to take. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else like to committee. At this time, we will close the public portion of the meeting and entertain amendment going to close session. I
hereby move a resolution be incorporated in the minutes authorizing the township committee to enter into executive session for the following matters pursuant to the open public meetings act matters. One, contract negotiation uh municipal advisor. Two, contract negotiation cultivate power LLC. Three,
contract negotiation, community center parking for litigation, appeal of 2025, liquor license renewal for 201 Willard Liquor LLC. I 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 it is anticipated that the matters discussed in close 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. B with respect to the
contract negotiations such matters will be made public when negotiations have ceased and there are no longer a reason for confidentiality. C with respect to relitigation matters such discussions will be made public when litigation is complete and the applicable appeal period has expired. Second,
>> please go to roll. >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes. >> Mr. Nappen, yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo, >> yes. Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> This time we'll take a brief intermission. See little bit more.