1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,600 I pledge allegiance to the Republic for which it stands, one 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:12,360 nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 3 00:00:13,100 --> 00:00:17,520 » [clears throat] >> A moment of silence to remember the 4 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:20,720 service and sacrifices of the armed service members who protect our nation 5 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:23,320 and the first responders who protect our neighborhoods. 6 00:00:29,475 --> 00:00:34,560 » [snorts] >> Council 7 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,680 Council member Salberg. Here. Council member Wojtowicz. 8 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:39,840 » Here. Council member Freelander. Here. 9 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:44,600 Council member Royack. >> Here. Council member Fureyday. Here. 10 00:00:42,480 --> 00:00:47,440 Council member Quinn. Here. Council member Kelly. Here. Council Vice 11 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:52,280 President Sackett. >> Here. Council President Morrison. Here. 12 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:55,400 Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the Daily Record and the 13 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:58,280 official newspapers for the Township of Rockaway. Notice was posted on the 14 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:02,280 official bulletin board of Rockaway Township, Township website. And notice 15 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:05,440 was filed in the office of the Township Clerk. 16 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:08,520 Approval of the minutes from the March 10th Township Council meeting. Can I 17 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:12,280 have a motion? So moved. Second. 18 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:14,120 Clerk, please take the roll. Council member Salberg. 19 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:18,120 » Yes. Council member Wojtowicz. 20 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:22,200 » Yes. Council member Freelander. Yes. Council member Royack. Yes. Council 21 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:26,800 member Fureyday. Yes. Council member Quinn. Yes. Council member Kelly. No. 22 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:31,560 Council Vice President Sackett. Yes. Council President Morrison. Yes. Eight 23 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:35,720 yeses, one no, motion carried. We are going to do the open to the 24 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:35,720 public portion. 25 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,880 Before opening the public portion of this meeting, I want to remind everyone 26 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:44,360 of the rules that apply to anyone who wants to address the Council. Any member 27 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:47,920 of the public wishing to address the Council will have 3 minutes to do so. 28 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:52,000 While an extension of time may be requested, it should not be assumed that 29 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:55,360 an extension of time will be granted. While addressing the Council, Council 30 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:58,880 members of the public may not address or question any 31 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:01,560 individual Council member. If anyone addressing the Council violates these 32 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:04,520 rules or conducts themselves inappropriately, their speaking 33 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:08,640 opportunity will be terminated and they will be instructed to return to their 34 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:12,000 seat. A refusal to comply will result in a removal from the room. 35 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:15,200 Members of the public in attendance may not make comments from the audience 36 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:18,920 without recognition by the chair. Persons doing so will be subject to 37 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:21,920 removal from the room. As Council President, I have tremendous 38 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:25,200 respect for my fellow Council members and the public who take the time and 39 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:28,640 effort to attend Council meetings. These rules are necessary to protect and 40 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:31,960 respect, but also to permit the Council to do its business in an orderly and 41 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:35,120 professional manner. As a reminder, when you come up to the 42 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:41,080 microphone, uh please state your name and address for the record. And there is 43 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,080 a 3-minute time limit. 44 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,000 Michael Alardi. 45 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:55,120 Michael Alardi, 19 Westbrook side drive. I see um 02613 on the agenda for um 46 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:59,360 salaries. There's several minimum salaries that are below these New Jersey 47 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:02,480 minimum wage. I don't know if that's an oversight or if there is a reason for 48 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:07,360 that. Um also, there's lots of rocks and stuff 49 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:12,160 on Mount Hope Ave and on the interchanges of Route 80. 50 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:16,360 I I know they have a street sweeper that they come down and do it, but they don't 51 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:20,080 do it often enough and they're either overloading the trucks or not cleaning 52 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:24,960 off the trucks when they get loaded because it's any day you go down that 53 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:29,800 road or on and off of Route 80 off of Mount Hope, there's rocks everywhere. 54 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:33,040 Uh there's also a ton of dirt in the air. I don't know if anyone looks at 55 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:37,440 their car in the morning, but I don't know if it's from Tilcon or 56 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:40,960 from Picatinny, but especially if there's a little 57 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:44,240 drizzle overnight, the cars are filthy with dirt. 58 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:47,720 So, when they do their blasting, I don't know if they're not 59 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:51,360 wetting it down or keeping the dust down, but if something could be looked 60 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:54,280 into for that, cuz I know people's houses are filthy and the cars are 61 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:57,640 filthy every morning. You can wash your car the night before and they're filthy 62 00:03:56,160 --> 00:04:01,680 in the morning. Also, I know there was a request for 63 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:05,040 Council reports to be handed in prior to the meeting and I see there's three 64 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:11,080 included tonight. Um if something comes up from the public 65 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:15,080 or during discussion that a Councilman would want to address during their 66 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:18,840 report, I'm assuming that can't happen until the next meeting now because the 67 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:21,760 report needs to be handed in. But there are sometimes things get 68 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:25,360 brought up that would be nice to get an answer during somebody's report if we 69 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:28,920 could. Thank you. Thank you. 70 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:31,120 Mr. Alardi, was that Mount Hope Ave? Was that Mount Just Mount Hope Ave with 71 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:36,320 the rocks and everything you were talking about? 72 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:36,320 All right. Mr. Wikilski. 73 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:44,400 Eric [clears throat] Wikilski, 120 Richard Street. 74 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:50,760 I'm missing a hearing here, but I think Mike just mentioned one of the things 75 00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:54,640 that I wanted to discuss and that is the public portion of the meeting right 76 00:04:53,280 --> 00:04:59,400 now is at the beginning of the meeting. So, 77 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:03,760 anything that transpires afterwards through your input, 78 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:08,560 it gets deferred by the public, any questions they have, 79 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:13,000 2 weeks down the road, if not further. And so, I'm just wondering if there's an 80 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:17,000 opportunity and if not, why we couldn't bring that open to the 81 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:20,400 public back to the end of the meeting, which 82 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:26,000 I think it used to be that way. And I think that's pretty common 83 00:05:21,840 --> 00:05:26,000 practice in other municipalities. 84 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:34,480 Um code enforcement, 85 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:40,160 that a situation, many situations on my street in Richard Richard Street, there 86 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:45,520 are issues there, most recently behind your house, Susan, uh pole barn or 87 00:05:43,840 --> 00:05:49,160 whatever it was called, still in violation. I think there was going to be 88 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:56,040 uh something issued, but if not, 89 00:05:52,080 --> 00:06:02,160 that pole barn was to be taken down and as of today, it's still standing there. 90 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:06,640 So, I don't know what kind of protocol code enforcement has on something like 91 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:11,280 that. I certainly would like to understand 92 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:14,360 that a little little better. Um 93 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:18,640 I apologize, I missed the budget meeting, but I did watch it. 94 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:22,760 Um and correct me if I'm wrong, one of the 95 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:26,760 things that was spoke talked about was the reserve fund and how important that 96 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:33,000 is to cover things like snow storms and the 97 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:37,560 associated expenses with that, um 98 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:43,200 manpower, materials and so forth. And then fast forward to the PD section, 99 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:49,440 I think there was 300 some odd thousand of overtime allocated. 100 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:53,720 And this is the part I don't know, is any portion of that overtime 101 00:06:52,840 --> 00:06:58,760 that's accrued during storms and events like 102 00:06:56,120 --> 00:07:03,840 that, is that part of what the reserve fund is for? And if it is, 103 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:09,480 then should we be reducing that line item on the overtime? 104 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:13,280 Um the last item that's been frustrating for me for a while, 105 00:07:12,304 --> 00:07:17,680 » [clears throat] >> I had 106 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:22,400 opportunities last year to call in to both engineering 107 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:27,240 and um to the CFO. And I learned at that time 108 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:35,040 that when when you're when you the the voicemail clicks on, all you get 109 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:35,040 is you've reached extension 2102. 110 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:43,640 So, I would leave a message who I am, uh misses a message for so-and-so. 111 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:48,040 Um I had some conversation with that. I'm sorry. If I can just finish. 112 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:52,720 » out of time, but finish your thought. And it's confusing to me on why there's 113 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:55,920 a hesitancy or resistance 114 00:07:54,840 --> 00:08:01,680 to uh put your name on their voicemail. I 115 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:06,440 work for a company, anybody that works in corporate America has a 116 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:10,680 responsibility or that has a designated phone line, you'll typically call them 117 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:15,600 and you'll say you've reached the you've reached the the office of Howard 118 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:20,040 Morrison, so-and-so and so-and-so, leave a message after the beep. If you 119 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:24,400 call into the engineering department or the CFO in the administration, what you 120 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:27,560 get, and I just checked it on the way over today, 121 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:32,640 is you've reached the engineering department. 122 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:36,800 You've reached the finance department. I think the public deserves to know, 123 00:08:34,680 --> 00:08:42,159 especially if they're calling, um that they've reached they want to 124 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:46,560 talk to the person Allison as an example in engineering, then don't let Allison's 125 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:50,400 name should be on their their voice. You've reached Allison Fronte, whatever 126 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:55,320 her title is, of such and such engineering department. I'm not here 127 00:08:52,480 --> 00:09:00,120 right now, leave a message or uh I'm out of town or I'm on vacation. 128 00:08:57,680 --> 00:09:04,800 Um you know, please leave a message or you can contact so-and-so. 129 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:08,160 Um I don't know what the aversion is to that happening or 130 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:10,640 but you know, the administration in particular 131 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:16,040 um services us the taxpayers. 132 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:20,280 Um it's common in business. I'm not sure why it's not here. 133 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:22,080 Thank you. Thanks. Council President, I'd like to answer some of Mr. 134 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:24,800 Wikilski's >> I'm going to ask you to hold off on 135 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:28,720 that. Um so, just a couple things, um cuz I think 136 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:31,280 you brought up some good questions, so I'd like to take the opportunity to 137 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:34,840 address some of them. The public portion, 138 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:40,560 we used to have it at the end, right? So, the thought process there is by the 139 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:45,800 time we get to the end, voting's done, right? So, 140 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:50,360 what's done is done, you know, so it by putting it before, and again, we 141 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:57,440 publish the agenda, you have time to digest it and give your you know, give 142 00:09:53,640 --> 00:10:02,880 your two cents before we vote on it, right? So, I see both sides. I'd rather 143 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:05,800 give the public the opportunity to speak on things 144 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:08,960 for the council people to consider before we vote on it. 145 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:14,200 If that makes sense. Um 146 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:19,280 What? We have one on each end. Uh Uh yeah, we'll think about it. Um 147 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:22,960 as far as the uh the general fund, and correct me if I'm wrong here, there's a 148 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:27,600 certain percentage I think that's recommended. The point is is with when 149 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:30,280 you have a certain amount in the fund, it 150 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:34,840 it our bond rating is better, which lowers interest rates. Correct. Okay, so 151 00:10:32,560 --> 00:10:39,680 that's it's actually a taxpayer benefit. It's a benefit, but we also he was 152 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:45,240 asking about the um the overtime. So, um what we do is anything that is left 153 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:48,440 unexpended in the snow and ice um line item within the budget, if there's 154 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:52,280 any money left over, I move that into the trust to build those reserves. Same 155 00:10:50,680 --> 00:10:57,560 thing with police overtime. If there's any overtime that is unspent, it will go 156 00:10:55,480 --> 00:11:01,640 into that trust to be used for a future snowstorm or any any type of storm. It's 157 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:03,400 So, it's not lost. No, no, it's not lost. Okay. 158 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:06,600 Um and then I I like the point about the 159 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:10,320 voicemail. I think it's valid. And again, I don't want to answer for you. I 160 00:11:08,680 --> 00:11:13,680 just when you're reaching engineering, there's so many people that check that 161 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:16,800 voicemail, it's just my guess. We are in the process of trying to correct that. 162 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:20,120 Those those complaints are heard and loud and clear. So, we are we are 163 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:25,040 working to um to resolve that matter. >> She's working on it now. They had been 164 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:29,360 working on that before. I I don't know. 165 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:32,200 Okay. He also had a notice of violation question. 166 00:11:29,839 --> 00:11:38,720 » And Mr. Kelly, we're we're done. Um okay. Uh introduction of the 2026 167 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:43,080 municipal budget. Uh before we do this again, I want to thank administration 168 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:46,200 for the copious amount of work that they put into here. I want to thank the 169 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:49,080 council for their due diligence, excellent questions, and work on the 170 00:11:47,680 --> 00:11:53,160 budget. Ordinance O-2608, ordinance to exceed 171 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:58,360 the municipal budget appropriation limits, and to establish a cap bank. Can 172 00:11:55,839 --> 00:12:02,600 I have a motion? So moved. Second. Clerk, please take the roll. 173 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:07,000 Councilwoman Salberg. Yes. Councilwoman Wojtowicz. 174 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:12,839 » Yes. Councilwoman Freelander. Yes. Councilwoman Royek. Yes. Councilwoman 175 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:16,960 Freda. Yes. Councilwoman Quinn. Yes. Councilman Kelly. No. 176 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:21,160 Council Vice President Sackett. Yes. Council President Marosan. Yes. Eight 177 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:26,120 yeses, one no, motion carries. Um okay, so for the next resolution, I 178 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:29,520 do have to read something into the record. 179 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:34,560 Uh it is a little bit lengthy, but I will try to get through it. Um and it's 180 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:39,680 a requirement for again for the next resolution to introduce the budget. 181 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:43,440 Resolution R-26-67, a resolution to introduce the 2026 182 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:48,280 municipal budget of the Township of Rockaway in the County of Morris. 183 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:51,040 Be it resolved by the Township Council of the Township of Rockaway in the 184 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:53,800 County of Morris, State of New Jersey, that the following statements of 185 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:57,839 revenues and appropriations shall constitute the municipal budget for the 186 00:12:55,720 --> 00:13:01,400 year 2026. Municipal budget 187 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:06,040 is under revenues. General revenues, uh $12,487,873.33. 188 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:14,160 Local tax for municipal purposes, $31,186,027.16. 189 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:21,120 Minimum library tax, $2,261,055 190 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:26,920 even. Total general revenues, $45,934,955.49. 191 00:13:29,680 --> 00:13:35,320 Appropriations, municipal purposes, $42,644,955.49. 192 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:42,520 Reserve for uncollected taxes, $3,290,000. 193 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:46,400 Total [clears throat] general appropriations, $45,934,955.49. 194 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:55,800 Water operating budget. Revenues, rents, fees, and 195 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,800 miscellaneous, $3,363,004. 196 00:13:56,839 --> 00:14:01,480 Appropriations, general expenses, $3,363,004. 197 00:14:02,680 --> 00:14:08,360 Open space, recreation, farmland, and historic preservation trust fund 198 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:12,040 revenues, amount to be raised by taxation, $459,685.70. 199 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:17,959 Appropriations for general expenses, $459,685.70. 200 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:25,280 Be it further resolved that said budget be published on the official website at 201 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,280 www.rockawaytownship.org 202 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:31,400 on March 30th, 2026, together with a public notice that the public hearing 203 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:36,440 will be held at the municipal building on April 28th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. or soon 204 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:41,839 thereafter as the matter can be conducted by the Township Council. 205 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:45,680 Point of order, uh Council President? Not recognized. Uh Point of order again, 206 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:49,560 Council President. There's not a matter of you recognizing. Uh 207 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:53,839 you are not recognized. I have a question, uh Council President. 208 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:57,200 » I clearly said you were not >> about the introduction of the budget. 209 00:14:55,160 --> 00:15:01,680 » Mr. Kelly, you are not recognized. That is four times I've said 210 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:06,120 you are not recognized. Resolution R-26-67, a resolution to 211 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:09,280 introduce the 2026 municipal budget of the Township of Rockaway 212 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:13,640 » to debate under 2-5.1. Can I have a second? Second. Clerk, please take the 213 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,640 roll. 214 00:15:15,959 --> 00:15:22,680 Councilwoman Salberg. Yes. Councilwoman Wojtowicz. Yes. 215 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:27,520 Councilwoman Freelander. Yes. Councilwoman Royek. Yes. Councilwoman 216 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:33,400 Freda. Yes. Councilwoman [clears throat] Quinn. Yes. Councilman Kelly. No. 217 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:38,600 Council Vice President Sackett. Yes. Council President Marosan. Yes. Nine uh 218 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:43,400 eight yeses, one no, motion passes. Resolution R-26-68, resolution for 219 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:47,560 self-examination of the 2026 municipal budget. Can I have a motion? 220 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:51,320 » So moved. Clerk, please take the roll. Second. 221 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:56,120 I need a second. Who seconded? I did. I'll second. Okay. I'm sorry. Go 222 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,120 to the second it. 223 00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:03,800 Councilwoman Salberg. Yes. Councilwoman Wojtowicz. Yes. 224 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:08,880 Councilwoman Freelander. Yes. Councilwoman Royek. Yes. Councilwoman 225 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:12,640 Freda. Yes. Councilwoman Quinn. Yes. Councilman Kelly. No. Council Vice 226 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:16,920 President Sackett. Yes. Council President Marosan. Yes. Eight yeses, one 227 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:22,000 no, motion carries. All right, resolution R-26-72. 228 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:25,440 Um I want to just for the uh benefit of the public and the rest of the council, 229 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:29,800 uh there there's a lot to unpack here, so I just like to uh 230 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:34,440 go over a couple of things. So, uh we received an email on March 19th 231 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:37,040 from Councilman Kelly uh with this lengthy resolution, 232 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:41,280 um which mandates uh early public release 233 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:45,280 of of what we commonly refer to as the budget fund, 234 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:48,760 uh with all materials um significantly prior to the budget meeting. 235 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:57,360 Um procedurally, notwithstanding the uh 236 00:16:52,200 --> 00:17:00,880 the the meat of it, um procedurally, um it was not following our ordinances. So, 237 00:16:58,959 --> 00:17:04,880 according to our ordinance, uh or ordinances, a resolution shall be 238 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:08,839 drafted by or receive the approval of the Township Attorney as to form and 239 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:13,520 legality. Obviously, that kind of makes sense. We want our legal counsel to keep 240 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:16,600 the town out of part harm's way. Um 241 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:18,320 Mr. Kelly did not follow the procedure in this 242 00:17:16,839 --> 00:17:19,600 » Yes, I did. Yes, I did. 243 00:17:18,839 --> 00:17:23,360 » not recognized. >> I'm well, I'm correcting you. You're 244 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:26,800 incorrect. Even the clerk was notified to notify me 245 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:30,320 immediately of any edits to my resolution by you or the Township 246 00:17:28,199 --> 00:17:34,040 Attorney. With the submission of that resolution, there was also edits made to 247 00:17:32,679 --> 00:17:36,360 that resolution that was put on the agenda 248 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:38,040 » of order. You're out of order. So, you're lying to the public right 249 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,840 now. >> you are out of order. 250 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:43,720 Debate. No debate. 251 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:46,040 You have to debate under 2-5.1. You know, you're violating the 252 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:49,920 administrative code. Which administrative code are you referring 253 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:49,920 to? 2-5.1. 254 00:17:55,360 --> 00:18:00,000 Regarding objections to Mr. Council President. 255 00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:04,600 I object >> Questions of order, methods of 256 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:08,600 organization, and the conduct of the business uh shall be determined by the 257 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:11,160 Council President. Continue it. 258 00:18:10,120 --> 00:18:13,840 Unless there's an objection to a determination, in which case a matter is 259 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:17,840 shall be determined by majority vote of council member. You continuing to block 260 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:21,120 my objection and have it went to a vote, and for the reason of the objection. So, 261 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:24,720 the reason for the objection is >> you a chance not to vote. We're we're 262 00:18:22,679 --> 00:18:28,400 not there yet. So, you're interrupting >> an objection. Mr. Kelly, I'm going to 263 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:33,440 you're interrupting me, and I'm not giving you the floor at this time. 264 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:39,520 Um Just so everybody understands, um 265 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:43,960 Mr. Kelly's asking to, you know, change established administrative processes. 266 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:45,919 It's not true. Mr. Kelly, you are out of order. 267 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:49,560 » I'm correcting you. First of all, you have never spoken to me about this to 268 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:53,080 ask me to have the intent of what my resolution's for. You are out of order. 269 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:55,600 » better one to decide that, because I'm the one who drafted it. 270 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:59,040 » So, let me read it. >> You No, you are not recognized. 271 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:01,480 » Why won't you let me read it? Because I'm talking right now. 272 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:04,200 » going to have you interpret what I wrote. 273 00:19:02,120 --> 00:19:07,760 » Mr. Kelly. You do not have the floor. All right? 274 00:19:05,919 --> 00:19:11,720 Nobody interrupts you when I object to what you're doing now. Feel free to 275 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:16,240 object. I'm going to finish my thought, okay? And then 276 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:20,040 we are going to follow the quorum. But you're not providing accurate 277 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:24,159 information to the public based on the resolution that I drafted and submitted 278 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:28,200 to the clerk that all of you, including the town attorney, reviewed. You are out 279 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:31,520 of order. I'm not out of order. I'm just correcting you. Okay. I've made multiple 280 00:19:30,159 --> 00:19:35,400 objections, and you won't actually address my objections. 281 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:38,919 » just to make sure people understand, um 282 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:41,640 what Mr. Kelly is asking for, I mean, really shouldn't be done in a resolution 283 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:45,919 anyway. Um 284 00:19:43,159 --> 00:19:48,919 he he's asking to change a Township law, which really should be done again, it's 285 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:51,800 not Mr. Kelly, you're out of order. You're wrong. Mr. Kelly, you're out of 286 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:54,520 order. Um 287 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:58,320 So, currently there are two complaints pending before the Government Records 288 00:19:56,320 --> 00:20:01,120 Council. It's called the GRC. Uh the complaints are identical. Um What's the 289 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,280 complaint name? >> Mr. Kelly, you are out of order. What's 290 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:07,720 the complaint name? Why will you not respect the quorum of the council? I'm 291 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:10,880 asking you to provide identification of these alleged complaints. What are the 292 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:13,783 complaint names and what are the GRC numbers? 293 00:20:11,763 --> 00:20:13,783 » [laughter] 294 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:21,680 » There are two identical complaints filed by the same township 295 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:25,240 resident um challenging the township's position 296 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:29,360 that the early release of the budget book is contrary to the quote 297 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:32,760 deliberative process privilege. In OPRA terms, the privilege translates 298 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:35,720 in what's commonly referred to as the advisory, consultative, and deliberative 299 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:39,160 exception. This exception prevents the OPRA release 300 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:43,040 of records that are part of a deliberative process such as budget 301 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:48,640 drafts, questions and answers concerning a draft budget, etc. Um 302 00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:53,040 The opinion of our counsel 303 00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:56,640 handling our defense against the GRC complaints complaints is that the 304 00:20:54,760 --> 00:21:01,400 privilege should apply in this case. All right? The proposed resolution 305 00:20:59,680 --> 00:21:06,280 Mr. Kelly's proposed resolution is clearly designed to prevent the township 306 00:21:04,120 --> 00:21:07,680 from relying on a legally recognized privilege. 307 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,680 » That's absolutely false. >> Mr. Kelly, you're out of order. 308 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:13,560 » You are completely lying to the public right now. 309 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:17,560 » you are out of order. >> Okay. I'd like to give you a formal 310 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:22,240 warning at this point, Mr. Kelly. Your goal is to obstruct the business of 311 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:26,280 the council. That's not true. Mr. Kelly, I object to your decision. 312 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:30,560 » you do not have a floor. Mr. [clears throat] Morrison, I am able 313 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:34,240 to object to anything that you say that is contrary to the truth or to what is 314 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:39,080 submitted to this council. >> Mr. Kelly, listen, I understand your 315 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:41,480 point of view, all right? What is my point of view? 316 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:44,320 » Mr. Kelly, I 317 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:48,960 at least me, and I would hope the rest of the council, all right? would take 318 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:52,320 the advice of our legal 319 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:55,640 counsel, okay? As opposed to somebody who has no 320 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:58,480 legal training. I know you fancy yourself a lawyer, all right? But you 321 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:04,600 are not. So, I would like to let our our our town 322 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:08,080 attorneys, all right? Provide guidance. Now, everybody can vote their 323 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:12,440 conscience, all right? This is just guidance. I'm not refusing to let you 324 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:16,960 put in your resolution. I will, however, preface it by stating the facts. Okay? 325 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:19,120 You haven't read one fact yet in regards to my position on any resolution that I 326 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:21,400 drafted. >> So, And I would you 327 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:24,000 question then, would you allow me to respond? 328 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:27,320 As soon as we're done. Okay? As Done at what? Before before the 329 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:29,320 vote, I would want to have a >> Oh, I'm going to give you a chance. 330 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:32,600 Okay. Um but again, 331 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:36,679 Mr. Kelly, the the quorum of the council requires that people take it seriously. 332 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:40,720 And listen, nobody interrupts you when you talk. 333 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:45,960 This is not about who talks last or who talks loudest, okay? This is about 334 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:49,920 following procedure and policy and doing right by the town. I know that you think 335 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:53,800 that you are the only one that is concerned with our town. That's just not 336 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:57,920 true. Okay? And we're going to follow the processes. We're going to give the 337 00:22:55,720 --> 00:23:01,600 public the due and respect that we owe them, all right? And we're not going to 338 00:22:59,920 --> 00:23:05,200 constantly interrupt. All right. Now, 339 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:11,000 as far as being not recognized and out of order, I I lost count at 10 each, 340 00:23:07,679 --> 00:23:14,640 okay? Yeah, I I I have I have I have 12 of you not recognizing that these 341 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:18,120 initiative code for where I object. >> Here's another one, okay? So, I would 342 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:21,440 like to I object. >> Mr. President, 343 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:25,320 » Mr. Kelly, you're making my point for me, okay? I would like to 344 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:29,440 officially give you a warning that should you 345 00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:33,760 consider to disrupt the council processes, all right? I'm going to call 346 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:38,560 for a vote of censure, all right? Now, should that pass, you 347 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:43,280 will not be permitted to speak on anything except for the matter of voting 348 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:46,520 yes or no on any vote that requires you to do so. I object again, Council 349 00:23:45,120 --> 00:23:48,960 President. Understood. >> And I'm going to call a point of order. 350 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:53,960 You have to define that. >> not Mr. Kelly, Yeah, you can't chill my 351 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:57,360 First Amendment right. Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kelly, you do not have the right, all 352 00:23:56,120 --> 00:24:00,480 right? To disrupt >> disrupting the meeting. 353 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:03,679 I'm only correcting you, Council President, from the four false truths 354 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:07,600 that you mentioned to the public. You know that as well as I do. 355 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:12,120 Okay. Anyway, so regarding 356 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:18,360 regarding Mr. Kelly's resolution, uh it is our legal counsel's 357 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:22,160 recommendation. There are a couple ways that we can proceed. 358 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:26,200 Any council member can make a motion to withdraw the proposed resolution from 359 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:29,960 the agenda, all right? That motion will require a second and a second it proceed 360 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:34,560 to a vote. The resolution can remain on the agenda 361 00:24:32,120 --> 00:24:39,080 and move for a vote. A second it voting would proceed as usual, all right? I am 362 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:44,480 not pulling the resolution, all right? I am merely giving background 363 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:48,640 and pointing out what our paid legal counsel recommends. 364 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:56,920 Now, Can I read the resolution? >> Watch this. I'm going to give you the 365 00:24:53,240 --> 00:25:00,720 floor and I will not interrupt you. Three minutes. Go ahead. Uh for the 366 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:04,000 introduction of the resolution? No, no, no. The you could say you got to have 367 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:08,040 three minutes to say your peace and then we will introduce the resolution. You 368 00:25:05,679 --> 00:25:11,800 can introduce it just by again, like any other resolution reading the resolution 369 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:14,760 as what's on the agenda. >> Council President, just to make sure the 370 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:20,720 same thing that with Mr. Sackett under 2651 and then under my resolution 2662, 371 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:24,280 you allowed me to read it entirely and then provide a a cause for the 372 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:27,520 resolution. I understand that the resolution is 373 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:30,760 » little bit lengthier than the other one, so it would take a little bit longer. 374 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:33,080 » the resolution is in the public domain. It's in the agenda packet. 375 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:36,920 » not going to let me read it like you did with Mr. Sackett? I am giving you three 376 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:41,520 minutes. You can use it however you choose, starting now. 377 00:25:39,120 --> 00:25:44,360 So, that before this uh governing body and as well as the members of the 378 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:49,000 public, we had a budget meeting on the 14th of March. And just like we have a a 379 00:25:47,120 --> 00:25:52,600 meeting today, there are documents presented for the uh public to review 380 00:25:51,120 --> 00:25:57,280 prior to any action that the council would take. So, the March 14th uh budget 381 00:25:55,440 --> 00:26:00,200 meeting that we had, we had a budget meeting with the budget books. We had 382 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:03,560 action that took place. Um we had votes, things passed, things 383 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:07,560 didn't pass. But the public was not had the ability 384 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:13,600 to actually participate with accurate knowledge regarding to what we were 385 00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:18,320 looking at. So, this resolution 2672 clearly follows statutory process. Um 386 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:22,720 under 40A:69 uh 40E, it is the mayor's duty to 387 00:26:21,120 --> 00:26:27,400 provide a budget for the council to review. And it's also mirrored in our 388 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:33,400 ordinance 231I. In addition to that, we have following under 40A 389 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:37,520 uh colon 4-5 and 4 of a time frame when it has to go in front of the budget for 390 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:42,679 us to vote upon. And then we also have 47:1A1, which is OPRA, the Open Public 391 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:46,120 Meeting Act, I mean Record Act, for documents that people would want to 392 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:49,560 review to get some information prior to any action 393 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:53,600 taking place. What's puzzling to me is that through 394 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:57,080 that whole entire process that we had all that action and it was 7 hours in 395 00:26:55,320 --> 00:27:01,000 front of the public, our council here, Council President 396 00:26:59,360 --> 00:27:05,200 Morrison, doesn't want the public to review any of the documents leading to 397 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:09,360 the introduction of it as well as the adoption of it. He only wants you to 398 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:13,840 review it after the adoption in a different format. In 2018 and 19, 399 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:17,840 we had no problem publishing all this information on the website prior to the 400 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:21,320 adoption of our budget. Nobody was harmed. There was no issue. 401 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:24,480 OPRA is not mandatory and there is nothing in any of the provisions that 402 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:28,480 are in this resolution presented to you 403 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:33,480 that says we cannot provide the documents. Even if Mr. Yacovano was to 404 00:27:31,360 --> 00:27:37,760 be successful in the OPRA complaints, which he hasn't even identified them, 405 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:41,520 all that is is under OPRA if somebody were questioning it. Nothing bars us 406 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:45,960 from providing information to the public to review. And if the administration is 407 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:49,320 so confident on those numbers that they give us 408 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:52,679 and this council is so confident of the action that we took place on the 14th of 409 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:56,280 the budget meeting, why wouldn't they want the the members of the public to 410 00:27:54,320 --> 00:28:00,360 review to see where our money is going, the savings and the spendings? 411 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:03,600 They don't because it's reckless on how they spend. There's a lot of meat that's 412 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:09,400 inside there and we could have cut to benefit the taxpayers. Instead, Mr. 413 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:13,200 uh Morrison believes that he is some type of a therapist and he can read the 414 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:18,160 minds of others and give somewhat of an interpretation of what the intent was. 415 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:21,920 This was only to be transparent, allow the public to review the same 416 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:26,360 documents that their elected leaders look to review. Perhaps you may have 417 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:30,240 some suggestions from the audience. You may oppose some of the spending that's 418 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:34,040 there. You may have some other concerns of some of the moneys that was being 419 00:28:32,159 --> 00:28:36,240 dispersed in different directions. You don't because we don't provide it to 420 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:40,760 you. We only provide it after the fact, never 421 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:43,320 before. So, the intent of this is only to provide the public with access Mr. 422 00:28:42,919 --> 00:28:47,080 Kelly, >> documents that we have. I can finish the 423 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:51,600 thought, right? You have the floor. The same access to the documents that we 424 00:28:48,919 --> 00:28:54,600 review that are public documents. Salaries, you can go on Data Universe 425 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:58,520 and get the same salary information that's in the budget. You can get the 426 00:28:56,400 --> 00:29:02,400 expenditures that we have on there for materials, for services, for contracts, 427 00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:05,760 for agreements. But they don't want you to have this 428 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:08,960 prior to. And that's something that I'm passionate about for the public to 429 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:12,040 review the same documents that we have to see what we're looking at when we 430 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:15,120 make our executive vote. We're the leader legislative branch of government. 431 00:29:14,280 --> 00:29:19,400 We create laws. >> please And we also are the purse strings 432 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:21,840 for the taxpayers. Okay. 433 00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:29,560 So, I make a motion [clears throat] No, no, hang on. No, I make a motion to 434 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:32,520 move resolution 26-72. Move? What do you mean? 435 00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:38,120 You got to move it. You got to We're going to You're going to vote on it. 436 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:40,800 You're making a motion for it. Yeah. Okay. Right? You would support 437 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:42,080 transparency for the public, wouldn't you? 438 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:44,919 » See, the thing is is you're you're trying to Here's the deal. 439 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:47,400 » you want the public to review the same documents that we have? 440 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:50,360 » I don't know why you can't control yourself and let other people speak. You 441 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:53,920 know, the thing is is you throw things out there that are just completely not 442 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:57,520 true. No, no, no. That's a mis- You're describing yourself now, Mr. Morrison. 443 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:01,400 Okay, is there a second for the motion? 444 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:05,960 This council is against transparency. Thank you. 445 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:11,320 » Again, you put the council in an impossible 446 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:14,200 situation. You have Mr. Kelly Please, we're not on the school yard. 447 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:19,200 Please let people talk. Look, I understand Mr. Kelly. There you go. 448 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:22,440 Yeah, I mean if you would have a you would have a regular debate Mr. 449 00:30:20,720 --> 00:30:25,320 Kelly, maybe we can get a better understand- 450 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:28,781 » of a debate. You cannot let anybody speak. I think it's the other way 451 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:30,200 around, cuz it's president. >> [snorts] 452 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:35,160 » I'm sorry, Mr. Yashpona, did you have something to add? Okay. I I just want to 453 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:38,280 add that, you know, I can confirm that whatever the council president just 454 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:42,200 said, meaning that there was legal advice from our attorney, is 100% 455 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:45,080 factual. So, and I don't want this to seem like it's 456 00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:47,760 a back and forth that, you know, council president says one thing, Council 457 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:50,680 McKelvey says another. There was definitely legal advice given to, I 458 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:54,120 believe, all the council members. I mean, I think we were blind copied, but 459 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:57,280 we all received it, and that was the advice of the council, and that's why 460 00:30:56,080 --> 00:31:00,160 we're we're following through. >> But But in all 461 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:05,360 Mr. Kelly, you're done. There was no legal basis, there was no citations. 462 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:11,400 Mr. Kelly, you are not recognized. So, that's poor legal advice. 463 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:11,400 » Mr. Kelly, you are not recognized. 464 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:19,360 O-26-09 bond ordinance appropriating $4,248,890 465 00:31:18,080 --> 00:31:22,360 and authorizing the issuance of $3,268,595 466 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:28,400 bonds or notes of the township for various improvements or purposes 467 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:31,800 authorized to be undertaken by the Township of Rockaway in the County of 468 00:31:29,920 --> 00:31:37,040 Morris. Can I have a motion? So moved. 469 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:37,040 » Second. Clerk, please take the roll. 470 00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:41,560 Council member Salberg >> Yes. 471 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:44,480 Council member Wojtowicz Yes. Council member Freeland er Yes. 472 00:31:43,480 --> 00:31:49,080 Council member Ryak >> Yes. Council member Fraytak Yes. Council 473 00:31:47,440 --> 00:31:53,679 member Quinn Yes. >> Council member Kelly Yes. Council vice 474 00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:57,360 president Sackett Yes. Council president Morrison Yes. Nine yeses, motion 475 00:31:55,840 --> 00:32:02,320 carried. O-26-10 476 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:06,679 bond ordinance appropriating $1,730,000 and authorizing the issuance 477 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:10,640 excuse me, of $1,690,000 bonds or notes of the township 478 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:14,400 for various improvements or purposes authorized to be undertaken in and by 479 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:17,640 the Township of Rockaway in the County of Morris, New Jersey, for the water 480 00:32:15,720 --> 00:32:20,520 supply and distribution system of the township. Can I have a motion? 481 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,760 » So moved. Clerk, please take the roll. Council 482 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:27,600 member Salberg >> Yes. Council member Wojtowicz Yes. 483 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:32,520 Council member Freeland er Yes. Council member Ryak Yes. Council member Fraytak 484 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:36,120 Yes. Council member Quinn Yes. Council member Kelly Yes. Council vice president 485 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:40,520 Sackett Yes. Council president Morrison Yes. 486 00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:43,960 Nine yeses, motion carried. Ordinance providing for improvement of 487 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:48,320 various roads in and by the Township of Rockaway in the County of Morris, New 488 00:32:45,280 --> 00:32:53,200 Jersey, and re-appropriating $750,000 therefore from proceeds of obligations 489 00:32:50,840 --> 00:32:57,040 of the township heretofore issued and funds available under ordinance of the 490 00:32:55,120 --> 00:33:00,679 township heretofore adopted. >> Motion. 491 00:32:58,320 --> 00:33:04,720 Second. Clerk, please take the roll. Council member Salberg Yes. Council 492 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:09,480 member Wojtowicz Yes. Council member Freeland er Yes. Council member Ryak 493 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:13,720 » Yes. Council member Fraytak Yes. Council member Quinn 494 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:17,520 » Yes. Council member Kelly Yes. Council vice president Sackett 495 00:33:15,320 --> 00:33:21,880 Yes. Council president Morrison Yes. Nine yeses, motion carried. 496 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:25,240 O-26-12 an ordinance fixing the salaries of various officials and contractual 497 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:28,960 employees of the Township of Rockaway in the County of Morris. Yeah, I have a 498 00:33:27,080 --> 00:33:32,440 question on this though, Mr. Morrison. Just because there's some additions that 499 00:33:30,760 --> 00:33:35,080 were from the previous ordinance in O-25. 500 00:33:34,200 --> 00:33:40,160 Yeah. Mrs. Palmieri 501 00:33:37,040 --> 00:33:44,120 Um on uh on 26-12, what what are the ones that are added on 502 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:46,520 that we didn't have before as far as title? 503 00:34:00,560 --> 00:34:04,000 We didn't have everybody clerk three, so 504 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:14,813 On this one? Okay. And there was there a reason why? 505 00:34:12,793 --> 00:34:14,813 » [snorts] 506 00:34:15,240 --> 00:34:18,240 » Okay. Thank you. 507 00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:25,359 Can I have a motion? So moved. Second. Clerk, please take the roll. 508 00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:29,040 Council member Salberg Yes. Council member Wojtowicz Yes. Council member 509 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:34,320 Freeland er Yes. Council member Ryak Yes. Council member 510 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:39,359 Fraytak Yes. Council member Quinn Yes. Council member Kelly Yes. Council vice 511 00:34:36,640 --> 00:34:42,159 president Sackett Yes. Council president Morrison Yes. Nine yeses, motion 512 00:34:41,040 --> 00:34:46,520 carried. O-26-13 an ordinance fixing the salaries 513 00:34:44,640 --> 00:34:50,280 of various officials and non-contractual employees of the Township of Rockaway in 514 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:53,480 the County of Morris. Same question, Council president. Mrs. 515 00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:57,080 Palmieri I don't believe any were added to this 516 00:34:54,760 --> 00:35:01,280 one. This was not one that included the an assistant engineer? 517 00:34:59,680 --> 00:35:05,560 I believe the assistant engineer was in last year's. That was in it? Okay. 518 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:08,480 Can I have a motion? [clears throat] So moved. 519 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:12,359 I'll second. Clerk, please take the roll. 520 00:35:10,280 --> 00:35:16,920 Council member Salberg Yes. Council member Wojtowicz Yes. Council member 521 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:21,240 Freeland er Yes. Council member Ryak Yes. Council member Fraytak Yes. Council 522 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:24,880 member Quinn [clears throat] Yes. Council member Kelly Yes. Council vice 523 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:30,320 president Sackett Yes. Council president Morrison 524 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:32,400 Yes. Nine yeses, motion carried. Okay, moving on. 525 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:38,720 » Council president, on the consent agenda, remove R-26-66 for separate 526 00:35:35,920 --> 00:35:42,359 discussion and vote. I'll second that. Clerk, please take the roll. 527 00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:44,960 I wasn't making a motion. I was just Do we do it by motion? That's not the law, 528 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,960 though. I understand you Again, you think you're 529 00:35:46,760 --> 00:35:51,520 a lawyer, but we're going Provide me with the law that requires this. Clerk, 530 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:56,359 please take the roll. Council member Salberg Yes. Council member Wojtowicz 531 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:59,760 Yes. Council member Freeland er Yes. Council member Ryak Yes. Council member 532 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:05,200 Fraytak Yes. Council member Quinn Yes. Council 533 00:36:02,800 --> 00:36:09,040 member Kelly Yes. Council vice president Sackett No. 534 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:12,880 Council president Morrison Yes. Eight yeses, one no, motion carried. 535 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:19,600 Okay, we're we'll do the rest of the consent agenda first. 536 00:36:14,960 --> 00:36:23,080 R-26-63, R-26-64, R-26-65, R-26-69, 537 00:36:21,120 --> 00:36:25,640 R-26-70, R-26-71. 538 00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:29,359 Can I have a motion? >> So moved. Second. Clerk, please take the 539 00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:33,320 roll. Council member Salberg Yes. Council 540 00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:38,040 member Wojtowicz Yes. Council member Freeland er Yes. Council member Ryak 541 00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:43,359 Yes. Council member Fraytak Yes. Council member Quinn Yes. Council member Kelly 542 00:36:40,880 --> 00:36:48,240 Yes. Council vice president Sackett Yes. Council president Morrison Yes. 543 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:51,840 It's nine yeses, motion carried. All right, if we're going to have 544 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:54,640 discussion on R-26-66, again, I'd like to keep it to three 545 00:36:53,400 --> 00:36:58,200 minutes per council person. 546 00:36:56,720 --> 00:37:02,800 You made the motion, Mr. Kelly, you have one. 547 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:05,920 Uh in regards to the the resolution, we're we're rescinding two additional 548 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:11,040 resolutions. One, what would be the reason for the 549 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:11,040 rescinding of those resolutions? 550 00:37:11,840 --> 00:37:14,720 Mr. Yashpona 551 00:37:16,280 --> 00:37:23,400 My understanding is that we're talking about the same property and two and 552 00:37:21,160 --> 00:37:26,920 three successive cannabis 553 00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:32,880 retailers who wanted to use the same property uh one after the other, they 554 00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:37,800 fell apart in terms of their ability to lease the property and uh this is the 555 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:41,120 survivor who apparently had the wherewithal to do it. 556 00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:47,640 So, the reason for rescinding the two would be you wouldn't want 557 00:37:45,880 --> 00:37:53,160 two uh contradicting resolutions on on the 558 00:37:50,640 --> 00:37:53,160 record? 559 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:59,880 Basically correct, yes. So, we we as a council, like we we couldn't keep 560 00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:04,680 a resolution that would contradict another resolution on the books. 561 00:38:03,840 --> 00:38:08,520 I'm just making sure that I'm understanding you. 562 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:13,600 » the proper procedural approach is to rescind or vacate prior 563 00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:17,320 resolutions that should no longer be active for any 564 00:38:15,680 --> 00:38:19,800 purpose. That's what this is about. And what would happen if we didn't do this? 565 00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:21,800 So, the public knows that's why we're doing it. 566 00:38:20,240 --> 00:38:25,160 » Mr. Kelly, I'm not here to be a fortune teller. I gave you my answer. Mr. 567 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:28,359 Yashpona, I just need to remind you that you are legal counsel for this council. 568 00:38:26,960 --> 00:38:31,560 So, I don't think you select what you want to do or Mr. Kelly, that's exactly 569 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:35,240 what we're paying him for. Please don't admonish our council. You're you're 570 00:38:33,280 --> 00:38:37,640 paying him not to give us advice? Mr. Kelly, you're asking him to make 571 00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:40,240 suppositions >> on his cell phone, he'll give you advice 572 00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:42,600 all day long. You were I asked him at a meeting, he won't even answer my 573 00:38:41,240 --> 00:38:46,440 question. Is it possible for you to have a discussion without throwing out barbs 574 00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:50,760 and insults? Is it a barb? Where's the insult? 575 00:38:48,120 --> 00:38:55,640 Mr. Kelly I am more apt to take the advice of our 576 00:38:54,200 --> 00:39:00,880 legal counsel. All right? Over quite frankly, you. 577 00:38:58,640 --> 00:39:03,480 You're asking him to for suppositions of things he could not possibly answer that 578 00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:09,440 may [clears throat] happen in the future. And to frame it as him not 579 00:39:07,320 --> 00:39:11,880 wanting to answer is little 580 00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:15,000 silly. I don't think so, Council president. And 581 00:39:13,120 --> 00:39:22,120 what we have here is R-25-53 and R-24-169. 582 00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:27,320 And again, it's it's interesting that we've had prior motions 583 00:39:24,720 --> 00:39:31,080 that weren't rescinded that oppose motions following. 584 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:35,480 And what he just answered to me was that we can't do that. We can't 585 00:39:32,920 --> 00:39:38,680 leave resolutions on the books that oppose one another. 586 00:39:37,080 --> 00:39:40,800 Right? You would agree with that. I'm not agreeing with anything you're 587 00:39:39,720 --> 00:39:43,280 saying, because again, Well, he said that. I'm just I'm just reiterating what 588 00:39:42,120 --> 00:39:45,600 he said. That's not what he said. So, So, then 589 00:39:45,240 --> 00:39:48,280 Mr. Yachefano >> Can you clarify that then, Mr. 590 00:39:46,960 --> 00:39:52,320 Yachefano, since I seem to be >> a second, cuz you're 591 00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:55,320 You have 10 seconds left to finish. >> been interrupting me on all of that 592 00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:59,520 time. Finish your Finish your thought. Mr. Yachefano, could you just correct 593 00:39:56,840 --> 00:39:59,520 that again then? 594 00:40:01,320 --> 00:40:08,960 So, you can only answer to me if Mr. Morrison says it's okay? 595 00:40:05,800 --> 00:40:14,480 Mr. Kelly. Um he's pointing to you. You know, we we can see the script here. 596 00:40:11,520 --> 00:40:18,960 Uh if if you listen carefully at council meetings, it's always the same thing. 597 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:22,120 It's like a a loop. Where are your citations? Where are your cases? What 598 00:40:20,600 --> 00:40:26,440 are you doing? I don't believe your advice. Okay? 599 00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:30,800 It's simple. It's honest. It's straightforward. 600 00:40:28,200 --> 00:40:36,880 Two prior entities who sought 601 00:40:34,080 --> 00:40:43,360 to rent this property for cannabis cannabis purposes 602 00:40:39,920 --> 00:40:50,000 didn't qualify in terms of the property owner for a lease. 603 00:40:45,240 --> 00:40:54,240 The protocol as I understand it was that they need the approbation of the 604 00:40:52,040 --> 00:40:58,840 approval, excuse me, of the council in order to complete the process with all 605 00:40:56,520 --> 00:41:03,600 the rules, regulations, etc. One failed, the other failed shortly 606 00:41:01,120 --> 00:41:06,600 after. The council did its job, which is the same job it's being asked to do 607 00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:09,560 tonight based upon the evidence that's been 608 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:16,240 submitted. And it just makes simple, common sense. 609 00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:20,640 So, just to and just so the public's aware, what we do is we ask The council 610 00:41:18,760 --> 00:41:23,240 gets their packets on the Friday before the meeting. 611 00:41:21,760 --> 00:41:28,000 We ask the council if they have any specific questions such as this to email 612 00:41:25,680 --> 00:41:31,920 administration so we can give we can get the proper information, right? We 613 00:41:29,960 --> 00:41:36,880 generally try to avoid situations like this, um so as not to, you know, give 614 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:39,640 the view that, you know, one person is not doing the right thing and the other 615 00:41:38,320 --> 00:41:42,120 person is the only one doing the right thing. 616 00:41:40,560 --> 00:41:45,200 Again, the rest of the council, you know, follows these procedures. Again, 617 00:41:44,120 --> 00:41:50,320 just to make sure that we have the information we need. Now, I did do that 618 00:41:47,760 --> 00:41:55,400 on this. Correct me if I'm wrong. The way that I understood it from what I got 619 00:41:53,760 --> 00:42:00,440 was when a cannabis retailer 620 00:41:57,960 --> 00:42:04,200 wants to go into a space, they need, in order to get their license 621 00:42:02,240 --> 00:42:09,520 or their paperwork, they need the approval of the township council, right? 622 00:42:07,360 --> 00:42:13,200 And that is done via a resolution like this. Now, correct. Because there are 623 00:42:11,720 --> 00:42:18,120 two other uh retailers that tried and failed, the 624 00:42:15,680 --> 00:42:23,800 resolution R-24 happened in 2024, and R-25-53 happened in 2025, 625 00:42:21,240 --> 00:42:27,800 these were similar resolutions to the one that we're doing now. However, 626 00:42:25,520 --> 00:42:31,560 because these companies dropped out, those resolutions no longer stand, and 627 00:42:29,720 --> 00:42:35,960 now we support the current person going for their license. 628 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:42,560 And and the one thing was left out is that it makes no sense to leave on the 629 00:42:40,160 --> 00:42:47,000 books, so to speak, Right. resolutions that are no longer viable. So, 630 00:42:44,960 --> 00:42:51,360 essentially, it's simply procedural. Yeah. And that's all it is. Okay. Mr. 631 00:42:49,640 --> 00:42:55,480 Voitovich, did did you want to speak on this? I just wanted I'm sorry. Same 3 632 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:58,600 minutes. Yeah. You know, the resolutions I'm not 633 00:42:57,040 --> 00:43:04,120 concerned about revoking the the other ones. It's It's supporting the 634 00:43:01,480 --> 00:43:07,040 cannabis retailer and its location. I just want to say that, you know, I think 635 00:43:05,920 --> 00:43:11,280 there's way too many, in my opinion, 636 00:43:09,360 --> 00:43:16,840 dispensaries in the area. You go north on Greenpond Road, Route 23 has about 637 00:43:14,320 --> 00:43:20,880 three of them. You go to Rockaway Borough, there's another one there. 638 00:43:18,240 --> 00:43:23,880 There's There's way too many um dispensaries in my mind, and I don't 639 00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:27,080 want this to seem like there's a liquor store on every single corner like some 640 00:43:25,520 --> 00:43:31,920 municipalities. So, uh 641 00:43:28,160 --> 00:43:36,280 I would be be against this. The location and supporting another cannabis retailer 642 00:43:34,200 --> 00:43:40,000 in our township. Is this the Is there a Is this the same 643 00:43:38,160 --> 00:43:44,120 Kinkush from Rockaway Borough? I believe so. I don't know. 644 00:43:41,880 --> 00:43:47,560 All right. Does anybody here a patron there? 645 00:43:46,120 --> 00:43:50,510 Mr. Kelly Would there be a conflict if there was, right? 646 00:43:48,440 --> 00:43:52,960 » Mr. Kelly It's irrelevant. >> [laughter] 647 00:43:51,520 --> 00:43:56,960 » Right? Really? Is there anybody else from the council 648 00:43:54,480 --> 00:44:01,280 that wishes Yeah. Is there anybody else from the council Mr. Kelly Mr. Sun, 649 00:43:59,240 --> 00:44:03,480 everybody else, please. Order. 650 00:44:02,280 --> 00:44:07,120 Yeah. Um Is there anybody else from the council 651 00:44:05,040 --> 00:44:10,160 that wishes to speak on this? I didn't hear a no. 652 00:44:08,960 --> 00:44:15,280 Okay. Um 653 00:44:12,240 --> 00:44:19,720 I make a motion for resolution R-26-66 revoking resolutions R-25-53 and 654 00:44:17,480 --> 00:44:24,400 R-24-169 and supporting the location and operation of a Class 5 cannabis retailer 655 00:44:21,680 --> 00:44:26,440 by Kinkush Rockaway Township LLC within the township of Rockaway. Can I have a 656 00:44:26,000 --> 00:44:30,600 second? >> I'll second. 657 00:44:27,680 --> 00:44:30,600 Clerk, please take the roll. 658 00:44:32,200 --> 00:44:36,640 Councilmember Salberg. >> Yes. Councilmember Voitovich. 659 00:44:35,320 --> 00:44:41,000 » No. Councilmember Freelander. Yes. 660 00:44:39,680 --> 00:44:43,320 Councilmember Royack. Yes. 661 00:44:42,400 --> 00:44:46,320 » Councilmember Royack. >> Yes. 662 00:44:44,359 --> 00:44:51,280 Councilmember Frayday. Yes. Councilmember Quinn. Yes. Councilmember 663 00:44:49,080 --> 00:44:55,440 Kelly. No. Council Vice President Sackett. Yes. 664 00:44:53,359 --> 00:44:59,520 Council President Morrison. Yes. Seven yeses, two nos. Motion carries. 665 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:05,320 Okay. Uh 666 00:45:02,520 --> 00:45:08,160 Alejandro Jimenez Fontana for full membership of Fire Company number four. 667 00:45:07,320 --> 00:45:11,400 Can I have a motion? >> So moved. I'll second. 668 00:45:11,600 --> 00:45:19,240 Do a choice on that one, Clerk. Councilmember Salberg. Yes. 669 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:22,400 Councilmember Voitovich. Yes. Councilmember Freelander. Yes. 670 00:45:21,400 --> 00:45:27,920 Councilmember Royack. >> Yes. Councilmember Frayday. Yes. 671 00:45:25,400 --> 00:45:30,600 Councilmember Quinn. Yes. Councilmember Kelly. Yes. Council Vice President 672 00:45:30,080 --> 00:45:34,760 Sackett. >> Yes. Council President Morrison. 673 00:45:32,960 --> 00:45:38,120 Yes. Nine yeses, motion carries. Congratulations. I have new business 674 00:45:36,400 --> 00:45:40,160 too, Council President. Uh no. New business and reports were to be 675 00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:42,920 submitted >> know. You only had reports that was 676 00:45:41,720 --> 00:45:45,040 indicated from your motion. You're not recognized. I have new business to bring 677 00:45:44,760 --> 00:45:47,359 up. >> Mr. Kelly, you're That would be 678 00:45:46,200 --> 00:45:51,320 something that maybe you could help with. I mean, you could You are not 679 00:45:48,960 --> 00:45:55,480 recognized. There was no motion for any direction on Mr. Sackett made a motion 680 00:45:54,080 --> 00:45:58,120 to adjourn. I'll second it. Clerk, please take the roll. 681 00:45:59,760 --> 00:46:05,800 Councilmember Salberg. Yes. Councilmember Voitovich. 682 00:46:02,960 --> 00:46:09,080 » Yes. Councilmember Freelander. Yes. Councilmember Royack. 683 00:46:06,840 --> 00:46:13,560 » Yes. Councilmember Frayday. Yes. Councilmember Quinn. Yes. Councilmember 684 00:46:11,400 --> 00:46:17,160 Kelly. No. Council Vice President Sackett. 685 00:46:13,960 --> 00:46:20,480 » Yes. Council President Morrison. Yes. Mr. Mayor, I apologize that we could not 686 00:46:19,040 --> 00:46:23,200 conduct this meeting. I know you had a couple statements to make. I do 687 00:46:21,680 --> 00:46:27,359 apologize for that. To the rest of the public, I apologize for the circus that 688 00:46:25,680 --> 00:46:30,560 is going on here today. Rest assured that the majority of the council does 689 00:46:28,680 --> 00:46:33,960 not endorse it and wishes it didn't happen. I vote yes. 690 00:46:31,960 --> 00:46:38,120 » I also I apologize for having the council president lie to this resident.