1 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:28,640 Oh man, that chief sweatshirt. >> Whoa. Time out. What's up with that 2 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:31,760 sweatshirt? >> Campaign and it's cold outside. 3 00:02:30,651 --> 00:02:35,040 [laughter] >> That's about the only reason you come up 4 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,080 with wear that thing. >> Hey, it was a tough game yesterday. 5 00:02:36,879 --> 00:02:41,599 » They they lost yesterday. >> They did. Yeah, they're in third place 6 00:02:39,599 --> 00:02:47,319 in their division. Come on, >> Bob. You'd have got more votes with a 7 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:47,319 Eagle sweatshirt on. I'll tell you that. 8 00:02:48,640 --> 00:02:54,239 » All right, we'll get started. Karen, >> this meeting is being conducted in 9 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:58,160 compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of this meeting has 10 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:02,159 been provided by advertisement in the Kate May Star and wave on the township 11 00:03:00,319 --> 00:03:06,319 website and posted on the bulletin board in township hall. We request anyone 12 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:09,840 wishing to address council, please wait for the mayor to recognize you. Please 13 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:13,440 state your name and address for the record and please remember all comments 14 00:03:11,519 --> 00:03:16,000 must be kept to three minutes or less. >> Thank you. Please stand for pledge of 15 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:19,080 allegiance if you can and then a moment of silence. 16 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:28,560 » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 17 00:03:24,239 --> 00:03:33,959 republic for it stands one nation indivisibley 18 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:33,959 andice for all. 19 00:03:42,047 --> 00:03:47,440 » [clears throat] >> Roll call, please. 20 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:49,440 » Council member Conrad, >> here. 21 00:03:48,159 --> 00:03:51,200 » Council member Wearham >> here. 22 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,879 » Council member Roy >> here. 23 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,920 » Deputy Mayor Kums >> here. 24 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:58,640 » Mayor Cipple >> here. Okay. To work session, we have 25 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:02,879 Commissioner Wikowski, Commissioner Bar. They're here to present uh I guess we'll 26 00:04:00,879 --> 00:04:06,560 call an award from the Volunteers of Medicine. Uh, I want to thank 27 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:09,519 Commissioner Bowski for actually receiving that because Lower Township is 28 00:04:08,159 --> 00:04:13,920 busy. We could not make it that night. So, thank you for coming here and giving 29 00:04:11,439 --> 00:04:17,680 that to council and township. So, you want to go to the microphone? You want 30 00:04:14,959 --> 00:04:22,759 to read it or we going to do and we'll and we'll come down there too 31 00:04:19,280 --> 00:04:22,759 once you're done reading. 32 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:34,320 So, good evening Commissioner Andrew Bulicowski. I'm joined by Commissioner 33 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:38,160 Bar and proud member of Lower Township, the rail capital of Cape May County. 34 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:46,400 » And we're talking. >> So, it was an honor to accept this 35 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:51,199 award. And I will read it to you. The board of county commissioners wishes to 36 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:57,680 recognize and congratulate the township of lower upon being recognized as 37 00:04:54,720 --> 00:05:02,800 volunteer in medicine's community partner of the year for 2025. 38 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:07,280 The board of county commissioners would like to thank you for your years of 39 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:12,960 service to volunteers in medicine and the county of Cape May signed by 40 00:05:09,280 --> 00:05:17,520 director deserio, myself, commissioner my commissioner bar and commissioner 41 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:23,080 colette and we're honored to present it to you. 42 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:23,080 » Thank you. Go Danner and get it then. 43 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,440 Sorry. 44 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:58,600 I'll take a picture. Bobby, 45 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,919 good thing. 46 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:32,520 Do well. Do >> well. 47 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:48,479 They're going to be dangerous. >> I'd like to thank the both commissioners 48 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:52,960 for coming out here tonight or today I should say and not just for this award 49 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:56,560 here, but uh Andy, you live in Lower Township. I know you went out of your 50 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:59,680 way to help us get some streets paved that were projected to be paved I think 51 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:04,080 five years from now. So, thank you for that. And Bobby, I know you're 52 00:07:01,280 --> 00:07:07,520 instrumental with the open space and we really appreciate the support you gave 53 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:10,880 us for the Dave Douglas Park. Without you, it probably wouldn't happen. So, 54 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:14,960 just we want to thank you from bottom of our heart. My honor. 55 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:19,360 » Okay. Uh at this time, we'll move down the consent agenda. 56 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:22,240 Anybody from council want to comment on the consent agenda? 57 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:28,240 » No comment. >> Okay. I I I do want to uh ask Mr. Lavy 58 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:30,880 to weigh in on resolution 2025361 and tell us where update with the 59 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:34,880 manual. >> Mr. 60 00:07:32,639 --> 00:07:39,759 Every two years the personnel policy requires an update and this this 61 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:44,800 aphlantic county municipal municipal joint insurance fund made some policy 62 00:07:42,639 --> 00:07:48,720 guidance for us in regards to lightning strikes and heat stroke. So that's the 63 00:07:47,199 --> 00:07:54,080 only changes that are in the personnel policy um this round uh which is 64 00:07:51,759 --> 00:07:58,720 indicated in the policy itself which added about 14 pages to the policy on 65 00:07:56,319 --> 00:08:01,120 that guidance that they sent our way. >> Okay. Thank you. 66 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:05,599 » Situations. >> Anybody from the public want to comment 67 00:08:02,479 --> 00:08:08,800 on the consent agenda? >> I see none. We'll close the public 68 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:13,680 portion. >> Approval of minutes from October 20th, 69 00:08:10,879 --> 00:08:17,840 2025. Approval of New Jersey State Fireman's Association membership for M. 70 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:27,360 Alexander from Irma Volunteer Fire Company. Resolutions 2025 357 to 369 71 00:08:24,639 --> 00:08:31,440 and ordinance 2025-22. An ordinance amending chapter 400 land 72 00:08:29,919 --> 00:08:35,440 development of the code of the township of lower. This is the first reading of 73 00:08:33,599 --> 00:08:38,880 this ordinance. The second reading and public hearing has been scheduled for 74 00:08:37,039 --> 00:08:40,959 December 1st, 2025. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to move 75 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:45,200 forward with this >> motion? Second. 76 00:08:43,839 --> 00:08:47,279 » Council member Conrad. >> Yes. 77 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,959 » Council member Wearham. >> Yes. 78 00:08:47,839 --> 00:08:50,880 » Council member Roy. >> Yes. 79 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,240 » Deputy Mayor Kums. >> Yes. 80 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:55,200 » Mayor Simple. >> Yes. Okay. We have nothing on the 81 00:08:54,080 --> 00:09:00,839 regular agenda. I move the public comment. Anybody from the public want to 82 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:00,839 comment on anything at all. 83 00:09:03,279 --> 00:09:10,240 » Who's your was a tie. You both went up at the same time. So, you want to you 84 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:15,360 want to come to the microphone so we can pick up your audio for our viewers to 85 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:18,720 watch and listen? >> I'm sure they all want to see 86 00:09:16,959 --> 00:09:25,680 » I'm sure they do. >> Yeah. Christopher South 30 grand. Hey, 87 00:09:21,519 --> 00:09:28,160 who's going to Hadenfield on Friday? >> I hope to be there. 88 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:31,279 » You hope to be there? >> Yeah. Well, you gonna meet me up there? 89 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:33,839 » Sure. >> Okay. 90 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:38,240 » Sure. I hope to hope to be up there, too. I just wondered if you're all if 91 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:40,640 anybody's going up there to cheer on that team. 92 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:43,611 » I'm gonna try to be there. >> That was a loaded question. I could 93 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:47,120 tell. [laughter] 94 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:50,160 » I am not loaded. I >> I hope not. We have a police officer in 95 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:55,360 the back of the room here. That's why he comes. So, but thank you though, Chris. 96 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:59,959 Uh Miss Marowski or Bobby Bar. either one of you. 97 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:10,320 » So, thank you for the kind words both for myself and Commissioner Bar. I want 98 00:10:07,680 --> 00:10:14,720 to apologize that it took so long to get those roads paved, but there were some 99 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:18,800 complications that kind of held it up, but we're happy to do it. And I know 100 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:25,519 Commissioner Bar has done an outstanding job with open space and uh we just want 101 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:29,680 to, you know, convey our thoughts about the council. You guys [clears throat] do 102 00:10:27,279 --> 00:10:36,720 an awesome job. Lower Township has changed so much for the better and Joe, 103 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:43,040 you've been great addition to the board. So, I know you'll continue on the good 104 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:48,880 work. And I just wanted to acknowledge Veterans Day upcoming. Unfortunately, I 105 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:53,760 will not be here, but um Commissioner Bar will be here for the parade, and I 106 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:59,519 want to thank Mayor and all our veterans for their service. So, thank you. 107 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:04,320 » Thank you. Thank you. >> Yeah. I just want to just thank you guys 108 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:08,560 uh a for having us here tonight and recognizing us, but also for all the 109 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:13,440 hard work that you do. You work hand in hand with the county. Uh we are very 110 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:19,040 proud to work with all of you. Uh, Administrator Laffy, you do an okay job 111 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:23,839 as well. We're proud to work with you and uh, kudos to all that you do for the 112 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:26,720 citizens of Bard Township and for our county. 113 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:29,120 » Thank you, sir. >> Thank you very much. 114 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:35,480 » Thank you. >> Continue to try. 115 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:35,480 » Anybody else want to comment? 116 00:11:35,839 --> 00:11:41,560 Anybody else from the public want to comment to council? 117 00:11:42,079 --> 00:11:47,360 Okay. We'll close the public portion. [clears throat] 118 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:52,079 Uh we'll move the council comments. I I have a few here. Uh actually before we 119 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:53,440 get to the council comments, Mr. Laughy, you do have something you want to put 120 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:58,399 out. >> I wanted to say if I could in light of 121 00:11:55,279 --> 00:12:02,240 um commissioners u wishing everyone a happy Veterans Day and and getting ready 122 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:06,639 for the parade that we have coming up. Um I just want to announce that a few 123 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:10,079 things for Veterans Day. There's a lot of local businesses that do give 124 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:13,440 discounts to veterans. You might want to take a look at the Lower Township 125 00:12:11,279 --> 00:12:19,839 Chamber of Commerce for those discounts. Uh, one specifically, the Kate May uh, 126 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:25,279 Lewis Ferry. Uh, foot passengers for foot foot passenger traffic on Veterans 127 00:12:22,639 --> 00:12:29,120 Day with proper military ID would be free for any veterans that want to ride 128 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:33,440 the ferry. And there's also discounts for some of the food and free coffee and 129 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:36,720 things like that at the ferry. that uh on Veterans Day, there's a lot of local 130 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:42,880 businesses that do give discounts and and free lunch and and and things like 131 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:48,079 that. Um I think Uncle Bill's in Kate May is another restaurant that is giving 132 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:52,160 free lunch or breakfast uh to veterans and there's a lot, like I said, a lot of 133 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:55,920 different businesses that would take care of our veterans on such a special 134 00:12:54,000 --> 00:13:00,560 day. That's all I have, sir. >> All right. Thank you. Uh just a few 135 00:12:58,639 --> 00:13:04,880 things. Uh just remember, tomorrow is election day. Try to vote if you can. 136 00:13:02,639 --> 00:13:10,959 Our annual Veterans Day parade or our eighth parade we're having is u Saturday 137 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:15,040 November 8th starts at 11:00 a.m. Travel south on base road from the villas 138 00:13:12,399 --> 00:13:19,760 firehouse at town hall. Uh get out there be great to see us. And also Veterans 139 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:23,839 Day the VFW and the Villas will have the lower township veteran day ceremony at 140 00:13:21,519 --> 00:13:26,480 11:00 a.m. That's all I have. And deputy mayor. 141 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:29,920 » Yep. I just wanted to congratulate the Lower Cape Regional football team for 142 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:34,800 winning its first playoff game in the history of the school. Uh, Coach Damiano 143 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:37,279 and, uh, and also congratulations to my cousin Dave Douglas who scored five 144 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:38,800 touchdowns. >> Nice. 145 00:13:37,680 --> 00:13:45,120 » And, uh, go vote. >> There you go, Councilman Roy. 146 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:48,720 » I'd also like to reiterate, go vote. And uh just to comment on this past week, we 147 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:53,040 had Halloween here in the township and uh from all occasions, it was very well 148 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:57,839 attended and it was safely conducted throughout the three-hour period with u 149 00:13:55,519 --> 00:14:01,440 no known complaints to me or anyone else that I'm aware of. So, thank you for 150 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:05,920 that. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Councilman Weirham. 151 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:11,519 » I just was going to uh echo the lower township first state playoff game and um 152 00:14:08,399 --> 00:14:15,360 to comment on what Mr. South said, "I do plan on being there, but I was holding 153 00:14:13,279 --> 00:14:21,199 off until we got to this part of the meeting." Um, and again, tomorrow, don't 154 00:14:18,079 --> 00:14:24,560 forget to vote. We have a a good working relationship with these gentlemen out 155 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:28,880 there. Makes our job easier. And in return, we hope we make their job easier 156 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:31,839 as well. So, good luck tomorrow, guys. >> Thank you, Councilman Conrad. 157 00:14:30,639 --> 00:14:37,440 » Well, we're going to hit the vote, but everyone's going to hit that one. And 158 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:41,760 definitely go vote. I know where my sport goes. Uh what I 159 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:47,279 wanted though is point out we had haunted trails here in uh lower. The 160 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:53,680 volunteers did an awesome job. Um every year you you're there you go it can't 161 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:59,519 get any better and you're wrong. Uh they put more time effort and for a free 162 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:04,480 event they did an awesome job. I've been to paid events that don't do half as 163 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:07,600 much or as are as good. And every one of those volunteers that do this should be 164 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:12,560 commended. >> Thank our community. I agree 100%. 165 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:16,160 » Sir, if if I could add to that, I I too wanted to thank all the the volunteers 166 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,880 that put that event on together. There's a lot of businesses that come out. 167 00:15:17,519 --> 00:15:23,839 There's a lot of individual families that come out to set up the sites. We 168 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:28,000 had about 900 sites this year. Um, and they're very elaborate the work they do. 169 00:15:25,839 --> 00:15:31,760 Um, and a lot of the businesses come out there, they pay their staff to come set 170 00:15:29,839 --> 00:15:35,440 things up for us. Hats off to the volunteers and the businesses that 171 00:15:33,519 --> 00:15:40,079 contribute food for the volunteers that are in there working those sites. Um, we 172 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:45,199 are waiting for some key photos and videos to post that on our social media 173 00:15:42,639 --> 00:15:49,360 and our website. Uh, we have a blurb that we want to put out to thank them. 174 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:53,440 U, but we are waiting for some some key photos from some of the sites that took 175 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:58,240 some quality photos the night of the event. It was a huge success. Probably 176 00:15:55,360 --> 00:16:03,920 about 1500 to 1,800 people went through the haunted trails that night. 177 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:08,160 » Yes. Thank you. So, uh, that's all council comments. I'll make a motion to 178 00:16:05,839 --> 00:16:10,079 adjurnn. Second. >> Council member Conrad. 179 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:11,839 » Yes. >> Council member Wearim. 180 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,600 » Yes. >> Council member Roy. 181 00:16:12,959 --> 00:16:15,120 » Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kums. 182 00:16:14,639 --> 00:16:18,480 » Yes. >> Mayor Cipple. 183 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:22,040 » Yes. Thank you for coming out. That concludes our meeting.