Council - Regular Meeting

Get off that damn thing. Want to look at the Let me keep Mom. One more thing. These are supposed to be just saying that now. I apologize but this this and this should be regular agenda. It should be up here. Okay.

We shouldn't do anything. What? 40 41 42 Yes. I didn't prepare it. [laughter]

Good evening. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [cough and clears throat]

Good evening and happy new year. This meeting of the township council is being held in accordance with the schedule of the meetings of the township council established and adopted by the township council which schedule designated the time and date and place of this meeting. Adequate public notice of this meeting has been provided pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings act. We are using an electronic amplifying recording device in order to obtain a clear and audible record. And we request all those wishing to speak be recognized and state your name and address directly into the microphone. the recording device to be solely utilized by the township clerk's office for the preparation of the mens and shall be the official record of the township council meetings. Madam clerk, may the roll call, please. Mr. Minion here. Mrs. Albreight Troxel,

she is ill this evening. Mrs. Grace Love here. Mr. Nash here. Mrs. Walters here. Mr. Castro here. Mr. Marcato present. Mr. Carlamir here. Mr. Cartis here. Chief Manazi here. Mr. McGill here. Madam clerk, can we also add our new township planner, uh, Karen Weiss from Bach and Associates, who's sitting in our front row. Welcome, Karen. Thank you.

We'll now have our first uh public comment. This is for agenda items only. Anyone addressing council may speak one time. Each speaker is entitled to three minutes. There's a total of 15 minutes for this public comment period, and the speaker speaks once. Does anyone like to speak on any agenda items? Mr. Sweet. Happy new year, council. Uh Samu from 18 Elizabeth Place over in Ariel. Um is this where I can also talk about the ordinance or not? The first reading of the ordinance. There's a hearing at the second reading of it. You can talk about any item. We'll respond to it after you've made your comments.

Okay. Um, I've reviewed the B the bond ordinance that's being introduced for January 12th, 2026, and I have several legal and fiscal questions I'd like to raise to ensure transparency and protect the taxpayers. Um, first one is the ordinance authorizes $750,000 in bonds or notes with a down payment of zero yet approximately $562,000 of grant funding from the green acres program is expected. So my first question is where in the ordinance is the grant legally credited so that the township cannot issue debt above the net project cost? Section three, the loan requirement states that the bond may evidence a Greenacres loan. Does anything in this ordinance legally require the township to use the Greenacres loan at 0% interest rather than traditional interestbearing bonds? Uh section five, the ban ban risk which is um bond anticipatory note allows repeated issuance of a bond anticip anticipatory note at interest. What limits exist in this ordinance on the interest rate, number of renewals or total cost of bond anticipatory note financing? Uh, section nine shows the gross income increasing by $750,000 or I'm sorry, the gross debt increasing by $750,000 and section 10 pledges full taxing power for this amount. How is this consistent with the statements that the taxpayer exposure will be limited to roughly $187,500? Section seven, the scope and reallocation authorizes various park improvements included but not limited to the playground. What prevents funds authorized under this ordinance from being redirected to other park related purposes without f further council approval?

Um, if the Green Acres grant happens to get delayed, reduced, or even rescended, does this ordinance authorize the township to issue the full $750,000 in debt without f further council action? And this ordinance authorizes $750,000 even though net project funding after grants and loans would be approximately 187,500. Why was the ordinance not drafted to legally authorize only the net amounts of bonds as permitted under NJSA 40A col2-11C? So, for clarity and fiscal responsibility, I I I'm going to urge council to consider amending the ordinance to legally net out the grant, require the use of the green acres loan for the remainder, restrict funds to the playground, the specific playground improvements, and include contingencies if the grant funding is unavailable.

Thank you, Mr. Sweet. Do you have your questions because you it was rapid fire and I'm trying to write them down, but do you have your questions printed up that I can email them to you tomorrow? Okay. Because I know that you were corresponding with Mr. Cartis throughout the day, asking the same questions. No, I did not ask the same questions. Well, you asked similar question. I asked not similar. I asked different questions to get clarification. So, you can't provide that to me. You can email me. Okay. Because I'm trying to respond to that. I won't be able to respond tonight then. Okay. Then I I can give that to you. Okay. So, uh Mr. Carson and I hopefully and Mr. Carl May could provide an answer.

Yes. ABS myself. Thank you. Is there anyone else would like to speak during this first public comment? Give back to Sam.

We'll close first of first public comment. Okay. Um, you want you want to take a look at Mr. Carters? Mr. Cartis has Mr. Sweet's questions here. You want to read that first question? said the ordinance authorizes 750,000 in bonds or notes with a down payment of zero yet approximately 562,500 of grant funding from the Green Acres program is expected where in the ordinance is the grant legally credited so the township cannot issue debt above the net project cost so you know I'd love to be able to answer each one of these but I'm not in a position to do that right Now, and I will tell you this, the ordinance that you have before you was prepared by Parker McKay, which is your bond council, and it is in reference to a an award by Green Acres, uh to the township for the Jake Law uh playground, which is the handicapped accessible playground we're going to be constructing, uh near the uh Field of Dreams. Uh it contains 75% of a grant which is 562,500. Uh remaining balance 25% which is 187,500 is at 0% interest. Uh it is required that you have a bond ordinance uh established in order to uh accept and also to set up a spending mechanism for this $700,000 $750,000 uh for that project.

Tom, can I interrupt you for a sec? Is that requirement from Green Acres that you must go forward with having this bond? Absolutely. Okay. And bond council also, our attorney. Okay. So, are you able to respond to those questions? No, no, not now. I would I would I would run it by bond counsel to be honest with you. Okay. And then respond back to Mr. Sweet. Yeah. I mean, we've had, as you pointed out, uh five emails back and forth today, primarily discussing uh what a bond ordinance is and uh the difference between that and the bond anticipation note. Okay. All right. All right, we'll return that back to

There you go. We'll make a copy. Yes. At the end of meeting, we'll make a copy and then we'll get that back to Mr. Sweet. Okay.

Okay. Ordinance first reading introduction. There will be a hearing at our second reading. Ordinance 0-26-01, Ordinance of the Township of Gloucester amending sewer fee collection dates as part of chapter 51 of the code of the township of Gloucester, county of Camden, and the state of New Jersey. Uh, traditionally, we have sewer bills that are due for the LO the Gloss Township Sewer Department due January 15th, uh, April 15th, uh, June 15, or well, I'm getting my dates wrong. July 15th and then um October 15th. Correct. The quarterly collection dates uh with this will allow us to move it to February 1st, May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st of this year. Uh the dates will be subject to a 10-day grace period. Um and I'll entertain a motion.

So move. A second. On the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Muno? Yes. Mrs. Grace Love? Yes. Mr. Nash? Yes. Mrs. Walters. Yes. Mr. Castro. Yes. Mr. Marcato. Yes. And I asked Mr. Car, you work with the mayor's office and social media team to make sure that this is made aware to all our res. Yeah. It's well posted on the uh township website and the bills uh should be received by everyone by the end of this week. But the sewer department, if people are still on that the January 15th thing, they can pay now, right?

Absolutely. We we've already accept accepted payments and even though we bill quarterly, we have also accepted a full amount of $184 which would be the 46 times the four.

Got it. Okay. Thank you. Next is ordinance 0-26-02. This is a first reading. This is a bond ordinance authorizing the completion of various park improvements in the township of Gloucester County of Camden, New Jersey, appropriating the sale of $750,000. Therefore authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds or bond anticipation notes of the township of Gloucester County of Camden, New Jersey in the aggregate principal amount of up to $750,000 making certain determinations and covenants and authorizing certain related actions in connections with the foregoing. This is ordinance to authorize the township to move forward with the Jake Law playground at the Valley Brook complex uh located near our existing Field of Dreams facility. uh is is being funded 75% by through Green Acres uh and then a by a grant and then 25% of the 1975 is being funded through a New Jersey Green Acres loan at 0% over a 20-year period. Uh the money will be borrowed when the project is completed. I'll now entertain a motion.

So move. There a second. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Manion. Yes. Mrs. Grace Love. Yes. Mr. Nash. Yes. Mrs. Walters. Yes. Mr. Castro. Yes. Mr. Marcato.

Yes. Again, there will be a second hearing for this. Uh, Mr. Cars, I ask you that you could provide those answers to Mr. uh and then Mr. will have an opportunity again to speak at the second hearing. Uh when this is presented, if he has any additional questions. Now, we have our consent agenda. Before uh we go forward with that, there are three items. Resolution 2601-040, 041, and 042. I would like to have them move to the regular agenda and not the consent. So, can I have a motion to accept the consent agenda amending res uh well taking out resolutions 40, 41, and 42?

So, moved. Is there a second? Second. So, there's a motion on the floor to amend the consent agenda. May I have a roll call, please? Mr. Yes. Mrs. Graceoff? Yes. Mr. Nash? Yes. Mrs. Walters? Yes. Mr. Castro? Yes. Mr. Marcato? Yes. Can I have a motion to accept the amended res amended consent agenda? So moved. Second. Second. On the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Minion. Yes. Mrs. Grace Love. Yes. Mr. Nash. Yes. To the amendment. Mr. Walters. Yes. Mr. Castro. Yes. Mr. Marcato. Yes.

Resolution 26 col01-40. Resolution of the township council of the township of Gloucester County of Camden, New Jersey, authorizing and approving the issuance and sale of up to $750,000 of bonds of the township of Glouster consisting of the township's general obligation bonds series 2026A and the township's general obligation bonds series 2026B authorizing the execution and delivery of the loan agreements to be executed by the township and each of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and state of New Jersey acting by and through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Further authorizing the execution and delivery of an escrow agreement, all pursuant to the 2026 New Jersey Infrastructure Bank financing program and determining certain other matter matters in connection therewith. Uh this resolution u will allow us to perform various drainage improvements along Argal Avenue, Sturbish Drive, and Melvin Avenue. Is there anything you want to add to that, Mr. Cars? Uh these projects are at their completion. Uh as you point out, Argyle Avenue uh roadway along the roadways of Argyle, Sturbridge Drive, and Melvin Avenue. Uh this one particular uh resolution 40 was for 750,000. So in essence what it's doing is it was financed by the I bank uh at a at a uh low interest loan that was very close to zero interest uh and now it is going going to be also uh at a low interest rate but it's going to be for a long longer period of time uh financed through the IBAC.

May I have a motion please? So moved. Second on the question roll call please. Mr. Minion. Yes. Mrs. Grace Love. Yes. Mr. Nash. Yes. Mrs. Walters. Yes, Mr. Castro. Yes, Mr. Marcato. Yes.

Resolution R2601041, resolution of the Township Council of the Township Gloucester, County of Camden, New Jersey, authorizing and approving the issuance and sale of up to 1,400,000 of bonds of the township of Gloucester consisting of the township's general obligation bonds series 2026 C and the township's general obligation bond series 2026D. authorizing the execution and delivery of the loan agreements to be executed by the township in each of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and State of New Jersey, acting by and through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, further authorizing the execution and delivery of an escrow agreement, all pursuant to the 2026 New Jersey Infrastructure Bank financing program, and determining certain other matters in connection therewith. And this is for various drainage improvements uh along uh Cherrywood Drive and Kelly Driver Road and to replace the head wall at uh Sney Lane. [snorts]

May I have a motion, please? So moved. There a second. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mone, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mr. Castro, yes. Mr. Marcato, yes. Resolution R-2601-042 resolution adopting a temporary budget for the towns booker for 2026. May I have a motion, please? So move. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mun? Yes. Mrs. Grace Love? Yes. Mr. Nash? Yes. Mrs. Walters? Yes. Mr. Castro? Yes. Mr. Marcato?

Yes. We'll now open up our second public comment period. Uh, any individual like to speak, please raise your hand. Each speaker is entitled to five minutes. They may speak one time and there's 30 minutes for this entire period. Does anyone like to speak? We're going to second public comment. Mr. Sweet. Evening council again, Samu from Ariel.

Um, just to be clear, I'm not against Jake's playground being done. I'm just looking out for the I don't want to increase debt. You know, I'm I've been up here several times preaching, you know, better spending, better borrowing habits, and all of that. So, those questions are more or less trying to protect the township and the public. because I find [cough] this is going to come out wrong when I say this, but you guys don't ask any questions about about this. So, I don't know what you've received regarding that, but the the ordinance doesn't state that they're going to cap off you use a interest free loan for 20 months. Those questions are legitimate questions. Okay? And it's regarding the that aspect. So, I'm not against the playground. I'm just against potential borrowing or over borrowing for it and that's just want to make that clear.

Can I ask something? Wait, you can ask at the end of this. Thank you.

So the [clears throat] just like when I say you don't ask questions like I don't know the last two bonds you wrote you uh read. All right. I don't know what you received and whether anybody asked any questions or not. Um, I can only go by past, you know, events. You guys never ask questions. Like for instance, for those bonds, how will the township ensure that the debt doesn't exceed the actual project cost under the loan agreements? I know Mr. Cartis had said that the projects are almost done. Correct. Can't answer a question. My bad. But he said that the that the projects are almost done and that the the costs are seem to be in line. But did anybody seem to ask that question? What checks exist to prevent cost overruns or extending debt beyond the pro what the project requires? And it doesn't seem like you guys are asking any of these questions which basically protect the individuals of Glosser Township because as we know the more debt, the more payments we have to make, the more taxes increase. So, I just that's why I'm asking those questions. Again, I just want to make sure that it's clear that I'm not against the playground. I'm not like I wasn't against lights, but I'm against the the incessant borrowing. And there's no seems to be doesn't seem to be any checks and balances regarding the the constant borrowing or the protection of the of the residents of Gloucester Township.

That's all I got for now. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else? Seeing none, we'll close close the second comment period. Uh thanks for your comments. Uh Mr. Sweet. Uh yes, we are clear that you're not against Jake's law and um you have spoken about overbarring the past and um regarding the question, I will tell you this and um there are there may not be questions here. There are questions that are that Mr. Carter's fields throughout the week. Uh, and there are members of council not that are not shy to contact Mr. Cartis and ask him specific questions on the agenda or if they have a question regarding this particular bond. Mr. Carus and I spoke about this bond earlier today. Uh, he also shared with me the emails that you had well other the other bond um [clears throat] that you and him interacted and emailed throughout the course of the day uh getting some clarification. But there are members of council that do reach out to Mr. Carson and ask questions. You may not hear those questions here uh because maybe he satisfied those questions when they had their conversation. Mr. Nash, you had a question that you wanted to pose.

Yeah, you answered my question. I you pretty much said exactly what I was going to state. But what I will add on top of that too, Sam, is we are also taxpayers and residents of Glosser Township and we do personally care about spending and taxing and like uh President Marcato said, we do ask these questions and we do dive into these budgets. We may not ask them up here in a public manner, but we do reach out to Tom um before the meetings. Polling directors. Uh Mr. Carlamir, nothing to report. Mr. Cardiff, nothing to report. Chief Manazi.

Uh yes, please. I would just like to uh inform council remind them this Thursday as well as anybody may be watching from home that we have the police department citizens police academy who begins this Thursday for the next 14 weeks. Uh where you can uh get to know the police department on a whole another level. Uh for anybody that's interested, you can go online or our website and uh sign up at any time. So thank you, Mr. Miguel. Nothing to add. Thank you, Miss Weiss. Thank you, Mr. Muno. Thank you for coming tonight. Have a great rest of the night and a great week. Mr. Grace Love, everyone have a great night and a great week. Mr. Nash,

I would like to nominate Mr. Mado to be a uh join the uh the citizens of police academy. That's that's a long commitment for [laughter] I'll do it with you. Uh no, thanks for coming out. Have a good night. Mr. Walters, um just thank you everybody for coming out tonight. Mr. Castro, uh Senator just as everyone else, thank you for everyone for coming out. Have a good night. Mr. Marcato, Chief, that's like a 6 to9 type thing, right? It's a long sat through it. 6:30. 8:30. That's cool. You know how much running he could do with that [clears throat] to interrupt your guitar?

I want to thank everyone for coming out this evening. Uh, thank you, Mr. Sweet, for your questions and comments. Uh, this Monday, the township celebrates MLK Day of Service at CW Lewis School. There is 20 projects that are listed on the township's website. uh those who are interested in participating that volunteering and those who are watching at home, you can go on to the township's website and register up until I believe uh Thursday evening. Uh and we we have over 400 people that have registered pre-registered for uh those projects. And uh the weather it'll be cold, but there's not going to be any snow or rain. Last year we had a little ice issue, but um for those who can join us, uh please do so. The events start at 9:15 and the projects at 10:00. Um, so with that, I entertain a motion to adjourn.

So move. Second. All those in favor? I have a great evening everyone. You too. You

I got to kill that mic. That's a nice one.

[laughter] Mr. Kenny, congratulations to you and Linda. I'm so excited.