It is 603. This is the reorganization meeting of the township of Washington. In accordance with requirements of the New Jersey statutes regarding open public meetings, notice of this meeting was legally advertised in the Courier Post
and the South Jersey Times as well as posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building. Fire exits are located through the double doors at the rear of the audit of up at the rear of the meeting room. Please silence all mo mobile devices. This meeting is being
videotaped. Anyone who does not wish to be seen on television may be excused. This will be shown on Comcast channel 9 every week. Sunday at 9:00 p.m., Wednesday at 7 p.m., Friday at 10 p.m., and Saturday at 10 p.m. and will
continue until the next meeting. This meeting is also being livereamed on YouTube and you can find it under WT-TV Productions under under live or on the agenda. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance
>> to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nation andice for all. I'd like to call roll call. Mr. Brown >> here. >> Mr. Deborello
>> here. >> Mr. Harris >> here. >> Miss Pascalone >> here. >> Mr. Jükis >> Mayor Delipia >> here. >> Mr. Russo >> here. >> Mr. Rooney >> present. >> At this time I'd like to take
nominations for council president. I nominate Peter Delarello for council president. >> Second. >> Any any other nominations? >> Hearing none. Can I get a motion for Peter Dearelloo as council president? >> Motion.
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> I'll take roll call. Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harris. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Pascaloon. >> Yes. >> Councilman Brown. Yes. >> Councilman Dearelloo.
>> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Peter, we'd like to swear you in. Do you have your family here today? Peter swear support of the United States
of the state of New Jersey. United States. I do affirm the office 31st. Congratulations, [applause] Council President Zabberelloo. I'm handing the meeting over to you. >> Thank you so much.
That's like take nominations for council vice president. >> I'd like to second that. >> I get a roll call, please. >> Any other nominations? >> Seeing none, can I get a roll call, please? >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Harris,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Pascaloon, >> yes. >> Councilman Brown, >> yes. Thank you. >> Council President Deborola, >> yes. I Dr. Brown Jr. Affirmition of the United States
of the United States of the state of New Jersey and allegiance true faith and allegiance to the same establish the government in the United States in the United States and in this in the people under the people.
I do furtherly swear affirm >> I do furtherly swear >> that I will partially >> that I will partially perform duties of the office of vice president of the office of council vice president the best of my ability
That's all we got. [applause] Moving on. Resolutions are by consent agenda only and require vote for all listed. Each one must be read by title. If any member of the council wishes to have one removed or have have anyone removed or heard separately, they need to indicate prior to reading [snorts] of the titles. Anything removed?
Madam clerk, would you please read the resolutions? Resolution 1, 2026, resolution adopting a temporary budget. Two, resolution fixing the rate of interest to be charged for non-payment of taxes for the year 2026.
Three, resolution approving the cash management plan and policies for the year 2026. Four, resolution authorizing investment of idle funds and fund transfers for the year 2026. Five, resolution allowing check
authorization prior to bill list approval for the year 2026. Six, resolution authorizing petty cash fund for the township of Washington in the amount of $500 for the year 2026. Seven, resolution establishing media
meeting dates and official newspapers for the year 2026 for the township of Washington. Eight, resolution establishing order of business for Washington Township Council meetings. Nine, resolution pertaining to public portions of Washington Township
Council meetings. 10, resolution of the governing body certification of compliance with the United States Equal Opportunities Commission's guidelines. 11. Resolution to affirm the township of Washington civil rights policy with
respect to all officials, appointees, employees, prospective employees, volunteers, independent contractors, and members of the public that come in contact with municipal employees, officials, or volunteers. 12. Resolution designating Janine Smiley
as certifying officer and Colette Backage as supervisor of the certifying officer for pension funds for the year 2026. 13. Resolution appointing Colette Backage as the fund commissioner for the municipal joint insurance fund for the
year 2026. 14. Resolution appointing a public agency compliance officer for the Township of Washington for the year 2026. 15. Resolution appointing Colette Backage as qualified purchasing agent
for the Township of Washington for the year 2026. 16. Resolution appointing James Walker as the commissioner for the Southern New Jersey Regional Employee Benefits Fund. 17. Resol resolution appointing Rooney
and Donahghue PC as the solicitor and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 18. Resolution appointing King Munch and Collins LLP as the labor attorney and
authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 19. Resolution appointing Turret Consultants LLC as the planner and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement
for professional services for a term of one year. 20. Resolution appointing Bowman and Company LLP as auditor and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 21.
Resolution authorizing Triad Associates as the affordable housing administrative agent and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 22 resolution appointing DSi
Murphy McGucken PC as council for affordable housing matters and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. Res 23 resolution appointing the Barkley
Group as the riskmanagement consultant and and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. Sorry about that. 24. Resolution appointing Archer and Grineer PC as bond
counsel and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 25. Resolution appointing Holston Macdonald Udavinus Ziggler and Miles PA as
conflict counsel and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 26 resolution appointing Patrick J. Matt Madden LLC as special conflict council for Oprah requests and
authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 27 resolution appointing law offices of Rex J. Ralden PC as public defender and authorizing the proper officials to
execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 28. Resolution appointing law offices of KG Law Group LLC as the prosecutor and authorizing the proper officials to execute
an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 29. Resolution appointing I'm sorry. Resolution approving appointment of certain designated engineers as pool engineers for special projects and
engineering matters. 30. Resolution appointing Sing Quay Non Ray Adviserss LLC as economic development consultant for the Tangible Washington and authorizing the proper
officials to execute an agreement for professional services for a term of one year. 31 resolution appointing Insurance Solutions Inc. as health insurance broker of record and authorizing the proper officials to execute an agreement for professional
services for a term of one year. 32. Resolution resending resolution R266 2025 cancelling the request for professional services for land use council and rejecting the received
proposals. 33. Resolution approving the mayor's appointment book for the year 2026. 34. Resolution appointing members to the Washington Township Planning Board. 35. Resolution appointing members to the
Washington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment. 36. Resolution appointing members to the rent leveling board for the Township of Washington for the year 2026. 37. Resolution appointing members to the
library board of trustees for the township of Washington. 38. Resolution authorizing vehicle tow agencies for the township of Washington. 39. Resolution appointing SEO2s and CEO3s for one-year term effective
January 1st, 2026. Last but not least, 40 [clears throat] resolution appointing crossing guards for the 2026 27 school year. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can I get a motion to approve resolutions R001-2026 to R040-2026?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Harris, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Pascalone, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Brown, >> yes. >> Council President Deborello, >> yes. >> Pro approval of the bill list. Can I get
a motion to approve the bill list January 2nd, 2026? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Harris, >> yes. Councilwoman Pascalum, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Brown, >> yes. >> Council President Deborello, >> yes. Can I get a motion to approve the
regular meeting minutes and executive meeting minutes from December 17, 2025? >> Motion. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Urkus, >> yes. >> Councilman Harris, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Pascaloon, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Brown,
>> yes. >> Council President Zabella, >> yes. Moving on old biz, newbas, and reports. So, someone with Councilman Joe Harris. >> Um, well, nothing major to report this week other than uh I really would just like to wish everybody hope everybody had a great holiday season and uh want
to wish everybody a happy 2026. >> Councilwoman Pascalone, anything to report? >> Nothing to report. Just happy new year everybody. >> Council, anything? >> Yes. I hope everyone had a great holiday and happy new year 2026. Um, I do want
to pass along condolences. Uh, we lost a member of our community this past week, uh, in a tragic helicopter accident down in Hamilton. His family does live locally, so our condolences. Um, and thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. Um,
it always seems like something tragic like that happens elsewhere and it really hits home and hits the heart when it happens to someone in your own community. So, our thoughts and prayers go out to that family and um that's all I have.
>> Doesn't ruin anything. >> Nothing specific to report, Mr. Council President. I'll just echo the governing body and say that I wish everyone a happy, safe, and productive new year. >> You ever anything? >> Nothing at all. Mayor, I'm sure you have some stuff, right? >> Thank U. No, I just want to say happy
new year to everybody. I want to congratulate uh my good friend Peter Davalo and other good friend Don Brown become president vice president again. I look forward to 2026 working with you guys and the rest of council to make 2026 a great year for all residents. So thanks guys
vice president. >> Yes, happy new year everybody. >> Uh from the library real quick they asked me to mention uh two things for January. remembering the Holocaust, the memorial [clears throat] speaker event on Tuesday, January 27th at 7 PM
and also lost it. Um, AARP today, understanding social security, Wednesday, January 28th at 12:00 p.m. Just a couple of things. Folks, thank
thank you so much for having me again as your council president. I truly appreciate all of you. I want to uh recognize a couple of guests. We have former assemblyman uh Steve Alamero in the audience. We also have former council president and my and my brother Chris Delo in the audience and everyone else. Chief Gersig and everyone, thank you so much for coming to our our meeting. Couple of things that we have
going on is the podcast is out. We're on episode coming on three. Is it episode three or four? >> Three. Three is out. Four is on its way and it's going to be kind of a look back at 2025. So, we're going to look back at what happened in 25. So, I started looking through pictures and stuff the other day. A lot of things to talk about. So, I hope you guys are I mean I know it's only like a half hour show,
but I don't know how we're going to get all in there. >> Did I have hair in there? >> You did have hair in that in that one that but in the very first picture and then slowly as time went on over over the year, but uh you've done a great job, mayor, and it really has been an honor to work with you. So, yeah, a lot of fun things to talk about, a lot of some sad things as well, but a lot of things we're going to kind of, you know,
look back in 2025, not just even locally, you know, there's a lot of things that that we we can go into. So, looking forward to that. anyone please tune in to that if you haven't you know again any ideas that you have please reach out to us let us know we're interested in hearing some ideas and we're going to have a lot of great residents on so we're going to have businesses on we're going to have a lot of the residents seniors veterans a lot
of great a lot of great guests coming so please tune in for that we've had some fun with it so far >> to have uh Rex the kangaroo >> the kangaroo >> 5000 views I mean I posted things all year long that was my best post of the year was Rex his Walmart outfit so yeah that was really something uh people had a lot of fun with that actually I don't
know if you saw blended Joe had him sitting with Eric was sitting having coffee with with with Rex. Yes. A lot of really fun things that that people are doing with Rex. So, it's pretty pretty funny stuff. So, uh moving going. >> Yeah, of course. Um
I just wanted to to say thank you to Barb Moore. Today is her last day. She's um taking on a new adventure going over to the park. And I will miss you and I wish you the best of luck. Thank you for
everything that you've done. I I I can't thank you enough. You're going to do great. [applause] >> Yeah, Barb. I think we all feel that way. We're going to miss you. You're going to do a great job at the park. You've been such uh you know, when you come into this job, you don't know what
to expect, but when you walk that office, everybody was so welcoming. You know, I call you all the time. I'm not going to stop doing that. uh you really are such a mentor and I truly do appreciate you. I appreciate your words of wisdom. I appreciate you listening. It really has been a lot of fun working with you, but the park is definitely
Lisa did a great job and you're going to, you know, do just as great. So, we're looking forward to that. Moving on, a couple things. Again, wishing everybody a happy new year. Uh the this the municipal complex will be closed on Monday, January 19th in servants of Martin Luther King, Jr. Also, the Bible that was sworn in tonight was signed by Dr. King. If anyone would like to see
that, it's sitting up here on your way up, please take a look at that. It's pretty special to my myself and my family. Moving on to public participation. Please file a public decorum posted which has been attached the public agenda. Limit your comments to 5 minutes. Once I've once you've completed your comments, I'll ask if anyone has uh or their governing body
designate wishes to address your comments or questions. Can I get a motion to open the public? >> Motion. >> All in favor? >> I want to open the public if anyone want to speak. >> Just state your name, your address, please. Is it working?
>> Yes. >> Well, um, happy new year again. Well, Steve Alamuro, uh, 41 Jones Lane, uh, in the, um, very unknown Cichlville portion of Washington Township. Um, um, in any event, um, well, first I
wanted to congratulate Dana. I know Dana, you're not here, but you are here. Um, so congratulations on your reelection. Um, again, I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Um, I I I did look at the policy. I I don't know about the five
minutes. It's always bothered me. Um, when I was on council, I never restricted anyone to any amount of time. I don't mind a fivem minute restriction as long as after everyone else is done, I can come back up and do another five minutes. Um, that's my preference if we're going to have, you know, open
discussions. Um, and I I guess that's the next part of it. Um, I've been kind of out of the mix, um, for the last several years. Um, again, I did my time up there. I did my time in the assembly. I did my time on the school board. Um,
I've got more free time on my hands now. So, um, I mean, other than chasing grandkids, um, my kids are all grown. They're all, well, two are married. One of them's living together. So, >> calling you. >> What? I'm sorry. >> One might be calling you now.
>> Yeah. Well, um in fact, I got another grandchild coming next Friday. So, I'll have four um come uh this uh Friday coming up. Um in any event, um >> um I'm back. I'm going to I'm going to come back. I'm going to any way I can
help, any information I can assist you with, um I'll certainly come back and give my opinion for good or for bad. Um so, um I I intend to be more available. Again, I haven't been attending these meetings in several years. Um, again, a lot of people know I used to be at every
meeting and that wore me out for a little while, but uh I've recovered and uh you know, so um I'll be back come this year and hopefully I can help out, give suggestions, whatever you need. Um so with that being said, I just want to say again, happy new year and let's hope
we can really get some stuff done in 2026. Appreciate >> it. Thank you. Thank you for all your service for all the boards. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Just state your name and your address for the record. >> Uh Joe Bono, 1716 Congress Drive. I
didn't want to start off the new year, but I'm going to talk about trash. Um I the lady today that's I spoke to at public works, very nice lady. Um my biggest gripe with the trash, I hear it all the time on social media. Hate to bring social media up because there's a
lot of grifters out there too. Um, [clears throat] but I understand the new policy did two trash cans. I just refuse to buy another trash can. I mean, she told me that we saved about $500,000 a month on the [snorts] new policy
with the new trash can policy. And my thing is, where's this 500,000 going to? I mean, I I speak at the school board sometimes, too. I get it. Our taxes are made up of, you know, the school board as well and, you know, it's a big percentage. Um, but I'm just tired of my
taxes going up every year. I voted for pretty much everyone up here for this new administration during the past elections and I think a lot of us feel that way. Um, just I think there's just a lot of complaints with the trash and how the things are being handled. I run a side hustle out
of my garage so I have a lot of extra cardboard. I just think it's kind of ridiculous that if we have extra stuff that we have to drag our stuff to the local dump here on Saturdays for it. Um my guys actually been really good that's come by my house uh with my extra boxes
that I have out there. I try and break them down as the best as I can. Um he's gotten out of his truck and he's thrown it over there and I get it. The new trucks have the with the lift and everything. Um they do a really poor job. I and I'm I'm probably not the only one that's probably complained about this, but the the the banging of the
trash cans, it doesn't get everything out. And I it's come, you know, a couple times now it's happened this way. Um I just like I wish the I wish as a uh community we were able to actually vote
on it. Um I've been in township for a long time. I graduated from township. I live now in township with my family. I've got two small kids and I remember years ago when we've all voted on the turf field at the high school we were and it was on the ballot and it was a
yes or no question. I just wish if some certain things and I don't know I don't know everything but if that's something we can't vote on I can understand but you know there's just a lot of I see it all the time the complaints about the trash and myself I just think it's kind
of ridiculous like I said I don't want to repeat myself but I kind of am um the res I I I thought I heard a resolution about getting a newspaper probably back to for us in Washington Township I I don't know >> just to advertise the meetings by law we
have to put out. So it's just it's just advertising in those papers. Those papers. >> Um >> you you designate a newspaper at the beginning of the year a backup newspaper. >> Okay. Uh yeah because a couple years ago we did have some sort of like Washington Township newspaper and this was one of one of the things my wife actually
wanted me to bring up tonight was you know she misses that. It's kind of nice to see that not just have everything on social media these days. It's nice to see some stuff in the mail you know come about. um the sign. I know I I've listened to the podcast and I get it. You guys are
in legal processes with that, but I just drove by a couple times today and it's dark. I just if I was a small business owner that has a mom and pop shop, I would be furious. I mean, I just it would be so nice to have our our small businesses advertise on there. And I get
it, you guys are working on it, but just if we could get that done by the end of this year or something, just to have, you know, you it's the first thing you see when you come in our town if you're coming in from 42, you know. And um the other thing I wanted to bring up it sad
that we had to bring up the the helicopter. Condolences to those families. uh where I live at in Robindale Manor over here, right around the corner from here, we constantly have the helicopter come over our houses and land at the landing pad there. I don't know if that's something you guys can control or you can talk to them about,
but god forbid we have a lot of families in our neighborhood. And I mean, it literally comes right over our houses. God forbid something happened to that helicopter. We've lived there now for almost nine years in that in that uh neighborhood. It's just a little
concerning, you know, but um I we see them all the time. They can land different ways, but it's always over our houses 100% of the time. And the other night, New Year's night, I mean, it was up maybe like four or five times that night, you know, for I'm sure there was a lot going on that night. Um
other than that, um I think that's about it. So, thanks. Thanks for your time. >> Joe, just stay a second. So, um leave leave your information with Barb um your number and stuff like that. We have a Tuesday meeting. Love for you to come in, sit down. We'll go over, you know, point by point some of the things that you brought up. One thing about the newspaper, so the Washington Township
Sun has decided that was the paper that was here. Yeah. >> They went all digital just for cost reasons. So that that still exists. It's still out there. Tell your wife. I did like getting that too. I was wondering for a while. The chief and I were actually talking about it, but they actually went all digital. So it does still exist. It's now just on online. But why don't you come to a Tuesday
meeting, whatever Tuesday works for you. We usually start around 12:00. We'll go over some of these things you brought up. We'll go over the trash contract. We'll go over why things changed, how they changed, why that had to be the way it had to be. And we'll kind of answer some of these other things. Some of the other points you brought up, the helicopter, stuff like that. We can always talk about that. Don't know what would say we have over that, but we'll
try to reach out to the right people, maybe have that conversation. Don't want to promise you anything, but love to sit down with you and kind of go over point by point. >> Yeah. Appreciate it. >> All right. Thank you. >> And if you can hang around after the meeting, I'd like to come back and answer some questions for you. >> No problem. Thank you. Appreciate time. Anyone
>> else? See, make a motion to close to the public. Motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay. The next council meeting is scheduled for January 21st, 26 at 6 p.m. Can I get a a motion to adjurnn? >> So move.
>> All in favor? All right.