Municipal Council - Regular Meeting

Put your hand on each side. That's one. [laughter]

Good evening everyone. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Lawrence Township Council being held on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 has been provided to the posting of the annual meeting schedule of said council in accordance with section 13 of the open public meetings act. Said notice was forwarded to the tranonian, the times and the princet [snorts] on December 19th, 2024. We now have an inspiration May we carry out our work at this meeting in a just honorable and sincere manner. Always being in line our duties in continuing to give Lawrence a wonderful community in which to live. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all

[laughter] here. [clears throat] Okay. At this time, we will have our special recognition and presentation. We're going to start with the oath of the office of administration for the new and promoted firefighters. We'd like to thank the family members for being here this evening. Um, our firefighters are an integral part of our community and it's wonderful whenever we can come together and recognize them.

Thank you, mayor. Good evening. Full house tonight. Uh, nobody can leave, too. When we're done, only we can leave. Nobody else can leave. My name is Jack Oakley. I'm the uh OEM director and also the chief of emergency services here in Mars. Um this is a great day for the emergency services and in particular division of fire as we are going to promote which have already been promoted uh two lieutenants and we're going to add three firefighters to our staff to our career staff. Um the commitment from the mayor, the council and the manager to improve fire service here in Lawrence Township should not go unnoticed. Um, this is uh this is going to help us be able to provide a better service, a quicker service, and hopefully a more robust service than what we uh what we have done in the past. So, at this time, I'd like to do the um the promotions, mayor. [laughter] like to call up Todd Lenorski and Justice Kawuchcci and also with them Todd's wife Stephanie who will hold the Bible and justice is right here hold

just going to read you a quick bio of both these guys. First, [snorts] Todd Larski was appointed to the career staff as a firefighter on September 3rd, 2019 and assigned badge number 20. Promoted as lieutenant on March 31st, 2025. Prior to being hired by Lawrence Township, he worked as a dispatch supervisor at Mercer County Central 911 communication center. A third generation firefighter following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, uncles, cousins, and brother, Todd joined Slackwood's volunteer fire company in 2003. He quickly became one of Slackwood's most active members. Todd was has held every fireline position from lieutenant upward, culminating in his election as Slackwood's fire chief in January of 2019. Mars High graduate. Todd is 36 and has been married to his wife Stephanie since 2012. Her children are Jordan, Madison, and Brenda. Next is Lieutenant Kawuchcci. [cough and laughter] Justice Kuchi was appointed to the career staff on July 16th, 2018 as a signed page number 19. A lifelong county resident and proud graduate of Lawrence High School, Justin began his commitment to community service early, joining the Lawrence Road Fire Company as a volunteer in July 2013, meaning that by the time he was hired, he had already gained 5 years of firefighting experience. Justice is also a state certified emergency medical technician, qualification that has proven invaluable at motor vehicle accidents and other medical emergencies throughout [clears throat] the county. with just shy of seven years in the Department of Justice successfully passed the civil service first lot level supervisor promotional examination and was promoted to his current title lieutenant on March 31st 2025. Outside of work, Justice and his wife Kira enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and traveling together.

[snorts] [clears throat] [laughter]

Justice. Okay. And this is Justice Kuchi. I Justice Kuchi. [laughter]

I, Joseph, I, Josephice, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith and allegiance that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same to the same and to the government established in the United States. the government established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties of fire lieutenant of fire lieutenant according to the best of my ability

according to the best. So help me God.

[clears throat]

I, Todd Lonardski, I Todd Larski, do solemnly swear domly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United states and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. that I will bear true faith I will bear true faith and allegiance to the saint. and allegiance to the saint and to the government established to the government established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties of the fire lieutenant perform all the duties of fire lieutenant according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability.

So help me out.

HELP ME OUT. THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF the ceremony. [laughter] This is where this is where the wives get to pin the badge on that. We do have PMTs [clears throat] here just in case. So, uh, if it goes bad, we're covered. You don't even practice this at home. [laughter] Next to We have our three firefighters from Alex Armenti, Daniel Breco, and Stephen Campbell. And [clears throat] can I have uh Alex's mom, Susan, Daniel's dad, David,

and Steven's brother, Chris? [clears throat]

Sure. Read a short bio on these guys. Alex Herman. Alex is a lifelong resident of Lawrence Township and a 2016 graduate of Lawrence High School. His interest in the fire service began unexpectedly during after school stops at Captain Paul's Firehouse dogs where conversations with Captain Paul Tweely about his years with the Tre Fire Department spark an early curiosity that left a lasting impression. A few years after graduating, Alex began working for the Township of Lawrence in the public works department where he has spent the past seven years. He started as a seasonal laborer and earned his way into a full-time position. Around the same time, Alex joined the Lawrenceville Fire Company, station 203, later transferring to the Slackwood Station 201. After his years as a volunteer firefighter, he became a qualified acting officer in the front seat of the fire apparatus, earned the rank of lieutenant, and obtained his EMT certification. He also [snorts] serves as a predium EMT with TR EMS and the Endeavor Emergency Squad. Further strengthening his experience in emergency services. Becoming a career firefighter has been a long-term goal for Alex and achieving it is something he takes pride in for himself, his family, his friends, and his community. He is honored to join the department and looks forward to continuing his commitment to public service while growing within the fire service. In his free time, Alex enjoys working on his motorcycle, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his German Shepherd, Bel. Alex, raise your hand. [laughter] Can you believe Alex spent time at Captain Paul's? Little strange. Next, we have firefighter Dan Greco. Firefighter Greco was appointed to career staff on December 1st. Daniel's 21 years old and has been a resident of Lawrence since 2010. He graduated [clears throat] from Lawrence High School in 2023 and subsequently completed the fall 2023 semester of

Mercer County Fire Academy where he graduated as valadictorian. He also holds certification in swiftwater operations and technician. He is currently pursuing his education at Mercer County Community College where he's working towards a degree in fire science. Daniel first joined the fire service in June of 2023 with station 203. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact in the community began as an interest quickly evolved into a passion ultimately guiding him towards a career in firefighting. Before his full-time appointment, he served as a volunteer at station 203 and later as a predium firefighter for the career staff. Outside of the firehouse, Daniel enjoys lifting weights, drawing, and playing video games. that will stop in the firehouse. He would like to thank his family and his friends for their continued support and helping him reach his point as far as service. [clears throat] Daniel, raise your hand. You never see this guy without a smile constantly. And ever since yesterday, it's been kind of [laughter] [clears throat] Next we have Steven Campbell. Steven Campbell was born and raised in Lawrenceville. Serving his community [clears throat] has always meant a lot to him. He began his journey in the fire service with the Slackwood Fire Company as a cadet where he learned the fundamentals of the job and developed a strong appreciation for teamwork, responsibility, and service. While in high school, he balanced his classes at Lawrence High, the HVAC program at Mercer County Technical School, and part-time work, all while completing the firefighter one certification. Big load [clears throat] right there. Before entering Fire One, he volunteered in a variety of company and community activities, including two years assisting with Operation Santa Claus at Slackwood, an experience that strengthened his commitment to the town he grew up in. As a member, he continued to grow, earning clearance to ride within two weeks and responding to numerous calls as he advanced through his training. He remains committed to professionalism, hard work, and ongoing

development as he continues to build his career in the fire service. Now, if you notice, raise your hand. Stephen, they are twins. [laughter] Stephen and Christopher. I already explained to him there's no way you're going to come to work [clears throat] late and have your brother step in. [laughter] I can tell the difference between the two of you. There's no way about it. They are affectionately known as the soup brothers. [laughter] Chicken and beef.

Uh and also as your mayor, it gives me great pride. If I heard correctly, these are all Lawrence High School grads, which is carinal pride to me. And I'm so honored to be here this evening to be over here. So, thank you, Alexandra, our [clears throat] Iandi. I, Aleandro Armenti, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution [laughter] that I will support the Constitution of [clears throat] the United States of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey

and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey that I will be of true faith that I will be of true faith and allegiance to the same in allegiance to the same and to the government established and to the governments established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in this state under under the authority of the people under the authority of the people. And I will faithfully And I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties of firefighter of firefighter according to the best of my ability. according to the best of my ability. So help me God.

So help me God. Daniel Greco. I, Daniel Greco, I [clears throat] Daniel Greco, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same

and to the same and to the government and to the government established in the United States established in the United States and in this state under this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially and impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties and perform all the all the duties of firefighters of firefighting according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. [applause] [clears throat]

AND NOW STEPHEN, [laughter] I Stephen Campbell I Stephen Campbell do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will for the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same and to the government to the government established in the United States established in the United States and in this state and in [snorts] this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties

perform all the duties of firefighter a firefighter according to the best of my ability. according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Thank you. [clears throat]

[snorts and laughter] [clears throat]

That's a fake signature of her soul. [laughter] Yeah. [clears throat]

[snorts]

Thank you, mayor. Uh, just one quick note here. Um, command staff, Mr. President. I just want to recognize the command staff and also all of the career and volunteer firefighters that came for this. This shows just how much of a momentous [clears throat] occasion this is for us. They all came to support three people who came from the volunteer ranks that are now career firefighters. These are all three volunteer firefighters that are now in our career. So the career staff, Ray, Agie, Mike Oakley, Chrissy Vincent, I don't see Dave Moore, but uh that's the that's the career staff. the uh the the career the fire department uh administrative staff. I just want to recognize them because these are the leaders uh in the town right now. These are the guys that are out there every single day. Guys and the gals in the department that are out there every single day and they deserve a lot of credit as well. So uh proud of [clears throat] these guys. Hopefully they have long lasting careers, much past my time, I'm sure. Uh [laughter] but they uh they are a good group of individuals and they're going to give the township 100%. You can guarantee THAT YEAH, doesn't seem very recommendation. We're going to take a five minute break the council will so that we can allow for

family and friends to take some photos with the firefighters. [laughter] How are you? [laughter]

So, how's work? It's good. This is so nice.

I asked it.

[laughter]

It's all right.

[laughter]

Oh, it was okay.

[laughter]

What's up? very proud. Well, Don't worry. All right. Usually

50 Yeah. I've lost my flight. Did you see? What are you doing?

[laughter]

I think [laughter] we can mayor for the last two years. I've had the honor and tremendous opportunity of visiting around the town to various uh centinarians that live in our community. Um it it was quite a a pleasurable surprise to learn that uh in Lawrence we have quite a number of uh residents who have uh reached that that mark in their lives. So I just wanted to share one of the most recent centarian that I met with a couple of weeks ago and I brought a picture so I had a show and tell this evening. All right. [laughter] [laughter] So, this beautiful young lady is Jenny A. Compensy celebrated her 103rd birthday uh to give you the exact date a couple of weeks ago. and I had the honor, like I said, of going to her home and visiting with her family. Uh, spent like the a Sunday afternoon with her. As I mentioned, she is of the age of 103. I'll just read a little bit about

Mrs. uh she um was married to John from Lawrence Township in 1942. two is a World War II veteran and the two of them were blessed with three children, John, Thomas and Patricia, all of whom have benefited from her love, guidance and wisdom through the years. I had the opportunity to meet uh both John and Thomas and Patricia virtually as a child. She attended the St. Edwick school that again she went to St. heads and she was forced to leave early due to the great depression to find work to help her family. Post depression she discovered her artistic talents and was hired by a new scandal pottery of the tren of Trenton as a painter. She was very successful. She had a flare, a very artistic flare that was highly regarded by Mr. Spangle. and they would assign her new additions to paint and decorate celebratory pieces for dignitaries and special gifts. And during her husband's absence while he was in World War II, his return from war due to injuries um her loving dedication of family was steadfast evidenced by the raising of her children and she provided a wonderful home life instilling in them the values of love, beauty, family, faith, respect, dedication, service to others and hard work. During that time uh post depression she held various positions at our local VFW courts 3022 in the women's auxiliary and was active in St. Hed's church rosary society and the Trenton Polish Democratic Club. Even at 103

the rosary she still prays. I think that's a little bit of a secret. That she helped a family um farm two acres that um with fresh organic vegetables and they said before organic vegetables were the fashion while they were doing that first here in Lawrence Township. The wisdom and experience of older adults is an invaluable gift enriching the lives of their families. strengthening the bonds of their friendships and providing a thriving foundation for the communities in which they live. Her positive attitude which I have to you know I witnessed myself and experience she had a great uh disposition. Resilience and perseverance are example of this gift best exemplified by these words. To know Jean is to know unconditional love, a special gift that has been extended to many over her 103 years with the last 75 years as a resident of Zion. So just wanted to give a shout out that was November 12th, 2025. [laughter] Yeah, she's in great shape and she looks sharp. [laughter]

All right. Now we will continue with our agenda for this evening. Bringing us to the first opportunity for public participation. This will be a five minute I'm going to take deeper deeper members. This is I'm organizer of New Jersey and we serve on city council. I stood before you the last time we had a city council meeting and we talked about ITA trust act and we all know it is currently in the legislative body but it is not moving. Mercer County [laughter] just passed the ITA and the reason why we're coming today is because we are at a critical moment. We actually can't wait. It is vital that we're passing the ITA during luck. And I'm going to tell you guys why. the current governor that's going to be a governor in in January has not promised that she will um actually pass the immigrant trust act which is currently in place. Um if I could just have all your attention please as I said I I'm appealing to you because we see immigrants every single day and they need you. You guys are our leaders and we're asking you to please don't put this off any longer. I understand there's process. I understand there's bureaucracy in government, but we can't wait. Every time we wait, our communities get harmed.

So, what we're asking you to do is please pass the IT. So, I'm going to tell you why. For those who are watching, the Immigrant Trust Act is legislation that ensures that our police officers are not sharing information with immigration customs enforcement. Currently, there is no uniform way of our police officers knowing what they can and cannot do. And I was sharing that I'm an example of that. Immigration Customs Enforcement was called call the Trenton Police Department and ask them for help. And when they showed up, instead of helping the immigrants in our community, what wound up happening was ICE created a perimeter of safety for immigration customs enforcement who didn't even have a warrant. So they could continue to try to get the family members that are in their homes out of their homes because they weren't allowed into their home without a judicial warrant. And the police created this perimeter to keep us away and I was arrested. With the Immigrant Trust Act, every single police officer in every single police department in New Jersey will know what they can and can't do because there'll be uniform training for all [clears throat] of them. Beyond that, agencies, government agencies that provide services for our community will also not share information, immigration, customs enforcement. We don't need our tax dollars to be used um to to separate families and deport families, right? And so we're asking you to please don't put it off. We came here. We spent time. My mother who came from out of the country visiting me is at home. And I took the time because I know how important it is. We can't wait. Please put this on the agenda and let's pass it. Mercer County passed it. Let's pass this resolution saying we are in support of this. We see the immigrants in our community. We want them to be safe. And as leaders, we see you, but we're going to make sure that you're protected. So, we're asking please don't delay. We c we need the

time for you all to pass this and then to use your power to please reach out to and Coughlin because they're the leadership in the legislative body to put it on the calendar so we can pass this. I am here again taking my time away from family. Look at our rapid responders. Please raise your hands if you're a rapid responder waking up 5:30 a.m. each morning. 5:30 to 8:30 patrolling to make sure our im our immigrant communities are safe because they are destroying families. They are waiting in their cars. 5:30 a.m. for people to leave their home so they can grab them. This is literally what's happening. And you'll hear stories from some of our patrollers today. So, we are here to say you are leaders. This is your time to shine, to show us that you can be there for community and to really make sure that the legislative body knows we need this. We don't want it. We need it. Our communities need it. Everyone deserves safety. Our tax dollars should not be used to separate families. So, I'm here to appeal to you to please do not wait. We can't wait another week or two. [clears throat] We need you to pass it today. so that we can use what you pass and so that you can use what you pass to uh implore the legislative body to please pass this before January. So because the current governor will sign it and he will protect immigrants but we're not sure that that will happen when um the new governor comes in. And I'd love to ask if you have any questions about the ITA we are here happy to answer any of them. One other thing it does I'll just share is accountability. currently under the immigrant rights directive which can leave with the new governor. There's no accountability measure. That means immigration customs enforcement could have could be calling your police department and you never know because

there's no accountability. But with this, they absolutely have to report when I immigration customs enforcement calls and say, "Hey, help us. We're trying to pick somebody up and there's people here in our way." They can't do that. We'll know because they have to report it to the attorney general. So, I'm going to end with please be leaders. This is your time to shine. We can't wait. The bureaucracy hurts our communities when we're waiting and we're saying, "Oh, just one." No. You know, you heard from other students who told you what the immigrant trust. We're here to tell you what it is. Please, it's time to pass it. Thank you. Hi people, my name is Joanna Lloyd and I'm a veterinarian from Robinsville, New Jersey and I'm here to speak in support of the immigrant trust act. My mother's family came to this continent on the main flower. My father's family came through Ellis Island and what that makes me is an immigrant. We tell ourselves stories of bravery about our ancestors sailing the sea about crossing the ocean and making a new land. We don't tell the story of how that land was taken, which is unfortunate because it seems that so much of the current immigration debate comes from this idea that the land belongs to us and the doors closed. It was less than a week ago that we celebrated Thanksgiving, a holiday about family and people we love and origin crosses over the truth and cruelty of the past. And while we celebrate Thanksgiving, ISIS, destroying families, kidnapping loved ones, and engaging in unnatural cruelty on a daily basis. What America claims to be, the land of the free and the home of the brave. We don't talk about the bravery and heralds it takes to reach the US border on foot, to walk hundreds of miles to the seek a better life for you and your children. Is there anything more American than that journey? The Statue of Liberty

doesn't have a sign to welcome billionaires. It doesn't have a photo. It's an ideal. It says, "Send these the homeless and tempest talks to me. I leave my beside the golden door." I know the ITA isn't on the agenda tonight, but ICE wakes no time waking up before sunrise to shadow families. Four weeks, 6 weeks, a delay on the municipal calendar. Every day is an eternity when you are waiting to find out if your spouse is coming home from work. I want a golden door, not a border wall. Please pass the day. Thank you. [laughter]

I don't know if you signed. [clears throat] [laughter]

Hi again, Jessica Defo. Um, Mercer County resident, 25 years. um currently within East Windsor. When I was here last time and spoke to you guys, um you know, I talked about my experience as a rapid responder um with Resencia. Um I primarily do patrols and rapid response in East Windsor where I live. Um but I do have ties to Florence and it was nice and I still see some faces in here um from that I remember from when I was at Slackwood on the ladies auxiliary. Um, so that was interesting tonight seeing um seeing some of those promotions. Um, I do see on the agenda tonight that there number seven says review and revision of the agenda. So, I'm asking tonight that you guys revise the agenda and to pass the ITA uh resolution for Lawrence tonight. Um, this everything that's going on like like we said, we're in a lame duck session. current governor will sign this and will sign the ITA into law if we can get the legislature to do it. We need to get as many local towns and counties to adopt the resolution so we can use that when we are talking to the state legislature leaders. Um so again asking you to revise the agenda tonight and pass an ITA resolution tonight. And um I'll say the same thing to you guys that I said at the Mercy County Commissioners meeting. If I can be brave enough to face eight ICE agents by myself in my wheelchair with my camera rolling, please have the bravery to pass this tonight. Thank you.

Hi. Uh, my name is Dina Cumbler. I'm a resident of Lawrence Township. Um, I'm not an activist and I'm not a polish or well informed person, but this year has taught me that I need to become more engaged. And so I started coming to the town council meetings. um because I realized that I have to start getting more involved um after seeing everything the federal government has been doing, this administration has been doing. And so I sat in that chair back there when [clears throat] women spoke at the last meeting and I was so moved by all of their stories that my husband and I joined our organization and we just became trained to be rapid responders. We went on our first patrol this week and we're both terrified, right? We are not like this is like our first time being involved in any of this kind of organizing books. We are really where we went to school, we went to college, we've read about the Holocaust and these stories are just so terrifying. We got to meet at some of the community events rescal people whose families have actually been ripped apart and it's so different from just seeing it on the news or seeing videos of it on social media actually seeing someone face to face actually experiencing this. So, as a Lawrence Township constituent, I was so happy that you guys actually had an opportunity to show me that there's incredible groups like that here throughout the town. And so, I implore you to please pass the ICA tonight. Thank you. Good evening, council. My name is Paranas Jim. I live here in Lawrence Council. Uh I'm with Spencia. I'm

actually wearing my vest as a rapid responder. Um, I've been with the organization since about January now, so almost a year. And I can tell you all with full confidence that the work that we do is so meaningful. It is one of the only ways to really fight back right now. I have um it's someone else actually in Lawrence Township who is in here tonight um who has been getting threats by a roommate that they have in their housing arrangement. It's a long complicated story, but I just want you guys to know that racism is very much a lie. I'm sure some of you have experienced it and know that to be true, but I've heard like witnessed with my own eyes firsthand how someone can tell another family with children that I'm going to call ice. Not knowing their sadness, not knowing that that may actually put them in some sort of danger, just saying it to be cool, to be really heartless. And I mean, I've seen the fear in the children's abs. Like, I've actually witnessed this firsthand so many times that it's an it's the story is getting old. Like, it's just getting so old to be here and pleading and like trying to help you guys understand what we're seeing on a regular basis. The kind of like devastation that families are facing by being torn apart. There's another family in Trenton whose husband was I actually talked about this last time, but he was recently. [clears throat] She has a a newborn baby and no bread winner and three other children to take care of. A lot of us here right now are trying to support her, you know, with diapers, getting her like food, medicine, all kinds of things. We're trying to put a band-aid on a system that's very much broken. We know that the work we do is going to make things slightly better, but we know we can't save everybody. We can't do everything. That's why we need you guys. We need some sort of legislature. We need some kind of policy, something that we can actually count on to be there so that next time

my friend Assma that just spoke doesn't get arrested. For example, I was there when she got arrested. I watched it happen. I almost got arrested myself. The police literally told us, "You cannot come here because you're creating a nuisance or you're you're, you know, uh affecting our uh ability to carry out our job or whatever, you know, taking orders." And what was the order? There was none. There was no warrant. There was no warrant. There was a bunch of ICE agents. They called the police on us because we were trying to warn the neighbors, the people in the area that hey, ISIS is knocking on doors. They don't have a warrant. You don't need to open the door. These are your rights. We tried to say them in Spanish so you know other people could understand. And the police was called to take us away to prevent us from teaching people their rights. So I I don't know how many more examples I can share. I'm not sure what exactly will be the the story that you need to hear the sentence that you know may just like connect to you and get through to you all. I hope that each and every one of you feels what we're talking about feels the weight of it because it's extremely important. It it needs to be passed urgently. It can't wait. It can't even wait till the next year. It can't I mean I know we're so close to it but you guys please like we really need this ASAP. I don't want my neighbors to be in fear. I I talk with some of my neighbors about the work that I do. They actually recognize me because they've seen the viral videos. They know what's happening. At first, I wasn't, you know, I wasn't very open about it, but some of them they know. So, I talk with them when sometimes in our neighbor in our neighborhood, we'll have um like just random people walking around with like, you know, um like a what's the word? Sorry, I'm trying to think. A plane in plain clothes when they're in plain clothes and they have guns on them. We've seen that around our neighborhood. It wasn't ice. Thankfully, it didn't turn out to be ICE, but me and my neighbors will text each other like, "Who is that?" You know, "Where are they going? Like, let's watch. Like, let's figure out, you know, whose house are they knocking on?" We're trying to make sure that we're all safe. My neighbors, my comrades, my friends, my peers, my

colleagues, everyone that I know and trust is deeply scared of what's happening. Whether you're a citizen or not, whether your parents were immigrants or your grandparents or or so long ago that you don't consider yourself an immigrant anymore, but we are all immigrants. Everyone is affected by this. So, I just really hope that we're able to stress to you guys how important it is. I hope you're not just sitting there hearing the same thing over and over and just, you know, at the end of the day, you're just going to push it off anyway. You know, I I hope this is really like getting through to everyone sitting here. I hope that the people that are representing my township care about immigrants. I hope you all care about the very vulnerable populations that are here. You know, I'm not sure what all of your stances are, but it would make me proud to know that each and one of you has a heart and really cares and doesn't want families to want a part. That you don't want police collaborating with ICE and carrying out this regime that is fascist. If you study history, if you, you know, someone just mentioned the Holocaust, this is exactly what's happening right now. So, we want you all to act with that sense of urgency and not dismiss it, not say, "Oh, we hear you, but you know, next agenda we'll talk about it again. We'll just keep talking about it. Keep talking about No, we need you to take action. We need you to seriously just get this done and over with because we will just keep coming back. And in the meantime, people are threatened the longer we wait. If you would like to add anything, Sure.

you're coming. Okay. Yeah, I understand. Thank you for giving me the the chance to to go over this. I just really hope that it's not something that's going to get pushed to the next agenda and again and again. Please pass the resolution immediately. Thank you so much. Thank you.

My name is [laughter] But I have a story I want to share. I've never told anyone over 50 years. It was something I was sworn by my parents at the time. It was about a father he befriended probably in the 70s 1970s. I was very young and they had some daughters as we call his son. Remember my mother saying the daughter of anxiety. I know they were from Greece. My parents fell along with my favorite family. They live in beautiful homes in Franklin, you know, Franklin school. We used to visit them and then one day my mother told me and never tell them I'm going to tell you but they have to leave.

They're going to pack everything up in their car. They're going to come here one final time and you can never tell anyone heard a show with me. I mean I was a pretty gossipy kid but I never told our house and we said goodbye. It's night time probably 10:00 this was late. They told me what city they're going to. We drove into the Brunswick Circle working again remember coming I was very young so it was very hard for me to process it just my mother told me they couldn't stay here because they were not I guess legal you know she said that term I just remember that was the meaning and I just couldn't understand why do they have to leave and I remember it was like a funeral with my parents we just didn't say a word we went to bed we never spoke it again and this is the first time I ever shared this story with anyone so this happens to real families I sometimes wonder what happened to them and they picked up if they'd stayed here would they be able to marry one of their daughters maybe I would have built a business one of their sons and I don't know some of you might know Michael Simonella he was a police officer here for the township remember one time I was in high school this is years later and he brought the family he said yeah it was so strange it was so nice and one night they were just gone they just disappeared we had old furnishing left in our home so those are the types of effects that this type of let's say policing, whatever you want to call it, abduction is was having effect on people. I mean, not just people that we don't really necessarily know, but they were part of the community. It affected my family very much. It affected my son and I could see it really affecting him and they were just great, warm people. So, I hope they do take this really seriously and do pass a resolution tonight. And um I don't I went to um my family me and I'd never seen this before. I don't know if anyone's ever seen this, but [laughter] for sure it was actually this beautiful huge home they uncovered. And

this is actually what it looks like. It's a it's a it's like tile on the floor. There's a huge dog. And I don't know if anyone in this lab, but it's the first time known for anyone to write beware of the dog. I'd like to think this resolution would tell ICE and any kind of illegal or improper activities they do and wash. It's [clears throat] not acceptable and that large town could stand firm in protecting the rights of all human beings regardless. So is it appropriate time to ask? Ask could you share with me what your positions are at this time or is this something feel [clears throat] able to

decision on this issue? Yeah, you have nothing in front of you have nothing in front of you to to review in terms of exactly what the resolution would be. I [clears throat] would suggest we do have a meeting in two weeks, two weeks from tonight. If we could have a formal resolution, I could possibly see what the county marsher has. The county mer get a copy of that from county [laughter] council and also any other municipal resolutions.

Yeah, you could do it by title, but I think there's a danger in that. you you want to know what you're you're voting on and understand the the need for for speed, so to speak, but the legislature, the governor doesn't come in until January 20th. So, you have a little over a month to uh uh try to have Governor Murphy sign any bill, but uh I'd be reluctant to to advise you to pass a resolution. If you want to take a straw poll that is nonbinding uh to place this on the next agenda, the court place that this with the understanding that this vote would not be binding. the only binding vote would be at the resolution on December 16th, but um I'm not in any way opposed to the resolution, but I think procedurally we don't want to have a defect that could be problematic uh in in passing the resolution. So it's up to you.

We have a comment. Yeah. Um, now might be a good time just to address the comments that we heard both at the last meeting and this meeting uh from community members and members of the resencia um advocacy group. Um I have taken the concerns seriously as have several of my colleagues here and I think this is an issue that merits our full discussion and consideration. It is my intent to sponsor resolution for the next meeting uh which I intend to draft over the next few days. Uh I welcome any input and collaboration with my council colleagues. Um, most of all, I want our community members to know that your advocacy matters and that we do. Um, so it's on our it's on our plate.

And and I just said, you know, I want to add just my own just um our Lawrence County police, you know, I believe, you know, in their actions and that they they do the right thing. criminals regardless of what their status stuff is and who they are need to be, you know, actions in taken that matter and what we're talking about with the immigration trust act is not addressing that, right? It is a matter of protecting our residents here in Lawrence Township and letting them know that we support them and we stand with them. But you know at the same time it's a fine line that we are keen on balancing and we are as the council will say we will be working on something for a full vote.

See no additional comments at this time. [clears throat]

[laughter]

All right. Good evening. My name is Richard. I'm an organizer with Exencia. Also, uh do rapid response. I also help lead the ice campaign. Um to be honest, I wasn't prepared to speak. I just got off a flight um last night and came in today because we can't stop. Every day is something new and every day we hear a different story. I came in today to the office and we have a family, a mother with a six-month-old just there not knowing what to do

and her husband just got deported today back to Ecuador. He was in Texas about a month and he was a bread winner. He worked two jobs. She's a stable mom. She does not have any type of income. She just started working about two days ago. Um she's having a stranger watch her six-month old daughter. Um and this is what we're waking up to every day, every single day. Um I do thank you guys for giving us the opportunity to come here and, you know, speak. And I know last time we gave our comments, we had a couple of stories. Um, I can give you guys a whole bunch of different stories from people from here from Lawrenceville that come into our office or that we, you know, that come into our meetings and tell us a lot of things, but I think you guys heard it a lot. And um, we did something similar in Princeton when we originally decided to speak about the um, the resolution and we wanted uh, Princeton also to pass the resolution. Um, and I'm gonna be really honest. It was kind of the same at the beginning like we need to look at it. We need to think about it. We have to look at how it is. We got to see how the other towns are are doing it. We have to verify lines. Um, and I can tell you that after two times that we went into those council meetings, there was a raid. For instance, 15 people were 15 people were detained. Immediately after that they passed it but I think it was a little too late right and I it wasn't that because of the resolution was going to make it easier was going to stop the um the rape from happening but I can tell you that the guilt was very strong and you could just sense it. Um we are always looking to work together. We want to create a community plan. We want to work together. We want to make sure that the residents here feel okay,

that the kids that go to school and have to go through all this trauma, they have to go into school and get bullied because they look Hispanic or because they look black and brown. Um, and that's why, you know, I had a I had someone that that that I particularly know that her the other day her mom was in the shower, her dad was working, she was home by herself here in Orangeville. He knocked on her door. It wasn't Ice, it wasn't anyone, but she freaked out. She had anxiety attack, started calling all the lines. And I don't think anyone needs to go through this, you know. So, um, please consider taking this. We definitely want to know, you know, what's your stance on this um individual whether you can pass it or not pass it or you're going to do it here and a different one. We would definitely want for this to be passed um for you to also join the rest of the counties that are doing it. When we started in Princeton, there weren't that many that joined. after a lot started joining. Um so definitely think about it. It's something that um I know it's not going to prevent people from um getting detained because this is just what we're living on, the world that we're living on. I was at the airport and people were scared in line that were not that were not citizens and we're still scared and even some citizens that were scared just because these are the these are the times that we're living. Um and I heard a comment about the criminals. I understand but we're also living in the country where now dual process is not respected

and there is no dual process. [laughter] SO we have to just make sure that we do what's right. um as leaders for the people people are not even looking at the resolutions sometimes you know some of the resol they just want to make sure that you guys are standing look that they say you know what they're they're here this is my town this is where I grew up but we met Vina you know she came into one of our meeting I said where where did we meet you Lawrenceville I was at the town hall meeting you know [clears throat] like this is not right what's happening and I think the residents will actually feel better will feel okay will feel like you guys are with them and stand with them so thank you so MUCH FOR YOUR YEAH, MAYOR. UM, MY APOLOGIES. I looks like I missed a lot at the last meeting. So, um, thank [clears throat] you for coming again and telling your story. Uh, I have a question for you, Mayor. Have you been in touch with our uh, state legislators? Have you been in touch with Senator Turner's office or Assemblywoman PLI or Assemblywoman Reynolds Jackson? Have you been in touch with them about what their stance is and what how they see this?

Yes, yes, I have been in contact with both of our assembly um members of Verina Reynolds Jackson and Assembly Memberelli. Uh Senator Turner's office also reached out to them person to her person as well. That does the Assembly U assembly member and Marina Jackson.

That's beautiful. Um, and you know, I I thank Councilwoman Santos for uh speaking with me over the past few days about this very issue. I reached out to um former colleague, former Lawrence Council, Kathleen Lewis, who's now commissioner. Uh so to Mr. Cipek's point, I I do have a copy of the the past resolution. So I think we can sort of start to work on uh you talked about partnership. I definitely will be willing to work with you on putting something together that's more specific. Um, so [laughter]

[clears throat]

Good evening, council. Um, thank you for figuring us out tonight. I appreciate all of the feedback and comments you've gotten. Um, the last time we were here for a meeting to encourage you all to pass the ITA resolution, I shared the story. Oh, well, I shared an experience I had as an operator, a volunteer operator for our rapid response line. Um, and how much that uh really shook me to the core. I won't repeat that story here. And I think in the many rounds I've made in council, city councils, county councils working on promoting the passage of this uh resolution, I found this particular council to be very amable and very open to conversation about this. I do appreciate that. I want to acknowledge that. Um and so I want to just again to reiterate some of the things that um my colleagues here have said. I by the way sorry it's a little on the board member I'm a board member of this field I'm also rapid I'm so sorry Marl very comfortable here [laughter] too comfortable with this my name is Marl um I am a researcher at Princeton University I'm also an educator I've taught many of classes at the undergraduate [clears throat] level at different institutions and um I actually as everyone was speaking I was thinking of two things. Um I teach human rights law and um in that class we go through a series of understanding why [clears throat] so many atrocities in the world continue to persist when we have these beautiful pieces of legislation. We have the UDHR that talks about human rights being guaranteed to so many people and there's always this critique I get from undergrads that these are just words on a page. What would a resolution do anyway? And that's

some of the conversations that we were having in a lot of these council um townships that we we go from town to town. I also teach rights courses and social change and social movement courses which kind of dovetail with what I teach in the human rights course where students come up with by the end of the course come to the they come to the resolution that the only way for anything to happen is for local government to step in and have our backs because it's community organizing grassroots organizations and then taking it to the people who we've elected, the people who we know, the people who are not, you know, held back or tied down by other influences that are often financial, which we don't have. Um, and so, and this is, and this is I mean, I'm obviously very impressed by the fact that 20 year olds can come to this conclusion. I lead them to I I'm only a little guide there, but they come to this conclusion that [clears throat] especially today. This is what we have to look forward to. The younger generation has local government to look forward to in terms of shaping a more promising future. Um to add to that, I also want to mention I was I just come back came back from the American Anthropological Association conference in Louisiana. I came back from the Middle East Studies Association conference in DC just last week back to that conferences. One of my colleagues was detained by ICE on his way to the Middle East studies association. He holds a passport from a Middle Eastern country. [clears throat] What I'm saying here is that this is something that is affecting all of us. I hate to think that it only has [clears throat] to affect someone we know before we take action. But I want to urge you to again as you've already

mentioned the enthusiasm is very promising for us but to do this sooner than later because time is it can either make or break the future of a lot of the protections that we're hoping to get with the passage of the ITA resolution which is more than as my students learn words on a page. It sets a tone. It's that it gu it tells the community that you care about us. And um and then I'm happy to say thank you.

What is my time before I start speaking? [laughter] Not very good.

[laughter] [clears throat]

Hello. Good night or good evening. 7:39 not yet tonight. My name is Juliana and I'm one of those 20 year olds. Morav is not my professor, but I am 21 years old and I'm also a community organizer with Ben. And I sat in that chair wondering what I needed to share um what was the most important detail or story that I could bring to use my voice for those who are watching on our live stream because they can't be here. [clears throat] And the only thing I could think of is as a volunteer, as a 21-year-old who is a thirdyear student at Princeton, I operate for the 24/7 hotline. So, I wake up sometimes 4:30 a.m. in the morning, right? Sorry. And I want you to picture what I'm going to tell you. It is 4:30 a.m. in the morning. I get a call. No caller ID. I don't know who's calling. The first thing I hear is not my name is or no introduction. I just hear ice. Ice. There's silence from the other end of the call. And I can hear a baby crying. I can hear 14year-old asking his mom, "Mom, what's happening?" Ice.

And it's 4:30 a.m. in the morning. I didn't get any sleep that night because I was updoing one of my research paper which bad time on my on mine, right? Like that's no one else aside from mine. But I'm getting these calls and it's a line that operates 24/7. So these [clears throat] are real life stories that happen every every day. My other job as a part of this organization is I work with the families. So, aside from hearing these calls, and I'm on the other end in a corner on my bed from my dorm, hearing the pounding on the door, hearing the crying of a 2-year-old, hearing the pleads of a 14year-old, hearing the mother say, "I don't know what to do." And I'm trying to give a know your rights on the spot within a minute so that they know that they have a right to remain silent that I cannot enter if they don't have a warrant signed by a judge. And these are things that I have to remember at the top of my head translate from English to Spanish. On the other end, I'm in a phone call with my colleague Richard because we're trying to get rapid responders there to figure out what's going on. So, I have my iPad on a phone call with my colleague, my phone with a call with the family, and I have my computer out trying to communicate on a different chat with rapid responders. Hey, this is the address. Hey, they're wearing black vest. They're wearing green vests. They're they're tall. They saw this type of model. There are kids involved. So, there's so many things going on. Last week or two weeks ago, I was operating. I think I took a total of 14 calls within a span of three four days. 14 calls. A couple of those were some

prank calls of people saying we're going to call ice on you. You know, you can prank call, but I have to take those calls. So, as a part of an organizer, I hear the stories and now the next part is I have to sit down with these families to do an intake. And what do I tell them? Because I don't have a solution. I can't tell them we are going to get them out of dome because unfortunately that's not true. I also can't promise them that I can help them get a lawyer where they will be able to get a bond or get out on a [cough and clears throat] because that's also not not the best solution either. The judge can approve one of them, but is your immigration agent also going to approve that and let it happen? Oftenimes not. We also hear the comments, oh the criminal illegal aliens. 70% of the people who are currently detained and have been detained by ICE are actually they have no criminal CONVICTION 70%. So something's not aligning with all of the things that we're saying. And as a 21-year-old who gets frustrated because I I went to the Princeton City Council. I've been one of the classes that I took at Princeton the title was is politics of performance

and I took that freshman year and we sat in different city council hearings just listening in and a lot of the conversations were needed. They were very mundane things that were needed. We were talking about houses that needed to be remodeled. These are important things, but the fact that we have courses that have to determine whether politics is just a performance, I think brings up a lot of questions. Thank you.

Can I just add something? Um, I just really [clears throat and cough] have to be on the record. Let me be on the record. All right. So, I'm on the record. My name is Faz. I live in Mars Township. I just couldn't help but notice you were on your phone the whole entire time. I was actually looking up some information about this and looking at what legislators are supporting it and what municipalities have found. So, okay. Well, I appreciate your response. It was just hard for me to kind of see that, you know, you're glued to it because as my colleague said, it's very heartbreaking stuff. So, I just want to know that you guys are, you know, hearing the stories and feeling.

We found a bunch of municipalities that seem to be supporting it. Yes, please. I mean, Trenton, Princeton, county. Thank you. We're waiting for Lawrence. [snorts] Thank you.

Okay. Seeing no additional comments at this time, we're going to close [clears throat] public participation. There'll be another opportunity later in the meeting. Uh we don't have any revisions to be right. If I can have a motion for the adoption of minutes from previous meeting one by one. Mayor, I'll make motions for any closing August 21st, 2025. Second. Madam Cler, Mr. B. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Miss San? Yes, mayor. I'll make a motion move close meeting of October 7th, 2025.

Second. Madam clerk, could you call the role, please? Mr. Bobin? Yes. Mr. Kaki? Yes. Santos? Yes. Yes. Mayor, I'll move regular meeting September 16th, 2025. Second, please. Mr. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. The awarding and rejection rejecting the bid. Mayor, I'll move 9A number 358 authorizing award of bid to master build and design for rehabilitation at 340 Fontaine Lane. Second.

This is a project under affordable housing rehabilitation program and the contract amount is $25,855. Thank you for participation. Any questions for this item? Seeing none. Madam cler, please. Mr. B. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mayor, I'll move 9B number 359 authorizing board to unlimited construction for rehabilitation at 43 Boss Court. Second. This is also a contract for affordable housing rehabilitation program. The [clears throat] contract amount is $21,300.

Is there any public participation on this item? Seeing none court, please call the role. Mr. Bett, yes. Mr. Kaki, yes. Miss Santos, yes. Mayor, yes. Mayor, I'll move 9 C number 360 authorizing award of bid 2512 recycle, collection, and disposal. Second. This is a contract for recycling, collection, and disposal work. actually for one month, the month [laughter] of December. The contract went from November to November. So, we actually needed to [clears throat] have a contract to cover just one last month. And that's what this is, right?

You must have been looking at the amount going, you know, what is this about? That's [laughter] that's the monthly charge. Any comments from the public on this particular good? Seeing none, Madam Cler, please call the role. Mr. B. Yes. Mr. Kaki, yes. Yeah. Yes. The introduction of ordinances. First we have an ordinance number 252-25.

Mayor I'll make a motion move 10A ordinance number 25225. An ordinance amending ordinance number 2498-25 salary ordinance of the township of the Lawrence unclassified and/or exempt seasonal emergency non-union employees for 2023 to 2025 adding title of SLO class one to schedule D grade 17 second. [laughter]

This is a position that's uh actually really unique to law enforcement in the state of New Jersey and we're really proud to be out in front of this. As you may recall, we had discussed we had a uh code enforcement officer um Elwood Dasher who had a lot of qualifications for drug rehabilitation work and um mental health uh counseling work. and we decided to use his talents in a way where we're going to be one of the first uh police departments to have an officer dedicated to responses to to provide additional response and support for people that are in mental illness crisis as well as drug crisis. And so, uh with that, we created this position for him. His exact title has yet to be determined. Um, but we're really excited to be able to um meet the need of the community. As as you may recall, for the last couple years, the police chief would come during uh the annual budgets and give a message and he they indicated uh the dramatic increase in mental health calls as well as uh drug calls. And uh seeing that need, the police chiefs uh came up with this um idea to use the talent that we have. Um, so Elwood Dasher will no longer be the code enforcement officer. He's moving over our recreational van driver who provided assistance to senior citizens. He's now going to become the code enforcement officer. [cough and clears throat] We hired an individual to provide van services for our senior citizens. So, um I hope that you approve of this

and u kudos to the administration for recognizing this need and taking action and being at the forefront of something that is so critical and important more than ever to our community.

[laughter] Mr. Bobby. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. M. Yes. Mayor. Absolutely. Yes.

Okay. We're at the manager's report. I I do just have one item that um I want to you guys have already been previously uh informed of this but we uh have um gotten Christopher M. Longbo to become another again a member of our municipal organizational staff. He is started his position at uh deputy municipal manager yesterday um as a part of our plan. Um, I've also today issued a memorandum that I shared with you that uh, basically I'll just read it off to the record real quick so we have a so it's for the public consumption effective immediately and pursuant to section 20-9 of the Lawrence Township Municipal Code. I hereby designate Christopher and Wongo as director of public safety for the purposes of this designation. The department of public safety encompasses the division of police, the division of fire and EMS and the division of emergency management. Under the authority of the municipal manager, the director of public safety is responsible for high level administrative oversight of all public safety divisions to ensure lawful, efficient, coordinated, and fiscally responsible delivery of services. in his capacity. Chris's responsibilities include leadership, policy development, strategic planning, budgeting and resource management, personnel coordination, and overall administrative stewardist while respecting the operational authority vested in the chief of police, the fire administrator, and the emergency management coordinator. Um, and just briefly, we Chris is well known to us. We went through his retirement a little bit more than a year ago. [laughter] We heard all the wonderful things about him. Um but I will just share this. Um in his position as police chief and my position as director of public safety and municipal manager, we had a period of several years to work closely together. Um we developed um a

professional relationship based upon uh respect um and trust and I observed firsthand his leadership skills. And when the council came um up with the idea of creating and filling the position of de deputy missile manager um I embraced it and I I did immediately think that Chris Longo would be a perfect individual to do this and I did encourage him to um um apply for the position. This was an open position. We had more than 30 professionals respond. I interviewed uh I believe seven to eight individuals that fit the criteria that we were looking for. Um, and we landed on Chris. He went out and he was working outside for PSEG for a year and I think that's really a benefit to him uh to work outside the scope of municipal government. Um, so he's gotten that um to add to his uh skill set and you know we were looking for someone that had first responder experience in in police and fire. um also had the skill set strong communication, leadership, a team builder, all of those things. Chris checked the the mark on all of those. And so I'm really happy and excited for this organizational change and um we're lucky to have him back, that's for sure. [laughter] Had a lot of support here, but they had so Well, welcome back. Nice to see you. Very excited. We know that you do an excellent job representing the town. Once again,

thank you. And that's all I have for brings us to our attorney's report. Um, Madame Mayor, we do have a close session on certain matters of litigation, uh, which we will hopefully have soon. Uh that's that's part and parcel of my report. [laughter] Also, if you don't mind or I would just like to put on the record that with regard to the fire study

in the engagement [laughter] of CGR, the uh vendor we selected, um we have received and reviewed the agreement. Um, ART has been in contact with their uh, officials and we will have um, a resolution for December 16th to authorize and approve of the agreement for you to sign so we can get going on that fire side. Yes, correct. Thank you. That's good news. [clears throat]

We have um any unfinished business. courts reports [laughter] and um I said that on October the 25th and um I did get a lot of responses back. I had it prepped today. I just didn't get a chance to print it out for you, but I will have it ready for everyone at the um December 16th meeting for you to be able to review. Um, also the pay to play forms went out already. Um, and he has sent those out November 15th. I am rece I have received a lot of those back. Uh, let's see. The newly elected officers um, orientation is going to be January 31st um, 2026. It's on a Saturday both days and February 21st. just let me know if you want to attend anyone wants to attend. [clears throat] Also, under our Lawrence E codes, we now have uh we're starting to get everything in under there. We have our so far the agendas. I think the budget is under there. Uh minutes um we're going to have the resolutions coming forth soon. Um we're going to try to get it all the way back. We're going to start in 2025 and go back through to 2020. But right now, we just have a few on there for uh 2025. So that when people click on it's going to be legal notices on there pretty soon and um a couple other things that's going to come on. Um and Oprah um [clears throat] our Oprah program, I finally finished up all the internal work. I just need one thing

from our IT department and hopefully sometime this week we'll be starting to do our electronic acceptance of that. Okay. So, we got good things in works for 2026. Okay. Anything unfinished? [laughter] the person. Oh, I want to say welcome back. [laughter] I missed you. Likewise. Now for old business and new business. [laughter]

Give us the opportunity to mention that today is Giving Tuesday, um, which is a national day to make donations to your favorite charity. We're going to mention that. And then this will bring us now to the next opportunity for public participation. This time it will be a three minute limit. [clears throat] Thank you so much. I'm not sure if this doesn't matter. Uh, Mark Friend 976 Lawrence Road. I want to congratulate Chris Longo. I've known him for decades. Um, standup guy in my role with Lawrence Neighbors Together, he always we knew he was somebody we could go to if there were concerns in the community. Um, personally, I know him to be a man um of character and I just think what a great opportunity for the town to bring him back in this role. So, thank you, manager, for that choice. Um, I also want to just as a resident, I've had wonderful conversations with many of you about my support for you guys to pass a resolution in support of the immigrant trust act. I appreciate those cups of coffee we've had together, those conversations. I know that you are working on it and you're going to have conversations as council. I also want to let you know that um again just to speak highly of our police department interim chief reading met with myself Martinez this week and we also had just an open honest conversation about the directive the difference between um that and the immigrant trust act and just made sure to um solidify those relationships because he knows he can call on us as citizens within as Lawrence neighbors together um and we know we can call on

him. So, just that's what we do here in Lawrence. We have conversations, even if they're hard conversations. But, thank you, council. Um, I look forward to being here next month, next at the end of this month, uh, to hear that vote be taken. Thank you. Seeing no additional participation, I'm closing publication. brings us to our resolutions and acceptance.

Can I have a motion? Mayor, if I may, uh, there's no issue with council. I'd like to move uh 18 A1 through H6 in the law. Second. Madam cl Mr. Bobby. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Miss. Yes. Mayor.

Yes. This brings us now to council initiatives and

reports recreation Friday night. And as far as the trolley two, three three trolleys are having and you got to fill out a paper online and then they're going to do a properly pull a name to notify the person uh the winner and tell them what travel be on. Oh, okay. So, we're doing the raffle. Yes. I got to get in there. Okay.

Thank you. uh mayor I just want to say that shade [clears throat] tree committee is working on the forestry plan in the township with the consultant and our township engineer uh framework so that's that's exciting to sort of look at the various trees and sort of you know the frightening part is the impact [clears throat] of some new diseases on some of the trees in our township so there's that um uh environmental green advisory committee is continuing to work on the live staking they did uh in south on shadow um where they put uh basically for lack of a better term sticks into the into the stream uh banks and that sort of helped stabilize the stream and it was a wonderful partnership with uh ANJAC which is the uh the state uh state um environmental advisory committee um support nonprofit as well as our public works and our committee and sort of it was it was a joint venture. So, it's great. That's all I have.

Okay. Just Okay. I just wanted to um [laughter] just do an update with regards to the u the lines community center. I just like the public to know that uh the council is actively working on this with regards to um providing some additional information on the actions that we are going to take. Um so there should be a resolution that will address issues such as usage governance and what the uh maintenance of the facility will work. In addition to I just wanted to shout out to um Jim Harvey's I was at the league of municipalities. We were at the league of municipalities together. Um and on behalf of the township we received an award for our neighboring head boardwalk um through the engineers association. So it was I should have brought I'm sorry with my show and tell I forgot that award but I'll bring the next one. And also in the shadow I know our public works director is also uh going to be recognized and honored by the public works um or organization next week.

Yeah. So, I wanted to also just give a shout out to White their great work and the planning board met last night. We had a very lived Norm meeting, but we got a lot done. Um, and again, you know, I just want to thank our volunteers who serve our township so well and are really engaged uh and give good feedback to to us and um participate and participate uh residents, you know, can't express it enough that the work that they do for our town voluntarily is to be um honored and recognized.

Okay, I think that's all I have. Anything else? Motion for executive session. Motion for executive session. Do we have one? Second. All in favor. [laughter] You you [laughter] can stay if you