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Madame Deputy Clerk, the town the time is now 7:05. The time is now 7:05 and I'd like to call the regular township council meeting to order. >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> present. Councilman Anderson, not

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present at this time. Councilwoman Macintosh, not present at this time. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, present. Mayor Whitfield, present. I'd like to invite Deacon George Phillips of Alpha Baptist Church to lead us in tonight's prayer.

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Lord God, we thank you in Lord God like to make this personship homeowners in the word of R&B Serb. In the work of our singless will yourself.

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>> Amen. Thank you, Deacon Phillips. May we please rise for the flag salute. No, it wasn't our Kelly. No. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And the singer that uh Deacon Phillips was talking about was Frankie Beverly and May. That's that's who he was

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talking about. We all won. Notice was provided in compliance with chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975 to the Burlington County Times, Tinton Times, and Philadelphia Inquirer stating the date, time, and place and the agenda to the extent it is known. Additionally,

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notice was filed in the office of the township clerk. Thank you, Madame Deputy Clerk. Good evening, Willingboro. Thank you everyone for coming out this evening. Um, we have a a number of items

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on our docket for uh business this evening. But before we start that, I will go to Mr. Harris for our municipal updates. >> Good evening, Mayor, Council, residents of Willingboro. Um, just some a brief

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summary of some of the activities that have been going on uh since we last met. Um, our finances report for the month of June. And our total revenues collected were $829,961. Um 614,000 of that was tax uh tax

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revenue. 138,000 was miscellaneous revenues. 61,000 other revenues and um uh 15,000 of those were um unanticipated

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revenues for again a total of $829,961. As always, our tax revenue represented the largest share of our collections, accounting for for 74% of the total revenue. Although June is not historically a huge tax month, um we did

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collect what we collected in support of our ongoing municipal operations. Our expenditures for the month were 3,627,725.90. Um uh 1.7 million of that was attributed to salary and wages. 542,000

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uh was attributed to health care costs. Uh 1.1 million for other expenses uh for again a total expenditure of 3,627,725.90. In 2025, we uh applied for and was awarded a 2026 Bikeway grant. Um,

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at the time we received the the grant in the amount of 367,000, there was really no um real plan for the utilization of that grant. Um, but since then um the township has identified an a

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more immediate uh bikeway related need involving the existing pedestrian bridge over Mil Creek. uh the the Noddingham pedestrian bridge commonly referred to which is commonly referred to a recent uh condition assessment indicates that

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the bridge is in need of extensive uh repairs and or possible replacement because of the bridge is located on the township's existing bikeway network. The township has requested permission to reall allocate a portion or all of the grant funding towards the repair or

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replacement of that bridge and we are waiting for um final authorization to move forward with that and when we receive it we will let you know. Um PSCG has begun repairing work

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on many of the streets disturbed during its main uh gas main replacement project. The utilities is in the process of completing 42 street repavings between now and the end of August. Uh separately, the township is also in the

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process of designing and preparing for an additional $3.7 million in roadway repairs for Willing Barrow uh and other streets throughout the municipality. And this work uh remains an important component of the township's broader infrastructure improvement strategy

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with our public works uh department. Two Willingboroough Township uh public works employees, Mr. William Franklin and Deir Harmon have successfully completed the NJD basic pesticide core training uh that which is the next step toward operator certification and it requires

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40 hours of supervised spray application experience. Uh the township arranged for both employees to receive the required supervised training through the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Special Improvement Division um in Atlantic City. Training was provided

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under the CRDA assistant manager, Mr. Lance Hamilton, uh between June 22nd and June 29th. And this training was necessary because most individuals who apply pesticides as part of their employment or on behalf of a

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government agency must properly be licensed as commercial pesticide applicators or operators. And completing this training will allow DPW staff to safely and effectively carry out herbicide applications in compliance

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with state regulations here in Willing Barrow. Also under public works and infrastructure, a sinkhole was discovered at the corner of Babbot Lane and Brooklon Lane. Uh for safety reasons, a steel plate was placed over the sinkhole as a temporary protective

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measure. Uh initial observations indicated that the sinkhole may be located um above an existing storm pipe suggesting possible pipe failure and or joint separation. A second sinkhole was

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identified at 84 Brookon Drive. This location did not appear to involve a damaged pipe, but rather um joint separation. The contractor filled the silk sink hole and with millings uh to eliminate the open hole condition over

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during the overnight and reduce immediate safety concerns. Yesterday with the torrential rains, it also revealed another failure in the basin at Bradford Lane and Baldwin Lane. Uh this failure appears similar to the issues that are already be designed for

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repair at Babbot Lane and Bradford Lane. Uh though it is in a separate location. Uh the township was already advancing design work for the Babbitt and Bradford Lane repair uh which which has projected cost of approximately $900,000 and we were in the process of securing

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the funding through the New Jersey water in infrastructure bank and this newly identified Bradford and Baldwin basin failure will need to be incorporated into that into the township's broader immediate stormwater infrastructure planning. Um and based on the nature of

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this issue, this additional repair may be just as expensive or more uh than expensive uh more expensive than the Babbot and Bradford project. And uh we may also wish to continue furthering our conversation um and may possibly

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developing a storm water utility to help kind of manage some of these costs um that are continuing to to surface in regards to our storm water infrastructure. Um, we will be going out to bid uh for

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the Kennedy Center RTU supports replacements. Um, as you may recall, we did the ISSA program and part of that program um called for air conditioning units or which is RT

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rooftop units um at the Kennedy Center. when they placed the units, they did not put proper supports on the roof of the Kennedy Center and we are going ahead and moving forward to repair or remedy that situation.

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Uh fire and EMS medical services, there are four volunteer fire graduates from the spring firefighter one program. Uh they graduated on Tuesday the 16th or June 16th. One volunteer uh Travon Cox received the Army Specialist Benjamin C.

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Moore Memorial Award for the most improved student. And this award recognizes the student who improved the most academically while enrolled in class uh 106 of the firefighter 1 program at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center. And

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we just want to offer um firefighter Cox uh some congratulations on uh his award. The Youth Fire Academy began today or Monday the the 6th and will run for two weeks with graduation scheduled for July

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the 18th at noon. Uh we're happy to report that all four of our ambulances are currently in service. Uh in inspections and code enforment code enforcement, the inspections department has begun citing businesses that have not obtained the required

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annual mercantile licenses for the current year. The department is also working with Bradley Hansen of the Burlington County Agriculture Board regarding Wulman property located at 36 Rose Street. The township has received numerous complaints from written house

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residents concerning the property maintenance conditions at that particular location. Our recreation department uh has been very busy. The country club pool opening celebration was a major success attracting approximately 700 attendees.

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residents enjoy music activities and the official kickoff of the summer pool season. Uh the adult swim was equally uh su as successful on this past Thursday and the free swim on Friday had crowds

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and lines all day. On June the 24th, the township officially launched the summer in motion series. Uh the new mobile recreation initiative was designed to bring recreation, wellness, entertainment, and community resources directly into neighborhoods throughout

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Willing Barrow. The kickoff event was wellreceived and established positive movement for the remainder of the series and I believe the next one is scheduled for tomorrow in Penny Packer. Yeah. So, if you are able to come out, please uh

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support um your neighborhood recreation programs. And throughout the month, recreation staff continue to prepare for Camp Sun and Fun, which also started on Monday. Um

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our senior services, uh Willingboroough Township is pleased to uh announce the appointment of Mrs. Adrien King as the township's new manager of the senior center and senior services. Mrs. King, why don't you come

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to the the podium? Mrs. King joined the township on uh Monday, July 6th. A respected community leader, an accomplished professional, and Willingboro resident for more than 26 years, Mrs. King brings extensive

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leadership experience, program development, expertise, and a lifelong commitment to public service. In her new role, she will oversee programs, services, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for Willing Barrow senior residents while expanding

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opportunity for engagement, wellness, education, and immunity. Uh, Mrs. King earned a bachelor of science and communications from Bowie State University and began her career in public service as a legislative aid to Assemblywoman Shirley Turner. In that

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role, she developed a strong foundation in government advocacy and constituent services. And as the township manager, I am pleased to welcome Mrs. King uh into this important leadership role. Her passion for service, proven leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of

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others align directly with the township's commitment to providing outstanding services to Willing Barrow to Willing Barrow senior population. So, I would like to present to the council and the residents of Willing Barrow, Mrs. Adrien King, who was our new

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manager at the senior center. Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> I am proud to be a part of the

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Willenboro team. I, as Mr. Harris has already said, been here 26 years, so I'm no stranger to Willenboro, no stranger to being of service. And, uh, quite frankly, my heart goes with children and with seniors. And for that reason, I

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know I am the right person for the job, ready to get the work done and to continue in the footsteps of Miss Foster, who has built a great center, which is evident in seeing my last few days interacting with our seniors. But there's more more work to be done. So,

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I'm looking forward to doing that work and working alongside with the team um as well as the council to make sure that our seniors are well taken care of. So, I thank you. look forward to seeing all of you more, getting to know you more, and you getting to know me as well. But

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I thank you for the opportunity to be able to serve where I currently reside. >> Awesome. Thank you, Mrs. King. Any questions or comments from Mrs. King from the council? No. >> All right. Well, welcome. We're glad to

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have you on board. Um, we look forward. Um, you have some very big shoes to fill, Mr. will foster the force in this community. Um, but I'm sure you know all of the wonderful work that she's done

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and are prepared to follow in her footsteps and um, improve the senior center even more than the great beacon that it is now. Um I will say personally I look forward to um the programming um

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ensuring smooth operations and also an addition of some intergenerational programming and bridging the gap as um you stated that your heart is with the children and with seniors and I think it will be such a value to bridge that gap. >> Yes. Thank you so much.

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>> Thank you Mrs. King. >> And that is my report this evening mayor. >> All right. Any questions for Mr. Harris. All right. Um, Mr. Harris, I did have one question just as an update. And if you don't have an update um, tonight,

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you can um, also add it to the list for next meeting. But we have started the lighting project and I know um, they had been updating some of the lighting, the street lights within the community. Um just curious as to the further progress

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that we've made on that and and where we are on that project. >> I will have a report for you at the next meeting. >> Great. Thank you. All right. >> And with that, we'll move on to the uh

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resolutions and ordinances. So the ordinances for introduction being presented to you this evening is ordinance number 21 which is an ordinance amending chapter 314 section 1 section 314- which is the placement of receptacles to

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remove the requirement that the townhouse receptacles be stored in the rear yards uh rear yard fence areas. Actually, we had asked that that that particular ordinance be removed from the agenda for consideration. Ordinance number 22 was an ordinance

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establishing compensation benefits and other policies for non-un employees uh unclassified employees and elected officials of the township of Willingboro. And was this for the second hearing or the introductions? This was

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for the second hearing. Yes. Yeah. 22. We introduced this at the last meeting. >> Last meeting. Ordinance number 23 is a bond ordinance providing for the replacement of the stormwater alpha pipe at Plum Tree Lane in and by the township of Willing Barrow

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in the county of Burlington and appropriating $195,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $185,400 in bonds or other notes for the township to finance part of the cost thereof.

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This is for the emergency alpha replacement at Plum Tree um which was the second um emergency uh appropriation that we needed to do for um uh alpha repairs um in conjunction with um Peach

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Tree. So that's the second portion of that project. Uh, ordinance number 24 is a bond ordinance providing for the improvement of various municipal buildings in and by the township of Willingboro in the county of Burlington, New Jersey,

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appropriating 3,925,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 3,738,000 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. This bond ordinance is in relation to the EIP

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project that was undertaken um by the township back in 2023. At that time, um, we did introduce a a refunding bond ordinance to finance that project, um, which we were supposed to receive, um, or the bond was supposed to

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be paid back from the the savings from the EIP program, but for reasons beyond my understanding and control, um, that bond ordinance uh was never finalized with the local finance board. um and uh

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was never uh so we were not able to move forward with it through the final funding process. So we now need to go back and reintroduced uh reintroduced that bond ordinance um for that for that purpose. The only

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difference is is that it will not be a refunding bond ordinance. um we will just have to pay it like we pay the other notes, but we we will still receive and see the savings from or the anticipated savings from the ESA program

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uh hopefully to offset that expenditure. Ordinance for public hearing and final adoption. Ordinance number 17, which is an ordinance of the township of the county of Willingboro in the t county of Burlington, state of New Jersey, amending the municipal code to add a new

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chapter providing for the establishment of a municipal performing arts center utility fund. Um defining its governance and structure. This was for the establishment of the performing arts center as a a municipal utility. um one

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of Yeah. So that's what that particular ordinance was for. We did introduce that at the last meeting and there was just one amendment to that uh ordinance that we are asking that the salary be established uh in the salary ordinance

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where all the other uh ordinance are provided for for municipal uh employees, directors, managers and etc. Ordinance number 2026-18 is an ordinance to improve municipal operations and efficiency through

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reorganizing of departments by amending chapter 3 article 15 of the township code relating to the department of recreation. This uh is the restructuring of the uh department of recreation and the senior center

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bringing them under one umbrella as the department of recreation and wellness and establishing uh the roles of the department and um and its operation. So um again this was for um public hearing

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and final adoption. Ordinance number 19 is an ordinance amending chapter 272-121 of the code of the township of Willing Barrow to reduce the compliance period from 10 days to 5 days to constituents

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uh or to constitute I'm sorry a final order for township abatement. Um this is streamlining the time that residents have uh from 10 days to five days to abate any situation uh on their property

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under which they may get a code violation. Um we felt that by reducing it by 5 days would just move the process along quicker. Um and that is our hope. Ordinance number 20 is an ordinance of the township c uh township council of

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the township of Willingboroough County of Burlington amending uh ordinance 2026-14 amend which is amending chapter 370 article 17 supplementary rec regulations of the code of the township of willingboro by creating a section 370-94

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entitled operational red lid uh additional refuge cart program. This was the op the optional red lid cart program that we implemented with the um new um solid waste bulk and solid waste trash contract.

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um where we are removing the $145 annual collection fee uh for the um for the the second red cards that are optionally being placed um by applicants or by residents who may apply for and

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place play the $75 placement fee for those cards. Everything else in the ordinance remains the same. The resolutions being presented to you this evening for consideration. Resolution number 136 is a resolution

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authorizing the approval of vouchers and payment uh payments and ratifications. Resolution number 2026-137 is a resolution to adopt the 2026 municipal budget. Resolution 2026138

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is a resolution authorizing the township of Willingboro toward a contract under a national cooperative agreement known as the Houston Galveston area council cooperative purchasing system to purchase one Pierce uh enforcer chassis

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15 or 1500 gallon GPM which is gallons per minute I believe for 7 750 gallon tank heavy duty rescue that's for a new fire truck. Yeah, a lot of words to say a new fire truck.

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Um, but that is what that is for. Um, which would we did allocate $1.2 million for that particular project and we were happy to receive a $400,000 uh grant from the state of New Jersey um thanks to Senator Troy Singleton on behalf of

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Willing Barrow to defer part of the cost of that expense. So we formally thank uh Senator Singleton for uh once again looking out for Willing Barrow. Resolution number 139 is a resolution resolution authorizing change order

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number 11 for a contract with JH Williams Enterprise for the Willingboro Performing Arts Center phase 2 project. This particular project had to deal with the installation of heat into the HVAC units. For some reason, when that unit

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was placed on the Kennedy Center way back when, there was never any heating element on that unit. So, that's to include heat. Uh, so when people are in the theater, they can be nice and toasty warm. Resolution number 140 is a resolution

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authorizing the township of Willingboro to award a contract under a national cooperative purchasing agreement known as Sourcewell to purchase a tire changer and wheel balancer. And that is for the Department of Public Works. Resolution number 141

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is a resolution authorizing the township of Willingboro to amend resolution 2023-96 to change the contract uh extension option and extend the contract for the acquisition of electrical services. This

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was for Mr. Chapman. What was the vendor again for the electric KRS? um we needed to extend uh their contract so we can utilize them for electrical services and to continue to pay them for uh services that they

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provided for us under in 2025. Uh resolution number 143 uh 142 I'm sorry is a resolution authorizing the township of Willingboro to establish a not to exceed contract for main access systems

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incorporated that was a a contract did participant in the New Jersey state approved purchasing cooperative contract for uh T2424 for the 2026 uh contract here. Resolution number 143 is

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a resolution authorizing an increase to the 2025 estimated contract value for Taylor Law Group for the provision of labor council services to the township of Willingboro. Uh the Taylor Law Group submitted us some very late bills in 20

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2026 from 2025 that we need to extend their contract value to to authorize the payment of those um late bills. And finally, resolution number 144 is a resolution designating Willingboroough

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Townhouse Town Homes AMS Development LLC as a redeveloper for the redevelopment of a portion of certain property identified as block 5.02, know two lots 8 uh 9, 10, and 11 and 17 uh located on

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Route 130 and authorizing the execution of redevelopment agreement in connection therewith. That is the property uh attached with the old Burlington Times property which is um being looked to be redeveloped into town homes and

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affordable housing. So that would be uh designating them as the uh the authorized developer for the redevelopment of that property. And those are all the items being presented to you this evening for your consideration. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Harris. At

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this time, we'll move on to our first public comment. This public comment is for agenda items only. You'll have two minutes to discuss any of the items on the agenda. Um please state your name when you come to the podium. Public comment is now open for agenda items

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only. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Do I give this? >> Yes. Uh, Miss Scott. >> Good evening, council. Madame Mayor, deputy mayor, councel. Um, my question

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is first on the state. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Tony Matthysse Medford Lane. uh your ordinance for uh town homes. The ordinance uh 02621, an ordinance

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amending chapter 314 section 1 section u placement of receptacles to remove the requirements that town homes receptacles be restored within the rear yard fenced area. um had been asking for months what the plan would be for since we have two

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town home communities, but written house was the main one where there had always been an issue with the new larger trash cans and the trash cans could not fit inside of the fence fences because they were too wide. I had asked um DPW and

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Mr. Um Tonsel actually sent a letter just today in questioning about what would be done about what's the plan for removing for helping um your residents be able to not be summoned given a

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summon or a fine because their trash cans are outside of the the fence because they cannot fit inside of the fence. And it seems now that I'm seeing that you have an ordinance on the table. I'm not quite sure what that means and if they have contacted the um HOA if the

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HOA is in agreement with this plan because the HOA has a um their bylaws specifically say that the trash cans have to be on the inside of the I know that Willen Bro has their own ordinance that says that but the HOA also has that

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ordinance also in their bylaws. What's the plan for that? Um and um there were if in fact you're going to to change the rules then I guess that there has to be some kind of communication with the the board the HOA board. I had a couple of

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questions because of the the fact that the the residents in written house have been fined and there's there's there's rumors all over Facebook how much the fines are. if they're $30, if they're $80, um are is the um township actually

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taking the trash cans if the trash cans remain behind the the fence? I'm not sure what the rule is for that. That would be something that I would hope that either DPW can answer or code enforcer can answer of my time. Oh, I was still looking and I thought I still

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had more time. I'm sorry. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Matthysse. Any other public comment for agenda items only? Seeing none, this public comment is now closed. Um, Mr. Harris, would you be

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able to call up Mr. Tonsel to talk a little bit about the trash can ordinance? >> Yes. Um, but Mayor, that ordinance was actually removed from or we asked that it be removed from consideration for for tonight. >> Would you still be able to speak to it?

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>> Absolutely, Mr. Tonsk. Come on down, Mr. Tons. It's your time to shine. >> Right. >> Good evening, Madame Mayor, Madame Deputy Mayor, Councilwoman Macintosh, Councilwoman Peron. How are you? All

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right. So, in regards to the trash cans, obviously that ordinance is not going to um go through. We are still requiring that trash cans be placed inside the fence.

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We do recognize there are a handful of fences do that do not meet the requirements for the trash cans to fit into them, and we are dealing with them or addressing them on a case-byase basis. I've had a sense of conversation

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with Mr. Harris about having uh the opportunities to replace those fences or work with the residents to uh to get those fences reconfigured so the trash cans do fit. Um there are very few that have that

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particular issue. Um matter of fact, I can count them on one hand. uh the others are in conformance and we are working with the HOA to continue that conformance. I think some of the other issues associated with the trash cans

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are not pertaining to the rear and Mr. Harris is addressing them with the HOA as well as with the uh their legal counsel. Um, if there are any other questions, I would be glad to address them, but we will handle those issues

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with the fences on a case-by case basis. Sometimes you have to really kind of manipulate the trash can to get it to fit. And we understand that that can be a problem specifically for individuals who are um unable to physically move

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maneuver the trash cans inside the fences. >> Okay. So in your com in your communication with the HOA, they would still require them be within the fences. So the um inspections is working with residents

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on a case-by case basis so that they don't get the >> or the ones that do not fit. Correct. I mean, you'd be surprised that there we've had a tremendous um amount of participation in terms of effort from everyone to make sure their

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trash cans go inside the fence and are not placed in front of the properties like they have been in the past. If you drive through written house, that is not a problem. Now, we have some other problems, but that particular issue is is not an an issue retaining pertaining

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to trash cans being in the front of the properties. We are we are currently dealing with an issue with them being in common spaces but that's another issue alto together and not um relative to the question that was asked. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you Mr. Johnson.

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>> Okay. >> All right. So with that, we will be um pulling ordinance 21 from consideration this evening and we will move on to the introduction of ordinance 2026-22.

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And it's first because I did check the agenda from last meeting. It wasn't on the introduction for last meeting. We talked about it in prep, but it wasn't on for last meeting. Oh, right. >> Yeah. No. Okay.

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Yeah. May I get a motion to introduce ordinance 26-22, an ordinance to establish compensation, benefits, and other policies for non-union employees, unclassified employees, and elected officials of the township of Blooming.

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So moved. Second move by Councilwoman Peron, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy,

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>> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. I get a motion to introduce ordinance 26-23, the bond ordinance providing for the replacement of storm water outfall pipe at Plum Tree Lane in and by the township of Willingboro in the county of

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Burlington, New Jersey, appropriating 195,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 185,400 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. Can I get a motion?

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>> So moved. Second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Seconded by Councilwoman Mintosh. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy? >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield?

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>> Yes. May I get a motion to introduce ordinance 26-24, a bond ordinance providing for the improvement of various municipal buildings in and by the township of Willingboro and the county of Burlington, New Jersey, appropriating 3,925,000

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therefore and authorizing the issuance of 3,738,000 bonds or notes to of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Macintosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy.

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>> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. >> Now for the public hearing. I'd like to open up the public hearing for

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ordinance- 26-17 titled an ordinance of the township of Willingboro and the county of Burlington, state of New Jersey, amending the municipal code to add a new chapter providing for the establishment of the municipal performing arts center utility fund defining its governance

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structure. >> So moved. >> Second. No, this is the public. Anyone wishing Yes. Anyone wishing to come forward to comment on this ordinance only, please do so.

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All right. Seeing none, I'd like >> Okay. During the before we close the public hearing, Mr. Harris, will you just explain the amendment to um ordinance 17 one more time um during the

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public hearing? The amendment to the particular ordinance was to uh strike out um one particular sentence where uh it stated that the township manager would have exclusive

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um control over the operations of the performing arts center and then asking for the salary um be established in the salary ordinance. um where all the other salaries are established for uh roles and positions

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within the township. >> Okay. >> All right. Any um discussion from council? >> I have discussion, but are we done with the this is our time? >> This is the public hearing. >> Yes, I have discussion. >> Yeah.

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>> Thank you. Um in addition to those strikeouts, Mr. Paris, I see that you've stricken out um the responsibilities of the title from director to manager and of course um titles come with salaries.

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Um so I'm concerned about that. Um, I'm additionally concerned because this is the same ordinance that I spoke about at our last council meeting whereby it identified roles and responsibilities of the company or individual that we hired

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ducket where you paid him um over half a million dollars um I'm sorry close to half a million dollars for the performing arts center and of course adding the jazz festival and etc. Um, with regards to this particular

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ordinance, um, you've stuck in out the salary where it says, um, $60 to $80,000 salary range and it says establishing the salary ordinance, but that's a blanket statement. So, I need figures

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that should be really be associated with what salary ordinance are you specifically referring to. You also entered here it says the person will be entitled to health insurance and other benefits. Um and just to be very specific we're talking about the

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Woolenber Performing Arts Center that is to be open hopefully next month. That means there will be a performance sometimes. That means some group or someone will perform on the stage sometimes.

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What I cannot understand is why do we have to pay a person a full-time salary for a possible event that could take place and give them health insurance and a blanket check for their salary and change the title from director to

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manager which we know direct managers make more than than directors. >> So well why not leave it as a director but as you can answer that I'm going to get all my questions out. Um again, this is um you know um supposed to create

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revenue where we're selling tickets for revenue, but then we're um include in including a whole person's salary and health insurance. The communities are already at a height with how much we're expensing on taxes. Okay. So, how is it

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that we're going to receive revenue, but you're actually increasing expenses by hiring somebody? The recreation department has directors, has supervisors. Why isn't it that these individuals can facilitate intelligently to hire people to perform on the stage

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and collect tickets? I do remember the last meeting um it was explained that we needed a separate fund in order to sell tickets etc. That part I understand. What I'm not understanding is why are we creating a whole salary um which is

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going to cost the township more money when the whole purpose of it was to create and revenue. Those are my questions. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Pum. Mr. Harris, um would you be able to explain just

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once again the thought behind it? >> Excuse me. Point of order. I'm sorry. My questions were to Mr. Harrison. He does not need an interpreter about my questions. I asked Mr. Excuse me. Excuse me. Councilwoman Pum, point of order. Point of order. Point of order. Counciloman Pum. Point of order.

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Councilwoman Pum. >> Thank you. As I said, Mr. Harris, would you be able to respond to Councilwoman's questions as well as answer um the reasoning behind this as

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well as the intention for this program as it um concerns the uh current position. Yes, but let me just clarify that in the ordinance when I was reviewing the ordinance um I noted that in some spaces

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I was re referring to the person as the director and and others I was referring to them as the manager. So when I was making the changes I wasn't changing the title I was making it consistent all throughout the the ordinance and the

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title is a manager for the performing arts center. So I was removing a director who makes more than a manager, not the reverse. So the township went through the whole process of paying uh

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several million dollars to to build a professional performing arts center for Willing Barrow. Um they desired to have professional performances um different programs for community for the community, theater programs, school

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programs, uh performing arts educational programs and they although you also thought it was wise to have someone uh professionally manage the performing arts center. So that is how we entered into a contract with Mr. ducket um years

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a years ago for the management of the performing arts center. This particular ordinance was put into place uh to establish the management and operation of the performing arts center and our ability to collect revenues and to turn

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around and utilize those revenues to pay for um expenses related to the performing arts center. Whether they be salaries of employees, whether they be for performers, whether they be for concessions, whether it be for ticket

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takers or security or parking attendants, whatever. The only initially we thought that we would be able to do that under a recreation trust program. We had many meetings with the Department of Community Affairs. They said, "No, you cannot do that type of of

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application under a trust fund." uh they gave us a couple of options. uh one option was to establish a performing arts utility or the other one was to establish a performing arts um I forget

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what it was but after discussing uh with um with um our finance department uh our auditors um and the department of community affairs uh we felt that it was best for the township to move forward with a performing arts uh utility which

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would allow us to collect revenues venues and to immediately use those revenues to pay expenses related to the performing arts center. Uh enabling the performing arts center to become a self-liquidating utility. Meaning that

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every dollar that it takes in should pay for every dollar of expense. That is our goal and that is what we are shooting for. As long as our revenue um exceeds or meets our expenses, there will be no

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financial burden to the residents of Willing Barrow on a tax basis for the operation of the performing arts center. Does that answer your question? >> Yes, most of my questions. One other question was I asked and you did answer most of the questions. Um I did ask we have a recreation department with

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managers and directors and I do believe that they're all fully capable of managing a performance on the stage. Um, so why isn't it that not part of the recreation department? >> Yes, we have a recreation department and a recreation director who does

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recreation and and I believe I believe that our performing arts center is more than just a performance on a stage. So again, um, you know, this is a decision of the governing body. If you collectively feel that's all that it is and that's all that you

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want, then you have complete control over that. >> Okay, that's your answer. That's your response. Um, again, it's just expenses that we're looking at and we're trying to use it for revenue, but it's already starting where it's becoming an expense that's unnecessary. And I'm not speaking about

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just one director at the recreation department. There are multiple people there that can fully manage somebody walking on the stage and somebody applying to be there or registering and collecting tickets. We have security officers that we already pay. We have

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staff fully functioning with that building. What I don't understand is and I will conclude here, Madame Mayor, is um because this will be a no for me and I want you to understand that you've not convinced me, Mr. Paris that we need to hire another person to collect tickets

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for a show on the stage. And I do believe that the people who are currently managing and running the recreation department are intelligent enough to hire and get performances on that stage. I forgot one other thing and this is not this is about the Ducket

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thing because initially Ducket knew very important people, very high-end performers. They're going to bring all of these really high-end people here. So, if this is the manager's now job, um, where are we going to get these

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high-end Patty Label people coming here? Um, because we didn't get it. We paid them half close to half a million dollars. But now, this does not describe that these be high-end performances because in the contract with Ducket, it does say that he's going to produce that

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type of shell. it didn't open. We still paid them. So, I'm trying to find out that's not a part of this utility thing. And I do understand that the money part, raise selling tickets, etc. I get that part. It's the person behind it that I'm not

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completely in agreement with. So, um and nobody has yet to explain um these high-end people that supposed to come and make all of this money for us. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor.

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Counciloman, Councilwoman Coron, I do appreciate your um your questions. I had some of those same questions and concerns early on as well um because it is an expense um to bring in someone to manage um the utility. Um and the way I u as I talked to um Mr. Harris and

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understood the utility more and understood the vision of what you know what this um performing arts center is supposed to do in Willingboro. What I further appreciated was having someone who's going to go out and cultivate um the shows and the performances and with um feedback from the council and from

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residents to understand what types of shows that we want to have not just a performance here and there but on a regular recurrent basis whether it's youth theater um or if we have a Patty Leel type or if we have a book series or if we have people coming in to do um uh

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big debates or whatever these different things are to provide more cultural experience. experiences here in Willingboro. So I think that if we try to compare the pack to the banquet facility and like if if we're saying okay well it's kind of like the banquet facility you're just bringing in some

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folks you know here and there to do different things then I can see how you can get to but why would we need a person just to do that but if we're looking at the pack as something that's going to be revenue generating to ultimately become a self-funding self-generating entity similar to like

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the NJ pack but just you know the willing borrow version of it then I do think we need someone who's dedicated to it who also um regardless of the person because this utility establishes the position. It doesn't say it has to be, you know, a particular person. It is just establishing the structure. I do

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think it's important to have whoever comes in to have familiarity with running the stage, having some contacts for sound engineers, light engineers. Um, and I think we have a fantabulous recreation department, very talented folks, but they're not um familiar with

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or we would have to send them all out for classes or whatever to learn the sound engineering, the lighting, you know, how to run the theater. I think it's it is something that deserves um someone who knows what they're doing and at the end of the day if it doesn't work out if we evaluate we set some goals

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some criteria we want some shows and we watch it over the next you know year or two years or three years and assess it and say this is not working for Willingboro then we can always try a different model you know do we want to go in partnership with another entity do we want how do we want to go forward but

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I do think that because we're just getting started um having a dedicated utility manager is critical to the having a strong start so we can have these types of cultural experiences in Willenboro. Thank you, Madame Mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor Worthy. Madame Mayor, can I respond to her?

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>> Councilwoman, um you just mentioned some things that are not in this utility. You said there should be doing stage lighting and etc. None of none of that is in here. It says reporting structure. Um it speaks about responsibilities and duties. Um and it says including but not limited to um facil facility scheduling

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programming coordination rental admin um administration box office ticket um coordination. It doesn't say anything about lighting. Um then you have limits of authority all contracts appropriations and fees schedules staffing levels positions clarifications

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and budget actions. Um what is that? Only Lord knows. Then you have civil service compliance here. This is where you speak. I speak about the health insurance and and then you cross out how much they're going to make and it's just look at the salary ordinance and pick one that's whatever is in there and we're going to vote on that. It's just

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pick a salary and that's what it will be. Um this is this doesn't say anything you just mentioned about why we need this utility authority except for what Mr. Harris did mention about selling tickets and um appropriating the money elsewhere. I understand that that's

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necessary. What I don't understand is this entire job description, that's what it is, or person, what exactly are they doing? And they're not doing what you just mentioned. And everybody that's at the recreation department, that's exactly what they do. People come to the

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banquet, they rent the banquet out, they have weddings, they have funerals, they have shows, they have step shows, games, you name it. Different events. And actually the recreation department used to be the person the the department that actually hires the performers for the jazz festival. So we really are growing

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this is the growing financial expense and I I'm looking at this because I was the mama we cannot afford it and it's keep everything is more more and more and what you describe is just not that's not in here. And thank you, Councilwoman Peron. And I will just um add that as as

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we've said um a few times now, this just establishes this ordinance establishes the utility. Um it does not give the job description of the position. The job description will um come from Mr. Harris. This just establishes the

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structure of how the utility will be set up. Um it's not um it does not include a job description for the roles of the manager within this establishment. >> Madam Mayor, may I respond to your

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statement? >> No, it says duties and responsibilities and it also says salary. So how are you saying it does not describe a job description? >> It it just has the salary and it has duties and responsibilities. >> That's your job. That's what the person will be doing. No further statements. We

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can move forward. Thank you. Um, any other discussion on this? Seeing none, roll call. Oh, we have to close the public hearing. You put your mic on. Seeing no further public comment, I'd

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like to close the public comment for the ordinance 26-17. Can I get a motion to f finally adopt ordinance 26-17? >> So move. >> Second. >> Moved by Councilwoman Macintosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron.

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>> No. >> Councilwoman Mintosh? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy? >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield? >> Yes. I'd like to open up the public hearing on ordinance 26-18, an ordinance to improve municipal operations and

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efficiency through the reorganization of departments by amending chapter 3, article 15 of the township code relating to the department of recreation. Anyone wishing to come forward to comment on this ordinance only, please do so. Seeing none, I'd like to close the

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public comment for ordinance 26-18. Can I get a motion to finally adopt ordinance 26-18? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Roy, seconded by Counciloman Macintosh. >> Councilwoman Peron.

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So moved. >> Roll call. >> Oh. Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. >> I'd like to open the public hearing for ordinance 26-9 entitled an ordinance amending chapter

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2721 of the code of township of Willenboro to reduce the compliance period from 10 days to 5 days to constitute a final order for the township abatement. Anyone wishing to come forward on this

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ordinance, please do so. Seeing none, I'd like to close the public comment for ordinance 26-9. Can I get a motion to finally adopt ordinance 26-9? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded

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by Councilwoman Macintosh. Council >> motion. Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. I'd like to open up the public hearing for ordinance 26-20

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and ordinance of the township council of the township of Willingboro County of Burlington, state of New Jersey amending ordinance 26-14 amending chapter 370 of article 17 supplementary regulations of the code of the township of Willingboro by creating

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a new section 370-94 entitled optional red lid additional refuge car program. Anyone wishing to come forward on this to comment on this ordinance only, please do so. >> Good evening. Please state your name.

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>> Um, good evening. Uh, my name is Carl Scholes Jr. I am >> one more time. Can you just sign for that? >> My name is Carl Scholes Jr. I am a resident of 127 Hullbrook Lane. actually been the president of Woolingboro for 63 years

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predating Levit. Um, as far as the uh the ordinance that that is um offered, I fully support the changes that have been incorporated um in in this ordinance because I was very concerned about the way the um the

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original ordinance was was was passed particularly with regard to those people that had purchased the bins prior to the uh kind I think you may have all received a copy of a letter that I had forwarded you, but I just wanted to say that I appreciate the incorporation of

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the changes and and I support as it's currently written. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Sch. >> Any other comment at this public hearing? >> Seeing no further comment, I'd like to close the com the public comment for

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ordinance 26-20. Can I get a motion to finally adopt ordinance 26-20? >> So moved. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Peron, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh.

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>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Woodfield. >> Yes. >> For the resolutions, are there any resolutions that um council would like to pull from a consent agenda? Mayor, if I may just state for the for

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for clarity, we do need to have a public hearing on the budget amendments prior to uh adopting the budget. So maybe we can do that before you get into your for the >> Okay.

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But there are none that welcome. >> Okay. All right. Um Madame Deputy Clerk, can we go into the public uh hearing for the amendments? May I get a motion to open public hearing on the amendment of the

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2026 municipal budget? >> So moved. Second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. >> The public is the public hearing is now open. Is there anyone from the public who wishes to speak on the amendment of

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the 26 municipal budget amendment budget? >> Good evening, Miss Diggs. Can you just uh give an update? And um I know you talked about this before, but just rebrief on the amendments from the >> Okay. >> budget. >> Good evening. Um

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Madame Mayor, deputy council members, residents. This is the mic. Thank you. >> Yeah. Okay. to go over what we introduced at the last meeting. We made several amendments to the

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introduced budget and mostly the amendments covered uh $342,691 um amendment that the state of New Jersey required us to make

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due to um recalculations of the 2025 healthcare and the 2026 healthc care provisions. So that was the the the major portion of the amendment and then we made in order to

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remain in compliance we had to readjust some of the numbers to come up to the 300 over 300 some more thousands. So that's in summary of the amendment. >> Any other questions or comments from

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council? Seeing none. Thank you, Mr. St. >> There's no other comment from the public. All right, Madam Deputy Clerk. Seeing no further comment, I'd like to close the public hearing for the amendment of the 2026 budget.

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Can I get a motion? So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Seconded by Councilwoman M. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Woodfield.

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>> Yes. >> All right. Um, can I get a motion for a consent agenda for resolutions 2026-136, 2026-1 138 through 144?

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>> Second. Moved by Councilwoman Mintosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. May I get a motion to approve roll call? >> Sorry. Roll. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes.

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>> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. >> May I get a motion and second to approve the same? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh.

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>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. Yes. >> All right. Approval of the treasures report. May I get a motion to approve the June 30th treasury report? >> So moved.

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>> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. Mayor Woodfield. >> Yes. Uh, we'll also do the minutes, please.

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>> May I get a motion to approve the June 16th regular meeting minutes and executive meeting minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. Roll call. >> Councilwoman Pome.

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. We did it after the public hearing. >> Madam clerk, uh your updates, please. Yes. This is just a friendly reminder that all merkantiles in Willingboro

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expired on June 30, June 30th, 2026. A reminder that a merkantile license is required for anyone conducting business in Willingboro. For more information or to receive the link to complete the online application, please contact the clerk's office. You can email us at

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clerks@willingboroj.gov. The following are the approved peddler and solicitors for Willingboro, Allied Experts, Advanced Green Home, Sunrun, and Topline Roofing. While these vendors are approved, they are still prohibited from knocking on anyone's door that has

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a no knock sticker. If you find any of these vendors or another unauthorized vendor soliciting, please contact the clerk's department. And to obtain a no knock sticker, you may complete the online application by going to the Willingboro website.

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um an upcoming event that's coming up in September, we will have our community shred event um that will be hosted on September 12th between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. And this event is open to Willenboro residents and more information will be provided.

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>> All right. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Any questions for the clerk? All right. Seeing none, um we'll go into unfinished business. At the last meeting, we had a presentation of the emergency operations plan. I wanted to

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follow up before um we sign off on it if there were any questions, concerns, or uh comments on the emergency operations plan. All right. So, I will move forward with

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signature. Can I get a motion to um adopt the emergency operations plan? >> Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Peron. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call.

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>> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. >> All right. So, I will sign that and we will um be in compliance for our

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emergency operations. Um under new business, >> um I have un unfinished business. Oh, okay. >> Um, any other unfinished business? Yes, thank you. Uh, so unfinished business.

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Yes. So, I have two. Um, we again I spoke about it briefly earlier today to this evening rather. Um, the question was not answered. Uh we hired Ducket to um bring artists to the performing arts

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center that's not open and um the council voted to pay him $7,000 every month for the past two years. So I'd like to know um Mr. Harris, what did we pay Ducket to do exactly? Cuz he

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received $7,000 in total uh $456,000. So, what did we pay him to do exactly? >> I don't have his contract. >> I have his contract. >> So, I just know he didn't do anything in the contract. I want to know what he do because the contract he's supposed to

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bring artists, sell tickets, and we will receive revenue for how much we paid him. So, he didn't bring artists. He didn't sell tickets. He also did not pay for security, which it says it in there that he's responsible for paying for security. Right. And then the next year

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we amended his contract to include the jazz festival and first Fridays. And you confirmed that he also didn't pay for security. The township council paid security when it's in his contract to pay for security. So he actually owes us money. And in addition to the security

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aspect of it, because as you see in his contract, Mr. Harris, it doesn't say except for the jazz festival. It says in addition to the performing arts center, we are including jazz festival and first Fridays. So I want a real answer. What

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did we pay docket $456,000 to do? >> So Mr. Ducket has been instrumental in facilitating the the finishing and the opening of the performing arts center. That's what Mr. Dugen

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>> It's not open, sir. and he he did not build the construction of the >> from the the performing arts center is finished. We received our certificate of occupancy. We went from uh from nothing to completion under the direction of Mr.

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Ducket who was very instrumental in helping us get to this point. Now, if if you don't are are not in approval of the work that has been done, then please don't make it seem like it is a me failure. That was the contract that was approved and awarded by the township

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council to Mr. Ducket and we paid him according to that award. So if you are not if you are are not satisfied with what uh services he has provided then please provide for me what it is that you would like for for me to execute to

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move forward >> and and I will do that. >> Thank you sir. And that's what I'm that's what I'm asking you because in his contract and all anybody objecting to his contract, please raise your hand. In his contract, he is supposed to bring artists, sell tickets. He did not do any

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of that. We hired people to build the performing arts center. He did not build the perform he did not build the performing arts center. He didn't put up curtains. He didn't paint. He didn't screw anything. He didn't drive the electrical wards through the the building. We hired and paid a lot of money for people to build that

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performing arts center. So, I'm going to ask you one more time, Mr. Harris, please tell me, what did Ducket do? Because he did not open that place. We hired professionals to build the construction of that building and we paid people to make sure it was

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compatible with a CEO receiving the CEO. >> Yes. >> What did he do is what I'm just tell. So, you recall that you're absolutely correct. We hired an engineer to oversee the construction of the performing arts center. Do you recall that we had many

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problems with that engineer? Do you recall that the engineer shut down the the the opening for the performing arts center for months? Do you recall that we had issues with the lighting systems and the sound systems and the roof constructions and we had issues with the

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curtains and we had a lot of issues with the construction of the performing arts center under the engineer. So when Mr. Ducket was hired, we anticipated that the performing arts center would be open and operating and running much sooner

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than it actually was. But we had so many problems and delays with the engineer that it actually came to a stop for a very long period of time. And Mr. Ducket was very instrumental in using his experience

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and guidance to help us get over the obstacles with the engineer that helped us get the performing arts center to completion. >> We hired Penoni to build that that didn't we hire them? >> That is correct. >> Okay. So please, Mr. Paris last time. What? Don't say he was very

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instrumental. Like you used more vocabulary for me. What did he do? >> Council I don't know what >> nothing. Okay. It's council point of order. Point of order. >> Mayor, do you know what he >> point of order? Council signed off. >> Point of order. Council. Did >> you sign his checks? >> No, I did not.

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>> Okay. Did you approve the $7,000? >> No, I did not. You did? >> No, I did not. We did as a council. >> What did he do? >> Council woman, thank you for your comments. Question, Madam Mayor. Thank you for your comments. Thank you for your comments. People of the public, thank you for your recognized. Nobody

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here has You're not giving me a chance to speak. Councilwoman Peron, as I said, point of order. Thank you, Councilwoman Pon, for your comments. And as Mr. Harris has stated, this project has had come to a complete

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stop under the direction of the engineer that we hired. This is a common past practice in Willingboro that companies that we hire to work on our behalf, take advantage of us, spend our money, use it for things that we don't ask them to do,

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procure items that we don't ask them to procure, give us substandard materials, and and do not um produce the product that we have uh contracted them to do and asked them to do. This is what

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happened with Penoni. This is why the construction stopped on this. This is why we ended up having an additional sound system that was not adequate or not the sound system that we asked for for the performing arts system

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um for the performing arts center. This is why after when we are about to get the CEO it the construction had to further be delayed because Penoni did not put in the proper fire alarms for the performing arts center this

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project and I understand yes we hired Mr. Ducket to procure talent and to sell tickets and to take tickets and all of these things. Yes, but we would not have completed this project and we would have

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squandered the taxpayers dollars if we would have let Panoni continue to run a muck on this project. They procured curtains that were seethrough from the from the audience, which is the whole

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point to block the stage. Very expensive curtains that were see-through that Mr. Ducket found. uh sound system that was for our the engineer said, "This is the sound system that we used in my church

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and it's good enough." That is not what we asked. We asked for a top-of-the-line top-of-the-line sound system for the performing arts center so that we could have talent come in and it would meet their requirements. That is not what we were given. I don't know

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sound engineering. Anybody else up here know sound engineering? as you say, raise your hand. Okay. So, nobody else up here knows what we needed in that performing arts center in order to have the to fulfill what our wishes were,

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fulfill the vision that we had for that performing arts center. Mr. Ducket was instrumental, critical to getting that project done and getting it across the finish line. And if you wanted to take that project on on your own, you are more than welcome to have any input in

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that. You did not. >> Does that complete your statement? >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> No, before I I call I call Who's next? Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Just for clarification, I know this 400,000 is thrown up quite a bit. Can we

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have some explanation for that? Because it's not a $400,000 salary which is being presented as. Um I just want to make sure there's clarification for the public what $400,000 went to. >> I can clarify that, Mr. Harris.

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>> So I think 400,000 was the the the the accumulation of what he was paid over a three-year period. >> Thank you, sir. Like I said, um Madame Mayor, is that complete your statement? Sorry, Council Me. >> No, it wasn't. >> No, go ahead. Go ahead. I'm sorry. >> It include it also it also when I looked

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at it also included acts that were paid that was that was typically done with recreation at the time. Right. >> So that wasn't his salary. That's what I'm saying. I think we got to be very clear on what they because that is a big investment but I want everybody to be clear what that investment went toward.

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It wasn't towards a person salary. >> Correct. >> Correct. Un understood. Yes. So so Mr. Ducket did um Mr. Ducket did you utilize some of his personal funds to secure talent uh which he was reimbured for. Um

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but most of that that compensation was for for his salary. >> Madame Mayor, I'm sorry. Does that complete your statement? >> I don't know what was so funny about that. That was a question. >> No, I'm not. >> Okay. >> Counciloman Macintosh, are you done? >> Yes. Thank you, >> Madame Mayor. Councilwoman F.

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>> So I have I'm going to respond to first your statement, Madame Mayor, and then I'll get to Macintosh's statement and Mr. Harris's response to that. So Madame Mayor, again, we are all intelligent people in this room, and I asked a very simple question. What did Ducket do? And

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then you borrowed Mr. Harris's word was very instrumental. Okay. So, I would ant I would have expected some description that he built the stage with his bare hands, that he screwed the the nails in the wall, something he painted. Okay.

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Something. What did he do? And he's very instrumental. Okay. Everyone up here has confirmed you gave him $7,000 every month for two years. Okay. And I said, "For what?" because his contract does not say go and check on Pinoni,

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make sure he's doing his job. We hire Penoni. If Penoni wasn't doing their job, we handled it. And that's what happens with construction. We have a vision. They're doing the best that they can do. And if we don't like something, Penoni steps and say, "Okay, we can make this change. Change order request."

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That's what we did with Penoni because we had a business with Penoni to build that place. And they did just that. Ducket did not build that place. If he didn't like the speakers, yes, he said, "Oh, you need better speakers. I've seen better." Okay, it's advice. We got to

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pay him $7,000 a month. No. What did he do? I keep asking. You did not answer that question, Madame Mayor. For the record, you did not answer that question. Neither did Mr. Harris. So, to Councilman Macintosh's statement, okay? Cuz she wanted clarity of the $456,000.

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Okay? You know what that is? As Mr. Harris said it three times, a larger portion of it is his salary. Now, with regards to him paying out of his pockets, let me explain what that means. Like the jazz festival coming up, one of the artists, let's just say they charge

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us, I think they did charge us 15 $15,000 on the check. It goes from the Woolly Barrel Township to Ducket and then Ducket takes some of it for himself and pays whatever to the artist. That's the way it's done. That's the way it's done

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because even when the the J the recreation department was hiring our our axe for the jazz festival, they would hire a company like Ducket and say, "Hey, we need some artists." And they say, "Okay, I can work this out." The business is with the company that's procuring the artist. So, because you

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included Jazz Festival and First Fridays in his contract for the performing arts center, which has not been open, which you've been paying him $7,000 a month. He didn't use any of his money. What he did was say, "Hey, listen. I'll give you $15,000. We can make this out. Um, I'll

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give you maybe $5,0004 whatever $500 right now and I'll get the rest to you later." That's what he did. He didn't use any of his money. He used the taxpayers's money. Okay? We gave that $500 deposit to him. We gave that back to him and then some. Okay? So that

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money m um madam Macintosh, Councilman Macintosh, that is his salary because he is paid for every single artist that's there. Okay? And that's why I said, "Why aren't we paying the actual artists? Why are the checks going to duck it?" Nobody could answer that question. Okay? So

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nobody here is stupid. We know what's going on. Okay? And what's going on is highway robbery. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Just to set the record straight, that is in fact not what happened. Um for a number of years we have been using companies to procure artists for the jazz sess um and other

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events because we cannot um contract directly with the artists without going through public contracts law. Public contracts law is very restrictive and would not allow us to secure the artists that we would like to have at these

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events. Um so we go through another company to do that process for us. For the past few years, we have been using Ducket Entertainment for that um process and we have been it is a pass through entity where Ducket secures the acts. We

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pay back Ducket for those securities. We did also include the contracts within um the packet at the last meeting that we approved um which also stated the amount of the contract verbatim from the contract and that's the amount that

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ducket um will be reimbursed for as we move forward. All right. I have addition. >> Is there any other unfinished business? >> Yes. Councilwoman PR Mr. Harris's residency. We discussed it at the last council meeting. He gave his presentation. We went back to discuss. I

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sent the report. Madam Macintosh sent her a report about 20 minutes before this meeting. Um so or I think it was I saw 450 or something like that. Um so with regards to his residency, Mr. Harris does not live here and I would like to continue that conversation.

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>> So with all due respect, that's a personnel matter and it needs to be discussed. >> Well, that's the that's the topic. Your residency, >> that's a personnel matter. >> It's a we can go personnel. I'm just saying that's that's unfinished business. We opened up in the public >> and >> and Councilwoman Peron, that is going to be discussed. Mr. Harris has been rised

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for this evening and that is going to be discussed in executive session. Um, it was improper for you to bring that up in public. >> It's not improper. I did not receive your rice notice that you were rised. I did not receive the notice. Okay. Madame clerk, did you send me his rice notice? Thank you. She

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>> Yes, she did not send it to me. >> So, she did let you know that he was right. sent it to him and he did not accept it. Point of order. >> It's not point of order. Point of order. Point of point of order. It is point of order. >> I did not receive it. No. So it's not bringing that up, Mr. Point of order. Okay. Because we discussed and that's

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why. Okay. Point of order to finding out when you're in executive session. >> Okay. Point of order. >> Thank you. Let her play. >> Point of order. Play more. Bang it some more. Okay. Play with your blocks. >> Point of order. Capture blocks. >> Point of Councilwoman Pum. >> Play with your blocks.

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I'm sorry. At at this point, if um your conduct continues to be at this point meeting, I will we will take a vote to have you removed from the meeting. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. Have me removed and council Anderson's in jail. >> We will have you. >> Yeah, let's let's try that. Let's try that. That's another topic to discuss

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tonight. >> Let's keep it real. How about that? >> Is there any Is there any other topics of unfinished business? All right. Um, on to new business. Um, I brought this up and council, you've been

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distributed a packet um, regarding vote 16. This is an initiative uh, from the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice um, which would allow 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in

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local elections. Um, this is a topic that I discussed with the youth of our community during um, youth and government days. >> Madam May, your mother speaking. Can you bang your bang your blocks again? Quiet in the quiet. Madam, Madame Mayor's

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mother. Excuse me. Bang your blocks now. You're being sit down, mother. Sit down. Samantha, you're being disturbing. You are disturbing the meeting. You will be removed. You will be bang your blocks now. Bang it on your mother. Let's go. >> Council woman,

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>> get on your motherio. >> Oh, cursing now. Council woman. >> Hey, bang the block now. Bang the block. Councilwoman Peron, >> get your mother out of here with her ghetto self. Yes. Bang the block. She's cursing. >> Councilwoman Peron, your behavior. Your

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mother just cursed in this room. Council woman just cursed and >> counciloman Peron, your behavior is completely disrespectful. You are disregarding the order of this meeting. >> Council, can I get a motion for a fivem minute recess? >> So move second.

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Second. Second. >> There you go. >> It's been moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy. It's been seconded by Council Peron. >> Roll call. about to be moved. You're about to be moved. Move. Wait if you

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want. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Woodfield. >> Yes. Madame Deputy Clerk, may I get a motion to come out of recess one more time? Excuse me. May I get a

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motion to come out of recess? >> So moved. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes.

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All right. Um, thank you. Before we went to recess, I was um discussing a item of new business, the vote 16. Um, vote 16 is an initiative by the Institute of Social

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Justice um that would allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in local elections. Um, this is a policy uh that I discussed with the youth of our community at multiple occasions. I've been a

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substitute within the schools and then the high school talking to students about this. We've also talked to them about this at Youth and Government Day um in in some other interactions that we've had with them. Um our 16 and 17 year olds now are much more informed on

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what's going on um politically than they have been in the past, especially um lately. They've been very informed and concerned about what is going on within the school district. um in talking with

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them, they desire the ability to be able to vote for their school board representatives um based on, you know, what they have to say, what their plans are for the future of Willingboro public schools. as well. Um, for council, I've included in the

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packet a brief about vote 16, um, why 16 and 17 year old should be allowed to vote in local elections and beyond, and then also um some a memo from the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice explaining the uh the initiative as well

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as a sample ordinance for this. Um, as many of you know, the voting age of 18 is a little bit arbitrary. Um, it was lowered uh during the I want to say Vietnam War

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um because citizens were able to go and serve in war at six uh 18 but were not permitted to vote. So that voting age was lowered for that. And I think with the increased uh social consciousness of our youth, we should allow them to vote

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in our uh local elections. So I'd ask the council please review the material that I presented and we'll discuss it at a later meeting. Yes, Council, I mean Council McIntosh. >> Um so what authority do we have to

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change that? what is what's the request after we review it? What are the options? So, the mechanism is in place um because there are a number of states, cities, and towns even um Newark just recently passed this to allow 16 and 17

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year olds to vote in local elections um and other states across the country. So, the mechanisms are in place to allow uh this age range to vote within our elections. we would just have to pass the ordinance to uh to allow it within

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our municipality. Uh deputy mayor. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um I did read that in some places they lowered the age for the school board as well as the local elections um based on um what you've read and what you've uncovered. Did you um were you asking council to I

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mean is it yes, no, or both and or what are your thoughts in terms of um local elections and or school board elections? >> Yes, I would um be in favor of allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in both uh school board elections and local elections. There are a number of

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different positions. I mean, especially working in the schools this year as a substitute. Um our youth have concerns. our youth are interested in the policies. They know when we change ordinances um and they have questions about them.

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And I think, you know, interacting and have being able to work that muscle of civic engagement at a younger age, I hope will invite them and um encourage their participation in the civic process

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as they age um past 18 and beyond for the rest of their lives. Thank you. So, some of the states that um already allow uh 17 year olds to vote in Delaware, DC, Indiana, Kentucky, um

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Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, um they allow uh 17 year olds to vote in primaries. Um and in mar in Maryland there are a number of towns that allow 16 year olds

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to prevent to pro participate in all local elections. Um no matter what local elected official they are voting for 16 year olds and above are allowed to participate in those elections. Um so I think it'll be a very worthy cause. I

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think um this would uh put us as a very progressive community which I think um we endeavor to be a progressive community um and you know can help spread this practice throughout New

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Jersey. >> Any other questions? >> Yes. So, I did flip through the pages a bit um fast reading through it. Um at first glance, I would like to look through more more and do some more research. Um but at first glance, my concern is that

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um I didn't see anything in here about neurological development at 16 years old. Um so I would want to research that. Um where are we where is a child or teenager's brain development at 16

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and 17 years old? Number two, um they don't pay taxes. So they're not contributing to the money that we have to send the taxes over to the school district. So there's they're actually benefiting because whatever we send, that's what we buy for them. So that's

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like my children in my house decide what I'm going to do with the house, but they're the children. So I think we start getting really nasty when we start having children decide what the adults are going to do. So at 18, we are considered legal age as an adult. You can do other things and there's still

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some brain development at that age, but it is even further younger at 16. Um, and we're not talking about students that are 16 and they do very well academically. That's not what I'm speaking about. Because there are a lot of different choices and experiences that they have not yet to experience

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such as purchasing, closing on a house, keeping the water on, keeping the lights on, working, getting the children to school, from school, pampers, baby milk. Even if you're a teen parent, you're probably living with your parents. So, I just think such a big thing like that to

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have them vote for the adults to be before them, something about that disturbs me. However, I would like to see some initiatives from them. If you have a group of students that are interested, have them come out to the forums. If we see that they're at the council

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meetings, because where are they? How many people in here are 16 years old? Raise your hand. One. Out of all the people that's here, we have one. So they should come out to the council meetings, come to the school boards, become active there. Then it shows me that we have a pretty mature crowd here. In addition to

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again, I'd like to see neurological reports from professionals, behavioral specialists, wear a brain function of a child that is 16 and 17 years old because yes, they're still children. Even if they're teenagers, they are young adults. Okay? and I don't take it

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lightly to put the responsibility of the tax dollars in the child's hands. So that's my thought at first glance. I'll research what you have here. Um I did I didn't see very much challenging that saw one little part challenges but again I flipped through it. Um but I'm pretty

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sure there's more research that I can find and I will look further into it. But thank you for bringing that to our attention. >> Thank you Councilwoman Peron and I mean I understand your concern. And I did have some conversations with them about that and um right in the beginning of the packet, I know you haven't had a lot

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of time to look at it, um but it does state um despite their age, research shows that not only are 16 and 17 year olds neurologically and socially mature enough to vote responsibly, they are equally informed about and engaged about

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political issues um as their counterparts. And um there is a a citation there. So there are some um scholarly articles that support their neurological development in that sense. So um I look forward to a full

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discussion at the next meeting. >> All right. Any other new business? >> Seeing none. >> One other thing. I'm sorry. There was one other new business. Council >> just a suggestion because I know that um there are some residents that come to

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the council meetings that standing up and walking is challenging. So, I wanted to see if we could invest in a microphone without a cord and possibly have somebody pass the microphone to those who need assistance with getting out of the pews and coming up here just to make it a little bit more easier for

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somebody that walking may be challenging. And I remember somebody that was blind um tried she made a way up here. But if we can just um just with the disabilities act probably um invest in a microphone that we could hand to those who need it, not to everybody, but

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um I just wanted to bring that thought to the council. What do you think about a cordless microphone for people who may have challenges getting to the microphone that are in the building at the meeting? >> All right. Thank you for your thoughts on that question. Um, I think we uh I would like to

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research the issue a little further. Just brought it up at this meeting. So, I'd like to look at it and look at what the investment would look like. >> I can buy one. >> Thank you for your comments. Uh, Deputy Mayor Worthy.

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>> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, I appreciate you bringing up the wireless uh microphone. I think one of the things just to consider is how we would moderate it. like just making sure we have the clerk or deputy clerk just figuring out how to do that part of it. But on the surface, I think it's a great initiative to be able to um help make

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sure we have more accessibility to people who enjoy getting up and and sharing their thoughts. I'm Holly. U make sure they are able to uh say what they need to say. Um but I do think that just figuring out how is it going to be moderated and passing it around. But I think it's a good idea.

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>> Thank you. >> All right. Um we have reached the point in our meeting for public comment. This is our general public comment. You'll have four minutes um to discuss a general issue. Um there are comment cards in the back. If you uh if we need

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to get back in touch with you to provide an answer to your question that we're not able to answer tonight, please hand your uh comment card to our deputy clerk or Mr. St. Heler and they will be sure to uh make sure that they have your information. You'll have four minutes.

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Public comment is now open for general issues. >> Yeah, please state your name. >> Let me gather myself. My name is uh Ronnie Livingston. I live in uh East Dutchfield for about 20 years. Uh, first

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I want to apolog uh the council, madame uh mayor, because this is new to me and I'm only here for one reason and that was every day I go down to this lake that we have down at Crystal Lake and today I mean every day

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I go down there. It's about it's a group of us and we fish down there every day. And it's due to my ignorance that I didn't know that they was putting a boat uh a boat ramp with all this here in our spot where we fish at every day. And I

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got a question if I is it okay that I ask council a question. Have any of you ever been down there fishing? Y'all have? Yeah. Okay. I'll be down there every day. I've never seen you. Uh I'm down there every day. I'm retired. I was down there every day before I retired.

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And this big plastic boat ramp taking up the nature of where we sit at. Guys been sitting there for 20, 30 years. And y'all bring this big atrocity to this space. I guess it was from a grant that we received.

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>> Oh, we'll answer the questions that comment. >> I guess it was from a grant. That grant could have been used to beautify the trail around it. It could have been used to beautify the thing and it probably would have been a lot cheaper just to keep the grounds done and everything.

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But here we go. I mean, we was down there really like livid today because this thing came from out of nowhere. Maybe because I didn't come to these meetings, but I see why I didn't come. But anyway, um all I want to know is where did this come from? Who who who agreed to that?

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Nobody came down to the lake and asked us did we want this down there. So, we had to come here. We had to come to this meeting to this to find out about a thing that's going to be put in nature where we fish at. I guess y'all don't like nature like we do other fisherman's

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that's down there because this is this was so hurtful today to have this done to fishermen that been fishing there for years and all of a sudden somebody say, "Oh, we uh we putting this down there so they can use kayaks and kayaks. This is

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this is this not what we do. This is not what that lake if y'all know this lake. If y'all been in Williamsboro, this is passionate for me. This is what I I go down there. I fish every day. And to see this just to sit there, have my coffee in the morning to just to see the lake, the trees, not this big piece of plastic

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that they done threw out there in the water. I don't know if y'all will understand that if y'all don't see nature like I do, but this is I just want to know why. >> Thank you, Mr. Livingston.

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>> Yes. At the end of uh public comments. Good evening, council. >> Mayor Ricardo Thirstston, 22 Holton Lane. I was here about three years ago asking a question about my street, Holton Lane,

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being paved. I asked three questions. How much money did receive from the bipartisan bill that Joe Biden put in? I asked, "When was the last time my street was paved?" and when will it be done?

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The answer I got was I didn't get an answer about how much money will received. I didn't get an answer about when the last time my street was paved, but I did get an answer about when it was going to be done. And I was told that

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PSNG was doing a project of laying new piping throughout all of England. And after they did that, they're going to look at the streets based on need, how bad the street is

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before it be assigned to be scheduled to be paid. Every street and I live in, like I said, I live on Holton Lane. There's Hullbrook Lane, Holiday Lane, Holmes, House,

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Howstone, Hanover, and Harrison Drive. And every one of those streets, we are driving on the underlay that goes under on the street for them to put the asphalt on top of.

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Now, if you want to tell me those streets don't need to be repaved, cuz like I said, the last time I think my street was repaved was maybe 22 years ago, and I've been here 47 years. So, I went and looked for myself and I

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found out that from the New Jersey legislation, I asked, "Did Willie Burl receive any money from the bipartisan infrastructure law?" And I was told or I found myself because I had to look for it myself. in

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2023 segment rating four roadway project through the New Jersey state legislative infrastructure package supported by federal government programs. Willingboroough Township was approved for an estimated $3.7

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million. And the last time I was here three years ago, there was only 15 streets or 15 roads in that have been paved. And now the question I ask, where's the rest of the money? Is it still here? Is

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it still being used? All I want to know is I would like to have my street paid because it hasn't been paid in 22 at least 22 years. That's what I would like. And now that PSG is PSG has finished

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laying all this piping and all those streets that I just named, they should be scheduled to be paid. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Thirst. >> Good evening again, Madame Mayor, mayor, deputy mayor, council. Um, I did send to

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only Oh, I'm sorry. Tony Matthysse, Tony Medford Lane. I did um send to two of the council, the mayor and um uh Miss Peron, because I wasn't able to send to the rest of the

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the council in regards to the tree farm. Um, I have asked um uh for some clarification and I'm in I'm representing basically the written house area uh Pine Street. There has been

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illegal dumping on that property. From what I was told by Mr. Tonsel, I also took pictures that I did email to the mayor and um Mrs. Peron. It looks like um trees that have been cut down and

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then transferred over to the tree farm and they're also dumping other trash. I mean I know I wouldn't say trash, but I would say limbs and and logs, huge logs. And um it seems as if there's I don't know what is being done yet to rectify

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that. I do know that that property was designated to possibly be um a a warehouse slashresidential cabinet building um building, but I think that fell through. But I'm still

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asking right now that you have an enormous amount of logs that are being deposited over there at the tree farm. And I would like to see if the the council would address this issue to inform the residents as to what is being

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done to rectify that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Matthysse. >> Good evening. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Bernie Salon. I live in 93 Jennese Lane. I have a complaint. Uh, last year I had to re a

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tree in my back fell and I had to be responsible to pay for it. And that's the city tree again. Another one just fell down. And it didn't break the fence this time, but I paid 15 almost $1,600

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last year to replace the f the fence with a tree that fell, but William Bro said it was my responsibility to fix the tree. So, um I didn't have the letter with me right now. I should have had it. I

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wasn't going to speak, but since I'm here, um, in the letter, he stated that I didn't make a complaint. I'm not looking in my backyard for trees cuz my property had seven trees on it. When I bought the house, and I just moved here,

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I cut every tree down, $6,000. I'm not looking in my backyard to see all those trees behind my fence if they good or not. So, my question to you guys, if I paid $1,600 already, and now a tree is

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sitting on my uh fence right now, but it didn't break the fence, but they did come out this morning and uh looked at it. So, um my question in the future, all the trees that going to fall, I have to go back and monitor the trees in my backyard.

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>> Okay, we'll answer at the end of public. >> Oh, that's okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Allen. Okay. Greetings, Council William Weston, 44 Bible Lane. And I do I do pray that we have even if we disagree, we can have

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harmony just in general. Um, but I am a proponent of vote 16. I do think it's helpful for the youth to be uh engaged because adult voter turnout is low in in this community. So I think if we try to

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engage the students earlier they'll be more connected. Also in our in the last council election there there was people ran unopposed. So this way we can start to get people connected with with the

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process, the political process and being part of it. There's adults who uh who lack knowledge, we'll say. So you're saying that the the student I mean we should try to get more of of the community engage us with voting in the

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political process in general and this is just a way to open a door for that to happen. So just wanted to say that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. person. >> Good evening, council. Good evening, community members. Um, I am here because I wanted to >> Can you said your name?

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>> Sorry. Ayanna Ginyard, 27 Brad Cliff, please. >> Thank you. Um, I was I came up here to comment about the first ordinance. I missed some of the conversation. 26-21

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for the chapter 314 section 1 placement of receptacles in Brent House because I'm a I live in Britain house. I bought a house in 2024 and although I'm pleased with the receptacles,

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if you because I just came in and the fence was already existing, it's very difficult for the new trash can and the new um recycle bin to get inside the gate. In order for me to have enough space to not keep it outside of my gate,

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I'm going to have to redo the fence. That's a cost. it will get done. But I think just making it a little bit easier. I have set it up AC um at top right up to the gate. Made a nice little place for it. I am now being told that

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I'm going to be fine for that when I'm just trying to make sure that the trash get out on time and it's in a neat space. Um I can't speak to everybody in the park. I know everybody doesn't follow all the rules, but this would

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just be helpful. So, I am one of the residents who is having challenges with an older fence that is existing that I'm going to have to tear down and replace in order to make a space big enough to be able to pull that inside of the gate.

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So, it has been up against the gate. Um, and that is my neighbor across from me also has a tree stump in front of her gate. So, she also is very difficult to get it inside. So, um I know it may not

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seem like a lot, but having to worry about fixing the fence just so I don't get fined on Monday nights or Tuesday when I come home from work for my trash receptacle is is a bit much. Um and so I think the we we understand that we're

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HOA and we have to do things a little bit different, but this is one thing that would just make it a little bit easier for the community just to be able to put it up against our fence. We're not talking about leaving it out anywhere, but to be able to put it up against the fence that we're responsible for um would just be helpful if that can

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be removed. So, I am for and hope that that is considered. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Gir. >> Hello, I escer Milbrook Drive. I appreciate Mayor Whitfield bringing up vote 16. A motion I believe if passed will positively impact Williamboro's

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community and also increase youth civic engagement. Beyond this proposal, I also believe the council should estab should consider establishing a youth advisory board for the school board or town council. I know Willingboro has youth and government days, but as May Whitfield said, students are growing

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increasingly aware and interested in policym. Establishing a youth council will let students make their voices heard, not just a few days throughout the year, but continuously, and encourage students to not only be to not only continue to be

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civically engaged in adulthood, but also continue to contribute back to their communities. That's all. Thank you. >> Can you state your name one more time for me? Ra >> Oscar. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Oscar. Good evening, council. My name is Albert

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Simmons. I'm a resident of uh Willingboro. I live at 67 Windsor Lane and I've been a resident for the last 40 years. I have a question and

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I'm interested in how do they increase the taxes on the property tax whereas in May my taxes were 2500 plus. I just got a notice a week ago that in August it

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will be 3,100 plus, which is like a $600 increase in three months. I I'd like to know how they assessed that and why didn't I get a notice which gave me more time than three weeks to have the

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increase which I think is substantial. Thank you, >> Mr. Simmons. Good evening, council. >> Good evening. >> My name is Amos Williams. I live at 170 Clubhouse Drive. I've been living in

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Williamboro for 31 years. Yesterday I got a notice. I've already paid $2,700 in taxes every quarter. Yesterday I got a notice that my taxes will be $3,300.

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I live on social security. Why is it from 27 to 3,300? I mean, what why what are we getting in this town that is so much for some of us who can't I mean don't have that that that that that kind of

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money. Why from from 2700 to $3,300? I'd like to know why. >> Thank you, Mr. Wayne. Any other public comment saying? Okay.

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Don't start again. Sarah Holly nine Tyogga Lane. Hey, hold on for a second. I'm sorry. Did you start yet already? Okay. So, two things that I know you're probably going to discuss in executive session, but I'm

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going to talk about them anyway. our reporter and residents back there at the last meeting. He uh gave a softball question, a leading question, a setup question, a Q question or talking point prompt question, whatever you want to

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call it to Councilman Anderson, which I I believe it was coordinating and giving his canned response, rehearsal, talking points, scripted answer, or political talking point. Okay. under NJSA

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2C semicolon 51-2. I want to know how has the council addressed the situation with Councilman Anderson? And I I like Nat to be honest with you. I was in the hospital two

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summers ago. He called me or texted me uh once a week. So I'm not talking about him personally. Okay. Actually, it should have been addressed by council uh when he was convicted.

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Council should have contacted either the county prosecutor's office or the attorney general's office. And I know you didn't do that. Of course, you know, I called people. All right. Yeah, I do. Okay. Now,

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Mayor Whitfield, I'm totally disappointed in you tonight. You're going to say you're going to vote to silence or remove Councilwoman Peron January the situation with Councilman

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Anderson. You still you guys still had that's been what, six, seven months ago and you still have not voted to remove him. But tonight you make a motion to remove her. That's a problem for me as a as a taxpayer.

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Okay. Also, the other uh item which I know you're going to talk about in executive session uh relates to manager Harris. I want to know which three council members voted to rice him.

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Okay. because I know Councilman Anderson could not have voted to rice him because he was the one leading the charge about um about allowing oh leading the charge when he accused Mr. Harris of not being

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truthful. Now that's a little funny and that's a little the irony of that is laughable. Uh also who was employed who's employed in the township that was supposed to oversee Penoni as he was the engineer

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and the uh what do you call that the the theater and what exactly is first Friday? I I don't understand that. Um my time is up. Um there should be three readings to change the ordinance.

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I'm in favor of the youth council. I think it's an excellent idea as a retired teacher, but I think we should also have an ethics board. So, let's let's worry about that also. Um, I guess that's all. Oh, my husband pays my tax

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bill. He came home a couple couple about a week ago. Our taxes going up like $500. That's ridiculous. And that's every quarter. So if we can't get our trash picked up and we are spending that kind of money, that's a problem. And

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yes, I know that a majority of it came from school board. I already know that. 15 years on the school board. I definitely know that. So I think you guys should go to the school board too and ask. >> Thank you, Molly. Any other public comment?

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Seeing none, public comment is now closed. Uh we'll start with uh Miss Matthysse and the dumping at the tree farm. I know Mr. Harris, you had discussed this a little earlier in your manager's report, but can you please uh reiterate what's

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being done there? Oh, that's great because I have another question for you, too. just hanging out. Good evening again. >> Good evening, Mr. Johnson. >> All right. I'm in communication with

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Miss Genight regarding the tree farm or woman's and the complaints associated with that. And if you don't mind, I'd like to tell you exactly what she stayed in. So woman's as many of you know

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is a farm and they have the right to be a farm. All violations have to go through the county of agriculture. the board. We have cited womans

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and those items have been approved in terms of the sighting of them through the county. A lot of the things that Mr. Woman is doing are classified as a farm due to

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the tax assessors uh classification. Our power is somewhat limited when it comes to u the township. As long as Mr. Woman is not receiving debris from contractors,

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he is permitted to receive stumps and tree rebre debris that he uses as firewood to sell and is permitted according to the Department of Agriculture Board. If they have complaints, they can contact me and

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that's Miss Ginright and I will give them the contact to these agencies to make a formal complaint. So the bottom line is since he is classified as a tree farm, he can receive debris from

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tree cutters but he cannot receive contracting debris. And the debris he is receiving is basically trees. He takes that debris and he sells it for firewood. Now, we do have an issue with

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the way he stores that material and the locations in which he stores that material, but once again, it is under the control of the Department of Agriculture. So there's not there's limited uh things that we can do in

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terms of uh governing what he does because of his classification as a tree farm. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I know we've had multiple discussions about this. um it's been an issue for a number of years, but because

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he was able to secure that designation as a farm property, which on Route 130 it makes no sense, but he was able to secure that designation as a farm. It does exempt him from a lot of our township ordinances and we have to go

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through other channels to remediate some of those issues. >> That is correct. >> So, thank you uh Mr. Tunl for that. Also, um, Miss Bernese Allen asked about, um, the tree that fell on the It's on the township property. Yeah, I

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we addressed that this morning. I had a code enforcement officer go out there and take u numerous photos. We forwarded those photos to uh public works. That tree that fell is township property. Um, it fell from township property onto her

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private property. Uh, Mr. Chapman is aware of it and I'm looking to find out what his schedule is in terms of having that removed if he can do so. >> Okay. >> But he is aware of it and we did go out and u identify it as a problem that is

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associated to township property. >> Okay. And if any other residents or or Miss Allen has any further issues with trees falling on their properties, what is the process um to file a claim for that? Well, if it damages the fence or

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any uh material, uh it is a torque claim obviously. However, the first thing you should do is to contact us, meaning the inspection department will come out and assess the situation to determine whether or not the tree is technically u belonging to the township and if it is,

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we'll address it accordingly. But um the process for recouping any damages to your property is obviously through the torque claim um that goes to u our depth application goes to the deputy township manager.

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>> Okay. >> Right. >> Okay. Turn them in at the clerk's office. >> Okay. And do those um do those trees have to be reported prior to them falling as and and noticed as a problem for it to qualify? We live in

447
02:23:31.200 --> 02:23:47.520
Willingboro. Willingboro has beautiful trees. However, some of the trees are getting to the age where they're old and they are could be considered an imminent danger. If that is the case and they notify us

448
02:23:47.520 --> 02:24:03.359
that that they are concerned about that, we will address it. Uh we don't have the people power to go out and examine all the trees in Willingboro, but if there is an issue, please let us know. Contact the inspections department and we will

449
02:24:03.359 --> 02:24:19.040
send some about someone out immediately to address it. If the tree is on your private property, it is your responsibility. If the tree is on township property, we will address it accordingly. But um a lot of the trees are on private property and it is the

450
02:24:19.040 --> 02:24:34.640
homeowner's responsibility to take care of that tree. >> Thank you, Mr. Council. >> Anything else? >> Oh, yes. Uh >> trash cans, the infamous trash cans. Y >> as I stated early, we are addressing individual cases where the trash cans do

451
02:24:34.640 --> 02:24:50.319
not fit. Now, there's difference between the trash can not fitting and you not wanting that trash can in your backyard inside your fence. And we have to make it clear. If the trash can does not fit,

452
02:24:50.319 --> 02:25:06.560
we will work with you on resolving that matter. We are not writing you up or finding you if we've determined that the trash can is a problem in terms of fitting. There are some issues where people just don't want the trash can in their inside their

453
02:25:06.560 --> 02:25:21.359
fence because they think it's unsightly or they think it's nasty or whatever. The bottom line is the ordinance says the trash can must be inside the fence. If it is a fit issue, we will address them on a case-bycase basis and we will

454
02:25:21.359 --> 02:25:36.399
not find you for that. We'll identify the problem and we'll address it. will work with you towards getting your fence replaced and or modified to fit. Uh if it takes time, all you have to do is ask. We will provide extensions if

455
02:25:36.399 --> 02:25:54.319
necessary. So it is is is not a we're not trying to penalize you. We just want to make sure that everything is uniform and according to the ordinance. All right. >> All right. >> And please call me if you have any questions or concern. Most people do.

456
02:25:54.319 --> 02:26:13.760
Anything else? >> No, I think that was it. >> All right, I think I'm gonna leave this time. Have a greedy >> Okay. Um, we had a comment from Mr. Livingston about the dock at Crystal Lake. Um, so the dock did uh get

457
02:26:13.760 --> 02:26:29.840
delivered today to go at Crystal Lake. I understand your concern. I am a frequent visitor of Crystal Lake. I go out there in the afternoons. I have my lunch there. I sit there, sit in the car, just look at the water. Um, many times I It

458
02:26:29.840 --> 02:26:44.800
is a place of peace and calm for me as well. Um, we have had a number of requests for ADOP to enhance the fishing experience at Crystal Lake. Now, I know everyone might not feel that way, but

459
02:26:44.800 --> 02:27:01.520
there have been requests to add additional benches, to add a dock so that people can go a little further out into the water. um and also make it handicap accessible to make the um the dock accessible or make the water accessible to those who

460
02:27:01.520 --> 02:27:16.720
have disabilities. Um so that is what the dock is. It's an effort to make it additionally accessible to other members of our community um so that everyone can enjoy the nature there. I know that it

461
02:27:16.720 --> 02:27:35.240
does impede on that um that view. Um Mr. Paris. I know it's not completely installed yet, but is there another like port of the uh lake that it can be installed at? Maybe not right at that front one.

462
02:27:44.080 --> 02:28:01.399
>> Yeah, the the one that's there, right? I know they they slam it over and it's there. It's sitting there um for right now, but does it have to be at that exact spot? Can it be at one of the other openings at the uh lake?

463
02:28:06.720 --> 02:28:50.560
>> Okay. access. >> Okay. All right. It's just um something to think about, you know, the the look as we um go out or as people come up to the dock if it's possible. You know, maybe

464
02:28:50.560 --> 02:29:06.479
it's something we can explore. And Mr. Lemonson, I saw your hand in the back, but we don't take comment. We don't take further comment um after uh public comment has closed, but um Mr. Harris, have you I know you talked to Mr. Lemonson uh earlier today.

465
02:29:06.479 --> 02:29:22.399
>> We're having lunch next week. >> Okay. Yeah, he's uh Mr. Thirsten asked about um Holton Lane paving. Um I know Mr. Thirsten, we did. Um does if your street

466
02:29:22.399 --> 02:29:39.280
has that uh strip down the side where they replace the pipe, all of those roads are being repaved as Mr. Harris said in his report. Um and by the end of August, I think you said, or by the end of September. Um but can you just give

467
02:29:39.280 --> 02:29:55.840
us an update on the repaving of Halton? >> So there are 49 streets that PSCG is taking care of and then like I was saying there's an additional um block of roadsway that the township is in the process of doing the engineering work on that and I believe Mr. Holston Street or

468
02:29:55.840 --> 02:30:14.240
Holston Lane is >> Holton Lane >> right is on that list. So it's being engineered for re repaving. Um, do we have a timeline for that? >> We're in the engineering process and then we're going through the financing

469
02:30:14.240 --> 02:30:33.040
process. So, if all goes well, it will be done by the end of the year. >> And can you do you know how many roads we've repaved um in our road project up until this point? Um I know many of those roads were used funds from the

470
02:30:33.040 --> 02:30:50.000
infrastructure bill. Um do you have the total number of roads that were repaid? >> So we we have about a 100 streets that we have re repaid in Willingboro um over the past two years. >> Okay. >> Including the 49 that are currently

471
02:30:50.000 --> 02:31:08.880
under works with PSEG. >> Okay. So, we had we've had a number of streets that um have been on that repaving plan. We have a total of 412 streets within Willing Borrow. Um we did do, as you know, the study um in 2020 to

472
02:31:08.880 --> 02:31:25.920
grade all of the streets based on necessity of of repaving and we've been working our way through that list. It's not all going to get done in one year. I'm sorry you've had to wait for this long, um Mr. thirst, but we promise that it is coming. Three years is coming.

473
02:31:25.920 --> 02:31:45.920
Okay. Um, thank you to Mr. Mr. Wesson and Miss Ascar for your support of the vote 16 initiative. Um, I'm looking forward to council feedback and um the possible adoption

474
02:31:45.920 --> 02:32:03.760
uh for that. Miss Gard, we talked about the trash cans. Um, Mr. Williams and Mr. Simmons had a question about the property tax increase. Mr. Harris, would you be able

475
02:32:03.760 --> 02:32:25.680
to explain that? Bring this big up. Um so the way the property taxes the way property taxes is is are of course the municipality um prepares a budget. what it's going to

476
02:32:25.680 --> 02:32:43.040
cost us to operate the municipality for a year and then whatever that that cost is is a portioned um to each property based on the property's value which is done by the tax assessor. Um, I know

477
02:32:43.040 --> 02:32:59.200
that that Willing Barrow has been going through a a um not a refurbishment reassessment um because they've changed the taxing model from it used to be value based, but now it's it's market value and and all

478
02:32:59.200 --> 02:33:14.399
those. So, I'm not sure exactly what that calculation is and we can have the tax assessor come and explain that um actually breakdown and process. But the reality is is that expenses increase,

479
02:33:14.399 --> 02:33:30.800
costs go up, gas goes up, all these expenses that you that you experience in your home and in your residence, the municipality experiences is as well. salaries go up and and those expenses are calculated and distributed across

480
02:33:30.800 --> 02:33:46.560
the municipality as equal as we can. Our actual tax um rate or the the volume or the dollar amount of taxes is very close to the same that it was last year if I'm not mistaken, Miss Diggs

481
02:33:46.560 --> 02:34:02.479
was around $54 million. So, so you know, I believe that the municipality is is working very diligently to keep taxes at bay, but we must remember that is a threepart system. It's the municipal portion, it's

482
02:34:02.479 --> 02:34:18.240
the school portion, and it's the county portion. We have no control over the school portion or the county portion. And unfortunately, this year, like Miss Holly said, the bulk of the increase did not come from the township. It came from the school board.

483
02:34:18.240 --> 02:34:35.760
And that and that's been uh true for the past few years. I know council has been very diligent in um trying to be responsible with the spending of the tax dollars and the uh creation of the budget. We've had uh a flat budget or

484
02:34:35.760 --> 02:34:52.880
small decreases for the last four years. Um this year because of the increase of health care costs and uh pensions, we did have to increase our budget. Um but the majority of the increase did come from the bond referendum that was passed

485
02:34:52.880 --> 02:35:07.840
um by the school board as well as the increase to the schoolboard budget as well. The county also went up a bit um which contributes to your overall tax bill. So it's a number of things that contribute to the uh taxes going up. We

486
02:35:07.840 --> 02:35:25.960
do have tax programs that uh help seniors to manage their taxes. Um, there's the senior freeze as well as the Miss Dixs, can you talk about the other programs? You got to come to the mic.

487
02:35:35.840 --> 02:35:53.359
Yes, indeed. The state has um programs that will alleviate um the tax burden on um some seniors and some citizens. We have the the tax freeze. We have the veterans and senior deductions

488
02:35:53.359 --> 02:36:10.399
and we have the widow or widow deductions. So you can always come to the tax office, apply, see whether you qualify and then you know and even the the the state budget actually increase to assist um with those different

489
02:36:10.399 --> 02:36:26.479
programs. >> Okay. So in order for residents to find out if they qualify or to find more information about the programs, can they come to the tax office and >> Yes, please. Yes. Yes, ma'am. >> All right. So um Mr. Williams and Mr.

490
02:36:26.479 --> 02:36:41.040
Simmons, you can come to the tax office and talk. Who would they speak with? Uh, if they >> can I ask for Miss Lamar Ar the tax collector asked for myself, you see Dukes. >> Okay. So, you can speak with Lamar

491
02:36:41.040 --> 02:36:58.160
Arnold or UCBI Diggs, our uh CFO, and they will help you get knowledgeable about the tax programs that will help you freeze the tax burden um or receive some deductions because of the status that you hold. Um so, we know that it

492
02:36:58.160 --> 02:37:14.399
gets costly on our seniors and there are programs that we promote that can help you with that tax burden. >> All right. Lastly, Miss Paulie, um thank you for

493
02:37:14.399 --> 02:37:31.359
bringing up the Councilman Anderson issue. Um at the last meeting we did um vote to send a letter to the attorney general's office to ask for guidance on um whether there will be an order of forfeite

494
02:37:31.359 --> 02:37:47.359
coming from them because Councilman Anderson is an elected official in this town elected by the people to serve. Um as council we cannot remove him from his position. We I'll get to that. Thank you.

495
02:37:47.359 --> 02:38:02.080
um we cannot remove him from his position as a sitting council person um at in in Willingboro. Um so we asked the attorney general office for

496
02:38:02.080 --> 02:38:19.600
guidance on the his him continuing to hold his position as um he has been sentenced and uh is is not here at the moment. We will be discussing further um

497
02:38:19.600 --> 02:38:39.040
avenues or uh options to to take as we move forward. Um we have not yet received an answer from the attorney general's office. Um but we are hopeful that we will get some direction in that regard. Um in terms of the vote to

498
02:38:39.040 --> 02:38:57.439
remove Miss Peron, it was not to remove Miss Peron from her council seat. It was from this meeting from her for her conduct during this meeting. She was given two warnings. There was a point of order and there was also a gabble bang. And by Robert's rules, we can remove an

499
02:38:57.439 --> 02:39:13.680
unruly person on that is sitting on the board from the meeting. Um, so thank you for that com comment. But we are not talking about removing her from her council seat. We are discussing removing her from the meeting at this time.

500
02:39:13.680 --> 02:39:34.240
Um, First Fridays. Uh, Miss Jackson, would you be able to come up and talk about what First Fridays is? It's It's Friday Night Live. Yeah.

501
02:39:34.240 --> 02:39:50.560
>> Good evening, U Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and members of council and residents. So I think the reference is to Friday night live music summary series perhaps Miss Holly and we have an event and have been having events since um the first Friday

502
02:39:50.560 --> 02:40:06.080
in June and it will go all the way to the last Friday in August where we have different performances um from 6:00 to 8 uh on Fridays at the amphitheater as an opportunity to kind of engage our community with um live performances. Uh

503
02:40:06.080 --> 02:40:38.080
we also have house music on a couple nights and then we will wrap up on August 28th. So it's just an entertainment and opportunity for uh residents come out enjoy themselves. >> All right. Mr. Harris, can you talk about um the

504
02:40:38.080 --> 02:40:54.800
overseeing of the construction um of the performing arts center? Who was responsible for overse? >> So, generally um I am over have oversight over the the work of the engineers

505
02:40:54.800 --> 02:41:10.080
um in the municipality, all of our contracted vendors. Um, but there were times where there are projects that just are not in my wheelhouse. And um, and Miss Holl's question is was a really

506
02:41:10.080 --> 02:41:26.479
good question. And um and I don't want to bring up the the performing arts center again, but there was an instance in the performing arts center where the engineer um felt that the municipality had to uh spend an additional $800,000

507
02:41:26.479 --> 02:41:44.080
to reinforce the the ceiling. We went and we sought another engineer to review that proposal to either validate what they were saying or not. another engineering firm refused to go back and

508
02:41:44.080 --> 02:41:59.520
make an assessment about another engineer's firm's um recommendations as far as construction project because their position was if they were right and something happened then the the engineering firm would be liable and

509
02:41:59.520 --> 02:42:15.920
they were not willing to do that. And that is what prompted u my consideration of us going and hiring our own in-house engineer who could review these highly technical specs and situations and make determinations for the township uh on

510
02:42:15.920 --> 02:42:31.600
behalf of the township. And unfortunately um our engineer had to re resign his position because of health issues. Um but but that is my particular take on who is in charge of monitoring

511
02:42:31.600 --> 02:42:51.520
the engineers. >> Thank you Mr. Harris. Um I think that is everything. >> Madame Mayor Counciloman. >> Thank you. So, in regards to some of the responses, um, as far as the u the

512
02:42:51.520 --> 02:43:09.680
comment regarding the voting 16, um, I am in favor of a youth advisory board, but that's not I want to be clear that that's not what Madame Mayor has presented tonight. What she presented is for 16 year olds to vote for the adult

513
02:43:09.680 --> 02:43:26.800
positions on the council seat and the adult positions on the school board. Yes, that means they're not even old enough to be in these seats. So, we got to look at it a little further. And there is there are school advisory boards. I'm a young lady um in Willing.

514
02:43:26.800 --> 02:43:42.479
I'm not sure where you go to school because when I was on the school board, I actually initiated that each from elementary to high school where the students can vote for their their student council. So, that does exist and you should stay involved. Um so, I wanted to clear that up. And I also

515
02:43:42.479 --> 02:43:59.439
wanted to add that um the fact is Madame Mayor is also a substitute teacher in Wingboro and her term is up this year. So she's recruiting 16 year olds to vote for her back in office. So that's a concern. Okay, you got to put things in

516
02:43:59.439 --> 02:44:14.399
perspectives. She needs 16 year olds to keep her in office. Okay, the taxes. You heard the question. Why did we spend close to half a million dollars to this one person who did not do what was in the contract? And when I speak about

517
02:44:14.399 --> 02:44:31.680
contract, they want to silence me. But I will not be silenced. I will speak. And no, you will not remove me. Okay? So that's why your taxes are going up. And this isn't the first meeting that I speak about all the reckless spending because oh, I can assure you those who

518
02:44:31.680 --> 02:44:48.880
spoke about their taxes going up, keep them on here. It's going to go up further. And it's not just about the school district. That's the blame game. What it is is they allow reckless spending for what? And have no logical explanation for why we're spending

519
02:44:48.880 --> 02:45:04.319
thousands and thousands of dollars. That is why the taxes are going up. And I am a taxpayer here. And I do feel that the township manager should live here and pay taxes here with us because we are one community. And I think as far as all the other comments, I'll address those

520
02:45:04.319 --> 02:45:20.880
later, but I did want to bring that to your attention for those who spoke about the taxes and the youth advisory. Okay. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman Peron. And just as a point of clarity, um, as I stated before, um, the tax rate is made up of three

521
02:45:20.880 --> 02:45:35.439
different entities. It is the municipal taxes, the school taxes, and the county taxes. For the last four years, this council has been very diligent with our spending and our budget in order to

522
02:45:35.439 --> 02:45:51.920
secure flat tax rate or slightly lower the tax rate for residents. It is not lies. And um it if if certain council people would read their packets or be involved in the budget

523
02:45:51.920 --> 02:46:09.120
discussions or participate in any way in designating the projects that we take on, they would know that we were able to secure the and stabilize taxes for the last four years. Yes, things go up. money

524
02:46:09.120 --> 02:46:25.960
doesn't grow on trees and we have to be able to fund the budget in some way. This year we did have to have an increase but for the past four years we were able to um stabilize taxes and I am quite proud of that fact

525
02:46:28.479 --> 02:46:47.040
with that uh council comment. Anyone for council comment? >> Madame Mayor. >> Yes, thank you. I do want to thank everyone for coming out this evening, but I also wanted to add remember about the disorderly piece. Her mother was

526
02:46:47.040 --> 02:47:03.279
very disrespectful and noticed that she didn't bang the gavvel until I told her to. Okay, she cursed in this room and there is ordinance for conduct. And yes, anyone cursing, anyone screaming from the outside of this room and notice when a gentleman raised his hand, she quickly

527
02:47:03.279 --> 02:47:19.279
told him, "We don't take any more answers." But when her mother was disorderly, did she say, "Mom, out." No. Right. See, so when we have Robert's rules of order, it applies to everyone. So what happens is as a facilitator, as

528
02:47:19.279 --> 02:47:34.880
the mayor, that is part of her responsibility and Roberts of order to make sure that she's facilitating the meeting fairly and justly for all people, not just for her mother. Okay? So because the moment she gets the moment the facilitator is not following

529
02:47:34.880 --> 02:47:51.040
Robert's rules of order, you know whose rules of order will be? Rebecca Peron's rules of order. Okay? Once you dismantle the order of process and stop following Robert's rules of order, don't expect me to follow the rules either. And it does

530
02:47:51.040 --> 02:48:06.640
apply to everyone, whether you like what I'm saying or not. And yes, I will continue to question contracts, employment contracts, agreements that we go into. I will question those things. You may not like what I'm saying. You may not understand the questions, but

531
02:48:06.640 --> 02:48:22.399
understand this. I am the voice for the people of Willingboro, and I will continue to do that. Okay? I am passionate about how I speak. Absolutely. You know why? Because I'm a taxpayer here. I raised my children here and I'm deeply concerned about how high

532
02:48:22.399 --> 02:48:38.640
these taxes are going and how less of a service we're receiving. Okay? That's unacceptable. So you will, if you listen to the meetings, the prior meetings, you hear me speak about why are we charging the taxpayers more money for trash pickup when we know good and well they need

533
02:48:38.640 --> 02:48:56.000
both trash cans picked up. They did support the initiative to changing that and stop charging the people additional funds. So yes, you may not understand me. You may not agree with my delivery and my approach, but understand this. At least I delivered it. Thank you.

534
02:48:56.000 --> 02:49:13.760
>> Any other council comment? >> Deputy Mayor Wy. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, thank you all for coming out um this evening um and those who are uh watching the stream online as well just to understand what's happening um in our community and to keep up with um some of

535
02:49:13.760 --> 02:49:29.040
the changes and to learn about the good things. We got lots of good things. um going on in Willingboro as well. Um and I'm looking forward to more good things to come. Um I do like the idea of the tax assessor coming to the next meeting. Um I think that it would be helpful to

536
02:49:29.040 --> 02:49:43.840
hear from the tax assessor and get an update on where they are with assessments. Um so I I really um would appreciate that. I know that was mentioned. Um I encourage the community to continue to stay connected with um the council and the administration. And

537
02:49:43.840 --> 02:50:00.240
while the council meeting is one way to connect There are many other ways. All of our uh email addresses are online. Our phone numbers are online. If you want to schedule time to discuss um anything with any member of the council or with Mr. Harris, you can do that. It does allow for more conversation um back

538
02:50:00.240 --> 02:50:16.080
and forth instead of in this setting where you can't really have much of a dialogue by the structure of the meeting. But we are open. I'll speak for myself. I'm open to meetings, phone calls. I've had lots of phone calls. I try to call everybody back or return their emails um to answer questions. So,

539
02:50:16.080 --> 02:50:30.960
there are other ways to connect and to stay connected. Um, there were some comments made about reckless spending this evening. Um, I do want to remind the community that when we vote for items, we have a packet. We get this packet. The packet has, I don't know,

540
02:50:30.960 --> 02:50:48.000
sometimes up to 200 pages um, in the packet. We receive it in advance of the meeting. There are itemized lists in here of what we're purchasing, what we're procuring. Um there were times where requests for additional information had to be made so that you could answer your questions before uh

541
02:50:48.000 --> 02:51:04.880
the meeting. And if you go back and look at the different meetings, you'll be able to see if anyone um abstained from different votes or if they said um I don't support um this particular vendor or contractor. You would be able to see for yourself if we were unanimously

542
02:51:04.880 --> 02:51:20.240
approving bill list or not. And so, while I understand that as time goes by, um, people their thoughts or ideas may evolve, that's fine. Um, but it is problematic when when each council member doesn't take accountability for their own vote, for what they supported.

543
02:51:20.240 --> 02:51:36.960
It's okay to change your mind. It's okay to ask the questions, but we're a council, a body of five. Um, and so with that, we can't do anything unilaterally. It is, it takes the body, it takes the majority to vote. So, I would just ask you to go back just

544
02:51:36.960 --> 02:51:53.200
look for yourself. You can see for yourself. You can request the minutes from the clerk's office where you can see what were the votes for the different bill list and you can see that for yourself. Um, I also want to say, you know, while um sometimes our meetings look like they're made for TV. I've been told that Shondaanda Rimes has

545
02:51:53.200 --> 02:52:09.760
been contacted um to see if she'd be interested in doing um something in Willingboro. That sounds like fun. Um but we do stay united around a few things like you may see disagreement here you see the arguments you see the passion um that comes out but we have a

546
02:52:09.760 --> 02:52:26.640
common mission we have a common vision we have a common strategic plan we voted unilaterally on a mission for Willingboro the vision of Willingboro and for the strategic plan we voted unilaterally on what our core values of a municipality are we voted uni um um

547
02:52:26.640 --> 02:52:43.040
I'm sorry um unanimously I keep saying we voted unanimously for those things. Mission, vision, strategic plan, unanimously for our for our township manager. They were all unanimous decisions. There are times where we don't agree and we'll vote nay or abstain from different things. But I

548
02:52:43.040 --> 02:52:59.920
want the people of Willenboro to know that while there are disagreements and there's passion and we all express ourselves in different ways based on just our preferences and our distinct personalities, it doesn't mean that there's no unity in terms of what it is that we want to do. I think where things

549
02:52:59.920 --> 02:53:17.439
fall apart often is the how, the execution, but the what we want to do, the mission and the vision, the overall overarching plans, we have been pretty united, but when it comes to actually how we get things done, that's where things begin to fall apart. So, thank

550
02:53:17.439 --> 02:53:36.720
you very much, Madame Mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor Worthy. Councilwoman M. All right. All right. Um, for my comments, yes. I'd like to take a motion to extend

551
02:53:36.720 --> 02:53:54.080
the meeting until 10:30. >> Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Veron. All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right.

552
02:53:54.080 --> 02:54:09.600
Um, first I'd like to thank Senator Singleton for his support for Willingboro with the $400,000 uh to go towards our new fire truck. It's desperately needed. Um, and we always appreciate his support of Willing

553
02:54:09.600 --> 02:54:24.319
Ball in helping us to achieve our goals. This uh procurement of the fire truck not only helps William, but it also um helps our uh Burlington County as a whole. Um and and we are very thankful

554
02:54:24.319 --> 02:54:42.240
for his support of that. Um I want to give a shout out to recreation. They have been in the streets. Recreation has been around town um doing all types of programs engaging with residents. Um I

555
02:54:42.240 --> 02:54:57.680
went to the summer in motion. There were a number of folks out there. It feels like an old school block party. um free food, DJ, kids playing. The chess club was out there playing um chess. So, it

556
02:54:57.680 --> 02:55:13.439
it's just a really good vibe. Um and especially in these hard economic times, I know families are looking for something to do that does not cost them money. Um and recreation is providing those opportunities. So, thank you um for all your hard work. Also, um,

557
02:55:13.439 --> 02:55:30.640
recreation answered the call of our younger residents who claim there is no programming for the young adults. Um, what we are trying to help the young adults, 21 plus, understand is that they are adults and that adult programming in

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Willingboro is for them as well. Um, all it took was uh the a change of a flyer um for uh usually very sparsely attended adult swim to be uh overwhelmed with attendance um especially by our young

559
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adult crowd. So I I hope that more of that 21 year old year old age crowd understands that the adult programming in Willingboro is for them and they participate in not just the adult swim but other adult programming that we have

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throughout the municipality. Um once again thank you to Mr. Miss Foster um for all of her hard work and willing. We had her retirement party um and you can just feel the love in the room for her. where we felt the love um

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from all of the elected officials around the state. She got proclamations from a number of offices including the governor's office. Um so we are very sad to see her go, but we know she's still a fixture in this community. Um and Miss

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King, you have some big shoes to fill, but welcome again and we're looking forward to working with you. Um the last thing that I will say is um to me decorum is very important in the meeting and as I try to orchestrate this meeting

563
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and ensure that it goes smoothly. It only works if other members of the council adhere to uh the rules of conduct of this meeting. They don't try to talk over people. If they allow other people to speak when um it is their turn

564
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to speak. if they acknowledge and recognize um the points of orders that are called as well as when the gavl is banged. If there if there's no regard for the

565
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mechanisms, yes, there there is an issue with conduct in the meeting. And although I am not one to yell and scream up here on the deas, there are some council members who do not have a

566
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problem with disparaging the good name of Willingboro in effort to uh get their two minutes of fame uh on the deas. So, um I appreciate for our community to

567
02:57:56.399 --> 02:58:12.720
continue to be engaged, um but also, uh respect the rules of the courtroom as we conduct these meetings. Um and I also ask council to do the same. All right. Um now we'll go on to the

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motion for executive session, please. Yes. I get a motion to go into executive session for a resolution to authorize an enclosed executive session in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act for matters of personnel and at time attorney client privileges.

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>> So moved. >> Second. Moved by Councilwoman Pon, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Councilwoman Peron, yes. Councilwoman Macintosh, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. There may be a decision when we come

570
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out. need to um extend the meeting further. So uh we'll come out of executive session and then uh vote to extend the meeting further and then we'll go back into executive session. So we'll have three things. Yes. Can I get a motion to come out of executive?

571
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>> So moved. >> Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Peron. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right, we're now out of executive

572
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session. Um, we will extend the meeting or I'd like to ask for a motion to extend the meeting. Um, I'll say until 11:30. You may not need all the time. Can I get a second? Second. Moved by

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Councilwoman Peron, seconded by Moved by Councilwoman Macintosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Um, roll call. >> Councilwoman Peroon, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes.

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>> Mayor Woodfield. >> Yes. Can I get a motion to go back into executive session? >> Second. Moved by Councilwoman Macintosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes.

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>> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. Yes. May I have a motion to come out of executive session? So moved. >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Macintosh. Yes.

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>> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. Mayor Woodfield. Can I get a motion to approve resolution 26-145? So moved. Do you want me to read what it is? All right. Is your microphone on the It is.

577
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I'm sorry. I got to speak a little louder. >> Yes. Can I get a motion to approve resolution 26-145, a resolution authorizing the township of Willenboro to execute an agreement to procure staging and related services at

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the 2026 Willenber Jazz Festival? So moved. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh, >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. Mayor Whitfield. Yes. Okay. Um also in the matter of uh

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Councilman Anderson, we had extensive discussion in executive session. Um, our solicitor will continue to um follow up with the attorney general's as well as the prosecutor's office on uh the

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guidance and their action. We will also um begin taking steps to pursue an additional option um that we have that we cannot comment on at this time. And then lastly, um, regarding the issue of the township manager, um, I'd like to

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make a motion, uh, to grant a permanent waiver of residency, uh, for Mr. Harris. Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Moved by Mayor Woodfield, seconded by Deputy Mayor. Worthy discussion.

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04:34:01.760 --> 04:34:16.320
Discussion. So, at this time, I'm not going to um vote yes for that waiver simply because um the employment agreement simply stated very clearly that the township

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manager according to our ordinance 66-2 that the township manager lives in our township in the municipal township of Willingboro. He further additionally received additional $10,000 in salary increase which we've held that part of the

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bargain of the agreement and paid him and have been paying him. I find it to be as a taxpayer burrow to be insulting that I'm paying his salary and he says it's too expensive for him to live here but I live here and pay the high taxes and make sure he has a salary. That's

585
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why I find it unethical to vote, to wave it, to try to change the ordinance to fit so this way he does not have to live here. That is what is what is about to happen. The three women next to me to my right are going to change the ordinance

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to say the township manager does not have to live here to oblige by all the money that we've already paid him. Okay. Bullenboro is a beautiful place and I do hope one day, Mr. Paris that you do make a different choice and choose Willingboro as your home. He lives in a

587
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different township but works in Willingboro and that goes against our contractual employment agreement that we have with you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Any other discussion? >> Deputy Mayor Worthy.

588
04:35:38.160 --> 04:35:55.119
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, as it relates to supporting the waiver of residency, it wasn't something that was easily done. Um, it's always been important that whoever is leading our township understand the culture of our community, that they're engaged in the

589
04:35:55.119 --> 04:36:11.840
different activities that we have in town, that they understand the fabric of our community. Um, when Mr. Harris was hired, he was incentivized to move here with a 10 $10,000 and within 30 days or less, he secured a place to live in Willingboro. Um, and he moved to town

590
04:36:11.840 --> 04:36:29.039
and lived there for three years. During that time, life happened. Um, you live long enough, you'll have life experiences and things happen and sometimes you're in a situation where you have to make changes. Um, we did grant a temporary waiver for Mr. Harris

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to deal with some personal matters. Um, an additional 30 days was also granted. Yes, I was initially very disappointed um that Mr. Harris did not come back to Willingboro. Um, I think it's very important to be here. At the same time, um we can't have a situation where we're

592
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enforcing residency on some uh officials and not on others. And so to avoid the appearance of disparit treatment to be sure that we're equitable and applying um ordinances fairly, it would not be right to move forward with, in my

593
04:37:03.600 --> 04:37:18.879
opinion, to move forward with taking a harsher action on Mr. Paris than any other um township administrative employee who is bound by the same um requirements to live in Willenboro. With that, I believe that the council should

594
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take another look at the ordinance, looking at it in its entirety, um, and when it comes to residency, not focusing on the person in the job, um, but looking at the ordinance itself, um, and having discussions, meeting with residents, understand um, what it is

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that we want for our community. It would be unfair and unjust um, to me to be a to go from granting a temporary waiver to Mr. Harris to um removing him from his office due to different circumstances that have happened when

596
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the council does have the authority to grant a waiver. And so with that, um I do support granting a permanent waiver. And the remedy for me is to go back and look at our ordinance um in its entirety so that the future councils, you know,

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in 2028 and all for the future councils um to be able to have perspective as they're looking who they want to lead their town. Thank you, Madam Mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. >> Counciloman McN, >> I agree with that statement.

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04:38:24.561 --> 04:38:40.400
Counciloman, um when I was tasked as a committee to research and look at the ordinance, the ordinance was very I understand the intention of the ordinance. However,

599
04:38:40.400 --> 04:38:56.320
as as Dr. where you said life happens and the practicality of it is a little shaky to me. So I do um support uh revisiting the ordinance in its entirety um because as I was going through it and even as we went through the process of

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04:38:56.320 --> 04:39:11.760
even h trying to hire different um appointments, the residency part was an issue. And I think while the intention is to have someone there and a preference should still be there for residents um I think that preference we just have to um

601
04:39:11.760 --> 04:39:27.039
explicitly state that it's a preference due with the understanding that you know with equal credentials and equal um experience that um residency is preferred still. I think we need to make

602
04:39:27.039 --> 04:39:44.878
that very clear. Um but the practicality of this ordinance is a is not as not as tight as I would like it to be because I and I remember sitting in here when this ordinance was passed in 2016 and I agreed with it but you know as I'm in the position I see that

603
04:39:44.878 --> 04:40:01.480
the stability of this township is the utmost importance and I don't think someone should be disqualified from running the town um

604
04:40:01.920 --> 04:40:17.040
if they're doing a great job. I I think you're doing a great job. Um and I know you did you I do believe you love Willingboro and I do believe um that you have willing brought the highest regard, but as Dr. Willie said, we're still pro

605
04:40:17.040 --> 04:40:31.920
we're still trying to create ordinances that don't focus on the person when you're not when you're not here. When we're not here, the stability of the town is the utmost importance. So um again still I would still say to council

606
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that um I think residency is a a very important component of this position. Um but I think we do have to revisit the practicality of just making that the entirety of whether someone keeps their job or not. Thank you.

607
04:40:48.000 --> 04:41:04.878
>> Thank you Councilwoman Mintosh. Um, and I' I'd like to say, um, yes, this decision was not made lightly. Um, it took a lot of discussion and, uh, counsel to be able to understand,

608
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um, really what we want to get out of this and why the reasons behind why we have this ordinance in place. Um, we had the ordinance in place because we wanted whoever was going to lead this township and the township manager position to

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understand the culture of Willingboro as Dr. Roy said and I think Mr. Harris has fulfilled that. He moved in and lived here for three years. He was able to spend time with residents. He came to

610
04:41:35.920 --> 04:41:52.240
events. Um, he shopped where we shopped. He walked where we walked. Um and he he did he became a resident of this community to understand how this community works. Um I would one like to

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04:41:52.240 --> 04:42:09.760
thank Mr. Harris for his commitment to Willingboro because it hasn't been an easy road and um you have made waves and um taken actions to get us over some critical humps that we were at um moving

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this township forward. for example, the road project, the lighting project that's underway, completion of the performing arts center, revamp of the um Willingboro, the JFK track. There are so a number of

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projects that um council people had been talking about before I was even on council for 20 years and no action was taken to make those things um possible or to make those things go through. Um but as we communicated our goals, you

614
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took that as a charge and you made sure that those projects um got completed and I appreciate you for that. Um so I do believe that he fulfilled the requirement. Um, life happens and I am

615
04:42:56.638 --> 04:43:13.520
one that if if you you have to do for one that you're going to do for everyone and I'm in support of granting you the permanent waiver. All right. Um, roll call. Councilwoman Peron,

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04:43:13.520 --> 04:43:29.600
>> no. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. Uh with no other action, we'll move uh I'll ask for one motion for adjournment. >> So moved. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded

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by uh Councilwoman Mintosh. Time is now 11:41 in the >> We have to vote. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Any absention? >> All right. Good night. >> Time is now 11:41 and the Wellenboroough Council meeting is officially adjourned.

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Good night willing