Zoning Board of Adjustment - Regular Meeting

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

About this meeting

Government Body
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Meeting Type
Zoning Board Of Adjustment
Location
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Meeting Date
September 23, 2025

Transcript

67 sections (from 370 segments)

0:00 – 1:33Speaker 1

phones. The agenda of the Punton Lake Zoning Board of Adjustments, September 23rd, 2025. The following is the agenda of the regular meeting of the Pumpkin League zoning board of adjustments. The meeting is to be held in municipal building, 25 Lennox Avenue on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, beginning at 8:00 p.m. A written advance notice as required by NJSA 10 semicolon 4-1 EDSET has been provided of this meeting at least 48 hours in advance of today given the time date and location and to the extent known at the time the agenda of this meeting. Such notice stated that formal action may or may not be taken. This meeting will be video recorded and will be broadcast for a later viewing for the public. The notice was posted on the bulletin board outside of the offices of municipal clerk reserve for this and similar announcements. Two provided to the suburban trends the newspaper designated by the council and planning board to receive such notices and filed with the burough clerk. Please stand for pledge of lion. Pledge 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. Amen.

1:35 – 2:17Speaker 1

We have no one taking the oath of office. Uh, roll call, please. Yes. Mr. Hunt, here. Mr. Nate will be uh late. Miss Curran, Mr. Claus here, Miss Berntock here, Mr. Rowan here, Mr. Davies absent, Mr. Fagula here, Mr. Devonte here, Mr. Klouse here. Uh, Mayor Sus here. Mr. Andy Brewer. Miss May present. Thank you.

2:14 – 2:59Speaker 1

You're here. He'll be late. Yes, Mr. Okay. Um, thank you. You're welcome. Regular me uh meeting minutes for June 24th, 2025. Everyone had an opportunity to read those minutes. And are there any corrections to those minutes? No. I hear none. So, you get a motion to uh accept the minutes. I'll make a motion we approve the uh minutes as as written. I second. Roll call, please. Mr. Hunt, yes. Mr. CS, yes. Miss Bernstein, yes. Mr. Rowan, yes.

2:58 – 3:43Speaker 1

Mr. Fagula, yes. Mr. Devonte, yes. Then Mr. Klouse here. Uh, yes. Thank you. fine. Okay. Um what else? Uh so we have u August meeting minutes are still pending. So we'll get those when uh they come in. Um approval of the bills. [Music] Everyone had an opportunity to read the um bills that are there. Yep. Can I get a motion to pay the bills? Second second. Roll call, please. Yes. Mr. Hunt.

3:41 – 4:15Speaker 1

Yes. Mr. Cos. Yes. Miss Berntock. Yes. Mr. Rowan. Yes. Mr. Tibula. Yes. Mr. Devonte. Yes. And Mr. Claus? Yes. Thank you. Andrew, I have a question for you. Um, should we be going line by line through these bills or as I did it was fine? They've all been presented. We've approved them all. Um I don't think you need to Everybody has the agenda for all the bills that work. So we're good. Okay. Very good. I'm okay. Just wanted to make sure. Okay. Very good.

4:13 – 4:58Speaker 1

Okay. Uh correspondence. Uh we have none. Um application BOA25-09 97 Skyler Avenue, Bmpton Lakes, New Jersey. Please come forward. [Music] Thank you. Remain standing. Just try to raise your right hand, state your name, spell your last. Um, so my name is Eric Richardson. Spell the last. Spell it. Spell last. L A S T. Okay. Last name. Last name. Spell your last name. It's okay. R I C H A R D S L. Yeah.

4:57Speaker 1

Okay. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you out? Yeah. Good seat.

5:09 – 5:55Speaker 1

Welcome to zoning board. Uh why don't you tell us about your project that you uh looking to uh to do? So I am looking to install a semi inground pool in the backyard and uh basically it's like an a glorified above ground pool dug in a little bit and then placed in. So it's not like a whole concrete project where they're digging 8 nt down. There's a whole lot of structural factors to it. It's a lot less invasive than that. Um, and I think this would be a great um,

5:53Speaker 1

sorry, I'm I'm a little bit nervous. You know, it's like a lot of riding. Yeah. Yeah. Take take a deep breath. It's fine. You're doing fine.

6:00 – 6:40Speaker 1

So, this is the town that I grew up in. I went to high school right here. And, you know, this is I learned how to swim next door. So, I bought I became an official resident last year. And uh you know, I got a packed family now. I got a one and a halfyear-old. I got an adopted son, an adopted daughter. And I just thought like, you know, I've had a lot they've had in their life. So, why not try to make one of their dreams come true? Um and you know,

6:38 – 8:38Speaker 1

I am trying to do a lot for my kids. You know, they have not had the easiest upbringing and I'm just trying to make it the best way and especially in the town that I grew up in and that they love me and they're going to grow up and they love me. You know, they're going to love this town. They're going to have the same experiences that I do. You know, it also brings a great sense of community to the town, right? um you know all their families, friends, neighbors, they're all coming over. Um so I I just envision that for the family. I think it puts a better precedent like on the town, right? I think it's I think there's more positives in the town. I also know that I want to state that I know that one of my neighbors believe she's here Sandra has had an issue with um with me I think getting the pool due to like one of the setback requirements and I hear her fully. Um, and if if the issue was the positioning of the pool, then with the acceptance of the town, I would gladly, you know, reposition the pool in favor of Sandra so she can get her full 10 foot back and then I will take the full responsibility on my property and it would hit one of my setbacks in my garage. Also, she had worry. She stated that she had worries about um affecting her property value. And I had researched and talked to my realtors and I couldn't find one stud one report or factual study that provided evidence that a pool would affect neighboring homes on it. Um so I I hear her loud and clear and I just want to know that I am not trying to ruffle any feathers. not from the town, not for my neighbor, and sometimes it

8:35 – 10:33Speaker 1

feels like an uphill battle, but I am really just trying to do what's best for my family. And I think it also a pool shows a um a sense of community. And this is, like I said, the community that I grew up on. Um, see if I have Oh, also I I did want to mention that next door there are pools that are literally the pool right next door to me is about double the size of the pool that I have and it is within a four 4ft set back of my property line and their garage. That's that's the pool that I actually grew up swimming in and an 8t deep. So that pool literally double the size with the similar setback. You never had an issue with that affecting their house, the property line or the garage. The neighbor over sim similar situation just same size pool uh set back not reaching 5 foot. Uh there's there's Skyler 87 Skyler plates 60 Skyler plates both not meeting required setbacks and have not had issues. I am also going through a trusted installer that installs hundreds of these pools and they have not had issues. I think even one may be in Pomp and Lakes. Um, but it is a very durable quality product. So much so that has a lifetime warranty on it. And I can give you a list of the pools. Um, and you know, they go through those variance thing all the time. And that I can provide you with a list of pools that they've had to uh meet, you know, that did not meet the variance requirement, did not meet the

10:32 – 11:43Speaker 1

setback requirements and had to go through the variance process. and Dave and everyone that they've installed with never had an issue with adjacent properties or even the pool itself. Um, it's a very durable product and they could speak. My pool experts were supposed to be here today, but sadly they both had my my engineer and my uh pool installer both had family emergencies. So, you know, I feel like I'm at an uphill battle just speaking for myself, but I'm trying my best. So, if you guys want me to do any in-depth calculations or provide you with a list of pools installed, I would gladly do so, anything to represent and make my case. Um, but like I said, I I'm really just I'm not I'm not in this for financial gain. I'm in this for my family and um you know I'm going to be here for many generations and for families and um you know I I Salem's community and I hope you guys hear me out and take everything into consideration.

11:38 – 12:23Speaker 1

Okay. All right. Um so um thank you for that. But um I do have some questions um on the uh blown up picture that was given up. I I don't have any um um measurements of the pool area where the pool is going to go. Um so bear with me cuz this print is rather small for me. Um so the corner of the pool that's in the back portion of of the property from the property line to the corner of the pool. How how much is that? The smallest area that is approaching on Sandro's property is about two 2 feet and 7 in.

12:22 – 12:57Speaker 1

2T 7. And the furthest point on that same line is about 4 foot. So on average about closest to the house. Is that what you're talking to? Yeah. So if you're talking about closest to the property line I No, no. I'm I'm saying I understand about the 2.07 on the back portion of the pool. But on the front portion of the pool that's closest to that's 4 foot. Yeah. Thank you. So then all the other step backs are in check. Okay. Okay.

12:55 – 13:18Speaker 1

And the measurement from where the utilities for the the pool pump and everything else that's 12 ft from the edge of the pool to I guess it's going right up against the property. Yes. Requirements too. Yes.

13:13 – 13:58Speaker 1

Okay. So that's 12 ft. Okay. And I see um if I'm looking at the back of the house structure, there's two sets of um so explain to me what those are. Again, the print here and take a look. I I'm unsure as well. Got a copy. Sorry. I took that out a lot. You did. H I was going to do the same thing with my phone. What's this bull coming out the left side? I'm sorry. I don't know what these two circles are.

13:57 – 14:40Speaker 1

That's what I'm saying. I I want to Well, those two circles. Yes, those. So, those are about 6 in dub like garbage can concrete pads. They're basically nothing. I'm actually going to remove them. Okay. Okay. So, it has nothing to do with the pool. Nothing to do with the pool. Okay. And the ones to the left, that's for the pool. Yeah. That's the pool. That's the filter. Yeah. That's the filter. Yes. Okay. Is the pool going to have any kind of heating? Not at this point. Not at that point. Okay. And the side of the pool that's closest to the garage, that's 12t there. Yes.

14:38 – 14:56Speaker 1

Okay. Um, while we're talking about the garage, do you know if that ever went for any kind of variance request? Cuz that is a very large garage. Yes, it did. And it's it's right up against the property line on the right hand side.

14:54 – 15:34Speaker 1

Yes, that did go for a variance request. I bought the house with it. So, that kind of got grandfathered in. Actually, I think my grandfather, my greatgrandfather was like a community staple and I think he had a lot of pull from the town. So he was able to build that giant garage which thruffled some my neighbor's feather respectively. So but I didn't ask to come into the issue, you know, I just bought the house, you know. So um how do we go about making sure that that has been uh in front of a the board at some point to make sure

15:33 – 16:16Speaker 1

the only way you can make sure is to search the record which I don't think we can do now. could do that for the next meeting. Um, you know, and if that is something that's important, you could list everything and I can have a resolution we're voting on next time and if you'd like to see that. Okay, that's something. Okay, that's all the questions I have. I'm going to open it up to the board. Um, anybody else on the board have questions? Yep, absolutely. How far down or up from the ground level will the pool be? I'd say about on max about 4 ft down. Okay. And

16:12 – 16:56Speaker 1

but on average about 3 ft and overall depth of the pool is goes it's on average 4 foot but then it comes to a little deep end section which is six foot. Okay. But majority of it is square foot. So it's two foot above and then two foot in. Okay. And then uh the pipes for the MUA, where are they running for the what's the MUA? MUA. Your water and sewer pipes. Oh, they don't come close. The they they come in from the street from the other side. Not in the back though. Not in the back. So there's no interference.

16:54 – 17:31Speaker 1

No interference of the lines. And they even had like a gas line and every there's no lines cuz you know when they were coming out for the pool they had the utilities come out and mark their locations and there's no not gas lines, not sewer lines, no lines are in the back there. Excellent. Now, why is it that the pool is skewed over towards the property line and not closer to the garage? just to keep everything adjacent for my property, but would gladly adjust. No problem. No issues there. But

17:28 – 18:11Speaker 1

because it seems to me that if you move that pool closer to the garage, and I don't know, I'm not predicting that, but uh if you were to move it, uh you may be able to get a variance for the, you know, the closeness to the property line. on the other side. I I also believe that if he does move it closer to the garage, he may need a variance. Oh, for the supposed to be 12 ft. Closer to be closer than 12 ft. Yes, I would get the other variance. I would So you'd need a variance no matter what.

18:09 – 18:52Speaker 1

No matter what. So either it's either with the prop and my whole thought process was let me go with the least structural thing which is a fence and pools are built with fences all around them. My I live right next to a uh my neighbor which has a 6ft fence. So a fence is a very low loadbearing and not too structural of a of of basically a structure that you have to worry about. So, I thought, let me move it to just the fence side, but if it pleases the town more, I would move it towards my garage. Okay,

18:49 – 19:34Speaker 1

that's actually I believe the reason why they don't like being that close to the structure is because you have people jumping off the roof into the pool. So, I believe that's one of the reasons why they make it 12 ft. So, there's not enough room for somebody to jump off the roof. in that. But you can tell I don't have any. What was the depth of the pool? I'm sorry. Max 6 foot, but on average 4T. I I don't know that anyone would jump off the roof into a 4ft 6ft pool. But yeah, I don't know. [Music] Really high garage. That was gross. What's the height of the garage at the lowest point?

19:32 – 20:15Speaker 1

There's no lowest point of the garage. It's just a like a Oh, at the low at the ridge, right? I think it's like 20 foot. 18 foot. Okay. Anybody else on the board have any more questions? Sure. The then the survey, the one with the pool, there's a hard line, then the dotted line. Is the dotted line a fence or what's that? Uh, okay. No, I see. So the dotted line is my property and um the fence is that and the hard line is the fence.

20:12 – 20:56Speaker 1

Okay. All right. So you are so you're 2.7 ft from the fence from your property and then there's a little bit more space to the fence. Yes. Okay. Got it. That was just my question. Anybody else have any questions for the applicant? I do see that you are putting up some fencing uh to secure the I want to make sure the pool's safe. I'm going with all the required guidelines that I need to ensure the that I have meeting all the town's requirements and pool safety requirements as well.

20:53 – 21:34Speaker 1

Okay. Anybody else have any questions for the applicant? Based on his testimony? No. Okay. At this point, then I'm going to open it up to the public to come forward. Um, I sure. Hello. You still have questions? You want to make statements? I want to make a statement if I could cuz I'm the neighbor. You can. Please raise your right hand. State your name. Spell your last. Sandra. U L R I C H. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you'll give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, help you got

21:31 – 22:09Speaker 1

um first of all, the house in question where uh Eric lives, I grew up in, and I lived there from 1949 to 1970. Uh my house was my grandparents house, which I lived there since 1973 till now. So, I my father was here since 1923. Uh before me, I live across the street. I was standing demands scheme and I have a I went to uh I have a I guess a paper that I'd like to just submit of what I'm going to

22:07 – 22:35Speaker 1

Yeah. And just to be just that's what I'm going to tell you. I just want you to make sure that you have and I have also a a why I put copies on there. Okay. But if you have pictures that you want them to see, you have to mark them. Okay. So it would be like 01 02 and you have to explain what they are. Okay. So I'll just talk first. That's perfect. Okay. All right. I don't want to. No. No. Yes. Best thing to do. Yes.

22:33 – 24:32Speaker 1

I cannot agree to Mr. Richardson's request for a 2T 7 and 1/2 in setback from my side property line. For the document obtained from the Pmpton Lakes Municipal Building regarding pools above ground and in ground, it states in item number three that the pool location must be 10 ft from the side property line. I feel that anything less than 10 ft would be an encroachment on the allowable setback space on my side property. The request is for a 13x 21 13 foot by 21 ft semi in ground pool with the 20 foot bordering my side property line as per the submitted document on file with the board secretary of the municipal building not viewing the actual pool requested online an online search of a semi-in ground pool pulled up a sample of a pool of such type and a copy of this example is being presented which I didn't but to the board. Looking at the pool placement drawing, the pool infringes on my 10- foot setback, yet it provides Mr. Richardson with a 12-oot area between his pool and his ex existing second garage. And that's what you were discussing. And I said for the pool above ground and in ground document noted above, it states that the pool must be 12 ft from a principal structure and also 12 ft from accessory structures. Possibly Mr. Richardson could request a bearing for a 12-oot space between his pool and his exist existing garage. And that's what you had already discussed. Of great concern to me, I have also been advised that encroachment can affect the um the sale of a house as it can discourage buyers from making an offer as I am uncertain if I will have to a need to sell my house. I do not want to lose an opportunity because of an approval of this request. In speaking with Olivia at

24:29 – 25:37Speaker 1

my state farm insurance office regarding my homeowners policy, she advised that if this pool is responsible for a future drainage problem to my property after such a pool is installed, she advised that no insurance company will cover groundwater damage or any cost to mitigate the situation. In other words, if my concern becomes a reality, any and all additional costs for drains or damage to correct my property issues will be my responsibility. Once again, I cannot agree to this request and I hope that the zoning board of adjustment can see why. Um, to assist those who have already had only seen the land drawing, I also have a copy of my property from my residence overlooking his property, what I see from my upstairs back window. Um, again, I uh I I we had a pool for over 30 years above ground. We complied with the setbacks of areas around us. I grew up in the house you have now. Your grandpa built the house.

25:34 – 26:31Speaker 1

You should address this before. Um but anyway, it's I know the area. I know when that garage went up, that's a big issue, too. But it was walked to cover um his motor home and um his great-grandfather. And again, it shouldn't have been, but it happened. So be it. But now with the pool encroaching my property property line, I do have those issues with possible future sale of my house or water problems, but then it's my responsibility. State Farm said no insurance company in the state will cover. I I I would I would um caution uh the board. You're not bound by the rules of evidence, but you're not supposed to listen to hearsay what somebody else said. You don't testify your own knowledge. You're not allowed to testify. Somebody else said this. Somebody else said this. They should not consent to that.

26:30 – 27:11Speaker 1

Take a pass. Okay. Um so I wanted to submit if I could if I have to mark this. Do I do that at a different time? What are you looking to submit? just a picture of what the pool could possibly look like. No, the structure and then also I don't know I didn't get the copy of your you know I didn't ask for Do you have that on? You have to address the board. Oh, I'm sorry. Does he have a copy of or a picture of the pool what it will look like? I It still actually doesn't matter if it's too less than 3 ft to my property line. I have a picture I We're done with the testimony now. Yeah. and and a picture of what something might look like isn't really relevant to the board. Okay.

27:09 – 27:47Speaker 1

They you can say that they haven't seen what it will look like because that does not appear to be in the package, but your potential what it might look like isn't something the board. But I wanted to state too, I am not against pools. I love them. I assume I have three children, grandchildren, all in the pools, neighbors and friends. So that is not an issue. That's not the issue. Okay. You you testified that you he's infringing on your 10 yard uh 10 foot setback on yours. Correct. Because he I don't understand how he's doing that if the pool is being built on his property.

27:43 – 28:19Speaker 1

The the variance the variance is not to is for a 2T 7 yard setback on his property, but it's not infringing on your property. But don't I get 10 ft or as there should be a 10 10 ft on your property inside your property line, not on his. Even though this pool's this document says that it's um should be 10 ft. That's the set sideyard set must be 10 ft from side and rear property lines from his property line, not your 10.

28:18 – 29:03Speaker 1

This is this is but this is not infringing on your tent on your property. If he builds closer, that could affect my drainage. Again, that there's no testimony from an expert to tell us that that would be the situation. It is to take under advisement, but not saying that it's actually going to happen, right? It's a possibility that there's going to be water. Anything is always a possibility, but it's not. You testified that it was on infringing on your 10 yard set back, and it's not. It's it's on his 10 yard uh 10 foot um property line. That's a that's a requirement and that's why that's why he's here for his variance request. Okay.

29:02 – 29:33Speaker 1

Okay. Okay. So then that's that's so far. Anybody else on the board have anything to ask the um the testimony that was given? But you said that you were amenable to the pool being located closer to the garage. Oh, I have no problem. As long as it's not right on top of my line of my fence. Okay. Cuz that's my fence there.

29:30 – 29:57Speaker 1

You know, if they can go if he can have the full pool moved over by that garage, so be it. I don't care. As we stated earlier, there are guidelines as well with this side property uh the property of um sorry of the garage in close proximity to the pool as well. So yeah, I understand that. Okay, very good. Thank you all.

29:55 – 30:26Speaker 1

Thank you. Is there anybody else from the public that would like to come forward and provide any uh testimony or uh questions regarding the testimony that was given by the answer is I don't see anyone coming forward so I will close the public session. I don't know if you stand up if you want to speak or not. Oh yes she did now. So sorry. I just wanted to say one thing is that

30:23 – 31:05Speaker 1

so what to kind of go along with what she said. She um the pool is only about 2 foot I believe two I got to double check but it's 3T max but 2T out the ground well below the fence line which is I think four to five six feet. So she will not be in vision of the pool especially if it's close to the fence line. But like I said, I'm fine with positioning whatever the town thinks is possible. I am all it appears. But that's just one small comment I want to make. Okay.

31:01 – 31:31Speaker 1

Okay. Um, any other questions or statement from the board? Um, I just had a question. If he moved the pool 2 feet towards the garage, he'd be within that 10 foot, he still needs a variance because he's less than 10 on the other side. You need two varian is 12 and 10.

31:32 – 31:52Speaker 1

The only way to still only need one would be to go 8 ft the other way. Anyone else? Can we just speak on what are some of our thoughts? Absolutely.

31:49 – 32:22Speaker 1

I mean, because I I also agree that moving it over 2 feet closer to the garage is the most sensible thing. It's not um there's just no other way to really work with this property. Um and um you know I just see that as the most reasonable course to take for the neighbors and for um the applicant. Um

32:21 – 32:38Speaker 1

that's my I just want to give my thoughts. That's all. Sure. [Music] So the applicant would then need to uh modify his application if

32:34 – 33:16Speaker 1

yes if the board was if if you can pick up on what the board is suggesting and suggestions that you've made seems to be that maybe a middle road something that might be considered is if the pool was shifted 2 feet away from the property line closer towards your garage which would result in a variance from the sideyard property line but a smaller one and the garage 10 ft rather than 12 in order for them to consider that you have to say yes I would like to amend our application to be 2 ft farther from the property line 2 ft closer to the garage is that something you would like the board to consider yes absolutely

33:15 – 33:39Speaker 1

the applicant has amended their application to request those two I don't know if board wants to do that sorry No, no, no. That's why you've done a great job all by yourself and I know you're nervous. So he was talking about Oh, no. That's why it is what it is. Well, no. I

33:37 – 34:20Speaker 1

Okay. So, the applicant has amended his application. Um, as Andrew has indicated. Um, can I get a motion to accept or deny his application as as with the occur? Uh, I I I do Okay. Um, I do like to ask that we um investigate the uh shed to make sure that in the resolution that we confirm that that's been um addressed and uh as part of the resolution as well. The garage. The garage.

34:17 – 35:01Speaker 1

Okay. So, if not, then we need to address that as well. Okay. But um if the board votes, it's done, right? If the board wants wants to direct me to prepare the resolution, it can be voted on next meeting. So, you're not going to lose any time. But in between now and then, we find out and get a copy of the resolution of approval for that garage. We can address that and then that can be fully addressed to your satisfaction prior to you voting on this application if that's what you wanted to. Yes, I do want to do we do we know when the garage was there might not be any records, but we'll find that out. We'll find out.

35:00Speaker 1

I'm sure we'll find that out at some point. Mhm.

35:05 – 35:51Speaker 1

That's the whole point. We don't know anything. We don't see team don't know. But I like I said, one way to prevent any delay in this process is that the resolution, no matter what, you have to wait till the re resolution is adopted. they they vote and say yes, but then there needs to be a written resolution that then gets published in the paper. Um, and then 45 days after that, you're free to clear. No one challenges it. And that so that 30 that is 45 days starts after the written resolution. Well, in order to prevent any delay instance, you're not going to use this until you wouldn't be using it till next May anyway. Um, what they could do is say, "Mr. Ro, prepare a resolution. will vote on it and you will memorialize it next month and we will have investigated whether or not there was a resolution about the garage by that point.

35:49 – 36:34Speaker 1

I don't have all the information. Um but the resolution I'll prepare if the board so chooses is as amended to be 4T 7 in from the property line 10 ft from the garage that correct? Yes. That's what I would ask. Okay. So it appears that's what's going to happen. this thing matter will be continued next month at which time they will have a report back on the approval of the garage deal with that if needed and then vote on vote on the application and memorialize the resolution on that correct that's the fourth Tuesday of October fourth Tuesday of October okay yes

36:31 – 37:07Speaker 1

so do I need to prep for anything or is there time in I will uh we'll we'll We'll look and see if there's any approval on that garage. Okay. I don't think there's anything else. You're done for tonight. That's it for now. Thank you, Carrie. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Are we supposed to? No, it's Carol. He directed me to do it. I'll have it. Yay.

37:03 – 37:43Speaker 1

Okay. Resolutions. We have none. New and unfinished business. What's the cost? Anything on open space? Uh, [Music] okay. Their biggest project is the Willow Field project that's all ready to go. Honestly, I don't know why they're calling it the Willow Field project. that involves the little field of the soccer field all the way in the back. So, it's really

37:41 – 38:18Speaker 1

it's really just like the baseball field upgrades, you know, cuz that's what they're doing. But that's all ready to go. The tree clearing has supposed to be started. Well, all they're doing right now is removing trees and they're going to be planting tomorrow. So, I mean, it's it's started, but got a little bit of time to really see a big picture. Yeah. And they're hoping it's the goal is not so much the trees to see the fields and the condition and seeing everything. I know the little league board's hoping that that's ready to go by the spring. Oh, you and me both. I can't wait. So, I'm excited.

38:17 – 38:50Speaker 1

Um, let's see. The Hersville Park is moving right along. The uh the new tables are in for Karen. Karen Murphy is the uh director of the recreation. It's also Will's sister-in-law. Yes, she is. And uh they're going to add in jungle gyms now apparently and maybe a rock climbing wall also if they get their wishes. Uh the basketball court's being resurfaced.

38:47 – 39:20Speaker 1

Yes. So, um there was a request to go with some type of acrylic material to go down on the floor for Hersfield. So, um, I'll wait and see at tomorrow's council meeting kind of where we are with that. I I think sadly that's probably going to be something we're going to have to table. Okay. I don't think that that's something we're going to be able to do this go around and obviously we're doing resurfacing now. Um, the budget's been set. So, I don't know if the cost is going to increase, which it will just because the kind of floor they want to put down

39:16 – 39:57Speaker 1

and obviously that's weather uh conditional. You can't be doing that in the winter. Yeah, it it comes down and it was all great, all great suggestions, but I don't know. But long story short, what we have right now, what's in place, yes, is going to look fantastic. I mean, all the improvements to Hersville are just long overdue and it's fantastic to see that. I have a a question regarding that, too. Is when when it's all said and done to a point, are they going to have like a ceremony to to celebrate the the change that's happened down there? Cuz it's going to be substantial. That's a fantastic idea. I think once everything is done and there's a few more things. We still got the uh walking bridge that still needs to be I think

39:56 – 40:28Speaker 1

once everything is done. I think it's inviting the community as a whole. I think that's a great idea of um it's definitely worth it. Especially for those that have lived here all their lives and looking because it's been it's been a long time coming. It really has. That would be a great I'll pass. Oh man. Um, you had a new bridge going in late fall, early winter supposedly. Apparently, there was a deep side.

40:25 – 40:59Speaker 1

There's more. There's more delays. You know, if it takes 4 months to read a document, we're lucky. So, I think the applications are good. I think we're we're on track. Fingers crossed. I already know some projects are pickups still happen along the way, but that is the projection at this point. Funding is set. I think we're in a good position. Next time I come here as we get closer, you can ask me that question. And then the other project is working at Lakeside Park, the pavilion. That's out for bid to fix the roof. I don't know if anything came back.

40:57 – 41:42Speaker 1

Nothing's come back with that. So I I know it's not done. Nothing's come back with that. It does need it. Um but obviously for the board, I'll come back with an update at their next meeting, but nothing has been discussed. I would say within the last year or four council meeting that was an earlier discussion I think August August or July maybe early but it it is going to happen. Karen was looking for an upgrade to the electric and the lights. Well, we need upgrades every fix the steps and to fix the railings. I guess that thing is needs a railing for currently going down one of the steps towards the back. Towards the back that's a bad area there. Yeah. concrete all and apparently to update that would have to be ADA compliant with today's code. So

41:41 – 42:26Speaker 1

yeah, absolutely. Don't kill us in taxes. Hey, it isn't enough, buddy. You got to talk to that nice little building that's over there by Lakeside. And that was about everything. That's the two big projects. Hurstfield which is almost done, Lakeside Park which is going to be done and then the baseball fields are going in that's all settled. I think in the next two years just for the board if just for the board event I mean the amount of work that they're doing I don't know you know the stands are in I think the town is really going through a new generational push to update and modernize the new uh that's going on right now

42:23 – 43:02Speaker 1

the stands and the and the announcing booide looks fantastic it's amazing and that's not it you know as you guys know there was a referendum of about $22 million off the security upgrades air conditioning at the high school for those of you that graduates that'll tell some of the classrooms are extremely hot. We do not have air conditioning. So, I think the town as a whole, we're doing a lot of good work on the border is that, you know, obviously part of that. So, I can't wait. I just can't wait to see everything when it's all done. Yeah. Down at Hersfield, is there any conversation from the border regarding the actual football field and the stands and and in that area because I mean those are

43:00 – 43:37Speaker 1

pretty outdated. So I will tell you it's not part of the referendum but we did have a meeting I would say a year and a half ago and the concept because that's all it was the goal was to shift the so to answer your question yes but it involved a little bit more than the other it was shifting the field with the football field a little bit it was adjusting the soccer and um and I think baseball remained intact all new electrical I mean all everything but the challenge as you know is shifting the field the amount of work involved the track was going to be redone so it's compliant. You can have competitions there. Correct.

43:36 – 44:10Speaker 1

So these were many of the things but this was a year and a half two years we met with the architect port was there but nothing has happened yet and I think after the referendum they have to complete that first before they take on anything any other major projects but right now funding isn't where it is. You guys don't know cut back on the funding of the board which you know that was about a million and a half shortfall. I don't know if that's going to happen anytime soon. We'll see. Okay. Thank you. That's everything.

44:06 – 44:46Speaker 1

Thank you, Mr. Cos. Um, I will now open up to a public uh discussion. Uh, so anybody from the public like to come and uh approach the board and there is no one. So, I'll close that session. Can I get a uh motion for adjournment? I'll make a motion rejourn. All in favor? Second. You got the second? I'd second. Second. Thank you. All in favor? I post. Thank you everyone. Have a great night everybody. I'm sorry to see you everywhere. Just like a meeting to see

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.