[0:11] This meeting is being held in compliance
[0:13] with the provisions of the open public
[0:14] meetings act NJSA 104 I'm sorry 10 col
[0:22] herald. It was posted on the bulletin
[0:23] board maintained in the municipal
[0:25] building and was noticed on the burough
[0:27] website. Can I have the roll call? Mr.
[0:29] Bonjavani is absent. Mr. Falcone
[0:32] » Present.
[0:32] » Miss Johnson
[0:33] » Here.
[0:34] » Mr. Kusik.
[0:35] » Miss Rodriguez
[0:36] » Here. Mr. Taylor
[0:37] » Here.
[0:37] » Mayor Glatte
[0:38] » Here. If you will all stand and join me
[0:41] in a salute to the flag
[0:44] I pledge
[0:48] and to the republic for which it stands,
[0:51] one nation under God, indivisible, with
[0:54] liberty and justice for all.
[0:58] Please be seated.
[1:03] We have the presentation for the um
[1:07] commemorative quilt for Sussex County.
[1:09] As you can all see, it is in the back of
[1:11] the room.
[1:13] Um that was um
[1:16] just looking for my little
[1:21] paper from it so I can read. So this is
[1:24] the 250th celebration Sussex County
[1:26] quilt. There
[1:32] on October 30th, 2025, Jane Krueger
[1:35] reached out via an email to the local
[1:37] historical societies regarding the
[1:39] concept of creating a Sussex County
[1:41] quilt to commemorate the 250th
[1:43] celebration of the United States of
[1:44] America. Responses were quick and a
[1:47] meeting was arranged to discuss further
[1:49] details. On January 31st, 2026, some
[1:53] women gathered at Ogdensburg Historical
[1:55] Society to plan a strategy of
[1:57] accomplishing the goal by June 1st,
[1:59] 2026. All were in agreement that the
[2:02] quilt should represent all 24
[2:04] municipalities in Sussex County. The
[2:06] municipalities were divided up between
[2:08] the women and the next job was to seek
[2:10] out how each town wished to be
[2:11] represented in the quilt. In the next
[2:13] few weeks, the ideas were brought
[2:15] together to discuss, review, and create
[2:17] the quote blocks that would represent
[2:19] each municipality. It was also discussed
[2:21] how to incorporate the Sussex County
[2:23] Seal as well as special entities that
[2:25] made Sussex County special. The quilt on
[2:28] display reflects 10 weeks of dedicated
[2:31] work by 11 participants who diligently
[2:34] created 24 quilt blocks representing all
[2:36] municipalities in Sussex County. The
[2:38] Sussex County Seal is in the center to
[2:40] represent unity. The 16 inside quilt
[2:43] blocks represent many
[2:48] ferry bridge, the Leni Lennai Lenipe
[2:50] long house at Waterlue Village, a
[2:52] sunflower railroads, our men and women
[2:55] who served in our military, and the
[2:57] beloved Appalachian Trail are just a few
[2:59] of them. If you have the time this
[3:01] evening to take a look at it, we
[3:02] absolutely would love you to do that.
[3:04] It's going to be on display in our
[3:06] municipal buildings foyer for the next,
[3:08] I think it's week and a half. Um, it's
[3:10] going to start going on display. We had
[3:12] it on display at the event on Saturday
[3:14] at the um, America 250 in the Park. So,
[3:18] um, hopefully you all get to enjoy it.
[3:19] It's one of the most beautiful things
[3:20] I've ever seen. So, thank you to them.
[3:24] Um, moving on to our proclamations.
[3:41] So, our first recommendation is for Nina
[3:43] Capello. Can you come on up here?
[3:47] » Hey, Nina.
[3:49] [clears throat and laughter]
[3:50] » Don't embarrass her.
[3:53] Okay, our proclamation reads, Nina
[3:56] Capello, track and field achievements.
[3:58] Whereas the Burough Popo Pathon takes
[4:00] pride in recognizing the extraordinary
[4:02] talents, dedication, and achievements of
[4:04] our local youth athletes. And whereas
[4:07] Nina Capello has demonstrated
[4:09] discipline, resilience, and an
[4:10] unwavering competitive spirit through
[4:12] her training and commitment to track and
[4:14] field. And whereas Mina showcased her
[4:17] remarkable endurance and elite athletic
[4:19] capabilities at the New Jersey Junior
[4:21] Olympics Championship, placing sixth,
[4:24] region 2 Championship, placing fifth,
[4:27] and the AAOU Track and Field Region One
[4:29] meet placing second, qualifying her for
[4:32] the AAOU National Junior Olympics. And
[4:35] whereas these exceptional
[4:37] accomplishments bring profound pride and
[4:39] inspiration to sports enthusiasts,
[4:41] family members, and peers throughout our
[4:43] community, proving that youth sports
[4:45] build a foundation for lifelong success,
[4:47] teamwork, and leadership. Now therefore,
[4:50] I, Marie Gotti, mayor of the Burough
[4:52] Packon, have here to set my hand, cause
[4:54] the seal of the Burough Packon to be a
[4:56] fixed the second day of September, 2026.
[4:58] On behalf of the Burough Council and the
[5:00] residents of Hopackon, we extend our
[5:02] heartfelt congratulations to Nenah and
[5:05] wish her continued success in all of her
[5:07] future track and field endeavors and do
[5:09] hereby proclaim September 8th, 2026 as
[5:12] Nina Capella Day.
[5:32] Thank you.
[5:33] » Job may
[5:34] » Great job.
[5:39] Our next proclamation
[5:41] is for the 100th anniversary of
[5:43] Northwood Engine Company number two. If
[5:45] you can all come up this way.
[5:50] We need to recognize this because I
[5:52] won't be here for your 200th anniversary
[5:54] of
[5:57] as much as I'd like to
[5:59] » Steve you going to join us
[6:01] uniform.
[6:03] » Okay.
[6:08] » No worries.
[6:09] » So our proclamation reads 100th
[6:11] anniversary of Northwood Engine Company
[6:13] number two. Whereas the safety, health,
[6:15] and well-being of the residents of the
[6:17] Burough Hopon depend heavily on the
[6:19] dedication of our volunteer emergency
[6:20] services. And whereas the HPAN Fire
[6:23] Department, Northwood Engine Company
[6:25] number two, founded on July 11th, 1926
[6:28] by the residents of Glasser and Andover
[6:30] sections of the original Brooklyn
[6:32] Burrow, now formerly known as the Burrow
[6:34] of Pathon, was the first fire company in
[6:36] service for the burrow and remains our
[6:38] oldest fire company in service for the
[6:40] burrow. And whereas a fundraiser was
[6:43] held by the summer residents of
[6:44] Northwood, which would include Bert Lau,
[6:46] who is known for his role as the
[6:48] Cowardly Line in the Wizard of Oz. The
[6:50] funds were raised to purchase an Aeron's
[6:52] Fox, which was the first fire apparatus
[6:54] for Northwood and the only second fire
[6:56] apparatus for Hopackon.
[6:59] Whereas Northwood Engine Company was the
[7:01] first and only rescue fireboat presence
[7:03] until 2010. Northwood Engine Company
[7:06] introduced ice rescue and confined space
[7:09] rescue to the Burough Packon
[7:11] departments. And whereas the spirit of
[7:13] neighbors helping neighbors remains the
[7:15] foundation of this historic company.
[7:17] Exemplifying the highest ideals of
[7:19] community service, sacrifice and
[7:21] volunteerism. And now therefore be it
[7:24] resolved, I Marie Galotti, mayor of the
[7:25] Burough Packon, here to set my hand
[7:27] cause the seal of the Burough Packon to
[7:29] be affixed on the 2nd day of September
[7:31] 2026. On behalf of the Burough Council
[7:33] and residents of Opacon, officially
[7:36] extending their deepest congratulations,
[7:37] gratitude, and highest commendation to
[7:39] the officers and members of Northwood
[7:42] Engine Company number two on this
[7:43] historic milestone of their 100th
[7:45] anniversary.
[7:59] » Hey, now I will
[8:03] Do you want to get in it?
[8:13] » Congratulations.
[8:18] » Thank you all very
[8:28] » Thank you. Congratulations.
[8:39] Welcome. Good to have you.
[9:04] That's always fun doing the
[9:05] proclamations.
[9:08] » Moving on to committee reports. Um I
[9:11] would like to take a moment to recognize
[9:12] and sincerely thank the members of the
[9:14] America 250 committee planning uh
[9:17] committee. The planning began several
[9:19] months ago and the success of the
[9:21] concert in the park was made possible
[9:24] time. I their dedication and their
[9:26] teamwork. I am also very grateful to the
[9:28] generous sponsors, volunteers, community
[9:30] organizers, vendors, entertainers, and
[9:33] municipal professionals who helped make
[9:34] the day possible. The beautiful weather
[9:36] provided the perfect setting for our
[9:38] community to come together, and several
[9:39] participating organizations also had the
[9:41] opportunity to raise funds and support
[9:43] their important work. A special thank
[9:45] you to Jod from J&J Vendors for
[9:47] coordinating the ads on Facebook and for
[9:50] creating the lawn signs that help
[9:51] promote the event. It was truly a
[9:53] pleasure working with everyone involved.
[9:55] The concert in the park was a wonderful
[9:56] community success and I look forward to
[9:58] the opportunity to work together with
[10:00] them again on future events. Um we've
[10:03] also had our first meeting for the
[10:04] Hudson Guild hike for Hopackon. As you
[10:06] know the Hudson Guild hike was switched
[10:09] and we no longer have the May date. We
[10:11] are now October 17th. The Lake Aakon
[10:14] Foundation uh took over the Hudson Guild
[10:16] hike from the Lucianis and we cannot
[10:20] have the block party and the Hopakon
[10:22] hike in May at the same time. It's too
[10:24] much work for just that one group. So,
[10:26] we split them and now we're in October.
[10:28] So, mark your calendars for October 17th
[10:30] for the Hudson Guild hike. And as more
[10:32] details come out, we will give them to
[10:33] you. Uh we had a Sussex County Mayor's
[10:36] meeting with the director of the
[10:38] commissioners and one of the other uh
[10:40] members of the commission to discuss
[10:42] what's happening in our municipalities
[10:43] and to connect with county projects. Our
[10:46] 911 ceremony this year is Friday,
[10:48] September 11th at 6 p.m. It is a candle
[10:50] light vigil ceremony. It is also the
[10:52] 25th anniversary of 911. We will be
[10:55] adding an international flag ceremony
[10:57] which represents a country of birth or
[10:59] ancestry that lost citizens on 911.
[11:02] Currently we have a Dominican uh flag.
[11:05] We have a United Kingdom. We have a flag
[11:08] from Puerto Rico, Turkey, Germany,
[11:10] Italy, Ireland, and Poland that are
[11:13] currently represented by flags and
[11:15] residents. If anyone is interested in a
[11:17] different country to represent, please
[11:19] reach out for Max Facile, our recreation
[11:21] superintendent,
[11:23] um, please try to, if you have the
[11:25] opportunity to include yourself. The
[11:26] more that we have in our community, the
[11:28] nicer this international flag ceremony
[11:30] will be. Uh, September 20th is Sussex
[11:33] County Day. If you have not been to
[11:35] Sussex County Day, it is at the
[11:37] fairgrounds. There are food trucks,
[11:39] vendors, um, and a bunch of different
[11:42] things. I always liken it to the Sussex
[11:43] County Fair shrunken to just a few hours
[11:45] but without the rides. And the event is
[11:47] rain or shine. So hopefully we see you
[11:49] all there. And the Grand Prix boat races
[11:52] on Lake Opakon are September 19th and
[11:55] 20th at the Hopackon State Park. You
[11:57] certainly want to take notice of that
[11:58] because that is an issue with traffic on
[12:00] those specific days. And that was all
[12:02] that I had. Um, Steve,
[12:06] » On the DPW side, um, I was successful a
[12:10] little bit talking to Ron and DPW and
[12:13] the fire chiefs. It looks like we could
[12:15] potentially have four to five members
[12:19] respond in a daytime call to help out
[12:21] the volunteer fire department. So,
[12:24] that's like great news. I've been
[12:25] looking for that for a couple years now.
[12:27] 911 memorial service. You touched up on
[12:30] the 6 6 p.m. Uh we had a fire chief's
[12:33] meeting um a week and a half ago and um
[12:38] we just try and set up a officers
[12:40] meeting in next week or two to discuss a
[12:43] little bit further. Uh congratulations
[12:46] to my brothers and sisters at North
[12:47] Firehouse in their 100th anniversary.
[12:51] If you didn't get a chance to go to
[12:53] their open house last Saturday leading
[12:55] up to it, we spent about three weeks at
[12:59] each night
[13:01] cleaning, repairing, fixing the house
[13:04] for open house to just to make it look
[13:06] good. And they did it. It looked like
[13:08] almost like a brand new firehouse. But u
[13:11] that was a great
[13:15] I finally found out who Johnny is.
[13:19] I mean it was this guy Kevin Snider he
[13:22] was the OEM coordinator. He was telling
[13:24] me how big of a following who Johnny has
[13:27] and I didn't believe him to be honest
[13:29] with you. And then leading into Saturday
[13:31] I kept seeing more and more people
[13:33] flooding the park with you know camping
[13:35] out watching they did a fantastic job.
[13:38] They brought a lot of people to the
[13:40] park. A lot of vendor benefited from
[13:43] there. It was a really really great
[13:44] event. So, I look forward to hopefully
[13:48] seeing them more important.
[13:51] And that'll be it.
[13:53] » Nothing.
[13:55] » The environmental committee, we had a a
[13:57] booth set up at the 250 event. And I got
[14:00] to say, it's probably the most people
[14:02] we've had come to our tent in a long
[14:04] time. And we actually got from that, we
[14:08] had uh the scouts come to us and ask if
[14:11] they could donate, you know, volunteer.
[14:14] uh and we're working something out with
[14:16] them for the trails. Uh and they also
[14:19] asked about trail maintenance. So they
[14:21] they may be involved in that. And as far
[14:24] as the seniors go, our meetings
[14:26] tomorrow. So
[14:28] » That's all I have.
[14:31] » Um so for the school committee uh for
[14:34] school, school is open. They opened on
[14:36] their first day was August 31st. Drive
[14:38] carefully. We have a lot of walkers. Uh
[14:41] obey the crossing guards. They will jump
[14:44] in front of your car. I've I've seen
[14:46] them do it. They did. One of them did it
[14:47] today.
[14:48] » Crossing both.
[14:49] » Oh, yeah. They're like unsung heroes.
[14:51] Those crossing guards. Their next board
[14:54] of ed meeting is on September 28th at 7
[14:57] p.m.
[14:58] Football. Uh the football team varsity
[15:00] football has a home game against Mars
[15:02] Catholic this Friday at or I'm sorry, 6
[15:05] p.m. And their next home game is not
[15:07] until September 25th. for the municipal
[15:11] alliance September 21st at 6:15 in this
[15:14] room. The [clears throat] ambulance is
[15:16] uh meeting is on September 15th at 7:30
[15:19] p.m. at the ambulance department. For
[15:21] the ordinance committee, Ron and I met
[15:22] last week. We talked about cannabis
[15:24] ordinance that is on your agendas. The
[15:26] short-term rental that is on your
[15:27] agendas coming through are going to be
[15:30] some something about the fire marshall,
[15:32] uh septics, long-term rentals. I also
[15:35] wanted to wish congratulations to
[15:36] Northwood on their 100th anniversary.
[15:38] And I did attend the event on Saturday
[15:40] and it was it was wonderful. So, thank
[15:42] you to everybody who organized that.
[15:44] That's all.
[15:46] » Thank you, D.
[15:48] » Uh, no committee updates for me, mayor.
[15:50] Um, but Jen, the game I don't get to
[15:52] correct you often. The game's tomorrow.
[15:54] » Oh my gosh, you're right. Yes. I'm sorry
[15:56] 100%. It is tomorrow night. I said
[15:58] Friday, right? You did.
[15:59] » It is Thursday at 6 PM. I apologize for
[16:03] tomorrow night also.
[16:04] » Is it?
[16:04] » Yeah. Yeah.
[16:06] » Thank you.
[16:07] Sorry, Rachel.
[16:09] » Um, all right. A couple things. We'll go
[16:11] down the list here. I do want to start
[16:13] with the New Jersey State Police is um
[16:16] beginning an explore program. Usually,
[16:18] you have to be 17. Um, if you live in
[16:20] the northern region of New Jersey,
[16:22] Monday, September 14th from 7:00 p.m. to
[16:24] 9:00 p.m., please stop by their Troop B
[16:26] headquarters, which is at 250 Minisc
[16:29] Road in Toad. Um, and come learn about
[16:31] the Explorer program, what it takes to
[16:32] be a state trooper. Um, it's a lot of
[16:34] fun. It's interactive. Um, and you can
[16:37] ask a lot of really good questions and
[16:38] see some cool some cool things happen
[16:40] there. The Warriors pep rally is
[16:42] Wednesday, September 9th, 6 p.m. at
[16:44] Hilltop Field. Please come out for that.
[16:46] Um, our kids love the community support.
[16:49] Um, I want to congratulate Northwood on
[16:51] their 100th. I also stopped by their um,
[16:53] display. And I will say it wasn't just
[16:55] an open house. You don't just show up to
[16:57] a firehouse and kind of walk through.
[16:58] They really took the time. They had it
[16:59] was very interactive. They had like a
[17:01] scavenger hunt. Like you had to
[17:02] high-five a firefighter and you had to
[17:04] have it like have it checked off. off.
[17:05] There was a lot of accountability for
[17:07] the kids. They had to drag um a a
[17:10] unconscious person across the floor that
[17:13] was very heavy. Um they they it was a
[17:16] lot of amazing work that went into it.
[17:17] You guys did a great job with that. Um I
[17:19] know I do want to recognize that
[17:21] Assemblyman Mike Gammore and Congressman
[17:22] Keane um did also come by and I think
[17:25] give you guys proclamations at the
[17:27] firehouse as well, right? So, thank you
[17:28] for them to popping in. Um Planet
[17:31] Networks is in Hopackon. Um, I've never
[17:34] been so sad to break up with Opalum ever
[17:35] in my life. It's um a good day. So, if
[17:38] you guys see the trucks driving around,
[17:40] go to their website, put your address
[17:41] in. They will tell you if they are in
[17:42] your area, if they're coming to your
[17:44] area. Um, the customer service, I will
[17:46] say, within the first week, has been
[17:48] absolutely phenomenal. So, please check
[17:49] out their website to get more
[17:50] information.
[17:52] Um, and the only other thing I have is,
[17:55] um, I will say I know Jonathan, we
[17:58] talked about volunteer signups. if we
[17:59] can get a volunteer sign up link on the
[18:02] burough website and and better advertise
[18:04] it so we have like a database building
[18:06] of volunteers, you know, on hand, I
[18:08] think it would be really beneficial that
[18:10] way if a beautifification or
[18:11] environmental needs them. Um, just from
[18:13] like the quick touch point following the
[18:15] last meeting, I I had like 20 to 30
[18:17] people saying that they'd love to
[18:18] volunteer. They just don't know where to
[18:20] sign up. So maybe if we can do something
[18:21] there, then
[18:22] » I believe there's a link in the
[18:24] environmental web page.
[18:26] » Okay. I didn't see one, but I don't
[18:28] know. we can we can figure it out. Um,
[18:29] but I think that might be helpful for
[18:31] you guys. And that was all I had.
[18:34] » Thank you. Moving on to our
[18:36] administrator's report.
[18:37] » Thank you, mayor. Just real quick, you
[18:38] know, since we now have a budget, now we
[18:40] can get some things done. Uh, it's been
[18:42] long delayed. DPW has been working
[18:44] actively on potholes and curbing and
[18:47] Lord knows storm management. These
[18:49] torrential rains have really have really
[18:51] put pressure on our systems and and
[18:54] we're working hard to to get clear those
[18:56] up. We finally got able to get into
[18:58] Modic Park to do all the mulch and get
[19:00] that up to standard because every day I
[19:02] see kids playing over there and that's
[19:03] the highest used park I think there is
[19:05] in the burrow. So we focused on that to
[19:07] get that up and running so everybody's
[19:09] safe and the mulches at the right
[19:11] criteria. We cleaned it up, did a new uh
[19:15] wall around the the horse there that had
[19:17] been decrepit and it was falling down.
[19:19] So the guys went over there and cleaned
[19:20] that up. So that looks nice now. Um, if
[19:23] anybody has pothole issues or any of
[19:25] those types of things that we're you
[19:26] don't see us working on immediately,
[19:28] please let us know. Uh, just get on the
[19:30] website, report it, email me, email the
[19:32] DPW. We've got a long laundry list, but
[19:35] we just make sure it's on it. If it's
[19:36] not, we'll get you on it. Um,
[19:38] » Can we move it? Can we relocate it to
[19:40] the I know we've talked about the link
[19:42] before, but maybe make it a hot button
[19:43] on the homepage just so you don't have
[19:45] to dig through the pages. It seems to be
[19:46] a very frequent request lately.
[19:48] » If that's an option,
[19:49] » I'll take a look.
[19:50] » Thank you. week. So, but we we um we're
[19:54] very busy in that u the bell water issue
[19:57] bell a water we awarded the contractor
[20:00] last meeting we are having a
[20:02] pre-construction meeting next week that
[20:04] will set the timing and we'll get the
[20:06] scope of how long it's going to take the
[20:08] lead time of it the timing of the
[20:09] closures of the road the whole process
[20:10] of that so we'll be able to communicate
[20:12] that go door to door and make sure
[20:14] everybody's up to speed on what that um
[20:17] process is going to look that's going to
[20:18] be a big project that's not a that's not
[20:20] a small endeavor by no means, but we're
[20:22] ready to get it done and get it fixed
[20:23] and get a a new main going down that
[20:25] road and get that road repair and put
[20:27] that to bed.
[20:28] » The bus stop there, too. But I'm sure
[20:30] you'll coordinate with
[20:30] » Oh, yeah. We're going to get with the
[20:31] transportation group, the the all that.
[20:34] So, was really hoping to get that done
[20:36] before school, but as contracts go and
[20:39] and local bureaucracy and and all the
[20:41] things, we're going as fast as we can.
[20:43] And lastly, with that, I go back into
[20:45] the room with the blue collar uh
[20:47] contract next tomorrow. So, we're trying
[20:49] to wrap that up and now I get to do what
[20:52] we do the best is sell a piece of
[20:54] property. So, I'm going to turn this
[20:55] over to our our council.
[20:56] » Mayor, can we also just recognize
[20:58] Commissioner Alan Henderson also joined
[20:59] us this evening?
[21:01] » Yes, we will recognize this evening that
[21:03] Commissioner Alan Henderson has joined
[21:05] us in the back.
[21:06] » Thank you. Not necessarily,
[21:09] » Ron. This the opening bid on this one is
[21:11] 4,975,
[21:13] right? Yep.
[21:13] » Yep. Okay. Just wanted to make sure. All
[21:15] right, folks. This is our point in the
[21:17] meeting where we get to bid on the
[21:18] auction of block 10414 lot 3 known as 6
[21:22] Morris Road. The opening bid is $4,975.
[21:27] I'll just go over the ground rules
[21:28] pretty quick. Uh the burrow does not
[21:30] warrant or certify to the title and
[21:32] acreage set forth as it is approximate.
[21:34] In no event shall the burrow of hapac be
[21:36] liable for any damages to the purchaser
[21:38] successful bidder if title is found
[21:40] unmarketable for any reason and the
[21:41] purchaser successful bidder waves any
[21:43] and all right in damages or by way of
[21:45] leans against the burrow. The sole
[21:46] remedy shall be the right to receive a
[21:48] refund if a title objection is made
[21:50] prior to closing of the 10% deposit
[21:53] paid. It shall be the obligation of the
[21:55] successful purchaser to examine title of
[21:57] the said premises prior to closing. In
[21:59] the event of closing and later finding
[22:00] of a defect in title, the burl shall not
[22:02] be responsible for sale and shall not be
[22:04] required to refund money or correct any
[22:06] defect in title or to held liable for
[22:08] damages. Acceptance of the highest bid
[22:10] shall constitute a binding agreement of
[22:11] sale and the purchaser shall be deemed
[22:13] to agree to comply with the terms and
[22:15] conditions of the sale here and contain
[22:17] the purchase
[22:21] by the way
[22:23] $450 in the bureau's transaction cost.
[22:25] So, having said all that, we're now
[22:28] going to opening the open the bidding on
[22:30] block 10414 lot 36 Morris Road. And
[22:37] do we have any bids?
[22:39] Okay, we have a bid right there for
[22:40] $4,975.
[22:42] Is there anybody else that wish to bid
[22:44] on that property? Going once, going
[22:47] twice, going three times. Lucky winner
[22:50] in the back of the room. So,
[22:54] » Congratulations. Congratulations. We'll
[22:55] get all the pictures.
[22:56] » We got up. We know. We know them.
[22:58] » Okay.
[22:59] » Got it.
[23:01] » We're done.
[23:02] » We're done. Thank you.
[23:02] » Thank you.
[23:03] » See you Friday.
[23:07] » Moving on to public comments. Can I have
[23:09] a motion open to the public?
[23:10] » I'll make a motion. Second
[23:12] » Discussion really quick. Um, I know
[23:14] Shauna, I had sent an email, I guess
[23:16] going back to like how we approved the
[23:18] agenda, right, from the reorg and the
[23:20] format that it was laid out in and the
[23:21] change that we made. For the benefit of
[23:23] the public, can we just let them know
[23:25] when we change portions of the public
[23:27] comment because the last thing we want
[23:29] is for you guys to think that we're
[23:30] being reactive to you guys coming up and
[23:33] speaking and then this modifies because
[23:34] of something that happened. So, um, from
[23:37] what I learned, and please correct me,
[23:38] Sha, if I'm wrong, this what's what's
[23:40] listed under the public comment and the
[23:42] rules and kind of how it works, that's
[23:43] part of Robert's rules.
[23:44] » Correct.
[23:45] » Correct. So, it's just modified. So,
[23:47] there's additional language added in
[23:48] that already is part of the rules that
[23:50] are established. It's just not the whole
[23:52] section of it. So, um, that's the
[23:54] clarity on that. So, just if we change
[23:57] anything, I think the benefit should be
[23:58] to notify the public so they understand
[24:00] it's we're not being reactive to
[24:02] anything that they do here. Thank you.
[24:05] All those in favor? I
[24:08] » Okay, meeting is open to the public.
[24:12] » How you doing? Uh name is AP Schmidt. Um
[24:16] you probably all know why I'm here. This
[24:18] uh I think my third appearance in front
[24:19] of you. I've not been here since June.
[24:22] Um I advise you then I give you some
[24:25] time to come up with a plan of action um
[24:28] to tell me what we plan to do about the
[24:32] use of illegal fireworks in town. Um, so
[24:35] I suffered through another summer of
[24:36] them again allowing you guys to
[24:38] formulate a plan. So I hope tonight you
[24:41] have some kind of answers for me. Um, I
[24:44] would also like to take a minute to
[24:46] thank uh, Councilwoman Rodriguez for
[24:50] reaching out and checking in around 4th
[24:52] of July. I thought that was uh,
[24:53] extremely kind and again showing uh,
[24:56] compassion and an understanding of this
[24:59] issue. Um, so I'm not going to get, you
[25:02] know, too far into it. Like I said, I
[25:03] gave you some time to come up with a
[25:05] plan before I take further action. Um,
[25:08] so I hope tonight that you will have
[25:09] some answers for me on what you uh plan
[25:12] to do. One of the other things I would
[25:14] suggest though, which I still don't
[25:16] understand um why it's never
[25:19] communicated on your digital board. I
[25:21] see um communication about pretty much
[25:25] everything that the town wants to
[25:26] communicate, including
[25:31] can't be put out there uh at least once
[25:34] a month. Um that you guys have a zero
[25:37] tolerance policy to the use of illegal
[25:39] fireworks. Um it's one way you can
[25:40] communicate this to the town. Um I don't
[25:43] know if that costs you anything. Um, so
[25:46] I know you had mentioned in the past
[25:48] about Prox
[25:51] about possibly sending out the uh letter
[25:54] that was um issued by uh Chief Mahusky
[25:59] um to the entire town. Again, it's not
[26:01] just my neighborhood that this is an
[26:02] issue. Um it's a townwide problem. Um so
[26:08] uh that being said, I'm not going to
[26:09] take up any more of your time, but I
[26:11] would like to uh hear what your response
[26:13] is tonight. Thank you.
[26:18] » Do you want to take that real quick?
[26:19] » Uh, we do have official communications
[26:21] going out in the next tax bill. So, that
[26:23] will get to everybody.
[26:25] » Um, and we'll take a look at a a
[26:28] repeatable type of message. I know we
[26:29] put one out at 4th of July that was out
[26:31] in the front. So, we'll revamp that as a
[26:34] more generic,
[26:36] » Right? And I do I do appreciate that.
[26:37] Again, I think I've, you know, explained
[26:39] to you guys, I'm not going to be that
[26:40] guy on Fourth of July, New Year's.
[26:42] » No. have your puff, right? Got even
[26:44] though they are illegal. Um,
[26:46] » And I know the police is tracking
[26:48] complaints.
[26:48] » It's a random Tuesday night on in April,
[26:51] in May and June and July. Okay.
[26:54] » All you know. So, okay,
[26:55] » We got it. Thank you.
[26:56] » You also talked to public captain and he
[26:59] also to throw in his digital sign and it
[27:01] will rotate automatically and stuff.
[27:04] Yep,
[27:04] » We got that.
[27:05] » So, the physical letter is going out
[27:06] with the tax bills or is it like a QR
[27:08] code to the website with the letter?
[27:11] Anyone else?
[27:15] » Rachel had a question.
[27:18] » I think Ron answered it.
[27:19] » She didn't answer it.
[27:20] » What's that?
[27:21] » Sorry. Yeah. Like is So that the tax
[27:22] bill notice, is it like an actual copy
[27:24] of the letter that's going out with
[27:25] everything?
[27:26] » Notice. It's a notice of all the illegal
[27:27] stuff. This is illegal. Can't use this.
[27:29] Can't use this. Can't use that. It's
[27:31] very very informative.
[27:32] » Awesome. Thank you.
[27:34] » Franco Mccer, I just wanted to follow up
[27:36] and thank you for your attention to the
[27:38] pothole situation on the top of Brooklyn
[27:40] Mountain. It's greatly appreciated they
[27:42] were fixed in a timely fashion. I want
[27:44] to say like within 48 hours. Um I still
[27:49] see the black pipe that's sticking out
[27:51] of the person's yard. So where the
[27:53] potholes were fixed like two or three
[27:56] houses down on the right hand side as
[27:58] you're going down to uh lakeside, that
[28:01] person's drainage pipe is still out into
[28:04] the road.
[28:06] » I don't know what it's hooked up to, but
[28:07] I don't think
[28:08] » Probably is.
[28:10] I don't think it should be draining into
[28:11] the road. That's all. Thank you.
[28:13] » Thank you.
[28:14] » Yeah.
[28:21] Then Richie,
[28:23] just wondering if um anyone on the
[28:26] council and the mayor thinks that
[28:28] there's um conflict of interest when we
[28:31] have people on our committees like the
[28:32] land use board and mayorappointed
[28:35] committees that are doing contract work
[28:37] for the burrow and making money off of
[28:40] the burrow when especially in the land
[28:42] use board making decisions regarding the
[28:46] burrow and how this is happening and why
[28:50] it hasn't been flagged in the past or
[28:53] possibly now cuz I see a conflict in it.
[28:57] I would love to be paid to make
[28:59] decisions on the bureau's behalf and
[29:01] then have my company come and do repairs
[29:04] or services.
[29:06] Thank you.
[29:12] » Hi Carolyn Turner.
[29:15] Good evening. I returned I returned from
[29:18] the county u upon your uh well I was
[29:21] here last month or when August 12th and
[29:25] uh you had suggested that we go to the
[29:27] county and asked them to do a
[29:28] comprehensive road study for county road
[29:30] 609. Uh we're trying to get the uh speed
[29:33] limit lowered. We were asking for speed
[29:35] bumps and signage and all kinds of
[29:37] information, all kinds of uh stuff for
[29:39] that road to possibly slow uh the
[29:42] traffic down, the uh the speeders down.
[29:45] Uh and we did go up to the county and
[29:47] they were extremely helpful. Uh very
[29:50] receptive to all of the information.
[29:52] They certainly helped us out a lot. Uh
[29:54] they gave us all kinds of contact
[29:56] information. Uh we sent information to
[29:59] the engineers. Um we uh forwarded
[30:02] documentation um you know asking for uh
[30:06] road signs being put up and um of course
[30:10] we're on a list like everybody else is.
[30:12] Um, in the meantime, [clears throat]
[30:14] they did tell us to come back and to ask
[30:16] you if you would have your police
[30:18] department
[30:19] um enforce the speed limits on that
[30:22] road. And we do recognize and I I sent a
[30:25] letter uh email to uh the chief. I think
[30:30] you all got a copy of it. Um and uh she
[30:34] responded to me. Um there is a definite
[30:37] uh police presence out there. Uh well,
[30:40] first the county put out a a speed uh
[30:43] sign
[30:45] um on the I think it was on the south
[30:47] side. If I use Lola's as an example of
[30:50] the south and north, okay, south of
[30:53] Lola's there was a speed sign. It was
[30:55] near um I think uh
[30:58] Hilltop.
[31:00] » Um and the county put that sign out
[31:02] there. Um it was up for 10 days and it's
[31:04] been taken down now. Uh the chief
[31:07] apparently did a uh a study and there
[31:10] were approximately 309 cars and the
[31:13] average speed was 34.94.
[31:16] Uh
[31:18] that means that people are speeding as
[31:20] far as I'm concerned. I don't know how
[31:21] the average was determined but she did
[31:24] that. Uh we um there was also u one of
[31:30] the neighbors had uh signage out there
[31:32] that they created themselves. They were
[31:34] asked to remove that signage uh because
[31:36] it's the speed limit is 35 miles on the
[31:39] road according to what the police
[31:41] department tells us. Um uh as of today
[31:46] [clears throat] over the weekend um the
[31:47] the police were out there uh stopping
[31:50] people. Someone was stopped in front of
[31:52] my house on uh Saturday. Um I I guess
[31:55] just given a warning. Um today there was
[31:59] a an officer out there. He actually uh
[32:02] went after two. I guess they were
[32:04] speeding because he went after them. And
[32:07] uh whether they got tickets or not, I'm
[32:09] not really sure. Um, what I'm asking,
[32:12] uh, is that I know that there 3 minutes
[32:16] are up and there I know that there's a a
[32:18] a speed radar that belongs to the town
[32:21] that's not in working order, but when it
[32:24] does become in working order, if you
[32:26] could put it on the north side of Lola's
[32:29] and I'll let use my property. You can
[32:31] put it on my property. [clears throat]
[32:32] You know, that's where the officer was
[32:34] sitting today for half an hour and he he
[32:37] uh went after two people. you know, it
[32:40] continues to be an issue. Uh we
[32:43] appreciate the department being out
[32:45] there and all the help that they're
[32:46] giving us. Uh you know, we're here
[32:48] because we want the the you know, the
[32:50] safety of the people that live on our
[32:52] roads. And uh Thank you.
[32:54] » I have a question.
[32:55] » Yeah.
[32:56] » The sign that went up, you said it was
[32:57] taken down.
[32:58] » Yes.
[32:58] » What was the reason for it? Was it was
[33:00] was the did the county say it was just
[33:02] going to be a temporary sign?
[33:03] » That I didn't even know. I spoke to um
[33:06] uh Mr. for Carney yesterday and he told
[33:10] me that he had requested that a sign be
[33:12] put up. Uh um he wasn't sure exactly
[33:15] when it was coming up and I said, "Well,
[33:16] there was one up and I know that that it
[33:19] did not belong to the c the pharaoh. It
[33:22] belonged to the county." We were told
[33:23] that it belonged to the county and I I I
[33:26] mentioned that to him and he says,
[33:27] "Well, you know, I guess they acted a
[33:28] little bit faster than I had
[33:30] anticipated." So, I don't know, you
[33:32] know, how long he was going to keep it
[33:34] up or 10. It was about 10 days that it
[33:36] was up.
[33:37] » Did you see any Did you see a difference
[33:39] with the sign up?
[33:40] » Well, everybody stops when they see
[33:42] those signs. They slow down.
[33:44] » Yeah, there there was a difference, but
[33:46] the the the speed on the road and so the
[33:50] the the speed limit was Mark 35 on that
[33:52] sign and along that road. I don't know
[33:54] if you're familiar with it or not, but
[33:56] it goes from 35 to 10 to 15 to 20 and
[33:59] you know there's curves and everything,
[34:00] you know. So the yellow signs, the
[34:02] caution signs, nobody pays attention to
[34:04] them, you know, they're just like
[34:06] they're there, you know, it's and
[34:08] they're assuming that it's a 35 mph
[34:10] road, which it is, granted, but people
[34:13] are going a lot lot faster than that.
[34:15] » Okay.
[34:16] » Way faster, especially down on that
[34:18] north side. They're coming in from
[34:20] Jefferson and Landing. And I mean, you
[34:22] know, I know that everybody speeds.
[34:26] We're not angels here.
[34:27] » Not me or Rachel.
[34:29] » No. speak for yourself.
[34:31] » So, I did speak with Commissioner Carney
[34:32] yesterday for an extended period of time
[34:34] after he spoke to you.
[34:35] » Okay.
[34:35] » Um, so we are aware that the chief here
[34:38] has had patrols out there. We're aware
[34:40] of what's been happening out there. That
[34:42] will continue from what I understand.
[34:44] Um, I believe Commissioner Carney was
[34:46] going to look into the sign uh being
[34:49] more of a permanency. Um, however,
[34:52] again, that's something that comes
[34:53] through them. And he did tell me, he
[34:55] says, "I got to be honest." He goes,
[34:56] "And I told her, you're on a list,
[34:58] right?" you know, it's Sussex County.
[35:00] You're on a list. So, he says the
[35:01] engineer will be able to get to it as
[35:03] quickly as he can. But, um, he did tell
[35:05] us, he did reach out to tell me that he
[35:07] spoke with you and explained everything
[35:09] to you.
[35:10] » Yes, he did. Thank you.
[35:16] » Anyone else?
[35:17] » Yes.
[35:21] » Victoria, I also live on 609. Um, I'm
[35:25] wondering if there's any possibility of
[35:28] getting a sign that says hidden drive or
[35:30] blind drive. I live on uh 609 past las
[35:35] where there's you're going up the hill
[35:37] and it's blind and my driveway is right
[35:39] there and people come flying up from
[35:43] either direction. And I mean, luckily I
[35:46] I generally I get out in the street and
[35:48] make sure there's no one coming in
[35:50] either direction before I pull out. But
[35:53] even uh there's a couple of neighbors
[35:55] down like I'm on the peak and I have to
[35:58] go out and look. But the people the next
[36:00] going down they can't even come out of
[36:02] their driveway and see if someone's
[36:04] flying over that hill.
[36:06] So I mean it's been a longstanding thing
[36:09] and I don't know the process. Um I'm I
[36:13] went to the meeting of the county also
[36:14] and and Mr. Carney said that the signs
[36:18] are made in the county or the town and
[36:20] so it shouldn't be that shouldn't be as
[36:22] hard as like you know the study of the
[36:25] street and everything. So, uh I'm
[36:27] wondering if we could take a look at
[36:29] making a hidden drive, blind drive or
[36:32] something to that thought.
[36:36] » Yeah. The only thing is that's a county
[36:38] road. So obviously we'd have to have
[36:39] that that would be a decision for the
[36:41] county to make if the county says it's
[36:43] okay to put the sign up that we can't
[36:44] put signs up without their permission on
[36:46] their road.
[36:47] » Okay. So I need to get their permission
[36:48] because they told us to come back to you
[36:50] for the sign. He told me he said because
[36:52] they're made here. He said go back and
[36:54] ask.
[36:54] » We don't make the signs.
[36:55] » Well, maybe we call to the county and
[36:58] ask.
[36:58] » Simple fix, right?
[36:59] » Yeah. Rather than having her go back and
[37:01] forth, just one of us call somebody
[37:03] somebody call the county and see if we
[37:04] can get that done.
[37:05] » I don't know. Next time you come down,
[37:06] can you bring us on now?
[37:09] No, that would be very very much
[37:11] appreciated.
[37:12] » We can certainly reach out. We can
[37:13] certainly
[37:13] » Thank you so much.
[37:19] » Anyone else?
[37:24] » That shirt man.
[37:28] » How many red shirts do you have?
[37:30] » I leave the gym and I just come here.
[37:32] Oh, right. I said, you know who I am.
[37:35] Um, good evening. Um, another good
[37:37] turnout tonight. Looks like about half
[37:40] the seats are filled. That's great. Um,
[37:42] you got me laughing. I keep laughing.
[37:44] Kidding me. Um, great turnout on the
[37:46] 250th, by the way. Um, I don't know. I I
[37:50] went before, I went after. I came early,
[37:52] came late, and it was, um, it was nice.
[37:54] Um,
[37:57] I'm not stating my name tonight or my
[38:00] address because it's come to my
[38:01] attention that I do not have to. Um, in
[38:04] regards to public comment rules, um,
[38:07] maybe there's some more information in
[38:09] that, um, Rule that you were referencing
[38:12] to earlier. That would be great if you
[38:14] can let us know a little bit more about
[38:15] that. I'd love to get more information.
[38:18] Um,
[38:21] um,
[38:23] 3 minutes is my time uninterrupted, our
[38:25] time uninterrupted. If we directly
[38:27] question someone on the council, um I
[38:31] guess and if they choose to address us,
[38:34] does that stop my time?
[38:36] » No. What public comment is public
[38:37] comment? So I don't want to use up your
[38:39] time, but you make your comments and
[38:40] then they can respond
[38:42] » And they can after
[38:43] » After you're done. Yeah.
[38:44] » Okay. So any interaction is at the
[38:46] discretion of the council and the person
[38:48] who chooses to when they're up here,
[38:50] » Right? It's it's the same. Well, I'll
[38:52] explain more when you're done.
[38:53] » Thank you. I appreciate that.
[38:55] Um,
[38:59] in regards to ordinance 242206
[39:02] that's going to be discuss discussed
[39:03] later. I'm bringing it up now because
[39:05] there's no opportunity to speak to it
[39:06] publicly later. Um, it was my un it's in
[39:09] regards to cannabis. Um it was from what
[39:12] I'm understanding or forgive me but from
[39:14] what I'm understanding from our previous
[39:16] um meetings was that we were simply
[39:18] moving forward with an ordinance or
[39:19] details and regulations as the town have
[39:22] already voted and I understand that it
[39:23] was a it was a state vote but we know
[39:25] how Pacong voted. Um and I know there's
[39:28] some back and forth on to whether or not
[39:29] we were actually going to put it up to
[39:31] vote on in November because it may or
[39:32] may not be wasting time. Um, look, I'm
[39:35] against or not against, but
[39:39] and but I will say that it looks as
[39:41] though Hopakhai wants to move forward on
[39:43] it. So, I think we should do what we can
[39:45] not to be not to be tripping over things
[39:47] to make that happen. Um, is that real or
[39:51] do I have a little more time?
[39:52] » That's it. Hurry up.
[39:54] » But you took some of my time, so I'm
[39:56] going to block cameras. There are there
[39:59] are now towns, counties, and states,
[40:01] some Republican, that have either banned
[40:03] them or have made amendments to the
[40:05] settings or made some type of a public
[40:07] comment to them. I'd love to see it come
[40:09] on one of our agendas one of these
[40:11] times, or we could potentially discuss
[40:13] it. Uh, data center, ice center, or any
[40:15] large installations in our area that can
[40:18] potentially impact our water. Can we
[40:19] start looking into that? Can we discuss
[40:21] it? And if it's a fallacy and we're kind
[40:23] of in this little silo, then just say it
[40:25] so we won't be speculating anymore. Um,
[40:29] not bad. The clock if you I have eight
[40:31] seconds if anybody wants to respond to
[40:33] me.
[40:38] » Well, on on the public comment just and
[40:40] it's not you know what I mean. You get
[40:41] your three minutes, right? It's public
[40:42] comment. So, it's not a back and forth
[40:44] or whatever. So, whenever the speaker is
[40:46] done and somebody on the council wants
[40:48] to respond or has an answer, they will
[40:50] respond. And that doesn't take away from
[40:52] your time from your time or whatever.
[40:54] But that's why it's like three minutes
[40:56] of you can go up there say whatever you
[40:58] have to say. Somebody wants to respond,
[40:59] you know, and if you have a series of
[41:00] questions, you list your series of
[41:02] questions and that way you don't get
[41:03] into the back and forth say, "Well, you
[41:04] were talking for 35 minutes, 30 35
[41:06] seconds of my time, and I get that
[41:08] back." So,
[41:09] » Okay. Thank you. And I don't mean to
[41:11] come in I know at times I can come in an
[41:13] adversarial sense, but in this case,
[41:14] it's like look, I have certain feelings
[41:17] about literally seeing a clock there. I
[41:18] think it's absurd. I think we should
[41:19] also get more time, but I digress. But
[41:22] like I just wanted at least to
[41:24] understand the rules and regulations of
[41:25] what we're
[41:25] » Doing. Yeah. And I and let me just
[41:26] address the clock because I I'm in a lot
[41:29] of towns. So what happens is you've got
[41:31] somebody like me up here going uh if
[41:34] it's you know it's usually 3 minutes is
[41:35] pretty much a standard 3 to 5 and I go
[41:37] uh I got to go all right 1 minute left.
[41:39] You know and that's more annoying. At
[41:41] least you can look up if you're speaking
[41:43] and see the clock and see how much time
[41:44] you have left. I think that's a lot less
[41:46] intrusive than somebody like me going
[41:49] all right you got a minute left 30
[41:50] seconds 10. You know, because you can
[41:52] never get in a rhythm. I mean, that's at
[41:53] least with this. I I know you got to
[41:55] look up, but it's the less.
[41:59] » No, you made your point there. It makes
[42:00] sense.
[42:01] » Michael, what did you say? You said you
[42:03] said the flock camera's ice and then I
[42:04] forgot that I didn't.
[42:05] » And really quick, Rob.
[42:07] » Yeah. And and Robert's rules.
[42:08] » Okay. One at a time.
[42:11] » I didn't get a
[42:13] » I was talking about I was talking about
[42:15] data centers and I was also um I
[42:16] addressed the marijuana later
[42:19] » Because there was no public comment. So,
[42:20] I took my opportunity.
[42:21] » Thank you.
[42:23] » Oh, I took you.
[42:24] » Okay. Thank you. All right. Are you
[42:25] timing me? Okay. No, no, no. So,
[42:27] Robert's Robert's rules. So, there is a
[42:28] link on the bro website that links to
[42:30] Robert's rules that has the full like
[42:32] meeting layout, how meeting supposed to
[42:34] run. So, I'll send you that link so you
[42:35] can kind of read it over. It's not going
[42:37] to fit on one page, which is why like
[42:38] they take section regarding public
[42:40] comment. There's a lot more to it. So,
[42:41] I'll send you the link. It's a big read,
[42:43] but you'd probably enjoy it.
[42:44] » Thank you.
[42:45] » Okay.
[42:46] » Thank you.
[42:47] » Thank you.
[42:50] I'll be okay.
[42:54] [laughter]
[42:58] » My name is Kevin Thomas for agenda item
[43:00] I believe 13. You are voting on refunded
[43:02] construction permits. Uh I'm the
[43:04] property owner. I'm happy to explain
[43:05] what your process is, but I'm happy to
[43:07] explain why that's being asked for if
[43:08] that's needed
[43:10] done.
[43:11] » Sure.
[43:11] » The resolution is pretty clear that you
[43:12] decided to not do the project. So,
[43:14] » Uh yeah, because it wasn't required to
[43:16] be done.
[43:16] » Yeah.
[43:17] » Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
[43:23] » How about
[43:28] » I was very uh pleased when the new
[43:30] administration came in and increased the
[43:33] public participation to two two things.
[43:37] Then it was it was 10 minutes. Now uh we
[43:41] didn't hear about this at any of the
[43:42] meetings or anything. All of a sudden
[43:44] you changed it. Now we only have six
[43:46] minutes and we had five minutes under
[43:50] the old administration, but it was only
[43:52] one public comment period. Now we have
[43:55] two public comments, but they're only
[43:57] three minutes a piece. So all you gave
[43:59] us was a minute. And I'd like to know
[44:02] why all of a sudden we've been going
[44:05] with 10 minutes and there hasn't seemed
[44:07] to be a problem. uh we didn't have that
[44:10] have the police come in and take people
[44:13] out of the room because they were
[44:14] talking too long. Why all of a sudden
[44:17] the clock and the and uh uh cutting us
[44:21] down to six minutes?
[44:23] » Well, I think the six was voted on at
[44:25] the beginning of the year
[44:26] » Number one. Then with regard to the
[44:28] clock, again, it's less disruptive, I
[44:31] think, if you have a clock so you can
[44:32] look up at it at your leisure or when
[44:34] you have a break and whatever you're
[44:35] saying as opposed to me or somebody else
[44:38] saying 1 minute, minute 30, 30 seconds.
[44:41] » Still going. You're talking.
[44:43] » Oh, sorry. Okay. All right. I'll shut
[44:45] up. Sorry, Dave.
[44:46] » Um, Dave. Yeah. So,
[44:50] » Yeah, when we when we came in
[44:51] » Still going.
[44:52] » Do you have any other questions? I have
[44:54] a what? I have a whole minute.
[44:56] » Finish finish your questions. We part
[44:58] two.
[44:59] » No, if you could stop the clock, I'd be
[45:01] happy to do that. Ask your questions and
[45:03] I'm gonna answer.
[45:04] » Oh, okay.
[45:05] » 18.
[45:06] » Okay. The um Have we done anything as
[45:09] far as the town the burrows uh speed
[45:13] limits enforcing the speed limits in our
[45:16] town? We would, the lady spoke about the
[45:19] county road, but we also would like to
[45:22] have the uh burrow street safe. Has
[45:25] anything been done?
[45:26] » Absolutely.
[45:27] » What?
[45:27] » We've been on Durban, Flora. We're all
[45:30] over the county. And by the way, that
[45:31] county road is in the burrow.
[45:33] » So, we we consider that part of our of
[45:36] our regulations.
[45:37] » So, you can enforce the law on the
[45:39] county road as well as here.
[45:41] » Okay. Um, how's Bel Street going?
[45:45] » My neighborhood. I think Ron covered
[45:47] that earlier.
[45:48] » I I didn't hear it. Are they paving it
[45:50] or what?
[45:51] » Yeah, that Well, go I don't
[45:53] » Can we let him go with his question then
[45:55] answer him after just because
[45:57] » Um it's good to see the guardrail fixed
[45:59] on Crescent and um the fire hydrants all
[46:03] painted red which bright red which is
[46:05] nice. I see you've been doing that. Um
[46:09] let's see the marijuana how with your
[46:12] committee. I mean, it seems like it's
[46:14] the horse has left the barn. It seems
[46:17] like Stanh Hope has it and all these
[46:19] other towns have it. 2,000 towns, there
[46:22] are 2,000 marijuana shops in New Jersey
[46:25] already. Uh it would seem that we're
[46:28] spinning our wheels now to get it in
[46:30] Hakai. How much how much uh have we
[46:34] spoken to Stanh Hope and and some of
[46:36] these other burrows to see how much
[46:38] they're making and whether it's worth
[46:40] all your efforts or maybe your efforts
[46:42] could go into other areas.
[46:45] » Thank you.
[46:48] » Hang on, Dave.
[46:49] » Okay, we're gonna All right, we'll go
[46:50] around.
[46:50] » Dave, hang on.
[46:51] » Oh, so regarding public comment. So when
[46:54] we Yes, when we came in in 2024 with the
[46:56] new administration, we added the second
[46:58] public comment section back. We
[46:59] increased public comment to 5 minutes.
[47:01] This year the time was reduced to 3
[47:03] minutes and I can say I can only speak
[47:05] for myself. I can't speak for the rest
[47:06] of council. I didn't go through the
[47:08] agenda personally with a fine tooth
[47:10] comb. I recognize that the time was
[47:11] lowered to 3 minutes after the fact. I
[47:14] much would prefer to see it at 5
[47:15] minutes. Some people prefer that the
[47:17] meeting keep going. So four minutes cut
[47:19] off saves them a lot of time I suppose.
[47:22] But I would love to have that discussion
[47:24] with council later about putting public
[47:26] comment back to 5 minutes. If anybody's
[47:28] taking the time to come out and speak,
[47:29] I'm not we shouldn't be cutting you off
[47:31] like we should be here to listen for
[47:32] you. It's our jobs. So,
[47:33] » Thank you. I greatly appreciate that.
[47:38] » You want to you touch on Bill?
[47:41] » You want to touch on Belle, Dave? Huh?
[47:44] » Bel,
[47:45] » You got a couple more questions to
[47:46] answer, right?
[47:47] » Oh, yeah. Well, no. You guys
[47:52] » Can you hear me?
[47:53] » I can.
[47:54] » Okay.
[47:55] » We're having a pre-construction meeting
[47:56] next week for the installation of the
[47:59] water man, the new water man, and then
[48:01] when they're done, we'll repave the
[48:02] road. So, we're we're setting the
[48:04] schedule next week. We'll communicate
[48:06] that out to everybody once we know what
[48:08] that is, the lead time on getting
[48:10] materials and all that stuff. So, yes,
[48:12] progress on Bell is happening. We'll
[48:15] you'll see some progress in construction
[48:17] hopefully very soon. Okay.
[48:19] » And can I answer your question on Bell,
[48:20] Dave? I agree with you 100%. That that's
[48:23] what happens when we drive our feet for
[48:25] a year and a half.
[48:26] » You mean cannabis?
[48:27] » On cannabis. What did I say?
[48:28] » Bill.
[48:29] » Oh my god. I'm so sorry. On cannabis.
[48:31] Yes.
[48:31] » Wow.
[48:33] » Uh and I agree with you about the five
[48:34] minutes and that clock.
[48:35] » Jeez.
[48:36] » You're welcome.
[48:38] » Thank you. Anyone else?
[48:40] » Bell cannabis.
[48:43] But I just said that. But I just said
[48:45] that.
[48:46] » Hey, good evening everyone. My name is
[48:47] Ryan Za. Uh I'm sorry about speeding and
[48:50] shooting off fireworks. I'll stop that
[48:52] immediately.
[48:54] » Uh thank you Councilwoman Rodriguez for
[48:56] bringing up the uh stop sign again at
[48:58] Shore and Repelia. Appreciate that.
[49:01] » Uh Councilman Falcone.
[49:03] » Yeah.
[49:04] » There we go, sir. Um, speaking of shore
[49:07] and repellia, uh, there are four cones
[49:10] in front of my house on on well shore
[49:14] repellia areas really right there. Those
[49:16] cones have been there for about 4
[49:17] months. I know we're, you know, we're
[49:19] getting to everything that we can as
[49:20] quickly as we can, but uh, another
[49:23] resident brought up the fact their their
[49:26] cones or their issues were addressed
[49:27] within 48 hours. It's been quite a few
[49:30] months now that those cones have been
[49:31] there. One of those cones is mine. uh
[49:33] you can use it as long as you need, but
[49:35] please just give it back when you're
[49:36] done. Um, regarding the marijuana, I
[49:39] know we're going to be talking about
[49:39] this shortly. I don't know if this is
[49:41] going to be addressed or has been
[49:42] addressed, but under NJSA1 1937-1, a
[49:46] non-binding municipal question adopted
[49:48] by the governing body has to be filed
[49:50] within the county clerk 88 days before
[49:52] the general election. This November,
[49:54] that date was August 7th. Tonight is
[49:56] September 2nd, and this is the only
[49:58] first reading. Uh, so which election is
[50:01] this ref uh referendum intended for? or
[50:03] is it uh November of 2026 or November of
[50:05] 2027? I asked the council to say plainly
[50:08] because most residents hearing the word
[50:10] referendum tonight uh will assume
[50:12] they're voting on this fall. Uh second
[50:15] question on sequencing. If ordinance 21
[50:17] permits cannabis business now and the
[50:19] referendum on ordinance 24 can't reach
[50:21] voters until a year or more from now,
[50:23] what is the referendum meant to decide?
[50:26] Would the council delay final adoption
[50:28] of ordinance 21 until after the vote? or
[50:31] is the permitting ordinance going
[50:32] forward regardless of the result? Either
[50:35] answer is legitimate policy choice, but
[50:37] residents should know which one is this
[50:39] before a public hearing on ordinance 21.
[50:42] Uh third on process, will the full text
[50:45] of both ordinances, including the exact
[50:47] wording of the ballot question, be
[50:48] posted on the bureau's website before
[50:50] the public hearing and not only made
[50:53] available at the clerk's office. Uh I'll
[50:55] close with a simple request. If the
[50:57] intent is to let voters weigh in on the
[50:59] cannabis retail, the cleanest way to
[51:01] honor this is to hold ordinance 21 until
[51:03] the question has actually been put to
[51:05] them. If the intent is something else,
[51:07] please just say so tonight clearly for
[51:09] the record.
[51:10] » Thank you.
[51:14] » You take that one.
[51:15] » Yeah. So the the council had made a
[51:17] decision and council members can correct
[51:19] me if I'm wrong that this has gone on
[51:22] for quite some time. So there was some
[51:24] sentiment to see what the sentiment of
[51:26] the uh voters in the burrow thought
[51:28] about that and then also but they didn't
[51:30] want to waste time and not proceed with
[51:32] the ordinance. So they're proceeding on
[51:34] on dual tracks, right? So if the
[51:38] ordinance has to be sent down, assuming
[51:40] it's introduced today, down to the land
[51:41] use board, as you know, they got their
[51:42] 30-day approval process, but the
[51:44] ordinance wouldn't be introduced and
[51:46] adopt it wouldn't be adopted unless and
[51:48] until that question passes uh at the
[51:51] November election. So, we've already
[51:53] talked to the clerk. The clerk's going
[51:55] to have that. He's got it. He's got it
[51:57] on the ballot already. Even though it
[51:58] says 88, but the 88 days is really to
[52:00] give enough time for the clerk for the
[52:02] ballots to be printed and stuff like
[52:03] that. That's been handled and it's it's
[52:05] non-binding anyway. So the point was the
[52:08] council wanted to have it on a dual
[52:10] track so that uh if it's turned down by
[52:13] the voters then they're not going to
[52:15] then obviously the ordinance but we
[52:17] didn't want to lose two months because
[52:19] you know we have to it's for 10 days
[52:21] between introduction and then uh second
[52:23] reading and public hearing. So that was
[52:25] the intent
[52:26] » And the county clerk they last meeting
[52:28] they authorized by resolution and by
[52:30] vote that the question that will go on
[52:32] the ballot and that was handed to the
[52:34] clerk that very next day and it was
[52:35] taken to the printer. So it will be on
[52:37] this year's election
[52:38] » And you're right
[52:39] » And you will see it you'll see a lot of
[52:41] publications coming up very soon about
[52:43] hey on your vote this year you're going
[52:45] to see a question and this is what it
[52:46] means. So that's coming up
[52:48] » And also the ordinance in full is on the
[52:51] website if you go on to aon.org or you
[52:54] go into the council minutes, mayor and
[52:57] council meeting minutes, the entire
[52:59] ordinance, both of those ordinances are
[53:01] are there in full text and it does say
[53:03] in 2120
[53:05] 21-2026
[53:07] that the adoption of that ordinance is
[53:10] after it's I think November November 9th
[53:13] » 9th is the is that's the final reading
[53:16] for 21.
[53:17] » The ordinance you see tonight is is a is
[53:19] is a mandatory. You have to have it by
[53:21] ordinance, but they allow us by
[53:23] resolution vote of the bureau to get it
[53:25] to the clerk so they can get it to the
[53:26] printer so they can get it there. This
[53:28] memorializes that question through
[53:30] through the ordinance. So that's why you
[53:32] see it tonight as well. That's just to
[53:34] back up that we've done the right the
[53:36] right thing to get it to the clerk and
[53:37] it's got to be by done by ordinance. So
[53:41] » Why do you have cones outside of your
[53:43] house?
[53:45] Well, I there are four sewage drains,
[53:49] water drains, whatever they are, and
[53:51] they are falling apart. One of them
[53:52] literally is collapsing into the road
[53:54] just to hold and you know, I got kids
[53:56] that play around there and people
[53:57] certainly drive around. But the cones,
[53:59] three of them were dropped by I'm
[54:01] assuming either the police or DPW as
[54:03] just warnings to to motorists is like,
[54:05] "Hey, don't drive over this drain
[54:07] because it's collapsing." And then uh
[54:09] one right in front of my house was
[54:11] collapsing. I put the cone there. I
[54:12] called the cops. They came they they
[54:14] came they bought DPW DPW came checked it
[54:16] out but you know that was over a month
[54:18] and a half ago two months ago and like I
[54:20] said the other three cones have been
[54:22] there for a very long time. So I mean
[54:24] you know maybe just send someone over.
[54:26] » Do we have your address? I mean not
[54:27] right now but like
[54:28] » Yeah. Yeah.
[54:29] » Email somebody your address.
[54:31] » Oh if you just go to the corner of shore
[54:33] of Elliot.
[54:33] » Yeah.
[54:34] » Oh sorry. I think you said that right.
[54:37] » Yeah.
[54:38] » Very good. Anyone else
[54:41] not seeing anything? Motion to bring it
[54:43] back. Motion.
[54:45] » Second.
[54:46] » All those in favor?
[54:47] » I.
[54:49] » Moving on to the approval of minutes for
[54:51] the August 12th, 2026 meeting.
[54:54] » I'll make a motion to second.
[54:56] » And the roll call.
[54:59] » Uh, Mr. Falcone?
[55:00] » Yes.
[55:00] » Miss Johnson?
[55:01] » Yes.
[55:02] » Mr. Cruz?
[55:02] » Yes.
[55:03] » Miss Rodriguez?
[55:04] » Yes.
[55:04] » Mr. Taylor?
[55:05] » Yes.
[55:07] » Thank you. Moving on to the consent
[55:08] agenda, we have the reports from the
[55:10] zoning officer, April through July. Tax
[55:14] collector's report July through July
[55:16] 2026 and resolution 2026-171
[55:20] authorizing the hunting on municipal
[55:21] owned property for the 2026 2027 hunting
[55:24] season.
[55:26] » I'll make the move
[55:29] » Second.
[55:30] » Discussion.
[55:32] I know last year I mentioned it several
[55:35] times regarding the hunting our code we
[55:39] are supposed to have a wildlife task
[55:42] force right
[55:45] our residents are given warnings they
[55:47] are fined when they don't follow the
[55:49] code book we are not following our code
[55:52] book I've brought this up several times
[55:54] it's
[55:57] can we just can we do it can we put it
[55:58] together we're supposed to get an annual
[56:00] report every June or July I to make sure
[56:02] that both sides of the tables are
[56:04] represented between environmentalists
[56:05] and and hunters. And we haven't been
[56:07] able to do this. I do have residents who
[56:09] are interested in being part of this
[56:11] wildlife task force. It's something that
[56:12] we should do. It's in our code. Is this
[56:15] something that we can get done this year
[56:17] to have in place going forward for next
[56:18] year. This is the third or fourth
[56:20] request for this now.
[56:21] » This is something that we are working
[56:23] on. Um we are waiting to hear back from
[56:25] the state. Have we heard from the
[56:26] meeting yet?
[56:27] » We're waiting to hear back from the
[56:28] state to be able to have our first
[56:29] meeting.
[56:31] » So once we have that,
[56:32] » We're looking for him to come in since
[56:34] nobody here currently is um familiar
[56:37] with the wildlife management task force.
[56:40] Um he's coming in to help us through and
[56:42] discuss everything with us of what we
[56:44] should do, shouldn't be doing. And since
[56:46] he's the expert, that's what we're
[56:47] waiting for.
[56:48] » Okay. Ron, can you please let me know
[56:49] when that meeting is if if I would love
[56:51] to join that if possible, just cuz
[56:52] again, I have many residents who are
[56:54] very interested in that. Thank you.
[56:59] » And the roll call.
[57:02] » Mr. Falcone?
[57:03] » Yes.
[57:03] » Miss Johnson? Yes. Mr. Kusc. Mr.
[57:05] Rodriguez?
[57:06] » Yes.
[57:06] » Mr. Taylor?
[57:07] » Yes.
[57:08] » Thank you. Moving on to resolution
[57:10] 2026-172,
[57:12] the refund for construction permit on
[57:14] block 31606,
[57:16] lot 13.
[57:17] » Move. Second.
[57:20] » And the roll call.
[57:21] » Mr. FCone.
[57:22] » Yes.
[57:22] » Miss Johnson. Yes.
[57:23] » Mr. Cous. Yes.
[57:24] » M. Rodriguez.
[57:25] » Yes,
[57:25] » Mr. T.
[57:27] » Thank you.
[57:30] » Thank you. Moving on to 2026-173,
[57:33] refund of the construction permit block
[57:35] 31606, lot 13. Motion
[57:39] » Second.
[57:40] » And the roll call.
[57:42] » Mr. Falcone?
[57:43] » Yes.
[57:43] » Miss Johnson? Yes.
[57:44] » Mr. Kus? Yes.
[57:45] » Miss Rodriguez? Yes.
[57:46] » Mr. Taylor?
[57:47] » Yes.
[57:49] » Thank you.
[57:51] Moving on to the bill list 2026-174.
[57:58] [clears throat]
[57:59] » Motion.
[58:00] » Second.
[58:02] » And the roll call.
[58:04] » Mr. Falcone.
[58:05] » Yes.
[58:05] » Miss Johnson?
[58:06] » Yes.
[58:07] » Mr. Kus?
[58:07] » Yes.
[58:08] » Miss Rodriguez?
[58:09] » Yes.
[58:09] » Mr. Taylor?
[58:10] » Yes.
[58:11] » You didn't notice I said yes in the
[58:12] whole thing.
[58:13] » I said thank you.
[58:17] » Moving on to the introduction of
[58:18] ordinances. The introduction of
[58:20] ordinance 21-20 20226 an ordinance of
[58:23] the burough of Pacon County of Sussex
[58:25] and state of New Jersey
[58:29] definitions to chapter 242 article 2
[58:32] section 242-5 of the burough code
[58:35] deleting section 242-17F
[58:38] prohibited uses and structures and
[58:39] adopting new sections 242-60.2A
[58:44] through 242-60.2J
[58:47] 2J permitting the operation of class one
[58:50] through class 6 cannabis licenses as
[58:52] conditional uses within certain zones
[58:54] the burrow within certain zones in the
[58:56] burough for bathon
[58:58] » Discussion
[59:02] » Second poker face
[59:05] » Okay discussion
[59:06] » Yeah sure
[59:08] » The uh the
[59:13] other thing is I I I believe Anthony
[59:16] sent this to you.
[59:17] » Yes.
[59:18] » The DA fee from any youth center. I
[59:23] think that should be upheld. Not not
[59:26] everything, just schools and youth
[59:28] centers. It should be 1,000 ft.
[59:31] » I think that wording needs to go in
[59:33] there.
[59:33] » Okay. So, the thousand ft um our all of
[59:38] our schools are in residential areas. a
[59:40] cannabis dispens any kind of dispensary
[59:42] or manufacturing wouldn't be anywhere
[59:45] near the schools because all of our
[59:47] schools are in residential areas.
[59:49] They're not in the B1's or the B2s or
[59:51] the M1's or the M2s, which we're
[59:53] proposing. Uh thousand feet from daycare
[59:56] centers. Correct me if I'm wrong. We
[1:00:00] don't have any daycare centers.
[1:00:01] » Yes, we do.
[1:00:03] There's one. You have Westside
[1:00:05] Methodist,
[1:00:06] » Which is again,
[1:00:09] is that an R1? That's an R1. So, I mean,
[1:00:13] » There's still a possibility that a
[1:00:15] building a standalone building could be
[1:00:17] put there.
[1:00:21] » The,000 ft should I mean, it shouldn't
[1:00:23] be in there.
[1:00:24] » I I I I understand uh the point there. I
[1:00:28] would be equally concerned about liquor
[1:00:30] stores within the same amount of
[1:00:31] distance of all these facilities. So I
[1:00:33] think if we make the same concession for
[1:00:36] cannabis then we look at liquor stores
[1:00:38] being within 1,000 feet of schools too
[1:00:39] because I think we have about four or
[1:00:41] five that are within 1,000 feet of
[1:00:42] schools
[1:00:43] » And liquor and liquor. Yeah.
[1:00:47] I felt the same way last time when we
[1:00:49] discussed it and we saw 250 going to 500
[1:00:52] and when I was thinking about it today
[1:00:54] » I felt the same thing like
[1:00:56] » We're going to eliminate these or limit
[1:01:00] these stores to be to such a specific
[1:01:02] area. Do we really want to choke him off
[1:01:04] like that? And like you said, does, you
[1:01:07] know, does alcohol being served in some
[1:01:08] liquor stores? And I think their limit
[1:01:10] is 200 ft, I believe, according to state
[1:01:13] New Jersey.
[1:01:16] » It would have to be because you have one
[1:01:18] right across from the hilltop, which is
[1:01:21] » Right. So I think
[1:01:22] » Property,
[1:01:22] » It's not unreasonable to even 250 ft. I
[1:01:25] don't think that's unreal.
[1:01:26] » I don't think 250 ft is unreasonable
[1:01:28] either. Um I I was a stretch for 500. So
[1:01:32] yeah, I think I think 500 is excessive.
[1:01:34] I do agree.
[1:01:35] » Um, so on this, are we doing 500? Are we
[1:01:40] doing a,000? Are we doing 250?
[1:01:42] » Which one?
[1:01:43] » One through five. Yeah.
[1:01:47] » I mean, we had all at the last meeting,
[1:01:48] we like a straw poll. We said 500. We
[1:01:50] said we were good with most most of us
[1:01:53] were good with 500. I just
[1:01:56] » 10 times talking about it isn't enough,
[1:01:57] but 11 is like 500. like five years ago.
[1:02:01] I know that that's when the bull was
[1:02:03] here. So now that bull has left, you
[1:02:05] know,
[1:02:06] » So now we're dealing with something that
[1:02:08] the past council did.
[1:02:09] » So now this is like that's what we're up
[1:02:11] against. Everybody else around us has
[1:02:14] them.
[1:02:18] » Well, hold on. So we're okay with the
[1:02:19] 500 feet. So it's going to stay 500 feet
[1:02:21] for all five of those. Okay.
[1:02:24] » Go ahead.
[1:02:24] » And then the other thing was just a
[1:02:26] vetting process. So, there were a a
[1:02:30] couple. Okay. The vetting because there
[1:02:32] my I I have the one that Ron sent us
[1:02:34] that has all the red marks on it. Okay.
[1:02:36] So, because Anony's also limited the
[1:02:39] number of cannabis licenses from two to
[1:02:41] one on everything. And I think that we
[1:02:43] had all agreed that it was going to be
[1:02:45] two. So, we're going to stay with two.
[1:02:47] Are we good with two?
[1:02:47] » Well, we had all previously agreed on
[1:02:49] two.
[1:02:50] » But again, we talk about 10 times. We
[1:02:52] talk about 11. So, we're staying with
[1:02:53] two.
[1:02:54] » Okay. Go ahead.
[1:02:56] No, it was just a vetting of the license
[1:02:58] and then also how are we going to um
[1:03:02] » Vetting of the license? I don't see that
[1:03:04] » The vetting of the license.
[1:03:06] » I don't
[1:03:06] » That's what his big concern is the
[1:03:08] vetting of the license.
[1:03:10] » How are we going to vet the the
[1:03:13] » To make sure that we have somebody who
[1:03:15] is
[1:03:16] legitimate? Let's put it that way.
[1:03:18] » Hold on. I just want to I'm just
[1:03:22] » And then also the revoking of the
[1:03:24] license.
[1:03:25] » Okay. I [clears throat] just want to
[1:03:26] look.
[1:03:27] » Well, does the does the So, let's say
[1:03:28] this goes into I'll use the cleaners for
[1:03:32] an example, right? Let's say it goes
[1:03:33] there, right? Would the would would
[1:03:35] would we be the party responsible to bet
[1:03:38] who the landlord puts into that? Like
[1:03:41] right now, they have a smoke shop,
[1:03:42] right? like next to the cleaners like do
[1:03:44] you think they did a a diligence on the
[1:03:46] background or like would you expect the
[1:03:48] town to do the diligence on all vendors
[1:03:52] that come into town that go on private
[1:03:53] property?
[1:03:54] » Well, I think that's what Anthony's
[1:03:57] question is is who who's going to
[1:04:02] who's it going to be,
[1:04:03] » Right? But I guess my question is like
[1:04:05] is that an overreach of of council's
[1:04:08] power, right, to go into a private
[1:04:11] location and say we need background
[1:04:13] checks on because if you do that, like
[1:04:16] if you start doing background checks on
[1:04:19] um um small businesses that are coming
[1:04:21] into a private
[1:04:24] uh um business, then I think we have to
[1:04:27] open up the door to do background checks
[1:04:29] on whoever buys the gas station. I also
[1:04:31] just arrest I want to point out the
[1:04:33] amount the amount of background checks
[1:04:36] and and the the hoops that you have to
[1:04:39] go through with the state of New Jersey
[1:04:41] just to get the license. There does not
[1:04:43] have to be an additional background
[1:04:45] check process done for somebody. But
[1:04:48] your question is more about where it's
[1:04:51] going.
[1:04:51] » No. M
[1:04:52] » Who actually
[1:04:54] um gives them a license to to say
[1:04:58] » To do it in New in this town?
[1:05:01] » Does the license come to us or New
[1:05:03] Jersey?
[1:05:04] » Well, we would issue them a local, you
[1:05:06] know, we have to here and it says the
[1:05:08] council
[1:05:09] » The council,
[1:05:09] » You know, making the call vetting if the
[1:05:12] council's issuing the license,
[1:05:15] » Then then it should also be vetted
[1:05:18] through the state. So we should know
[1:05:20] what the state is approving them.
[1:05:21] » Well, the state the state
[1:05:23] » Anthony is saying
[1:05:24] » But the state they can't come to us and
[1:05:26] ask for a license from us unless they
[1:05:28] have all of their licensing through the
[1:05:30] state
[1:05:32] » Us after they
[1:05:35] no judge
[1:05:38] they're being they're beinged through
[1:05:39] the state
[1:05:40] » And then they're being vetted through
[1:05:41] the state and then and then we're
[1:05:43] » Okay
[1:05:43] » We're the ones issuing it. And then the
[1:05:45] last issue is how are we going to deal
[1:05:48] with any
[1:05:50] » Uh revoking of licenses from the
[1:05:52] » And here's where I did speak we spoke
[1:05:54] Ron and I did speak about this um there
[1:05:56] were two things actually um that I
[1:06:00] am on board with and that was the repeat
[1:06:03] well I'm okay with but I would tell you
[1:06:05] if I wasn't but the repeated violations
[1:06:07] of this ordinance so the revocation
[1:06:09] repeated violations of this ordinance
[1:06:11] maintenance of a public nuisance
[1:06:12] repeated substantial complaints
[1:06:13] involving public safety. It was that
[1:06:15] part in in your emails. Uh failure to
[1:06:18] control loitering activities adversely
[1:06:20] affecting the public safety uh may
[1:06:22] constitute grounds for suspension,
[1:06:24] conditioning, or revocation of a
[1:06:25] municipal cannabis license. And I I do
[1:06:27] agree that I think that your
[1:06:30] » Yes.
[1:06:31] » Okay, that's all
[1:06:32] » That I feel like that should be in
[1:06:33] there, too.
[1:06:34] » And then the other part that he had was
[1:06:36] about the transferability.
[1:06:38] » Yeah, that's Yeah, but I think it wasn't
[1:06:40] really about the transfer. Well, I think
[1:06:43] that that's I think that that makes it
[1:06:44] easier and I think he's right. The
[1:06:46] limitation may discourage higher quality
[1:06:48] operators from investing in the bureau.
[1:06:49] And we might like he said, we might want
[1:06:51] to consider this. Any issue like any
[1:06:53] license issued by the bureau shall be
[1:06:54] non-transferable.
[1:06:56] Oh, no, no, no. He wants to change that,
[1:07:00] » Right?
[1:07:01] » On sessation of the business operations,
[1:07:04] the license shall be surrendered and
[1:07:05] shall be deemed void.
[1:07:06] » Right. We want do we want to make it
[1:07:08] easier to transfer the license?
[1:07:12] » What was Anthony's suggestion? I wasn't
[1:07:13] following
[1:07:14] » To make the license void once once the
[1:07:17] person leaves.
[1:07:17] » The ordinance already states that it's
[1:07:19] non-transferable. Anthony wants to
[1:07:21] change that to make it transferable.
[1:07:24] » Yeah. So, give me a scenario that I
[1:07:27] could understand.
[1:07:27] » So, I have a business. I have a license
[1:07:29] through the state through the bureau.
[1:07:30] Yep.
[1:07:31] » And I have to leave. I have to move and
[1:07:33] I have to relinquish that that
[1:07:36] » Uh it's almost like it's almost like a
[1:07:38] liquor license. You can buy that liquor
[1:07:40] license or not. I think that's what
[1:07:42] Anthony wants is to make it
[1:07:44] transferable.
[1:07:45] » So somebody else could buy the license.
[1:07:47] » Yes.
[1:07:47] » I don't that
[1:07:48] » From the not from the town.
[1:07:51] » No, from the owner I think.
[1:07:52] » But it's not the I don't think that
[1:07:54] that's what he was saying.
[1:07:56] » Any license issued by the bro? Well, can
[1:07:58] we touch up on this a little more
[1:08:00] because it sounds like it's looking more
[1:08:01] complicated, but I mean and we're going
[1:08:04] to introduce it anyway. So, why don't we
[1:08:05] just introduce it and then discuss this
[1:08:07] and then we'll catch up with them
[1:08:09] » Because I would envision that license
[1:08:10] coming back to us for us to reissue it.
[1:08:12] » Yes.
[1:08:13] » Yeah. And I think I think the state's
[1:08:14] going to require that
[1:08:17] and then the other only other part so I
[1:08:19] think we should keep it the way it is.
[1:08:21] » And then the only other part was the
[1:08:23] standalone facility that right that
[1:08:25] needs to be discussed.
[1:08:33] What's what's the standalone
[1:08:35] » A standalone facility instead of being
[1:08:37] like in a strip mall or something like
[1:08:38] that? I know I know some of the some of
[1:08:41] the towns are very strict about that.
[1:08:43] They don't want in like a uh like a like
[1:08:46] Walgreens area because somebody could
[1:08:49] break through the wall come over the
[1:08:51] ceiling
[1:08:51] » That's also 200 500 ft from a right
[1:08:54] right from a park right
[1:08:55] » But still but there are some areas in
[1:08:57] town where you can put it where it's not
[1:09:00] » My opinion is that it is absolute gold
[1:09:02] uh overreach I think to tell somebody
[1:09:05] that it has to be a standalone facility
[1:09:07] and that they need to have documented
[1:09:09] approval from the building owner and
[1:09:11] adjacent businesses which is what is
[1:09:13] this out.
[1:09:14] » I will say if you make it a standalone,
[1:09:16] » It's very limited, right?
[1:09:18] » You're limiting everything.
[1:09:21] » The the whole town is is shirt malls,
[1:09:24] » Right? Except for the grill.
[1:09:26] » Firehouse
[1:09:28] » Or the firehouse.
[1:09:30] » If you look at the ones surrounding
[1:09:32] towns, they're very well secured.
[1:09:35] There's no issue like I I don't really
[1:09:37] see that big of an issue.
[1:09:39] » Yeah. I mean I don't I think stand alone
[1:09:42] I think that that'll be like really
[1:09:43] wasting your time.
[1:09:44] » Concurrent. So basically keeping
[1:09:46] everything the way we had except adding
[1:09:48] the thing about the revocation is where
[1:09:50] we are. Okay. So
[1:09:52] » Now we have the motion in a second to
[1:09:54] introduce. Right. Okay.
[1:09:59] » Mr. Falcone?
[1:10:00] » Yes.
[1:10:01] » Miss Johnson? Yes.
[1:10:02] » Mr. Cus.
[1:10:03] » Miss Rodriguez. Yes.
[1:10:04] » Mr. Taylor.
[1:10:09] Okay, moving on to ordinance 22-2026,
[1:10:13] ordinance amending chapter 231 entitled
[1:10:16] vehicles and traffic to add the stop and
[1:10:17] yield intersections within the burrow.
[1:10:20] Motion
[1:10:21] » Second and the roll call
[1:10:25] and I apologize I'm late discussion. Do
[1:10:27] we know when this
[1:10:31] » Once this is final? Like how quick after
[1:10:33] these are put up or is it kind of like
[1:10:35] already
[1:10:36] » Soon as you approve it? I mean it's got
[1:10:38] to go through the second reading.
[1:10:40] Right. And then
[1:10:41] » We have them in stock. So
[1:10:42] » Okay, perfect.
[1:10:44] » Roll call.
[1:10:46] » I forgot in stock.
[1:10:49] » Mr. Falcone. Yes. Miss Johnson. Yes. Mr.
[1:10:52] » Kusik.
[1:10:53] » Yes. If it's this year,
[1:10:56] » Miss Rodriguez,
[1:10:57] » Yes. Miss
[1:11:01] » 23-2026
[1:11:02] Ordinance of the Burbo Packon County of
[1:11:04] Sussex State of New Jersey authorizing
[1:11:06] the acceptance of a donation of property
[1:11:08] known as block 410005
[1:11:10] lot 8 pursuant to the relevant
[1:11:12] provisions of NJSA4A
[1:11:15] col2-5
[1:11:22] motion second
[1:11:24] » Discussion
[1:11:28] I have a lot of questions about this
[1:11:29] ordinance and I understand what you're
[1:11:32] saying about it being more
[1:11:34] cost-effective for us to accept this
[1:11:36] donation. The issue is is that there are
[1:11:39] $7,300 of back taxes that are owed on
[1:11:42] this property and I feel that accepting
[1:11:45] it we that $7,300 is a wash that goes
[1:11:48] away, right? So that doesn't come back
[1:11:49] into our
[1:11:51] » How about we do this? How about we let
[1:11:52] Mr. slavery explain that process when
[1:11:55] you foreclose and or not foreclose.
[1:11:58] Let's take that. I think it'll answer
[1:11:59] all your question.
[1:12:00] » Totally understand your point, right?
[1:12:01] Because it seems like people are getting
[1:12:03] off the hook for 7,300 bucks. But here's
[1:12:04] the way you have to look at it. So, we
[1:12:06] would foreclose on that. So, you're
[1:12:08] talking 6 months at the earliest, maybe
[1:12:10] a year to actually foreclose on the
[1:12:12] property. So, in that time, you're
[1:12:13] paying for title searches, you're paying
[1:12:15] my firm, right? So, you're investing
[1:12:17] more money. You're not getting the
[1:12:19] $7,300, right? We wouldn't be
[1:12:20] foreclosing. if they had the tax money
[1:12:22] to pay it, they would have paid it. The
[1:12:23] other problem is you you're you're not
[1:12:26] only not getting that money each year,
[1:12:27] but your reserve for uncollected taxes
[1:12:29] goes up, which means the rest of the
[1:12:30] taxpayers of the bureau are subsidizing
[1:12:33] the people that don't pay their taxes.
[1:12:35] So, it's I understand exactly what
[1:12:38] you're saying, but it's not like we're
[1:12:40] giving away this we're not going to
[1:12:41] collect that $7,300. And then the other
[1:12:43] thing to add insult to injury is the US
[1:12:46] Supreme Court decided that's probably
[1:12:48] four or five years ago now that it used
[1:12:50] to be when you foreclosed on if you sold
[1:12:53] it and they owed you $7,300 and you made
[1:12:56] a h 100red,000 you got to keep the
[1:12:57] $100,000. Well, now you get to keep
[1:13:00] what's owed you, but you got to find the
[1:13:01] person and give them the money back. So,
[1:13:03] you're not getting the windfall. And not
[1:13:05] that you want to make money off of
[1:13:07] foreclosures, but it just it's it's
[1:13:10] cheaper for the town and quicker to take
[1:13:13] the donation, put that on the sell that
[1:13:15] property, right? Get it back on the tax
[1:13:17] roles and rather than spend money on
[1:13:20] lawyers uh fees and all that other stuff
[1:13:22] and then because because you're not
[1:13:24] going to collect that money,
[1:13:25] » Right? So then what's to stop everybody
[1:13:27] else who has a piece of vacant land in
[1:13:29] Hopakhong to just stop paying their
[1:13:30] taxes and then expect us to take it?
[1:13:33] Well, there's 133 of them already on the
[1:13:35] books.
[1:13:35] » Well, that's what I'm saying.
[1:13:36] » And that's what we're trying to we're
[1:13:38] trying to curb that
[1:13:39] » Those 133 people to just say, "Well, I'm
[1:13:41] going to donate it back to the burrow
[1:13:43] and we don't have to pay any foreclosure
[1:13:44] fee."
[1:13:45] » Well, here's the other problem is you
[1:13:47] also a lot of times when somebody owes
[1:13:49] back taxes, there's also other leans on
[1:13:51] the property, right? So, we're not going
[1:13:52] to take it unless the title work comes
[1:13:54] back clear and the only thing that's
[1:13:55] owed is the taxes. And the fact of the
[1:13:58] matter is people do that all the time.
[1:13:59] if they got a worthless piece of
[1:14:01] property and stop paying taxes on it and
[1:14:02] say let the town take it. So you can
[1:14:04] either take it willingly which is a heck
[1:14:06] of a lot cheaper or you can foreclose on
[1:14:09] them and then you can go through the
[1:14:11] same process. This only in my opinion
[1:14:13] speeds up the inevitable. So I I get it.
[1:14:17] You know, you're like, "Hey, we're
[1:14:18] giving away." But we're not we're not
[1:14:20] collecting that money. So you're going
[1:14:21] to spend money to foreclose on it and
[1:14:24] then we got to go through the same
[1:14:25] process of trying to sell it after we
[1:14:27] get it. And this just allows us to take
[1:14:29] it now and sell it. So yeah, could
[1:14:31] people come and do it, but every one of
[1:14:32] them you have to pass an ordinance
[1:14:34] anytime you do that. So if you feel the
[1:14:36] people are taking advantage, right? So
[1:14:38] » You've got to change over the title.
[1:14:39] You've got to we've got to pay for the
[1:14:40] title search. We've got to pay for the
[1:14:42] the deed to be changed over to our name.
[1:14:44] We've got to Right. And then and then I
[1:14:46] know the thought process is is because
[1:14:47] there's two other burden properties up
[1:14:49] there that are next to it, right? Yeah.
[1:14:52] » 120 and 122. I think this is 126. So if
[1:14:55] you merge them, then we can sell it as
[1:14:57] one lot. But here's the thing, we can't
[1:14:59] sell the other two lots. So what makes
[1:15:01] us think that we're going to sell three
[1:15:02] of them?
[1:15:03] » Well, is the connectivity of it, the
[1:15:04] connectivity to road, all of it. It
[1:15:07] again, it gives us the ability to pull
[1:15:09] from a list to go to put it on market
[1:15:12] like we've been selling all year. These
[1:15:14] these these properties have been in the
[1:15:16] foreclosure process, some of these
[1:15:18] things, since I was here in 2019. They
[1:15:20] haven't hit the courts. They're just
[1:15:22] sitting there. And when the US Supreme
[1:15:23] Court made that decision, it kind of
[1:15:25] halted everybody's tax foreclosures
[1:15:27] because then you have to do in personum,
[1:15:29] which is you got to personally serve the
[1:15:31] people. Um, and the state of New Jersey
[1:15:34] actually cleaned it up a little bit. So,
[1:15:36] it made it a little bit easier. But the
[1:15:38] way you got to look at it is you're
[1:15:39] getting whacked twice because you're not
[1:15:41] collecting the tax money and the rest of
[1:15:43] the burrow is making up for that reserve
[1:15:45] for uncollected taxes because you got to
[1:15:47] still get that money to fund your
[1:15:49] schools and everything else. So, it's
[1:15:51] it's a double. So, the sooner you get
[1:15:53] that in and get that sold or attempt to
[1:15:55] sell it, it's just a better and listen,
[1:15:58] it's it's in my interest for you to
[1:15:59] foreclose on it and pay me to do it. But
[1:16:02] I'm just telling you, I think it's
[1:16:03] there's no question it's a better deal
[1:16:05] to accept this. Now, if if all of a
[1:16:07] sudden everybody just stopped paying
[1:16:09] taxes on, you know, odd lots and stuff
[1:16:11] like that, well, then we'll have to
[1:16:12] address it. But for from a dollars and
[1:16:15] cents, it makes more sense.
[1:16:16] » Do we have do we have an interested
[1:16:18] buyer in those three lots?
[1:16:20] » Not yet. I do though have interested
[1:16:22] buyers in other on other lots that if
[1:16:25] this passes, I get to pick up the phone
[1:16:28] as soon as it passes because I have
[1:16:29] people calling all the time. When are
[1:16:31] you going to foreclose on that property?
[1:16:32] When are you going to foreclose on this
[1:16:33] property and it's stuck in the
[1:16:35] foreclosure process? I don't know when
[1:16:37] it's ever going to be foreclosed.
[1:16:38] » So my I have another follow-up question
[1:16:40] to that. So if it's not in the
[1:16:41] foreclosure process, like this piece of
[1:16:43] property is not in the foreclosure
[1:16:44] process.
[1:16:45] » It is. It's on the rim list. all the
[1:16:47] properties that would I have 133
[1:16:49] properties that are on the rims list.
[1:16:51] That's one of them.
[1:16:52] » And we've sent it for foreclosure
[1:16:54] already.
[1:16:55] » I don't know.
[1:16:56] » I don't know. Final searches on whether
[1:16:58] it is on the list because we didn't
[1:17:00] file. You don't fileund
[1:17:02] at a time.
[1:17:03] » To me sounds like we have 133 properties
[1:17:06] that are dead for us as far as the tax
[1:17:09] base is concerned. Yep. So, and we're
[1:17:11] arguing about expeding the process and
[1:17:14] then getting it back into the revenue.
[1:17:16] all of them, but not all of them are
[1:17:18] going to be purchased.
[1:17:19] » We should try it. We should try it and
[1:17:21] see if it works. If it doesn't work,
[1:17:23] then we don't know.
[1:17:24] » Not any worse place. That's
[1:17:26] » Because it's 133 already off the list
[1:17:28] anyway. So, let's just try with a couple
[1:17:29] of them.
[1:17:30] » Stop paying their taxes. I think that's
[1:17:32] » 133.
[1:17:33] » I I understand your philosophy in the
[1:17:35] way, but what you have to think about is
[1:17:38] » They're not paying those taxes. So,
[1:17:39] we're either going to get the property
[1:17:40] back now or we're going to wait a year
[1:17:43] and spend more money on it and then be
[1:17:44] in the same spot because now we're going
[1:17:46] to have the property back and now you're
[1:17:48] trying to sell it. So, if there's if
[1:17:50] there's nobody to buy it now or there's
[1:17:51] nobody to buy it in a year, we've saved
[1:17:53] a heck of a lot of money just taking the
[1:17:55] donation now.
[1:17:58] » We don't we don't get to put it back on
[1:18:01] the rolls. My mission here has been
[1:18:03] completely to get those types of
[1:18:05] properties back on the tax rolls. That
[1:18:07] is true revenue for this burough. That
[1:18:10] is as pure as it gets.
[1:18:11] » And do we know that this property is
[1:18:14] buildable?
[1:18:16] » It's not in the wetlands, but it's not
[1:18:22] » Well, but listen, a lot of times people
[1:18:24] will buy what's considered a useless
[1:18:27] strip of property depending on who's
[1:18:28] next to one because they want to use it
[1:18:29] as a buffer. So people buy all sorts of
[1:18:31] stuff that you would scratch your head
[1:18:33] and say why. So it doesn't have to be.
[1:18:35] Matter of fact, the statutes
[1:18:36] differentiate between what's a buildable
[1:18:37] lot and what isn't. So when it's an
[1:18:39] undersized lot, you are required by
[1:18:41] statute to offer to adjacent property
[1:18:43] owners first. You know, if it's a
[1:18:45] buildable lot, you have to auction it
[1:18:46] off to everybody. But
[1:18:48] » You know what I'm saying is so you're
[1:18:49] not getting that money. You're not going
[1:18:51] to get that money and you're going to
[1:18:53] wait a year to get the property back and
[1:18:55] ultimately we're going to sell it. And
[1:18:57] the other thing is if you foreclose on
[1:18:59] it and we make money on it, you got to
[1:19:01] give whatever you made back to the
[1:19:03] person you foreclosed on. So this thing
[1:19:05] they're donating the property. So it's
[1:19:07] your property. So if you make $100,000
[1:19:09] and you know I don't
[1:19:10] » So you end up with $8,700 whatever 7300
[1:19:14] for the tax on this property
[1:19:16] » No matter what.
[1:19:17] » Property is not worth $7,300. Right.
[1:19:19] [laughter]
[1:19:20] » But the other thing is again, not only
[1:19:22] you're not collecting that, but also you
[1:19:24] got the reserve for uncollected taxes
[1:19:25] that you have to fund every year, right?
[1:19:27] And so the less properties that you have
[1:19:29] that are non-producing, it benefits
[1:19:31] everybody. So
[1:19:32] » Your tax
[1:19:33] » And I know it's tough to swallow because
[1:19:34] it's like you feel like you're letting
[1:19:36] somebody off the hook, but just dollars
[1:19:38] and cents, it makes sense to take the
[1:19:39] donation.
[1:19:40] » I say you give it a shot and then see if
[1:19:42] we could make heads out of it. I mean,
[1:19:44] there is 133 properties out there. So,
[1:19:47] » Just want to make sure it's also like
[1:19:49] not wetlands that,
[1:19:50] » You know, because then what do we do
[1:19:51] with it? Then it's ours and that's it.
[1:19:54] » Y
[1:19:55] » Trail.
[1:19:56] » But correct me if I'm wrong. If if we
[1:19:58] take it, even if we can't sell it, it no
[1:20:00] longer counts towards our reserve for
[1:20:02] uncollected taxes because now we own it.
[1:20:04] So there is a benefit even if you just
[1:20:06] take possession of it and don't sell.
[1:20:07] » There's the lean. That's for sure.
[1:20:09] » Yeah. Not that you want to hold, but I'm
[1:20:10] just saying
[1:20:11] » We have to budget for that every year.
[1:20:14] » And then Mike, sorry. What happens if
[1:20:16] when we do a title search and there's
[1:20:17] something on the title, then what
[1:20:18] happens?
[1:20:19] » We don't have to we don't have to take
[1:20:21] it. Like if it turns out there's a
[1:20:22] federal tax lean or something like that,
[1:20:23] the ordinance specifically says that if
[1:20:25] there's any other leans on it, we don't
[1:20:26] take it.
[1:20:27] » We don't make it.
[1:20:30] » Okay, we have a motion in a second. Can
[1:20:31] I do a roll call?
[1:20:33] » Mr. Falcone?
[1:20:34] » Yes.
[1:20:34] » Miss Johnson?
[1:20:35] » Yes.
[1:20:36] » Mr. Fusick?
[1:20:37] » Yes.
[1:20:37] » Miss Rodriguez?
[1:20:38] » Yes.
[1:20:39] » Mr. Taylor?
[1:20:40] » Yes. Johnson. Thank you.
[1:20:42] » Thank you. Molly.
[1:20:44] » Uh, moving on to 24-2026,
[1:20:46] an ordinance of the bur of a Packon
[1:20:48] County of Sussex and state of New Jersey
[1:20:49] authorizing the submission of a
[1:20:50] non-binding public referendum to the
[1:20:52] voters of the burrow concerning the
[1:20:54] permitting of cannabis retail sales
[1:20:55] within the burrow.
[1:20:56] » Motion second
[1:20:58] » Discussion just for clarification did in
[1:21:00] the uh question Ron did we say that
[1:21:02] there'd be a moratorum put in place
[1:21:05] right? Am I making that up in my head? I
[1:21:06] am
[1:21:08] » That's why I don't know if I dreamt it.
[1:21:10] Listen, we've had a lot of conversations
[1:21:11] about this. I just Okay, I'm just energ.
[1:21:17] I'm good.
[1:21:19] » Okay, take it out. Roll call.
[1:21:21] » Never mind.
[1:21:22] » Mr. Falcone, yes. Miss Johnson, yes.
[1:21:24] » Mr. Cusk, yes.
[1:21:25] » Miss Rodriguez, yes.
[1:21:26] » Mr. Taylor,
[1:21:27] » Yes.
[1:21:28] » Thank you. Moving on to 25-2026,
[1:21:30] ordinance approving the code of the
[1:21:32] burbo pack on New Jersey entitled
[1:21:33] short-term rentals, chapter 189, section
[1:21:36] 189-1 through 189-9.
[1:21:40] » Second. I just discussion. I just want
[1:21:43] to make sure again [laughter]
[1:21:45] » You call cannabis or short-term
[1:21:46] » Rental. I swear I promise the everything
[1:21:50] that has to do with the owner being on
[1:21:52] the property or a babysitter being on
[1:21:54] the property is gone from this
[1:21:56] ordinance.
[1:21:57] » Yes, ma'am.
[1:21:57] » Okay. Then on the applications, correct?
[1:21:59] » The applications
[1:22:01] also
[1:22:03] » The uh timing of the billing and al
[1:22:06] there's one more thing. What is
[1:22:07] » The fines? the fines
[1:22:09] » And then the um
[1:22:10] » Time frame
[1:22:11] » The time frame of the payment. It
[1:22:12] matches the water and the sewer payment
[1:22:14] schedule.
[1:22:15] » And then the other big thing was is the
[1:22:17] thing uh it being the property owner's
[1:22:20] primary residence.
[1:22:21] » That's right. That's out.
[1:22:22] » That's out too. Perfect. Awesome. That's
[1:22:23] all.
[1:22:24] » And then we should also know shortly how
[1:22:25] much money we're getting from the state
[1:22:27] for the 3% tax.
[1:22:28] » Yeah. We should probably like wait six
[1:22:30] months to do that. Good number.
[1:22:33] » Hopefully we'll be a big
[1:22:34] » Yeah.
[1:22:36] » Thank you. Uh, the roll call.
[1:22:39] » Mr. Falcone, yes. Miss Johnson, yes. Mr.
[1:22:41] Kus, Miss Rodriguez, yes. Mr. Taylor,
[1:22:44] » Yes.
[1:22:46] » You moving on to the final reading of
[1:22:50] ordinances. Ordinance 17-2026, an
[1:22:53] ordinance of the Bur of Alakon County of
[1:22:54] Sussex, state of New Jersey, authorizing
[1:22:56] the sale of a certain property owned by
[1:22:57] the burrow and not required for public
[1:22:59] purposes and more commonly known as
[1:23:01] block 10416
[1:23:03] lot 2, 20 Morris Road. I have a motion
[1:23:06] to open to the public.
[1:23:08] » Motion.
[1:23:08] » I'll second.
[1:23:09] » All those in favor?
[1:23:10] » I.
[1:23:11] » Meeting is open to the public for this
[1:23:13] ordinance and this ordinance alone.
[1:23:17] » Not seeing anything. Motion to bring it
[1:23:18] back.
[1:23:19] » Zoom made.
[1:23:20] » Second.
[1:23:21] » Uh, can I have a motion to finalize
[1:23:25] ordinance 17-2026?
[1:23:27] » I'll make the motion second.
[1:23:30] » And the roll call.
[1:23:31] » Mr. Falcone.
[1:23:32] » Yes.
[1:23:33] » Miss Johnson. Yes.
[1:23:33] » Mr. Kusf. Yes.
[1:23:34] » Mr. Mr. Rodriguez.
[1:23:35] » Yes.
[1:23:36] » Mr. Taylor.
[1:23:36] » Yes.
[1:23:37] » And the auction for this will be next
[1:23:38] meeting.
[1:23:45] » Thank you. Uh final reading of ordinance
[1:23:48] 18-2026
[1:23:50] and ordinance modifying section 17-27
[1:23:53] and 17-28 of ordinance 2025-11 which is
[1:23:56] LOAP.
[1:23:58] I have a motion to open to the public.
[1:24:01] » Second.
[1:24:03] » All those in favor?
[1:24:05] Oh, this ordinance is open to the public
[1:24:08] for anybody that would like to comment
[1:24:09] on the LOP ordinance.
[1:24:12] » Dave,
[1:24:12] » I just like to know what this is about.
[1:24:16] This is very doesn't say anything.
[1:24:20] » Yeah, absolutely.
[1:24:21] » For years,
[1:24:22] initially back in 2002, they voted on
[1:24:25] the public voted on for us to get one
[1:24:27] and a half basis points for the LOAP.
[1:24:30] That's the the now to keep up with the
[1:24:32] LOAP annually. the IRS comes up with the
[1:24:34] number. So the one and a half basis
[1:24:37] points represents now about 300
[1:24:40] something,000. Well, back in 200
[1:24:43] representing like little 200,000. So
[1:24:46] every year keeps going up because of the
[1:24:48] values in so he's just making a
[1:24:51] » Housekeeping
[1:24:52] » Officially like housekeeping. That's
[1:24:54] what the numbers are going forward
[1:24:56] because in back a couple years ago they
[1:24:58] used to be like it's $100,000 which it's
[1:25:00] not. It was officially one and a half
[1:25:02] basis point. would just make it more
[1:25:04] clear to effort to avoid.
[1:25:06] » Do you want to know what BOAP is?
[1:25:08] » I I I I know what it is because I've
[1:25:11] heard it at other meetings. The fireman
[1:25:14] definitely deserve it.
[1:25:15] » It's length of service. So,
[1:25:16] » You know, it's just it's just uh that
[1:25:20] these things they're very vague. We
[1:25:23] really don't know what these guys are
[1:25:26] voting on.
[1:25:27] » Well, well, this is not vague.
[1:25:29] to and what what it says on the agenda.
[1:25:32] » Yeah. Oh, okay. Yeah.
[1:25:34] » We can just get back to what this
[1:25:35] ordinance is. We can always talk about
[1:25:36] lengthening discussions for what's on
[1:25:38] the agenda.
[1:25:40] » Um, can I have a motion to bring it
[1:25:42] back?
[1:25:42] » Motion. Second.
[1:25:43] » Wait, I thought wasn't that public
[1:25:45] discussion?
[1:25:46] » Yeah.
[1:25:47] » About this ordinance, right? Okay. I
[1:25:49] just wanted to make sure it was
[1:25:50] » Well, no. We're talking now about
[1:25:51] lengthening things on the agenda so that
[1:25:53] they're a little bit more understanding,
[1:25:54] which is not this ordinance, it's the
[1:25:56] agenda as a whole is how I understood
[1:25:58] you were saying it.
[1:25:59] » Thank you.
[1:26:00] » Yes.
[1:26:01] » Um, okay. Can I have a motion to move
[1:26:04] the final reading for 18-2026 for LOAP?
[1:26:07] » A motion.
[1:26:08] » Second.
[1:26:09] » And the roll call.
[1:26:11] » Mr. Falcone.
[1:26:12] » Yes. Miss Johnson. Yes. Mr. Fusive.
[1:26:16] » Miss Rodriguez. Yes. Mr. Taylor.
[1:26:18] » Yes.
[1:26:20] Okay. Ordinance. Final ordinance. Uh,
[1:26:23] final reading on ordinance 19-2026,
[1:26:25] capital ordinance providing funding for
[1:26:27] leases for vehicles for the police
[1:26:29] department and the department of public
[1:26:30] works.
[1:26:30] » Motion.
[1:26:31] » Can I have a motion to open to the
[1:26:33] public?
[1:26:33] » Motion.
[1:26:35] » Although in favor
[1:26:36] » I
[1:26:38] » Uh this um ordinance is open to the
[1:26:40] public for any questions, comments.
[1:26:44] Dave,
[1:26:44] » What what period is this uh least for?
[1:26:48] It's very again it's very uh is it for a
[1:26:51] year is it five years
[1:26:53] » Five years
[1:26:56] in the future to possibly would be put
[1:26:58] in the ordinance whatever it is
[1:27:00] » I think you have
[1:27:00] » No it's in the it's in the ordinance
[1:27:02] it's you just have the agenda
[1:27:04] » You have the cover pages Dave
[1:27:06] » You don't have the supplemental packet
[1:27:07] that follows that typically that's
[1:27:09] online we're trying to save the trees
[1:27:10] and not print a thousand copies for the
[1:27:12] meetings so you guys get the cover page
[1:27:14] of the agenda to follow along
[1:27:16] » Just to put five years in I don't I
[1:27:17] think that would cut a lot of trees.
[1:27:20] » Yeah.
[1:27:22] » Very neighborly of you. Very nice.
[1:27:25] [laughter]
[1:27:28] » Okay. Anybody else?
[1:27:33] » Uh just 30 seconds. Uh we're spending
[1:27:37] money. I hope we're thinking about next
[1:27:38] year's budget already and looking into
[1:27:41] it.
[1:27:42] » I think
[1:27:44] » So.
[1:27:46] What exactly are we leasing? Why? Like,
[1:27:49] don't we have tons of vehicles already?
[1:27:51] What are we leasing?
[1:27:52] » These are replacement vehicles for those
[1:27:54] that it's in the lease program. We set
[1:27:56] that. So, they're already in the lease.
[1:27:58] They're cycling and these are the ones
[1:27:59] that are cycling through.
[1:28:02] Anyone else?
[1:28:04] Not seeing anything. Motion to bring it
[1:28:06] back.
[1:28:06] » Motion.
[1:28:07] » Second.
[1:28:08] » I have a motion for the final reading of
[1:28:10] 19-2026.
[1:28:11] » Motion.
[1:28:12] » Second.
[1:28:13] » And the roll call.
[1:28:15] Mr. Falcone,
[1:28:16] » Yes.
[1:28:17] » Miss Johnson, yes.
[1:28:18] » Mr. Cusk,
[1:28:18] » No sir.
[1:28:19] » Miss Rodriguez,
[1:28:20] » Yes.
[1:28:20] » Mr. Taylor,
[1:28:21] » Yes.
[1:28:22] » Thank you.
[1:28:24] Final reading for 20 2026, an ordinance
[1:28:28] establishing a minimum and maximum range
[1:28:29] of salary and compensation for certain
[1:28:31] titles of officers and employees of the
[1:28:33] Burough of Hopon. I have a motion to
[1:28:35] open to the public for this ordinance.
[1:28:37] So made.
[1:28:38] » Second.
[1:28:39] » So the uh meeting is open for this
[1:28:42] ordinance um and this ordinance alone.
[1:28:44] Does anybody have a question or a
[1:28:46] comment? Dave,
[1:28:47] » I'm sorry to take time, but uh in the
[1:28:52] past meetings you discussed that your
[1:28:54] negotiations with public employees
[1:28:57] and we have no idea is uh what
[1:29:02] percentage a raise they're getting or
[1:29:04] how how you determine the raises that
[1:29:06] the employees get. Is it like a 2% raise
[1:29:09] or 5% raise? Is it every year or is it
[1:29:13] uh No. How how is this raise uh uh
[1:29:17] figured out?
[1:29:19] » Would you like to answer that, Rob?
[1:29:20] » This isn't a raise. This is just setting
[1:29:22] ranges for salaries, right? So the the
[1:29:24] the union contracts are completely
[1:29:27] different. So that's if you got like
[1:29:29] three hours, we'll talk about how that
[1:29:31] works. But um
[1:29:32] » But with the union contracts are that
[1:29:34] because it affects our taxes.
[1:29:36] » Yeah.
[1:29:36] » Oh, no, no, no. They definitely affect
[1:29:38] your taxes. But I'm just saying this
[1:29:39] ordinance is just setting salary right.
[1:29:41] is these are not positions that are in
[1:29:43] the union contracts. These are the
[1:29:46] non-UN employees and it's setting a
[1:29:47] range.
[1:29:48] » And who decide who decides where on the
[1:29:50] range a particular
[1:29:52] » That's decided every year by the council
[1:29:54] » Each each individual
[1:29:56] » The council sets the whatever they set
[1:29:58] for raises for the salaries that that's
[1:30:01] done every year. And these are the
[1:30:03] ranges. We have to establish the ranges
[1:30:05] every year. We're required for pensions
[1:30:07] and civil service. We have to say here's
[1:30:09] the classifications and here's the
[1:30:11] ranges that that they fall within.
[1:30:13] People fall all within there. It depends
[1:30:15] on what they're hired at. It depends on
[1:30:17] what the annual ranges are. They float
[1:30:18] through these r ranges. They're not one.
[1:30:21] It's not binary. That's at the bottom or
[1:30:23] at the top. So,
[1:30:24] » Can you explain to to the audience how
[1:30:27] we set those ranges though? What do we
[1:30:28] utilize to set a range for an employee?
[1:30:31] » Most of the times it's it's market
[1:30:32] value. It's market value. It's market
[1:30:34] surveys. It's a whole lot of different
[1:30:35] mechanisms that you do classifications
[1:30:37] by. You look at area, other
[1:30:39] municipalities, other counties. We and
[1:30:41] we look at that range. Make sure our
[1:30:43] employees are somewhere in that range.
[1:30:45] » They available for years, too.
[1:30:46] » Yeah. This is good for five. We've done
[1:30:48] this. We've set this for five years now.
[1:30:49] So, this range is not going to change.
[1:30:51] » My position.
[1:30:51] » Yeah.
[1:30:52] » Yeah. Yeah. Matter of fact, this is on
[1:30:54] the this is on the website, you know,
[1:30:56] with the agenda packet, right?
[1:30:57] » Yes.
[1:30:58] » Yeah. But you're entitled Anybody's
[1:31:00] entitled to that information.
[1:31:03] » Thank you.
[1:31:03] » Anyone else?
[1:31:05] » Not seeing anything. Motion to bring it
[1:31:06] back. Motion
[1:31:07] » Second.
[1:31:08] » And I have a motion for the final
[1:31:10] adoption of 20 2026.
[1:31:12] » I'll make the motion.
[1:31:14] » Second.
[1:31:15] » And the roll call.
[1:31:17] » Mr. FCone?
[1:31:18] » Yes.
[1:31:18] » Miss Johnson?
[1:31:19] » No.
[1:31:20] » Mr. Gus?
[1:31:21] » Yes.
[1:31:22] » Miss Rodriguez?
[1:31:23] » No.
[1:31:24] » Mr. Taylor?
[1:31:25] » Yes.
[1:31:27] » Thank you.
[1:31:29] Moving on to old business. We don't have
[1:31:31] old business. I'm moving on to new
[1:31:32] business. The wellness center.
[1:31:35] » Yes. Um, so if you guys recall at the
[1:31:39] end of 2025 many times as my norm, I was
[1:31:43] asking what was happening with the
[1:31:44] wellness center because our lease
[1:31:46] expired at the end of I believe it was
[1:31:48] February of this year and I wanted us to
[1:31:50] have a game plan to know because the
[1:31:53] light consensus was we wanted to
[1:31:55] relocate the wellness center, not close
[1:31:56] it to a municipally owned building so
[1:31:59] we're not paying for rent and everything
[1:32:01] else out of pocket as a cost savings. um
[1:32:05] no answers were given. Um and then when
[1:32:07] it came up finally this year, we were
[1:32:09] locked in because it's now a polling
[1:32:12] location. So while there was never a new
[1:32:14] lease signed right to date, we still
[1:32:16] have not we're paying we're paying
[1:32:19] monthtomonth
[1:32:20] with because it has to stay open as a
[1:32:22] polling location which is going to be
[1:32:25] November 2nd, 3rd, whatever it is. Can
[1:32:28] we plan next steps now so we're not
[1:32:33] scurrying so it's not last minute if we
[1:32:35] have to send it to legal we have to send
[1:32:36] it to the GIF can we do it whatever
[1:32:38] we're going to do now so we're planning
[1:32:40] we have a game plan
[1:32:43] we have municipally owned buildings why
[1:32:45] are we paying more money out of pocket
[1:32:47] for a center that's open 9 to1 when most
[1:32:50] people are working we can put it in the
[1:32:52] senior center which I know we've talked
[1:32:54] about before you know the lower level of
[1:32:56] the senior center can't fit it or it's
[1:32:58] not in good enough shape, but it's in
[1:32:59] good enough shape for us to rent out to
[1:33:01] groups to utilize. So, I guess it
[1:33:03] depends which way the the wind blows,
[1:33:05] but what are we doing with the wellness
[1:33:07] center?
[1:33:10] » Right now, we're month to month.
[1:33:11] » What's the game plan after?
[1:33:13] » Uh, you got to make a determination if
[1:33:15] you want to continue the operation there
[1:33:17] or find another alternate uh facility.
[1:33:20] Um, right now that's a very busy place.
[1:33:22] They they're they're on average 49
[1:33:25] walk-ins a week. Um that's since March
[1:33:29] of this year. The high of 79 and low of
[1:33:32] the high of 75 and low of 29 and
[1:33:35] everything each week is in between.
[1:33:37] That's a busy place. So
[1:33:38] » And that's and that's only it being open
[1:33:39] 9 to1. Right.
[1:33:41] » Right. So to move it to a building
[1:33:42] that's open 9 to 4:30 where we run a
[1:33:45] county lunch program out of where more
[1:33:47] services could be available to our
[1:33:49] seniors.
[1:33:52] » So is the proposal to move it to the
[1:33:54] senior center? I would like to see a
[1:33:55] move to an already municipally owned
[1:33:57] building. We are saving on rent alone is
[1:33:59] going to what $15,000 a year just the
[1:34:02] rent.
[1:34:03] » So why don't we as a council come up
[1:34:05] with some viable options where we can
[1:34:07] move it or where we think we should move
[1:34:09] it and
[1:34:10] » I think you would probably have to task
[1:34:11] the administrator with trying to do that
[1:34:13] because of uh the logistics of what the
[1:34:17] wellness center consists of currently
[1:34:19] with the access from the public and the
[1:34:22] access of whatever the public building
[1:34:23] would be. I know it's another job, Ron.
[1:34:25] I'm sorry. Um, but we would need to do
[1:34:28] that to see exactly space-wise what's
[1:34:30] utilized, what's necessary, what's
[1:34:31] needed before we make a decision to move
[1:34:34] into a building.
[1:34:35] » So, can we submit our suggestions to
[1:34:37] Ronda?
[1:34:39] » Sure. Okay.
[1:34:40] » And then by the next meeting or maybe by
[1:34:42] the October meeting just so we're I
[1:34:44] don't want to give it a month. I think
[1:34:46] that's a long time, but I also
[1:34:47] » I don't know if Ron will be able to do
[1:34:48] all of the municipal buildings in a
[1:34:50] month,
[1:34:51] » But I don't want to speak. Did you mean
[1:34:53] give your suggestions before the next
[1:34:55] meeting?
[1:34:55] » No.
[1:34:56] » Well, for us to give him our suggestions
[1:34:57] by the next meeting and then maybe have
[1:34:58] him
[1:35:00] give us the viable options that are
[1:35:02] actual viable options for the first
[1:35:04] meeting of October. So, we're kind of
[1:35:06] getting it moving and rolling.
[1:35:08] » What do you think cost?
[1:35:10] » That's fine. I I think we need to
[1:35:12] clearly understand the cost factors
[1:35:14] here. That is that what pays for this
[1:35:16] and what doesn't pay for that. So I will
[1:35:18] communicate that out tomorrow as well
[1:35:21] that it doesn't cost us we get grant
[1:35:25] monies in from the county from the
[1:35:26] public health grants and we take
[1:35:30] portions of that to pay for the villain.
[1:35:32] So it's not costing our budget to to
[1:35:35] facilitize that. We treat that as a
[1:35:37] public health a so we offset some of the
[1:35:41] cost on that using those monies. Would
[1:35:44] we Sorry to cut you off, but would we
[1:35:46] lose that grant if
[1:35:47] » No, it's just about how we apply it.
[1:35:49] » That's the That's the county program
[1:35:51] grant, right? So, did you ever get an
[1:35:53] answer to your question about what line
[1:35:54] item the the grant funding specific for
[1:35:56] the wellness center comes from? Because
[1:35:58] I know we get the grant funding specific
[1:36:00] for the county lunch program.
[1:36:02] » Yes. The county lunch program for the
[1:36:03] senior center is about $27,000 a year
[1:36:06] that we use that they rent out our space
[1:36:09] right
[1:36:10] » From 9 to1 Monday through 9 to2
[1:36:13] » Monday through Friday. Um the grant the
[1:36:17] wellness grant that we get I think is
[1:36:18] about $2,000
[1:36:22] » I think.
[1:36:23] » Okay. I have that email.
[1:36:25] » I'll I'll recommunicate that so we have
[1:36:27] a clear understanding of the cost
[1:36:29] structure there. That way we're not
[1:36:30] making arbit you know I don't want to
[1:36:31] say arbitrary but we're making decision
[1:36:36] » We're making decision based on data.
[1:36:37] » Sure.
[1:36:38] » Yeah. No listen 100% I agree and I think
[1:36:40] you know everybody wants to talk about
[1:36:41] having a plan having a plan and then we
[1:36:43] try to have plans and we can't get plans
[1:36:44] in place. So that's why I'm like if it's
[1:36:47] what it's September so if we are paying
[1:36:49] month to month until November maybe from
[1:36:51] then until November we can have
[1:36:53] something soft idea nothing committed
[1:36:56] just what are the options where is this
[1:36:58] going if it's going what's happening I
[1:37:00] just feel like something has to happen
[1:37:02] with this because a decision needs to be
[1:37:03] made
[1:37:05] » Well I think this will fall into you
[1:37:08] know the discussion we're having with
[1:37:10] the consolidation with the finance
[1:37:12] potentially
[1:37:13] » Uh probably bring this one of the
[1:37:16] entities of course to save money or make
[1:37:19] the money for us rather than somebody
[1:37:21] else but this was ongoing conversation
[1:37:24] even going back even last year but we
[1:37:26] just never executed we never just
[1:37:28] followed through
[1:37:29] » Right
[1:37:30] » We it's all of our issues here it's not
[1:37:33] not just one person
[1:37:34] » No 100% that's why that that's why we're
[1:37:36] bringing it up right it's like start
[1:37:38] restart the conversation
[1:37:39] » That's why we're doing the consolidation
[1:37:40] talk now for next year all the stuff
[1:37:43] that we're having happens now it's going
[1:37:45] to benefit us for next year not
[1:37:47] » You don't next year
[1:37:49] » So
[1:37:50] » That's a great idea
[1:37:53] » Okay
[1:37:53] » The other things the other things I had
[1:37:55] because we had skipped over
[1:37:56] correspondence really quick we this
[1:37:58] governing body did get an email um I'd
[1:38:02] like to add it in new business from a
[1:38:04] resident I'm assuming is a resident
[1:38:06] didn't give a name whom flex we'll call
[1:38:08] them um about their concerns with the
[1:38:13] status of the parks and keeping things
[1:38:15] maintained. So, Ron, my question is
[1:38:18] every year when we approve the budget
[1:38:20] and we get the capital budget, are we
[1:38:22] looking at root causes of long-standing
[1:38:24] problems? If we're approving all these
[1:38:26] capital projects, are we making it a
[1:38:28] president to go back and fix
[1:38:29] long-standing items first with these
[1:38:31] capital monies that are coming in? Are
[1:38:33] we saying, "Yes, do this capital
[1:38:35] project. Do this capital project." But
[1:38:36] we have things that are out of code that
[1:38:38] are possible liabilities for the town
[1:38:39] and we're just turning a blind eye to
[1:38:42] them until we're having a big
[1:38:43] celebration and we throw some mulch
[1:38:44] down.
[1:38:45] » That's not truth.
[1:38:46] » No, no, no. That's not true at all.
[1:38:48] » And I understand that, but I understand
[1:38:49] their frustration in this email that
[1:38:51] came to us. And I'm not trying to make a
[1:38:52] joke of it, but I don't want to just
[1:38:54] talk about good correspondence that
[1:38:56] comes in. This is a genuine concern. I
[1:38:57] think we should talk about the good, the
[1:38:58] bad, and the ugly that comes in because
[1:39:00] not everything is sunshine and rainbows
[1:39:02] here.
[1:39:03] How how can we assure the public that
[1:39:05] these long-standing issues every capital
[1:39:07] project and we put money aside for these
[1:39:09] projects, we're not just getting new
[1:39:11] stuff, we are fixing things that are in
[1:39:13] fact broken. Like where can we
[1:39:15] » Maintenance
[1:39:16] » Maintenance? Thank you. But like where
[1:39:17] can we publicize or keep people informed
[1:39:20] that their tax dollars are being well
[1:39:22] spent and even grant funding is being
[1:39:23] well spent on keeping things maintained
[1:39:26] or what's coming, what they can expect.
[1:39:28] Aside from listening to a meeting and
[1:39:30] having to read the minutes or watch the
[1:39:31] video, like we don't tell them anything
[1:39:33] about what's to come or what they can
[1:39:35] expect. We make great announcements on
[1:39:37] grant receipt, which is fantastic, but
[1:39:40] that doesn't mean anything to them
[1:39:41] unless they know they can see something
[1:39:43] actually come of it or when to expect
[1:39:44] it.
[1:39:47] » Good.
[1:39:49] So Ron, my suggestion would be when
[1:39:51] you're having the safety meetings
[1:39:52] quarterly with um the insurance company,
[1:39:55] you might want to be able to um talk
[1:39:59] about that here after that meeting this
[1:40:02] way because the insurance company,
[1:40:04] I'm sure you can explain, you know, does
[1:40:06] go through our parks, does go through
[1:40:08] our sites, does inspect our vehicles,
[1:40:10] doesn't spot inspections on construction
[1:40:12] and paving and whatnot continuously. And
[1:40:15] that's brought up at that meeting. So,
[1:40:17] um you can always maybe that's something
[1:40:19] that we can talk about uh
[1:40:22] [clears throat]
[1:40:22] bringing here.
[1:40:24] » We can absolutely do that. We get
[1:40:25] audited a lot. So,
[1:40:27] » Exactly.
[1:40:29] » And my last question was, did we ever
[1:40:31] find out what the total settlement
[1:40:32] amount was for the PEOS lawsuit? I know
[1:40:36] we got that first payment or anticipated
[1:40:38] first payment. Did we ever get a total
[1:40:39] figure of what the town is owed?
[1:40:42] Can we do this instead of adding to new
[1:40:46] business? If you've got specific
[1:40:47] questions like that, why don't you email
[1:40:49] me or call me
[1:40:50] » Cuz that is a we know we get a report on
[1:40:54] what the next payment's going to be.
[1:40:56] What the total settlement is, I'm not
[1:40:58] too sure about. So,
[1:41:00] » I don't know if there is a
[1:41:01] » I don't know if there is a total. It's a
[1:41:02] it's they keep going back after more and
[1:41:04] after more and after more. And trust me,
[1:41:07] our attorneys that are handling that,
[1:41:08] they're going after everything they can
[1:41:10] cuz they get paid as well. So, we're we
[1:41:13] we just say thank you when the
[1:41:15] settlement monies come in. So, I can
[1:41:18] look and see if there is a total amount.
[1:41:20] I know it's a percentage of a of a
[1:41:22] figure, so I can find that out. But
[1:41:25] instead of doing this here, why don't we
[1:41:27] ask that and I can get I be I can get
[1:41:30] you more accurate information. I don't
[1:41:32] have it here.
[1:41:36] Okay. Um, moving on to um
[1:41:41] public comment. Can I have a motion to
[1:41:42] open to the public?
[1:41:44] » Second.
[1:41:45] » All those in favor? I
[1:41:47] » The meeting is open to the public.
[1:41:55] My favorite topic.
[1:41:57] » Yeah. July 31st was a cut off date that
[1:41:59] this that the federal government's
[1:42:01] supposed to make the next allotment to
[1:42:04] our attorneys to tell the bureau what
[1:42:06] we're going to get. Like we got 26,000
[1:42:09] out of what $7 billion and we got
[1:42:13] $26,000 for the March 31st cutoff, but
[1:42:16] July 31st was the cut off date that our
[1:42:19] attorneys had to file to say what we
[1:42:22] were entitled to based on the damages
[1:42:25] that was caused to the bureau. So, I'm
[1:42:27] figuring we're into September. We should
[1:42:29] hear pretty quickly what that amount
[1:42:31] should be as far as what they're going
[1:42:33] to toss to us. Second, a burrow of
[1:42:37] 14,000 people approximately, and you're
[1:42:40] ringing a cowbell that 80 people go to
[1:42:42] the wellness center a week that's
[1:42:44] operated during the hours of 9 to 1 when
[1:42:46] most people work 9 to5, 8 to 4, 7 to 3.
[1:42:52] would be really novel idea if the
[1:42:54] wellness center would be open 9 to one
[1:42:57] on Mondays and Wednesdays but 2 to 6 on
[1:43:01] Tuesdays and Thursdays and maybe all day
[1:43:05] Friday or screw Friday let's just open
[1:43:08] it on a Saturday and let's see who comes
[1:43:11] into the wellness center for free pet
[1:43:14] supplies free child care products
[1:43:17] diapers wellness products and whatever
[1:43:20] else is there Because many times I
[1:43:23] think, oh, I've got glasses that I'm
[1:43:24] going to donate to the women's club that
[1:43:27] is I can bring them to the wellness
[1:43:29] center and I'll look at my clock, it'll
[1:43:31] be 1:30,
[1:43:33] so I won't go. So, why don't we flip the
[1:43:36] hours and make them a little bit so that
[1:43:38] people can access it and maybe out of
[1:43:40] 14,000 people who live in the burrow,
[1:43:42] maybe more than 50 to 75 people can go a
[1:43:46] week because it accommodates their days.
[1:43:49] And if you look at the web pages, there
[1:43:51] are people who are asking like, "Is
[1:43:53] there any way you can be open 2 to 6?"
[1:43:55] Or, "Can you open up on a Saturday
[1:43:58] morning cuz my dog's starving or
[1:44:00] whatever." So, would be really good if
[1:44:02] we would be a little bit more flexible
[1:44:04] with this wellness center that we're
[1:44:06] spending $15,000 a year, plus we're
[1:44:08] paying someone to sit there and do it.
[1:44:11] So, we have to be paying a salary for
[1:44:14] that and the electricity and all of
[1:44:16] that. And regarding this marijuana
[1:44:18] thing, just keep loading it up with all
[1:44:20] your little things that you don't want
[1:44:22] it. You don't want it, you don't want
[1:44:23] it. Cuz I can guarantee you there is not
[1:44:26] one sane retailer out there that's going
[1:44:29] to come to this burrow and deal with our
[1:44:31] land use board and our council and we're
[1:44:34] never going to do it. It's going to be
[1:44:36] we're spinning our wheels. We look we we
[1:44:39] missed the boat 5 years ago. All of the
[1:44:42] burrows are around us, surrounding us
[1:44:44] have it. And all we keep doing is let's
[1:44:47] just throw another monkey wrench into
[1:44:49] this ordinance. Let's just do it. And I
[1:44:51] can guarantee you there will be vote no
[1:44:54] signs up for the November election. Can
[1:44:58] guarantee it.
[1:45:02] » Anyone else?
[1:45:07] So, I just wanted to share some insight
[1:45:09] and helpful information that I had a
[1:45:11] conversation with a neighboring town
[1:45:14] that has a population of about three and
[1:45:17] a half like 3,000 people um and their
[1:45:20] experience with marijuana.
[1:45:23] Um
[1:45:24] they their cannabis is retail sales only
[1:45:27] and the bureau has limited itself to one
[1:45:29] retail license based on the population
[1:45:33] the base licensing structure similar to
[1:45:36] the availability of liquor license at
[1:45:38] this time. The municipality does not
[1:45:40] permit cannabis manufacturing
[1:45:42] facilities.
[1:45:44] They listed all their local uh
[1:45:46] regulations. Um I'm not going to go
[1:45:49] through all them, but I can forward the
[1:45:50] email to you guys.
[1:45:52] um related to their land use and site
[1:45:55] plan requirements contained in their
[1:45:57] chapter for land development procedures.
[1:46:00] Local taxation.
[1:46:02] Um
[1:46:04] from a financial standpoint, the bureau
[1:46:06] imposes the maximum local sales tax
[1:46:08] authorized by the state law for retail
[1:46:11] cannabis sales. Revenue has been very
[1:46:14] positive and continues to grow. Each
[1:46:16] quarterly tax distribution has increased
[1:46:19] since operations began with the most
[1:46:21] recent quarterly payment being
[1:46:23] approximately $17,000.
[1:46:25] So a year that's estimated at $68,000
[1:46:29] for the burrow. Uh for municipality of
[1:46:32] their size, it has provided a meaningful
[1:46:35] and reliable source of new local revenue
[1:46:39] without placing additional burden on
[1:46:41] taxpayers. Operationally, they've
[1:46:43] experienced no issues with retail
[1:46:45] establishment. There has been no public
[1:46:47] safety concerns, nuisance complaints, or
[1:46:50] operational problems. The business owner
[1:46:53] has been highly engaged with the
[1:46:54] community and has operated as a
[1:46:56] responsible small business partner. With
[1:47:00] respect to zoning um development
[1:47:04] standards, the ordinances were
[1:47:05] intentionally written to limit the
[1:47:07] cannabis retail operations to very
[1:47:09] specific commercial quarters along uh
[1:47:13] limited sections. Um
[1:47:17] and it ensures the compatibility with
[1:47:19] existing business uses while avoiding
[1:47:22] encroachment into residential
[1:47:24] neighborhoods.
[1:47:26] Um the cannabis applicants are also
[1:47:29] subject to the burough standard uh land
[1:47:32] development review processes site plans
[1:47:35] review compliance with applicable
[1:47:38] requirements related to the signage
[1:47:40] setbacks lighting and so forth. the
[1:47:42] buffering parking um
[1:47:47] excessive or unusual restrictions
[1:47:49] specific to cannabis beyond reasonable
[1:47:51] operation and security expectations
[1:47:53] consist with state law and sound
[1:47:55] planning principles. In my view, the
[1:47:58] primary advantages have been a growing
[1:48:00] dependable source of tax revenue. the
[1:48:03] additional
[1:48:07] increased economic activity with no
[1:48:09] measurable negative community impact.
[1:48:12] » What time was that from?
[1:48:14] » Um, I will forward you the email.
[1:48:23] » 58,000 a year.
[1:48:28] [clears throat]
[1:48:33] Jen and Rachel, how
[1:48:35] » I know what time it is.
[1:48:37] » Thank you.
[1:48:41] » Get the email, babe.
[1:48:45] It's my time.
[1:48:46] » Um,
[1:48:48] uh, I wanted to reiterate something. Uh,
[1:48:51] someone said earlier, it was incredible
[1:48:52] to see the pothole fix on BMR that fast.
[1:48:55] That was great. Um, I hope all the other
[1:48:57] things that were outstanding, uh, being
[1:48:59] held up on budget are moving and I I do
[1:49:01] like I appreciate it. You get a lot of
[1:49:04] the short end of the stick here and I
[1:49:06] feel like you should get um, a pat on
[1:49:08] the back once in a while,
[1:49:10] » Twice or three times. Thank you.
[1:49:12] » Um,
[1:49:18] I'm glad that somebody brought that up.
[1:49:19] Uh, I meant to bring that up earlier.
[1:49:22] Um,
[1:49:23] I had a heartbreaking situation. And I
[1:49:25] was sitting with uh neighbors um just
[1:49:27] having a conversation and um one I we
[1:49:31] identified that this a particular
[1:49:32] neighbor uh could have uh utilized some
[1:49:35] program and they may or may not. In
[1:49:37] short, I'm trying to say ever since I
[1:49:38] moved here, neighbors, people just talk
[1:49:41] about PAS and mayor, you did you and the
[1:49:44] ladies and whomever else was involved.
[1:49:45] You guys did a great job when I first
[1:49:47] moved in. I was like, "Shit, this is
[1:49:48] great. Everyone's communicating. I know
[1:49:49] I don't have to answer questions for our
[1:49:51] neighbors." I started researching stuff
[1:49:53] and I was like, "No, they got it." But
[1:49:55] now I feel like I don't know, people are
[1:49:57] still bringing it up. I guess some funds
[1:49:58] are still coming in um either to this to
[1:50:01] you guys or to the residents. I'm not
[1:50:03] sure in what fashion, but can we maybe
[1:50:05] do another like you got to spoon feed
[1:50:07] some people and there's a lot of people
[1:50:09] in this town that maybe just I don't
[1:50:11] know for whatever reason they just
[1:50:12] either didn't get the initial round or
[1:50:15] the second round or the 15th round or
[1:50:17] but we're doing 10 11 rounds on certain
[1:50:19] things with TC. So, let's go a 13 round.
[1:50:21] Let's do another round of information
[1:50:23] out there just or or like a recap. And
[1:50:25] if it's out there, I apologize. So, I'll
[1:50:27] move on on that one. my phone's
[1:50:28] about to die. Um,
[1:50:31] I mentioned it once before, speeding on
[1:50:34] a lakeside. Is there anything that we
[1:50:36] can do about that? Um, I I don't know.
[1:50:38] Uh, did somebody speak? I don't know.
[1:50:40] Can we put a cop at the end of the right
[1:50:43] there at the um the welcome uh to Sussex
[1:50:47] County? Because we need revenue, right?
[1:50:49] So, tax me, tax or give me tickets. Give
[1:50:53] everyone tickets. I don't know. Um,
[1:50:57] and THC. There was something with THC.
[1:51:00] What are we going to do if the uh the
[1:51:02] residents vote against it?
[1:51:04] Nobody has to answer that. That's
[1:51:05] rhetorical. Don't cut it into my time.
[1:51:07] Um, the But what are we going to do?
[1:51:10] Like, we're going through all this time
[1:51:11] and all this effort and it was voted for
[1:51:13] once and I might vote no. I mean, like,
[1:51:15] who the hell knows? Like, if we're
[1:51:16] putting it out there, like, do we have
[1:51:17] any pulse on it? and what we're going to
[1:51:19] do because we spent a lot of investment,
[1:51:21] a lot of time in this meeting, these
[1:51:23] meetings alone in this um what's our
[1:51:26] what's our another exit strategy? What's
[1:51:28] another pivot?
[1:51:29] » I could answer that. If if the town
[1:51:31] votes no in favor of not doing it, then
[1:51:34] » I wouldn't pursue it any further either.
[1:51:36] » I asked the same question. It was like
[1:51:37] if one person votes against it more than
[1:51:40] then it's a no. So
[1:51:43] » You might be wasting your time.
[1:51:46] Um, anyone else?
[1:51:56] » No, for something completely completely
[1:51:58] different. [laughter]
[1:52:01] » Somebody got that. Okay,
[1:52:02] » I'm old.
[1:52:04] » All right. Um, we uh talked about the
[1:52:08] wellness center and I was just wondering
[1:52:10] if any and this is just thought u um if
[1:52:14] any of the uh certain properties owned
[1:52:17] by the burrow not required for public
[1:52:19] purposes if any of them have uh a uh
[1:52:22] building on it. Maybe we could use that.
[1:52:26] » The stone jail
[1:52:30] » The stone jail. She said,
[1:52:33] » "Oh, the stone jail."
[1:52:34] » She said,
[1:52:34] » "I was just gonna keep
[1:52:36] » That would be possible. It's very
[1:52:38] secure." [laughter]
[1:52:43] » So anyway, just just a thought.
[1:52:46] » Thank you.
[1:52:48] » Anyone else?
[1:52:51] Not seeing anything. Motion to bring it
[1:52:52] back.
[1:52:53] » Second.
[1:52:54] » I don't any uh comments this evening. Do
[1:52:57] we need executive?
[1:52:58] » No.
[1:52:59] » And there's no executive. Can we go to
[1:53:00] Can I make do I have to make a motion to
[1:53:02] go to executive or can we go to
[1:53:04] executive?
[1:53:06] » Sorry.
[1:53:06] » Yeah.
[1:53:06] » Is there going to be any action or just
[1:53:08] present discussion?
[1:53:11] » No action.
[1:53:11] » There's no action then we could just let
[1:53:13] everybody else go.
[1:53:15] » What's it for?
[1:53:16] » What's we have to
[1:53:17] » Contracts? Contracts. Okay.
[1:53:21] » So, we're going to be going into
[1:53:22] executive session for contracts. There's
[1:53:24] going to be no action taken. So, you
[1:53:25] don't need to hang around afterwards to
[1:53:27] hear what happens afterwards.
[1:53:29] to run tickets.
[1:53:31] » You're welcome to if you want to.
[1:53:34] » Thank you all for coming.
[1:53:42] Who's