[0:01] This conference will now be recorded. >> controversies were non-existent and

[0:05] shown disdain and disrespect for fellow council members, even those from his own

[0:11] political party. Most of the issues he introduces at

[0:15] public meetings are so hyper-partisan, extreme, and inappropriate for local

[0:20] government discourse that it's crystal clear to anyone paying attention that

[0:25] the only thing he's interested in is promoting himself.

[0:29] Municipal officials have an ethical obligation to act in ways that promote

[0:33] public confidence in government. This means making decisions based on the best

[0:38] interests of the community, not on personal or political motivations.

[0:43] Sadly, he's not using his position to benefit the community, but rather just

[0:49] using all of us to advance his own personal and political agenda.

[0:55] He likes to assert that he's defending our community's values and representing

[0:59] residents who elected him, but I feel confident that the majority of his

[1:03] constituents are not in favor of the division, conflict, and disruption he's

[1:09] brought to the council. His behavior has been a costly distraction from the

[1:13] important work our community deserves from its elected officials.

[1:19] For the almost 13 years I've lived in Peapack-Gladstone, I've been impressed

[1:22] by how well our local government functioned, with one's political party

[1:27] affiliation presenting no obstacle to cooperation and mutual respect, with

[1:32] room for healthy discussions and disagreements.

[1:36] That all changed when Councilman Sweeney joined the council.

[1:41] I don't expect this statement to have any impact on him, well, he's not here

[1:45] to hear it.

[1:48] But to the rest of the council members, I urge you to do whatever you can to

[1:53] rein in the unproductive and that dialogue that has pervaded the council

[1:58] since January and get back to doing what you were all elected to do, take care of

[2:03] our welcoming and wonderful town. >> Uh thank you, Ms. Simon, for your

[2:09] well-thought-out comments. I appreciate them. Um while everyone on the council

[2:14] is here tonight hears your words real very clearly

[2:18] as well as those attending the meeting, perhaps the person who most should hear

[2:23] them is not here. I'd like to invite you back the next meeting to perhaps repeat

[2:27] them. >> Okay.

[2:30] » Okay. Um thank you again. Sujan, you're next.

[2:39] » Hi, Sujan Backerman, Tiger Hill Drive, Gladstone. I spoke at the last meeting

[2:43] and unfortunately it looks like after my comments, Connor Sweeney still went on

[2:49] to be undiplomatic and his usual disruptive self. So, unfortunately, I

[2:55] guess my words did not land or he did not listen, but tonight I'm just

[2:58] speaking very quickly about my support of the library. Just want to

[3:04] share again, I've lived here 23 years with my family. My kids have enjoyed

[3:09] growing up at that library as is starting as toddlers at Ms. Jenna's

[3:13] story times, renting books and videos, attending special programming there, and

[3:19] then studying there for, you know, after school. And not to mention that they use

[3:23] that space for story summer rec, which is, you know, a

[3:27] valuable space to have. Um unfortunately, Mr. Sweeney's not here to

[3:32] listen to it, but I will speak again if if need be. I'm just very curious to see

[3:38] who on this council will support this ridiculous initiative that he's brought

[3:43] up to dismantle our current library. It's a valuable resource again, and it's

[3:48] a cherished part of this town. And I hope uh the rest of the council

[3:52] members listen to the constituency here and it's important to us. Thank you.

[3:57] » Thank Thank you, Sujan. Carolyn Campion, you're next.

[4:04] » Hello. Hello. Carolyn Campion, 32 Old Chester Road. Um you know, I was also am

[4:10] still going to speak on the library issue. Um I understand what the mayor is

[4:14] saying that there's going to be time hopefully to further discuss this, but I

[4:18] have to be honest, I don't find that incredibly reassuring. I feel like how

[4:21] things have been handled lately with the town council that I would like to feel

[4:26] that that is some sort of reassurance, but I don't I don't understand why an

[4:29] issue as large as this wouldn't go to the town for a vote or town for

[4:32] referendum. I don't know why one council person who claims to be offended by a

[4:37] pride exhibit can now um put us all into this situation. So, I did have a longer

[4:43] speech to say, but I'm going to just abbreviate it cuz I honestly cannot

[4:47] believe we're all here. I cannot believe after how many years of hard work to get

[4:52] that library so beautifully renovated, that now we're taking time away from

[4:56] serious issues in this town, real issues, and instead we're all stressed

[5:01] because one person wants to rip this town apart. And I feel like before we

[5:05] readdress this, whether it's in September or the next meeting in

[5:09] September, I think everyone here in this entire town deserves to know where does

[5:13] everyone on this town council stand. Whether you're at the meetings or not at

[5:17] the meetings, where do you stand on this issue? Do you really understand it? Do

[5:20] you understand our contract with the county? Do you understand what we would

[5:23] lose if we go out of that contract? I feel like it's all a little bit of a

[5:26] mystery where people on this council stand, and I think this town deserves to

[5:30] know. You know, it's is are you okay with

[5:32] closing the library for good? Is that the ultimate plan? Because I can tell

[5:36] you I believe the majority of the residents in this town do not want that

[5:40] to happen. So, are we talking to the residents? Are we listening to the

[5:43] residents? Are we just following one person's path?

[5:47] That's what I want to know. Thank you.

[5:50] » Yeah, you're welcome and thank you for speaking.

[5:52] And Carolyn, I would tell you that you so to reassure you somewhat,

[5:58] one council member on their own cannot close or disband our library. It's not

[6:03] that easy. A one council member can propose a

[6:07] resolution. Two council members can propose a resolution, but you can't get

[6:12] rid of our library with a resolution. Okay? A resolution doesn't do it. I

[6:17] believe it would require at minimum an ordinance. Most definitely preferably a

[6:23] referendum. It's that big an issue. And I promise you that I would push for

[6:28] a matter resolution, a referendum. I would push for a referendum if it ever

[6:33] went that far. And I I'll tell you right now, I'll underline that and say again,

[6:38] if it ever went that far. I really don't believe it will, and I

[6:42] don't think you need to worry about the our library ever being shuttered. There

[6:46] will be a library here for a very long time after this. I can assure you of

[6:50] that. Okay?

[6:52] One council member is allowed to say whatever they want. It doesn't mean

[6:56] that's what the borough wants or what the council wants.

[7:00] And unfortunately, we have no control over that. That individual is an elected

[7:04] official, and they have the right to do that as much as

[7:08] some or all of the rest of us don't like it.

[7:12] Okay? And that is unfortunate.

[7:17] But that is what we're dealing with dealing with and whether you know it or

[7:21] not, we are actually working very hard in between council meetings to try to

[7:26] address that as best we can. Valerie, could you mute your microphone,

[7:30] please?

[7:35] Valerie, could you mute your microphone, please?

[7:39] Thank you. Thank you. So so that So everyone knows. Please don't think this

[7:44] is doom and gloom because one council member comes forward with a statement,

[7:49] "I want to get rid of the library." Don't read into it. It is not that easy.

[7:54] So, let me reassure you of that. All right. Uh Jackie Braun, you're next.

[8:05] You're muted. We can't hear you.

[8:09] Still can't hear you.

[8:15] We see you talking, but we can't hear you.

[8:19] Your microphone on your computer is not on or your phone is not on.

[8:26] Now Now you've muted yourself on the app, but your microphone's not on.

[8:37] No, it's not yet.

[8:43] Well, I'll I'll move on to somebody else, Jackie, if you want to disconnect

[8:46] and reconnect. Maybe that will help. Okay, and I'll come back to you.

[8:53] All right, let's move on. I I don't know what who GA is, but GA is next.

[8:58] » Hi. Thank you. My name is Jennifer from 500 Old Chester Road.

[9:03] » Last name, please. >> Abraham.

[9:06] A couple months ago, I stood up at your council meeting and I said a couple

[9:10] things. I put my support behind parental rights. I am a parent, so I don't think

[9:15] that's quite a big leap. And I let the council know what I had learned after

[9:20] speaking to some of the librarians when I went to visit the pride display.

[9:25] When I left that meeting, I was met by a group of women very upset. They weren't

[9:33] happy with what I said, and they were pushing me on where I live.

[9:38] And the gist was you don't belong here. You don't even

[9:43] live in this town. And I said, "Well, I live 3 minutes down the road." And that

[9:47] didn't satisfy them. They kept pushing. They wanted to know where I lived. And I

[9:53] said, "I live in Chester." And they said, "Well, you don't even really

[9:56] belong here. Why are you here?" Uh deepen. And to that said to them

[10:05] I said, "We're all neighbors." And they looked at me and they said,

[10:10] "No." They said, "No, we are not neighbors."

[10:17] And then I listened to last month's meeting and I'm just going to quote a

[10:20] couple things that I heard some residents,

[10:23] who let's say have the same sentiment as the ones that were yelling at me. Um

[10:29] I heard and I'm quoting here, "We find ways to respect one another even when we

[10:35] disagree." It's disappointing to see Sweeney and

[10:39] those supporting him choose division over unity.

[10:44] We support our LGBTQ neighbors because they are our neighbors.

[10:50] There was mention of bringing neighbors together. And quote, "What really

[10:55] matters is supporting our community and working together."

[11:00] So, what's happening here? I mean, either this is a huge case of

[11:06] not practicing what you preach. Or

[11:10] this has nothing to do with being neighborly.

[11:14] Maybe this is all about control dressed up as empathy.

[11:19] The questions that some residents are asking

[11:22] are "Your library has five displays.

[11:28] Why put questionable material, I'll say questionable, likely it's not for the

[11:32] littles. Why put it closest to the littles room

[11:36] and on a table with crayons versus the other one?

[11:41] Who's their audience? Why am I not their neighbor? Because I'm

[11:46] trying to protect my child innocence. What would we call those not trying to

[11:51] protect the innocent? If this is about pride which

[11:58] I'm loosely going to suggest is for the LGBTQ community to be accepted.

[12:06] Um I know anti-bullying and inclusion come up with that with the pride issue.

[12:14] Maybe what we're missing is to demonstrate and show the kids that

[12:20] they live in the best country >> I'm sorry. I have to interrupt you. You

[12:23] reached your 3-minute limit. I'm sorry.

[12:26] » I have one more one more thing. I really hope you

[12:30] I'd like to compliment all of you. I would like to say that there's examples

[12:36] all over. God bless them.

[12:39] » Thank you. >> You're welcome, Sergeant Tom.

[12:44] » Please respect the limit, please, or else we have

[12:47] » problem. I just want to compliment >> We're going to mute you if you don't

[12:51] stop. So, please. >> I read it was 5 minutes on the

[12:55] paperwork. >> 3 minutes. 3 minutes.

[12:57] » 3 minutes. Um Okay.

[13:00] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[13:02] Uh next person, Bob Baker.

[13:07] Bob Baker. >> Hi. Bob Baker from uh 100 Bender Road,

[13:11] Gladstone. Um first of all, is are is our town

[13:14] meetings open to people from any town or are they just people allowed to speak

[13:18] just from our town? >> No. Our public comment session is open

[13:22] to any citizen of any any any area. >> Understood.

[13:26] Um you know, I was going to I had a whole thing prepared and and I I

[13:30] I'm just going to sideline that and I just sort of echo what Carolyn said. I

[13:35] think that uh you know, I don't feel confident that

[13:40] this is going to be um handled properly. Uh I'm not sure that people aren't going

[13:46] to try to you know, is there any way that people

[13:49] could do like sneaky votes or if if all the council is not present?

[13:54] You know, we need some we need more reassurance, Mark.

[13:57] Mayor and um you know, I'll I'll leave all my

[14:01] prepared comments aside, but uh this is a really big issue that has a

[14:05] lot of people really upset. >> Um you I would say the issue has a lot

[14:10] of council members upset as well. >> Okay.

[14:13] » Because we feel the Let me speak Let me speak for myself. I

[14:16] can't speak for anybody else. I'm upset by it. I think it's ridiculous

[14:21] and silly. Okay, I think the Somerset County

[14:24] Library System does a fine job managing our library. That's how I feel about it.

[14:30] Okay? And I know a number of other council members feel the same way as I

[14:34] do.

[14:37] I will fight to ensure that the Somerset County I will I have I'm sorry, I should

[14:41] speak only for myself. I will fight to ensure the Somerset County Library

[14:45] System keeps its place. Um as I know some others likely will as

[14:51] well. So, I can't offer you any assurances

[14:55] because it is a council and I don't know how the council members will vote.

[15:00] Um but I but I would like to think that

[15:02] most council members shove this issue aside very quickly.

[15:07] » It would be helpful for us to know what some of the other council members think.

[15:12] » And you'd have to You'd have to poll them individually. I

[15:14] can't ask them I can't ask them to get their opinion

[15:18] right now. I'm sorry, that would be inappropriate.

[15:22] » Mayor, I I think uh uh

[15:24] Ms. Braun's has her volume working, but it might be working a little too good

[15:28] right now. >> Okay.

[15:29] » And >> Okay.

[15:31] Um to Bob, thank you for your comments. Are you done?

[15:35] » Yeah, I'm done. Thank you, Mr. >> Okay, Jackie, we're back to you. Jackie

[15:39] Braun. >> Okay, I think Am I on now?

[15:42] » You're on. >> Yes, thank you. Jacqueline Braun, 63

[15:46] Main Street. Uh we moved here, I think 22 years ago we bought our house.

[15:51] And I am kind of surprised at the unfair

[15:56] bashing of Councilman Sweeney that I'm seeing on social media pegging him as

[16:02] homophobic, racist, everything is unjust to him. And

[16:08] I was trying to educate myself on the display that has

[16:14] uh been at the library for Pride Month. So,

[16:17] I did take out one of the books that was in question.

[16:21] And I guess my question is is it really appropriate

[16:26] to have a book where children can access it that

[16:31] involves a sexual relationship between a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old, whether

[16:37] they be same sex or opposite sex. I just don't think that that is appropriate in

[16:44] our library. And I think uh Councilman Sweeney also was quoted saying that he

[16:51] uh wouldn't care if it was heterosexual or

[16:54] homosexual, that it involves children, and that should not be accessible to

[17:00] preteens. So, I just think he's being unfairly

[17:05] bashed about that.

[17:09] And I guess my question is at you had mentioned on the 11th, this is going to

[17:14] be brought up more in person about that display. Is that I guess I will come in

[17:19] person as well? >> No, what I said was at the one of the at

[17:23] the at the meeting it's likely going to occur on the meeting of September 22nd

[17:29] when this will be discussed cuz that's the next meeting that I know of when the

[17:33] entire council will be present. >> Okay. All right, very good. I

[17:37] appreciate. Thank you for letting me speak.

[17:39] » Uh, you're welcome. >> Thank you.

[17:42] » Uh, you're welcome. Um, Heather S, which I believe is Heather

[17:46] Heather Santoro, you're next. >> Hi, thank you. Um, yes, my name is

[17:51] Heather Santoro. I live at 3 Louise Lane in Gladstone.

[17:56] Um, I am speaking as a private citizen this evening and not

[18:01] um, in my capacity of a board of ed member. My statements do not reflect the

[18:06] board on which I sit. Um, I just I I appreciate um, Mr. Mayor that there will

[18:13] be further discussion on this. This is obviously a very serious and concerning

[18:19] issue to so many of us. I just wanted to point out one thing as you guys move

[18:25] forward with council conversation on this. Um,

[18:29] I I just want to ask you to take your responsibility as council people very

[18:33] seriously. Um, the thought of removing our library

[18:38] from a county system that has been serving us

[18:41] well for over 40 years without any level of consideration for what that looks

[18:47] like, the impact on our community um, a fiscal perspective as well as a

[18:55] social perspective is really quite frightening to me. There needs to be

[19:00] some serious discussions and considerations

[19:03] if there was ever even a thought of removing us from the system. So, I do

[19:10] hope that our council members take this very very seriously going forward.

[19:16] Um having said that, I believe our library is working. Our librarians are

[19:20] excellent. Our residents use it. We just invested heavily into it. And I would

[19:24] just like to note with a very simple phone call today within 5 minutes, I was

[19:30] able to determine that there is a process

[19:34] through the county library system. If somebody objects to a book, it is a very

[19:39] easy process. There is um our steps lined out, a form to fill out, and all

[19:46] you need to do is implement that process for any book to be considered. So, I'm

[19:52] just curious if Councilman Sweeney ever implemented that process instead or or

[19:58] if he's implemented that process rather than leaping to removing something that

[20:03] has been serving this community for over 40 years, an invaluable resource,

[20:09] and taking it away from the residents he serves. So, I I would like to consider

[20:13] that that process is available for everybody. It literally took me one

[20:17] phone call, a 2-minute conversation, and I had the

[20:20] form in my email box. So, I presume that anybody on this call, in our town, in

[20:26] our county can avail themselves of that process as well. So, that is all I would

[20:31] like to say this evening. I thank you very much for your time.

[20:35] » You're welcome. Thank you for your comments, um Heather.

[20:39] Um seeing no one else on the list, does anybody else wish to speak on a

[20:44] non-agenda item?

[20:48] Seeing Seeing none, I'm going to close the

[20:52] public comment portion non-agenda items of the meeting.

[20:56] And we're going to move on. Uh again, thank you everyone for your

[21:01] comments. Moving on, we have no old business on

[21:04] the agenda tonight. We move on to new business. Uh the gypsy moth moth survey

[21:10] uh Council President Murphy, will you speak to that, please?

[21:15] » Sure. So, we got a letter from the Department of Agriculture that um the

[21:20] gypsy moth has been identified in our area in our county and they um requested

[21:27] that they did a survey basically looking for egg mass um and evidence of gypsy

[21:32] moth. So, it's just something that's going to be occurring um this fall. Um

[21:38] and so, if you see individuals from the Department of Agriculture, you'll know

[21:41] that's what they're doing. They're assessing how this highly injurious um

[21:47] insect is affecting um our trees. So, pretty straightforward.

[21:52] » Okay. Thank you and then we are responding

[21:55] positively to that re- uh we are supplying positively that we want that

[21:59] done. >> So, absolutely.

[22:01] Can I talk for a second um about this? Um so, yeah, we got our our packet for

[22:07] the council. So, if everyone in the community knows, we get our packet of

[22:10] all the resolutions to look at on Friday before the meeting. Um and then in that

[22:15] packet, we got a letter from the state of New Jersey and then attention

[22:20] municipal clerk. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture regrets to

[22:24] inform you that the defoliation caused by the gypsy moth has been detected in

[22:29] your municipality. Um the gypsy moth is a highly injurious

[22:34] forest insect that feeds on severely defoliates many species of trees

[22:39] normally found in forested residential areas. And then it So, so they detected

[22:43] it, but then they go on to say the Department of Agriculture has developed

[22:47] an integrated pest management system which utilizes aerial sprays

[22:51] with the biological insecticide bacillus thuringiensis

[22:56] when residential and recreational forests are threatened with heavy

[22:59] defoliation in adjacent uninhabited woodlands, natural control agents such

[23:04] as parasites, predators, and diseases of the gypsy moth are encouraged. Um then

[23:10] it goes on to read, "If your council wishes the department to conduct the egg

[23:14] mass surveys in your municipality, please contact our office. There is no

[23:18] charge for these inspections. However, you're required to supply copy of your

[23:23] municipal map to the inspector for the survey. Initially, the survey will be

[23:27] conducted to the residential and recreational areas of your municipality.

[23:30] If time permits, the more uninhabited areas also will be inspected."

[23:35] And then it goes on, "But you must complete the department is pleased to be

[23:38] able to offer these services once again, but you must complete and return the

[23:42] enclosed request form to this office by August 15th, 2020 to be eligible."

[23:48] Now, this was not put before council. Why such a quick time

[23:53] lapse? And then I see as part of our packet that we were not voting on this.

[23:58] Nancy Bresner already Yes, please survey for the gypsy moth. And it succeeded

[24:05] 8-3. So, I'm actually

[24:09] um pretty upset about this. Why wasn't this

[24:13] put to a vote or even shown to any of us prior to Friday?

[24:19] And and and I under understand they've already detected

[24:22] you know, this um gypsy moth.

[24:26] Is this another communities, you know, why is it why wasn't a county vote? Is I

[24:31] mean there's there's a lot of questions here that I have and it's it feels like

[24:34] this is slammed in my face and we I was not given my due right to vote on this

[24:39] as a council member. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm missing

[24:42] something from you, Jill. What it was the harm of having a survey done?

[24:47] » The harm is I don't know what this is a spray of of aerial spray that could

[24:51] possibly happen. That's just >> Jill, Jill, this is a request to have a

[24:55] survey done. No spray is being done. >> But if a survey's already been done, if

[24:59] they've already detected it in our community.

[25:01] » No. No, this is a request to have them do a survey. They're not doing any

[25:05] spraying. This all they're going to do is come in and survey.

[25:09] » Well, my question is >> So, they've detected it and now they

[25:12] want to know how it how invasive it is. They want to know

[25:16] » We want to know is this just our community? Is it cuz we we are a town,

[25:20] right? We There's other farm communities from more forested communities. Have

[25:24] they gotten this letter, too? Why the deadline of August 15th? And yeah, it's

[25:28] a survey, Mark and Jamie, but why weren't we asked to also weigh in on

[25:33] this? >> I think as chair of property in and in

[25:37] discussion with the mayor, we we just thought this would seem like a a

[25:40] reasonable thing to help the Department of Agriculture assess an invasive bug

[25:43] and we didn't think it was necessary to involve the entire council.

[25:47] Um and again, it's just a survey. Um with your feedback, when we get this

[25:52] information, we'll obviously bring it to a vote if we decide to move ahead with

[25:57] um any of the insecticides. I mean, they're biologic, which are typically

[26:00] the safest type. Um but you know, we'll make sure to do a vote um after the

[26:05] survey if we decide to treat. >> So, I did also some background

[26:10] information on this and um one of the things that I found out is that um

[26:16] well, one question The first question that I have is that have they detected

[26:21] it if they haven't done a survey? So, that's the first question. And the

[26:26] second thing that I wanted to mention, I did some research on this and

[26:31] Peapack-Gladstone has never ever experienced a critical severe

[26:36] infestation. I understand that's not to say that it couldn't happen, but um

[26:41] this is normally found in like the pine barren areas, in areas of high um you

[26:47] know, forestation. You see some of it up in Chester and forest. You wouldn't

[26:53] really see it on farmland. Um, it would be very unusual for you to

[26:58] see it there. In order to actually qualify for the

[27:04] state to pick it up, you have to have like they have measurements that they go

[27:09] through. Um, where it has to be, you know, 500

[27:13] egg mass per acre over a 40 50 acre size. So, I mean this to me seems like

[27:22] and there's all kinds of repercussions where okay, it's it's found in dense oak

[27:27] forest. Well, where do we have dense oak forest? And you have to, you know,

[27:33] the egg the egg survey done in the fall and then if you're treating, you have to

[27:38] treat in the spring. And you have to make sure that the caterpillars are less

[27:42] than a half inch long and there's all kind of

[27:46] things that you need to file file as far as protocol goes, but the thing that

[27:51] really stood out to me the most is that this is not typically a hotspot for any

[27:56] type of infestation. Historically, there it's very common up in Sussex County.

[28:01] It's common in the Pine Barrens. Um, they said that in Somerset County,

[28:05] it's it's always remained too low to treat.

[28:09] » Yeah, and that's, you know, that's why that's why, you know, they count on park

[28:13] rangers and and county employees to monitor various areas. And so my my

[28:18] guess, although they didn't inform us in the letter of who identified it, it's

[28:22] very likely a county employee who identified it and hence the survey.

[28:26] Because the reality is is all of these invasive species, you know, whether

[28:30] you're talking about the gypsy moth or the lantern fly or, you know, the the

[28:34] stink bug, I'm sorry, I don't remember the scientific name for it. You know,

[28:37] those all started in one location and spread. And so basically that's the

[28:41] role, one of the many roles of the Department of Agriculture, is is

[28:45] identify spreading invasive species and stop that spread. There's a real serious

[28:51] spread of disease down in Texas right now of the screwworm. I don't know how

[28:55] it seems like, you know, you're reading up on the Department of Agriculture.

[28:58] Like that is the role of this department, and I think it's our role as

[29:03] council people to ensure that they get the help that they

[29:07] need to identify these these invasives because they can do serious damage to

[29:11] our forest, and we do have forests in PG.

[29:14] » Well, >> I I I have a question for Jill Jill

[29:18] and/or Julie. Are you suggesting we should have

[29:22] responded, "No, don't do the free survey for us." So, we might have a reassurance

[29:29] one way or another that we either do have a problem or we don't have a

[29:32] problem. Why not? Why are you

[29:35] » Why are you yelling? Why are you yelling at us?

[29:38] » I'm sorry. >> Why are you raising your tone and

[29:40] yelling at us? We're having >> I'm not yelling. I'm not yelling.

[29:43] » You just yelled, "No." two times. >> I'm just curious. Why would we not do

[29:47] it? We're not paying for it. It's being done as a courtesy.

[29:50] » we're not refuting the fact that you're we're looking at it. We're looking at

[29:55] one, not being consulted on this, and two, really like they sent you this

[30:00] letter. It's a form letter. It's not even addressed to us, and I would want

[30:04] more information on why they think that we have a potential infestation.

[30:08] » And may I also add, if I'd gotten a letter like this, I would have asked,

[30:12] "Hey, let's call you you talk Mark to the

[30:15] other mayors in the other towns. Hey, did you guys get this letter, too? Did

[30:17] you Did you Nancy or whoever else was privy to seeing this?

[30:22] Ask those questions?"

[30:27] » No, I didn't. I don't think it's necessary. When the Department of

[30:30] Agriculture thinks there's a risk of an invasive species and all they want to do

[30:34] is a survey that is no cost to the bureau whatsoever, no harm to the

[30:38] bureau, I say go ahead and move forward. My guess is

[30:41] » a fear of not questioning the Department of Agriculture. Let's just put it that

[30:45] way. >> Who are you questioning then? That's

[30:47] where the letter came from. >> I said you have a history of not

[30:51] questioning the Department of Agriculture.

[30:54] » Oh, I don't.

[30:57] » Correct. >> I don't I don't understand where that's

[31:00] coming from. Is it something to

[31:04] to do with I I don't understand where that's coming

[31:07] from, Joe. >> Yeah, see now the way I see it is if if

[31:10] they do a survey and they send us a report, the survey will answer your

[31:13] questions. It will say, "Oh, we we detected this because it came from here.

[31:19] We've we've followed these gypsy moths." Well, why do we need to know it before

[31:23] the survey is done? Let the survey answer the answer your questions.

[31:27] It's a survey.

[31:31] I'm not I'm not following why you're >> It just seems suspicious.

[31:36] » I I don't like >> I don't like aerial I use the word

[31:39] aerial spraying and it just gets me nervous.

[31:41] » They're not doing aerial spraying. >> It says in the letter that the survey

[31:46] says that they're there. It says aerial spraying.

[31:49] » No, what No, what it says in the letter is it's treated by aerial spreading

[31:55] spraying if there's an infestation. >> Right, but it says aerial spraying.

[31:59] » This is a survey. It's It's not saying, "We're going to survey and then we're

[32:03] going to come in and spray." It doesn't say that. It says, "We're going to We're

[32:07] offering you a free survey." That's all it says.

[32:10] » Maybe our town should do our own survey before trusting the federal government

[32:14] to do it. >> It's It's not the federal government.

[32:16] This is the state government. This is the state Department of Agriculture.

[32:21] It's not the federal. It has nothing to do with federal.

[32:23] » All right, well then maybe we should do our own survey first.

[32:26] » So So what you're suggesting is that we hire a professional, contract with them,

[32:32] and let them do a gypsy moth survey rather than experts at the state who

[32:36] know about this do it for free. That's what you're suggesting.

[32:40] » Well, nothing's for free. Our taxpayers pay for them as well.

[32:43] » No billable No No No billable cost to the bureau and no

[32:47] billable cost. Is that what you're asking suggesting?

[32:50] » I'm suggesting we should have talked to the other towns and see if they got the

[32:54] same letter and just kind of talked about it first and kind of questioned

[32:58] it. Maybe instead of signing this letter, did someone call the state

[33:01] Department of Agriculture? Did anyone talk to them? We just

[33:06] piece of paper saying, "Yeah, come on. Do a survey."

[33:08] » It's a form letter. It's just a form letter.

[33:11] » That's all we're questioning. I'm not saying, "Oh, we should pay for it

[33:15] ourselves." I'm just questioning was this questioned? I just see a paper of

[33:18] slapped in my inbox at 5:00 or whatever time Sorry, 1:30 or whatever time it was

[33:24] on Friday and I and it's signed and it wasn't There was Was it questioned?

[33:29] » And you didn't Friday and tonight

[33:32] Friday and tonight you didn't pose that question to Nancy or Jamie or Jamie or

[33:35] somebody else? >> Well, I was away.

[33:38] » Oh, okay. >> Okay.

[33:41] » And I don't I just didn't think it was enough time to review it anyway, but

[33:47] » Okay.

[33:49] » I'm just questioning that these things that are handled are just not really

[33:53] brought up to the whole council. It seems like it should That should have

[33:56] been brought up to the whole council. >> It is being brought up to the whole

[33:59] council. That's why Jamie put it on the agenda.

[34:02] » And that but why was it signed and sent back?

[34:05] » Because it's a survey. So, they're doing a report. They're going to come look

[34:09] around and go and write a report and send it to us.

[34:13] I'm not sure what the damage is. I'm not sure what you're worried about.

[34:17] » And what if the authority What if they do find something and then they suddenly

[34:20] have the authority to do aerial sprays? >> They don't have any authority to do it.

[34:24] They'd have to come to the bureau and they get that authority. They'd have to

[34:26] go to a council for a vote. >> Okay, well, I don't I don't doesn't say

[34:31] that on this letter, but was it a question

[34:33] » Actually, let's stop this conversation. Let's bring Steven to the picture. Steve

[34:37] Steve Warner, Esquire, can you please elaborate on this conversation and give

[34:41] us your perspective from a legal point of view, please?

[34:45] » Certainly, I'm not an expert on gypsy moth spraying, uh but from the letter

[34:52] uh that I read uh

[34:55] I would have to research to I got it probably the same time

[34:59] everybody else did uh or at least the governing body

[35:02] members did. Um but from the letter I read uh I could

[35:07] not tell uh whether doing the survey or not doing

[35:12] the survey one way or the other had any impact on whether aerial spraying would

[35:17] or would not occur in our bureau or the uh a control over

[35:22] that happening that we would have. So, I would have to look into it myself uh and

[35:28] do my own research. Uh if someone authorized to do so to try to to to make

[35:33] that determination. I'm not an expert on on the state Department of Agriculture's

[35:37] authority to spray or not spray uh

[35:41] and the impact of agreeing or not agreeing to have an

[35:46] initial survey done on that. It's possible It's possible if we didn't do

[35:51] the survey, they might still spray. It's possible that if we did do the survey,

[35:56] we might have the authority to say yes or no to spraying uh depending upon what

[36:01] they find or regardless of what they find. So, I'm just pointing out I don't

[36:05] have that answer if that is the answer you're looking for. I'd have to do my

[36:09] own research on that. >> Okay, but you you did enlighten us on we

[36:13] we may not have we may or may not have the authority to vote on this cuz Mayor

[36:18] Mark just said we would have the authority. He assured

[36:20] » All I'm saying is I personally have not done the research, so I do not know for

[36:25] a fact one way or the other. That's all I am saying.

[36:29] » Mark, do you know for a fact that we'd have the authority to vote on it if they

[36:32] decided if they found that these were harmful insects in our area and would we

[36:37] have the authority to vote on this? >> I I would think that if the if the

[36:42] Department of Agriculture found a large gypsy moth infestation and they wanted

[36:49] to spray P Palak Limestone and they wrote us a report suggesting that that

[36:54] that is an important enough issue that it would come to council for

[36:57] concurrence. Absolutely. >> All right, that makes me feel better

[37:00] about the possibility. >> my decision for property to make or any

[37:03] other chair to make or for myself to make for that matter or the

[37:07] administrator to make. That is a council decision. Hands down.

[37:10] » makes me feel better. Okay. >> Hands down.

[37:13] » for engaging in the discussion. This that makes me feel much better.

[37:16] » Absolutely. >> If you could let us know your findings

[37:20] concur like if your your findings are the same as

[37:24] what Mark's saying then I'll feel much better about this whole thing.

[37:26] » No, no, no. Survey Survey's one thing. Come coming with a helicopter and

[37:31] spraying the chemical over the town is another thing.

[37:35] » Yeah, but I am >> And I am

[37:36] » just to I have not researched it and I don't

[37:40] consider artificial intelligence with all due respect to be the same as

[37:46] human intelligence. I hope it never surpasses that. But but

[37:51] the the the but what it is quickly telling me is it

[37:55] appears as if it would be a I'm I'm seeing the words voluntary cooperative

[38:00] suppression program using biological insecticides. So I myself am becoming

[38:07] more comfortable that the ultimate conclusion may be that we would have

[38:13] some say perhaps you know all the say if you will as to whether or not

[38:20] uh we're sprayed so to speak. But again,

[38:24] that that's just a um it's a a preliminary

[38:28] opinion, not a legal opinion, and not a definitive opinion.

[38:33] » Thank you. That's That's helpful. [laughter]

[38:35] » Everyone, everyone, I think we beat this up enough. Let's move on.

[38:40] Um >> Before we move on, is is Ste- uh is uh

[38:44] Esquire Warner allowed to do further research on this?

[38:51] » I'm sorry, say that again? >> Uh before we move on, uh is Steven

[38:55] Warner approved to do further research on this?

[38:58] » Well, um I'm sorry, research for what? >> To make sure it's going to be a

[39:02] municipal decision on whether or not this is a spray- this can just be done

[39:07] by the state Department of Agriculture, or will we have a say?

[39:11] » He doesn't have to do research. If for some reason they come back and say we

[39:16] should you have an infestation, your town has

[39:19] to be sprayed. When Nancy already knows from our

[39:23] conversation tonight, it has to be put on the agenda for her concurrence.

[39:27] » But was the signing of this approval of this letter that was not approved by any

[39:32] of council, are we going to have the right to vote on if this is going to be

[39:37] sprayed or not, if they find in this research that

[39:42] there is >> has nothing to do with that, Jill.

[39:47] The letter has no The letter has no control over how this council operates.

[39:50] It's our decision. >> has a signature on it, and we were not

[39:53] told we were not allowed to vote on that. It has a signature.

[39:56] » signature to approve a survey. It's a survey. That's all it's doing.

[40:01] It's saying, yes, come in and take a look around. That's what it's saying.

[40:06] » Jill, I just did some quick research as as everyone's arguing back and forth,

[40:11] and we need to be more cognizant of of professionalism amongst

[40:15] our town, but also we're here to represent our constituents. The state

[40:19] does not have unilateral decision make making decisions to spray without our

[40:24] approval. If that's the land is state owned then it does. But ultimately

[40:30] we what we what I just did I looked at it thoroughly I looked at it and

[40:34] ultimately we signed looks like approval to do a survey to figure out if there's

[40:38] a need to spray. If there is a need to spray the state does not have unilateral

[40:42] decision making to spray. Unless we approve it as a town or if it's land

[40:47] state land owned property. So ultimately and I'll

[40:51] do some more due diligence but at the end of the day

[40:54] there's a lot of tension here. And this is exactly what our town members are are

[40:58] are talking about and concerned about that we can't have a simple discussion

[41:03] and that goes for our constituents as well because right now we're fighting

[41:07] each other and I think we're setting a a poor

[41:09] example. We're setting a poor example with with some council members not

[41:13] currently here. But at the end of the day let's do what's right for the town

[41:17] with the best interest of the town in mind and the end goal being positive for

[41:21] everyone. Not everyone's going to see IDI but ultimately

[41:25] I think we all need to take a step back and do our due diligence educate

[41:29] ourselves in in in these programs and I truly believe everyone has a good

[41:33] heart but ultimately the state cannot spray without our approval and our

[41:39] signature. But I also understand your point

[41:43] that sometimes things do come across our desk that are ultimately last minute and

[41:48] we're kind of shocked by it. But that's again for us to discuss in terms of

[41:53] logistics and formalities. Just like now we can present earlier in the in the

[41:58] agenda as a public agenda. So with that said I think we need to move on and

[42:03] we've kind of beat this this enough.

[42:07] Are you good with that Joe? I'm good with that. Thank you Sergio.

[42:12] » All right. Thank you, Sergio, very much. Um moving on to miscellaneous blood

[42:17] drive, Council President. >> Uh so, this is me. So, I um organized a

[42:22] blood drive for Thursday, September 10th with the New York Blood Center. There is

[42:28] currently a crisis um need for blood and platelet products.

[42:34] Um and so, I was giving blood and I was speaking with an individual who helps

[42:38] organize these functions and um identified a date and then I did reach

[42:43] out to our previous chief of police and previous mayor, Greg Skinner, um hoping

[42:47] that we could um kind of incorporate into um a memorial for it's 25 years um

[42:54] this year for 9/11, uh the attacks on 9/11. And so, we um I planned it for

[43:00] September 10th, the day before, um and we'll be doing a memorial on September

[43:05] 11th. We're going to be doing it in the evening this year

[43:08] um on Friday evening um because it is a Friday this year. Um so, um I will be

[43:13] posting around town paperwork and I really hope that um any councilperson,

[43:19] any resident who is able uh will donate um whatever they can that day. So,

[43:24] again, um the afternoon 12:30 to 6:30 Thursday, September 10th. Thank you.

[43:31] » Thank thank you. >> posted?

[43:34] Uh Jamie, do you have flyers that you would like posted for the town?

[43:38] » I got some paperwork and I'm going to um hand them out next week.

[43:42] » Okay. >> I'll get some from you then.

[43:44] And I'll post them at church and other places. Happy to do that.

[43:47] » Perfect. I appreciate that. That'd be great. If anyone else needs

[43:51] paperwork for, you know, a relatively, it doesn't have to be an in-town

[43:54] location, but something relatively nearby that they think that individuals

[43:57] might be interested, please let me know and I'll make sure you get what you

[44:00] need. I I have electronic QR codes and um physical paperwork.

[44:06] » Okay. Thank you. Let's um move on to minutes.

[44:10] Um so we have two sets of minutes. We can do a consent vote for both. The

[44:14] regular meeting minutes of July 21st, 2026 and the executive session meeting

[44:19] minutes of July 21st, 2026. May I have a motion second uh

[44:26] to approve both sets of minutes, please? >> So moved.

[44:30] » And Mayor, just to note, we do have one of we should have one abstention for

[44:34] both sets of minutes, and that council member, of course, should not make the

[44:38] motion or second. >> Yep.

[44:41] Thank you, Steve. >> Second.

[44:44] » Jamie was second. Who was first? >> Jill.

[44:47] » Jill, okay. So Jill and Jamie. Uh any any discussion, council members?

[44:52] Hearing none, a roll call vote, please, Nancy.

[44:55] » Council President Murphy. >> Yes.

[44:59] » Councilman Silva. >> Abstain.

[45:02] » Councilwoman Sweda. >> Aye.

[45:06] » Councilwoman Wyville. >> Aye.

[45:13] » Okay. Um

[45:17] moving on, we move to ordinances. So tonight we have a second reading of an

[45:21] ordinance is 1171-26 2026, and I'll read it. An ordinance of

[45:27] the mayor and council of the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone, Chapter 23, to

[45:31] designate data centers as a non-permitted use in all zones within

[45:35] the borough, and to provide application requirements for any variance requests.

[45:40] May I have a motion second, please, to open the public hearing for this

[45:44] ordinance? >> So moved.

[45:46] » Second. >> And all in favor, please.

[45:50] » Aye. >> Aye.

[45:52] » Okay. Um May Does anyone from the public wish to

[45:57] comment on this ordinance? Now, I see three people have raised their hands so

[46:02] far, so we'll start with that. Uh we'll start with Carolyn. Uh Carolyn,

[46:08] would you uh go first, please? And just turn your um unmute your

[46:13] microphone and turn your camera on.

[46:21] » I think she might have had her hand up from previously and never took it back

[46:24] down again. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. That's that's

[46:27] that's probably the case. Um Uh that that that it's only Don uh

[46:31] Donald Lemmer. Uh Donald Lemmer, are you on the line?

[46:35] » I am uh Mayor, thank you. Um so, uh my name is Donald Lemmer. I live on Minden

[46:40] Road in Gladstone. Uh I wanted to provide comments for your consideration.

[46:44] Um I have a great deal of experience in this area and expertise, and I know all

[46:48] of your intentions are to do what's best for our residents and community. So,

[46:52] I'll try to be as succinct as possible and hope you'll find my perspective

[46:55] useful in your deliberations. Um

[46:58] but, I'm asking that you not approve the ordinance uh with the restrictions that

[47:01] come with it. By way of background, I have more than 30 years of experience

[47:05] and expertise in the IT field, hold a PhD in computer science, and managed the

[47:10] largest scientific database in the world, and one of the largest data

[47:13] centers in the world in my previous capacity as director of computing and

[47:16] CIO at one of our federal government's national laboratories. Among other

[47:20] things, the ordinance states the reasons advocating for its passage relate to

[47:24] noise, air quality, water use, and references 3 to 5 million gallons of

[47:29] water usage a day. This is preposterous. IT cooling systems

[47:33] use, in simplified terms, a radiator to expel heat, recycling and not consuming

[47:39] any water to cool the systems. It would be like saying your car uses 100 gallons

[47:43] of water to drive to ShopRite. It's the car's radiator that cools it down,

[47:47] recirculates it, and consumes no water or coolant at all, and that was my

[47:51] experience in these very large, massive data centers. Computer systems don't

[47:55] create any noise. There's no moving parts, and um within the service

[47:59] themselves, there's zero impact on air quality as the data centers themselves

[48:03] do not generate any pollutants. Regarding community character, they're

[48:06] housed in normal-looking buildings, no different in external design than any

[48:09] other building you would find in the borough, and certainly more attractive

[48:12] than heavy manufacturing facilities, which are permitted in the borough.

[48:16] Also, I'd like to address the issue of the consumption of electricity. Now, I

[48:21] would proffer that the power grid in town is so unstable, and my power's gone

[48:25] out twice in the last weeks, that no company at present would want to

[48:29] construct a purpose-built data center in the borough. However, if they did, it

[48:33] would be highly likely that they would make substantial investments in

[48:36] stabilizing and creating redundancies in our power grid. And as we've seen with

[48:41] PG's successful participation in the 100 and energy aggregation program, the

[48:45] economies of scale actually reduce electric costs for our residents.

[48:49] Lastly, if a corporate entity were considering purchasing the space and

[48:53] investing in the building, um, a low-impact corporate presence, the

[48:57] desirability of the building and the price they would pay within our borough

[49:00] would be vastly diminished since this new regulation would add costs or limit

[49:04] flexibility that they would have to their property. This would negatively

[49:07] impact the future tax base. So, let me close with this.

[49:11] The outcomes of the data center and computing resources that I've worked

[49:14] with have decoded the human genome, done remarkable work in the field of

[49:18] proteomics, astro particle physics, and medicine. This type of

[49:22] science and use serves a noble purpose benefiting all of us. This ordinance,

[49:26] although well-intentioned, appears to be a solution seeking a problem that simply

[49:30] does not exist. Thank you. >> Thank you, Don.

[49:34] Um, anyone else wish to comment on this ordinance?

[49:41] I don't see any hands up. Oh,

[49:44] Miss or Mrs. Nolan, you are you just raised your hand, so go ahead.

[49:49] » Hi, I'm Jean Nolan. I live at 4 Hunt Lane.

[49:53] And I also didn't run a major data center, but I worked in the IT industry

[49:57] for 45 years. And I just think there's a big

[50:02] difference between the enormous server farms we're seeing

[50:07] spring up now with the lowest cost point that you can possibly have

[50:12] versus what Don probably had in a major data center that was running mainframes

[50:17] and very engineering scientific oriented

[50:21] computing that probably had closed loop water chillers and some other very

[50:26] efficient capabilities that we're not seeing in these server farms. So, I

[50:30] think there'd have to be a lot better understanding of what maybe

[50:34] a water cooled rack is versus the systems he was managing when he was

[50:39] doing the human genome. Uh and I think there's nothing wrong with us having

[50:45] this ordinance because let's face it, hardware has not kept up with software.

[50:50] And there's not a lot of money going into

[50:52] really creating efficient systems that run at the best

[50:57] uh peak usage of electricity as well as um

[51:02] best cooling technologies. And that's that's all I wanted to add.

[51:07] » All right, thank you Ms. Nolan or Mrs. Nolan or whatever.

[51:11] » It's [laughter] It's my It's my time.

[51:16] » Okay, Jean. Thank you, Jean. Okay. Um

[51:19] I don't see anybody else. I don't see any more raised hands. Is there anyone

[51:23] else? Seeing none, may I have a motion second

[51:27] to close the public hearing for this ordinance?

[51:31] » So moved. >> Second.

[51:36] » Second. >> Okay, that was Jill and Jamie Nancy. Uh

[51:40] all in favor? >> I.

[51:42] » I. >> I.

[51:44] » All right, anybody doing Anyone opposed? Okay, we move on.

[51:48] Um Um

[51:51] May I have a motion and second, please, to adopt ordinance 1171-2026?

[52:01] » So moved. >> Second.

[52:03] » Okay, so moved by Nancy, Jill, and Jamie.

[52:06] And a roll call vote, please, Nancy. >> Council President Murphy.

[52:12] » Yes.

[52:14] » Councilman Silva. >> Yes.

[52:19] » Councilwoman Sweda. >> Yes.

[52:23] » Councilwoman Wyble. >> Aye.

[52:27] » Okay. Ordinance 1171-2026 is now adopted and shall be published by

[52:33] title only on the borough website in accordance with the law.

[52:38] Okay, so we have a new law. Right, let's go to resolutions. I would

[52:43] like all the council members to please take a moment and look at where the

[52:46] resolutions listed on the resolution list. That's 147-26

[52:52] through 152-26 and 154-26.

[52:57] Take a minute. Let me know if you'd like to pull any one of those for an

[53:00] individual vote or discussion. Otherwise, we'll do a and we'll do a

[53:04] consent vote for all the rest. >> Uh Mayor,

[53:07] can I please just make a suggestion that resolution 147-26

[53:13] on the person-to-person transfer for the liquor license be pulled. Um there is

[53:18] somebody on the um call tonight on the meeting tonight um

[53:23] to speak on the the buyer's behalf.

[53:27] » Okay, very good. And that's fine. I'll pull that one.

[53:35] Now, well, when you're ready, council members, just give me a

[53:38] I I yeah I yeah I yeah.

[53:41] » I'm ready. >> Jamie's good.

[53:44] » Good. Good. >> Jill's good. Julie's good.

[53:47] » I'm good. >> Sergio, you're good. Okay, we can move

[53:50] on. So, let's start with let's start with the consent vote. So, may I have a

[53:55] motion and a second for a consent vote to approve resolutions 148-26

[54:00] through 1 52-26 and resolution 154-26.

[54:07] Motion and a second. >> Motion.

[54:09] » Second. >> Second

[54:11] by Jill. Okay, Nancy, roll call, please.

[54:15] » Council President Murphy. >> Yes.

[54:18] » Councilman Silva. >> Yes.

[54:21] » Councilwoman Sweda. >> Aye.

[54:24] » Councilwoman Weibel. >> Aye.

[54:27] » Okay. And [clears throat] now, let's go to

[54:29] resolution number 147-26. This is a resolution authorizing a

[54:33] person-to-person transfer of a liquor license.

[54:38] Um Motion and second for this resolution,

[54:41] please.

[54:46] » So moved. >> Second.

[54:48] » Okay, and that was Sergio, right? Was that you, Sergio? Okay, great. Um

[54:54] okay, discussion and then we can hear from the applicant.

[54:58] Any discussion amongst council?

[55:03] » None. >> Okay, hearing none, Nancy, tell us who

[55:07] the applicant is who is present tonight to talk about this.

[55:10] » Um I don't

[55:13] I know they were coming on, but I'm not sure where.

[55:17] » Okay, applicant applicant um would you please unmute your

[55:21] microphone and tell us who you are?

[55:25] » I do not

[55:29] Jay Krawl is on here.

[55:34] But I don't

[55:37] » Mr. Krawl, can you if you can hear us Oh, yeah, you just unmuted your

[55:40] microphone. If you could turn your camera on so we could see you and talk.

[55:54] Wait, we can't hear you.

[56:00] » They are unmuted. I don't see that. >> see that.

[56:07] Mr. Crow, can can you uh

[56:10] attempt to speak?

[56:22] Mr. Crow, please try to speak if you wish to talk about this.

[56:27] I'll give you another 30 seconds to try to fix it.

[56:45] » He cannot.

[56:52] » Um

[56:55] Mr. Crow, are you still there? >> He's I

[57:02] » I think he disconnected or she disconnected or whatever.

[57:05] » Yes. >> I know he's connected. I see him I see

[57:07] him still. >> Uh

[57:09] » I apologize. I cannot get my microphone to work.

[57:13] » I'm sorry, sir. >> We have a message from Jay Crow. I

[57:16] apologize. I cannot get my microphone to work.

[57:18] » All right, Mr. Crow, would you like would you like to make a statement on

[57:21] the chat and I'll read it to everybody?

[57:29] I'll give you a minute to type something or 30 seconds to type something and I'll

[57:32] read it. As a courtesy to you. And if not, just

[57:37] tell me you're not going to say something.

[57:40] Again, through typing on the chat.

[57:52] If the council has any questions regarding the application, we would be

[57:55] happy to answer them. Does the council have any questions regarding this

[57:59] application?

[58:03] Um seeing none from the council. No, no,

[58:07] Mr. Crowell, um there are no questions for you. Uh thank you for being on the

[58:11] call with us. Uh

[58:14] Nancy, would you please uh roll call vote, please?

[58:17] » Council President Murphy.

[58:24] » Muted.

[58:30] » Sorry about that, computer issue. Uh yes.

[58:33] » Okay. >> Councilman Silva.

[58:36] » Yes. >> Councilwoman Sweda.

[58:38] » Yes. >> Councilwoman Waibel.

[58:41] » I. >> Okay, thank you, council members. Um

[58:46] let's move on to the bill payment list, resolution 153-26.

[58:52] Um Does any council member have any bill

[58:55] that wish to be wish they wish to have hold for discussion this evening?

[59:02] Seeing none. Uh Nancy, will you please to read the total amount of bills to be

[59:06] paid uh on this vote on this resolution. >> $175,535.73.

[59:15] » May I have a motion and second, please, to approve the resolution for the

[59:18] payment of these bills?

[59:22] » So moved. >> Second.

[59:26] » Okay, got Sergio with second. And I'm sorry, who was first?

[59:29] » It was Jamie. >> Jamie, okay. Jamie and Sergio, Nancy.

[59:32] And a roll call vote when you're ready, Nancy. Nancy.

[59:35] » Council President Murphy? Yes.

[59:38] Councilman Silva? >> Yes.

[59:41] » Councilwoman Sweda? >> Yes.

[59:43] » Councilwoman Wyvel? >> I.

[59:47] » Okay. It is a little slow time of the year,

[59:50] but some of our council members may have reports from their respective

[59:53] committees. Does any council member have a committee report they wish to share

[59:57] with us tonight? >> No.

[1:00:01] » Seeing a no from Jill. Anyone else?

[1:00:06] I think we covered some earlier, and I have nothing outstanding at the moment.

[1:00:11] Uh Steve, do you have anything from our legal on us?

[1:00:15] » No. No uh no report this evening. Thank you, Mayor.

[1:00:18] » And Nancy, do you have anything for us? >> Uh no, not this evening.

[1:00:22] » Okay, very good. Um executive summary, I have nothing

[1:00:26] from the meeting to recap that it needs to be followed on. So, let's go to

[1:00:30] public comments on agenda items. So, these are comments regarding items

[1:00:36] that were on the agenda. Uh again, same process as before, please

[1:00:40] raise your hand if you wish to comment and address the council on agenda items,

[1:00:45] and I will call on you. Uh name and address, please. Um 3 minutes per

[1:00:49] person.

[1:00:55] I'm not seeing anybody. Could that be?

[1:01:03] Seeing no one. Let me just scan it again.

[1:01:12] Seeing no one, I'm going to close the uh public comment on agenda items.

[1:01:18] Let me just take a look. Okay. Um adjournment. Is there anything

[1:01:24] further that any council member wishes to bring up or discuss?

[1:01:29] » No. >> Okay, seeing none.

[1:01:32] Um, I would like to thank everybody who

[1:01:35] signed on tonight and for the those of you who expressed your opinions on

[1:01:39] things. Um,

[1:01:41] I I regret that it got a little heated amongst us, but um,

[1:01:46] uh, sometimes we agree to disagree and we have to work it out and uh,

[1:01:50] and that does take some time unfortunately.

[1:01:53] Um, our next meeting is on Tuesday,

[1:01:57] September 8th, 2026. Our two uh, go-to electronic meetings are over

[1:02:03] for the summer, so we go back to in-person meetings at Borough Hall. That

[1:02:08] meeting on Tuesday, September 8th is at 7:00 at the Borough Hall meeting meeting

[1:02:12] in the Borough Hall in the meeting council room council room meeting room.

[1:02:17] Um, may I have a motion and a second to

[1:02:19] return this meeting, uh, >> So moved.

[1:02:24] » Second. >> Jill and Sergio.

[1:02:27] Uh, all in favor? >> I.

[1:02:29] » I. >> Okay, meeting is adjourned and again,

[1:02:32] thank you everyone for being online Good night.

PEAPACK AND GLADSTONE, NEW JERSEY, Mayor & Council Meeting 8-12-2026

Transcript