Council Meeting 8-7-2025

2025 regular epic city council meeting.
Uh mayor, can you lead us in the flag
of the United States of America and to
the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible
and justice for all.
This is to advise a certain advanced
notice has been given to the date, time,
location, and to the extent known the
agenda of this meeting in accordance
with the provision of the open public
meeting act and notice of this meeting
has been posted permanently at the
bulletin board in the municipal complex
lobby on the city's website and
communicated through the newspaper
designated by the governing body. This
is to further advise that this meeting
is being recorded electronically and can
be viewed on the city's website at
obseenj.gov.
All right. Uh, we'll kick it off with a
public hearing uh on behalf of Comcast.
>> Do roll.
>> Oh, roll call, please. First.
>> Oh, boy.
>> Clark.
>> Just got excited.
>> Evans
>> here.
>> Laranda
>> here.
>> Light
>> here.
>> Parker
>> here.
>> Here.
>> Doros
>> here.
>> All right. Comcast, would you like to
come up and introduce yourself, sir?
Thank you for the introduction, council
president.
>> My name is Fred Deandri. I'm the senior
director of government affairs for
Comcast in New Jersey. I'm here tonight
in further pursuance of Comcast's
franchise agreement with the city of
Abek and this is our license to operate
the town. Allows us to build our network
uh maintain it and operate uh in in the
city. I want to start by thanking the
mayor and city council holding this
hearing. I know it was scheduled a year
ago and I wasn't able to make that that
meeting and agree to reschedule it and
and move this process forward. Um the
hearing is required by state statute and
regulations and provides an opportunity
for members of the public to present
their views on Comcast application. Um
the franchise is again it's Comcast
licensed to serve the city and build,
repair and operate in cities right away.
We started this process on February 26
of 2019. Uh our legal entity, Comcast of
South Jersey LLC, um sent written notice
to the city indicating our intention to
seek renewal of this franchise. U and
then on April 6th of 2021, we filed an
application renewal renewal of municipal
consent city. We also provided the map
of our network showing where we provide
service throughout the city. do not
believe there are any deployment gaps in
the city, but if you're aware of any
residents who are unserved, uh please
let us know. We did file applications
with the state for their funding that
were due three, four weeks ago. Now,
this is federal dollars that are
dispersed through NIA. State New Jersey
received over $200 million and put it
out to bid for cable operators and other
ISPs to um provide service to those who
are unserved. So, we have filed for that
throughout South Jersey, Atlanta County,
uh it's more pronounced that you might
expect in county, but there are pockets
throughout the county, places like the
township county. So, I don't think
that's the case here, but if you do hear
of any unserved locations, please let me
know. No action is required tonight from
city council. This is again just an
opportunity for both the governing body
and Comcast to hear from public
community feedback. Express the hearing
can be incorporated dialogue future
meetings and baked into uh the new
resolution for ordinance which will act
as our contract. Once that contract is
finalized, we'll petition public
utilities and they grant the renewal of
our license. Um I know you have the
packed agenda tonight, but I just want
to a few comments about about the
company for any uh folks who are
unfamiliar with Comcast. We're founded
in the US 1963. We're now a global media
technology company headquarters in
Philadelphia. Comcastinity is now the
largest internet service provider in the
US and Comcast Business which is our
commercial branding is leader in
business technology. The network
utilized by Exfinity and Comcast
business is the result of years of
investment and innovation that continues
to get smarter, faster and more
reliable.
Delivers next generation broadband
experience to millions of homes and
businesses to support the increasing
demands for customers today and in the
future. Our network was built to provide
flexibility and reliability so that we
can quickly respond to spikes or shifts
in usage. We saw this during the
pandemic. We were able to meet capacity
demand. Other providers in the state had
challenges. There were you know hearings
held by the but
manage those. We're also using AI and
machine learning to optimize our
internet delivery, making our networking
faster and more reliable down to the
household. Locally, Comcast operates 20
cable systems in New Jersey, and
provides cable service to more than 340
municipalities.
More than two and a half million New
Jersey homes and businesses have access
to Comcast business products and
services. We're proud to serve the city
forward to renewing our agreement so we
can continue providing service in the
future. If the governing body has any
questions about
operations network.
Does anybody
like to ask a question?
>> Well, I wanted to thank you uh
personally because whenever the city has
needed information from Comcast, you
you've delivered very quickly. So, we're
very appreciative of the service you
personally provide. Uh, on the
government affairs side, um, the only
email I got, I'll just forward to you. I
got it as I was coming in here today.
Um, I guess there's a poll that's now a
dead poll and the only utility left on
it is Comcast. I'll forward the email
and I literally got it on the way in
here when they saw that there was a
Comcast hearing. But, uh, otherwise,
very appreciative of your responsive
time for this. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Excellent. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Regular meeting agenda 2025
ordinance is for adoption.
05 bond ordinance providing for various
2025 capital improvements appropriating
$1 million therefore and authorizing the
issuance of $952,000
bonds or notes of the city to finance
the cost thereof. Do I hear a motion for
the second reading of this ordinance
052025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
Yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Laranda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Ordinance 052025, bond ordinance
providing for various 2025 capital
improvements by and in the city of
Epsein appropriating $1 million
therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $952,000
bonds or notes of the city of the city
of two finance part of the cost thereof.
May I hear a motion to open the meeting
to the public for comment or discussion
of this ordinance?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor?
>> Opposed.
>> Would anybody from the public like to
speak to this specific ordinance?
>> May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Opposed.
>> May I hear a motion for the final
reading and adoption of ordinance
052025?
Motion second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Maritanda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
>> Establishing uh Ordinance 06,
establishing salary ranges for the city
of Epicin. Do I hear a motion for the
second reading of this ordinance? 6 2025
>> motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Laratunda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Dro,
>> yes. Ordinance 06, 2025, establishing
salary ranges for the city of Epsein.
May I hear a motion to open this meeting
to the public for comment or discussion
of the ordinance?
>> Motion. Second.
>> All in favor? I opposed.
>> Would anybody from the public like to
speak on this specific ordinance?
May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
>> May I hear a motion for the final
reading and adoption of ordinance
062025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Saratunda,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Zoros,
>> yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
0 ordinance 07 amending ordinance
12-2023
amending chapter 216 of the city of
epigen code governing hotel and motel
registration do I hear a motion for the
second reading of this ordinance 07205
motion
>> second
>> roll call please
>> Clark
>> yes
>> Evans
>> yes
>> light
>> yes
>> Parker
>> yes
>> d ro
>> yes ordinance 07205
amending ordinance
number 12-2023
amending chapter 216 of the city of Epse
code governing hotel and motel
registrations. May I hear a motion to
open this meeting to the public for
comment or discussion of the ordinance?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Would anybody from the public
like to speak on this ordinance?
>> You just provide your name and address.
>> Hello. Can you hear me? Yes, it's Judy.
I'm the pastor of Presbyterian Church
and my address is 221 West Church
Street.
I would like to um propose a tweak or
amendment. I'm not sure the
quote what I
may
Oh, can you hear me? I'm sorry. Since
this bill is being proposed to keep
other cities, counties, and entities
from dumping people here in our hotels,
could we not make an exception for
current Epic residents? For example,
their ID would have on. Um, I'm guessing
it would go in section C to say
to say this
except as otherwise set forth in this
article, no
or motel guest. Here's the change. Other
than one identification
identifies them as a current resident of
FC may occupy blah blah blah blah.
>> No, thank you, Pastor Judy. I took I
followed up after your email with the
city solicitor, John, and he provided an
update to us. John, would you like to
explain to Pastor Judy?
>> So, to answer your question, I mean, the
governing body can always do whatever it
wants. But if we were to incorporate
your proposed language there, I'm going
to you're going to run into
constitutional issues because you you
can't unduly discriminate against out
oftowners
for residents of your municipality
except for a very very minute small set
of circumstances of which this wouldn't
be incorporated into. Um it without
getting too into the weeds, it
essentially creates an issue with the
commerce clause. Um and if it were
challenged, I can guarantee you you
wouldn't be successful in having it
uphill. That's fine. I think it is
ironic since the whole thing is to
discriminate against outsiders. But I
understand why. I totally get it. I get
it. It's not right. It's not fair what's
happening to us. But I I was just trying
to make a little
>> just it's so hard for people to have
housing right now. And sometimes a motel
is the only way that they can do it. So,
but I just that was what I came up with
to try to make it a little bit more
humane. But I understand about the law.
>> I I I be honest with you, Pastor Judy. I
forwarded the email and I said I'm on
board like and then when he tells I
can't let the city get sued too so I
have to balance both sides. Um
>> but it does make sense. That said um
right before I walked in here I I did re
read uh the email you had sent to follow
up
>> and you and I can speak offline and and
discuss those specific situations.
Just as a secondary, first of all, thank
you very much for spending your time
with our
appreciate
what we can do for anybody in a specific
IC
instances reach out to us because
between ourselves, our solicitor chief
and that's the whole point of that task
for
We have people who will connect anyone
of the specific nature of what you're
speaking of. I'm trying to speak vaguely
sound a little
>> this is not to punish the homeless. This
is
they'll hold other entities accountable,
but we're still going to take care of
our city and the people in this city.
That's a commitment everybody sitting
here has made and it's a commitment that
we all intend to follow through on as
long as we're sitting here.
Thank you.
>> She probably knows better than anybody's
ever talk. So,
>> Pastor G, I'll follow up with you.
>> I think the other thing we need to
realize here is is this is not against
anybody homeless. Um, it's it's a matter
of all our hotels and motel and none of
them are set up with a kitchenet or or
anything to provide somebody with living
quarters. It's just a night stay. And in
fact, at one time, some of our hotels
They had restaurants built within. They
had continental breakfastes and
everything else. None of that none of
those things are provided by any of our
hotels to my knowledge at this current
time, especially restaurants. So, um,
for people to stay longterm, it puts
it's not really humane for them to be
stuck in in a motel or hotel room
without those other things. And um you
know ultimately you're putting not only
people there living at risk if there's a
lot of people in one hotel but our our
first responders
including our ambulance, fire and
police.
>> I understand chief and I heard all that
at the at the at the task force and
that's why I didn't try to fight the
bill. I understand that and I just know
that forever if it was a choice between
being on the street or being in a hotel
with just
whatever. I understand. So, the point
well taken. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor
Judy.
You've been very understanding for this
process and I know where your heart is
and we've talked a couple times about
this and I know it's difficult for you
to hear. Um, but I appreciate you taking
the time to understand where we're at
with this.
>> Thanks for coming.
>> Would anybody else from the public like
to speak on this matter?
May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Opposed.
May I hear a motion for the final
reading and adoption of ordinance 07205?
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Claritanda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
>> What I was going to say is there are
always opportunities as we grow and as
we gain new resources to amend
ordinances. Anybody that has ever been
to a council meeting, we're either
creating an ordinance or amending an
ordinance. So, as we grow and as we um
gain extra resources, we are always open
to to suggestions like Pastor Judy. At
this time,
we're taking these measures.
08 amending chapter 258 of the code of
the city of Epsein establishing
prohibitions against aggressive
solicitation within the city of
>> Do I hear a motion for the second
reading of the ordinance?
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes. Evans,
>> yes.
>> Claritanda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zos,
>> yes. Ordinance 08, 2022, amending
chapter 258 of the code of the city of
Epsein establishing prohibitions against
aggressive solicitation within the city
of Epsecin. May I hear a motion to open
this meeting to the public for comment
or discussion on this ordinance?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor?
>> Opposed. Would anybody from the public
like to discuss on this matter?
May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
May I hear a motion for the final
reading and adoption of ordinance
082025?
>> Motion.
>> Second. Roll call, please.
>> Art,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Laranda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zoros,
>> yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
09 amending chapter 330 vehicles and
traffic of the code of the city of EPEC
establishing regulations for the parking
of rolloff containers along roadways
within the city of Epsecin. Do I hear a
motion for the second reading of
ordinance 09 2025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes. Z.
>> Yes. Ordinance 092025
amending chapter 330 vehicles and
traffic of the code of the city of EPEC
establishing regulations for the parking
of rolloff containers along roadways
within the city of Epsecin. May I hear a
motion to open this meeting to the
public for comment or discussion on this
ordinance?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Would anybody from the public
like to speak on this ordinance?
May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I posted. May I hear a motion for the
final reading and adoption of ordinance
092025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> D Rose,
>> yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
Ordinance 10, amending chapter 270 of
the code of the city of Ebstein
establishing regulations for the
prohibition of commercial vehicles
within residential zones. Do I hear a
motion for the second reading of this
ordinance 10-2025?
>> Motion,
>> second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> D,
>> yes. Ordinance 10-2025
amending chapter 270 of the code of the
city of Epic. Establishing regulations
for prohibition of commercial vehicles
in residential areas. May I hear a
motion to open this meeting to the
public for comment or discussion on this
ordinance?
>> Second. All in favor?
>> I opposed.
Would anybody from the public like to
speak on this ordinance?
May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
May I hear a motion for the final
reading and adoption of ordinance
10-2025?
>> Second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Larreta,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zos,
>> yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
>> 11. Amending ordinance 11-2024
amending chapter 254 of the city of EPS
code thereof titled peace and good
order. Do I hear a motion for the second
reading of the ordinance 11-2025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Clarenda,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zuros,
>> yes. Ordinance 11-2025
amending ordinance number 11-2024
amending chapter 254 of the city of
seeing code thereof titled peace and
good order. May I hear a motion to open
the meeting to the public for comment or
discussion on this ordinance?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Would anybody from the public
like to discuss or comment specific to
this ordinance?
May I hear a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
>> May I hear a motion for the final
reading and adoption of ordinance
11-2025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Clar,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Soros,
>> yes. This ordinance has been heard and
is finally approved.
May I hear a motion to add resolution
number 157-2025
accepting volunteer firefighters to the
consent agenda?
>> Motion second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Lauratunda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zos,
>> yes. Um, just to comment on that, uh, it
is rare that we read in an ordinance
that wasn't actually on the agenda. Um
Carrie and I run a tight ship when it
comes to making sure the agenda gets out
on time to the public. And we had
already published the agenda and the
fire chief uh had two new young
volunteers that wanted to go to the fire
academy. The fire academy starts in like
two weeks and we wouldn't have a council
meeting. So I made the exception to
personally read it into the record so
that we could vote on it in the consent
agenda. I didn't want anybody, no funny
business, just two young guys that want
to go to the fire academy.
>> Can I can I speak on that?
>> Of course. So, uh, the two guys are
going to fire academy, I had the
privilege of actually coaching for
baseball, basketball for probably seven
years. There's nothing better than
having two guys that grew up in Abek.
This is actually the third group that
I've been stepping up here that are now
being part of our community and getting
actively involved as a volunteer. And
it's absolutely phenomenal that these
guys want to give back and do stuff for
the community that they grew up in. And
these are two of the best kids that I
could vouch for. So I'm shocked and
really proud of all of them. So I
appreciate it for your kind words, sir.
Consent agenda. All matters listed under
item consent agenda are considered to be
routine by the city council and will be
enacted by one motion in the form
listed. There will be no separate
discussion of these items. If discussion
is desired, that item will be removed
from the consent agenda and will be
discussed separately. Are there any
council members that need anything
removed?
>> Nope.
>> All right. 148 authorizing
>> reimbursements.
I think 150.
>> Thank you. I will remove 150 from the
consent agenda.
>> 148 authorizing the acceptance of and
when authorized the release of various
street opening permit security deposits
permit 10-25.
149 authorizing the acceptance of and
when authorized the release of various
street opening permit security deposits
permit 19-25.
151 authorizing the payout of
accumulated time for an employee who
resigned from the city of Epsein during
the year 2025.
152 authorizing to rebuild the router
pump and to purchase equipment materials
from Grand Turk Equipment Co. Inc. 153
authorizing for HVAC services for
various departments. 54 authorizing the
insertion of special item of revenue
into the 2025 municipal budget to allow
for the receipt of $2,100 from the new
state of New Jersey highway traffic
safety 155 authorizing to cancel a
portion of the third quarter, the fourth
quarter of 2025 and the pre preliminary
of 2026 taxes on the property located at
315 Pennsylvania Avenue block 83 lot 8
156 requesting ing the county of
Atlantic to consider the removal of the
right turn prohibition of southbound
Pittney Road at Woodcrest Avenue 157
accepting volunteer firefighters into
the city city fire department. Do I hear
a motion to open the meeting to the
public for agenda items only?
>> Did you skip 151 by accident or
>> No, he skipped.
>> Yeah, but you skipped 151.
>> Okay, I'm sorry.
>> Pay attention, Alex. If I skip any Why
don't I read 150 substain
>> 150 authorizing the acceptance of and
when authorized the release of various
street opening permit security-205.
>> Do I hear a motion to open the meeting
to the public for these agenda items
only?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor? Opposed.
>> Would anybody from the public like to
come up and speak specific to any of
these items?
I gota ask, state your name and your
address, sir.
I'm just looking at a consent agenda
here.
Supposedly the county said they were
okay. I was here at the council. They
did it
decided
they uh it's my understanding.
>> You're 100% right. So what happened was
it came back to our attention. Um
unfortunately previous city councils
went through the whole process and then
chose not to put it on the agenda. I
don't know why. I can't speak on behalf
of that. It came to my attention. It was
a no-brainer.
>> They chose not to send the request to
the count. They chose not to send the
request. So this is us moving forward
with that.
>> Okay. I remember you
>> are correct.
>> Yeah. So in order to leave it up
>> in order for this.
>> Yeah. No. So in order for this council
>> in order for we spoke with Ed and in
order for this council to make to do it,
we do have to re ask the county because
we're a new council. So that's and the
second they say yes, I'm out there with
>> my
person.
>> Is it the city that put it up or was it
the county that put it up? I thought the
city put it up.
>> Yeah, but I still thought the city put
it up.
>> Yeah, if you look at the past.
Would anybody else from the public like
to speak on agenda items?
>> Do I hear a motion to close the meeting
to the public?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
Consent agenda. May I hear a motion to
move the consent agenda?
>> Second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Yes. To all except 150. I have
>> light.
>> Yes. Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zos,
>> yes. Approval of the bill list,
1,645,15544.
May I hear a motion to accept the bill
list?
>> Motion.
>> Second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Clarenda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zuros,
>> yes. Approval of the minutes, regular
meeting minutes 717 2025. Just really
quick for the record folks that are here
or new uh in July we have one meeting
and in August we have one meeting. Just
clarify. May I hear a motion to accept
the minutes?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Laranda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> The Rose,
>> yes. I get a break. Uh reports. We'll
start with Councilman Light on the end.
>> Thank you, Mr. President.
We did not meet this month for lack of
substance and the conflict of several
people's schedule. We do we will meet
next month, the first Monday at 5:00.
And what I'll do is looking at the
schedule that falls on Labor Day. So
I'll clarify and check with our website.
A couple things that I would like to
bring up is I'd like to special thank
you to our uh for our national night out
for all the participants for the police,
the fire, our public especially our
public works um that maintain all of our
parks um impeccably every day as well as
all of our buildings. I don't know
whether public really realizes I know I
always say it each meeting but that our
public works do a whole lot more than uh
a lot of other communities. They don't
we don't outsource a lot of stuff. They
do a lot of stuff inhouse. There's
really a lot of talented people within
our town and they save our community as
well as our residents a lot of money.
I would like to make a comment on I
received a couple of
notices from residents uh two residents
one requesting and following up on
pedestrian safety. One would been on
Highland Boulevard. The other one would
be on New York Avenue where there' be an
entrance into the bike path. So, we are
working on that. We have been working on
that. We're working on some grants. Um,
so we are working diligently to come up
with a a really good plan and keep the
cost down. And then I was approached by
a resident on National Night Out and
complimenting all the work that was done
on View and just asked um if we had
proceeded with any punch list items as
well as we're wrapping up that project.
So I said I would reach out to our
engineer and then follow up with him. So
thank you. Have a good night.
>> Council finance has not met since the
last meeting and we will be meeting in
September and we'll be working on the
budget for the first time for 2026 which
will be a head start and uh we're asking
all of the I know Kristen our CFO is
sending out a message to all departments
to start working on your 2026 budget. So
we get a few months ahead of that. So be
great. Great. Thank you, sir.
Councilwoman,
>> so I just want to also touch on national
night out. Um, it was a very successful
night. Lots of participation from all
the local businesses and the vendors.
Uh, see public schools, Holy Spirit, the
veterinarian, Romans, Jersey Cal, Home
Depot, Zona Real Estate, Atlanta County
SWAT team for their demonstration, and
of course our police and fire
department. Um, I think that uh it was
enjoyed by everybody. I know that um
Tokyo Joe was there and he made a
comment that he was at that was the
fourth event that he was at that night
and Epin was the only town that
everything was free. Every other town
had food trucks there or something else
um that was um to be purchased. They did
have vendor stands like we did, but um
he was uh quite impressed by the
participation and the outcry from the um
our residents that showed up. Of course,
thank you to the police department for
the cooking all the hot dogs and uh
everything and the demonstration from
the fire department um that they had
with the um hoses and putting out the uh
fire and of course hanging the flag for
us. So,
>> Councilman, can you clarify who uh Tokyo
Joe is
for the people listening?
>> County Sheriff's Joe.
>> He's the county Atlanta County Sheriff.
Can I just piggy back on that, Rich? I
don't think people realize how much time
that the chief, his crew, MOO, Maser
Hink, all these guys put in to make it
successful for our kids and our families
and everybody there. And people rant and
rave about what a good job they did. And
I just don't want to be overlooked how
much time these guys actually. And I
think recognize that because it is time
by these guys. It's time by the public
works to get everything organized and
it's time by these guys and the fire
department and they did a great job and
it should be back and forth
>> to organize where everybody was going to
be. They, you know, put it out in paint,
you know, everything, you know, people
showed up. They knew where their spot
was. It was definitely well organized.
And
>> thank you.
>> Flawless.
>> Since we're talking about National Night
Out, can I can I just throw me off your
chief? Of course. Sorry. Of course.
>> So, first off, I I want to thank all you
for uh everyone here for always
supporting us and allowing us to do
these things. Um, selfishly, I will not
allow uh outside vendors and and food
trucks and stuff because National Night
Out, I believe, is given to the public.
It's bringing our residents and our
children down to interact with our first
responders as well as our our our
council members and the mayor.
Um, you know, it's pretty it's pretty
amazing that um, Lieutenant Hank had
this this huge job of planning for
National Night Out for a long time and
he was so proud the other night because
he passed it on to Patrolling Bethe
National Night Out this this year. Uh,
patrol beet was already planned for next
year. So, um, there's a lot of work that
goes into that and, you know, I want to
thank all of our our our local
businesses and our groups for being a
part of such a great night. Um, and you
know, I just need the the public to
understand that if if the police
department could do that once a month,
we would because our officers really
enjoy being with the public and the
residents and the kids more than you can
ever imagine. So, thank I want to thank
everybody for coming out and supporting
us with that because it's it's a it's a
huge effort and and there's a lot of
satisfaction when we can interact with
so many people that are so happy. I
heard so many residents say, "I haven't
seen uh this person or that person in so
long." And it was so fun to be out here
and and you be able to talk to people
that we haven't seen. So, thank you
guys. And uh you know, I want to just
say I'm very proud of uh police
department and everybody that's involved
that do this on a day in a day basis. Um
because um you know, I'm very grateful
for the men and women that work for us.
You know, reminding everybody that, you
know, we're asked to do so many
different things and um you know, our
attention to detail is on all these
things that people uh either see as a
problem or or see as a positive light.
Um but you know, at the end of the day,
you know, we only had 23 full-time
officers working all summer. So, I'm
kind of um I'm taken back with how hard
everybody has worked this year uh to
continue to provide these services to
everybody.
>> Thanks, Chief. And the The only note I
will I will add to to that and the other
council members. For me, quite honestly,
I think the most exciting part was um we
as as a council and police department
have worked extremely hard to um for the
first time since the 90s increase our
police department um numbers. And it was
extremely exciting to have our six
officers that graduated less than a
month ago in uniform
interacting with the public. huge smiles
on their face and I'll be honest that
was the most exciting part for me was uh
seeing those guys fresh out of the
academy already working and and you know
doing the job community policing. So uh
kudos to to those uh those folks.
>> There goes my whole report.
>> Councilman Parker is not going to have
anything to say.
>> I'm still not finished with my report.
So go ahead. I'd like to make a motion.
>> Listen guys, I'd like
>> I'd like to make a motion to see
President Rose back in the dunk tank. It
was only this year
>> and I I think it would be good for
community morale.
>> Only if the mayor is in it, too.
>> I'm still I'm still recovering from
broken toes last year. So, uh
I will consider that, but I won't read
it in.
>> Councilwoman Parker,
>> Linda's not done. I was I just want to
touch real quick. We did have a meeting
tonight. Um we did meet at community uh
affairs and our biggest thing now is
Creekfest. We're looking forward to um
September 21st from 2:00 to 7:00. Um we
do have our food trucks confirmed. We
are looking forward to uh another um
positive outing just like the national
uh night out um for our community for
everybody to come out and participate.
Uh anybody who um is interested in
getting involved, please reach out to
me. We are still looking for volunteers
even for that day. Even if it's uh
selling a t-shirt or being at the um
entrance check-in IDs, uh we'd love to
have anybody come out and help us. And
our next meeting is September 4th.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Councilwoman
Parker.
>> Oh, hi.
>> Um, a couple things have happened since
our last meeting. Um, one was our the
mass for healing that was hosted here
right at St. Elizabeth and Seaton on the
23rd of July. Um I was lucky enough to
be able to attend this uh mass and um it
was a pretty um
solemn mass but something that was
necessary and something I'd like to see
again. Um it memorialized the people um
the people we've lost in these traffic
accidents but it also um honored the
police officers that respond to these
accidents. So, I think it's something
that I'd like to see again and I believe
that we're lucky that we were able to
host it right here in Abssein and thank
the prosecutor's office and our police
department for helping put this
together. Um the other um thing that
happened in July, the next day on the
24th, our six officers graduated from
the 30th graduating class of Landing
County Police Training Center. Um and
I'm happy to see them almost every day.
I think I've seen them since they have
started. So it they're a great addition
to our police department and uh we are
lucky to have them as well. I will not
talk that much about National Night Out
because I think it has been covered, but
I I do think that the best part was
seeing our six new officers there. Um
the second best part is I walked there
on Cresfield Avenue phase one project
and that was a lovely walk down Cresview
Avenue too. So
>> shout out to you. uh we met this uh
Monday um and you know pretty much
talked about those couple of items we
just talked about. Um I know there's
been a lot of talk about the the bridge
and it is being um addressed. Um
and uh we touched base about having the
movie at the um as a fundraiser for the
Field of Dreams in September. So we're
going to work community affairs is going
to work with the police department on
planning that. Um, Chief, do you have
anything else to add?
>> I do. Uh, since you mentioned the movie,
the movie will be Saturday, September
18th.
>> What's the movie?
>> The Field of Dreams.
>> I love it.
>> Very fitting.
>> It's awesome.
>> The Field of Dreams at the Field of
Dreams. So, please come out and support
uh the movie and uh all proceeds will go
to the Field of Dreams. Do we have a
Blue Devils schedule yet to know that?
That
>> there's a schedule.
>> There's a schedule.
>> I have that. Yeah. First home game
Saturday, September 13th, right?
>> Have you ever heard the Kevin Cosner
story about Field of Dreams and Field of
Dreams?
>> No.
>> I'll tell you afterwards.
>> Thanks for saving us.
>> I'm going to leave you on that.
There you go.
>> Council President,
>> I did want to I did want to expand on
the graduation. Um, you know, I I I've
been doing I've been in police work for
over 25 years. I've been your chief for
over five. Um, the the fact is is
someone's mentioned it earlier, the last
time we recruited untrained officers for
the city of Epicin was 1990.
um to actually, you know, recruit and
and hire within um myself as a longtime
resident and and growing up here. Uh as
well as um retired captain stole when we
wanted to be a police officer here, we
were told we had to go somewhere else
and transfer or we were never working
here because we they just stopped
sending people to the police academy. I
got to tell you, um, the graduation,
um, myself and the administration along
with Mayor, um, [ __ ] um, we had a
fantastic day seeing those guys, uh,
during the graduation and quite frankly,
it was one of the highlights of my
career. So, thank you for all that.
>> Thanks, Chief. Um, one other thing I
just want to talk about on uh Thursday,
August 21st, um, at Church by the Bay,
Pastor Lou is working with us with the
um, with this this uh, homeless problem.
Um, he's taken a a a different approach
because he's tired of people talking
about it and and not doing. So, what
he's done is is he's um he's asked us,
the Galloway Police Department along
with Atlantic County Prosecutor's
Office, the New Jersey State Police, we
are going to have an event from 11 to 6
that will um we're going to uh filter or
invite or or try to uh get anybody who
is in a position of homelessness or
anything else to the church. Um we'll
have health care professionals, mental
health aids, uh drug addiction
advocates. Um we will we'll be there to
help with job placement.
Um uh housing. Um there'll be hot meals
provided along with personal hygiene. Uh
I think this is a step in the right
direction. Um and um we're we're hoping
that we can change maybe if we can
change one or two lives that day. Um you
know, it'll be a build a huge building
block moving forward uh and and working
together with these other um other
people. So, uh it's going to be
Thursday, August 21st. You're going to
see signs out there um you know, trying
to get the the people that are of need
aware of this. uh and as well as we'll
be using uh you know some of our uh
other uh partners to uh help the people
get there.
>> Chief, what was that location again?
Just to reiterate,
>> Church by the Bay,
>> the Old State Trooper Barracks.
>> It's right on Route 30 uh across from
like the Waw Wa there.
>> 44 East White Horse Pike.
>> Thanks, Chief Councilman Sykes.
>> Thank you, President. Um we have not met
yet this month. We're going to meet this
coming Tuesday. I'm sorry, 8 8:19th this
Tuesday. Um, we got a couple things on
our agenda we're going to discuss with
the committee. Couple things in the
works. I'm really looking forward to it.
I know we have uh football season coming
up. Uh, again to the public works, kudos
to those guys. Fields look great. Um,
practice fields look great. So, um, the
one thing I do want to count, you know,
I'm not everybody already said it, but
um, you know, National Night Out was
huge success. Uh again, huge thank you
to all that were involved with planning,
council, police, fire. Um you know, I
have two little kids. They were running
around and you know, just to watch them
have a blast and see all the different
people. Um you know, really enjoyed
that. Second, for me, like I know this
is our motto, like I'm seeking is home,
but it was just really neat to see the
community come together and like all the
different businesses. Everybody came
out, everybody had a tent. Um, you know,
I just think that's a huge reflection of
our town on how we can come together and
everybody can kind of put put everything
else aside and, you know, just really do
that for the community and the kids. It
was awesome. So, thank you, Council
Lundo. Uh, we have not met this month.
Our next meeting will be, uh, August
21st, but I would like to also thank all
the businesses who participated in
National Night Out. Uh, and I also want
to thank all those who came to Jersey
Cow's grand opening uh, this past
Saturday. It was a great uh afternoon
and uh congratulations to them again and
thanks for their investment here in town
and looking forward to them being having
a successful uh career here. So, thank
you.
>> Thank you, Councilman.
Engineers report.
>> Thank you, Council President. I just
have a few updates. So, um I've
mentioned in past meetings, we have a
project to update our lobby here at city
hall. That project's going out to bid.
We're having our bid opening on August
19th. Those will be ADA accessibility
upgrades. We're going to basically open
up the lobby so you won't have that
vestable there. You just walk straight
into the lobby so it'll be a lot easier
to get in and out of the building and
there'll also be some improvements to
the sidewalk in front of the building
just to make it more accessible. So that
project's going out to bid. Our road
program and the raised crosswalk project
are moving along in the design process
um so we can get those out to bid soon.
Last meeting we did approve the new
flashing crosswalk signs on New Jersey
Avenue, Ohio Boulevard. So we've sent
all the all the contract information
over to the contractor. We're getting
him scheduled, so you'll see those signs
coming up soon, which will be a a major
safety improvement. And then last, but
certainly not least, we had a meeting
with the Atlantic County Engineers
Office
um on July 30th regarding the Shore Road
project. Um they did um extend us the
courtesy of meeting with us in person to
try to short circuit the normal review
process of we send them our stuff, they
send us a letter, we send them a letter.
So, we spent, you know, almost a couple
hours together going over line by line
the outstanding items. I think we all
left that room with an understanding of
um, you know, the last final tweaks that
needed to be done. Those that final
package will go into to to the county
this month and our expectation is that
we will be moving into the bid process
very very shortly after that. So, I'll
keep everybody updated. Um, I I know
I've been saying we're on the one yard
line. I don't know. It's like a tush
push now. Like, we're right there. So,
um, we're almost there. That's all I
got.
>> Thanks ahead. Appreciate it. Crosswalks
you think are going to be out the bid
when did you say?
>> I don't have a date yet, Councilman, but
I'll get you our projected date. I'll
let you know.
>> We have our assigned locations of where
they're going to be placed first. No, we
do. I just don't have that handy
public.
>> Yep.
>> And I have Steve retaining that that
project is um do we have um you'd be
disappointed if I didn't ask you this.
Do we have a an an upgraded lighting
package in there where all mostly all
those those street lights are all
struggling all along there? Is that
>> which project?
>> Um Shore Road.
>> Shore Road. Um so it's not part of our
bid package, but we can certainly
address it as you know in parallel with
the project um the Atlantic City
electric lights. No,
>> because that road will be shut down or
whatever they're going to do. It' be a
perfect time to do some improvements and
>> it'll there'll be a cost impact, but I
think it'll it'll actually it'll serve
everyone well.
>> Sure.
>> Thank you.
>> Got it.
>> Anything else, Councilman? Good.
>> Thank you,
>> Mayor Report.
Uh I I have to say National Night Out.
>> I have nothing left to add. Uh I was
going to throw myse home community
thing. Councilman Sy got it for me. Uh
thank you chief for everything. And real
quick just to to explain uh we've now
had two meetings with our homeless task
force and I think it's really important
to explain some of the ordinances that
were passed tonight that Pastor Judy was
uh had notes on. We
we have poured a lot of time and effort
into these ordinances. Um, this homeless
task force has membered three different
people who work in the social service
industry, our police department after
the success of our first meeting and
then a a newspaper article that had to
do with Chief Lachland and I kind of
standing up to Ocean County. Uh, Goway
Township has now joined our homeless
task force and it it's been a great it
was very very productive and I truly
would ask I know we all have very busy
schedules. Um, it's summertime but I I
have every intention of going August
21st to the Church by the Bay with
Pastor Skaggala and I would uh encourage
any council members who are available uh
to show up. It's going to be very
rewarding to try and and and actually
help people and put our money where our
mouths are that we're we're we're here
to help and and we're going to be there
for everybody.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Before I move on, does anyone have
anything else?
>> Do I hear a motion to open the meeting
to the public?
>> Motion. Second.
>> All in favor? I
>> opposed. Would anybody from the public
like to come up and speak? If so, please
state your name and address.
any any at this point it's anything you
want my favorite color or whatever
anything you want. I am Eric Harrington
17 Stony Brook Drive apartment 24. Um
this is just a traffic light issue on
westbound Mill Road. Every now and then
the green light will last for about 5 to
10 seconds. It appears to follow when
somebody is crossing the street and
maybe has activated the walk signal.
It's very frustrating during morning
rush hours when you're stuck in lines of
cars and then suddenly you see a yellow
light when you think you've got a chance
to go through the intersection. And with
more driveways off of that road now with
businesses, it could get backed up even
further.
>> I appreciate that. Um, Ed is probably
cringing because I fight the good fight
on the traffic timing, the lights, uh,
up and down the White Horse Pike. Ed,
can we reach out? Um,
>> is that Route 30?
>> Yes, that's right.
>> Mil Road and Route 30.
>> Which direction though?
>> Westbound.
>> North or southbound?
>> Okay.
>> All right. Crossing from Jersey Cow over
to McDonald. goes really fast.
>> I looked at the rearview mirror in my
car to get the directions.
I got you.
>> So what we'll do is we'll uh the process
is so so Ed will reach out to the county
state
>> and the first thing what we'll do is
they're able to like look into the
actual like timing mechanism and
>> if it is running what they claim
perfect, we can always then take the
next step to have them look into
changing the timing depending on you
know certain situations or in other
situations we found that the timing was
off and it was rectified. So, um,
hopefully we'll we'll be able to follow
up with you once the county, but Ed will
handle that for you, sir.
>> Okay. All right. I appreciate it. Thank
you.
>> Thank you. I was saying thank you for
bringing it up.
>> Okay.
>> Can't fix it. I don't know whether
somebody mentioned it before or not.
>> Nobody has, but you are right.
>> Actually, the police department did put
a request in about a year ago. They did
it did seem to get better, but now it's
it's back to being really quick again.
>> Can we add Salur Road to that then, too?
>> That one unfortunately.
Yeah. But the way their timing is, they
claim that it's up to the traffic study
that they've done.
>> You sit there and they're not really
budging.
>> Great. You missed the whole cycle.
>> Would anybody else from the public like
to speak?
>> I know I know your name now, but name
and address, please.
>> Allison Maxfield, 311 East Wyoming
Avenue, second floor. Um, so I just want
to um I love what you have in mind for
the task force and the um idea at the
church. I think it's unbelievable. I'm
glad you had um a really great night
out. I wasn't there uh cuz I was having
a night out somewhere else, but um I'm
glad it was such a success. I think that
there needs to be more community things.
So um okay, let me because I'm trying to
remember what I have to
and then
>> Oh, good. Take your time. Okay. So, the
first one is I know that the last
meeting um there was the talk about it's
great that there's signage now um or
there's the the um about drive you know
the proper driving speed this that and
the other but at the last meeting it was
said that there were a lot of different
people in the community who felt that
there was a traffic issue or like that
people were driving too fast stuff like
that. So the idea that I had is I I love
the idea of seeking is home. So, I think
it would be wise to create signage that
people can put on their um you know, and
they can get it here and they can pick
it up maybe for like a you know, a price
of $5 or something like that. That would
meet the needs of the community um
because they'd feel like they were
really heard on those things. And the
idea that I have is like obse
drive respectfully. Drive like your kids
live here. I think that'd be a really
good one. Um,
>> and then once before, haven't we? Time
to do that again.
>> I think we've done before we were drive
safely with kids or something.
>> It is 100% time to do that again. It was
I believe it was like we love our
children like in our community. Please
drive safely and um like we drive around
some people have their broken but we we
wouldn't
>> Mayor what we'll do is we'll either
after this meeting or tomorrow we'll go
into the we call it the vault but it's
not like some secret vault but we'll go
into the vault and uh we'll count how
many we have and then we can advertise
it and push out a a campaign again.
>> Okay.
>> You're in a great spot for it.
>> I know. I know. I know. We have um the
tractor, you know, all the food that's
going through. I think that whole area
with all five, you know, the streets
coming together. I call the star, but
every single area there needs signage.
Um and I think the residents would
really appreciate that. They would feel
very cared for, but it also creates a
sense of community. Um so the other idea
is um so the only food bank or the the
only place that I know that really gives
food out to hungry people is Beacon
Church.
So The Catholic Church in Ebin does as
well.
>> Okay. They they might do they line up
right there in Pleasant.
Pastoral also does.
>> I'm sorry I interrupted. I don't care.
No, that's great. Cuz I wanted to know
more places. Yes, the place in
Pleasantville does. The school does, but
um there's I think there's going to be a
crisis up by um Smithville area. Now,
that might be more Galloway, but it
seems like we're in a lay on ship with
Galloway anyway. So, I think the real
issue is um there's going to be because
of everything going on with the tariffs,
the economy that we're dealing with
right now, there's going to be a lot of
people in private businesses who may
lose their jobs. There's going to be a
lot of stuff. So, one of the major
factors from lay miz, we know that the
guy stole bread and then he's pursued
by, you know, but the point is when
people are hungry, they do a lot of
crappy stuff and they don't mean to
break the law, but they're hungry. So, I
think that there needs to be more food
banks in the area and I think that it
needs to be a position that's um
supported by the council and letters are
sent out. Um because, you know, we don't
right now I don't know if they're
feeding kids at homes. Uh uh if they're
feeding kids at school anymore, you
know, there used to be the SNAP program,
all these different programs. Um go
ahead. I'm a I'm a teacher within one of
the local districts and we do um
obviously there's always been a free and
reduced lunch that students they they do
have to sign up for it. So something has
to be filled out and once that's filled
out that parent, that guardian, that
student um they do have access to free
and reduced depending on what the income
for that family is. But we do free
breakfast for all every day, Monday
through Friday. Wow.
>> They get whatever they want. Um usually
multiple things, a juice, a milk, um you
know, anything from yogurt to bars and
things like that. Um but that is every
day
>> and that is advertised in the
>> school is advertised.
>> And I know reads a newspaper, but
legally the school districts have to
advertise it in newspapers um during the
summer. So the notice did go out from
all the school districts in the area
about free and reduced lunches.
>> Wonderful. So um I'm also hope that's
that's just amazing. I'm so glad to live
in this community. So, um the other
thing is Huh.
>> Well, thank you, mayor. So, um the other
thing is I think we can reach out to the
VFWs, American Legions also to provide
food banks. Um you know, right now we've
got to create the social security net.
That's not out there. Um the next thing
is
>> Can I speak on that real quick? Go
ahead. No, I think that's a fantastic
idea.
We we have a lack of food banks, yes,
but more importantly, there are probably
more food banks around than we realize.
And the reason they don't make it so
public is because they're all struggling
to get food in their food banks because
there's so many people who donate to the
wrong reason or the wrong cause instead
of looking at their local churches and
their local food banks and actually
donating to them. whether you go buy
canned food or or give a gift card so
that the the churches and those
organizations can go purchase food.
What's happened is is is over the years
some of these food banks have closed cuz
simply they couldn't couldn't get the
contributions to give back to the people
that really need.
>> Mayor, uh can I request that your
committee look into possibly doing some
sort of food drive?
>> I've already written it down. Thank you,
Mr. President. That's why we work well
together.
>> All right. And I think that also
reaching out to the food bank of New
Jersey that is over on you know the
black horse pike. They might want to
have something on the white horse pike.
It would be wise. So maybe with their
funage they could do something as well.
And then the next idea was um well I've
got two idea. Is it okay that I'm still
speaking? Do you need me to stop? Okay.
So,
>> I forgot to start the timer, so I'm
sorry.
>> So, I'm hearing that the police really
love to be with the youth. And um you
know, I think it would be great if there
was some sort of activity for youth or
even for young adults, something like
that, cuz we don't really have a
recreation department as far, do we?
>> Yeah, we do.
>> We do.
>> Absolutely. Social athletic club. We run
all the sports in town. So, we have we
have soccer, basketball, baseball, we
have everything but football, lacrosse,
which are their two entities. So we have
pretty much what I want to say seven
sports between all of us every season.
So we
>> okay
>> so we have a lot of sports going for
these kids. We have basketball courts
right now. We have the field of dreams.
We have uh it's a lot of things for our
kids to do and this has been I mean I'm
a lifelong resident of 44 years and I've
played through all of this as a kid. So
this has been a very successful program
for
>> Are you looking outside of actual
>> organization? I just want to tell you um
when we do have our events, we do reach
out to the schools. We have contacts at
the schools. So just um our day of
service um for Martin Luther King Day
was supposed to be a cleanup day. Um we
reached out to the schools. They they
sent all their um National Junior
National Honor Society from the seventh
and eighth grade over at Atley's. Um it
had snowed or iced the day before and we
couldn't go clean up. Um, so we went and
bought peanut butter and jelly and bread
and all those students sat there and
made peanut butter and jelly that um, we
did give to an organization that gives
to the homeless. They made encouragement
cards and stuff. So we do actively um,
embrace the youth in our community and
reach out to the schools when we have an
event that they can participate in.
That's awesome. So, I guess the idea
that I'm getting at is um so I go to the
Egg Harbor Township Rec Center and I
love that place because they've got this
Signis art center there for kids and
adults and then they have a lot of like
adult stuff. Um so I would love to see
an art center of some kind or art
programming.
>> If you asked me my number one goal and
dream as council president would be to
bring a rec center to the city of Epsin.
Um, financially, I don't see that
happening anytime soon. Just being
totally blunt. Um, but that is my
absolute end all beall goal as an
elected official is to eventually
Councilman Nick's got a lot
comes up with an idea once a month on
how we can get a rec center. Um, that is
honestly what I think you say it's like
the number one uh goal.
>> So, I think it's there's actually a
solution for that. So, um, you've got
the Obscin church right in town that's
across from the, um, the graveyard.
>> Yeah, that was the pastor who
>> Okay, great. And there's a lot of
churches in town. So, and already we're
utilizing the church that's on Church
Street for the senior center, right? So,
these churches have huge areas that they
can house an art center. Um, I don't see
why it couldn't happen. It's even better
than what Gallery has, which is a really
small place. And the library no longer
has a private room for arts in Galloway.
>> So the one the the one thing I will tell
you is are you familiar with these art
alliance?
>> I um the the one run by um the guy who's
a teacher.
>> Oh um I don't know.
>> No I don't know who
>> I don't know these Arts Alliance. Now
>> um I'll connect you with them because
they do different programs specific to
art in Epicin. Um it it bounces around.
They don't have a studio or a specific
center but I can connect you with them.
>> Okay. Cool. Yeah, I'd like to connect
with them.
>> Yeah, absolutely. I can do that.
>> And then the last thing is
uh I think I got to everything actually,
but I just wanted to understand
something better. There's a field um
it's in a memorial field and it's across
from the Reformation Church.
>> That's you're thinking of Galloway.
That's Galloway.
>> Oh, that's Galloway. Okay.
>> That's literally
>> Yeah. I can never understand why it's
not being used
>> right for rugby. They use it for rugby.
today. Yeah,
>> I think it would be so great for a movie
night there, you know.
>> Galloway
right there. Here we go. Night time
heads.
>> That's mainly why it's not you.
>> Email address and I can get get you
contact with
>> Yeah, I just just throw that. Yeah,
sure.
>> Would anybody else from the public like
to speak?
>> Captain Maser, if we keep making eye
contact, you eventually have to come
off.
Do I hear a motion to close the meeting
to the public? Motion. All in favor?
>> Opposed?
>> May I hear a motion to adjourn those
meeting? Motion. Second. All in favor?
>> Opposed?
>> Thank you everybody for coming tonight.
>> Thank you everyone.