Madame Clerk, the time is now 7 p.m. >> The time is now 7 p.m. and I would like to call the regular township council meeting to order. >> Councilwoman Peron, present. >> Councilman Anderson, present. Councilwoman Macintosh
>> present. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy >> present. >> Mayor Whitfield >> present. >> I'd like to invite invite Rabbi Yseph Zar Zarnikian of the United States Air Force Chaplain to lead us in tonight's prayer. >> Good evening and I invite you all to
join me in prayer. Master of the universe, we gather before you this evening, mindful of the responsibilities entrusted to those who serve this great community. We thank you for your blessings of liberty, civic peace, and the opportunity to work
together for the citizens of Willingboroough Township. Grant wisdom to the members of this council as they deliberate on matters affecting our residents. Give them clarity of mind, integrity of action, and the courage to pursue what is right
and just. Guide them through their listening with respect, speaking with honesty, and governing with humility. Lord, we ask you also to bless all those who call who call this township home. May our community be marked with mutual
respect, neighborly concern, and a shared commitment for the welfares of one another. May be your will to protect those who serve the public. Our first responders, educators, public servants, and all volunteers
whose efforts strengthen this great community each and every day. As King David taught in the Psalms, seek peace and pursue it. May peace guide our discussions, justice inform our decisions, and compassion shape our
actions. May your will manifest with prosperity for all of us. And let us say amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Rabbi. >> May we please rise for the flag salute. Notice was provided in compliance with
chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975 to the Burlington County Times, Trenton Times, and Philadelphia inquir stating the date, time, place, and the agenda to the extent was known. Additionally, notice was filed in the office of the township clerk.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Clerk. Good evening, everyone. >> Good evening. >> Thank you for joining us at our June 16th council meeting. Um before we begin, we have one proclamation for
Junth that will take place on this Friday. Deputy Mayor. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Proclamation proclaiming June 19th, 2026 Junth. Whereas Junth observed annually
on June 19th commemorates the day in 1865 where enslaved black Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. And whereas Junth marks a defining moment in American history and
serves as a reminder of the nation's continuing journey toward liberty, equality, and justice. And whereas this observance provides an opportunity to honor the resilience, perseverance, and achievements of black Americans whose contributions have strengthened and
enriched our communities, state, and union. And whereas Junth encourages all residents to reflect upon our shared history, deepen their understanding of the black American experience, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape our society. And
whereas the township of Willingboro values diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect and recognizes the importance of fostering a community where all people are afforded dignity and opportunity. And whereas in 2021, Junth was
officially recognized as a federal holiday affirming its national significance as a day of education, remembrance, and celebration. And whereas the township of Willingboro joins communities across the nation in recognizing the accomplishments and lasting impact of black American
leaders, educators, veterans, entrepreneurs, artists, public servants, and advocates whose efforts continue to inspire future generations. Now, therefore, Samantha E. Whitfield, mayor of the township of Willingboro, on behalf of the township council, do
hereby proclaim June 19th, 2026 as Junth in the township of Willingboro and encourages all residents to participate in activities that commemorate this historic occasion, celebrate our diverse heritage, and promote understanding, unity, and civic engagement throughout
the community. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um, we hope you all um enjoy the Junth festivities that are planned within the township. Um, they will be taking place at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Mil Creek Park. We hope to
see you all there. 3 to 7, sorry, 3 to 7 p.m. at Mil Creek Park. All right. Um, next we have one presentation, Mr. Harris. Good evening, Mayor. Uh, I'm just
waiting for Mr. Frier to enter the premise. I believe he's on his way now. So, um, if you would like, I will go on and >> your update. >> My updates. >> Good evening. Uh, again, mayor and council. Manager updates for June the
26th or for May 2026. Uh, the township reported total revenues of approximately 17.47 $47 million driven primarily um by approximately 17.24 million in tax
revenue. Our total reported expenditures for the period were 4.07 million including 1.7 million in salary and wages, 534, uh663 in healthcare costs, 1.67 67 million in
other operating expenses and 124,000 plus dollars in statutory expenses. The primary difference between the revenues collected and the reported expenditures for the month was approximately $13.4 million. And this positive monthly
position was primarily uh attributed to the timing and volume of property tax collections. Our police department is still operating currently with 71 sworn officers. One officer remains deployed with the Air National Guard and is
tentatively scheduled to return in January of 2027 and one officer is assigned to administrative duty and one officer has been suspended from the department without pay. Officer Corey Scott successfully completed his field training officer
program and has been assigned to the midnight shift and recruit officer B. Rivera is completing his fourth month at the Mercer County Police Academy and is scheduled to graduate July the 16th. During the month of May, the patrol
division reported 3,413 incidents, 1,041 motor vehicle stops. They made 62 arrests, issued 253 summones, handled 65 domestic incidents, and uh addressed 40 motor vehicle
accidents. Police calls for service increased from 4,123 in April to 4,500 in May. Uh, on a positive note, Detective Camarado was recognized by the New Jersey National or New Jersey Narcotics
Enforcement Officers Association for his work in Operations Bedrock, which was a multi-jurisdictional investigation in involving illegal narcotics and weapons trafficking throughout Philadelphia, Burlington, and Mercer counties.
The department is also uh continuing their commitment to engagement efforts through coffee with a cop, their food pantry deliveries, school career fairs, neighborhood watch, senior burglary prevention, education, and an active
shooter seminar. The Youth Police Academy will operate from July the 13th through July the 31st and applicants are or applications are due by June 26 20 June 26, 2026.
Our fire and EMS department uh four volunteer firefighters have successfully completed their spring semester firefighter one program uh where each firefighter completed more than 225 hours of classroom instruction. practical exercise in operational
training. They are actually graduating from the fire academy right now as we are progressing in our meeting in the uh auditorium at Burlington County Institute of Technology on their West Hampton campus. The township congratulates these
individuals and recognized their significant commitment to serving the Willingboro community. During the month of May, there were 151 fire responses, 461 EMS responses, and
344 EMS patient reports. EMS billing generated approximately 80,622 in net payments during the month of May, bringing their year-to-ate EMS collections to approximately 338,533,533. And um the EMS department is trending to
cap that $1 million mark in 2026, which would be quite an achievement. Fire personnel responded to a vehicle fire on Evergreen Drive and provided mutual aid assistance to Burlington County or Burlington City, Burlington Township, Deleno Township, Elran
Township in Edgewater Park for several building and commercial fires. The department also continues its smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation program and through May they installed 25 smoke detectors and four carbon monoxide
detectors in 16 homes. Our department of public works has been quite busy. The transition of the township's new solid waste collection contractor has been completed successfully um including placement of dumpsters at certain municipal facilities. And Mr.
Chapman. I will ask him to come and and give you an update on how that went. Um, currently, >> come on. >> All righty. Good evening, mayor, deputy mayor, members of council. So, as Mr. Harris was alluding to, the trash
transition did take place June 1st. Um, Interstate Waste Services is now our trash vendor. Um transmission was smooth. Um they've been in town for approximately two weeks now. No hiccups. We've been receiving minimal miscolction reports. Um and that's to be expected
with the new route. It was just them getting adjusted with the route, but they had all hands on deck. They sent every supervisor that they had available to them the first week. They were following all their route drivers around getting accustomed to the street. I've been in constant communication with the op operations manager pretty much every night. We do like a closeout call. um
our new system with reporting um trash collections has been going smooth. So I um came up with a new trash log is a lot cleaner so we can submit all of the addresses to them and then they can close it out and let us know. It's a lot easier to keep the log so we know what day it was missed and what day they collected it and we get that at at the
end every day. Um the only thing that the trash contractor has um reached out to me to express is in the new transition, we do have the ability to place out five bulk items every resident each week. However, it's become a free-for-all. So, um residents are
placing their bulk items out. However, that does not constitute as just additional bags of trash on the ground. So, if you don't have bulk and you have additional tra bags of trash, the best mechanism to dispose of that trash would to be to request a second trash um cart,
not to place it on the ground. That does not um constitute as bulk trash, that's a different municipal trash code. Um, so if they're coming around and they're seeing multiple bags of, um, just extra trash or and we have been experiencing bags of leaves, uh, brush, uh, branches,
all types of things that people are just throwing out, they will not be collected. If you place out, um, a mattress, um, it has to be wrapped in plastic. If it's not wrapped in the, uh, mattress cover, it will not be collected. Um, and a lot of another thing that we've been experienced as well is residents are reporting that
their trash can isn't being completely emptied. However, that's a result of packing and compacting all the trash bags into the trash can. So, what happens is when you stuff multiple and numerous bags in one trash can, you compact all that in the bottom of the trash can, the bags cannot get released
when the cart gets tipped. So, what's happening is they're calling and saying that their can wasn't completely emptied, but that's the result of the trash can being overcompacted. Um, also we're also experiencing residents getting their trash can emptied. Soon as the truck leaves the
street, they run put more trash in and say that the trash wasn't emptied. That's not a verifiable report of a m trash collection. It has been verified by the vendor. So they said due to the new transition, they're going to give it a leeway, which is the two weeks. They said afterwards they're just going to
start submitting pictures of them leaving the street to verify that it has been completed because we have been getting a lot of those um reports as well. Um outside of that, the trash contract has been moving smooth. Um residents I they seem to be happy. The contractor says that residents have been
coming out and saying that it has been a lot smoother. I can attest. I'm a resident right here in Willenboro and my trash was collected for the first time since I've been in Willingboro before 10:00. That has never happened. Um, so they are running smooth. It's a very nice trash service and they're very
communicative. So it's it's going well. Any questions? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Council woman. >> Thank you. And I agree. They are on time and they're picking up the trash. Um, I have only one complaint that I did
receive from a few residents. Um, June 1st is when we transitioned and went live with the new company. uh some residents that have purchased additional red lids bins, additional trash bins, um received notice that there were trash
bin is going to be taken from them. The one that they already purchased um and the note and flyer that they received in the mail, I didn't see it. I'm just going based off what they said that if they didn't pay the $175 by the end of this month, they're going to take their trash bins. So the issue I have with
that is those lids to my recollection were not on lease. They purchased them. So nobody should take anybody's trash bins. It's theirs. That's the first issue. So I want to discuss that. Then the second issue is um again with the
fee. Um, I'm asking the council again to reconsider and speak with the new company that we have to include the residents that need two trash bins. We know who the residents are. We have a list of their names and they were not
included to get their second trash bin picked up with the new contract. And again, it is a disservice to the people of Willingboro. We are five and we pick businesses to conduct business for our township. And we know very much well
that they need some people need two trash bins picked up and they have to pay their taxes every year and they're not getting a discount on their taxes because they've paid additional for trash. Trash is included with the tax
services that we provide. So, I'm asking for us to go back, speak with the company, and see if we can work something out to include the additional I believe it's 300 or 400 residents that need a trash bin. And let's stop charging them additional fees and
threatening to take their trash bin at the end of they had 30 days to to pay $175. Okay? And I just found that the advertisement, this third thing, I didn't know the advertisement was going out. And I find that if we're going to
send out advertisement to the community, something such as that as a threat, if you don't do this, we're going to do that. I think the council should read the material and know what's going to go out before it goes out. So that is all of the issues. So we can start off with the first one, which is taking their
bins and they've already purchased it. So, Councilwoman Cronin, if I may, we have been actually in discussion about this very topic. Um, when you initially introduced the second red lid cart program back in 2021, you did state that
those cans would be purchased, they were purchasing the cans, and that was not the full understanding. When we transition to the the new contract, um we wrote into the contract uh the ability to add or have 750 red lid carts
as part of the contract total. It's not something that the company is doing for us. It's something that we wrote into the contract. Um having received quite a numerous amount of uh I won't say complaints, but concerns from residents
who did purchase the original 75 cans. did not threaten to take their cans away. Um, but there was a $145 fee that was going to be imposed um to offset some of the collection cost and the tipping cost with the county. After further conversations with the the mayor
and deputy mayor, um we have rethunked that and would like to present to the council uh a reconsideration of that red that second red cart lid ordinance um to
remove the $145 collection fee and uh and anyone who initially purchased the red lid cards back in 2021, I believe, um that is their those are their cans. And if anybody wants to uh purchase an additional uh red lid can, they would
need to pay the $75 placement fee, but there will be no collection cost associated with that. And I did put a modified ordinance on your um on your desks for consideration. I believe it is number
20. So, if you would and we'll go through it a little bit further when we go through the ordinances. Well, thank you very much. Thank you for uh mayor and deputy mayor and township manager for doing that. I appreciate that. Thank you. That's all the questions I have. >> All right. Any other questions for Mr.
Chapman? >> All right. Thank you. >> All righty. >> Thank you, Mr. Chapman. Further with the Department of Public Works, the street sweeping has is is continuing. Um they they done several uh major township roads including Martin Luther King Drive, Garfield Drive,
Charleston Road, JFK Way, Sunset, um Vans Skyver. They have repaired 84 potholes in the township over the last month, inspected 160 catch basins, cleaned 139 catch
basins, collected 95 cubic yards of street sweeping debris, collected 393 bags of trash from parks and township streets, and recycled approximately 2.9 tons of metal.
Uh, so they've been very, very busy. Public Works continues to beautify activities uh throughout the township by planting flowers, applying compost to the Veterans Parkway, Center Islands. They're also doing preventative HVAC maintenance work
at the at the Kennedy Center and uh and other u facility repairs throughout our facilities. The inspection department has also been very busy the last couple of weeks. uh they continue to
uh schedule property maintenance, construction, zoning, rental resales, and compliance and compliance enforcement. Uh during the reporting period, they completed 1,731 inspections. They wrote 864 violations,
81 summones, uh 80 81 compliance cases were closed. They issued 179 construction permits. They completed 695 uniform construction code inspections,
95 rental inspections, 81 resale inspections, and issued 130 zoning permits. Uh the department is currently monitoring 152 residential vacant properties and 20 commercial vacant
properties. and their total department revenue for the same period was $76,721. Our human resources department, we are formally, I guess, announcing the retirement of Miss Reva Foster effective June 1st, 2026.
Since joining Willingboroough Township in 1993 as director of the senior center, Mrs. Foster has been a timeless advocate for older adults, veterans, residents of all ages. Under her leadership, the township senior service program grew into a highly respected
state recognized resource that provided not only essential services, but also a welcoming community for generations of residents. The township wishes to thank Mrs. Foster for her service and wishes her continued success and fulfillment in
her retirement. and we will be celebrating her on Friday, February 26th at 1:00 p.m. at an affair at the uh JFK Center in the banquet hall and me >> June 26, right? >> I'm sorry, June 26th. And members of the
community are welcome to come and express their well wishes to Miss Foster. We have identified a new senior center manager, Miss Adrien King, uh who is a township resident, and she will begin
her employment on July the 6th, uh 2026. During the month of May, the township hired nine employees, including three part-time crossing guards, three part-time recreation employees, one part-time emergency medical technician,
and two full-time firefighters. And our human resources is also supporting the recruitment and onboarding of seasonal recreation employees required for summer camp, aquatics, tennis, and related youth programs. Uh they are currently in the midst of
conducting uh two separate investigations allegations of workplace harassment, one in the recreation department, and one in the municipal court. These matters are being handled in accordance with the township personnel policies, applicable collective bargaining agreements, due
process requirements, and relative employment laws. No conclusions have been reached and additional information will remain confidential while the investigations are pending. The human resource department is also migrating to e-verify which is an
internet-based system that compares information entered by employee from their employees form, their I9 form and their employee eligibility verification to records available to the US Department of Homeland Security and the
Social Security to Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility. This will replace the old paper uh form I9s required by all new employees. Our recreation department is very busy
as well and I'm going to ask Mr. Lowry to come at this time and uh give an update on things that have been happening in the recreation department. >> Good evening, mayor, deputy mayor, council members, members of the public. Evening.
>> Um, just to give a quick update with recreation. We've kicked off the month of June um with force. We've been working very diligently. Uh, between the uh all the things that we've been doing. We started off with a fishing derby um which was a
success that was held on June 6. Um we had a total of 44 participants. On that same day, we hosted our country club pool celebration um where we gave away free food. We had a DJ out there. Um there was over 700 people that was uh
checked into the pool that day and that was a day that was also free. Um much more people than we anticipated, but I suspect that that our Fridays, our free Fridays are going to be very busy um at the at the country club pool this year, but we are ready and we're going to have
fun. Um our summer emotion series uh begins next Wednesday. Um that again will be a mobile recreation and community engagement initiative that will feature a variety of resource vendors. Those resource vendors include virtual health
pediatric mobile unit, the beloved project prevention plus of Burlington County, the school district's early childhood development team, their family engagement specialists and their student information services will be there on site as well. the recreation department
as well as the police uh department's community engagement unit and the fire department's community engagement unit. And I'm going to absolutely reach out to the library to make sure that they're there as well. Mr. Williams, I'll be giving you a call tomorrow. Um that event will also feature food
vendors as well. Well, just one food vendor because the food will be free on that evening as well. Um we'll also have Kona um the vendor that the police use for Kona with a cop. will have the Kona truck there as well. There'll be carnival games, a game truck will be there as well. The recreation department's chess club will be there,
and of course, friendly uh competition. Some of our police officers will be out there at the basketball courts at Country Club and uh Penny Packer. Um you know, engaging in a game of basketball with the community. So, we invite everybody to come out. Starting on June 24th, 5:30 to 8:30, we're going to start
at Country Club Pool. From there, we'll move to Penny Packer to Fairmont Park, Royal Park, and then we'll end off at uh the Willing Amphitheater. Beyond that, uh Camp Sun Fund, we are off to a great start. Uh camp starts on
July 6. Right now, we have 99 campers registered for camp. We're just 20 21 campers away from reaching our capacity for the summer. At this present time, we are hosting a parent orientation at the Kennedy Center right now where we're
going over um the things with the parents. We're talking about our uh parent handbook, parent and student handbook, the dos, the don'ts of summer camp, what our policies and procedures will be for the summer, our emergency action plans, our medical plans, our medication plans, all the plans that we have in place. Um they're discussing the
trips that we have and answering other uh questions that the parents might have for that even as well. Um we are pleased to share that camp fund has been approved through BCAP. Um so we will be accepting those uh funds for childcare assistance pretty soon. Um
as soon as our staff and administrative staff have met the necessary requirements in terms of training um we'll be accepting BCAP uh this year. We're very proud of that. And to close out my report, just a reminder that our uh community wellness
challenge is ongoing. That began on June 1st. That will conclude on July 21st. All of our fitness programming for recreation are free for that duration of time. There's been a lot of chatter that
we don't do enough free things for the community, but I just want to remind the public that all of our fitness programming from June 1st to July 12th is free for the comm community and they can register uh through my rec call us
or show up at the building. Um but we are hosting a number of free community events this summer as well as some of our free programming. So with that, I'll take any questions that you may have. >> Any questions for Mr. Lowry? Deputy Mayor Worthy.
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Mr. Lowry, more of a comment. I just want to say thank you so much for the efforts to get um BCAP to be accepted in the township recreation for residents who may not be familiar. BCAP is a subsidy. They provide lots of services. One is childc care assistance. And so, um this means
that more of our families who qualify for BCAP will be able to attend Bloomwell Recreation Department summer camp, camp sun and fund free. Um, and it's typically for students up to 13. Sometimes it goes even beyond 13 if they have IEPs. Um, so I'm super excited.
This is something that I've been um asking about for a long time and it just means more access to more programs for our students and in these economic times. This is huge. Child care is so expensive um especially during the summer and so thank you Mr. Lowry for leading that and getting that done.
That's amazing. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. >> Councilwoman, thank you. And I do want to thank you for um creating programs that are free to the community or affordable. So, thank you for um taking that initiative to making sure we have something like that. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Larry. All right. Appreciate you presentation and keep up the good work. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Lowry. Uh almost last but not least, our vital statistics has during the month of May issued 911 birth certificates, 24 marriage certificates,
15 death related certificates, and I believe our mayor had performed seven marriages during the month. And uh and at this time, I'm going to ask Miss Carmichael if she will come in or come and stand in for Miss Jackson and give
us the Billings of Blooming Barrow. Good evening, mayor, deputy mayor, council, members of the public. Um, we'll be hosting this year's Junth celebration in just a few days. This year's event will be held on Friday, June 19th from 3 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at
Mil Creek Park. We are looking forward to a festive event and an opportunity for the community to connect through cultural celebrations and more. We're pleased to welcome gospel artists Anton Milton and friends as our featured performance this year. In addition, we
have the Universal Dance and Drum Ensemble, Faith and Action, the conglomerate queens, and so much more. Come early, bring your chair, grab your spot, and prepare for a great afternoon of gospel music and cultural celebrations. Please note that all
municipal offices and buildings will be closed on Friday in recognition of the holiday. Our Friday night live series is now underway. We have had two great performances and are looking forward to more. As a reminder, we will be hosting performances every Friday until August
21st, weather permitting and excluding holidays. Our next Friday Night Live music summer series will be held in collaboration with House Heads United and will be held on Friday, June 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please note that
this event will be dedicated to the memory of John Greer, affectionately known as Big John, who passed away last week. He was instrumental in assuring this year's event was a collaborative one. So, the organizers have advised that the show will go on. More
information regarding this year's live music series can be found on our website and social media platforms. Um, as Mr. Lara mentioned, the summer in motion block series will begin on Wednesday, June 24th. So, come join us um for this great summer event which will run from 5:30 to 8:30 at various parks throughout
the summer every other Wednesday. And the event on the 24th will be held at Country Club basketball courts. And reminder, um, Mr. Larry also mentioned registration for Camp Sun and Fun is still available. Dates are July 6 through August 21st. You can visit
willenboro.com for more information or follow them on their new Facebook page, Willing Township Recreation. National Night Out will be held on Monday, August 3rd at Mil Creek Park
beginning at 6 PM. And finally, all are asked to save the date of Sunday, August 9th for our 40 43rd annual Jazzfest. Join us for another unforgettable celebration filled with live music and community fellowship. For more
information regarding all that has been shared and more, please visit our website willingj.gov. Follow us on Facebook and sign up to receive the Willing Weekly. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Car Michael. Welcome. >> And I just um not only are there
additional free programs in the recreation department, we also have the Friday Night Live series as was mentioned by Miss Carmichael every Friday. Um it's a good way for residents to get out, enjoy the weather, um good
music, and fellowship with each other for free. All right, Mr. Harris, you can continue. >> That concludes my report, Mayor. >> All right. Any questions for Mr. Harris regarding his report? All right, Mr. Harris, we can probably
go back up to the presentation on the operation plan. >> So, I would like to call at this time Mr. Tommy Frier, who was our uh office of emergency management coordinator, who has been working with um the county to put together Willing Barrow Township's
emergency operation plan, and he would just like to present it to the governing body and the community. Mr. F. >> Good evening, Madame Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council. Um we have submitted the emergency operation plan for the township of
Wenboro. We have worked with the county, Bington County, the uh county coordinator and deputy coordinator as preparing this for our township. Um it has been submitted to all department heads that are required to
oversee and approve for their departments and at this time we're just presenting to the council for your approval signature so that we can be compliance to the county and the state. >> Mr. Fair, are there any are there any highlights to the plan that you'd like
to point out? >> There's no highlights at the time. It's something that we've done in the past and everything has seemed to be in the same order as before. >> Okay. Council, do you have any questions? >> Deputy Mayor Worthy.
>> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Mr. Ferry, I haven't read the plan yet. I look forward to um getting through it um over the next few days. Um I was wondering does this include coordination with um the school district or the MUA other entities in Wenboroough or is this um cons is this just bro township?
>> It do include the coordination with the uh school district and MUA um but the approval will come from the uh school district at this time during their transition. U they do have a copy so we're waiting on them for their signature. Um, but it do include both of
those entities. >> Any other questions for Mr. Perry? >> All right. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> All right. At this time, um, Mr. Harris, will you do the review of ordinances
and, uh, resolutions for this evening? Thank you, mayor. So, items on the agenda for your consideration this evening. Um, first is ordinance 2026-17, which is an ordinance of the township
amending the municipal code to add a new chapter providing for the establishment of a municipal performing arts center utility fund. defining its governingru govern governance structure and providing for a professional and administrative
management of the utility. As you are aware, our uh performing arts center is complete in its construction and we have been in discussion for quite a bit of of time trying to find the most functional way to operate the performing arts
center in line with the goals and objectives of the of the council and the community. We desire for it to not only be a performing arts center where we put out programs but also for persons to come in um and rent the facility for
different activities and events. Um municipal government especially in New Jersey is a very strange beast. Um they have many rules, regulations and quirks. Um, so initially when we were uh looking at how we were going to operate, we
initially thought we would treat it in line with uh like the recreation trust was considered where we would be able to take revenue in and then turn it around and expend it out to cover the expenses. Um but after many conversations with the
division of local finance with the state of New Jersey and our auditors um we were not able to operate uh under that uh platform because there were certain rules and regulations that that would not encompass like full-time employees
and and things like that. So after a lot of review, we looked at uh a couple of different operation uh plans. One of them being a utility, which is not a utility like the municipal utilities authority is not an authority. It is
just a a a budgetary line in our operation where we would be able to it would have its own budget. It would have its own revenues. It would have its own expenses and and it would operate independently but not separately from
the township. So, uh at the end of the year, if the utility if the performing arts center utility turned a profit, those monies would be deposited into the general treasurer of the township. But the reverse of that,
if it lost money, we would also have to make up the deficit. So, uh, after a lot of conversations back and forth, um, and discussion again with the Division of Local Government Services with our auditors, and we thought that the
performing arts utility fund was the best um, mechanism or willing barrel to do what it is um, that it wanted to do um, for the the the for the community. So, we are presenting
this ordinance to you to establish the Willing Barrow Municipal Performing Arts Center Utility Fund. It will be governed by a a manager. Um, it will the legislative authority of
it will still fall underneath the authority of the council and the management will still fall under the authority of the structure of Willingboro Township. I know that's a lot.
Any questions? >> I think we'll continue on with at that and we'll ask questions and discussion. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Ordinance number 18 is an ordinance to approve municipal operations by
efficiently federal uh and efficiency through federal reorganization of the department by amending chapter 3 article 15 of the township code related to the department of recreation. Um it is our desire to encompass
the department I mean uh the senior center underneath the department of recreation and to have oversight of the senior center through the director of the department of recreation and wellness. Um this was an ordinance that
had been presented to the council uh last year. um it was put on on hold and uh with the retirement of Miss Foster, we would like to present it again to you for your consideration.
Ordinance number 19 is an ordinance amending chapter 272-121 of the code of the township of Willingboro to reduce the compliance period from 10 days to 5 days to constitute a final ordinant uh order for
township abatement. Um it is our standard practice that we allow um residents who are in violation of certain township codes 10 days to abate those situations. Um it is thought that
10 days is very liberal uh in consideration of the amount of time once you issue a violation and it gets it work the system it 10 days turns into several months or or weeks. So, uh, we
were looking to reduce it from 10 days to 5 days just to get the ball starting a little sooner and we would like you for you to consider making that amendment to uh that particular ordinance.
Uh we are going to ask that ordinance number 20 um which was presented on the agenda be withdrawn from consideration and that was to remove the requirement that town town home receptacles be be stored
within the rear yard fenced area. Uh something that we are trying to respond to based on certain complaints and concerns from certain residents. Um but we still have some things that need to be worked out first. So, we're just going to ask that that be withdrawn from consideration from this
evening. That's correct. Right, Mr. Tonsel? Thank you, >> Mr. Harris. We didn't introduce that. I didn't put that on. I just put the I reumbered um number 20 as the amended for the red lit. >> Okay. On the agenda that I have, it says
remove requirement for the T. Okay. So, and and you're correct on the number on on the ordinance um for your consideration in relation to what we were speaking about earlier with Councilwoman Peron um to make an
amendment to the operation or the the optional red lid additional refuge cart. And if you would see that this is the original ordinance that was presented um introduced and adopted by the council a few weeks ago, but essentially we are
striking out of the ordinance any reference to annual collection fees, contracts, um initial payments, renewal payments, billing and and and those things alike. So, if anybody wants a red lid cart,
they can pay the $75 placement fee. The cart will be placed and there will be no additional supplemental uh charges for the collection of that cart. If any person had already paid the $145 collection fee, those monies will be
refunded to them um probably uh in the middle of August. And those are all of the ordinances uh being presented to you for your consideration. There are no ordinances for public hearing and final adoption. So we will go through the resolutions
being presented to you for your consideration. Resolution number 118 is a resolution authorizing the approval of vouchers. Uh this is from the bill's list from two weeks ago when we did not have a meeting. Uh resolution 119 is a
resolution authorizing the approval of vouchers for payment and ratification um for this particular bills list for this re to this meeting. Resolution number 120 is a resolution authorizing refunds for overpayment of taxes.
Resolution 121 is a resolution authorizing uh the Willingboroough Township Tax Collector to prepare and mail estimated tax bills in accordance with public law 1994 C-72. That's a provision in the tax code when the
budget has not been finalized and the tax rate have not been um set that they can uh send out what the estimated tax bills would be. Um and then that would en enable us to begin collecting some of those tax revenue to keep our operations
moving. Resolution number 122 is a resolution authorizing a renewal of alcohol beverage control liquor license for the period of July 2026 to June 30th, 2027.
And those are being renewed for I believe it is B Uno who uh was issued a liquor license when they opened a few months ago um and Fosters Military Lodge.
Madame Deputy Clerk, is it just Fosters or being? >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Resolution number 123 is a resolution authorizing a 3% salary increase for certain non-UN
and unclassified employees um with the adoption of the salary ordinance in 2025. Uh there was a provision that the non-UN employees uh could get a salary increase, but it had to be authorized and the rate set by the
council. So, I'm recommending that they receive a 3% increase, which is pretty much in line with what uh most of our unions uh negotiated contracts are receiving. Resolution number 124 is a resolution to
accept funds to support the LA 2026 local uh improvement fund. Willingboroough Township received a $550,000 grant to do work on Shawont, Shetland,
and Shetfield lanes. And we are just asking to receive uh those grant monies so we can um incorporate those into our budget and begin working on those projects. Resolution number 125 is a resolution authorizing
the township to award a contract to Route 23 Auto Mall for the purchase of some vehicles or our Department of Public Works. Resolution 126 is a resolution authorizing the township to award a
contract for police vehicle upfitting and these are for the three police cruisers that were purchased in last year's capital. And just so you know, the upfitting is the installation of the cages and the lights and the sirens and all the equipment that goes into a police
vehicle. Resolution 127 is a resolution authorizing the township to amend the contract amount for field turf USA incorporated. They are the company that performed the track restoration and field restoration at JFK. that is for
the inclusion of an $18,000 maintenance bond uh for that project. Resolution number 128 is a resolution authorizing the township to place municipal charges on certain properties for failing to address property
maintenance violations. Resolution 129 is a resolution authorizing the execution ofou between Willingboro Township and uh Ruckers the State University. We
are desiring to or both parties are desiring to seek to collaborate and establish a film ready pipeline uh supporting small business development in the film and healthc care sectors and promoting uh experiential re retail
tourism. So the Willingboroough Economic Development Committee has been in discussion with the center and recommends the adoption of this memorandum of understanding establishing that the collaboration with them to establish this pipeline I think is going
to be a great thing for Willingboro preparing us to be film ready in the future. Resolution uh number 130 is a resolution authorizing the township to uh enter a
contract to Schaefer Plastics North America to purchase trash carts and replacement lids. Those are the red lid carts that will be issued uh to the residents that choose to to uh participate in the program. Resolution number 131 is the amending the 2026
municipal budget. Um, I will call Miss Diggs to the floor at this time to answer any questions related to those amendments. Um, the budget was introduced after the introduction. There
were certain uh adjustments that the council had asked for uh which were uh made and there were other adjustments that were required to make um by the state of New Jersey or division of local government services and um so we are
introducing those amendments for your consideration this evening. um they will be sent to the state for final approval and then they will be uh incorporated into the final budget documents um which we would hope to approve at our meeting
in July. >> Okay. Um for that one, Mr. Harris will pull it from the consent agenda and we'll have that discussion with Miss Diggs uh during the discussion period. >> Thank you, Mayor. Resolution number 132 is a resolution of
the township authorizing the fireworks display by DNM fireworks for the 2026 Willingboroough Jazz Festival. Resolution 112 is a resolution authorizing the entering into a professional service contract with Ducket Entertainment uh who is
representing Gerald Beasley for musical performance at the 26 Jazz Festival. Resolution 113 is another uh resolution authorizing uh a professional service contract with Ducket Entertainment representing Eric Robertson for a
performance at the 2026 Jazz Festival. Resolution number 116 is a resolution authorizing the township of Willingboro to enter into a service contract with Ducket Entertainment
representing Mike Phillips for a musical performance at the 2026 Jazz Festival. And resolution 133 is a resolution authorizing the township to enter into a professional service contract with Ducket Entertainment representing uh
Cresette Marcel for a musical performance at the 2026 um jazz festival. Resolution 114 I believe is just an amendment to the initial or initial resolution whereas
Gerald Beasley and Karen Briggs are now going to be performing together. So I believe 114 was a is a resolution entering professional service contract with Ducket Entertainment presenting the two of them collectively. And those are all of the ordinances and
resolutions being presented to you this evening for your consideration. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris. At this time, we'll open up our first public comment. This public comment will be for agenda items only. You will have two minutes. Please state your name when you come to
the uh podium. And there are comment cards in the back should we need to get back to you with an answer. Um we will use the contact information on the card to respond to you. This is our first public comment for agenda items only. You will have two minutes. Public
comment is now open. Good evening, uh, mayor, deputy mayor, and council. Uh, agenda item, uh, 20, excuse me, Marcus King, 135 Torington. Uh, agenda item 202617.
um if there could be a community-based um programs built into this, whether it be a community choir or a theater production for uh community events. I think it would be great to include in this because most of this talks about um
having a contract and somebody running it. But I'd like to see start with community theaters and community music programs. Um, and it doesn't necessarily have to be free, but for community uh, folks to get involved for your consideration. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. King. >> Any other public comment? Sol. I didn't pick up an agenda item, so I'm not quite sure that I have that what I'm going to speak about is on the agenda, but there are notes that I took.
Um, in in regards to the performing arts center, uh, why are we hiring an additional director for the performing arts? I thought we had a jazz promoter and that jazz promoter only works for to
only works to um on a one-day jazz festival which is one day in August. What are the duties and responsibility after that one day in August? And why can't he be the director of the uh the performing arts? I think
councilwoman Peron brought that up. Also, the 3% salary increase that I heard. Does that include a salary increase for council members? Remember last year there was a big conversation about it because you had it on the agenda and then after it was questioned
you took it off. So again I want to know if there's a salary increase for council members and which I don't think you deserve to be honest with you. And I think that's all of my notes from
the meeting. So, I'll be back with some other stuff that I took. >> Thank you, Miss Holly. >> So, am I going to get those questions in? >> We answer all questions after public comment. Any other public comment
>> to the agenda? >> Pertaining to the agenda. Agenda items only. All right. Seeing none, public comment is now closed. Um, Mr. Harris, could you elaborate on the utility just a bit? There are
questions from uh Mr. King about community events, community theater and local choirs and things being able to use the performing arts space. >> Yes. And the questions that Mr. King was referring to actually is encompassed under the programming um of the
performing arts theater which is not necessarily addressed um in this particular ordinance. This is just the establishment and the operation of the utility. But the the specifically what Mr. King was related to is related to
the programming and those considerations have been incorporated into the overall operating considerations for the performing arts center. >> Thank you. And then um also pertaining to the performing arts center, the manager that
is included in there, can you explain the um thinking and rationale uh concerning the manager, the addition of the manager? >> So, uh initially Mr. Ducket was hired by the or contracted by the council um a
few years ago to um operate or run the performing arts center. um when we were still in the formation stage um his contract was expanded to utilize his
expertise with the jazz festival. But with this new um operating structure of the performing arts center, um unless Mr. Ducket becomes the manager of the performing arts center. Um that that
contract would go away and whoever that person um who fills this role as the manager of the performing arts center will encompass the performing arts center and the jazz festival and other programming things in Willingboro
Township. >> Thank you. Um, and then pertaining to the salary ordinance, does that include an increase for council? >> No, it does not. >> Um, and
can you just uh list some of the maybe departments or uh positions that will be included in um that increase. I know they're in the non union positions that are included in the
salary ordinance. Um but it does not include council. So the the roles that are included in the salary ordinance um include um some lower level uh employees
that are not included in the ask me contract like clean community ambassadors um part-time security officers certain uh confidential employees um public information officer OEM public
safety coordinator our tax inspector some of those roles uh will be incorporated into the ask me contract, but until they are um those are considerations. Um deputy township clerk, the municipal court judge, municipal court administrator, tax
collector, tax assessor, construction officials, individuals who are not covered by a collective bargaining unit are covered by the salary ordinance and those are the roles that they're covering. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other questions for Mr.
All right, seeing none. Thank you, Miss Harris, for your answers. All right, for council, there is a bit of an update. There were some updates. Uh I think they uh mistakenly provided the original
utility ordinance within the packet and this what I passed out now is the updated one. Oh, sorry. This is for the Do you have >> Okay. So, it should be ordinance uh
2026-17, the one amending the municipal code to add the chapter for the performing arts center utility fund. All right. We will move on to the discussion about our ordinances and the
introduction of our ordinance. Madame Deputy Clerk, will you start with 2026-17? This is again the one that was uh with the updates is the one that was just uh passed down. Yes. May I get a motion to introduce
ordinance 26-17 entitled an ordinance of the township of Willingboro in the county of Burlington, state of New Jersey, amending the municipal code to add a new chapter providing for the establishment of municipal performing arts center utility fund, defining its
governance structure, and providing for professional administrative management of the utility. >> So move second. >> Moved by Councilwoman Pum, seconded by Councilman Anderson. Any discussion? Council woman. Thank you.
Um, so I want to say uh thank you to the clerk for providing the contracts for uh ducket entertainment um during our recess recess from our last meeting. I did receive that and was able to review uh duckets contract as it pertains to
this new introduction ordinance of 20206-17. So, uh, concerns. The contract that I have here, it does say that it's amended to restate the township theater management agreement
between the township of Willingboro and Ducket Entertainment Group LLC. Effective date July 1st, 2025. This amendment and reinstated agreement. The agreement is entered into this first
day of July, 2025 by and between the Township of Wingboro, Municipal Corporation of the Estates of New Jersey and the address and between Ducket Entertainment Group LLC offices located in Maryland, Green Belt,
Maryland. The township and docket may be referred to individually as party or collective as the party recital. Whereas the township and docket entered into an
agreement dated July 12th, 2024 for the management and programming of the township performing arts center. And whereas the township desires to exercise its renewal option for the term of July
1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 with the potential for two additional one-year extensions. And whereas the parties wish to amend the agreement to
include additional services related to various programming opportunities, example, Willing Barrel Jazz Festival and Friday Night Live. And whereas the township acknowledges services already rendered by Ducket from January 1st,
2025 through June 30th, 2025 under the scope of the new programming and agrees to compensate docket accordingly. Now therefore is consideration of the mutual um and
promises heron and for other good and valuable consideration. The parties agree as follows. Council >> Pum, before you continue, I just want to uh restate that the ordinance that we are discussing are discussing the utility. I think we're all aware that we
had a um contract with Ducket Entertainment. That contract expires June 30th and the formation. >> Madam May, respectfully, I I really don't like when you do that because you do not have the floor at this time. >> Well, well, I do. I don't know. I'm the
facilitator of this meeting and and I asked you to pause. >> I have the floor. >> You do not have unlimited time to speak. I'm reading a document. Council >> woman, we do not have all night read an entire contract into the record.
>> Okay. Madam record and I'm telling you that this discussion is based on you. Madam, >> I'm not going this. What I'd like to say is that right now we are in conversation about the ordinance 2026-17
and what this ordinance is establishing the utility fund. We are aware that we have a contract. That contract is ending and this is the operation that we are trying to put in place for when that contract ends. I understand you're trying to read the whole contract into the record. It will have no bearing.
>> Madame Mayor, you are disrespectful. Okay. and you are to facilitate the meeting. I have the floor and I am getting to >> continue the compensation of this agreement. I needed the people to understand what I was reading. Please respect that I have
the floor and do not interrupt me anymore. Thank you. >> So it says it here. It says it here. Compensation on the agreement that I was just reading. The compensation not to
exceed the limited under agreement under the agreement is hereby increased from $85,000 to $15,000 for the year 2025 to 2026 renewal term. Okay.
The issue that I have is and it does describe the responsibilities of the docket entertainment. Mr. Harris and Mr. Ducket did sign this agreement in 2025 of July. Since 2024, Mr. Ducket has received a total of 454
$454,660 in salaries with Ducket Entertainment. The Performing Arts Theater is not open. As Mr. Harris just stated, we're to open in August. What exactly did we pay him to do? As one of the residents that came and spoke earlier, the jazz festival is
literally one day. So, how is it that we're producing this ordinance 26 2026-17 when we have a contract and have been paying a person ducket entertainment for exactly what this ordinance says as far
as responsibilities of the theater, performing arts theater. How is it? So, there's two things. What did we receive when we paid him? And I received from the finance department all of the monies um that was paid to Ducket
Entertainment. It is and I do have it broken down from 2024 all the way to present and in total it is $454,000 $54,660 which includes his salary and the jazz
festival. And that is because as we see tonight, we have the artist, right? And the artist is to pay be paid to Bucket Entertainment, which is what is in his contractual agreement. It says it here that we are to pay him for getting the
artists. Okay. So he's been received all of that money and whatever he gave to the artist and whatever agreement he got from the artist, but in total again $454,660. What did we pay him to do if the performing arts theat's not open and jazz festival is one day a year?
>> Thank you, Councilwoman. That's a question. M Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Harris, would you be able to um just explain again the uh point of this ordinance as well as the contract with
Mr. Ducket and how they coincide? >> So, the point of the ordinance is to establish the the governance and the structure of the performing arts center which is concluded has been completed. Um Mr. Doug was hired uh several years
ago when we anticipated that the performing arts center would have been completed several years ago, but because of construction delays and things beyond our control uh with the contractor, um the project took um a couple of years
more than it should. However, Mr. Doug was very instrumental even at that time helping us uh make sure that the elements that were being put into into the theater were elements that were necessary for the theater and there were
some things that that uh the contractor had proposed that were excessive and wasteful for the township. So he has been very helpful in getting the theater to this point. um about midstream in that process we did uh expand his
contract to cover the jazz festival and the perform the Friday Night Live series. Um the number that you have 400,000 is correct but it's a little misrepresentative
because his salary was only 105,000 for the last three years I believe uh or his contracted amount some of those monies that you were accounting into those are monies that he uh laid out to secure
artist uh deposits um which were reimbursed um the contracts or the resolutions that we are presenting to this evening are for reimbursements to him for monies that he took out of his pocket to
contract with the vendors. So, it's not that he is getting all of this this money. He has been kind of helping Willing Barrow uh move these programs forward. >> Mr. Harris, Madame Mayor, >> Council Member, >> thank you. Mr. Harris, it says here in
his contract, the contract that I just read, it says here, uh, on compensation three, letter B, like boy, of this total, $85,000 is contractual theater management services to be paid monthly at a rate of $7,083.
Okay. As you just stated, Mr. Harris, the theater is not open. to date and I have every single check that he's received to date for a theater that's not open. And we did hire engineers to build construct. We we
hired professionals to build that theater. Mr. Ducket did not build the theater. It was not his construction his contract firm. He he did not have a contract with us for that to build the theater. His contract is when it's open, he finds artists and
it says it here. I have all of the contractual agreements with him of what he's supposed to bring to us. Okay? And in the event that he does not bring and it says here, 10 artists, he actually owes us back because he promises to bring 10 artists. Okay? This is what he
promised. 10 artists and ticket sales. We don't sell tickets at the jazz festival. Okay. The deeg which is duck entertainment will oversee the hiring of the front of the house staff as volunteers. These positions will include box office ticket takers etc and usher
ushers. Okay. Security. We will hire security companies to provide security for all of our events. Did Mr. Ducket pay the police department for securing the jazz festival? >> No. >> No, he did not. It's quick. You you can I know the answer. He did not. But do we
we see in his contract security? He will hire security. So if we're paying him for the jazz festival because we included in this same contract that I just read that was amended. Remember the contract was introduced in 2024. Then it was amended 2025 which is the one that I
was reading. So if he's supposed to pay for security, why are we getting the bill? So that is a particular line in the totality of his contract which was part of the request uh for proposals. >> No, Mr. H. >> I can pass pass it to you if you want to
read it. >> No, I I don't need to you to pass it to me to read it because I I understand what the contract was for. So the operation of the theater, yes, Mr. Ducket was contracted to hire front of the house staff, to hire security, to do
all of those things that you outlined in his contract, but as you correctly stated, the theater was not open, >> right? So, why did we pay him? That's what I'm trying to find out. Why do we give him and then or then it increased in 2025 to $8,000 a month. Okay. So, my
question is, why were we paying him? And I'm asking you, Mr. Harris, because you signed your name on his contract. you signed his contract >> right >> on in 2024 and that's another thing I wanted to bring just for correction for the table uh for the bench 2024 the
contract was signed by you and Mr. Bobby Ducket and in 2025 the contract was signed by you and Mr. Robert Ducket. For the record, is Bobby and Robert the same person? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we need to be consistent when it comes to contracts because it could be his son. I'm just saying that people
don't call me Becky. I mean, my family does, but I don't sign my name as Becky Peron. So, I'm just want us to be careful when we're looking at contracts that we be very specific about who's signing in their names. But for the record, you just confirmed it is the same person. However, what did we pay
him for? That's my question. Because right now we're trying to introduce an ordinance called utilities and honestly it's the same thing of his contract as far as what that person is supposed to do. Now yes at the end of this month if we do not renew his contract then it'll be somebody else. I gather that this
ordinance is going to be the person who you're speaking of and we already established a salary that's to be $105,000. Everything in this utility that you described is in his contract of a scope of what he's supposed to do for the performing arts theater. But we already
paid him and we've not had one event at the Performing Arts Theater. So again, my question is, Miss um Madame Mayor, what did we pay him for? Thank you, Councilwoman Pum. Mr. Harris, um I see Mr. Ducket is in the audience. Um if
you'd like to call him forward to talk about um his duties um during the contract, here. >> And once again, just for clarity, this um ordinance we we are this is not a
discussion about the contract with Duck and Entertainment. This is a discussion um or should be a discussion about the establishment of the performing arts utilities um fund that we are looking to establish as we open the performing arts
center. Um what this utility would do, we would not be renewing Mr. Ducket's contract and would move to this uh format in under the utility fund. Good evening, Mr. Good evening, mayor, madame mayor, every mayor and council. >> Um
>> would you be able to help us understand um the task that you've been um doing during the period of your contract as well as uh the part that you played in the completion of the performing arts center? When I came on board uh what
three years ago and reviewed the plans for the performing arts center um the vendor who you guys had contracted with was bringing you a vendor a performing art center. So when I met with you guys build to tell me what you were looking
for. Everything that they were bringing to you was substandard very much substandard. They were building a high school arena. You would not be able to have any professional or national action in there. You would have been having to rent additional stuff. In theory, if we had to do an audit, I have
saved the township based on what you were doing over $300,000, if not more. I dealt with every meeting with the programmers and the electricians and the contractors. We had this theater ready to be open three different times and have had to push back because of
contractor error. So, as we've gone along, every day that we've had meetings to get this thing moved through the different phases of construction, I've been 100% involved. As again, then when I came on board, this theater was set to open a year ago
in September. We pushed it back to a year ago in February. We moved it back to April of this year. And we just got our certificate of occupancy. We are helpful. Uh we're totally professional. If anyone would love to come inside and see the look, we almost finished in
there. We have state-of-the-art lighting, state-of-the-art sound, and a video wall that we did not have in the plan beforehand. So, um, a state art dressing rooms, everything. So, we basically took the same budget that you
guys had allocated and corrected it for the type of, um, materials that are needed. I've run diff four different um performing arts centers, worked with municipalities in South Florida County, Atlanta as well as a country club hills, Illinois. To give you an example, you
can come in my office any day and look at the grade of curtain that they were giving you versus the grade that is needed for a professional show. All this is in my office and it's very easy to come by and see me. I'm here every three days a week if not four to come by and
see and ask the questions. council of anything you want to ask me about what we do and what we have done and me and you spoke a couple of days ago of the misnomer that I make. So just so we're very clear because of your system of how
you have to cut checks I have fronted the money for the deposits for the artists then those other checks will come back. So that $200,000 that you misrepresenting saying that I made I paid on behalf of Willingboro Township.
I've not made a dime more than my contract is is stated for me coming on to book when I was asked to book these shows because of how the council meets and has to be approved. You guys will never get shows. There are so many
festivals going on that if we're not working on those festivals for like literally come October, I'm working on 2027's festival. I've lost artists. We had Mesa for this year, but because we did not have funds available that I
could get to in time, I lost the artist and I had to put my money up to get another artist. So, we're very transparent about anything that anybody wants to come in and talk to me about what's going on with the theater. It's it's real. The contracts that we do are
the the same monies that we're paying for. Eric Robersonson is where City Winery pays him, but that is the theater pays him and any other promoter that goes out and wants to book it. It's very transparent. Here you see the 1099 that he has to give me that I'm going to
write to that is written off on. So there's nothing untoldly or nefarious about the operations of what Ducket Entertainment Group is doing. We've been in business for over 30 years at the highest level of the industry. And if you want to come and talk to me about
anything about the theater and how we've been functioning, you're very much welcome. >> Yes. >> No. >> No, you can. That is just >> I do have a question for um I do have a comment and questions for Mr. Ducket. >> Were you council statement? >> Oh, okay. So, Mr. Ducket, again,
understand this is not a personal matter. >> Not a personal meeting. >> Right. So, I'm reading the contract and in this contract that is not your responsibilities. So if you offered advice, if you offered an um some professional opinions about curtains or about electrical wiring, you are not
hired to be the electrician. You are not hired to be the designer of look and feel. That is not that was not your scope of responsibility, which is why I read verbatim before the mayor interrupted. And I have more of your contract that it says in here. And none
of it has to do with you and building the performing arts theater in its design or anything. And I do remember um when you stepped in about I think it was the speakers and you said no that's not the right ones and we appreciate you offering your advice. However, you were
paid for a theater that's not open and that is not your fault. That's what I'm speaking about with the council and Mr. Harris because they cut the tracks. If somebody gave me $7,000 a month, I'm not going to say, "Hey, don't give that to me. You take it. I know why you took it. Because you they paying you. They You're
doing your part. Your part is, "Hey, I'm here. You gave me an office. It says in here. We're going to give you an office." Did we give you an office at JFK? >> Well, I think Can I ask you a question? Let's just be right straight forward. >> Yes. >> Are you all in the entertainment business? >> I'm I am
>> No, question. Very fair. Be fair. >> I'm not business. Right. >> Is anybody on the council? >> We hired people to do that. >> Right. And the person that you hired was also not in that. Now, how you deal with that about me coming in here and seeing what it was for what you were trying to
achieve, >> right? >> And if I didn't come in here and sat and did not bother y'all because what you're insinuating is that I didn't have to come in and get involved. No, you see how we amended the contract to include a jazz festival >> and the jazz was for booking and the whole >> not amended for you to be take part in
the destruction construction of the design of the performing arts theater because if that's what we wanted to amend it to that should have been included cuz had that been included then I would not question what are we paying you for because you it's not open at the end of the day the facts on the table are the theater you just got the the
certificate of oppositey for October I mean August so we will open I guess in the next coming weeks the Fact is, you've been paid since 2024 and in this contract, you have not produced what's in this contract. It is
at no fault of your own. However, one question I asked Mr. Harris and he was he said, "No, you didn't pay for security. We included the jazz festival. It says it right here. You're supposed to pay for security." >> No, no, that again, if you're going to go and and parse the contract and such, that's up to you. I'm not
>> you're part but I'm saying you're parsing the contract because the contract that you're reading from is what I'm supposed to do if the theater was open. So just we're going to clearly wait in a very clear thank you at this program >> at this time. Thank you um Mr. Ducket
and M and Councilwoman Peron. Um we did have a an agreement with uh Mr. Ducket um as the theater manager. as a theater manager. Part of his task were to um select acts but also add to manage
the theater which was not open yet but part of managing the theater is make sure that it can gets constructed in a way so that >> No, that's not what it says. >> Excuse me. Please don't interrupt me. Please don't interrupt me. >> First of all, I was not Please don't interrupt me. Please don't interrupt me council. >> Okay, we're going back.
>> Please don't interrupt me. Council, your contract is the >> Please don't interrupt me. Counciloman, >> please don't interrupt me, Councilwoman Peron. Please don't interrupt me, Councilwoman Peron. I was not done talking. Please don't interrupt me. >> Please don't interrupt me, Councilwoman
Pum. Thank you. So, as I said, um, as a theater manager, you, um, conducted the management of the theater, um, to get the theater opened. And um now as we are
going into the opening season >> um thank you for that. Um Mr. Ducky if you would just sit on the front row for a moment. Thank you. >> Okay. Is there any other discussion on ordinance 2026-17? >> Yes
council woman. >> So is it pertaining to ordinance 2026-17 and not the ducket entertainment contract? >> Again do not interrupt me. I said yes. I have a question. I have a question about ordinance 2620 2017.
So with regards to 2026-17, it says it right here that compensation salary range for manager shall be between 60 and $80,000 annually. So how
is it that that's a salary established here? Um, and we've already paid over $200,000 in salary since 2024, including the jazz festival. So, the salary here,
can you explain the salary component of this as far as those figures? Because Yeah, that's that's what it says here on letter F. Mr. Harris, >> Mr. Harris, >> so that was the salary that was presented uh for the manager of the
performing arts center. uh the range for the salary to be $60 to $80,000 and there is no there there is nothing in this ordinance that says that person is Mr. Ducket. No, >> I know that. I know that. So, okay. So, I want to be clear. So, if this ordinance this I know it's an
introduction. If this ordinance once it gets to its stage is approved, there is no more agreement with the docket entertainment. As a matter of fact, as of June 30 of 2026, we are not renewing that contract. Is that correct? That is >> that's the plan. If this gets approved,
>> that would be the decision of the governing body. >> Okay. So, again, I want to make sure Well, here's what I'm trying to make sure that we don't have another $400,000 bill that we're paying uh Mr. Ducket Entertainment and we have an ordinance to pay somebody $60 $80,000 to do exactly what the contract says in Ducket
Entertainment. I'm just trying to make sure we're not trying to do both. that we're trying to this the the ordinance idea is to replace all of the money that was spent place is not even open. Is that what we're trying to do? Is that the purpose? Because everything that I
read in this ordinance is what I'm reading what I read in the agreement that we have with him already. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Pum. >> Mr. Harris. >> Thank you, Council. >> Place it, Mr. Harris. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Pum. >> So disrespectful, >> Mr. Harris. >> Mr. Harris is can you answer the
question? >> So the the salary is the salary in the ordinance is to established the salary for the manager of the performing arts center. The contract for Mr. Ducket ends on June
30th. So unless for some reason you decide to renew that contract, there will be no reason to further that contract continuation. >> Okay. Thank you. because in the writing it does say we could renew it for another two years and that's the part that I read earlier. So I just want to
make sure that that is the idea that's the plan. Um and then last thing for the record um Mr. doctor if he's still in the audience. Um I know you came here in 2024. However, the jazz festival um what are we celebrating? Our 40th year, 45th
year. The recreation department hired the firm that found the artist and that agreement was made between the the firm that they found such as a firm as your your company and they would have the agreement with the artist and whatever that agreement is that's who the
township pays. the recreation department director did not use her salary to pay anybody for the artists that we've had over the years of having this jazz festival. So, I know how it works. I know how the contracts work because I've
been reading the contracts here since I've been on this council board. And that's the way we do it. My issue is that you're being paid twice for the performing arts theater that's not open and paid for three years in addition to paying your firm to find the artist.
Okay. And that was included amended to your your contract and it is a disservice to our community because we did not receive what's in this contract for the performing arts theater because it's not open. That concludes my statement. >> Thank you, Councilwoman P.
All right. Um, as I stated in the beginning, um, there is this the establishment of this utility fund is so that we will not have to renew Mr. Ducket's contract. Um, that was established in the beginning before the
tirade. But um also um this act will solidify the financial structure of the performing arts center that will are able to accurately track the uh revenue and expenditures that
come in and out uh for the performing arts theater. Um does any other council member have questions on this matter? Okay, seeing none, we will um take a roll call. Councilwoman Peron,
>> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. May I get a motion to introduce ordinance 26-18,
an ordinance to improve municipal operations and efficiency through reorganization of departments by amending chapter 3, article 15 of the township code relating to the department of recreation. >> So move >> second. >> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded
by uh Councilwoman Macintosh. Any discussion? Hey 15, I'm sorry. >> No, we're on 18. 18. >> There's no 15 on the agenda this evening. >> We are on 18. Yes. All right. Um, any
discussion? Seeing none, roll call. Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. May I get a motion to introduce ordinance 26-9 entitled an ordinance
amending chapter 272-121 of the code of the township of Willenboro to reduce the compliance period from 10 days to 5 days to constitute a final order for the township abatement. >> So moved >> second moved by Councilman Anderson,
seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Discussion. Um Mr. Harris, would Mr. Suntol be able to come up and just talk a little bit about um how that will affect operations? Um and I know for abatements
like the grass and trash bins, this makes sense, but um with the shorter time frame also apply to larger abatements. Um >> good evening. >> May take more time. Good evening, Mr. Ton. This particular ordinance only
applies to grass, trash, things of that nature. There are various ordinances that have different time frames. For example, any major um maintenance issues are 30 days. U there's minor issues like
grass and trash are 10 days. However, if you wait 10 days and you already wait for the grass to be in a position where it needs to be cut, uh you add another 10 days to that and now the grass is
extremely high. So, five is a reasonable amount of time and that's why we're making this request, but it does not impact any of the other long-term uh repairs, if you will. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Council. Great. Any other questions from council?
Seeing none, roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. I get a motion to introduce ordinance 26-20 entitled an ordinance of the
township council of the township of Willenboroough County of Burlington State of New Jersey amending ordinance 26-14 amending chapter 370 article 17 supplementary regulations of the code of the township of Willenboro by creating a
new section 37 370-94 entitled optional red lid additional re refuse cart program. So move. Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Po. Any discussion?
All right. Uh, Council Mintosh just wanted to ask um Mr. Harris, uh, it said something about um, eligibility. Is there a do we have a standard for eligibility? >> No, there is no standard for eligibility. So, anyone who wants one
can just get >> Yeah, we have 750 available. First come, first serve. >> First come, first serve. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> All right, seeing none, roll call. Councilwoman Peron.
>> Councilwoman Peron. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Yes. >> Councilman Anderson. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. Mayor would build bill. >> Yes. All right. We're moving on to the resolutions for this evening.
Um, I would like to propose a consent agenda for resolution or I would like to ask for a motion for a consent agenda for resolutions 2026-18 through
2026-127. 7. Also, resolutions 2026, 129, and 130. Uh, resolution 132 2026-132 and that would be it for the consent agenda.
So once again that would be resolutions 2026-18 through 2026-127 129 and 130 and 132. Oh, wait a minute. These are out of order. Yeah, cuz I had those ones pulled out, but they're
all right. Um, let's pull out 128, 131, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 133, and 134. you'd like to pull 122. Okay. We'll also
add 122 for the listable. Are there any other uh items from consent agenda that we'd like to pull? Right now, we're pulling 122, 128, 131.
112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 133, and 134. That's the replacement of it was just the there was a couple resolutions that we just had to we're going to be tableabling because we revised them and
134 is just the one where Gerald um Beasley and Karen Briggs was added together you might All right. So, if there are no others to add to the consent agenda, will somebody make a motion?
All right. Moved by Councilwoman Mintosh. A second. >> Second. >> Seconded by Councilman Anderson. Um, any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. I get a motion and second to approve the same. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilwoman Pon. Seconded by Councilwoman Mintosh.
>> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Anderson. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. >> All right. We'll go into resolutions for separate discussion. Um, Madame Deputy
Clerk, we'll go to resolution 2026-122. Can I get a motion to discuss resolution 26-122? >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilwoman Porum, seconded by uh, Councilwoman Mintosh. Discussion.
Um, I asked to pull this one because I know um, typically members of the governing body um, who are affiliated with some of the agencies on the ABC um, liquor license um, abstain and so I just didn't want there to be an issue if we
did it in the consent agenda just to give them the opportunity if they felt like they wanted to. Okay, we have three entities that are included in uh this ABC liquor license approval. It is uh B
Unos Fosters Military Lodge and Rancokus Golf Course. Um are there any council members that would like to abstain from any of those agencies? >> I would abstain fosters. >> Okay. >> Anyone else?
All right. Um, so at that time you just same from that one entity. Is that correct? Okay. All right. Um, roll call. Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> abstain. >> Councilwoman Mintosh, yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. All right. Now, we'll go to uh 128. I get a motion to discuss resolution 26-128. So, moved.
>> Second. >> Moved by Mayor Whitfield, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. This uh resolution is for the leans placed on certain properties um to address property maintenance violations.
I know um there's been I've received some calls uh this week about uh charges for ice and snow removal that are just hitting the um list. I was uh I'd like
Mr. Harris for you to um address that or call up Mr. Chel to address the delay in the uh submitt of those violations. >> Mr. Chel, >> good evening once again. Your question
is why was there such a lag between the time that the snow was removed and the leans went out? To be totally honest with you, there were so many leans that it took an extensive amount of time to review each
and every one of them. But typically, the process is this. Um, we would contract out a vendor to do the snow and ice removal. They would tell us, of course, the task was completed. They're responsible for sending us some before and after pictures so that we can review
them to make sure that the job was done uh appropriately as well as um the way we had contracted them to to have it done. And there were well over 250 odd sidewalks that we had to address. So it
took some time and to be honest with you, it was just a lengthy process. I think we learned something from this process. we would do things a little bit differently next time. Hopefully, people will be able to address their own sidewalks. But the process was uh a
learning experience, if you will, um because it was so many. The volume was more than the one person who was handling it can could address. So, that was the delay. >> Okay. Any questions from council regarding this?
>> All right. Thank you so for your explanation. All right. Um, Madame Deputy Cler, Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes.
>> 131. >> May I get a motion to discuss resolution 26-131, resolution amending the 2026 municipal budget? >> So moved. >> Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy.
Discussion. Mr. Harris, I know you wanted to call Miss Digs up to go over the amendments. >> Good evening, Madame Mayor, deputy mayor, member of council, residents of Willingboro.
Um this evening we are introducing the amended budget for the year 2026. I'm just going to highlight some of the amendment that was made after the introduction of the
budget. So we we did three rounds of amendments lot of work. So we have the first amendment that was made was recommended by the state of New Jersey
that was done and that was in the amount of $2 million. We had to cut from the original budget prior to introduction. After the budget was introduced, the state came
back and said they recalculated the um the state revised the calculation for the health insurance, the healthcare and being that the our municipality was at the maximum of the appropriation
cap, we needed to adjust our budget by 300 $345,000. That mean we had to cut $345,000 out of the budget. However, we already maxed in order to
cut the 345. We were successful in cutting the 345. So, we met the state requirement. So, the governing body met for a couple of days in April. They proposed their own amendment that was done.
So at this point we are introducing a budget with an average increase per household for the year of $167.73. And that equates to roughly 6.06% 06%
increase for the year 2026 which was prior to amendment was close to 9%. We did some lot of work sharpening the pencils and came down to
$167.73 per year for an average household in the township of Wenboro. Can you say that number again one more time? >> $167.73 average increase. >> Okay. >> Per household.
>> And Mr. What is the main driver of that increase? >> Okay. So the main driver number one is the healthc care increase. >> How much did the healthcare go up by? >> Um roughly 18 18% increase. And then the second
driver was um the pensions for police police fire police and fire retirement fund went up close to four 5%. And then
of course everything going on with the economy and utilities, gasoline and everything else. But the two main drivers are health care cost increase and the
pensions increase for police and fire. Any other questions for Mr. Dix one question council I know we had a lot of discussion about um public works needing additional staff. So was that included and maybe a Mr. Harris's
question, but were the additional staff that um the superintendent of public works requested, was that included in the budget? >> Yeah, 100,000 was included in the amendment for public works. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um any other questions?
All right, seeing none. Thank you, Miss Welcome. We'll go on to roll call. Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. >> Resolution 126-12.
>> Yes. >> Asking to table that one. >> Um because that's the one for Gerald Beasley. And so we had a separate one for Gerald Beasley and we had a separate one for Karen Briggs. They're performing together. They're contracted together. We did a resolution, a new resolution
adding combining both of those. Right. So resolution um 112 and resolution 114. >> Okay. So, I want to um for resolution
112 and 114, those two that are going to be combined, I think I'd prefer in order for in order for them to not die on the table, I'd ask um for the council support in voting those two down. >> Okay. So, we'll do 112, 114, and then
we'll come back to 113. >> Okay. Yes. Can I get a a motion? for resolution 26-12. >> Go ahead. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilman Anderson. Um once again um for discussion um this contract uh was combined with the contract with Karen
Briggs. So these individual resolutions um will be voted down by the council. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Peron, >> no. >> Councilman Anderson, >> no. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> no. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, no. >> Mayor Whitfield,
>> no. I get a motion for resolution 26-114. >> So move. >> Second. >> Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. This is the same um issue as 112. Roll
call. Councilwoman Peron. I thought you said it was 114 was the issue. >> We are in 114. >> Yeah. 114. >> What happened to 113? >> We're going back to 11. >> We're going to go back to 113. Okay. No. Sorry. Councilman Anderson, >> no. >> Councilwoman Macintosh,
>> no. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> no. >> And Mayor Whitfield, >> no. >> All right. Thank you for your uh patience while we dealt with that uh technical issue. We'll go back to 113.
Yes. Can I get a motion for 26-13? So move. >> Second. Moved by Deputy Mayor Worthy, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. Any discussion? >> Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Anderson.
>> Councilwoman Macintosh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. >> Okay. Resolution 26-115. We are also >> voting down. >> Voting down. Mesa. Uh, well, we'll open it up for discussion.
Can I get a motion? >> Second. >> Moved by Councilwoman Mintosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Discussion. Um, so this is another issue that we uh came
up with against um in booking acts. um the artist Mesa uh is no longer able to uh do the festival and uh we have to cancel that contract. So, um I ask the
council once again for their support and voting this one down. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> no. >> Councilman Anderson, >> no. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> no. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> no. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> no.
Can I get a motion for 26-116? >> Second. >> Moved by Councilwoman Mintosh. Seconded by uh Councilman Anderson. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Perum. >> Yes. >> Councilman Anderson. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. Can I get a resol, excuse me, can I get a motion to or 26-133 and this is replacing uh 115. This is for the contract with Chriset
Michelle as an artist. >> So moved. >> Second. Um moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. Discussion. Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Madam I'm Madame Mayor. I was wondering
um if we could find out from um Mr. Ducket if we if there are other options um to just to consider uh before locking uh Miss M Chris Michelle in. I know she performed recently um here in town and just wondering if there if you had
relationships with other artists who expressed interest to perform. Mr. Harris, would you uh call Mr. Duckbeck? >> Um at this point, based on the budget that we have, it was about the only option we had. Um I did speak to mayor
um about some suggestions, but most of the suggestions were way over our budget area that we could do. Um, she's, you know, I we they work in the area on a regular basis. So, I know that you guys have done her before, but it's been three I want to say almost three to four
years ago before she was here. >> It was before I got involved. So, it was two years at least with that. So, it had to be three years ago. Um, if there's something we can talk about fairly quickly, if you have some suggestions, send them to me >> and let's do it. >> Um, sure. And, and Madame Mayor, may I
ask a follow-up question? Um, my followup question is could we perhaps see if one of the other acts like Eric Robersonson if he's performing is there someone else that he could bring or expand some sets or some I mean I'm just wondering if we have >> we can doing some other stuff. I mean like um Carol Rick's coming out. We got
some special guests that are going to also add on but if it comes to another act send me some list ideas that you have and let's see what we can do with it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Councilwoman uh >> yes. Um given the light of um the
increase in taxes, I'm going to vote this down at $25,000. It's just we just can't afford it. So I do appreciate your efforts. Um but council, I will be voting this down. We already have a few artists coming and I think we can be a little bit more responsible of how we're spending. We don't need another artist.
So for me, it's going to be no for this one. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Jun. Um, thank you. I also had a concern with uh Christ Michelle as I've spoken with Mr. Ducket um prior to the meeting about my concerns. I also plan to vote this
one down. All right. Um, roll call, please. Councilwoman Peron, >> no. >> Councilman Anderson, >> no. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> no. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> no. Mayor Whitfield. >> No. >> Can I get a motion for resolution
26-134? >> Second. >> Moved by Councilwoman Macintosh, seconded by uh Councilman Anderson. This is the uh contract or the amended resolution that replaces the Gerald
Beasley and Karen Briggs to include them both together on the same resolution. Uh roll call. Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield,
>> yes. >> All right. Our treasures report? >> Yes. May I get a motion to approve the treasury report as of May 22nd, 2026? >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilwoman Macintosh. Any
discussion? Seeing none, roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. >> Approval of minutes.
>> I get a motion to approve May 19th regular and executive meeting minutes. >> Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Any discussion? Roll call. Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, >> yes. >> Mayor Whitfield, >> yes. >> Madame Clerk, your updates. >> Um, at this time, I don't have any um updates. >> All right. Thank you.
Unfinished business or Madam Clerk. Okay. Um, Councilwoman Mintosh, are there any other um vendors that are supposed to be knocking on doors. We have a list of >> We um we don't have any approved since
the last time that we had them. Um I can get can ask Donald to send me, but we don't have any new ones from the last time. So, if there's any one new that you see coming out, let us know. >> But whoever who do we have? >> Who do we have? Yes, we have um Allied Expert.
That's him. Oh, okay. Okay. All right. Any unfinished business? All right. Um, under new business, um, I
did want to, uh, make a brief statement. I know, um, there have been some development and news going around our last council meeting regarding um, one of our council members. Um it
will require some next steps um by the council and some pre-planning. We will be discussing that during executive session um today and then um may have a decision when we come out of executive
session. Uh and that's the item under new business. It's uh about communication with uh attorney general public. We'll do it after executive. All right. And now we've reached the
point in our meeting for public comment. Um this public comment is for four minutes. Uh you will have four minutes for any general topic. Please come up, state your name. Um, and please make sure you bring a comment card that you uh pass to the
uh deputy clerk so that uh your information can be recorded and we will be able to uh respond to you should we need. Public comment is now open. as long as we have the comment card at,
you know, by the end of the meeting. So, just to not hold up the meeting, you can uh come up and do your public comment first. >> Okay. Hello. Uh my name is Share Powell. Um here for the second time. Um, I believe you cancelled the last one or
something like the previous one was. Okay, cool. Um, I had a list of things that I actually wanted to uh address, but I only have four minutes and as the last time I get thrown off by
sitting here and listening to the discussions um and and I'm I'm upset and I can I I stay upset every time I walk in here. I see that. And the reason being is because I'm listening to the
arguments being made with different uh topics or whatever. And I get the feeling sometimes, especially you, mayor. You look at us as like we're idiots. Like we're dumb. We're stupid. We're not. Not all of us. We're not. We're just not. We can clearly see that
you are circumventing your power, your will to push away directives. Like for instance, not not the directives, the questionings rather. This gentleman here is up here and he's giving you his spiel on what
his position is dealing with his contract, the whole nine yards, whatever. You tell him to sit down. You didn't ask anyone else up here, do they have any questions like you did everybody else. That's a tellt tell sign from me. What What are you hiding? Why don't you want him to Why don't you want
questions being posed to him? I I just don't understand that. I'm sitting here and I'm just like I'm wondering when y'all took the positions that you're in, what was on your mind? Because I believe the intent
was to actually do good by by uh Willen Burough Township residents. I I think that's where it starts. But in positions like this, at some point you you start to sway. And I'm not sit I'm not going I I really don't want to sit there and make an
accusatory scenario, but it's hard for me not to believe that there's not something nefarious, especially going on with this gentleman over here and you and whoever is making the decisions regarding what we call a contract. If the contract says one thing, that is it. That is law. It's written. what you may
have going under the table, behind the back, or through the hoop, whatever, is irrelevant. It's irrelevant. The contract states what his position is, what he is supposed to be doing. Why are you sitting there making it look like or make or trying to make it seem like it's
one thing when in when in actuality it's written on the contract as as what it is? Stick to the contract. Just stick to the contract. I don't know what other stuff that's going on when it comes to the monies of Willenber, but I've heard so much over the years as far as uh embellishment and all kind of other
stuff or whatever. I I I I've heard I'm not saying I know I this is this is what I've been hearing. I've heard somebody went to jail for it. Right now, I'm actually looking at Mr. Anderson here, Councilman Anderson, and he's got a scenario going on. Why are you here? Why do you take these positions if you're
not going to do right by William? That's my part. That's my problem. I have a billion things that I wanted to discuss, but this is not one of the things I want to discuss. I have a list here of things that I want to ask you, but I can't get to it because of this. Why did y'all take these positions if
you're not truly going to be about Willingboroough and the betterment of the township? 32 seconds. I'm That's all I I I have a lot to say. I'll be back next week and I'll somehow get to this list. But come on, people do better.
do that. >> Thank you, Mr. P. >> Any other public comment? >> Good evening, Mayor, deputy mayor, council, women and men. >> Can you state your name, please?
>> Dr. Providence. Uh, some time ago we talked about the grass growing at the side of the roads and you said that the residents wanted flowers planted,
but then I was thinking about it and then I thought we don't have enough staff in public works. We took this responsibility from the county because they were county roads. We planted the flowers
and I drive by them especially in Beverly Rancokas Road and they're not wellmaintained. To me, it's a waste of money. Even if the residents wanted it, some thought should have gone into the upkeep of them
after they planted. Uh so I don't understand how that decision was made last time I was here and I I don't know the process so I'm asking for an explanation in this question
that employees who work after 20 years get subsidized for medical uh they get like $20 I don't know if it's true I heard we don't have money so why we paying them a subsidy for their medical.
Don't know if it's true. I heard. And in terms of the jazz festival, I know we had Cricet Michelle a while back, but I liked Damian Escobar. So, if you could bring him back, I will be very
happy. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Providence. All right. Greetings, Winston 44 Basel Flame. It's always an honor to be in front of you all. Uh, first I would like to give kudos for the transition in the trash contract. Thank you, Mr. Chapman
and council. Uh, starting off with with something good. Also, I've seen some I guess some complaints about the sports apparatus resolution. Uh, and specifically, I would ask if that could be revisited specifically for the
basketball hoops. I know that might be a safety issue, but I think that would, you know, I can't front, you know, when you was younger playing basketball on the street, it was a nice option, but I do understand there may be some things behind that of of why that can't be. But
just the it will be the exception for the basketball hoops. And I'm I'm coming forward in a in a spirit of grace here because uh that I have seen some complaints on social media concerning
being I believe it's being fined for the snow and ice uh and getting it late. Could that be in those cases be exempt because of just because of the time period? Um, is there a way to show some grace there? And I'm going to go back to something good. It
looks like the streets in Buckingham are being paved. So, that's that was nice to see. And and uh, you know, I you know, I do a podcast, of course. So, this question is specifically for the podcast and in
light of some of the current events, I do have a question for uh, do you plan on stepping down, Councilman Anderson? And that completes my questions. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Wson. Any other public comment?
All right, come on up. Mr. St. Helair is running the time, so he's watching you. >> I didn't start yet. >> I'm going to say something positive. >> Please state your name, please. Oh,
Sarah Holly Nyoga Lane, say something positive. I'm glad you guys voted against Cricet M Michelle because you all know she's canceled in the black community. So, there you go. And I'm surprised that you didn't know that, Mr. Deck. Is it?
Okay, let me start some comments from last um meeting two weeks ago. Chief Bucks, I commend you for your comments at the last meeting. Initially you reported out that your department made donations to
youth and other organizations in town. One assumed I did that it was it was public information since it was discussed under your report to council. When I questioned you and asked for a list of organization, you returned to
the dis to say police officers made private uh donations and these police officer the township employees. translation for me since it's a private organization.
Uh it was not public knowledge which which if it if in some form of fashion the donation ended up in the conference of a
sitting council member members nonprofit organization. That would be unethical, wouldn't it? You don't have to answer as it relates to the business administrator at the last meeting. You and again you spoke to
it tonight that there was approximately $248,000 uh that was not budgeted or what and you came back tonight and you said that you put it back in the budget. What happened
to that and how was that expended at 200? Well, a little bit over half million dollars, almost a half million dollars. Uh, and you said also said that the average size home in Willingboro was only paying $161 a year. What do you
consider the average size home? Because if you don't have an average size home, don't think for one minute it's only going to be $161. It's gonna be a whole heck of a lot more. Another question is, is there a way for the residents to know how much these
food trucks are paying for their locations in town? And if they're all paying the same amount of money as it relates to BCAP, the BCAP program, how is that money dispersed in the community? Are there organizations or
businesses that will be given monetary stipen from those funds that will give the appearance if they receive of of unethical behavior by any of the council members? Um,
and another question. Oh, Mr. Chapman. Uh I think our treasurer said that there was $100,000 in the budget to answer I guess to correct his requests for additional bodies. How many bodies is
$100,000? Two. He asked for 18, I believe. Actually, I think he asked more than 18. He said he had 18 initially in the budget. So, I just want to know how many more bodies did he get and whether or not that's going to be enough bodies to remove the snow that you guys were
talking about that you took you a long time to remove to remove the snow after the snowstorm. I have other stuff like this, gentlemen, but I know my time. I'll be back. >> Thank you, Miss Holly. Any other public
comment? Seeing none, public comment is now closed. Um, all right. I'll start with uh the comment from Mr. Pal. Um, I did in fact
ask other council members if they had any questions um for Mr. Ducket. If I missed any um please let me know now, council, if I missed if any of you had questions for Mr. Ducket. Any other questions?
Um, so yes, I do ask all council if they have any questions um before I uh ask our uh Mr. Ducket to sit and I do that for all of our resolutions and ordinance. I ask if anyone has any
questions or anything to say. Um, so I just ask you to pay closer attention during our meetings um, so that you don't misconstrue any of the information that's being shared or any of the procedure that is happening. Um, Dr.
Providence had some questions about the maintenance and landscaping um, of the flower boxes on Beverly Rancus. Mr. Harris, will you take that one? I think did she have a specific question? I know she was making some
comments and >> um I guess the maintenance plan for those and I'll also say um maybe we can call Mr. Chapman up because he will also be able or Mr. Mr. Chapman or Miss Stigs will also be able to speak to the number
of uh employees or personnel that are included in in this budget for DPW. >> All righty. Good evening. >> Good evening, Mr. Chapman. So, um, Beverly Rancokus, uh, center islands. As
far as the, uh, I guess you could say upkeep, I'm guessing you're talking about the weeds that you see growing up. Yeah, I figured that. Okay. So, um, the center islands, we use lawnmowers to cut the grass. However, that's a, um, I guess you could say individualized
effort because we do just the amount of land area that we're required to cover. We just do not have the ability to have lawnmowers and trailers dropped off all over location. So these lawnmowers that you see is which is why we have a lot of wear and tear on our lawnmowers is because they have to drive all around town to get to these particular
locations. So instead of the mand I guess you could say customary uh hour time that usual lawnmowers get ours get well over that because they're running and driving all day long. So they leave the uh shop and then they have to drive down to Beverly Ran Kokus, cut all of
Beverly Ran Kokus, drive all the way back to the warehouse. That's why you see most of our guys having their lunch break in the field because they just don't have the ability to make it back in time to have lunch and get back to their location. Um, in in that in order to do the weed whacking of those particular areas and you will have to
have another guy program I guess assigned to do that. We are trying to just assign all of the people that we have available to us at this uh current juncture. Um, we have a few employees that are out right now due to um disciplinary reasons. We have some that are out with medical issues. So, we're
we're trying to get around as much as we can. Um, we're also strapped with all of our different events. Right now, it's summer season, so all of our setups with uh banquet halls and events that's going around. So, we're trying to allocate all of our resource and personnel the best we can. So, sometimes those weeds do
grow up more quicker than we can get to them, but it is on our radar to get there as quickly as we can. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Sh. >> And Mr. Harris, can we ask Miss Stixs to come forward to talk about the personnel in DBW? So, an average laborer is paid
45 to $48,000 annually. So with the 100,000 at half of the year that will equate to hiring close to I would say four to five new hires new laborers.
>> Okay. And then how many laborers did we have included in the budget? Um you know I know all of the positions in DPW are not filled but how many positions total do we have included in the DPW budget for the salaries? Liberal
alone I think I counted like 18 if I can recall but the entire um staff will be like 26 28 >> okay 26 and 28 will be adding five
>> um and uh are all of those position filled positions filled currently? >> Um I'm not sure. Okay, Mr. Chapman, are all those positions filled currently? All right. Um, so
right now, right now we have uh administrative staff with one director, one super assistant superintendent, two two office clerks, four supervisors, which none of those uh count towards the actual labor of anything. So that's what four eight people right there. um four
supervisors, seven truck drivers, three repairers, two mechanics, two public property and buildings workers, 10 laborers, and two clean communities workers, which are part-time employees, and all they could do is litter abatement. Those are the ones that you see picking up trash on the side of the road. Their job duties are basically
limited to that because those that's grant funding that we receive for that and we can't use them in any other way. So, as of right now, we have 32 um total departmental employees. And if you subtract the administrative staff and the supervision staff, that leaves you
down to 26. >> Okay. So, you have 26 laborers. >> 26 to Yeah. So, just uh 10 laborers, three mechanics, three repairs, and seven truck drivers. >> Okay. And then how many are out on leave and >> Okay. Uh
>> positions are not build currently. So we have one, two, three, four, five out right now. Um, so that's one, two, three, I guess, administrative type things and two medical. And then I have
two on like duty as well. Um, so yeah, we're pretty strapped um to say the least, but we're making do, >> right? Um so we will uh we have included in the budget the allocation for additional employees um for DPW
and I know you know it's a trial and error period with hiring uh some of those employees. So I hope uh they work out and we'll be able to keep them on um board and >> Amen. >> All right. Thank you Mr. Chapman. Does anyone else have any other questions
regarding that? >> Yeah. No, I'm saying anybody have any questions I walked away before you asked. >> You're good, I think. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Harris, there was also a question about the health insurance uh for retired employees. So, in our
collective bargaining agreements, employees that have 25 years of service uh with Willing Barrow uh do get um reimbursed 50% of their health insurance after retirement until the age of eligibility for Medicare.
All right. Um thank you for that. Uh Mr. Ducket, there was a request from Dr. Providence to bring Damen Escobar back. I don't know how possible that is, but I did enjoy him as well. Um,
we had something from Will Weston, a request to uh revisit the basketball hoop ordinance. Um, I know Mr. Tontol was relooking at that. Mr. Harris, would you be able to expand on that a little bit? >> Mr. Tontol.
Good evening again. >> Good evening. >> So, we've uh discussed this in some length uh several times. The issue with the ordinance the way it's written is it in encompasses all sports apparatus. It
does not single out basketball courts. So, the ordinance would need to change to remove basketball courts from the ordinance and we'd have a separate ordinance for basketball courts altogether. Once again, the ordinance says sports
apparatus. So that's soccer goals, that's trampolines, that's everything. Doesn't say basketball courts, it says sports apparatus. So that's the problem. That's the issue. uh to address it. We need to pull
basketball courts out and address them individually >> and I have not received any directive to do that. So I haven't done it. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. And I know um we have discussed this before.
It is um we've talked about the issues with the basketball courts being left down at the bottom. It's not that they can't uh use the basketball courts out front of their homes and the driveways and things like that. They just have to be um brought back uh at the end of the
night. They can't stay there permanently or or be left there um overnight. And that is uh one of the issues that we were facing. Some of them were weren't secure properly, blowing over on people's cars and properties and
damaging uh their neighbors items. So that is one reason why we haven't made any uh changes to this as of yet. All right, we'll go down um to uh the donations about the police department. I
know um Chief Bulu had spoke a little bit about it before. Do you have anything else to add regard? >> I'm not sure exactly. I'm not sure exactly what the specific question is, but they're all nonprofit organizations that uh that uh that our community
engagement kind of helps us out to to pick with and we make uh donations uh monthly to different organizations. Uh like examples uh PAL uh wrestling wrestling club uh the Susan B uh Coleman for breast cancer. We've done that
testicular cancer wounded warrior project, different veterans groups. So, >> okay. So, those uh donations are by the not using public funds, >> correct? They're up. They're right from the officer.
>> Okay. Right. From the officer. So, our officers are donating to support >> Yes. >> the organization. >> All right. Thank you. >> Correct. >> Thank you, Chief Oaks. >> All right. Okay, we had a question about um the 248,000
not budgeted. Um I think that might have been um grant funds, but I'm not sure. Mr. Harris, did you were you able to catch her? >> I don't really know what she was referring to. >> Okay. I'll ask you to contact and speak
with uh Miss Holly offline um so that you can answer her questions regarding that uh that amount of money. Um also I know there can be a scale with the uh amount of money that is tax
increase. The average number is a certain number. Do you have a scale of what that will be for the price of the helms? The average assessed value of the home that was used for the budget for
budgetary purpose was $161,363. >> Okay. >> That equates to $167.73. >> Okay. And that's based on what home value? >> 161 363. >> Okay. And do you have the range? Maybe a
higher number, a higher home value. What that would look like? >> Um for home one me uh 225 225,000 will be $233.87.
>> Okay. 300,000. Do >> you have 300? >> 300. >> Yeah, I have 300 will be 31183 cents. >> Okay. And if you have any other questions on um the scale of that um you
can contact Miss Stigs or Mr. Harris and they'll be able to uh let you know what those that increase or the home price will be. Thank you, M. You're welcome. Right. And that's the assessed value, not the market value, right?
Um, there were some questions about the BCAP money. Um, how that is being spent. Uh, Mr. Harris, would you be able to call up Mr. Lowry to answer that? >> So, BCAP doesn't send us money to filter
to any organizations. Um, the way childcare assistance works is if a parent is eligible and it is in need for a subsidy, they would go to BCAP to apply for that subsidy. Um, and they
would then be greeted, I guess, based on their eligibility, whatever the requirements are through BCAP. And then BCAP would pay a percentage or 100% of the enrollment fee uh for the program
and they would send us that money directly and it would cover the enrollment fee for that kid individually. Um I don't have anything else to say beyond that. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Lowry. Um so the
BCAP money um is a childare assistance program as Mr. Lowry just said um that will cover the students uh enrollment fee for our summer camp program. So it will allow more of our youth in town to
access the township uh summer program. We'll be able to take more of those youth on in our program. Those monies are used uh strictly for their programming. It does not go anywhere else. It covers their enrollment fee and the programming of that. It does not go
to any other organization but to um cover their uh service their enrollment fee for the summer camp. All right. And lastly, um we had a question um directed towards Councilman
Anderson. Um and I'll let you take that one, sir. >> With pleasure. Mr. Weston, I appreciate you addressing the pink elephant in the room. So, as most of you know, I made ABC News, okay,
based on a conviction of a crime that happened 10 years ago. None of this had to do anything with township uh dollars, the taxpayers, or the municipality. The judge, the federal judge in my case stated that. He said, "I'm he's not
removed me from the seat because it would have been his call. It would have been a call of the government to suggest to remove me." This had nothing to do with any of that. This case is currently under appeal and until this appeal, this process is
done, you know, we'll see what happens. Yes, he sentenced me to time and that still didn't allow him to take the seat. If the seat is to be removed, there needs to be additional actions, additional motions that need to take
place. All this was in the paper. There's no secrets here on my end. Once again, there are many people that you've heard of that went to jail for years. 30 years later, all of a sudden, they're innocent because of X, Y, and Z. So, for
all of you, I just say keep an open mind. Most of you who know me personally, I've been doing this for 17 years and doing it damn well, as many of you know. Okay? over $20,000 out of personal funds out of my pocket, giving back to businesses, donating to
community initiatives. I've been doing the damn thing. So for you that know me personally, you understand what I stand for and you understand what it is. So all I ask is that you let the process be the process. And to be honest with you,
some of my favorite role models have been convicted of crimes. You might even know some of them. Joseph, Paul, Peter, John, Daniel, and my main man, Jesus. So, the answer to your question is I
will not be stepping down. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Anderson. All right, that concludes the uh general business of the council meeting. We do have um some items to discuss um in
executive session and then one more item to discuss when we come back out. Um, the time is now 9:34 and I anticipate we will need to extend the meeting until 10:45. No, let's just do it till 11 to
be safe. So, I'd like to make a motion to extend the council meeting. We may end sooner, but extend the council meeting till 11 p.m. I made the motion. >> Second. Moved by Mayor Whitfield,
seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Any discussion? Roll call. Councilwoman Peroon. >> Yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mintosh. Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes.
>> Um, now we will go to council comment. Any council? Any comment by council council prayer? Thank you. So um I want to and I know I've spoken about this before um at previous council
meetings especially when um the three young ladies um joined and became councilwoman of Woolingboro. uh the Willingboro uh has adopted and governed our meetings by Robert's rules of order. So I want to
remind the mayor and the rest of council uh when it comes to the responsibilities of the mayor. As you all know, we uh it's considered a weak uh mayor form of governance whereby one of the roles and responsibilities of the mayor is to facilitate the meeting as why she will
be speaking and give the floor to whoops. Here's what Robert's rules of order says about the facilitator or the chair. In this case, it would be the mayor. Cannot talk over a speaker who has the
floor. The fundamental rule of parliamentary procedure is that only one person speaks at a time and the speaker must be recognized by the chair. Interrupting a recognized speaker is generally not
allowed. as it disturbs the flow of the meeting. However, the facilitator has specific rights and responsibilities for managing the speaker and can do such things as call to order. The facilitator
can interrupt the speaker if a speaker breaks the rules by saying call to order. Another way urgent interruptions is highly urgent situations such as a safety emergency um can be called by saying point of order. When a person is
speaking, somebody can say point of order and then say listen etc. Next asking a question. The facilitator may wish to ask a speaker a question or clarify something that they said. In
this case, the facilitator may ask the speaker if they are willing to yield for a question rather than talk over them. So, I'm hoping, madame mayor, that that helps facilitate these meetings that we
have and that you respect all speakers that have the floor. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Pron. Any other comments? Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, the first I would like to do is to congratulate Miss Foster on her
retirement. I'm excited to celebrate with her her u many years of service not just in Willenboro, but the work she's done across the state of New Jersey. Um, I would like to extend sincere condolences to the loss of Miss Pat's son. Um, we had the opportunity to celebrate his life um yesterday. So,
condolences to her and her family and um for a life well-lived. um and to Big John who we um we also lost a giant in our community who was um instrumental in getting so much done and I'm looking forward to the June 26th um
celebration um in honor of him. Something he was really um instrumental in with um House Heads Entertainment. That'll be a phenomenal event. Um and I appreciate the residents coming out tonight to um participate in our meetings. And it's always so wonderful
to hear the um the public share their comments um during public comment so that we have an opportunity to have a discussion and respond. Um and just a reminder, you can send an email to any member of council. You can call us. You can make appointments to come to the office. If you prefer the stage on first
and third Tuesday nights, that's fine. But there are many ways to um communicate with the council um to be able to have more than four minutes to be able to get your questions answered. Um this is one way to do it. Some prefer that. Um, but if you're really interested in having more in-depth
dialogue, communication, and to gain an understanding, there are many other ways um to do that so that there's a a dialogue. The meeting is really a one-way discussion um just because of the format, but there are so much more context and information that is available to all residents. Thank you,
Madame Mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor, Councilman Anderson. >> Thank you. Uh just want to thank everyone for coming out. uh as it relates to uh Big John Greer, he was an asset to this community and his
unexpected death has just taken us all by surprise. If anyone's interested, his services will be held Friday, June 19th. Viewing is at 9:00. Service is at 10:00 at Christ Baptist Church in Burlington. I want to say kudos to Mr. Larry and his
team on revamping the recreational programs to include free programming, coming to the table with new ideals, new thoughts, just giving it a a breath of fresh air. Uh, Mr. Chapman, I saw you raising your hand for kudos as well when I said Gary's name. I just want to thank
you for the trash contract, you know, uh, making it work. Um, thank Councilwoman Peron for the persistence and the support of council of taking that fee away from the additional red cans. uh it was something we did not have in place when the first set came
out. So I think it was only right that you know we we made the decision that we made so that it's pretty fair across the board so that we can eliminate some of the issues as you indicated with extra garbage being put out and not actually bulk items. Um and once again
congratulations to Mr. Miss Reva Foster and her retirement for all the years she put into this community the love she will never be forgotten. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Um, and
I would just like to say um thank you everyone for coming out tonight. We do still have a few items um left to uh discuss, but I want to one remind everyone of our Junth festival that will
take place on Friday from 3 to 7 at Mil Creek Park. Um I hope that you all will come and join us in those festivities. Also um our Friday night live music series will pick up back up next Friday
um at the amphitheater celebrating Big John who we all um love so dearly. Um I also want to give a congratulations to Miss Reva Foster. 30 years is a long time to be at a job. And she um had
played a very instrumental role in a lot of facilities projects, securing grant funds and funds for the township and um really helping this township to thrive, always having the best interest at heart. So, thank you, Miss Reva Foster,
for all of her hard work, dedication, and her legacy will live on through the Reva Foster Senior Center at JFK. Um, I also wanted to just uh address a a point. Um,
and and thank Councilwoman Peron for reading that part of Robert's rules of order. Um, I hope that you also listen to uh the point that you just read and do not interrupt other people that are talking when they are talking and allow them to get their piece across as they
um allow you to communicate your ideas as well. Um it, you know, it's so important that we all show respect up here. Um, and while some people may uh try to overtake the
meeting um to get their point across, that is not the conduct that we looked and that we seek to have um from our council members. We expect respect from all council members to all council members and letting them share their
ideas. Um, so it is especially disrespectful when you continually interrupt someone that is trying to speak and not allow them to get their point across. Um, so I hope that everyone um does take heed to what you
just read and um follow their uh follow that uh as we continue to operate and uh take care of the business of Willingboro. At this time, we will be um going back
to executive session and um Madame Clerk, will you uh please have that resolution? >> Excuse me. >> Uh will you be able to >> Yes, we'll be
Yes, we'll be discussing litigation and attorney client privilege matters. Can I get a motion for resolution 26-135 authorizing a closed executive session in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Acts for matters of litigation and attorney
client privileges. >> So moved. >> Second. Moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by uh Deputy Mayor Worthy. Roll call. Councilwoman Peron. >> Yes. Councilman Anderson. >> Yes.
Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy. Yes. And Mayor Whitfield. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, we will go back to executive. Uh, we're expected to return after about 15 to 30 minutes.
Okay. Um, 45 minutes or so. And then we'll come back and we may have decisions um in business to take care of when we come out of executive. Right. That's
All right, Madame Deputy Clerk, we are ready to exit executive session. Can I get a motion to come out of executive session? >> Second. >> All right, it's been moved by Councilman McIntosh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right, we are now back in public sessions. Thank you for your patience. We have in order of business a vote to take. Um we did discuss um the matter
concerning uh Councilman Anderson in executive session in order to gain clarity so that we may plan properly um should the seat become vacant. Um, I asked for council support in submitting
a letter to the attorney general in order to um get gain clarity on their plans on um any orders of forfeite or things that they may be planning to do um so that we may be able to make our
steps and take the proper steps that we need to to meet other deadlines. um concerning the seat. Um I'd like to make a motion to submit the letter to the attorney general seeking clarity. Um second. All right. It's been moved by
Mayor Whitfield, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Is there any discussion? Okay, seeing none, roll call. >> Councilwoman Peron, >> yes. >> Councilman Anderson, >> stay. >> Councilwoman Macintosh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy, yes. and Mayor
Whitfield. >> Yes. >> All right. So, that letter will um be sent. We'll coordinate with uh our council, Mr. Halt, and um making sure that letter gets sent.
Um we have one last order of business. Um there was a a request from um council members to discuss Mr. Paris's uh terms of employment and uh his position here in Willingboro. Um at this
time, I'll open the floor to any uh council members that have information that they would like to present. >> Um Madame Mayor, you would allow me. >> Councilman Anderson. So, back in March, um there was a
conversation had regarding a waiver that had been issued Mr. Harris uh previously. I believe that resolution is 2025-89 where the mayor and council that um by
the mayor and the council shall be granted a temporary residency waiver of up to 365 days effective immediately. That was on March 18th. So, as we began to come up upon the 365th
day, uh we had conversations um in which we did speak to Mr. Harris asking uh if he had any plans because nothing had been reported back to the council at that time. He indicated, you know, he wasn't sure what he would be able to do.
So the council at that meeting voted uh to extend um the waiver for 30 additional days. That resolution is uh 2026-83. I believe everybody has the packet.
So, I believe it was on or around about April 2nd of 2026, uh, notification had been sent out, uh, to council members. Uh, that
notification was a copy of a residency change from the division of motor vehicles. What threw up the first red flag for me as I started to look at the document was
that it identified an address, but then it identified a mailing address. So, I just thought it was just odd. But then conversations started to surface that it was quite possible he did not reside at
that address only because his nephew was commuting back and forth to his current address. So after about two weeks or so, I said, "You know what?" I looked up the address. I said, "Let me just take a ride by just to see." I saw the
property. The property appeared to be in somewhat distress. So then I went online. I did some Googling to see who the owner was, what the status of the property was. So I saw that the property uh was in some sort of foreclosure
proceedings and so forth. So then I continued to, you know, go by to see if I saw the car on weekends. So when I didn't see it, then I started taking pictures, you know, of the property timestamp, you know, different hours, different days, different times,
just to see if that was correct. So, when I did not see that there, um I went on to Yelp, reached out to the homeowner because I did see um I did see the homeowner one evening pull
into the driveway. So, into the garage. So, I knew somebody was there with the vacancy the look the way it looked. So, I spoke to the homeowner and I asked him, I said, "Hey, um identified myself, who I was. I said, "I got some concerns. I just want to make sure nobody's using
your address in a false type of manner. He went on to explain that the house was not a rental property. He explained that he was the sole owner of the property. He explained that the property was not vacant.
Um, after some conversations, he says, "I do have a tenant." And I said, "Oh." He said the tenant is never late on on their rent and so forth. So I said, "By the way, would you be able to share who the tenant might be?" So then he provided the name of Mr.
Harris. So after I got off that conversation with him, he during that conversation, he explained to me that he knew Mr. Harris's sister, that they were um ministers or brothers in the ministry.
So I said, "Oh, okay." So then he asked me, he said, "Well, what's going on?" He said, "I don't want to be a part of anything." I said, "No, I'm just trying to get some information just to see, you know, what's going on with this is what I'm trying to figure out." So he says, he said, "Okay." And we got
off the phone. So later on that evening, he reached back out to me. This was sometime in April, early May. He reached back out to me. He said, "Listen, I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm putting the pieces together." He says, "As of May
31st, I will be terminating the agreement uh the lease agreement that I have as of May 31st." And I said, "Okay." After that conversation, I was made aware because I requested was there any
other documentation other than the driver's license change for motor vehicles? Then I was uh sent a copy of the act I did an open request. I did I I received a copy of the lease agreement but in addition to that I did an open
request and in looking at the open request it was identified that there was a conversation had with this gentleman Mr. Gail Scott and indicated once again it wasn't a residency it wasn't vacant and that he occupied the property. I also received some information
regarding the property itself through a less pendance which meant that the bank was involved. So there was a lot going on with the property. But then I I went and took a look at the ordinance. And so based on our ordinance in Willingboro,
we do not allow individuals to rent rooms in Willingburg. There there are no boarding houses uh in Willing. So when I saw that and then when I received the copy of the actual lease, the lease stated, it says uh property
tenant, this is between uh Scott Gale and Dwayne Harris. Property tenant agrees to rent from landlord and landlord agrees to rent to tenant a single room 24 Essex Lane,
Willingboro, New Jersey. the tenant agrees to pay $200 for rent. So when I actually saw the lease agreement, that goes against our ordinance. And so now it was real
concerns. So what frustrated me was that back in March there was an opportunity to sever ties because of the residency requirements weren't being met.
And we kind of said, you know, no, let's let's provide an opportunity. Let Huh. Oh, y'all said that. Okay. You know what, Dr. So, it was kind of like, let's provide an opportunity to try to make this work. He did explain, I cannot
afford anything in Willingboro. He opted to uh move to or attempt to move to Edgewater Park. I believe the orchards that that was it was decided. we know you you you're a township manager in this town. We pay
you a great salary. You need to have residency here. His initial response was that can't happen. I can't do it. You know, I got financial constraints. I can't do it. So, when this popped up two weeks later,
it was just what's happening. So when we gave him that opportunity in good faith, then I realized on April 2nd, he sends this information out and it wasn't it does not establish residency here. So he
did not adhere to the 30-day extension by getting residency. That is not considered residency. So I waited. So on May 22nd, I emailed my colleagues a package
because I knew on May 31st the lease was going to expire. I said, "Let me give him an opportunity to see if he comes to us to say, "Hey, I have a situation I'm looking at." He never did. So if this had not come to the table, he would have had a lease that was based on what he
presented, a one-bedroom lease that goes against our ordinance that had been expired and still would not have met. But I thought from and this is just my opinion on how I thought that the trust factor there because if nothing else you could
have said to us just like it was stated earlier in March. You got to talk to us. You didn't talk to us. You didn't say I'm having a situation. So the assumption would have been if we didn't bring it to the table back in March maybe it would have never come out.
Then May 31st, I would have I was thinking because I shared with the colleagues, I said, "Let's not I don't want to do anything until we see if he comes forth." But once again, he did not come forth. Now, Mr. Harris and I, you know, you know, we've had our
situations where I felt that everything wasn't always honest. I I always say to council, we're only as good as the information that we receive. But right now, for me, you know, the the distrust
of what just happened after we tried to extend an olive branch and it just wasn't accepted the way I thought it would have been accepted. So for me, when I look at this, we're still paying him. So if you didn't meet the original
resolution that was put in place, then you didn't adhere to the second extension which was just out of good faith and just trying to do the right thing. You know, we were in the middle of budget season. We were in the middle of, you know, different things and we said, let's give it an opportunity.
But then, you know, this happened. So there were two choices. We could say nothing. And it's easy to say nothing if you don't know. But once it's brought to your attention, it's hard to overlook it. Especially if we're looking at the
way this second ordinance read, uh, sorry, the second resolution, it actually gave him up until March 17th of 2026. So if he didn't establish it on that day, because what he presented early part of April didn't
establish residency. So we've been paying them taxpayers dollars ever since then. So not only have we, in my opinion, have we been defrauded and our trust has been compromised, but the taxpayers because we're paying taxpayers
dollars and he has not met the requirements of this residency. So not only is it an issue for me as a sitting council member, but also for the resident because this is one of the things we harped on. We were kind enough to do, you know, a waiver
of which we thought was in good faith because of concerns. We attempted to once again put a safety net out there looking at the whole picture not knowing what we would do if you know he had to be replaced and then
it was brought to my attention they said God forbid what if he drops dead then what you still got to find somebody. So, it was just a number of things, but just the for me it was just what I'm going to consider and I'm speaking for myself. It was just the deceit that I felt that was
exposed that was expressed. It goes along with other complaints that I've had with Mr. Harris, other issues that were brought to the table and it all falls back to the same thing. So it it's for me I just needed this to bring bring this to the attention of uh
we did actually you know we did write Mr. Harris he opted to have a public meeting to discuss it in public. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilman Anderson. Does anyone else have anything to contribute to the conversation?
>> Council Mintosh. These or ordinances were from 2013 16. Um I don't remember this being an issue with Walter Howard. Um I don't know if this is an issue with Well, Sharon
Rogers did live here, but we're um I don't remember that being like the priority a a priority issue at this time. Um if you have if we have other things that you would you're not pleased
with Mr. Harris I think that should be by itself but this I we I don't think we've enforced this equally among everyone. So that's my concern. Um my also other concerns are is is this a curable thing that can
that we can cure? Also the tactics of finding out you know I give you your kudos for doing it but it seems a little bit maybe fall under intimidation >> a little bit. Um so those are my
concerns. Um but my major concern that we have not enforced this equally among other township managers. So, you know, I'm, you know, I'm I'm not so convinced that I would let Mr. Harris go
on this. >> Yes, Mr. Harris, you can provide a response. >> Thank you, Mayor, and I I appreciate the opportunity to present uh my side of the story. Councilman Anderson always has a way of presenting a story um the way
that he would like it laid out which is not actually factual. Um the facts surrounding the search circumstances are absolutely correct, undisputable. There was a waiver granted. There was
concessions and the the directive from the council was that I was to establish a residence in Willingber and I did that. I submitted my lease agreement, which was a two-year lease agreement with a friend of my sisters who was an
attorney. Just as was suggested, I submitted the driver's license change of address submitted with the Division of Motor Vehicles. I submitted my voter registration uh change of address uh submitted with the Burlington County
Board of Elections. I submitted those documents to our legal counsel, presented them to him, and I asked him, "Does this satisfy the council's requirements?" And I left it up to him to make a decision as to whether or not
it did or did not. And I received no response from our legal counsel, either which way that it did or did not. I was shopping one Saturday in Ali's and I got a call from Mr. Gale
and he said, "Anderson, who is Anderson?" And I'm like, "Councilman Anderson in Atlant in Willingboro." Yeah. He was just in my house at my house telling me that uh that my property was under
surveillance and uh you he didn't he didn't know what was going on but he was very concerned because uh all of a sudden people have been driving driving past his home. He has been receiving phone calls in the night from
persons he did not know and did not go did not understand what was happening and he kept saying this Anderson who is he came to my house uh knocked on my door was asking him all kinds of of questions and uh was was he's like he
doesn't know what he's doing he he was making comments about Mr. Gail being married Mr. Gale was not married. I don't know what his financial situations in the house and all that other good stuff. I wasn't aware of any of that. But yes, I did have an agreement to a rent space with Mr. Gail. Um, and I said
to him, I will have a conversation and work it out. I received an a text and I can go get my phone and show you the text if you would like. Not 20 minutes later and he said, "Uh, Mr. Harris, I'm" He said, "Dwayne, I'm really sorry. Uh,
and this doesn't come lightly, but I really do not want to get involved in the politics of Willingboro. I'm going to have to cancel your lease. I will not collect any payments from you. Uh, so it's not that that that he canled it, however you however he
laid it out, it didn't happen that way. The reason the lease was cancelled because of the involvement of the the council in this investigative process. And uh Mr. Anderson was absolutely correct. I did not initially come to the
council because I was very number one disturbed that this had had happened um that the council was investigating or whatever was was going on and and I had to get some uh some counsel, some
direction. Um and there was subsequent um discussions about um what was appropriate, what was not appropriate. And my attorney absolutely agreed with what the councilman was saying as far as
your your ordinances. The way that your ordinances were written um did not really provide for a temporary type of housing situation. So his recommendation to me was to go and find an apartment or something with a little more permanency
to it. And that is what I began to do. Unfortunately, uh the the very weekend after the or the two the week after I started that process, I ended up in the hospital and I was there and out of work for a week.
But since I have been back, I have submitted a rental application at Writtenhouse uh and it is pending. There was nothing available in the Avery. I went back to my prior landlord at uh Willingboro
Square and they were not willing to let me back in because I broke my lease to leave the the first time and they're still mad at me. And I was able to resecure the property uh that I was renting or planning to rent prior and
had let it go because I took the other place at Orchard at Orchard Park. Um, so and as far as my personal finances, it
is not because Willie Barrow does not pay me enough that I went through a divorce and because of my divorce. My ex-wife takes a very large portion of my paycheck every month. And it's not
because you don't pay me well. You pay me very well. But my own personal expenses make it very difficult for me to rent a $3,200 three fourbedroom home in Willingber. I need something small and for for myself and what my nephew is
doing in his life has no bearing in this conversation. My nephew is 27 years old. He commutes from where he commutes and goes to work each and every day and has no relevance as to where I live. So that
is my particular situation and and and as I said before and I didn't I did not ask the question or I guess my question was to you prior what if I cannot make the 30-day requirement
and again if your requirement is for me to live in Willingboro and I am not able to secure housing in Willing Barrow yet I found a spot 300 ft on the other side of Route 130 in Edgewater Park. If that's not good enough, then I don't
know what to say. Whatever decision you have to make, you have to make. But again, that is your decision. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris. Um, we do have to extend the meeting um for another 30 minutes to finish this conversation. Um,
I'd like to make a motion to extend the meeting until 11:30. Second. Moved by Mayor Woodfield, seconded by Deputy Mayor Worthy. Um, all in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions?
Thank you, council, for your patience. Um, are there any other comments um from council on this issue? Okay. Um, so thank you, uh, Mr. Anderson for
expressing your concerns. Um, Councilwoman Mintosh for sharing your input, Mr. Harris for, um, sharing your side of the story. Um, we do have a residency requirement here in in
Willingboro. Although that residency requirement also extends to the clerk, also extends to the deputy clerk and the employees that we hire um as a municipal body. Not all of the employees within
the township, but the ones that are under the council's control. Um, the township clerk does not live in town. the township uh deputy clerk does not live in town. Um and Mr. Harris, you
know, tried to secure residence in town um under the circumstances that uh residence was not able to be moved into. Um but um I think there is an attempt there and a desire uh that Mr. Harris has uh
communicated of wanting to be in in Willingboro and trying to if he's not able to secure a residence being able to um get as close as he possibly can um to continue to serve the residents here. Um with the information that was provided
by Mr. Anderson, I think there is uh some things to discuss uh determinations on if there's any additional information that's needed and maybe some recommendations um that uh
can be presented to the council in order to move forward. Um, I would ask for uh two council members to volunteer to be on that committee just to kind of oversee this uh process to see review
the information that's been presented and submit a list of uh recommendations to council to consider um at the next meeting. Are there any council members that are willing to participate in that? I just need to
Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Mintosh. Anyone else? Council woman. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, Councilwoman Peron, Councilwoman Macintosh, thank you um for helping to u help us bring resolution to this issue.
Um, also I know we just got appointed a new superintendent who will be almost very equal with um, Mr. Harris who also does not live in town. All right. Um, with that I Does anyone else have
anything else to communicate? >> Yes, Deputy Mayor Worthy. >> Thank you, Mayor Ry. Just want to note for the record because I already gave the evil eye to councilman Anderson that he presented a lot of information which um requires us to take action but he's not interested in participating in the committee and that's just a bit
disappointing because this does it is going to be I have no issue with taking some action and figuring out the next steps. Um when we discussed this previously and doing an extension I didn't want to do it. I thought it was a bad idea because we had already done a
365, but I wanted to support what the majority of council thought was best at the time. Um, I appreciate that that Councilman Anderson did put together information to share, but for me, it's really hard to sit here and to see that the next steps, the things we need to do
next, just to be part of the work to to figure it out like where are we going to land? Um, it's just disappointing. Um, and no recommendation came forward. So, we have the packet, but what's the I think I was looking for a recommendation in terms of what the ne what you want to see and then that can be considered, you
know, by the committee if you'd opt out of the committee. >> Well, the the understanding was once it was sent, it was for us to review and then discuss and that didn't happen. It went straight to this. It was in the note. It was in the the uh email I sent for us to review it and discuss it.
>> Well, now is the time for discussion. This is it. Well, for me, where I where I standing now, look, I brought the information to you. There was a specific resolution identifying what we wanted, what we wanted to see. It it's going to be up to the rest of council to say, "Hey, where do we go from here? Do we do
we uh adhere to the resolution that was very specific to Miss Harris, or do we don't do we indicate other folks don't live in town, but other folks aren't part of this specific resolution that was put in place?" So, I don't know. In my email, I said, "Hey, look at the
information. Have the conversation." That's that's what I said. >> Oh, okay. No, I just >> That's all I was saying. >> Okay. So, no, there's not a recommendation like you're not >> Well, no, it was we were ex I was expecting the council together to discuss, look at the information, and just say, "Hey, which direction do we go
in?" It wasn't going to be a oneman show because if it's up if it's up to me, I'm going to say you got to go. >> But it's not up to me. So that's why I said, you know, the first go around I I supported to keep it because if I would have said no, he would have been gone.
So it's just the way I felt. But it is a council decision. That's all and that's all I requested. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, uh, thank you, uh, Councilwoman Macintosh and Councilwoman Heron, um, for your review
of the information and, uh, pending recommendations on how we move forward in this matter. With that, um, there's no other business to take care of tonight. Uh, madame Deputy Clerk, um,
I'd like to entertain a motion for adjournment. They're both Second, I think >> who moved it? >> Second. I need a second. >> Second. All right. Moved by Councilwoman Peron, seconded by uh Deputy Mayor
Worthy. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any obstensions? All right, we are now adjourned. The time is now 11:06. >> Good night. in the Willboroough Council
meeting is officially adjourned.