[1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER ] [00:00:11] ORDER. THIS IS THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. CALLED TO ORDER AT 705. ROLL CALL PLEASE. MAYOR SINGH HERE. DEPUTY MAYOR TAYLOR TODD HERE. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON HERE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. MARTIN. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING 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 IN THE 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. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR YOUNG RESIDENTS IN THE AUDIENCE, AND WE ARE SO HAPPY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, A TOWN IS ALWAYS THERE TO RECOGNIZE THE AMAZING WORK OUR LITTLE ONES DO AND THE PARENTS WHO WORK WITH THEM. SO I THINK WE WILL START WITH THE I THINK, [5. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing Montgomery Baseball League’s 2026 Season Accomplishments ] LISA, YOU'RE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT WE'LL START WITH THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MONTGOMERY BASEBALL LEAGUES 2026 SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SURE. I JUST WANTED TO. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ERIC CYGWIN, CYGWIN, CYGWIN. JUST WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MAYOR NINA SINGH, ADMINISTRATOR. LORI SAVRAN, THE STAFF UPPER MIDDLE SCHOOL. I'M SORRY. S AND MAMHS COACHES WHO HAVE HELPED SO MUCH IN ADVANCING THE LEAGUE. HE STATES. THIS YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020 THAT THE LEAGUE SURPASSED 300 PARTICIPANTS, AND HE REALLY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT FROM THE TOWN. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR RECOGNIZING ALL THE PLAYERS. OKAY, SO NOW WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION. RECOGNIZING MONTGOMERY BASEBALL LEAGUES 2026 SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WHEREAS THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUNG INDIVIDUALS WHOSE HARD WORK, PERSEVERANCE, AND DEDICATION DEMONSTRATE SPORTSMANSHIP AND LEADERSHIP, AND THE VALUE OF TEAMWORK AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT. AND WHEREAS MONTGOMERY BASEBALL LEAGUE SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, PROMOTING HEALTHY COMPETITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND TEACHING YOUNG ATHLETES LESSONS OF RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT AND DETERMINATION THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE PLAYING FIELD. AND WHEREAS MONTGOMERY BASEBALL LEAGUES 2026 SEASON WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL ONE, HIGHLIGHTED BY OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM TEAMS ACROSS MULTIPLE DIVISIONS. AND WHEREAS THE A-2 COUGARS TRAVEL BASEBALL TEAM OF SHARON BARTY, ZACHARY BENSON, ZOE SERRANO, COOPER BRYCE AND NOAH KIM. LIAM KITTO, MATTHEW LEGEND, GEORGE. MAHER, DHRUV MARRAPODI, GAVIN MCDONNELL, CARMEN MEEHAN, QUINN FREITAS, FRANK. LEJEUNE, JACK. REEDLING, EMMET. ROTHENBERG, BRAYDEN TUCKER. COACHED BY BRIAN MAYOR BILL DELISI. RAM RAHMAN. FRANK RAHMAN, FRANK ROSEN, AND ALEX KIM. FRANK LEJEUNE AND FRANK LEJEUNE COMPLETED A REMARKABLE SEASON WITH A TEN ONE RECORD, CAPPING THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON WITH A 131 VICTORY OVER FLEMINGTON, CAPTURING THE US A B SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP. AND WHEREAS THE MINORS DIVISION BREWERS REC TEAM OF BRADEN BRASSARD, HUNTER KALBACH, LANDON KULOGLU, CHASE CARUSO, TAJ DEVI, SCOTT HAGEN TANEY, MATTHEW MITCHELL, AKIRA MORIYAMA, RAJESH NARAYAN, LEON RAYSON, ANDREW STELMACH AND SHIVA ULLAH. COACHED BY GLENN CALLOW, BRAD CARUSO, DAVE BROCKHART AND LOGAN MITCHELL ENJOYED A PERFECT 120 SEASON WITH 1514 VICTORY TO SECURE THE MINORS DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP. AND WHEREAS THE BABE RUTH DIVISION PATRIOTS REC TEAM OF THOMAS CALABRESE, CASH CARTY, RYAN ENGELHART, MATTHEW GRUNDY, HARRISON KESSLER, TYLER KWAN, RYAN MCDONALD, GEORGE GRAYSON, RUPERT NICOLE. SHAW, NOAH, DANTE SIYUN, COACHED BY ASHLEY, ASHLEY CEASE AND AMAN SHAH, [00:05:06] CAPTURED THE ENTIRE TOWN REC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 124 VICTORY OVER NORTH HUNTERDON, EARNING VICTORIES THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS OVER THE HILLSBORO AND PREVIOUSLY UNDEFEATED FLEMINGTON. SO THE SECOND THIS IS TUCKER. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, MAYOR SINGH, ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND EXTEND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MONTGOMERY BASEBALL LEAGUE 2026 EIGHT. YOU. COUGARS TRAVEL TEAM, BREWERS REC TEAM, AND THE BABE RUTH PATRIOTS REC TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COMMENDS THESE PLAYERS, COACHES, FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS FOR REPRESENTING MONTGOMERY WITH PRIDE AND EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS. BOTH OF ON AND OFF FIELD. CAN WE HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THIS TEAM? HAVE THE STUDENTS. TO BE ANNOUNCED. AS. COACHES. GUYS LOOK UP. NICE BIG SMILES. DOG SMILE. THANK YOU. ONE RIGHT HERE. OKAY. ONE. TWO THREE. SMILE. OH, EVERYBODY LOOKS GREAT. THANK YOU. AND JUST FOR THE MONTGOMERY NEWS TO. OKAY. READY FOR THE NEWSPAPER. SO BIG SMILES. CONGRATULATIONS. TO. OKAY. ARE YOU READY? WE'RE GOING TO DO THE NEWSPAPER ONE FIRST. [00:12:23] AS WE JUST SAW, WE LIVE IN AN AMAZING TOWN RECOGNIZING MONTGOMERY'S SOFTBALL LEAGUES. [6. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing Montgomery Softball League’s Cougars Gold Rec 12/14U Team’s 2026 Season Achievements] COUGARS GOLD REC 1214 U. TEAMS 2026 SEASON ACHIEVEMENTS. WHEREAS, THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUNG INDIVIDUALS WHOSE HARD WORK, PERSEVERANCE AND DEDICATION DEMONSTRATES SPORTSMANSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND THE VALUE OF TEAMWORK AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT. WHEREAS, MONTGOMERY'S SOFTBALL LEAGUE SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, PROMOTING HEALTHY COMPETITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND TEACHING YOUNG ATHLETES LESSONS OF RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT AND DETERMINATION THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE PLAYING FIELD. AND WHEREAS MONTGOMERY SOFTBALL LEAGUES COUGAR GOLD REC 1214 U. TEAM OF FARMER. BRANT MELANIE CARVALHO, BROOKE DIAZ, MACKENZIE EVANS, IRENE FOREHAND, GIA. SEQUIN, ALICE. KING. DIA. KIRAN. IONA. MARTINEZ. NORA. MCLEAN, OLIVIA. ESTRADA. ALLISON. MITCHELL, ALLEN. PATEL, ALANA. PATEL, EMILY. RIZKALLAH, SCARLETT. SCHUSTER. MADISON. CHANCELLOR. BRANDON. SRIVASTAVA. SRIVASTAVA. LAUREN. SHIVANNA. COACHED BY DIAZ AND ZHENG, CAPTURED THE INTER-TOWN TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS WITH A NINE SIX VICTORY OVER HILLSBORO AND A MONUMENTAL WIN OVER PERENNIAL POWERHOUSE SOUTH BRUNSWICK DURING THE SEASON. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, MAYOR, SING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND EXTEND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO MONTGOMERY TO TO TO ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE AND THE MONTGOMERY TOWN OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND EXTEND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO MONTGOMERY SOFTBALL LEAGUES, 2026 COUGAR GOLD REC 1214 TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY COMMENDS THESE PLAYERS, COACHES, FAMILIES, AND VOLUNTEERS FOR REPRESENTING MONTGOMERY WITH PRIDE AND EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD. AND IF WE CAN HAVE SOFTBALL 20. [00:15:35] TWO. 123. SO FAR, SO GOOD. OKAY. PROCLAMATION. RECOGNIZING LORI HOUGH, FORMER CHAIRPERSON, [7. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing Lori Huff, former Chairperson, Montgomery-Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance, for Years of Dedicated Service to Montgomery Township] MONTGOMERY ROCKY HILL MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE FOR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. WHEREAS, THE SUCCESS AND VITALITY OF A COMMUNITY THRIVES THROUGH THE DEDICATION, INSIGHT AND SERVICE OF ITS MANY MUNICIPAL BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS WHOSE MEMBER VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN MONTGOMERY. WHEREAS, VOLUNTEERS EXEMPLIFY THE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC SERVICE, BRINGING DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES, THOUGHTFUL DELIBERATION, AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE COMMON GOOD. AND WHEREAS LORI HOUGH HAS DEVOTED MANY YEARS OF HER TIME, ENERGY AND TALENTS SELFLESSLY TO SERVING THE RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY OF MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF MONTGOMERY ROCKY HILL MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE. AND WHEREAS LORI'S WILLINGNESS TO GIVE GENEROUSLY OF HER TIME AND EXPERTISE REFLECTS THE VERY BEST SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. AND WHEREAS MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP IS HONORED TO HAVE HAD THE MANY YEARS OF LORI'S FAITHFUL SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND POSITIVITY WHICH HAS MADE A A MEANINGFUL AND LASTING DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE PROCLAIMED THAT I. MAYOR SAYING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AND ITS RESIDENTS AND STAFF HEREBY WISH TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LORI HOUGH FOR HER YEARS OF OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE, PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. BE IT FURTHER BE. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP HEREBY EXPRESSES HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION AND EXTEND SINCERE BEST WISHES AND CONTINUED SUCCESS IN FUTURE ENDEAVORS. THIS 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026, LET'S HAVE A BIG HAND FOR LORI. GONNA BRING THIS DOWN, BUT I JUST WANTED TO, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, SAY I'VE LIVED IN THE TOWN FOR 32 YEARS AND I'VE WHEN I WAS A PTA MOM AND ALL THE TIMES IN THE SCHOOL, LORI AND I, OUR PATHS WOULD CROSS. AND WHEN I CAME TO THE TOWNSHIP SHE WAS ALWAYS HERE. SO I'VE. I'VE SEEN YOU FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND SEEN YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS TOWN. THANK YOU. WE GOT A WHOLE LOT OF PAPARAZZI HERE. LORI SERVING. SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT BARBARA'S COMMENT FIRST. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, LORI. YOU'RE [00:20:02] AWESOME. YOU SHOULD JUST GET. ON BECAUSE SHE. LORI AND I'M ALL ABOUT. OKAY, ARE WE READY? OKAY, EVERYBODY KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN ALL THE TIME. BUT IN A GROUP SHOT, SOMEBODY ALWAYS CLOSES THEIR EYES. CONGRATULATIONS. [8. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing Cheryl “Chery” Chrusz for Thirty-Eight Years of Service to Montgomery Township] PROCLAMATION. RECOGNIZING CHERYL SHERRY CRUZ FOR 38 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. 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 EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. AND. WHEREAS, SHERRY CRUZ HAS DEVOTED NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, CONTRIBUTING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMITMENT, ALWAYS WITH A SMILE. AND WHEREAS, THROUGH HER TENURE, SHERRY HAS PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN GUIDING THE TOWNSHIP'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, HELPING TO ENSURE MONTGOMERY REMAINS A VIBRANT, WELL PLANNED AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY WHILE RESPECTING ITS UNIQUE AGRICULTURAL, HISTORIC AND RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER. AND WHEREAS SHERRY CRUZ BEGAN HER CAREER CAREER WITH TOWNSHIP ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 1987 AS AN APPLICATIONS COORDINATOR AND WAS THEN PROMOTED TO ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IN MAY 1999 AND THEN PROMOTED IN SEPTEMBER 2019 TO PLANNING COORDINATOR WITH A FINAL PROMOTION IN JUNE 2023 TO ASSISTANT PLANNING DIRECTOR. AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT HER 38 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, SHERRY HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE COLLEAGUE AND A FRIEND TO MANY WHILE PROVIDING INVALUABLE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO THE TOWNSHIP'S PLANNING DEPARTMENT. PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS, MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION, AND AN INVALUABLE CONTINUITY TO TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS, APPLICANTS AND PROFESSIONALS EARNING HER THE RESPECT AND APPRECIATION FOR HER INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, DEDICATION, PATIENCE AND WILLINGNESS TO SHARE HER EXPERTISE. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, MAYOR, SING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AND ITS RESIDENTS AND STAFF HEREBY WISH TO RECOGNIZE SHERRY CRUZ FOR HER OUTSTANDING DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP THAT HAS POSITIVELY ENHANCED THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITY. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMS THAT THE TOWNSHIP HEREBY EXPRESSES HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE 30 YEAR, 38 YEARS OF SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND EXTEND SINCERE BEST WISHES AND HAPPINESS IN HER NEW JOURNEY ON THIS 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026. BEFORE WE CALL, BEFORE WE CALL SHERRY WHO WE LOVE TO THE STAGE, WE ARE GOING TO ASK LORI SAVRAN TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU SHERRY. I'M NOT GOING TO CRY. SO SHERRY WAS HERE WHEN I STARTED IN MONTGOMERY. IN FACT, SHE WAS HERE WHEN MOST OF THE EMPLOYEES STARTED THAT ARE WORKING HERE NOW IN MONTGOMERY. IT'S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT IT MEANS TO SAY GOODBYE TO SOMEONE LIKE SHERRY. SHE'S BEEN FAR MORE THAN A COWORKER TO MANY OF US HERE, INCLUDING MYSELF. SHE'S BEEN A TRUE FRIEND WHEN NAVIGATING LIFE'S DIFFICULT MOMENTS, WHICH WE ALL HAVE. SHE IS ALWAYS THERE WITH A LISTENING EAR, STEADY ADVICE, AND A GROUNDING PRESENCE AT WORK. SHE IS SIMPLY UNMATCHED, DILIGENT, CONSCIENTIOUS, SUPPORTIVE, THE ULTIMATE TEAM PLAYER. SHE MADE US ALL LOOK GOOD. THANK YOU SHERRY, FOR YOUR POSITIVITY, YOUR ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES ATTITUDE, THE WHAT DO YOU NEED THAT KEPT THIS PLACE MOVING? PEOPLE STEP AROUND UP AROUND YOU BECAUSE THEY RESPECT YOU. YOU EMBODY [00:25:01] WHAT IT MEANS MEANS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER QUITE LIKE YOU. AND WE ARE ALL BETTER FOR HAVING WORKED WITH YOU. THANK YOU FOR EVERY LATE NIGHT. AND THERE WERE MANY AND EVERY SOLUTION NO ONE ELSE COULD FIND. THERE WERE EVEN MORE. I NEVER ONCE DOUBTED HOW MUCH I COULD COUNT ON YOU. YOU LEAVE BEHIND NOT JUST ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT A LEGACY OF KINDNESS, INTEGRITY, AND EXCELLENCE. WE WILL MISS YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW AND WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON IN WHATEVER COMES NEXT. YOU DESERVE TO RELAX, SLOW DOWN, AND ENJOY LIFE. COME BACK AND VISIT US, PLEASE. AND WE PROMISE TO ONLY ASK ABOUT KENNY, THE BOYS AND THE DOG AND NOT BRING UP WORK AT ALL. CONGRATULATIONS. EVERYONE. [9. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing Michael Krupsky for Twenty-Seven Years of Service to Montgomery Township ] PROCLAMATION. RECOGNIZING MICHAEL KARPOVSKY FOR 27 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. WHEREAS, RETIREMENT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE LIFE AND CAREER OF AN INDIVIDUAL DESERVING OF RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE. WHEREAS, THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY WISHES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. AND WHEREAS MICHAEL KARPOVSKY HAS SERVED THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY CONSTRUCTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF DECADES WITH UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM, MAINTAINING AND ENFORCING THE UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ALL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WHEREAS, MICHAEL BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH TOWNSHIP ON AUGUST 31ST, 1999 AS A PLUMBING SUB CODE OFFICIAL WAS THEN APPOINTED BUILDING SUB CODE OFFICIAL IN OCTOBER 2020 AND THEN PROMOTED IN FEBRUARY 2025 TO CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL WITH PLUMBING SUB CODE AND FIRE SUB RESPONSIBILITIES. AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT HIS 27 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, MICHAEL HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL WORK ETHIC, A PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP, ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ITS RESIDENTS. AND DURING HIS TENURE, RECOGNIZED AS 2024 CODE ENFORCEMENT PLUMBING INSPECTOR OF THE YEAR BY NEW JERSEY STATE PLUMBING INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION. AND WHEREAS MICHAEL HAS A HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE COLLEAGUE, FRIEND, AND MENTOR TO MANY. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I MAY SING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AND ITS RESIDENTS AND STAFF HEREBY WISH TO RECOGNIZE MICHAEL FOR HIS OUTSTANDING DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP 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 27 YEARS OF SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND EXTENDS SINCERE BEST WISHES AND HAPPINESS IN HIS NEW JOURNEY. ON THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026. IS GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS. MIKE AND I STARTED IN MONTGOMERY AROUND THE SAME TIME, AND YOU QUICKLY BECAME A COLLEAGUE WHO WAS ALWAYS. WOULD GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO HELP NO [00:30:03] MATTER WHO. YOU'RE A STRAIGHT SHOOTER FOR SURE. YOU ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE TO HOMEOWNERS AND TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND MAYBE THE ADA SECTION OR ANYTHING. YOU ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME TO TO HELP US OUT. FROM DAY ONE, AS CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL, YOU CHAMPIONED THE GOV PILOT, RESIDENT, RESIDENT PORTAL AND THE MOVE TOWARDS DIGITIZING BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN REVIEWS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER NOT JUST FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THE CONTRACTORS, BUT FOR THE STAFF AS WELL IN YOUR DEPARTMENT. YOU HAVE LED YOUR SUB CODE OFFICIALS, YOUR INSPECTORS, YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WITH VERY EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND YOUR DEPARTMENT. AND I REALLY VALUE THE COLLABORATIVE WORK YOU'VE DONE AND THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. ESPECIALLY WITH MONTGOMERY PROMENADE WITH I KNOW, NO DOUBT WITHOUT YOU, IT WOULD NOT BE WHERE IT IS TODAY. THAT PROJECT. WHEN YOU GOT PROMOTED TO CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL, YOU WILLINGLY CONTINUED YOUR PLUMBING SUB CODE, TOOK ON FIRE SUB CODE, FIRE INSPECTION DUTIES, SAVING THE TOWNSHIP SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES. YOU COME IN EARLY, YOU STAY LATE. YOU NEVER HESITATE TO STEP UP. YOUR RETIREMENT IS A TREMENDOUS LOSS FOR MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. BUT ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE STAFF, I WISH YOU WELL. SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR WIFE, YOUR LOVELY DAUGHTERS, YOUR GRANDKIDS, AND OF COURSE, FISHING. MAYBE NOT IN THAT ORDER. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ORDER IT. PRIORITIZE. BUT THANK YOU, MIKE, AND WELL WISHES IN YOUR RETIREMENT. THANK YOU. [10. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing I-Horng Anne Jeng-Gong for Twenty-Four Years of Service to Montgomery Township ] PROCLAMATION. RECOGNIZING I, HONG AND ZHENG GONG FOR 24 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. WHEREAS, RETIREMENT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE LIFE AND CAREER OF AN INDIVIDUAL DESERVING OF RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE. WHEREAS, THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY WISHES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. AND WHEREAS ANNE HAS DEDICATED 24 YEARS OF EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, DEMONSTRATING AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, RELIABILITY AND DEVOTION. AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT HER DECADES OF SERVICE AND HAS BEEN SOMEONE OTHERS CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON, ALWAYS WILLING TO LEND A HELPING HAND WITH COMPASSION, POSITIVITY, WARMTH AND KINDNESS. AND WHEREAS ANNE BEGIN BEGAN HER CAREER WITH TOWNSHIP IN APRIL 2002 AS A CLERK TYPIST ONE AND WAS THEN PROMOTED IN JANUARY 2023 TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP POLICE RECORDS CLERK FOR THE REMAINDER OF HER CAREER. AND WHEREAS AN HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL WORK ETHIC, A PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP, AND HAS MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED. AND WHEREAS ANNE IS TRULY KIND, HELPFUL AND A THOUGHTFUL PERSON. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I. MAYOR SAYING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AND ITS RESIDENTS AND STAFF HEREBY WISH TO RECOGNIZE I. HONG AND ZHENG GONG FOR HER OUTSTANDING DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY 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 24 YEARS OF SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND EXTENDS SINCERE BEST WISHES AND HAPPINESS IN HER NEW JOURNEY. ON THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026. MAYOR MAYOR SINGH, MAYOR CHIEF BETH WILL [00:35:08] SAY A FEW WORDS. GOOD EVENING. UNFORTUNATELY, ANNE COULDN'T BE PRESENT HERE TONIGHT. NONETHELESS, IT IS TRULY THE CHIEF. IF YOU CAN HAVE THE MIC CLOSER. SORRY. YEAH. THERE YOU GO. UNFORTUNATELY, ANNE COULDN'T BE PRESENT TONIGHT. NONETHELESS, IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE ANNE GONG AND HER REMARKABLE 24 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. 24 YEARS IS MORE THAN A CAREER. IT'S A SIGNIFICANT PART OF A PERSON'S LIFE. AND ANNE HAS GIVEN THOSE YEARS TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AROUND HER OVER THESE 24 YEARS, AND HAS BEEN SOMEONE HER COLLEAGUES COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON. SHE WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO LEND A HELPING HAND AND BROUGHT COMPASSION, POSITIVITY, WARMTH AND KINDNESS TO EVERYTHING SHE DID. ANNE'S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE, STRONG WORK ETHIC AND THOUGHTFUL NATURE HAVE MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE TOWNSHIP ALIKE, AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP GOES FAR BEYOND THE WORK YOU DID EACH DAY. YOU TOUCHED THE LIVES OF YOUR COWORKERS AND SO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH YOU ENCOUNTERED EACH DAY AT THE RECORDS WINDOW, SIMPLY BY BEING THE THOUGHTFUL, CARING, COMPASSIONATE PERSON THAT YOU ARE. ON BEHALF OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION, YOUR PROFESSIONALISM, YOUR FRIENDSHIP, AND MOST OF ALL, FOR THE KINDNESS YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU EVERY DAY. YOU HAVE CERTAINLY EARNED THIS MOMENT. WE WISH YOU HAPPINESS, GOOD HEALTH, AND ALL THE VERY BEST AS YOU BEGIN THIS EXCITING NEW CHAPTER. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR 24 WONDERFUL YEARS OF SERVICE. THANK YOU CHIEF. PROCLAMATION. [11. PROCLAMATION – Recognizing Tamara “Tammy” Garaffa for Twenty-Three Years of Service to Montgomery Township ] RECOGNIZING TAMARA TAMMY GRAF FOR 23 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. 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 CONTRIBUTION OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. AND WHEREAS TAMMY GRAF DEDICATED MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF SERVICE TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, DEMONSTRATING AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY, CONTRIBUTING HER TIME, KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONALISM TO DELIVER QUALITY SERVICE. AND WHEREAS TAMMY BEGAN HER CAREER WITH TOWNSHIP IN JULY 2003 AS COMMUNITY INFORMATION OFFICER, FOLLOWED BY CLERK INFORMATION OFFICER IN 2014, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER IN 2019, COMMUNITY INFORMATION OFFICER IN 2017 AND 2020 FOR THE REMAINDER OF HER CAREER. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, MAYOR SINGH, ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AND ITS RESIDENTS AND STAFF HEREBY WISH TO RECOGNIZE TAMMY GRAF FOR HER OUTSTANDING DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND CONTRIBUTIONS 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 24 YEARS OF SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND EXTENDS SINCERE BEST WISHES AND HAPPINESS IN HER NEW JOURNEY. ON THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026. MAYOR TAMMY COULDN'T MAKE IT TONIGHT, BUT I DID WANT TO JUST ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE TAMMY HAD AN ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND THAT ACTUALLY WAS VERY HELPFUL IN A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WORKED ON, WHETHER IT WAS A WETLANDS IDENTIFICATION PROJECT. SHE ACTUALLY STARTED WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED HERE IN MONTGOMERY. AND I ALSO WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HER SERVICE TO ONE OF OUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WHERE SHE VOLUNTEERED. THAT'S RIGHT. SHE WAS A VOLUNTEER AT VAN HARLINGEN HISTORIC SOCIETY AND ALSO HER DAUGHTER, WHO IS NOW AN ADULT. BUT WHEN SHE EARNED HER GOLD AWARD, SHE DID IT FOR MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. AND I THINK THE VIDEOS ARE STILL UP ON THE WEBSITE, WHERE SHE INTERVIEWED CHAIRS OF VARIOUS LIKE THE SHADE TREE COMMITTEE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, AND THEY EXPLAINED WHAT THEY DO. AND WE STILL USE THOSE TODAY. AND SO THAT WAS THAT WAS TAMMY'S IDEA THAT HER DAUGHTER EXECUTED. AND IT WAS IT WAS GREAT. SO SHE WAS SHE'S A GREAT COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND BROUGHT ALL OF THAT THROUGH, THROUGH EVERYTHING SHE DID HERE FOR THE TOWNSHIP. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO HER. WE WILL MISS HER. CONSENT [12. CONSENT AGENDA] AGENDA. ALL 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 [00:40:06] TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS 26-9-245 TO RESOLUTIONS 26-9-255. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE. THAT'S A THAT'S A MISS. THAT'S A MISS. THAT'S A TYPO. TWO. FOUR. SIX. IT'S A TYPO. IT'S A TYPO. OKAY, THE CLERK JUST EXPLAINED IT'S A TYPO. IT'S A TYPO. SO 242 RESOLUTION TWO FOUR 5 TO 2 FIVE FIVE WITH A MISS NUMBER FOR 246. OKAY, I'LL NOTE THAT IN A MINUTE. 269. IT'S MY MISTAKE. OKAY WITH A MISSED ONE FOR 246 OKAY. I'LL CONTINUE WITH ROLL CALL. YES. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. COMMITTEE. DEPUTY MAYOR. TAYLOR. [13. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ] TODD. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2026? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? I MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2026. SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? [14. RESOLUTION #26-9-256 – Payment of Bills – Posted ] AYE. RESOLUTION 26-9-256. PAYMENT OF BILLS POSTED. YES, MAYOR. THE HIGHEST BILLS ON ON THE BILL LIST THIS MONTH ARE PAGE TWO. WE HAVE OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION. AUGUST TAX PAYMENT $7,925,233. AS WE EXPLAIN, THE TOWNSHIP COLLECTS ALL OF THE PROPERTY TAXES AND THEN DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE VARIOUS ENTITIES. THE SECOND PAYMENT OF TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS OUR SEPTEMBER TAX PAYMENT, $10,532,477.20. WE NOTE THAT THIS PAYMENT IS HIGHER BECAUSE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLOWS THE TOWNSHIP TO DEFER A PORTION OF ITS SCHEDULED PAYMENTS UNTIL THE THIRD QUARTER TAX COLLECTIONS ARE RECEIVED, AND THEN THE TOWNSHIP CATCHES UP ON THOSE DEFERRED PAYMENT AMOUNTS, WITH THE SEPTEMBER PAYMENT. ALSO ON PAGE TWO, THE US BANK $1,352,488.98. DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT RELATED TO THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND DEPOSITORY TRUST, $1,305,293.75. DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT ON THE TOWNSHIP'S 2012 AND 2017 BOND ISSUES, WHICH FINANCED VARIOUS BUDGETED CAPITAL PROJECTS. OKAY. THAT'S OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-2? 56. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANN. YES. DEPUTY. MAYOR. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SINGH. YES. STARTING WITH THE MAYOR'S [15. MAYOR’S REPORT ] REPORT, WE HAVE, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, AND HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE TILE PAINTING THAT THE TOWNSHIP IS DOING FOR THE TWO 50TH. AND ON THIS PAST SEPTEMBER 5TH, WE HAD HEALTHY MIND. HEALTHY BODY. STUDENTS TILE PAINTING EVENT WITH THE FARMERS MARKET. I THINK THEY HAD OF OVER 100 PEOPLE PAINTING TILES, WHICH ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE USED FOR A LIBERTY TREE RIGHT HERE IN THE TOWNSHIP BUILDING. AND THEN THIS PAST TWO WEEKS, WE HAD THE TENNIS COURTS AT WOODS EDGE WERE UPDATED, AND A PICKLEBALL COURT FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE PICKLEBALL. AND WE HAD AN EVENT ON THAT SEPTEMBER 10TH OVER THERE. THERE'S A NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN, NEIL BOUTIQUE TWO. WE HAD A EVENT CELEBRATING THEM WITH THE M, B A, AND THAT WAS SEPTEMBER 10TH. WE ALSO HAD A TILE PAINTING EVENT HOSTED BY OOPS ART STUDIO. THIS IS A NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN AND THEY HAVE COLLABORATED WITH THE TOWNSHIP, OPENING THEIR BUSINESS FOR RESIDENTS TO COME AND PAINT THE TILES NEEDED FOR OUR LIBERTY TREE NINE OVER 11 CEREMONY THIS YEAR, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, WAS THE 25TH MEMORIAL, AND IT WAS HOSTED BY THE TOWNSHIP AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. THERE WAS A WREATH AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE, REMEMBERING THOSE LIVES LOST THAT DAY. AND THREE OF THOSE LIVES WERE FROM MONTGOMERY AND ONE FROM ROCKY HILL. WE ALSO ATTENDED THE NINE OVER 11 CEREMONY HOSTED BY MONTGOMERY FIRE COMPANY TWO, WHICH WAS AT 6 P.M. HONORING THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES THAT DAY AND REMEMBERING THE SACRIFICES OF THAT TRAGIC DAY 25 YEARS AGO WITH FIREFIGHTERS FROM NEIGHBORING COMPANIES AND THE MONTGOMERY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MONTGOMERY EMS WAS ONE OF THE ONES COMPANIES THAT WENT THERE AT TO JERSEY CITY TO HELP OUT WHEN THE EVACUATION FOR MANHATTAN HAPPENED. WE ALL [00:45:05] ATTENDED THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF MONTGOMERY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, ATTENDED A GRAND OPENING FOR ANOTHER NEW BUSINESS, PJ'S PANCAKE HOUSE. GREAT NEW BUSINESS IN OUR TOWN AND ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO PLEASE GO INTO ALL THESE NEW BUSINESSES AND SUPPORT THEM. I HELD A SECOND LISTENING SESSION WITH THE TAPESTRY COMMUNITY. THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT WE ARE DOING. THE MAYOR AND THE ADMINISTRATOR GOING TO DIFFERENT HOAS OR COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE DON'T GET PEOPLE TO THE MEETINGS TO ASK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS AND HEAR IT FROM THEM WHEN WE GO THERE PERSONALLY, WE ALSO HAD OUR APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY MEETING AND WHERE WE WERE TOLD BY OUR CHIEF THAT THAT TWO OF OUR POSE, CAULDRON AND TOLEDO HAVE COMPLETED THE FTO TRAINING PROGRAM, AND THEY WILL BE NOW FUNCTIONING UNSUPERVISED. PPO SOUSA WILL BEGIN THE SHADOW PHASE AND THEN SEPTEMBER 5TH, OFFICER CAROLYN LARUE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO TRAFFIC SAFETY UNIT TO BACKFILL THE VACANCY. DUE TO THE RETIREMENT OF OFFICER CLIFFORD. THERE IS SOME GOOD EFFORT THAT IS BEING DONE BY OUR PD. THERE WAS COPS IN CROSSWALKS. THERE WAS A THINK FAST INTERVENTION WORKSHOP THAT THEY'VE DONE, OPERATION SAFE RETURN, AND THEY'RE ALSO PLANNING THE NATIONAL. IN FACT, THOSE ENVELOPES ARE OUTSIDE IN THE LOBBY. NATIONAL CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM. THEN IN OCTOBER, THE PD PLANS TO DO THE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER PROJECTS AND UPDATES THAT THE THAT THE CHIEF PROVIDED AND ALSO SOME GRANTS THEY ARE LOOKING AT. SO THIS IS AN UPDATE FROM THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY. AND THE UPCOMING EVENTS THAT WE HAVE IS ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH AT 445. TOWNSHIP IS HOLDING A RECOGNITION CEREMONY FOR THE FIRST MOSAIC MURAL, THE THE LIBERTY TREE AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. THE TREE WAS CREATED BY THE STUDENTS AT LOWER MIDDLE SCHOOL UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRINCIPAL LISA ROMANO AND ART TEACHER NOELLE KITCHEN. SO WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR RESIDENTS COME AND TAKE A LOOK AT THAT UNVEILING AT VETERANS PARK. AND [16. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ] THAT'S IT FOR ME. IT'S NOW THE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. THANK YOU. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER MARK HERMAN SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED DEP FOR AN INCREASE OF A GRANT THAT THEY HAVE AWARDED US. THE PROJECT IS NEARING COMPLETION FOR TWO DETENTION BASINS THAT WERE AGED, AGING, NOT FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS THEY COULD, AND THEY'VE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO BIO BASINS. SO THAT INCREASE WAS $177,593.38. THAT BROUGHT THE TOTAL GRANT AWARD FROM $440,478.13 TO $606,202.26. SO THAT IS VERY HELPFUL. AND WE MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE VETERANS COMMITTEE TO START PLANNING FOR A HOMETOWN HEROES STREETLIGHT BANNER PROGRAM. WE'LL BE PRESENTING A PRESENTATION WE ANTICIPATE ON OCTOBER 1ST TO YOU. WE'RE EXPLORING NEVIUS BOULEVARD, ONE OF THE NEW LOOP ROADS THAT CONNECTS THE STATE ROUTE 206 WITH COUNTY ROUTE 518. THERE'S A LONG, EXPANSIVE LENGTH OF ROADWAY WITH STREET LIGHTING THAT WOULD MIGHT BE WELL SUITED TO THIS PROGRAM. SO WE'RE FURTHER EXPLORING THAT TOGETHER WITH WITH MEMBERS OF THE VETERANS COMMITTEE IN, IN WE MET WITH FLAGSHIP CAR WASH. THEY CAME IN TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. THEY WILL BE SUBMITTING A SITE PLAN APPLICATION TO THE PLANNING BOARD FOR A CAR WASH AT THE PROPERTY THAT IS BEHIND THE WAWA WHERE THE BUILDING. THE ROOF HAD COLLAPSED AT THE OFFICE BUILDING AND THAT WAS TORN DOWN. CAR WASHES ARE A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ZONE, WHICH THAT PROPERTY IS ZONED FOR. SO AS LONG AS THEY MEET ALL OF THE CONDITIONS, THEY CAN APPLY TO THE ZONE, THE PLANNING BOARD. SO THAT WILL BE FORTHCOMING. THEY OWN FIVE DIFFERENT CAR WASH BRANDS AND ARE EXPANDING THEIR FOOTPRINT IN NEW JERSEY. WE ASSISTED SJC, THE DEVELOPER OF MONTGOMERY PROMENADE, IN REQUESTING PSEG COMPLETE THE ELECTRIFICATION OF SEVERAL TRANSFORMERS AT SOME OF THEIR BUILDINGS. AT THIS POINT. WITHOUT THAT, THERE IS A DELAY IN THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL, WHICH IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE TENANTS THAT THEY HAVE CAN BEGIN FIT TENANT FIT OUT INTERIOR SPACES, BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE MOVING ALONG. SO WE'RE HAPPY TO TO BE ABLE TO HELP PARTICIPATE IN THAT. THERE WAS A GARBAGE COLLECTION ISSUE AT 145 HARTWICK, WHICH WE HAD BEEN ENGAGED. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN RECEIVING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON. AND THEY ISSUED A CITATION, AND THAT MATTER HAS BEEN HANDLED AS OF TODAY. OKAY. BUT IT IS A NEW OWNER OF THE BUILDING. SO I WAS RECOMMENDING TO YOU, MAYOR, THAT WE SET A MEETING WITH THE NEW OWNER TO WELCOME THEM TO MONTGOMERY AND LET THEM KNOW [00:50:04] WHAT IS EXPECTED. YES. THANK YOU. SO ON MONDAY NIGHT, I GAVE AN UPDATE TO THE PLANNING BOARD ON AN ELEMENT OF THE FAIR SHARE PLAN, WHICH IS OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN. CHAIRMAN KAMPEAS HAD ASKED FOR PERIODIC UPDATES AS AS WORK IS BEING IS BEING MADE, THAT PROJECT EXCUSE ME, THAT PRESENTATION WE'RE LOOK TO GET UP ON THE WEBSITE AND IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE. THE VIDEO OF THE THE PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE. THAT'S IT. OH THAT'S IT. OKAY. [17. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS] OKAY. OKAY. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I AM HAPPY TO SEE ALL OF THE CHILDREN. CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN BASEBALL. AND SOFTBALL WAS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE HOW PROUD THEY ARE OF THEMSELVES AND WE'RE PROUD OF THEM. I ALSO WANT TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO LORI HUFF, SHERRY CREWS, MICHAEL KRUPSKI, AND I'M SORRY, I DON'T KNOW HER LAST NAME VERY WELL. AND TAMMY GHARRAFA, I WORKED WITH LORI AND SHERRY AND TAMMY AND VARIOUS TIMES OVER MY TIME HERE IN MONTGOMERY, AND I DEFINITELY ENJOYED THEIR CONTRIBUTION AND WE WISH THEM WELL. AND TO THE ONES THAT I DID NOT KNOW WE WISH THEM WELL IS AS WELL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE VALUE THE LONGEVITY AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND THAT THEY, ONCE THEY CONCLUDE THEIR CAREER HERE, THAT THEY KNOW THAT WE REALLY VALUED THEM AND APPRECIATED THEM. SO IN TERMS OF UPDATES, EXCUSE ME, YOU HEARD THE UPDATE FROM THE PLANNING BOARD, FROM THE TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR. THE OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE DID MEET THIS MONTH, BUT IS STILL CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE INITIATIVES THAT I REPORTED LAST YEAR, LAST MONTH, RATHER. AND I ALSO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE ONGOING CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'RE HAVING WITH THE YMCA. ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER SOMERSET COUNTY YMCA, AND THEY PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON THEIR ONGOING EVALUATION OF WHETHER OPENING A YMCA IN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP IS FEASIBLE. FOLLOWING AN INITIAL EXPLORATION AND FEEDBACK FROM A MARKET STUDY, THE YMCA IS NOW LOOKING AT WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR VISIBILITY AND BUILD AWARENESS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. ONE OPPORTUNITY THEY'RE PURSUING IS PARTNERING WITH OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON A CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM, INCLUDING A DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM. WE'VE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS THAT THERE'S A STRONG INTEREST IN DEMAND FOR THIS KIND OF SUPPORT, AND ADDITIONAL PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS MAY BE EXPLORED AS WELL, TAPPING INTO THE Y'S EXISTING LOCATIONS IN HILLSBOROUGH AND PRINCETON. THE Y OFFICIALS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE TOWNSHIP FIRST BEGAN CONSIDERING A YMCA YEARS AGO, PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, A SMALL WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED TO HELP GUIDE THAT PROCESS. THE CEO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN REACTIVATING THAT GROUP AS A NEXT STEP. THE YMCA IS CURRENTLY FURTHER ALONG IN DEVELOPING A BRANCH IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, SO MONTGOMERY IS FOLLOWING SLIGHTLY BEHIND THAT TIMELINE. AND THEY SHARED THAT THEIR TYPICAL HORIZON FOR OPENING A NEW YMCA IS ABOUT FIVE YEARS. AND THAT THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU AND I. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. EVERYBODY. YOU KNOW, REALLY HEARTFELT WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT. AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WHO'S SERVED US AND BEEN WITH US FOR SO LONG. 27 YEARS, 30 YEARS, 24 YEARS. THAT'S, THAT'S A LOT OF TIME THAT HAS INVESTED IN MONTGOMERY AND OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU TO ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY WHO, WHO CAN WHO DOES THAT FOR US. IT'S AMAZING. YOU KNOW, THE VETERANS COMMITTEE, I JUST WAS PUT ON RECENTLY AFTER VINCE BERRIGAN HAS LEFT. AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE VETERANS DAY CEREMONY AND YOU KNOW WHO TO GET TOGETHER. AND IT'S A LOT TO, TO, TO DO. SO I WAS THROWN INTO THE FIRE. THE EDC HAS AS RESTAURANT WEEK. IT IS STILL RESTAURANT WEEK. SO PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND THE COMMUNITY. AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE WITH DOUG HERRING. YES. GO AHEAD. HERRING. SURE. LAST WEEK, THE BOARD OF HEALTH HAD A MEETING AND THEY GAVE A LOT OF NOTES. BUT TO SUMMARIZE SOME OF IT, THE BOARD OF HEALTH HAS AN ONGOING PLAN FOR HEALTH. NEW JERSEY, WHICH IS GATHERING COMMUNITY INPUT ON TRANSPORTATION, TRAFFIC SAFETY, WALKABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, MOBILITY. THERE IS A VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSION ON SEPTEMBER 22ND AND IN-PERSON LISTENING SESSION ON OCTOBER 8TH. THE MONTGOMERY BOARD OF HEALTH HAS RECEIVED $18,000 IN VARIOUS [00:55:08] GRANTS FROM SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES. AND FINALLY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS AN ACTIVE FALL CALENDAR, A PREVENTION OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. SPECIFICALLY, ON SEPTEMBER 24TH, THERE'S SAVE A LIFE DAY, WHERE THEY'RE PARTNERING WITH SOMERSET COUNTY HEALTH HUMAN SERVICES TO HOST NARCAN DISTRIBUTION OPIOID AWARENESS TABLES AT MONTGOMERY CROSSINGS, THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, THE STARBUCKS. THAT WAS THE BOARD OF HEALTH. THE LANDMARK COMMITTEE DID NOT MEET, BUT THEY DO HAVE A NEW LANDMARK SIGN RIGHT OUTSIDE THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING. THE RECREATION COMMITTEE HAS NOT MET YET, BUT THEY WANT TO POINT OUT THAT TRUNK OR TREAT IS COMING UP ON OCTOBER 24TH, AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN DECORATING THEIR CARS NEEDS TO GO TO THE WEBSITE TO REGISTER. AND FINALLY, THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IS STILL COLLECTING FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS ABOUT THE NEW LOOP ROADS, AND THEY'LL BE WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPERS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR 206 AND SOMERSET COUNTY FOR 518 ON SIGNAGE, TIMING AND LIGHTS, AND OTHER POTENTIAL ADJUSTMENTS. AND SO THOSE THOSE WERE THE COMMITTEES. OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. LEGAL UPDATES. AND [18. LEGAL UPDATES ] WE'LL GO TO OUR ATTORNEY, DAVID MANCHALA. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS LEGAL UPDATE TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE UP FOR CONSIDERATION THIS EVENING. AND THEN ALSO GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND. SPECIFICALLY, I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE RESOLUTIONS 26-9-260 AND 261. ONE IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTION TO THE PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN AREA IS IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT. AND THE SECOND IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ENTERING INTO AN ESCROW AGREEMENT. BUT BEFORE I CAN KIND OF EXPLAIN BOTH OF THOSE, I JUST LIKE TO GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE NOW REACHED A SETTLEMENT IN OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING CASE WITH FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER. THIS SETTLEMENT, THOUGH, IS NOT FINAL, THOUGH, UNTIL IT IS REVIEWED BY THE COURT AND APPROVED BY THE COURT IN WHAT'S CALLED A COMPLIANCE HEARING. IN THIS CASE, THE JUDGE HAS ADVISED US THAT HE WILL NOT ENTERTAIN A COMPLIANCE HEARING UNTIL WE HAVE SAT DOWN WITH CON DEVELOPMENT. WHO IS THE CURRENT OWNER OF THE KEN VUE SITE. AND SO TO THAT END, IT IS IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY, THAT WE RECEIVE OUR COMPLIANCE HEARING BECAUSE ONCE WE DO, IT EXTENDS OUR IMMUNITY FROM BUILDER'S REMEDY LAWSUITS. SO FOLLOWING THE JUDGE'S DIRECTIVE, WE HAVE NOW MET WITH CON DEVELOPMENT REGARDING THE KEN VIEW SITE AND WHAT WE LEARNED. A COUPLE OF THINGS. WE'VE LEARNED THAT KEN VUE WILL BE CEASING OPERATIONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR, AND THAT THE SITE IS SOLELY OWNED NOW BY CON DEVELOPMENT. KNOWING THAT AND HAVING HAVING SAT DOWN WITH CON DEVELOPMENT, WE NOW PUT FORTH THE TWO RESOLUTIONS THAT YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU. THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS, IS DIRECTING THE PLANNING BOARD TO DO A STUDY TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AREA IS IN AN AREA IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT FOR NON CONDEMNATION PURPOSES. THIS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A PLAN. THIS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE, DOES NOT GREEN LIGHT ANY PROJECT. IT IS THE FIRST STEP IN A MULTI STEP PROCESS WHERE ALONG THE WAY THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC AND THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY DO? THIS IS A DIRECTION FROM THE GOVERNING BODY TO THE PLANNING BOARD TO REVIEW. HAVE THE PROFESSIONALS OF THE PLANNING BOARD LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THE SITE MEETS THE STATUTORY CRITERIA WHICH IS ENUMERATED, WHETHER OR NOT IT MEETS THE STATUTORY CRITERIA TO BE DECLARED AN AREA IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT. THE PROFESSIONALS WILL THEN PROVIDE THAT REPORT TO THE PLANNING BOARD. THAT WILL BE DONE AT A AT A PUBLIC MEETING, THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW THAT REPORT. IT WILL BE THEN CONSIDERED BY THE PLANNING BOARD. THEN THE PLANNING BOARD WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION BACK TO YOU. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. YOU WILL THEN HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW THAT RECOMMENDATION THAT WILL ONCE AGAIN BE DONE AT A PUBLIC HEARING AFTER. AFTER REVIEW OF THE FINDINGS, ONLY THEN WILL THE GOVERNING BODY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT YOU WISH TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT AS AN AREA OF REDEVELOPMENT. REDEVELOPMENT. THAT TOO DOES NOT GREEN LIGHT ANY PROJECT. THEN THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A STAGE WHERE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN WOULD BE CONSIDERED. THAT IS ANOTHER PROCESS THAT REQUIRES A REVIEW BY THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC INPUT. ONCE A PLAN WAS APPROVED, THEN THERE WOULD BE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGNATE A REDEVELOPER FOR THIS SITE. SO ALL THESE STEPS WILL HAPPEN, AND IT WILL TAKE [01:00:04] MANY MEETINGS FOR US TO GET FROM WHERE WE ARE NOW, TO THE POTENTIAL OF ANY PROJECT HAPPENING AT THAT SITE. BUT FOR THE PURPOSES OF TONIGHT, THE ONLY THING THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED IS WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD BE STUDIED AT ALL. THE SECOND RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION IS AN ESCROW AGREEMENT. IT IS MY RECOMMENDATION IN BOTH THE RECOMMENDATION OF REDEVELOPMENT COUNSEL, THAT THE TAXPAYERS OF MONTGOMERY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THE REVIEW OF THIS SITE. THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY. THROUGH MY 20 PLUS YEAR PLUS CAREER, WE HAVE ALWAYS SOUGHT THE REDEVELOPER TO MAKE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT BY PAYING FOR ALL THE COSTS FOR OUR PROFESSIONALS. DOES THAT MEAN THAT OUR PROFESSIONALS ARE BEHOLDEN IN ANY WAY TO THOSE TO THAT DEVELOPER? THE ANSWER IS NO. THE OUR PROFESSIONALS ARE CONTRACTED WITH US. THEY'RE CONTRACTED WITH THE TOWNSHIP. THEY. THEY REPORT TO THE TOWNSHIP. THEY HAVE ALLEGIANCES TO THEIR LICENSES, WHETHER THEY BE ATTORNEYS, ENGINEERS, PLANNERS, AND THEY WILL NOT SACRIFICE THAT BECAUSE THEIR BILLS ARE BEING PAID BY A DEVELOPER. SO BOTH OF THOSE ARE UP FOR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT. AND HOPEFULLY I'VE GIVEN SOME CLARITY AS TO THEM AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU. MAYOR, I HAVE A QUESTION. SO CON RIGHT NOW HAS A BUY RIGHT PLAN, CORRECT? DOES HE IS HE SUBMITTING ANYTHING TO THE PLANNING BOARD FOR HIS BUY RIGHT. SO THERE'S NOTHING BEFORE THE PLANNING BOARD. THERE'S AN APPLICATION BY RIGHT APPLICATION AT THE PLANNING BOARD. BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED YET DUE TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROCESS. SO HIS BUY RIGHT APPLICATION, I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD BE HIS ORIGINAL WAREHOUSING AND ALL THE, YOU KNOW, LIGHTS OVER AT NIGHT TIME. THERE WOULD BE NO MORE DARK SKIES IF HE BUILDS THESE WAREHOUSES IN THIS AREA. THAT'S CERTAINLY A POTENTIAL. BUT THE THE VALUE OF USING THE REDEVELOPMENT LAW TO MOVE FORWARD IS THAT IF A PLAN WOULD BE ADOPTED, IT WOULD BE A PLAN THAT THIS COMMITTEE COULD LIVE WITH AT THAT SITE. WELL, I MEAN, HAVING WAREHOUSING THERE AND TRUCKS GOING IN AND OUT AND ALL THROUGHOUT THE TIMES AND NIGHTS AND HAVING THE WAREHOUSES LIT ALL THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, AND RIGHT NOW THIS IS OUR CURRENTLY HIS BY RIGHT IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. AND I THINK FOR US, IF WE DID A REDEVELOPMENT STUDY THAT WOULD GIVE THE TOWN AND OUR PUBLIC MORE SAY ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT PROPERTY, EXCEPT BESIDES THE WAREHOUSE. I MEAN, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. JUST TO ADD TO THAT, THERE'S ALSO A LAWSUIT THAT'S BEEN FILED BY ECON FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHALLENGING THE DATA CENTER BAN ORDINANCE THAT HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THIS COMMITTEE. WE HAVE NOT BEEN SERVED WITH THAT LAWSUIT, BUT IT HAS BEEN FILED. THIS A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN WOULD ALSO SHORT CIRCUIT THAT POSSIBILITY OF A DATA CENTER AND WHATEVER THAT WOULD BE PRESENTED TO HIM, TO US. WOULD EVERYBODY HERE IN THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE THAT VIEW AND VISIBILITY AND WOULD HAVE A SAY ON ON THAT IN PUBLIC? 100%, YES. I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION, WHICH I'VE HAD RESIDENTS ASK ME ABOUT THE AMOUNT. THERE WAS A 300. THERE WAS A NEW STORY THAT WAS A SHOCK TO ALL OF US, ABOUT A $300 MILLION LAWSUIT. WHERE DID THAT STORY COME FROM? THAT IS COMPLETELY INCORRECT. I HAVE REVIEWED THE COMPLAINT THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN SERVED WITH, BUT IT HAS BEEN FILED. THERE IS NO DEMAND FOR $300 MILLION IN THAT LAWSUIT. I SUSPECT IT WAS IT WAS SHODDY REPORTING, AND IT REPORTED ON ANOTHER LAWSUIT FILED IN A DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITY. IT DIDN'T COME FROM MONTGOMERY. I THINK IT CAME FROM DID YOU WANT TO COME THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT? I CAN, BUT THAT WAS IN NJ.COM. NJ YEAH, IT WAS WRONG. AND A LOT OF NEWSPAPERS PICKED UP THAT STORY. WELL, A FALSE STORY WAS PICKED UP, CORRECT? YEAH, IT WAS CORRECT. YEAH IT WAS. THANK YOU. YEAH. SO THERE IS NO I HAVE REVIEWED THE LAWSUIT. THERE IS NO DEMAND FOR $300 MILLION IN THE LAWSUIT. SO OKAY. SO MAYBE WE SHOULD GO AFTER NJ.COM FOR PUBLISHING A WRONG STORY. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? JUST. DOUG, JUST TWO QUICK QUESTIONS. YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP YOUR MIC. YEAH, SURE. MOVE IT OVER HERE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS THAT THIS IDEA OF DOING A STUDY MOVES US AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT DATA CENTER. ABSOLUTELY. AND IF WE ARE TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE LOCAL OF THE REDEVELOPMENT LAW, THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE ABLE TO STEER WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE USE OF THAT SITE. AND BY DOING SO, THERE'LL BE CERTAIN USES THAT WON'T THAT WON'T BE ACCEPTABLE. AND YOU CAN YOU CAN TAILOR THAT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN TO WHAT TO WHAT BEST FITS AT THAT LOCATION. AND YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF NOT EVEN OVERLAPPING, BUT SEPARATE [01:05:03] LAWSUITS FROM CON DEVELOPER. HAVE THEY TOLD YOU ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THOSE LAWSUITS? I CAN'T GIVE ANY. THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN US ANY ASSURANCES. BUT I THINK THAT IF WE ALL WORK IN CONCERT ON THE. THROUGH THE REDEVELOPMENT LAW, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THAT WOULD BE A ROAD OUT OF ALL OF THESE LAWSUITS. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY, OKAY. PUBLIC [19. PUBLIC COMMENT] 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 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? PLEASE COME. YES. BARBARA PRESTON, THE MONTGOMERY NEWS ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION, A CLARIFICATION. DENNIS ON SPOKE TO WAREHOUSES AND APPLICATION FOR WAREHOUSES ON CAN VIEW. THAT'S THE FIRST I'VE HEARD OF WAREHOUSES BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAREHOUSES WERE NOT ALLOWED IN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BY ORDINANCE, I GUESS. SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, IS THERE AN APPLICATION NOW FOR WAREHOUSES BY KEN VIEW OR. NO, BY. RIGHT. IT'S LIGHT MANUFACTURING. SO I THINK COMMITMENT ON MISSPOKE. YES, IT'S LIGHT MANUFACTURING STYLE BUILDS. GOOD EVENING. I HEARD ALL THE DISCLAIMERS THAT Y'ALL HAD SAID NOW, BUT I'LL JUST I'M ADDRESSING A PATTERN OF EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR ME? THANK YOU, NANCY CASTELLINO THANK YOU. TONIGHT I'M ADDRESSING A PATTERN OF CARELESS, MERCILESS FEAR MONGERING AND MISINFORMATION PUSHED ON THE COMMUNITY. IT'S A SHAME RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN TERRORIZED BY THE HEADLINES. OFFICIALS NARRATIVE OF 300 MILLION LITIGATION FIGURE REGARDING UNSERVED, NONEXISTENT THREAT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PART OF ONGOING PATTERN OF OFFICIALS AND TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATORS TO TIRE THE RESIDENTS OUT AND TO FORCE COMPLIANCE THROUGH MANUFACTURED PANIC. TO QUOTE YOUR OWN TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY, WENDY, AS TO THE DATA CENTER LITIGATION, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS WAS NOT SERVED. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NOT SUING THE TOWNSHIP FOR 300 MILLION. IT'S LIKELY A SLOPPY REPORTING MIX WITH AI. WHAT AI ERROR THEN? THE REAL QUESTION IS WHY MAY I A ALLOWED THIS UNFOUNDED 300 MILLION THREAT TO HANG OVER SENIORS ON FIXED INCOME AND TAXPAYERS? I WROTE TO THE TOWNSHIP IN MID AUGUST ASKING BOARD MEMBERS LORI SEVERIN AND PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS. WHERE DID YOU ALL COME UP WITH THE 300 MILLION FIGURE? NONE OF YOU CARE TO RESPOND. NONE OF YOU ALL SAID IT WAS FALSE. WHY? WHAT WAS YOUR HIDDEN AGENDA? THIS IS A COLLECTIVE TEAM EFFORT TO SPREAD UNTRUE NARRATIVE, TO PUSH THROUGH BACKROOM SET, TOP BACK, SET UP I. THIS IS AN ONGOING STYLE OF TWISTING OUR ARMS TO GET WHAT YOU ALL WANT. YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN YOU WERE ELECTED OR HIRED TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS, NOT TO ABUSE YOUR POWER OR OFFICE. ONCE AGAIN, I'M ASKING MAYOR NINA SINGH AND ANY OF YOU HAVE VESTED INTEREST IN. CAN YOU CITE, ESPECIALLY NINA SINGH, HER FAMILY OR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES? DO. DO YOU HOLD ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT TIES TO ECON, OR CAN YOU. PROPERTY FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE IS MANDATORY. WHY IS THE TOWNSHIP PUSHING, LYING AND BENDING OVER BACKWARD TO MAKE A PRIVATE INVESTORS BAD INVESTMENT WORK AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE? THE FOLKS IS OUT. THE FOLKS IS OUT. THERE IS NO LAWSUIT THREAT. DROP THE RESOLUTION. YOU CANNOT BUILD A MUNICIPAL ACTION ON THE FOUNDATION OF FALSEHOOD, DECEIT AND FABRICATED. RESIDENTS HAVE PROOF OF PREVIOUSLY MISLEADING STATEMENT. WE CAN ALSO SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOUR SMOKE SCREEN THAT DEVELOPERS ESCROW MONEY SOMEHOW PROTECTS TAXPAYERS. THESE FALSE CLAIMS, INSISTING FEAR IN US ONGOING AND ADDRESS CONFLICT OF INTEREST HAVE HELD TO CALL FOR ME AND INNOCENT TO RESIGN IMMEDIATELY. IF LEADERSHIP REFUSES TO STEP DOWN AND CONTINUE TO FORCE THIS PREDETERMINED VERDICT. RESIDENTS HAVE NOW EXHAUSTED AND WE ARE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. SHAME ON YOU GUYS. WE ARE LEFT WITH NO CHOICE. WE [01:10:03] WILL TAKE A FORMAL LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ALL THE RESPONSIBLE FOR MISLEADING. YOUR TIME IS UP. IT DOESN'T MATTER, I CAN NO. EXCUSE ME. YOUR TIME IS UP. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN. YOUR TIME IS UP. WHAT IS THE REASON FOR TIME FOR US TO DISCUSS AND TELL YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL LIES. YOU COULD HAVE COME UP AND TOLD US. YOUR TIME IS UP. MA'AM. YOU DO NOT WANT SOMEONE TO TAKE YOU OUT AND ALL THE INFORMATION WILL TALK WILL ADDRESS YOU AFTER. LET THE OTHER PEOPLE SPEAK. YES, THIS IS A COMMUNITY MEETING. THE COURT HAS NOT ASKED. YOU ALL ASKED ONLY FOR GOOD FAITH. YOU WERE JUST ASKED TO. YOUR TIME IS UP. AND JUST BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMUNITY MEETING DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE WOULD BE LIES IN FACTUAL CONTRADICTIONS HERE. THERE IS NO PROOF OF ANYTHING YOU JUST SAID. SO IF THERE IS ANY PROOF, I SUGGEST YOU SEND YOUR LAWYER TO SEND US A LETTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. PLEASE CONTINUE. THANK YOU FOR COMING. GOOD EVENING, MRS. SHELLEY. DID YOU WANT TO JUST FULL NAME FOR SHELLEY? SHELLY JACOBSON ON GRANDVIEW? THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. I'M SPEAKING TO YOU AGAIN TONIGHT TO REITERATE WHAT HAS BEEN SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE TO THIS COMMITTEE. NOW YOU PLAN TO DO A STUDY FOR REDEVELOPMENT FOR THE I.M. PEI BUILDING SITE ON GRANDVIEW. I'M WONDERING WHY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY WERE NOT TOLD OF THIS NEW PLAN MONTHS AGO. IN ORDER TO HAVE OUR INPUT, BECAUSE WE ARE MOST AFFECTED ON THE GRANDVIEW COMMUNITY. THIS SOUNDS VERY FAMILIAR. LIKE THE FIRST TIME WE GATHERED TO HEAR YOUR LAST MINUTE PRESENTATION ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT. WE WERE ORGANIZED. WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING THAT PLAN FROM GOING FORWARD. WE'RE IN CHARGE, NOT THE DEVELOPER. THE WORD DEVELOPMENT FOR ME CARRIES A CLOAK MEANING OF TOTAL CLEARING OF THE SITE AND REPLACING IT WITH NEW STRUCTURES. YOUR NEW STUDY PROPOSAL FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS YET AGAIN ALLOWING FOR DESTRUCTION OF THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE SITE. THE SITE IS LOCATED ON THE SOURLAND MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS FOREST IN IN IN NEW JERSEY. WHAT ABOUT THE STREAMS AND WETLANDS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. THE FOCUS OF THIS HISTORIC I.M. PEI CAMPUS, WHICH WAS RECENTLY GRANTED THE CERT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY OF LANDMARKING AND THAT IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT. WHAT IS LACKING HERE, MY PERSONAL ESTIMATION IS CONSIDERATION FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE REDEVELOPMENT WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR LIVES AND DESTROY THE RURAL CHARACTER OF OUR AREA. CONSTRUCTION OF A MASSIVE, HIGH DENSITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON THE PA ON THE I'M P SITE WILL ONLY CAUSE YEARS OF NOISE, LIGHT AND AIR POLLUTION. THE EXTREME WORST CASE FOR THIS ENVIRONMENT IS A DATA CENTER. HOW IS THIS SMART PLANNING FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? I NEED TO REITERATE THAT THE BULLDOZING OF THE I.M. PEI CAMPUS IS A TRAVESTY. WITH FORESIGHT. WITHOUT FORESIGHT, YOU WOULD ALLOW THE DESTRUCTION OF 50 YEAR GROWTH OF TREES AND LANDSCAPING THAT ALREADY GRACES THE SITE. JUST TO REMIND YOU THAT I AM PEI WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND AWARD WINNING ARCHITECT. THE CAMPUS IS UNIQUE. IT'S A UNIQUE GEM IN OUR TOWNSHIP, AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING IT AND NOT DEMOLISHING IT. THANK YOU MA'AM, THANK YOU. WE WE HEAR YOU. I'M SORRY. YOUR TIME. THREE MINUTES, THREE MINUTES. SORRY. NO. I'M SORRY. WE HAVE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU. I'M SORRY. NO. I'M SORRY. EVERYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK. YEAH. OKAY. YOU HAVE ONE MORE SENTENCE. PLEASE USE THE WORD REPURPOSE AND REPURPOSE THE SITE AND GET A NEW ADVISOR WHO CAN HANDLE A REPURPOSING OF THE SITE. THANK YOU. PLEASE VOTE. NO. THANK YOU MADAM. I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS THE I'M P BUILDING. IF THERE IS ANYBODY WHO CAN GET US SOMETHING SAYING THAT THE BUILDING IS BEING HISTORICAL AND DOESN'T HAVE TO BE, THEN AS A TOWNSHIP, OUR RESPONSIBILITY BASICALLY THE BUILDER, THE DEVELOPER HAS BOUGHT THIS FOR $50 MILLION. RIGHT. AND AT THIS POINT, IF SOMEONE ELSE CAN TAKE THAT ON, [01:15:02] I MEAN, YES, I WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO BE A PARK. BUT THE QUESTION IS, WE ARE GOING TO BE LOSING 1.4 MILLION NEXT YEAR BECAUSE CAN WE WILL GO. SO THE QUESTION BECOMES, AS A TOWNSHIP, I'M LOOKING TO YOU ALL, HOW DO WE FILL THAT? AND IF THERE IS ANY OTHER IDEAS, WE WOULD LOVE THAT. I MEAN, THAT IS THE RESOLUTION IS NOT SAYING BUILD A OR BUILD B, IT'S BASICALLY ASKING THE PLANNING BOARD TO DO A STUDY. SO THAT'S THAT IS HOW OUR ATTORNEYS EXPLAINING TO US THIS IS WHAT WE ARE UNDERSTANDING. THESE ARE OUR PROFESSIONALS. THIS IS WHAT THEY WENT TO SCHOOL FOR. SO WE ARE LISTENING TO THEM. BUT I UNDERSTAND YOU ALL, AND I'M TRYING TO WORK WITH WHAT I'M HEARING FROM PEOPLE. IF THERE ARE WAYS, ABSOLUTELY NONE OF US SITTING HERE, WE LIVE HERE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO AT THIS POINT, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR COMMENT. WE WOULD WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO PRESERVE ALL THE BUILDINGS ON THE SITE AND PRESERVE THE PROPERTY AS IS. YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID ON THE DAIS BEFORE THAT, I PERSONALLY, AND I KNOW A BUNCH OF US HAVE REACHED OUT TO, YOU KNOW, NJ EDA YES, SOMERSET COUNTY TO BUY THE BUILDING. NEW JERSEY. YES. YOU KNOW, TO LOOK INTO BUYING THE PROPERTY, TO USE IT AS IS THE WAY IT IS. UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, KHAN DOESN'T HAVE THAT IDEA. HE HE NEEDS TO HE WANTS TO DEVELOP AND HE WANTS TO DEVELOP WHATEVER HE CAN TO MAKE MONEY. HIS INITIAL. WHEN HE CAME TO US, HIS INITIAL PLAN WAS TO BUILD THIS INDUSTRIAL LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PARK. THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS. AND THAT WOULD KNOCK DOWN EVERY BUILDING. YOU KNOW, THE WAREHOUSING. I'M P OKAY. THAT'S BEING HE'S GOING TO KNOCK IT DOWN. AND BECAUSE HE OWNS THAT PROPERTY, WE CAN'T STOP HIM UNLESS IT'S DEEMED A HISTORICAL SITE BY NEW JERSEY. AND YOU KNOW, OTHER THINGS BY US DOING THIS RE REDEVELOPMENT STUDY IS ACTUALLY FOR THE TOWN, FOR YOU, FOR EVERYBODY TO SAY, HEY, TO GIVE US OPTIONS AND TO GIVE HIM OPTIONS OF AND FOR ALL THE TOWN TO PUT THEIR INPUT IN WHEN HE DOES PRESENT THESE OPTIONS TO US. THAT'S NOT A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PARK THAT HAS TO BE LIT FOR SAFETY AT NIGHT AND SO ON. THERE'S A GOOD SUGGESTION THAT WE WAIT. WE WAIT TILL. EXCUSE ME, YOU ALL GET YOUR TURN. YEAH, YOU WILL GET A TURN, RIGHT. YOU WILL COME TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WAS JUST SAYING THAT WE WILL ANSWER EVERYBODY IN THE END, OKAY? OKAY. AND PLEASE GO AHEAD, SAY YOUR FULL NAME. THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AND SUPPORT STAFF. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME. MY NAME IS. CAN YOU BRING THE MIC DOWN A LITTLE BIT? YEAH, MIKE. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS LLOYD FERNANDEZ FROM SKILLMAN, AND I WASN'T PLANNING ON SPEAKING, BUT I HAD TO CHALLENGE THE ATTORNEY IN TERMS OF OWNERSHIP. ECON DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT SHOW ON PUBLIC RECORD. AS THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY RIGHT NOW, THE OWNER IS THREE FOUR LLCS. THEY ARE ALL BASED ON PUBLIC RECORDS, SOLE MEMBER LLCS, AND THE SOLE MEMBERS FOR EACH ONE OF THEM IS JEFFREY L SILVERMAN, ELI KHAN, PETER J. KILTY, AND MATTHEW J. ADAMS. NOWHERE ON RECORD DOES ECON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SHOW AS THE OWNER, SO I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE THAT YOU YOUR WHOLE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS IS BASED ON ECON DEVELOPMENT, BEING OWNER. AND SO BASED ON THAT PREMISE, THIS I'M CHALLENGING THAT. I EXPECT YOU TO PROVE IT. AND IF YOU CAN'T PROVE IT, THIS RESOLUTION SHOULD BE DENIED RIGHT AWAY. SECOND. WHEN THE HOUSING PLAN WAS DONE BACK IN JUNE 2025, THERE WAS A COMMITMENT LETTER. GIVEN THE COMMITMENT LETTER CAME FROM A MANAGING MEMBER, ELI KHAN OF GRANDVIEW PROPERTIES. GRANDVIEW PART 199, GRANDVIEW PARTNERS, LLC. IT WAS ON ECON DEVELOPMENT LETTERHEAD, BUT NOTHING IN THE CONTENT THAT GAVE ECON DEVELOPMENT ANY RIGHTS OR PERMISSION TO DO DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPERTY. IN AUGUST 29TH, ECON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ASSERTED THROUGH THEIR ATTORNEY TO THE SUPERIOR COURT THAT THEY ARE THE OWNER AND DEVELOPER. BUT WHEN THE PROPERTY CHANGED, THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD RIGHTS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY HAD CONTRACTS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU, AS ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWNSHIP, SHOULD HAVE CHALLENGED AND GOTTEN ON RECORD, WHICH YOU DID NOT, AND THAT IS A DEFECT THAT YOU GOT TO FIX, BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS ANY CHALLENGE TO MOUNT LAUREL, IF IT'S DONE BY A DEVELOPER, SHOULD HAVE AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY. OTHERWISE THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO A CHALLENGE. SO FIRST AND FOREMOST OF ALL, BEFORE YOU DO [01:20:03] ANYTHING, I EXPECT YOU TO GO ON RECORD WITH THIS COURT AND WITH EVERYTHING ELSE TO CHALLENGE AND DEMONSTRATE THAT ECON DEVELOPMENT THAT IS PUTTING THIS CHALLENGE TO MOUNT LAUREL IS ACTUALLY HAS OWNERSHIP RIGHTS ON THE PROPERTY, BECAUSE PUBLIC RECORDS CURRENTLY DO NOT SHOW HIM AS HAVING OWNERSHIP RIGHTS. SO THAT DUE DILIGENCE HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE YOU EVEN CONSIDER THIS RESOLUTION, BECAUSE THIS RESOLUTION IS THAT IF IF THAT PROVES TO BE FALSE, ALL THIS GOES AWAY BECAUSE ECON DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT HAVE ELI KHAN HAS OWNERSHIP, BUT ECON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS NOT SAME AS ELI. OKAY. UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YES, PLEASE. COME ON DOWN. SO. I AM HAROLD WASSERMAN FROM EIGHT DOGWOOD LANE, SKILLMAN. SO THE WAY IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, HE HAS THE RIGHT TO BUILD THIS LIGHT MANUFACTURING, RIGHT. THAT'S THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. SO THIS GENTLEMAN BOUGHT A CORPORATE CAMPUS IN NEW JERSEY, WHICH IS A VERY RISKY PROPOSITION BECAUSE AS EMPTY ONES ALL OVER THE PLACE. AND SO HE'S NOT GOING TO GET A COMPANY TO MOVE IN THERE. COMPANIES ARE LEAVING NEW JERSEY. TAXES ARE TOO HIGH. YOU DON'T WANT A DATA CENTER. YOU DON'T WANT LIKE WAREHOUSES. WE DON'T WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. OKAY, SO MAYBE THIS REDEVELOPMENT IDEA IS GIVE US SOME IDEAS AS YOU KNOW, WHAT TO DO WITH THIS THING, BECAUSE HE'S STUCK WITH IT. HE'S GOT FOR SALE SIGNS THERE. YOU KNOW, HE DOESN'T WANT TO. SO I HAVE A SUGGESTION. OKAY. PRINCETON HOSPITAL USED TO BE IN PRINCETON. NOW IT'S IN PLAINSBORO. THERE'S NOTHING AROUND HERE FOR ANY EMERGENCY. YOU GOT TO DRIVE TO PLAINSBORO. YOU GOT TO DRIVE TO ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON. SO MAYBE PRINCETON HOSPITAL WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SATELLITE OFFICE THERE. THAT WOULD KEEP THE BUILDINGS. MAYBE THEY COULD CHANGE THEM A LITTLE BIT. YOU KNOW, MAKE IT OFFICES AND. ALL RIGHT. THERE WOULD BE SOME TRAFFIC. MAYBE THERE'D BE A SIREN SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S A PRETTY GOOD ALTERNATIVE. AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY EVER LOOKED AT IT. THANK YOU FOR THAT SUGGESTION. ACTUALLY WE DIDN'T. BUT YEAH, SOMETHING WE CAN NOTE DOWN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. JENNIFER. I JUST WAS KIND OF PIGGYBACKING ON WHAT HE WAS SAYING. ELI KHAN MADE A PRIVATE BUSINESS DECISION BY A VACANT CORPORATE CAMPUS, AND WHEN THINGS DIDN'T GO HIS WAY, HE'S FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST THE TOWN AND CONTINUES TO THREATEN US WITH HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENTS, MASSIVE WAREHOUSES, AND EVEN DATA CENTERS. AS MUCH AS WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. SO ESSENTIALLY, HE SEEMS TO BE SCARING US INTO CHOOSING THE LEAST OFFENSIVE PLAN. SO I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED TO REFUSE TO BE THREATENED BY HIM JUST TO SALVAGE HIS BAD BUSINESS. DECISION IS NOT OUR DUTY AS TAXPAYERS TO BAIL HIM OUT. HE KNEW HE WAS BUYING A LIMITED MANUFACTURING ZONING WHEN HE PURCHASED IT. AND IF HIS BUSINESS MODEL CAN'T SUCCEED UNDER THE EXISTING RULES, I DON'T SEE WHY WE HAVE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OR IT'S HIS FINANCIAL BURDEN TO CARRY, NOT OURS, OR SUBSIDIZE IT IN ANY WAY. AND THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS, I THINK WE ALSO WANT TO CHALLENGE THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT SOMETHING MUST BE BUILT THERE. WE DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT A HIGH DENSITY HOUSING PROJECT OR A DISRUPTIVE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. WE HAVE A LEGAL AND MORAL OBLIGATION TO LOOK AT ALL POSSIBLE AVENUES, AND THAT MUST INCLUDE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION. THIS COMMITTEE, WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THE LAND. OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL KNOW IT'S BEAUTIFUL. PRESERVING IT SAFEGUARDS OUR ENVIRONMENT, PROTECTS OUR LOCAL WILDLIFE, PRESENTS A LOGISTICAL TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE. IT KEEPS OUR INFRASTRUCTURE STABLE. SO I WOULD URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS. AND DON'T LET HIM DICTATE THE FUTURE OF OUR TOWNSHIP. THANK YOU. NEXT. HI, PAUL ZHAO, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE UPDATES. EXCUSE ME. ANYTHING LIKE THAT? EXCUSE ME SIR, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AGAIN? CIAO. THAT'S HAO. ANYWAY, I JUST HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS. IF YOU GUYS COULD GIVE ME REALLY GREAT. IN REGARDS TO THE THE WHOLE LIKE, DID THIS WAS THIS REQUESTED BY ECON? LIKE THESE, THESE TWO LIKE THE TWO REDEVELOP OR IS THIS AN IDEA [01:25:03] THAT THE THE COMMITTEE DECIDED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE THE SORT OF BEST WAY TO SORT OF GUIDE THE CONVERSATION. THAT'S HIS REQUEST. YES. IT'S HIS REQUEST. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. GREAT. AND THEN BECAUSE LIKE, IF IF SO, THE, THE LITIGATION TO TRY TO STOP THE WHOLE LIKE DATA CENTER THING THAT HASN'T BEEN SERVED YET. THAT'S CORRECT. IT'S BEEN FILED, BUT NOT SERVED ON US. BUT, BUT IT WAS FILED AT THE END OF JULY OR SOMETHING. I DON'T HAVE THE DATE IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS FILED, BUT IT. THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT. OKAY. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. BECAUSE BECAUSE IN THAT FILING, LIKE WHAT BEST FITS FOR THAT SPACE BY THE DEVELOPERS IDEA IS A DATA CENTER. AND THAT, THAT THAT'S THE ARGUMENT, BUT OKAY. ALL RIGHT. BUT IT HASN'T. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN THAT HASN'T BEEN SERVED TO YOU. SO THE CASE DOESN'T REALLY IT DOESN'T GET UNDERWAY. WE HAVE TO BE SERVED WITH THE COMPLAINT IN ORDER FOR THE CASE TO TO BE INITIATED. SO IT'S FILED WITH THE COURT. HE'S PRESERVED HIS RIGHTS, BUT HE HASN'T SERVED US YET. SO THE THE LITIGATION HASN'T STARTED. SO SO THIS JUDGE'S DIRECTIVE OF OF THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THAT LITIGATION. THAT'S YEAH. THE JUDGE'S DIRECT US IN THE IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CASE. OKAY. WHERE HE'S AN INTERVENOR. OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. AND THEN ONE LAST QUESTION. JUST MAYOR, YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT 1.5 MILLION. IS THAT LIKE A PRESUMED LOSS OF TAX REVENUE FROM THE 1.4 MILLION IS WHAT CAN WE OR JNJ WAS BRINGING INTO THE TOWNSHIP. SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE LEAVING BY NEXT YEAR. SO THAT WOULD BE A GAP OF $1.4 MILLION IN THE BUDGET. AND AS TAXPAYERS KEEP TELLING ME, WHEREVER I GO, DON'T TOUCH MY TAXES, DON'T INCREASE MY TAXES, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT WILL IMPACT THE TAXES. SO THAT'S WHAT IT IS. SO SO IF SO, HE'S NOT OBLIGATED TO TO PAY THE EXISTING TAX AMOUNT BECAUSE THE BUILDING IS GOING TO BE EMPTY. HE'S GOING TO COME AND HE'S ALREADY TOLD US THAT HE'LL BE COMING OR TOLD OUR STAFF THAT HE'S GOING TO COME TO US FOR A TAX REBATE. OKAY. YEAH, THAT'S LIKE NATURAL FOR MOST OF THE BUILDINGS WHEN WHEN THEY'RE EMPTY, THEY BUY THEM. AND WE ARE HAVING THE SAME WITH 23 ORCHARDS. SO YEAH. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT. 139 FAIRVIEW ROAD. I'M SORRY. WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME? KAUTZMAN. KAUZMAN. OKAY. MY HOUSE IS 1900FT FROM THAT BUILDING WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT A DATA CENTER. NUFF SAID. SIMON SINEK WROTE A GREAT BOOK. START WITH THE WHY. WHY DO YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM THIS DESIGNATION, WHICH APPEARS IN THE END TO GIVE HIM FLEXIBLE ZONING? ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT, IT ALSO ALLOWS FUTURE TAX BREAKS. I AGREE WITH THE OTHER PERSON WHO SAID WHY HE BOUGHT THIS BEHEMOTH OF A PROPERTY TO DEVELOP IT. WHY SHOULD WE TAKE ON THE BURDEN OF GIVING HIM A TAX BREAK IN THE FUTURE DOWN THE ROAD? WITH THIS DESIGNATION? IT'S HIS PROBLEM. HE BOUGHT IT. DON'T BE STUPID AND BUY A PROPERTY YOU CAN'T DEVELOP OR THAT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH HE PUT IT. AND WHY? WHY GIVE HIM A TAX BREAK IN THE FUTURE? WHY GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FLEXIBLE ZONING WHICH WHO KNOWS WHAT THE HELL THAT'S GOING TO BRING? BECAUSE HE IS. WHEN HE SPOKE, HE HAD A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING AT KENVUE AND WAS LIKE, OH, I THOUGHT HE WAS A DECENT GUY. I'LL GIVE YOU THAT. AT THAT MEETING HE SAID, OH, THE BACK BUILDING, IT COULD BE A COFFEE ROASTER, IT COULD BE A GYMNASIUM FOR THE LOCAL FAMILIES. A MONTH LATER, HE'S SUING THE TOWN TO PUT A DATA CENTER. I DO NOT TRUST THIS PERSON TO DEVELOP THAT RESPONSIBLY FOR A COMMUNITY. THAT RIGHT NEXT DOOR IS TEN ACRE ZONING AND QUIET AND LOVELY. THE END. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JACK HAFTEL AND IF I'M BEING COMPLETELY HONEST, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME. EXCUSE ME. CAN YOU SPELL YOUR LAST NAME? LHAFTEL. THANK YOU. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, I LOVE THIS TOWN. NOW, I'VE HAD THE UNIQUE PRIVILEGE OF FINDING A JOB THAT'S TAKEN ME ALL OVER THE WORLD. AND IN ALL OF MY TRAVELS ACROSS FIVE CONTINENTS. MR. AN, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER FARM TOWN THAT HAS EGYPTIAN BAGELS AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE STREET FROM A KOREAN MARKET AND AN [01:30:03] INDIAN RESTAURANT. THERE'S NOWHERE LIKE MONTGOMERY, NEW JERSEY. BUT MISS TAYLOR TODD, AS MY PARENTS KNEW AND YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEEN WORKING TO MAINTAIN OUR TOWN'S CROWN JEWEL, IS OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM A MONTGOMERY EDUCATION IS WHY A KID WITH ADHD AND LEARNING CHALLENGES WAS ABLE TO GRADUATE SUMMA CUM LAUDE WITH THREE MAJORS AND A MINOR FROM THE KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN UNDER FOUR YEARS. OUR SCHOOLS LEAVE YOU PREPARED AND CONFIDENT. THIS TOWN IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARED AND CONFIDENT. I SAY THIS BECAUSE WHEN ELI KHAN BOUGHT THE KENVUE CAMPUS, HE WAS CONFIDENT, BUT HE CLEARLY WASN'T PREPARED. NOW I HOLD NO ILL WILL TOWARDS ECON DEVELOPMENT. IN FACT, I CAN APPRECIATE THEIR BUSINESS STRUCTURE. BUT IF THE PROPERTY WERE FALLING APART, WE ALL KNOW KENVUE WOULDN'T BE USING IT THROUGH DECEMBER. AND I MAY NOT BE AN ATTORNEY YET, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE LAWSUITS. IT'S NOT HYSTERIA LIKE HE CLAIMS. IT'S HISTORY UNFOLDING BEFORE OUR EYES. ELI KHAN'S JOB IS TO BUY PROPERTY AND MAKE MONEY. BUT IT'S YOUR JOB TO REPRESENT US. OUR VALUES, OUR PRIORITIES, OUR NEEDS. I LOVE THIS TOWN. IT'S FULL OF PREPARED AND CONFIDENT PEOPLE. AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU TO VOTE NO TO THESE RESOLUTIONS. SO I IMPLORE YOU TO LISTEN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. OH, THERE'S. YES, PLEASE. COME ON. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LORI CLEVELAND. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOURLAND CONSERVANCY. AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO THANK YOU. WHEN THIS COMMITTEE PASSED ITS BAN ON DATA CENTERS. YOU DID SOMETHING MORE THAN PASS AN ORDINANCE. YOU TOOK A CLEAR, WELL GROUNDED STAND FOR THE LONG TERM HEALTH OF THIS REGION. UNSURPRISINGLY, THE DEVELOPER HAS SINCE SUED. BUT YOU WERE ALL WELL WITHIN YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS TO ACT. AND THIS COMMITTEE DID ITS HOMEWORK. YOU UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS AT STAKE THE WATER, THE FOREST, AND THE CHARACTER OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE NOT RENEWABLE RESOURCES THAT YOU CAN REZONE YOUR WAY BACK TO. ONCE THEY'RE GONE. THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS HEADWATER STREAMS SUPPLY WATER TO MORE THAN 800,000 PEOPLE DOWNSTREAM. DATA CENTERS ARE AMONG THE MOST WATER AND POWER INTENSIVE LAND USES THERE IS, AND SITING THEM IN A HEADWATER REGION LIKE OURS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL RISK. IT'S A DIRECT THREAT TO THE WATER. EVERY ONE OF YOUR RESIDENTS AND EVERY COMMUNITY DOWNSTREAM DEPENDS UPON. AND THIS IS NOT JUST A LOCAL CONCERN. DATA CENTERS ARE STRAINING WATER AND POWER RESOURCES ACROSS SOMERSET COUNTY AND ACROSS NEW JERSEY, AND VERY FEW MUNICIPALITIES HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ACT AS DECISIVELY AS THIS COMMITTEE. THANK YOU. YOU SAW THE RISK CLEARLY, AND YOU ACTED ON IT BEFORE MOST OF THE STATE. WE WON'T TAKE THAT SORT OF FORESIGHT FOR GRANTED, AND WE DON'T INTEND TO LET IT STAND ALONE. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP IS NOW THE MODEL WE POINT TO WHEN WE TALK WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT PROTECTING THEMSELVES IN THE SAME WAY. NOT JUST IN THIS REGION, BUT AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT REAL LEADERSHIP IN THIS ISSUE LOOKS LIKE ACROSS THE COUNTY AND THE STATE. YOUR ORDINANCE IS DOING MORE THAN PROTECTING MONTGOMERY. IT'S GIVING EVERY OTHER TOWN A TEMPLATE AND PROOF THAT THIS CAN BE DONE. SO THANK YOU TO THIS COMMITTEE, TO YOUR STAFF, AND TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED HARD ON THIS ORDINANCE. THE SOUTHLAND CONSERVANCY STANDS WITH YOU AND WILL KEEP TELLING YOUR STORY AS WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD. MONTGOMERY HAS BEEN A VERY STRONG PARTNER OF THE CONSERVANCY. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO PLANT TREES AND SHRUBS ON MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP LAND. WE CONTINUE TO KEEP WORKING WITH YOU GUYS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND WE HOPE THAT RATHER THAN GOING INTO A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, THAT YOU WILL STRONGLY CONSIDER PRESERVATION OF THIS PROPERTY. AS I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE, THE MOUNTAIN REGION IS HAS 57 STATE LISTED THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES WHO LIVE HERE. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP HAS SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF THE SPECIAL RESOURCE AREA DESIGNATION FOR THE STERLING MOUNTAIN REGION. AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OF. THANK. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOUR TIME IS UP. GOOD EVENING. DEBORAH KEENAN. SO I [01:35:13] HOLD IN MY HAND HERE THE DIRECTIVE 14-23, WHICH IS THE CIVIL SUBJECT. THE SUBJECT IS CIVIL AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION 2024 C TWO. IN THIS, IT TALKS ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS THAT WE HAD ALL GONE THROUGH WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN. AND NOWHERE IN IT THERE'S A SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ABOUT THE ACTUAL PLAN. SO THE ATTORNEY SAID HERE THAT THIS WAS ADVISED AND NOT MANDATED BY THE JUDGE. SO THIS THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER, THAT THIS WOULD ADVISE AND NOT MANDATED THAT YOU TALK TO THE. WHAT DID YOU SAY THEN? THAT I CAN LOOK AT THE RECORD. I'M SORRY. NO, I DIDN'T SAY THAT AT ALL. NO, WE WERE DIRECTED, NOT ADVISED. WE WERE DIRECTED BY THE COURT TO MEET WITH ECON DEVELOPMENT. THAT'S WHAT YOU ADVISE? NOT MANDATED. THAT'S WHAT YOU HAD SAID EARLIER. YOU WERE DIRECTED BY THE COURT TO MEET WITH THEM ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN, BECAUSE NONE OF THAT THEY WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN. SO IS IT YOU MEETING WITH THEM TO PUT THEM BACK INTO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN THERE? NO, THE THE SETTLEMENT WITH FAIR SHARE DOES NOT INCLUDE THEM IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN, BUT THEY'RE AN INTERVENOR IN THE CASE. RIGHT. BUT THE WHOLE PROCESS THAT WAS PUT FORWARD WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LAW, THE JUDGE HAS NO RIGHT TO DO THAT AND ORDER YOU TO DO THAT. NO, I'M TELLING YOU, I'M SORRY. I HAVE TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH YOU ON THAT ONE. THAT'S FINE. WELL, WE CAN WE'RE GOING TO SPEND IT FROM OUR LAWYER ANYWAY. SO THE. THE DEVELOPER FILES A SPURIOUS LAWSUIT IN JULY. AND SUDDENLY THIS REDEVELOPMENT BACK DOOR SILENTLY APPEARS ON THE AGENDA. WHERE DOES WHERE DOES IT APPEAR? NOT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING WHERE RESIDENTS ARE LIKELY TO HAVE SEEN IT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING. BUT AT THE VERY END, WHEN MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY LEFT OR STOPPED PAYING ATTENTION, THAT IS NOT HOW THE PUBLIC'S BUSINESS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. IF THE CHOICE IS STANDING UP FOR STANDING UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF MONTGOMERY OR GIVING IT TO A DEVELOPER'S THREAT, WE EXPECT OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO STAND WITH THE PEOPLE. IF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IS MOVING THIS REDEVELOPMENT FORWARD BECAUSE IT'S AFRAID OF A LAWSUIT, THEN LET ME BE CLEAR WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF A LAWSUIT, EITHER. FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS A STATEMENT FROM BRUCE EFFRON, ESQUIRE ATTORNEY FOR SAVE MONTGOMERY.ORG. QUOTE, ANY ATTEMPT BY THE TOWNSHIP TO SEEK REDEVELOPMENT DESIGNATION OVER THE KEN VIEW PROPERTY WILL FAIL IN THE COURTS IF IT AMOUNTS TO CHERRY PICKING, ISOLATED INCIDENTS OF REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE NEEDS, AND FAILS TO IDENTIFY IDENTIFY TRUE BLIGHT ON THE PROPERTY. THE KEN VIEW BUILDINGS ARE LARGELY IN A PRISTINE STATE AND ARE WELL SUITED TO THEIR INTENDED USES, OR CAN BE ADAPTIVELY REUSED. ANY ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE A PRETEXTUAL REDEVELOPMENT DESIGNATION TO SHORTCUT ZONING RULES WILL BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED BY SAVE MONTGOMERY.ORG, AND IN SUCH CASE, LITIGATION WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY FOLLOW. END QUOTE. IF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE CHOOSES TO PUT THE ENTRANCE OF A DEVELOPER AHEAD OF THE RESIDENTS THAT YOU ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT, WE WILL CHALLENGE THAT DECISION. THANK YOU. AT THE BALLOT BOX, IN THE MEDIA AND IN THE TIME IS UP. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'LL TAKE WHATEVER LEGAL ACTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO THE RIGHT THING AND VOTE NO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. DAVE LEONARD, I SECOND EVERYTHING DEBORAH SAID AND ONE CLARIFICATION. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE SEEMS TO BE UNSURE ABOUT WHAT THE ZONING IS ON THE KEN VIEW SITE. MULTIPLE TIMES PEOPLE SAY LIGHT MANUFACTURING, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE ZONING IS. IT'S LIMITED MANUFACTURING. AND IN FACT, THE ZONING FOR THAT PARTICULAR SITE IS VERY PRESCRIPTIVE IN EXACTLY WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WHAT THE THE OFFICE TO MANUFACTURING RATIO IS. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO READ THAT IF YOU'RE CONFUSED ABOUT IT, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO CHANGE THE ZONING, LET CON COME IN WITH A PLAN TO FIT WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO WITHIN THE ZONING AND WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE FACILITY, WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE PROPERTY. AND THEN LET'S LOOK AT THAT WITHIN THE PLANNING BOARD WITH WHATEVER THAT PLAN MIGHT BE. SECOND POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE IS WITH RESPECT TO AN AREA IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT, THERE WAS A RECENT CASE IN 2023, MARCH OF 2023 REGARDING REGARDING WEST ORANGE, WHERE THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT FOUND THAT A PROPERTY IN QUESTION BEING CONSIDERED FOR. UNDER THE REDEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE WAS THAT THE. THE COURT FELT. HELD THAT IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE CRITERIA, TWO THINGS WERE REQUIRED ONE, THAT THE PROPERTY HAD TO SATISFY THE [01:40:06] PROOF OF THE BUILDINGS OR. IMPROVEMENTS SUFFER FROM ONE OR MORE OF THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS THAT ARE LISTED IN THE REDEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE. AND SECOND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, SUFFICIENT PROOF THAT AS A RESULT OF THE PARTICULAR CONDITION OR CONDITIONS, THE AREAS ARE DETERMINED DETRIMENTAL TO THE SAFETY, HEALTH, MORALS OR WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY. SO I WOULD ASK, WHERE DO WE BELIEVE? WHERE DOES THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE BELIEVE THAT THE KEN VIEW SITE IS DETRIMENTAL AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS TO THE SAFETY, HEALTH, MORALS OR WELFARE OF MONTGOMERY? I DON'T BELIEVE IT DOES. ANYONE ELSE? YES, PLEASE. I'M SORRY. IT'S BARBARA PRESTON AGAIN, BUT I HAVE AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING JUDGE. HE SAID IT'S MANDATORY THAT MONTGOMERY AUTHORIZED AND DIRECT THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION. OR IT'S OPTIONAL. DOES THIS STUDY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SETTLEMENT? NO. THE THE JUDGE DIRECTED US TO MEET AND CONFER WITH ECON DEVELOPMENT REGARDING THAT SITE AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, WOULD WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD TO A COMPLIANCE PLAN UNTIL WE MET. SO IT'S FROM THE FROM THOSE DISCUSSIONS, WE HAVE A WE THROUGH COUNSEL, WE HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMMITTEE AUTHORIZE THE PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A STUDY. SO WHAT IF THE STUDY DOESN'T HAPPEN? WHAT THEN WILL THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE JUDGE IS NOT LISTENING TO OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE COMPLIANCE. SO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING JUDGE MAY NOT CONFIRM THE TOWNSHIP'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN IF THIS STUDY DOES NOT TAKE PLACE. I CAN'T SPEAK FOR WHAT THE JUDGE WILL OR WON'T DO, BUT THE JUDGE HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT HE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR COMPLIANCE HEARING UNTIL WE MET AND CONFERRED WITH ECON DEVELOPMENT. AND IF THERE IS NO COMPLIANCE HEARING, THEN THERE'S WELL, IT PUTS MONTGOMERY IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE. WELL, RIGHT. AND WE COULD LOSE OUR IMMUNITY FROM BUILDER'S REMEDY LAWSUITS. THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW. OKAY. ACTUALLY, ONCE ONE. I'M JUST. MY NAME IS KATHY LYNCH. AND I HOPE THIS IS A MOOT POINT THAT YOU'RE VOTING NO ON THESE RESOLUTIONS. BUT SHOULD THIS REDEVELOPMENT STUDY GO FORWARD? NO ONE'S MENTIONED WHO WOULD BE DOING IT. AND IS IT SOMETHING THAT I KNOW YOU REFERRED TO PREVIOUS EXISTING CONSULTANTS OR ARE THEY THEY'RE NOT. MONTGOMERY. THAT WOULD BE THE PLANNING BOARD. YES THEY ARE. MONTGOMERY STAFF. YES, STAFF. THE REDEVELOPMENT STUDY WOULD BE DONE BY THE PLANNING BOARD. CORRECT. THROUGH THEIR PROFESSIONALS, THE PLANNING BOARD PLANNER, THROUGH THEIR PROFESSIONAL, THROUGH THE PROFESSIONALS THAT THEY'VE RETAINED. THEY WILL HAVE THEIR PROFESSIONALS DO THE STUDY TO REVIEW THE CRITERIA AND THEN REPORT BACK THOSE FINDINGS TO THE PLANNING BOARD. OKAY. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD GO OUT FOR BID. YOU WOULDN'T BE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT GROUPS. IT WOULD ALL BE WITHIN THE SAME. THE PEOPLE THAT WE'VE USED FOR YEARS. CORRECT? YES. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? OTHERWISE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME. HELLO. CHRIS NEWMAN. I'M JUST GOING TO FINISH SHELLY JACOBSEN'S PRESENTATION BECAUSE SHE CAN'T TALK ANYMORE. INSTEAD OF HOUSING, HOUSING, HOUSING, WHY NOT REPURPOSE THE A AND P SITE TO A CULTURAL PARK FOR THE ENTIRE TOWNSHIP TO BENEFIT FROM? STUDY AFTER STUDY SHOWS THAT THE ARTS BRING REVENUE NOT ONLY TO LOCAL MERCHANTS BUT ALSO THE TOWNSHIP. FIND A NEW EXCUSE ME, FIND A NEW ADVISOR THAT WILL BE ABLE TO FACILITATE AND DEVELOP A NEW APPROACH THAT IS NOT HOUSING. THINK LESS OF REDEVELOPMENT OR DESTRUCTION AND MORE TOWARD REPURPOSING THE SITE. REPURPOSING WHAT IS ALREADY THERE WILL BRING GREAT RESOURCES TO THE ENTIRE TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY AND PRESERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. DON'T FALL INTO THE DEVELOPER'S TRAP. THINK THE ONLY WAY TO USE THIS PROPERTY IS TO DEVELOP ANOTHER MASSIVE HOUSING COMPLEX. THERE'S NOTHING STRUCTURALLY WRONG WITH THE I.M. PEI BUILDING COMPLEX AND CAMPUS FOR REPURPOSING. SAVE THE SOURLANDS, SAVE I AND SAVE RURAL MONTGOMERY. WE'RE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE DEVELOPER. IT'S NOT TOO LATE. BE STRONG. HAVE COURAGE. VOTE NO. THERE WE GO. [01:45:07] AT THIS POINT, WE WILL BE CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HAS. SPOKEN. I THINK THE THE ONE THING THAT HAS COME UP THAT MAYBE I CAN ASK THE ATTORNEY TO CLARIFY WHAT I UNDERSTAND, AND I THINK THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THE ATTORNEY, OUR JUDGE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HAD ASKED THE TOWN, AND WE HAD A SUBCOMMITTEE OF ONE OF OUR COMMITTEE PEOPLE, DENNIS AN AND COMMITTEEMAN, MIKE MARTIN, WHO'S SICK, WHO'S NOT HERE TODAY TO MEET AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, BECAUSE THE JUDGE HAD BEEN VERY CLEAR, IF THAT MONTGOMERY DOESN'T MOVE, HE'S NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING FROM OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN. SO THAT HAS THAT HAS BEEN AND AND I SEE PEOPLE MAKING FACES THERE. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT ULTIMATELY WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE PROFESSIONALS. IT IS A JUDGE OF NEW JERSEY WHO'S SAYING IT. WE ARE NOT SAYING IT. OKAY, BUT OKAY, I I'M SORRY. THAT IS TOTALLY OUT OF ORDER. I, I SUGGEST THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SATISFIED THAT THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY DISHEARTENING TO HEAR ALL THE RUMORS GOING AROUND. PLEASE WRITE TO US. YOU CAN OPRAH ALL OF THE RECORDS. YOU CAN ACTUALLY WRITE AND MEET WITH OUR TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY, ASK HIM EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. WHAT WE ARE TOLD AS A TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IS THAT AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE TO AT LEAST GO TOWARDS A STUDY. AGAIN, IT'S A STUDY. MAYBE THE STUDY SAYS THAT THE AMP BUILDING SHOULD STAY. IT SAYS MAYBE THAT THIS. YOU COULD BUILD RECREATION AROUND. THE STUDY DOESN'T SAY YOU HAVE TO BUILD HOUSING. THE STUDY DOESN'T SAY IT IS LIMITED MANUFACTURING. THE STUDY IS BASICALLY TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE THERE. AND ONCE THE STUDY IS DONE, IT CAN STILL BE REJECTED. BUT IT SHOWS THE JUDGE THAT THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IS LISTENING SO WE CAN AT LEAST GET OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING MOVED SO WE DON'T GET INTO A SITUATION. WITH OTHER BUILDERS WHO HAVE INTERVENED. AND AND TO A POINT THAT WAS MADE BY SAIF. YES, YOU CAN SUE. YOU CAN BE PART OF IT AS WELL, BECAUSE MAYBE THAT HELPS OUR TOWN. SO IT'S, IT'S THE, THE FACT THAT WE ARE. AND THE REASON THAT I WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO BE A PARK. BUT HOW DO WE EXPLAIN IT TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE ASKING US TO SAY, DON'T INCREASE MY TAXES WHEN WE LOSE $1.4 MILLION REVENUE FROM THAT SPACE? BECAUSE KEN VIEW IS GONE. AS COMMITTEEMAN ON SAID, WE HAVE MET IN JEDDAH, WE HAVE GONE TO THE COUNTY. WE HAVE SAID, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE BUY THIS BUILDING? WE HAVE LOOKED AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND TALKED TO CHOOSE NEW JERSEY AND SAID, THIS IS A GREAT BUILDING. MAYBE ELI KHAN WILL SELL IT TO ANOTHER ANOTHER PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY. BELIEVE ME, WE ARE ALL TRYING. WE LIVE HERE. WHY WOULD WE WANT TO DO THIS TO OUR TOWN? BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ALL RESIDENTS, RIGHT? AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE WHEN THE STUDY IS GOING TO BE DONE, IT'S NOT GOING TO SAY, OH, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. IT IS A STUDY TO SEE DIFFERENT OPTIONS, RIGHT? AND EVERYBODY IS GOING TO COME TO PLANNING BOARD. OPTIONS ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSED, YOU CAN SAY REJECTED, BUT IT IS SHOWING THE JUDGE THAT THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IS WILLING TO TALK TO A PERSON WHO OWNS IT. IT'S LIKE, IF I OWN MY HOUSE AND I SAY, I WANT TO DO SOMETHING AND THE TOWN SAYS, YOU CAN'T. I'LL SAY, WELL, I OWN MY HOUSE. THIS IS BASICALLY A BUSINESS. WHO OWNS THAT? IF SOMEONE WANTS TO RAISE MONEY AND BUY THE, YOU KNOW, CAN YOU PROPERTY AND MAKE IT INTO A PARK, I SAY, GO FOR IT AND I'LL STAND NEXT TO YOU. BUT THE QUESTION FOR THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE, BECAUSE BUDGET SEASON IS COMING, I'LL BE VERY HONEST WITH YOU. WE ARE LOOKING AT RAISES IN SALARIES, POLICE SALARIES, PENSIONS, HEALTH CARE, AND THEN THE TAXES GO UP. PEOPLE ARE LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING? YOU'RE NOT DOING YOUR JOB. YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT REVENUE. YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT RATABLES. SO THIS IS I JUST AM SHARING WHAT WE ALL FEEL. WE LIVE HERE. I'VE LIVED HERE 32 YEARS. THIS IS MY TOWN. SO PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE. AND I KNOW I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY ALL THE STUFF I'M SAYING BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TOLD I SAY SOMETHING, THE DEVELOPERS CAN USE IT AGAINST US SAYING, OH WELL, SHE DOESN'T WANT US TO DO ANYTHING, BUT I'M JUST BEING VERY HONEST WITH YOU. SO BUT I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING. I DON'T THINK PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW. MR. PUBLIC COMMENT IS DONE. NO, WE WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINING IT AGAIN, BUT I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT. AND I KNOW YOUR MOM VERY WELL AND SAY MY HELLO TO HER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. OKAY. AT THIS POINT, ORDINANCES AND INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING. THERE ARE NO ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ORDINANCES, PUBLIC HEARING, FINAL ADOPTION. THERE ARE NO ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION [22.A. RESOLUTION #26-9-257 – Authorizing Professional Services Agreement for 2026 Legal Services - Special Projects/Affordable Housing – Scarinci, Hollenbeck, LLC ] RESOLUTION RESOLUTION 26-9-257 AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR 2026. LEGAL SERVICES, SPECIAL PROJECTS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCARSONE HOLLENBACK, LLC. WHO'S GOING TO EXPLAIN THIS? THIS IS. OH, SURE. THANK YOU. MAYOR. THIS IS A RESOLUTION TO [01:50:08] CONTINUE SERVICES WITH OUR CURRENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNCIL. AND THIS WILL THIS IS BECAUSE WE ARE JUST. WE ARE JUST CONTINUING THOSE SERVICES WITH OUR WITH THE CURRENT. OUR CURRENT ATTORNEY. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FOR TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-257. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANN. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR. TAYLOR. [22.B. RESOLUTION #26-9-258– Authorizing the Execution of Various Documents in Connection with the Somerset County Improvement Authority’s Somerset Municipal Banc Program ] TODD. YES. MAYOR. SING. YES. RESOLUTION 26-9-258. AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VARIOUS DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY'S SOMERSET MUNICIPAL BANK PROGRAM. MAYOR, THIS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZES THE FINANCING OF A NEW 2026 FORD EXPLORER POLICE VEHICLE AND THE RELATED UPFIT THROUGH THE SOMERSET COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY'S MUNICIPAL BANK PROGRAM. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE FREQUENTLY USE TO FINANCE OUR POLICE VEHICLES. IT ALLOWS US TO SPREAD THE COST OF THE VEHICLE OVER THREE BUDGET YEARS, RATHER THAN ABSORBING THE ENTIRE COST IN A SINGLE YEAR. THE ANNUAL PAYMENTS ARE ALREADY PROVIDED FOR WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET. OKAY, SO THIS IS ONE VEHICLE OR IS IT? YES. IT'S WHAT IT'S ONE VEHICLE. THIS APPROVES THE LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZES THE APPROPRIATE TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE THE FINANCING DOCUMENTS. OKAY. GOT IT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-258? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES. RESOLUTION 26-9-259. AUTHORIZING THE [22.RESOLUTION #26-9-259 – Authorizing the Township of Montgomery Mayor and Clerk to Sign an Escrow Funding Agreement with GTP Acquisitions, LLC to Fund the Costs of Municipal Undertakings in Connection with the Country Club Meadows Redevelopment ] TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY. MAYOR AND CLERK TO SIGN AN ESCROW FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH GTP ACQUISITIONS, LLC TO FUND THE COST OF MUNICIPAL UNDERTAKINGS IN CONNECTION WITH THE COUNTRY CLUB MEADOWS REDEVELOPMENT. YES. THANK YOU. MAYOR. THIS IS A SIMILAR TO THE ESCROW AGREEMENT THAT WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED. THIS IS A PROJECT FOR A CONTINUING CARE FACILITY, AND WE HAVE THE AREA HAS ALREADY BEEN DESIGNATED AREA REDEVELOPMENT. THERE IS A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. WE HAVE. YOU ALSO HAVE DESIGNATE THE COMMITTEE DESIGNATED DEVELOPER. NOW THAT DEVELOPER WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WOULD LIKE TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND A FINANCIAL AGREEMENT. AND AS IS CUSTOMARY, THEY HAVE ALSO AGREED TO ESCROW THE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR OUR PROFESSIONALS TO NEGOTIATE THAT AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO FUND OUR PROFESSIONALS. OKAY. AND WHY WOULD WE DO AN ESCROW IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN. OH, SO THE SO THE COST DOESN'T FALL TO THE TAXPAYERS. OKAY. IT WILL FALL TO THE DEVELOPER WHO WILL HAPPILY ACCEPT THOSE COSTS TO SEE THAT THE THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED. WE WILL STILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AGREEMENT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOWNSHIP. OKAY, SO THE ESCROW IS DONE SO THAT THE DEVELOPER PAYS THE COST AND NOT THE RESIDENTS. THAT'S CORRECT. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-259? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. [22.D. RESOLUTION #26-9-260 – Authorizing and Directing the Montgomery Township Planning Board to Conduct a Preliminary Investigation to Determine Whether Certain Property Located at 199 Grandview Road, Designated at Lot 2 in Block 14001 on the Tax Map of the Township of Montgomery Meets the Criteria for Designation as a Non-Condemnation Redevelopment Area ] DEPUTY MAYOR. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR. SING. YES. RESOLUTION 26-9-260. AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION DETERMINE WHETHER CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 199 GRANDVIEW ROAD, DESIGNATED AT LOT TWO IN BLOCK 14001 ON THE TAX MAP OF TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, MEETS THE CRITERIA OF A DESIGNATION. MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA. DAVID, I THINK OKAY, I THINK I THINK WE'VE COVERED THIS ONE PRETTY WELL. IF THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. NO, I, I GUESS WE'VE GONE GONE OVER THAT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-26. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER. ON. SO IF I VOTE NO TO THIS, I WOULD BE VOTING NO. I WOULD BE VOTING YES FOR LIMITED MANUFACTURING FACILITY THAT HE HAS PRESENTED, I BELIEVE AT ONE OF THE ONE OF THE MEETINGS THAT HE'S HAD WITH THE PUBLIC. I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT. MONTGOMERY SHOULD HAVE A LOT OF TRUCKS AND LIGHTS ALL UP, ALL AT NIGHT TIME FOR LIMITED MANUFACTURING. SO I WILL BE VOTING YES. I DO BELIEVE THAT WITH THIS STUDY WE CAN LOOK INTO POSSIBLY HOSPITALS AND OTHER POSSIBILITIES. BUT WITHOUT THAT THEN IT WOULD JUST BE LIMITED MANUFACTURING. SO YES, DEPUTY MAYOR TAYLOR TODD, [01:55:02] I WANT US TO HAVE OPTIONS AND THE ABILITY TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS. SO I'M VOTING YES. I DO AGREE. IT GIVES US YES. THANK YOU LISA. IT GIVES US OPTIONS. AND NONE OF THOSE OPTIONS ARE WRITTEN IN STONE. YES. MAYOR SINGH YES. RESOLUTION 26-9-261 AUTHORIZING [22.E. RESOLUTION #26-9-261 – Authorizing the Township of Montgomery Mayor and Clerk to Sign an Escrow Funding Agreement with E. Kahn Development Corp. to Fund the Costs and Expenses in Connection with the Area in Need Study of Block 14001, Lot 2] THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY MAYOR AND CLERK TO SIGN AN ESCROW FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH ECON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO FUND THE COST AND EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH AREA IN NEED OF OF BLOCK 14001. LOT TWO. DID I DO SOMETHING? OH, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-259. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER ON. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR. TAYLOR. TODD. YES. MAYOR SINGH. YES. CORRESPONDENCE. STUDENT [23. CORRESPONDENCE ] LETTER REGARDING SAFETY AT THE BRIDGE BETWEEN RIVER ROAD. RIVER AND CANAL ROADS. YES. SO A ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT SUBMITTED A LETTER TO LISA. YOU MAY NEED THE MIC CLOSER. SORRY. SO AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT SUBMITTED A LETTER TO TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE AND THE MAYOR EXPRESSING SAFETY CONCERNS OVER THE GRIGGSTOWN BRIDGE. SO THAT'S IN YOUR PACKET FOR YOUR INFORMATION. OKAY. THAT'S REALLY NICE TO SEE YOUNG KIDS GETTING IN CIVICALLY ENGAGED, [24.a. State Lands – Montgomery Township School District, Superintendent Mary McLoughlin ] NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS STATE LANDS. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT MARY MCLAUGHLIN OUT. WOULD THEY BE SPEAKING NOW, LISA, SINCE THEY'RE HERE? YES. OKAY. YEAH. PLEASE COME ON DOWN. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING, MARY MCLAUGHLIN. SUPERINTENDENT, MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS MARIA SABINA, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR SINGH AND MEMBERS OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE. WE ARE HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FORMALLY EXPRESS THE DISTRICT'S INTEREST IN THE PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE ATHLETIC STADIUM, WHICH THE TOWNSHIP IS CONSIDERING ACQUIRING FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ALONG WITH OTHER PARCELS. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BELIEVES THAT THIS PROPERTY COULD PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT VALUE TO OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY GIVEN ITS LOCATION IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING ATHLETIC FACILITIES. WE WOULD THEREFORE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT AS THE TOWNSHIP MOVES FORWARD WITH ITS DISCUSSIONS AND POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF THE NJ DOC PROPERTIES, THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE GIVE CONSIDERATION TO MAKING THIS PARTICULAR PARCEL AVAILABLE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR POTENTIAL ACQUISITION. THE DISTRICT'S INTEREST TONIGHT SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS ANY COMMITMENT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY OR A COMMITMENT TO ANY PURCHASE PRICE. THE PROPERTY HAS NOT YET BEEN APPRAISED, AND THERE ARE STILL IMPORTANT DETAILS THAT NEED TO BE UNDERSTOOD, INCLUDING ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE CONDITION AND ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND OBLIGATIONS. OUR INTEREST IS GENUINE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS ONCE THE RELEVANT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AND THE DISTRICT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE THE PROPERTY AND THE TERMS OF ANY POTENTIAL TRANSACTION, WE WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DISTRICT COULD AND SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PURCHASE, SUBJECT TO THE APPROPRIATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVAL. WE APPRECIATE THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE'S CONSIDERATION AND WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE TOWNSHIP AS THIS PROCESS MOVES FORWARD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD OR I'LL THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR COMING THE PROPERTY BEHIND AND WANT TO EXPLAIN WHERE THE STATE PROPERTY AND SCHOOL AND THE FOOTBALL STADIUM IS. THERE'S REALLY NO SPACE FOR BEHIND OR NEXT TO THE FOOTBALL STADIUM TO TO HAVE A CONCESSION STAND, TO HAVE BATHROOMS OUTSIDE. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF BECAUSE I'M, I'M A BAD PARENT. SO I SEE IT EVERY FOOTBALL GAME, YOU KNOW, THERE'S PEOPLE WALKING TO THE SCHOOL USING THE FACILITIES INSIDE THE SCHOOL AND PEOPLE WALKING AROUND. SO REALLY SECURING THE SCHOOL IS, IS IMPORTANT. AND, YOU KNOW, HAVING A FACILITY THAT IS PROPER FOR MONTGOMERY AND, YOU KNOW, COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE, THEY HAVE THESE BUILDINGS BEHIND THE FOOTBALL STADIUM NEXT TO THE FOOTBALL STADIUM TO FOR BATHROOMS, CONCESSION CONCESSIONS IS, IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT. I THINK IT KEEPS EVERYBODY IN ONE AREA AND HELPS WITH SAFETY. THANK YOU. AND OF COURSE, WE ARE TALKING TO THE STATE AND IT'S OUR YOU KNOW, WE PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT COMES TO THE TOWN. AND WE WILL DEFINITELY KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS A REQUEST THE SCHOOLS HAD. AND OF COURSE, OUR KIDS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK [24.b. Outdoor Assembly Application – Jutt Bhutta Family Farm Day, 1932 US-206, October 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ] YOU. THANK YOU. OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY APPLICATION JUST TO FAMILY FARM DAY. THIS IS OCTOBER 17TH. AT LISA. IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT OR SURE. SO WE HAVE RECEIVED AN OUTDOOR APPLICATION FOR AN OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY BY THE FAMILY FARM FOR THE FAMILY FARM [02:00:05] DAY, OCTOBER 17TH. THAT WILL THAT IS IN YOUR PACKET FOR CONSIDERATION. AND THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THAT APPLICATION PERMIT WILL BE ON THE OCTOBER 1ST AGENDA FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, LISA. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, COMMUNITY GARDENS, [25. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ] HOMETOWN HERO BANNERS, FOOD SECURITY, YMCA TRANSPORTATION SURVEY RESULTS, PRESENTATION, OUTDOOR KAUFFMAN COMMUNITY CENTER AND SENIOR CENTER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, MUNICIPAL SOLAR PROJECT. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE 2027 MEETING DATE AND 2027 MEETING SCHEDULE. SO THAT'S A FUTURE AGENDA OR DID YOU WANT TO? YEAH, THOSE ARE ALL PROJECTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE 2027 REORGANIZATION MEETING DATE AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE ON YOUR OCTOBER 1ST AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, LISA. RESOLUTION 26-9-262 [26. RESOLUTION #26-9-262 - Executive Session ] EXECUTIVE SESSION. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, AS FOLLOWS. THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WILL NOW CONVENE IN A CLOSED SESSION THAT WILL BE LIMITED ONLY TO CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS 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. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS SO CONTRACT LITIGATION DOCKET NUMBER S0ML15325. AFFORDABLE HOUSING B MUNICIPAL ACTIONS THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WILL RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION AND MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION. IT IS UNKNOWN PRECISELY WHEN THE MATTER DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION WILL BE DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION SHALL ONLY BE APPROVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE IN A PUBLIC SESSION. THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-9-6262? SO. SO MOVED. SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMITTEE MEMBER. HERRING. YES. COMMITTEE MEMBER AND YES. DEPUTY MAYOR. TAYLOR. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.