[0:08] Adequate notice of the August 13th, 2026 regular meeting of the township

[0:13] committee has been provided in accordance with the open public meetings

[0:16] act by posting written notice and agenda of the meeting on the bulletin board in

[0:20] the municipal building 100 township and by posting same on the official township

[0:26] website and by delivering such notice to the following newspaper.

[0:30] Morris County Daily Record hand of a floor and pork eagle tap into hand of

[0:35] attention and by following the same with the township clerk.

[0:39] » Roll call. Committeeman Cahill >> here.

[0:41] » Committee mana here. >> Committeeman Francioli

[0:44] » here. >> Deputy Mayor Mahalo

[0:46] » here. >> Mayor Gallagher

[0:48] » here. >> Five members in attendance.

[0:50] » Okay. If you would please join us in the pledge of allegiance and please remain

[0:53] standing for a prayer led by Deputy Mayor Michael Mahalo. I aliance to the

[0:59] flag of America to the republic for which it

[1:03] stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[1:09] for all. [cough] Excuse,

[1:13] sorry. Almighty God, please watch over and guide this governing body with an

[1:19] abundance of wisdom and understanding to help make the best decisions for our

[1:22] residents. Please bless our first responders and tatch of volunteers who

[1:26] help keep us all safe. Also, bless our township of employee and residents.

[1:31] Lastly, please let us pray for the men and women of the US armed forces who

[1:35] stand vigil over us always. Amen. Amen.

[1:44] » Joseph. So ladies and gentlemen, we have a

[1:48] special presentation this evening to someone who is very

[1:53] active in our community. And it goes without saying this person

[1:59] is definitely uh someone who should get some kind of

[2:05] recognition from the township of Hanover and from fire district number three. So,

[2:11] James Hark, Senior, this is your night and we'd like to present you with a

[2:16] plaque in gratitude in recognition of all your service to Hanover Township.

[2:22] And with uh your approval, Mayor, members of Township Committee, like to

[2:27] read the plaque into the record. Hanover Township Distinguished Community

[2:32] Service Award presented to James Hart, Senior, in

[2:38] recognition of his outstanding community pride and active participation and

[2:44] service in many civic and township activities and programs. The township

[2:50] committee and the commissioners of Howard Township Fire District number

[2:55] three salute you for your exemplary leadership, commitment, and dedication.

[3:04] So this is for you, JANE. [applause]

[3:10] [applause]

[3:25] YEAH.

[3:28] AUSTRALIA.

[3:44] HEAT.

[3:49] HEAT.

[3:54] [music]

[3:59] [music]

[4:01] HEAT. HEAT.

[4:10] [music]

[4:12] YEAH.

[4:16] HEAT.

[4:26] YEAH.

[4:30] HEAT.

[4:40] YEAH. HEAT.

[5:03] Miss you.

[5:13] Yeah. Heat.

[5:24] Heat.

[5:29] Heat.

[5:48] Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd like to leave after seeing that big recognition

[5:52] of James Hark, Senior, we won't be offended. We do have some business to

[5:56] take care of, but you're more than welcome to stay. But James Hark Senior

[5:59] and your entire family, Mrs. Hark, thank you for everything and God bless you

[6:03] guys. We appreciate you once again. Thank you. [applause]

[6:11] Chris.

[6:14] » Okay. Good evening everyone. First on the agenda is a letter of resignation. A

[6:19] letter of retire I'm sorry, a letter of retirement from Diane Herzick as the

[6:22] health department secretary Oprah coordinator effective October 30th,

[6:27] 2026. May please have a motion to accept Diane's letter of resign of retirement.

[6:34] So move. >> May I have a second? Second.

[6:37] » All in favor? >> I.

[6:39] » So accepted. Next on the agenda is the approval of the township committee

[6:43] meeting minutes of July 9th. May I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes?

[6:47] » So move. >> We have a second.

[6:50] » All in favor? >> So approve.

[6:54] Next is the introduction of ordinances. I like to read each title into the

[6:58] record. The first is ordinance 29-2026. in ordinance of the township committee

[7:03] of the township of handover authorizing the execution of a lease agreement with

[7:08] the handover Tigers youth football and cheerleading and operating the B metal

[7:12] park brickyard concession facility retroactive to August 1st 2026

[7:18] through November 30th 2026 during the football season.

[7:22] Next is ordinance 30-2026 is an ordinance of the township committee of

[7:26] the township of handover establishing the salaries of patrolman, detectives,

[7:31] sergeants, and police officers assigned to the detective bureau for calendar

[7:36] years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. The next is ordinance 30-2026,

[7:44] an ordinance of the township of handover, county of Morris, state of New

[7:48] Jersey, reaffirming the continuation of chapter 120, article 3, cannabis of the

[7:53] code of the township of handover. I'd also like to make a mention that

[7:58] another additional ordinance will be introduced tonight. During the legal

[8:02] session, the township committee decided to introduce ordinance 32-2026.

[8:07] I will also read that into the title into the record.

[8:12] Ordinance number 23-2026, an ordinance of the township of Hanover

[8:17] Morris County, New Jersey, amending article 21, conditional uses in order to

[8:22] amend the conditional use requirements for motor motor vehicle repair or

[8:27] maintenance establishments in the IB3 zone district. I'd like to state for the

[8:32] record that the ordinances and their respective notices of introduction will

[8:36] be published in full in the township's website under legal notices according to

[8:40] law. The public hearing is scheduled for September 10th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. If any

[8:47] member of the public would like to be heard regarding these ordinances, they

[8:50] will be given the opportunity to do so that evening. May I please have a motion

[8:55] to introduce ordinances 29, 30, 31, and 32? So moved. May I have a second?

[9:02] » Second. >> On roll call. Commun May Hill.

[9:04] » Hi. >> Committeeman Baramosa.

[9:06] » Hi. >> Committeeman Francioli.

[9:08] » Hi. >> Deputy Mayor Malco.

[9:09] » Yes. >> Mayor Gallagher. Hi.

[9:11] » So introduced, including the new addition.

[9:15] » Next of the order of business is the approval of resolutions as a consent

[9:18] agenda. Resolution numbers 161-2026 through 189-2026.

[9:26] Does any member of the committee have any questions regarding any of these

[9:29] resolutions?

[9:33] » May I please have a motion to approve the resolutions as a consent agenda?

[9:37] » Motion second. >> All in favor?

[9:40] » I resolutions are so approved. Next, we have to pay our bills in the amount of

[9:45] $8,648,72462.

[9:51] May I please have a motion to pay the bills? A motion for the CFO to pay the

[9:56] bill. >> Thank you, John. May I have a second?

[9:58] » Second. >> All in favor?

[10:00] » I >> bills are to be paid and members, mayor,

[10:05] and the members of the committee. That clears my portion of the agenda and I

[10:08] thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, Christian. Great

[10:11] job. >> Okay. Can I have a motion open to the

[10:14] public? >> Second. All in favor? All in favor?

[10:18] Anyone from the go uh from the public would like to address the governing

[10:21] body, please step up to the podium, state your name, address, and you have

[10:25] four minutes.

[10:39] Hello, Chris Sunset tonight representing the environmental

[10:44] commission. I'd like to follow up

[11:03] this thing on. Thank you, Kim.

[11:08] There we go.

[11:16] Sorry, my f

[11:20] sunset. I'm here today environmental commission following

[11:32] data centers for project

[11:39] together is a thorough

[11:46] business

[11:51] because we consider it for any major company.

[11:58] So I just want to follow up on that and see if uh any other information or any

[12:04] other things I can help the process.

[12:09] Chris, I will say that we did discuss this issue and we did discuss that we

[12:16] were going to have to do our due diligence and start to explore options

[12:19] and especially limits. Uh, I appreciate your offer to help us. I know you put

[12:23] quite a bit of time into it when we go a little further down the road. And

[12:26] Jeeoff, if you want to jump in, when we go a little further down the road, we

[12:30] would appreciate your input and any insight you have into how we can make a

[12:34] better decision moving forward. Jeeoff, you want to add to that? Yeah, the only

[12:37] thing I'll say is that obviously this is a really hot uh button issue all across

[12:41] the state and uh the mayor said the words due diligence. I think that's

[12:45] couldn't be uh any better said and so uh that process is being done. Um you know

[12:50] when and if it becomes anything more then u certainly you know we'll we'll

[12:56] contact everybody we need to. >> Thank you chair. just reflect my own

[13:02] sense of urgency. I ask it [music] was effect

[13:23] I appreciate that. The only thing I'll say and and Jeff you can stop me is um

[13:27] two two different properties we were contacted and they wanted to talk to us

[13:32] about our vision and our vision for Hannover and they asked us what our

[13:37] position was on data centers and uh I let them know straight up that it's

[13:42] going to be a very heavy lift. I said a lot of us don't understand right now all

[13:46] that we should to make a very good decision for our municipalities. I said

[13:52] we're taking small steps and working to understand it, but at least we had two

[13:57] companies understand and respect the fact that we're not prepared to do

[14:01] anything right now and we understand limits is very very important.

[14:06] But um like I said, we are beginning our due diligence and we've had two

[14:10] developers that were very respectful of our position.

[14:17] Not as

[14:21] with the law%

[14:27] commercial just as

[14:32] a tenant or a property developer. >> Jeff, do you have that information or

[14:38] Jerry? >> Not at the top of my head. I imagine

[14:41] that it's the developer.

[14:45] Oh, apologies. Uh, I don't know for certain off the top of my head, so I'm,

[14:49] you know, wary of saying anything definitively, but my assumption is is

[14:53] that it's the developer and I can look into that further.

[14:56] » Okay.

[15:07] change another

[15:21] » I'm thinking um you know I I always don't want to go into too many specifics

[15:27] on anything if it's if um but uh there are a lot of things that can be

[15:32] negotiated um I I'm not sure that this is one of them. Uh, and so I I don't

[15:37] really know how to answer your question at this point in time, but uh, I'm I'm

[15:41] not certain. My actual question is

[15:48] 217%

[16:18] I don't understand.

[16:24] » Uh, I don't have that document in front of me and I haven't looked at it and I

[16:28] don't know if I've ever looked at it, but I can and will do and I can uh get

[16:32] we can get back to you on that. >> Chris, can you get that to Joe? And Joe,

[16:36] if you could deal with Jeff, that'd be great.

[16:41] » That'd be great. >> Thank you. Anyone else?

[16:59] My question is possibly

[17:09] Heat. Heat.

[17:28] Uh the same

[17:33] s sorry

[17:40] the last time we discussed it you said that you know we were getting

[17:43] supplemented with water from Payic. Am I correct or incorrect?

[17:47] » Yes sir. No sir,

[17:52] I'm asking a question. Did you Did you say to me that we were now also getting

[17:58] supplemented from bayic for water? >> Yeah, blended.

[18:03] » Blended. Blended. Okay. So, um is that because our water table's been depleted

[18:10] or is it for some other reason? >> Not to my knowledge.

[18:14] » Okay. So my assumption is is that our water

[18:20] is coming from our own water table. Am I correct or incorrect?

[18:24] » My understanding, and I haven't been brought up to date on it yet, but I know

[18:27] the mayor's working with the water company,

[18:31] is that uh through American Waterworks, we're now using our wells with Todd

[18:37] Well, etc., and blending in conjunction with safe river water. Uh I think that

[18:42] agreement was undertaken some years ago to asssure that Hanover and other

[18:48] communities that were in American Waterworks always had water. So we have

[18:52] not been uh affected by droughts and other types of uh issues.

[18:57] » Right. So I'm I'm assuming that >> no supply issues,

[19:00] » right? So I'm assuming that our water comes from our our water table. Yeah.

[19:04] [clears throat] So uh my question is is that before and

[19:10] whilst you know the township has to progress and everything like that

[19:15] when you're doing any studies for any new construction or anything like that

[19:18] does the township do any hydraological studies or groundwater

[19:22] uh impact assessments before

[19:27] you decide to do the planning?

[19:32] Mayor, I don't have I don't have any knowledge on any studies you've

[19:35] undertaken on the groundwater stuff. Jerry,

[19:42] » I don't have any knowledge of that either except that I can say that any

[19:45] new development that comes before the planning board. Um, they are required to

[19:49] have the approval of the Southeast Morris County Water Authority to make

[19:54] sure that they can properly service that development.

[19:57] » Yeah, but that's not what I'm asking. I'm not asking whether the water company

[20:02] can send a pipe to wherever they're developing. That's all I'm asking.

[20:07] What I'm asking is is that the water comes from our wells. Our wells are fed

[20:14] by aquifiers. Okay.

[20:18] When you do the development or you put in a parking lot or do whatever. Okay.

[20:24] Is there a groundwater assessment or some kind of impact study done that

[20:31] would affect the wells that would cause our wells to fall dry and then we have

[20:37] to go get our water from somewhere else? Again, I think that question is best

[20:41] answered by the water authority as they manage their wells because part of that

[20:46] um that approval from the water authority is not just whether they have

[20:49] pipes in the [music] in in front of the street to connect to. It's whether they

[20:53] have enough water to serve that facility. Okay. So, you're telling me

[20:56] basically that the I'm sorry, I apologize if I thought. Okay. So,

[21:04] you're basically telling me that the this doesn't fall under the township's

[21:09] remitt.

[21:14] Maybe this answer is best answered by a planner, but when the the town uh does a

[21:19] master plan analysis, I'm sure they reach out, they also reach out to the

[21:23] water authority to provide comments about how they plan [clears throat] for

[21:28] future development. Again, that would be maybe an answer

[21:33] best answered a question best answered um by the township planner

[21:39] as as part of that master plan approval process.

[21:42] » Okay. And who's who's out of planning?

[21:49] » I think right now we had a consulting planner used to have anywhere else that

[21:53] help monitors the quality of the water uh for sure purity etc. That's one

[22:00] thing. But some time ago, most of our draws from what's known as the Bird

[22:04] Valley Water Aquifer. Bird Valley Water Aquifer not only is underneath Hanover

[22:10] Township, it goes as far as the oranges. And we've been drawing down on that when

[22:14] we were using all our wells. There came a point where the state came in, the D

[22:19] came in and then limited how much water we could draw from the wells. I think

[22:24] that was part of the reason we went to American Waterworks at that time. Okay.

[22:28] But as for any additional studies that have taken place since I defer to uh I

[22:34] don't know of any on our board of health that have come my way but I I don't

[22:38] think we undertake such such studies. >> I I don't think it's a border of health

[22:43] health issue because border health will be dealing with security issue.

[22:48] » Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. But border of health wouldn't deal

[22:51] with the supply issue because this information usually comes

[22:55] from USGS. I know that because I have the USGS software. Anyway, I was just

[23:00] » What I'd like to ask you to do, John, as you know, now more than ever, we're

[23:04] interacting with the water authority. >> Yeah.

[23:06] » Um, please send me, email me a paragraph or two.

[23:11] » Uh, I will share it with the appropriate professionals and I will get you an

[23:15] answer, a specific answer on this question.

[23:18] » Okay. I I would appreciate if you give me an email. Couple as long as you want

[23:22] a couple paragraphs would be great. I'll share with our professionals and I will

[23:26] share and our planner now is Burgess. We have a couple different planners that

[23:30] sit in that big chair and we will loop them in and we'll get very specific

[23:34] answers for you. Well, the only reason and I'm sorry, the only reason why I'm

[23:38] asking the question is because uh Mr. Fioli, you know, brought this subject up

[23:44] that we were getting the water from the Pay River now also and the water was

[23:48] hard and that blah blah blah. So, I'm just wondering that's all. Thank you

[23:54] very much. Thanks. Anyone else?

[24:11] » Good evening. Terry Baird from the Whip section of Hanover Township. Um I have a

[24:16] question in reference to uh agreements with developers in reference to property

[24:23] maintenance. For example, when a developer uh

[24:28] abandons a building and they just uh they don't hire their landscaper anymore

[24:35] to uh keep the sidewalks clean and stuff like that. Um some of the locations of

[24:41] local developers who have left their buildings you know, have the grasses

[24:46] knee high along the sidewalk and, you know, people are walking along those

[24:51] sidewalks and, you know, ticks like to be in those high grasses. So, it does

[24:56] help with the tick population. Um, so I was wondering if there's is there any

[25:01] agreement with these developers that they don't have to maintain their

[25:05] landscaping anymore when they uh abandon a building.

[25:10] Joe, we just talked about one or two specific properties lately. Uh, do you

[25:15] want to jump in on this and give us a broad brush?

[25:17] » Terry, there's there's really nothing in the code that would prohibit them from

[25:24] taking care of their property. I mean, if they're the owner of the property, as

[25:29] far as I'm concerned, they have to abide by the property maintenance code. And if

[25:35] they abandon the property or they sell the property, then whomever takes

[25:42] control of the property, I think under our regulations is required to maintain

[25:48] the property. So if there is um an entity that you're aware of that is not

[25:55] maintaining a parcel, then I'd like to know who it is and then I will take that

[26:00] up with the construction official. >> Okay. Well, it's 4G own property at 80

[26:04] South Jefferson. It's 4G own property uh where H2 Ocean is where the houses were.

[26:10] Okay. You know, and while we're at it, why don't we look at BJ's down here with

[26:14] all the dead trees. It looks terrible when you're I mean, you have a beautiful

[26:18] BJ's there and you know, it's behind all these dead trees with the property uh

[26:25] the H2O property. He was put on notice uh months ago about the need to do

[26:32] landscaping, but we will put him on notice again for the three properties uh

[26:37] in question. >> And same thing with 80 South Jefferson.

[26:39] I mean is >> that too?

[26:41] » Yeah, that I mean people were still working there and the grass was high as

[26:45] high as your knee. So, okay. Thank you very much.

[26:47] » No, thank you. >> Thank you. Terry, can you hold the

[26:49] microphone there for a moment? Don't sit down. Please hold the microphone.

[26:54] » No, you're not. Well, no, you're not. I'd like to have a discussion with you.

[26:58] Okay. >> And I understand you had an issue with

[27:02] me uh through social network. So I was hoping we would use this opportunity to

[27:06] talk about it. [clears throat] >> Having trouble getting your ice cream, I

[27:10] heard from uh Planet Swirl 9 years ago.

[27:16] » Oh, isn't that interesting? Well, I you held me accountable for their going

[27:21] under as well as Nikos. So I I kind of missed this to uh why you wouldn't want

[27:28] to have a discussion and uh talk about why you feel unaccountable for that.

[27:34] » Why don't you answer the question as he goes on the shopping?

[27:41] » You are um very active on your social network,

[27:47] » my Facebook page, >> but yet when you get to this room

[27:50] obviously take takes a different turn. anybody else and other people.

[27:57] » Hi, I'm Ahmad. My address is 260 Blackbe Parkway.

[28:01] » Hold on a second. Amad Rod, do you want to close that out? Are you good?

[28:06] » Uh, I' I've got my answer, which is her no answer. Thank you.

[28:10] » Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Um, again, Ahmad 260 B

[28:15] Meadow. Um, I just want to make a this is I don't even know what this is about,

[28:21] but um I don't think that this is the place or the venue to have a discussion

[28:27] about something that occurred on social media between a committee person and a

[28:32] resident that should be a private matter. Um, and embarrassing her like

[28:37] that. When you use social networks, it's

[28:41] public. It's open. And when you attack individuals through it, they have the

[28:46] opportunity to respond whether it's this forum or on social networks. And I've

[28:51] done uh my due diligence to look into the records 9 years ago over some areas

[28:57] of uh misinterpretation that was given to our public through the social

[29:02] networks. Okay. on a redevelopment of the

[29:07] shopping center known as the time as Pine Plaza and uh which by the way was a

[29:13] demised area went under an area of redevelopment was studied and the shop

[29:18] owners there who we tried very in earnest to keep going and make it viable

[29:23] uh were forced out in many ways. One their leases were increased. Secondly,

[29:29] the uh property itself was in tax ars etc. But when it comes on to social

[29:36] network, sir, it's fair play. No, absolutely. And what would you like to

[29:41] say to me? >> No, absolutely. So, the things you

[29:43] brought up right now, all 100% um things that the residents uh expect to hear

[29:50] from you folks, right? Um, if she's talking about something on social media,

[29:57] uh, you guys want to argue about it, that argument should happen somewhere

[30:01] else. The information you just provided me, however, to clarify what was said on

[30:07] social media, I that's appropriate, right? But I'm also entitled to my

[30:12] opinion that having a discussion about what's happening on social media uh, or

[30:19] disagreement, I don't think this is the right forum. I'm not saying that you

[30:22] shouldn't have that discussion, right? You're your own man. But this is not the

[30:26] forum. >> We agree to disagree, sir. This is a

[30:28] public forum. Thank you very much for your comments. You're running for

[30:32] office, aren't you? >> I am. Yes, sir.

[30:33] » You are your Democratic candidate for office.

[30:35] » Yes, sir. >> God bless you. We hope you have a good

[30:39] race. >> Thank you. I'm excited. Um, so this

[30:42] wasn't why I stood up. I do have um >> a couple a couple questions. So, just a

[30:48] few minutes ago, we did a consent uh vote on a resolution that put us uh I

[30:56] think $1.5 million um in debt. So, I want to know is this

[31:01] new debt? Is this renewed debt? Uh the bonds that was approved or and what

[31:07] project is it for? Is it for a previous ordinance or a a new ordinance? What is

[31:13] that exactly about? cuz that's a lot of money.

[31:17] » Well, it's old debt. >> Okay.

[31:18] » It's old debt for the new splash pad that we uh authorized for installation

[31:24] at the B Meadow Park at the B Meadow swimming pool and also for renovations

[31:31] of the historic tunnel house which is located at 341 Route 10 eastbound. So if

[31:37] you go past Roy Hills Road, >> you will see a structure that uh is 300

[31:43] years old from 1796, >> the township received grant money to uh

[31:50] do restoration, but also we have bonds that are needed to do that restoration

[31:57] and that is going to be taking place within the next several months.

[32:00] » Okay, great. I appreciate that. Um, regarding the splash pad, how much of

[32:05] the 1.5 is attributed to the splash pad? >> Uh, total amount is $1,120,000.

[32:14] » Okay. Uh, and what's the return on investment of that project? When you say

[32:20] the return on the investment in general like what

[32:24] » in terms of uh what the the return in terms of people

[32:30] using the facility, >> right? Because it's not it's not a

[32:33] revenue thing, right? It's like what's the use? Is the time using it? Like is

[32:38] that being monitored? >> And our deputy mayor probably is best to

[32:41] address it because he's also director of recreation.

[32:45] » Um well, it's an amenity that we added to the pool. So we've been having

[32:50] increase uh

[32:53] increased membership. This has increased the increased membership. So

[32:58] [clears throat] I apologize. Um again it was just a uh amenity that we added to

[33:04] the pool which would get paid back through the fees from the pool from the

[33:10] additional fees acrewed. Yeah. >> Okay. Excellent. Um I so what I I guess

[33:15] we should be able to do then is submit like an OPER request for the increase

[33:20] that has happened right in fees so that we could see like how long it's going to

[33:25] take to you know to have that return on investment

[33:29] » right >> you know I just want to know because

[33:31] there's a lot of people in town who have concerns about the bonding practice that

[33:39] we're starting to do annually so that's >> as do I and and what we've run into is

[33:43] you know uh in the past we we called it shoe box savings. So we would save and

[33:48] then spend but what's happened especially in the last 5 6 7 years we

[33:53] can't save enough because of inflation >> you know because of costs going up. So

[33:57] we found it's best to take out a loan for 2 or 3% get the project now and then

[34:04] get it done and then pay back. I I again personally and we all know it. I I I

[34:09] don't like debt, but unfortunately a scenario like this, we needed to do it.

[34:14] Um the baby pool was defunct. It was uh to replace it was going to be over a4

[34:20] million. So we made the decision to invest invest in the infrastructure,

[34:25] invest in the project. Uh it came out fantastic. Drive by it. Um I I can't

[34:30] tell you it's and it's ADA accessible. Uh we did get some some grant money to

[34:34] help with that. Um there were costs um you know there were

[34:39] some cost overrides, there was some some unforeseen some circumstances that

[34:43] happened that we had to pay for. Um but uh overall again the project is

[34:48] fantastic. Membership is up. Um and again it adds to the to the amenity. I

[34:54] appreciate that. I know I'm over my time so the next time I see you guys I'll

[34:58] address the >> one last

[35:01] one last segment for the record concerning the tunnel house.

[35:05] We are getting grant money through the county of Mars, $338,000,

[35:11] but we can't use that money until we actually do the renovation. So

[35:17] therefore, we have to go out for the bonds. So that's a short-term money will

[35:21] be paid back. So that's the way it works.

[35:25] » How did you explain that, Joe? Because that wasn't clear before. Yeah, that

[35:28] that money is coming back to us. We had to lay it out. We needed to to bond to

[35:31] get it because our budget's tight. Hey, the last point I'd like to make about

[35:35] debt. Yes, ma'am. >> He's um and Mike Mahalo did a great job

[35:38] in my place cuz once a year I miss a meeting because uh of the 200 club in

[35:42] Mars County. I'm a vice president and I love that organization. But what's

[35:46] interesting too is this year we're spending $4 million on infrastructure.

[35:50] We all know we have to do more and more and we are addressing that. We had a tax

[35:56] sale of a property for $3.2 million. Our debt, our ban in town is going to be

[36:03] $2.4 million this year, which is all for infrastructure,

[36:07] but once we conclude, and we're very close now to closing out that deal and

[36:12] getting that $3.2, we're $6 to $800,000 in the black. So, I even read that we're

[36:19] going into debt. We've never gone into debt. This is it's really a bridge loan

[36:23] because we have 3.2 from a tax sale. Is that a residential tax sale or a or

[36:29] commercial? >> Com commercial.

[36:30] » Okay. >> So once you take one layer back and look

[36:33] at like past the headline, it it's a very very good deal and we're almost

[36:38] lending ourselves that money through a bridge loan to do much needed

[36:42] infrastructure and especially in some areas where we have incredible flooding.

[36:45] » No, I appreciate that. That's actually uh strategic. Um, I I would like to add

[36:50] that we probably um should have like a long-term strategy, not relying on, uh,

[36:56] you know, the businesses to go out of business or not paying their taxes in

[37:00] order to fund our project. So, anyways, um, I appreciate you guys' time and I'll

[37:05] see you guys uh, hopefully in a month. Thank you. You know, it should also Mike

[37:10] also be explained that uh on the bond issue for the splash pool uh that's

[37:14] being uh funded through the swimming pool enterprise fund. Correct. So the

[37:20] same veterans patrons that are members of the Bmetal pool. It's their dues and

[37:26] their their fees on the pool that are underwriting or paying for the bond

[37:31] issue. Correct. Come through. We we we're only guaranteeing the bond is

[37:35] Okay. Thank you. Because >> Yes, sir. Yes, my name is Greg Walch. I

[37:39] live on Whipony. Uh, just a question. A few months ago, I was here and we talked

[37:45] about the Tuttle House, which was just brought up a minute ago, that phase one

[37:49] of that project was in progress, and I'm just curious is if you have an update on

[37:55] how far phase one has gone. >> So, we had a public hearing on April 9th

[38:00] to solicit comments from the public concerning restoration.

[38:04] If I recall correctly from memory, no one really spoke up. Uh once that was

[38:10] done, we were also required because we do what is known as a pre-qualification

[38:16] of biders. We had plans and specifications prepared by our

[38:22] consulting engineers working with Jerry Mser, the township engineer.

[38:27] Those plans and specifications were submitted to the state back in the

[38:31] spring. And as of July, Jerry, we received approval from the state

[38:37] division of local government services that we can now move forward with those

[38:42] pre-qualification plans. So, Jerry and I have been discussing them. We hope that

[38:48] within the next month or two, we are going to be soliciting uh bids to

[38:53] actually do the phase one restoration, which will include the exterior of the

[38:58] building. >> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome, sir.

[39:03] » Thank you, sir. Anyone else?

[39:10] Mary Beth, you got to be quicker. We don't know who you are.

[39:13] » I can I can let you in if you want, Mary.

[39:16] » Catherine Sparrow, I am a Whipony resident and I am the editor of Tap into

[39:22] Hannover. And I just really wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my

[39:26] heart. Sorry. I really appreciate that you guys have recognized us. I've worked

[39:31] really hard to come into the community. You guys have been amazing and I really

[39:36] appreciate how much information you've allowed me to share with the community

[39:40] because it's an impressive community and the people are very very special. I have

[39:46] to take a leave of absence, but I will be owning Tap into Hanover for the

[39:51] foreseeable future. And I would appreciate that each and every one of

[39:55] you, as well as those of you in the the room, would be willing to continue to

[40:00] give me information that I can share with the residents so that they know

[40:03] what you're doing, so that they know what their town is doing, and so that

[40:08] they know what each other is doing cuz I really think that that's what makes a

[40:13] community. Sorry. Very, very emotional for me, but thank you. Thank you so

[40:17] much. >> Thank you, K.

[40:18] » Thank you. You've done a terrific job. Thank you.

[40:20] » Yeah, we're happy to support you any way we can.

[40:22] » Yeah. K, I just want to say too, uh, we're going to miss you, but you're not

[40:26] going to be too far away cuz you're available on your phone. But I've gone

[40:29] down lately more and more saying there's 168 hours in a week. The world does not

[40:35] stop at 34 1/2 hours. >> I think you're I know that you're

[40:39] available 110 to 120 hours a week. I personally appreciate that. and our

[40:44] residents appreciate that. So, thank you. God bless you. And you're always

[40:47] part of us. So, thank you. Anyone else?

[40:54] » Two quick things to um Mary Beth Calli, Whitney,

[41:00] uh Commissioner Malgo, I did my homework from last meeting regarding the traffic

[41:06] on Troy Hills Road. You told me to kind of tell you when the speeders

[41:12] kind of time frame. >> Okay.

[41:15] » Remember that kind of. And it's at night. I would say between 7 and 11.

[41:24] » Okay. >> You park a car there, we'll get them.

[41:28] » All right. We will. >> And I know who's in the room. My

[41:30] neighbor. >> And I already spoke to him.

[41:33] » So, that that'll help. >> Really? Really? at night when traffic

[41:37] everybody all the right people are home you know from work and the second quick

[41:42] thing to Mayor Gallagher is there any prospects on new businesses going in by

[41:50] PJs where the two lots I call them are still available

[41:56] » yes but of course I can't comment on that yes

[41:59] » oh okay two business okay but it's coming close

[42:04] to being there >> not fast enough for me because you know

[42:07] how I roll. But >> right,

[42:09] » there's two very nice prospects. Yes. >> Okay, good. It just kind of looks dingy

[42:14] when you're sitting there getting gas like on the front.

[42:18] » See, my problem is I want a lot of food establishments and I'm not a kid

[42:22] anymore. My meta metabolism slowed down. So like anything on the between my house

[42:28] and town hall or vice versa is a problem because I'm going to swing in on the way

[42:32] out of here. So, we like food establishments. We have more than we've

[42:36] had in a long time and uh I think that's a beautiful thing and that's kind of

[42:40] what I'm hearing. >> Okay. Okay. There. All right. Yes, sir.

[42:43] » Thank you, Ash. I think our land use administrator would like to say

[42:47] something with your permission. >> As long as she identifies herself, steps

[42:52] up to the podium, and she has four minutes. Okay. Four.

[42:56] » No special treatment here. Kim Yeah. Tonight tonight's kind of off the

[43:02] rails. You can do whatever you want. Fall off.

[43:04] » I'm Kimberly Vonjour. I'm the land use administrator for the township of

[43:07] Hanover. Um in response to your question, I have an application

[43:12] currently in my office for the three pad sites over at the BJ's. Um it is for a

[43:20] swim school, a um electric vehicle charging

[43:27] and a it's called Seven Seven Brew. It is a small

[43:34] uh specialty coffee type facility that is drive-thru only. There is no inside

[43:40] seating. You cannot go inside at all. Um that application is currently in my

[43:44] office going through the completeness review process. Um, in order to come to

[43:49] public hearing, >> can you spell your last name, please?

[43:52] No, I'm just kidding. [laughter]

[43:56] » We have two more minutes. Kim, >> you know, I think you saw tonight that

[44:00] if you call Kim directly, she can say more than we can say.

[44:04] » You said it well. >> Okay. Anyone else?

[44:10] 10 more seconds. >> You know what, Chris? We're going to

[44:13] give you 30 seconds and it's going to be a hard stop. We don't off the rails

[44:18] tonight. >> Do I have to reidentify?

[44:19] » No. >> No. I just want to say thank you to uh

[44:23] to uh Joe Giorgio for integrating the environmental commission into the review

[44:27] process for the land use boards, the board of adjustment and planning board.

[44:31] I've had two members of board of adjustment thank me outside of official

[44:36] business for commentary that we've provided to them. They said it's been

[44:40] very informational and helped them make good decisions. Uh and I'm happy to do

[44:45] the work. And thank you for to John for helping integrate us into that and uh

[44:49] providing extra info as we make these uh recommendation letters. That's all.

[44:53] Thank you. >> Thank you for taking Thank you, Chris.

[44:57] » Okay. Anyone else? Hearing none. Seeing none. Motion to

[45:02] close. >> Second. All in favor?

[45:04] » I. >> Okay. Tonight we're going to forego our

[45:07] comments, but I'd like to ask Committee Cahill to uh address the crowd tonight

[45:14] about a very very important issue that we've been getting a lot of inquiries

[45:18] about. Let anybody else comment tonight.

[45:23] Thank you. Just the same. Um so I just wanted to provide an update. And I know

[45:27] there have been a lot of questions and you know probably 4 months ago we hired

[45:32] a consultant JAG consulting to have a look at uh the two fire districts and

[45:36] see what we could do about either consolidating them municipalizing

[45:40] everything was on the table. Um so I just want to provide a brief update of

[45:43] where we're at with that. Uh a few days ago uh Mayor Gallagher and I uh received

[45:49] a rough draft report uh from the consultant. Uh it's in our hands now to

[45:55] review and read and I've been reading it and rereading it and I know Ace has as

[45:58] well. Um our goal now is once we've read it, you know, we have a lot of

[46:03] questions. We don't see very many inconsistencies necessarily, but there

[46:06] are some things that perhaps we don't understand because we are not lifetime

[46:10] first responders such as the consultant is. Um so we're reading through that.

[46:15] We're highlighting, writing down our questions, and we're going to circle

[46:17] back with the consultant, get those questions answered so that we understand

[46:22] it well enough that we can speak to this report intelligently. At that point in

[46:26] time, as soon as that happens, my goal, our goal will be to meet with the town,

[46:30] the rest of the township committee. Uh, it will have to be in legal. I'm just

[46:34] want to put that out front because there is, you know, there are unions to deal

[46:37] with their contracts. So, just to be fair and put that up front, it will be

[46:41] illegal. uh but we will be presenting uh the findings and discussing those

[46:46] findings and seeing where we land as far as what we think is this a good approach

[46:51] what is that approach again uh you know a lot of open ends there once we get

[46:55] through that uh then as a next step will be to either do one of two things uh we

[47:01] had talked about putting a subcommittee together we always worked in

[47:04] subcommittees when we were trying to work on the consolidation plan over the

[47:08] couple the past couple of years uh taking a couple of commissioners from

[47:12] Cedar Nolles, a couple commissioners from Whippony, uh um some either the

[47:16] chief or or some some administrator, somebody who's familiar with operations

[47:20] and presented it to them. Or the other suggestion was uh that the next or call

[47:26] for a special uh joint commissioners meeting so that all the commissioners

[47:31] are in the room um and have that presentation then. And then based on

[47:37] that feedback, that's where we go and we bring that back to the committee and say

[47:41] this was the feedback and then that's where we go from there. Like I said,

[47:45] anything can happen. Uh but I just want to make sure that everybody knows things

[47:49] that everybody knows that things are moving forward. Um so again, it's very

[47:53] high level. I know this crowd, I know you want a lot more detail. I appreciate

[47:57] your patience. uh but yes but you know we are moving forward and uh and I will

[48:03] try to update you as information becomes available that we can provide to you

[48:20] » yeah it would be uh advisory consulted deliberative at this point once uh

[48:26] action is taken or ready to be taken then it would be able to do same thing

[48:30] as any kind of draft uh document.

[48:35] » Any other comment I have, Bryce? First of all, thank you very much for all your

[48:38] time. Um, everybody's put a lot of time into this. Uh, everybody's getting a

[48:43] little bit impatient, but what's interesting is these conversations

[48:46] started 20 years ago. Uh, 12 years ago, they got a little bit hot and we've been

[48:52] really looking at this for about 9 or 10 months and putting a lot of time into

[48:55] it. But I think you're doing a great job and a lot of people are stepping up. And

[48:59] the last thing I'll tell you to give you a little bit of optimism is no matter

[49:02] where anybody falls in this conversation or in this argument, everybody seems to

[49:07] agree it can't really continue the way it is. So that that means that our job

[49:14] is to find the solution working with the people that have the most expertise and

[49:19] that's exactly what we're doing. Bri, you at the helm, you're doing an

[49:21] incredible job and I personally appreciate it. I really do. Mike, if you

[49:25] want to say something. Well, you know, we got to talk about Hard Township Day.

[49:28] So, coming up for this uh September 12th, Hard Township Day, and we're going

[49:34] to have a little bit extra this year. We're going to have u the Landmark I

[49:39] apologize. The Landmark Commission is going to have a tent up. They'll have uh

[49:42] speakers. They'll have some uh uh some displays. So, we're going to add a

[49:46] little bit. Uh for those of you that don't know, Hannover Township Day is a

[49:50] chance for Hannover Township clubs, committees, groups to have a have a

[49:54] place. It's a it's a uh a money-free day. It doesn't cost anybody anything.

[50:00] Uh there'll be games, there'll be rides, there'll be bounce houses, there'll be

[50:03] hot dogs, there'll be corn, there'll be uh root beer. No beer, just root beer.

[50:09] Um but it's a fun day. Again, that's uh September 12th. Mark your calendars,

[50:13] boys. So, >> good job, young lady.

[50:16] taking more time to mic. >> Yes, I'll receive my time to Mike. So,

[50:21] we can continue. >> No, that's it. What do you got? Close

[50:25] this out. I would like to give a big thank you to our public works department

[50:29] uh to Brian Fan and the staff uh through this most recent storm uh which uh put

[50:37] Hanover County in a very difficult way power-wise, knocked down trees, did a

[50:41] lot of construction damage. uh public works department did a super job of

[50:46] getting us back on the line, cleaning up, getting debris out to the street. If

[50:50] you got it out to the street, we picked it up. So, good job. Very good job.

[50:54] Thank you. Beautiful. Okay, guys. Motion to Yes, Michael. Sorry. I do it one

[50:59] more. Just a heads up. Now that the parks uh central park is complete, the

[51:04] lights will be on for uh open use over at Central Park, the rink till 10:00.

[51:09] We're going to leave lights on for the summertime until we start having some

[51:12] planned events there. Uh, but so if you see the lights on, they're on on

[51:15] purpose. Go use the go use the rake. Go use the rake. And also the lights at

[51:20] Blackbrook are finally working. So that only took

[51:24] » too many years. So, but those are up and running now, too. So,

[51:28] » beautiful. Good job. Now, I'm done. Okay, good. Motion to close. So, move.

[51:32] Second. Second. All in favor? I

[51:42] » [music]

[51:45] » Heat. Heat.

The August 13, 2026 Township of Hanover, NJ Committee Meeting

Transcript