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Okay, good evening. I want to welcome you to our Ladies and Township Committee of

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September 8th. We just came out of our executive session, and what I'd like to do

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is report on that. But first, I'd like a salute to the flag.

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So if you could stand,

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please.

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I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic

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for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.

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Thank you. All right. Thank you. I'm Yuri Wozwisz.

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I'm your township mayor, your open space advisory chair.

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My fellow committee members are here. I'm going to ask Vinny, Mr.

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Panico, just a report on our exec, of course.

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Sure. So we covered a number of items. I want to say it was nine.

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We'll go through one at a time. There'll be some motions on some of them, but not

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all. The first matter was personnel police.

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These are more matters of just for normal things.

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So Greg Wester has completed his probationary period as police sergeant, which

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means that he becomes a permanent police sergeant.

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So I'm going to make a motion to approve the resolution appointing Greg Wester as a

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permanent police sergeant.

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Second.

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Okay. Roll call, please.

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Mr. Abney? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Muller?

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Aye.

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Mr. Panico?

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Yes.

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Mayor Wozwisz.

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Aye.

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The second item we discussed under this heading was the fact that one of our Class

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III officers, these are the officers that are in the schools, had taken a position

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with a different township. So we are backfilling that officer.

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So I will make a motion to approve the resolution appointing Lawrence Goldstein as

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Special Law Enforcement Officer Class III.

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Second.

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Roll call, please.

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Mr. Abney? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Muller?

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Aye.

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Mr. Panico?

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Yes.

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Mayor Wozwisz.

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Aye.

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In the second section, which was personnel administration, we discussed the

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candidates that were coming in for one of our vacancies here, and we looked at how

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that fits into the operations of the township, but there's no action

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items for that heading. The third option or the third heading is contract

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negotiations, dental insurance. This actually shows up later in the agenda.

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I believe it's I-two. That is the introduction of an ordinance establishing some

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dental insurance regulations now that we're self-insured.

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So that was a simple discussion.

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Number four is contract negotiations, building demo.

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We have some public space here in town that has some dilapidated buildings on it.

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It's off Old Highway 28 on the north side up there.

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So we discussed the quotes that we received for that and the funding.

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There's no action to take on that yet. It'll be at a future meeting.

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Number five is contract negotiations, professional services.

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Believe it or not, this took up a lion's share of our discussions.

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We review at a high level the professionals that we have here in the township.

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So everybody from the attorney and the engineer down to the dog catcher and

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different consultants that we have throughout as we prepare for what we're going to

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do in 2027. Are we going to go to RFP for them? Are we not?

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And how is that all going to come together?

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So it was a really high-level discussion, and we're going to have another follow-up

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at the next meeting as well. Number six is litigation police.

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Obviously, this is a matter of litigation.

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I was hoping it was going to be wrapped up by now, but it hasn't. So that stays in.

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Number seven is attorney-client privilege.

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The executive session minutes August 3rd, 2026, and August 17th, 2026.

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This is just the approval of the minutes for previous executive sessions.

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So I will make a motion to approve for content only.

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Second.

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Roll call, please.

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Mr. Abney? Yes. Mr. Haller? I need to abstain on August 3rd. Yes for August 17th.

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Mr. Muller?

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Aye.

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Mr. Panico?

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Yes.

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Mayor Wozwisz.

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Aye.

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The number eight was potential litigation, affordable housing.

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There was no discussion that happened on that topic. That is all, sir.

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Okay. Thank you very much. That's the report on the executive session.

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Next is E on the agenda, which is comments from the public for items listed on the

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agenda only.

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We'll also have separate comments for ordinances that follow later in the session.

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So

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and what we'll do, because we have a lot of people, there may be comments at

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various points. We'll probably just ask you to speak for three minutes or less as

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we go through various topics.

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Okay?

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If you'd like to speak, you just need to come up.

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If this is regarding I-one. No, never mind. Sorry. You can go ahead.

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H-one is where we have a special talk.

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Come on

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up.

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Hi, my name is Anne Rettino. I'm with the local chapter of the Daughters of the

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American Revolution,

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and we own the Revolutionary War-era cemetery that's right over at the corner of

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523 and Route 22.

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I'm speaking on behalf of my chapter, and we just wanted to say that

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we are looking for the best interest for our cemetery on a historic level.

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We are not a political organization.

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We are a genealogical, historical organization, and that's where our interests lie

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is with preserving history. And so whatever helps that cemetery

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stay nice and have a good long

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future that looks good and is serving the community,

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however that is best served based on the affordable housing that's considered going

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in next to it. We would just like to say that we hope everybody thinks about that

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when that comes to a vote, because that's what we do.

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So thank you.

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Thank you, Anne.

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Okay.

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Hello, my name is Liz Retell.

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Wilmington faces unprecedented development pressure due to the state-mandated

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affordable housing requirements.

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Special interests and developers are positioning themselves to capitalize on our

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community, threatening the rural character that generations have worked so hard to

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protect.

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In order to preserve our quality of life, we need to manage responsible growth

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while respecting local zoning, planning, and maintaining our ethical standard.

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The wrong approach is pursuing huge mega-developments like a Propheta

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development, which are inclusionary and only have a small percentage of units

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as affordable housing, while the majority of the units are market rate.

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Paul Propheta is a wealthy developer, and he is funding the politicians and

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political candidates who support the proposed project.

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The wrong approach is if the township committee votes to allow only massive

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inclusionary developments into affordable housing plan to reach our state mandate.

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It is obviously the wrong approach for the township as it would have long-term

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negative impact on emergency services, taxes, schools,

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roads, and infrastructure.

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For the proposed Propheta project alone, the township would allow at least

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1,400 units on rich farmland spanning 370 acres.

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This rich farmland is located in planning area four with no sewer and is not zoned

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by the state or locally for such a massive development.

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The right approach is pursuing small-scale, 100% affordable developments.

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100% affordable means all the units within the development are affordable units,

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meaning the total number of units is kept relatively low.

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Using this approach, the total number of units would be less than half

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compared to the inclusionary approach while satisfying our affordable housing

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mandate from the state. A real-time example of this responsible development is a

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proposed small-scale, 100% affordable development at 101 Main Street.

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This development is intended to include special needs residents, which means the

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township receives double the number of credits.

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We would receive 40 credits By building only 20 units, whereas a

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large inclusionary development would require 200 units to be built to reach 40

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credits. The township is using a responsible approach to maximize our credits,

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build housing for special needs, veterans, and seniors, all while building the

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lowest number of units possible to reach our state mandate.

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I support small-scale, fiscally responsible development, not large inclusionary

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developments built by developers like Propeta and from the politicians that support

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their projects. Redington can reach the affordable housing requirements with a

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fraction of the total number of units, all while being fiscally responsible.

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Thank you.

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I'm Julia Allen.

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Our common goal is to minimize the impact of the township's affordable housing

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mandate. The state gives us options we could use that would help us achieve

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that goal.

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Our obligation is 504 credits.

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25% of this number can be met by a plan that qualifies for allowable

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bonus credits.

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By hoping to create 100% affordable projects, we get one bonus credit for each

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affordable unit built.

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In Three Bridges, the 80-unit townhouse under construction gave Redington 80

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bonus credits, for a total of 160 credits for the project.

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A 60-unit senior building on an existing senior site on Greenwood Road would

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qualify for 60 bonus for a total of 120

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credits.

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With group homes, special needs housing is advisable because each bedroom in a

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home is a unit adding a bonus credit.

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A single veterans group home could add as much as 20 credits with the allowable

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bonuses.

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In addition, there's a strategy referred to as extension of controls.

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This possibility exists because affordable housing units in both Lake Pushtunt

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Woods and at Hunter's Crossing in Three Bridges have affordable deed

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restrictions dating back 30 years, which are now expiring.

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The township has an option to use housing trust fund money to extend these controls

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for an additional 30 years. No new

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housing would be required.

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What we should not be doing is inclusionary development,

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and putting that in our plan, unless we are specifically ordered for a specific

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project by the court.

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With the inclusionary development, developers are allowed to build huge

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high-density developments with a ratio of five to one.

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With over 100 new homes built, the yield is three affordability units created.

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Meeting our affordable housing this way for a 500 unit, 440 unit

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obligation leads to huge developments that change the very character of our

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township and drive up our taxes with increased need for services. Thank you.

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Good evening, everybody. My name is Michael DeSocio.

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I am the owner of 24 Washington Drive.

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I'm here to talk on behalf of the 101 Main Street proposed project.

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A couple of things I do want to put out for public record and I'd like addressed at

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this evening's meeting for the record.

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Number one is the impact to neighboring homes.

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By putting in a 20-plus unit facility on Main Street, what is that going to do to

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neighboring homes? All those homes run on well water.

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That property borders a flood zone on my property, so how will that, the less

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permeable land, impact my property at the end of the day?

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All things the town hasn't considered.

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That property is a flood zone A, and that borders 101 Main Street.

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I'm not sure if the township has known that.

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A couple of other portions I'd like clarified for the record at some point this

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evening is clarifications on mappings have been posted to public forums by public

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officials here.

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I have-

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I missed. I was trying to understand what you said.

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Yeah. Clarifications on mappings posted by public officials.

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Oh, mappings. All right. Sorry. I was-

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So,

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with this proposed project, number one, it's going to put a greater impact and toll

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on Washington Drive as a whole. So, any plans to either, one, update that road or

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bring any other kinds of services to that.

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Number two is that based on these mappings, it looks like the proposed project does

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want to cut across

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my property on 24 Washington Drive, between mine and the DAR.

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These mappings have been put out by officials in a public forum,

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and I'd like clarification at tonight's meeting about plans for lower Main Street

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and official mappings of where this will be done, how it will be done, how it's

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going to comply with not just township ordinance.

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I know there's going to have to be rezoning done.

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There's been a lot of discussion around that property over the last year or two

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that has been shot down.

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And other impacts throughout the township.

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If those mappings are incorrect,

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I'd like to put on the record that there are issues from a DNO perspective from the

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board here by posting incorrect items from a miles perspective and willful

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misconduct.

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I'll leave it at that, and I hope to hear more by the end of the meeting.

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Your property is not included in the acquisition of 101 Main Street.

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You are property block 24, lot two, correct?

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Correct.

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That is not on the agenda for tonight, or do I believe it's even being ever

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considered.

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I'm addressing the mappings that have been posted actually by you, Mr. Mayor.

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That's correct.

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And it's based off of the available NJMap.com, which are not entirely accurate.

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I can show you that after everything's left.

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Yeah.

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I can show you exactly where that came from.

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So, your property was included on that map?

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Yes.

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Okay.

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And I actually have real attorney fees to show for this.

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Wow.

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Yeah. So, yes it will be.

244
00:16:10,344 --> 00:16:10,524
Yeah.

245
00:16:10,538 --> 00:16:13,554
So, I'm going to leave it at that. Hope to hear more. Thank you.

246
00:16:20,034 --> 00:16:24,399
Okay, no more comments for now. We'll move on. Next is F, payment of bills.

247
00:16:24,474 --> 00:16:28,344
We have the September 8th payment of bills. Do I have a motion?

248
00:16:28,674 --> 00:16:30,954
So, I'll make a motion to pay the bills.

249
00:16:31,884 --> 00:16:32,274
Second.

250
00:16:32,754 --> 00:16:34,284
Okay. Roll call, please.

251
00:16:34,494 --> 00:16:35,214
Mr. Abney?

252
00:16:35,874 --> 00:16:36,085
Yes.

253
00:16:36,234 --> 00:16:36,835
Mr. Heller?

254
00:16:37,045 --> 00:16:37,284
Yes.

255
00:16:37,434 --> 00:16:38,004
Mr. Muller?

256
00:16:38,214 --> 00:16:38,515
Aye.

257
00:16:38,545 --> 00:16:39,204
Mr. Panico?

258
00:16:39,265 --> 00:16:39,489
Yes.

259
00:16:39,714 --> 00:16:40,554
Mayor Hucklebush.

260
00:16:40,854 --> 00:16:46,464
Aye. Okay, next on the agenda is H, consent agenda, and all

261
00:16:46,614 --> 00:16:50,754
items listed with an asterisk are considered to be routine by the township

262
00:16:50,844 --> 00:16:53,724
committee and will be enacted by one motion.

263
00:16:54,295 --> 00:16:57,984
No separate discussion of these items unless a committee member or a citizen

264
00:16:58,045 --> 00:16:58,614
requests,

265
00:17:00,984 --> 00:17:04,194
in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and

266
00:17:04,254 --> 00:17:06,924
considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

267
00:17:07,045 --> 00:17:12,744
So, there are a total of 12, I believe, routine matters, but let me ask the

268
00:17:12,894 --> 00:17:14,964
township committee, does anyone want to hold an item?

269
00:17:18,174 --> 00:17:22,104
Okay, does anyone in the public want to hold an item on the consent agenda?

270
00:17:24,864 --> 00:17:26,754
Okay, do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?

271
00:17:26,814 --> 00:17:28,254
I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

272
00:17:28,285 --> 00:17:29,544
Second.

273
00:17:29,664 --> 00:17:30,504
Roll call, please.

274
00:17:30,894 --> 00:17:31,614
Mr. Abney?

275
00:17:31,765 --> 00:17:31,914
Yes.

276
00:17:32,124 --> 00:17:32,725
Mr. Heller?

277
00:17:33,354 --> 00:17:35,064
Yes, but I abstain from item one.

278
00:17:36,054 --> 00:17:37,765
Okay, thank you. Mr. Muller?

279
00:17:37,914 --> 00:17:38,244
Aye.

280
00:17:38,304 --> 00:17:39,054
Mr. Panico?

281
00:17:39,114 --> 00:17:39,384
Yes.

282
00:17:39,475 --> 00:17:40,239
Mayor Hucklebush.

283
00:17:40,374 --> 00:17:45,534
Aye. And the majority of these were things like veteran tax refunds, requests for

284
00:17:45,594 --> 00:17:50,664
refunds of unused soil witness fees, so relatively routine items.

285
00:17:51,744 --> 00:17:55,614
Next, we go into H. We have one item. We have a public hearing.

286
00:17:56,184 --> 00:17:56,664
So, let me

287
00:17:58,015 --> 00:17:58,704
begin that.

288
00:18:03,294 --> 00:18:06,864
So first, do I have a motion to close the regular meeting and open the public

289
00:18:06,894 --> 00:18:07,225
hearing?

290
00:18:07,344 --> 00:18:07,854
So moved.

291
00:18:07,914 --> 00:18:08,304
Second?

292
00:18:08,604 --> 00:18:08,844
Second.

293
00:18:09,024 --> 00:18:09,654
All in favor?

294
00:18:09,924 --> 00:18:10,524
Aye.

295
00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:10,600
Aye.

296
00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:10,600
Aye.

297
00:18:10,614 --> 00:18:16,225
Okay. Let me read it. This is an ordinance amending a portion of Chapter 96,

298
00:18:16,314 --> 00:18:21,038
Section 6, Construction Records Clearance Required, CRC, of the Code of the

299
00:18:21,084 --> 00:18:24,504
Township of Redington, County of Hartman, State of New Jersey.

300
00:18:27,744 --> 00:18:29,394
This is relatively

301
00:18:31,911 --> 00:18:32,437
Routine.

302
00:18:32,616 --> 00:18:33,036
Yeah.

303
00:18:33,216 --> 00:18:34,056
Jim, do you want to just-

304
00:18:34,356 --> 00:18:36,876
The amendments to the existing ordinance,

305
00:18:38,947 --> 00:18:43,521
the intent is to cure unabated violations when houses are being sold, and there's

306
00:18:43,536 --> 00:18:49,416
also two fee increases. One fee increases from $70 to $75, and another increases

307
00:18:49,596 --> 00:18:52,086
from $40 to $100.

308
00:18:53,376 --> 00:18:58,011
And those fees are based on how far out the requests are made from the time of the

309
00:18:58,026 --> 00:18:58,776
sale.

310
00:19:00,726 --> 00:19:03,621
Okay. And what was the first part you were saying, Doug?

311
00:19:03,636 --> 00:19:04,866
The unabated violations.

312
00:19:05,316 --> 00:19:05,556
Correct.

313
00:19:05,691 --> 00:19:08,706
And so open fines that haven't been satisfied.

314
00:19:10,596 --> 00:19:11,166
Thank you.

315
00:19:12,621 --> 00:19:13,896
Okay. Any questions?

316
00:19:14,046 --> 00:19:14,586
You ask.

317
00:19:15,636 --> 00:19:16,806
Yeah, but it got it the second time.

318
00:19:16,986 --> 00:19:19,476
I was going to ask what the remedy within, right?

319
00:19:19,806 --> 00:19:23,796
Because it's new, and we talked about this at the last meeting, a lot of different

320
00:19:23,856 --> 00:19:28,086
audience here. What is the remedy, especially because we weren't a full board in

321
00:19:28,116 --> 00:19:32,796
that last one. What's the remedy for the unabated penalties?

322
00:19:34,687 --> 00:19:37,086
The remedy would be to cure the violation, pay the violation.

323
00:19:37,116 --> 00:19:39,606
Okay, so we're now requiring them to be paid.

324
00:19:39,996 --> 00:19:40,356
Correct.

325
00:19:40,566 --> 00:19:41,810
Thank you. Say that one more time.

326
00:19:42,096 --> 00:19:44,016
I used the word cure, and I should've used the word pay.

327
00:19:44,076 --> 00:19:45,546
Okay. Just wanted to make sure we had that-

328
00:19:45,591 --> 00:19:46,687
Settle the tab.

329
00:19:46,806 --> 00:19:51,187
Yeah, exactly. Okay. Any comments from the public on this item?

330
00:19:52,986 --> 00:19:55,776
Okay, do I have a motion to close public hearing and open the regular meeting?

331
00:19:55,926 --> 00:19:56,601
Do I have a second?

332
00:19:56,601 --> 00:19:56,826
Second.

333
00:19:57,276 --> 00:19:58,026
All in favor?

334
00:19:58,116 --> 00:19:58,956
Aye.

335
00:19:59,016 --> 00:20:00,786
All right, do I have a motion to adopt this ordinance?

336
00:20:01,326 --> 00:20:02,676
I'll make a motion to adopt the ordinance.

337
00:20:02,736 --> 00:20:05,046
Do I have a second? Thank you. Roll call, please.

338
00:20:05,466 --> 00:20:06,187
Mr. Almy?

339
00:20:06,306 --> 00:20:06,516
Yes.

340
00:20:06,756 --> 00:20:07,416
Mr. Heller?

341
00:20:07,596 --> 00:20:07,895
Yes.

342
00:20:07,956 --> 00:20:08,586
Mr. Muller?

343
00:20:08,645 --> 00:20:08,947
Aye.

344
00:20:09,006 --> 00:20:09,876
Mr. Panico?

345
00:20:09,937 --> 00:20:10,191
Yes.

346
00:20:10,326 --> 00:20:11,106
Mayor Hesselbud?

347
00:20:11,166 --> 00:20:11,556
Aye.

348
00:20:13,056 --> 00:20:17,526
Okay, on the agenda we're now at I, Introduction of Ordinances, and there are two.

349
00:20:17,631 --> 00:20:21,756
I'll read the first one. "An ordinance of the Reddington Township Committee

350
00:20:21,966 --> 00:20:27,951
authorizing the acquisition of land identified as Block 24, Blocks 10 and 13, known

351
00:20:28,026 --> 00:20:33,322
as 101 Main Street, Reddington Township, Hunterdon County, State of New Jersey, for

352
00:20:33,366 --> 00:20:38,526
the purchase price of $305,000 to be paid, in part, from the Township's Affordable

353
00:20:38,556 --> 00:20:44,286
Housing Trust Fund." And this is ordinance number 21-2026.

354
00:20:48,036 --> 00:20:49,476
I have some comments on this one.

355
00:20:52,687 --> 00:20:57,216
I prepared something for this. "Turning 101 Main Street into an affordable housing

356
00:20:57,246 --> 00:21:00,937
development would be an indefensible misuse of one of Reddington's most

357
00:21:00,966 --> 00:21:04,296
historically significant and publicly visible properties.

358
00:21:04,656 --> 00:21:07,026
This is not an ordinary development site.

359
00:21:07,056 --> 00:21:11,106
It sits at the gateway to White House Station, immediately beside a cemetery that

360
00:21:11,136 --> 00:21:14,961
preserves a direct connection to our nation's founding and to the history of the

361
00:21:14,976 --> 00:21:19,206
White House itself. The cemetery is located in the White House section of our

362
00:21:19,266 --> 00:21:24,996
township, a community named for the White House Tavern, owned by Abraham Van

363
00:21:25,056 --> 00:21:30,846
Horn. Van Horn served in the Revolutionary War, and he is one of at

364
00:21:30,876 --> 00:21:36,187
least nine Revolutionary War veterans buried in the cemetery, and the Daughters of

365
00:21:36,216 --> 00:21:40,356
the American Revolution plaque at his gravesite records that he was, quote, 'host

366
00:21:40,416 --> 00:21:45,171
to General Washington at the old White House.'" George Washington visited that

367
00:21:45,216 --> 00:21:48,366
building or that current property out there.

368
00:21:48,381 --> 00:21:52,146
"This is not simply a neighboring burial ground.

369
00:21:52,206 --> 00:21:56,646
It's a historical landscape tied to Revolutionary War veterans, General Washington,

370
00:21:57,066 --> 00:21:58,776
and the origins of White House Station.

371
00:21:59,166 --> 00:22:03,846
The township should protect that setting, not expose it to a 100% affordable

372
00:22:03,937 --> 00:22:08,136
housing development. Once this gateway property is redeveloped in a manner

373
00:22:08,556 --> 00:22:12,816
incompatible with its surroundings, the damage to its historic setting cannot be

374
00:22:12,846 --> 00:22:18,096
undone. Reddington will be sacrificing a defining piece of community identity and

375
00:22:18,126 --> 00:22:23,062
diminishing the dignity of a cemetery containing the graves of men who served in

376
00:22:23,106 --> 00:22:28,176
the Revolution. 101 Main Street deserves preservation and a use that respects its

377
00:22:28,236 --> 00:22:33,546
unique historic context. It should not be treated as just another parcel available

378
00:22:33,697 --> 00:22:38,197
for affordable housing." I will be rejecting this resolution.

379
00:22:38,556 --> 00:22:43,791
Did your research indicate how long that building's

380
00:22:44,046 --> 00:22:46,312
been abandoned? I'm sorry, Jonathan, you had a-

381
00:22:46,386 --> 00:22:49,956
I just asked if his research included how long that building had been abandoned.

382
00:22:50,046 --> 00:22:53,616
The history on that property is those are hallowed grounds.

383
00:22:55,506 --> 00:23:01,296
Okay. So last year, we rezoned a lot of the township, including this

384
00:23:01,356 --> 00:23:06,636
property. This property, that everybody up here was celebrating

385
00:23:07,296 --> 00:23:11,437
the rezoning, was changed from seven uses.

386
00:23:12,246 --> 00:23:17,841
Now it has 26 potential uses, including, you can now have two different

387
00:23:17,947 --> 00:23:23,676
uses on the property. These uses include residential apartments

388
00:23:24,546 --> 00:23:30,456
with retail underneath. That's what the zoning change that was celebrated

389
00:23:31,146 --> 00:23:35,316
did. It includes fast food restaurant, pharmacy.

390
00:23:37,656 --> 00:23:39,876
So if you're going to make that statement,

391
00:23:41,676 --> 00:23:46,806
but you had previously changed the zoning just last year,

392
00:23:48,126 --> 00:23:50,046
it doesn't jive. I will tell you,

393
00:23:51,456 --> 00:23:55,146
there's a item agenda coming up that

394
00:23:56,616 --> 00:23:58,956
will select the potential developer of the property.

395
00:24:00,216 --> 00:24:03,306
We interviewed different developers. This was one that came in.

396
00:24:04,176 --> 00:24:07,566
Without any prompting, they come in, "Here's our thinking.

397
00:24:08,226 --> 00:24:11,331
What are your ideas?" They were already aware of the cemetery.

398
00:24:11,916 --> 00:24:16,296
They had a plan to care for it and to respect it.

399
00:24:18,336 --> 00:24:21,697
I sat down with the Daughters of the American Revolution folks that are here

400
00:24:21,756 --> 00:24:27,636
tonight and expressed the same. As the process moves along, there were

401
00:24:27,666 --> 00:24:31,236
some comments before about water runoff, et cetera.

402
00:24:31,296 --> 00:24:35,360
That all happens during the site plan application at the planning board level when

403
00:24:35,406 --> 00:24:40,926
there's an actual development, an actual proposal with drawings and studies and

404
00:24:41,016 --> 00:24:42,126
engineering done.

405
00:24:43,386 --> 00:24:45,456
So all those things,

406
00:24:46,986 --> 00:24:52,506
everybody's aware that the cemetery exists and it needs to be respected. As Mr.

407
00:24:52,746 --> 00:24:58,116
Heller said, it's been an empty lot with a building that is now

408
00:24:58,386 --> 00:25:03,230
basically dilapidated and condemned with trees growing through it.

409
00:25:03,230 --> 00:25:06,546
It is an eyesore for the entrance of the township.

410
00:25:07,566 --> 00:25:13,326
The proposal does not prevent the township from asking

411
00:25:13,716 --> 00:25:18,051
the developer to put a "Welcome to White House Station" sign, to put a flagpole up,

412
00:25:18,666 --> 00:25:23,736
to acknowledge the presence of the cemetery as it

413
00:25:24,456 --> 00:25:29,646
exists. Okay? That's about all I have to say on that.

414
00:25:30,156 --> 00:25:33,486
I just find it interesting that just a couple of years ago, there was a craft

415
00:25:33,516 --> 00:25:38,496
distillery that wanted to come into that property. We had no sewer available.

416
00:25:38,707 --> 00:25:42,471
No sewer, can't do it. Small business wanted to come into the town, we told them

417
00:25:42,486 --> 00:25:48,457
no. But now we suddenly have enough sewer to put in 20 affordable housing units?

418
00:25:49,716 --> 00:25:51,906
I'm not buying it. I'm not buying it.

419
00:25:52,026 --> 00:25:55,207
I know there were talks previously about the township acquiring that property to

420
00:25:55,236 --> 00:26:00,036
put in a nice little park, a little sitting area, flagpole, monuments, et cetera.

421
00:26:00,457 --> 00:26:01,506
Totally support that.

422
00:26:02,766 --> 00:26:07,806
20 affordable, 100% affordable housing units right there? Welcome to Reddington.

423
00:26:07,836 --> 00:26:11,076
Here's our beautiful affordable housing. Absolutely cannot get behind that.

424
00:26:11,616 --> 00:26:17,136
And while we're on the topic, one of the previous speakers talked about how great

425
00:26:17,166 --> 00:26:19,207
100% affordable housing projects are.

426
00:26:22,896 --> 00:26:25,957
I would like to quote something. I'm going to read a little something here.

427
00:26:26,226 --> 00:26:27,786
This is interesting.

428
00:26:29,677 --> 00:26:33,082
I'm going to skip around here a little, but I'm quoting this directly.

429
00:26:33,471 --> 00:26:37,986
"Courts will be very skeptical of a plan that includes three unfunded 100% projects

430
00:26:38,046 --> 00:26:43,416
right off the bat, particularly when they are the tool to exclude other developers.

431
00:26:44,346 --> 00:26:49,356
Unlike inclusionary developments, 100% affordable developments, by definition, lack

432
00:26:49,386 --> 00:26:53,016
the internal subsidy generated through the inclusion of market-rate units.

433
00:26:53,526 --> 00:26:57,846
For those reasons, getting them approved by a court carries a higher burden of

434
00:26:57,937 --> 00:27:02,556
proof. This includes a pro forma, a construction schedule demonstrating how these

435
00:27:02,616 --> 00:27:07,207
projects will be under construction within two years of court approval.

436
00:27:09,427 --> 00:27:14,481
In terms of financing, the potential shortfall for these three sites would be tens

437
00:27:14,556 --> 00:27:15,937
of millions of dollars."

438
00:27:17,616 --> 00:27:21,442
We would have to bond, go into debt to pay for these projects.

439
00:27:21,576 --> 00:27:24,877
I would like Committee Member Muller to cease.

440
00:27:25,326 --> 00:27:30,366
This is privileged information. Disclosing privileged information-

441
00:27:30,817 --> 00:27:36,666
Why? This would be bonding for millions of dollars.

442
00:27:36,756 --> 00:27:36,771
Time out.

443
00:27:36,771 --> 00:27:38,796
This is what they don't want you to hear.

444
00:27:38,812 --> 00:27:42,276
Why can't he talk? Because it's privileged information.

445
00:27:42,756 --> 00:27:43,131
We're the-

446
00:27:43,131 --> 00:27:44,317
Let him say it!

447
00:27:44,406 --> 00:27:45,156
No.

448
00:27:45,246 --> 00:27:46,656
We're residents.

449
00:27:46,746 --> 00:27:48,021
You can't interrupt him

450
00:27:48,649 --> 00:27:50,538
So what about the residents?

451
00:27:50,598 --> 00:27:52,383
Tom, we're not taking comments right now.

452
00:27:52,428 --> 00:27:54,514
We're discussing this-

453
00:27:54,858 --> 00:27:58,608
But what you said, it's privileged information.

454
00:27:59,208 --> 00:28:03,708
It's privileged to the township president.

455
00:28:06,108 --> 00:28:09,558
Thank you, Dan. Tone it down. Thank you.

456
00:28:10,308 --> 00:28:15,498
Our attorney just let me know when we're disclosing information that is not public

457
00:28:15,589 --> 00:28:18,948
because we're sometimes in negotiation or discussion.

458
00:28:19,339 --> 00:28:24,993
A township committee person is not allowed to disclose privileged information

459
00:28:25,038 --> 00:28:28,339
that's under contract. It has nothing to do with transparency or talking to

460
00:28:28,399 --> 00:28:28,953
residents. Now-

461
00:28:28,968 --> 00:28:33,198
This is not privileged. This is readily available if the residents would look at

462
00:28:33,258 --> 00:28:37,923
it. I'm putting this out there so you guys can, on your own, look up these codes

463
00:28:37,938 --> 00:28:41,643
and ordinances. Additionally, these projects require PILT agreements, payment in

464
00:28:41,643 --> 00:28:45,558
lieu of taxes, right? Meaning not one dime goes to the schools.

465
00:28:45,618 --> 00:28:47,928
We're inviting all these people in, and not one dime goes to the schools.

466
00:28:48,693 --> 00:28:53,118
Again, could you please listen to the attorney's advice?

467
00:28:53,779 --> 00:28:57,678
The document that you just read from says privileged and confidential.

468
00:28:57,768 --> 00:28:58,669
That is at issue.

469
00:28:58,893 --> 00:29:00,288
That's what he's talking about.

470
00:29:00,889 --> 00:29:04,788
The residents deserve to know what this governing body is voting on.

471
00:29:04,878 --> 00:29:07,669
It's that simple. They elected us into this position.

472
00:29:08,029 --> 00:29:08,193
Not-

473
00:29:08,298 --> 00:29:09,318
They deserve to know.

474
00:29:09,618 --> 00:29:15,139
Guys, I'm just going to ask, guys. This might be a bit out of here with the gavel

475
00:29:15,169 --> 00:29:18,842
whacking and yelling back and forth, but we can't have you guys yelling.

476
00:29:19,308 --> 00:29:24,108
There's 55 or 60 of you in this room, and if everybody's yelling, we're going to be

477
00:29:24,618 --> 00:29:30,348
in a bad situation. So I'm just asking you guys to maintain a bit of the

478
00:29:30,378 --> 00:29:33,048
function of this meeting because it has to happen in a certain way.

479
00:29:33,378 --> 00:29:33,663
Right. Thank you.

480
00:29:33,678 --> 00:29:39,408
So I'm in an interesting position here because I don't necessarily agree with

481
00:29:39,468 --> 00:29:40,399
everybody that's on this board.

482
00:29:42,228 --> 00:29:47,733
I made myself abundantly clear in our last meeting, which was the second meeting

483
00:29:47,733 --> 00:29:50,658
with the audit, the special meeting that we put on, and I said under no

484
00:29:50,718 --> 00:29:53,718
circumstances would I be voting for this 1183 project.

485
00:29:54,948 --> 00:29:58,368
This isn't an indicator of what I support, which direction I agree on affordable

486
00:29:58,399 --> 00:30:04,308
housing, or opinions on it. I simply look at this project and because of what

487
00:30:04,339 --> 00:30:08,598
Mr. Muller said before, we had an applicant come to open a small business on this

488
00:30:08,628 --> 00:30:12,378
property with three sewer credits, and they couldn't.

489
00:30:12,393 --> 00:30:14,404
They ended up going to, I think, Hackensack.

490
00:30:15,048 --> 00:30:19,128
Their business was named because they were planning on opening on this property.

491
00:30:20,508 --> 00:30:26,178
We were in discussions not two years ago on doing a joint purchase of this property

492
00:30:26,238 --> 00:30:30,558
so we could sort of make half of it a park, and that fell apart.

493
00:30:30,858 --> 00:30:34,788
Yet here we are somehow able to muster up $305,000.

494
00:30:35,658 --> 00:30:40,698
I don't love that this is the gate to our town. Adam said it. I believe it.

495
00:30:40,788 --> 00:30:46,518
This is the gate to our town. I don't want a high-density housing complex

496
00:30:46,848 --> 00:30:49,158
to be the first thing you see when you pull in.

497
00:30:50,298 --> 00:30:52,863
The other concern that I have, too, is the source of the funding.

498
00:30:52,938 --> 00:30:57,708
We're talking about $305,000, which from what I heard in the previous meeting, was

499
00:30:57,738 --> 00:31:01,098
coming out of our Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

500
00:31:01,157 --> 00:31:05,029
That is money that was allocated during the most recent round of budget

501
00:31:05,298 --> 00:31:09,228
conversations, specifically for the extension of controls in many of the

502
00:31:09,258 --> 00:31:13,068
properties. You can go back and listen to the record on those meetings.

503
00:31:13,218 --> 00:31:18,288
We discussed funding the Affordable Housing Trust Fund specifically for the

504
00:31:18,303 --> 00:31:22,113
extensions of controls. Now, less than six months later, we're turning around and

505
00:31:22,158 --> 00:31:24,228
spending it on something else. We're not going to have the funding for the

506
00:31:24,258 --> 00:31:28,188
extension of controls, and we're just kicking the can on that financial crisis down

507
00:31:28,218 --> 00:31:28,608
the road.

508
00:31:30,468 --> 00:31:34,218
I do not support 101 Nature. I made that abundantly clear in the last meeting.

509
00:31:34,308 --> 00:31:35,899
I will continue to make that abundantly clear.

510
00:31:36,258 --> 00:31:38,718
The other projects I'm happy to talk about and work through.

511
00:31:39,738 --> 00:31:45,649
This one is a no for me, and I'm disappointed that since our last meeting, nothing

512
00:31:45,708 --> 00:31:50,193
more has changed, and I haven't heard from anyone except our affordable housing

513
00:31:50,238 --> 00:31:50,899
attorney on this.

514
00:31:51,288 --> 00:31:55,938
Okay. All right. Do I have a motion to approve?

515
00:31:56,238 --> 00:31:57,078
I make a motion to introduce.

516
00:31:57,348 --> 00:31:58,188
Do I have a second?

517
00:31:58,368 --> 00:31:59,029
Second.

518
00:31:59,448 --> 00:32:00,139
Roll call, please.

519
00:32:01,458 --> 00:32:02,149
Mr. Albany?

520
00:32:02,268 --> 00:32:02,478
Yes.

521
00:32:02,988 --> 00:32:03,649
Mr. Heller?

522
00:32:03,919 --> 00:32:04,158
Yes.

523
00:32:04,548 --> 00:32:05,178
Mr. Muller?

524
00:32:05,389 --> 00:32:05,779
No.

525
00:32:06,228 --> 00:32:06,948
Mr. Panica?

526
00:32:07,008 --> 00:32:07,307
No.

527
00:32:08,238 --> 00:32:08,943
Mayor Hessel blush?

528
00:32:09,018 --> 00:32:09,258
Aye.

529
00:32:10,578 --> 00:32:13,998
I'll just make one or two comments because I don't think it's one or the other.

530
00:32:14,868 --> 00:32:19,488
The zoning that was changed along Route 22 permitted more uses, including

531
00:32:19,548 --> 00:32:22,998
apartments and retail in this spot. We do not want to do that.

532
00:32:23,058 --> 00:32:28,308
We want to maintain the lowest traffic impact and the lowest footprint we can.

533
00:32:29,328 --> 00:32:34,008
I am fully in support, and I've met previously with some of the folks from the

534
00:32:34,038 --> 00:32:37,818
organization that we should remove those structures.

535
00:32:38,419 --> 00:32:44,358
We should enhance the cemetery. I would like to see, and I can't speak to this

536
00:32:44,419 --> 00:32:47,883
because we have to go through a process, but I would like to see a park on that

537
00:32:47,988 --> 00:32:53,868
corner. I think we can do that. I think we can affect the look

538
00:32:53,958 --> 00:32:56,958
and protection of that cemetery. So that's my goal.

539
00:32:57,378 --> 00:33:03,228
So I do support this, and it will eliminate another 80 units that we have to do

540
00:33:03,618 --> 00:33:04,158
elsewhere.

541
00:33:05,058 --> 00:33:05,839
At minimum.

542
00:33:06,154 --> 00:33:06,873
At minimum. So let's-

543
00:33:07,399 --> 00:33:09,018
The doorknob comment, I don't love the doorknob comments.

544
00:33:09,048 --> 00:33:10,878
We're just voting to approve it. Let's move on.

545
00:33:11,268 --> 00:33:13,053
Okay. Numbers-

546
00:33:13,848 --> 00:33:18,018
The zoning was-- You can sit here and talk about the increased number of uses in

547
00:33:18,048 --> 00:33:21,228
the zoning. That's true, but that was when we were talking about three sewer units,

548
00:33:21,589 --> 00:33:24,108
where now we'll apply special zoning and additional sewer.

549
00:33:24,378 --> 00:33:26,419
So the zoning conversation is moot.

550
00:33:26,538 --> 00:33:26,928
It's like-

551
00:33:27,243 --> 00:33:27,288
Okay. All right

552
00:33:27,318 --> 00:33:28,518
... out of the sky being blue.

553
00:33:28,578 --> 00:33:30,738
All right. I will accept your comment. Thank you.

554
00:33:31,458 --> 00:33:35,598
I just wanted to announce that the public hearing for this ordinance will be on

555
00:33:35,658 --> 00:33:36,889
September 21st.

556
00:33:37,728 --> 00:33:41,868
Okay. September 21. The second ordinance. I'll read it.

557
00:33:41,899 --> 00:33:45,889
An ordinance creating a new Chapter 50 in the Municipal Code of the Township of

558
00:33:45,948 --> 00:33:51,078
Readington, entitled Self-Insurance Fund to Comply with the New Jersey Department

559
00:33:51,108 --> 00:33:54,813
of Community Affairs Requirements, and this is ordinance number

560
00:33:55,038 --> 00:33:57,557
2226.

561
00:34:02,298 --> 00:34:04,428
Jen, who would you have to speak on this?

562
00:34:04,518 --> 00:34:06,813
Our CFO is here if you want her to make a comment on it.

563
00:34:06,828 --> 00:34:07,308
Yeah. Kim?

564
00:34:07,578 --> 00:34:09,169
Or I'd rather pretty high represent-

565
00:34:09,498 --> 00:34:13,623
I thought the mayor mentioned this was a topic when we carried over from executive

566
00:34:13,669 --> 00:34:14,419
session.

567
00:34:15,169 --> 00:34:17,149
Do you want me to comment on what this is and why we're doing this?

568
00:34:18,978 --> 00:34:20,358
I think it'll be a little less controversial.

569
00:34:21,949 --> 00:34:27,169
No. This just pertains to our dental insurance, where we did a resolution a couple

570
00:34:27,199 --> 00:34:30,978
of meetings ago saying we were going to be self-insurance, managing it ourselves.

571
00:34:31,248 --> 00:34:35,478
This is just the ordinance required from the DCA to move forward with that.

572
00:34:35,868 --> 00:34:38,149
Because they want an ordinance, not a resolution, correct?

573
00:34:38,208 --> 00:34:38,658
Correct.

574
00:34:38,868 --> 00:34:41,569
Okay. So this is basically what we did a couple of weeks ago.

575
00:34:41,628 --> 00:34:43,383
It's just an ordinance, not a resolution.

576
00:34:43,458 --> 00:34:43,998
Yes.

577
00:34:44,029 --> 00:34:45,033
Thank you, Miss. Appreciate it.

578
00:34:45,033 --> 00:34:45,438
You're welcome.

579
00:34:45,558 --> 00:34:46,968
Thank you.

580
00:34:47,058 --> 00:34:47,598
I'll make-

581
00:34:48,288 --> 00:34:48,378
No

582
00:34:48,558 --> 00:34:50,988
... I'll make a motion to introduce the ordinance.

583
00:34:51,048 --> 00:34:52,458
All right. Do I have a second?

584
00:34:52,488 --> 00:34:53,238
Second.

585
00:34:53,328 --> 00:34:54,438
Okay. Roll call, please.

586
00:34:54,828 --> 00:34:55,518
Mr. Albany?

587
00:34:55,578 --> 00:34:55,998
Yes.

588
00:34:56,058 --> 00:34:56,748
Mr. Heller?

589
00:34:56,868 --> 00:34:57,078
Yes.

590
00:34:57,318 --> 00:34:57,918
Mr. Muller?

591
00:34:58,128 --> 00:34:58,368
Aye.

592
00:34:58,578 --> 00:34:59,298
Mr. Panica?

593
00:34:59,328 --> 00:34:59,538
Yes.

594
00:34:59,838 --> 00:35:00,574
Mayor Hessel blush?

595
00:35:01,443 --> 00:35:01,443
Aye.

596
00:35:01,458 --> 00:35:04,728
The public hearing for this ordinance will be September 21.

597
00:35:05,268 --> 00:35:09,978
Okay, September 21. The next on the agenda is resolutions, and we have a number

598
00:35:10,548 --> 00:35:14,868
similar in similar categories. I'll go through this as quickly as I can.

599
00:35:15,828 --> 00:35:20,628
First resolution is a resolution acknowledging the annual audit for the year

600
00:35:20,958 --> 00:35:21,918
2025.

601
00:35:25,788 --> 00:35:29,118
We've all received that, looked at it. Any comment?

602
00:35:30,693 --> 00:35:33,828
I would again defer to the CFO if she would like to review the two findings that

603
00:35:33,858 --> 00:35:34,248
were made.

604
00:35:34,728 --> 00:35:36,318
That's on the next item, actually.

605
00:35:36,648 --> 00:35:37,578
Yeah. Why don't we-

606
00:35:37,608 --> 00:35:40,638
We can do it right now while we're doing the audits. We can do it all at once.

607
00:35:41,628 --> 00:35:43,668
Well, let's do this one first, if we can.

608
00:35:43,683 --> 00:35:44,358
Do we have a motion

609
00:35:45,978 --> 00:35:47,628
to approve the first resolution?

610
00:35:48,468 --> 00:35:48,918
So moved.

611
00:35:49,279 --> 00:35:49,593
Second.

612
00:35:50,478 --> 00:35:51,048
Roll call, please.

613
00:35:51,408 --> 00:35:52,128
Mr. Albany?

614
00:35:52,398 --> 00:35:52,608
Yes.

615
00:35:52,728 --> 00:35:53,388
Mr. Heller?

616
00:35:53,568 --> 00:35:53,838
Yes.

617
00:35:53,988 --> 00:35:54,648
Mr. Muller?

618
00:35:54,918 --> 00:35:55,038
Aye.

619
00:35:55,098 --> 00:35:55,728
Mr. Panica?

620
00:35:55,848 --> 00:35:56,088
Yes.

621
00:35:56,208 --> 00:35:56,868
Mayor Hessel blush?

622
00:35:56,898 --> 00:36:01,428
Aye. And number two is a resolution accepting and approving the corrective action

623
00:36:01,458 --> 00:36:04,488
plan for the 2025 township audit.

624
00:36:07,248 --> 00:36:07,638
Thank you.

625
00:36:09,798 --> 00:36:15,108
So our 2025 audit had two recommendations, two findings, conditions.

626
00:36:15,588 --> 00:36:19,428
First one was the general ledger not being maintained in a timely fashion.

627
00:36:19,443 --> 00:36:22,998
Multiple funds reflected interfund balances at the year-end that should be

628
00:36:23,029 --> 00:36:23,568
liquidated.

629
00:36:25,638 --> 00:36:28,818
The recommendation was internal control policy procedure should be developed to

630
00:36:28,848 --> 00:36:33,588
properly maintain a timely and accurate general ledger system.

631
00:36:34,279 --> 00:36:35,779
We developed that process last year.

632
00:36:35,868 --> 00:36:40,428
Part of this was not receiving our final audit for the prior year until November.

633
00:36:41,808 --> 00:36:45,468
So we've already started liquidating all of our interfunds for this year.

634
00:36:46,878 --> 00:36:51,003
The second finding was the grant fund reflected an over-expenditure.

635
00:36:51,468 --> 00:36:55,279
There was a small grant that we received that did not get Chapter 159'd, had to be

636
00:36:55,338 --> 00:36:58,218
raised in the budget this year. It's already been taken care of.

637
00:36:59,268 --> 00:36:59,478
Okay.

638
00:37:01,092 --> 00:37:02,412
Thank you very much. Any questions?

639
00:37:03,972 --> 00:37:09,942
I will just say, I think one of the hardest jobs that happens in this town is the

640
00:37:10,002 --> 00:37:14,742
management of this money. It is incredibly challenging to do, and then the auditors

641
00:37:14,772 --> 00:37:17,893
come in and do a pretty invasive inspection. It's always challenging.

642
00:37:17,922 --> 00:37:19,032
I'll just read a couple of things here.

643
00:37:19,467 --> 00:37:23,022
The first one is, "We encountered no significant difficulties dealing with

644
00:37:23,082 --> 00:37:27,402
management and performing to complete our audit." They also say in here, "We are

645
00:37:27,432 --> 00:37:32,037
pleased to report that no disagreements arose during the course of our audit." And

646
00:37:32,082 --> 00:37:35,562
there was one other one. Generally, they're happy.

647
00:37:35,712 --> 00:37:40,902
I think the corrective actions that they've recommended weren't egregious, in my

648
00:37:40,992 --> 00:37:43,482
opinion. I've seen some egregious ones. These weren't egregious.

649
00:37:44,232 --> 00:37:46,092
So I'm pleased with the position of

650
00:37:47,952 --> 00:37:51,312
the health of our financial workflows, and I can say our budget.

651
00:37:51,762 --> 00:37:55,377
I'm pleased with the health of our financial workflows and especially with how far

652
00:37:55,377 --> 00:37:57,222
they've come over the past couple years. Thank you.

653
00:37:57,492 --> 00:37:57,537
Thank you.

654
00:37:57,777 --> 00:38:03,162
The only question I have, is this the right timing for this review of this 2025

655
00:38:03,192 --> 00:38:05,562
audit? Is it normally in September

656
00:38:07,032 --> 00:38:10,812
that we would see this, or is this just a unique timeframe?

657
00:38:11,832 --> 00:38:15,582
We had a lot to kind of catch up on last year. We were very late.

658
00:38:15,612 --> 00:38:16,692
This year, we're a little earlier.

659
00:38:16,812 --> 00:38:19,932
Next year, the hope is to be even earlier, but we are within the appropriate

660
00:38:19,992 --> 00:38:20,412
timeframe.

661
00:38:20,532 --> 00:38:23,232
Okay. So it might be earlier next year, or-

662
00:38:23,292 --> 00:38:23,502
Yes.

663
00:38:23,623 --> 00:38:25,123
Okay. You'll let us know.

664
00:38:25,182 --> 00:38:25,242
Mm-hmm.

665
00:38:25,512 --> 00:38:26,442
All right. Thank you very much.

666
00:38:26,592 --> 00:38:28,302
You're welcome.

667
00:38:28,362 --> 00:38:28,692
Motion?

668
00:38:29,112 --> 00:38:31,752
I'll make a motion to approve the corrective action plan.

669
00:38:31,782 --> 00:38:32,307
Do I have a second?

670
00:38:33,072 --> 00:38:33,402
Second.

671
00:38:34,062 --> 00:38:35,022
Roll call, please.

672
00:38:35,112 --> 00:38:39,252
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

673
00:38:39,312 --> 00:38:39,702
Yes.

674
00:38:39,732 --> 00:38:40,482
Mayor Hostetler?

675
00:38:40,542 --> 00:38:45,522
Aye. Number three, resolution requesting permission for the dedication by writer

676
00:38:45,582 --> 00:38:51,252
for police donations required by New Jersey Statute 485-29.

677
00:38:52,692 --> 00:38:52,992
Jim?

678
00:38:54,282 --> 00:38:59,202
From time to time, the police department receives donations from generous residents

679
00:38:59,232 --> 00:39:02,922
or business owners, and this just permits the acceptance of those donations.

680
00:39:03,912 --> 00:39:04,107
Okay.

681
00:39:04,272 --> 00:39:09,882
Formalizes the acceptance. It's not for each donation, but it allows for a

682
00:39:09,942 --> 00:39:10,572
process.

683
00:39:10,902 --> 00:39:13,557
Okay. Any comment? Okay. Do I have a motion?

684
00:39:13,752 --> 00:39:14,292
So moved.

685
00:39:14,382 --> 00:39:15,221
Second.

686
00:39:15,282 --> 00:39:15,972
Roll call, please.

687
00:39:16,393 --> 00:39:20,457
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

688
00:39:20,532 --> 00:39:20,742
Yes.

689
00:39:20,952 --> 00:39:21,522
Mayor Hostetler?

690
00:39:21,552 --> 00:39:26,502
Aye. Number four, resolution authorizing acceptance of open space

691
00:39:26,982 --> 00:39:27,972
acquisition grant.

692
00:39:30,522 --> 00:39:34,452
I believe this is a grant from the county, April of this year. Is that correct?

693
00:39:34,752 --> 00:39:34,992
Yes.

694
00:39:35,442 --> 00:39:35,802
Okay.

695
00:39:37,302 --> 00:39:42,072
And this is for a grant that we requested for a property in the Chambers Brook

696
00:39:42,312 --> 00:39:46,032
watershed, which follows as the next resolution.

697
00:39:46,242 --> 00:39:51,672
So I think this just enables the county to provide that grant. Any questions?

698
00:39:52,332 --> 00:39:56,893
So the grant is for $136,000,

699
00:39:58,212 --> 00:39:58,752
correct?

700
00:40:01,752 --> 00:40:01,992
Correct.

701
00:40:02,442 --> 00:40:03,447
I'm asking Eric.

702
00:40:03,672 --> 00:40:06,342
County contribution request of $136,000.

703
00:40:06,552 --> 00:40:06,792
Yep.

704
00:40:07,092 --> 00:40:07,512
Okay.

705
00:40:09,042 --> 00:40:11,592
Thank you.

706
00:40:15,222 --> 00:40:17,442
I'll make a motion to accept the grant.

707
00:40:17,742 --> 00:40:18,132
Second.

708
00:40:18,852 --> 00:40:19,422
Roll call, please.

709
00:40:20,022 --> 00:40:24,012
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

710
00:40:24,102 --> 00:40:24,342
Yes.

711
00:40:24,492 --> 00:40:25,077
Mayor Hostetler?

712
00:40:25,152 --> 00:40:30,672
Aye. Next resolution is a resolution authorizing insertion of a special item of

713
00:40:30,732 --> 00:40:35,143
revenue and appropriation into the budget for the Hunterdon County Open Space

714
00:40:35,322 --> 00:40:38,742
Acquisition Federal Grant of $136,000.

715
00:40:40,482 --> 00:40:43,932
I'm assuming this is the same grant, given it's the same amount, correct?

716
00:40:44,172 --> 00:40:44,652
Correct.

717
00:40:44,742 --> 00:40:46,782
Okay. So before it was the acceptance of the grant.

718
00:40:46,842 --> 00:40:48,972
This is us actually putting it into the budget, correct?

719
00:40:49,572 --> 00:40:49,782
Yes.

720
00:40:50,322 --> 00:40:50,562
Okay.

721
00:40:50,682 --> 00:40:51,402
That's my understanding.

722
00:40:51,552 --> 00:40:54,672
I'll make a motion to authorize the special insertions.

723
00:40:55,182 --> 00:40:56,382
Second.

724
00:40:56,682 --> 00:40:57,492
Roll call, please.

725
00:40:57,643 --> 00:41:01,677
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

726
00:41:01,722 --> 00:41:02,052
Yes.

727
00:41:02,112 --> 00:41:03,162
Mayor Hostetler?

728
00:41:03,237 --> 00:41:05,623
Aye. I'll just make a note on this one.

729
00:41:05,952 --> 00:41:11,742
This is for a parcel in the Chambers Brook watershed. This is a 31.5 acre piece.

730
00:41:12,432 --> 00:41:15,956
This is the third acquisition we've done in the Chambers Brook in the last eight

731
00:41:16,002 --> 00:41:21,762
years, a total of about 90 acres. First one was a donation, 35.5 acres on

732
00:41:21,852 --> 00:41:23,893
Ridge Road, which now has a trail on it.

733
00:41:24,312 --> 00:41:30,192
The second one was a 28.5 acre piece on Connington, which now

734
00:41:30,252 --> 00:41:35,832
has a trailhead on it. And this piece is a natural piece of land between Connington

735
00:41:35,952 --> 00:41:41,412
and Railroad Lane, and we will continue to preserve land in this watershed.

736
00:41:41,922 --> 00:41:46,467
Good thing about all three of these is they were all paid by county and Green

737
00:41:46,512 --> 00:41:50,382
Acres, with the exception of the one we're talking about, because for the first

738
00:41:50,412 --> 00:41:52,302
time, we're going into federal funds.

739
00:41:52,992 --> 00:41:58,062
Readington is now part of the Federal Highlands, which allows us to ask for federal

740
00:41:58,123 --> 00:42:02,248
money. So in some cases in future, we will ask for Green Acres money from the

741
00:42:02,352 --> 00:42:06,102
state. In some cases, we'll ask for federal money in the Highlands.

742
00:42:06,312 --> 00:42:11,802
The intent is always to have all of that paid by external sources, county, state,

743
00:42:11,893 --> 00:42:15,732
federal. So we don't use our taxes to purchase open space.

744
00:42:16,362 --> 00:42:20,562
We go in with a plan to preserve it with funds from those sources.

745
00:42:20,982 --> 00:42:25,498
So it's been very successful. And what I'd like to see in future is we connect some

746
00:42:25,542 --> 00:42:29,952
of these parcels with easements or connections, and then we do what we do with

747
00:42:30,762 --> 00:42:34,302
Readington Middle School. We have open space and trails near the school.

748
00:42:34,572 --> 00:42:38,472
Maybe someday we'll have something for White House School, and we can get kids into

749
00:42:38,562 --> 00:42:41,081
a natural area, something like that.

750
00:42:41,292 --> 00:42:43,812
So anyway, that's a little background on what we're talking about.

751
00:42:44,862 --> 00:42:49,227
Next, six, resolution authorizing acceptance of national opioid-

752
00:42:51,012 --> 00:42:51,432
Opioid

753
00:42:51,462 --> 00:42:56,427
... opioids. Thank you. English is my second language. German is my first language.

754
00:42:56,502 --> 00:42:58,632
Sorry. Settlement funds. Any-

755
00:42:59,352 --> 00:43:04,873
So back when there was all the lawsuits around opioid

756
00:43:04,902 --> 00:43:09,643
addictions and abuse, there were some settlements that were made by large

757
00:43:09,672 --> 00:43:14,052
pharmaceutical companies, which required them basically to make payments to towns.

758
00:43:14,893 --> 00:43:19,992
So this is an annual thing that we see, where we accept some money from each one of

759
00:43:20,052 --> 00:43:24,522
the major pharmaceutical companies on the national opioid settlement.

760
00:43:24,612 --> 00:43:29,802
So what you're going to see here is item six is the acceptance of the settlement

761
00:43:29,862 --> 00:43:35,097
funds. Then items seven, eight, nine, ten are the insertion of those into the

762
00:43:35,112 --> 00:43:38,772
budget. So similar to what you just saw on the open space grant.

763
00:43:38,802 --> 00:43:42,042
Once we accept the funds, we have to make the modifications to the budget to be

764
00:43:42,102 --> 00:43:45,192
able to bring it into our books and then pay back out.

765
00:43:45,462 --> 00:43:47,412
So that's what these next several are going to be.

766
00:43:47,502 --> 00:43:50,427
It's going to seem kind of like a machine as we roll through them, but they're all

767
00:43:50,472 --> 00:43:50,862
related.

768
00:43:51,162 --> 00:43:52,542
Okay. Do I have a motion for number six?

769
00:43:52,632 --> 00:43:54,192
I'll make the motion to accept the funds.

770
00:43:54,222 --> 00:43:56,367
Do I have a second?

771
00:43:56,367 --> 00:43:56,547
Second.

772
00:43:56,547 --> 00:43:56,637
Roll call, please.

773
00:43:56,637 --> 00:44:00,042
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

774
00:44:00,102 --> 00:44:00,432
Yes.

775
00:44:00,492 --> 00:44:01,047
Mayor Hostetler?

776
00:44:01,182 --> 00:44:05,412
Aye. Number seven, resolution authorizing insertion of a special item of revenue

777
00:44:05,442 --> 00:44:10,632
and appropriation to the budget for the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, and

778
00:44:10,873 --> 00:44:15,643
this is for settlement TEVA payment four in the amount of

779
00:44:15,657 --> 00:44:19,812
$3,250.23. Do I have a motion for this one?

780
00:44:19,873 --> 00:44:20,531
I'll make a motion.

781
00:44:20,623 --> 00:44:21,402
Second.

782
00:44:21,492 --> 00:44:22,121
Roll call, please.

783
00:44:22,393 --> 00:44:26,202
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

784
00:44:26,277 --> 00:44:26,532
Yes.

785
00:44:26,562 --> 00:44:27,192
Mayor Hostetler?

786
00:44:27,222 --> 00:44:31,617
Aye. Number eight, resolution authorizing the insertion of a special item of

787
00:44:31,692 --> 00:44:34,992
revenue and appropriation into the budget for the New Jersey Attorney General's

788
00:44:35,143 --> 00:44:39,462
Office, CVS payment four in the amount of

789
00:44:40,182 --> 00:44:44,112
$5,924.70. Do I have a motion?

790
00:44:44,532 --> 00:44:44,982
So moved.

791
00:44:45,327 --> 00:44:45,327
Second.

792
00:44:46,332 --> 00:44:46,992
Roll call, please.

793
00:44:47,232 --> 00:44:51,177
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

794
00:44:51,282 --> 00:44:51,492
Yes.

795
00:44:51,643 --> 00:44:52,272
Mayor Hostetler?

796
00:44:52,302 --> 00:44:57,012
Aye. Number nine, resolution authorizing insertion of special item of revenue

797
00:44:57,102 --> 00:45:02,022
appropriation to the budget for New Jersey Attorney General's office, and this is

798
00:45:02,112 --> 00:45:08,081
the Allergan payment number four in the amount of $3,351.57.

799
00:45:08,382 --> 00:45:08,952
So moved.

800
00:45:09,102 --> 00:45:09,822
Second.

801
00:45:09,852 --> 00:45:10,512
Roll call, please.

802
00:45:10,962 --> 00:45:14,922
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

803
00:45:14,982 --> 00:45:15,402
Yes.

804
00:45:15,432 --> 00:45:16,092
Mayor Hostetler?

805
00:45:16,152 --> 00:45:20,982
Aye. Thank you. Number 10, resolution authorizing the insertion of a special item

806
00:45:21,042 --> 00:45:24,882
of revenue and appropriation into the budget for the New Jersey Attorney General's

807
00:45:24,912 --> 00:45:28,917
Office. This is Janssen payment number six in the amount of

808
00:45:28,932 --> 00:45:32,442
$1,643.57.

809
00:45:33,432 --> 00:45:34,121
So moved.

810
00:45:34,182 --> 00:45:34,542
Second.

811
00:45:35,052 --> 00:45:35,712
Roll call, please.

812
00:45:35,772 --> 00:45:39,732
Mr. Albany? Yes. Mr. Haller? Yes. Mr. Moller? Aye. Mr. Panico?

813
00:45:39,822 --> 00:45:40,032
Yes.

814
00:45:40,062 --> 00:45:40,812
Mayor Hostetler?

815
00:45:41,262 --> 00:45:42,087
Aye. Thank you.

816
00:45:42,102 --> 00:45:47,232
The total amount for those four, for those keeping track, were $14,170.07.

817
00:45:48,643 --> 00:45:54,492
Okay. Now we have a series of resolutions also similar into extending

818
00:45:54,582 --> 00:45:54,942
some

819
00:45:56,862 --> 00:46:00,972
revenue items, or not revenue items, but budget items. So I'll read it.

820
00:46:01,302 --> 00:46:03,942
Number 11, resolution amending Resolution

821
00:46:04,272 --> 00:46:10,152
R2026-127 to increase the not to exceed amount

822
00:46:10,182 --> 00:46:12,012
for SSP Architects

823
00:46:14,010 --> 00:46:14,880
Any discussion?

824
00:46:15,540 --> 00:46:20,670
Jim, just in general, for all of these, do we have the budget to increase these

825
00:46:20,760 --> 00:46:22,140
fees, these passes?

826
00:46:22,155 --> 00:46:26,775
I'll ask our CFO that same question, but specifically SSP, the increase was due to

827
00:46:26,775 --> 00:46:27,825
the federal grant, the US Department of the Grant.

828
00:46:27,945 --> 00:46:31,380
Right. How was the grant, but specifically the other ones?

829
00:46:32,760 --> 00:46:37,020
Yes. So as Administrator Curry said, SSP is funded by grants.

830
00:46:37,650 --> 00:46:39,960
The next one, do you want me to go through all of them, or wait?

831
00:46:41,070 --> 00:46:41,805
Sure, go through all of them.

832
00:46:41,971 --> 00:46:44,730
So the, oh, God, I have to say the whole thing.

833
00:46:45,030 --> 00:46:50,670
Savo, Shalck, Corsini, Warner, Gillespie, and Rudnick and Fisher.

834
00:46:51,601 --> 00:46:54,360
That comes from our legal line that we do have funds in that.

835
00:46:55,020 --> 00:46:56,130
Same thing for

836
00:46:57,390 --> 00:47:02,205
item 13. 14 is funded through several funding sources.

837
00:47:02,250 --> 00:47:08,174
So it's a combination of escrow and operating and things

838
00:47:08,221 --> 00:47:12,765
like that. And Clark, Keating, Hince is funded by operating budget and our

839
00:47:12,765 --> 00:47:13,424
affordable housing.

840
00:47:15,870 --> 00:47:17,101
So you're saying we have money.

841
00:47:17,190 --> 00:47:18,120
You're saying we have the money.

842
00:47:18,630 --> 00:47:18,674
Yes.

843
00:47:18,674 --> 00:47:20,040
You're recommending these motions.

844
00:47:22,680 --> 00:47:23,820
We don't have a choice.

845
00:47:24,180 --> 00:47:26,160
Okay. It is required.

846
00:47:27,210 --> 00:47:31,020
Okay. All right. Yeah, I'll just add this color.

847
00:47:31,110 --> 00:47:34,530
Basically, when we approve all these vendors, and I think this is the first year we

848
00:47:34,590 --> 00:47:37,680
did it, we hit a cap on our spending, because we're just trying to have a good,

849
00:47:37,741 --> 00:47:39,390
broad overview of how much we're spending.

850
00:47:39,420 --> 00:47:42,105
We don't hit the cap with these five, so we're just moving the cap up.

851
00:47:42,241 --> 00:47:45,900
It's just some internal controls just to make sure that we're aware of our

852
00:47:46,200 --> 00:47:46,530
spending.

853
00:47:46,575 --> 00:47:46,575
Yes.

854
00:47:46,590 --> 00:47:51,510
But that's all it is. So I'll make a motion to increase the NTE for SSP.

855
00:47:52,020 --> 00:47:53,851
Okay. Roll call, please.

856
00:47:54,450 --> 00:47:55,230
Mr. Abney?

857
00:47:55,320 --> 00:47:55,560
Yes.

858
00:47:55,620 --> 00:47:56,190
Mr. Heller?

859
00:47:56,340 --> 00:47:56,580
Yes.

860
00:47:56,820 --> 00:47:57,165
Mr. Moller?

861
00:47:57,315 --> 00:47:57,315
Aye.

862
00:47:57,660 --> 00:47:58,290
Mr. Panico?

863
00:47:58,351 --> 00:47:58,471
Yes.

864
00:47:58,650 --> 00:47:59,655
Mayor Hostetler?

865
00:47:59,700 --> 00:48:01,230
Aye. And number 12 resolution.

866
00:48:01,500 --> 00:48:03,360
I'll make a motion to exceed the NTE for Savo.

867
00:48:04,440 --> 00:48:04,800
Second.

868
00:48:05,340 --> 00:48:06,690
Okay. Roll call, please.

869
00:48:06,930 --> 00:48:07,680
Mr. Abney?

870
00:48:07,770 --> 00:48:07,950
Yes.

871
00:48:07,980 --> 00:48:08,580
Mr. Heller?

872
00:48:08,640 --> 00:48:08,880
Yes.

873
00:48:08,910 --> 00:48:09,480
Mr. Moller?

874
00:48:09,555 --> 00:48:09,555
Aye.

875
00:48:09,810 --> 00:48:10,530
Mr. Panico?

876
00:48:10,590 --> 00:48:10,770
Yes.

877
00:48:10,860 --> 00:48:11,550
Mayor Hostetler?

878
00:48:11,610 --> 00:48:12,601
Okay. 14?

879
00:48:12,780 --> 00:48:15,870
I'll make a motion to increase the NTE for Syria.

880
00:48:16,590 --> 00:48:17,010
Second.

881
00:48:17,790 --> 00:48:18,450
Roll call, please.

882
00:48:18,601 --> 00:48:19,260
Mr. Abney?

883
00:48:19,471 --> 00:48:19,650
Yes.

884
00:48:19,680 --> 00:48:20,340
Mr. Heller?

885
00:48:20,430 --> 00:48:20,670
Yes.

886
00:48:20,851 --> 00:48:21,241
Mr. Moller?

887
00:48:21,330 --> 00:48:21,540
Aye.

888
00:48:21,570 --> 00:48:22,230
Mr. Panico?

889
00:48:22,290 --> 00:48:22,530
Yes.

890
00:48:22,620 --> 00:48:23,579
Mayor Hostetler?

891
00:48:23,610 --> 00:48:25,260
Aye. Thank you. 14?

892
00:48:25,320 --> 00:48:28,290
I'll make the motion to increase the NTE for Van Cleef.

893
00:48:28,650 --> 00:48:29,010
Second.

894
00:48:29,790 --> 00:48:30,435
Roll call, please.

895
00:48:30,540 --> 00:48:31,200
Mr. Abney?

896
00:48:31,351 --> 00:48:31,500
Yes.

897
00:48:31,590 --> 00:48:32,190
Mr. Heller?

898
00:48:32,310 --> 00:48:32,520
Yes.

899
00:48:32,730 --> 00:48:33,060
Mr. Moller?

900
00:48:33,180 --> 00:48:33,450
Aye.

901
00:48:33,540 --> 00:48:34,020
Mr. Panico?

902
00:48:34,050 --> 00:48:34,560
Yes.

903
00:48:34,620 --> 00:48:35,430
Mayor Hostetler?

904
00:48:35,520 --> 00:48:41,130
Aye. 15 is, I'll make the motion to increase the NTE for

905
00:48:41,250 --> 00:48:41,910
CCH.

906
00:48:42,360 --> 00:48:42,630
Second.

907
00:48:43,140 --> 00:48:43,620
Roll call.

908
00:48:43,980 --> 00:48:44,580
Mr. Abney?

909
00:48:44,820 --> 00:48:45,000
Yes.

910
00:48:45,060 --> 00:48:45,660
Mr. Heller?

911
00:48:45,840 --> 00:48:45,991
Yes.

912
00:48:46,351 --> 00:48:46,710
Mr. Moller?

913
00:48:46,800 --> 00:48:47,039
Aye.

914
00:48:47,101 --> 00:48:47,851
Mr. Panico?

915
00:48:47,910 --> 00:48:48,090
Yes.

916
00:48:48,180 --> 00:48:48,855
Mayor Hostetler?

917
00:48:48,960 --> 00:48:49,260
Aye.

918
00:48:50,460 --> 00:48:54,420
Okay, number 16, unless you're going to speak to this, I'll read it first.

919
00:48:54,540 --> 00:48:58,080
A resolution authorizing and directing the Planning Board of the Township of

920
00:48:58,110 --> 00:49:03,810
Readington to undertake a preliminary investigation of Block 21.05,

921
00:49:03,930 --> 00:49:09,900
Lot 2. The study area, 200 Van Horn Road, pursuant to New Jersey Redevelopment and

922
00:49:09,960 --> 00:49:15,540
Housing Law. A classification as an area in need of redevelopment and directing the

923
00:49:15,601 --> 00:49:20,851
Planning Board to prepare a study investigating whether the study area qualifies as

924
00:49:20,880 --> 00:49:23,670
a condemnation area in need of redevelopment.

925
00:49:24,510 --> 00:49:30,120
I believe this is a technical, legal update on something we have previously

926
00:49:30,150 --> 00:49:32,010
discussed and approved. So let me-

927
00:49:32,101 --> 00:49:36,660
Yeah, that's it. Well, we have to come back to the Planning Board with their

928
00:49:36,721 --> 00:49:37,380
recommendation.

929
00:49:38,670 --> 00:49:41,160
What is the Planning Board going to be studying?

930
00:49:41,790 --> 00:49:42,510
So this is the

931
00:49:43,710 --> 00:49:49,380
Morilla Senior Center and expanding Morilla Senior Center from 60 units to 100

932
00:49:49,395 --> 00:49:49,695
units.

933
00:49:50,116 --> 00:49:52,530
And this is part of our affordable housing plan, correct?

934
00:49:54,060 --> 00:49:54,075
Correct.

935
00:49:54,090 --> 00:49:55,770
I don't think this hit the Planning Board yet, did it?

936
00:49:56,370 --> 00:49:56,430
No.

937
00:49:56,460 --> 00:49:58,890
Because this is directing the Planning Board to review it. Yeah.

938
00:49:59,910 --> 00:50:01,094
Then we'll come back up.

939
00:50:01,140 --> 00:50:07,110
And so to restate it, it is taking the existing Morilla senior residents

940
00:50:07,860 --> 00:50:12,900
and looking at doubling it to adding another 60 units onto it, correct?

941
00:50:12,915 --> 00:50:16,890
Correct. Down below Van Horn Road.

942
00:50:16,995 --> 00:50:17,640
We'll get more on that.

943
00:50:17,730 --> 00:50:17,971
Okay.

944
00:50:18,480 --> 00:50:20,085
Make a motion to approve the resolution.

945
00:50:20,340 --> 00:50:22,710
Second. Roll call, please.

946
00:50:22,800 --> 00:50:23,430
Mr. Abney?

947
00:50:23,550 --> 00:50:23,820
Yes.

948
00:50:24,000 --> 00:50:24,630
Mr. Heller?

949
00:50:24,780 --> 00:50:25,020
Yes.

950
00:50:25,230 --> 00:50:25,830
Mr. Moller?

951
00:50:26,010 --> 00:50:26,221
No.

952
00:50:26,790 --> 00:50:27,601
Mr. Panico?

953
00:50:27,690 --> 00:50:28,080
Yes.

954
00:50:28,650 --> 00:50:29,340
Mayor Hostetler?

955
00:50:29,730 --> 00:50:30,601
Aye. Thank you.

956
00:50:33,241 --> 00:50:38,910
And this will go to the Planning Board on the 14th or what's the timing?

957
00:50:39,060 --> 00:50:39,780
Do they-

958
00:50:39,900 --> 00:50:45,870
So what this is doing is directing the planner, locate Hince to conduct a study to

959
00:50:45,900 --> 00:50:50,670
bring to the Planning Board for feedback and eventual

960
00:50:51,900 --> 00:50:52,230
funding.

961
00:50:52,320 --> 00:50:54,480
Okay. So it'll be a future meeting at some point.

962
00:50:54,540 --> 00:50:55,695
I don't know if they-

963
00:50:56,460 --> 00:50:58,800
Okay. Thank you.

964
00:50:59,640 --> 00:50:59,775
Yes.

965
00:50:59,775 --> 00:51:05,670
Number 17, resolution designating the property identified as Block 4, Lot 18 on the

966
00:51:05,730 --> 00:51:10,635
tax map of the township of Readington as an area in need of redevelopment, not

967
00:51:10,770 --> 00:51:15,270
condemnation, pursuant to the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

968
00:51:17,820 --> 00:51:19,650
Okay. Mr. Mayor,

969
00:51:21,510 --> 00:51:24,690
this property was purchased using open space trust fund money.

970
00:51:24,780 --> 00:51:28,799
How is this being included in our affordable housing plan?

971
00:51:33,601 --> 00:51:34,035
This is-

972
00:51:35,310 --> 00:51:38,670
The property was purchased with open space trust fund.

973
00:51:38,820 --> 00:51:41,550
By state law, it has to be held in trust.

974
00:51:41,971 --> 00:51:45,030
This is the property on Route 22 West.

975
00:51:45,150 --> 00:51:48,690
This property was purchased with open space trust funds.

976
00:51:48,930 --> 00:51:52,891
Counselor, I believe you had an opportunity to review that ordinance.

977
00:51:52,951 --> 00:51:53,851
Would you concur?

978
00:51:53,940 --> 00:51:54,690
You, yes.

979
00:51:54,750 --> 00:51:57,690
Well, the thing I'll tell you is that's not true.

980
00:51:58,440 --> 00:52:03,510
It was purchased by the direction of the administrator, and it was not-

981
00:52:04,440 --> 00:52:08,055
This was purchased, the ordinance 29 out of 2021.

982
00:52:08,055 --> 00:52:08,971
Adam, can I speak?

983
00:52:09,451 --> 00:52:10,231
Go ahead.

984
00:52:10,891 --> 00:52:16,231
It was originally pulled from open space trust, and I believe within six months, I

985
00:52:16,260 --> 00:52:21,360
don't know the period of time. We need to check, but it was repaid so that

986
00:52:22,170 --> 00:52:28,141
it was not an open space parcel. It was not using open space money other than

987
00:52:28,260 --> 00:52:32,731
maybe for the original purchase. I'm pretty sure of that. That was Richard.

988
00:52:32,851 --> 00:52:38,221
This was carried in our 2021 financial statements as such.

989
00:52:39,869 --> 00:52:43,904
So I do not believe we should be proceeding ahead with this-

990
00:52:44,250 --> 00:52:44,490
Okay

991
00:52:44,580 --> 00:52:47,340
... resolution with these open items.

992
00:52:47,370 --> 00:52:50,610
This was clearly purchased with open space money.

993
00:52:51,300 --> 00:52:56,731
Alicia, can you, I don't know if you can do it right now, can you verify the source

994
00:52:56,790 --> 00:52:57,451
of the funding?

995
00:52:58,260 --> 00:53:00,721
I have everything here. Alicia, if you'd like to take a look.

996
00:53:03,570 --> 00:53:08,940
Yeah. No, the money was paid back to the open space trust.

997
00:53:09,030 --> 00:53:12,840
That's what we need to verify. Not the original- That's what they were doing right

998
00:53:12,960 --> 00:53:14,356
by, too. Not the original,

999
00:53:15,900 --> 00:53:17,160
maybe, resolution.

1000
00:53:19,620 --> 00:53:23,010
Because this isn't carried on the roster, it's not part of the open space.

1001
00:53:23,101 --> 00:53:24,060
It never has been.

1002
00:53:24,630 --> 00:53:28,800
If it was purchased with open space funds, it cannot be included in affordable

1003
00:53:28,815 --> 00:53:30,900
housing. It can't. It legally cannot.

1004
00:53:31,560 --> 00:53:35,940
Even if you're telling me that a year later we switched funds, there's a process

1005
00:53:35,971 --> 00:53:40,981
for doing that. There's a diversion protocol that we have to follow to do that.

1006
00:53:42,570 --> 00:53:45,210
So either we did it wrong or we didn't do it.

1007
00:53:45,420 --> 00:53:49,080
But either way, the property was purchased with open space money.

1008
00:53:49,141 --> 00:53:50,235
We can't do what we're doing.

1009
00:53:50,430 --> 00:53:55,410
Tell you what, Adam, we will ask the CFO to research and advise on that.

1010
00:53:56,070 --> 00:53:59,190
I make a motion to table this ordinance or this resolution.

1011
00:54:00,660 --> 00:54:01,170
Second.

1012
00:54:03,420 --> 00:54:06,540
She's not going to get the answer in the next two weeks.

1013
00:54:06,630 --> 00:54:09,960
We don't want her to get both the answers that way.

1014
00:54:10,110 --> 00:54:10,320
No.

1015
00:54:11,310 --> 00:54:14,670
Let's take proper time, do it appropriately.

1016
00:54:14,971 --> 00:54:16,170
So I'll second the-

1017
00:54:16,201 --> 00:54:20,925
Yeah, I second it. So when there's a motion and a second, there's usually a

1018
00:54:20,940 --> 00:54:26,101
discussion. I will say, I gave feedback on this specific piece of property.

1019
00:54:27,120 --> 00:54:32,190
I had said that my want with this was to look at using

1020
00:54:33,510 --> 00:54:36,630
some of the resources that we had talked in the past around making this veterans

1021
00:54:36,645 --> 00:54:40,335
housing. When our previous administrator was here, we went pretty far down this

1022
00:54:40,351 --> 00:54:44,550
road. We had vendors and funding sources lined up.

1023
00:54:44,580 --> 00:54:46,110
We had a lot of conversation around it.

1024
00:54:47,221 --> 00:54:52,545
In our second meeting in August, I made it very clear that I would use the land to

1025
00:54:52,560 --> 00:54:55,620
see the exploration into that, have a look at it.

1026
00:54:58,920 --> 00:54:59,760
Not that I'm aware of.

1027
00:54:59,851 --> 00:55:00,060
Okay.

1028
00:55:00,150 --> 00:55:04,410
But your message was passed along to see if it was a viable

1029
00:55:05,310 --> 00:55:06,270
opportunity.

1030
00:55:07,290 --> 00:55:10,351
Yeah, I mean, my message was passed along because I called Laura Schroeder-

1031
00:55:10,440 --> 00:55:10,830
I sent her

1032
00:55:10,860 --> 00:55:11,940
... and put her in touch with the person.

1033
00:55:12,150 --> 00:55:16,410
We sat in Jim's office. We sent me the information, and I immediately passed it

1034
00:55:16,440 --> 00:55:19,846
along to this affordable housing subcommittee before the session.

1035
00:55:19,981 --> 00:55:20,190
Okay.

1036
00:55:20,835 --> 00:55:20,835
Yeah.

1037
00:55:20,851 --> 00:55:22,620
We'll discuss this after.

1038
00:55:23,910 --> 00:55:23,925
Okay.

1039
00:55:23,971 --> 00:55:25,724
Can I do a roll call on that?

1040
00:55:26,340 --> 00:55:27,750
There's a motion and a second.

1041
00:55:28,080 --> 00:55:28,710
Mr. Abney?

1042
00:55:29,550 --> 00:55:29,820
Yes.

1043
00:55:30,210 --> 00:55:30,960
Mr. Heller?

1044
00:55:31,050 --> 00:55:31,290
Yes.

1045
00:55:31,560 --> 00:55:32,130
Mr. Moller?

1046
00:55:32,280 --> 00:55:32,641
Aye.

1047
00:55:32,701 --> 00:55:33,360
Mr. Panico?

1048
00:55:33,420 --> 00:55:33,721
Yes.

1049
00:55:33,780 --> 00:55:34,500
Mayor Hostetler?

1050
00:55:34,530 --> 00:55:34,860
Aye.

1051
00:55:36,456 --> 00:55:42,096
Okay, let me move on. Number 18, resolution authorizing the execution of a

1052
00:55:42,516 --> 00:55:46,206
memorandum of understanding with FBC Trading.

1053
00:55:47,616 --> 00:55:51,846
This is referred to as the Kitchen property, number 22. Is that correct?

1054
00:55:53,376 --> 00:55:53,916
Correct.

1055
00:55:54,337 --> 00:55:54,816
Okay.

1056
00:55:54,906 --> 00:56:00,486
So, it's another part of our affordable housing plans to allow for 48

1057
00:56:01,297 --> 00:56:04,386
units, all senior designation,

1058
00:56:06,277 --> 00:56:07,297
55 plus.

1059
00:56:08,106 --> 00:56:13,837
That's not what the MOU says. The MOU says 48 apartments, 12

1060
00:56:13,927 --> 00:56:17,076
units would be affordable, 36 would be market rate.

1061
00:56:17,436 --> 00:56:18,486
The intention,

1062
00:56:21,696 --> 00:56:23,316
and it's stated. I mean, I'd say it was-

1063
00:56:23,886 --> 00:56:26,196
Can you talk about sort of the framework of these MOUs?

1064
00:56:26,226 --> 00:56:29,751
What does it mean when at this point we're signing an MOU with a developer?

1065
00:56:30,036 --> 00:56:33,246
If you could educate folks on that, John, that'd probably be pretty helpful.

1066
00:56:33,307 --> 00:56:37,057
Well, on that front, so I defer to Chris on explaining the meaning exactly.

1067
00:56:38,196 --> 00:56:43,236
Begins the process, moving down the path towards eventually having a partnering

1068
00:56:43,297 --> 00:56:46,297
with these individuals, groups, and one of them is having a new development.

1069
00:56:46,341 --> 00:56:48,876
So we're working with another town through the process.

1070
00:56:49,356 --> 00:56:52,101
So what are the terms for what comes next?

1071
00:56:52,386 --> 00:56:54,816
How did we pick these developers, right?

1072
00:56:54,876 --> 00:57:00,846
This is the first time I'm seeing FBC Trading LLC, and I'm really interested in

1073
00:57:01,807 --> 00:57:06,547
how this came about, what the process was to us getting to the selection of these

1074
00:57:06,576 --> 00:57:07,596
developers.

1075
00:57:07,641 --> 00:57:11,196
So the property owner came forward and identified themselves as interested in

1076
00:57:11,226 --> 00:57:12,486
participating in the process.

1077
00:57:14,196 --> 00:57:20,076
We met with them. At one time, Pat and I met with them, and then they come

1078
00:57:20,256 --> 00:57:23,587
in front of the Affordable, from the folks from the Kitchen.

1079
00:57:23,856 --> 00:57:27,006
We were on the video, and I was in town with them.

1080
00:57:28,087 --> 00:57:32,316
And we had a conversation. What do you think?

1081
00:57:32,706 --> 00:57:35,826
For these folks, it was a lot of understanding the process.

1082
00:57:37,027 --> 00:57:40,057
What does it all mean? How does it work? Et cetera.

1083
00:57:40,326 --> 00:57:45,456
And then they come into the Affordable Housing Subcommittee, and there's another

1084
00:57:45,486 --> 00:57:50,256
conversation that goes on, and it winds up putting all of those conversations

1085
00:57:50,286 --> 00:57:52,326
together in an MOU.

1086
00:57:53,376 --> 00:57:58,701
So this is a developer that the property owner has chosen, and we've bought the

1087
00:57:58,701 --> 00:57:59,076
property.

1088
00:57:59,226 --> 00:58:01,927
Yeah, I don't know if they created an LLC for this purpose.

1089
00:58:02,136 --> 00:58:03,816
I don't know what FBC stands for.

1090
00:58:03,861 --> 00:58:06,021
Okay. Anyway, this is brought forward by the property owner.

1091
00:58:06,126 --> 00:58:09,396
This isn't one that the township went out and selected, is what I'm saying.

1092
00:58:09,996 --> 00:58:10,297
No.

1093
00:58:10,356 --> 00:58:10,746
Okay.

1094
00:58:10,837 --> 00:58:13,807
No, if you're asking is this a designated developer-

1095
00:58:14,527 --> 00:58:14,946
Mm-hmm.

1096
00:58:15,036 --> 00:58:15,156
No.

1097
00:58:16,386 --> 00:58:16,416
Okay.

1098
00:58:16,446 --> 00:58:21,576
Will our township professionals have any expenses associated with this?

1099
00:58:23,286 --> 00:58:23,736
Of course.

1100
00:58:25,656 --> 00:58:29,677
Will they be refunded, though? Wouldn't they be refunded for escrow?

1101
00:58:29,736 --> 00:58:30,427
You can ask for money.

1102
00:58:30,516 --> 00:58:30,666
Yeah.

1103
00:58:30,696 --> 00:58:31,745
You can. It's very common.

1104
00:58:32,016 --> 00:58:37,087
Yeah. So if there's expenses, they can be escrowed, or paid for escrow with the-

1105
00:58:37,266 --> 00:58:38,121
We can set up escrow for it

1106
00:58:38,121 --> 00:58:38,587
... with the offset.

1107
00:58:40,777 --> 00:58:41,916
Yeah. Actually a conditional approval.

1108
00:58:42,606 --> 00:58:43,956
Okay. Do I have a motion?

1109
00:58:45,006 --> 00:58:50,466
I'll make the motion to approve, with the escrow

1110
00:58:50,915 --> 00:58:51,575
language added.

1111
00:58:53,346 --> 00:58:56,166
And I defer to the attorney on what that is with the-

1112
00:58:56,466 --> 00:58:57,756
You'd have to talk to Mike Edwards.

1113
00:58:57,996 --> 00:58:58,010
Yeah.

1114
00:58:58,010 --> 00:58:58,956
The key we have.

1115
00:58:59,016 --> 00:59:02,256
Yeah. I defer to Mike Edwards on the recommended amount of language.

1116
00:59:02,527 --> 00:59:05,706
But I'll make the motion with the escrow language added.

1117
00:59:06,126 --> 00:59:07,027
Okay. Do I have a second?

1118
00:59:08,916 --> 00:59:09,337
Second.

1119
00:59:10,716 --> 00:59:11,766
Okay. Roll call.

1120
00:59:12,427 --> 00:59:13,087
Mr. Abney?

1121
00:59:13,536 --> 00:59:13,746
Yes.

1122
00:59:14,016 --> 00:59:14,766
Mr. Haller?

1123
00:59:14,856 --> 00:59:15,156
Yes.

1124
00:59:15,396 --> 00:59:15,996
Mr. Muller?

1125
00:59:16,206 --> 00:59:16,476
No.

1126
00:59:16,896 --> 00:59:17,646
Mr. Panico?

1127
00:59:17,766 --> 00:59:18,096
Yes.

1128
00:59:18,456 --> 00:59:19,146
Mayor Hostetler.

1129
00:59:19,416 --> 00:59:24,891
Aye. Thank you. Number 19, resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of

1130
00:59:24,936 --> 00:59:29,541
understanding between the township of Readington and Weeds Work Properties Urban

1131
00:59:29,541 --> 00:59:31,146
Renewal LLC.

1132
00:59:35,406 --> 00:59:38,496
In this case, we're talking about the Main Street property, is that correct?

1133
00:59:38,976 --> 00:59:44,886
This is the Main Street property, and it's a property that the township owns that's

1134
00:59:45,036 --> 00:59:47,766
out on the border of Ranch Burr, can't see it from the road.

1135
00:59:48,936 --> 00:59:54,172
It's where the new Kingdom Hall is built. There's an existing structure there.

1136
00:59:54,246 --> 01:00:00,216
It's a house that used to be occupied in the most part, used

1137
01:00:00,307 --> 01:00:05,557
for affordable housing. It's been vacant for a while, so developer is interested.

1138
01:00:05,616 --> 01:00:08,225
This is a small-scale developer, doing 20 units.

1139
01:00:08,587 --> 01:00:13,656
And then they're also interested in building two houses, three

1140
01:00:13,746 --> 01:00:19,536
homes on that property that's out on the border of Ranch Burr, and that gets

1141
01:00:19,566 --> 01:00:22,596
us eight credits towards our obligation.

1142
01:00:23,436 --> 01:00:27,726
Okay, so this is near County Line Road on the north side of 22. Is that correct?

1143
01:00:27,906 --> 01:00:30,636
Correct. It's on the west-bound side.

1144
01:00:30,696 --> 01:00:35,406
So this MOU is saying the township would be responsible for,

1145
01:00:37,777 --> 01:00:40,386
what is this, $2 million? $2

1146
01:00:41,706 --> 01:00:45,066
million, or that, I might be reading this wrong because it's mentioning two

1147
01:00:45,096 --> 01:00:50,856
properties. No, it's a million, $1,020,000 out of our affordable housing

1148
01:00:50,916 --> 01:00:56,766
trust fund. Do we have $1,020,000 in our trust fund, CBO? We do not.

1149
01:00:57,666 --> 01:00:59,166
So where's that money going to come from?

1150
01:01:01,386 --> 01:01:03,396
Our pockets, people. Our pockets.

1151
01:01:03,427 --> 01:01:08,016
We're going to bond, and you're going to get taxed on it. That's how this works.

1152
01:01:08,541 --> 01:01:08,690
Mm-hmm.

1153
01:01:10,027 --> 01:01:13,356
That this is what we're talking about here that no one up here wants to talk about.

1154
01:01:13,476 --> 01:01:15,277
I don't want to live that long anymore.

1155
01:01:15,936 --> 01:01:19,520
And this agreement also specifically talks about a pilot agreement,

1156
01:01:21,006 --> 01:01:25,940
a payment in lieu of taxes. So the township gets a one-time infusion of cash, and

1157
01:01:25,986 --> 01:01:26,180
then-

1158
01:01:27,156 --> 01:01:27,996
One time per year

1159
01:01:28,236 --> 01:01:31,087
... one time per year, well below market rate.

1160
01:01:31,476 --> 01:01:31,716
So-

1161
01:01:31,866 --> 01:01:35,212
Mr. Abney, can you please speak into the microphone?

1162
01:01:35,256 --> 01:01:39,696
And none of that money goes to the schools, which is about 70% of your tax bill.

1163
01:01:39,786 --> 01:01:43,326
So keep that in mind, too. So your school taxes are going up, too.

1164
01:01:45,756 --> 01:01:49,190
Highly unlikely that group homes generate students.

1165
01:01:49,206 --> 01:01:49,761
We can't hear.

1166
01:01:49,777 --> 01:01:50,976
Just speak up, John.

1167
01:01:51,277 --> 01:01:54,966
Sorry. It's highly unlikely that group homes are going to generate students.

1168
01:01:57,096 --> 01:02:02,645
Also, in pilot agreements, the municipality can

1169
01:02:03,096 --> 01:02:06,756
dedicate some of the pilot money to schools if they choose to do so.

1170
01:02:06,846 --> 01:02:08,016
Have we ever done that?

1171
01:02:08,166 --> 01:02:09,201
Doesn't mean that we can't.

1172
01:02:09,215 --> 01:02:11,557
We've never done it. Ever.

1173
01:02:15,846 --> 01:02:16,087
Okay.

1174
01:02:16,446 --> 01:02:20,196
It's important you folks attend these meetings. Hear what's going on.

1175
01:02:21,307 --> 01:02:22,101
Okay. Do I have a-

1176
01:02:22,206 --> 01:02:23,976
Oh, I got one more question on this, actually.

1177
01:02:25,386 --> 01:02:31,191
We had an executive session about a month ago where we specifically talked about

1178
01:02:31,297 --> 01:02:32,047
bonding.

1179
01:02:34,087 --> 01:02:38,527
You need four votes to bond, just to be clear.

1180
01:02:39,427 --> 01:02:41,856
There was not the appetite for four votes for bonding.

1181
01:02:41,946 --> 01:02:47,015
So again, how are we proceeding with any of these projects if you don't have the

1182
01:02:47,076 --> 01:02:48,186
votes to bond?

1183
01:02:49,866 --> 01:02:55,686
So we're basically wasting our professionals' time, your money, having them spin

1184
01:02:55,746 --> 01:02:58,837
their wheels, our lawyers, planners, all these people spinning their wheels

1185
01:03:00,277 --> 01:03:04,896
for projects that you don't have the votes to bond for this.

1186
01:03:05,916 --> 01:03:10,506
That's why we also just increased all of our consultants' fees, guys.

1187
01:03:15,096 --> 01:03:16,146
Okay. Do I have a motion?

1188
01:03:17,016 --> 01:03:17,886
So moved.

1189
01:03:17,916 --> 01:03:18,606
Do I have a second?

1190
01:03:19,266 --> 01:03:19,596
Second.

1191
01:03:20,182 --> 01:03:20,856
Roll call, please.

1192
01:03:21,726 --> 01:03:22,386
Mr. Abney?

1193
01:03:22,596 --> 01:03:22,777
Yes.

1194
01:03:23,256 --> 01:03:23,916
Mr. Haller?

1195
01:03:24,096 --> 01:03:24,366
Yes.

1196
01:03:25,057 --> 01:03:25,716
Mr. Muller?

1197
01:03:25,896 --> 01:03:26,226
No.

1198
01:03:26,856 --> 01:03:27,666
Mr. Panico?

1199
01:03:27,816 --> 01:03:27,936
No.

1200
01:03:28,956 --> 01:03:29,585
Mayor Hostetler.

1201
01:03:29,646 --> 01:03:29,946
Aye.

1202
01:03:31,266 --> 01:03:36,606
Okay. Next is 20, resolution appointing Larry Thode to the Board of Health.

1203
01:03:36,771 --> 01:03:39,156
Fine.

1204
01:03:39,696 --> 01:03:42,741
No resume.

1205
01:03:42,741 --> 01:03:43,462
Jonathan?

1206
01:03:43,956 --> 01:03:48,396
It's a gentleman who showed up at one of the Board of Health meetings, and he's

1207
01:03:48,456 --> 01:03:52,476
recently retired, and he offered his services. He's an engineer.

1208
01:03:52,911 --> 01:03:55,326
He offered his services to come on the Board of Health. There was a vacancy.

1209
01:03:55,956 --> 01:04:00,141
The committee chair interviewed him, as did the rest of the board, and they made a

1210
01:04:00,156 --> 01:04:01,986
recommendation that he be added to the Board of Health.

1211
01:04:02,527 --> 01:04:04,116
Is that a full-time member? Is that a-

1212
01:04:04,146 --> 01:04:04,927
Full-time

1213
01:04:05,076 --> 01:04:05,557
... full-time? Okay.

1214
01:04:06,906 --> 01:04:07,446
Any questions?

1215
01:04:09,366 --> 01:04:12,996
Is this following the process for appointments and vacancies, Council?

1216
01:04:14,916 --> 01:04:17,886
He submitted an application saying he was interested in joining that board, yes.

1217
01:04:18,186 --> 01:04:19,236
Yeah. Okay.

1218
01:04:20,932 --> 01:04:23,691
I don't know if I... Was that in the packet?

1219
01:04:26,886 --> 01:04:27,922
No.

1220
01:04:28,536 --> 01:04:33,216
It wasn't anything. It was just an application that just had his name and

1221
01:04:33,277 --> 01:04:34,672
information on it. So like-

1222
01:04:34,672 --> 01:04:38,994
A citizen volunteer form? It was or was not the citizen volunteer form?

1223
01:04:39,804 --> 01:04:40,254
It was.

1224
01:04:40,344 --> 01:04:40,704
It was.

1225
01:04:40,794 --> 01:04:41,214
It was?

1226
01:04:41,244 --> 01:04:41,724
Yeah.

1227
01:04:42,535 --> 01:04:46,794
All right. Good. I'll make a motion to appoint Mr. Dowd to the board.

1228
01:04:47,035 --> 01:04:47,875
There you go. Second.

1229
01:04:48,068 --> 01:04:48,068
Second.

1230
01:04:49,674 --> 01:04:50,454
Roll call, please.

1231
01:04:50,634 --> 01:04:51,263
Mr. Alby?

1232
01:04:51,354 --> 01:04:51,565
Yes.

1233
01:04:51,879 --> 01:04:52,525
Mr. Heller?

1234
01:04:52,674 --> 01:04:52,914
Yes.

1235
01:04:53,244 --> 01:04:53,844
Mr. Muller?

1236
01:04:54,414 --> 01:04:54,429
Aye.

1237
01:04:54,444 --> 01:04:55,134
Mr. Panico?

1238
01:04:55,224 --> 01:04:55,464
Yes.

1239
01:04:55,794 --> 01:04:56,589
Mayor Hoffa?

1240
01:04:56,964 --> 01:05:02,694
Aye. Last is number 21, resolution adopting an amended Remington Township

1241
01:05:02,815 --> 01:05:07,854
social media policy. Jim, we've done something similar, but this is an update.

1242
01:05:07,944 --> 01:05:10,285
Could you just highlight what you have?

1243
01:05:10,614 --> 01:05:15,984
Yeah. Since the last update, the police department wanted to migrate because they

1244
01:05:16,014 --> 01:05:20,275
have the ability to administer their own Facebook page and accept comments.

1245
01:05:21,114 --> 01:05:25,254
We removed the Office of Emergency Management site, which hasn't been used for some

1246
01:05:25,344 --> 01:05:30,594
time, limited those who can post to

1247
01:05:30,864 --> 01:05:34,254
employees and committee-appointed volunteers.

1248
01:05:35,035 --> 01:05:39,625
Those are the largest changes to the policy.

1249
01:05:39,849 --> 01:05:39,849
Okay.

1250
01:05:39,864 --> 01:05:43,884
There might've been some other typos, but other than that, there's nothing

1251
01:05:44,004 --> 01:05:44,664
substantial.

1252
01:05:45,114 --> 01:05:50,934
So Jim, in the resolution, it talks about the new webmaster.

1253
01:05:50,994 --> 01:05:53,035
Have you determined who the new webmaster will be?

1254
01:05:53,379 --> 01:05:57,324
We know who that person is. They assist with our site, the website.

1255
01:05:58,014 --> 01:06:02,125
And it also talks about the township administrator's designated appointee.

1256
01:06:02,544 --> 01:06:03,924
Who is that person to be?

1257
01:06:05,604 --> 01:06:07,764
Are you talking for the local township site?

1258
01:06:07,794 --> 01:06:08,094
Right.

1259
01:06:08,530 --> 01:06:11,004
That's one of our employees, Amanda Jessamine.

1260
01:06:12,504 --> 01:06:12,593
Okay.

1261
01:06:12,625 --> 01:06:14,004
She's the administrator.

1262
01:06:14,754 --> 01:06:17,604
And is there also a backup or a second person, or...?

1263
01:06:19,525 --> 01:06:20,634
Each site has...

1264
01:06:22,554 --> 01:06:26,394
I'm trying to think off the top of my head. Right now there is no backup.

1265
01:06:27,204 --> 01:06:32,634
Okay. One of the other concerns is there doesn't seem to be a process as to

1266
01:06:32,694 --> 01:06:36,144
how approval gets made for content.

1267
01:06:36,504 --> 01:06:38,905
Who's actually going to be approving it and placing it on

1268
01:06:40,405 --> 01:06:40,944
the sites?

1269
01:06:42,025 --> 01:06:45,684
So Amanda does that. That's part of her job.

1270
01:06:46,734 --> 01:06:47,664
Her sole discretion?

1271
01:06:48,144 --> 01:06:52,194
She does most of the posting, so everything passes across her desk.

1272
01:06:52,254 --> 01:06:55,494
If she has any questions, she can ask me. I'm the final authority.

1273
01:06:57,174 --> 01:06:58,839
But you're not reviewing everything that goes on the site.

1274
01:06:58,854 --> 01:07:00,414
I don't review every single post, no.

1275
01:07:05,844 --> 01:07:10,164
There's a workflow that's working well today.

1276
01:07:10,704 --> 01:07:10,839
Mm-hmm.

1277
01:07:10,854 --> 01:07:16,464
I don't want to sit here and beat something up if we've got a process that works

1278
01:07:16,525 --> 01:07:20,155
well. I think what this is doing is this is undoing some of the issues that we

1279
01:07:20,214 --> 01:07:22,464
created when we established this policy.

1280
01:07:23,094 --> 01:07:27,565
One of those issues being the police had a lot of information and outreach via

1281
01:07:28,104 --> 01:07:30,834
comments and messages, and those were then disabled.

1282
01:07:31,794 --> 01:07:35,544
So I don't want to over-engineer something when it's a...

1283
01:07:36,414 --> 01:07:38,875
I don't want to create a problem just to find a solution for it.

1284
01:07:41,905 --> 01:07:42,144
Jack?

1285
01:07:42,429 --> 01:07:45,684
My questions and concerns are regarding the previous policy where there was a lot

1286
01:07:45,744 --> 01:07:51,565
of data that was not processed and not placed on those sites when it's

1287
01:07:51,593 --> 01:07:56,334
requested by either a volunteer board or a fellow

1288
01:07:57,804 --> 01:08:01,884
municipal employee, and it was vetted by others and not put on the site.

1289
01:08:01,944 --> 01:08:02,934
That's where my concern is.

1290
01:08:03,594 --> 01:08:03,655
Okay.

1291
01:08:03,714 --> 01:08:07,839
Who's actually making these decisions, and what information is being removed and

1292
01:08:07,884 --> 01:08:09,084
prevented from being placed on there?

1293
01:08:09,804 --> 01:08:13,944
I'm not familiar with anything that was requested to be posted and was not posted.

1294
01:08:15,834 --> 01:08:17,574
I heard from several people it did happen, so.

1295
01:08:19,735 --> 01:08:19,914
Okay.

1296
01:08:19,974 --> 01:08:20,785
Those are my concerns.

1297
01:08:22,704 --> 01:08:26,394
Well, I would think anything, Amanda, if she's the prime on this, finds

1298
01:08:26,874 --> 01:08:30,729
controversial or something, she should, I think she does, go to you or would go to

1299
01:08:30,775 --> 01:08:32,245
you for oversight, right?

1300
01:08:32,275 --> 01:08:32,694
That's correct.

1301
01:08:32,995 --> 01:08:36,653
Yeah, which is appropriate. All right, do I have a motion?

1302
01:08:37,074 --> 01:08:38,364
Well, I got one thing, Mayor.

1303
01:08:38,379 --> 01:08:38,379
Sure.

1304
01:08:38,979 --> 01:08:42,864
I'm going to also just vote against this because of the comment policy alone.

1305
01:08:43,464 --> 01:08:48,084
We do not allow comments on our township page. I fundamentally disagree with that.

1306
01:08:48,144 --> 01:08:53,035
It's a place for our residents to reach out to us, ask questions, and get answers.

1307
01:08:53,995 --> 01:08:56,815
By disabling it, you're not being transparent.

1308
01:08:57,114 --> 01:09:02,664
I do not agree with that one bit. And Jim, in Amanda's

1309
01:09:02,785 --> 01:09:06,323
absence, there should be backup. There should be.

1310
01:09:09,504 --> 01:09:09,864
Okay.

1311
01:09:09,910 --> 01:09:10,329
There'll be backup.

1312
01:09:10,405 --> 01:09:13,929
So those backups are the OEM coordinator.

1313
01:09:14,259 --> 01:09:14,259
Yeah.

1314
01:09:14,275 --> 01:09:19,209
But typically, those messages he's going to post are going to be on road closings-

1315
01:09:19,944 --> 01:09:20,035
Yeah

1316
01:09:20,065 --> 01:09:22,525
... storm issues, things of those, that nature.

1317
01:09:22,854 --> 01:09:23,469
No, if Amanda's on vacation-

1318
01:09:23,469 --> 01:09:28,209
And the webmaster can also do the posting, but that's going to be strictly Monday

1319
01:09:28,254 --> 01:09:29,379
through Friday business hours.

1320
01:09:29,485 --> 01:09:34,134
Yeah. If Amanda's on vacation for a week, there should be somebody to fill in

1321
01:09:34,224 --> 01:09:37,914
because, for example, last week, there were a lot of things that were not posted

1322
01:09:37,929 --> 01:09:39,084
that probably should've been posted.

1323
01:09:39,294 --> 01:09:43,688
Lane closures, striping, the bridge on Barley Sheep that's going to be down for two

1324
01:09:43,764 --> 01:09:47,334
weeks. There's a couple of big things that were not posted that should've been

1325
01:09:47,394 --> 01:09:50,454
posted. I'm not blaming Amanda. She was on vacation.

1326
01:09:50,815 --> 01:09:55,344
But there should be a backup to ensure timely flow of communication.

1327
01:09:55,524 --> 01:09:55,824
Agreed.

1328
01:09:56,214 --> 01:09:56,469
Thank you.

1329
01:09:56,514 --> 01:10:00,654
All right. I think we'll work on that. All right. Do we have a motion to proceed?

1330
01:10:02,304 --> 01:10:03,384
So moved.

1331
01:10:03,474 --> 01:10:04,254
Do I have a second?

1332
01:10:04,824 --> 01:10:05,184
Second.

1333
01:10:05,454 --> 01:10:06,594
Okay. Roll call, please.

1334
01:10:07,404 --> 01:10:08,124
Mr. Alby?

1335
01:10:08,245 --> 01:10:08,454
Yes.

1336
01:10:08,664 --> 01:10:09,264
Mr. Heller?

1337
01:10:09,564 --> 01:10:09,745
No.

1338
01:10:11,814 --> 01:10:12,444
Mr. Muller?

1339
01:10:12,684 --> 01:10:12,894
No.

1340
01:10:13,584 --> 01:10:14,484
Mr. Panico?

1341
01:10:17,424 --> 01:10:17,604
No.

1342
01:10:19,824 --> 01:10:20,604
Mayor Hoffa?

1343
01:10:20,664 --> 01:10:21,024
Aye.

1344
01:10:21,698 --> 01:10:23,035
Okay, that doesn't pass.

1345
01:10:23,514 --> 01:10:29,394
Okay. All right. We're going on. Next item is

1346
01:10:29,514 --> 01:10:33,174
new business, and we've got two items. We have two special events.

1347
01:10:34,164 --> 01:10:38,814
Special event application for approval, Anytime Fitness grand opening, which is

1348
01:10:38,844 --> 01:10:43,674
Saturday, September 26th, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

1349
01:10:43,734 --> 01:10:45,894
Rain day to Saturday, October 3rd.

1350
01:10:48,684 --> 01:10:49,794
Did that get moved?

1351
01:10:51,234 --> 01:10:55,974
That was supposed to be the 19th, I thought. But the 26th is better for me now.

1352
01:10:57,834 --> 01:10:59,934
I'll make a motion to approve the special event application.

1353
01:11:00,354 --> 01:11:00,684
Second.

1354
01:11:02,304 --> 01:11:03,174
Okay, roll call, please.

1355
01:11:03,354 --> 01:11:04,014
Mr. Alby?

1356
01:11:04,194 --> 01:11:04,374
Yes.

1357
01:11:04,464 --> 01:11:05,063
Mr. Heller?

1358
01:11:05,304 --> 01:11:05,544
Yes.

1359
01:11:05,633 --> 01:11:06,204
Mr. Muller?

1360
01:11:06,234 --> 01:11:06,714
Aye.

1361
01:11:06,758 --> 01:11:07,344
Mr. Panico?

1362
01:11:07,464 --> 01:11:07,614
Yes.

1363
01:11:07,883 --> 01:11:08,723
Mayor Hoffa?

1364
01:11:08,813 --> 01:11:14,064
Aye. Okay, number two, special event application for approval, Ready, Set, Go

1365
01:11:14,124 --> 01:11:19,104
Adventures Jersey Gravel Grinder Bike Race, Sunday, September 27th,

1366
01:11:20,004 --> 01:11:22,523
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and no rain date.

1367
01:11:23,934 --> 01:11:26,454
Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the special event application.

1368
01:11:26,694 --> 01:11:26,964
Second.

1369
01:11:27,384 --> 01:11:28,314
Okay, roll call, please.

1370
01:11:28,524 --> 01:11:29,184
Mr. Alby?

1371
01:11:29,844 --> 01:11:30,054
Yes.

1372
01:11:30,174 --> 01:11:30,774
Mr. Heller?

1373
01:11:30,984 --> 01:11:31,194
Yes.

1374
01:11:31,254 --> 01:11:31,854
Mr. Muller?

1375
01:11:32,064 --> 01:11:32,289
Aye.

1376
01:11:32,304 --> 01:11:32,904
Mr. Panico?

1377
01:11:32,964 --> 01:11:33,354
Yes.

1378
01:11:33,384 --> 01:11:33,834
Mayor Hoffa?

1379
01:11:34,254 --> 01:11:34,524
Aye.

1380
01:11:36,264 --> 01:11:40,134
Okay. That takes us through our general agenda. Now we go into reports.

1381
01:11:40,434 --> 01:11:42,864
First is administrator's report. Jim?

1382
01:11:45,384 --> 01:11:49,974
As Committee Man Muller mentioned, the county bridge that's located on Barley Sheep

1383
01:11:50,035 --> 01:11:55,674
Road, intersection on Pleasant Run, is going to be closed for the next two

1384
01:11:55,734 --> 01:12:01,404
weeks, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. It's closed to all traffic, and that's to

1385
01:12:01,495 --> 01:12:05,995
repair steel corrugated decking, guardrail, and the wing wall due to damage from

1386
01:12:06,654 --> 01:12:09,774
motor vehicle crashes. That's all I have, Mayor.

1387
01:12:10,014 --> 01:12:14,064
And that bridge is supposed to be replaced and widened at some time in the near

1388
01:12:14,154 --> 01:12:17,574
future, and then it's going to be down for a lot longer than two weeks.

1389
01:12:17,874 --> 01:12:17,889
It is.

1390
01:12:17,904 --> 01:12:19,644
They were talking about a year of being down.

1391
01:12:20,304 --> 01:12:22,434
That's going to be a major inconvenience.

1392
01:12:23,245 --> 01:12:26,529
Obviously, as the county's doing that, obviously, as we get more information, that

1393
01:12:26,574 --> 01:12:30,594
will be publicized, but just know that that's happening.

1394
01:12:31,014 --> 01:12:36,294
Yeah. All I know is 2027. We'll try to find out more as we can with county.

1395
01:12:39,354 --> 01:12:41,245
Okay. Chris, attorney's report?

1396
01:12:41,634 --> 01:12:43,433
No report from me, Mayor.

1397
01:12:43,464 --> 01:12:48,160
Okay. We do committee reports. First is John Alby's Library Services, Municipal

1398
01:12:48,234 --> 01:12:50,874
Court, Social Services, and Support Housing.

1399
01:12:50,995 --> 01:12:52,689
Nothing from me.

1400
01:12:52,764 --> 01:12:53,035
Okay.

1401
01:12:54,354 --> 01:12:58,164
John Heller, Board of Health, Reading and Lebanon Sewer Authority, Environmental

1402
01:12:58,254 --> 01:13:00,624
Commission, Historic Preservation, Museums.

1403
01:13:01,704 --> 01:13:03,504
Just an update on the Reading and Lebanon Sewer.

1404
01:13:03,564 --> 01:13:06,324
They've had a couple of failures over at the plant.

1405
01:13:06,954 --> 01:13:10,824
The rotor has been inactive since June.

1406
01:13:10,870 --> 01:13:13,104
We've had some issues with our ammonia content.

1407
01:13:13,149 --> 01:13:16,614
That's under control, working with the DEP on that, and it's going to be repaired

1408
01:13:16,674 --> 01:13:20,754
within the next few weeks. And then we recently had a pump failure that we are also

1409
01:13:21,624 --> 01:13:23,454
working around getting that repaired as well.

1410
01:13:23,889 --> 01:13:26,844
But it was indicative of the fact that some of this equipment is very old and needs

1411
01:13:26,874 --> 01:13:30,894
to be updated and upgraded, and that's why some of the increased fees associated

1412
01:13:30,924 --> 01:13:33,654
with our sewer were put in place so that we could be better prepared to handle

1413
01:13:33,684 --> 01:13:35,124
these situations moving forward.

1414
01:13:37,338 --> 01:13:41,238
Okay. For me, Jordan Hulsbosch, Ag Committee.

1415
01:13:41,388 --> 01:13:44,988
I think we have our next meeting on the 16th of this month.

1416
01:13:45,978 --> 01:13:49,818
Open Space Board, we've been doing a number of walks, and we continue to do that

1417
01:13:49,878 --> 01:13:50,959
through the rest of the year.

1418
01:13:52,308 --> 01:13:57,618
I think September 18th, we are at the Dale Haber Greenway by Old 28.

1419
01:13:58,278 --> 01:14:01,938
October, we're going to be at Lochmeir, which is near Redington Middle School.

1420
01:14:02,898 --> 01:14:07,158
November is going to be Rocky Road by Indian Purchase, and December's going to be

1421
01:14:07,188 --> 01:14:10,788
Round Mountain in Stanton. So every month, we have volunteers from our Open Space

1422
01:14:10,848 --> 01:14:12,709
Board. They go out and lead public walks.

1423
01:14:13,908 --> 01:14:17,448
We also had a Girl Scout Troop 8440.

1424
01:14:18,348 --> 01:14:22,878
They did a special walk on Sonds, which is Rockville Mills, and that was to

1425
01:14:22,908 --> 01:14:27,678
culminate from a bridge-building project they did as a group.

1426
01:14:27,738 --> 01:14:31,459
So they did a great job. I heard a lot of feedback on how good the bridges were,

1427
01:14:32,148 --> 01:14:35,959
and I think that was a few weeks ago they ran their walk.

1428
01:14:38,478 --> 01:14:42,678
Parks, we're probably going to look at additional work in October when the weather

1429
01:14:42,768 --> 01:14:47,328
turns, if we can do some additional planting on our parks, our trailheads.

1430
01:14:47,388 --> 01:14:52,008
So I'll be talking to Ron Christie probably in two weeks to find out what's in

1431
01:14:52,038 --> 01:14:53,718
store for the fourth quarter.

1432
01:14:55,459 --> 01:15:00,198
I think I mentioned earlier, we're going to be looking at federal funding.

1433
01:15:00,258 --> 01:15:04,848
I'm working on a tranche of money for Federal Highlands in the next week.

1434
01:15:04,938 --> 01:15:09,498
We need to put an application in by next Wednesday, so that way we can allocate

1435
01:15:09,588 --> 01:15:12,078
money for future projects. So that's in the works.

1436
01:15:14,358 --> 01:15:16,248
I've been working with Fish and Wildlife.

1437
01:15:16,338 --> 01:15:17,988
They are putting up cameras

1438
01:15:19,459 --> 01:15:22,459
at various wildlife locations in town.

1439
01:15:22,518 --> 01:15:27,258
So we have current and future wildlife corridors, and we want to track what's

1440
01:15:27,348 --> 01:15:33,228
there. We've had, I think, indications of bobcats on Lazy Brook.

1441
01:15:33,498 --> 01:15:38,463
We've had bobcats up north, and it's not just things like bobcats or bears, but

1442
01:15:38,478 --> 01:15:41,959
it's looking at everything from wood turtles and endangered species.

1443
01:15:42,018 --> 01:15:45,348
So we're going to try to track more of that throughout Redington.

1444
01:15:45,438 --> 01:15:50,988
So that's it for me. Next, Adam Muller, engineering, roads, building and grounds,

1445
01:15:51,049 --> 01:15:55,698
recycling, construction, code enforcement, emergency services, fire official,

1446
01:15:55,968 --> 01:15:56,628
engineer's report.

1447
01:15:58,128 --> 01:16:02,508
DBW, well, we haven't met in about a month because the way our meeting schedule

1448
01:16:02,568 --> 01:16:05,209
worked, and we've had some pretty wild weather over the last month.

1449
01:16:05,223 --> 01:16:10,308
DBW has been doing a great job keeping the roads clear, all the branches down,

1450
01:16:10,698 --> 01:16:14,508
putting up flood gates when needed. So they've done a great job.

1451
01:16:14,568 --> 01:16:17,058
If you see them out and about, please give them wide berth.

1452
01:16:17,088 --> 01:16:20,418
They're also still cutting the grass on the side of the road, so please slow down

1453
01:16:20,478 --> 01:16:22,549
and just be careful.

1454
01:16:25,459 --> 01:16:28,608
White House Fire has a new Facebook page.

1455
01:16:28,698 --> 01:16:31,518
Their old one was hijacked, if any of you followed it.

1456
01:16:33,288 --> 01:16:37,068
But they got a new Facebook page, and they're back, and they post some pretty good

1457
01:16:37,128 --> 01:16:41,598
content on calls and stuff that they go on. So pay attention to that.

1458
01:16:41,628 --> 01:16:44,808
They also took delivery of their new truck.

1459
01:16:45,558 --> 01:16:46,608
I think it's getting

1460
01:16:47,959 --> 01:16:52,608
final-- They brought it back, but now they're getting some final bells and whistles

1461
01:16:52,638 --> 01:16:56,598
put on it, and they're going to be having some kind of little ceremony when they

1462
01:16:56,658 --> 01:16:57,618
get that new engine in.

1463
01:16:58,968 --> 01:17:04,578
So that is great. And last thing on my agenda is hunting starts this

1464
01:17:04,608 --> 01:17:07,158
Saturday, September 12th,

1465
01:17:08,418 --> 01:17:13,848
for fall bow. So pay attention. A lot of our properties are hunted.

1466
01:17:13,968 --> 01:17:18,468
I imagine our social media page and website will be updated with all that

1467
01:17:18,528 --> 01:17:24,288
information. So pay attention. All of our open space properties are still 100%

1468
01:17:24,348 --> 01:17:28,068
available, open. Just wear bright colors and walk around.

1469
01:17:28,128 --> 01:17:29,808
You should not even see a hunter.

1470
01:17:31,098 --> 01:17:32,598
If you see them, they're doing their job.

1471
01:17:33,348 --> 01:17:39,258
So just know that hunting starts this Saturday, and it runs until

1472
01:17:39,438 --> 01:17:40,218
mid-February.

1473
01:17:40,668 --> 01:17:43,638
And the timing during the week for Sundays, there is-

1474
01:17:43,758 --> 01:17:47,328
There's no hunting on Sundays on municipally owned property.

1475
01:17:47,658 --> 01:17:48,018
Okay.

1476
01:17:49,668 --> 01:17:50,388
So, yeah.

1477
01:17:50,898 --> 01:17:55,848
Thank you. Vincent Panico, planning board, zoning, police, traffic safety, finance.

1478
01:17:57,049 --> 01:18:01,683
I think you guys heard a lot about finance tonight, so that we're moving forward,

1479
01:18:01,848 --> 01:18:05,898
kind of unpacking funding sources for the rest of the year.

1480
01:18:06,558 --> 01:18:09,978
We're beginning to look at next year's budget and how that's going to start coming

1481
01:18:10,008 --> 01:18:14,643
together with some of the appropriations that we've basically committed to and what

1482
01:18:14,808 --> 01:18:18,888
appropriation capture will look like. So hopefully, that process gets started soon.

1483
01:18:20,118 --> 01:18:25,848
Planning and zoning have looked at the Block 418 property, but that's all

1484
01:18:25,968 --> 01:18:30,648
been in your packets. On the police side, a couple of things.

1485
01:18:30,799 --> 01:18:34,848
One, the new cars are in. Three of the new cars are in.

1486
01:18:34,908 --> 01:18:37,938
So we have three Tahoes that are sent out for upfit.

1487
01:18:38,598 --> 01:18:42,513
So if you've seen the one Tahoe out on the road, we have three more that are going

1488
01:18:42,513 --> 01:18:45,768
to be similar to that. Likely we'll have a light bar on top.

1489
01:18:45,828 --> 01:18:48,768
That's just a money-saving method right there.

1490
01:18:49,338 --> 01:18:54,258
But they're coming in, and we're waiting on delivery of the Durangos as well

1491
01:18:54,288 --> 01:18:56,748
because we should have some of those on the way.

1492
01:18:57,168 --> 01:19:02,253
As a reminder, school is back in session, so make sure you are abiding by

1493
01:19:03,678 --> 01:19:09,078
the school bus laws. You wouldn't believe how often we get people who run school

1494
01:19:09,108 --> 01:19:13,848
buses. Last year was over 100. There's 180 days in a school year.

1495
01:19:13,968 --> 01:19:15,258
We had over 100 people run

1496
01:19:16,459 --> 01:19:19,038
the school buses. Our school buses are equipped with cameras.

1497
01:19:19,622 --> 01:19:23,238
So just because you don't get stopped in the moment doesn't mean a ticket doesn't

1498
01:19:23,268 --> 01:19:27,288
come in the mail. I will tell you, they take it very seriously.

1499
01:19:28,248 --> 01:19:32,568
Not only do our police department take it seriously, our judge takes it seriously,

1500
01:19:33,018 --> 01:19:36,948
and this entire government body takes it very seriously because it is the safety of

1501
01:19:36,978 --> 01:19:42,108
our students. So if you see a school bus that is orange, don't try to beat it to

1502
01:19:42,198 --> 01:19:46,908
red. It is not like a traffic light. So be mindful of those.

1503
01:19:47,688 --> 01:19:51,273
If you're interested, the police department did post their annual, sorry, their

1504
01:19:51,348 --> 01:19:55,368
monthly statistics that we saw a summer softness.

1505
01:19:55,998 --> 01:20:00,978
So when we look at the kind of calls for duty, when we look at the traffic stops,

1506
01:20:01,308 --> 01:20:05,988
those have been trending in a great direction, especially now that we have a

1507
01:20:06,018 --> 01:20:10,549
traffic enforcement team that's dedicated to the hours when traffic is happening

1508
01:20:10,608 --> 01:20:14,463
most frequently. But like I said, it was August. There was some softness.

1509
01:20:14,508 --> 01:20:17,448
People are on vacation. People are sort of slowing down, taking it easy.

1510
01:20:18,138 --> 01:20:20,778
So we'll see as the trends return here in September.

1511
01:20:21,768 --> 01:20:25,308
Okay, thank you. Next item on the agenda is comments from the public.

1512
01:20:27,678 --> 01:20:28,428
Yes, sir.

1513
01:20:30,318 --> 01:20:31,308
Daniel Dorff,

1514
01:20:33,438 --> 01:20:35,148
1206 Mountain Road,

1515
01:20:36,948 --> 01:20:40,248
Lebanon, which is right down the road, White House-

1516
01:20:40,368 --> 01:20:41,838
We don't need the address.

1517
01:20:42,858 --> 01:20:46,068
Okay, whatever. Either way, I just-

1518
01:20:46,082 --> 01:20:48,258
It's all good. It may be complicated for us because what we have to do is if

1519
01:20:48,318 --> 01:20:51,063
there's certain people that we can't have their address out there.

1520
01:20:51,138 --> 01:20:52,908
Hey, I'm going to make it real simple.

1521
01:20:53,688 --> 01:20:58,698
I just want to say I'm the commander of White House American Legion.

1522
01:20:58,818 --> 01:21:03,858
Our American Legion baseball team won the states, won the regionals.

1523
01:21:04,278 --> 01:21:08,373
We went to the World Series, and I want to thank-

1524
01:21:13,188 --> 01:21:19,128
I want to thank the support that Adam Muller and

1525
01:21:19,218 --> 01:21:20,418
our candidates,

1526
01:21:23,268 --> 01:21:28,038
Eric and Trevor, showed in the state tournament,

1527
01:21:29,209 --> 01:21:34,638
and it's pretty sad that there was no other

1528
01:21:36,858 --> 01:21:42,108
people recognition from the township committee.

1529
01:21:42,198 --> 01:21:43,968
Thank you so much. Have a great night.

1530
01:21:44,718 --> 01:21:49,549
I'll speak to that real quick. There'll be a resolution on the

1531
01:21:50,209 --> 01:21:51,558
agenda.

1532
01:21:52,518 --> 01:21:53,597
Resolution? Confirmation.

1533
01:21:53,808 --> 01:21:59,658
Confirmation, okay. On the agenda to be worked out at the next

1534
01:21:59,688 --> 01:22:00,078
meeting.

1535
01:22:02,148 --> 01:22:06,348
I was away in August when this all happened. I watched all the games.

1536
01:22:06,978 --> 01:22:09,108
My son has a very good friend on the team.

1537
01:22:09,258 --> 01:22:14,209
I know other kids on the team as well, and my son plays for the Flemington American

1538
01:22:14,238 --> 01:22:16,758
Legion team. So certainly rooting for them.

1539
01:22:18,049 --> 01:22:21,828
Paid for the ESPN+ package to watch the games, all that business.

1540
01:22:22,728 --> 01:22:24,438
When I came back, I talked to

1541
01:22:25,818 --> 01:22:30,138
Jim, and he asked me to put together some language that we can include in the

1542
01:22:30,168 --> 01:22:35,718
resolution. Sent that over. There's going to be a presentational, I guess,

1543
01:22:35,959 --> 01:22:38,568
PowerPoint type thing out on the TV there.

1544
01:22:38,808 --> 01:22:41,538
I sent some photos over today for that as well.

1545
01:22:41,628 --> 01:22:44,178
So unfortunately, you didn't hear that, but

1546
01:22:45,528 --> 01:22:47,733
that'll be the next-

1547
01:22:48,468 --> 01:22:51,648
The other thing of that, too, which is pretty interesting, is the starting pitcher

1548
01:22:52,008 --> 01:22:53,538
in the final game was actually from Redington.

1549
01:22:53,598 --> 01:22:56,988
So just because it was the White House American Legion, there were folks from kind

1550
01:22:57,018 --> 01:23:00,063
of the greater White House area. It wasn't like literally limited or confined to

1551
01:23:00,108 --> 01:23:04,038
this town. But the starting pitcher in the final game was from Redington.

1552
01:23:04,068 --> 01:23:05,628
So great work for those kids.

1553
01:23:06,438 --> 01:23:06,738
Thank you.

1554
01:23:08,292 --> 01:23:09,732
Bob Schoenfeld.

1555
01:23:10,992 --> 01:23:16,062
I have a couple of things. This 101 Main Street

1556
01:23:16,332 --> 01:23:17,232
proposal,

1557
01:23:18,522 --> 01:23:24,072
as far as I'm concerned, is not in keeping with rural

1558
01:23:24,612 --> 01:23:30,222
White House Station or White House, as it may be, and that goes

1559
01:23:30,282 --> 01:23:34,452
back as far as my involvement

1560
01:23:36,282 --> 01:23:40,572
in, it was probably 2005,

1561
01:23:42,853 --> 01:23:48,343
when the local rescue squad had acquired the

1562
01:23:48,402 --> 01:23:53,892
funding for a new building since they had outgrown what

1563
01:23:53,982 --> 01:23:59,562
existed, and had still outgrown. But they had

1564
01:23:59,593 --> 01:24:01,032
acquired funding,

1565
01:24:02,712 --> 01:24:08,262
so that it would not cost the township or the residents anything

1566
01:24:08,622 --> 01:24:13,782
to put up a new building. They were refused by the township

1567
01:24:14,292 --> 01:24:19,633
for the reason that the new building was not in

1568
01:24:19,752 --> 01:24:24,642
keeping with the appearance of White House

1569
01:24:25,332 --> 01:24:25,962
Station.

1570
01:24:27,883 --> 01:24:31,722
What is affordable housing going to look like?

1571
01:24:32,712 --> 01:24:33,327
Beautiful.

1572
01:24:34,242 --> 01:24:38,472
Have things changed that much in 20 years?

1573
01:24:40,722 --> 01:24:46,542
And if you look at the fire department, that building

1574
01:24:46,633 --> 01:24:47,442
was new,

1575
01:24:49,152 --> 01:24:55,002
and that was not unsimilar to what the rescue squad

1576
01:24:55,062 --> 01:25:00,792
was proposing. Is that in keeping with White House

1577
01:25:00,883 --> 01:25:06,492
Station historically? No, not in my opinion.

1578
01:25:06,702 --> 01:25:08,052
Or the post office.

1579
01:25:09,582 --> 01:25:14,742
That's what the township committee at that time said

1580
01:25:15,432 --> 01:25:20,292
fit or did not. So what is

1581
01:25:22,542 --> 01:25:28,302
however many unit on the corner, which is where we were also

1582
01:25:28,392 --> 01:25:33,282
at that time looking to relocate the rescue squad.

1583
01:25:35,502 --> 01:25:40,182
But regardless of all that, the bottom line is,

1584
01:25:41,383 --> 01:25:47,052
what is White House Station going to look like with affordable housing

1585
01:25:48,642 --> 01:25:52,272
on Route 22 and Main Street?

1586
01:25:53,682 --> 01:25:58,843
Never mind what it does to the neighbors, the cemetery, the traffic

1587
01:25:59,202 --> 01:25:59,742
flow.

1588
01:26:01,572 --> 01:26:07,272
That's what I meant. I do request in

1589
01:26:07,902 --> 01:26:13,122
the agendas as has been

1590
01:26:13,633 --> 01:26:19,482
done at some point, that addresses be associated with the

1591
01:26:19,603 --> 01:26:21,491
block and lot numbers.

1592
01:26:22,872 --> 01:26:28,572
Half of them on tonight exist there, half don't.

1593
01:26:32,052 --> 01:26:36,252
It's just very difficult to look up the block and lot numbers.

1594
01:26:37,542 --> 01:26:37,872
Okay.

1595
01:26:39,792 --> 01:26:41,292
And

1596
01:26:44,353 --> 01:26:46,722
as far as the

1597
01:26:49,812 --> 01:26:50,862
development

1598
01:26:52,093 --> 01:26:54,343
goes on the corner,

1599
01:26:56,082 --> 01:27:01,603
then if the township has no design to see

1600
01:27:01,662 --> 01:27:06,072
affordable housing in that particular location,

1601
01:27:07,482 --> 01:27:13,272
why don't they then change the zoning back to what it was?

1602
01:27:21,012 --> 01:27:22,843
Can I get a response to that?

1603
01:27:25,662 --> 01:27:25,677
No.

1604
01:27:25,932 --> 01:27:26,502
Just comment.

1605
01:27:27,462 --> 01:27:27,702
Okay.

1606
01:27:28,692 --> 01:27:33,612
Is it possible to do the address? Is that something we can incorporate into future?

1607
01:27:33,672 --> 01:27:38,052
Okay, that's a very good point. We will look to do that, so we have addresses for

1608
01:27:38,202 --> 01:27:40,633
what block, so you can find things easier.

1609
01:27:41,232 --> 01:27:44,832
Appreciated. I've been trying to do that for several years.

1610
01:27:45,312 --> 01:27:45,912
Okay.

1611
01:27:46,542 --> 01:27:47,682
And last

1612
01:27:48,883 --> 01:27:54,417
that I have is regarding the sewers and the increase in the

1613
01:27:54,522 --> 01:28:00,012
bill. Please bear with me because I was not able to

1614
01:28:00,222 --> 01:28:05,997
attend the other meetings. At this point, I ran some figures,

1615
01:28:06,432 --> 01:28:11,802
and my understanding was that last year's sewer deficit was

1616
01:28:11,832 --> 01:28:17,682
$62,000. Well, as near as I can

1617
01:28:17,742 --> 01:28:22,932
tell, we have roughly 6,500 homes

1618
01:28:23,652 --> 01:28:29,472
in Reddington Township. So that $62,000

1619
01:28:30,192 --> 01:28:34,722
comes out to $9.54 per home.

1620
01:28:36,312 --> 01:28:41,742
So the adjustment was roughly, and I know it

1621
01:28:41,862 --> 01:28:46,362
varied, but roughly $220 per household,

1622
01:28:47,682 --> 01:28:50,142
which then said

1623
01:28:52,093 --> 01:28:53,292
it would've been...

1624
01:28:56,832 --> 01:28:57,462
I'm sorry.

1625
01:28:59,532 --> 01:29:02,052
That brings it to

1626
01:29:02,952 --> 01:29:06,972
$1,000,368

1627
01:29:08,202 --> 01:29:10,242
additional being collected,

1628
01:29:12,462 --> 01:29:17,862
minus the $62,000 deficit leaves $1.3

1629
01:29:17,892 --> 01:29:19,062
million.

1630
01:29:20,472 --> 01:29:26,082
Where is that going? Okay, if it's not going to build sewer

1631
01:29:26,442 --> 01:29:26,802
or

1632
01:29:28,272 --> 01:29:33,372
whatever utilities necessary for this affordable housing,

1633
01:29:34,422 --> 01:29:37,331
where is that $1.3 million going?

1634
01:29:38,922 --> 01:29:39,222
Okay.

1635
01:29:40,542 --> 01:29:43,122
I can't answer that, though Vincent did a good job.

1636
01:29:43,572 --> 01:29:48,133
But we have other folks that are more involved in the sewer, so maybe we get a

1637
01:29:48,192 --> 01:29:49,302
comment. But thank you.

1638
01:29:53,292 --> 01:29:56,232
Adam or Jonathan, any comment on

1639
01:29:57,762 --> 01:29:58,962
the increase or something?

1640
01:29:59,383 --> 01:30:05,262
The deficit was much larger than $62,000, and the additional cost is partly

1641
01:30:05,353 --> 01:30:09,732
in anticipation of the additional cost due to our 50-year-old system that is now

1642
01:30:09,942 --> 01:30:14,353
showing wear, and two of the failures we've already had are planned or direct

1643
01:30:14,412 --> 01:30:16,392
result of that, and that's why we're trying to do that.

1644
01:30:16,542 --> 01:30:20,652
But the $62,000 is not the accurate number for the shortage last year.

1645
01:30:20,922 --> 01:30:24,387
And I don't want to get into this whole, we'll respond to some things but not

1646
01:30:24,432 --> 01:30:24,822
others.

1647
01:30:26,532 --> 01:30:26,922
The

1648
01:30:29,292 --> 01:30:35,082
multiplier is incorrect as well because it's not all 6,500 properties

1649
01:30:35,532 --> 01:30:40,122
across Reddington. It's only the ones in the sewer service area that are paying

1650
01:30:40,302 --> 01:30:44,412
based on the sewer credits. So the revenues are significantly less than the numbers

1651
01:30:44,442 --> 01:30:45,027
we have in there.

1652
01:30:45,282 --> 01:30:47,277
Good, thank you.

1653
01:30:47,322 --> 01:30:48,747
I would just like to comment-

1654
01:30:48,822 --> 01:30:49,737
Can I get your name, please?

1655
01:30:49,843 --> 01:30:53,442
Oh, I'm sorry. You going to get all p****d with me if I guess my name?

1656
01:30:53,593 --> 01:30:55,392
No, we can try it. I don't know.

1657
01:30:55,662 --> 01:30:57,042
Betty Anne Fort.

1658
01:30:57,072 --> 01:30:58,302
Thanks, Betty Anne.

1659
01:30:58,452 --> 01:30:58,677
I'm

1660
01:31:00,192 --> 01:31:06,133
troubled by the irony of the gateway to Reddington

1661
01:31:06,252 --> 01:31:12,162
concept because some of the people who are screaming loudest

1662
01:31:12,222 --> 01:31:17,262
about gateway to Reddington were the same people who rezoned the gateway to

1663
01:31:17,292 --> 01:31:22,812
Reddington for fast food restaurants, among other things, after a group of us had

1664
01:31:23,292 --> 01:31:28,002
done a very careful zoning of what would and wouldn't work there.

1665
01:31:28,062 --> 01:31:31,812
And a fast food restaurant was never mentioned on that corner.

1666
01:31:31,872 --> 01:31:32,277
But

1667
01:31:33,672 --> 01:31:38,457
nobody's talking about the other gateway to Reddington, which is on 202.

1668
01:31:39,343 --> 01:31:45,087
And you come up 202 through farmland and widely spread businesses,

1669
01:31:45,462 --> 01:31:51,042
and you come to beautiful farmland and a very cute little red overpriced food

1670
01:31:51,192 --> 01:31:51,582
store,

1671
01:31:53,262 --> 01:31:57,792
and all of that land, and that's a gateway too.

1672
01:31:57,837 --> 01:32:03,087
And that's probably our more beautiful gateway because it has been preserved and

1673
01:32:03,192 --> 01:32:08,322
has been carefully tended to. So along

1674
01:32:08,532 --> 01:32:12,144
22, I think- I think it is a gateway.

1675
01:32:12,234 --> 01:32:14,245
I think it's one that we have to be careful of.

1676
01:32:14,844 --> 01:32:19,824
I, having sat for what seems like about 30 years, but it was probably only about

1677
01:32:19,944 --> 01:32:25,674
eight, on the Affordable Housing Subcommittee, know that it is possible to

1678
01:32:25,704 --> 01:32:28,434
make affordable housing attractive.

1679
01:32:29,334 --> 01:32:32,184
Take, for example, Nelson Street.

1680
01:32:33,384 --> 01:32:39,084
Of course, the committee considers-- We would go through

1681
01:32:39,174 --> 01:32:44,484
presentations from architects and say, "Well, that could work if they just..."

1682
01:32:45,564 --> 01:32:49,495
We became sub-architects in all of this.

1683
01:32:49,614 --> 01:32:55,374
It is possible to make something of that size look attractive, minimize

1684
01:32:55,404 --> 01:33:00,174
some of the traffic craziness, and certainly some that it was zoned for,

1685
01:33:00,894 --> 01:33:06,594
and use the further lot in, make a sort of pocket park with a

1686
01:33:06,624 --> 01:33:11,394
flag, directions to the cemetery and all of that, and make it a very nice

1687
01:33:13,944 --> 01:33:16,704
gateway to Reddington, one that we could all be proud of.

1688
01:33:17,154 --> 01:33:21,294
I don't think we have to yell at people to have discussions.

1689
01:33:22,374 --> 01:33:24,774
And I also think people need to think about

1690
01:33:26,094 --> 01:33:26,574
how

1691
01:33:28,074 --> 01:33:33,564
there are a lot of gateways into Reddington, and we all have an obligation to take

1692
01:33:33,624 --> 01:33:36,294
care of them and make them attractive.

1693
01:33:36,414 --> 01:33:41,754
But I don't think putting 1,400 housing units on

1694
01:33:41,934 --> 01:33:47,064
202 and Pleasant Run Road, where we serve, is not the best way to have a

1695
01:33:47,123 --> 01:33:51,504
gateway into Reddington. Now, those of you who ever drive through

1696
01:33:53,484 --> 01:33:54,354
the golf course

1697
01:33:56,214 --> 01:33:57,294
and drive out,

1698
01:33:58,524 --> 01:34:02,889
I don't know, the road that goes out to Drayhook, past their package treatment

1699
01:34:02,995 --> 01:34:07,104
plant, know that when the wind is blowing wrong, you know it's there, and that's

1700
01:34:07,164 --> 01:34:12,745
nowhere near 1,400 houses. So I'm not wishing on all those people

1701
01:34:13,164 --> 01:34:18,849
who live in my favorite Reddington four-bedroom central hall colonials along all

1702
01:34:18,864 --> 01:34:24,609
those subdivisions along Pleasant Run Road to have to live with that across the

1703
01:34:24,654 --> 01:34:29,634
street from them, and the smell, and the congestion, and all of that. So thank you.

1704
01:34:29,724 --> 01:34:30,864
But the irony is-

1705
01:34:39,774 --> 01:34:44,035
Hi, Renee Bell. I'm speaking as a private citizen. I'm not representing a board.

1706
01:34:44,904 --> 01:34:48,864
I think when it comes to affordable housing, we can all agree on three different

1707
01:34:48,894 --> 01:34:52,854
things. Our assigned 540 units is just too high.

1708
01:34:53,514 --> 01:34:57,714
We all want what's best for Reddington, and the builder's remedy would be the

1709
01:34:57,774 --> 01:34:58,944
worst-case scenario.

1710
01:35:00,774 --> 01:35:03,684
We're months overdue for our affordable housing plan.

1711
01:35:04,134 --> 01:35:08,904
Do our committee members think fighting over these locations make it less or more

1712
01:35:08,964 --> 01:35:12,624
likely that we're going to have lawsuits filed against us?

1713
01:35:13,104 --> 01:35:16,644
And do you think going back and forth between the plans makes it more or less

1714
01:35:16,734 --> 01:35:22,644
likely we end up with builder's remedy? Do we want builder's remedy?

1715
01:35:23,245 --> 01:35:27,594
Maybe some of us do. But let's not play political games with the town.

1716
01:35:29,094 --> 01:35:34,614
I'm also concerned about the Darragh Cemetery near 101 Main Street.

1717
01:35:34,899 --> 01:35:40,194
And I'm wondering if we can require the developer to fence off the cemetery to

1718
01:35:40,224 --> 01:35:41,004
protect it.

1719
01:35:42,474 --> 01:35:44,214
If we could request that.

1720
01:35:46,644 --> 01:35:52,164
And the last thing I want to say is, "Drive My History" on

1721
01:35:52,254 --> 01:35:58,164
PBS actually had an episode, 30 minutes, about Taylor's Mill, and it

1722
01:35:58,224 --> 01:36:02,754
was called "Following the Flower." And if you haven't seen it, I hope you watch it.

1723
01:36:02,995 --> 01:36:06,549
It was fantastic. They did a great job. Thank you.

1724
01:36:06,549 --> 01:36:10,734
There's a presentation on Taylor's Mill at Bones Stickney on the 26th.

1725
01:36:10,794 --> 01:36:11,094
Yes.

1726
01:36:11,304 --> 01:36:12,849
2:00 PM.

1727
01:36:12,984 --> 01:36:14,844
26th, 3:00 PM, correct?

1728
01:36:14,934 --> 01:36:15,564
It's a Saturday.

1729
01:36:15,714 --> 01:36:16,314
I have to check.

1730
01:36:16,344 --> 01:36:19,854
I made a mistake.

1731
01:36:20,274 --> 01:36:20,918
3:00.

1732
01:36:21,144 --> 01:36:21,504
3:00 PM.

1733
01:36:21,684 --> 01:36:23,859
3:00 PM. But the 26th, I think.

1734
01:36:23,874 --> 01:36:26,874
The 26th. Yes, 3:00 PM.

1735
01:36:27,609 --> 01:36:27,609
Right.

1736
01:36:27,654 --> 01:36:32,303
And we'll have more information about that out later. Okay, thank you.

1737
01:36:37,914 --> 01:36:39,053
Yeah.

1738
01:36:39,174 --> 01:36:44,739
Hi, my name is Barbara Nastro. I'm here tonight concerning the situation

1739
01:36:45,264 --> 01:36:51,114
for the families who received letters, 45 letters at random, who live along

1740
01:36:51,174 --> 01:36:57,144
the Pulaski and Solberg Airport area, letting us know that

1741
01:36:59,544 --> 01:37:03,024
our wells could be contaminated by PFAS.

1742
01:37:05,934 --> 01:37:10,734
Mayor, I believe you received a copy of that letter letting you know back on

1743
01:37:10,764 --> 01:37:12,144
Memorial Day weekend?

1744
01:37:13,314 --> 01:37:16,133
I think we all received the same information.

1745
01:37:16,149 --> 01:37:16,794
Mayor, yes.

1746
01:37:17,274 --> 01:37:20,454
Okay, so we are at the point where we need help.

1747
01:37:22,495 --> 01:37:28,254
My husband and I stepped out of the group and we tested our well, and we found out

1748
01:37:28,285 --> 01:37:29,454
that we have PFAS.

1749
01:37:30,745 --> 01:37:35,484
My neighbors, some of them chose to go along with their

1750
01:37:36,474 --> 01:37:42,084
regulation of having the well tested in July, and they still have not

1751
01:37:42,144 --> 01:37:46,944
heard anything from the Department of Environmental Protection.

1752
01:37:48,354 --> 01:37:54,234
I've already applied for the spill fund, and my husband and I still have

1753
01:37:54,264 --> 01:37:59,304
not heard anything from them. So they found out in March

1754
01:38:00,804 --> 01:38:05,574
because a home was sold on Forty Oaks and Solberg Road.

1755
01:38:07,464 --> 01:38:12,234
Many people may not know that in order to sell your house these days, you have to

1756
01:38:12,249 --> 01:38:17,094
have your well tested. They had the well tested, and they found out that they had

1757
01:38:17,124 --> 01:38:17,785
PFAS.

1758
01:38:19,224 --> 01:38:24,444
So what that did was trigger the Department of Environmental Protection to

1759
01:38:25,164 --> 01:38:28,314
find out from other neighbors if they have PFAS.

1760
01:38:29,334 --> 01:38:29,964
For justice.

1761
01:38:30,504 --> 01:38:30,894
Okay.

1762
01:38:31,014 --> 01:38:31,674
Thank you.

1763
01:38:31,854 --> 01:38:32,214
So

1764
01:38:33,444 --> 01:38:39,414
my husband and I paid the $500. We stepped out of the group, and we found out that

1765
01:38:39,504 --> 01:38:40,343
we do have it.

1766
01:38:42,953 --> 01:38:47,724
They're not moving on this, the Department of Environmental Protection, okay?

1767
01:38:48,114 --> 01:38:53,724
So what that means is, I am fortunate enough to have one tap in my

1768
01:38:53,814 --> 01:38:57,624
house that has reverse osmosis, okay?

1769
01:38:57,864 --> 01:39:03,714
You're allowed to take a shower. You can wash your clothes, but they

1770
01:39:03,804 --> 01:39:06,234
highly recommend that you do not drink the water.

1771
01:39:08,004 --> 01:39:13,374
So I have one faucet in my house that has reverse osmosis on it. So what do I do?

1772
01:39:13,495 --> 01:39:17,724
I take it up to the bathrooms of my houses.

1773
01:39:17,844 --> 01:39:23,214
If I have guests, I have to buy bottled water, and I'm very

1774
01:39:23,274 --> 01:39:29,245
vigilant. We have neighbors all around us that have very

1775
01:39:29,274 --> 01:39:33,745
young children in their homes who should be made aware that this could be a

1776
01:39:33,774 --> 01:39:35,664
possibility for them as well.

1777
01:39:37,134 --> 01:39:42,535
And I want to know what the township is doing to-- I know you guys were notified,

1778
01:39:42,654 --> 01:39:44,214
but

1779
01:39:46,374 --> 01:39:47,874
what about that tap?

1780
01:39:47,964 --> 01:39:50,245
Do you know off the top of your head the roads again?

1781
01:39:50,604 --> 01:39:50,995
I'm sorry?

1782
01:39:51,084 --> 01:39:52,434
Do you know off the top of your head the roads?

1783
01:39:52,884 --> 01:39:55,254
Forty Oaks and Solberg Road.

1784
01:39:56,694 --> 01:39:56,709
Thank you.

1785
01:39:56,709 --> 01:39:59,184
The Environmental Committee has been in contact with DEP.

1786
01:39:59,754 --> 01:40:02,874
We are getting exactly the same information you're getting. Nothing.

1787
01:40:03,384 --> 01:40:05,364
We've asked for information. We've asked for follow-up.

1788
01:40:05,394 --> 01:40:09,924
We've asked for them to expand the testing area, and it's crickets.

1789
01:40:10,509 --> 01:40:14,964
So, we've worked with the DEP on other projects. We still have E.

1790
01:40:15,024 --> 01:40:17,124
coli issues on the Rockaway Creek and on

1791
01:40:19,314 --> 01:40:24,504
Lake Hopatcong. The county and the DEP are not interested in working with us on

1792
01:40:24,564 --> 01:40:26,904
that. So I don't have an answer for you.

1793
01:40:27,564 --> 01:40:31,495
I know I had Barbara Bacon Doyle do an article in "The Chronicle" and the tap-in,

1794
01:40:31,644 --> 01:40:33,714
and we were hoping that maybe some publicity would help.

1795
01:40:34,434 --> 01:40:36,804
That may be an avenue that you can pursue.

1796
01:40:37,554 --> 01:40:40,134
The DEP is not required to give us information.

1797
01:40:40,179 --> 01:40:42,745
It's private information based on each individual's home.

1798
01:40:43,374 --> 01:40:46,343
But we would like to get general information that shows what it is.

1799
01:40:46,464 --> 01:40:52,374
The Raritan Headwaters Association has done testing as well, and they found quite a

1800
01:40:52,404 --> 01:40:55,854
bit of PFAS in the Raritan tributary area.

1801
01:40:55,944 --> 01:41:01,794
So it's a problem that I think most people should be proactive like yourself and do

1802
01:41:01,824 --> 01:41:06,729
something. The DEP is not moving on this, and there really isn't any official

1803
01:41:06,804 --> 01:41:10,073
policy from the state as to how they're going to handle this.

1804
01:41:10,194 --> 01:41:11,544
That's not the answer you want to hear, but-

1805
01:41:11,694 --> 01:41:15,910
I don't want to hear that because everybody sitting here, this is a drop in the

1806
01:41:15,954 --> 01:41:18,609
bucket of people that live in this area, and-

1807
01:41:20,880 --> 01:41:24,870
We could all be drinking contaminated water.

1808
01:41:25,050 --> 01:41:27,660
I think that the town should be doing a lot more.

1809
01:41:28,170 --> 01:41:31,590
I'm only getting to the point where I applied for a spill fund.

1810
01:41:32,460 --> 01:41:36,240
Only 45 people at random were selected for this test.

1811
01:41:37,050 --> 01:41:37,350
So,

1812
01:41:39,180 --> 01:41:45,045
the word has to be put out that there's a problem in our town.

1813
01:41:46,320 --> 01:41:49,680
It's not just in our town. It's throughout the state, and quite frankly, throughout

1814
01:41:49,740 --> 01:41:51,840
the country as well. There's a lot of problems-

1815
01:41:51,900 --> 01:41:52,395
Well, I know

1816
01:41:52,395 --> 01:41:53,880
... with PFAS in different locations.

1817
01:41:53,895 --> 01:41:54,856
Can you say that word again? What is it called?

1818
01:41:55,050 --> 01:41:55,650
PFAS.

1819
01:41:56,100 --> 01:41:56,115
PFAS.

1820
01:41:56,115 --> 01:41:57,390
P-F-A-S.

1821
01:41:57,585 --> 01:41:57,585
Oh, yeah.

1822
01:41:57,600 --> 01:42:01,905
It's an acronym for a very long technical name that I could give to you.

1823
01:42:02,356 --> 01:42:06,481
But you should not be drinking the water. You should have your wells tested.

1824
01:42:06,885 --> 01:42:06,885
Sure.

1825
01:42:06,930 --> 01:42:09,735
Everybody should have their well tested to see if you're drinking...

1826
01:42:10,231 --> 01:42:16,170
The standard is, I think it's 0.13, and you should see

1827
01:42:16,260 --> 01:42:19,920
what your levels are for this PFAS in your water.

1828
01:42:20,010 --> 01:42:25,110
We live near Solberg Airport. I live off of Pulaski Road,

1829
01:42:25,951 --> 01:42:30,660
and the contaminated home was on 40 Oaks and also Berg Road.

1830
01:42:31,350 --> 01:42:33,540
And this is another reason why-

1831
01:42:36,406 --> 01:42:39,015
... I'm not for any expansion or whatever.

1832
01:42:39,540 --> 01:42:44,670
The people at the airport need to be monitored for whatever they're using to

1833
01:42:47,610 --> 01:42:52,230
de-ice their planes or whatever they're putting into the system into the soil.

1834
01:42:52,350 --> 01:42:57,420
It's not restricted to this area where I live, but

1835
01:42:58,560 --> 01:43:02,010
I'm very concerned. This is another reason for concern about the airport.

1836
01:43:02,670 --> 01:43:05,610
Reading Township is working with the Raritan Headwaters Association.

1837
01:43:05,670 --> 01:43:09,330
We're having a well testing in October this year.

1838
01:43:09,840 --> 01:43:13,140
You can get the test through Raritan Headwaters or through Reading Township.

1839
01:43:13,201 --> 01:43:14,566
Okay, I just want to say again-

1840
01:43:14,670 --> 01:43:15,660
And free bridges

1841
01:43:15,810 --> 01:43:17,910
... they found the problem in March.

1842
01:43:18,840 --> 01:43:24,255
We received, along with this other test sample of 45 people, in

1843
01:43:24,300 --> 01:43:29,205
Memorial Day weekend. My husband and I immediately did the test.

1844
01:43:29,610 --> 01:43:34,800
We notified them July 2nd. We confirmed that they received

1845
01:43:34,980 --> 01:43:39,570
our application for the spill fund on August 13th.

1846
01:43:40,050 --> 01:43:43,890
It's now September 8th, and

1847
01:43:46,860 --> 01:43:48,540
nothing. I still haven't heard anything.

1848
01:43:49,500 --> 01:43:53,160
We're in our third year of trying to get the DEP to respond to the E.

1849
01:43:53,220 --> 01:43:56,701
coli in the Rockaway Creek, and it's a frustrating process.

1850
01:43:58,531 --> 01:44:01,201
What they keep saying is they don't have the funds to do additional testing.

1851
01:44:01,500 --> 01:44:05,281
They wanted us to test it. We tested it, but it goes outside of our township

1852
01:44:05,310 --> 01:44:07,680
boundaries, and at that point, we're not able to do anything.

1853
01:44:07,740 --> 01:44:10,110
So it is a frustrating process working with the DEP.

1854
01:44:12,901 --> 01:44:13,951
Thank you.

1855
01:44:14,340 --> 01:44:14,941
Okay, thank you.

1856
01:44:15,300 --> 01:44:19,170
350 affordable housing units on Solberg Road aren't going to help the problem

1857
01:44:19,201 --> 01:44:19,620
either.

1858
01:44:20,040 --> 01:44:20,880
That's correct.

1859
01:44:27,240 --> 01:44:32,189
Good evening, Trevor Esell. In regards to your

1860
01:44:34,050 --> 01:44:39,990
ordinance 19 for the 101 Main Street, it says, "To be paid in part from

1861
01:44:40,050 --> 01:44:41,250
township's affordable housing."

1862
01:44:42,720 --> 01:44:44,281
Where does the other part come from?

1863
01:44:44,294 --> 01:44:53,160
Capital.

1864
01:44:53,730 --> 01:44:57,240
I'm disappointed that three members up here tonight

1865
01:44:58,680 --> 01:45:04,050
were trying to pass Block 4, Lot 18, when the three of

1866
01:45:04,740 --> 01:45:05,850
you sat on the board

1867
01:45:07,170 --> 01:45:07,651
when that

1868
01:45:09,451 --> 01:45:15,000
ordinance was passed in 2021. You being the board, the open spaces are,

1869
01:45:16,651 --> 01:45:19,410
you were one of them. You sat there as mayor

1870
01:45:21,000 --> 01:45:24,451
in 2021, and you sat there that whole night until the whole thing, board, that it

1871
01:45:24,480 --> 01:45:25,441
was purchased through

1872
01:45:30,031 --> 01:45:30,989
some other funding.

1873
01:45:32,580 --> 01:45:35,204
But it turns out it was purchased with open space.

1874
01:45:35,250 --> 01:45:38,850
I think what I said was it's not in the open space inventory.

1875
01:45:39,451 --> 01:45:39,600
No.

1876
01:45:39,660 --> 01:45:40,201
It never was.

1877
01:45:40,290 --> 01:45:41,130
That's not what you said.

1878
01:45:41,430 --> 01:45:41,759
What's that?

1879
01:45:41,850 --> 01:45:42,600
That's not what you said.

1880
01:45:44,520 --> 01:45:44,535
Oh, okay.

1881
01:45:44,580 --> 01:45:46,350
Video at 20 minutes.

1882
01:45:46,740 --> 01:45:47,490
I stand corrected.

1883
01:45:47,790 --> 01:45:48,630
No, I'm good.

1884
01:45:49,290 --> 01:45:49,951
We obviously-

1885
01:45:50,010 --> 01:45:51,360
It's very disappointing because we

1886
01:45:52,560 --> 01:45:57,945
believe in developer-funded projects, not taxpayer-funded projects.

1887
01:45:58,050 --> 01:46:01,110
You already raised our taxes pretty substantially,

1888
01:46:02,370 --> 01:46:07,260
and now you're talking about bonding and doing all this and using open space

1889
01:46:07,290 --> 01:46:10,890
funding for these purchases. You knew what you were doing back then.

1890
01:46:12,390 --> 01:46:16,005
So, I know you're not going to be honest, so thank you. Have a good night.

1891
01:46:23,250 --> 01:46:27,330
My name is Lisa Rutell. I want to address some of the points that were discussed,

1892
01:46:28,080 --> 01:46:32,820
mainly concerns regarding bonding using the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for

1893
01:46:32,850 --> 01:46:38,640
affordable housing. And as we are working towards implementing the development of

1894
01:46:38,701 --> 01:46:44,340
100% affordable housing, as well as small-scale developments for special needs

1895
01:46:44,370 --> 01:46:50,191
veterans, senior residents, this is ultimately still the most financially

1896
01:46:50,281 --> 01:46:54,586
responsible approach. Usually, tax credits from the state are used,

1897
01:46:55,170 --> 01:47:00,090
especially in comparison to alternative large inclusionary developments.

1898
01:47:01,080 --> 01:47:07,050
If the inclusionary strategy is used, it would add over 1,000 additional units,

1899
01:47:07,920 --> 01:47:10,906
which would add tremendous long-term recurring expenses.

1900
01:47:11,250 --> 01:47:16,201
There would be tremendous negative impacts in the long run for our taxes,

1901
01:47:16,860 --> 01:47:20,790
roads, schools, and infrastructure. Thank you.

1902
01:47:27,930 --> 01:47:31,845
I'm sorry, but with everything she just mentioned, it's still going to come with

1903
01:47:31,860 --> 01:47:33,300
all these little pocket developments.

1904
01:47:36,300 --> 01:47:39,419
And you're adding kids to the school.

1905
01:47:45,540 --> 01:47:46,124
That was me.

1906
01:47:46,124 --> 01:47:51,060
My name is Tom Orianna. Addressing the Solberg property issue,

1907
01:47:53,191 --> 01:47:57,240
as far as I'm concerned, the property does not appear to meet the criteria for

1908
01:47:57,330 --> 01:47:58,651
affordable housing.

1909
01:48:00,000 --> 01:48:05,191
I did a little bit of research on that, and the given setback requirements of the

1910
01:48:05,220 --> 01:48:06,795
adjoining properties,

1911
01:48:09,360 --> 01:48:12,630
there are building height limitations.

1912
01:48:13,080 --> 01:48:16,800
The number of individual structures needed for 350

1913
01:48:18,211 --> 01:48:22,965
apartments, parking lot location for 350 apartments,

1914
01:48:23,790 --> 01:48:27,961
location of the recreation area, and garbage containers.

1915
01:48:28,441 --> 01:48:34,080
For this to happen, the project would have to encroach into the air safety zone.

1916
01:48:36,300 --> 01:48:41,505
Building in the air safety zone would require approval from the Commissioner of

1917
01:48:41,580 --> 01:48:47,461
Transportation. I doubt any commissioner would ever jeopardize the safety

1918
01:48:48,390 --> 01:48:54,270
of 350 families. I think it's pretty much impossible

1919
01:48:55,050 --> 01:48:56,040
for this approval

1920
01:48:57,720 --> 01:48:58,410
at this site

1921
01:48:59,790 --> 01:49:01,920
to occur. It's not going to happen.

1922
01:49:15,961 --> 01:49:18,330
Hello, again. My name is Anne Rotundo.

1923
01:49:18,480 --> 01:49:22,395
I'm with the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Old White House, General

1924
01:49:22,410 --> 01:49:24,240
Frelinghuysen and Colonel Lowry chapter.

1925
01:49:25,170 --> 01:49:26,490
I just wanted to add that

1926
01:49:27,961 --> 01:49:33,090
obviously we want to do what's best for the cemetery, and whether it's

1927
01:49:34,651 --> 01:49:39,060
a park or whether it's affordable housing there or not affordable housing there,

1928
01:49:40,350 --> 01:49:45,630
if it is chosen to be affordable housing, my question is, it's only

1929
01:49:46,470 --> 01:49:49,336
an acre and a little. I don't even know if it's an acre and a half.

1930
01:49:49,935 --> 01:49:55,920
And if it's that small of a piece of property that can afford 20 units

1931
01:49:56,010 --> 01:50:01,830
of affordable housing, surely in Readington, there's another acre that's

1932
01:50:01,890 --> 01:50:07,380
not next to our historic cemetery, that's not the entrance to or a gateway

1933
01:50:07,560 --> 01:50:12,660
to White House Station, that could be purchased so that it doesn't

1934
01:50:14,040 --> 01:50:16,170
affect our cemetery. Thank you.

1935
01:50:22,608 --> 01:50:23,809
Hi. Al Grotz.

1936
01:50:25,518 --> 01:50:27,319
I have a random question for you, Mr. Mayor.

1937
01:50:27,408 --> 01:50:28,188
So the

1938
01:50:29,508 --> 01:50:35,328
NJ Wildlife, I guess it's the WMA that is on Route 22 westbound,

1939
01:50:35,988 --> 01:50:41,868
which is adjacent to the, I don't know what the block lot is, 3488 maybe

1940
01:50:41,898 --> 01:50:45,768
is probably the number. The sign's no longer there.

1941
01:50:46,488 --> 01:50:50,163
Is there a reason why that wildlife management reserve, that sign always comes up

1942
01:50:50,208 --> 01:50:54,168
and down? Any idea? I'm sure it was under your purview in some capacity.

1943
01:50:54,288 --> 01:50:57,198
No, you would have to check with the state DB.

1944
01:50:57,528 --> 01:50:58,218
Got you. Okay.

1945
01:50:58,309 --> 01:51:02,688
I've done the same where they hadn't signs on the one on the south ranch and

1946
01:51:02,718 --> 01:51:04,368
requested it, and they put a sign up.

1947
01:51:04,458 --> 01:51:04,638
So,

1948
01:51:06,618 --> 01:51:08,988
things like that, let us know and we can follow up.

1949
01:51:09,078 --> 01:51:13,413
Yeah. It's adjacent to the affordable housing complex that you had on the docket,

1950
01:51:13,444 --> 01:51:15,363
so I thought maybe we replaced it.

1951
01:51:15,363 --> 01:51:17,028
You said the sign goes up and down?

1952
01:51:17,388 --> 01:51:20,208
Well, it's there and disappears. I don't know if it's up and down.

1953
01:51:20,823 --> 01:51:20,823
Oh.

1954
01:51:20,868 --> 01:51:21,303
It's literally-

1955
01:51:21,528 --> 01:51:22,098
On and off.

1956
01:51:22,938 --> 01:51:27,438
Yeah. It's happened multiple times in the past several months, so I didn't know if

1957
01:51:27,468 --> 01:51:28,518
something was happening.

1958
01:51:28,549 --> 01:51:28,653
Been a while.

1959
01:51:28,653 --> 01:51:29,328
Very bizarre, yeah.

1960
01:51:29,569 --> 01:51:30,647
We need a quick check, but I-

1961
01:51:32,148 --> 01:51:34,069
It's not there right now. It may be back tomorrow.

1962
01:51:36,379 --> 01:51:41,388
Yeah. So, the only other thing that I would like to make one comment is, it's a

1963
01:51:41,418 --> 01:51:44,508
great sadness that we're here trying to spend an hour and a half,

1964
01:51:46,728 --> 01:51:48,049
debating whether or not

1965
01:51:50,268 --> 01:51:55,983
business uses or small business uses on many of our parcels on Route 22, and zoning

1966
01:51:56,028 --> 01:52:00,888
is a bad thing or a good thing versus affordable housing being a bad thing or a

1967
01:52:00,918 --> 01:52:04,999
good thing on the same parcels, which is kind of a wild sentiment.

1968
01:52:05,178 --> 01:52:11,088
I'm of the perspective that when we have high-value pieces of property on

1969
01:52:11,118 --> 01:52:16,879
Route 22, i.e., literally the epicenter at the junction of our

1970
01:52:16,938 --> 01:52:20,448
business corridor and our small business corridor, that

1971
01:52:22,188 --> 01:52:27,408
debating what could have maybe been there or not via zoning is even a valid

1972
01:52:27,438 --> 01:52:31,278
argument in any capacity. But that affordable housing is somehow a good idea.

1973
01:52:31,368 --> 01:52:32,448
It

1974
01:52:34,728 --> 01:52:36,438
boggles my mind that we're in this place.

1975
01:52:36,528 --> 01:52:36,708
So,

1976
01:52:38,299 --> 01:52:44,238
I would hope that on a go-forward basis, we understand the value in growing

1977
01:52:44,268 --> 01:52:47,718
and aiding the business community up and down that stretch, because it's the only

1978
01:52:47,749 --> 01:52:53,343
stretch we really have. And every time in those meetings, it's like, it's just

1979
01:52:53,508 --> 01:52:58,684
no business bad, even if it's the rejuvenation of an existing structure, and it's

1980
01:52:58,758 --> 01:53:02,809
always bad right up until the moment that we want to put affordable housing.

1981
01:53:03,168 --> 01:53:07,624
At which point, we can always make an argument why, and it won't be that bad, and

1982
01:53:07,624 --> 01:53:13,008
it will just be, and it's a sorry state of affairs when we can't find the middle

1983
01:53:13,038 --> 01:53:16,038
ground and do the right thing early on, because then those properties could have

1984
01:53:16,069 --> 01:53:20,073
been rehabbed and rejuvenated and be nice now, and we wouldn't be having an

1985
01:53:20,073 --> 01:53:25,428
affordable housing conversation because there'd be some net valuable goods and/or

1986
01:53:25,488 --> 01:53:29,629
services being rendered to the community by the community in the same spots versus

1987
01:53:30,438 --> 01:53:33,948
importing rental units, which is effectively what we're going to do.

1988
01:53:34,098 --> 01:53:39,093
So, I would hope that the next few properties we can discuss on the corridor are

1989
01:53:39,138 --> 01:53:43,713
for net positive small business growth, not affordable housing complexes that we've

1990
01:53:43,728 --> 01:53:45,258
got to pay for. So, thank you.

1991
01:53:55,038 --> 01:53:56,958
All right. I'm just going to say this because-

1992
01:53:57,408 --> 01:53:57,513
Sorry.

1993
01:53:57,513 --> 01:54:02,388
Sorry, go along. Reddington. I'm just going to say this because it's driving me up

1994
01:54:02,418 --> 01:54:02,809
the wall.

1995
01:54:04,428 --> 01:54:08,598
No matter what, we have the affordable housing requirement.

1996
01:54:09,108 --> 01:54:12,828
No matter what, we have to deal with this requirement.

1997
01:54:12,918 --> 01:54:17,059
At minimum, 378 units or 504 credits.

1998
01:54:18,228 --> 01:54:24,153
We have to put it somewhere. Okay? I'm really, really worried that all of this

1999
01:54:24,198 --> 01:54:29,043
back and forth is just going to get us to builder's remedy, and then the first

2000
01:54:29,088 --> 01:54:34,593
developer that goes to the state and says they're not putting a plan in action is

2001
01:54:34,638 --> 01:54:37,638
going to get to do whatever they want.

2002
01:54:39,438 --> 01:54:45,258
Whether it's 1,400-plus units on 202 or who knows

2003
01:54:45,288 --> 01:54:47,868
what on the north part of Reddington.

2004
01:54:49,188 --> 01:54:54,948
It's over a year overdue. Can we please come together and make a

2005
01:54:55,038 --> 01:55:00,678
plan that is actually viable? Not lots that you know won't work,

2006
01:55:01,098 --> 01:55:06,828
that a state will never approve, and not some massive property

2007
01:55:06,948 --> 01:55:11,208
that will raise the total number of units in

2008
01:55:13,008 --> 01:55:18,828
the town over 20%. 20%. It's actually more than

2009
01:55:18,978 --> 01:55:24,918
21%. So, can we all please agree that builder's remedy ain't the thing?

2010
01:55:25,819 --> 01:55:26,178
Thank you.

2011
01:55:35,718 --> 01:55:39,138
Yeah, I'm Jim Horvik. I live at Pleasant Road. Can you see that Horvik?

2012
01:55:39,468 --> 01:55:43,398
I live on Pleasant Road. And Pleasant Road is a very country road.

2013
01:55:44,569 --> 01:55:48,228
Nice homes, trees, a babbling brook.

2014
01:55:49,458 --> 01:55:55,218
And I can't envision the township is going to, at the beginning of Hogan Road or

2015
01:55:55,249 --> 01:56:00,768
Headington, Craig Road, are going to permit massive buildings,

2016
01:56:00,888 --> 01:56:05,778
four stories high, through the fields of this 370 acres.

2017
01:56:06,768 --> 01:56:12,633
It's going to be such an eyesore, not counting the drain on our resources, that

2018
01:56:12,648 --> 01:56:18,108
the water table may drop. Well, my well will go dry because they're tapping

2019
01:56:18,379 --> 01:56:24,228
300,000 gallons a day for 1,400 units, and there's no sewer.

2020
01:56:24,528 --> 01:56:29,208
So, where is the sewer going to go? You're going to put it in the ground, so people

2021
01:56:29,238 --> 01:56:32,749
will just flush the toilet and put Clorox in there.

2022
01:56:32,809 --> 01:56:34,999
They don't care if there's bacteria in the

2023
01:56:36,978 --> 01:56:42,768
system. Then they use Drano. People who have serious septic systems,

2024
01:56:43,098 --> 01:56:48,108
we don't do those things because you need bacteria to keep the system healthy.

2025
01:56:48,438 --> 01:56:51,678
These people, 1,400, they're going to say, "It's not my problem.

2026
01:56:52,069 --> 01:56:56,523
I'm going to clean my drain." And they're going to put Drano and Clorox, and it's

2027
01:56:56,538 --> 01:57:00,948
going to foul up the septic systems, and then it's going to leach into the soil,

2028
01:57:01,278 --> 01:57:04,549
and it's going to go into our wells that we all live around there.

2029
01:57:05,749 --> 01:57:09,078
We are the same. I've been there for 45 years.

2030
01:57:10,218 --> 01:57:14,299
I've been a police officer of Reddington for 31 years. I retired here.

2031
01:57:15,108 --> 01:57:20,688
I love this place, and I can't envision this massive wall of

2032
01:57:20,749 --> 01:57:24,168
buildings on Pleasant Road. It just doesn't belong there.

2033
01:57:26,208 --> 01:57:28,968
That's what I think.

2034
01:57:46,338 --> 01:57:46,518
Okay.

2035
01:57:46,578 --> 01:57:49,218
If you all come from this area, you know the road-

2036
01:57:49,249 --> 01:57:50,103
What was your name, please?

2037
01:57:50,118 --> 01:57:50,988
Marian Horvik.

2038
01:57:51,543 --> 01:57:51,543
Okay.

2039
01:57:51,588 --> 01:57:52,819
Yeah.

2040
01:57:55,309 --> 01:58:01,218
Do you know Craig Road, everyone? Can you see 3,000 people going down that little

2041
01:58:01,278 --> 01:58:06,708
bridge? We can't even do it now. We have to stop and

2042
01:58:07,188 --> 01:58:12,858
take turns. How is this even envisioned in everyone's mind?

2043
01:58:13,908 --> 01:58:19,728
The traffic pattern. The motorcycles come from the top of the hill,

2044
01:58:19,788 --> 01:58:24,408
zoom down, and come from that side, from Craig Road, and go the other way.

2045
01:58:25,608 --> 01:58:29,598
The traffic there, we can't even get on the highway now as it is.

2046
01:58:32,208 --> 01:58:36,004
If each 1,400, you're going to figure a spouse,

2047
01:58:37,458 --> 01:58:39,918
so we double that, children driving.

2048
01:58:41,072 --> 01:58:44,088
The whole area would just be destroyed.

2049
01:58:45,379 --> 01:58:48,828
Totally destroyed. And I don't think Reddington

2050
01:58:50,118 --> 01:58:53,988
is really what you started it as.

2051
01:58:55,309 --> 01:58:58,638
A beautiful country area that we came to live here for.

2052
01:59:07,218 --> 01:59:10,549
All right. I never was going to stand up in here, but I grew up on Craig Road,

2053
01:59:10,638 --> 01:59:12,528
which anybody really wants to know history.

2054
01:59:12,708 --> 01:59:14,043
If you recognize me-

2055
01:59:14,059 --> 01:59:15,258
Could you give your name for the record?

2056
01:59:15,708 --> 01:59:16,368
Mark Hanna.

2057
01:59:16,458 --> 01:59:17,434
Thanks, Mark.

2058
01:59:17,478 --> 01:59:21,513
And it used to be Moon Road. And when they did change that, when she's talking

2059
01:59:21,528 --> 01:59:25,428
about traffic, anybody who lives on there knows how kind of shaky that bridge is.

2060
01:59:25,999 --> 01:59:30,603
And I still try to farm on there, but Reddington Township, over the years, has

2061
01:59:30,708 --> 01:59:34,578
kicked all the farmers out of this town. Let's face it.

2062
01:59:34,788 --> 01:59:38,148
It used to be a farm country. It's not anymore. And it's just going to be more.

2063
01:59:38,238 --> 01:59:39,978
When I was young, it always used to be farm there.

2064
01:59:40,129 --> 01:59:43,129
It was a pond, a big horse farm, and cows.

2065
01:59:43,549 --> 01:59:46,488
We got to do something, maybe, but it doesn't need to be there.

2066
01:59:46,549 --> 01:59:51,828
And I still try to drive a tractor on Craig Road once in a while,

2067
01:59:52,833 --> 01:59:56,868
and the traffic's terrible. People are stupid. I'm not going to lie.

2068
01:59:56,928 --> 02:00:01,518
I agree with you 100% the way people are, but I didn't like the way you were kind

2069
02:00:01,549 --> 02:00:05,268
of making faces to want somebody up here or that. I don't go for that.

2070
02:00:05,299 --> 02:00:06,499
But getting back

2071
02:00:07,255 --> 02:00:10,104
Maybe we need this somewhere. It doesn't need to be there.

2072
02:00:10,224 --> 02:00:16,104
What about out in your parkland on maybe a two-way up to over at Colin Sons?

2073
02:00:16,255 --> 02:00:20,229
He owns all that land everywhere, and if anybody knows the history of this guy,

2074
02:00:20,575 --> 02:00:22,524
look him up, what a kind of landlord he was.

2075
02:00:23,214 --> 02:00:27,894
I have a little bit of background with that, and I won't even go there.

2076
02:00:28,224 --> 02:00:30,834
So, all right? God bless you, country.

2077
02:00:37,104 --> 02:00:40,854
Hi. Lisa Mossy. I live on Craig Road, too.

2078
02:00:41,664 --> 02:00:47,005
I've only been there for eight years, and for the past 15 months, we have a little

2079
02:00:47,064 --> 02:00:52,944
farm, about 12 acres. I was arguing back and forth with the zoning person,

2080
02:00:53,034 --> 02:00:58,434
my favorite person, for a 10 by 12 farm stand that they were having trouble

2081
02:00:58,974 --> 02:01:04,749
at the end of my driveway with. I have hundreds of people going to my little

2082
02:01:04,854 --> 02:01:10,194
farm stand, little kids, big kids, old people, teenagers,

2083
02:01:10,705 --> 02:01:13,015
buying little things at that farm stand.

2084
02:01:13,674 --> 02:01:19,194
The speed limit's 30 miles an hour, but a lot of people go faster than that.

2085
02:01:19,255 --> 02:01:24,624
But I'm here for the first time looking at the politics up here, and I don't like

2086
02:01:24,714 --> 02:01:29,274
it. I moved here to Reddington. I was a nurse for 30 years.

2087
02:01:29,544 --> 02:01:35,094
I love this little farm. We planted 4,000 berries, peach trees, grapes, everything,

2088
02:01:35,544 --> 02:01:39,909
and I love the farm. I love seeing Mark on his tractor.

2089
02:01:40,450 --> 02:01:43,255
People try to run over my husband on his tractor.

2090
02:01:43,854 --> 02:01:48,174
You can't have 1,400 units at the end of Craig Road. You can't do it.

2091
02:01:48,564 --> 02:01:54,325
Every month, someone gets into an accident on that little bridge head-on

2092
02:01:55,075 --> 02:01:56,874
because they play chicken on that road.

2093
02:01:57,294 --> 02:02:03,174
You can't have an additional 1,400 units with God knows how many people

2094
02:02:03,294 --> 02:02:07,223
on that road. I don't care how you do it. You can't do it.

2095
02:02:07,464 --> 02:02:09,864
So I don't know what the politics are.

2096
02:02:10,104 --> 02:02:15,414
I don't know how this decision gets made, but we have to have more people

2097
02:02:16,524 --> 02:02:20,844
in on the whole thing, just like the block and lot and the address.

2098
02:02:20,904 --> 02:02:25,794
That's all important for people to understand the process of this whole thing.

2099
02:02:26,274 --> 02:02:31,794
So I'm going to be sitting back and watching this, but I hope everybody else has

2100
02:02:31,854 --> 02:02:36,894
something to say about that. You can't do that. You just can't.

2101
02:02:45,834 --> 02:02:48,924
Okay. Any comments from the-- Oh.

2102
02:02:52,914 --> 02:02:56,724
My name's Connie Merchant. I promised my husband I wasn't going to say anything

2103
02:02:56,784 --> 02:02:57,205
tonight-

2104
02:02:58,914 --> 02:02:59,784
... but I'm fired up.

2105
02:03:01,825 --> 02:03:02,245
And

2106
02:03:03,444 --> 02:03:09,054
we've lived here 38 years, so we're not rookies to Reddington, and we've lived

2107
02:03:09,114 --> 02:03:14,904
here. We love living here. We live not far from off of Pleasant Run Road.

2108
02:03:15,444 --> 02:03:21,114
The idea of putting in that number of units on that

2109
02:03:21,174 --> 02:03:26,515
location is ridiculous on multiple levels.

2110
02:03:26,575 --> 02:03:27,534
Environmentally,

2111
02:03:29,424 --> 02:03:30,265
economically,

2112
02:03:31,495 --> 02:03:35,094
socially, it's wrong for Reddington.

2113
02:03:36,234 --> 02:03:41,755
And I will say this, if people are so riled up about

2114
02:03:41,814 --> 02:03:47,455
affordable housing, get figured out how you can address it at the

2115
02:03:47,604 --> 02:03:48,414
state level.

2116
02:03:49,644 --> 02:03:55,044
The town has to do what it's been mandated at the state level.

2117
02:03:55,344 --> 02:04:01,044
If you hate it, get busy telling your state legislators, if you can

2118
02:04:01,134 --> 02:04:05,604
find them all, that you don't want this.

2119
02:04:07,374 --> 02:04:10,705
There's also an undercurrent that makes me a little embarrassed,

2120
02:04:12,054 --> 02:04:16,825
an undercurrent of, "We don't want them," whoever them is.

2121
02:04:17,634 --> 02:04:22,495
Anybody who has aging parents or 30-year-old kids who still have to live at home

2122
02:04:22,554 --> 02:04:27,864
because they can't afford to live in Reddington know we have an affordable housing

2123
02:04:27,984 --> 02:04:31,614
crisis in Hunterdon County and all over New Jersey.

2124
02:04:32,274 --> 02:04:35,575
So let's figure out how to deal with that at the upper levels.

2125
02:04:35,964 --> 02:04:41,214
Here in Reddington, people come here and stay here because of the quality of life.

2126
02:04:42,174 --> 02:04:47,634
We are bound to do something that the state has required, but the

2127
02:04:47,844 --> 02:04:51,594
solution on Pleasant Run Road is ridiculous.

2128
02:05:01,944 --> 02:05:05,964
Okay, I'll close there and just ask if there's comments from the governing body.

2129
02:05:06,474 --> 02:05:09,144
Yes, Mr. Mayor, there's a couple of items I forgot to mention before.

2130
02:05:09,834 --> 02:05:15,714
On Sunday the 13th, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the 1776 Hooked Rug Exhibit and a visit

2131
02:05:15,745 --> 02:05:20,575
with Soldier Deborah Sampson will be sponsored at the Bowman's Pickney Farm by the

2132
02:05:20,634 --> 02:05:25,299
Museums Committee. And once again, the 3:00 PM at the Bowman's Pickney, the

2133
02:05:25,344 --> 02:05:30,024
Taylor's Mill, the mill that fed Washington's troops will be displayed on the 26th.

2134
02:05:30,444 --> 02:05:35,874
And also on October 24th at 11:00 AM will be the Liberty Pole

2135
02:05:35,995 --> 02:05:37,584
celebration in Reddington Township.

2136
02:05:38,124 --> 02:05:42,205
I hope we get a strong turnout for that, celebrating our 250th anniversary.

2137
02:05:47,738 --> 02:05:47,738
Good.

2138
02:05:47,814 --> 02:05:52,344
We might not all agree, but I appreciate everyone showing up and listening.

2139
02:05:52,434 --> 02:05:55,255
That is the best way to get involved and stay informed.

2140
02:05:56,334 --> 02:05:59,094
That said, with affordable housing, we have two options.

2141
02:06:00,354 --> 02:06:04,359
Either the taxpayer is going to pay for it or a developer's going to pay for it.

2142
02:06:04,359 --> 02:06:08,484
Pay to play. That is what this entire conversation is about.

2143
02:06:10,044 --> 02:06:11,995
That is not true.

2144
02:06:12,294 --> 02:06:12,309
Okay.

2145
02:06:12,834 --> 02:06:13,809
The taxpayer's going to pay no matter what.

2146
02:06:13,809 --> 02:06:15,114
We can't do a back and forth shout-

2147
02:06:15,158 --> 02:06:16,255
You know what? You're smart.

2148
02:06:16,314 --> 02:06:18,024
Because we can't do a back and forth shout-

2149
02:06:18,624 --> 02:06:18,640
Because nobody-

2150
02:06:18,640 --> 02:06:19,705
We can't do a shout.

2151
02:06:19,825 --> 02:06:20,634
You're smart.

2152
02:06:20,724 --> 02:06:21,594
We can't shout.

2153
02:06:22,314 --> 02:06:23,469
Let's finish with John.

2154
02:06:23,515 --> 02:06:27,955
It's still my time. So I would also like to say, we've got a lot from Craig Road,

2155
02:06:28,075 --> 02:06:29,245
so that's great.

2156
02:06:30,594 --> 02:06:34,659
You should listen to the residents on the north side of town, where all affordable

2157
02:06:34,674 --> 02:06:39,624
housing has been shoved, with the exception of Three Bridges. Okay?

2158
02:06:40,434 --> 02:06:45,325
It's all being shoved on Route 22. Okay? It is.

2159
02:06:45,894 --> 02:06:49,554
And it's all being shoved-- and there's a second development proposed in Three

2160
02:06:49,644 --> 02:06:52,344
Bridges. You probably don't know that yet, right?

2161
02:06:52,614 --> 02:06:55,734
There's a second development proposed in Three Bridges right next to the other one.

2162
02:06:56,755 --> 02:07:02,064
So I understand, not in my backyard. I understand. Trust me, I get it.

2163
02:07:02,784 --> 02:07:03,054
But

2164
02:07:06,294 --> 02:07:09,804
I appreciate you all showing up and speaking your mind. It's that simple.

2165
02:07:09,955 --> 02:07:13,224
Ultimately, the courts are going to decide, and we are quickly down a path to

2166
02:07:14,664 --> 02:07:16,929
having the judge decide this for us. So.

2167
02:07:17,424 --> 02:07:18,413
Vinnie?

2168
02:07:18,564 --> 02:07:20,784
I have nothing more to say, sir. Just pretty much done.

2169
02:07:21,654 --> 02:07:21,669
Okay.

2170
02:07:21,684 --> 02:07:22,914
All right, I've got one comment.

2171
02:07:24,174 --> 02:07:26,890
I would agree with most of you, and I-

2172
02:07:27,354 --> 02:07:32,349
Guys, can we please stop with the back-and-forth conversation? Thank you.

2173
02:07:32,634 --> 02:07:36,339
Thank you. I would agree, I think most of us are opposed to affordable housing the

2174
02:07:36,354 --> 02:07:39,294
way the state of New Jersey is imposed on townships.

2175
02:07:40,344 --> 02:07:42,294
This is my third stint as mayor.

2176
02:07:43,944 --> 02:07:47,245
Did I want to be mayor during a year where we have to deal with affordable housing?

2177
02:07:47,304 --> 02:07:51,384
No. My day job is preserving land, farms, and open space.

2178
02:07:52,015 --> 02:07:57,294
By the next two weeks, I think I've got about 600 acres of land

2179
02:07:57,354 --> 02:08:01,075
preserved over eight years. That's what I spend my time doing.

2180
02:08:01,495 --> 02:08:04,075
So like all of us, we're really opposed to this.

2181
02:08:05,005 --> 02:08:09,774
I'm opposed to the fact that the State of New Jersey exempts urban areas from

2182
02:08:09,834 --> 02:08:15,654
affordable housing, and they move it into suburban areas or wherever they think

2183
02:08:15,684 --> 02:08:20,634
appropriate. It's just not fair. We're still fighting the 504 number that was given

2184
02:08:20,664 --> 02:08:25,374
to us a year and a half ago. I think we're on appeal. We don't like that number.

2185
02:08:25,464 --> 02:08:31,015
We don't like that many units. So this is like we're all in it together, and we're

2186
02:08:31,044 --> 02:08:36,444
trying to work out the best we can, and hopefully, we can continue and have a

2187
02:08:37,224 --> 02:08:43,164
small-scale footprint and not have all the consequences of traffic,

2188
02:08:44,334 --> 02:08:49,464
services, all the things that are negative, I think we're all in agreement on.

2189
02:08:49,524 --> 02:08:53,484
This is not what we want, but it's very hard to fight the state of New Jersey.

2190
02:08:53,664 --> 02:08:55,404
So I think Connie's comment about

2191
02:08:56,874 --> 02:09:02,349
that's where the ultimate responsibility lies, it's with the state, and we're

2192
02:09:02,364 --> 02:09:06,384
trying to implement something as best we can from our different perspectives.

2193
02:09:06,444 --> 02:09:10,344
So I agree with that, and I appreciate everybody's engagement.

2194
02:09:10,794 --> 02:09:13,075
This is not an easy thing. So

2195
02:09:14,424 --> 02:09:16,524
thank you very much. And one more last thing.

2196
02:09:16,584 --> 02:09:21,505
There was a township town hall that occurred on March 30th.

2197
02:09:21,894 --> 02:09:27,714
So for people that are new to this topic, we had our professionals, planner, and

2198
02:09:27,804 --> 02:09:33,444
affordable housing attorney do about a one-hour briefing on the mechanics of what

2199
02:09:33,505 --> 02:09:38,934
this is, how it works, the whole process, and they laid it out in about 45 minutes.

2200
02:09:39,564 --> 02:09:44,424
It's on tape, it's on video. I think you could take a look at it, and that might be

2201
02:09:44,455 --> 02:09:48,265
a way to educate you and neighbors about what we're facing.

2202
02:09:48,684 --> 02:09:52,944
So that was March 30th of this year. So anyway, with that, I'll close.

2203
02:09:53,034 --> 02:09:54,864
I want to thank you all for participating.

2204
02:09:55,164 --> 02:09:55,884
Motion to adjourn.

2205
02:09:56,034 --> 02:09:56,455
Second.

2206
02:09:56,934 --> 02:09:57,505
All in favor?

2207
02:09:57,624 --> 02:09:58,163
Aye.

2208
02:09:58,194 --> 02:09:59,184
Thank you.