public meeting of May 4th, 2026 of the Township Council of the Township of Washington. Adequate notice of the meeting was given in accordance with the open public meetings act by the township clerk on January 8, 2026 to at least two newspapers and this meeting has been posted on the township bulletin board,
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please stand for a salute to the flag? >> I pledge algiance 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.
>> Thank you. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio >> here. >> Councilman Sears >> here. >> Councilman >> here. >> Councilwoman VZ >> here. Council President, the Senate >> here. >> At this time, we'll have a uh
presentation for the financial team. >> Oh, >> yeah. Hold on. Hold on. Mr. D Carlo, >> I reminded him. >> Let the record reflect also in attendance, Mayor Peter Calamari, Township Administrator Mark D. Carlo via Zoom, CMFO John Corkran via Zoom, Township Attorney Siobhan Bailey, and
Township Clerk Susan Wowski. At this time, we'll have a financial team presentation via Zoom from the Binfeld group and the Acacia Group and the Lurch Vincy and Bliss Group. >> Everybody, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, we'll start with Hawkins, Delfield, and Wood, right?
>> Yeah. Just want to introduce everybody real quickly. Obviously, you have Bob and Michelle from Mr. Binfeld's office, Joe and Josh from Acasia, and everyone knows Alex Bice from Lurch Vincent Bliss. Uh very quickly, council, this is going to be a very similar presentation
as to what was given last year around this time regarding the uh the rollover of our ban, which will happen in the beginning of July. And uh with that, I'll turn it over to uh Joe or Josh. >> Great. Thanks, Mark. And thanks for having us tonight, everybody.
>> Um Mark, is it okay? Should I share the screen? I don't know if everybody has the presentation. >> Actually, Sue, can we ask Ricky to put up the slides if we can? I I'll text him. Okay. Thank you. >> I can do it as well. No big deal.
>> Either way, I sent them to him on Thursday, so he was prepared. >> Try sharing your screen, Joe. See if it works. We'll see what it looks like. We will see. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Can everybody see that? >> Yes.
>> Yeah, we can see it. Okay. Thank you, Joe. >> Yeah, sure. Absolutely. Uh so, really quick, as Mark said, this looks this is going to look very similar to uh what we showed you guys last year. Uh this first page here, the presentation is just simply uh the township's outstanding
debt. As you can see, you have two series of bonds outstanding, which is the 2019 bonds and the 2022 bonds. You also have the 2025 bands, which you issued last year, and the interest payment that's coming due in July. Uh the far right here, this is this is the
key the key part of this is your outstanding debt. Obviously, in 2026, this year, you have 2.1 million. And what we're really working towards here is the drop off, which will occur in 2030. Uh that's due to the falloff and the payoff of your series 2019 bonds. Um
quickly below this is just a summary of the ordinances for the ban that you issued last year. Again that 2025 ban was issued last July in the amount of 9,920,189. Uh and here's the proposed 2608 ordinance and that is for 1.464 million.
Um, so again, just a quick summary of the township's overall debt as it stands now. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Sure. So, page two, and again, this is going to look very similar to what you guys saw last year as well. This is the proposed plan of finance.
At the top here, you'll see the current bands that are outstanding, which is again 9.9 million. You have your new 2026 capital ordinance of 1.464 million. And then you have proposed 27, 28, and 29 new capital. Uh 27 3.3 million, 285
a.5 million, and 29 about $3 million. You also here on the right have this land acquisition grant that I understand that is money in hand that the township has in the amount of $472,500. Uh and that's relating to ordinance 2315.
Um that money will be used to pay down a portion a portion of the 2025 bands. Um and once we once the township pays that down and they issue this 1.464 million the
total amount of ban in 2026 will be here 10 million 912087. You also see down here, this is a proposed what the proposed interest cost is going to be on that note, which will be due in 2027, about $365,500.
Um, again, for the note, I'm assuming we are assuming a 335 interest cost. Um, I would expect that the township would given the current market conditions, township would receive something much better than that. Somewhere around 280, 290 is what we've been seeing recently in the market. So, this is a
conservative estimate. Um, so that's this year, uh, 2027. Next year, you're going to roll over that $10.9 million ban plus you're going to add this proposed new capital of 3.3 million. Total ban amount is going to be
here or here. It's a little bit bigger. Uh, 14,26587. So again, you'll you'll roll over that and you'll issue the new money as well in 2027. Um, and here's the projected interest payment due in 2028, about $478,000.
>> M. Joe, could you just uh Mr. D Carlo, can you just tell us what the 2027 2028 2029 capital program is? I I don't have it. >> Yes. So, that's funny you asked that because I was getting ready to chime in. That is purely based on the capital plan that we provided the council. >> Yeah. Can you remind us?
>> Can you tell us what what each three years are? You don't have it in front of you? Uh I don't have it in front of you, but I can tell you um one 28 is most likely including a million dollars for uh the fire truck if we don't get a grant. Remember the fire chief said
we're pushing that off. >> Um the potential renovations to uh the police department are within there next year. The the DPW's coming is looking for some significant money for two vehicles. Um, you know, if you if you
want specifics, I can certainly take 20 seconds to pull it up on my computer. Um, but it's purely based on >> Yeah, I know it's based I couldn't remember at this at this point in time. It's I just trying to figure out what they were, but go on. Let Mr. Kajoro go on with his presentation.
>> Just real quick to add to that. 2029 I don't think was in the capital plan. This is just purely >> purely I we just added because the township will have something in 2029. So, we just added $3 million. Again, these numbers could be a lot lower, they could be higher. Um, time will tell.
>> And Joe, can you just explain to the council that the anticipated interest payment for next year at 36555 is about what was it like $30,000 higher than what we paid this year. And that's based on your higher interest rate estimate.
>> Yeah. So, the 2025 ban, if I go back to page one, this was the gross interest that was due, 421,609. you guys, the township received uh a net interest cost of about 326 last year. Um
>> premium >> Yeah, you also received about $98,000 in premium. So in reality, your net interest is actually 323,000 give or take. Um but I included the gross interest in here because that's what matches your budget, your budgeted
amount for debt service in 2026. >> Okay. So again, you'll this 365 and all of these here assume a 335, which is higher than you got last year. And again, given the current market situation and recent bands that we've done as well, uh I'd
expect you the township to come in at around 280 or 290ish, most likely under 3%. So this is a conservative estimate. So where did I leave off? That was 2027. So we issued the 2027 ban. Then in 2028,
we're going to make a required payown on the outstanding notes. By law, you have to make a minimum payown before the fourth anniversary of the of the I guess the first time you issue. Is that right, Bob? The first time
>> that's that's exactly right, Joe. Yeah. >> Y first time you issue the advantage, which was in 2025. you get 2025, 2026, 2027, and then in 2028, the township's going to require to make a a minimum payown, which will be included in the
2028 debt service. Um, and that's here. You're going to roll over the balance of the note, and then you're going to add the 2028 new capital, which is the bigger one, which is about $5.5 million. And in total, that notes going to be about 19,472,214. And here is the projected interest due
in 2029 for that note. Then we get to the bond issuance which is in 2029. Um it's just going to be the outstanding note plus $3 million of proposed new
capital. Your 2029 projected bond issuance is going to be $22,472,000. Um and it's going to go out. We estimated approximately 17 years here. Again, this is kind of these three useful lives here. I just assume 15
years. They're unknown. They could be 12 years, they could be 17 years, could be 20 years, could be 10 years. Um, we'll know that with time as well. Um, but for for purposes of this analysis, we assumed a combined useful life of about 17
years. And this is the overall resulting debt service of the town. you do see your debt here in 2028 does jump to 2.4 million and that's because of the interest that you guys are paying. Um and then it does have another jump here in 2030
to about $2.8 million and then it kind of stays level and then drops off uh thereafter. Um but this does put the township in the in the you know the best position to take advantage of the the large drop off that they have in their debt service uh coming in 2030.
So, and that's really it. Um, again, like I said, this this looks very similar to what we did last year to what you guys saw last year. Um, happy to take questions. >> Councilman, um, the Senate, did you want me to get specific on the capital plan?
>> Uh, rest want to be made aware of what 20 27 27 8 and 9 was really quick just so we're all >> Yeah. Yeah. 27, you know, we roughly gauge about a million dollars for the road resurfacing. So, we had a million there. DPW is looking for about 550,000
for uh new dump trucks, mason trucks with plows and salters. You know, we have the two police vehicles in there again at 180. uh couple of not you know the quantifith machine for the fire department, new ballistic shields for the police department, the council chambers computer was pushed off to next
year and then uh about 100,000 for field fencing at the parks, 750 for renovations of the old ambulance building if that's approved and or whatever the plan's going to be. And then I always put in 700,000 for Msquapsync Brook stabilization if we
continue there. And then with 28 again, another million for the roads, a million for the uh fire engine, uh about $400,000 in more DPW vehicles, another 180 for the police vehicles, uh 200,000 the fire department for a new
emergency siren system with voice over alert. 150,000 for the police department for body cameras. Uh an asphalt box for DPW for 75. Skin steer for 90. And again, I we put
700,000 in there um from the squabs brook again if we continue with restabilizing and removing the shs and then the police department renovations of uh estimated at 1.7. So that's where those estimates come from. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome, sir.
>> Any questions for >> Joe Kaj? >> Yes. Uh Mr. man had sent in or councilman had sent in some questions. I did forward them to uh the financial team here. Councilman Alman if you wanted to uh take over and ask your
questions of these gentlemen and and ladies uh please. >> Sure. Thank you very much Mr. D. Carlo. Uh I guess the first question I had is you know we talk in the budgets uh in very large numbers. Uh sometimes
I I feel we lose sight of what the ultimate cost is for some of these items. You know, we see on page two uh total debt service of $50,326,000,
which is a bit daunting. Uh so I guess my question is uh how do we what's the best way to break this down into a meaningful or a u a amount that is digestible? So, if I
wanted to work in units of $100,000, what does that mean for uh you know, something that is uh banned in 2027 and permanently funded in 2029?
Uh what is the cost? How how does the principal get paid back over that time? And what is the interest on that $100,000 over that time? And is it as simple as just doing straight division 100,000 into the 22 million get a a
percentage and apply that to the interest and that's what it costs. >> Councilman, this is Josh Nicot with the case. could I could try to address that question, but I think it's as you know, if you wanted to break it down into smaller units to show what the allocable share of a particular project or, you
know, amount would be, we could certainly do that. You could just kind of run the numbers on, you know, what a $100,000 note would look like, you know, rolled over for several years and then permanently financed, you know, identical to this capital plan, and that would tell you exactly what, you know, a
$100,000 project would cost over its life cycle. Um, based on you know this plan of finance and sort of bl the blended average life or the weighted average life of all the projects that are financed together. So that's way we we don't have that number now. I don't know that you could precisely just sort
of take an allocable share of what we have here um on the fly but that's something we could easily you know get you. >> Okay. I mean the uh I guess the genesis of this was uh a discussion on police
vehicles and uh we purchase uh or there's a cadence of purchasing police vehicles. Lately it's been one vehicle per year and round up it's $100,000. I think it's
a little over 90,000 is the actual amount. And when I think of that uh I my opinion is it should be part of current expense and we should uh you know plan
for that on an annual basis. uh it is proposed in the capital plan and in my mind you know there is a sort of a silent interest expense that uh is a
burden to the taxpayers and should we you know how do we make that educated decision and especially if it's a purchase that is going to occur annually it's not a fire truck that is purchased once every 12 or 15 years. It's going to
be a police car that's purchased uh at least one perhaps more on an annual basis. >> Right. That's a that's a that's a good question and I think I have I I I think I can address that partially. I mean, I think the one thing you you raised I
think you raised a good point to to acknowledge that and and I think that's evidenced by the fact that the state recently changed the law and Bob can can can weigh in on this um to allow for the financing of police vehicles, you know, in the capital plan, which wasn't always
previously the case. And I think that's evidence of the financial burden of the increased cost of police vehicles, the the reality of even though that you have a stated useful life of what is it three to five? What what exactly is it? Is it
>> it's a five a fiveyear drive? Yeah, >> it's assigned a fiveyear life in reality the life cycle of that vehicle is going to be longer. Um, so I, you know, be, you know, based on, I think, again, the increased cost and and and sort of the reality of the, of the life of the
vehicle. The state changed the law to acknowledge that and allow for the for municipalities to finance it. Certainly not something you have to do. You could choose to fund it in your operating budget, but that comes at an immediate cost that's not spread over multi-year budgets. It's it's it's impacted on in a
single year. So that's really kind of a policy decision to be made when developing the capital plan. Um in terms of financing it, you know, the the weighted the all the projects are weighted together and you come up with a weighted average life and that's how we
get to a 17-year, you know, useful life for the overall projects. When you look at it that way, you can't think that the police car is being advertised over 17 years. Um and and and that's what the cost of that debt service is related to the police vehicle because you have
other items that have a longer useful life than 17 years and they are being advertised over a shorter period of time. It's a blended life. So when you do the math, if you were to look at all all these on an individual basis and create amortization schedules for each individual project and add them
together, it would it would be approximate to what the weighted average life is on the single pro on the single financing that we have here. So the math of you know the way we calculate the bond um useful life and and and ultimate amortization um ends up being the most
efficient way to finance these capital projects. >> And I I'd like Josh, I think that was great. And Councilman Alman, I I I think your questions are incredibly good and and incredibly astute as to our as to what really is the meat behind this kind of stuff. Uh so
I I think they're highly appropriate. As Josh says, uh the useful lives by law, we don't have the choice as financial professionals. the useful lives of what is going to be bonded need to be aggregated and averaged based on the
prata amount of each asset that's going to be financed. So you are exactly right that it seems as if uh that if we do a 17 or 15 or 10year bond and an asset with a life of five years is there's a
little smidge of that that's probably still there but in effect the amount of that asset is bringing down as Josh says the life of the entire bond issue. I think the drafters of the law were concerned that running uh you know let's
say we go to a bond issue on eight ordinances each ordinance having five or six or seven purposes that to run 50 or so uh amortization schedules and then aggregate that would just be get out of
hand. So that so the the the framers of this law uh uh directed us as finan financial professionals uh to do this average uh waiting mechanism that is not otherwise intuitive. So your question I
think is spot on. Uh and it could be deter and is is as Josh says you know if you want to but the law was changed just a year a year year and a half ago to allow vehicles uh which were not passenger vehicles which were not
permitted. uh so that that then becomes you know as you say if if this is it's more of a collective decision as to you know the best mechanism and way to finance it. The direction uh to the financing team can always be um you know
despite what we are allowed to do uh pursuant to the the law and the averaging. We'd like you to bring that back a little bit and those those numbers can be produced and and the effect on on budget and tax rates can
all all be calculated. But I I I think your question is is a great question. >> Mr. Mr. Roman, are you done? Can I just jump in? I I don't want to lose my train of thought if you don't mind. Okay. >> If if Mr. Binfeld and Josh, is there do other municipalities have like a I know
we don't hear, but like a police car right now is is being capitalized at $90,000 plus all the interest rates and the uh proposed debt service and all that. Do other municipalities have like a threshold like if it's under $100,000 because we have stuff on there for like
$50,000 and we're going to bond it, >> right? Is it to me it's not worth it because the the you know the interest and the and the debt service for all the years even though like Josh was explaining it's not going to end up being 17 years or it might if it's a $50,000 item that's got a 20-year life
right it could end up being advertised over 17 years. So do do other towns you represent have a like a a low ceiling like say hey if it's below that we're going to have to include it in our regular budget. If it's above that, then we can consider it for, you know, the
the bond or the bands. >> Yeah, council president, that's a great question, too. And Josh, I'll I'll also let you follow me on this one. As to your knowledge, I'm not aware of precise policies uh by towns. I think many of
them are uh like the flexibility uh that the the change in law has given them at least to make a concerted decision as to what to do. many of them I think council president as you say up until a year or two ago couldn't do this but for out of
uh you know the po situation so um you know it it was there was an embedded policy whether it was liked or not uh that that you know that's the way it would be done but I think that that you know there you guys wrestle with budget decisions and cap laws and all that kind
of thing um and so I think you know it depends on the financial circumstances What else is needed? I I don't know. Josh, do you know of hard policies places? I I'm not aware myself, but I guess there could be. >> Yeah, I'm I'm I'm not aware of it and
I'm kind of looking to Joe as well because he covers, you know, as many towns as I do when we're up and down the state, you know, from top to bottom. Um I'm not aware of any specific policies. I do think it's case by case. I think you're probably seeing in in this environment with budgets being tighter and funds, you know, being, you know,
scarcer, you're seeing more folks, you know, looking for any reason to, you know, to to capitalize projects as much as possible within the law. So, I would say it's probably leaning more more in that direction than not. >> Thank you. >> And and I'll just follow up one more if I could, Council President, to one of
Mr. Alman's questions as well. again hitting on so many of the things that are the tug and push points of these ordinances about what is capital uh and what is not. I certainly field a ton of questions of what and I'm sure well maybe Josh you don't get these because
us bond lawyers have to ferret them out and once they're in the ordinance they're there and can be financed but I certainly get um uh given to the the thought of budgetary pressures um I'm often asked whether something and it may
be police vehicles uh but it may be other things uh that are always coming up because You know, again, they like the flexibility of possibly including something and calling it capital can be
some relief in certain circumstances. Uh whether it's good or bad policy, I don't know. But the question as to in general to consider something capital or not capital is a very very frequent question
we we we get. Thank you, Mr. Vel. >> Um, I have just uh two more questions if I may. uh and perhaps uh it's just an affirmation that I understood your
response earlier but if we were to have let's say computers that have a useful life of three years and I don't know if that's accurate uh verse a DPW building that has a 20 year and
we get a blended useful life Is the amortization schedule weighted? So the computers in theory are paid off in those first three years or
do we go straight to the blended um useful life of the entire ordinance and instead of it being 20 years for DPW, it's, you know, 19 and a half because we have these computers. So
>> I'm gonna I'm gonna try Mr. Alman and Josh again. Come on in or Joe. Um, and I'm going to answer your either or as yes. Yes. So, uh, the intent of the blend is to get to we're going to call it five years instead of three just
because we're supposed to have five years to put it in a in an ordinance. But the the idea of the blend, the theory and actuality to some extent behind the financial calculation is to
assure that the shorter lived assets in effect get paid earlier. Now if you're going to uh uh and and it depends on the amounts as well. But so the theory behind the principle of averaging is
that you get an life of the aggregate assets being financed and then and that is based on the weight i.e. the amount of each asset.
>> Okay. >> So I don't know if I can answer your question. If you think the question can be answered yes. Yes, but yes, it is designed to bring the hundred,000 for the computers to pay it sooner than the
million or 2 million for the large property things. But does it foot exactly? No. Uh but that's the idea. The idea is the blend gives you a bundle of things you're financing. those bundle of
things have an average when they're average lives together you get an average life and that is the length that you can borrow that's the theory >> okay >> but unfortunately but I know what you you know the
problem with doing it is what I said earlier of having 50 amortization schedules for 50 different assets and it becomes unwieldy to the draft. >> And if you did if you did that exercise and kind of did you know each ran each
project on its own useful life as I said earlier and sort of aggregated them together you get you'd get a result that would approximate what the blended life looks like. So at the end of the day, you know, you know, again, identifying what project is within that $22 million
amortization is difficult to kind of parse out exactly, but as you know, on an aggregate basis, the township's kind of in the same same position more or less, if not better, right? And I would add one other thing, one other constraint that the state of New Jersey
puts on the municipalities, it is an amortization requirement. We call it the two over one rule. That basically states that no principal payment can be twice as large as the smallest principal payment. And what that does is it it requires municipalities to begin and and
you have to make your first payment within the year of the first year anniversary of issuance. So it does not allow you to defer payment. So, you can't take advantage of the wham situation and say, "Okay, I have a 17-year life and defer the payment amortization for the last five years of
that 17 years, right?" And start be start advertising bonds in year 12, for example, you have to start paying back your debt service right away, which is why when you look at your amortization schedule on the proposed 2029 issuance, it's somewhat front-loaded in terms of it's not level debt service. It's like
1.8 million and then it declines down to like 1.6 6 1.59 at the very end. That's because of the state law requirement of um the two over one rule or the rapid amortization. So >> that's a fantastic point, Josh, that to to mention that the state is known
that's universal to counties, municipalities all over the place. You can't change that without a division approval. It is known I I think Josh, you're you're you're good with the rating agencies. very conservative approach to financing uh forcing in
effect uh payments to be made not to be pushed kicked down the road. So I I I hadn't even thought of that but it's it's embedded in the bond law to have a conservative payback structure
even on top of this you this this blending life calculation. >> Correct. >> All right. And uh my apologies for keeping everyone but the last question I have is regarding the actual language in
the ordinance. Uh I don't know. >> Yes. Yes. I I council Mr. I think again I have Thank you. But Mr. D Carlo forward along your email. I'm going to try to um I'm I'm going to try to to
stay on follow the script here in terms of what you've asked and hopefully I'll get to some of the answers because again I think these are are great questions and you know we in the finance that do this all the time it's it it's far from uh um English to anybody else who who
who reads this stuff. So um I think so I'll read it off here. Uh I think it's the best way to do it. Um, you know, the purpose of the language of that section 20 language we call it in the ordinance. The purpose is the law mandates that we
state the amount that will be used for soft costs, any type of soft costs. It mandates that that the amount that can be spent on soft costs be uh included in your ordinance. So that's why it's there. Otherwise, I don't think we'd
want to go there and and and get involved in it. one I think of your other questions which is also you know the I don't want to keep saying but they're all good questions is it does say I think as you pointed out that it covers uh interest
uh also as part of the soft cost that's not the interest that you budget each year uh to pay the debt service that is if you wanted to put in the bond amount the ordinance amount interest for example if you were doing a revenue
producing project for a new sewer system or something and you need needed interest payments until you could build the you bill the users while it's being built. It is called capitalized interest during the project construction period. So that's what that interest refers to.
I know it's confusing but that is not the interest that we pay out uh per the budget. Um I think you ask how is it calculated measured? Frankly, I it it's the best estimate just like all all your
project costs are best estimate until bids come in. It's the best estimate that can be put together. Uh the estimate is usually designed and I'm going to maybe answer some of the other questions as I'm answering this. The estimate is designed to um u be generous
so that um you don't need to come back and amend that amount higher if in fact those costs go higher. Uh amounts that may be used for that don't have to be used for that and can be used for hard costs which ties into one one of the
questions later. So we generally put something in there that's again not constraining and and doesn't we wouldn't want to come back for an amendment to one amount an ordinance. It it's a lot of time and effort for so that's why we we usually include a buffer uh as all
project estimates you know often are >> Mr. Blindfeld Mr. Binfeld do you do you audit that number as the projects are bid and and ready to go? A great a great question that >> council president I think I'll um no we
do not and I think that would be you know I'll defer to others uh but but that would be monitored to the same extent that expenses on projects are monitored I guess in the same way you know um which is the next question which
was good uh how's a c impact of exceeding the stated amount you real you know you shouldn't It's, you know, it's an expenditure allowance. So, I I don't know. I council president, I don't I don't, you know, we're we're
once it's set up um you know, we're not going to monitor it, but I know it is and it should it again the impact is it shouldn't be exceeded. Does, and I'm almost at the end here. Does uh the not to exceed pertain to the total expenditures related to the bond
issuance or is it attempting to limit the use of proceeds of the issuance of the bond? Uh it is um uh it is the use so the bond ordinance has you know an appropriation a down payment amount and
a debt amount. the uh uh amount in the section 20 the soft cost is designed to be a limit of expenditures appropriation under the ordinance for those amounts of money. Um it's not a
limit on any particular line item but it is a it's an o aggregate limit of expenditures under the ordinance. If it is exceeded it could be amended. It can come I think councilman you you referenced the budget. it could come out. It doesn't mean you can't go
higher, but it means you not supposed to go higher under the ordinance expenditures. And I think you have one other question that I kind of hit on. Uh um uh uh can it be used for interest and soft cost? A minimum.
So the flip side is you have uh X for section 20 and Y for hard cost. It doesn't mean that Y must be used for hard cost. It just means X can't go over the X amount. The some of the X amount,
if a little bit extra or a lot extra, can be used for the Y hard cost. No, no, no pro no problem there. So that that's why it's usually preferred to have some slippage there since you can always bring it over to hard costs. I'm not
sure I answered all the questions or that I answered them understandably. So, please >> you you certainly did. I and I really appreciate that. Uh and just to confirm
the interest that is referred to in the specific ordinance language is not the debt service interest or the interest to service the debt. That's correct. >> Okay, >> that
that is so for your practical purposes. Sorry, I'll stop this. For your practical purpose, that interest with respect to the township that amount in that section is zero. >> Okay.
>> Right. that now there are unusual circumstances and I think I gave the example once in the county there was an assessment project and they were going to build a home a homeowners but you know during the con and it was $2 or3 million but until the sewer lines were
put in and they were going to say they were going to keep it off the tax base and they wanted to assess them but you can't assess until the project's done and it's confirmed but they had to pay interest because they had to borrow the money so they put let's say a hundred or two $200,000 in that line, an extra 200 grand or so
in that line item simply to pay for interest during construction so that they did not have to come out of budget to pay debt service. But it is an unusual circumstance. Um and and and your amount there is is is for that
particular item is zero. >> Okay. >> Mr. Go ahead, Council M. No, I was just going to say thank you for the explanation. It uh >> Yeah, thank you. >> certainly caused some confusion for me.
Uh uh sounds like everyone else may have understood that, but uh I certainly didn't. So I appreciate that. >> I appreciate the awesome struggle. Uh Mr. President, this just one more thing. Uh Mr. Binfeld, I just want to make it clear too that when you sit down to
write these bond ordances or capital ordances, me and you discuss what we anticipate the soft costs to be. And in this particular new uh bond ordinance for this evening, we discussed the engineering, the soft cost for the borrowing, the financial team. That's
how we came up with the uh the $200,000. And then >> 100%. Yeah. And then it would be the responsibility of myself and the CFO to monitor. And I I think probably what was more impactful to Councilman Omen was
thinking that the interest and I you know I certainly would not have been able to do that. So I I understand why it may have looked you know more in depth or or more difficult um than it really is. But, you know, like you said, the interest is only if we're borrowing
interest, not budgeting the interest. >> Maybe maybe I should put the word capitalized interest in front of that, which has a buzz meaning in the financial world. That means you're bonding for interest. That would that would have helped out um
making and the law would help out if it said that too. But that's exactly right. >> Thank you. >> And then Councilman Desenna, was everybody done, sir? I just wanted to >> I just wanted to ask everybody on the desk any other questions for this group? >> Mike answer. >> Thank you. Thank you everyone. Appreciate the presentation. Great
presentation. M >> council president just uh before everybody goes I just want to make clear what we're asking. So obviously um well not obviously but for the next meeting um for the 18th we want to put a resolution before the council. Mr.
Binfeld, correct? Uh basically uh authorizing us to go out to for sale. Is that the right word for the for the ban? >> Memorial memorializing it, listing the ordinances, listing the amounts per ordinance, you know, determining form and uh the the the notice of sale,
various other, you know, kind of collateral matters that we need to we're going to produce an an offering statement, an official statement. Uh all that stuff would get embedded and authorized in in that Mr. D. Carlo in that in that resolution. We'd like to do it at the next meeting. Probably,
you know, not to jump uh put horses in front of anything here, but if if the uh uh uh the current year's capital ordinance uh were to go through on that timeline, the thought would be to have the resolution done, you know, after that after that's adopted or some
something like that. >> It would be simultaneous. So, if it if it is introduced tonight and it passes um the second reading, that would be the 18th and that would be the night we put the resolution. Again, council, it would be for the 99 we borrowed minus the 472
for 450 grant plus the 1.4 and change that we're introducing tonight and hopefully be approved. So, I just wanted to summarize that and that's what we'll be looking uh for approval for on the 18th. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Mr. Binfeld and crew for uh and everybody
else for a great presentation. Appreciate it your time and effort you put into presenting this. >> Thank you council president. Thank you all mayor and all. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> We will move on to our public hearing for open space with Mr. Buno uh our
senior consultant from GLD Associates. The purpose of the session is to hold a public hearing for the following application to obtain funds for the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Park improvement program application park improvements at Memorial Field block 2325 lot 1 and two. Good evening, Mr.
Beer. Good evening, council president, Mayor Collie Mari, and members of the governing body. Um, quick synopsis of this project is that uh memorial field will have the following components in this project. site clearing and
excavation, construction of a retaining wall, construction of a walkway 6 ft wide and approximately 945 ft in length out of concrete which will replace the asphalt walkway that's there now. Uh
installation of five sets of bleachers, three of which will be ADA accessible. Uh, also construction of an ADA ramp um to uh connect two new ADA parking spaces near the school street side of the
property. Uh there'll be additional fencing, landscaping, and seating where needed. That's basically the overview of the property. Thank you. >> Any questions for Mr. Buuno on the project? >> Sounds great.
>> Thank you, Mr. Buo. Thank you. >> Open to open uh the public hearing for this application. Motion to open the uh public hearing for this application. >> Moved second. >> Roll call. Go ahead. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Olman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ? >> Yes. Council President? >> Yes. Would anybody in the audience like to come up and address this hearing for the uh proposed improvements at Memorial Field? Seeing no one, motion to close the public hearing for this application.
>> So moved. >> I'll second it. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Council President Zenna, >> yes. Resolution number 26-239. Authorize
the filing of a 2026 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Park improvement application for Memorial Field block 2325, lot one and two. I'll make the motion. Will somebody second it? Second. Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. Yes.
>> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Council BZ. >> Yes. Council President Denna. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Buuno. Have a good evening. >> Thank you. >> Payment of bills. Resolution number 26-240. Authorize payment of bills April 16, 2026 through May 1st, 2026. Do I
have a motion? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council Casio. >> Yes. >> Council Sears. Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Public service announcement for May 4th,
2026. Construction has begun on the new DVW building at Town Hall. With this construction, the DDW will now remain closed on Tuesdays for household debris and recycling dropwalks. Residents may still drop off items on Saturdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Please note during the hours of
construction, there'll be limited parking to the east side of Hudson Avenue. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Inspection Unit will be at the Bethany Community Center on Thursday, May 7th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please note this is for vehicle inspections only. The New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Commission Motor Unit will be at the Bethle Community Center on Thursday, May 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Also, registration renewal appointments are still available. Please visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle website to make an appointment. Appointments are not necessary for the following.
Surrendering of license plates, handicapped veteran or Purple Heart placards, or purchase of red CDL decals. To report power outages, gas leak, street light outages, or down power lines, please call PSEG at 18004367734
or you can download their app. The Township of Washington launched its fourth round of our hometown hero banner program as a living tribute to our community to honor past and present members of the armed forces. Please visit our website for further information. New law regarding public
notices. Governor Murphy signed into law on June 30th, 2025 a new law which reflects the transition from traditional print newspaper to online platforms as of March 1st, 2026. You'll find on our township website a tab on the homepage named public notices where all public
official notices are required to be posted and me and may be obtained or viewed. These documents, in addition, will have a hyperlink to the Secretary of State's public notes web page. Our township's 4th annual family spring into wellness 5K run walk and health
fair will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The event will be held outside the Township of Washington Public Library, 144 Woodfield Avenue. The health fair will take place starting at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K run walk will kick off at 9:00 a.m. on Woodfield Avenue. Please
visit our website for registration information. Township's paper shredding and e-recycling event will take place on Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 am to 1 pm at town hall. This is a BCUA sponsored event for township residents only. Our next township council meeting will be
held on May 18, 2026. Thank you, everyone. Approval of minutes, none. Report of the administrator. >> Thank you, council president. Good evening, everyone. This is my followup from council meeting of April 20th. Uh there were no resident follow-ups to do.
However, there was one council follow-up. Councilman Sears expressed concern regarding the exiting from Franklin Court once the construction is complete and the residents move in. Mr. Sears asked if there will be any traffic control devices restricting left or
right-hand turns due to current view obstructions. I spoke to Paul Aelina, the planning board engineer, and Leo Fiola, owner of Cornerstone Construction, who's the builder for Franklin Court. At this time, there is no plan to restrict turning directions. However, the plan does involve winding
widening Van Ember Avenue and removing some of the boulders and arborites to improve sight distance. I also want to advise council that I have been communicating with the residents on Filmore Drive regarding some of their concerns and also have been communicating with Mr. Fiolia of Cornerstone Construction. Please know
that Mr. Fiola was has always been cooperative, continues to assist in a manner to reduce the frustrations of the homeowners on Fillmore. Updates. The 2025 road program resurfacing of Bergen, Salem, Carriage Court, and Fern Street have been completed. We will be applying
for the 2027 New Jersey DOT grant for the resurfacing of West Place. There is a resolution for this grant application on this evening's agenda. Unfortunately, the township did not receive the 2026 local recreation improvement grant in the amount of $153,550
from the Division of Community Affairs. In response, we are filing for the 2026 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Park improvement grant in the amount of $120,000. These funds will be used to construct a walking path at Memorial Field that will meet all the ADA barrierfree
requirements, the installation of five bleachers, which are ADA standards and around the complex and two ADA parking spaces. And thank you to the council for approving that resolution this evening. The township was not awarded the 2025 Bergen County CDBG for the ADA
improvements to the library. This grant request was for the was for the creation of an ADA accessible patio. The word we were told is that uh unfortunately CDBG does not fund um four patios. They would have funded the ramp or the sidewalk to
go to an existing patio. Exit 168 offramp was resurfaced last week. The lane markings, if they haven't been done already, will be done in the near future. On Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, we conducted our preconstruction meeting for the restabilization in the
Msquapsync Brook. The project will begin on or about July 1st, 2026, and is expected to take two to three months to complete. The affected homeowners in the area of the work will be contacted prior to the start of the project. On Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, some employees attended the annual Bergen
County GIF safety incentive program award breakfast held at Seasons Township of Washington was awarded the platinum award for the fourth year in a row. Platinum award is the highest level of recognition and is accompanied with a check of $1,750. These funds are used as revenue in the
following year's budget. Township of Washington scored a perfect score of 100 points. There are five categories of points and they are safety committee meetings, safety in initiatives, job safety observations, facility hazard identification, inspections, law enforcement initiative, and motor
vehicle record checks. The mayor and I express our sincere appreciation and recognition to our staff, especially Mary Alice Clancy, our safety committee secretary, and risk manager Vic Fedini for their continued hard work towards our safety program. On April 28, 2026, I
met with township engineer Glenn Beckmeer Jr. to evaluate the cracks in the pavement in the parking lot and the structural integrity of the retaining walls at the emergency services building. This was requested by Councilman Olman. Glenn Beckmire Jr. reported that
although it may be considered aesthetically unpleasant, there is no structural concerns in either the retaining walls or the pavement. Beckmire Engineering will begin keeping track of any potential movement in the rear steel pilings in relation to the rear of the building by measuring on a
quarterly basis. We are in the final process of selecting a contractor to demolish the two buildings at 450 Pasc Road. Prior to the demolition of the buildings, the fire department will be conducting a training drill on the property. When appropriate, the community will be notified of the date and time of the drill. And council
president, if you don't mind me taking another 30 seconds. Councilman Alman had three questions on the uh bill list. It would just be easier for me if I was able to answer them now. Is that okay with you? >> That's fine. >> Thank you. Uh Councilman had a question about the certified speedometer and the
payment for the calibration. This is for the police car so they can run moving radar with the vehicles. It's done twice a year. um we work um the following year for the previous year to try and get you know purchase orders that haven't been
reconciled yet closed. Sometimes, believe it or not, companies just don't send us an invoice or sign a purchase order. So, it takes some time to get that for us. So, that's why there was a 25 bill and a 26 bill on the um on the
bill list this evening. Uh next question is, has the township always paid for CDL training? We reimbured one of our new uh DPW employees that was hired in September for the uh cost of the um training and the program to get a CDL. I
can't say that we always have done it, but my research is that it was done prior um with the last time being done in 22. We do advertise for individuals with CDL license already, but contractually an individual if employed
by the township has one year to obtain their CDL. In this particular case, we supported um this new employee hired in September with obtaining their CDL. And prior to making any type of reimbursement to that to an individual,
they must pass the program, obtain their CDL, and we have them sign a form indicating that if they leave employment before two years, they have to pay us back uh for the cost of it. Sometimes uh even though we advertise for CDL
licenses, it's it can be difficult to get very good uh qualified candidates. In this case, we had a very good qualified candidate. they just didn't have the CDL license. So hopefully that answers that question. And the next had to do with the reimbursement of costs
made to our uh township attorney's office when they do um work such as maybe certified mailing and uh it is we do reimburse at cost. There's no markup there. And that uh that concludes the questions from the councilman. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. >> May I ask one question? >> Sure. ask this here. Go ahead, Mr. Bman. >> Mr. Carlo um just uh in terms of the flashing light van and Washington I know
this is we raised it at the last meeting uh and I know it's been addressed is that these are county roads and we have uh I guess little input or influence but is there anything that we can do uh at this point or is that still being
reviewed? >> Yeah. Um, Mayor Calamary reached out to me and the engineer I think the afternoon of the accident um that day and uh the engineers working on it with the county to see how we can get their support with
either updating the light, you know, was suggested by the mayor or some signage before that and just just looking into how we can making that. So, you know, the mayor was on it that afternoon, unfortunately because of the accident, but fortunately right away and um we are working with the engineers in the
county. We just we don't have any conclusion yet. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Sears. >> Yes, council. Um Mark, on item one, >> I'm kind of upset that it's at this time there is no plan to restrict turning directions. Did the engineer even
bothered to check the curve? Did he bother to put slowdown signs? Did they do a a sight study on the curb? This is not to put you on the spot, but I find it uh pretty odd. >> I understand.
>> I'm sorry. Go ahead, Mr. >> Um pretty odd that the building's almost built and still the line of sight is a dangerous curve. There's no direction. there's no slowdown uh hitting driveway and and all of a sudden now at this time
there's no plan. When was the plan to look at the and I know you cannot answer that. Maybe Mr. Angelina can answer that. When was the plan to look at the road? Did he does he have anything written or or from the county?
>> Yeah. Yes, sir. I'm sorry if I if I didn't make it clear when I was when I had uh reported on it. There's no plan right now to restrict turning to the left or right because the approved plan that involved the engineers and the
board and the county the plan that's in existence now is to widen Van Emberg in that area both northbound and southbound and they're going to be removing some of those big view obstructions you're talking about arborvites and the rocks.
So, I apologize if I get made confusion. There's no plan to say no left turn and no right turn. There's absolutely an approved plan from the county um as to what's going to be done to make it safe. It just doesn't involve a no left turn or no right turn.
>> Right. Well, I was looking for warning signs. You're approaching a curve, something like that. I can certainly see what the plan is and see if I can get my hands on it and and uh you know provide it to cancel. But you know please I I wouldn't be upset thinking that there is nothing planned. There is absolutely a
plan. It's just the plan doesn't involve no left turn or no right turn. And I'll see if I can get my hands >> that wasn't my turn left or right. It was a speed coming down Vanamberg on the turn. And item number seven the award the Bergen County GIF award. Will that
be um split up among the emergency services that uh participated in the event? >> Well, if you remember, we just we introduce it as a revenue. We don't necessarily give it to anybody. The way
I account for it in the budget is it is um helps offset what the police need for accreditation, but it's introduced as revenue. So, it helps the whole township. You know, it I understand what you mean, but we certainly aren't
picking like a police department over the fire department for a lack of better example. It's introduced the 1750s introduces a revenue. It's just how you know it. I I you know, logistically put it into the budget. That's all. One one
doesn't get it over the other. The whole town gets it. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Anything else for Mr. Dro? report to the mayor. >> Thank you, Mike. Good evening, council.
Good evening, members of the public. It was a perfect weather day to attend the opening day ceremony for baseball's opening day. I want to thank Mike Desenna and his baseball team for putting the event together. Um, it's easy to show up and see the great event. Uh, you don't always realize on this
event or any others all the work that goes in ahead of time. So, I want to thank uh you and your team, Mike, and and again, all the events that happen in town. uh you know takes a lot of behind the-scenes work. >> Thank you. >> It was a privilege to attend and take part in the Knights of Columbus annual testimonial dinner. They honor people
who have made significant contributions to their communities. The bid award for the repairs on the Msquap St. Brooke was passed and will work will commence on or about July 1st. Uh, as just we just spoke about, we've asked the county to take another look at the intersection of Washington and
Vanamburg avenues in light of the recent accident that took place there involving two outofstate vehicles. We hope they will consider additional signage approaching the intersection and install a new light to replace the very old one currently there. I want to recognize the passing of
longtime resident Patrick Mclo. He and his wife Bridget chose to raise their family and made Washington Township their home back in 1964. He was a dedicated life member of the Washington Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps for over 50 years where he served as president and secretary in addition
to many other contributions over the years. He will be missed by many. Recreation news. The 2026 Introduction to Cheer program registration opened on Friday, May 1st, and ends on Monday, June 1st. If you are interested in volunteering to coach, please contact
Dan Scudiieri. A background check for all volunteers 18 years of age and older is required. The 2026 Fun with Art program spring session has started. The kids have created drawings of an owl in ink and a watermelon in chalk pastel.
They also worked on three cartoons with watercolors. The three cartoons were Snoopy, Rex the Dinosaur from Toy Story 5, and Thumper the Bunny Rabbit from Bambi for Easter. The 2026 men's over 33 softball season started on Monday, April
27th. We wish all the teams good luck. 2026 summer camp program registration opened on Friday, April 10th, and ends on Monday, June 1st. Please visit the Township of Washington website under the recreation page for registration and program details.
Teen night at the Westwood Recreation Center has ended for the season. It will resume in October 2026. Fire department news. For the month of April, the department responded to CO and fire alarms. On April 11th, they responded to a fence fire as well as two
brush fires on April 12th and 14th. On April 15th, they were sent to parameters to standby for a working fire. On April 18th, the department was sent for a traffic crash rollover with enttrapment. The department swiftly and safely extricated the driver of one vehicle. On
April 4th, they held their annual Easter egg hunt and a good time was had by all who attended. On April 18th, the department proudly raised the American flag for baseball's opening day. DPW news. They officially began the garden debris root collection. The parks and
fields are now being landscaped. They also resumed the debris and bulk collection program and street cleaning took place throughout the town. Public affairs. The department continues to make steady progress on several key community initiatives and events. Preparations for
the upcoming Memorial Day parade are currently in their final stages. Coordination efforts are ongoing to ensure a successful and wellorganized event for residents and participants. Planning for the July 11th celebration of the country's 250th birthday remain
underway. The team is actively working through event logistics, programming, and partnerships to finalize all remaining details and deliver a meaningful and engaging experience for the community. In addition, we are advancing plans for the summer concert series. Final
details, including scheduling and and event components, are being developed to provide a vibrant and enjoyable event. The department looks forward to bringing these events to fruition and will continue to provide updates as plans are finalized. Zoning office. There were a total of 48
zoning applications reviewed for the month of April. Library. April celebrated National Library Week. Special programs, themes, and giveaways were featured to celebrate. Teens participated in a special paint night, a tote bag, craft,
and Lego build. Adult maon classes, yoga, and bingo night have all been very successful. Children's chess lessons are ongoing, and their miniature petting zoo event was fabulous. A new program is coming in May, an adult group audio
bookw walk on Saturday, May 30th. Residents will walk together while listening to the same audio book on their own devices and then we'll meet at the library for snacks and a discussion of the book. A great group activity to combine healthy movement and a love of
reading. Also, that same Saturday, they will once again host the Easy Ride Bike School for a how to ride class. Please see the library website for details. Municipal Alliance. The anti-bullying program, Footprints for Life, is wrapping up. Coming in May are the SAFE
program, anti-drunk driving and drug programs at the high school. June will feature the annual Safety Town for ages 5 to six, and the junior police academy municipal court. 162 total traffic tickets were issued in
April, I'm sorry, in March with 128 from the Township of Washington Police Department and 34 from the State Police. The court collected $4,656 even in revenue to the township. I am disappointed that the bond ordinance to fund the capital projects
approved during the budget process did not pass. Councilman Omen passed a deciding no vote which killed the ordinance. ordinance that authorize borrowing money require a supermajority that is four affirmative votes of the council major members. I do not
understand why after participating in six prior budget cycles he chose to raise concerns now about wording in the ordinance um that it warranted a no vote. To my knowledge that wording has remained consistent in the capital bond ordinances for many years.
During the voting process, he acknowledged that all items being funded through this ordinance are important. Given that there were other options he could have taken, especially since he was running that meeting, he could have asked to table the vote until the next meeting so his questions could be answered, asked to table the vote until
all five council members were present, or voted in the affirmative knowing his questions could have been addressed by our experts and that the ordinance could have been amended afterward if necessary. first two options would have delayed the vote by only two weeks until this council meeting. However, now that the
ordinance was voted down, the process must start again from scratch, delaying potential passage by at least a month. This is especially concerning because the ordinance included several time-sensitive items, the 2026 road improvement program. Delaying this by a
month may push the work to 2027. This is because road projects require a multi-step process that include finalizing engineering, advertising and bidding the project, awarding contracts, and then being scheduled by the contractors who already have full work calendars. From start to finish, this
process can take several months and missing the early season window can make it difficult to complete the work within the same construction season. A field break to maintain the baseball fields, protecting a significant investment made in rebuilding them.
Portable radio upgrades for the police department, rebuilding the basketball court at Clark Field, a grant match for ADA improvements at Clark and Memorial Fields, and replacement of the currently non- workinging air conditioning system for the police department. This
situation reinforces why the administrator and I have asked Council President Desenna to debate and decide on these capital items at the start of the budget process, not at the end. Many of these improvements are seasonal. Had this been addressed at the start of the process, work could have commenced
months ago and residents could be enjoying these upgrades sooner. Instead, we now face at least another month of delay, losing valuable time, and potentially missing the summer season entirely, and in the case of the road program, putting it pushing it into
2027. Thank you. >> Report of the council, Miss Wes. >> Yes, thank you. I'm going to keep mine short. Um, I just want to expand a little bit on what was mentioned in the PSA regarding the veteran banners. Um, as it was mentioned, this is our fourth
round and the link is open on the website. If you do not have a digital image, you can always drop it off to Ranada Dleski on the second floor. Um, and Heather Henry is able to restore any images even if they they have some
damage. So, please feel free to drop it off and it'll absolutely be returned to you. Um, for the new ones that are submitted, those are going to be put up before Veterans Day and the existing ones should be up sometime this month,
um, midmay or so before Memorial before the Memorial Day parade. Um, in terms of the 5K run, walk and health fair that is, as mentioned in the PSA, scheduled for Sunday, May 17th. the we're very grateful for all our
sponsorship that we've received so far. The deadline to be a health vendor is on the 6th, so just in a couple of days. So, if you're still interested in being a health vendor, we're still taking uh applications. Um, and we are still desperately in need
of volunteers as always. Volunteers are are tough to come by, but we appreciate everybody that takes the time to to spend it with us. We look forward to a a pleasant, healthy, uh, beautiful Sunday. Uh, doing, you know, working together as a community and and sharing that
experience. Um, I also wanted to bring up the book bin. I know there's been some questions about the book donation bin and some people weren't sure where the location is. So, it was relocated several months ago to the commuter lot
over by the EVS building. Um, so if you have spring cleaning happening, please feel free to donate your books. There's a big green bin. You'll see it in the corner of the parking lot. And lastly, I just wanted to thank the um the administration and the employees
involved in receiving that award. Um, getting a perfect score of 100 points is is great. So, thank you for all the effort that you put to uh bringing this opportunity to our town. That is a lot. Thank you, >> Mr. Sears. >> Yes, Council President. up real quick.
Um, all the green team projects will be posted on the township web page. Upcoming projects, um, with the baseball opening, uh, watching the young kids on, bring back memories of my son and daughter when they're coming and marching. It It was
really, uh, nice to see. >> And you, too. What about your memories, right? >> Yeah. I'm telling you, it was exciting to see so many young kids getting involved. On the VFW new uh news, I uh have to report um Anton Bud Sherman
passed away. He was the oldest member of the VFW post. Um since January the 1st, we have um lost six members that have passed. So, we will be starting a membership for VFW Post 6192.
Uh please keep your eye out. We're always interested in getting more members and in expanding uh the post. That's it. Thank you, >> Mr. Cassio. >> Sure. Thank you, Mike. And uh touching on uh Pete's uh recognition of Mr.
Mcloone. Mr. Mclo was a member of our community for a very very long time. Um he will be missed. He contributed a lot to our community and um he always had a smile. You know, he was never I never saw him down. And we just saw him at the um ambulance core dinner um in January,
right? >> He was 100, February, March, just recently, you know, and again, >> two weeks before he passed. >> Yeah. It's it's it's very sad. Um so again, condolences to the family. I'm going to talk a little about um some
training I took um for school safety officer and it kind of applies to everyone in the township. Um, we have to recognize that we have some uh issues uh throughout our country with uh violence. Um, and we have to really recognize that
the first line of defense for our children in the schools is our is the parents. And the parents have to recognize that if there's a problem with um or perceived problem with a threat from a student or someone outside the school system that it's the parents responsibility to at least uh bring
awareness to either the school or the police department. You know, there's no harm done if you do have a suspicion of something that might going on. Uh it can prevent something. And uh lately in the country, parents have been held responsible for the actions of their
children uh because it was recognized but it wasn't acted upon. Uh so and it's also not limited just to schools. You know, there was a league shooting just the other day. Um so if you see something suspicious, it never hurts to notify the authorities uh even if you think something is a little bit out of
hand. So if you could do that, that would be fantastic. They would do a threat assessment and determine if it was a a serious threat or not. uh regarding uh upcoming in June, we have uh FIFA coming to the Middlelands uh and uh there is an increase in human
trafficking with these events. So just please be aware of that. If you see something that's out of uh character for the community, uh let someone know the police department. That would really be greatly appreciated. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. Cass. Mr. Almond.
>> Good evening, Michael. Thank you. Uh, I'd like to take uh my a lot of time to address events at the last council meeting on April 20th and a subsequent social media post by Mayor Kalamari on the 23rd of uh Mayor Kalamari recounted the facts
which I do not dispute and offered his opinion which he is welcome to voice. My concern is the single-sidedness single-sided nature of the post and I would like to offer a differing view.
Uh I mayor calamari do not understand why after participating in six prior budget cycles he chose to raise concerns now about wording in an ordinance ordinance that he believes is so important to warrant a no vote. To my
knowledge, that wording has remained consistent in capital bond ordinances for many years. Uh, I would agree with that. Uh, I take pride in reading the materials provided and the ordinances.
Uh, it takes a great deal of time to try and digest this information. I had asked for an explanation of the specific term in the ordinance and how it was monitored. Eventually, I expanded the request to include how it is
calculated and the impact of exceeding the stated amount. Based on responses received in email correspondence and on the desk, it was not clear to me that we had a firm understanding of why it was in the ordinance, how it was to be
measured and the consequence of exceeding the balance. I think uh the discussion tonight with our bond council uh goes to show the complexities that we were dealing with.
Uh I chose to raise those concerns. Uh you know as a throwaway I had asked a question uh not related to the bond ordinance regarding our fair share housing. Uh
and the question was regarding a credit for nursing home beds. Uh this was new information to our town planner. He was not aware that we had opened a facility in town and he was unable to provide a
response as to if we were to receive a credit and what that credit might look like. Uh I would offer that you know the mayor is part of the planning board. There are other members of the administration that are participating in
a subcommittee on the uh master plan and no one had raised it. You know so you know these have been in existence for years. They've been we've been meeting on them for over a year and it took a
throwaway question on my part through something I read to prompt a discussion. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You know, that information had been in existence for quite some time. Subsequently, the planner advised
that we would not have received a direct credit for those beds if they were Medicare eligible. it would just meet our um uh requirements uh of unfulfilled needs. Uh
so it didn't become a big issue but you know the question was raised uh and it was raised by me no one else and I feel you know vindicated that I asked that question and I feel vindicated that I asked these questions about this
ordinance. We just had a lengthy explanation and I think uh you know they appreciated the questions our professionals and they explained them in a manner that is was easily understood and you know I'm more than happy to move
forward given that there were other options he could have taken meaning me especially since he was running the meeting asked to table the vote until next meeting asked to table a vote until all five council members were present or vote in
the affirmative note knowing his questions could be addressed by our experts or that the ordinance could have been amended afterwards if necessary. The council allows for the addition and removal of agenda items by any number of parties. Specifically, the department of
law, department of administration, and the mayor can always request an agenda item be removed or tabled. You can look at the agenda from the April 20th meeting and see that a public hearing was removed after the ad after the
initial agenda was published. The mayor or department of administration could have voiced their concern on the vote. They elected to remain silent. In terms of having my questions addressed by experts, I had made the
request in writing when it was offered. However, I was not given the opportunity to address the uh issue with the professionals until this evening. I would say that if it was a concern of
the administration and the mayor, they could have had the item pulled. They were aware of my intention to vote no and they allowed it to go forward. So, you know, yes, I could have done something, but certainly the mayor could
have done something and chose not to. Instead, we now face at least another month of delays. You losing valuable time, potentially missing the summer season or in case of the road program pushing it to 2027.
You'll note that in this evening's administrators update, the 2025 program was only completed last month, April of 26. The 2026 program may roll over to 27.
It is no different than what we're dealing with today. And uh you know, it is a concern, but you know, these things take time as the mayor has laid out. I had raised the questions earlier and
they were answered this evening which is why we're in this situation. So I do think that the mayor again uh accur accurately reflected or recounted the facts. I believe he offered his opinion.
I don't believe his opinion is the last of it. And you know, I think there were other options that were available and in this instance, the mayor chose not to do anything which is his prerogative. So, thank you very much.
>> Thank you, M. I have a quick uh couple things. I want to thank everyone uh the W Washington Township DPW, the police department, the fire department, the volunteer ambulance corp, the VFW, the Knights of Columbus, and all others, and the dignitaries that were all at our opening day event. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
It was a was a beautiful day. Uh I think it was enjoyed by all. Uh I want to thank all the departments. They did a phenomenal job in our support of getting the event undertaken. It's hard putting 500 uh children of all different ages from four years old to uh 8th grade on
the field and marching them back and forth and both boys and girls. I think it was a beautiful day. Uh we couldn't have asked for better weather. The following weekend would have been a rain out. So I'm glad we we moved it up a week this year. Um, but I want to thank everybody for a successful day and everybody that attended. I want to thank
uh the Knights of Columbus for uh putting on a beautiful testimonial dinner last weekend uh for three recipients that couldn't uh that really held themselves high in our community and done a lot for our community. So, I want to thank the Knights of Columbus for everything they do for our uh for
our community. Also, um it's a shame what happened at the intersection. Um, I hope things could be done there. Um, I thank Mr. Sears and his effort to uh keep keep that intersection more and the mayor for keeping it safer and hopefully
it gets safer uh in the future by the county. It is a county controlled intersection. They've really wiped their hands of it always saying it's a steep hill. There's nothing we could do. But I I believe there are things they can do and hopefully they'll address them at this time and it'll make the township safer. So, and I I want to thank Mr. D.
Carla following up for the with the turnpike parkway authority for the last year and a half on the paving of the ramp. Uh, believe it or not, I was concerned as I was driving home the night it was to close. It was pouring rain and I said, "This ramp is never getting paved and all of a sudden about
6:00, I spoke to one of my friends at the turnpike and they said, "They're paving. It's going to dry before they get out there at 10 p.m." And it did and they finally paved it after a year and a half. So, thank you, Mr. Darl, for continually following up. It's still not striped, by the way, as of today. So,
thank you everyone. 2026 budget adoption related documents resolution number 26-241. >> What's that? >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yep. I got to back up. General public comment period. Motion to
open the public comment period for anything which is not on the agenda. Motion to open. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Would anybody like to come up at this time to discuss anything which is not on the agenda? >> Are we all here for 66 for 660 Pasc Road?
>> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. So, it's on the agenda. >> You have something other than 660 Pasc Road, Mr. Agnell? >> Yeah, I have something to do with my street. >> Okay. >> I think I for you. >> You just need to state your name now. You're >> Michael. >> Thank you.
um not discussing the project but that the project F666 Pasc Road to get all their approvals. Okay. Uh we reversed C1 waterway that went through our property which you all know it's no longer C1 waterway. There is no longer an easement
going through our properties but yet the town is still funneling water through our properties. Will could the town and the administrator possibly make a meeting with the neighbors and discuss what we could do with the water that's still coming through our property? >> I don't understand. The the C1
designation was removed, but not the easement designation. >> There is no easement anymore on my on my survey. It doesn't exist anymore. >> I'm not I can go over all this. >> That's something I think you should call Mr. D. Carlos. He can address it with the engineering, right, Mr. Mayor? I think that's something that needs to go through engineering. Uh yeah, they
certainly play a part >> because all the water that comes through our properties is man-made directed. It was been directed by developers and and and town to get water to go over to Washington Lake. Um but there's no longer an easement. There's >> I again like you said, I'm not aware if
there is or is not an easement. If you say there's not, I we'd have to talk to our engineering department to find out if there isn't an easement. >> So the proper procedure for me would be to call Mr. Carlos, set up an appointment. Yes. >> And he could set it up with the neighbor so we could all discuss our service. I don't know if he'd set it up with the neighbors or first with the engineering department to find out what the status
of the easement is because >> I believe I believe you're correct in saying the C1 waterway designation was removed, but it's still a tributary shown on the map. >> It's not classified as a ditch. It's not even a waterway. It's a ditch. >> Again, we'll find all that.
>> We'll find we'll find all that out, Mr. So, your first your first thing should be to contact Mr. D. Carlo and set up a meeting to find out what >> Thank you. Would anybody else like to come up at this time? Seeing no one, motion to close the public comment period. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> 2026 budget adoption related documents resolution number 26-241 self-examination of the 2026 municipal budget. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Gio, >> yes.
>> Councilman Sears, >> yes. >> Councilman Omen, >> yes. >> Counciloman BZ, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. Resolution number 26-242 waiver the reading of in full of the 2026 budget. Please note that a copy of the 2026 township budget was posted on the
township website on April 7th, 2026, published in the Bergen record April 10th, 2026 and made available at the township of Washington public library and town hall and by contacting the township clerk during normal business hours. Do I have a motion? >> So move second. >> Roll call.
>> Councilman Casio, >> yes. >> Councilman C, >> yes. Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Council member BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Public hearing on the 2026 township budget. Motion to open the public hearing on the 2026 township budget.
>> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Would anybody from the public like to address the 2026 township budget at this time? Seeing no one motion to close the public hearing on the 2026 township budget. So move.
>> All in favor? I >> 2026 budget adoption resolution number 26-243 adoption of the 2026 township budget. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Council BZ. >> Yes. Council President of the Senate. >> Yes. Unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, I was just told um I'm going to suspend ordinance number 2604 until we come out of close session and then we'll we'll
take your comments at that time. So, I know you've been waiting a long time, but the ordinance for 26-04 will be uh suspended at this time and will be uh adopt put up for vote after the close session. They got to give us a few more minutes. I know you've been
waiting patiently on it, but it's our legal our our township attorneys advise us we need to wait till after close session. Ordinance number 26-10, bond ordinance appropriating1,799,000
and authorizing the issuance of1,464,398 in bonds or notes of the township for various improvements or purposes authorized to be undertaken by the township of Washington in the county of Bergen, New Jersey. Motion to introduce and pass ordinance number 2610 at first reading by title. >> So move.
>> I'll second it. Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Counciloman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President Des. >> Yes. Resolution number 26-245. Authorize publication of ordinance number 26-10
and schedule a public hearing. Do I have a motion? I move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Council member Bles. >> Yes. >> Council president. Resolution number 26-246 authorize submission of grant
application and execute grant contract with NJ DOT for improvement of West Plates. Do I have a motion? So move >> second. >> Roll call. >> Can I Oh, go ahead. Mr. Alman, >> what do we know what we're doing? Is it just paving or >> paving? Yeah, paving gr.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Milling and paving. Yes. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman. Yes. >> Council BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President Senna. >> Yes. Motion to adjurnn to conference agenda.
>> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Next regular meeting of the township council will be held on Monday, May 18th, 2026, beginning at 7 p.m. Sign up for NIXL. Text 07676 to 88877
key code TWWP at Bergen. Okay. Conference agenda. Uh under administration we have uh two sample resolutions. Is everybody okay with uh Sue preparing with the legal team those
two resolutions at the next meeting? >> Yes. >> Mr. Casio, Mr. Glet, Mr. Dman? >> Yes. >> We okay with proceeding with those two resolutions? >> Yes. No. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. So we'll proceed with A and B for sample resolution urging state
health benefits reform and restoration of energy tax receipts. Hardship park hardship parking permit. Mr. D. Carlo. >> Uh sir, I'm sorry. I didn't know this would be a topic on the agenda. I was just bringing that uh to council's attention based on what a resident to
the police department. I was just >> Is there is there anything the police department has come up with as a remedy for this resident? I I I agree it is a problem. he he and his family endure on a daily basis and a weekly basis, monthly, yearly. >> Is there anything we could do?
>> He's not he's not um for lack of a better term arguing the process. He's more or less saying that he doesn't think it's fair to be charged a $100 fee. That's why >> this is I'm sorry. I'm I I thought this was the resident with the uh the care facility across I'm I'm sorry. I have
them I have them backwards. >> We didn't get that one yet. >> We didn't get that one yet. Oh, this Ridgewood Boulevard North you were just talking about. >> Yeah, I thought we were discussing Boulevard North. >> As soon as I uh as soon as I get in tomorrow will be one of the things I I address tomorrow. Okay. >> See what's going on over there. >> Um I think everybody else has paid the
fee. I don't see why you know it's it's a fee. >> I mean we had another thing discussion on this and we all felt that that was a fair amount. >> Okay. >> You know. >> Yeah. And please again it was just for your information. It wasn't administration suggesting it should be changed or anything. It was just an FYI.
We'll drop. >> And Mike, as a quick side note, when I saw this on here, I thought you were referring to the hardship. Uh, and so I just asked the police. We've issued three of them so far. >> And they paid. >> Yeah, everyone paid. But >> Fionics building department scanning a grant.
>> Yes. So, very quickly, in 2023, our UCCC uh Mr. McCoy requested a quote from Fauvionics. Fauvionics is a New Jersey state approved co-op. So they provided a uh proposal which has been updated and given to the to the uh the council for
reference tonight for the the quick discussion. Essentially there's 178 boxes basically from like maybe the 1970s up to way all the way up to 2023 of building department um documents, plans,
etc. The proposal came in at about $100,000 which of course is a lot of money. Most recently I met with the uh the representative from Fauvionics and there's a FEMA grant out there uh that
Mr. Buuno would be able to do for us and the FEMA grant is for disaster recovery and it's only for building department. So I did speak with Miss Wakowski to see if any of this could could uh assist the clerk's office. Um, and it was kind of decided, no, this would really just be a
building department. The clerk's office usually has to retain hard copies as well as electronic copies. >> Mr. Mr. Mr. Darl, I don't mean to cut you off, but we should include the planning and zoning department also because >> it is it is okay. >> Yes, it is. And, you know, it has a slew
of of benefits to include Oprah or just, you know, looking for stuff, getting rid of things, preventing the damage, you know, water damage down in the basement. So even though the building might not be in a flood zone, we would be um we would meet the requirements for the grant. The
grant is a 75%. So it would be a reimbursement grant. So basically what I'm looking for from the council is if the council is willing in the end to pay about $25,000 to get this project done. I of course, you know, would not sign
any type of approval. It would be contingent upon us receiving the grant. So again, it's like just under $100,000. Let's say it's $100,000. In the end, the town would be, you know, willing to pay the $25,000. You would, you know, if we get the
grant, it's all >> Go ahead. >> We can take it out of this, is we can take it out of the building department budget, right? Because there's money in there for revenue and stuff. So ultimately, it'll pay for itself. >> Yeah. If you if this was something, say we got the grant award and they let us know in July and we wanted to get
started before the next budget season, I would ask the uh the council to appropriate the $100,000 and fund it through capital fund balance. I'm going to be coming to the council with some closures of uh you
know capital capital lines that you know what I'm going to recommend closing will more than you know more than will be more than the 25 >> if we take so you want us to take a straw poll if you should ask Mr. buno to to file file this grant. Is that
>> Yes, that's exactly it. If if Mr. Buno >> if there yearly fees with this >> Yes. Thank you for for reminding me of that. The council would have to commit to just under about $1,800. It's in the proposal. Um there is a reoccurring
bill. It would start the year after we did the project and it's for the cloud. So all this stuff will be scanned and stored. It's, you know, from A to Z, the whole job, but it will be about $18 and $1,900 reoccurring every year to have access to
the cloud. We would have our houses. >> I I did this I did this at work and in a bunch of my municipalities in the past, it's a great system. Um, having grown up in Hazburg Heights and every record of the town burning in fire on Christmas Eve, >> um, so nobody has any records of any
building department prior to 1996. Um it's a shame. So if we would have had something like this growing up, it would have saved a lot of people's headaches and uh tribulations trying to sell our house and you know because all the permits are basically approved at that point because you don't have any records. So it's a good thing to have.
I'm in favor of this. Everybody else on the day is okay with asking Mr. Vo to do this >> file for the grant. >> Uh just shoot from a Oprah perspective there any concern? No, because the records would be um
scanned and filed and done, you know, not haphazardly. It's going to be done in a professional manner. Um what I understand from other towns, some towns have, you know, they take their records back or they destroy them because they feel that it's in the cloud. My only concern is as the mayor and I talked
about with dog licensing is if somebody comes in wants to see something, we don't have it to show them. But on that it is, you know, opera wise, you know, >> we can send it to printer and print it. I mean it's not that's what we did. >> Well, yeah, but you have to download it from the file and and I don't know if there's anything >> going to bring up the flip side. Most
people we could just send it electronically. I think that would make them happy. The people who come in, we can certainly, >> you know, so yeah, it's it's you know, it's a good situation >> and it will add a lot of boxes downstairs that we've been trying to get through. >> Yep. Valuable real estate. >> Everybody okay with it?
>> Uh just a question mark. Um you say it's $1,800 ongoing fee, right? Can we can we uh negotiate locking that in for a period of time? five years for 1,800 because you know what happens 18 this year 2,000 next year 2500 the following year so
>> I will I will certainly yeah as part of the proposal it's 1,080 plus 840 whatever that is 920 and I will you know again I won't do anything until we are award the grant I'll come back to the council update you but yes I will work it out with the
representative that they try and lock us in for a certain amount of Mr. here. You okay? >> Thank you. >> I I'm just, you know, I'm always concerned with digital security that I imagine. >> Well, it's in our cloud, so yeah, I mean, it's not impenetrable. >> So,
>> do they how many licenses do we have access to? >> I don't think it's capped because the proposal just includes whatever we whatever team, you know, quote unquote team that we, you know, we deem
appropriate. It'll probably be the TAs, the clerk, your office, everybody like that, right Mark? >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I would, you know, there's no reason to not have, you know, Sue involved in that and and, you know, Miss Kish and the two and, you know, building UC. So, I don't believe there's
any any cap on on who we would have accessibility >> like licenses or anything, right, Mr. Cor? It's just access to the documents. >> Yes, you're right. Why did they mention how long it would take to upload our current um
catalog of stuff >> like the project. Um I don't know if it says that. It does talk about what happens if we need something, >> you know, when they have the record. So obviously that's addressed in here and they would get it to us. I don't know
that it listed how long it would take. >> Goes very quick. It goes very quick. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You'll be you'll be you'd be you'll be astonished how quick it goes. >> Yeah. I'm sure. Uh I don't see anything in there, but you know, again, when I were council,
>> they were picking up entire file cabinets. They had movers come in and take entire file cabinets out of our uh computer out of our >> They take everything off site. It's supposed to be securely removed and securely, you know. >> So, they would send they would send somebody to get the fire cabinets, bring them to their location, scan them, and
then bring them back to us. It was like every day there was, you know, we had hundreds of file cabinets to send. It was a lot. understanding that the cler may have other or higher bar in
terms of retaining physicals. Uh is it worth understanding what the cost would be for the clerk's office? So it is digitized. >> Do you want to comment on that? Because we we had talked about and I I don't want to say you weren't interested but I
think the way >> Mr. D Carl and I had a conversation asked if it was something I would be interested in if my office would be in realm and I said to him that when I walked in that office almost nine and a half years ago the amount of files and files themselves that we had was amazing
compared to what we are now because we have gone through we've got certain things on our permanent records but there are other things that are very much that you can get rid of in a three year or six year period and we're pretty much on top of our stuff you know currently especially the older stuff we still have to go through and get rid But
I said to him, I don't want to scan something that I can get rid of, >> you know. So, we could check it through, but let's get through this first. Let's let's this is more important right now. I think getting the the building department files are are large with their plans, their permits. Um they have a lot more permanent than I do. Um it's
more important to them to get it digitized and they can get, you know, hands-on very easily. And so the last question I have is do they take digitized records already and index them and store them or they only do it for
physicals? meaning can we if there are files that are maintained on a PC um can those be provided uh and be indexed so they're available
so what is it fonics >> phobianics >> I understand a question I can ask >> no >> yeah I'll It's just s >> Yeah. >> Quick question. You the the Government
Record Council, they're okay with the electronic filing. >> It's out there. I had no problem with it. >> There's always a price tag with it. So, you know, that's all. But with a a grant, it does save an awful lot. >> But they as administration, they don't
have a problem. No, >> I I didn't think so. But one day more than 21 how many years they know it's quite >> but as fine too intensive. Let's put it that way. >> DW change order. Mr. D Carlo.
>> Yes. So uh late Wednesday afternoon last week I uh had the unfortunate of opening up an email that a tank was located directly in the area where the foundation was being dug for the site. Obviously, it was unknown. I don't think
there was any way for us to know. Um, but as I zoom in on the picture, the tank was clearly full with a solution. And luckily, it turned out to only be septic contents. Um, I had a conversation, a phone conference that
afternoon with Lisco Environmental, our architects and our engineers, and it was decided that Lisco would come out the next morning. And by Thursday morning, it was determined to be a septic contents within a uh I guess within a
tank that was described as being 5x5. Um, the integrity of the tank was fine. As I said, it was full of the solution. there was no reason to believe it had leaked out. Um, we assessed it with another company. We assessed it with our DPW to see if they were able to take uh
to take it out. And the best course of action was to ask for a proposal from Premier uh through their subcontractor. We're a little bit of a between a rock and a hard place here because there's the integrity of what's been dug already
and Premiere and their subcontractor Wantage. um kind of let us know reasonably let us know that if we bring in a third company third uh you know third party contractor and they mess up the work they already did we're going to have to now pay them
to fix it and you know it wasn't a threat it was very understandably and uh you know very reasonable warning I would say um to do it so the first change order came in at about $6700 we had to do it it's directly clean its
path. We did consider that there might be, you know, a leech field um that may be associated with it, but we didn't want to give carb blanch at the time uh to go doing anything until we gave approval beyond that point. So, of
course, um you know, I gave the tentative appro well, I gave the approval after speaking with the mayor uh for them to remove the tank. Again, it was the best most efficient, costefficient way to do it. Um, and of course, you know, as they start digging,
they find the distribution box, which I think I sent the council a picture of yesterday. There's, of course, many more pictures, which if you're interested, I could send it to you, but now they start finding the branches off of it. So, today we were dealing with uh again with the engineers and the architects and the
company to come up with the most cost effective way. Um, I knew it was going to involve, you know, on a second um, change order and there was, I don't want to say there was negotiation on the price, but there was negotiating on how what we were going to approve and a not
to exceed amount. So, they didn't want to come in with a a solid number, you know, because there may be two directions of distribution pipes and as opposed to seven or the other way around. So, we we elected to make a
decision of a not to exceed amount based on time and materials that the engineers sifted through today and we got a um an estimate of a not to exceed amount of $17,000 from Premiere. Again, the engineers and
the architects go over this. We will have an inspector from Beckmire Engineering on site. Again, not that we don't trust Premier, but there's a reason to have checks and balances uh to make sure this excavation and and uh
explo exploration for lack of better terms is limited. So, all in all, this will not increase the bid award. It is within the 400,000 contingency. So, uh, right now the numbers are looking at up
to an amount of $17,000 for the second change order and a hard amount of whatever I sent you the other day, the $6,700. So, the first change order was $6,700. Let's just call it that. It might have been in some change. And then today's change order is a not to exceed
amount of $17,250. And again, you know, I hope there council understands we just we don't have a choice here. Uh it has to be done. We have to get this stuff out of the way because it's it's directly impacting where the foundation's going
to go and I hope to have the uh formal paperwork for approval before the council on the 18th. >> You have a question? >> Yeah. Uh I understand where we are and you know it seems we
are between a rock and a hard place. My only question and not related to the update that Mr. D. Carlo just gave butisco I mean isn't this like one of the most heavily
uh examined sites in the township? I mean, we've had remediation upon remediation. We had a a plume. We had >> wells. We had I mean, that that's not
part of the scope of Lisco. And again, it's not this discussion to Mr. D Carlo's update, but you know, do we have recourse with these vendors? I mean, I don't understand. >> I did discuss with Mr. Let's go on
Wednesday afternoon. You know, would this, you know, again, I didn't go researching. It was just a conversation. But I did discuss with him, would this have been something that was determined or not determined based on their scope of work, you know, before I I came here when they remediated the site. And he,
you know, the the quick answer was no. Nothing they did would have discovered uh this tank. You know, again, I I don't have anything to dispute it or, you know, to affirm it. Um but you know we did have that discussion on Wednesday afternoon.
>> So pre so pre9 to answer your question Mr. Alman so pre1970 before the sewer systems were put in in Washington tenure every home had a a tank like this and and a leech field in their backyard. So unfortunately some of them were filled in correctly and like this one was not
filled in correctly. So now we're dealing with the aftermath. But a lot of those records like are in the in the boxes, the hundreds of boxes that need to be scanned. So if they were scanned, we would have that. Um I'm not blaming the scanning as part of it. But you know, I know when I built my addition,
we we found the tank, it was seal, it was filled in with, you know, I found a concrete box with a hole on top of it and it was filled in with stone and everything, thank God, so it didn't fall in. But I've heard a lot of residents have problems because they didn't fill them in and now the the cover goes bad and everything. You got a sinkhole to a
>> so then to answer your your real question is so there's a thing in engineering called errors and omissions right so an error is I designed the foundation and I designed it to the wrong size right as the engineer of record right I I I designed something that's 12 in and it needs to be 18 in
that's a true error like I am I am totally liable for that but if I if I don't if I forget to I if I design this room, right? As an architect or an engineer, and I forget the window treatments, right? That's not an error. It's a it's a it's something that was
missed that the owner would have paid for if I would have included them, right? So, a lot of people get that like mis confused, right? So, if it's something that you would have paid for, it's not really an error. It's just something, yeah, you did make a mistake
and you can own up to the mistake, but it's not an error or catastrophic. But if I design something and it's 12 inches and it needs to be 18, that's a true error. And then you're on the hook for it. >> Do we know if this is under the old
building or is it offset from >> I I never saw the old building so I don't want to say >> that possibly the old building when I was there today walking the grounds with the old. >> It's definitely was under the old building. >> Okay.
>> Mr. Did you have your hard hat on when you were >> Oh, yes. And I had my uh rubber glasses. >> Okay. Thank Thank you. >> And just again, not >> a non incidental, but it was just it was $325 to have it pumped and we're paying
that through a a budget account line and DPW just just as a complete >> Everybody okay with Mr. D. Carlo proceeding with the two change orders for the next meeting? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. under council. Um I am I I can't even believe we're discussing this tonight.
Uh the sample resolution prepared by the league. We have to pass it at our next meeting. I know Tom, you put it on there. I'm I'm I'm still I guess we live in New Jersey, so we have to expect this. So I am all for opposing S1836, which in layman's turn, we're opposing
legislation preempting our local zoning code. Right. So the state wants to take it away from the lo local locals and give it to the state. Um I know that's why a lot of you are here. So imagine that if we had no say in it whatsoever. So I think this should be on the next probably not going to do anything but
let's pass it right. Thank you Mr. Sears. >> We moved. >> Uh we have a letter of governance from Sup Clooney and company for the audit. Sue you have any more to discuss on the letter? >> Contacted me and asked me for some documents. So I have start the audits begun.
>> Yep. So, at this time, uh, resolution to go into close session, resolution number 26. Mr. President, go ahead on the miscellaneous. I'm sorry. I just want to bring the council's attention to, uh, Franklin Court.
Uh, I've been sending you messages out. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> With Dem finding, and this latest one really shocks me, that they're dumping water. where they're creating ripon aprons and he stated that there may have been
an error with the grade sheet provided by the engineering. Who is watching this project? There seems to be constant errors going on on this project. Um who's responsible to go up there and check the grade and look at
it? Is it our engineer? I mean, we're finding these these problems after the facts in our in our >> it's it's Mr. Aelina. Mr. Aelina has been very responsive with uh communicating with that individual up there. And again, I I don't say this in
argumentative way, but just because something's brought to our attention doesn't mean that it was actually wrong. Um I don't have the email from Mr. Aelina back to that resident. Uh but we have responded to all of his concerns up there. I can share them with the
council. I just don't have them in front of me. >> No, that's that's fine. If you can get us going to the next few days, >> but he did you know that there was the picture of the pooling of the water Mr. Sears is talking about and you know there's I just remember them being very responsive and reasonable responses from
Mr. Aelina. Uh so I will share them with the council. >> Thank you Mr. D. Is that good Mr. M until we get those responses? >> Yes. >> You're welcome sir. Yes. Uh, close session resolution number 26-247, uh, settlement agreement for 660 Papak
Road. The township council anticipates that an open session will be necessary at the conclusion of the close session. So, at this time, ladies and gentlemen, I'd ask if you can go sit in the senior center and then we'll pull you back in as soon as we're ready. Uh, I don't Miss Bailey, do you think we're going to be long?
>> Uh, Mr. Burgess is here to talk about. >> Okay. Thank you. So, motion to enter into close session. So move >> second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. You have the close session tag. keeping you so late, but the residents of Meine and the residents of Northgate.
Uh, >> is he ready? >> He's going. >> Ricky's ready. Yeah, >> he's still >> So, the residents of MC and the residents of Northgate, I apologize for taking your time tonight. Um after our close session, we are going back to the applicant with some uh favorable requirements to the residents of Mine
and the residents of Northgate. So unfortunately, we're not going to vote on the ordinance tonight because we're going to wait for the approval by the applicant on those uh requests that we're going to make. Right, Miss Bailey? Is that a fair statement? And it is a it is I think everybody will be happy. So
let us get through another couple weeks of negotiations, but I apologize for keeping you here till 9:30. I know you were waiting to speak. Um, but if it was about the parking lot, I'm sure the next meeting hopefully we did. All right. Thank you everyone. >> Can you tell us what you're going to talk about?
>> I cannot at this time because it's in close session, but next meeting if Miss Bailey is successful in the outcome, you'll you'll have you'll have >> May 18th. >> May 18th, you'll have the answers to tonight what we just discussed. Hopefully, >> you get another notification. >> Yes. and another copy of the ordinance.
>> Yes. >> Correct. >> Is the ordinance to change? >> Yes. Yes, the ordinance will change if if >> not at this time. No, I apologize for wasting two and a half hours of your night. My apologies. We thought
>> it's always great to see. >> Oh, sure. >> This is govern motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? Again I apologize ladies and gentlemen. Yes for technology.