Public Meeting of Egg Harbor Township Committee 05/21/26

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States. One nation under God,
indivisible, liberty and justice for
all.
>> Roll call, please. Castellano
>> here.
>> Paul Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Ray Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Laura Fer,
>> yes. And for the public's knowledge, uh,
committeeman, uh, Will Paul's sold his
house and is moving to another town. So
effective immediately, he is no longer a
member of township committee and the
process to uh replace him is underway
right now and hopefully in June we'll
have a conclusion to it. So he wants to
say thank you for the opportunity to
serve this great town. He still is
serving and helping us on some things
that he's closing out. One is the nature
reserve tribute to the Carmen family and
to the volunteers of the town. So we all
just said thank you to everybody and
totally enjoyed his time here on
township committee. I I visit at today.
They got the concrete down. It's looking
good.
>> It's looking good.
>> Yeah, it's a nice uh pad they put in
there.
>> And tenatively the date for that, which
we'll announce again, will be June 14th.
Flag Day is what they're aiming for. So,
that should be a good day for everybody.
Come on out. Everybody's welcome.
All right.
The first thing we're going to do
tonight is something that is important
to me. First, as I look at these
incredible young people sitting in front
of us, my daughter was in Mark Mock
trial back in 19
oh
>> in the 2000
2000.
>> It was 2004 and five actually 2004 and
five. And this program that you did and
the process that you went through is
amazing how you will take what you've
learned doing this and use it later in
life, which she does now. It's
organizing, it's communicating, it's
researching. um and working together as
a team. So what it builds for you is
incredible. But what you did to
represent Harper Township coming in
first is
fabulous. Fabulous. And from what I have
just heard, it's the second time in
history that Ed Township came in first.
>> So the goal always was beat Mainland.
And you know what?
>> Good job.
>> You beat Mainland.
>> They beat Mainland. He helped on the
side. They beat they beat mainland.
>> So, what we would like to do is give you
all a proclamation. Mr. Castellano, if
you don't mind reading it, uh, Mr. Ellis
and I are going to go and pass on
certificates and then Mr. Ellis will be
putting some medals on a few people.
>> Bring it down.
>> Township of a Harbor Certificate of
Recognition presented to pride to the A
Harbor Township High School mock trial
team where
Okay.
Whereas the Egg Harbor Township High
School mock trial team has demonstrated
exceptional dedication, discipline, and
academic excellence in the study and
practice of law. And whereas through
countless hours of preparation,
research, and teamwork, these students
have developed critical thinking, public
speaking, and analytical skills that
exemplify the highest standards of
educational achievement. And whereas the
team has distinguished itself by
competing with integrity,
professionalism, and perseverance
throughout the Atlantic County mock
trial competition. And whereas their
outstanding performance has culminated
in winning the Atlantic County Mock
Trial Championship, bringing pride and
recognition to Egg Harbor Township High
School and the broader community. And
whereas the accomplishments of these
students reflect the strong support of
their coaches, adviserss, school
administrators, and families whose
guidance and encouragement have been
instrumental in their success. And
whereas the township wishes to wishes to
acknowledge the dedication of Mr.
Michael Marterone, social studies
teacher, alumni Molini Galati, and
attorneys Paige Jed Litka and Seth Levy,
who coached the team to their
championship. Now, therefore, be it
resolved that the mayor and township
committee of the township of Egg Harbor,
County of Atlantic, and state of New
Jersey commends the success of the team
members listed below and offer their
best wishes for continued success. Be it
further proclaimed that we celebrate
their commitment to excellence, their
pursuit of knowledge, and their
representation of their school and
community with honor and distinction.
Congratulations.
So, can I ask uh please come on up here?
Then I'd like you to kind of explain to
everybody what mock trial is and what
you did and what position you played in
the trial and stuff.
>> Um so I'm going to start with our
captains. We have senior and I she's
been on the team for four years. Uh we
have um Carter Chu, our co- captain.
who's been on the team for three years.
Have senior Paige Pacwin who's been on
the team three years
and
she is the recipient of the judge Carol
Mri scholarship this year.
Uh we have Aliyah who is uh our junior
lawyer
have well I'm going by order lawyers but
we have Anna Vendick she was our other
state lawyer
lawyer
um and now I guess we'll go on to
witnesses then
uh we have the man of the divine one of
our witnesses right here, Amanda,
Molina Patel, one of our other
witnesses.
>> And then we have our our other studies,
what we call our JB squad. Uh we have
>> Artan maybe.
>> Okay,
>> Frankelli
Mo,
>> we have Maya and then we have also our
understudies. And then absent tonight,
we have um Bunjan Nike, who was our
defendant. We have Caspie Robbins and
Emily Hager who are both going to
nationals
what it is that they've done but just
kind of numbers and I said this at the
high school board of education meeting
is that our team practices probably two
to three nights a
That's on top of all their academics and
other
what's your overall record in four years
trials with losses.
Do you know yours? Oh, I've lost my
It's an incredibly impressive uh group.
So,
>> what was the case?
>> Um, this year it was based off
a video game with friends and one of
them has
incident and throughout the case we
basically had
um that was the prosecution that's what
they had
cases civil cases and over the past
learned a lot about public speaking and
just how to present yourself, how to
um our team is
I think that's one of the most important
things
about us
like other
tiny
but yeah we spend a lot of time working
on it and I think that this year
especially like
I'm very proud of everyone and hopefully
>> it's
here.
>> Who is coming back next year?
>> Oh, this is a good sign.
>> This is a good sign.
>> Like a funny start.
and say in case I get in trouble
your long term represent
>> I'll let you know
how many
last week.
>> You want to tell us a little bit about
the club you were trying to start at
high school? Powerlifting club.
>> You could.
>> So, currently I'm trying to start Olymp
High School. It was a former club.
However, it was solely linked to male
football players. And as a woman who was
interested in Olympic weight
to me if Olympic weightlifting was a
club co-ed and open to all students at
the high school, I re faculty advisor
signatures. As well, I had a petition
going around school of students who
would possibly be interested and got
over 300 signatures. As well, I fill out
all necessary paperwork to complete this
club. I recently spoke at the board of
education meeting. Um, I haven't, but
hopefully I can have it for the next
couple years.
>> We have a great talent and uh, Paige is
in our MSA Academy. They just went to
Stockton and he did a
and you're so um, so Paige is going to
let you raise your hand.
Uh he was going to Ruckers and
>> Oh, I'm going to be business school.
>> Business school. And then Carter's going
to
>> majoring in electrical,
>> but we've got a plethora of students
that are engaged,
I guess. Aviation
science
just brilliant. Kids are much
different skills you've learned through
this. your interest.
>> Yes. So we had a couple students who
qualified for the federal judges
association's excellent citizen award
participate in Montreal or civic
activity and they had this score in
so
earning that time and this is kind for
our newer students but we have Maya
Alisasha
>> Mr.
I can
with us
>> and we have Molina
>> and some of our other students.
It's not cold
time
here.
>> I call you
give your card to him and come.
So again
for next year
I don't
That's what you want.
>> You want a ribbon
student.
>> Good job. Congratulations.
Great job.
>> I will update the files.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> And it is also worth noting, hang on,
Carter, totally slipped my mind. Um,
Carter and Paige, they are will be
honored at the senior board. They
participate in this
interviewing you about free speech. They
got an $2 SCHOLARSHIP.
SO YES,
>> thank you very much.
Congratulations.
>> Oh, that was a rapper. But I mean, I was
counting. I said, "Then I don't get it."
I would ask for a couple years, too.
>> Thank you, guys.
>> Good night, guys.
>> Okay.
>> Well, that was an impressive approval of
students, I would say.
>> Okay,
moving on to ordinance for public
hearing. Ordinance number 11, Mr.
Freeman.
>> Mayor, ordinance 11 is an ordinance
amending ordinance number three of 2026,
fixing the salaries of certain officials
and employees of the township of V
Harbor for the year 2026. The purpose of
this ordinance is to amend ordinance 3
2026 by adding new positions andor
amending the salary arranges for certain
non-contractual employees. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone in the public
that would like to discuss ordinance
number 11?
>> Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion? I
>> second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Can I have a motion to adopt ordinance
number 11?
>> Make a motion.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Salano,
>> yes.
>> Hatson,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance number 12, Mr. Friedman.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 12 is an
ordinance appropriating $5 million and
authorizing the issuance of $4,750,000
in bonds or notes the township for
various improvements or purposes
authorized to be undertaken by the
township of a harbor. The purpose of
this ordinance is to enable the township
to finance various capital improvements,
equipment, and vehicle purchases through
bonded debt while complying with the
local bonding law. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone in the
audience that would like to discuss
ordinance number 12?
Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Can I have a motion to adopt
ordinance number 12?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Ordinance number 13 for introduction.
Mr. treatment.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 13 is an
ordinance authorizing the execution of
an agreement for a tax abatement with
All Zone Holdings LLC. The property
located at 6418 Blackhorse Pike,
otherwise known as block 1303, lot 49,
being phase one. The purpose of this
ordinance is to authorize a tax
abatement agreement for phase 1
improvements consisting of 14,000 square
foot office and warehouse building with
related site improvements and to
establish payments in lie of taxes
pursuant to the 5-year exemption and
abatement law. The public hearing on
ordinance 13 will be held on June 17,
2026 at 5:00 p.m.
>> Thank you. Can I have a motion to
introduce ordinance number 13? Make a
motion.
>> Can I have a second?
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Uh, budget public hearing adoption.
Resolution 208 authorizing the
self-examination of the 2026 municipal
budget. Can I have a motion to adopt
resolution number 208 of 2026?
too much.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Solano,
>> yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Primer,
>> yes. Resolution 209, authorizing the
2026 municipal budget to be read by
title only.
>> Can I have a motion to adopt resolution
209?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Ano?
>> Yes.
>> Hodson?
>> Yes.
>> Alice?
>> Yes.
>> Primer?
>> Yes. the 2026 municipal budget. This is
a public hearing. Is there anyone in the
public that would like to address the
governing body on the budget? This would
be the time to come on up.
If we just have your name for the
record, Doris Stilly at Harbor Township.
Good evening, governing body,
administration, and fellow residents.
Tonight I am here not just as a taxpayer
but as a resident and a daughter who is
deeply concerned about the direction of
our municipal finances and the burden
being placed on the people who live
here. The 2026 municipal budget raises
serious questions that deserve honest
answers. I am told that nearly $ 8.75
million in surplus funds is being used
to support this budget. Surplus money is
supposed to be used to provide relief,
stability, and protection for our
taxpayers during difficult financial
years. It exists because taxpayers have
already paid into the system. Yet,
despite using millions from surplus,
residents are still being asked to
accept another tax increase. So, the
question every homeowner or renter
should be asking is pretty simple. If
8.7 million in surplus was used, why are
taxes still going up? This is not a
political question. This is a math
question. Families in this community are
already struggling with rising utility
bills, inflation, housing costs,
insurance increases, and everyday
expenses.
residents are tightening their own
household budgets every single month.
They expect their local government to do
the same. Instead, what I am seeing is a
budget that appears to rely heavily on
spending down reserves while still
demanding more from our taxpayers.
That is not sustainable.
Surplus should not become a substitute
for long-term fiscal discipline. When
government repeatedly dips into reserves
while simultaneously increasing taxes,
it sends a troubling message, spending
continues to grow, but accountability
does not. Residents deserve
transparency.
People are not asking for miracles. They
are asking for priorities.
I am asking for responsible budgeting. I
am asking for leadership that
understands every tax increase affects
real families. seniors on fixed incomes,
working parents, and small business
owners. A tax increase after using 8.75
million in surplus reflects deeper
structural problems that cannot be
ignored. If those problems are not
addressed now, residents will likely
face the same conversation again next
year, only with less surplus available
and even greater financial pressure.
Government should operate with the same
discipline expected of the people who
fund it. The taxpayers of this community
deserve better planning, better
transparency, and better stewardship of
their money. I urge this governing body
to reconsider its spending priorities
and commit to a long-term financial
strategy that protect residents instead
of continually asking them to pay more.
I thank you for the consideration. Have
a good evening. There
>> anybody else that would like to address
the governing body? Say none. Can I have
a motion to close the public portion?
>> Second.
>> And I have a motion to adopt resolution
210 of 2026.
Roll call. Oh,
>> I'm sorry. Roll call.
>> Yes.
Alice Farmer.
>> Yes. Now, can I have a motion to adopt
resolution 210 of 2026?
I'll make a motion.
>> Thank you. Can I have a second, please?
>> Well, a second. When is the appropriate
time? I have a few comments.
>> It's right now, actually. Probably the
best time.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Thank you all. I I do
have some comments. Um, I have some
concerns uh with this budget and with
the process that that got us here. And
I'd like to see us put in place some
some changes and reforms as we move
forward. Um I personally didn't have uh
input into the formulation of the
budget. Um we did have our two legally
required hearings on the budget, but I
think we can do better than just those
two. Once introduced, I've repeatedly
asked that we increase aid to our fire
companies. I think it's very much
needed. Um that was um not done. Uh I'd
also like to speak about another concern
and and that is uh as we've heard an
overreiance on surplus.
the 2025
fiscal year, calendar year for
municipalities,
we ended with a with $19 million
plus in surplus. That's on a 52.8
million budget. So that's
36%
greater than a third of the budget was
left. At least it's my understanding
that a good healthy surplus to end with
is in the range of 15 to 20%.
So that's a concern.
We then put
8.7 million forward for this budget. We
took another 10 million and carried that
into the 2027
budget.
So for me that's it's a concern and uh I
I would have to ask with with that much
surplus. Had had we had conversations
uh and debates and discussions perhaps
we could have alleviated some or all of
the need for a tax increase in this
particular year. um with
with the the hyperinflation that people
are suffering from
um whether it's groceries to gas.
Now, having said that, I will vote yes
for the budget. Um I made a commitment
to come here to work with everyone and
I'm going to work with this committee.
It's my responsibility to fund services
for our residents, to pay our employees,
and to do all the things that are uh
contained in the budget and and are
necessary as a result of the budget. So,
I will I will vote yes. I'd just like to
ask that moving forward, we consider um
some best practices for a town of our
size. Let's have more than just the two
legally required meetings. Let's have
work sessions for the committee. Let's
have listening sessions for the public.
Let's let's do more and try to work
harder on putting together a budget um
that reflects the views of the entire
committee and of the public. Um but
again, my vote my vote will be yes for
the reasons stated and I I thank you for
the time. That's a perfect time for it
and you will. Don't worry, you'll be
involved.
So, resolution 210, we had a motion to
adopt it with Mr. Hodson. Can we have a
second, please?
Mr. Als, Mr. Castano.
>> Second. Can I have a roll call, please?
>> Yes.
>> Alice Farmer.
>> Yes.
Tom, we have an open space public
hearing on here.
>> Was that from last meeting?
>> Yeah, I can figure what it was.
>> Yeah, the purpose of that being on there
was uh when
>> last meeting
was open, but this is no
longer effective for this evening or
>> where Tom reports on
the open space.
>> This is for the open space tax that we
have. The money goes into the projects
that we do for the recck department from
our capital. We don't use capital
project money. We use open space money
to fix the ball fields, soccer fields,
stuff like that. So this is one that
>> anybody have any question how we use the
open space money.
>> What are we using on
anything else?
>> Primary fields like park use that we use
it on um vets park the football field
there. Um, we're going to be using it on
the tennis courts. There's a bunch of
them that are need repair. I forget
which one's first. Barington Town, I
believe.
>> Borington Town first.
>> Um, the fencing at the hockey courts.
Um, so there's I have a six-year plan
from Rick and the rec commission that
we're kind of advancing. They have a
priority. So, we try to advance as much
as we can with staying in the budget.
And that number is what? 8.
>> You have the number, Janice? 854904
>> for this.
>> What is it?
>> Okay.
Very good.
Is there anyone in the public that has
any questions on the open space?
Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close that portion?
>> So, second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes. Alice.
>> Yes. Primer.
>> Yes.
>> Uh we have resolutions 211 through and
including 229
which a couple of these we discussed in
work session. Does anybody have any
questions on any of these? Or if not,
can I have a motion to
>> 229 to the chief back there with the
rescue squad. We need to put our
equipment inside and I agree with that.
We're limited on space on fire road, but
you need to get that stuff inside for
the pole bar. Right.
I mean, we're laying locked. We looked
at it before. It's tough in space. We
got to get that equipment in.
>> When do you expect it
>> to go in?
>> When do you expect it to go in?
Yeah.
You're a busy squad. How many of your
people are here tonight? I know behind
you.
We have everybody that's exceptional.
Bless you.
>> Why don't you come forward?
>> Why don't you just bring them forward?
>> Bring them up.
>> Yeah,
>> bring them up. Uh, Chief, I heard the
airlift the other day at Summers Point.
I'm assuming we were involved in
transport.
>> Yes, that was a little bit of a
different situation.
>> Well, okay. I don't need the details.
>> Different situation being the hospital
had to put her helipad down for a day
and if they needed to.
>> So, field.
>> Yes. You provide the transport for
>> Okay.
>> the hospital at that point to the to the
helicopter. So real quickly guys, a lot
of people will see us unless you
actually come. I don't want to get us to
your house, but these are the men and
women of township that are working today
to recognize all throughout the year
with this. It is national investment for
country.
As you can see, the men and women here
are varying different shapes and stuff.
But uh again the amount
of work that goes in out never
these guys religiously get Oh,
heat.
Thank you guys for help. Believe it or
be
chaos. It It can be a very
see and then we show up at your house.
That's what we do. But it's not
necessarily muscle
efforts of the town especially you know
budgets I understand budgets I know
budgets
you didn't want to know but I get it but
everybody understand
your problems you got you know worry
about your bills Also
just as curious it is, you know, we have
we have people that last week a handful
of member stuck in federation and
I I wanted to I wanted to recognize her
tonight
called me two years ago and said you
She came by. We put her in class and she
started working. Well, she's
university part time with us but working
a lot and she just graduated with a
double major in bioam
>> studying for her MCAT.
>> Wow. and she
and we recently just uh hired Austin
which you know you don't find out in the
interview she actually
people are looking to go to nursing
school
careers out of this. So um
>> can you introduce everybody? Sure. So we
have uh Chris Bush over here on the end.
Castro Wood
comes from Tell me where you live
by Steve Lee who's one of the original
OGs of EMS.
>> Are you the goat?
>> 30 plus years a started in 91.
>> Started in 91. So um Ashley who's been
with us for a couple years. She's
finishing up her medical uh schooling
now. She should be testing shortly. Um
great provider in the street. Um Danny
or Danielle who just graduated out of
the MT school too. She comes from violin
and she lot of our references come from
other departments and other uh classes
because we are busy and you're going to
get experience here. So Danny want to
come
who is also local resident here that is
part of volunteer fire.
fire department
who is also going to stock correct right
also he comes from a family of public
service too his mother is a nurse and he
got interested in public so he's
actively got his and he lives with
So
diverse group um
husbands, wives, you know, parents
>> I know that's I know how busy you all
are. I had so much in our last meeting.
You were too busy to come in because you
had too many calls. So
>> you were trying to do this last meeting
and you know just as it goes at the
meeting there was eight calls in 45
minutes.
>> Yeah.
The average 28 calls a day, but during
the daytime
>> time of call stretches 28 probably
turned into how many hours?
>> Well, average an hour, hour and a half
because you got a patient, you have to
drive to the local hospital.
>> Hey, hey, mayor. I'm going to hold the
meeting up for another 5 10 minutes
because the ones that I don't know from
Waw Wa I'm going to personally shake
your hand and give you my address. I'm
in the age group now. I need you. So I
want to come say hi and I want you
address.
>> I'm not the oldest Hudson, but I want to
do and I see you.
but I know this since we're this is a
week to honor all of you. We just want
to say thank you for everything you all
do. I can't even begin to imagine what
you go through during a course of a day.
So, I just personally want to thank you
for absolutely everything YOU DO BECAUSE
SEE, AT LEAST I KNOW Y'ALL ARE SHOW.
Great job.
>> He's on my street right by my No, I'm
not. I moved.
>> Thank you, Chief.
>> Thank you, guys.
>> Thanks, guys. Thank you all. Be safe
tonight.
>> Hope it's a quiet night.
>> Okay.
Can we finish that?
>> All right. Okay. Resolution 230
authorizing the payment of all bills.
>> Didn't do the um
>> the consent calendar. We to finish that
up. Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt
the consent calendar resolution 211
through and including resolution 229?
>> Make a motion.
>> Uh, roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Now, we're going to do the bill
list authorizing resolution 230
authorizing the payment of all bills.
Can I have a motion so we can pay our
bills?
>> So move. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes. Watson.
>> Yes. We have some approvals. We have a
motion to approve the May 6, 2026
Township Committee work session meeting
minutes.
>> Can I have a motion to approve?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Can I have a motion to approve the May
6, 2026 Township Committee special
meeting minutes?
>> So moved.
>> Second. Thank you.
>> All in favor?
>> I. Can I have a motion to adopt the May
6, 2026 Township Committee regular
meeting minutes?
>> So moved.
Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Can I have a motion to approve the May
6, 2026 Township Committee Executive
close session minutes pursuant to
resolution 206 of 2026?
>> Second.
>> Thank you. All in favor?
>> I. Can I have a motion to approve the
departmental reports for the month of
April 2026?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Okay.
Um,
general public comment. Is there anyone
in the audience that would like to
address the government? Mrs. Justice,
come on down.
Good afternoon everybody. I think it's
still afternoon, not evening. Um, hey, I
got 15 minutes. I just drove here from
Ohio. Um, these these meetings are
really important to me. I may have
missed my spot to talk about open space,
but what I think that I'm going to
propose isn't really an open space kind
of thing. I know that there um are
there's a great need for open space
here. Put it that way.
It's
it's our entire landscape has changed
and um in particular as you all know I
have a concern on Ivans Avenue about
building.
I reached out to our administration
late last week and uh got a response
back about I had proposed could we make
these type of open space issue or open
space uh opportunities or a natural
heritage priority site opportunity or an
Atlantic County open space opportunity.
There's lots of opportunities for the
particular trackam that I have the most
concern for and I am begging and doing
begging. I am praying above all else
that um this thing gets it it shows up
dead on unrival. But I tell you when I
came here today as I said I came from
Ohio. My aunt had a stroke on Thursday
and um I had to leave not only for this
meeting. I did have a wonderful
graduation to attend just earlier today
of a egg over township resident
and who happens to be my son and he was
an EMT but not with this with the
township. But anyway, he's he's now a
doctor and that excites me. I'm just so
happy for him. But all that to say, I
went for my house. I drove by on West
Jersey Avenue, the track of land that's
proposed for this development, and it's
got little gas yellow flags on it, and
it just makes me shake inside to see
that stuff to know that this is is every
day it's inching closer to a reality
that this is going to happen. But I have
done a lot of research. which I'll tell
you is not organized in this moment to
to show it to you, but our end of Ivans
Avenue
is a heritage site. It's a natural
heritage site. And from my perspective,
it needs to as a township be respected
because it was in the 1860s that I have
had found that documentation that calls
out specifically a Cedar Spark at the
end of Ivans Avenue. And we all know
every street south of Ivans Avenue has
been vacated for some time, long, long
time. Rightly so.
God put that in place to get water out
there to Patron Creek. And it just
really ain't happening because a lot of
the development that's gone on over the
last number of decades and I have been
here and mentioned that over those last
number of decades. And I'm also
developing that and I'm going to send
that up to the Highlands Commission with
the studies that I've done about our
land and saying this is what you're
doing to me personally and this is what
you're doing to many residents of Edgar
Township because as I've mentioned in
planning board meetings
the development for instance that was
just approved um I don't know the or I
think it ends in 19 so be PP2025 5019.
It is a like an extension of equestrian
estates. Equestrian estates went in 20
years ago,
some number of years ago. have not done
my research all the way, but it had to
have been known at that time that that
developer had his eye on this track of
land that surrounds Chelsea Avenue that
thanks be to God, it's not going to
Chelsea Avenue isn't going to be
connected,
but the people on Churchill are still
going to have to deal with a connection
to their west. And I presented them this
is the truth. This is what we're doing
to our town. There are at least a half a
dozen homes on Church Hill that are
sitting on top of the Little Meadow Run.
Now, when I was in Ohio, my cousin
is married to a man that is a developer,
was in Ohio, and now he is in Tennessee.
And he told when I told him this story,
he said, "You're the kind of people
where we can't stand." And the reason he
can't see in people like me is because I
come to these meetings and I tell my
government body that I really do
appreciate. I want you people to know
that I appreciate that you're here.
You're here to protect us. I believe
that. I believe that's what you want to
do. And I'll just wrap this by saying
that's what happens in his experience
where they have to fork out millions of
dollars to bring the infrastructure to
help the schools to help the students to
help everybody be safe to connect these
wildlife areas so that the deer don't
have to all die. I mean, there's there's
a lot
of things available to us in our
township code that I think we're not
taking advantage of. And I made that
point when I went to a schoolboard
meeting. I'd seen every one of these the
mock trial people when I went to the
school board meeting on a Monday. I
think it was on a Monday. Got to be a
Tuesday.
But anyway, they they are uh you know
rather upset because of the risks that
are happening. I mean, there's risk
because we need more money and the
people at the bottom of the of the
lineup. We just got here, even though
they're superstars. I mean, the place
was packed. He was there. He saw it was
packed. It went for four hours, I bet.
>> So, there's people that are passionate.
They are. And you're one of them.
>> Yes, I am.
>> You are one of them. And Mark,
>> we'll keep your aunt in our prayers. And
we're Thank you.
>> Proud of your son.
>> Thank you.
>> And thank you for You're always welcome
here.
>> Thank you. Thank you. I do appreciate
you guys. Is there anyone else would
like to address chief?
>> Good evening, Mayor, Township Committee,
Solicitor, Township Administrator. Um,
basically I just wanted to say a few
remarks to uh show support for our
dispatch center. As you know, um, and
I've made these comments before, um, we
are, our dispatch center is the busiest
center in the county, if not South
Jersey. Um, we take and because we're
shared services, we take on more calls
than probably and I know than Atlantic
City. With that being said, um I've
talked before about
their the understaffed, overworked,
um and dare I say it, underpaid. Um, and
one of the things I was thinking about
before I made made these remarks,
township residents
are used to the level of service that
dispatch provides, police provide, our
volunteer firefighters, our EMS
partners,
they're used to that level of service,
which is probably um much greater than
many of our surrounding communities that
and what they're used to becomes what
they expect.
So in order to provide the expectations
um it's very important that we maintain
um
our center the way it's intended to be
maintained to staff it properly to
create retainment value so people aren't
um shopping um to other jurisdictions
where they can earn more and work less.
That's the dynamic with our dispatch
center is they are busy um and they do
much more work when they could go to a
neighboring agency, make more money and
do less work. I mean so that's a
challenge internally for us uh as
supervisors and leaders. You know, we
can one of the things with and I'd like
to think
some of my uh supervisors and support
staff in the back would agree. It's
always been a goal of mine to make
people feel valued, you know, and you
can only do that so much when um the
financial component comes in. So, uh we
do our best to make people feel valued
here, appreciated. Um so, I just wanted
to uh commend, you know, our dispatchers
and what they do. um and those that are
still here um putting in many more hours
because as you know we did lose three
full-timers recently and and they were
very uh key full-timers. Um, so we're
we're we're the dispatch are suffering a
little bit and so we're just hoping uh
and we know that you support them. Um,
and we're just
want to make sure that continues and we
know it will continue but that but
they're pretty much my remarks trying to
be very um careful here.
So that being said, it's so important,
for retainment,
um for recruiting, to recruit valued and
good people, quality people um to serve
as our dispatchers and uh also obviously
long-term for morale because and you've
all been in that center. Uh morale is a
very um delicate
um thing and things can impact that
daily and it's important that we keep
that morale high and there's things that
hopefully will um you can do to support
that. So other than that, I wanted to
recognize our dispatchers and the
supervisors that are here. Um, I know
they're going to come up and talk
further about some other issues. Uh, but
I just wanted to, uh, stress that again,
this goes back to the community. I know
there's a lot of talk. It's a very
uncomfortable environment because you're
talking about budgets and I get all that
stuff. But like I said,
the town that most homegrown
Edgar Township residents are used to,
the level of service is what they're
expecting. And for that to continue,
things need to um be considered. So, all
right. Thank you.
>> I can know you support them. They do an
outstanding job. So,
>> hello there.
>> Hello. Hello. Good evening, council.
Good evening, Mayor. Um, I apologize for
my tardiness and I apologize for not
wearing the proper clothing. I just got
pulled out of another meeting.
>> You're representing yourself.
>> I apologize. So, um, my name is Abby
Ortiz, president of local teams 331, as
you well know. Um, we are in
negotiations with the township as well.
Um, gentleman to my far right, Mr.
Thomas
Dino is actually the person who's across
the table from me. The folks behind me
are the uh folks who are the uh officers
as well. And I'm here to speak on behalf
of them and also all the public works.
Right. I know we're in negotiations and
we're doing our best on our side and so
is the township, but I think there's
some cries and some some angsts and some
folks that really want to get out
what they're going through, what they're
feeling. And I think if we can just
listen to what they have to say because
of the negotiations
um and the the ask of the township and I
believe the chief said it well, the
standard is the standard and we want to
maintain that standard. And I think one
of the ways of doing it is actually
showing the folks that, hey, we
appreciate the work that you're doing.
And it's it's true because I've seen it
happen where I can just go across the
street and I'm already jumping up a
couple of thousands of dollars and it's
just a it's just a move across the
street.
We know that the that the communications
officers are hemorrhaging because of the
short staff and the overtime that's
going on. We would like to see something
done. And like I said, this is not the
badmouth the negotiating team on either
side. We're doing the
>> Before we go any further, let me ask you
this. Why don't you bring the dispatch?
Can all of you guys, the dispatchers,
why don't you come all stand behind
them? I do have to say this. You're in
an active contract negotiation. So, we
can't
>> discuss that.
>> But we want to see all of you where we
can look at you face to face because we
all know how incredibly hard you work.
And
I think we're I'm sorry for
interrupting, but I think it was more
important you guys come on up here so we
can see you all.
>> Thank you for that. I thank you. I
appreciate that. And I guess each and
the one that would like to say
something.
>> Go to the end so I can see.
>> So with with that being said, we're not
here to negotiate. We're just here to to
have the council listen to our cry.
Okay. Thank you very much. And I'll
leave it.
>> Right. So bear with me because I'm not
good at public speaking at all. So I'm
doing
>> uh good evening madame mayor and the
members of the township committee. Thank
you for the opportunity to speak
tonight.
>> My name is Crystal Torres Cologne. For
anybody that doesn't know me, I've been
a lifelong resident of a Carpar
township. Um, I'm here on behalf of the
dedicated 911 dispatchers within the
communications department who proudly
serve a Carver Township, Pleasantville,
Northfield, Lynwood, Longport, as well
as provide medical dispatch uh, services
for Summers Point. I come before you
today to raise awareness of a serious
and ongoing issue affecting our
department. One that directly impacts
not only our employees, but the safety
and well-being of the residents that we
serve.
Uh for the past half of a year, 911
dispatchers um in a Carver Township have
been working without a contract. During
this time, there have been no step
increases, no wage adjustments. Despite
this, our dispatchers continue to show
up every day, remaining committed to
performing their duties at the highest
level while also experiencing increasing
burnout from the growing demands placed
upon them. Before I go any further, I
want to share a bit about my personal
connection to this community. I began my
journey in public safety at the ripe age
of 16 uh when I joined the Farmington
Volunteer Fire Company. Um sorry, from
that moment on, I knew that this was my
calling. I have now dedicated 20 years
of service to A Harbor Township as a 911
dispatcher.
Uh, I am a homegrown loyal employee who
has built my career here and taking
great pride in serving this community.
Not only as a 911 dispatcher, but also a
volunteer firefighter like many of our
dispatchers behind me also do.
This township is not just where I work,
it is where I have committed my life and
service to others.
I share this because the level of
dedication you see in me and is the same
dedication you will find across our
center. What is important to understand
is that our role extends far beyond a
Carver Township alone. Every call for
help from a house fire to a child not
breathing to all other life-threatening
emergencies flows through every single
one of them every day.
These are the voices that guide
residents through their worst moments,
coordinate first responders, and ensure
help arrives as quickly and efficiently
as possible. Over time, the workload has
grown significantly. Call volumes have
increased, responsibilities have
expanded, and the demands of the job
continue to intensify. However,
compensation has not kept pace with any
of these changes. At this time, our
wages are no longer competitive with
surrounding municipalities, many of
which handle fewer responsibilities and
way lesser call volume than our center.
As a result, we are facing critical
challenges. We are struggling to retain
experienced dispatchers as well as
recruit new ones. This is not just a
staffing issue. Um, it's at this point
it's a it's a public safety concern. Um,
when we lose trained dispatchers, we
lose experience, efficiency, and the
ability to maintain optimal staffing
levels. When positions remain unfilled,
the burden falls on those who remain
increasing stress, fatigue, and the risk
of burnout.
Our dispatchers are professionals who
handle high pressure life or death
situations every single day. They
deserve to be compensated fairly for the
critical work they perform and the level
of responsibility that they carry.
We are not here tonight out of
convenience. In fact, I'm missing my
child's band uh concert as we speak. Um
we are here because this is literally
our last resort for help.
We are asking for your support. We are
asking for recognition of the vital role
that 911 dispatchers play in this
community. And we are asking for the
commitment to ensuring that our wages
become competitive so we can retain the
skilled professionals that we already
have and attract the new ones that we
desperately desperately need right now.
This committee was elected to represent
and support the people of this township
and we have proudly supported you all in
your mission. Today we're asking for
that same uh support in return.
Investing in your dispatchers is
investing in public safety. It is
investing in faster response times,
better coordination, and ultimately
better outcomes for the residents you
serve. We stand ready to continue doing
our jobs with professionalism,
dedication, and pride. We simply ask
that our compensation reflects the
importance and scope of the work that we
do. Because when someone in our
community dials 911, they don't hear a
budget, they hear a voice that's
expected to help them save a life. And I
would really appreciate it if the
committee could take that into
consideration and um you know have the
support for us that that we so
desperately deserve. I appreciate it and
thank you for the time.
>> Can you can you introduce everybody
because you all do an incredible job and
I we've I think all of us have been over
in there and it's it's rough. It's rough
and it's busy. So, I think I'd let's
just Can we introduce everybody first?
here some that are
>> that are working
>> Lari
Gabrielle Justiano
Nicole Grai Jim Lockerby and this is
Yeah, not everybody's here but we we
tried to show up the best.
>> Thank you.
Good evening, mayor and members of the
committee. My name is Lissa Sanders. Uh,
forgive me. I probably will repeat a lot
of what she's saying, but we kind of
just spoke from our from our hearts. Um,
I have proudly served as an emergency
communications training officer for a
carpet township for the past 10 years.
We're about a half year into
renegotiating our contracts. Tonight,
I'm coming before you to make you aware
of the status of our department, at
which time I can only describe as a
crisis situation. I'm urging you to
seriously consider providing a
significantly sal sign significant
salary increase for the men and women
who serve as emergency communications
officers in our township. Every day, we
are the first voice people hear during
some of the worst moments of their
lives. We answer calls involving medical
emergencies, fires, crime in progress,
overdoses, domestic violence, motor
vehicle accidents, just to name a few.
We're expected to remain calm,
professional, and accurate while
handling life and death situations every
single shift. Also including
also to include providing life-saving
instructions over the phone until help
arrives. Over the years, our
responsibilities have continued to grow.
Through shared services agreements and
increasing call volumes, our workload
has expanded significantly, and this is
during the production of a new
convention center and new housing
developments in our town that will
further increase our call volume in the
near future. While the township is being
compensated for these shared services,
communications has not been compensated
to reflect the expanded workload that
the township has given us. We are
handling more calls, supporting more
agencies, and taking on more
responsibility than ever before.
Those increased demands alone should
justify adjusting your salaries to a
fair, competitive, and livable wage. As
it stands under the current CR new
dispatcher coming in right now, we'd be
making a fraction above poverty level in
the state of New Jersey.
I believe we can and need to do better
for the first responders and for the
communities that they serve.
Additionally, employee retention burnout
have become a major problem in our
center.
Excuse me. Dispatching is an incredibly
demanding profession mentally,
emotionally, and physically, and we
currently are being overworked to cover
the loss of several dispatchers who have
left us to dispatch with other agencies
or paying a more competitive wage and
also doing a lot less than this agency
demands of us. When experienced
dispatchers leave because they cannot
afford to stay, the entirety the entire
community loses valuable experience as
well as institutional knowledge.
Recruiting new employees is difficult.
Retaining trained, experienced officers
is even harder. Competitive wages are
not just about rewarding current
employees. They are about maintaining a
stable, experienced emergency
communication center that can continue
serving this township effectively and
safely.
Despite these challenges, after 10 years
of service, I can honestly say I still
love my job. I take pride in serving
this community and being there for the
residents and first responders when they
need help the most. I want to continue
doing this job and continue serving a
Carver Township for years to come. But
dedication and passion should not
require financial sacrifice. The people
who answer 911 calls and coordinate
emergency response deserve compensation
that reflects the importance of the work
we do and allow us to earn a fair,
competitive, and livable wage.
I respectfully ask the committee to
recognize the increasing demands placed
upon emergency communications officers
and take meaningful action to support
the people who ser serve this community
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thank you
for your time and your consideration.
All right, bear with me. damn short
taller than me.
>> And I apologize if this seems choppy,
but I am going to make an effort to not
repeat the things that you've already
eared. Just read straight through.
>> Read it straight through. All right. The
goals of today were to honestly describe
the necessity of our job, the complexity
of it, and what we're responsible for,
and build awareness for a job that
largely goes unnoticed. For those of you
that are unfamiliar with me, my name is
Caitlyn Garus and I'm a full-time
communications officer, more commonly
known as a 911 dispatcher with the
Township Police Department. Having been
born and raised in a car township, I've
been Thank you.
I have been a resident within our
community for nearly 30 years now. I've
had the privilege of receiving an
education from our school system,
participating as a child in our
recreation programs and youth sports
initiatives, and I am now participating
as an employee here at the township in
my professional endeavors.
Growing up in Ira Township was like
being a part of the biggest small town
you never witnessed. Everyone knew
everyone and in large part was still the
same thing that rings true. I can
remember waking up every Sunday morning
to my parents reading the newspaper and
it was filled with a car township
stories. the high school sports teams
are winning another state title or
another conference championship. Ehtu
football is finishing another season. Or
maybe it's even a hometown hero coming
home from another deployment and so many
more things. The sense of pride that we
carried when we told someone that we
were from Vancouver Township was
incompar incomparable.
In the past township police department
used to receive hundreds of candidates
every time they put out a hiring notice.
And to become a full-time dispatcher,
you nearly had to put in half a decade
of proving yourself in order to get a
spot when it opened up. Our previously
volunteer ambulance squad and still
volunteer fire departments were flooded
with applicants. A dedication to service
is what this town was built from. It's
our calling. We were the leader in
public service and a role model for
other municipalities, both locally,
regionally, and even statewide. Paving
the way and setting the example for
everyone else to follow. Now you see
nearly every public entity struggling in
protective services to hire, train, and
retain employees or members. What
happened?
A month ago, I stood in this room with
great pride as I watched one of our own
communications officers sworn in to
become a full-time police officer within
this department. Surrounded by friends
and family, these new officers swore an
oath of duty and responsibility to serve
this department with honor. to signify
to what extent that oath would be held.
Chief Spanos stood where I am now and
said, "There's the door. It's not too
late to back out. You still have time.
If you're not willing to make a
long-term commitment to serve and
protect the citizens of a park township,
this isn't the place for you. Try
somewhere else. As a communications
officer, I'm not a sworn member of this
department, but the level of service
that I'm expected to provide on a daily
basis is still the same as those who
are.
We are responsible for many important
jobs. However, the most important job we
do every tour of duty is provide a
lifeline for our police, fire, and
emergency medical services personnel and
effectively render assistance to the
citizens of Echo Township. As Edgar
Township communications officers, we
understand the important role we play as
members of the emergency services team.
As communications professionals, we are
committed to providing the highest
levels of service and dedication to all
that call on us.
to give you an idea of just how dated
our mission statement is because that's
what I just read you. We now provide
police, fire, and medical dispatching
services for all of Pleasantville,
Northfield, Glenwood, Longport, as well
as medical services for Summers Point.
We've even recently taken on call taking
for the 177 without any knowledge to our
own. The state just kind of dropped it
on us.
We serve nearly 38% of Atlantic County's
residents, yet we are the third lowest
paid in the county. We are averaging
11,000 incoming calls a month so far for
2026 with only three to four dispatchers
currently on duty at a time. I don't
even have one dispatcher per town. We're
currently operating with one director,
two supervisors, 13 full-time employees,
six part-time and one's in training.
We are the first responder. Our
responsibility is determine where help
is needed, identify the type of
situation, have the knowledge of what
resources are needed, the awareness of
where those resources are located, and
the ability to get them where they need
to be in a timely manner. We answer the
call 24/7.
Having only started my career with our
department as a part-time communicator
back in June of 2022 and then going
full-time in September of 23, I am still
one of the newer employees with the
communication center. My badge number is
106.
Our last full-time employee was 15.
There's been nine individuals that have
come here since September of 2023 as
full-time communications officers, seven
of which have left.
Additionally, to those seven full-time
employees that have left, we've also
lost four part-time employees as well.
I'm willing to admit that I'm not fluent
in the idiosyncrasies of a municipal
budget and I understand the demand of
your position goes far beyond just that
of municipal salaries. But if you look
over the course of history with the
agitant communication center, there are
only four employees who truly made a
career out of this position and retired
with the agency. The majority of
individuals we hire use dispatch as a
stepping stone to better themselves
professionally. A good portion of those
individuals who have left dispatch have
moved on to have successful careers in
the agricultural department as patrol
officers. This job isn't just a paycheck
that I take home at the end of the week.
I can tell you if an officer,
firefighter, or emergency medical
technician needs assistance by the
public of their mic, the tone of their
voice, or the way in which they choose
to arrange their phrase over here. I've
had officers involved in shootings,
firefighters go down in house fires, the
MTA is fighting with patients while
transporting to the hospital when I
didn't even have a GPS location. And
it's my job to make sure that they get
to go home at the end of the day. We
know what our responders are expecting
of us and what they're going to ask of
us and it's our job to be 10 steps ahead
so the pertinent information or
additional resources that they need are
readily available and so that they can
stay vigilant and focused on their task
at hand.
Like I said, it's our responsibility to
make sure that everyone goes home at the
end of the day to their family and their
loved ones. And whether it's our fault
or not, if that doesn't happen, it's
still going to weigh on us.
To speak to our dedication to service,
nearly 100% of your communications
officers also serve as volunteer
firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, fire
academy instructors, youth sports
coaches, foster parents, former state
troopers, now police officers, and
county field volunteers. There really
isn't a task what you could ask of some
of these people that they haven't been
willing to commit to.
As communications officers, we are
currently tied to a contract, including
the clerk's recreation and public works
departments.
Communications officers both at a state
and federal level have been reclassified
from secretaries to protective services.
And in order to become a communications
officer, there are various levels of
training and certifications required to
perform our most basic of
responsibilities.
My job responsibilities have led me to
handle various situations that I never
thought I would have never thought to
have to handle. If you had have told me
at some point that I would have had to
teach four children under the age of 10
how to remove a noose from their
father's neck and start performing CPR,
I couldn't have imagined.
Before even starting my career in
dispatch, I was the wife on the other
side of the radio that got to listen to
my husband hang out of a second story
window because he didn't have the
appropriate bailout gear to save himself
while he was waiting for water.
I don't see how my job roles and
responsibilities fit to those of these
other departments that were tied to.
We've been out of contract since January
1st of this year. Our starting salary at
the beginning of this previous contract
was in 2023 and it was $37,871.
The starting salary increased to $38,251
in 2025,
$380 increase
to date or 2026. Communications officers
have received no cost of living
increase, four step increase for their
years of service.
But the population has continued to
grow. The number of homes that we put
in, the businesses, everything that's
gone in all these towns that we serve,
it's continued to rise. Our shared
fobus' contracts alone bring in close to
$ 1.75 billion annually. And along with
the money that we get from those
contracts, those contracts include
service agreements and promises that we
are expected to uphold and meet.
The average person experiences
approximately seven traumatic events in
their lifetime. For police officers,
that number is approximately 5 to 600.
A police officer, a firefighter, and an
EMT can only physically be in one
location and handle one emergency at a
time. Yet, a communications officer is
basically remote. We're expected to
juggle approximately 1 to 30 emergencies
at all times. I can take a 911 call for
one agency while I'm answering 15
different radio channels in front of me
that I'm expected to monitor and not
miss a single transmission. We're
constantly moving from one traumatic
event to another without a second to
breathe. And some of those calls that I
previously mentioned that I would have
never fathom that I had to handle, I
didn't even get 5 seconds to walk away
and collect myself. The phone was
ringing and there was no one else there
to answer it. And the next day when it
was my shift, I still had to come in.
I'm not simply standing before you
asking for money. I'm asking you to
afford me the opportunity to help
restore the communication center to the
prestigious level that comes to us.
Provide us with the resources required
to ensure that we could do our jobs
effectively and efficiently. But most
importantly, I'm asking you to not keep
myself and my fellow co-workers in a
position that's posing a threat to the
safety of my fellow first responders and
the general public. I'm asking you to
make an equally dedicated commitment to
supporting, funding, and recognizing
your public safety personnel as they've
made to protect every single resident of
this community and others and especially
everyone else that's passed through.
This is the heart of Atlanta County. I
think you should let it be strong and
proud. Thank you. ANYONE
ELSE?
>> I can say this. Chris,
>> come on up.
>> Come up. My intention was to come up
after Chief Spano and I'm glad I missed
that opportunity to listen to these
guys. And even um she mentioned her
communications officer number is 100
six. Mine's 15-915.
I started my career in Apr Township as a
dispatcher, as a communications officer.
Um, that was 1989.
89 89 88 89.
This, like I said earlier, and I can't
say enough. I battle with these guys a
lot.
>> They know this. But I do it. Yeah, I do.
And I do it because
>> they're all nodding. Just for the
record, everyone's nodding.
>> And that's fine. I want them
I either I either want to be on the same
ship with them or we're all going to go
down together.
>> Okay.
>> I understand the troubles,
the difficult portions of the job and
the rewarding sides of those jobs. The
job as a communications officer in many
many towns is is a stepping stone to
move on. I worked with the likes of
Chief Hughes.
I worked with the likes of Sydney
Terrell. I worked with the likes of Jeff
Ang which many people don't know him but
he died a while ago. Yep. You know I
worked with likes a lot of men and women
that went on to be another significant
step in in public safety. But then there
are people that make careers out of it
and we need to invest in that and that
is one of the links in the system. That
is in my opinion it's the hardest job in
this building.
I get it. The police go out, they got to
pull their gun once in a while, you
know, and that's not downplaying it, but
they we go out and we have to deal with
a cardiac arrest. Fire department goes
out and they might have to deal with a
house fire with other hazards that are
life-threatening and everything like
that, but the investment into the
initial call has got to be made and it's
got to be maintained. And we all know
that it's not necessarily a financial
thing, but it needs to be more stable
than it is. and they shouldn't be
forgotten in that. So I challenge you
guys as committee, I challenge our
business administrator, assistant
business administrator to really look
into it this year and to come up with a
solution to retain and keep people here.
I was part of the committee. I wasn't
necessarily part of the committee, but I
was invited as the chief of the fire
department of Ocean City in 2013 for
Atlantic County's regional dispatch.
I don't know how that failed other than
politics. That was absolutely a disgrace
not on Egarper Township Center or
anything like that that that failed. You
had 23 out of 24 communities agreeing to
go to it to build regional center. at
Harvard Township in the meantime
did the best thing possible is to start
to build that center and you could be
the nucleus of that center and you could
be the driving force of that center in
this county and you know and I know and
a lot of people chief spanner knows that
comes down to politics and finance and
Atlantic County and even Cape May County
and I grew up in Cape May County we're
so we get behind it seems like in the
rest of the state you have communication
centers in in Gloucester and Camden and
Burlington notion that our regional
centers and groups of people, they're
staffing and they're and they're
starting at higher salaries and they're
they're they're attracting more people
into those positions. And because of
politics, because of the other small
towns around here that don't want to
give up a little bit of their strangle
hold, we have a lot of people that could
all come together and make one really,
I'll say, a badass communication center
if everybody just got on board with this
with with the way it's going. And it was
almost there in 2013, 2014. And that
would be up and running today. And
everybody in here would have the support
that they need whether you had police
dispatchers, call taker police
dispatchers, fire dispatchers, EMS
dispatchers, and even, you know, other
support staff go into it, whether it's
located in Egypt, whether that one was
going to be located in Stockton or the
one that's going to be or they're
talking about one they just did a
feasibility study you guys know about in
here. And I I told I was interviewed for
the feasibility feasibility studied and
I just said until you get the most high
ranking person in the state of New
Jersey and a bank account with $25
million or more to build this building.
I said why are we wasting our time? But
it doesn't have to be that. You guys can
be incred You guys are incredibly
successful. Every one of you. Don't ever
let anyone tell you you're not, okay?
because
I don't do it anymore. But you guys are
taking really difficult calls. Life
hasn't gotten easier and we all know
that. So that being said, I support
Chief Spano. I support our
communications officers. I support our
fire departments. I agree with you 100%.
They need more funding, too. Um it's a
it's
volunteerism is the basis of this
country.
go way back to the volunteer.
>> It's the town.
>> It's the town, but it's the country.
It's it's the it's the United States.
People didn't come over here and just
arbitrarily come out and say, "I need to
be paid to to do it." They had to
volunteer to work. And then next thing
you know, we needed services. We needed
the roads clean. We needed the fire
department. We needed the police
department. We needed law and order. We
needed all that stuff. But at the end of
the day, public safety is what everybody
wants. And in psychology, you know it.
What do what is the number one people
want to feel? They want to feel safe.
So, I get it. They're complaining about
their pile shrub at the end of the
driveways and all the other stuff like
that. But again, I support these guys. I
support you guys, too. I support
everything. But most importantly,
they're the people I'm calling from here
to get help. But if they're not sitting
in the chair, then So,
>> Dan, do you want to join in there?
I I fig I saw you standing there. So
coming up
>> I knew about tonight. Um I had a
conversation a nice long conversation
riding home from the airport the a week
ago um that dispatch with the situation
going with dispatch and I said
absolutely I'll 100% back you on this. I
drove three hours today to come home
from work for two different reasons and
they actually linked together courtesy
of my dispatch center, courtesy of my
EMS and the police department. I needed
those services today at home while I was
at work. So without getting too involved
in it, yes, there was a a situation at
my house. We needed an ambulance.
I think Oerby took the call.
He was I was I was talking to him. He's
telling me, you know, oh my god, I can't
believe who it was. It brings everybody
else up because they know who that
person was. They know that family.
Everybody was there. Everybody took care
of it. Not getting into the budget side
of it. I understand budgets to a certain
extent. I'm just learning. This is my
first year being in this position as
deputy chief of the township.
um have I've definitely had a a rude
awakening on how money works and and the
budgets as far as uh things go and
working with, you know, with Tom and
he's been on the fire side. We've we've
had a really good relationship. We
really have. Um but when it comes to
these dispatchers,
they're the first line of defense for
all of us.
>> Somebody's calling 911, it's their wor
it's most likely their worst day of
their life. They're calling 911.
Whatever they need, whether it be EMS,
fire, their house is on fire, they have
somebody breaking into their house, or
their loved one just dropped on the
ground and they need EMS. These guys are
the ones who take the call first. These
guys are the ones who are taking the
calls. Just like Kate said about when
when she got pretty graphic about the
one the one situation. We've had some
pretty bad calls recently in this
township. One of which one of which was
a was a call two weeks ago, two three
weeks ago. one that was a suicide and it
involved a fire and it actually involved
a family member of one of my captains.
So, we're all wrapped around this. We're
all wrapped around this community. We
live. We live in this township together.
We know each other personally. We've got
together. Um, we know each other
personally inside and outside. And when
I get on the radio and I'm calling and I
and they know my voice. They know I'm
very I'm very lowkey when I get on
radio. I actually probably sound like
I'm being bothered when I come on the
radio. When I come on is responding.
>> I do. Right. I sound pretty much I sound
like I'm You're bothering they're
bothering me. But I try to keep it
lowkey. I want to keep like that. But
when I when I if I start to elevate, I
know they know something's wrong.
And like Kate said, she understands
that. She talks to us almost every
single day. Maybe not me every single
day, but she talks to me a lot. She
talks to all these officers every single
day. All of them do. They know the
difference of the tone. They're the ones
who are going to get us our help.
And listening to where their salaries
are and listening to and and knowing how
um the world is going with the bills,
everything else. And you know, we've had
this conversation on the fire side. And
Pete, I want to thank you and from the
bottom of my heart for what you have
said. you are standing up for us. Um,
we've had long conversations. We've all
had long conversations and I appreciate
you backing us the way you are. Um, I
will say that
in Tom's defense, we've had very good
dealings this year. Um,
better than what I've seen in a very
long time. And I've been a firefighter
here for 34 years. I've been in this
position for one year, but I've been a
chief for four. And I've been an
assistant chief since 20 2017.
um the financial support wasn't always
there. It was only up until really
actually this budget 2026 budget that
this governing body administration
actually capped out the state number for
the fire department. It wasn't until
this year. So, I want to thank Tom for
that, you know, for for working with us.
Obviously, we still have more work to
do. He knows where we're at on this. Um,
I just actually sent him an email the
other day, yesterday for a grant. Yes.
>> Um, for so, but I digress on that
situation. These guys right here, you
have to do what you need to do to retain
them.
We can't have three dispatchers run a
dispatch with all these towns that we're
handling.
When they're four calls deep on mutual
aid, the cops are running like crazy and
I get a house fire in the middle of it.
Three dispatchers can't. That's
virtually impossible. Three dispatchers.
That doesn't include anything going on
in your other towns that are paying you
for their services.
Just remember that we got three
dispatchers handling everything that we
got going on a car township and we have
other towns paying us
for that service that we may not be
providing the level of service that we
should be because we don't have enough
bodies inside that dark dungeon of a
room that they have to work in for 12
hours.
>> Would you say
So, with that being said, with like
>> they like I went up there, I was like, I
need out of here. I need like I need a
window. Um, but with that being said,
you know, please just listen to what
they're saying. Work with them and, you
know, give them the support that they
deserve.
>> I'm going to keep them here for a second
with me.
>> Sure.
>> Sorry.
>> It's not a paid fire department. I'm
sorry. I don't have them yet.
>> That's a whole another question.
>> I'll get there. I'll get there
eventually. Um,
in a spirit of recognizing public safety
personnel,
Mayor Farmer, you and I had a
conversation a little over a year ago in
reference to an event that just occurred
involving your fire department, and I'd
like to present a suggestion to the
committee and the administration in
reference to it.
You said you named things after the
volunteers.
You name things after the volunteers.
Yeah. not the people that get paid to do
the job. That's why they're getting
paid. And I think a really good of show
of faith to our fire department would be
possibly renaming the park in Delila
Oaks after Elite Chief Gilzong as the
Gilzong Memorial Park as a show of good
faith to his family and his lifelong
commitment to this community. his wife
and three youngest adopted children that
he opened his heart and his home to
>> live right in the immediate vicinity of
that park. And I think that it's
something that we could accomplish
hopefully in the near future for them.
It's not money in anyone's pocket. It's
not something tangible that we get to
take home with us, but it's hope and
something that we can hold on to that
shows that this township is looking out
for us in some type of way.
>> I can get behind that one. I can
definitely get behind that one.
>> I think we all can.
>> That's a that that's a beautiful idea.
It's I think that that's something that
>> Yeah, we definitely should run with. I
mean, I know Cardiff, we instilled we
instituted a the chief the chief song
award in our fire department that we
give out to um an exemplary member who
does goes above and beyond for that for
that one year. And every year we try to
find, you know, a different member. But,
you know, we started that award right
after Chief died, after he passed away.
And I I ended up inheriting um something
that I didn't really wanted to inherit.
Um but the park in Delila Oaks, I mean,
that's directly across the street from
his house where his wife
>> and his children still live. and you
know this his one his oldest son is one
of these guys
>> you know and he's one of mine so that is
something to consider consider thank you
Kate
>> got it
>> all right I'm done thank you
>> Tom we can can talk about that tomorrow
>> absolutely
>> good evening mayor township committee uh
first of all I don't envy your position
at budget time uh Pete I do want to echo
what uh my chief said I want to thank
you for your public support here at
these last couple meetings and the
comments that you made in support of us.
But I really wanted to come up and thank
the dispatchers. I know most of them by
name by face and a lot of times you can
hear their voice. And I think Chief
Spano um brilliantly touched on the
importance of retention. And you may not
think that retention transcends all of
public safety, but I know that the rest
the EMS chief will probably agree with
me. Um when our chief sons on the air
and he he's dispatched somewhere, he
shows up somewhere. Um, you might have a
dispatcher who knows locations of
certain things like fire hydrants or
landing zone for a helicopter. And I've
heard Mr. Lockerby do it before in the
past uh before the first engine even
signed on the air. So that retention is
important not only for the police
department, but it's important across
the board. I'm sure the EMS chief, Mr.
Brun, would agree also that that
retention is very important and I can't
thank these guys enough for the job they
do. I'm speaking on behalf of Cardiff. I
want to speak on behalf the whole
township, but I'm sure they feel the
same way. But, uh, I think Chief Spano,
uh, and his comments, uh, really nailed
it. Uh, that that retention is a huge
piece of public safety. Uh, I do want to
apologize if my chief ever seems grumpy.
Sometimes I take the hits for him. Um,
but I do want to thank you guys for uh,
for everything you do.
>> It's part of the personality. Um, but I
can't say it enough. I I really I
appreciate you guys. I know my fire
company appreciates you guys. And, um, I
hope we uh, we're all on the same page
here. And again, I'm going to thank you
guys for everything you do to council
committee. Tom, I want to thank you for
this here. Uh, and again, Pete, thank
you. That's all I have. Thank you, man.
>> Well, I know before you all go away, I
think like probably every one of us
wants to say something, but where's
Abby? Abby, come on down.
>> Come on down.
>> I'm gonna ask. Yes, it is. Because this
since this is a contract negotiations,
it has nothing to do with the qual. I
did not fall. How's that for timing?
It's like
I did not.
>> Oh my golly. Hold on a minute.
>> Yeah. Really? Oh my god. Oh my. Well,
that's good for timing, is it? My
goodness. I'm taking it off. putting it
into work said I
>> putting it into No,
>> I'm just gonna say that
>> contract my my suggestion to you and and
to administration is sit down and get
this done. Sit down.
>> That is our goal.
And I think it's our
goal and I know it's their goal. I know
I've been in that center. We all have
been up in there and it is really dark
in there. I will say that. But you're in
the middle of a sentence with somebody
talking just about your weekend and
immediately you turn around and put on
that voice and you help somebody and
every single day, Chief Spano has said
this for years. Uh, Chief Bruning has
said this for years and I know our fire
companies have said this forever is you
are the first line of defense to anyone
that calls in on probably the worst day
of their life. a mother's lost her child
or there's a fire or somebody had a
heart attack and the case of the
children in the news is is breaks your
heart. So you are an incredibly valuable
asset to this town and we need to look
at this and make sure you're taken care
of correctly. So,
anybody else here? And if you get a call
to come here, it's still still going on.
>> That was rais
like I said about the EMTs appraisal job
that they did. But communication, I told
you being a former off police officer, I
would always go and take them lunch cuz
I felt so sorry for them because they
couldn't do anything. They couldn't get
a break and they were like just working
like crazy. So that's why I don't want
to say I do this and I do that. That's
why I try to call you on every holiday.
>> I call every holiday to acknowledge you
and acknowledge the work that you do
that it don't go unnoticed. And you know
a lot of people talk about oh let's put
this in the budget. You know a lot of
people talk I'm a doer. I will fight for
you because I believe in you. I believe
in this town and I don't like to talk. I
like to do.
But thank you all. How many you How many
of you are still working right now?
>> Four of you.
And the rest of you are
missing games. You're missing a band
concert, you said.
>> Wow.
>> But thank you for coming in. And
sometimes you need to come in like this
and tell us things that we need to hear.
>> I didn't want to see more. You sharp. I
always just mess with
you. You said it all.
Great job. Great job.
>> I know what you do. I hear you all the
time. This thing goes off. It's on 24
hours a day. It's the product of growing
this community.
Your public safety and we know it and
we'll do the best to do what we have to
do. Our fire department is second to
none. I listen to a paid department and
I Where's the chiefs? They're back
there. I hear the tone go out. I hear
you speak. give it out and then I wait
and watch my phone or my watch to see
how long it takes for someone to come on
the air. That's the key. They come on
the air or one of our pickup trucks or
whatever cheese vehicles. That's we are
we are the best out there. I hear
Hamilton Township ask for us for help.
Where's Cardiff? They go there all the
time. I hear other communities ask for
help because they're not meeting the
call. So from my standpoint, I support
public safety in all lines and I know
the dispatch. I heard the uh rescue
squad chief is dispatch is a real
problem just like fire is just like
animal services is just like police is.
We never had calls like this. I started
in 73 when Ellis was 5 years old.
>> Okay. We never had calls like this, but
we had serious calls and we had
primitive equipment, very primitive
equipment. And when the chief mentioned
Jeff Dang, I worked with Dang and his
brother David. They were all
dispatchers. Okay? So, we've progressed
because of the world the way it is
today. We got to meet the challenge of
taking care of it, okay, and do what we
want. And I don't recognize any of these
voices, but I've been in your dispatch
center. I think it's right to have it
dark in there. She screams, but like we
know what you're doing and we understand
it. I certainly do. I listen to this
pager and my poor wife. She used to
really give me hell. Now she doesn't
realize I have it on. But I don't miss a
township call, a Summers Point call or a
veterary call. And veterary for a
personal reason. So I hear the calls
like the other day with the uh landing
zone in Summers Point. Had an ally for
Summers Point. We never landed all the
time out there, but he said it was to
help the hospital. They have a landing
port at Shore Memorial. So, we get it.
We get it to the fire. We got it to the
and the fire. I mean, somebody used to
condemn me for going to the fire scenes.
I'd be a volunteer today if I wasn't too
damn old and could make a fire station
all too far from me. But the thing is,
um, my days in Summer Point was the best
of my life with all my dad's buddies
from World War II. It was the greatest
time. And, and the other day at
Skullville, I was at Thompson's Boat
Works. I missed the college course. I
was 18 years old. I rode on the back of
a 53 purse all the way out to Thompson
Boat Works with another fireman and a
couple guys in the front.
So that that's that was you know Ray was
five years but you know I appreciate you
coming here. I respect that. I respect
the chief's briefing all the time
because I know what place work is today.
Nobody can keep cops. There's no list
for cops. Okay. Then they get they use
it as a stepping stone to go somewhere
else if they're not making the money or
something else. You know some agencies
going to suck them in for more money and
so forth. And to you with the
dispatchers, it's the same thing. You
know, some dispatch centers aren't busy
at all. Some are very busy. And it's to
multiple municipalities.
You guys have multiple dispatch. Vendor
does one thing. Maybe talks to the
weather department, fire department, and
police and helps at Lang City. I hear I
hear. So, thanks for coming in. And we
got it.
>> We got it.
>> Just want
my daughter. So, it's
>> Thank you guys very much and I support
you.
>> And I know this, you can tell by the
amount of professionals that are in the
room, police, fire, and EMS, that they
are behind you 100%. And I know that
they tell us all the time. But I I hope
you do know that that everyone in this
room is behind you. And I know for a
fact all of our first responders put you
guys first because they say you're the
first one that gets us. So, please know
that. Please know that.
>> So, back to the table.
>> I'm glad to hear that.
>> That's good. That's good. Thank you all.
And thank you all. Each and every one of
you.
>> Anyone else? Can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> Oh, come on.
>> Good evening, Mayor Body Administration.
uh in McGllinchi 7 Sunset Boulevard if
you recall I think it was the first
meeting of Mark I asked Mr. Watkins as
an update on the CRS.
>> We have an update you have for him Mr.
Watkins when I saw Mr.
>> He had indicated that it was sent over
to Patri
and I didn't know whether or not I'd had
a chance to review the last three
months.
>> Pat's gotten everything back to the
engineer. The engineer stated they're
ready they're going to be ready to
submit to the state by the end of June.
I saw you and I texted him to make sure
I had an answer in time for
>> Ed. Can Tom, can we get Pat Ed's number
or Bob? So
>> number I can call him direct rather than
bothering you guys.
>> We love seeing you but I have no problem
if you want to.
>> But if you I think you should call him
direct.
>> Yeah.
>> Periodically just for an update. It
>> it's just so much easier just to deal
with Bob. It's not a real big issue
compared to what you've been dealing
with. So,
>> no, you call my office, too, though.
>> Yeah, that's fine, too.
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Happy Memorial Day and I hope you get
your parade in. Hope the weather
>> Oh, I hope the weather holds up. I hope
it holds up. So,
>> is the neighborhood filling up?
>> Yeah, that's what I figured. That's what
I figured. All righty. Township
committee reports. Mr. Castellano. Okay.
Oh, can I have a motion to close the
public portion?
>> Thank you.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Now, Pete.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um,
>> you how you going to follow that, Pete?
>> Yeah. Well, that's that's can't follow
that. But, uh, I just can report on a
couple things very briefly. On May the
7th, uh, you and I met with Senator
Palestina and Assemblyman Don Guardian
again to talk about Finland's reform. Uh
that was another positive meeting. Uh
we've also reached out to the governor's
staff and we will have a telecon uh with
them coming up this week to begin that
dialogue. Um it's going to be a long
process. Um no different than uh when we
worked on the school aid situation. It
took a while and we got a lot of nos
before we got a yes, but you just have
to keep trying with it. Tomorrow the uh
economic development commission will
meet. We will be on location at the
aviation research park. And uh that's it
for my report.
>> Thank you,
Mr. Watson.
>> Well, Memorial Day is Monday. Um I hope
we have good weather. I've been watching
the weather. Uh just as you always
should have because they're never right
and they are changing it every day.
There's now saying 30% chance of rain.
The key is with the parade, we don't
have much options to go in if we can't,
but we have a lot of people that want to
go to the parade. A lot of people are
interested in the parade. For some
reason, our parade is getting bigger
every year. Uh we're going to start at
9:00. Certainly, if there's lightning in
the area, we're not trying it. But if we
can get through the raindrops and do it,
um we're going to I said before the
F-16s are going to fly over. Uh we're
not sure when they're going to do it.
They're going to hit I'm told they're
going to hit every municipality this
year. They're going to start with every
parade they can do. There's two fighter
jets are going to u do the pass. Uh just
hope for good weather. Um and you know,
we all have to honor those on Memorial
Day who served this country and um do it
in the professional patriotism way that
we should.
So pray for pray for the weather and not
not 95 degrees maybe 67 70
that's all I got
>> uh don't have much
to say today like I said I just like to
do and not talk that's it
>> uh just a couple things uh Mr. Ellis and
I this morning this morning I'm saying
too um had the privilege of going over
to our senior center and in co
coordination with the wings program from
the high school they held a prom over
there. So it was lovely. They had a DJ
there were everybody not everybody was
dressed up but a lot of people were
dressed up. There was a whole group of
kids from the high school and some
teachers and they were all dressed up
dancing with everybody. They had a king
and dressed. They had trophies and I
have to thank Chick-fil-A near Lowe's
for providing food for everybody there
today. It was Wasn't it wonderful? It
really was. And uh so to the high school
kids that were there and to the staff
that went and to Chick-fil-A and the
staff at Jewish Family Services and our
recreation department went outstanding
and it was just lovely to see. It truly
was. And I just want to wish everybody a
very safe and uh happy Memorial Day. I
don't know if it's still on, but on
Friday, if it's not raining, the county
is doing their Memorial Day service out
of Stell Manor Park. Uh it's probably
rain dependent, so you need to check the
weather on that. But that is also a good
solemn event just to start the weekend
for what it really is. And then on the
14th of June, because we'll have a
meeting after that, the memorial the uh
volunteer and the tribute to the Kerman
family out at the nature reserve will be
done um 100% by volunteers. Uh at the
next meeting, we'll list everyone that
gave their time and services, which was
amazing. Well, Paul's led that out. I
just want to thank him for that and also
for everything he did for us. So, that
is all I have. Mr. Freriedman, anything
for me? 15 of June happens to be flag
day as well.
>> Yes, it does. It is flag day. And maybe
if we're really nice, we can call one of
the fire companies for the uh the big
flag.
>> Big flag.
>> John used to like that. Mr. Dantino,
>> I have a few things. Madame Mayor, if
you will entertain you or I'll entertain
you. Um, regarding the dispatchers, we
have and continue to be in negotiations,
good faith negotiations. Like Abby said,
we have a meeting hopefully for next
week. I had three dates possible. So, we
will get this done. Um, we all know how
important they are as well as all our
public safety. I think I'm well aware of
that. Um, two, um, just a reminder, um,
budget with the surplus, $1.8 million of
that is funded for a big capital project
we have going on over at the community
center. Um, and then moving on from that
is reminding everybody that our auditor
was in town a few meetings ago, uh,
another audit of no findings. I believe
this is three years in a row that I've
been here. Um, and that he also said
that due to the township's planning and
fiscal management that it keeps our
local government is a stable financial
planning
stable financial position. So, just a
reminder of that in case you guys
forgot.
takes a lot of work.
>> Baron rating
>> double A negative I think A minus
>> Y A minus which is not up
>> which is due to
>> Mhm.
>> proper planning.
>> One more report I just want to make sure
everyone's aware of because we had a
meeting about it. You myself, Mr.
Castellano. Um the Eagle Academy
property, just so we're aware, that
propertyy's in back and forth between
the township and the school board
forever. Um it last came to the township
in 99. Um about 20201 we built the
infrastructure on the back parking lot,
the geothermal system underneath of it.
Um sometime early 2010ish the school
started using the building again. We
leased it out to them and in 2015 Peter
and you the committee at the time
decided to um convey it back to the
school board as they were using it. But
when it was conveyed back, the back
portion was never separated and placed
onto the township with our
infrastructure on it. Um, last summer
township engineer put in for a grant
application uh, stormwater grant to fix
the parking lot, repave it, uh, fix the
issue.
>> Yeah. Um, all that and then he did so
under the assumption, which I thought as
well, that we owned the property. Um
once we looked further into it, realized
it was still under the school board, I
started communicating with the school in
August of last year, um to try to get
something figured out back on the
township coffers so we can finish the
project. The project is under the
township. Um there's a $250,000 grant
for about a $300,000 project that we
need to do there. Um I had been back and
forth with the administrator, Dan Smith.
he approached it to the school board and
right now um basically it's a setting up
meeting with them to discuss it further.
Um it's timesensitive and needs to get
done. The actual project is out to bid.
Um bids are due June 4th and we have to
award within 20 days of June 4th. Um so
or we're going to lose the grant. So I'm
letting you know I'm working with the
school board school administrator to
meet with the school board so we can try
to figure this out. So, it's a $300,000
repair.
>> Yeah.
>> You got 250 from a grant. Yes, sir.
>> And we're on the hook for the 50,000 to
complete
>> repairs from the leak of geothermal.
>> Well, we we did the less.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. To fix everything
else, correct? Very good.
>> Yes, sir.
>> All right.
>> Let's get that done.
>> And we have the 50,000 budget in the
capital.
>> That's all I have. Mayor
>> John. Okay.
>> Sure.
Everybody else everybody else had a
chance to speak this even um I I would
like to say into the microphone that
>> turn the clock on. You're just saying
>> I appreciate that. I would like to say
into the microphone that we have the
lowest tax rate of any full service
municipality in the county. Um so that
that is something that I think is not
reiterated enough. Um, and I would also
like to reinforce the idea
that the individuals who are standing up
here this evening
are people who have stuck with the
township through turbulent times
and and the finances of it I can't
discuss because we're in negotiations.
But I would like to say thank you to
them for manning the ship through the
turbulent times and I look forward to
reaching the other side of negotiations
and and hopefully everybody can um
>> they're outstanding people. Yeah.
>> Thank you to them.
>> Thank you. Tom, do we have a need for a
close session?
>> Yes, ma'am.
Will we be taking action?
>> No action afterwards.
>> Okay.
>> Resolution 231 authorizing the township
committee to convene in the closed
executive session to discuss matters
which may involve personnel and or legal
matters.
Whereas the open public meetings act
permits the exclusion of the public from
a meeting in certain circumstances. And
whereas this public body is of the
opinion of such circumstances presently
exist. And whereas a township committee
may need to enter into close executive
session at one or more times during this
meeting to discuss matters permitted
under law including but not limited to
the following um two personnel matters.
One is the uh anticipated retirement
status transition plan of a senior
member of the township anticipated
disclosure one year. Um the other is a
conduct complaint concerning a volunteer
appointed official anticipated
disclosure one year. and then a legal
update contract negotiations anticipated
disclosure one year. Whereas minutes of
said closed executive sessions will be
kept and once the matter involving the
confidentiality of the above no longer
requires that confidentiality and the
minutes shall be made available to the
public accordance to law. Now therefore
be it resolved by township committee of
county of harbor, county of Atlantic and
the state of New Jersey that the public
be excluded from this meeting during
such portions of the meeting as a
governing body may dee necessary to
discuss matters set forth above.
>> Period.
>> Very good.
>> That's a long one.
>> So TV, you could probably start to
rewind because we're not going to be
taking any action at the end.
>> Correct. So currently I'd like to ask
can I have a motion to go into close
session? Let's start. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> We have a roll call on that one.
Okay.