City Council 8/28/25

[Music]
Someone tell a joke.
>> Tell a joke.
>> 7 o'
Let's call this meeting in order. Let's
please stand for a flag salute.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for its one nation under God,
indivisible with liberty and justice for
all.
>> All right. And that's happy. Madame
clerk, may I have a roll call, please?
>> Council member Dean here.
>> Council member Zil here.
>> Council member Gity
>> here. Council President Habberworn
>> present.
>> Council member Johnston here. Council
member Mcwigan
>> here.
>> Council member Owen
>> here. Also present, Mayor Tap,
Administrator Frost, City Clerk Keith,
City Solicitor Smith, and City Engineer
Snider.
Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings
Act, adequate notice of this meeting has
been provided. The agenda for this
meeting is posted in city hall and on
the city's website, summersointgov.org.
Pursuant to city code A266-8,
and to forward everyone an opportunity
to address the governing body, the
public may speak only one time and not
to exceed 3 minutes. Do we have any
communications?
Not hearing any communications, Mr.
Mayor.
Uh just a couple things. We have we have
a uh we got a lot coming up this
September as we know. Uh September 6th
we have the 45th anniversary of our good
old days. Everyone knows it's at uh
starts at 11, ends at 6 and it's down at
Kenny Park. Uh September 11th we got the
911 ceremony and that's at Patriots Park
and that's going to start at 5:30. And
the reason why we do it at 5:30 as
opposed to do it in the morning is that
we have less and less people that show
up and I think that it was a bigger we
have a bigger crowd that will show up at
5:30 after work and that's really why we
do that. Um and the fire department runs
that and they do an excellent job. Uh
September 13th we have art in the park
that starts at 10 to 4. A lot of local
artists uh crafts people go down there
and it's a very nice event and it's
free. Uh I believe 20 uh September 19th
is going to be the P MIA ceremony.
That's at 7 uh 7 PM and that's at
Patriots Park. And uh September 27th and
28th is the citywide yard sale uh
weekend. It's a Saturday and Sunday. Uh
it's uh 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can sign
up on the city website. If you sign up
on the city website, you get on the
list, then that list is distributed out.
Then that way all the people know to go
to your house because you're having a
yard sale. And uh that's all I have to
report.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh Mr. Frost.
>> Yes. Uh just one thing. We had a
successful sale with an issue August
27th refinance a little over $13 million
at a rate of 3.75. These are shortterm
notes, meaning we're going to have to
as of August 26.
>> Thank you, Mr. Smith.
>> Nothing.
>> Nothing,
>> Mr. Mr. Snider.
>> Uh, yeah, I just have a number of items
to go over. Uh, the SH roof pedestrian
improvements continue. Um, one item that
I want to bring council aware of is the
uh there's a pedestrian refuge island
that was installed on Upp Road, Shore
Road. um there's a little confusion um
about what uh voters should do. Um we're
going to add additional signage and
painting. So that will help. That island
was recommended by the county and also
the county uh shore road corridor study
because that's such a long way for the
pedestrians to cross. So there's a
there's an island there for them to
safely wait for traffic to go by. But um
might take a little bit of time to get
used to for some of the um people
driving that intersection. Um the there
is a resolution for extension of time
for that contract also. There's no
additional cost for that. Um we don't
typically do just a change over time
since it's a state contract. We're
requiring it. So um they were delayed
for for some materials and county
issuing their road opening permit. Um,
speaking of Shore Road, New Jersey
American Water Company will be
installing a uh new water man uh from
Garfield Avenue Garfield Avenue Road in
Lynwood to uh Wilnot this fall. Um they
will be starting next week.
So that will be going all fall. They are
storing some piping equipment on Bay
Avenue because at the precon it was uh
recommended that that was the safest
spot because short road is so narrow. Um
and then we look forward to in the
spring they're going to be continuing
down from Wilmont to Pleasant Avenue.
Um so eventually they are um doubling
the size of the water means so it should
help with pressure. They're connecting
to all the side streets. So it is an
inconvenience but it is a uh you know an
upgrade for the city infrastructure
water. Um and then the road will be
repaved afterwards.
>> When you say this spring Mr. Schneider
or what are you talking March, April?
>> March, April before Labor Day, Memorial
Day. Yeah.
>> Thank you.
>> Um there's also two resolutions to award
bids. The first is for the 2025 road
program. Uh that includes the Marks Road
from Mountain Road to Fourth Street,
Third Street from Rhode Island to Marks
Road, Massachusetts Avenue from New Road
to 7th Street, Cresmont Drive from
Chapman Boulevard to PO, Buffalo Avenue
from Ocean Heights,
uh to Steelman Avenue,
Uclid Avenue, Harrison Avenue from Ocean
Avenue to Schuman's Alley uh and a
portion of Robert's Avenue. And since we
rebid the project, we added Cedar Avenue
because the bids came in much slower
than anticipated.
>> Um, when we first bid the project, the
bids were 854,22.
Uh, the rebid was 887,589
with the additional street. Uh, I
estimated that that street should be
about 100,000 to pay. We're getting for
about 30,000 for repayment because of
the scale of the work. So that road on
Cedar is uh next year's road program. So
we're getting ahead a little bit.
>> That's good.
>> And then uh New Jersey Avenue that was
rebid. It also came in slightly uh
lower. $341,086.
The city uh that be completely paid for
by a grant from DOT. It's $368,275
is the grant. Anything that the uh is
not spent on construction will be
applied towards uh engineering. So it
won't go to waste. So, those will be uh
at the end of the fall.
>> Do do we have a start date for the uh
New Jersey Avenue?
>> Uh we didn't have a pre-construction
meeting, but it's both contracts are
South State.
>> Okay.
>> Um we'll issue a notice to proceed in
September, and they have 90 days to do
that. So,
>> I just want to be able to make sure that
we get with the businesses there so they
know
>> they don't get blindsided.
>> There's a lot going on here, Mr.
Senator. Thank you for that update. Um,
committee reports, please.
Go ahead.
>> Go ahead. You can go first. Go ahead.
>> Go ahead. Go ahead. I have a long line.
You go. You can go first.
>> Appreciate everybody coming out tonight.
Um,
we just arts commission uh we just met
this past Monday. Uh, we had a recap on
things that went on over at the senior
uh recreation building. Uh, back in
August 2nd. We had alcohol and contive
painting with uh Sandra Kaban. She was
the uh the instructor. National Night
Out was uh August 5th. We had face
painters down at the park as well as
some other uh artwork that was set up.
Um also August 9th we had a a special
guest actually instructor Eduardo
Jimenez. He actually uh taught uh
recycled tides. Basically taking
recycled artwork and or actually
recycled products and making turn them
into art, which is really um pretty
pretty good and every it was good
turnout. Um coming up, uh of course, uh
October 18th, we're having creative
storytelling with poetry as long as
readings. There will be four sessions uh
this coming fall with Christine O'Brien.
Um, our special guest was Dan Meyers.
We're glad to have him back. Um, he'll
be teaching photography come November.
And of course, uh, what the mayor said,
uh, Art in the Park uh, the week the
Saturday behind Good Old Days Festival,
September 13th from 10:00 to 4. You
probably see like posters throughout the
city of Summers Point. Hopefully you
guys can all see that on your cameras.
And that is pretty much all I have for
tonight.
>> Thank you, M. Council member Johnston.
>> Okay. Um the parking committee met
um on a few things. First thing I have
is um Harborview. Uh they requested
permit parking on the three streets
around their complex. Um
the parking committee is recommending
that we do not do permit parking. Um
just the anticipated issue we don't
think is going to be as big of an issue
as they think. Um there used to be a 400
seat restaurant at this location. So and
the paddle club has allotted
uh an additional lot for parking as well
as you know what was there before. So,
>> um we really don't anticipate it being a
problem, but um another thing that they
did ask for is um a crosswalk from
across uh Bay Avenue on Pleasant. Um I
did speak to Mr. Snyder about that and
that's a very easy thing for us to do
and um we just have to put it on the
schedule and uh we can definitely do
that and the committee felt like that
was pretty important for safety issues.
there is a lot of lot more foot traffic
down there. So, um those were the
recommendations on those issues.
Um anybody have any questions on her
review?
Okay, we'll move on.
Um, Atlantic. Uh, we received an
another, um, comment from the residents
that live across from Atlantic Care on
Groveland Avenue who also asked for
permanent parking. Um,
and again, we're recommending that we do
not do permanent parking on Groveland
Avenue. Um, I did speak to the manager
of Atlanticare and uh, she was very
receptive and said she would definitely
talk to all of her employees. The issue
was that employees from Atlanticare were
parking on the street and they stay all
day. So, it it really um, creates a
parking issue. So, I did speak to the
manager and she agreed um that she would
wholeheartedly speak to all the
employees and make sure she keeps
reminding them uh they can't make them
park across the street in their own lot,
but they can certainly encourage it. She
said she would encourage it more
strongly than she has been. So,
hopefully that will alleviate that. I
went by there several times since the
last meeting and that lot on the other
side of the street is always there's
always plenty of parking over there so
there's no reason for them not to park
in their own lot. Um she also uh said
that she would speak to the managers of
the other office the other uh tenants in
that building and ask them to do the
same. So hopefully that would um
alleviate that that issue.
Um, and the reason that we thought that
that would help and that that would
solve it is most of the residents along
that street do have off streetet
parking. They do have driveways. So, um,
we just didn't feel it was the right
thing to do to put permanent parking
there.
Uh, and
let's see. Oh, um, Launch Avenue, you
wanted ahead. Um, Launch Avenue
requested again in anticipation of the
new developments down there,
uh, that return Launch Avenue into a
culdesac.
Uh, we took a look at that and the
reason a culde-sac, the major reason a
culde-sac would not work down there is
because you would not be able to get a
fire truck in there. We would not be
able to get the trash trucks in there.
So, it just creates a public safety
hazard for the residents down there. So,
we recommend that that does not be
turned into a culde-sac.
>> And we also recommended that there be
some no parking signs, but
>> there was there were um parking sign no
parking signs on the um the bulkhead
side of the road. It's the launch is a
one-way street. Uh and there was we did
have we did install no parking signs on
the bulkhead side because you cannot get
down that street if people are parked on
both sides. Um, so we will reinstall
those signs again. Somebody removed
them. Um, so we will be reinstalling the
no parking signs on the bulkhead side of
Launch Avenue and hopefully that'll be
helpful.
>> And then the other thing we touched on
was landing lane.
>> Landing lane. We spoke about landing
lane. The mayor and Mr. Havocorn went
out looked at that. Um the issue there
is people coming from a very busy
restaurant, the Craft Jot Park on
Landing Lane, they park very close to
the end of the streets. They park very
close to the driveways of people that
live back there and it creates an issue
when they're trying to back out of their
driveways as well as making that turn
onto Broadway. They can't see. Um, so I
think we're going to look at into
painting lines so that you can't park
from here to the corner kind of signs
and and yellow lines to create pe people
make people park whatever the
requirement is. Is it 15 ft from the the
corner?
>> 25 stop
>> 25. Okay. So is there a stop sign coming
out of landing lane? I think there is.
>> Yes, there is.
>> Okay. So there's definitely not uh lines
or a sign there. So, and and it and I
think it was we need it on every corner
there on Broadway and on uh on Landing
Lane to alleviate that issue. So,
>> driveway
>> the driveways and the corners. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So, um that should alleviate
that problem. And I think that was it,
right?
>> You know that. Yes, that was it. Last
meeting last meeting we didn't have a
parking committee and uh council member
Johnston volunteered as well as Mr.
Dylan myself and then two week time we
covered it in a lot of things in a two
week time. So I thank you Janice for
putting that together
for your time and addressing it. So
that's our report on that. Anybody else
have any other committee reports?
>> Uh Mr. Chairman I have a quick one.
Economic development met last night. Uh,
first on the agenda is they're
requesting $2,000 of their budget be
spent on a Revolutionary War reenactment
group that would do a campover at the
Summer's mansion in December and they
would also march in our Christmas
parade. So, that's something we don't
need an answer on right now, but just to
think about it. Uh, next year's the
250th anniversary, the
semiquincentennial.
Uh, I got that right, John.
I don't know whether I spelled it right,
but I got it right. Okay. And that we're
not gonna have that on a t-shirt.
>> No, please.
>> Uh, Edac wanted to know, is the city
going to handle anything? Are we going
to do it through inhouse or is there
anything that uh council would like them
to do? That doesn't have to be decided
at this minute either. Uh, one thing was
brought up about Jim Rotella had a
conversation about that there's 100%
grant money available for an
environmental expert to look at our
three gas station sites. The
information,
dissect it, and put it into uh language
that we could understand to see where
we're at. So I don't know whether
Rattella is already working on that or
uh we talk to them about it.
>> The steering committee too, the next
steering committee would cover that.
>> Okay. You know, and that's 100% grant so
it doesn't cost us anything. And the
last thing was the Ocean City Hotel that
went down the tubes. Edac wanted to know
is anybody from council or the mayor's
office going to reach out to the
developer and let him know that there's
two hotel potential hotel sites in
Summers Point or would you like EDAC to
do that?
>> That that has been accomplished. We have
reached out to the uh the owner that the
hotel went down. We have we have had we
have had contact through a letter.
>> All right, cool. I can cross that off
the list then. That's all I have.
Anybody else have any other committee
reports? All right, not hearing any
other committee reports. I just wanted
to uh say one thing um before that that
the uh Labor Day is coming up. We all
know that
we celebrate on Monday. Um just a little
history on that. um back in uh the first
Labor Day was the 5th of September 1882
when that occurred in uh New York and
President Groin Cleveland signed a law
in 1894 making the first Monday of
September the national holiday and it's
really a celebration of American labor
movements and the workers contribution
to our national economy. So, we have
folks here in the audience tonight that
are laborers that have added and will
continue to add and it's uh it's great
that we have this celebration to
recognize uh the labor and the labor
movement. So, thank you for that. Um
approval of minutes. I need a motion and
a second to approve the regular meeting
minutes of August the 14th and the
executive session meeting minutes of the
same day as to content only. May I have
a motion?
>> I'll make that motion. Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Mr. Dean recommending any comments?
>> Not hearing any comments. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
The above mentioned meeting minutes are
approved. I'm going to turn uh the
meeting over to the mayor here. Uh he's
got a proclamation he wants to talk
about.
>> Meeting agenda.
>> Um no, it's not. Go ahead.
>> So uh if you look on your agenda,
proclamation number six, I'm actually
pulling that. uh is knockout opioid uh
abuse day which happens to be October
6th. I thought that'd be more
appropriate doing that in September. But
I have proclamation number seven which
everyone here has which I'll read. It's
recognizing uh September as National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month whereas substance use disorders
affects millions of Americans impacting
individuals, families, communities
across the nation, including here in
Summers Point. And we do know some
people that have passed away because of
this. Whereas National Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Recovery Month is observed
each September to celebrate those in
recovery, promote evidence-based
treatment, and raise awareness about
substance use disorders. And whereas
recovery is possible for every per and
every person deserves access to support,
care and resources needed to lead
healthy, fulfill fulfilling lives free
from addiction. And whereas this month
provides an opportunity to reduce
stigma, educate the public, and honor
the strength and resilience of those who
are overcoming addiction. And whereas
the city of Summers Point stands with
health care professionals,
recovery advocates, families, and
individuals who are working to build a
stronger, healthier community through
prevention, treatment, and recovery
support.
Now therefore, I, Dennis Tap, mayor, the
city of Summers Point, do do proclaim
the month of September 2025 as National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month in Summers Point, New Jersey, and
encourage all residents to support
recovery efforts, participate in local
events, and help foster a community of
hope and healing. uh and on that so uh
Summers Point is one of the few
municipality that's taken part in a
class action lawsuit with a for opioid
settlement and uh
through that lawsuit we've collected a
lot of funding and I know that we uh
I've reached out with the uh
superintendent of our schools and see
between uh the schools as well as the
pal how we can partner up and we can
help put on some promotion, have a guest
speaker or do something at the schools.
You got to figure that out. You got to
get to these kids when they're young.
And uh I think that's the perfect place
to do that. So um I did talk with Tesy,
the superintendent. He says he's got to
call me next week because he's
frantically trying to get the school
open for next Tuesday. So but I'll keep
everyone apprised of where we're at and
that's it. Thank you.
>> Anybody up here any comments as far as
uh the proclamation?
I'm not hearing any. Um it's time to
open up for public portion on
resolutions. May I have a motion and a
second to
>> So move.
>> Have a second.
>> Second.
>> Um all in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed. We
are now open for resolutions only.
Resolutions only.
Hi, John. Benjamin Franklin,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sir, we do
have a policy for giving name and
addresses. They're accurate, but uh
since you don't want to comply with
that, um let's move on. And your three
minutes start now.
>> All right. Thank you.
Resolution 1982
uh 2025.
Pull this up.
I've heard there's some uh paytoplay
going on with this resolution here. Um
you guys saw how the pay to play
happened in Ed Harbor Township, right?
You guys have uh been accepting
donations from the unions.
Is that is that true? And then you guys
have to report um anything
over $300. Are you guys reporting all
donations over $300?
So that's all I have on that.
>> Thank you, sir.
Please sit down, please. Thank you.
>> Motion to close.
>> Do I have a second?
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? And now closed. Public
motion on resolutions. Madam clerk.
Resolution number 196, please.
Resolution number 196 of 2025
commemorating the 50th anniversary of
the end of the Vietnam War and honoring
the memory of Arthur Edward Bader Jr.
Whereas the Vietnam War remains a
profound chapter in our nation's history
marked by the service and sacrifice of
over 9 million Americans who served
during the conflict from 1955 to 1975.
And whereas the 50th anniversary of the
end of the Vietnam War offers a solemn
opportunity to honor those who served,
those who gave their lives, and those
who continue to bear the burdens of war.
And whereas the combat left a lasting
impact on a generation, thousands
returned home bearing visible wounds
while many others struggled with the
invisible scars of post-traumatic
stress, Agent Orange, and memories that
would never fade. And whereas during the
Vietnam War, more than 58,000 Americans
gave their lives in service to our
nation, their names are now eternally
engraved on two black granite walls,
serving as a permanent tribute to those
who paid the ultimate price in the
conflict. And whereas the city of
Summers Point recognizes and honors the
memory of Sergeant First Class Arthur
Edward Bader Jr., a resident of Pearson
Avenue in Summers Point who joined the
US Army to serve his country in Vietnam.
And whereas Sergeant First Class Bader
entered the US Army from New Jersey and
served with the Fifth Special Forces
Group. And on November 30th, 1968, while
serving as a passenger aboard a CH34
chalk tall tail number 144653,
his aircraft was struck by enemy
anti-aircraft fire over Laos and crashed
in Sana Province, tragically taking his
life. And whereas from September 16th to
20th, 2025, beginning daily at 12 PM,
Atlantic Cape Community College will
host the 82 FFT tribute wall in the cost
of freedom exhibit. A powerful and
moving display that pays tribute to all
who served in sacrifice during the
Vietnam War, marking the final official
Department of Defense commemoration
ceremony of this historic anniversary.
And whereas this event serves as a
moment of reflection, education, and
healing for our community, and a chance
to ensure that the legacy of our Vietnam
veterans is preserved and honored for
generations to come. Now, therefore, be
it resolved that the mayor and city
council of the city of Summers Point
paused to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the end of the Vietnam
War on March 29th, 2025.
Excuse me. Be it further resolved that
the mayor and city council do hereby
designate September 16th through the
20th, 2025 as Vietnam War veterans
commemoration days in the city of
Summers Point and encourage all
residents to attend the commemorative
events to honor the sacrifice in memory
of Sergeant Firstclass Arthur Edward
Bader Jr. and to express our deepest
gratitude to all Vietnam veterans and
their families. And be it final finally
resolved that this resolution serve as a
lasting tribute from the city of Summers
Point, ensuring that the sacrifice and
service of Sergeant First Class Arthur
Edward Badier Jr. and all Vietnam
veterans are never forgotten.
>> We have a motion.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> May I have a second?
>> Second.
>> Any comments?
>> Mr. President, if I may. Yes, Mr. the uh
the Vietnam War in that era was a rather
difficult uh to say the least uh time in
this country uh and and certainly uh the
Vietnam veterans coming home were not uh
afforded the welcome they should have
had. Um mistakes were made and no doubt
uh like any war war is a terrible thing
and and we can never forget uh those who
choose or or who serve in those
conflicts. Uh you know I I think that
the the VA has come a long way in
serving veterans, but there's a long way
to go. God bless you. Uh there's a long
way to go and and I think that we and
and and particularly here in Summers
Point, we we don't seem to forget. Uh
I'm very proud of how we treat our
veterans and the services that we we uh
are able to provide and and the uh all
the institutions, the VFW, the American
Legion, the the Avets and so forth. uh
the way they we we embrace our veterans
and I think we need to like through
resolutions like this continue to do
this. And the other thing in in
researching this and and looking into uh
uh Arthur Bader Jr.'s uh history, it's
fascinating and I I would encourage you
to take a look at that when you have an
opportunity. Thank you, Mr. President.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mcwigan. Any other
comments?
>> Council President.
>> Yes, Mr. Dan.
>> Uh for veterans, my dad was a veteran.
Um we have people our fellow councilman
up here, our veterans, Howard D and
recognized as well as um Rick the
Pamplas. Uh thank you for your service
and everybody out there in the audience
who have served. Uh sometimes the words
thank you is never enough, but thank
you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Anybody else?
Not hearing anyone else. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 186 is approved. Madam clerk,
187, please.
>> Resolution number 197 of 2025 awarding
bid for the 2025 emergency repairs and
miscellaneous maintenance contract.
>> We have a motion. I'll make that motion.
We have a second. Thank you. Any
comments? Not hearing any comments. All
in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
Resolution number 197 is approved.
Madame clerk, 198, please. Resolution
number 198 of 2025, resolution requiring
the use of project labor agreements on
certain largecale city construction
projects.
>> Have a motion. I'll make that motion. I
have a second.
>> Second.
>> Any comments?
>> Um, council president. Um, I'm I'm going
to abstain on this vote. Um, I just
don't have enough information. I don't
really I tried to get clarification on
this. I spoke to three different people
and got three different answers. So, I
don't feel that I've been educated
enough on this resolution for me to have
an opinion. So, I'm going to abstain
from this bill.
>> Thank you.
>> Um I have a question.
Yes, I have a question. Um this project
labor agreement is that for um
unions
>> it can be
gohead Tom I went back and forth with
you on this. Go ahead. Any contractor,
any subcontractor can enter a contract
with the city
to use.
[Music]
>> Okay.
>> That was my uh the prevailing wage was
>> where I was going.
>> That's it, Mark. Anybody else? Go ahead,
Mr. McGlo.
>> Thank you. uh you know the the buildings
and grounds uh obviously we even talked
about it at last meeting. You know we're
exploring all kinds of uh avenues to
replace this building and certainly one
of those is to build a a a large scale
building that would certainly uh be over
$5 million uh a a PLA and and this this
type of uh resolution that would ensure
a PLA. I mean, if we're going to make
that kind of investment
and and you know, we're we're a long way
from making that final decision, but if
we're going to make that kind of
investment with the taxpayers's money, I
think we owe it to them to ensure that
we're able to deliver a a product that a
we can be proud of and that can last and
has excellent workmanship. uh that a PLA
will ensure that the the the craftsman
that are are on those projects
have been trained properly
are skilled at at their particular
trade. So I I think that this is
somewhat of a no-brainer to at least to
me that we would want to deliver the
best product for our citizens. and and
and and the other thing that that a PLA
ensures a safe work space and a safe you
know we we see as you talked about Labor
Day and and and really uh labor is is
the backbone of this country and uh it
it's incumbent upon us to ensure that
it's a safe project and it's a safe
working environment. So I I am uh
strongly in favor of that. Thank you,
Mr. President.
Mr. Chairman, can we have a roll call
vote on this?
>> Before we do that, may I speak?
>> Councilman, I like the house. I
>> You go first.
>> Okay. Um, I totally support what
Councilman Mcwigan said, but I also want
to let you know that my family has been
a longtime union family. Uh, 80 years
ago, my father was a member of the
Teamsters. Uh he served 47 years as a
teamster. Uh when I originally worked in
the city as this city as a laborer, I
was a labor organizer for the public
works department successful to some
degree. So I've always supported the
unions and I support the unions now. And
that's why I'm going to vote yes on this
resolution.
I support Mr. McGrigan and Mr. Bill's uh
comments, but I also wanted to put this
on the agenda when it came forward for
Mr. Owen and uh Mr. McGuigan. I think as
council members, we owe it to the
community as we try to undertake a
potential of a new city hall. And that's
going to be a a large endeavor wherever
we build it or whatever we do. That's
going to be a major endeavor. And we're
trying to do this approach in a very
organized process. trying to go through
and lay it out so that we are become
educated the best we can. We do owe the
residents of the city that type of
process. And I believe putting this on
now is just another step because we're
recognizing we do not want to fail on
this project. We want to have the
quality. We want to have the savings. We
want to get the project done on time. We
don't want to have any cost overruns. We
don't want to have any work stoppages.
And if you look at the language in this
resolution, it addresses all of that. It
also puts some burden on our business
administrator and our solicitor to build
the proper guidelines so that we have
the guide rails in place. And this will
allow us to show our residents that we
are taking a very meticulous methodical
approach in our endeavor.
So if anybody Thank you.
Any
other council people would like to
speak, please let me know at this time.
>> We hear from uh
>> Mr. Owen and Mr. Gity.
>> I call for a vote. That's right. Sorry.
>> Okay. Madame Clerk, capital roll call.
>> Council member Gity.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Deanis.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Owen.
>> Yes.
>> Council member Johnston. Uh, since I did
just get my question answered with
several comments, I will change my vote
to a yes.
>> Council member Mcwigan,
>> yes.
>> Council member Dill,
>> yes.
>> Council President Habercorn,
>> yes. Resolution number 198 is approved.
>> 199, please. Resolution number 199 of
2025 approving sponsorship by the city
of Summers Point and the Summers Point
Recreation Commission of the Good Old
Days Festival.
>> Revolution.
[Laughter]
Thank you. Thank you.
>> Any uh any comments, Mr. President?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Well, I encourage everybody to attend
that event. I would like to recuse
myself from this vote since I'm so
heavily involved.
>> Well, I thank I thank you for doing
that.
>> Council President, I'm also a member of
the uh committee and I would like to uh
remove myself from the vote, too.
>> Uh thank you, Mr. Dill.
>> Council President, I'm laz for the rec
board, so I don't know if I recuse
myself. Good. Okay. All right. Thank
you.
>> I was going to pretty soon I was going
to be down to nobody but me. It was
here. So, all right. So, any other
comments on this one? If not, um, all in
favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 199 is approved. Madam clerk,
number 200, please.
>> Resolution number 200 of 2025 awarding
bid for the 2025 road program rebid.
>> May I have a motion? I'll make that
motion. I have a second. Second. Any
comments? Not hearing any comments. All
in favor? I. Any opposed? Not hearing
any opposed. Resolution number 200 is
approved. Uh, Madam Clerk, 2011, please.
>> Resolution number 2011 of 2025, awarding
bid for the fiscal year 2024 municipal
aid reconstruction of New Jersey Avenue.
Rebid.
>> Have a motion. We'll make that motion. I
have a second. Second. Not hearing any
comments. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing any opposed.
Resolution 2011 is approved. May I have
a motion and a second for the consent
agenda, please?
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Okay. Any comments? Not hearing any
comments. All in favor?
>> I opposed. Not hearing any opposed. The
consent agenda is approved. All right.
Let's move. Does anyone have any old
business to discuss?
Not hearing any old business. Does
anyone have any new business to discuss?
Not hearing any new business. Mr. Frost,
we need to discuss the bills, please.
speak, sir.
>> Okay. Next on the list is um may I have
a motion open for public comment,
please?
>> Motion.
>> May I have a second, please?
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? Not hearing. Any opposed?
We are now open for public session.
Again, please state your name and
address for the record. I'm going to
rename or remain anonymous.
>> Okay, sir. Um, you breaking our policy.
I understand that. Three minutes. Start
now. Thank you very much.
>> Okay. So, uh, to the lawyer, like I said
before, you're a terrible lawyer.
>> I'm going to ask you to not have any
derogatory comments
>> to the chair to the lawyer. He's a
terrible lawyer.
>> Okay. Good evening. My name is not the
issue. My the issue is my rights. At the
last meeting, I was forced to state my
name to speak. I was told that there was
a policy, but I checked. There is no
such policy. Why can I speak tonight
anonymously? Why did I get doxed by the
town attorney?
>> Crazy. That is [ __ ] crazy.
>> Free speech here. I can
interrupt my time. Stop my time if
you're going to interrupt me.
>> No. No. This is [ __ ] crazy.
>> Oh, there's a child in the room.
>> I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. Any So, so there's no there's
there's no such thing as that policy to
state your name. Where's that policy?
Point of procedure. Point of procedure.
And even if there was, it wouldn't
override the Constitution. Yet, here we
are. The lawyer went as far to tell me
that the state requires me to give my
name and address. That's false. That's
false. You lied.
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act
guarantees me the right to speak. It
does not say I must state my name. It
does not say I must give my address.
That is a choice,
not the law. To claim otherwise is
misleading. You misled your council.
You're a bad lawyer.
And let's be clear, United States
Supreme Court has already spoken on this
issue. Tally v. California 1960.
The court struck down a rule requiring
name and addresses on hand saying anonym
anonymity is protected speech minute and
you doxed me. You gave my name and the
time I was
shameful. Shame on you. But there's
more. McIntyre versus Ohio Elections
Commission in 95 ruled against forcing
citizens to identify themselves before
speaking. It violated the First
Amendment. and Watchtower Bible Track
Society vers Stratton. In 2002, court
struck down a law requiring speakers to
register and disclose their names before
engaging in public expression, which I
tried to do here.
Ridiculous.
>> First of all,
so now I'm told
by this council or by your attorney that
I have no no right to remain anonymous.
I just did tonight.
I just did tonight except for this
scumbag.
>> All right.
>> Hit the button. Hit the button.
>> Hit the button.
>> You're up, sir. Please sit. Oh, no.
Robert's rules. When it's the people's
time to speak, let them speak. You're
three minutes or up. Please sit. Thank
you very much.
>> Where's the clock? I want to see the
clock.
>> We have a clock up here.
>> Hello.
>> Hold on. Hold on.
Thanks, man.
>> Moren Hellbig, 106 East Stalls Avenue,
Summers Point.
>> Thank you, Moren.
>> Um, I have a couple comments. First of
all, last time I spoke about um our
police department and the kids on the
bikes and I was out today walking and it
was just wonderful. The police were
there. They had a young fellow with
them. They were I saw them twice because
I walked both ways um talking to kids,
stopping them and having very nice
conversations. And most of the kids had
their helmets on which was great. But I
would just like to say thank you to the
police department for um engaging with
our young children. And the other thing
is I've been coming to these meetings
for years and when I get up to speak and
everyone else that I've seen get up to
speak, we are here because we care about
Summers Point and we like to talk about
what is happening in Summers Point. We
like to ask your help for what is
happening in Summers Point. So
not everyone stands up here and has much
to say about Summers Point, but that's
why I came up tonight. So I just want to
say thank you. Thank you, M.
>> Hello, council.
>> State your name, please.
>> Tommy, you want to give them my name?
>> I don't know your name, sir.
>> Exactly.
I'm Freddy Krueger.
>> Three minutes, sir.
>> Of Elm Street, and I'll tell you right
now, I'm extremely reluctant to give my
name and address out of concern for
retaliation because that's what that
policy really does. Now, I understand he
was very animated, right? But
wouldn't you be upset if your
constitutional rights are violated?
Shouldn't you be? Where's the outrage at
that? That's outrageous as well.
What that policy does is discourage
people from speaking freely by putting a
target on their backs. And if that
sounds like a nightmare to you, good.
Because that's exactly what your
unconstitutional demand for names and
addresses has become, a nightmare for
free speech.
In the previous meeting that you posted
on YouTube, your own CFO stood at this
very lecture and never once gave her
name and address. So if this rule is
really about decorum and transparency,
it seems it only applies when you wanted
to. The First Amendment doesn't require
me to hand you my name and address
before I speak, it guarantees citizens
the right to petition their government
without conditions, without
intimidation, and without unmasking
themselves. He mentioned the Supreme
Court court case law. Um but he what he
didn't mention was the federalist papers
the foundation of this country that were
published an anonymously for the same
reason to p protect citizens from
retaliation from government power.
Forcing people to state their names and
addresses is intimidation. Plain and
simple. On Elm Street the monster comes
for you when you sleep. Here in Summers
Point the monster comes for you when you
speak. And let's not forget you put
these meetings on YouTube. So when you
demand an address, you're not just
forcing someone to expose themselves to
you. You're broadcasting their personal
information to the world.
That's not democracy. That's a jump
scare. And while you claim this is about
transparency, what you're really doing
is using fear clause like fear like
claws on a chalkboard,
hoping sound alone keeps critics quiet.
The 40 only wins when people are too
scared to wake up. You only win.
Citizens are too scared to speak up. And
we're not afraid. Well, tonight my name
is Freddy and my address is Elm Street.
My identity is citizen and that makes me
your boss. You don't work above me. You
work for me. You don't grant me
permission to speak. I grant you the
privilege of listening.
And the first amendment doesn't fear
you. It exposes you. The constitution
never sleeps. Every every time you
demand an address, you slash at the Bill
of Rights. Keep it up if you want, but
remember, nightmares always come back.
And this one will haunt you long after
the lights in this chamber go out.
That's all I got. Sweet dreams, baby.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Sweet dreams, baby.
>> Sir, and I ask that you let Miss Pearson
come up since she's
>> No, I'm next. Yeah. Right. Okay.
>> You okay, Pat? Stand in
>> now. Excuse me, sir. Number one,
>> please.
>> Number one, sir, Thomas G. Smith,
>> you showed your true colors. You are a
vile, not just a terrible attorney,
obviously. You're a vile American for
doxing this man right here. Again, sir,
he wanted an anonymity and you doxed
him. How dare you,
>> sir? Can you direct your comments
towards me, please?
>> No, I'm going to direct it to whoever I
want to. Am I a free man or what, sir?
Am I free? Keep going.
>> First amendment
is super important.
>> You're disrupting me. Please resolve my
time. Please resolve my time.
>> Don't let anybody You can't let
>> Please resolve my time. Keep talking.
>> So, you asked for a name. All right,
I'll give you a name. I am Chris Farley
and I'm a motivational speaker and I
live in a van down by the river. You
wanted a name? Yes. You're the one who
makes a mark of this. You're the one who
invited me here because of what you did
to this man last time. You invited me
here. You invited all of us here.
Now that we got all that nonsense out of
the way last week, I watched in horror
as a American stood right here in
Summer's Point supposedly the United
States of America and you told him he
could not speak unless he first
surrendered his anonymity, his name and
address for the record. And in that
moment, I must have tripped through a
wormhole in the time space continuum
because suddenly I wasn't in New Jersey
anymore. I was in Russia, China, North
Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, or perhaps
Fidel's Castro Cuba.
>> Here's I want my time back.
>> Here's the reality. In America, we have
this little thing with bothersome to you
called the First Amendment. It
guarantees five sacred rights. I suggest
you write these down and perhaps tattoo
them on your
guarantees religion, assembly, petition,
press, and speech. Petition as in the
right to regret grievances against
government. Nowhere in that amendment
does it say only if you first clo up
your home address so the bureaucrats can
track you down and investigate what
bowling league or slurp apprentice group
you might belong to.
And this anonymous gentleman, he already
said K move past that. So when you sit
there and demand name and address for
the record, this vile attorney,
make a move attorney. What's the point?
To blacklist people, to put them on an
enemy's list, the Summers Point secret
file cabinet, the citizens who dare to
speak against you and stand up for their
first amendment rights. Are you
worrying? He might be part of a local
chess club or god forbid the kombucha
booming crochet circle pl to yarn bomb
your city hall. That's a yarn bomb. Yarn
made of yarn. Let me be absolutely
clear. I will not and never give my name
and address for the record. I will speak
because I'm a free American. Our
forefathers would run in their graves if
they saw you demanding Americans IDs
before allowing them to petition this
government or admit that you or or do
this. Lastly, will you now admit that
you have secceeded from the United
States of America and that you truly are
a part of communist China or Russia?
Will you
vile attorney?
Will you give your resignation now?
>> Your time is up, sir. Give your
resignation. Your time is up.
Goodbye.
>> Mrs.
Pearson, if you'd like to come up,
please.
>> Thank you for waiting.
>> Easy.
>> Hit the button. You better get some help
in here.
>> You better get the
>> You better get some help in here.
>> Got it.
Patricia Pearson,
>> you better wait till the
>> Patricia Pearson 587 Marks Road. I'd
like to say a few things. Number one,
I'm going to change the subject a little
bit because
yesterday was a very, very good day. And
where do you hear this?
Janice Johnson a couple of years ago
started Lawson's pre and that is a a
crew that adopted a coast guard cutter
in Cape May and the Coast Guard cutter
is called Lawson's Pride and the object
is to give the crew of that Coast Guard
cutter some happy holidays and events.
So this has all been working
beautifully. She runs it perfect. We're
all happy. The Coast Guard's happy.
Everybody's happy. Summers Point is
doing this really good thing. So now,
yesterday,
Winding River Campground up on the
Weimoth Road, got out here. All the crew
of Lawson's Pride, all these Coastg
Guard guys came up and had a day of
river rafting. Three hours down the
river, a barbecue, and just a wonderful
time.
>> Bring your cops back in here. We got an
issue here.
>> My time's up.
>> No, you're right.
>> Bring that police officer back in.
>> Jack, get those guys in here. Jack, he's
outside.
>> Pat, if you want to sit, stand back up,
please.
>> Sit down.
>> If you want to. I don't want you to
stand up.
>> Thanks for talking about our room.
>> They should be
will be a lawsuit. Just
>> sit down, Pat.
Please understand
>> Mrs. Pearson, please continue.
>> Okay. So, anyhow, it was a good day for
Lawson's Pride. It was a good day for
Summers Point. It was a good day for the
Coast Guard. Also, a a radio person from
Vinand was came and was and announced it
all over Vinland radio last night. So,
Summers Point was really really on the
map last night and all day yesterday in
a good nice way. So, that's that one.
The other one I want to tell you is um
pick it up.
>> This is a little drama here tonight.
Yeah.
>> Look what you started.
[Music]
>> Okay, Pat, you can continue now to being
a little
>> So, the rest of it is that um is Mr.
Morton in public works. Is he on a sick
leave or something?
>> Not that I'm aware. That's not
>> I can't speak to
I'm sorry. Um anyhow is um who who's
who's looking after public works right
now?
Is it the mayor? Are you the mayor? Are
you doing it?
>> Everything's under control.
>> Okay. It's under control. All right. I I
believe you. I believe you. Um two
things though. One, will you will you
look real good at the ball field and
make sure it's all fixed up nice and
all? Cuz a couple people have been
moaning to me about that. And the other
thing is if you if there's you're having
a power washing job anywhere anywhere,
will you go and somebody go and inspect
it after it's done? I mean, I have no
problems with public works, but I'm
telling you what's on the street. Okay.
>> So,
>> yeah. Actually, I made a big list up,
gave it to public works, get everything
in order, full page of that they're
getting done. They're working. They were
working. I had eight guys over there at
Patriots Park getting ready for uh
>> I believe you. So,
>> it's just word on the street. I'm
>> now the rest of it is that um
>> uh I go by the acne real early in the
morning, five and six o'clock a lot of
days of the week. It's very very clean
down there. And that Lee Brand keeps
that shopping center very very good. And
I went by Mexico too for another reason.
And that place is spotless. So when
these places are doing such a good job,
I think that sometimes you should say
that they're doing such a good job. And
then one other request. This is sincere.
Well, I know Mr. Frost is going to have
that Patriots Park looking good for
Labor Day, right? Okay. Thank you very
much for listening to me.
>> Thank you.
Sir, if you want to speak, please come
forward.
>> It's open to me speaking right now. Yes,
sir.
>> Hi, my name is Dice Common Nelson. I'm
glad these gentlemen walk back in
because what I'm about to tell them will
help educate them a little through the
process in dealing with the things that
they're animated about. I'm from Central
Avenue, Ocean City.
The reason I'm here tonight is to
explain. First of all, this is the flag
of the United States of America. In
Ocean City for a year or two, they kept
saluting that flag, the one with the
gold fringe, and I refused to stand. A
veteran got all upset, was going to
almost have a heart attack. I said, "You
take away the Nazi flag, and I'll be the
first to stand." You know what happened?
It replaced the flag. This flag is the
flag of the United States.
I have been put in jail by the state of
New Jersey, by the former police chief
of Ocean City, by a county prosecutor
who contrived a crime when I wanted to
attend church in my own
way,
Summers Point in Ocean, uh, excuse me,
St. Peter's United Methodist Church.
The reason I'm here tonight, sir, Mr.
for mayor is the prosecutor for this
city
refuses to sign an oath in office when
he took the prosecutor's
um uh job and that my friend is a crime
which a mayor under 18 USC 3041 powers
of courts and magistrates this mayor
gentleman could have had you arrested I
would not have done what he did I
understand why you did it. He's being
very gracious to you, aren't you, Mr.
May? You could have arrested them in two
seconds.
Now, I also want the the same power that
you have under the constitution. Do you
know how many constitutions there are?
At least two. How can I prove it? When
the government put me in an court for
refusing the jurisdiction of the court,
I called Jeff Ban's office. I said,
"Send me the Constitution that man has
the oath to." You know what one they
sent me? This one, the Constitution of
the United States of America that goes
with that flag when it's not on federal
property. My Constitution, the flag of
the United States, this flag. Go to
Ocean City. It's flying in right behind
you, gentlemen. Over there. I want to
see it here. That brings me to the
problem. Ocean City sent me over here
for a trial. This judge in your town is
allowing this prosecutor to prosecute
without the oath of office.
That's a crime.
He took me in chains.
Judge Freed, he says Chris Christie
changed the rules. Really? Huh? I'm
going to be sending I didn't have a
chance to do it, but I'll send all of
you folks the information so you can
review it. my court the court date.
Thank you very much.
>> Thank you, sir. Appreciate your
comments.
>> All right. Not seeing anyone else making
it a motion to close.
>> I make a motion to close.
>> I have a second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I.
>> Any opposed? We now close the public
comment. May I have a motion to pay the
bills, please?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Have a second. I'll second it. All in
favor?
>> Any opposed? Not hearing anybody
opposed. Let's uh pay the bills. Um
All right. Does the governing body have
any further comments?
>> Um Council President, I just have Don't
be scared. It's a good thing. I just
have a
>> comment.
Give you the floor.
>> Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to make a
comment in reference to Mrs. Pearson's
comments about Lawson's Pride. And uh I
just wanted to say it's a group effort.
We have a committee of about 10 and
everybody does their part with whether
it's raising funds, sitting behind a
table trying to sell t-shirts, whatever
it is. Um, and yesterday was the
fruition of that and uh, so I just want
to say it's not just me. It is a group
effort. There is a a group of people
that get these things done. So, thank
you for your comments.
>> Thank you, Council Member John.
>> Mr. President, Mr. McGregor,
>> uh, I'd be afraid when I'm talking. Uh
I'd like to thank the person that's
responsible for all this uh personally.
Uh but I my main comment is that you
know I sleep very well at night uh
knowing that I have Tom Smith guiding
this council and and offering legal
advice uh to this city. I sleep very
well at night. Thank you, Mr. President.
>> You're welcome, Mr. Mcwigan.
>> Anybody else have any comments?
>> Yeah, actually I I have I have one last
comment. You know, I was remiss in not
recognizing former Councilman Ron Meer,
who was in the audience tonight.
>> Any other comments?
>> Oh, that's plenty. All right. Uh, just a
couple, not minor things, but just a
couple things. Um, Mrs. Elig's going to
be starting up her senior yoga again
pretty soon. if you know anybody that
wants to join that. They've asked Mr.
McGwigan to take something before the
rec board as far as doing a Tuesday um
once a month game night uh during the
October through January time to try to
get some more of our residents out to
get to know each other. Uh so we're
we're going to see if that'll get
approved through the record board and
we'll get that done. So, a couple things
out there to, you know, try to keep the
residents uh engaged and especially over
the winter months, it's always good to
uh have an activity to do. All right,
any other comments?
>> If not, may I get a motion to adjurnn?
I'll make that motion. I got a second.
Second.