Public Meeting of Egg Harbor Township Committee 05/06/26

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 a cover township code,
public comment is subject to establish
established rules of procedure,
including a fiveminut time limit.
Recognition by the mayor and standards
of deform. Comment shall be directed to
the governing body. Thank you.
>> Can we have the video broadcast?
Oh, you just did that, too. Sorry, I was
marking ahead. Roll call, please. P.
Castellano,
>> here.
>> Paul Hodson, yes.
>> William Pauls,
>> here.
>> Ray Alis here.
>> Laura Farmer. It's questionable, but I'm
here. So, all right. Could everybody
please stand for the flag salute?
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty for all.
>> Okay.
We have a public hearing which uh Tom
you or Mark are read. Mark can you
please read this?
>> Yes. This public hearing is in
connection with the Harts Therapeutic
Writing Center uh which is located on
Leap Street. The township is in a lease
agreement with them. Uh they provide
therapeutic uh services to uh uh
handicapped, elderly, young uh persons.
Um I know that they have a uh a plan.
They've been in existence for quite some
time, but at this location probably for
the last um maybe two years, uh they
have a three years.
Four years. Thank you. Um they have a
plan that's been on the books for at
least 3 years uh to create an indoor
riding center. Um this property that
they want to create it on is on Green
Acres funded property. And since Green
Acres is all about keeping acres green
and not creating structures on top of
those uh this property that they want to
utilize which is about an acre in size.
uh they want to basically take it away
from uh green acres regulation and in
order to take property away you have to
swap it with other property. Township
has stepped forward and has identified a
number of different parcels and in
particular has found one parcel that we
think will be most suitable. It's
considered a minor diversionary
uh application before the green acres um
uh oversight. And uh with that, I would
like to uh and not steal the thunder of
uh some of our speakers tonight. I'd
like to introduce for the committee uh
Richard Scott. He's an attorney with
Ruer and Roy. And uh Richard, you can
take it from here.
>> Sure.
>> Um I still need to hook up to your
projector, though. So I haven't done
that yet. So
>> we're all going to move.
>> You might have to You're going to get
blinded. You all should have a copy of
the presentation so you don't
You can see
>> I'm going to
>> Is it preferable for the committee
people on the deis to uh remove
themselves
>> block the screen
>> once he
like the
Oh,
>> I don't know if we have to kill some
lights.
>> They're in the closet.
Jesus.
What did the HDMI? I don't know.
Sounds like it's good.
>> So much.
All right.
Um, thank you again for
allowing us to uh hijack your meeting.
We really appreciate it. And um, and I
just lost the script.
Um, as Mr. Freeman said, my name is
Richard Scott. I'm a partner with the
law firm and Roy. Uh, we represent
Hart's uh, Therapeutic Writing Center.
Um, and we're here to talk about the
minor.
Uh, I'm joined with Stephanie Green,
who's the executive director at Harts.
Uh, I also have Jen Heler, our planner,
um, from Palestine Associates. Um,
the purpose of this meeting is to, uh,
discuss the proposed minor diver.
>> Can you speak to the mic just so it's
>> Absolutely.
>> Yes. Try to keep your voice up, please.
>> Okay. Uh, can you hear me? Is this
better?
>> But that's a smooth report, too.
>> Okay. Gotcha. Okay. Um, so the the
purpose of of this this meeting is to
discuss the proposed minor diversion of
Greenacres Parkland. Um, we're also
going to talk about the significant
public benefit that's going to be
provided or fulfilled by uh the proposed
project. Um, under the rules, we also
have to talk about uh the proposed
compensation. As uh Mr. Freeman
indicated um the township is proposing
to provide a replacement parcel uh to
replace the uh less than 1 acre that's
being diverted. Um we're also going to
talk about the alternatives that were
analyzed as part of this process and
then at the end we'll also accept uh
public comments on the proposed
diversion.
Uh so this is the uh outline of the the
property in question. Uh it's block uh
5925 lot one. Uh it's consolidated lots
one through four. Uh it's addresses 220
Leap Street. Uh the property property is
approximately 23 acres. Uh and it's
green acres funded. It currently has a a
barn, equipment shed, and a 900 ft²
satellite recreation office. Also a
10x30 classroom uh that was pre
previously utilized by the police
athletic league um the PAL called the
PAL building. Um and and just for some
further background, Greenacres uh a
diversion is um under the rules the use
or the allowance of a use of parkland
for other than recreation purposes. And
here uh the proposed minor diversion is
to allow for the construction of an
indoor horse riding arena uh an
associated barn extension as well as
storm water management facilities and
utilities um to to support the Hart's
therapeutic riding center operation. Um
so under under the greenacres rules um
because it's uh there's there's a
distinction between funded and unfunded
parkland because this is funded uh the
construction of an indoor recreation
facility is considered a minor diversion
and there's some um
conditions that have to be met to to
satisfy the greenacre rules and we'll
get to that on a subsequent slide. Um
and again uh just to reiterate as part
of the minor diversion uh we're
proposing uh to provide or the township
is proposing to provide uh replacement
land uh to uh to replace the area that's
going to be diverted. Um and so I've got
Miss Green here to kind of talk about
the great work that Harts does um on the
property and you know what what they're
proposing to do with this uh new indoor
arena.
So, HARTS is a 501c3 nonprofit
therapeutic writing center. We provide
ecoin assisted services including
therapeutic writing to individuals with
physical, emotional, behavioral, and
cognitive challenges. We currently serve
over 85 individuals every week with
weekly services. Um, we've had an
existing lease with the township for
four years now and we do offer our
therapeutic riding program, our summer
camp, we do school visits. Um, we've had
Atlanta County and Cape May County
special services school districts come
out as well as some smaller private
schools um to experience the benefit and
the therapeutic value of our programs.
And I guess can you just explain what
the um I it's an indoor arena but you
know what the benefit of that is?
>> So the benefit of the indoor riding
arena will allow us to provide our
services regardless of the weather.
Currently when we have poor weather we
are not able to do any mounted work. Um
so that means our participants have to
do ground lessons or lessons in our
classroom. Um, and with the indoor
riding arena, there will be it'll allow
us to operate in the wind, in the snow,
in the rain, and that way our
participants can continue to receive the
physical benefits of the mounted
experience while on a horse. Um, even
when we do ground programming, we can't
do a lot of activities without the
indoor arena. We can only do what's
feasible in our barn aisle. So with the
indoor arena, our ground programming
will be able to expand as well as we'll
be able to do more leading and
horsemanship activities there.
Thank you.
>> Um so this this is a snapshot of the
site plan that shows the uh area of the
diversion. I've got a little bit of a a
pointer here. So um there's there's a
dash line here. That is essentially the
area that's proposed to be diverted um
under the Greenacres rules. Um it's not
just the indoor um recreation facility
that's covered. It's also has to be any
associated e um utility easements uh any
stormwater management facilities. So
those are also captured within the
diversion area. Um I will note that on
our initial uh public notice uh we
indicated that the uh diverted area
would be just shy of 1 acre. I think it
was.99 acres. Um since that time we've
actually worked with uh Green Acres and
they've um we've looked at tightening
that up. That was that 0.99 was a bit
conservative. Um so technically we are
diverting 781 acres uh which includes
again you know you've got the sewer
lines, water lines, recharge basin and
then the indoor arena here and you can
see this is the existing barn um that uh
the new building will be connected to.
And so this is uh the regulations
pertaining to indoor uh recreational
facilities on funded parkland. Um
basically you have to meet size
requirements. So it has to be the
diversion has to be less than 50,000
square ft or and not uh not more than 5%
of the total uh parkland area. Uh the
diversion also can't uh significantly or
have an significant adverse impact um on
uh the on the parkland uh or the
surrounding parkland. uh and there there
won't be a net loss of recreation and
conservation facilities and then also uh
the diversion can have a significant
adverse impact on natural resource
values of the parkland. Um and so here
uh the diverted area is just over 31,000
square ft and it's under the 5%
threshold. um it's not going to have a
significant adverse impact on the use of
the park uh by the township um and is
actually consistent with the current use
of the property, but it's it's going to
allow for all year round um you know uh
lessons and um you know the services
that Harts provides. Uh also there's no
tree removal associated with this. This
is in an existing cleared area. So there
are really no uh negative impacts on uh
uh associated with the construction of
the indoor arena.
Again, as part of the greenacres rules,
uh in order to qualify for diversion,
you have to establish that there's
going to yield a significant public
benefit. Um, and that's defined under
the rules as improving the delivery by
the local government unit uh uh or
nonprofit or by the agent thereof of
essential services to the public or to a
segment of the public having special
need. Um, so this this indoor uh horse
riding arena is going to allow for uh
the existing hearts facility and its
operation to provide yearround um you
know horseback riding, equin therapy,
summer and school programs and and
public events. Um so it's our our
submission that the proposed minor de
diversion will yield a significant
public benefit
as to the proposed compensation parcel.
So under the greenacres rules um they
require a minimum uh replacement ratio
of a 1 one. Um so we would have to at
least um you know replace the land with
781 acres. Um the township has
identified a an existing parcel. Uh it's
2.09 acres. It's identified as block
2417 lot 4. It's lo located at 6653 West
Jersey Avenue. Um so if if the the
committee and the township decides to go
forward with the diversion, uh the
replacement parcel will be more than you
know two and a half times the area of
the
consistent with the rules. Um and it's
also this replacement parcel is also
near uh existing township owned park uh
parkland. It's actually adjacent to it.
And again that's u block 2417 lot six
and you can see that um the location of
those parcels here.
Um now uh as part of the green acres
rules uh we also have to look at
alternatives you know is there an
alternative that would obiate the need
to go through the diversion process. Um
so that has to include a no build
alternative. Uh, greeners also asked us
to look at in what they call enclosing
the existing paddock instead of
constructing arena. But I think what
they what they meant here was can we
have some sort of pavilion that's not
enclosed uh that could you know maybe
satisfy
um heart's needs but without um you know
doesn't have walls and that's apparently
what triggers the need for a diversion.
Um, also, um, Greenacres asked us to
look at properties, uh, where, you know,
we could either move the entire
facility, either, um, building the, uh,
the indoor arena on on an alternate
parcel or, um,
effectively relocating hearts to another
another property where uh, they could
carry on their activity. So,
and the um, the need for the diversion.
So the no build alternative uh you know
we wouldn't Harts would not be
constructing the indoor horse arena. Uh
but again in this situation uh there's
there's a significant public benefit
associated with this. This gives again
hearts the opportunity to uh provide all
year round services um and in in all
types of weather conditions. Um so this
this was not a reasonable alternative as
as the significant public benefit would
not be realized.
The other option that Green Acres asked
us to look at is, you know, again, can
you enclose the existing paddics? Can
you um
can you can you install some sort of
pavilion that would maybe would allow
for, you know, uh these, you know, these
services to be met. And I'll I'll turn
it over to Stephanie on this one, uh to
kind of discuss why that's not really
feasible. So that would not only um take
away from the paddock space that our
horses need for their physical
well-being um which would impact their
health and digestion um it's really
important enrichment for our horses to
be out in their paddics running around
um as well as its really good management
of excess energy. Um but if the paddic
if the arena is not covered with and has
the enclosed walls then it doesn't block
the driving rain. It won't block the
wind. um we would still have a snowfall
issue um which can impact the footing
and how safe it is for the riders to
receive activity um services in that
footing. So it really would not serve
the purpose that we are hoping to
achieve with the indoor arena.
Um, one of the other options that's
required to be analyzed under the
Greenacre rules is whether the operation
can be moved or the uh the proposed
diversion um operations can be moved to
the replacement land here. Uh the
replacement land is two just over 2
acres. Um as it stands, you know, it's
just not it's not large enough to
accommodate uh Hart's operations. Uh I
think currently they have eight courses
that they're looking to expand that. Uh,
currently nine on property.
>> Oh, you have nine? Okay. We just got a
new one.
>> Oh, okay. That's great. Um, so, you
know, under the, you know, the the
township's own ordinance, you know, it's
limited to two horses per acre. Um, so,
you know, we're talking, you know, at
I'm going to do the math out loud. So,
we need at least I think you guys need
at least under the ordinance, it would
be we would need at least six acres if
I'm doing the math right. Um, and I I
think in terms of your operations, what
what do you need for um like minimum
size of your property to
>> Oh, I'm sorry. In terms of uh minimum
requirements for hearts and and kind of
the size of the property, is there is
there a minimum minimum that you would
need to um
>> Well, we would need the minimum of space
for the horses to have their paddock
area, which we like to go with the at
least the recommended of an acre per
horse. Plus, we need the space for the
outdoor riding arena and indoor riding
arena and office space as well as a barn
um plus equipment storage. So,
>> so two acres is is not sufficient for
purposes. Okay. Um, so um, so again that
was one of the alternatives under the
rules that were required to analyze um,
and it was not it was deemed to be
insufficient. Um, we also looked at a
few other properties that were either
privately or publicly owned and and
generally they will have similar similar
issues either uh not sufficient size um
or would require significant amount of
tree clearing or they're not they're not
currently um you know able to to satisfy
the needs of of hearts. So this this one
property this one's actually currently
owned by um a church. I think the church
is right down the street on Ridge
Avenue, I believe it is. um you this
this property was identified and through
our discussions with Green Acres. Um so
the thought was could well could we
locate the indoor arena only on this
property uh the problem with that is you
know this is a distance away from Harts'
current operation. So you'd have to
trailer the horses and bring them over.
It just logistically doesn't make any
sense and and it's really not a
reasonable um alternative. Uh we did
also uh discuss you know could you
relocate um you know the facilities to
this property. Again this is all
assuming that the underlying private
land owner would be willing to uh part
with the property. Um we we did not have
those discussions but generally the this
property was not deemed to be uh
feasible for relocating their entire uh
facilities. They would be going from a
23 acre site to um just under 6 acres.
So it it really was not reasonable for
uh for meeting the needs of uh of hearts
and and the services they provide.
Um next one, their privately owned
property a little bit closer to uh where
the existing um facility is on Leap
Street. Uh this is a little over 10
acres, just shy of 11 acres. Again,
privately owned. Um it is in close
proximity to some uh residential
developments. It's also completely
wooded. Um so whether we you know
looking at locate relocating the or
locating the indoor arena on that
property or relocating the entire
heart's operation um just really
wouldn't be feasible would have
significant environment environmental
impacts associated with the tree
clearing. Um also you know given Harts
is a you know a nonprofit it would be
cost prohibitive to uh to have to relo
relocate facilities to these pro this
property.
Uh so this this was not deemed to be a
you know a feas a reasonable feasible or
available alternative.
Um and then we also looked at this is uh
actually a um township owned property
right across the street on Leap Street
um from the existing Harts property or
the township's property where Harts is
operating. It's 41 acres so it's
significant size. It is also green acres
encumbered. it is unfunded. So
technically the you the construction of
an indoor arena would not trigger the
need for a diversion. Um however again
this property is heavily treed. Um and
because it is encumbered uh there's
certain tree replacement values that
Greenacres requires if you're if you're
removing trees. It is prohibitively
expensive uh because Greenacres would
have to be compensated for the removal
of those trees. Um so it was determined
that relocating whether it's the arena
first of all if we relocated the arena
across the street um that could create a
you know a dangerous situation where we
have to you know transport the horses
you know it just doesn't it doesn't make
any sense um logistically from a safety
perspective and then from an
environmental perspective you know there
would be a significant amount of tree
clearing involved to um to relocate the
indoor arena and the the remaining
operations site. So again, um, similar
with the other other sites, uh, cost
prohibitive, significant environmental
impacts resulting from tree clearing,
just wasn't a reasonable, feasible, or
available alternative.
Okay. Uh, we got through it. Um, so, uh,
we're to the public comment period. So,
um,
uh, the public has, uh, five minutes to
comment. U if, if there's
I don't know how we want to um do this,
but we can also submit uh just uh if
anyone wants to submit written comments,
uh there there's a public comment period
for 2 weeks. Uh it ends on May 20th at
5:00 p.m. Um comments can be submitted
to uh the township um at the email
address above. Um those comment comments
also have to be submitted to Greenacres
as well. Um so I just wanted to flag
that. And uh there's specific
information. The uh state house
commission uh project number has to be
in the ray line just so they know, you
know, which project you're referring to.
So um with that, um I guess we can open
it up to public comment and questions.
>> Does anybody have any questions on this
application
>> or comments?
>> Or comments?
>> If you do, please uh come up to the
podium and uh state your name uh where
you reside.
>> That would be great. And any comments
you would care to make a pro or against
>> with the protector?
>> Uh yeah, I I I guess he this information
is on this slide deck. So um that was
printed out. So
>> they can also reach out to our office.
>> Yep.
>> Anybody can reach out to us and we have
>> Perfect.
Stephanie, if you could identify that
there are more people that are
associated with your organization in the
audience and perhaps that would be uh
helpful to
>> Yes, we have some board members here as
well as our founders. Uh Sue Adams and
Randy Fast are here.
>> Raise your hand for the township
committee to see.
>> Robin Miller's a board member. Gene
Arnon is a board member.
And so in order to fulfill the statutory
requirements, if there's anybody that
has a comment that would like to come
forward, either positive, negative, or
in between uh concerning this
application, now's your opportunity to
do so.
>> I have a comment as soon as that light
is
>> Thank you.
>> I know that. So this is really to you
and everyone that was with Hearts from
the beginning. Um
my daughter who is now 35 years old when
she was younger, she was friends with
people on Asbury Avenue and would go
down to the facility that you had there
before that was taken away through not a
not so nice way. Um, but what you've all
gone through to help other people and to
help the uh to give someone the
opportunity to get on a horse or to be
out in nature and to experience
something that you just can't do when
you have certain disabilities. And that
opened the world up to so many people
that would never have seen that. So I
find for myself that your program is
outstanding and is a credit to our
community. And I just want to give you
all the credit for doing that because
it's opened the world for so many people
and it's a very good thing
>> and Paul been around it and Ray too. So
>> there horses out in Osprey.
>> Not anymore. Back in the old days.
>> I love when people talk about it and my
>> That's the old days.
>> We got plenty of horses out in Asbury
>> and I hear a donkey now and then and I
don't really care.
>> Um
I was familiar with the first facility
went um out there and I know from the
quad we would send a child that needed
your services and pay for riding time
for him over the years. Um it's a good
program. We're very fortunate in a town
to have some things that are unique.
This is a unique program and um when I
bought on aspirate they said farm
agriculture. I assume that means
animals. I don't have anything other
than a cat that invaded my home that
thinks she lives there. But there's the
horse horses around us and that's what's
good about our street and our
neighborhood. Um and um good luck.
>> Nice presentation too.
>> Little hard hearing back there, but I
have a hard hearing anyhow. So, but the
thing is, I mean, we got to try to to
work this with the P with the Green
Acres and um make make enough room for
them.
>> And the improvements you've made on on
LEAP are unbelievable what you've done
out there. So,
>> saw that the other day. It's a very nice
project.
My hats off for everybody involved. I
know how hard it was to get to this
point. It's been a couple years now. So,
good luck in the future. Hopefully
everything works out.
>> I always tease Minman Hudson because we
retired police officers, but he's in
full support of this because when he was
a police officer, they had horse and
buggies.
>> You have property to to meet the
requirement of green acres off of West
Jersey. So,
>> yeah. the plan
>> that replacement parcel um I think green
acres is amunable to it. I I don't I I
don't think there's any issues with it.
It's it's more than enough in terms of
replacing the uh the acreage and yeah so
>> was last weekend you had the open house.
>> Yeah.
>> How many horses you have here?
>> We have nine right now.
>> Mayor on motion to close the public.
>> Yeah. If no one else would like to see
anything, can I have a motion to close
the public portion?
>> I'll make a motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Okay. Can I have a motion to close the
special meeting?
>> I make a motion. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I Okay.
Thank you all very much.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Good luck. Good luck.
All right.
>> Thank you. Nice job. Thank you.
interview. I don't know.
>> No,
>> she was
going.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So, now we are going to
call the last meeting to order here.
>> Madame clerk.
>> Right. As clerk of this meeting, I
hereby announce that adequate notice of
this meeting of the township committee
has been provided in accordance with the
New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act.
>> Thank you. Can I have a roll call,
please?
>> Okay. P Castellano
>> here.
>> Paul Hodson here.
>> William Paul's
>> here.
>> Right Alice?
>> Laura Furmer,
>> I am here. And you know what? Can we all
please stand for the pledge of
allegiance?
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.
>> We have a couple presentations tonight,
but uh is anybody from EMS here?
>> Mayor, been back and forth with Chief
Brunick. They've had 19 calls in the
last eight hours. They were trying to
regroup to get here, but it doesn't look
like they're going to make it.
>> I don't blame them.
>> I heard five calls since Monday.
>> Wow, they're busy. They're busy. Okay,
>> he's trying. But
>> well, I'm just going to read the title
of this and just wrap it up real quick.
This we had uh recognizing emergency
medical services week May 17th through
the 23rd of 2026, improving outcomes
together. Uh whereas I think I'll just
read the whole thing is uh the Egg
Harbor Township Emergency Medical
Services is a vital public service to
our community and whereas the members of
the EHT EMS are ready to provide
life-saving care to those in need 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. And whereas
access to quality emergency care
dramatically improves the survival and
recovery rate for those who experience
sudden illness or injury. And whereas
the EHT EMS fill health care gaps by
providing important out of hospital care
including preventative medicine
follow-up care. And whereas the the
emergency medical services system
consists of first responders, emergency
medical technicians, emergency medical
dispatchers, firefighters, police
officers, educators, administrators,
prehosp nurses, emergency nurses,
emergency physicians, trained members of
the public, and other out of hospital
medical care providers. And whereas
EHTMS
whether career or volunteer engage in
thousands of hours of specialized
training and continue and continuing
education to enhance their life-saving
skills. And whereas it is appropriate to
recognize the value and accomplishments
of the emergency medical services uh the
providers I should say by designating
the week of May 17th through the 23rd as
emergency medical services week. Now
therefore, it be it proclaimed by the
mayor, township committee of the
township of Ec Harbor, the county of
Atlantic, and state of New Jersey, in
recognition of this event, do excuse me,
hereby proclaim the week of May 17th
through the 23rd as emergency as
emergency medical services week. And as
you all heard, they're too darn busy
tonight to even be here. So listen, our
EMS operators do an incredible job.
and anyone that's ever had to call an
ambulance knows how scary that is. So,
they do a fantastic job and we're very
lucky we have such dedicated people.
We also have uh another proclamation,
but this one is rec recognizing the New
Jersey Coalition Against Human
Trafficking ahead of the 2026 uh FIFA
World Cup.
Um, this one is quite long, but we just
want to recognize
that things happen out there in the
world. And Pete, if you'd like to read
it.
>> Thank you, mayor. Township of a harbor
proclamation recognizing New Jersey
coalition against human trafficking
ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Whereas human trafficking is among the
world's fastest growing criminal
enterprises and it profits from the
exploitation of vulnerable populations
including minors and adults. And whereas
nearly 26 years after the passing of the
trafficking victims protection act an
estimated 27.6 6 million people are
subject to human trafficking globally,
which cases reported in every US state
with cases reported in every US state
and territory. And whereas human
trafficking is a borderless crime
against individuals that violates the
most basic human rights and deprivives
victims of every shred of personal
freedom. And whereas human trafficking
occurs when a person is recruited,
harbored or obtained through force,
fraud or coercion for the purposes of
sexual or labor exploitation. And
whereas victims can be US citizens or
non-citizens and can be any age or
gender, but they have a shared
experience of having been forced,
tricked, manipulated, or threatened into
compliance with the criminals seeking to
exploit them. And whereas broad public
awareness of human trafficking that is
informed by the lived experience of
survivors brave enough to share their
knowledge is best practice when seeking
to understand and prevent trafficking.
And whereas large sporting events like
the World Cup are known to increase the
demand for sex trafficking victims. And
the World Cup in particular has also
been associated with labor trafficking
cases including construction,
hospitality, retail industries, etc. It
is especially important to educate our
communities and raise awareness before,
during, and after this event. And
whereas New Jersey's Metife Stadium will
host eight matches of the 2026 FIFA
World Cup from June 11th, 2026 for over
5 weeks, including the World Cup final
on July 19th, 2026, along with fanfests
in Liberty State Park and along the
Jersey Shore and other locations. And
whereas the township stands committed to
protecting human rights and individual
freedom by raising awareness of
eliminating human trafficking. And
whereas the township is resolved to
support all efforts by individuals,
businesses, organizations, and governing
bodies to raise awareness of and
opposition to human trafficking and to
make additional efforts to keep its
residents aware of the warning signs.
survivor informed prevention messaging
and how to respond in the case of
suspected trafficking before, during,
and after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And
whereas the township is committed to
ensuring that those impacted by human
trafficking receive services that are
traumainformed and responsive to their
individual needs. And whereas the
township commends the work of New the
New Jersey Coalition Against Human
Trafficking for its survivor inclusive
efforts to end human trafficking in our
state and beyond through education,
advocacy, and assistance to survivors
and through information on its
websiteenj.org
to increase coordination and visibility
of New Jerseyy's commitment to end human
trafficking. Now therefore, the mayor
and township committee of the township
of Egg Harbor, county of Atlantic, and
state of New Jersey do hereby proclaim
our community's readiness to raise
awareness about the signs and
consequences of human trafficking, to
promote opposition to human trafficking
in all of its forms, and to encourage
support for the survivors of human
trafficking throughout the state of New
Jersey and across the world to put an
end to this criminal activity and
restore freedom, freedom and dignity to
its survivors.
>> Excuse me, mayor, real quick. Um, while
I was the mayor for two weeks, I got
with the director of this program and
the surrounding communities, Galloway
and all that, and I brought this in. I
called the mayor, mayor, we got to do.
The mayor said, you know, we got to do
that. And we came out to, you know, to
support the surrounding community,
support this program. And I'm glad we
did it.
>> Yeah. It's good. It's very good.
and that's going to be here before we
know it.
>> So, I didn't tear up city hall this
year. This is good.
>> Well, the um public hearing, I just want
to read something into the record. As
you all know, you all live here in Ed
Harbor Township that this winter was a
pretty rough winter. We had freezing
weather for a few weeks. We had a 20-in
snowstorm. Uh needless to say, public
works has done an outstanding job, but
they are they have been behind on some
of their schedules for a lot of reasons,
but I want to read one of the things
that they just sent out to us yesterday.
I'm sorry, on Monday. This came from um
what's Oliver's title?
>> Deputy director.
So, we said good morning. Well, this was
I just want to share an update regarding
the ongoing brush collection situation
across the township following this past
winter. As we are all aware, the severe
winter weather and heavy snowfall has
resulted in unprecedented amount of
brush accumulation. To put this into
perspective, I'll use February 22nd as a
benchmark. Between February 22nd and
March 1st, our crews collected 10 loads
of brush. While that might not seem like
a large number, this was accomplished
over only a few working days alongside
continuing snow cleanup operations.
During the month of March, public works
department collected and disposed of 166
30yard containers of brush. For
comparison, in March of last year, the
total was 69 containers. In April, the
volume increased even further. A total
of 224 30-yard containers were collected
compared to 41 the year before. I just
want to emphasize the level of
dedication shown by the men and women of
the DPW. They have worked countless
extended hours, including many
Saturdays, to keep up with the demand
and maintain the cleanliness of our
community. For those who prefer prefer a
visual comparison, the approximate
12,000 cubic yards of brush collected to
date would fill an NFL football stadium
120 yards by 50 yards to a height of 6
feet. That's a lot of brush.
We are in
>> There's still some
>> And there's still It was That's the next
line. We are continuing to collect
brush, but we are currently running
behind scheduling due to the
extraordinary volume. Please feel free
to share this information with anyone
who would may be wondering about delays.
Thank you for your understanding. Deputy
Director Oliver Leadbeck.
So, you know, if and I've seen it on the
EHD happenings page. I've seen people
complaining and and I will say this, for
98% of the public that responds to them
says, "Bring it to the yard yourself or
they're coming. They've been working so
hard. So, I just want to give them
credit because during the snowstorm,
they picked up all the trash. During the
ice, they picked up all the trash. They
have not fallen behind an ounce on their
regular duties. And that amount of brush
is crazy. So, to all of the people in
public works, I want to thank them all
for working so hard. We'll put this up
on our website. I'll put up on my page,
too, that people can see what they've
done. I mean, to fill a football field
full of brush 6t high, that's a lot. So,
and there's more out there. So, I just
wanted to read that. I wanted to read it
before we got into the rest of the
meeting um because I thought it was
important
>> as you touched on it. There's a
convenience center. It's ideal if you
want to get it out of your front yard on
the front and you can put it in a pickup
truck and take it over. It's manned.
It's perfect. It's the best thing we do
over there. Tires, brush, whatever.
Don't take it.
>> Don't take it.
>> I mean, it's a big area that we pick up.
300 miles of runes that we own. And I
had a woman call me worked up about the
leaves. Well, they'll get them and they
got them recently, but that's not a
priority is leave collection. We had a
lot of brush and if you have a piece of
property, I got trees still busted over
from the bare weather. We had
>> seem all over the place.
>> But I I think we just we all then a big
thank you, I think. And
>> I think that's what we're saying right
here. So, moving forward, we have a
public hearing on ordinance number 10.
Mr. Freeman.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 10 is an
ordinance authorizing the sale of
various properties to the New Jersey
Department of Transportation along a
Route 40 for the Atlantic County
drainage project in accordance with
NJSA48
col 12-13B1.
The purpose of this ordinance is to sell
portions of township owned properties to
the New Jersey DOT in connection with
its Route 40 uh Atlantic County drainage
project. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone in the public
that would like to address the governing
body on ordinance number 10? Seeing
none, can I have a motion to close the
public portion?
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Milano,
>> yes.
>> Hatson,
>> yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. Can I have a motion to adopt
ordinance number 10, 2026?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Falls.
>> Yes.
>> Ellis, yes.
>> Farmer, yes. Ordinance introduction. Mr.
Freeman.
>> Ordinance 11 is an ordinance amending
ordinance number three of 2026 which
fixes the salaries of certain officials
and employees at Touch of Vancouver for
the year 2026.
The purpose of this ordinance is to
amend ordinance 3 by adding a new
positions or amending the salary ranges
for certain non-contractual employees. A
public hearing on ordinance 11 will be
held on May 20th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Thank you.
>> Thank you. Can I have a motion to
introduce ordinance number 11? Yes.
Senator.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Pascalano,
>> yes.
>> Hson,
>> yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Ordinance number 12, Mr. Freeman.
>> Ordinance 12 is an ordinance
appropriating $5 million and authorizing
the issuance of 4004,750,000
in bonds or notes of 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,
purchase equipment and vehicles uh
through bonded debt by complying with
the local bonding law. A special
hearing, excuse me, a public hearing on
ordinance 12 will be held on May 20th,
2026 at 5:00 p.m. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Can I have a motion to
introduce ordinance number 12?
>> So moved. I'll second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Estellano.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Paul's,
>> yes. Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. We have a resolution consent
calendar. We're going to be removing uh
number 198. So, just drag them off your
sheets. Does anybody have any questions?
You know what struck me was that the
Greek Fest is here already.
>> It seems it was just yesterday
>> and doing fireworks.
>> And they're doing the fireworks on
Thursdays. So, uh resolutions 188
through and including 204. Can I have a
motion, please?
>> Make a motion. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Stallano,
>> yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Uh, we have a bill list resolution
205, authorizing payment of all bills.
Can I have a motion?
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Salano,
>> yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Uh, I might pull the add in now and then
do approvals. We have resolution 207
which is uh appointing Jake Webb as a
mechanic in Department of Public Works.
This is the replacement for 198 which
was pulled.
>> Can I have a motion please?
>> I make a motion. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson.
>> Halls. Yes.
>> Ellis.
>> Yes.
Okay. We've got approvals. Can I have a
motion to approve the township committee
meeting minutes of April 15th, 2026?
>> Motion. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson,
>> yes.
>> Paul's,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Can I have a motion to adopt the
township committee closed executives
meeting minutes of April 15, 2026?
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Roll call, please. Estellano,
>> yes.
>> Hatson,
>> yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes. Can I have a motion to adopt the
payroll in the for the month of April in
the amount of 1,8885,3147?
>> So moved. Second.
>> Uh, roll call, please.
>> Favor.
>> Oh, sorry. All in favor on that one.
Okay.
All right.
Is there anyone in the public
that would like to address the governing
body on any issues?
>> Your name for the record.
>> Hey, it's Lucas Simon. Good afternoon
everyone or good night or you know
whatever you want to call it. Um,
I'm here um just to um address the
committee that um
uh I live on Churchill Avenue and uh we
had a planning board issue come up and
it was just received a preliminary
approval and one of my properties is uh
affected where there there's not um I
feel there's not enough barrier um to
protect my foundation from where I'm
And my my my issue being that I'm a
professional and I do a lot of traveling
and
um I feel like when the time comes for
final approval comes up, I could be out
and travel for 6 months and um miss
this. And I feel that um during
um during the planning board meeting
when I was addressing the engineers
about my specific problems regarding my
foundation and the water related issues,
it seemed like um them being
professional engineers, they weren't
able to
um talk to me about the water related
issues that are affecting my property.
Even though uh in the previous session,
we we had two sessions. Uh, I
specifically asked him if he could um
look into that so we could have a
discussion about it. And uh I I feel
like um
even though the planning board did
address a bunch of issues with uh
traffic and the drive um the cut through
from Chelsea and uh that stuff, I I feel
my issues weren't um
uh weren't addressed there. So, I'm just
uh very concerned about that. Uh, also I
I
>> Yeah.
Because when that hearing's the
next part comes up,
>> we issue.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. And we're going to hope that we
correct it.
>> So, it shouldn't have lasted this long
and been brought to our attention either
the governing body or planning board
people who are this because you have a
problem here. So, I think there's I
think there's like two issues. Like,
there's a major water problem down um
closer to where you're going to do the
cut through at, but I I I have the
smallest property on uh Churchill Drive.
And
>> what number is that?
>> Um that's lot one. Um
>> give me address on Churchill.
>> It's 205 Churchill.
>> That's it. Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Cuz I mean I know Will was out there. I
were out there. We've been out there
>> because of this matter. Before we get if
I may get
>> before we get too far into this is this
is a pending planning board application
as I understand it.
>> Um and this gentleman has already spoken
before the planning board and maybe
intends upon speaking before the
planning board again. Uh it's important
to preserve the record of the planning
board in a planning board proceeding.
When there's information that's brought
out by a witness or there's information
conveyed by some members of the
governing body that may sit on the
planning board matter, it is in essence
expanding a record that shouldn't be
expanded in this forum. So as I've as
I've stated in the past and I caution
the governor to refrain from these type
of discussions. I recognize this is
public session. Person's allowed to say
whatever they wish to talk about. But
the comments back from the governing
body, it's really inappropriate for us
to be addressing those things other than
saying those are matters that are really
pending before the planning board and
should be brought before the pending
board rather than brought into a
separate forum such as this governing
body.
>> Yeah, we don't have that back and forth.
I'm just here to just um lay out the
issues I'm having and just get them on
record just so um um I guess the
public's aware and the committee is
aware uh in the uh in the event that I'm
not available for future planning board
meetings. Uh I can go back and refer to
this. Well, unfortunately,
unfortunately, you're in the wrong uh
church, so to speak, and that there's
nothing that this governing body can do,
even hearing what your testimony is or
what your what your comments are to be
able to do anything to affectuate
changes that you might wish to make. If
the situation is that you're concerned
that you might not be at the next
planning board hearing and not being
able to present your case, then I would
suggest you contact the land use
administrator. She will allow you, she
will discuss with you how you can
address that situation, be it by a a
notorized letter, uh, certified letter,
whatever it is, so that it becomes part
of the record before the planning board
so that the planning board can take it
into consideration as evidence and be
able to address it.
>> Uh, that's excellent. I I will
definitely do that and I I appreciate uh
you doing that cuz I wasn't looking to
have a conversation with the committee
about this. I just wanted to bring that
up as my uh reason into
looking into this. I was kind of looking
at some of the other developments that
um are springing up around us. Like for
example, I guess between Bob's Garden
Center and Davenport School, there's
going to be a large development there in
in that uh in that area. And I I'm from
speaking to the public um they're under
the impression which I don't know how
true this is or not that that used to be
a commercial space that was recently
converted into residential space to
facilitate um uh that application to
build those homes there
>> actually multi-use commercial as well as
residential.
>> Yeah. And my my question is that um
being that a Harper Township is a great
place and it's next to Bob's Garden
Center which is like unique to it's
unique to a Harper Township. It's a draw
from people out of state. It is um
something that is not replaceable. It's
not like it's a you know uh Bies or like
uh any other commercial entity. It's you
know it it's homegrown here. It's
something it's something special for us.
And I'm just thinking that the land use
next next to Bob's Garden Center between
Del uh uh Davenport.
Couldn't there have been something that
could complement that that would, you
know, make that area something that be a
draw that would bring people into the
community that would uh just make it a
land use that makes sense? I I I just
don't see I think it's what what over
200 uh 200 residents are going to be
stuck there in that location. I don't
think any of them will be doing any
gardening or anything like that. So, it
it's just it's just interesting to see
the different things that are popping up
around here. Uh I was at um um uh Alder
Avenue. They just had a presentation at
the middle school. Um I think it's on
Fernwood.
uh there I was talking to the principles
there. I was talking to some of the
administrators there and they were
talking about uh I guess housing issues
and you know they're they're concerned
about this too. They they see that you
know we have these high housing prices
coming in and the developments that
affecting me these developers they're
looking to maximize amount of the uh uh
amount of money they can get out of a
piece of land and bunch of you know it
it it just
and
you know what I'm I'm going to I'm going
to strike that and I was just going to
say they're saying with the amount of
developments that's coming in it's very
painful in their school systems to have
all the people that uh are in there. It
doesn't seem like uh they have uh I
guess the staffing.
Is that for me?
>> Okay. It doesn't seem like they have the
resources to take the amount of
development that we're, you know, taking
on. And uh I I've been listening to
Cindy coming out here and talking about
the stuff that's going on uh with uh uh
her her development she's been talking
about. and just I was coming back here
um coming back to my home and just stuck
in front of at 4:30 which I'm normally
never there just how much traffic was
already there. It just seems like the
amount of density coming here isn't
being very helpful for us. And I'm
hoping some way we can come up with a
plan to uh take a take a look at this
and try to address ways that would help
I guess the township as a whole be able
to you know as a community keep our you
know our resources here you know have
bigger lots like on Chelsea um I think
Paul and Hudson are mentioning normally
the home density or the homes are a lot
larger there because it's a small
community and it's a you know the kind
of idea when you think about a carpet
township you come out and you see like
wooded areas and homes or whatever to
pro promote that kind of growth in the
township. So that that's basically what
I came to talk to the community about
today. And I hope you guys being
professionals can talk to the community
and try to figure out how we can solve
this problem because it seems like it's
it's a big one. It it's directly
affecting me and I I see it's affecting
a lot of other people and I appreciate
you guys taking the time and listen to
everybody and try to figure this out.
So, thank you.
>> Thank you.
Anybody else? No, Mrs. Justice.
Good.
I don't know if that There it goes. Uh
Cindy Justice, resident at Aar Township,
and I just to piggy back off of what
Lucas just said, I was at the meeting,
the planning board meeting, and I was
able to bring forth some of the things
that you had recommended I bring forth
there. Um, one of the items I brought
forth had to do with conversation I'm
having with the pylons commission at
this point in time. And uh I had asked
him because I'm getting the impression
and in many of the different meetings
that I attend that the township thinks
there's not really much can be done with
the development without legal risk
against our town
and especially for a byite a by right
thing and um the or the chief planner of
the highlands commission told me that
decisions on whether a municipality can
approve or deny a development
application are governed primarily by
the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law
and are most appropriately evaluated by
the township's planning board attorney
or solicitor.
So, I'll stop right there because I've
also attended another meeting with that
gentleman and was told
on Monday that I would be given some
information right after the meeting. And
then when I went to meet with him, he
had other plans. So, I'm just struggling
to really truly understand. I want to
understand I love the township. I don't
want to be a burden to the township. I
don't want to be just somebody you
think, "Oh god, there she goes again."
But our township is denigrated at this
point. It It's just too much. There's
just too much stuff going on and it's
impacting me from a health perspective.
As I've mentioned before, I won't I'll
try not to go through my kicking
exercises as I have in the past, but I I
shake when I get up here because it
feels like I'm fighting for my life. I
truly feel like I'm fighting for my
life. And I I definitely am fighting for
my quality of life.
And I feel as if I've been directed to
make any kind of u interactions with
only the planning board and they cannot
handle that. they have a huge load that
they have to consider as well. They
don't want to sit and and take
individual uh thoughts. But um I think
the time has come that we need to do
that. That's what the that's what the
plan or the Pineland's committee or
commission is telling us to do.
I don't know if you're thinking of ideas
there or just putting your eyes up.
I hear you. But I um Mrs. Justice,
you're always welcome to come here. You
always are. And I know when the planning
board, what Mr. Friedman said earlier is
when an application is being heard,
>> it's it's I don't know if it's proper to
say it's it's its own legal entity in of
itself, but its own application there.
And there's a recorded record and any
objections, anything in favor, against,
whatever, all goes on the record there.
What's said here does not go on their
record. So when you want to talk about
anything about Ivans Avenue or any or
anything else in the excuse in the
township when you go to these the reason
we keep saying you have to go to the
planning board is for that exact reason
because your thoughts and your ideas get
recorded
by our people and they're in the minutes
and they're on they're always recorded
because those minutes uh meetings I
should say are recorded. So that's why
we tell you to go to the planning board.
>> Well it was recorded last or on Monday.
It was
>> at the zoning I showed up too.
>> I forgot to mention previously in this
correspondence that's what the
commissioner or the chief planner at the
pilots commission said you need to get
with zoning. This has to do with zoning
and I'm in front of zoning and the
solicitor is just saying the zoning
people have nothing to do with this.
>> Well the pilands set the rules here in
the township but that's a different
discussion alto together. They do, but I
have said I have found references in our
township code that say the community uh
safety and general welfare is to be
considered. And I believe that's what
the Pineman's commissioner is saying to
him, that we have the power to stand up
and say, "Look, I'll tell you honestly,
I go to their site. Their sight is
beautiful, but it makes me feel sick to
my stomach because I look at the
beautiful pristine water and these pine
trees that aren't like this because
they're sick and just you know that the
land here's not it's not necessarily
good. But they've got those kind of
things up north and we don't and there's
no reason we shouldn't have them. All
those little snippets that they have in
there about protecting places where
Indians have lived and where native
plants are in existence that are
threatened and endangered, we have
those. So that's where I think we as a
community and I don't know exactly which
border of the boards to go by because
according to what I was told on Monday
zoning board wouldn't have anything to
do with this but it's it feels just as a
resident as everybody's kind of passing
the buck and I told that to the violence
people I said I hear that I hear that
here that you guys are the ones that are
making our lives horrible
but he didn't have necessarily respons
constructed that
>> anyway. But each each just so you know
each application the planning and the
zoning board meets per application
but at what point will the zoning board
hear mine that the PB 20 2516
maybe you're at the planning board we
are but at what point does the zoning
get a shot at it or whatever doesn't
everybody like the environment
>> the planning board are two different
boards understood so you're the
application that you're talking about is
at the planning
Not not the zoning board,
>> but somewhere along the line, somebody
in zoning said, "Oh, it's a good idea to
make above my place RG3."
And I cannot see how that would ever be
recommended by our planner,
who shall remain nameless, but I've sat
across the table with and discussed the
major problems on Ivans Avenue because
of the development on Ivan's or north
and west of Ivans Avenue. They know what
it's like in my backyard and yet somehow
became RG3.
Tada. Perfect timing.
Thank you all for listening.
>> Thank you.
>> I do mean that. I I know that. I say
that is almost done. I think of you
every time I see Wisteria now somewhere.
>> And it's all over.
>> Mrs. Justice. Thank you.
>> Thank you. And don't hesitate to come
back.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay. Anybody else?
>> Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> I'll make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Uh,
>> just let me ask Pete, have you made any
headway with the Pineelands?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Well, no, we don't need to go into
like they weren't answering our calls.
So now I guess you spoke to somebody.
>> Yeah, I was going to do that in my
report. I didn't do it.
>> You want to do it then? You want to do
it now? Either one. Do it in your
report.
Okay. One thing I want to say, we have a
gentleman in the audience here tonight.
>> I'm sorry. Did we get the motion? I'm
sorry. I got the motion. Can I have Can
I have a second? All in favor, please
>> to close the public. I
>> I thank you. Before we go forward, Mr.
Wally Bakeley is back there. And one of
the resolutions we had today was to make
sure we have some assistance over in
West Atlantic City. And Wally, you've
done a heck of a good job over there.
That's right.
>> You Every day you do. That man knows
every house in West Atlantic City.
But I just want to say thank you while
you're sitting right there.
All right. Uh township committee
reports. Well, Mr. Castellano, would you
like to talk about the Pineelands?
>> Absolutely. Thank you. Uh thank you,
Mayor. So, first I just want to uh
briefly just um I attended my first
economic development commission meeting
on April 23rd. Um, I see that commission
uh starting to take off and doing some
great things. We discussed uh putting
together uh an inventory of properties
that are uh uh ripe and available for
commercial development as well as
looking at uh vehicles to to market the
township. So, we're making some very
good progress. Um, we've already met
with uh with regard to pilots and
development. Um, and I appreciate the
folks who spoke because we understand
um what they're experiencing and what
they're going through. Um, there are
things that we control as a township.
There are things that Pinelands directs.
So, we need to address both. So in terms
on the piland side of things, we've met
with uh Assemblywoman Moren Rohan
already. Tomorrow we'll be meeting with
Senator Vince Palestina and hopefully
Assemblyman Don Guardian. Good. Good.
And uh the the ask there um is to seek a
amendment to the comprehensive
management plan to alter the growth
zone.
So that can encompass shrinking the size
of the growth zone. That can encompass
making less density within the growth
zone and that can also encompass uh
using less or no Pineland's development
credits within the growth zone. Uh you
know I've said over the years you know
you you don't get 100% of what you don't
ask for. So we have to try. It's time to
revisit.
You know, uh we've done our part
for Pinelands. Uh we're at 50,000
residents and it's time to revisit it
and it's time to to get to work on that.
Um so that's uh just, you know,
>> well, good luck, Pete.
>> We're going to keep bang our head
against
>> we're going to keep trying. I mean,
we're going to do our best. um
>> since the 80s. It's been 46 years
>> at the whole thing really from top to
bottom. Um and then finally uh I just
wanted to you know say we're we're in
budget time. We're in budget season uh
for us and um next meeting will be our
hearing on the budget and uh you know
I've communicated uh with um you know
our administration with the mayor. What
uh what I'd like to see uh just
changed augmented a little bit in this
budget is I would like to see a bit more
assistance to our fire companies.
That's that's it for my report. Thank
you. Mr. Paul,
>> um we're in the final stages of uh
working on the dedication for the Corman
John Corman senior in June.
Getting ready to start construction in
the next couple weeks. Happy to say that
the whole project has been donated by
contractors
and u it very nice surprise that we
could pull that off and uh project's
going to be nice project. We all looked
at it. So we'll have dates of dedication
and all that coming up but we're still
shooting for sometime in June. Okay. So,
good thing. U other than that, u you sat
on the planning board for you the last
couple of meetings.
>> She did you a favor
>> and
you know that's my report tonight.
>> Thank you. And you did an outstanding
job on that.
>> Yeah. Sit next to me.
Mr. H.
>> Yeah. Real quick, um, not to go into the
the actual information, but to our
public safety people over this weekend,
we had two significant events where we
lost lives to our firemen, to our rescue
squad people, and for the PD.
It's a tragedy to watch any human being
die, whatever way they died. But I
understand what you had to do and why
you had to do it. But again, make sure
the public knows that this is what
happens in a community of 50,000. You
lose two people either by their
directive or by accident. And our people
answer the call and you'll never hear me
not defend our public safety. We got a
lot of good stuff in this township, but
public safety has to answer the call and
they do. So along that note is I want to
remind everybody Memorial Day you hope
for good weather. We'll have a fly over
with the M16s. Uh the banner's up and
hopefully at 9:00 Mr. Ellis will be up
and at the parade site we're starting.
And the reason we do this for people
that complain, can you do it a little
later? Can you do this? Is there's other
elements of the parade that want to go
to other parades.
>> Yeah.
>> I.e. Summers Point, Lynwood, Northfield.
So, nine o'clock sharp at the normal
spot, we're going to celebrate Memorial
Day in this community. And you see the
banners are up. Public works got the big
banner up. And I love way back when I
was mayor, somebody called up, I didn't
know you do a parade.
>> Well, damn it. It's been going on for a
long time in this township. And the
banner was something that it was
painful, but I made Miller do uh several
years ago, and it's still holding up.
They've repaired it and they have it up
on Ocean Heights Avenue. So to the
public, come to the parade, okay? Even
if you watch the parade and you don't go
down to the ceremony, this quick at the
memorial, but that's the right thing to
do in this community is recognize
Memorial Day.
>> I hear the numbers are bigger than last
year.
>> It's crazy people. It gets their
attention. And I think the banner is as
shockingly as that banner is. People see
and read that banner on Ocean Heights
and we know what the traffic is on Ocean
Heights and that's it.
>> Very good. Is it too late to enter the
parade?
>> No, absolutely not. We turn down nobody.
The only thing is we want it in the
proper etiquette for Memorial Day. We
don't need any other crazy
demonstration or so forth. It's
representing what Memorial Day means to
us as Americans. And you show up and you
want to walk in the parade with your
bicycle decorated or with the group you
have or with the old car. I I know
people with old cars, Mr. Ellis. You
know, enjoy the parade. Enjoy the
weather. Enjoy the people waving flags
and and patriotic
being patriotic in our community.
Everybody has a little bit of patriotism
in them and that's what we need to do.
that parade is bigger every year and we
just pray that we have a good day that
it's not too hot and humid and it
certainly ain't raining because every
time we had to try to move it and it's
only happened one time in the last 20ome
years it's difficult to do so.
>> Thank you
Ellis.
>> I'm going to say it again. I said it
before men and women let's take care of
oursel especially men. I lost a great
friend. He's retired police. Back in our
day, we used to say police when they
retired, they had six years live. The
life expect was six years after
retirement. A lot of you, some of you
may know Sergeant um Richard Moore in
Pleasantville. His family lives in
Township. His dad was the chief of
police of Pleasantville. He passed away
uh this past week. So, like I said
before is, you know, a lot of times us
men will get the car oil changed, rotate
the tires, get a tuneup. Let's tune up
our body. Let's make sure we see a
doctor. Make sure we take care of mental
health, physical health, and all. But
the number one thing I have to say today
is happy Mother's Day to each and
everyone. Happy Mother's Day. And also
happy dad who is mothers, dad and
mothers to you too. And happy mother's
day. Enjoy the day and just relax. And
uh you know make sure your hubby you
know he he get the to-do list.
Okay. I don't want you mothers to cook.
I don't want you mothers to watch the
kids. I don't want you mothers to ride
the wawa. If I see a mother, I'll go see
the daddy. Okay.
station.
>> Very good. And thank you, Ray. Thank you
for that.
Well, that's kind of hard to top that.
The only the only thing I want to say is
as you drive around town, you'll see
that the veteran banners are going back
up. Um, we're running out of room on
Ocean Heights Avenue. We're going down
Zion Road. Now, there are two gentlemen
up there that I'll put it out there to
see if you can find that in two
different conflicts. Their banner is one
conflict on one side, the other conflict
on the other. So, there's two out there.
Don't get in an accident while you're
looking for them, but they'll be up
until Veterans Day, but there's two
gentlemen up there that were in two
separate complex. So, just want to thank
each and every person up there for their
service. And it's it's nice to see we
have a lot of young people up there. And
uh if you have questions on it and want
to get in on it, they only really take
the applications and do it once a year.
So, we'll, you know, we have the
information in our office of who you
have to get a hold of, but you basically
need a DD214. You need a good picture
and what conflict you're in, and then
there's a way to submit the
documentation and pay the fee. And
they'll stay up there until they fall
apart. You know, they'll come down every
year, but go back up. So, thank you all
for your service. And that's all I've
got. Tom, you got anything?
>> Hello. Uh just briefly to uh supplement
what uh Committeeman Castellano had
brought up. I first I applaud your
efforts and uh and trying to rein the
overgrowth of the township. It's
something that has been experienced for
many years. Uh adding to it is not only
Pinelands, but we also have affordable
housing mandates that are constantly
putting the township under pressure to
create new housing units. uh as well as
we're a desirable place to live. People
want to people want to live here because
uh for various reasons whether it's
schools, the governing body, whether
recreation, all of the above. So those
are continuing pressures that we will
continue to exh experience. Uh the other
question I have uh concerning the uh
project at the nature reserve uh once
the uh project commences, my question is
how long do you anticipate it'll take
before it's complete?
>> A couple weeks.
>> Okay.
>> That'll be good.
>> Very good.
John, you have anything?
>> You're good. Okay. Do we have a need for
a close session this evening?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> You said no. Be brief.
>> I thought you said no.
All right.
>> Resolution 206 authorizing 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 the meeting in certain
circumstances. Whereas this public body
is of the opinion that such
circumstances presently exist. Whereas
the 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 uh two
personnel matter one personnel one
legal. Um just an update on the ongoing
labor negotiations with an anticipated
disclosure one year and one personnel
matter to discuss anticipated disclosure
one year. Whereas the minutes of said
closed executive sessions will be kept
and once the matter involving the
confidentiality of the above no longer
requires that confidentiality then the
minutes shall be made available to the
public in accordance with law. Now
therefore be it resolved by the township
committee of the township of harbor
county of Atlantic and state of New
Jersey that the public be excluded from
this meeting during such portions of the
meeting as a governing body may deem
necessary to discuss the matter set
forth above.
>> And we will not be taking any action
when we action.
>> So you can start rewinding. Okay, thank
you everybody. Thank you for coming.
We're going to go into close session.