Township Council - Regular Meeting

I hereby call this meeting of Howell Township Council to order. Opening statement please.

This meeting is being held in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. An adequate notice of this meeting has been advertised in the manner prescribed by law. This agenda is complete to the extent known and formal action will be taken.

Roll call.

Councilman Nadel. I believe he's running a little bit late this evening.

Correct.

Councilwoman O'Donnell.

Here.

Councilman Rubell.

Here.

Deputy Mayor Fisher. Here. Mayor Leggio.

Mr. Gross, is there a reason to enter into executive session? Yes, there is. All right. Resolution R-26-263. May I have a motion, please?

Motion to enter, executive.

Second.

All in favor? Aye. Aye.

I was going to take a call, but okay.

I hereby reconvene the council meeting of September 15th, 2026. May I please have roll call?

Councilman Nadel?

Here.

Councilwoman O'Donnell? Here. Councilman Rubell?

Here.

Deputy Mayor Fischer? Here. Mayor Leggio?

Here.

Can everyone please stand for our Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of prayer? Thank you. On to two proclamations that we have tonight. One is Suicide Prevention Month to be read by Deputy Mayor, I mean, Councilman Ray Bell. And then Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month will be read by Deputy Mayor Susan Fisher.

Proclamation of the governing body of the Township of Howell. September of Suicide Prevention Month, 2026. Whereas 48,824 people in the US died by suicide in 2025, the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34. And whereas 13.9 million adults aged 18 and up, and 2.6 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 had serious thoughts of suicide in 2025. And whereas the Howell community experienced 10 suicide deaths, 84 suicide attempts, threats, and 401 crisis calls in 2025. And whereas knowing the warning signs of suicide, being a nonjudgmental listener for a person in need, and referring appropriate crisis and mental health support resources can save lives. And whereas the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24-7 confidential support to those in need via talk, text, or chat. And whereas the Howell Alliance provides community members with education programs, support resources, and links to care for suicide prevention, suicide bereavement, mental health conditions, and stigma reduction. Now, therefore, the Mayor and Council of the Township of Howell do hereby proclaim September 2026 as National Suicide Prevention Month in Howell Township and commend its observance to all citizens.

Whereas September has been designated as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and whereas Turn the Towns Teal is a campaign to create awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms, volunteers tie ribbons throughout town centers and hand out symptom cards. And whereas ovarian cancer is often referred to as the silent disease, as its symptoms are often vague and subtle. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, which means it's critical that women become aware of the known symptoms. And whereas one in 67 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime, two-thirds of those diagnosed will die from the disease. And whereas if detected in the early stages, the survival rate for ovarian cancer is 90 to 95%. And whereas increased public awareness of this disease, its risk factors, and its subtle symptoms may save lives as women across New Jersey and their doctors learn to recognize the warning signs of ovarian cancer, which are often the only early indication of illness. And whereas more ovarian cancer research can help to develop reliable diagnostics, better therapies, and prevention strategies, thereby offering women in New Jersey the opportunity to win their battle for life against this most deadly of all, gynecologic cancers. Now, therefore, the governing body of the Township of Howell does hereby proclaim September 2026 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in Howell Township and support the Turn the Towns Teal Awareness Campaign.

Thank you, guys. On to acceptable minutes, we have none. Correct, Allison? Correct. All right. Now, reports of our department heads. I'd like to, for everyone here and listening at home, Tonight I want to introduce you all to Ms. Tara Buss. She's our new deputy manager. And I could tell you that I'm very excited and enthused, as well as this council, to bring her on from Holmdel Township. She comes with a great deal of municipal experience. She's from the Monmouth County community, neighboring towns, and I think she's going to be tremendous asset to us moving forward and hopefully in the future you know moving forward and to you know eventually becoming our Township Manager eventually so if she chooses to do so good luck Tara and welcome aboard Hearing from our township officials, Mr. Gross.

Yes, I also would like to welcome Tara. We're really excited to be working together. Look forward to a long and fruitful relationship here. Welcome. This coming Saturday, Howell Day, Saturday, this Saturday, 3 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. It's going to be an exciting day where we'll invite the everyone in town to come out as many people um it is um could be it's held at so soldier memorial park and there will be shuttle buses from the middle school north and south uh parking the soldier memorial park and bear swamp and there'll be all kinds of activities there during the day and we really look forward to seeing you there that's it mayor caleb no nothing allison is that uh

Does that sheet have names on it? Yes. First up is Tony from 388 Aldridge Road.

Excuse me, if I may read the statement. Each person shall first give their name and address to the clerk. The council should be addressed as a collective body and not as individual members. Each person shall have one turn to address the council and comments shall not exceed a total of five minutes. Speakers shall be notified when their time has run and no time extensions shall be permitted.

Good.

Good evening, Mayor and members of council. My name is Tony Cherivino and I live on Aldridge Road. For years I've lived there with a 40 mile an hour speed limit. I moved in in 2016. This road is fundamentally a residential corridor. It's lined with homes, driveways. It's used by school children. It's used by families, schools, bus stops, sidewalk gaps, blind hills, severe sun glare and poorly lit sections at night. This isn't a new problem. We've had this discussion quite a few times over the past two years how Township has in its own documents that it's been noted as a serious accident corridor. This is noted in your 2022 circulation plan. I'm sure everybody on the board is aware of this plan and has read through it. Your own documents identify Aldridge as one of the community's high crash corridors documented. Route 9 and Aldridge intersections are one of the township's most dangerous intersections. This is over four years ago, and the road is still the same, exactly the same. The council didn't learn about the safety problem when I first brought it in 2024. Your own filings had this. Township leadership has publicly acknowledged the issue. They've agreed that there's a problem. There's stuff that needs to be addressed. It's going on two years. It's exactly the same. I agree something needs to be done and I'm acknowledging there's a problem and I'm here to help and try to figure out a way to solve that problem with the manager with the engineer with the council whoever will respond to my emails that I send once a month once a month two years no response no meetings no conversations very limited with a couple of the members very limited Acknowledging there's a problem is solving a problem, okay? We need to start making something happen. The speeding continues. Tractor trailers banging up and down the street from 12 a.m. all the way through the day. If this was your home where you lived, where you had to sleep to get up at 4 a.m., and you got woken by your house being shaken because of uneven manhole covers on a newly paved road, and you have tractor trailers doing 45, 50 miles an hour down to 40, would you want to speak out? Would you want to do something about it? I filed public record requests. I've asked for information about your engineering report, the engineering report that was done in February for nine days. 385,000 vehicles, over half of them were speeding. Over half of them speeding at kill speed. I'm not sure if anybody realizes what a kill speed is. Anything over 42, you have 50% chance of dying if you get hit by it. Okay? So you have 150 homes and driveways on Aldridge Road, families, children, kids riding their bikes, pets that escape. My own family dog was killed in front of our house. Okay? She wasn't a mean dog. She wasn't because we left the gate open. It's not because we aren't watching her. She was a one-year-old puppy. If it happened to you, what would you do? If it was your child, what would you do? So instead of putting this to bed and not answering anymore, let's take action together. You don't wanna lower the speed limit? Let's talk about a solution. Let's talk about stop signs. Let's talk about traffic calming measures. If this was your home, you'd want something done. You had a consultant study the street in February. Of the five requirements required by law, they met partial of two of them. Partial of two. They did not acknowledge the discontinuous sidewalks. They did not acknowledge the density of the residential homes. They did not acknowledge the daycare center. They did not acknowledge the severe sun glare nor the lights above the street, the street lights, that the absence of street lights. At 40 miles an hour, people are traveling 45 or above. If I was driving past your 25 mile an hour home at 40 or 45, and over 50% of those cars were doing that, the town would be in outrage. outrage so i'm asking for help two years later i'm still here asking for help the pedestrians that live those pedestrians that walk on that street the residents that live on that street want something done i'm not the only one i know you've all received emails from other people there i know you've seen five minutes thank you thank you

Pavla? Pavla? Am I saying that right? No longer here? I don't know what it says. Paula? Does that say Paula? Yes. You sure?

you want to see you want to see it okay good evening Paula samorelle president of heritage point and a member of health connections I'm here to submit a proposed public land use legislative packet and request that it be incorporated into the minutes for tonight's meeting over the last year and a half residents across how and members of the council have recognized that converting residential homes into places of assembly creates land use issues that impact traffic congestion, pedestrian walkability, and fire safety compliance. While the council has been sympathetic and all of your efforts so far are appreciated, the urgency to address these issues is especially critical now that school is in session. The routine parking of vehicles stretching from 37 Sammy Drive northeast to the corner of Cripple Creek Road between the hours of 7 and 9 AM creates an active danger for our children who must navigate between tightly parked cars to reach their bus stop. Several parents reported the sight line hazard to the Health Traffic Safety Bureau and were told the cars are parked legally. Just this morning I learned that House School Bus Transportation is aware of the situation and is considering moving the bus stop. Why should our children have to walk farther to their bus stop when the adults attending this public assembly can simply walk to 37 Sammy Drive themselves? since first drafting this speech i spoke with a gentleman that frequents this establishment and a temporary solution was talked about to address the situation for now but it won't resolve the issue altogether i'm requesting immediate municipal traffic safety action to protect our children and restore safety to our residential streets i urge all parents facing similar bus stop safety issue across how to contact the township and the police traffic safety bureau directly The administration needs to hear from every family whose children are being put in harm's way until real safety measures are enacted. Specifically, time-restricted no parking zones at school bus stops during peak, pickup, and drop-off hours. Furthermore, the parking activity stemming from 37 Sandby Drive isn't just a traffic hazard. It may represent a potential land-use violation. The property does not appear to be residentially occupied, yet public assemblies occur daily. We must also once again address 7 Sammy Drive. Every Friday and Saturday night, gatherings draw 20 to 30 adults along with unsupervised children who play, ride scooters, block motorists, and litter in the street frequently after dark. You may recall that a couple months ago, an unsupervised child was injured after inserting a utility flag into the transformer just outside of this residence. Thankfully, it was replaced that night with a model designed to prevent this, though it was only a temporary fix for a much larger safety concern. Car horns blare regularly to warn children out of the road, but the drivers are ignored. Calls have been made to the police by neighbors, myself included. I've tried to speak with the owner on several occasions, but I am repeatedly told he isn't present. Occasionally, on Saturday mornings, while overnight cars remain parked, literally 100 pedestrians line the sidewalk taking turns to enter because the converted garage cannot accommodate them all at once. This forces neighbors out for a walk directly into the car-lined street with obstructed views. These routine assemblies constitute a clear public nuisance and safety hazard. They warrant an immediate investigation into ongoing noise, nuisance, and occupancy violations. Enough is enough. To my neighbors in Heritage Point, both old and new, we must all be responsible for our families' and neighbors' safety. Practice the meaning of the e-roof that now encases our neighborhood. which is to create a true sense of peace, inclusion, and blending among all neighbors. Please remind these owners that are putting all neighborhood families at risk, including their own. If they do not care about our community, they should move to a neighborhood that shares their disregard for others and sell to someone who will care about their neighbor's safety and contribute to our quality of life. Thank you.

Joe Bizonos, Colts Neck Road. How's everybody doing? All right. Good evening, Mayor, Council, and professionals. In the spirit of keeping our town's positive momentum, I'd like to offer some suggestions to strengthen our code and ordinances. As always, I welcome your feedback to determine how these ideas can be enhanced or if they're the right fit for Howell's future. Number one, to protect Howell Township from predatory developers, the council should consider adopting a localized enhanced beneficial ownership and developer track record ordinance. While New Jersey state law NJSA 4055D48.1 mandates basic 10 percent corporate ownership disclosure, bad actors exploit this baseline rule using Russian doll shell companies to hide the real individuals backing a project. This proposed ordinance is not redundant. It fills regulatory gaps by requiring applicants to trace ownership down to the actual human beings, regardless of corporate layering. It introduces a vital tool. The state mandate lacks a mandatory 10-year look back at disclosed owner's history of building violations, abandoned projects, and unpaid municipal taxes across New Jersey. By forcing transparency and establishing clear bad actor triggers, this ordinance empowers our planning and zoning boards to identify and scrutinize high-risk applicants before they can impact our community. A standard corporate entity disclosure asks what company name owns 10 percent or more of this project, which allows developers to hide behind nameless shell companies and nested LLCs. This enhanced disclosure demands who are the actual human beings at the very bottom of this corporate ladder and what's their track record in New Jersey. Some New Jersey towns have already proven that we do not have to accept this vulnerability marbles. We can look directly at successful blueprints for New Jersey. Newark successfully bypassed corporate facelessness by mandating a strict beneficial ownership transparency framework. This legally forces applicants to trace ownership all the way down to the actual human beings who financially control the project. Shell companies are completely stripped of their smoke and mirror show. Teaneck Township took accountability a step further with its localized business entity disclosure ordinance. They mandate notarized structural verification linking every major corporate stakeholder directly to a verified physical residential address. Number two, this one's a little bit more ambitious, but to address ongoing street congestion and safety concerns, I've compiled a framework for an ordinance that will establish a user-funded satellite parking and micro transit system. This potential solution was created to clear out dangerous neighborhood street congestion during peak hours. Because it uses strict rule based on frequency and vehicle count, it focuses on regularly occurring high capacity gatherings, which means residents throwing a standard party or backyard barbecue are not impacted. Instead of blocking narrow streets, regularly occurring overflow traffic is moved over to empty commercial lots nearby and brought in using private shuttle services and loops. The shuttle mandate is triggered only if the police or fire officials formally document that street congestion blocks emergency vehicles. This opens up the road so fire trucks, ambulances, waste collection vehicles and snow plows can get through while fully protecting the parking rights and peace of our neighborhoods. I have copies of everything I compiled that I'm going to give over to the town manager after we're done and then on a more personal note every town has its problems and perfect is impossible but Howell has set itself up set itself apart because a lot of people both inside and out of this building truly care about the future things get done it may not happen overnight and it may not be perfect but positive change is happening however we're at a pivotal moment as a community we can collectively decide where we're heading and when I say community I mean every single Howell resident We need to continue setting ourselves apart. That only happens when every resident regardless of culture or background is willing to put egos aside and find viable solutions that promote healthy growth and safety. We need to discuss these solutions often and freely without fear of backlash. Some people may not like my openness or my optimism, but I believe we need both right now. I have faith that we can continue moving in the right direction but it will take humility and transparency. So let's stop trying to win disputes because winning belongs in games and on the battlefield and this is not a game and this is not a battlefield. This is a community and the only real win in my book is a future where we remain one. So thank you very much.

The last time I spoke, I introduced the topic of a new initiative I wanted to introduce involving the rebranding of Howell. I explained the Park Avenue New York City history and how it went from being the most undesirable place to live during the late 1800s to one of the most coveted avenues in all of Manhattan. And the key to this transformation was through the good that was brought to Park Avenue, which in turn made it into a real estate dream. Now, we are all aware of the semi-recent closure of a local Jackson school. While my speech involves the Board of Ed category, I am focusing specifically on our municipality as a whole. The last time I spoke, I closed with a quote from Abe Lincoln. The best way to predict your future is to create it. While our great town is working through heavy safety, health, and quality of life matters, there needs to be a parallel focus of pouring into Howell. Howell's most desirable characteristics are our dual proximity to the beach and the city, paired with our property taxes. It is the ideal place to settle and raise a family. Additionally, you know my view on our public schools, which paved the way for graduates who are making a tremendous impact in our city, state, and entertainment business, if you've been following on Facebook. It's time we create the future we want for Howell. Howell is a metaphorical incubator that prepares the next generation to make a positive impact on society. We cannot withhold the unique characteristics of Howell, and not that we are, But now it's time that we focus on intentionally sharing this great gift that we're holding with as many families as possible. Council and Mayor, let's share our treasure with world changers. Let's put together initiatives that promote our greatest assets. Number one, our public school system. Number two, our respect and care for veterans and retirees. And number three, our unity polarized with our diversity. I plan to elaborate on and construct plans for some future steps and unwrap those over the next several meetings. Until then, I'll end with this message for the townspeople. Young families know the gold that Howell holds. Presently, these precious families trying to move to Howell it is up to us to be a part of the bigger picture pave the way for the future doctors leaders to receive one of the best public educations in the state think of ways we can support our veterans retirees and even the inner-city youth if you're moving into Howell welcome We're happy you're here. If you're moving out, find a realtor that appreciates the big picture and desires to pave the way for veterans, retirees and the future leaders, doctors, actors and world changers to reside, grow and learn. Howell can give opportunities to those who are overlooked and so can you when you sell your home. Thank you.

Zachary. Back to school, young man?

I am, yes, unfortunately.

How's your second year?

So far, so good. Much prefer to be here than there, though.

Zachary Dornan, 25 Southport Drive.

It's nice to see you all again, Mayor and Council. I missed you, and I hope you miss me. Anyone?

I was crying. I didn't want to say another word.

Oh, I know. Me too.

I came to your house. I talked to your mom.

Oh, okay. Are you going to be my stepdad? No. All right. Anyways, first off, let me just say thank you for the audience about the AI Dive Center. Sorry that I couldn't be there. I was at school, obviously. You know I've been fighting for that all summer, so I'm just happy that my voice and so many other voices were heard. Blah, blah, blah, blah. But now I want to keep representing the people of my generation who support the same things. And the next one on my list would be flock cameras. But before I begin, I would say flock cameras do provide some goodness because they can help solve crime and establish law and order. On the other hand, flock cameras can be way worse because it causes too many privacy concerns because they collect information about where cars travel even when the person has done nothing wrong. That information can potentially be searched, stored, and shared across different agencies. And that's not even mentioning the fact that it can cost taxpayers a lot of money to install these cameras in the first place. And there's also very serious Fourth Amendment questions here. As someone who defends the Constitution with all his heart and literally at school defending it, I just feel like there's things in that amendment that cause concern for the flat cameras. You build a record of where your vehicle has been over time. So I got to say, are we really comfortable saying that's not a search of your movements? I don't know. And this is just me saying this. A recent Rutgers poll said only 21% of people around my age support cameras. So that's not good. And I've been asking all my friends. 97% of them all agree with me. And a lot of them do live here. So that's what the generation thinks. And I'm going to consider myself the voice of that people. Self-proclaim. And from what I've seen, there's seven reported flat cameras in our township. I can't confirm that, but if it is, I want to get official confirmation. And I do want, I do think that gives us an opportunity to pause before adding more if there are. So before I come up here asking for an ordinance to completely ban them, I just want to ask the council, who owns the cameras, how much data are we going to be collecting, and who can access it, and how long are they stored, and so many more. If it's true, I have no idea if it's true. If we can't get strong answers to those questions, then I say we've got to pause and ban these fly cameras altogether. Thank you very much, Mayor and Council. I'll see you at the next meeting, hopefully.

David Maggio.

How are you tonight?

My name is Dave Maggio from 28 Richard Road, Farmedale. I'm here again for my lot that I own on Lakewood Farmedale Road. which at the last meeting I was informed that the resolution was changed to be able to put the septic without a variance and yet on his behalf I went to meet with the engineer and he told me that's not true. That there's a second amendment that needed to be resolved in order for me to do something. I've been paying for this lot for six years. I lost my wife. That was supposed to be a house built there for her in case she couldn't manage my big home. Now it's five, six years later, and I'm paying up to $6,300 a year for taxes on a piece of property that you're not allowing me to build on. Five people denied buying my lot from me for not even half of what you say it's worth because of the ordinances that you provided against this property. And I don't think it's fair. This property has been paid taxes against this property for 50, 60 years. When is it enough money before you allow someone to build on it? This isn't fair. And I don't know what seems to hold up this project. You have permission, you're gonna run sewer down the street, give me one year to tie into it if I put a septic, and yet you won't let me put my own money into my own property. So what are we gonna do about this? He says he'll call me and talk to the engineer. The engineer tells me to talk to yous. I don't know who to talk to. I don't want to be like the rest of them back there that come in here with lawyers and sue the town. That's not a proper way to handle things. But I can't continue to pay $400 or $500 a month for a lot that you give me nothing. I don't get garbage pickup at my other house. I don't get anything from this town. I don't get anything, and I'm paying 13, 15, let's see, six there, 13 at the other, 19, 20,000 a year I contribute to this town. I'm not getting anything for it. I have no children in your schools. What are you gonna do for me? Are you gonna help me get something built here or help me sell it where someone can build? Or are we gonna sit there and pay the taxes and cut the grass? Because I ain't cutting the grass no more. I'm done. You can provide yourselves out there. Run that lawnmower down to every other empty lot. You can run it for the 18 feet of my lot. I'm not paying to cut the grass no more. And I sure hope that someone resolves this without me suing for my tax reductions. Because I'm paying a lot of money for something that you're not going to let me do nothing with. And I don't appreciate that. And I know every one of you know how to get that resolved. but it's just being passed. The buck get passed too much in this society, in this world today. Everybody wants to pass the buck to the next guy. Well, that's why nothing gets resolved. These people I see here come here month after month, and no one seems to give a about it. You know, you got comfortable jobs, I understand, and bringing more richer people into this town. There's nothing but throw us poor people out. And if that's what this government wants from society in this country, then good luck with it because someday half of the people are going to leave the country or they're going to take over the country again because you can't continue to push people and push people. What president decided, he's going to help us. He's done nothing but fight wars all across our world right now. And that ain't helping us. And I don't care. He's a great guy. He does good things. He is trying to do good things. but we can't fight the world and keep our own people suppressed because that's how I feel. I feel very suppressed and my taxes just keep going up. I just think someone's better do something about it because I can't even sell this land. This woman sold me this land for $10,000. which I am grateful she did that because now I paid taxes for six years. By the time I would get this thing approved, I paid $400,000 for this lot. You pushed her out of it because she was 86 years old and couldn't afford to pay the taxes. You sent her letters, you want to sell your taxes to the tax investment people. She tried to offer the town the property back. They denied her because you want the tax money. You don't want the land. And if this is being blocked because of the land you own behind me, and this is some way that you're gonna use your land in the back, then I think that's a criminal offense. And if that's what's going on, I should know about that. I should've never been able to buy this land if that was your intentions, to try to block me from getting, you getting another road into your own property that's owned behind my property. And I don't know what you plan on doing with that land, and how many taxes you pay on your land, Do you pay taxes on that land behind me?

It's been five minutes. Thank you.

Hope to hear from somebody soon. Richard.

How are we all doing?

Nice to see everybody, Mayor and Council.

I have a question to ask all of you. Did you have a nice Labor Day weekend?

We didn't.

Because I did not. Friday night. After 11 o'clock until about 1 in the morning, Saturday night, same thing. Sunday I got a break, my holiday. And Monday it started again. I may have had a stroke. I was informed today. And I can't see very well. I'm seeing double right now. And I'm sure it has something to do with the aggravation level that I'm exposed to.

Three specials that is from the distress.

I'm really getting tired of nobody answering me. Nothing is being done. I'm going to give somebody here an assignment.

Relax.

I'm going to give the assignment to the lawyer. Where's the lawyer? Right there. You have a homework assignment, OK? Here's the homework assignment. I want to know at the next meeting, or sooner, because I'll give you my phone number, if you know of any law that overrides my statement regarding the zoning. because I met with your new zoning officer, Paul, who you promoted in your office up into that position. I had a private meeting with him in the conference room and I told them what my concerns are with what's the activity that's going on in the R3 development, which as far as I know, I have 38 years doing this thing in this kind of position, and I'm licensed by the state, is not allowed. So I want somebody, and I'm giving you the assignment, to show me in writing where I'm wrong. I want to be told that I'm wrong. In writing. Look it up in the blue book. I don't care where you look it up. But you tell me I'm wrong. Because I had the police there totally nasty.

What are we supposed to do? That's what we're told. At 11 o'clock at night.

And?

And then again at 11 o'clock at night. What are we supposed to do?

She made the phone call. And because she made the phone call, I own the house. that she resides in, he said, who made the phone call? She said, I did. I called on my behalf. I need to see ID from you. Can you effing believe this? I don't see him IDing anybody else or the four families who were renting the house illegally. He asked her for a driver's license. No, I'm not calming down. It's got to stop, okay? I had 23, I want you to check the police roster, the incident report, 23 kids from the age of about 6 to about 14 or 15 screaming outside at 11.30, quarter to 12 at night. I have it on video. Barking. Show it to them. Show it to them. Barking like dogs, because I had my dogs around the pool area, which is fenced in. Okay?

We have no quality of life. Zero. We can't sleep at night. Well, let me finish.

I want to get this in before I get cut off. This particular officer was very good. He said this is outrageous. And he went over there. and I told him the owner's name, Mr. Gelfish, asked for Mr. Gelfish and he went over there and they said he's not here, which was a lie because he was there because he sneaked out of the back door, the side door, front door, okay, and got in his car and drove away. And then he asked for the wife because a woman answered who was not the owner and she said I have to find her and it took about 10 minutes and he said I want to know who is supervising 23 kids of this age at quarter to 12 at night and nobody so You tell me what to do. I don't know what to do anymore.

I want you all to come stay at our house just Friday and Saturday, OK? And you put up with this. It is not just one day a week. It's seven days a week. Friday and Saturday are the two worst days, OK? Seven days a week, we have cars lined from 7 all the way to 5.

It's been five minutes. Thank you.

It is ridiculous.

You got your homework assignment.

Anyone else from the public?

She makes me feel good about it too.

Good evening, everyone, mayor and council. First, I want to welcome our new deputy manager. Thank you. Welcome aboard. I wasn't planning on speaking tonight, but when I come here to these meetings and I listen to my fellow residents speaking, I often get inspired to comment about some things that I've had on my mind, maybe echo some of the things that have been already said. share some of my experiences, strengths and hopes about things that I've witnessed over the last 10 years of attending meetings here. As many of you know, I've been coming to these meetings long before some of you have been here on council. So I feel like I have a little bit of experience to speak from. What I want to talk tonight is just First, a couple different things. With the deputy manager, I'm happy that we're bringing someone on board to help our manager, John Gross, who was really just brought on on an interim basis. I like the fact that there's a little bit of a succession plan, and I really like the fact that it seems to be like there's more of an effort now to start to bring in some new firms and professionals to get a new set of eyes on things that have been going on in this town for some 20 years. I know there's a lot of things that have troubled me over that period of time. I'm not going to get into the details of it, but I think just having a general idea of let's get some new set of eyes in here to look at things that have been going on and get some new ideas, I think that's a good place to start, and I'm happy that you guys are doing that. I also think that it's important that we start to identify duplicity of roles in this town where there have been certain individuals that have served in multiple capacities, worn multiple hats, and there hasn't been an effective checks and balance on what has gone on, not only at the administrative level, but there's integration within our land use boards as well I think it's very important that our administration our new deputy manager our council and Matt and mayor take a close look at you know are certain individuals wearing too many hats and do we need a better a better checks and balance on that I think that is being done and I'm and I'm happy that's being done When I listen to the gentleman who lives over in Aldrich speak, I read some of the litigation documents that were going on. I had spoken with him. I didn't want to comment about it while I was pending litigation because general feeling here is that we don't talk about things that are in litigation. I understand that. I don't think it's unreasonable. It's a double negative. I think it's entirely reasonable that this council would look at Aldrich Road, the changes in elevation, the speed limit, the safety issues, the fact that people's driveways go right onto Aldrich Road and, you know, consider lowering the speed limit to like 30 miles an hour. You know, like if you're driving west on Aldrich that you hit a sign that says, you know, reduce speed ahead 30 miles an hour. It's a local road. It has not transferred to the county yet. I think that's entirely within your jurisdiction to do that. I would encourage you to examine doing that for the people that live along that road. Joe Bozonis spoke about a proposed ordinance. I'd like to be a little bit more expansive with that. I'd like to suggest that maybe we should look at individuals that are involved in different levels of political organizations in this town, whether or not they have any businesses that have a consulting role in the town and whether or not there's any political favors that are being done political influence in any way you know regarding what whatever application would come before this town I would really encourage that if we're gonna you know look at an ordinance like that that that would be expansive in in addressing and shining a light on anyone's role in this town and anything that they do you know in this town I would encourage you guys to look at that But these are the thoughts that came to my mind as I sat here tonight listening to what's going on. And I'm happy with the work that you guys are doing. I'm excited about the future with the new council members that are going to be coming on. And I just wanted you guys to know that I'm paying attention and I appreciate what you do. Thank you.

Good evening, everyone. Lawrence White, 15 Renway. Good evening, council. Good evening, township officials. Welcome. Deputy manager. Hope we're not scaring you off already. As per usual, I have some questions and comments about the agenda this evening. R26-265. I'd like to know what VCS Inc. is and what they're a vendor for in the township. R26-274, what specific services will Robert Shea be providing beyond that of the township employees around land use? What are the expanded purview that he may be covering. R26-275, I applaud the more formal organization of the community garden, which is one of the assets of our township. And I hope that that community gets enlarged as a result of this. And there's more outreach to the citizens so they know that this lovely community garden is available to them are two six dash two seven six I applaud the move to identify and create a formula and list of future preserved land and how and there are a couple things on the agenda this evening that speak directly to that in terms of land acquisition thank you for the partnership with the county where we're only paying 25% of the purchase price for those properties that's a good deal for us I appreciate that very much ordinance to 6-2 oh if I'm not mistaken this building was approved for an office space And then after that approval, then the applicant returned with a request for a variance to convert it to a daycare center. Is this not a misrepresentation of intent as regards to the initial application? And why are we allowing this? Ordinance 26-21. I do support this overdue tightening of impervious coverage for single-family homes. Heavy rains and flooding, and it's only going to get worse, folks, demand it. Ordinance 26-26. I applaud the preservation of the open space on Victory Road. Ordinance 26-27, I applaud the preservation of 255 Asbury Road for open space. And finally, Ordinance 26-29, when I clicked on it, there was no link to the ordinance on the town website. So that is okay to me. That's all I've got. Thank you very much.

Sully Felberger, 30 High Ridge Road. Good evening, Council. Good evening, Mayor. First of all, I want to thank you guys all for all your hard work. I know it's not easy running a town like Howell, and it takes a lot of hard work. You don't get paid enough for it. And we appreciate all the hard work you do to make Howell an awesome place to live in. I just wanted to ask a few questions regarding Ordinance 2621, which is, for example, somebody has a property that's a little over 10,000 square feet. So right now, what this ordinance would say would be that it would be allowed to have impervious coverage of 40%. So take an average home, which would be, let's say, cover 1,500 square feet of that. Then we have a driveway, a patio, a walkway. And that adds together another $1,440 for the driveway, another $160 for the walkway, another $960 for the patio. Right there, we're at 4,060 square feet of impervious coverage. That's right over the limit. So what would happen to somebody who has that property? Would they now be a non-conforming lot? What would happen when they have a couple pavers on their patio that crumble, that break? Do they have to go for a variance? And if the answer to that is yes, then why would we want to put undue hardship on people of this talent to get a variance? Right now, Ohio Township Code 13937 says the application fee for a variance is $500, plus $20 for each variance requested. That's $500. Plus there's another $2,000, which is held in escrow for the professional services, which we all know the professional services are always used. So that means we're asking somebody who wants to replace their pavers to spend an additional $2,500 just to replace those pavers that are there already. Furthermore, Township Code requires that every homeowner make sure that his sidewalks are not damaged. What happens if someone's sidewalk is damaged? Does that mean, and his lot is non-conforming, does that mean he has to go get a variance to fix his own sidewalk? Does he have to wait now the few months it takes to get that variance? Does he have to spend another $2,500 to fix that sidewalk? These are just questions I wanted to know if we have the answers to them. And then lastly, if somebody is actually under the limit, but now he wants to put in a pool, does that mean that now he can't put in a pool because he's a little under that limit? And have we looked into the ramifications that this may have for the property values of people whose properties until now were conforming lots and people wanted to buy them and now they're not conforming and anybody looking to buy them will be not as excited about it knowing that they would have to go for all these variances. Once again, thank you very much for your time. I appreciate it.

Anyone else from the public? I'm seeing none, so may I have a motion to close public comment, please? Motion to close. Second.

All in favor? Aye.

Response to comments? Mr. Gross or Kaitlin?

Good evening. I did get Mr. Maggio's phone number, and we'll get that resolved and find out what's going on with that as well. And I will speak with Mr. Krueger after the meeting tonight to get more details on the experience that he talked about here this evening.

I can speak on to Mr. Caravino's discussion. the township did get a speed study analysis for aldrich road based upon his complaints i just want to make very clear to the public and to the council the council is restrained from changing that speed limit without the recommendations from the engineering professionals we went out we spent the money we we anticipated we might get some recommendations the Speed limit modification recommendations were not suggested to be changed. So without those recommendations, you as a governing body are really strapped from making that decision to change those speed limits. That being said, if there are other ways to attack this issue, maybe we can set up a meeting with Traffic Study, Engineering, and the manager. discussing you know stop signs or something like that but that the speed limit issue you know we outsource to some of our professionals we spent the money there was a litigation over it and there just was no recommendation to change so without that recommendation you guys are restrained from making those modifications I just want to add that

Within that study, there were some traffic calming recommendations made that are on our plans to complete. So that is an action that we are going to be taking based on that report.

going to what Zachary was saying regarding flock cameras I spoke to the chief a couple of weeks ago because I had gotten some questions about flock cameras to the best of my knowledge the township does not have any of the flock cameras they are privately owned as far as who can access them who can see them I don't have that information but that's something we can look into Mr. Bisonos, I That's an interesting take for expanding information on some of our business owners, property owners. I'll take a look at what you're recommending. It seems like it's consistent with a statement of ownership. A lot of our contracts that we enter into under local public contracts law, there's a requirement for bidders to submit a statement of ownership. So when there is an entity that is owned by an LLC, a corporation, if there's any individual stakeholder that owns more than 10% of that LLC, you have to keep breaking it down until you get to that 10%. So it might be something similar along those lines. Mr. White you went through your resolutions and your questions so quickly I didn't get a chance to write them all down there was a question about who Mr. Shea was he is a land use and zoning attorney he's being brought on to assist the township actually with some of these code violations and these use issues that you know we we are hearing we're seeing and just strategically and how we're going to tackle those issues that is somebody that you know we're looking to bring on to assist the town with. And as far as questions regarding the impervious coverage ordinance, that's going to be on for a public hearing tonight. We do have one of our planners here, so we'll ask her to come up during then to address some questions and hopefully we can address some of the specific ones that you've raised during that portion. That's all I have right now.

Anything from you, Tara? No. All right.

Mike? I just wanted to echo John's comment, welcoming Tara. Looking forward to working with you. You have a wealth of experience from Holmdel, Colts Neck, and we're really looking forward to everything you can help us with here in Howell to work in tandem with John. Also, Bob Shea. Excited to bring him on as well. He's also got a wealth of knowledge in land use and helping us, as Caitlin said, work with some of these code issues and navigate some of the waters there with, you know, holding everyone accountable on an equal plane. as well, also helping us with some of these land use ordinances. Did a great job on 02621 putting together a report, comparison report with adjacent towns to justify everything in there. And also I wanted to thank John and the rest of our professionals for working through all of the land acquisitions. This is a rural suburban town. We want to keep it that way. So we're trying to eat up as much open space as we can. And John did a great job with the negotiations through that. And also want to shout out to the county as well. And also looking to help us preserve some of the open space, both in Howland and in Monmouth County as well.

Ian. Evelyn.

Nothing to report. Just a reminder again, looking forward to seeing everybody this Saturday at 3 o'clock at Sojo Memorial for our annual Hal Dagan Green Fair. Once again, you'll see not only vendors, but much of our Township Municipal employees have various tables set up. So they have a large tent usually at the end of the line. So it's a good time to play some of the games they have, but also to get some information on questions that you might just have had throughout the year, scheduling and whatnot of garbage pickup, recycling or other assorted things. So hope to see you there. As usual, not only do we have Hal, but we have Brick and Jackson, many other communities come to see how a real Hal Day and Green Fair is done. And we certainly do it right. So I'll see you Saturday.

so yeah real quick um on friday we had the 9 11 ceremony um which was actually beautiful it was unfortunately not as uh attended as as it should have been it was a absolutely beautiful ceremony um but i'm going to tie that in with aldridge road because i take aldridge road so i know what mr cherubino is talking about especially when you're coming back west at sunset There's no way. You're just naturally going to slow down. And it's funny because I just called the township manager yesterday, asked about Aldridge Road, and hopefully there's something more we can do, at least for a certain spot when you're coming up that hill, especially heading west. I have to say that I agree with almost everything all the residents said tonight. I hope we can help that gentleman, Mr. Maggio. I hope there's something we could do. Zach, I beat you on the flock cameras because I asked that question already. We do not own them. I agree with you. I'm not a fan. I think I found out it belongs to Lowe's. I think there's one that I've seen that might belong to Lowe's, if I'm not mistaken, but we don't own any, which was confirmed tonight. And I want to thank Sandra for her optimism, because we need that right now. So that's it. Thank you.

All right. A couple residents, some of this stuff is, you know, I thought it was resolved, like with the Aldridge Road thing, with seeing the report. And I thought the report had said it was only, it was 85 percentile that was not speeding not just 50-50 that mr. Tony saying so I don't know John maybe you could speak to Yost and Justin Yost our engineer out and see if there's any more you know calming it down with some lines and and I don't know you know I'm not that's not my every I I thought I thought that was a resolved by spending that money that we did for to have this study done but you know I

As I mentioned, Mayor, there are some things in that study that we're financing part of its capital for tonight as part of road programs that we will be doing there.

I'm on that road every day. There's only one spot that I feel is tricky is the hill coming over, heading towards Route 9. That's a spot that I feel is a little bit problematic, so hopefully we can look at that. As far as where Aldridge and Route 9 meet, that's a state highway, and of course there's a lot of accidents at that intersection. But as far as Aldridge Road as a whole, I don't see a lot of accidents happening from, say, where Tony lives back east to Maxim Southern. But I could be wrong. Paula, we hear your concerns, and... I don't want to call you guys out, but since you wanted to come to the meeting, Shirley and Moishe, I believe, is back there, right? So those are my buddies. These are the guys that I constantly have conversations with about the community and constantly talk to about trying to have a conversation with their constituents about the different uses now that are going on in town. and how they can help us talk to those homeowners and to the people that frequent the homes about the parking situation and the frequency and having some, you know, a better understanding of, you know, maybe spreading out a little more with the cars and not blocking intersections and, you know, a whole list of concerns that we have. And I, you know, I've spoken to them multiple times, and I believe that they do go back and try to have the conversation with their community. Does some of it fall on deaf ears? I'm sure it does, just like our own community here. You could tell someone 100 times something, and they don't have to listen or take any advice from you. But there are concerns, guys, and you heard them tonight again, especially in this one neighborhood, and I'd appreciate it. if we could possibly get together with some of the leaders and have a conversation with them to try to resolve some of this. I don't know how much more we need to hear Mr. Rich come up here and beat this horse to death with a baseball bat on these same issues every weekend. And now, unfortunately, you had an episode and If it is due to those high stress levels, that really bothers me and actually makes me sick to my stomach. So I'm not a doctor, but things need to be addressed. And unfortunately, some of the things that we could say up here or what you guys want us to say up here is not what you're going to want to hear. when I tell you I'm very frustrated over it and this whole council and I think even some of the professionals are very frustrated over it. And, uh, you know, the last couple of months I've had some sit downs with Mr Gross over here and I'm not gonna lie to everyone here. I've considered resigning multiple times. Okay. I'm just gonna say it on the days here because it just needs to be said because, uh, A lot of things that go on in this building, you know, our hands are tied. A lot of it's legal and things need to be done the right way. And it's not what the residents want to hear. And I'm really frustrated with these Facebook pages that uninformed residents or these keyboard warriors on a daily basis continue to go on and make stupid comments and make disparaging statements, and take clips from other towns that similar issues are arising in. And it's just not productive, and it's just not, I don't think it's smart, and it potentially could jam the town up. And for the year and a half that I've been here, I'm not really feeling super positive about moving forward with certain things. And that's why I've had this conversation with Mr. Gross multiple times and Kaitlin multiple times, and they've kind of talked me out of it. Because I really don't want to set an example for my family. I ran for mayor, and I didn't make any promises. I just wanted to be part of some solutions. And what I've learned since I've been here is a lot of things that probably could have, the conversation should have probably got started years ago with certain issues. wasn't started. And I've had those conversations with Ian and Sue as far as multiple years ago when they had come on about mitigating and getting ahead of some things and being proactive instead of reactive. And, uh, it's, uh, it's been a struggle for me. And I, uh, I don't like lying to the public. I don't like sitting up here and giving you guys a word-out answer like you guys get from some of our professionals and some of the answers. And, you know, I don't like a lot of stuff that goes on here. But guess what? I'm only one vote of five, and we are a governing body. We do not run the town. Our township manager runs the town with his team. And, you know, The last year that Mr. Gross has been here, I believe, and I think everyone up here believes that we have gotten some things done, positive things done. We have moved forward on some things, but it's not as quick as a lot of the residents want to be, and some of the solutions are not going to be what some of the residents think the solutions are going to be. So just realize that. So it's been tough for me. And it's been weighing on me. And I'm kind of looking forward to the new council coming in January. And we're going to see how 2027 starts off and what we're going to get done. Because I'm... Well, listen, I'm just making a general statement because we've had it out. I've had it out with multiple people in this building. And... And now with Mr. Gross and some of the other professionals, I want to hope and think that we're going to move in a more positive direction. But, you know, we're going to leave it at that. I thank everybody for coming again tonight. You know, I appreciate it every couple weeks. And like I said, I'm sorry you don't get the answers you want or the answers you think you should get. But a lot of it's beyond our – our pay roll and what we could do. So that's it on that. So let's move on to consent agenda items. Does anyone wish to vote on any of these separately? No? Can I make a motion then?

I'll make a motion to accept resolutions R26-264 to R-26-283. Second.

Councilman Nadel? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The consent resolution is passed.

All right. On to unfitness business public hearing adoption of ordinance 0-26-19.

An ordinance setting forth and amending and supplementing the salary range schedule for the salaries of certain officers and employees of the Township of Howell.

Second.

All in favor? Aye.

Anyone from the public would like to speak on this? I'm seeing none, so I'll make a motion to close.

I'll make a motion to close.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye. We have a motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second.

Councilman Nadell?

Yes.

Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Fisher? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

And this ordinance is properly adopted.

On to O-26-20.

Ordinance authorizing traffic enforcement upon real property located at 645 Oakland Road in accordance with the request of the property owner. Motion to open to public.

Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Anyone from the public on number 20? No? Make a motion to close.

I'll make a motion to close.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2620. Second.

Councilman Nadell? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

This ordinance is properly adopted.

On to O-26-21.

An ordinance of the Township of Howell amending Chapter 188, Land Use Schedule 1, Permitted Uses, Residential Zones, Schedule 2, Bulk and Dimensional Requirements, Residential Zones, Chapter 188-4, Definitions and Rules of General Applicability of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Howell.

Motion to open the public?

Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

So, Mr. Gross, do you want the representative from higher rule to come up here?

No.

Oh, yeah. Do we have anybody from the public besides the question that was already asked by Mr. Freeman? Okay.

John Baumbach, 7 Lexington Road. And I'm going to beat a dead horse. As I understand this now, it says here in the new list here that houses of worship are conditional use in R3. Is that correct? Correct. It's been a conditional use in R3, and it's going to continue that. Is that correct on this? I hope it is. Attached and semi-attached housing, it's not permitted at all in R3. Is that correct? Yes, I hope it is.

Thank you for your time.

Anyone else from the public?

I want to applaud everybody that worked on this ordinance to create objective standards that can be applied to everyone that lives in our residential communities. I think this is fair. I think it kind of takes all of the interpretation and nuance out of it. And I've had conversations with a variety of people in our community and I understand that people have right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home i understand that people have a right to assemble within their homes for whatever reasons they choose to assemble i happen to live in an airy zone where i have a one acre lot i never when i bought my home in 2014 i didn't really truly appreciate the time how nice it is to have an acre lot where like my neighbors like not right on top of me I have some privacy. I can make a little bit noise in my backyard from time to time. I understand that there are certain neighborhoods in this community where it's a little bit more densely populated, where people are on smaller lots. People want to have parties in their backyards. People want to assemble in their homes for whatever private gatherings that they want to have. I would encourage people in our community that if you want to have, you know, frequent gatherings in your home or on your property for whatever reasons that you would seek out a property that maybe is in an area zone where you can have more space for adequate parking, more privacy to move about your property where maybe whatever assembly you're having on your property is not causing any disturbance to your neighbors. I think that's considerate. There's plenty of property in Howell, plenty of lots to buy, plenty of opportunities to move about. So as far as this particular ordinance is concerned, in regulating the improvements that people make on their property, I think that it's thorough, it's sound, it was well constructed, and I applaud those that did that. Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, council members. I'm a licensed professional planner working at Hire, Gruel, and Associates. Do you want to ask questions or should I just?

I've noted down the questions. If you could answer the questions that have been raised or address the issues that have been raised, that would be wonderful.

Sure. So just recently a public member asked about the Permitted uses, I just want to reflect this ordinance basically took the text in our Howell ordinance and corrected that on the Schedule 1. So no new, whatever was conditional use is remaining conditional use. Whatever was permitted in the zone is remaining permitted zone. There is no changes in use. It's just for the consistency purposes, the Schedule 1 was looked at and revised accordingly. The couple of other questions that I heard tonight, one was when this ordinance will be implemented and why it was done based on lot sizes. Traditionally in Howell Township over the years, and this we studied through the aerial mapping as well as the aerial imagery, most of the lots that have come about have kind of evolved over the years from 60s to 80s to early 90s as cluster development. What I mean by that is planned unit developments. So what you traditionally have in districts with lot sizes, there are several lot sizes that don't even meet the district they are in. Because of which, one size fit all, based on the zoning, impervious and building coverage would not work. So what with introducing, based on the lot sizes we've done over here is, Depending on your lot size, the amount of building and impervious coverage percentage you are allowed. So for example, one of the questions was raised, if my lot is 10,000 square feet, what happens? Even if you are, say, 10,001, we'll use the least minimum, you apply the standards as written in the table where your maximum building coverage, now building coverage is any kind of building on the property, which is principal, shed, detached garage, so on forth, you'll be allowed 30% as the maximum building coverage. That almost amounts to about 3,000 square feet. So if you take a traditional house, you have two story, it becomes a 2,000 square foot house, and you still have something left over to put your detached garage, to put your shed, whatever other accessory building you would want to do. The impervious coverage is anything that is impervious on your property, which will be from your driveway to your pavers to anything that doesn't let water infiltrate directly into the ground. that you're permitted on a 10,000 to 15,000 square foot lot about 40%. That amounts to almost 4,000 square feet. So again, there is room to play with your driveway, with your paving and everything to have a sufficient use of the property. The sliding scale, again, allows for smaller lots to have a little more coverage because they have smaller lot. And for a larger lot, which is like 40,000 square feet above, you're allowed to have a little lesser building coverage. Because obviously, on a 40,000 square foot lot, you cannot see more than 50% coverage and so on and so forth. The other question that was asked is, what would happen if the sidewalk along the property is damaged? Will I have to come in for a variance? These regulations are for everything within the property. So sidewalks are usually on the right of way. It's an off-track improvement and so that's not considered as part of this impervious coverage calculation. Having said that, if there are pavers on your property today that get broken and you're going to replace exactly that, this is grandfathered in. So what you have today, it's going to remain. It's not going to impact properties that exist the way they are today via legal permit route. The other question was, you know, regarding introducing this kind of mechanism. Traditionally Township of Havel for their residential, traditional residential zones never had building and impervious coverage. Our municipal land use law also give every township municipality to authorize regulate these kind of requirements, especially with the creation of new stormwater ordinances to regulate the public health safety, which is what this ordinance is trying to do and create objective standards that will be applicable to every lot depending on the size of the property. So that in a nutshell, I think I've answered all the questions.

Does that answer the other two questions that the gentleman came up with?

I believe so. I think that was the first one.

No, the second gentleman with the R3. What was that, R3?

The conditional use, yeah. If the text of the ordinance permitted in the R3 zone, sorry, I'm blind. The houses of worship in the R3 zone as conditional use, that's what it's remaining as conditional use. And I believe the other question had to do with what was the other use?

I think you answered those questions.

So basically what conditional use means as a general, that use is defined as permitted as long as the conditions that are listed in that regulations are met. So there are certain parameters associated with it. We're not changing any of that. What was allowed in the way it was allowed is what's being permitted.

And just to be clear, because I want to make sure everybody understands, there are certain things that are in the chart that were crossed out, and they're crossed out because the text of our code doesn't reflect that. So the text of our code has to reflect what's in the chart. So they were just cleaning that up as part of this.

I think what Mr. Crook's trying to ask, correct me if I'm wrong, is what are the conditions? Yeah.

So I think what you're asking isn't for the impervious coverage ordinance. You're asking what the conditions of a house of worship is? Yeah, that's not what Malvika is here to answer tonight. So that's separate and apart from what she handled under that impervious coverage.

You're saying to me that an R3 zoned area, a house of worship is permitted, and I mean a house of worship that's open to the public.

Is that correct? This is the current existing township of Howell Ordnance that permits that as a conditional use.

She doesn't, yeah, she didn't go into those specific conditions.

So if that's true.

So yeah, we're gonna get back on track because what you're talking about is completely different than the impervious coverage ordinance that's up for public hearing right now. Yeah, but that's what's on the public hearing right now. That's not, that doesn't touch on this. Right now is only impervious coverage. We're setting standards for all residential lots in town and it doesn't, it doesn't, it's not based on what residential zone you're in. It's based on all of the residential zones but what lot size you have in those residential zones. So those impervious coverage standards depend on the size of your lot. And there's different impervious coverage standards for the entire lot, for everything that's impervious, and then what your building size is. And I also just wanna touch on and clarify when we were talking before about things being grandfathered and what this applies to. So, This will apply to all new applications that we receive. If you are replacing exactly the same patio that you already have with no expansion, that would be grandfathered in. If you are expanding it, you would then be subject to the impervious coverage ordinance.

That's correct.

Accessory structures would be covered under our building coverage. Well, your impervious coverage is all outside. So anything you're doing inside, that's not being touched by your impervious coverage.

If you're doing something inside as an interior, you go through the regular route. That is... It will depend on the parameters of what's non-conforming. If you have a certificate of non-conformity and you're not expanding it, then you go through the building code permits and the route you want to, as long as it's interior. Anything you expand, yes, you'll have to come forward.

Malvik, this is getting a little bit beyond, but if you wouldn't mind staying around until after the meeting, perhaps some people have some questions and we can try to resolve.

Sure. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Closed public comment. Motion to close.

Motion to close. Second. All in favor?

Aye. Motion to adopt.

I'd like to move to adopt ordinance 26-21. Second. Councilman Nadell?

Yes. Councilman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly adopted.

Introduction of a new ordinance is O-2622.

Bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements and the acquisition of various capital equipment, appropriating $9,898,000, therefore, and authorizing the issuance of $9,403,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the cost thereof, authorized in and by the Township of Howell in the County of Monmouth, New Jersey.

I have a motion to introduce ordinance. Second.

Second. Councilman Nadel? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Can I have the audience quiet down while we're still doing our meeting? Thank you. Councilman Rubell?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

On to O-2623.

Capital ordinance providing for the acquisition of a camera truck and a utility body truck with a plow for the sewer utility and appropriating $230,613, therefore authorized in and by the Township of Howell and the County of Monmouth, New Jersey.

I have a motion to introduce Ordinance 2623.

I'll make a motion to introduce the ordinance.

Second.

Councilman Nadell?

Yes.

Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubel? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

On to O-26-24.

An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain real property located at Block 110, Lots 160, 160Q Farm, and Lot 164, also known as 814 Holtz's Corner Road in Howell Township. I'll make a motion to introduce Ordinance 26-24.

Second.

Councilman Nadell? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

On 20-2625.

An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of an easement on certain real property known as Block 110, Lots 160, 160Q Farm, and Lot 164 in Howell Township.

I'll make a motion to introduce Ordinance 26-25. Second.

Councilman Nadel? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubel?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Fisher? Yes. Mayor Leggio? No.

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

On to O-2626.

An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain real property located at Block 41, Lot 17, also known as the Victory Road property in Howell Township.

Motion to introduce. Second.

Councilman Nadel? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

O-26-27.

An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain real property known as Block 228, Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, and 38 in Howell Township, Monmouth County from active acquisitions.

I'll make a motion to introduce Ordinance 26-27.

Second.

Councilman Nadell?

Yes.

Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

O-2628.

An ordinance authorizing traffic enforcement upon real property located at 162 Newtons Corner Road in accordance with the request of the property owner.

Motion to do.

Second. Councilman Nadell? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

And lastly, O-2629.

An ordinance amending and supplementing Chapter 302 of the Code of the Township of Howell entitled Tobacco and Smoking by the addition of a new Article 6 entitled Possession and Use by Underage Persons.

Motion to introduce. Second.

Councilman Nadel? Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell? Yes. Councilman Rubell? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer? Yes. Mayor Leggio?

Yes.

The ordinance is properly introduced.

All right. Our next regular scheduled council meeting will take place on October 6, 2026. Executive session begins at 6. Regular session begins at 7 p.m. I'm seeing no further business before the council may have a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Second. Second.

All in favor? Aye.