Northfield City Council Meeting

sure
yeah oh you're here
[Music]
good evening this is the work session
for Northfield city council May 16th of
2023. this meeting was properly
advertised in accordance with public law
1975 chapter 231 and in the Press of
Atlantic City on January 7th this year
may have a flag salute led by mayor
child please please rise
I pledge allegiance Institute of lie
over the United States of America and to
the Republic for which it stands one
nation under God indivisible with
liberty and justice Forum thank you
please be seated
foreign
Mr President thank you uh we'll move
right into our committee reports
councilman Leeds Falls
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although additional 20 times
we had um EMS provider come into town
from another municipality our fire
department responded for 49 firefalls
I typically estimating there's some
issue with the response lines I was
concerned about and uh
is reported by again our 911 dispatch
contractor
that took 94 minutes for the fire
department to respond to the fall Chief
coming along with me today
and it took him 30 minutes and the
quality Mall of the township where
there's a large fire in the European
city yeah
t for verification they pulled the
actual reporting
on their part
94 minutes of spotlight
thank you
uh also one of the things I'd like to
address
the business owner reported me
no I mean
some other members of council that would
be there apparently a couple years ago
there was a
fundraiser going on to purchase some
Flags before Road and this is our or
check the city for a thousand dollars
and here we are a few years later the
flag's right there do we see people that
gets his money back
flags were purchase
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sure Rose you're talking about the ones
that we have right now yes with the
business things on and all that no we
couldn't uh at that time our solicitor
buys me that we should not put the
business names on those flags there
am I correct Mr from sender yes there
was concerns about advertising
businesses on uh governmental property I
think that was known prior I don't know
if it was known for this particular
person prior to the donation and
councilman um that was my initial
um
uh approach to the business community
and anyone who wanted to uh purchase
flag that had that advertisement and
when I consulted with uh Mr Facenda
that's when he told me it would not be
advisable
I don't I don't really know
I thought
uh thank you councilman Louise I'm
hungry for tonight
councilman Bucci
okay Municipal Alliance May May 20th is
a life skills through bike skills at 10
30 at the Tuckahoe Bike Shop
June 3rd is hooked on fishing from 10 to
12 at Birch Grove Park registration is
required
August 8th is our National Night Out at
Birch Grove Park from 6 to 8 PM vendor
information is available through
um contact Shannon in the clerk's office
insurance and safety
um I think Tom Mary and myself were
supposed to
talk about a couple months yeah yeah so
we could maybe set a meeting to discuss
that yeah if we can move in the uh
gentleman from our risk manager that'd
be great okay
um as far as economic development uh
commission Michael Grossman who's the
chairman of uh public rebc and myself
went to the Atlanta County Business
growth Summit on May 11th at um
is it the Smithville Inn
um it's amazing it was amazing to hear
the wonderful things that they do all
the programs that they offer with
regards to Grants and funding for
startups just a
there's just
there's so much that they do for the
community if anybody wants to take a
look at their Facebook page just to see
some of the things that they have done
they've been doing a lot of work with
the uh
with the Aviation Park in uh in
you know in Egg Harbor Township
um but they had a number of speakers
there Anthony gaud from boat Hammer
um gaming was there he's an Esports guy
he gave a presentation on Esports and
artificial intelligence it was really
pretty interesting and Michael and I had
an opportunity to speak with regards to
our involvement in that organization
um I got a call from a business in
Northfield from Rita's that code
enforcement was sent out to her business
because she had a flag
out front it's the same flag that she's
used probably for the past five years
she has it up in her business for the
first 30 days
um that she's open to let people know
um
in my opinion sending a uniformed police
officer to a business or to a
some a resident
in my opinion is weaponizing them
against our community
we are we finally have a police chief
who's approachable and I think that
something that Council should look into
is moving code enforcement out from the
police department and putting it with
with the building department
I just think we're we're putting a wall
up between our businesses and our
residents and the police department at
an opportune time where we have
opportunity to do the complete opposite
of that so that's something that I think
we should talk about as city council uh
to consider making that move
um and that is it for me thank you
yeah we can look into that we've tested
look at the budget look at the look into
it from a budgetary standpoint
be able to remove anything
uh councilman Smith's not here
councilwoman carfagna
um for Mainland I just want to
congratulate the
girl of the team he's going to
participate down in Tennessee uh May
25th it's usually televised and I'll
keep you updated on that
um after prom and promise coming up only
during then Senior award night on June
15th graduation on June 16th and the
next board meeting is June 12th
um I was not able to make the last
cultural committee meeting but I do have
some information on the honorees will be
announced soon for the Fourth of July
parade
um and there's going to be an awards
therapy here in Saint Castle
um on the 27th of June
um anybody who is once any child who
wants to ride their bike in the parade
can fill out a form and the forms on the
city web page
and for veterans
um we are going to be doing the Memorial
Day celebrating on May 29th it starts at
9 30 over at um Veterans Park here we go
and I think that was it for me
thank you
councilman attire thank you Mr President
um just a quick update on the football
field
um the renovation that we did is coming
along really nice uh the field um I
don't think I've ever seen it look so
good
um I spoke with the contractor and they
put an extra application of fertilizer
on it which also helped
and you know hopefully we can make this
a yearling thing
in the fall
um Also I spoke with the contractor I
want to put you in a date
up a little bit of the of the project
and uh I've actually called them tonight
and we've been time it so that we can
allow lacrosse a little bit more time so
we'll be working with fan and we'll call
us on that as well
thank you
for uh my committee reports uh the
library amerist are they still seeking
are they still seeking a library
director
um they hired one did they okay
um they do have a couple events coming
up June 8th either I mean adult crafts
uh June 23rd they start their summer
reading programs both the child a
children's program and an adult program
and on the 24th they're looking to do a
magician in Birch Grove Park uh the
exact location of the park to be fairly
trying to figure out that place where to
work out
um senior citizens committee we uh
attentively planned a June 28th meeting
at this time a topic most likely will be
Town Hall type questions and answers
couple people in on what's going on in
town and then uh maybe have another
speaker that's too big turn
moving on to the
at our committees uh so is there anyone
that has a update on there on those ad
hoc committees
no we do not have the electric vehicles
we still have a meeting pending I do I
have an update on food trucks
um we're continuing to amend
um
the ordinance we're continuing to amend
the ordinance and Mary's doing her magic
behind the scenes
um for that
um I have also an update on the sale of
retail cannabis
um we've heard
um
expressed his concerns last week and I
appreciate that he did that we've also
heard from Leo chauffeur
um I've and I've also presented some
information I think what we need to do
is we need to remember
that we were elected to be the voice of
the people and the majority in
Northfield voted to pass this or to move
this forward with an ordinance
um
we all sit up here with different
opinions or feelings about it but at the
end of the day I think we owe the voters
what they voted for it's coming here
whether we want it or not whether it's
being brought here from Summers point
from Egg Harbor Township
or other you know it's being delivered
here
um what we need to remember is you know
we can get ten thousand dollars per
license conservatively speaking 250 000
per year per store
what can that buy they can buy us a
Blacktop
or Birch Grove new Public Works building
frisbee golf grant writer higher wages
for for our city employees
um so I think we've gotten
um everybody's opinion but I would like
to ask Chief Von pound for his opinion
and then council president I would ask
that we move this to a vote this evening
a council vote if we could or some type
of stuff a poor straw vote yeah I don't
think we have an ordinance
yeah I just think we need to
act on it you know but I would like to
hear from Chief Hong Kong if you will
thank you Mark on Collins City and
Northfield Chief of Police
what I can tell you marijuana is a
depressant it's a solution and primarily
that's due to the uh
um Statewide driving imperative is only
rise whether that's City cannabis or not
the jury still have or not we do not
have enough information on that since it
was uh just a great legalized
um
how many concerns are basically that
when people purchase it inside the store
human beings can be impulsive and my
main concern is them basically opening
it and consuming it we're smoking it
before they leave the parking lot
which basically will strength these
resources the public safety to be at
risk however I'm not in a disagreement
with councilman Bucci that basically uh
it's going to be sold in at this point
it's gonna be sold in Pleasantville by
Rachel in each and we'll be celebrating
the other things
um EHD does have snow ordinance in place
um if you'd like to reach out to them
for uh information on the bank and I'm
also worried about the litter and the
trash
alone
um also possibly uh
maybe a little oversight the parking lot
enforcement attendance something of that
nature by the business
where I take a little less stress off of
these resources but
we're speaking with the FL Chiefs of
police this morning on some other shops
there's no major crime that basically
has taken place
due to whatever we just
so
at this point from what I've read
there's no real there's no testing
um
that's correct no real testing so where
would Paul stress One release that's
correct well
there is uh there is um uh some drug
recognition
right so we have one for records going
through with State Police right now
however that is a strain on police it
takes them away for a long per months at
a time because that is some seriously
Advanced Training uh steel deal with
medical training people's heart rates
blood pressure uh urinalysis uh so forth
and so on so
that is the one thing where it will put
a strain on police resources or city
resources we will need to send
additional people
um because uh instead of making a left
out its own Road and going into each
team and he presume that a lot of people
will make a right and travel through our
city streets so we need to be prepared
for that and uh that's uh being worked
out as we do
the other question
thank you chief
yeah
um yeah I know I think it's a little
premature vote on anything we have I
mean the committee
we need to make a recommendation with
a there was a couple things we were
interested in finding out so we can we
can follow up on those items uh to get
more
uh more information on the I mean the
revenue is great
um but I don't think that's anyone's
primary concern up here and that's right
now we don't have it and
the city is
is doing well I mean more more funds
coming in would be beneficial but
the the only concerns that uh I have are
the downsides of it the social aspects
of it and that and I I know it's all
coming in and I just need to have more
information with that regard before I'm
prepared to vote and I would say that
you know as
if you need more people in the committee
let me know and we but we need to
get together as a committee and make a
recommendation with some with some
information
what information is do you find business
um
I I don't recall the items that we had
mentioned when we uh
set the committee up I know one of them
was we do know that Egg Harbor Township
has cannabis what are their actual
numbers on the sales tax
um
with respect to
uh I mean I know one of the concerns
Brian Smith brought up was adolescent
use and while they're not it's not legal
for them obviously it's the same as a
liquor store but
you know we vote on those all the time
as well uh and then the uh the other
questions were
the proximities to you know
did we do the research to find out the
proximities to
food established establishments liquor
stores
all um schools daycare
those were the ones that are parked and
Parks yeah I mean I know that we've
heard different things and the law
rolled out pretty
haphazardly by the state and uh
those are the before we move forward
those were the answers that
uh I I really needed that before I'd be
ready to vote on something else
oh yeah yeah the um
government housing
license I have a question
well I mean that's something that we
tentatively had and that would change
that'll be dependent upon
those proximity problems
those questions Mr President I have a
question um and I I maybe I'm a little
welcome key here
it's it's legalized to sell
is there any any kind of penalty or type
of law that prohibits the individual
from consuming on the premises
prohibits it from being used on on
premises
I thought it did well I thought it did
too but it could be but I think our the
ordinance that we had drafted did
include that
the one we were working with last year
uh the other concern I have is with
regards to these um facilities in terms
of the odor or smell that is projected
from from the uh vendors itself would
there be anything that would would
happen where uh there would be a special
fans or something that could collect the
uh the odor and so forth because I know
that
um I don't think the retail shops are
mid odor I think it's the main ones they
made odor is smoking it and growing it
again that's from my research and I
certainly
don't have time to do it and deep dive
into it but that's everything I've read
well I know that um I forgot up in North
Jersey I think it's Saddle Brook
um people were concerned and they had
passed an ordinance and I think I passed
it on the city council at that time
um that they were growing the uh the
Cannabis on farms and the community that
was surrounded or people that were in
that area were very concerned about the
odor that was being admitted yeah from
the grown of the cannabis yeah that's
yeah the the cultivation is one of the
there's a an odor that yes
I understand that I understand but I
mean I'm just wondering if this even
though we're not cultivating it would
there be any kind of a smell uh or odor
that would be projected from
Leo Schoenberg it's all it's all
packaged it's it's it's packaged in a
building I think that stuff comes pretty
fast that's really a concern
for the retail establishments and I do
know there are regulations in the state
legislation dealing with odors which we
can refer back to
thanks thank you yeah well I'll I'll be
glad to help out but yeah with more time
I had
let's see
the uh affordable housing we actually
have a meeting uh coming up next week to
discuss uh several properties and
projects that are going on so we'll uh
hopefully we'll have a better update on
on those projects
um and what are
what
our requirements are for affordable
housing in the work field and what the
uh and what our
anticipated requirements will be in the
next round that's coming up next year
and moving on to the other ongoing
projects let's see the potential sale
there's a couple properties
that we reached out to Habitat for
Humanity to build uh some affordable
homes uh on up at the end of dolphin
Avenue
they uh there's a slight setback there
the habitat is their funding is very low
uh so we're regrouping there we're
trying to determine whether or not we
can expand
a number of homes would be listed on
those two lots and also
um
the phase one development and uh
investigations on that to see
if they're buildable
we believe they are but uh
that's a that's a fee that's normally uh
taken on by the Builder but they don't
have the funds to do that but
um
so
maybe that's something we can address in
on portable housing meeting as well
is there any update on the next topic
yeah I expect to have a direct
resolution for everybody to consider and
that's waiting I just wanted to down
some lines of drop some teeth on that
thank you
the next items the grants uh well
actually uh our Engineers asked to uh he
had a question on uh
New Jersey American water and our
upcoming work on Oak Avenue
hope they know
bigger things
okay so it'll still be part they'll
still be able to get done before school
okay
anybody on the council have an issue
with that
yeah and and I mean it perfect
formal written documents and symptoms
foreign
yeah I mean anybody opposed to that
okay
thank you
followed by foreign
Construction
from here
Philadelphia okay and then the other
side it's basically Ridgewood to Mill
and it's broken off there all sections
is that the grant that you were uh
putting in yeah
good good the bike path in that location
be thrown into them
um at this point we don't know
it wouldn't
it's just for roads it's for a drivable
Road
got a utility utility work especially on
the east side of that and the road has
really been
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a good candidate
yes
uh next item the possible amendment to
chapter 297. uh this is
uh people having certain animals as pets
or
farm animals such and such I think we
have issues with both pigs and and
chickens within town where I know we've
spoken several times on Council for the
pigs
um
in in hearing from several residents
that live near those homes
it's just
pigs are just not appropriate for this
type of small neighborhoods uh I mean I
don't see a reason for us to change our
audience to meet that
that well I think it is the
Stadium three acre ordinance
private yeah they almost worried well
they have almost four acres and yes I
mean somebody has three acres that's
just for the chicken that's not the pigs
so yeah
yeah
those are the same people that came and
spoke on behalf of our residents did you
read the articles yes
um I think they have both ordinances is
a problem there
uh and and that leads into ours I know
we have several homes with chickens here
um and a couple of thousand people have
indicated that they don't believe we
should have chickens in Northfield
either
well
30 seconds here
you're not chickens okay
okay
because
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standards More Than Words
yeah tough I mean we with words kind of
slammed in here our lots are smart
yeah so will we have to add that to
zoning or yeah that's a solicitor
question but if you're going to put a
side limitation where roosters are
committed yeah it should be in their
zoning
um but because we're going to have
prohibited that we would not right would
someone if they currently have
if we
prohibit them with baby grandfather did
yeah I don't think we can retroactively
at the bottom okay
so that would be one obstacle but I
at some point you wouldn't be allowed to
add new chicken right chickens move on
so what I mean
we based on life expectancy of a chicken
and at some point we'd say after this
date you can't have any more chickens
because all the ones that are currently
alive
with licensed pets why don't they be
licensed like pets and that way we have
that's a way to keep track of them right
okay
is there anybody that wants to keep
everybody believes we should keep them
or any other discussion
council president if counsel doesn't
move on this
um
and since our ordinance if I understand
correctly does not
uh recognize uh I'm not what referred to
Vietnamese pigs yes uh are we going to
consider this a violation of the city
ordinance that's not our that's not our
job our job well I understand that I'm
not going to go out and cite him but my
question would be since the code
enforcement agent is within the police
department and from what if we are not
moving then I guess the next thing is to
the chief is to send the code
enforcement agent and make a
determination of this individual uh or
resident is going to be cited
operations of his Police Department that
is not our jurisdiction if he feels as
though his code enforcement officer
should should act on that then they act
on that that's not for us to say
um
so
well we'll draft something and then uh
for a possible
we're very welcome that to me as far as
uh
any type of prohibition but yeah that
would be a I mean so we're not making
we're not currently currently we don't
permit swine we're not going to change
so that's one to take their if they send
their pigs that's by definition the same
that's
I think taking crackers there's no
semantics there cases
uh at least that's what Wikipedia sets
um
anything else on that topic
okay uh let's see we're going complete
refer to the
uh work the agendas
uh me
minutes approval
councilman leads councilman DeWeese
resolutions
councilman Buchi and councilwoman
Carfagno
ordinance seven
councilman Notaro
and
councilwoman Carfagno
payment of bills councilman Bucci
and meeting notices
a second on bills of councilman Louise
and meeting nurses councilman leads
at this time we'll open the meeting to
the public
anyone from the public wishing to speak
on any topic we asked you please come
forward state your name and address for
the record and observe a five minute
limit for us people
yes good evening Leo chauffeur My office
address is one Canal Drive Improvement
Township in New Jersey I'd like to make
a comment was regard to the Cannabis
matter I don't wish to comment on the
merits on the question
but I wish to comment on the process by
which uh the city of Northfield uh is
following uh it is my opinion that in
light of the non-binding referendum and
in light of the information that you
have received that the proper course of
action is to introduce an ordinance
and have a public hearing on that
ordinance so that the public will have
an opportunity to chime in on the merits
I feel that it's unfair in light of the
referendum to take some type of vote and
decide that you're not going to move
forward
with any type of public hearing because
as much as I respect your individual
opinions because the majority of you may
not be in favor of it so again my point
is that I think the proper process is to
at your next meeting you do have an
ordinance the ordinance that you drafted
is a very good ordinance I think that
that can be tailored to address some of
the issues that have been raised and
that ordinance should be introduced and
should go to public hearing and then you
should make that decision based upon the
results of that public hearing well
thank you for the opportunity to speak
thank you yes and that is what we're
looking for is to make sure that what's
in our ordinance is accurate
those those questions I raised were
to so that our ordinance has
it is appropriate so that we don't pass
an ordinance that is either
unenforceable or unusable but the
impression that I got sitting here
I acknowledge I personally got it was
that you were not going to make any
decisions today you're going to consider
it again and if the vote was negative
there would be no more than this
introduced which is the possibility it
is a possibility if that's if the
committee brings doesn't recommend it it
could die but we're going to bring it
back and we're going to discuss it in
public again right because that's right
that's our job but yeah even if
five oh
deserving
of the public hearing before the
business of the people of the city
that's my only one okay thank you that's
a good point thank you
so yeah I'm Vernon 116 Dauphin Avenue
how's everybody
um so
um I came for a couple reasons real
quickly
um one is the crime issue I plan on
talking to the chief about it
um our neighbor got our their car stolen
the other day and I was talking to
Carolyn about it on text
um it's the crime has gotten serious and
out of control and I I understand that
we're doing the best job that we can
that our our chief and our Police
Department is next to non
um I I can't say enough about it but I
think that we need to start the
neighborhood watch again
um I'm going to try to get that started
I talked to a couple of police officers
already about it I used to run the
neighborhood watch for this city for
about eight years I think it was kind of
fell off
um but it needs to get started back up
as far as patrolling and trying to get
people involved it's going to take
everybody on this committee to get
involved uh to show up at meetings at
least uh we do once a month meetings is
what I'm planning on probably have them
here maybe on Monday nights about six
o'clock uh or at a at a at a business
usually I did them at Dunkin Donuts or
local restaurant try to get coffee out
of the restaurant for people to come out
talk about what their issues are we have
such a problem my daughters have her car
was broken into the entire Street of
Mount Vernon was all the cars were
broken into our cars were broken into my
house was robbed probably what 15 years
ago David it has gotten so on it's just
unbelievable I mean I and in my lifetime
I would have never assumed that my
neighbor would have had their car
stalled there's lots of things going on
that we need to try to figure out people
are being dropped off
along the street by from God only knows
who and then they're just going from car
to car breaking into cars and possibly
the next step is going to be breaking
into homes which it's happened before it
happened to my house
so I need everybody on board with this
we need your support uh the town needs
more people involved in trying to get
crime down we see people walking around
out on the street you need to call the
police if it's after midnight and you
don't recognize the people and they're
going from area to area it's it's
dangerous it's gotten dangerous
somebody's going to get hurt
so
um another thing that I wanted to bring
up is
um
you were talking about the marijuana
issue I fully agree with you I I voted
for it but I think there's a lot it
could be a lot of problems but they
thought the same thing about alcohol and
I just think that we need to
put our best foot forward and work
through it like you said Tom it's just
probably going to take some time to
figure out you know as far as the trash
issue and stuff like that but a lot of
restaurants a lot of restaurants have a
lot of traffic it's cause problems
around the neighborhood even where I
live there's trash people throw stuff
out the window all the time so but
anyway
um
if anybody has any questions I'm going
to stay for the next 45 minutes but I
already have all the tarp you know the
paperwork and stuff like that as far as
starting it up I'm just going to put it
out there on Facebook on Lounge in a
couple of different areas to try to get
more people involved but I do need your
support so okay thank you thank you
if there's anyone in Zoom wishing to
speak please raise your hand
no
okay
anyone else uh wishing to speak
okay
there will be another Open Session there
at this time when we close public
session
all in favor
okay we'll roll into our favorite
meeting excuse me
very silent keyboard it's awful I know
Maybe
what
it's funny
this is the regular meeting for
Northfield city council May 16th of
2023. this meeting was properly
advertised in accordance with public law
in 1975 chapter 231 and in the Press of
Atlantic City on January 7th of this
year may have to fly absolute led by
mayor Chow please please rise
I pledge allegiance student flag of the
United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands one nation
an under God indivisible with liberty
and justice for all ladies and gentlemen
let us remember and keep in our prayers
those serving our nation's armed forces
especially those troops that are away
from home
thank you please be seated
roll call Mrs here Mrs here Mr Louise
here Mr Leeds Mr Notaro here Mr Smith
Mr palestino Mr Chow here Mr President
thank you
we have a motion for approval illness
all in favor
um any posts
Mr Mayor thank you council president and
member of the council I just want to
give a statistical or uh report on the
stats of Northfield police department
has provided me with several different
uh things that have occurred and I'll
start with thefts from vehicles from the
year 2023 or excuse me 22
there were a total of 51 and as of this
month there were two
with
it was that for the year yeah for the
year for 22.
all right and then I just gave you the
23. 23 is year to date yes yes 23.
for the month yes that's correct about
the other months you want the other
months I'll give you the total well if
we're going to compare 53 for 22. yeah I
was just going to I usually just give
the uh the month but if you want I'll
let you yeah I mean if you don't want me
to give the year that's fine I don't
have any problems I'd like to see what
the happier you know how to compare what
all right I'll give you the answer here
I'll give it a happy here I'll just give
the happy right for 2023 uh for the best
of vehicles there were two for this
month or in April uh where total at this
time six
for drugs there were a total of one uh
for the first half of the year is three
total
who are driving while intoxicated uh for
the month of April there were two for a
total of five for president average oh
excuse me two year happier uh cause
motor vehicle stops there were 325 for
April for a total of 1 176 from January
to uh current
with regards to property checks there
were 891 property checks for the month
of April for a total of at this time
3614 uh for calls that were
1810 for the month of April for a total
at this time to 7 000 with citations
there were 208 for the month of April
for a total of 682 to date and uh crash
reports there were 25 for the month of
April for a total of 95 at this time
so that's what I and I do have if you
need anybody's interested for the year
2022 I do have that information the only
other item I would like to get
permission from city council is to move
forward on the uh prop excuse me the
police department promotion ordinance uh
proposal uh the committee is uh you know
we can set up a date with our labor
attorney and we can go move forward on
that
now we're at today's meeting yes I mean
okay I know you guys have had a meeting
and I would like to get forwarded to yes
Nicole and Nicole made some opinions or
state and I think we should meet again
and then discuss this and hopefully we
can move forward on this promotion as
soon as possible
okay so I will send an email to you Tom
to councilman DeWees and councilman uh
Leeds I believe that's the committee yes
okay
let's thank you
anyone here
uh let me just feedback for this month
are you talking about thefts of vehicles
sir uh for the month of April
there were two for total at this time
from January to April a total of six so
there are six from January to April yes
in total in total
and there was 50
3 51 51 for 22. for 22 for total so it's
going down
yeah you know what the song is like
either
so good work good job yeah
Chief I'd like to ask you a question of
these vehicles that were broken into
um or stolen did you uh is there any
kind of information whether they were
locked the doors of the vehicles or not
have not been locked
okay
that's something that and that is
something that uh in terms of what Jonah
something that the residents have to be
very conscious you know it's not like it
used to be you know where we would come
in and leave our household door unlocked
and our cars and so forth uh it's
getting dangerous out there and uh we
need to be a little bit more proactive
in how we make insecure our our property
if you could say that
the fact that you improved our license
plate readers
immediate updated
thank you
that's good thank you for 12. uh
Professor from the DOT
but the cmrs University
[Music]
thank you
at this time we'll open the regular
meeting to the public anyone from public
wishing to speak on any topic
we asked please step forward statement
address for the record and observe a
five minute minute first week
if there's anyone in Zoom please raise
your hand
uh
um
you can do it now or wait until then
it's either either one
uh yes yes
okay uh seeing no one the public session
is now closed
uh resolutions uh
all matters listed in the consent agenda
they're considered to be routine in
nature and having been reviewed by
Council will be enacted by one motion
any item may be removed from the consent
agenda at the request of any council
member and if so removes will be treated
as a separate matter
any items requiring expenditure are
supported by a certificate of
availability of funds are there any
items that anyone from the castle would
like to remove from the cassette
okay
um
they have a motion to vote by consent to
janitor
I'd like to make the necessary motion to
adopt
like consent agenda for Resolutions 112
2023 to 117 2023.
second
all in favor
aye any opposed
they have a motion to adopt the consent
agenda I'd like to make a motion to
adopt the consent agenda for Resolutions
112 2023 to 117 2023. second
roll call
Mrs Bucci yes Mrs corfeno yes Mr Deweese
Mr Leeds Mr Notaro yes Mr Smith yes Mr
palestino yes for the adoption of the
consent agenda thank you
uh may have a motion for you
or ordinance
7-2023 and it can move through adopt
ordinance 7 2023 to be read by title
only
second
yes
ordinance 7 of 2023 is an ordinance
amending chapter 233 Article 2
specifically section 233-5 of the code
of the city of Northfield governing the
use of Power Lawn Equipment this is the
second reading there will be a public
hearing after which the matter will be
considered for final adoption since
introduction the ordinance has been
posted in full in the lobby of City Hall
as well as on the municipal website
any member of the public who requested a
copy of the ordinance would have been
provided with one free of charge in the
office of the municipal clerk during
regular business hours if approved this
evening the ordinance will be published
to final time in the Press of Atlantic
City on May 24th
we have to wait till seven
[Music]
okay with that the public session for
ordinance 7-2023 is now open anyone from
public wishing to speak on ordinance
7-2023 in that topic alone please uh we
ask you a step forward state your name
address for the record
and observe five minutes
good evening mayor Chow council members
my name is Steve Downey I live on
Golfview Drive in Northfield I'm here to
State opposition to the proposed
amendment for women's 233-5 the focus of
my objection is found in one of the
ordinance brands
proposed amended States whereas adjacent
residents and neighbors are entitled to
reasonably scheduled use of power law
and putting bomb maintenance equipment
so as to preserve the right of peace and
quiet
recently scheduled is not what the
Atlantic City Country Club determines to
be reasonable in order to enhance their
bottom line reasonable is not 6 A.M
that means 5 30 a.m Stadium the
equipment and machinery
reasonable is what every other resident
of the city of Northfield has afforded
the right to peace and quiet
myself and my immediate neighbors know
specifically it is not a reasonable time
because we've been subjected to constant
violations of the current ordinances
between the hours of 5 a.m and 7 A.M up
to including this morning
if it's determined by council at 6 a.m
it's reasonable this machine here to
operate are jackhammers and heavy
machinery to also begin to construct
throughout all of the cornfield at this
time or just in our backyards
it is considered reasonable for the good
of the community this would be one of
only a very few selects in the state
that would be granted this exception
the state of New Jersey news Control Act
of 1971 specifically states that there
are established sound level standards of
50 decibels during the hours of 10 pm to
7 A.M commercial blowers are 80 to 90
decibels
mowers are 90 to 100. I'm the father of
a special needs child a child who has a
major Affliction to loud noises and
sleeps in a bedroom directly facing the
golf course he has been awakened holding
his ears on a regular basis well before
6 a.m by the illegal use of these mowers
and blowers over the last two spring
zones the adverse effects of these
aggressive wake-up calls have had a
direct impact on his behavioral therapy
sessions and Progressive reports in
addition my new neighbor who's
apparently here is the mother of two
infants who has had contact with the
head groundskeeper divorced her concerns
about the daily violations and the
effects on her children the gentleman
negotiated a compromise whereas he would
only violate the current ordinance by an
hour and not start till 7 A.M I was
unaware the country club had the
authority to negotiate such a deal
the main people being affected by this
sort of amendment are infant children
and a special needs child
I have dozens of recordings of the noise
levels prior to 7 A.M that you would
care to review and judge for yourselves
how egregious this noise is in the
morning
we've been residents of the city of
Northfield for over 18 years are we now
not entitled to the same rights and
freedoms as every other taxpaying member
of the community
thank you based on
reasonable ordinance change is a quality
of life issue I'm asking you to consider
how you would react if this was you and
it was planned in your backyards would
you feel the same way as myself and my
family
I ask you to take the time to study the
ramifications of such a change
lastly I asked why is the 2021
amendments the noise ordinance of our
neighbor in town of Linwood and the
Lynnwood Country Club start time of 7
A.M at 9 00 a.m on Sundays not being
considered as an option or a possible
compromise
believe me I understand the course's
position and would be willing to work
with the time change 6 a.m is simply not
reasonable
be asked that you do the right thing and
reconsider allowing this extreme reason
to start time at 6am Before You cast
your final vote thank you all for your
time
that question has it been an issue for
18 years no no 2021 sorry it started in
21.
is there is there a time that would be
and I've already explained to them
numerous occasions 7 A.M we will be
agreeable to them but yeah it's been
five five fifteen five twenty five
thirty again you know it's a quality of
life issue is it right in that Fairway
area it's right in my backyard
the noise at night which again has been
again the ordinance I know issues
I suppose when I cleaned the code
enforcement I suppose to call 9-1-1
every day the last thing I want to do is
father and then you know waste your
God's resource and wait back there
falling
911. I'm just saying I live far away and
I I hear the fireworks like they're in
my backyard so I didn't know
the fireworks do have to get a separate
approval and a public hearing here
uh again I said I've asked if they could
do it at night any of the other
circumstances would be again I mean
every single day at the violation of the
current ordinance as it sits I don't
does this mean if it's six are they
going to be there three Thirty Four
that that's that's all I'm asking is to
do the right thing
in the morning yes sir
again anyone for reference sake just
turn a blower in your backyard at 5am
and you'll get exactly what I'm living
thank you I appreciate it thank you yes
I'm not believing I don't know he has
but somebody has okay yeah
good evening Mr President council
members Mr Mayor professionals my name
is Captain balustrari I'm the attorney
for the Atlantic City Country Club we're
here this evening to express our support
for ordinance 7 of 2023. we appeared at
the last meeting and you heard from a
few of our members who actually live on
the country club talk about why they
think this ordinance would be
appropriate and beneficial between the
golf course and the community at large
um tonight we have several more members
with us many of them as I write on the
country club and I'd like to bring them
up 100 times and make some brief
statements
um I'm not gonna be argumentative or try
to rebut everything that the last
objector stated but I do want to clarify
a few points uh first of all is that in
researching this issue many many
municipalities in the state of New
Jersey have carve-outs for their country
clubs their golf clubs especially those
that are fortunate enough like
Northfield to have an exceptional
country club or golf course as I alluded
to last time uh this club is historic
been here for 100 0.5 years and we feel
that it's an important part of the
community the proposed ordinance
tries to make uh the the ordinance more
consistent with other Provisions in your
code so for example currently you can
run construction equipment excavation
equipment demolition equipment starting
at 7 A.M until 10 pm at night but I
can't run a lawn mower until 8 A.M
through 9 A.M so what this is proposing
to do I'm going to throw you bread we're
trying to roll it back normally to 7 A.M
throughout most of the Year between
Memorial Day and Labor Day rolling that
back to 6 30 and only on Fridays
Saturdays and Sundays and holiday
weekends between Memorial Day and Labor
Day would it be 6 a.m no one is
proposing 5am and you're going to hear
from general manager and from the
director of golf and some of the members
but we try to be good neighbors we are
aware of the prior complaints there have
been a few and I want to say you know
very few very vocal uh complaintants
after this issue we're here today trying
to go through the process the right way
we've even been subjected to vandalism
by some of these people who have come
out and complained so we're here going
through the process and we ask for your
consideration on this amendment so this
time I'm going to bring up Nick burrow
who's the general manager to say a few
words
foreign
Exchange
really what it comes out to is pretty
simple for us for big seasonal Golf
Course reopening around but he went back
to 75 of our business is done May 1st to
September 1st 55 done worldly slavery
again
y'all for those that do golfing if you
don't go if you know golf is a early
morning activity it's one of the play
I like to play golf in the afternoon
personally but most people like to play
golf morning by Nature the business is
just early for us to be able to operate
early obviously the ordinance is
restricts us from being able to do so we
need to be able to cut and harass ahead
of the first golfers for the day
um
when you're talking about a couple of
hours right well how did that affect us
as a business
I guess the easiest way I can say it is
we do two times every 10 minutes four
golfers play golf every 10 minutes for
every hour
all right you're talking about 24 and
two hour span where we're kind of
talking about the the ordinance being
changed to in the weekends you're
talking about 48 players okay 48 members
our membership is ten thousand dollars a
year you're talking about a half a
million dollars
our bottom line last year that profit
was a happy lay down
without this change we do not make a
profit we do not it just has to run the
business we're not a high marketing
business
we do we support the community we do a
lot of events for the community we
obviously get you know any remember
that's living I would never remember
anything from uh Norco for being a
member so we're very proud of ourselves
in that advent but
this is almost likely that for us we
have to operate those short period of
times those three month periods let's be
able to get all this up on the golf
course without doing it it's
I don't know honestly how we we survived
but um if you have any questions for me
as to how this
the fairways uh the first and second
Fairway do they get cut at six a.m or is
it just the boxes the tea box and then
the um
so on the daily schedule the party
ingredient would be cut every day the
fairways we gave by three days a week
and those are Monday
um Wednesday and Friday in generally
rocks once a week tea box with every
other day as well so not everything can
the can the fairways be cut at night
they're the only real
I guess uh heard anything to cut every
day is the funny degree yeah where
you're getting a new off you're cutting
it low yeah maybe if you're putting on a
Surface that's you know honestly as much
in family you're talking about uh for us
at every
millimeter of length matter so cutting
that off in the morning cleaning off the
ground getting off the dude getting off
the bees getting off the breed and
getting into a pristine pipe it's very
important to do is your is is there
still carpet behind the homes uh that
won't Golf View yeah there is yeah when
you travel to the first green for the
second green do you use that car pan can
you use another means to get to
sure right so a mower is not you know
going through that area at six five what
you know whatever
six circle around 6 a.m you can you can
redirect yeah that noise
I guess you still have Hensley and you
know yes if you go down the center of
the Fairway or
yes uh but that's just one pass I think
the bigger here for uh completely would
be
you know I guess just yeah how long
we're out there I I mentioned last time
um the entire process on that personal
or any given whole purposes it's about
15 to 20 minutes and then we're out of
there we're not trying to be there any
longer than we need to believe at any
time in the end of the year because
again we're talking about this short
summer season we don't we're not going
to be out there for six months a year
from mid October through mid-april
we're not starting it's not until nine
o'clock we're not going we don't need to
go anywhere near the time uh currently
is right now we don't need to but it's
just this short summer season that we
absolutely need and you're right now it
has changed would be just to do the
greens and the tea boxes
green special yes right t-box repairs
like I said do get cut uh three times a
week
that honestly does not have to happen
right it's the pot ingredients
in my mind change is allowing them to do
that process and related to two homes
and
redirect that maybe redirect the noise
going to that budding budding green
with good solution well that would be
well and the problem is how do we have
that well
our ordinance doesn't have that I know
and we would be relying on you and and
by the same token if we did move forward
and improve this and and
it let's say it does work we let's say
it's work
but then there's more complaints
as as soon as we've just passed this we
we would be back on the table here or
back at Council
to get rid of that carve out right right
because this is a I mean and I
appreciate the quote coming out to speak
on behalf of their son and and for some
major concern
um and if they can be done
a little bit later in just the green I
don't know if that is if that's born of
a way but if the sound is still
um traveling to their home you know but
um that's my concern is if we if that
didn't give you limited to that before
you make it work for both parties
obviously that's the best situation but
um
well like you said I mean if it
and what comes in
I I yeah I don't know what that is
the issue that they're cutting the
greens are you hearing it you know on
golf you from the green
which is how many you are doing degree
from a couple hundred yards probably you
told me 150.
so yeah the equipment going from
sure is traveling yeah it travels yeah
it's Mr Barrow can I ask you you
indicated or uh Mr Downey indicated that
you're cutting the Fairway outside at
that time
and when we asked if you were cutting it
you mentioned the greens and the tea
boxes are you cutting the fairways at
six a.m yeah Fairways is three days a
week yeah at six a.m when that will be
the time we would want to hear about
that okay so so you're saying you
normally cut Fairways At 6 A.M
right and you have been doing it
okay so
um I mean that's in violation of the
ordinance that we currently have right
the other question I have is
what time you mentioned 10 T times or t
time every 10 minutes when are you
starting your tea times currently yeah
so your earliest tea times are 7 A.M
ideally
but we're not proposing that
with seven but again
like that so we're already sacrificing
like if I'll come in here asking for
exactly what we wanted I would be asked
for 5am to start 2016 I'm gonna do it
for a longer period of time but I
realized that a lot so we're just trying
to kind of meet in the middle of this
change because we're not past with
brawler but yeah
back to the fairways but can they be cut
the night before is it more is it is it
not as critical fairly big in circle
back to you yes so we could skip the
first area it doesn't a golfer I'll
speak for the members that are there
we're not good enough
maybe we could maybe the fairways you
could compromise this a little bit and
and you know
I mean the Airways right behind either
yeah
this revision doesn't specify that they
just that's what we need to focus on if
we want to just specifically through the
greens The Early times and we should
allow them I mean you could not have
them do repair one but you could carve
some of that
had a few lines I mean you could but to
make a difference if there's noise on
the Tee Box versus the Fairway versus I
think it's a big difference if we get
the Country Club's assurance that
they'll do green one and green two does
that satisfy your concerns
uh it won't be in black and white and
written down and allow them to start at
the times that set forth in the
ordinance but I think you're hearing
some willingness to compromise and if we
get that informal agreement and like uh
Mr Palestina said if if they give us
that assurance and don't don't Oblige by
it then you can jump right back here and
change it back yeah here's what I'll add
something I like I don't I can't speak
for if uh you know in this particular
situation if the Green's lower versus
the ferry mower versus a Teemo or what
what would be particularly louder to the
area we're talking about right what I
can tell you is that all practices run
concern so we'll have one person logo on
the green at the same time somebody's
knowing the barrier at the same time
someone's on the t-box so all three
processes whether we did it or didn't it
would all start us out to stand up at
the same time
so again I'm not saying anything other
than to go well if we're going to do one
doing all three we would still be the
same amount of time and then we'd be out
of there well the product
yeah the issue is a proximity to can you
change that schedule I don't know how to
fix other arresters
oh it's the one yeah that's when we
heard
um what did something change in 2021
okay
probably one question I mean why why all
of a sudden that was our question as
well no I mean why I'm asking you why of
a sudden after all these years you're um
why all of a sudden are you coming
forward and asking for this change
because this is the first time we've had
issues
okay we've never had any issues
so that's the first time that we've got
to get to this level okay yeah but
you've asked me not it's sort of really
well ignorance is every night well yeah
I mean those Concords would do if
there's no neighborhood
we have multiple reasons
any other questions
anyone else from the public we should
speak
all right
alternative to myself Frank Rich one of
the three hands replaced with guilt
playing right in the middle of the golf
course and I've been here since 1987.
um I really haven't had a problem with
the noise it seems like you know like
Nick said it's 15 20 minutes and it's
gone but we're right in the center so we
were here for many many places my
question is I know that people got
through that have a concern there's also
homes going technically I don't have any
complaint immensely and there's been
quite a few homes in Argo which would
have the same effect the second green
sits right on Arbor Lane against the
house so
um I guess we've been here so long we
don't you know just we just live with
the noise and it doesn't bother us we
just uh it's like living at the beach
with the ocean and the seagulls
um or living in a bag when you have
boats going by early morning and wave
Runners and and all that kind of noise
so it really hasn't followed us it would
be better comfortable with
so I am in favor of the carve out and I
am also a Godfather member Atlantic City
for 55 years and um but I I like to play
at eight o'clock completely here early
so you know found the activities
afterwards so
you know modify it and
negotiate I think it's uh something we
should look at thank you thank you
anyone else in the public wishing you
speak
there you go
at the last meeting
changes I'm sorry your name and address
please
uh is that a change of season
thing
changed when they cut and when we're
allowed to go out and play
and it's
as the seasons change as a destination
vacation area you know the triple
the amount of pliers that we had
and they go out early and eat all the
tea time and so on
if you need the problem
it doesn't be any good to cut it late
then you back up everybody that's there
uh my question that if you have a
problem with God while you were living
on the golf course I didn't understand
that part
they've been doing it for
forever that's not that a problem before
so
that's uh it's my take on thank you
good evening there Michelle Council
gentlemen Council ladies I'm Doug Fraser
uh our family owned the country club for
60 years
I was part of the management operation
focusing on all parts of the operation
as you know and the family business you
do everything but mostly the golf course
started out working on the golf course
when I was
nine or ten but I thought I was 12.
I was pushing a greens mower
the most days we had an O'Reilly's
democracy writing machines
like they do now
so
uh
there was just as many people that lived
around the golf course it's hard to
believe but as as now and I appreciate
the gentleman and it is um
with the child
but
the
your
at first 50 60 years we operated
and we're always
we were always neighbor friendly City
friend yeah
for every bit
as feel the same way as we draw our body
want to do the right thing
um
when we went to when we went to and
I think mayor child years ago we had a
discussion and we went to a writing bar
which softened the sound a little bit
now the new mowers they have
you can I could talk in this vein right
now and it would ride right by you and
it's and it
I wouldn't have to speak much louder the
reason I say that is because I saw them
demonstrating Mike Burke's struct of
operations definitely something new
sound EV vehicle sound Stephanie so I
know they're trying hard I had nothing
to do with it I still have to play there
I still haven't flexion I mean a feeling
because I grew up there but I was a
resident in this town
the 30-year to mark 60.
so and I lived on the golf course my
Prejudice Maybe
but
um
if if the whole time I was
superintendent of the golf course which
was over 20 years
I can't remember once or twice but we
had a problem with the movie did we
discuss it with neighbors on occasion
yes once in a while we might have a road
worker
but
the I know the that I know the Atlantic
City Country Club now is willing to work
but Mr Burrows starting
what he started you know that the city
does and I know it's not an economic
thing although he started this before I
started with the time and all that but I
am proud to say they've carried on a
tradition of giving back and the
economics just because people come there
they they use the facilities they use on
it so in the club but they also use the
many many wonderful businesses we had in
this town
oh my God not just coming in and leading
my father was sat up here with a in his
own never starting Tilton Road but we
got now it's a wonderful businesses and
a lot of these people a lot of that
business from the country club supports
now I know that's getting off the track
a little bit
but but it's still
a neighbor that are willing to work with
you and I understand
but there is a compromise I don't think
there's an ordinance that can that can
change something that that we've been
doing I've cut greens for 60. I I
started when I was 12. so I was hit me
by
and it was never ever ever
won we did work it out we sure didn't
have that a big major language
so I appreciate you listening to me
thank you I appreciate what this town
has done for me thank you thank you
thank you
I mean yeah that's a memory my name is
Sarah Grazer I live on eight Golfview
Drive
um I'm I'm basically going to Echo what
the other members and the people have
said
I don't really notice the knowing I mean
I hear it like in the background noise
but it's such a short amount of time in
the 15-20 minutes
um more noticeable to me is the um New
Jersey Transit bus that stops every hour
um or
um the trash talk in the morning I
noticed that more than I do the mowing
um it's such a seasonal
time when you're talking about Memorial
Day to Labor Day I don't feel like
um it matters if that it doesn't matter
that much to me personally I empathize
with Mr Downey and
the other neighbors here that are closer
to the first Fairway than I am
um but I also feel that if you buy a
house on a golf course
you're going to expect to find golf
balls in your yard
you're going to expect to find
outings and and and people playing and
and Sandy who lives
Thursday and you know it's just part of
all kind of thought I mean the mowing is
part of that maintaining the course
um is part of
maintaining a golf course and
I'm for it I think that because it is
such a short amount of time from
Memorial Day to Labor Day
it's livable and the fact that they're
willing to compromise
and work with
The Neighbors
I think that counts for something it
should be considered
thank you thank you
um
coming out and everyone
um to me living on the golf course
um we love it there it's only been since
2021 that this is occurred and it's a
constant violation of an ordinance at 5
30 sometimes 5 A.M
at one time 4 45
which I know if it's only they're saying
it's 15 minutes but once you're up at 4
45 in the morning for 15 minutes you're
up for the day also with my son whose
bedroom is right there
is the same thing well I appreciate
that what they were saying that it's
only 15 minutes and if you want to live
in the golf course you have built into
noise and unacceptable and it is a
constant violation of the organ
so if they're going to move that
ordinance until 6 a.m if they're out
there at 4 30 does that mean I have to
call
every time to do a violation of an
ordinance and report it
uh the Curious yeah I mean we would want
you to because as I just mentioned
if we move forward with this one of the
stipulations in my mind would be if
there's any breaking of that ordinance
we we can come back and we can take the
car that out and then we'll and then we
would have to we'll see eight o'clock we
we want this to work oh yeah the chief's
sitting in the background
complaints then I'm sure he's going to
actually one question uh that I did want
to ask your family is is if they do only
the green is the green if they're just
doing the green is that something that's
still the noise level is still
[Music]
right out front in my yard yeah okay so
the fairways that that so if it's the
green it wouldn't be if we is that is
that a compromise that would work for
you guys
I mean I would like you said they they
do everything all at once so how I don't
know well that's part of what we're
trying to that's what we're trying to
get to is to make it livable for you
I
know I know it's a little conversating
to put that in the ordinance but you
know maybe that's well I mean multiple
sentences
it's up to you guys you can you know
this this ordinance has been introduced
it's been here on second reading if you
don't like the way it's written tonight
vote no if we're with it we'll vote
I mean I think the changes are too
significant yeah uh you know
the ordinance that you're voting on
tonight at the ordinance before you if
you don't like it vote no if you like it
vote Yes and or otherwise put it on the
table for some further riveted well we
would be if we're going yes we'd be
trusting that what we agreed to here is
what we will move forward with and then
yeah and then also that they're doing it
earlier on weekends and holidays which
is the only time that you know people
like it is counter-intuitive too
and I don't know if they're if the
country club is going to do that now
knowing that you know
the cats watch it over the you know the
mouthful you know what I mean I like
that you know
is that something that would work okay
I guess I would have to hear it yeah
like because I felt this point because
it's so loud I wouldn't know which one
better
thank you
from separate since May 13th separate
sources or
oh since 22 okay
okay
and I know I'm not here to ask questions
but she if you could tell me what is
that 15 different individuals or is it a
lot of things
okay uh I just want to reiterate a few
things in it from the testimony that was
provided
um people could you identify yourself
again of course Kevin balistrari the
attorney for Langston Country Club I
want to point out a few things first of
all we understand that there are
violations happening we are here to try
to fix that
um in July the sun rises at 5 33 A.M we
had our way we would have our first few
times at six a.m we'd be out there at 5
a.m with mowers blowers doing the whole
production that is not what we post at
all and that's not what this ornament
says if you look at the language of the
ordinance what we're asking for for most
of the year is 7 A.M that is consistent
with your other ordinances demolition
excavation construction uh you can run a
bulldozer or a jackhammer 7am
During certain months summer months
really from from Memorial Day to labor
day Monday through Thursday we're
talking about 6 30 a.m not the 5 a.m
that we'd like
6 30 a.m I think that's very reasonable
that is a huge concession to compromise
on our part and then yes Friday Saturday
and Sunday Memorial Day Labor Day we're
talking about 6 a.m
um I do want to point out that you put
testimony from several residents uh and
members of the club going back as far as
1987 you heard from the prior owner I
can tell you that you can settings about
there 40 50 60 years and the original
for tea time of the day used to be 6 50
A.M
um so uh you know I don't understand
this this 2021 issue of Our Testimony
nothing's really changed instead so I'm
not clear on that
um but this time we're just asking
um
for for the board to consider and to
pass this ordinance we think uh we've
tried to give we're trying to correct
this issue councilman leads of the
violations we're trying to be good
neighbors and if it's past we will
continue to work with our our
stakeholders and our neighbors to try to
make this work for everyone we
appreciate your consideration
I feel like
which I hate which changed from past to
21 was the location of this mower at a
certain time
right so you could you could start at
one end of the Fairway and work your way
back to their area and be there at seven
you know I don't you know I don't know
how long it takes to cut I think it's
the I think it's the timing of that
specific area
seems yeah yeah like in other words
avoiding that area at that early hour
will probably be a good solution is it
yeah
yes I agree whether you cut the greens
early in the or the fairways early in
the morning just don't cut in that area
until the last but he knows his job I
know about it is there anyone in Zoom
wishing to speak before you want
please raise your hand
Eric
Mrs Gary can you want to meet yourself
Mrs Garrett if you can hear me could you
please type in the chat that you can
hear me
you you'll be right after this person
you're supposed to help
but she's doing that okay okay you like
foreign
I live on seven Golf View Drive so we're
I don't know anything about golf courses
but I live like
right on the course the first yeah okay
the green area yeah okay so
um prior to moving here with my husband
and now two little boys one or almost
one and two and a half where we did our
due diligence regarding living on a golf
course
um clearly there are many Pros
um however however one of the cons was
the noise
um the superintendent did verbally
assure us that they would do everything
they can to get within the municipality
guidelines which was previously 8 A.M
and then until the 7 A.M then just
recently in March we exchanged emails
where he assured me again that they will
do everything they can to minimize the
noise in the morning because my
complaint was the same as my other
neighbors that it was starting up really
early like 5 15 5 30.
uh
to my knowledge I know the first teach
time is 8 am and I don't see any reason
why powered equipment should start any
earlier than seven lynnwood's first tea
time is seven and their staff advisors
you have their power equipment starts at
seven as well so they can figure out how
to stagger and methodically schedule
their routine with one last hour then
I'm challenging Atlantic City Country
Club to do the same
um and I think it's just the principle I
truly don't understand the
identification of starting earlier if
their justifications increase their
bottom line by offering earlier tee
times than I would like to see their
forecast of that because
they're going to need to pay for
overhead they're going to need to pay
for not only the groundskeepers but in
front of the house and back to the house
so they're clearly want to play MC
Garland I just really don't see any real
distributions of starting at six so
um but
that's it oh and I believe the councils
to prioritize the concerns of the
Northfield Community members for the
private Country Club
which they're even useful no way um I
moved here I love it here I love the
country club I love everything about the
community
and I have not once complained other
than I want email I exchange as a
superintendent of other early start
tonight so I think we should probably be
a team player and you should stick to
the 7am
how long have you been there 2021
thank you
thank you
wasn't that bad right
Mrs Gary I I gave you permission to
unmute yourself can you unmute yourself
she typed in the zoom that she can hear
me but then she'd like to speak but
her microphone is not it's still muted
Mrs Gary would you like to type your
question into Zoom if so type just a
little something so I know you're
working on it
since you can't get your mic to work
would you like to type your statement or
question I'd be happy to read it for you
thank you
excited
there's a question why she's typing yes
so if we pick if we pass this ordinance
as it is
practical does this allow us to enforce
the accommodations that the country club
is going to need well it's not a way but
yes it becomes a problem we and we we
having
ability as Council to
pass any word it's your enforcement for
changing the ordinance yet again yeah
well it's the country club not doing
what they said they would do here today
yeah it's not what technical enforcement
can only be performed for black and
white on the importance
the judge of looking at this being found
by what the contains document about and
procedural accommodation made by the
country
we would have to
go back and
redo the ordinance with the times back
to the original okay so I'd like to know
if from the dowdies if they're
the accommodations that the country club
is is proposing are acceptable to you
well we also have the other there's
another the other residents both
residents I'm sorry if that are the
accommodations I don't understand God
you're right by the green so so the
accommodations thank you can use the
accommodations would be that
they the fairways would be cut the night
before or
you know I I and I don't know how I know
you said that you could possibly do that
that if they accommodated you in in that
way that you wouldn't hear these mowers
behind your home
um at
six a.m in the morning
um I know you've heard of it 5 45 and 5
30. uh that of course would stop
um based on this ordinance
um
now they have something a little bit
better to to go buy you know a 6 a.m
start time but if they cut the cut the
fairways during the the night hours it
would take that noise directly away from
your backyards
no we would with Thomas if we if we had
to re if we rewrite the wrote the
ordinance we would have to reintroduce
it and there's a timing issue there
right you'd have to make a resolution to
amend it or I could stay introduced
today and we'd have to make a resolution
to amend with those finances we couldn't
put that in what what the issue would be
is is as it stands now it's not in
writing but if this becomes an issue
then we would ask you to reach out to us
um
yeah
just agree yeah vote on a test
written if you don't like it don't vote
for it I think we're getting way way too
deep what this Council has to do right
now neither pass or not pass the
ordinance as written
or put it on the table
uh to consider different alternatives
personally I think you vote on it
tonight if you're in favor of it vote in
favor of it if you have reservations or
concerns vote notes
and then you know if if if that carries
forward uh and we have to adjust it
again later we can adjust it again later
or you could place it on the table and
not vote at all tonight
we finally have our zoo in person yeah
[Music]
okay this is um Alicia Gary
um
I know she's on St James I don't she
didn't put her address but it took so
long to type that I love the tradition
of the country club I do empathize with
the downies we do not have to comma
special needs child sensitive to noise
times change and the community changes
the country club should compromise with
a standard set time appropriate with
noise or can't you start somewhere else
I have to deal with the city cutting
grass every day excuse me every Friday
at 8 AM and that bothers me but it's
appropriate to the rest of the city I
always wonder why they can't rotate
where they start to not affect the same
residents
the downies are looking out for the
well-being of their child as we all
would do
thank you Mrs Gary
thank you
Henry a man can pass this order yeah not
without a resume no it has to be about
consideration at the next meeting right
in order to do that you can table it
tonight amend it
between now and the next meeting
and then adopt a resolution at the next
meeting amending the ordinance as
introduced and then go to
uh your
final adoption process just like we're
doing tonight or pass it as is and just
with the with the stipulation or vote on
it as it is
so it helps my third time speaking but I
think they were all pretty short and I
do get five minutes I just wanted to
make one remark from a few objectives
tonight and I've heard times like 4 45
AM 5 a.m 5 15 a.m what we're proposing
would be 6 a.m at the earliest only 40
days a year otherwise 6 30 or 7. I think
it's a substantial improvement over what
I've heard from both sides let me
testimony tonight and I would urge the
council to pass it give us a chance to
work it out and be good neighbors and
see if this substantial improvement over
the existing situation might result it
for everybody thank you thanks
anyone else from the public we should
received on this topic
is there anyone else into
please
if they're already violating the 8am
start time with 5 15 a.m if it goes to 6
a.m what is going to stop them starting
at 5 15. well it's it's well because
they're already in violation so they're
saying you're going to promise not to
violate that what you've been in
violation for how many months now so
it's only going to get earlier in my
opinion that's so I'm confused as to how
they're going to work with us if they're
already in violation starting at 5 15
moving into six means that you have to
bring the Machinery out and everything
it's going to start at 4 45.
so
I I don't see how that is acceptable
yeah well well the the ordinance
actually says no one equipment before 6
a.m so that and that is what's
enforceable well it says
and that's been going on for and that's
what they got saved for in the past and
that's what would happen is what
happened is they've been doing this
probably for a hundred but at this time
no one's ever said anything no one's
ever complained every year I lived over
the top of course I've worked there I
know what they do I've been around it
it's
so now that somebody has been playing
you know the President right there's I
get that right so
they're now there has to be I think
there has to be some kind of balance so
I believe that the country club it's not
that arrogant to just be like all right
now we're gonna do you know 4 a.m yeah I
don't think they would do that okay I
think that
because of all this and because if
everything got you know brought to light
I think it will probably be better and I
think they kind of understand your point
and I think that maybe you'll kind of
stand clear of
we're trying to work a little bit okay
obviously you know what I mean I I was
just because it's already been in so
much violation
yeah I mean it's
Mr fragile thing you you could cut into
that
okay
thank you thank you
anyone else
yeah your name again
I just really don't understand the rap
like their reasoning can I ask them a
question here yeah
are are there members that are wanting
to Target
thank you
please
um
to answer your question Goldberg Monster
as early as possible and they the time
stop basically around the afternoon to
run out of daylight it's a little bit
later in the summer you're an idea where
people don't play it right so you have a
window that you can do this we saw from
our big Diamond Hill that at that time
so
unable to do that
20 of our membership
so we lose debilitating not a 20 early
and then in Europe as we still get those
numbers because we are private they will
not they're they cannot
okay but they find an annual contact for
the year yeah do you think that would
really leave and what is your what is
your rate of
yeah uh right now it's our first year at
trading prior from last year and then
you're trying to increase your bottom
line so like you're gonna have to pay in
front of the house back at the house
your ground keeper so does that outweigh
and you're gonna have to start with them
two hours earlier so I just don't feel
like you're pnl being like positive
versus
continuing what you're doing now
I thought to answer the question if they
were not changing our operation to go
any further if it already happened it's
just because
unable to do that
okay he would lose because if you're not
going to be a member of the RN can't
accommodate everyone
at that State we have 350 members at
that State you can get 200 out so you're
already up but luckily not always before
okay
thank you did you have any other
questions
and the members of this community Fair
private club
and I think it's just a principle I
don't know why we need to
appeal or revise as a the 7am should be
7 am and I'm okay to agree to 7am but we
keep pushing back it's just we're
honoring private clubs versus honoring
and respecting mobile Community we're
trying to find a meeting
yeah and then they pay taxes well I mean
but
that not to Discount anybody honestly
they can't see you Sarah gracer I live
on a Golfview Drive I would like to play
at 7am on Friday Saturday and Sunday
and I also pay taxes
and I
would just like that to be a point I
don't know I don't want to play the
later time I want to be able to do
things during the day I don't want to
play when it's hot
I want to be able to play one I want to
play because I'm paying that membership
and if I can't buy when I want to play
then I will go somewhere where I can
thank you thank you
I'm sorry yeah yes
other countries let's start at 7
00 a few times earlier and have your
grandfather methodically stagger them at
the performance
um that win for everyone okay
thank you
anyone from the public anyone in the
museum
or with that the public session is now
closed
anyone on Council anything else
roll call
Mr Fuji
I'm going to vote Yes and I'm going to
trust Mrs bushy unfortunately you cannot
explain your vote Yes
Mrs corfagna yes Mr DeWees yeah Mr Leeds
no Mr Notaro yes Mr Smith no Mr
Palestina yes
that is five in the affirmative
motion carriers for the adoption of
ordinance 7 of 2023.
now motion for payment of bills
um
roll call
Mrs Bucci yes Mrs corfanio Mr Louise
yeah Mr Leeds Mr Notaro yes Mr Smith yes
Mr palestino yes motion carriers for
payment of bills
Meeting those meeting notices primary
election is June 6th from 6 a.m to 8 P.M
Northville Community School uh our next
city council meeting is June 13th 6 p.m
work session regular session immediately
followed
motion motion adjourn
ing all in favor aye aye any opposed