[00:00:09]
HELLO. THIS IS THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE CALLED TO ORDER AT SEVEN. 01 ROLL CALL, PLEASE. MAYORS. YEAH. DEPUTY MAYOR BARRAGAN. THE COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN, YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBER, TAYLOR TODD. THE COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. NOTICE OF MEETING IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT. ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED ON JANUARY 12TH 2024 TO THE CARE NEWS AND THE STAR LEDGER POSTED ON THE MUNICIPAL BULLETIN BOARD AND FILED WITH THE TOWNSHIP CLERK. SALUTE TO THE FLAG. PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I COULD SAY SOMETHING. NATION. UNDERGRAD. AND. SO OH, OKAY? NO,
[1. Proclamation - Recognizing Stefanie Lachenauer for Service and Dedication for the Betterment of the Youm of Montgomery Township ]
DEFINITELY. OKAY UH, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION TODAY, RECOGNIZING STEPHANIE LACKER FOR SERVICE AND DEDICATION FOR BETTERMENT OF THE YOUTH OF MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. WHEREAS A COMMUNITY. POSSESSES NO GREATER TREASURE THAN THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF ITS CITIZENS AND ITS VOLUNTEERS. AND WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY DESIRED TO RECOGNIZE VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT AND WHERE IS THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY EXTENDS ITS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND SINCERE APPRECIATION TO STEPHANIE LACKER FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH HAVE ENHANCED THE WELL BEING OF THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND BE AS STEPHANIE LACKER, A TEACHER AT MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP UPPER MIDDLE SCHOOL, SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE MONTGOMERY, ROCKY HILL MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE AND YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE AS A FACILITATOR OF THE YOUTH ACTION BOARD AS A MEMBER OF THE MONTGOMERY UPPER MIDDLE SCHOOLS, COMPASSIONATE CARE AND AN ADVISOR OF THE SCHOOL CLUB REFLECTIONS AND WHEREAS STEPHANIE LAAU UNWAVERING COMPASSION AND DEDICATION IS FURTHER EXEMPLIFIED BY THE SELFLESS TIME AND TALENT SHE OFFERS AS A YOGA TEACHER, YOGA INSTRUCTOR, A MINDFUL SCHOOLS EDUCATOR, A TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE SPECIALIST AND TRAINER, A FACILITATOR OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS, TEACHER OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AND SKILLS, INNOVATOR OF THE SELF CARE DAYS AND TRAVELING WITH SMALL GROUPS OF STUDENTS ON EDUCATIONAL TRIPS TO OTHER COUNTRIES DURING SPRING AND SUMMER BREAKS. AND WHEREAS STEPHANIE LACK'S PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER EFFORTS ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING VALUABLE INFORMATION AND STRESS RELIEF, COPING LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS AND OKAY? AND STEPHANIE LACKS DEVOTION IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL YOUTH HAS EARNED HER MANY AWARDS AND ACCOLADES, INCLUDING THE SOMERSET COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES COMMISSIONS. PAUL AND JEAN CROSS AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO YOUTH AND THE 2023 UPPER MIDDLE SCHOOL GOVERNORS. EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD. NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY HEREBY EXTENDS SINCERE APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO STEPHANIE LACKER FOR THE SELFLESS DEDICATION AND THE COMPASSION AND SUPPORT OF THE BETTERMENT OF THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING OF THE YOUTH OF MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. ON THIS 15TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2024.[00:05:25]
AND WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE STEPHANIE AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY A COUPLE OF SENTENCES BECAUSE I'VE KNOWN STEPHANIE FOR FROM THE TIME THAT SHE WAS TEACHING MY SON SOCIAL STUDIES AND, UM, ALSO, I THINK SHE ENCOURAGED HIM TO START THE, UM HE BUILT THE, UM LIKE A MEDITATION GARDEN BEHIND THE OTHER. KAUFMAN AND STEPHANIE WAS HIS INSPIRATION, AND HE RUNS A NONPROFIT, HEALTHY, MIND HEALTHY BODY INITIATIVE. AND I WANT TO THANK STEPHANIE FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, MOTIVATING HIM ENCOURAGING HIM SO THAT NOT JUST MY SON. I KNOW YOU ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE SO MANY KIDS IN THIS TOWN, SO WE ALL ON THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US? THANKS AGAIN, STEPHANIE. OK? UH, PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC[2. Public Comment ]
WISHING TO ADDRESS THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE TOWNSHIP WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON IF COMMENTS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE ALREADY STATED, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION GROUPS ARE ASKED TO SELECT A SPOKESPERSON ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WISH TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE? GOOD EVENING. UM. I AM A BAZAR. I AM THE SHADE TREE. COULD YOU SPELL YOUR LAST NAME? YEAH, OK, EW, A AND THE LAST NAME IS Z LIKE ZEBRA, A. LIKE ANNA K LIKE AN THANK YOU. RIGHT? I'VE BEEN ON THE SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR 38 YEARS NOW. TO AS CHAIR. AND NOW I AM AN ADVISOR. UH I DESIGNED THE ARBORETUM OF NATIVE FLORA IN TA. INTO A AND PLAYGROUNDS IN SEVERAL PARKS. AND NOW THE HIGH METAL HEDGEROWS OF THE TOWN HALL. UH, WHICH IS. RAISED BY LUTHER SIX ORTHOD ROAD AND THE TWO ANGLES OF THE PARKING LOT. UH, MY OTHER PROJECTS WENT RATHER SMOOTHLY. NOT THIS ONE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF COOPER OPERATION AND COMMUNICATIONS HERE. THERE WERE SURPRISES. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THIS. THE NEW SIDEWALK ON ORCHARD ROAD. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT NEARLY HALF THE TREES WOULD BE CUT DOWN. OR. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS TOWER. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THE TOWNSHIP SIGN MOUNT LANDSCAPING. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW ALL THAT THROUGH A MONKEY WRENCH IN MY PLAN. UH, LET ME. TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT TOWNSHIPS MOUND. UH I DON'T REALLY DRIVE VERY OFTEN ON THAT STRETCH OF 206 IT JUST OUT OF MY WAY. SO IT WAS A WHILE UNTIL I NOTICED. MY GOODNESS. WHAT IS THIS THING? UH, THERE WAS NO CO ORDINATION. WITH THE ADOPTED PLAN, AND THAT THING. IT WAS DONE. I DID SOME SEARCHING. SO IT WAS DONE BY PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING GROUNDS DEPARTMENT. UH IT WENT OUT OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET FROM BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENT. UM AND. IT COST FULLY $15,000. $15,000 IS ABOUT 1/5. OF THE BUDGET. FOR THE WHOLE THING. IF YOU CAN IMAGINE. HM? JUST FOR COMPARISON. NOW WHAT DID WE GET FOR THIS FOR THIS? $15,000? WE GOT SIX STREETS. AROUND ONE HUGE, LOVELY OLD THEATER THAT IS THERE ALREADY. AND 27 SHRUBS. MOST OF THE STUFF IS NOT NATIVE. EVEN UH, WE GOT 11 LIGHTS. AND TWO LIVES THAT ARE ARE BEAMING AT THE SIGN WHICH IS AS IT SHOULD[00:10:03]
BE, BUT THERE ARE 11. ON THE CIRCLE. THAT SHOULD THE LIGHT AGAINST THE ENTIRE MONTH AND ALL THE PLANTS UM LET'S SEE. THERE IS ALSO THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL HUGE ROCKS AND MULCH. TONS OF MOUTH. AND 100. FEED CIRCLE OF GRASS AND GRADING. IN AN AREA THAT YOU'RE JUST AS WELL COULD FORGET ABOUT YOU KNOW, CIVILIZED GRASS BECAUSE IT'S JUST SO YOU KNOW, UH, ROADSIDE OF NO CONSEQUENCE. UM. THERE A RE SEVERAL THINGS THAT THAT A RE ALSO WRONG WITH WITH THIS DESIGN . THE PLAN TAKES IS TOO CROWDED. THERE ARE BIG TREES LIKE RIVER BADGE THAT GROWS RIGHT NEXT TO THE TO THAT CEDAR. SEVERAL BIG UH, SOMETHING'S GOT TO GO BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHEN, WHEN THEY START GROWING, THEY WILL ACTUALLY INJURE THE THAT THAT CEDAR THAT IS SO LOVELY. UM NOW THE LIGHTS THERE. 11 OF THEM IN A BIG CIRCLE. UH, ARE ACTUALLY BAD FOR THE TREES. YOU KNOW, TREES LIKE TO GO TO SLEEP LIKE YOU AND ME. UM AT NIGHT. SO LIGHT LIGHT IS BAD AND WE ARE, UH THINKING THAT WE ARE SUCH A GREEN TOWNSHIP. AND HERE ARE ALL THESE LIGHTS BEAMING EVERYWHERE.WHY THERE IS NO NO REASON FOR THEM TO EVEN BE THERE. UM. SO IN SOME, WE HAVE THIS GREAT BIG CORPORATE STATEMENT. ON THAT MOUNT, YOU KNOW, IT IS THE LARGEST IN MONTGOMERY, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY? WE ARE LORDING OVER OUR RESIDENT IS THAT WHAT IT IS? IT'S NOT MY CONCEPT THAT I USED TO KNOW. YOU KNOW, THAT WAS SO NICE AND YOU KNOW P FOR THE RESIDENTS, AND NOW, NOW THIS , MA'AM, IF YOU CAN DO A CLOSING STATEMENT TO THE TIME, IT'S LIKE THREE MINUTES FOR THOSE FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT, SO IF YOU COULD CLOSE THE YOU KNOW. GET TO THE END OF YOUR STATEMENT. THANK YOU. I'M GETTING TO THE MY QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DO WANT TO KNOW SOME FACTS. THE FED SO FAR THAT I'VE BEEN GETTING WERE FROM THANK GOD. WE HAVE A GOOD PAPER FROM MONTGOMERY NEWS. UH, IN, UH, JANUARY. IT MENTIONED THAT WE DO THE $75,000. UH, FOR THE PROJECT AND IN, UH. UH THIS MONTH IN THIS ISSUE, UH, THERE WAS SOME DETAILS ABOUT THE, UH COMMUNICATIONS TOWER THAT IS GOING TO BE 3000 SQUARE FEET. OF SPACE. AND, UH, THE LOCATION, PRESUMABLY IS GOING TO BE NORTH OF OR OTHER THAN WEST OF COMMUNITY DRIVE. IS THAT TRUE? IS THAT TRUE? YES. IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S GOING TO BE WITH ALL . OF THE ROAD WHERE THE APARTMENTS ARE GOING TO BE. BEFORE THAT. MM-HMM, OKAY? ALL RIGHT. NO. ABOUT THAT. $5000 WHEN WILL THAT BE AVAILABLE? UM. I'M GONNA ASK, UM, LAURIE SAVON, THE ADMINISTRATOR, AND SHE CAN MAYBE ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. IS THAT THE LAST QUESTION THAT YOU HAD MANY MORE. BUT. THAT'S THAT'S THE ESSENTIAL AND I WOULD ALSO I WOULD ALSO WANT YOU TO MAYBE MAKE A AN APPOINTMENT AND COME AND SEE LAURIE AND, UH, YOU KNOW, AND, OF COURSE, UM, OUR FORMER MAYOR. DEBORAH KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THE TREES THAT WERE GOING TO BE PLANTED. SO YOU YOU CAN DEFINITELY COME AND HAVE A PRIVATE MEETING. GET ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED. I. I HEAR YOUR CONCERNS. SO WHATEVER, LAURIE, CAN YOU KNOW LAURIE THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU WANTED TO, OR DID YOU WANNA JUST DO A MEETING? JUST IT THE MAYOR IS COMING IN TO EXECUTE, AND THAT PROJECT IS UNRELATED. TO THE $75,000 GRANT. OKAY. ALRIGHT, SO . SO GET ON THE PHONE. OH, YEAH, I PLEASE. YOU CAN COME IN AND YOU CAN SET UP A MEETING. UM I WILL ASK LAURIE AND THEN IF, UH, THE FORMER MAYOR DEBORAH KEENAN IS AVAILABLE, THEN YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE A MEETING. AND YOU KNOW I YES. THANK YOU. SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONCERNS. YOUR CONCERNS ARE, YOU KNOW HARD FOR SURE. MY NAME IS GREG KOVICH. I AM A MEMBER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THIS COMMISSION FOR
[00:15:02]
OVER 30 YEARS. AND I AM HERE. COULD I GET YOU TO PLEASE SPELL YOUR LAST NAME? YOUR LAST YOUR LAST NAME? COULD YOU SPELL YOUR LAST NAME FOR THE CLERK? OW IC Z. REGARDING THE LANDSCAPING AROUND THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX SIGN. WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SA ME THING THAT EVER SAID, BUT MY CONCERNS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE I SEE A PATTERN OF MISCOMMUNICATION AND IGNORING THE INPUT FROM RESIDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS IN THIS TOWNSHIP. LET ME GIVE YOU A BRIEF BRIEF. IF. OF HOW WE GOT WHERE WE ARE. I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I SEE THE HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF. WHEN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL FOR THE BUILDING AND LANDSCAPING WAS PRESENTED. TO THE RESIDENTS. BY THE COUNTY SELECTED ARCHITECT. IT WAS REJECTED BOTH BY RESIDENTS AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. LATER AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ACCOUNTING, MAJOR JAFFER FORMED A COMMITTEE TO REDESIGN THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AND THE LANDSCAPING. AFTER SEVERAL MEETINGS AND EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION, WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON THE REDESIGN THE ORIGINAL ARCHITECT FOR THE COMMITTEE'S INSTRUCTIONS AND THE REDESIGN THE PROJECT. AND THIS IS WHAT WAS BUILT. GUESS WHAT. WHERE WHERE I'M STANDING IT.HOWEVER. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LANDSCAPING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED. BUT AT THE LAST MOMENT SOMEONE THE COUNTY SCRAPED THE LANDSCAPING PLAN. AND SOMEONE AT THE TOWNSHIP SIGNED OFF ON THIS ON THIS. THAT HAPPENED BIZARRE WITHOUT INFORMING THE DESIGN COMMITTEE AND I BELIEVE WITHOUT INFORMING THE GOVERNING BODY. THE RESULT IS THAT TOWN HALL SURROUNDINGS WHICH LOOK LIKE A DESERT. EXCEPT SOME TALK AND TWEETS, A T THE ENTRANCES WHICH WE CAN ALL SEE.
MANY OTHER MEETINGS WERE HELD LATER IN ATTEMPT. TO CORRECT THIS DISASTER. AND MANY HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME. WERE SPENT. ON CREATING A NEW PLAN. I BELIEVE SOME MONEY OR SECURE TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN. AND EVERY SINGLE IS FINE AND DANDY UNTIL NOW, OUT OF THE BLUE, SOMEONE IN THE TOWNSHIP DECIDED TO LANDSCAPE THE AREA AROUND THE TOWNSHIP SIGN. WITHOUT INFORMING THE OR CONSULTING ANYONE. ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN PLANNING. $15,000 WERE SPENT ON A PROJECT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN REJECTED IF A DEVELOPER SUBMITTED IT ON A DURING A REGULAR REVIEW PROCESS FOR NO OTHER REASONS FOR THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE PLANTS ARE NOT NATIVE. MM. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED. BUT HONESTLY, SOMETIMES I THINK THAT VOLUNTEERS IN THIS TOWNSHIP ARE TREATED BY THE TOWNSHIP. AS AS AN INCONVENIENT NUISANCE. AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THE TOWNSHIP WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT THEM. AND THE TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES WHO PUT ALL THE BILLS. BASICALLY WHAT I AM SAYING THINGS ARE WRONG. AND THEY SHOULDN'T CONTINUE LIKE THAT. THANK THANK YOU. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WHAT TO CHANGE, BUT SOME CHANGE IS NEEDED. I DON'T KNOW TO WHOM PUT THE BLAME. YOU ARE THE VOLUNTEERS AS THE GOVERNING BODY AS I AM. SO I THINK THE FAULT IS SOMEWHERE IN THE WAY OF THE ADMINISTRATION WORKS AND HOW THE COMMUNICATION IS ADMINISTRATION WORK, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED. SO YOU MAKE ABSOLUTELY A VERY GOOD POINT. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS? SIGN. NO ONE IS GOING TO CHANGE IT. BUT. THAT'S NOT HOUSING SHOULD BE HAPPENING, AND I'M REALLY, REALLY PISSED OFF. WE HEAR YOU, SIR. AND I DEFINITELY WILL LOOK INTO WHAT CAN BE DONE. AND AGAIN. I OFFER THAT PLEASE COME FOR A PRIVATE MEETING AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.
I KNOW SOME THINGS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE, BUT WHATEVER WE CAN DO, WE WILL MAKE AN EFFORT.
BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING YOUR CONCERN EVERYONE TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THAT. OK? SURE. I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO PUT THE BLAME ON ANYONE, OF COURSE TO BE BETTER. NO BLA ME, GA ME.
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. GOOD EVENING. COMMITTEE MEMBERS, UM FRANK DERBY. IF YOU JUST SPELL YOUR LAST NAME, OK, THANK YOU. I HAPPEN TO SERVE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION. WE WEREN'T AWARE OF THE SITUATION THAT THAT MR KAGANOVICH JUST EXPLAINED TO US UNTIL OUR LAST MEETING, WHICH WAS A WEEK AGO TUESDAY. AND I'M HERE NOT JUST TO ECHO OR TO REPEAT THE COMMENTS THAT ALL HAVE BEEN MADE SO ELOQUENTLY. WHAT TO ADD THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONS STRONG , STRONG DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS CAME TO PASS. THERE WAS NOT JUST THE LANDSCAPING COMMITTEE THAT MISTER KAGANOVICH REFERRED TO BUT THERE WAS ACTUALLY CONCERTED EFFORT MADE. ENLISTING AS MANY AS 20 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. TO TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HOW THIS BUILDING HOW THIS. IS TO BE A BEACON, A MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE INSIDE AND OUT. WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE VALUES OF THE BUILDING AND TRIPLE LED ED. CERTIFICATION WE'RE NOW TALKING ABOUT THE OUTSIDE, AND THIS ISN'T ABOUT ROSE BUSHES OR AZALEAS OR ANYTHING ALIKE. THIS IS ABOUT THE PROPERTY. OF THE PROPERTY ON WHICH THE BUILDING SITS. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY. TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE ALREADY HERE. TALK ABOUT STORM WATER. TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE. IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER HOW YOU CHARACTERIZE IT. THE FACT IS, IS THAT THIS PROPERTY WAS SUPPOSED TO SERVE AS A BEACON. RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AND SOMEHOW THAT EFFORT, THE EFFORT THAT WE HAD, AT LEAST IN INTENTION. GOT WORDED ALONG THE LINES WITH THIS PARTICULAR SMALL PROJECT. AND SENDS A WARNING SENDS A VERY DISCOURAGING NOTE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SERVE ON THE TOWNSHIPS COMMITTEES. THAT EVEN WHEN WE SPEAK, AND WE SPEAK AS ONE THAT THOSE VOICES ARE BEING IGNORED. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED, BUT THE FACT THAT NON NATIVES WERE PLANTED THESE ARE NON NATIVE PLANTS. IT MEANS THAT THEY'RE NOT FOUND IN THIS AREA. THEY ARE NOT LIKELY TO THRIVE OR OR SURVIVE HERE. THEY'RE NOT GREAT FOR OUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS. AND ABOVE ALL, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO. WHICH IS TO PROPAGATE IN A WAY THAT MAKES THE WHOLE PROPERTY THRIVE. THE FACT THAT THE ADVICE OF THE CONSIDERED OPINIONS OF PEOPLE LIKE MR KAGANOVICH WHO HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT PLANTS WORK AND DON'T WORK. THAT IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY IGNORED WHEN IT'S OFFERED FREELY. WHEN IT'S BEEN OFFERED FREELY IN MR YANOVICH. UH, THE CASE FOR OVER 30 YEARS. THAT IT WOULD BE IGNORED AND NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN A PLANTING LIKE THIS IS MADE. AROUND THE TWO LARGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX SIGNS. IT IS REALLY QUITE TRAGIC. I MEAN, IT'S ESSENTIALLY A FAILURE SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MISTER KOVICH IS SO UPSET ABOUT AND, FRANKLY, SO IS THE REST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION. WE PUT IN THIS TIME DESIGNED TO GIVE YOU THE COMMITTEE AND THE ADMINISTRATION THE BENEFITS OF OUR THINKING OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. THERE WAS HEALTHY DEBATE IN THESE ROOMS WITH THESE MEETINGS TOOK PLACE. AND YET NONE OF THAT MANAGED TO TRANSLATE IT INTO THE REAL WORLD. WE HAVE THE SAME SORT OF OPINIONS ABOUT THE WAY DPW SHOULD BE MAINTAINING THE PROPERTY. THAT IS NOT PLANTED. THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS I PUT TO YOU ARE STILL THERE SOMEWHERE AND HAVING BEEN PASSED UP THE CHANNEL. ARE THOSE TWO GOING TO BE IGNORED NOW AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN HERE. THAT I. I KNOW MOST OF YOU PERSONALLY. I. I. I ENJOY A MEAL OR A DRINK WITH WITH SEVERAL OF YOU THE IDEA THAT I'M COMING HERE AND EXPRESSING MY DISAPPOINTMENT. AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF THOSE WITH WHICH I SERVE. IS TEMPERED BY THAT FACT. WE WERE EXTRAORDINARILY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR IT. THAT THIS SITUATION BEEN ALLOWED TO UNFOLD. AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT MISS SAVLON HAS ALL THE PIECES. I DON'T KNOW THAT MAYOR HAS ALL THE PIECES, BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU VERY STRONGLY. TAKE A HARD LOOK AT HOW THIS DECISION TREE UNFOLDED BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY CONTRARY. OF THE WISHES OF 2020 OR MORE DIFFERENT CONSTITUENTS. WELL, THANK YOU, MISTER DOBY. YOUR CONCERNS ARE HEARD AND WE'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND WE WILL REACH BACK OUT. THANK YOU. HI. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS[00:25:06]
DOCTOR VAN BEVEREN VA N. BEVE REN WHAT DID I DO? I REMEMBERED. UM, I'D LIKE TO APPROACH THE BENCH IF THAT'S A BENCH. YOU CAN GIVE IT TO THE CLERK. UH, SHE'LL BRING IT TO EVERYBODY.I HATE TO KEEP BOTHERING YOU, BUT, UH VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. UM . IT. IT'S BOTH A DIRE WARNING HAS TO DO WITH PRIORITIES AND PROPOSAL THAT I HAVE. YOU ASKED ME FOR A PROPOSAL. SO I CAME UP WITH ONE AND, UH, MY PURPOSE FOR BEING HERE TODAY IS BASICALLY TO ALARM YOU. UM NOT THREATENING NEFARIOUS PURPOSE BUT TO SAVE MY OWN BUTT. AND HOPEFULLY OUR NEIGHBORS AND MAYBE YOU AS WELL AT TO THAT END, I'M AGAIN PROPOSING THAT MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP ALLOW INDIVIDUAL SAFE, EFFICIENT. COST EFFECTIVE, LOW NOISE VERTICAL WINDMILLS TO HELP ABATE THE LOOMING ENERGY CRISIS.
WITH OUR BULGING INFLATIONARY ECONOMY. THIS KIND OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT CANNOT COME FAST ENOUGH.
AND I'M QUITE SURE THAT MOST OF OUR CITIZENRY IS READY FOR A RADICAL CHANGE AND LOWERING ENERGY COSTS AT THE SAME TIME. TO THAT END, I'VE BEEN STUDYING. UM THE KIND OF WINDMILLS THAT CAN BE PUT IN OUR BACKYARDS. UM AND I'M ASKING THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP TO HELP AND, UM, MY HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TEAM OF ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA. UH, DESIGN AND BUILD A PROTOTYPE WINDMILL THAT THOSE WITH AT LEAST AN ACRE OR MORE CAN USE TO FRAY THE COST OF OUR SKYROCKETING ENERGY. AND USE IT AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE SAFELY FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OUR STATE AND INDEED, THE NATION. BUT RATHER THAN THE TOWNSHIP COMING UP WITH ITS OWN PARAMETERS AND LIMITATIONS, I'VE BEEN ASKED THE LAST TIME THAT I WAS HERE TO SUBMIT MY REQUEST.
AND, UM, ACCEPT THE YAY OR A NAME. UM AND I'M SURE THAT THE CITIZENS OF MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP WOULD MUCH RATHER BE INFORMED OF THE LEGAL ASPECTS. FOR WIND ENERGY, THEN HAVE TO CONTINUALLY SUBMIT PLANS. UH, UNTIL THEY GET IT RIGHT. THAT JUST TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT, SO I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU'VE COME UP WITH SOME PARAMETERS. SOME LIMITATIONS. SOME DRAWINGS. UH, WHETHER YOU'VE DONE YOUR HOMEWORK. I CERTAINLY HAVE AND, UM, THOSE THOSE, UM. THOSE PAPERS. DON'T UM, SHE WILL GIVE YOU UNFORTUNATELY, I ONLY MADE THREE COPIES. YOU MAY HAVE TO GIVE THEM TO YOUR ENGINEERS. IN ORDER TO, UM UH, TO GET IT RIGHT . SO I JUST WANNA PUT A FIRE UNDER YOU. AND LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M NOT GONNA FORGET ABOUT THIS AND I WILL BE HERE. A LOT MORE.
WELL, WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU . WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AND SOMEONE WILL GET BACK TO YOU. THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME CAN BE GIVEN TO THE NEXT PERSON. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT. OK? I. WITH NO. WITH NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT NOW.
[3. Ordinance #24-1717- An Ordinance Accepting Deed of Dedication and Drainage Easement Agreement for a Portion of Lots 14 and 16, Block 12001 in the Township of Montgomery, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey - Introduction/First Reading ]
OK? ORDINANCES INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1717 IN ORDINANCE EXCEPTING DEED OF DEDICATION AND DRAINAGE EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR A PORTION OF LORDS 14 AND 16 BLOCK 12 001.IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY OF SOMERSET STATE OF NEW JERSEY. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY THAT THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE BE HEREBY PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND THAT THE SAME BE PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO LAW, WITH A PUBLIC HEARING AND A VOTE SCHEDULED FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 21ST 2024 ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WISH TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE? OH, MAYBE I SHOULDN'T HAVE USED BUT THE. NOW. ISN'T THIS A MOTION TO ADDRESS? OK OK, SO I SHOULDN'T BE THERE. OK? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1717 SO MOVED SE SE ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD
[4. Ordinance #24-1718 - An Ordinance of the Township of Montgomery in Somerset County Providing forme Acceptance of Right-of-Way Dedication of Brecknell Way - Introduction/First Reading ]
COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN YES, MAYOR SAYING YES. ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1718 IN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY IN SOMERSET COUNTY, PROVIDING FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF RIGHTS OF WAY DEDICATION OF BEN WAY. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF[00:30:06]
MONTGOMERY THAT THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE BE HEREBY PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND THAT THE SAME BE PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO LAW, WITH A PUBLIC HEARING AND A VOTE SCHEDULED FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH. 21ST 2024, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1718 SO MOVED SECOND.ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD YES, COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN MAYOR
[5. Ordinance #24-1719- An Ordinance Amending Schedule I"No Parking," Schedule VII "Through Streets," Schedule VIII "Stop Intersections," Schedule XIII "No Left Turn," and Schedule XVII "Speed Limits," of Chapter VII, of the Code of the Township of Montgomery (1984) to Establish No Parking Provisions, Through Street Designation, Stop Sign Locations, No Left Turn Restrictions, and Speed Limits on Brecknell Way - Introduction/First Reading ]
SAYING YES. ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1719 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SCHEDULE ONE. NO PARKING SCHEDULE. SEVEN THROUGH STREET SCHEDULE. EIGHT STOP INTERSECTION SCHEDULE. NINE NO LEFT TURN SCHEDULED 10 SPEED LIMITS OF CHAPTER. OH, MY GOD, WITH MY BRING UP YOUR LATIN AND I HAVE TO PICK UP MY LATIN 17 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY IN 1984 TO ESTABLISH NO PARKING PROVISIONS THROUGH STREET DESIGNATION. STOP SIGN LOCATIONS, NO LEFT TURN RESTRICTION AND SPEED LIMITS ON BRACKNELL WAY. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY THAT THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE BE HEREBY PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND THAT THE SAME BE PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO LAW, WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING AND A VOTE SCHEDULED FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 21ST 2024, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1719 SO MOVED. 2ND 2ND . LOCAL POLICE COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD. YES COMMITTEE[6. Ordinance #24-1716 - An Ordinance of the Township of Montgomery, Somerset County, New Jersey to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits Providing for a 3.5% "Cap" for the 2024 Budget and to Establish a Cap Bank Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14a - Public Hearing/Final Adoption ]
MEMBER KEENAN. YES, THEY ARE SAYING YES ORDINANCES. PUBLIC HEARING FINAL ADOPTION ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1716. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW NEW NEW JERSEY TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS PROVIDING FOR 3.5% CAP FOR THE 2024 BUDGET AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK PURSUANT TO NJS, A 48 4-45. 14 A PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OR MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE? OKAY? NO, I DON'T THINK SO. UH, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, SO MOVED. SECOND, OKAY? BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY THAT THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE BE HEREBY ADOPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF FEB FEBRUARY 2024 AND THAT THE ORDINANCE SUMMARY BE PUBLISHED IN AN OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER, AS REQUIRED BY LAW.MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-1716 MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TO COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN MAYOR SING YES. CONSENT AGENTA ALL
[Items 7 - 13 ]
MATTERS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED.THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE? NO, OKAY. HOLD ON. OKAY MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA? COVERING RESOLUTION COVERING RESOLUTIONS DASH 24 22-84 TO DASH 24. DASH 2-90 SO MOVED SECOND. NO COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD COMMITTEE MEMBER
[14. Resolution #24-2-91 - Sustainable Land Use Pledge ]
KEENAN? YES, MAYOR SINGH YES. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-291. SUSTAINABLE LAND USE PLEDGE. MAYOR THIS IS RELATED TO OUR, UM, PARTICIPATION IN THE SUSTAINABLE JERSEY PROGRAM, AND SO FROM TIME TO TIME THEY ASK US TO, UM, REP PLEDGE TO THE SUSTAINABLE ITEMS. UM SOME ARE TRANSPORTATION CHOICES. NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION, WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, A MIX OF LAND USE HOUSING OPTIONS MUNICIPAL FACILITY CITING AND GREEN DESIGN, SO WE HAD PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED THIS AND WE ARE REAFFIRMING THAT AND A MEMO WILL GO OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. UM THE, UH, ZONING BOARD AND PLANNING BOARD, UM TO SHARE WITH THEM THESE GOALS. SOUNDS GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS? YES UM WILL IT BE SHARED WITH DPW SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE A REPEAT OF WHAT HAPPENED OUT IN FRONT. LAURIE IS WILL IT BE SHARED WITH DPW AND PUBLIC WORKS SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE A REPEAT OF WHAT HAPPENED? YES, IT WILL BE SHARED WITH OK, THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 91 SO MOVED. SECOND. LOCAL POLICE COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD. YES COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN YES, MAYOR SAYING YES RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 92[15. Resolution #24-2-92 - Approval of Land Purchase Agreement for Block 17001, Lot 17.01 ]
APPROVAL OF THE LAND PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR B 17001 LOT 1701. UM MAYOR. SO LAUREN WASOWSKI,[00:35:09]
OUR OPEN SPACE AND STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR PROVIDED INFORMATION TO THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION. IT IS FOR THE ABILITY TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR THE HARDESTY PROPERTY ON MILL POND ROAD. THE CONTRACT SETS FORTH THE AGREED UPON PURCHASE PRICE, WHICH IS $60,900 . IT'S EQUIVALENT TO THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY AS WELL AS AUTHORIZING THE START OF DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE TITLE SEARCH SURVEY. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT THIS RESOLUTION. UM SHE WANTED TO JUST MAKE CLEAR IS NOT THE FINAL STEP THAT THE GOVERNING BODY WOULD AUTHORIZE FOR THE ACQUISITION AND THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE ORDINANCE FORTHCOMING FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, AND WE COMPLETE THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS TO OUR SATISFACTION. UH, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 992 SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER, TAYLOR TODD.[16. Resolution #24-2-93 - Authorizing Grant Application to NJ Dept. Community Affairs Local Recreation Improvement Grant Program - Replacing a Clay Cricket Pitch with Artificial Turf ]
YES COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN MAYOR S? YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 93 AUTHORIZING GRANT APPLICATION TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM, REPLACING A CLAY CRICKET PITCH WITH ARTIFICIAL TURF. SO THIS PROJECT IS A, UM BROADWAY, WHICH UM, HAD YEARS AGO, PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A OUR SOFTBALL COMPLEX. UM WHEN SOFTBALL MOVED OVER TO MONTGOMERY PARK, THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CRICKET PITCH IN TOWN . THIS IS GOING BACK MANY YEARS AND SO OUR RECREATION COMMITTEE AND REC DEPARTMENT WORK THAT CONSTANTLY ANALYZING OUR PARKS AND OUR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO SEE WHAT'S NEEDED. WHAT COULD BE REPLACED. UM AND SO AT THAT PARTICULAR THE THERE WAS A PRIVATE FUNDRAISING THAT PUT THE PITCH IN, BUT WE IT'S TIME TO SORT OF UPGRADE AND REPLACE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, AND SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GRANT FOR THE STATE TO DO THAT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 93. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER, TAYLOR TODD.[17. Resolution #24-2-94 - Requesting Somerset County Perform a Speed Study and Traffic Study Along Routes 518 and 601 in Blawenburg ]
YES COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN? YES, YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 94, REQUESTING SOMERSET COUNTY PERFORM A SPEED STUDY AND TRAFFIC STUDY ALONG ROUTE 518 AND 601 IN BURG. SO WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, UM, THAT THE WE HAD SUBMITTED FOR A TRAFFIC STUDY, WHICH IS A MORE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY BECAUSE THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT, UM NOT JUST THE SPEED BUT LARGER ISSUES THERE WITH THE TRUCK TRAFFIC AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, AND THE COUNTY RESPONDED THAT THEY HAD PUT THAT BECAUSE IT'S A MUCH LARGER STUDY. IT'S MORE COSTLY THEY NEEDED TO BUDGET FOR THAT. AND THAT THAT WOULD BE. I THINK IT WAS IN 2025. SO WE WENT BACK TO THEM AS WE HAD DISCUSSED HERE AND BECAUSE WE NEED THE SPEED STUDY TO MOVE FORWARD, UM IN A MUCH MORE TIMELY FASHION. AND SO THEY ASKED US TO, UM SUBMIT THE QUESTION WITH THE RESOLUTION AND EXPLAINING THAT THE SPEED STUDY PORTION SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE TRAFFIC STUDY AND ACTED UPON, UM IT MORE IMMEDIATELY. UM AND THEN MOVE FORWARD THAT THEY CAN FUND THE LARGER TRAFFIC STUDY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 94? YES. SO MOVED SECOND.ROLLS ALL PLEASE COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD? YES COMMITTEE MEMBER KEENAN? YES,
[18. Resolution #24-2-95 - Authorizing and Directing the Montgomery Township Planning Board to Conduct a Preliminary Investigation to Determine Whether Certain Property Located at Scarborough Road, Designated as the Undeveloped Portion of Lot 1 in Block 4020 on the Tax Map of the Township of Montgomery Meets the Criteria for Designation as a Non-Condemnation Redevelopment Area ]
MAYOR SING. YES RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 95 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT SCARBOROUGH ROAD DESIGNATED AS THE UNDEVELOPED PORTION OF LOT ONE IN BLOCK 420 ON THE TAX MAP OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA. SO, UM. THIS PORTION THAT IS VACANT IS PART OF AREA WHAT WE CALL AREA. THREE OF THE BELLE MEADE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.THE CONTINUING CARE FACILITY, UM AREAS. UH, 12 HAVE ALL DEVELOPED THIS PROPERTY. UM, HAS HAS NOT DEVELOPED AND SO WE WANT TO EXAMINE THE ZONING TO SEE IF THERE'S A REASON WHY IT'S NOT DEVELOPING IN THE WAY THAT I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN FIVE PLUS YEARS OR SO MAYBE MORE AND EIGHT WHEN THE ZONING WAS PUT IN PLACE, SO MARK AND GETS CHANGE, ET CETERA. AND SO THIS, UH, REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS WILL ALLOW US TO DO THAT. HOW LONG WILL THAT HOW LONG DO YOU WELL, THE FIRST GOT TO GO TO THE PLANNING BOARD, RIGHT? UM YEAH, THIS IS A BIT PRETTY SMALL, RELATIVELY
[00:40:04]
QUICK. OKAY? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 95 SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER, TAYLOR TODD. YES, YES, YES. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. MAY I HAVE[19. Approval of Minutes ]
MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1ST 2024. SO MOVED SECOND ALL IN FAVOR. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF FB 1ST 2024.SO MOVED SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 96 PAYMENT OF BILLS POSTED. HIGHEST
[20. Resolution #24-2-96 - Payment of Bills - Posted ]
BILLS ON IT, BUT THEY ARE ALL RELATED TO PAYING BONDS. UM OFF IF YOU GIVE ME A SECOND. I CAN I DROP A NOTE? WE HAVE ON PAGE TWO. OUR DEPOSITORY TRUST OF $635,000. THAT'S TOWARDS OUR CURRENT FUND FOR DEBT PRINCIPAL PAYMENT RELATED TO BONDS FROM 2012, 2017, 2018 AND 2022. ALSO ON PAGE TWO, A DEPOSITORY TRUST FOR 453,827. OUR CURRENT FUND FOR DEBT INTEREST PAYMENT RELATED TO THOSE SAME BONDS I MENTIONED AND ON PAGE 4 $350,000. TO OUR SEWER FUND DEBT . PRINCIPAL PAYMENT, UH, RELATED TO THOSE SAME BONDS. OKAY? ANY QUESTIONS? OK, GIVE ME. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION? 24 296 SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE.COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD? YES, COMMITTEE MEMBER CAME IN. YES. THEY A S? YES.
CORRESPONDENCE. THERE SEEMS THERE IS NO CORRESPONDENCE. UM. AND THERE A RE NO MATTERS LISTED
[Additional Item]
FOR NEW BUSINESS. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS. I DO NOT. UM, I HAVE, ACTUALLY, UH, TWO REPORTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WE HEARD FROM A COUPLE OF MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION. SO THEY MET ON OR WE MET ON FEBRUARY 6 2024. THERE WERE THE DECISION WAS MADE FOR, UM. MARY REESE TO CONTINUE AS THE CHAIRPERSON AND SO FORTH. WE HAVE ALL OF THE FOLKS SARAH ROBERTS WILL CONTINUE ON IN THE MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE AND SO FORTH, SO A LOT OF APPROVAL OF DIFFERENT ROLES WITHIN IT. UM THEN WE ALSO HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION AS PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE LANDSCAPING THAT HAS HAPPENED HERE. UM AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT EXCEPT FOR UM UH, LISTING ALL OF THE GOALS FOR 2024 SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS DONE IN 2023. BUT I WILL SAY THAT, UM WE ARE GONNA DO A LITTLE BIT MORE HOSTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SERIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION. OH, NICE. UM ALSO WHERE YOU HOPEFULLY GONNA GET THAT GRANT FOR THE COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN, SO THEY WILL HELP WITH THAT. ALSO WE ARE LOOKING TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR POLLINATOR MICRO HABITS HERE ON THE TOWNSHIP PROPERTY SO ALSO TO PUBLICIZE A PRIVATE LOANER'S ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THAT, AND SO FORTH SO MORE AND MORE TO COME ON THAT ALSO THE PLAN WORD MET THIS PAST MONDAY ON FEBRUARY 12 AT THAT TIME, THE RESOLUTION, UH MEMORIALIZING THE MALVERN SCHOOL PROPERTIES WAS DONE. IN ADDITION, AN APPLICATION CAME IN FROM H MH CARRIER CLINIC TO, UM BASICALLY TO CONSTRUCT A, UH, AN ADOLESCENT PATIENT UNIT. THEY A RE MOVING SOME OF THEIR IT DOESN'T INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BEDS THERE. UM, THEY WORKED VERY HARD, AND WE'VE WORKED WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS GOOD FACILITY, AND THIS ALSO CAME WITH MONEY FROM THE STATE. SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR QUITE A LONG TIME ON THAT. SO THAT WAS ALSO BROUGHT IN FRONT AND IT WAS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING BOARD. THAT'S IT. OH, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I DO AGREE. THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING WITH THE CE CLINIC WAS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, THE EFFORTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND HELPING IS REALLY YOU KNOW, COMMENDED, AND, UM, ADMINISTRATORS REPORT. MAYOR UM SO WE RECEIVED SOME SOME VERY IMPRESSIVE AND GREAT NEWS. UM NOT SURPRISING TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SEEING OUR OEM TEAM IN ACTION BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD. UH, WE RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY AND UM AND DETECTIVE VERDUCCI, WHO'S OUR DEPUTY, O, A COORDINATOR FORWARDED IT ON TO US, AND THEN I RECEIVED A HARD COPY AS WELL[00:45:06]
FROM THE COUNTY THAT THE COUNTY HAS JURISDICTION TO REVIEW SOME OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANS. AND THERE'S A SCORING SYSTEM THAT THEY DO AND OUT OF 100 POINTS WE RECEIVED 100.6 AND . THAT'S GREAT. THEY THEY DO ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL WORK. AND UM, THEY, UH AND IN ADAMS COMMUNICATION TO US. HE DID WANT TO. THANK, UM, OBVIOUSLY THE WHOLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE OUR OE IS HOUSED, AND THE COMMAND STAFF AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE BECAUSE THE SUPPORT FOR OEM, UM HAS REALLY BEEN VERY , VERY GREAT FOR THEM TO DO. AND UM, OFFICER DEVLIN, WHO IS ROEM, UM, COORDINATOR REALLY, SO MUCH OF THIS IS ATTRIBUTED TO HIS HARD WORK. UM, HE REALLY, UM UH, AFTER, UM HOW YOU DOING? UM REALLY SAT DOWN AND ANALYZE EVERYTHING AND HOW WE COULD TAKE MONTGOMERY'S OEM TO THE NEXT LEVEL. SO THAT IS A HUGE KUDOS TO OFFICER DEVLIN AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS AND SO WE'RE JUST VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE TEAM.AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S GREAT. THAT'S EX. EXCELLENT. YEAH. UM AND, UH, I WAS GOING TO REFERENCE THAT NOTHING HAD COME IN YET FROM DR VAN BEVEREN, BUT I GUESS HE BROUGHT IT IN TONIGHT, SO NOTHING HAD PREVIOUSLY COME INTO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS WE HAD TALKED. SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT INFORMATION HE SUBMITTED THAT THE MASTER PLANNING COMMITTEE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR. AND UM, THE MAYOR AND I MET WITH THE LIBRARY AND THE COUNTY LIBRARY DIRECTOR JUST TO TOUCH BASE, UM, TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT PROGRAMMING IDEAS AND CO ORDINATION OF THINGS. SO THAT WAS WAS VERY HELPFUL. AND UM, I MET WITH THE NBA, THE MONTGOMERY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, AND THEY HAD AN IDEA THAT WE WAS VERY, VERY HELPFUL, UM, THEY ARE WOULD LIKE TO HOST THEIR ANNUAL MEETING MEMBERSHIP MEETING HERE. AND OPEN IT UP TO ALL BUSINESSES IN MONTGOMERY AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO MEET DIFFERENT TOWNSHIP STAFF TO LEARN WHAT LOCAL BUSINESSES, UM HOW THE TOWNSHIP MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU OR HOW TO NAVIGATE THINGS. SO THAT IS OPEN TO ALL THE OPEN TO ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE MEMBERS. THEY CAN. YEAH. AND THAT WILL BE HAPPENING ON MARCH 20TH. AND ALSO, UM UH, DID, UH, DID YOU MENTION YOU? DID YOU GO YET? DID YOU FIND TO BE THE WINTER BLUES? NO I I'LL MENTION IT. AFTER SOMEHOW I GOT TO YOU. FIRST OF ALL I DID. AND UM ON ON THURSDAY, THE 29TH IN THE EVENING WILL BE HOSTING A MONTGOMERY ARTS COUNCIL WILL BE HOSTING A MONTH MEET THE ARTIST AND THAT WOULD BE SLIM FURY OUR LONG TIME RESIDENT AND PHOTOGRAPHER LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO'S UM ARTWORK IS HANGING IN OUR LOBBY RIGHT NOW.
AND SO THAT WILL BE FROM 5 TO 7 P.M. THAT'S IT. OK, WELL, UM, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME. A BIT OF INTER BLUES IS UNDER THE MAYOR'S WELLNESS CAMPAIGN, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE HOSTING THAT ON THE 21ST 24TH OF FEBRUARY AND IT'S GOING TO BE A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE, UM, WINTER, UM, FARMERS MARKET AND, UM, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE AND THE RECREATION. SO WE ARE, UM, YOU KNOW, INVITING ALL RESIDENTS TO COME. THERE WILL BE, UH, YOU KNOW SPEAKERS, AND THERE'LL BE SOME, UM, TABLING TO, YOU KNOW. ABOUT WHY IT'S IMPORTANT. UM IN THE WINTER . IT GETS REALLY HARD FOR PEOPLE , ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE ALL INSIDE AND IT'S. IT'S A TOUGH TIME. BUT THERE ARE RESOURCES AND THERE ARE WAYS OF SOCIAL CONNECTIONS. HELP YOU OVERCOME. UH, SEASONAL, UM, ISSUES, SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE A THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO. AND I HOPE TO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE TOWNSHIP. THANK YOU. OKAY UM,
[Executive Session ]
THERE'S NO FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS LISTED. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 97 EXECUTIVE SESSION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AS FOLLOWS THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WILL NOW CONVENE IN A CLOSED SESSION THAT WILL BE LIMITED ONLY TO CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS THAT WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY BE EXCLUDED PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS IN FACT, THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION ARE AS FOLLOWS PERSONNEL. POLICE INTERVIEWS, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS RPM IT IS UNKNOWN PRECISELY WHEN THE MATTER DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION WILL BE DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION SHALL ONLY BE APPROVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IN A PUBLIC SESSION.[00:50:04]
THE TOWNSHIP. R WILL RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION AND MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION. THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-2 DASH 97.SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD YES . COMMITTEE MEMBER KEEN AND YES, YES. THANK YOU.
BACK ON. OK, OK. SORRY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND OPEN THE REGULAR SESSION, SO MOVED SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. I MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? M. UH SO, ED SECOND ALL IN FAVOUR. T
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.