Parkway and Vans Skyver have been planted with new plant materials and mulch has been applied. Uh the yellow baseball fence caps received for installation, those are the the yellow caps that go along the fencing around the different ball fields and Vans
Skyber have been planted with new plant materials and mult live. Uh the baseball field dugout benches were received and they are in the process of of being assembled and they are continuing with their grass
cutting um landscaping uh catchbas repairs and uh we did finally received the new sidearm mower that was ordered in last year's capital budget. Um, some notable occurrences were
related to commercial property dumping, uh, commercial truck parking, uh, and I'm sorry, this is for the inspections department, what they have been working on. We have two inspections officers who have received their 60-day evaluation have been uh
beginning authorized to begin independent field work and a few businesses have been identified as operating without proper zoning approvals or valid certificate of occupancies and the construction official and the zoning officers are actively collaborating to develop a
strategy aimed to preventing businesses from opening without those required approvals. So, we are going to crack down on people sneaking in the back door and opening their businesses um without getting the proper licenses and and registrations. Um, one of the bathrooms
at the JFK Center has been out of service for over a week. Um, but that is in the process of being repaired and unfortunately we experienced some vandalism at our bathrooms at Brido Park. Um, someone came in with rocks and smashed the the ceramics in our men's
room. So, we're going to be uh facilitating those repairs as well. And outside of that, um recreation uh will be rescheduling Earth Day events that were rained out. Um they
did uh celebrate the phenomenal woman event on April the 27th. And um Miss Balden has been in conversation with the assistant director of legacy treatment services of Burlington County.
They would like to donate a little free library um to a Burlington County park and ask if um they could donate one to ours. So, they would like to have an official ribbon cutting um and they would cover
all the expenses and that's going to be sometime in the early summer. And they would like to or we were looking to install the little free library at the Brido Park. And those are all of the uh items that I'm going to present to you this
evening. Thank you, Mr. Harris. All right. and then we can move on to the resolutions overview and then we'll have your um suggestion. So being presented for your consideration this evening is ordinance
number 25-8 which is a bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Willingboro appropriating 3 million therefore and authorizing the issuance of $2,850,000 in bonds or notes to finance
part of the cost. Ordinance number 2025-6 is an ordinance to amend um an amended ordinance to establish compensation benefits and other policies for non-union employees, unclassified employees, and elected officials of the
township of Willingboro. We are going to go through our 2025 um budget hearing this evening and then um if there are no further issues, we will move towards uh adoption of the budget after the approval of resolution number
202515, which is a resolution authorizing the budget to be read by title. And then hopefully we'll move into resolution 116, which is the final adoption of the municipal budget. Resolution 117 is a resolution
authorizing the approval of vouchers for payment and ratification. Resolution 118 is authorizing the refunding of overpayment of taxes. Resolution 119 is a resolution to cancel uncollectible taxes and Miss Diggs is here uh to give
you a brief explanation of what an uncollectible tax is. Um resolution 120 is a resolution approving final closeout with Earl Asphalt Company for a segment 4 roadway project phase one. This was completed
last year and um they have completed the project. Um the final adjustments to the contract values have been um finalized and they are submitting the maintenance bond which you are going to hopefully accept and
officially declare that project complete. Resolution number 121 is approving change orders number three and four with Longo Associates for the Willingboro Performing Arts seating. This was seating that we had ordered almost a year ago, but because of delays
in the construction, we've had to put off the installation. And this is the final change order for the seats to be delivered in June and installed as well. Resolution number 122 is a resolution authorizing the use of
competitive contracting for the provision of information technology or IT consulting and management services. uh our IT team um abruptly ended their employment. Um so
we have discussed this and are looking to move to an outside company to manage our IT services and this is authorizing the use of the competitive contracting or an
RFP which will be prepared and put out for publication by the 15th of this month. Resolution number 123 is a resolution awarding an extension of contract with Republic Services for the provision of
solid waste collection in Willingboro Township. We had a three-year contract with Republic and two one-year extensions. We extended it last year. Um, and we are going to or we're going to ask that we utilize our final
extension um until we have to go out for a complete rebid which will be done in November or December of this year. Resolution number 124 is a resolution authorizing the township to
increase the not to exceed amount for BIA design print and mail for the provision of print and mail services. This is a company that uh publishes and uh mails our calendar um our summer mailer, our winter mailer, and we
utilize them for other um large uh publication and mailing services throughout the course of the year. Resolution number 125 is awarding a contract to level up retail services for the provision of NFC fitness court
installation services. So the NFC court has been poured and now um we are awarding a contract to a level up will actually come and install all the equipment related to the uh fitness
court at the JFK center. Resolution 126 uh if approved is granting a social affairs permit and authorizing the township clerk to certify the same um I believe that's to is it Diamond Dogs resolution 127 is a resolution
authorizing the township of Willing Barrow to award a construction services contract for the improvements of uh to Buckingham Drive. So, these are all of the um items being presented to you for your consideration this evening. All
right. All right. Thank you for that. Is Miss Jackson here? I'll just bring up Miss Jackson and share the activities that are planned for the residents for Oh yes, good evening everyone. Good evening,
Miss Jackson. So, we do have a few events as we embrace the month of May. We want to first um make sure that our families with children ages 9 to 14 are aware of the family nights program series that's beginning next Tuesday at the Kennedy Center. This is a seven-week
series held at the Kennedy Center every Tuesday during the month of May and June. It's a free series that includes goal settings, family meetings, and discussions around important topics such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and coping skills. And um our families who
register will receive $150 for participating. So, we want to encourage our families to be a part of that. On Friday, May 9th, the small business owners are invited to How to Grow and Fund Your Business. And this is hosted by Senator Singleton along with our
mayor. And this event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2 at the Kennedy Center. Registration is available on our website. And then that same evening, weather permitting, we will kick off our Friday night live music series with R&B artists and a local favorite, Diani
Star. And this concert will be held at the amphitheater beginning at 700 p.m. Um residents are encouraged to arrive early and reserve a good spot um to enjoy the evening. And as a reminder, guests do have to bring their own chairs and they are welcome to bring their own
food and beverages. However, we will have a food truck option or food option at each event. And this Friday, we're planning to have Chick-fil-A um in Delran from Delran on site. So, we're encouraging people. We're excited about
our music series this year. So, we're hoping that the weather will allow us to have our kickoff event on Friday, May 9th at 7 p.m. And then on Saturday, May 10th, we will host our annual record readas in Willingboro. And this event is from 12 to 2. And this will be an
opportunity to ask questions about our summer camp and get registered. We do want to remind you that the pool will be opening on Saturday, May 24th, Memorial Day weekend, and it will be open on the weekends from 11:00 to 5:00 uh until
daily operations resume or begin in June. On May 26, we will host our annual Memorial Day observance at 11:00 a.m. at Mil Creek Park. So, we do encourage you to save that date and time as we um prepare for that important observance.
And then our inaugural mayor's golf classic will be held on Thursday, May 29th. Information regarding foresome, sponsorships, and scholarships can be found on our website under community events. So, and we do want you to save the date of our June team celebration,
which will be Saturday, June 21st from 12 to 4, which will also be held at Mil Creek Park. So, that is all of the events for May and a little bit in June. So, and as always, all that information on our website, Willie Weekly, and our social media page. So, um we look
forward to seeing everybody at our future events. Thank you so much. Thank you, M. Thank you, Miss Jackson. And Miss Diggs, would you just um give the council a brief explanation as to what an uncollectible tax is? Good
evening, mayor, council, and the public. Um, property taxes are considered uncollectible in New Jersey when it when the taxes are assessed at a doubled either double or erroneously rate at a you know rate in
error or when a tax payer dies. Okay, that's it. Simple as that. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Six. All right. Um those are all the items that we have on the agenda for this evening. We will now go to public
comment. This public comment is for agenda items only. So any of the agenda items that you heard explained by Mr. Harris um can be spoke on now. You will have two minutes um please come up to the podium or raise your hand online.
Public comment is now open. Testing. Testing. George Brown, 103 Evergreen Drive. Good evening, Mr. Brown. Good evening, Madame Mayor, council members. My name is George Brown, president of Ask Me Local
327. Council, please focusly on the stated goal of ordinance 2025-6 to establish clear and equitable guidelines for compensation, stipens, benefits, leave policies, and other employment conditions for non-union
unclassified employees and elected officials. Thus, the remaining five listed CBA eligible titles not marked with an asterisk are instantly vulnerable, stripped of the due process protections. Public information assistant, a current
local 327 member whose hard one rights would be removed. Human resource training coordinator, a coordinator level role is currently recognized under our CBA. registar of vital statistics and ask me local 327 title and its
inclusion here violates our contract. Deputy tax collector, another local 327 member facing the loss of labor protections and special event specialist, a specialist level position akin to those in our CBA. We wholeheartedly appreciate the initial
amendment, but what affects one affects all. We merely ask that our listed title be removed and the remaining four titles be noted with an asterisk so they too can be eligible for collective bargain inclusion. Furthermore, we humbly ask that the newly introduced CBA eligible
positions be established by ordinance for titles only and the ordinance's other guidelines not be applied pending CBA negotiations. The ordinance's unilateral conditions significantly conflict with our CBA negotiated terms and will create unnecessary confusion
for affected employees. This is why we intend to enter negotiation without further delay to tighten any loose ends affecting the CB eligible staff. Please carefully consider our appeal and rule accordingly in this critical decision. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brown.
I see we have one public comment online. Yes. This is uh Don Scholace. Uh I'm Don Shawless with the Friends of the Library. I've been researching the Willingboroough Public Library and its function since uh 2024 when the township introduced a resolution to close the existing library and move a portion of
the library to the JFK center at an undetermined cost to the taxpayers. What I discovered in my research is that the library has been functioning under recession level funding for the last 15 years with staffing cuts, reduced wages and benefits, and some degree of neglect
by the township after the big cuts being nickel and dimed every year. The library functions well given this chronically low level of funding, but could do much more with funding levels we saw in 2009. That said, I do appreciate the
township's proposal in the capital budget to invest in carpeting for the existing library. That was well overdue. In the last budget meeting, Mr. Harris said that $52,000 in funding cuts for the library for this fiscal year were because the township was paying for
cleaning costs by pristine cleaning. I appreciate the work that pristine is doing, but is the entire $52,000 cut for cleaning? Also, the township council is the township council aware that in 2010 the library's entire cleaning budget was
eliminated and was never reinstituted. Finally, I also have a question about the three invoices from a Limo group related to the library relocation that are in the agenda packet. Can you provide detail about these invoices? I I've tried to get this information with an open records request and the township
would not provide information. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Shalice. Is there any other public comment? We have one in the courtroom. My hands up. Oh,
hi. My name is Rosemary Bender. I'm from 132 Penny Packer Drive. My concern is also with the library. Why is the library budget being cut by $52,000? The federal is cutting our budgets too and that is where the database and the
internet and some other other things are provided for by the other additional cuts that we've had. It it's going to hinder the library in the services they can give and they give services to all people of the library, all ages and
their worthwhile services. um this will probably either hit the employees themselves or the programs that are issued and I really am concerned um recreation was increased by 83,000
why I and again this is a personal comment I I believe that education and library is more important or as equally as important as the recreation budget Also, the police were decreased. Why are
we decreasing police funding? I know I do not understand the budgets completely. I have not looked into it. I've just seen what was online. And I'm very concerned that as part of this town, we've been paying taxes since 1980 that my concerns
should be expressed. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Bunder. We'll go to Brown online. Good evening everybody. Thank you for your hard work. I just have one question with audience
225-8. What are the capital improvements? Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Mar. Welcome. And we have another online. Were there any more public comments online?
Okay. Any more in the courtroom? All right. Uh, madame council presiding officer Uh all the faces here are new to me besides Mr. Thompson over
there. But uh my concern here is about the budgeting. Your name and address, please. My name is James H. Morris, 38 Typton Lane, William, New Jersey 08046. Thank you, Mr. Morris. And I'm concerned about the crossing
guards that uh crossing your children that uh these that we were diligently doing us in willing borrow a favor and public records show that you guys is trying to
also us to bring in a private company for us to be either transfer or lay off to those uh This bring me a great concern when also I'm a taxpayer for over decades in this township and we
said with Mr. Harris are listening to him when he was giving his updates. He never he said in his updates that he cooperates with all heads of departments and units including the police
department but yet he dissolve our boss and now he's saying to you guys that we we don't have leadership therefore they are going to outsource us and I find that with deep deep compassion and
that's not tonight. So, I'm asking the council to please address that because we are out there from 6:45 in the morning taking care of either your children or your
grandchildren and to treat us like that, I don't think is right. Thank you much. Thank you, Mr. Morris. From now on, I shall be attending all council meetings. I look forward to seeing you here. Seeing no other public comment, public
comment is now closed. Mr. Harris, will you um start by addressing um Mr. Brown's comments on ordinance
2025-10? So I was listening to what Mr. Brown was saying and I don't think that his comments regarding that ordinance are reflective of what that ordinance rep represents. Um the ordinance provides a
mechanism to compensate persons who are not union employees and not included in a collective bargaining agreement. State statute states that all salaries and wages to be paid by a municipality needs
to be established in an ordinance or through a collective bargaining agreement. So if persons are not in a collective bargaining agreement, their salaries need to be incorporated into an ordinance or else there is no mechanism
for compensation. So I understand what he is asking for. Uh I we have had this conversation and we have expressed the the intention to negotiate uh with ask me about the inclusion of
certain titles into the CBA. Um and now they want additional titles included in the collective bargaining agreement. And again those were things that will be discussed at negotiations. Okay. Um I think one of the things that
Mr. Brown asked was about the registar vital statistics that's still included but um he states that it is located in the ask me agreement. It is and and as I stated during our last meeting that we
were having the the conversation about that and um and we will renegotiate or redisuss with the union reinccorporating that person back into the the contract. When we when when there were was a transition in
employment, we received communications from New Jersey Civil Service that that position was no longer covered under civil service. And now um there may have been some miscommunication in the title
number. So there are several different titles and looking back um we believe that what civil service was referring to was a registar of vital statistics for a hospital and not a municipality. So we
do believe that probably that title needs to go back under the the ask me contract. Um but again those will be discussed. Okay. So would it be fair to add an asterk next to the registar of vital statistics? I thought there was
one there already. No, there's not one present. And absolutely. Okay. And the other titles that are um that were stated by Mr. Brown. Uh would it be fair to add asterisks next to those titles? So one
of the one of the titles that he mentioned was the I believe the the deputy tax collector. Yes. There is no there is no title in civil service for a deputy tax collector. So we created that
position for that individual and for them to be promoted and paid in that position they would need to be under the salary ordinance. Okay. and the remaining three, the special event
specialist, the human resource training coordinator, and the public information assistant. Again, those are not titles that are in incorporated in the collective bargaining agreement with ASME. Um, and I do not believe that they are established civil service titles. So
therefore, if we and I believe those were titles that were part of the proposed restructuring. So for those titles to be included, they would need to be included under the salary ordinance. Okay. Um if there is some crossover between
uh civil service titles and those titles as do we find in um negotiations with the union? Would those be eligible for inclusion within the collective bargaining bargaining agreement? Absolutely.
So would it be fair to add asterisks to those? It would not be because again they're not civil service titles. They are not they are not union titles. So part of that component is how do you negotiate into a contract a civil
service title that is non-existent? Any questions from council? Madame mayor. So based on the last meeting, the last conversations, we were unders, it was to be understood that there would be some form of negotiations taken place at which time I believe the majority of
council thought that it would make more sense to have the negotiations before any final decisions had been made just to see what would be worked out because if we make changes now and then we have to go back and amend. So to keep it a cleaner process, I was under the
impression that negotiations would be had to see if those titles would fit into that negotiation or not. That was not my understanding because that that is a full-blown union negotiation that the titles were were
part of the would be part of the negotiation, but it would be much more extensive than just titles. Well, when I came to your office, you and I had a conversation and when I explained this or expressed this or reiterated this, uh, you said that, you know, you thought
that was a good idea that we not move so fast, but listen to what was coming out of negotiations. That was a conversation you and I had in the office because it was carried over from the council meeting. I was seeking clarification just to see before we made any moves to
see how well or how not so well negotiations went before we made moves forward. So I if I recall the conversation I believe that's a decision that the governing body is going to need to make. Either you as a council are going to decide to move forward with the
salary ordinance or wait until after the negotiation. No, understood. But I was just reiterating it. So when I had the conversation, you you thought that was not a bad idea. So I'm just bringing it back to council. So as we as this comes before us for a vote, I just wanted to
make sure I put on record that there was an opportunity for negotiations before we made a final decision. This way it didn't look like we were going back and forth in the event we had to amend anything. So I'm just bringing it forth to the council now just to reiterate
reiterate those conversations. So, I don't I I don't know that I'm fully in line with with what you're presenting as what our conversation was because I don't think that I was agreeing that we would have a negotiation with the union. You you what
you said was there were negotiations to be scheduled. You thought it wasn't a bad idea. I didn't say you said you agree. you thought it wasn't a bad idea that we try to go through negotiations first to see what comes out of it before any moves were made because we didn't know what was going to be included, what
was going to be excluded, but at least the conversations would be had. Right. And again, that's a decision that the council is going. Okay. I just wanted to reiterate the opportunity for negotiations before this council makes a decision. That's all. Thank you. And I will say, um, I've had some
extensive conversation with Mr. Harris on this resolution. Um part of the challenge is that some of the titles um won't receive increased compens compensation. They're 2% um increases
until this salary ordinance is passed the cost of living increases. And madam ma'am, that's for clarificate for clarification. That's the non-union title, right? the non-UN titles that are included in this salary ordinance. We have gone back and made
the change um for a number of the titles including an asterisk um for titles that are not currently included in the collective bargaining agreement but in negotiations will be negotiated um and potentially be
included going forward going forward. All right. Do we have any other questions on that? All right. Moving on to address other public comments. Um, we had a public comment from Mr. Shalice about the decrease in the library budget.
Also, um, Miss Bender had the same question for that. He also asked about the invoices from Alimo for the library. So the decrease in the library budget is strictly related to the salary for the person that was employed by the library
to clean the library. That is the only decrease in the library budget. So now that is being um cleaned by the service company. So some of those those monies that were paid the maintenance guy are just being redirected to compensate the cleaning company.
Okay. And that compensation for the cleaning company comes out of the township overall budget. Correct. Okay. And the invoices from Alima and I don't know specifically which invoices
he is referring to. Um I would I would have to go through I don't know what he's referring to. So I Okay. Would you make a note of that and contact make contact with Mr. Shalice to um answer his questions regarding that.
Yes. Thank you. Also, um Miss Bender asked about the decrease in the police department. So again, I don't know what Miss Bender was referring to when she talked about decrease. Um our police salary and wages
are not decreasing. what we are uh committing to the the police officers as far as equipment, supplies and things are not decreasing. There may have been some de a decrease in a uh a uh contractual services line. Um but other
than that, I don't know what she's referring to about decreases in the the police budget because we are not decreasing the police operating budget. We're not defunding the police. All right. Thank you for that.
Um, we also had a question from Miss Brown about the capital improvements, the capital ordinance 2025-8, and we will um discuss that as we move through the meeting, what is
included in that. Correct. And then also we had a statement from James Morris about the crossing guards. Um, do you have any response to that, Mr. So the crossing guards were correct that
there was a presentation. A gentleman came to the the council and made a presentation. There have not been any decisions by the governing body to say that yes, we were going to do that or no, we were going to do that. It was a presentation. Uh we have had requests
from other companies to make similar presentations. Um but then again it would be up to the body to determine if this is the best course of action for Willing Barrow or not. But it was just a presentation. Uh and he made a
conversation that we dissolved his boss or or something along those huh got rid of got rid of the boss Mr. Morris.
Um so you recall the police used to be housed under IT or security used to be housed under IT and uh the security department was transferred under the under the authority of the police
department. The police department provided uh supervisory oversight for the security guards. So, there was not a need to have an additional $53,000 security. Continue, Mr. Harris. Crossing
guards. I'm sorry. There was not a need to have an additional $53,000 crossing guard on top of the police that were covering the position. So, yes, that position was eliminated. And but the duties are still being
performed by the police department. Absolutely. Okay. Lieutenant Bankston and Sergeant Hanky are overseeing the the the crossing guards. Okay. And as we continue the discussion
on crossing guards, as Mr. Harris said, no decisions have been made as of yet. Um we are exploring some options, but no decision has been made. Um this conversation will come back to the governing body. um for discussion and I
welcome you all to continue your input as we explore options for the crossing guard but no decisions have been made as of yet. We will have another public comment at um after we go through the resolution so
you can come back up then. Okay. All right. No problem. All right. Moving along. We will now have an ordinance or a proclamation read by Councilwoman
McIntosh recognizing lupus month. Thank you, Madame Mayor. This is a proclamation declaring May as lupus awareness month. Whereas lupus is a chronic, unpredictable, and often misunderstood automo autoimmune
disease that can cause serious damage to virtually any organ or tissue in the body, potentially leading in severe complications or death. And whereas more than 5 million individuals worldwide are affected by the devastating impact of
this cruel and mysterious disease. With over 100,000 new diagnosis made each year, predominantly among women of childbearing age, though men and children are also affected. And whereas this despite the severity and widespread
nature of lupus, research into it, its causes and treatments remains significantly underfunded compared to other diseases of similar magnitude and impact. And whereas many health care providers lack sufficient awareness of
the symptoms and the long-term effects of lupus al often resulting in delayed or inaccurate diagnosis and inequ in inadequate treatment for those living with the disease. And whereas there exists a critical and urgent need to
support individuals and families impacted by lupus through education, advocacy, and access to comprehensive medical care. And whereas increased awareness of lupus in our community and across the nation and the world is
essential to improving early diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for those affected. And whereas the color purple is recognized as the official color for lupus awareness and individuals are encouraged to wear purple during the month of May to show support for those
affected and to help spread awareness. Now therefore be it resolved that Mayor Samantha E. Whitfield of the township of Willingboro on behalf of the governing body and all residents do hereby proclaim the month of May as
lupus awareness month in the township of Willingboro and urge all citizens to join in this observance by educating themselves about lupus, supporting those living with the disease and advocating for the greater research funding and
public awareness. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman Mintosh. Um, this proclamation or the observance was sent to us by one of our residents, Miss Terrina Williams. So, thank you, Miss Williams, for again
highlighting um the severity of lupus and encouraging all of us to learn more about it. Madame Clerk, we'll go on to our ordinances. and we'll start with ordinance 2025-8. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um so for
ordinances for introduction tonight we have one um it is titled um a bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Willingboro in the county of Burlington, New Jersey appropriating 3 million therefore $3 million therefore and
authoring authorizing the issuance of 2,850,000 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. Can I get a motion to introduce this ordinance? So move. Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by
Councilwoman Peron. Discussion. We go into Yeah. So at this time, mayor, what I would like is for each of the directors from the departments to come and explain what the capital requests are for their particular departments um very briefly and answer any questions
that the body may have related to those acquisitions. So we will start with Mr. Chapman in the Department of Public Works. Good evening everyone. Good evening, Mr. Chapman. Mayor Whitfield, Councilwoman Peron, Councilwoman McIntosh, Council
May Anderson, and Township Solicitor. How's everybody doing? Oh, and general public as well. All right. So, for our capital purchases in the Department of Public Works, um we're going with a single axle dump
truck. Um the justification for this is this truck is going to replace a 2003, which is used for hauling materials. one of the main salt vehicles that we have. Um, it towes our attenuator. It pulls our leaf back and is one of the few uh trucks that we have that is capable of
pushing the 10 foot snowplow. Um, we're going to acquire some salt spreaders. Um, four, I don't mean for in quantity, I mean for by capacity, four cubic yard uh salt spreaders to upfit some of the trucks that we already have. Um, we realized, um, with this past snowstorm
that we were, I guess you could say, undere equipped from a equipment standpoint to battle these snowstorms. So, we want to try to beef that up a little bit. Um, we're looking to acquire a Mason dump truck. The justification for that is is replacing a 2005. It's
that hauls materials as well. Snow plow, salting, it pulls other equipment we have, it picks up debris around town. Um, these trucks typically have a shelf life of 10 to 15 years. and this is currently 20 years old. Um, we're looking to acquire some hook lift bodies. Um, for those that aren't
familiar, we have some hook lift trucks is literally how you a little hook that comes out, grabs the the uh compartment, picks it up, and puts it onto the back of the truck. Um, we're looking to get some of these because currently we haven't been able to use all of our hook lifts to the full potential due to the
lack of bodies. We have some hook lifts, but we don't have enough bodies to use them. So, um, for instance, when we do our, uh, appliance collections and all the big wood hauling, when that hook lift body is used, we don't we're not able to use it for anything else. So, we're basically shut down in that, uh,
parameter. Um, a leaf vacuum. Um, we're looking to acquire this because we currently have a 2001 and is out of service. The shelf life is around 10 years. This unit is 23 years old and we're going to be replacing it with a 25 yard leaf back. Uh leaves in Willenboro
is a big thing. As we can tell, this is a very uh big community with a lot of trees. So, we have a lot of leaf fall and we're responsible for that. And also in conjunction with the storm water, we got to get them off the ground. And with the delays that we experienced this past year, I want to try to eliminate that in
the future. Um a chipper, a chipper BC 1800, that's uh basically a wood chipper. When we cut the trees down and we have to dispose of it, you can't just have these big logs laying around. And also in conjunction with the PSEG electrical line clearing, we uh remove
the wood after they chop it down. So we need another chipper to I guess you could say pick up that process and eliminate some of these uh fallen debris and trees that we have all around town. Uh and last but not least, uh sidewalk and pothole repair. Um the justification
for that is although we do have a lot of contract uh contractual work around town doing sidewalk repair, DPW has undertaken uh I guess you could say a massive effort to try to jump in with infrastructure repair as well. And currently so far we have surpassed um
the infrastructure repairs that we did last year. We've been repairing sidewalks, ripping and replacing. We already rented a sidewalk grinder. So we're actually repairing sidewalks as we can in conjunction with the other sidewalks. We're doing catch bas and repairs and there's a lot of potholes.
There's a lot of sidewalks that need repair and that binder is extensive. And residents, please know I am working diligently to try to address all the sidewalks that are in the binder that we have. And that's it for my explanation for tonight. Any questions?
All righty. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chapman. And on top of that, we are including an additional 355,000 for general buildings and grounds um improvements uh around the township. And we're looking to possibly install an a two vehicle
charger electric charger uh for electric vehicles in Mil Creek Park. Uh we received a grant two years ago. We have some monies left over in that grant that we have to utilize. So, we're going to look to to tie that in with installing a two vehicle charger in Mil Creek Park by
the uh Futura House. So, next I'm going to ask Miss Balden to come and present the capital request for recreation. Good evening, Mayor, members of council, and the general public. Um so for our department we're actually have just two
items on um the the capital budget. Uh the first one is a pickup truck. Uh we try to um put a lot of things inside our sedan. We transport a lot of equipment to different events and different locations and it just doesn't work. Some items don't fit um or it's multiple
trips. So we're just looking to um acquire a pickup um truck to help us move our items more effective and efficiently. And the other item is um a portable stage. Right now when we have events on the outside, we use the same stage that we use inside the building.
Um over time there's a lot of damage that happens. So we're looking to have a stage that we can just have focused on the outside and then also will allow us to have additional events outside um if we have the portable stage. So that's pretty much it. Any questions? Awesome.
Thank you. Thank you, Miss Balden. Uh next is Mr. tons for our inspections department. We heard you grown all the way up here. Good evening, council. All salutations have been given. So, I will make mine short and sweet. It's very simple. I'm
asking for two vehicles. I have two new employees. We need those vehicles obviously for them to perform their task um their daily task. And I think the third item is just a printer that's going to be replaced. It's well over 12
years old and I'm running out of band-aids for it. That's pretty much it. Thank you, Mr. Tons. Uh, next I'm going to ask Chief Bernett to come and present for the fire and EMS
services. Good evening, uh, mayor and council and public. Um, I'm here to present the fire and EMS, uh, request. Um, so the first item is monies are being set aside for uh to acquire a new fire truck. Uh this
is for a engine to right to replace u a engine that is dated from 1997 um over 20ome years old. Um our next items that we are acquiring is um two additional medical stretchers. Um we
currently have two new ones and then now we need to replace the last two um or the ambasses. Uh vehicle extrication tools. Uh this is to replace tools that are over 25 to 28 years old. Vehicle education tools are you may know them as
like jaws of life and cutters and stuff or when someone gets in an accident, we use those tools to pretty much rescue a patient out of a uh a vehicle. Um other items that we are replacing is um large diameter fire hose. Um this
this large diameter fire hose is over 10 years old. Um so we need a new hose for that. These are the hose that goes from the fire truck to the hydrates. Um next is a high-pressure breathing air system uh compressor um tank refiller.
Uh so pretty much that is the air that we manufacture to put into the SCBAs that the firefighters wear on their backs. Um our current system is over 30 years old and that um it's hard to to find parts to replace that. So that's getting that that needs to be replaced.
Uh other items um other items that we are going to replace are or is to refurb two of the 2010 ambulances. Currently those two ambulances are on a diesel chassis um which has been back then diesel was good but now uh diesel is not good for
chassis uh for ambulances. So um we going to go over to a gas engine. So pretty much what they'll do there is they'll take the patient compartment body and put them onto new chassis. pretty much uh will give us when they get when it's all said and done, they will repaint everything and it's pretty much given us two brand new ames for
almost like the cost of one. Um and then we also get a pickup truck. Uh our current pickup truck is out of service. Um that needs to be be uh be replaced. Um that one parts it cost more to repair it than to buy a new one. And
then u we're going to get a second Lucas device. uh that is the uh device that helps uh the EMTs do CPR. It's an automatic device. When someone's in cardiac arrest, uh they apply this to the patient and then uh it automatically does check chest compressions for them
and that's what u our capital projects are. All right. Thank you, Chief Bernett. And uh next is Chief Bucks who will come and present for the police department. Good evening, Mayor, Council, Willboro
residents. Uh first I just want to say is uh this this podium is uh is spectacular. Um it's very nice. Uh couple things we have for our capital uh uh expenses or requests is a ballistic vest for our police officers. Uh our Axon bundle year three payment. If you
guys recall that we were in a 10-year contract with Axon. uh in that contract was our police body cameras, our in-car cameras, our tasers, our interview room, and uh all the upgrades uh throughout that 10 year uh 10-year period. Uh an
additional speed/information trailer. We already have two. We deploy them on a everyday basis, and this would be a third one that we will be able to deploy uh throughout the community to be able to monitor speeds and also put messaging out through uh throughout the township.
Um the next one is the final payment on on our armored rescue vehicle and the last one is the replacement of our police patrol vehicles looking to replace three of our patrol vehicles. And that is it for us. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions? Sorry. Any
questions? Thank you. And the following categories is 54,000 that's being dedicated to general office furnishings, office equipment, um including printers, scanners, shredders, and things like that. And uh
$92,000 for um IT service upgrades, um to incorporate some computers, some laptops, some iPads, and whatever department was scheduled to be refurbished in 2025. So, the totality of
all of those items um equals $3 million. Um and again, we will be issuing $282,850,000 in bonds for um the 3 million in capital projects. Okay. And
also, Mr. Harris, uh letter F, the improvements to township facilities. Yes. Can you just explain what we're doing there? So, that is a general category um that
we we utilize to cover um things um generally around the the the municipality. that is going to include the monies to install the carpeting in the library and
pretty much um that's going to be the bulk of that 189,000. All right. Does council have any questions on the capital ordinance? I was just going to mention a comment. Um all of the requests seem um pretty um
reasonable. So for me, um I'm in agreement with the requests that have been presented this evening. Thank you. Um with those investments, I know we're we're going to be doing um some music series at the amphitheater. Is our is
that is our system up to par? Yes. Last year, I think we spent what did we spend, Miss Bolton? $15,000. Yeah. to to get uh an upgraded uh audio system to um accommodate the the the
amphitheater. And this year we're going to utilize some of last year's capital available to do something with the lighting because, you know, at night it gets very dark. So, we need to find some ground lighting that can kind of brighten up that area.
Thank you. All right. I'd like to thank all the directors for coming and presenting your capital budgets. I agree with Councilwoman Peron that um they're all pretty reasonable. I know that some of
our materials are getting older and we need to do upgrades to in in order to continue to function properly. So, thank you for your thoughtfulness and um your request and we will move this to a vote.
Okay. Um, Councilwoman Peron, yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Councilwoman Macintosh, yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you. Um, and please note the public hearing for this ordinance will be at our May 20th meeting.
And final adoption. You can continue, madam clerk. All right. And then um ordinances for public hearing today um is uh 2025-6 which is um our amended
ordinance. So can I get a motion and second? This is going to be to accept the amendments for ordinance six. Um this came before you guys April 1st and then again um at our last meeting but
because there were significant amendments we um need to move forward and accept those amendments and then we will have another public hearing on this specifically amended ordinance um with the changes discussed tonight. So, with that being said, um can I get a motion
and second to accept the amendments to ordinance six, which is titled amended ordinance to establish compensation, benefits, and other policies for non-UN employees, unclassified employees, and elected officials of the township of Willingboro. Okay. So, it's um labeled
incorrectly in our packets. So, it's 2025-10 in our packets. So, I apologize. It's six. Six. Yes. I apologize about that. Okay, we need a motion and a second. So moved.
Moved by Councilman Peron, seconded by Councilman Anderson. Discussion. Councilman Pon. Yes. After reviewing the um the requests for the different um positions and transitionings of different bodies um and having our
conversation with Mr. Paris and not having received um a reasonable explanation for the moves and for the different title changes at this time I'm voting not in favor of this item especially because it does affect the
union. They have expressed their concerns. I don't understand why we cannot wait until negotiations have taken place where we've sat at the table and to make an informed decision on changing titles at this time. So for me
I'm voting this as no and that's my reason why. Thank you council. Anyone else? Council council just for clarification there was wording that was being changed the amend. Yes. So, um,
the first reading in the way beginning, um, and I don't know the specifics of the job titles, but I know that there were a couple job titles changed. Um, and then we came back, um, and we added all the asterisks, I
believe, and that's where I believe Mr. Harris would be able to give you a more um in-depth answer, but because there were significant changes, we have to uh motion to accept those amendments. Okay. So, that's all this is accepting
the amendments. The amendments. Yes. Not voting on it, just accepting the amendments. Right. Voting on the amendments. Voting to accept the amendments. Yes. Because I'm going to go and legally advertise those amendments. Yes. And then we'll have the public hearing. Okay. At the next meeting. the
next meeting. So for clarification So for clarification in our packet, the 2025-10 does not say that we're voting to amend anything. This is um yeah, I apologize. I don't know why you don't have the updated one. Um so it says
ordinance to establish compensation benefits and other policies for non-union employees, unclassified employees, and elected officials for the township of Willingboro. Right. So, it's just um You want to see what I have? Yeah, I I know what it says. I I
apologize about that. When we had our prep meeting, we were going back and forth whether to reintroduce a completely new salary ordinance or going back and just doing the amendments and we voted on doing the amendments. And I apologize that it didn't make it to your
updated packet. If you So, for me, I'm still voting no um for those every all the reasons that I've stated. Um and I do recall some of the amendments. Um and I remember that well at least at the last council meeting when we discussed this topic um I did not get a clear
answer um to quite a few of the different titles when I compared some of the titles. I don't have it uh in front of me. Um what are the difference between supervisor and director and it's you know um it just it's a whole to me
it's it's messy. Um and I don't understand what's the race to change it now. Um, so for me, I'm whether amending it or not, um, it's going to be a no for me, especially because we don't have the data that you're speaking of of in front of me. That's another concern. So,
that's all, madam, ma'am. Okay. Any other Were you able to have your conversations in between? So, there was a meeting um that Mr. Lori had. I missed that meeting. I There was a meeting that took place before. It was an email that was sent. I didn't see it until after the meeting took place. I believe I did
ask was did the meeting take place? He said it did. Um either Yeah. Can you Okay. So, for the record, the day after the council meeting, the last council meeting, I sent an email out to the deputy mayor and councilwoman Peron um
requesting a meeting so that we could have the conference that we discussed at the last meeting. Uh nobody responded to that email until this past Thursday. Um so, we did not have a meeting. I just wanted to correct that for the for the record. Okay. Thank you. Yes. So, I did ask him, did the meeting take place? And so he just confirmed it did not. I know
that I didn't attend. I wasn't sure if everybody else did. I just happened to not have seen the email. It's perhaps I probably would have been able to attend. So given that as well, um and I do have it in front of me. I asked what is the division head compared to um we have
here uh special events um specialists like um these are these are positions that I don't understand why are we creating them. Um the the descriptions I've not seen them. Uh some of the other other members have seen these descriptions.
for me again it's just it's a lot going on with this um a lot of confusion and I don't I appreciate the fact that the union has presented themselves to our council I believe on two times and they
have a concern and so therefore their concern is my concern and um for me I'm voting no for this for all of those reasons. Okay. Any other discussion? I just Okay. Go ahead. I just want clarification
again. Um for the titles in question, the um that are not part of the silver, we still need this ordinance to move forward so that these people can get paid in the raises that they're supposed to get. Correct. And and just for
clarity to Mr. L's clarification, the meeting did take place. There were no members of the council present at the meeting but he myself and Mr. Halt did have a conversation and were you there Mr. Aino? Okay. And we did discuss uh the elements of this ordinance. The the
adjustments to the language that were made is for the clerk 1 2 3 and four positions. We we we transitioned them from being unclassified to confidential because they would be confidential employees. Um, we added asterisks to the
items that were are eligible for negotiation underneath the ask me contract. And we included section number three under subsection number three under section A in the ordinance that reads, "Positions noted with an asterisk may be
eligible for inclusion in a collective bargaining agreement as determined through negotiations with the respective units." So those were the um the amendments and the changes that were discussed and submitted in regards to um
this particular ordinance. Now when it comes to the titles, the titles that are being included were the titles that were discussed in part of the restructuring. Um so again, and I and and this is where Mr. Councilman
Anderson where I believe we were having our conversation. Um, I do agree with you that if the council wanted to to defer the adding those titles in until after the discussion and the reorganization, that would not
necessarily be a bad idea. But you have other employees who are uh eligible for compensation increases as well, which are titled tied to this ordinance, which we have been working on and trying to move forward for well over a year now.
So I council woman again I would rather you have the negotiations done first. As far as I'm concerned everyone in this building that has a a job here is being paid. So if we don't give out raises this year it is because we received lack
of information. So, as far as I'm concerned, have the meeting, a real meeting where everyone is present because if the deputy mayor wasn't there, if I was not there, then maybe there's been a missed of communication or some format. I did see his email
later. So, to hold a meeting and still not have bodies of the council where it was requested and then you're asking us to vote on it so maybe we can get a raise so others can get a raise. To me, that's not the most important thing. What is important is that those who have
a job receive their check at the end of the week whenever it's supposed to. And I believe we are doing that. So if you want to increase salaries, make it make sense because I'm not in favor of just throwing out money creating titles of people who don't currently work here just to give them $90,000 of the
taxpayers dollars that don't live in Willingboro. That's what's more important to me, the people here. And Councilwoman Peron, just for uh clarification, it's not um unsolicited raises to people's
salaries. These increases are the cost of living increases that the ask me employees do get and have already gotten, but the employees included in the salary ordinance have not gotten those cost of living increases like the other employees of the township have
already. Thank you for explaining that. And I do I do understand that. However, because it's being coupled with meth, this is why we are sitting here combobbled over this this whole list of confusion. So, I recognize that there are certain salaries are supposed to
receive an increase of course the cost of living. I'm not I'm not against that. However, I do see titles up here that never existed that are underneath receiving $90,000, $60,000. I see that. I still don't know what a special event specialist is. and
does that person currently work here? Um are we changing somebody's job? You know, um are we moving somebody? I know when we start changing titles and creating positions and giving salaries is because we're playing a game of move the money, give you a job, let's put it
all together in one mess. So this way things that are supposed to happen like the cost of living, which is we're in favor of that. And then I don't have explanation like what is a division head? What is a division head? What does that person do? I have yet to receive to
know who that person is. Is this going to be a new position? Because it's just under range three. Does somebody do this job currently? But I see that you this person could make 63 to $98,000. That's all I see on this piece of
paper. So, um, just to be fair, I I really would have preferred a meeting. If I didn't see the email, a phone call would have been okay with me. a text message, hey, did you see my email? You know, um, but it's not your fault that I didn't see it. But again, you want me to to be in
favor of this without having the information, and I'm not going to do that. And and that's fine, Councilwoman Peron. I I I don't have any objection to your position. What what confuses me is that you say that you are unaware of any of
these titles when we've had several meetings discussing the the realignment of operations in Willingber. Um and again I thought I was clear in explaining that to move forward with the restructuring these titles need
to be included in the salary ordinance. So, there are positions in here that are currently not occupied and they're not being paid because there's nobody here to fill those positions, but you are establishing the position in the
ordinance and setting the salary that's related to that position. Now, if the council chooses not to move forward with the restructuring, that is your decision to do or not to do. But please do not make it look like I am kind of moving
rogue in doing all of this without con consultation and conversation with the governing body because we have talked about this. We had executive sessions discussing this. We talked about the divisions and we've gotten input uh from
most of the body members and since we've had those discussions there have been shifts in positions and we are re-evaluating. But again, if you choose not to include those positions in this particular ordinance, I do not
necessarily think that is a bad idea. But for you to say that our directors and persons who also work very hard for this township are not entitled to their increases just because, I do not think that is a fair statement for them. Okay,
Mr. Harris and I do I do recall this point and I remember that one of members I don't want to belabor this point. I think we I think points were made on on both sides and I'd like to um move forward with this.
Um I think all the points have been shared. Um Councilman Anderson, did you have something? No, I just, you know, listening to what the clerk says and rereading this ordinance, which is 2025-6 instead of 10, right? Being it
doesn't state that it's an amendment or it's amending, I don't want it to get confused with me voting for it. So, that's fair. Understand? So, the amendment I'm in favor of, but I cannot support the ordinance at this time. I just don't want the confusion because
this doesn't have amended on it. the actual ordinance. Right. What I'm looking at doesn't say amended. The agenda on the agenda. Correct. Yes. I printed out the correct agendas for you. Can may I have a copy, please? Ordinance in your packet should be the correct ordinance, though. However, it is the
amended ordinance that we received. I apologize. The I just didn't update the agenda. That's my fault. Oh, you mean it's still a no for me anyway? Updated anymore? It's still going to be a no for me because the amendments still there's no explanation. You did meet with Tiffany Worthy, Mr.
Harris. You've had meetings with one council member about changing this. True. Yes, you did. You had meetings with council. We council the meeting happened with me. True. I just want to get us back on track please about the
receive now. So I recall it. This is an amendment to the agenda. The amendment the ordinance that we have in our packet is the correct agenda. The amendments that um Mr. Harris and Mr. Halt were speaking of are the ones that we
discussed at the last council meeting. adding the asterisks, um making those notations for the positions that will be included in the negotiations as well as um removing the positions that were already included in the collective
bargaining agreement. Right. And that's what I was saying. Now that I've received this document that says six with the amendment, the amendments still go against the fact that you've not sat down with the union to discuss positions titles. I've not received job
descriptions. You've met with another council member, not me. But Miss P. But councilwoman Peron, that that meeting was requested and you stated that you didn't you stated that you didn't see the email, so you weren't present. You said the meeting did take place, right?
And I said and I said that it was requested. You requested it at the last meeting. The invitation was sent out or for that meeting. You didn't see it or receive it. They did talk with the attorney to make the amendments that were discussed at that meeting and this
is what is presented in front of us. Exactly. So that's what I'm speaking about. The amendments that the township manager and the solicitor met with, neither one of them are voting members. So what I'm saying is if you actually cared about a voting member, which I'm one of those people that I felt like a phone call should have taken place, but
council forum, those were amendments that we directed them to make at the last meeting. I never agreed to the amendments. I know what you're talking those amendments is still against to what I'm speaking about. What is division head? Can you answer that question at least, Mr. Harris? One title on here. Describe it to me. What is a
division head? It is a head of a division. What do they do? Please be you're an intelligent man. Please be descriptive. They oversee a division. Which division? You see, I'm now watch how silly this conversation gets. No, the the conversation isn't going to happen. Never mind. The
conversation the conversation is isn't going to to be silly because once again once again, if you look on your agenda, there is a section for uh restructuring ordinances. Wow. where
where we have we can he doesn't know what a division head is. I asked you the description job description for division head and you said they division and come on and those division but those division heads were discussed previously in meetings if you will if you will allow
me I will go and get the ordinance and I will bring the this is too late we already it's almost 10 o'clock at night and honestly I felt like that's only one that's only one position on here that doesn't make sense. Come on, let's let's just we can move forward. I want to I don't want to believe you're you're the
mayor. Can Can I make one request though? Then we establish a date and time where all of the members of the governing body are willing to sit and discuss this so we can get a concise document that will suit all of suit
everyone. So the other people that are affected by this ordinance can get their compensation as well cuz again we have been trying to get the salary ordinance put through for over a year
and it's back and forth and introduced and paused and again and there are other persons that I believe are entitled to raises as well. Thank you Mr. Harris. Um, as we close this discussion, um, it
is up to each individual council member. As I said before, this uh, ordinance is an amendment to the ordinance that was presented at the last meeting. um with notes from the union. Um I do
want to see um the existing employees be compensated for their hard work here in the township. Um but this is not the end. This is not the final adoption for this ordinance. There will be another
opportunity at the next council meeting to discuss and in the interim if there's any uncleararity of position titles or um descriptions I encourage um each council member to set a meeting with Mr.
Harris and Mr. Lowry to get those questions answered before the next council meeting um as to not hold this up any further. Madame clerk, please call the vote. No. Sorry.
Um, Councilman Anderson, no. Deputy Mayor Dr. No. Councilwoman Macintosh. Yeah. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. So, how does that work if it's two and two? Um, it fails. Just wanted you to say it
for the record for the people. All right. Please continue. Um, all right. So, we have our um, next up on the agenda, we have the 2025 budget uh, public hearing. Um, this will
include uh, resolution 2025-115. um which uh basically this resolution is just um stating that we have complied with all the state regulations to read the title by public uh title only. Um so can I get a motion second for this
resolution? So move second. Moved by counciloman Peron, seconded by Councilwoman Mintosh. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Councilwoman Mtosh. Yes.
Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Um Mr. Harris, would you like to introduce the public hearing or would you Okay. Um so can I get a motion and a second to open the public hearing for the 2025 municipal budget? So moved.
Second. Moved by Councilwoman Peron, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. Uh thank you. Uh, Councilwoman Prone, yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Councilwoman Mintosh, yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes.
Thank you. The public hearing is now open. Um, please come up to the podium um, and state your name and address for the record. This public hearing is for the introduction of the 2025 municipal
budget. Okay. I I'm Excuse me. My name is Kathy Gainner. I live at 44 Myrtlewood Lane. I've been there for 44 years, so I've had a lot invested in this community.
Um, what I wanted to know was is the decision to privatize the guards a decision that has to be made before your I know it's um May 31st you
have to do the budget. Yeah. Does that have to be considered before the budget is complete? Um, Mr. Harris, no, I don't think we have to make that decision before the
budget is complete. We've still included the compensation for all of the crossing guards in this year's budget. Okay. I've been a guard for 30 years. I've been an assistant supervisor under Shirley Whitlock, Cynthia Peaker, and Patty
Thompson. I am presently holding our unit together with the other guards by being known as the guard clerk. I do all the work of a supervisor without hiring, firing, or discipline and without the
benefits. I do payroll. I'm on call from 5:30 in the morning till 10:00 at night and I fill the posts that are empty and all the paperwork relating to the guards. Our unit is a proud unit which
has been respected in our community and surrounding communities for our dedication, professional attire and abilities. Our unit is over 50 years old and we have worked for the children
and the residents of Willingboro faithfully and with honor for all those years. I was told that you are considering privatizing this was online our unit because we are a burden to the
police department and not necessarily to save money. Our unit ran without any problems when it had a supervisor. I have four guards retire within this school year that have not been
replaced. Since I am the only one to cover post, I cannot do all the posts that need to be covered. It has only been in the last five months that I have asked Sergeant Hanky to have an officer
cover a post. What I do is if we're supposed to have three guards at a post, I'm pulling one of them. If you're supposed to have two guards at a post, I'm pulling one of them. So it's a danger that to the post that is or the
guard that is left. I am also the trainer of the new guards in basic training. I've had train the trainer two times and have two guards that have taken the training to do advanced training which is at lights things like that. I looked online what
qualifications does crossing guard services provide. They don't say. I have checked their website and they will give the guards just what the state
mandates. Vest, stop sign, lighted wand, and an ID. I would love to take all of you out to one of our post and let you go out in the street with just a stop sign
and a vest at 6:30 in the morning and see if you can get the cars to stop. We're wearing an anticolored yellow coat and we still have people that almost hit us because our guards are trained in defensive
movements that say to the guard, "Oh, we didn't see you. We look like a giant banana. There's no way they can't see us." But they say they don't. Ma'am, your turn. If you feel safe with just a vest and a stop sign, then ma'am, what
we're doing is not what will be done. Thank you. Well, this is I I allowed it because we are talking about the budget. It's not included in this budget. We do have the payment for the crossing guards included. I only have two more things to
say, but your time is up. Miss Painter, you can come up at the um second public comment. We will have another public comment and you'll have four minutes. Okay. It was only for two minutes for this public hearing. Okay. Um when
online it says four minutes. That's at the public comment at the end. This was four minutes. Everyone gets four minutes. Thank you. You did get four minutes. Oh, you had four minutes. Yeah. It was at four minutes for this one. Yeah. Okay. But you you are entitled to another four
minutes at the final public comment. Any other public comment on the municipal budget for um 2025? Yes, this public hearing as long as it's about the budget. Okay.
Budget. Rosemary Bender, Penny Packer Drive. Um my question still is where's the 52,000? You had said that it's the uh it was the uh cleaning services. The cleaning
services was taken out of the library budget in 2012. So that is that is according to the library. Mr. Harris, hold on. Let her finish. That's according to the library and I just spoke to the people.
The other thing is um you asked me about the police on on the website that says operating expenses and it has the police here and
it says a decrease of 83 83 $86,000. So I just don't know what I'm missing. And the other thing is you never said why recreation is getting 83.5,000 more. I'd really like to know
because I would rather it go to the library. And if I'm misreading the police, I apologize, but it's right here on your website that I downloaded that it's 86,000 the police are losing. That's all I have to say. Thank
you. Any other public anyone else for this public hearing? Hi, good evening. Jada Jackson, 83 Tidewater Lane. I have a couple questions. One, I thought the library was being moved and I was wondering how that relates to putting new carpet in
that building if they're relocating. The other is the um justification to the township for moving positions from classified to something other classified. When will that get to the township and does that decision have to be made by the end of May?
And you're speaking of the classified clerks that are included in the salary. All of the positions that are looking to be reclassified. I understand that it's more than just the clerks. several departments within the um township that are looking to be reclassified or restructured from
being classified into unclassified which interrupts your union status. All right. Thank you. Oh, and can I give one plug for the for the crossing guards? I live across from a school and I've seen I'm not going to cry, but I've seen the seen those ladies
do things that I'm not even sure I would do for my own kid. I just want to say that the people who don't pay attention in the morning, who are angry about having a job, who are trying to I don't know what they're doing, drinking coffee, screaming at somebody. I have seen them
step in front of cars. I'm not step in front of cars so they do not hit our kids. And I'm not sure someone who doesn't live here, who does not worship here, who who's not part of the community is willing to do that for a paycheck. Thank Thank you, Miss Jackson.
All right. If there's no more for the public hearing, this public hearing is now closed. Um, Mr. Harris, I know we spoke about the 52,000 for the library. Um, Miss Bender, as um was stated before,
there was a maintenance um person at the library. No, they also had a custodial service um previously. The township has taken on that custodial service in 2012. The custodial service.
Yes. Yes. But this $52,000, they also had a maintenance person. um who was doing work at the library and those operations are now being supplemented by the township. Is that correct? Yes,
Mr. Harris, can you just confirm that? Yes, that's exactly correct. Okay. Um is there anything else included in that $52,000? There is nothing else included in that 52,000. Okay. And then um maybe Chief Bucks can
answer for the police budget. Is there anything that we're not seeing there? Is right here. The six someone. Good even the mayor, council, Mr. Solicitor, residents
of wedding bor. Um the 2025 budget was worked hard on the budget we have presented is a flat budget. Every department head was consulted work
we worked every department head worked along with the township manager deputy township manager and also with me as the CFO. So every allotment every appropriations for every department has
been approved satisfied by every department head or department director. I was see Thank you. Okay. And just for the police, I'll take a head nod. Um, Chief Bucks, do you think your budget is sufficient for this
year? Thank you. Okay. Um I will just address again with the council and administration has worked very diligently to present another flat budget this year. Um the requests were fulfilled most of the
requests were fulfilled to um each department and one of the things that we took into consideration is the raise in taxes that will be coming from the school board. There was a bond referendum that was passed. Um, and as
the council, we worked very diligently to try to keep taxes on the municipal side flat. Um, so that there would not be devastating increases to our residents. Um, is there anything else that any other council member would like
to say? Yeah. Councilwoman Mintosh. Um, another point that Miss Spender had said, she was wondering about the increase in recreation. Thank you. Um, Mr. Harris, the increase to recreation. I'm sorry, mayor. I didn't bring the budget
document, so I don't know uh what line item or the overall budget uh increased. Um, so I I just can't really quantify or or explain what the line items were that that received the increase. I don't have the budget document.
Okay. Um, I would like to give Miss Bender an answer for that. Um, do you would this be helpful? Is that it? Thank you. And while Miss Stiggs is looking for
that recreation increase, um we are in the process of exploring the library moving to the JFK center. Um the capital the amount that was included in the capital budget for a
carpet for the library, the township does own that library building. So regardless if the library moves or not, that carpet would need to be replaced. Madame Mayor, um I thought I recalled when we
had this discussion um that that library discussion about moving was taken off and um off the table until further discussion. I think I remember deputy mayor was the liaison there and I think they were going back to discuss but that
was removed. I think the um what was stayed on was whether or not it would be governed by the county. No, the county came off. The movement stayed on. So the movement stayed on. The county came off. Yes. Oh,
so the la the recreation budget was only increased by $6,500. The total allocation for 2025 for the recreation department is 80,800 opposed to what it was last year at 74300. It did not increase by 80,000.
It increased by $6,500. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fix. All right, any other questions? All right, that public hearing is closed and we'll continue on with the
agenda. Um, I guess we'll go to resolution 2025-116 to vote on Oh, because it's just a hearing. We don't have to vote on it. Yeah, it was just a hearing, right? Oh, yes. So, that was just this hearing. Uh, resolution
uh 2025-116 would be to finally adopt the budget. I can read that one if you'd like and then we can proceed with the consent agenda you'd like. Is that okay? Is that okay with Yeah, we'll pull for the consent. Okay.
Okay. Um or we can let's do 116 first. Uh so, resolution 2025-116. uh resolution to uh finally adopt the final adoption for the 2025 municipal budget. Can I get a motion in a second? So moved. Second. Moved by Councilwoman
Peron, seconded by Councilman Anderson. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron, yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Councilwoman Macintosh, Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you.
For the remainder of the agenda, I'll ask for any um exclusions from a consent agenda from the council. Can you say that one more time? 126. Any other exclusions? All right. Um, none being said, I ask
for a consent agenda for resolution 2025-117 through 2025-115 and resolution 2025-127. So moved. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Peron, seconded by Councilman Anderson. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes.
Councilman Anderson. Yes. Counciloman Mintosh. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Ask for a motion to accept the consent agenda. So moved. Second. Moved by Councilman Councilwoman Peron. Seconded by Councilman Anderson. Roll
call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Counciloman Macintosh. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Resolution 2025-126, please. All right. So, uh, resolutions for
separate discussions tonight. We only have one. It's resolution 2025-126 titled resolution granting a social affairs permit and authorizing township clerk to certify the same application. This resolution specifically is for a social affairs
permit for diamond dogs. um on the weekend of March 18th and 19th. May May March has passed. Sorry. May 17th. I think it's 17th and 18th. Yes, that
weekend. May 17th and 18th. All right. I need a motion. A second. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Mintosh. Seconded by Councilwoman Pon. Discussion. This we received. Is it complete? I'm
reading it. It doesn't seem complete for us to make a decision on. Um that is what we received from the ABC. Uh we that questionnaire if that's what you're looking at that questionnaire and um that little drawing of the map that they
make that's what that is all we are provided from the ABC they submit it through it's called Posi um and we get it uh the clerk and it goes to the police department um the police signs off on the safety side and
then I take it to our municipal issuing authority which is the governing body but that's all the information we get in the application. There was some additional information provided in your packets. Um just some
additional information about the uh resolution and the ask. Any other discussion? Yes. Um, Councilman Anderson, in looking at uh email communication that came out this week from uh the township manager, uh,
taking that into consideration, I'm not sure if everyone has seen that, but at this time based on that information, based on this request, I cannot support it. Any other discussion? Did we receive, and maybe I'm looking
right at Did we receive um any feedback from the police? Um I the only thing I get from the police again we get it gets um sent to us separately and maybe Chief Bucks can come up and speak. Um the only
thing I get is what's on that application. So where it says endorsed by the police department, that's what I get from that. Oh, it does say. Okay. But if you want more of an in-depth thought process, I'm sure Chief could come up and explain. and the correspondence um was
sent to you guys that uh Councilman Anderson is talking about. Okay, that's in your packets as well. All right. Thank you. Any other discussion? There being none, roll call. Uh Councilwoman Per, no. Councilman
Anderson, no. Councilwoman Macintosh, no. Mayor Whitfield, no. Thank you. Would you like me to move on to the treasures report? Yes, please. Um, so we do have a treasurer's report. Uh, it was
dated as of April 25th, 2025. Can I get a motion and second to approve the treasures report? So moved. Second. Is moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilman Pum.
Uh, council, sorry. Councilwoman Pone, yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Councilwoman Mintosh, yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you. Um, for minutes this evening, you were provided with uh the minutes from our two budget
hearings, which is April 11th and April 30th, as well as our regular council meeting of April 15th. And I get a motion and a second to approve these minutes. So moved. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Peron. Seconded by Councilman Anderson.
Councilman Pon. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Councilwoman Macintosh. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Madame Clerk. Uh your updates, please. Thank you. Um all right. So, a couple
things tonight. Um our primary election is coming up closer and closer. Um, here's your bianual or bimonthly reminder of important dates. Deadlines to register to vote is May 20th. Deadline to apply for vote by mail ballot through the mail is June 3rd.
Deadline to apply for vote by mail ballot in person um at the county office is 300 p.m. by June 9th. Early voting is at the library from June 3rd uh from June 3rd through June 8th. And then election day is Tuesday, June 10th from
6 am to 800 PM at all of our polling locations. Um I did work with communications. They made a really awesome poster with some great information on it as well as the county um released a um a QR code to a YouTube video to that
explains how to work the machines. Um, if anyone feels like they uh want to get more comfortable and more confident on the voting machines, that is a resource for you. All of that information is out on the back, as well as applications for vote by mail and um voter registration
applications. Um, moving on, we have three companies licensed to solicit in town right now. Um, Allied Expert has two people. Home Solutions has one person and Green Exterior Solutions has one person. We also have a nonprofit
license um from the fruit of Islam. So they are um around soliciting but they also get the same no no knock list of people not to go to. Um just a heads up we did get an influx of complaints of one company coming
around um that was soliciting without permits. We have made contact with them and we did make them come in to get permits. We had 11 people come um one day and uh get permits. So that is pending right now. Um and they have from my knowledge, we haven't heard anything
else. So they should be on track. Um but they're pending. Um I had my quarterly strategic meeting with for my office with the mayor and deputy mayor yesterday. I'm happy announced that we're on track with all of our smart goals and big initiatives. Um I'm going to have an updated report for you guys
by the end of the week. I'll send you out kind of everything we talked about. Um, and then my final big update is our files are finally ready to be digitized. I want to give a huge shout out to my deputy, Miss Scott. Um, she really did some exceptional work over the last
month. Um, kind of just diving in and pushing to make sure all these files were prepped and ready. Um, with that being said, the office is ready for Phobionics. That's the company we discussed to come in and complete phase one of the digit digitization project. Um, we're not going to go over the
number that was approved by Miss Stigs for this year. Um, however, we did try and condense the files to get as much done as we could. Um, I'm hoping to get my office and then our archive downstairs um done. Uh, and I'm hoping
to start that project by the beginning of June. And that's all I got. Thank you. Any questions for the clerk? There be none, we'll go on to unfinished business. Uh, Councilman Anderson, do
you have an update on the golf outing? Yes. So, here's the update on the inaugural uh, Willingboro's inaugural mayor's golf classic. We have solidified sponsorships from Alimo Associates in the amount of 5,000. Penoni Associates
5,000. Bowman and Company 1,000. McMinum Scotland and Bowman625 for a total of 12625. We have committed sponsorships um from PS&G for 1,500, Bobby Ducket Entertainment 4,000, Mr. Aaron Davis
4,000, Zeller and Williscoco for a,000 which will total 4,500. Those checks are being mailed in. We just hadn't received them. So that's why they're listed as committed. We had 30 golfers, 30 paid golfers who signed up. uh that was at
3750. We have 12 golfers who committed but didn't pay. That amount is 1,500. We also we are also reaching out to the local businesses to sponsor a hole and have your company on the side of a golf court. So that's a cost of
150. So I'll be reaching out to the local businesses for 150 to have you out there for advertisement. So far, Educating Kids Consulting, the Honorable Ned Anderson, Kish Creation, Seafood Haven, Barbers, Inc. uh paid already at and that's a total of
$750. So, we have as of today, we've raised and this is without the 1500 of committed sponsors. We've raised $21,625. Our expenses for this event are estimated to be about 15,000. Then based on this
amount, we have to give the um nonprofit that we're working with, New Foundation 10%. Their administrative cost of 216 6250, which leaves us about 17165. So that balance at this point is
4,460, which would be allocated towards scholarships. So as we continue, I think we're looking at taking in about another five or $6,000. Okay? because with the rest of the golfers at a number of 72 that's another 4,000 plus their other commitments such as RMV who put in
request in some other companies and not to mention Pepsi they gave us two coupons for two 12s of Pepsi all right so we want to throw that in we want to throw that in but that's the report for now thank you thank you Councilman
Anderson All Right. So, um, thank you for that update. Um, I'm confident that we'll be able to, uh, give out a number of scholarships to our students here in Willing World to prepare them for the
next step in their journey. Um, thank you for all your hard work, Mr. Anderson, for uh, your work on this project. All right. under new business. Um, under new business included in your
packet, um, as we are continuing, um, with the restructure ordinances. Um, there are some revised restructure ordinances with included within your packet for your review. Um, they won't
be discussed tonight, but I did want you to have them so that you can review them for discussion for the next meeting. Um, if you have any questions between now and the next meeting, please feel free to reach out to myself, Deputy Mayor Worthy or Mr. Harris or Mr. Lowry um to
get those questions answered um before our next meeting so that we can all be prepared and ready for the discussion. Also, um we will have an executive session tonight. One of the items for executive session is the potential
development on 4284 US South US Route 130. Um also known as the Burlington County Times property. Um, we will be discussing a plan that has been brought to us and get some thoughts from the
council on if they like the plan or not. Okay, with that I believe we are on to public comment. Madame Mayor. Madame Mayor. Yeah. Just had one item business. Um since we renamed the sportsman field
to the uh Miss Lizzie May Mars field uh that day I had did speak to uh the manager to see what the possibility of was doing a township softball game with the employees, fire and police to do some sort of a cookout this summer. So I just want to put it out there for consideration.
Okay. Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Councilman Anderson, I think I also remember when we um did the ribbon cutting then um I think one of the I forget who mentioned it, but it was something you thought of to have like um a friendly um township softball game
between um I think it was departments or communities. That's what I just mentioned. I thought I only heard you say barbecue. Yeah, I'm sorry. Yes, that's what I just mentioned. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. And now we are at public comment. Uh this public comment is for all items.
You will have four minutes. Uh please come up to the podium or raise your hand online. Public comment is now open. Okay. Good evening again, Mr. Brown. Good evening, George Brown, 103 Evergreen
Tribe. Good evening, Madame Mayor, council members, and township administration. Uh, my name is George Brown, president of Ask Me Local 327. I stand before you tonight not as not as an opponent, but as a partner committed to building and fostering the harmonious relations that
underpin every successful organization. Just as a point of clarification, please note that all admin positions outside of executive or confidential titles are customarily covered by ASME and entitled to all rights and privileges, including
retropay and increases. No compensation will be lost for any of the position we have identified as CBA eligible, not a scent. Over the past months, we have faced difficult conversations and spirited discussions. We've challenged proposed ordinances and press for
clarity on classifications and due project protections. Yet through it all, one truth remains. Our collective bargaining units provide the fuel that powers the township's engine, which is a safe, secure, and confident workforce.
Without that fuel, no organization, no community, and no municipality can truly thrive. I'm confident that the council shares this belief. I see your vision for hope and prosperity. an administration that attracts and retains talented employees that treats every
worker with respect and settles disputes fairly and quickly so we can focus on serving the public. We are one in the same in that regard. In that spirit, I must raise a recent concern. A newly posted director of recreation re
recreation job description omits experience as a substitute for education and allowance that is standard across the civil service commission landscape. This sends the wrong message to our workforce and risk alienating someone with a wealth of hands-on
knowledge and expertise. Eliminating worthy candidates based on technicality such as this could be to the detriment of the township in the very programs our recreation team delivers. Tonight, I ask for your continued leadership and intervention to help us move forward. We
stand ready to begin CBA negotiations as soon as possible to resolve any outstanding issues to tighten up the language governing CBA eligible titles and to align our collectively bargain agreement with the township strategic goals. Your leadership and commitment to ensuring a fair and timely process will
be vital. We have weathered stormed before, labor challenges, restructuring debates, contractual disputes, healthcare insurance crisis. Yet time and again, we have persevered, working side by side, consulting in good faith, respecting each other's roles, and ultimately
finding solutions that serve both the public interest and the dignity of our workforce. Let us carry that spirit forward. Let us recommmit to the principles of mutual respect, open communication, and shared purpose. When our employees feel secure in their jobs,
confident in their rights, and valued by the employer to deliver the highest quality services to our residents, council, your collaboration matters. Your commitment to timely negotiations matters. Together, we can transform today's challenges into tomorrow's
successes, fueling an engine that carries Willboro into a future of growth, stability, and shared prosperity. Thank you for your time, your service, and your leadership. Have a great evening. Thank you, Mr. Bara. I guess I get to finish. Okay. My name
again is Kathy Painter. Um, one of the things I wanted to clarify that your honor said was that this gentleman just came and did a proposal and that's all that it was.
But we have heard of course through the grapevine that this gentleman has talked to police officers, has given them information about how they would run the guards
and we would really like it if we were told before any contract with them were signed that you could Please notify the C.WA and let them know if
this is going to happen that we can make our decisions of what we're going to do. We are all almost all of us live in Willingboro. There's only a few that don't and they had just re when they
retired moved into a over 50 uh retirement place. So it really will impact everyone that is here and ones that couldn't be here for any reason. In
conclusion, I feel if you give us back our supervisor who did not have that large of a salary and replace the guards who have retired or
resigned, we will continue to be a self-sufficient unit that we have been for this community for over 50 years. I thank you. Thank you, Miss Painter. I brought the ducky. Yeah, I do. I said
that's me. I had the duckies. Hi, my name's Kathleen Temperio Adams. I'm from 60 Princeton Lane. Hello. Say your name one more time. Kathleen Temperio Adams. Temperio Adams. Terioario. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Uh hello members of Mingo Council. Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Kathleen Tapario Adams. I have a college degree in police administration. I'm a licensed New Jersey fire official. Have Proboard firefighter certification for 42 years, held EMT for 38 years. So, as you can see, I am a trained professional, but I choose to be a Wilm crossing guard. It
is not just a job. I have invested interest. And I have been employed with Wilborough of Crossing Bar for 11 years. My post is the intersection of JFK and Charleston Road across from the Wilmbro Fire Company. Perhaps you have seen me waving to the motorist with my partner Carl Jones working on this corner. It's a very busy intersection with the fire
company rescue squad coming and going and other emergency traffic going to the hospital at times. And then let's add to the mix of regular vehicle traffic. Not to forget the student pedestrians. This intersection has students going to Willboro High School Memorial School and Hawthorne for hours are 0645 to 850 in
the morning and 1415 to600 in the afternoon. in all sorts of weather. Thunderstorm, snow, extreme heat, cold. We are there ready to cross the students. Now, we are told there's an outside contractor that may be taking over the crossing guards. Will they have the same intestinal fortitude that the seasoned Willen crossing guards do? Will
they wait for the student that is coming late because that elementary school student had to get himself up, dress himself, feed himself, and then make his way to school by himself or leave when the time is post is ended? Or will they remain? or will they come in a little earlier without pay to make sure the student gets to the school early for
breakfast or a class trip. It takes a village to raise a child. The willing crossing guards are part of that village. We have watches students grow and move from one school to another. We take an interest in the students saying to each other, "Have a magnanimous day. What is your project about? Don't you look nice today?" And my favorite is
when a student makes honor roll. Woohoo. We may not know what the student's home life is like, but we make sure that we're always glad to see them no matter what. I recently had a student drive past my post to say we really made his day. He's now in college, engaged, but he remembers us finally. The Willenber crossing guards are part of the safe
route to school and been back to school. Back home, we challenge any vehicle that stops for a student. Do you know this person? Are you allowed in this car? We know the area. We live here. We work here. We report suspicious activities. We make sure that the area is safe for the students. We pick up trash, glass, and other paraphernal paraphernalia in
the area. One of the crossing guards had called in a gas leak at Hawthorne Park early one morning. The residents were unaware of the problem, but PSCG and the Warren Bower Fire Company responded quickly to rectify the situation. This is what we do. My partner is a basketball coach. He knows the students and interacts them with them, discussing
details of plays, professional players, and just good conversation. Other crossing guards haven't given out gloves and hats to students who didn't have them or lost them. And we even tie shoes. Again, we are there for the students. I have on a few occasions had a parent couldn't walk their elementary school child all the way to school because of their work schedule. We have
assured the parent that if they walk to the student to the end of the section, we will see the student watch the student cross them safely to that intersection, making sure that that student makes their way to the next crossing guard who will then cross that student and make sure the student makes it up to Hampshire Lane to Hawthon Elementary School. Will the outside
contra contractor do the same? Will they even care? Will they have the background checks? Will they have to do physicals in the event of emergency and or school closure? Will the outside contractor be be there at a drop of a hat? Will they or ha we will we will and have done so
or will will they do it for extra pay the outside contractor may cross less than us but it's middle management who are benefiting not the students of so remember a crossing guard is a person in your neighborhood where the people who you meet are walking down the street each day thank you missio
Greyhood. I grew up on the Pwick Lane. Went to school here in town. Can you have your name and address, please? Gray Hood. Greyhood. Okay. Thank you. Formerly of Pwick Lane. Okay. I went to school in this town. What you're looking at here behind me is the A team of
crossing guards. the best trained if not in the state in this county now when something happens to a student what are you going to do because God's not going to like any of you thank you Mr.
head again. Uh I'm James Morris from 38 Typton Lane, William Bor, New Jersey. A member of local 1036 as you can see sitting behind me. all supporters. Let's get our council
people a great hand here because the mayor the mayor she makes a good parliamentarian. Thank you for your service. It's self-evidence here that all council people have heard that what
the cross and guard support this community. We are part of this conference and we we don't see it fit for you all to just dash us away like that. But we sat down with Mr. Harris at
the beginning of our contract. We had a fair negotiation with him and it was only decent if he want to trade us or get rid of us to call our union and let them know in advance. But did he do
that? No. for doing his presentation. He called every department head to give an account of the activities and the job that they do under him. But he did not call the William borrow crossing guard to give an
account that is under Mr. Harris their jobs. So we are asking madame mayor is self-evidence. You all have seen it right here. Mr. Anderson, all we
asking to leave us alone and give us a fair shot. God bless you and save this state. Thank you, Mr. Morris. Whoever's next come up to the podium. Okay. Hi. Um, the crossing guards are probably the most popular. Name and
address, please. Joy Green, 62 Prey Lane. You know who I am. Okay. They're probably the most popular people in the entire town. And they're probably the ones who are in the most unsafe position in the town. I work here all day long outside in other municipalities, but in
this one, starting from the time between two and maybe 6 PM, and even when they're out there later than that, okay, people are running through the intersections. They're not stopping, they rev up their cars way past that point. Today, when at 3 p.m. when I was going through the Corpus Christie
intersection there, a car revved up way past me and I'm already stopped and went way past through the light. So if you get somebody from the outside, they're not going to be worried about when they stop, when they start, they're not even going to understand what's going on in the town. So as everybody begins to
eliminate people that have been here and what I call hands-on experience, clinical experience, or whatever, you really need that because otherwise, nobody's going to understand what's going on in the town. Some of the streets don't have stop signs. And it's this new influx where New York City is being dumped in on us for years. And
I've been here since 1965. You just stop at each corner. You stop, you wait, whatever. These people don't stop. They don't wait. They don't care. And so who's going to take this on except the people who are already here? The other thing is since I've been here since 1965, the Willingboroough Library was at
the Willingboro Plaza. Then it was here, then it went back to the plaza. Now it's going somewhere else. When we voted against moving the library over to the plaza because the expense and the cost, we were ignored. Now there's another expense and another cost. It doesn't mean we don't want the library. We've,
you know, when we got a library, it's what it's costing us every single time when we have to do something. The other thing is when these investors come here and they empty out these houses after they've been here, and I've talked to Mr. Harris about this before, they need to exterminate these houses before they
dismantle them. the hornets, the the roaches, the rats, everything are exiting out of these houses and coming into our homes. It's costing us hundreds of dollars to fix this stuff. And that's the truth of the matter. So that is very, very important. The other thing is
with the police department helping with PSEG and everything else that they have to do, I don't even know if they have enough people in this town to manage what's going on. The other thing is with all these people coming in from New York and all these other burrows of New York here, they're on the outside of this
town and they're on the inside of this town. What I want to know is where is the sewage going and where's the water coming from? Because there's no sewage plant outside, you know, on Springside Road for all those buildings that are there. Is this our water? Is this our sewage? Or is it just being dumped
somewhere? Thanks. Thank you, Miss Grace. Good evening. Good evening. I'm Rene Avery Brutin from 41 Beaverdale Lane. This is my first um council meeting, but it definitely will not be my last. I've
only been here since 2021 and um I am definitely impressed with the crossing guards. Now, I I only came here to hear about more so the issues that I have with garbage. And
since I heard about the privatizing of the crossing guards, I'm truly disappointed if that is truly a possibility. I'm understanding that it may not be a possibility, but I'm here just to advocate for them. Now, um after
um when I first got here, the the township privatized, I believe, the trash and I've had issues ever since. Um including still waiting almost two years for a extra garbage can that I'm willing to pay for, but I'm still on the waiting list. So, I was more so concerned about
that. But hearing this, if if it is at all possible, where is the discussion and can there be a discussion for the community? Because safety is first for our children. I personally don't have any children, but it takes a village and these are all our children. The they're
going to grow up and hopefully be a part of the community and we want to protect them with our people here who love Willen just as much as we do. Um, that's all I have. Thank you for listening. Thank you, Miss Brun. Hi, Jada Jackson 83 Ty Lane. So, I rise
again with the question that I raised earlier that we didn't get a chance to answer, which is the restructuring in relation to the end of May deadline and the pending budget. What is the relationship between them, if there is one?
Um, and I guess another question is, uh, I'm assuming that the budget accounts for the COLA increases that are due for people regardless of whether or not that is voted on by the May deadline. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Jackson. And and I
will I will go again for the crossing guards. Um, I would hope that the council considers uh the current situation that we're in now and that the number of children who may be coming to school sooner for free
breakfast may be increasing. I know of crossing guards who come in early and stay late. Um, and I just had a conversation with a coworker about how if that crossing guard was not there, when would someone know that that kid didn't make it to school?
would someone know that kid didn't make it to school? Um, and I think that when we think about our community and our community needs and the space that we're in right now, having people who care about them, who look them in the face in the morning and say good morning and
make sure they respond back and make sure that they make it to school and when they come that first day without a nice coat, the second day they get one is worth more than what um can be reflected in a line of our budget. So, thank you. Thank you, Miss Jackson.
Yes. Greetings, William Weston, 44 Bossworth Lane. I do want to say thank you for the crossing guards. I see they're underappreciated. I know. I know I didn't uh appreciate them as much as everything they do, but I am here for the first I looked in the agenda and there's a fitness court and I wasn't and
I I did come a little late today. I'm not sure where that's going to be at, but it looked like a good thing and I may have missed any announcement about it. And also, I just want to talk about the permit process. I've uh I guess through anecdotal and some of the residents has I guess communicated with
me that our process is a little longer than other communities and I was wondering if we could look at that and perhaps uh make it a little more efficient. And that that's all I had. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Weston. Name is Odell Albert, 40 Glen View Lane,
Willingboro, New Jersey 08446. I am a crossing guard. My position is at Vans Skyver and Veterans Parkway. I have the middle school students who
are they're in middle school, but they believe they're adults. Um, it's one thing that these people behind me, they actually go
out and in the morning, in the rain, in the snow, in the heat, almost like a mailman, we deliver. we deliver each and every day that we're on the
job. But the key to it is we're also part of the community. We live in Willingboro. We have a vested interest in these children in Willingboro. We see these kids when they start from the
elementary to the high school. They get to know us. We get to know them. Okay, that's something that a privatized company will not give you because if they change in
people, what do they care? They're getting a paycheck. They have no vest vested interest in this in this school environment. We get to know the principles. We get to know the teachers. We get to know the
students. And we look out for these students each and every day. I'm on one of the most dangerous streets in this township. We have cars going 60, 70, 80 miles an hour, constantly running the
lights. We step out there in front of those cars for these children and allow them to get back and forth across the street. But because we have a vested interest in
the community in Willingboro, that's not something you're going to get from an outside vendor each and every day. Every day. Thank you, Mr. Albert. Good evening. My name is Adam Leebag. I
am the president of CWA Local 1036. Proudly representing the crossing guards that are behind me, but are also behind you and are behind your children and your neighbors children and behind this community. Um, obviously we are
extremely disappointed to have heard that the council and the mayor entertained a vendor to come in and talk about privatizing crossing guard services. And we're here tonight to say to you, don't go down that road and put a nail in it right now and say you're not interested in any other vendors
coming in and pitching you their business to privatize crossing guard services. You can make that decision and direct your business administrator to entertain no other vendors and keep the quality service that you have. Now, you've heard them from the guards themselves. They can describe what they
do every day much better than I can. But I think you feel it. And I think that you have to understand that government's not a business. Government is there to provide public service. And I can't think of a better public service or a better costbenefit public service than
the crossing guards. This is part of your obligation to provide public safety and provide a safe haven for children getting to school. And they do this very well. This is your obligation. This isn't something that you should look at as a line item in the budget. But also,
let's be real about it. Crossing guards are hourly employees. They don't work all year long. They're paid very little. They put a hell of a lot of heart and commitment into their job. You're not going to get that from a private company that might rotate the guard of the day or the guard of the week on any
particular corner and don't have a commitment to the community. Privatization is going to cost you more in the long run and it's going to cost you in credibility with the community. It's going to cost you in what you lose by losing the folks behind
me. So, don't be disloyal to the residents. Don't be disloyal to your long-erving crossing guards. Do the right thing and realize what you have and that you want to keep it. Now, look, you have a hard job. you passed the budget tonight. We're actually trying to
save you some time by saying, "Stop the nonsense and don't entertain any other vendors coming in." Uh, but you rely on your professionals to give you the best advice possible. We represent 50 contracts and 8,800 people around the state. I go to a lot of public
meetings. There was a statement at the beginning of the first public hearing uh first public comment period that the public information assistant title is not civil service. It is. There are two title codes 0292354452. I also am the Burlington County Central Labor Council President.
So for my ask me brothers and sisters, I'm going to tell you that by not passing that ordinance tonight, you avoided an unfair labor practice. Congratulations. You didn't get the right advice. You can also represent non-Ivil service titles in the same collective bargaining agreement. Doesn't
matter if you're civil service or non-civil service. If you're part of the unit, you're part of the unit and you can be bargained for and included in a contract. Titles like the ones you talked about tonight are stipended or functional titles. You can represent those in the collective bargaining
agreement. So, I'm concerned that if you're not getting that quality, accurate, timely, and complete information about other things or for example the police budget, which on sheet 15, I did the same thing this young lady did in the audience. Sheet
15, you reduced the other expense line by 86,100, which is a 15% reduction from last year. Again, in the first public comment period, the statement was we didn't reduce the police budget. There clearly is a reduction. And that's not counting the $24,000 in ARPA money that
you're not putting in 2025, which makes sense because that money is gone. But there was a reduction. So your statements that you rely on, they have to be complete. They have to be accurate. So take our word for it because we've been doing the job this
long. You have a a incredible I I I know you have an incredible resource here. Use it and keep it. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any public comment online? My name is Don Shawless with the Friends of the Library. Um, for Mr. Harris, the
invoices that I mentioned from Alimo Group about the library relocation are on the bottom of page 117 and the top of page 118 of the agenda packet. This is contract number 240022. The total for the invoices is
$6,447.50. What we do know is that a library relocation would result in a minimum 60% reduction in space. What we don't know is how important areas like the children's library, teen and adult room, free meeting spaces for community members, and the history room would be
included in such a small two-story space. what spaces and resources will be lost and whether the library will be accessible to all. We still have no idea how much it would cost to construct the new library and move its resources so that the library meets ALA and ADA
standards as well as state and federal laws. That's after three years of planning behind the scenes. first with Penoni and then with Alimo Group with little substantive communication between the two engineering firms and library
staff and the public. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chalice. Good evening, Manny Mallerie on Hudson Place. And I would like to begin by thanking Sergeant Hanky and Officer
Landram for their security and assistance at the used book sale that was sponsored on April the 19th by Friends of the Library. Uh we definitely appreciate Sergeant Hanky and his effort
to make sure that we had security for the duration of the book sale. Um, one thing that was notable was that on the day of the book sale, I think the temperature outside was in the 70s and
the heat in there was maybe bringing the temperature to 90°. So, I hope that we have uh resolved the issue with having the heat on in the library at this time. Um we often hear the word flat budget
and unless I misinterpreted the definition uh the definition of a flat budget means that there is no increase uh in the budget uh year after year and I was late getting on the meeting so I'm not sure
that I missed something but I'm not sure that we are operating on the what's called a flat budget. But anyway, moving on because I always seem to run out of time. Um, the other thing is we're talking about privatizing
the for the crossing guards and I'm not sure that if we're going to save money, is it worth it at the expense of our children? And of course, um, I cross the intersection of Charleston and,
um, Kenned Way almost every day. And I can attest to the fact that the young lady and the gentlemen that are on that post, they are doing their job more than 100% and trying to control the traffic
because Kennedy Way has become a very um fast moving uh traffic lane. For whatever reason, people are speeding and it's really crazy. Um the other thing is the crossing guards according to the
report that was given uh by the lady I don't recall her name uh all but maybe two or three of them are taxpayers. So my question is if we privatize uh this will they be uh eligible to
apply for a job um to continue as a um as a crossing guard because after all they are taxpayers and I think they should be given a priority in that regard. Um let's see. The other thing I
wanted to know is what is the anticipated amount um to be given to each student for this scholarship from the golf tournament. And um I think that concludes
my comments for this evening. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Mallerie. Miss Williams. Ms. Williams, if you're speaking, we can't hear you. You're still muted. Oh, I'm so sorry. Thank you for being
patient with me. Good evening, Mayor Whitfield, Councilwoman Mintosh, Councilwoman Peron, Councilman Anderson, Township Manager, Clerk, and fellow citizens. Um
um I I want to I want to thank you for highlighting um lupus awareness month because um as you may or may not know, one of my children has lupus and so making the
community aware of ways that they could be helpful to alleviate um the suffering from you know this illness is very commendable. I appreciate you. Um we have a wonderful township
um councelor who cares about Willingbar and as I saw them intently listening to the presentation of our um our guards school crossing guards. I'm sure they'll do the right thing by you. You
made a good presentation to way why you should keep your job. And from living here for over 40 years, I can attest to the wonderful job that our school crossing guards have done over the
years. Speaking of um rewarding people for their jobs, um I would love to hear somebody extol the virtue of um Gwen Gwen Calder Lane who works for
the township. Um she is excellent at her job. She works so hard and I would love to hear somebody say she's getting a raise as well. Um, for lupus awareness day, my daughter
and I attended a lupus workshop and the cardiologist who made a presentation about how um, lupus affects the heart or vice versa. He was so knowledgeable that Terrina asked him
would he be willing to do a presentation for the Willingb um Willing Township um sponsored by the Willing 7th Day Adventist Church and he has kindly consented. He is very
knowledgeable and I'm extending the invitation to everyone within the sound of my voice begin with our wonderful um township counselor and the it it's being held on
Zoom on the 13th of May from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Come with your questions. Um Dr. Wingfield is you will not be disappointed. And I'm not saying this because he's not even a member of our
church. He's just somebody who is his expertise is parallel to many and you know he gives up his time to share the knowledge that he has. So I'm hoping that you will attend.
Um, thank you so much for the job that is done for our community and may God continue to bless you as you work for the betterment of our community. Kudos to
you. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Williams. You're welcome, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor Mfield, Councilwoman Mintosh, Councilwoman Maron, Councilwoman Anderson, Township
Manager Harris, Township Clerk, Savano, Tino, I'm sorry. And fellow residents, I want to first say happy belated National Firefighters Day. Have a dedic Thank you so much for your
dedicated service and sacrifice. May God richly bless you and your family. Second, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you very much, Mayor Whitfield, for today's proclamation. It means a lot to me because I myself have
lupus and was diagnosed with this in 2001 and really appreciate it and enjoy spreading awareness. So, thank you very much for the integral part that you play in helping to spread awareness not only to our township but to their family and
other people who who are listening to this council meeting or will watch it at a later time. Um yesterday was national lupus um summit and today taking place at um Washington DC and today was lupus
virtual advocacy day where people were encouraged to contact members of Congress to help um spread awareness and be that voice that we need to to help them learn about lupus if they don't already know and to hear the cares of people who have lupus or have family
members that have lupus. this and look how today um you made this proclamation and like I said um I can't say it enough. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um my mom already mentioned the workshop
which I encourage people to please attend. Um if you go on um Facebook um and type in Terrina Williams, it'll be on my page. I have a cover photo that talks about um Lucas
and I'll also um personally reach out to Miss Jackson and if possible um please include that in this week's um report what it's called but it's really appreciated I we are able to keep up to date with what's going on in um
Willing B through this through the newsletter as well as the daily updates that we are able to view. Thank you so much, Miss Jackson. This Saturday coming will be a special day for many reasons. One of them is that it's World Lupus Day.
So, encourage and we appreciate as many people who can wear purple in honor of Lup help spread awareness and post pictures lupus day. Wish I could see how much time I have
left, but um I I too join in encouraging that we support and keep our own local crossing guards. They're um play an intricral part in keeping the community safe. But I'm sure there are children
and youth out there that look forward to seeing Mr. So ando or Mrs. so and so and telling them how they did on their exam or they could have a down um a sad face going up to school but then because of that encouraging word they feel better
or they want to share how they did on this and that. So as much as possible we should say stay consistent with the men and women of our own community that help keep our willing borrow great.
I think that's it. But thank you very very much for all the work that you do everyone. Um May is also mental health week, mental health awareness and older Americans.
Appreciate. Thank you. God bless. Thank you, Miss Williams. Thank you as well, Mayor Whitfield. You're welcome. All right. Seeing seeing no other public comment,
public comment is now closed. Um before we start to address the public comments, I'll ask council um for a motion to extend the meeting to 10:30. Um, we have a ordinance or an
ordinance that um dictates our meeting should end at 10 unless um expressly noted by the council. So, I'll entertain a motion for extension. So moved. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by
Councilwoman Macintosh. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron? Yes. Councilman Anderson? Yes. Councilwoman Macintosh? Yes. Mayor Whitfield? Yes. Thank you. And to address public comments, we'll start um or I will start with the
crossing guards. Thank you, Miss Painter, Miss Temporan Adams, Mr. Hood, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Albert for coming up. Also, thank you um Mr. Liptig for coming um to support the crossing
guards. Um, and I'll just say again, one of the things the council does is to explore options. We asked our administrator to bring us some options. Um, and he did that. Um, with you all
here, I think it is a testament to the work that you do, how much you care about your jobs. And for the record, one of the questions that we did ask during that presentation was if any of our current crossing guards would lose their
positions or um things like that. Um I think it's a real testament to the passion that you have for this work and our community by you all coming here tonight. Um I know some of you from even my childhood. I
know Miss Painter was my old Girl Scout leader a long time ago. Um, so I appreciate you all coming and I think your message was wellreceived, well heard um, and we will work with uh, the
township manager to do what we can to better the situation um, without out outsourcing that. And I'll say that for me as one uh council member, but um we'll also have a chance to hear from the other council
members. Um also, Mr. Brown, thank you for your um comments. Um I for one am committed to working with the union on negotiations and getting those started sooner rather than later. Um
our motive is not to remove any positions um but we do want to make sure that everyone is compensated fairly um in the interim as we make those decisions. So, we will um continue to work with the union on uh this salary
ordinance as well um or I guess receive feedback from the union on this salary ordinance as the council moves to um continue to serve our employees in the best way that we know how. All right.
Uh, Miss Grace, I will you asked about the library relocation. We did um have two discussions regarding the library when we talked about it before. We talked about moving the library to the county system as well as a relocation.
Um, we declined to join with the county library system, but we did decide to explore what a relocation would look like. Um, and I believe that may be what those um those alignment invoices are
for. Um, just a concept uh concept drawings for what the potential could be. Um the discussions will still be had with the subcommittee that was formed um with the library as
well as some of our council members to forward what that possibility is. Um as I said, no decisions have been made as of yet, but we are exploring the option. Um I also had a comment about
extermination. Mr. Harris, are there any ordinances or anything about extermination before um renovations or um building? I don't believe so. Mr. Tonsl is here, but I do not believe there is a
requirement for a home to be exterminated before it is remodeled. Okay. Um I think that's something that uh we'll look into. I know we have been having a number of pest problems due to development in our surrounding areas. Um
that is difficult to control because we can't control the development that's happening around us. Um but we will do our best to explore what we can do as a legislative body. Um, also about the water and sewage. Um,
the water and sewage from some of the surrounding development. Um, depending on where it comes from, it may be under our Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority. They are a separate governing body than the township council. Um, so
any questions that you have for the MUA can be directed uh to them. Uh, Miss Brutin, you asked about the garbage issue. Um, we are uh renewing
our trash contract this year, but we are working with a consultant to rightsize the contract um for the needs of Willingboro Township. Previously, we had to sign a new contract and this is what we ended up with, but we are looking to
make some changes in the contract so that it better fits the families of Willingboro. Um, if you have questions about um your trash can or requests that was made, you can direct those to Mr. Harris's office and he'll be able to
help you with that. Um, the Mr. Weston and the fitness court. Um, the fitness court will be located near the track by JFK. You'll see a concrete slab that has been poured
and the uh fitness court will go up in that location. So, in case you missed that, also you discussed the permit process review. A number of our permit processes are in review um including our
merkantile um any licensing processes that are done in the clerk's office as well as our um inspections and and zoning department. The processes and how those permits are issued is under review
and hopefully we'll be making some improvements to those processes so that they can be delivered in a timely fashion. Um, we also had Mr. Shalice, I addressed the Alimo invoices for the
library. Um, Miss Mallalerie, um, she had a question for Mr. Anderson about anticipated scholarship amounts. So right now until all the dollars are
totaled up uh the scholarship will not be less than 500 each student but based on the number of students that apply that meet the criteria of the scholarship could increase. So example if we raise 8,000 for scholarships and let's say there's four kids that apply
we can always increase that amount at that time but it will not be less than $500. Okay. And to date, Mr. Anderson, do you know how many scholarship applications you received? Um, I saw one the other day come in
because we had to extend the deadline. Um, I do know we reverted with some of the churches and so forth, but the last I saw was just one which popped up the other day. So, I'll encourage everyone in the community if you have any students in Willingboro um that are
graduating seniors or looking to go into a trade or um on to college the next step in their journey. We are looking for scholarship applicants. Um I know some of our students I've heard that they have some trepidation about applying for scholarships because they
may not get them, but you can tell them that they definitely won't get them if they don't apply. So, so encourage the youth that you see, especially because we have all of our crossing guards here today. Any of those students that you see that may be eligible for scholarships, please
encourage them to apply. Um, and then we had Mrs. Williams and Miss Williams um talk about lupus. Um we did the proclamation tonight and also Miss Williams um noted that the
passing of National Firefighters Day. We support our firefighters tremendously and appreciate all the work that they do in our township. Um so thank you to Chief Bernett and his entire staff for all of the work they do to keep Willing Barrel safe every
day. Is there anything that I miss? Yes. Ah, thank you. I did have that. Um, Miss Jackson, the restructure, it does not have to be done by the end of May. Um, it is something that we're still
exploring and reworking, but it is not mandated to do before we pass the budget. All right. And with that, we'll move on. to council comment. Well, if nobody's going to go right in,
I just want to thank everyone uh for coming out this evening. Thank you for those online. Um it was amazing to see the support of the crossing guards. Yes, we had a presentation, you know, just for a point of information. There have
been no decisions made, but since you guys have come out, I mean, I've heard the heartfelt pleas and it resonated even harder. Lucky for you guys, it's an election year for me. So, I'll let you know I cannot support
this. I cannot support this. Also, as far as the ask me unions, um, I appreciate you guys coming in as well. Um, appreciate the comments of it's a partnership. It's not us against you. And like I said, we're only as good as the information that we're giving. So
hoping uh through negotiations we can come to a happy median. But until that time, I personally cannot support moving it forward until I know we're all on one accord because if it's something that we want, you don't get morale and everything else is going to be low and
vice versa. So, I just want it where it's a happy medium because we still have to continue to be efficient. It can't be union employees against non-union. I'm already getting text messages. Okay? I'm already getting text messages, but I'm sitting here to vote
on make decisions on what's right, what's best for the environment, and what works equally for everybody. Thank you, and have a good evening. Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Councilwoman Perau, Councilwoman
Minto, um I I share the same sentiment as Councilman Anderson. Um I did have in my notes, I definitely appreciate um the union and I appreciate the um acknowledgement that we are working together. Um I appreciate that statement on multiple times you said it. Um I do
even with the attention I think our priority remains optimal customer service for our residents who pay the bills. You know we manage it up here a little bit but definitely I think we do share that priority. So I appreciate the
continued communication the continued um information in the packet that you give so that we can further read it. So, I just wanted to acknowledge that um even though it's not so straightforward and easy, um I do I think we're going to work in the right direction. Definitely.
Um I got to give a special shout out to our um crossing guards. Um I am a product of Willingboro um kindergarten through through high through 12th grade. So, I can definitely attest to the fact
of the nurturing and the commitment of our crossing guards. Um, I'm a little disheartened to hear of the dangers. Even though you're willing to do it, I don't think it's right that you have to endure that. So, I would like to see some a little bit
more maybe. And I don't know if it's police presence or not. I know we're starting we're doing our um traffic units, but um I do my neighbor is a crossing garden. Do they hear the horror stories um from Memorial specifically um
of people running the lights and um you know putting our crossing guards in danger? That's not fair. I don't think that's part of the job description even though I appreciate you doing it for the children. Um maybe we need to set something in place that we can kind
of um calm the traffic. But um I am here as a again nurtured by our crossing guards from K through 12. Um I appreciate you. I appreciate you coming out today in masses to remind us
of that. You know, you know, we have a lot of things that are going on, a lot of things that we're trying to consider. So this is the beauty of uh local government that you can come, you know, in your town and speak to the officials face to face. So, you did your job today
and I definitely appreciate it. Thank you, Councilwoman Brown. Thank you. Um, and I agree with um both comments that I've spoken. Um, when it comes to um our governance, you know, we have our
township manager and um he brings ideas to us. So, this idea of the crossing guards, I don't know if we ever discussed this, but he brought it to our attention. This is what he thinks. we see a presentation either vote it up or vote it down. So your participation by
attending and letting us know your concerns, your thoughts helps us make a decision. So um and not to bash him in any kind of way. Um he's making thinking making ideas and sometimes it's it's good for the community and sometimes
maybe it's not. So please always definitely participate in these meetings. um if you hear something, say something, come here, let us know, and um we will individually um make our own individual thoughts on the concerns and what's best for the community. I agree
with uh Councilwoman Mintosh with regards to the dangers. I know that there have been um recent speeding traffic signals placed in certain locations. So perhaps maybe Mr. Harris, if we can look into those the high
traffic areas of where maybe the crossing guards are experiencing the most uh during these times um to help the flashing of a person's speed to slow down before they even get to the corner where the crossing guard is. Maybe just a suggestion of looking into where these
high traffic areas are um could possibly help. Um, with regards to the unions, um, again, I'm always encouraging conversation, sit-down meetings. Um, it's and I I will speak to that to the
end. Um, I feel that there should be a sit down meeting with the with the union before we make any decisions on changing and non-union and union. And I just I'm not in favor of that type of behavior. And again, I am one sitting council
woman. And if I requested a meeting to better understand your decisions, Mr. Harris, or your thought process, I feel that every every avenue should have taken place to make sure that there was a meeting before today. And um one
person is not singularly a decision maker of the community of this council. And I understand that that's why a lot of these changes that are happening is coming from one council member. And I think that needs to to not happen. Um and when we all sit together and have a
discussion, we make a better informed decision. But um so just want to put that out there. But that's all I have for this evening. And I do thank all the participation from the communities um coming out to letting us know um your thoughts and your concerns. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman Fur. All right. Um, I do want to again thank both unions, CWA and the ASME union for coming out tonight. As um, was stated before. Um, you help us to inform our
decisions and I won't uh, disparage any of the ideas that uh, Mr. Harris brings to us. He brings us a number of ideas. Many of them are really great ideas that um are really beneficial to the township, but they are always they are
always presented to us for consideration. Um and this is one that um you know is probably likely going to be taken off the table. Um so I want to thank you all for your participation. I
encourage you to continue to stay engaged, continue to participate. um your feedback on any and all of these issues is greatly appreciated and we really do try to answer um as many of the questions that you have. Also, if you have any suggestions on things that
we could do better or something that you're seeing around town that you'd like to see different or anything like that, you can always share those um things with us as well. And we do everything that we can to make Willingboro the bless the best place to
be. Um also had a couple other not um I do want to thank DPW for all of their hard work. Um on May 3rd we had the community cleanup. The Girl Scouts
showed out and forced to make sure our community was clean. Um and we also had a few residents come out. It wasn't as much participation as I'd like to see, but we do have we did have a good turnout. um we were able to give away
two mulching lawnmowers and two counter composters um to people that participated and all of that all of those uh community cleanup efforts are covered by our clean communities grant. So I just want to thank DPW for all of
their hard work and the residents that felt it not robbery to come out and help to keep Willingboro clean. Also, uh, thank you DPW for all of the flower planting and and mulching that was done on our major roadways. I think it's
a it's a imperative thing to keep the beauty of our township and the pops of color on those roadways. I know they bring a smile to my face and I hope they're doing the same for our residents. Um, thank you to the
recreation department. Um, on April 27th they had the phenomenal woman awards. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I did want to thank them for all of their hard work and putting that event together. And congratulations to all of the awardees um that received awards
that day. It is this community runs on woman power as you can see up here. So, so we appreciate and support all the women in our township. Um, and happy
early Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. Um, also a thank you to Miss Scott and the township clerk's office. She is a new employee of ours, um, but jumped right in and helped us with a
major digitization initiative. Um, so thank you for all of your hard work and again I want to thank Mr. Harris and the administrative team for all of their hard work on the budget. I know we had lengthy discussion on some of the budget
inclusions um tonight, but we really are working as hard as we can um for years. I know we've heard you know taxes keep going up but services aren't going up. Um, and we've been doing our best to increase services while optimizing the
budget. Um, I think this may be the cap for that. So, um, next year we may see something different, but this year we were able to, um, continue on with the good work that we've been doing and move this township forward in the right direction.
Um, and with that said, we do have executive session tonight. It will be about 20 minutes. Um, and I will move for that resolution. Thank you. There won't be any votes
afterwards. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, so with that being said, resolution 2025-128, resolution authorizing a closed executive session in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Acts. This will be for contractual matters, um, contractual and personnel
matters. Um, can I get a motion a second? So moved as well as attorney client privilege. Um, can I get a motion? A second. So moved. Moved by councilwoman Peron. Seconded by Councilman Anderson. Roll
call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Councilwoman Macintosh. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Yes. I just want to hear what you had to say. All right.
Can I get a motion to come out of executive session? Second. Moved by Councilwoman Mintosh, seconded by Councilman Anderson. All in favor? I. Okay. And I'd like to entertain a motion for adjournment.
Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilwoman Peron. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The time is now 10:27. Madam clerk, good night everyone.