Public Meeting of Egg Harbor Township Committee 03/04/26

broadcast. Due to either technical
reasons or topics that made to the Open
Public Meetings Act, interruptions in
the recording may occur. This meeting
will be televised on EHTV channel 97 and
posted on the township's website.
Pursuant to Aar Township Code, public
comment is subject to estab established
rules of procedure, including a 5-minute
time limit. Recognition by the mayor and
standards of decorum. Comments shall be
directed to the governing body. Thank
you.
Can everybody please stand for the
pledge of allegiance?
I
>> pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> Oh, dang.
>> Honor, we should have had you lead us in
the pledge of allegiance.
>> Okay. Okay. Can we have a roll call,
please?
>> Castalano
>> here.
>> Paul Hodson,
>> yes.
>> William Paul's here.
>> Ray Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Laura Kmer,
>> I am here.
>> We have um
>> two presentations, but we're actually
going to skip the first one that's on
everybody's agenda. We're going to do
that later on in the month. But we have
a young gentleman among here tonight and
he is been a very good neighbor and a
good citizen and an incredible help to
one of his neighbors. So Connor, would
you like to come down with your mom and
dad or
Mr. Castalano is going to read the
proclamation
>> proclamation in recognition
of Connor Cowi
for his selfless service and compassion.
Whereas acts of kindness and compassion
strengthen the bonds of community and
reflect the highest values of
citizenship. And whereas on a cold and
icy day, Mr. Zimmerman, an elderly and
seriously ill resident, suffered a fall
in his backyard and was unable to rise
due to his physical condition and the
hazardous weather. And whereas Connor
Cowi demonstrating exceptional
awareness, empathy, and courage,
responded immediately upon discovering
Mr. Zimmerman's distress. And whereas
despite the difficult and dangerous
conditions, Connor made every effort to
assist Mr. Zimmerman in getting back to
his feet, showing determination and
genuine concern for his neighbors
well-being. And whereas, although Connor
was physically unable to lift Mr.
Zimmerman on his own, his prompt action
and willingness to help ensured that
other neighbors were alerted and able to
come to Mr. Zimmerman's aid. And whereas
Connor's selflessness, quick thinking,
and compassionate spirit exemplify the
very best qualities of a caring neighbor
and responsible young citizen. Now
therefore be it proclaimed that the
mayor and township committee of the
township of Egg Harbor, County of
Atlantic, state of New Jersey, that
Connor Cowi is hereby recognized and
commended for his outstanding act of
kindness, his willingness to assist the
neighbor in need, and his demonstration
of integrity, courage, and community
spirit. May his actions serve as an
inspiration to others, reminding us all
of the importance of looking out for one
another and stepping forward to help
those in need. Congratulations.
contributes copy the proclamation that
Eselon just read. And first of all, what
grade are you in?
>> You're a fifth grader.
>> Representative of the kids in Egg Harbor
Township. That was the ice storm and it
was very slippery. I'm sure
And then I I heard um
You did the exact right thing. You
couldn't do it all yourself.
>> Mrs. Man actually reached out to our
office and wrote us a letter.
Oh, we felt it was very important to
bring you in and to tell you that we
>> Thank you so very much. And and Mr.
Ellis, I'm sure, has something to say.
>> I'm not I don't like long meetings, but
when we honor our kids, I'll take all
night. Con sit in my seat so mama can
take a picture of you.
I was in Walmart the other day and a
young fella, he was with his mom and he
ran to the door and opened up the door
for myself and other that shows you
doing a great job right here.
>> We don't see that much anymore. I ran to
>> behind that picture.
>> Yeah.
>> Wasn't it cold?
>> You weren't cold out there in the
trampoline.
>> See, you bring you didn't care about the
cold. You just wanted to help, right?
That's right.
>> That was a good thing.
>> Who's getting a picture this?
>> There we go. Tell Mr. Ellis enough right
now.
>> Thank you for everything.
>> Right.
>> Your middle school. I mean,
what school?
>> I go to Atlantic Christian School.
>> Okay.
>> That's wonderful.
>> And you know what? I know. Like I said
earlier, your neighbors are very, very
happy from what you did.
>> Could you move over my block for he woke
up?
>> He drives his car in the snow.
>> So much
app.
>> Hey, how are you? Congratulations.
>> Good job.
That'd be cold on a
trampoline. I say it's too cold to go
out there and jump around on that
trampoline.
>> Great. He's awesome.
>> Well, that's a way to start a meeting.
That's the best way to start them.
Connor, we're going to go back into our
meeting now. It's probably going to be
about an hour. Mom and dad, if you want
to leave, you feel free. Um or you can
stay. That's completely up to you.
>> Tomorrow, go to our website. He can see
this tomorrow. This should be up on
YouTube tomorrow. Um you can go to our
website and get the link right to it and
so you can see the whole thing. There'll
be a television start starting tomorrow.
>> So, thank you.
>> I have to run to my office. want to give
this young man something.
>> Connor, could you hold on one second?
This is our chief of police. He will be
right back.
>> They've got a back. They've got an easy
way into their office right there. So,
he will be right back.
All righty. Let's keep moving forward.
We have a public hearing on ordinance
number five. Mr. Freriedman,
>> you want we doing the ordinances first
to the school?
>> Oh, jeez. That's right. I'm looking
right at you guys. I'm just ready to go.
>> He said, "Let's move this along." And
I'm like, "All right."
>> All right. Well,
>> Dr. Gio,
>> Dan Smith, and we have members of the
board of education here. I'm just going
to say your names. I'm not going to ask
you to come out and give a speech. We've
got Barbara Salagi, Mike Price, Tamika
Floyd, and Christy Bird. Thank you all
for being here. Dr. Gio, I know you're
here tonight to talk about um the
referendum that's coming up next week.
So, the floor is yours.
>> I'd also like to introduce assistant
superintendent uh Mr. George West and
Miss Lily Moss who are with us uh to
represent the school district, but thank
you for giving us the time to explain
the referendum um that we're um setting
out to vote on March 10th, which is
coming around the corner on Tuesday. And
just to share more information with the
public to realize that we want to keep
our debt steady and we would like to
finance some capital projects uh through
this referendum. So, as you know,
largest school district in Atlantic
County. We have great students, great
faculty and staff, and we offer great
opportunities, awesome opportunities for
students, and we want to continue to be
uh the best that we are. Um, and I say
that all we without raising taxes. So,
without further ado, business
administrator, Mr. Dan Smith will uh
share the particulars with you and with
the public audience so they have a
better understanding um about the vote
that they will cast on on Tuesday, March
10th. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you, Dr. Guio. Thank
you, Township Committee for having us
tonight. Uh our message is is short and
simple, right? So, when we started this
process about a year ago, uh working
with the finance committee of the board,
our goal was to do a referendum without
any tax increase. So, that's what we're
proposing. Uh right now our current debt
service tax lev is about 5.4 million. So
we're looking to continue that for the
next three years. Uh we have expiring
debt that we paid off in this fiscal
year and last fiscal year that will
allow us to add the new debt to replace
that uh outgoing debt. So the goal would
be again keep the tax rate the tax levy
steady uh for the next three years and
then in fiscal year 31 uh the levy would
go down to about $2.4 million which
would be a decrease for all the
taxpayers in the township. Uh and
actually the the amount the tax rate is
actually going down each year uh because
raidables have gone up. So there is a
slight decrease for the average taxpayer
in the township uh each year through
this referendum. Uh we've worked hard to
to kind of establish that you know we
the last couple years we spent a lot of
time uh completing facilities projects
uh using other sources of income. So we
did an EIP project which is an energy
savings improvement plan uh that helped
us become more energy efficient. we're
able to replace some rooftop units and
things like that. Uh through that
process, uh we did a rod grant. We did
uh for rooftop units, we did a preschool
expansion grant through the state uh
that we just completed last summer at
the Davenport complex. Uh we also did a
uh a grant about three years ago now at
the high school where we placed several
rooftop units uh through the BPU. Uh so
we've kind of gone down this road where
we've looked at alternative funding
sources. you know, how do we keep the
tax levy steady? How do we avoid uh huge
increases in the general fund? And
that's what we've done. So, we've come
to a point now where we were ready to
roll out a referendum. Uh it's for
needed HVAC improvements. Uh we're
adding some classroom space at Fernwood
and at Miller. Uh it'll help us with
future expansion, help us kind of stay
on track with our facilities uh
improvements. Uh we're still continuing
with the general fund to allocate funds
for HVAC. Uh but this referendum will
help get us that lumpsum amount so we
can get a lot of those projects done in
one shot. Uh another big uh part of the
referendum is our state aid. So with of
the $36 million total, 8 million of that
of that can come from the state in debt
service aid. So we're not eligible for
that through the general fund or the
regular budgeting process. So the
referendum allows us to grab that $8
million and bring it into the projects
as well. Um, you know, as far as the the
projects, uh, we met with our
professionals, uh, trying to plan for
the future, trying to correct some
deficiencies, uh, through the the
buildings. Um, you know, I think we've
done a good job of that. Uh, and again,
it all comes back to the the tax levy.
So, our our main goal is is that keep
the tax levy steady or go down. Uh, and
that's where we're at right now. Um, so
I think those are the main points we
wanted to hit. Uh, like I said, it seems
like a very short and simple message,
and that's how we wanted to keep it. You
know, we didn't want this to be
complicated. We didn't want it to be
complex. Uh, here's our projects, here's
how much it costs, and here's the effect
on the taxpayer. So, again, we want to
keep that tax levy steady for the next
couple years, and then it decreases in
2031.
>> Yeah. So, one one question that we've
gotten uh from some residents is, you
know, what if I vote yes, what if I vote
no? What does that mean? So, obviously,
yes, vote uh allows the school district
to go out and get that financing.
Without voter approval, we can't do
that. So, uh another question that came
up was, you know, can you just go get a
loan or something? And that's how we
kind of have been explaining it. And and
no, that's not possible for the school
district. So, we do need the voter
approval for that. So, uh a yes vote
allows us to issue bonds roughly in May.
uh grab that $8 million in state aid uh
complete the projects uh and also keep
the tax levy steady which is our main
goal. Uh a NOVO is obviously the
opposite right so we we don't get any
financing we have to peacemeal the
projects maybe do uh do them in phases
which could lead to higher costs uh
maybe some inefficiencies uh we lose
that state aid portion of the projects
uh and then ultimately it would be a
decre an increase excuse me in the
general fund tax levy. So, for example,
the chiller at Fernwood is in dire
straits, needs to be replaced. So, if
the referendum does not get approved, we
have to figure out a way to do that
project through the general fund. And
right now, it's about a $4 million
project. So, we're not talking about
little little things here and there.
These are kind of big major things uh
that we have to get done. Uh so, that's
kind of where we're at when we look at
yes versus no. Uh we can't tell everyone
to vote one way or the other, but we're
just providing all the information. Uh
we've done a good job with our website.
So if anyone wants to check that out,
you can go to our board of education tab
and there's a referendum section that
has a lot of good information. Uh all of
our presentations are on there, all of
our videos. Uh there's an FAQ page. Uh
and as questions come in from residents,
we answer those questions and then put
that on on the page as well. So there's
a lot of good information there. Um
that's kind of where we're at right now.
So uh we did send a mailer out uh like
we've been using social media, our
parent square. Uh, and one thing to add
that's kind of outside of of the
referendum is we did everything
in-house. Uh, so that was one way we
wanted to save uh, the taxpayers was not
have that large expense. You most
districts will hire a consulting firm or
marketing firm to help with a
referendum. Uh, we did entertain that.
Uh, but, you know, with the cost of
those firms, we wanted to tackle it in
house. I think we've done a good job of
that. Uh, so so that's where we're at.
This is another way trying to keep our
cost down uh, through this process.
One question I've gotten, and I'm sure I
know you've gotten, is uh why are you
doing it now? Why aren't you doing it in
the primary or why don't you do it in
the general election?
>> Yep. So, there's uh five times
throughout the year that a school
district can go out to referendum. It's
uh January, March, September, and
December. And then the fifth time is
when your schoolboard election is
whether April or November. Uh so, you
know, we wanted to to do it now in in
March. uh because if we get our if we
have the referendum approved before the
2627 budget is finalized which is the
end of April then we will start
gathering that debt service aid in 2728.
So the state skips a year once your
referendum is approved it skips that
next budget and then the following
budget is when you start receiving that
aid. Uh so that was one reason. Another
reason is to keep the tax levy steady.
So with with doing a vote in March and
having it approved before our budget, uh
we will make our first uh debt service
payment in the 2627 budget, keeping that
5.4 million steady. So without the
referendum, that 5.4 million would dip
down and then come back up the following
year. So be kind of a roller coaster for
the taxpayer. So we're trying to just
keep that steady uh so that there's no
change on the average taxpayer.
>> Real quick, I hear yes or no. I hear
yes. um that there be no tax increase,
but explain the no. From what I'm
hearing, the no means tax increase down
the future, right? Uh yeah, and as as
early as 2627. So, you know, we're
working on our our budget now. We won't
get our state aid figures until March
12th. Um you know, but it it's not a
great situation for us or a lot of
school districts in the state. So, we
are looking to make reductions. Um you
know, so you we used the chiller as an
example of $4 million. we'd have to do
that project. So whether that means
cutting more out of the budget or going
over the 2% to fund that project. Uh
that's the most likely scenario at this
point. Uh so we would be looking at
obviously we would need board approval,
but our our presentation to the board
would be we need these projects done uh
and there's only limited funds to pay
for them.
>> So that means that no mean we're going
to pay it through the taxpayers.
>> That would be my recommendation to the
board. uh you know again we we have to
get those projects done.
>> All right. But the yes mean no taxes for
those two years. Well no increase
>> right. So no no increase on the debt
service side. So so we have two tax
levers right the general fund and the
debt service fund. So the debt service
fund is a separate rate on the taxpayers
and the revenue that comes in through
that only pays principal and interest
for bonds that have been issued in the
past. The general fund is what funds our
you know salaries, benefits,
transportation, uh custodians, things
like that. So the general fund side is
where those projects would reside if we
don't have the referendum and that
that's where we would see a tax
increase. So you would see if there's no
referendum, you would see that debt
service number drop down over the next
couple years and then be zero. So in
2031, we would be debtree. We would have
no debt uh on our books. Uh but the
reverse is the general fund would would
go up pretty quickly and significantly.
>> Anybody else have any questions?
>> The only question I got is did nothing's
guaranteed in life, but does the state
on board for their grant?
>> Yes. So, so part of the
>> you know we got a new governor and
you're waiting for numbers from her but
is it guaranteed that grant and I love
grants but when the grants go away
somebody has to pick it up. So are we
going to get the grant money
>> I mean I guess you can say to the best
of your ability you
>> ask for it
>> right as of today. Yes. So when we
submit our projects, this is a 12-month
uh process. So we have to design our uh
projects, submit that to the Department
of Education for review and approval,
and then they give us a funding letter
which says, "Okay, your total project
cost is X, your eligible costs are Y,
and here's the debt service aid we'll
give you for that." Uh so once we obtain
that letter and it's become it becomes
final, then we're locked into that
funding. Uh and we can we can get to
that funding within 18 months. So once
we get our approval letters, we have 18
months to go to vote and secure that
funding. Uh so the the Department of
Education does have a separate debt
service fund where these funds will come
from. So it's outside of the funding
that comes to the district and our
regular state aid lines. So it's it's
separate funds that are set aside for
this purpose to encourage districts to
go out and do a referendum to do
construction projects and things like
that. Uh, occasionally the state will
issue ROD grants which are regular
operating district grants which will
also use those funds. So they're they're
set there for specific purposes. And I
believe it was maybe eight or nine years
ago the state issued bonds for that
purpose to put those funds in a capital
improvement outlay.
>> And the schools are all getting old. I
mean they need improvements. I mean you
got you got to do the maintenance.
If if I could, I just want to thank uh
Mr. Smith, Dr. Gritio, um Miss Gilbert
Floyd, all the board members. I want to
thank you for the uh for being here and
and the great work that that you do all
the time and the great work that you did
on this particular project. I support it
and I support our schools. It's fiscally
responsible. There's no tax increase.
You're drawing down state aid. You're
using long-term debt for long-term
assets. you're doing things that we need
done. We need classroom space. And as
you guys got sick of hearing me all
those years on the board, you have to
maintain our buildings and grounds so
that we have safe and healthy learning
environments so our students can learn
and our teachers can teach. So I I
commend you and I I thank you for the
good work that you did uh on this. Uh I
support this referendum and I I support
the district. So thanks again. Thank
you.
Well, I know to the general public, you
should have all gotten a sample ballot
in your mail within the last week or so.
If you didn't or you don't know where to
vote, you can go online and find out. I
don't know if the school has set up
anything to help people direct them. You
can call the board of elections. They
will tell. You can call our office and
we can find up for you, too, because not
all of our normal polling locations are
open.
>> Correct. We we're consolidated down to
10 locations. Uh
>> normally 22 districts. So, if you don't
have your sample ballot, uh there's you
can go to the Atlanta County Board of
Elections website. We refer everyone to
them. They're the experts on the
elections, so we don't want to get
involved. Uh so, if you're not sure, we
we've been recommending they contact the
board of elections.
>> So, when people go to vote that day that
they do know that the people that are
working there are not schoolboard
employees, they are board of election
employees. Any questions for the school
board, go to the school board. So, yeah,
people like to talk to those. So, we
want to make sure that the questions go
to the right spot. And if anybody
reaches out to us, we will direct them
over to you and to your office.
>> Yeah.
>> And to the website because from I know
the website's got all the information on
it. So,
>> but now Pete, you say that well. I think
>> mayor being a former board member to
support this. Um, and it was real
important to get a better understanding
of what's going on. And I think the
public and the residents got to then get
a clear message and you're going above
and beyond uh Mr. Dan on trying to fill
the community in on what's going on.
Better to have now and you know try to
save for later. We might you know get
the rough end of it. But I support it
and I better understand what we're about
now.
I will say this, the communication on
this referendum is probably the best out
of all of them since I've lived in this
town. So, so you've done a good job on
that. You've done a good job on that.
And these buildings are getting old. As
Paul said, Pete, as you said, they're
long-term assets.
>> Yeah, we we forget. I mean, I sit on the
MUA. Our sewer system is 45 years old
and we're having improvements and
maintenance. Nothing lasts 45 years.
That was a shocker to me sitting in the
MUA. You know, we had, you know, we
started putting sore in this town and we
needed it bad. It's 40 40 to 45 years
old. Some of the infrastructure. So, we
understand that and I think the public
should understand the maintenance to the
buildings. They look good from the
outside, but you get inside, you know,
there's there's issues. I just get
nervous about the grants. I love grants,
but when the grant goes away, somebody
has to pick it up. And that's what, you
know, I hope the state lives up to what
they say they'll do.
>> And you don't want to leave state money
on the table.
>> No. No. If the state's offering, we want
to try to secure that funding.
>> Yeah. Get it.
>> $8 million.
>> That's worth getting. That's worth
getting.
>> Yeah. I mean, we're a big district.
We're the largest in the county. Um, and
we got a lot of facilities. So, uh, and
like I said, it's it's good that you're
taking a proactive approach to get this
done. And, uh, we all that travel to the
township know where your prek is by the
way they let out on board the town road.
So, we much rather have them on one of
your facilities.
>> Yes.
>> And, you know, and it makes sense.
>> Do you have any questions for us or
we're good? Any questions we get, we're
going to send them your way. And uh
>> we'll say we'll send it to Ray. He
>> Oh yeah. We have plenty of kids.
>> Like I said, that's a good thing because
the school board, she do a beautiful job
with our kids and you know, don't mess
with the baby. And you know, that just
goes to show you people want to come
into EHT and we have great school, great
town and you know, it's just a beautiful
place to live and we want to continue to
have it that way.
>> Good luck.
>> Thank you. remind everybody again, we'll
remind at the end of the meeting that
next Tuesday,
>> Tuesday, March 10th from 12:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m.
>> So, there's some changes. That's the one
thing we want to make sure we get out
from the voters's perspective. The
information is out there to grab, but
from a v voter's perspective, it's 12
noon,
>> correct?
>> It's not 6:00 in the morning and it so
it's they go at and they have to find
out what building they go to.
>> Couple of the schools. So,
>> right. And you got to I the questions I
had so far. Why don't I know why aren't
they using my poll? So you try to
explain it, but I think you got to harp
on the 10 locations that you got to get
to to vote on this question. You know,
lot we got to pair them down to 10. It's
understandable, but so they understand
and they can see it on our sample
ballot. It should tell you right there.
Do
>> you expect to have results and there's
mail and ballots? Are there mail and
ballots on this? There are yin and the
samples are out.
>> Yeah, the samples are out. I was
wondering if there how many mailins are
going to be because that if it's closed
that's it's going to hinge on those. So,
>> yeah, we should have a rough idea
Tuesday night, but if it's closed, we
may have to wait a few days for the mail
and ballots to get processed.
>> Well, good luck. Good luck. Good luck
all of you. Good luck. Thank you all for
being here.
>> Just a question, you going to do any
signage around with it?
>> Uh we have not. No, everything's been uh
digital. Uh, so we utilize parent square
for our parent communication. We use
social media. We did a mailer uh that
went to every resident in the township
as well.
>> I don't know. Are you dealing with board
of elections directly?
>> Uh,
>> one one thing I'm just thought of is the
red voter signs are still out.
>> Yeah.
>> And that could confuse people.
>> Yeah, they are out.
>> They are. So, there's 22 signs out there
saying where polling locations are.
Okay. We can follow up with them. So,
>> I would follow up with that to make sure
they at least cover them or something
because
>> Yeah.
>> Someone's going to fuse. They're
permanent.
>> Yeah, they are. So, well, yeah, Janice,
that's going to be all
>> Yeah, they bag them off though.
>> If they just bag them off for for a
week.
>> Yeah. Cover them.
>> There are signs.
>> They can't remove them though. They're
definitely
>> So, they So, we can bag So, it's going
to be on us then.
>> Okay. So,
>> well, that's a No, that's a good point
because the questions are why don't I
vote where I normally vote?
>> And if someone shows up at a poll to
vote one district,
>> they might not vote.
>> Um, my recommendation would be to put
where that or that.
>> That's a good idea.
But we just got to
know the information and we'll we'll
make something up and then we'll
>> redirect that district to a different
location.
>> The woman asked me how come I'm I'm not
allowed to vote for the referendum. I
said you are allowed to vote. There's 10
locations cuz she got her ballot. I said
you got to read your ballot. It'll tell
you where to go.
>> So it is important because it says right
on the outside of your ballot where you
go. So yeah, but we have to make sure we
Yeah, because those signs are out there.
So
yeah, we got to take care of that or or
call the board of elections, put the
bill.
>> That's a good idea with the signs. They
could bag them and put instructions on
them.
>> Yeah,
>> because they have blank sandwich boards
too from the county gave us
>> go any one of the 10. So if you bag it,
say please go to Skeleville or whatever
specific.
>> Yeah, it's specific.
>> Oh, it is specific.
>> It's open for 10, right?
>> Yeah, but if say 20 has to go to
>> Right.
It won't you might not know where
they're being sent to. So
>> might be better just to to cover them
up.
>> Cover them up
>> instead of redirecting to the wrong
poll.
>> Or a note on the door. If you're not
sure where to vote, contact the board of
elections and and their website or phone
number. We could do that.
>> Fine. We'll get as many voters out there
that day that we can. So,
>> we appreciate it. Okay.
>> Anything else from you guys? No, we're
good.
>> We're good. Thank you. Thank you all for
coming in. Good luck. I know it's a lot
of work, so
>> good luck.
>> Thank you.
>> Jake, did you want to
I'm still
>> so Conor
home. He wanted to go home.
>> He wanted to learn a little bit about
>> All right. So, when I heard uh Conor
brought up for you know Connor when I
was listening to your the proper
really u um wow on me. So uh I
immediately thought okay so we have
these challenge coins now the township
on the other side is the township seal.
So
deserving of one of our challenge coins
and the reason and you are the first
young man 18 years of age or younger
ever be issued a receipt.
>> That's awesome.
>> So, if you look on it, it's got a number
15. Edward Township is district.
>> You can bring it to school, show your
teacher.
Uh I think it's a testament against
service to others. That's what that uh
that that coin stands for and that's
what
>> Thanks, Conor.
>> Thank you, Chief. Conor, you can go home
now.
>> Get on his homework.
All right, Rob,
>> Mr. Watkins, do
>> let's do Oliver first.
Scared me.
>> Probably shouldn't sit in the front row
cuz I'm just ignoring everybody sitting
in the front row.
>> While he's handing that out, if you
don't mind, I'd like to read something.
Um, a lot of the information I'm about
to give you is from public works
director Al Simrson. Um he put together
a memo regarding the operations, pretty
much a summary of what Oliver's handing
out to township committee. Uh but I just
want to take a moment to recognize what
an incredible job public works did
during this storm. It was the worst one
we've seen in 10 years and they were out
there pretty much for 4 days straight.
Um I don't even know if I'll have been
to bed yet. Um but we do certainly
understand what the residents when they
can't get out of their streets right
away can be frustrating. I think it's
important to give a little context to
the scale and the operation our crews
were dealing with for this storm. Um,
Garber Township maintains over 300 miles
of roadway across roughly 68 square
miles, all of which must be serviced
during the storm. Our public works
operates with about 30 pieces of snow
removal equipment, 40 staff members that
are trained and credentialed to plow
snow. During the storm, we had
approximately 20 plow units running in
12-hour rotating shifts for nearly four
days straight.
The storm produced approximately 17
inches of snow with near her hurricane
force winds which resulted in hundreds
of down trees and power lines that crews
had to clear from roadways while
operations were ongoing.
Public work crews were also assisting
police, fire, and EMS responses
throughout the storm while maintaining
access to the community center, which we
opened as a warming center for residents
without power. Our operational goal
during the storm of this magnitude is to
have all roads passable within 36 hours
after snowfall. Snowfall stopped roughly
Monday afternoon 3 4:00. Um it
ultimately took about 42 hours for them
to clear the roads, which is still
reasonable within the operational range
that that was given. It's also important
to understand that clearings of the
roads require multiple passes to safe to
safely open lanes for travel. With more
than 300 miles of roadway, crews can
travel well over,200 miles of plowing
routes during major storms while
addressing obstacles such as the fallen
trees and assisting with emergencies.
Another final point which we have
addressed in prior meetings is the
operational challenge during snow events
is vehicles parked in the streets. uh it
slows plowing operations, makes it much
more difficult for our crews to fully
clear the roadway. We do appreciate
everyone's patience during the storms
like this. Think it's important to
recognize the dedication of our public
works crews as well as our first
responders who worked around the clock
during serve the community during the
storm. So
>> provided the numbers. I kind of just
made it into my own thing, but
>> y thank you for shortening that a little
bit longer. Um, but yeah, I do I
appreciate it, Tom, for reading that off
because it was very accurate and
obviously you got the information from
Al. Um, but the snow, this event was way
different than the last event that we
had where we stood up here and talked
about the ice and the cold temperatures.
Uh, luckily the snow is almost gone. Um,
last time that we had a conversation, it
was 2 weeks and still had ice on the
road. So, a little bit different, but
um so yeah, so we did have uh even
though we only had about 40 guys that
were operationally eligible to plow, we
had 65 out of our 70 total staff members
come in to help and assist any way they
could. We had uh multiple um people in
the office answering phone calls.
Unfortunately for us, we dedicate uh the
ser, you know, we are dedicated and we
are passionate enough to not stop
answering the phones. I wish we didn't
sometimes, but um we did throughout the
entire storm and everybody was calling
relentlessly during the normal
operations of 7 to 3:30 um Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday. Even during the
snowstorm, people were wondering why
they didn't have their, you know, the
plows weren't out on the developments.
Unfortunately, we were aiming more
towards the primary roadways as usual.
But, um yeah, we fielded thousands and
thousands of complaints during that
entire time. Um, and I would like to say
that we did a good job considering that
they stopped almost immediately after
the roads were cleared. So, that was
good. I haven't had any bad feedback
since, which is also nice. It's good.
>> Well, not only did we have the snow,
there are trees down everywhere and
limbs everywhere.
>> Yeah. I spent majority of the entire
time that I was at the public works
facility with a chainsaw in my hand
clearing trees myself. Um, so at least
12 hours straight of just one road from
one road to the other. Um, we were doing
our best to at one point we didn't care
if it was a county roadway or was it
didn't really matter. The operation had
to continue on. Emergency vehicles had
to be maintained. So we were cutting
trees down and leaving them on the sides
of the county roads to assist them in
any way we could. Um, obviously it was a
a tough go of it because of the fact
that as we made our way into the
developments and our roadways were our
primary roadways were in excellent
condition because we maintained those
during the entirety of the storm. But
when you try to plow 17 in of snow with
a truck that's not really designed to go
through that, you end up getting about
half built up on the plow and then you
get stuck. So we spent countless hours
pulling our own vehicles out,
reestablishing chains. Um, we put chains
on our tires and then we went back to
work. So, even though there were a lot
of challenges and we actually we could
do better to be honest with you, but I
still feel like this was the best storm
that I've ever been a part of. I think
it was um from top to bottom managed
extremely well. And it really starts
with the guys showing up for their
12-hour shifts. We did do a little bit
different rotation this time, but to be
completely honest, if they if any one of
those crews decided that they wanted to
sleep in, we wouldn't have been in the
position we were in. We'd be deficient.
So having that revolving 20man army out
there continually plowing snow is really
the, you know, the forefront of
everything. You know, organization is
awesome, but you need the guys to show
up and um, you know, just really
grateful that they did.
I mean, it was it was 24 literally 24/7.
>> Yeah. Oh, yeah. This was a good one. I
liked it.
>> Did you have to chain up all the trucks?
>> Yes.
>> Every chain that was accessible to us.
We haven't had a storm since I think Al
was talking back in 96.
>> 96.
>> I don't remember that. Um, but Al does.
and he said that that was the last time
that it was specifically needed to have
the chains put on. And
>> that's a northern thing. That's a very
>> Yeah. So, and it really is. Luckily, Al
kept the chains. So, they were still
they were still in the
>> You know, probably a lot of
municipalities didn't have them.
>> Yes. And
>> I was surprised I heard you chain it up
because
>> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, without them.
>> Because you have four-wheel drive. Don't
mean you can't get stuck. I think that's
the part of this that's missed a little
bit is that we were able to continue the
procedural effectiveness of our snow
plowing operation because of the way
that we were we were prepared. We had
things we knew the chains were there. I
was just making a joke. We obviously we
we oiled them up.
>> Those were no definitely not. And we did
prepare the week before. We had a funny
feeling that we were going to get hit
pretty hard this year. So we actually
put all the chains on our tires, prepped
them, removed them, and organized them
accordingly. So, um I may make a joke
about it, but the most the best thing is
that we were prepared. Again, as far as
being prepared is everything once you
once you're ready for it, then you can
just, you know, keep going on. We could
have continued that procedure for days
on end if we needed to as long as the
equipment withheld, which was another
topic for my bullet points here where,
you know, public works trucks are
getting tired. So, they um they tend to
fall apart. the snowstorm really put a
put a a hurt on the budget. Um, and
we're continuing to purchase to replace
the parts that are broken. So, that's
the hard part's done. The community is
happy, the roads are clear, and
everybody's safe, but there are things
that happen preceding that to that have
to be completed still. So,
>> one thing El addressed in his letter was
the cost of salt.
>> Yeah.
>> And what we do with salt.
>> Yeah. We were very lucky actually
because it was warm. This is not the
same as the last event where we needed
the salt uh in the worst way. This event
actually, believe it or not, the only
salt that dispersed out of public works
facility was to the uh the school
district because they do need it. Um
they obviously needed to, you know, get
their parking lots in better shape. We
only had to maintain two parking lots,
but we didn't necessarily need to put
the salt down on the roadways. The
roadways did their own job. Traffic um
is a key component. So, you know,
whereas this uh parking lot may not see
as much traffic, that's why it needs
salt, our roadways in these conditions
did not. So, that's good for two
reasons. We didn't although it it'll
take a huge effect on your roadways if
you continue to salt them. It
deteriorates the asphalt, creates
potholes. I know we have more potholes,
but that's because of freezing and
thawing.
>> We have a pothole patrol.
>> So, um yeah. So the trees the trees down
the not using our salt budget. So we're
in a good position there. But the trucks
themselves
>> the salt is ineffective too with a storm
of
>> Yeah. basically if you if you take the
route of putting salt down, you're just
pushing it into a pile.
>> There's really no effectiveness to salt
in that condition if you were if you
were safe driving. Um, and one thing
that I'm very happy about and you know
that really needs to be noted is that if
you could make your way to our main
roads, you were you were very very you
had a very good possibility of being
safe regardless of the travel ban that
was in effect. Our main roads throughout
the snowstorm were the best around that.
You know, you get out to our main
roadways, you were fine. You could get
wherever you needed to go until you
cross the township limits. Then it's out
of our control. You know, obviously
there were struggles with the county and
the county roads were not in great
shape. And that kind of gets lumped into
the public works side of things, but the
roadways that we maintain were
definitely cleared and operational
throughout the storm, which is
impressive for 17 in of snow. 24-hour
period, 17 in of snow, heavy, wet, windy
conditions. Was uh was difficult, but it
was was done effectively.
>> Did a great job.
>> Great job.
>> No, it's it's it's u it's tough. I did
it many years. It's tough. And uh I just
you know by saying you had the manpower
you did that's that's everything every
bit of manpower we could deploy.
>> So um you know it worked out. I mean
just hopefully don't I'm glad Al had
this changed because I'll guarantee in
my day in summer point we would chain up
fire trucks and they were always needed.
The fire truck's heavy. He's got 1
thousand gallons of water. Yeah. Well
guess what? It gets stuck and it'll
slide. So the chains are helpful and you
need to have them for for your primary
pieces.
>> Yep.
>> So um
>> yeah, I think um if I could just, you
know, plead to any part of this, it was
to probably try to get the road cleared
a little bit better for us to the
public, you know, just keep pushing out
there to the community that less
vehicles on the road, less vehicles that
are parked on the roadways, the more
effective and the better the service is
going to be. uh in the developments. You
don't see it very much on our main
roadways, but they're not really that
much of an issue for us. It's once we
branch in there, the community wants to
get their roadways opened up as fast as
possible and make their way to where
they have to go. And we're trying the
best we can. We did the best we could
and the only way that we can become
better is if we work together, have the
community understand to keep the the
road the roadways clear. I mean, we we
did two days of of callbacks where you
could clearly see 17 inches of snow
around what you would assume was a car,
which it was at one point, and there's
nothing you could do about it at that
point. We're not dispatching a plow to
come out because your neighbor didn't
park in the right location. It's just
not effective any longer. So, plus the
one other main issue though is that if
you do decide that you're going to clear
out your driveway prior to the snow
stopping and you live in a development,
this is not personal. that it is not a I
I promise you we do not do it on
purpose. We don't even have the the
function to pick up the snow and place
it in your driveway. It just ends up
there.
>> So, um we push
Yeah. And and there's there's some very
talented plow drivers that can do an
okay job. We do have young guys, too.
And it's uh it's important that the
public understand that plowing is a a
talent. It doesn't come, you know, as
soon as they you have to learn. There's
there's tricks to everything. And um
some the best form of practice that we
teach them is to keep their plow angle
to the right and separate the roadway in
the middle and push the snow to both
sides. Doesn't always happen that way.
So some sides may see more snow than
others. But unfortunately, if you do
shovel your driveway out before the snow
stops, you will be shoveling it again.
So you can wait patiently or you can
take the advice of our clean
communities. Uh
I think it's on our clean communities
web page. They they do avoid the second
shovel postings and you can take a look
at that. And um basically you're
shoveling the extra area needed to
create the space from the plow. Still
can't promise that the snow won't end up
in your driveway, but it will help a
little bit.
>> And I know that's not just here because
there were all kinds of videos out there
about how to avoid the secondary snow.
Yeah.
>> So push it back.
>> There is a way to do it. Um, but you
have to realistically when we're dealing
with a state of emergency and we're
dealing with a travel ban, um, the
snowstorm doesn't stop until the snow
stops. And that's really another thing
to keep in mind. That's why it was so
critical that we put the 42 hours to
full completion from the time when the
snow stopped. That's not when the snow
started because there's no way to, you
know, we we can't clear roadways when
the snow is coming down like that.
Primary roadways we keep under control.
But it's very important to note that um,
you know, it takes time. So, even though
it was it was sometime on Wednesday, I
believe, like I think that's what I put
down on here. So, but basically that's
that's where it is. So, once the snow
stops, then the clock starts for us. And
if we're able to get 17 inches of snow
up in less than 48 hours and have
everybody back to work, we're pretty
happy with that.
>> Yeah.
>> And the school has lost what? Two days
and a and a late start.
>> So,
>> yeah. for a uh storm that started late
in the day on Sunday. That's 17 inches.
That that's I've seen.
>> There's a lot of snow. A lot of snow.
>> Absolutely. There's a lot of snow.
There's a lot of lot of different
things. It wasn't just that. It was the
trees like you said. Uh keeping the uh
you know, the trees were a hazard for
everybody. There were down power lines
>> and you could see them all over. There's
a lot of trees down.
>> Oh yeah. Plenty of space. Plenty of
residents didn't um gain service back to
their electrical uh till Wednesday. So,
you know, we we beat the electric
company. That's impressive. So that's
nice.
>> That is they they had crews in from
Chicago.
>> They did.
>> Took two days to get here.
>> Me and Mr. Ellis ran into them at a
local in the township. But uh you did a
good job and it's it could be better if
you have more manpower. We don't we
can't give you 100 plow trucks,
>> more equipment and more manpower and
everything else.
>> You think the people got to think back
your car in so when you're trying to get
out you don't have to turn and get stuck
backing up. So maybe you can blast
through the window row that you just put
in your front driveway and get out on a
nice street. And out where I live, a lot
of people put them right on the road.
They're backed in. But the thing is, you
know, think about it. 17 in of anything.
And I think that's conservative because
Aspbury I measured 19.
>> So I don't know if that's what it is, it
drifting or what, but it was a lot of
snow.
>> Yeah. I don't like to exaggerate. I went
through the weather report from the
National Weather Service and I just
decided I was going to take their number
for for what it was. And actually, so it
didn't feel like that, but that was I
guess being in it. Um it felt like it
was there was white out conditions
during the the hours when everybody was
sleeping and we were out there, there
were times when we had to pull our crews
in off the roadways to keep them safe.
Um if you can't have, you know, the
first thing in emergency management is
you have to be there to be able to do
the job. So if you're not going to be
able to be alive or be able to sustain
it, then you can't be there. So we had
to pull our guys in for a coffee break
here and there because of the fact that
it was white out conditions. There was
no windshield wiper, no LED light that
was going to keep you on the roadway. So
there were times when you would be
plowing and you would have no idea where
the roads were. So there were there were
challenging elements that that only the
plow truck drivers and the the guys that
worked it will actually be able to ever
ever understand. So, so I think they did
a great job and like I said again, I
want to obviously
thank everybody that showed up for us
public works wise and even the support
from everybody around. Um, it was great,
you know, it was awesome and they do an
excellent job and I can't say it enough.
So,
>> well, we need the guys first.
>> Yep.
>> Good job. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
One question. Were there more cars off
the road for this storm? Because we kept
pushing that after the first one.
>> Um or
>> I would say that there was it it really
didn't change. Um, but it just I think
because of
>> they wanted to get out quicker so they
were empty spots.
>> Didn't change much.
>> But also the areas where that's a
problem is mostly because they have five
or six cars in their driveway already.
So I can't I also
We'll keep mentioning it every year.
Hopefully this is it. This is what 10
more years before we get anything like
this. So, and if anybody sees that
groundhog, you know, it's like get them
get them.
>> Groundhog.
>> Very good.
>> Thanks all of them. Make sure you do you
tell each and everyone thank they did
because even answering phone calls can
get a little dangerous. Some people some
people get a little testy.
>> I had to stay in the office today help
everybody understand that it's not
frustration.
>> Yeah, it is.
>> Absolutely. Absolutely.
All righty. I think we're going to go to
Bob now.
>> Bob, you all should have a hot topics in
your packet
about uh some of the big things going on
in the township right now.
Um yeah, if there's any questions or you
want me to run through it,
>> want to run through it real quick?
>> Sure.
>> Here. You don't mind?
>> Key points.
>> Um
>> just a hot one.
>> So the the EHT 2025 road program is is
90% complete there. Mitchell Avenue
still needs to be uh repaved and um some
concrete work and then a couple punch
list items. So that they're almost
complete. Uh Ub Avenue just needs to be
paved and that should be paved in the
next two weeks um for that project on
the um curb and sidewalk project. Uh
Veterans Park um you can see a big pile
of dirt out there. It's the top soil. So
we're not moving any top soil in a
little bit. Um needs to dry out, but
they are going to continue next week
with the fencing. hopefully get all the
fencing done next week and then the
irrigation will follow on the football
field and then um grading of the uh top
soil and then sod hopefully by April. Um
so and then some lighting in the back on
the BMX parking lot will be done. Um and
West Jersey Avenue. I know it was a rush
to get that done before uh the first or
not first snowstorm but in December. Um
items um there's some water along the
edges uh not causing any issues but they
are going to be out there on Monday uh
touching those um punchless items. So
you will see some traffic slowdowns on
West Jersey Avenue Monday. um with that
and then um our commercial projects are
ongoing and so is our residential
projects uh Ocean Club on uh West Co and
Patcon Farms uh on Blackman and Popppler
Construction. So if anybody has any
questions I can go in deeper but didn't
know if you need to know anything or
>> anybody have any questions with Bob?
Again,
if you guys read through them, um I know
I sent this out uh Monday or yesterday.
Uh just reach out, let me know. Uh I can
get you any more answers or qu uh find
out the information for it. And then our
our capital projects uh list or the
roads for next year we're working on.
I'll have that provided to you before
the next meeting.
>> That makes sense.
>> Yep. I know Mr. Ellis is looking at me
very intensely. scaring me.
>> Pine Avenue is definitely on the road
for the ground.
>> Yeah,
>> I know the one pothole by Alder Avenue
School that had the double cones in it,
they went out and filled it today.
>> Yeah, we filled that. You're working on
getting that done?
>> Yeah, I believe they I think Tony went
out last week or the week.
>> That is actually going to be repaved as
well as part of the road program this
year finishing up. It'll be a change
order uh to pave that crossing in front
of Alder Avenue. So, that will be done.
>> Yes.
>> Look at Pine again. Careful.
>> I mean, they were out there, but they're
missing some on the shoulder going
towards Ocean Heights. It's narrow.
>> It's holding water and uh
>> our pothole patrols been hit and I'm
sure I hit it. I thought I blew a tire,
but now I go around it.
>> Yeah, the shoulders are tough because of
the the compaction levels not there,
Bob.
Mhm.
>> It's narrow. It's narrow and low.
>> Yeah. We fill it in and basically the it
sucks it into the the ground.
>> And we got to call a county because Zion
Road from between Schoolhouse and
English Creek is absolutely horrible.
>> That's actually going to be starting
paving I would think in the next month.
That is
>> they are the county.
>> Yes. Arowak paving will be out there.
>> It's bad. Just be aware roads will be
closed in that section because they'll
be doing pipe work and um so keep alert
on townships and counties uh websites
knowing when those road that road will
be closed. So detours will be set up
going down Ocean Heights Avenue to
Steelmanville Road. Um try not to use
Robert Best Road as a cut through just
hopefully I know that that's not
considered a cutthrough but they will be
using it. So just be care careful.
>> Hey, real quick. Like you said on Pine
200 is two major ones, 300 block major
ones. Where should could you tell, like
I said, where should the residents call?
You know, I'll call public works, but
it's at the four who you call. So call
communications, public works. I mean, uh
the residents need to know who to call
and u you know, like I said, to how do I
identify these potholes? So, I'd say the
problem is that um the the urgency,
right, of getting the potholes filled.
So, the pothole crew has been out the
entire week. We've filled uh every day
that this week since Monday, basically,
I guess not Monday. Um
yeah, basically since since we filled
the truck up with our asphalt
rejuvenator and everything came in, I
believe it was Monday afternoon. We've
been out doing potholes the entire week,
every day. We've done Pine Avenue every
day. We've done Yubil every day. Um, we
spent we put four tons of asphalt down
today alone for Yubel Avenue. So that's
a lot if anybody has an idea.
>> Not to cut you off, but you mentioned
pine. Yeah, people were out there, they
did pine, now it's even worse.
So what happens is it's not the air,
it's continually spreading. So like I
said, Bob can talk about this too with
compaction levels when
>> I'm tired of talk. So I just want to get
it done. So, we don't need to, like I
said, my question was, you know, who
should they notify? You know, cuz that's
a touchy subject with me. Y'all do your
best you can, but public works.
>> You're scared to drive, especially at
night. You don't want to drive down. You
don't want to drive down high. I drive
in the middle of the street, then you
got the ruffle strips and you,
you know, so we just got to get it done.
You guys are out there.
>> Yeah, we're out there daily. So, we keep
reporting them. We keep going. Uh the
potholes you're reporting at on Monday
are being filled in and spreading and
that's a new pothole on Tuesday.
>> Yeah, I got noticed because the guys are
just there. So that's all I need to know
is who to call.
>> Yep. Keep calling public works.
>> Okay.
>> And if it does get to a point where you
get no contact and dispatch,
>> right? Okay. That I just want the public
to know that's all like, you know,
because after 4 dise
and then public works has voicemail
messages that we listen to daily.
>> We do. You can leave a message there and
you can go online and report it too.
>> You can. Yep.
>> So,
>> there's multiple ways to report them.
>> There are
Do you have anything else?
>> No.
>> For the engineering report?
>> Uh, no, I don't have anything else at
this point.
>> Okay.
>> So, when you get we start talking about
the roads for next
>> I'll have the list out next week and
then you guys will see it or review it
and we can discuss it at the next
meeting.
>> Sounds good. be like,
>> "Yeah,
>> you want to discuss it.
>> We just have to we have to budget. The
budget's going to have to be discussed
because certain roads are going to be
increased and um I don't know how we're
going to get all the roads done if the
budget isn't increased.
$1.1 million goes really fast on a
two-mile road."
>> So, Oh, 100% of the time.
>> Yeah. We just I just want to make sure
everybody is aware of that.
>> Have a good discussion on that because
as this clears up and the sun actually
comes back out, I hope it comes out.
>> Yeah, we'll see.
>> And we really get to see what's out
there.
>> Yep.
>> So,
>> you got it. Thank you.
>> Good. Thanks, Bob.
>> All right. Got them all. Right.
>> We're good.
>> Mr. Freeman.
>> All right. Mr. Freriedman, you're not
sitting in the front row, so I won't
skip you. You're up here. So,
>> ordinances.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Ordinance number five. Ordinance number
five. It's like the longest I've gone
without saying a word. Uh public
hearing. Ordinance number five is an
ordinance amending chapter 6 the code of
township of a harbor entitled boards and
commissions. Specifically chapter 6-140
members relating to the environmental
commission. The purpose of this
ordinance is to amend chapter 6 of
township code to update the membership
organization and alternate membership
provisions of the environmental con
commission. Thank you.
>> Very good. Thank you. Is there anyone in
the public that would like to address
the governing body on ordinance number
five?
>> Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> Motion. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Alice,
>> here.
>> Yes. Can I have a motion to adopt
ordinance number five?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Bummer.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance number six, Mr. Friedman.
>> Ordinance number six is an ordinance
amending the code of Township Bay
Harbor, chapter 57 entitled affordable
housing. The purpose of this ordinance
is to set forth the regulations
regarding the very low low and moderate
income housing units in the town of V
Harbor consistent with the provisions
outlined in public law 24 chapter 2
including the amended fair housing act
at NJSA 527D-301
at SEC as well as the department
community affairs division of local
planning services at New Jersey
Administrative code 5 cola 999 at SEC
statutoily upheld existing regulations
of the now defunct Council on Affordable
Housing COA
um at New Jersey administrative code 593
and 597
and the UN uh the uniform housing
affordable affordability controls at
NJAC 580-26.1
etc and as reflected in the adopted
municipal fourth around the housing
element fair share plan. Thank you.
>> Is there anyone in the audience that
would like to address the governing body
on ordinance number six?
>> Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> I make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
And Jen, thank you for your hard
work on that nightmare.
>> Pauls,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. Ordinance number seven, Mr.
Friedman.
>> Motion to adopt.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Motion to adopt.
>> Thank you, too. Thank you. Can I have a
motion to adopt ordinance number six?
Thank you.
>> Thank you. Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hson,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Now, we'll go to ordinance number
seven. Ordinance number seven is an
ordinance amending chapter 225 zoning
article 4 general regulations
specifically chapter 225-25.1
affordable housing development fees of
the code of the township of Bay Harbor.
The purpose of this ordinance is to
establish standards for the collection,
maintenance, and expenditure of
development fees that are consistent
with the amended fair share, excuse me,
fair housing act of uh New Jersey AC 599
and the statewide non-residential
development fee act
being located at New Jersey statute
405D-8.1
through 8.7. Thank you, mayor.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone in the
audience that would like to address the
governing body on ordinance number
seven?
Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> Make a motion.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. Can I have a motion to adopt
ordinance number seven?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Pauls,
>> yes. Alice Farmer.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance number eight for introduction,
Mr. Freeman.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 8 is an
ordinance repealing chapter 6, article
17 of the municipal court of the code
tax of bank Harbor. The purpose of this
ordinance is to repeal article 17 of
chapter 6 to align with the code with
prior amendments.
A public hearing on ordinance 8 of 2026
will be held on March 18, 2026 at 5:00
pm. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Freeman. Can I have a
motion to introduce ordinance number
eight?
>> So moved. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Paul's,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. And that was a fire call if anybody
wondered what his pager was going off
for.
>> I got mine turned down, which is
vibrating.
>> All right. We have a resolution and
consent calendar resolutions 116 through
and including 128.
Do we have any questions on any of that?
>> If not, can I have a motion?
>> So moved.
>> Have a second, please.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Roll call, please. Salano,
>> yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. You know, I should have put
stickies on these notes because there
were so many papers. And Pete 126 is
you. So Pete is going to be the
municipal designation of the New Jersey
Pinelands Municipal Council.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
>> God bless you is what we all say.
>> God bless you and good luck to you.
>> That you'll do a great job. And you know
what? You'll represent us well there. We
need to have a voice at the table and
that's what that seat's for. So,
>> thank you, mayor. I appreciate that. I
intend to aggressively represent our
township. I promise you that about you.
>> I promise you that.
>> But we've had people there before and
and you'll be able to tell us what
what's happening.
>> I've already called.
>> I think this common sense doesn't exist
up there.
>> What they're doing, but it's not right.
>> I I've already called and uh the the
council has not met recently and I've
already called and uh asked that that we
meet as soon as possible. So, I'll do
the best I can. Good.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> All righty. We have So, do we do Wait,
did I do this? Did we get a motion in a
second on that? We did. Okay.
>> I'm not doing my check marks tonight.
>> Um All right. We have a bill list
resolution 129 authorizing payment of
all bills. Can I have a motion so we can
leave the lights on?
>> Yes, I made your motion.
>> I'll second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Paul's.
>> Yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes. We have some approvals. Can I may I
have a motion to approve the township
committee meeting minutes of February
18th, 2026?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I I
>> Can I have a motion to approve the
payroll for the month of February 2026
in the amount of 1,690,27?
All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed?
And
>> I'm sorry, I forgot to ask for a motion.
I just said
>> please vote
>> motion.
>> Make a motion. Yeah.
>> Second.
>> Very good. Now it's all in favor.
>> It's easily done.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Is there anybody in the public that
would like to address a governing body
on any issues? This would be your time
to come on up.
Mike,
>> are you okay?
>> My name is Michael Price, 200 East Plaza
Place, West Atlantic City. How you doing
tonight? I just um saw this the
ordinance uh introduction, Ordinance 8,
Municipal Court of um the Township of E
Harbor. The question is, you're going to
repeal the um the ordinance. Are you
what are you going to replace it with?
Do you have another one in mind? Or is
it just that you're going to align it
with the code with prior amendments? In
other words, you're going to repeal the
ordinance, but are you going to replace
it with something else or leave it the
way it is?
>> And I guess where I'm going with it is
>> we're repealing it because there's no
more court case of the county mal. So
>> that's been gone for a while, right?
>> Yeah. So now we're
>> Oh, so you're just clearing it off. So
it's housekeeping.
>> Housekeeping.
I got you. Cuz that was my
question. How how how's things going
with the municipal courts? Are you
pretty satisfied with it? I mean, do you
like it? Everything going well. Some
towns seem to like it. Some towns don't
seem to like it. How's your overall
>> have frequent meetings with the court
staff? And
>> so, you're satisfied? I mean, with with
the way things are,
>> all services can always be better, but I
as from the budget perspective, it's
it's been a good winner for us. um
outcomes
are getting are been improving since it
started when they they had a rocky
start, but I'll be honest with you, in
the last couple of years, they've really
started to clean their act up and get
things streamlined the way they should
be.
>> Cuz I I you know, you hear over the
years that it's like it it's it's easy
to get into that system, but it's hard
to get out of kind of like civil
service.
>> It's not that. No, it's not hard to get
out.
>> No.
>> Okay. So, that's my question.
>> Everything's contract oriented and when
contracts are up, they're up.
>> All right. So, everything's well with
it. So, that's the question then. You're
just
>> going to say we bonus for us is we still
have the space to house our own court if
it was needed.
>> Okay.
>> Some municipalities gave that up when
they joined the court.
>> And what's the contract the length of it
off hand that you're
>> Yeah. Is there a contract you have with
them or
>> year? Yeah.
>> Very good. All right. And just one other
thing I want to congratulate Mr.
Castellano again with the um Pelands
Council. I think it's important. I don't
think we had a repo on that since maybe
Bob Burns was the mayor.
>> He had some people. Was there a resident
on there?
>> There's a couple residents on there.
>> Okay.
>> But I think Bob did the meetings.
>> See that gentleman right there?
>> I was a commissioner. I was on
>> Oh, yeah. But I noticed that it had been
vacant for a while. But it's um I think
you had a resident on there at one time.
>> I think his name was Bob.
>> Bob Delila, I think, was on.
>> Was that Was that Bob?
>> Okay. All right. Well, anyway, I'm glad
to see that there's movement on it and
uh it's this whole Pinelands thing. I
mean, it's not um a one thing or or this
one. It's a cooperative and I think we
all need to cooperate with all this
growth. It's just out of control and we
just got to find ways that we can work
together to address it because it's not
going away and it's just one thing leads
to the next with it. But it's a group
effort. So,
>> one criticize I have in the Pinelands is
I don't think they leave New Liv to come
out here and do a field trip and look at
some of the stuff they're doing.
>> They get their satellite and look at the
area.
>> Yeah.
>> And I I really find a problem because
maybe common sense would prevail by them
looking at what they think you have to
do or not do. The other problem we have,
which I think we all know, is we are
South Jersey. The population density in
North Jersey makes them look down here
like what are we complaining about?
>> Y it does sometimes feel like an
entirely different state.
>> It is.
>> I mean, you know, that's it's just the
way it feels.
>> That one,
>> but I think that's part of the issue. I
think they look at South Jersey. It's
>> I remember we had a couple township
residents. I think Joel Jacowitz and I
forget the other guys. They
>> came close to
>> Mr. Mr. Dley I think it was years ago
they were big on that South Jersey they
educated there was a lot going on even
back then a couple of local guys and I
don't know if they're still in the area
but I remember so anyway I just wanted
to comment on that and good luck Pete
and um we need it so thank you thank you
Mrs. Justice.
>> Thank you.
>> You could put it in front of the podium.
Now, you only have five minutes on this.
Okay.
>> And I'll tell you, I don't I don't have
anything together.
>> I I'll tell you though, my name's This
is going to go to the planning board.
>> Yes. Yeah.
>> On the 16th. But I'm here to talk I'm
here to dovetail on what that gentleman
just said about the overdevelopment.
Here's the Pineland's plan that I think
is hideous. So, I'm not going to give
you much of this. I kind of brought that
in hopes that the uh blackboard was up
and I could see if it would fit.
>> But I came I came yesterday.
>> That will fit on just so you know.
>> Yeah, that will absolutely fit on that
board.
>> Awesome. Well, I came yesterday, but
they didn't hear um the proposal that I
came for or I came on Monday. Yesterday
was Tuesday.
>> But she It'll be heard the 16th.
>> It'll be heard on the 16th.
>> 16th 5:00.
>> Yeah. because the weather had a we had
to cram everything in together.
>> So, it will be here to 16
>> and it's okay.
>> Yeah,
>> I think we need another two weeks. I
need another two weeks just to sleep.
Hopefully get some sleep. But I live on
Ivans Avenue and my name is Cindy
Justice and I have a bunch of little
handouts here if you guys want to look
at them. I would like to get them back
because I do have to do this
presentation later. But if it's okay to
bring them up to you and Mr. Costalano,
I am thrilled to know you're going to be
talking to the Pils. Thrilled. Um, is
that all right to push them up or do you
guys have you probably have knowledge of
of
>> We do. Most of us
>> and
especially since you want them back,
I would say.
>> Okay. I'll just I'll just show you the
pictures then.
>> Um,
>> that's an aerial of the area in the
density. Correct.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> I believe that's what Well, not the
density per se, but just the designation
of the Pinelands. you know, what kind of
areas they have around here and how, you
know, us being orange, that means we're,
you know, regional growth or whatever.
But I will tell you historically,
um,
you know, this is our our map from the
late 1800s. Okay? You see a whole lot of
blue down here. Obviously, we don't see
North Jersey, and I understand they look
down here and say, "Oh, you're wide
open. Let's just put some more homes
here. But I have some more pictures here
that I took about the wetlands. And we
have so many wetlands here. And I tell
you, I am in one of those areas. This is
our wetlands.
And this is where they're cramming the
stuff or where the pylons are making us
do it. This is Galloway. This is
Hamilton. And this is us. I'm actually
at that pink place.
And I tell you, I think it was one of
the first streets ever made in Eg
Township. I only say that because part
of me wants to say, look, I was here
first. I was I was here first. My
property was here first. And I I have to
suspect also that they thought that this
would be a nice area to make the town
because the street to the south of me,
one half mile from where uh West Jersey
is, is called Main Street,
>> but it doesn't go through because it's
too wet.
>> It is very wet there.
>> It's extremely wet. It's wet lands
according to this. I'll probably get it
upside down, but you know, it's just
madness. Absolutely madness. what
they're doing. I want to raise my hand
and say I will go to every Peland's
meeting with you. I want to just say
give me some names. I want to start
barking at them. I don't mean that
disrespectfully, but I think they're
just running rough shot over top of us.
The amount of of developments, housing
that has been constructed since I bought
the place, this is what it looked like.
That pink stuff is what the homes look
like when I bought my house. And my
house is this blue thing right down
there. And now, and this is all from the
wet site. This is what it looks like.
Isn't
I mean, these people,
like you said, they look down there,
they say, "Oh, you got all these trees."
Well, they save all the trees north of
us. You know, the pineands, wherever
that big one went, it's just total green
above us. Like, they're hail you all.
You get to keep your trees. But we
don't. And I I can't stand it. I mean,
it really does damage to my property. It
does damage to my mind. It does damage
to my body. It brings wisteria. I
believe if you follow these pathways,
these waterways, I've had such a
wisteria assault upon my property. If
you drive to the corner of Maine and
Spruce Avenue, you will see a place
that's just been decimated. You continue
south on Spruce before you get to Reed's
Farm Market, you'll see another another
place. It's just decimated by Wisteria,
which is a very invasive plant that has
just recently been put on our our list.
You can't sell them in in New Jersey
anymore.
>> Oh, that's good.
>> I know. That's what it took me 10 years
to get it off my property.
>> I I tell you I I feel your pain.
>> I I put on my zoot suit as I called it
cuz I had to have everything covered.
There's poison ivy intermixed with it.
There's bugs. There's thistles. There's
all kinds of stuff. But same thing, it
takes a really diligent effort. I've
gone to tax hearings and said,
"What? How do you think my property is
worth anything at all? Have you seen it?
You've seen it. You and me, we've been
eye to eye on my property. And it was a
mess, was it not?
It was horrible. And there's a packet
about lististeria in here that I hope to
bring forward, but I hope somebody's
timing me because I'm I'm I didn't set
my timer, but I don't want to be
disrespectful. I appreciate every person
who's sitting in front of me. You take
time out of your day every single every
other Monday and and or Wednesday.
You're on Wednesdays.
I can never do it. I can never do it. I
mean, and I
>> Well, what you're doing right here
>> is the same. It's You're standing up for
what you believe in and trying to
protect what you believe.
>> I do. I believe in this township. I
>> That's good. So, make sure you're here.
>> I will be
>> on that Monday night 5:00.
>> Yeah.
>> Yep. And that will absolutely fit on the
board.
>> Good deal. Um it's kind of cobbly, but
um the blue stuff that's
federal hazard or flood hazard. So why
would they put stuff up here
>> into this flood habit I mean and it
comes up this way and it goes
and you know we just we can't take it
anymore. The volume we just can't take
it anymore and continue to have any kind
of quality of life. And lastly I will
say because I always bring this forward
when I bought my house in ' 92 I had a
septic but by the middle of those 90s
good
>> my septic failed. my septic fail.
There's 20 of us on the end of our
street that thank God the MUA found
funding and brought sewage down my
street otherwise I wouldn't be flushing.
And I talked to Elaine today and she
said if you were on the gravity flow
which we're not. We have to have these
pumps to pump us up.
>> We'd be probably 2 feet above the
street.
>> That's how low we are there.
>> And that's why you know just a plug we
can't do that.
beautiful plants down there, too. And
I'll leave it. But thank you for
listening to me.
>> Bring all your stuff on the 16th.
>> I will. I'm going to maybe have it in
words, but I just got my picture today.
So,
>> thank you guys.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Justice. We'll see you
on the 16th. Is there anyone else that
would like to address governing body?
Mr. Brick. Chief. Oh, Chief. I'm sorry.
Mr. Chief was on his way up.
>> I was going to say to the end, but hey,
>> well, I'm speaking on behalf of the Acre
Pential Police Department and I wanted
to just uh mention, you know, I had a
front row seat to the uh action Sunday
night into Monday. I got to listen. I
was driving around listening to what was
going on. And uh without
our volunteer fire department needs to
be uh recognized. I mean, public works
outstanding, but you know what? when
we're out and and um listening to the
radio, seeing what's going on in, you
know, with all the trees down, the power
lines, utility lines, poles being
snapped, I mean, it's almost like you
have to be there to really understand
the impact that it's causing to the the
township. So, when I hear residents
complaining about, you know, whatever,
their power is out, um, their their
driveways, you know, are are plowed in,
um, things like that, one of the things
they need to realize is that a couple
plows end up getting taken out of
plowing because now they have to deal
with this tree that's in the middle of
the roadway, you know, and then, and
that's not just occurring on one road,
it's it's just cascading throughout the
township. Um, and that was in the short
time that I was out there between uh
like I think it was 6 pm Sunday and to 2
o'clock uh Monday morning. So, and I
just sat there kind of just in awe of
our volunteer firefighters and cuz they
have to go to all those wires arcing and
if you again if you were out there you
got to see the light pops like when um
>> transformers
>> the transformers blowing
shotgun going off. Well, and and it
looks like you're in a under in a war
zone because the the sky glows for a
couple seconds and then you roll up to
there and then the fire department has
to be there because of the live wires
and then so and and again it just keeps
compounding because now they're on one
public works is deployed and then before
you know it we got another one. So it
just kept compounding. So just my hats
off on behalf of the police department
to public works and our volunteer
firefighters. Um cuz if they don't work
together then our our municipalities
going to
>> we're very fortunate with what happens
in a bad event and I'll talk about
Harbor Pines the other day. We're very
very fortunate that we have people
answer the call.
>> Great.
>> All hands all hands on deck to help this
township. And one thing we all know,
>> it takes planning and coordination. We
have to have a plan in place, which we
do.
>> And I will say this too to you all the
police officers that were out there too.
They were pitching in and helping where
they could. So they did a great job as
did public works. And I agree with you
in the fire department because we say it
all the time. They are volunteers
>> and they got out there and did it on
their own time and their own energy to
get out there and take care of this
community. And they have to and they may
have to maintain their houses and keep
them uh plowed and clean so they can
deploy when needed which they were
needed throughout you know
>> throughout the whole
resident swears that when she called
police cars cut the tree.
>> So did we have anybody with electric
chainsaw?
>> No, we we have electric chainsaw for
those.
>> What I tried to describe to her was it a
red truck? Maybe it was the fire chief
or somebody. But she and her sister was
too she made the young guy. She was
pleasant about the young man that came.
>> It was probably me.
>> Maybe it was probably out there.
>> They were talking. It was really a
pretty attractive looking police officer
or two out of it. So I said, "Well, I
guess they have a chainsaw in their
truck." I don't know.
>> No. Uh
>> that's good stuff.
>> Uh a few years ago, well um I think it
was DO. because of do we ended up
getting um some electricals. We have
them here at the police department um to
deploy them and obviously again the the
two that we have aren't going to solve
what you know that storm brought.
>> She was right. She described the police
cars and she got out
>> maybe.
>> So and then a final mention to our
police communications. People don't
realize so I I did get the data and the
stats. I mean, the spike in calls um
Sunday night into Monday was
extraordinary. Um and people again, so
our dispatchers have to feel the calls.
And remember, we're not just dispatching
for EHT, we're dispatching for Pleas,
Northfield, Lynwood, Longport, and uh
Summers Point EMS. So, they were earning
their keep during the storm. Um, and
>> so when we next month,
>> it's like bring those stats in.
>> I do. I we can talk about those stats.
>> So I compared them to the same time
period before and it's basically it it
would it pretty impressive. So anyway,
my our hats off to public works. Thank
you. And to our volunteer firefighters
and to our dispatch center. Thank you.
>> Thanks, Chief. Mr. McGleni.
He knows a little bit about
my name Sunset Boulevard over in CD
Harbor. Good luck on the municipal
council.
Um, one quick question. I wanted to get
an update on the CRS program if there is
one. I know Bob was mentioning at the
end of last year, beginning of this
year, it should be
>> Pat Nation is just finishing up his
review of everything and then we'll be
submitting it.
>> Great. Yeah.
>> And just one comment, I think the guys
did a phenomenal job. Um, I'm not
running for election, but I'm telling
you, they did a great job. I mean, our
our roads out there in C view were clean
down to the black top, curb to curb,
because we don't have a lot of traffic
this time of year. So, that that helps.
But, I can tell you the mainland towns
next to us, Michael,
>> they failed.
>> Failed.
>> I know. I don't even think they made it
tent
>> work. It was horrible.
>> And I'm not talking about the one tent.
I'm talking about
>> I don't know the rest of
>> the other surroundings.
>> I just go through.
>> You were Winslow.
>> Winslow. Yeah.
>> I was in that storm with Allen.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> That was that was worse than this one,
but not that much.
>> When you can't see, you know, all those
hours you can't see. I don't care. Even
when the sun came up, you can't see.
Actually, sometimes that's
>> Alan is being generous when he says it
really equates about 1,200 miles.
Remember, it's just not 300 miles. You
got lane miles three passes
this way and then you turn around and
cut back.
>> So much time. Then you got to clean up
the intersections.
>> Don't get me started. They did a great
job.
>> Thank you, Mr. McGlleni. Appreciate
that. And Oliver, make sure you share
that with everybody.
>> I just an email. Thank you. Oh, good.
Good. And they got that. Okay. Is there
anyone else that would like to address
the governing body? Seeing none, can I
have a motion to close the public
portion?
>> Make a motion.
>> Uh, all in favor?
>> I township committee reports. Well,
we're going to go back to you, Mr.
Castellano. Last meeting, we got you to
go later.
>> Thank you, Mayor. I don't have anything
in addition uh to what I already
covered, but uh since we uh uh paid uh
welldeserved
um uh kudos and um thank yous to to our
volunteer fire uh companies for the
tremendous work they've done recently.
We're going to be thanking them soon. Uh
we also have to uh uh prepare to uh make
sure that we uh give them what they need
uh at budget time as well.
But other than that, thanks
>> Mr. Pauls. Just want to say to
everybody, keep our troops in their
prayers
and thoughts and they got a hell of a
mission going on out there. And also um
had the opportunity to talk to
Commissioner Jim Patino
Bridge on Spruce Avenue. Jimmy's uh head
of bridges and roads for the county and
just
rest what we talked about the road
cannot be closed down
>> and he's totally on board with that
>> that's good
>> so as it comes through design I told him
keep
>> I'll probably has it
>> I can find it
>> line for you very good
Mr. Hudson.
>> Well, we got through the storm and I
think we've all covered it. It was We
all come together and try to do the best
we can with the elements we're dealing
with. But the other day we had a
tremendous fire uh about 10 or three I
believe was what? Yeah, 10 of three in
um Harbor Pines. And um I'm going to
tell you something. We are damn lucky
that we have the volunteers we have
because listening to the calls you kind
of get a sense of the importance
and I was doing my daily donation to the
state of New Jersey and lottery at the
time when I got the location and the
reason I moved that way was because of
the updates from our dispatchers
to the fire department. At the time it
was Skeleville and and Vernon Cruz and
Vernon and Cruz is one of our better
leaders. There's no doubt about it. But
that house was fully involved and there
was no saving that poor place.
>> And um here here's what's interesting
and I say it before and I'm sure the
people on Facebook will say Hudson shut
up. If you say something, say something.
Tell somebody. The call came in from a
woman driving down Steelmanville Road.
not for the neighborhood, Steelville
Road. And the black plume of that house
when it was gone up was unbelievable.
And to Skullville and Bargain Town and
Farmington and Cardiff, Summers Point
helped out. Summers Point was there
right away. Um, you know, it was it was
terrible. And it's a terrible thing to I
I rarely take pictures, but I took a
couple pictures of it because, you know,
at the start of it, people are going
you're going to have the people say,
"Well, if we had a paid fire department,
it would have saved that house." Nobody
could have saved that house. Okay? And
so to the people in our homes, one of
the best thing that's happened in my
lifetime is smoke alarms. have them, tie
them in, have audibles because maybe if
something had alerted people to the fire
in that attic before it took off, um
they might have been able to save that
home. But the Scoville Bargain bar the
bargain town truck and I was there when
crews pulled up and there was no truck.
The Scoville truck got there right away
along with Bargain Town. I mean,
tremendous and we're very, very lucky.
the police officer there. I think the
police officer helped get the dog out of
the house. There was an animal in there
crying or barking. And uh it's all
hands. You can all help. That's why they
say volunteers. Doesn't say you have to
be an expert. You can drag hoses. I know
what they want to do when they're
pulling hose out. Got to extend it
before they charge it. It's basic stuff.
So, uh, to Scoville, um, to all our fire
departments, and even this one that was
unusual to have Hamilton Township, which
we're always up them, come down and back
our two stations up because we were
gainfully employed at the Harbor Pines.
And um, we're very lucky. And I know
there was a scubble fireman here. He
left, but they had a tone. It happens
all the time. and through the snowstorm.
If you never heard a transformer blow,
uh you'll remember it because you'll
think it's a hand grenade that just went
off if you're close by. And um so, you
know, that's what goes on in the
neighborhood. And I I I wish those
people all the luck in the world because
they lost everything. And um our our our
boys did a good job.
>> They did.
>> But um you know, and and back to this,
they're volunteers. All volunteers. And
when the updates come in, that's what
gets guys moving because if somebody
hears an update for SKW, Bargain Town's
going to get there whether they're been
dispatched or not and get in that truck
and get ready and um that's what
happened. So, um I know uh Sharp was
there with with Cruz and I know Cardiff
got there along with Farmington, but it
was terrible. But another thing, too, we
are used to and getting used to
hydrants. Thank god there was a hydrant
out front because if if they ran out of
water too quick that have been worse.
But they had a hydrant there. Bargain
town pumped off the hydrant. We didn't
have to worry about getting tankers or
anything else in there. But again to our
we're very very lucky as a community to
have our firemen and it's a daytime fire
which usually doesn't get a lot of
participation.
So
>> I'll say this somebody Paul had shared a
couple of the pictures. So I had some of
them and I shared it with someone and
they thought it was AI generated.
>> It was the fire was so orange and it was
you could see it inside the house
>> coming off that house when it
>> Here's another thing. The construction
and I don't want to be bad construction
because there's engineers around but
those trusses don't last 10 seconds.
Okay, a regular house built by stick may
may do a little better. But when that
roof collapsed down into the front
floor, uh that was the end. So, uh, you
know, we're very lucky and I don't
usually take pictures because I can
barely use my phone, but um I wanted to
get a picture of the beginning I got
more or less after a minute or two and
it was it was bad. And to the police
officers, I forget the sergeant that was
there, I can't think of his name. I
mean, the guys did a great job. They
know the deal. Oh, hey, they could pull
hoes and help them guys get ready.
>> But Skeleville was quick. Argan Town was
quick and there was no saving at home
and I I I God bless the family because
they lost everything.
>> Okay.
>> And that's about it on you know I got
that's enough said. Uh but you know we
all have to work together. This is our
community. It's nobody's else. And you
want to sit there and and moan and groan
and make comments on Facebook. You know
we're doing the best we can and that's
what volunteerism is about. Look it up.
It's in the dictionary. They're
volunteers.
>> Very good. That's my editorial for
tonight.
Oh, and just a point to Pete Castle.
Pete, maybe when you talk to our friends
at the Pine Lands, ask them to reference
the Highlands
compared to us. And then maybe since
they saved them, they can save our when
the Highlands came. We I think Bill
Gormley, I forget who paid for the
buses. We all went up there and once
they realized where we were from, they
totally had leprosy because they
wouldn't talk to us. Do you remember who
testified?
>> You did.
>> Um,
>> it was me.
>> Yeah, I I I do. And I tell you what I do
remember. I remember Frank Sutton, I
believe, had an aerial picture of what
looks like maybe there's craters in Iran
today. I mean, it was terrible of the
retention ponds that they thought would
work for our development.
>> So, good luck, Pete. That's a reference
to like how's the making out?
>> Yeah, I remember it very well. And
because of our trip and probably other
things, they did not adopt growth zones
up there.
>> Because that problem here that's amazing
work right
>> I mean you got to I mean Pete if you can
make any headway God bless you but you
know we got to start screaming at them
because they're they're not doing us
justice.
>> Got to try
>> Mr. Ellis. Everything's been said.
What you want to say? But we always got
to acknowledge each and everyone, the
residents, the fire department, police
department, public works, EMT. Great
job, great community. Make sure you get
a clear understanding. Those who's
listening, those who's watching or what
the school is going to vote on this new
thing with the school because a lot of
time, like first, I was it wasn't clear
about what exactly is going on. Uh if
you don't know, call them. You know, uh
look it up online. And you know, this is
very important for us to be
knowledgeable what we're voting on and
not just assume from what somebody say.
That's it.
>> Well, there really isn't much to say.
Everybody said it all. But I know this.
Bad times bring out the best in most
people. And I think the storm brought
out the best in everybody. Most people.
I'll rephrase that. Most people. Um, but
I think what we do and what we continue
to do is plan. Plan for things that can
go wrong. Plan for how we can do things
better. I think any community that keeps
the eye on the future and don't and
doesn't stay stagnant can survive these
things. They're going to come. Bad
weather's going to come. We can't
guarantee when, but it's coming. So,
Chief, I'm going to say to you, if
Oliver is still over there to our our
our police department, our fire
department, our EMS, our public works,
our administration, everybody is
concerned about the future and what goes
on here. So, I thank you all for having
the foresight to have these plans
already in place and the chains all
marked and ready to go. You know, it
wasn't since I lived in Michigan and I
heard people putting chains on tires.
So, but no, I just want to thank
everybody for what they did during the
storm and and the neighbors that helped
each other. There was a lot of that in
this in this town. And so, thank you all
for that. We are now into March and
someone told me it's supposed to be 75
80° sometime next week. This is crazy.
>> Hippocent.
>> So, listen, it's just, you know, thank
you all. Thank you all for coming
tonight. It was a great meeting. Um, I
have nothing else to say except for Tom.
Do you have anything to say? report
tonight. Ma'am,
>> nothing.
>> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. And I'll try to
be brief. Um, it concerns the Pinelands.
Uh, I've had the privilege of uh sitting
up here for many years and uh serving
the community, the governing body, and
as a township solicitor as well as a
resident of the township. Um, and I was
hoping Mrs. justice would still be here
to hear this. But uh the governing body
at the time, actually before I started,
recognized that with the advent of the
pinelands coming into play, it was not a
good thing for Egg Harbor Township.
It was a uh regulatory body that was
formed not for the protection of Egg
Harbor Township, even though we're in
the Pineelands, even though we have
Pineelands. It wasn't done for us. We
became the sacrificial lamb and the
other out uh communities outside the
area that they wanted to protect or
designated to protect we on the outside
became the high growth communities. So
it's not by mistake. It's by design that
the population of a growing state like
New Jersey and the area that we are
between New York and Philadelphia and
Washington, these were the areas that
were going to take the housing. These
were the areas that were going to take
the population.
And that's maybe the reason why many of
us are living here now because we were
kind of restricted to find housing in
this area, not at Shimong,
not in Medford, but in here in the high
growth zones. So the rules and
regulations that have been imposed upon
us that I have litigated that developers
have to deal with that our boards have
to deal with, it's an uphill battle. And
it's an uphill battle by design. People
can complain about overdevelopment and
what the township is doing or not doing
about it. The deck is stacked against
us, folks. And we have done our best and
successive governing bodies have done
their best to slow the growth to prevent
it from happening. But it's a losing
it's a it's a constant uphill battle.
They'll force the growth here, but
they're not giving you any money to help
you with your roads. They're not giving
you any money to help you with your
board of with your education and your
buildings. And so,
kudos to the governing body for keeping
the municipality
as livable as they can under the
circumstances that we're dealing with.
And uh I'm proud to be part of that
effort. And I'm I'm I'm proud of the
governing bodies that have done their
best with a hand that's stacked against
them to keep it a beautiful community.
Uh one that I've raised my family and my
three kids through education system and
hopefully it will be there for many
years to come and and the population the
increasing population is coming.
Hopefully, we can work together and and
and make it as comfortable under the
circumstances as we can. So, thank you,
mayor, for giving me this opportunity.
>> You've been on the forefront of this for
years.
>> Well, I think that is all we have
tonight. And do we have a need for a
close session?
>> No, ma'am.
>> We do not.
>> Everybody's smiling now. So, you know
what the next thing is? Can I have a
motion to adjourn? You
>> got their motion.
>> Can I have a second?
We are drag.