In compiance with the open public meeting law, I wish to state that on February 22nd, 2026, notice of this rescheduled meeting in the upper township committee was posted on the upper township website, emailed to the city press, the Ocean City Sentinel
ledger, the Herald Times, and file 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 the minutes of this meeting.
Would everyone please stand for the flag? >> Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible
and justice for all. >> Can we please remain standing for a moment of silence and reflection? Amen. >> Joanne, would you please call the >> Mr. Cassaceio? >> 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 from our February 9th meeting, regular and close session, and workshop? >> Yep. Motion to approve. >> Second. Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes.
>> Mr. Nappen, yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Okay. At this time, I'm going to call on the elected officials for the reports, and we're going to start Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Thank you. That slide presentation.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh so we just went through one hellish of a storm uh at from Sunday all the way into Tuesday. Uh uh miss Mayor Corson and I myself we went around driving around the township on uh Monday. We drove through Strathare
Tuck Petersburg point. We made the whole triangle of the upper uh municipality. Uh basically you're going to start seeing some photos from the start of the storm and then towards the end and then the math as well. So, we're going to
start with uh some of the pictures here. Uh this is actually on Calonia and Alexa. You have quite a few down trees, and this is going to be the theme for uh pretty much most of this uh uh presentation. I want to thank Mike Jones for taking pictures of while he was out
and navigating through the winter wonderland that was uh Upper Township. You can see we had significant trees going down. Uh we have some skid out cars. We have some uh covered vehicles.
People got blocked in or you know pretty much in an impass going through the roads ended up getting plowed from right from the start. I believe snow it changed from rain to snow around 1:00 and then it was definitely way more uh earlier than
anticipated. Just you can see the uh the density of the snow in this picture. You can see the uh telephone uh wire that's coming down across the bridge on Taco. It's what Olsson's bolt
right. Yeah. So >> sorry. You'll see it again. True. True. Because we got another driving through the township. >> Mike, if you want to throw anything out here. Yeah.
>> So, I mean it definitely it just it came down it came down fast and hard. So, it is what it is. >> Yeah. >> Um, so this is uh May Mayor Corson and I we went over the Strat. You can see the significant end of uh the dune by the uh
beach house or shack for the beach patrol. How it's just like crossing in there. This is Commonwealth Avenue going into Strathmir. And then again, that's more of a picture of the damage that was done to the dunes. Mayor, we say what? 25 feet. Take off. >> 25 foot of doom.
>> Yeah, the sea was angry that day. It's a good thing we had a west wind because if not, this would have been water that significantly came on Neptune Avenue. We have uh just a bunch of uh our our passageways that are down. We have significant beach erosion.
Just again, just emphasize a lot of this. We have Mayor Corson assisting public works trying to get out of a snow drift. Um I was still amazed that the truck made it through and was able to get it out, but that it was a team effort by all. Um you can see this is
Tyler uh road, the amount of branches that were overhanging on top of the the uh utility wires. Color commentator from the mayor Uh just more so pictures of everything. This is a pretty nasty uh water that we had going on there. It was smacking
right onto the bulkhead and on to the uh dune. Some definitely uh nicer waves for the summertime, but not right now. So, I would have definitely avoided that. Again, this is right by Beach Patrol headquarters. >> There it is.
>> There it is. And there's not that much land in front of it either. >> Next week, there it was. >> Yeah. I mean, we saw pylons that were exposed that we've never seen before. This is the rocks on Neptune Avenue. So, we're literally on we're literally on
the street side. Nice little sea spray. Again, thank goodness it was a west wind day because if it was a east wind, it's just pushing on to onto the road. This is us crossing uh the uh Trappier Bridge. You can see the amount of ice and density that was
on there Commonwealth. Uh I'm sorry, going into Ocean City. You know, >> I was chatting well. >> Yeah, we had uh at that point we're debating whether or not to get our guys out there to do it ourselves. So, and they did. But then, uh, after we left Strathmir,
uh, again, the how the telephone poles are down a little bit more by the marina, you know. Uh, this is outside the community center. Do we have power yet? No. >> All right. So, yeah, the it went down. Uh, you know, fried motherboard generator kicked on when the generator
kicked on and public works was able to get it up and running. So this is uh yesterday uh right by course and cavern road. You got tree laying on more wires. So they're gonna just going around. That's again that that's the community center down wires.
And then here's the uh aftermath of the blizzard. You can see the amount of cut in right there. Uh thank you uh Mayor Corson for standing out in your waiters and getting that picture. Uh but you can see you can see how how much
that how unstable that dune is right now and you have a structure on top of that. We're going to have to definitely you know reach out to to get some help on that and you can see the exposed bulkhead. So I want to thank uh not just public works but all the uh essential
employees that were called to help assist the township this past weekend. I think you know you guys all did a phenomenal job. We just had our public safety presentation for uh LA at that start at 4:30. Again, everyone was very appreciative of all the work that EMT,
the fire department, public works did over the past this past weekend. Um, you know, and it was it it took a group effort and honestly it was a community effort to get through this. So, I want to thank everyone for that and I think they did a great job. So, that's it for me, mayor, and turn it over to you,
>> Zach. Thank you for putting that presentation together and making our employees and everybody aware of the situation. Okay, Tyler, do you have anything for tonight? >> Yeah, sure. Mayor, I'll be pretty brief. Uh on February 21st, the township held its second free rabies clinic of 2026.
Uh during which 86 dogs and 13 cats were vaccinated and 34 dogs licenses were issued and sold. Um I myself just want to thank the township, the county, and the state for doing a tremendous job plowing the roads. Um, all of us had unique experiences in the snowstorm
here. I was plowing a friend's house in a park and uh, Upper Township BMS ambulance got stuck in the park and uh, fire engine came and pulled it out. Public works tried to clear a path. Public works got stuck. I tried to clear
a path. I got stuck. Uh luckily right down the road uh my family's construction company had the biggest loader we owned and uh we were able to cut a path for the EMS and the EMTs to get through to the resident who had called 911 and we were able to get all
our vehicles unstuck and get back to Cl. So again I want to thank the township from State and County for all their hard works, EMS, the fire department, uh state police, everyone. biggest snowstorm in 30 years here. And uh obviously with Zach's pictures and everyone's experiences, everyone else
felt it. And proud of the community rallying together, keeping everyone safe. And uh that's all I have for tonight. >> I do I actually want to I have two thank yous directly from the Upper Township School District thanking the public
works for helping them get open up for today. I mean, as a as a superintendent of two other schools, I I we lean on, you know, sometimes the government agencies to make it flow. I know parents were probably enthusiastic. That school wasn't closed for a third day. So, I
want to thank uh public works for that. And again, it did not go unnoticed by the other uh government entities in the township. >> That's it. >> Sam, do you have anything? >> Yeah, I I want to take the opportunity to thank public works and EMS for all the hard work they did. Um, you know,
it's a it's really difficult obviously a storm like this, you know, uh, you see it in the projection a week from it, but then it actually shows up and it's just jarring the kind of damage and the expectation that that's there for all of the essential employees to perform. It's
incredibly impressive and a testament to this township. On a more important note, on March 28th, on March 28th at 10:30 at Amanda's Field, we're going to have our Easter egg hunt. Uh it's very important that you attend this great event uh and support the township. And our wreck advisory board was cancelled yesterday.
We will be rescheduling that as well. Uh and that's all I got for you, Mayor. >> Do you have a snow day for DJ? >> No, but we may we may need some contingency plans. Can we plow out there? We can, right? >> Vic, do you have anything tonight? >> Few things. Mayor, thank you so much.
Good evening, everybody. Thank you so much for coming out tonight as always. some familiar faces here, new faces out here. I know some of you are here tonight to agree with us and some of you are here tonight to disagree with us. This has always been an open room for that communication. Done so in a very
civil way and we're happy to see all of you here tonight. I also would like to thank public works and EMS um getting text messages like u texting chief Britain, hey bud, just checking in and you get back power out all over electrical fires, poles down, wires
down, employees snowed in. What you're seeing up here is an unbelievable coordination of efforts both from us, which we're just working from our cell phones essentially. I mean, Mayor Kurt was in his his waiters taking pictures and Zach was out there. But the people that work for the township are the ones
that are able to get us up and running. Um, we're firing text back and forth and and making phone calls and all this. Blizzards used to be fun, but now they're a lot of hard work and we thank everybody for that. And that's all I have. >> Well, public works did a spectacular
job. For those that don't know, public works, we had employees that worked almost 30 hours straight. I had my last conversation I think Sunday night with Mike was 11:30 12 o'clock at night and I think we were talking again at 5 in the morning. Uh
these guys did their job. They did their job well. There was I'm not going to go into where I really feel like going, but people need to be a little more understand. When we have snow, their job
is to clear the roads. If your driveway gets plowed in, maybe you need to move south. That's all I can tell you. They're don't do it on purpose. Their job is to clear the roads. So, we had significant beach
erosion yesterday. Mr. Van Slike, who's away on vacation, he and I made a couple uh rounds around town. We uh contacted the surveyors, our engineer firm. They're going to do
survey work on our beaches and we have more bulkhead that we've ever had exposed. The bulkhead was put in 64 or 65. I personally don't remember it and I don't think anybody here does, but there's probably people that did remember it being
>> um 69 it was put in Okay, but it was put in in the 60s. We got that part. Um, our B bulkhead has integrity issues there. We are having our engineering
firm assess our bulkhead. That's first step. We can see it. Why wouldn't we assess it? So that's going to be assessed, evaluated, and the report will be generated. That's starting one of hard structure. What do we have? What's the condition? So we can assess it.
The other thing is we met, Zach and I met February 13th on the beach 1:30 in the afternoon with representation from the congressman's office. He was there, Army Corps of Engineers, I think second command on the civil side
and maybe first commander on the military side. uh D had eight or nine people there. It continues to be about 25 people though. I feel pretty confident in saying by
summertime we will have a beach. Oh yeah. Yeah. Okay. So I feel pretty confident by summer we're going to have a I think they're pulling out all the stops on us and they're oceans in they're going to start dredging there move to Stir Avalon
North I think there's more to come in the near future then obviously we have a lot of tree damage in the township public works will be picking up trees brush normally we wait till April
obviously we've had a storm if you curb it we will get it there will be For more information, follow our website, follow our Facebook website and uh our website. We will have information posted. I'm saying probably in the next week we'll
have information posted and it will be picked up and all I can say is you need to batten down the hatches because we have another storm in the forecast >> Monday. >> Three inches. >> Friday.
>> Friday first. >> That's good. Another one for the weekend. That'll be nice. >> All right, so we're going to move right along. Joanne, do you have anything for us? >> I do not. Thank you. >> John, do you have anything for us? >> No, ma'am. The only thing next thing on the agenda is uh our initial public
comment period. I just want to just remind everybody or let everyone know this initial public comment period is limited just to the resolutions on the agenda. It's not a public comment period as it relates to the ordinances that are up for second reading tonight. So, just be cognizant of that. If you're here to speak on an ordinance, there will be a
separate public hearing for that, but it's not what is about to come up. >> Okay. Thank you, John. >> Sure. >> Barbara, do you have anything to say? >> I have nothing this evening, mayor. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. At this time, we will move on to public comments. Does anybody have any comments limited to
five minutes on anything on the consent agenda? That the resolutions and the reports. If anybody would like to comment on resolutions or the reports, now is your opportunity. >> Harry, no public comments. We'll close the public portion and move on to
>> Oh, yeah. Sure. >> Yes. Uh, good evening and, uh, thank you for hearing me. My name is Lou Barbo. I live at uh Francis Drive in Petersburg and I would like to uh address number seven.
Um let me get my glasses back on. Appointing members to the upper township cannabis subcommittee. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh could you anybody speak to it? How's the process going to work? Uh that kind of thing.
>> This is just appointing a committee. There is no process involved in this resolution. It's just naming members to a committee for future work. >> All right. Well, how if I wanted to be on the committee, I don't. But if I wanted to, how would I do it?
>> Yeah. The first step is becoming an elected official. >> Oh, okay. So, it has to be you gentlemen or >> Well, we we started official subcommittee because we are at that point where we need to do some negotiation maybe.
So, it's going to be two members of the governing body. It's going to be myself and Zach Palumbo with our legal counsel and our administrator. >> Okay. >> And a member of the state police. >> And a member of the New Jersey State Police. >> Oh, so there's going to be three people on it. This is five. >> Five.
>> Five. >> Okay. So, I got uh Zach, I got you. Uh >> Mr. Amanhouser, Mr. advance like and uh the commander of the New Jersey State Police >> designate.
>> Well, yeah. Woodbine guards. >> Okay. So, that they would oversee >> what they're overseeing negotiations. >> I'll give it very brief, very briefly. Here's what it is. It's an advisory committee. It's a committee that doesn't have official powers. It's advisory in
nature. The purpose is going to be that if an ordinance passes tonight related to cannabis to allow it, the township will later go out for proposals as to who wants to become one of the one lency. Somebody has to evaluate those proposals
and give a recommendation to the governing body. That will be the role of that subcommittee. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Yes, >> Natalie N. Um, block 456,
lot 13, 476, lot 29. Um, that number seven, those um subcommittee people, uh, what kind of credentials are going to be needed besides being um or education other than, you know, just being
township committee or attorney? Well, our township attorney, he's obviously got his credentials to represent Upper Township >> as an attorney. >> The township administrator represents Upper Township as an administrator. The two of us represent Upper Township as
elected officials. This New Jersey State Police represented is about safety. If he doesn't know safety or security, I don't know who we can ask. I think our credentials speak for themselves. Well, I'm wondering, you know, who knows
about the THC and uh the neuroscience behind any of this. >> I, >> you know, >> at this point, that's not our that's we're not doctors. No, no, sorry >> or whatever scientist.
>> Number 10 and number 11, appointing uh James M. Jones, Superintendent Public Works, and Nicholas Mason, Assistant Public Works Superintendent. Can you speak to that? It speaks for itself. Uh, Mr. Reeds is retired.
Mr. Jones is going to step into the position and Mr. Mason's going to fill Mr. Jones position. >> When did Mr. Ree retire? I didn't know about that. Did I miss it? >> You've been absent since October. question. Yes, you missed it.
>> It's March 1st. Just >> March 1st is official. >> Did you give him a cake? >> No, we gave him a snowstorm and he handled it very well. >> Mike Jones handled it. Mike Jones was in charge of so he was baptized by fire.
He's been in charge. He would have been officially Monday, but he's he's been in charge for since the last snowstorm and he's done well. It was a super. >> So, are the salary ordinances going to change now since we got these guys bumped up or has that already been taken
care of? >> The salary ordinance is not changing as far as I can remember. >> No, it's not. >> And the salaries, >> the salaries, >> they're stated in the resolution. >> Yes. Oh, and I'm with regard to the um
members that on that um number seven committee um I believe are Sam Palumbo and Zach Palumbo both your families are in the pharmaceuticals business. >> That is correct. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Thank you. Is there any more public comment? >> Yes, sir. If you don't mind, >> committee, thank you for hearing me. I'm not going to keep you all five minutes. Uh, my name is George Irwin. I represent uh Cannabis Stop, a New Jersey licensed. Uh, >> is is this in relation to one of the
resolutions on the agenda? >> Uh, no, actually it's I I was I was going to yield. However, the credentials of the committee came up and I just want to make a note based on I guess number seven. >> Okay. >> If you'll hear it. >> Sure. >> Um, you know, I'll speak uh pretty
candidly about this matter. Uh, right now after reading the proposed ordinance, the the zoning framework, >> now we're getting into the ordinance. I I we're not getting into the ordinance right now. We got we have a public hearing that we're going to open on that when it comes time, but this is not the >> Okay. I haven't heard that yet, but again, I'm just uh
>> at the end of the meeting, we have a full public comment, too. >> On any on any >> m >> if you're going to talk about the ordinance, we're going to not listen, but go ahead. >> Okay. Well, this would I I'll wait till
your next public meeting, but this is really in in collaboration with the >> um pulled off for a couple minutes. You'll have to address on the record. >> He did. >> The committee runs the meeting. You You can >> He didn't put his name and address on
the record. Could you >> I'm I'm George Win. I'm representing Cannabis Stop. I'm a a New Jersey resident, former Seville resident. >> Uh Mr. Attorney, can you clarify when >> Yeah, we we have ordinances that are coming up next on the agenda.
>> All three of the ordinances you see on the agenda will each have their own hearing. >> Correct. There's a public hearing associated and we can speak on that. Yeah. >> Oh, my apologies. I don't I thought it was a separate meeting. >> No, no, no. It's tonight. >> It's gonna be tonight. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Is there anybody else that would like to
comment on the resolutions or the the reports? Resolutions and reports only. Hearing no more public comment, we'll close the public portion and entertain a motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Please call the role.
>> Mr. Cassaceio. Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. Yes, Mayor >> Corson. >> Yes. >> We have number 12, public hearing and final adoption of ordinance number one, 2026, an ordinance amending chapter 20 zoning of the code of Upper Township to
create a cannabis overlay zone within the CM2 zoning district and to allow class 5 cannabis retail sales within the cannabis overlay district. Okay, before we go anywhere, I have a statement that was prepared. You're going to have to give
me a minute here to find it. Is um >> Is it this one? >> Yes. >> Yeah, it's that one. There we go. Thank you for Before we open it to the public, I want to set a few rules so everyone understands how the public portion of this meeting will run. Each speaker will
have up to five minutes. Please address your comments to the committee as a whole. This is not a debate. This is not a back and forth, but an opportunity for residents to have their perspectives formally entered onto the record. We also want to be clear that the committee
will not did not approach this issue lightly. This topic has involved significant research, legal review and discussion included analysts, state regulations, experience in neighbors, municipalities and guidance from
professionals throughout the planning process. In weighing this ordinance, the committee considered several key factors. the need for responsible sustainable revenue to support the township services and limited burden to
the taxpayers. The reality is that cannabis is legal in the state of New Jersey and available for delivery in upper township. The proposed location is quite distance from any residential areas. Data from neighboring towns show no
meaningful correlation between regulated candidates and businesses with increased crime. Public input is important part of this process. Tonight's comments will help inform the committee as we continue our deliberation. We ask that everyone
remains respectful so all voices can be heard. Before we open it up, do any of my colleagues have any comments? I would just add, you know, we're going to have differing views on this. We're not here to debate each other
amongst each other here. We're here to address the committee. We're here to hear your opinion and take it into consideration. >> Thank you, John. John, >> I'll just give it is a very brief summary. Uh, so what we're cons we're going to be considering three separate ordinances as it relates to cannabis.
The first one, which is the one that we're about to start the public hearing on, uh, is ordinance 0012026. Uh, this ordinance proposes to amend chapter 20 of the township code in order to create a cannabis overlay zone to be located within the CM2 zoning district that will allow for the operation of a
class 5 cannabis retail location as a permitted use within that overlay zone. Uh, the cannabis overlay zone is located along Roosevelt Boulevard to the east of the Parkway interchange and extends eastward to the township border. Uh, this ordinance also proposes to permit the issuance of one class 5 cannabis
retail license for use within the township buffer. The permitted location for any cannabis retail sales by a lency will only be be permitted to occur in the cannabis overlay zone that I just referenced. Uh the ordinance also contains specific requirements that any awarded lency will be required to adhere
to in the operation of any approved cannabis retail sales business. So this ordinance relates specifically to those items. The creation of the cannabis overlay zone and the creation of a license to be awarded for a class 5 cannabis retail license ee. So any
public comment that may be raised should reflect or should adhere to or pertain to that particular set of facts and issues. >> Now because of the zone, do we we're going to open it to the public. Do we open it to >> residents within 200 feet first or just
general public? >> You can just open it to general public. You're not required to open it within 200 feet. >> At this time, we're going to open it up to the public. Please come to the microphone and state your name for the record and section of township you live in. And one other thing, what I'll note, there's a five minute um time limit to
everybody. As the mayor mentioned, we're going to keep the time. If if you're there, I'm going to indicate as such, but you can finish any thought that you're on at that point in time. >> Thank you. I also have my phone. >> Okay. >> Good evening. My name is Diane Leo and my husband Miles Webb is here also. We live in Marura. We've lived here for
over 30 years. First, I want to commend you on renting the landfill property on Butter Road. It does show that you are capable of finding ways to raise revenue for the township without jeopardizing the health, safety, and welfare of our
citizens. As you previously stated, this brings me to the contested subject of having a cannabis dispensary on the same rail that our high school students pass every day. Did it occur to you there you are giving
a very dangerous message to our most vulnerable and impressionable sons and daughters of our community? This is giving these students the message that taking intoxicating drugs is acceptable. Ironically, these same students passed
by a sign in Ocean City that says learn and play. Keep drugs away. When I was here last month, I spoke about the research from Psychology Today. Marijuana products are as much as
15 times more potent than in the 70s. Some products have concentrates of THC that exceeds 90%. Young adults under the age of 25 are most vulnerable as their brain is still
developing. THC consumption contributes to such disorders as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and even suicide. You can even purchase these products as
young as 18 if you have a medical card. I just found that out. The FDA has not approved these drugs for medical use. And my own general physician from Cooper said they don't give these cards out. You would have to find a psychiatrist or
pain physician that is willing to give you one. It isn't even necessary to get these recreational drugs for supposed medical use as our local health food store sells CBD products without the
intoxicating effects of THC. The Cape May County Herald on January 28th, 2026 had a reun opinion article on revisiting cannabis legislation. Three states, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Arizona are looking to push back on recreational use of cannabis. If you permit me, I'm going to read part of the editorial. As cannabis today is not the marijuana of decades past, THC concentrations have
increased dramatically over the pa last 10 years, raising concerns among medical professionals. Emergency departments are seeing more patients with psychiatric symptoms who test positive for high levels of THC.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Bighgam warned, that's a hospital, warned that young adults, even those legally permitted to purchase cannabis, have brains that remain neurodedevelopmentally vulnerable and may be more susceptible to high potency
products. And I do believe some of you have children here. I'm ashamed of you. >> Grandchildren, >> grandchildren, even I have great grandchildren here. Emergency room visits to cannonoid hypermesis syndrome, a severe
gastrointestinal condition linked to frequent cannabis use, have also risen sharply. According to studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, increased potency and legalization appear to be contributing factors. There
is a real danger that legalization is interpreted as a guarantee of safety. In recent decades, states have increasingly relied on gambling, as we do, lotteryies as we do, sports betting, and now cannabis as revenue sources. Activities
once regarded as vices have become fiscal assets, leaving governments with a vested interest and increased consumption. Repealing cannabis legal legalization outright is unlikely,
but growing evidence of harm demands a more honest public conversation. The moment resembles the error before cigarette warning labels when the dangers of smoking were known but insufficiently communicated. If decisions about cannabis use are left to
individuals, as they increasingly are, the those decisions should be informed once. Public officials have a responsibility to ensure that the risk of today's high potency cannabis are clearly and widely understood. That's
the end of that article. Remember the fruit that was so tempting and good to eat, but when eaten, sin came into the world. Can I just finish this couple paragraphs? I'm pleading with you not to lose your moral compass. As you said before, you are entrusted with the
safety of your citizens. Introducing a drug into this community will only benefit those making money from it. This is not a good look for vacationers coming into Ocean City either and is not being good neighbors to our beautiful and safe Ocean City. Again, I urge you to put this proposal on the ballot if
you're determined to go through with it. I doubt people who voted to decriminalize small amounts of possession expected that a dispensary would be here in our community in 2006. >> The New Jersey going way over now. >> I'm sorry, but this isn't You'll like
this one. >> I THINK I THINK YOU'LL LIKE THIS ONE. WE USED We used to be number two in this state. >> I'm going to call time because if we allow you over, we're going to have to have everybody over. Thank you very much for your >> Okay. Well, we used to be number two in the state. We're not anymore. We're not
even on the books. >> Is there anyone else who would like to comment? >> I'm her husband, Miles. >> I'm sorry. Your name's >> I just like to >> Sorry, your name. >> Niles Web. It's on the paper she
probably gave you. >> No, she's right. My only comment is I don't think votes to decriminalize cannabis represented votes for the government to take over from the mafia to control drugs drugs for the uh the
people of your organizations. >> Thank you. Yes, gentlemen. Good evening and uh thank you for letting me comment on this. My name is Lou Barbutoo. Uh I live on Francis Avenue or Drive South in
Petersburg, New Jersey. And I would uh first of all, I'd like to recognize my daughter's ex softball coach, Bill Handler. Now, the reason I'm doing that is that is why I moved to this township for recreation
and for the kids to have fun, get morals, grow up to be competent adults. What I'm seeing here is the influx of
a drug that is really, to my idea is going to hurt that influence that that people like Mr. Hanley have tried to uh
I don't know what what the words are, but to to get you know, everything he's done is th this is going to I mean, you're going to have kids stoned going to uh you know, baseball games and and whatnot. And I think that uh it's just a
scourge to the community. Now, what I'd like to continue with is um the master plan. Was cannabis included in the master plan. >> Sir, just as was instructed earlier, given the amount of people here that want to talk, we can't we're not doing
it back and forth. You can comment on anything you want to choose to, but not answer from. >> I can't ask questions. I got it. Okay. >> You can ask Well, you can ask anything you want, but you you may not get an answer. >> All right. All right. Well, uh, I thank you very
much and, uh, I just want to say that I'm totally against this and I don't think it needs to be an upper township. Uh, Summer's Point maybe, but I don't I don't think it should be in this township. >> Hi everybody. I'm Christine Myers. Um my
residence is 211 Mav in Tahoe. Um I actually want to speak to you regarding I am a person on the other side where I am in recovery. I've been in recovery for two years. I battled with addiction
for 18 years. And to start it off, where did I start? I started with marijuana. Marijuana was my gateway. And then what did that lead me to? It le led me to prescription pain medication. It led me to alcohol until I was a complete slave
to this disease. Every time I drive to Mount Laurel to go to work, I see a dispensary on each street. Okay? You don't know what that does to somebody who is in recovery, who is really trying to save their life
right now. I've worked so hard to get to where I'm at today. And to sit there and see this dispensary sit on this side and make it so easy for me to walk inside and go be able to pick that up. You know, that's torture to myself. You are
choosing you are choosing life or death for people right now because it doesn't JUST START RIGHT THERE. SO, IT'S EITHER YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR money or you want to choose the life of the people who live in your community
because you know what the thing is? I'm around this area. I go to AA all the time as well. Okay? I see how many people in this area are in recovery. Not only that, you have Summers Point, you have Sober houses, you have 18year-old
people, 16year-old people trying to get their lives in order. And I am telling you from the bottom of my heart, this is not the easiest disease to battle with every single day. It is a daily journey.
Okay? So, please, if anything, listen to what I'm saying as somebody who is in recovery, who has battled with this. I've been I've been dealing with this since I was 16 years old. Okay? I I I have to battle with things going on in
my mind, wanting to go back and wanting to use. If I'm going through something, any little thing can set me off. And guess what? The next thing I'll think about is, "Oh, that's right down the street. I can just walk right on in." And there goes my whole recovery and then I'm homeless again. I've worked too
hard to get where I'm at. That's all I really have to say. Anna Dureno 6A Bruhas Lane Ocean View, New Jersey. So,
you know, it's very interesting. Um Diane, she did a great job with all the detailed specific items. I have a whole bunch of them on my sheet. It's really not hard to find.
If you if you just look up various medicinal articles online from reputable medical organizations, everything that she said is what you'll find.
I understand that Upper needs revenue. I think we can all appreciate the need for more money and I think we can all appreciate the fact that you don't want to tax us additionally. So, we thank you for that.
I do think that there are there's always another way. It can't just be either this or this. There's always another way of making revenue. Maybe inviting other companies into the
area, whatever it may be. I I'm confident that this is not the only way. I will say that sacrificing our youth and young adults for revenue can't be the answer.
I'm totally against the cannabis dispensary that is being proposed in upper. So um obviously New Jersey has given has made
all of this legal. So obviously none of this is illegal. However, they they have allowed 21 year olds to access this the weed the marijuana. Now we know as per
um Dian's information it is correct that uh up to 25 year olds basically their brains have not yet fully developed and long-term cannabis use can have a lasting detrimental impact on thinking
and memory processes. Just because the law says something doesn't mean it's right. We have learned that quite a bit already, haven't we? Um, so there is agreement in the medical
profession that using cannabis as a teen young adult can negatively also impact their mental health. We know our kids are already struggling with mental health to the gazoo. Um, we cannot be we cannot help them in that direction as
they're driving past as we're normalizing the fact that cannabis use is okay as they pass the dispensary on their way to high school. Um, also we moved here 15 years ago and what
was the beautiful thing that was attractive? Ocean City, the family town. I can tell you that when there's a dis a cannabis dispensary on your way into the city, the town, there's no way you can tell me that's a
family town. When um we already have heard and have experienced summers, the last couple summers, there have been such greater um issues with with teens and young adults, mostly
teens, I would say. I'm not even sure. But regarding the police and just uh the havoc and chaos that have been um you know shown on the boardwalk and on the beaches and what has happened it's okay
now now the beaches have to be closed earlier. There's various things like the police need our help to handle the situation, not for us to give a to make a greater issue for them by having a dispensary right in front of
the Ocean City town. So if we are basically asking for people to stop and get weed on their way to the beach, on their way into the town and that is just going
to cause more challenges for the police department. Our job is to protect the next generation. That is our job. >> Previously something was mentioned in
regards to the fact that oh we're not doctors or um scientists or whatever. Okay, I'll just finish my thought. >> Y >> um you already have heard specific details regarding how it is negative and
the impact that it makes and it's not opinion that is the medical fact. You have also heard from a person who is in recovery. So you cannot say you don't know. You cannot say you have not heard.
And so therefore let's not we cannot put money ahead of that. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening, mayor, members of the committee. Uh John, how are you? Um my name is Carol Sabo. I live at 402 Broadway in West Cape May. Um up until
January 1st, I had the privilege of serving as an elected official in West Cape May for 13 years. Um, as you may or may not know, we were one of we were the first municipality in the county, actually in the southern region, with the exception of Atlantic City, to allow
a retail recreational dispensary. Um, and I'm here to just share with you that we have no regrets in West Cape May and certainly had a spirited discussion about um, the pros and cons. And obviously we too were a town that didn't
have any other source of revenue besides our local taxes. Um so it was our due diligence that brought us to looking at those sources of revenue. We were not one of those towns that opted out initially. I was I and the my other
members of the commission, we were for it from the beginning once legalization happened. Um, you know, I I appreciate the interest of a town that wants to protect children. I thought I was only going to come and speak here as a as a former elected official, but I'm here to
speak to you also as a social worker. I worked with at risk youth for all of my time as a in a my career as a social worker. Um, addiction obviously affects a lot of people. Um, my family, many people's families, many people
personally. I also know that cannabis for many people is not a gateway drug. It's an exit drug for people with serious opioid condition conditions. Um there's a lot of research on that as well. So um thank you for having the
foresight to look to this source of revenue for your municipality. Um as our assemblyman uh Mlen said to me one time about Ocean City, it's the wetest dry town you'll ever see. Um, and I don't
hear people complaining about the liquor stores that are along the boulevard. Um, that really you can walk into a liquor store with your children easily. Um, we used to call the liquor store in Kate May the pretzel store. Um, because kids would go in and get a pretzel from the
liquor store while their parents were buying alcohol. You can't get past the door um of a cannabis dispensary without the proper ID. We have had zero related police incidences related to the cannabis dispensary in our town.
Important for the subcommittee to realize is having a good community partner. Um, our local dispensary came to us and wanted to make sure that they had outreach to residents and community members to make sure that they were doing the best they could. They are
great community partners. They're there to volunteer and support our community whenever needed. So, do your research. Um, you know, if it's not a substance or a place that you want to frequent as a consumer, that's fine, too. You know,
you don't drink, you don't go into the liquor store, you don't eat McDonald's, you go don't go to McDonald's, you know, it's it's personal choice, individual liberty, and thank you for doing what you're doing. Appreciate that. My name is George Irwin. Uh I am a New
Jersey resident, but the premise to my my position being here is I actually lived in Seville and my adult children were born there. So I I can appreciate your perspective. You know, my kids grew up on the boardwalk on Ninth Street in
Ocean City. I get it. However, cannabis was a lifesaver for my son who was diagnosed with cancer. >> Sir, can you please address the committee? >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> I am a soil biologist. I'm a plant
biologist. I am also the former US ambassador to green technologies. I am very much involved in cannabis, specifically the science end of it. when the committee came up in item seven earlier uh to echo the
um words of the madam from Westgate May. This is a good thing. Okay. But you have to be educated. You have to find the right partner. Right now the zoning framework is what's of concerning because it allows for one
class 5 retail cannabis operation. Um but in reality there appears to be very little if any viable properties in that overlay zone. That's the concern that we see uh as an experienced operator. Okay. We have multiple
licenses uh out of state and also instate. Um if only one or two properties qualifies, this is effectively a a single path to lack of sight control for anybody applying for a
class 5 license. Um the appearance alone may undermine public confidence which is obviously a concern here. Um the program adopted by New Jersey was very clear and obviously
uh the committee has recognized that uh predictable tax revenue, job creation, uh regulated secure operations and transparent governance. If zoning makes it impossible
for that experienced compliant first operator like myself to come into the opportunity to at least apply and compete at least fairly, we risk losing exactly what having a cannabis operation or a class 5
license stands for. Okay, this is it's not a it's not a hobby. This is a business. It's highly regulated. Companies like ours established here in New Jersey with a proven track record.
We bring operational maturity, security, infrastructure, compliance history, and financial stability. We understand how the New Jersey CRC operations and requirements work. We know what they expect. We've been down
this road already. We know how to implement surveillance. AIDS verification has come up multiple times and inventory controls. So when municipalities award licenses to inexperienced or under capitalized
operators and I've seen this before, they happen to control one property which subsequently gets the license. that's going to cause delays in opening,
security failures, compliance violations. Uh it's a reputation to the town if it's not done correctly. A failed operator just doesn't fail privately. It also reflects in the municipality that authorized it that that that approved
it. So if the objective is revenue safety and integrity, the zoning must allow for competition so that qualified applicants can come in and secure that license and
become a community partner. Historically, as a teacher, my formal degree, we've created educational partnerships on a global scale. you want to look me up on LinkedIn, it's pretty impressive if I
must say myself. Um, but that's what we do, right? Besides being a scientist, we create relationships so that everybody is successful. Okay? So committee members and whoever ends up on that cannabis committee, I
just simply ask you to become educated and understand who the applicants are and provide equal opportunity for qualified applicants, not just anybody. So thank you for time. Thank you.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Natalie Niece. Um I'm not sure what uh George knows about um the master plan and upper township and zoning, but it's my understanding we have a master plan.
And it's supposed to be reviewed every um 10 years. It used to be seven years, it went to 10 years. And it's my understanding we only do updates. And the reason that we're in this overlay
zoning is because cannabis is not in our master plan. And I believe somebody else said that it should go to a vote. I tend to agree with that. I think it's a master
plan issue. Um, also I'm curious if it's spot zoning. Okay. Because you're talking about one license and I'm not even sure what the zone is there. Is it TCC or TC or CM? What is it? Because we have more more
than one zone that's commercial here. >> Do you know Mr. Corson? >> Curtis. >> Curtis. >> Public comment. >> It's public comment. >> I want to know what the zone is. >> That office you can put in the request clerk's office. It'll be available for you.
>> Okay. Well, then it's my opinion. spot zoning. Um, furthermore, uh, who up there on that board, any of you, um, does smoke or eat cannabis?
>> Does not, let me say, does not smoke or eat cannabis. >> Not pertinent to this decision. >> My colleagues will not answer that question >> because you told them not to answer it. I'm telling them now, not the answer.
>> Okay, I want to be clear on that. I believe this cannabis is a societal problem. It's an addiction. It's an active addiction where the abnormal becomes normal. It has to do
with neuroscience, the midbrain, the prefrontal cortex, dopamine. I don't think any of you up there have an understanding of what's going on. And as far as this other guy that he was in the paper or on the YouTube said he's been doing cannabis. >> It's not personal with him. If if you
want to make it personal with somebody, you're not going to do it. >> I didn't say any names. I just said it was on the YouTube and in the paper. Um the guy said that he's been doing cannabis for over a decade and runs a
$45 million business. Well, my question is how would he know um if his life had been uh become unmanageable or not? Because to me that sounds like intoxication.
And it's also my understanding that the psychiatrists say that deal with this, they recommend that you abstain for at least six months to a year. So, they really don't know if their life
is unmanageable or not. I'd like to know how the police are being prepared to handle this. What are they going to do? Use a blood test, a breath test. I mean, how many are there any kind of officers here that are even qualified to
deal with it in the DUI? Stop. I mean, we all know I mean, you know, us old people that like grew up in the 60s about marijuana, how you sit back on the sofa. I mean, you know, it can't be right to go out and drive a car like that. I'm concerned for the health, safety,
and welfare of this community. And these parents or people are going to be in their homes because they're not allowed to go out in the streets and smoke this stuff. They're going to be in their homes blowing it around. They're going to be setting an example for all the little children that are going to be growing up in our community. And those
kids are going to grow up smelling that the way I had to smell cigarettes growing up. I don't think it's right. I don't think it belongs in our community, I'm against it. And Mr. Corson, I'm concerned. I see you as a desperate
leader. Anybody that could go publicly and say six months ago I was a hard no and in the next breath turn around and say this is all about the revenue. How dare you sell our community out for dollars dollars. I'll leave it at that.
THANK YOU >> William Brewer. I live in Osprey Point. Um about 1994 I became a public defender of this town and there were a lot of cases we had with drunk driving. Drunk driving was fairly
straightforward. You had a at that time you had a 0.10 blood alcohol concentration limit. If you had that limit you were most likely guilty. We had some defenses we would use but most of the time you were going to be guilty.
in uh I continued in this position until about 2020. But approaching 2020, we didn't get as many drunk driving cases as we used to. We got driving under the influence of cannabis.
And how to prove guilt on those cases is much more difficult. They have what they call drug recognition experts. There are a limited number of them in the state police. And sometimes when you would have a case
where the police wanted to call a DR unavailable and since you couldn't prove any kind of uh under the influence of marijuana or cannabis, you had to dismiss the case most frequently.
Uh so you had uh pe and you had people driving around after having consumed cannabis and would say why is this a problem? I'm I'm cannabis is legal or there's nothing wrong with cannabis. It's the same as
alcohol. Why should I have to why why can't I drive? I'm fine. Perfectly all right. And you can't prove that I'm under the influence of it. Sure, you can prove that cannabis is in the person's system. Blood tests will do that up to 28 days, but to prove that the person's
under the influence, they had to go through a very involved and detailed examination of the person. And it was much more difficult to prove. And I've been out of the I haven't been public defender for a while. I'm mostly retired. I haven't done any municipal
court work in a while. But I understand it's still as difficult to prove even though they still they use the drug recognition expert. So, from a public safety standpoint, it's a problem. And from what the other witnesses have said, it's going to be
more of a problem if we have a cannabis dispensary in our township. So, for public safety reasons, we shouldn't allow this. >> THANKS. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and committee members. Thanks for uh having me here.
My name is Joe Kelly. I am co-owner of uh Insa Coastline Dispensary, which is located in Middle Township. Uh we have an interest in uh local property in the CM2 zone that's outside of the cannabis
overlay. I am also here um as a property owner, longtime inhabitant of uh of of upper township. I've been coming to Strathmir since I was a kid. My family has a house at 17 North Bayiew where with Aaron. It was encouraging to hear
Mayor Corson about the replenishment. Obviously, that's that's good news. And we uh uh Coastline had an experience similar to this in Middle Township. Middle Township wanted to adopt an ordinance. There was initially a lot of
concerns. A lot of the concerns that have been expressed here tonight are legitimate and they come from the right place. Uh over time we were able to meet with the public have education Q&As's
address these issues and really they became they became from they they went from being uh issues of panic to actually issues of being particular particular safety issues uh such as driving ingress and egress and and
issues of the like it and and Middle Township is extremely pleased that they they elected to proceed with that and and that we were we chose us as as their partner. Our issue is the same issue that uh I believe his name was George
raised earlier about the zone. Uh we uh there are seven properties in the cannabis overlay. Seven. Now, you might say that that's not an issue typically because it's, you know, you have a choice of seven, but when three of the
properties are owned by a particular private interest, it really reduces the competitive nature of the of the viability of getting more than one licensed application. And as George mentioned, uh, having multiple applications is important for
competitiveness. It's important for safety. Uh it's important to get the right to get the right business in. Uh we at Coastline have always stressed safety first, security, and uh making
sure that there's no diversion to children of any product. That's uh we've cooperated with local police. We support the local police. We support um uh substance use disorder treatments in uh locally. So for for us uh it is the
concerns are real. Uh however the issue here is we cannot get a foot in the door. It appears that there's already one probably property owner without any licensing experience that will be able to apply. I and I know this is not a Q&A
back and forth, but we have submitted official detailed um objections just based on the zone and I was hoping they could be made part of the record so I don't have to try to go into them. >> Is that is that is that possible? No, >> we don't accept written and we received it an hour before the meeting.
>> Okay. So that that can't that can't be made part of the record. So I >> you can make it part of the record. >> Okay. Okay. So can I incorporate it by reference? >> Sure. >> Okay. So I just incorporate by reference a letter uh from Sean Mack dated today Pashman Stein addressed to the to the
committee just just really on the details of the zone. We want we'd like to see it made more competitive so that we can um there can be a competitive process to get the license. I think we we we we truly believe the concerns are
legitimate, but just for the public's understanding whether or not there's a dispensary placed in Upper Township, there are people in Upper Township using cannabis because there are dispensaries
everywhere. So, either Upper Township draws on the revenue or the dollars from Upper Township go elsewhere and purchase it. What's more concerning possibly for me I think is very concerning is that
you do not need a license to sell cannabis in the state. Cannabis can be derived through from hemp through in a in a in substances called delta eight and delta 9 which is just as intoxicating. They're sold in smoke
shops. There's no regulatory oversight. There's no uh safety issues for ve verifying that they're not tainted with pesticides unlike the regulated product through the CRC license system. Therefore, it is very important
>> five minutes. >> Okay. Very important to to go with the the regulated product versus the black market which is out there every smoke shop. Correct them and uh at Delta 8 and Delta 9. So, I appreciate that and thank you for incorporating my >> I just have Sure.
>> One yes or no question for you. >> You have the cannabis store or dispensary on a board. Do your facility deliver to town today? >> Do we do not deliver currently? I I don't believe May I
>> So you don't deliver at all? >> We we we have the capacity to deliver. I think we're going to be delivering in uh as as the spring comes along and probably they we will be delivering up. >> We won't discriminate against anybody
based on where they live to say we won't we won't come there and I I think the CRC rules prohibit that. >> They do. >> So yeah, so thank you for the thank you for the opportunity. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you to the public. Hello, my name is Carrie Folk and I live
at 102 Somerset Lane in Ocean City. Um, and I also go to church here in Mara. I I'm at the white church with the green shutters. You probably all see my church sign. I'm the one who does that every week. So, um, I have a a big interest in this. Um, I'd like to answer just a
couple of things. Uh, people are mentioning that there's been no uh increase in the cost of crime because of legalized cannabis. And I I would have to question that with the increase in um the curfew that was enacted about a year
and a half after cannabis was uh legalized. And I'm sure the increased visits because of cannabis use induced psychosis um at Cape Regional and probably sure in all the other local hospitals. How do I
know about that? I know Cape Regional has I think five ER psych beds. And I know that because my son has cannabis use induced psychosis
and he fought it for 10 years that my husband and I had to teach police officers and attorneys and social workers and
people who would snicker and sneer and sir, please don't take a picture. My son has not spoken to me in four years because he feels that his grandparents and parents wish to put him into jail.
Because in this state and in this country, the only way we have to help our children as adults since we cannot force them to get help is to do well visits by way of the police. So when our son is a fisherman went out
in the ocean with a hole in his boat because he was high on cannabis and he has experiencing cannabis use induced psychosis. The only way we could save his life was to call the police. And when he was down to 120 pounds and
he wasn't eating and he went up to me and said, "Mom, I'm afraid you're going to hurt me." And when he was afraid he was going to die, when he didn't know what was real and what wasn't real, because he was taking my butane
torch that I made creme brulee with, and he was using cannabis and melting it for dabs, which nobody knew what that was. I received an education I never wanted to receive. He has been in six mental
hospitals only on cannabis. Only if I hear one more stupid snicker. Oh, it's just pot. Pot is 90%
90% potency leads to schizophrenia. You don't come back from schizophrenia. There was a study and I don't I wasn't planning on speaking so I don't have it with me. In New Amsterdam they've been
able to smoke since what 1970. They did a 50year study of 7 million people. They said cannabis is so dangerous to people under 26. They should never ever try it. If you have any mental health illnesses
in your family, you should never ever smoke it. now because 50, 60, 70 year old people can smoke it with no effect. Everyone thinks it's great. But what you smoked in the 70s was dirt. What it is now is chemicals
and it's dangerous. And when you see your child standing naked in front of you because they don't know where they are or what they're doing, you will think very differently of putting this outside of my town where
every kid drives by and a school buser in their car thinking because this is exactly what happened to my son. My son was on probation because he did a stupid thing like a lot of people did and he peed on somebody's lawn on Fourth of
July weekend and the guy came out and fought with him. So, he was on probation, but every time he smoked, the laws here in this state say you don't have to stop doing drugs or alcohol and probation. So, every time he did it, he
got in trouble. Our son had to go to prison for two years because he smoked pot. Two years and he blames us. So if you think that pot is just pot and everybody here who wants to make money
on it, of course they're going to say that they want to make money on it. But if I have to tell one more person what it really does, >> thank you. I'll tell you this. If you want to make money, I'll tell you two things, please. If you want to make more revenue, why don't we all tell the
school boards who start school the first week of August to start school again the first week of September? We'll have another month to make money for everyone. There's your revenue. Second thing is, which of your children and grandchildren do you want to visit in a
psych ward? Tied down saying, "Mom, please, I want to go home. What's wrong with me? Which of your families are you willing to sacrifice? >> Glenn Folk, 102 Somerset. I'm her husband. Fathers, if you're a father,
don't allow this. Please. I'm begging you. I'm begging you. I'm a charter captain for 30 years. I have my license. The DOT does not allow us to smoke. Can you imagine if pilots were allowed to? truck
drivers are allowed to. There is a reason that DOT does not allow it. I am proud to say that I am willing to lose money today on my chartering business. If I find someone coming in and willing to smoke, it's legal. It's willing to smoke my boat. I will cancel
the trip and they will not go with me. I've stood up to it. I decided it's okay to lose money, but they always come back because I was the best captain. Because I was never under the influence. Hey guys, my name is Liz Nicolleti from Ocean City. Um, >> she's behind
>> your last name. >> Liz Nicolleti, Ocean City. Um, I wish I was coming here to talk to you guys because what I would really like is a bike path from Ocean City to here. I'm bringing up the bike path because now I don't know if I want the bike now.
>> We're here to talk about the ordinance. >> Okay. But that's leading into the ordinance, which kind of ties in. So, I'm going to be really disappointed if if you guys go with this because I think the location's pretty bad. I know it's legal in our state. Um,
but let's send it to some other district. Let's send it to some other town. So, Ocean City, a lot of people moved to Ocean City because it's a family town and they love it. Because it's dry. I know that it's we call it wet or whatever you whoever said that. I
get it. Um, just because it's legal doesn't make it right. I did not vote um for this administration. And I know um the consequence is that people are going to want to uh go into business and
sell the cannabis. Um Ocean City is a family of resort. Is this just motivated by money? It sounds like it is. Uh the people who are going to own the dispensary, they're going to make money and you guys seem to you're going to make money. So you're being motivated by money sadly. Sorry to hear
that. Um, you probably should have a doctor or someone who is part of the 12step program as part of your subcommittee or someone from a rehabilitation center. I'm opposed to the cannabis um, dispensary. I want to just let you know that I'm worried about our minors, what everybody just shared
about. Um, I have children and I worked really hard to keep them um, innocent as for as long as I could. um let alone drugs and alcohol. Um I don't want it coming into Ocean City. I
our our kids are already getting it. They're already getting it. So if you put it there, I know that's your excuse for let's just put it there anyway. It's not an excuse to just just make it more convenient for them. Um people smoke in their cars, they smoke on their decks,
there's duplexes, so there could be multiple marijuana uses. Um the boardwalk, it's a great, you know, you're we're all smelling it. Um do you think that our issues are going to double? Because I think they will. Um I I feel bad for the police. They're going
to have to enforce it. You know, they're going to have to deal with this. Um it's not going to be easy for them. So I want to talk about me as a personally. I spoke I heard one person, she's in recovery. I'm in recovery as well. I'm a sober mom. I have been sober
for a long time. I haven't had a drink. I haven't had a drug in a long time. I tell my kids that. My husband has um accepted me for that. Some of my family members have pushed back on it. Oh, you don't have a problem. They would love to see me start drinking or or have a do
some whatever pot, whatever. I I tried pot back in high school and college, but wasn't my thing. I drank. I partied. But I know in high school they used to have a smoking court and people would smoke but they got rid of it. You know
why? Because it would make it healthier. Christian Hospital at Delaware, you can't smoke on their property. Why? Because all that's getting into your lungs. Soiety is a healthy lifestyle.
I have it. So, I'm speaking on behalf of being healthy. I am studying how to be healthier with what I eat, not just what I smoke. So, it's something to think about um in your schools.
You have a couple schools over here. We have three over in in Ocean City and they're getting their hands on it and it's scary. You were you are not you are not helping parents. It is very hard to
raise children in today's environment with social media. Now you're gonna you now you want to bring a pot dispensary. I know we already have the liquor stores. It's just not it's not it's not the best
way. What what is the best for upper township? What is the best for Ocean City? The best IS starts number one with doing the right thing. Don't sell your souls, guys.
>> Don't do it. And I have no problem standing up for what is right today. >> It's five minutes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. IS there anyone else involved? >> Hi, I'm Amanda Abblelet. I live on Route
50 Estall Manor. Um, I have I'm 30 years old now, but I smoked marijuana for about 15 years since I was a teenager. Um, I I recently stopped this past summer uh for the first time
and I can tell you the difference it makes on your mental health is something I never knew was even like an issue or a thing until I stopped. But I'm also a mother of two young children. And you know during the summer I could always take them to Wildwood. Like they have so
many more rides and so much more things. But I go out of my way to purposefully take them to Ocean City so that I don't have to expose them to all the things that are also available in other places that are not here in Ocean City for the family environment. All the things have
been said already today. Um, also with that said, yeah, marijuana dispensaries are everywhere. People can get, it's, you know, just because it's not going to be here doesn't mean it still isn't available. It would be more convenient, which in some ways someone
might think is a good thing, but it also could be a very bad thing because it's would be very convenient. And um, there's many people in my family of all ages, teenagers and adults who smoke marijuana. They get their hands on it. Adults, they'll get it and just give it
to kids, sell it to kids. People who are smoking it, they're driving to smoke in it. I see it all the time, everywhere, every single day. People in my family, people I don't know. It it is what it is. And uh because of all the things you've heard here today about safety and all that, how hard it can be, I just
think you really should listen and just give it all second thought. So that's all I have TO SAY. ANYONE ELSE LIKE comment boy. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Spencer Bells from Ormora. Um I've been
working in uh the regulated cannabis industry for eight years. I'm a board member of the New Jersey Cannab Business Association and I currently operate a licensed facility that does deliver cannabis legally to upper township and Ocean City. Um, I just want to uh give
my appreciation and express, you know, my gratitude for you guys for doing your due diligence, for not taking this decision lightly, for hearing everybody out, but making a strategic decision that will ultimately benefit our entire community and those outside of it. Uh, so thank you guys so much for doing
this. Thank you for giving everybody the opportunity to voice their concerns and their support and uh we look forward to this moving forward and uh licensed operations coming into Upper Township. Thank you guys. >> Is there anyone else like >> Excuse me.
>> Yes. So, we have two more on canvas. 13 and 14. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um, well, I'd like to be on the record. On Friday, >> Natalie, on Friday, I met with um Joanne
and Rosemary. Um, and I made a request and neither one got back to me. And there was a state of emergency on Sunday and this hearing was advertised for Monday.
Monday came and went. I mean to me this is not just a meeting. It's a hearing and my electric and Wi-Fi has been well the electric came back on but it was out for days and the Wi-Fi is still out and I believe sunset there's still areas in the township that the electric and the
Wi-Fi is out. So I'm not that there aren't other people that really wanted to be here. And I for one um went out and about today and the road was closed down there. There were lines down. The road was closed here at Perry Road also
and I, you know, just came around the corner to see if the meeting was happening tonight. I had no idea if if the meeting was even going to be here. So, I'm questioning the advertising for the hearing. And my point is that I believe there
would have been a lot more people here besides what's here regarding this general welfare of the community. >> I just want to make the committee aware the notice and the rescheduled notice all complied with the from public meetings act requirements. Everything
was legal. what our legal council said, we have complied with all the open public meeting laws. All the notice requirements were met. So, anyone else in public like comaring? No more public comment. We're going to
close the public portion. on orders number one of 2026. >> Would any of my colleagues have to have any comments? It's all been said. >> So, if there's no comments, you'll need a motion and a second.
>> I'll make the move for >> second. >> And this is a motion to adopt. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zach Palumbo?
>> Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> I'm going to make a comment. Um >> the ordinance. >> The ordinance. The hearing is the public hearing has been concluded. Nobody else st stood up to Miss Ne. Your time to speak is done.
>> Correct ma'am. But you don't vote on them as a package. They're individually voted upon >> as it relates to those particular ordinances and the content of them. That is correct. >> You're out of order, Natalie. So, please, we're voting on ordinance number
12. I do want to comment. I'm grown was grown in raised in Upper Township. Cannabis was in upper township and and I went to high school in Ocean City and it was in Ocean City when I went to high school. This is not Yes, it was.
>> Don't Don't Mayor, I'm just going to advise you not to do a back and forth. >> Yeah, I'm not going to go back and forth. My children were raised in Upper Township. Cannabis was in Upper Township when my children were raised and it was in Ocean City High School and it was in Cait County, Kentucky town.
Uh it was never legal when I grew up and when they grew up. So this is an opportunity for Oxford Township to grow and part of it going to be education and part of its parenting good
parenting. >> I'm going to ask we'll stop the meeting if we need to. At a certain point there's a public comment period in which any member of this body that's in the audience can speak but once that is over the committee speaks and if there's any interruption you can be removed if
necessary. >> Well I'm I want to stop my comment. Okay. I will vote yes on ordinance number one of 2026. >> Motion carried. >> Motion carried. Moving along. >> Number 13, we have the public hearing and final adoption 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, mayor, just a brief summary of uh what this particular ordinance entails and what public comment, if any, should
focus upon. Uh, so this ordinance proposes to amend chapter 4 of the township's municipal code in order to add a new license to the licenses already authorized to be issued by the township of upper, specifically a class 5 cannabis retail sales license. The ordinance requires that any license uh
shall be annually renewed by any approved lency and it codifies an annual license fee of $7,500 for each annual renewal. Uh the ordinance further provides information related to the process decided upon by the township committee for the award of a class 5 uh retail sales license and the application
fee required to be posted by an applicant and that's any applicant uh that seeks the award of the township's class 5 cannabis retail sales license. So any public comment on this proposed ordinance should focus on the licensing nature, not not cannabis generally.
>> Yes. >> So at this time we're going to open it up to ordinance number two of 2026. And like our solicitor said, it is about the licensing process. It's not about whether cannabis is allowed or not. That's that was already determined.
>> So at this time, we'll open it up to the public. Excuse me. This time please this public we need to respect other people's. This is our opportunity for our public. So yes, go ahead. Name
and address for the record please. Natalie, with regard to 13, um, >> licensing of the code of Upper Township in order to establish annual licensing
registration fees in relation to cannabis retail and delivery businesses. I would like to be clear that the cannabis of the 1960s is not the same
cannabis of 2025 and 26 and whatever here we're talking about THC 140 chemicals. I mean, I really like to be clear about this. I don't think um you know that
that we should be um doing this you know licensing for retail and delivery of something you don't even know what you're dealing with. And furthermore I requested on Friday an
accommodation. Okay. Obviously it's been denied because I didn't back about it. >> Your accommodation, we've actually allowed your accommodation tonight because we've already allowed you on the first order that you spoke twice. Nobody
else spoke twice. >> Okay. >> The timer was not set for you. >> Okay. Well, there's still another issue. John Amhouser sitting there. He's not supposed to look at me or talk to me. >> Well, I mean, he hasn't talked to you. And if I'm sorry you're in the same room he is, I can't put a wall between you.
>> Yes, we can. Okay. That's Hello, Diane Rio again. Um, this is on 13th, correct? >> Correct. >> Does this mean that you would be delivering you would allow delivering to people's homes? >> It's being delivered in upper county. Yes.
>> Okay. Well, my question is, isn't there a liability with that? Because I did go down the coastline and they said they do not deliver and they're still not sure they if they are, but h you have to be over 21. How would that delivery person
know that that person is over 21? They could have just grabbed mom's ID out of their pocketbook, which I've done myself. Excuse me. We've all done these things, right? So, we know we're not born yesterday. This is dangerous. If you
consider this, do not have delivery. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the com public like comment on ordinance number 13 26? >> Yes. Good evening once again uh gentlemen. Uh my name is Lou Barbo 38
Francis in Petersburg. Uh, I was wondering if uh there will be security guards at this facility um when their the parents go in to buy the the pot if uh any kind of melee
breaks out or if they're to to watch the children who aren't allowed to be in the uh in the dispensary. Uh I think that's a valid question. >> I I I will answer that.
There is going to be the subcommittee is going to obviously meet. There is business models out there that do provide security. They ID people at the door and you know it's >> Yes, you will be secure. >> All right. >> As far as responsible parenting leaving
their kids in the parking lot, I can't be responsible. So, >> all right. Let me let me clarify. The reason I asked that question is because I was observing earlier that children
under the age of 21 are not allowed inside. >> Exactly. So, who you know, if if say irresponsible parents leave their kids in their car unattended
and they run out in the middle of uh Roosevelt Boulevard, get hit by a car. I mean, >> that's the hypothetical. What? >> I know it's a hypothetical question, but it could happen. >> And we and we could all get a million dollar scratch off tomorrow. I mean,
>> yeah. Well, you know, that that could happen, too. But I'm that's why I'm asking, you know, is there somebody to monitor what's going on inside and outside? Fights could break out, that kind of thing. >> All right. Thank you. Look, >> is there anyone else who'd like to
comment on ordinance number 13 of 2026? Hearing no more public comment, we'll close the public portion of ordinance number two of 2026. >> Like to make a motion to approve >> number two. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio, >> yes.
>> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Number 14, we have the public hearing and final adoption of ordinance number 3, 2026, an ordinance amending chapters 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. >> Excuse me. Can we keep the public comments down? If you want to talk, you're more than welcome to use the lobby people. >> Um, mayor, just a summary of this proposed ordinance. Um, so this is the
third and final of the three cannabis ordinances we had on tonight. This particular ordinance proposes to amend chapter 27 of the township code uh which is the taxation chapter in order to create a new 2% transfer tax tax that will be applicable to the sale of cannabis and cannabis related products
from a class 5 cannabis retail sales location to any consumer who purchases such products within the township of Upper. Uh the ordinance also sets forth the required method of payment on a monthly basis for any tax that is imposed pursuant to this ordinance while also identifying the specific funds into
which all collected transfer tax revenue created through the ordinance shall be deposited. As you know namely that is one-third to the upper township fund for beach replenishment, oneird to the upper township general fund and one-third to the upper township recreation recreation trust fund from donations.
That's a summary of what we're considering under this ordinance and what any public comment should relate to. >> Okay. At this time, any my colleagues up here? >> This time we're going to open it up to the public. Anybody would like to comment on ordinance number three of 2026.
>> Anna Neno 6A hustling. So, um obviously this is the crux of the issue, right? So obviously everybody would be in support of the uh the revenue coming in but I just find I I will say that I think it's
very disrespectful that as you know just as a resident of this town I haven't heard about this until this final meeting and we have there's so many people here that have shared so
many things that have that are pertinent to this decision and It's it it hasn't even been taken into consideration. I I think that is not the look you want. Uh Natalie, um I I don't see those um
departments where those funds are going, but I'm just curious. >> No, it wasn't written on >> decided where that money was going and why >> the township committee decided where that money went >> behind closed doors. Mayor, I just want to it's it's written into the ordinance
as as introduced and as proposed. >> It was it was written in the ordinance. It was proposed. There's reporters here. They reported on it approximately uh 45 days ago.
>> And this is the second reading. This this we had this in a workshop discussion. >> It started in a workshop. We're going to you know we're getting accused of had not there. So I want to clarify it started in a workshop. It was put into
ordinance, a draft ordinance. We individually looked at it, had our input, sent it back individually back and forth. Then it was talked about in a discussion during the introduction and there was people here in the audience that were in
at the introduction. We gave a lot of latitude there. We listened to a lot of people at that meeting which wasn't a public hearing. It was an introduction. But we deviated from the norm. So there was a lot of discussion >> but there was nothing done behind
closing doors. It was done in public. >> We we have one at a time. We have to >> right now. I I'll actually give you some latitude. Let you come back and ask questions. >> Well, I'm a little bit confused. I know
um there was a question earlier about the master plan and I said it was my understanding about the master plan that the zoning didn't include the cannabis. So now what are you talking about? I mean to me it sounds like loopholes or
something like something like maybe where the committee like the committee had to >> I'm going to cover these when this is I'll cover >> my thought I'm trying to keep my train of thought here. You know, it's like the committee like threw it to the planning board, although you got rid of the zoning board and then the planning
board, you know, went through some kind of motion, whatever, and they uh threw it back to the committee. And that's where you didn't have a first hearing, you had a some kind of a whatever. >> You threw it back what? >> It was a consistency review by the
planning board. >> Yeah. Instead of a master plan, it's like just kind of a review. >> Mayor, I'll address the nation's finished. Yeah. So anyway, and then it got sent back to the committee. It went to the committee, then it went to the planning board because that's the code
under the administrative law. Okay. And then it goes back to the committee for planning and then the committee threw it back to planning who just in my mind rubber stamped it because I don't know what happened there. I didn't get the mix to it and then it came here tonight for now
it's a final adoption. So, I think that, you know, if people aren't really familiar with the uh administrative law code and the master planning, they don't really understand how this process happened. And again, like I'd say, I think it's unfortunate whether it was
legal or not legal to call a meeting on Monday night when there was a state of emergency. People didn't have electric, they didn't have heat, they didn't have running water, they still don't have Wi-Fi. And now all of a sudden, we're standing here tonight when the road's been blocked off all day.
I I don't think it's uh I don't think it's appropriate. It's like not a good look. I think I heard somebody say, >> but there was a process. >> I just want to clarify for the committee as to the process. >> Yes. >> This ordinance was introduced on January
12th at at the time of a public meeting of this body. You considered an introduction. You had public comment even though you weren't required to on this and it was introduced that night. Thereafter, as you're required under stat under the municipal land use launder statute, because you sought to amend part of your land development
ordinance, you had to refer that ordinance to the planning board for a master plan consistency determination. You did that and a memorandum was issued to you to this body from the planning and zoning board on February 6th indicating that by unanimous vote
ordinance number 0012026 uh with all members voting in favor they held that it was uh consistent with the township's master plan namely introduction of a new commercial business in a commercial zoning district. That's what they determined based on the review of the master plan
is presently adopted. Now once that was done and the planner also authored a memorandum on February 2nd to the board for your consideration for the planning board's consideration at the time. Once that was done within the 35day period they have to act it then comes back to you for a second reading public hearing
and potential adoption. That's what's occurring tonight. So everything that you've done has complied with all notice requirements, the open public meetings act and state law and everything that you've done this evening is in accordance with what you're required to do before adoption of an ordinance. >> Yes. And that has nothing to do
with ordinance number three. But >> it does. It only it only relates as to ordinance number one. That's correct. >> Um so we are on ordinance number three and that is the taxation. So >> I know that I'm not permitted to speak to Miss Nice, but she's directing
questions to me which makes it fairly difficult at times to do that. But I'll tell you committee that that she's not she doesn't have the mic right now. So you feel free to stop her from speaking if you choose to. >> I you are here to talk now and I understand that. But when you ask a legal question and you have
accommodation where our lawyer is not supposed to look at you and talk to you, I can't bring in special counsel every meeting trying to anticipate a question from you. So you're >> How many years? >> Quite a few. Yes. I
>> She needs to come to the microphone. >> Well, Natalie, we're done because I'm not going to engage. We had somebody else waiting to speak. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, again, just this is interesting for for me hearing conversation again. My name is Carol Sab from West May. Um, so
this ordinance number two of 26 um >> number three. >> Okay. Um, about the taxation and the transfer tax. It's times like this sometimes you want your CFO here to kind of explain those those things. But um establishing
that, you know, I'm I'm feeling too at this public meeting when you know John just explained the nature of introducing an ordinance, second reading a public hearing um affirming uh by your planning and zoning board. Um, this kind of issue
results in your residents and constituents becoming more involved and that's a good thing. Um, I don't know how many committee meetings that you've sat through where there have been nobody in the audience or one or two people, but this is the kind of issue that gets people out and that's not necessarily a
bad thing. But I have always said to people, pay attention to what's on the agenda. Ask to be on the agenda distribution list if you have such a thing. Um, but I I see you're being very, you know, comprehensive about going through the steps and um, you
know, the licensing, establishing your licensing and registration fees and even in terms of your revenue because that's the next process that people are going to have a lot to say about. Um, you know, that revenue will come in. It's a wonderful thing. It gets direct
deposited right into your checking account. You know, we when we first started this process in Westgate, May, we were like, well, how does this happen? Do they send us a check? How, you know, it just came every month and you know, there's the point of sale. Um,
you know, it was very particular on on the information that we got and it was automated. It was all automated. So, it really um was not a heavy lift from our finance department. Um but then of course when you start your budgetary process shortly people are going to have
input your residents are going to have input on how the money gets spent and you know you have some clear ideas. Um and that the revenue is going to change from year to year. So um >> that's why we chose to divide our money where we
>> Yeah. So you have an idea of of of where it would go and how you can best help the people that live here. So good thinking. Is there anyone else who would like to comment on ordinance number three of 2026? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Diane Leo. Okay. Well, first of all, I I
just want to address the fact that I don't know how anybody found out how to come here. I got an email because I requested to be on the email list and then I informed a lot of people here to come. Okay. I don't know why the last blizzard we had, you just had the next
meeting on a Monday. Why you would have it on a Wednesday in the middle of the week when they normally are on Mondays. I'm sure a lot of people are expecting to to be here this coming Monday for this issue. >> And I don't think it's fair. I really
don't. These are your citizens here. You're not treating us fairly. >> The meeting was scheduled for Monday. >> Yes. >> Well, you could have had it Monday. Would that >> There was a blizzard. Would that have been fair? >> Yeah, you should have had it next Monday like you have you have your meetings on Monday and I think most people would
know that. Now I I never came to these meetings before. You know, you see me just the past month and only because in the Sentinel they reported you were going to have this meeting and I said, "Oh no, this can't happen." And so then I came. I've never come to this meeting
before except for a personal matter. Okay. I don't want to be here. I have Bible study on Monday nights and tonight I was supposed to be at my church making soup. This is ridiculous that you don't have your meeting on a Monday like you say you're going to have it. It's not
right. I think you should postpone this vote till next Monday so we can have the citizens out here that are supposed to be here. AMEN. MAYOR, I I WANT to beat a dead horse for sound insensitive, but everything you've done is in compliance with the Open
Public Meetings Act. And the governing body knows that there's also another there's another ordinance on the agenda this evening that is timesensitive as it relates to court deadlines that you needed to get done. >> Yes. >> Which is why we needed to do it tonight. But your 48 hour notice requirement was abided by. You did everything legally. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Hi, Mayor Corson. My name is Amy Sarah from Four Wind Drive, Woodbine, New Jersey. Um there's been talk about moving it from Monday to Wednesday. Just for clarification, it does sound like you did your due diligence and um putting the ordinances together and we
thank you for that. But is it my understanding this only started in January of 2026, the ordinance? So, we're standing here February 25th and you had a meeting on January 15th
and this So, is this the only timeline that you have all been discussing cannabis in our um township? One month? >> Not yet. >> Prior to that, >> we discussed that workshop we had
discussion workshop and prior to that we had unofficial subcommittee. What date was the workshop? >> I don't know when the workshop was agenda in front of me. >> Was it a year ago? >> The answer to your question for for official purposes though is that yes,
your first meet your meeting on January 12th was the first time an open public session right prior to you conducted a workshop prior to that but open session at a published an advertised meeting you considered cannabis. >> So this important decision was made just just for clarification
within 45 days. It was discussed prior to that in a workshop discussion. >> In a workshop discussion >> I can't tell you the date, the time, minute, >> but we do have we can research that if you really need to know. >> Okay. And it all due respect to
>> West Cape May just this is an ordinance you know West Cape May the Villas um they're a dispensary and uh Middle Township you know Upper Township is a little bit of a little bit of a different community family community and going right into Ocean City and the deed
is done you voted on it but you know just remember Mayor Corson and this goes down on your watch and um >> I'm aware of that >> it's part of your legacy And what I'm hearing tonight is everybody's doing it, so why not? So
hopefully our kids don't think the same way. >> Can you repeat your name again? >> Yeah. Can you give your name again? I'm sorry. >> Amy Sarah. >> Thank you. >> I Yes. You >> I just I just want to really quick >> your name for record. Anna Nureno,
the article that I did find because I was told it you were writing about it all the time. It says UT residents can weigh in at February 23rd cannabis hearing which actually made us think our voice
mattered. >> It does matter. >> Thank you. >> It doesn't seem like it. Is there anybody else? >> Uh yes, gentlemen. Once again, my name is Lou Barbo. Uh this is a very heated
subject. There are people here for and against with passion. My question is did the committee, Mr. Mayor, did you ever think of putting this as a public question on the ballot
rather RATHER than five people deciding the fate of the whole township? Why not let the whole township VOTE ON IT? ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY WE'RE HAVING a public hearing on ordinance number three of 2024
cannabis tax, the transfer tax. Is any more comments on the transfer tax portion of the this ordinance? Hearing no more comments, we will close the public portion of ordinance number three of 2026. >> I'll make a motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Casaceio, >> yes. >> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Number 15, we have the public hearing and final adoption of
ordinance number 4, 2026. Bond ordinance providing for various >> We need to keep the noise down in the crowd, please. I c I can't even hear our clerk, so let's try to keep the noise down. 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 5,140,000 43,000 $143,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 4,889 $898,94
bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. At this time, we'll open it up to the public. Is there anybody that would like to comment on ordinance number four of 2026? And this is the bond ordinance.
Bond ordinance only. Seeing hearing no public, we're going to close the public portion of the bond ordinance number four of 2026. I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Casachio, yes. >> Mr. Nappen, yes.
>> Mr. Sam Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Number 16, we have the introduction and first reading of ordinance 5, 2026. An ordinance of the township of upper county of Kate May state of New Jersey amending revising and supplementing chapter 20 entitled zoning of the
municipal code by repealing sections 20-14 through sections 20-14.5 and replacing with new sections 20-14 through section 20-14.21 and repeilling section 20-15 through
20-15.10 and replacing with section 20-15 through 20-15.10 10 and amending in part section 20-4.19 affordable accessory apartments. >> That was a long >> ridiculous title.
>> Mayor and governor, this is the uh ordinance that's just being introduced. I know public hearing on this, but this is going to be required to go to the planning board for consistency review and this relates to township's requirement uh under round four of the Mount Laurel adoption or affordable housing requirements. every municipality
in the state of New Jersey is adopting a similar ordinance to that which is in this lengthy packet. Um, and that's really to abide by the fair share housing centers requirements for these amended ordinances. So, what we're introducing will abide by that, but it still has to go through the process
going to planning for consistency review and coming back to you for a second reading. >> Yes. >> So, tonight's the introduction. >> Should be on March 9th. >> And the the introduction is tonight. The final reading will be March 9th. >> Correct. And that's all we need to just
a further you have to adopt this prior to March 15th and it's got to be filed with the court as of that date which is why this was pressing to get on the agenda >> sensitive material. Yes. To comply with state law. So this is uh we entertain a motion to introduce. >> I make a motion to introduce number five.
>> Second. Please call the role. >> Mr. Cassaceio. Yes. Mr. Nappen. Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo. Yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo. Yes. >> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carry. Number 17. Introduction and first reading of ordinance number 6, 2026. An ordinance amending revised general ordinance chapter 13, street
sidewalks and sanitation of the code of Upper Township to establish a mailbox damage and restoration policy. >> This is pretty simple. This is going to standardize our policy instead of being ambiguous. We will have a standard policy for mailbox instructor and snow.
>> Also a public hearing on March 9th. Um, we have a public hearing on March 9th. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> I'll second number 6, 2026. >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes. >> Mr. Nappen, yes. Mr. Sam Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes.
>> Mayor Corson. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Under new business, we have the Tahoe Volunteer Fire Company request to hold raffles RA 615 on July 2nd, 2026. >> Motion to approve. >> All your horses. Usually when it's the date at the end of the read,
>> RA 616 on September 17th, 2026 and RA 617 November 19th, 2026 at 2170 Route 50 in Tahoe. >> Motion to approve. >> Second, >> Mr. Cassaceio, yes. >> Mr. Nappen, yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> May Coren,
>> yes. >> Motion carried. Number 19, Cape Regional Auxiliary request to hold bingo BA 618 and raffle RA 619 at the Upper Township Community Center on April 19th, 2026. Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Mr. Cachio, >> yes.
>> Mr. Nappen, >> yes. >> Mr. San Palumbo, yes. >> Mr. Zacho, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> What's your pleasure on the bills, Mr. 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. >> Seconded. Let's go to roll. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. on two bills. Item number 26-00245 and item number 26-00246. I'm a yes on the rest of the bills. >> Mr. Nappen, >> yes.
>> Mr. San Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mr. Zack Palumbo, >> yes. >> Mayor Corson, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Before we open it up to the public again, we're going to uh I had something on our desk here we missed. There's a public information center for the safe
route to school. That's grant money. we've applied for and we've won for the one more business point section. There's a public meeting. It starts at 6 pm township building right here at uh March
2nd. So, there'll be an engineer here to discuss it and post it'll be posted on our website, Facebook, and our bulletin boards if anybody's interested in reviewing that. This time, we'll open it up to the public. Is there anyone in the public like to address the township committee
on any subject. >> Hello, my name is Diane Leo. At least one of you is a member of my church and I am really sorry that you're going down this path. >> I expect I say St. Maxim.
>> All right. And there's a couple things. I mean, I really miss Rich Palumbo. He was the one who said that we would not have cut in this town for the health, safety, and welfare of
our citizens. >> Well, that was Well, I'm not going to argue with >> Oh, come on. It's still >> And I mean, you said, you know, you have a moral compass. >> Where did it go? >> Where did it go, people? >> I am I am so disappointed in all of you.
And I'm going to tell you, I vote. And I probably voted for some of you, though I don't know why. And believe me, you won't be here next time if I have anything to do about it. I am so disappointed in you. That's what I say.
Alice March, Vincent Avenue, Strat, uh, Stratmir. Um, I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that maybe I'm glad that everyone's here tonight, but maybe um it would be a good idea to come to more upper township committee meetings
because I have been to them all lately and um I was aware of the whole discussion. There was a lot of discussion in January 12th, was it? And the public is invited to workshop meetings, are they not? >> Yes.
>> Yes. So the agenda is also printed is also put on the website the Friday before every meeting. So I make it a habit to come to the meetings and not everybody has that kind of time. But you might want to check the agendas
because important stuff is happening. This is not the only important thing that is happening. It's a hot button, but it's not the only important thing that's going on. So, I think this could be I'm a former teacher 40 years and um I think this is a teachable moment that
maybe we should all be a little more involved on a regular basis. And also, this is also the public comment for other things. And once again, as the public works PR, I would like to thank public works uh for salting and cleaning the roads in such a
timely manner. And I was also pleased to see Mayor Corson and the council member Zach Palumbo making their rounds for the township, assessing the damage and just making sure that everybody was okay. That means a lot in a time when workers
often approach their jobs with drudgery. Not so with public works. I mean, I waved to them and they smiled and waved back when they were plowing my road. And also elected officials often go for the glory. But these guys are working hard.
They are public servants. People that work in Upper Township are public servants. And whatever way you feel about this particular issue. You must respect these men and their support
women. You've got to respect them. They're working hard. They have lots of emails. They have lots of complaints. Let's all get more involved. Let's support these guys. Let's make it happen.
Carrie Folk again. I had a quick question about the tax. Um, are part of those taxes going to increased uh hospital costs uh for ER psych visits? Are you going to be utilizing uh 988 and arrive together in Upper Township with
the police department? Do you know what that is? Does anybody know what 988 is? >> You should know that before you uh >> Do you know what 988 is? >> I do. I have a sign in my classroom. >> Okay. So, do does that I would think
that the five of you would know what it was before you approved this. >> So, 988 is the mental health hotline number. >> Do any of you know what Arrive Together is? >> Mayor and committee, I'm just going to You can answer if you'd like to, but it's the public comment session, not the
public Q&A session. >> Sorry. Um, arrive together is the program uh that's in I think it's in 21 counties now in New Jersey uh that a plain closed police officer will arrive with a uh mental health professional to
do a well check. That was not available to my son. Um but that is what they use in New Jersey now in many counties. Does the tax cover that? So, does the c is the count upper township responsible for Well, upper township doesn't have
police, so I don't know how quickly young people in this township will get help for that when they're having trouble. Um, is there going to be money in the taxes that goes towards um the increase in
those costs? Is that part of the tax? And just a little, I know it's been voted here, but just a little quote from Abraham Lincoln. Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment,
nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed. >> Hi, my name is Kristen Myers. Um, again, You know, I know you guys already had your votes in for this, and whatever we had to say, it didn't matter, but I at
least thought you would have a little bit of compassion from hearing it from somebody who has dealt with it on the addiction a aspect of it. You know, when I hear that, oh, we can substitute marijuana to come off of opiates. Yeah,
let's substitute another drug off of another drug. That makes complete sense because I knew that wouldn't happen for me because I know I'm going to go right to the next thing. That's not going to be good enough and then I'm going to go to something higher. And you're right,
you probably are seeing an increase in hospitals because there's a lot of people in there who started with marijuana and go to higher things. I don't know if you've experienced any addiction in your family. My family was basically picking out my plot. Okay. I
was homeless. I had no job. I had nothing. Now I'm sitting here two years sober because I work so hard. I come in this community and I don't have to face looking at a dispensary. I can be at peace over here. Whereas
when I go into Mount Laurel, Atlantic City, anything like that where I grew up, I have to see it on every street. Do you know how triggering that is for for people like me? You don't know because you are not in addiction.
And please don't ever speak about anybody in addiction if you haven't gone through what we go through on a daily basis. SO LOOK AT YOURSELF AND THINK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE YOU MAKE IT for the community. There's people dying out
here. This is a pandmic. INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT YOUR GRIEF, look at the LIVES AROUND YOU. THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU GUYS, your father >> Glenn Folk. Name for Greg Folk. Greg >> Glenn Folk from Ocean City, New Jersey,
34th Street, right across the bridge where this is going to be. Um, as a father, each one of you are going to have children or already do. You probably have grandchildren. >> How are you going to explain to them that you passed this law? Or they say,
"Dad, I want to smoke weed." Or she said, "I want to smoke weed." Are you going to say, "It's okay. Go ahead and smoke." And you allow this to pass your sons. It's so hypocritical. If you say no to your children, you can't smoke
because you passed the law. I'm sorry if I'm so emotional. I lost my son just about. I haven't spoke to him. There's things you're going to look out for with all your children. Loss of weight, loss of appetite, not sleeping. The manic comes first. Spending money,
taking risk, way beyond what he should be doing or she should be doing. Tonight wasn't a waste of time because hopefully we educated you the signs of what's going to happen or could happen to one of your family members. So take it seriously for the first signs because it
will happen. I promise you that if they start before the age of 25, their brains aren't developed. So please look out for it. That's it. Thank you for your time. I I kind of feel like it wasn't a waste of time, but then I do because your
minds WERE MADE UP. SO, ANYONE ELSE FROM THE public like to address the township committee? >> Yeah, it's Natalie again. I um there were uh the money the revenue um I think uh I'm remembering $690,000
the state took away in funding last year for this year. >> Do I have that right? >> $650,000. 650,000. >> Yes. >> So maybe that's why we're looking for revenue. >> We were looking for revenue even last year >> for pickle ball and you know nothing to
do with my tax $650,000 in state aid as we had in the past. >> Okay. Well, you know, for those that weren't paying attention, we lost 690,000 50,000 to the state funding. Um, there's an article here that was in the
um, Sentinel, turning trash into treasure upper to lease landfill site. Craig uh, wrote this article. I don't have a copy for you, but I'd like to make sure a copy gets put on the record tonight. Um, it's regarding uh, you
know, money that you can make, I guess, from from the landfill. Um, >> yes, we've entered into an agreement to lease our landfill. >> Okay. So, I think um I'd like >> you've got a letter of intent signed as of now working on the lease, but you're correct.
>> Working on the lease. >> Okay. But I don't have an extra copy. I would just like to make sure a copy of this gets put on the record tonight. So, it's in the Sunshine record. >> Sure. It >> It's a public document. It's references.
>> That article was written about our meeting that we had. approving that. >> Diane Leo, I gave this to uh Natalie and I mentioned it in the beginning of when I talked to you. When you're turning trash into treasure, you do have an ability to know how to make money.
That's so exciting. >> You're talking about millions. >> This is your second time at public comment. You had about two minutes left. I'll give you that. >> All right. What you have you right here it says and that's that's you Mr. Ammanhouser said the firm is seeking a
20-year lease at a rate of $12,000 a month. >> That's correct. Yeah. >> Okay. That's wonderful. Right. Okay. Based on using 12 acres of the property amounting to $144,000 per year. That's about what you would
make with cannabis sales. So, why can't you be just as creative as you are here and keep on going? This is not the right avenue, guys. It really isn't. Okay. You're wonderful. You know how to raise money. That's the point. Okay. Do it.
Keep doing it. >> We are. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> One more quick one more quick comment. Amy Sarah here. Um, so you say you've been trying to figure out more ways for revenue and we definitely appreciate that and your creativity. My question to
you is didn't uh Stephen Spielberg film here >> on in our township. >> Yes. >> Did you ever publish how much was paid to the township for that filming? Because they stayed in Amanda's Field for >> months and uh I would think that would be great and Netflix is coming to New
Jersey and they're going to be doing more filming. >> They did publish how much was raised and I forget off the top of my head. It was it was it was like 20 22,000. It wasn't million >> and if I'm remembering right it was a donation is what it was.
>> Okay. Maybe we had to negotiate that facility use agreement. We do have some stuff had value set on on like to lease this train station or I forget what it was, but it was it's about 20 or $22,000 >> because more of that in the township
would be wonderful because it definitely uh boosted the um you know businesses in the area. So that would be something great to look at. >> That was $22,000. Our our our budget was what $17 million. >> No, understood. But I'm saying maybe I
mean they have quite a bit of budget there. 22,000 seems like for a location shooting. I know that the um custard stand right there by five points. They got $8,000 just for the day to have filming there. >> So um curious
>> private facility that leased their property. >> We are public entities. We had our stuff and we have ordinances in place that had fee structures. So that's where we are. We weren't a private entity they could deal with. We were a municipality they
were dealing with. And we actually were very fortunate because we did have these structures. If we didn't have these structures, we couldn't have leased it. >> Okay. Interesting. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else from the public? >> Hearing no more public input. We were going to close the public
portion. Entertain a motion to go into close session. We actually don't need close session. >> We don't entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. >> Mr. Cassaceio. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nappen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sam Palumbo. Yes.
>> Mr. Zack Palumbo. >> Yes. >> May Coren. >> Yes. >> Motion.