[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[20:52] Good evening, everybody.
[21:00] Good evening. Good evening, everyone. How are we doing today? All right, how are you?
[21:05] Good evening. This is a meeting of the Township Committee, March 16th, 2026. The notice requirements provided for a new open public meetings act have been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly given by transmission to the Raspberry Park press and the two over time. So by posting at the middle town Township Municipal Building and filing with the Township Clerk on January 9th, 2026.
[21:25] Committeeman Clark, committeewoman Clare, committeeman celebration, committeeman Sett and
[21:29] Brienne O.
[21:30] Deputy Mayor Hybel, Mayor Perry, please rise from the pledge of allegiance.
[21:38] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for
[21:44] which it stands, one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
[21:56] At this time I'd like to ask for a moment of silence to honor the troop serving worldwide
[22:00] defending our constitutions, freedoms, and way of life.
[22:07] Thank you. Our first item on tonight's agenda, we have a presentation recognizing
[22:12] Thorne Middle School cheerleaders for winning the 2026 short conference of middle schools
[22:17] cheer competition. At this time, I'd like to invite Coach Lori Ward and the team to join Mayor
[22:22] canary at the front of the room.
[22:47] Thank you for your information.
[22:51] Thank you.
[23:07] Let's give it up to the 2026.
[23:19] First of all, good evening, everybody.
[23:21] And thank you all for being here tonight.
[23:24] We are, look at these t-shirts.
[23:27] I shouldn't have said 2026.
[23:28] I shouldn't have said the five times in a row,
[23:32] shade of the edge.
[23:40] T-shirts don't come in my size.
[23:42] So, I haven't had any thoughts there.
[23:45] But ladies, congratulations.
[23:47] Congratulations, won't be half the entire time,
[23:49] so committee, I first went,
[23:51] like I do for all the champions that come through here.
[23:55] I want to get a number one.
[23:57] Let's give a big thank you around the club for both.
[24:00] I want to make them.
[24:07] Then I want you to look at your parents,
[24:09] guardians, loved ones.
[24:12] We aim to your siblings and say thank you for all that they do
[24:16] to help you get to this moment right here.
[24:19] Maurice.
[24:22] Ladies, they said, say thank you.
[24:26] And a little l equal.hammer
[24:30] OK?
[24:31] I told
[24:32] them. I said,
[24:33] you're all going to have to do a cheer, Animalsolog spiciness.
[24:35] And now, I'm
[24:36] going to make that cheer up. Thank you, Chairman.
[24:38] Let me, Steve.
[24:39] Thank you, New Year
[24:40] Merrin. See Dave. So ladies,
[24:47] I just want
[24:47] to say, how much you
[24:49] are
[24:50] effort. Every single one of you, your teamwork, your dedication and the day to day that you put in
[24:56] to be five time champions. That is what it means to be a collaborative effort because none of you
[25:03] were able to do this on your own. It is a group effort between all of you, your coach, your parents,
[25:11] this doesn't happen just because it happens because of your determination, your drive, your effort,
[25:18] but it is a group effort and a collective effort.
[25:22] And I just want to say this in no pressure,
[25:25] but six times in a row is going to have a really nice one in the evening.
[25:31] So I just want to say, it'll be half the time.
[25:33] She's committing a problem.
[25:35] We are a whole new problem that you represent middle town,
[25:39] born, day in, and day out, and in a whole that you do.
[25:43] and keep up this great work, keep being proud, keep going for that next step that next drive
[25:51] that next mile, because you will be six time in the road division champions. So, coach work.
[25:58] Sure. Hi, my name is Gordon Ward. I've been coaching Thorne Sheer for about eight years now.
[26:03] And about five years ago, they realized that they do an all-star game for every sport,
[26:08] and that surely didn't really have anything to celebrate them at the end of the season.
[26:12] So they started the competition.
[26:14] That being said, every single year, five or three years,
[26:18] born and stepped up, and they won first place at the competition.
[26:22] So, you know, cheerleading doesn't always get a knowledge as a sport.
[26:24] I'm a firm advocate that it is a sport.
[26:27] Like middle town in its community,
[26:29] into its entirety, it has so much talent in our dance programs,
[26:34] in our cheerbook programs.
[26:35] So we just really appreciate that you have us here,
[26:37] and we're honored to be here and be here.
[26:39] But within all, let's give it out a little bit of time.
[26:49] Within my constitutional authority I hear by that's a major leading sport.
[26:56] With a daughter that is this firing cheerleader and shows me all of her dance moves in the middle of my living room floor.
[27:05] It's definitely a sport because between her and my son who just wants to play baseball football day,
[27:10] I definitely can take my five-year-old daughter over him in this respect in the start of the effort that she's putting out in my liquor before or so.
[27:21] But ladies on behalf of the Township Committee, we want to congratulate the Thorne Middle School cheerleaders for winning first place at the 2026 short conference of middle schools cheer competition.
[27:31] because your dedication, teamwork and countless hours of practice throughout the season has made
[27:38] this a very impressive victory possible. Your outstanding performance truly gives middle
[27:44] town something to cheer about. And we are so proud of the way that you are representing your
[27:53] school, your community with enthusiasm, sportsmanship and spirit, congratulations to all of
[27:59] more
[28:09] in this world than to see Deputy Mayor get tossed in the near.
[28:15] It's called a flyer.
[28:17] I don't know how to do that.
[28:20] But every championship team, I asked to do a huddle of something.
[28:26] But if all of you have a cheer that you'd like to do in front of all your friends,
[28:30] a family, a greater middle-town community, please.
[28:34] Coach.
[28:34] All right, from all the money you just end in like your lives like they put on the stage just like or survive and then windows.
[28:40] That was 20 years.
[28:42] What you're
[28:49] not gonna stay next to them.
[28:52] I'm gonna wash them back.
[28:58] That's your long two of those.
[29:37] Congratulations again.
[29:38] Let's give it a big round.
[29:44] You
[29:51] see, see, you want to come down here.
[29:53] Um, they're gonna do a group picture.
[29:54] Maybe it's a shorter girl.
[29:56] We're deep breaths, so you're done, get in.
[30:00] And have a day-to-day, at the last hour.
[30:16] All right,
[30:24] all right, there we go.
[30:27] 1, 2, 3, Congratulations.
[30:31] I'm going to say thank you to you, Harris, now they're entitled to this picture too, all right, so
[30:40] question, bye, stay tight.
[31:14] We're just going to
[31:24] do a five minute recess to let the girls exit
[32:59] just to continue on for with
[33:01] I just like that was such a prompt five minute recess. Excellent. Excellent. Yeah. Yeah.
[33:08] Bell head ID. Okay. We have two proclamations for the record. A proclamation recognizing April 2026 is volunteer month in the town of a middle town.
[33:17] And a proclamation recognizing April 26 as autism awareness month in the town of middle town.
[33:23] At this time, we have approval of minutes for March 2nd, 2026. So workshop meeting.
[33:29] Motion to approve the minutes.
[33:32] Okay.
[33:37] Commitment Clark.
[33:38] Yes.
[33:39] Commitment Crats.
[33:40] Yes.
[33:40] Commitment Senate.
[33:41] Yes.
[33:42] Deputy Mayor.
[33:42] Yes.
[33:45] Motion carries to approve the minutes.
[33:47] At this time, we have public hearing on proposed ordinances.
[33:50] Our first ordinance 2026-3500.
[33:54] An ordinance authorizing acceptance of deed of road dedication upon block 491.
[33:58] and lots 56.01 and 56.02, 835 and 837 Main Street.
[34:05] Any member of the public,
[34:05] which is speaking public ordinance number,
[34:10] 2026-3500.
[34:14] Okay, see, no member of the public stepping forward,
[34:16] move the closed public portion to prove.
[34:18] Second.
[34:20] Commitment clerk.
[34:23] Commitment woman crats.
[34:24] Yes.
[34:24] Commitment set in Brino.
[34:25] Yes.
[34:26] Deputy Mayor Hybel.
[34:27] Yes.
[34:27] Mayor Perry.
[34:28] Yes.
[34:29] Motion carries the passes to ordinance on second and final reading.
[34:31] Our next ordinance for public.
[34:37] Okay. Our next ordinance for public hearing, 2026-3501,
[34:43] a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $3,000,000,
[34:46] for various parks improvements by and for the touch of a middle town
[34:49] in the county of Momma.
[34:51] New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $2,859,500,
[34:55] in bonds or notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation.
[34:59] Any member of the public wishes be going public ordinance,
[35:02] number 2026-3501.
[35:09] 2026-3501. Seeing no member of the public stepping forward, move the
[35:13] closed public portion, and approve.
[35:16] Second.
[35:18] Commitment Clark.
[35:19] Yes.
[35:19] Commitment Crats.
[35:20] Yes. Commitment set in Brino.
[35:21] Yes.
[35:22] Deputy Mayor Hybel.
[35:23] Yes.
[35:23] Mayor Perry.
[35:24] Yes.
[35:25] Motion carries the passes horn and sound second and final reading.
[35:32] Our next item on tonight's agenda, we have ordinances for introduction.
[35:35] Our first ordinance 2026-3502, an ordinance
[35:39] amending chapter 540-825 of the code of the
[35:43] Tantra of a middle town governing billboards.
[35:45] Motion introduced.
[35:47] Second.
[35:49] Commitment clerk.
[35:51] Yes.
[35:51] Commitment credits.
[35:52] Yes.
[35:53] Commitment set in Brena.
[35:54] Deputy Mayor Highbell.
[35:56] Mayor Perry.
[35:56] Yes.
[35:57] Motion carries the passes ordinance on first reading
[35:59] with a public hearing to be scheduled for April 8th, 2026.
[36:03] Our
[36:07] next ordinance for introduction, we have 2026-3503, a bond ordinance providing an appropriation
[36:13] of $4,226,000 for various capital improvements by and for the township of Middletown,
[36:19] and the county of Momuth, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of $2,886,315 in bonds
[36:26] or notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation.
[36:30] Motion introduced.
[36:33] Minimum and Clark.
[36:35] Committee will.
[36:37] Yes.
[36:40] Motion carries a pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held April 8th, 2026.
[36:48] At this time, I'd like to ask a touch of committee to adopt a consent agenda, which would include resolutions 26-98 through 26-113 removing 26-112.
[37:04] Motion to approve a consent agenda.
[37:07] Second.
[37:12] Committeeman Clark.
[37:13] Yes.
[37:13] Committeewoman Crats.
[37:15] Yes.
[37:15] Committeeman Setembrino.
[37:17] Deputy Mayor Hibel.
[37:18] Mayor Perry.
[37:19] Yes.
[37:19] Motion carries to adopt consent agenda.
[37:22] At this time, we have Township Committee comments.
[37:24] All right.
[37:24] Committeeman Clark.
[37:26] First is a chair dad myself.
[37:29] I'd like to congratulate.
[37:30] The thorn team on a great season of success, it's not easy and it's interesting that the coach was talking about how sometimes cheers not looked at as a sport. Those girls bus their butts to end voice, I should say, bus their butts to make that happen. So it's awesome for them. That's all I got for today.
[37:53] All right, Commitment Center, Bruno.
[37:55] Thank you Mayor, I'll echo a Commitment Clark's comments
[37:58] and we'll say that as a father of a 14-year-old daughter
[38:03] who doesn't listen to me at all,
[38:05] to get all of these girls to listen and to represent
[38:09] Middletown in the way they did is a great asset for the town.
[38:14] So, congratulations again to them, Mayor.
[38:15] Thank you.
[38:16] Thank you, Committeewoman Crits.
[38:18] Thank you, Mayor.
[38:19] Also, congratulations to the girls.
[38:21] I will share that they are probably the loudest group that we've had up here.
[38:26] So yeah, I'm very super loud.
[38:29] It was great.
[38:30] So congratulations to the girls.
[38:31] And also thank you to all of our volunteers out there to our residents and all who volunteer in our community.
[38:38] I think that's what sets us apart as a town.
[38:41] And we're very blessed and fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers who help and serve in our community all around.
[38:48] Also, I had the privilege to attend some elementary schools for read across America, which was fabulous.
[38:57] So, he's my favorite part of the week of being able to get into the schools and read with the kids.
[39:02] So, it was great.
[39:03] I got to go to Linkroften and Bayview in some of the fourth grade classes, which was great to hit the older grades, and it was really a sweet experience.
[39:14] So, thanks for that.
[39:15] Thanks, Mayor.
[39:16] All right.
[39:16] Thank you DM briefly the girl's amazing job, but that was by far the best
[39:25] Presentation we had up here by anyone I think for all the years. I'm sitting up here
[39:30] I am a sure dad as well. There's nothing
[39:32] crazier than sitting there for six hours and the whole hair experience before
[39:37] So thank you parents much appreciate it for what he does do the whole hair experience
[39:43] It's a big deal. I look forward to the mayor. I have to deal with this
[39:48] Whatever it is, it's difficult, and I can't do it.
[39:52] Volunteer committee.
[39:53] Boy, I would pay to see him have to do here.
[39:59] I just, everyone in this room, since we got a nice crowd tonight,
[40:02] I would definitely encourage you to please, if you see a volunteer,
[40:05] thank you volunteer, because we do have truly the best volunteers around.
[40:12] Our fire department first aid, OEM, we just have an amazing group of people
[40:17] that are out there every day, our Department Answers
[40:20] over 15-hour calls, the service annually,
[40:23] so it's a big deal.
[40:24] Please take a second if you see one, somebody,
[40:27] or no somebody, just say thank you.
[40:30] That's all I have, Mayor.
[40:31] All right, thank you.
[40:33] We couldn't agree with you more
[40:37] all in terms of our volunteers.
[40:39] I know at the last meeting,
[40:41] I want to say our fire department
[40:42] had already responded to 200 calls,
[40:44] we're well over that.
[40:47] to all them, to our OEM, to our EMS service, and to all the volunteers that serve on in any capacity.
[41:00] To all the individuals that I know, day in and day out, committeewoman Crats has been very involved in our alliance,
[41:10] and that's a great group of volunteers that do that so thank you to all of them.
[41:17] With that, I'll open up for public comment.
[41:19] Any member of the public wish and make a public comment may do so.
[41:21] We ask that you state your name for the record and that you keep your comments to five minutes
[41:27] at four minutes.
[41:28] How do you let you know that you have one minute remaining?
[41:31] Kristen, come on down.
[41:36] Hi there, Kristen Runeve from Middletown.
[41:38] I also wanted to congratulate those cheerleaders because I was at that competition and they're incredible.
[41:45] We're doing the hair.
[41:46] I wasn't. My daughter actually just was a manager.
[41:49] We just got to go and watch and it was my first to your experience and it was eye-opening.
[41:55] So I don't know if I could do the hair.
[41:58] And also, yeah, thank you to the volunteers because we really do appreciate our firemen and our AMS.
[42:06] I have written comments just so I don't lose track of myself in the time.
[42:10] Good evening Mayor Perry, Deputy Mayor Hybal, and members of the Township Committee.
[42:17] As you're all aware, there's an ongoing action by the Middletown Board of Education
[42:23] that threatens the existence of several district schools.
[42:26] I'm here tonight not as a parent, but as a resident and a property owner.
[42:30] Because decisions about schools are not just education decisions.
[42:36] They directly affect the economic stability and fairness of our entire community.
[42:42] Research consistently shows a strong connection between local schools and property values.
[42:49] National surveys of home buyers show that more than half of buyers with children
[42:53] choose their neighborhoods specifically because of the quality of the local schools.
[42:58] And the vast majority consider school district boundaries when deciding where to live.
[43:05] Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research confirms this connection.
[43:09] When school quality improves, home values rise.
[43:14] Because families are willing to pay a premium to live near strong schools.
[43:18] When neighborhood schools are thriving, communities grow.
[43:21] Young families move in, housing demanding creases, and local businesses benefit from a stable customer base.
[43:30] But when communities lose their neighborhood schools, the opposite can happen.
[43:35] Families looking to put down routes, often choose other neighborhoods, or even other towns.
[43:41] And that can mean declining housing demand, ultimately less support for local businesses and our local economy.
[43:48] This is why neighborhood schools are not just an education issue.
[43:54] There are community stability issue.
[43:57] Middle town has long benefited from strong neighborhood schools
[44:00] and a reputation of stability.
[44:03] Something that took generations to build,
[44:07] and that attracts home buyers.
[44:09] Right now, those living in the Bayshore neighborhoods,
[44:12] including Navy sink and Leonardo,
[44:14] face the possibility of losing their local elementary and middle school.
[44:19] Residents in these neighborhoods contribute a significant share of the Township's property tax base.
[44:25] Those tax dollars support the entire town and school district and rightly so,
[44:31] because community services and public education are shared investments.
[44:36] But if one part of town loses access to nearby schools while other areas retain them,
[44:41] it raises a serious question of fairness.
[44:45] Even if students still attend schools elsewhere in the district, the community experience is not the same.
[44:52] When families no longer have schools embedded in their neighborhoods.
[44:56] Over time, that can cause...
[45:00] Area's of town in two education deserts. Places where young families are less likely to move, invest, and build their future.
[45:09] That will depress home prices and result in the closure of local businesses, harming our tax base and putting pressure on the other part of town to make up for the shortfall.
[45:19] This is a real risk our town is now facing, and it should not be one that we are willing to accept.
[45:26] This township committee needs to take action to prevent this outcome.
[45:31] Mayor Perry, if I may address you directly, you serve the community for very, very many years,
[45:38] and I know that you care deeply about middle town.
[45:42] Okay, thanks.
[45:43] I look that old.
[45:45] It's been a few years.
[45:46] Okay, all right.
[45:48] As you approach the end of your time as mayor,
[45:51] moments like this help define the legacy of leadership.
[45:54] Ensuring that every part of Middletown is protected and represented equally.
[46:00] While the Board of Education will make the final decision on school closures that decisions being made today will shape our town and our neighborhoods for decades.
[46:08] You and the Township Committee can and should use your voice and influence.
[46:13] To encourage solutions that preserve neighborhood schools and protect the long-term health of our town and our communities.
[46:20] because strong schools don't just educate children, they anchor neighborhoods,
[46:26] protect property values, and sustain local businesses,
[46:30] and every part of Middletown deserves that stability.
[46:34] Thank you so much for your time.
[46:45] Thank you.
[46:47] Thank you.
[46:48] Good evening.
[46:49] I'm Amanda Farrier, a parent in Middletown.
[46:53] I've lived in many places in New Jersey,
[46:54] and since we're talking about cheerleading,
[46:56] I shared for eight years in old bridge throughout my life but I've never experienced the
[47:01] affection that this town feels for its community. I see it in the firehouse or my husband is
[47:06] firstly tenant and through the daily interactions I have with my neighbors and fellow parents
[47:12] because of the way our school district which quietly and powerfully nourishes the sense of community.
[47:19] My neighbor once said to me when I was anticipating my oldest entering elementary school that
[47:23] And NABASync is very special.
[47:25] I didn't know what she meant until I'd experienced it myself.
[47:29] That little school has a lot of heart,
[47:31] and is likely a large reason why it was ranked number 13
[47:34] in the state's top elementary schools
[47:36] and number one in our district.
[47:38] NABASync Elementary was also the only school
[47:41] selected in middle town
[47:42] to be part of Rutgers State Policy Labs,
[47:46] promising practices project,
[47:48] which studied what high-performing schools are doing right.
[47:52] Schools like Navy Sing should be protected, studied and learned from, not closed, closing high-performing schools should be of the very last resort.
[48:02] I'm far from the only family who chose our home, knowing that we were buying into an excellent school district.
[48:08] People move here, stay here, and invest here because of our schools.
[48:12] Yes, we're emotional.
[48:14] These schools are more than building their homes.
[48:16] When you have a school where the principal is literally outside at the drop-off line, helping students out of their cars and addressing each one by their name.
[48:27] And where our students come home happy, safe, and learning, that matters.
[48:32] But we're not only emotional, we're also practical and logical.
[48:36] We're asking for transparency, for consistent information, for facts and clear plans, and we're offering to help.
[48:44] We're not just simply saying no to a proposal, we're bringing forward alternatives.
[48:50] The parents and residents here have demonstrated how organized, thoughtful, and solutions oriented the community can be.
[48:58] We want to work with the township to find an answer that works for everybody.
[49:02] And we care deeply about the financial health of the middle town.
[49:06] Since the Board of Election vote, the projected deficit has already been reduced,
[49:11] following the state funding announcement last week.
[49:13] The gap is now just over 2 million, and for a township of our size, a 2 million shortfall is roughly 1% of the total budget, and it can be addressed in ways that are far less drastic than amputating thriving schools and suffering irreversible consequences, which include the overcrowding of thorn and feeding all of Title 1 schools and special education classes into middle town north.
[49:38] Children cannot advocate for themselves that responsibility falls to us and to you and is our shared
[49:45] obligation to do what is best for them.
[49:48] We believe that the current plan is severe and unnecessary.
[49:52] We're asking for what should be simple transparency, honesty, and collaboration.
[49:58] Strong schools and strong community are the reason families come to Middletown and the reason
[50:03] why they stay for generations.
[50:06] We're asking you to hear us when we say we have feasible alternatives and we're ready to partner and there is a path to move forward.
[50:14] Our schools are thriving and they're the cornerstone of what makes middle town great.
[50:19] They have done the hard work to become exceptional and we're asking the township to do the hard work to keep them that way.
[50:26] Please slow this process down and please work with us.
[50:30] Please do not close the schools close the schools that are doing exactly what we ask the schools to do
[50:36] Which is to serve our children and strengthen our community. Thank you.
[50:48] Thank you, and I just went and
[50:51] Do was want to just say one one thing so the
[50:55] So thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. I did have a lengthy
[51:01] conversation
[51:03] Last week. I'm not sure when that was yeah, what's that?
[51:08] Thursday. Okay. And on on some of those very measures. So things that I wasn't aware of, Tony and Colleen who's not here tonight did have a good conversation as well with the district. So, you know, the conversation that I had certainly on certain things educated me on things that I wasn't aware of.
[51:36] And I'm sure Tony got out of his conversations things that he might not have been aware of but Tony's been here a long time so he might have been aware of them.
[51:46] So, but thank you very much for your comments. Yes, ma'am. How are you today?
[51:51] Good. Thank you.
[51:52] Hi. My name is Kerry Christianson.
[51:54] I also am a parent to two children at Navy Stink Elementary.
[51:58] I actually, I didn't grow up here like many people did. I moved here in 2017.
[52:02] My husband and I were looking at a number of towns that offered a easy commute into New
[52:07] York City for us and ultimately what led us to choose middle town for our family were
[52:13] the schools and as you all know last year the schools unfortunately came under potential closure.
[52:21] Parents rallied together and honestly as disheartening as it was for it to happen it really
[52:26] solidify the decision that I made to move here.
[52:30] Because I was so proud of the town. I was so proud of all of my neighbors who stood up to fight together for not just their own children, but for all of the children.
[52:40] You know, in the whole district, I was especially proud to have a mayor like you mayor Perry who joined us in that fight last year to really try and find a solution.
[52:49] And it seems also having some conversations this year as well. So, you know, we really thank you for that.
[52:55] You know, and sadly here we are again, and what's extra frustrating this time is it seems to be we have this dysfunctional board of education who's refusing to meet, refusing to discuss any other plan, then the plan we all fought so hard over the past year to not to happen.
[53:19] And, you know, in fact, they voted to close the schools prior to ever even seeing a budget.
[53:25] They voted to close these schools with no actual plan for the transition for the students.
[53:33] Zero consideration of the academic impacts, the student outcomes, and what was most concerning to me as a parent and taxpayer was,
[53:43] You know, the five who voted, yes, to close these schools, did so after sitting through a four-hour meeting, hearing directly from students, faculty and parents, all unified in their, you know, plea to not move forward with this, consider alternate options.
[54:01] There was not one person in that meeting who could actually stand up, including those five board members who voted yes, to explain why this was a good plan, why it was being considered, and why no alternate budget was ever even being presented, not to adopt, but for consideration.
[54:21] And that really is what was tremendously concerning to me, you know, we have a superintendent who has one foot out the door and is just passing all the blame to the Board of Education refusing to answer parents questions that we all have, you know, I don't even have a fifth grader and, you know, to know that if this plan does go through, doesn't go through what school will they go to.
[54:48] I mean, these are plans that parents are making,
[54:51] and the superintendent is refusing to even answer these.
[54:55] We have a business administrator who
[54:57] seems to just be doing status quo and not looking at any revenue
[55:02] generating ideas, cost saving options, which we all know are there.
[55:08] But what we do have is, you've heard,
[55:10] as a parent community, who are really committed to this cause.
[55:14] And we didn't just show up last year,
[55:16] and, you know, cry that our schools shouldn't be closed and when the schools weren't closed all
[55:22] went away. We've all kept engaged this entire year. You know, I myself have been to every single
[55:28] strategic planning meeting, offering creative revenue-generating ideas. We'd be naive not to
[55:35] realize the fact that school funding is a problem. Look at every single district in New Jersey.
[55:41] You know, we've been meeting as parents when the Board has shut us out with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to try and address the S2 funding formula.
[55:51] We don't think there's not a problem. We understand there is.
[55:55] But when there's a budget deficit of 1 percent, you don't shut down your third minute.
[56:02] Okay, your 13th top rated school out of 200.
[56:05] and the been sorry, 2006 elementary schools and overcat all of your middle schools.
[56:10] It's just, I understand schools are in business but any business would not be
[56:17] decimating their entire population for a 1% increase or I'm sorry, deficit in the budgets.
[56:24] So I'm here today to ask for your help. I know that you all care about our kids. I know you care
[56:29] about this town, and, you know, while I know that this is ultimately a board of education
[56:35] decision, it's unfortunately going to be a township problem to deal with.
[56:40] Because at the end of the day, you all have every single resident in middle town that you're
[56:45] looking out for in the safety.
[56:47] So, you know, I just ask that you force these conversations with the board of education, you
[56:54] know, I understand there have been some alternate ideas and plans that have been circulated
[56:58] even amongst you all. So you know it can be done, right? And, you know, to move forward with this plan,
[57:05] it's just we ask for for your help again, Mayor Perry. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your
[57:09] comment.
[57:14] How are you today? Okay, how are you? Good. Thanks. So I know Mayor Perry has Mayor
[57:21] Tonyks and my kids talk about him a lot. Sorry. We don't have sense. I know we know each other
[57:26] you got a, you got a, you got a savior name.
[57:29] I'm fine.
[57:30] I may, I may know you first see, yeah.
[57:32] I'm Christy Montgomery.
[57:34] I'm a middle town resident.
[57:35] I was raised in Navesink.
[57:39] My parents put five children through Navesink Elementary,
[57:42] Basher Middle School, and Middle Town High School South.
[57:46] We were five kids separated by 10 years,
[57:48] even in the offiers in my house,
[57:50] which was on the walk from the school to the jackpot,
[57:53] was the kindergarten class trip every year.
[57:55] so they would stop by on the way back from the duck pond
[57:57] and have a picnic in my backyard, my parents backyard,
[58:00] my sister now bought my childhood home.
[58:02] It's still in the family.
[58:04] I went to school in Ithaca, New York.
[58:08] I then went directly to Manhattan and Brooklyn,
[58:10] lived and worked there for over 10 years,
[58:13] and decided against anything I would have thought
[58:16] that I returned to my hometown.
[58:18] I channeled that Dixie Tricks song
[58:20] that I never thought that I would move back to my hometown.
[58:22] And I did for the sole purpose
[58:24] of giving my three children an excellent quality public school education like I received here
[58:31] in middle town. When I moved back here I purchased a home in the hillside neighborhood of
[58:36] Atlantic Islands, which when I was growing up was an area that we were not allowed to go to. It
[58:42] was not a very good area. The houses were very run down. There were drugs and other things going
[58:47] going on there. I purchased my home, got renovated my home and sold it for three times
[58:53] what I purchased it for. That neighborhood, we have to think about this. Why did people start to come
[59:01] here and invest? The ferry came in. Like Harry just said, it became more accessible for people
[59:07] from the city from other areas to move here. It's like Montclair and other areas. It's now considered
[59:13] a commuting town. People that I work with in the city who I would never know if anyone knew
[59:18] the Atlantic Highlands or middle town, know our area because of our schools, it's now on the
[59:24] map of realtors and people that want to move out of the city and give their kids a good
[59:29] good education. That is what is increasing property values. That is the things that make people want
[59:35] to move here, make this a desirable area. A lot of pairs are already jumping ship, moving their children
[59:41] to private schools.
[59:43] Okay, like how to me, public schools,
[59:46] paying tuition for Henry Hudson.
[59:48] Tell us, we're middle town.
[59:49] Can you imagine, I mean, when I was growing up,
[59:51] I couldn't imagine going to Henry Hudson,
[59:54] let alone paying tuition, we are middle town.
[59:57] We are residents, should want to say,
[1:00:00] And there are children, two middle-town schools. It's it's it's it's crazy making as someone said it was it's very emotional.
[1:00:09] So I know you mayor Tony as a solutions oriented, like mover and shaker when my daughter, my youngest was actually my oldest daughter was learning to ride her bike, there was a giant pot hole in our street.
[1:00:22] Residents have been complaining about it for a long time. I sent Mayor Mayor Tony a video of my three-year-olds
[1:00:29] otter learning to write her bike falling in this pot hole. I think it was within a month. The entire road was was repaved, okay?
[1:00:36] You can do things. I believe in you. I need you and your colleagues to please put pressure on these people
[1:00:45] Superintendent Alphon is hiding behind this
[1:00:49] lawsuit, which is very narrow in scope. And listen, I don't want to be here. This is the first time.
[1:00:55] Listen, I hope this is the last time you see me at one of your meetings. This is not how I want to
[1:01:00] spend my time. I don't want to be a thorn in your size, but I will be. I'm dressed like this because I was
[1:01:07] out in the rain for since pick up at Beishore Middle School. Since 240, I've been out in the rain
[1:01:13] talking to people, getting people to sign postcards, to implore you to please, please, please.
[1:01:21] Please help find solutions for these easy problems. We're all smart people announcing within months that three schools are closing.
[1:01:31] My children are young. They were young at critical ages in their development when during the COVID pandemic.
[1:01:37] Okay, my daughter is in second grade. She's still behind in reading because she went to preschool with masks
[1:01:44] She couldn't even see the lips of the people learn like teaching her phonics. Okay, my three kids struggle in different
[1:01:52] educational ways in different social
[1:01:55] social
[1:01:56] emotional ways my son is in sixth grade all of his friends his entire core group of friends that he's had since he was in preschool
[1:02:06] He's not very great at meeting new friends.
[1:02:09] They're all going to other schools.
[1:02:11] He will now be a seventh grader at thorn
[1:02:15] and have a very hard time fitting in.
[1:02:18] My daughter is in fourth grade.
[1:02:21] She will have to go to three schools in three years.
[1:02:24] Three schools.
[1:02:25] My second grader, I'm still waiting.
[1:02:27] How is that?
[1:02:28] Okay, thank you.
[1:02:29] You can rise up, Chrissy.
[1:02:31] What was that?
[1:02:31] You can rise up real quick.
[1:02:32] Oh, thank you.
[1:02:33] My mouth's so dry.
[1:02:35] My second grader is still struggles reading.
[1:02:39] She's seven years old, seven and a half years old.
[1:02:42] She should be an excellent reader.
[1:02:43] And she's struggling.
[1:02:44] And I fear if she walks into B-short,
[1:02:48] which I was a B-short.
[1:02:49] It was cold then.
[1:02:50] It's still pretty cold.
[1:02:51] It's a middle school.
[1:02:52] It's not meant for little kids.
[1:02:53] It's just I don't, I cannot afford public school.
[1:02:59] I'm private schools.
[1:03:01] I need you guys to fix this.
[1:03:02] if the schools have to close in 5, 10 years, let that happen. Let that happen and we will support it
[1:03:09] if we're part of it and it makes sense and we have like enough times to react to it.
[1:03:14] To giving us free one notice that schools are closing, it's completely unacceptable,
[1:03:20] it's irresponsible and it's a moral. Thanks.
[1:03:32] Hello. How are you today?
[1:03:34] Well, how are you? Good. Good evening, everybody. Good evening. My name is Katie Little Page.
[1:03:39] I live here in Middletown. I have a son in kindergarten and I have a three-year-old son as well.
[1:03:45] I like thousands of Middletown residents was in shock two weeks ago when I watched our Board of
[1:03:50] Education vote five to four in favor of closing three neighborhood schools. I have been very
[1:03:56] attentive at Board of Education meetings for the last year and it was my understanding that
[1:04:02] the tax increase was meant to buy our Board of Education time to formulate a long-term
[1:04:08] strategic plan for our district.
[1:04:11] And when I heard our board president,
[1:04:13] Chris Aveta proposed this triple school closure plan
[1:04:17] as an answer to a 1% budget deficit,
[1:04:20] I thought about how that proposal could be analogous
[1:04:23] in my line of work, which also involves making decisions
[1:04:26] for children.
[1:04:28] I am a NICU nurse.
[1:04:29] It is my job to speak up and protect children from harm.
[1:04:34] Sometimes a baby in my care has to undergo
[1:04:37] an extreme procedure like intubation. This is a painful process of a two being inserted
[1:04:44] into the baby's trachea to allow him to breathe. As the nurse, I am typically the first person
[1:04:50] to notice that my baby has decompensated so critically that he requires an extreme procedure.
[1:04:57] At the same time, it would be reckless and unethical of me to urge a doctor to intubate my baby
[1:05:04] if my baby's condition did not warrant such an extreme intervention.
[1:05:09] Maybe my baby only needed nasal cannula or a seat-pat mask to help his breathing problem.
[1:05:15] I would always choose the least invasive and the least painful intervention for a child in my care.
[1:05:22] Another example that I see with premature babies in the NICU is a condition called
[1:05:26] advertising androclitis or neck for short. I have taken care of a baby who had such severe
[1:05:33] neck that she needed to be rushed to the OR to have a large section of her bowel surgically
[1:05:39] removed in order to save her life. However, I have also cared for a baby who has been lucky enough,
[1:05:46] been lucky enough to have a more mild case of neck. Fortunately, that baby did not require surgery
[1:05:53] as she was able to be healed with medication alone.
[1:05:57] Both babies had the same disease,
[1:06:00] but the doctor was discerning enough to know
[1:06:02] which baby required non-invasive medications
[1:06:05] and which one sadly required irreversible surgery.
[1:06:10] Mr. Mayor, I fear our board of ed
[1:06:13] is sending our town in for irreversible surgery
[1:06:16] when all we need is a little medication
[1:06:19] and some thoughtful planning.
[1:06:22] I know that you are a proud father to three children.
[1:06:26] I know that you would not tolerate them having to endure unnecessary extreme interventions.
[1:06:33] I know that if you were in my position, you would be standing here where I am advocating for your children.
[1:06:41] I also know how proud you are of Middle Town. I'm proud of it too. I love it here. I love
[1:06:48] serving our community as a nurse. That's why I'm here speaking to you tonight because I don't
[1:06:54] want our Middle Town children to endure unnecessary extreme irreversible interventions. When I was
[1:07:02] growing up a teacher told me, don't listen to what I say. Watch what I do. Thousands of children in
[1:07:09] town are hurting right now, traumatized by this surprise school closure proposal.
[1:07:16] Families and teachers are losing sleep, and we are wrought with anxiety.
[1:07:22] We are all watching to see what our leaders will do in this moment.
[1:07:27] We know you love middle town and we hope
[1:07:30] You will use your leadership to propose a plan to our Board of Education that closes their 1% budget gap, not our 3 neighbourhood schools.
[1:07:42] Thank you.
[1:07:47] All right.
[1:07:48] Some parents, Christian, myself and some others, we were at different schools today at pickup.
[1:07:54] And we just asked parents and students if they had any messages asking you for help if they wanted to write you a message on a postcard.
[1:08:04] 100% enthusiasm. Yes, I would love that. So we gave them the postcards. Is it all right if I gave them to you? Sure. Okay. Amy, can you grab those postcards?
[1:08:17] Thank you so much. Yeah. Thank you. And thank you for your services and nurse, especially in the NICU. Thanks Amy. Thank you very much.
[1:08:26] Any other member of the public? We should make a public comment. Yes, sir.
[1:08:36] Good evening. Good evening. It's going to be hard to follow then.
[1:08:40] My name is Nicaro. I live in middle town. I'm going to be short and sweet. I don't want to take up too much of your time.
[1:08:47] I'm here as a resident taxpayer and a parent. I personally did not choose to move the middle town.
[1:08:53] My wife told me we were going to move the middle town and raise my kids.
[1:08:55] Smart guy.
[1:08:57] And I'm glad she did.
[1:09:00] The community schools in this town are by far the best in the state.
[1:09:04] I know you've heard from a lot of us tonight, and I'm not going to repeat or any of the facts and the stories.
[1:09:10] I'm just really going to ask two things from the board.
[1:09:13] The first thing I'm asked is that you call a precipita, and you tell them that this plan is unacceptable,
[1:09:19] and that not only will it hurt our children, but it will hurt every single resident and taxpayer in this town.
[1:09:25] The second thing I'm going to ask you is getting involved discuss the share services with a board of
[1:09:30] bed for SROs, like some of the other towns I've done.
[1:09:35] I'm going to leave you with those two requests.
[1:09:38] I'm going to let you listen to all these other parents and people that are talking.
[1:09:41] And thank you for your time.
[1:09:42] Thank you very much, sir.
[1:09:54] How are you?
[1:09:55] Good, sir.
[1:09:57] My name is Entio Trich.
[1:09:58] I live down the road of a sort so you've heard from a number of never-sync parents.
[1:10:02] or parents from that cell of the road, that town, my daughter, is a baby. So we're not currently
[1:10:09] immediately impacted, but I'd like to, I have some current concerns about the middle school situation
[1:10:15] and has the time to have considered the traffic impact have you considered that there's going
[1:10:22] to be up to a thousand kids in each school and how that will impact the overall health of the students
[1:10:29] as well as the neighbourhoods and everyone that's trying to get to those school and the traffic.
[1:10:34] So I've driven along Cherry Tree.
[1:10:36] It's not easy to get from outside of town to where,
[1:10:40] I don't know what the school's called to be honest.
[1:10:44] I was planning to go to Bay Short.
[1:10:46] So I don't know what that middle school's called.
[1:10:48] Thorn.
[1:10:49] Which is Catherine.
[1:10:51] Yes.
[1:10:51] Just Thompson's the other side.
[1:10:53] They just did a big cheer for Thorn in that school, right in the middle here.
[1:10:56] But the point is that you've heard from now to think, you've heard from the people immediately impacted.
[1:11:02] We are united. We are here as a unit for all the schools, not just those that are immediately impacted.
[1:11:08] And please, I haven't seen any impact on how traffic will be impacted either. And lastly,
[1:11:14] the first thing that happened when I moved to the U.S., I turned up in New York and they said,
[1:11:18] what are you doing here? And I said, well, I'm immigrating. Where are you going? I said, middle town,
[1:11:23] really good schools great decision. So I am not a local and even you're even you're
[1:11:32] know a Border Patrol know that Middletown is a good school district, so let's
[1:11:38] not screw that up. Most of that excuse me. It's not the worst word ever said
[1:11:43] out there. Anyway, thank you so thank you everyone here. Thank you very much.
[1:11:50] Any other
[1:11:51] member of the public wish to make a public comment? Bernie,
[1:12:00] good evening everyone
[1:12:01] and a Bernie Dawson middle town resident.
[1:12:03] I didn't prepare any specific comments tonight,
[1:12:05] but after hearing some of the other folks speak,
[1:12:06] I just wanted to touch on one thing that didn't come up,
[1:12:10] or maybe needs to be underlined, highlighted,
[1:12:12] and an explanation point put after it,
[1:12:14] which is the $3.2 million budget deficit,
[1:12:20] is now down to $2.3 with the $900,000 I came in from the state.
[1:12:25] So we got the maximum state aid.
[1:12:26] It's capped at six percent.
[1:12:28] We've gotten a bump of 6% in the max two years in a row and I believe the business administrator
[1:12:35] can go up to 2.78 this year for health insurance reasons.
[1:12:40] So that would be another 1.4.
[1:12:42] So what are we talking about?
[1:12:43] We're talking about less than a million dollars.
[1:12:46] So the emergency that we're experiencing where we've got three schools on the chopping
[1:12:50] block is like 1.5 of 1%.
[1:12:53] So let's just get our act together and come up with that 1.5% of 1% and, you know, let's
[1:13:00] regroup and, you know, do some good strategic planning this summer.
[1:13:04] Thank you.
[1:13:04] Thanks.
[1:13:12] Any other member of the public?
[1:13:13] Which is to make a public comment.
[1:13:15] Yes, me.
[1:13:18] You don't have to run.
[1:13:20] It's okay.
[1:13:21] I guess.
[1:13:22] Oh, hi.
[1:13:23] I spoke last time.
[1:13:24] Hi.
[1:13:25] Yes.
[1:13:26] I just wanted to address.
[1:13:27] Oh, Kristen.
[1:13:28] Kristen Kunz, middle town. I wanted to represent all those families that moved here from New
[1:13:34] York during the pandemic. As I said last time, we fell in love with this town and moved here,
[1:13:42] specifically for the schools and the history you've been able to preserve. So it's a charming
[1:13:47] town and I hope you keep fostering that history and legacy that we preserve. And I just wanted
[1:13:54] touch base. I don't have anything repair. I just want to touch base on the middle school kids.
[1:13:59] The kids in middle school right now are the kids that
[1:14:02] tried to learn to read during the pandemic that tried to make friends during the pandemic. All these
[1:14:07] kids were in kindergarten first and second grade. And for middle school in the town, especially
[1:14:14] Bayshore, it's a really special place. The programs that are offered at Bayshore are incredible.
[1:14:20] And I would hate to see them diluted into a larger school.
[1:14:30] And I guess I'm feeling a little emotional because of I was always a little bit reluctant to move back to my home state.
[1:14:38] And I moved here sort of thinking I don't know where I grew up in New Jersey wasn't a place like this.
[1:14:46] it was very bland. It had no character. All the history was bulldozed. Like every single farm
[1:14:53] that I grew up next to now just has condos on it. It's sad, but I came from a really great
[1:14:58] district so I
[1:15:00] Really appreciate the education that New Jersey has to offer. And I just want you guys to remember those middle school kids that, like, didn't learn to read, so second, third grade. And what we're doing with them now.
[1:15:13] The difference in size of classes, if you go from a class size, what we have right now, 21, about 21 kids are average class size and be sure.
[1:15:22] If we crowd them into Thorn and Thompson,
[1:15:25] those classes are going to go up to like 27, 28.
[1:15:28] And when you're taking a test or who trying to do notes,
[1:15:31] and you're in middle school, like that, like three other distractions,
[1:15:35] like say someone starts talking in this crowd,
[1:15:38] like that throws everything off.
[1:15:40] And it's at that, this age.
[1:15:42] That's when that's all the time when we're kind of...
[1:15:44] He's a class clown, I guess.
[1:15:46] Yeah.
[1:15:49] Oh.
[1:15:52] No, but it's at this juncture in a kids life when you can really see them shine or go off the tracks.
[1:16:00] And I just want these kids to shine.
[1:16:02] I don't want to see them.
[1:16:03] You know, with the Alliance leaders, it's been like a really great support.
[1:16:07] It's going to learn how to deal with this, this age group.
[1:16:10] So thank you.
[1:16:11] And just the quality of our opportunities.
[1:16:14] So, just think of our middle school kids and how awful, how it could be a really awful experience for them, but thank you, keep up the good work.
[1:16:26] Thank you. The one thing I just wanted to say for any parent that's going through that, you know, where their child is in need of additional resources, I don't know what year it was.
[1:16:38] like we created the program, probably three years ago, four years ago now?
[1:16:45] But we do all the the township in an effort to try and help with that.
[1:16:49] Does offer no cost tutoring for income eligible families?
[1:16:55] It was the program that we created called the next generation support program,
[1:16:59] but it was specifically for kids that were impacted by learning loss
[1:17:04] that I announced probably three years ago at this point, four years ago, but we hired a private tutor
[1:17:12] and to utilize the ARP funding is what it was called from the federal government that was our ability
[1:17:18] to try to eliminate as much learning loss as we could. We can't cope with it. Yeah, just to see
[1:17:25] that like in my own son, to see where he started and where he is now, it's I can only credit
[1:17:31] this, this schools for that, and to know there's even more available is fantastic. Like
[1:17:37] that's what makes this place great. I want to know why my daughter still spells my name with
[1:17:42] an eye at the end of it rather than why. It's hard on it. Yeah. Yeah. So thank you very much. Thank you.
[1:17:49] Thank you.
[1:17:54] Any other member of the public, which is to make a public comment?
[1:17:58] All right, so you know how to remember the public's, yes sir. Sorry about that.
[1:18:05] How are you today?
[1:18:06] Good, thank you. My name is Logan Bess. My family actually just moved down here from Hoboken six months ago. We moved here. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. We move here for the schools. So just put a face with, you know, the people that are moving down here because of the schools. That's what we came here for. And then we found out there's actually so many other reasons to love middle town. And we've really enjoyed it. It's been phenomenal for our family. You know, I just want to say real quick that,
[1:18:35] We moved here because the schools are in the upper quartile for the state, right?
[1:18:40] That's a phenomenal achievement, and one of the things that we should be proud of in
[1:18:46] Middlesown is we're actually in the 39th percentile for cost.
[1:18:50] So we're doing a really good job of performing at a very high level academically with our kids.
[1:18:57] While at the same time, doing it cheaper than two thirds of the rest of the state.
[1:19:02] That's a phenomenal achievement for our school district.
[1:19:04] And so when we have this relatively small budget shortfall of half a percent, it seems insane
[1:19:13] to potentially remove three schools, one of which is one of the highest performing in the state,
[1:19:19] like this school is a phenomenal school.
[1:19:23] And so, you know, I really would encourage the leadership team here to question what's going on at the board of ed,
[1:19:32] because this doesn't make economic sense.
[1:19:34] When you look at the data, it doesn't make actual sense in regards to the data that, you know,
[1:19:41] the New Jersey State puts out there. So, you know, I think this is something that we as a community
[1:19:47] should be able to solve, and I hope under your leadership we can. So, thank you very much.
[1:19:59] Any other member of the public? John?
[1:20:01] How
[1:20:11] are you doing, John?
[1:20:12] Good, how are you?
[1:20:13] Good.
[1:20:14] John's family, 91, Burlington.
[1:20:16] I just, just two unrelated projects.
[1:20:20] They're two about open space at a couple comments on.
[1:20:25] So I didn't idea.
[1:20:26] I want to ask the temperature committee about.
[1:20:29] I didn't idea for modern day park.
[1:20:32] I know there's a lot of modern day alumni.
[1:20:34] That's still live in town, former teachers.
[1:20:37] the chairman. I know the chairman and I think he's believe he's still
[1:20:41] random McDonald's still in middle town, but I want to ask the township
[1:20:45] committee if there's a possibility when the park is, you know, years in
[1:20:50] advance when, but I just said I just had a idea of maybe putting up a couple of
[1:20:58] signs or maybe like a perico walk if people want to buy stones to put their
[1:21:03] down, like, and turn the park. Yeah, we actually have our, we got the sign for the park. So that's in.
[1:21:14] We, I don't know the mechanism I would have to ask Colleen with regard to stones and, and if that even
[1:21:21] impacts green acres in any way, shape or form. So, but it's a good idea. It's because they're
[1:21:27] restriction with, like, public property, putting people's names down, like, no, I just,
[1:21:32] I don't know if, you know, with green acres, one day something's okay, the next day, it's not.
[1:21:38] So you just got to catch the right person at the right time.
[1:21:42] Since we did use open space funding for that.
[1:21:47] And the other open space project, I think I mentioned a couple of times.
[1:21:53] So I did some reading with the highway, the New Jersey DOT.
[1:21:59] it's to the township's authority, if the township wanted to add plants or
[1:22:03] plants or trees to the child candles and I just wanted to bring it.
[1:22:08] I love to say that, they love to say that. That is the township's decision
[1:22:14] whether or not they want to do it and then they give it all. Then they give you
[1:22:17] the list of plants that you can put on there and it's like three total plants
[1:22:22] that you're allowed to put on there because you have to worry about line of
[1:22:25] and a lot of them are legitimate things.
[1:22:28] Yeah, I'll see if you can.
[1:22:30] So, safety and so, but yeah, understand that they like to say that it is, but you got to, you got to really fall within their parameters.
[1:22:40] Gotcha. Yeah, I want to mention the Taylor Lane in Route 35, Joe Candle. I just noticed it. When it expanded, it was just all grass. So I thought it looked a little bit nice to put a couple plants in which, Taylor Lane in the Joe Candle, Taylor Lane in 35, right by the target.
[1:22:59] Like if you're if if you're drive. I know where it is. Yeah, I'll take a look at it. I've been I haven't really peered into the joke handle that
[1:23:07] Unless I'm trying to catch the light
[1:23:11] But I'll take a look at it. So thank you. All right. Thanks, John
[1:23:17] Any other member of the public wish to make a public comment. Yes, sir.
[1:23:25] I can promise you planting on whatever drug handle you want
[1:23:28] Oh, let's do it
[1:23:30] Committee I'm Mike Armstrong. I'm from the Eversink. So little background for me
[1:23:36] Most of you guys don't know who I am, but I want you to.
[1:23:39] So I born and raised in Highlands.
[1:23:42] Highlands is home.
[1:23:42] Fitch generation lobster fisherman.
[1:23:44] That's what I would have been, right?
[1:23:46] But I'm one of two to ever make it through college.
[1:23:50] My brother being the first.
[1:23:52] I was the second.
[1:23:53] We're both mechanical engineers.
[1:23:54] You let them do that.
[1:23:55] We let it happen, right?
[1:23:57] He's six years older than me.
[1:23:58] So I'll have it happen anyway.
[1:24:01] So a grown-up in Highlands didn't think I'd grow up
[1:24:04] be anywhere else but then I looked to my neighbors in middle town and I'm like man there's there's
[1:24:10] a lot to be had there. I love everything about middle town right and having gone too
[1:24:16] Hudson and graduated from there. It was very difficult. It was very difficult but what made it
[1:24:24] very fun was that the class sizes were right. I graduated 10th at a 42 42 what's up 10
[1:24:32] So I got to sit right there on like the side with that special row of, you know, oh, it's number 10 of 40 too.
[1:24:39] Watch out people.
[1:24:41] But, you know, look, we, this committee has done a lot of great things.
[1:24:45] And these are the days that I feel for you, okay?
[1:24:48] Because I do a lot of volunteer myself, right?
[1:24:51] I'm an ex-chief at a highlands.
[1:24:53] I'm a current member at Breve on Park.
[1:24:56] I hold many positions within my fire company currently that help out this fine township.
[1:25:01] And I also hold volunteer positions within my, within my community.
[1:25:07] I'm the Cubmaster of Davis Inc.
[1:25:11] So I'm here to like help.
[1:25:12] I'm not here to argue, I'm here to like plan things, right?
[1:25:16] And unfortunately, you folks are kind of getting to
[1:25:19] run from us of how can we make this happen,
[1:25:22] how can we make things better?
[1:25:23] And you know, you all don't really dictate these things
[1:25:27] that we're talking about tonight.
[1:25:29] And I feel for it, right?
[1:25:30] this is this is not the long meeting that you're anticipating on that rating day.
[1:25:34] Somehow we still have power. We got a big old generator out in the back. We'll be okay.
[1:25:38] But you just got a brace for about three seconds and then you're fine.
[1:25:41] You're gonna have to turn back on.
[1:25:43] But we're dealing with something that we want to make sure that you guys are very aware of
[1:25:49] and that we think you guys could probably have some hand-in-fixing and helping.
[1:25:54] And hopefully plans like that had come out last year where different things could mechanisms
[1:25:59] could help make this work again, would hopefully make it work and continue to make it work.
[1:26:06] You know, I know there's a lot of people at home that are looking and looking at these meetings
[1:26:11] and in the end, I would say everybody knows that home that your costs of living went up, right?
[1:26:20] Milk and eggs. Everybody just goes milk and eggs. We can look at the stock price so we'd see it.
[1:26:25] The prices went up, yet the Board of Education did not charge us more.
[1:26:30] We know that's not right.
[1:26:32] So what's the line?
[1:26:34] What's the line?
[1:26:35] We're just trying to stay flat to make sure we keep our position.
[1:26:40] Or was it we had a bigger agenda to go on afterwards?
[1:26:43] I don't know.
[1:26:44] But what I don't want to see is I don't want to see my three kids go to a school that could become overcrowded
[1:26:51] And lose that community field that I was so used to, even for being at
[1:26:56] Astrox and somehow becoming an engineer.
[1:26:58] I don't know how I did believe it, right?
[1:27:00] But it was that community field. I was able to connect to my teachers and directly be influenced
[1:27:05] by what they could teach me. And I'm afraid that when we get into for now this stage one of
[1:27:12] consolidating that it's going to be just a continued consolidation.
[1:27:16] And I could tell you this, seven and eighth grade,
[1:27:19] haven't been in Hudson, seven and eighth grade.
[1:27:21] In 1912, absolutely does not work.
[1:27:25] It does not work.
[1:27:26] I've been there, I've done that, I've lived it.
[1:27:28] I will put a lot of caution to the parents
[1:27:31] that is not what you want to do.
[1:27:33] And I'm afraid that this may be a solution
[1:27:36] to overcrowding in the future.
[1:27:38] So just something to consider.
[1:27:40] I appreciate it.
[1:27:41] Thank you.
[1:27:46] Any other member of the public?
[1:27:49] See, no other member of the public stepping forward, move the closed public portion and adjourn.
[1:27:56] Miniman Clark.
[1:27:57] Yes.
[1:27:58] Miniman Crats.
[1:27:59] Yes.
[1:28:02] Mayor Perry.
[1:28:03] Motion carries to it.
[1:28:04] Thank you all very much.
[1:28:05] Have a great night, all right.
[1:28:06] Thank you.