[0:00] Allegian to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[0:05] for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:11] justice for all.

[0:19] » Good evening and welcome to the September 8th, 2026 regular meeting of

[0:23] the Jackson Township Council. Pursuant to the provisions of New Jerseys open

[0:28] public meeting act, adequate notice of this meeting was properly provided by

[0:31] transmitting a notice of the meeting on January 9th for publication. Notice of

[0:35] this meeting in the township councils but posted the in the corridor of the

[0:38] municipal building on the township website and in the office municipal

[0:41] clerk. We'll begin with a roll call. Councilman Barlli

[0:44] » here. >> Councilman Breie

[0:46] » here. >> Councilman Pollock

[0:47] » here. >> Council vice president Paul Mary

[0:49] » present. >> Council President Bernstein

[0:51] » here. Also attending this evening is Mayor Cune, Attorney McGucket,

[0:55] administrator Tara Franco, and myself, Cassandra Martin.

[0:59] The first item for this evening's agenda would be the small business recognition.

[1:04] Council President Bernstein. >> So, I'm going to turn the floor over to

[1:07] council vice president. >> Thank you.

[1:11] Tonight, we are proud to recognize another great Jackson business as part

[1:16] of our small business highlight program. [clears throat] Aspen Tree Experts is

[1:22] celebrating an incredible milestone. 50 years in business. Five decades Aspen

[1:28] has been a family-owned business serving Jackson and communities throughout our

[1:33] area. I recently had the opportunity to spend time some time with co-owner Steve

[1:37] Chisum. Learn more about Aspen's history and see firsthand the pride they take in

[1:43] the business they built. Reaching 50 years is a tremendous

[1:47] accomplishment and it speaks to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the

[1:52] entire Aspen team. So tonight, on behalf of the mayor and the township council,

[1:57] we are proud to recognize Aspen Tree Experts as our Jackson Township small

[2:03] business highlight and congratulate them on 50 years in business. So Steve,

[2:08] congratulations. And if Yep. [applause]

[2:20] And if you and everyone that you brought would like to come up please and we'd be

[2:25] honored to present you with this recognition.

[2:29] Um Steve, how many generations of Chisums have been involved in this

[2:33] business? Three. Congratulations, guys. [applause]

[3:08] Thank

[3:14] Thank you very much.

[3:18] [applause]

[3:24] [applause]

[3:53] Thank you. We're going to continue with council township comments starting with

[3:58] council president Bernstein. >> Okay. So, thank you madame clerk and

[4:02] thank you and congratulations to the Chisum family. I had the opportunity in

[4:06] serving for a little bit of time with Steve I guess Junior. Um we appreciated

[4:10] all the work that you did here on council and uh I appreciate the work

[4:14] that you're continuing to do on ROA. So, I just want to start with a couple

[4:17] updates. Um we had a ROA a Roa Farms committee meeting last week. It was

[4:22] actually one of our more well attended meetings as of recent with the new

[4:26] engineer. Um and he updated the team on what the status of some of the um

[4:31] submitts were and um he gave us a commitment I think it was last week

[4:35] Monday that he would have everything ready by to the township by Friday for

[4:39] it to be submitted for final D. We generally try not to add anything onto

[4:44] the agenda last minute but I felt I gave a commitment to the ROA team that I

[4:47] would be comfortable with it. Council was emailed probably about a half hour

[4:50] before the meeting. Everyone should have it on their seat in front of them. A

[4:54] add-on to the bills list um for $2885 which is a check from the town to Ocean

[5:01] County Soil Conservation District. So the town hopefully I know the business

[5:05] administrator um signed the paperwork today. So hopefully fresh and early

[5:09] tomorrow we can reach out to the engineer and we can submit it to D to

[5:13] Ocean County soils and to the Ocean County Planning Board so we can finally

[5:17] move move it to the next step and um to the residents who have been waiting for

[5:24] many many years. We apologize that we're going to continue to keep our feet on

[5:28] our foot on the gas to try to move it forward. Um, I just want to give a

[5:32] couple of other updates on things that we've been working on that we hope to

[5:35] look we're looking forward to over the next couple weeks. Um, Councilman Paul

[5:39] Mary and Councilman Pollock reached out to me about um, working on some of the

[5:43] ordinances with regard to warehouses. I had the opportunity in speaking for a

[5:47] long time to our attorney and our engineer this week. I got an email not

[5:50] so long ago which I will forward to my colleagues with some of the ideas that

[5:54] we're working on to try to pro better protect some of the surrounding areas

[5:58] where warehouses are located or going to be located potentially in Jackson. Um

[6:02] Councilman found some stake islands were able to use it as maybe a a a buffer and

[6:07] maybe as a guidance. So we look forward I'm hoping to have a draft ordinance

[6:11] ready by the end of this week to get over to council and to go from there.

[6:15] Um, additionally, I had some back and forth with my colleagues on council

[6:19] pertaining to um, we had introduced a ordinance which we put on hold with

[6:24] regard to storm water. Um, which I do believe is a very very big issue is that

[6:29] we are we are continuing to see more and more flooding within some of our

[6:32] neighborhoods as people, you know, make various additions and lose some of the

[6:35] impervious coverage. There was some back and forth that was brought up by the

[6:38] council meeting um, by two residents pertaining to the um, appeal process.

[6:43] Um, and we um had some back and forth. I got an email about a half hour before

[6:48] the meeting um from the resident who I've been in touch with um who is

[6:53] studying it and we are um forwarded to our attorneys already and we are going

[6:57] to continue working on that. I would like to introduce it this year because I

[7:01] do think it's something important um and I think it's something that will help

[7:03] protect some of our neighborhoods and definitely some of our higher dense

[7:07] neighborhoods in town. So, we're going to be be moving forward on that. Um,

[7:11] additionally, I just want to take a moment and just really recognize um and

[7:15] wish a condolences to the to the family who lost their nine-month-old child last

[7:20] week in a horrific accident here in Jackson. Our prayers are with them. Um,

[7:25] I unfortunately um had the sad um opportunity or um a misfortune. The

[7:34] family lives about 10 doors from my house. My children know them very well.

[7:37] I know the the parents. I didn't know the child. and I had to tell them Friday

[7:40] night and it's never an easy conversation to have with a uh when my

[7:45] daughters know their older older children um their child hopefully is is

[7:50] in a better place now looking down and our condolences to the family because no

[7:54] one should ever have to bury anyone let alone a child like that is such a such a

[7:58] terrible terrible tragedy and um I just want to also mention that you know I

[8:02] think times like this we all remember that we're all Americans we all bleed

[8:05] the same blood and we have to look past our differences and and remember that

[8:09] because um I got the first phone call as I was actually pulling into town hall. I

[8:13] had a meeting with the clerk. I sat in my car for 15 minutes crying. Um and

[8:17] because I just couldn't come in um and our prayers to the family, our prayers

[8:21] anyone who knew them and uh we should never have to hear such news again here

[8:25] in Jackson Township. Um I also want to take a moment. I know the mayor is going

[8:29] to do a proclamation for for 911. And I apologize if I'm a little long. Um but

[8:33] it hit me today. Um it it is obviously a huge um it's been a while since 911

[8:38] happened and I was thinking today I interviewed someone for a job today and

[8:42] I saw her resume. She was 22 years old and she was applying for a teaching

[8:46] position and it hit me. They have no idea it's it's after it's after they

[8:51] were born. Um I'm not that old but I still remember I was in seventh grade. I

[8:55] lived in Cleveland and the airplane um one of the airplanes at that point had

[9:01] had turned around and the rumors were that they were over Ohio for a few

[9:04] minutes and I was in a you know a Jewish school with over a thousand children and

[9:09] obviously obviously everyone was panicking and we went into lockdown.

[9:12] I'll never forget that and obviously I can never relate to those who actually

[9:15] lost dear ones in the in the towers or in in Pennsylvania or on the planes. But

[9:20] a special special thank you to all of the men and women from here from

[9:23] everywhere who went out of their way to to give up their lives and we all know

[9:28] what went on down there and to give up their lives from their family and

[9:31] everyone in order to save fellow Americans, your service will never ever

[9:35] go um unnoticed. And I think as educators and those in in public office

[9:41] and really as moms and dads um looking around the room, I think most people

[9:44] here were born after before 911. But we should do a the best job possible

[9:49] educating our children, educating the next generations of what happened on

[9:52] that day because, you know, we're running out of people who remember World

[9:55] War II. And we can't we can't ever forget. We already have deniers to what

[9:59] happened to 911. And we already have unfortunately people who support 911

[10:04] being elected in in office. And we must stand together as Americans and say

[10:07] never again. And we have to rise up against hate of all form. Thank you and

[10:11] have a wonderful night. [applause]

[10:14] Council

[10:19] Vice President Pomeary. >> Thank you, Clerk. Um, I'm going to kind

[10:22] of talk on it as well, and I don't want to take too much away from the

[10:26] proclamation, but uh, it's a solemn anniversary, the 25th anniversary of of

[10:32] 911. It is something that we must always

[10:36] remember and teach the next generation. Everybody that's a senior in high school

[10:40] right now wasn't even born during 911. So we say never forget, but we really

[10:47] need to, especially those that were alive for it, we need to teach our kids,

[10:52] our grandkids, and let them really understand what happened, who did it,

[10:57] and why. It's important that we never forget that there almost 3,000 lives

[11:03] that were lost and even after many died because of the uh what they were

[11:09] breathing down there. And to all of our first responders, those that were are

[11:13] here this evening, those that were there and gave their lives, and those that

[11:19] unfortunately succumbed to illness thereafter.

[11:22] They're are heroes. These are our heroes. If we could just give a round of

[11:24] applause for our heroes that are here [applause] here tonight for doing what

[11:28] you did.

[11:33] So, may we always remember it. May we be may we be vigil. And uh God bless you

[11:39] all. and God bless America. [applause]

[11:47] » Council member Elli. >> Uh thank you, Clerk Martin. First of

[11:49] all, um my thoughts and prayers are with the mother uh family of the nine-month

[11:54] baby um who was killed in the MPGs uh parking lot. Should have never happened.

[12:00] Um I see that we are recognizing aspentry experts and it's nice to see uh

[12:06] the Chisum family with us tonight. Um, congratulations on an amazing uh 50

[12:10] years in business. They are a great Jackson family, a great Jacksonbased

[12:14] business who continue to serve and volunteer in our town. Uh, much

[12:18] congratulations to uh, Steve Chisum Senior and your beautiful family and uh,

[12:24] your hardworking staff on building an incredible and successful business right

[12:28] here in Jackson. Uh, I also wish all the kids of Jackson, I know they started

[12:33] school today, including my grandkids, Lucas and Ellie, a fun and rewarding and

[12:36] successful new school year. In closing, I know my colleagues had touched upon

[12:42] the 25th anniversary of 911. Can't believe it's been um that many years

[12:47] since that beautiful Chris September morning that began like any other day

[12:51] and turned very quickly into our nation's worst tragedy. and all of us

[12:55] were deeply affected by the events of September 11, 2001, especially being so

[13:00] close to it in New Jersey. Thank God for the people who got out of the iconic uh

[13:04] Twin Towers. And we'll always remember the people who perished on that horrific

[13:08] day on the four hijack planes. I think the hardest part um is there were

[13:13] children on some of those planes. Remember those who perished in

[13:17] buildings, the workers like Ed Oliver and Joe Mangano from Jackson, the

[13:22] visitors to the towers that day. incredibly brave firefighters and police

[13:26] officers. Um, see some of you in our room who serve Jackson and thank you for

[13:30] your service and people who continue to this day to pass away from the results

[13:35] of being exposed to the environment after 911 like Richard Skinner of

[13:39] Jackson who passed away four years ago from working at the World Trade Center

[13:44] attacks. We honor their memories today and always. and we honor the memories of

[13:48] our servicemen and women who have died since then to keep America safe and

[13:52] secure from another terrorist attacks. And please keep your thoughts and

[13:56] prayers with the people who are still affected and impacted by the events of

[14:00] September 11, 2001. As always, thank you to our first responders. A big way we

[14:05] can honor those who perished on 911 and afterwards from the effects of 911 is

[14:10] respecting and supporting our law enforcement officers, first responders,

[14:13] and military personnel and supporting leaders who will advocate for them and

[14:17] advocate for policies that will keep our great country safe and secure from

[14:21] another 911 from happening. Let our kids be taught the real truth and history of

[14:25] the events of September 11th, as council president uh Bernstein had alluded to.

[14:30] stop the appeasement and political correctness. So many heroes from that

[14:33] day and afterwards. Thank you, [applause]

[14:41] » Councilman Brazie. >> Uh yes, thank you. [clears throat] My

[14:44] condolences definitely go out to the parent lost that child with an accident

[14:48] that should have never happened and uh I guess it's every parent's nightmare if

[14:52] they have to bury a child. So, my condolences to the family and and really

[14:57] heartfelt. [clears throat] Steve Chisum, I've worked with you for

[15:01] years. Your family can't say enough. You've done a lot for so many people and

[15:06] uh thank you for all your services you've given to the town. I really

[15:09] appreciate it and your family. Talking about 911 real quick. It was

[15:15] pretty much the area we live in. We got hit pretty hard. Mayor Raina lost his

[15:19] brother. I have St. Veronic's teachers lost their husbands. We lost a coach. It

[15:24] was very heavily felt in this area. Um, and our first responders that went out,

[15:30] I don't know here who's here out of them tonight or some are, but there was uh

[15:34] three captains. They were officers at the time. There were captains at that

[15:38] time. They went out there almost immediately for five days and they

[15:41] stayed out there. Captain McBride, Captain Heratco, and Captain Ca all went

[15:46] out there for five days, stopped very little, ate very little and little water

[15:50] for five days, and they responded right away. I know other EMTs went out there,

[15:54] other fire people went out there. God bless them all and God bless their first

[15:58] responders all the time. We really appreciate it. Um 911 is something that

[16:03] is not easy to speak about. It happened. We cannot forget about it. And uh at one

[16:09] time it pulled this country together and I think that has to happen again. So

[16:13] thank you for coming out this evening. God bless.

[16:21] Councilman Paul, >> thank you. Uh, you know, I think we're

[16:25] all sharing very similar sentiments tonight. I think that's a good thing.

[16:29] Uh, what happened to that nine-month old child is absolutely disheartening. Uh,

[16:33] it's sad and it's what every parent fears in their life. And uh we're just

[16:39] uh want to let the family know, you know, we care about you. There's

[16:42] anything we can do, we are willing to do it. Um just uh you know Jackson cares no

[16:47] matter who you are and you lose a child this community needs to be there for

[16:52] them and anything we could do that's what we plan to do and uh another solemn

[16:57] occasion of course is 911. Uh you know I'm from Stagger in Staten Island so

[17:03] there was a lot of people from Staten Island that were lost that day. Uh I had

[17:07] a best friend lose his father. Another friend lose his uncle. My brother-in-law

[17:12] was in there. Thank goodness he got out safe. But it it affected so many

[17:17] people's lives. Is an awful tragedy. What followed has been a tragedy, too.

[17:22] Whether it be the the long-term wars, everything that happened after has been

[17:27] devastating to this country. But the one thing that always stood out was the

[17:33] first responders. They ran in there, giving their lives. Too many. That's

[17:41] bravery. That's courage. That's more than any other person can give, right?

[17:47] Respect that. We respect our first responders in every way possible. And um

[17:52] just thank you guys for what you do and uh let's just uh keep focusing on

[17:58] improving Jackson. I'm I'm very happy with a lot of what the council's doing

[18:01] lately. I think we're doing a lot of good work. I like a lot of these

[18:04] ordinances and uh you know, little moment of unity is always a good thing

[18:09] and I appreciate what's happening here. Thank you.

[18:13] » [applause]

[18:20] » Mayor I think you want to go into the proclamation. Floor is yours.

[18:25] » Thank you, Council President.

[18:29] Good evening, everyone. As we gather here tonight, we approach a significant

[18:33] moment of remembrance, the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001,

[18:38] just a few days away. It is a time for reflection on the profound impact that

[18:44] day had on our nation, our communities, and our lives. As we prepare to mark

[18:49] this solemn anniversary, let us take a moment to honor the lives that were

[18:54] lost, the families forever changed, and the courageous individuals who stepped

[18:58] forward in the face of ultimate sacrifice and danger. On that day, while

[19:04] others were running away from danger, our first responders were running

[19:08] towards it. They made the courageous decision to enter those buildings

[19:12] fulfill fully aware of the risk that they were taking drive driven by one

[19:17] simple mission to protect to rescue and to save lives.

[19:22] Their actions exemplified the very best of America and the spirit of bravery,

[19:26] sacrifice and service that defines not only our emergency services but our

[19:31] entire community. As we approach the solemn anniversary, let us remember that

[19:35] the values are emerged by the the tragedy day. Courage, unity, resilience,

[19:40] and the unwavering commitment to one another. In the spirits of remembrance

[19:45] and hope, I would like to ask the council president for permission to

[19:48] recognize the first responders who are here with us tonight.

[19:51] » Absolutely, Mayor. >> As they're already standing,

[19:55] » mayor, just if you could just before you that could just explain the process why

[19:59] we picked the ones who are here. So what I did was um I was at an OEM meeting and

[20:04] it was approaching uh 911 and I just had said we really should do something. I

[20:09] don't know what we do but it's coming up on the 25th uh year anniversary and we

[20:13] would like to give it out to any of our police, EMS, fire department, anybody

[20:18] that wanted to come who wanted to offer that we could have them. I was hoping to

[20:21] honestly have the room filled with everybody just to remember and thank

[20:24] them. Um that they're still here with us 25 years later because I know that when

[20:28] this time comes around um everybody reflects. I know I reflected all weekend

[20:33] and we just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being here, have you in

[20:36] uniform and say a couple words and just create a proclamation that's uniform for

[20:40] everyone that was there. Um and just read it and again give them something

[20:45] that they know that we have not forgotten just like the youth that's

[20:48] sitting up here. um they can get to see that we do remember, we do appreciate

[20:53] and we do forever hold you in our hearts and thank you. So with that being said,

[20:59] um we have Chief Stanley O'Brien Senior here. Thank you, sir.

[21:05] [applause]

[21:10] Fire Commissioner Alfred Cuchiniro, [applause]

[21:17] Firefighter Steve Gibson, [applause]

[21:23] Chaplain Revlin Dan Schaefer, [applause]

[21:30] firefighter Jimmy Kellen, retired um FDNY firefighter,

[21:37] » [applause]

[21:40] » firefighter Brian Alysia. [applause]

[21:49] Um, also just to give our chief from EMS, he was the only first responder

[21:54] from EMS to to uh attend. I would also like to to be on ground zero. I would

[22:00] also like to ask anyone that is here this evening who was present at ground

[22:05] zero or directly involved in the responsing and recovering efforts to

[22:09] please stand to be recognized. [applause]

[22:22] If if you don't mind, if if you're able to, I'd like you to continue to stand as

[22:27] I read the pro proclamation in your honor tonight. And then at the end of

[22:32] reading the proclamation, I'm going to ask the first responders and anybody

[22:35] that would like to come up, I have uh uh proclamations signed by uh the mayor and

[22:41] council in your honor that you could take home. And if anyone would like has

[22:45] a first responder at home or anybody that they would like to give one on

[22:48] behalf of Jackson, we would like to give that to you. So they are sitting up at

[22:51] the front. I'm going to read the proclamation now and then the reverend

[22:55] is going to say a couple words. Proclamation honoring the first

[22:58] responders on the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Whereas September

[23:03] 11, 2001 remains one of the most solemn and defying days in the history of our

[23:08] nation when our country suffered an unexpected

[23:12] uh terrorist attack that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people,

[23:17] including firefighters, police officers, emergency responders, and countless uh

[23:22] civilians. And whereas in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, law

[23:26] enforcement officers and emergency personnels from communities throughout

[23:29] New Jersey and across the nation answered the call without hesitation,

[23:34] leaving their families and their communities behind to enter into an

[23:37] environment of unimaginable danger and uncertainty in the order to help those

[23:43] in need and support the massive recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site.

[23:48] And whereas the first responders who answered the call on September 11, 2001

[23:54] ran towards danger while others sought safety, placing the lives and well-being

[23:58] of others before their own and embodying the highest ideal of service and

[24:03] sacrifice. And whereas we honor the validant men and women who lost their

[24:09] lives that day and as well as those who survived and continue to serve despite

[24:14] the physical and emotional burdens they carry in the years that follow. And

[24:19] whereas 25 years later, the courage displayed on September 11th, 2001

[24:24] continues to inspire generations and reminds us of the importance and the

[24:28] compassion, unity, and preparedness and a steadfast commitment to serving others

[24:34] even amid extraordinary dangers and adversary. And whereas on this

[24:38] anniversary, it is fitting and proper that we pause

[24:42] to remember that we lost honor those who served, recognize those who continue to

[24:48] answer the call, and reaffirm our enduring gratitude to all first

[24:53] responders who protected and care for our communities each and every day. And

[24:57] now therefore, be it a proclamation that I, Jennifer Cune, Mayor of Township of

[25:02] Jackson, County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, together with the Jackson

[25:06] Township Council, do hereby recognize the 25th anniversary of September 11,

[25:11] 2001, and commemorate not only the events of that tragic day, but also the

[25:17] bravery, service, loyalty, and commitment of those who responded to

[25:22] help our community endure and recover during one of its darkest hours. Be it a

[25:27] further proclamation that on the township of Jackson and its residents

[25:31] unite in remembering the victims of September 11th, honoring the courageous

[25:35] first responders both from our very own Township of Jackson and from our

[25:39] communities across the nation who answered the call to serve, support the

[25:44] families affected by this tragic day and reaffirming that the heroic hero heroic

[25:49] sorry heroic actions, selfless sacrifices, and the lives forever

[25:54] touched by September 11th and remain forever remembered and never forgotten.

[25:59] Thank you. Everyone, please come forward. Mayor, [applause]

[26:13] [applause]

[26:15] I'm going to ask all the all those who responded to come forward. And Reverend

[26:20] Dan Schaefer, if you can say a few words, Reverend from the mic if you if

[26:23] you don't mind and everyone can sit down.

[26:28] Thank you.

[26:35] Dan Schaefer. I'm a resident of Jackson for many years. On 911, I was contacted

[26:43] by Port Authority and I was assigned doing chapency and uh

[26:51] management of emotions and did many many services, many funerals.

[26:59] Five of my best friends uh have since gone on to be with the Lord and u it

[27:08] just was a great honor. Nobody ever thought that we would have to face what

[27:13] we faced in those days. And like I said, there's so many today

[27:17] that we can't forget those that are still paying the price. They're still

[27:22] suffering and many have died. So I'd like I'd like those people that

[27:28] stood up before. Would you you guys or Gand up again if you were there please?

[27:32] You stood up before you served there. >> There's one more on the side. Good.

[27:38] I'd like us to have a moment of silence and you pray as you pray

[27:45] and ask God that never again. That was one of the sayings at Port Authority.

[27:53] N said never again. And we hope and pray that it'll never ever happen again. So

[27:58] we bow our heads please. Almighty God, here we are the greatest the greatest

[28:04] country in the world. some of the greatest people in the world. We thank

[28:10] you for the soldiers, whether they were police, fire, EMS, iron workers, they're

[28:16] all soldiers. They're all warriors. They came to the call and they stood tall.

[28:23] They didn't think of themselves. They thought of others. So, we thank you for

[28:28] this opportunity from Jackson. Just remember, we will never forget. And I

[28:34] pray for my six my five friends who were who lost their lives there that you

[28:40] would continue to support their families.

[28:44] We ask this in your holy name. Everybody said amen.

[28:48] » Amen. Thank you. >> Thank you Reverend. Now those who sir if

[28:52] you can come in the middle and council will stand behind. Um

[28:57] and mayor I'm also going to ask those residents who are not who come up also.

[29:01] I think I saw three residents stand up before. If you can come up also if you

[29:04] if you're comfortable coming up. Um okay, no fine. Um Reverend, can we move

[29:09] over more to the middle? Um Mr. Couturro and

[29:22] tell us when to stop here.

[29:50] And I just want to add one more message. Anyone who has an American flag or

[29:54] doesn't have one, let's all put it out for 911. Let's remember these heroes and

[29:58] let's remember all those who continue to volunteer daily to make our keep our

[30:01] country safe. God bless you and God bless America.

[30:06] [applause]

[30:13] » We're going to take a 30 second uh just to clear.

[30:17] » And anyone who wants proclamations, the mayor is going to give them out in the

[30:20] hallway if you have a family member who couldn't make it tonight or if you know

[30:23] of a neighbor or someone who you think would appreciate it. And if not, feel

[30:26] free to reach out to the mayor's office tomorrow. Um, and uh, we will we want to

[30:31] honor as many of those who served.

[30:36] Wait a minute.

[30:41] I'm just going to wait for them to go out.

[30:47] And just because I saw a head of our EMS here, I just want to take a moment and

[30:51] just thank him. um recently has been obviously a tragedy and the professional

[30:56] work of EMS together with and I see one of the members who I saw in some of the

[31:00] pictures who volunt who who showed up to the scene of that ter that terrible

[31:03] tragedy from Atala just want to recognize them working together to make

[31:08] sure that any victim no matter who and no matter what receive the proper cure

[31:12] that they deserve. So, congrat Thank you for your service to our local um

[31:17] responders and uh we hope to never need our first responders for anything other

[31:21] than a child birth. Thank you. [applause]

[31:28] And now now on to town business. The next item on the agenda is the

[31:34] second reading and public hearing of ordinance 202626 repealing and replacing

[31:39] township code section 245-5. At this time, if any member of the

[31:43] public has any comments to make, please address the council at the microphone

[31:46] and state your name and address clearly for the record. You have five minutes to

[31:49] speak and may only speak once. May I have a motion to open public comment?

[31:52] » Motion. >> Second.

[31:53] » All in favor? >> I.

[31:54] » Any opposed? >> Council see no one come forward. Motion

[31:59] to close public forum. >> Second.

[32:03] » All in favor? I. >> Any opposed?

[32:06] May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2026 26? Motion. Second.

[32:13] I'm sorry. Who's the second? >> Councilman Breie.

[32:15] » Thank you. >> Council member Belli.

[32:18] » Yes. >> Councilman Breie.

[32:20] » Yes. >> Councilman Pollock.

[32:22] » Yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary.

[32:24] » Yes. >> Council President Bernstein.

[32:26] » Yes. And again, I want to thank our friends from Howell who came to that

[32:29] meeting and brought this up. And um I think this will be an extra another

[32:33] extra deterrent. And I'm hoping that our municipal courts and our prosecutors uh

[32:38] take this seriously. um and make sure that sometimes a higher

[32:43] fine and a recurring fine is what deters people from from doing wrong. And um we

[32:48] have to protect our neighborhoods, we have to protect our communities and uh I

[32:51] I appreciate council's uh unanimous support in that. So yes,

[32:57] » the next item on the agenda is the second reading and public hearing of

[33:00] ordinance 2026 27 authorizing the execution of a deed conveying all right,

[33:05] title, and interest. >> Madam clerk,

[33:08] » so I'm just for the public. So, I had some back and forth with attorney

[33:11] mcuckin today and then I had the opportunity in speaking to everyone from

[33:14] council before. Um, I am going to be asking in a minute for a motion to table

[33:18] this ordinance and I just want to give a little background. So, this ordinance

[33:20] came um from a developer who had an agreement with the now defunct um um

[33:28] commission for industrial commission, sorry, industrial

[33:32] commission. and um there are legal complaints that he has feeling that this

[33:36] was supposed to be something that he receives. By the last meeting, one of

[33:41] the questions was asked at all the taxes that were paid over the years and how

[33:44] does that work? Additionally, I brought up to attorney McCain and you know,

[33:47] Attorney Mccucken is not the one who's involved with our affordable housing

[33:50] litigation. I think another resident brought up certain concerns also. This

[33:54] um property is one of those who is currently suing the town um for some of

[33:58] his affordable housing complaints. This property was zoned as R9 single family

[34:03] homes and he's asking for a density of somewhere between I think eight or 12

[34:06] units per per acre um in an highly dense already area. Um I think there are

[34:13] questions that need to be answered before this moves forward and I want to

[34:16] make sure that we are um going through all possible avenues and if we have to

[34:21] have that conversation um with their attorney. Um, I would like to ask

[34:25] council to make a motion to table and I would like to ask attorney mcuckin if

[34:28] you could reach out to that attorney again and get more clarity uh making

[34:32] sure that we're not rushing in without all all the information possible. So,

[34:35] council, what do we have? >> Motion to table ordinance 2026-27.

[34:41] » Second. >> Councilman Brell,

[34:44] » yes. >> Council Brassie,

[34:46] » yes. >> Councilman Pollock,

[34:47] » yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary,

[34:50] » yes. >> Council President Bernstein,

[34:52] » yes. And again, council, legal counsel, it's my understanding we table if we

[34:55] would want to introduce it, we'd have to go to a first reading again.

[34:57] » No, you would just be able to republish the notice if you choose to do so.

[35:01] » Okay. >> Um, and we will be in contact with their

[35:03] attorney. There are a couple of questions that have come up since at the

[35:06] last meeting and since then. I just want to confirm

[35:08] » and I appreciate the council's tableling.

[35:11] » Okay. Thank you. So motion passes to table for now, madam cler.

[35:15] » Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the first

[35:18] reading and introduction of ordinance 202628 amending and supplementing

[35:22] chapter 103 entitled vehicle and traffic article 14 schedules. Council President

[35:28] Bernstein, are there any comments? >> Yeah, Madam Cler, hold on one second. I

[35:30] apologize. My notes are a little bit all over the place here tonight. Here it is.

[35:35] So, this ordinance, if adopted, would establish an additional no parking zone

[35:38] along the eastern side of Gail Chambers Road from Sam's Road to Cook South

[35:41] Cooksbridge Road and was requested by the Jackson Township PD Traffic Safety

[35:46] Bureau. But I just want to add this ordinance also came from there were

[35:48] multiple residents who reached out to myself. Um, I was actually on I was on

[35:53] the phone. It was raining and we met a bunch of residents out there. Um, this

[35:56] is something that the residents in the neighborhood feel would be in the best

[35:58] interest of the safety of the neighborhood and this is an

[36:01] introduction. and I would like to have that conversation going forward about

[36:04] this issue.

[36:07] » May I have a motion to approve ordinance 202620 and first reading introduction

[36:11] and to authorize the notice of the public hearing?

[36:14] » Motion. >> Second.

[36:16] » Councilman Brellley. >> Um this is rel related to which

[36:19] ordinance are we referring? >> This is the no parking on um

[36:23] » sorry on Gail Chambers and part of Sam's on one side.

[36:26] » Okay. Now, is there the use that's there is it current do

[36:31] they receive the required and necessary permits?

[36:36] » So, because I feel like we're again like with some of the roads in our town,

[36:40] » we're just putting a temporary effect. >> Sure. So, I had that conversation with

[36:43] the residents over there and I definitely hear that perspective. So

[36:47] far, zoning has deemed the use over there to be a permitted use um based on

[36:51] the fact that all the permits were acquired. Um and um the conversation

[36:56] I've had with the residents who don't use that use in the neighborhood was

[36:59] that that was where this where this ordinance request came from and I told

[37:02] them I would submit it and then I would welcome all council members in the next

[37:06] two weeks to go down and better understand the issue that's going on in

[37:08] that neighborhood. And we c we have two weeks now. I think this council has

[37:12] shown that after we introduce something, it's not an automatically um a yes vote

[37:16] on the second on the second, but that's that's where it came from. And I and I

[37:19] don't mind contact um in um after the meeting giving you the some of those

[37:24] emails that came from some of those residents requesting it through traffic

[37:27] safety. >> Okay. Well, for now I'm going to vote

[37:32] no. Just going to do my due diligence in the next couple of weeks. Um I just feel

[37:37] like this is definitely different from Woodlane. Woodlane, I know we approved

[37:41] no parking on that street. It's a very busy area of our town. That was

[37:45] definitely um something that was needed that needed to be done. It was

[37:49] understandable. Um it's a long stretch of road, but this is a neighborhood that

[37:53] I'm we're referring to. I just want to make sure like what's going on there is

[37:59] being uh done abiding by the laws that we have on the books currently and that

[38:03] we're not just, you know, having a temporary solution to fix um a

[38:09] problem to accommodate possibly an illegal use that might be going on.

[38:17] » I vote no at this time. >> Council member Brazie,

[38:19] » thank you. >> Yeah, I understand this also was

[38:22] recommended by the police department. It's the first reading. We can still

[38:26] look on it all vote. Yes.

[38:35] » Any vote? Yes, madam clerk. >> Thank you, Councilman Pollock.

[38:40] » All right. So, this is a lot of the issues we face in Jackson, right? Um,

[38:45] uh, crushed by a lawsuit, uh, forced non-residential uses in our residential

[38:50] neighborhoods. We got to figure this out because it's it's hurting the community.

[38:56] It's getting people angry. We have to come together and figure out

[39:01] how to make this better. Do it in a legal way that's not going to cause

[39:04] problems. Find some kind of compromise because this is the stuff everybody's

[39:09] sick of. Um I get it. We want safety. There's issues being created, but people

[39:14] have lived here for 20, 30, 40, 50 generations, and they're seeing

[39:19] everything change in a way they don't like. and we got to figure this out. Um,

[39:23] for tonight I'm going to be a no, but you know,

[39:29] I I don't know if it carries through. I I'd be happy to go to the area and talk

[39:33] with people and and my vote could change if I think it's going to improve things

[39:37] and make it safer there. But, uh, for now, it's a no because I'm kind of tired

[39:40] of these things and, uh, hopefully we can figure something out in the future.

[39:43] And that's that's the idea. All right. Thank you, though,

[39:47] » Council Vice President Pomeary. So, what I'd like and I'm going to ask

[39:51] residents that are here tonight and who may be watching um I would like to hear

[39:55] your perspective if this goes to a second uh reading in two weeks. So,

[40:01] please come out, let us know uh if you're for this and if you or if you're

[40:06] opposed to this. Um I'm unsure, but I would like to give the

[40:12] residents the opportunity to come up here and voice their opinion. So, I am

[40:15] going to vote yes, not because I'm necessarily voting yes in two weeks. Not

[40:20] because I agree with this, and I agree with a lot of what Councilman Burelli

[40:24] and Councilman Pollock have said. We can't just keep um putting no parking

[40:28] everywhere because that's not going to fix a problem, a systemic problem.

[40:32] However, for those that live here in these areas, please come out in two

[40:37] weeks and provide us with your perspective. And that's how I will

[40:40] decide how I will vote in two weeks from now. Thank you.

[40:44] Council President Bernstein. >> So, first of all, I I thank the council

[40:48] for that for that back and forth. Um, I was originally when the when the res

[40:52] first residents reached out to me in the area, I had similar thoughts to

[40:55] Councilman Pollock and uh Councilman Belli with some of the concerns. Um, and

[41:01] I did go out, like I said before, on a rainy day. I met with the residents who

[41:04] were advocating for it. And actually, some of the other residents in the

[41:07] neighborhood weren't so happy about it because, you know, they were losing some

[41:11] of their parking spots. Um, and you know, I had conversations for about a

[41:15] week or so with with with a lot of different residents um, with what was

[41:20] going on in the neighborhood and this seemed to be a compromise that they

[41:23] supported, but I I definitely do agree with Councilman Pulary. I hope that

[41:27] people from that neighborhood um, I'm not sure if they knew it was on the

[41:30] agenda this week. I did tell one person, but I will reach out after this meeting

[41:33] and let them know. I would like to see the room full with residents from that

[41:37] neighborhood, let them express what they think is in the best interest of their

[41:40] neighborhood. and and Councilman Pollock and Belli and and really everyone here.

[41:44] I will after the meeting either tonight or tomorrow depending what time we end,

[41:47] I will um forward some of the emails that I received and some of the

[41:51] background and then help help feel free to reach out to those residents who

[41:54] asked for this um to make a more informed decision and I vote yes just to

[41:58] move it forward. Council President, one thing. Um, for those that may not be

[42:02] able to make it here in two weeks, uh, if you would permit, can the township

[42:06] social media pages put this ordinance out and ask solicit feedback so we can

[42:11] get emailed as well as on social media? So, if they're not able to make any

[42:14] tweets, I still would like to their perspective.

[42:16] » So, business administrator um, Terafenco, I see some of our our media

[42:20] team is here. Um, if you give permission, I will reach out to them

[42:23] tomorrow and uh, ask him to put something out. But again, I think this

[42:27] is knowing the neighborhood and going know going down there a couple times. I

[42:30] think this is a neighborhood question that needs to be discussed and obviously

[42:34] we take everyone's, you know, view into into account, but I really want to hear

[42:37] from the the residents in that neighborhood on both sides of the aisle

[42:41] and all all sides of the aisle really over there with what they think is going

[42:44] to be in the best interest of of their neighborhood. Um, I think Councilman

[42:48] Pollock said, you know, there are uses that are going on in in various

[42:52] neighborhoods and like I said, we went through a history in litigation and some

[42:56] of those uses um are now permitted uses within those neighborhoods and we have

[43:01] to make sure that we are doing our best to while to find that compromised road.

[43:05] So, I can go both ways by the next meeting also. So, we'll have that

[43:09] conversation. So, yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries.

[43:14] The next item on the agenda is the first reading introduction of ordinance 202629

[43:18] repealing and replacing chapter 350. Council President Bernstein, are any

[43:22] comments? >> Yes. So, um, I'll read my prepared

[43:25] comments and I'll add on. This ordinance, if adopted, would amend the

[43:27] town of short-term rental ordinance to prohibit rental residential rentals of

[43:31] less than 90 days as opposed to up to 30 days, which is currently prohibited. It

[43:34] would also allow no more than two 90-day rentals in any 12 day 12-month period.

[43:38] And before I I ask my colleagues if they if they have anything they want to add.

[43:41] This came from a resident in the crowd. I'm not sure if she's here today. Um I

[43:45] think she is. Uh I see her here. This idea came from her. Obviously had a

[43:49] little bit of compromise and back and forth. Um thank you attorney McGuckin

[43:52] who really looked into this about the constitutionality of some of the of of

[43:56] of banning the short-term rentals. Um I think this is a very fair compromise. Um

[44:02] the the reality is no one in Jackson wants people moving in every month into

[44:06] onto their block at transient. It it's not good for the neighborhood. There's

[44:10] no sense of community, but obviously when people don't live, they don't have

[44:12] sense of pride in their community, and I think this could lead to issues. Um when

[44:17] the draft was first prepared, I thought it was going to be a one 90-day rental.

[44:22] I had this conversation with Councilman Belli. He actually want to point it out

[44:25] to me rightfully so that the Edentown ordinance which we're using as our base

[44:28] over here from a legal perspective a little bit had too um so I think this is

[44:34] a a a major step in the right direction and again I just want the residents to

[44:38] know you come to a council meeting you bring up ideas um we we're listening

[44:42] we're trying and um I was very impressed with the feedback um we sent out this

[44:46] draft we're trying to do a little bit earlier to all the council we got great

[44:49] feedback and it was a great conversation for the past week so and councilman vice

[44:53] council vice president I know you to say something.

[44:54] » Yes. Thank you, council president. So, just to add to to what this ordinance is

[44:58] and after that resident came up uh few meetings ago, it really set a a fire in

[45:03] my in my belly with this. I wanted to get some on the book strong. Actually,

[45:06] this is like a 70% compromise. What I wanted, you can ask council president

[45:09] Bernstein. I I actually wanted it a little bit more heavy-handed, but our uh

[45:13] legal team advised that that probably wouldn't be appropriate. So, we did the

[45:17] strongest we could with within staying in a legal format. And I even went back

[45:22] and forth a few times with Councilman Pollock on this as well. We we were kind

[45:26] of trying to uh get something that was enforcable and had some some meat on it.

[45:32] So, just quickly to kind of go over some highlights, it's stronger, legally

[45:37] enforcable ordinance, clear rules, clear violations, clear penalties, gives the

[45:42] township real tools to act when violations occur. Uh it protects

[45:46] residential neighborhoods. It prevents homes from being routinely operated as a

[45:51] short-term hotel or Airbnb. And it states in there, shall not enter into a

[45:56] short-term rental agreement more than two times in any 12-month period. So, if

[46:01] they if they rent out their home short-term for 90 days, they do it

[46:04] twice, the other six months, they can't do it. So, how many landlords are going

[46:08] to want to sit on six months of not collecting rent?

[46:12] It helps address noise, traffic, parking, and neighborhood quality of

[46:16] life concerns. Commercial short-term rentals are

[46:19] prohibited. Residential invest uh investment

[46:24] commercial rental properties cannot be used for short-term rentals. And here's

[46:28] a caveat to this, which I'm ex I'm very happy about that we're reiterating.

[46:35] Pool and backyards cannot be rented separately. No renting residential

[46:39] amenities for parties, gatherings, or other commercial purposes.

[46:44] Stops de facto rooming houses. Multiple rooms cannot be rented to separate

[46:50] tenants. Very limited allowance for one room, one tenant with strict

[46:55] requirements. Owner must actually live there. For permitted single room rental,

[47:01] the homeowner must be owner occupied yearround.

[47:06] Inspections and registration is required. Rental co township

[47:11] registration, insurance, parking and compliance with health, fire, zoning and

[47:16] safety and occupancy codes. Illegal and this is another good one. Illegal

[47:21] advertising prohibited gives us enforcement avenues when prohibiting

[47:26] rental prohibited rentals are being advertised online. Real enforcement

[47:31] authority. Not only can code enforcement enforce this, and we know code

[47:35] enforcement, they don't work 247, but who does? Our police department. So, not

[47:41] only can code enforcement enforce this, but so can our police department. They

[47:44] can enforce this ordinance and meaningful fines. First offense, $500.

[47:50] Second offense, a,000. Third offense, $2,000. And guess what? After your third

[47:53] offense, every day, if we wanted to, we could find you $2,000 per day. So,

[47:57] continuing violations can result in daily fines. So, my takeaway, we didn't

[48:02] want an ordinance that simply looked good on paper. We wanted something

[48:05] clear, legally enforceable, and capable of protecting Jackson residential

[48:09] neighborhoods while respecting legitimate property rights. And that's

[48:14] why I'm happy that we are starting to accomplish this here.

[48:19] » Thank you, [applause] >> Madam Clerk.

[48:25] May I have a motion to approve ordinance 2026 29 on first reading and

[48:29] introduction and to authorize the notice of the public hearing.

[48:32] » Motion second. >> Councilman Brellley.

[48:35] » Yes. >> Council Brassie.

[48:36] » Yes. >> Councilman Pollock.

[48:38] » I think uh Councilman Palmary laid it out very well for everybody. Uh I think

[48:42] this is a good ordinance. I think it's a great step. Uh we're defining things. We

[48:46] are are putting language to help enforce our rules. And uh it's definitely

[48:51] getting a yes from me tonight. Good job, guys.

[48:54] Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> Yes. And this is your government working

[48:58] together. So this is something to be really proud of. We're working together

[49:02] and we're getting things done. So absolutely. Yes.

[49:04] » Council President Bernstein. >> So before I vote again, I just want to

[49:08] thank the entire council. Um I think uh Councilman Paul Mary was definitely on

[49:14] my back about this also and I appreciate it. He reached out some of the other

[49:17] members um and and kept me informed with what really what the consensus is. And

[49:21] thank you, Nino, for for your input on that. Also, um I think this is long

[49:25] overdue. I'm going to request I I know this is a constant conversation I've had

[49:29] with Mayor Cun is we can pass all the laws possible, but enforcement is the

[49:34] key. Um business administrator Terafenkco before we go for a second

[49:37] reading. I would request that you can send this to Chief Nelson YC is here to

[49:41] code enforcement um director or chair Mr. Cheney um getting their input on

[49:47] this also because these are obviously code and PD you know have some

[49:51] authority. I would also would recommend if this can be sent to the court because

[49:55] we want to make sure we've had in the past where ordinances have been passed

[49:57] and then the court came back whether it's a prosecutor and the municipal

[50:01] judge with concerns with some of the state guidelines. I I know we put a lot

[50:05] of time and energy into this but I want to make sure they're all okay with it,

[50:08] you know, moving forward. Um I think Councilman uh Paul Mary said it well.

[50:13] Um, this is everyone working together and really now what I'm looking forward

[50:16] hopefully seeing is all of our departments. There's obviously a rental

[50:19] aspect of this. We need the housing rental bureau. We need code enforcement.

[50:22] We need a lot of our departments working together and um I I think they will, but

[50:27] we need you to to do that part. So, I'm just going to ask for that, you know,

[50:30] for that to be done. I will follow up with you tomorrow and I vote yes.

[50:34] » Motion carries. The next item on the agenda is the first

[50:38] reading and introduction of ordinance 202630 amending township code chapter

[50:42] 103 entitled vehicles and traffic section 103-43

[50:46] entitled vehicles prohibited certain hours. Council President Bernstein are

[50:50] any comments? >> Yes. This ordinance if adopted would re

[50:53] would restate the township's ordinance provisions with respect to the parking

[50:56] commercial vehicles and more specifically unhitched trailers and

[50:59] township roadway. just to give the background to this and you know someone

[51:01] asked I I saw this on social media and I'll just have a kudos about making sure

[51:05] people have a better understanding of where ordinances come the sponsor and

[51:09] you know I think in this council so far there's been a lot of sponsors this

[51:12] sponsor actually comes from Sergeant Hemba um he sent this Councilman Palmer

[51:16] you on the emails there was a little bit of back and forth on some of that um and

[51:21] I I delayed a little bit because I really wanted to make sure I fully

[51:23] understood the issue in the past two weeks I've been driving around town a

[51:27] little bit more and getting a better understanding This would in would this

[51:30] would prohibit an unhitched trailer from being left on the road. You obviously if

[51:33] you're doing construction, you can leave it on your driveway but not on the

[51:36] roadways. And again, this goes to enforcement. I know our traffic safety,

[51:40] I don't know if we have the numbers, they've been giving out a lot of tickets

[51:42] recently on on roadway issues. Um, which is I think fantastic. And hopefully this

[51:47] is something that Sergeant Hemp and his team will take a lead on it. If I can

[51:51] add also, you know, just just to be clear, this as the council president had

[51:55] said, this was brought to our attention from traffic safety and they were having

[51:58] a major concern. And the concern was that these trailers are unhitching and

[52:03] leaving their unhitched trailer for days on end. And there was no ordinance that

[52:07] our uh police department could ticket these trailers. And if tow ticket Yeah.

[52:13] toe if an ambulance a fire truck had to get down it was could potentially cause

[52:19] a problem because this unhitched trailer was there. So you can't unhitch and

[52:23] leave it. Now that doesn't mean you can't have a hitch trailer for a moment

[52:26] to unload something and then and then go about your business. You just can

[52:28] unhitch your trailer and leave it there indefinitely because it's a traffic

[52:32] safety concern for our uh >> and just a question that came up today.

[52:35] A resident called me on the way to the meeting today with I think a great

[52:38] question. Unfortunately, and I just want to clarify, Attorney McGucken, this

[52:42] would not apply to county roads, right? This is only municipal roads because we

[52:45] don't have that's that's correct. So, I had recently we did another ordinance

[52:49] that affected municipal roads. I sent an email to the county which I have not

[52:52] heard back. I'm going to follow up again. This is something I would request

[52:54] a county to look in on the county roads. I can see there's 30 something towns in

[52:59] Ocean County and um I can't imagine any town would have an issue on this. So, we

[53:02] are going to be reaching out to our county colleagues because we have a lot

[53:06] of county roads and the roadway the resident mentioned to me earlier was a

[53:09] county roadway which unfortunately this this this would not apply to but yes um

[53:13] that's the background. Madam clerk, >> I have a motion to approve ordinance

[53:17] 202630 on first reading and introduction and to authorize the notice of the

[53:20] public hearing. >> Motion second.

[53:23] » Council member Brley. >> Yes.

[53:25] » Council Brassie. >> Yes. Especially a trailer not most of

[53:28] the time won't have lights on it and just sitting out there at night. You can

[53:31] see it. >> Councilman Pollock.

[53:34] » Yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary.

[53:37] » Yes. And thank you to our traffic safety bureau for bringing this to our

[53:40] attention. >> Council President Bernstein.

[53:42] » Yes. And I'm actually going to thank the mayor. I know this is something I think

[53:45] all sides politically could agree to. We need more guys and and men and women in

[53:49] traffic safety. And I think that's an area that we put a tremendous emphasis

[53:53] in the past I would say three months. last year. I I think the line that went

[53:57] around was that there was no one on the roads. There are people there are men

[54:00] and women on the roads now. It's quite clear. So, thank you, Chief, for your

[54:03] leadership on that. Thank you to I think it's Captain Rodriguez and uh and I

[54:07] think Sergeant Hemba on on on really following up. And just to put it out

[54:11] there, um the you know, the officers in this department are giving tickets to

[54:15] anyone they see. No special fa no special favorites. I know I saw that

[54:19] online. Um they are literally giving tickets left and right. I'm getting

[54:22] calls at what is going on in Jackson and you know ladies and gentlemen, drive

[54:26] carefully, park safely and please keep our roads uncluttered and so people the

[54:30] roads could be used for what they're meant for.

[54:33] » So yes, >> motion carries. Thank you. The next item

[54:37] of business is the authorization of payment for bills and claims.

[54:41] » Madam clerk, >> thank you. The following abstensions

[54:46] apply to Council President Paul Mary B141791

[54:52] and Councilman Brley Ae1 D1 E Y1 NJ4 R U T04 and R U T11.

[55:04] Um as >> Madame Clerk, um I just want to add I

[55:07] don't know if any other obstensions. So on page two of the bills, there's a

[55:11] vendor which I think we've brought up in the past. I'm not sure why it's back on

[55:14] here, but I never got a great answer, so I would like to pull it. Is the vendor

[55:17] Empusio and Mcderma, which is a former labor council. Um, and I would like a

[55:24] little bit more clarity. Obviously, if they did work while they were still the

[55:27] labor council, they deserve to get paid and they legally have to be get paid,

[55:30] but I'm asking if we can pull that further review. Um, secondly, I just I

[55:35] just want to reiterate for for also for our business administrator. I know I had

[55:38] this conversation with him earlier is the way the bills people have asked

[55:41] about the bills list if it could be done a little differently. We use a certain

[55:44] system. This is the way it generates and once the system is pulled once the

[55:48] checks are pulled um we could only pull it publicly up here. Um, and I am going

[55:53] to ask our business administrator if you could have if we could have a

[55:55] conversation with our finance team because this is something I noticed

[55:59] earlier in the week before our council got it and I would have pulled it

[56:01] earlier but I just didn't have a way because once it's generated the only way

[56:04] to do is white out and if we put white on on the bills and claims I think

[56:08] people would be asking me what was uh the conspiracy theories would be coming

[56:11] out so it's on but I like to pull that. Additionally, there was an add-on um

[56:15] which we added right before the meeting which I mentioned earlier for a hand

[56:19] check which was signed already by the business administrator. Obviously, it

[56:22] can't go out until council votes on it for $2,885

[56:27] to the Ocean County Soil Conservation District which would be the permitting

[56:31] process for Roa Farms long overdue.

[56:37] » Thank you. Are there any additional comments? Um, council president, if I

[56:41] may see something that stood out on the bills and claims, and we're trying to re

[56:44] in spending, I know, especially after the,

[56:47] » you know, the last budget. Um, CW 01 office renewal for 90,000

[56:55] 54925 under CW DDW, government incorporated. Is that

[57:03] like something that's done annually? And what is that?

[57:05] » Sure. Hold on one second. I just want to pull up my papers.

[57:07] » Sure. passing your the bills and claims. Sorry. What page is it on? Council

[57:12] » uh page uh great

[57:15] » page three >> CDW government incorporated.

[57:20] » Hold on one second. I'm just finding it. I have to go through it twice. Um office

[57:24] renewal. That is I think our new Microsoft um if I remember correctly,

[57:27] Madam Clerk, I think that's our Microsoft um software which Okay.

[57:31] » Um I think has to be renewed currently annually. I think we had an issue la am

[57:35] I correct? Yeah, we had an issue last year. We all know that, you know, the

[57:39] email was down. This is our upgraded system that hopefully we won't be having

[57:43] our emails down. But this is our Microsoft for all of our 300 and

[57:46] something employees and everyone up here and anyone else who has emails and

[57:50] Microsoft. >> All right. Just want to make sure it's

[57:53] an actual >> It makes sense. I mean, I paid $2,500

[57:56] for my small little operation in my business. So, yeah, we're we're a big

[57:59] town, but that's what it is. >> All right.

[58:02] » Yeah. >> Thank you, Nina. May I have a motion to

[58:05] approve the bills and claims with the extensions noted and the removal of

[58:10] Abraio McDermott in the amount of 3,676.50

[58:15] on page two. >> Motion.

[58:17] » Second. >> Councilman Bradley

[58:19] » with those abstensions but yes to the rest on the bills and claims agenda for

[58:23] tonight. >> Councilman Brassie.

[58:25] » Yes. >> Councilman Pollock.

[58:27] » Yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary.

[58:29] » Yes. >> Council President Bernstein.

[58:31] » Yes. And thank you, Nino, for >> highlighting that. I'm happy I

[58:35] remembered. >> Thank you for the explanation.

[58:37] » We're going to get in a minute. We'll have open comments soon.

[58:41] » Madam Clerk, we're going to have time for anyone soon who wants to speak.

[58:44] We'll get we'll get we'll get to you in a minute.

[58:46] » Madam Clerk, >> the next item on the agenda is the

[58:49] consent agenda listed for tonight's consideration of resolutions uh 225

[58:54] through 236 2026 listed by title. Council President Bernstein, are there

[58:58] any comments? >> So, I have some comments before that.

[59:00] Does anyone from the public want us to pull anyone off for a separate vote?

[59:03] This is not a public comment section. Anyone have anyone for separate vote?

[59:08] Okay. So, I'm just going to highlight a couple which I think deserve to get

[59:11] highlighted. R225, a resident came to the last meeting asking about Insanity

[59:16] Farm and we gave a commitment that it would be on this agenda. Um, I know

[59:19] attorney McGuckin had spent the past couple months going back and forth with

[59:22] the attorneys on the for the farm. Um if I understand correctly the story over

[59:26] here is that the PD um had to confiscate a couple of animals um and they just you

[59:33] know deposited it by a by a farm. The first payment the township made attorney

[59:38] muck can correct me if I say anything wrong here. The first township payment

[59:41] the township made um and the second one it was a a a dispute if the township

[59:46] should or not because there was a court order from the municipal judge that

[59:48] really the person whose animals were were responsible. So this resolution at

[59:52] the end of the day, this this farm stepped in and helped the town. This

[59:55] resolution would authorize the town to pay and then for the town to for the

[59:59] person who owns the animals to be responsible to pay back the township. We

[1:00:03] hope we see the money, but we felt the first thing is making sure the person

[1:00:06] the farm that took care of these these animals were taken care of legal

[1:00:10] council. Is that correct? >> That is correct.

[1:00:11] » Okay. And I just want to thank some of the residents. I see she's not here who

[1:00:15] reached out to me, tagged me on social media, and I promised her we'd get it

[1:00:18] on. So I'm happy to see it's here. Um I also want to highlight R233

[1:00:24] um which is the fairness for school district in development restricted areas

[1:00:28] act. Now resolutions we all know are resolutions sometimes but um there was a

[1:00:32] settlement with meta which gave the state of New Jersey hundreds and

[1:00:35] hundreds of millions of dollars and that is supporting Assemblyman Suiki's um

[1:00:39] bill calling for the money to be distributed to the schools um $800

[1:00:44] million. If Jackson got you know even 10 15 we'd be very happy. Um, but we

[1:00:49] deserve some of that money. Um, and uh, asking for it to go back to children

[1:00:53] because Meta was a lawsuit over children, I think would be great. I also

[1:00:57] wanted to highlight the last one, R236, which I think goes into Councilman Paul

[1:01:03] Mary's um, way he starts off in his meetings. That's a place transfer

[1:01:07] preliminary retail consumption license for CGs. Um, I'm not going to profess

[1:01:12] I'm the biggest CG customer, but many residents I know everyone loves CGs here

[1:01:16] in Jackson. supposedly their wings are the best. Um, everyone goes there after

[1:01:20] work for a for for a good drink. And the fact that they're expanding here in

[1:01:23] Jackson, I think is a sign of a successful small business. And I just

[1:01:27] say kudos to CG's for staying open and continuing to fight and serve the

[1:01:32] residents. So, um, I think that was a a a great one. Those are the ones that I

[1:01:36] wanted to highlight for now. Oh, and then the last one, just because I'm sure

[1:01:40] um I'm not sure if it will come up, is R235. That is supporting the county. The

[1:01:44] county is looking into looking nothing finalized. The county open space

[1:01:48] committee is looking at that property on Grottown. I think it's 277 Grottown

[1:01:53] which obviously the township tabled for now for moving forward with it. Um

[1:01:56] contrary to popular belief um that came to the township the resident came here

[1:02:00] on her own. She came to the township obviously the township decided at this

[1:02:03] point it wasn't in the best interest of use utilization of our open space funds

[1:02:08] but the county is now looking into it. It doesn't mean it will happen, but the

[1:02:11] county needs a resolution just supporting them to to to pursue it

[1:02:14] further. >> And I think I covered the big ones.

[1:02:19] » I have a motion to authorize the consent agenda resolutions 225 through 236 2026.

[1:02:25] » Motion second.

[1:02:27] » Council member, >> um I'm going to vote yes on the

[1:02:31] resolutions except for resolution 235-2026.

[1:02:36] Um, I'm just going I I'm going back and forth on it. Um, I really hope the

[1:02:43] owners of the property I know they've been very eager to sell sell it. I hope

[1:02:48] they do. I just don't think it's appropriate to do it with taxpayer

[1:02:53] monies. Since we last voted on it, the last we heard um is the council uh from

[1:03:00] the council is that there was a legal matter regarding the property that we

[1:03:03] were holding off on it. Also, since we last voted on it, um it was discovered

[1:03:08] there were some wetlands on the uh 3.32 acre property. So, I question how much

[1:03:13] of it is really buildable buildable. I don't think a lot of it maybe I think

[1:03:18] not a lot of it at all. Maybe a house or two um if that. So, we're not protecting

[1:03:25] our town from sprawl or overdevelopment in this case or per I think preserving

[1:03:29] that much. So, I don't think it's a wise use of county open space

[1:03:34] tax dollars either, which Jackson taxpayers pay into as well. Um, I wish

[1:03:39] the property owners well and selling their property, but I don't think it

[1:03:43] should be done with taxpayer monies. Also, there's no address indicated on

[1:03:48] this resolution or the amount the property. So, um, is possibly being

[1:03:53] purchased for by Ocean County. So, I'm voting no at this time. Thank you. Yes.

[1:03:58] for the rest on there. >> Councilman Brassie,

[1:04:03] » I'm going to vote yes. That property, the county's looking at it. They'll do

[1:04:06] their due justice. Uh I don't want to discourage the county from looking for

[1:04:11] property in Jackson. We don't do that that often. Uh they may have other plans

[1:04:15] for it. They'll look at it. If it's too wet, they're not going to buy it. Or at

[1:04:18] least let them look into it and uh see what happens. I vote yes. W

[1:04:24] » Councilman Pollock. Uh we're speaking specifically on

[1:04:28] council if you don't mind your mic. >> Yeah.

[1:04:31] » Uh we're speaking specifically >> all the resolutions.

[1:04:34] » All of them. Yeah. Okay. Uh so I'll run through uh let me first say election

[1:04:40] time is always the best time to lobby your governments. That is the time they

[1:04:44] are willing to do the most for you. Don't forget that. Uh R225 Perfect

[1:04:50] Insanity Farms. I actually spoke to the woman a while back. Uh they they took in

[1:04:54] animals for the town. They initially were getting paid and then they stopped

[1:04:58] getting paid and they had to spend time fighting with their government here,

[1:05:02] fighting with the government here and I'm really happy they're getting what

[1:05:05] they deserve. They go out of their way to help the town and take care of

[1:05:08] animals. Uh they they deserve what they were supposed to get. So that's a really

[1:05:12] good thing that's happening. Um as far as uh R235,

[1:05:18] uh I agree with Councilman Blli. nothing against the homeowners in any way,

[1:05:22] shape, or form, and I feel terrible, but you know, we diligently look for land to

[1:05:28] preserve. Uh, you know, and I'll even give the the mayor credit there. I may

[1:05:32] not agree on a lot of things with her, but but she's looking uh the open space

[1:05:36] committee, uh, Councilman Brelli is always looking for land to preserve

[1:05:39] because it's what's important to us. We pay into that fund and we want to, you

[1:05:43] know, we care about nature. We care about the environment. Uh, you know,

[1:05:46] Councilman Belli brought up a 30 acre parcel that's going for $1.85 million

[1:05:53] » in in relation that you know, you're looking to spend $800,000 on 3.2 acres.

[1:05:59] I'm not sure why. Listen, I don't trust this government.

[1:06:03] Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but there's a lot of very strange

[1:06:08] surrounding properties to it, which always makes me question what's going

[1:06:11] on. powerful, rich, influential people own property around it. Uh, so I always

[1:06:16] question things. I could be wrong sometimes. Listen, but, uh, I have a

[1:06:20] heavy distrust for government. I have a heavy distrust when there's a lot of

[1:06:23] money involved. Uh, so I'm going to be voting no on that. Um, I hope Ocean

[1:06:27] County would like to pitch in for bigger tracks of land that we're looking at as

[1:06:30] well, and we can hopefully preserve Jackson with the county. Uh, but, uh,

[1:06:36] everything else Oh, wait. I have to just recognize CG's. Uh, I will probably be

[1:06:41] going there for wings and a beer after this.

[1:06:44] » I knew it. >> Uh, [laughter] it is it is my favorite

[1:06:46] place in town. So, I'm I was very happy when I heard they were going to be

[1:06:50] expanding. Uh, >> it makes me feel happy for the Jackson

[1:06:54] community. Um, so, uh, aside from 235, everything's a yes.

[1:07:02] » Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> So, I just like to talk um on R236 as

[1:07:08] well. CG's was a small business highlight last year and I spoke with the

[1:07:12] owner at Jackson Day and I was so excited to hear when he said he was

[1:07:14] looking to expand. Uh so I'll definitely be back there for a uh a rehighlight,

[1:07:18] you know, just to kind of acknowledge when he's done uh and uh bring it to

[1:07:22] everybody because I think it's great. We have small businesses that are

[1:07:25] expanding. We have small businesses that are growing and it's just it's just an

[1:07:29] amazing thing and the feedback has been tremendous. R233,

[1:07:33] [clears throat] Assemblyman Suiki's bill 48

[1:07:37] 4860. Uh it's essentially a bill that's paid

[1:07:42] for with the uh with the money we're getting from Meta. And this could

[1:07:47] potentially, if passed, bring back $5 million to the Jackson School District.

[1:07:51] It's a It scratches the surface. Over the last eight years, if you add up the

[1:07:56] aid reduction every single year and compound it, we lost over $60 million in

[1:08:01] state aid from uh Trenton. But this 5 million, of course, every bit helps. So,

[1:08:07] if this bill would have passed, uh Jackson would be getting a very needed

[1:08:11] $5 million. So, I would like to thank the assemblyman because, uh, he's always

[1:08:14] been a very strong supporter of Jackson and the and the Jackson school district.

[1:08:19] So, uh, I'd like to thank him for that. And I vote yes. Council

[1:08:23] President Bernstein. >> So, um, before I vote, I just want to

[1:08:27] just respond to some of my colleagues. Um, with regard to R235, I just have to

[1:08:32] put it out there. When it first came to to my desk, um, I was not aware that it

[1:08:38] was strategically located, as some people, you know, alleged on online, you

[1:08:42] know, next to certain developers property and was going to be used as as

[1:08:46] a park. That was never the intention of anyone here. Um, that being said, I

[1:08:50] understand the concerns. Um, I think when we have that county who's willing

[1:08:54] to look into buying open space, no matter what it is, I always like to, um,

[1:08:59] consider it. Um, I'm just going to put out there for the record, the county is

[1:09:02] also, they do have a referendum, as Councilman Blli has mentioned in

[1:09:05] previous council meetings to increase the open space tax. I'm not telling

[1:09:10] people how to vote, but we do need the county to be pitching in more as if

[1:09:14] possible for open space. The county right now, I'm just going to make, I

[1:09:18] guess, a formal announcement. Um, the county right now is currently in the

[1:09:22] process of an appraisal on over 160 or 150 acres of buildable land off of

[1:09:28] County Line Road in Jackson, which I think would be the largest open space

[1:09:32] preservation of buildable land in a very very long time in Jackson at an

[1:09:36] intersection that intersects Lakewood and Jackson by the by the Lakewood

[1:09:40] border. Um, that if that area gets developed, good luck. Um, whatever's

[1:09:44] left the county line road. Um, and obviously this doesn't and I and I

[1:09:48] actually called one of the the commissioners today and I said I just

[1:09:50] want to make sure this does not take away from the other work that we're

[1:09:53] we're we're looking into and I got a firm commitment not the property owner

[1:09:57] reached out and they want to make sure the town doesn't have any hesitation.

[1:10:00] This does not come from our open space um fund. And just to also to add to and

[1:10:05] I'm sorry for speaking too much but just to add for those who wanted to know how

[1:10:08] this you know this this property when the property first came actually the

[1:10:12] mayor um gave it to me um to look into and I got the appraisal and the

[1:10:16] appraisal had a value um which was a lot higher than um than what the the sellers

[1:10:24] were willing to. So I'm not a real estate expert. I've negotiated on one

[1:10:27] piece of property in my in the past and we obviously entered into contract

[1:10:31] negotiations and there were some legal questions that came up with the way some

[1:10:34] of that was done. Um but I'm at the end of the day the town council spoke,

[1:10:39] residents spoke. We heard you. Um but I'm not against the county considering

[1:10:42] to buy more open space here as long as it actually remains open space and

[1:10:46] doesn't get used for infrastructure or anything else for anyone else. So I

[1:10:49] would support the county moving forward on purchasing that. Um again I just want

[1:10:53] to echo CG's. I think it's great when small businesses um grow and um I think

[1:10:58] it's, you know, something that everyone in town loves. Um I've been there a few

[1:11:02] times. Nothing too great, but I mean, not too many times, but it's I think

[1:11:04] it's a fantastic place and I vote yes on everything.

[1:11:08] » Motion carries.

[1:11:16] » At this time, if any member of the public has any comments to make, please

[1:11:19] address the council at the microphone. >> Before that, one second. There was a

[1:11:21] gentleman I know who has to leave. I I don't like cutting line.

[1:11:23] » We all have to. >> Okay.

[1:11:28] Again, if Madame Clerk, if if you're able to come, if everyone's will let you

[1:11:32] go first. I know you mentioned to me twice, but

[1:11:35] » come up to the mic.

[1:11:39] » We have the motion. >> Okay. Madam clerk, we have a motion.

[1:11:43] » May I have a motion? Open public comment.

[1:11:44] » Motion. >> Second.

[1:11:45] » All in favor? I. >> Any opposed?

[1:11:48] » Thank you. My name is Randall. I live in Sunny Brook Road in Jackson here. Um

[1:11:53] there's a home across the street from me, 259 Sunny Brook Road going back was

[1:11:59] for sale and a week before it it it changed to lease. An LCC group

[1:12:08] had purchased it and rented it out to six families that had four children in

[1:12:15] it. In January, they had to leave because

[1:12:19] another LCC group bought the home. And there's seven

[1:12:24] gentlemen living in that house now. And uh I I don't I came here, I made the

[1:12:30] complaint here because I don't feel safe.

[1:12:35] And I I went over to they sent me from here to the blue building to building

[1:12:40] » housing across the street. Yeah. >> Right. And they told me that was illegal

[1:12:44] and that I should go over to the little building over there where they

[1:12:47] » code enforcement. >> And they told me, well, they couldn't do

[1:12:50] that because they're renting, sharing, paying the rent, but they got to leave

[1:12:55] in October. So, whoever's renting it out is it's a one one year lease to all

[1:13:03] these people. Uh, and is there some Nobody got back to

[1:13:08] me as many times as I called. Is there anything that could be done

[1:13:11] about that or is it legal? >> So, I'm just for you because I know you

[1:13:16] have to leave otherwise I'm just going to take notes.

[1:13:18] » My wife is >> Yeah, I'm going to take notes. Um I'm

[1:13:21] going to ask you if I do you have the business administrator's uh email

[1:13:25] address. If you can email the business call or email the business

[1:13:28] administrator. Um I do know and again I I want to talk to the attorney about our

[1:13:33] ordinance now is that the the we had we had a round table once on on housing.

[1:13:38] you are in America, you are allowed to and I think this is I think something

[1:13:43] that Denise Ner usually responds. Our ordinance does not restrict someone from

[1:13:47] um having multiple families living in there. They have to have equal access to

[1:13:50] everything. And many times when our code or our housing department are going in

[1:13:54] there, they're finding some of the issues that they might not find. I don't

[1:13:57] know if there's a housing inspection done there yet. You can definitely reach

[1:14:00] out to Mr. Terafeno and he can get that information and hopefully get someone

[1:14:03] down there. I talked to one of the when I bought the last time inspector and I

[1:14:07] talked to the inspector. He says, "Oh, I know that place. I know the I know the

[1:14:12] owners. I will talk to them. They're my good friends."

[1:14:16] » Oh. So, if you don't mind to reach out to Mr. Terafeno and uh Mr. Terafeno,

[1:14:21] could you just You have your card here or no? I know the gentleman has to

[1:14:26] leave. >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:14:28] » Thank you.

[1:14:31] My name is Patrick Panella. I live at 15 Quail Road.

[1:14:37] I've been a resident of Jackson for 32 years. All of my children have gone to

[1:14:42] school here. And you know, you are all sitting up

[1:14:45] here talking nice about new agendas and enforcing this and enforcing that. It

[1:14:50] all sounds good before election time. You just don't enforce anything. Okay.

[1:14:56] I'm still waiting to hear from Mr. Terrafano about 18 deer lane which I've

[1:15:01] emailed all of you about. I've watched over a 100,000 people over the last

[1:15:07] three years. No exaggeration. I've sent pictures. I've told you I could provide

[1:15:13] more proof. My neighbors have complained to all of you

[1:15:19] and still nothing. We're going to send the code enforcement officer over there.

[1:15:23] Right. Well, I contacted the mayor on March 27th.

[1:15:28] It's September 8th. I've emailed Mr. Terrafanka. I've

[1:15:33] emailed the mayor who isn't here. That's how important all of your comments are

[1:15:39] to her. And that's the truth. [applause]

[1:15:43] It is time for people to stop talking. And you aren't going to do it because

[1:15:48] you haven't done it for years. So you could sit there in

[1:15:53] your suits, talk down to people, and run all this language across people. We've

[1:16:00] been here for years. I paid over the years approximately $150,000

[1:16:05] in taxes since I've lived here. Right. After sending some of my emails and

[1:16:12] photos to the township, I got visited by animal control,

[1:16:18] right? because a dog took a poop in front of 18 Deer Lane,

[1:16:25] right? So, I emailed the board

[1:16:31] and I said, "Well, obviously," and and the gentleman told me the mayor sent

[1:16:36] him, right? I have the paper at home. This isn't fictitious, folks. People are

[1:16:43] not making this up, right? I don't own a dog, okay?

[1:16:49] So retribution, you swung and you missed the games and

[1:16:55] your delay tactics. Like it's been five months since I contacted the mayor about

[1:17:00] 18 Deer Lane. When I say a 100,000 people and listen, nobody goes through

[1:17:06] the front door. Can you tell me why, Mr. Bernstein? When you go to a friend's

[1:17:10] house, do you go through the front door? I do. My other neighbors that are Jewish

[1:17:16] go through their neighbors front doors. So tell me, Mr. Bernstein, what is 18

[1:17:21] Dear Lane?

[1:17:25] It's not on a corner lot. It doesn't follow any of the ordinance or zoning

[1:17:30] laws or anything. You know, you are all sitting up there

[1:17:34] as this town is being steamrolled and you wonder why people come to a mic

[1:17:40] and say the things that they say or when people get so frustrated something comes

[1:17:44] out of their mouth that they don't mean.

[1:17:51] I pray to God that those that can be replaced are

[1:17:58] replaced. And I pray to God that those that may replace them

[1:18:03] learn by what's happening here. Because all that is happening here is money is

[1:18:08] being thrown around to different people, different political parties and people

[1:18:13] are playing games with people's lives who have lived here for over 20, 30, 40,

[1:18:19] 50 years. Right, Mr. Teriff Franco? You can look at me all you want. Listen, I

[1:18:23] served in the Marine Corps. I served in law enforcement for 27 years and

[1:18:27] retired. This isn't a game to me. This is my

[1:18:31] life. This is my town. [applause]

[1:18:38] The shaking of heads and all the little, you know, honestly, you are all just

[1:18:43] full of it. always

[1:18:49] [applause] >> I'd like to respond uh to uh

[1:18:55] » is >> 18 Deer Lane is a residential home.

[1:19:00] » Yes, I I'll address it later. >> This is this is one of the biggest

[1:19:04] problems we have and I we're afraid of a lawsuit. We're afraid of our Lupa. I'm

[1:19:10] sure our R loopa attorney is telling us to do nothing. But when somebody's not

[1:19:14] doing the right thing, like how do we just sit here and not do anything about

[1:19:18] it? I [applause] I I know it's it's

[1:19:23] this is just a common sense that upsets every single normal person in this town.

[1:19:28] They don't care who you are, what your your house is being used for. It's just

[1:19:33] disrupting their neighborhood. They're having extra traffic, extra people

[1:19:36] coming through all the time. It's just it's common sense and it's a problem and

[1:19:42] and we got to work on this. I I'm thinking the government's starting to

[1:19:45] listen more now. Um things seem to be changing a little bit and I hope we can

[1:19:49] continue down that path and things like this just can't be tolerated and places

[1:19:53] like this can't be operating illegally for years, for long periods of time, and

[1:19:58] then all of a sudden go, you're approved. We need to punish wrongdoing.

[1:20:04] You know, I we heard our mayor going on about illegal immigration. You care

[1:20:09] about law and order, but you don't do anything about you what you can actually

[1:20:13] do in your own town with your own power. So, like we have to do something.

[1:20:19] Lawsuits be damned sometimes. Do you want like the people to just be

[1:20:24] furious all the time in this town? We We have to

[1:20:31] I wish he stood. >> Elliot. Elliot Shmpa running for mayor

[1:20:35] of Jackson Township. [applause]

[1:20:42] You know, I'll address the gentleman up here, Papanella.

[1:20:46] And um look,

[1:20:50] it's got to be action over optics. I know it's an election year, but at the

[1:20:55] end of the day, this council, this government needs to

[1:20:58] do better. They need to be better. and you've made strides. Again, I don't know

[1:21:03] if it's because it's an election year or you just are starting to do better or

[1:21:07] maybe because Chris Pollock is on the council. I'm going to go with the latter

[1:21:11] because Chris Pollock's on the council holding [applause] people accountable.

[1:21:19] So, Mayor Cune has recently gloated over the state finally approving the

[1:21:24] delinquent 2026 budget, which follows her delinquent 2025 budget for which the

[1:21:29] council under her leadership was fined by the state. Looking at the budget

[1:21:34] details, it's nothing to be proud of. First, let's not forget that at the two

[1:21:38] most important council meetings in 2026 where her budget was introduced, Miss

[1:21:43] Cune was absent, abdicating responsibility. Over the last two years,

[1:21:47] Mayor Cune has approved the complete draining of Jackson's surplus fund, our

[1:21:52] savings account, if you will, down from $17 million to next to nothing. All all

[1:21:58] pretty much gone. She did this to claim your tax rates not going up. And I'm

[1:22:03] going to continue to remind everybody at these council meetings until the

[1:22:07] election. It's a catchy talking point, but at what cost? Here's the hard truth

[1:22:12] about the shell game disguised as a budget. Approximately 20% of the 2026

[1:22:17] budget was funded by the surplus fund or savings if you'd like to call it. A

[1:22:22] one-time revenue gimmick that will not be available in 2027, setting Jackson

[1:22:28] Township up for insolveny by 202027. But don't take my word for it. Download

[1:22:34] the budget and ask Miss Cune, who by the way is once again not here, how 2027

[1:22:40] will be funded. House massive cuts to various departments. Operating expenses

[1:22:45] will be restored to reasonable levels as administration personnel and other

[1:22:51] expenses are soaring at large contractual wage increases coming due.

[1:22:57] Ask how DPW can function with operating expenses approximately down 44% from

[1:23:03] 2025 and how the PD can function with operating expenses approximately down

[1:23:08] 55% from 2025. And while you're at it, ask how she

[1:23:12] justifies spending over $120,000 to push out employees she doesn't like through

[1:23:17] so-called separation agreements, expensive parting gifts, using our tax

[1:23:23] dollars like monopoly money to purge good people from township employment. In

[1:23:28] addition to this budget crisis, we have much more to address.

[1:23:32] Rahm Emanuel once famously said, "You never want a serious a serious crisis to

[1:23:37] go to waste." He said that with regard to the financial crisis of 20 2008 which

[1:23:44] was Obama administration was embroiled in.

[1:23:48] Perhaps it is not coincidental that Mayor Cune has taken the absolute

[1:23:52] tragedy where a child's life was lost and sought to turn it into political

[1:23:57] opportunity for herself while a financial crisis and other real problems

[1:24:02] loom here in Jackson Township. Calling out sanctuary state policies as

[1:24:08] at such sensitive times is not leadership. It was shameless

[1:24:13] opportunism. Seemingly repeated every election cycle.

[1:24:18] What we need in this moment was empathy, humanity, and compassion, not talking

[1:24:25] points and countless inconsequential media interviews, which quite frankly is

[1:24:31] embarrassing. What we needed then and continued to be

[1:24:35] needed is real leadership in Jackson. The governing body has already made

[1:24:40] repeated overtures to reject the concept and practice practice of sanctuary state

[1:24:46] policies having pass uh resolutions denouncing the same in 2018 and 2025.

[1:24:56] That's not needed or to be repeated when a life is lost and coincidentally

[1:25:01] two election years as well. That makes three in a row. You got the trifecta on

[1:25:05] that one. Needed more than ever are not distractions from this administration

[1:25:10] failing, but answer to real questions the Jackson constituents continue to

[1:25:15] ask. What will my tax bill look like next year? Why are Opas taking forever

[1:25:20] to come back, which is a violation of the law? with some of the 2026 budget

[1:25:25] revenue maneuvers which will not afford replenishment of the surplus fund at the

[1:25:30] same rate as previous years. What is being done to manage debt and stabilize

[1:25:35] the tax burden?

[1:25:38] » Mayor, you can help bring the community together simply by addressing the many

[1:25:41] issues that are brought forward by concerned residents while the council

[1:25:45] president regularly runs cover for you. In fact, it's your administration who

[1:25:50] oversees the various township departments.

[1:25:53] I had 10 more seconds. >> Okay.

[1:25:56] » My question is, how could you do so poorly with the important matter when

[1:26:00] you've been trained to sell real estate in our very town? Conversely, I on the

[1:26:04] other hand have been building significant budgets in business in the

[1:26:08] business world for nearly two decades and have done so with consistent

[1:26:12] effectiveness because my job is always on the line.

[1:26:17] What you soon will realize is that your job is on the line as well. And on

[1:26:21] November 3rd, the ramifications for your unsatisfactory job performance will come

[1:26:26] to fruition. In the business world, I answer to shareholders and stakeholders.

[1:26:31] In government, you answer to the residents. I'm Elliot Shmpto, and I'm

[1:26:35] running for mayor. Tachet needs accountability, financial responsible

[1:26:39] leadership, transparency, fair treatment, and equal application of the

[1:26:44] law for every single resident. Thank you for the extra time, council president.

[1:26:47] » THANK YOU. >> [applause]

[1:26:54] » AND I'M JUST THERE'S A long line and people are waiting on long line. So try

[1:26:58] to keep it to five minutes. If we have to give a couple extra seconds, we will.

[1:27:02] I wasn't saying it only to you. >> Hi, I'm Sarah. I spoke here two weeks

[1:27:07] ago and before I begin tonight, I want to clarify something. When I finished

[1:27:11] speaking last time, I ran out of the room. I had arrived at 6:30 and by the

[1:27:15] time I spoke, I had been here for close to four hours. I have six children at

[1:27:18] home waiting for me, so I really did have to run. But I made sure to come

[1:27:21] back inside specifically to explain to you, Chris, that I didn't want to be

[1:27:25] rude. Afterwards, you posted a clip of my speech on your Tik Tok page under the

[1:27:30] headline, resident claims councilman is fighting Jews.

[1:27:35] That's not what I said. I criticize political rhetoric and I trusted your

[1:27:39] intelligence to know enough to know the difference. You also use an Israeli flag

[1:27:44] for the letter E in the word Jews. I am Jewish and I'm proudly connected to

[1:27:48] Israel, but I did not stand here as an Israeli. I stood here as an American

[1:27:52] citizen and a Jackson resident speaking to my local government. On an

[1:27:56] algorithm-driven platform like Tik Tok, pairing the words fighting Jews with an

[1:28:00] Israeli flag creates a very different framing.

[1:28:03] And Chris, I understand that you are not responsible for other people choose to

[1:28:07] comment, but you are responsible for the content you put out, the way you frame

[1:28:11] it, and the environment you create around it. comments called me a coward,

[1:28:16] claimed I was paid to speak, and said I ran away because I couldn't face your

[1:28:18] response. You knew why I left and I came back and told you and yet you allowed

[1:28:22] that framing to stand without correction. So, back to the slogan,

[1:28:26] fight for Jackson. I don't like focusing on problems without solutions. There's a

[1:28:30] concept that change happens in three stages: awareness, acceptance, and

[1:28:33] action. At the last meeting, I brought up the awareness. Over the last two

[1:28:37] weeks, I felt it's a sort of acceptance. And tonight, I'd like to move to action.

[1:28:41] I know that you stated publicly that Fight for Jackson was your idea, and I'm

[1:28:44] not claiming to know what anyone's intentions were. But words don't exist

[1:28:47] in a vacuum. Words like protect, preserve, restore, and fight can

[1:28:51] represent completely legitimate ideas. But when those words exist alongside

[1:28:55] conversations about them moving here, them changing Jackson, their houses,

[1:28:58] their schools, their money, their political power, eventually people

[1:29:02] understand who them means. And that's where Fight for Jackson became difficult

[1:29:05] for me, especially in your comments, which again are not deleted or responded

[1:29:10] to. So, I'd like to offer an alternative to fight for Jackson. Perhaps you could

[1:29:14] do fight to unite Jackson. >> Sorry, I didn't hear you.

[1:29:17] » Fight to unite Jackson. Let's fight to actually unite the people who already

[1:29:22] live here. Let's create a committee where longtime residents and newer

[1:29:24] Orthodox residents can sit down together and discuss the issues that concern

[1:29:27] them. I'll sponsor the lunchon. When I lived in Brooklyn, our library hosted

[1:29:32] Mommy and Me programs. Our lives may have looked different, but for that

[1:29:35] hour, we were simply mothers interacting with our children. Why don't we have

[1:29:38] that here? Why don't we create more opportunities

[1:29:41] for local businesses instead of our once a year Jackson day? Last month, I took

[1:29:46] my son to Sky Zone and there was a little boy playing nearby, not Jewish.

[1:29:49] My son had extra tokens on his card and they played together and shared a pizza.

[1:29:55] Two boys, that's it. Why don't we create more activities where our children can

[1:30:00] meet each other? I don't believe that most of Jackson is anti-Semitic, but it

[1:30:04] is easy to fear a group of people when the only place you encounter them is

[1:30:06] through Facebook posts, political arguments, and stories about what they

[1:30:09] are doing. It's much harder when you actually meet them. And respect has to

[1:30:13] go both ways. We have to do things legally and respectfully.

[1:30:18] On Shabas, our Saturday, my family values quiet. My next door neighbor

[1:30:22] blast his 80s rock music. It's a fantastic playlist. It's not my choice

[1:30:27] of music. [laughter] I also saw a neighbor on Cook's Bridge

[1:30:33] burning mail in a makeshift fire makeshift fire pit. I called the local

[1:30:37] fire department to make sure everyone was okay and I moved on.

[1:30:41] I also had neighbors that started putting on fireworks on Friday night at

[1:30:45] 11 p.m. All my babies woke up. I had to start bedtime all over. It was

[1:30:49] frustrating. It was annoying. But they have the right to their Saturday and

[1:30:53] their Fridays. That's part of being neighbors.

[1:30:57] So, I'm not asking one to stop caring about Jackson. And unity doesn't mean

[1:31:00] sameness. It just means our differences don't automatically make us enemies. I'm

[1:31:04] asking us to think differently about what we're fighting for. Let's create

[1:31:07] committees. Let's create programs. Let's give our children opportunities to know

[1:31:10] each other. And especially as we approach September 11th. Maybe we can

[1:31:14] remember something bigger than all of us. We are neighbors. We are Americans.

[1:31:19] Awareness, acceptance, and now action. Let's fight to unite, Jackson. Thank

[1:31:23] you. >> [applause]

[1:31:27] » Chris, two way. I'm just I I don't I just want to take a

[1:31:33] moment and respond to a couple of them because I see Chris wanted to respond to

[1:31:36] her also. So, I'm just going to go very quickly through some of them. And um

[1:31:41] with regard to the very quickly, yes, I got it very quickly. Um with regard to

[1:31:47] more cultural events and more areas where people can get together, um I

[1:31:51] think Jackson Day was great. I know July 4th fire fireworks were obviously on a

[1:31:55] Saturday it doesn't work. I think everyone here we've talked to Fred and

[1:31:59] and the recreation team about doing more events. The only way we're going to

[1:32:02] learn how to live together is by having conversations and I think those

[1:32:05] conversations actually have been happening in the past uh couple weeks

[1:32:09] past couple months. I think the tone has changed and like I said I think having

[1:32:13] people here a broad spectrum of Jackson I think goes a long way to to to helping

[1:32:18] that. Um, and I'm not going to comment further on their political slogan, but

[1:32:23] um, we definitely heard you. Um, with regard to resident brought up Oprah's,

[1:32:28] and I see other residents here. Um, I know the clerk is doing her best, and we

[1:32:32] actually have pretty overall pretty decent um, um, response time. And, um,

[1:32:38] there are some very broad and complicated ops that are coming in. And

[1:32:41] it's easy for everyone to say from the other side, oh, the council president or

[1:32:45] the mayor interfering with Oprah's. We don't. We we haven't and we have no

[1:32:49] plans in doing that. But I'm gonna respond to the rest later because in

[1:32:52] case you have to run out to your six children again. Chris, you want to?

[1:32:55] » Well, there's a whole lot to say. We could have a giant conversation about

[1:32:58] this and I'm always willing to have it. Um I did use your words. You did say

[1:33:04] what is Fight for Jackson fighting Jews. Um, so those are your words and yes, I

[1:33:08] am a little controversial online because it gets attention, but if people

[1:33:12] actually listen to what I said, it was a message of trying to come together,

[1:33:16] trying to work together. But there are issues. There's people from the

[1:33:20] prominent people in the Jewish community said they toppled this government who

[1:33:23] are on video justifying Jewish children not playing with non-Jewish children.

[1:33:28] You have rabbis from the VA talking about taking over towns as a conquest.

[1:33:32] These are real things. And I'm the only counter voice to it who people can't

[1:33:39] seem to knock down and take out with claims of anti-semitism.

[1:33:43] And I seem to kind of be accepted by most

[1:33:46] people because I think most people understand it's not coming from a place

[1:33:49] of hate. People will make those claims, but it's not. I would love to do the

[1:33:53] things you said. And as much as we may disagree, I kind of got a lot of respect

[1:33:57] for you because you come, you say, you come at me and you're good. You speak

[1:34:01] well. [laughter] Um, and I I would love for counsel.

[1:34:04] No, I would really love to do those things with you. Uh, and I I think

[1:34:07] they're absolutely doable. I think the the council, the mayor, maybe the next

[1:34:13] mayor would certainly be on board for those things. And, uh, you know, thank

[1:34:17] you for having the the conversation, the dialogue. There's a lot to say with, you

[1:34:21] know, you look at Lakewood, what happened there. A lot of people

[1:34:25] don't want that to happen here, including the Jewish community. Uh, we

[1:34:29] need to find a way to coexist and figure this out. It's marching down a bad path

[1:34:33] and it's going to be bad for everyone involved and I how we fix it is really I

[1:34:38] don't know. I wish we had the answers but if we could have the conversation I

[1:34:42] appreciate it. Thank you for listen and thank you for criticizing me too. I take

[1:34:46] criticism. I understand it. I may push back and fight back with you but you

[1:34:51] know I understand it. Thank you. >> Next [applause]

[1:34:58] floor is yours. >> Hello. My name is Samorio. 21127 South

[1:35:02] Hope Chapel Road. I want to address the council with an issue that recently

[1:35:06] occurred on my property on August 31st. My wife was out in the field in the

[1:35:10] corner of our property located at 211 South Hope Chapel Road. It's a foreign

[1:35:15] getting to be a foreign idea in this town. It's called a farm. We own a farm.

[1:35:21] Um we do horse rehabilitation with miniature horses. Um, she heard the

[1:35:28] sound of heavy equipment. She hears cracking noise. She watches a tree fall

[1:35:33] in the distance. She's on the tractor doing this strange word, farmwork, and

[1:35:39] she drove the tractor over to find our horse fence completely ripped down. We

[1:35:45] found I have a habitat. The man who used to live next door, we used to be on I

[1:35:50] think one of the tree committees. Leo, we always called him the bee guy. So Leo

[1:35:55] always had bees. When Leo left, some of his bees, that's the property that's now

[1:35:59] completely destroyed. There's not a tree standing on it. Um the bees needed

[1:36:04] someplace to go. So they resonated towards this area where we had um

[1:36:08] butterfly bushes, um honeysuckle,

[1:36:12] weeping cherries, and this other flowering tree. Well, the man working

[1:36:16] the bulldozer put the bulldozer claw over and destroyed the entire habitat.

[1:36:22] Ripped it all down. So now you got these bees when you go out flying all over the

[1:36:26] place. They're looking for some place to be. They just want to be and like I

[1:36:30] wanna my wife wanna they just want to be. So um there's two men out there.

[1:36:35] They both refuse to cooperate with my wife. They refuse to give any

[1:36:40] information. So she calls me. So I come up to the corner of the property. See

[1:36:44] this extensive destruction. I ask both of the gentlemen for their names. They

[1:36:50] refuse to give me their name. I ask the gentleman who appears to be the contract

[1:36:54] site person, what's the name of the gentleman operating the equipment? He

[1:36:59] refuses to give me the his name. He refuses to give me the address for his

[1:37:04] company. He just points to the piece of equipment. I told him if he again failed

[1:37:09] to provide basic information, I'd have no choice but to call the police. So,

[1:37:14] um, he again failed to cooperate and comply. and he said, "If you want any

[1:37:19] information from me, call the police." I did call the police. The initial an

[1:37:24] older an older officer, a we'll call the seasoned officer, excuse me, uh was the

[1:37:30] uh first to arrive on the scene. I explained to him what happened and

[1:37:34] directed him to the area of destruction. He observed it and he began to question

[1:37:39] the one man. Um I stated several times to that officer that I was requesting

[1:37:44] contact information for the two gentlemen on the scene.

[1:37:48] So, should I need it, I would have it in the future. Go backwards on my

[1:37:52] background. I've got 32 and a half years state, county, um, m I Yeah, we were

[1:37:59] never municipal. State and county. Um, I was a probation officer and a senior

[1:38:03] probation officer. I've read mountains of police reports. The big thing with

[1:38:09] the police report is that initial police report that has all of the names and

[1:38:14] addresses or phone contact information for the initial incident, the initial

[1:38:19] site. So I asked the officer for that information several times. He confirmed

[1:38:25] to me that it would be all on the card that would be filed with police records.

[1:38:30] So the next morning I call code enforcement. There's a gentleman there

[1:38:34] that had helped me previously because this is now the second time someone has

[1:38:39] ripped down my f fence. The first contractor who cleared out all of Leo's

[1:38:44] property destroyed my fence. Gentleman from code enforcement was very helpful

[1:38:49] because when I went out to address it with that construction company, he was

[1:38:54] feeding pieces of house into this giant machine that mulches stuff up and there

[1:38:58] were pieces of asphalt this big flying at my head. When code enforcement showed

[1:39:02] up, it stopped and code enforcement corrected it. And that fence wasn't put

[1:39:09] up right, but it was close enough that I dealt with it. Well, when the guy pulled

[1:39:13] down this section of fence, horse fences, tension fence, he now destroyed

[1:39:18] that section of fence, too. So, it's just an ongoing incident. I explained it

[1:39:23] to code enforcement and they said, you know, if you can get the information,

[1:39:27] someone from code enforcement would come out and oversee the temporary fence

[1:39:31] repair. Please also back note, the officer on the scene told the guy, he

[1:39:36] looked down the line, he goes, "Look, you knocked the man's fence down. I need

[1:39:40] you to come out before nighttime and repair this fence. Let's back up, too. I

[1:39:46] have 11 horses. We have miniature horses. We do a horse rescue rehab.

[1:39:52] Thank God they weren't in there. They would have been all over Jackson. Then

[1:39:57] who's liable? Who's liable? >> This is disgusting. [bell]

[1:40:01] » And I've got I there there is so much more to this. The the non Is that a

[1:40:08] minute of time? I don't know what. >> So your your time's I'll give you

[1:40:10] another 20 seconds just to >> So there's a great degree of information

[1:40:14] that's still contained in this. The police the police contact card had none

[1:40:19] of the information. It was all redacted. None of the contact information for the

[1:40:23] two gentlemen that I needed was not contained on it. I um the the gentleman

[1:40:28] that you that um zoning was extremely helpful. They helped me get the contact

[1:40:34] information for this guy, Steve. I had a discussion with them. We would came up

[1:40:38] with an agreement because I want to keep the town out of it. I want to just

[1:40:40] mediate situations because I've mediated in the past. His answer was every 50

[1:40:45] feet he was going to park the property and he didn't do that.

[1:40:48] » So I'm I'm going to ask you because I first of all I I feel terribly going

[1:40:52] through what you're going through and it's unacceptable. If you can go over

[1:40:56] while the next speaker is speaking and give your information to the young man

[1:40:59] on side. Are you okay with that? And he will he'll make sure that the business

[1:41:02] administrator and the mayor follow up with you tomorrow to see where that's

[1:41:05] holding. [applause]

[1:41:08] » I doubt I doubt he's gonna be able to read my handwriting.

[1:41:13] Well, he'll write it down if you read it to him.

[1:41:16] » Yeah. At least at least give yourself a number so so the administration can call

[1:41:20] you tomorrow. >> Good evening. Dan Puki, Brookwood

[1:41:24] Jackson. First of all, I'd like to say my condolences go out to the entire

[1:41:29] Brookwood community for the loss of that young child. Something that should never

[1:41:33] happen. Secondly, I'd like to thank the council for their vote last council

[1:41:38] meeting for banning data centers. you can let somebody know that Jackson is

[1:41:43] not stupid or poor. Okay, [applause]

[1:41:49] I like to talk about traffic. Traffic in Brookwood is a big problem. Um, on July

[1:41:55] 3rd, I spent 25 minutes going 04 miles to get out of my property at 9:00 in the

[1:42:02] morning. It took me to 9:30. All the roads in the area were congested and

[1:42:09] parked every which way due to the opening of a summer camp for girls. I

[1:42:14] have no problem with a summer camp opening. If they're going to have that

[1:42:18] much traffic in the area, maybe they could give us some notice to plan

[1:42:23] different routes and plan extra time. The parking on New Hampshire, Florida,

[1:42:29] Colorado, and Citadel horrendous. If an emergency vehicle had

[1:42:34] to get to that school or that playground, it would be impossible.

[1:42:38] Maybe we should do opposite side of the street parking to make the road that's

[1:42:43] not parked passable for everybody. I have to dodge school buses and dodge

[1:42:48] cars and Mr. Paul and he lives near there. He can vouch for this.

[1:42:54] Um, also on on Brookwood Parkway, we put up a new little um playground

[1:43:02] with a little fence next to the little stream bed that is there. And what do we

[1:43:07] do? We put a porta body unlocked outside of the little fenced in area. We just

[1:43:14] passed an ordinance and we can't follow the ordinance that we passed. Are we

[1:43:19] being foolish here? I mean, come on, guys. Also, they put up on each side of

[1:43:25] the street, three no parking signs. How about you put up a sign, new playground,

[1:43:31] children at play, because you can't see the playground

[1:43:35] until you pass it. Garbage is a problem in this town, not

[1:43:41] litter. We have garbage cans that sit out for a week. We have garbage cans

[1:43:46] that can't fit the garbage in it that's piled up this high. The lids can't

[1:43:50] close. We wonder why garbage goes on other people's property, why animals get

[1:43:55] after it. I mean, I have six different garbage companies in my development

[1:44:00] every week. And there still I'm picking up garbage on my property from other

[1:44:04] people's stuff. We've got to have an ordinance that you got you need to bring

[1:44:09] your cans in, you need to have them covered. And the same thing with

[1:44:12] recycling if people recycle. The majority of the Brookwood houses do not

[1:44:17] recycle at all. It's a state law to recycle.

[1:44:21] We don't follow that. Another thing in town, we have too many

[1:44:26] dead trees. They're going to fall over on on wires. We have a shade tree

[1:44:32] commission and asshelunk and all that. Maybe we could get some ask people, the

[1:44:37] companies to do their job and take down the dead trees before I'm without power,

[1:44:42] internet, and cable. I mean, come on. It's not a big ask.

[1:44:48] Um, Louisiana Parkway, they had a a water

[1:44:53] leak a couple weeks ago. >> Water main boat.

[1:44:57] » Yeah, the road's still not fixed. The gravel's still there, the dirt's

[1:45:02] still there, the street hasn't been repaved. How long does it take? And now

[1:45:07] would you guys with the ordinance about unhitched trailers?

[1:45:11] How about on the way here and on the way home tonight, you have the trailers that

[1:45:15] used to flash Jackson Day. They're orange. They're unhitched and they're

[1:45:21] not lit up at night. What are we doing here? I know that's a

[1:45:25] county road, but it's still not safe. Are we making any sense?

[1:45:33] And that's about all for tonight. Thank you for your time. [applause]

[1:45:38] I'll see you next meeting.

[1:45:45] Welcome back. >> How are you?

[1:45:47] » Great. >> I'm Christina. Um I live here in

[1:45:52] Jackson. I'm going into my 25th year in TW as we go into the new year. So I'm 24

[1:45:59] years. Um, since all the high density development

[1:46:05] that has started here in Jackson, um, I have noticed an orange glaze

[1:46:13] that's in the toilet water. I went to and this has been now I've I've my place

[1:46:21] was built past 1986 because the MUA tried to tell me, "Oh,

[1:46:28] well, it's got to be the pipes." Well, the truth is is my place was built past

[1:46:34] 1986 when they changed the rulings on pipes.

[1:46:39] So you read about the I brought this up the Kirkwood

[1:46:48] Cohansy aquifer and high density development

[1:46:53] is a cause of doing this. I don't believe this has to do with what

[1:47:02] our our religions are or anything. What the real issue in Jackson has to do

[1:47:10] with the overdeveloping that's happening in the town that could

[1:47:17] possibly destroy our water because once you lose

[1:47:21] » I know one quick question just so I'm taking notes. What part of what part of

[1:47:24] town do you live in? >> I'm in 60 acres.

[1:47:26] » Okay, continue. Yeah. >> Yes. But I was going to mention also at

[1:47:31] Jackson Day. I went to Jackson Day. There was another woman there. She said

[1:47:37] she's finding brownwater. So it turns out, but she's not from J 60

[1:47:44] acres. So I'm sandwiched in where I live to Brewers Bridge Road. There's huge

[1:47:53] development going on there. There's huge development on County Line Road. That's

[1:47:59] another side of the development where I live.

[1:48:04] uh down

[1:48:07] Bettz Mills and Cooksbridge, you have a humongous building being built. I

[1:48:15] remember seeing the the those big um pipes that are being put in underground.

[1:48:22] So, I'm going to read you again the aquifer.

[1:48:26] Jackson sits a top the vast Kirkwood Cohansancy aquifer system which provides

[1:48:32] most of South Jerseys freshwater and h high density development massive

[1:48:39] warehouse projects unregulated sprawl threatened to drain the lower the levels

[1:48:47] of water. You know there is danger of the groundwater in the area is highly

[1:48:53] vulnerable to pollutants like PFAS. Uh while tap water usually meets the

[1:49:02] federal limits, testing it has revealed contaminants

[1:49:07] exceeding the EPA health guidelines. Much of Jackson borders on the

[1:49:15] pinelands. Development projects sometimes bypass the commission

[1:49:20] regulations and it allows for septic systems and runoff that will pollute

[1:49:27] shallow porous aquifer. The reason I'm bringing all this up is we never ran

[1:49:34] into this kind of stuff because the town was never overdeveloped.

[1:49:39] Never. all of it because I've been here 24 years and all of a sudden

[1:49:46] we're getting so I'm literally sandwiched in where I live and all of a

[1:49:51] sudden I called a plumber. I said, "Come and look and see. What is this orange

[1:49:58] glaze? What is this?" He opened up the tank. It's it's caked in all this orange

[1:50:07] stuff and it's coming from the water. You know, this has nothing to do with,

[1:50:17] you know, I get along well with Mr. Bernstein. I do. We talk.

[1:50:21] » Give me a lot of advice. >> There we go. you know, and I get along

[1:50:26] with a lot of acidic Jews, but we have to address that if you overpop

[1:50:33] populate Jackson, we could lose our water and then you

[1:50:38] lose the whole town. I don't know how else to say it. Who in you will not be

[1:50:44] if we lose our water here, then how are you selling your homes to get get out?

[1:50:51] How do you how do you do that? Take take another 10 seconds.

[1:50:55] » So, you know, to me, this is a huge issue that everyone in town has to take

[1:51:04] into consideration with the overdevelopment.

[1:51:08] » I'll I'll address it. >> I guess that you know that's the best

[1:51:11] way to say it. >> Thanks, Holly. [applause]

[1:51:19] » Good evening. Holly Reynolds. I'm on the Environmental Commission, but Speaking

[1:51:23] as a resident tonight, I'm asking the governing body to consider an important

[1:51:27] change to the way Jackson Township handles major site plan applications.

[1:51:32] Jackson currently allows applicants to seek and receive preliminary and final

[1:51:36] site plan approval together. I am asking a council to reconsider that practice

[1:51:41] and amend our ordinance so that preliminary site plan approval and final

[1:51:45] site plan approval are separate sequential stages. This is not a request

[1:51:50] to make development more difficult. It is a request to make the process more

[1:51:54] deliberate, transparent, and protective for both the township and its residents.

[1:51:58] The municipal land use law recognizes preliminary and final site plan approval

[1:52:03] as two distinct stages. Preliminary approval is intended to establish the

[1:52:08] general terms and conditions of the development. Final approval is where the

[1:52:12] applicant demonstrates that the detailed engineering, construction documents,

[1:52:16] drainage, landscaping, utilities, and other requirements conform to those

[1:52:20] preliminary conditions. When we combine the two, we lose some of that

[1:52:24] distinction. The board can be asked to evaluate the overall land use concept,

[1:52:29] environmental constraints, variances, drainage, utilities, landscaping, and

[1:52:33] detailed engineering all at the same time. For a simple project that may not

[1:52:38] create significant problem, but Jackson is not dealing with only with simple

[1:52:43] projects. We are dealing with increasing increasingly complex development

[1:52:48] proposals involving wetlands, seaw waterways, flood hazard areas,

[1:52:52] groundwater recharge, endangered species habitat in extensive tree clearing,

[1:52:57] septic systems, storm water infrastructure, and other

[1:53:00] environmentally sensitive resources. For those projects, I believe Jackson needs

[1:53:04] a process that t asks two separate questions. First, is this development

[1:53:08] appropriate for the property? and is the proposed development footprint

[1:53:12] environmentally and legally feasible? That should be the pre preliminary

[1:53:16] approval question. Then after the board establishes that appropriate footprint

[1:53:21] and conditions, the second question should be, has the applicant provided

[1:53:25] the detailed engineering and documentation necessary to construct

[1:53:29] what was actually approved. That should be the final approval question. I am

[1:53:33] asking the council to consider amending our ordinance so that an applicant

[1:53:37] cannot simply receive preliminary and final approval at the same hearing.

[1:53:42] Instead, preliminary approval would be would have to be granted first with a

[1:53:47] formal resolution establishing the conditions of that approval. Only after

[1:53:51] those conditions have been satisfied should the applicant return to for final

[1:53:56] site plan approval. I would also ask that the ordinance specifically address

[1:54:01] environmental resources at the preliminary stage. For example, where a

[1:54:06] property contains wetlands, wetland buffers, sew waterways, flood hazards,

[1:54:11] significant groundwater recharge areas, threatened or endangered species

[1:54:15] habitat, steep slopes, or other environmentally sensitive resources. The

[1:54:20] board should make specific findings regarding avoidance, minimization, and

[1:54:24] mitigation before granting preliminary approval. This is particularly important

[1:54:29] because once preliminary approval is granted, the developer receives

[1:54:32] statutory protections regarding the general terms and conditions of that

[1:54:36] approval. We should therefore make sure that the fundamental environmental and

[1:54:41] land use questions are answered before those protections attach. I also believe

[1:54:46] this would help prevent a problem we have seen in Jackson where extensive

[1:54:49] tree clearing or other site disturbance can occur while a property then sits

[1:54:55] undeveloped for an extended period. If the township is going to approve a

[1:54:59] development footprint, we should know that the project is actually feasible

[1:55:03] and that the environmental conditions have been properly addressed. I'm not

[1:55:07] asking council to deny development. I'm asking council to improve the process.

[1:55:12] Separate preliminary and final approvals would give the planning board and zoning

[1:55:15] board a clearer decision-making framework, give residents a clearer

[1:55:19] understanding of what is actually being approved, and give applicants a

[1:55:23] predictable process for moving their projects forward. So tonight, my spec my

[1:55:27] specific request is I'm asking the council to review chapter 244 and

[1:55:32] prepare an ordinance amendment that establishes preliminary and final major

[1:55:36] site plan approval as separate sequential approvals consistent with the

[1:55:41] municipal land use law. I would also ask that the proposed amendment include

[1:55:46] specific environmental findings and conditions at the preliminary stage,

[1:55:50] particularly for projects involving wetlands, waterways, flood planes,

[1:55:54] groundwater resources, endangerous species habitat, and significant tree

[1:55:58] clearing. Jackson has an opportunity to make its land use approval process more

[1:56:02] transparent, more predictable, and more protective of the natural resources that

[1:56:07] this community depends on. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause]

[1:56:20] Uh, good evening council and ladies and gentlemen in the audience. Uh, my name

[1:56:24] is John Pajowski. I live at Bartley Road in Jackson. Two

[1:56:29] weeks ago, our community was impacted by a heartbreaking tragedy. A nine-month

[1:56:34] old child was killed and her mother and sibling were severely injured when they

[1:56:39] were struck by an unlicensed driver living here despite a final removal

[1:56:44] order from immigration officials. This has rightfully brought new scrutiny

[1:56:49] to New Jerseys sanctuary state policies. As a career law enforcement officer, I

[1:56:54] have seen firsthand the dangers of sanctuary policies that prevent local

[1:56:59] law enforcement from communicating and coordinating with federal law

[1:57:03] enforcement agencies, especially when an undocumented individual has committed a

[1:57:08] crime within a local community. No one is safer when a state prohibits law

[1:57:13] enforcement agencies from talking to one another. This is why today I'm calling

[1:57:18] on the Jackson Council to join towns from across the state in passing a

[1:57:23] resolution opposing the expended sanctuary policies that the state of New

[1:57:28] Jersey passed into law earlier this year. I hope the residents of Jackson

[1:57:32] will join me in standing up for safer communities. This tragic event could

[1:57:38] have been any one of our family members in any one of our parking lots.

[1:57:43] Uh, on a personal note, I understand the why people come to our country. My

[1:57:49] parents came and immigrated to America many years ago. I'm first generation

[1:57:52] born here in America and I'm grateful to my parents and I tell them pretty much

[1:57:59] every day, thank you for coming to America. We're blessed to enjoy

[1:58:04] everything we've got. That being said, again, I asked the

[1:58:09] council in passing a resolution. I'm going to pivot real quick. Um, second

[1:58:14] topic. My experience uh at 911 as a law enforcement officer responder. Um, we

[1:58:21] were there right after September 11th. We helped for months and months after

[1:58:26] the fact. As tragic we all know that event was, um, one thing I noticed more

[1:58:33] so a year later and and a few years after that, how that tragic event

[1:58:39] brought the rest of the country together. We were united. It was

[1:58:44] America. Uh, we had flags on cars, flags on houses, and for a while there you

[1:58:50] couldn't buy a flag. That's how united we were. I just pray that we don't need

[1:58:56] another September 11th to bring us all together. And the last thing I want to

[1:59:01] say, I do concur. CGS does have the best wings. All right. And it's Wing

[1:59:04] Wednesday tomorrow, 75 cent wings. [laughter] Mr. PCH, I got

[1:59:09] [applause and cheering] Mr. told Jeff, you brought up illegal drivers and an

[1:59:16] accident. I'm going to bring up something.

[1:59:20] February 17th, 2001, my daughter was ran down by a drunk

[1:59:25] illegal person in the country driver. She's alive today, thank God. She's on a

[1:59:32] highway behind a broken car that had an accident. the car hit her and put her

[1:59:36] over the top to the front of the other car. We got the call, my wife and I, to

[1:59:42] get down to Delaware immediately. We didn't know what was going to happen.

[1:59:45] Like I say, we're blessed she's alive today and well changed a whole career

[1:59:50] path. And when you mentioned illegal drivers

[1:59:54] and drunk drivers, you hit a spot with me because I can definitely relate to

[1:59:58] it. Especially when he got a $50 fine and deported. That was it. So, it's it's

[2:00:05] hits home with that and it hits home with a lot of people and that's why I

[2:00:09] said earlier tonight it was an accident totally preventable and I'll sign

[2:00:12] anything to deport these type of people. Thank you

[2:00:18] [applause]

[2:00:22] banning 22orn court in Jackson. We're at a crossroads here as far as the

[2:00:29] rules apply to you. They apply to me. They apply to everyone.

[2:00:34] One of the issues I have tonight is parking.

[2:00:38] When a new project is presented before the planning board and the zoning board,

[2:00:43] one of the very first things that should be approved

[2:00:48] or asked from either any of these boards, including the council, do you

[2:00:52] have sufficient parking? If the answer is no, you cannot do the

[2:00:58] project. I'm going to give you five examples. On

[2:01:01] Brewers Bridge Road, and they all happen to be houses of worship. The very

[2:01:06] corner, the Bridgewater Court, there's a building that's going to be built right

[2:01:10] after Tip Tam, there's a little tiny house when you go down and the speed

[2:01:14] limit changes to 30 on the right hand side that's going to be converted to a

[2:01:18] house of worship. And then you also on the corner of Clear Stream. Not one of

[2:01:22] these places is going to have sufficient parking for the building they built. Not

[2:01:27] one of them. Our streets are not meant for overflow parking.

[2:01:33] They can't handle overflow parking. Bitney Lane is a mess. A real big mess

[2:01:38] on that corner. Both way both sides of the street are parked on. You can't even

[2:01:42] get through one way or the other because you don't know if somebody's going to

[2:01:46] come the other direction. We need to approve the parking

[2:01:50] requirements with these buildings that they must meet 25 uh one one parking

[2:01:56] spot for every 250 square ft just like the commercial building would have to

[2:02:01] do. We must meet the same requirements. Otherwise, we we're going to be in

[2:02:06] trouble. There's always going to be parking up and down the roads. Our roads

[2:02:10] are not meant for parking. Thank you. [applause]

[2:02:20] uh Joseph Sullivan uh right here in Jackson

[2:02:25] » and you're speaking as an individual. >> I'm speaking as an individual, not as a

[2:02:29] member of the planning board or the rent leveling board. But I do as a citizen

[2:02:34] have a problem when we have a council member who calls for the resignation of

[2:02:39] the leadership of [clears throat] the planning board very vaguely doesn't

[2:02:43] mention names and then alludes to things. He alludes that they may be

[2:02:49] dirty, they may be on the tape, they may be um politically compromised.

[2:02:56] He's done the same thing to all of you in the council. He's accused all of you

[2:03:00] at one time or another of being on the tape or being

[2:03:04] being uh politically bought and he gets away with it. He gets away with

[2:03:08] everything he says. He attacks that lady that came up here online

[2:03:17] » and then he comes and then he says, "Excuse one second,

[2:03:22] » ladies and gentlemen. This is his time. He has a right to say whatever he wants

[2:03:25] even as even if we don't agree with it. He fills the room with his little

[2:03:29] gestabo of followers that that that run their mouth.

[2:03:33] » Order. Or order >> and make statements. And he sits there

[2:03:36] with a little smirk on his face because he knows he controls the room.

[2:03:40] » This is the guy who guys, >> please let him have his f Mr. Sullivan.

[2:03:47] Please stop. Please stop. >> Pete, excuse me. Excuse me.

[2:03:53] Excuse me. This is his five minutes. You feel free to come up and say I've been

[2:03:56] very patient to everyone else. Let him speak.

[2:03:59] » Mr. >> Okay.

[2:04:02] » Go. >> I'm I'm speaking and my first amendment,

[2:04:05] right? And if you don't like it, puff, >> I'll say this.

[2:04:09] » Return time to him if he wants. >> Yes. Return my time, please. I a lost to

[2:04:13] this to this nun. >> Please return his time.

[2:04:19] » Hold on. Hold on. [clears throat] I want to stop for a

[2:04:23] second. There have been many things that have been set up here over the years

[2:04:27] since I've been council president, give or take, that I don't agree with. I I've

[2:04:31] never interrupted or I've tried never to interrupt anyone. Let's give Mr. Svin

[2:04:34] the courtesy even if we don't like what he says. And I'm sure Councilman

[2:04:38] Pollock, if he wants to respond after when I get to all the comments, could

[2:04:41] respond. He knows how to defend himself quite well.

[2:04:43] » Thank you. So, we have a man here in Chris Pollock who uh followers accused

[2:04:49] me of being a homosexual. uh accused made fun of my disability,

[2:04:54] made fun of my looks, accused me of getting the town into a lawsuit on an

[2:04:59] ordinance he voted for. And then you have the d the dichconomy. Here's a

[2:05:06] man whose followers and his groups call me a homosexual, but he is marching in

[2:05:13] the gay pride parades when we get back. Here's a man who tries to divide the

[2:05:18] town, goes after those so-called evil Orthodox people, and it's all in those

[2:05:25] groups of yours, and then there you are with pictures of you meeting with a very

[2:05:30] wealthy Orthodox individual who has an ambulance company.

[2:05:34] You play both sides of the aisle so well because these people want to believe.

[2:05:42] They want to believe that you will be able to break the law for them. That you

[2:05:47] will be able to make all these people disappear that you don't like. That the

[2:05:51] town will turn the clock back 20 years because you want it to be that way. And

[2:05:57] it's just not going to happen. But they're not all falling for it. Some of

[2:06:02] them are waking up to your shenanigans and and they're starting to realize what

[2:06:06] they're dealing with with you. Even though they saw those pictures, they

[2:06:10] know what they're dealing with. They're dealing with someone who's a snake oil

[2:06:13] salesman who will say anything to get elected

[2:06:18] whose running mate will turn the tragedy of a death of a child into a political

[2:06:22] statement for his mayoral campaign from a woman that will come up to the

[2:06:28] microphone and claim her house was home invaded. And then we find out it was a

[2:06:33] rental property that she didn't live at. It wasn't home invasion. It was a

[2:06:37] robbery in a neighborhood that was having crime at the time.

[2:06:42] » So yeah, but it's not the house of >> Mr. Sullivan to the chair.

[2:06:46] » So I mean they they they will they will

[2:06:51] bend the truth. They will throw anything at you. She made accusations or

[2:06:56] illusions that it was some kind of political statement that someone home

[2:07:00] invaded her. It was a robbery at a rental house, which I would like to

[2:07:03] know. she was on the registry of of of landlords at the time because that would

[2:07:08] be an interesting thing to find out. We're dealing with here people with no

[2:07:15] scruples that tell people to fill the room and turn it into a circus sideshow

[2:07:19] so he can get elected with his team of very men.

[2:07:25] » You look at this room and it's proof of it. People will watch this video across

[2:07:29] the country and they'll laugh at Jackson Township and it's all because of you.

[2:07:33] You've turned it into a circus. You've turned it into a political statement and

[2:07:39] not reality. You talk on both sides of your mouth.

[2:07:44] You chastise the uh the orthodox and then you

[2:07:49] » and then you take the money from a rich Orthodox.

[2:07:52] » Solvent. Times up. >> Council, I really appreciate when he

[2:07:58] comes up and speaks. I think it is wonderful. I don't think you do yourself

[2:08:02] a service, the mayor a service, the Republican club a service, the planning

[2:08:06] board a service. When you come up and speak, you say ridiculous things.

[2:08:11] I no, it just it's nonsense. Attributing random people online based

[2:08:19] off of what you do and say what they say about you has nothing to do with me. I

[2:08:24] don't care about you. Like like as as far as like this stuff's concerned, I

[2:08:28] care about what the planning board does. I do because I care about my town. But

[2:08:33] you know,

[2:08:36] » this is just nonsense. >> Chris, we'll get

[2:08:39] » I'm here simply. I was voted in. Why? To represent the

[2:08:44] people, to speak for the people. And yes, I meet with Jewish residents.

[2:08:48] Because I'm supposed to represent everybody here. And this is a problem.

[2:08:52] Yeah, I speak up a voice maybe on the other side, but Jewish people here have

[2:08:56] a voice, too. I represent everyone. and everybody could come up and speak to me.

[2:09:00] And that woman, yeah, maybe we disagree, but you know what? I respect her for

[2:09:04] coming up and saying what she needs to say to me, even if we disagree, even if

[2:09:08] it's mean towards me. I'm going to fire back. We're going to have a back and

[2:09:11] forth. But you know what? We stood respectful. And she wants to make things

[2:09:16] better. And I would sit there and work with her on anything she wants to do if

[2:09:20] it's a good thing for this community. You know what? You You want to make this

[2:09:24] about you? I can make this about you. You were attached to the former mayor.

[2:09:28] You were a guy for the former mayor all the time and now,

[2:09:30] » excuse me, excuse me, and now you're attached to this mayor and this gowns

[2:09:34] and this dude, you're a bottom feeder. >> We don't need people like this in

[2:09:38] government. Maybe you should take my advice from last meeting.

[2:09:43] » I don't trust your judgment. [applause]

[2:09:48] » Coming up and we'll have time at the end to respond more.

[2:09:54] » All right. Uh >> order.

[2:09:57] » See if I can bring the temperature down here.

[2:09:59] » It's all yours. >> Dan, uh Dan from uh Green Street Drive.

[2:10:03] Um first of all, I just I want to acknowledge the uh beautiful um

[2:10:08] proclamation that we had for September 11th here earlier. Uh it dawned on me

[2:10:13] today that um my 25th birthday was a day after September 11th. So on September

[2:10:22] 11th, I was 24, turned 25 the next day, and now we're 25 years later, right?

[2:10:27] Wow. So, uh, that I guess it just hit me a little different today.

[2:10:32] » And then if you guys do the math on that, that also means that when Aspen

[2:10:36] Tree Company went into business, I wasn't quite yet born. [laughter] I was

[2:10:40] the bun in my mom's oven there. So, um, that's awesome that they've been here

[2:10:43] for 50 years. That's amazing. So, um, first of all, I I want to say that it

[2:10:49] was it's heartbreaking to hear about the tragic accident that that took place

[2:10:54] just a couple weeks ago. Took the life of a nine year ninemonth-old here in

[2:10:58] Jackson and severely injured the mother and some of the other siblings as well.

[2:11:03] I had a chance to talk to Morai before the meeting and my heart goes out to the

[2:11:07] family for their loss and whatever positive impact that child would have

[2:11:12] made in this world, we will never know. Um, but I'm sure the world would have

[2:11:17] been a better place with that child in it. So, it is it's truly a loss for this

[2:11:21] entire community. Uh, the administration's response is

[2:11:27] something I have an issue with and I think that was one of her running mates

[2:11:29] that came up earlier and asked for a resolution. um denouncing the uh the

[2:11:35] state's policy here. So, whenever there's like a mass shooting, right, and

[2:11:40] Americans, they want to have a serious conversation about gun reform, they're

[2:11:44] always told that it's not the time to discuss that. And they're accused of

[2:11:47] politicizing a tragedy. And I don't see how that's any different

[2:11:51] than the mayor's reaction. The mayor called for the town council and so in

[2:11:56] her running mate to pass a resolution denouncing the state's sanctuary state

[2:12:00] policy. Now, if I'm not mistaken, I think LA beat me to the punch, but that

[2:12:05] was already passed by the council last year. So, let's set aside for a moment

[2:12:09] the fact that the municipality has no authority to supersede state or federal

[2:12:14] law. I failed to see what the logic would be

[2:12:19] in repeating this action. So, how's this supposed to go? We we we denounce it,

[2:12:25] the state does nothing. We announce it a second time. What's the state going to

[2:12:29] say like? Oh, well, it's announced it a second time, so now we're going to take

[2:12:32] you seriously. That's that's kind of ridiculous.

[2:12:36] But more importantly, it it fails to accurately understand what the state's

[2:12:40] policy actually is. So, I'm going to take some time to educate the people

[2:12:43] here on the actual policy. And I want to read a portion of the immigrant trust

[2:12:48] directive, which is available to anybody to read on the state attorney general

[2:12:51] threat site. The directive ensures that victims and

[2:12:55] witnesses feel safe reporting crimes to local law enforcement without fear of

[2:13:00] deportation. So what that means is that if I was an undocumented im immigrant

[2:13:05] and I either witnessed a crime such as assault or robbery or rape or murder or

[2:13:10] was a victim of a crime, I could report that to authorities without fear of

[2:13:15] deportation. So to me, that sounds like it actually does keep the community

[2:13:19] safe. And to be clear, denouncing that would mean that this uh policy, you're

[2:13:24] actually advocating for an increase in unreported crime in the state. So the

[2:13:29] mayor's implication here is that if the state didn't have this policy, that the

[2:13:33] tragic accident would not have occurred. But I have yet to see any evidence of

[2:13:37] that. For that to be factual, that would mean that either of the two individuals

[2:13:41] who were arrested would have had to have an encounter with law enforcement

[2:13:45] previously that resulted in law enforcement not informing ICE or customs

[2:13:50] and border control of the immigration status of either of the two individuals.

[2:13:55] I have seen seen zero reporting uh backing that claim and I've read m

[2:13:59] multiple articles on this. I want to further read to you guys uh

[2:14:04] some segments of the immigrant trust directive highlights uh which is

[2:14:08] available to the public. It's and that and the 13 uh page policy are available

[2:14:13] also on the attorney uh general's website. The immigrant trust directive

[2:14:18] seeks to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

[2:14:23] No one should suffer in silence out of fear of being identified as non-citizen.

[2:14:28] New Jersey law enforcement will comply with and enforce arrest warrants when

[2:14:33] the warrant is signed by a judge. New Jersey is not a sanctuary state for

[2:14:39] anyone who commits a crime in New Jersey.

[2:14:42] New Jersey's law enforcement officers will investigate New Jerseys state

[2:14:47] criminal offenses and any person who violates New Jerseys criminal laws will

[2:14:52] be arrested and prosecuted for their actions regardless of immigration

[2:14:57] status. And that's exactly what happened in this case. Laws were broken and

[2:15:01] individuals responsible were arrested regardless of their immigration status.

[2:15:06] Just give me 30 seconds to wrap up. >> 20.

[2:15:09] » Thank you. Um, look, last week I I spoke about or the couple weeks ago the need

[2:15:14] to unify the community and stop villainizing each other. I see this as

[2:15:17] an attempt to just score political points by shifting the focus on vill to

[2:15:21] to villainizing immigrants. I understand the need to want to do something to

[2:15:26] acknowledge and honor the life that was lost. I think there's a many potential

[2:15:30] ways we could do that. We could have created an annual scholarship for the

[2:15:33] children here in Jackson in the name of the the the child that was lost to help

[2:15:38] improve the future lives of of other children here in this community or

[2:15:42] commemorate the tragedy in some other way. But there's many ways we could do

[2:15:45] that that honor and uplift rather than punch down on the minority community. In

[2:15:50] summary, I stand opposed to any resolution that would uh as this

[2:15:56] accomplishes nothing of merit. It promotes an increase in crime and does

[2:16:00] nothing to heal our community or honor the life of a child that was tragically

[2:16:04] taken from us. Thank you. [applause]

[2:16:16] Hello. Good evening. My name is Lori and my

[2:16:20] husband and I own Windhaven Farms here in Jackson. I'm sorry if you have to

[2:16:25] hear this story twice. Um, my version is slightly softer than the handsome guy

[2:16:30] who said it before with the gray goatee. Last week I was out with our animals and

[2:16:35] I heard that sound. Not a branch falling, but a deep cracking noise like

[2:16:40] something being torn apart. I looked up and there's an excavator reaching over

[2:16:44] our property about 10 to 15 feet, ripping out shrubs and fencing um that

[2:16:49] had been there for decades. By the time I got there, 40 feet was

[2:16:54] gone. So, I physically got in front of it, yelling and waving my arms to make

[2:16:58] them stop. And this wasn't the first time. When the land was clear-cut for

[2:17:03] the subdivision a year or so ago, a couple years ago, changing a landscape

[2:17:08] from garden, pastures, and serene forests to nothingness, the machine

[2:17:12] operator back then was careless and some of the trees fell into our fence. Of

[2:17:16] course, it wasn't the same fence. It was down a ways. They apologized and it was

[2:17:21] patched up. They never told us if we hadn't been adamant about checking our

[2:17:25] fence line because if one of our horses get uh gets hit by a car, we we own the

[2:17:31] car. They apologized back then and it was

[2:17:34] patched up, sloppy with inferior product. They ran to Lowe's and got the

[2:17:39] cheapest stuff that they could find to patch the area another 40 50 feet when

[2:17:43] they did that. This time, like the first, they didn't

[2:17:46] notify us. I couldn't believe that this was happening again.

[2:17:50] When the man's boss arrived, he started with, "We have no plans to remove the

[2:17:55] fence." I informed him that he needed to use the past tense because 40 plus feet

[2:17:59] had already been destroyed. When he continued with, "I don't we

[2:18:04] didn't know that the fence was there to our orders were to clear up to the fence

[2:18:08] that they didn't know was there." And finally, we would have never touched

[2:18:12] your fence. You didn't need to worry because according to the survey, it's on

[2:18:16] your side. And those explanations left me with a simple question. Where does

[2:18:22] that way of thinking end? If a hundred-year-old house sat inches over a

[2:18:26] property line, would a builder or an employer of that builder think it

[2:18:30] acceptable to swing equipment into the house and follow that order? Of course,

[2:18:35] a fence isn't a house, but the principle is exactly the same. Before you destroy

[2:18:40] someone's property, you stop. You verify. That's why I'm asking for

[2:18:44] something so basic. notice, accountability, and respect.

[2:18:50] Our farm isn't hard to find. We get texts, emails, phone calls, letters,

[2:18:55] even notes in our mailbox from people who want to buy our property. By the

[2:18:59] way, we're property poor. Thanks for doubling our taxes. If strangers can

[2:19:04] find us that easily, then surely someone planning demolition work along our

[2:19:08] shared property line could have notified us easily first.

[2:19:13] Meanwhile, along with the fence line, a walnut tree older than me was ripped

[2:19:17] apart. One of the main limbs ripped off by the machinery, peeling the t four

[2:19:23] feet of the trunk with the just it was just hanging there. Leaving damage that

[2:19:28] most likely will kill it. This would have been avoided by simply using a

[2:19:32] chainsaw instead to cut the limb that was over the property line. Heck, if he

[2:19:36] had notified us, my husband would have cut back the limb himself. He's quite

[2:19:42] good with a chainsaw. Apparently, our tree represented no

[2:19:46] value to the builder. Shrubs we had nurtured as pollinators covered in bees

[2:19:51] were lying at my feet destroyed. Eventually, to make amends, the builder

[2:19:58] promised um survey markers to replace the fence, but only part of that was

[2:20:03] done. Approximately 60% of the fence line was marked as promised.

[2:20:09] and he promised to replace the fence with proper livestock grade fencing. We

[2:20:13] explained to him that what he saw there was the first fence and it and it wasn't

[2:20:18] good enough. So, um

[2:20:25] when my husband went back to check on their fencing job, he couldn't believe

[2:20:29] what he said what he saw. They had installed the fence upside down.

[2:20:34] Yeah, that's the thing. when you have livestock fencing, the lowest gauge uh

[2:20:39] the thickest wire is at the top. And that's the thing. So, their second

[2:20:44] attempt with proper installers we were promised was just as comical. We go out

[2:20:48] and we hear see them hammering seven foot uh Tposts in three feet into the

[2:20:53] ground with carpentry hammers. All you heard out there was dink dink

[2:20:59] dink. And then they wound up getting yet

[2:21:02] another group that really knew what they were doing. by the third time. And at

[2:21:06] this time, the fence is up. However, it's it's still not properly tensioned,

[2:21:10] but I kind of given up at this point. The saying is, ironically, good uh

[2:21:16] fencing makes good neighbor. For decades, give me another 20 seconds.

[2:21:20] » We've cleared that line, not because the survey said so, but because it matters

[2:21:24] to keep animals safe, to steward the land, and to be good neighbors. Growth

[2:21:29] is coming. I get that. But growth without respect destroys more than

[2:21:33] fences. It tears at trust. And I'm not asking for anything special, just

[2:21:38] accountability and respect. Um, I've heard in interviews, Councilman

[2:21:44] Pollock speak about how much of the frustration surrounding development

[2:21:48] comes from the feeling of unfairness, like different rules for different

[2:21:52] people. When people feel that, it breeds resentment instead of trust. My husband

[2:21:57] and I have no plans of leaving Jackson. This is our home. And we want to

[2:22:01] continue being good neighbors. And we understand that growth is coming and

[2:22:05] we're not here to oppose growth. We're simply asking that growth also respects

[2:22:09] the people who are already here. And I believe in treating people the way I'd

[2:22:13] want to be treated. I believe that problems can be solved with honesty,

[2:22:17] communication, and respect. And a simple phone call or letter would have

[2:22:22] prevented everything that I'm talking about tonight. Thank you for listening.

[2:22:26] » Thank you very much. [applause]

[2:22:34] Good evening, folks. Jim Hurley, three Sunningdale Court.

[2:22:39] I'm glad I came tonight. It kind of reminds me why I never ran for office.

[2:22:43] [laughter] Um,

[2:22:45] I'm here to discuss the u the ordinance that was adopted on the

[2:22:51] data centers. Before anyone misunderstands me, I am totally against

[2:22:57] data centers. No question about that. When the ordinance came up for adoption,

[2:23:03] I made a couple of comments. Those comments related to the method under

[2:23:08] which you were utilizing to prohibit a prohibited use. Um, and I was hoping

[2:23:16] that you might take a a a different process, but you didn't. Now that we

[2:23:22] did, I think there are some things that we need to address. And I'm hoping that

[2:23:27] what you're going to do is reconsider that ordinance and make corrections to

[2:23:32] avoid the benefit that's being given to a developer in this case. Number one,

[2:23:39] the title of the of the ordinance itself. When you introduce the title or

[2:23:44] you introduce it by title, even when you give public notice to to the people on

[2:23:50] adoption, you you identify it by title. And the title simply says

[2:23:57] um amending the code and I'm just I'm paraphrasing parts of it. Amending the

[2:24:02] code of the development regulations to to regulate data centers. There's

[2:24:07] nowhere in this ordinance that you regulate data centers. You prohibit it.

[2:24:13] And there's a major difference between that word regulate and the word

[2:24:18] prohibit. I strongly suggest you take another look at that. I'm raising it

[2:24:22] because I know where there are areas here that can be attacked and I believe

[2:24:27] if attacked you're going to lose and that's [snorts] a problem.

[2:24:32] » The second part of my my comments relates to some of the whereas

[2:24:38] provisions your findings that you have in in in this ordinance I think are

[2:24:42] okay. There are some that are not even purposes of zoning but who cares. Uh the

[2:24:49] rest are okay. It's not a problem. But one of the whereas that I'm really

[2:24:54] concerned about reads as follows. It says uh whereas township council further

[2:25:00] finds that due to these characteristics data centers may not be appropriate

[2:25:06] within many areas of the township. Absent

[2:25:13] absent rigorous sightsp specific review and demonstration of infrastructure

[2:25:19] capacity and uh compatibility.

[2:25:24] What have you done? You've given a road map to a developer as to what he's got

[2:25:30] to present in order to get a devariance. I can't believe you did that. And it's

[2:25:35] right. In fact, my suggestion to you is take that phrase completely out.

[2:25:41] that I think is a significant problem. The last item that I want to address is

[2:25:48] actually two items. The last item,

[2:25:53] this is the last one. Section two is being amended.

[2:25:58] Uh it amends article article 6 section 244 176.2

[2:26:05] entitled prohibited use. This is the one uh place in the ordinance that prohibits

[2:26:11] data centers. And where did you put it? The section you put it in is right to

[2:26:18] farm. If you look at your own code as to what

[2:26:23] is a farm, a farm is where land is actively devoted to agricultural and

[2:26:29] horicultural use. If I'm a developer, I'm going to come in and say, "Wait a

[2:26:33] minute. the property that we on uh plan to develop is not dedicated in any way

[2:26:39] to those uses and therefore I'm entitled to go here. So your prohibit your

[2:26:45] prohibition prohibition that you planted in this is ordinance is in the wrong

[2:26:51] place. Absolutely the wrong place. My suggestion to you is if you want to

[2:26:56] prohibit it that way just put it in the definition.

[2:27:00] Why not? You can certainly do that. Makes it

[2:27:04] clear. So you're defining what a data center is and it's prohibited.

[2:27:10] The um

[2:27:16] my my main concern here is I think you have to relook at it and you have to

[2:27:20] redo the ordinance. And if you redo the ordinance, and I I suggest strongly that

[2:27:26] you talk to your attorney about it because when I fir the first version

[2:27:30] that I got from from the township clerk's office, I will guarantee you was

[2:27:36] not de was not developed by the lawyer and was not even reviewed by the or by

[2:27:41] the lawyer. I strongly suggest you review this the ordinance, make the

[2:27:45] suggestions. What you've done here is give a significant benefit to a

[2:27:50] developer. Thank you >> Mr. Hurley. Sir can

[2:27:53] » sir I want to add >> please can you give the crowd your your

[2:27:58] experience your professional experience what you did

[2:28:02] sir. >> I generally don't do that.

[2:28:06] » I know that but you did it last time and I think it's needed.

[2:28:09] » Well I'm a lawyer.

[2:28:13] So Ken, I'll say Judge Hurley, >> don't throw any rocks

[2:28:17] » was a judge for a very very long time, a distinguished judge with a lot of land

[2:28:22] use experience. >> Correct. And sir, I respect you and I

[2:28:26] told you the last meeting you came up, I thought you had read some of my notes.

[2:28:30] And I'm no lawyer and I'm no judge, trust me. And it's funny how I came up

[2:28:34] with a lot of them same things. and and I definitely feel it has to be amended,

[2:28:39] redone or something quickly because as a judge, you know what the time and

[2:28:42] decision rule is. So that is the law in the town now. That ordinance data says

[2:28:48] it's signed. >> Sorry for interruption.

[2:28:51] » That's not a problem because if an application comes in for Dvarian and it

[2:28:57] gets re gets uh rejected, they'll go to court and they won't only

[2:29:02] challenge the devariance, the denial, they'll challenge the ordinance. That's

[2:29:06] what I'm saying. So with it in in play now, they'll get hurt as a devarian.

[2:29:10] They'll get they get turned down. They're going to fight the ordinance and

[2:29:13] everything. And if we lose that case with the ordinance, that ordinance will

[2:29:17] only help the applicant. >> And that's why when I said I'm voting no

[2:29:21] for the ordinance, but bigger yet, I'm voting no to not help the applicants

[2:29:26] with that ordinance. That's what I said in the last meeting and I stand by that.

[2:29:30] Thank you, sir. I just wish I wish correct things so that you don't give

[2:29:35] the benefit to the >> Okay, I'll I'll respond shortly. Next,

[2:29:40] Mr. [applause]

[2:29:45] » Helloetta. So, I want to talk about what Joe

[2:29:49] Sullivan had just said and I think it's very interesting that Adam comes up here

[2:29:54] and speaks. Code enforcement is at his house. Pat from earlier comes up and

[2:29:58] speaks and or speaks out online and animal control shows up at his house and

[2:30:05] he doesn't own any dogs. On 114 2025 was election day. Let me

[2:30:13] pull up my police report

[2:30:18] by officer Andrew Kalash on November 5th, 2025 at 2333 hours,

[2:30:25] which is 11:30 at night the next day. There's 1,68

[2:30:32] homes in 60 acres, which is yes, it's my rental property. Yes, I'm a registered

[2:30:36] landlord. I'm also covered under Daniel's law. And for all those who work

[2:30:39] in law enforcement are fully aware of what Daniel's law is. So, does it seem

[2:30:44] coincidental that somebody pulled up my address and tried scaring me? Yes, it

[2:30:48] does. 24 hours after Chris won the election. And it wasn't two men like I

[2:30:52] had thought it was. It was five men according to the police report. So, what

[2:30:56] are you robbing at 60 acres? Why do five men need to show up? What are you

[2:31:01] getting by the time you walk out? You're going to split the stuff you stole from

[2:31:04] 60 acres? It's not a jewelry heist. It's not a bank robbery. It it it just all

[2:31:09] seems very suspicious that 24 hours later, my house has five men kick my

[2:31:14] front door down at 11:30 at night. Am I saying it wasn't any of you? Am I saying

[2:31:20] it was a political stunt? Do I need sympathy votes for this election? I'm a

[2:31:24] grown woman. I don't need anybody to sympathize with me. Okay, I also work in

[2:31:28] law enforcement. I don't need anybody to sympathize with me. So Joe could say

[2:31:32] whatever he wants to say, but it's becoming a little ridiculous at this

[2:31:36] point. Now, back to what I was originally going

[2:31:39] to talk about. I would like to address our affordable housing plans in the

[2:31:43] Pinelands. Jackson has an affordable housing obligation. I understand that.

[2:31:48] But according to the Pinelands Commission, 58% of our fourth ground

[2:31:53] obligation is planned for the Pelands. Why are we putting more than half of our

[2:31:58] obligation on environmentally sensitive land that is protected for a reason? And

[2:32:02] where does this stand today? Has the Pineland Commission approved these

[2:32:06] proposals? If not, what is holding them up? And what is Jackson's plans if

[2:32:11] they're if they're rejected? If 58% of our plan depends on development in the

[2:32:16] Pelands, residents deserve to know what happens if those projects don't move

[2:32:20] forward. I also think residents have a right to ask who benefits, who owns

[2:32:25] these properties, who are the developers, and are there any

[2:32:29] connections to the people making these decisions? As a mom raising my family

[2:32:34] here, I care about what Jackson looks like 10, 20, 30 years from now. We have

[2:32:38] an affordable housing obligation, but we should not have to sacrifice the land

[2:32:42] we're supposed to be protecting to meet it. I would like to jump back to my

[2:32:46] other point about my house because I just remembered. So, my tenant calls me

[2:32:50] at 11:30 at night to tell me what happens. It's 11:30 at night, so we

[2:32:54] cannot get anybody to fix the door. He's afraid that these men are going to come

[2:33:00] back. He's retired law enforcement, so he's sitting on the sofa with his

[2:33:04] firearm all night. Who do you think's up with him all night? Me. So, just because

[2:33:10] I didn't live there did not mean that it did not affect me and my family. Thank

[2:33:14] you. >> Thank you. [applause]

[2:33:26] Jim Seleia, 53-y year resident of Jackson Township.

[2:33:31] Um, want to talk tonight about Oprah a

[2:33:35] little bit. Mr. Bernstein, you made a comment earlier about Oprah and how

[2:33:41] we're handling it. And I guess I'm going to take you to task a little bit on it.

[2:33:46] So on August 13th, I submitted the exact same OPER request to both Jackson

[2:33:52] Township and to the state of New Jersey. And yes, it was on the budget. I was

[2:33:58] looking for emails between Jackson and the state for the budget.

[2:34:03] Here is the email that I received from Jackson Township.

[2:34:10] The request has been completed. There are no responsive documents for this

[2:34:14] request. That was done on August 19th. So yes, it

[2:34:18] was done in a timely fashion. On August 24th,

[2:34:23] I received my email from the state. This is in response to your open

[2:34:29] request. Attached are the responsive records. There are eight PDF files with

[2:34:36] emails included in each one. So the state had responsive documents.

[2:34:43] Jackson Township didn't. It's kind of questionable.

[2:34:49] So this discrepancy raises serious concerns about whether the township

[2:34:54] conducted a legally required goodfaith search for records under Oprah.

[2:34:59] Custodians must either provide the records, cite a lawful exemption, or

[2:35:03] certified that no records exist after a proper search, which is what the

[2:35:07] township did. But the state kind of said no. When a state can locate multiple

[2:35:12] responsive documents but the tachute claims there are none, it suggests a

[2:35:17] breakdown in our opra process whether due to inadequate searching, improper

[2:35:22] withholding or failure to forward the request for the to the correct

[2:35:26] department. Not blaming anyone in particular. Residents rely on Oprah for

[2:35:31] transparency. I'm asking this govern governing body to investigate why the

[2:35:36] township's OPER response contradicts the states and ensure that future OPER

[2:35:41] requests are handled in full compliance with the New Jersey state law.

[2:35:46] Now, going through those emails from the state, I want to point out a couple

[2:35:52] things that were said. So on July 31st, Janette Larrison to

[2:36:00] Fatina at the state. Now you'll see part of it

[2:36:06] was redacted so I don't get to see what was there

[2:36:10] but the following statement says and everybody should know this. Please be

[2:36:15] advised as soon as possible when when estimated bills may be mailed as cash

[2:36:20] flow is becoming an issue. This is on July 31st.

[2:36:25] We had cash flow issues supposedly going back to June 25th

[2:36:33] and I'm going to ask some questions that hopefully you'll all answer. Um the

[2:36:37] state sent an email to Janette Larrison to Sandra Martin I don't know why this

[2:36:45] one but to our previous business administrator L. Phillips.

[2:36:50] and it says, "Good afternoon. The division has received notification that

[2:36:56] the userfriendly budget with complete information was not provided to the

[2:37:00] public in a timely fashion." And then it states the New Jersey administrative

[2:37:06] code. So my question is this is the only email I got. So there

[2:37:12] was never a response back to the state. Question is there something that we

[2:37:16] should be doing re in regards to this? Do we have do we have to respond or not?

[2:37:21] My question is, did anyone on this council

[2:37:26] receive this email so that you can consider what needs to be done? Now, I

[2:37:31] understand the budget was adopted, not approved. Got to get past that word.

[2:37:37] It's never approved earlier, but this is a letter from the

[2:37:44] state. We're not responding. So, do we just ignore things when it's convenient

[2:37:50] for us to ignore them? We have to start being a lot better at

[2:37:57] what we're doing. So, you know, I know no one's going to answer the question,

[2:38:02] but it's out there. Uh, and if there's anything you want to have from me that

[2:38:06] show that that will help you guys understand what you did wrong, I'll be

[2:38:10] more than happy to give it to you. But somebody's got to start looking at Oprah

[2:38:14] because you can't have the state give me eight eight email t it's eight

[2:38:19] documents. There's multiple emails in in some of the uh documents. So and then

[2:38:24] this the township say no we don't have any but the township is on these emails.

[2:38:32] [applause]

[2:38:48] Bernardum Cream Ra. Um,

[2:38:52] I wanted I wanted to make a quick correction over

[2:38:57] here because everyone wants to scream transparency

[2:39:01] and um,

[2:39:05] telling the truth with omission is All right, let's be clear

[2:39:10] about that. It is not truth when there's things being held out. So, I was here

[2:39:15] last month about uh perfect insanity farms.

[2:39:20] I was at home listening to this meeting and I says they're going to do the right

[2:39:23] thing and shame on me. Shame on me for thinking a body would do the right thing

[2:39:29] and be fully transparent with it. Perfect. Insanity Farm. Seven goats,

[2:39:35] four geese, one duck, 50 chickens. That sounds a hell of a lot more than a

[2:39:40] couple of animals and I wish the president was sitting here. Um,

[2:39:45] it's the first that I heard right there. You know, a couple of

[2:39:49] animals. Just want to be clear about

[2:39:53] that. >> Sir, we have children in the room.

[2:39:55] Please refrain from using language. >> Who said that?

[2:39:59] » Um, Mr. Pelary. >> Yes.

[2:40:01] » Don't stop me with my with my freedom. >> I'm asking you to refrain.

[2:40:04] » And I'm telling you, do not interrupt me again. Use foul language again then. Go

[2:40:08] ahead. >> I'm telling you, do not interrupt me

[2:40:11] again. Okay,

[2:40:15] that's that. So, I'm glad you're back, Mr.

[2:40:19] Mki. So, you uh you said it was a couple of animals. It's seven goats, four

[2:40:25] geese, one duck, 50 chickens. Um it was brought up over here like an agreement

[2:40:31] was made. I don't understand how it's put out as an agreement was made when

[2:40:37] the agreement has not been agreed on. Okay. So, what the town is trying to

[2:40:42] push is $5673 and that was from three months ago. What

[2:40:49] Jessica Hillman is asking for is to be paid to date.

[2:40:56] I'll give you the exact amount.

[2:41:03] So the exact amount till today is $7,695.39.

[2:41:10] It is not $5,635.86.

[2:41:17] Okay. So she is ready to take on the animals once you guys pay her to date.

[2:41:25] Not when she put in her complaint three months ago and it took you guys 3 months

[2:41:29] to put it in whatever you had to put it in. Okay,

[2:41:37] I have the emails just so the town knows this is what full

[2:41:42] transparency is.

[2:41:50] Email starts firstly. We absolutely want you to

[2:41:56] pursue collection of the full amount due and owing to perfect insanity form. As

[2:42:02] of last week, that amount is $7,695.39.

[2:42:10] I want to ask you something. What did you guys approve to pay today?

[2:42:17] You guys voted and don't know what what you voted like the amount of

[2:42:26] You have you have your time. We don't want to interrupt you again.

[2:42:31] » Mr. President, I'm giving you 30 seconds.

[2:42:36] » We passed the resolution which had a little over $5,000 on it.

[2:42:40] » Okay. The amount due is $7,000. Ju just so everyone understands that there's no

[2:42:46] agreement made. She did not agree. Full transparency. Everyone wants to run

[2:42:51] transparency. There is no agreement. 7,600.

[2:42:59] I don't want to get it wrong. Uh

[2:43:05] $95.39. Okay. The more you prolong this,

[2:43:10] tomorrow if she has to buy hay or food, that goes up. The next day she has to do

[2:43:16] it again, that goes up. Let's pay her to date and she's willing to take on the

[2:43:22] animals. And it's not a couple of animals. We're talking about 70s

[2:43:25] something animals. Let's do what's right, not what's half

[2:43:30] right. Let's not put it out to the public like we're doing what's right

[2:43:33] when it's not right. And let's just do what's right. Let's stop playing the the

[2:43:38] politics and the because I'm allowed to say

[2:43:43] And let's just get this over with. three months she's been fighting for it and

[2:43:47] you guys didn't even get the right number out.

[2:43:51] Come on. I don't want to come here again. Let's just pay her.

[2:44:00] Um before the uh >> you have a name a name for the record or

[2:44:04] » um Mike Brzinski 277 Grower Town Road, Jackson, New Jersey.

[2:44:10] Um before the public comment started underneath the consent agenda these guys

[2:44:15] I just want to know where it stands the um R135

[2:44:22] 2026 where Chris you said you voted no for it and

[2:44:28] I'm assuming you said no also. Yeah but Bernstein

[2:44:35] said yes. What what does that mean? I don't know where it stands. What did uh

[2:44:40] Pal Mary >> That was for the county property. It

[2:44:44] passed. It passed. Passed 32. >> So the now the county if they so choose

[2:44:47] to vote to buy it, that's up to them. That's not up to us. The county has to

[2:44:50] vote. >> Okay. Okay. That's because that was

[2:44:53] unclear. >> Yeah. So we passed a resolution giving

[2:44:56] the county permission to continue the conversation with the property owner.

[2:44:59] Okay. >> Or urging them

[2:45:01] » not it's a consent >> urging them that

[2:45:04] » the county never goes into a township and buys open space without getting

[2:45:07] municipal consent. So that was the consent to pass 32.

[2:45:16] » My name is Mark, 42y year resident of Jackson. Um just I I'm only going to

[2:45:23] take a minute, but um first thing I noticed that there are there were not

[2:45:29] enough um summaries to go around tonight. I I don't I haven't seen that

[2:45:36] before, but a lot of people did, you know, it's [clears throat] only half

[2:45:40] full and a lot of people didn't have them, so just for next time. Um, second

[2:45:44] thing is, uh, I know that the the main person in government here is is Mayor

[2:45:51] Cune. And I find it very disheartening that when the public is speaking and she

[2:45:59] could hear the true sentiments of the residents

[2:46:05] that she's always gone. And I know I want I want the mayor to be

[2:46:11] sitting there for this whole meeting. And I'm hoping

[2:46:16] that Mr. Shtov if he's elected will do that because these these are very

[2:46:21] important meetings and I feel like um the hearts of the people are are being

[2:46:27] exposed here. Uh, and my the my main point is that um

[2:46:36] we talk about open space and we talk about um

[2:46:41] the the big picture of of our town, but it's our it's our neighborhoods, you

[2:46:47] know, that's where we live. And so when we have um for instance um when we have

[2:46:54] yeshivas houses of worship being dropped into our neighborhoods at

[2:47:01] basically to us at random in random spots in existing

[2:47:07] single family houses and I'll use I think it's 88 uh

[2:47:12] um road I believe it's 88 but that's the

[2:47:16] one that is it's the house of worship. There's probably 80 or 100 cars parked

[2:47:22] there all the time. Um the one across from uh Camp Joy by Crawford Rodriguez,

[2:47:31] that's a a 1900 square foot house that is now going to be a 14,000 square foot

[2:47:36] house of worship. uh you know so when we talk about we

[2:47:42] could say you know get three acres here and a few acres here it doesn't mean

[2:47:46] anything to me because on my block I have houses with I've I have called code

[2:47:52] enforcement five times in the last two months about a house in my neighborhood

[2:47:59] that has 11 cars parked there non-stop. It's a single family house. I have not

[2:48:05] heard back. And I passed there tonight on my way here. There were 11 cars.

[2:48:10] There's no reason in the world there should be 11 cars in a single family

[2:48:14] home because there there can't be 11 adults living there. So, I'm just

[2:48:20] looking at this as a macro um situation of just my bubble. I don't

[2:48:28] I care about the rest of the town big time, but I think we have to look at

[2:48:34] ourselves on the blocks we live and and and concentrate on, you know, too much

[2:48:41] too many cars, too much congestion, too much overdevelopment, you know, this

[2:48:46] building going up here, this one going up here. That's what's affecting us.

[2:48:49] That's all I have to say. Thank you. [applause]

[2:48:57] Carlos with a notebook. That's dangerous.

[2:49:01] Um, you mentioned it. So, I'm going to read

[2:49:04] the the

[2:49:08] heading on my notebook. Siht

[2:49:13] I have to write down because I'm old. That's what my notebook is all about.

[2:49:18] Um, okay. My main my main topic was going to

[2:49:23] be 911. Um wanted to I think we all here have stories and and um I wanted to

[2:49:30] convey a story to you guys. Um but some of the things came up so I'm

[2:49:35] just going to quickly address them. Not really address them just mention it. Um

[2:49:40] the sanctuary state did that resolution you passed it today?

[2:49:44] » There is no sanctuary state resolution on the agenda today

[2:49:47] » yet. It will come. Okay. >> I'll address that.

[2:49:49] » Okay. So, I will I would like to I think I disagree with some of the stuff, but

[2:49:56] there you go. Uh I'd like to address that in more detail then I'll wait I'll

[2:50:01] wait for that. That's good. Um on the So, I'm on the zoning board. I don't

[2:50:06] know if I mentioned that. >> Um and one of the things about the

[2:50:09] zoning board is you take an oath to obey all the rules, right? State well, you

[2:50:15] have to do it. Whether you like them or not, you have to obey them. Um so that's

[2:50:19] why before about the data center hadn't passed yet so I could talk about it

[2:50:24] right now that it's passed I can't talk about it. Um

[2:50:29] » I I just want to say about the data centers though that um you know because

[2:50:34] of the comments that were here. I think at least I got some nodding that this

[2:50:39] was like a preliminary right we split it again. We knew we had to fix the way it

[2:50:45] was written and add more teeth to it. Right?

[2:50:48] » I'll address that. >> You know, I had a lot of problems with

[2:50:50] the way it was written, right? The concept was good, but that's similar to

[2:50:55] the gentleman that spoke here. There's a lot of issues. I I I believe. Okay,

[2:51:00] that's all I'll say so I don't get into trouble. Um

[2:51:05] 911. So, yeah, this was beautiful. Was great.

[2:51:10] Um but you know you bring up uh let's not

[2:51:16] forget right and and um I would add to that and let's not allow

[2:51:23] our educators starting school um and our politicians to rewrite history. I'm

[2:51:31] really scared um of what's happening you know Mandami

[2:51:36] in New York City and all that stuff. It's not just remember

[2:51:40] I think Mr. Pal you mentioned it. Let's remember why who and all that. Okay. And

[2:51:48] it's easy to forget because to us the older crowd uh we lived it. We tasted

[2:51:54] it. We smelled it. Um I was down there. I I was down there. I I worked at the

[2:52:00] time. This is the story part. Um at the time I was working at the financial

[2:52:06] center. If anybody knows the financial center, it's right across the Westside

[2:52:12] Highway. So, you have to go through the World Trade Center to get to the

[2:52:15] financial center. Um, and and and because I was there and I felt it, I

[2:52:22] heard it, I smelled it, I will never forget. And I'm sure that's true for a

[2:52:27] lot of us, right? We'll never forget where we are. But our young people don't

[2:52:30] have that, right? What they have is what they read, what they see on videos. to

[2:52:36] them it might even look like a video game to them, right? And then that's a

[2:52:40] shame. And so we definitely need um what we did here today and educate on exactly

[2:52:48] what happened, why it happened, and let's not rewrite history.

[2:52:53] Um so a little bit, everybody has a story about their 911. So but I'll I'll

[2:52:58] tell you just three things that I remember very clearly.

[2:53:02] One of them was with with the um with the the responders.

[2:53:10] So I was one of the fortunate ones where my cell phone was actually working,

[2:53:15] right? So um right away police officer and I

[2:53:20] think there was a a fire person there. There was a whole bunch. Um but he came

[2:53:25] to me, oh, you know, took my phone, tried to tried to [clears throat] to do

[2:53:28] emergency stuff. And what I remember of that was the face

[2:53:34] of that person, the expression that I'm sure inside you might have been

[2:53:38] trembling, but at that time what I saw was um no fear. He was ready to go do

[2:53:46] whatever was necessary. Go in there. No fear. Um and I'll never forget the look

[2:53:51] of that of his face. Um the other thing I'll never forget was I couldn't get out

[2:53:57] of Manhattan at the time. Okay, two more little things.

[2:54:01] » 10 seconds. Okay, just really quick. So, I couldn't get out of Manhattan. So, so

[2:54:05] I went to Midtown, spent the night at at a Marriott, blah blah blah. Waking up

[2:54:10] that morning. All was I mean, Manhattan is never

[2:54:14] silent. It was nothing was happening in Manhattan. You still had people selling

[2:54:19] newspapers and coffee. Did have that, but that was it. There was nothing. and

[2:54:24] and and all you had airplanes, you know, flying in the air, but that silence,

[2:54:31] I'll never forget that silence. So >> So my story is I felt it. We felt it,

[2:54:37] right? >> Our youth don't have that.

[2:54:40] » Yeah. >> Okay.

[2:54:41] » Next. [applause]

[2:54:47] » Gustapo from Jackson. And I'm really appalled at the fact that you sit there

[2:54:54] and let a person defame not only me but my neighbors and my township fellows.

[2:55:00] Okay. Without saying a word, but a man who says something color.

[2:55:06] » No kids were present. >> Shut up.

[2:55:08] » No kids were present. Shut up. >> Don't tell me to shut up.

[2:55:10] » Yeah, it is. But don't point at me and tell me I didn't say nothing. Kids were

[2:55:14] here. Kids were here. >> Gustaf.

[2:55:18] If you WANT TO TAKE THAT TITLE, YOU TAKE IT. But I'll tell you what, IF HE

[2:55:23] DOESN'T COME UP WITH PROOF, SHUT HIM UP. I'm sick and tired of listening to this.

[2:55:29] » That's against the law. >> Use all tape and you go and run for

[2:55:32] election or you're appointed to your positions. You take an oath to the

[2:55:37] Constitution of the United States and you spit on every single one of us.

[2:55:43] » We're tired of it. And let me tell you, I HAD TO TAKE last

[2:55:49] beating off because I just needed a vacation [clears throat] to get away

[2:55:52] from the three ring circus, which this is. And I'll tell you what, the man who

[2:55:57] claimed to be a personal citizen who's on two boards, not just one. Do you

[2:56:03] think I really seriously want him making decisions for my town?

[2:56:09] I don't think so. Like I said, either he puts up or shuts up. I'm tired of it.

[2:56:15] This isn't the first time he's done it. It's more than that. But now getting

[2:56:20] back to the oath. Okay, you guys. Uh, I saw a little clip of the

[2:56:27] last meeting. Lady come up here and she was talking about what she did. The

[2:56:33] First Amendment gives her the right to take videos of an alleged lemonade stand

[2:56:40] crime. Okay. Everybody looked at her and looked

[2:56:45] down at her and deflected from it. Guess what? If there was a crime committed,

[2:56:51] how come it's not being investigated? That's your job. Make sure it gets done.

[2:57:00] But then I see in tonight um your uh ordinance number 2629

[2:57:09] uh about uh uh dwellings and housing and you're

[2:57:14] going to use the police, okay, to do a job that they're

[2:57:21] overworked to start with. You know,

[2:57:26] it doesn't make a difference whether they're mafia or not. They're

[2:57:29] overworked. I hear their sirens going constantly all night long. Give the guys

[2:57:34] a break. You're going to have them bust into

[2:57:38] people's houses in the middle of the night. What are you crazy? That's not

[2:57:42] something that's done like that. Uh, you know, I understand there's a

[2:57:47] need for what needs to be done, but did you check with the chief of police and

[2:57:52] see if her officers can handle that work on top of what they're already doing?

[2:57:58] My god, you can't even stop the people from speeding in this town.

[2:58:03] They're still flying down the road. I hear all kinds of rumors about speed

[2:58:08] bumps and, you know, and and I'm looking and listening to hear how you're making

[2:58:14] uh no parking on one side of the road. You just opened up the drag strip for

[2:58:19] more speed. These people aren't listening to you. You got to get to the

[2:58:24] people. And let me tell you something. This is election year, so I don't expect

[2:58:29] too much of anything other than, you know, we'll look at it. We'll see about

[2:58:33] it. I I expect more of the people at home to start showing up because let me

[2:58:38] tell you, this is where they belong because you work for us. We don't work

[2:58:44] for you. All right? If you know, election time is

[2:58:50] coming, I want to hear what everybody has to say. I've heard of Republicans.

[2:58:54] I've heard of Democrats. I've heard independent Republican. What's an

[2:58:58] independent Republican? I' never heard of that one before.

[2:59:02] I want to hear what they got to say. Who are they?

[2:59:07] I didn't know any of you when I got here. Some of you I didn't look at

[2:59:12] favorably. And let me tell you, some of them some of you have really surprised

[2:59:16] me. I like to listen to the fact that if you have an ordinance you want to

[2:59:20] discuss, you come out and you give your opinion on it before you make the yes or

[2:59:25] no vote, which most people know which way you're going to go anyway. It's, you

[2:59:29] know, that's you wouldn't have it on on the docket if

[2:59:33] wasn't there. But you just have to realize this is a

[2:59:39] year of optics. Everybody is watching what's going on.

[2:59:44] YouTubers are going to be watching what happened in this room tonight for a

[2:59:49] long time. And I'll tell you what, they're not going to be happy if they

[2:59:53] really see now. You want to respond? Go ahead.

[2:59:57] » No response. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[2:59:59] » Have a good day. [applause]

[3:00:03] » Um I I'll respond quick to Fred. I get your frustration. Um don't get worked

[3:00:09] up. Uh but uh I understand. I relate. Uh listen, don't

[3:00:15] I believe in freedom of speech. I believe everybody can come up and say

[3:00:18] whatever they want. How ridiculous, how horrible. I think you can use whatever

[3:00:24] language you want. I It doesn't bother me. Uh so let people say anything. I I

[3:00:31] believe in freedom of speech and that's it, man. I came up here speaking just

[3:00:35] like everybody else. That's how I got into this. And I would get into it with

[3:00:39] the people up here. um and they'd fire back sometimes and that's fine. Uh that

[3:00:45] uh kind of got me elected. So let people speak. Let them show who they are. Let

[3:00:51] them say what they need to. The people who come up here and they speak for

[3:00:55] others or people relate to it. People are going to sit there clap and love it.

[3:00:58] Look at the reaction that that guy had before. When you come up and you act

[3:01:02] ridiculous, you say things that don't make sense. You come up with weird

[3:01:07] propaganda. people see right through it and we're

[3:01:12] seeing I think we're seeing things get better in this town whether you want to

[3:01:16] admit whether some people want to admit it or not. Uh

[3:01:21] » well I I think we need to treat everybody with the same respect and I

[3:01:24] listen I do give uh Council President Bernstein a lot of respect for the way

[3:01:29] he's been running the meetings in a lot of ways. I think he's more respectful of

[3:01:32] people. I I think he lets them speak more. Uh, like I said, it's a huge

[3:01:36] » I'm not interrupt. Keep on going, >> you know. No, [laughter] listen, we can

[3:01:40] disagree. I've yelled and screamed at him. You know, it's fine. You know, I

[3:01:45] think he's done some bad things towards me as well, but um, you know what? I we

[3:01:50] got to work together and I love that we can on certain things and

[3:01:55] we'll still fight and we'll still go back and forth and he may not want to

[3:01:59] see me elected again and I may, you know, see what happens in two years when

[3:02:03] he's up. But you know what? We're trying.

[3:02:06] » Two and a half, >> you know, and

[3:02:09] Jeppi, I love working with you recently. I don't like how you reacted to some of

[3:02:13] these people right now, but listen, and I'm not trying to like fight me about

[3:02:16] it, you know, but I I think we got to just all figure out how to make this

[3:02:21] work. And >> Miss Jones,

[3:02:22] » we're trying. [applause]

[3:02:28] Deb Jones, I really don't feel like I need to give

[3:02:31] you my address because after this week, I know you have it. Um, I'll get to

[3:02:37] that, but first thing I want to say is I'm appalled at the way a resident stood

[3:02:45] here and what he said, and I have to reflect a lot of what

[3:02:49] the person before me said. But what bothers me most about that is this

[3:02:55] entire town grieved with that mother who lost her child.

[3:03:01] And I never heard one comment negative about what happened. Everyone

[3:03:07] grieved. We're all parents. We're grandparents. We're aunts. We're uncles.

[3:03:12] We're grand. We're great-grandparents. Nobody nobody thought that was good.

[3:03:19] We sad. We were sad. We grieved with her. We're still grieving with her. A

[3:03:24] baby's gone. I also, and I'm sure I'm not in the majority, but I also grieve

[3:03:31] for the girl who hit her. Hit the child. She has to live with that for the rest

[3:03:36] of her life. That's a hard hard burden to carry. Whether she was in the right

[3:03:41] or the wrong doesn't matter. She took a life and has to live with that.

[3:03:47] I just can't even believe what I just saw happen here. And I do agree with

[3:03:52] Chris. People have the right to say something. What I don't agree with is he

[3:03:58] stood here treated very differently than Eleanor Hanam stood here and called out.

[3:04:05] Our mayor, who was the council president at the time, right or wrong, she made a

[3:04:09] comment about who she was dating and she was ripped from this meeting. That's not

[3:04:15] okay. Why isn't it the same for everybody?

[3:04:20] The brother sat here in a resident's face. Now, I'm sure the excuse is, well,

[3:04:26] it wasn't him. It was his brother. Well, you know what? It wasn't Chris making

[3:04:30] the comments on Facebook. It was other people. Why is that Chris's fault? But

[3:04:35] this isn't the man who stood here's fault. It's

[3:04:40] just the unfair way things are going are horrible.

[3:04:47] That brings me to my next point. I had a family member who called out one

[3:04:54] of the people that sits up here for a post that was put up on Facebook.

[3:05:00] I've lived in Jackson. I've told you since I'm in fifth grade. Never have I

[3:05:04] been in trouble with the law. I've always paid my taxes. I have followed

[3:05:10] every rule that has ever been put before me that was that I was capable to do.

[3:05:18] I find it awfully funny that two things happened. My family had to call up call

[3:05:24] out a house up the street that has been causing us issues since 2023.

[3:05:31] They've caused the problems. We're the villains. Not sure how that happened.

[3:05:36] that and he called out someone on Facebook.

[3:05:41] I had code enforcement at my house. Sound like a familiar story that you

[3:05:46] guys keep hearing? Well, and you know what? Code

[3:05:50] enforcement was awesome. There was an ordinance. We didn't know the exact

[3:05:55] ordinance and what it was. We'll take care of it. We will live the right way

[3:06:00] and follow the ordinances set before us. But you better make sure everybody does.

[3:06:08] It's not right. Not only that, within an hour, I had a police officer pulling

[3:06:15] behind one of my cars, parked on a road legally, parking there for years, run my

[3:06:22] plates, turn around, and go right back in the

[3:06:26] direction he came from. Why is he running my plates? The car wasn't

[3:06:30] moving. The car is registered, it's insured, and

[3:06:34] it's parked legally. Sound familiar? Why does this keep happening?

[3:06:41] We can't stand up against something without having to have repercussions

[3:06:45] because somebody's upset that we spoke our opinion. I don't understand.

[3:06:51] And the fact that no one said a word, I just want to read you a couple things.

[3:06:55] I'm going back to the Gestapo. The Gustapo was the official state,

[3:07:01] secret state police of Nazi Germany and Germany occupied Europe.

[3:07:07] This is so horrible. The Gestapo operated above regular laws.

[3:07:14] Agents could arrest, imprison, or torture people without trial or judicial

[3:07:19] oversight. The Gestapo played a central role in

[3:07:24] tracking, arresting, and organizing the mass deportation of Jewish people to

[3:07:30] ghetto to ghettos and extermination camps.

[3:07:35] You know what? The people standing here, we're nobody's secret police. We're

[3:07:40] standing here because we love our town and we're going to fight for it. And you

[3:07:44] know what? I'm sorry if people have a problem with the term fight for Jackson.

[3:07:48] We're all Jackson. Maybe we all need to stand up and fight.

[3:07:52] [applause]

[3:07:58] » Ray, Katoner, I'm here to talk about transparency. Um, for the record, I also

[3:08:04] often request the documents between the state and our budget and I was uh

[3:08:10] received a notice there. No documents existed in any communication.

[3:08:16] I'm here to talk about also I've been trying to get additional documents. Our

[3:08:21] interim mayor stated that Jackson Day was completely paid for by sponsorship

[3:08:27] money and vendor revenue. I went and requested that I did receive some

[3:08:33] documents but we're missing where the revenue end of the documents.

[3:08:39] Preliminary um evaluation is it's probably not the case. I don't believe

[3:08:45] it to be totally paid for, but I don't have the additional documents to prove

[3:08:50] my theory. Uh certain things are picked out of my

[3:08:55] items and they're saying overly broad and then I don't get the rest of the

[3:09:00] documents and they're rolling the over request to a new offer request to

[3:09:05] another new offer request. I that's against the law by the way. The

[3:09:10] GRC specifically states that my request has to be answered. It can be narrowed,

[3:09:17] but it should still be the same request. So, I don't have the data. I made that

[3:09:23] open request August 25th. And I should be entitled to see the

[3:09:30] documentation to prove that. Right now, it doesn't look like it the case. And

[3:09:35] I'd like to receive the rest of my documents so I could prove the case. And

[3:09:40] I've had th those issues with other over requests. You can't just say overly

[3:09:45] broad. I have an option to narrow that request down,

[3:09:51] not turn around and say you deny the request because one of the items is

[3:09:56] overly broad. I might ask for 15 different items. Those items are

[3:10:01] supposed to be sent to me. And with that statement, it should be

[3:10:07] easily accessible. Somebody evaluated it and said our revenues actually paid for

[3:10:13] Jackson Day 100%. And I How long do I have to wait to get

[3:10:19] those answers? So I would appreciate it if I can actually get the information

[3:10:23] that I request. >> I plan on answering you tonight.

[3:10:26] » Thank you. Hopefully

[3:10:31] [applause]

[3:10:36] Randph Kubz. My original address when I moved here in

[3:10:41] 1983 was rural Route 547,

[3:10:46] box 193. Cows, chickens, and goats. Now it's a

[3:10:52] bus route. I really don't mind overdevelopment,

[3:10:57] but I do mind the development that's happening in this township right now.

[3:11:02] Is it an overtaking of a community that was really once nice

[3:11:08] and now to bring up a point that another person had

[3:11:12] made. You have these houses of worship houses of [clears throat] worship

[3:11:20] popping up like mushrooms all over the county.

[3:11:25] development all over the place. I don't mind development.

[3:11:30] Development is healthy for a community, but the kind of development that we have

[3:11:34] in this community is not good.

[3:11:40] When I moved here, my taxes were

[3:11:45] about $600, $6,000 a year. Now, that's what that's what I'm paying a quarter.

[3:11:53] When I got my estimated tax bill, I had to get the digitalis out.

[3:12:00] When I saw it, like $5,100 for the quarter.

[3:12:07] That's a $500 increase of what it was last year.

[3:12:14] Now, you got to help me out here. I don't really understand how my taxes

[3:12:20] went from $6,000 to $20,000

[3:12:27] when we have the same amount of schools in this township right now than we have

[3:12:31] in 19 than we had in 1983.

[3:12:37] And you announced that you increase the budget for the schools $6 million.

[3:12:45] When you have a when you have the same amount of schools and lower enrollment

[3:12:51] and you have thousands of people moving into the community, hundreds of

[3:12:55] businesses, where's all the money going to?

[3:13:00] Why is it isn't that funding anything? Why are my taxes being skyrocketing

[3:13:06] with all this development that's coming into the community? I don't understand

[3:13:11] it.

[3:13:14] And you talk about open spaces.

[3:13:19] I spend $500 a year in in open space money. And what do I get? I get

[3:13:24] congestion. That's what I get.

[3:13:31] I don't mind, you know, open spaces. You had a golden opportunity for open spaces

[3:13:37] when Maple Lake Campground closed down. You should have bought it and turned it

[3:13:43] into a a county park, a community campground where everybody could enjoy

[3:13:49] it like they did at Turkey Swan Park. But instead,

[3:13:56] it's going to be hundreds of houses in there, another thousands of people, and

[3:14:03] another house of worship.

[3:14:07] I really don't get it. the way this community is going, it's

[3:14:12] not going in the right direction.

[3:14:18] And I also read

[3:14:22] a couple of weeks ago, I was buying a bottle of wine at the liquor store up in

[3:14:26] the corner, Willy's Corner, and one of my sources telling me that the

[3:14:32] McDonald's are going to go is going to close.

[3:14:35] and this and they those stores in that shopping center are also going to close.

[3:14:42] And I read on the Jackson's Facebook that's exactly what's going to happen.

[3:14:51] I really don't get it.

[3:14:55] The way this township is going, it's it's a takeover.

[3:15:00] It's not a diverse community like you said it was going to be or should be.

[3:15:09] Well, I'm out of time. That's all I have to say. Thank you for your time.

[3:15:14] » Thank you, [applause]

[3:15:17] [cheering] council.

[3:15:19] » Seeing no one come forward. I motion to close public forum.

[3:15:22] » Second. >> All in favor?

[3:15:24] » I. >> Okay. So, I want to res um

[3:15:28] » What? Yes. I just I just don't want to go out

[3:15:31] of order, but before that, I'm just going to ask again, as we've done the

[3:15:34] past couple meetings, um I may some say some things that some people like, some

[3:15:37] things that some people don't like. Um I won't run out after. Feel free to come

[3:15:41] over and yell at my face if you don't like it, but let's just let me speak and

[3:15:44] let my colleagues if they want to add anything. Also, there was a lot said, a

[3:15:47] lot of insightful uh ideas and questions and other things. So, council council

[3:15:52] vice president before before I hit the road. Yeah.

[3:15:54] » All right. Thank you. Uh to the gentleman that we went back and forth a

[3:15:57] little bit. My apologies for cutting you off. Shouldn't have done that. You had

[3:16:00] every right to tell me to shut up. It's no problem. Why? Let me just explain why

[3:16:05] I said something to the other gentleman and not uh Joe Sullivan when the other

[3:16:10] gentleman was using some foul language. There were a couple of children that

[3:16:13] just walked in and maybe my father instinct kicked in and I don't like that

[3:16:17] kind of stuff. So I asked him to refrain. Now he could have legally

[3:16:20] continued to use profanity. That's his legal but what I didn't think it was

[3:16:25] right that's all I asked and he continued and I let him now if Mr.

[3:16:28] Sullivan would have been saying exactly what he said with children present I

[3:16:32] would have asked him to curtail some of the language now he could have continued

[3:16:34] going on with it even with Mr. Sullivan with no kids present I I knew that Mr.

[3:16:39] You know, Councilman Pollock was more than capable of defending himself, so I

[3:16:42] didn't need to step into that matter. No kids present.

[3:16:47] » Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. So, yeah, I and I agree you could

[3:16:51] 100%. You're adults. If there were children here, his language was

[3:16:54] inappropriate. So, my point was, look, I'm not trying to sanction people from

[3:16:58] speaking. You're legally able to, but sometimes depending on the audience,

[3:17:01] what it might not be appropriate. And my fatherly instinct will come out and if

[3:17:05] you disagree with me, I'm sorry. It's okay. But I can't stop that. I'm a dad

[3:17:08] of three kids. So, I'm going to try to not let the younger folks hear that type

[3:17:12] of language. So, again, my apologies for cutting you off. I had nothing against

[3:17:15] you and we've had great conversations in the hallway. So,

[3:17:18] » so before before I ask Councilman Breathy to address some of the land use

[3:17:22] stuff, I just want to go to the most I think the I'm not use to highlight, but

[3:17:27] the unfortunate thing that stood out tonight. I think really by and large the

[3:17:30] meeting was a fantastic meeting. I think we had a lot of great ideas. Um, and I

[3:17:34] just want to say it's not easy sitting up here to what one of the residents

[3:17:37] said about, you know, there was a resident who was pulled out in the past.

[3:17:41] I don't want to talk about that much due to the fact that it's litigation. But

[3:17:44] since that I'm council president, I've never cut anyone off even though there

[3:17:48] are people who have said some pretty nasty things to my face, things that are

[3:17:52] hurtful, but that's my job and I've never ever stopped. I do I I happen

[3:17:57] stepped out when that back and forth went on. Um, I I always usually time it

[3:18:01] well. Um, but I apologize to the children who are here that that they

[3:18:05] hear that. Um, because I do think that there is a we just got to be careful. I,

[3:18:09] you know, I'm hoping that children continue to come. I think it's great for

[3:18:13] them to see government working. So, and I think it's great that the mom is able

[3:18:17] to be here with her children. So, um, I I just want to start with, I guess, the

[3:18:21] most controversial thing. Um, I strongly strongly disagree with anyone calling

[3:18:26] anyone in this room Nazis, Gestap, or anything else. Especially as a member of

[3:18:29] the Jewish community who has relatives and family and friends, grew up with

[3:18:34] with survivors of the Holocaust used to come to my dad on the high holidays with

[3:18:37] the marks and sit there crying in his office. There's a there there are

[3:18:41] certain red lines like I've said this before um which are unacceptable and uh

[3:18:45] and um I wasn't going to cut off that resident who was speaking. Um, do I plan

[3:18:50] on having a conversation with him? Absolutely. I think that was

[3:18:52] unacceptable. Um, but the residents here, I think, are vocal. They're

[3:18:57] passionate. We can just have a disagreement what the words fight for

[3:19:00] Jackson means, and that's a fine political conversation to have. But I

[3:19:04] don't I don't believe that the residents who are coming here by by and large, I

[3:19:08] think the vast majority are here because they care. They want their voices to be

[3:19:11] heard. And I've said this before, I actually appreciate the fact that I mean

[3:19:15] I wouldn't mind a 9:30 end, but I I appreciate the fact that the residents

[3:19:19] do come and are bringing up and I think it makes for a better government and

[3:19:23] whoever wins in an upcoming election. I think this should continue because I

[3:19:26] think it's an important um avenue. Now, a resident also brought up about hearing

[3:19:31] from the Republicans for the fight for Jackson, the you know, for all the other

[3:19:35] terms, um, the independent Republicans, and I got two emails from residents also

[3:19:39] asking, um, council meetings are not supposed to be, there's not supposed to

[3:19:43] be politics in council meetings. Obviously, what people say is what

[3:19:45] people say. I've gone out of my way um to try to limit what I do up here from

[3:19:50] the political end. Um, if residents want to meet any candidates, I'm sure those

[3:19:54] candidates will have various venues to meet and hear hear their platforms and I

[3:19:58] welcome everyone to go to their go to those uh go to those events and to hear

[3:20:02] from those residents. Um, fine. So, with regard to the um to

[3:20:08] to the to the resolution for sanctuary cities, so um there was a draft

[3:20:12] resolution that we did circulate internally. Um I decided to pull it um

[3:20:16] because I didn't think it was the time yet for it. Um, I didn't think 10 days

[3:20:20] after the tragedy was the time to speak about it tonight. Um, tonight I only um

[3:20:25] talked about my comments about the young child who unfortunately perished in that

[3:20:29] terrible incident. Um, I do believe that there is a time and a place to um to

[3:20:36] raise our voices. As you know, Councilman Pollock says, you know,

[3:20:39] sometimes bringing attention to matters shines light. You never know, maybe

[3:20:42] eventually the state will change its policies and maybe if we continue as

[3:20:46] citizens in New Jersey raising our voices loud and clear, maybe the

[3:20:49] politicians out there will say, "Hey, it is time for us to revisit it." So, I do

[3:20:53] I personally think the resolution is a good thing. I do think the current

[3:20:58] governor has um pushed it even further. So, I think there is a place for a

[3:21:02] future resolution and letting the state know that Jackson doesn't tolerate it.

[3:21:06] Yes, they come up every election year. Um, but I do think this something that

[3:21:09] most people on this days will agree to the concept of a resolution and um to

[3:21:14] answer Carlos, it it will be brought up. I mean, I plan on introducing it by a

[3:21:18] future meeting. I just didn't think tonight was the time for it. Um, I

[3:21:21] wanted to focus on the tragedy. Now, I I do think as a couple residents mentioned

[3:21:26] and as my colleagues mentioned, unfortunately, tragedy brings us

[3:21:29] together. We put out a joint statement from council. Um, Councilman Paul Mary

[3:21:32] came over me, he came over to me on Shabas and mentioned that I think Chris

[3:21:35] reached out. we want what can we do for the family right now the family wants I

[3:21:38] think a little bit of privacy and obviously there's a lot of community

[3:21:41] support that's there holding their hands and trying to help them um I pass the

[3:21:46] message that Township of Jackson supports them and anything that we can

[3:21:48] possibly do for them and I think they we're very appreciative um right now

[3:21:52] just have have I think have those prayers in your mind and think about and

[3:21:56] and you know and have the family in mind I think is is important and if anything

[3:21:59] else comes up we obviously will share it with the public um now with regard to Um

[3:22:06] the um someone brought up a park in Brookwood with the with the with the

[3:22:10] with the toilet and I'm just going to say first and I'll let council vice

[3:22:13] president um I actually was when I first saw it I said hey um I don't think it

[3:22:18] was necessary it's a neighborhood park um I was told by DPW this goes on in

[3:22:21] every neighborhood park. It's my understanding the township is actually

[3:22:24] exempt from we had this with the board of ed and DPW with some some of the

[3:22:27] other events um um that they are exempt from from that. That being said, I duly

[3:22:33] noted I personally don't think it's necessary in a neighborhood park to have

[3:22:36] a porta potty there. Um it's there's not supposed to be driving to the park. It's

[3:22:40] more of a walking park within the neighborhood. That's why we banned

[3:22:42] parking in that area and residents, you know, if take your children before and

[3:22:47] take your children after. Um but we'll have that conversation with DPW. I think

[3:22:51] they just want it to be fair. But duly noted and and and we definitely accept

[3:22:55] the the criticism. Council vice president, anything you want to say on

[3:22:57] that before I continue? I was just going to talk about the park the no parking

[3:23:01] that was brought up by the former Rosenau which is now a private school

[3:23:04] that had camp. Oh >> I live literally a couple blocks away

[3:23:09] and I know that between 9 and 10 in the morning and 3 and 4 there's a line of

[3:23:15] cars that go from former Rosenau all the way to like Brookwood Parkway and you

[3:23:19] can't get out of your driveway and if you're out you can't get in your

[3:23:23] driveway. It happened to me and my wife. It's it's so I think that that for that

[3:23:28] camp and even when they have uh drop off and pickup, they should take the Rosenau

[3:23:34] model and and and utilize it that way. They had buses off to the side. They

[3:23:37] have a huge parking lot in the back. It's not being utilized. It's just being

[3:23:40] utilized in that little front parking area and it goes right into the street.

[3:23:45] And what we have to take into consideration was that Rosenour when it

[3:23:48] was a public school, it was like 80% walkers. So we didn't have the amount of

[3:23:53] buses that you now have there. So I think that conversation needs to be had

[3:23:58] with the new ownership that you know it's very discourteous to that that

[3:24:02] neighborhood and what we've seen you know this needs to be addressed. Maybe

[3:24:06] they aren't aware maybe they are. But I think even if we can have some traffic

[3:24:10] safety enforcement there during the 9 and 10 a.m. to 3 and 4 just to say hey

[3:24:15] you see it firsthand and maybe address it with the ownership on the spot

[3:24:18] because it's impossible to get past. I've dealt with it firsthand. I think we

[3:24:23] need to fix it. And then and then if I can also um and I I discussed this with

[3:24:29] Mr. Terafeno and I'd like to bring it up publicly. Um that that fac that school

[3:24:35] is a mess. The exterior in the back is it not kept well. There's a lot of

[3:24:39] debris. So if you'd be willing uh I'd like to see code enforcement go take a

[3:24:44] look because there's a lot of stuff that just needs to be picked up and and some

[3:24:48] housekeeping that um was never that way. So, I think that it may be a learning

[3:24:53] curve, but I think we need to learn and and learn much faster. And then with the

[3:24:56] portal potty, um, I called the council president a few weeks ago when I first

[3:25:00] saw it. I was driving by and I said, "What is this? Why do we have a portal

[3:25:05] potty in a in a neighborhood park where if your kids go there, they could just

[3:25:09] walk home?" I didn't want it. And I I asked that we have removed I understand

[3:25:13] DPW said each park should have it, but I don't think it's necessary. And I would

[3:25:17] like to see it, and I'm going on the record. would like to see it removed

[3:25:20] from there because I don't think it brings nothing but trouble and

[3:25:23] » so and bad hygiene. >> So I I definitely second that and like I

[3:25:27] said I'm going to ask our business administrator if I have could tomorrow

[3:25:30] reach out to Mr. Blinkinsky. I brought this up initially and honestly I just

[3:25:33] forgot about it but we if we can do that now council vice president had actually

[3:25:37] called me um and by the way I'm just going to be speaking so feel free to

[3:25:40] stay if you want to listen in your car feel free. Um but council president

[3:25:44] council vice president had called me that his wife couldn't get into her

[3:25:46] driveway and over there where he lives. Um I did reach out to at that point in

[3:25:51] the summer. It took a couple phone calls to get find the right person to those

[3:25:54] who are using the building in the summer. Um and like council vice

[3:25:57] president said um the building was definitely not designed with some of

[3:26:01] that traffic that occurred and um I thought it was taken care of because I

[3:26:05] didn't hear from him again. Um but what I told him is that going forward we

[3:26:08] we're going to have a conversation. I think the township is going to reach out

[3:26:11] to obviously to the property owners um making sure that a proper traffic plan

[3:26:16] hopefully will be implemented in future summers because I think that seems to be

[3:26:18] the bigger issue um going forward and hopefully traffic safety could be in

[3:26:23] touch with them also about making sure that we we um we take it take that

[3:26:27] seriously. um with regard to the amount for the farm that the resident brought

[3:26:30] up and I apologize that I missed the first few minutes legal um attorney

[3:26:35] Mockin um could you just you know I know you've been in touch with the farm's

[3:26:39] attorneys so that was where that came from

[3:26:41] » Sure it's a little bit complicated because it's a municipal court case the

[3:26:44] judges ordered restitution that restitution would be paid directly to

[3:26:48] the insanity farms um their attorney reached out and said we don't know if

[3:26:53] this person's going to pay restitution but the town should pay us the $5,000

[3:26:57] and some odd itself. We agreed and there was an

[3:27:00] agreement between myself and their attorney that we would pay it subject to

[3:27:03] council approval. We would pay them that $5,000 some odd dollars, but if the

[3:27:07] court reimbures her that she would reimburse the township. We got an email

[3:27:12] today saying because she had been in contact with the municipal court and the

[3:27:16] municipal court uh total fine is over is another $2,000 some odd dollars and she

[3:27:23] asked us to amend the agreement to make that in the agreement. and I said, "We

[3:27:27] can't do that. It's too late to change the resolution. However, we can agree

[3:27:31] that if you get that $2,000 from the uh defendant, you don't have to pay us back

[3:27:37] because we didn't pay you." So, it's going to finalize itself, but as of this

[3:27:43] morning, um there was an agreement this afternoon. They wanted to change it and

[3:27:47] I think we've accommodated that, but I won't be able to talk to her attorney

[3:27:50] till tomorrow. >> Okay. So, I guess I would ask if you can

[3:27:53] follow up with their attorney and then loop back with the obviously the

[3:27:55] administration and council on that. >> Yeah, I'm just [clears throat] I have a

[3:27:59] couple things I don't want people to um data centers. So, um people brought up

[3:28:02] data centers. I think Judge Hurley brought it up. Mr. Martin brought it up.

[3:28:05] I know Councilman uh Belli had sent me a draft and we and I had forwarded it to

[3:28:09] our attorneys um to make some modifications to it. I think it's

[3:28:12] something I think at that point we felt it was important to get something on the

[3:28:15] books. Um, but we are going to continue to look into it and see if there's an

[3:28:19] area that we could revisit some of the language to make it even uh cleaner and

[3:28:23] and more protective of for the town. Um, with regard to garbage out out very

[3:28:29] long, it's my understanding we have an ordinance. You have to only put it out

[3:28:32] the night before. Um and um I think our code enforcement tries to do a good job

[3:28:38] um you know giving those violations but it's complicated because everyone has

[3:28:42] different companies and every company has a different schedule and

[3:28:45] [clears throat] sometimes um those companies miss it. It's a holiday

[3:28:47] weekend and but I do know our code enforcement I think generally does issue

[3:28:52] um violations or notices or warnings when when they find that. With regards

[3:28:56] to some of the dead trees in town obviously Mr. Terafenko if we can reach

[3:28:59] out to our I guess our forester I mean some of them were I think were here

[3:29:02] tonight. um about cutting some of that tree so we don't have trees falling into

[3:29:06] some of our wires and um creating some of the issues that we've seen in the

[3:29:09] past in storms. I know a resident has reached out to me count countless times

[3:29:13] about a tree on Hope Chapel which is a county road. I've reached out to the

[3:29:16] county four times about it already. I will reach out to them again. Um

[3:29:20] unfortunately trees do die sometimes and uh we just got to keep our you know keep

[3:29:25] that pressure on making sure it takes takes care of. with regard to unhitched

[3:29:29] trailers um that a resident brought up. Um I think the the ordinance I think is

[3:29:34] I think a great ordinance. Um but I I heard the example that he said about

[3:29:39] township for, you know, flashing lights. I didn't think about that before. I'm

[3:29:44] going to ask our legal team to look into that. Um I'm not sure if that was intent

[3:29:47] or part of the ordinance or not. Um Greg,

[3:29:51] » it was not, but we will take a look. >> Okay. Um resident brought up some of the

[3:29:55] water um the orange glaze and some of the other things I think is in 60 acres.

[3:29:59] Um I I I'm going to you know I don't want to be passing the buck here but I

[3:30:03] think it's important for residents to reach out to MUA if if it's MUA water to

[3:30:07] have that conversation making sure the water I think we have generally we have

[3:30:10] good rates and we have we generally do have clean water in town. Um and I know

[3:30:14] recently there was an issue for on a Friday a couple weeks ago where some you

[3:30:18] know mis messaging got out. Um please reach out to MUA. They are generally

[3:30:22] very very responsive. We've we've had great a great response from them with

[3:30:26] some of the things that have come up. One more thing before I forget, I just

[3:30:29] want to address because I did receive a message. Um I don't know how the process

[3:30:33] of inviting some of the first responders was taken care of tonight. I was not

[3:30:37] part of that process, but there obviously were were some first

[3:30:40] responders who did not get, I guess, invited or anything else. There was one

[3:30:45] that I just want to um I do want to recognize publicly, and that's Ray

[3:30:49] Tremor, the dad. Um, I know he spent months and months down there um

[3:30:53] volunteering his his time and and his energy and uh kudos to him and kudos to

[3:30:57] anyone else. When you mention thank yous, you sometimes leave people out.

[3:31:00] Um, that was not an intention um from from up here and we obviously respect

[3:31:05] and appreciate everyone who put all their times in. Um, a resident brought

[3:31:09] up um um about an ordinance about final and preliminary approvals. Mr. Breie,

[3:31:14] could you address that, please? >> First, I want to just concur with you.

[3:31:18] 60 acres of service by the MUA. So, if she's having a problem with the water, I

[3:31:21] don't know if Christina is still here, she should be going to the MUA and

[3:31:24] they'll get on that right away if that's the case. [clears throat] The subject

[3:31:28] was brought about preliminary and final site inspections, approvals. Number one,

[3:31:33] if you do a preliminary and a final separately, you give the applicant 10

[3:31:37] years protection. If you do it together, they get five

[3:31:41] years protection. Moreover, boards turn over. if you do

[3:31:46] preliminary only and I don't know if we can do that. The MUL municipal land use

[3:31:51] law allows them to do that. I don't know if we can override that or not. That

[3:31:54] would be up to the attorney. But the uh when you bifocate it and just do the

[3:31:58] preliminary alone, you're not seeing the whole application.

[3:32:03] You're seeing this part of it and you're only addressing those issues. When you

[3:32:08] look at the preliminary and final, you're looking at the whole picture. So

[3:32:12] you get a good picture of what you want changed and how it can be changed, what

[3:32:15] you can move where. The other thing when you do just a preliminary and you

[3:32:19] approve a preliminary, it's very hard to turn down the final.

[3:32:25] If there's not a change in the footprint and stuff, you're not going to be able

[3:32:28] to turn down a final where they don't win it in court. I'm not saying afraid

[3:32:31] to go to court, but they'll win it. And the other thing is when you do

[3:32:35] preliminaries and they come back for finals, a lot of time board members

[3:32:38] change. So now you have new board members that weren't there for the

[3:32:42] preliminaries. Therefore, they got to either read the

[3:32:45] depositions or minutes, was ever there, and try to piece it together. So there's

[3:32:50] a big advantage to getting a better look at all the environmental issues, the

[3:32:53] parking issues, everything when you have the entire preliminary and final

[3:32:58] together. There's nothing saying you have to approve it in one night. Many of

[3:33:02] them have to come back a second and third night, but you don't have to

[3:33:06] approve it, but you get a full picture of everything and not peace meal. And as

[3:33:10] far as the parking, every application when we get our reports from our

[3:33:14] professionals, one of the first lines in there is if they meet the parking

[3:33:18] requirements or not. And that's one of the first things that looked at. I can't

[3:33:22] answer for applications that weren't in front of the planning board or approved

[3:33:26] years ago, but parking is one of the first things addressed. And as far as

[3:33:30] the environmental issue, uh, I've made it a habit over the years that if the

[3:33:35] environmental commission didn't get to the application yet and submit a letter

[3:33:39] of their concerns, I have the applicant stipulate that they have to get a letter

[3:33:44] of no concern from the environmental commission when they have to come back

[3:33:48] in front of us. I never cut out the environmental commission. I've done that

[3:33:51] at every planning board meeting for many, many years. So, it's it's

[3:33:55] different. It's not just preliminary and come back. is a whole big different

[3:33:59] thing especially when you're trying to look at an application this big and only

[3:34:02] looking at this part of it. Very difficult. I know you don't agree,

[3:34:06] Holly. I had enough boards. I've done preliminary and final separate and it

[3:34:10] gets very very very hairy especially when you approve a preliminary and then

[3:34:15] try to unapprove a final but but we'll see what they councilman. We will

[3:34:18] definitely look into it and uh Miss Reynolds, I think we have a scheduled

[3:34:21] phone call later in the week. We can definitely discuss that further also. Um

[3:34:25] now, um sorry, I'm just trying to Okay. Um data centers. Um okay, so a resident

[3:34:33] one second, I apologize. Um brought up the parking in with some of the I'll

[3:34:39] call it the shoulder some of the other buildings that have been built. Um it's

[3:34:42] my understanding that every single application has come in from the

[3:34:45] planning board for a house of worship um has been a um conforming application. I

[3:34:51] I've yet to see one that may maybe I'm wrong, but I've yet to see one in front

[3:34:54] of the planning board that has not. So, if most of those things were by the

[3:34:57] planning board and they did not have any of those variances, that means they they

[3:35:00] they meet they met the ordinance standards for parking. Um, and obviously

[3:35:05] we do not want parking on the streets and we want parking in the parking lots.

[3:35:08] That's the purpose of having a parking lot. And if that's an issue, um, you

[3:35:11] know, we'll have to, um, I guess look at it. Uh, I am not aware of a of a Shaw

[3:35:16] being approved on Brewers Bridge that did not have a a parking lot that was

[3:35:19] approved as part of their site plan. Uh, not it's not back not back and forth. We

[3:35:24] could have this we could have this conversation after. Um,

[3:35:27] um,

[3:35:31] okay. Um, data centers we mentioned. Okay. So, um, I'm going to address um, I

[3:35:36] think it was Mr. Tromba brought up the affordable housing plan and obviously we

[3:35:39] have concerns that some of the some of the projects were in the Pinelands. Um

[3:35:44] the town right now is is is in the in the course of what you call mediation

[3:35:48] slash um conversations with the courts and right now the courts have not

[3:35:54] required the town to change their plan. Um we are working with the court and we

[3:35:58] are we are um we um are waiting for a for for more guidance from the judge. um

[3:36:05] and we will take his guidance into account and then if we have to pivot and

[3:36:09] develop a new plan that is that does not develop on the pineelands that obviously

[3:36:15] something that the planning board and the affordable housing plan will have to

[3:36:19] modify and uh um I think there are options that do exist I've spent some

[3:36:23] time in in the past couple months that would ensure that we do not overdevelop

[3:36:28] our pine lens areas and I think many people in this room would be very

[3:36:31] excited to hear some of those options but I think let's let the the report

[3:36:35] process play out a little bit longer before before we get into the specifics

[3:36:38] in that. Um um

[3:36:43] sorry, more agendas printed. Yes, I apologize. I'm going to mention that to

[3:36:46] the clerk if we can make sure going forward we have more agendas printed for

[3:36:50] for the crowd. Um a resident mentioned 11 cars in a house. They called code and

[3:36:54] didn't answer. Um I would recommend sending an email to code also. Um I

[3:36:59] generally I found code to be pretty responsive via emails. Um, if you don't

[3:37:03] get a response, obviously reach out to the business administrator and to look

[3:37:06] into it. Um, now I'm going to also go back to something that was brought up in

[3:37:11] the beginning. Um, a resident brought up um, I'm getting to you. Don't worry. A

[3:37:16] resident brought up a um, a use in a in a neighborhood. Um, and I'm going to say

[3:37:22] something and it I think like I said, there's some some some things that I I

[3:37:26] say people will like, some things I think people won't like. Um the town

[3:37:30] like Chris said we went through obviously a lot of litigation in the

[3:37:32] past. There are certain I'm going to use the word gray areas. There are areas

[3:37:35] called something called house worship. There's something called obviously a

[3:37:38] legal shield that has to go in front of the board for a proper site plan and

[3:37:41] things like that. Um no zoning has consistently gone down and done their

[3:37:47] done their investigation. There have been notice of violations issued when um

[3:37:51] things were not following the municipal land use and obviously um I think there

[3:37:57] was further conversations that we could have. I don't think listen I'll say it I

[3:38:01] was the third vote on a settlement with the with the DOJ and AG which allowed

[3:38:05] people to go ahead and build things correctly with parking lots and I would

[3:38:09] hope that people would actually comply with those and not use any gray areas um

[3:38:14] when there are black and white areas that the town provided for them. So, I

[3:38:17] think that's something those are conversations that we continue we

[3:38:20] continue to need to have. Um, but no one is telling zoning or um not to do their

[3:38:25] job and I know there have been multiple NOVs issued and other violations issued

[3:38:30] on on different uses that did not comply with what the zoning officer's

[3:38:33] determination was on those. Um, with regard to Oprah, um, again, the two

[3:38:39] points that I want to just respond to is a just because it's constantly put out

[3:38:43] there, I am not aware of anyone on the council or in the mayor's office who is

[3:38:47] instructing our clerk not to comply with Oprah's. And I think I I take offense by

[3:38:51] that. Um, now I didn't say you. I didn't say you. That being said, I think it's a

[3:38:55] great question and madam clerk, I would like to have that conversation. What

[3:38:58] words and how the search was forwarded to it? because a lot of it a lot of it

[3:39:02] boils down to when things are forwarded to and how the words are put into this

[3:39:06] into the server and to the search and maybe um mrfank we had this conversation

[3:39:10] a couple weeks ago we have to revisit it making sure our software is pulling up

[3:39:14] whatever documents when the appropriate words are being done because I I do

[3:39:17] think that's a a legitimate question that needs to be looked at is if you did

[3:39:21] an OPRA here and he did an OPRA to the state why the state say was responsive

[3:39:25] and on a local level but I don't think that I'm not aware of any anything

[3:39:28] nefarious and I think the clerk um is doing a fantastic job with the level of

[3:39:33] Opras that which some of them are multiple pages long with multiple

[3:39:37] questions linked to those Opas. Now, one of the residents brought up Jackson Day

[3:39:41] um um and I spent some time before the meeting because we had a conversation on

[3:39:45] the phone yesterday about it um better understanding some of the expenses of

[3:39:49] Jackson Day because there was a statement put out that Jackson Day was

[3:39:52] fully covered by um sponsors and vendors. Um so I'll just tell you the

[3:39:56] numbers that I have and um and Mr. feel free to to to follow up with me

[3:40:01] after. Um the sponsors brought in $69,850,

[3:40:06] approximately $70,000. The vendors brought in a little over $10,000, about

[3:40:11] $105,000. Um the Jackson Day total cost was

[3:40:16] $93,000. Um again, I'm just telling you the

[3:40:19] numbers that I received and we we could hash that after. Um there was $29,000 of

[3:40:25] expenses that were paid through grants from Clean Communities. Um the remaining

[3:40:28] Jackson Day expenditures which covered you know some of the tents, some of the

[3:40:32] the zipline, some of the other fun things for children um were a total of

[3:40:37] $64,375. Um and there are still two I think it's

[3:40:42] two sponsors who had made pledges have not come through yet and um I think

[3:40:46] they're still working on that. So I I'm again I'm not sure what what you got

[3:40:51] back from Oprah. I'd love to to have that conversation because the list that

[3:40:54] I have does have it covering the the expenditures that were that were put

[3:40:59] into Jackson Day. And like I said, I I think the Jackson Day committee did a

[3:41:03] fantastic job. Um but we can we can disagree on that. That's fine. Um

[3:41:09] now, um Miss Okay, a resident brought up about, you know, and I think I addressed

[3:41:16] this before about why one resident was allowed to speak tonight, why another

[3:41:19] resident equal equal treatment. And like I can say, I've been doing my best. I

[3:41:22] can only speak for myself to make sure there's equal treatment up here that any

[3:41:26] anyone can say whatever they want. It's hurtful and it's painful sometimes as it

[3:41:29] is. And I do my best to try to be um I I can't answer that question why code

[3:41:33] enforcement came to your house. I guess someone complained. Um, with regard to

[3:41:37] the other resident who complained about the dogs, um, there was an email because

[3:41:40] I was copying an email where a resident did complain about the dogs and, um, it

[3:41:44] was, you know, code enforcement followed up, um, you know, and I welcome that

[3:41:49] resident to do an Oprah on that email, but um, I don't believe anyone from

[3:41:53] administration is instructing code enforcement and, um, to intentionally

[3:41:57] target specific residents. Um, and I apologize that you that maybe some

[3:42:03] people feel like that. That's definitely not not okay. Um, but I I I don't think

[3:42:07] that, you know, uh, that is going on at all. Um, Resan brought up about taxes

[3:42:13] and open space. I think everyone wants more open space. I think everyone wants

[3:42:16] their taxes stay low. I think you mentioned it went up from $6,000 a year

[3:42:19] to 6 thou, sorry, $6,000 approximately a quarter. Um, it's not a

[3:42:25] secret that, like I said, the board of ed taxes by a substantial amount this

[3:42:28] year and taxes have gone up tremendously in the past couple years. Um, and I

[3:42:34] think we all wish it didn't go up. And um, I don't have a great answer to that.

[3:42:38] I don't have a great answer to why McDonald's allegedly is closing. Um, I'm

[3:42:42] not sure if it's supply and demand. I'm not sure if it really is closing or not.

[3:42:45] I saw it reported also. Um, what? It's up for sale. Okay. So, the the the piece

[3:42:51] of real estate is up for sale over there. So, I guess I guess unless

[3:42:55] McDonald's buys it, it would close. But um um I think supply and demand

[3:42:59] generally drives a business model um in our um capitalist. Now I'm just looking

[3:43:04] for a second. Oh, one more thing I do want to address and I I I do feel bad

[3:43:08] that she left, but I do um I do want to address it for a second. Um no one

[3:43:13] should ever feel like a victim in their home. No one should ever feel um that

[3:43:16] anyone is breaking into their home for political reasons. But I do want I do

[3:43:19] have to address something that was brought up at the last council meeting.

[3:43:22] I'm continuously referred to the political machine. Um, I mean it's it's

[3:43:27] a great terminology and I get it for for politics, but by the last meeting a

[3:43:31] resident brought up how two of her cars were on fire. And the next day, the way

[3:43:35] the the way it was being portrayed on social media, I'm not sure if the

[3:43:38] resident meant it that way or not, the way it was being portrayed is that in

[3:43:41] the political machine, aka myself and whoever my political machine allies are,

[3:43:46] um, you know, intentionally, you know, caused it. That fire based on the

[3:43:50] research I did happened in 2018. 2018 I was sitting on that side down there. I

[3:43:55] was definitely not part of the political machine at all. I didn't really get

[3:43:58] along with the governing body at that at that point at all. And I mean, Mr.

[3:44:03] Brassie was up there, so maybe he was part of the political machine at that

[3:44:05] point. But, um, I definitely did not get along with most of most of the members

[3:44:09] of the governing body at that point. And I take offense because I literally had

[3:44:12] people writing online that, you know, oh, you know, Morty, you know, you you

[3:44:15] you caused this accident to happen. It happened six years. I'm sorry, eight

[3:44:18] years ago. Um, I did not envision eight years ago that I'd be sitting up here.

[3:44:23] Um, not sure why I am sometimes, but um, but definitely the political machine did

[3:44:28] not um, if we are the political machine had absolutely nothing to do with a fire

[3:44:32] in a residential home. And based on the on the police report I saw, it was

[3:44:36] actually deemed by police and the fire department to be nonsuspicious. Um, and

[3:44:40] I just have to put that out there to clear my name because I'm not going to

[3:44:42] allow my name to be attacked like like that at all. Um, anything else that I

[3:44:48] missed? Council,

[3:44:51] » council vice president. >> Motion to adjurnn.

[3:44:58] » Madam clerk. Oh, it's not working again. I guess after 10 o'clock. [laughter]

[3:45:02] » All in favor. >> I

[3:45:03] » thank you everyone for coming.

Jackson Township Council Meeting 09082026

Transcript