--------- Two minutes warning. What's this? A football game or what? Two minute warning. Jimmy Cons [Music] feedback on my name.
Beam me up, Scotty. [Music] [Music] [Music] Firestone. Damn. Thursday. I was here
6:30. Okay, Nancy, you good? Okay. Okay. The Tuesday, May 20, 20 20th, 2025, 700 p.m. work session meeting of the Wyoff Township Committee is now in session. Roll call, please. Mr. Here, Mr. Lane,
here. Mr. Here, Mr. Here, mayor here. This regular work session meeting council committee is now in session in accordance with the open public meetings act. Notice that this appears on our annual schedule of meetings. Copy of that email schedule has been posted on the voting board in Memorial Town Hall.
Copy has been filed with the clerk and has been posted on the municipal website. The copy has also been emailed to the record with news and the north coral news. All newspapers have a general circulation throughout the town hall 48 hours agenda.
Thank you. Can we confirm that the finance committee has reviewed and signed vouchers and that the mayor and clerk have signed any necessary documents? You can I think there is still one folder there may we have open I think we sent it over.
Is there another folder here? Okay. All right. So, we're good then. All right. Then I'll take a motion to open the meeting to public comment. 10 minutes total. So moved. Second.
[Music] Yes. Mr. Wayne. Hi. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. All right. The minute is now open for public comment. Uh two minutes per speaker for public comment. Any governmental issue that a member of the
public feels may be of concern to the residents of the township of Woff. Please step forward to the microphone if you wish to make a comment. Mr. Calpasian, just state your name. Ladies and gentlemen, Ed Calpasian, 488
Fairfield Road in Boff. Um, I've had some side conversations with a few of you, so you know what I'm here to talk about. Um, and I realize that your hands are cuffed because it was a state mandate regarding the group
home that's being built around the block from us. And you know, it's hard to speak out against because nothing against group homes is it is a decent thing. Uh I just don't I'm not of the belief and I feel that probably many
people would agree that have bought homes in neighborhoods that it doesn't belong in a small neighborhood type road or or that type of feel. This is something that probably would do best in business districts or county roads uh or
you know the main street. Um knowing that you're handcuffed. I've also had conversations with a few assemblymen about this same issue. I don't like a few things. One, it it it sets a precedent. If there's no push back, I know it comes down from the
state, but if there's no push back, no transcending of the law, what the spirit of the law is, nothing kind of ever gets done. And I know it's more the assemblyman's position to take care of this. However, I wanted to come speak and kind of get this on record. You are
as elected officials. You never truly truly handcuff. I am sure that there might be some way to unite with other townships. I can't imagine other townships whether it be Oakland, Ramsey, Mawa or Ramis that would be in favor of
something like this coming into smaller neighborhoods. Um, you know, you have you have small kids, children, families, things of that nature. I get the reasoning. It's public service. I can make an argument. Uh, you know, I own, as you know, I own an
insurance agency that's providing a public service. Oh, I got to open up my insurance agency in in my house. It's a It's a business. Somebody's making money. It's wrong to do it. Outbid a family for moving into what was intended
to be a family neighborhood, taking up seats that young kids could go to a nice school system. Oh, so that some nonpro nonprofit or not for-profit corporation could make money. And I, you know, I know there was issues with they were
looking for a grant. they withdrew. That's great. I just hope that you stand strong and send the message that we kind of don't need this. Not necessarily on my co again, county road. Okay, that's fine. You know, business district makes
sense. Local neighborhood, I I just don't think it has a part there. Otherwise, what other businesses? What's next? Do we get an alcohol and drugs rehab center? What What's the next corporation going to outfit a family? The town is made up mostly of families.
We have a small controlled business district. The town runs great thanks to all the hard work of all of you. I just want to see it stay that way. And it just as elected officials, I believe you never truly handcuffed. There's always some noise to make, always some push
back. Understand this. Go back to the state and say, "Listen, we understand the spirit of the law. You think this is good for the community. Okay, but let's limit it to where it makes sense." It's like a county county county road or uh business
district. That's all I ask. All right, Ed. Well, uh you know, um you're a former member of the zoning board, so you know a little how these things work as well. And I appreciate your comments here and we'll take them under serious consideration. We've tried to make a few moves already, but we're we're not out
of we'll see what we can continue to do as this goes along. But I appreciate your comments. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Have a meeting. Anyone else wish to address the township committee? Yes. Okay. Okay. You're all right. You folks
are here because of the on Courtland Road. Okay. Uh Paul Water, as an elected official, it may be the same thing. I would appreciate hearing your version of what the same thing is without being flippant because what part of what Mr.
That's all. Thank you, ma'am. All right. Um, if if you'd be willing to just step up to the microphone and and give us your name and just tell us how you feel. Well, how I feel that house was up for sale. I need your name. Just say your name. Don. Thank you.
Um, the house was up for sale. We went away for a couple weeks. We came home and we heard like three weeks ago that it was purchased. this going to be business in there? And we had no idea. I went back in the minutes from all these meetings and there was nothing in there
that the house was going to be zone for that because I think they should have special, you know, it's special uh the neighbors should have been aware of what was going on. I just don't think it's appropriate that that is in the
middle. Pardon? Uh yeah, Matt. So, just for the record, it was not resolved. So the way the state law is written, they are permitted in every zone. So the town has no authority to to zone. They are the group homes are permitted in every zone. They can do this anywhere they
want. Anywhere to stay aware of it. We didn't know anything. And this is how we're f we found out when you we found out the same way you guys did by them. The only difference is if they need I'm sorry. The only difference is if they needed some kind of variance. As long as they
meet all the bulk and dimensional requirements, they're permitted use. This application did require any variances uh for the bulk or dimensional. So that's why they didn't have to come before any borders. Mean they're not intruding in the side setback. They're not including they're not intruding into the front yard setback. They're not intruding into the
rear yard setback. They're not making the house taller than it's permitted by the zone. Uh they're not making the impervious coverage larger than is required. So, was it sold to that company? It looked like it was sold as a single family home. No, the deed was sold. The deed was transferred directly
from Well, it was transferred from the deceased to the estate to the to to the So, it was there were two transactions, but two transactions on the same day as part of the transfer of the estate. Arkansas
too. Are they putting a parking lot or parking area there? I've heard. I I don't know. I I looked at the plans myself. There was a pool there. They've taken that out. Obviously, group home people with some disability don't want a pool. They do have a detention detention basin that's going to be there for
drainage. So, it should improve their drainage situation, but no parking lot cuz I thought I heard that first too. No parking lot. Can I just say something? Yeah. Just just I'm sorry. John. Okay.
So, we have pretty large house. We're on the corner of Concord right now. Okay. What stops me now with four large empty bedrooms from doing the same thing? Here's what would potentially stop you from doing that. And your bedroom's
upstairs. Yeah. You probably couldn't do a group home. That see when they say group homes, it doesn't mean it could be like a drug and alcohol or a halfway house. Certain disabilities. And most of those are can't be they have to be one floor anyway. So probably your house
couldn't be. I'm just telling you the reality of it. Um but sometimes you could buy your house and adapt it to being a group home. And again come aboard if they met all the requirements. But most likely if you have a twotory house upstairs but but you as a single
but you as a personal as a person can't do it. It has to be owned by a corporation that specifically deals with the disabled, whether it be intellectually, developmentally disabled. Are they going to be residing in this home? Yes, it is a group home.
It is not It is not a daycare. It's not a a day center where they It is It is their It is their home. They might get picked up during the day and brought to a group center to get brought to a day center, but this is a uh a residence for them.
It's truly difficult. Just give some background and I'm not advocating at all. I understand your concern. The law changed where there can't be any traditional institutional anymore. They changed the law of that. So like you think the Eastern Christian children's retreat Christian they have to move all
the rest the states require them to move outside of the institution into group homes. So what they did then they said well to do that we have to make requirements so that they can be in residential areas. So that's what caused a lot of this was they don't want them in the traditional institutions anymore.
They want them in group homes. Now obviously to pass the law saying they can be in any residential area in the state that anywhere they can do that anywhere anywhere industrial commercial any zone. It's a permitted use in all zones in New Jersey. There are se there
are several things that are permitted use in all zones. Uh group homes are one of them. Childcare centers are another. um private schools or another. Who is the realtor involved with this
bill? That I don't we find that out. That would be something to real. We don't again we don't keep track of transactions. Transactions these come to us from the county, you know, 3 4 months after the sale like when we get
copy we are also concerned about the value of real estate in the neighborhood. going down. You hear you hear that argument with all developments. Unfortunately, there's no real way to quantify that for any sort of development.
This may be of small comfort, but we have three other such homes already existing in WO for the fourth to open soon. Um, now in all honesty, they're not in tight residential neighborhoods like you have. Um, the closest I would say is on the
corner of uh Clinton and and Morse over here. But, um, we have no complaints to my knowledge. The chief is here. We have no complaints. There's usually one car mostly at the most two cuz since this came to our attention, I've been
noticing what goes on in these other homes. Um, the difference here is that um, no one knew what was going on. the other homes. We had we were involved, the neighbors were involved, everyone had some input into it. We had we had groundbreaking, we had a groundbreaking
ceremony, we had a ribbon cutting when they opened. This is an entirely different way to operate and and it's we're not happy with it and obviously and understandably you're not happy with it as well. Um what we can do about that going forward, I don't know. We're going
to work on it. But but we were we were as surprised as you were 3 or 4 weeks ago on a Monday morning when we all be getting began getting phone calls. Do you know how many people will be residing in there? Six. Six. Six beds.
They they can go to a max of 15 by the law. But there's the building the building is being built for six. Yeah. Well, sure. It's the same. Okay. Yeah. It's the same
company that took over the Barnes & Noble on 17. They do good work. But, you know, unlike what the mayor just stated, all of these other organizations came to the town, made us aware of what was going on, worked in
conjunction with us, had these locations that were more uh, for a lack of a better word, palatable. Okay. This organization didn't. Uh when I heard they withdrew their uh their application for a grant, I was actually upset
because you know uh you know it would have been at least an opportunity for us to say, "Hey, you had enough money in in the dead of night to uh you know, purchase this home and now you're looking for a grant and and vote against it." But they withdrew that because they probably didn't want to. We were going
to have a public hearing on We were going to have a public hearing on the grant, but when the application was withdrawn, there was no need to have a public hearing on that. So, they uh Yeah, it kind of hit. So, but I I I think it's safe to say we we
share the exact same sentiments and and believe me, if there's a way to do something that this this body will certainly act on it or was searching, but the law, unfortunately, it's a state thing and it
it never should have been written like that. There should have been some some guard rails and there's not. And we've even looked at we've even looked at we've even looked at amending the law further to see if we were somehow require future developments to go for site plan. And unfortunately there's
another law that says single family and two family homes are exempt from site plan. And the law for this specifically says that these are permitted in all zones and must be treated as a single family home. Well, I don't. Yeah. Okay. Actually, the
law was written in the 80s. It's been amended a number of times, you know, for the last year for several decades. It's a nonprofit. Are they paying taxes on them? It all depends on how they apply to the tax assessor and what
qualifications they fall under. I know most of the ones that are owned by Christian do not pay taxes. Okay. They probably fall under the same No problem. That's frustrating. Yeah, we
30 years and you know the neighborhood is we're equally frustrated. I uh I spent most probably a prepundonderance of my time over the last 3 weeks on this issue and it's it's and I'm frustrated and I'm pretty good at this land use
stuff. Whatever you people do. Okay. You do a good job. Keep doing that one was built over there on and it was great. I mean, they did a really nice job and it's a great area. You know, I I say this all the time and I say it more and more. Transparency is everything. It
really is and there was a complete lack of transparency here. Totally. Totally. There was some misinformation about the pool and and things like that. There is no additional parking area. Yeah. It's only it's six beds and the the footprint of the house isn't changing. Staff. They
have staff. I'm assuming I'm not They do. My understanding is the people there will be a little higher level for lack of a little than the ones at Hope Christian. They probably have a little less staff coming and going, but they know staff that will be there, but probably you'll
see less activity coming in by staff than the other. That's what I was told. I'm trying to do a little as the board said, we're all taken by surprise. And you get the misinformation when they don't come in and tell you what they're doing. That's that's the sad part and
tell you this what we're doing then start and unfortunately what the trans [Music] okay thank you for your comments very much thank you Tom
yeah I I just I just wanted to comment since the mayor recognized me with the residents here like to comment for the residents. M Mr. Mr. Cooney, Cooney family, folks, Mr. Madigan would like to, I guess,
respond to your comments. Yeah. First of all, I'm very appreciative you come out tonight on a typical night. We get these two ladies in the front. you don't get a lot of people, but it's frustrating and difficult for us, the governing body, because we're
consistently and seems more and more facing state mandates. And just so everybody's aware of it, 6 weeks from now, the governing body and our planning board has to sign off of a state mandate, the White Cups have to come up with
334 affordable units in town. This town that holds approximately 52 homes is being mandated 5200 5200 yeah homes I don't know I didn't say it the right word 5200 homes now they want us to put
in 334 affordables build up every square inch of the town whether it's with water property whether it's churches they just don't care so it's constant battle it's with the state state and the crew that
runs it between the governor, the legislative body. So, we're constantly looking for added pressure. We love this town, right? We love it the way it is. And um I appreciate you coming out, but we constantly are fighting uh against
state mandates this, state mandates that, controlled by county that less and less home rule. So, just stay aware. Thank you. Ed, one quick comment. Yeah, comment. I think more of a question for Mr. Becker or Mr. Gavales as it came up
before. You mentioned that they had to be the these uh group homes that have the exemption so to speak. They don't have to file anything for permitted use. Peritted use um single family I mean uh single story. They don't have to be. What I was trying
to say about single stories, most of them wouldn't qualify for their residence if they were a second story. Come on. To to that point to that point when we were working at on the building on Clint and Morris, we were going to
put living space on the second floor. We were not permitted. So, it's ground level only. And if if just say I'm I'm kind of I'm just curious for future knowledge here with this. Um, if they did expand and uh if
they were to expand an encroach on one of the variances, I know that house in particular has two front yards, they would not be able to do it. And it's going to be your board. Then they would come to the zoning board and then you'd have some they encroach if they're going to go over. If they're going to go over,
right? What if they can go up to What if it's pre-existing? They bought the home and it was already So if the house is a pre-existing not if the building has a pre-existing non-informing use any development the way our order is
currently written away any development of that property requires approval of zone. So even these organizations would have to come up and that was it and I should say this not pre-existing non-conforming use pre-existing non-conforming as to the the building
the structure the use is permitted right all right okay thank you anyone else I I do have some input because um my own sister had a family had a home that was
on put on her new communities on Long Island and they felt exactly the same way you did. Um it it blossomed but they began to welcome the people who were caring for
them. They were uh adolescent boys who were um you know they were mentally disabled uh but they were beautiful people. There were a couple, a married couple who were retiring and they did
this as their retiring job and the people in that community said and they have little children. My sister had six kids. Her husband was an FBI agent, however, but anyway, they welcome there
these kids and they grew up right in front of them. They they grew up mentally and and feeling wise, you know, they felt this was old home that the entire neighborhood became their home.
So it was a little interesting to hear all that and hear that they don't didn't have any problems really you know everybody knew everybody felt like an ant on the block by these kids and they
didn't trouble anybody and they were very well um taken care of by this couple. So it was really a triumph but everybody everybody learned something from it and just just for the record
this is these are Janet Tum's remarks. Yes. Oh, that's true. That is true. But uh more recently um I had a um um a relative who had a down syndrome boy and
um the father and the mother died and u this retired couple retired couple that took care of them in Jersey City and um and they had um six boys in this home in
Jersey City. And at the waves, these boys came up one at a time. I could see the the woman who sat with them and her husband came later and uh she would
say and each one went up and [Music] told each one of them and then they wanted to talk to me. Jane, I think you need to adjust the microphone a little more. Yeah. And they wanted to talk to me uh because I knew Joseph well. They
thought and um and so each one of them came up one at a time cuz she let them go up one at a time. It really means the person who takes charge of them. If there's any way you can at
all kind of wiggle your way to finding out who's going to take care of they will also. I I just couldn't tell you. and they came to church to the uh to the mass of this child's uh uh father and
they all were there with the lady the husband was still working but he came at night and she had help you know for all the other things but it that's two instances in my life that I thought was going to be disastrous and I learned
something that doesn't have to be you know lucky and it made it work That's great. Thank you, Tiana, very much. Thank you. Anyone else? Just I something that has to be said. I
don't think that there's anybody either here or in the audience that's questioning the work that they do and the good things that they do. No, it's scary. Well, it's scary. Well, especially if there, you know, if it it's just out of place in a c in certain
areas. That's all. And I think that's really the the debate, so to speak. and the ability. We have these homes, but people came to us. They worked with us. This was out of left field. Yeah. Right. Okay. I'll take a I'll take a motion to
close public comment now. So move. Second. Bansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Mo. Yes. Uh yes. Thank you everyone. We need to move along here. Um Matt APM meeting. Thank
you. Um because we have a lengthy Thank you folks to have during close session. I'm going to keep my comments to uh comments short. Memorial Day 8 starts at 8:30. We have our company one event 10:00 the vet service and 11:00 the parade. We're
currently out to bid for both road 11:30 11:30 the parade. Thank you. So I have here out to bid for road reservicing and for trees. And with regard to the agenda, uh there's only uh five
resolutions. Um we have a chapter, we are authorizing the road closures for the Memorial Day parade. We have a chapter 159 inserting the 2025 communities grant into the budget. Chapter 157, sorry, resolution
157 is adopting the provisions of chapter 48 uh under which certain employees uh have to pay for health benefits after retirement. This is implementing the chapter 78 requirement that came into effect in 2011 and 148
releases of the cash bond for 7:30 virtually. There are several motions to be uh read into the record and we do have one public hearing for a capital ordinance for 6 $64,414. This is a grant that was received from
New Jersey Department of Transportation and is being inserted into the budget for us to be able to spend. Thank you, Matt. Um, policy action items. That was it. That was it. Okay. All together. Okay. All right. Township committee
members, May, would you start, please? Sure. Um, not much to report. Environmental meeting. Um, we're still we're working on the fishing derby event, which is June 7th. Um, registration starts at 8:30. The um,
derby starts at 9:00 a.m. Um, it's going to be fun. Three different age groups, nothing for adults, but still have prizes and it's a nice day. Um, the environmental commission will also have a table at White House day, which is on May 31st. U, last night the
zoning board had the second special meeting for the 12ole uh, road poultry farm. Um, I kind of mentioned a little bit about it last time. They're knocking down some buildings. They're putting a 30,000
square foot produ uh processing center and production center. Um, they're increasing a lot of um spaces, the parking spaces. Right now, they have 20. They're going up to 137. They're going to have four EV charging stations. Um
they're going to widen Gothal Road um and have one access only into the farm which is going to be Gothal Road. They're closing the other two sections. Um so the the board approved the application with conditions such as the
shade tree review of the landscaping plan signage to discourage trucks from driving around the building near the residential properties. And that was a lot of residents came and really spoke about the traffic of the trucks. Um and they didn't want the trucks to go around the building because the residents are
behind the building. So um we kind of held them to it that they would make sure the trucks the tractor trailers wouldn't go around the building. They do kind of like a K turn to leave. Um and then no truck access like I mentioned from Ravine Court and Hopper
A. And they're also adding fire department water connections um on that side as well. Very good. Thank you, May. That was it. Yeah, that's all. Excellent. Uh, thank you, Roger. Yes. Uh, thank you, Mr.
Mayor. Uh, Shay Tree, everything is, uh, under control. Uh, under the fire department, uh, as was mentioned by Matt, 8:30 Memorial Day, there will be a service uh, honoring those that gave all
uh, by our fire department. So, recognizing what this day is all about. So, we encourage the public to come and attend that. That's at 8:30 in the morning. And uh as Tom had said, the parade the other services at 10:00 in front of the uh Whiteoff Reform Church
and then the parade kicks off at 11:30. So, and and the DPW has been preparing the town with with all of our memorial tributes to our veterans uh making the the front of the burough hall beautiful and all the areas that are affected uh
by Memorial Day. They're doing a great job in in getting everything ready. And it's also DPW appreciation week. So to those that work for our Department of Public Works, they they do a tremendous job. They uh they're so talented. They
save the community and the taxpayers a lot of money with the work and and efforts that they put forward. Uh lastly, uh I met with the trustees of the Zabriski House and uh you know where that is. It's right by the pond. Uh it's
a it's an incredibly uh historic home with a lot of history and a beautiful piece of property and we're looking for another trustee uh to serve. Uh so please if anybody's interested, if anybody listening to this meeting, uh
you know, please put your name forward and if anybody knows anybody uh that would like to be a trustee of the Zubriski House, uh that would be wonderful. And that's it, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Roger. Okay, Tom. Couple
things. Uh looking forward to the Memorial Day parade this morning. I attended along with the mayor and uh Pete Melon Chamber of Commerce meeting. Very informative. They had a
panel of Whiteoff volunteers and organizations and I think Beverly Kay said it the best. You know, white off our roots and uh values here over the years. the volunteerism and it seems like that it's a rich tradition that we
have in town we all take pride in and they did a really nice job the the six groups that help us and I think the mayor may want to come and he said a nice comment at this morning we really couldn't live without them last Saturday I attended a lacrosse
day event was held uh Saturday it was an all day event with many games being played over field between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 700 p.m. And the uh lacrosse boosters kicked off their
fundraising campaign for the uh lacrosse wall that's being planned for uh field pending their contributions. Uh Friday night, uh Rudy and I were at Relay for Life
um at Rample High School. It was uh well attended, not like it used to be. used to be precoid. It was always packed, but it was a good crowd of enthusiasts, young kids, and uh a walk uh to support
cancer funding and research. We have people there that survive cancer, recognize people that help those. It's a really really nice event and uh I would encourage more involvement, more publicity
u to really support that. And they go all night. They went to 5 in the morning. We didn't, but they did. Uh Pete and I yesterday as part of the personnel committee, we interviewed potential planners and uh we'll be making a formal uh recommendation uh
soon. And I just wanted to comment last meeting, we had a lot going on. We talked about our AAA bond rating. We uh had our audited report and I just wanted for the record. I didn't have an opportunity to comment on it because they hadn't read it. But since I've read
it and seen it, there was a sterling report from our auditors. No recommendations. That's a tribute to the way we won town hall to our administrator to our CFO Diana and pray with their help. So it was I just wanted
to make sure we mention that. That's it. Thank you. Thank you Tom Pete. Thank you, Rudy. Uh I'll be brief going second to last. Pretty much everyone's reported on everything so far. So that um just uh two quick things. Uh
Centennial Committee met today. Uh we're basically uh um getting close. It was 2 years and 18 months and now we're 6 month 6 7 months out and a little over 11 month 13 months out from our big
street fair and even closer to a galler. we're going to have. So, it's a lot of work going on as we're getting close there. There's there's still a lot of planning that's going to be going on in the next few months. Um, and then just lastly, hope to see everyone at the uh Memorial Day uh ceremonies and parade.
It's always a great tradition and uh honor here in Wolf to honor those that gave the uh ultimate sacrifice. So hopefully weather holds out for us this year and it's a great day and uh I always look forward uh walking down the parade route especially seeing all the
children with their American waving their American flags are red, white and blue and when we hand them candy they're always please thank you. It's always it's always uh very um you know heartwarming. So I'm looking forward to it. That's all I have. Thank you Pete. Okay, briefly. Um, last Monday I along
with Pete and Matt um attended the uh veterans lunch at the Y um hosted over at the Y and uh was well attended. Did I miss anyone? Just the three of us. Oh, you were there. That's right. It was Roger and and M. Sorry about that. Not That's right. You weren't there. You're right. It was Roger and
Okay. As Tom indicated, he and I attended the Relay for Life um last Friday night. Tom pretty much covered the particulars. They do a great work there and they they they walk all night and it's it's quite a quite a challenge and quite a thing they do. I too attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting
which I thought was a great program that the chamber organized having showcasing um some of our volunteer organizations in town and um yeah I did make a comment at the end um along with Pete and Tom. Pete was there as well and um that we
really uh you know what we do in government here, municipal government wouldn't work without our volunteers on our boards and commissions and on pretty much everything we do here. So it makes our lives a lot easier. Um all right, you have in front of you a
letter that I opened today from the 200 club of Burden County. And without going into the particulars of it, it explains that White Fire Department was uh granted a request for um a grant of
$6,000 for two I'm sorry, White Police, I'm sorry, White Police for um $6,000 for two swiftwater rescue kits. Um and this is pretty extraordinary. Kyle Pereira um applied for these for a grant for more money and they were able to
give him uh $6,000 in a grant for um for two swiftwater rescue kits which is pretty extraordinary. He took the initiative to do this. I called Kyle and I asked him if he wanted to stop and be with us tonight and make a few comments about this because I think it's pretty great. And he is with the uh the
citizens uh police academy tonight. So he suggested I call the chief. So, we have the chief here to make a few comments about this. And Dave, I want to thank you for joining us. So, if you could just fill us in here on what what's going on, I really appreciate it. Dave Murphy, 340 Franklin Avenue.
[Laughter] Hey, Mr. Mayor and Council Police Department has been awarded a grant in the amount of $6,000 from the 200 Club Burton County Corporations Committee. This funding will be utilized for the procurement of two swift water rescue kits which will significantly enhance our department's
capacity in response to water related emergency within the town of boy. On behalf of the far to extend our sincere gratitude to public counties for recognizing this critical need and for their generous support. The addition of this specialized equipment is of substantial importance. It allow our
officers to respond more effectively during incidents of flooding, swift water hazards or water rescues, thereby strengthening the safety net for our residents and visitors alike. It is imperative to underscore that our department's objective in acquiring it equipment is to support and augment
rather than supplement exceptional work performed by West Fire Department, emergency medical services, and other first responder agencies. We remain steadfast in our commitment to collaboration and mutually ensuring an integrity and efficient approach to emergency response throughout the township. I'd like to take this
opportunity also to express my deep appreciation to Sergeant Kyle Ferrer for his dedication initiative in securing this grant. Sergeant Farah's efforts to exemplify the professionalism and forwardinking leadership that strengthens our department and benefit the entire community. His commitment to identifying opportunities for growth and
improving operational readiness is both commendable and instrumental to our continued success. I also thank you for your continued support of the White Oak Police Department and the initiative that enhance public safety and inter agency cooperation. Thank you Dave question. Is this also uh functional for
ICE rescue? We can use it. Okay, awesome. That's great. We talked about that. So, big shout out to Kyle and the police department and Dave, thank you for joining us and explaining that tonight. Um, moving right along, Dave, hold off on any comments because I
know we have to go to executive discussion time for that. Okay, then I will take a motion uh for 25 C8 to enter a close session discussion.
Second. Yes, Mr. Hi, Mr. Madigan. Yes, yes, yes. Motion is carried. All right, we're going to adjourn to the conference room. We'll be back here hopefully in 20 minutes. That's not going to happen. Part: 2
[Music] All right, we need to reenter the work session, right, Nancy? I'll take a motion to reenter the work session. Second, Mr. Yes. Mr. Hi, Madigan. Mr.
Yes. Mayor, yes. And I will take a moment to adjourn the work session. Motion to adjourn the work session. Second. Yes. Mr. Hi.
Mr. Mayor. Yes. We are adjourned. Thank you, Nancy. Wait for time to be seated here. [Music] [Music] The Tuesday, May 20th,
2025 regular 8:00 PM meeting of the White Claw Township Committee is now in session. If everyone will rise for the flag salute. Chief Murphy, would you lead us, please? Honor America to the flag of the United States
of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Remain standing please. Reverend Kenyon will lead us in our invocation.
Shall we pray? Gracious heavenly father, we are thankful for this incredible community. And it is incredible community. It's made up of people that blossom in all sorts of ways just like the flowers are starting to blossom. Now, there are times we go through where
we feel like we don't see the blossoming take place, but behind the scenes there are people that are working in so many different areas in so many different ways. Lord, I realize this committee here, this group here that we are
representing this this community that we often times take them for granted. God, I ask that you will guide, direct, lead, and help them to Lord. And sometimes they get all complaints.
Sometimes just put out a sign that says complaint. There are other times, Lord Jesus, that we say they're not doing enough. And so we want to put out a sign not do enough. Some other times there are other things and many other signs we'd like to place on them. But tonight,
I ask that you will guide and direct their pathway and lead them as they lead our community. and we thank you for that tonight and give you praise and glory. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Reverend.
Nancy, the notice requirements of the open public meetings act have been satisfied with respect to the meeting. Specifically, the time, date, and location were included in the annual notice of meetings adopted by the governing body posted in the municipal building by the township clerk's office and sent to at least two newspapers, including the official newspaper of the
township, Ridgewood News and Bergen Records. Additionally, to the extent known, the agenda for this meeting and whether formal action will be taken was posted in the municipal building by the county first office and sent to at least two newspapers, including the official newspaper of the time, division news, and posted on our municipal website in
accordance with the open published meeting. Thank you, Nancy. Roll call, please. Miss Bansky, here. Mr. Lane, here. Mr. Madigan, here. Mr. M here. Mayor, uh, here. I'll take a motion to open the
meeting for public comment. So move. Second. M. Yes. Mr. Wayne. Hi. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mayor Ba. Yes, affirmative vote. Motion is approved. Thank you. Uh
the meeting is now open for public comment. Five minutes per speaker for any governmental issue a member of the public feels may be of concern to the residents of White House. Uh if you wish to make a comment, please step forward to the microphone.
There being none, uh motion to close the public session. Second. Yes. Mr. Hi, Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Yes. And mayor. Yes. Okay. Now, we have a group here tonight
for one occasion. We're going to present a proclamation to Doug Strike and thank him for his many years of service. Doug lives in Wayne, but he's really a resident of Woff. Um, and uh, he feels like a resident of Woff. And, um, I
could say a few remarks now. Um, Doug, I think I've worked you and then I uh I'm going to ask other members to comment as well. And just briefly, I've uh they put me on the zoning board. How Gallowan put me on the zoning board in 1989. And that's about the time you
and I got to know each other because Christian Health was always in front of the zoning board. It was it was Doug Strike and Jerry Volvo. It was like the Doug and Jerry show. And uh and uh I it was for all the years I've known Doug,
I've known he's been a friend. He's been a colleague. He's been thorough attention, gave tremendous attention to detail, a wonderful family man, a wonderful Christian man who who
who was the shepherd to all of the residents and all the people associated with Christian Christian Health. and um the the organization has grown under his leadership to I think where we never imagined it would be and it provides so
many people with so much care and so much help. And Doug was always there to help whenever called on. You know, I was thinking Doug um when you called Doug, he never you never went to the next day before he would call you back. And that always
impressed me because I can imagine how many calls he would get in a day. And I'm going to guess he returned all or most of them, which is an extraordinary an extraordinary trait for one to have. Um we were all or many of us were at Doug's retirement dinner um at the
Westmont Country Club uh a number of weeks ago and uh to that type of attention to detail. There were 650 guests there and every one of us had a personal note from Doug thanking us for being there which is an extraordin I'm sure you had a little help but even that
to know everyone and and I was talking to someone who actually didn't know you as well as like I know you and when they told me that they had a personal note they became a little emotional about it because it was to that person who did
not know you as well as like I know you. So, I I I could go on and on, Doug, but I you know, um the organization's going to go on, but it's not going to be the same. Uh so, I will miss you tremendously. Uh
Jerry will be around yet anyway, I guess. So, that's I get a half a look anyway, but but um but I can't thank you enough for everything you've done, everything I've learned from you, and uh and and for the way you have been uh part of Woff. you really have been part
of our town. So, I thank you very much. And if anyone else wishes to make a comment, now would be the time. We have a Now we have proclamation. Pete, go ahead. Tom, go ahead, Tom. You're next. That's
fine. Okay. I just want to say, Doug, congratulations on your retirement from Christian Health. And your tenure will always be remembered for how you prioritize
people. If you were a colleague, you you prioritize them. If you were a resident, you prioritize people. If you were a patient, you prioritize them. If you're a
visitor, you prioritize them. If you are part of our White Coff community, you always prioritize people. Doug, you're the consmate people person, always caring, interested, and
friendly to all. I'm just grateful to share in your friendship. And I just wish you all God's speed. Yeah, Doug. Um, I got to know you over the last few years. Actually, right before I was on the township committee
was right when the pandemic started. I actually spoke with you cuz I came in to some uh bunch of disposable gloves and masks and was giving them out and I remember speaking with you probably the first time I actually spoke with you and was able to drop some of them off at uh Christian healthcare and then I was
elected to the governor body and got to know you more throughout the years and it really was a pleasure working with you and thank you for everything you've done to this community for this community. Um you know I I don't even like to call it a retirement dinner. I call it celebration dinner. And uh fortunately I missed the cocktail hour,
but I made it there just in time for the dinner. And um it truly your remarks were some of the best remarks I've ever seen at uh at one of these type of dinners. And being in politics and business to a lot of dinners, but uh your remarks were really touching and
you've touched so many people and I just want to say thank you for everything you've done for this community. Raj, um I want to thank you as well for everything. I can't, you know, repeat that much more cuz Rudy took the stage and said everything I wanted to say, but
um I wish I had known you um prior to your dinner. Um I was so lucky to get to meet you and um just seeing you know all those people and everything that they were saying about you just shows how special you are and um what you've done
for everybody on a personal level. Um, I shook your hand and introduced. Well, actually, I came up to say hello to you and you knew my name. Um, so everything you do, you could tell you touch someone in some way or um, shape or form. Um, I
wish you the best of luck. Um, and thank you again for everything. Yeah, I was uh had the pleasure of being at that wonderful dinner with that army of people. Uh that must have cost a lot more than my daughter's wedding there a
number of years ago for sure. Uh but uh you know Rudy did steal a little thunder that what what I was going to say. I had uh I worked for a company called Shortell out of California and uh the boss that I had instilled in me that
never ever underestimate the power of a handwritten note. And then when you well we picked for those well everybody well if you weren't there uh Doug just said okay I want everybody at each table to pick the person they trust the most. So
what did we do? We went right to the chief right gets up there's a box and it hands out these personal notes and I just sat there I and it was personal and I've only been here a short period of time especially compared to Rudy and Tom. Uh,
so I can't thank you enough. And you included my wife in it who's in the back as well. And I guess thank God you're kind of in the medical profession because you might need a hand doctor after after all of that. I mean, I don't know how long it took, but and yes,
there were some couples, but we're talking what 500 notes easy, right? So, thank you. I wish you all the best. Uh Pete said, you know, not retirement, it's it's the next chapter in in your life and you're going to enjoy every moment and you can come back and see
what's going on there and if you you know, you can nudge them in a certain direction if you have to. You did a wonderful job. It's beautiful. The whole place is just beautiful. So, thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. Now, before we proceed, I would just like to note
that we have three former mayors. Uh Doug Christie is with us. Christa Phillips, Gordon Stanley are here and Harold Gallenamp would have been here but he's no longer with us. Though you mentioned him in your closing remarks over at the Westmont. So I took
the liberty to invite Janine and her family here instead. So Janine is with us as well. So you're represented by four former mayors uh to be here and share in this in this little uh ceremony tonight. So thank you for all being here. Pete, if you'll pass that over,
please. Someone else back here. Is did I miss anyone? Oh, I didn't see him. I can't see. Brian. Oh, there you are. Hey, Brian. Thank Brian. Thanks for joining us. I didn't see Brian here. I'm sorry. Mention his name. Brian Scanley. So, thank you for joining us. I hadn't heard back from you, so I didn't know if you
were going to be here. Good to see you. Okay, now I will read this. Whereas Douglas A. Strike joined Christian Health in 1990 as vice president and chair of finance and chief
financial officer and has served Christian Health as CEO since 1994. And whereas under Doug's leadership, a number of transformative projects took place on the campus of Christian Health, most notably the construction of the Vista retirement community. And whereas
Doug has served with distinction on many state and federal committees and task forces with improve with improving health care as his mission and a focus on skilled nursing, behavioral health, assisted living, and independent living residences. And whereas Doug over the
course of his career in Wyoff, Doug has generously supported the greater Wyoff community and has always been a willing partner in the township of Wyoff. And whereas in preparation for the 2024 presidential election, the township requested Doug's assistance to provide
space to accommodate a larger polling location for districts 4 and 8. And he generously offered the use of the D. Young auditorium. And whereas we wish Doug and Doug as well as we wish Doug well as CEO ameritus and are hopeful that he will transition toward
retirement and to spend additional time with his wife Vicki as well as his children and grandchildren. And now therefore be it resolved and proclaimed that the township committee of the township of Wyoff County of Bergen, state of New Jersey, congratulates Douglas A. Strike for his service to the
greater Wyoff community with his warm and caring ways along with his gentle leadership and recognizes him for weaving a part of himself into the fabric of Wy. Doug is a shining example of what makes WO so special with his boundless energy, generosity of spirit,
compassion for all, and his dedication to May. May God continue to bless Doug in his mission serving others in the years ahead. And this is signed by me as mayor. Over the signatures are the names of Mayansky, Roger Lane, Thomas Madigan, and Peter Milky owners Township Committee. So Doug, thank you very much.
Let let's give Doug a standing [Music] oat. Do any of the former mayors want to say anything? Now's your time. Politician always wants to say something.
I knew I knew I I knew if I put the bait out, Chris would take it. Christopher 75. Former mayor state assemblyman and friend of Ray. Glory is the epitome of faith, family, and abolition of
Christian health. Besides Doug Strike, class act in every way. Friend of this committee, friend of this town. You're not going anywhere. It's not your week. You have more to do. But we're just so grateful to have
you. So, thank you. Okay, come on, Doug. take some pictures. Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Uh, mayor and members may just thank you and all. Why don't we all sit down and all exactly put on the chair? Okay.
Thank you very much. And to the audience, pardon my back. Um, but thank you u very much for those generous comments. And uh you're right. Um, mayor, I I have often said, I sleep in Wayne, but I live in Wayne. Yeah. And it has been a blessed experience, and I
want to specifically identify three people. Um, two of whom are new residents of White Cloth, uh, and one is here tonight. The two who are new residents of White Cloth are my parents. My parents, uh, moved into Christian
Health Nursing Home within the last month. Oh my god. My mother actually has been a resident for the last two years. she was living in Long View and her needs required her to move up to the nursing home and at the same time my dad who been uh sleeping in Wayne like me um needed to come as well. So um it's kind
of uniquely a privilege for me to know that my parents um who are a big part of what I am what I've become uh now have the opportunity to live this part of their life um in a wonderful community. Great. And I want to recognize uh my wife as well, Vicki. Um I didn't come
out of the box this way. my mother my mother started me and what she didn't get done finished and uh and a big part of my success I count to that but this is just an outstanding um community um and
thinking back mayor some of the things that you said you know for an organization to grow for anything to grow it needs fertile ground um and this community is such fertile ground for so many wonderful things and I've had the opportunity to see that the way this community has grown in in many ways. Um,
and not just not in terms of just physical things, but its ability um to reach out and support and to help each other. The first responders in this community, the the police, the ambulance corp, uh the fire department, uh so many others, the spirit of volunteerism that
there is in this community that we see at Christian Health, that we see at the Y, that we see in Eastern Christian schools that and keeping the town safe and clean. Just so many opportunities. It's just such a wonderful, wonderful community. It's been an incredible blessing for me to have been here for 34
years. And I do very much want to stay connected, but it is time for new leadership. Excuse me. And uh and and Christian Health, as you mentioned, will will continue will continue to do well. Uh Steve Dunkey, who's following me, is going to do an outstanding job. Um he's
been with the organization already for nearly 10 years, and he's ready. Um and it's going to be wonderful to see what he's going to do. um and the way the the board and who's represented here tonight by Tom Lighthouse, our board chair. I thank Con for being here tonight. The boards of trustees and some of whom have
been residents over the years from this community, volunteers as well. It's just been an incredible joy for me to to be a part of this community and to give back and my life has been made so much richer because the experience. So, thank you again for tonight. I'm I'm very very grateful and very very humbled and I
wish God's blessing on exciting to see that you're approaching your centennial. Um and what a what a wonderful year I'm sure that will that will be. So thank you very much and God bless you for Thank you Doug. Just to follow up on the new Whiteoff
residents your parents you said three. Yes. So I want to recognize three people. Two were the new Woff residents and the third was my wife. She's not a res yet. Oh, I was going to say, are you you're going to be a resident of Wolf? So, my parents are my parents are res.
Well, I thought I I I thought if you were going to be Are you not a resident of Wolf? I feel like I was asking I was just wondering if you could vote for me, that's all. Thanks, Doug. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Laughter]
Yeah, let's get the other name. Brian, how are you? All right, Mr. Mayor, centennial is not your birthday. That township is nice and cozy.
You want to be up here? Where are we now? [Laughter] Sorry for portrait. You have to bring the tall guy.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. We're going to have some refreshments in the back of the room if anyone wants to stay and visit for a little while. We're going to have a little coffee and a few refreshments back there. You got to
joint [Music] [Music] any minutes left and we'll journey and we'll go to if anyone would like to go. Are we ready? I know. All right. Okay.
No. Finish the meeting and then we'll go back. Okay. Give us 5 minutes. ready. Yeah, folks. We're going to we're going to finish the meeting up here and we'll adjourn and then we'll we'll uh we'll go back to the ladder room and we'll have a
little refreshment. So, you can go back. You can go there or stay here. We'll we'll be set up in in a few minutes back there. Coffee's there. Okay. Courtney's here downstairs. Oh, you don't do these too often, so we
don't know how this part goes. This is nice. All right. In the meantime, I'll take a motion to approve the May 6, 2025 work session and business meeting minutes. So move. Second.
I'll call the role. Mr. P. M. Pedi. Yes. All right. Mr. Lane. Hi. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mayor. Yes. We have a [Music] vote. All items listed below are considered by the township committee to
be routine in nature. There will be no discussion on these items. If any discussion is desired by the town committee, that item will be removed if agenda is considered separately. Authorization of vouchers payment of bills. Confirm closing of certain roads for Memorial Day parade. Chapter 159
2025 community clean community grant. adopting provisions in chapter 48 under which the public employer may agree to pay for the state health benefits coverage of certain retirees and release cash bond 7:30 burst drive. No ordinances for introduction. We have
three motions. Uh approve a special event application by the white family and YMCA for their annual white day event on Saturday May 31st from 11 to 4. Temporary signage promoting this event will be posted in the 10-day period immediately prior to the event beginning May 21st. The YMCA plans to have
carnival rides, various family activities, and live music and entertainment. Approved special event application by the Midland Park Church to hold their summer event application at Easter Middle School, including installation of attend and st single sandwich board sign at the entrance of
Faith Community Church July 6th through July 16th. Approve request for temporary signage by Christian Health to promote their Vista open house events on the following days. On the following Friday, July 25, August 29, and September 26th, single standard sign will be posted at
the Vista entrance at Christian Health 6 Avenue uh intersection. I have a motion to approve the concession. So move second. Mr. Bansky, yes. Mr. Lane, I Mr. Migan, yes. Yes. Yes. from the
Department of Health. Mayor Winston, I have one ordinance for public hearing further consideration on tonight's agenda. It is ordinance number 2040, which is a capital ordinance appropriating $64,414 for spring metro drive pedestrian safety as authorizing the use
of a grant received from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, a school year 2025 local transportation program to fund this appropriation. for second reading by title only. And a copy of this ordinance has been posted on our municipal website on the bulletin board and town hall where public notices are customarily posted and copies have been
made available to members of the general public of the township to request. This is the time and place for the public hearing on ordinance number 2040. And all persons who wish to be heard, please state your name before making your statement. If you wish to make a comment, please step forward to
the microphone. Seeing none, I move that the public hearing on ordinance 2040 be closed. Second, yes. Mr. Lane, hi. Mr. Madigan, yes. Mr. Yes. Mayor, yes. Affirmative. Motion is
approved be resolved by the content committee of the content of white off that ordinance number 2040 after public hearing and further consideration is hereby adopted and the municipal clerk by authorized and directed to publish the notice of final passage of said that ordinance and the official newspaper for the chassis as provided by law. I move
that ordinance 2040 on second reading by title only. Second by yes I yes yes yes.
Thank you. I'll take a motion to adjourn the meeting. So move second. Yes. Ian yes. Yes. returned. Thank you everyone.