Madame Clerk, the time is now 7 p.m. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, it's now 7 p.m. I'd like to call this regular township council meeting to order. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron, present. Councilman Anderson. Councilwoman Macintosh will be
absent this evening. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, present. Mayor Whitfield, present. Um for our prayer this evening, we are going to have
um our very own Mr. Gary Lowry III. Let us look to the Lord. Father God in heaven, we thank you, oh Lord, for allowing us to assemble one more time in the spirit of unity. God, we ask that you touch this body. Let them as they assemble continue to do the work of the people. Continue to do your work. God,
we ask that you bless each and every person in this space right now and bless the folks that are online and bless the folks that live in and play in Willingboro. God, we ask that you cover this town right now. We pray for your grace and your mercy. In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Mr.
Larry. Please rise for the flag salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Compliance statement. Notice was provided in compliance with chapter 23 231 of public laws of 1975 to the Burlington County Times, Trenton Times, and the Philadelphia Inquirer seeing the date, time, place, and the agenda to the extent it was known. Additionally, notice was filed in the office of the
township clerk. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to another wonderful council meeting. Um, this month we do have one proclamation for mental health awareness month and that will be read by Councilman
Nathaniel Anderson. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Why y'all act like I'm going to say something funny? I'm not going to say nothing. I'm just going to read the proclamation. All right. proclamation recognizing May as mental health
awareness month. Whereas mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being and affects how individuals think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. And whereas one in five adults
adults in the United States experience a mental health condition in any given year. And millions of children also face the challenges of living with mental health conditions that often go undiagnosed or untreated. And whereas stigma and misunderstanding surrounding
mental health conditions persist, preventing many people from seeking help and support and leading to unnecessary suffering and isolation. And whereas mental health awareness month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma, promote understanding,
and encourage early intervention and access access to mental health services. And whereas through education, outreach and open dialogue, we can foster compassion, create supportive environments, and promoted culture where
mental health is recognized as equally important as physical health. Now therefore, be it proclaimed, I, Samantha E. Whitfield, mayor of the Willingboroough Township, and on behalf of the council and the citizens of Willing Township, do hereby proclaim the
month of May as mental health awareness month in the township of Willingboro. And I encourage all residents to take time to learn about mental health, support those who are struggling, practice kindness and empathy, and advocate for improved mental health
resources and services for all. Let us work together to build a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed. Signed, Mayor E. Samantha E. Whitfield, Mayor.
Thank you, Councilman Anderson. And next, we have our Youth and Government presentation. So, today was Youth and Government Day in Willingboro. This year we decided to take on the initiative a little differently.
Previously we had our students from Willingboro High School come to the municipal building and sit with the departments, take a tour and learn how we do the work that we do here in Willingboro. Then they would come back in the evening and do a mock council
meeting where they would pass a um sample resolution. This year we took on the challenge a little differently. Instead of youth acting as government, we actually included youth in government. We explored a number of
different topics and had students from the high school come and share their thoughts, ideas, solutions, and challenges that may be presented as we move forward in Willingboro. And at this time, I'll turn it over to Dr. Worthy to speak a little more. Sure. Um, so we had
about um 20 youth join us from Bullenboro High School. Some are here this evening and I'll ask them to come up in just a moment. The topics that we explored today were sustainability, master plan and economic development, the library location,
public safety and community engagement and we are one willing and we had different township administration uh employees represented there. Mr. Harris, Mr. Lowry were there. We had um a partner from TCJ come out, Eliza
Messenger, uh Miss Michaela Sims, um from communications. We had Briana Colantani and from public safety, we had Detective Norris and Detective Hart. I was there, the mayor was there, and the clerk's office um set everything up, uh
which was really nice. So at this time I would like to call up the students who participated just to share um some of the things that you discussed today and some of your ideas that you brought forth during youth and government. So you can come up to the microphone if you
would share your name and your grade. Don't be shy. They weren't shy earlier. Don't be shy there. Okay, good evening. Good evening everyone. Good evening. My name is Daniel Simmons. I a senior at Williamboro High School. I will be
attending Dell State in the fall for accounting. And today was nothing but insight and information thrown at us. However, we tackled it very well. I was a part of the master plan in the public safety groups to briefly dive into the um or so pitches that we had when it
came to the master plan. Our main focus and theme pin and points were not only accessibility but also just the transportation to go with accessibility. The main problem is that we feel like everything in Willingboro is more so
hard to obtain if you don't have a car, you don't have a license, someone driving you around. It's very hard to get around to these places. We propose that if we can somehow bring some of these stores more so locally, whether that's us, I don't know, opening new places with um land that hasn't been
renovated, providing uh more students or even people with transportation, whether that's with bikes or more so putting emphasis on the shuttles, that could be a great change in order to stimulate more growth here as opposed to going into other towns and counties to more so shop for these things. And we also
thought that when it came to the promotion of these places locally, one of the great questions that the mayor brought up was how do we bring more people into Willing Brun to spend money here as opposed to going to these other places? And with promotion, although everyone does a great job with social
media, promoting them on Facebook, the app, whatever the case may be, we feel as if if there were maybe some more type of promotion tactics, whether that's with more mail or newspapers, people who don't necessarily access social media, we can get that out more. Maybe signs in front of the establishments or just more
so publicizing everything that we have going on. And with public safety, it was a good discussion. It was pretty brief. We just thought that if we want to have our community more safer and involved with them, obviously with the police force, we should just integrate them slowly by having them just be there,
present themselves as something that's welcoming, friendly, and although that may be hard at first because obviously people have skewer narratives on police, the police force, we can push to change that, bring everyone together. But that's all I have to say. Thank you, Daniel.
Good afternoon. My name is Ila. I'm a senior at Willing High School attending, sorry, I'm a senior at Willingboro High School attending Villanova University for environmental engineering and humanitarian sciences in the fall. Um,
one of the workshops we had at the Youth in Government program today was sustainability. That one really stood out to me as I'm an environmental engineering major. Um, basically in this workshop we were discussing like the different strategies they were coming up
with to make Willingboro more clean and overall sustainable to promote a better environment in our future and for our future generations. One of the main points that stood out to me was us working towards removing our carbon footprint. like there were a lot of energy
principles um underneath the strategies that she had presented to us. Basically just like working to reduce our carbon footprint by providing more public transportation using like electric vehicles including more solar panels within like our environments. um trying
to encourage people to um use like these batteries that can like fuel more than one like a big battery that basically like fuels multiple houses and overall just like different methods we could use to
decrease our carbon footprint. Very nice. Thank you. Hello, my name is Kamani Hansen. I'm a senior at Willingra High School and I will be attending Stockton for bio um bioengineering
who for molecular biology um in the fall. Um in our workshop we talked about how we can connect the community and bring people to Willingboro to want to stay here. Um, we talked about using um
the vacant spaces that we have, the vacant buildings, and repurposing them as recreational spaces that bring people that want to make people stay and participate in community. Um, we talked about having rec centers that could
encourage the youth to come and connect more and be more involved. Um, we talked about expanding on like sports, have something that brings people to Willingboro that makes them want to stay here and be here to attend.
Um, we talked a lot about about how we can utilize the space that we have, bring in retail stores that make people spend their money here so we can invest in the small businesses
and bring that community together. And yeah, thank you so much. So, as you can see just by the few representatives that we had tonight that the future of Willingboro is bright. I
hope that all of our students will go off to college and or trades and do whatever their heart desires, but definitely consider bringing your talents back home to Willingboro and supporting uh this community. We need
your young, brilliant minds. And it was so refreshing to have you in session today. So, thank you so much for all of your thoughts, your ideas, your criticisms, and um real critical and creative thinking as we approach some of
the topics that we're tackling here in the township. You have anything else, Dr. Wood? Um I'd echo the mayor sentiments and I did want to share um more specifically one of the solutions that the youth came up with and um it's
really in response to communication in the community. The session was one willing borrow and I thought it was wonderful to hear the students talk about how they could leverage their broadcasting media and film study class and they could use a junior and a senior
to be willing influencers. We we recognized and they recognized we have Facebook pages, we have Instagram, we don't have Tik Tok, but we do have um social media, but it's no one really pushing um the pages forward and how they could use a um junior and a senior
from that class to be the influencers of Willingboro, all things Willingboro, not just the school, not just the township. and they said they wanted to see that as part of the the curriculum in the class so that when they're creating all their marketing materials, they're practicing interviews. They're going around the
school instead of just going around the school, they could go around the entire community and work with the administration, the water authority and with the school district to really promote the things happening in Willingboro and then the students would own it. And they said then it could get to their Google classroom, which is
where it is for them to see it. Then it can get to parents as well as the community at large. And that's just one example of the many solutions that the students came up with. And then they said, "And we need an incentive to do this." So, we would like uh the senior to receive a scholarship in some amount
um at the end of that school year recognizing their work for um for promoting and being the influencer for Willing Brow. So, that's just one example of many. And the students, I agree with the mayor, we are in wonderful hands. Our students have wonderful ideas. They're insightful. We
just need to find more ways to include them in the conversations that we're having as we're trying to develop the willing world that they're going to raise their families and their grandchildren in. That's the willing burrow we're creating. And so, um, it was wonderful and it was very refreshing. Thank you, Madame Mayor.
Thank you, Dr. Worthy. And thank you again to the students that participated. We look forward to you continuing to stay involved and be more involved in all of the discussions that we have. We do have the youth advisory committee. So, I would encourage you to apply for
that. Um, and also don't forget to apply to the mayor's uh scholarship that is live on our website. Um, and we've only had a few applicants, so your chances are good. All right, we will move right on
into our manager's municipal updates. This is the point in the meeting where um our township manager will go through all of the work that has been going on over the past two weeks or the past month and provide updates from the
different departments. Mr. Harris, good evening, mayor and council members, members of the public. We're going to begin our report this evening with an update from our engineer, Mr. Russell Chapola, who's going to give you a synopsis of the different projects that
are ongoing here in Willing Barrow. Thank you, Mr. Harris. Good evening, Mr. Chapola. Good evening, Mayor. Deputy mayor left. Good evening, members of council and solicitor. Thank you for having me this evening. Excuse
me. Attack me here. Um, I was impressed by the speeches that they made, by the way. It's a tough act to follow, but I'll try. Uh, thank you for having me this evening. I'd like to start out with the concrete repairs that have been completed by the Think Pavers
Construction Company except for uh two bridges that we have, Penny Packer Drive and Vans Skyver Parkway. Uh, but there are some change orders that are expect or a change order that is expected due to incorrect sidewalk quantities that were found at the
JFK John F. Kennedy uh way and veteran sidewalks. And also there are anticipated uh deteriorated bridge conditions that were probably going to uh make us have a change order for those since it's been three or four years since the bridges
were looked at. Uh for the performing arts center, I spoke today with Jim Mullen. Uh he's the project engineer for Penoni Associates who's managing the job. Uh we are still waiting on two change orders and it's been waiting for a while now for
additional fire protection and electrical work. Today I sent uh an email um somewhat tur but um accommodating to Levy Construction to try to get them to move on this and move off dead center and he he replied that
they're waiting on their subcontractors for pricing. So, I'm trying to get that squared away because we are running out of time to get this work done. I confirm that the seating is coming in uh on or about June 12th, which is a little
different, Mr. Harrison, what you said, but Jim Jim Muller said it was June 12th. He said the painting in the theater is complete and also all painting in the stage areas, I'm sorry, the painting in the theater and the stage areas will be completed next week.
I apologize for that. Our original fire protection and electrical work though is complete. And we did receive a letter um that we requested from Pinoni which will justify us going over the maximum 20% of
the contract value in order to have our change orders approved. So we should be in good shape with that. Uh Mr. Mullins said that phase 2 drawings are almost complete and he'll submit them to us and council for review. And he also
mentioned I'm not aware of this or privy to this but he mentioned that um Mr. for Bobby Ducket may be requesting a project status meeting next week. So, I'd like to attend that if if that comes to fruition. Um, hate to say, but we're
still waiting on quotes for the raised walkway uh for pedestrian crossing out here in front of the municipal complex on MLK Drive. And we're also waiting for a price for the concrete logo pad replacement. Um, at this time the
contractor think papers has been nonresponsive. So, our contact at Penonia is trying to get other contractors to to may give us some quotes on this. Um, we received a proposal, a
single proposal from TNM Associates for a watershed improvement plan that's part of the MS4 storm water permits. Um, I'm waiting on further um approval and go ahead for that. It is a significant amount of money. It's $64,000. So, I
will be telling TNN that it is going to be on hold until further notice. Uh, for the phase 3 I bank application, we have 23 roads. Um, but we have put that on hold pending review of the total bond amount uh to be placed
through an ordinance. Our current estimated total for the roads, including all contingencies, uh, design, construction, and other, um, fees imposed by IB Bank, it's it's about $4.4 million. It was originally higher
than that, but it was 7.4, but we reduced it down. And I'm trying to verify with PSEG that their roads that they're currently working on are the the same roads that we're going to be um that they're not going to be doing those roads as part of their work next year.
So, I want to make that clear. The Penoni uh company has been or will be awarded tonight a contract for the application through NJ DOT municipal aid for five roads and they are East Lane,
East Gate, Tallwood, Maragold Lane and Rose Street. And just want to make sure you understand this is just for the application not for design everything. Um, I applied um few weeks ago to the New Jersey Water Bank for an IBank
loan to help alleviate the storm water issues in the Babit Babot and Ballford Lanes area. Uh, this week I sent out RFPs for what's called a project report. This is the first phase
of this application process and there's many phases from what I can see. Uh we we sent out the RFP RFPs to Penoni Engineers, uh CME and Associates, TNM Engineers, and Remington and Vernick
Engineers. Regarding the senior center library edition, uh we are currently in the process of requesting from Alimo and Associates um their review of their price that they proposed for the phase 2
corridor area. we felt that it was high for the amount of work that was included in the scope. So we will be working with them and they seem very um cooperative in getting you know looking at their numbers and sharpening their pencils on
that and and that same in the same vein phase one of the original contract is is continuing. I'm in the process of getting quotes for the asbestous and lead investigations for this additional area in the corridor or phase two. And
correct me Mr. Harris, it's from it to the senior center. Is it about 150 ft of corridor that we're going to be getting additional uh work done for? And I've also confirmed that Ms. Foster has the
drawings for the original phase senior center and library um relocations and she's supposed to submit her comments to the drawings in order to alleviate speeding throughout the township. Um, I had met
with Chief Bucks, I guess a couple weeks ago now, and he gave me a list of streets that he thinks we should investigate and the number one priority street he feels is Evergreen Avenue near
the school and other streets and no particular order are Tyler, Middle, Milbrook, and Rockland. Based on this, I've been investigating various traffic calming products such as speed humps, not to be confused with a speed bump.
It's a gentle, more gradual um speed deterrent. So, um I've got one price so far from one company, Traffic Logix, and that's for $5,500 per speed hump. So, we would need four if we did it at that location. Two
approaching on each direction. I'm also looking at pavement management systems since the current one that we have with Pinoni will be expiring at the end of this year. I was involved in four virtual presentations last week by three
firms, Street Logic, Vosayiah and Violytics. And this will help us uh maintain a better understanding of the conditions of our roads in order for us to assess you how much money we want to spend each year to keep everything um
you know in in good working condition. And also um there was a presentation I was involved with for sidewalk management which pretty much does the same thing. They take photographs it just like a roadway. They take go around and take photographs of all the
sidewalks, come out with all the problems, the tripping hazards, cracks and anything like that. So we can again better prepare a budget for for um you know our our repairs. Um for the fitness fitness
court, I have a meeting planned a virtual meeting planned tomorrow with Mr. Holt and the owner of Diamond Construction, John Kovac. And we will be discussing the additional concrete quantities that were currently a dispute
on between what was um advertised and what was actually installed. So hopefully we'll get that settled tomorrow. Um, we will be awarding this evening a contract to Level Up Construction who will be doing the equipment
installations at the fitness court. So, looking forward to getting that done. Also, I expect to have a kickoff meeting soon with CME and Earl Construction for the Buckingham Drive rehabilitation and
CME is also doing the construction management for that project. Uh last week I had a kickoff meeting with TNM Associates engineers for the Edge Lane project improvements and that would be through our NJ DOT municipal
aid funding. Um we're I'm currently waiting on PSEG um and to finish their work in the all the streets that that they're doing around um the mostly the north and west part of the township so we can start u
the contract we currently have with Earl Construction to do 13 roads and that would be part of the phase 2 I bank roads um loan. Uh, as far as the Kennedy Center, I requested that Alimo engineer
Lionel Galiput put together a basically a pros and cons letter for concepts three and four. And that would be basically to compare a class 5 US ATF facility to a non USAT facility
uh for the multi-purpose field and track only. This would be to give us some idea if we want to use it for future revenue generation uh competition between other other schools and area fields and kind
of balance that with what the total expenditure cost would be. Uh Mil Creek Park, we were um notified a couple of months ago that we had historical pesticides potential on that site. So,
we have a contract with R&V to do field sampling and testing and I spoke with Doug Johnson today. He said the field sampling is complete and they're just waiting on the test results to get us a full report on that. So, hopefully we don't have to deal with any of
that historical pesticides. Um, RNV was also awarded the municipal stormwater management plan upgrade contract and he said today that they have not started on that contract. I found out a couple of weeks
ago that the Veterans Parkway bridge is getting closer to being replaced by the county. Uh they said it is currently under plans are currently under review for NJP permitting and I told the county
um the person from R&V who is handling that project to keep me in the loop because it's a major road through the township. So we want to know everything we need to know about traffic control and detours, things like that. And that is all I have. Thank you. Any questions?
Any questions from council? Be glad to answer. All right. All right. Thank you, Mr. Report. You have a good night. And as you can see, there was a lot of work going on in Willing Barrow.
So, from our finance department, the finance department reported total revenue collections at uh 2,73,000 through April 30th with 2,435,000 being derived from property tax. Uh despite these solid revenue
figures, April's expenditures total 4,149,000. Um which includes 1.6 million salary and wages, 433,000 in health insurance costs and over 1.2 million paid toward principal and interest obligations. And a routine dispersement
of 3.28 million was also made to the Willingboro Board of Education. And uh while our operations remain fiscally sound, um we are going to continue to monitor the the gap between our revenues and expenditures uh to make sure that that we are are
fully financially secure. Uh in our police department, April was a month of meaningful advancement for the Willingboro Police Department. Officer Jackson made department history as its first
LGBTQIA+ liaison, receiving specialized training in California. Our community engagement remained very strong with officers participating in the LEAD le conference and preparing for the youth police academy class number 15 and
supporting events like takeback day, active shooter seminars with churches and library collaborations. Our officers Young and officer Haynes received Alec A alle accolades um at the Pro Cops awards and these detectives will be honored for
their FBI joint investigation efforts. Uh officer development also continues through leadership programs and West Point command training. Some statistics for the police department for the period. 3,829 calls for service. Uh they
completed 570 motor ve 5 573 motor vehicle stops. They issued 375 summones. They made 102 arrests for all types. They investigated uh 72 motor vehicle
accidents and um did 26 school details and participated in 17 community policing uh events. The traffic unit continues its presence on major thorough affairs and school zones using data to
inform patrol deployment and traffic enforcement strategies. The fire department responded to several significant intown incidents including structure fires and a motor vehicle accident involving a building at Hazlewood Circle. Mutual aid was also
provided for four neighboring municipalities. The Citizens Fire Academy launched successfully with 11 residents enrolled and registration began for the upcoming youth fire academy. Training and public safety efforts were robust, including smoke detector installations with the Red
Cross and outreach at Alpha Baptist Church's health fair. Some notable inount events on April 4th, there was a residential fire at two Northgate. Primarily, the primary bedroom was fully involved. Also in April, there was an exterior fire at two Hazlewood Circle.
And then on April 29th, there was a major motor vehicle crash into the same Hazelwood residence. So that resident had a double whammy in a very short period of time. Uh they responded to five mutual
aid responses for this period. two in Burlington Township uh Delran Ed El Edgewater Park and Cinnamonston providing fire suppression and rescue support in those municipalities. Some statistics for fire
and EMS uh fire department responded to 104 events. Total EMS calls were 729. EMS revenues collected this month were $73,420. They installed 41 smoke CO
detectors and they also participated um in eight public events. Uh the department also partnered with the American Red Cross for a fire safety campaign in Written House Park. Uh I guess that's going to happen or
happen on the 17th furthering uh our commitment to resident protection. And one of our engines, number 1612, is currently out of service due to a front axle tie rod being broken. And we are waiting for quotes for that repair. In
our Department of Public Works, uh they completed some deep cleaning operations at the JFK Senior Center and addressed lighting and roof repairs at key municipal facilities. Preparations began for an in-house pesticide program with
initial employees scheduled for core training in May. The department submitted its annual MS4 stormwater report and received praise in its GIF control loss survey for strong safety management
practices. Uh routine operations continue across storm water basin maintenance, trash collection, recycling support, and signage repair. Street sweeping was temporarily paused due to mechanical issue but is expected to resume shortly. And some statistics for
public works, they collected 217 bags of trash. Uh emptied 370 32 gallon gallon trash cans and 63 55gallon trash cans around the municipality.
Um delivered 11 recycling carts. um and did a number of other things like collect remove um deceased animals and things like that. They did collect 15 cubic yards of debris from sweep street
street sweeping activities that did occur and they removed 134.5 tons of tree debris which equated to about 23 loads as well as inspected 649 storm
water basins of which 404 were clean. Uh, our DPW submitted an application and was approved for the EV incentive program through PSCNG and we are in the process of quantifying the value based on the scope of work by the installer.
We are looking to install two EV charging stations at Mil Creek Park. um we had some leftover grant monies and we did include um some monies in this capital and along with this grant we will be able to install those two
charging um EV charging stations at Mil Creek Park hopefully over by the Futura House. Public works is also looking to replace the rotted doors at our pools and purchase new canopies at the country club pool as well as repair the broken
fencing along Veterans Parkway and other critical locations in Willing Barrow. And there are some resolutions on the agenda for those activities. In our inspections department, the inspections department handled
1,826 total inspections in April. They issued 881 violations, closed out 773 cases. A total of 60 summones were issued. Uh significant construction and zoning activity generated
$75,256 in revenue. Notably, the department processed 217 construction permits. That's a pretty significant amount. Um 166 zoning permits and conducted 150 resale and rental inspections. So the team also managed uh
vacant property registrations and foreclosure tracking and uh continue to uh bring great service to the residents uh through uh code enforcement and property maintenance enforcement. Our community and affairs
and senior services. This department delivered a wide variety of programs aimed at promoting health, wellness, and food security. Over 400 lb of food was distributed during the weeks. um by way of the mobile pantry and Ruckers University provided smart eating
education sessions for seniors in our community. Senior services also included exercise and crafting classes, hospice care presentations, legal services referrals, and on-site ID assistance uh from the Burlington County Sheriff's
Office. They are also um hosting a Real ID um event in the senior center. If anyone uh is in need of a Real ID, which is going to be required if you plan on doing any type of traveling on a
airplane, uh you can get in touch with the senior center to schedule an appointment. our human resources department. Uh they oversaw the onboarding of three new employees in April. One clean communities ambassador and two full-time
public works laborers. Uh the department continues to manage personnel records and uh I will announce this evening that one of our firemen, Mr. Michael Cron will be retiring at the end of the month um or taking an early deferred retirement and he will be moving to
Alabama to continue his fire career um down there. So, we wish him well in his life's transitions. uh our recreation department. Although um most of their information is charted summaries that are included on the full
uh report, they uh continue to report consistent activity uh across program enrollment and facility rentals. They will be implementing a new senior's gold Zumba class and a regular Zumba class and
reinstituting the chess club. So any interested residents should visit the recreation department or their website for more information. Our vital statistics office issued 164 birth certificates, 38 marriage certificates, five death
certificates during April. Six marriages were officiated by the township and these services play a crucial role in maintaining accurate public records and supporting the residents needs. And those are all of the uh items that I'm going to report to you this evening. But
I will ask Mr. Lowry to come and present the goings on in Willing Barrow uh while Miss Jackson is uh attending a communication conference in Pittsburgh. Mr. Lowry, good evening again. Good evening,
Mr. Lowry. on behalf of Miss Jackson. Won't be able to project as she does, but I will give it a great shot. Uh, families with children ages 9 to 14 are invited to a family nights program series 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 setting, family meetings, and discussions around important topics such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and coping skills. Registration is required,
and families who register will receive $150 for participating. We will kick off our Friday Night Live series um with the gospel artists New Beginnings on Friday, May 23rd, and our makeup date will be May 30th with uh Diani Diani Star. The
concert will be held at the amphitheater beginning 700 p.m. Residents are encouraged to arrive early and reserve a good spot to enjoy the evening. As a reminder, guests must bring their own chairs and are welcomed to bring their own food and beverages. However, there
will be food trucks or options at each event. A food vendor will be on site. Join us as we kick off our six week music series leading up to the jazz festival. Country Club Pool is scheduled to open on Saturday, May 24th, Memorial Day weekend. Country Club Pool will be
open on weekends from 11 to 5 until daily operations begin in June. On Monday, May 26, we will host our annual Memorial Day observance at 11:00 a.m. at Mil Creek Park. The inaugural Mayor's Golf Classic will be held on Thursday,
May 29th. We're happy to report that this event is sold out, but we do want to encourage our young people to apply to the scholarship opportunities that are now available on the website. Deadline is Friday, May 30th. All students residing in Willingboro are encouraged to apply. Information is
located on the website. Um, looking ahead, all are invited to our Junth celebration on Saturday, June 21st, uh, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. also at Mil Creek Park. Um I would also like to
include that we are expanding our will connect capabilities. Um we are incorporating um the ability to apply for applications digitally um as opposed through through PDF forms. Um folks will be able to apply for various um
applications that are located in the clerk's office, land use applications, dog licenses, um a multitude of other licenses in the clerk's office. also um applications within the rental resell office and inspections department, our special events form, our block parties application. Um and of course, we'll be
adding other applications that um are relevant and applicable um to the app as well. They will also be able to do that on the website. Um it'll have a back-end workflow that works where staff can track it that way so our residents won't have to go from department to department
to drop off applications. We're trying to make things more seamless and efficient here in the township. Um, as always, this information can be found on our website, social media platforms, our YouTube channels, or by subscribing to the Willingboro Weekly. Thank you. Thank
you, Mr. Lowry. Any questions? Any questions from No, but I do want to say thank you to all of the council employees for the tremendous work that you continue to do. Um, without you, Willing would not run
and I'm so excited to see all of those forms be digitized. I know that's something that the council has been asking for for years and this administration got it done. So, We are excited about that. Thank you all for
your continued hard work. We encourage you to keep sharing your ideas and thoughts on improvement with the council so that we can keep going for Mr. Harris. We can go on to our
So the business being presented to you for this evening is ordinance number 2025-6 which is uh for public hearing and final adoption. This ordinance is to establish compensation benefits and other policies for non-union employees
um unclassified employees and elected officials of the township of Willingber. So persons do not get confused. Um this was the prior ordinance that we have been um discussing and working on. Um we
are requesting that this particular ordinance uh be rejected and we would like to simultaneously or introduce um the new modified ordinance with the with the new language as ordinance number 2025
um-9 which is also on your agenda for this evening. Uh also for public hearing and final adoption is ordinance number 2025-8. This is the bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of
Willingboro. Um we are appropriating $3 million for these activities and authorizing the issuance of $2,850,000 in bonds or notes to finance the part parts of the cost related. um
there too. Um the directors did come previously and make the presentations and if anyone has any subsequent questions, they are here again this evening to answer your questions. Uh resolutions being presented for your consideration is
resolution number 120 which is the approval of vouchers for payment and ratification. Resolution 130 is a resolution authorizing the township to establish a not to exceed contract for OTC. Mr. Chapman, remind me what OTC is
again. Thank you very much. They're going to be supplying for us recycling carts and the recycling dumpster for the Department of Public Works. And yes, that will include large size uh recycling containers and
the smaller ones as well. Resolution number 131 is a resolution authorizing an execute the execution of an amended shared service agreement between the township of Willingboro and the county of Burlington
for the installation of automated light automated license plate readers um equipment on existing traffic signals and located at various intersections in the township. We did receive a grant uh for those automatic license plate
readers and this resolution just uh amends a previous um shared service agreement with the county regarding the installation and the maintenance of that particular equipment
uh their responsibilities and our responsibilities. So that is what that resolution pertains to. Resolution number 132 is a resolution authorizing Willingboroough Township to establish a not to exceed contract with Frank Lurch
Demolition Company LLC for the demolition of the uh pole barn in the Department of Public Works. Resolution number 133 is a resolution authorizing the township to award a not to exceed
contract for consolidated steel and aluminum fence company uh in a contract a New Jersey state provided purchasing cooperative contract uh for fence uh installation and I believe that
is around [Music] 40 42. Let me get the $44,500. So, you may notice um various fencing in the municipality is kind of
damaged and needs repairing. That's what this resolution is going to provide for. Resolution number 133 is establishing a I just went through that. Resolution number 134 is authorizing a change order number one for a contract
with Diamond Construction for the construction of the outdoor fitness court studio concrete slab. The slab is poured, but next to the slab, there is a little gully that goes between the pad
and the parking area, and we need to provide a a concrete um access for handicap access. So, that's what this particular $3,500 is for. Resolution number 135 is the
approval to submit a grant application and execute a grant contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for East Lane and East Gate Lane Road improvements. Those are the ones that Mr. Chapola did mention in his uh
report. Similarly, resolution number 20 2025-136 is for the same for Maragold Lane and Rose Street and Tallwood Lane road improvement programs. And just for your understanding, um we are only allowed to submit
applications with a maximum of 350,000. However, we are able to submit two applications during the the funding cycle. So we submitted the one for three a little over a little under 300,000 for
east lane and east gate lane and similarly for um Rose Maragold and Tallwood Lane. And then resolution number 137 is a resolution authorizing the township of Willing to award a a cont a contract a community development
manager contract in the amount of $45,000. And those are all of the items that are being presented to you this evening for your consideration. Thank you, Mr. Harris. Now, we will go into our first
public comment. This public comment is for agenda items only. If you would like to speak, please come up to the podium or raise your hand online, state your name and address, and we will take your comment and respond to all comments
after uh public comment has closed. Good evening, Mr. Brown. Good evening, George Brown, 103 Evergreen Drive. Good evening, Mayor Whitfield and distinguished council members. My name is George Brown, president of ASP Local
327. On behalf of Ask Me Local 327 membership, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the township council and the township administration for your partnership and responsiveness over these past weeks with respect to the
amendment of ordinance 2025-6. Your willingness to point out the importance of a sitdown meeting, hearing our concerns, and valuing our feedback demonstrates true leadership and respect for the men and women that serve this
township every day. By properly designating CBA eligible titles and ensuring the current employees in those position remain protected within ASME Local 327, you have shown that fairness and collaboration are more than words.
They are values that we live together. This spirit of cooperation paves the way for a strong, productive negotiation period where we can build a mutual trust and achieve even greater success for our workforce in our community. Thank you
for listening to Ask Me Local 327 and for proving that when we work hand in hand, we elevate the standard of service, morale, and confidence across Willingboro. Your commitment inspires us and I know
we will continue to accomplish great things together. I appreciate your time and the opportunity. Have a great evening. Thank you, Mr. Brown. Any other public comment? Good evening, Miss Holly.
Hello. My name is Sarah Holly. I'm at Nine Tunga Lane. I have a question for Mr. Harris. Mr. Paris, you referenced something about salaries or an increase in salaries for council members and then
you indicated that it was not passed. It didn't pass that there was a new a new ordinance that was I guess new ordinance that passed. I need further uh explanation on that please because my
concern if that's true about the uh increase and salaries for council my understanding is that in 2016 the council voted to give themselves the
same raise the same raise as the employees which is normally about 2 3% uh Currently, council members are paid about $20,000 per uh $20,000 per year. That's
more than any municipality in the county, including the county commissioners who only are paid $10,000. So for them to get the same increase as the employees, that's a
problem for us taxpayers, especially since they only have two meetings per month. And if they have committee meetings, maybe two or three a month, that's still too much money for them to have per year. We have
residents who probably working for the township crossing guards and and those type of position who are not even making $20,000 and the crossing guards work every day five days a week and maybe two
three hours a day. So how you counsel people going to make more money than them? That's a problem for the taxpayer. And this is my first time talking about it. I'll be back to talk about it again. And this started in
2016. Prior to 2016, that did not happen. That was not happening. Your time is up. I'm so sorry. Yeah. Good. I know my time is always up cuz y'all don't want to hear what I have to say. We have another public comment at the end and you'll have four minutes. Any other public
comment? Am I Hi. Am I being recognized? I'm sorry. Jada Jackson. Yes. Um Jada Jackson, 83 Tidewater Lane, Willingboro, New Jersey. I'm I'm happy to hear that
um the vote to move into um negotiations with our current employees is now going to happen. But I'm still confused. So, if we're doing that now and we haven't approved a plan, how are we justifying
having open um solicitation for new positions? So, will those positions that have been posted that are based off of a restructuring that hasn't been presented or approved come down until that process
is completed? Okay, thank you for your comment. We'll respond to all comments at the end of uh public comment. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment? Seeing none, public comment is now
closed. We'll address uh the comments that were made during this public comment. Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your statement. It is very important to us to work collaboratively with the union. Um and I think we did just that. I am so thrilled to have a s a certificate of
thanks from the union from the ask me local 3827 and I am going to frame it and put it in my office. So thank you so much. We also had a question about the salary ordinance from Miss Sarah Holly.
Um, Miss Sarah Holly, this salary ordinance did not include any increases um to the uh council salary. Mr. Harris, would you um elaborate on that a little
bit? So this salary ordinance um generally gives a 3% increase of cost of living adjustment to uh all of the employees that are included therein and it is also
for the elected officials as well. Um because the the increase is uh attributed to all of the persons that are are in the salary ordinance which is in line with the same increases that most of our employees have been
receiving under their collective bargaining agreements. Oh those are fixed. Yes. Okay. So those are fixed to your carousel. Let's just repeat that correction. Um, let the record reflect Mr. Harris said
my bad. And that was um he misspoke on that. The salary ordinance or this salary ordinance does not reflect any increases to council salary. Um we worked very hard to
um stabilize the tax base and we did not want to cause any of that increase or have that be um caused by due to council salary increases. It was originally
proposed as um an increase to council the same as the other employees in this salary ordinance, but that was one of the very first amendments that we made um to keep council salaries flat. And I'll just ask
Mr. Harris to confirm that. That is a a confirmation and and I do apologize for um misspeaking and and we were actually talking about this this morning and I have been working in municipal
government operations for over 20 years and I will tell you this governing body has probably be the most engaged active council that I have ever seen participate in in daily activities that
are going on in the community. You are at meetings several days during the week. I know the mayor, you were here from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 today taking care of your duties. So, um, you know, I'm just saying from an
administrative standpoint, this governing body is actively engaged and working for this community. Thank you, Mr. Harris. We also did have a question from Miss Jada Jackson about um open solicitation
for new positions and can you speak a little to that? So the positions that Miss Jackson is referring to um I believe have been removed from the new um salary or from the new proposed
salary ordinance. Those positions will be handled individually in the restructuring ordinances. So when we go ahead and move forward with the restructuring, we will include any pertinent positions uh related to that
in those ordinances. All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Harris. I hope uh those answer the questions from the public. And at this time, I will ask for uh council to
indicate if there are any resolutions that you would like to pull from a consent agenda. Yeah. None [Music] council. All right, Madame Clerk. Um, we
can go on to ordinance 2025-6. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, just for clarification, both ordinances are in your packets. Um, I don't want you to get confused. Uh, page seven is the old
salary ordinance and page 57 is the new salary ordinance. Just so you I wanted you to have both so you could With that being said, um, ordinance 2025-6, um, I'd like to get a motion for
ordinance 2025-6 titled ordinance to establish compensation benefits and other policies for non-union employees, unclassified employees, and elected officials of the township of Willingboro. This is the old ordinance, the original one that was introduced on
April 1st. That has never been passed. So moved. Second moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Any discussion for clarity? That ordinance did fail at the last meeting. So, what do you ask?
The amendments failed, but this ordinance is still on the table. Okay. Yeah. Explain to. All right. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Peron, no. Councilman Anderson, no. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy.
No Mayor Whitfield. No. Thank you. And then moving on for ordinance or I I apologize. Nope. We have one more ordinance for public hearing and final adoption tonight. Um ordinance 2025-8. I'd like to open open the public hearing
on ordinance number eight titled bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Willenboroough and the county of Burlington, New Jersey appropriating $3 million therefore and authorizing the issuance of
$2,850,000 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. If anyone um would like to come forward and comment, the public hearing is open on this ordinance only. Again, the public hearing is now
open on the bond ordinance number 2025-8. Is there any public comment online? Sarah Holly. Sir Holly again, first of all, the young lady that's reading the ordinance, she needs to talk into the
mic because we cannot hear her or as I used to tell my students, use her outside voice. We can't hear her. So, I need for her to repeat the ordinance and the explanation of the ordinance. And that after she does that, I'm requesting
that I'm allowed to come back on to talk about the ordinance. Thank you. I'll read the title again. Mrs. Holly, I apologize. I still can't hear you. I still cannot hear you. You need to speak into the mic.
Mrs. Holly, we could be cordial in the meeting. And I can't hear you either, Sam. I mean, Mayor Whitfield, I can't hear you either. I can barely hear you. And when you say be cordial, I'm not
quite understanding what you mean by that. I normally have a loud voice anyway. So, I'm not going to talk quietly like this lady who's reading the information because I want everybody to hear me. So, she should do the same
perhaps. Dustin, can you hear me, Miss Holly? I can hear you better, but a little lighter. Louder would be nice also. And miss, I'm not um talking about you. I'm just talking
about the process. I can't hear you. There's something We're going to have her title one more time and then we'll allow you to comment. Madame clerk. Thank you, Madame Mayor. This is ordinance
2025-8 for public hearing. Ordinance providing for the various capital improvements in and by the township of Willingboroough and the county of Burlington, New Jersey appropriating three $3 million therefore and authorizing the issuance of
$2,850 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Miss Holly, this is your um public hearing sign.
Uh and thank you, uh Madame Mayor. And again, my concern is that the um the clerk, I suppose, should speak loud loud enough so that the residents can hear her and understand the explanation
that's being given. And be quite honest, I uh have a concern about you, Madame Mayor, talking about me being civil. I'm a taxpayer. I paid your $20,000. Do you have a public comment on this
bond ordinance, Mrs. Holly? No, because my my concern was I didn't hear the explanation. Had I heard the explanation, I would not have spoken on it anyway. No, I do not have a concern, but she needs to speak up. Okay, thank you so
much. Is there any other public comment? On ordinance 2025-8? Yes. Can I be recognized? Sorry. Yes, Mr. Jackson. Hi. Um, Jada Jackson, 83 Tidewater Lane. I don't I don't know what just happened. Um I'm also as you
know on the phone but there was a shift in volume um because I also raised my hand because I didn't I didn't know what was being discussed but um so thank you for repeat for repeating it um and whatever changes happened um seem
to have resolved the issue uh for both mics. But I I do have a question. So the positions that have been posted that a clarifying question the positions that have have been posted that are M for the
bond ordinance. Oh I'm sorry. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment on bond ordinance 2025-8? Miss Mattie Mallerie. Uh yes, Mattie Mallerie. Uh I too have a
concern about hearing and this has been an issue and uh like uh Miss Holly stated that uh when Mr. Harris responded, I couldn't hear him and um I can't hear the clerk and I don't know if
they're microphones or good microphones or what, but we can't hear what's being said. So, you know, I think that's a disadvantage to us. And that's all I have to say about that. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Mallerie.
Is there any other public comment on salary or bond ordinance number 2025-8? Seeing none, public comment is now closed. Madame Clerk. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Can I get a a motion and a
second to finally adopt uh ordinance 2025-8? So moved. Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Peron. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes.
Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. All right, moving on to ordinances for introduction. This is the new salary ordinance that is just being introduced
tonight. So with that being said, ordinance 2025-9, can I get a motion to introduce ordinance to establish compensation, benefits, and other policies for non-UN employees, unclassified employees, and elected unofficials of the township of
Willingboro. So moved. Second. Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Peron. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor
Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion for a consent agenda for resolutions 2025-129 through 2025-137. Second.
It's been moved by Mayor Whitfield and seconded by Councilman Anderson. Any discussion on the consent agenda? Seeing none, roll call. Councilwoman Peron, yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy,
yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you. Can I get a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilman Anderson.
Was that Councilman Anderson or Councilwoman Per? I think they said it at the same time. Sorry. I second it. That's fine. Councilwoman Peron, second. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron,
yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you. Approval of minutes. Can I get a motion in a second to approve the minutes of May 6, 2025? That's will be a executive session and a
regular meeting. So moved. Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Seconded by Councilman Anderson. Councilwoman Pron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy.
Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Your updates. All right. Nice and loud. Yep. All right. So, my updates for you this evening. Um, mayor and council, primary election day is right around the
corner. Um, your bimonthly reminder of important dates. The deadline to register to vote is actually today. I do have some last minute applications in the back if you'd like. As long as I date stamp them by today and send them to the county, they will be good to go.
So, if you still need to register, please don't leave without giving me the application. Um, deadline to apply for vote by mail and ballot through the mail is June 3rd. But if you want to go to the county to vote to apply for a vote by mail it in p vote by mail and ballot
in person, you have until 3 p.m. on June 9th. Early voting is at the library from June 3rd to June 8th. And then primary election day is Tuesday, June 10th from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at all your regular polling locations. Nothing is
changing there. Um, a flyer has been created for resident residents that's circulating with important voting information. There are copies in the back as well as it will be on the Willingboro weekly and on social media. Additionally, the county has released a video to circulate to the public to
explain how to vote on the voting machines if residents plan on voting in person on election day. This is a super helpful tool to get people more comfortable and confident in voting on voting day. And um there's a couple hard copies in the back of that flyer as
well. Since our last council meeting, we have issued 15 new solicitor permits. Um, the companies that are now allowed to legally solicit in town are Allied Experts, which has two people, Home Solutions, which has one person, Green Exterior Solutions, which has one
person, Homes Smart has one person, Eco Shield is the big one. They all came in at the same time. They have now 11 people that have passed all of their um background checks and everything and are allowed to legally solicit. And then Top Line Roofing has three people. I know
this is a pretty big adjustment from the last meeting. Um I don't know what the will of the council is, but if you are would like to look into putting it a cap on solicitation permits or look into that ordinance a little more, I'm willing to do that for you. I just want
to know what your um mindset is. I just I know it was a big influx kind of quickly. Um and then other than that, I just want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Memorial Day weekend. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Any questions
from council for Madame Clerk? Seeing none, um we do have some unfinished business to take care of this evening. I will turn it over to Councilman Anderson for updates on the golf outing.
All right. Um as Mr. Lowry mentioned earlier, this event is sold out. We have 29 sponsors who have donated at different levels for a total of $21,775 which includes between 15 and 17
of our local businesses. Uh we've reached our goal of 72 golfers. Uh we took in 5,250. Uh as of today, the total amount collected uh which also includes I think three
checks that are outstanding but they've already been committed. They're just finalizing their processes uh is $27,025. the golf event, our vendor course was roughly 15,000. Uh, Noo-Noo Foundation, who is the agent handling um the
collections as our 501c partner, is getting roughly 2702 and 50 Cent. And then the POS system they use, which is called Stripe, they get I think 2.99% off every transaction, which is about $250. So, the total expenses are
approximately $18,000, which gives us approximately $9,000 in scholarship monies to give out. Uh during the course of the tournament, there will be different games of chance, which will also allow us to generate additional revenues. uh
some of the uh winnings. The golf course has uh agreed to give two uh two free games to the winner of the men's and the women's which is a game of 18 holes each. Um the township has uh given
umbrellas along with swag bags. We've had golf hats donated. Um, Golf Galaxy is donating a carry-on bag, a walking bag, rainsuits, and some additional golf items. Um, Mr. Aaron
Davis had a bunch of golf stuff in his garage, which we've collected to be able to give out uh as prizes, and Corona uh has given us bottle openers. So, we're still collecting gifts. Um, at the end of the day, we did extend the
opportunity for the scholarships to the end of the month, at which time after the tournament, we will go through the scholarships, see what the criterias are, and it's our goal to award those uh winners um an opportunity to come to council meeting and be acknowledged and
given those scholarships at that time. But the main thing, oh, most of all, it's going to be 77 degrees, 18% chance of rain. All right. So, it's a great event. Success sold out. And I I have to give a big thank you to the golf committee. All the members on the golf
committee. Just thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That's it. Thank you, Mr. Harris or Councilman Anderson. Sorry. Not the same.
Thank you, Councilman Anderson. But thank you, uh, Councilman Anderson. We'll move right along. Getting late. Was better than Miss had a full day. Was better than Councilwoman Anderson. Yeah, we were stepped up. We stepped up.
We also have on unfinished business the restructure ordinances. those restructure ordinances um the revised versions uh have been included in the back of your packet for your review. I encourage you to look over them
thoroughly and if you have any other questions um please feel free to ask. Now um we did have Mr. Lowry and Mr. Hall had some extensive conversations on amendments to these ordinances and we
have also talked with labor council and uh really made sure that this is the best decision for Willingboro. Um does anyone have any questions or would like to add anything on this? Dr. Worthy. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um
I just wanted to um make a few comments. Um I wanted us to just uh consider how we got here with the restructure. Just taking a step back. Um when we did the strategic plan and passed that as a body um when we re revisited our mission and
vision for Willingboro, um we also established core values for Willingboro. This restructure dates back to then. So that is circa 2021 um when those conversations um began. and I just prepared a few remarks um so I don't get too passionate. So um I wanted to
revisit an important and forward-looking step we are um looking to take one that aligns with our mission to provide a desirable and resilient neighborhood for residents, businesses, and visitors alike which includes a strategic restructure for
Willingboro Township designed to optimize services and enhance service delivery to our community. This initiative is grounded in the power of willing borrow and that goes back to our strategic plan where the acronym power is there which represents public safety
and wellness optimizing our financial strategies a well-connected and educated community economic development and reliable future ready infrastructure guided by our core values of going back to basics. We are embracing betterment
through innovation, holding ourselves accountable, delivering high quality service with integrity, collaborating across departments, and pursuing success not just for today, but for generations to come. This restructure is not about
change for the sake of change. It is about thoughtful planning that prepares and positions Willingboro for long-term growth. together. Let's continue to make Willingboro better, not just for today, but to posture us for success for future
generations. And I also wanted to add that as we look at the the ordinance that has been put forth for the restructure, um what you may consider, I know I thought about it myself, is um what happens to all the things that are occurring um in some of the departments
that aren't specific to a role. So, for instance, um over in senior services, they also do a lot of lobbying on behalf of Willingboro. They go out and pursue uh funds for Willing Brow. They they go to um different places in on mass. If
you see the seniors show up, they show up like as groups. Um and there's work that happens that's not really a function of senior services per se, but it's work that is there that gets done even though it's not um neatly nestled
within that. And so I know I began to wonder what happens to the the knowledge that's there, what happens to um the work that's done that isn't neatly cast into um a role. And um I mentioned to council a few meetings ago and I just
wanted to revisit um possibly creating a government affairs role or government consultant role as a part-time position um that would capture those things. So we have um an employee that already goes up to Trenton. they already go to county meetings. They already are petitioning
on behalf of Willingboro. Um and so the work is already being done, but with the restructure, there's not a neat place to put government affairs, um as a position. So, um I just asked that council would consider a contract role so we could, you know, just to think
about that. Um I drafted up a copy. I will give you the hard copies and of course I can email you the electronic copy if you'd like for further consideration. But as we are looking at the restructure um particularly for um recreation and wellness because that
will embody the entire demographic of Willingboro, the young people, the middle age, the seniors. Um there's not a neat place to put uh government affairs. So I just wanted to add that to the conversation for consideration. I'm sure council members are considering other things as well. So I just wanted
to add mine um to the discussion this evening. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Dr. worthy and I think um when we make changes in this manner I think sometimes it's position that we're just trying to shake things up but if you
have been following the journey of this council over the last 5 years you know that we are thoughtful we are strategic and we really put a lot of thought into the decisions that we make here on the deis um this is not something that has
come out of the blue This is something that has been talked about since 2021. Um, and we're excited for the growth and change that uh, this restructure can promote in Willingboro Township. As I
said, the resolutions or the ordinances are included in your packet for review and um we do have some time to take questions and get any questions answered um before uh they make it to the agenda.
Councilwoman Pong. Yes, thank you. Um with regards to this topic, um I hope I'm audable. Everybody can hear me. Um, with regards to this topic, um, the restructuring was not something that I was in favor of. So, I want to make sure
that that's clear because I know there um, there have been quite a few meetings where it's been discussed that we've talked about this is the first time. This is something that you wanted uh, Deputy Mayworthy. This is something that you thought the township needed, the restructuring. This is something that
you wanted us to hear you. Here's your idea. And so, we're looking at it. I want to make sure that that's clear. So, with what you provided to me, I do have some concerns because it's things like um how it says um and it's okay to have ideas. I'm not putting you down. You
wouldn't tell me your ideas and I wouldn't know. So, please don't understand this. Don't take it as criticism. um with regards to the list that you have here from A to G. Um the first one say stating the office of the township manager and then there's a uh a paragraph describing of what he should
do when it comes to our code and orders of operation. The township manager already has his duties and it's stated in the New Jersey law handbook. So we don't create to decide what he should do. It's already written. Then you move
down to other areas like office of information technology and then there's a paragraph of what and I'm purposely not reading it for the sake of time. Um I guess did everyone in the audience receive this? Is this or is this is only ours? I'm asking this is a topic for unfinished business. Okay. So everyone
has not received it then. So you know um uh it says here the smaller one office of the information technology shall manage and maintain the township's technology infrastructure including hardware software data management cyber security. It will ensure that all departments have
technology tools necessary for efficient operations and communications. That's what they already do. So this is not changing anything. This is what that department does. Um and I so I'm not sure when you say office of technology,
office of human resources, um the we have departments that are identified in these particular categories. Um office of the vital statistics that department already exists. So is it because you want to add the word office to these
departments? because these positions, these titles are not new with the exception of and I still have an issue with the title that you want to include of the recreational wellness center so it can include the elderly and the and
the youth that I still find extraordinarily I it doesn't make sense to me. It's a recreation department and that is clear across the whole world. Anyone that has a recreation department, it's recreation. That's exercise, dance,
piano, music. It covers it all. It's not wellness. It's not It's not a gym. Wellness, think I think health and fitness. The recreation department has a gym. Everything is underneath that umbrella. I don't think that we need to change anything to add wellness to the
recreation department. So, as far as I see, and I did review this again, this is unnecessary. These changes don't make sense to me. And part of them are concerning because the law is already written as far as what the
township manager should be doing. And by you creating these restructuring, you're doing his job because that is the job of the township manager to run and manage the town, bring suggestions for change. we review it, approve it, vote it up or
vote it down. This process that you're doing, you're doing as if you are the township manager and that is a concern and I am not 100 again 100% I'm not in favor of you restructuring the township.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Peron. And just to clarify, this is not an initiative of just one person um and just operated in a vacuum of one person. There was close work um with the
township administration on some of the different structural needs and changes that were recommended um and those are included here. Additionally, in some of the code that we currently have, it is
not explicit on the jobs of those um departments. So, I know in operation and in practice, some of those duties may seem um like no-brainers, like they're supposed to be in there, that's what they're supposed to be doing, but in our
township code, they are not present. Um it does not specify that. And what that's one thing that we are aiming to codify in these ordinances is to ensure that the work that is being done in those departments is also captured in
the ordinances. Uh do we have any other comments? Councilman Anderson. Thank you, Mayor. All right. So, as far as the restructuring goes, I was in favor of the restructuring. I still am in favor of the restructuring, but as I
reviewed it, the only issue that I have is with the Department of Wellness and Recreation. What I don't want to see happen within this process, which I didn't see in any of the uh other departments, is I don't want to see longtime residents and employees,
uh out of a position. you know, we have some dedicated employees who've been here who, I mean, put the work in, and I just don't want it to be that they're not placed, they're misplaced, they're bumped out of positions. And, you know, we all know who, you know, we're
referencing. And as far as this goes, you know, that's going to be my fight tooth and nail because I'm all I'm pro employee, as everyone knows. So, within these other departments, I haven't seen that. as far as the possibility of
somebody being bummed, the possibility of them having to reapply for positions and so forth. So, when it came to this portion of the restructure, I I I like I said, I'm going to fight like hell. Okay. I'm going to fight like hell for these
employees. That's all. Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Rebuttal, Miss Vo, rebuttal. One second. Do you have any other council prime? Okay. So, I just wanted to point out again um as far as the
paragraphs that are written here. So, for example, the office of human resources, it says shall manage employee relations. No, that's the township manager. Um recruitment, yes, human resources personnel policies somewhat. And training and
development programs for the township employees, township manager. You see, so I'm I'm not trying to shoot it down just to say I'm not in agreement. This is messy because the township manager's roles and responsibilities are written
in the law and by creating this whole office, you you're taking the responsibilities of the township manager and placing it in other people's room of responsibilities. So again, words really
matter and yeah, these words are conflicting with the way the law is written. And I wanted to close here before I forget. Uh madame mayor, you mentioned um it's not in the code book. So I would like to see the code book placed in red, what's not there, how
you're improving what the code says because from my understanding of what I read in the code book, there's a lot of meat and potatoes in there. And you know, if it's going to improve it, let's keep the code there. Put the code here. Add in how this is deficient in this
code. As long as it's sticking with our the legal laws of New Jersey, you know. Um I don't see the code. I see here um is this a code 3-13 department division and offices? Because that's not what's listed on the code on the township's code. It's not listed like this. Office
of the public information. This is all new that you created. So, I don't see the code here is what I'm saying. So, if you can add that to I know we're just discussing this, but if you can put the code here and show how you're improving the code because it's lacking something
or it's lacking responsibility or we're we're not able to get the job done in the township because it's not there. Things like that I'd like to see. And because I would that would be more reasonable to me if you show the code as it exists.
speak to your point of the way it is, it's not working. Here's how we can add to this to improve it. That's not what you've given us here. You've given us your ideas of you sitting with the You said you sat with the township manager. Mr. Harris, have you sat with
me to review these um the restructuring? Have you ever had any meetings with me? Have I ever been invited to have I ever been in a meeting where I was there and somebody else in the council was there? No. I'm asking Mr. Paris. So I believe the I believe the governing
body had No, I meant was I there when not not in the council meeting. Has I have ever been at any meeting to discuss the restructuring where it's you and I? Yes or no? No. This not these are a hard question. I just want you to spit it out. Have I ever been at any meetings discussing this restructuring with me or
any other council member? With you and and just me and another council member and you? No. No. Yes. Okay. So again, this is your idea and I have been excluded from this. Okay? I am one of the council members and the only time I hear about this is when you bring it to
the table. Do you have a fir? Do you have a first? Do you have a second? All in favor? That's when I hear about it. So that's why No. Um, thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you, Councilwoman. You're most welcomed.
And as this is uh continuing unfinished business, um just to restate again, we have had since 2021 to have meetings to get to gain understanding to compare the
current ordinances to the proposed ordinances. We all have access to the current ordinances as does the entire community. Um and meetings have been um initiated, suggested, invites have been
sent out over this 4-year period um that have included you, uh Councilwoman Peron. Um I know I have been present in some of those meetings. I know Councilwoman
Macintosh has been present in some of those meetings. Um, I'm not sure if Miss or Councilman Anderson had any conversations about the restructure ordinance re restructure ordinances, but
that is still open. We still invite that discussion and this is not something that is up for a vote tonight. This is something that is on unfinished business and the time for us to discuss these uh potential changes. Deputy Mayor Worthy.
Thank you, Madame Mayor. um a few things. Um this isn't my just one big bright idea um for Willenboro. Although I do have um ideas and suggestions. The document that you're referencing that you're reading, I'm not the author of the document. It has been a
collaborative effort um working with the administration. We did have a redlinined version that was available last summer. Um so I I'll get with Mr. Lowry offline and see if we can find the old document where there were there were red line revisions where we went through and um
highlighted the things that we were proposing change to changes to just as you just mentioned. So that has happened but we'll go back and we can revisit that. In terms of the opportunities to have discussions with Mr. Harris, I take full advantage of his open door policy.
I go and see Mr. Harris. Um it's not weekly anymore, but for at least every two weeks, we sit down um for about an hour to go through whatever questions I have or find out what's going on um in the municipality. All council members have access to Mr. Harris to have those same discussions and if there are uh
issues or concerns about about anything or to get clarity about those things. Um, some of the things the things that you're saying aren't factual, but I respect your opinion and how you feel about it, but how we feel isn't isn't fact. Um, but in terms of the energy
around it sounds like all around Department of Recreation and Wellness, I value the contributions of employees. It has nothing to do with um people not making contributions. I value the the roles that people play in the municipality. I also I also appreciate
being able to leverage the talent that we have um in our township and making sure that we're able to provide a certain level of service to our residents while also maintaining the business of the municipality. Um from the restructure, no one's losing their
job. No one um from my understanding, people were not um losing money, and I'll go back to Mr. Harris to verify that. Um but it was my understanding that pay was not being displaced. If we're talking about preserving titles, if that's the conversation, then we
should have that conversation. But to try to have um to try to throw the entire thing away because of um us not being in agreement over a person and the title that they have in a role. Um I think that's a different conversation. The restructure is is just that. It's
dealing with the structure itself. It's not throwing the people away. It's not taking money from anybody. we that restructure absolutely doesn't do any of those things. So I respect my colleagues opin um their opinions but there was nothing done to um to diminish
employees. I asked Mr. Harris multiple times about funds. I asked him about different ways that um that pay may be impacted and he reassured me unless something has changed that money was not being changed employees their pay was not going to be uh wasn't going to be
impacted by this. Um that's all I have. Thank you madam mayor. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. We'll move our discussion along to the Burlington County Times redevelopment. That's something um that we've been working on for quite a bit of
time, trying to redevelop some land in town and really um spur our economic development. The Burlington County Times area is one that has been included in our redevelopment plan and we have
received a proposal from um a developer for some housing improvements. Um the proposal as it stands will include and some 100% affordable
apartments as well as newly constructed town homes as well as some of those town homes will be affordable designated as affordable as well. we will be meeting in executive session on this topic um to
discuss some of the next steps um that we will need to take in order to move forward with this. And then lastly on the agenda I have summer cookout. Is that something you wanted to discuss? Okay. Did you have I put it on the
agenda because it was brought up as new business last time and I didn't know if anyone had any followup on that from council. Yes, I actually mentioned it I believe at the last meeting. Um and the thought came about when we did the renaming of the uh Mari May
Lizzy Lizzy May Morris. I'm not the only one. Lizzie May Morris field. Uh it we thought it may be an opportunity for us to use the field uh possibly to do uh an event with the employees like a summer cookout, a softball game, maybe
departments against departments, but just to you know do something different. We have the field. We did all the work around it and you know just to put it in use. So it was a thought that was thrown out and I just wanted to bring it back to the table to see if it would be something of interest to the body.
Okay. Does anyone else have any discussion on that? I'm Council Member. Thank you. Um I'm in favor of that idea and I would like to possibly maybe um put together a small committee to orchestrate the the details
um um or if you want to do it through the township manager um but possibly moving forward with actual um production of planning it for this summer sometime. Um, that's what I would be in favor of doing.
Deputy Mayor Worthy, I support um doing the summer barbecue. I think it'd be a nice uh initiative um to do with employees. Okay. Anyone have any suggestions on budget for this event? Um I think um t-shirts should be
appropriate for the different, you know, teams if you're going to do um like a friendly game of competition. So maybe t-shirts, food should be budgeted. I don't have a number. I'm just saying like items to think of and pro possibly
um look at look up some numbers, but those are the items I would think would cause beverages, food, and maybe team t-shirts. Okay, maybe we can have administration just look at it based upon all the other events we do in the township just to give us some rough estimate of what we may be looking at.
Okay. Um, with that being said, it seems like this is a favorable idea. I'd like to make a motion to um appoint Councilman Anderson and Councilwoman Peron to a subcommittee um to um explore
the possibility of a summer cookout for the employees. Second. Motion by Mayor Whitfield, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman
Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you, um, Councilman Anderson and Councilwoman Peron for your continued dedication to the employees of the
township. Um, we look forward to a great event this summer. Thank you. Deputy Mayor Wy. Yes. I just wanted to add to the unfinished business. Um, a few meetings ago, we talked about um the summer program and the academic enrichment component that would be added
to the summer camp that's held at the JFK Center. Uh, Miss Marty Hill Parker will be providing an update with um names for teachers um who will be able to do the teaching portion in the mornings. Um so she'll be sending out an email Friday. Um she let me know today.
So, I just wanted to um to let you the council know that we're still on track for um the summer planning and for the in the summer enrichment portion to be added in the mornings. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Great. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Worthy. Um all right, moving on to new
business. Um under new business, we do have um one well, we have two points, but one of the points is um for our July and August council meetings. Traditionally, we've only had one
meeting per month. Um, in the months of July and August, it was advertised for two meetings. Um, so I wanted to uh get the approval of council to continue the practice of one meeting um per month for
the month of July and August. So moved. Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilwoman Peron. Um, just to clarify, this would be cancelling the second meeting of the month. So that
would be July 15th and August 19th. Okay. Roll call. The second, those would be the meetings we're cancelling. Are you okay with that? With the affordable housing
Then the beginning of the month meeting. Okay. So those meeting dates would be July 1st and August 5th. Those will be the ones that we would cancel instead. Is everyone okay with the second meeting
being our official meeting? Oh, I'm fine with it. I got sick days. I'm going to ask this. I'm okay with that. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So, will you um rescend your motion and
second? I I resend my motion. Rescending the second. Okay. I would need a meeting to cancel the first meeting of the month for the month of July and August. Those dates are July 1st and August 5th and
only have the second meeting of the month July 15th and August 19th for the months of July and August. Still moved. Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson,
seconded by Mayor Whitfield. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron, yes. Councilman Anderson, yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you. And then also on new business, we have
um the corner store ordinance. Mr. Harris, do you have anything on that one? that uh ordinance is being um modified to make some additional inclusions which will be ready for your consideration on
June the 3rd or 6th, whatever that meeting date is. Okay. And this ordinance is one that has come about. We've gotten a number of applications for additional corner stores within the municipality. There has been a petition
that was submitted to the zoning board um calling for a pause on the allowance of corner stores within the municipality. the inspections department
has um taken that uh community uh voice and helped to structure an ordinance that will um be more favorable for the development of our town. Um not allowing corner stores within a certain distance
of each other. Um and also hoping to add some LED light regulations uh to that ordinance. So, this is something that will be forthcoming. I just wanted to put it on your you all's radar. All right. Any other new
business? Dr. Worthy. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um I learned today from youth and government um participants that there is a field day at Willingboro High School on June 19th and they're requesting that the council join them um on Junth at
their field day at the high and um they're also interested in learning if the council would sponsor perhaps water ice or bounce house or DJ or something to contribute towards their festivities. Um, so I just wanted to bring that forward um to the council. I just
learned about it today from the students. Um, and I know the school district is working on um, uh, the planning or I guess the the administration is working on the planning, but um, that was a request from the students and I just wanted to bring it forward. Okay. Um, do we have
any initial ideas on thoughts on that if we would like to sponsor anything? I'm I'm okay with sponsoring um maybe pizzas or something or what what do they need? What would be they were open high school students? So like not a bouncy
house then because they're adult they're they want it get what they can get. Okay. Yeah. What? Yeah. I would say I would think um I don't know some pizza hot dogs something like that. I know they have a um is the deal going to be open? Is everything going to be up and running? I
didn't have an opportunity to um I attended their job fair that they had which is very well um attended and organized a few weeks ago. Um my question is the fe the football field and the concession stand they were
basically in process of completing it looked like it was almost complete to me. um will they be in use using using that because I remember they had a kitchen an outdoor kitchen that they were going to be using and they said the students were going to be operating it and if that's the case then I would think maybe giving them something that
they could like hot dogs to put on the the grill if it's prepared so maybe we can find out some more about what what will they have accessible to them like will they have a grill so we just buy meat for them to put on the burgers things like that I want it to be that's
what I was thinking so I think if and if we're all in favor I I would suggest maybe we set a not to exceed and then we can work with the school um to determine what the donation will be. And what time was that that event? Um I'll get the
time. I don't have the time. I'll just put on my calendar for now and I'm okay. Yeah, I'll be I would like to Okay. Um I'd set uh not to exceed $400. I don't think that's going to be
enough. that that oops I don't think that'll be enough. Well, for I said we did a we can use the opioid money. Oh, okay. Now, I would suggest not to exceed $1,500. Right. That's more All right.
We'll talk about it afterwards. Okay. So, um I'd like to make a motion to set a not to exceed of $1,500 for the Willingboro High School field day um donation from council. Second. Moved by Mayor Whitfield.
Seconded by Councilman Anderson. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. If there's no other new business, we
will move on to public comment. This is our general public comment. This public comment will be for four minutes each. Please state your name and address um when you come up to the podium or um raise your hand online. Public comment
is now open. Good evening. My name is Debbie Price, 10 in Well Lane, Willingboro, New Jersey. Um, on behalf of the board of educa board of education, I've been here too long tonight. On behalf of the Underground
Railroad Museum of Burlington County, I stand before you um with the understanding of the importance of education. I think I thank the communities in Burlington County for enabling us to have a platform that will
enable us to continue to tell his story, her story, and their story, those of the silenced as well as those that are unknown and unarable. The purpose of me standing here today is to extend an invitation to both you as
council members as well as to our community to attend our Junth event that's going to be held on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 from 11:00 until 6:00
p.m. We are collectively taking two properties in possession and pulling this off. The first one is the Rancco State Park. In the state park, we will be hosting tours at 11:00, 1:00, and
3:00. The tours will enable the participants to experience what a freedom seeker went through. um because of my most recent interview with Opal Lee which is the reason she is the
reason for us having the Junth as a celebration. We're honoring um her with our three and a half mile walk um in the park. The other part of the celebration is going to be held in Timbuktu.
We will be having iconic family members in attendance. Frederick Douglas's nephew is going to be there. The Steel Foundation is going to be there. The Lampi Nation, we have chefs from around the world that's going to be
uh providing taste of freedom. We have productions that are going on as well as storytellers, reenactors, and the like. But one of the most important things that's going to happen is that
we're going to end our event with a gospel concert. All of these events are free. We chose not to charge because we've already paid the price. We only ask that
you come out and enjoy. Um, in addition to the Junth event, I'd like to extend an openhearted invitation for everyone to come out and visit the
museum. The museum is located in East Hampton, New Jersey. open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon till 4 o'clock unless there's a specific request for a tour. That ends my comments for today.
Does anyone have any questions? Miss Price, when was the time for the Timbuktu event? 11 in the morning till 6:00 in the evening. Okay. I do have the program for you for
Thank you. Thank you so much. Mhm. Is there any other public comment? And I just want That's okay. I just wanted to say the the entertainment, they're coming from around the world to make this thing happen. We have performers that are
coming in from Japan. They will be here to enter, you know, to entertain everyone. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Price. Any other public comment? Any public comment online?
Hello. Can you guys hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Hi. Okay. Good evening, council members. Good evening, everyone. Uh, my name is Angelina Martinez, 57 Angela, and I'm actually a trustee at the Willingboro Public Library, and I'm here tonight to urge
this council to reinstate the $52,000 that was cut from the Willingboro Public Libraryies operating budget this year, and to consider restoring the library to the level of funding it truly needs to serve our community. Over the past 17 years, the library's township
appropriation has dropped from 1.5 million to a little over 1.1 million, a difference of $400,000. And the result, our library is now operating with fewer hours, fewer programs, and a drastically reduced staff. What once supported 17 full-time
and 19 part-time employees now barely allows for 12 full-time and seven part-time staff members. Despite these cuts, the demand for the library has not gone away. In fact, it has grown. The Willingboro Public Library remains one of the most vital institutions in our
community, offering access to books, technology, tutoring, job search assistance, uh, senior programming, art exhibits, and a safe gathering space for residents of all ages. It is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. And now we are
facing even greater threats. As some of you may know, President Trump recently signed an executive order that threatens to cut federal funding to institutions like the IMLS, which is the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a key source of funding for public libraries
across the country, including ours. This federal support filters down to the New Jersey State Library, which already struggles to fully fund programs like the per capita state aid. Just this year, the Willingboroough Public Library
received $17,28 in per capita state aid. But that is actually less than half of what it should have received if the state were able to fully fund it at its full level, which should have been nearly $40,000. And that's not because we
failed to meet any requirements. It's because the money just simply isn't there. And now, thanks to the president's executive order, we're staring down a future where even that may be in jeopardy. At a time when libraries across the nation are under attack, whether they're facing
defunding, censorship, or even closures, we have to ask ourselves, willing be part of the problem or part of the solution. Cutting the library's budget now in this very moment sends the wrong message. It tells our youth, our elders, and our working families that their
access to free knowledge, technology, and cultural enrichment is not a priority. that their need for a safe, welcoming, and educational public space can be trimmed down to balance a budget. I strongly urge this council to reinstate the $52,000 that was cut this
year, which represents more than just numbers. It represents lost hours, lost staff, and lost services, and to consider increasing funding in future budgets to ensure that the library can restore and expand programs that have been lost over the years. Let's not
forget that the Willingboroough Public Library is not just a building. It is a cornerstone of our community and a reflection of our values. In times of uncertainty and political instability, we must double down on institutions that serve everyone, not pull back.
Willingboro deserves a library that is fully funded, fully staffed, and fully empowered to meet the needs of its people. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Martinez. Maddie
Mallerie. Good evening, Madam Mallerie. Again, uh Madame Mayor, I'm going to direct this comment to you. Um, at the last council meeting there were three non-residents uh that spoke and they did
not give their addresses. So if this is going to be a requirement then I would suggest that we um closely monitor the fact that we have people speaking that do not
identify uh you know where they're from and their addresses. Um the other thing is if I remember correctly and I didn't write it down but I think when uh Mr. Lowry uh first gave his report on the
restructuring. Uh some of his comments and the way that the report was presented was that it was the idea of one person in particular and there were some comments about uh the fact that the
council was made up of uh five people and one person did not have the authority. So this is nothing new about um not all council being involved in the process of um the changes or the
reorganization. Um the other thing is that um I'd like to know how many applications um have been submitted for the scholarship uh that is being presented
um as a result of the golf tournament. And um I think that oh and uh when Mr. Harris is speaking. I don't know what's wrong with his microphone either, but his last comment um was
barely heard by and maybe it's just me, but I have my speaker as far as it will go and uh for the second time um I did not hear what he was saying about the ordinance and the changes and those
kinds of things. So, I think that's uh my comments for this evening. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Mallerie. There's an iPhone user. Yes. Um, Edward Leslie, one pico claim William. Good evening. Good evening. Um, two
things. one, we've been having some lights out in um on primrose. Two lights been out for months. No year. Um and we was asking about when those lights um be fixed. I see a couple times PNG went up there thinking it's fixed and then when
the evening came, they were still not working. Um and the second thing is what are we doing about cats in the neighborhood? I know there was um a mention at a couple meetings ago, but these cats are starting to basically mess around people houses and sometime
you can't even walk outside with the smell. Thank you very much. Bye. You miss me. Sarah Holly. Good evening, council. Again, first of all, as you all know, Wllingenboro is a
paid place, so everybody knows everything in this town. So, why exactly are we restructuring the township? And why are you using an axe to to sway to to to to cut directly at the recreation
department? Is this a way to replace experienced employees? And given this restructuring nonsense, which I agree with. So yes, Samantha, I am not going to be civil. And I'm not
going to be civil because this restructuring, as I understand from Tiffany, will create new jobs. So therefore, to pay for those new jobs, our taxes will probably go up. And
that's a problem. In addition to that and let's like I said everybody knows what's going on in here. Uh are you I understand the job description are written in such a way where experienced employees are going to be
demoted or they're going to lose their job. Also Mr. H also Mr. Harris earlier spoke about the responsibility of the township manager. Now, according to statute, council
members should not be engaging in the day-to-day operation of the township. Why are there council members there daily? Why you there daily? Why are we paying Mr. uh Mr. Harris as our township
manager to run the town? And and right in along with that, the report that was given by deputy mayor um uh Worthy should have been given by the township manager. The township council
members don't give reports like that. That's your job, Mr. Harris, to give those kind of reports. And again, I have oh that I believe that the deputy mayor has been overstepping her role if she's going to give a report like that. And my
other question is how come uh Councilwoman Peron didn't have any say so and uh this restructuring nonsense that you guys are trying to pull. Um, and yes, that's why I'm on here not
being civil tonight because I have a concern about my taxes uh my taxes and uh how those funds are being used and especially since and oh my comment is madame mayor when you call me not being
civil on the uh on the council meeting is that because I outed the council members salaries which is about approximately $20,000, more than double the amount of money that the county commissioners are
making. And your salary uh is higher than any other municipality in Burlington County. And that's my time for being uncivil tonight.
Thank you, Mrs. Holly. Marina Williams. Yes. Good evening, Mayor Whitfield, Deputy Mayor Worthy, Dr. Worthy, Councilman Anderson, Councilwoman Peron, Township Manager, Harris Township Clerk,
Savino, and residents of William. My name is Terrina Williams, former resident of 8 Botney Circle. Now I am in Virginia. Pleasure to be here this evening. First and foremost, I want to say thank you, Mayor Whitfield and
council for the first proclamation for lupus awareness month, helping to inform the residents of Willing and anyone who views the council meeting on YouTube or logs on on Zoom about lupus awareness, a chronic disease at millions of people
local, nationwide, and worldwide. And tonight's council um proclamation for community mental health is just as important. May is also older Americans month and so many other too many to mention but the reason why I acknowledge
older Americans month is um one of the reasons at least is Miss Dolores Hodder and a former resident of tomorrow. By that I mean she was a beloved friend who unfortunately passed
away at the age of 94. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten. God bless her f God bless and comfort her family. I want to thank um Willing Borrow Village and Willing Borrow Weekly
for not only advertising different events, but also with Willing Borrow Village. I noticed that they um post different obituaries. Do they work with the township to do that or is that
something that um we'd have to go through another channel with to acknowledge Miss Har? Um I also wanted to say happy Memorial Day to our dedicated
soldiers, men and women for their sacrifice. And as we take that day off, I pray that everyone has a safe, fun, and and nice happy Memorial Day holiday. I believe that's it. Thank you
so much for your time. Maybe Oh, last but not least, I'm so sorry. How did I make this oversight? You advertised um our lupus and the hearts educ um webinar health session
rather uh last week Tuesday and Councilman Anderson took the time to attend. Greatly appreciate your attendance, Councilman Anderson, fraternity brother of Dr. Whitfield. It's such a small world. And as always, thank you so much, Council, for your
dedicated service to our township. May God richly bless all of you, your family, and the residents of Glen. Thank you, Miss William. You're welcome, Mayor. Bula Williams. Thank you, Mayor Councel. Um, good
evening. Thanks for the opportunity to speak. Um, Bula Williams, formerly of 8 Botony Circle, now resides in Virginia, who still loves our community, lived here for over 40 years, and you're still
my beloved community, beloved council. I appreciate all of your hard work and as I said last time, you can be swayed when um when communities get worried about
their jobs and they speak to you, you have hearts of compassion and you're not rigid. You listen to their presentation and you can change. So, thank you very much for your hard work. I for one know
of your hard work, the mayor, the council for years. I have been monitoring um you and your work and I appreciate you. Uh I appreciate Councilman Anderson. I
appreciate you um Councilwoman Peron um our beloved mayor. Um everybody my n the names are slipping me so I don't value you any less I value more but um forgive me for not saying
your names you mentioned um Junth's day and when we were in Willing we participated in just about everyone and I remember um the participation of Mayor Worthy
um mi Mrs. Bell, Councilman Anderson, and I remember um Councilwoman Peron, she was there walking around. I think she had a broken heel or something, but she had a cast on and she still did the trail. It's the commitment
of our counselor that I so appreciate. I don't know about salary, but I know that you work very hard and you care about your community. So, thank you for all your hard work, your dedicated work, and may your work
continue until the Lord says it's enough. But right now, I know you're doing a fine job. Thank you very much. Um, Councilman Anderson was at the the workshop
um presented by his very able um frat buddy, Dr. Waynefield, I think his name is. And thank you, Tina. And um it was a a presentation for the community. Um,
unfortunately I think Terrina put um Adventist in capital letters and maybe some people weren't able to attend but we apologize but we still had a very good attendance and I think um there
will be another workshop for eight consecutive Tuesdays at the the Kennedy Center on on um diabetes. So, anybody interested and they also are preparing
dinner for the participants and they're not selling it either. So, it's just a community awareness presentation. So, um those of you who feel inclined, please attend. Um you
will be certainly educated more educated about how to take care of yourselves ourselves because our bodies as the Lord says we are fearfully and wonderfully made and the more we can do to maintain
health is the better for us. Um God bless you everyone. Um election is coming up. M Williams that's your time today. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. God bless.
Very much. You're welcome. Thank you, Miss Williams. You're welcome. Is there any other public comment? Seeing none, public comment is now closed. We've had a number of comments this evening and just to respond um Miss
Price, thank you for the invitation to the Junth um celebration for the at the Underground Railroad Museum. That'll take place on June 14th from 11 to 6 pm, excuse
me, Rancoka State Park and Timbuktu from 11 to 6:00 p.m. Um, we will uh have this uh I think this uh sorry I lost my train of thought. Um
this flyer is available online and um you can go to the Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County to get more information. We also did have a comment from Angelita Martinez about the
$52,000 um in library cuts. Um there was a reduction to the library budget. Um the township has been or will be taking over the cleaning contract for the library.
um and that did um cause a reduction to the library budget. Uh does anyone else have any comments on that? That's just one. Um she also asked if we could help with um bringing the library
up to par. um they have presented themselves on quite a few different meetings with regards to um the need for um an uplift and in their technology and their limited resources at this time. So I'm I am in favor of assisting them um
in getting their library um to date. um as we know their computers that they have they are super outdated and with all of what we've you know monies that we've raised monies that we've spent on we spend a lot of money on things like you know the the
all-white parties and things like that and those things are nice. However, you know to have a a library here and knowing that our library is falling down and not putting any of the resources towards lifting it up. I feel that we're doing a disservice to our community. So,
I know we spoke about it before, but I would like for us to take serious action and actually put some of our resources towards helping them get the library up to par by giving Mr. Harris the direction or whoever it needs to take
the order of look up how much the computers cost, send somebody over there and start really looking at dollars to start just to at least start. Thank you, Council Pman. Is that something you think you can support, Madame Mayor? So actually it's already been done. Okay. So what do we have?
Yes. Um they got their new computers that was included in the budget and that um did happen. So they have been um when they have asked for um other support for projects, we did uh take that into
consideration. Um and they were able to complete those projects. So the library does have new Oh, that's all I didn't know about. So when did they get the the computers? uh earlier this year last year end of last year because they were here this year the so it couldn't have been last
year they presented that they need Harvey is the chairwoman of the okay so if you can you're the leazison right I'm happy to let you know we had a meeting last on Wednesday all right so perhaps you can give a report at the next meeting on how how they're doing as far as their resources their requests
because I didn't know about it thank you believe the capital ordinance included $285,000 I can't hear Mr. Harris, can you speak into the microphone? And I believe the capital ordinance you just approved included $285,000 for new carpeting. I did I did know about the carpeting. I did see
that. Um so I was speaking more about the technology which was a concern, but that's awesome. So, I'm I'm happy to hear that we did put some resources to their technology. And if madam um sorry, deputy mayor, if you can bring that to our next council meeting, a report from the library, I'll send an email to the
council or even just to the public so we can know where we are with the library. Is that okay? I will. Sure. I'll ask the um library trustee, the chairwoman to come and present to the whole council and to the community. That's a great idea. All right. Thank you. All right.
Next, we had uh Maddie Mallerie. Um, I really have been doing uh trying to do a better job at making sure we get the name and address of all of the presenters that come at the meeting. It seems that once again I've fallen short,
Miss Mallerie, so I'll make sure that I am being diligent in that effort. Um, we are all human. Um, Mr. Councilman Anderson, how many scholarship applications have we gotten so far?
between four and five that I saw. All right. So, we've had four and between four and five um scholarship applications to this point. And with the youth and government event today, I anticipate that we'll at least have a few more um from the seniors that were
present. Um and then she had a note about the restructure ordinances. Um it is still a topic of discussion. All council members have equal opportunity to um meet with the
administration to ask questions um to review the ordinance the present and proposed ordinances um make comparisons and also um provide input suggestions um and thoughts on um challenges
throughout this process. So, I encourage the council to continue to do that as we move forward. We also had a comment from Edward Meslin. Um, two lights out on Primrose. Um, I know we had an effort
with PSENG to restore some lights. Is there any update on that? um from the manager's office. We will uh we have been in communication with PSCG um updating them on the lights that have been out. Uh we will follow up with them
to see what the story is because I believe those were reported to them already. Okay, great. Thank you, Mr. Harris. Um also, um he had a concern about uh cats in the
township. We have been in contact with the Brown County uh shelter, friends of the shelter organization. I'm talking about the TNVR, trap, neuter, vaccinate, and release ordinance. Um we are working
to create an ordinance that uh it works for our community while suggested and sample ordinances may work for other townships. Um, I at least am thoughtful in the ordinances that we pass at in this
township and want to make sure that um it will not uh disparage any or cause any additional problems um due to uh cat colonies developing and being allowed
through the ordinance. Um, Miss Holly, uh, you had some comments about the restructure. Um, as we said before, this is something that has been in discussion since 2021.
Um, the your concern about the raise in taxes. Um it we have done reviews and the raise in taxes is not due to any new positions but the rising cost of health
care and other factors that are included um in our general operations. Um this just for the record I did say cordial and not civil. Um so I wanted to clear that up. And then also
um why are council members here daily? I know I take my position as mayor very seriously and um when I get complaints, concerns, thoughts from community members that I see around town that I
meet, that I run into at the grocery store or the gas station at different events I'm at. I want to make sure that those concerns and um issues that I see as a member of this community are highlighted to the administration to be
ca taken care of in a swift manner. Um I have meetings with the clerk as well as the manager weekly um to discuss those issues to make sure that issues are moving forward and nothing falls off of our radar. um to propose some
suggestions that um as they're going through their the administration's daily operations, they may not see or um hear some of the complaints that I am hearing in my elected position. So, I make sure that I
bring those um and highlight those concerns as well as direct or ask Mr. Harris to explore certain issues. um for presentation. While we have a a team over 300 um employees that do work in
this township, the council is called to direct the legislation um and not just be bystanders in this process. So I, as I said, I do take this role very seriously and will continue to be involved um as we better Willingboro for
all residents. Also, I want to say thank you to um Terrina and Buler Williams for um their acknowledgements um of the resolutions that we've passed tonight and at the
last meeting as well as um acknowledging Older Americans Month. Also, the township does not work with Willing Village in a partnership. you would have to contact that source to
uh get any obituaries released or promoted on their venues. [Music] And I think that was all the public comments. Did I miss anything, council? All right, seeing none, we will
move right along to council comment. Councilman Anderson. Uh, as usual, just like to thank everybody for coming out. Everybody who joined online like to congratulate U Officer Jackson, Officer
Young, and Officer Haynes. Um, wanted to thank Mr. George X. Brown for his uh for coming back instead of working against us, working with us, acknowledging that we worked with him.
So, I do appreciate that on his end and a happy Memorial's Day uh to all. Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Councilwoman Prime. Uh thank you, okay, thank you. Yeah, I just want to um
again speak to the restructuring at every single meeting that it was spoken about at this dasis. I spoke against it and specifically for the reasons that I mentioned today. Okay, we already have
descriptions of these departments. Mr. Harris has already has his description as his function and that is for anybody who sits in Mr. Harris's seat. It is not the job function of the council members to sit with Mr. Harris on a daily basis or on every other basis or any basis
period. The mayor is designed to have meetings with the mayor with the township manager to set the agenda and the clerk. There are no individual planning meetings, private meetings whatsoever unless the council votes to
have a private special meeting for a specific topic. we vote at this meeting and is it at that time that someone such as the deputy mayor can go and have a meeting with Mr. Harris based off of a topic that we already discussed to move forward with. Okay. In some cases,
committees are established as we just talked about with the baseball structuring. Miss Daniel Anderson and I um Councilman Anderson and I have been appointed to discuss this particular topic. There may be meetings that I have with Mr. Harris as well as M councilman
Anderson. That is appropriate for a council member. Um deputy mayor has overstepped her responsibilities as a deputy mayor over and over again and it causes confusion at the council meetings. No, I was not invited to these meetings. No, I'm not sitting in Mr.
Harris's office Monday through Friday. No, I come and I collect my mail. I say hello. I go to my daily job. Okay. at the council meetings, ask questions, review emails, and so forth. Okay? There
is at no time any I I want to be very clear, any council member should be meeting with Mr. Harris on any kind of regular basis. No one other than the mayor. Dep mayor, if you're out, deputy mayor steps in. Natural. So, all of this
restructuring, it is deputy mayor's idea. And of course, you ran a ticket with her, mayor. You're going to support whatever she says. You've not disagreed on any topic that the mayor that deputy mayor has ever spoken about since she's been on council. You've never said, "You
know what? I heard you, deputy mayor, but I disagree." Not one topic. So, anything she comes up with, you're like, "I agree, Doc. Dr. Dr. Mayor, I agree." There's nothing you disagree with. You don't have a solid opinion on any topic. Dr. Deputy mayor. Yes, we we
Yes. Yes. Yes. Praise the Lord. Yes. Never. One topic. I've never seen it. Okay. So, again, it is frustrating because I am a sitting council woman. And if you want to have a private meeting about changing the departments of the township, yes, I should be
invited to like, you know what, Rebecca, Council Peron, can you sit with Mr. Harris? Have a meeting with him about because we're trying to do this. sit down at the table with the attorney because it's not just your it's not even just your idea may madame mayor even though you're the mayor. You still can't sit with Mr. Harris and make any
decisions. It's done here at this table. So, I'm hoping that it stops. Okay. And stop saying that I was invited because Mr. Harris has already confirmed out of all the discussions regarding this restructuring, I've never been at one meeting, but I've been to the council meetings. So, don't say I've received
emails and everything. No, I said already it's ridiculous. He has his functions and let's stop trying to do the man's job. Thank you. And thank you, Councilwoman Pon. Deputy Mayor Happy Day. Thank you,
Councilwoman Pon. Happy Memorial Deputy Mayor Weather. Happy Memorial Day to all of the veterans. Thank you. I appreciate your service. Deputy Mayor Worthy. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um there's been a lot said today. Um, I'll just say that even if we keep
saying it over and over again with lots of feelings and emotion, it doesn't make it true. Um, there's a lot of work that went on with the restructuring that was open to the body. We also had um conversations in executive session about uh the restructuring. It's not like a
secret project. Um, I will continue to meet with M Mr. Harris because I'm not breaking any laws or ordinances, statutes, or anything by meeting with the township administrator or with the clerk to find out what's going on. No different than me sending an email to
ask a question or to gain clarity or to send correspondence on behalf of a resident. So, I will continue to meet with Mr. Harris to do the work that I was elected to do. Um, I also wanted to uh remind everyone to take time over this long weekend to
reflect on those who died in service to our nation. Uh, Memorial Day is a time of honoring and remembrance. Um, it's not although people have barbecues and cookouts, they go shopping, what have you, it is a time um really of reflection for those who paid the
ultimate price uh by giving their life in service for this nation. I do encourage people to come out and reflect with us at Memorial Day's observance on uh at 11:00 a.m. U Monday at Mil Creek Park. Um if there are questions that I
can answer, I'm happy to answer questions. Um lots have been said about me this evening. I'm not going through Miss Holly's exhaustive list or um the things that colleagues are saying that just aren't true. But if people want to have um civil conversations about my
role uh on this council as the deputy mayor, I'm happy to do that. If I have overstepped um I don't believe that I have. I will reflect on the feedback I've been given about this possible overstepping. And I will also ask the
mayor that if I am overstepping, please feel free to call me out because it's my intent to support you in your uh in your service as mayor and to be uh at your service and not to be doing things that are disruptive. So, please forgive me if
I've overstepped and I will reflect on that. Thank you for such generous com uh comments and feedback this evening, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Worthy. And finally, I just want to say um despite all of the spirited discussion
that we've had at tonight's meeting, we are still committed to working together to serve the residents of Willingboro, it is my sincere hope that all council members will take advantage of the opportunities to meet with Mr. Harris
and administration to get questions answered um and a clear understanding of the items that are presented that he is presenting on the agendas um at each meeting. This work is not just done in
one day at one meeting during a three-hour period. It does take more time than that. And I think the residents that have voted and will vote on June 10th um that will elect uh that have elected us uh deserve that time,
attention, response to emails and concerns and their thoughts on how the township is moving. Um as I say, there are council members that have meetings
with Mr. Harris. Um, I am not just the only one. Deputy Mayor Worthy is not just the only one. There are other council members that have meetings with Mr. Harris to get their questions answered ahead of time. And I encourage all council members to do that um so
that we can have a full understanding of the items that are being presented. It's very easy at sometimes to um speak out against something that um you're just looking at for the first time on the deis. But with careful consideration, I
think um that's why some of these ordinances and resolutions are presented ahead of time so that we can have those discussions. We can get our questions answered. we can provide the feedback and not just go with um any one person's
idea. I'd also like to just state that I am my own individual. I am a daughter of Willingboro. I was raised here since I was four years old. I'll continue to be in service to Willingboro and I do not stand or or step in fetch or follow anyone's lead. I am a leader in my own
right as I am the mayor of the township. Um, I'd also like to encourage folks to come out to our Memorial Day observance. It is, as Deputy Mayor Worthy said, um, an important remembrance for those who
have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and it deserves to be honored in that way. And, um, thank you uh, deputy mayor for calling me to task. And um I will continue, as I have in the past,
call you out on things and express concerns um and continue to be my own person as I will continue to call all council members out and express concerns, but be collaborative in the work that we do here in Willingboro
Township. Um as we continue on with our meeting, I'd like the um resolution for executive session, please. Um, Madame Mayor, would you like to consider doing a meeting extension or do you not think this executive session
will be I just want to make sure that we do it before we go in? Um, yes, we'll extend the meeting till 10:30, please. I'd like to make a motion to extend the meeting till 10:30. Second. It's been moved by Mayor Whitfield, seconded by Deputy Mayor
Worthy. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron, no. Councilman Anderson, yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. Mayor Whitfield, yes. Thank you. The resolution for executive session, please.
All right. With that being said, um resolution 2025-138 is a resolution authorizing a closed executive session in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Act. Um, this will be for personnel matters and uh potential
litigation. Can I get a motion? Second. So moved. Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Mayor Whitfield. Council Counciloman Cone. No. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy.
Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. Why didn't you order yourself for dinner? Madam clerk, I get a motion and a second to come out of executive session. So move. Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Roll call.
Councilwoman Prone. Yes. Councilman Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Um, we did have some conversation in executive session about our judge appointment. Um, Madame Clerk, if you
would um read that title and for that resolution, right, I apologize for the delay. Um, so resolution 2025-139 will be a resolution of the township council of the township of Willingboro providing for the
appointment of a municipal court judge. Can I get a motion and second? So moved. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Peron, seconded by Councilman Anderson. Discussion. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. Yes. Councilman
Anderson. Yes. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you very much. All right. Um I'll now entertain a motion for adjournment. So moved. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by
Councilman Anderson. Roll call. Or all in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you and good night everyone. We are now adjourned at 10:23.