[0:00] Okay.

[0:03] Welcome, everyone. In compliance with the Open Public Meeting's Act of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting was provided on January 14th and 15th, 2026, by publication in the Courier News and Echo Sentinel, by sending written notice to tap into Warren, posting on the townships website and the bulletin board and municipal building and filing with the township clerk. This meeting is broadcasted live on the townships website and can be viewed on the township app. It is also broadcasted

[0:30] live on the access channel and will be taped for re-broadcast.

[0:33] Everyone is required to comply with the policies and procedures governing access programming for the access channel.

[0:40] No mention of political affiliation or political advertising.

[0:43] Shall take place at this meeting or will be deleted from any re-broadcast.

[0:57] Our meth platforms for covering and switching to the mobile app, which was something we've discussed through the development of the app.

[1:08] is a way to promote the app.

[1:10] There are three different platforms.

[1:12] The app, our website, and channels 15 on optimum,

[1:18] or 40, or 44 on Verizon.

[1:21] So there's plenty of transparency for residents who

[1:26] are interested in watching the meeting.

[1:32] It's a lot more complicated.

[1:35] And I'm not an expert in this.

[1:36] it to set up a Facebook live broadcast, this is embedded within the app, and in the website.

[1:47] So it's much easier, it actually is simpler for both us and as well as residents to access it.

[1:55] So it is a change, and notice actually was posted on our social media at 7 o'clock tonight

[2:03] So that residents were reminded of the change and we put a notice notice out last week

[2:08] But the our meetings are very you know are very accessible for you know for for residents even though they're there it is a change

[2:18] No, I appreciate that but

[2:21] Lance put together a very good app that we spent money on is I've got a lot of positive feedback on it and

[2:28] We let it run for a little bit and it's time to move everyone towards a platform that we built so

[2:33] I think it's right time. Thank you. And I'm looking at it right now on the app and the new camera is live

[2:40] And it looks a lot better than the old camera, so perfect. Thanks Mark

[2:45] Call the order it's 710

[2:49] Committee man McCarrie. Committee man blick. Yes. Committee man Croson. W. Mayor Keon. Here. Mayor fine. Here

[2:56] Flex Luke

[3:02] to the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under

[3:09] God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

[3:18] Okay, so we'll do reports of subcommittee, committee and McCarran, you want to start?

[3:31] I just want to recognize a local student here with us the summer league and we didn't have

[3:39] a restaurant this month to be able to view our local places, local places for us.

[3:46] So luckily we had a summer who was willing to come and I have got to see it because we

[3:53] were at an executive session but I know in the best of you all out there she has some of

[3:57] her work and we wanted to recognize her so I just want to tell you a little bit about

[4:01] summer.

[4:04] Tonight we're recognizing a young member of the Warren community who has demonstrated

[4:08] not only creativity and entrepreneurial spirit but also a wonderful commitment to using

[4:13] her talents to give back to others. Summarily is a rising eighth grader at Warren Middle

[4:19] School and just one year ago she decided to teach herself how to crochet. Her hobby quickly

[4:26] became something much bigger, and as she began to sell her crochet plush toys online,

[4:32] but what makes summer story most inspiring is that she didn't stop at building a business

[4:38] for herself.

[4:39] She took what she learned, and she shared that knowledge with her peers.

[4:44] Summer developed and taught a six-week crochet course for fellow students.

[4:48] It's a really a wonderful example of leadership sharing what you've learned to help other

[4:53] succeed summer plans to extend her work into a service project where she will be donating

[4:58] plushies to give to teens going through a mental health crisis.

[5:04] The crochet animal she has displayed tonight will be donated to the gang on pediatric emergency

[5:10] department at Gorea Children's Hospital in Morstown and we are very proud to recognize summer

[5:17] tonight and please join me in welcoming and congratulating her.

[5:20] We

[5:26] do want to bring one of your crochet things too, we could crochet animals.

[5:44] And then you want to say some stuff, right?

[5:46] Okay, so take our picture and we do that.

[6:31] Hello everyone, my name is Summer Lee and I'm 13 years old.

[6:37] I'd like to start by thanking the committee for giving me a chance to speak today.

[6:41] So I have a small business, it's called Summertime X Crochet, and I sell handmade stuffed animals.

[6:49] I can't begin to express how incredible my entrepreneurial journey has been over this past year,

[6:55] through ups and downs, delightful customers, and demanding ones.

[7:00] My road to success has been a laborious but enjoyable one.

[7:04] I now run a successful business making money, sales, and happiness straight out of my bedroom.

[7:12] Thinking back to my very first sale, it felt so surreal to finally have made my side-hustle official.

[7:19] It isn't really a business until you have people willing to bring you up, support you, and buy from you.

[7:26] Funnily enough, the thing that many parents found upon their teens for using was the thing that helped my business grow exponentially, social media, specifically Instagram.

[7:36] I have a follower base of around 300 people which is growing every day.

[7:40] Marketing through Instagram helped me build a giant community of other crocheters and

[7:45] small business owners just like me.

[7:47] But the really special thing about my small business community is that living in Warren

[7:52] gave me access to so many supportive people.

[7:55] Plus making a bit of extra money has allowed me to give back to my community.

[7:59] I'm currently creating plushies to donate to the Morris Town Pediatric ER Center.

[8:05] I can't describe how amazing the feeling of making money is.

[8:09] If you're an entrepreneur as well, you'll know exactly what I mean.

[8:14] I knew that I wanted as many people as possible to know that feeling first hand, especially young

[8:21] people like me.

[8:23] That's why I decided to start a course on how to build a business for the team at my school.

[8:27] about 10 people decided to join and learn the basics of selling, marketing,

[8:33] profiting, and more entrepreneurial topics. I'm really happy I got to give these

[8:38] people the chance to one day feel what I felt on the day of my first sale. The rush

[8:43] of giving someone something they love while earning some extra cash. I genuinely

[8:49] love being a small business owner. Summertime excursion has given me trust in

[8:54] myself, gratefulness for my warm community and elation at being able to share the feeling

[8:59] of entrepreneurship with others. I think everybody should take the time and money to support

[9:04] their local small business. Yes, they may be priced higher than brands that sell in bulk,

[9:09] but their business, the products are guaranteed to be packaged with love and care. Buying from

[9:15] the small business will make a real life human beings, not in AI's entire day. So thank

[9:21] Thank you so much for listening to my speech and have a great rest of your night.

[9:32] I'm going to go a little out of scripts since we're all up.

[9:36] Do you

[9:43] want to come up?

[9:48] Yeah.

[9:48] Do you want to speak?

[9:49] Yes.

[10:02] First, before I go through this, I want to note, did you see Susie's picture up there?

[10:07] I know.

[10:07] Susie's.

[10:08] I have one much too much in there.

[10:09] Oh, perfect.

[10:11] So, okay.

[10:12] Okay.

[10:14] So, in memory of your wife, Susie Boyce.

[10:17] whereas Susie and Blackburn boys dedicated her life to education, public service, and community leadership.

[10:26] And whereas she earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Florida State University and a Master's of Arts in teaching from Tulane University, taught English at Watching Hills Regional High School,

[10:38] that earned a Doctor of Education degree from Rutgers University and went on to teach a Montclair State University where

[10:45] She later served as chair of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, and whereas Susie and her husband, William Boyce, settled in Warren Township in 1968 where they raised her children, Willis and Nell, and became deeply involved in the community.

[11:01] And whereas Susie served the residents of Warren Township for 19 years in the member of the Township Committee and became the Township's first female mayor in 1978, serving again as mayor in 1986.

[11:14] And whereas following her service in elected official office, she continued her commitment

[11:20] to warrant township through Historic Sites Committee and was an active member of the

[11:24] Basking Ridge chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 50 years.

[11:30] And now, therefore, be proclaimed the mayor and the township committee of warrant township

[11:35] honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Susie B. Boyce, whose contributions as an educator,

[11:42] Historian, community leader, and Warren Township's first female mayor will be remembered for generations.

[11:48] Be it further proclaimed that the mayor and township committee extend their deepest condolences to her husband bill, her children Willis and Nell, and her grand children William, Sydney, Ryan, and I, thank you, Ivy.

[12:03] And be further reclaimed that this proclamation will be entered into the permanent records of warrant

[12:07] township as the last contributor to Susie B. Boyce and her extraordinary service to the community.

[12:14] And on a personal note, Susie has been a mentor to me since I came into this role.

[12:20] She was supportive and what she did to the community isn't thumbed justice in this.

[12:27] But it's so impactful.

[12:31] and I know she knew it, I know you know it, so thank you.

[12:36] Thank you all so very much.

[12:46] I'm glad that the community recognizes what I've known for 67 years as it Susie is a wonderful person without compare.

[13:06] You get it, you can keep it.

[13:08] You can put an X to the picture.

[14:01] I'll note that. I'll try anyway. So one thing from the Board of Health and Donna and

[14:10] I'm not sure if this has gone out yet on the site yet this flyer I'm sure it will if it hasn't but in any event

[14:18] Somerset County has this new program is called Passport the Parks and

[14:23] Participants will have a chance to win a free three-month membership to the Somerset YMCA

[14:30] You can participate by getting active exploring parks close to home connect with family and friends and win the chance for a three-month membership

[14:38] and how it works is you download the Parks Pass port by scanning the QR code

[14:44] which you can go to the Somerset County Parks Pass 2020-26 or you'll see it on

[14:52] our site soon and you visit a minimum of five parks in Somerset County between

[14:56] August 22nd and October 4th.

[15:00] And then you complete a survey and submit photos of participation by October 12, and you'll have an opportunity to win that three-month free membership. From the REC department, we had a concert last night, Bob Marino at the Pavilion, a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. I wasn't there, but I heard it was well attended, had over 100 residents there. Our Labor Day 5K, I'll leave that to Sean, probably to talk about earlier, but that's coming up.

[15:29] on September 5th.

[15:31] Fall 10 is this coming soon.

[15:33] Please register on Community Pass,

[15:34] which is a portal located on the town website

[15:36] under the REC Department page.

[15:39] Now, I'll leave this to Vanessa,

[15:41] but they still wanted me to plug it,

[15:42] is we are planning for the cultural day in Maureen,

[15:45] and again, leave that more for Vanessa.

[15:47] And Movie Night in August is gonna be sponsored

[15:50] by Next Home Realty,

[15:51] and we're working to extend those Movie Nights

[15:53] into the fall.

[15:54] So I'm more to come on that.

[15:56] Plans for improvements for parking,

[15:58] a doodish that soccer complex were in the works. The waterline for the water fountain at

[16:04] the Greenwood Meadows complex is being replaced. And there's ongoing discussions about

[16:11] cricket fields in Warren and I'll just tell everybody which dovetails into my next thing

[16:16] which is the adult softball league is on the one yard line coming back to Warren and having

[16:21] fields to use for the season. It's a very difficult thing because kids get the priority and rightfully

[16:26] so on our fields and we have very limited space right now with the field so we want to accommodate

[16:32] everybody in all their interests but there's certain priorities in place and so we're exploring

[16:36] what we can do with cricket but you know we're in the exploratory phase of that because we know

[16:41] there's interest. And Dan just for the Ben Salport, thanks for the Board of Ed for helping us.

[16:46] Yes very much so yes Chris Hagle everybody was involved in getting that done because I know it

[16:52] It wasn't easy, our own Jopasara from the Rec Department,

[16:55] Mark Crane.

[16:56] Thanks, everybody.

[16:59] Film ready.

[16:59] We formally were certified as Film Ready

[17:01] since our last meeting.

[17:03] If anybody's interested in having their own business

[17:06] or their home included in the location scout directory

[17:09] for potential usage in a upcoming movie or TV show,

[17:13] I can tell you how to do that.

[17:15] You can reach out to me and I'll let you know how

[17:16] to upload your stuff.

[17:18] And then finally, our intern program,

[17:21] Our inaugural intern program kicked off last month and concluded at the end of the month.

[17:27] It was really a success from what I understand.

[17:29] Even had a parent reach out to me a couple days ago who said that their son enjoyed it so

[17:34] much that he would come back next year unpaid.

[17:37] It's done.

[17:38] What's that done?

[17:40] Exactly.

[17:41] Exactly.

[17:42] We're looking forward to maybe even expanding it next year because it was a success.

[17:47] One of the things coming out of it is that one of the interns reviewed our social media

[17:50] platforms, as you know, and gave us a review of them and some constructive criticism

[17:57] and some suggestions, and over taking that under consideration and maybe we'll put some

[18:02] of those into effect, and so anyway, yeah, it was a good launch of the program the last

[18:07] month, and that's it, Mr. Mayor.

[18:11] Thanks, Dan.

[18:12] Yeah, Lance.

[18:13] I don't have too much.

[18:16] Just, you know, the participation in National Night Out a couple of weeks ago was a good one.

[18:22] I didn't DJ this one, so I got to walk around and enjoy myself.

[18:26] But that was a really good turnout.

[18:29] So, JCP and L, the issues that we've been having with them and the power outages I've been on them.

[18:35] And we finally have a meeting scheduled for the beginning of September between myself, Mark,

[18:41] and a commitment to carry, just with our rep for JCP and L, because I haven't been

[18:51] very happy with the way the outages have been treated and the after effects have happened,

[18:56] so we're going to address them in person and hopefully get somewhere with that.

[19:01] Luckily, the storm that we're just incurring tonight doesn't appear to be too bad, so hopefully

[19:07] We won't have anything fresh to report.

[19:11] What else?

[19:16] One of the rescue, I'm a secondary on the rescue squad, so I apologize if I'm stepping

[19:20] on your toes.

[19:22] All right, but one of the national night out, one of the rescue squad members was telling

[19:27] me about a particular organization in town, I'm not going to say which, but reporting many

[19:35] calls that are not emergency calls.

[19:37] and Vanessa and I are going to have a meeting with the officers at the rescue squad to discuss that among some other things and try to rectify and just want to make it clear.

[19:49] I'm not telling you not to call the rescue squad but call the rescue squad God forbid there's an emergency.

[19:57] We want to make sure that they're available for real calls and not necessarily not emergency calls.

[20:06] Let's put it that way.

[20:08] On the same note, Facebook is not the place to report emergencies.

[20:15] I saw that today, somebody posed again.

[20:19] We don't technically monitor it, but I get a text every once in a while from somebody

[20:22] saying something to the effect of a bunch of kids are driving crazily in one of the shopping

[20:29] centers and cursing and spitting and doing wheelies.

[20:32] I don't know anybody that reports to the Facebook police, because it doesn't exist.

[20:38] So if there's a problem, call the real police and emergency services, and they'll take

[20:44] care of it.

[20:45] That's all I have.

[20:47] Thanks, thanks.

[20:49] I mean, Kristen.

[20:52] I'm well.

[20:54] I am here to myself.

[20:55] I've remembered.

[20:55] I'll be brief for sake of the weather as well.

[20:58] Just a quick progress update on our road overlay program.

[21:01] It is almost wrapping up, only have a few more streets so far.

[21:06] The roads that have been milled and paved have gone without issue.

[21:09] The NJDOT Paving Project is ongoing.

[21:13] Mark, do we have an exact update on the Mountain View, the second phase of that?

[21:18] We are actually, you're taking an action tonight to approve it in a paper extension.

[21:25] We'll submit that and then I'm hoping to get it done this year,

[21:30] But we haven't been approved by the DOT yet to proceed to to the next steps, but you have an action tonight.

[21:37] We have no sense of timing on that.

[21:39] Well, once you act tonight, because it requires your approval, we'll submit it tomorrow and then

[21:46] we're hoping they'll get let us have a pre-construction meeting within a month.

[21:51] So it, but we'll put out announcements once we know what the, you know, what the paving is.

[21:56] I want we do want to get it done this fall.

[22:00] Great.

[22:01] Thank you.

[22:02] It also just like the detours are much easier in phase two than they were in phase one

[22:06] of Mountain Views.

[22:07] I'd like to thank Doug Burrow or DPW Superintendent and Chris Kaster, a township engineer, as well

[22:13] as you mark for your work on this and our residents for their flexibility sometimes with weather

[22:19] and other related issues intended, milling or paving days can get delayed, so we appreciate

[22:25] your flexibility as the work continues. And then just one other update I wanted to thank

[22:30] everybody who came out to volunteer for the trail cleanup amount war of Mr. Gilbert I see

[22:37] you. I think we had 19 people that came out that day. Yeah. Thank you Bill for all of your

[22:42] work spearheading the Open Space Committee here. And the next trail cleanup day is technically scheduled

[22:49] I believe for September 12th. Is that farm yet? November 19. September 19th got it. And that's

[22:55] It's going to be a Glenhurst.

[22:56] Glenhurst?

[22:56] Glenhurst, perfect.

[22:57] So if you're interested in joining, is there a form on line bill?

[23:02] Yes.

[23:03] Okay.

[23:04] And we'll push it out closer to the date, too, as a reminder for people.

[23:07] But thank you for everybody who came out for that, and with that mayor progress.

[23:13] Thank you.

[23:14] Deputy mayor.

[23:15] Thank you.

[23:16] So with update on the seniors, the annual picnic is set for September 9th at the Lyons

[23:23] civilian and that will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

[23:28] Tickets will, tickets are being sold for $5 a person and are required.

[23:33] They will not be sold at the door, so please RSVP to Brenda Garcia and pre-purchase your

[23:40] tickets.

[23:41] Last week, the seniors enjoyed a lunch and cruise along the Atlantic Highlands over by

[23:47] I see sight and just a little bit about what we've been working on with the senior advisory

[23:53] committee as I've been attending those meetings is we really are trying to highlight and kind

[23:59] and learn trends of how to reach the seniors that are not just involved in the senior club.

[24:11] So, that's been a lot of our discussions and we've been deep diving into some data and

[24:19] reports and trying to really figure out a way to reach those who live in this town

[24:24] who are of the age 65 and over but don't necessarily belong to the senior club.

[24:31] An update on the library, the cozy, co-quite room of the children's play area will have a

[24:37] full opening ceremony in September.

[24:40] The date is yet to be determined.

[24:42] We're still waiting on some key fixtures to arrive.

[24:47] Communications with contractors has begun

[24:49] for the renovation project for the public kitchen

[24:52] in the programming room on the first floor.

[24:55] So a few meetings ago, the library advisory committee

[24:59] voted on using the remaining of the fine money

[25:04] that they currently have to update the kitchen in the library.

[25:08] And I don't know if many of the residents know.

[25:11] I didn't know that there is a kitchen in the library

[25:15] where they conduct cooking classes.

[25:17] And so they decided that a good use

[25:20] of that money would be to update that kitchen.

[25:23] It will take some time to implement,

[25:25] but it is an exciting new improvement

[25:27] to the library facilities.

[25:30] Both of the improvements were endorsed and paid

[25:33] in partnership with FLAB.

[25:38] As

[25:39] Committeeman McHary mentioned, we are

[25:42] full steam ahead with planning for

[25:44] cultural day. We are looking to have

[25:48] that held on September 27th from

[25:51] 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and we are seeking

[25:54] volunteers to come and showcase their

[25:58] culture. So the way that just to reiterate

[26:02] I know I've spoken about it a few times.

[26:04] The way that we are envisioning this event working is that it will be fully run by volunteers.

[26:12] And the cultures that are going to be represented are completely based on those of you that step up.

[26:19] So whoever steps up for whatever particular culture or

[26:23] country, that will be what will be represented on this particular day.

[26:27] So, we're still we're seeking volunteers for that.

[26:32] Donna and Marissa and I are also working on an initiative,

[26:37] which I have to get credit to my daughter,

[26:41] point it, empowered by style.

[26:43] It is a clothing drive and I have to give a huge shout out to

[26:48] 688 boutique who just recently donated a tremendous amount

[26:53] of inventory to us.

[26:55] So it will be new and used clothing that we will be offering to those in need, and that is it, Mayor.

[27:06] Thank you.

[27:08] All right, so for Mayor's wellness, they have been very active all year in a Levy Gable has done a very good job

[27:16] in running the organization with a lot of volunteers and kind of the theme you hear is a lot of the stuff we do that feels community-based is volunteer.

[27:25] driven, so if people want to get engaged and want to see more of this, it takes volunteers.

[27:33] So last month the mayor's wellness sponsor to CPR class in this room.

[27:38] It was well attended, everyone to left with the certification.

[27:41] We're going to try to run that back a couple times for the remainder of the year.

[27:47] Bill Giller, who volunteers heavily in open space, is also offering defensive driving classes for

[27:54] residents and I recently learned that he races cars, so it may be a fun defensive driving

[27:59] class. The wellness walks have continued. Deputy Mayor will be there on August 28th at

[28:06] 915 at East County Park. Dogs are welcome.

[28:13] Tomorrow the 21st is the last day of our community

[28:16] back to school drive at the Warren Library. Supporting feeding hands and the food pantry

[28:22] As of Tuesday, they have over 200 pounds of items collected.

[28:26] Thanks to everyone that's generally donated already.

[28:29] And a special thanks to the Trinity Church for packing 40 personally decorated canvas bags for students.

[28:35] So if anyone has anything to donate, please, please know you can do it by tomorrow, and

[28:42] you can probably do it for eternity is just if people are in need.

[28:48] Trinity Church is helping people in our neighborhood.

[28:51] And then, I guess that's it.

[28:56] So I wanted to give a special thank you to Somerset County Business Partners, so they donated $5,000 to our June 19th FIFA Watch Party.

[29:06] I didn't want to say it until we got the check, but we got the check, so I want to say thank you to them.

[29:12] And then lastly, Mayor Jubin and myself have been, who's the Mayor of Watch Young have been focused on shared services and

[29:20] and leveraging each other to kind of magnifier message and so we've been working with the DOT to try to finish the sound wall that stops in 78 that goes through the rest of Warren and then a drainage project that more impacts watch on but we teamed up and I see a lot of benefit in working with our neighbors, which wasn't necessarily done in the past and you know two towns speaking is louder than one so we're going to continue to do that where it makes sense.

[29:47] That is all I have, so we're going to move on to presentations which Vanessa

[29:52] I'll see you're up.

[30:04] I think so.

[30:18] Tonight, we are proud to recognize three organizations and businesses that have made a lasting contribution to Warren Township community. While they serve very different purposes, faces, hair cutters, New Jersey planning officials, and Warren Auto Inc. share something important. Each has demonstrated a long standing commitment to Warren and to the people who call our community home.

[30:44] For decades, these organizations have provided more than professional services.

[30:49] They have built relationships, supported local residents, shared their knowledge and expertise,

[30:55] and become familiar and trusted parts of everyday life in Warren.

[31:00] Congratulations, and thank you for being an important part of Warren Township's history and community.

[31:11] Faces, hair cutters.

[31:13] In October 1989, just a few years after graduating from Watchung Hills Regional High School,

[31:19] Lynn Killian took ownership of faces hair cutters.

[31:23] With deep local roots and experience working in other salons, including serving as lead

[31:29] hair stylist at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Lynn was excited to begin this new chapter in

[31:34] Warren.

[31:35] Nearly 37 years later, Lynn's dedication to the community has made faces hair cutters so much

[31:41] more than a salon. It has become a true community institution. Faces has been there

[31:48] for countless milestones for haircuts, proms, weddings, family celebrations, and now even

[31:55] the next generation of clients. For so many, Lynn has become like family, a familiar face,

[32:02] a trusted friend, and always an understanding ear to listen. Lynn has generously mentored

[32:09] many new stylists and gives back to the community by supporting fundraisers and charitable causes.

[32:15] For nearly four decades, Lynn and faces hair cutters have been a constant presence in Warren,

[32:21] creating lasting relationships, one haircut, and one conversation at a time.

[32:26] Please come up.

[32:34] I'm just going to thank you.

[32:35] It was so nice.

[32:37] It was so nice.

[32:38] Oh.

[32:38] Yeah, I just saw it.

[32:41] Yeah, thank you.

[32:42] This is amazing.

[32:43] Thank you so much.

[32:44] It's been an honor to be in the community and to be a part of Warren for almost 40 years,

[32:51] and I couldn't do it without my clients who have been loyal.

[32:56] I'm probably on the third generation of family members now, and it's exciting to be here.

[33:03] I did not expect this. And just like a little piece of trivia,

[33:08] my very best friend over here was my my model for my state board exam, all those years ago, so thanks Donna.

[33:19] Yeah, thank you.

[33:21] I could probably produce them with the pin curls and the finger wheels.

[33:26] Oh my god, I wish we had that for tonight.

[33:28] Yeah, so yeah, turn on the team.

[33:31] I will, I will, I will load them to your Facebook page at 5.5.

[33:35] So thank you so much. This is really an honor. It's very exciting to be here and I plan on being here for maybe not

[33:42] another 40 years but at least another 20. Oh wait, we're going to take a picture. Oh, we're going to wait for the next one. Thank you, thank you so much.

[33:49] I just did not expect that that was, was that you? Yeah, that was.

[34:21] The representatives are the other two businesses are not here but I'll still recognize them.

[34:31] New Jersey planning officials, New Jersey planning officials and JPO proudly celebrates

[34:36] more than 85 years of service to New Jersey's communities, including 35 years and more in township.

[34:42] Founded in 1938 by volunteer citizen planners, their commitment to advancing education and

[34:47] planning and zoning has grown into a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting

[34:53] municipal boards, elected officials and planning professionals through education, training, and advocacy.

[35:01] The organization remains unique among statewide organizations.

[35:06] as it is still a volunteer led organization. Over 40 members of Warren's planning and zoning

[35:12] boards have participated in NJPO's mandatory training courses, ensuring board members are

[35:19] knowledgeable, I'm sorry, are knowledgeable leading to more informed decisions and long-term

[35:24] quality of life for Warren residents and property owners. The other business is Warren Otto.

[35:32] So nearly four decades, Warren Otto has been a familiar and trusted presence in Warren

[35:39] Township.

[35:40] The property itself has an even longer automotive history that dates back to the 1940s when

[35:47] it was the morning glory service station.

[35:50] Today Warren Otto continues the tradition of serving generations of local motorists from

[35:55] the same location.

[35:56] Under the leadership of Stephen Inglier, Warren Auto has earned a reputation as the kind of independent hands on automotive business that has become increasingly rare.

[36:09] The shop is particularly known for its expertise with SOB automobiles, attracting local customers who appreciate the specialized knowledge required to keep these vehicles on the road.

[36:19] The loyalty is reflected in the words of its customers describing Steve and Warren Auto as honest, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and fair with customers for many years and recommending the shop to their friends and neighbors.

[36:34] The greatest measure of local business is not simply the number of years it has been open but the relationship it builds along the way.

[36:42] For 37 years Warren Auto has kept families of Warren township moving.

[36:47] Thank you Mayor

[36:53] Claudia couldn't make it tonight the next.

[37:25] The Township Committee is pleased to recognize September 14th through September 20th as

[37:31] National Dipper Need Awareness Week which raises awareness of the challenges faced by

[37:36] families who struggle to afford and adequate supply of diapers.

[37:39] Dipper need can have significant impacts on the health and well-being of children and families

[37:43] And we're proud to recognize the importance work of local organizations, including moms

[37:49] helping moms, safe and sound summer set, and Zufall Health Center Summerville, which

[37:55] provide resources and support to families in need.

[37:58] The Township Committee encourages residents to support these efforts and help ensure that

[38:03] every child has access to the basic necessities needed to thrive.

[38:07] Judy, who is the interim director of moms helping moms located here in Warren, is here to

[38:11] say a few words.

[38:11] Thank

[38:19] you very much.

[38:20] Mom's helping moms is a diaper bank and baby essential supply organization.

[38:25] We are on Sterling Road in Warren.

[38:29] We help families who are struggling to afford diapers.

[38:34] One in two families in the United States can not afford to purchase all the diapers they need each month.

[38:40] So I know those numbers are kind of surprising, but it is based on data.

[38:47] We help provide other things like car seats, pack and plays, clothing, period products, nursing supplies.

[38:57] So if anyone is interested in doing a diaper drive or stopping in for a tour, we would love to show you around.

[39:02] We have a 8,000 square foot warehouse space over there.

[39:06] And we thank you for recognizing our organization.

[39:14] We'll

[39:28] move on to public hearings, Dan.

[39:33] Mayor, I'd like to introduce ordinance number 26-22 for adoption and second reading.

[39:38] It's an ordinance authorizing an appropriation in the amount of $1,140,160 to provide funding for

[39:47] dealment, nature trail, and pond improvements.

[39:51] I'll open the public hearing, I've seen nothing, I'll pull it up.

[39:58] Oh, sorry, oh my, sorry Bill, come on up, you're blind side.

[40:04] Yeah.

[40:06] Bill Gilbert's 17 foot lock drive.

[40:09] I just want to emphasize my support for this project and the ordinance and the work to be

[40:14] done at dealment.

[40:15] As most residents know, the dealment ponds popular for the annual fishing derby and as a local

[40:22] fishing spot for kids, and the trails used to be quite popular, but the dealman trails are

[40:28] very hard to maintain with the current drainage, and the pond needs better aeration.

[40:35] As a result, for this year, the Open Space Advisory Committee, DPW, and volunteers are focused

[40:40] on cutting to the Glenhurst, and I'm very pleased to say both of those sites now have very

[40:46] attractive hiking trails for Warren residents to enjoy with updated information and maps and so on on the website.

[40:55] Next year, at this time, I hope I can add a dealman to that list.

[40:59] Thank you.

[41:00] Thank you, Bill.

[41:01] I really do appreciate the level of effort you've done for Open Space.

[41:05] We can focus on dealman and you're taking care of the rest, so thank you.

[41:14] So just-

[41:18] I would like to relate. My family's experience was in it, with deal with trail trails. They've

[41:26] often been so muddy and with sticky mud and puddles and water that my friends have been

[41:34] unable to enjoy, get down to the pond to enjoy it. I support a providing a better surface

[41:45] for people to walk on, I mean, the ill-material workplace.

[41:50] I agree, thank you, Bill.

[41:52] And just, I'll go ahead, Mark.

[41:53] I'll talk finances, I'll go ahead.

[41:54] No, no, no.

[41:56] OK, this is a, known as a green-egre stewardship grant.

[42:02] So that limits, like, there's not, it's not necessarily

[42:08] improvements, but, you know, more of a maintenance.

[42:12] So the issues that everybody is raising

[42:14] are going to be addressed, but it's not a reconstruction project.

[42:18] The benefit of the stewardship, which is why the committee chose to go this way,

[42:24] is it's a 50% matching grant, not a, you know, otherwise it would have been, you know,

[42:31] a higher matching grant.

[42:32] We're getting more state money out of this approach than we would have gotten out of others.

[42:37] So that's actually a good point.

[42:39] So we're approving 1.1 right now of which 570,000 is a stake grant and the

[42:46] legislation that approving the funds actually has been enacted by the

[42:53] legislature and so on by the governor. So the funding once you adopt is

[42:59] actually going we still have to go through a number of steps with the you know

[43:05] but to meet all the green acres requirements,

[43:08] but funding will be locked in once you approve the order.

[43:11] No, it's fantastic, thanks Mark.

[43:14] And unfortunately Bill, I don't think it'll be next year

[43:18] given its green acres rules involved,

[43:20] but the project is underway.

[43:23] We're starting the preliminary assessment reports

[43:26] that are required are already underway by our engineers.

[43:30] Phil's learning the speed of stuff a little bit,

[43:32] I think, also.

[43:33] So, all right, so I'll close public hearing,

[43:42] discussion, roll call.

[43:45] Committee member McCarrie.

[43:46] Yes.

[43:47] Committee member McCarrie.

[43:47] Yes.

[43:48] Committee member Croson.

[43:49] Yes.

[43:50] Deputy Mayor Keon.

[43:51] Yes.

[43:51] Mayor Fine.

[43:52] Yes.

[43:53] Mayor, I make a motion to approve, or I'm sorry, I like to introduce approval of township

[43:58] committee meeting minutes.

[44:00] I make a motion to approve meeting minutes from the July 16, 2026 executive and regular township committee meetings.

[44:16] I'm going to open it up to public comments on agenda items only,

[44:21] seeing nothing, I will

[44:22] close that.

[44:24] Payment of the bills?

[44:28] Mayor, make a motion to approve resolution 2026 to 06, payment of bills, be it resolved

[44:35] the township committee of a township of Warren, county of summer state of New Jersey, the

[44:40] Chief Financial Officer B, and hereby is authorized to pay current bills in the amount of $17,362,254.58 cents, and made a part hereup, consisting of payments as follows, more in Township Board of Education, $6 million.

[44:56] $20.

[44:57] Watching Hills Regional High School,

[44:59] $2 million.

[45:00] $119.19, $767, Somerset County, $5,821,994.69, the sewer utility, $589,669.52, and township expenses, $2,832,323.37 cents. I make a motion to approve.

[45:27] discussion, roll call? Committee member McCarrie? Yes. Committee member

[45:32] Blitz? Yes. Committee member Croson? Yes. Deputy Mayor Keon? Yes. Mayor Fein? Yes.

[45:38] Any deferred business? There is none at this time there. On to the new business. Okay.

[45:43] Okay. I'd like to introduce ordinance number 26-23 for introduction and first

[45:50] reading. This is a bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of property in and by the

[45:58] township of Warren in the county of Somerset, New Jersey, appropriating 1,400,000 therefor,

[46:06] and authorizing the insurance of 1,330,000 bonds or notes of the township of finance part

[46:16] part of the cost thereof.

[46:19] I make a motion to approve ordinance number 26-23 on first reading.

[46:28] Discussion, Mark, you want to give a little more color to this one?

[46:34] This is round top?

[46:36] Okay.

[46:37] Well, the township has negotiated for the purchase of round top swim club.

[46:44] The purchase price is one million and $50,000.

[46:49] A contract is being negotiated between our attorneys and their attorneys.

[46:57] I know in speaking to their attorney, I know that they are, the contract is agreeable to both sides.

[47:07] We are not able to execute it until this ordinance is passed and that will be next month.

[47:12] but I've talked to the attorney and we're trying to get agreement to start or due diligence which will include a survey of phase one and also

[47:22] an evaluation of the facilities so we have that done as part of this process.

[47:31] This ordinance is an open space, will be open space debt so that it will be funded through at least this part of it.

[47:41] through the open space trust fund.

[47:45] Perfect. Thanks, Mark.

[47:46] Can you just clarify the difference in the $1,150,000 versus the appropriate.

[47:53] Well, we're operating an additional fund because we have to do diligence that we do accomplish.

[47:59] And in the event, we have any initial repairs and things that we have to address that will be that's provided for within the ordinance.

[48:09] Now, if we get further than that in some of the discussions you're having, then we'll

[48:15] have discussions about how that will be financed.

[48:17] Okay.

[48:18] Thank you, Mark.

[48:19] Mark, I'm sorry.

[48:20] I know, but can you confirm that we're just buying the assets, we're not buying any debt

[48:24] that they may have reliability that we're not buying the corporation around now?

[48:28] No, no, no.

[48:28] We are buying the property that is all we're purchasing and any facilities and fixtures

[48:37] that are currently in place, how they handle their corporate issues will be their responsibility.

[48:49] Now, we're not buying the entity, we're buying the property.

[48:54] And like I said, their membership did approve our offer, I believe on July 27th, yeah.

[49:04] And so that will move that forward, but we'll be, like I said, now that this is being

[49:17] introduced, I'll be authorizing the different due diligence elements so we can move this forward and get this done by the end of the year.

[49:27] Perfect.

[49:28] Thank you.

[49:28] Thank you

[49:30] Roll call committee men McCarrie. Yes

[49:34] Committing men blick. Yes committee men crossing. Yes, Deputy Mayor Keon. Yes, Mayor fine. Yes

[49:41] Public hearing for ordinance 2623 will be held on September 24th, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Suzy B boys meeting

[49:50] Mayor, I'd like to introduce ordinance number 26 stash 24 for introduction and first reading

[49:55] ordinance vacating a portion of San Road and a portion of an existing brook slash

[50:02] drainage easement to and for the benefit of the property identified as block 86.01

[50:08] lot 30-01 township of Warren, Somerset County, New Jersey, and make a motion to

[50:15] approve ordinance 26-24 on first reading.

[50:19] second.

[50:25] Committee Member Carrey.

[50:26] Committee Member Blip.

[50:27] Yes.

[50:28] Committee Member Croson.

[50:29] Yes.

[50:29] Deputy Mayor Kean.

[50:30] Yes.

[50:30] Mayor Fine.

[50:31] Yes.

[50:34] The public hearing for ordinance 2624 will be held on September 24th, 2026 at 7pm in the Suzy

[50:41] Beboys meeting room.

[50:43] Mayor, I'd like to introduce resolution number 2026-207 authorizing execution of a member

[50:49] ran of a understanding with Newville LLC and pillar care continuum and ink for development

[50:56] of an affordable housing project on the township owned sterling road property.

[51:01] I make a motion to approve Resolution 2026-207.

[51:05] Second.

[51:07] Discussion?

[51:08] Roll call.

[51:09] Committee member Kerry.

[51:11] Yes.

[51:11] Committee member Nick.

[51:12] Yes.

[51:12] Committee member Rosen.

[51:13] Yes.

[51:14] Deputy Mayor Keon.

[51:15] Yes.

[51:15] Mayor fine.

[51:16] Yes.

[51:16] Yes, Mayor would like to introduce resolution number 2026-208, supporting S-4472 requiring members of the New Jersey legislator to hold annual town hall meetings and make a motion to approve.

[51:31] Second.

[51:33] Discussion?

[51:34] Yes, Mayor.

[51:35] First of all, I'd like to recognize Brian Lee from Senator Bramneck's office who's here with us this evening.

[51:39] Senator Brahmnick is the sponsor of this bill and as we were going through the meeting

[51:44] tonight as we're you know meeting with residents and fielding their questions and discussing

[51:52] issues pertinent to the town it underscored for me the importance of a bill like this which

[51:59] would require state senators and assembly members to hold annual town hall meetings.

[52:04] If a resident has a question for local council they can come to a meeting like this.

[52:08] If a resident has a question for county commissioners, they can go to a county commission meeting.

[52:15] If a resident has a question for a member of the assembly, there are very few, if any,

[52:20] opportunities to ask that question in person and have a discussion at length on any particular

[52:27] issue.

[52:28] Senator Bramnik himself has held two town halls this year alone.

[52:33] I was fortunate enough to attend both of them.

[52:35] And there were great discussions on issues that are pertinent to residents all throughout

[52:42] the state of New Jersey.

[52:43] So I want to thank the senator for introducing this bill for Brian for being here tonight.

[52:47] I think he has copies of the legislation as well that he can leave with Donna if you have

[52:52] him at town hall.

[52:53] If you could include it in the roundup of the meeting that we send out, that would be great.

[53:00] But with that, I support the passage of the resolution.

[53:10] I'm going to introduce Resolution 2026-209, except in the Redsignation of Lieutenant Daniel

[53:21] Leason.

[53:23] I make a motion to approve Resolution 2026-209.

[53:27] Second.

[53:28] And for discussion, I'm just going to ask the chief if you want us to come up and say a few words because

[53:33] Dan's been great for the force and it's sad to see him leave, but I understand

[53:38] As I as I've told Dan he served this town for nearly 27 years. He served in every

[53:44] Every division within the police department. I told him yes

[53:46] I said, you know, we walk around a lot of people leave their footprints in their hand prints where they go

[53:51] Dan left his sole print

[53:54] Right here. He's here now with us

[53:59] But he's 27 years, he's retiring, happy, healthy.

[54:03] He's moving on to the next chapter in his life, and he will be deeply missed in the

[54:08] police department.

[54:09] So I wish him the best of luck.

[54:11] I thank him for his service, and I'd say I wish him all the luck.

[54:15] Thank you, Chief.

[54:16] Roll call.

[54:18] Committee member Kerry.

[54:19] Yes.

[54:19] Committee member Blake.

[54:20] Yes.

[54:20] Committee member Croson.

[54:21] Yes.

[54:22] Yes.

[54:22] American? Yes, they're fine. Yes.

[54:27] Mayor, I'd like to introduce consent agenda, consent agenda

[54:31] resolutions, resolutions number 2026-20, excuse me, 2026-210 through 2026-234 were submitted

[54:40] to the township committee for review and may be adopted by one motion. These resolutions are listed

[54:45] on the agenda and a complete copy is available in the township clerk's office and the township's

[54:50] website. I make a motion to approve consent agenda resolutions 2026-210 through 2026-234

[55:00] Second discussion

[55:02] Roku

[55:03] Yes, committee member blick. Yes, committee member crozen. Yes, deputy mayor keon. Yes, mayor fine. Yes

[55:10] Okay into discussion topic one

[55:13] 2027 budget goals and procedures mark

[55:18] You have before you my memo that now kicks off our 2027 budget process.

[55:29] My proposal would be, and I'll take this in within a couple of pieces, is that the process with the departments and preparing a document for the committee is to be the same as we followed in past years.

[55:44] I'd like it, you know, since you just got it today, there's a lot near to digest.

[55:51] The decisions don't necessarily have to be made.

[55:54] A lot of it will be made during the course of the next six to nine months, but I'm laying

[56:00] out a lot of issues, both short-term for 2027 and long-term that you should consider as we

[56:10] go about long-term budget planning.

[56:13] I'd like you to take a look at the seven, you know, goals and objectives.

[56:18] I'd like to get, you know, a reaction to that so they can be endorsed at the 924 meeting

[56:24] because I want to get the procedural forms out to the, you know, to the departments, you

[56:30] know, about that time.

[56:33] And I know that, you know, Karen Denovik or CFO and I had meetings with both the Mayor and

[56:39] deputy mayor in May, to talk about things that we can do to start tightening up the process.

[56:48] So it's 26 was due to the building issues, at least the Tenshi committee's ability to get a lot of information.

[57:01] We found a way to get through it, and I think we worked out pretty well.

[57:04] But I would like 27 to be a little more normal than 26 was.

[57:11] Thank you, Mark.

[57:11] And I will say, so I didn't read it thoroughly because it was today.

[57:16] But I think what Mark lays out is the future, right?

[57:22] So the questions he asks are not about tomorrow.

[57:25] It's like five years from now.

[57:26] So I think this goes back to me on the vision of mission that we started.

[57:31] I think if you tie that to a mark did we should come up with a long term plan that we agree on that addresses his comments and aligns with the vision and mission that we still have to complete because I think it's important.

[57:46] We got to set the tone for the future and we haven't done that in the past and I think us five are kind of keyed in on the same vision for what Warren is going to be.

[57:57] And I think Mark's memo helps identify some of the risks that he's seen.

[58:03] So I don't know Donna that vision and mission where that is, but it would be something I'd

[58:09] like to wrap up.

[58:12] Horizon for us to get into

[58:17] that September, are you on it though?

[58:18] Yeah, so I mean, just give me your comments going forward, you know, and so that we can at

[58:25] least a week before the 924 meeting, so any adjustments that need to be made in the proposal

[58:31] that at least the goals and objectives, the memo itself just lays out some issues.

[58:43] And I know Mr. McHarrow, you had some comments that I didn't incorporate a degree within the department in structural memos.

[58:56] So there are the longer term decisions about how you deal with certain things.

[59:07] As I had said to the mayor a couple of weeks ago, there's two ultimate goals here, maintaining the lowest possible amount to be raised by taxes while still being able to run the business.

[59:22] And also keeping in mind that we have a triple a bond rating.

[59:30] And we want to make sure that both short and

[59:35] long-term decisions allow warrant to maintain that rating.

[59:39] Moody's is actually going through its annual review right now.

[59:43] Got to review their draft report today.

[59:47] And, you know, they're going to be maintaining or, you know, or AAA rating, but we've got

[59:53] a lot going on and a lot of debt that's going to, you know, that's going to be issued

[59:58] just with all the decisions you're...

[1:00:00] So, you know, making right now. And so, we've got to make sure that we're maintaining that rating. I will say the first three paragraphs, again, I didn't read everything, but the first three talks about headwinds, affordable housing, the storms we've endured, stormwater management, right? And then a lot of first of all the community engagement, the new things we've done. And so, that's three paragraphs is like what I think the future is, right?

[1:00:29] it's future planning and sending money aside

[1:00:33] to control what we can.

[1:00:35] It's strategic planning and then it's community, right?

[1:00:39] And it reads that that's what we've done

[1:00:42] and it aligns with the vision

[1:00:44] and I think we can set it

[1:00:46] that Mark has a good direction moving forward.

[1:00:49] So I was proud of the first couple of paragraphs

[1:00:52] because it shows this was a year already.

[1:00:55] And we have been in town Hallston Super Bowl so.

[1:00:59] All right, thank you, Mark.

[1:01:01] And then Zoom.

[1:01:03] You want to take that?

[1:01:04] Sure.

[1:01:05] So I had asked for us to put that on discussion

[1:01:08] because it is time to open up the discussion of Zoom

[1:01:12] as we are wrapping up phase one of the AV upgrades here

[1:01:17] in the courtroom.

[1:01:19] And to be able to move that discussion forward,

[1:01:22] we're going to need some additional information,

[1:01:24] which I'm going to ask of Donna if you can please kind of go back in time and see what we had initially for that pilot that we had done a couple of years ago for a zoom when we piloted.

[1:01:40] For those like the rules and the procedures and how we conducted it and what you felt worked and what didn't work and how what you think we could have done better

[1:01:52] to kind of make it a little more seamless and also easier for residents to

[1:01:57] access because the whole point is for them to be able to access it otherwise

[1:02:00] what's the point of having it. And then I also would like to have a better

[1:02:05] understanding. So when Lance and I first met with the vendor we do we did

[1:02:11] emphasize that we wanted to have the capability to move forward with either

[1:02:17] or Zoom or Teams or whatever kind of platform it was.

[1:02:21] So we are kind of set up for it,

[1:02:25] but we're not fully set up for it just yet.

[1:02:27] So I'm sure the rest of the committee

[1:02:29] would like to understand moving forward,

[1:02:32] what needs to happen in terms of equipment and wiring

[1:02:37] in order to facilitate something such as a Teams

[1:02:42] or Zoom option for residents.

[1:02:45] Yes, of course.

[1:02:46] Part of the requirements that I gave them, meaning the vendor that just completed this,

[1:02:53] was that when they wire the place, it's got to be set up for streaming in both ways,

[1:02:59] two-way communication.

[1:03:01] And again, I didn't say Zoom, it's plastic is what I said, because we need to figure out

[1:03:07] what platform is the best for us.

[1:03:08] exactly but you know I haven't met with them since the project was pretty much

[1:03:16] completed but that was in the requirements so I you know I would ask that

[1:03:22] they come in here and go over that with us and just make sure that we that

[1:03:27] we we hit on all that but there's that's the reason why there's a TV right

[1:03:30] there so that when somebody comes in here and presents a PowerPoint we could

[1:03:34] display it up there it'll also go out over the streaming platform but I also

[1:03:39] want it so that if one of us is sick and can't make a meeting but you could

[1:03:43] still make the meeting why not be able to dial in it's like things like that

[1:03:46] so yeah yeah so the the reason why I had asked to have it put on discussion is

[1:03:53] I mean literally so that we can have this discussion and kind of you know start

[1:03:58] moving the ball forward now that we have phase one completed and collect the

[1:04:04] additional information that we need to kind of make it happen and part of that is

[1:04:08] understanding what what additional equipment or you know procedures and

[1:04:14] whatnot that we need and we also have to know what platform we're gonna

[1:04:17] like we have to explore whether I would be zoom or I know that you say that with

[1:04:22] work you use was it teams a lot that you we's Google oh Google but I know that

[1:04:27] we're a Microsoft shop here at the township so we can figure that out that's

[1:04:31] the least of it. But the important part is that my requirements were that we are set

[1:04:38] up to be platform agnostic so anything we decide to plug in there should work. So,

[1:04:43] okay. Thank you. So I'm going to open up to privilege of the floor to the public.

[1:04:52] Sure, come on up, Bill.

[1:05:06] For my 88 years of age and my perspective of many years in war and township, I would like

[1:05:13] to identify to you what I feel like what makes for a successful township committee and

[1:05:19] what makes for a failure as a township committee.

[1:05:22] I find that the township committee is strongest when it has five members who are all dedicated

[1:05:28] to being a much of their career public servants.

[1:05:31] If they should aim not for it to your term, but for 15, 19, 20, or 23, your term as

[1:05:39] Caroline Gaffa, Victorino, and Gary Drauno, and Suzy Boyce did.

[1:05:45] I think you should be, you should be, your position is one of becoming more knowledgeable

[1:05:53] about what is out.

[1:05:54] More knowledgeable about people, because there's no more people, because you see more people,

[1:05:58] I understand how more people feel about their government and by that way you will eventually

[1:06:05] come.

[1:06:05] I hope by 246 that you will be known as the strongest township government in the state of

[1:06:14] New Jersey and God bless you all.

[1:06:17] Thank you Bill.

[1:06:25] Rick DePinio, 11 Wilshire Road and just looking at the agenda tonight when I saw the zoom

[1:06:31] meeting on here that's what got me out into the rain and be careful when we all go home because I've

[1:06:36] been reading that there's a tree down over by Barney Road so Washington Valley might be a little

[1:06:41] tricky or closed so so I just wanted to commend you guys and say hey the zoom worked for a number of

[1:06:49] years during COVID I was probably the most well we have a new I was there I mean don't I don't have

[1:06:56] hands, I have your number in my phone because of it, because there were times where things

[1:07:02] wouldn't work exactly right. But the bottom line is, if we really want to do it as

[1:07:07] a town, it works and it's an excellent way for people to provide feedback at the meeting

[1:07:12] directly to you in a two way fashion. And I hope that we get that restarted. I know the

[1:07:18] changes and everything else in upgrading this room had to be done. Good to see that it's

[1:07:22] finally nearing an end.

[1:07:24] So that's one of the reasons I'm here.

[1:07:27] I just want to advocate the support

[1:07:29] of getting that done in timely fashion.

[1:07:32] The goals and procedures, I just,

[1:07:34] I have a comment every year that comes up.

[1:07:38] It's been like nine years now we have two municipal buildings.

[1:07:41] I know we're finally getting,

[1:07:43] I think a referendum or something in the fall.

[1:07:45] It would be great though if we could figure out

[1:07:47] what we're gonna do because that carrying that is a cost.

[1:07:50] an O&M cost to our town. So just the request that somebody seriously look at making some

[1:07:57] tough decisions as to what we're going to do with that building. So I don't know. I couldn't

[1:08:03] have the bridge lawn for nine years, so our town, I guess, can afford it. Lastly, I just

[1:08:08] wanted to say, when the tax bills came out this year, I did some calculations and number

[1:08:13] crunching. And if I ran it on the fiscal year with the way the numbers come out from August

[1:08:19] to July, not the calendar year. I came up with a number that said, wow, the increase

[1:08:25] for our property taxes, eight and a half percent in one year. And as I watched news 12 recently,

[1:08:34] I don't know how many people saw Jersey City had their residents up in arms because their

[1:08:39] taxes went up over 15 percent. Now, eight and a half percent is not 15 percent, but then I said,

[1:08:46] I got a, you know, at least look at it on an annual basis, look at the calendar basis

[1:08:50] because I got corrected after speaking to Mr. Crane about, well, you got to look at

[1:08:54] the annual rate.

[1:08:55] You can't look at that physical stuff.

[1:08:57] I mean, I still six and a half percent.

[1:08:59] So while I'm thinking of as our seniors and a people in town who, you know, really look

[1:09:03] at that and that's not a, I know we got headwinds and we got inflation in this country

[1:09:08] and it's really tough for people but six and a half percent and even if the average

[1:09:13] if you want, according to Mark, was, let me not,

[1:09:16] four and a half, 4.6%, I think, was the correct number.

[1:09:20] Whatever it is, everybody's probably gonna do

[1:09:22] their own number crunching.

[1:09:23] All I'm just asking you guys is take the budget real serious

[1:09:26] and let's hold the line on taxes, all right?

[1:09:29] Thank you.

[1:09:30] Thank you.

[1:09:30] Why are you there?

[1:09:30] Could I ask you a question on Zoom?

[1:09:32] Sure.

[1:09:33] So, we're gonna work through the evaluation of,

[1:09:36] if it works, the ease of operation.

[1:09:38] Is there something that you don't feel that we're accessible

[1:09:42] that if you had a question that you could just call us.

[1:09:47] So I just, I asked the question because I don't know what the outcome's going to be, right?

[1:09:52] We're wired now, we can do it. My question to you is you're active and involved and I know you talked to us.

[1:09:57] I'm just curious to zoom benefit you that much in the fact of access.

[1:10:03] I think there were times especially during COVID where it was beneficial and it wasn't photo bombed.

[1:10:11] like that time where somebody was bombing the media about that.

[1:10:15] Yeah, I think that was an aberration and hopefully that will be fixed or not happened again.

[1:10:21] But I think it was good to have the opportunity to sometimes,

[1:10:25] you don't know how things are going to go, especially during public comments.

[1:10:30] And to have that ability to then say, hey, I'd like to jump in and add to that or question that,

[1:10:36] there was value in that.

[1:10:38] And I agree with you, you guys are, most of you are very accessible, extremely accessible.

[1:10:45] So in that sense, I agree, I could, if I have an idea, sometimes if I have a question

[1:10:52] before I even come to this meeting, I think of sending you or Vanessa or somebody a question

[1:10:56] ahead of time, or I'll ask Mark Crane, because I don't want to waste everyone's time.

[1:11:02] So you know, you learn after you've been going to meetings since what, 2017, so it's

[1:11:07] It's kind of like, you know, it's a learning curve.

[1:11:10] That's a fair point, I was just curious.

[1:11:11] But I think there were times where when you see the direction and the way things go,

[1:11:16] because you can't always predict that there's an agenda, but things take turns.

[1:11:20] And if you didn't have that ability to have a two way, you'd miss out.

[1:11:25] Fair.

[1:11:26] Okay.

[1:11:26] Thank you.

[1:11:27] All right.

[1:11:27] Thank you.

[1:11:35] I would like to urge the committee, but special attention in the future of the off-hour house,

[1:11:42] or old municipal building. The Township Committee, the historic

[1:11:46] site committee has been doing work now for three years to define

[1:11:49] and defunctions for the Howard House. I think I think you can add

[1:11:55] you members who represent the general public can add to this by bringing

[1:11:59] the voice of the general public to the decision of what should be done

[1:12:02] with the Howard House. And I wish you would really push that

[1:12:05] to the top of your agenda. Thank you very much. Thank you.

[1:12:08] See

[1:12:14] nothing else I'll make a motion close

Warren Township Committee Meeting August 20, 2026

Transcript