Council Meeting 2-19-26

Welcome to the Epseek City Council
February 19th, 2026 regular meeting. Uh
mayor is not here today. So
>> Steve, you want to lead us in the flag
salute?
>> Absolutely.
>> Salute.
>> 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.
Yes.
>> Just hold for a second.
>> Just one minute.
>> You can say the first line.
>> I'll have to run, Mary. It's okay. We
got to be good. How's yours?
>> Hello.
>> See, we all mess up. I messed up. She
messed up.
>> We got nothing to worry about. You're
going to be better than me tonight.
I can't really show you. While we're
waiting, just everybody's aware, our
municipal clerk is is out currently, so
we have to pass an
>> resolution to
quote hire for the day, uh, appoint a
deputy clerk. Um, Mary will be our
deputy clerk once we swear her in really
quick uh via resolution, but that's
that's why there's just a quick hiccup.
>> Car's got
>> you would think, but we always have it
in front. It's easy to roll on the
paper, you know.
>> Yeah, I suppose.
in the firehouse text. No, he texted me
like
stone,
too.
>> Everyone can talk. I mean,
>> Mr. Clark, how are you recorded?
>> Yeah, both.
>> You can talk. It's just on the record.
Alex, you can say whatever you want.
It's on the record, though.
>> Oh, no. Now I say everybody can talk and
it gets quiet.
>> Yep. I'm fine. I had a good finance
meeting. I'm good.
>> Yeah.
>> Was it? It was good.
>> It is what it is.
>> It was good.
>> Yeah.
>> You really think we're going to get all
this snow on Sunday?
>> What?
>> Is it supposed to be Sunday or Saturday?
We can get it.
>> I can play fun.
>> Yeah, I think she was supposed
either we're going to get nothing or
we're going to get two feet.
>> She hasn't had vacation because she
didn't close enough.
>> Yeah, I mean that's just the the state's
suggestion.
>> Nobody can also indicate that it's being
say that. Does Pete get them or are
there
>> I believe it's still in Mary because you
have to go aren't with the
>> the police you have to
um if you've already
got Do you think we're going to actually
get all this?
>> Right. My son said he knew last year he
never picked up his badge though.
>> People don't mind when you're wrong in
that scenario, right? That's fine. If
you're wrong about not getting that say
we're getting it and we don't get it,
everybody's going to be happy.
>> Right. I I read a thing once that said
weathermen and baseball players is the
only back 300s actually ironically
enough.
>> All right.
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 prominently 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
obsecanj.gov.
All right. Well, Christine, would you
like to kick off uh a quick uh reading?
>> Yes. Um so, Kinley Huner um was the
winner of the VFW Patriot Pen essay, and
due to some illness, she was unable to
read her entire essay um at the VFW
about a month ago. So, she asked if I
could read it tonight just so she could
um get this out so everybody could hear
the end of it since we were all loving
it so far um that night.
It's called, "How are you showing
patriotism and support for our country?"
Patriotism means being proud to live in
the United States, respectful of those
who serve our country, and spreading
kindness and love. I try to show these
qualities every day through my attitude
and actions. My grandfather served in
the army as an airborne, and he told me
from a very young age how proud he was
to fight for the United States. He
instilled the importance of respecting
the flag and our country. He wore his
army hat proudly for as long as I can
remember. And when anyone said, "Thank
you for your service," he would say,
"I'm proud to have served this amazing
country." I agree with my grandfather
that this country is amazing because of
our freedom. We have the right to speak
our minds, vote on our leaders, and live
the way we choose. Another reason I
believe our country is great is because
of the many cultures that live here. We
can learn from each other, and share
ideas with people who are not just like
us. Our country allows people to work
hard to reach their dreams. They can be
anything they choose, including a
teacher, a doctor, a firefighter, or
even the president. I show patriotism by
spreading kindness and love. I try to be
a good person every day. I volunteer at
community events, donate money, make
treats for the animal shelter, and help
wherever I can. I always invite others
to participate, and try to make sure
nobody gets left out. I make cards for
veterans on Veterans Day, Christmas, and
Thanksgiving to make them happy. I also
help with a shoe box drive to collect
items and cards for people serving the
country. By being a good person and
helping others, I believe I am showing
patriotism and encouraging others to do
the same. When I pass by anyone in a
military hat, I always go out of my way
to say thank you for serving our
country. What I really mean when I say
thank you is thank you for serving our
country. Thank you for being proud to
live in the United States. Thank you for
keeping us free and safe. And thank you
for spreading kindness, respect, and
love. Great job,
>> Tony. Thank you for coming tonight. Um,
we really appreciate it. And, uh,
awesome that you won. Welld deserved.
And not as a councilman, but as a Army
veteran myself, like your grandfather,
thank you for such a good letter. Um,
and I believe there's other veterans in
this room as well, army guys. So,
>> so perfect timing. So, thank you so much
for those kind words. It was it was
really really powerful. Thank you.
You're very welcome.
We're going to get into the boring stuff
now. So, that was the fun stuff. Um,
welcome to stay or leave. Up to you
guys.
>> To the one I have a concern.
>> Have a good night, guys.
>> Thank you for coming. Thank you for a
nice job. Good job.
>> All right. Regular meeting agenda 2026
resolutions out of consent 53.
Appointing a deputy clerk prom for
February 19th, 2026 council meeting.
>> Motion.
>> May I hear a motion to move this
resolution 5326?
>> Motion. Second.
>> Second.
>> Roll call. Clark.
>> Yes.
>> Evans.
>> Yes.
>> Launda. Light.
>> Yes.
>> Parker.
>> Yes.
>> Sykes.
>> Yes.
>> D. Rose. Yes.
>> Welcome, Mary.
>> Thank you.
>> Give you back.
>> Mary is our former deputy clerk. We're
in good hands. 2026 ordinances for
introduction 05, an ordinance repealing
and replacing chapter 224, article 20 of
the land use and development ordinance
entitled affordable housing.
May I hear a motion?
>> Motion.
Second
>> discussion on this for introduction
only. John, do you have anything to say
about it?
>> Nothing to really say. Our planner put
it together and really it just complies
with the new uh state regulations that
are required uh through our round four
obligations. So, we're just meeting
those uh requirements through this
ordinance.
>> Um I spoke to Jen uh prior to this
meeting and that's exactly she said the
state put out the mandate and we are
just complying with everything in our
phase 4. Um
>> everyone's doing it. We have to have
these um you have to go through second
reading and adoption and then we have to
file it prior to March 15th. So timing
is sort of the essence to get this
started, but we're in uh good shape in
terms of timing at this point.
>> Does anyone have any other questions? If
not, you can reach out directly to Jen.
Um she will be at the next meeting um
for any open discussion about it. If
not, roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes. Oh, Lton is down here. Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes. Sykes.
>> Yes.
>> Rose,
>> yes. This ordinance will be posted, laid
over, and published according to law. A
public hearing, second, and final
reading will be held on March 5th, 2026.
2026 ordinances for adoption. Capital
ordinance providing for various general
capital improvements and acquisition of
various equipment by and in the city of
EPSCAN, appropriating 120,000 therefore
from the general capital fund surplus to
pay the cost.
Do I hear a motion for the second
reading of this ordinance?
>> Motion. Second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes. Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes. Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Duros,
>> yes. Ordinance 03 2026, capital
ordinance providing for various general
capital improvements and acquisition of
various equipment by and in city of
epicanin appropriating 120,000 therefore
from the general capital fund surplus to
pay the cost. May I hear a motion to
open this meeting to the public for
comment or discussion on this ordinance
only?
>> 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 meeting
to the public?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. May I hear a motion for the
final reading and adoption of ordinance
032026?
>> Motion. Second. Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes. Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker, yes. Sykes,
>> yes.
>> D Rose,
>> yes. Ordinance 032026, capital ordinance
providing for various general capital
improvements and acquisition of various
equipment by and in the city of EPS and
appropriating $120,000 therefore from
the general fund general capital fund
surplus to pay the cost thereof. This
ordinance has been heard and is finally
approved.
Ordinance 04 amending the code of the
city of Obsein adding chapter 168
buildings.
>> Do I hear a motion for the second
reading of this ordinance?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes. Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Duros,
>> yes. Ordinance 042026, amending the code
of the city of EPS and adding chapter
168 buildings. May I hear a motion to
open the meeting to the public for
comment or discussion on this ordinance
only?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor?
>> I
opposed.
Anybody from the public like to speak
specific to this ordinance?
May I hear a motion to close the meeting
to the public?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. May I hear a motion for the
final reading and adoption of ordinance
04206?
>> Motion. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes. Evans,
>> yes. Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes. Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Dur.
>> Yes. Ordinance 042026
amending the code of the city of Obsean
adding chapter 168 buildings. This
ordinance has been heard and is finally
approved.
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. 54. Amending
resolution 332026
confirming meetings of city committees,
commissions, and boards for the year
2026.
55. Authorizing a refund of overpayment
of taxes for the first quarter of 2026
on block 217, lot one. 56. Authorizing a
refund of an overpayment of taxes for
the first quarter of 2026 on block 289,
lot one.
Consent items only. Do I hear a motion
to open the meeting to the public?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
>> Anybody from the public like to speak on
this?
>> Do I hear a motion to close the meeting?
>> Motion second.
>> All in favor? I
>> opposed.
Let the record reflect. Councilman is
here and present. Thank you, sir.
>> Consent agenda. May I hear a motion to
move the entire consent agenda?
>> Motion. Second. Roll call, please.
>> Clerk,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes. Thorunda,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Duros,
>> yes. Approval of the bill list,
$1,417,959.54.
May I hear a motion to accept the bill
list?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> D Rose,
>> yes.
All right. Council committee reports. We
will start with Councilman Light.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. We have not
met. We do we are going to meet on the
2nd of March at five o'clock. But a
couple things I'd like to go over is um
the we had really good response with uh
in conjunction with uh our police chief
um our engineering staff and as well as
support through Atlantic Electric. So
I'm happy to see a lot of our street
lights. I know that's like my pet peeve,
but uh we're paying for it. I want to
see it done. So I'm seeing action. So,
I'd say
maybe 80% of the lights that have been
um I use the word pinged have been
they're actually being repaired. So,
it's nice to see. So, that's it's it's
better for our community, public safety.
Um and then also I'll ask the the
engineer to maybe weigh in on some of
the stuff that's DOT and county related
when he speaks. Um that's all I have.
And then also just as I always do is
thanks public works for all all the work
that they do with the snow and the ice
and you know it's you know they always
try to make a point to thank them for
their efforts.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you Councilman Alex.
>> Uh I'm going to piggyback on uh public
works real quick. Nick, you want to
speak about uh the update we got on
Shore Road today?
>> Yes.
>> When we got you want to wait or you want
to go now?
>> Do it during engineer report?
>> Up to you guys.
>> I don't know if you tag it tag it to
what he just said. That's the reason why
I said it. But you could do you want to
do it now? I would do it now. Yeah.
>> I have the I have a
lot of wind. So get some information hot
off the press. Uh how long?
>> But yeah, since the last time we met,
we've had several uh well, one meeting
and a couple discussions with the
county. We've had we've addressed their
comments and as of today, I did receive
an email at 5:30 uh with the county
stadium that all that the plans are
good. They signed the plans. um they've
you know they've accepted all of our
changes and they've accepted the plans
and um stated that is now we'll now be
moving forward with bidding. Um so great
great news there. It's a huge win like
Councilman Clark said
>> and the schedule that we have here in
the email. Um so it should go to
purchasing immediately once uh we sign
the plans and send them back. That's
that takes no time at all for us to do
that. And then takes uh let's see here
weeks
>> couple weeks for purchasing and then
they'll advertise them for four weeks.
And based on the current commission
schedule of meetings, they're
anticipating an award in May and then uh
move forward with a pre-construction
meeting June and hopefully a precon
right after that. And so we could see
construction beginning possibly in July
of this summer. So
>> excellent. But
>> so yeah.
>> All right. So possibly sooner if you
know they did say possibly sooner if we
can compress anything in that schedule.
Um so so yeah since the last time we
we've met here, I guess we can now say
the shore rate has been approved and
we'll be going out to bid ever since.
>> That's a catch. It's a catch timing is a
catch 22. you know, you got summer
traffic and there's going to be detours,
but on the other hand, the fall winter
moon tides are when we get hit the most
with the flooding, so we'd want to be
done by then. That's tricky. That's Oh,
well. No, it is what it is. But
>> yeah, we're estimating about 7 months of
construction. So, you know, the sooner
the better. It's it's possibility that
it could be completed by the end of this
calendar.
>> Yeah.
>> Thanks, Nick. Anything else, Councilman?
>> Sure. So, finance met this evening. We
went over a few things regarding our
budget salary stuff and looking at
preparing more for our budget for 2026.
Hoping to get some more information done
the next finance meeting. Uh we talked
about increases to different salaries
for crossing guards class 2 officers
salary staff as well as
uh looking for a new CFL. So
>> thank you Councilman. council.
>> Um, community affairs has not met since
our last meeting. Our next meeting will
be um March 5th, Thursday. We did move
the time, just as a reminder, from 5:30
to 5:00 because the council meetings now
are at 6. So, it gives us a full hour
instead of a half hour rushed.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you,
>> Councilman Parker.
>> Public safety has not met since our last
meeting. Um, however, I the only thing I
have to report is one of our newest
police officers went a little bit viral
yesterday for something really good. Um,
so that was nice to see him going the
extra mile. Um, and seeing our new
police officers out there. Chief, do you
have anything to add?
>> I think that's a occurrence that happens
more of times than often. It's just not
reported. Um, it was very nice that the
resident was nice enough to um, you
know, give the officer kudos. It was
officer Melendez.
Um, I'm going to talk about the lighting
real quick. We've been hearing about the
Route 30 lighting. Um, I think we're
we're working with Atlantic Electric, so
there should be some repairs and um
fixing of that in the in the short term.
Um, so just give us a little time on
that. And then lastly, if we get the
snow that a few people in the room were
hoping for, I guess, uh, remember to
clean off your cars. Uh, the last
snowstorm, we had several windshields
blown out. Um it's just laziness not to
clean off the car and um you know you
could really really somebody could
really get injured or or worse um just
by not taking the snow off your car. So
take a few extra time little extra time
clean off the car and and uh do your due
diligence when it comes to that.
>> Thanks Chief Councilman. Anything else?
Uh, we meet again on March 2nd at 6 p.m.
The only other thing I wanted to add,
and it's not public safety related, but
one of our obscin residents hit her
thousand points at her holy spirit
basketball game yesterday. That was
Lawrence. Another neat thing that
happened in Obsecin this week.
>> Very cool. Thank you, Councilman.
>> Thank you, President. Um, parks and
recreation met this Tuesday. Um, one of
our favorite meetings is picking the
concerts. So, uh, we were able to dial
down the 10 that we, uh, are going to
invite, um, out of, you know, about a
15. And, um, that being said, we got to
make sure we don't have any dates or
anything set yet. We have to make sure
that all the, um, the bands are able to
play and that they have they can fill
the spots. We have a few backups as
well. Once we get the um confirmation
that all compliant, the dates are out,
I'll make sure I'll reach out to um
Councilwoman Evans and we'll try and put
it on community affairs page so that
everybody can see and make some uh
accommodations for the summer coming. Um
we also talked about um a few things
with possibly painting the Gold Coast at
the football field for the upcoming
season. Um they're white paint right
now. We could use a fresh coat of paint.
We're talking about maybe doing yellow
and upgrading it like that. Um talked
about the lights at the end of the
culde-sac. uh believe it's out right
now. We were talking about with that
with uh Councilman Light as well. Um not
only replacing that, but possible um
different unit for the top that would
span both the entire culde-sac then
rather single light depending on what we
can afford moneywise and and what's
available for the attachment that way.
Um some things we got the foul post on
the football um I'm sorry the baseball
fields. Um going to look into that as
well. obviously paint. And I wanted to
give a heads up that March Madness
starts first week of March with the uh
local basketball teams. And
I think that was the uh that was final
for everything that we discussed at the
meeting.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Excuse me. I'd like to add something as
well or just is the the some of the
lighting and clarify some of the
lighting is owned. It's city owned. Uh
which I found out. It took me a while to
figure that out, but the city owns
certain poles back there. Um so we'll
need to get them addressed um
accordingly. Thank you.
>> Yeah. Thank you both. Council
>> uh code enforcement. Uh at our first
meeting uh this Tuesday, it was a very
productive meeting. Uh Councilwoman
Evans was there. Uh Jessica, our
administrator, and Officer Gad. Uh we
discussed kind of our plan of how we're
going to be going through the code book
to uh do updates. Um I asked um Lee to
give us a list of those that he feels
are top priority that we needed to um
adopt in the next coming few months. So
I'll be working with the council
president and our solicitor to get those
on the agenda. Uh and then we'll just go
through routinely and uh identify
ordinances that are really outdated and
need to be brought up to uh new
standards. So other than that, our next
meeting will be March uh 17th at 4 p.m.
>> Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Um, Mayor
Marone is unable to be with us tonight.
He is coaching his son in a championship
uh hockey tournament. Uh, clerk's
report.
>> Okay. So, for January 2026, the clerk's
office was 6,180.
Construction office was 170,692.
Tax office was 1,642,192.92.
The court was 56,313.50.
50 cents.
>> Thank you. Engineers report.
>> Thank you, President. Um so, uh last
week we were able to submit the grant
application for this year's local
recreation improvement grant. Uh that
was for additional funds for the um for
the multi-use, uh sports facility pole
barn structure over at Pittney Park. Um
so that grant is now submitted. Um,
today I was able to send in our proposal
to do the engineering and prepare plans
for bidding for that project. Um, so we
can talk about that in the next couple
weeks. Uh, the idea there is to, you
know, potentially design the building,
get it ready for bidding, uh, while the
city maybe, you know, raises some money,
uh, through fundraising efforts and
while we wait for the the new grant that
we just submitted to come in. Um, still
waiting for the 2025 road program in
Delaware Avenue to kick off. You know,
just waiting for the temperatures to
warm up. We did receive someles, so
starting to see some activity from the
contractor now. And, you know, hopefully
shortly we'll see some uh some work
beginning for those projects. Um, and
then we will be getting back to the
pedestrian crosswalk safety improvements
project, the the raised crosswalks
project. just kind of waiting for the
snow to melt because we do have some
additional survey that we need to get to
to wrap up that design. So, we'll be
sending our crew out shortly as long as
we don't get any more snow, I guess, for
this weekend.
And, uh,
working through some, you know, some
projects for the 2026 budget. um most
likely be focusing on our DOT grant
funded projects such as uh we have some
additional pedestrian safety projects
coming up and some paving projects and
then some uh uh New Jersey D I Bank
funded stormwater projects. Um and then
the last thing I'll just add is we do
have a couple um email contacts with the
DOT. So, Councilman Light's request, you
know, I I'll I'll reach out to them
about some of the lighting issues on
Route 30 and um we have been getting
actual responses from them. So, you
know, hopefully we can Yeah, hopefully
we can uh get something taken care of
over there. Thank you.
>> Sounds good.
>> Nick, raise crosswalks, you mentioned
it. Uh when are we thinking of going to
bid for that though?
>> Um
so,
>> can we get a timeline? We're probably
about I would say like one to two months
out from from finishing and submitting
to the DOT.
>> Okay.
>> And then they typically take about a
month to review and once they're out of
it
>> before calendar school year for 2026.
>> Yes, I would hope so. Yes. I think that
should be achievable.
>> Okay. That kind of a question is could
we possibly look into any grants for um
potentially ADA uh was just a simple
type of uh restroom or something out
here or our park where our
>> where our band stand is or just
something I don't know there I don't
think I've ever asked about seeking a
grant. Is that something we could maybe
look into if it's possible?
>> Yeah, I'm sure we could we could take a
look and see what's out there for that.
um basically like a ADA accessible
restroom building out in Heritage Park.
>> Yes, I know we looked at it
conventionally, but I don't know that we
ever looked at it as far as any grants
that are out there.
>> Yeah, we can take a look. I mean, the
the first one that comes to mind would
maybe be the CDBG grant that we've we've
been successful with in the past, but
not recently. But if that opens up
again, we can we can certainly try and
um you know, I can I can poke around and
and keep my eyes open for other ones
that might pop up. Thank you,
Jessica.
>> Um, at city hall, we're trying to
finalize our cyber security training
requirements in an effort to avoid
malware, fishing, and ransomware and
protect the integrity of our municipal
records. And in the event that we do get
snow, I'm hoping we don't. Um, please be
patient with public works. They work
really hard and it's only six guys
working practically round the clock. So,
we appreciate everyone's patience. Thank
you to the four people watching live.
I'm kidding. Um, our clerk's office has
been closed. However, there is a sign on
the door um directing traffic to Jessica
and her team in the tax office and they
can pretty much handle a lot of uh clerk
duties. So, I do recommend if you have
any questions to call ahead. Um, I think
that's all I have. 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?
>> Name and address, please.
>> Okay.
>> Name and address.
>> Hi everyone. My name is Sandy Hickerson.
I live at 210 Upland Avenue. Um, I'm
looking for your guidance.
Um, I am not a marijuana smoker.
As you all know, I work at Shopright.
Shopping Shopright parking lot is
horrible. You can't walk outside. You
can't walk through that parking lot
without smelling it. I work 6 days a
week. Five out of the six days when I
get done work, I walk outside and it
hits you in the face.
Not only that, 7:00 in the morning,
doors open. It's the first thing you
smell when those doors open.
Now, how many people are at shop right
at 7:00 in the morning? Not many.
But it's not just me that's complaining
about it. It's other employees that are
complaining about it. We have customers
that go into our courtesy counter are
complaining about it. I've gone to
management. I'm like, what can we do?
It's right. It's the public. You're
allowed, right? You're outside.
Whatever. But it's absolutely
disgusting. It turns my stomach. I can't
imagine our poor little children that
are in there breathing the same air.
It's disgusting.
>> Just to clarify, you can't smoke.
>> Not inside.
>> No, outside either.
>> Well, they're doing it.
>> You can't.
>> So, I don't know. Maybe maybe our police
chief could get get the guys to patrol
through there a little bit further or a
little bit more frequent, but it's it's
horrible. And um but yeah, I know
customers are complaining unfortunately
and I this is probably even different.
They're not just complaining about other
customers smoking, but I know I know
there's employees smoking as well.
That's a whole different story.
>> That's not our uh
>> but you know, it's so sad. And so I've
I've gone to management and I said,
"Hey, is there something that we can do?
Can we post a sign or something saying,
you know, no smoking on premises or no
smoking so many feet from the front door
or something like that? I mean, the
customers are coming in. They're coming
in right up to the counter to order a
cake and they're like this in my face.
And I'm like, I feel like I'm going to
get HIGH BECAUSE THEY'RE BREATHING RIGHT
IN MY FACE. And it's it's disgusting. So
anyway, I you know, is there some is
there would Shopright be allowed? Shop
right told me there would have to be a
corporate, you know, decision or
whatever, but would would Shopight be
allowed to post a sign saying, you know,
>> saying that they can't smoke either on
the property or so many feet from the
front door or something like that.
>> Well, I I think both are already laws,
right, Chief?
>> Yeah.
>> So, you're this is this is this is 2026.
I mean, I think everybody better get
used to it. when you go out to dinner
and you're going to celebrate something
with your family and there's folks that
are sitting near you that smoke cannabis
that's legal and they smell, you're
going to have to smell that. Um, you
know, we're starting to get complaints
about people and their neighbors, their
neighbors are smoking their cannabis in
their yard. I mean, there's not a whole
lot of things that the police department
can do about these things when we
legalized cannabis. Uh and and that's
that's the quick answer. If you see
somebody, you know, smoking, you can
notify us, but um you know, on private
property, there's not a whole lot we can
do. In our parks, we have ordinances
that say that you can't smoke in the
parks. However, just driving around
town, there's certain streets that you
drive on that you can smell it.
>> Yeah. drive around Atlantic County and
you go down, you're there certain
residences that are probably smoking
cannabis legally and you can smell it.
So, welcome to uh cannabis and and 2026
and on with it being legalized, there's
not a whole lot we can do.
>> But to answer your question to answer
your question at hand, I mean, can you
still
>> looking at code right now? But we're not
going to stop shop right from Shop. It's
a private business. If they decide they
want you, they can absolutely cancel. So
I would that would be encourage you and
your exact questions have come up you
know in any business whether it's
Shopright, a restaurant or anywhere else
like you know what if you um if you'd
like you can come down the court on
Monday night and smell the inside of
this building. It's um
>> it's got a distinctive smell.
>> Yeah.
Sandy, I think a the biggest thing cuz I
I frequent the shop right seeking a lot
and obviously I had the same issue. When
you walk in and out, you smell pretty
strong. I've never seen anybody smoking
on the property in terms of walking
around the parking lot. I think the
smell is so strong on the individuals
because they smoke in the car with the
windows up, which means it's getting on
their clothes and there's nothing, you
know, that's their personal if that's
what they do in their own car. We have
no control over that. Obviously, the the
strong the smell is going to be much
stronger just due to the confined
compartment that they're doing it in.
Um, and literally they exit the car and
they put it out just like somebody would
a cigarette. Um, obviously the smells a
lot stronger, but unfortunately in that
situation there's not much we can do
other than if they had it out in the
public and then shop breaking be able to
cuz that's their property, private
property. But
>> yeah, I mean a span upon that employees
that are legally smoking cannabis
show up to work and and they have that
the the smell on them. I'm not quite
sure. I mean, that would be a legal
question, but I don't know if as an
employer you could even enforce that. I
I don't know.
>> But it depends on the type of work
you're doing, but
>> Right.
>> You may be so Yeah. Yeah. May be able to
in there.
>> You have to have probable cause. You
have to be definite because they have to
be tested right away because of the
union and everything.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I know that's a different
thing. You know, you know, where I'm
talking, you know, public versus
employees, but you know, you know, what
happens if they do enforce, you know,
>> uh, drug testing or whatever
>> and then I'm smelling it so much. You
test me, I'm probably going to test
positive. I've never smoked ONE A DAY IN
MY LIFE. YOU KNOW, THAT'S how strong it
is. But anyway, but thank you. So, I
know that I can tell
>> management that yes, they could push a
sign if they want to. Not us.
>> It would solve anything, but
>> but thank you for listening. Thank you.
You're welcome. You're welcome. No
problem.
>> Always a pleasure.
>> We got you, Sandy.
>> Wonder if anybody else from the public
speak.
>> Name and address, please, sir.
>> Sure. Good evening, everyone. Roger
Dutch, 315 Pennsylvania Avenue.
A couple years ago, I brought up um they
tore up the road at one of my two
driveways when they redid Pennsylvania
Avenue, but then they tore up the road
in front of the house next to me um to
run pipes or gas or water, whatever the
problem was. And it settled
and it settled more and more and more
and has never been repatched, never been
repaired. And now in front of my apron
in my concrete driveway, the streets
literally cracked out and back to the
curb again. And where they tore it up in
front of the house next to that
driveway, my driveway, but the house
next door to me. It goes from where they
tore it up cracked straight across the
street to where they tore it up on the
other side. I think one was water and
the other I think was when they went and
ran new gas for everyone.
>> I was just going to say, do you know
what utilities it was?
>> I think on my side of the street. So
that would be the south side. If you go
down Pennsylvania Avenue off the pity on
the right and on the left, I believe it
may have been gas, but I don't know.
>> Can you send me pictures to my phone
number? I know you have it.
>> Sure.
>> Yeah. Just send us some pictures. We've
we've dealt with this in the past. I
forget. I think Steve, we worked on it,
right?
>> Um
>> and the water company came out and made
it right. It took a little time, but
they they did come out and make it
right. So, uh I know the chief actually
worked on that issue as well.
I've mentioned it a few times before.
>> Yeah. So, just uh if you want to send me
some pictures um and a rough time if you
remember when the work was done ballpark
so that way we can go back and see
>> two to three years.
>> I'll go out and check it and then I'll
I'll get with Nick and we'll figure out
>> better. All right. We can see
>> we can pull any of the old permits and
see
>> on Pennsylvania Avenue the other and I I
know it's been brought up before but I'm
going to bring it up again because I'm
not seeing anything getting done.
Throwing a skim coat of cold patch on it
isn't going to work. They redo our whole
street and the whole area from Pittney
to Pennsylvania junction. It's it's all
riddled and tore up and loose debris.
You know, it's just I I don't know what
happened. It needs to be graded and
paved. It's
>> Well, we'll we'll look at both streets
and then find out from the permits
>> who to contact
>> and since I'm here and I'm too lazy to
call tomorrow,
>> can you get boot ramp permits now?
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> Hold on. Roger. Monday. Monday.
>> No, I will be here at least till 10:30
tomorrow. So, if you can come in first
thing in the morning, I
>> Well, I have a appointment, but after
that, I'll be here. I'll be here before
10:30.
>> Before 10:30. I have to leave at 10:30
tomorrow.
>> Right. As I said, you gave me that look.
So, yes, our our tax uh office is able
to do um and to the gentleman on
Facebook, I apologize that it didn't
happen today, but you can come back
tomorrow before 10:30 and get it done.
But yeah, we'll be able to ask cuz you
said something about one of the windows
and direct.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep. You're good.
>> One other alibi.
>> I agree with all the compliments I heard
with our public works.
>> I I plow on the side for the state. I
plow where I work with the federal
government and I see our guys and then
and it hates it when I see on Facebook
someone complaining that a walking trail
wasn't plowed. It's like come on, you
know. So my hats off to them all.
Thanks. Thank you.
>> Appreciate that. Thank you for your
time.
>> Would anybody else in the public like to
speak?
>> May I hear a motion to close the meeting
to the public?
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed.
>> Does that rain? Yes.
>> Wow, that rain is loud. May I hear a
motion to adjourn this meeting?
>> Motion.
Second. All in favor? I
>> opposed.
Thank you everybody for coming tonight.