[Call to Order]
[00:00:08]
THIS IS THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. YES MAYOR SINGH HERE. DEPUTY MAYOR BARRAGAN, OKAY. COMMITTEEWOMAN KEENAN. COMMITTEEWOMAN. TAYLOR TODD, PRESENT COMMITTEEMAN ON HERE. OKAY. THANK YOU. NOTICE OF MEETING IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT. ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED ON JANUARY 12TH, 2024, TO THE COURIER NEWS AND THE STAR LEDGER POSTED ON THE MUNICIPAL BULLETIN BOARD AND FILED WITH THE TOWNSHIP CLERK SALUTE TO THE FLAG. PLEASE JOIN US IN A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. OKAY. I THOUGHT I WAS OKAY. FIRST, WE HAVE AN EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT PRESENTATION
[1. Presentation — Eagle Scout Project — Ryan Babler]
BY RYAN BABLER. RYAN, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM. OKAY IT DOES. IT DOES WORK. ALL RIGHT.OKAY, GOOD. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO PRESENT, MY NAME IS RYAN BABLER.
I'M A LIFE SCOUT AS PART OF TROOP 46. I'M A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M LOOKING TO CONSTRUCT A BOARDWALK INSIDE OF HOBLER PARK. HOBLER PARK IS ONE OF OUR MONTGOMERY PARKS. IT'S FAIRLY UNDERUTILIZED COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER PARKS. IT'S BY A VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND IT. I'M PLANNING TO BUILD A BOARDWALK TO ADDRESS A NEED FOR IT DUE TO THE MUDDY GROUND INSIDE OF IT. AS HOLLYWOOD PARK HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY SCOUTING JOURNEY, I'VE A LOT.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HELD THERE OVER MY SCOUTING CAREER. WE HELD WE HOLD OUR ANNUAL ROCKET RALLY THERE EACH YEAR ALONG WITH OTHER EVENTS, AND SO I WANTED TO HELP THE PARK WITH MY EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT. DUE TO EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, THERE. AND SO THIS PROJECT WILL BE USEFUL TO MONTGOMERY BECAUSE IT'LL IT'S AN ADVANTAGE FOR WALKERS AS THE MUDDY AREA IS POSITIONED AT THE EDGE OF THE PARK AND AROUND THE EDGE OF THE PARK IS VERY COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO WALK AROUND TO GET THE FULL LOOP, AND SO THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO HAVE EASIER ACCESSIBILITY TO DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S VERY MUDDY THERE. USUALLY WHENEVER IT RAINS, BECAUSE IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A, IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF WHERE A STREAM COULD RUN THROUGH IF IT RAINS A LOT. ALSO, THE PROJECT WILL BRING MORE ATTENTION TO HOBLER PARK BECAUSE DUE TO THE EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT, PEOPLE REALIZE THAT HOBLER PARK DOES EXIST AND PEOPLE MIGHT GO THERE AND THAT IS QUITE A DIFFERENT PARK THAN ALL THE OTHERS. IT ALSO TYPICALLY WHEN WALKERS GO ON MUDDY AREA, IT COULD DAMAGE THE ECOSYSTEM BECAUSE THE AREA IS MUDDY, IT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE, SUSCEPTIBLE TO EROSION AND OTHER DAMAGES BY THE PEOPLE. AND SO MY BOARDWALK IS PLANNED TO BE 30FT LONG, AND IT'S GOING TO BE RAISED ABOUT SIX INCHES OFF THE IT'S GOING TO BE RAISED ABOUT SIX INCHES OFF THE GROUND AND FIVE FEET WIDE. IT'S GOING TO HOLD RAMPS FOR EASY ACCESSIBILITY TO BOTH THOSE WHO CANNOT GET UP THE SIX INCH DUE TO ITS HEIGHT, AND MOWERS THAT GO THROUGH FOR THE LANDSCAPING THERE, AND THIS WILL ALLOW IT TO LAST EVEN AFTER IT'S COMPLETED, AND WILL NOT REQUIRE UPKEEP TO IT. I'M PLANNING TO DO THIS PROJECT THROUGH OCTOBER VIA TWO BUILD SESSIONS, WHICH IT WILL BE USING. MEMBERS OF MY TROOP WHO WILL BE THERE TO DO THE CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOARDWALK, AND IT'LL BE BUILT USING FULL PRESSURE TREATED AND OR GROUND CONTACT WOOD, DEPENDING ON HOW HIGH IT IS OFF. TO ALSO ENSURE THE LONGEVITY OF IT, AND THIS WILL BE SUPERVISED BY ADULTS WHO ARE ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TROOP.
TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF IT. AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME PRESENT AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I CAN ANSWER THEM, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT WAS A VERY ELOQUENT PRESENTATION, AND I THINK IT'S GREAT. YOU'RE RIGHT. HOBLER IS ONE OF OUR LEAST USED PARKS, SO IT WILL BRING SOME VISIBILITY TO THE PARK. AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT PROJECT. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INITIATIVE. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU COMING BACK HERE. ONCE YOU'VE DONE THE PROJECT. AND 246 AN EAGLE SCOUT IS REALLY SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE MY SON WAS A 246 EAGLE SCOUT. SO YOU KNOW, THIS THIS HITS HOME AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE DOING IT. I'M SURE THE COMMITTEE ALSO HAS SOME,
[00:05:01]
COMMENTS. YES. I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU, MR. BABBLER, FOR COMING AND MAKING THIS PRESENTATION AND FOR THIS THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED PROJECT. AND YOU SAID YOU'RE A SOPHOMORE, YES. AT MONTGOMERY. YEP WELL, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON YOUR EXCELLENT PRESENTATION, AND I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON ALL OF THOSE BADGES THAT YOU HAVE ON YOUR SASH THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL. AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHEN THIS IS DONE AND TO TEST IT OUT MYSELF. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, I APPRECIATE YOU. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE EAGLE SCOUTS, PROSPECTIVE EAGLE SCOUTS WHO COME HERE AND PRESENT PROJECTS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. APOLOGIES FOR BEING LATE, BUT WONDERFUL PRESENTATION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN, RYAN. OKAY. AND NOW[2. Department of Public Works - Report]
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WILL HAVE A REPORT FROM THEM, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JEFF BERKLAND IS HERE. AND COMPANY. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO, FIRST OFF, DO JUST A LITTLE INTRODUCTION, MAYBE SO THAT RESIDENTS COULD UNDERSTAND EACH ROLE THAT WE PLAY ALSO, SO THAT MAYBE IF, YOU KNOW, THE NAME, YOU COULD PUT A FACE TO IT, AND OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM, I'M JEFF BERKLAND, I STARTED HERE IN 2002 AS A LABORER IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. I WORKED MY WAY THROUGH THE RANKS AND RECENTLY BECAME THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, I HAVE LIVED IN THE TOWN FOR OVER 15 YEARS NOW. AND HAVE WORKED WITH JOE AND RICH FOR AT LEAST RICH, AT LEAST THE LAST FIVE YEARS. JOE, FOR HIS ENTIRE CAREER HERE, AND JOHN SINCE 2017, WHEN HE STARTED AS THE CLEAN COMMUNITIES EMPLOYEE. SO I'LL LET THEM SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES, THOUGH. I'M JOE CAIN, I AM THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2005. I WAS TEN YEARS IN PLAINSBORO, SO I HAVE ALMOST 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC WORKS AND PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION. SO ALL THOSE THINGS JUST HELP FOR ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COME UP IN TOWN THAT WE TRY TO HANDLE AND TAKE CARE OF IN A TIMELY FASHION. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS RICH DIETRICH, BUILDINGS FOREMAN, BEEN HERE SINCE 2020. CAME FROM BEING IN THE FIELD AS A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN. I, RECENTLY, TOOK THE RUTGERS CERTIFIED PUBLIC WORKS MANAGER COURSE, SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THAT, A DAILY ROLE OR WHAT I DO ON A DAILY BASIS IS KEEP THINGS MOVING AND KEEP THINGS. YOU KNOW, REPAIRED AS THEY SHOULD BE, WE DO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING IN HOUSE, WE DO ELECTRICAL. WE DO CARPENTRY, WE DO PLUMBING, YOU KNOW, WE DO HVAC MAINTENANCE, FILTER CHANGES FOR THIS BUILDING, YOU KNOW, WE TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF THE TOWNSHIP ASSETS. AND BY DOING SO, WE DO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO THE TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS, SO IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE ALWAYS HAVING, YOU KNOW, GREEN INITIATIVES IN MIND. SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE SEE THAT OLD LIGHT FIXTURE, WE'RE CHANGING IT OUT TO LED. SO WE'RE ALWAYS STAYING ON TOP OF THAT AND LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO IMPROVE. AND, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOHN BROWN. I'VE BEEN HERE FOR APPROXIMATELY CLOSE TO SEVEN YEARS. I MOVED UP THE RANKS FROM CLEAN COMMUNITIES TO LABORER TO EQUIPMENT OPERATOR. NOW I'M THE ROADS FOREMAN. I'M IN CHARGE OF DAY TO DAY SCHEDULING FOR OUR CREWS TO GO OUT AND DO OUR REPAIRS. AND BASICALLY A LOT OF OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR WHAT IS NEEDED DAY TO DAY. I'M ALSO A RESIDENT IN TOWN HERE, TOO. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS, SO. YEAH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS. I MEAN, LET'S SEE IF JEFF HAS ANYTHING ELSE TO SA. YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO, MAYBE JUST GIVE A COUPLE UPDATES OF WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING UP SINCE WINTER IS QUICKLY APPROACHING, WE'VE BEEN DOING OBVIOUSLY A LOT WITH THE GROWTH SEASON, MOWING, STUFF LIKE THAT, WE HAVE BEEN DOING POTHOLE REPAIR, ON TOP OF SIDEWALK REPAIR. AND WE, WE MAINTAIN THE[00:10:07]
PATHWAYS HERE IN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP RIGHT NOW. LOOKING FORWARD, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF CAPITAL ASPHALT PROJECTS THAT WILL BE HAPPENING SOON, ONE OF THEM IS DEVON DRIVE. THE OTHER IS, BENJAMIN BOULEVARD, AND THEN DUTCHTOWN ZION, FROM PIN OAK TO THE HILLSBORO LINE, THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING WITHIN ABOUT THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE YET WHEN THEY'RE STARTING, BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GET PLENTY OF NOTICE OUT TO MAKE SURE RESIDENTS KNOW, IN THE RECENT TIMES, SINCE I WAS BECAME DIRECTOR, I'VE WORKED A LOT CLOSER WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, GETTING TO SEE WHAT THEY NEED, HOW THEY CAN. WE CAN HELP THEM. THEY CAN HELP US, SPECIFICALLY ENGINEERING, I'VE SAT WITH MARK A FEW TIMES NOW AND WE'VE DISCUSSED WHAT WE'RE DOING. HE'S DISCUSSED WHAT THEY'RE DOING, ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS I FOUND WAS, THEY WERE USING, FOR THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS. I WAS ABLE TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE COSTS BY, DOING IT IN-HOUSE, WHICH ENDED UP SAVING THEM CLOSE TO ALMOST $50,000 BY GETTING IT DONE IN-HOUSE, BUT HE HAS POINTED OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE'VE THAT HE'S HELPED US WITH AND WE'VE HELPED HIM TO UPDATE HIS A COUPLE OF BACKLOGGED REPAIR LISTS, LIKE SIDEWALK REPAIRS, STUFF LIKE THAT. MOVING FORWARD, OBVIOUSLY WE ALL KNOW ABOUT HOW BAD SOME OF THESE STORMS HAVE BEEN, AND WE'VE TRIED TO BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE PREPARED, NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE'RE ALWAYS IN CONTACT WITH WHATEVER SERGEANT IS ON DUTY FOR THE NIGHT, HE ALWAYS HAS MY NUMBER. I ALWAYS KNOW WHO'S ON DUTY THAT NIGHT.WE'RE DURING THE DAY, AND WE ALWAYS HAVE A TRUCK THAT'S ALWAYS READY TO GO, IT'S ALWAYS HAD THE CHAINSAWS, THE CONES, WHATEVER WE NEED TO MAKE SURE. OBVIOUSLY, WE GET IT CLEANED UP QUICK ENOUGH, IT SPECIFICALLY HELPS WITH JOHN AND I LIVING IN THE TOWN HERE, I'M ONLY TWO MILES AWAY FROM PUBLIC WORKS. HE MIGHT EVEN BE LESS, BUT IT'S A BIG HELP. TRYING TO JUST TO GET IT CLEARED UP OR WHATEVER, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WINTER FOR US. PRETTY MUCH STARTS IN OCTOBER, WE START BRINGING DOWN ALL OF OUR, SPREADER EQUIPMENT PLOWS, YOU KNOW, ALL THAT STUFF, CHECKING IT OUT, MAKING SURE WE'RE GOOD TO GO. WHEN WE GET CLOSER TO IT, WE GO OVER PLOW ROUTES, WE HAVE THE TOWN DIVIDED UP TO 58 PLOW ROUTES. NOW AND WITH THE HELP OF SEWERS AND PARKS AND A NUMBER OF CONTRACTORS, WE PRETTY MUCH HAVE SOMEONE FOR EVERY ROUTE AT THIS POINT, USUALLY BY THE END OF THE LAST SNOWFLAKE, WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT FOUR HOURS, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH SNOW WE HAVE TO CLEAN EVERYTHING UP AND BE DONE. WE ALSO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY ON TOP OF, OUR CONTAINER FACILITY, WHICH HAS BEEN A BIG SUCCESS. OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING CAN BE DONE PRETTY MUCH AT THIS POINT ON THE TOWNSHIP'S WEBSITE. IF YOU GO ON THERE, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR CONTAINER FACILITY APPOINTMENT, YOU CAN PAY FOR IT THERE IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THE OLDER COUPONS YOU CAN PUT, THERE'S A DROP DOWN BOX THAT SHOWS THAT AND YOU CAN PICK THAT. SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY YOUR NAME AUTOMATICALLY GETS PUT ON A LIST, WHATEVER TIME SLOT YOU PICKED, AND WE GIVE IT TO THE OPERATOR WHO'S WORKING, THE CONTAINER FACILITY THAT DAY, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE RESIDENTS, THAT WE DO HAVE THE RECYCLING CONTAINER THAT'S RIGHT UP FRONT AT 12 HARLINGEN PUBLIC WORKS HERE. THAT'S OPEN ALL THE TIME IF THEY WANT TO DROP OFF CARDBOARD. PLASTICS OR GLASS, THERE'S A BIN FOR THAT, BUT WE'RE ALWAYS EMPTYING. THAT SEEMS PRETTY POPULAR. IT'S. IT'S A BIGGER BIN. I WANT TO CALL IT. AND WE'RE WE'RE EMPTYING IT PROBABLY AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK, SO A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO USE THAT, THE, THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, JUST MENTION THAT IF ANYBODY EVER HAS, AN ISSUE OR THEY WANT TO REPORT SOMETHING, THE GOV PILOT, REPORT A CONCERN. WE ARE ALWAYS CHECKING THAT MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY MAKING SURE, IF ANYTHING COMES IN, WE'RE PRETTY MUCH LOOKING AT IT THAT DAY OR LOOKING INTO IT. AT LEAST I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR RESIDENTS TO REPORT SOMETHING. IT'S THE EASIEST, YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL THE OFFICE AND SOMEBODY WILL HELP YOU OUT, BUT,
[00:15:04]
I THINK A LOT OF THIS STUFF CAN BE DONE ONLINE AT THIS POINT. IT JUST MAKES IT A LOT SIMPLER. BUT WE'LL, NO MATTER WHAT COMES IN, WE'LL LOOK AT IT AND WE'LL TRY TO GET BACK TO WHOEVER IT IS, YOU KNOW, IN A VERY TIMELY MANNER. AND WE TRY TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS OVER, OVER THERE.SO THAT'S ABOUT IT. YEAH. ANY ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS. BUT I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND FOR YOUR FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS, IS THE NEW CPM, SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR STAFF'S DEDICATION AND YOUR LONGEVITY. I KNOW IT MEANS SOMETHING WHEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE ON A JOB FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYBODY CAN CLAIM THAT. AND WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. YEAH. IF I COULD, IF I COULD JUST, ADD TO THAT, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE WHEN WE NEED YOU GUYS AND YOUR TEAM, I THINK A LOT OF US, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WORK. GO HOME, TURN OFF THE, YOU KNOW, WORK, OR MAYBE WE'RE WORKING ON OUR LAPTOPS, BUT YOUR TEAMS ARE ON CALL, AND WE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE OF, LIKE, WHEN WE NEEDED A TEAM TO COME IN. AND I DID WANT TO SHARE ON THE CONTAINER FACILITY BECAUSE I JUST WENT ON ON TUESDAY. IT WAS IT WAS SO EASY TO DO IT ONLINE. IT WAS LIKE TWO MINUTES. AND YOUR OPERATOR, WHO WAS ON DUTY, I DID SHARE IT WITH THE TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR, WAS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL, COURTEOUS, SUPER HELPFUL. LET ME GO IN THERE FIVE MINUTES EARLY, AND BUT IT WAS JUST GREAT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THE CULTURE TEAM SO THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CONTAINER FACILITY, WHICH I'VE USED MANY TIMES, AND I THINK THE TOWNSHIP DOES A GREAT JOB. IT'S VERY REASONABLE.
AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY VERY NICE THERE THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN HELP YOU. THEY'RE LIKE, OKAY, CAN I LIFT THIS FOR YOU? THEY'RE EVEN COMING TO YOUR CAR AND HELPING WITH THAT. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECYCLING BIN. SO THAT'S THAT'S GOOD FOR US TO KNOW. AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS TO KNOW THAT YOU DO CHECK IT TWICE A WEEK. YEP. AT LEAST TWICE. RIGHT. SO THAT THAT'S GREAT AND REPORT A CONCERN IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. AND I THINK WE'VE BEEN PUTTING THAT OUT THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA. BUT WE'LL DO THAT MORE. AND AS AS THE WEATHER CHANGES AND STUFF. AND THAT WAY IT'S LIKE I SAID, IT'S IMMEDIATE. I MEAN, WE GET IT PRETTY MUCH RIGHT AWAY. RIGHT AWAY. SOMEBODY IS ALWAYS LOOKING AT IT AND WE'RE SAYING, HEY, DID YOU SEE THAT REPORT? YEAH. SEND SOMEBODY OUT. WE'LL LOOK AT IT AND WE TRY TO OBVIOUSLY GET SOME ANSWERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR THAT. AND DEFINITELY WE ALL APPRECIATE IT AND THE TEAMWORK AND YOU BROUGHT UP WITH ENGINEERING WITH MARK AND ALL OF THAT. I MEAN WE ARE A TEAM HERE AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOUR TEAM WORK THERE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. YEAH THANKS.
THANK YOU I APPRECIATE IT. OKAY PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE
[3. Public Comment]
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 WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTE? HELLO, MY NAME IS STEVE KNOWLTON. THAT'S K N O W L T O N. I'M A VOLUNTEER WRITER FOR MONTGOMERY NEWS AND I JUST HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. FOR RESOLUTION 20 4-9304 AND 305. THERE ARE GRANTS THAT ARE COMING IN. I'M CURIOUS, ARE THOSE, GOING INTO THE GENERAL FUND OR ARE THERE PARTICULAR PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING DEDICATED TO. OH, WE'LL JUST HAVE GIVE US A MOMENT. LET'S FIND EXACTLY WHAT THE, WHERE THEY ARE ON THE AGENDA. IT'S IN THE CONSENT AGENDA. OKAY I GUESS IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE, LIKE WITH ANY ANY OTHER COMMENTS SO WE CAN BE CONSISTENT WITH THE, THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS. YEAH. AND THEN, RESOLUTION 20 4-9309, WHICH IS THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THAT'S THE ABANDONED GAS STATION ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THAT. YES. AND THE TWO PROPERTIES ADJACENT AS WELL. OKAY, TERRIFIC. AND THEN, ON RESOLUTION. 20 4-9, DASH 325, I WONDER IF YOU CAN CLARIFY THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN A PUBLIC FIRE HYDRANT AND A PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT. CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PUBLIC FIRE HYDRANT AND A PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT? I'M TRYING TO GET THAT ONE SECOND INSTALLATION OF THE FIRE HYDRANTS AT MONTGOMERY PROMENADE IS WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT. YES OKAY. IS THAT, DID YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT TO GET ALL THE QUESTIONS? YEAH. OKAY IS THAT THE LAST QUESTION THAT'S ON EVERYTHING? YEAH. I'LL HAVE A SEAT. OKAY. THE PUBLIC FIRE HYDRANTS ARE LOCATED ON PUBLIC ROADS, AND THEN THE OTHERS ARE LOCATED ON PRIVATE ROADS. SO[00:20:05]
OWNERSHIP OF THE ROAD. OKAY. DID WE GET EVERYTHING AND THE GRANT? OH, THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT GRANT DOES HAVE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AS TO HOW THE TOWNSHIP CAN USE THAT GRANT FUNDING. IT'S SIMILAR ACROSS ANY MUNICIPALITY THAT RECEIVES THAT GRANT. AND THE CLEAN COMMUNITIES GRANT FUNDS, ACTUALLY, JOHN BROWN TALKED A LITTLE BIT TONIGHT ABOUT HOW HE STARTED HERE AS A CLEAN COMMUNITY. SO IT'S A GRANT THAT COMES FROM THE STATE, AND WE'RE ABLE TO HIRE A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE WHO BASICALLY DOES KEEPS THE NEIGHBORHOOD, KEEPS THE COMMUNITY CLEAN SO THAT THEY THAT'S WHAT THAT WILL FUND. AND THEN, OKAY. ARE THERE ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING T.OKAY ORDINANCES. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING. AT THIS POINT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ORDINANCES. PUBLIC HEARING, FINAL ADOPTION, AND THERE ARE NO ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING, FINAL ADOPTION, CONSENT AGENDA. ALL MATTERS LISTED ON THE
[Consent Agenda]
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, THEN THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE? SORRY TIME'S UP. OKAY OKAY. LET ME GO TO PAGE FIVE. I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE WHAT AM .GIVE US A MOMENT. SO IT'S 302238 OPEN COMMENT SHOULD BE. OKAY YEP, YEP. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA? RESOLUTIONS NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 302 TO NUMBER 24. DASH 9308. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBE.
TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES. THANK YOU. OKAY GIVE US A MOMEN.
[11. Resolution #24-9-309 — Authorizing and Directing the Montgomery Township Planning Board to Conduct a Preliminary Investigation to Determine Whether Certain Property Located at the Intersection of State Highway Route 206 and County Route 518 Designated as Lots 59, 61, 62, and 64 in Block 28010 on the Tax Map of the Township of Montgomery Meets the Criteria for Designation as a Condemnation Redevelopment Area]
RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH NINE, DASH 309 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION INTERSECTION OF STATE HIGHWAY ROUTE 206 AND COUNTY ROUTE 518, DESIGNATED AS LOTS 59, 61, 62, AND 64, IN BLOCK TWO, 8010 ON THE TAX MAP OF TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS CONDEMNATION. REDEVELOPMENT ARE.SO MAYOR, THIS RESOLUTION, WOULD BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR THE FORMER GAS STATION CORNER PROPERTY AT 518 AND 206 TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. AND THE TWO ADJACENT PROPERTIES, THE TIGER'S TAIL AND THE FORMER AUTO PARTS STORE THAT HAS SINCE BEEN DEMOLISHED, AND WHETHER THEY QUALIFY AS AN AREA IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT AND THAT THE THAT WOULD COME BEFORE THE, THAT INVESTIGATION IS DONE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PLANNING BOARD AND THEN FORWARDED TO THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL, ACCEPTANCE. AND THEN THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE IF IT WAS SO DESIGNATED, THAT AREA WE WOULD WORK ON A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. OKAY OKAY, I'LL BE GOOD. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH NINE, DASH 309. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES. THANK YOU. OKAY THIS IS ON HIGHLIGHT. THIS IS GOING TO BE.
[12. Resolution #24-9-310 — Authorizing Appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment]
YEAH. OKAY. RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9310 AUTHORIZING APPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. OKAY, BE IT RESOLVED, THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY OF SOMERSET, THAT THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENT SHALL BE MADE AS LISTED. RON RONALD AND I'LL ALTERNATE FOR MEMBER UNEXPIRED. TWO YEAR TERM DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. OKAY SHOULD WE DO THE OATH MOTION FIRST? OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24? DASH 9310. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER.TAYLOR. TODD. YES DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES AND WE WILL ASK RON PAWLENTY,
[00:25:03]
WHO'S HERE TO COME AND TAKE HIS OATH OF OFFICE WITH US.AS OUR FIRST. BOARD. ALL THE WAY FROM. OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOLLOWING THE BUDGET AND SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED ONE, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE CHURCH. THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND AFFAIRS AND INTERSTATE TRAFFIC TO THE STATE AND THE GOVERNMENT, ESTABLISHING THAT WHICH IS ESTABLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES AND INDICATED AND THE STATE AND THE PEOPLE OF AND THE STATE PARTICIPATING IN THE IMPARTIALLY AND JUSTICE TO PERFORM ALL THE ALSO PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF 24 ALL AND. ANY MEMBER OF THE BOARD THAT I THAT I ASPIRED TO TRANSFORM INSPIRING AND INSPIRING THE 31ST.
ACCORDING TO THE BEST, ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. SO. HERE OKAY, JUST KIND OF THING.
YEAH THERE WE GO. AND THAT IN COMPARISON TO THE OTHER. OKAY, I THINK IT WAS ABOUT. OKAY. OH, GREAT. YEAH. NO PROBLEM. THANK. I THINK I THINK I KNOW ALL ABOUT THANK YOU FOR BEING EXCITED AND.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT WAS ONE THAT WAS. THAT WAS. THAT WA. GREAT. OKAY. THE WAY THAT WORKS.
[13. Resolution #24-9-311 — Authorizing Land Purchase Agreement (Block 8001, Lot 8 — Staats)]
OKAY. IT'S VERY GOOD. OKAY. OKAY. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 311 AUTHORIZING LAND PURCHASE AGREEMENT. BLOCK 8001. LOT EIGHT STATS. YES, MAYOR. IT'S ALWAYS, GREAT WHEN WE CAN LOOK TOWARDS PURCHASING AND PRESERVING ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE IN TOWN. THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY IS ALMOST FIVE ACRES ON RIVER ROAD, WHICH IS THE HISTORIC MILLSTONE VALLEY SCENIC BYWAY. SO IT'S A GREAT ADDITION TO THAT. AND KEEPING ALSO OUR RIVER ROAD HISTORIC DISTRICT, LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT AND NATIONAL DISTRICT, INTACT WITH, WITH THE WITH THE VIEWSHED AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL, YOU KNOW, CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE THERE WITH ADJACENT TO MILLSTONE RIVER.[00:30:01]
THERE THIS AUTHORIZES US TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT AND CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE. ALL OF THAT IS DONE PRIOR TO, THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE AUTHORIZING AN ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. SO THIS IS SORT OF A THE NEXT STEP IN THE ACQUISITION PROCESS. OKAY. PERFECT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24? DASH NINE.DASH 311. SO MOVED SECOND ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER O. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR.
TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR. BARRAGAN. YES. MAYOR. SING. YES RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE.
[14. Resolution #24-9-312 — Approving Amendments to the Montgomery Township Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual]
DASH 312. APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. PERSONNEL. PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL. MAYOR, THIS IS, THE PERSONNEL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL THAT ALL EMPLOYEES OF MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP ADHERE TO, IT'S A LIVING AND BREATHING DOCUMENT. SO WE TRY TO UPDATE IT AS FREQUENTLY AS WE NEED TO. SO THERE ARE THREE ITEMS WE'RE ADDRESSING. WE'VE MOVED TO AN, PRIME POINT, WHICH IS A PROGRAM FOR PAYROLL AND TIME KEEPING. HAS STREAMLINED OUR RECORD KEEPING, MADE US MORE EFFICIENT. AND SO WE'RE UPDATING TO REFLECT THE USE OF THAT SYSTEM AND KIND OF THE MECHANICS AND PROCEDURES THAT FOLLOW THAT. AND THEN ALSO, OUR PERSONNEL HANDBOOK DID NOT HAVE A CIVILITY POLICY. SO WHILE WE TOUCHED ON OTHER RELATED TOPICS, SPECIFICALLY, MORE AND MORE COMPANIES, LOCAL, YOU KNOW, TOWNSHIPS ARE INCLUDING THAT, AND SO WE'RE THE CIVILITY POLICY TALKS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW WE TREAT EACH OTHER, IN THE WORKPLACE, HOW WE TREAT RESIDENTS, HOW WE, WE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER. AND SO WE'RE, WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO ADD THAT TO OUR, OUR MANUAL. THAT SOUNDS GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS? I JUST WANT TO COMMEND THE TOWNSHIP FOR DOING THIS, I THINK, IF THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE A CHANCE TO READ SOME OF THESE TENANTS, I THINK, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE GET ALONG A LITTLE BIT BETTER IF WE ALL FOLLOW THESE PRINCIPLES. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE. DASH 312. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR. BARRAGAN. YES.[15. Resolution #24-9-313 — Authorizing Contract Extension for Submersible Pump Repair Services]
MAYOR SINGH. YES. THANK YOU. RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9313, AUTHORIZING CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMP REPAIR SERVICES. SO, MAYOR, RESOLUTION 313 AND RESOLUTION 314, WHICH FOLLOWS, ARE BOTH RELATED TO SERVICES FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF OUR SEWER PLANTS. SO YOU SEE THESE PRETTY MUCH ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS FOR PUMP REPAIR SERVICES. AND THE FOLLOWING ONE IS TO ENTER INTO THE MORRIS COUNTY COOPERATIVE FOR GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AT OUR SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS. OH, OKAY. THANK YOU, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 49-313. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE.COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES.
[16. Resolution #24-9-314 — Authorizing Award of Contract to Foley, Inc. for Generator Maintenance and Emer cy Repair Services Through Morris County Cooperative for the Montgomery Township Sewer Authority]
MAYOR. SING. YES RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH 9314. AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO FOLEY, INC. FOR GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIR SERVICES THROUGH MORRIS COUNTY CO-OP COOPERATIVE FOR THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY. AND I GUESS YOU EXPLAINED THAT. SO MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9314. SO MOVED.SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD.
YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR. SING. YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9315 AUTHORIZING
[17. Resolution #24-9-315 — Authorizing Award of Contract to Foley, Inc. for Generator Maintenance and Emer cy Repair Services Through Morris County Cooperative for the Montgomery Township Department of Public Works and Otto Kaufman Community Center]
AWARD OF CONTRACT TO FOLEY, INC. FOR GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIR SERVICES THROUGH MORRIS COUNTY COOPERATIVE FOR MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND OTTO KAUFMAN COMMUNITY CENTER. SO JUST LIKE THE PRIOR, RESOLUTION, THIS COVERS OUR DPW YARD AND OTTO KAUFMAN COMMUNITY CENTER. OKAY, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9315. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES.COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR. SING YES. RESOLUTION
[18. Resolution #24-9-316 — Authorizing Outdoor Assembly Permit for Princeton Farms & Preserves]
NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 316. AUTHORIZING OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY PERMIT FOR PRINCETON FARMS AND PRESERVES, MAYOR, THE FARM HAS SUBMITTED ALL OF THE PAPERWORK FOR THE OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY PERMIT, IN A TIMELY FASHION, IT WAS VERY THOROUGH THE SUBMISSION. AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SIGNED[00:35:04]
OFF ON THE OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY PERMIT. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9316. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES.COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR. SING YES. RESOLUTION
[19. Resolution #24-9-317 — Repealing and Replacing Resolution #24-7-241 Authorizing the Donation of One 2018 Ford Explorer to Montgomery Emergency Medical Services (EMS)]
NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 317. REPEALING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH SEVEN. DASH 241. AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF ONE 2018 FORD EXPLORER TO MONTGOMERY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES EMS. SO THIS RESOLUTION IS ALSO TIED TO THE NEXT ONE, YOU MAY RECALL THAT AT THE TIME THAT THE RESOLUTION WAS DONE TO AWARD THE OR TO GIVE THE VEHICLE TO EMS THAT WAS NO LONGER NEEDED FOR USE BY THE TOWNSHIP, THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE.OKAY WE HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE MAINTENANCE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR CONTRACT, THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO REMAIN WITH THE TOWNSHIP. THEREFORE, IT'S REPEALING THE DONATION OF THE VEHICLE. AND THEN THE NEXT RESOLUTION WILL AUTHORIZE US TO ENTER INTO A USE AGREEMENT SO THAT EMS HAS USE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT REMAINS UNDER YOUR SERVICE CONTRACT, MAKES SENSE. OKAY. THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE. OH, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME, ANY ANY KIND OF, LEGAL LIABILITY, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S A TOWNSHIP OWNED VEHICLE, BUT EMS DRIVERS ARE, YOU KNOW, ALL SORTS OF, REQUIREMENTS FOR. RIGHT? SO THEY'LL CARRY THEIR OWN INSURANCE. OKAY. SO THERE'S NO, LIKE, CLAWBACK TO, SO THERE IS GOING TO BE AN AGREEMENT PUT IN PLACE WITH THE INSURANCE PROVISIONS AND INDEMNIFICATION.
OKAY YOU SAID THE WORD I WAS LOOKING FOR. SO YES. INDEMNIFICATION. YEAH. THAT'S THAT'S THE WORD OF THE HOUR. OKAY, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH NINE, DASH 317. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR. SAYING YES. RESOLUTION
[20. Resolution #24-9-318 — Authorizing a Use Agreement Between Montgomery Township and Montgomery Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the Use of One 2018 Ford Explorer]
NUMBER 24. DASH NINE. DASH 318 AUTHORIZING A USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP AND MONTGOMERY, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES EMS FOR THE USE OF ONE 2018 FORD EXPLORER. I GUESS WE'VE EXPLAINED. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9318. SO MOVED.SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD.
YES DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR. SINGH YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE. DASH 319.
[21. Resolution #24-9-319 — Authorizing Award of Contract to Jersey Mail Systems for the Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of One PostBase Pro DS Automatic Postal Mailing System]
AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO JERSEY MAIL SYSTEMS FOR THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF ONE POST BASE PRO DS AUTOMATIC POSTAL MAILING SERVICE SYSTEM. MAYOR. OUR OUR CURRENT POSTAGE, MACHINE IS 22 YEARS OLD, SO IT'S DONE SERVED US VERY WELL. UNFORTUNATELY, IN ORDER TO MEET THE CURRENT STANDARDS SET BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO BE UPDATED AS, AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL REQUIRE. AND SO WE NEED TO MOVE TO A NEW, POSTAGE SYSTEM. AND SO THIS WILL ALLOW US TO, TO DO THAT AND REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE. OKAY MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 4-9319. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL PLEASE.COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES.
[22. Resolution #24-9-320 — Authorizing the Township of Montgomery to Participate in Omnia Partners National Purchasing Cooperative]
MAYOR. SING. YES RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 320 AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY TO PARTICIPATE IN OMNIA PARTNERS NATIONAL PURCHASING COOPERATIVE, MAYOR, THIS IS TIED TO THE IMPROVE ONGOING IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'RE DOING OVER AT THE SENIOR CENTER AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER. AND SO BY JOINING THE THIS PARTICULAR COOPERATIVE WILL BE ABLE TO GET SOME FAVORABLE PRICING TO UPDATE THE HVAC SYSTEM, WHICH IS A LITTLE OUTDATED AND NEEDS AND NEEDS SOME, SOME WORK. AND SO THAT'S SOME OF WHAT RICH DIETRICH, WHO WAS HERE TONIGHT, OUR BUILDINGS FOREMAN, HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING HOW BEST TO DO THAT. AND AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THESE COOPERATIVES THAT THE TOWNSHIP BELONGS TO, WE BELONG TO MANY OF THEM, THE, THE SORT OF THE, THE, THE NUMBERS OF, OF GROUPS THAT BELONG TO THEM, THE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS THE PRICING WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE. AND SO WE SEARCH THOSE OUT, TO SEE WHICH ONES OFFER THE GREATEST BENEFIT AND COST SAVINGS TO THE TOWNSHIP. OH THAT'S GREAT. THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH NINE. DASH 320. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL[00:40:01]
PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN.[23. Resolution #24-9-321 — Repealing and Replacing Resolution #24-7-244 Authorizing Refund of 2023 and 2024 Taxes Due to Tax Appeal Settlement (Block 6001, Lot 1)]
YES. MAYOR. SING YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 321. REPEALING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH SEVEN. DASH 244. AUTHORIZING REFUND OF 2023 AND 2024. TAXES DUE TO TAX APPEAL. SETTLEMENT SO THE RESOLUTIONS 321 AND 322 ARE ALSO LINKED TOGETHER. 321 IS REPEALING THE PRIOR. WE WERE LATER INFORMED THAT THE NAME OF THE ENTITY WAS INCORRECT. OKAY AND THE, THE YEARS FOR WHICH THE REFUND WERE BEING MADE WERE INCORRECT. SO RATHER THAN AMEND IT, IT IT BECAME CLEANER TO JUST REPEAL THE PRIOR RESOLUTION AND THEN PASS A NEW RESOLUTION WHICH IS 322. OH. GOT IT. OKAY MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 321. SO MOVED. SECOND ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON ABSTAIN. COMMITTEE MEMBER TAYLOR TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES MAYOR. SAYING YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE.[24. Resolution #24-9-322 — Authorizing Refund of Overpaid 2023 Taxes Due to Tax Appeal Settlement (Block 6001, Lot 1)]
DASH 322 AUTHORIZING REFUND OF OVERPAID 2023 TAXES DUE TO TAX APPEAL SETTLEMENT BLOCK 6001, LOT ONE. SO THIS IS THE SAME. THE SAME ONE OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE. DASH 322. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON.ABSTAIN. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES MAYOR. SING. YES OKAY, JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND. OKAY RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 323. AUTHORIZING
[25. Resolution #24-9-323 — Authorizing Award of Bid B#09-2024 — Montgomery Road Resurfacing and Pedestrian Route Extension (State Aid Project)]
AWARD OF BID NUMBER B09. DASH 2024 MONTGOMERY ROAD. RESURFACING AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTE EXTENSION. STATE AID PROJECT. THIS IS THE ONE OF THE ROADS WILL BE PART OF OUR 2024 ROAD REPAVING PROGRAM. WE HAVE RECEIVED STATE FUNDING FROM THE D.O.T. TO WORK TOWARDS PAYING FOR THE REPAVING OF MONTGOMERY ROAD, AND THIS IS AUTHORIZING THE BID TO TOP LINE CONSTRUCTION FOR $775,974.61. OKAY MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH NINE. DASH 323.SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR.
TODD YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR. SING YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 324.
[26. Resolution #24-9-324 — Authorizing Award of Bid B#l0-2024 — 2024 Inlet, Manhole, Curb Repairs and ADA Ramps]
AUTHORIZING AWARD OF BID B TEN 2024 2024. INLET. MANHOLE. CURB REPAIRS AND ADA RAMPS. THIS IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT IS PART OF OUR 2024 CAPITAL AND SO THIS WILL BE A REPAIRING OF VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT THE TOWNSHIP, AS LISTED HERE. INLETS, MANHOLES, CURB REPAIRS, ADA RAMPS, AND THE AWARD OF LOWEST BID WAS TO ANNA CONSTRUCTION LLC, $214,940. OKAY MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 FOUR. DASH NINE. DASH 324. SO MOVED.SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD.
[27. Resolution #24-9-325 — Authorizing the Installation of Fire Hydrants (Montgomery Promenade)]
YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES MAYOR. SING. YES. RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE, DASH 325.AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF FIRE HYDRANTS. MONTGOMERY PROMENADE. SO THIS IS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT, ALL DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE FIRE HYDRANTS HAVE A PLAN THAT IS DEVELOPED IN COORDINATION WITH OUR FIRE MARSHAL, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE DEVELOPERS, AS YOU CAN SEE, MONTGOMERY PROMENADE IS QUITE A BIG PROJECT. THEY HAVE QUITE A NUMBER OF HYDRANTS, PROBABLY ONE OF THE LONGER RESOLUTIONS THAT WE'VE DONE FOR THIS, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE THAT AS THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN PROGRESSING, THAT THESE ITEMS ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND SO THE INSTALLATION OF THE FIRE HYDRANTS OBVIOUSLY IS CRITICAL TO NOT JUST THE END RESULT OF THE PROJECT, BUT, YOU KNOW, AS THE CONSTRUCTION IS TAKING PLACE AS WELL. YEAH. FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CREW AND. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH NINE, DASH 325. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES.
COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES, MAYOR. SING. YES. APPROVAL OF
[28. Approval of Minutes]
MINUTES. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE SPECIAL MEETING? MINUTES OF JUNE 4TH? ALL IN. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION?[00:45:04]
MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 18TH. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 1ST? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION? MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST FIRST. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REGULAR MEETING? MINUTES OF AUGUST 15TH. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION? MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15TH. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
[29. Resolution #24-9-326 — Payment of Bills Posted]
AYE RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE. DASH 326. PAYMENT OF BILLS POSTED. MAYOR. THE. FOUR HIGHEST BILLS ON OUR, BILL LIST THIS WEEK ARE PAGE ONE. THE CENTRAL JERSEY HEALTH INSURANCE FUND.OUR SEPTEMBER HEALTH BENEFITS $150,591, THE NEXT THREE ARE ACTUALLY ALL RELATED TO SOMERSET COUNTY, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, WE COLLECT ALL OF THE TAXES AND THEN DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE VARIOUS PARTIES. SO BOARD OF EDUCATION RECEIVES, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, THE LARGEST PORTION OF THE 70%, SOMERSET COUNTY, THE FIRE DISTRICTS GET A SMALL PORTION AND THEN THE TOWNSHIP RETAINS A SMALL PORTION AS WELL. SO SOMERSET COUNTY TAX PAYMENT FOR $4,880,108.48, SO ON PAGE THREE, SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY TAXES $662,133.12, PAGE THREE.
SOMERSET COUNTY OPEN SPACE TAX $523,969.70. AND ON PAGE THREE, WE ALSO HAVE OUR $70,000 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO OUR VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE. YES. AND ON PAGE THREE, WE ALSO HAVE OUR TAX PAYMENT THAT WE FORWARD TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. FOR $8,936,326. OKAY. THANK YOU. I THINK WE DO A GOOD JOB OF COLLECTING THE TAXES FOR EVERYONE. AND HOPEFULLY THEY'RE ALL GREAT PARTNERS FOR MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. AND MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24. DASH NINE. DASH 326. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER O.
YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR BERRIGAN. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES
[30. New Business and Old Business]
CORRESPONDENCE. THERE IS NO CORRESPONDENCE. NEW BUSINESS AND OLD BUSINESS, I BELIEVE WE HAVE LAURETTE PRUDEN, WHO'S IN ATTENDANCE. LUSCIOUS SPIRITS. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. HOW ARE YOU? GOOD. MY NAME IS TED CAROL. AND THAT'S C A R R O L L. I'M AN ATTORNEY IN FLEMINGTON WITH THE GRUENBERG LAW OFFICE, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENT, LUSCIOUS SPIRITS CO. THEY ARE A LOCAL DISTILLERY THAT PRODUCES DISTILLED BEVERAGES, AND THEY WERE RECENTLY GRANTED BY THE ALCOHOL BOARD OF CONTROL, A SEASONAL FARMERS MARKET PERMIT. AND WE'RE COMING BEFORE AGAIN, WE WERE HERE LAST MONTH, BUT WE'RE COMING HERE BEFORE YOU AGAIN, JUST TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND HEAR ANY CONCERNS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER, WHEN WE APPEARED HERE BEFORE THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE LAST MONTH, I UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS SOME CONCERN REGARDING THE PROXIMITY TO, YOU KNOW, THE, THE NEW PLAYGROUND THAT WAS IN PLACE.AND SO, YOU KNOW, TO ALLEVIATE THOSE CONCERNS, I DID SOME DIGGING. AND THERE ARE IT IS AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FARMERS MARKETS THAT ARE LOCATED ON MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES, WHICH HAVE DISTILLERIES AND WINERIES AS, AS VENDORS, JUST TO GIVE YOU A FEW EXAMPLES, THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE IN BERGEN COUNTY, WHICH IS HELD IN THE PARKING LOT BEHIND A PUBLIC LIBRARY. THEY HAVE THE HACKENSACK BREWING COMPANY AND THEY ALLOW PATRONS TO PURCHASE BEER. NUTLEY FARMERS MARKET IN ESSEX COUNTY, WHICH IS HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT. THOSE VENDORS INCLUDE JERSEY SPIRITS AND GHOST HAWK BREWING COMPANY, THE ROBBINSVILLE FARMERS MARKET IN MERCER COUNTY THAT IS HELD IN AN OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP. AND THOSE VENDORS INCLUDE THE OLD HEITZ BREWING COMPANY AND THE RECKLESS TOWN FARM DISTILLERY, AND EVEN HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY, THE REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET IN IS HELD IN THE SOMERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, AND THE VENDORS INCLUDE RECKLESS TOWN FARM, DISTILLERY AND UNIONVILLE. VENDORS. NOW, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WINTER FARMER'S MARKET IS GOING TO BE HELD INSIDE. AND THE LAST
[00:50:03]
COMMITTEE MEETING TO THAT END, WE AGREED THAT IF APPROVED, WE WOULD NOT PROPOSE TO HAVE ANY TASTINGS OR ANY SAMPLES GIVEN OUT TO CUSTOMERS. THE SAMPLES AS REGULATED BY THE FARMERS MARKET PERMIT IS LIMITED TO THREE HALF OUNCE SAMPLES PER CUSTOMER. AND TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THAT, THAT'S A HALF AN OUNCE IS ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF A TEASPOON. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THREE TEASPOONS PER CUSTOMER, AND IT'S THE EXPERIENCE OF, OF OUR CLIENTS HERE THAT MOST PATRONS, THEY ARE JUST LOOKING TO, TO HAVE THE SMELL RATHER THAN THE TASTE WHEN THEY'RE SAMPLING THESE SPIRITS, WITH ME HERE TONIGHT, I HAVE PAVLO KUDELIA, WHO IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LUSCIOUS SPIRITS COMPANY, AND I ALSO HAVE TAMARA ALEKSEYEV, WHO IS THE BUSINESS PARTNER IN THIS VENTURE, SO WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE. I JUST HAVE A QUICK ONE FOR YOU'RE MENTIONING ALL THE OTHER TOWNSHIPS. SO THAT IS WITH THE LIBRARY, WITH THE KIDS AND THE PLAYGROUND. THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT YOU MENTIONED.THAT IS ALL IN PROXIMITY AND WITH US HERE TONIGHT, WE ALSO HAVE, LAURETTE PRUDEN. SHE IS THE MANAGER OF THE FARMER'S MARKET, VERY HAPPY TO HEAR ANY COMMENTS THAT SHE MAY HAVE, AND WE'D BE WILLING TO WORK WITH HER TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE A, AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AWAY FROM ANYTHING THAT. WOULD YOU KNOW, COME INTO CONTACT WITH CHILDREN LIKE THE LIKE THE PLAYGROUND, IN ADDITION, WE WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH THE TOWNSHIP HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ENSURING THAT THERE'S PROPER, YOU KNOW, SIGNAGE. REGARDING, SAFE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH, UPON APPLICATION FOR THE SEASONAL FARMER'S MARKET PERMIT THAT THE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, AS WELL AS YOUR TOWNSHIP CLERK, AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO DO IS WITHIN THE CONDITIONS THAT WERE LISTED WITHIN THAT FARMER'S MARKET PERMIT THAT WE WERE THAT WE WERE GRANTED. AND WITHIN ANY AND ALL REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE, IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I MEAN, WE'RE WE'RE ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE OF OUR FARMER'S MARKET. SO, YOU KNOW, WE THINK IT'S GREAT ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND, YOU KNOW, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CLARIFICATION ON, YOU KNOW, ON THE CONSUMPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO I APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS WITH THE TASTINGS DURING THE INDOOR FARMER'S MARKET. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR FLEXIBILITY ON THAT AND YOUR, COMING FORWARD TO PROVIDE MORE CLARIFICATION. AND I'M PERSONALLY SATISFIED. THANK YOU. YEAH. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING AGAIN. IT'S REALLY APPRECIATIVE. AND I'M SORRY TO THE LAST MEETING I HAD TO, YOU KNOW, BE REMOTE BECAUSE I WASN'T FEELING WELL. I DIDN'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, GET ANYONE SICK. YEAH. I MEAN, SUPPORTIVE AND APPRECIATE EVERYONE GOING THROUGH ALL THE RIGHT LEGAL HURDLES AND PERMIT PROCESS. I THINK THE, YOU KNOW, I JUST KIND OF REITERATE, LIKE, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALCORN'S AREA AND I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT EVERYONE WILL HANDLE THEMSELVES APPROPRIATELY. SO. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING AGAIN.
YEAH. LORI, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD OR LAURETTE, IF YOU HAD ANYTHING TO ADD OR ARE WE. OKAY. MY NAME IS LAURETTE PRUDEN. P R U D E N I'M SURE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR TAKING THIS UNDER CONSIDERATION, ASKING SOME GOOD QUESTIONS, I WANT TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, THAT, A WIDE VARIETY OF VENDORS OF DIFFERENT SORTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, WHICH ARE DISTILLERY IS, MAKES THE MARKET MORE INTERESTING FOR EVERYBODY, SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY WHEN LESHER SPIRITS APPROACHED US, ALSO THAT WE HAVE HAD THE SOURLAND SPIRITS DISTILLERY AT THE MARKET BEFORE, JUST NOT ON TOWNSHIP PROPERTY. AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, I THINK, IS TO EMPHASIZE THAT THESE SPIRITS ARE SOLD NOT FOR CONSUMPTION ON THE PROPERTY, THEN I, I ALSO DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO OVER POUR BECAUSE THEY SELL THIS. RIGHT. SO YOU'RE GOING TO GET A LITTLE WHIFF, A LITTLE TASTE, MAYBE NOT EVEN SO MUCH. NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE SEEN DRINKING ON SATURDAY MORNINGS IN THE PARKING LOT. SO, BUT I HOPE THIS IS ALL GOING TO WORK OUT. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE MARKET IN THIS TRANSITION YEAR FOR US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I THINK IT MAKES IT EASIER TO HEAR THAT. IT'S MORE LIKE A COUGH MEDICINE. IS IT IN A IN A TEASPOON, BUT SEEMS LIKE I THINK YOU'VE ASKED AND ANSWERED ALL OUR QUESTIONS. I MEAN, WE'RE ALWAYS HERE FOR, YOU KNOW, OUR BUSINESSES IN TOWN AND OF
[00:55:02]
COURSE, OUR FARMERS MARKET IS OUR ICONIC, YOU KNOW, BUSINESS. SO, YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. AND, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY MORE QUESTIONS. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. LOBBY ART, IF LAURIE, YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT, I, I DON'T HAVE AN UPDATE AT THE MOMENT, SO I THINK WE'LL SEE ABOUT AN UPDATE AT THE NEXT MEETING. OKAY, TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS,[31. Township Committee Reports]
COMMITTEE ON, SO LET ME SEE THE BOARD OF HEALTH UPDATES. MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASE, THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS IN THE MEDIA AROUND WEST NILE VIRUS AND EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS, THAT'S A TRIPLE E, THAT'S, IN NEW JERSEY. NEW JERSEY. D-O-H IS REPORTING FIVE NEW HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE, THERE WERE TWO DEATHS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY AND MERCER COUNTY. THERE'S NONE IN MONTGOMERY RIGHT NOW. NO CASES IN MONTGOMERY. AND YOU KNOW, THE BOARD OF HEALTH ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND LIMITING MOSQUITO BITES USING REPELLENT, WEARING LONG SLEEVES, REMOVING STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOME IF YOU WANT TO LOOK INTO, GOING TO THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE OR GO INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE ELABORATION, YOU KNOW, HELP REDUCE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE STANDING WATERS AROUND YOUR HOUSE, THESE SMALL STEPS HELP PROTECT AGAINST MOSQUITO BORNE ILLNESSES, KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, THERE'S A BLOOD DRIVE. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS IN HOSTING A BLOOD DRIVE. THE TOWNSHIP HAS DONE SIMILAR PARTNERSHIPS FOR OVER 15 YEARS. BLOOD DRIVE WILL TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 29TH FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE OR GRAB A FLIER AT FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TABLE IN THE LOBBY, OUR REGION IS VERY LOW IN BLOOD SUPPLY, SO PLEASE CONSIDER TO BE A DONOR. WE NEED YOUR HELP. AND THEN IT'S HURRICANE SEASON, PLEASE PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES. MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT WITH PLENTY OF MEDICATION, WATER, FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERIES, DON'T WAIT, YOU KNOW, TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE DON'T TAKE YOUR TIME AND JUST BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED, STAY PREPARED AND STAY SAFE. EDC OUR FARMERS MARKET. WE HAVE OUR EDC, SO PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR FARMERS MARKET. AND THEN WE HAVE RESTAURANT WEEK FROM SEPTEMBER 9TH TO SEPTEMBER 15TH. I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT OUR RESTAURANTS, AS THEY ARE A HUGE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, IT WOULD BE A GREAT GESTURE TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION WHEN YOU TO HELP OUT OUR RESTAURANTS, DURING RESTAURANT WEEK. IS THERE, LIKE, A HASHTAG FOR, MONTGOMERY RESTAURANT WEEK? I THINK THERE'S, EXPLORE. MONTY. OKAY. RIGHT I REMEMBER BECAUSE I WAS DOING A VIDEO ON IT. IT'S EXPLORE. MONTY.COM. OKAY. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I, I SAW SOMETHING THAT THAT REALLY, I REALLY NEEDED THAT. I FELT THAT I NEED TO MENTION ON THE MONTGOMERY NEWS THAT I READ ABOUT. I WANT TO GIVE MY. I'D LIKE TO GIVE MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE HACKER FAMIL, HUNTER SUTHERLAND. LANCE HACKER, WAS MURDERED WHILE ATTEMPTING A ATTEMPTING TO STOP AN ASSAULT ON A WOMAN IN PORTLAND, OREGON, I DIDN'T KNOW HUNTER, BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT HIS BRAVERY, HIS HEROISM, IS WHAT'S NEEDED IN OUR SOCIETY, NOT IGNORING SITUATIONS LIKE PEOPLE ARE DOING AND GETTING USED TO, OR WORSE. LIKE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE RECORD THINGS, BUT REALLY STANDING UP FOR GOOD AND WHAT'S. RIGHT, WE REALLY, WE LOST A GREAT PERSON AND A GREAT, PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. OR EVEN THOUGH HE HE MOVED TO OREGON, HIS FAMILY, THEY'RE STILL HERE. I'D LIKE TO LET HUNTER'S FAMILY KNOW THAT. I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. AND OF, YOU KNOW, HE HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A HERO OF MONTGOMERY. SO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMITTEE. WOMAN. TODD. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. AND THANK YOU. COMMITTEE ON, FOR ACKNOWLEDGING OUR MONTGOMERY RESIDENT. I READ THAT ALSO. AND, THAT IS A TRAGIC STORY. AND I'M REALLY SORRY THAT THAT HAPPENED, BUT I DO APPRECIATE HIS HEROISM. SO MY COMMITTEE UPDATES ARE AS FOLLOWS. THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION DOES NOT HAVE ANY UPDATES FOR THIS MONTH, THE INCLUSION AND EQUITY COMMITTEE HAD ITS REGULAR MEETING, LAST NIGHT, AND WE HOSTED OUR TWO STUDENTS WHO WILL BE SITTING WITH US FROM THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. AND WE HAD A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING, AND WE WERE EXCITED TO HAVE US HAVE THEM JOIN US. THEY BOTH INDICATED THAT THEY WERE THIS WAS THEIR FIRST CHOICE, WHICH WAS EXCITING, ALONG THOSE LINES, I WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A[01:00:04]
HAPPY OR AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, WHICH IS SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 15TH. AND ALSO IN THAT VEIN, TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR THOSE WHO PARTAKE. THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR WITHOUT A STUDENT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. SO IT WAS KIND OF BITTERSWEET, THE BUS STOPS RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AND YOU'RE LIKE, I DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT THIS YEAR, BUT I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE YEAR. AND ON THAT NOTE, THE MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE WILL BE STARTING MEETINGS AGAIN BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 9TH AT 7 P.M, AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO, YOU KNOW, ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT THE MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE IS GOING TO WORK ON THIS YEAR. THANK YOU. I'LL ALSO ECHO, HOPE EVERYONE'S FIRST DAY IN SCHOOL WENT WELL, AS I SAY, IT WAS PRE-K FOR ME, SO THAT WAS GREAT. AS WELL AS GYMNASTICS. SO LONG DAY, SO AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A FEW MINUTES LATE TODAY. THERE WERE NONE OF MY COMMITTEES MET DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST, THEY'LL BE MEETING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. BUT I GUESS IN THAT VEIN, THOUGH, JUST MAYBE NOT TOO EARLY TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE WILL BE HAVING OUR ANNUAL VETERANS DAY CEREMONY ON NOVEMBER 11TH. TUESDAY EVENING. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE TIME FOR FIFTH GRADE PARENTS. THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION WITH MYSELF AND DEMETRIA, WHO'S THE CHAIRWOMAN OF OUR VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE ON, YOU KNOW, HOW WE ANNUALLY ENGAGED ALL OF THE FIFTH GRADERS TO PUT TOGETHER A SKIT, A PRESENTATION, HOWEVER, THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT VETERANS DAY. AND SO, LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THAT TO THE PARENTS AND HOPEFULLY, AS MANY OF THE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT VETERANS DAY MEANS. SO THANKS. YEAH THANK YOU SO MUCH, DEPUTY MAYOR AND COMMITTEE ON AND COMMITTEE. WOMAN. TODD, I DO ECHO, YOU KNOW, OUR CONDOLENCES FROM MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP TO HUNTER'S FAMILY, AND I DO CONCUR THAT WE LOST A HERO WHO WAS MONTGOMERY HERO. AND, YOU KNOW, ORDINARY PEOPLE. SOMETIMES YOU SAY HEROES ARE NOT BORN. THEY ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND THAT'S WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO. AND ON THE VETERANS. YES, I, THE VETERANS COMMITTEE IS AMAZING. AND I'M SO GLAD THAT, YOU KNOW, DEPUTY MAYOR IS GOING TO BE WORKING. IT'S GREAT TO INVOLVE THE SCHOOLS AND THE YOUNG KIDS SO THEY CAN SEE THE SACRIFICE. OUR YOU KNOW, VETERANS AND OUR PRESENT TROOPS ARE MAKING ON THEIR BEHALF TO KEEP FREEDOM RINGING IN OUR, IN OUR NATION. SO, ON THAT, I JUST WANT TO HAVE A QUICK, UPDATE. I THINK, ADMINISTRATOR LORI SAVRAN WILL GO IN FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT MONTGOMERY PROMENADE, BUT WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR FROM RESIDENTS, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY CAN SEE ALL OF THAT, WHATEVER THE SOIL MOVED AND THINGS MOVING AROUND THERE.AND, YOU KNOW, THINGS ARE PROGRESSING. THESE THINGS TAKE LONG. SO WE ASK OUR RESIDENTS TO, YOU KNOW, JUST IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS. BEAR WITH US. THE RESULTS WILL BE AMAZING. SO BUT AS I SAID, LORI WILL GO AND LAURIE SAVRON WILL GO INTO MORE DETAILS THERE. COMMITTEEMEN ON TALKED ABOUT THE MOSQUITO BORNE ILLNESSES, WE DID GET A FEW PEOPLE ASKING. PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED AND, YOU KNOW, AND WE HAVE HEARD OF SOME CASES, BUT NOT NOTHING IN SOMERSET, MORE LIKE MIDDLESEX AT THIS POINT, AS COMMITTEEMAN JOHN SAID. YES PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND. BE VERY CAREFUL. I KNOW A LOT OF US ARE HIKERS IN THIS TOWN, AND SOURLAND IS OUR PLACE TO GO.
I'VE BEEN THERE A FEW TIMES, BUT YES, USE INSECT REPELLENT AND IF YOU HAVE STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOUSE, ESPECIALLY IN FLOWER POTS AND GUTTERS, MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW YOU CLEAN THAT UP BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE MOSQUITOES BREED AND WEAR LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS AND, MINIMIZE EXPOSURE BY AVOIDING BEING OUTSIDE. I KNOW IT'S REALLY TOUGH BECAUSE FALL SPORTS IS GOING TO START AS MENTIONED, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND FALL SPORTS WILL BE OUT THERE, AND HOPEFULLY OUR RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, INSECT REPELLENT AND LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS ARE THERE AND DEFINITELY INSTALL OR REPAIR SCREENS ON WINDOWS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MOSQUITOES DON'T GET I. AND AS MENTIONED, THESE THIS IS GETTING MONITORED ACROSS THE STATE. AND OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT ARE ACCREDITED HEALTH DEPARTMENT UNDER OUR HEALTH OFFICER DIWANJI PATEL IS QUITE VIGILANT IN KEEPING UP TO IT, AND WE WILL KEEP MAKING SURE THAT WE UPDATE OUR COMMUNITY AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. IN THE MEANWHILE, RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED IF YOU'RE CONCERNED, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OF COURSE, ALL THE INFORMATION IS ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL, ALSO UNDER HEALTH, WE DID. I WAS HERE WHEN THEY DID A HEARING SCREENING ON AUGUST 19TH, AND THIS WAS A GREAT INITIATIVE.
AGAIN FROM, AS I KEEP MENTIONING, ACCREDITED HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A SMALL TOWN LIKE US IS A HUGE DEAL AND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT DID THAT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEARING LIFE.
[01:05:06]
THEY OFFERED FREE HEARING SCREENINGS TO OUR RESIDENTS. THESE SCREENINGS WERE QUICK WAY TO DETECT POTENTIAL HEARING LOSS FOR THOSE OVER THE AGE OF 50. AND THEY WERE. THEY ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT EVEN IF NO LOSS IS DETECTED. A SCREENING PROVIDES A HELPFUL BASELINE FOR FUTURE AND HEARING LOSS CAN DEVELOP GRADUALLY. WE SCREENED ABOUT 40 INDIVIDUALS AND HAD TO EXPAND THE APPOINTMENT SLOTS DUE TO THE HIGH DEMAND. AND IF YOU MISSED THIS PARTICULAR EVENT, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SCHEDULE A HEARING SCREENING THROUGH YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER. WE WILL TRY TO HAVE HEARING LIVE SOMETIME AGAIN HERE IN DECEMBER, SO LOOK OUT FOR THAT INFORMATION. AND WE ALSO HAD, IF PEOPLE HAVE NOTICED THE PURPLE FLAGS OUTSIDE AND THAT WAS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THOSE FLAGS AND WORK TO PUT THEM IN THE GROUND FOR AUGUST 31ST, 2024, WHICH WAS OPIOID AWARENESS DAY. SO EACH YEAR ON AUGUST 31ST, THE SOMERSET COUNTY COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO REMEMBER LIVES LOST TO DRUG OVERDOSE AND THOSE STILL FIGHTING THEIR BATTLE. THIS IS A TIME TO HONOR MEMORIES, TO PROGRESS FORWARD IN ACTION, TO ADVOCATE, TO REDUCE THE STIGMA WHICH IS HUGE, AND TO BE A SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES. THIS YEAR WE PLACED 31 PURPLE FLAGS IN FRONT OF OUR MUNICIPAL BUILDING TO REMEMBER 31 LIVES LOST IN SOMERSET COUNTY. THIS YEAR FOR FROM DRUG OVERDOSE. THIS MONTH, WE ALSO REMEMBERED THOSE LIVES LOST, BUT WE ALSO SHARE STORIES OF RESILIENCY, HOPE AND STRENGTH. THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, PROMOTE HARM REDUCTION AS A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH, SUPPORT LOCAL INITIATIVES, ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES, AND OFFER COMPASSION FOR THOSE STILL STRUGGLING. OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO PROMOTE NARCAN DISTRIBUTION AND NARCAN TRAINING TO HELP PREVENT OPIOID OVERDOSES. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE OR RECEIVING A TRAINING, YOU CAN PLEASE CONTACT OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION, AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO THAT. AND AS COMMITTEEMAN, COMMITTEEWOMAN TODD MENTIONED, MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE DOES A GREAT JOB IN BRINGING THIS AWARENESS. AND THEY WILL ALSO BE STARTING THEIR MEETINGS THIS COMING THIS MONTH. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. THAT'S[32. Administrator’s Report]
THAT'S ALL FROM ME. AND WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. THANK YOU, SO RECENTLY WE WERE IT CAME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAD CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC THE HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS COURTS, WHICH, AS WE FOUND OUT, IS FROM RESIDENTS THAT HAD BEEN USING THEM, CAUSED MUCH CONCERN BECAUSE THERE'S AN ACTIVE TENNIS PLAYING COMMUNITY. AND SO ON AUGUST 22ND, MYSELF AND PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR JOHN GROEGER MET WITH THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE SCHOOL, JACK TRENT, AND SUPERINTENDENT MARY MCLAUGHLIN, TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, SOME OF THE CLOSURE STEMS FROM SOME DAMAGE THAT HAD BEEN DONE TO THE COURTS THAT IMPACTED THEIR TENNIS TEAM'S ABILITY TO HOST, I THINK, A TOURNAMENT THAT THEY WERE HOSTING AND THEN HAD TO SHUFFLE THINGS AROUND. AND SO THEY BECAME MORE AWARE OF THAT AND SO THE SCHOOL IS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS DEFINITELY READY TO WORK WITH THE TOWN. AND WE EXPRESSED OUR DESIRE TO WORK WITH THEM TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND GET THE COURTS OPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SO, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT USE AGREEMENT AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURTS. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEY'RE DRAFTING THAT NOW. WE'LL RECEIVE A COPY OF THAT. REVIEW IT, YOU KNOW, BRING THE DETAILS TO YOU AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS RESOLVED VERY QUICKLY. BUT THE MEETING WAS VERY, VERY PRODUCTIVE. AND THEY DID EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHY THEY LOCKED THE COURTS. AND AS JOHN WAS KIND OF TALKING TO OTHER COMMUNITIES, IT DOES SEEM LIKE IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING HAPPENING IN OTHER TOWNS AS WELL. SO, YEAH, I THINK WE ALL TAKE FOR GRANTED THE ABILITY TO FREELY USE THESE SCHOOL FACILITIES, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO JUST BE MINDFUL THAT THEY'RE ALSO TRYING TO KEEP THE MAINTAINED, HAVE THEM AVAILABLE AND READY FOR THE STUDENTS USES AND THEIR PROGRAMING. AND SO I THINK WE'LL WE'LL HOPEFULLY COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET THEM BACK OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. BECAUSE I DO AGREE, BECAUSE THAT THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WE HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF EMAILS, AS YOU KNOW, AND PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT THAT BECAUSE WE BUILT PICKLEBALL COURTS NOW. SO PEOPLE HAVE LOST THOSE TWO TENNIS COURTS AS WELL. AND, YEAH, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE CAN WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS AS WE AS YOU MENTIONED, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BILLS POSTED, THE SCHOOLS DO GET 70% OF THE TAXES AND IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THEY WOULD WORK WITH US FOR THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR RESIDENTS. BUT I UNDERSTAND FOR THEIR TEAMS, THEY DO NEED TO KEEP THEM IN GOOD REPAIR. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SOMETHING FROM FROM THAT, WE ALSO HAD[01:10:01]
HEARD FROM LAST WEEK, HAD HEARD FROM SOME RESIDENTS IN THE KILDEE ROAD AREA, A CONCERN THAT THEY HAD WAS CONSISTENT AND RECURRING POWER OUTAGES DUE TO FALLEN LIMBS, TREE LIMBS, FALLEN TREES ON POWER LINES, AND SO OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT MOBILIZED, YOU KNOW, VERY QUICKLY, AS THOSE CALLS AND EMAILS CAME IN, THEY WENT OUT AND TOOK A LOOK AT THE AREA, REACHED OUT TO ALL OF THE UTILITY COMPANIES. PASSAG, THE POWER PROVIDER IS THE PRIMARY UTILITY THAT TAKES THE LEAD ON THE MAINTENANCE OF THE VEGETATION AND THE TREES, WITH RESPECT TO THE POLES AND THE POWER LINE AND THE AND THE LINES THAT ARE ON THEM. WE MET ON ON SEPTEMBER 4TH OF THIS WEEK. THAT WAS JUST YESTERDAY WITH THE WITH THE E AND G. AND SO WE MET WITH, THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF OUR AREA AND THEIR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS CONCERNS AND OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THESE RECURRING ISSUES, THEY TALKED ABOUT A VERY THE APPROACHES THAT THEY TAKE TO THE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT. AND SO ONE IS MORE OF A ROUTINE AND, AND RECURRING, PROJECTION THAT THEY DO EVERY FOR EVERY FOUR YEARS. EACH SUBSTATION SERVICE AREA THROUGHOUT THE STATE HAS A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT. IT'S A IT'S WHEN THEY REALLY COME IN AND DO QUITE A LOT OF CLEARING BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE FOUR YEARS BEFORE THEY COME BACK THAT FOR THIS PARTICULAR AREA, WHICH IS AT THE END OF THE MOUNT ROSE SUBSTATION LINE, IF YOU WILL, IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN 2025. THEY ALSO HAVE A PROGRAM FOR TROUBLESHOOTING, AND THE PSEG ENGINEERS MONITOR WHERE THESE OUTAGES ARE, WHY WE'RE HAVING THESE OUTAGES AND SEND THAT INFORMATION TO THE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT GROUP WHO THEN SENDS PEOPLE OUT TO AND THEY THEY DO THAT IN AN IN A WAY, MUCH LIKE WE WOULD DO WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, CREATE A SCOPE OF WORK, BID OUT THE WORK. AND SO IT'S QUITE EXTENSIVE. AND THAT KILDEE ROAD AREA IS INCLUDED IN THAT PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEGUN. AND WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO MOVE THE KILDEE ROAD SECTION UP, TO START SOONER. AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO DO THAT. SO OCTOBER, WE SHOULD SEE SOME SOME WORK HAPPENING ON THOSE LINES. THE THIRD ISSUE WOULD BE TO JUST CLARIFY FOR RESIDENTS WHAT NUMBERS THEY CAN CALL AT PSEG IF THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH PSEG, THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO CALL THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. BUT WE'LL BE UPDATING OUR INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE. THEY HAVE A VERY, VERY CLEAR BROCHURE THAT THEY HAND OUT THAT HAS ALL OF THE PHONE NUMBERS AND SO THEY, THEY HAVE, KIND OF TRIAGE SYSTEM TO WHERE WHEN A CALL COMES IN, THEY DO SEND SOMEONE OUT. SO IT'S KIND OF A THREE PRONGED APPROACH THAT THEY TAKE.BUT THEY'RE VERY AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND PROBABLY WERE PRIOR TO BECAUSE THIS AREA WAS INCLUDED IN THAT BID. BID THAT HAS BEEN ALREADY ASSIGNED TO A E THAT SOME OF THE PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS TOWNSHIP OWNED PROPERTY. AND SO WE'RE SENDING OUR CONTRACTED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AT ANY HAZARD TREES. WHAT WHAT TREES THAT MIGHT BE ON OUR PROPERTY THAT ARE CAUSING LEADING TO SOME OF THESE VERY FREQUENT RECURRING POWER OUTAGES. AND THAT WILL BE DONE. AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEPS MIGHT BE, THAT THE TOWNSHIP MIGHT TAKE ON OUR OWN PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE IN THAT AREA. SO THAT'S AN UPDATE ON THAT. AND THAT CAME AT THE END OF THE WEEK LAST WEEK. AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE PAMPHLET OR THE FLIER THAT WE CAN THEN PUT OUT. YES, THEY'VE THEY'VE FORWARDED ALL THAT MATERIAL TO OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT FOR THE PEOPLE BECAUSE YES, WE DID GET A LOT OF CONCERN FROM PEOPLE BECAUSE THIS IS A FREQUENT THAT EVERY TIME THERE'S A STORM AND WE'LL BE SHARING ALL OF THIS INFORMATION AND THE OUTCOME OF THE MEETING WITH THE RESIDENTS REACHED OUT TO US. YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING SO PROACTIVE AND JUST TRYING TO HELP. AND HELP THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, POWER LINES GOING DOWN IS A LOT.
AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE, THE, THE DEAD TREES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, ARE UPROOTED ASH TREES QUITE A LOT. SO I'M SURE THAT'S A BIG, YOU KNOW, FACTOR IN, IN THE, IN THE POWER OUTAGES. SO I HAD MY POWER OUT, YOU KNOW, TWO POLES WENT DOWN ON BOTH SIDES OF MY HOUSE. OH, AND, YOU KNOW, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO WAS VOLUNTEER. AMAZING JOB. CAME OUT AND, YOU KNOW, SECURED THE AREA.
THE POLICE OFFICERS CAME OUT AND SECURED THE AREA, STILL CARS ARE TRYING TO DRIVE UNDERNEATH THE POWER LINES, WHICH IS LIKE INSANE. BUT, YOU KNOW, BUT BUT THEY THEY REALLY DO OUR TOWNSHIP
[01:15:06]
REALLY DOES DO A GREAT JOB, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, TAKING CARE OF THESE THINGS. AND I DO WANT TO COMMEND PSEG. I WAS SITTING IN THAT MEETING AND THEY MADE AN EFFORT TO COME AND TALK TO US BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. BUT I DO AGREE PEOPLE HAVE TO IF THE POWER LINES ARE DOWN, PLEASE DON'T DRIVE THROUGH THEM. YEAH, PLEASE. THAT'S. YES FOR SURE. BUT THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME, I WANT TO JUST LET YOU KNOW. I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN, RECOGNIZING A LOT OF EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE RETIRED RECENTLY, AND SO I WANTED TO JUST LET YOU KNOW AND HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE SOME NEW EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEGUN RECENTLY, IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO, CHRISTINA IVANOV, SHE IS A NEW SECRETARY IN THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT. SO IF YOU KNOW MARISOL PEREZ, WHO'S BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS, SHE GOT PROMOTED TO ALICIA'S POSITION, WHICH IS THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL. AND SO MARISOL AND CHRISTINA WILL BE WORKING, WORKING TOGETHER. AND DAVID, VEICULO IS OUR NEW ELECTRICAL SUBCODE OFFICIAL, HE CAME TO US, I THINK, FROM, PLAINSBORO OR WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, WHERE HE HAD BEEN WORKING, AND HE IS REPLACING LEO WISNIEWSKI, WHO HAD RETIRED RECENTLY. AND SALLY DONOHUE IS OUR PART TIME FINANCE AIDE WHO REPLACED CLAIRE HIGGIN, WHO WAS A LONG TIME EMPLOYEE. SO WE WELCOME THEM ABOARD, AND I THINK THEY'RE ALL THREE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE TEAM. SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THAT SOUNDS GREAT. YES OUR SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH WAS MORE VIBRANT THAN EVER, I THINK THIS SUMMER HAS COME TO AN END. WE HAD FOUR INTERNS THIS SUMMER. WE HAD TWO UNDER THE COUNTY'S SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. SO THE COUNTY COVERS THE COST OF THOSE INTERNS, HOBBY IS ONE OF OUR INTERNS. IS HERE TONIGHT, HE WORKED WITH TAMMY GHARRAFA IN THE IT DEPARTMENT, WORKING ON OUR ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY AND SOME OTHER FUN. IT THINGS THAT YOU KNOW ARE PROBABLY OVER MY HEAD. AND VICTORIA FROM LAST YEAR, SHE CAME BACK AND SHE CONTINUED TO WORK ON SOME PROJECTS WITH THE PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT. SHE CREATED A ZONING BROCHURE THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND ON OUR WEBSITE. SHE WORKED ON RESEARCHING AND CREATING SORT OF A DRAFT SIGN THAT WE CAN PUT BY THE HISTORIC CEMETERY THAT'S OUT HERE. THAT WILL BE RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLAYGROUND. SO WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WILL BE KIND OF WONDERING, WHAT WHAT IS THIS PLACE? AND REALLY BROUGHT IT TO OUR MUNICIPAL CENTER, GREEN INITIATIVE COMMITTEE. AND THEY WERE ALL IMPRESSED AND HAD SOME GOOD, GOOD FEEDBACK. SO IT'S IN DRAFT FORM. BUT SHE DID SOME GREAT WORK THIS YEAR, AND WE HAD AN ENGINEERING INTERN WHO WORKED ON OUR ROAD CONDITION SURVEY THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR. SO SHE WAS OUT IN THE FIELD POUNDING THE PAVEMENT, LITERALLY CHECKING ROAD CONDITIONS AND CATALOGING THAT, AND WE STARTED A NEW PROGRAM, WHICH WE ARE WELCOMING ANY OTHER VOLUNTEERS? YOUNG, OLD, ANYTHING IN BETWEEN, OUR WE'RE KIND OF REBRANDING THE RECEPTIONIST DESK, AS WE KNOW, WE NO LONGER HAVE A RECEPTIONIST POSITION AS A WELCOME DESK, INFORMATION DESK. AND SO DURING THE BEGINNING, I THINK IN THE MIDDLE OF JULY, A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HAD COME INTO THE BUILDING AND WAS JUST LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GIVE BACK. AND VOLUNTEER. AND SO SHE WORKED UNDER THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT.AND DOMINIQUE ACTUALLY WAS HER SUPERVISOR, IF YOU WILL. AND SHE HELPED, ANSWER QUESTIONS. SHE SET DOWN HERE AT THE FRONT DESK, INTERACTED WITH RESIDENTS, LIBRARY PATRONS, YOU KNOW, DIRECTED TRAFFIC. THAT KIND OF THING, AND ALSO DID SOME LIGHT WORK FOR THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT.
SO WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN. TO SIT DOWNSTAIRS AND BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. THERE'S NOTHING FORMAL SET UP YET, BUT IT WAS SORT OF A TRIAL BASIS THAT WE WANTED TO SEE HOW IT WOULD GO. AND I THINK I THINK IT SHE ENJOYED HER TIME HERE. SHE CERTAINLY LEARNED QUITE A LOT. I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE THINGS WE LIKE. A TOWNSHIP DOCENT DID. THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. OR. OR WHAT? WHAT THEY CALL CANDY STRIPERS IN THE HOSPITAL. YEAH, THEY WOULD THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD CALL IT AT ONE POINT. BUT I DO WANT TO BRING UP TO THE ATTENTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE, THERE IS ALSO A CHAIR OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. SO IT'S GREAT THAT WE ARE SEEING OUR YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL INVOLVE THEMSELVES WITHIN THE TOWN, YOU KNOW, AND IF YOU WANTED ME TO GIVE A LITTLE UPDATE ON MONTGOMERY, I THINK THAT'S GREAT FOR THE RESIDENTS TO HEAR. WORK IS PROGRESSING. IT'S PROGRESSING. PURSUANT TO THE APPROVED CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE AGREEMENT, ALL DEVELOPMENTS HAVE THOSE THEY FOLLOW. THEY DO X, Y, AND Z IN A CERTAIN ORDER, SITE WORK AND BUILDING UP FROM THERE.
THE MAJOR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES HAVE NOW REACHED A POINT OF COMPLETION. THE NEXT MILESTONE WILL BE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE INTERNAL LOOP ROAD, WHICH WE'RE ALL VERY EXCITED ABOUT. AND THE
[01:20:04]
BEGINNING OF THE FOUNDATIONS FOR SOME OF THE RETAIL BUILDINGS, THE DEVELOPER IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF WRAPPING THINGS UP WITH THEIR SOMERSET COUNTY APPROVALS BECAUSE AS THE LOOP ROAD WORK TOUCHES THE COUNTY ROAD 518, THAT THAT IS AN OUTSIDE AGENCY, WHAT WE CALL AN OUTSIDE AGENCY APPROVAL. SO THEY'RE THEY'RE AT THE FINAL STAGES OF THAT. MYSELF AND THE MAYOR HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH THE DEVELOPER PERIODICALLY TO RECEIVE THESE STATUS REPORTS, AND WE'VE INVITED THEM TO COME TO A FUTURE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING. SO YOU ALL CAN KIND OF HEAR ABOUT THE EXCITING THINGS. HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THEM? RIGHT? ABSOLUTELY. QUESTIONS? YES, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, A PROJECT THIS SIZE, THE KIND OF THE LONG ANTICIPATION OF IT AS WELL. WE'RE ALL VERY EAGER TO SEE THE PROJECT COMPLETED AND OPENED, ESPECIALLY THE LOOP ROADS, THE CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE AGREEMENT, YOU KNOW, IT CONTEMPLATES THE NATURE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT AND IN TERMS OF THE ORDER OF HOW THINGS PROGRESS. AND THE TOWN IS IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEVELOPER. WE HAVE INSPECTORS ON SITE DURING THE WORK, AND SO THAT WORK IS CONTINUING, AND FOR LEASING, THE DEVELOPER CONTINUES, AS THEY'VE EXPLAINED TO US, MADE GREAT STRIDES IN SIGNING NEW LEASES, WHICH IS GREAT NEWS. AND THEY ANTICIPATE ANNOUNCING SOME NEW LEASES VERY SOON. HOPEFULLY WHEN THEY COME, COME, COME GIVE YOU ALL AN UPDATE. SO DO YOU KNOW THE TIMELINE OF POSSIBLY THE LOOP ROAD, OF WHAT WAS PROJECTED OR. NO, YOU'LL SEE BASE WORK HAPPENING VERY SOON. THEN THE CURBS GO IN, THEY CAN START WORK ON THE INTERSECTION AT 518 AND 206 BECAUSE THEY'RE IN AND ALSO AT BENJAMIN BOULEVARD. THEY'RE UPGRADING THE SIGNALIZATION. SO THERE'S QUITE A LOT OF WORK, I THINK WE'RE I HESITATE TO GIVE YOU A EXPECT THIS BY THEN AT THIS POINT, IT YOU KNOW, I WOULD HAVE MAYBE WENDY SPEAK TO THAT. WELL, BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS TO FOLLOW A CERTAIN SEQUENCE IN ORDER TO BE DONE CORRECTLY. RIGHT. YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT DOWN PAVEMENT AND THEN REALIZE THAT A LINE THAT'S GOING TO RUN UNDER THE STREET FOR UTILITIES WASN'T PUT IN PLACE CORRECTLY OR ANYTHING TO THAT NATURE. SO THERE IS EVERYTHING IS SPELLED OUT IN THE SEQUENCE AGREEMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANYTHING COULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD FACING BECAUSE IT WASN'T INTERCONNECTED. SO THAT WHILE THEY WAITED FOR THIRD PARTY OUTSIDE APPROVALS LIKE THE COUNTY, OTHER WORK COULD CONTINUE. THAT HAS BEEN EXPLORED AND YOU ALL ALREADY HAVE APPROVED AND AMENDED CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW FOR THAT ACTIVITY. BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT JUST HAVE TO GO LIKE DOMINOES. SO AND THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY IT'S HARD TO GIVE YOU A TIMELINE, BECAUSE IF ONE DOMINO DOESN'T FALL OVER THE NEXT ONE CAN'T GO, OH YEAH, I KNOW YOU. YEAH AND I THINK IT'S SUCH A BIG PROJECT THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING GOES AS PLANNED SO THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION. AND AGAIN, AS WE SAID, WE ARE THANKFUL THAT THE RESIDENTS KNOW IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS. IT'S NOT EASY TO HAVE ALL OF THAT, YOU KNOW, MUD OR WHATEVER AROUND THAT AREA. SO YES, AND MAYBE A QUESTION ON A SMALLER PROJECT INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND. YEAH I BELIEVE WE'RE STILL ON TRACK FOR A OCTOBER. OCTOBER. I WAS TOLD.YEAH. OKAY. THE RECREATION IS QUITE EXCITED ABOUT IT. FANTASTIC RECREATION COMMITTEE.
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE A BIT OF A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY. WE'RE HOPING. FINGERS CROSSED
[33. Future Agenda Items]
AGAIN. SO I GUESS IN THE FUTURE, AGENDA ITEMS, WE HAVE ANIMAL CONTROL SOLUTIONS. WE WILL BE DOING THAT. MAYBE HOPEFULLY IN OCTOBER, AND I GUESS THERE IS NO MATTERS FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO. WELL, THANK YOU. OKAY, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? OH, SORRY. MOTION DO WE STILL HAVE THE QUESTION IS, WILL WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE COMMITTEE, FOR ANY, ANY MATTERS REGARDING APPROVAL? DO YOU WANT TO JUST SAY YOUR NAME AGAIN? BECAUSE. YES. MY NAME IS TED CARROLL. C A R R O L L. MY QUESTION WAS WHETHER WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE COMMITTEE FOR ANY FURTHER APPROVAL OR ANY ANY RELIEF. NO, I BELIEVE I THINK WE HAVE ANSWERED ALL OUR QUESTIONS, BUT OKAY, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES, THE CONSENSUS ON THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IS THAT YOUR CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND YOU'RE HAPPY TO HAVE IT MOVED FORWARD ALONG, YOU KNOW, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE APPROVALS THAT WE ALREADY RECEIVED. YES. AND THERE'S NO ACTION THAT THE COMMITTEE NEEDS TO TAKE TONIGHT WITH REGARD TO THAT APPROVAL. NO, I DON'T THINK SO. THE ONLY THING IS, I MEAN STATE APPROVAL, PLUS WHATEVER OUR CONCERNS ARE, YOU HAVE MITIGATED THEM. YOU HAVE AGREED THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE HAVING ONCE THE FARMER'S MARKET MOVES IN. OKAY. THAT'S WHEN THE TASTING WOULD. NO, NO, NO RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL OR ANYTHING. NO TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY WOULD BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO ANSWER THAT. SO, YOU KNOW, WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT. JUST BECAUSE OUR CLERK IS NOT HERE AND SHE'S THE ONE THAT HAD GONE[01:25:05]
THROUGH THE PROCESS. OKAY. SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE YOUR YOUR STATE APPROVAL AND THE TOWNSHIP CAN OBVIOUSLY PUT SOME ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ONTO IT. WE MAY MEMORIALIZE THE INDOOR.YEAH. PORTION OF IT. BUT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OUTDOOR, YOU HAVE THE COMMITTEE CONSENSUS AT THIS POINT. OKAY YES. WITH THE OUTDOOR. CORRECT. WITH THE OUTDOOR. OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY NOTHING. NO. THANK YOU. CAN ASK FOR AN ADJOURNMENT. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? I. I.
THANK YOU
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.