Public Meeting of Egg Harbor Township Committee 02/18/26

is being videotaped for broadcast. Due
to either technical reasons in close
session pursuant to the open public
meetings act, interruptions in the
videotaping may occur. This meeting will
be televised on EHTV channel 97 and
posted on township's official list.
>> Thank you, ma'am.
Can everybody please stand for the
pledge of allegiance?
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
stand
indivisible with liberty and justice for
all.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Castellano
>> here.
>> Paul Hodson
>> here.
>> William Pauls here.
>> Ray Ellis here. Laura Fer here.
>> Well, we have a great crowd here tonight
and for a very good reason. And we're
going to start with our clerk of just
about 47 years.
If we wait another month or so to do
this, it would be 47 years. So, Mr.
Castellano is going to read
something into the record and then we're
going to go on to get
>> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Tonight,
the township committee proudly
recognizes Eileen M. Tedesco for more
than four decades of dedicated public
service to the township of Egg Harbor.
Eileen began her career with the
township on May 11th, 1979 when she was
hired as a part-time clerk in the
Department of Inspections. Just a few
months later, on September 26th, 1979,
she became a full-time junior clerk,
beginning what would be a lifelong
commitment to municipal service. Through
the years, Eileen steadily advanced,
earning promotions to general clerk in
1982 and senior clerk in 1984 before
transferring to the office of the
township clerk in July of 1986, a move
that would ultimately define her
professional legacy. In January of 1995,
Eileen was promoted to deputy township
clerk. And on January 1, 2007, she was
appointed township clerk, a pos a a
position she has held with distinction,
professionalism, and integrity ever
since. As township clerk, Eileen has
served as the statutory custodian of
records, chief elections official and
registar of vital statistics, ensuring
the accuracy, transparency and
continuity of municipal operations. Her
knowledge of municipal law, elections,
records management and public service is
second to none, and her calm, steady
presence has guided the township through
countless elections, transitions, and
challenges. Beyond her responsibilities
to Egg Harbor Township, Eileen has also
served for many years as alternate fund
commissioner for the Atlantic County
Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, further
demonstrating her commitment to public
service beyond her own municipality.
Perhaps most importantly, Eileen has
been a mentor, leader, and trusted
resource to staff, elected officials,
and residents alike. Her institutional
knowledge, discretion, and
professionalism have shaped the clerk's
office into what it is today, and her
influence will continue to be felt long
after her retirement. Eileen is married
to her husband, Frank, and together they
have two daughters, Nicole and Jennifer,
who share in the township's gratitude
for the many evenings, weekends, and
election days she devoted to public
service.
On behalf of the township, the
administration, employees, and residents
of Egg Harbor Township, we extend our
deepest thanks and heartfelt
congratulations to Eileen M. Tedesco for
over 40 years of exemplary service. And
we wish her a retirement filled with
happiness, relaxation, and well-earned
time with family. Thank you, Eileene.
Your legacy is firmly written into the
history of Egg Harbor Township. Thank
you. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> UM, thank you.
serving the governing body
in the past. Those of you who have been
here for a while know there used to be a
rocking chair
chair.
weather
>> they say coming
out for all of us anytime I had a
question.
>> Yes, we do.
But uh thank you. Thank you.
>> Every time they have some blood.
>> And this one is actually
this is great. So enjoy your time on the
beach.
Thank you for everything.
>> We got the clerk's office all here.
>> All here.
>> You don't treat me like you do.
>> Yeah. Eileen, it's a little stuffy in
here now. You used to liven it up, but I
mean, you know, we're going to bring the
new crew in. Yeah.
So you're all standing
in private
Frank, you sitting that chair, you might
not get up.
>> Ready?
CONGRATULATIONS.
Do you have a spare wheel?
It's not in here. Huh?
>> Uh, no.
>> Okay.
You know, when people come to work here,
some of them want to stay here. And we
have had something that is very unusual
in the police department.
Someone who has stayed as long as this
gentleman has. So, on behalf of all of
us, we are extremely happy that you were
here tonight. Mr. Castellano is going to
read something into the record. Then Mr.
Hodson and I
Well, Paul's going to know what Paul's
going to say, but
>> I'm thinking of what I should say.
There he is.
>> Thank you, Mayor
James McFersonson was born in
Pittsburgh, P Pennsylvania and moved
with his family of origin to the Jersey
Shore on the retirement of his parents
who had operated a professional
photography business in Wilkinsburg, PA
for 38 years. After attending school in
Penn's Hill, Pennsylvania, Jim attended
Mainland Regional High School for his
senior year and graduated there in 1979.
After working various fields in Ocean
City, including building maintenance,
private security, and later banking in
Ocean City and Margate, Jim sought
employment in the Longpour Police
Department, and was hired there in
November 1981.
He attended the 44th Municipal Police
class in the Camden Police Academy and
graduated second in his class in 1982.
While employed in Longport, Jim also
worked in retail security at the Sears
store located in what was then the Shore
Mall in this township. After seeking
employment in the Egg Harbor Township
Police Department, Jim was hired in
December 1985.
After working patrol, he was assigned to
the Criminal Investigations
Bureau in January 1988. In late 1990,
James was given charge of the property
and evidence system within the CIB and
fulfilled that responsibility until it
was modified to a civilian position in
mid 2002.
Following the 911 attacks and the
formation of the department's airport
unit in May of 2003, Jim sought and
received assignment to that unit.
Following dissolusion of the airport
unit, Jim returned to patrol duty and
continued uniform patrol, including
bicycle patrol until reaching retirement
age this month. Over his years of
service, Jim received various training
including fingerprint examination, crime
scene photography and processing,
counter surveillance, anti-terrorism,
and bomb detection, among other skills.
Jim is happily married to his wife,
Lena, and has three children, including
a son in this township, a daughter in
Lancaster, PA, and a daughter in South
Florida, as well as six grandchildren,
two adult stepchildren, and three step
grandchildren.
We also have Jim's resume here. Um, and
I'll just read this into the record as
well. November 1981 to December 1985.
Patrolman, Longport Police Department.
December 1985 through January 1988.
Patrolman Lake Harbor Township Police
Department. January 1988 through April
2003. Detective Criminal Investigations
Bureau. Criminal Investigations as as
assigned. Assigned as property clerk
from late 1990 to mid 2002. May 2003 to
June 2005 patrolman operations division
airport unit. June 2005 to present
patrolman operations division patrol
bureau squad 2 and most recently squad
4. CONGRATULATIONS
For so many people, I used to go on the
streets as a police officer in this
area. remember when he was in Longport,
it certainly wasn't like today. Walport,
I guess it was the biggest problem they
had was seagulls of all place, but then
he moved where it's a little bit on the
wild wild west here, including Star
Point another
I just never thought you'd ever retire,
but I guess the rules and regulations
the state of New Jersey kind of forced
your hand. So, I figured you'd be here
forever. And you know, some people say,
you know, when they have a vision of
different things, they say, "Well,
you've been there forever."
I don't think anybody's ever going to
challenge your years from Long
for what you did this year. So, you're
going to be missed
>> and I think that some of the young ones
back there won't mention any names, but
they'll never come close to your 40
years. And uh Lord was a different was
different than it is today.
For anybody doesn't know this one point
was the city from nowhere to nowhere all
said politically if you look it up and
then when they
chang
Police officer June James
December 1st, 1985
through February 27th, 2026.
Now I'm going to have come up. He's got
a couple things to say. And you know
what?
especially
you know people leave it's a client
so I think
>> well
first of all I was going to say that the
uh you sales are the people that are
going to be recognized next because
they're 25 years compared to 40. So, um,
but I I did put something together for
all three of them, but I'll just uh I'm
not MAC individually right now. So, I
mean, I said it yesterday, we had a um a
kind of a lunchon for Mac. Um, and a lot
of we had a lot of people a good
showing, especially by retired officers.
And so the one thing I do want to say
and you were you were hitting on it.
Even though Mack has been here for 40
years, you know, in law enforcement
there's a term that's used for people
that might be on the job that need to
go. It's retired on duty. M wasn't that
guy. He was never that guy. Uh M brought
and still brings so much value to this
organization. And I know all the
officers in the back will from the
junior guys to less tenure to the senior
officers. I'm pretty confident Doless,
you know, Max is that just calm in the
storm. He's the voice of reason. He has
so much value to impart to the young
guys and to us senior people, including,
you know, us in command. Um he and that
didn't come, you know, that started when
he was a young officer and through his
40 years. I mean, you don't develop that
kind of um, you know, that skill set,
you know, you don't walk in the job with
that skill set. That's developed over
time. And that's and that that's Mac.
Um, so Mac,
what I was going to say here is, uh, you
know, 40 years of service and you said
it's a rarity these days and will
probably rarely be seen again. Um,
especially the way the retirements are.
In 40 years, the change that he has
witnessed, think about it. He started
with no cell phones, no computers, no
internet.
There were pagers around.
>> Yeah. Um
but he's he's been part of this change
that's occurred in the last 40 years and
uh to the to the information age. And
that's that's something to be said for
that. Mac. Um,
Max the officer, you know, I thought
about this and I'm sure many of the ones
in the back will agree. You know, during
times of crisis, times of stress, hot
calls, Max the face you want to see
because he he has that calming uh
presence about him and um that's going
to be missed.
So um you you always pro provide sound
guidance and introspection to our troops
at a time where resiliency is is really
an important part of uh the mental
health and spirit of a police officers.
I know and we we've had these talks and
I talked to many of our other officers
that you're one of those informal
leaders especially for our people who
you know you know have seen better days
and you're able to you know talk with
them and give them good guidance and um
so
um
I was going to get into like I said I
have a little bit this is going to I
don't want to take away from the next
few that are going to come up and then I
can kind of tie it all together But um
you know, Mac, we're going to try to
hopefully we've been in talks to try to
bring him back in some capacity. Um I
will say that uh and I've said it
already,
what Mack brings to the table, those are
the uh Sergeant Ponsel used to say this,
the intangibles and um but he brings the
intangibles, the things that you really
can't measure, but that really benefit
our organization, especially again the
culture of the organization, the
resiliency of our people. And that's
what Mac brings to the table. So, um, so
hang out, wait for the other two to to
get recognized. And I will want I want
to re uh his brother's here, Rob
McFersonen, former um retired from our
agency.
>> Hey, hey, Chief. Real quick, chief. U
most of the time when cops retire, you
let them keep the dog. What are you
going to do about his boss?
Can he
can he keep his fight? He's always going
to fight.
>> Oh, Selena, his wife. And uh
you want to put that up there or you
gonna hold that?
Oh boy.
>> If if you're not part of his family,
just come up and get in the picture.
Now,
>> I'm going to do less time.
just mention what an honor it is has
been to to serve the uh
and especially wonderful working for WTP
Let's
say you
just encourage the ladies that are here
still.
Encourage each other. Encourage each
other.
first thing that you can do with
your hospitality.
We have split for those who find always
be ready to uh
Soldiers
81.
Thank you.
one of them.
>> All right, we have two more officers
here this evening, but I have to ask a
question. Who's got the lower badge
number?
>> Clawart has a lower badge number.
>> He's going first.
We have two here.
>> All righty.
Robert J. Hart, 25 years of service.
On January 5th, 2001, Bob was sworn in
as a police officer with the Egg Harbor
Police Department. He graduated from the
Camden County Police Academy, class of
36, class 36, sorry, in June of that
same year and began what would be a
distinguished 25-year career in public
service.
During his first 11 years in patrol
division, Officer Hart demonstrated
leadership and professionalism, earning
the responsibility of serving as a field
training officer. In that role, he
helped shape and mentor newly hired
officers, instilling in them the values
of integrity, preparedness, and
commitment to excellence. His dedication
to mentorship has contributed to the
strength and professionalism of the
department. In 2006,
Officer Hart was selected to serve as
the Atlantic County Emergency Response
Team, now known as SWAT. As a team's
preacher, he participated in numerous
high-risisk operations, assisting in the
safe evac execution of search warrants
and arrests that led to the removal of
illegal firearms and controlled
dangerous substances from the community.
That same year, he began serving as an
instructor at the Atlantic County Police
Academy, where he helped train the next
generation of law enforcement officers
in patrol techniques, officer safety,
and tactical operations. In 2012, he was
assigned to the detective bureau where
he continues to serve with distinction.
Throughout his career, Detective Hart
has completed extensive basic and
advanced training through multiple law
enforcement,
the New Jersey State Police, and
accredited universities.
His commitment to continuing education
reflects his belief that the
professional growth is essential to
effective policing and community
service. Behind his professional
accomplishments stands strong in a
supportive family. He is a son of
Barbara and Jeffrey Hart whose guidance
and values help shape the man and
officer he has become. Bob has been
married to his wife Alyssa since 1998
and together they've raised four
children, Emma, Meline, Abigail, and
Nathan. Their unwavering love, patience,
and support have been instrumental
throughout his career, especially during
the many overnight callouts and
demanding assignments associated with
his service in SWAT and the detective
bureau. For 25 years, Robert Hart has
served the residents of Egg Harbor
Township with dedication, integrity, and
pride. His career reflects a steadfast
commitment to public safety, mentorship,
and community service. It is with
gratitude and respect that we recognize
his years of faithful service and his
lasting contributions to the township
and its residents.
I think we're going to do you folks
together. How's that?
>> Okay, so we've got Sergeant Curtis Wear.
Come on down.
Okay,
25 years of service. In 2001,
Sergeant Curtis Wear began his sworn law
enforcement career with the Edar
Township Police Department. Initially
assigned to the patrol squad number
three. From the outset, he demonstrated
a strong commitment to service,
professionalism, and community
engagement. In 2004, he was selected to
serve as the department's juvenile
diversion officer. In this capacity,
Sergeant Wear screened all juvenile
complaints, managed court filings, and
developed and implemented community
mentoring and service-based programs
designed to positively positively
redirect youth and strengthen community
partnerships.
From 2008 to 2011,
excuse me, he served as a school
resource officer, providing security and
guidance to students and staff at a
Pepper Township High School, Firmwood
Middle School, and Alder Avenue Middle
School. In addition to ensur ensuring
daily school safety, he managed a
district-wide safety protocols, further
strengthening the relationship between
law enforcement and the educational
community. In 2001 through 2011,
Sergeant Wear returned to patrol
division, assigned to squad 2, where he
continued to build upon his leadership
and operational experience. In 2019, he
was promoted to patrol sergeant and
assigned to squad 4. In this supervisory
role, he directed daily field
operations, oversaw personnel, and
ensured compliance with departmental
policies and professional standards. In
2023, Sergeant Wear was appointed to the
department training a logistics
sergeant. In this crit critical
leadership position, he oversees
agencywide training, manages internal
investigations, and coordinates
logistical resource management
to ensure the department the department
operates efficiently and effectively.
Sergeant Wear's commitment to
professional development is reflected in
his academic and leadership achieve a
achievements. In 2020, he completed the
prestigious New Jersey State Association
of Chiefs of Police Command and
Leadership Academy. He earned a bachelor
degree a bachelor's degree of science
and criminal justice from Ashworth
College in 2007, graduating magnetum.
That's actually very good.
>> Yeah. He received his police training
commission certification from the Camden
County Police Training Academy in 2001.
He's a graduate of Ed Harbert Township
High School. Through his career,
Sergeant Wear has been recognized for
dedication and service. He was named
officer of the year by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars in 2022 and was honored as
the Ed Harour Township employee of the
year in 2008.
Sergeant Wear's career reflects a
steadfast commitment to leadership,
mentorship, training, and community
service. His professionalism and
dedication continues to strengthen the
Egg Harbor Township Police Department
and the community it serves.
But thank you for everything you've
done. 13 to go. One of the hardest
professions in the world to maintain
Um, well, I might as well have Mac join
them.
So before I before I begin, I will say
that they were all they all had to write
their own bios and provide them to uh to
me to send to Ro. And I'll just say one
of them said that he was born a baby boy
and uh he just didn't put the weight in
there. I guess you had to read it. It
was kind of it was I don't think it was
meant to be funny.
>> So anyway,
Anyway,
you know, I obviously uh you know, it's
I have to make remarks and um but I was
driving in today and I was thinking
about what I was going to say about U3
and it I found it ironic ironic that I'm
getting able I'm able to make remarks
for you three and what I mean by that is
you're good people. Um you know, you
don't hear that a lot at the end of the
day. We all have, you know, Again,
everyone's had their differences with
each of you in your career at some form
or another, at some time or another, but
at the end of the day, all three of you
good people, and that's what this job
needs more of. Um, so,
and the other thing that came to mind is
good heart, all three of you, without
exception. You know, I think and I I
think most of the people in this room
would agree, especially your peers. End
of the day, you all have good heart. You
drop anything to help us with whatever
your you know, your strength is it
related. You being a charismatic wand
that you are
and Bobby Hart again very similar in
personality to Mac, very laidback uh you
know, face of calm. So
the service to others is intrinsic for
all three of them. You know they they're
authentic wholesome people.
This is listen these are the things that
I truly believe for you three. Um the
other people in the back I don't know
what their their opinions are but anyway
you do things not expecting things in
return. You know that's kind of hard to
come by. Um, and maybe that's
unfortunately that's the human element
in our um, job. Some people do things,
expect something in return. You three,
it's not your nature. You're goodhearted
people.
Um, you've all experienced adversity in
your career. I mean, I didn't Kurt, you
know, had a, you know, setback with a
illness and he overcame it. He's here
today. I know Jimmy, you know,
throughout your 40 years. I mean, we we
know that you're human and you're
faith-based man and uh you've come a
long way as well and that's what's made
it made you who you are today.
And Bobby Hart the same. I mean, I know
Bobby, you know, has overcome some
challenges either professionally related
or personally related, but again, it's
made him who he is today. All three of
you good heart, good people. So,
and why is that a benefit? Because the
people we serve, people we serve, the
people we are, we need to be reflective
of the people we s serve who are um
human. We make mistakes, we error. Um
and it's up for us to recognize that
with the people we deal with in the
community. And that's what makes you
guys, again, good people, good-hearted
people.
So, I with Detective Hart. One of the
things I wanted to mention, he and I
think he must have changed the bio, but
I think he left off. He's a firearms
instructor, physical fitness instructor.
Why are you laughing?
Because I wasn't one. Um,
and gang, you were the gang reduction
coordinator. So, and um born and raised
in EHT connection to the community, a
direct connection, and we're seeing that
more how that benefits. Well, I can say
with Bobby and his especially his detect
detective um investigations,
there's still people in the community
that know Bobby Hart that either know
someone that knows Bobby and that has a
lot of value and so that direct
connection to the community helps. So,
um and has through your career. The one
thing and I'm so glad that your parents
are here. Many don't know this, but
every year the hearts host and serve as
a staging point for our dear field dare
field day which is a thousand kids
probably 40 50 uh personnel and the
hearts host a breakfast at their own
expense for the most part um
own volunteerism
um for our people and they've done it
probably since you started or just just
after you started here. Oh, before
so
again I think that's a testament to
where Bobby comes from. They're they're
selfless and giving to others and so
that's a reflection of Bobby and thank
you Mr. and Mrs. Hart for being there
for our agency and our members.
Um, Sergeant Wear again, born and raised
in EHT, direct connection to the
community. And I can tell you right now,
there's been two cases where
people in the community have had either
a problem with a firearm or some other
meltdown, but because of um current and
his connection to the township, he was
able to step in and handle that. See, a
lot of people don't see that. even
though our own uh personnel don't see
the things that can happen behind the
scenes, but those are things that we
maximize on. We maximize on those
connections to the township because they
were both born and raised here.
Um many don't know Kurt has a IT
background. He came from the private
sector and throughout in early in his
career he used a lot of that uh IT
expertise when really it wasn't what it
was or is now. So he was always helping
uh solve problems or or
put things into action. And I know
Steve's back there. I'm sure you know
they would butt heads because they
disagree because you know Kurt would
think he's the expert and he but at the
end of the day it brought value to the
organization. There's a lot of things
that are in place today because of Kurt
and
training. Kurt's really um his most
important function of the agency is the
training function and um I don't have to
say how busy he is because he's busy. We
are probably the most trained
organization in the county of all of our
law enforcement uh peers. And that's um
and that keeps Kurt very busy um with
all the assignments, scheduling and the
training that we put out to our people
who I know
can't stand it at times, but that's the
nature of our job. Um it's a high
liability job and we need to be trained
and trained properly. And so we do a
lot, we invest on a lot of training
thanks to the township and the governing
body and the finances and we're able to
do that and we're much better for it.
So I talked about MAC already. Um so
what I'll say is in summary all three
you combine 90 years of police
experience.
A lot of value comes from that skills,
knowledge and abilities that have been
developed and fine-tuned over 90 years.
All three of these guys, no egos,
not looking for accolades. You know,
they do it because service to others,
which goes back to good people,
heart and you still have much wisdom to
impart here because you're still here.
You don't have 40 years like this guy.
Um, but we are, as I mentioned, figuring
out a way to retain Mac. Um, and I,
again, I said I think you could ask
anyone in his agency. he would serve
value by still being a member here um in
some capacity. So, you might see him
back here in the near future. We'll see.
And all three of you are loyal as they
come.
One of the things that and I know all
three of you, you've been receptive to
I'll call constructive feedback. And
that's so important for supervisors and
leaders because again, you take it with
a grain of salt,
accept it, and go improve upon it. And
that's who you are because you have good
heart, good people.
So you've all left your footprint with
our personnel whether it's Mac as I
mentioned with his voice of reason and
being kind of a cathartic ear for our
people heart with his tactics and
firearms and where with his IT skills
and training function but all but most
important you've impacted everyone here
because of your good heart. So thank you
and congratulations
I know Detective Clark great
the big breakfast but they also I go the
house they need it today
all these years you did a great law
enforcement officers go through a lot.
SO,
the only thing I'll say is I know there
was more police here. Maybe they got
pulled away, but
Other
thing say you have some VIPs here. We
have Captain J retiree. Um Matt Naylor's
right over there. We talked about Rob
McFerson. John D. And am I missing any
other retirees that showed up?
If you don't know, we're trying to
reconnect with our retirees. So, we have
an email.
Just the right amount. Just the right.
>> See you got
>> Yeah, I see that.
>> I see that.
text.
>> If we want to take a minute here, if
anybody wants to leave, you're more than
welcome to stay to the end. We love
having you all here. But I also know
somebody
Sayen.
>> Hi.
>> I'll give it another minute. We'll get
back in business here.
>> Okay. Yes.
>> Thank you, Chief.
>> I'll be back.
He's
probably
>> Mr. Ellis, can we get you back
sometime?
>> Okay.
>> WOW. HEY, WHERE DID EVERYBODY GO?
>> That one's for you. I want a joke for
you.
>> Madam court.
>> Pursuant to a cover township code,
public comment is subject to established
rules of procedure, including a 5minute
time limit, recognition by the mayor,
and standards of comments. shall be
directed to the governing body.
>> All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We
have an ordinance for public hearing
tonight. Ordinance number four, Mr.
Freeman.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance four is an
ordinance accepting the dedication of a
storm water manage storm water basin
located at block 5203 lot 1.12 from
Touch of Modern Incorporated. Purpose of
this ordinance is to accept the
dedication of a storm water basin from
the touch of modern incorporated
uh to the township. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone in the
audience who would like to address the
governing body on ordinance number four?
Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close the public portion?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Lano,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Ellis,
>> here.
>> Yes.
>> Have a motion to adopt ordinance number
four. Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Ordinance number five for
introduction. Mr. Freeman.
>> Thank you. Ordinance five is an
ordinance amending chapter six of the
code township of Bay Harbor entitled
boards and commissions, specifically
section chapter 6-1 140 members relating
to the environmental commission. The
purpose of this ordinance is to amend
chapter 6 of township code to update the
membership organization and alternate
member provisions of the environmental
commission. A public hearing on
ordinance 5 of 2026 will be held on
March 4, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Can I have a motion to
introduce ordinance number five?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Hodson.
>> Yes.
>> Halls.
>> Yes. Alice,
>> yes.
>> Bummer.
>> Yes. Ordinance number six, Mr. Friedman.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Now, I am told that
this is a model ordinance that comes
down from the highest authorities in the
state. Must be read verbatim. So,
>> read it verbatim.
>> I'll read it verbatim. Take a deep
breath here. Thank you. This is an
ordinance amending the code of town of V
Harbor, chapter 57, entitled affordable
housing. The purpose of this ordinance
is to set forth the regulations
regarding the very low low and moderate
income housing units in the township of
Drake Harbor consistent with the
provisions outlined in public law 2024
chapter 2 including the amended fair
share housing excuse me fair housing act
otherwise known as the FHA at New Jersey
statute 52 col 27D-
301 at SEC as well as the Department of
Community Affairs, the Division of Local
Planning Services at NJAC 599
ETSC
statutoily upheld existing regulations
of the now defunct Council on Affordable
Housing, otherwise known as COLA, at
NJSA, excuse me, NJAC
593
and 597. 7 the uniform housing
affordable affordability controls at
NJAC 5 col 80-26.1
atsec and as reflected in the adopted
municipal fourth round housing element
and fair share plan
otherwise known as the HFSP.
A public hearing on ordinance six will
be held on March 4th and the 26 at 5:00
pm. Thank you.
>> The state would be okay with that.
>> I hope they approve.
>> Can I have a motion to introduce
ordinance number six?
>> So moved. I'll second it. Here we go
again. Affordable housing in the
language
>> manner. Roll call, please. Alano,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Halls.
>> Yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer, yes. Ordinance number seven, Mr.
Freeman.
>> Thank you. Ordinance number seven is an
ordinance amending chapter 225 zoning
article 4 general regulations.
Chapter 225-25.1,
the affordable housing development fees
of the code, the township of Drake
Harbor. The purpose of this ordinance is
to establish standards for the
collection, maintenance, and expenditure
of development fees that are consistent
with the amended Fair Housing Act,
otherwise known as the public law 2 of
2024, chapter 2,
uh, located in New Jersey statutes,
excuse me, New Jersey Administrative
code 5, cola 99, and the statewide
non-residential development fee act
founded uh, and JSA 40 col 55D-8.1
through 8.7.
A public hearing on ordinance 7 will be
held on March 4th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Thank you.
>> Thank you. Can I have a motion to
introduce ordinance number seven?
>> So moved.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> Halls.
>> Yes.
>> Farmer.
>> Yes. We have a resolution consent
calendar numbers 100 through 113. Does
anybody have any questions? If not, can
I have a motion?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 106. I was wondering if we
could pull that to further discussion
with the committee to be a better
understanding what's going on or what
can we do about that? I will not vote on
that right now.
>> There's a time.
>> Do we have a time element on this one?
set up until
>> August.
>> Okay, let's Why don't you pull it? Okay,
we'll pull it.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So, we're going resolutions
100 through 105
106 107 through and including 113.
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please. Milano,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> Resolution number 114, authorizing
payment of all bills. And I have a
motion so we can pay our bills.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Roll call, please.
>> Seno,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Halls,
>> yes.
>> Alice,
>> yes.
>> Farmer,
>> yes.
>> We have some approvals here. Can I have
a motion to approve the township
committee meeting minutes for February
4th, 2026?
>> Thank you. All in favor?
>> I. Can I have a motion to approve the
town committee closed executive meeting
minutes of February 4th, 2026?
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Can I have a motion to approve the
departmental reports for the month of
January 2026?
>> So moved.
>> Thank you. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Okay. We're going to go to general
public comment. But before we go, I
think we have a young wrestler that's
moving forward here in the audience.
a wrestler.
>> Oh yes,
>> we have a young wrestler. Um, Mr.
Ireland, would you and bring the boys
down and just give us a little bit how
this young man is doing.
>> So,
can you please come to the mic?
>> Brian,
middle child, Mason, and my twins are
home. Um, my middle child, Mason, he
just wrestled for regional qualifiers
for wrestling and now made it. So now
he's going to the states.
>> Oh my.
>> Congratulations.
>> There's only nine.
>> There's only nine qualifiers
throughout the state of New Jersey and
500 can participate at each time. So he
maxes out every single 5500. They only
picked the best three from each
wrestling weight class. So he made it.
So he's the one of 27 best wrestlers.
>> How about that?
>> I think that's now he goes to Cure Arena
up in Trenton to wrestle. So it's pretty
cool.
>> So he learned this my wrestle from you.
>> I taught him everything.
>> It's a household of boys. So
>> So he's had So you had some training too
with the moves?
>> This is his second year. and um he's
been watching a lot of TV and he has a
lot of trainer trainers and stuff like
that. So, it's interesting.
>> Congratulations.
>> Listen, buddy. Do your best. I know
you're going to win. Okay. Do your best.
>> They may real quick. He called me Uncle
Ray. I went to his wrestling match and
I've never seen anything like it. It was
like a rock. It was like a Rocky movie.
>> He He hit him in his nose. His nose was
bleeding. So, I thought he was going to
tap out. He's screaming and crying and
screaming and crying. And I told him I
said, "Oh, he he's sad cuz we heard his
news." He was mad. He was that mad. They
put it They put it They put a napkin on
his nose and he went in there like Rocky
and pin the guy.
I was there. Yeah. Good job.
>> Congratulations. That's fabulous. Well,
good luck when you go to Titan. And you
know what? Keep teaching him everything
he knows cuz how did he get in there? He
was young. I mean what what was the
>> So I started so he started wrestling
most season and then he wanted to take
over for you know bigger brother to help
out so then I could
>> Is that a rec center where he started?
>> The rec center is the best. We have a
great program out there and all the
volunteers are perfect. We have a great
program. So thank you guys for that
because
>> you're going to win.
>> Make sure you win.
>> I do fabulous. Well congratulations to
all of you because it's a family effort.
Six.
>> Six.
>> He's tough. He's tough, too. Tough goes
against the older kids. It's pretty
amazing.
>> Thank you.
>> Can you brother
sometimes? Sometimes.
>> Congratulations.
>> This is probably what the carpet in the
den is used for. That arrest on in the
den.
>> The rooms will be arrest.
Yeah, you have no choice with four boys.
>> Yeah, you better make it a big one with
the four boys.
>> Four boys.
>> And before we go any forward, uh, our
ambulance director is here, director of
EMS, Chris Bruning. Chris, do you have
anything to say or is he good or
>> All right, I see you sitting there. I
want to acknowledge that you're here and
thank you for everything that you do.
>> Chris, has things slowed down with the
ambulance?
>> No.
>> Okay.
No.
>> Well, I do see your your unit in Summer
Point, you know, where it's stationed.
>> Uh, and all our vehicles are back. You
got everything running?
>> Okay.
wood.
Well, I mean, listen to the fire bands,
you know, with this weather, it would it
put some strain on emergency services.
No doubt about it.
Come on, dear.
Just tell them all that we appreciate
all the hard work they did. It was a
rough couple of weeks. A rough couple of
weeks. That's good. Thank you. Thank
you.
Okay, now we're going to general public
comment. Does anybody want to address
the governing body on any issues
whatsoever?
Seeing none, can I have a motion to
close a public portion?
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Uh, all in favor?
>> I All right, we've got town committee
reports. We're going to flip it this
week. Pete, you can don't have to go
first.
>> Mr. Paul is going to go first tonight.
uh talk a little bit about
>> construction going on in the township. A
lot of jobs are shut down right now.
Fields that we're doing, soccer fields
and that road by there, there wasn't too
much going on. started easing up a
little bit. Uh the project right down
here on Bontown Pack Creek, seeing them
starting up again. So that project's
going. uh was notified by u
some local people that uh there was a
bill signed in the Senate
and it was bill S4864
and it was on project labor agreements.
Uh for knowledge of project labor
agreements uh there was a minimum you
have over $5 million projects. Uh the
governor has signed the Senate bill and
the new law states that there's no
bottom to that. You can put a project
labor agreement on anything as far as
you want. So notification probably come
out to uh towns. Just wanted everybody
to know it's a very good way to put
local tradesmen to work. Uh, Acar
Township has always been in favor of
project labor agreements. As president
of building trades, we did a project
labor agreement for you in the community
center. That went very well. So, uh,
just wanted everybody, but there's no
minimum on that of five million.
Uh also you asked me to uh do the John
Corman dedication
and I formed a committee on that. Uh
committee had two meetings so far. Uh
really want to thank the members of that
committee last year where Marco Polo
committee was outstanding. This
committee seems to be doing the same.
It's amazing what volunteers can do.
So, uh, as we get closer, uh, we're
going to probably do that dedication
sometime we're shooting for in June. As
we get closer, I'll give you all a heads
up on where we are with that. Uh,
township committee has seeing what our
thoughts are on that. So,
>> it'll be a great project.
>> Thank you, Tom.
Uh, real quick, um, I'm glad the weather
is easing up because public service,
EMS, fire has been pretty busy. Um, our
fire department's been pretty quiet. I
shouldn't say that, but we had to help
other communities. Uh, we sent help to
Galite and had a serious serious fire
off of Route 9. And the issue was it was
extremely cold, the water, available
water. Um, so we got through this. I'm
glad the weather's breaking. Uh, just
one thing to the public. Um, think about
it. When it gets this cold, the water
break leaks will blow your mind. Think
about that. Your home has to stay warm.
Don't go away to Florida and leave it on
45 degrees. You're going to have a
problem. And the reason I say that is,
you know, my son works in Ventner and
they were averaging 20 calls a day on
water leaks and we had them here in the
town, too. So, be cognizant of the
weather. Okay? These homes aren't built
to keep the water running and the pipes
will freeze and then when they fall out,
you have a mess. And to our rescue squad
people, it's it's tough when you can't
get to the door when there's 2 in of
ice. I hope the ice disappears soon and
we don't see any more weight till next
year.
>> Absolutely.
>> Mr. Cast,
>> thank you, Mayor. Um, well, I want to
thank you for uh appointing me as
representative to the Pinelands
Commission, specifically the Pelands
Municipal Council. Um, we all know the
uh the harmful effects of
overdevelopment that's been brought on
by the Pelands Commission. So, I look
forward to taking a fresh look at all of
that and to representing us aggressively
on that uh particular council.
Yep. And uh then also I just wanted to
report that on March 7th I'll be
attending New Jersey League of
Municipalities uh budget training budget
workshop.
>> Very good. Mr.
Stay.
>> Um, yeah, I just like to be thankful for
I received the award from the county
yesterday and I like to thank all those
county committee people and the thoughts
and the support from my own right here
in A. And I told them I'm not a Facebook
person, but um, Frank told me it's over
a thousand likes and comments and stuff
like that. So, I don't want to never
look for a pat on the back, but every
now and then it's good to be recognized
and I really appreciate that. And like I
said, we have a great town. You know, we
want to keep it great and let's work
hard together to keep it great and say
hello to Miss Bird from school board.
Okay.
All right.
>> Thank you. And I just have to say
something regarding Ray's um honoring
yesterday.
when you saw the amount of people that
turned out and the effect that he has
had on people's lives from their
childhood days until now. When you talk
to someone who's 45 years old who said
if Ray hadn't set them straight years
ago, they don't know where their life
would have been. So what you have done
to help children and continually to help
them as they grow into adulthood, you
won't even know the legacy that you
leave because these kids are taking the
proper, you know, the way to conduct
themselves and changing it from what
could lead them down the bad route to a
good route and you don't even realize
how many kids are affected. Their
families down the roads will be
affected. So Ray, you did an
outstanding, excuse me, outstanding job
and I'm was very honored to be there and
to, you know, to represent you and for
everybody else. Most of us were there
and it was a good thing. It was a great
day and just thank you for all you've
done with everybody. So you did great.
>> Um, just uh two things. Tom, could we
get a wreck update next meeting from
Rick or from you regarding the positions
of the fields and what's going on?
Hopefully hopefully we'll have a thought
between now and then and they're back
out working.
>> Things are things are coming around.
>> It's wet out there.
>> Oh, it's everything's a muddy mix. So,
>> mud.
>> Oh, I bet it is. Golf course. I know cuz
I go out there not even path only right
now. It's not
>> and that affects the numbers at the golf
course for the whole year. So, we need a
good weather to get here. I think that's
good, too, because we have to see if
these fields are behind schedule. They
have to be
>> pretty significant because of the
weather.
>> I'm sure they're behind a little bit,
but we weren't planning on putting the
side down until late March anyways.
>> Yeah, but the one is there's water
everywhere.
>> Yeah.
>> Give us an update. And the only other
thing I'd like to say is yesterday start
at uh sundown started Ramadan. So for
all of our Muslim friends uh we wish
them a blessed Ramadan. And today is Ash
Wednesday. So for our Christian uh
population, we want to wish everybody a
very holy and safe well not safe as a
word but a holy Lent that you know you
reflect on the gifts that we've been
given in life. And this a good time to
do it for both for both faith. It's a
good time for reflection. So, I just
want to recognize all of that and pretty
much that's all I have. Tom,
>> report tonight. Ma'am,
>> Mark,
>> John, nothing. Okay, here's my next
question.
>> Do we have need for close session?
>> No, ma'am.
>> So, Deputy Mayor Ellis this afternoon.
So,
>> well, since we have no executive session
this evening, but I have a motion to
adjourn. I'll make it motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor? I
>> I have a great night everybody.