Yeah, it's doing their schoolwork and their lives were savagely taken from them just and we as a country mourned that and said how can this be?
But not only did we say how can this be, we said when will it stop? I think we all ask that question and indeed it didn't stop.
It continued because few days later after the passing of Harper Moski and Fletcher Berkeley, we lost three state troopers.
in Newark Cortis Township in York, Pennsylvania in the performance of their duty. Now, we lost three, but there were actually five men who were
shot in the line of duty. Three of them were killed. Trooper, I'm sorry, Detective Mark Baker. Isaiah Eisenhauser
and um Detective Cody Becker lost their lives in the performance of their duty. And I'm sure our assembled police here this evening share very deeply that
loss. It probably rings very close to them and it as it does to members of the council who indeed work very close to to our police department and recognize
the uh the importance of of the law. So why am I saying this? I'm saying it because within a short period of time, we had three expressions of
violence as a means of showing how dissatisfied somebody was or some group was in refusing to try and work within the
system. and working within people who could help them if they were unable to have their concerns resolved. They chose to take human life. And indeed, I think it all comes down to
that that if we look at what's happening in our country, there is a gross a gross disrespect for human life. And that no matter what
happens, it seems to come to either a physical challenge, some loss of life. Even our demeanor and our language has become has become so coarse that we
resolve uh our invective by going to the lowest form of speech and calling out what I think is totally unnecessary. I practice on a regular basis. If I meet
somebody, I simply a gentleman or a lady, I call them sir or ma'am. And I'm 82 years old and uh or sorry, 81 going on 82 this October. And I I find that
they look at you and they smile. Why? Because you've simply respected who they are. And I think once we begin to curry that respect with our contacts,
with our neighbors, with our friends, and hopefully this will be something that we can move forward on. So with that, and I apologize for the length of my comments, I just think it was necessary. I would ask for a moment of
silence for those people who have lost their lives. Thank you very much. Mayor, may we have your comments? Yes. Thank you, Council President.
Today, we gather to celebrate an incredible milestone. 50 years of service by our police department. half a century of courage and commitment to keeping our community safe. 50 years ago, a small group of men, I don't know if there was women at that time, but uh
on the force, um had to taken an oath to protect and serve. They they could have not known how our town would grow, how times would change, or what challenges lay ahead.
But they stood ready and because of them, generations of families have been able to live, work, and thrive in safety. Not just safety, but also being named the safest town in New Jersey for two years in a row and being in the top
10 in the country, which is neat. So, uh, that just tells you a lot about the men and women here that are standing before you. Over these over these five decades, our department has faced emergencies, solve crimes, and respondents in our moments of greatest
need. They have been there in the dark of night, in the heat of the summer, and in the middle of storms. Because duty does not wait for perfect conditions. Today, we honor not only the officers who serve now, but those who came before
them. Their courage and sacrifice remind us that public safety is not just a job. It is a calling. This anniversary is not just about looking back. It is about looking forward. The Verna Police Department continues to evolve to build
trust with our community to embrace innovation and to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. So on behalf of myself, the council, the administration, I want to say and the community, thank you. Thank you for the 50 years of
service. Thank you for your dedication. and thank you for proving year after year that the badge you wear is more than a piece of metal. It's a promise. So, thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, officers. Council
President, I will that will be ending my comments and I will leave it to you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh Chief, if you would come forward, I believe it's uh pleased to honor you.
Thank you. uh you've been with us in quite a while and we we value your service. We I look to you for guidance in many situations the gentlemen that serve with you and under you. Oh, by the way, just as a
point of service, a point of note, uh 50 years of service with the police and high school was open 50 years ago and I remember back any correlation between the two.
I wasn't born yet. Please. Uh good evening. Before I get started, uh there are two people in attendance that I would like to come stand with me. Uh retired Chief Randy Mills and retired Lieutenant Gary Gardner to do a recognition of
them when they walked in that I was going to call them up front to stand with me as I uh recognize the 50th anniversary. It obviously has a tremendous amount to do not just with them but with all the officers that were here uh prior to us and the officers that are standing here today. So, uh good evening. I'd like to thank
the council uh council president for allowing me on the council meeting tonight. Thank the mayor for this opportunity uh to recognize our police department and this milestone. I would also like to thank the members of the Vernon Township Police Department, both active and retired, and the community who are in attendance. It is a true
honor to stand here tonight as your police chief to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vernon Township Police Department. This milestone is much more than a marker of time. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication, courage, and commitment of the men and women who have served this community
with pride for half a century. 50 years ago, 10 officers dubbed the original 10 set on a mission to protect and serve Vernon Township. They faced challenges with limited resources, but they never lacked heart or determination. From those humble
beginnings, the department has grown in strength, professionalism, and spirit, adapting to the changing needs of our township while always keeping the safety of our residents at its forefront. In general, the average person witnesses
two to four critical incidents in their lifetime. However, police officer averages 750 to a thousand critical incidents over a 25-y year career. And we carry those memories with us for the rest of our lives. Tonight, we honor not only those who are
currently wearing the uniform, but also our dispatchers, records clerks, and the generations who came before us. Their legacy is not measured just in years, but in lives protected, partnerships built, and a community that thrives because of their
service. To the families of our officers, we thank you for your sacrifice and support. Your strength behind the scenes often goes unseen, but it is deeply appreciated. To the Vernon Township community, thank
you for your trust and collaboration. The bond between our police department and the people we serve is what makes Vernon such such a special place to live. As we reflect on the past 50 years, let's also look forward with determination and carry on our commitment to professionalism. May the
next 50 years bring continued progress, unity, and safety to Vernon Township. Together, we could face any challenge and seize every opportunity. Congratulations to the Vernon Township Police Department on your 50 remarkable years. you would all actually remain standing
for one second if you're able to. If you're not, that's that's perfectly fine. I understand. Um, in closing, I wanted to do something special uh for this anniversary. Um, I would like to read the names and honor the police officers who serve on the township but have since passed away,
followed by a moment of silence. Some of their families are here today. Some are logged online. Um, their names are Chief Angelo Espazito, Chief Roy Weary, Lieutenant Bob Helmer, Patrolman Wally
Wooten, Sergeant Bob Walsh, Detective Mike Bolinsky, and most recently, Patrolman Steve Shatzel. Can I have a moment of silence, please, for them? Thank you. Also, while we're up here, we did have an opportunity uh in April, uh the
Vernon PBA put on our 50th anniversary reunion. Many of the police officers, records clerks, um other admin that had uh had worked in our police department. So, we all had a chance. A lot of us came together, got together. We uh they flew from as far as Florida uh to up north in New York State. And it was
really a great day. We had almost 100 people came and turned down. Um and on that night, um Lieutenant Gary Gardner made our plaque for us. Would you do the honor of reading that? Oh, my glasses. Here you go, Gary. For over 50 years, the Vernon Township
Police Department has exemplified honor, dedication, and teamwork. This milestone recognizes the invaluable contributions of every member, past and present. Their collective efforts have ensured the safety and strength of our community. Together, the sworn and nonsworn members have built a legacy of integrity,
professionalism, pride, and pride. May 18th, 2025. Uh, we also brought with Lieutenant Gary Gardner also did this for us. This is our plaque um that we keep downstairs. It's hanging on the wall. every time a police officer um is newly hired or any
sort of a rank change, what he does is he updates our roster for us. So, it hangs on our wall so everybody that's here can see everybody that came before us. We are officially up to badge number 86, which is almost truly remarkable to me because I'm 43. So, I'm exactly halfway in the back. Uh but tonight, we
are going to have a couple of promotions and a new swearing in and I'd like to lead right into that. Uh we have Sergeant Sketto come up front. Would you like to have your family please? Good morning. as they're making their way up. Uh, a couple notes about Sergeant Retto. Uh, he was born and raised in Vernon
Township. He graduated from Vernon Township High School in 1993. He's married to Adriana, father to Gabriella and Liliana. Uh, he was hired by the Vernon Township Police Department in 2010. He transferred to us from the Sussex County Sheriff's Department and was a graduate
of the Bergen County Police Academy. Upon field completion of field training, he was assigned to the patrol division and he became a field training officer in September of 2016. In October of 2023, he was assigned to be the Vernon Township Police Department School Resource Officer.
In 2024, he took over managing our famous Junior Police Academy. And as of today, he has completely completed a very successful second year. Uh, in January of 25, Corporal Retto, I'm sorry, Sergeant Revetto became the I just demoted you, George
became the director of the Vernon Township PLA and has brought with him some great new ideas and programs and it during its daily operations. In June of 25, he was assigned the patrol division and designated as an acting sergeant. And then on September 1st, he took over
as a sergeant that's in charge of our dispatch center and all day-to-day operations, our liaison to our EMS and fire departments. He's also in charge of our firearms unit and all the investigations. And upcoming in a couple of weeks, he will be the accreditation manager in charge of our accreditation for our police department.
A quick word about accreditation is it's a highly respected program which our agency will be independently evaluated by the New Jerseys Association of Chiefs of Police to confirm we have adopted the highest standards of a law enforcement agency in the state of New Jersey. With this benchmark, this will set our agency and officers on a path for continued
success. Tonight, Sergeant Reetta will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and assigned as the accreditation manager of the Vernon Township Police Department. Okay. I, Steven Roto, I Steven Roto, do you solemnly affirm do you solemnly affirm
that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith I'll bear true faith and allegiance to the same allegiance to the same and to the government and to the government
established in the United States established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people. under the authority of the people. I do further solemnly affirm I do further solemnly affirm that I will faithfully that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly
perform all the duties perform all the duties as a sergeant of the Vernon Township Police Department as a sergeant of the Vernon Township Police Department. According to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. Good night.
Right. Next up, I'd like to have Officer Derek Sederi please step forward along with his family, his wife Kim, and his children McKenzie and Logan. Please, while they're coming up, a few notes about uh Officer Scaderi. He attended,
he was born and raised in Vernon Township. He graduated Vernon Township High School in 1993, one year before me. He attended William Patterson University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management in 1999. He was hired by the Vernon Township Police Department in 2001 and attended
the Morris County Police Academy. Little fun fact uh about officer Scaderi was when we when we had hired him, he had just completed the corrections academy for Sussex County Sheriff's Office. So we hired him and then we sent him right back to the academy to become a police
officer. So that was his year of the academy in pristine shape. Uh upon graduation of the academy, he was assigned to the patrol division where he has served our municipality for the past 24 years. He is one of our go-to officers and well respected amongst his peers. He became a field
training officer in 2011, then became the lead FTO in 2016. Most of our police officers here today in some capacity had Officer Scaderi as his as their field training officer. In 2024, he became a firearms background investigator and continues in that role
today helping us with our firearms background investigations. And with the retirement recent retirement of dete detective sergeant Charles Reid, uh officer Reed is being promoted to the rank of sergeant and he will be assigned to the patrol division to oversee squad 4.
That's a read name. Sorry. Retirement Sergeant Reed. Officer I, Derek Scary. I, Derek Scary. Do you solemnly affirm you solemnly affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I'll support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. constitute of the state of New Jersey. And that I will bear true faith bear true faith and allegiance and allegiance to the same. to the same. and to the governments to the government established in the United States established in the United States and in the state and in the state
under the authority of the people under the authority of the people. I do further solemnly affirm I do further solemnly affirm that I will faithfully that I'll faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties as the sergeant of the Vernon Township
Police Department as a sergeant of the Vernon Township Police Department according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. Congratulations Thank you. Okay. And for our last uh uh swearing in of the night is going to be for officer
Nicholo. If you could come forward. Yeah. Your mom. Okay. Well, his mom's coming up. Couple notes about uh patrolman Bango. He was raised in Vernon Township, graduated Vernon Township High School in 2016.
[Laughter] Graduation. He attended Sussex County Community College and then sentinary university. He enlisted in the United States Marines in 2019 and attended boot camp in Camp North Carolina. During his time in the Marines, he served in Okinawa and spent time on mainland
Japan. Of note, he received several medals during several medals during his time in the Marines, including the good conduct medal, national defense medal, global war on terrorism medal, sea service deployment, and expert rifle qualification. Tran Bango received his
honorable discharge in 2023. In the spring of 2025, he was accepted into the Morris County Police Academy alternate route program for the basic course for police officers. He was hired by our agency in May of 2025 and replaces retired police officer, Detective
Charles Reid. Upon graduation of the police academy, Trollman Bango went through the three-month Vernon Township Police Department field training program. Upon completion of that program, he is now assigned to the patrol division. Thank you for your service.
I Nicholas Bango. I, Nicholas Bango, do solemnly affirm solemnly affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And I will bear true faith
I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. allegiance to the same and to the governments established and to the governments established in the United States in the United States. And in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people. I do
further solemnly affirm I do further solemnly affirm that I will faithfully that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties as a police officer of the Vernon Township Police Department.
as a police officer of the Vernon Township Police Department. According to the best of my ability. According to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. at officer bombs. You are no longer the Jedi. Congratulations. Um
perhaps officers Roto and Scadere and Bango might be willing to have photos taken with the council if they like matter. Council if you'd like to gather in front
pass the test. He knocked the name plate off as he walked through. That's what everybody does. Everybody stand by. I'm going to build way over there then. No. You want to assist me or we should do pop cop. Council member
cop. Council member cop. Council member hand. There we go. There we go. But I don't want you next. I'm not in the room. Yeah. Good.
Great. Sorry. May I could just in closing, I just wanted to again say thank you to the council uh and to the mayor for this opportunity in our community. It really means the world to us to have a tremendous amount of support across the board. Very difficult time to be in law
enforcement and uh I truly believe that we live in a bubble in Vernon Township. That's what I tell everybody. Uh the community we work in, we have a tremendous amount of great interactions, a ton of respect uh and it really means the world to us to to work in such an awesome place. So, thank you to everybody and thank you for this
opportunity to do this tonight. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we are indeed fortunate to live in this wonderful town. I've been in this town for 58 years, and I never thought I would become
somebody that was 58 years in one place. I just didn't see it. But I I when you live here, it grows on you. the people grows up grow on you and you get involved with the community and you see what a wonderful group of people that we have and that wonderful
group of people that work and care for us. So I want to thank you on behalf of the community for the wonderful job that you all do from our police to our fire
to our uh emergency response people. Certainly, I've said it before and I continue to say it. People in Vernon Township can rest easy at night when they go to sleep because we have Vernon
police looking out for us and we have Vernon fire caring for us and we have Vernon EMT ready to come to our aid and assistance if necessary. So again, thank you so much for what you've done for the
community and uh I'm hoping for a little bit more time, but see what we can do. So, okay. Thank you. By the way, uh I know we have a lot of family here, people who like to have some photos taken, so I'm going to ask
for a recess for 10 minutes or 15 minutes and go from there. Okay. Thank you. All in favor of recess for 15 minutes say I oppos. Motion carries. Yes.
Excuse me. May I have a motion to open the floor to the public for I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Bucheri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. De Benadetto. All in favor, please signify by saying
I. I. Oppos. And the motion carries. Anyone wishing to address the council, please step forward. Give us your name. Um, thank you. Yeah. Now it's on.
Agenda items only. Good evening. My name is Jesse Paladini and um I don't see Commissioner Har here. Okay. Um I didn't expect to speak until your last
public session because I didn't realize that there was a resolution on the agenda for the historical society. So I will speak now. I'm here tonight because um excuse me
director that was pulled. Yeah. I'm sorry. That ro resolution was it was Yes. Yes. It's not on the agenda. Okay. Should I wait? Okay.
Good evening everyone. Good evening Mr. Campbell. Alan Bubb is in town. Uh at the last meeting I want to clarify. Is this about an agenda item? Excuse me. It's on the agenda. Is this on an agenda? No. I thought you opened it up to the public.
No, for for agenda. For agenda. I'm sorry. Okay. I'll come back. I'll wait and come back. Thank you. I'm wishing to address us on the agenda items only. Can I speak twice now or later? So, this is just for agenda items and
then later would be for any type of topic. Yes. Come in. Cindy Weber one section burning. I just want to say thank you for obnoxing all the police officer in the 50 years as a wife of a retired police officer. I know what your job is.
It's not easy. It's tough job. We've got quite a few amazing officers. We've had chance unfortunate chances they've had to come to my house and we've had some wonderful officers come. We have officers live in my neighborhood.
Okay. Thank you for acknowledging all and thank you to all the police officers in our town who keep us safe all the time. You're wonderful. Thank you. You're quite welcome. Anyone else wishing to address the
council on agenda items? Seeing no one coming forward, may I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? Moved by Mr. Higgins. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mrs. De Benadeno. All in favor signify by saying I.
I. Opposed. Motion carried. Uh we have bills list to review. All members have received a copy of the bill's list. Comments or questions on it, I'm sure uh our business
administrator or mayor will be happy to supply an answer. Just one question on the Vernon bike trail paving 30,888. Just wondering where the money came from to that. That that money came from the uh hotel
tax that we collect. Yeah, that's where I like to think she took it from. But that's that that's what we discussed and that's where it was coming from. The hotel tax that we collect that's specific to the types of um
projects. Thank you. Anyone else have any comments? I just saw notice here on the payment for uh plants
to build it. Whoever is doing a big job there, please tell them they did an excellent job. It's very very pretty. I especially like the selection on the plants. though is the uh Rotary Club uh donated $500 in plants help
the beautifification committee as well. Moving on consent agenda. If any member of the council would like to have any of these items separated, uh, please let your wish be known and I will do so. Um,
resolution 25-259. resolution authorizing the option for employees of the township of Vernon to wave health uh benefit health I'm sorry to wave health insurance benefits
uh resolution 25-260 authorizing the cancellation of outstanding checks over 6 months sold to municipal cash balances resolution 25-261 resolution author Authorizing the award
of contract for professional services resolution 25-262 approval of Welden Asphalt Company uh through the Union County Cooperative Purchasing
uh resolution 25-263 refund for totally disabled veteran block 202 lot 39 resolution 25- -264 a refund totaling for totally disabled
veteran block 610 lot 5 revised resolution 25-265 refund for totally disabled veteran uh lot 382 lot 17 revised. May I have a
motion to place these items on the floor for consideration? Uh, I'd like 25-259 pulled. 25-259 separate. Okay. And 261 and 261.
Okay. May I have a motion to have resolutions 25-260, 25-262, 63, 64, and 65. I have a motion. Motion.
Motion made by Mrs. Uh, Mrs. Bucheri and is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. De Benadza. Uh, any comments or questions? All in favor, please signify by saying I. I.
I. You like to roll call. Okay. Please. Um, Council Member Busheri. Yes. Council member Deanto. Yes. Council member Higgins. Yes. Member Sparta. Yes. President Ruda. Yes. Resolution 25-259,
a resolution authorizing the auction for employees of the township of Vernon to wave health insurance benefits. May I have a motion to place this on the floor for consideration? Move. Move Benadetto.
Second. Seconded by Mrs. Biri. Any questions on this? No. No. Only question I have is there any change in our previous uh policies? No.
So it's a resolution to keep what we have in place. Yes. Okay. Member Bruce. Yes. No. Council member Higgins. Yes. Yes.
President Rudo. Yes. Resolution 25-261 authorizing the award of contract for professional services. Uh may I have a
motion place this on the floor for consideration? Moved. Moved by Mr. Higgins. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Bucheri. Uh anyone wishing to comment on this? Yes, just on
that. So, we're we're voting to approve or not approve a resolution to hire an outside company to perform some of the duties needed while our CFO has left and uh to keep things going, right? At a rate of $168 an hour,
right? And the person who will be doing that work is a former CFO, right? Seems to be a little out of the ordinary. I I can only ask and mention
how something like this might work in outside an outside industry. If there is that type of a uh level of communication, a context within the company that has employed her,
we really can't say anything other than why would you not want to have somebody who is familiar with your your business, so to speak. uh and able to uh hit the town running without having to waste time uh being brought up
to uh uh brought up to levels of communication. Company has submitted a quote. Was this a public bid that they went out on or was it this is a professional service but it's it's a company that we've previously
done business with and I know you're feeling on professional services but there is a time element on this that rings very very loud in the sense that
if we we don't have more than 60 days for this position to be filled. Uh and otherwise we begin to experience great difficulties especially when there were
perfectly satisfactory uh alternatives available. But no other company submitted uh interests or were approached or I don't know perhaps the mayor can tell you that but the business administrator
we did not. This is a um a professional service and the company um is a vendor of ours already. We use them for other things. So we went directly to them. Okay. When you went directly to them and they had provided services in the past, our former CFO was not an employee of
their company at the time. Right. We are hiring the company, not not an individual. Yeah. But they specifically named her as a person who will be doing the work. So that's that's my conflict. Why didn't we hire the company without having her as they are the one they when we talked to
them and we asked them to work for us that is who they gave us. I don't know how long she's been employed with them. I don't know how long she's worked with them as an consultant. I know that she has worked for them in the past, but I don't know
how long she has been uh working for them. Yeah, she's contracted out. And this was this was my um this was my request to to have this because trying to find a CFO. Then this is just a temporary temporary uh solution just
to make sure like the lights stay on basically. Um something I said um it's going to be difficult to try to um fulfill that position. It's going to take a while. Um
and who better to to use um is someone who has been uh putting Vernon Township in a good financial position for for a long time. This is temporary. Um this is not a permanent solution. So faster we we get this uh position filled. We no
longer need the surface. That's that's the key. This is just a this is a plan B. That's that's what this is right now. So, I'm fine with that explanation. That was Yeah. Anyone else? Roll call, please.
Member Bushi. Yes. Council member Dennardo. Yes. Council member Higgins. No. Yes. Yes. Motion carries. Production of ordinances.
Ordinance 25-14. Ordinance to establish a new chapter in the code of Vernon Township. Part one, administrative legislative chapter 2, entitled restricted areas to safeguard
the public in confidential or exempt records from disclosure. May I have a motion to uh place this on the uh floor for consideration? Moved. Moved by Mrs. De Benadetto. Is there a second? Second.
Seconded by Mrs. Bieri. Uh roll call, please. Council member Bushier, yes. Council member Denagetto, yes. Council member Higgins, yes. Council member Sparta, yes. Council President Rudo, yes. Uh, an ordinance 25-15
amending salaries for certain officers and employees of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey. May I have a motion to introduce this ordinance 25-15? I'll make that motion.
Motion made by Mrs. Biri. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. De Benadetto. Roll call, please. Council member Bushieri. Yes. Benadetto. Yes. Member Higgins. No.
Yes. Council President Rudo. Yes. Motion carries. Public hearing on an ordinance. Ordinance 25-13, an ordinance of the township of Vernon,
amending chapter 250, article two, fees and escros enumerated 250-11 of the revised general ordinance of the township of Vernon. And I have a motion to open this uh this uh ordinance to the
floor for public comment. Moved by Mrs. Lutia. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins. Uh all in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries.
Floor is open to the public on this issue. 25-13 and 25-13. Wishing to comment on this ordinance uh may come forward. Seeing no one coming forward, may I have
a motion to close the floor to the public on this issue? Moved. Moved by Mr. Higgins. Is there second? Seconded by Mrs. Bucheri. Uh, all in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Motion carries.
May I have a motion to I'm sorry, from the council to place this ordinance uh on the table for consideration. I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Bucheri. Is there a second? Second.
Seconded by Mrs. De Benadetto. Uh, may I have a any comments on this? Seeing none, you have a roll call vote. Council member Busheri. Yes. Council member Dadto. Yes. Council member, yes. Members, yes. Uncle.
Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Public comment floor. Now, may I have a motion to have the floor opened for public comment uh on any item? Comments are list limited to five
minutes. I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Fury. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Higgins. All in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Motion carries. Okay, this one more try. Okie do. Um,
Bruce Campbell. I own this Texas Wiiers as I addressed the uh Just for the record, could you state your name? Bruce Campbell. Thank you. um about the zoning, not zoning, but the sign issue within the town
and it was brought to my attention and I end up going down to see Mindy at zoning that I was picking them out specifically picking zoning the zoning board, the zoning committee, whatever you want to
say they are. I never said it was zoning. I just felt there's somebody out there going after certain businesses within the town. Z Mindy, when I came to open my business two years ago, it'll be
two years December. Zoning, building, fire, the mayor's office, everybody did whatever they could to try and help me. So, I have zero problem with any committee within this building. But it was brought to my attention that
I said that they weren't doing their job and they totally do do their job. They're understanding. No problem. I had um apologized to them and I told them I would come since it was a public meeting to put on the
record that I did not send them out and whichever. Um I was given a copy of the signage. So far, I have six business people within the town who do want to sit down
and go over the signage regulations and start rewriting them. So, basically, that's what has to go through the mayor to come to you. But I've mentioned it to other business people who are having problems or in the future. Plus, being
on the economic development committee, we want to get this straightened out. So when we try and get new businesses in, we could have the proper things ready for them. So it's I didn't point anybody out and I never would. And if I did, I'd be a man
and I'd stand here and tell you it's this person. I never I'll stand behind anything I ever say and I always will. Thank you. So that's all I wanted to say. Thank you very much. Yes.
Yes, Mrs. Palini. Good evening again, Jesse Paladini. Um, I had not intended to come tonight, but let me just take a look. No. Okay. I had not intended to come,
but um board of commissioners director Chris Carney called me this morning and suggested that I come. So, I'm here for that reason. And um I don't know why the
resolution was taken off the agenda. I'm disappointed because we have support for it both on the board of commissioners and on this council. But I want to read something to you. I have in my hands the
deeds from 1966 and 1993. And those deeds specifically say, reserving
in perpetuity the sole and exclusive right to the possession of said lands and premises and buildings thereon for use by the
Vernon Township Historical Society for museum or historical purposes. We've had that since 1993. Note that the wording is soul and exclusive in perpetuity.
Nobody else has access to that building and certainly nobody else has the authority to extend that access to other people. And Commissioner Carney is the one who asked me to get your support by
resolution. And that's why I'm here tonight to ask you to consider voting on that resolution and giving us the deed for that building. We've been taking exceptional care of it. We um did some
work on it this past week. I plan to spend money from the society budget to put some kind of climate control in there. and I contacted a special cleaning service for historical purposes
in museums to come in and do a thorough cleaning from floor to ceiling. So, we've already had that access by deed and I ask for your support tonight to deed that building over to the Vernon
Township Historical Society. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to address the council? Cindy Weber. I live in Columbia. Sorry. Cindy Weber. I live in Glendary section
Vernon. Uh I have a little issue in our neighborhood and I don't know where to go anymore. I have called the zoning board. Um, it's not a zoning issue. It's not a police issue. I don't know whose issue it is, but we have two landscaping
trucks and trailers parked along the street 247 just about. And kicker of it all is the people that own the trucks do not even live in our neighborhood. Who do I go to? Where can I get an answer?
That loud. Well, that I believe would be under the ages of the administration because they would work with the police department to involve that. And I would strip I would ask that you contact the mayor's office to see if the problem
be resolved. I'm not pushing it off, but this is something that would be brought to our attention if nothing else could be done. Is there an ordinance in our town for parking commercial vehicles on the road? I'd have to check. I don't know all of the ordinances by
I mean according to office you know I'll look into it. Yeah. I mean I did talk to Mindy if the vehicle is on their property in their driveway or something something can be done. Um as far as it being in the road nobody
seems to know and I know that come winter time that's a different issue. That's a different plowing. Yeah. There is a time frame that you can't leave your annoy but that would annoy me if I had that in my neighborhood. And the thing that's annoying though is
the fact that the people that own the two vehicles do not even live in our neighborhood. Yeah. That would double my annoyance. Yeah. Because they're a friend of somebody doesn't mean you need to park I can go park my car by your house. Yeah. I mean, yeah, that's not fair.
It's not fair. It's not right. You know, do you want to leave your information with Tina and she can back to you? Great. Thank you so much. Anyone else wishing to adjust the council? If not, I'll ask for a motion to close the floor to the public.
Moved. Moved by Mrs. De Benadetto. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Muchiri. All in favor, please signify by saying I. Opposed. Motion carries. Um, comments from members of the council. Mr. Higgins,
just a small statement. You know, being on the council, you get calls from people in town asking for help whenever they believe something was done improperly or was being done. That's similar to the truck parking on the street. There were two people that called me. One was on roosters keeping
the neighborhood awake. And so, one rooster became noisy with another one. Next thing you knew there were three roosters. So, uh I guess they went to the code official in town who did perform duties to identify that allowed
to do that. And uh the second one was on the lighting ordinance that we passed about six months ago. During that time, I think it was myself and one other person here said, "Well, it's nice to have the ordinance. Who's going to enforce it?" So these lighting ordinances and there are even people in
the audience here who experience the same problem as the person that called me and the answer given was our code official doesn't work after 4:00. Who's going to enforce these codes? And so whenever we pass these codes I guess
we really have to get an answer to those question because they're on the books and uh they're meaningless. So somehow someway through the use of our personnel, I don't know if it's in conjunction with the police department, you go out with a meter and measure
measure the light. I I don't know. We have a lot of other things to do, but apparently even taking a picture on your phone of the light doesn't qualify because there's got to be a special camera to to give the decibel rating. So it's something that I guess has to be
solved. I have no no answer for it here, but measurement of lumens. So, we changed that ordinance, I believe. So, because we we weren't going to get some kind of meter to test the lumens. Um, it went back to a nuisance, right? A nuisance ordinance about
shining a light on on someone's on someone's house. Um, now again, this ordinance wasn't set up for the guy that occasionally, you know, accidentally leaves his light on. it's set for the guy who again wants to
be the nuisance. Um we do uh they if they call the police department, they will come and they they will take a look and then they'll report back to our zoning and then we they can issue things like that at that point. Um we did have some residents that decided to try to
call every night. Um we're not going to attend those as long as there's there's one. we they will I guess evaluate the situation and decide whether or not it's actually considered a nuisance and then our zoning department would then uh take over at that point and then issue a
violation go from there. So, okay. So, I'll get you the name of the person so somebody can take some action. Well, I think they they should probably um again if it's if it's being a nuisance then they should call the police department. They have and got no action.
Okay. Um yeah 7 to 8. Okay. Contact if you welcome this. Well Pat I want to thank you for your opening comments. This is a very sad time in our country and there's a lot of
ugliness which is why it made me so happy to see the police officers so happy tonight with their promotions and 50 years celebration. But um I do have something to read because I've seen a lot of terrible things from people in
our town online. Um my neighbors, I'm here with a heavy heart but fierce resolve. Some of you flat out lie about char lying about Charlie Kirk and spewing vile falsehoods that poison Some of you are flat out lying about Charlie Kirk, spewing vile falsehoods that
poison our town. You know who you are and I'm calling you out as I would a child who didn't know any better. Your cruel mockery of a man so brutally taken in it despicable manner tearing our community is tearing our community at its heart.
Despite the lies you've swallowed, Charlie Kirk was a husband, a father, a voice for truth, gunned down on stage before his wife and two young children. Picture their anguish, bullets shattering a loved one's life. It's not a joke.
It's a wound that demands reverence. When you spread vicious lies about who Charlie was, you spit on their grief and disgrace our town. The path forward is obvious. Find the truth. Go to Charlie Kirk's YouTube page or Turning Point USA. Listen to his full speeches, not the mangled scraps you've been fed by
people who fear his truth. His words in their true context reveal a man who's loved fiercely, fought for freedom, and stood against division. He met hostility with kindness, believing in an America where truth and
faith unite us. Unite us. Look for yourself and your lies will collapse. Exposing the hero Charlie was. Charlie lived the love Jesus taught in Mark 12:31. Love your neighbor as yourself. He reached out to all, even though even
those who despised him with patience and grace. That's the heart you slander with falsehoods. You're not just wrong. You're poisoning our community's soul. You can do better. You have a choice. Stop spreading toxic filth and seek the truth. No more lies, only kindness, only
unity. Rise above the shame. Be the change Charlie's legacy demands. That's it. Thank you, Mr. Smart. No comment. Bend. M. Berry. I'm Did I say that again?
Thank you. I I can go again. I have more. She's on a roll. She's um just congratulations again to our police department and um it has been a difficult couple weeks and uh I but I I
was heartened um although there was some ugliness in our community there. I was heartened um last last evening. Um so that I was grateful for that. Thanks. That's okay. I'll
Thank you. Uh I think I've talked this evening more than I've talked a lot in the past six months. So probably so probably so I think uh our youth football teams are doing great. And why am I bringing this up?
Because I have a grandson who is now part of these these people and they're having a great time and it's great to see how active and how excited they become to being part of a winning program. And uh
this past weekend they beat their I think one of their arch rivals. It was uh in Barstown at what's that little town that Madison? Yes, that little I shouldn't say that. They'll get an
M. They did a nice job. Dave, Madison, they beat him 25 zip and uh previous two games. Right now, they're unscored upon. And these are a group of the youngsters in the
in the uh 10 to I'm sorry, the 12, 14 or maybe even a little bit younger range. And uh I'm just really happy about it. I think coaches at the high school ought to be, you know, waiting with baited breath to have these youngsters come in
and begin to play for them. Um, I can only say that uh I was very very proud of the gentlemen who were here this evening and who were promoted and how they came as a group uh
and supported each other. And I think that is the type of support and that is the type of behavior that we uh look to engender in our community. And finally
um back a few few weeks ago I was very very proud and very pleased to have been part of the dedication ceremony. I'm sorry, the rededication ceremony, the y
celebration of 50 years of service by our high school to our community. I can remember as a young member of the the board of education at
that time. And uh and I was pleased that our superintendent at that time found time to be able to come here and make a few comments. And he even asked me as a
a member of the council to make comments and on it as a past board member. And I can only say that uh it brought back a lot of memories, a lot of great memories, a lot of fine people who have been uh who were recognized and who have
been part of that school system. Uh teachers especially because teachers are in fact the reason why we have good school systems. Uh because of the work that they do with our children.
uh and with the administrators and the job that they do as they move things along and try and keep some order and certainly with the students themselves who recognize what a gift that the
community has given to them. If you look at the school system that we have and look at the uh the facilities, we have nothing to hang our our head
about. Uh going from high school to the oldest school, even uh Walnut Ridge, they've been given exquisite care. And when you move towards the uh
township facilities uh and you go to Maple Graange Park and you see the the number of people that come up there that use that and the comments that are made when uh
people from other townships come and they look at the facility and they say, "Wow, this is in Vernon." You know, they look at Sussex County as if we don't know how to spend money. We could do that with the best of them. So, that's supposed to be a little bit of fun,
ladies and gentlemen. But, uh, make note Mr. Spart's dad was there, too. Yes, he was. He was and so was, as I said, Mr. Dr. Ryan. I was the some of the older teachers uh have been there. Uh these are people
who have been there for quite a while and I can only say it was really a great time and certainly uh I had the opportunity to meet uh our new uh superintendent of schools
uh this is Evony uh the uh gee I lost that one didn't I Mendes Mendes thank you so much mayor D Mendes Menddees so Uh don't anybody tell her I forgot.
And uh she was a lovely lady and I think she's going to bring a lot of stability to the community to the district. Other than that I I really have no other comments. So I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. Moved.
Moved by Mrs. Deenadetto. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Bireri. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Both. Motion carries. And that's it. Good night.