Council - Regular Meeting

He's such a buster. We have an eup.

Dave, I have this easement for PS&J. I need you to sign before we leave. Okay. Thank you. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance and please remain standing for the invocation by Pastor Gilda McNair. I pledge 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. Good evening everyone. Good evening.

Let us pause briefly. Bow our head please. Let's reflect on the purpose of this assembly and the responsibility entrusted to those who serve. Let us seek wisdom to approach all matters before the council with open minds and discerning hearts. Grant us the clarity to deliberate fairly recognizing the diverse needs of our community and the courage to always act in the best interests of our public good. May our discussions be guided by mutual respect and our decisions led toward a future of great unity, progress, and well-being for every resident we are privileged to serve. I ask that you bless the mayor, city council, the police officers that are here, and everyone that's here. And I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you.

Good evening. This regular 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 and recording device in order to obtain a clear and audible record. We request all those wishing to speak be recognized and state your name, address directly to the microphone. The recording device be so utilized by the township clerk's office for the preparation of the minutes and shall be the official record of the township council meetings. Madam clerk, may the roll call, please. Mr. Mion, here. Mrs. Albreight Troxel here. Mrs. Grace Love.

Mr. Nash here. Mrs. Walters here. Mr. Castro here. Mr. Mr. Mcado present. Mr. Carlamir here. Mr. Cartis here. Chief Manazi here. Mr. McIll here. Mrs. Corbin. Miss Gracious text. And she's arriving shortly. Thank you.

Okay. Uh we now open up our first public comment. This is for agenda items only. Anyone wishing to address council, please raise your hand. Each speaker is entitled to speak one time. There's three minutes for each speaker and it's a total of 15 minutes for our first public uh comment period. After any comments or questions are made, uh we will respond to that after that period. Does anyone like to speak on agenda items only? Russell, you have an agenda item? Yes. Okay.

Hi, I'm Russell Burke. I live at 51 Hilltop Avenue here in Gloucester Township. and I'm also the vice chair of the Old Pine Farm Natural Land Trust in Deford. and I'm here to encourage you to pass a resolution tonight that's on the agenda partnering with Old Pine Farm as the lead agency uh with a project along with the National Park Service and five other communities uh municipalities and both Camden and Gloucester counties to implement uh a program under the National Park Service under their rivers trails conservation assistance technical assistance grant program called Rivertown Review and it's a study of Big Timber Creek to see what assets are available, what sites are along Big Timber Creek that can be used to restore Big Timber Creek to a recreational waterway. Um, so, uh, we we actually were awarded the technical assistance grant in April, uh, because I had previously met with the mayor and he was very strongly saying that we would get a resolution passed. Uh, I we've been acting as if, uh, Gloucester Township was already participating. And in gathering that information, I can tell you not just because I live in Glosser Township and I'm the facilitator, but Gloster [cough] Township is going to benefit more than any other town along Timber Creek with this pro project. Um, one thing that we have that no other municipality has is that uh we have uh launch sites at the headquarters at both the uh main south branch and the north branch. We have Heritage Park which has easy access and the National Park Service did come on site on September 16th and reviewed the

sites and Heritage Park looked like it was viable for a launch from the north branch and now that we've uh moved the Marshall House Mafra property onto our open space uh inventory and if we are intending on developing that that would be a perfect launch site on the southern branch and we would be the only municipality that has launch sites on both the north and south branches. One of the things that the um the national park service was very excited about is that we were developing what we call a historical paddle. Uh we also have a site that looks viable to launch at Melvin Avenue in Glendor

and from there we can in conjunction with Defort go to the Charter Oak Tree in Deford, the uh Blancher balloon site landing in Deford. We shared Timber Creek with Deford, but we know about the Hessian retreating over there. From Melvin Avenue, you can access Ashbrook Cemetery. Paddle around the bend, you're at Gabriel Davy's Tavern. And you can also access St. John's Episcopal Church and Cemetery. So, they're very excited about that being a historical paddle that we have available for Gloucester Township. And one thing that they said about us being glosser township and the whole project is the more experiences that we can give people [snorts] like going from the north branch to the Delaware to the south branch to the Delaware the historical paddle will bring people back here from other areas which increases our economic benefit. Uh we ran a program for Old Pine Farm a couple weeks ago about mushrooms. We had people come from Bergen County and Mars County to go see it. Two hours. We were very surprised and part of it was because our our communication platforms are getting better.

Okay. Um but you know, I just think that Gloucester Township is really going to benefit from uh participating in this. Uh caveat, Russell, I'm sorry your time is up. Is I want to see if anyone else wants to We only allow you speak one time, but thank you for your comments. I Okay. Any questions? Just let me know. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? Seeing none, we'll close the first public comment. Thank you, Russell. It's good seeing you. I did not know you were involved with that as well. Okay. Uh we the reading accept the minutes of the workshop October 15, 2025 and the council meeting October 15, 2025 and October 27th, 2025. May I have a motion, please? I'll make that motion. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mo,

yes. Mrs. Aubry Troxel, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes to October 15, abstain from um 27th. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mr. Castro, uh I'll abstain from October 15th workshop and council meeting. Uh yes, for October 27th. Mr. Mata, yes. Next is the ordinance introduction and first reading. There'll be a hearing at its second reading. Ordinance 0-25-23, an ordinance fixing the compensation of officers and employees of the township of Gloucester in the county of Camden. May I have a motion, please? I'll move it. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Minion, yes. Mrs. Alrexel, yes. Mrs. Grace Love,

yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mr. Castro, yes. Mr. Marcato,

yes. Next is ordinance-25 0-25-24 [clears throat] ordinance of the township of Gloucester County of Camden State, New Jersey, authorizing tax exemption and payment in lie of taxes and adopting and authorizing the execution of a financial agreement for payments in lie of taxes pursuing to NJSA 4820-1 in connection with the uh redevelopment of property located known as block 10801 lot 10 on the tax map of the township of Gloucester. Uh this is the Southwinds project and this is for resident res residential units that are part of the affordable housing uh plan that we have for the township and our agreement with Fairshare Housing. Uh is there anything else you want to add, Mr. Carla? Mayor?

No. No. The agreement uh is very straightforward if everyone has had an opportunity to to review it. Uh, and it's in keeping with the township goal for for the uh, senior housing and what have you. Thank you. Uh, and this is a first reading. There will be a hearing at its second reading. May I have a motion, please? So move. There a second. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Minion, yes. Mrs. Aubrey Troxel, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mr. Castro, yes. Mr. Marcato, yes. Next is our consent agenda. Any council member like to have any item removed. Please speak up hearing. None. I entertain a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented.

I'll make that motion. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mo, yes. Mrs. Aubry Troxel. Yes. Mrs. Grace Love. Yes. Mr. Nash. Yes. Mrs. Walters. Yes. Mr. Castro. Yes. Mr. Marcato. Yes. Next is resolution 2511-419. It's a resolution to make budget transfers between appropriations in the calendar year 2025 general fund budget. May I have a motion, please? So move. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Minion, yes. Mrs. Albreight Troxell, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mr. Castro, yes. Mr. Marcato,

yes. We did receive one GTE gov access email from Terry Fritz at 85 Cherry Circle in Blackwood, New Jersey. [clears throat] On the agenda, compensation of officers under 0-25-23. Payments range from 5,000 to $125,400. On the township website, it states that Michelle Gentech is the sustainability coordinator. However, that seems to have been back in 2015. So my question is, what is the name of the person who holds that position today and has held it for 2025? Who will hold it in 2016? I'm reading it as it's presented. Who will hold it in 2016 and be paid for this funding? Every year, the township reimbures retired officers for their Medicare fees. For many years, that was done in the beginning of May and November, approximately 5 years ago. A letter was sent out changing those months to June and December. However, last year there was much concern and comments on social media when checks were delayed. To avoid that this year can to avoid this this year, can you supply the date those checks will be actually mailed as last year they arrived on the last day of the year? That would help alleviate any confusion, concern, and speculation. Thank you in advance for the information on both of these matters. On the first part, the sustainability coordinator is Chris Waldron. uh he's served as a stability coordinator for 2025 and will continue in this role through 2026. Uh and the Medicare uh reimbursements or Medicare fees uh the checks will be processed at the this will be approved on the December 8th meeting and should go out shortly thereafter. Correct, Mr. Cartis?

You are correct. Okay, we'll now open up the second public comment portion. Anyone wishing to speak uh please raise your hand. Each speaker is entitled to five minutes. They may speak once and there's a total of 30 minutes for this period. Anyone like to speak on any item? Yes, Miss Paris. Excuse me. Thank you, Danny Paris. [clears throat] First question is, do I have an answer from the mayor about the New Jersey American Water from last meeting? I respond at the end of your comments.

Okay, that's number one. Number two, um do I have an answer from a couple months ago when I asked about where does the money show up in the budget for the solar panels um that are on top of the gems landfill that you get from Blue Sky and where's the money that was in the budget for this year? I don't see it on there. Also, um New Jersey American Water just acquired two other uh water companies. Um and uh do you know that Glosser Township, Blackwood, Clement, Ronde, all the townships within Glosser Township are all being um subject to a big class action suit for PFAS in the water system and again Miss uh Walters back in 1987 till now uh the uh I don't know where the records are because I that should be held from glass from uh Cam County College and also from Ariel that there were people that were settled out in big class action suits for cancer if they acquired cancer for the um and I don't know why the township still doesn't have those records and why they're missing. So maybe um I think it was um Miss Powers told me that we could sit down and pull out all the boxes to find those records because uh there's a lot of people that have cancer um in this township and it and it was acquired from the [snorts] water systems. The water systems have about 200 toxic chemicals in it. Um I've bought myself a tester and I test the water every day coming out of the sink and it has 179 toxic chemicals. I bought a Brida filter. It has 69 toxic chemicals. I brought a zero water filter and it has zero water toxic chemicals in it. So, and also any of your plastic bottles, your uh deer park, your uh your uh all your junk water filters, all water

bottles all have toxic chemicals with PFAS in it. So, the kids and the the families that can't afford any type of uh filter systems in this township are going to and a lot of them now and a lot of the women in this township have uh cancer and the men have cancer and the children and the pets. Um my dog just had a tumor removed from him because he had cancer in him and um I had ovarian and um uh fallopian tube cancer taken out of me and I have two lung masses. Never smoked a day in my life. never drank, never did drugs, nothing. And I have two eight centimeter lung masses. So again, they're requiring it to the water systems in this township. So if you want more and more people to start suing this township eventually, Mr. um Mayor Mayor David Mayor should [cough] look into the New Jersey water system because it is in the Delaware River sewer to steam and also over in Aqua. So you guys better get on top of it because again um it should be from the EPA and the EPA should be sending it down to the council and also to the mayor and it should be posted in all your buildings by the EPA which who I've been in touch with and also the D. So [clears throat] I was supposed to get an answer this meeting from the mayor to you guys back to me and thank you um Mr. Manasi for the answer for that from the lieutenant this afternoon. Thank you very much. Also, um what else? There was one other thing I wanted to ask. Um so, yeah, I just I feel very bad for the people that can't afford uh good water systems. They're drinking the bad water. And also, uh by the way, your landscaping company, Marksman, that you guys hire, um are dumping all kinds of trees and brush into the um the uh what is it's called? the uh where the deers behind Milbridge Gardens,

behind the Milbridge houses on Milbridge Avenue. They're dumping all kinds of brush back there and they're filling in the area with where there's no water for the deer and the and the rabbits and the um ducks. They all have to they're out getting killed. The cats that everything is getting killed back there. Deers are getting killed every day because there's no water back there in the um the uh what's it called? private land back there uh behind which Vernon Hill owns actually and you own with the township right behind there be behind by Konos Stoga Road and Milbridge Road where the houses are. So hopefully you can get back to me on why Marksman's dumping all kinds of brush and trees that they've brought down in Millbridge and dumping them into the um uh zoned area that should not have any kind of brush or trees back there. There's no water for for any animal to drink.

Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else like to speak? Seeing none, we'll close the second public comment. Uh Miss Paris, uh no, I don't have a response from you from the mayor um regarding your comments from the last meeting. I will follow up u the money uh regarding or the revenue income that we received from the solar panels. Uh so recently we had someone ask us at a meeting and I sent that individual um the revenue and the schedule for the revenue that we received from Gems Landfill uh from Timber Creek Solar Park. So um I have I believe I have your email. If not, I'll get it from the clerk and I will send you what I sent that and you receive that tomorrow morning.

I I can't answer that question. You had that on you? Yeah. the uh the question that she raised was the gems landfill and the money that comes off of that for the solar uh that's approximately $42,000 annually and that goes into MNA which is mis miscellaneous revenue not anticipated. Okay. But I'll also send what we sent that in when you provide that information to me. So I have that sent to you tomorrow. uh regarding the PFAS and uh is is there any and I'll ask you this if you could provide documentation you you make a lot of statements here uh I would like to see any documentation you could forward that to the clerk sure

and we could review that uh and we'll also follow up uh with marksman landscaping and look into um alleged dumping and and tree brushes behind u okay thank Following the directors, Mr. [clears throat] Carlamir, nothing to report. Mr. Cartis, want to wish everybody a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Chief Manazi, Mr. Miguel, nothing to add. Thank you. Mrs. Corbin, Mr. Mongan, have a great night and a happy Thanksgiving. Mrs. Albreight Troxel,

I was a pleasure to um serve some people in our community this past weekend. Uh Thanksgiving dinners. There's a lot of people that are uh struggling these days and they need help. So, if you know of anyone that could need help uh with food insecurities, uh my church helps. Um several churches in the town help and just reach out to them and they will help you. Um there were more people than I ever expected that had food insecurities this past this past year. So, if you can, please look into your heart and see if you [snorts] can open up your wallet a little bit and help these people out. In the meantime, have a good Thanksgiving. Eat a lot of turkey and get a good chuckle and a happy smile and a big hug from somebody. Thank you,

Mrs. Grace Love. Happy holidays to everyone. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Safe travels. Stay warm and uh um everyone have a great night. Mr. Nash. Yeah. So, uh, first I want to thanks R thank Russell for, uh, his involvement in the, um, Rivertown Review. If that does come to fruition, which hopefully it does, it's going to provide great recreation for a lot of residents. So, thanks for your help with that. Um, you notice there's toys behind us. Just give a quick plug. The mayor is um, doing a toy drive. I don't know if I'm stealing if they're going to announce this. Okay, good.

So, uh, if you're interested in donating a toy to the mayor's office, they're taking them um, for the remainder of this month. And I believe it's up until December, beginning of December, maybe December 9th. You drop it off at the mayor's office. Also wanted to mention that the um historic society is uh holding their holiday open house this Sunday, November 30th from 1 to 4. Okay, I mentioned it a couple weeks ago, but um again, Santa Claus will be there, music, snacks. It's a free event, so I encourage everyone to come on out. They decorate the tavern for the holidays, children. It's a good time for everybody. and uh have a great Thanksgiving. Jam, that's one to four. One to four,

Mrs. Walters. Um, just thank you everybody for coming out tonight. Have a good Thanksgiving and embrace the craziness. Um, [clears throat and laughter] that's true, Mr. Castra. Uh, yes. Thank you everyone for coming out and uh want to thank everyone that has volunteered in any form to assist those that are in need and to help those that are with us less. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. See you at the next meeting. Mr. Mata,

uh I want to thank everyone for coming out this evening. Uh and just echo what my colleague said. Thank the different organizations in town that uh provide food that serves as a bridge for those that are suffering from food insecurities. So, Rotary this past weekend had an event um the Choose United Methodist Church and I want to thank the police department and they had to reroute traffic over there. So, thank you Chief Manazi and what you do and helping with that uh because of the amount of vehicles uh for people going into uh their parking lot there and it kind of spilled out on Station Avenue and Chestnut and Maine. Uh but thank you for that. Bethl Christian Church, which uh Bethl Church, which has had a Thanksgiving dinner open to the entire community for the over the last 15 years. Now, I was at a Highland High School yesterday. Uh and just not those organizations, but other organizations that provide these services throughout the year. So, I do appreciate uh all of those folks and what they do in our community. Uh the annual Blackwood Christmas Parade is December 6, the first Saturday uh coming up. Yeah, December's coming up right around the corner. So, if you're able to attend, that's six o'clock downtown Blackwood. Uh, they'll start from the outlets, I mean, excuse me, Davistown Road by Sams and come make its way up the Pike. Um, and I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and please enjoy the time with your family. With that, um, uh, entertain a motion to adjurnn.

So move. Is there a second? All those in favor? I have a great evening, everyone. Happy holiday, everybody. You shall receive Is there an additional cost to it? We deserve it. You deserve it. Thank you, too. Yeah. All right. Question. All right. Who wants to do it?