I'm not saying anything >> because I like our sentence sympathy vote. I said you can't get sympathy, but you're >> I wish you the best of luck. That's all I can say. All right, I call to order
the budget uh meeting number two. Sorry, I was a little delayed. The schools are have delayed opening. Juniors are testing. Rest of the school have delayed opening. Buses are running late because of road detours of because due to the
storm and can't drop the kid off before 9:40. So I am a little ah well happy St. Patrick's Day. Roll call, please. >> Charles >> here. >> Garas >> here. Jever >> here. >> Mandel
>> here. We >> here. >> Are we adequately noticed? Yes, this meeting was adequately noticed on February 27th, 2026 to the Times in the Princeton packet filed with the municipal clerk and posted here at the municipal building and on the township website. Please stand for the salute to
the flagis. Okay. Um, >> chair, can we just make one request? Can we flip-flop the senior center with health? Um, can we bring the senior center up first if you don't mind? >> Sure. Senior center it is.
Morning. My name is Adeline Ball. I'm the manager at the West Windsor Senior Center, uh, division of senior and social services. The senior center is a focal point of the community for residents 55 years and older, offering programs, activities,
um, and services to our aging residents. Um, we're open from 8:00 a.m. to 400 pm Monday through Friday. Staff consists of a manager, administrative assistant, secretary, bus driver, program facilitators,
instructors, and volunteers. Some of which we do is provide a means to facilitate successful aging for our residents at West Windsor Township. By doing so, it is critical that we offer a w a warm, welcoming and comfortable
environment uh when our residents walk in. Many residents live with their parents, children, transition from another town or country and it is important to provide the environment for them to feel comfortable in the community and eager to participate. Um
some of the programs that we offer are health and wellness, fitness, art, humanities, education, transportation, socialization, mainly a place to be, um social services, information, and referral.
>> Um some of the programs that we offer are open to all the residents 55 and over. We offer virtual programs and we continue to offer those as well as um we are starting to do hybrid uh programs as well um for some of our residents who
are uncomfortable but want to come in. We we're offering that hybrid option um for a lot of our lectures that are going on. The county has awarded us last year um a new bus which was delivered in July of 2025.
um the bus services were at a halt throughout the year. Um but we are now in the year of 2026 in February, we resumed um the services. We have about 34 residents that utilize
that service at this time. Um and the amount of bus trips vary based on the month. Um we're busier usually from May to August um compared to like the end of the year.
Uh Thursdays we also provide um shopping services for residents. So at this time all is going well with the bus. >> Do we have a wait list on the bus or >> currently there is no weight? >> No wait list. No. Um we most of the
individuals we do inform them that there possibly may be a wait list but um since we've restarted we have not had any weights going on. >> That's good. >> Um we also continue so our instructors and facil facilitators we will inquire
with them about their goals every year um and their outcomes with their class with the classes that are going on. Uh we do do evaluations and surveys for our residents. um continuously twice throughout the year um just to evaluate
to see what we're missing, what we want to um add to the senior center um and what we can add. Uh we provide quarterly newsletters and monthly calendars, reminders which are via email, website, and mail. Um and
I think that's it. >> Does um anybody have any questions? Um, oh, the service for shopping. How does that work? >> So, on Thursdays, we usually have a residents who can apply for the bus transportation for shopping services. Um, and then we would schedule a time
with them. Usually the bus driver will drive them from pick them up around 10:00 and then maybe drop them off home around 1:00. So, it's just a pickup drop off. Um, and you the shopping usually they go to Shopright Plaza. Um but we do
offer other options if need be. >> So it's is that a a a group of um residents who go or it's by per request? >> It's per request per individual. >> Do they get picked up at home or >> they get picked up at their homes?
>> Um why do we do the shop right? It's not that's not what is it? >> Um it's a grocery store. So that's where that's where most restaurants >> that's where most residents want to go. You know, if you go Tuesdays, you get 5% off at Macaffry if you're a senior.
>> Oh, that's good to know. >> Yeah. Use it. >> Yeah. Tuesdays are like >> going to be 103 soon, but >> Tuesdays are our busiest day for our residents to come to the senior center. So, Thursdays are kind of our lighter
days as to what we um have shopping on that specific date. So it might just be one person possibly that wants to go food shopping and they would get the whole bus. >> Yep. >> It can be one, it can be five, it can be 10. It really depends on the week. It depends on, you know, how many
individuals want to go shopping that day. >> But it's a it's a it's a decided Thursdays, every Thursday is the shopping day. Correct. So whoever wants to take advantage of that, >> they can correct >> take that advantage. But we don't know
uh we haven't put it out there like some go to Wegman's or Cafre or even you know something in town >> if a resident does inqu we don't hesitate in you know where we drop them off but their per request shop
rate is kind of >> so that we would drop back. >> So I'm sorry >> I said so we wouldn't we don't have to drop everybody at the same place. No, you do not have to drop everyone at the same place, but for the most part, we have been dropping them off at this at shop, right? That's >> it's not a fixed transportation system.
>> Yeah. >> It's more like, you know, a New Jersey transit link system. >> Okay. >> Well, preference is always to keep the business in West Windsor. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Um just
question if if a bus driver were to again you know >> quit or something like that. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um do we have the ability to get a temporary um you know contract with a bus company or something like that to get temporary
help as needed? >> We're actually um um the last I heard last week we were interviewing someone for a PDM position as a backup. Oh, that's a good >> So, let's see. We'll see how that goes. We had we had during the uh application
process their their application came in and um they're willing to do a predium. So, we're fingers crossed. So, we're we're address we're looking at different avenues. And prior to Adelyn's um Adeline um becoming the manager of the
senior center, uh the township did have to contract with A11 the scene because we not only had a bus that wasn't working, but we had no driver at the time. It's very expensive, extremely expensive. And I think we did look at
that option at one point probably um shortly after COVID and unfortunately um the state requires CDL license for that particular vehicle. I know there was some conversations we have had um in the
past that possibly trying to see if we can partner with the school district and >> we we've attempted to do that and the routes are just the the the way the I guess the way the bus transportation is scheduled it just doesn't
>> work um I think their own shortages >> physically or on break um and we've got individuals or residents in town that need to get to medical appointments and uh shopping destinations. >> Okay.
>> So, we are trying to get some backup bus routes. >> Uh DPW has people with CBLS and cases like we have >> it's a different license issue. >> We can we can cross >> we'll pay for them to get the license,
right? The >> train. It's it's it it's >> let me assure you um HR is on top of it. >> Yeah, that's that's good. >> All right. Thank you. >> One one other thing the at the bottom under 2026 goal says all rooms remain
available for programs and activities to residents. So I know from time to time we get residents that say why can't we have a room at the senior center at night like no or in this building how we used to do that before co and >> that question is better for the uh
facilities maintenance manager because that staff is the staff that is responsible for any activities after hours. This this is mainly for during business hours, right? This goal that we
have listed. >> Yes. And and it's open to all the residents pending availability. So sometimes there are different activities that go on in certain rooms. Um but if it's available, it's open for the residents to go in. >> Yeah. Those hours are Monday to Friday 8
to 4. >> And um I was at the uh Lindy were there too. Um they had the spring uh lunchon which was really nice. Um and I hope we continue to have a few more of those activities during the year because it
does bring everybody together. >> Yes, we had a we had a winter lunchon um in February uh for our residents. We had about 80 um participants that came. It was very successful and the plan is is that we continue to provide those lunches.
>> That was very nice. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> It was a very good outcome. >> Thank you. everyone enjoyed. I know you had some volunteers helping and I'm sure your staff do a lot of work, but um I think that kind of thing really makes the senior center
blossom out and and I think people who don't usually show up came to that and they get to see what's there. >> Those events are during the week, right? Those events are during the week. They're not weekend events. >> Are there any weekend events? No, we do
not have any weekend events at this time. >> Any special capital needs? >> Um, let's begin age five and six. Um, >> and and the budget is flat for this year, so we could move right on to
capital if you like if there's no questions. Any questions? >> I don't. Does anybody have any questions? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> If you go to capital section under
human services page 54, there's one budget capital budget line item for general improvements for the facility. It's money that we build. Um the current balance is 75,000. This would give us 100,000 in case anything
breaks down in that facility. will have funds to make their proper payments or repairs and things of that nature. >> Um there was some money that we've been talking about every year that was actually part of the ARPA funds and you
know kept having or is that something um um part of the ARPA funds? I think at one time they were looking at the pavilion but there really wasn't part I was wondering where that is. Um, yes, that that was some funds that were provided by the county of Mercer. I'm
going to say 7074,000 off the top of my head. >> Um, and Adeline's almost spent it all um as we speak with a bunch of different purchases and equipment and computers and things of that nature, >> right? >> We got all new computers in our computer
room. Um, furniture throughout the senior center. Um, what else did we get? We got new chairs. Um there were things that you know we were looking into and unfortunately you know like the gazebo was one of them. Um you know it went out
to fit and it was way over budget. So you know I utilized it for other exercise service exercise equipment for the residents. >> I've never heard anybody in that senior center say I want the gazebo approved. So I suppose that was a good you found better uses for it. Yeah
>> we did. So that's about So most of that money is gone. >> Yes, we we have to spend that money by a certain date in this month. Okay, there you go. >> And we have utilized them. >> Uh pretty much most of it, right? >> Okay.
Okay. >> Okay. Any questions on the general improvement fund within the capital section for the senior center? >> So there's basically no new coming in in terms of capital. This is just for mainten large maintenance items
that might >> Yeah, it's our it's our conservative approach to putting money away each year in case there's a big ticket item. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Okay. >> Right. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um
we'll have help next. just introduce yourself. >> Oh, okay. >> Hey, Nikita. >> Hi, my name is Nikita Branado. I'm the acting health officer at the health department and I have um Stephanie here with me who's going to speak in a little
bit. Um so just to go over a general overview of our health department um we're mandated to provide the services which are stipulated by the state statute um the public health practice standards of performance for local boards of health in New Jersey. Um, also the Westminster Township Code um,
assigns additional responsibilities to our health department such as grease control, massage establishment inspections, and some of the aspects of um, housing in the town. Um, our health department consists of the health officer, um, registered environmental health specialists, public health nurse,
health educators, and clerical staff. Um, that consists of eight full-time employees, four part-time and two part-time staff that are currently grant funded through part of this year. Um those grants are ending this year. Um the health department will pro continue
to provide these services also to Robinsville through a shared services agreement um that is going until 2028. Um and then a variety of formal informal partnerships are maintained with our health department um with the hospitals organizations in town um to aid the
department in meeting and evolving goals specifically usually with health education. Um so to go over some things from last year um we were recognized by DO with top honors and New Jersey influenza honor role. Um in addition um we facilitated vaccines for flu. The
department also hosted um vaccines for RSV and COVID. um clinics expanded um to offer op opportunities for children three years of age and older to attend and the department mobilized seven clinics, provided 246 vaccinations and
served an additional 26 homebound residents in need of individual visits. We responded to about 12 outbreaks in 2025 primarily to long-term care child cares and schools. And then we were working on our community health improvement planning and assessment with
the greater Mercer public health partnership. So, we work with them um as um part of their executive board and then multiple staff participate regularly to help um promote efforts for what the needs are in Mercer County. Our outreach team continues to strive to
expand partnerships within the community and to link residents to available services. Um we implemented um 143 health awareness and education events last year um including 43 community events um digital media outreaches, senior center events, employee wellness
newsletters, etc. Um and then we obviously give out co kits, radon kits, um any type of um hands-on items that we can get out to the residents as well. Um we provide public health services that you guys already know of that include um
inspections for retail foods, public recreational bathing, septic systems, portable wells, animal facilities, rabies control, public health nuisances, child lead exposures, pet licensing and vital statistics. Um the department
prepared and responded to respond to any emerging communicable diseases threats. Currently we are monitoring measles, monkey pox and H5N1. Um during the first during last year um we continued to utilize grant funds to support our staff um and long-term
capacity to respond to these emergencies. In 2025, we also updated our risk communication plan. The block and lot scanning project with which helps to streamline record retention and response to oper requests were completed. So if any over requests do
come in, we're able to digitally look up what what the resident or person requesting needs and send that right back out. Um this year the um outreach team will be aligning local health local department health promotion efforts to our community health improvement plans
to develop their participation in great in the greater Mercer public health partnership and penmed Princeton planning efforts. Health promotion events and programs will reflect and align with the states the statewide mayor's wellness campaign and the department will evaluate routine office
processes and identify potential strategies to improve customer service such as implementing remote payment options for licensing. The the RHS team will identify and operate oper I can't spit it out. I'm sorry. Um we
will be trying we will be getting software to electronically record inspections. So um we're in the process right now of making our inspection process digital. Um and then we are also in the process of starting to accept digital payment. We're not 100% there
yet, but we are we have made strides. Um so we're very excited to help make things quicker in the office. Um, on top of that, we're going to still explore more grant funding options that are out there, um, and see what makes sense for the department this year.
>> Yeah. You want to do the lead or do you want questions on the health department first? >> Do we have any questions for Nikita on the health department? So, thank you for your department to um getting the mayor's wellness campaign started. Um I know mayor has been um
pledging that for last few years, but this was the first year we um filled in the application. So, I'm hoping we at least get the um the the first level and I think they're called they have some specific names to it.
>> Did we get the 2025 level? 2025 level was the one that we submitted um in January. >> Um so we haven't heard back on that yet. I think it they >> that's a basic level. >> That's the basic level. Um and I I think
we we we are able to receive that but I don't think um they work on few like for the 2025 application. Um we submitted it in January. So I think we have some time before we hear back on that. But now we
now that we have already made a step into that, our goal would be to continue working um to get to the next level hopefully this year um for 2026 >> when we go to the go to the um >> league >> league meeting and we go up and we'd
love to tell them that we actually submitted because they >> they have been asking us um >> you know we we we have been doing a lot of the um and if you look at the application we actually township was doing many many of
those on different pockets. So I think it was just bringing that all of that into under one um umbrella and making the application. So thank you for doing that. >> It's good to see electronically recording the inspections and that technology. >> Yeah. So over the years we've we've had
programs um and they don't always align with the code and what makes sense in the field. Um, and that seems to be pretty common throughout the other health departments we've seen. Um, so we looked into a couple of programs last year, end of last year, found one that
we feel will make sense and we had the inspectors look at it. So then they see and we demoed it and we're hopeful. We're excited. Um, I'm sure the restaurants and everyone will be excited to not have our handwritten papers everywhere. Um, and they get it easily
in their email, right? Um, and once we're all used to the programming, hopefully be easier and faster for the inspections. Sure. >> I'm surprised that uh the state hasn't developed something at all or anything. I hope they don't after we're finally in there and put all this work. I hope they
don't suddenly come out with you have to use legs. But >> yeah, >> but this that's that's something that we really need. Um, as far as like things like the dog licensing and that, are we planning on having that all online by >> Yeah. So, um, SDL, which is what we're
currently using for PET licensing, um, has a payment button on the actual program and the the company we're looking at for payment is the one that works with us already. So, it's just going to be an online type of situation that'll be online it. >> Yeah, we're in the process of right now
of um doing doing a contract with um um a vendor to allow online payments for the health department and the doll licensing. once the new program is online. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> And not just the payments, but whatever else you have to submit like proof of
proof of that they got their shots and all that. >> So, right now that's still paper. >> Yeah, we've done we're doing just we've done just the payment part that we're resolving. Um we would have to look into what that looks like to make the actual application.
>> I'm just thinking the easier we make it for people. >> Oh, I agree. >> The more and more we're likely to get licenses done. So >> yeah, I agree. Well, we'll definitely look into it. >> Is there one company that does this for all departments? >> The the vendor payment for the third
party? Yes, they pretty much have they do SDL, they do this one. It's the same company we use now. So, it should be pretty smooth as far as that transition goes. Um, yeah, >> more we do of this, the better. >> I agree. Yeah, I've seen some of those
companies where they say they do licensing like this, but I'm not sure what information it collects. >> Nikita did an an intensive search, trust me. So, because I told her she got one shot at this,
>> you know, we're spending the money once. So, >> thank you. >> Yep. >> Okay. So the her the health budget is on page four and five and it is flat for this year and as
Nikita told you the um the co funds we are are cycling out um we don't anticipate them renewing them at the mid year. I think we're good till like July 1. >> Yeah. >> And then um we don't see anything coming after that. I think those funds are
dried up. >> Yeah. Okay. She said Robinsville was we had a contract till 2028. Do we expect that to continue? >> Yeah, so far as what you know they're they're seem to be happy with the service and we're happy with Robinsville. So um those are one when
you know we renew it every year. I think it's a 2% increase but we'll address that after 28. >> Okay. >> Okay. With no questions there. Health Department does have one item for capital. If you go to human services,
page 52, and it's a four-wheel drive um vehicle replacement or all-wheel drive, actually. Um any questions? >> That's a lot of money. Well, that's because it's an we're budgeting for an
electric. >> I I know we are, but if you could get two hybrids or what? I mean, we start comparing. >> That's something we can discuss later, but >> that's Yeah, that's got to be
>> I mean, you have your colleagues that want electric. I mean, that's something you guys got to decide. We haven't had issues. So there there's no concern with it. But I'm not opposed to hybrid. We have a hybrid right off also. So
>> and I think if you recall construction talked about the problems they had with hybrid, >> right? >> Yeah. We're not at a point where things have happened to them, so I can't speak to that. But um we also haven't had issues. So >> yeah, and one's one year old and one is
what, two years old? three years old. >> One, the one we just got in the fall, so November. Okay. And then the other one is probably one years old. >> So your savings and maintenance. So >> yeah, we just have to plug it in. >> This is replace replacement of one vehicle.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. 2014. >> So I think in the engineering department request that we reviewed last week, they had two vehicles for 51,000 and change. >> That was construction. Yeah. >> Yeah. We we um we were fortunate enough
to get a deal on those. Um I forget what exactly what it was. Um >> yeah, I think you got a two for one basically. >> We did. For some reason, the dealer wanted to get rid of they were a year older, you know, but they were new, so we were able to do it. Um but they're
probably running half this price for a regular correct. >> Yeah. >> You know, in the 30s, >> I think that's what we're kind of hinting. Well, >> yeah. I would I would say go back and reook at that. I don't you know 60,000 >> well we're getting signals from council.
So I suggest we have a follow-up discussion on >> we can we can discuss this at wrap out of >> but remember the capital budget is just a management tool >> right >> and it doesn't become spendable or allocated until you do the capital ordinance. So you guys have time after
the budget's introduced to decide no we don't want to do >> Yeah. I think I think as as a whole as a whole council we have to we have to decide if we >> want to um look continue looking at um electric vehicles when we are replacing
vehicles because I think that was something that was discussed in the uh previous budget sessions last year. um if we want to move from that because of the costing then that's something that we all need to discuss. >> Yeah, I think I think we need to have a
better idea of what the actual costs are if we're going to like this number is a high number. I know the electric vehicles will be coming down the gas vehicles going up for the most part that was a particular buy. So I think we need to see that and I think we also need to
see is there a difference in cost between the gas and the electric on an ongoing basis and make a make a decision based on >> on facts >> and use cases because I I recall construction saying that those the duty
cycles that they're putting those cars through um are not conducive to the like you know the construction >> very different usage pattern for the health department >> public works yeah I mean the electric works for the health department they don't have an issue with as far as it >> yes
>> so that's a choice you guys got to decide on whether you want to continue electric or just go back to a hybrid or gas >> because we've invested in the recharging infrastructure as well. So, >> right. >> So, >> there may be some money for I know some of the money's been taken away. I think
there's still some charging money, but we already have some chargers. Uh, so I think we need to think of the whole cost. I mean, you don't you don't have the problem where you're you have to put a um front end on there to push snow or you have to haul 10,000 pounds. So some
of the issues uh or and you don't run 24/7 also which is other issues that other departments have. So so from a use basis you're probably in the best place but um I think we need we need a better idea what the money would be.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> Um then we'll go to the um housing section. Just a quick question on capital. Since one of the things you talked about earlier was potentially modernizing
permits to a digital format, would that be an appropriate place for us to start banking funds for that project? >> We haven't found a program for licensing or doing digital um like people can apply on a website
yet. Um, we were hoping the software program that we purchased had that, but it doesn't and a lot of them don't for specifically for food inspections and things like that. Um, so right now, um, the payment part would be digital, but not and the inspection part would do,
but not the licensing part. So, I'm still looking at programs for that. I haven't found anything yet. >> Um, that makes sense. >> Yeah, I understand that. So maybe pushing this more for John. >> The costing for the software unlike some other departments seem to be rather
reasonable. So um if if Nikita can find that um we can probably absorb it in her budget. >> Okay. >> Okay. She was able to like u because we had the grants last year, we didn't spend a lot of money in and so she we took advantage of that and bought the
software encumbered it anyway >> right >> at the end of the year. >> Okay. So, um, >> yeah, if she can find something that the issue now is there's nothing really out there yet. >> I just want to prevent being in a position where now we found something but we don't have the money. >> Yeah. >> No, we should be able to work something
out with that. >> The software is pretty customized um because of the state health department regulations that you're operating under. So, >> there are a limited number of vendors that operate.
>> Okay. So then we're going to move to the um housing section. >> So um to go under the lead safe housing um budget. So our accomplishments last year we have a contract the township has a contract with Lou environmental services um that was maintained to
provide for township facility lead safe inspections of rental properties in order to maintain compliance with municipal obligations established by the New Jersey state rental law. The lead safe housing program has the following um certifications on file. Um last year
we completed we have completed 23 lead safe certifications, five lead free. Um to date the program has 98 uh lead safe certifications and 14 lead free. Um reminder notices were issued to properties constructed prior to 1978
which lie within the township and which may have potential rental unit impacts. uh which may have potential rental unit impacts by the regulations. The mailing reminded property owners of the legal requirements and provided links to resources. Um our goal this
year is to maintain the contractual agreement with Lou Environmental Services and to continue to offer landlords the options to select a township facilitated inspection and established fee. Staff will strive to remain uptodate on guidance provided by the NJDCA related to the implementation
of this law and ongoing notifications to potential rental units impacted by the law. We serve as anformational resource for impacted property owners and renters as needed. >> Any questions? >> Does anybody have any questions?
>> No. Uh we still have a budget. >> We do on page five. Um and it's flat. Also, we're transitioning um part of the
um funding the salary and wage budget will be charged this year because one of their staff members um takes care of this um as with with the consultant and we've right now hadn't had to spend too much money in the OE, but we we feel we should at
least have that budget still there available because the state has a moving target as far as the policies and procedures goes. So, um, whatever we don't spend goes back to the town. So, we recommend that we keep the budget flat for this year.
>> We get some, uh, income back. >> We do not, we do not. The consultant handles all the work for us. The state gets their fee goes to the state and but we have no cost other than monitoring it. >> Okay. So, the consultant everything we
get goes to pay to the consultant state gets there. We don't >> correct >> do anything >> but we didn't have to gear up hire an employee you know it's actually worked out well right so >> okay >> okay I think that's it
>> thanks great job >> thank you >> okay >> chief All right, >> we doing police first. >> Uh, yes.
Chief Garf has asked if he could be bumped up. >> Absolutely. >> Thanks. >> Oh, thank you so much. Appreciate >> it. >> Everybody's wearing green. >> Green. >> I got my green. >> Yeah. You You got your green tie? >> Yes.
>> Yes, ma'am. Okay, >> introduce yourself. >> All right. >> Chief Garalo from the police department. Uh, sadly I'll be starting my 38th year in August. >> Sadly, no.
>> I think you guys are tired of seeing my face for my entire adult life. >> Thank you. >> Oh, thank you. >> Well, hopefully last night wasn't too brutal with the storm. >> Uh, it was mess. you know, was a mess. >> I have the pager that was r buzzing in
my house all night long. So, it >> was a mess. Uh it was a rough weekend, rough everything. So, right, >> you know, that's that's normal. >> But, um you know, I'm glad to say that uh we have become with a lot of retirements, we've become a very young
department. And I am just so happy to see that so many of these young officers are really dedicating themselves to the community. uh they've really ingrained themselves into the residents and just by their actions, by the constant wave of feedback I've been getting from the
residents, thanking them for simple acts, things like that. So, uh we really have a very great relationship. They love what we do. We love what they do and it's just nice nice to see. But most of our charter what when we hire a new
officer, first thing we tell them is uh first thing we actually hear from them all the time is how much they're into community policing and how much they want to be part of the community. So we do not let that go wasted as every weekend, every week, every event, we always have officers out. So I I'm proud
to say there's probably not a single event that has gone on in this town that at least one West Windsor police officer hasn't been at. And I know because I see most of you guys there as well sneaking in and out. Uh you know the latest was just the village science fair. >> Science fair >> which uh you know I love going because
there is plenty a second grade can teach me about second grader can teach me about science. So I learn every time I go there. Very smart young kids and they're all repeat uh customers. So, there was one kid who I saw the year
before in uh I think it was might have been Hawk and he had now moved up and he was looking for me to come see his new project. So, it's just fantastic seeing what they can do. But our officers are out there. They're experiencing it. They're being a part of it and that is
what makes community policing part of it. and and that is so many other things that they do because when they come up for a promotion and when they do things they have to show us the list of events and things they have gone to community policing wise show us how you're giving to the community being a part of it and
they're coming in with lists and lists and lists which makes me feel good that we're doing the right thing and it's enjoyable >> the kids love it when they can take the pictures with the offices and the uniforms too >> I know it's great it's a lot of fun um it's really nice so anyway That's part
of what we're doing. That also includes now all of our obviously our drone works. I you know I I've kind of beat that to death with the council. But even our dogs, all our dogs are trained for tracking and search and they've been used in and around West Windsor and
neighboring towns consistently to find lost individuals. And you know, I know sometimes we talk about the cost of doing mutual aid with other agencies. And you have to understand too that we would not be able to function and nor would any other
agency without mutual aid. So when big things happen, we rely on each other and our each other's resources to get those things done. So there's never a day that if I don't reach out and ask for help, I don't get a dozen officers from a dozen
other agencies coming to help me. And that's why if anybody ever calls us, we we immediately send officers to the call because there there's nothing worse as being overwhelmed by what's going on and having nobody to help you. So, we have very good mutual aid agreements with all
our local towns and we do work very closely together to solve crime and get involved in all those things. So, I I got to say, you know, it's a lot it's a lot of terrifying negative stuff as you can well see from the fire department, but you know, it's a lot of positives that go with it. No, I think we're
making a difference. So, that's all of that. You can tell I'm proud of every single one of them. So, okay. Uh page >> um let's see, please page four.
The overall budget is flat. >> The operating budget. >> Yes, the operating budget. Any questions? >> Then we can go to page. >> Well, guess the uniforms is up there.
>> Yeah, the price of the uniforms is up to get new officers. you're outfitting them or >> Yeah, we tried to basically make some modification shuffling around because we've had so many officers retire that that has caused us to really
blow out the uniform portion of the budget and beg borrow and steal from other places. So, we're trying to balance that. >> Actually, the last two years the chief had to put like a freeze on purchases and wait till the next year's budget. So, um this was the year that we had to make that adjustment.
Okay. Okay. So, if we go to page the capital public safety page 79 that the first one >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. These are numbered or
counts. Sorry. Go to the town says police page 79. Good morning. I'm attendant police department. First category is technology, but we
kept it the same from prior requests. For 2026, we're requesting scheduled payment of 62,600. These funds are used to replace desktop computers, monitors, keyboards, web cameras, portable hard drives, and other devices. Uh in addition, a large portion of that money is used throughout the
year to implement security measures that meet the cyber gifs cyber security framework requirements and best practices. >> Any questions? This is a line item that we put away for technologies and um those items that go from year to year. Some years we spend it all, some years
we don't. Um this is so we don't have too many spikes. >> Do we have any balance? >> You have Do you know your balance? >> I know we just put an order in for $100,000 and desktop computers and monitors. I just did that
>> like this week, right? >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> John, you you were going to get us a I did email to you guys. The clerk should have sent you to >> Was it this morning? >> I emailed it. And >> could we could we have somebody printed for us like while we are here?
>> Um I could I could have um >> if I had to guess, you're probably looking at about 100. >> Fine. >> Balances. I I don't know the balance. >> Okay. But anyway, um this allows the of course the police department continue to
function without me having to go to you for a special emergency or anything of that nature. So >> we like especially next year like the balance the current like balance sheet >> I'll have the police >> some have it some of these sheets have it some sheets don't and it's
>> sure under status of the project we'll we'll have them throw in the um balance but remember it's a moving target that figure probably from the end of the year and then it changes as we move forward okay it's just a snapshot >> yeah but we just want the num a number
or we get the books at the end of February. So those snapshot numbers could be updated for us. That'd be great. >> Then that's why we provided as reports. But >> okay. >> Okay. All right. >> Sounds good. Any other questions?
>> The next one is software project. We kept the same prior request. >> Software project >> 80. Sorry. Next page. Uh we're requesting $12,260 uh to replace vital software licenses as well as obtain new software. This
includes Adobe SOP network management software and screen connect. Uh this year we've already put it into council. We're waiting for some modifications for to purchase an internal affairs digital tracking software. So that's what we hope to purchase this year with that.
John um what what is the situation on how we pay for the subscriptions now? Do we is that come uh is that's if we buy software it's in capital but now that we have these yearly subscriptions that's across I guess all the departments um is
that considered operating or is that now considered capital to pay for subscription? >> Well, if you go to year-to-year subscription system it has to go through the current fund. Um, but if you use capital has to have a fiveyear useful life. We've been fortunate enough to um
force the software companies to give us a five-year deal. Um, so we can capitalize them and it also helps us to lock the price in. Um, they're pushing back more and more each year so we maybe have to translate more into the current
fund. But so far we uh we've been pretty successful as far as that goes. Every time we're seeing it, the sub subscriptions in capital, we've been able to get some kind of fiveyear deal. >> We have to or I can't put it in cap. It has to have a useful life of five years.
Yeah. So, if um you know, we've been able to kind of pressure the vendors to continue this practice, but it's getting harder and harder, trust me. >> Page 81, digital mug shot live scan system. We're only going to do the ones
for 26. So, we're going to skip >> Yeah, this is for next year, right? >> To 83 >> 83. >> Yes. >> The DWI and the technic bureau interview rooms. Axon system. Our department uses
axon systems for fleet body cameras, interview rooms, and tasers. In 2027, we increase the amount from 35,000 to 60,000. Uh, and this is due to our contract expiring in 2027. So, we're we're putting funds together for that that purchase. And last time it was
$42,000 over $42,000 and we anticipate be more this this time it's out of contract. >> Any questions? >> Okay, next page is page 86. >> 86 with the communication center
upgrade. We kept this the same as prior request for 2026. We're requesting schedule $20,000 to update equipment in the communication center. This includes call recording equipment as well as other equipment needed to comply with state call retention guidelines. >> Is is that part of your 911 system?
>> No, that's separate. >> That's separate. >> This is where like over requests and and stuff like that actually have to calls and redact those calls and all that. >> Okay. Any questions? to cost that much 20,000 to do that.
>> There are different licenses. There are different phone lines and we have a lot of phone lines. So we have to have the recording of each of those phone lines held for a certain amount of time by law because there be request for them discovery or evidence or request then
produce that or provide it. I know we are only um talking about um 2026 but on page 84 um we uh for next year we are we are estimating 300,000 for the radio system
it's for replacing the entire system again >> again >> I don't know necessarily what we'll need to replace at that point but we need to start having money set aside for if there is issues in radio systems we have a set of portable radios. They're
expensive. Uh I bought four radios from new officers. It was over $30,000, right? >> They used to be 2500. >> It's an expensive project. So we're not going to replace it. So if we need to replace it, we got >> start putting funds towards that. >> We're projecting so there's no
surprises. Say we might need that >> and that you know that >> we had that surprise few years ago. >> The counties had a when county changed their mind changed it. >> That's a lot. Yeah, we did >> on the 911 stuff when the county changed.
>> Oh, the 911 stuff. Oh, that's ridiculous. But the radio systems, luckily, we were smart years ago and never went on to Mercer County system, which is still in turmoil as we speak. >> Okay, why can't they get out of turmoil
and solve the problem? >> If I had three hours, I could explain it to you. Or Tim would love >> Tim is smiling back there. So >> we were on the accounting system. I'll be happy to talk about >> exit.
>> We uh we were on the state system. So we're doing very well, but it it does cost >> we don't have to maintain any of the other infrastructure. We used that. >> Okay. >> 87 multitasking surveillance solution.
This is kept the same from prior year request for 2026. for requesting a schedule payment of $27,000. In August 2023, the police department deployed uh ALPR technology, which is automated license plate readers uh has been useful for the apprehension of
suspects. We plan to deploy additional ALPR cameras throughout West Windsor that will provide officers with investigative tools that enhance public safety and operational effectiveness. Uh about each camera costs around $12,000. In addition, uh we had to pay
for support of those SIM cards and service. Um after five years, we're gonna have to either replace them or renew a maintenance contract. >> When you say mobile camera units, you're referring to ones that you can swap different places and put them. >> No, these are um positioned on certain
areas of town and they capture license plates of vehicles going through and if it's a stolen vehicle, it will flag our system, let us know a stolen vehicle's going by. um you know if it's in a say a retail center we can see all the cars leaving and if we're looking for a suspect vehicle we can do a search for that see what the license plate is and
find it >> but the mobile ones you can put wherever you want >> we don't have a mobile one at this time we have fixed position ones >> that's part of what you're looking to do >> correct >> any other questions page 93
SUV replacement. Uh the town is growing resulting in need for increased manpower. This increased manpower necess $45,000. That does not include paint decals, emergency equipment, or labor to install that equipment. Uh the yearly SUV
replacement would manage our aging SUV fleet and escalate our incident command capabilities as well as our major incident and increment weather response plan. We do try to keep vehicles um in service as long as we can let them get higher mileage until it starts coming
becoming false positive to keep them and repair them. >> How many approximately how many vehicles do you replace? Well, we have, see, for trolled, K9, and traffic use, I think we have 16. >> And then we keep our older ones as extra
duty vehicles. So, our newer ones aren't running. The new ones aren't sitting on with behind PCG killing those engines. We have the older ones that are not suitable for patrol work anymore. They're the ones sitting on the jobs. >> How many are you replacing generally in
any given year? It depends because administration cars are much cheaper to replace because u you don't need all the emergency lighting that the patrol ones. So, you know, we'll replace let's say five that have administration or administration ones. And if it's going to be all patrol vehicles, we might only get three of them or four of
them depending on how much money we get that year because they're so much more expensive outfit. And then you throw in like a K9 one is even more expensive with their equipment. So, it all depends on the vehicle. And the police department has been very fortunate to keep the vehicles at least 10 years.
Like he said, they cycle them out for the uh what we call the road job, special duties, things of that nature that are non-emergency. Um >> and we literally use them till they have to be towed away. >> There's not a single part. Sometimes we
take some of the parts, make it work. >> Yeah. They were in the parking lot the one year. we get and they kind of trade in value even if it's a little bit. >> It depends, but like because we keep them so long that they're just better for scrap. >> Yeah. Well, we're looking to go we're
doing an auction this year to get rid of all those old vehicles. So, um >> I hope so. >> Yes. >> How much is in this account now? >> Um this one we're about a year behind. So, there's probably a little less than 300,000 in there. >> Yes, we we placed an order and
>> Yes. >> Yeah. We run about a year behind just trying to get the vehicles. You know, >> you don't even know what that involves. >> What's the What's the lead time on getting any anyway goals? >> We usually place at the end of the year because we had to wait for capital being improved. Um and last year they came in
in summer. >> Yeah, they're much better now. >> Yeah, >> much better. >> It was problematic during co >> Yeah, it was like a two three year lead. Now it's down to 10 months. >> Yeah. Uh, speaking of K9 replacements, on page
94, we're looking for $75,000 to replace one of our K9 vehicles. We have currently three of them. We have a Chevy Tile and two Explorers. The $75,000 will cover cost to replace one K9 unit and equip the vehicle with the necessary equipment
to replace K9. Our current fleet is 2019, 2021, and 2021. >> They're trying to get grants, right? >> The grants have dried up. >> Yeah. The 2019 is all grant money. Um
after that, uh pretty much everywhere now does not provide they'll give you a dog, but they will not give you a car. >> Okay. This is >> I mean, you know, when we work with you, >> dog. But >> yeah,
>> dog. But no harm. >> You figure it out. That's basically what they tell. >> They get their own budget there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, dogs are officers. >> Yeah. >> Most of the dogs we somebody's donated some in one way or the other.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Any questions? >> Nope. >> Page 96, police motorcycle replacement. This is a new request this year for $55,000. The funds will be used to replace a motorcycle in our fleet that is over 22
years old. Uh they're critical asset to traffic enforcement. Beyond that, they're operational utility. Uh they're used for community policing. So we have a 2003 and a 2012 motorcycle right now. We do recently have a a donated motorcycle from the parking
authority. Um that will replace one of them and we're waiting to outfit that one from the parking. >> How many motorcycles do we Sorry. How many active motorcycles we have? We currently have two, not including the one that's not officially turned over to us from the park authority. The 2000
>> once we have that, we'll have three total. >> Three, but >> one of them needs to be replaced. >> It's not really safe to drive any. >> Yeah. And the and the other one has been a maintenance nightmare. So, >> yes. >> Right. >> Two. >> Two. >> I mean, one will probably not be used for patrol. It be used for more a
funeral procession or something like that where it's not suitable for patrol use, but it'll be community policing. Maybe, you know, the vehicle day goes there. >> Yeah. Or more importantly, library vehicle day, which our officers spend the two hours lifting every child in the world up to the vehicle. They love it.
Absolutely love the motorcycle. >> Oh, yeah. They do. >> Yeah. Course and I have to give them, you know, workers comp for three days because they're shocked. But >> lifting kids up and down, >> but it's a lot of fun. And they love the motorcycle. >> They do. I've I've seen that photo up
there. Oh, totally. Yes. Tell the parents to >> Okay. Uh, if there's no other questions, page 97. >> Drone. >> This will be for a drone response SUV,
$70,000. These funds will be used to purchase a dedicated drone response SUV equipped with integrated monitors, charging stations, and drone related accessories. The purpose is to expand our operational capabilities by providing a mobile platform for drone deployment, monitoring, monitoring, and
data collection during emergencies, investigations, and special events. These drones have been proven to be an invaluable tool for policing, offering real-time aerial intelligence, safer search operation, and enhanced situational awareness. Uh to maximize the efficiency of our UAS
program, a dedicated response vehicle is necessary. And this would include equipment to make it operational. >> This is new. >> This is new. Correct. >> Because right now it's scattered all over the place, right? >> A lot of police vehicles have a drone in the truck, right?
>> Or the back seat or >> Well, they carry one. They carry a drone with them. >> So, you're still going to >> Yeah, that still wouldn't change. We still are operationally pretty much every squad will have a general operationally. It's just when we have these big events, um, Bounty and a lot of the other departments have already
gone to the dedicated type drone vehicle where we can put the monitors up. Um, kind of like we did when we had the big Avalon fire. We were working handinhand with fire where we had our monitors, but we were holding them kind of. >> So, this one will have to have
everything set up for the field where we need it where we were showing hotspots >> in different fires. we were showing uh a lot of data and the same thing if we have a missing person we can able to coordinate better. So it it will act as a mobile command as well to allow us to
to set up mobile command but also be used with all technology to handle drone and dog and other operations. >> And it's an SUV as opposed to maybe like a a cargo van where you can >> Yeah. because then your price, believe it or not, I looked into like mini mobile commands like those
>> you spike up on >> the tech it out is just I mean it'll be great but >> you're not going to like that price tag. I'm trying to be reasonable. >> Fair. >> At least get us in the door gently. >> So, so would this carry several drones or would it be more?
>> It can carry drones. It can carry equipment. They can carry one of the uh bigger uh you know drones that we use for dropping life preservers for people all of that. So it has the capabilities to do a lot more >> and be part of the mobile command. >> Right. So it'll have a dedicated um
system set up set up. Yeah. >> Vehicle set up with it. >> Yeah. >> Do we how often do we go out of town with the drones? >> Quite regularly. >> Do other townships have drone programs? Yeah, we shamed them into it now. Pretty
much every >> We were the first ones, right? >> I'm sorry. Does that come out of the >> Yes, we should because otherwise our taxpayers are paying for all of this equipment. I've always supported all this. We have >> It's part of the mutual aid response of it.
>> But if you have it, then we have to go out. >> But when we're up, they're also here with up also. Correct. >> There is not an operation that has not gone on now where every town is not uh bringing a drone into it. So now we're having multiple drones and capabilities in every operation. It's just in stuff
that happens in tech when we had the recent missing child. We had two drones in the air, but we were calling other agencies for assistance, but we already had them in the air, you know, looking for this missing child. So priceless, but they're they all been shamed into it as well.
>> So, and they're doing good. They're saving lives. >> They should do it, too. We can't expect that. We have this very nice drone program and then we're going to just keep going out servicing Robinville. Princeton's doing well. There's a lot of agencies that are that are that picked up the ball and doing a good job, but
those days are long gone. It's not an option anymore for agencies, >> right? These um the drone operators are are technically considered pilots, right? They need to have a pilot. >> Yeah. taking the test myself, I think my doctoral exams were easier than the
drone pilot test. >> Okay. The thing that you have to know about airports and runways and you're really like they say you're like one step below a pilot. >> So, how often do you have to years? >> Every two years. >> Certified.
>> Yeah. It's like CPR every two years. >> Yeah. Just a little more complicated. >> All right. Any other questions? Page 98, >> placement of firearms and related equipment kept the same from previous year request for 2026. We're requesting
a schedule payment of $7,000. This covers the cost of replacement for new firearms for new officers. >> Any questions? >> Um just few years down um down the road in 2030, we are
we have a number for 75,000 in there. >> Yes. So we replaced our handguns in 2024 and so that will be coming up on the 5 to sevenyear lifespan of the firearm facility. >> So they're just planning for the future. >> Yep.
>> And you buy the same firearm for all of the officers. You don't have >> a miss that >> nobody gets any special treatment. No. >> Yeah. it because a lot of it has to do with the ammunition that
>> interchangeability magazine interchangeability and all of that >> they're not allowed their own personal preference of >> no >> age 99 >> replacement of portable radios as I said
earlier they're expensive 2026 requesting schedule payment of $30,000 this covers as needed replacement of the current le portable radios and allows for an adequate level of replacements. Um, last year I purchased four of them and it was over $30,000.
>> Any questions? Page 100. Replacement of emergency equipment for patrol vehicles. Previous requested amounts range from 60 to 80,000. This year we requesting 150,000. Each mark unit costs
approximately $26,500 to upfit for a patrol vehicle. Uh this allows us to upit six vehicles yearly. And as I said earlier, the town's growing in manpower. Uh well, town's growing. We're growing in manpower and needs extra vehicles to
patrol the town. And so we need extra equipment on these vehicles. >> And this will supplement the the line for the purchase of the new vehicles. This is for all the all the stuff that goes in into the vehicles. >> Okay. Okay.
Uh, page 101. >> This is the MDT replacement. MDTs are mobile data terminals or computers in our patrol vehicles. Previous year we had 122,000 scheduled for 2026. We we lowered it to 35,000 since we already
began our placement of some of these units. Each unit cost approximately $5,000. >> Any questions? Okay. Page 102. This >> is the UAS or drone program. We increased the amount from 25,000 to
30,000. This is partly due to the uncertainty of buying DJI products which we prefer. Um there's certainty last time about getting that being allowed in America. It was held up at the docks. We end up getting one, but if we have to buy American, it's going to be more money.
So that's why we're putting the higher amount there in case we have to buy an Americanmade product. >> This all started with that one little drone while we resigned back in 2018 and I'm glad.
>> Okay, next page is 103. >> It's not on yet. I'm in touch. >> Page 103. And this is a new item. >> This is the bulletproof vest replacement program. It's a new request from 26. We're requesting $20,000.
Uh this is to cover the cost of an out outer carrier and bulletproof vest. Each vest is approximately $1600 and we hope to start a cycle where we do a fifth department every year. Vests are good for five years. And we do receive some grant money from
the state. Uh it varies between four and five grand a year. Um matter of fact, I think we have one in this year's budget for foreign and change. Um so we do get a little offset there. Next page is 104
for general improvements. This is kept the same from fire request requesting $30,000. These funds are from miscellaneous improvements to police each facility. >> Yeah, this is our general fund that we put away. This one does not have too too many funds. That's why we bumped it to
30. So, we're trying to create a balance um when we were having the air conditioning problems. Um it cost us a lot. So, um now that the air conditioner has been has been replaced, correct? Yeah. >> Yes, sir. You don't have cold spots or hot spots.
>> Well, nothing's perfect. >> Nothing's perfect. >> Because I remember we had that conversation about >> Yeah. >> Nothing's perfect. >> Nothing's perfect. >> It's much better. >> Much better than what it used to be. >> Yes. I appreciate you. >> Well, yeah. >> And Brian is a god. I can tell you that right now.
>> That guy is awesome. So, >> okay. And I think that's it for police. There's um like a million dollar here for the police and for the bodywn fleet camera. Is that >> So is that something you'd want to put
every year or just hit with the million dollars in 2029? >> Just >> Well, it's something we should probably start looking at next year. >> So, we might look at next year and and space it out a little if we need to. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Would you um >> It's a placehole.
>> They were just basically letting us know that it's coming up. So, give you six year projections. So >> that's a big number. >> That's considering >> especially when you got to do them all at once. >> Yeah, that's why I was saying Yeah. >> We wanted that to put put away. >> We were fortunate last time we got about
a $300,000 grant that helped purchase the the last round. >> Yeah. >> So, um, >> but we can start thinking about it if we know it's coming. So whatever we can do groundwise or try and separate out we can we will do as long as we can make
you know make it more affordable call as much >> required >> oh okay how how big is their police department there >> oh they're huge >> well yeah they're they're the what eighth largest city in the state or
something like I don't remember. Yeah. >> All right. We appreciate all your time. >> Thank you, Chief. Um, >> did we arrange a tour for the council of the department? I think we did that few years ago. >> Um, I'm pretty sure I can talk for my
colleagues here. think everybody would appreciate a job. >> There's a few things that >> do have data, you know, um can't talk about personnel and salary and wages and stuff, but you know, we're growing, but I thought at some point between police,
fire, like what our needs are, how many calls we get, what type of calls, where they're coming in. >> I know we get increased calls. A lot of times it's fire alarms and things. >> Yeah. which you have to go out, you know, but >> yeah, I do provide a monthly report to
the mayor on basic stuff, but you know, sometimes you have to watch some of the data that that comes out as it's sometimes not understood correctly. And and the brief version of that is like I've noticed over tracking over 20 plus years when we're talking about additional personnel, I found that our
calls for service increased, but not by the magnitude of how busy they are. And that was concerning to me. And I didn't understand why. When I dug deeper, I found the time spent >> is where like we could have increased
maybe 10,000 calls over a course of certain number of years. But I found that the time spent on calls themselves went from let's say 100 hours to like 1.2 million hours. It leaped substantially because there is so much
more AG reporting, so many more guidelines, so many more things the officers have to do, so many computer systems now they have to wait for. So we found that, you know, your your true numbers, yeah, the numbers go up, calls for service, but the real numbers start
to come. So that's why I'm always reluctant to just say, "Oh, here's the data." You know, so I'd be glad to sit down with you, discuss any of the data, do any of that. Um, you know, I do keep the mayor informed every >> Maybe maybe we can arrange that tour and we could have a conversation about it.
>> So, what my understanding is the time more time spent is more due to the reporting. >> Yes. >> The involvement >> the reporting the involvement everybody involved with it, right? >> Understand we have a younger department now too. So, we try not to let you know officers be all on their own. We try to
make sure that they have an informed decision with with supervisors and other people. So, you know that there's a lot of that. So, but yeah, anything you guys need, I can make available to you. >> That would be great. Alison, could we work with Chief and see if we can schedule something? I'll make it for the
council. Yeah, I'll make a note for the mayor. Yeah. >> Hey, it's going to be very important. Just come over. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief and Lieutenant. >> Right. Chief Lynch, you are up.
>> Good morning. Good morning. >> Hopefully uh your department was not too tied up overnight or they were. >> No, not really. We had some >> We had some but >> I did see um an active there was an active gas leak.
>> Yeah, there was a gas leak. There was a motor vehicle accident. There were a couple of wires down, some trees down, but uh honestly nothing major. We had some minor storm related calls. >> Did I hear correctly? There was a tree down on one of one of the houses. That's
what caused the gas. >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. >> That was >> that was the gas leak. >> There you go. >> All right. >> Starting your goals and objectives or just outline of your farming.
>> Yeah, absolutely. Good morning. Um, for those of you who are new to the council, welcome. Congratulations. Uh, my name is Tim Lynch. I'm the chief of fire and emergency services, the emergency management coordinator, and the fire marshal for the town. Um, here for budgeting purposes, I represent fire,
EMS, code enforcement, and the two volunteer fire companies. Um, >> want to get into it? >> Sure. Any questions? >> Any questions? >> All right.
>> All right. Um, you go to page three. If you go to the little sum thing here, that's just so you know. >> And under uniform fire code, >> yeah, under uniform fire code budget, there's one increase to our um software
line item. Last year, we began transitioning to a different fire code enforcement software. The objective this year is to finish that transition and get all of our or almost all of our records under one software. So we'll be
actually able to identify and uh track data trends. The other thing that this software program will offer is a uh a portal called community connect, which will allow members of the community not only to go in and file for fire safety permits or uh smoke detector
inspections, which they need before every change of residence or change of occupancy, but it'll also give people the opportunity they could log in and report things like um disability access issues, uh home
oxygen, uh any kind of special needs that they may want to be able to report to the fire department and then that information shows up in our pre-planning software so that when we respond to an emergency, we will have that kind of information ahead of time. So, for
example, if somebody has um mobility issues and has a lock code on their door, they could log in and enter that and then the fire department would have access to that, but it wouldn't be public by anyway. But that way in the event of an emergency, we wouldn't have to break in. we could actually use
someone's, you know, automatic door lock or the garage door code, things like that. So, that's one of the goals of that. That's the increase in the uh uniform fire code budget. >> Is it the similar um like we have that blue lock program for
basically that or >> this would be a supplement or you know um addition to that program. So, that's through the police department. That's something where if if people want to they can call the police and get a lock box. um this there wouldn't be any requirement for any extra people to be
involved. They could log right into the portal online and upload any that if they have pets or if there's you know really any information somebody might want the fire department to know they could upload into that portal and we would have it have access to it then. >> Um once we do that, do you have plans
for how to advertise that system to try to let people know about it or >> No, we don't. Yeah, we'll we'll get it on board and figure out how it works and then we'll try and advertise it out to the public. >> Okay. >> And and we will try to if uh the program works as well as uh Tim hopes. >> Yeah.
>> Then we will um also try to transition to online payments for that program. >> Yeah. Yes. That was what part of the project was to um be able to accept online payments. That's one of the biggest complaints we get from people right now is we can only accept cash or check. So, >> but we do pass the fee along so it
doesn't cost the taxpayers >> and um all three fire companies will have access to that system or just >> No, they didn't want access to it. We we went through a year-long um process evaluating different software systems and both fire companies elected
to stay with their own vendors. So, no. >> All right. Any questions for the uniform fire? Then we'll move to the emergency services portion of the current budget which is the still on page three.
>> Um again there's only one modification of this. This is for our technical and specialized equipment budget. Um basically just the cost for all the things that we have to maintain and purchase every year from oxygen to uh oxygen sensors for gas meters. we need
to buy uh replacement parts for thermal imaging cameras and you know all of those pieces to fix our stuff comes out of that budget and all those costs are going up. So >> any questions? >> Does anybody have any questions
>> on this? >> Page four. We have the two volunteer fire companies. >> These are unchanged from last year. It's a $75,000 donation, which is the statutory max that the town can donate to the fire company. So, that remains unchanged.
>> Yeah, they should get 75 each. >> Yeah. Yes. Correct. >> That's the high that's the highest we can give them. There was some >> I think this year they're coming out. They should be coming out this year with an adjustment. >> From what I hear, they said that last year, but they didn't.
>> That's what I thought. Like, and my memory. >> Yep. tells me like last year we talked about um that it might go up to 100 but it hasn't you know they haven't said anything and that I mean they did that seven or eight years ago they raised it from 50,000 to 75,000 so
>> so they seem to follow that pattern so when they do um I'll get a local finance notice um and then we can move forward with it >> yeah so if that happens mid year are we able to >> we really won't be able to do anything until >> unfortunately
>> so and we can't we can't project anything because that's not >> correct. >> Yeah. You can't go by your by law. >> By law, it's not this is how how much we can give, I think. >> Yeah. And and the state works on a fiscal year. Well, we work on a calendar year. Usually, that's why July 1 is the
crucial time. >> Right. >> If they're going to do anything, it's going to be the July 1st with this budget for allowing the departments to issue certain things. >> Okay. >> So, if it happens by July 1, we will have the flexibility. >> We will not. We'll probably can increase that next year.
>> It' be the time we pass. >> It would be 27. >> It has to do it when we pass >> when we adopt and we would have adopted the budget by then. >> We have to adust by bigger town a fiscal. >> So that's kind of where they they also
geared toward. So if it goes up in the summer and usually it doesn't happen in July either. They'll retroactively do it July. They'll probably issue this in August or September. And if that happens, then we can start planning for next year. >> Okay. >> Yep.
>> All right. We're going to move to capital, which is under the tab public safety, and it's page 57. And Tim, we're just going to do the ones you got approved for this year. >> Yep. Um, so, uh, 2026, the first project, automatic external
defibrillators, AEDs. This is an annual project we started a couple years ago to try and modernize it, modernize the AED fleet. The plan is to still just purchase somewhere between seven and 10 a year to try and rotate our uh our fleet townshipwide. This year there
actually should be a resolution coming before you guys soon to purchase another seven defibrillators. One of them is for community park um at the pavilion. That's been a big request. So, we are accommodating that. Um that's it for that plan. Do we have
something online that um maps out where we have these units? >> I don't think so. >> Why don't that be something to put up so that if people want to particularly people who might have a need for it could just sort of take a look at a map and realize where these things are?
>> Uh sure. >> Yeah. >> Do we have one at the arts center? >> Yes, I believe so. I think >> I know that was brought up last year and I think we took care of it, but I could >> think all community spaces, right? >> That was the eventual goal was to have them in all township public spaces.
>> Believe last year we even increased it in order to ensure that last year we actually had one these new locations. >> Yeah. For something like the map, uh we'd want to if it's in community park, people should know it's at the pavilion. It's a big park. Yeah. >> Yeah. Pavilion is where >> Yeah.
>> a lot of events happen too. Um, and more and more events are starting to happen at the Duck Pond Park. We don't have a facility there, >> but I know parks and wreck is working on bathroom. >> Yeah, there they do have it in the
budget. So, >> when that project takes shape, maybe >> we can add one there in there as well. >> Yeah, the the plan is to eventually have every fire department vehicle. So, not every volunteer fire company fire truck has uh an AED right now because most of
them are not frontline. And the thought being chances are there's going to be a patrol car, an ambulance or a fire truck there that will already have an AED. So, they will be getting them eventually. Uh then after that, the next goal would probably be public works vehicles because they're out around the town and
doing physical work. So I would like to have them at least in the supervisor's vehicles to have AEDs and then we could you know any public places once we get the kind of fleet outfitted if the council wants to outfit more public places. >> Well 4
trucks. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Right. But but what why not do 44 or 40 >> because they're not EMS agencies and we'll be there anyway. They both both agencies do have AEDs, but >> trucks. >> Not on every truck. No,
>> that's the goal that eventually. >> That is the goal. Yeah. >> Why Why don't we do that now? How many do you get for 25,000 again? Could you say >> um It depends on It depends because it depends whether we need to buy cabinets with them or how many pads, but they're about $2,000 each. So, you know, we can
get usually about 10 between seven and 10 depending on whether we need semi-automatic, automatic defibrillators, if we need interior, indoor cabinets, outdoor cabinets, whether we need hard cases, how many sets of pads do we need, all that, you know, so to be as you need with it.
>> Exactly. So, it it depends >> and they and they considered uh after 10 years they expire. That's there's no hard number on them, but what we had found is after about 10 years, the manufacturers stop supporting them and issue new models. So whether they
actually phase out or not, the manufacturers do. So that was a problem we had with our >> Let's assume that you buy it at the beginning of the model year though. >> Yeah. I mean, buy five years in. >> We used to have AEDs that were built by Phillips and they just stopped manufacturing batteries and AED pads for
them. So, you know, the AEDs still work fine, but we just could not get any new parts for them. So, >> and the pads are how when do they expire? >> The current AEDs, the ones that we're moving to, the pads are good for four years. >> Okay. So, >> so the the old AEDs that we had were good for two years, and that was a huge
expense for us. So, um yeah, the the current pads are good for four years. >> So, for every AED, we have to have some sort of expense, operating expense to >> correct. And actually that we had found this year for a number of reasons our use of AED pads has gone way up. Um our
number of cardiac arrests, the population aging, you know, a number of things, but we've gone through more AED pads this year than we have in any other year in the past. >> How how many times have these been used in a year? >> I don't know off the top of my head, but >> I can find out for you.
>> We just went through training 43. It was it's very good. Thank you. You did did a very good job. I thought it was very >> everyone was bonding very very well together. But learning good >> that was a long evening. I was in the
other room 20 minutes >> with with the track team. So you were there the entire time and >> yeah but if we but if we go through all this training I just thought you know with with the trucks that that go out why why do they not have one on the trucks? any
>> um the frontline pieces that go out do have them and they're basically because we prioritize the EMS agencies and the police who were prim primary responders. So, you know, the plan is to outfit every fire department vehicle with them, but we
just funding we took priorities. >> Did you need more funding to to >> No, because what we don't want to run into is what we did last time. We bought a hundred AEDs and then 10 years later they were all bad. So >> we're trying a few every year so that we
just rotate them through. >> Right. >> But he's saying they do have >> the vehicles do have them. >> Yes. Yeah. Absolutely. So like Rescue 43 does not the brush trucks don't like we're so we're expanding the vehicles that do have them but um it it's just it
takes time you know they're expensive. Um Tim, if they do sit idle, is there anything that has to occur in >> Actually, no. Luckily, these new AEDs, they're all um Wi-Fi supported. So, we can log into a portal and check battery status, the pads, make sure everything
works on them. So, even the one that's, you know, hanging out at Community Park when we eventually get back there, we don't have to physically go take it out of the cabinet to look at it. We can log into the portal and I get email updates every day with which ones aren't connecting or which ones haven't given us data. So, >> so until you have to change the battery
out, then you don't have to actually see it. >> Yep. >> Because at any given time, all of these should >> be operational. Correct. Right. So, >> yeah. >> Do they do they have recording devices on them? The new ones? >> Uh, well, so yes. I mean, define
recording device. So, we we can pull the um electrical rhythm data for the CPR event. So um we can actually get how success we used to actually have to transfer it or trans transmit it to our
medical director for review because they look at um how effective your CPR was. Did you get rhythms back? What was the cardiac rhythm adjustment? Were shocks advised? How many shocks were given? What were the you know power of the shocks? All of that is tracked. So yes,
we can get that if they're used, >> right? But do they record anyone who's using that? No. >> Um, >> yeah, that's not recorded. >> No, just the fact that it was used and >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Page
>> 58 >> uh communications and radio equipment. This is our annual radio replacement. So, um, we have a large fleet of mobile radios, which are the radios mounted in the vehicles, and portable radios, which are the handheld kind of walkie-talkie
radios. Uh, as Lieutenant Laura Tucci mentioned, they are incredibly expensive. Um, the radios that we use are close to $10,000 each. So, they're uh they're difficult to replace. So, this is again trying to keep that
replacement schedule going so we don't have one major expense on any given year. >> And you are on the county system, right? >> Yes, we are in a county P25 system, not the state's P25 system. uh pros and cons. You know, it has upsides and I was
going to ask was like >> the So, the the the reason that we went with the county, not the state system, is because all of the other county fire and EMS agencies are on the county system. So, in order for us to transmit and talk to the county, we had to be on their >> So, the county and state don't talk to
each other? >> No, they're on in I'll get to that because we have another radio project in here. I'll get to that. That's not even the beginning of the problems with the radio system. But no, the county and the state system do not talk to each other. They are not interoperable. Um,
there are interoperable frequencies that we can switch to, but no, I can't take a police radio and go use it on our fireground frequencies. So, >> they didn't learn from 911. >> It's amazing you said that. I don't want to get off on a huge tangent, but we've been having that discussion for about a
month that in 25 years since 911, one of the biggest issues we identified was lack of communication, lack of interoperability, and we've gotten nowhere. So theoretically, all of these radios, someone in a dispatch center could tie them all together and patch them together, but the people with the
technical skills to do that are not readily available anywhere. So if I needed something like that, it would take hours and hours for that. >> That's like, you know, that doesn't help, right? You need you need to be able to talk to >> Yep. >> people outside of the county. It's not
>> If you look at my chief's truck when it drives around, I used to get make fun of because it looks like a porcupine. There are nine radios. Nine radios in that truck so that I can communicate with the two different dispatch centers and the police and the county and the state police. And so there there are nine
radios in that. >> So So if anybody needs to communicate, they call you and you hold two radios up to each other. I literally in the back of my truck if you ever want to come look at it, there are one, two, three, four radios back there so that we can all stand back there and talk to different people because we're all in different.
>> Well, I'll I'll put the same request to you that I did to Chief Scarf if he can if the council could get a tour. >> Yeah, >> can talk to the mayor and ask um if he can. >> Absolutely. Anytime. >> We did do that. >> When we first opened the poll barn, you guys came.
>> So, it's been few years since then. Um, we have new council members. >> Sure. >> On the council. So, >> yeah, happy to. Anyway, >> there's my little pitch to get a tour for the council >> if we may. >> Any other radio questions for that?
>> No. >> Page 59. >> Um, this is a new project for the replacement of our hydraulic extrication equipment. Some people the jaws of life they're called. Um, we use uh Homatro tools right now which rely on hydraulic
pumps and hoses. Uh, they were bought about 20 years ago and they're getting to the close to the end of their life cycle. So, the idea is to start replacing them, phasing them in over the next three years with uh new probably battery operated tools. That's the
direction that everything's going. Um, so that that's the plan for this. Do these equipments work differently um for the rise in EV vehicles that we are seeing or like have to have a different training?
>> Well, yeah, we have to have different there's actually discussion about mandating EV vehicle training for firefighters right now. Yes, they are different. We have to respond to them differently for this equipment for structurally cutting vehicles apart. The fact that it's an EV is less important
than new safety standards. So, as safety standards improve, the the strength of the material that we have to cut through to be able to open doors or get roofs off gets stronger and stronger. So, um some of the some of the equipment and some of the cutters that we have just can't physically cut through the
material. So, >> and the electric ones will have the power to do that. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. And and you have I know you've done the because I've taken it a couple of times with everybody. The EV training where everybody brings their vehicles in. >> We try and do EV.
>> We're pretty pretty far ahead on that. I think >> EV and lithium ion battery training is one of the things that we try and focus on as much as we can. It is the new most dangerous thing for the fire service right now. So, um unfortunately there's not a lot that we can teach about it because there's not much that we can do.
So, uh we do the best we can. We try and teach people how to be safe and uh protect themselves, but there's not a whole lot of firefighting strategy and tactics that are effective on lithium-ion batters. >> But the one one thing that the training does do is it allows um all of the
firefighters and first responders to figure out where the um cut what to cut under the hood there in order to to to deagnetize the batter. Well, it doesn't quite deenergize, but it does at least turn it off. Uh yeah, we never ever act
like an EV is deenergized. And one of the big things that we teach people and we have emergency response guides in the vehicle so that we can actually look cars up or where high voltage lines are running because what we don't want to do is go cut through a piece of the car and have it be a 600vt electrical line
underneath there that we cut through. So that's one of the things that we try and teach the most is about identifying which vehicles are hybrids, where the batteries are, where the electrical lines are, and trying to expose as much of the metal material. So tear the plastic off and look underneath it before you cut through so you don't
accidentally cut through a capacitor or line or something. >> Chief, is that considered a hazmat? >> Yeah, absolutely. And to make it even worse, on the hazmat perspective, there is no plan for the lithium ion right now. So when we go to these lithium ion
battery fires, we there's nothing there there is no disposal plan for these. So >> in terms of recycling. >> Yeah. So we had a lithium ion battery explode in Hamilton. We went there with the hazmat team. We packaged it up and
tried to call the D to get rid of it and the D said, "We don't want it. We don't want anything to do with it. Tell them to get rid of it." Oh, >> so >> so there's there's no plan of action for anything. >> Nope. >> Hope that's what we're all relying on.
>> Fingers crossed. >> It's a great plan, let me tell you. >> All right. Age 60. >> How does that work for house fires, by the way, because you've got a lot of people with the backup battery systems with their solar panels.
>> Uh, yeah, absolutely. I mean, it it's just another hazard we have to worry about. The biggest hazard with those batteries and house fires is the actually the offging. So when they burn the chemicals that they put out are incredibly hazardous to firefighters. So
um there is the electrical hazard obviously with any kind of energized electrical component. But the bigger issue for us is a we have no way of putting lithium ion batteries out once they catch fire. They're going to burn until they burn out. And while they're burning, they off gas with some pretty
horrendous chemicals that are incredibly dangerous to firefighters. So, um I think I as just my opinion, we're going to start to see a lot less aggressive interior firefighting with vehicle or buildings that have battery storage or solar power. So, because there's just
nothing we can do. I I can't put that fire out. So, we'll try and get people out of the building and protect your neighbor's house. You you do have u mapping of where solar panels are. >> Every time the construction official
issues a permit for solar, he has to transmit that address to us and we have it in that pre-planned software. >> If you have you're responding, you need to know if there are sol solar panels on the roof. >> And there's a new code this year too that requires any building that has solar panels to identify that on the
front of the building. And if it's a residential building, it has to be identified on the electrical panel and the electrical service into the house. So from inside and outside, you can tell that there's a solar system. >> Now, where's that? >> What do you mean? >> Like on a residential house.
>> So it basically it's going to be a sticker that's put on your electrical meter. >> So when electrical meter Oh. >> So like when we walk So every time we go to a house fire, one of the first things that we have to do is call a 360. We just walk around, look at the whole house. And that's one of the things that
we have to try and identify is are there alternate electrical sources? Because if we have the power company shut the power, but there's still solar panels, the power house is still energized. >> Did you say that's a new code? >> Yeah, that just got adopted in the fall.
>> So the older um solar panels that residents have, they probably don't have that. Like I have solar panels for the last 10 years. I don't have that sticker on. So is that something? There is no there is no retrofit code to require people to do that. Um once we get the
final information and that code actually gets promagated then we may do some sort of public outreach to try and get people to do it >> right. >> Um and we at change of occupancy. So if you sell your home or if it's a rental we go out to do an inspection that'll hopefully be one of the things we're
going to look for. Um but no that it's a it's an uphill battle for us to try and deal with solar >> because that doesn't help um if it's only going forward. We have thousands of homes who already have them and >> you may do the 360 but without that sticker.
>> Generally, usually the 360 on residential properties is enough because you can look up and see. Commercial buildings, it's a bigger problem because you get power pit walls and you can't see what's up on the roof. So residential properties, it's usually easier to tell when they have solar. So I'm less concerned about them. But uh
>> So would that also include whether somebody has a battery backup system or is that >> Yeah. alternate. Yeah. Alternate power supplies. I think it's >> a generator, battery, or a solar panel. Any one of those things. >> So, if you have a gas generator,
>> it would have to identify anything where if we shut the power off to the house, there could still be power in there would have to be identified. >> And doesn't the electric company have to deenergize the uh electric line to the house if there's a generator?
If there's a generator. >> Yeah. Something about a power surge back which could electric >> switch. >> Oh, I don't know. >> Usually there's a off off thing in the basement. >> There's there's a transfer switch tech. >> And there's usually a backflow or I don't know what it's called. Some sort
of backflow pre, but I don't I'm not an electrician. I don't know how that's works. So could do could we do like an ordinance on that requiring everyone? >> No, I don't you can't do an ordinance that supersedes or requires additional to the what the code the state code
requires. So um we can make recommendations in a public education campaign would probably be our best guess. >> More of public outreach. >> Yeah. And uh >> yeah, public education, public outreach. I don't think anybody would mind putting a sticker on their electrical panel to let the fire go. It's just a matter of
they don't know that. We don't double that. >> We provide free stickers >> and we have a list of every house that has >> Yeah, exactly. So, >> we could do a mailing campaign. We could do >> Yeah. >> And then everyone needed a permit if they put a generator. So, yeah.
>> And our our construction office is great for that stuff. >> Yep. Okay. >> Page 60. >> Center radio coverage. >> Yep. So, this is um radio systems. >> Yeah. This says there's something attached, but we didn't get it. Oh, I I
have I could share with you a uh um a further explanation of this system. So, the this proposal is to add a radio coverage system for our emergency operations center in the basement. Uh the original problem was that the the
room itself in the basement does not have any radio reception. So, for us and the police department when we're working down there, we don't have any radios. So, I asked one of my firefighters. Luckily, we have a firefighter who works for the county uh in their radio system.
He works for the uh central communications. And he looked into a couple different options for us. And this option, what it would do is give us a system where essentially in the server room, we would install radios and those radios would then get transferred
through a piece of equipment into an internetbased radio signal. So, we would be able to anywhere that was tied into the the township's network would be able to access all of our radios. And when I say all of our radios, the fire
department dispatch right now operates on a VHF frequency. The fire department and EMS operations operate on a 400 band P25 system. the firefighter tactical frequencies. So if we're operating on a
fire ground, the people working inside the building operate on a UHF frequency and the police department operates on the state police's 800 band frequency. So we have multiple different radios, bandwidths, like we are all over the
spectrum. This system would allow us to incorporate that all into one system that we would be able to use internetbased in the basement. And I was talking to Garf. We're going to try and make it so that it would be a backup answering point for the 911 system so
that if for some reason the dispatch center either went down or they couldn't operate in that building, they could come downstairs and work in the EOC. And then if we had to open the emergency operations center for some extended operation, we could also have a dispatcher that could work there and
just keep us appraised of what was going on. So um it's a redundant system. It also provides us with a couple of different backup options and helps us with just general communication out of the emergency operation centers. >> So, does this work as that translation system we were talking about for all the
different radios too by putting everything in feeding everything in >> No, no, that that's a totally separate Yeah, that's different. This would just give us the opportunity rather than carrying a physical radio around, we would be able to have um basically internetbased phones in the basement
that would be able to communicate on a radio system. >> What happens if our township uh internet goes internet goes down? Uh well >> that's a question um for Brian but I believe we have redundancy built into
within the loop. >> A we have treatment for that reason >> and then B if they went down we still have our physical radios as a fallback. So you know we're not going to be able to cover everything but this way we have the radio system we also have an internet backup. We have accessibility
in the emergency operations center and we have redundancy for the police department. It's uh >> So we're not doing away with the radio. We're just providing a redundancy that you can actually use in a basement. >> Correct. Yep. >> And you can actually use that anywhere presumably. >> Anywhere that's tied to the township
network. >> And it has to be only the township network. >> Correct. So like any of the township buildings, we would be able to access it. So theoretically, worst case scenario, we'll just talk continuity of operations. If this building blew up, theoretically, we could go to one of the
other township buildings and access. So you can create a mobile command center. >> Yeah. >> Anywhere >> any in any of the >> facilities facilities >> or anywhere within the township's internet capability. >> Although this building blew up, all that hardware would be gone too. So
yes, >> that's in the basement. So maybe that would make you know. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> Age 61. >> And this one is more of a one time. >> Yes, that's a one time. That's just equipment
>> for maintenance or any upgrades or anything? >> No. At some point, I'm sure we would have to replace equipment, but no, this is not there's no licensing. There's nothing. This is just a physical equipment we would have to purchase and install. >> Page 61.
>> Uh, this is an annual uh account. This is where we buy all of our fire equipment. So fire hose, thermal imaging cameras, things that just regularly kind of deteriorate and have to be replaced. >> Is this for all three fire? >> Correct. Yeah, this we buy for all the
fire companies out of this. >> What's in the budget now? >> Like balance >> balance. >> I don't have that in front of me. Do you know roughly? >> I I can pull it up for you if you're interested. >> Do you want the report, John? >> No. >> Okay. While while he's doing that, um
the hazmat um when we did when we approved the hazmat agreements, we specifically said that the county was supposed to um had county had agreed to go get various grants and to get us some money back for
it. And part of the resolution said that the county would report to us on a on a regular basis as to the status of these different grants that they're trying to do. Do we have information on what grants we've actually gotten money back
from the county? Oh, since then. >> Yeah, I do. >> Yeah, I think we had one, correct? >> Uh, yeah, we had one grant. Um, there was another grant the town the county applied for, but the township didn't extend our shared service, so they were ineligible for that. Um, that was the
only other grant that I know of. I do have a breakdown of their cost recovery program and sorry, our current balance for the equipment, our 2025 equipment account is $25,000. So since August of last year, we've gone through $75,000 of
it. They generally spend most of it by uh uh 16 months. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. On an average um we received a $25,000 grant that we still have on the books. I don't think we've >> No, we haven't actually we project for that yesterday. So
>> So it's it's allocated only for the for that hazmat. It's it's it's under the grant fund. >> Okay. Because if I remember >> we did get a $25,000. >> Okay. Because there was a whole bunch of other things that they were supposed to be putting in. I was just wondering if we've been following that. >> And then hang on, I'll give you the
other. So, the county is billing for all of our cost recovery for hazmat events. >> So far this year, we have build out $12,137 and they've recovered
$6,559 of that. I don't believe we've gotten any of that money yet. >> Not yet, but they're little little behind. >> Yeah. and that those they've just received those within the last couple of weeks. So, um it's a new program. We're trying to work our way through it, but I will admit having the county do all the
cost recovery has taken quite a bit of burden off of us. We just transfer them our reports and they deal they're they're in court right now trying to fight one person for a recovery. So, um that has been very beneficial. And as far as program, last year the county paid for our entire department to go get
physicals. That program worked well. And we just started again with our 2026 physicals uh the countyy's working on. They did give us the $25,000 they promised last year. We should be getting that again. And at some point this year, we'll have to discuss 2027 and whether
we're continuing with hazmat or not because our current shared service expires at the end of this year, >> right? Two year two. >> It was a two-year resolution and 26 is the end of it. So >> is there a chance they take over it? The county would take 100% over. >> No.
>> No. I think that if we backed out, the only thing they would try and do is give it to Trenton. But um I don't think Trenton has the capacity to expand and take it on. And quite frankly, it's not a huge burden for us. So far this year, we've done four hazmat calls and one of them was in West
Windsor. So none of them have been >> So you went >> outside for three >> three times. It's it's not a huge burden. Um >> Yeah. >> Well, the truck there was some new some truck that we were going to need. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, our current hazmat truck is a 1997, so,
>> you know, at some point it's going to have to be replaced, but we are looking at different options for what we could do. Um, potentially trying to consolidate it with another piece of apparatus in the fleet so we could have a combined rescue hazmat vehicle so we
wouldn't need two trucks anymore. And then, uh, so we're looking at different options to try and get the most out of our money here in town. >> Have the county pay for that? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I'm thinking if the county wants us to renew, that might be
>> I don't think that the county doesn't have any budget for it. They don't have any um I don't think they have any interest in trying to pay for it either. So, I I don't know. We we could talk to them again, but I don't >> We should understand we're not going to pay 100%. >> Well, so the one thing I'll I'll say is
that even if we don't participate in the county hazmat anymore, we would still have to maintain most of the program for our own town. So, >> but still they could presumably go and ask for other towns to maybe share on the cost of it or something. >> I totally agree with that. That's
conversation >> the programs for themselves. >> Uh no some of the other towns or just from no >> and the other town. So we're shared service. >> We cover Princeton, East Windsor, Heightstown, and Robinsville as the
primary hazmat team. And then Trenton does Hamilton, Lawrence, Euing, and Hopewell. And then we are the backup >> for each other. So essentially, >> so no, no, none of the other towns provide it. >> Yeah, we we put that in our resolution. Remember saying it?
>> Yeah. >> I mean, there there's the trucks and they're very expensive and there's the training and the maintenance and and are people going out elsewhere? I think we need to start socializing this with the county executive and the county commissioners so that when next year's
cycle comes up we can >> Yeah. >> Well, we have to have this discussion this year because that resolution expand that was I mean we al we I'm saying >> to have those discussions >> when when we put together our state of emergency resolution. We we pointed out that we're one of the two hazmat teams
and that we have primary and secondary for the entire county. So, but I I think at the end of this, we probably need some sort of accounting what we've gotten back and what we haven't before we make another decision. And then the idea that uh we do have to buy this
expensive truck and then have a serious discussion with the county on how um you know, tell them, yeah, we'd like to do this, but we'd like a little help with it with the costs. >> I don't think that's unreasonable. >> Yeah. get >> possibly as a county instead of the township going
>> the county. The big issue is most of the grants are dried up. They're unavailable. The federal government's not funding them anymore. So, um that's one of the big problems. The second is that the county um for fire all of the fire and
emergency services grants is ineligible through the federal uh grant program because they're not the authority having jurisdiction over the response. The municipalities are. So, we could do a joint grant submission with all the municipalities, but I don't know who's
going to wrangle all those cats. >> It's a lot. >> Yeah. >> What's the grant that's uh that's in here? The 400,000 it says we were ineligible for. >> Uh so, yeah, we've submitted year after year for um federal grants, the assistance of
firefighter grants is AFG grants through the US Fire Administration. They're there to provide uh extrication equipment and other things. And we are ineligible because we are not compliant with federal reporting requirements. So I we are ineligible.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. On to page 62. >> That one >> raise that. >> Page 62. >> Uh this is a PPE annual PPE budget. It was raised last year from $50 to $100,000.
um that seems to be providing enough PPE. We uh we are keeping up with the requests from the fire companies. Of course, everybody wants more and eventually we're going to try and get more for everybody, but um last year was the first year we had $100,000. It's going to take a while to kind of catch
up, but I I do think that that is enough money. >> How many How many does this get you? >> Um about 20. little less than 20. >> Okay. >> Um, some of the some of the issues that
have come up are the standard changed again for PPE. It used to be that the turnout gear itself was good for 10 years in the state of New Jersey. We can continue using it as long as we want as long as it passes inspection. Um, however, the firemies
won't allow anybody to show up if their gear isn't NFPA compliant. So if you're sending new recruit firefighters through, they have to have new turnout gear. That also just extended to boots and helmets that they're only good for 10 years now. So the helmets now have to be replaced and helmet prices are gone
up. They're over $1,000 each now. So a full complement of turnout gear is about $5,000 per person. >> Yeah. And um township uh pays for all PPS for all or >> Yeah.
Fire companies still buy hoods, the the Nomx hoods, but I think that's it. I think we we've brought everything. I did propose to both fire companies that we would take over purchase of every piece of turnout gear, but I wanted a a centralized inventory. Right now, we
have three separate stock piles, and we don't know who's got what or where it is. So, I said, "If we could do a centralized inventory, and you just send somebody to us, we'll outfit them with all their gear." It's good to ask. I was like, is there a way to >> So what I had proposed what I had proposed to both fire companies is that
the way the ordinance is written, the way their bylaws are, they have complete control over who their members are. So they can admit a new member. As soon as they get a new member, send them to us. We'll fit test them, give them full turnout gear. We'll build them into all of the electronic systems in the town,
and then we'll have a record for our personnel for workers comp. They'll have all their gear. will have that inventory been tracked but there wasn't a lot of uh interest in that from the fire companies. >> Is that how the ordinance is written now or we need to change make a change if
that's >> our ordinance is currently written that both fire companies have complet they are essentially autonomous private contractors. So they have their own membership. They have their own membership committees. They have their own bylaws that govern how members get
in, how they're disciplined, how, you know, all of the what their membership categories are and then we buy equipment and give it to them. So, uh, you know, that's the way the system is currently set up. >> Do we give them equally b or is it based
on how many members they >> Yeah, it depends on need. So, um, generally the trend for the last few few years, West Windsor Fire Company has had a stronger membership enrollment. So they've been getting I'll say six to seven sets of gear where Prince and
Junction will get three or four. But it it depends. So if one year PJ has more members then we'll swing that direction. It it all it's fluid. So >> free to call. We increased that last year to catch up and you're caught up. >> We're we are catching up. I think that we have a plan in place over this year
and the next couple years to we'll get we'll be okay. But I what I again don't want to do is throw a hundred sets of turnout gear at the problem and then in 10 years we run into the same problem again. This should be a you know >> systemic growth of our inventory.
>> How much is in there now in the uh >> you know Tim's got the balance on his phone. One moment please. I knew you were asking last year, so I had to pull one. >> Just got the report. Just have to go there.
>> So R 2025. >> Take your time. >> Um, that one's harder to tell. like that that's part of another larger account, but we have um about $18,000 left it looks like for 2025 for PPE because we did two rounds
of it. We actually bought five rounds of PPE last year through resolutions. So >> yeah, remember we did have resolutions on this. >> We're trying to buy it as much as we can. You know, it's a >> So you have approximately the balance amount will cover maybe two.
>> We could get probably three, four sets depending on what we need. But um you know that's also just un like we are still waiting to spend more money from 2025. But each set of turnout gear we try to order six to 10 at a time. They take about two to three months to come
in. So we kind of work our way through different groups of people. It's a slow process. >> And you actually do have somewhere an inventory of all the equipment even if they're in 43 and 4. >> I have a physical list of all the equipment that we have purchased and
where it was assigned to. We have 198 sets of turnout here in town. >> Okay. Page 64. >> Uh this is year two and three. We started this last year of a new project to install mobile data terminals, MDTs,
and AVLs, automatic vehicle locators in all of our fleet. This is the county is moving to a um locationbased dispatch system rather than um right now everything's based on where the firehouse or the emergency station is located. The plan now is to send the
closest available unit. So if an ambulance is out driving around somewhere and they're closer, they get sent. So that's the direction the county is going and it's a better system for everybody. So this is year two and three of that project. Uh, any questions? No.
>> Oh, no. >> I'm just going back a page on 63. I know it's for next year. >> Um, 400,000 for the Deacon 45 unit. That's the hazmat. >> That's one of So, right, I mean, this this is I pushed this specifically out to next year because we can have that
discussion after the town decides what our future in hazmat is. But our current fleet of decontamination equipment is 25, 30 years old and needs to be replaced. So, >> so to stay in to stay as a hazmat provider, we would need to spend that money and and that would be something to
>> that's one of the things that yes, we would need >> I think there was another truck also. >> There's another truck. Yeah. So, right now we have trailers used for all of our decon equipment. They were bought on grants in 20201 um and they're >> reaching the end of their life. So the plan was to rather right now we have
three trailers that all need to be towed was to consolidate them all into one truck that could be driven by one person. That was this plan. But again that's that's for next year after we decide whether or not we want to stay. >> We stayed as a one of the hazmat teams
for the county or not. We may still need this or is >> we probably wouldn't need that truck if we were not staying in hazmat. Yeah. that that is intended for decon of we have a system right now. We could decon up to a thousand people with >> in privacy.
Give them an opportunity to take their contaminated clothes off in warm air, take a shower and hot water and then put clothing on. We could do that for a thousand people, but all of that stuff is in a series of trailers. So, um if if we're staying in hazmat, we would need
to modernize that. Is that similar to one of the shower tents that you use during um >> That's exactly what it is. Yeah, that's a decon tent that we repurposed for that. Yeah. >> Well, uh I' I've seen that. Um if you go to the Mercer counties try meet
>> the triath >> uh the triathlon um you set up that >> we use it to cool off runners when they're done. We just have it set up with the showers with cold water and it works very well. But that Yeah, that that is a decong. >> All right.
Um, so with this system, going back to the one on page 64, um, the theory would be that if there was a truck from a a um ambulance uh, from Hamilton that happened to be
passing through, it was closer than our ambulance over here, maybe even particularly with this bridge being down. um then they would send the um >> theoretically that's probably generally the idea is um if West Windsor's
ambulance is unavailable so home rule still exists we get our own >> town but if they then need to call a mutual aid ambulance in right now they just call like well that's kind of on Princeton's border we'll call them but we have no idea where their truck is or what's going on now the county can look
at a map and say okay we're going to take that ambulance and send them here. We'll pull that fire engine and send them based on location. >> So, first digs would be if we were available in a in a reasonable amount of time and then if not, >> whatever we got should be the best
possible option. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Okay. Page 65. >> Uh this is a new project. This is a request from Wester Volunteer Fire Company this year for a PPE dryer. >> Um they're the last agency in town that
does not have one. So, it's a $20,000 project to install a dryer for their turnout here. >> Any questions? >> Nope. >> No. >> Yeah, I've seen the one that 44 has and it >> helps them dry their um
>> generally we want to try and wash our gear as much as possible to get the carcinogens off of it. But then when you just have to leave it out and let it dry for 3 days. That doesn't help. Right. Right. >> The the quicker we can get the gear dried and back in service, the faster you have firefighters back. >> Page 68.
>> Um this is a project for the replacement of engine 45. Uh this is uh the current engine's 20 years old. It is desperately in need of replacement. It's currently out of service and uh the list of
repairs exceeds $20,000 for it to get back in service right now that this truck desperately needs to be replaced. >> Is there a lead time for this? Can we get it this year or it'll be >> We got the So, we've been work we worked with about five different vendors and we found a vendor that had done a program
called stock vehicles where they literally just bought eight trucks and had them in line at the manufacturer and we bought one of those. So, we're getting if we buy this truck, we would get it in November of next year and that is the fastest that we can get a fire truck.
>> It's still a year out >> where Yeah. We're 16 18 months. >> That's out, but it's not like three, four, five years. That >> a new custom truck takes four years or more at 2.2 million. >> Yeah. >> Where so we >> once we once we bond
>> So Tim was able to to wrangle up this truck for 1.3. So 1.3 is reasonable with this truck. We'll be able to do it. >> I think so. >> Okay. Because the numbers on these trucks have been going >> and they're only going to get worse. Yeah. I think the trucks is like 1.1 and
there's a couple hundred thousand to outfit equipment stuff. So >> once we bond, we can quickly go out and put the order in. >> Yeah. Immediately. >> Immediately. We don't have to wait for >> No. Specs finalized, everything's done, all the purchasing package. We just need the funding for
>> funding because in the past I know the specs took much longer and there was a whole different process for >> and that's why it's cheaper because they just want to get rid of it. >> Yeah. >> And and it cuts down on the lead time and the cost. >> Yeah. So we didn't get as many options to customize, but we were able to build
a truck that'll work well enough for us and it'll be here quickly because that's our biggest issue right now. >> So November of next year hopefully. >> That's the current estimate is November of 27th. But we got a truck that basically will do what we need it to do. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> What's the uh higher than normal use referred to in the description here? I'm just curious what's >> um so this truck is operated by the career staff. They run 24 hours a day and they run on a bunch of calls. They uh the increased demand from the increased development not just in our
town but in the area has gone, you know, our call volume is through the roof right now. We two years ago, three years ago, we were running about 2,000 calls a year. 2025, we ran 3,400. So, >> probably the most used vehicle other than an ambulance. >> That is this is by far the most used vehicle.
>> Other than >> correct. >> Yeah. So, this is the one that you see around town all the time responds to, you know, car accidents. >> Yeah. It's fun. So, we in fact, we actually tried to cut down the things it responds to to try and reduce mileage on
it. But just for reference, John, do you know what the second highest mileage vehicle in our fleet is? >> After our engine is >> correct, >> as far as the fire will be
>> just an estimate, the truth of the matter, which doesn't much >> mileage is >> uh Doesn't matter. Anyway, the piece for 45. >> Yeah, it's our backup piece. It probably has 20,000 miles, 30,000 miles on it.
And our engine has 135,000 on it. So >> So if your engine broke down, you would >> we use one of the volunteer pieces. Yes. >> And ours,000. >> Mhm. >> So, it's it's time. >> Do we have any money in the budget
currently? Have we been building? >> No. >> This is new. >> Yep. Uh the next one would be page 70. Um, this is a replacement project for our current mule or what we call mule
45. It's a a sidebyside ATV. It'll carry up to five people. Uh, it was purchased in 2006. It we use the heck out of it, but it's starting to get old and having mechanical problems and needs to be replaced. Any questions?
Okay. So, then we'll go to page 72. And this is a supplement, correct, Tim? >> Uh, yeah. So, there were $750,000 in the 2022 budget to replace three ambulances. Um, the price of those ambulance has gone up so drastically now,
>> like the the current price for a new ambulance is anywhere from $450 to $500,000. So, what we were able to do, we got one of our current ambulances is going to be uh retrofitted with a new chassis, which saved us quite a bit of
money. We're going to use the existing $750,000 to purchase one new ambulance. So, we'll have one new and one refurbed. And then this would be able to get us another ambulance. So, we would have two new ambulances and a reurb. And then, as you could see, there's a plan for
another one in a couple of years to replace the refurbished truck. It really is. >> It's incredible. The the current ambulances were bought in 2014 and they were about $155,000 each and now they're >> they're looking at half a million
dollars for the same truck. >> Yeah. But um if I remember there was a resolution this year to do some of that refurbish >> for the refurbishment that that you guys did approve that this year. So we're currently waiting our turn in line to get a refurb done but >> Okay. So, John, what's what's behind all
of these crazy increases? Is this uh monopoly situation here? Because >> Yeah, investment firms have pretty much bought up industries. >> Yeah. So, that specifically fire truck, there are major capital investment firms that are buying up all of these because
they know they have a fixed audience. So, there's one company called the Rev Group. They own 80% of the firetruck manufacturing industry and they set the prices. So they just >> they don't have an option but >> go with that one. >> Correct. There currently right now there
are only two major firetruck manufacturers and they there there's some hearings at the Senate level about collusion and you know >> so you can bid all you want but it's always the same company. >> Exactly. Pretty much. Yeah.
>> Or state contract or co-op. >> They're all getting it from the same national co-op. >> Yeah. They all come back to one or two firms. >> All right, page 74. >> This is another new project West
Developers by Blush for them a few years ago and they've identified that when they actually operate the thing off-road, it has some issues with sinking into the mud and getting stuck. So, we want to do some upgrades to the suspension system and the wheels and tires so that hopefully it'll have a a better use
off-road than it does right there. >> So, going to single wheels in the back will make it not go into the mud. >> Yeah. So, right now it has dual wheels. It's got a dual in the back, but they're very narrow and they're practically street tires. So, the idea is to >> adjust the suspension so we can go with
one extra wide tire in the back. So, um it would give us a much better purchase in the mud than the current dual tire system is. >> Okay. >> And do these these um vehicles also have
a lead time or of couple years or >> say well we already have this vehicle. This is just a modification. >> It's a mod. So you kind of refurbishing the the vehicle to give the more useful life. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Uh and the last item is page 76.
>> Yep. >> And this is that general improvement fund for the building that we accumulate. Um so in case we have any major expenditures, >> do we know how much we have? >> I think we have about 100. >> No, there's about $30,000 left in that because we've used that money to do
quite a few projects around the station. So, and then we're we're actually in the process of doing a few more right now to try and update um we'd have to buy a new refrigerator. Our refrigerator died, so like those kind of things, that's what we use this money for.
>> All right. Any other questions? >> No. Okay. Well, I did see on page 73, again, this is related to hazmat, I'm assuming, >> correct? That's the other >> if we decide >> this will be something we can discuss.
And that's one of the things that vehicle is one of the ones I want to try and consolidate multiple pieces into. So that that's another discussion for if we decide to stay in hazmat. >> So I don't think we need to worry about that. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Does anybody have any question for Chief Lynch? >> So, but I guess by the hazmat by the end of this year, will we get a framework for discussion for next year or we have to budget or >> we have to have to decide one way or another by the end of the year.
>> And and not only that, but if we're talking to the county and if it's a matter of them trying to find a way to get money, we need to give them a little heads up, too. So >> agreement expires end of this year. >> Correct. >> So if we need if we need some sort of
continuation or >> we are we need to have discussions >> before end of this year sooner than later. We can't wait till next year. >> I'd like to be even if it's an executive session, it's a contractual matter, be briefed before the final
>> contract comes to us and then it's December and >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I I'll work with the mayor and administration to try and set up something. >> So, yeah, Allison, let's keep note of this and >> because I think there's a um >> Tim, do you know if >> there's a clause in there you have to
give them proper notifications, right? Yes. Is the county going to send an agreement for renewal? >> I haven't heard anything from them yet. Um I haven't approached it because I didn't know what the town's position was. So I didn't want to talk to them about
>> Okay. Sounds good. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you. >> You guys want to do a 30? >> Um yeah, we want to take a Yes, we could. >> Do we want to do 45?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um, it's 12:18 right now. Um, we did get a word that there's some movement happening at the bridge today. Um, we have Amtrak and some work
happening. Um, I know some of us were interested to go and see what's going on. Do we want to do that now or >> went later? >> No, I think continue the people want to go later than they go later. >> Yeah. No, I'm just talking about whether we wanted to make this a little longer
and just go out for 10 minutes before they leave. >> But we come back to session at 1:00. It's No, not >> about 30 minutes. that >> we had administrationistration left.
>> It should move pretty quickly. >> That should move pretty quickly. >> Most of those budgets are pretty flat. So, >> well, another option. >> Yeah. All right. Let's take 30 minutes break. >> 30 minutes lunch break. So, we'll be back at
>> 1250. >> 12:50. >> Oh, a motion in a second. Can I get a motion? >> Second. Can I get a second? All right. All in favor? >> I I All right. >> What do we say? >> 12:50.
>> 12:15. >> Half hour. So, it's 12:20 right now. regular sneakers or something. >> I have hiking shoes, but they're not >> back on. Okay, >> do I have to
>> welcome back everyone. It's 12:52 and we are going to start. We're going to start with tax assessor first. >> Yes. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Good afternoon. I'm Lorraine Jones. I'm the tax assessor.
>> Um, primarily my responsibility is the fair assessment of all the properties so that the tax burden is distributed equitably through the town. Uh, my office maintains the ownership records um through drocessing.
Um, one of my primary uh goals or uh duties every year is to manage the ratio, which is the assessed value as compared to market value. And state assigns that every year to us um after a
two-year sales study, um West Windsor's ratio, as all counties in the state, is declining rapidly. Our ratio is now down to 63.45%. Um, so one of the main goals in the department is to postpone or delay a
townshipwide revaluation for as long as possible. We're doing pretty good. It's been 20 years, >> which is a very expensive and >> like millions for us to do. They allow us to pay it over five years, I think,
possibly three. I'd have to look. >> So, it's been 20 years. >> Is there a trigger ratio number that sort of some guidelines that the state provides us as if if your ratio falls below like 80%. >> That's that's one of the factors. But
the other one is the coefficient of deviation which is how far the the assessment value is above or below our ratio. Um ours is 10 10
19 right now. If that coefficient of deviation gets up to 15, then the eyes start looking and we're good. We're still at 10. There are many other municipalities in our county that are much higher with that um factor. So, if
Mercer starts assigning uh revaluations, West Windsor won't be first. That's for sure. >> And the other problem is there's only a handful. two >> okay two >> consulting firms that do the reval so
>> five years >> so at least for next five years we are not seeing >> very good >> unless another um consulting firm who does reevaluations comes online or the state decides everyone must do something
differently and that would take a uh a change to the state constitution so I don't think that's happen >> about monopoly Yes. >> If you're looking for a new business venture for yourselves, get into the revaluation business in New Jersey.
>> I can have a sixth career or something here. >> Career. >> Um, this time of year, we start our appeal season. So, we also uh put a lot of time and effort into defending and settling assessment appeals. We have
very few residential appeals in the past 10 years with the real estate market on the rise. But we do have an increase in commercial appeals. Um and they are more costly appeals. They are mostly done through the state division of taxation
as opposed to the local county uh tax court. Um and that's due to the fact that um office vacancies are on the rise. We have a large office um portion in our commercial ratable base, the Carnegie
Center primarily. Um so between the office vacancies going up and our ratio going down, a lot of commercial properties want us to adjust their >> adjustment. Yeah. And a lot of times we
do that without appeals, without bringing attorneys into the mix. So, we do that as much as possible. >> Do do you know what the office vacancy rate is or how much it's increased by? Just curious. >> I can get those exact numbers for you.
It always used to be around 20 to 25%. It's now closer to 30%. >> Yeah. Uh there has been some um interest in I know one of the vacant buildings in Carnegie Center and I don't know the
outcome of that. um they came and spoke to the mayor. Um but I I I don't know what happened there. It was one company wanted to occupy the whole building. So that would help. That would have tremendous size. >> Um I also review applications for
exemptions. Um mostly the university. >> Yeah. >> Um and then the the smaller deductions for veterans and senior center uh senior citizens and disabled people. We review applications for farmland assessments
and just something new along with farmland assessments. The state is going to an online portal farmland applications and Mercer County is one of the counties that is going to be the um trial this year. So I think there's five
or six counties and Mercer is one of them. So maybe we can get some of our farmers to go online and and test this new portal and and hopefully that will help with paperwork. It's it's very paper intensive. And last but not least, we value new
construction both residential and commercial for added assessments. Any general questions? Okay. If you go to page two, the assessment of taxes budgets, page two
and page three is flat for 2026. >> Change. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> And there are no capital items for for the assessment department. >> Any No. With no questions, I'd say thank
you. Do >> do we have any questions? >> Nope. Thank you. This was easy. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Kelly, introduce yourself. >> Hi, I'm Kelly Montesinos, the West Windsor Township Tax Collector. Um, as
Larry's office puts the value on the property, our office collects all the property taxes for West Windsor that are due quarterly. Um we have a 99.63% collection rate. Um which our office
takes a lot of pride in that. Um we have an annual tax sale every year which the number for sewer is on the higher end but the residential properties for actual property taxes there's like five or six that go every year. Otherwise
sewer it's more in the 20 range. Um it's just a bill that just seems to be you know put to the side on that. Um, we are seeing a lot of enrollment into our autopay surfaces for tax and sewer more for sewer because a lot of mortgage
companies do pay about a good 4,000 accounts of the property taxes. Um, we have been on autopay for sewer two quart or two cycles now. Uh, our sewer system was finally implemented. Uh, the new
billing software last year that was finalized and completed. Uh we've worked out all the kinks there. Uh so we're hoping for a pretty smooth year software-wise in the tax collection office and getting more residents to sign up for autopay just because it's an
easy tool and it helps people not forget to pay the bill. Do you see people forget paying the sewer bill because the sora bill comes in fall like for fall and spring payments comes. So, we used to send the bills when I
first started. We send it we sent out a bill once in August for the September quarter and then we sent out a bill again in January for the March quarter. And the difference in collection is >> didn't didn't matter. >> It does doesn't make a difference and we're saving on the postage. When I
first started, we had about 7,100 sewer accounts. We're at 8,300 now with all the new developments coming in. >> Um, so we are seeing an increase in that. But what happens is a lot of people rent out those properties, especially if it's a condo or a townhouse. And what happens is they
don't update the mailing address. So, uh, the last year we've been working with the clerk's office. Every time a landlord application gets filled out, there's now a change of address form. So, we're really working to clean that up. Um, but there is still, you know, we can only do so much here.
>> I know we talked about this last year. Um, residents can pay both the bills. We have a lot of residents that >> because I know I do that because otherwise same thing I forget by the time March turns around I I'm forgotten. Correct. >> I just need that bill. Um
>> we do mention that. Uh we also now mention the autopay option. Um obviously the older population isn't always so quick to go online and create an account, but you know we've been working with them taking the steps to help them create an account online, walking them
through it. I mean they call the office. We're more than willing to walk them through any kind of the procedures that sometimes happens with the PSA one form now. There's a lot of questions with that and they're going digital. So, you know, they refer to our office for questions with that information.
>> I'm I'm one of your clients that uses the autopay and I love it and I guess it was just this cycle where I got my first autopay >> um trans transaction. Um the and I got an email informing me and
it took me a minute to figure out what it was. >> Yeah. Third party company is FIS and everything is branded for them. So it doesn't come as like >> it did the word sewer. >> Correct. Correct. >> Yeah. Wait a minute. You're like why don't I pay?
>> Correct. If you get my email notifications from the tax collector's office, I also send out a quarterly reminder twice during the quarter for tax and sewer to pay your taxes. Um, so that comes from West Windsor Township. It's very, you know, looks official.
This is coming from FIS, so some people get confused and everyone's on that, you know, looking twice type of a situation because with all the fraud out there, you just, you just never know. Is there any way for them to just >> Unfortunately not because I I've asked that question just in general if we could even get it to come from like a
West Windsor email address >> that I could >> or even mention that that just mentioned the logo >> if there's a if there's a line item can it at least put that line item as to what it's for I would assume most bills
have some form >> is the very generic program which New Jersey uses but they also are used all across the state. So, they're not into catering things directly for each individual customer. Fortunately, >> they don't
>> I've asked that question just because our residents are used to a certain way of things and to make it clear and concise. They weren't uh willing to uh change that for me. >> I mean, I probably get about 50 emails a day that says, "Thank you for your $499
payment for Norton some or something." So, so that become would come like another one or whatever, you know. >> Okay. >> All right. Does anybody have any other question? >> Okay. Um, and the we have the online um
is there a um online the same way for for our property tax where you could automatically >> the property taxes and sewer. You can also look at your tax amounts online. You don't have to have a registered account to make a payment. Yeah. Uh, it gives you the payment history, last pay
date. Um, so a lot of all that information is online on our website. >> You can look up anybody's taxes on Yeah, I know. >> Yeah. Once you have an account. Yeah. >> You don't have to necessarily pay the property tax separately. Even if it comes with the mortgage payment like
mortgage companies pay it, you can still see it. >> Yeah. You could see either one you can make a payment on. >> Yeah. >> View history. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. But you still charge like $2 or something to >> for your safety.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Page three. And um this budget for taxes is also flat. >> Yep. >> And there are no capital items. Correct.
>> Does anybody have any other questions? >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks. All right, >> we get assessed. The taxes are collected. We're good. >> Okay. Uh
administration uh on page one and two. And I believe their budget is flat too. Let me look real quick. Hold on. Yes. No increase requested this year for administrations. You're doing you're talking about the financial first or you doing the
>> No, the next after administration will be the mayor in the mayor's budget's flat also. Um um and then we'll bring in Brian with buildings and grounds and he'll go over the IT stuff and he'll have a bunch of capital stuff. So, >> yep.
>> Yep. Okay. And is there any questions on the administrative budget? >> Which have any >> question on the administrative budget? No. Okay, if you on the same page, the mayor's budget OE, same thing. It's flat,
just below administration. Um, okay. And then just one down is the financial administration. And my budget is also flat. I do have a slight increase for auditing
>> and a slight increase for data processing. Is anybody going to go through any like some of the accomplishments and summarize them or anything like that? >> Sure, I can go over uh financial administration if you like. >> Um
uh provide financial administration under the regulatory and statutory requirements of the local bond law, local public law, local public contracts law, rules and regulations by the director of the division of local finance. um assist the mayor and the
business administration in preparing the annual budget. Um New Jersey municipalities use a cashbased budgeting system and a modified curlbased accounting system known as other comprehensive basic accounting. It's a very conservative
method of accounting where we do not anticipate anticipate receivables but we do book incumbrances. So, we're very conservative as far as our budgets go. Because of that, in the state of New Jersey, there hasn't been a town to go bankrupt
since the 30s. Um, regardless of fraud or or revenue loss or disasters, um, there has not been a town that has gone bankrupt in the state of New Jersey, unlike many other states, um, that use a
GAP accounting for their type of uh, budgets. um maintain records for all township funds as required by the DCA and DLGS. Um we're also responsible for payroll for 200 approximately 200 full-time and
245 part-time PDM and seasonal employees. Um we process around 7,000 checks a year between all our different funds and we also manage the u pension systems both
both for the police police and fire and the public employees. Um we maintain a trust funds totaling over $22 million uh which include the affordable housing trust developers cash performance guarantees inspection and review
accounts. We review and process Kelly bill reimbursements. Those are those resolutions you guys see throughout the year um for the different communities throughout the township. Uh we also have uh several reporting
requirements for the current fund and capital funds that we have to keep up to date uh throughout the year. Um we help prepare various contracts resolutions and ordinances for township council action, provide assistance to
township departments for financial related matters. um I'll provide assistance to an independent municipal auditor during the annual audit. As per uh the statute in New Jersey, we have to have an independent auditor come in and do an
audit every year and that's due by the end of September. Um and let's see, special projects as directed by the mayor and business administration. Could you um how how do we pension
things get handled that we are we in a state fund or >> Yes. Um by law we're required to be participants in the public employees pers which is a public employees retirement system and those are for employees that are not police and fire.
They have their separate pension fund. It's administered by the state. Um, EERS employees are required to it's a defined pension plan which means you have to join if you meet certain requirements and it requires 7.5% of your salary goes
to the pension every month. So every month we transmit to the state the what they're required and then once a year the township has to provide their match. It's more than a match. I think we're running about 19% 18% of the salaries
for PERS we have to send once a year. That comes due on April 1st. >> Is that when we put it in the budget? Is that under SNW then? >> That's under it's it's it's further down the budget. It's called it's PERS pension contributions. >> Okay.
>> And it's about two million and change or one. >> So it has its million change and then the police is 2 million and change off the top of my head. Same thing with the police, but they pro they actually have to take 10% of their pay and put it give it to the state. Um, and then we have to
uh actually our contribution to the police and fire is 33% coming April 1st of their salary and wages we have to provide to the pension fund. Yes. So our administrative overhead for the pensions and healthcare
costs are pretty substantial. So once >> 33% starting April 1st >> April 1st we're due. It's in the low30s. Yes. >> That is that including the healthcare or >> no because we do our own >> that's just the pension. >> Okay. So once we've done that once we
pay in and the employees have paid in and it's in this fund it's almost I don't know I won't use annuity because it's defined it's a defined plan. But so once we've put into that system then the person retires we we're we we don't
continue to pay anything additional but we've already paid everything. >> Correct. >> So it doesn't become a a burden uh for the next 30 years or whatever. We've already put everything in. >> Correct. >> Good. Okay. >> Yeah. We unlike the state of New Jersey that did not make 11 payments over the
years. They skipped 11 years, which is why they're >> skip their reliability is is rather high. The local towns only was forced to skip once because they made us do it. Um, so the local Persed, if you took it
away from the state, we're funded around 70%, which is pretty darn good. But the issue is the state's funded at 30%. So when they blended two together and it shows in the 40s, so it looks like the funds aren't that funded, but locally
it's pretty not bad as far as 70% goes. The police, they're almost at 80%. Which is pretty darn good. Um, and once it hits 80%, there's a law out there that says they're supposed to create a board and they're supposed to review everything uh to maybe tweak the
benefits, but um I don't see that happening. They're very reluctant to do it. >> So if we have a thousand employees that have retired, we've already paid for everything >> as we go along. >> The only time you'll have any other um
expenditures is if you they do what they call an early retirement incentive. So if they say, you know, hey, you know, if you if you have 20 years in, you need 25 to retire. They did this twice over the last 40 years. I don't see it happening anytime soon. um it is very expensive.
Then you can go to employees and say, "Okay, we'll give you five years service credit. You could retire, but then we got to pay that five-year liability." >> So, and that would be a one-time payment. >> In theory that you could save money, you don't really save money because then people just kind of gradually replace,
replace, replace, replace. You may save money for about two and a half years >> and you probably wind up losing your most experienced employer. >> Correct. Yeah. I I the first time they did it, I was an outside auditor for schools and towns and literally a school
district at the shore, rather big one, lost every single administrator in their school, superintendent, system superintendent, principal, assistant principles, special ed, they all left >> because you have to offer to everybody. >> Correct.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. So I I don't haven't heard any news blowing around. I am a member of the GFOA association which the government officials government officers finance association in New Jersey. I'm on their executive committee and there's really
no talk about any type of early retirement. There has been some bills pending to enhance the police retirement, but I don't think it's coming out of committee. Um so they they're trying to give them a cost of living increase. Um but so far nothing's
come out of the committee. >> And John, the plan is a defined benefit plan, right? So I mean technically we're not necessarily off the hook if if the investments like all went bad or something like that. You're >> correct. Yeah. So >> So the state Okay. So the state it
doesn't mean that >> like you can't predict like >> unless the state takes responsibility. >> Yeah. And if that happen well they will >> they will >> that would not be a regular occurrence that would be a rare >> well they they're going to have certain
investment return assumptions built into the plan right and if they don't hit those over time then you know in theory we >> generally they've been benefit seven seven and a half% >> in this last quarter now they're two three years behind >> they uh came back at close to 12 so
that's why our pension bills didn't really go up that much um this time usually it's been much higher. >> So they kind of if they need the money they kind of hit us for the current >> and that's where the administration at in Trenton does play games sometimes >> they'll they'll put a higher number like they were putting seven and a half% in
when they knew they were only going to get four you know so their liability would be so high >> but I think they've gotten away from that since um they've been making their full payments the last cycle. I think it started with Murphy.
>> I had Cororsine actually at the end. Um they've been more realistic with their returns. Matter of fact, more conservative, which is a good thing. I mean, they're making ground. They were in the 30s. They're up to 40s. Um like I said, our our local pension. We're the government association has been trying
to separate the local away from the state because we're much more funded. Like I said, we're close to 70%. I think we're 68 69%. So when they play games, we have to make up for it. >> We get lumped into them. >> Yeah. >> Um so
>> yeah, because most companies have gone away from defined benefit years ago, I think it's Yeah. >> Yeah. In terms of outside companies, >> the teachers are separate, right? >> Correct. >> They're st they're separate. >> The judges are separate. The teachers are separate.
>> Some argue that the loss of the defined pension plan is why you don't have a middle America that's going away. So, and I don't know why a lot of people can't retire. So, >> yeah, they've they've gone to these u these other um benefits that are sort of
uh annuities or at best or something like that. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Well, that's that's just how you pay for it. But then well I'll get into it now but um yeah but part of the part of the issue is there's things like uh you have
savings plans and that they put into but there's no guarantee that you're actually going to get a defined benefit and >> and as an employee you are we do offer um we just changed to empower which we're actually in the process of converting >> from Lincoln because we got a better
deal um we had to change our plan and we shopped it. Um, we we offer what they call a 457 program where employees can defer their income similar to a 401k. It's pre-tax or federal and then you get taxed when
you pull the money out once you leave and retire. >> But we have no match. It's all employees money. >> But it is sort of like offering a 401k so they have something when you come out. >> So they can put extra money away for themselves. >> Sort of like a Roth. >> Very much similar. But Roth you pay you
pay taxes. So this is this >> both you defer the tax on interest not on not on >> and you can put up to like >> I think it's 27,000 this year. >> So it's it's a it's a good chunk. >> Yeah. The >> Yeah. Each year
>> it's that new program. >> No, we've been it's been around for a while. Um we have we have a lot of employees that participate >> and that doesn't really cost us more than maybe a little administration and >> that's it. you know, we just got to transmit, you know, and that's the good
thing about the new program we went to. Like right now, I have to physically sign every piece of paper, every change. Now, we're going to what they call a mutual fund platform. So, all the employees will have their account with empower. They'll make their changes
online. They'll notify us. We make the change in payroll. I don't have to sign anything anymore, which is the way it should be. So they can put their money into a lot of different >> they can there's an option for self investing they have a certain list of investment funds which are mostly mutual
>> but if they elect to do selfinvesting it's their money and they can do that >> fulltime yes yep >> okay >> save saves you some time >> it does it definitely will right in the process of doing it as we speak so Okay.
>> Good. >> Okay. >> Thanks. >> Okay. >> Um >> All right. So, that's that the mayor. >> And let me um >> there's administration and building and >> let me just text Brian real quick.
>> Brian's right there. He's behind you. >> Sorry about that. >> You were quiet coming in. >> You're talking. to be >> now. Now you know every benefit you're entitled to. >> Yeah, I I'm actively involved with that
457 plan. I love it. Good afternoon everyone. Uh Brian Aronson. I'm the facilities maintenance manager for the township and I oversee the buildings and grounds department as well as supervise our network and system engineer Mr. Lit Josie who's here with
me today. Um the main responsibilities of the building to the ground division entails the proper upkeep of all of our facilities including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, lighting, cleaning um as well as the overall general appearance of interior exterior of our
buildings. Uh my direct responsibilities include ensuring compliance with all statemandated regulations associated with our facilities. Um which includes our boilers, our elevators, mobility lifts, emergency generators,
uh fire safety inspections, sprinkler system certifications, as well as our underground fuel storage tank at the police department. Um I also oversee a numerous uh capital improvement projects at various towns and facilities. Some accomplishments in 2025 include
publicly bidding our 2026 HVAC monthly maintenance program. We typically do that once every three years. Um we replaced the security camera system in the township court as well as their offices. We completed the roof replacement projects at the township police
department, the township fire and EMS the building as well as the art center. Um, we completed the HVAC replacement at the police department. Um, we replaced the fire alarm panel at the township fire and emiss building
which was due to a lightning strike as well as installing a commercial ice maker for the fire department. We completed the design and publicly bid the fire and EMS sprinkler uh installation project. We also completed the analysis and design for the public or Prince and
Junction volunteer fire station sprinkler replacement project. That project's currently at the bid and we open up that bid next Thursday. Uh we completed the design and publicly bid the West Windsor volunteer fire station sprinkler replacement project.
Uh council will be sending a contract in front of them at the March 30th uh meeting for that contract award so that project can get going. We completed the skank farmstead conditions assessment as well as submitted an application to the uh New Jersey State Historic Preservation
Office. Uh wait to hear on that. We completed the design and publicly bid the skank farmstead repair project which was associated with the cons conditions assessment. We completed installation of the ADA mobility lift replacement at the arts center as well as replacing a portion of
the rear dormer of the uh long service bay at that building. Um I can answer questions with regards to some of those projects or I can let kind of go on what he has for >> Does anybody have any questions for Brian? >> No, the sprinkler system you said March
30th we'll get the um >> Yes. >> That's for 43. >> That's perfect, >> right? That's West Windsor. >> That's West Windsor. Yeah. For for Princeton Junction. You said it's >> We open up public bids Thursday 26. Yep.
>> Do you want Let's go over Brian's. Actually, >> Lily can do his. >> Yeah. Okay. Go ahead. >> Hi everyone. >> My name is D and I am responsible. >> Uh, can you speak directly? I don't know. Is it working? >> Yeah, it's on. It's just you close to it
here. >> Yeah. My name is Blooshi and I'm responsible for network and systems at uh township buildings. Um some of the uh 25 IT accomplishments uh were we went with the new website initiated and advanced the township website
redevelopment including discovery, CMS implementation, sitemap creation and contact migration. Uh we also switched over um email domain trans uh transition and which was from com to.gov which is
more secure. Um we also worked on van projects um completed network segmentations to improve security performance and internal traffic management hardware upgrades uh replace outdated computers, laptops, mobile device, copers and improved reliability and
productivity. Um at the DR side disaster recovery side uh we deployed new firewall and scale computing infrastructure. Uh we also have we also implemented new
enable co the data solutions which is on cloud for 2026 IT goals. It uh we are to ensure um ADA compliance uh which is a requirement now. Um
and then next is cyber security improvements uh don't require security uh and wizard training MFA on devices firewalls uh VPN users which we do not have right now um also cyberfox
implementation um that's announced real account security and compliance monitoring and also looking at all the upgrades and dates for genite system which is cameras firewall walls and end user devices.
Also, a new thing would be centralized log monitoring from all the devices, firewalls, servers, switches um in a central location. That's about it. >> Does anybody have any question for Lal?
Um yeah like um what what actually is the procedure now if uh changes are made to the website like who makes them and how how >> excuse me >> where the mayor >> so the mayor so any changes to the website would go through the mayor
>> he wants the comments to come to the mayor >> he wants the comments >> we we give give >> the comments to the mayor and then he will instruct how >> exactly there. That's >> okay. And then it would be made by you
or would the individual departments get to make them or just how >> right now I'm doing all the updates? >> So you right now you would do any update that would that would be >> That is correct. >> Right. So >> and that's to maintain a uniform look to the website. Um we're
al also trying to keep the website um >> more secure >> more secure and we want to um get rid of um information or store the archive the information that is no longer relevant
because then the website looks junky. it becomes like a billboard or collage and then it's not easy to navigate through. >> Okay. So in order to decide what gets archived or removed does that come
through the mayor too or >> well I would think so it depends on individual departments. So whatever let's say anything in the past uh was senior centered February information would take out and then all the your
version for March will come up. So like it's all rotational. So like you know all the past information will take out and then all the new information will go up on the up on the website. So you have an automatic where you take if somebody's done it right it's something
up for February you automatically right >> say okay I'm going to take it off after February and then because nobody needs last month's calendar and then just go into uh the next uh whatever's coming after whether it's this month or the month after however far ahead you would
go has something >> um there are documents that have to be uh they're statutoily mandated to be up on on the website and what comes to mind is we have to keep at least three years worth of audit. Five years.
>> Five years. >> Five years of audit, budget. >> Uh I think the >> annual financial statements, annual statements. Yeah. Supplemental. Well, no, no supplements. Those those items for all >> the agendas and minutes three years, I
think. >> Yes. And and and to have this dispersed does not work well. >> Yep. >> Okay. So our agendas would be up there for only three years and the minutes would only be up there for three years at this point. So if we needed to find
anything else, we would either have to go through uh the laser feature or we would have to ask Allison or we would have to or somebody from outside would have to operate I would assume or ask or request it in some >> and clerk's office is also working with
it to abide by the new public notice law >> which does require them to be um eternally archived in ecode. Um, >> so when you go to e-code, you'll be able to see from here on out um those items like agendas, minutes, uh, living
forever in Eode. >> Is that is that a state program? >> No, that's a E codes. >> E code. >> E code before. >> Oh, >> yeah. Oh, >> it's our code. >> All your ordinances in >> which that's that's a service that we buy because a lot of towns use
>> e code. Yep. No. >> Uh and then um so the minutes and stuff or like something like we had done a hometown heroes program but we don't see that on the new website. Is that something that's going to get migrated over or did somebody decide not to put that up or how would that be?
>> We had to actually rebuild >> the website. Um, and I will tell you, and unfortunately I was out of commission while the work was being done, but the site map that had to be created was extremely
intense. It It's like a family tree. I I I don't know how else to explain it. >> I've seen site maps. So, um, the issue was we just needed to get a fresh look to the website and I believe
over time we're archiving certain information and then uh information that we believe is no longer relevant and um at some point we'll look at what didn't
get posted and make a decision whether or not to post it. >> Okay. And and Okay. Um and who like um so when somebody writes like the front page um did
>> so I think who writes that >> I would suggest to change that. >> No I I would suggest like you know uh like we notice hometown heroes is missing. Um if you find something right to mayor obviously copy. Let me ask you,
the hometown heroes, is that not how is that relevant? >> No, it's not. I'm just using that as an example right now. If you notice something, we we >> That's what it is. That's what we're going through. The exercise that we're going through is we had to make the cut
over because our web >> the former web host >> died, right? and we had to not only migrate well create and migrate and train but um at the same time we're trying to
decide what we weren't able to shift over because we wanted to go live. The mayor made a decision that wanted this live and we needed to go live before January 1. >> Okay. I'm just trying to figure what's what just hasn't gotten been gotten to
yet or how that how that whole system works. >> As will the time >> they need more help, more resources to it's a big big job, you know, >> it's going to take some time tomorrow.
>> Yeah. But yeah, we would like to have some guidance as to is this an issue right now that we should be looking at tomorrow. >> At the same time like that the old website was up from like 2000s. So like you know do we need all the information from 2000 to like you know whatever that
is because there was like information that do we need that >> the old website was that we discovered the departments created pages and it became very bulky or heavy
>> because nothing was archived. So >> nothing was archived. So that's and and the cost of migrating that material would have been excessive. >> It's like each page is like $3. So it would be like 10 pages.
>> Each page is $3. $3. >> We had close to 17,000 pages, didn't we? >> More than that. >> So $3 is to do a migration or is that like a yearly fee? >> Migration. >> Yeah. >> From the old to the new. And that's why >> and we had a limitation for thousand
thousand documents. So from thousand to 17,000 it's like the correct much more >> and we're open to ideas and suggestions. It's just that for his sake and he leading
the website fresh and uh updated um but he also has other responsibilities. >> Yeah, of course. Right. talk a little bit about that because I'm trying to get a feel for like what is the balance between the work that's being done on the website in the context
of you know going forward not the migration but right now I view that as content management work >> and so I question whether this should be being even managed under it because it's not
>> well for now it has >> I understand I understand um but you know going forward forward. We're not talking about technical design here. We're talking about content management. >> Yeah. >> In the past, it was not in it. It was in through the clerk's office. So,
>> um eventually I think that's where we're heading toward either departments or someone else. >> Yeah. Because if you look at the rest of the work that it is doing, >> they're it's wildly different, more appropriate to what a technology engineering organization would do
compared to content management of a website >> and to be honest that doesn't even include late time when he has to do Oprah requests for you know email searches right >> which is constant which >> right right I mean this >> which we have to do >> um there's a lot of updates and to have
one person have to >> well I think eventually you'd like to train the department heads to do their own updates >> well but that contradicts what is saying because we want a consistent um approach of content management because there's statutory requirements Right. >> And there's a look and feel of it. So
that makes sense that there's sort of, you know, a single person response responsible to doing that. I just question is that person really an IT person and it's really more somebody about communication >> and content >> and content. >> Yes. Um
>> it's a skill set. I mean >> has incredible skill sets at engineering. I agree. And I kind of feel like we're asking him to do janitorial work in maintaining a website and his skills are much more, you know, better utilized.
>> There is a certain and and it's not a large percentage, but there is some >> relationship with the network and the the domain itself. >> Yeah. You know, >> so yes, >> I'm really talking about network, you
know, >> content content. The website is set up. We did the migration. The infrastructure is there. Those are all very silent it kind of you know >> I I think this initiatives I think the discussion needs to be had and it should
be had Thursday >> uh during the course of course >> because right because I'm still a little confused like for instance there's a front page of the website there's a description of our town who wrote and it
did somebody actually write that or was it it goes to a Wikipedia article or something >> Wikipedia. What are you conscious or like you know if you would like to change it change the look of the um the website on front page
like to like write the description I'm happy to take yours description and put it on there. I have nothing to put on. >> Right. I'm saying you that's not something that really is >> it looks like it was AI as a Wikipedia, >> right? >> What we don't want to do is select every
single person you do, >> right? I mean we could we would that's not going to work, >> right? >> The conduit, right? >> Yeah. I mean that that kind of looks AI generated to be honest. Yeah. But so there are certain things. >> So I think I think what we we need to do is um we notice something um that we
would like to see it differently done. Let's write to the mayor. Um I would copy Marina and Allison on it so they are on top of it and >> or if you would like to update it if it's not correct. >> Right. Right. Of course. But um I think it'll come but again you'll get the
>> um >> decision through the mayor uh to do it like each individual each office are not approaching you. Let's >> we all messages like >> we're not saying we want to write all the pages. Um there is a there is a
whole thing that there's certain content that's usually written by somebody that's not a technical expert to be really honest and then it gets put on and I mean it's eventually it might be good to have not you not do the I hate to call it scut work but for you this is
probably very very wrote mundane um like having to change just the wordings and stuff like that but um I'm just trying to figure out where some of that came from and and how to how to get some of of the content pieces of it fixed because
>> so Groipedia is same similar to Wikipedia. >> Right. Right. And but it doesn't necess it's usually we don't we wouldn't want to link to something that we don't have control of the information and just looking through that page I can find stuff on there that's wrong but but
we're not we don't have the bandwidth to go maintain Groipedia or Wikipedia or all that. So, we probably would want to uh we would probably want to keep our keep anything foreign, if you will, off of our page,
especially when it's something that's saying this is the description of our town. That's like the most basic thing. So, >> you're describing the content map. >> Yeah. So, that that's just a a sort of a of a I was just surprised it was on there. Anyway, I was just trying to get a feel for how it's currently managed
and and whether or not it it sounds like you've got a lot of work. Um, so anyway, >> okay. >> So, question not related to the website. >> Um, so, uh, you've you probably heard
from the clerk about this. I've been working with the clerk's office to help modernize some of their spreadsheets tracking that are, you know, circuit 1995. Um, and you know, I'm using uh my my
personal copy of of the current version of Excel and using formulas. And when I handed it off to them, we discovered that they're running an older version of Office. Um, and so a lot of the formats that I'm using
Um I'm pretty sure they're using they're not even using the subscription version. So my point >> Yeah. the they're using like 2020 something whatever >> where Yeah. Is is there a a plan to get and I don't
know what the how how wide this encompasses if it's just the clerk's office or other department but where's sort of the is do we have a program in place to like get everybody up to date >> and is there funding needed to do that or we >> they're trying to push it to go to
subscription based which just basically just >> kills our operating budget so they're not going to negotiate a fiveyear right >> deal that. So we've been trying to hold off as much as we can and then we'll try to roll out newer version. So
>> you target for that. Is it something that's going to happen this year? >> I don't have a target date for that to be honest. >> And is there any workaround is be able to use a current version? >> What we can do is we can get it for that. >> Is that it?
So I'm trying to get like a quote from SHI saying for24 version office 24 version. So which would include much more features that you're looking for for Excel worth u you know all the other information and see how the cost is for
2024 version if it's you know >> can individual case by case basis or across the whole >> uh it would be across the township. Yeah, because there's no point of getting like one4 version other person >> going to kill you on the price that
because they want you they want to get a subscription. >> Every company wants to get subscription based licensing. >> But unfortunately, we only have a certain type of appropriation cap. Um we'll have this discussion Thursday, but um I mean this year we're down to less
than 300,000. So, um, it it's a tough squeeze. I mean, we we may have to pay a little more to to buy the license versus doing a monthly subscription. >> As of today, we are not licensed for the current version. >> So, we are 2019 version and there are
updates to the 2019 version. Um, but you know, like as you said that it's no more feature added to 2019 version, right? >> On the other side of the coin of that is I think the 2019 version went out of standard support last fall. which means that we're not going to get any security updates for it. And of
course, their whole mantra is like now running the old version creates risk and liability to the township because of security flaws that would be exploited. >> So I don't know if that helps justify additional >> Oh no, it's definitely part of the equation.
>> Sure. Yeah, as soon as we get the quote, you know, we'll u get it to Brian. Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. Y >> um just one other topic. How do we I'm curious how we think about cyber security in the context of the budget, right? Do we periodically have a third
party come in and you know evaluate our security posture and things like that and how do we budget for that? Maybe talk a little bit about it. >> So in the past we've had um interior and exterior um penetration testing done. Um we've also um
partnered with the Department of Homeland Security through the state uh NJ kick uh for Crowd Strike. >> Crowd Strike. So yeah, Crowd Strike is a third party EDR MDR solution. What it does is it monitors your um incoming and outgoing traffic every single time you
know u and they are constantly updating their own uh system and they are all around the world. So like if there is any other U adversaries um you know like right now it's Iran and all the war going on all around the world um they're
constantly updating their systems to you know check for the latest information and you know EDR MDR they're 24/7 monitoring so if something goes wrong we have a EDR um agent installed on every single PC um so that you know connects
to the cloud solution they monitor 247 if something goes wrong they'll send us an email saying that this PC is running some scripts bad scripts connecting to other you know network so that way they can contaminate uh the PC separate from the network and then so that way we are
secure >> we also um have pretty strict policies like I do a lot of work on weekends and things of that nature um you're not allowed to use personal devices we only use township issued uh we I have a VP you know VPN that we only can use a VPN
to get into our system. So there's a lot of firewalls. We also belong to the mid Jersey Joint Insurance Fund and part of the requirements is that we do this penetration testing every couple years. >> Testing MFA requires on every single PC. If you're vp VPNing in yesterday, we
just upgraded the firewall to our latest version. Um then it requires different set of IP um IPsackvpn. Um, so I gotta have ask everyone to like bring their laptops in too. >> I forgot. >> Oh, you mean I can't get into the micro
feature >> because last night I just didn't upgrade um the firewall because of the security reasons >> and we also have the employee training every year that's required and because we we follow all the guidelines uh the GIF has uh we have a zero deductible for
any fraud issues. Usually it's it can it starts at 200,000 and works its way down. There's three levels and we've um we've always got >> we have we have maintained >> Yeah. >> Thanks to Brian and Malik and the support council.
We also change passwords at least twice a year. >> Uh every three months, 90 days. >> Okay. Or frequent. >> Yeah. >> And of course we got we have to use a third part of what do you call a token and >> MFA? Yeah. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Duo. >> Yeah. >> Every time every time I log in, I have to >> go through 202. >> I lose my phone. I'm dead. >> So, so do you believe you have the resources you need to
maintain an you know appropriate level of security? >> I'll say like for next two years we are good. Um but after that we might have to look into something because that's a straight grant that we got um um you know from in educ was able to get a grant for a five-year
grant through uh the state homeland security um office for the crowd strike. Uh the first two years it was free. Uh last year we paid a small amount >> and then this year was just a little bit of an increase that we absorb into our operating budget and I think we have one or two more years.
>> One two more years. Does the insurance that we pay into does that give us access to resources if we were hacked like sort of emergency you know SWAT team that that comes in and everything? >> Yeah. Okay. >> They'll come in and give us a you know trailer for for you know to set up this
>> all different type of things. >> Yeah. What one of the requirements is we would report the incident and the incident because an attorney it a cyber security attorney gets involved everything is confidential while the
investigation goes on. So that's the benefit. Uh you know and honestly we're doing as good a job I think we're doing a fantastic job in terms of protecting personal
identifiable information. A lot of it is through a third party that goes to the cloud. So we have limited that risk. But if we were to be hacked then we would report it and a team would
come in. They would, you know, everything gets dismantled. Everything is labeled in the ser server room what to pull out. And um we would basically have a basically a crisis emergency
management uh cyber security u exercise in place. >> We're actually in pretty good shape right now because we just basically replaced all of our firewalls, all of our switches, um our scales was replaced recently. So, uh, most computers are
pretty much, you know, five year planes. >> The last three years we we put we allocated a couple hundred thousand per year. I think this year we're a little under 200 >> at 150. >> 150. >> So, we do build up a little fund there just in case. So, they need if you know something breaks,
>> they back up remotely at >> Oh, yeah. Right. We have a disaster recovery site up in Bridgewater that we back up to. We just replaced that hardware last year. >> Right. Um >> and we also have a cloud solution which is like backing up >> so we can we can run the network
remotely if we need with the backup if we need to. >> Yes. uh depending if the uh internet went down or not. But I'm I'm more worried about ransomware probably for >> continuity plan which you know logs
everything what to do when this kind of attack happens if we get ransomware or not like we have business continuity plan which which is like whole template you know we just follow the template and it's updated every year uh so yeah
>> okay thank you Okay, we're going to go to Brian's budget, which >> operating on page nine. >> So, operating is flat request. >> Yes, his request is flat. Um, we did have to do a slight transfer
for his budget last year, but that's because we had a unforeseen issue with with sprinkler system in one of the locations. And um with us going out to bid for the new sprinkler locations, this budget should be back on par. >> Yeah. I think that was only a couple thousand dollars we had to
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> So, we're going to go to capital now under administration page one. >> Yeah. So, the first program um request is for um the network computer printer
scanner software replacement upgrades. This is the money that we um pretty much try to build up for replacing switches and Wi-Fi and you know firewalls and computers, scanners, printers, anything IT related. Um I do have the uh unused
capital accounts listed on my sheets up as of October 2025 um when we handed our budget into finance. Um that number is probably a little bit less right now, probably about 300,000 because we did do some purchases between October and December
uh of last year. >> So as you can see, we we're pretty much funded in case we do need any major expenditures for the IT stuff. >> So that balances >> I wouldn't say it's probably a little over 300,000 right now. >> So again, next year we can get more
update numbers, not from like last October, but we're already into Well, this was the end of >> you got to remember we start a budget process in the fall and it's really natural. >> So to go back and change every one of these, you know, it's just
>> the numbers up >> and well I can give you a print out and you can take a look at it, but going back and changes these is not going to happen. I can tell you right now because >> well give us the print out then. >> Okay. Um this uh this particular budget
is this for the personal computers and how and how far out is that? I know the police have their own uh accounts for this but so does everybody in the like for personal computers for everybody in the building >> everybody that's laptop laptops for
council labs the administration >> and that's all here for everybody other than I assume police and probably not fire correct. No, no. Fire and fire included included this company. >> Police are separate. Totally separate. >> They kind of have to be separate, >> right? So, they're they're separate. So, everybody else is here.
>> Yeah. And we're on a five-year rotation program. And when COVID hit, there was a lot of u people just kind of buying stuff up. So, it took us a couple years to get back on that rotation list. So, we're finally back up to that. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Page two.
>> Page two is just the general improvement request of 25,000 for the municipal complex. Um this is just a general account that we try to build up um for any unforeseen major uh incidences that occur. >> Do we have any idea as I know you have a whole bunch of things on your thing
saying that you're awaiting that final um legal uh >> Yeah, I can give you an update. >> Yeah. >> Um we've gone through depositions, so we're waiting for a court appointment. Um and so it's still in progress. It's still in the court system. Trust me.
Once >> once we settle it, then we want to move forward finishing the the grounds. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Like we can't even plant the >> We had to go through mediation first, >> which we did. >> All right. >> We made a we made a pretty reasonable
offer, which the admin arbitrator agreed to, >> but the contractor did not. So, >> so until then, we can't even fix those sidewalks out there or the parking lot, >> flowers, >> frozen >> because unless it's in, you know, you
because, you know, if we lose, then this money's gone. We'll be paying the contractor. So, >> I don't want to have to come to you for a big bill. So, that's what >> we don't we don't want any big bills. Just want to know where where it is. So, that's where we're at. Still in we're still in court. >> We're still in court,
>> but we've finished the mediation process now. >> And in depositions, correct, Brian? So back twice um and you know we agreed to a little bit extra on the second round and uh the contractor just flat out said no. >> So >> we had depositions back in I was
supposed of last year uh and just waiting >> and I assume at some point whatever happens I guess we have to sign on sign it. And there would be a final change order put in front of council for uh you know final numbers construction as bill quantities
>> as well as a final payment to the >> if it was a deal we'd have to sign it but if I guess if the court says the court said so >> yeah it would be part of that resolution >> back >> we have money for the back parking lot for the railings some of the sidewalks some landscaping
it's all kind of just >> all they will patch a pothole every once in a If I recalled, um, the back parking lot was part was an alternate in a road construction bid and it came in way over
budget, did it not? >> I know engineering included the back parking lot as well as the fire parking lot. Um, I don't remember what the bid results were. >> Yeah, I think >> I want to say it was like two years ago.
>> Yeah, because fire and EMS parking lot is also in bad shape, right? Oh, that's horrible. Yeah, there's >> raiders in that parking lot there. >> I worry more about that than we at least have an option of >> we allocate money this year, right? Then we put it in. >> Yes, >> there's money in this year's
>> There is. >> Yeah, there is. We'll get to it. >> Okay. I think it's >> that might have been under Tim's uh >> I think it's under you. >> No, >> no, >> I didn't. >> Oh, no. We allocated last year. >> That was I was going to say >> you did it last year. Sorry. >> Right. So Tim will have that included in
like an engineering payment program as an alternate to try to get his part is in pretty bad shape and I worry that >> yes we've already allocated that >> expensive equipment is driving >> engineers in the process of going out to
bid now for a road program. I would expect them to include that too. >> We gota wait. >> Gota wait. Got to wait till this is seven. >> So that one is part of the gra the second. Okay. I know >> everything's frozen. This gentleman
right here. It's all >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Next one's on page three. That's again just the general improvement u account for the health and recreation building. Uh we currently have about 100,000 uh
built up for that that building. >> Any questions? >> Next one is line four. >> Line four. >> It's on page four. Sorry. Pardon. >> Yeah. Here. Page four.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Page was on. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh so this is uh $250,000 request for the firing in EMS building. Uh what this would do, this would replace a lot of the original windows and doors um as well as installing a new exterior rollup
door um on the main service bay. Um as well as some exterior signage and interior modifications for staff. Um currently they can't fit a fire truck inside of the main service bay of the main building. It's just not tall enough the door opening. Um so right now if
they have um you know something they have to respond to in the middle of snow or or rain that they're running out through the back to the big three bay pole bar. >> So the way this I was reading this so basically it was originally designed that it was that too small
>> was for ambulances. >> Okay. So fire trucks. So they camp back in underneath the >> So we actually going to have to increase the whole >> basically cut out and that way it can actually get under
the the steel um columns and um rafters. Uh it's just the door opening is not tall enough. >> Okay. >> Page five. >> Uh this is a $10,000 request for security system upgrades for various uh buildings. Um what this does, this
replaces some of the uh card access equipment as well as uh installing additional security cameras. Um we just installed an initial security camera for uh public works uh I want to say within the past couple months um on the area of the uh complex at a security cameras. So
that's what this does. >> Page six, >> this is the police department air conditioning replacement um project. So, that was actually completed. Um, as you were aware, um, it was about a $ 1.5 million project and we have got
approximately $630,000 in grants from the BPU, um, as part of that. Um, so the township has to pay approximately about 56.8% of that price um, over a 16-month payment uh, period
at a 0% interest. So, this would pay that uh, project off. And that's at 0%. >> That's at 0%. Correct. >> They were replacing 1994 units. >> The next project >> AG
>> is um the police department ceiling tile replacements. Um now that the roof and HVAC systems have been replaced, a lot of the ceiling tiles throughout that building are either stained, cracked, broken, um or even missing just from over the years from 1994 when it was
constructed. And this would basically just go through and kind of replace all the ceiling tiles in that whole building including the courtroom uh as well as the uh public spaces. >> It's a little pricey. Um
>> it's about$8 to $10 per square foot for labor and material for just the uh tiles themselves. >> Tiles. I mean, where would >> But you'll have a whole new ceiling. Sorry. >> They would buy them from like a supply house because it would be a large order. >> That's a lot. from Home Depot
>> and it has to be sealing the tile up with special order. >> So there's a drop ceiling in all that whole building right now. So it's basically just keeping the framework just replacing the tiles. >> The tiles, >> right? And there's a little bit of um manwork involved with that because that building is also sprinklered. So they
have to be careful once they put the uh new panels in around the heads and stuff. >> But it was cheaper in 1994. >> Everything was a lot cheaper in 1994. I wish I could buy new garden prices in 1994. All right, page nine.
>> Page nine is just the $25,000 general improvements for the Westwinds Arts Center. Uh there's a little about a little over 82,000 that we have built up for that location. And again, this is just for any uh instances where we have a large incurrence during the
>> page 10. That's the >> Oh, sorry. >> That's we can talk about >> page 12. Can we talk about pen a little because we talk about this every year about upgrading the bays and um just kind of want to know where your thoughts are. Is this is this real? Do we think
we're really going to be able to get to this in the next couple of years or we're just kicking the kid? >> I think it's one of those projects where there's just unfortunately higher priorities in the township that you know council tries to deal with. You know, more money for
roads, more money for like pedestrian stuff. You know, it's just one of those things that they're not currently utilizing that space. I'm sure they would love to. >> Yeah. >> Uh it's just that there's other higher priorities that, you know, come out round each year. You know, I
know we're only allowed to budget up to so much for capital. >> Correct. >> And, you know, roads and ambulances and fire trucks and police vehicles. And you know that's just discussion you know administration and council can have with the mayor and you know see if we can try
to make it a higher priority in coming years. >> The darn thing about the bonds is they make them pay us back. >> True. >> And you need and you need a down payment just like a mortgage >> just under.
>> All right. Page 12. Uh again, this is just a general improvement fund for the sustained farmstead. Um we have about a little over 80,000 again for that uh location for that farm. Um this would just build that up.
>> Yeah, because they had significant amounts of money that they needed for the SC the improvements. >> Yes. So $2 million. So, if you read the conditions assessment, they kind of have like um short-term improvements, medium-term improvements, and long-term improvements that they kind of project
out. And some of them, you know, they recommend where um you know, possibly putting in a sprinkler system, you know, as a long-term investment for this bank farmstead, you know, and that is quite expensive. So, we're trying right now to pretty
much um hit all of the short-term um improvements that they recommend. um in accordance with state historic preservation guidelines because we are made we did make application to the state. We're just waiting to hear back on that. Um we did put out a project
last year for um window replacement, better replacement um as well as um there was a couple structural things we were going to do in the basement to kind of improve that main building itself. Um the bids came in at budget. We were trying to reward
it. Unfortunately, the contractor is pretty much ghosting us now >> because ghosting us. He won't return my call. I send a certified letter. He hasn't returned that. Um, I had the architect call him. He answered the phone. As soon as they told him what
project it's for, he hung up on him. >> So, is this the project they started or no to award it? He bid the project and came in at budget. I was able to award it for everything he wanted to do. >> Next thing you know, he's basically saying, "Well, I think I under budget. And I don't want to be worried.
>> Honestly, with what I'm hearing, >> the township should not do business with with this with this. >> And not only that, so I reached out to his bonding company. I sent them the bonds that he submitted as part of its bid package. came back and said that they have no record of them issuing this
bond. That they suspicious that the person who uh witnessed the um signature for the bond was let go back in early 2025. Um and they're asking for me to forward them as much information as I can because they think it was a suspicious
um company issuing a bond under their license. >> Sounds like fraud. >> Sounds like somebody should be in jail. >> Yeah. Well, and this and they and they'll they'll contact the state and so they'll probably be off to list soon. >> So, what's our alternate like? >> So, the second apparently bidder was
more than we had allocated under current funding. Uh so, we can't award the project. Um originally, you know, my thought was to contract the bonding company and then, you know, they would be responsible for the difference between the low bid and second low bidder. They're basically coming back to us and saying, "Hey, we never issued
this bid." >> Um >> and that's how it goes. If the first person just walks away for no legitimate reason and you go to their bonding company, shy company and they make >> they are saying they didn't do they I sent them all the information that they
submitted and they came back and said we have no idea what this you know bond is. We never issued this bond. The person who signed off as a witness was let go in 2025. So >> So now do we have to go out for bidding again? >> Yes. Yeah. So, I'm more than likely
going to have to have a resolution cancelling the bids in front of council. Um, >> I'm just waiting to hear back from the binding company on how they will proceed. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Until then, again, we won't be doing anything >> diligence and internal.
>> Page 13. >> Um, so this is the complex improvements for the skank farmstead. is just trying to put away a little bit of money to try to get some of those short-term and medium-term goals um corrected over the next few years um as part of the uh
>> so he can use this money to help offset your first >> correct >> there's not no specific projects under this at this point >> I'm sorry >> so there's no specific projects for this particular money at this point >> well going to be going through the the
windows the the gutters the shutters um some of the structural issues we have to deal with. >> So it may have to could be combined with another. >> Yeah, because the second low bid was more than what we had originally allocated. It's unfortunate because when you look at the consistence assessment from the historic preservation
architect, >> the number that the low bidder um actually submitted was right around what he had estimated to be. >> So that's a shame because I picture that's a lot more now. >> Yes. page 14.
>> And then the last one is the Princon Junction Station infrastructure improvements. Again, this is just trying to build up some money. Um over at 44, um they have uh an HVAC system which when it was constructed consists of
basically about I think seven, eight or nine residential air conditioning units rather than just kind of like a more commercial one that we have. And you know, it was built in 2020 or 2001. So, it's getting to those points where we're going to have to start replacing some of those air conditioning units over there.
Um, as well as some concrete work that they want to do on the the back of the the building. Um, some of the aprons are starting to get cracked in the back. We replaced the front apron out in front of the building between the building and the road. I want to say about 10 or 12 years ago. So, that's, you know, fully
uh stable. That's what this project basically did. >> Okay. when they um when when they um one of the issues is there's a whole bunch of air conditioning units on the roof. Is that >> Yeah, they're all on the ground. >> Oh, it's just the ground units. Okay.
>> They're almost like residential units that they installed. >> Yeah. Stuff like you have at your house. They just put like seven different ones instead of a central location, >> right? Like here we have like huge rooftop units. >> Really? Because that's pretty new. I remember going to when that opened up >> 2001.
>> Yeah. There was a whole thing and people were Yeah. Oh, >> right. I think that's it for Brian as far as the capital goes. >> End of May. We got >> any questions? >> Nope. Any um Does anybody else have any
questions? >> No. >> Just on end on a silly note. >> Yes. >> Can we get those gloves? Actually >> going on >> couple weeks now. So that's >> right,
>> but that's not necessarily connected to the >> that's a network. >> It's network. >> It is network. >> Yeah. >> But doesn't affect like network in general. >> Yeah. There's a system that actually it's um it's kind of under Yeah, it's kind of underutilized right now because
um the way that system actually works is that um say there was a National Weather Service alert um it can actually you know there's lights up there on the top >> speakers have messages scroll across right >> and that goes throughout all the
township >> because I think the school district also has that >> it's exactly the same system um it's just >> it's been underutilized online whatever ever because of the music that comes on. >> Yeah. >> And that happened after that storm. One one of the big storms. It something
>> it's the firmware. It needs to be updated in the system. So >> it says so it keeps saying firmware number every so often cycles through that. Yeah. Would would be nice >> hearing the the music some >> sometimes all night. It keeps repeating at me. Yeah.
>> Thank you gentlemen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Good job. Thanks. That's it. >> I think that's it for today. >> That's it for today. 2:12. >> Okay. >> All right.
>> Public comment. >> Well, we don't have any public for public comment. So, >> we can open and close. >> You still got to open it up or No, you're okay. >> Do we have to open and close or >> go ahead? >> Well, we can still open up public comment period viewers that there's no one in the audience,
>> right? So, um we don't have any public here. So, no public comment. We'll close it. >> Um, so I'm going to close the public comment. Um, no close session. So, can I get a motion uh journ? >> So, move. Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> All right. Meeting adjourned at 2:13 p.m. >> All right. Thank you. See you Thursday morning. >> See you Thursday morning.