Public Meeting of Egg Harbor Township Committee 10/15/25

may be held in close session pursuant to
the New Jersey.
Could
everybody please stand for the pledge of
>> 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.
[clears throat]
>> Roll call please.
>> Yes. Here
>> I am here. We're going to start our
meeting tonight with a wonderful
presentation by Miss Kim Burns and some
wonderful guests that she's going to
bring up and introduce and they're going
to do a presentation for us.
>> Hello, my name is Kim Burns. I'm
actually a resident of Harper Township.
I've lived here for 27 years, I believe.
[laughter] Um, so today um I come
representing Atlantic Prevention
Resources. We're a prevention agency
here in Atlantic County. Um I also work
on grant funding out of the Department
of Health on tobaccof free for healthy
New Jersey. So we've worked um across
the state on tobacco issues. Um the the
biggest one right now is the vaping. So
I want to bring up Michelle Costello.
She works with our group Stand Up with
Rebel. She's going to tell you a little
bit about um the group at the high
school and then you're going to hear
from your wonderful students. Awesome.
>> Okay. Hello. Good evening everybody. I
also am a resident of EHT. I have
children at Bargaintown Preschool. Um I
love this community and I love what we
do. Um we have young leaders here who
comprise our group, our youth coalition
of Stand Up and Rebel. So Stand Up and
Rebel is about creating young leaders in
our community um who also prevent
underage drinking and tobacco use. Um,
I'll keep it short because I want the
attention to be on these individuals
here, but they are here to tell you guys
about how vaping in particular has
infiltrated our communities and young
people. So, Kamina, we will start with
you. Thank you guys.
>> Thank you.
Okay. Good evening. My name is Mina Chri
and I'm a junior from Egypt Township
High School. Public health campaigns had
been very effective in reducing
cigarette use among teens for decades.
And our generation was on track to be
the first generation to stop tobacco use
entirely. That progress was derailed in
the 2010s with the arrival of vapes.
Products like Jewel were marketers were
marketed as safe and trendy and candy
and fruit flavors with discrete
packaging that very clearly appealed to
younger people. According to the 2021
New Jersey Student Health Survey, nearly
22% of high school students reported to
using electronic vapor products within
the previous 30 days. That may seem like
a small percentage, but that means in a
class of 25 students, six of them were
currently vaping. And many of them are
likely already addicted to nicotine
before even graduating high school. We
know smoking and vaping are terrible for
your health, but that isn't the only
issue. It affects our daily life at
school. Because bathrooms have become
such common vaping spots, schools have
had to restrict access. Students avoid
known vape spots like bathrooms
altogether for their own health.
Teachers waste instructional time
dealing with vaping incidents and
students who do get caught are more
likely more likely to be punished than
treated which does not at all address
the real root of addiction. The vape
epidemic thrives in misinformation and
social normalization. Common anti- vape
messages have become hackneed and
ineffective. A lot of students genuinely
believe that vaping is safe. And when
they notice that their peers are also
discreetly vaping, it reinforces that
perception. Vapes are so easy to pull
out because of how discreet they are,
you can take a hit in the D-wing
bathroom or hallway without anyone
noticing. Coupled with the general
increase in use of stimulants like
caffeine and nicotine, they become a
part of students identity within certain
groups that they bond over, which makes
prevention even more difficult. We need
community level action that prioritizes
solving the underlying causes instead of
punishing students who vape. Township
support for prevention campaigns, school
partnerships, and youth-driven awareness
initiatives can make a difference. We
need to allocate um funds to both
effective and youthled campaigns that
warn about the effects of vaping as well
as other growing issues like nicotine
pouches. Therapy and support centers
need to be free and accessible.
Anonymous online options could also be a
possibility. We should have more
incentives for people to become
substance abuse counselors to help these
people. In Australia, vapes have even
become prescription only products like
Vicodin or Xanax. It's also important
that we enforce the existing bans on
vape shops that are targeting young
adults to make our to make sure our
current policies are also effective.
This is a complex problem and we can't
solve it overnight, but we can take
steps to restrict access to vapes and
increase access to help. We don't want
our generation to be defined by this
addiction addiction, sorry. We want to
be the generation that ends it. So,
thank you for listening and being a part
of the solution to vaping in our town.
>> Well done. Well done. Excuse
me. When I have to write a speech, can I
come get you? [laughter]
>> Great.
>> Who's next?
>> Good evening to both the mayor and the
members of the township committee. My
name is Trinity Anderson and I'm here to
speak about something that has impacted
my generation greatly. Youth vaping.
I've seen firsthand the grip it has on
people who don't even realize how much
it controls them. As both a student and
an athlete, it's hard to watch teammates
who used to be strong and full of energy
now struggle to keep up due to their
newly adopted habits. What's even harder
is seeing friends who want to quit or
feel like they can't. Vaping has become
so common that it almost feels normal
now. You see it in bathrooms, in
hallways, even at games. It's
everywhere. Even if you don't partake in
it, you come across it one way or
another. These products are designed to
look harmless with bright colors, candy
flavors, sleek packaging, even built-in
games, all made to attract younger
users.
A lot of students have been told vaping
is safer than smoking. But that's just
another lie being sold to us. If we
really want to fix this problem, we
can't rely on punishment alone.
Suspending or disciplining students
doesn't solve what's actually going on.
What helps the most is education and
real support. Students need to be taught
the truth about these products and when
they get caught, they should have access
to resources that help them quit, not
just face the consequences. Punishment
doesn't ultimately solve the problem and
stop the person from vaping.
[clears throat] Overcoming addiction
takes understanding and compassion, not
fear. But education isn't enough on its
own. We also need stronger enforcement
of the laws that already exist. For
example, New Jersey already has a flavor
ban, yet flavored vapes are still being
sold everywhere in local stores. That
ban needs to be enforced. Teens wouldn't
be drawn to vaping if it didn't taste
and smell like candy, which was the core
reason flavors were created in the first
place, to target youth, so that these
companies could get more money. Thought
it was ever about. These companies don't
care about the consumers and what
harmful products they are giving out
along with who they're giving it out to.
As long as they're making money, they
won't stop. This is why we need stricter
rules on youth targeted flavors and
marketing and tougher penalties for the
stores and companies that keep selling
to minors or ignoring these bans.
I think it would be useful if there were
inspectors to regularly check these vape
shops and convenience stores to make
sure they're following these
regulations. Right now, too many stores
are selling banned products without
consequences. And even if they do pay
fines, as of now, it's like pocket
change compared to the amount of money
they're making from the people buying
their products. Having local inspectors
or compliance checks would hold these
businesses accountable and make it
harder for them to get away with
breaking the law. If stores knew someone
was watching, they'd be less likely to
take those risks.
I've also seen a rise in ads for
nicotine products like Zen pouches
promoted as healthier and easier to use,
as well as the rise of vape alternatives
all over social media, such as melatonin
pens, lung cleansers, and relaxers.
They're marketed as safe and
nicotine-free that can be used by all
ages when they're just as harmful. These
are the messages kids are seeing every
day, and there should be stronger
regulations to stop them. Lastly,
schools need to have real quick
resources for students. Whether it's a
program within the school or a
connection to help outside of school,
students should be able to reach out
without fear or embarrassment. At the
end of the day, my generation just wants
the chance to grow up healthy and free,
not addicted to something we were
tricked into thinking was harmless. The
flavors that are supposed to be banned
are still on the shelves. The ads are
still everywhere. But the truth is, we
can stop this. We just have to act now.
Thank you.
You can push the mic down.
>> Yeah. [laughter]
>> Good evening, Mayor Fromer and esteemed
council members. My name is Serenity and
I'm now a junior at Egg Hover Township
High School. As I've grown up and gone
to the schools in AHD, I've seen more
and more of my peers smoking and vaping.
There's people in the bathrooms, on the
buses, even in the locker rooms, despite
careful watch by teachers and
administrators.
And I don't just see it in the high
school. I see it in the middle schools
where my brother goes to school. And
shockingly, I see it even in elementary
kids who are vaping because these
tobacco and vape companies are targeting
younger demographics.
I've watched this. My peers growing up
around me getting addicted to nicotine.
My brother talking about how he's seeing
his peers growing up and getting
addicted to nicotine. Vape companies
making vapes more appealing to younger
kids. I watch all of this and I'm
afraid.
I'm afraid of what will happen when
younger generations grow up addicted to
nicotine like the older generations were
addicted to smoking and tobacco. I'm
afraid that I will become normalized to
vaping, that my younger brother will
think that vaping is okay, that future
generations will grow up having a
culture around vapes.
Unfortunately, I think that my fears are
coming true.
Though I am aware that you aren't
involved with school policies, I do
still want to talk about how we
discipline those who do vape.
Specifically in my school, this handbook
says that for the first offense, the
person who vapes will have a suspension
from school for a minimum of 4 days and
then on their second and third and other
offenses, they'll be suspended for a
minimum of 10 days.
The type of discipline that we're giving
out isn't helping or solving the
problem. It's just
making students resent their teachers in
the school. The court recognizes that
nonviolent drug offenders or substance
abusers are people who need support,
people who need help through their
addiction, people who need to go to
rehabilitation centers instead of
serving jail time. If this is how we
treat adults, shouldn't we treat our
students the same way?
I would propose we establish support
groups and further promote substance
counseling in our schools. Students
don't need to be told that it is their
fault for falling into this addiction.
They deserve to know that it's not their
fault, that they aren't horrible people,
that they don't deserve this punishment.
[snorts] They need to be told that we
care. We care that you're struggling
with vaping. We care that you're
struggling with this addiction and we
understand that it's hard.
They need to be told that even if you
don't think it's a problem, this is
going to kill you.
I think if we work together with those
who hate instead of ostracizing them or
shaming them, we will see greater
progress. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
[applause]
Good afternoon. My name is Camila Soha
and I've come to you all to talk on
behalf of the youth on the growing issue
plaguing my generation. Vaping has
become a massive problem that can't be
overlooked any further. But where did
this start and why is it impacting the
youth so much? I would like to introduce
you all to ephyleryate, amilac acetate,
and ethyl malow or more commonly known
as bubble gum. It has been estimated
that roughly 80% of young adults
nationwide have begun vaping with a
flavored product.
And these aren't just regular strawberry
blueberry flavors. No, companies have
begun producing sour patch kids, Swedish
fish, Skittles flavored vapes. It really
makes you stop and think who the primary
target is. Companies have begun the
experience,
excuse me, companies have turned the
experience of buying an addictive,
neurologically damaging drug equate to
walking into a candy shop. In 2020, the
Trump administration had issued a ban on
some flavored vapes. But temporary
restrictions and partial bans are not
enough. The vaping industry has found
loopholes time and time again.
Repackaging, renaming, and rebranding
their way around regulations. A full
permanent ban on flavored vapes
nationwide is the only way to close a
door to this pipeline to addiction. But
as mentioned before, New Jersey has
banned all flavored vapes. And yet, I'm
still able to taste and smell the blue
raspberry when I walk into a bathroom
stall. There are countless stores still
illegally selling these products that
are clearly being marketed for children.
What disturbs me so much is the science
behind why companies specifically target
the young. With their brains not fully
developed and their decision-making
skills lacking, addiction is more of a
guarantee than a possibility. And a
lifelong client is just more money in
company's pockets. It's important to
note that these flavors are not a
marketing strategy, but a blatant cover
up for the thousands of chemicals found
inside, most notably nicotine, but also
known carcinogens like formaldahhide and
benzene, and even heavy metals like
lead, copper, nickel. The companies
producing and the stores illegally
selling these flavored vapes need to be
held responsible for the damage caused
not only to a victim's lives, but also
to a target's childhood. I thank you for
your time.
>> Excuse me. Good evening everyone. I'm
Shauna Bishop, a junior at Egg Cover
Township High School, and I stand before
you all today, not just as a student,
but as a concerned and disappointed
member of a generation grappling with a
crisis that is unfolding right before
our eyes. The rise of youth vaping.
When ecigarettes first infiltrated our
schools, they were marketed as fun and
harmless and full of exciting new
flavors like blue raspberry, strawberry
milkshake, and watermelon ice. These
products were wrapped in colorful
packaging and sold as safe alternatives,
harmless distractions. But what I've
witnessed has been anything but
harmless. I've seen classmates as young
as 11 years old drawn in by the illusion
that vaping is trendy or safer than
smoking. Today, [clears throat] many, if
not all, of those same peers are
addicted to nicotine before they've even
experienced their first school dance,
shared a graduation moment with their
family, or imagined what they wanted to
pursue career-wise. Excuse me.
I've seen how it negatively reshapes
lives. Friends who once thrived in
sports and social activities now grow
anxious if separated from their vape.
Some struggle to focus in class. Others
experience respiratory issues, but all
of them depend on their vapes for
dopamine.
>> [snorts]
>> Last school year, a good friend of mine
confided in me that they felt stuck,
desperate to quit, but powerless to do
so.
That is not freedom. That is undoubtedly
addiction and depression.
[snorts] Even more troubling is the
reality that many of these young
individuals have become numb to the
severity of their addiction. What should
be a wake-up call has instead become
their version of normal.
Furthermore, it's not just individual
students who are affected. This is a
public health emergency that touches
every single corner of our community.
Youth vaping is normalizing nicotine use
again, undoing decades of progress in
reducing tobacco addiction. It's putting
an unfair burden on those addicted who
are now forced to handle this
unfortunate circumstance. Also, it's
heartbreaking for families who worry
about their children's health and
future.
Mayor Fromer and everyone else who has
the ability and capacity to implement
change. We need decisive action now. We
need stronger safeguards that keep these
products out of students hands. We must
hold the companies behind them
accountable for deliberately targeting
youth with sweet flavors and flashy
branding that were clearly never meant
for adults. I don't want to see more
friends lose themselves to nicotine
addiction. I don't want our generation
defined by cravings instead of
creativity, withdrawal instead of
potential. We deserve the right to
breathe freely, to learn fully, and to
mature without being manipulated into a
lifelong struggle with addiction.
So today, I respectfully urge all of
you, please make this a priority. Work
in partnership with schools, families,
and with us, the students most directly
impacted to help bring this epidemic to
an end.
We are ready and willing to be part of
the solution. However, we need your
leadership to protect us, our peers, and
the generations yet to come. Thank you
for your time and your consideration.
>> You all are powerful.
>> These are your students. [laughter]
Amazing. And I just want to say we did
not help write a single one of those.
So, they did that all on their own. So,
I just want to really quickly um call
your attention to this paper that I left
up there for you. Um earlier this year,
we did tobacco assessments in all of the
retailers here in our township. Um we
went and visited 25 retailers. We have
um we do merchant education. We make
sure that they're aware of the law. Um
we point out all products that they're
selling that are illegal. Um, and we
urge them to come into compliance with
the law. Um, I mean, we're not enforcing
this. We're just educating them about
that. Um, you'll see out of the 25
stores that 40% of our stores are
selling illegal products. Um, so it's a
huge concern. You go into some of these
stores and they have Florida ceiling
flavored products that are all illegal.
Um,
>> so they're not even behind the counter
>> anymore. No. And I I'm not going to
point out the ones, but there are some
that are are huge offenders. You can
also go on the FDA site and see which
ones have been um they receive a warning
letter. And then the second offense,
they receive a small fine. It's about
$650.
Um and then the third fine is about
2,000. Um and and this is over the
course of about 3 years. Um, so often
you see after that warning letter or
after that $650 sign, they'll just
switch owners, switch the name a little
bit, um, so that they can continue, you
know, the practice. Um, so as the
students said, you know, we're just
concerned about enforcing the laws um,
that are on our books right now. Um,
there's additional things that we can
do. Um, and again, we're just here to
educate you. We can provide more
resources um, as needed and as the
students all said, they're ready and
willing to work with you. So, we really
appreciate your time and letting them
speak and I'm sure you got a lot out of
what they said. So,
>> I went back 40 years in time because
when I was this age, it was smoking. I
think for a lot of us up there, it was
smoking and my father-in-law died of
lung cancer. It's a horrible way to die.
Um
>> Yeah. And vaping is going to have other
issues.
>> Yeah. As they said, um the smoking
rates, you know, we saw those really
decline. when you're talking high
schoolers, we're at less than 1% that
are smoking regular cigarettes. So, it
is the vaping and now the the Zen and
the the pouches that we're seeing on the
rise. So, yeah.
>> Okay. Explain to me what a Zen
>> Okay. So,
>> sorry I don't send you more information
about this, but there's a new product um
that they just kind of um it's not new,
but it's uh the the most it's becoming
the highest raising product. um like
it's on the agenda for students now. Um
it's a small pouch. Um it's either made
of synthetic nicotine or nicotine salt
and you put here in your It's not true
though. You don't have to spit with it.
You dip it in your mouth for about 30
minutes. Um it can have as many as 20
milligrams of nicotine in one pouch. Um
so they're they're packing a lot of
nicotine into those. So it's something
that really needs to be on everybody's
radar.
I got a question. Have you gotten to our
state um legislators, the assemblymen
and the senator
with this to make the state, you know,
pay attention?
>> So, it's it's definitely on our radar.
Um and and we are tobaccof free is
statewide. So, we do um you know, talk
to the legislature about it. Um there is
the flavor law on the books. Um, but it
it passed in 2019 and we all know what
happened in 2019. So it it's something
that just has not been enforced really
well. Um, so we're kind of behind the,
you know, behind on if he's told no,
he's going to go to a Delaware or
somewhere else that tolerates it.
>> So our state needs to be a little
forceful
>> and making these establishments
understand that they can't be selling
this.
>> Yeah, I I agree 100%. Yeah, we have a
small tobacco enforcement program at the
state um and then there's one for the
federal also, but um the state one is
they only do a small percentage of the
stores. The stores know that you know
the possibility of getting the
inspection is very low. So
>> I wanted to say the same thing about
getting the state involved with
different legislation involved. But the
most important things were said about
the young people. You know, you could
take the cigarette out of a person's
hand or the vape out a person's hand,
but they still have an issue. They still
have an addiction. You could punish them
all you want. You go home, you go smoke
more, chew even more, do whatever you
more. So, coming up with a solution to
help instead of hurt. Come up with
solution for alternative methods of
getting rid of the vaping. You know, you
have a great group. You need to just put
them on the road. Y'all beautiful
[laughter] young people. You need to hit
the road and go
>> Jersey M and however far you can go. You
did a great job.
>> Actually, we could even do we can help
you with this. We can actually make a
connection with the senator of the
assembly people.
>> Be wonderful
>> because
>> you all sell it better than any
commercial ever.
>> Ever could have cuz what you were saying
and you witnessing it every day and
you're living it every day and I think
there's nobody better to speak about it
than the young people behind you
yourself. You're doing fabulous.
you know, they uh
>> you know, they do an outstanding job.
>> Yeah, they do. Um, we can provide sample
ordinances. There are some um towns that
have um just written an ordinance that
mirrors the state law, but then just
kind of gives it that local enforcement.
Um, there's some that have passed
licensing fees so that everyone that's
selling these products in their town,
um, you know, passes this licensing fee
and that licensing fee can pay for
someone to go in and do the local
inspections, not a license to sell it.
>> Um, no, it's just because
>> and the restrictions on vaping and all
the ancillary products, is that only
geared to under 18 years of age? Um,
they sell any of these products to
people over the age of 18 or 21?
>> So, it's 21. Um, and there's a flavor
law for everyone. Like, no flavor
products um baked products in New Jersey
can be sold.
>> Period.
>> They're everywhere. They're everywhere
in these stores. Not so much your big
name.
>> Yeah. There there are some that have
great programs. I'm not again I'm not
going to name stores but you know there
are ones that really aren't on are not
on our radar for selling the illegal
products.
>> Yeah. So you're exactly right like once
a student is addicted we also run groups
once
difficult thing to help them quit. So
where I want to come from is if we
remove the accessibility to these
products
having you know the some of these vapes
have video games on those aren't
regulated by the FDA. those are, you
know, legal products to be selling. So,
if these products weren't on the
shelves, our students wouldn't have as
much
products that are illegal to our
[clears throat] students to anybody to
our students.
>> Up to quick comments if I might, mayor.
Three suggestions actually. Um, I would
think the state legislatures is a good
place to start, but um,
the Food and Drug Administration is
really what would regulate this type of
substance. So, I would suggest making an
appointment with Congressman Vendrew.
Uh, I'm not sure what's in his capacity,
but I'm sure he would certainly be able
to find out through his extensive
network, whether it's authoring
legislation or encouraging enforcement,
finding funding for that enforcement.
That would be something. Um, second idea
that I tossing around, has anybody
approached the board of education with
the idea of a vape free school zone?
Something to that effect?
>> Uh, we have not. We were actually just
talking that they may be our next visit.
So, yeah.
>> So, along the same lines, if there is a
regulation such as a zone, in effect,
you have enforcement that goes with
that. It may not necessarily be the
ideal removal of the product, but you
can certainly make life difficult, you
know, making it accept anything at the
municipal level. If we're talking about
businesses that are playing funny
business, you know, with names [snorts]
because we don't have any type of
mercantile license for them, perhaps
that's something we need to look at
whether it's a small fee or not. Every
time that business comes in for a
merkantile application,
whether the fee is in effect or not, the
address would be registered already,
then you have the opportunity to verify
that that business has been there or
not, making life more difficult,
>> right?
>> Um, one last thing, Serenity was your
name. I I don't mean to pick on you.
This is absolutely constructive. Bear
with me.
>> Five or six times you said you were
afraid, and I don't think that's
accurate. as a person who was in your
position many many many years ago. You
are a very brave young woman to be here
to do what you just did. And I don't
think afraid is the right word.
>> If it is fear, that's exactly right.
Turn it into courage like you just did.
Okay? Whether it's this issue or another
one, keep up.
>> Thank you. Thank you all for listening
and taking the time. we'll be in touch
and then you can send me the sample
ordinances and what we can do here, you
know, and we can talk about things that
maybe we can do here in the township.
Um, I will absolutely reach out to our
legislators and uh tell them they need
to spend some time with you and listen
to what you all have to say because you
are the future and my goodness, if
you're the future, we're in good hands.
We are.
>> So, uh, [laughter]
>> but no, absolutely. Thank you so much
for coming in. Thanks for reaching out
and and bringing this to our attention.
>> And make sure young folks make sure you
follow up. Say, "We told you that two
weeks ago." [laughter]
>> Follow
you guys with the quick picture with
them.
>> Never mind.
>> You guys want to all like
>> I guess we're going to have to stand up.
I'm going to have to stand up.
Come on in.
>> Just don't cut me out.
>> You're not cut out. You're You're in
there,
>> Robin.
>> Thank you. Thank you so much.
>> And you all did outstanding.
>> Outstanding.
>> Public speaking is not the easiest thing
to do. And uh you all were outstanding.
>> Very good. testament to yourselves, your
family, and your school. So, yes, you
can all go if you want.
>> Thank you so much for coming in. Greatly
appreciate it.
>> Have a good year.
>> Have a great
educational.
That was educational.
[clears throat] Okay. Okay. So, we do
not have any ordinances for public
hearings this evening or in uh ordinance
introductions. We do have a resolution
in consent calendar through 481 through
and including
499. Do we have any questions? If not,
can I have a motion?
[clears throat]
>> Uh sir, it's not public comment time.
>> Are you going to accept public comment
on the resolution today?
>> We are, but it's an area in need of
redevelopment. We are, but it's it's
going to be after this.
>> I'll make a motion there.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
We have resolution 500 authorizing
payment of all bills. Can I have a
motion?
>> Moved. Sorry.
>> I'll second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Yes.
We have a supplemental agenda
numbers 5021 and 503 that we talked
about in the work session. Uh can I have
a motion, please?
>> So move second.
>> Uh roll call, please.
>> Yes.
>> We have some approvals to go through. We
have a motion to approve the October 1st
uh 2025 township committee meeting
minutes. Can I have a motion, please?
>> All in favor? I
>> I
>> everybody say I please. Thank you.
[laughter]
[gasps]
>> These mics are picking up more now. So
>> uh you know Bob [clears throat]
>> at the end go through everything.
>> I apologize. I looked down. I just saw
you and that you were supposed to go up
>> reports [clears throat] later. Reports
are later. Don't worry.
>> Okay. [laughter]
>> Can I have a motion to approve the
township committee close session minutes
of October 1st, 2025?
>> Motion.
>> All in favor?
>> I. Can I have a motion to approve the
departmental reports for the month of
September 2025?
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Okay. General public discussion, sir.
Come on up.
>> Can we just have your name for the
record?
>> Absolutely. Madame Mayor, members of the
committee, for the record, my name is
Kevin Moore with the firm of Stevens and
Lee, and I represent several of the Ourn
Drive neighbors to the redevelopment
area that you have been working on, and
we strongly oppose the designation of
that redevelopment area. I urge the
township committee not to follow the
flood recommendations of the planning
board and not designate block 9401 lot
1, block 9401, 9402 lot 1, and block
9603 lot 2 on your township tax map as
an area need of redevelopment. None of
these three lots taken together or
individually meet the criteria of the
local redevelopment and housing law to
be designated as an area in need of
redevelopment. First, with respect to
block 94 lot one, uh it does not meet
the criteria. The planning board
incorrectly founded property met the
criteria of an area in need of
redevelopment under uh criterion uh D of
the local redevelopment housing law.
However, it doesn't. Criterion D
requires that block 94 lot one have
buildings or improvements which by
reason of dilapidation, obsolescence,
overcrowding, faulty arrangement or
design,
lack of ventilation, light and sanitary
facilities, excessive land coverage,
delletterious land use or
[clears throat] obsolete layout or any
combination of these or other factors
are detrimental to the safety, health,
morals or welfare of the community. A
block 94 lot one consists of a gravel
parking lot and grass. Therefore, it
does not have buildings or improvements
that are dilapidated, obsolescent,
overcrowded, faulty arranged, faulty
designed, obsoletely laid out, or poorly
ventilated. Therefore, block 941 does
not have excessive land coverage or
delletterious land use. Further, the New
Jersey Supreme Court
in Malonga v Township of West Orange
requires that the condition of the
property must be detrimental to the
welfare of the community. No such
detriment exists with respect to block
94, lot one. First, Miss Jennifer Heler,
your planner, testified before the
planning board that the township uh
issued notices of violation for the
property in the early 2000s. However, on
being questioned by me, she conceded
that none of these violations that all
of these violations were cured and none
of them remain open. Uh, Miss Keller's
determination of need report also states
that the then owner of block 9401 lot
one received a notice of violation for
trailer parking on the property on June
22nd, 2023, over two years ago. That
violation again was promptly remedied
and there have been no violations since.
Finally, with respect to the criteria
determination of need report makes much
of the fact that the puditive
redevelopment area could be more
economically productive. However, the
superur Supreme Court in gallon vbor
tells us uh and has held that a property
being less than fully productive fails
to support a redevelopment area
designation. Similarly, in Malonga, the
Supreme Court held that uh proof that a
property is not used in an optimal
manner or could function better does not
serve the basis to make it a
redevelopment area designation. You
really got to have blight, which is what
it sounds like, something detrimental, a
bad condition. uh Miss Helers and then
with respect to block 942 lot one which
is the restaurant the determination of
route need report doesn't even attempt
to say that that is blighted it just
says it's necessary for the
redevelopment of the other two lots but
it's not even contiguous to those lots
and as uh my client's planner Mr.
can't testify before the board. You
can't just have a conclusary statement
that it's needed for the redevelopment
area. It has to be supported by
substantial evidence.
Finally, with respect to the Marsh block
9603 lot 2, uh it doesn't the criterion
that the planning board found and that
the planner urged was called criterion C
of the local redevelopment housing law.
And that criterion, and I'll read it, is
unimproved vacant land that has remained
so for a period of 10 years prior to the
adoption of the redevelopment
resolution. And that by reason of its
location,
remoteness, lack of means of access to
developed sections of the municipality
or topography or nature of the soil is
likely not to be developed by private
capital. However, block 603.2 to a but a
major thoroughare lawnport boulevard and
is immediately adjacent to the Oberurn
drive community. So it's it's not remote
and it does not like lack access to
developed portions of the community.
Similarly, it's flat. So topography is
not a basis for a redevelopment area
designation.
The determination of need report does
without any independent investigations
or tests certain soils of the property
are acidic. However, as my client's
planner, Mr. Ran Camp, pointed out at
the planning board's meeting on this
matter, the soils in the entire vicinity
are acidic and that is not pres that has
not prevented the development of my
clients from the area. Accordingly,
there's no basis for finding the
property cannot be developed uh with
private capital since private capital
developed all the other properties in
the area with acidic soils. Therefore,
none of the properties meet the
criterion to be designated in this area
in redevelopment and I urge that you
not. If I do not persuade you, I would
like to point out there is a flaw in the
resolution tonight, it author, in
addition to designating the property as
an area in need of redevelopment, it
also authorizes the planning board to
prepare a redevelopment plan. However,
because the property is in planning area
5, the redevelopment area designation is
not effective
until the DCA, the New Jersey Department
of Community Affairs, the commissioner
approves it. So, you really can't take
that action until you get DCA approval.
I thank you for listening to me and I
thank you for your time and again, I
urge you not to designate the area as
needed redevelopment.
>> Is there anyone else that would like to
address governing body?
A new system here, huh?
>> Look at that. Hey, I know what's going
on. [laughter]
>> 25 years in the
>> making. Tax dollars at work.
>> We held off as much as we could.
[clears throat]
Can we
>> to our Jennifer Bullski, uh, Tenno Burn
Drive, one of the objectors, um, members
of the township committee, I appreciate
having the opportunity to have a moment
for public comment this evening. Um, I
respectfully urge you to consider the
significant legal and procedural
implications of approving the
determination of need in the area in
need of redevelopment as it contains uh
the determination of need report
specifically contains a factual critical
inaccuracy. Uh, I agree with everything
Kevin said. Um but the determination of
need report asserts
that the Dagot um excuse me asserts that
the Daget property now successor Jetty
Bar LLC Scarboro has frontage along Ourn
Drive. Yet the 2008 Superior Court
judgment expressly determined that Ourn
Drive is a 40 foot dedicated public
right of way extending to the bulkhead
where uh the I'm sorry where the
bulkhead directly touches the lagoon and
that Mr. Daget now successor Jetty Barar
Scarboro held no ownership interest in
any land east of that point. Approving a
redevelopment designation based on
information that contradicts binding
court judgment could expose the township
to serious challenges. uh judicial
review of the resolution, injunctions re
of the re halting the redevelopment
activities um and findings that the
committee acted belong beyond its lawful
authority. My intent is not adversarial
but protected
both the public's rights and the
township's legal standing. I would like
the opportunity to read specific quotes
from the DO determination of need report
to demonstrate using direct language
from the 2008 judgment how those
statements are factually and legally
inconsistent. Taking a moment to verify
the accuracy of this record before
voting will protect the township and
ensure that its actions remain
consistent with the established law. May
I have a moment to do that?
Yes, but I'm going to tell you this.
We're not a a legal body to rule on this
here. We're just voting on the area in
need of redevelopment. Mr. Freeman, if
you think I need to be clear on
something, please let me know because
>> we procedurally, however this goes
through, one way or the other, we want
to make sure everything is done right.
>> Yep.
>> And that you have ample opportunity,
which we've had some I've
>> been together with the planning board.
So, uh, you know, you guys have a lot of
information to bring to when this if and
when this comes to fruition in regards
to a planning board application, but
you're voting on the determination of
need report, right? And its accuracy and
and and the legitimate voting whether we
believe that this area is an area based
on the determination of need report.
>> Yes. Based on
report has flawed, correct? has a flawed
a critical flaw from a 2008 judgment
based on property that is essentially
affects the Ourn Drive residence.
>> May I allow the speaker to make her
point?
>> Absolutely. Go ahead. Um on page four of
the determination of need report, it
explicitly says block 9603 lot 2 known
as 155 Longor Boulevard has a lot area
of 242.41
41 acres and has frontage along
Longport, Summers Point Boulevard and
Oburn Drive. This site has an upland
portion which is which is adjacent to
lot one in block 942, lot two in block
9603 is bounded by Longord Summers Point
Boulevard to the north, Marsland to the
east, Grey Egg Harbor Bay to the south,
and single family dwellings on Ourn
Drive to the west. Similarly, on page
11, uh it states the same the same um
the same statement.
I'd like to go into the 2008 judgment
quickly
to highlight
that
on July 6th, 1959, this is page three of
the findings of fact, the Egg Harbor
Township Committee adopted resolution
number 130, which approved the
subdivision of a portion of Ourn's
property creating 29 lots pursuant to a
plan prepared by the township
[clears throat] engineer James M.
Monahan Jr. dated June 27th, 1959
entitled Anchorage Point here and after
the Monahan plan. The Monahan plan
delineates a right of way along the
eastern margin of the property adjacent
to the lagoon.
The physical development of the land
depicted in the Monahade plan since 1959
has been consistent with that plan. All
improvements made to date and all
subsequent acts by Ourn successors in
title and/or the township have been
based on the Monahan plan including the
creation of a 30 foot wide public street
within the right of way known as Ourn
Drive shown on the unfiled plan approved
via resolution 130. Note the bulkhead
such as existent portions remain. It is
in a it is in a in a state of dis of
disrepair. Apparently, no one accepts
responsibility for its maintenance as
used herein. The terms O burn drive and
right of way are not co-terminus.
Obern drive refers to the improved
portion of the right of way of varying
widths approximately 30 feet which
provides vehicular access to Anchorage
Point. The right of way refers to that
portion of the Anchorage Point
subdivision to it. a 40 foot wide strip
of land separating at the time the 2008
plaintiffs uh lands from the water.
During the past 50 years, there's been
contentions and dispute between the
Anchorage Point owners in Egg Harbor
Township. There have apparently been
questions regarding maintenance of the
paved portion of Govern Drive,
maintenance of the bulkhead separating
the lagoon from the right away. So
there's the bulkhead, there's the
lagoon, then there's the right of way a
budding up until my home burn drive and
all the other homes on on Ourn Drive. Uh
couple paragraphs down the Egg Harbor
tax map, township tax map between 1962
and 1993 correspond to the Monahan plan.
Ourn drive was shown on the tax map as a
40 40 foot wide right away.
A couple just a few more notations and
the judgment I think are important.
[clears throat]
Based on the court's onsite inspection,
it's apparent that high tide at
Anchorage Point can result in tidal
waters overflowing Oberurn Drive.
Precisely where the mean high water line
is situated is a question to be answered
by the TRC. It's the title resource
council for anybody who doesn't know the
acronym. Common sense would appear to
decree that there can be no uplands
between the title waters and the right
of way. Nevertheless, the court leaves
final determination of that to the TRC.
I haven't been able to find any
documentation from the TRC indicating
that other than the right of way there's
any other planned page seven of that
decision
of particular oops sorry
page I'm sorry page this is 12
[snorts] uh whether dedicated and
accepted or not by the township ship
Ourn Drive exists. It is there on the
ground as a public street and under New
Jersey law it's a marginal road. It is
long been the law of New Jersey that a
municipality has no ownership in the bed
of streets. Traditionally the
presumption has been that the title one
half the right of way lies in the abuing
property owner subject to whatever
public rightway or easement may exist.
Here the only land adjoining the
rightway have any right of ownership in
it are the plaintiffs. Um, I was not
part of the plaintiff, but they are
exactly located similarly on Oburn Drive
as I am on the same side of the road.
Page 13.
Dagot and successors, I added the
pardon,
trying to be very specific, [laughter]
has no ownership interests in any
portion of the right away and Ourn
Drive. Only the upland owners can apply
to the TRC for a riparian grant. Despite
the township's protest, to the contrary,
the rightaway was dedicated and accepted
by the township as a 40 foot um wide
marginal road.
Another page 14. The core has found the
deck. It does not own no burn drive nor
any portion of the rightway. [laughter]
Um just make sure I got all my points
here.
Okay. Um, I'll end with that. Um, from
my research, I don't believe there's
been any vacation of the rightway. Um,
and last but not least, I would like to
I mean, I do have some photos just
indicating and showing where the
bulkhead meets the lagoon and then it
abuts up to our 40ft right ofway. Um I
think it's very critical for this
township to understand that um
designating this portion um of you know
Ourn Drive as an area need of
redevelopment would be improper because
in the determination deed report it's
inaccurate that this is part of uh that
designation because it's not owned by
that person. So um it's very clear
within that judgment. Um, and I also
would like to point out that um, the
bulkhead along Ourn Drive, I believe in
the determination blue report, a lot of
printer paper here. I've got I can't
remember what page it is. I can always
get you the exact page. It's at the very
end. Um, but I believe Jen Heler put
[laughter] a picture in saying uh, this
is the bulkhead [clears throat] along
Ourn Drive and it's a bunch of rocks.
That is not the bulkhead. I believe that
was Township Rip Wrap that Aramac Paving
did. I have videos of the paving
company. Um, and I can always, you know,
show in the future, but essentially this
is Ourn Drive. This is the rest of the
right away. And then here you can see
that's the bulkhead and then the lagoon.
So there's no other land um that anybody
else could own other than the residents
of Burn Drive within that 40 foot right
away. um some other pictures too that
you you know got plenty. Do
>> you want me to take those?
>> Yeah, I think it would be helpful if you
you took that and um I don't know if you
need the
judgment.
>> We have all that.
>> We have all the records that planning
board had.
>> Thank you for your time. I really
appreciate it and I hope you guys make
the right decision.
Is there anyone else that would like to
address governoring body?
>> Come on down. Just give us your name for
the record, please.
>> Uh, good evening. Thank you again for
the opportunity to speak in front of you
today. I appreciate your time um and
your consideration. So, I am my name is
Jennifer Kerwin. I am I live at 14 Ourn
Drive. I'm one of the Ourn objectors.
So, I just wanted to um respectfully
urge you to vote no to the proposed
redevelopment designation for lot black
904 lot one 904
sorry 941 lot one black lot one 402 lot
lat two one I'm sorry
[laughter]
appreciate it we all agree okay um we
asked the township to consider the
evidence provided by our council as well
as um in the previous planning committee
provided by our residents and the
feedback we clearly shows that these
lots do not meet the criteria for
designation as an area of need and is
unsupported by substantial credible
evidence as our our council mentioned
that you know from living there and
being there and purchasing the house in
2020. The area in Anchorage Point and
the lots in question are beautiful. The
the lot the 9603 lot to the marshland is
a beautiful pristine area. Our
neighborhood is a quiet, peaceful
neighborhood where our kids play freely.
Our property value continues to rise. We
have new construction within our area.
The area is not bled. I would never
consider it concerned or dangerous for
my children. We walk around the
neighborhood at night and and the
buildings itself currently that are
there. The structures do not meet the
criteria. Um so we implore you, you
know, the making this designation.
I just want you to take into
consideration that Anchorage Point
neighborhood is a peaceful,
well-maintained community, as I
mentioned, where the kids play freely.
Um, the residents of Anchorage Point
consistently fought to protect this
area. As we mentioned in the 2008 court
judgment, we especially regarding the
potential of the plans that we've seen
for a marina. It will completely do the
opposite. It will actually detriment our
neighborhood. It will decrease the
safety. We will have transient
individuals very close to our property.
We will have large
machinery like boats close very close to
our property where if there is any
weather that it could jeopardize the
structures of our homes. So I implore
you to please vote no to this red
designation redevelopment designation.
Our neighborhood is very quiet and
beautiful and peaceful and safe and as I
meant not blatant. So thank you for your
time. I appreciate it.
>> Um do you want I'm going to take the
picture and give the rest of this back
to you. There's like some notes for
yourself in there. You might want to
keep those. Okay, we'll just keep this
picture if you don't mind with the
others.
>> Is there anyone else?
>> Is there anyone else that would like to
address the governing body?
[clears throat]
>> Can I make a suggestion? I'm not sure
how many of you would like to speak. If
you'd like to speak, why don't you come
on down to the first row?
Good evening,
>> sir. You're there. So, [laughter] can we
have your name for the record? And then
>> My name is Greg Basil. I live at 29
Point Drive. I'm the furthest out house
on the point. I've lived there since
1963.
I don't know if any of you have ever
been there, been around that block, but
most of us know who comes and goes in
our block. It's that tight-knit of a
community. Now, this all started a long
time ago when Mrs. O'Burn didn't pay her
taxes. She didn't pay her taxes on that
property. And that bulkhead
from 9403 or whatever the property
number is right behind the uh the uh
barbecue at this point in time all the
way around to the lagoon on the Point
Drive side. The township owned that on
back Texas. The township owned a lagoon
on Point Drive on Back Texas. They
wanted to get rid of it. When the people
on Anchorage Point complained about the
bulkhead in front of my property all the
way around Ober Drive [clears throat]
not being repaired, not being taken care
of, not there was nothing done. They
came and dr dumped rip wrap back in
probably about 19 in early 70s. The DP
stopped them. They stopped the AR
township. The rip wrap came from Ventner
sidewalks.
So that's how I know I know what's going
on there to a pretty good portion of
what's going on. So that all stayed
there. Nothing was ever done.
Then we have Daget. Daget claimed that
he owned from Pancini's property, which
is I I I apologize. I don't know the lot
number on there, but that's I call it
the casino. There's a big house on the
corner that goes around. He claimed he
owned all that, but he really didn't. So
consequently,
several of us, about five families, six
families got in a lawsuit. I was named
as a third party defendant, had to
defend my doc, which was the first
licensed doc in the Atlanta County.
So I am drugg into a lawsuit. So we
ended up with a judgment by John Judge
Johnson which has been already spoken
about
and now we have a situation where Dagot
and and Judge Johnson actually made
reference to the fact about Daget
going ahead and putting in declaring a
private lagoon which he did. I knew that
was going to happen because the
gentleman from the from the federal
government that wrote up the report
which I have on that initial prop
initial proposal
had said that to me. So there was none
of us coming here and saying to the
township committee well we don't like
it. It was a done deal. So he got that
approved.
35 boat slips. The original boat slips
were 111. He had boat slips next to my
dock. He had two 40ft boat slips. He had
dumpsters on the street. He had clean
out stations called down on Burn Drive.
And the township sat here with planning
board and passed
without any consideration to anybody on
Ourn Drive or Point Drive or anywhere on
that peninsula. Now we're back in the
same situation. Now, we have a
restaurant, a so-called restaurant,
which was Mrs. Ourn's ice cream place
turned into a a I believe it was
something before that,
some type of barbecue or whatever. But
then it was a Japanese restaurant
>> and and the Japanese lady was a nice
lady. Well, let me tell you something.
Mr. Daget, Mr. Mr. Daggy gave that lady
a breakdown. He would bug the crap out
of here every day to sell that property.
I know this because two doors, three
doors up from me, Daget's father bought
the house and Dagot was on that lady who
had the right to stay there under the
lease agreement with the original with
the owner that sold it. I I never was in
in tomatoes one day. She came, oh Basil.
Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, I'm the lady
that lived up the street. And she told
me the story. That's all here or there.
The whole problem that I say to you is
as I said before the planning board the
last time is the traffic. Now you're
going to put all these people into this
area. Cars
now we're already dealing with a
restaurant that's sort of there. The
Back Bay Barbecue kind of handles
everything. We really don't get that
much problem with that situation. But
now you're going to put a marina,
so-called marina with 72 or however many
boat strips on Ourn Drive.
Imagine that. You live on Ourn Drive and
now you have 72 boat strips on your
street.
Where do the people park? Oh,
[clears throat] well, we're going to
park over in the space that's allotted
across from the barbecue. Well, original
plans on the original thing, he was
short of parking spaces. Dagot was short
of parking spaces. So, what did the
township do? The township gave him 27
parking spaces on Ourn Drive. And they
were going to what? Give stickers out to
the people so they had their boats that
could park on Leurn Drive. That's this
is the truth. You go back and look at
it. That's what happened. Now, you come
back to the same thing. How this is not
launch drive you know launch avenue
right there as you go over the bridge
from Carolines you're right on the right
hand side there's boat strips and
there's [clears throat] the same
scenario that's going to be proposed for
Oone Drive this is not C view harbor
they have parking under undercover in CV
Harbor where they walk how far do they
have to walk some of them have to walk
150 yards to get to their boat
what's going to happen here. That's what
you have to ask yourself. What's going
to happen here? And what kind of traffic
is going to be imposed on this
neighborhood?
>> Excuse me. New mics.
This is just discussing an area in need.
I'm going to tell you that when if and
when we get to the next step, if and
when it's then we don't have a plan in
front of us. We have a a hypothetical
that has been floated. I think you guys
all have the plans that have been
>> I think he had to submit plans to the D
or someone. So, I know they're out
there. I'll be person I did not look at
them intentionally because as you go
through processes,
>> you have to
>> it's step by step. I hear your what
you're saying especially about the
parking. I think we all do. Um, but
we're not even remotely there yet.
>> It's something that that I would uh
implore you all to just take a ride out
to Anchorage Point. It's a little point.
It's called Anchorage Point for one
reason and because the sailing ships
could not get into Summers Point and
they docked off of Anchorage Point,
unloaded their stuff and took it to
Summers Point. So, I mean, that's why
it's called that. But it's it is a
unique community.
>> It is
>> and that's what we want to keep a unique
community, you know. I mean, I could
understand wanting to do that, but it's
just really not. It just doesn't cut it.
>> Doesn't cut the mustard for the people
that live on a burn drive, nor are the
people that live in that whole
neighborhood because they're going to be
inundated with cars.
So, thank you for your time and
listening to me and I would sincerely
hope that you look at this with the the
uh
>> I didn't know why it was called
Anchorage Point.
>> I had no idea why it was called Anchor.
>> People have been out there since ' 61.
You said
>> 63.
>> 63 on the point.
>> On the point.
>> Okay.
>> We have brought that that the uh Kelly's
real quick. The Kelly's owned the house
before us. Vander owned the house across
the street and that lady was meticulous.
Al Stirts there. Al Stirts lived next
door to us.
>> Okay. Yeah, Al Spur was a very good
friend. Him and Ed, they were very good
friends of ours. Now, you look familiar,
but I you know, I don't want to tell you
picture it post office. Yeah, I
[laughter]
>> I'll be honest. He's a police officer in
Summers Point over there.
>> Yeah, I know probably better than
everybody else.
>> And it's a community. If you went back
and looked at it, there's no crime.
>> Remember when the road was 4 foot lower?
>> Yeah. You know, I did I I wanted to say
something about that, but I apologize. I
didn't get to it, and I don't know if
it's You know what? After the storm,
>> Peter Miller was out in front of my
house and they're cutting the road down.
I said, "What? What are you doing?"
"We're cutting the road down one foot."
I said, "What?" "We're cutting the road
down one foot. It'll make a train faster
cuz we're putting in these $20,000
special pens on the pipes like a clapper
valve.
>> I call clapper valve, but it's really
not. It's Well, guess what? It floods
immediately now.
>> How'd you make out over the weekend?
>> Well, you know, I had probably four
inches of water around the house twice.
Um,
>> too tight. Sandy, I stayed in the house
during the storm. I mean, they told me,
"You know, you better we're not coming
out to get you." And I said, "Well,
look, I got I got two lifeboats out
here. I'll just roll away." And plus, I
surf in Hawaii, so I don't give a damn.
So, I mean, so, but it it was it was the
storm. Sandy was definitely the crazy
storm that because the the eye of the
storm went over Ventner and we were at
the bottom of the eye and two hours in 2
three hours into high tide the the tide
the wind switched to the south at about
7:20 and within four within 20 minutes
there was 440 water around the house. So
that was a little scary.
>> That was scary.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you sir.
>> Sir come on up. What's your name for the
record, please?
>> Uh, John Gresco from 120 Burn Drive. Um,
I guess just to your point a second ago,
it's I mean, I can't speak for how real
feels, but I feel that, you know, this
thing's moving down and it's gaining
speed and it's going to be harder to
impact any decisions down the road. And
everybody just keeps telling us this
isn't the right time, this isn't the
right time, wait. But by the time it's
there, people, the investor, the the
person's building has already put money
down and all that. Like, it's going to
get harder and harder to do the right
thing. I'm an IT person, been very lucky
and done well in it. I'm not a real
estate person. I'm not a lawyer. Um, and
it amazes me with the information that
these great people have pulled together,
it's obvious that there's a lot wrong
here. So, I hope you can at least
promise that you will follow the rules
and research it and not jam this thing
through like it feels like it has been.
I mean, I think I felt disrespected at
the planning meeting, especially the
first two and we had to keep pushing.
They had to keep coming back and stuff.
So, I hope you listen and look at it. My
biggest concern is um you know my wife
and I grew up in uh Pennsylvania, but we
we have wonderful memories at the Jersey
Shore as everybody in the tri-state area
probably does. Um [clears throat] as our
kids got older um started college, we
decided that we wanted to give our kids
those same memories. Um so we've been in
this area for 13 14 years now. We were
originally in Ocean City. Um great there
beach boardwalk everything. We still go
over and do that. Um, luckily I'm
blessed that my daughter has had six
grandkid six kids. So I have six
grandkids. My son now has one and um,
you know, God willing, we're going to
have another one by next year. And this
is where we bring the family. And what's
great about it, especially with all the
things you hear about and the things is
the neighborhood, we can let them go
out, right? They can the the boys can go
walk around and look at crabs and do
this. We're not worried about stuff. Um,
they can go out on right out in front.
They can grab a a paddle board gourd, a
kayak or whatever, go out in the front.
We keep an eye on them, but we're
comfortable that they're safe there in
that. They can walk around the corner to
the bulkhead and on the other road on
Point Drive and and get um go crabbing
and stuff. Um we can go to the beach, we
can go to the boardwalk, like it's just
perfect. They're not you have you
[clears throat] can manage two, but how
often do we sit there and say, "Oh,
shoot. I got to get this work done." We
hand our kid a phone to watch a video
about, especially when they're little
and stuff, right? Well, we don't have to
do that. We don't have to do the video
games. We don't have to do the TV.
There's enough stuff for this happen. I
can, you know, as they said, imagine.
And again, we they we we were mailed
certified the plan. So, whyever they're
here, they're there. That's the plans.
Um I can't remember how many docks are
there. 107 on [clears throat] the thing.
There will be uh 16 boats and right in
front where I am. the kids aren't going
to be able to do anything out there.
They're not going to be able to play
pickle ball on the road. They're not
going to be able to do anything. Um, and
I hope you take that into consideration.
Um, I know somebody in one of the
planning meetings said, you know, we're
not going to hurt you. Well, there's
ways to hurt us, right? Obviously, we
can all look at it. A marina comes in
with a restaurant and stuff, property
values are most likely going to go up,
but it's also going to increase taxes
that may hurt some of the residents,
right? We don't want to do that and
force them out because of that. for
myself. It just doesn't a place I can
bring my kids anymore. I have to find
another location or whatever. It's not
going to be the same. So, it's not just
property values. It's the character of
the neighborhood and things that many of
these people expressed and why we choose
to live here and why we enjoy living
here. If my daughter didn't have the six
and we didn't have to help her, she's
she works, her husband works, so we have
to be there, we'd already be full-time
down here. Now, we're almost there. And
our goal was in the next couple years
that this would be where we are and the
kids would come to us and stuff, but
this is really putting a big impact into
that. So,
>> thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Is there anyone else that would like to
address governing body?
Good evening. The devil's living 24
Point Drive. Rumor has it that you guys
are off in a 30-year tax abatement to
scar bro to build this. Is that true?
>> We haven't. I'll be honest with you.
This
>> But that was part of the plan.
>> We haven't gone into We haven't gotten
an official plan yet. So, the answer is
no to that.
>> Okay. Well,
>> there's a lot of
>> You guys just took care of the budget
the 24th and you just had what $2.6 6
million increase you proposed on the
budget. I think that was September 24th.
So if you don't tax them for 30 years,
every year you guys come short up on the
budget, but now you have an opportunity
to tax it. They are going to build it,
but you're going to let it go. So who's
going to pick up that shortcoming from
your taxes?
>> It's going to be us.
>> I don't know what I'll be honest with
you.
>> There's supposed to be a 30-year tax.
>> There's nothing right. There's nothing.
We can't. There's hypotheticals. You can
put them out there, but they're
>> well, with any with any commercial
development, there's always
opportunities for pilots, and that is
true.
>> But what benefit does that benefit you?
It's not going to bring anything to EHC.
It's just going to they're going to
raise the tax. This isn't We haven't
even discussed a pilot with them. We
haven't even gotten the [clears throat]
only way a pilot would be discussed is
if this plan,
>> what I'm saying now, this turned into a
no burn drive problem. Then it turned
into an Anchorage Point problem. Then if
you're going to offer tax payments, it's
going to turn to an Aar Township
problem. And that means all you people
that are up for election, we're going to
have to answer that when you get to
raise the budgets. So that's something
you have to think about. As far as
parking over there, it's going to be
horrible. You're not going to be able to
get a golf cart through there. It's
going to be horrible to get through
there. They said there was a marina
there before. There was never a marina
there. I've been there since 1974.
There's never been a marina there. There
was some clown renting a handful of uh
kayaks and you guys are saying that's a
marina there. There was never a marina
there. This thing is a bad idea. Very
bad idea. Bad for a neighbor. You're
killing our neighbor and you're going to
tax everybody out out of where they
lived. Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir. Thank you. Is there
anyone else?
Mr. McGleni, come on.
[laughter]
>> Come on up, Mr. Mlin. [gasps]
>> First, I wanted to thank the committee
uh on behalf of the community for the
brick quarter along C view did a great
job. It was a lot more than we expected
was going to be done and it works. Yeah.
>> Fantastic.
>> It's high in them, too. So I think you
don't it would even work with SAI thing
except it would have went around it
probably. Anyway, great job. Thank you.
Um any update on the CRS because I know
that the ex the filing deadline I
believe was September the 1st.
>> From what I understand, Bob, you have
that right? [clears throat]
>> Um we are working with uh Pat Nash to
gather some more information. He told
myself and the president the other day
that he's out of
>> he is the certified manager for the
township. So he is very involved.
>> Yeah.
>> I don't know why he got it. So
>> we're working and we're trying to get it
out before the end of the year. I know.
>> Is it accurate that the deadline for
filing 26 was September the 1st?
>> I'm not I'm not positive on that. I'd
have to check.
>> But that's what I understand. And the
filing deadline was September 1st 426.
>> 426. Okay.
>> Right.
>> It I probably we probably wouldn't have
been able to get it all approved before
the end of the year even if we did file
it. So I don't think you would have been
on there for 26 no matter what.
>> Chances are it wasn't going to get
approved. We we weren't going to be
getting the reduction in 26,
>> right?
>> Hopefully
>> 27.
>> You'll have it for 27.
>> Yeah.
>> Thank you. Yeah, I just wanted to get an
update because I got some bid
information. So,
>> and we'll make sure that we find out so
next meeting where we stand. I can tell
you.
>> Yeah, no problem. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Anyone else like to address governing
body?
>> Say none. Can I have a motion to close
the public portion?
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I
have to apologize. I skipped talk. You
were going to come up early, but
>> No, it's okay.
>> Kids were too good.
>> I did [clears throat] submit to
everybody. We have a copy of the hot
topics for the projects going on in the
township. Um just briefly
um as resident said in C Harbor that
wall was completed um last week. There's
some concrete curving that needs to be
finished out there and some uh
landscaping. Uh we are going to be
trying to push the contract near the
road program to start schoolhouse lane,
Ria Avenue, and Pine Avenue hopefully
the week of um teacher convention where
the schools are closed so those roads
can be like shut down, less traffic,
less concerns um and the buses are
trying to get through. So hopefully I'll
know that by um the beginning of next
week on the schedule of that. And
obviously there is other remaining
roads. um West Jersey uh Avenue phase 2
from the mall to Spruce Avenue. They're
going to be starting some storm pipe on
Monday uh the latest could be Friday and
then probably be uh again we told uh
that contractor there as well that the
week of no first week of November to
maybe do that as well. So, um maybe
everybody should just go on vacation
then and we'll get everything done back
for as we paid. Uh Vets Park hockey rink
is completed.
>> Uh they do have the new uh or redid the
boards and I think the decking is back
up. Uh Robert Best Road uh phase
two was uh completely paved. We are
waiting for striping. Uh, I hope to have
that in by next week. I'm sorry.
>> The striping would be done.
>> Did you see it was done? I wasn't out
there the last two days, but
>> So, if that's complete, I that's good.
Um, we did talk about Oval Avenue, Child
Park. That is complete. Fencing and um
the dugouts there. We did go over budget
by a little bit uh due to some extra
painting and upgrades on the benches. Uh
that'll be on for the next agenda for
paint final payment. Um
touch base with everything else. There's
the I didn't want to go through all the
commercial and um residential projects
going on, but if you have any questions,
you can ask me now or
>> Could you just give the public a quick
update on uh Spencer GIFs?
>> Spencer Spencer GIFs is I would say 99%
complete. Uh they
have some minor punchless items, but
everything is they're completely
operational and their landscaping uh has
been installed. It looks really, you
know, beautiful out there if anybody's
driven by. Um I don't know if they're
having a ribbon cutting um
if they Yeah.
Um but yeah that that project was uh you
know has definitely a great project.
>> It looks good.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean for it's a corporate headquarters
right here in Egypt. Everybody fights
for corporate [clears throat]
headquarters. Spencer or Halloween store
whatever you want to call them is here
>> and I think they want to make more up
there. There's a they did they did a
very unique um design in the rear of the
building which you know public really
shouldn't be driving right there but if
the council wants to drive back there
it's like a a big amphitheater walkway
>> um really yeah a lot of money was spent
back there
>> um and just for everybody the U-Haul
building the big white building um will
be getting a lot of attention
>> it will be getting retrofitted or or
finished out there that it won't look
like a white barn it will be um
aesthetically pleasing. Um they will be
coming back in front of the planning
board uh to give the update with the
what that's going to look like as well.
So it is not done.
>> Yep.
>> Going to make a few people happy. Yeah.
And I do think we need to look at
>> um
>> changing a little bit based on the
height of a building.
>> Yeah.
>> Off a roadway.
>> I think Yeah. Yeah, I think
>> we were going to try to get a uh a
development committee meeting uh to go
over some new [clears throat] standards
on that.
>> I think we need that. So, that'll be
good.
>> Great.
>> Anything else you like to add?
>> On Pine Avenue at 2500, does that take
you to the intersection of Dogwood?
>> Uh yes, it's it's actually from Dogwood
um 2500 ft
>> south or west to Ocean Heights
>> towards Ocean Heights.
>> Is that complete that whole section? Uh,
absolutely not.
>> That's about a mile.
>> I want to get on the other end.
>> Yeah. So, we're going to do 2500 this
year on that side. We're going to jump
back over next year. Do
>> the potholes, but I'd like him to go and
then he don't have to worry about them.
>> Don't want to talk about potholes.
Great.
>> Sure.
>> Okay,
>> that's it. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
>> Chief. Would you like to give us an
update on the storm?
I would like you to give us an update on
this tour.
>> Good evening.
[cough]
[clears throat]
>> So, the storm passed.
>> Good. Um
now so we um if many don't know that the
lieutenant governor declared a state an
emergency that took effect on sat this
past Saturday evening. Um but prior to
that we had already started um putting
uh measures in place by notifying our
prone flood areas specifically the West
Atlantic City section and the motel
owners were delivered uh bulletins to
instruct them to find uh alternate
arrangements for their first floor
tenants especially the three motel that
flood prone to flooding. Um then on
Sunday morning we sent officers out to
make in-person visits to again warn them
to displace those por tenants to other
um to make arrangements to get them out.
And so once the
on especially the tide that we had on
Monday
um that we had anywhere from 3 to 4 foot
of uh tidal water and uh it impacted the
three motel specifically the travel in
where we subsequently had to have the
volunteer fire company come out and
rescue them. Um, the reason I bring this
up is it's this is a decade more than a
decade of uh rinse repeat. Um, it
shouldn't be happening. The motel owners
need to bear some responsibility for
their tenants. Um, our volunteer
firefighters and EMS personnel and our
police department. Um, we shouldn't be
exposed. We have enough hazards to deal
with in storms such as these. And this
is one where time and time again we're
dealing with the same hazard and it can
be prevented. So, as you've seen, uh,
Acue weather just happened to be out
there and as the emergency manager, I
was out there as well helping, uh, with
with the conditions and assisting
patrol.
And so, with ACU weather asked for, you
know, if I wanted to be interviewed and
uh, I was in a little bit of frustrated
moment and uh, so I said, "Sure, I'll be
interviewed." Um, but it is it's
frustrating. I think it's frustrating to
see again to deal with the same problem
over and over and over again. Um there
needs to be accountability and and and I
guess without experiencing it firsthand
many times. Um the unfortunate part is
the people that occupy these rooms. Um
no person should have to live in those
conditions. And what I mean by that is
um no matter I don't really no matter
what their circumstance for why they're
um in a motel room whether it's for
short you know short-term or long-term I
don't want to get into that but they
obviously are of limited means probably
below the poverty level and um for the
motel to
I mean we rescued five people from the
room
with three four foot of water still in
the room basically in room and they're
up on the bed or up on a stool avoiding
the water and waiting for it to subside.
And like I said, this is this isn't um
this isn't new. This has been occurring
year after year. Needs to stop. Um
and so the people that we rescued,
we were able to turn some over to, you
know, family members or or friends and
get them out of the area, but there were
a couple that had to remain remain back.
to listen to their story of why they had
to stay back. It's just very
unfortunate. And they were just waiting
for the flood water to subh subside so
they could go back into to their water
soaked room. Um, [cough] I have a lot of
[clears throat] concerns about that. As
as we've talked about, any one of us,
we're if our houses get flooded, broken
pipes, things like that, there's water
damage, sheetrock, flooring, um,
your the mattresses, um, what do we do?
We call the insurance company in and we
repair it and we mitigate and um get rid
get new mattresses and flooring and
sheetrock and I would challenge any of
these motel owners for over the last 10
years show receipts that you've done
that there's we're we're just allowing
these people of limited means to re you
know reoccupy these rooms that are
obviously going to have health there's
going to be there's got to be health
issues with those rooms.
So, um, I know I'm longwinded on this
topic, but I guess I just decided to
raise a little bit of awareness that we
need to especially treat some of our
less fortunate better. Uh, they don't
deserve the to to be in the conditions
that they are in. and their motel
owners, the people that are receiving
their funds, some of, you know,
basically their only funds bear that
responsibility to making sure they're
protected in times like uh like the
storm. So,
>> I can tell you this, we've reached out
to the county. We've talked to uh some
of our legislators to see what the state
can do, what the county can do, and um
you know, the law guides what we all can
do. So, that's what we're trying to
figure out what we can do. And I
understand that and we did this probably
about a year ago too. Uh when we again
rinse repeat we're we're back here
again. Uh we did reach out to the county
and it and and that's the frustrating
part. Everyone's pointing fingers. Board
of health. That's not my problem. That's
the state. Well, you talk to your
municipality. The municipality that's
the board of health and um
>> we can put them all in the same room. We
all get in the same room. Maybe we can
come up with something. I'm sure this
problem isn't isn't solely just
township. I I know that it's happening
in a lot of these similar areas and
similar towns. Um and I know at Seekin's
dealing with it. They have other
counties displacing some of their people
to their motel rooms which I know we
have the same problem as well, but not
as extreme that epic experiencing. So,
[snorts]
>> can I change the subject a little bit?
>> Sure. But what did you think of what the
young children or the young adults did
tonight?
>> I think it was fantastic. And I Kim
didn't fail to mention that we kind of
have a partnership with them. We we do
partnership with Atlantic Prevention
Resources for their mental health um
their you know um alcohol abuse and uh
substance abuse stuff. And so we have
engaged with them and our detective
bureau has actually gone out on some of
the leads uh when we've found some
merchants in town selling um um THC type
products. Now that's one of the things I
was going to mention and we can we can
uh connect with Kim if there's a if she
can give us the uh the merchants that
are selling the illegal products and if
we can site them we we will.
>> She's got a list. So,
>> so
>> if we could cite them, I don't think we
we don't have a change of ordinance yet
on vapes.
>> I I don't believe we do either, but
certainly if there's illegal activity
that they're selling, illegal
merchandise and something be done about
it, I would suggest that we contact her
to provide us with a list of all the
businesses. she uh did their assessment
and then perhaps just generate a letter
to all of them saying this is what the
law is and we intend upon doing periodic
checks. We expect that you're going to
be complying with the law otherwise
there's problems [clears throat] faced.
>> I'll talk to her and uh reconnect her
with Sergeant Fair Detective Sergeant
Fair because again we have done some
programming and um enforcement efforts
on other projects with her. That's good.
That's good to know.
>> I know you had three long days. We thank
you for your service.
My pleasure. That's what I'm here for.
>> Directing traffic.
>> I was doing a lot of things, but um uh
well, on that same note, I do I have to
give all credit to our volunteer fire
companies, and I made sure to um give
them kudos to the media. Um, again,
without them, we'd be in a world of
trouble out there because then the
police department would be taking up
those roles. Um, and we're certainly not
trained in high water rescue. Um, and I
know that some people look at some of
the videos and think, what's the big
deal? It's 3T of water. It's 4 foot of
water. Well, there's electrical issues
and hazards they have to deal with. Then
there's also when the storm where the
storm waters or tidal waters rise if
there if there's um sewer
grates or that come um get displaced and
you can fall right in. Um and so just
hats off to our volunteer firefighters
and uh I also have to give a shout out
in West Atlantic City uh the state
department of transportation for the
last few years we've been using them.
anytime that we have these uh issues out
there, they do come out and that also
takes a lot of pressure off our police
department so we can use our resources
elsewhere. So,
>> thank you.
>> I think the bargain town that they had
the five ton army truck retrofitted is a
highway rescue, you know. Yes. We just
wreck cars by going out there in that
kind of order and normal vehicles.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you. I did and thank your men and
women for all that they've done.
All righty. Now, I am going to say here
just to the people from Anchorage Point
that the resolution was in our consent
calendar and it passed already. So, it
has already passed. So,
yeah, we don't we have we only speak
with uh ordinances resolutions. We do
not. But I'm going to tell you this that
there are multiple steps before this
even starts a planning board hearing and
we will let you know whenever it'll be
you can call us. You can check our
website at the next step you will know.
So all right tax committee reports
you're
>> one of the owners. Come on down.
you give your name for the record and
which property.
>> Good evening everybody. My name is Rabbi
and my last name is Patel. Um, thank you
for having me here. Um, I just want to
mention to chief of police that when you
guys came out and hand out the flyers, I
personally gave each and every tenant
and told them if they want to move out,
please try to find accommodation so we
can not have that kind of problem each
time that the fl comes in. We even offer
them to refund their money for whatever
the weeks that they have paid. So they
can find use the money to use it
different location and all that stuff.
So
after the Sandy what we have done is
like we did like a 3 ft of wall where is
all cement board and all that stuff. So
there is no drywall or anything like
that. So every year we do like a uh
cleaning of the grouts and all that
stuff to make sure all that stuff is
clear. all our electrical outlets and
all that stuff is five foot above the
ground. It's not on the ground like what
other places where we they will have it
and all that stuff. So, I'm just trying
to say if a person refuse and say that
I'm not going to check out or anything,
what should we do in that situation?
Because I can't force somebody to drag
them out of the room saying, "Hey, you
need to go." Even after showing the
police letter that they dropped us off
for us, they refused it. We had like 10
tenants there. Out of those 10 tenants,
five tenants already moved out. There
were five tenants that decide to ride
the stone. And I was there personally on
Sunday morning myself over there as well
before the t start coming in. I told
them every single guest as well saying
that you need to move out. It might be
bad. It might not be bad. I do not know
this situation because they're saying it
could be a two feet of water or 3 ft of
water and all that stuff. So how do we
address this?
>> You know sir, I don't know the answer
right now. I don't know what the legal
um I honestly don't know what the legal
ramification is and that's what so
that's why I don't want to say anything
because I don't know. Um but it's
something that we will have a discussion
about and we'll be in touch with the
owners and we'll let you know what your
responsibilities are. There's certain as
as a hotel owner you have certain legal
responsibilities. Tenants also
>> guests [clears throat] I should say also
have responsibilities.
So
[clears throat]
>> that's fine with me. I don't have an
issue with it.
>> All due respect, we you have
We have to address your
But I I tried to find them a different
location where the seab breeze has a
second level but they had their guest
moved up there. So I don't have any
other place uh to put them because this
is a major storm. So we that's why we
always offer up front when they come
when something like this happened before
it happens we give them the refund so
they can use that money to go find
somewhere else that
it's not like we denying them that we
taking the money and not doing anything
whatever the amount that they pay like
for example if they pay it for seven
days for a week we divide that and rest
of the money we give it back to them we
don't keep that
>> what's I think why don't we
>> uh one more comment
>> to discuss what they and they and and if
you can give us your tonight if you can
give us your contact information sure
that you can [clears throat] be reached
on.
>> Yes. Because see my uncle usually the
one who handles everything but he had
emergency and I had to go out of country
that's why I'm dealing with this.
Usually I'm not in the uh not in the uh
front. I'm always in the background of
it to help him out and all that stuff.
But because he's not here, that's why
I'm coming over here and mentioning it.
And I have spoke to police and all that
stuff. Um, I have made a call on Friday
to your office, but it was uh I made it
twice. One on Friday and one on
Saturday, but I did not leave a message.
That's my mistake. But I did try to call
you twice to let them know that what
should I do if some of the tenants were
not leaving. But it's my mistake where I
didn't left the voice message for you. I
was trying to inform you and all that
stuff as well. You can see my number. If
you have a call ID, you can check it and
see it twice. I have called you call
your office.
>> Um the fly,
>> why don't you do this? Why don't you
step and talk to the chief on the side?
I think that might be bad. We don't want
you to put your number out.
>> No, no, no. That's fine. Uh one more
thing I wanted to ask you is this is
that
uh in 2012 when the Sandy came in
afterwards city uh tried to buy off some
of the motel and all that stuff um and
second round happened on 2020 we were
ready to give because I'm tired of
dealing with this flooding and all that
stuff and I'm still trying to give that
out right now. We have a property on
sale uh by realator is on the market
already. and all all that stuff. But
it's just that there is no buyers coming
in or anything like that. And if city
see or find some kind of funding again
to buy some of it, I'm the first one to
give it to you again.
>> Oh, that's good to know. So, as we look
for funding, um, and that's what we're
trying to do. Uh, we absolutely will
need your number. So, make sure we have
it.
>> Okay.
>> And you can talk to the chief.
>> Sure. because I think that's probably a
better one-on-one conversation.
>> Okay,
>> I'm open for it. If you want to step out
and talk or if you want to do it
afterwards, that's fine with me, too.
>> Was that your son or got off the school
bus?
>> No, that's the manager's apartment, son.
>> I just wanted to point out
No. And I agree with that.
>> That they wanted to bring that child.
>> No. And I agree with that. And that's
their responsibility and all that stuff.
Even I told the manager, you cannot send
your child to school. let them know that
it's flooding because don't send it. If
you want to stay upstairs or you can um
we can come to my house for him. I can
allow it but the regular guest I can't
do that. So
okay, thank you very much.
>> Okay, time for committee reports. Mr.
Rosenberg
mayor, it's that time of year. If your
house is anything like mine, I have a
three-year-old at home who is hoarding
candy,
redecorating with witches and pumpkins
all over the place, and a grandmother
who is all too eager to give it to her.
So,
>> that's what we're for. [laughter]
>> So, I figured I'd give my report this
week uh to anybody who's listening at
home. Uh Egg Harbor Township's official
trick or treat is of course on the 31st,
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. That's something
that always goes around my neighborhood.
What time? What time? went in there,
that type of thing. So, we also have the
recreation department is doing their
trunk or treat on uh October 28th, 5:00
p.m. through 7:00 p.m. That's a Tuesday
at the community center. It's $5 for
residents. That's all all kinds of fun
games and uh different things being
programmed over there by those wonderful
folks. Egg Harbor Township High School.
Uh they the only information I found was
check the school social media for final
dates, times, and details. So, there is
an event. But I would encourage you all
to go to uh the high school's Instagram
and Facebook and and take a look. Also,
one of our great corporate partners here
in Egg Harbor Township, Storybook Land,
is doing their trick-or- treat uh w
every weekend in October. So, take the
kids over there, dress them up, have a
good time, do it safely.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Can't do it better than store.
[clears throat]
>> That's right.
>> Absolutely. Well,
>> uh, I did go out to the point there four
times so far. Looked at that project
many times.
Bulkhead is in desperate need.
Say that lightly. Um, you also asked me
to look uh at Spruce Avenue's bridge.
County has notified us that they're
going to replace that bridge and there's
three different options. We talked about
it today and yesterday. Uh hopefully we
can stop what happened on Robert Best
Road with everybody detouring down. So,
we got some ideas on that. We'll see how
that goes. Um, also [clears throat] sat
on redevelopment. Uh, Vince got some
funding, Senator Palestinian for Black
Horse Pike. [clears throat] They're
looking at relocating a couple lights
from the Shore Mall. That was a very
interesting meeting. uh you know the
whole redevelopment
you know I was with building trades for
years coming down the black horse pike
with Spencer Gifts
and um
the shopping center on fire and
Blackhorse Pike Walmart you know that
whole area has now come to life again if
you looked at the electric company being
shut down years ago I mean that was in
desperate need of redevelopment
>> and that is what redevelopment is.
>> Township's doing a nice job with
redevelopment coming down a black course
pipe and that's about it.
>> Very good. Thank you, Mr. Hod.
Well, as you touched Spruce Avenue, I
hope the county will remember what they
did in route to Hamilton by the
alternating light instead of shutting
that bridge off entirely and really
hurting our residents in Egg Harbor
Township when they just decided she
close the road because it's still
working alternating traffic was out
there Sunday in the rain going to
Hamilton and stopping traffic, people
getting through. Um just as Paul spoke
about with the Halloween, our great
Snowball Fire Department's been doing
their um haunted hay ride on the
weekends as you get down Zion Road.
You'll see the flashing uh county put
the uh information boards up pedestrians
and heavy traffic and hopefully they get
some good weather and don't get rained
out like he did in the past couple days.
Um the other thing I was fortunate
enough to go to Zion United Methodist
Church, our historical society did a um
presentation about past residents of
Acro Township going way back to the
Civil War era and so forth. And it was
it's really I'm not a guy that wants to
look at cemeteries, but it is really um
interesting to find the names that are
still here that are buried out there at
Zion Methodist Church. And what I found
out the other day is um those churches
um Zion
members from Zion Blue and went out to
Asbury. So between the two churches, you
go to the oldest probably in our
township right now between Zion and
Asbury Methodist on Asbury Road. So
>> is out there.
>> I don't want to guess. It's it's old. Um
it's the side next to the church that
goes off across the street and it's not
a secret. Nucky Johnson's over there. Um
if you were a Borwick Empire person. Um,
but it's the side next to the church and
some of those tombstones are quite old.
Uh, but the names their names are still
around. It's the old skull and steelman
and so forth, framies.
There's a relation on my side with
Framies, but it's they're all there. So,
it it to our historical society, I think
they championed it. They had other
people from the area that are into this
from Port Republic and the other areas
of Atlantic County, but it was really
quite interesting and they they had
their different stations and told the
story about the person and they were
dressed up in colonial garb.
>> That's amazing.
>> Um and the other thing is u to our fire
department. I listened to them. Yeah.
West Lang City with the flooding and
I've been there for that. It's not good.
Uh, and we got to, you know, I don't
know what the state will do with that
stretch of roadway. I don't even want to
think about it, but they got to be able
to handle that water better than they
do. And, um, those people um, they have
to live there. It's it's not good. And
to our fire department, at least one
thing with the military experience, that
5 ton that they use for high water
rescue, it's exactly what the thing's
made for, and they keep it up. And the
county has some of them, but half the
time they won't start. But they had one
retrofitted and I know they were using
that along with the Humvees or whatever
else the police department has. But you
know our fire department and police
department, they all stepped forward to
help those people. And the one with um
stuck in a room with the with a couple
pets, that's another problem. The dogs
going to drown, too. So you got to get
them out. That's all I got. I think we
missed something. And I just hope the
county doesn't cut our road off
completely on Spruce
uh like they were help helpful for the
three 165 days on Meland Road.
>> It's my turn. [clears throat]
No, I'm just always happy and excited
when I see our youth when I see our
future get involved and stand. And um
those kids really the young people did a
great job and we must follow up to help
them continue to do their job and
support our youth and our future in
every way.
>> They did an outstanding job.
>> They really did. Uh for me uh just a
couple things just like has been said
this evening. Our first responders were
outstanding during the storm. We had
Margate Bridge Road, CU Harbor,
Anchorage Point, Margate Bridge Road,
West Atlantic City, all flooding. Um,
they were everywhere. Wherever they
needed to be, they were there. And we
just appreciate all that they do. And I
know Paul, you always called the fire
department, but they are volunteer. And
we have to say this every day because
they are volunteer men and women who
give of their time and their energy for
this township for absolutely nothing
just except for the public service that
they do and the pride in their work. So
to all of them, thank you very much. We
got through this storm. Hopefully this
is it for this year. Um,
>> just one other thing. If you've been
here as long as I have and seen a lot of
areas that never flooded or flooding and
I pointed out the ski the black moon in
Ocean Heights, we had to shut it down at
Steelman. I don't ever remember that
flooding there. bridge is certainly
higher [clears throat] and um in Summers
Point, you know, Summers Point, there's
sections of Bay Avenue never flooded.
They were flooded. One of them is front
of the hospital. It's it was flooded
well the other night. And to you know,
we all watched the TV and um Absin has a
real problem. They they got you can't
get down Route 9 and you can't get down
Shore Road. So, Holy Spirit's flooded
and it by the railroad bridge is deeper
than Holy Spirit.
>> So, I mean, I don't know. I had an
oldtimer tell me that the island
sinking. I don't think it'll be around
when it completely goes under, but maybe
it is getting roller. I don't know.
>> Uh, two other things I'd like to say.
One is for our residents that are
decorating for Halloween. I have to say
we are a very festive town and uh there
are people that enjoy the spirit of the
holiday and there's some scary houses
out there. So, [laughter]
and the kids love it. It's like I'm
hearing from everybody that their kids
have to drive by them every day. So, I
think it's great. I want to thank the
people that do that because they add the
color to this town, which I think is
awesome. And the last thing is that
October is breast cancer awareness
month. And if you know anyone who can't
afford a mammogram or to get those kind
of tests done, uh, Atlantic Medical
Imaging, Shore Memorial Hospital, Oshore
Medical Center, and Atlantic Care all
have programs for people who can't
afford to get that type of procedure
done. And it's something that I know
you're going to hit November for men,
but for women, too. You can't put off
these exams. They're not the funnest
thing in the world, but you know what?
It's something you do. So, if you know
someone who's putting it off for money,
um you can reach out to our office. We
can give you the resources. But there's
plenty of resources out there. And this
month is breast cancer awareness month.
And when you see the pink, think about
it. And if you're wife or your daughter
hasn't had it done, your mom, just tell
them to go get it done. And then, you
know, it's done and you don't have to
think about it. So, other than that,
that's all I have. Tom, do you have
anything?
>> Nothing, ma'am.
>> Thank you. Mark,
>> uh, if that, uh, ordinance that they
mentioned about the vapes, uh, is
forwarded to you or we could reach out
to make sure we get them. Certainly take
a look at that and see if that's
something that we could uh, add to our,
uh, list of participants.
>> Good idea. I think it's a good idea.
Mayor, real quick, um the young people
and whoever Home Depot is offering
training classes to get certified in
different forms of construction
equipment and stuff like that. If folks
are interested, they could look on a
Home Depot [clears throat] website.
>> Are you with me for close session
tonight?
>> I have one matter to discuss uh under a
contract.
>> Okay.
>> Yes. Resolution 501 authorizing the
township committee to convene in the
closed executive session to discuss
matters which may involve personnel and
or legal matters. Whereas
[clears throat] the open public meetings
act permits the exclusion of the public
from a meeting in certain circumstances
and whereas the public body is of the
opinion that such circumstances
presently exist and where the governing
body wishes to discuss matters which
involve personnel under legal matters as
follows. one legal matter, an update on
the sign with an anticipated disclosure
of one year. Whereas minutes will be
kept unless the matter involving the
confidentiality of the above no longer
requires that confidentiality and the
minutes could be made public. Now
therefore, be it resolved by township
committee, township of Bay Harbor,
County Atlantic, state of New Jersey
that the public be excluded from this
meeting.
>> Thank you.
>> Can I have a motion to go into close
session?
[clears throat]
>> Call.
Yes.
>> Yes.