There's a range 50 to 65. So, we're still negotiating what that is. Um, you think of my tangling. Call the meeting to order. Quit my day job. Will the clerk please read the statement of meeting notice?
notice provided to the public and the press on January 19th, 2025 and was posted at the municipal building in accordance with the open public meetings act NJSA10 col4-7. Thank you. Will the public please stand with
me and join in a pledge to our flag? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Member Busheri here. Council member Denadero present. Council member Higgins here. Council member Sparta, Council President Rudo here this evening. Uh we're pleased to have with us as we've had in the
past a young scout who is on his way to actually I guess he's already been there and been awarded it. He's uh been awarded the highest uh rank that scouting
offers. I don't know him purpose personally, but I was informed of this by uh my a co-consel person uh my colleague uh Mrs. D. Benadetto and I thought that perhaps since they're neighbors, she and
the mayor, who also was very close to this individual and is known to the family, might like to have the opportunity to uh introduce this young man and uh bring the public up uh to
speed as to what he did to earn his uh Eagle Scout badge uh and uh what his plans are. Mrs. De Benadetto, it's Well, I have I have a write up if you want me to. Yeah, go ahead. Okay.
So, want to say congratulations, Cody. I I know uh being Eagle Stout is a huge huge uh accomplishment. Uh but some of the things I just I want to talk about his accomplishments to the public
because I think he he's he has gone above what that recommendation is to to make Eagle Scout. He went way above it. I just want to go down the laundry list of of of all of his accomplishments. Cody started the Boy Scouts, the Cub
Scouts September 2013 where he continued through the ranks to earn his arrow of light. He then crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 404 in December of 2017 where the Eagle Trail begins. Here's some of the highlights of
his scouting career. 58 nights of camping, minimum is 21. 51 miles of hiking, including exploring many trails throughout Vernon. 74 hours of community service, including many miles of road
cleanups throughout Vernon, volunteering at Vernon Day. VFW flag ceremonies, Barry Lakes beach cleanups, 911 ceremonies, and so much more. Minimum service hours required is 18 hours. So, you could just see the amount of hours
he's put in. well above what he's required to do. Earned 37 merit badges. 21 is the minimum and only 4% of all scouts in America earned Eagle. Since going way above the minimum, he
qualified that for the prestigious silver palm that only 0.25% of all Eagle Scouts earn. Cody has held many leadership roles within the troop and is currently a
junior assistant scout master, which is the highest position a youth can hold within a troop. Past roles include senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader, librarian, and den chief.
He earned the the Den Chief Award by serving as an assistant in the Vernon Vernon club uh excuse me, Vernon Cub Cub Scout Pack 183 for several years prepping K5 K to five scouts to become
Boy Scouts when eligible. Because of his influence, almost all Cub Scouts came to Troop 404, which I know that was a big one. My son joined that, too. And uh that was that was the that was the the troop debate. Um so where Cody continued
teaching and influence his influence has helped troop 404 grow substantially through scouting. He has earned citizenship, leadership, problem solving, wilderness survival, and so many more great qualities. Cody is a
prime example of what an Eagle Scout is. It's not just about camping and trying and tying a few knots. That I know for sure. My son was in it. So many uh benefits that go into into that that
those roles. Uh Cody's Eagle Scout project was a one10enth scale remote control vehicle Jeep trail. It's onetenth of a mile long and consists of many obstacles we see in our own trails
in the area such as rock climbs, mud holes, logs, creek crossings, etc. The project is located near the Barry Lakes Clubhouse in the woods. The township of Vern proclamation whereas we can Cody if you can come on
up with your family. Jessica, whereas since its establishment in 1911, the Eagle Scout Award represents the highest ranking within the Boy Scouts of America. And whereas qualifying for the prestigious badge
requires considerable perseverance, hard work, and dedication, which few scouts attain. And whereas Cody Jacobs, member of Troop 404 since 2017, has filled his community eagle scout project by
creating again the 110th scale remote control jeep. Uh it's one/10enth long sorry. uh obstacles and many obstacles you see in all trails. Sorry, I'm just reading back because the proclamation was was top of
the the list of things. Um whereas through the hard work and loyalty, community service and helpfulness, Cody has realized his goal of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the township of Vernon
that sincer congratulations in hereby extended to Cody Jacobs for his com commendable achievement in receiving the prestigious Eagle Scout badge award as a member of Boy Scout Troop 404.
Congratulations Sure. Oh, and let's get your get your family around. But could we Yeah. Just hold that. Yeah. Like that. Yeah. Okay. I don't find a camera somewhere.
I was going to sneak back here, but it just hold on one second. I invited the police department. They wanted to come on up. You guys want to come on up? And they they uh I let them know they had an Eagle Scout. Something I'm gonna congratulate him.
Yeah. Good. All right. Get a picture of what everybody's here. See me here. I'll see you. Thanks guys. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you so much. Congratulations.
Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Oh, that's awesome. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Cody, congratulations. Thank you. You're welcome.
Yes. Oh, she Oh, congratulations. It's like it's for like say something to Cody quickly before you All right, Cody, before you guys go, I just want to say that we're really proud of you. And I wrote this down because I'm a terrible public speaker, but we're incredibly
proud of your achievements as an Eagle Scout, a rank earned through unwavering dedication and leadership with I which I've witnessed with my own eyes. I've seen you in action. You're quite an impressive young man. Um, your commitment to the scout oath and the law inspires us all. We congratulate you on
this well-deserved honor. Yeah. Yes. When we were on our when we were on our campaign trail, we were invited to go to the scouts and when I think I first met Cody. Oh, our mics went out. They are back on. Hello. Oh,
just have to talk loud. What do you want to do? Do I got a big mouth? I'm still out. No, no, no. Oh, there we go. I'm back on. We're back on. There we go. Yep. Okay. And we're back. Over to you.
Proclamations for autism month in Do you have anything else? Thank you. Thank you again. Thank you for coming. Oh, thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. I failed that again. This month is also a
designation as a month for designation of the so many families. Whereas autism spectrum disorders are a group of de developmental disabilities
characterized by atypical development, socialization, communication and behavior which generally appear before three years of age and continue over a lifetime. And whereas an estimated onethird of people with autism are
unable to communicate verbally. And whereas approximately twothirds of children with autism between the ages of six and 15 have been victims of bullying, excuse me. And whereas nearly
28% of 8-year-olds with autism uh and in a spectrum disorder uh have engaged in self-injurious behavior which has led to headbanging, armbiting, skin scratching.
And whereas almost half of those with autism have wandered or bolted from safety and drowning accounts for uh 90% of deaths associated with wandering or
bolted bolting by children with autism aged 14 and younger. And whereas lifetime cost for caring for a person or a child with autism estimated
to be as great as 2.4 million. And whereas through or although there is no known cure for autism, research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the cost of autism care and
improve outcomes for people with autism. And whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3.5 million Americans live with autism spectrum disorder. And one out of
every 59 children born today will be diagnosed uh with autism. And whereas New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation and the prevalence of autism in
the state continues to exceed and outpace the rate of autism in other states. And whereas since the 1970s, National Autism Awareness Month has taken place annually in April to
highlight the growing need for concern. And whereas about autism and whereas given the rapidly growing rate of autism spectrum disorders in New
Jersey and the pressing need for early detection, it is altogether fitting and proper and within the public interest to designate April of the each year as autism awareness month in New Jersey and
to encourage the citizens of New Jersey to join the observance of the month of uh of the month and raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders.
Now therefore, be it resolved by the Vernon Township mayor and council that April is recognized as National Autism Awareness Month in Vernon, New Jersey.
Signed by the mayor, Anthony Rossi, and myself, Patrick Rudo, as council president. This is a rather long proclamation. But I think it brings to
mind the uh the very very complicated and complex problem that these youngsters face and also having dealt with this in
a very personal nature I've seen what happens when the problems presented by autism are recognized early and the uh the professional treatment that is
needed is provided early within the child's uh life. Uh the outcome is very very uh wonderful. I've seen people with uh this type of a problem go on to receive
medical degrees. I've seen people who are unable to con communicate in a recognizable fashion graduate college, have a steady job. So, it isn't because of the nature of the job. It's because
of the continual recognition of what these challenges bring and the necessity for professional intervention as soon as possible. So know of anybody that has
this, please encourage them to recognize what this is is. it's a condition that can be treated and that you you shouldn't wait any longer than necessary. Thank
you. Also, this month is designated a uh national volunteer month and the mayor spends a great deal of time working with volunteer groups. So I will ask him
to please uh read this uh proclamation and uh mayor would you please do the honor. Thank you council president. Designation of April as national volunteer month.
Whereas volunteers are an integral part of communities throughout this country and Vernon Township is well known for its spectacular volunteer spirit. A large measure of Vernon's strength, beauty, and unique character is
derived from the outstanding contributions made by thousands of residents who volunteer in every facet of everyday life and play a vital role in many organizations and groups. And whereas residents who volunteer their
time provided provide assistance which cannot be measured in terms of dollars. I said the amount of volunteering and the hours that goes in is is something uh incredible. It's it's a lot. Volunteers provide a spirit of
helping that multiplies in value when each resident reaches out to assist another discovering their power to make a difference. And whereas volunteers throughout the the township of Vernon donate their time to wide variety of
programs such as recreation, youth athletic leagues and through and through their services on multiple township boards, committees and commissions. And whereas volunteers provide vital
emergency services through all volunteer emergency medical service department, fire department, auxiliary and emergency management. And whereas April is a a month for volunteers with the
occurrences of National Services Recognition Day, Earth Day, and United Ways National Volunteer Month. And whereas during this month all over the nation, service pro service projects will be performed and
volunteers recognized for their commitment to service. And whereas the Vernon Township MA mayor and council extends their deepest gratitude to the fine men and women who generously donate
their time to the community. And whereas Vernon Township, New Jersey, recognizes the benefits derived from volunteers and encourages fellow citizens to volunteer in their community. By volunteering and recognizing those who serve, we can come
together and make a difference. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Vernon Township mayor and council that April is recognized as National Volunteer Month in Vernon Township, New Jersey. without the volunteers, uh it's just
hard to get many things done. So, uh special thank you to all of our volunteers, uh from the boards to the emergency service teams. Thank you. Thank you. May we have your comments
serve? No, just uh this Friday at at the the flats at the the fields, we'll be having a lighting ceremony u which I think is going to be around somewhere like 6:30 out. So, so we're going to have a
lighting ceremony. As you know, we we just invested um in upgrading all the most of the lighting down there at the ball field. Um so, there'll be a ceremony there. Um which I think is opening day for the little league, but again, which be a little kind of add to
two things at once there. Um May 3rd from 8 to 4, um which is our bulky waste day. So, it's time do some screen uh spring cleanup. um we'll be accepting uh that bulk at the Vernon rec uh across
recycling center. There'll be there'll be uh dumpsters there and and some of the gentlemen from our DPW will be there to assist if if need be. Uh this week uh we have finally we have a committee we
have um well they haven't been sworn in yet but we have enough applications now for the beautifification committee. Uh, I I think I called my daughter Marissa um but two meetings ago, but I'm going to put them into the record now. That's
Marissa Rossi, Heidi, Heather Flood, Car Karen Gonan, and our part-time activities um department, Meg Guan. So, she will be um joining the
beautifification committee. Um, but we'll get some information out there and uh we'll be able to talk about uh some of the projects that that we have kicking off. So, I'm looking forward to that. And finally, one last thing. Um,
and and I want to I I can't talk too much about it, but I will just touch the surface a little bit. We have um a let me find my paperwork here. Sorry. We have a with legends. I know uh
people have been waiting for an update for quite some time and and we've been working with the the new owners of Legends uh with our attorney council president has been uh engaged the entire time. Um we put together a it's still a
work in progress because it hasn't been approved yet. It's a conditional redevelopment agreement between Vernon Township and Legends. Um, without going into great details of this agreement,
um, I think by next council meeting, I I I will be submitting that agreement for the council to review and hopefully approve. Uh, with that said, again, just touching the surface here. One of the requirements, there's a kind of like a larger list of requirements that we we
expect from um from the owners um which is their redevelopment plan and but one of them is money, right? So, we put together uh something that can work until they close on their
construction loan, which is uh $100,000 a month, $45,000 into an escrow account. The escrow account is going to pay for our services such as, you know, the legal services or engineers anytime they requested or needed that those services
um will th those that money will be paid out of that account. Um, and today I have actually received two checks, one for $100,000 and one for $45,000. And so this is the first time we've actually received and that
$100,000 will go towards uh some of the municipal tax leans. We we'll have to work with figuring out which ones those are going to be u or which ones they want and then we'll we'll we'll approve whether that's acceptable or not. But
but anyhow, it's the first money that we've received in a long time for Legends. I understand it's not the millions of dollars, but we're working with them as they are trying to get their construction loans. Uh again,
we're working very closely. We did get some good feedback on uh what that progress is, but again we'll we'll present that to hopefully uh the next council meeting we'll have that agreement um front of the council meant to review and approve and and go from
there. That is all my comments. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Public comment. May I have a motion to open the floor? I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Bucheri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins.
All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. The floor is open to the public for a period of three minutes on agenda items only. Yes. Up to the closer one. Yeah. Yeah. This
one right here. Oh, can I can while you're up, can you just give me these, too? Can you bring these up and let them share because I want them to see what I'm talking about. Okay. Just please, if you could just state your name. Um, my
name is Florence Kensk and I live in Highland Lakes. So, I received this violation notice from Mindy. Um, and it starts off with a lie and it was very upsetting to me because
it says, "You are hereby notified that a code official inspected the above referenced premises." So, I went down to Mindy and I asked her, "Who was the code official and when did that person come to inspect the
property?" And she just looked at me. She didn't answer. So, I asked her again and I said, "I really have the right to know." And she said, "Well, I'm not allowed to work nights, so nobody came. Your violation is based on a photo from
your neighbor." So, the photo was taken over a year ago before the house was painted, before all the lighting was redone, and we showed Mindy the pictures of the new lighting, which Allison
Loraca helped us with the specs to make sure everything was compliant. Mindy refused to put them in the envelope that went to the prosecutor. When we went to court, we explained this to the prosecutor and he
said, "What is a lumen? I don't know what a lumen is or what it means. The house is well under the lumens allowed." So he said, "I'd like you to leave the room while I call Mindy." Mindy should have been there
because she filled out the violation. However, he called Mindy and Mindy couldn't explain it to him. So, he got off the phone and he said, "I have no answers for you on the lumens, but Mindy said she'll accept $100 fines."
So, there was no violation and I don't see how can be charged. Excellent. It's in all of our names. The the letter, the violation letter came to my house to me and my husband. And I don't know what to
do. Like, why wasn't Mindy, if she filled out the violation, why didn't she have to be there to explain it? why didn't she put our photos in with the neighbor's photo which was a year
old. So a week later um officer Sansmark went to the house unannounced at night. He was very nice. He went all over property. It's on um
20 seconds. You have 20 seconds. Thank you. Yeah. and he said, "I can't find anything wrong. The lights don't go near his house. I'm going to go talk to him." So Mindy didn't accept that and she sent another officer who went
against Officer Sansmark, which is wrong. And he with his body cam shown it right on her lighting, which is under the deck. It's not even on their house. Oh, sorry. your name involved in the house. Yes.
Yes. We're roll on the deed. You want to take over or do you want to You get a fresh three minutes. You got a fresh start. Well, just for the record of your name, man. My name is Michelle Clark and I'm the one who lives at 405 Marshplace
South. Um, everything that mom said happened. Uh we were told that we could rectify the situation um by March 6th. March 5th, we had
another another officer come and use his body cam. We turn the light on for our dog. We shut it off. We're in bed at 8:30. We get up at 3:30 in the morning. There's um the violation is 510 of a loom
uh per square foot of your of your property. My property is 18,000 square ft. Therefore, I'm allowed 9,000 looms. My light is 1,600 looms. And um as far as I know, Vernon
Township doesn't have a loom checker. And are you involved in any type of litigation with this? I am. And for us to comment, are you is the township involved in that litigation? I
I guess this is a municipal court matter. Correct. It is. Have you you you've gone you've you went to municipal court once? Correct. Correct. You didn't pay fine, did you? I did not. So then then it would be inappropriate for the governing body to talk about it because you're you're going to have a
trial. I I would assume and that at that point in time you'd present all the proofs that you you know state you have here to the court and then a judge will make that determination of guilt or or not guilty. Correct. But we can't we can't do that. Nor nor can we can this
board not me but the the governing body the mayor and the council is a separate it's the legislative body and the administrative body. That's the judicial uh part. So everything you say may be true and at the end of the day it may be dismissed but this board can't decide
that it be improper. But aren't aren't isn't there going to be a new ordinance? Yeah. 255. That's a different subject. Yes. But that still looms correct on lighting nuisance. That's correct. Okay. So this is the same thing. That's why we're
here. That you what you you you were issued for a nuisance I believe. Yes. which is 2412 for your lighting same as lighting as 255 and the new ordinance um makes it here. Okay, but that's so the
ordinance is for today. It's a different it's it's a different procedure. You'll have a chance to talk about that ordinance. If you think that ordinance shouldn't be passed or you have a problem, there will be another public session where you can come and and say why you think it's good or why you think it's bad. I don't know what's what your
thought is on that, but this is not this the time to do that yet because we haven't introduced it. Okay. Well, okay. Okay. Thank you. Thanks. This way. Any other com questions or comments? for agenda item. Agenda item. Okay.
Uh my name is Karina. I just want to point out about uh you guys spoke about autism. I'm sorry. You guys spoke about autism. That is the Yes. the month of autism. Uh autism. Uh it's um it's a
disorder. Yes. It's not easy to have a child with that. It's not easy. Yes. To deal with this and it's it's not an issue. It's a social repetitive and uh a
sensory situation that the child has difficulty to adjust. The child can be a bright child full of intelligence, be smart as or more than a regular child with the IQ above of any other child.
No. And it's not easy. It's not easy but it's a bright child and I will keep coming because I know how it is. is not only autism, it's uh other disorders that comes with the
child and makes very difficult for the parents, you know, to develop a good ways for them to learn and adjust to this world. And they need activities. They need to be outside. They need to have
interaction. And the pranks need help. And I am in that position. and I'm coming here from us asking for help. I don't know what kind of help we can afford but it sound How old is the child? Um I have two of them. How old?
Uh 15 and nine. 15 and nine. Yes. Those ages are well within the you know limits of attending public schools in the township. They they are and certainly I would they are they are there that you have you know should be
raised to members of the school staff and they are they are aware they have the paperwork for that uh they also need activities they need to be training properly they have to have um that's I'm
just talking about because you guys said and I'm bringing a little bit more of the information because I know on my own shoes what that it is. So it's umbrella. Each child behaves different. Yeah. Uh it's like three levels. It's one, two, and three. Some kids are more adjustful,
easier to train and to teach them. Other kids is more difficult. Not all autism kid is not verbal. Many of them are verbal. They just don't express correctly their feelings and they have this difficulty to adjust to this the to
the social uh interaction. I I understand your concerns and you know we we appreciate it and thank you for bringing it to us. But my comment to you is uh while we share in your concerns the the response
that I can give you there really isn't much that we can do. I'm not but that's why I'm referring you to I'm not asking for for help in the sense of that I'm just letting everybody knows that I know what it is and that's when I come here
I'm asking something additional or so on because I know what it is this is okay so conscience about this has to be taken serious I understand no more comments thank Is there anyone else? Seeing no one coming else coming forward, may I have a
motion to close the floor to the public? Moved by Mrs. De Benadetto. Is that seconded by Mrs. Bucheri? All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Thank you. bills list. Members of the council have
received copies of the bills list. Are there any comments on this? I I just wanted to um I appreciate the notes that you're putting on there, Denell, with the trust information. So, that has been noticed and thank you very much. It is helpful.
I appreciate that. I just wondered what the pulse oxes were for. They're so expensive. Um, those were, I believe, for the ambulance. I thought Okay, thank you. And it's it's not just one. There's like a
Yes. Anybody else? Members of the council have received the minutes for meeting of April 14th, our regular meeting for approval. May I have a motion to place these minutes on the floor for consideration? I'll make that
motion. Motion made by Mrs. Bieri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins. Any comments or questions on these uh minutes? I have a comment. Okay. I'm listed as a motion.
Um that is Yeah, the closing public comments. Okay, I will fix that. And I just saw it today or I would have just emailed you. Thank you. [Music] All in
favor signify by saying I as amen. Members may have a roll call vote on this. Roll call. Council member Bushieri. Yes. Council member G. Benadetto. Council member Higgins. Yes. Council
President Rudo. Yes. Carries as amended. brings us to uh our municipal budget and we're starting this portion of the meeting with a presentation of the
budget by our chief executive officer with our financial big promotion. Oh fat, you better watch yourself. Thank you. Thank you. I was elected by
the people. Um. All right. So, you got Yeah, it needs to like sit. No, the other one. Yeah, I put these things this audience the back make it worse.
Yeah, but the problem is when you lift it up falls down. Here or here? Where you in my car? Want to go? It's okay. Yeah, right there. I got one
there. I know the whole thing slides. That'll work. I got it. I think that's I think that's good. Okay. Um, okay. So, tonight we are uh up for adoption um is the 2025 municipal
budget. Um, just to be clear, this presentation takes into account the uh budget resolution amending the budget um from the last time from when it was introduced. There are a couple amendments in there. Thank you, Mayor. So, this presentation will reflect the
numbers uh provided that that resolution would pass tonight amending the budget. Um the council did have did have opportunities and did reach out to the mayor and myself and Tina um about some certain uh items and uh changes that we made. So, we did reflect the resolution
that's on tonight. So Vernon Township's 2025 municipal budget accounts for an operations budget that addresses services and obligations for a four-season municipality of over 68 square miles. Our township is claimed as home by over 20,000 people and visited by tens of thousands each year
for the beauty of the Appalachian Trail and the active recreational activities offered yearround by not only the township but Mountain Creek, Great Gorge, and other businesses in town. So I can scroll a little bit so everyone can see that. And this will be available on the website. I just want to make that
clear for anyone who's listening um at home. So this just gives a summary of the 2025 current fund budget. There was an increase in capital and debt expenses of over $200,000 from last year uh which reflects an increase in cash capital and a decreased use of debt obligations. It
is important to maintain a township's capital and debt plan, paying for certain items in cash that have useful lives under 10 years. All future projects proposed have been reviewed in portions of the shorter term items will have larger cash down payments to reduce their impact on the township's bond ordinance and reduce long-term interest
on debt. Longerterm items uh including large DPW equipment are put into debt obligations since they have statutoily longer useful lives. Shorter term items like police vehicles and computers are paid for in cash. Here we have $18.4 million in municipal operations
appropriations, $5.15 million in debt service and capital appropriations, 2 almost7 million in reserve for uncollected taxes, which I will uh get to later and kind of give a better definition of that. We have 12.2 almost 12.3 million in local budget revenues.
Then the amount to be raised by taxation this year is 20,172,8382 for an overall total budget of $32,433,355. Um this year we did see a loss in revenues anticipated including state funding and there and last year we used um the reserve for sale of
properties which we did anticipate not using again uh in this year's budget obviously. Um, we are also anticipating an increased use of fund balance. This funding source is a non-recurring revenue and it's anticipated to significantly decrease at the end of this year. With the introduction of this
budget, the township will see a decrease of their fund balance to 15% of this year's budget at 5,127,19362. This percentage is down from last year's budget introduction and not ideal for the township's future, excuse me, future financial standing in the markets or
future budget years. Through the use of this revolving fund balance and the town uh the township is able to keep the tax increase to less than $10 per month on the average home. So, this is just um a breakdown little pie chart of the municipal budget uh and what portions go where. 56% of
our municipal budget um accounts for general operations. Debt, capital, and deferred charges account for the next highest at 16% followed by our statutory obligations of social security and pension payments that accounts for 9%. Utilities are around 2% and the reserve
for uncollected taxes accounts for n for 8%. The schuma bill which is wholly paid by the vtmua accounts for 8% of our budgeted costs. Finally, both grants and shared services make up about less than 1%. and have equal offsetting revenues to support those
expenses. The local municipal tax rate. So this year our local tax rate decreased from 0.555 to 0.539. Um this just gives you a comparison between the assessed values of last year and uh 2025. So, we
obviously have an increase of um about $300,000 $350,000 in assessed sorry 350 million not thousand dollars in assessed value for the township. Um the average home increased uh from 339,000 to about $375,000. Um overall we are looking at
$118 annual increase on the average home that's total for the year. So the average municipal taxes are $1,727. Um, that's just uh under $1,000 um less than what a family of four cell phone bill goes for in 2025.
So, oh, what just happened? Why you dropped them? Yeah, a little bit. I don't know. Um, is that better? That's better. I think it was my fault. Okay. So, a comparison between 2024 and 2025. Last year, we used 1.75 million from our fund balance in
addition to two sources of revenue that were not going to be replaced. This helped to maintain the third year in a row without a tax levy increase. Redemption of tax title leans in 2024 was what grew our fund balance by approximately $100,000 in 2025. I'm sorry, at the end of 2024 moving into
2025. A healthy fund balance enables towns to achieve Oh, did we just go out again? That's okay. That's all right. This we have That's okay. Um, a healthy fund balance enables towns to achieve lower interest rates on debt issuance and increase available cash flow for
operations. Since Vernon Township does not pay for all capital needs in cash, it is required to take out debt for capital infrastructure and equipment. This debt comes with a debt issuance expenses, including market interest rates, and currently those interest rates are between three and four and a quarter%. Oh, we're back on. Um,
depending on if we issue official statements when we go out for notes. Um, and obviously the amount being issued, um, the more debt you take out, usually the interest rate goes down. But, um, this year the township is continuing to use a large amount of fund balance of 1.65 million to offset a larger increase
in property taxes. Having fund balance is important for uns unforeseen circumstances that arise and to help offset large expenses that we do not anticipate or budget for. Those things can include large repairs and current operations for fire trucks, ambulances,
um DPW, large DPW equipment, uh massive storm damages for any storms, obviously that we do not anticipate. Some repairs of equipment and townwide damages can cost upwards of h 100,000 to millions of dollars, which we do not currently have in the budget. With a healthy fund balance, we be we would be in a better
position to handle those issues should they arise in a fashion that will not hurt the taxpayer in the future. reduction in fund balance as well as the cancellation of the annual assessment maintenance program could be an indication to rating agencies that the township is not on the most ideal financial path. We're still on track
with paying down our short-term debt obligations though and are making every effort to pay down our obligations prior to permanent financing. These are some of our 2025 budget highlights and I did um address some of them but we'll get into it a little bit. uh cash capital items increased by just over $200,000 from
last year's budget. So, there was a decrease um in debt service. So, what we did was we moved uh that decrease in debt service over to cash capital items to stabilize our debt um and capital uh
budget for the year. And moving forward, uh we are staying in line with our capital plans for 2025 and still focusing on better long-term planning by putting money aside for future capital needs. So the services that are offered by the township in order to run everyday operations of the municipality and
maintain the required offices. There are various departments within the township. These offices process building and zoning permits, food handler licenses, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, oper requests, court transactions, animal licensing, and animal control. They also collect taxes, assess values to properties in town,
process tax appeals, farmland assessments, run land use boards, process invoices, and make deposits. Public safety encompasses our 247 service from our police, fire, and EMS services and the office of of emergency management. It includes contributions as reimbursements to our four volunteer
fire companies and volunteer ambulance services. The DPW is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of over 108 plus miles of roadway. They handle drainage projects and maintenance, storm water maintenance, snow removal, road repairs, brush control, recycling, and
maintenance of all public grounds and parks. Insurance includes unemployment, health insurance costs after employee contributions, workers compensation, liability, life, etc. So, there are items that are entirely out of our control in our municipal budget, but they still have an
effect on our budget directly. were affected by FICA, Social Security, Medicare, and Pension Payments. The state mandates annual PFRS, that's police and fire retirement system, and PERS, that's public employee retirement system bills. And while we've seen a one-time leveling off of costs this
year, I do anticipate larger increases in years to come as the state has not properly funded the system in decades with adequate funding projections being at 80% and they're still only at 40%. In years past, we've seen anywhere from 7 to 12% increases in these lines each year. Again, this is the first time I've
ever ever seen it not increased. Debt services derived from our existing schedules and the urge to pay down debt uh or the urge to pay down debt based on the useful lives of items purchased and to reallocate debted items to cash items to reduce expenses on interest. Lastly,
the county and school tax levies are handled and build in your local tax bill. However, they still affect our bottom line as the township is required to send the full build amounts regardless of our collections. That's why we have something called the reserve for uncollected taxes. This is an amount that we calculate based on last year's
collection rate which was 96.8% in 2024. So in total, the average Vernon Township taxpayer is paying $4.73 cents per day for the municipal budget and the services they receive. That's an increase of 33 cents higher than the last four years. Included in these costs
are all the services previously described as well as long-term issues such as debt management and a capital plan that continues to reduce our reliance on debt for the future. Vernon Township is responsibly addressing capital needs by issuing smart debt for items with useful lives above 10 years while still providing top-notch services
to our residents and searching out every opportunity to save our taxpayers money while providing those services. And that is all I have for tonight. It'll blind them. Is our is our um tax collection rate pretty decent like compared to other
towns? Um 90 was it 96.8? It's okay. Okay. I've seen other towns um with much higher um really okay. Yeah. Like I was amazed at how high. Um I
mean I've seen them between 96 and 99%. Okay. I will say um since 2019 our has increased significantly. So and is it because we have maybe a large commercial property here that doesn't pay? Is that really influencing that number? That definitely influences it. Yes. So if we
wonder if we took that property out. Yeah. So what it look like? So if that property um it's it's dollar for dollar, right? So if you if that property owed $400,000 for that year's current taxes and it wasn't paid, that's $400,000 additional in your run. Yeah. So So that
percentage would definitely be better if we didn't have that large Yep. commercial property. Okay. It's really warm in here. It is. It is horrible. I look like I'm embarrassed. It's just because I'm roasting. We're like all going to be like five pounds
thinner when we walk out. You guys are still right. Like a sweat lodge. May I have a motion to read
the municipal 2025 municipal budget by title only? I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Jerry. Is there a second? I'll second it with the question, what's title only mean? Rather than going
through each individual line item line item. Okay, I'll second that. Do you want to read it all? Council member Bier. Yes. Council member Dub. Yes. This is on the resolution to pass the
budget I presented. No. To read it. To read the readable budget for 2025 by title. President. Yes. Motion carries. May I have a motion to open the floor the for the public to uh I'll make
that motion. Mr. Budget moved by Mrs. Cherry. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Leenardto. Roll call. Council member Bushieri. Yes. Council
member Denadto. Yes. Council member Higgins. Yes. Council President Razuda. Yes. Motion carries. Is open to the public for comments on the municipal budget. Anyone wishing to address the council on
this [Music] item. Seeing no one coming forward. May I have a motion to close the floor? I'll make that motion. Made by Mrs. Beri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Mrs. De
Benadetto. Roll call. Council member Bushieri. Yes. Council member De Benadetto. Yes. Council member Higgins. Yes. Council President Risingo. Yes. Motion carries. I have a a motion
to adopt the resolution to amend the introduced budget. Any discussion on that? first after after it's on the floor. It's on the floor. Resolution 25119. I'll make that motion to amend the
introduced budget. I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Bucheri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Mrs. De Benadetto. Roll call. Council member Bushieri. Yes. Council member D. Benadetto. Yes.
Council member Higgins. Yes. Council President Rudo. Yes. Motion carries. Yes. May I have a motion to adopt the municipal budget resolution 25-120.
The resolution shall read, "Be it resolved by the council members of the township of Vernon, County of Sussex, that the budget here and set
before is forth is hereby adopted and shall and adopted and shall constitute appropriation for the purposes stated
of the of the therein set forth appropriations and authorization of the amount of 2 mill I'm sorry 20 million671,11946 the uh item for municipal purposes
May I have a motion place this on the floor? I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Beri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. De Benadetta. Uh now I can now you can comment on there
any comments? Yes. Just number one first comment now. Best presentation you made in terms of concise, to the point, easily understood, very uh very well done. That's well done. The uh so the the the real point here for me is as it
was before this the surplus. So, you showed on your your slides that it was 6.7 million and you're that was the previous surplus and you're using uh 1 uh six I guess to bring it down to 5.1
million which is about what 17% of the 15%. It's 15%. That would 5.1 into 32. See what that is. 5.1 divided by 32 million 15.81%.
Okay. Yeah. So it's like 16% right. Yeah. 15.93%. So with uh with that stated it's come down considerably from the 20.9 on your previous uh budget. Is there is there any anticipated increases in any
revenues? I hearing good news from the mayor. I'm hearing other good news from events taking place around the town. Is there any planning for any of those increased revenues? Tax revenues, cannabis tax revenues, increases in uh
hotel or that we anticipate is in here. So everything that we've anticipated is in the existing budget. Okay. Any anticipation for the legends payments? Is that in there at all? I put that in the budget. You're not That's not in there yet. Okay. So, we're at uh around
16% post 15.9% surplus if the budget pass. What's the What's the amount of uh total percentage of tax increase? It was $118 per family. What's that in percentage? 7% increase. Which? A 7%
increase. a 7% increase for the taxpayers after three years of not increasing taxes. That's correct. All right. Thank you. That that number just didn't seem right.
7% it just just seems like it was trivial. It was it was your original budget that yourself and the mayor when we met was 3.69% increase. Total increase in the budget. Yeah. So what's the total increase in the budget? Total increase in the budget
is 3.5%. 3.5%. And I do I do have a comment right now. So, so we we've used the 1 point we'll we'll if this budget gets passed we'll be using the 1.65 million and we won't have that next year in our fund balance, right?
There'll be 5 million in the fund balance, right? There'll be five mill and you know I mean I guess we could have um you know there could be things that don't get appropriated and could be transferred over to the fund balance, right? Like next year we might have un you know unspent monies um probably not
to 1.65 million. So, I just want to, you know, I'm thinking ahead, right, for another year. I understand it's nice not to increase, believe me. Um, but we haven't had we haven't had an
increase. And if we look at if you look at critically at this budget and what Danell and the mayor and Tina have presented us, um, next year we will have probably an increase too because we, you know, we're taking 1.65 65 million out
of fund balance. I don't know if we'll regenerate it. What did we regenerate in 2024 in fund balance? No. Um so we only we we added an additional $100,000 last year. Okay. The difference is we had a higher appropriated reserves. So um a couple weeks ago we had just around
$600,000 in appropriated reserves left from 2024. Um you know I anticipate probably 400 450 that might last a fund balance. um if we have the same year revenue-wise that we had this year, which I do not anticipate because we had
an extra 300,000 in uh delinquent taxes, which I that's we did not unusual. Well, that was Yeah. And who knows redeemed and that's not really something that you anticipate happening. Um you know, but if we had the same year, we would be putting back about $900,000 into our
fund balance. So, you're going to be out out seven. Yeah. Seven. So, I just want to like you know, like Right. So we're thinking down the road. So what you what you decide today just doesn't affect 2025. It also sets the foundation right
then for 2026. And um and we're not the the school board is really the issue. Yeah. It's the school board is frustrating. So um so and and you know and there's there's things you know costs have
increased, insurance has increased. S those are legal obligations. We can't change those. So, um I think the administration has worked really hard. You know, we you came to us with a budget and I know I met with um the mayor and Dell and um Mr. Draudo did and
I believe um you know Je Jess Jessica and Bill did too and you heard what we said and you really um made an effort to to reduce things as we um requested and I appreciate that um because it is a
it's not an easy thing to do but it is important to um limit as to me personally limit as much as possible any increases to the taxpayer. Um, and I think that that's what this budget does.
So, just for clarification, the the original budget was a 3.69% increase and this budget is a 7% increase. That's what I want to clarify. The total budget, municipal budget increase is 3.5%. in this budget. This
one, the amount to be raised by taxation because the because it was not raised for three years, it's been the same tax rate for four years is a 7.3% increase in taxes because we kept absorbing that increase fund balance. Taxes taxes pay
for part of the budget and revenues pay for the rest. I get it. So, it's 5% increase to the taxpayer to the budget, not to the taxpayer. capital budget and a 7% increase on the taxpayer portion because our budget went up but we never passed it on to the taxpayer and there
were also revenues we used but we but we had surplus it's it's not that we have the money the surplus we had yeah we had but we just never but that's why there was no increase that's why there's this that's why there's that disconnect right like the budget went 3.5 but the to the taxpayer seven so that's why there's a
disconnect there right that's what it sounds like because we never passed it to the taxpayer we took it from fund balance Right, Danell. Am I explaining it? I am. I must be like a beat because I feel like I don't know what else. I just think it stinks that we and you
especially you guys continue to do your part to keep this as low as possible for the town and the school board just continues to raise out of control. I would ask that I agree. You know, we're not here to cast blame. I am. Sorry. Well, I can't stop you, but I would ask
you to understand that We have we have no input in that particular area other than our vote individual vote. Maybe if the people watching this video who are upset by the 7% increase understand that our hands
are tied by the schoolboard budget, maybe they would direct their attention there. the I think what the uh part of that problem is that we need to have a little closer contact and within that I'm going to ask later on in
this meeting that myself and the vice president Mrs. who if she has the time can become a liaison with the board of education, not get involved with
individual programs or teachers or schools or anything simply with the governing body since they are the largest governing body after the the township. uh but certainly they're the amount of money
that they approp that is appropriated for them through the township is significant by almost two and a half times. So I think it would be only wise for us to schedule some you know tenative meetings or appropriate
meetings so that uh when these issues are uh raised there they can hear what the council's input is on something like that. Uh but that's
that'll be later on. But I I understand where you're you're coming from, but we don't know what they know, nor do they know what we know. And I think we have
to rely upon the the the good intentions that they have as well as the good intentions that we have in uh running a uh a a proper government. And all I'm asking is
that uh trying to make this a an issue of one group against another at this point I think doesn't serve any purpose. I'm not saying it's anybody against anybody, but I'm saying there's an issue that needs to be highlighted and I'm tired of it
coming landing here. I hear you and I'm you know I I'm sure other members feel the same way. But uh we we we here to serve the people and uh I think uh the
the uh the budget put forth and the work that has been done by members of uh the mayor staff uh certainly with uh the business administrator and the chief financial officer, not the chief
operating officer. uh oh now he demoted you from your has done you know has done well I think when the initial presentation uh came out where we were told that the budget would increase by the average
home by $160 per year and we're down to 118 that is a significant decrease so thank you very much for hearing you asked for 120 we got to 18 so we did by two bucks That's right. That's right.
You did. So, thank you very much. Um, Mr. Higgins, I I I can't have my name tied to a 7% tax increase. I mean, that's that's all I ask the question. We have 5.1 million. If you took 1.1 million and ended up with $4 million,
what's the tax increase? So, it's still not 0%. I didn't say it was zero. What would it be? Million dollars out of your fund balance to make it a zero increase. What would the tax increase be then? Pen by one third. It would be if you put $3 million out of your fund balance, it would be a 0% increase. 3 million out of
the out of the 6.7 if you take 3 million out. Yeah. So, and next year that's that's my question. Out of five million 3 Let's see what that is. At some point, we do next year, Bill.
Yeah. at at some point we're going to have to pay the piper. You you can't not keep going to a bank account and take your money out of it. And when it's when it's
gone, the the amount of money that you're going to be required to raise to even bring that amount of money back to tabletop level is going to be very very
significant. You know, I've had people tell me, "Why did you do that? you should have just gone with 50 bucks a year and we would it would have been a lot easier 50 bucks a year than spending, you know, paying the uh the 118 in one shot. I'm thinking of the 70%
of the population who lives in this town that if their car engine blew or their lawnmower blew up or a tree fell down on their yard, they're in desperate need because they are in desperate need and I'm fighting for them. So, if if we have if we took the full amount out and we
were left with 11.5% fund balance, I I'm agreeing we bottomed out. We're there. And and we might be able to do that. If if if it's a uh a fund balance left of 13% say, and
that equates to a 1 and a.5% tax increase, I could go for that. I I can't I can't go for is what do you do then next year? What do we do next year, Bill? You're already in a situation this year, right, where you lost $700,000 in revenue, right? Which could account for
a large majority of this increase in taxes. So, next year, you're talking about a $3 million loss in revenue. You're you're not going to be able to anticipate another $3 million in fund balance. You're not going to anticipate million and a half in fund balance. Like, what would you You're looking at a
tax. I guess I'd ask the may the uh the uh governor the same thing. They're running at a 10.9%. The the state of New Jersey has a lower bond rating than the township of Vernon. The governor is running with a 10.9%. That's his fund balance. Yes, he has a
lower bond rating than the township of Vernon. Well, that's which means the cost of them taking out debt in the state of New Jersey significantly increased because they have a lower bond rate in the township of Vernon. So, he's willing to take that risk, right? and he's not running for reelection. And we're and I can't speak for the
governor, but I can tell you looking at the financials of the state of New Jersey, you have an A1 versus a double A3. We're significantly better off financially than the state of New Jersey is and that is reflected in the amount of money that we save when we go out
to finance any capital debt. Well, I think the township can in fact save some money to increase. For example, we've spoken now for two years about going out to bid for all the services that we automatically renew and the the
insurance agents, the uh the auditors, everything that comes up for renewal every year and that we automatically renew it. This year, I think we agreed that we're going to go out to bid for our service. That could be a decent savings there. There's one way to do it
and sharpen our pencils on how we how we operate. Don't go out to bid for professional services. you go out for an RFP, but um it's the same thing. RFP request for proposal. It's not the same. I don't want instead of answering the
question, you're trying to do a technical RFP or it's a bid. That's not the point. The point is there's ways to try to save money andor increase revenues. In this case, it was saving money. Whether it's a bid or an RFP, call it what you want. Those are things we spoke about that we haven't done. I'm
just somebody asked me the question how can you do it and I'm answering the question. I think the issue of the township is revenue side not so much the appropriation side and there's everything in its power going through state contract going through going out to bid going through
competitive contract. Um we literally ask for quotes on everything over $1,000 which is unheard of if you ask other local municipalities. They don't do that. Everything over $1,000, we have more than one vote for. Everything over a,000. So, our auditor
who got the automatic renewal professional service. Oh, now there's an exception. How about including the professional services in with the rest of them? That is money. It's a lot of money. But we don't go out to bid for that. You go out for requests for proposals. You haven't done that though because we're automatically that's not
my responsibility. you're I can't have a conversation with you when you change the subject to taking as me saying you talking about doing something and we're talking about things we can do. That's what this it's not about who does it or what it's called. It's about trying to save money and get better return for our
dollars. And I can't I can't the amount but the amount of money that we would be saving by doing that is is much less than what we are talking about in terms of the loss of revenue by continually
moving into our uh our basically our fund our savings accounts our fund balance. Once we do this, those little ones that we pick off and we decide to use, they're no longer available for the next
time around. The money that we spend for uh fund balance, uh you have to replace that amount to even get back to where you
are for your for your your basic consideration. I've heard you you've said it three times. You've said it three times. I get it. I do want to comment though. I don't disagree with you as far as a professional services and going out for RFPs is something we talked about on the school board too and
you know every so many years um you know seeing if there's another option professionally and I think that's something that if the administration chooses to do we wouldn't do it. They would do it. We'd approve it. Um I think you would probably have council support it. Um which would which would be great. it's not going to fill a gap of 3.5
million or 1.65 million. You know, I I think if you're looking at an accounting firm, um you might save a few thousand dollars, right? Like you're I think most accounting firms that do audits and accounting services to municipalities are probably pretty consistent just like legal firms, you know what? But
definitely get the RFP. I think the the bigger thing is it I'm going to liken this to our like your home budget. like I I make a certain amount per year. It doesn't cover my bills, but I have a savings account. So, every year I don't get a
second job or I don't get a better job. I just take from money from my savings account and pay my bills. And I just keep doing that until I get to a point where I have no savings account left anymore. But I never did anything to increase my revenue. And I just dug a hole for myself. And that's what we did
for three years with our by by not increasing, right? We costs went up and we never now I'm not saying the township is a is a business in the sense that you're earning salary but our our tax you know the taxes that we collected and the other revenue sources never met our
financial obligations. So we took money from our savings account to meet that obligation. Um and you don't have to approve the budget and I respect your vote. You have your your voice and I I respect that. But if we don't approve the budget today, then we as a council
will have to decide where to cut. So we will need to look at the budget, go through it line by line, and tell the administration where to cut it. And if we don't do that by a certain date, and I you didn't have a confir confirmed date for me, but you thought maybe about
some point in May. Yeah. If we don't send Trenton an approved budget, we individually each as council members, not the township, can be fined $25 a day, every day until we pass a budget. And it's nonrefundable. It's non-refundable. And the township doesn't
pay it, we pay it individually. Um, we we need to pass a budget. And if that means we have to sit and go line by line, if the majority doesn't pass the budget tonight, I guess that's what we'll do. probably have to if it doesn't pass tonight, but you're prepared to do
that. Like that because you have to think hard like we need to, you know, there's obligations. I look at, you know, the lines for the DPW. I can understand them to a degree. I look at the lines for the recck department or for the police department or for our administrative costs. Um, but the
day-to-day decisions are made at that level. So now we're going to have to make if if it doesn't pass. So, and that's a that's a that's a something to consider, right? No, I I get it. I understand. And then you want And Mr. Mayor, are you okay with a
you're going to put your name on a 7% increase? Look, like I I've always said, I don't I don't like paying taxes on the other one. But understand that we also have an obligation. I understand, you know, you talk about uh, you know, the the the
homeowner and if he blows an engine and I get all that, believe me. But I also we have to provide we also have services we need to provide people, too. So there there's that scale and quite frankly, I mean, it's been zero zero. We've been hit with double digit. We've been forced
to pay double digit increases in in pension, in insurance, and the list just goes on. and we just been so I I think it should have been very small increases those last few years, but and I
understand people have, you know, uh uh their campaign promise, but it gets to a point where we have to have that responsibility. I get it. I I I don't like to pay tax. I don't like to do it. But $118 $118
uh less than $10 a month, you know, we we we have to be careful. We don't want to put ourselves in a dangerous situation. Janelle, precoid, what was our average surplus? Our average surplus precoid I would have
to get those numbers for you. I think our fund balance was higher under Mayor uh Shortway and Burrell. Our fund balance was definitely higher, wasn't it? crumb balance um increased during those years. during those years. Yeah. I can only go back to the fact that we
as a council [Music] when we decided that we were going to hold the municipal portion of the budget for no tax increase. All of us said that we would
remember that at some point. And this becomes the day of reckoning. And you know, had we gone ahead and only put, as I said earlier, a $50 increase, perhaps it might have been better. Perhaps that
would have been perhaps more, you know, demonstrated more wisdom financially. But I think what we all did was looked at that and said, "Let's see if we can't help the other taxing body by
not increasing taxes from the, you know, from the in the municipal portion of the budget and trying to give the taxpayer a break. And we did. But we just can't continue this
type of uh of uh absorbing the whatever increases that we we thought we need. And Bill, you said it last year that we had zero increase and you made it very clear that don't expect that to be next year. It's not going to it's
it's going to be very difficult to do. Uh like I said, we we've cut a lot of areas where we tried to reduce dollar amount if we could. Um like I said, we we have an obligation to the taxpayers for those services to continue. And God
forbid uh we get hit with with hurricanes or, you know, ice storms that that create huge debt. Um we need to be prepared. unfortunate, but we have to be
prepared. Well, I'm of the belief that if we pass along the last 0% tax increase and use fund balance and end up with uh a 12% uh surplus fund, we're okay. 12%. That's not being responsible, Bill.
Come on. That's putting us in a bad situation. There any other comments? Okay. Roll call vote. Council member Bushier. Yes. Council member D. Benadetto. Yes.
Member Higgins. No. Council President Rudo. Yes. Paris. Thank you. Sent agenda resolution 25113 sidebar
agreement between the township of Vernon and UAW local 2326 uh resolution 25-121 One refund for totally disabled veteran block 202 lot 39
Schwint resolution 25-122 refund for totally disabled veteran block 458 lotif8 lot 53 Three. Von Essen, cancelling taxes for a
total disabled veteran. Resolution 25-124, approving active volunteer firefighter for membership in the New Jersey State Firefighters Association, Rivera. Resolution
25-125 authorize the award of a required disclosure contract with firefighter one for purchase of volunteer firefighter department gear maintenance
tools. Resolution 25-126, resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the FY2025 Transportation Alternatives
Program. Resolution 25-127 refund for totally disabled uh veteran block 153 lot 2 mulla resolution
25-1 128 block 153 lot 2a cancelling taxes for the total disabled veteran resolution 25-129 block 10 lot 7 Barrett
cancelling taxes for the total disabled veterans resolution 25-130 refund for overpayment block 571 lot 8 Mendoza resolution
25-131 refund overpayment block 608 lot and Ciserelli resolution 25-132 refund overpayment block 527 lot 479
turret resolution 25-1 133 refund overpayment block 350 lot five Jenkins resolution
25-1 134 chapter Chapter 159 resolution requesting approval of revenue and appropriation amending 2025 budget as a revenue and appropriation of $12,337.
Resolution 25-135, chapter 159, a resolution requesting approval of revenue and appropriation amending the 2025 budget as a revenue and appropriation of
$2,563.50. If anyone has any uh concerns and would like to separate any of these me parts of the consent agenda from the total, please let me know and I'll do that. 2513, please.
25113. We'll separate. Any others? No. Okay. for a res for the May I have a May I have a a resolution a motion make
a motion uh revise the motion on resolutions for uh consideration on 25-121 through 25-135 I'll make that motion motion made by
Mrs. Beri, is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. De Benadetto. Roll call vote. Yes. Council member de Benedto. Yes. Council member Higgin. Yes. Council
President Rudo. Yes. Motion carries. Regarding the sidebar agreement. [Music] Um, may I have a motion to place that on the motion? move moved by Mrs. Beri
seconded by Higgins. Yes. Questions comments. So to get at this, it was discussed previously at one of our meetings. So we have an agreement with the county of Sussex to provide traditional food for senior
citizens. Right. And that was agreed to in December, I guess, as our it was agreed for our in our that was our uh reorganization meeting, right? Sharing services with
the county. So, and then we provide the location for it, which is a cost of $27,000 on the year. And the way that program works is uh they're senior citizens who are entitled to some nutritional food. they take advantage of
it. They want to throw in a couple dollars in stores towards the cost of it. That's up to them. But the uh the menu and the food is uh is actually put together in Newton and then it's brought over here and it's it's served to them.
So the menu is put together in Newton and the food comes from Newton to Verna. Correct. It be a little bit more than that. On the second page, the knowledge and abilities and I guess requirements, they
list any number of requirements that were within the uh scope of the uh of the uh the program when we passed it at a re re uh at
our at the uh reorganization meeting. And they also gave some examples of what the work was, but it no word. It was mentioned last time when we met that there was a concern about a
u a nut a nutritionist. I guess we kind of narrowed that down too finely because the actual job specification on this is a site manager and nutrition program, right, with the
definition which incurs other areas, right? It appears to be more of a bookkeeping tabs on number of people that want certain foods, faxing the information over, coordinating it. It's not designing the
uh the menu a real in nutrition, but they do follow up on people, for example, who have a salt-free diet. They they have to make sure that those people that need require a salt-free diet are given. Those people who require a diet
that is devoid of heavy sugar so that or carbohydrates, they also receive something like that. I don't know if they do any dietary counseling. That probably is. I didn't see that. You can see the job description at the end
of the packet. Right. So So we've had a person in this position for how many years? 12 12 years. And and that person is an employee of the township, right? Yes. Okay. And they were hired under civil
service uh list posting. Yes. Okay. And uh they've been performing the job. So all now that person has requested to continue doing the same job but being put under the opices of the union. The
UAW requested the UAW union. The UAW requested this. The UAW requested it. The UAW requested it. Why would they request it now instead of 12 years? She started as a part-time employee. Okay.
So, when the position turned into a full-time position um almost 10 years ago, that position should have been put in the UAW contract and it never was. Civil service, the position is not a department head. She's
not a confidential. So, that position should have been in the UAW contract back then and it never was. So, the UAW approached the administration and wants that title
in the contract. I don't know why they want it. It sounds like it should have been in the contract years ago and that's the reasoning of putting it in the contract now. There's a UAW contract that was just agreed on and in place the
first of this year. the contract that uh presents a raise and it also allows a person entering that union to jump from step one to step four. And then the reasoning was to attract more people. That was you guys are the ones that
negotiated that contract. And it was your words that we were losing people and we couldn't get people to join in in some of our employment here. And as a result, we were wiping out steps two, three, and going right to four. Is that is that accurate?
So, um there's Okay. So, just to be clear, because you stated that um we said that someone could jump from step one to step four. That's not that's not what we did in this contract. We eliminated those those initial steps with those salaries because those
salaries were not attractive for the market for for employees that were coming in on a UAW contract. Well, I just said that and you said no and then you explained what I just said. Said that that we allowed people to jump from step one to step four. Oh, you eliminated him. So So a person this
person and I don't know who the person is. I don't care. It's not about the person. Just for the just for the record, we can't discuss that person. It's not about the person. It's so this person is going right to step four. No, that's what it says in the uh That's
not what I said. No, that's the level that's that's the level the classification of the title that exists which which equates to which equates to money. Is that civil service step four? No, no, no. In the UAW contract, you have um
it's not the it's not the steps, it's the levels. you have like a level one, a level two, a level three, a level four, a level five, right? And I think a level six. This classification based on the civil service um level code, local code, if you if you were to take a look at the
backup that was provided, the local code is a 10. Um based on the job specifications, etc. in conversation meetings between administration and the UAW that level four is where they agreed this position would be
based on the responsibilities that this position on service if we were going to post this position right now if we didn't have someone hired in this position right now if we were going to post it if this got approved right it would be posted at a level four for you
you're talking UAW yeah for UAW yes if this was approved in the UAW contract if this position Assuming that approved and we didn't have anybody to hire, that's what this position would be. Correct. Okay. Previous to the UAW contract, the current one, what would it have been posted as?
There's no levels without a contract. It would have under the old contract, what would it have been posted under? It wasn't on there was no old. It wasn't in the wasn't in the contract. That's what this is about. We're voting to UAW never had a misunderstanding your question. What are Can you just Can you maybe try
again with the question? The UAW have a contract with us previous to the current one. Correct. Yes, they did. Yes. What would it have been posted under under that contract? If this title existed, it would have been a level four under the old contract. Yes. Not level one. I
think I So I think I think that there's a misunderstanding in in language here because there's levels one, level two, level three, level four, right? Through level six, but then there's steps in each level. Right. Right. So, what the administration did with this UAW
contract was they took out I'd have to go back and see, but um level one, they removed the steps from level one, right? Not level four. So, they removed the initial steps from level one because I believe it's still in the salary, and please do not quote me on this, might have been around $30,000 for an entry-
level position into the township. So, what what the township agreed was to remove those lower beginning salaries and start off with about I think it was a $40,000 salary in the in the level one. This is a level four, not a level
one. So, it's not a step four, it's in a it's in a level four, which has steps in it. So, steps are in levels. Correct. So if that understand if you compared that the same thing happening a year ago to now it's a it's an advantage to the
employee or to be in the union now monetarily more so than it was a year ago because there was an increase but wait no there's there would be level four would always be level four but what step
no step no step it's just the level no step Now, was there a step back then? There were steps back then, too. I think I think it would be um we didn't we didn't include it, but um there's the UAW step guide. So, on the UW step guide, you have different levels and different jobs, civil service titles
qualify for different levels based on skills, knowledge, certifications, experience, etc. Right? So, this based on those the civil service um definition and job duties, etc. In conversations with the union, we meaning we as a
township felt that it that it fit into a level four position compared to the other positions that are listed in level one, two, and three, five, and six, which the net result is the employee would get a $9,000 raise. Is that
correct? Um, so I think you would need to compare the salary ordinance for that position and I don't recall what that range was. I don't remember the upper level of that range to the starting salary in a level four is $50,000.
So is that a yes? I don't want to I don't want to talk about someone specifically because I can't do that. No, we're not talking about a person. We're talking about a position here. Yeah, but there's only one position. It's one position and one person. I can't talk about it. You can you'd have to there. So, just to
be clear, so the township has a salary ordinance which has this listed right in the salary or there's a range and I wish I had it right here, but I don't. It's on my my PC, but there's a range that already exists. So, I I don't know what that range is, but if that range went up to $50,000, then you're not talking
about technically an increase. You're talking about the same, you know, that the range starts there. I don't know what that number is. It could be $45,000. It could be $43,000. Not sure what that upper level of the range is. Unless I'm mistaken, it's going from 47 to 56.
I can't comment on specific specific individual. So, we have a person performing a job satisfactory for a number of years, things are going well, everybody's happy, and the quote union says we want
that person in our union, and we have to vote on that. Is that where we're at? Yep. Yep. Okay. I know what my vote will be. Call the vote. Roll call vote, please. Council member Bushelli, yes. Council
member D. Benadetto, no. Council member Higgins, no. Council President Rudo, once again, I'm not going to vote on this and I'm going to request that this be tabled until we can get a an affirmative solution on it. This is the
second time we're going on this and I I just I can understand the frustration members of the council have on this, but it is uh it is something that needs to be resolved. Wouldn't that require a vote to table that? Yes. May I have a
motion to table this? I'll make that motion. Second. Is there a second? Second. Nobody wants to table it. Motion dies. Motion dies. Thank you. And motion
fails. I'll vote. I'll vote. Any affirmative? Second car. Moving to the document of an ordinance um ordinance 25-05 pending chapter 374 of the
township code entitled nuisances public health to prohibitive intrusion uh outdoor lighting. May I have a motion to open the floor um the public on this particular I'll make that motion. Motion
made by Mrs. Bucheri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins. Uh, roll call vote. Council member. Yes. Council member D. Benadetto. Yes. Council member Higgin.
Yes. President Rudo. Yes. The floor is open to the public regarding ordinance 25-05. Anyone wishing to comment on this, please approach the director and make the
comments. Seeing no one coming forward, I'll ask for a motion to close the floor to the public. I have a motion. I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Beri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins. Uh, roll call.
Member Berry. Yes. Council member D. Benadero. Yes. Council member Higgins. Yes. Mr. Brazil. Yes. May I have a motion to place uh this ordinance on the floor? I'll make that motion. Motion made by
Mrs. Bucheri. Seconded by [Music] Mr. Any comments on this? This is uh a second reading. Okay. have any concerns or comments? Roll. Council member Bushieri.
Yes. Council member, yes. Higgins, yes. Yes. May I have a motion to open the floor for public comment on any item? Moved by Mr. Higgins. Is there a second? Second.
Second by Miss Benadetto. All in favor signify by saying I. Opposed. Motion carries. Anyone wishing to come forward and address the council on any issue, please do so.
Yes. Right here. Yeah. Come come further. Yeah. Sorry. Please give us your name. Johnny Spinosa. And I'm sorry. I just want to ask a question because a lot of this is like Chinese to me. Yeah. um like is the the town forced or by law
or anything to accept this person into that union? Well, if it the way this will go is if the person is not accepted into the union because you know we don't
approve this. Um then there will be a what they call probably what they call a desk audit where somebody from the governing the union will come out and uh look at the duties that are
performed and if those duties correspond to what is that job description within the scope of the person wishing to join the union. Uh then
uh we would you know it would go to Perk Public Employment Relations and they have the final say and they will direct the township to uh place that let that woman join the union place that child
that human that person within the union that position. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Oh, and by the way, they could possibly voter back pay. Yes. Um, my name is Karina. I just want
to follow up on his questions. Uh can this position be posted to somebody else to apply as a contract or something else can be created? The position is already in existence. Yeah, I know. But like instead of move
the person in all this back and forth uh to to just place in a contract as a parttime like was before or something like that. Well, you what you're asking it's something. If there were no vacancy, that's what you would do. There is no
vacancy now. This person is the person that holds this position is still there. And the only issue at question is whether or not she's permitted to that person is permitted to join the union. And I'm getting too close to uh an area
that I shouldn't be in terms of I you know talking about an individual employee without providing you know uh any type of uh uh price recognition on the uh yeah I
understand it's just it's just it's just curious because if 12 years in the same position why it is now it's just it's just weird. But moving uh to another question. Um so as far as I understand what is
like affecting the budget is mostly the part that comes from the board of education that's take a a chunk of money of the budget. You when you look at the way township's budget is composed approximately
20% it's composed is made up of the the expenditures by the uh municipal municipality police fire you know those
things there's an additional 20% probably within the county. That's for county roads, county bridges, things like that. And then you're looking at an area. I don't have the actual number,
but we're we're probably looking at 65%. That's about 57, Pat. Oh, 57, I'm sorry. 57 for schools. 57 for schools. And then the balance would be for, you know, a more refined number for the other areas
and also for the library tax. there is any way that the I know the budget was approved but uh there was any way that it could be like divided the 7% like maybe like in in 4% this year 3%
next year not carrying all the 7% at once you can't do that taxes have to be paid in total no I I understand that but I mean the increase is said to be like 7% % straight in one shot. Like do like 4%
increase this year and then the next year the you can't you you can't partly pay your funding of taxes. It's funded in its totality all at once meaning on a
you pay it on a quarterly basis. I I I understand that. What I'm saying is the increase for the taxpayer is 7%. Then if the money isn't there then you can't spend it. I think that the question is that's why most municipalities will put modest
incomes so that they don't have to face this problem after they zero for three years unless they're getting revenues unless there's a lot of development in town then revenue side goes up. You don't have to raise taxes but stagnant here. So you had to you have to raise
taxes because there's 2% 3% cost of living every year for a person also for the municipality. You can't you can't spend money that you don't have. I understood that part. What I'm saying is like instead because you guys just mentioned that you guys have budget have
the something that is saving that you you trying to keep it. So that's what I'm saying like part B taken this year from the taxpayer and then for allocate the rest for the next uh year because that would have happened if they would have spent some more of the surplus this
year instead of having a 7% and said let's settle on a three and then next year or four but they decided not to do that they went for the whole seven they want they want to hold on whatever the township chose to not chose to not not increase taxes for three years in a row.
So this township has had the same tax rate for the past four years. So there's been no increases for three years, which is why we're facing a 7.3% increase and a significant reduction in fund balance this year to reduce that increase.
I understood that. But it's a huge shot. 7% is a huge shot. What you're what you're asking for is what Yeah. I think 7% if we look at that you have to look at it in terms of what I think is what it could have been. I mean we we took
this budget down from 7% to uh you know probably I'm sorry we took it was higher than higher than that we brought it down to 7%. I remember was here. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing no one else coming forward, may I
have a motion to close the floor to the public? I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mr. Gucci. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Council comments. Mr. Higgins.
Uh, no further comments. Further comments, this is Benad. This meeting started off so good with Cody. It was, you know, such a nice, pleasant thing to have at a meeting and then, you know, I've never felt so gross about a vote in my life. I
felt backed into a corner. Um, I already regret it, but I, you know, I just didn't see another way other than decreasing the fund balance, and then we're faced with the same thing next year. Uh that said, sorry Pat, but I think people need
to start attending schoolboard meetings. I don't disagree. That's it. Mrs. Bucher, uh no further comments. I have no further comments. Oh, excuse me. Yes, I do. I'm sorry. I would like the council to
consider a uh the establishment of a uh committee to meet with the board of education on a not on a regular basis but maybe
two or three times, you know, within before now before the end of the year and to discuss any uh problems that may be uh you know that may be applicable to both the board, the council and uh
perhaps what they can do for I know the mayor has maintained his ties with the the superintendent. Uh that's an operations uh deal. Uh I'm looking at, you know, meeting with people within on
the council level. Uh so uh I am going to make that appointment u myself and Mrs. Bucheri. Would you accept that? Yeah. Uh um no. Let me know the schedule. I'll see if I can make it.
Yeah. Thank you. Other than that, I have no uh comments. I have a motion to approve. Moved by Mrs. Benadto is second. Second seconded by Mrs. Beri. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. Motion carries. Have a good weekend everybody. Enjoy the nice weather. I wish I voted no.