[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
ORDER. THIS IS THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. CALLED TO ORDER AT 701. ROLL CALL PLEASE. MAYOR SINGH HERE. DEPUTY MAYOR BARRAGAN. COMMITTEE MEMBER.
TAYLOR TODD HERE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON HERE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. HERE. NOTICE OF MEETING IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT. ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED ON JANUARY 12TH, 2026 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 FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 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. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING RETIREE WILBUR HART FOR YEARS
[1. Proclamation – Recognizing Retiree Wilbur Hart for Years of Service ]
OF DEDICATED SERVICE. WHEREAS THE STRENGTH AND PROSPERITY OF A COMMUNITY DEPENDS GREATLY UPON THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF ITS EMPLOYEES. AND WHEREAS RETIREMENT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE LIFE AND CAREER OF AN INDIVIDUAL DESERVING OF RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE. AND WHEREAS THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY WISHES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. AND WHEREAS WILBUR HART STARTED HIS CAREER WITH TOWNSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2003, IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ROADS AS LABORER, AND WAS THEN PROMOTED TO EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ONE PARKS AND RECREATION IN 2004, THEN TO EQUIPMENT OPERATOR ONE PUBLIC WORKS ROADS IN AUGUST 2006, THEN TO EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TWO PUBLIC WORKS ROADS IN DECEMBER 2006, AND THEN TO SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SEWER DEPARTMENT IN 2019. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, MAYOR NINA SINGH, AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, ON BEHALF OF ITS RESIDENTS AND STAFF, HEREBY RECOGNIZE WILBUR HART FOR HIS HARD WORK, PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION THAT HAS POSITIVELY ENHANCED THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITY. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP HEREBY EXPRESSES HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, AND EXTENDS SINCERE BEST WISHES AND HAPPINESS IN HIS NEW JOURNEY. ON THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY 2026. PROCLAMATION[2. Proclamation – Recognizing Montgomery Township Employees for Years of Service ]
RECOGNIZING MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEES FOR YEARS OF DEDICATION AND SERVICE. WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WISH TO RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES WHO ATTAIN MILESTONES IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT, AND WHEREAS THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES HAVE ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING SERVICE MILESTONES WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY DEBORAH AXT, POLICE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 30 YEARS OF SERVICE JOHN SNYDER, PARKS AND RECREATION, PARK FOREMAN, 30 YEARS OF SERVICE KRISTEN SERGEANT, HEALTH SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST, 25 YEARS OF SERVICE ANDREW PERRY, POLICE LIEUTENANT, 25 YEARS OF SERVICE SEAN DEVLIN, POLICE OFFICER, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE DWIGHT GILES, POLICE SERGEANT, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE LAUREN WESOLOWSKI, PARKS AND RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE. DARLENE HAMILTON, FINANCE PAYROLL MANAGER, PENSION COORDINATOR, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE CHARLES ELBERT, ENGINEERING, SENIOR ENGINEERING AIDE, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE JENNIFER FOSTER, HEALTH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE EVAN POPULACE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE RYAN MASSA, PARKS AND RECREATION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, 320 YEARS OF SERVICE CAROLYN BAUER, TAX ASSESSOR, FINANCE TAX ASSESSOR, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TIMOTHY GIACCONE, POLICE SERGEANT, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE JESSE PETERSON, POLICE OFFICER, TEN YEARS OF SERVICE CHRISTOPHER RENCO, ENGINEERING ASSISTANT, TOWNSHIP ENGINEER, TEN YEARS OF SERVICE. MARK HERMAN, ENGINEERING, TOWNSHIP ENGINEER, TEN YEARS OF SERVICE STEPHEN GAUDREAU, SEWER SEWER PLANT OPERATOR, 210 YEARS OF SERVICE. LEE MAVES, PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, THREE FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE RICHARD DIETRICH, PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE. I[00:05:06]
DON'T KNOW IF I SAID LEE MAPES, PUBLIC WORKS. EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT I DID. OKAY. JUST WANNA MAKE SURE. DON'T MISS ANYONE. MICHAEL CONSOLO, PARKS AND RECREATION LABORER, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE. KYLE CHIN, POLICE OFFICER, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE CAROLYN LARUE, POLICE OFFICER, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE TIMOTHY COTE, CONSTRUCTION ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE PASCAL COLUCCI, IT, IT SPECIALIST, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE MICHAEL GRECO, PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING MAINTENANCE, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE ALYSSA SMITH, SEWER LAB, LABORATORY LABORATORY COORDINATOR, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE KEVIN APPLEGATE SEWER SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM EQUIPMENT, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE PETER LAGOLA, ENGINEERING CHIEF ENGINEERING AID, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE. AND WHEREAS THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE SHOWN DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THEIR POSITION, PROVIDING OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AND DEMONSTRATING EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE THROUGH THEIR CAREERS. AND WHEREAS, THE SUCCESS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY'S MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT IS DEPENDENT ON THE KNOWLEDGE, PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMITMENT OF ITS PERSONNEL NOW, THEREFORE. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, MAYOR NINA SINGH, AND THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY ON THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2026, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM, EFFORTS AND DEVOTION THROUGHOUT THEIR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, AND EXTEND SINCERE GRATITUDE AND CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF OF ALL CITIZENS OF THIS TOWNSHIP.[3. Proclamation – Recognizing the Month of January as Radon Action Month]
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF JANUARY AS RADON ACTION MONTH. DID YOU WANT TO READ THAT? OKAY, WHEREAS RADON IS A NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE GAS THAT IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER. AND WHEREAS PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO RADON CAN KILL AS MANY AS 500 PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY EACH YEAR. AND WHEREAS FAMILIES WHO RESIDE IN HOMES WITH ELEVATED RADON LEVELS ARE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS. AND WHEREAS ANY HOME COULD HAVE HIGH LEVELS EVEN WHEN NEIGHBORING HOMES DO NOT. AND WHEREAS RADON TESTING CAN BE DONE WITH GREAT EASE AT A RELATIVELY LOW EXPENSE TO THE HOMEOWNER, WITH THE COST OF RADON CONCENTRATIONS BEING COMPARABLE TO A HOME REPAIR. AND WHEREAS THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ARE COLLABORATING DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY TO PROMOTE THE NEED FOR RADON TESTING IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF OUR STATE'S RESIDENTS. NOW, THEREFORE, I, PATRICIA TODD, ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE, HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2026 AS RADON ACTION MONTH IN THE TOWNSHIP AND CALL UPON ALL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NOT YET TESTED TO TEST THEIR HOMES FOR RADON AND TO REDUCE LEVELS IF ELEVATED LEVELS ARE FOUND TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES FROM THE SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS OF RADON. THANK YOU. CONSENT AGENDA. ALL[4. Consent Agenda]
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? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA? RESOLUTIONS 20 6-1, DASH 37 TO RESOLUTION 20 6-1. 43. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER.TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES. JUST ONE SECOND. OKAY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. MAY I HAVE
[5. Approval of Minutes]
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1319, 2025. SO MOVED SECOND.ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4TH, 2025? SO MOVED SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 18TH, 2025? SO MOVED SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? A RESOLUTION 20 6-1, DASH 40
[6. Resolution #26-1-44 – Payment of Bills]
FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS POSTED. MAYOR, WE HAVE THE THREE HIGHEST BILLS. PAGE TWO. FIRE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE, THE 2025 SECOND HALF TAXES. AS WE SAY, WE COLLECT ALL THE PROPERTY TAXES AND THEN DISTRIBUTE IT AMONGST ALL OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS. THAT'S $507,571. PAGE TWO. FIRE DISTRICT NUMBER TWO 2025 SECOND HALF TAXES $528,250. AND PAGE THREE TO THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT. JANUARY 2026. TAXES BEING FORWARDED TO THE SCHOOL[00:10:03]
DISTRICT $8,759,996. THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26 144? SO MOVED.SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES.
[7. Township Committee Reports]
COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES. WE WILL DO OUR TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS AT THIS POINT. TOWNSHIP. YEAH. SO THE I WANTED TO BRING UP THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, I THINK I BELIEVE IT'S THREE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN THE SHADE TREE COMMITTEE BECAUSE THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH MEMBERS RIGHT NOW FOR EVEN A MEETING TO TAKE PLACE. I GUESS, FOR A QUORUM TO BE FORMED. SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO JOIN OUR SHADE TREE COMMITTEE, DON'T NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT TREES. YOU YOU HAVE TO ATTEND ABOUT 5 OR 6 MEETINGS PER YEAR. IT'S ABOUT ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS. IT'S A GREAT ORGANIZATION, A LOT OF WORK ON PLACES LIKE THE ARBORETUM AND OTHER ASPECTS OF OUR OUR TREES. IT'S ACTUALLY A GREAT TIME TO JOIN THE SHADE TREE COMMITTEE, BECAUSE WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE THE TREE INVENTORY RELEASED, AND THAT IS GOING TO REALLY SET ALLOW US TO UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT WHAT WHERE THE NEED MAY BE. AND SO WOULD WILL SET THE AGENDA FOR, YOU KNOW, RECOMMENDATIONS GOING FORWARD SO THAT WE WE ALSO MET ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION THIS WEEK AND HAD A GREAT MEETING.IT WAS MOSTLY ROUTINE BUSINESS, JUST ORGANIZING OURSELVES FOR THE YEAR. THAT'S A GREAT THAT'S A GREAT GROUP. MARY MARY REESE IS GOING TO BE OUR CHAIR AGAIN THIS YEAR. SHE WAS ELECTED.
HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. AND SO MORE TO COME THERE AS WE GET INTO SOME OF THE THE REAL BUSINESS. THANK YOU FOR SHADE TREE. IS IT POSSIBLE IF SOMEBODY CAN WRITE AN ARTICLE ON MONTGOMERY NEWS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT EXPLAINING WHAT THE SHADE TREE IS? AND ANYBODY WHO'S VERY, YOU KNOW, WOULD LOVE TO PRESERVE OUR TREES TO, YOU KNOW, COME OUT. I THINK THE MORE PEOPLE THAT KNOW ABOUT IT BETTER. I BELIEVE THE CHAIR, JOHN WALTZ IS DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT. HE HAS PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER. MAYBE WE CAN SHARE THAT. ALSO ON THE TOWNSHIP SOCIAL MEDIA, JUST TO PLUG OUR E-BULLETIN, OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THAT GOES OUT EVERY THURSDAY TO OUR DISTRIBUTION LIST. EVERYONE SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THAT. THERE IS A PLUG FOR THE SHADE TREE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND IT TAKES YOU TO A LINK THAT DESCRIBES FURTHER IN DETAIL WHAT THE ROLES, DUTIES, AND FUN ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS THEY GET TO WORK ON IN THE TOWNSHIP. OKAY, YEAH. COME ON. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. FOR MYSELF, I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMITTEE REPORTS, BUT, YOU KNOW, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 30 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR DEBORAH, DEBORAH AXT AND JOHN SNYDER. 30 YEARS IS AMAZING. SO I'D LIKE TO GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THEM. AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR TIME AND SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY IS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. SO THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR. IT'S THE LAST TIME I CAN SAY THAT. SO I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR RETIREE, WILBER HART AND ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES ON THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE. AND I REALLY WANT TO POINT OUT THAT LONGEVITY IS VERY VALUABLE, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SERVICE. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. SO THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO'VE ACHIEVED THESE MILESTONES, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING YOU IN ADDITIONAL MILESTONES IN THE FUTURE. I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF UPDATES. FIRST, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, I HAVE THE FOLLOWING UPDATES. FLU ACTIVITY REMAINS VERY HIGH IN OUR AREA. IN FACT, THAT'S ONE REASON WHY WE ONLY HAVE FOUR MEMBERS HERE TODAY. SO YOU SHOULD GET YOUR FLU SHOT IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN. YOU CAN EITHER GET IT AT YOUR DOCTOR OR YOU GET IT AT CVS. BUT YOU CAN ALSO ENCOURAGE THE YOU'RE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IF YOU NEED INFORMATION ON HOW AND WHERE TO GET A FLU SHOT. AND THE NEWS OF THE DAY IS THAT WE'RE HAVING A MAJOR WINTER WEATHER EVENT, AND RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO CHECK ON YOUR VULNERABLE AND ELDERLY NEIGHBORS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ADEQUATE HEAT, FOOD AND MEDICATION, AND ALSO A SAFE WAY TO COMMUNICATE IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED. AND OF COURSE, DRESS WARMLY. BE CAUTIOUS WHEN YOU'RE SHOVELING SNOW. TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE MINDFUL OF CARBON MONOXIDE BECAUSE IT'S A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE DURING STORMS. SO ENSURE THAT YOUR VENTS ARE CLEAR AND NEVER USE GENERATORS OR GRILLS INDOORS.
AND THEN OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR FREE RABIES CLINIC AND PET LICENSING EVENT ON THIS SATURDAY, WHICH WE SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO HAVE. AS WE JUST MENTIONED, IT IS RADON AWARENESS MONTH, SO LIMITED FREE RADON KITS ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE
[00:15:03]
BASIS. THE FINAL LISTENING SESSION FOR AGE FRIENDLY MONTGOMERY WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH FROM 6 TO 7:30 P.M. IN THIS BUILDING. AND FINALLY, THE BEAT THE WINTER BLUES COMMUNITY EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST FROM 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND THIS WILL FEATURE LOCAL NONPROFITS IN MONTGOMERY BUSINESSES, GAMES AND ACTIVITIES. AND IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH IS REALLY IMPORTANT DURING THIS SEASON. SO PLEASE COME OUT FOR THAT. YOU'LL ALSO GET TO ENJOY ACTIVITIES HOSTED BY VAL ROONEY AND HAVE COCOA WITH A COP, AND ALSO MAYBE A MOCKTAIL. AND THEN I DON'T HAVE MUCH ON BEHALF OF OPEN SPACE, BUT I WILL POINT OUT THAT FORMER NOW FORMER GOVERNOR MURPHY, JUST BEFORE HE LEFT OFFICE, DID SIGN A BILL THAT BANS THE SALE OF INVASIVE SPECIES, YOU KNOW, OF VEGETATION IN NEW JERSEY. SO THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR OUR SHADE TREE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS OUR OPEN SPACE. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I THANK YOU SO MUCH.GOING BACK ON THAT HEALTH DEPARTMENT LISTENING SESSION, I HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE FIRST ONE, AND IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR OUR SENIORS AND SEE WHAT THEIR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES ARE.
AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE THESE SESSIONS WILL HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES RELATED TO AGING DISABILITIES AND ACCESS TO SERVICE. AND THESE SESSIONS, WE ARE HOPEFULLY CONNECTING WITH VULNERABLE SENIORS WITH DISABILITIES. AND IN FACT, THE FIRST ONE, WE DID HAVE A RESIDENT COME UP AND TALK ABOUT HER NEIGHBOR WHO IS BLIND AND NEEDED HELP, AND DEVON, ALONG WITH OUR LISA, WHO'S OUR SENIOR DIRECTOR, SENIOR SERVICES DIRECTOR, WERE ABLE TO HELP THAT THAT INDIVIDUAL AND THINGS ARE MUCH BETTER FOR HER NOW. AND SHE'S ABLE TO GET TO THE SENIOR CENTER AS WELL WITH WITH HELP FROM, FROM OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR SENIOR SERVICES. AND ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT WHEELS ON WHEELS, MEALS ON WHEELS RATHER IS SOMETHING THAT THE TOWNSHIP HAS STARTED WITH LISA TAKING ON THE SENIOR TAKING ON OUR FOOD PANTRY AND OUR SENIOR SERVICES.
SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. AND WHAT AND OF COURSE, THE WINTER STORM, AS THE COMMITTEE ONE WOMAN MENTIONED, IS ON ITS WAY, SEEMS LIKE MOST PROBABLY. SO WE ARE JUST ASKING ALL RESIDENTS TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEMS AND THE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE. EVERYBODY KNOWS PARKING ON ANY STREETS DURING SNOW EMERGENCIES IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. WE ALSO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS DURING A SNOWSTORM AND CHARGE YOUR CELL PHONES. STOCK UP ON FOOD, MEDICATIONS, AND GAS UP YOUR VEHICLES. AND THEN WE ALSO ASK YOU IF. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE WITH PSEG IN ADVANCE AND SET UP A TEXTING SERVICE. IF YOU HAVE A WELL, IT'S PUMP RUNS ON ELECTRICITY, CONSIDER FILLING YOUR TUB WITH WATER TO FLUSH TOILETS AND BOTTLING SOME DRINKING WATER IN ADVANCE OF A POTENTIAL POWER OUTAGE. CHECK YOUR GENERATOR IN ADVANCE. MAKE SURE THE EXHAUST VENTS TO YOUR FURNACE AND HOT WATER HEATER ARE CLEAR OF DRIFTING SNOW. AND PLEASE BE PATIENT WHEN YOU'RE WAITING FOR SNOWPLOWS. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS READY TO CLEAR OUR ROADS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. OUR CREWS, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, END UP WORKING OVERNIGHT, SO WE'RE JUST REMINDING EVERYBODY TO JUST BE A LITTLE PATIENT AND KEEP YOUR HIGH EFFICIENCY, KEEP YOUR EXHAUST VENTS. I DID SAY THAT. SORRY ABOUT THAT. ONE SECOND.
AND OF COURSE, IF YOU CAN PLEASE CLEAR SIDEWALKS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE SNOWFALL. AND IF YOUR LOVED ONE HAS A SPECIAL REQUIREMENT, SUCH AS A MEDICAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRING ELECTRICITY, PLAN AHEAD FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF AN OUTAGE AND THE NEED TO EVACUATE, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEW JERSEY REGISTER READY SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY FOR DISASTERS, A CONFIDENTIAL LIST NOTIFYING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OF PERSONS WHO MAY NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE DURING EMERGENCIES. AND TOMORROW, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ONE OF OUR MEETINGS WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND WE MAY HAVE MORE TO SHARE AFTER THAT. AND PLEASE LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE FOR ANY UPDATED INFORMATION. AND THAT IS ALL FROM ME. THANK YOU
[8. Administrator’s Report]
SO MUCH. NOW WE'LL GO TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. THANK YOU MAYOR, A FEW A FEW UPDATES.ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT. OUR OPEN SPACE PROGRAM IS PRESERVING AN ADDITIONAL FIVE ACRES, THE TUCKER PROPERTY. IT'S MOST OF THE PROPERTY IS ALREADY PRESERVED THROUGH THE FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM. BUT THERE'S FIVE ACRES, ALMOST SIX ACRES OF OF WOODS THAT IT WOODLAND THAT'S GOING TO BE
[00:20:04]
PRESERVED BY THE TOWNSHIP. SO THAT WAS AUTHORIZED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE WILL BE A A REV 250 PARADE PLANNING UPDATE, PROBABLY AT ONE OF OUR MEETINGS IN FEBRUARY. AND WE DO HAVE A GENERAL MONTGOMERY ANNOUNCEMENT. SO ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MONTGOMERY REVOLUTION 250 COMMITTEE, THE TOWNSHIP HAS CANCELED THE JANUARY 31ST GENERAL MONTGOMERY EVENT. THE REV 250 COMMITTEE REQUESTED MORE RESEARCH EFFORTS TO CONFIRM RICHARD MONTGOMERY AS THE TOWN'S NAMESAKE. THERE WILL BE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE TOWNSHIP'S WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA AND E-BULLETINS, WHICH WE'VE BEEN DOING. AS FOR OTHER UPCOMING AMERICA 250 EVENTS AS WELL THROUGHOUT 2026, AND WE HAD A THE COMMITTEE INVITED BOTH VAN HARLINGEN HISTORIC SOCIETY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND THAT. THAT NIGHT WAS THEIR MONTHLY MEETING NIGHT. BUT THE THE SAM THE SOUTH SAUERLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM ATTENDED THAT MEETING. AND THEY HAD A VERY, VERY GREAT DISCUSSION WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE REV 250 COMMITTEE. AND SO I THINK THEY'LL ALL BE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER ON THAT. AS YOU KNOW, THE DISCUSSION CONTINUES. SO WE THANK ALL OF THEM FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION. WANTED TO JUST ALSO UPDATE IF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OTTO KAUFMANN COMMUNITY CENTER HAVING SOME COMCAST ISSUES WITH INTERNET OUTAGES HAPPENING IN KIND OF SURGES, AND OUR IT DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN OVER THERE TRYING TO FIX THINGS. WE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH COMCAST VERY UNSUCCESSFULLY. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY KEEP KIND OF, YOU KNOW, MOVING THE BALL AROUND IN TERMS OF WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. SO UNFORTUNATELY WE DID HAVE TO ESCALATE IT. AND WE FILED AN FCC COMPLAINT AGAINST COMCAST TO AND THAT HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT WHERE THAT HAPPENS. I THINK THEY DO HAVE A MONOPOLY.YEAH. IT'S BEEN A PERSISTENT AND ONGOING PROBLEM. AND WE CAN'T WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.
CONTINUE. YOU KNOW HOW LONG OUR CONTRACT IS WITH COMCAST. WELL WE WOULD NEED TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO PROVIDE, YOU KNOW INTERNET SERVICE TO TO THEM. SO IT'S IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE CONTRACT BUT ALSO ABOUT WHAT OTHER SERVICE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO. IT'S BASICALLY A MONOPOLY.
SO THAT'S WHY I THINK AS A TOWN THERE'S LIKE GRANTED EARS THAT THEY THEY'RE IN. RIGHT. AND THEN OR WE CAN LOOK INTO ANOTHER DELIVERY SERVICE OKAY. LOOK INTO THAT ON THE LOBBY BATHROOM. SO IF YOU'VE BEEN TO THE BUILDING YOU MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOBBY BATHROOMS HAVING SOME CLOSURES. SO WE'VE BEEN DOING SOME INVESTIGATING AND OF COURSE TRYING TO RULE OUT, YOU KNOW, THINGS BEING PUT DOWN THE, THE, THE THE TOILETS THERE THAT COULD BE CLOGGING THINGS OUT. WE'VE SNAKED IT, SENT THE CAMERAS IN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD PLUMBERS COME OUT.
AND IT DOES LOOK LIKE ONE OF THE PIPES THAT RUNS UNDER A PORTION OF THE THROUGH THE LOBBY HAS SAGGED, IT'S SAGGING, AND IT'S CAUSING THIS BLOCK BLOCKAGE. SO IT'S BECOMING MORE OF AN ISSUE. RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE IT. WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THERE'S A MASSIVE FLUSH FROM THE UPSTAIRS BATHROOMS THAT HAPPENS. IT CLEARS ALL OF THE DEBRIS THROUGH. IT IS NOT OBVIOUSLY A SUSTAINABLE ISSUE. NOW, IF WE GO BACK IN TIME, WE KNOW THAT WE DIDN'T BUILD THE BUILDING, WE DIDN'T DESIGN THE BUILDING, AND WE DIDN'T OVERSEE THE CONTRACTOR. THAT WAS THROUGH SOMERSET COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY. WE ALSO KNOW THAT TOWARDS THE END OF THAT PROJECT, WE DID HAVE THE SOMERSET COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY SUPPORTED BY THE TOWNSHIP, DID HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE CONTRACTOR AT THE TIME. SO WE WE HAD A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THEM. MONEY HAS BEEN SET ASIDE. SO FOR THINGS LIKE IF YOU REMEMBER THE THE, THE SHADES IN THIS ROOM WERE NOT DELIVERED PER THE CONTRACT. AND SO THE MONEY THAT THE TOWNSHIP, YOU KNOW, MAINTAINED FOR THINGS THAT WE KNEW MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FINISHED, PART OF A PUNCH LIST. SO THERE IS MONEY AVAILABLE TO, TO TO MAKE THE REPAIR. BUT THERE WILL BE A DISRUPTION TO THE LOBBY AND TO THE BATHROOMS. WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING THROUGH THAT. WE WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND HAVE THIS WORK DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT AS THE WEATHER, YOU KNOW, IMPROVES, THE THE TRAFFIC TO THE BUILDING INCREASES. AND WITH THE PLAYGROUND AS WELL, THERE'LL BE FAMILIES COMING. SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT. JUST GOT MY LAST UPDATE ON THAT THIS WEEK FROM THE STAFF. AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OF THE OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO METHODS TO TRY AND FIX IT, AND THAT WE WILL NEED TO GO IN AND, YOU KNOW,
[00:25:04]
REPLACE THAT SECTION OF THE PIPE. AND AND SO IT WOULD BE MOST PROBABLY BREAKING THROUGH THE, THROUGH THE FLOORS. YES, IT WILL BE. WE WILL BE. WE'LL WORK ON LOGISTICS. WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOU AS WE KNOW MORE. WE WE NEED TO GET QUOTES FOR THE WORK. SO WE'RE WE'RE DOING THAT NOW. OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A HEADS UP BEFORE. BEFORE. AND I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED IF THERE'S ANYTHING NEW TO KNOW BEFORE OUR NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU. SURE. AARP.SO I THINK IT'S GOING ON MANY, MANY YEARS THAT AARP HAS COME TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO PROVIDE FREE TAX FILING, INCOME TAX FILING ASSISTANCE TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. SO WE DO PROMOTE IT ON OUR WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THROUGH OUR E-BULLETIN. BUT I THINK IT'S JUST AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO GET OUT THERE FOR ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE NEW TO TOWN OR JUST NOT KNOW ABOUT IT. AND THEY'LL BE STARTING UP SOON. AND THEY THEY MOBILIZE IN ONE OF THE BACK CONFERENCE ROOMS AT OUR COMMUNITY CENTER. AND I THINK THAT THAT IS ALL I HAVE. OKAY.
[9. Statement – Affordable Housing Update]
WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE.THANK YOU EVERYONE. MY SITTING IN FOR WENDY QUIROGA, WE HAVE A QUICK UPDATE. AS MISS QUIROGA HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORTED, THE TOWNSHIP FORMALLY ADVISED THE PROGRAM JUDGE AND ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES. OBJECTORS OF OUR INTENTION TO AMEND THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN TO REMOVE CAN VIEW SITE AND TO FULFILL OUR ENTIRE FOURTH ROUND OBLIGATION. WITH THE EXTENSION OF CONTROLS ON EXISTING UNITS. OUR ORIGINAL HOUSING PLAN SUBMISSION WAS CHALLENGED BY TWO CITIZEN GROUPS AND THE PURCHASERS OF THE CAN VIEW SITE, AND THE PROGRAM HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS FROM ALL PARTIES. ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2025. ALTHOUGH THE AMENDED FAIR HOUSING ACT REQUIRED PROGRAM JUDGES TO SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THESE SESSIONS, WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PROGRAM.
NEVERTHELESS, THE FAIR HOUSING ACT HAS A MARCH 15TH, 2026 DEADLINE FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO ADOPT PLANS, RESOLUTION AND ORDINANCES TO IMPLEMENT THE FOURTH ROUND PLAN. SO WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR PLAN. TO THAT END, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE PLANNERS AT CLARK CATON TO PREPARE THE AMENDED HOUSING PLAN AND IMPLEMENTING DOCUMENT DOCUMENTS. WE ANTICIPATE INTRODUCTION OF ALL IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCES AS EARLY AS THE NEXT MEETING ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2026. WE ARE ALSO TARGETING THE FEBRUARY 23RD, 2026 PLANNING BOARD MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN. THIS WOULD BE A BUSY TWO MONTHS AND WE WILL MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC UPDATED EVERY STEP IN THE PROCESS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SWAPNA. YES. SO MAYOR, ONE OF OUR PRIOR MEETINGS, IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED, I THINK, BY DEPUTY MAYOR, THAT OUR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, WHO IS WORKING WITH US ON THE EXTENSION OF CONTROLS PROGRAM, COMES IN AND AND PROVIDES A LITTLE OVERVIEW. SHE CAN TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT HOW THEY'RE INVOLVED IN THAT PROGRAM, HOW THAT WORKS. THEY WORK WITH MANY OTHER TOWNS. SO I'M GOING TO INVITE ERIN STANKO STANKOVIC TO COME ON UP AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE A LITTLE OVERVIEW OF THAT. THANK YOU.
WELCOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. LORI, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
GOOD EVENING. AS LORI SAID, MY NAME IS AARON STANKEVITZ WORK WITH CGP AND H. WE'RE COMMUNITY GRANTS, PLANNING AND HOUSING. WE SERVE AS YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
YOU KNOW, IN GENERAL, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF OVER 2000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ACROSS THE ENTIRE BASICALLY, OUR JOB IS TO IMPLEMENT YOUR FAIR SHARE PLAN. SO, AS WENDY'S OFFICE HAD SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GETTING TO THE POINT NOW WHERE THE PLAN IS BEING APPROVED AND FINALIZED. ONCE THAT PLAN IS APPROVED AND FINALIZED, MY JOB IS TO TAKE EACH ASPECT OF THAT PLAN AND IMPLEMENT IT INTO FRUITION. SO WORKING WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, LANDLORDS, THE ACTUAL APPLICANTS TO GET PEOPLE CERTIFIED AND MOVED INTO AFFORDABLE HOMES, WE DO ALL OF THAT. AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ROUND OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR MUNICIPAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS AND THE LAWS AND, YOU KNOW, THE PLAN AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED CORRECTLY SO FAR FOR THE EXTENSION OF CONTROLS PROGRAM, IT'S GOING VERY WELL. WE'VE HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TALK WITH THE RESIDENTS AND HOMEOWNERS DIRECTLY. WE HAD A ZOOM CALL. WE HAD AN IN-PERSON MEETING. WE'VE MET ONE ON ONE WITH ALL THE HOMEOWNERS, MOST OF THE HOMEOWNERS, I SHOULD SAY. WE'VE ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE COPIES OF ALL THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOCUMENTS THAT THEY'VE REQUESTED. WE'VE TRIED TO GO OVER EVERYTHING WITH THEM JUST SO THEY GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THESE DOCUMENTS ARE, AND ALSO WHAT THE EXTENSION MEANS FOR THEM RIGHT NOW. AND, YOU KNOW, 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW, IN THE FUTURE, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
[00:30:04]
ABOUT EITHER EXTENSION OF CONTROLS OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. NOT REALLY, BUT THAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT THEM UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE HAD SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN HERE, A RESIDENT WHO FELT HIS MOM DID NOT KNOW WHEN SHE WAS SIGNING THAT 30 YEARS AGO.SO I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE. BUT APPARENTLY SHE WAS WHAT I HEARD FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR THAT SHE WAS REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY. SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HOPE THAT THE ATTORNEY IS ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO THE, YOU KNOW, THEIR CLIENT. YES. SO I'LL A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT HOW THAT WORKS. OR FOR ANYONE WHO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU PURCHASE AN AFFORDABLE HOME, WE KNOW THAT CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING WHO REPRESENTED THE TOWNSHIP BEFORE, YOU KNOW, THEY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CLOSING SO THAT THE PERSON WHO WAS PURCHASING THE HOME, THE DOCUMENTS WERE EXPLAINED TO THEM. AND WE DO THE SAME THING. WE SEND ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS WITH THE HOME BUYER TO A CLOSING, WHERE THEY GO OVER ALL THE DOCUMENTS, THEY GO OVER ALL THE REGULATIONS. IN ADDITION, ANNUALLY WE SEND OUT A LETTER NOTIFYING ALL HOMEOWNERS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT THEY DO INDEED LIVE IN DEED RESTRICTED PROPERTY. AND THESE ARE THE THE RULES REGARDING THAT. AS IN YOU CANNOT RENT YOUR HOME OUT. YOU MUST LIVE THERE FULL TIME. YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR HOME, YOU MUST CONTACT CGP, NH TO DO SO. IF YOU WANT TO REFINANCE, YOU MUST CONTACT CGP, NH TO DO SO. IF THEY WOULD SAY TRY TO SELL OUTSIDE OF THE PROGRAM WITHOUT CONTACTING US, THAT DEED RESTRICTION WOULD BE PULLED A TITLE WHICH WOULD THEN FLAG IT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SO THERE'S THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS AND THERE'S REGULATIONS AND THERE'S THERE ARE GUARDRAILS TO HOW THIS WORKS. BUT WE AS CGP AND YOU KNOW, WE WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THERE WITH THE HOMEOWNER. WE WORK WITH THE HOMEOWNER AND THE APPLICANTS. WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TRY TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT, NOT EVEN JUST THEIR RIGHTS. BUT YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO OWN AFFORDABLE HOUSING? OKAY, OKAY. THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. BECAUSE THAT WAS A CONCERN THAT OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. NO THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS. YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE TOWNSHIP WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON IF A COMMENT. 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 COMMITTEE? GOOD EVENING. HOW'S EVERYBODY? DEBORAH KEENAN.
KEENAN QUESTION FOR ABOUT THOSE EXTENSIONS OF CONTROLS. HOW MANY OF THOSE UNITS ARE HOMEOWNERS OR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES VERSUS MULTI UNITS? THERE'S 54 HOMEOWNERSHIP UNITS.
THOSE ARE THE PRIVATE. SO THOSE WOULD BE LIKE A STANDALONE HOMES OR CONDOMINIUMS. THEY'RE CONDOMINIUMS. SO IT'S BETWEEN TWO DEVELOPMENTS OKAY. SO THERE'S NO SO THAT'S THOSE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BEING AFFECTED. THEY'RE THEY'RE NOT A DEVELOPER THAT OWNS OR ONE PERSON OWNS A BUNCH OF THOSE UNITS. IT'S ALL INDIVIDUALS. ARE WE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FOR SALE. WE HAVE WE HAVE A A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS ALSO OWNED BY A PRIVATE DEVELOPER THAT'S RENTAL. BUT WE'RE WE'VE MOSTLY BEEN FOCUSING ON THE FOR SALE UNITS. SO AARON WAS TALKING A LOT ABOUT THAT OKAY. SO THOSE 55 WERE PEOPLE THAT 5454 OKAY. SO THAT'S NOT THE RENT. THE ONES THAT ARE OUT FOR RENTAL. CORRECT? OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUST ONE CLARIFICATION AND THANK YOU FOR CANCELING THE JANUARY 31ST THING AND LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC. OKAY.
[10. Ordinance #26-1769 – An Ordinance of the Township of Montgomery, County of Somerset, New Jersey Reallocating Unused Funds in the Amount of $400,000 from a Prior Ordinance for Use in the Harlingen Sewer Project and Providing for Related Matters – Introduction/First Reading]
ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? OKAY. ORDINANCES. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE 26 1769. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, REALLOCATING UNUSED FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 400,000 FROM A PRIOR ORDINANCE FOR USE IN THE SEWER PROJECT AND PROVIDING AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS, 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 FEBRUARY 5TH, 2026. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE 20 5-1769. SO MOVED SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER.MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. YES. MAYOR. SAYING YES.
[11. Resolution #26-1-45 – Authorizing Execution of a Shared Services Agreement Between the Township of Montgomery and the Borough of Rocky Hill for Public Health Services ]
ORDINANCES. PUBLIC HEARING. FINAL ADOPTION. THERE ARE NO ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION RESOLUTIONS. RESOLUTION 26 ONE DASH 45 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT[00:35:05]
BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY AND THE BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES. SO MAYOR RESOLUTION 45 AND 46 ARE CONTINUATION OF EXISTING SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. SO RESOLUTION 45, THE SHARED SERVICE BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP AND THE BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES. WE'VE DONE THAT FOR MANY YEARS, AND SO OUR STAFF COVERS THEM AND IN RETURN WE ARE COMPENSATED FOR THAT. THE SHARED SERVICE FOR ANIMAL CONTROL WOULD BE THE SAME. OH, AND AGAIN, THE BOTH THAT'S RESOLUTION 46 THE NEXT ONE. AND IT'S A SIMILAR IT'S AN EXTENSION OF A OF A SHARED SERVICE WE'VE HAD FOR MANY YEARS. OKAY. SO ON THIS ONE I DO SEE THAT IT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID. THE BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL HAS A NEED FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES. AND THESE SERVICES EXIST IN TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY. AND THE GOVERNING BODIES HAS FURTHER DETERMINED THAT THIS SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT IS PHYSICALLY BENEFICIAL TO THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, AS THE ROCKY BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL WILL REIMBURSE THE TOWNSHIP FOR ITS PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, THEREBY ENSURING FULL COST RECOVERY AND CONFIRMING THAT THE TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY WILL NOT INCUR ANY FINANCIAL LOSS OR SUBSIDY AS A RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 20 6-1 45. SO MOVED SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER.MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH.
[12. Resolution #26-1-46 - Authorizing Execution of a Shared Services Agreement Between the Township of Montgomery and the Borough of Rocky Hill for Animal Control Services]
YES. RESOLUTION 20 6-1. DASH 46 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SHARED SERVICES. AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY AND THE BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES. SO THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID. THAT WE ARE DOING THE VOTE. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26, DASH ONE, DASH 46. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER.MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER AND COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES.
[13. Resolution #26-1-47 - Authorizing Contract Award for Health Insurance Broker and Risk Management Services]
RESOLUTION 20 6-1. DASH 47. AUTHORIZING CONTRACT AWARD FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BROKER AND RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES. SO, MAYOR, THIS RESOLUTION, WE WENT OUT TO BID. WE RECEIVED TWO PROPOSALS. ACRISURE WAS THE WINNING BID. WE'VE HAD ACRISURE FOR FOR MANY YEARS. THEY COVER ALL OF OUR THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE BROKER AND OUR RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICE SERVICES.AND THEN THE NEXT RESOLUTION, RESOLUTION 48, IS THAT APPOINTING ACRISURE WITH US AS OUR CONSULTANT FOR 2026. GOT IT. ANY QUESTIONS? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26 147. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER.
ANN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES. RESOLUTION 20 6-1. DASH 48.
[14. Resolution #26-1-48 – Appointing Risk Management Consultant for 2026]
APPOINTING RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT FOR 2026. IT'S THE SAME ONE BASED ON THE TWO BIDS WE RECEIVED. ACRISURE WAS THE THE LOWEST, AND WE'VE WORKED WITH THEM BEFORE. YES. YES, MA'AM. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26 ONE DASH 48. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER.[15. Resolution #26-1-49 – Rejecting all Bids for BID #13-2025– Lease of Public Property for Wireless Telecommunications Facility and Authorizing Re-Advertisement with Adjusted Scope (Cherry Valley)]
TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES. RESOLUTION 20 6-1. DASH 49. REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR BID 13 2025 LEASE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT WITH ADJUSTED SCOPE. CHERRY VALLEY. SO WE DID RECEIVE TWO BIDS FOR THE CHERRY VALLEY CELL TOWER. WHEN WE REVIEWED THEM, WE THERE WAS A DISCUSSION AND A DECISION THAT WE BELIEVE THAT GIVEN MARKET CONDITIONS, IT WAS A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE MODIFY A FEW OF OUR BID SPECIFICATIONS THAT WILL ENHANCE OUR COMPETITIVENESS. AND SO WE'RE TAKING THIS ACTION SO THAT WE WILL WE'LL PUT THE REBID IT. AND WE WE EXPECT SLIGHTLY MORE FAVORABLE FINANCIAL TERMS UPON THAT WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE TOWNSHIP. WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A TIME SENSITIVE MATTER, AS WE'D HAD RESIDENTS COME OUT AND REALLY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE, YOU KNOW, EMERGENT SITUATIONS THAT THEY HAVE, WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR POOR SERVICES IMPACTED THEM. SO THIS IS NOT CAUSING, YOU KNOW, ANY MAJOR DELAY. WE'RE WE'RE, WE'RE WE'RE READY TO GO WITH THE MODIFIED BID SPEC. OKAY. WELL THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT. AS WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE CELL SERVICE PROPERLY. ANY QUESTIONS. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26 149. SO MOVED SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES.COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES.
[16. Resolution #26-1-50 – Authorizing Shared Services Agreement Between the Township of Montgomery and the County of Somerset for 2026 Recycling]
RESOLUTION 20 6-1. DASH 50. AUTHORIZING SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP[00:40:05]
OF MONTGOMERY AND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET FOR 2026. RECYCLING. SO THIS IS A SHARED SERVICE WE DO EVERY YEAR. AS WE ALL KNOW, WE HAVE RECYCLING FROM SOMERSET COUNTY. WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THOSE SINGLE SOURCE BIDS FOR MOST OF THE TOWNS OF THE TOWN, AS THE COUNTY HAS SAID, THEY'RE ON BACK ORDER, BUT NONETHELESS, FOR THE LAST WE ARE, YOU KNOW, ENTERING INTO THIS SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT THERE, YOU KNOW, THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN, REALLY. SO WE COME ACROSS A LOT OF MONOPOLIES. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE COUNTY TO DO SHARED SERVICE ANIMAL CONTROL FOR THE COUNTY, AND MOST OF THE ADMINISTRATORS AND ALL OF THE TOWNS WOULD LIKE, WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN. SO YEAH, KEEP KEEP PUSHING THAT. THAT'S GOOD. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 20 6-1 50. SO MOVED.SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES.
COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES. RESOLUTION 21 DASH 51. AMENDING
[17. Resolution #26-1-51 Amending Resolution #26-1-01 Authorizing 2026 Annual Appointments]
RESOLUTION 20 6-101 AUTHORIZING 2026 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS. SO I DON'T WANT TO STEP ON LISA'S TOES. BUT, MAYOR, THERE WERE A FEW KIND OF MINOR CHANGES, I THINK, ON OPEN SPACE, WE HAD REPLACED ONE MEMBER, THE WRONG MEMBER WITH A NEW MEMBER. IT WAS DIFFERENT MEMBER THAT HAD MOVED OUT OF TOWN. SO THAT WAS SOMETHING I THINK THERE WERE A FEW OTHERS THAT JUST IS JUST KIND OF HOUSEKEEPING. CORRECT. YOU KNOW. YEAH. OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26 151. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES.COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES.
[18. Resolution #26-1-52 – Amending Resolution #26-1-02 2026 Mayoral Appointments]
RESOLUTION 26 ONE DASH 52. AMENDING RESOLUTION 20 6-102 2026. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS.SAME THING. THERE WAS AN ERROR IN THE PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS AND A MISSPELLING IN ONE OF THE MEMBER'S NAMES, AND THAT'S BEEN CORRECTED. OH, OKAY. PERFECT. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26 152. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER.
MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH.
[19. Resolution #26-1-53 – Authorizing Promotion of Debbie Axtt to Executive Assistant]
YES. RESOLUTION 20 6-1 53 AUTHORIZING PROMOTION OF DEBBIE ACTS DEBORAH ACTS TO EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. SO THIS IS JUST A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING. SO THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT POSITION WAS CREATED BACK IN 2024. AND SO THE DIVISION OF PENSIONS REQUIRES AN AUTHOR RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION. SO IT WAS DONE IN THE, YOU KNOW, SALARY AND WAGE. IT WAS DONE THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. BUT THIS THIS IS JUST SORT OF A RECORDED DOCUMENT THAT WE WE WOULD DO. SO WE'RE KIND OF DOING IT RETROACTIVELY. OKAY. AND THEN SHE'S RETIRING I GUESS.MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26? 153 SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE.
COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANNE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. TAYLOR. YES.
MAYOR. SINGH. YES. CORRESPONDENCE. THERE IS NO CORRESPONDENCE. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS. THERE ARE NO MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THIS TIME. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
[23. Resolution #26-1-54 Executive Session]
THERE ARE NO MATTERS LISTED. RESOLUTION 26 ONE 5254 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 THE CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY BE EXCLUDED. PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN B OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT, THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION ARE AS FOLLOWS. LITIGATION DOCKET NUMBER S O M L 12 1524. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. GREEN ACRES AGREEMENT, CRICKET PITCH, MONTGOMERY VETERANS PARK. IT IS UNKNOWN PRECISELY WHEN THE MATTER DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION WILL BE DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND THE SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION SHALL ONLY BE APPROVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IN A PUBLIC SESSION.THIS RESOLUTION. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 20 6-1 54. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HAHN. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER.
TAYLOR. YES. MAYOR. SING. YES.
OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND OPEN REGULAR SESSION. SO MOVED SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ADJOURNMENT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.