Borough Council - Regular Meeting

[Music] You want the environmental This was

is trying to state that I guess and that we're inordination ability to do what we want to do. I guess why don't we We need another girl.

It's all beautiful water down there. [Music]

[Music] [Music] Everything. Mystery. [Music] Game on. [Music] Good evening everyone. What we'll do is uh after the proclamation, we'll give you guys we'll take a brief uh break. So, cuz I know all everyone doesn't want to be in the courtroom council chambers here. So, uh we'll take a brief rest and you guys could uh depart as you want and then the the Miltown Police Department will come back in uh because they're outside waiting to come in. All right. All right. Good evening. I'd like to call the September 8th, 2025 Burough Council meeting order. Will the clerk please read the open public meeting statement?

Adequate notice has been provided as required under chapter 231 public law 1975 specifying the time, date, and location of this meeting by posting a copy of the notice at the municipal building on the municipal website and providing a copy of the annual notice scheduled to the official newspapers of the burrow. Notice is also on file in the municipal clerk's office. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zbrano here. Councilman Collins here. Councilman Mango here. Councilman Posnansky here. Councilwoman Payne here. Councilman Potter here. Mayor Murray present. Burough attorney present. Burough engineer Mike Mlen present. Burough administrator Fred Carr. Yes.

And I am here as well. Will everyone please stand for a moment of silence which will be followed by the salute of the flag 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. So, can we have the girls softball team come up here, please? Let's go. Whereas the 12U Miltown Royal softball team has brought great pride and honor to the Burough of Miltown through their winning their outstanding athletic achievement. And whereas on July 13th, 2025, the Miltown Royals were crowned USSA 12U C Eastern National Champions in Virginia after competing against top

teams from across multiple states. And whereas the Royals demonstrated exceptional skills, determination, and teamwork by finishing the tournament with an extraordinary record of 12 wins and only one loss out of 13 games. hand. Whereas the team has displayed offensive power gran finish with a team batting average of462 accumulative 102 RBI including an astonishing 49 RBI with two outs in the inning. A testament of their resilience and never quit spirit. And whereas their clutch performance under pressure earned them an filling nickname from their proud parents of two out Raperty Quins. man. Whereas individual excellence also shine through with Eusema qualifies being named tournament MVP and Abby McCabe earning the honor of authentic tournament MVP further demonstrating their elite talent within this remarkable team. hand. Whereas this championship is reflection of not only the players dedication and hard work, but also the gratitude of the guidance of their coaches and their unwilling support for the and their families and the entire Miltown community. Now therefore, I, Mayor George Murray, along with the Burough Council of the Burough of Miltown, do hereby honor the 2024 2025 12U Miltown

Royals for their national championship that was won on July 13, 2025. [Applause] Do they circle the bases over here? [Music]

I don't know. [Music] I'm on.

Yeah. [Music] I remember when

Hello. [Music] Shine stuff.

It says they read the comments. That's all. That's all I got. There's one of you in the close.

You guys can all wait in the hall or come in. [Music] Will the clerk please read resolution 2025-294 by title? Resolution 2025 294 promotion of Carmen Dorenzo to captain of police. What's the pleasure of council? I make a motion this resolution be adopted. Second. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by uh Councilman Collins. Are there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Welcome. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Dan Brown. I. Councilman Collins, I.

Councilman Mango, I. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnansky, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Mayor, will the clerk please read resolution 2025-295? Promotion of William FMA to Lieutenant of Police. What's the pleasure of council? I move that this resolution be adopted. Second. We have a motion made by Councilwoman Payne, second by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrano, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mango, I. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnansky, I. Councilman Potter. I.

Motion carries. Mayor, thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025-296 by title promotion of Nicholas Oashinski to sergeant of police? With the pleasure of councel. I move that this resolution be adopted. Second. I have a motion by made by Councilwoman Payne, seconded by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, would clerk please call the role. Council President Dambrona. I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman Mango. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Posnansky. I. Councilman Potter. I. Motion also carries. Mayor, will the clerk please read resolution 2025-297 by title?

Potion of Ryan FAF to sergeant of police. What's the pleasure of council? Move the resolution be adopted. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Collins, seconded by Councilwoman Payne. Is there any discussion? Will the Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrana. I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman Mango. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Pnansky. Hi. Councilman Potter. I. Motion carries. Mayor.

Chief. Captain. [Music] learn from these mistakes now guys.

Okay. department. Right hand up. Right hand up. You're on the right. They screw me around. I'll get nervous. I, Carmen D. Lorenzo, I, Carmen D. Lorenzo, 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 of allegiance to the same that I will a little fast that I will bear true faith of allegiance true faith of allegiance to the same

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 and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people that I will faithfully that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform the duties of police captain the duties of police captain to the best of my ability to the best of my ability. So help me God.

Oh so help me God. Heat. [Applause] Heat. Congratulations.

Thank you. [Music] I for William FMA I, William Fama,

do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that 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 that I will bear true faith allegiance true faith of allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments and to the governments established in the United States 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 that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform the duties of lieutenant the duties of lieutenant to the best of my ability to the best of my ability. So help me God.

Help me God. Heat. Heat. Congratulations [Applause] again. I, Ryan Fat,

I, Ryan Fa, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that 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 that I will bear true faith allegiance to faith and allegiance to the same to the same and the governments established in the governments 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 uh wait and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially and justice ly partially and justly perform the duties perform the duties of police sergeant of police sergeant to the best of my abilities to the best of my abilities.

So help me God.

So help me God. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] What's going on So cute. I, Nicholas Oshinski,

I, Nicholas Oshinski, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that 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 the state of New Jersey that I will bear true faith allegiance that I will bear true faith allegiance to the same to the same and to the government established and 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 that I will faithfully I will faithfully and partially and partially and judge justly perform and justly perform the duties of police sergeant the duties of police sergeant to the best of my abilities to the best of my abilities.

So help me God. Jason, right? Isn't [Applause] that nice? Beautiful family.

Congratulations. We can count on those guys. [Music]

They were going to sing. Yeah. Let let everyone in town see who our

Thank you. Congrats. Congratulations. We all have the same board. Tell everybody thanks for coming. Good to see you. I don't I'm going to take a break. Yes.

Dave, I made sure I got one so I didn't have to bother you. I always said [Music] drinking water. [Music] really bad.

Yeah. We taking a break, George. We taking a little break. We taking a break. Yeah. Compliment out there. There we go.

Where's John? We're on a TV timeout a second. We're not back. It's okay. It's good practice. You get ad revenue.

Do you have any listening music? Are you seriously a moment? Okay. Okay. We have to wait for Councilman Collins to come back. We have to wait for Councilman Collins to come back. The meeting got a little long for him already. It's a lot going on.

Does anybody know a song make it soon? If we have to get a bigger building just to have more national champions, that's it. You know, so be it. [Music]

The best move. Just saying. [Music] Yeah, I guess effectively slow down probably. Yeah, there's a thing.

No, he's coming out. You like your money? You okay? Go ahead. You good? We have a presentation by the borrow auditor. It's fine. It's on. The tribute is the light on. It's on.

Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for having us back. We're happy to be here tonight. I'm going to go over the audit. Um, we're from the uh accounting firm Okconor Davies. I'm partner Rob Provos. This is the lead supervisor, Anthony Caprio. I was just going to keep it really brief. Understanding your uh um crazy agenda today as well. I was going to go over some of the key financial highlights. Anony's going to go over the audit opinion and the one audit comment that we had. Uh mainly just want to be here to address any questions that you may have in the audit. So with that, I'll start with uh some of the financial highlights. You could all hear me, okay? Right. Yes. Yep. Y

So I'm just going to go over basically the fund balances for your operating funds. I think that's the the main component of of the audit. So fund balance in the current fund right now is at December 31st, 2024 2.7 million. That's up from 1.1 million last year. However, you know, there's only a slight increase in revenues. The main piece of that increase to 2.7 was inter funds returned of 1.2 million. So, you had inter funds loans last year returned this year. So, that was just kind of a one time hit to fund balance with the the transfer to funds coming back. So other than that, I mean, your expansures were fairly consistent from last year, which I think is really impressive, giving all the, you know, risen costs and health benefits. I mean, just go right down the list with the rising costs all over the place. So, I think the district, uh, I'm sorry, the burrow did very well in that regard. So, with that, I'm going to jump over to the water utility fund. So that fund balance was at 313,000 up from 245,000 last year. Now please keep in mind that's really only driven by lapsed appropriate appropriation reserves. So there's a 2-year spending budget. At the end of the second year, whatever is not spent rolls back into fund balance. So, you know, that's really conservative spending on the appropriation reserves that was able to roll back into water utility fund to kind of help that fund along which has been struggling a little bit obviously. So, that's where that's at. The electric fund has been really consistent from year to year. So, basically it was at a standstill from last year right at 1.2 million. That's pretty much what it was last year. So, you guys are doing really really good with that fund. Um, so with that, I'm going to pass it off to Anthony. He's going to go over the audit opinion and and the one comment and then we'll circle back. Certainly any questions that you have, we'll go over.

Good evening. Uh, for our report, we issued an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion you could get. Um, it was unmodified on the regular burrow audit side as well as the state single audit side. This year, we had to test the NJ DOT grant expenditures. Um and there were no compliance issues there. While performing our audit fieldwork, we did note three immaterial items uh during our cash dispersement testing um that had some exceptions over the confirming of availability of funds. This is a common finding throughout uh many New Jersey municipalities. So this is not uh a one-time thing here. Otherwise, there were no issues related to payroll, tax or the utility transactions uh noted at all during the year. And all that testing amounted to the one finding as Rob mentioned in our audit report where immaterial transactions were committed prior to the certification of availability of funds.

And just to add on to that comment for everyone in the room too, certainly no financial statement impact at all. you know, it's really especially what's behind us, you uh they certify if the funds are available before the purchase is made. Sometimes outside departments, etc. If you sneak by um but this is three out of, you know, large large volume of activity, but again, certainly didn't affect the financial statements. Just wanted to add that. Thanks. Yeah, with that, we like to address any any questions that you guys may have. So, I just have one question. So, and it goes back to the the corrected action. So, you said this was based on three separate transactions. Did I get that correct?

It was three individual transactions that that we had selected. Yeah. Out of how many that you tested? Uh, this year it was 25. Okay. Those specific specific. You're always looking at uh dollar amounts, high dollar amounts as opposed to low. No. So, we do a little bit. We we test that separately. Then we do a random statistical valid sample. Okay. And that's like either 25, 40, 60 based on risk. Got it. And we always come here thinking you guys are low risk. So we do 25 and then three out of 25. I said like 12% error rate. Okay. Um but yeah, these and that's why I made sure to report it did say trivial because it wasn't big dollars or anything like that. Okay. It's more of a a process finding than a financial statement finding.

And and what would be the process improvement that you would recommend? just all purchase orders get approved before which I get it's hard sometimes you know with a lot of entities are doing it electronically now with requisitions to expedite the process where but it's cost benefit too I don't you know it's expensive um but it's always the outside department's kind of thing where it's and sometimes we look at it too is it an emergency or something like that you know because then it's obviously you're not going to wait for funds to get approved but um yeah but as Anthony was saying this this is very very common just with the large amount of activities you know amongst the state. No, I appreciate appreciate the confirmation and explanation. Of course,

I got a question on page 24. This says we're $60,000 337 $60,337.64 in deficit in water utility. Page 24. Yeah. And as I was saying earlier, if it wasn't for the lapsed appropriation reserves, the the fund would have been in a small deficit. Now, there's always some kind of lapsed amount. Fortunately, this year was 300 plus,000, which was really, in my opinion, helped the fund. Yeah, without that would have definitely would have been in a deficit situation. And

what what do you foresee for next year? I mean, I guess I defer to Fred and Joe as as that, but it's and here too, you guys did a really really good job controlling expenditures and obviously you don't want to keep raising rates. Uh that's Yeah, we don't want to raise rates. I mean, but you know, we're 60,000 deficit. That doesn't look so good for next year. Yeah. And I think and this year too, you had the last year of the R funds. It's 134,000 I believe that came in. So that that also helped the fund out which going forward that that's not there. So obviously you're cutting costs where you can easier said than done. Um you know you got that in this fund as well.

I had another question on page uh 182 says about the deficits uh from taxes the delinquent taxes. I'm sorry 182. Yeah 182. I'm sorry. Delinquent taxes

7% in our budget every year.

Yes. That's that's just the percentage of the the entire levy which I don't I think Yeah. But yeah, and it's right. It is offset with the reserve. Just 7% I guess was the question. Is that so 7% of the budget? Yeah. I mean, should shouldn't we be selling that? We do. We do. But that that that takes place the year after. Oh. Oh. Collect the taxes, pays the bills this year, and we make up for it next year. Next year. Because as I've said before, um we get our money at the end of the day. Yeah, it looks like it's pay now. I'll see you taxing. Pretty simple, brother.

But I have to put we have to put money in the budget for that reserve. And if you want to reduce that reserve, it requires considerable effort. Is that standard among towns? Oh yes. 7%. That's Yes. Generally speaking, and that dollar amount obviously goes up the bigger your towns. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I've seen a lot higher percentages than that. That hurts. Okay, that's all I have. Thank you. You're welcome. Okay, seeing no further, thank you gentlemen. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you for having us. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025-290 by title certifying review of the fiscal year 2024 municipal audit. Will what's the pleasure of councel? I move that this resolution be adopted. Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zbrana, second by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zabbrana. I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman M. I, Councilwoman Payne, I, Councilman Pnanski, I, Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025 291 by title,

approving the corrective action plan for the 2024 municipal audit? What's the pleasure of councel? I move that this resolution be adopted. Second. Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zimbran, seconded by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Dbrano, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mo, I. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnki, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Okay. You gentlemen might as well run out too like everybody else. All right. Thank you again, everyone. Thank you. Appreciate it.

We'll see you next year. Now is the time for public comment limited to the resolutions on the agenda only. If you wish to speak, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Again, this is the public portion only under resolutions listed on the agenda. At this time, there'll be a fivem minute time limit as set forth by the rules of council. If someone raises their hand, please come up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record.

Uh, good evening, Debbie Miller, 92 Ford Avenue. I have a question on resolution 2025307. in one of the um areas it says that the mandate from the state of New Jersey the uh in New Jersey impact real rules that there could be a potential decrease in flood insurance. Does that mean that our region Miltown will be more in a flood zone and homeowners will be required to have flood insurance? I guess we're all looking around. We don't know the answer to that one. You the engineer.

Yeah.

So, flood insurance is a tough question in the burrow in not in the borrow of Miltown, but in the state of New Jersey. It's a um the flood maps are set by FEMA and the core of engineers and uh this is a resolution where the burrow is uh I would say politely on the microphone objecting to the overreach of D who's setting these extreme conditions for people to build in floodprone areas. Uh, a lot of the beach communities down along the shore have banded against this overreach. Uh, and we got this from the uh from the environmental commission in support of that because it's in their best interest because they believe that we need to have some kind of regulatory control. I would say it's coming from a place like South River, not having flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program if you're a flood zone area is not prudent. because your homeowners insurance will not cover if there's a 100red-year flood and you're in the flood zone. Um, it's just the way they are. If you have a mortgage and you don't have flood insurance and a national flood insurance program like I'm having a commercial, right, you won't you may not get a mortgage. Uh, it's so it's a tight it's a tough question. Okay.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Good evening. Michael Shakarian, 19ell Avenue, chair of the environmental commission. Um, it's I'd like to take this opportunity to say a couple things about resolution 2025307. Uh this is a this is a resolution that's been endorsed by a number of the environmental uh organizations or at least at least at one time it was uh some of them are complaining because it's become a little bit more lenient. Uh but um those of us in the environmental commission believe that uh any movement forward is a good movement forward. Um what it will do is um enhance flood protection standards um and there are some flood elevation standards and that was one of the areas in in in this rule that was weakened actually. So it went from you know protecting um uh buildings from a 5-ft flood to protecting buildings from uh from a 4-ft flood. Uh so it's it's become more lenient for uh for uh building owners. Uh there's protection of inland wetlands which is another uh part of the uh NJPAC reel. Um and sustainable land use planning with preservation of open spaces that are in danger of of flooding um and green infrastructure to try and inhibit flooding. just just as the wetlands um play a role and and would do um and climate informed decision making uh using updated climate data and projections. And what the what the rule would do was would allow it would

require every 5 years for a re-evaluation. So, if things turn out not to be as um as severe as as was initially considered, then then those those rules could be rolled back. And of course, if it looks like things are going to be worse, then it would go the other way to protect buildings and people. Um and uh so what the um watershed institute summarizes is that it would make things safer and more resilient for uh New Jersey. And um there were some concerns about some older buildings that may be needing retrofitting or adhering to new construction standards and the NJ is addressing this through financial and technical assistance. Uh there were a couple other changes that were made uh to accommodate uh those especially along the shore areas and such. Uh one concern was about affordable housing and and whether there are areas that would be designated for affordable housing that would then be taken out of the housing stock because of the changes um by NJPAC reel. And so by a more conservative estimate um there would be increased allowance for these affordable um housing units to be built although there would be some uh uh green infrastructure that would be required. Um and then with regard to uh projects um development projects there is going to be a grace period for ongoing projects and developers can submit their applications up to 180 days after the packed real rules are approved and still have their projects governed by prior rules. So, I think that some of these changes um allow NJPACR real to be more

lenient and address some of the concerns that uh a variety of parties have had. Um so, I I hope you'll take those into account. Thank you.

Okay, seeing no further comments, I'll close audience comments. We have ordinance introduction first reading. This is an introduction of ordinance 25-1572. There'll be no public input on this ordinance tonight. The introductory summary will be published as required by law and in the second reading, public hearing and final adoption will be considered on September 29th, 2025. Full copies of this ordinance will be posted on the bar website on the bulletin board of the municipal building and available at no cost in the office of the municipal clerk between the 8 hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Fridays. Will the clerk please read ordinance 251572 by title?

An ordinance to fix and amend salaries for Miltown Burough employees to include police captain. May I have a motion in a second, please? So move. Second. Second. Have a motion made by by Councilman Collins. Is there any comments? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambrana. I. Councilman Collins. I. Councilman M. I. Councilwoman Payne. I. Councilman Posnansky. I. Councilman Potter. I. Motion carries.

Ordinance introduction first reading. This is an introduction of ordinance 251573. There will be no public input on this ordinance tonight. The introductory summary will be published as required by law and a second reading public hearing final adoption will be considered on September 29th, 2025. Full copies of the ordinance will be posted on the burough website on the bulletin board at the municipal building and available at no cost in the office of the municipal clerk between the hours of 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Will the clerk please read ordinance uh 251573 by title?

An ordinance to amend the redevelopment plan entitled Ford Avenue redevelopment plan. May I have a motion in a second, please? Motion. Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zbrana, second by Councilman Potter. Is there any comments? I I have one. It's just a question if this can be explained in layman's terms. I read I read all all through this, but if somebody can give me an explanation in a paragraph, a paragraph. Peter's good at that.

Well, I Lord knows I know how to talk. So, um, as as the mayor and council are aware, um, the Ford Avenue redevelopment agency has, uh, proceeded with condemnation action. Uh, that action has resulted in an award of $26 million, uh, which has, uh, compelled the agency to revisit the Ford Avenue plan, um, in light of the fact that the acquisition cost is significantly greater than the agency and the redevelopers thought. So what this would allow for is there's a concept plan attached to the amended plan which shows that um in lie of I think the last plan had under 300 units um this is going to allow for what was um prior to the last amendment uh 350 units of apartments stacked town homes and t town homes to be built on the site uh along with um the path along uh Mil Pond uh which would be a public path and uh potentially some additional green space toward the rear of project.

Okay. Thank you. You got it. Does this have anything to do with the uh county's contribution to the Ford Avenue Committee? Th this doesn't have anything to do with the county's contribution at this point. This it it it acknowledges the fact that there may be open space associated with it, but it doesn't go down to that granular detail. Okay. Thanks. You got it. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrana, I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman Mango. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Posnansky. Hi. Councilman Potter. I. Motion carries.

Thank you. Ordinance introdu introduction. First reading. This or introduction on ordinance 251574. There will be no public input on this ordinance tonight. The introduction summary will be published as required by law and a second reading. Public hearing and final adoption will be considered on September 29th, 2025. Full copies of this ordinance will be posted on the Bur website on the bulletin board of the municipal building and available at no cost in the office of the municipal clerk between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Will the clerk please read ordinance 251574 by title? Ordinance to amend chapter 6 alcoholic beverage control section 6-3 licenses subsection 6-3.4 entitled classes and maximum number of licenses license fees and chapter 15 building and housing section 2 administrative fees for all sub codes subsection 15-2.1 entitled certificates of occupancy and approval and chapter 25 section 4 water mates water rates and meter charges subsection 25-4.2 two entitled tap fees and meter charges of the revised general ordinances of the burrow of Miltown.

May I have a motion and a second, please? I got a question discussion. I'm sorry. No. So move it. Okay. Go ahead. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, second by Councilwoman Payne. Is there any comments, Mr. Collins? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm sorry I interrupted you. Oh, good. Uh, I was just wondering about these increase in liquor license fees. Are these required by the state or are they just uh or what we plan on doing?

The liquor license fees here in Miltown are about onethird of what is allowable to be charged. Um we are allowed to tra to increase them by 20% or $500, whichever is the lesser of the two each year. Um this will equate to $180 annual increase for the license holders um for the regular licenses and a $25 increase for the club license. Club licenses. I see. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrano. I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman Mo. I. Councilwoman Payne. I. Councilman Posnki. Hi. Councilman P. I.

Motion carries. Thank you. Authorizing payments of municipal obligations. Next on the agenda, we have authorizing payments of municipal obligations. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025292 by title authorizing the payment of bills claims and statements against the borrow of Miltown in the total amount of $1,8134.52. You have heard the reading of this resolution. Is there any questions? Yes, Mr. Mayor. I had a question. I think Phil covered this page seven. King Kong. King Kong. Yeah. Printer. King Kong printer. It's a King Kong. Uh, that's the name of the company. Yeah, it's King Kong Printing. Yes.

Oh, okay. Do you know what that was for? Says recycle sandwich board and insert advertisements. Oh, okay. All right. Thanks. I just had a comment that u in some of the bills we had uh for the our water department, we had a $13,000 bill for and 625 for a hydrant. Uh sewer maintenance is 29,335 and uh chlorine was $4,000. So that's all added to the sewer budget. I mean the water and sewer budget. So the uh fire hydrants are for the three for three replacements. Three replacements. Yeah. 13K is about right for three hydrants. Yeah.

Remember Councilman that the hydrant is not just the little red piece that you see above the ground. A lot of times it goes 10 12 feet below to the actual water man. And it's comes out water and sewer budget. Right. And if you look at you look at the sewer bill and you look actually in the bills list, you'll see uh fees charged by Middle Sex County for when we dig up a water man or we dig up a hole. That dirt that comes out of the hole, we have to we have to pay to dispose of that dirt when we get rid of it. That's why our s water and sewer bills are so high. It's just math combination of things. That's all lots of stuff. Yes, sir. Thank you. May I have a motion in a second, please? So moved.

Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Council President Zimbran. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Debrana. I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman Mango. I. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Pnansky. Hi. Councilman Potter. I pass.

A consent resolution has been prepared for the resolutions listed on the agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature and haven't been reviewed by burough counsel will be enacted on in one motion. Any items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any council member and if so removed will be treated on as a separate matter. Any items requiring expenditure are supported by a certification of funds. If any member of council wants any resolution acted upon individually, please give me the resolution number and it will be pulled from the resolution. I do uh resolution 2025-306 and 2025-307. Is that it? Okay. Will the clerk please read resolutions on the agenda minus 306 307 294 - 297 that we took out in the beginning. Thank you.

Whereas pursuant to the rules of council, the council may establish a consent agenda for any regular or special meetings upon certain conditions. And whereas each of the following resolutions presented before the council at its September 8th, 2025 regular meeting appear to have the unanimous approval of all members of the burough council. Resolutions 2025 through 20 298 through 2025305. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Burough Council of the Bureau of Miltown that each of the above listed resolutions be approved and adopted by the Burough Council with the same legal effect as though they each was read into in its entirety at the September 8th, 2025 regular meeting and adopted by separate vote. May I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second.

Motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Council President Zimbran. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambrana, I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman MO. I. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Pnansky. I. Councilman Pod. I. Motion carries. Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025306 by title. Amending contract with On-site Partners LLC for Miltown Battery Storage Project. What is the pleasure of council? Please move the resolution be adopted. Second. A motion made by Councilman Collins, second by Councilman Potter. Is there any discussion?

Uh, I'd just like clarification on this. I read this, but if if I can, I just like clarification on the on the uh the contract here.

Sure. Um, so, Councilman Posanski, essentially what happened was uh you authorized this contract with uh on-site partners for the battery storage project. There were a number of different exhibits to the agreement. one of which was a schematic that showed us what they uh going to were going to source to to build out the site. Um after that was signed by the mayor and on-site partners representatives, they decided that they um could come up with another way to supply the power with different equipment. So essentially, it's just identifying that that exhibit is going to change to reflect different equipment than what they originally told us they were going to give us. And frankly, I don't think any of us really have a whole lot of concern over which equipment they use as long as they're going to give us the uh you know, the savings and and the um the offset that that they identify in the RFP.

I I don't have a problem with it. I just wanted clarification. No, no, no. And I'm certainly we're just having a discussion. I'm explaining. Okay. Okay. Thank you. You got it. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President San Brown, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman M. I. Councilwoman Payne I. Councilman Posnansky I. Motion carries. One more. One more. Oh, I'm sorry. Councilman, I apologize. It's all good. It's been a long one day. Will the clerk silence and voice concern?

Will the clerk please read resolution 2025307 by title? Resolution in support of the New Jersey protection against climate threats, resilient environments and landscapes rule and jpack reel. May I have a motion in a second, please? So move. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Councilman Collins. Is there any discussion? Yes. Um I have some questions. Um is this settled science? whoever wants to answer up here. So I mean what kind of science sir is this settled sct science

because there's there's there's two sides but there's only one side represented here. I understand science

and I'm I'm environmentally friendly. Um you can answer if you'd like to. So, this is a projection, okay, of climate change and their opinion. Uh um I can anecdotally tell you that uh if you're a homeowner 12 years ago, 13 years ago after a superstorm Sandy when the base flood elevation in the flood plane of South River overnight, let me finish your insurance rate based on the base flood elevation produced by the FEMA flood maps went from 8 feet to 14 feet. That means that when you went to work today, your house was in the good to go. Tomorrow, when you woke up and went to work, your house was now 5 feet for insurance purposes underneath that base flood elevation. So, you've accepted five feet of flood risk overnight and you didn't do a thing. You didn't move your house. You just woke up and went to work. Since then, there's been a lot of work trying to find the happy median between the science of flood control, how to mitigate it, whether or not the wetlands or these repairaring barriers will actually do any good or not. Um, in a in an event like a hurricane or supertorm Sandy. Supertorm standing wasn't Sandy, was not a hurricane. It was just a big old flood. And all those people who, you know, when when when the water floods over the barrier islands and breaches the barrier islands like down in Lavallet, no amount of repairarian barriers or or wetlands and all these kind of things that we're talking about trying to fix the flood areas is going

to help. But what we can try to do in the meantime is mitigate those day-to-day events, those day-to-day when it floods all the time. You've been in places, Councilman, where um regardless of the day, you can stand outside, it's a beautiful sunny day and water has come through the manholes, flooding the street just because it's a high tide. Mammoth Beach, good example. You're standing in ankle deep water. It's a beautiful day and it's just high tide in Mammoth Beach. Water everywhere. and we're trying to mitigate that on a day-to-day basis. And the science is not exact. This is just an opinion of how we could try to fix the problem moving forward.

Well, the science is not exact, but it's definitely geared one one way here. And I know there are aberrations as far as um in the the shore zones, but but this is seen to me here as settled science. It is not I've had science classes in high school, college. Um am I a climate denier? Um, yeah, maybe I am because it used to be called global warming. It used to be called global cooling also. Now it's just global change. So there's there's there's different sides here. But it I see urgency in this. What to you? What is the urgency here?

There's urgency here. I see I see it here. No, it's just that we need to do something and this is a recommendation from the environmental commission. It's come up to the council. Okay. I don't you know I I'm just my my experience is anecdotal. Okay. From managing a community post Sandy and seeing the impact. That's it. Well, I I represent like others here. I represent around 7,000 people here. Correct, sir. and and and how many people are are are looking for whatever possible changes here cuz the changes could also be financially burdening on us is isn't that correct?

They're absolutely burning. You know, you're accepting risk. The homeowner is accepting the risk of when they build in places that are fraudrone. This is an opportunity to talk about how can we fix that. I mean, we have we can all go outside and see the pictures where the where the flooded the public works yard. You can see that helicopter across the street at American Legion underwater. Well, it happens here. It also happens because New Brunswick does not lower the water levels, which they have the ability to. I know the D does not let them.

Yes, sir. Just remember, just for my editorial comment, and Mike's heard this before, remember D is built on a flood plane, and every time the Trenton River floods, they can't get into their parking lot. Keep that in the back of your mind. That has nothing to do with this conversation. It's just that's why they throw me out of the building.

What happens if we do not comply? If we do, if we do go along with this and we do not comply, what happens? There's there's there would be punishment. No doubt. This is not we're not buying into any program. We're just letting support to an idea. What are we doing? What are we what are we actually doing? We're going to if we pass a resolution, what are we doing? We're supporting the idea, sir. But doing what? How do we do how do we support that? I think we're I think you're looking to grasp something that doesn't exist, but I I don't know what's going to happen by 2021 in the state of New Jersey. If I did, I would have won the lottery last night.

Well, I'm saying if if we're we're going to vote to make this resolution happen, what happens with that? Once it passes, what happens? All this does is it says that we think this is a good idea. So, you're just saying yes or no and that's it.

It's it's you know, some people say it's feel-good legislation. Okay. it says in here and you know the D is going to keep working it and try to come up with a better plan. We're not going to solve the problem here in Miltown, but we're saying from an environmental perspective that, you know, we could try to look at it and try to fix it. And what does that mean that we can fix Brunswick when they don't open the dam? I can't answer that question. But you got to remember we have flooding in Miltown and absolutely anything we could do to help the people. Maybe maybe it's just, you know, superficial, but it's better than, you know, trying not to, you know, if enough politicians get behind it, maybe they'll,

you know, try to do something about the flooding we have or anywhere. Yes, sir. Anywhere. Even South River, you know, so geographically, we're not doing anything. I'm just trying to find out what what, like you said, we're not doing anything. Would there be anything expected geographically to help alleviate the flooding in Miltown? Yes. This is a statewide issue, sir. This is a statewide problem. I mean, if Mil if North Runswick, as you said, floods and they don't lift the dam, it impacts us. Okay. But it it did affect us because we had to load our municipal building.

Okay. Thank you, sir. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrana I. Councilman Collins I. Councilman Mango I. Councilwoman Payne I. Councilman Posnansky I. Councilman Potter I. Motion carries. We have reports from and comments from elected officials. Council President Zambra.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh have two short uh two short reports tonight. Uh first is from the uh HRC committee um to remind everyone that September 2025 is uh both uh national suicide prevention month and world Alzheimer's Month. Uh two things which I've experienced through family and friends over the last year. So keep those uh items in mind. Um our next council meeting won't be until uh the 29th because on the 22nd which would have been our next council meeting is the beginning of uh Rashashana. It's Rashashana Eve uh which is basically the beginning of the new Jewish year. And then uh Wednesday October 1st uh is the beginning of Yam Kipur uh which is a day of atonement. And my last report uh is from the Miltown revitalization uh committee. Miltown Day is upon us. September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 3 PM Miltown Day will happen uh at uh Gloria Bradford Park. Um rain or shine. And um at this point all registration options are closed and we hope that everyone uh joins us for a wonderful sunny day. And that concludes my report.

Thank you, Councilman Collins.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. uh that we have a uh intervention a northeast supply enhancement project from the New Jersey DP has been extended uh this website is you know uh backhaction.njcv.org org/ nees-new jersey independent comments where you can comment on the uh a virtual hearing on the 10th and I think it's was it say it's being extended to the 24th and at the link is huddnj do.gov backnes miltown day will be uh September 27th 10 to 4 uh we looking for do a natural resource inventory in town from the environmental commission and uh Councilman Pazinski we'd like to ask u Ralph about having a tour tour for the uh she wouldn't have been cabin if it could be done and uh let's see what we have this n that was it I missed the folk festival on the 23rd was at Davidson Mil Park sorry about that my next report is the Library uh board the schedule drop in play Tuesday, September 9th at 10:00 a.m. Library board meeting Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30 p.m. Open to the public. Movie matinea Goodwill Hunting Wednesday, September 10th at 2:30 p.m. After school craft corner, Thursday, September 11th at 3 p.m. Mosaic Monday, kids help create a poster puzzle. Monday, September 15th and 22nd at 4 p.m. After school game at Tuesday, September 16th at 3 p.m. Tween craft kids make a locker magnet. Thursday,

September 18th at 3 p.m. Crochet for beginners. September 20th at 11:00 a.m. Rita Pooch se Saturday, September 20th at 12:30 p.m. Adult yoga Monday, September 22nd at 9:15 p.m. Registration required. Journalizing for Mindfulness, Monday, September 22nd at 5:30 p.m. September is National Library Card Signup Month. Any Miltown resident that doesn't have a library card would like to get one can stop by the library with a valid driver's license or Miltown utility bill with their name showing the address. We'll be more than happy to give them one. If you live in another town, please visit a library where that library for a card. September national those September is national library card month sign up month. You can get a library card at any time. And uh I'd just like to say uh coun u former councilman and uh American Legion uh commander Ron Dixon said uh don't forget the uh September 11th memorial service will be I believe 6 p.m. on September 11th

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Okay. He told me 6. I'm sorry. He'll be there. That concludes my report. Mr. Mayor, thank you. Councilman MO.

Yes. Uh, regarding the Miltown Electric Department, a large tree limb was removed from a primary wire on the side of the senior center. Uh, a fallen tree on Applewood Court. Uh, I'm going to just kind of uh condense some of these. If you hadn't noticed, we had some good storms and a lot of things fell. Uh with that, Janet Court, Applewood, a lot of uh a couple places lost power and our uh electric department moved as swiftly as they can to safely replace blown transformers and restore power. Uh several street lights that were broken were replaced with energy efficient LEDs. Uh about five locations for that. Um numerous calls for down wires. Temporary service is connected to the new storage facility on Ryder's Lane. Um there's some rereads done to replace failed utility meters. Line clearance was performed in several locations to add resiliency to our system as tree interference uh is the cause of a lot of major outage outages. Three utility poles removed to facilitate infrastructure expansion. Uh beyond that, uh the water department, uh is also continuing to move forward with their meters. There are still some left. I know we're trying to move forward and clean those up. Uh there are lists that get passed around uh uh almost weekly, I believe. Um, and if any of the councilmen, I just asked this as a just a thought. If you see any, if you look through the list and you see anybody, you know, um, just send them a text and kind of go like, "Hey, come on." Uh, and I think, you know, maybe maybe that's something that as a team effort, we could all the list is narrowing down. everybody making 10 phone calls at some point um might be might be an effective uh tool to make sure that uh that we get this done before people have to get shut

offs. Uh beyond that, I will say that uh as John had noticed earlier in the building, I did notice a lot of the fire hydrants uh being replaced in town and and that's a good thing and we used to pay a lot to have that done by a third party. Um, and that's just um that was an investment the town made before my time in this um to bring in some good people and give them the right tools to be able to help basically buy down our outlay. And as the gentlemen who were doing the uh you know our our intake review whatever you want to call it as they noticed um our costs stayed relatively low in growth from last year which is an accomplishment in this economy where uh where you know lunch is 20 bucks every moment every day. Uh, so I just think we're uh it is hard to look at our water and kind of go we're doing a good job, but it actually is uh is doing well for what it was and we're hoping to continue improvements. The improvements the machinery that we're getting for our DPW doesn't exactly affect the water uh or it doesn't affect our electric, but it does in our ability to respond and maintain our town. So, um that's for my reports. I know as we've kind of merged our comments in here, uh I did want to say a few things is that um coming up we do have uh so this year our eighth grade class is uh which does the haunted uh the haunted riverw walk. They also have a couple of other things that they do to raise money for their trip. They are one of the smallest classes we've had in quite a while.

uh which is was exemplified in one of the meetings I had where uh coal riverw walk teams are going to be usually it's 10 teams and usually it's 10 teams of 10 or 11 or 12 kids it's seven this year because the kids need to raise money uh and they need to have 10 skits. So, uh, Miltown is always awesome about stepping up and helping. But this year, if you go there and, uh, you know, buy a ticket if you're not going, maybe buy some candy, maybe buy some candy, give it to some kids who are there, uh, you know, do something. But if you can show up, that would be really good. The variety show is also a big revenue enhancement for them. And, uh, well, I just want to say something for that. Uh, the Royals did a great job. I'm glad we had a proclamation for them and recognized them. And uh there was also uh the naming of the memorial garden which uh happened over by uh Gloria Badford Park. And the garden came along really nicely this year. And uh I think it made a big difference to that family and a lot to the kids who uh who actively touched Earth in putting plants in. Uh, and I think that will stay with them that they did something for their friend. That same group that did it, uh, Project Purple or the Purple Project, uh, they I saw it on Miltown for all, but it's a worthy endeavor and they, uh, are looking for bulb donations and fertilizer, top soil, anything you got lying around that you might want to get rid of that they can use to expand that little area. And uh what the real goal was for them was that to have a lasting improvement that sticks around for a few years, maybe becomes a model for anybody looking to do a uh a silver project or an Eagle Scout or just be helpful. U so there's plenty of places or people

that'll obviously help in this town. So uh thank you. That was enough time for me. Thank you, Councilwoman Payne.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a short report um from the police department. Between August 1st, 2025 and August 31st, 2025, police responded to 1476 calls for service. During this period, the police conducted 113 radar details in numerous locations. Police made 671 motor vehicle stops during this period and the police investigated 12 motor vehicle accidents. 23 arrest were made for various things um including shoplifting, DWI, active warrants, criminal mischief. Um just a reminder that you can receive emergency messages only. Text the word meltdown to 38276. Um the police non-emergency line is 7328281100. And in case of emergencies, always dial 911. And um remember that the police urge you not to rely on social media as a lot of information that is shared there can be incorrect or misleading. So for accurate and reliable information, please contact the police department directly. And just a quick comment, uh once again, congratulations to Miltown's finest on our newly promoted um police officers. This was a result of a major restructure in the department. And so I first want to thank my colleagues on the council for um approving that plan and um the chief chief Johnson did a fantastic job of making sure that there's a succession plan in place um and um and and again was very qualified and superb candidates that have these new roles. So um just a special shout out to our to our police folks on a job well done. And that's all I have tonight. Mr. Mayor,

thank you, Councilman Posanski.

Sure. Um, I have a report for the senior center. I do not have one for the DPW. I had a computer problem. So, I'm going to read the report for the senior center. Uh, September trips. Uh, Wednesday, September 10th, bus trip to Mammoth Kitchen. The bus will leave at 11:45. Tuesday, September 16th, bus trip to Ross and Trader Joe's. The bus will leave at 9:30. Wednesday, September 17th, bus trip to the Barge Restaurant. The bus will leave at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 23rd, bus to Vicks Restaurant in Bradley Beach. The bus will leave at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 24th, bus trip to Cracker Barrel. The bus will leave 10:45 a.m. Monday, September 29th, bus trip to Party Fair and Burlington. The bus leaves at 9:30. And lastly, Tuesday, September 30th, the bus trip to the Shrimp Box. The bus will leave at 10:45. and the VNA nurse will be available for appointments on Monday, September 15th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The service is available for Miltown seniors free of charge each month. Please sign up in the bulletin board if you are interested. In the lunch program, we have a weekly lunch program on Wednesdays sponsored by Elijah's Promises Promise on Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. Please check the calendar for dates. Animal shelter donations. There is such a need for the shelters that we will continue collecting throughout the year. This includes unopened dog and cat food, litter, and unused toys and accessories. And I have something I'd like to read also in case I don't get the chance later. It's um this coming Thursday, September 11th marks the 24th anniversary of the horrific attacks on our country by terrorists bent on destroying America and our way of life. We united and came together as a country. Though the original pain has faded, a majority of Americans still have the resolve and love for our shared history. God bless America. God bless each one of us. And as for our flag, forever, may it wave. Thank you. That concludes my report.

Thank you, Councilman Potter.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. From the Miltown Recreation Department, the Miltown Burough Pool enjoyed an amazing summer season, concluding with an excellent turnout at our annual Labor Day festivities. The pups in the pool event was a great success. We sincerely thank all residents, our dedicated pool staff, and Lisa Danchek along with her wonderful family who generously provided a wide variety of delicious treats throughout the summer in the snack shack. Don't miss out on a fun evening under the lights at the Ruckers football game on Friday, September 19th. Please contact the recreation department for additional information and ticket purchase details. Youth soccer registration will close on Wednesday, September 10th, with the season scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 20th. We are still in need of volunteer coaches and are offering an incentive off each volunteers coach's child's registration. We're offering back to school basketball clinics with our very own Sandy Molinowski. Clinics for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls will be held at Joyce Kilmer school this week and K through three third grade clinics will be at Parkview School next week. Spots are limited. Please register now to secure your place. The multisports registration deadline is Wednesday, September 10th with the season starting on Sunday, September 14th. The tennis start date has been pushed back to Friday, September 19th, and registration is open Monday, September 15th. Unfortunately, due to low enrollment, flag football has been cancelled for the fall season. Youth chess classes are scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 18th. The registration deadline is Monday, September 15th. The registration deadline for the decadence musical theater program is Friday, September 12th. Classes will begin on Tuesday, September 16th at the

senior center. Adult yoga, Pilates, and men ba men's basketball are currently full for the fall season. Registration for the winter season will start in November. The registration deadline for the adult co-ed softball league is Tuesday, September 9th. The fall season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 16th. Fall registration for women's volleyball is still open. The season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 18th. And as mentioned before, the annual 911 candlelight uh remembrance service will be held this Thursday at 700 p.m. at the American Legion Pavilion. We look forward to seeing everyone at Miltown Day on Saturday, September 27th. And please be sure to visit our recreation uh web page to familiarize yourself with upcoming programs and help us continue to make Miltown recreation a community in motion. From the Miltown Planning Board, the meeting in September was cancelled and the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Miltown Royal softball team on their national championship as well as to our police officers on their well-deserved promotions. And Mr. Mayor, that concludes my report.

Thank you. I just have a brief one uh for the Schwinaman Homestead Committee. Um, I just got word back from our DPW director and code enfor code enforcement, I'm sorry. Build building uh in uh building construction official. Construction official. Thank you, Brainport. Um, Thursday the 18th, we just got to figure out the time. That's when we'll be meeting at the uh for the site inspection of for the committee. Um, and that's the end of my report. Uh, report from burough professionals. Attorney Peter Vignolo.

Sure. Just, uh, one item, Mr. Mayor. Um, I had, uh, emailed the mayor and councel. Uh, I received correspondence on behalf of the owner of, uh, the Acme site and two of the other properties that make up that redevelopment area. Um, as some of you may or may not know, there is a pilot for three of the properties over in that vicinity, uh, encompassing the, uh, the Acme site, the, um, the portion of the strip mall that's attached to Target but isn't target, and then the smaller strip mall that has the Cold Stone Creary in it. Um, those are all, uh, separate lots. Um, but when the pilot agreement was created, there was a singular payment in le of taxes for all three properties. As you all know, uh the owner of that property has obtained an approval to utilize the Acme site and create a residential development there. Uh if that were pursued, uh they would no longer be entitled to the payment of L taxes because that was based upon a commercial use. Uh so what they have requested is an allocation of the pilot payment among the three parcels. Um, we are still looking into that request and the requested allocation, but I wanted you to be aware that at some time in the future, I'll probably come back to you uh with some more information and be making a request to the council probably for that allocation to occur because it would make sense uh for each individual parcel to have its own allocation. So that if one of them were used in a non-commercial manner, the other uh two parcels could still uh have that that benefit that was created probably about 23 or 24 actually 25 years ago now. So that's all I have.

Thank you. All right. Thanks, Bur Engineer. Mr. Mone, just a short reporting, Mr. Mayor, is to update you on the schedule of the the process of the replacement of meter project. Right now, you're about 90% complete. There's about 200 still that are unscheduled. Uh we appreciate council mentor's comments. Any assistance the burough mayor and council can help to try and get these remaining 200 cleaned up would be helpful. The contractors still have some work, but he's starting to run out. So, we need really the support of the folks and the residents to try and get these things scheduled. There has been a lot of efforts to try and uh clean these up. Uh it's like slightly less than 10% of the remaining homes. So, we continue to try and we appreciate any help you give us too. Okay. Thank you.

That's all we got. Thank you. Um business administrator, Mr. Cart, I have nothing, sir. No. Okay. Mike, how many homes? About 200. Yeah. So, I let me go back to Yes, I do have something to say. And so, for two months, we've been saying call your friends, call your neighbors, text a dog, nothing's happening. This is where I get to be the bad guy and say, "Council, we don't want to shut off the water for non-compliance, but without the threat, the carrot means nothing." And so, endeth my speech.

Cler, I have nothing. Okay. Does any member of council have any old business to bring before council?

I do. I have uh three items. Um I'm going to start with this. It's it's timely uh because we have the energy storage systems coming. It's uh solar array fields and roof panels. I'll discuss optional yet feasible electrical savings upgrades. We have an electrical storage system coming to Miltown, but why stop there? when discussing the storage system was an alternative plan such as such as solar why wasn't um solar discussed or was solar discussed when this could be for uh Mr. car. Um, we're bringing the storage system, but was was solar discussed, solar solar panels, solar fields because it's it's an option.

So, the the the purpose um we've discussed panels, okay, uh that we have in the town, people have solar panels, but for the purposes of shaving the peak load, solar panels will not do it. That's why we have the battery. Okay, I'll just continue. So, a conversation, but you know, if we have solar panels, where are you going to put a municipal solar array in Miltown? So, we don't really have that space. Uh, and so the batteries were brought to, like I said, to shave the peak load to reduce our costs.

Okay. Well, we don't get as much sun here as they do in Arizona. So, it's it's it's it's an issue. Um, but I wanted to bring that up. Um, but I'm I'm still going to continue with this. Um, the solar array fields such as the one used in South Brunswick could be certainly adaptable as an add-on. With New Jersey's mandate to quickly go green, dismissing coal and nuclear fired plants and abandoning natural gas, which account for more than half of our electrical needs, we have to find alternatives. Um, solar fields, also known as solar farms, or photo photovoltaic power stations, are large installations that convert sunlight into electricity to feed the grid. They could also include tracking devices that follow the sun for higher energy output. The tracking mechanisms rotate the panels throughout the day, following the sun's path, increasing the sun's yield. Now, I'm going into uh solar roof panels. The solar roof panels in Miltown could be used on municipal buildings such as the firehouse at DPW, Burough Hall, schools, etc. There are options for financing, including thirdparty ownership, agreements, bonds, or federal grants, easing upfront costs. There are many benefits to this plant, including reduced operating cost. By generating our own electricity, Miltown could significantly reduce or eliminate utility bills, rural utility bills, bills. Enhance resiliency. Adding battery storage to a solar system can provide backup during grid outages. Federal and state grants. The Department of Energy offers grants for renewable energy projects. Local and state grants also exist. I'm offering options here. I also believe with the ever rising cost of energy like water, every every available viable option of driving electricity should be considered. We on council need to always consider our neighbors well-being. That is why we were elected. The residents put their trust in us. So, we need to earn that trust every day.

Okay. Um I'm going to talk about taxes. Um I'm going to speak about the burough taxes tonight. As our taxes rise every year affecting all of us struggling families, seniors, and everyone in between. There's been one constant, the old Michelin property and roughly $7 million owed to us. Yes, you, the taxpayer, you've been paying their taxes. I hope you open your eyes and your mind here. At roughly $15,000 per home, $7 million is the equivalent of almost 500 homes reneging on their taxes. We have other homeowners owing substantial taxes. However, this is above and beyond. I'm concerned that with this dereliction and disregard of our struggling burrow has forced residents to flee to more reasonable living environments. Some are very concerned that developers selected to renovate and rehabilitate the Ford Avenue site be able to prosper. I'm more concerned that the taxpayers of Miltown be relieved of the burden of subsidizing this war torn site. The beauty and joy of our burrow needs to desperately be restored. And I have one more thing to discuss, and this goes into what I spoke the last time that I was here. What I bring up here tonight, it's reestablishing the original agenda template. Resolution 2025-22 was on the consent agenda January 6, 2025. Council voted unanimously to adopt this into law, thus becoming binding. This resolution included the order of business or agenda template. From line one, call the meeting order. Call meeting to order to line 20 adjournment. Each line is specified. My concern is line 16, council comments, which follows public comment. After council comments appears mayor's comments. What I have cited derives from Robert's rules of order newly revived revised in brief page 16 and the reason for laws to

be concise is justice and justice needs to be served tonight. Council has the first amendment right to speak especially during council comments. We have a voice to use as we see fit to inform our constituents and to answer to residents who speak out during public comments. We were elected not hired. We are at the top in the tier system. Our rights will not be tinkered with. No one revises or modifies our laws without our consent. Would anyone like to discuss this?

Yes, I would. I I I would agree wholeheartedly. That's why we have had this in the past. I don't know how this got changed, but nobody will take uh blame for this, but it should be so we can address the audience, you know, comments. That's was that was the purpose of this meeting. Well, the the agenda has changed and the mayor said at last meeting that I was at that we voted for this, but we did not vote for the change. We voted for the original and it's it's binding and the only one if Councilman Collins knows the only one that can change that is the majority of council. That's right.

And and and it's important to be able to use your voice also because when when the audience participates, we would follow that and now we do not follow that. So someone can say whatever they need to say and we have nothing. Yeah. I think we should return to the uh old format. Well, it's it's by law. That is the the law is the old format. We did not vote for a change. So why aren't we doing that? Silence.

What is What is the purpose for the change, Mr. Core? What was the purpose for the change? Because you said you enacted that. Give me a second. The purpose of the change, sir, was to perhaps decrease the time in the meeting. You have adequate to decrease the meeting time. Instead of having council reports followed by council comments, you have an opportunity during your report to make your comments all in one fail swoop. Instead of having the council reports, then we have like a then we have a break and then we have council comments. You have a opportunity to speak. We have not decreased or denied you the opportunity to speak. The intent was to speed up the process as we

That was it. There's no suppression of the council. Now I I came on board last January and our our past clerk would be here till 10:30, 11 o'clock. Our meeting has lasted very long. Why the change now? Maybe we should be better than being here late. That's the only intent. Look, to me, this is simple. There's seven people on the DS. You guys can do what you want. I'm along for the ride. If the ride is shorter, I'm all for it. Well, you're changing the ride. But that's right. But who are you? But let me ask you though, who are you to change the order in the agenda?

We just council. We just we had a conversation, you know, between the council president and I to try to shorten the meetings. If you guys want to go to have a longer meeting, God bless you. It's okay. I get paid the same. I personally don't care. If the council wants to vote tonight to go back to the old format and stay here till 10:30, great. It's all for you guys. So, give me a vote. the old form the old format that that hurts who because the the new format the new the new the new format by design when you put the comments with the reports because someone does follow me it's going to make me feel guilty if I go long like like I just did tonight or what perceived as I did tonight.

Councilman, like I said, I have no skin in this game. But January 6th, what what did we vote for? Did that does that does that count as law or no? In your opinion, I remember last time you said it was a guideline. It is. Is the Constitution a guideline? So, we're not talking about the constitution. No, but but I'm asking you a question because there's two constitutional lawyer. I'm saying as I said 5 minutes ago, whatever the council wants to do. So, lean into the microphone. Make a motion, Councilman. It says I want to go back to the old way. Give me the vote. We'll drive the train off the cliff. A motion isn't needed to go back again. Because it was changed illegally. There's no change. Am I Am I wrong in that? Again, our No, I'm asking your opinion because you

My opinion is you should make up your mind and decide what you want to do. We can move on with the meeting. That's what I'm saying. Well Well, you can keep lecturing me. I can lecturing me. No, I'm councilman. Would you like to make a resolution? It doesn't need a resol. It shouldn't need a resolution. Make a motion. Make a motion. I'll make a motion. We return to your way. There's a motion right there. There's a motion. You get a second. What we got to do? We have a motion and a second. I have a second, please. Second. Call the roll. Sorry, sir. Would the clerk please call the role? Hold on. I'm sorry. Are we through this or not? Council President Dan Brown. No. Councilman Collins.

I Councilman MO,

you can discuss if you want. Well, actually, no. We're past discussing. We do the vote. Okay. I just um I had my comments and we all get our comments, so I don't see the difference. Location, semantics. Um should discuss. I'll go with an I. I beg your pardon. I I Councilwoman Payne, no. Councilman Posnansky I. Councilman Potter. No. Mayor, there is a tie.

Um, so, uh, Councilman M, do you just for clarification so you understand, you're voting I means you're going to you have comments at the end instead of in the middle. Correct. Okay. Um, yeah, that's fine because I vote I. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Can I ask a question? What exactly? You're It's over. I I have a clarifying question on your motion. You made a sir, you made a motion, but I'm not clear on your motion.

So, I can put it in the minutes. I am asking you to clarify what your motion is. Our motion is to return uh council comments to after uh the public comments in the uh for on the agenda here. Maybe we should get a court reporter. I don't think we need a court reporter. I I I dare say that. I think I think your clerk asking a question as to clarification of what's just transpired for the minutes is different from her perhaps having a comment that she'd like to make on the record on behalf of her office. So it was never clearly indicated. Okay. So, I mean, sorry. I think you you should endorse your clerk asking you for clarification on something. You're here.

All right. I have a few things for old business. Um, I wanted to ask the council president uh back in February. Uh, I requested to put on the agenda a uh resolution to create a firehouse subcommittee. Um, and I just would like to see an update if we could get this added on the agenda because I've been getting uh requests from residents about how come we're not moving on the firehouse even though it's listed in the uh South Main Street rehabilitation plan, but that's been on the um it's been in uh couple years now and there's been no movement. So, uh, the residents are requesting if we can put

How many residents are we talking about? Residents in Miltown. How many residents have Doesn't matter. Sure. It's it's five or it's 100. I would like to know why you still can't put it on. We'll take it under discussion for the next agenda.

Okay. Uh, I would also like to request to see if uh, so this request came in on April 15th by the police chief to have the Boy Scout Troop 33 renovate the front of the or the renovating the police entrance. Um, that I requested on April 4th. Um, I would just like to see if we could get an update and add that to the agenda. So my understanding was that the police chief did not request that. Yes. Yes. He signed it signature right there. Yes, he signed it. He signed it. But that that is not anything that he has any any uh

That's absolutely right. The chief did not request it. Chief did not request that. So

dear Chief Johnson, thank you for reaching out to Troop 33 Boy Scouts as discussed in a service project within the scouts and the leaders. The scouts are looking forward to the opportunity to serve, contribute, and give back to the community. The service project at the side entrance of the police department would be a wonderful experience for them all. The project parameters would be dig down, install layers of modified blue stone and then install two to three courses of retaining wall with caps. The area would be uh kidneyshaped like the uh attached photos. The troop will also remove the dead bushes, trim back the live ones, and plant some new perennial flowers, bushes, and top it all off with fresh mulch, including a new flag pole. And please see the um pictures attached. Um if you agree, please sign a return so the troop can request uh the approval be put on the agenda at the next council meeting for consideration. Signed by Chief Chris Johnson, 4:15 2024.

Here's a copy for your record. Don't need it. Thank you. Can we make a resolution for that, Mr. Mayor? We could. Oh, I'll make a motion to help do the, you know, renovation. It's free labor and it's good for the Boy Scouts. Great for the town. Free material as well for you. Can we Can we then just make that a request that it be added to the next agenda since we don't have Exactly. That'll be You're asking that it be added. It'll be added onto the agenda that way. We'll take that under consideration. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, do can we get it on the agenda or take it under consideration? Yeah. And the mayor doesn't set the agenda.

Do we need a second? Mr. Big Noah, I don't think there's a vote. I mean, you're not you're not voting on it tonight to the best of my understanding. You're you're asking that it be placed on the agenda. So, uh, it's a request and it's in it'll be in the minutes.

That's it for old business. I'd like to close old business. Um, any new bit Does any member of council have any new business to bring before council? Um, I have one. Um, Councilwoman Payne, I just wanted to bring this to your attention. I received a letter this week from a resident. Um, I wanted to see if we could dig into this some more. Um, that a resident was being verbally abused by a door knocker with no ID. Uh, no response from permit info and no business card or name. Um, so if we could just dig into that. Did you forward it to the chief?

Um, dear council lean, I didn't want to do that without you being aware. This was hand. Was this It was like How did you receive it? It was mailed. Mailed to you at Burrow? Yes. Thank you.

Um snail mail. Um I'd like to close business open to the public. The public comment portion of our meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments. The council will respect the public's time by refraining from any comment until the speaker has finished. It should be further noted that this public comment portion of our meeting is not structured as a question and answer session. Please state your name and address for the record. when you come to the podium. Just a reminder, under the rules of council, individuals wishing to speak during the public input part of the meeting shall be limited to five minutes and may after other speakers have finished may be allowed to speak for a second fiveminut period.

Uh Debbie Miller, 92 Ford Avenue. First of all, I'd like to congratulate the girls softball team for their achievement. Uh, congratulate the promotion of the police department um officers. Also, um, if anybody is interested, there is a, um, on YouTube, the New Jersey pack real, the meeting is on YouTube. It was about a month ago. It I watched it. It's quite informative and it goes over some of the things that is in the resolution. Then the other thing that I would like to mention is last week I noticed that there's some political lawn signs out and I thought that there was a 30-day um restriction on that. That meaning that the sign shouldn't go up any more than 30 days before the election. So I did some research and I did confirm that that is the case that the sign should not go up more than 30 days before election. And that's chapter 34 in the code manual uh 33.23 E number nine. Can somebody confirm that or

I don't have it in front of me to confirm. I can look into it. I Yeah, Mr. Vinola, can you please look into that? I I can look into that, but I I know that um to the extent that the signs are political speech, political speech is protected and to the extent that our ordinance predates vote by mail, um correct, there's some flexibility that's I think been kind of read into it over the last several years um to try to not create a situation where you're going to impact someone's uh free speech rights, you know, for political speech. Then perhaps the code conduct, the manual municipality code should be updated. Perhaps it should be. So it's really it's going to be the council's call on what they want to do with that.

Okay. Thank you. You got it.

Thank you.

Good evening. West Einbinder, 152A North Main Street, and half on behalf of the Miltown TV station. Um, first of all, some of you that do get cable vision may have noticed that unbeknownst to me and anybody else, they just decide single-handedly decided to move the station to 1300. Well, we have received um via some of the people that do get Optimum now that they are changing it back to channel 15 uh within the next week. So that'll be changed back for people that need to see it tonight and whatever. And also not tomorrow, not this week, but next week, the 17th is our annual candidates forum right here in this room 7:00, not 7:30, but people can get here, you know, little before 7 to hand in their questions, a lot of fun stuff that we usually do. And pleased to have uh Professor Richard Laauo here again from the England Institute being our moderator. lovely gentleman uh who uh did for us a few years ago and is stepping up again and hope to see you here with your questions and I thank you very much and see you then.

Thanks very Lee Weisenberger 99 JFK Drive. uh like to touch on a couple things tonight, but the planning board hasn't been meeting that often. So, I was hoping I could address CME tonight uh a little bit because the Bor development when that started many years ago, they presented drawings to the planning board and so forth. Uh, do you have any idea how many drawings were presented to who?

You referring to Fort Avenue, right? The redevelopment because there was I've seen a few uh 40 or 44 pages, but I don't know who got them. If there's a copy around somewhere, we're happy to look in our file, but I think you may be referring to plans were developed by the developer. Right. But they were presented to the planning board to the town. Not prepared by our office. They were presented to the town by the developer. But how many did they present? That's what I'm trying to find out. It's goes back I think 25 years. I can't even remember that. No, I've been around a long time. I can't remember that. We'll be happy to look in our files if it turns out the mayor council wants us to see what we can find because I if they were presented to the board did CME get a copy you think or

we would probably have a copy but you know 25 years of files it's not really something that uh but we can take a look. Okay. Right. It's a while back. I'm interested in the first four pages. Okay. So we'll look we'll take a look. Okay. Uh and we'll stick with CME right now. We've brought this up before. Uh CME I believe started with us 1982 or so plus or minus. Well yeah 1983 I think it was. Yeah. Right. 83. And the bonafide title search that came out in 97. CME was there. We were the bureau's engineer at that time. That's correct. Was that title search took two and a half years?

We we haven't done the title search. The title search is nothing that we do for you. No, I'm just saying but you were well aware of it. that there was a title search being done that it was done completed given to the town 97 I don't recall

recently uh I operate CME for documentation from 2000 2008 concerning any correspondence with the D over ownership of the dam. I gave to our previous clerk a copy of file from the D. I have no clue what happened to it. Now I have it with tonight again. I have three pages from it because I can read it probably the simplest way to do this because this is from Jillian Lawrence. She is with the D at that time, principal sub civil engineer. This email is going to New Brunswick and it's uh dear Mr. Teresi and Mr. Laughlin. This me email is in reference to Mr. Laughlin's October October 7th 207 2007 letter and Mr. Terissi's October 15th, 2017 email concerning ownership of the Mil Pond Dam located within the burough of Miltown, Middle Sex County. Based upon your correspondence, it is necess necessary to provide some clarification in this situation. A review with the Bureau of Miltown's engineers, CME Associates, has revealed a deed which indicates that in 1918, the city of New Brunswick erected a concrete arch dam to increase the supply of water for the inhabitants of the city of New Brunswick. This deed is attached to this email for your reference. The department maintains that an owner and/or operator means any person who owns, controls, operates, maintains, manages or proposed to construct a dam as per the New Jersey dam safety construct or standards uh constructed the dam and via the New Brunswick Water Department operates, maintains or has control of the

reservoir dam and as a result under the safe dam act, it is responsible for the structure. Therefore, the department September 27th, 2000 order still remains in effect. Have any questions, contact Julian Lawrence. This is because the D after this correspondence made New Brunswick do a dam inspection on that dam. 2007 Hatch McDonald. I'm confused why we have that title search in 2000 in 1997. Ford Avenue is going at that time too because Mr. Boray wants to develop that property but then early 2000 it turns into Miltown now getting into the redevelopment of that property. I'm hoping to get an answer tonight then. Why did CME Why are we contacting New Brunswick about ownership of the dam? It's already been settled in that title search. And since then, this has created a real mess. If somebody can explain this, be happy to hear it.

We have not seen that email that you're referring to.

D's got the whole file. They got a nice box down here. You can request it from them. Mr. Johnson's name. I gave you two now. He's he's the gentleman down there now to contact. They'll be happy to send you to all of this stuff. I can give you the top three pages. I won't give you the rest because I'm tired of copying it. Like I said, what happened to the copy I gave to this t this council a few years back. I don't know what happened to it. I don't know where it went because even with the title searches, I told everybody, they're available to anybody. Read them. That was the point at the last meeting to Mr. Granola when we got into the trestle bit. But the the the idea there was that the title for the trestle, the pond, the dam, it's all the same deeds. It doesn't change. So, because I I believe early on when we talked about that title search for the trestle that you weren't sure when that first came out who was owner, which is possible because there's a lot of leans on a lot of things, but once again, nothing has changed hands. But this that date now 2007, that corresponds to some other things. And I just want to know why why CME did this. Why would you send a deed which is a the wrong deed to the D and this has created that disputed ownership. I believe that's where this has started and as I said this has turned into a real serious issue because we are now on the hook. I've been told now for the insurance on this and everything, it's all flipped to us because of what's going on in that tax assessor's office and we have to have this changed.

So that's it. Appreciate the time. Lee, can I have copies of those three things, please? I'll give them to I can give them to Gretchen. She wants to make copies of first three. Thank you. I said we got the file number one in here.

Thank you. seeing no Nick Lagatti, nine Janet Court. Please excuse my appearance. I wasn't planning on coming down here tonight. Um I was watching the meeting uh and I just wanted to address one issue that is a sticking issue for me and it is the existing old firehouses. um to insinuate that it's not an big issue if only a few residents have questioned what's being done with that is a extremely sad excuse. Um every vote counts in this town. Every resident counts in this town whether it's one or a thousand. It should be addressed. Now, Gretchen, how many taxpaying households are in Miltown? Roughly

3500 homes. Plus or minus 3,500 homes, I would assume. with with fairly good percentage 3,500 residents or 3,500 households care about what was supposed to happen to those two firehouses

which was promised to be sold to recoup some of the cost. Now I know that because I sat up there where you all are sitting and made decisions based on that. Now, the mayor was generous when he said the South Main Street rehabilitation, whatever was two years ago. He was generous. It was four years ago and nothing has been done. Nothing. Now, I understand the makeup of politics and who's doing what or whatever the case may be, but you all are better than that. This is for the betterment of Miltown of its residents and you all are stopping some progress to get relief from res for residents because of some reason that I am unaware of but I am telling all of you I made decisions based on they would be sold to recoup cost for the new uh

DPW

DPW and Firehouse. Okay. Now, I came here tonight because it was insinuated that it was only a few residents. It's not a few residents. It what was was promised to all the households of re of Miltown. Now, take that for what you want. Get off your kesters and do something about it. Get something going. I've been up here several times asking what's going to be done over the last I don't know three four years. When I left council six years ago, I wrote an email to every ex oncoming council member to not let this fall through the cracks. And it's exactly what happened. One of you, two of you, three of you, four of you, all of you take this under your wing. The mayor is trying work together to do what's best for Miltown. Thank you for your time. Have a good night.

Now, Mr. Legatti, I actually had a few residents uh reach out to me that either wanted to uh renovate and purchase the property, uh renovate and lease property or purchased a property and turn it into a micro brewery. That was not just one. that was more than one resident had offered that and that has gone nowhere and that's that's part of recouping some of the money for the establishing establishments of Miltown that is so frustrating.

I I understand you all need the options of what's supposed to happen. You tried that South Street Main Street rehabilitation thing was four years ago. Nothing happened. Correct. Okay. If nothing happened, take the bull by the horn and do what you're supposed to do. Do what was promised to the residents of Miltown. I I'm sorry, but I understand it's not a question and answer. I'm not looking for questions and answers. I'm not looking for you to comment. I'm giving you information that you have sat on for years.

And that's why I reached out to Mr. Volo in February of 25. And just to verify for you all, I speak to a lot of people in town, okay? It's not one, it's not two, it's not five, it's hundreds of people that I speak with that want to know what's going on with those two firehouses. Just for me, it's hundreds. Just for common sense, it's every voting household, 3,500, that should care and do care because it would give them some relief. Thank you. Again,

I'm going to say for Mr. Legatti, I I think um for the record, I'd like to get evaluation on both of those buildings, the two firehouses, if we can have that. for the record seven years ago. Well, if we can get a current one. Councilman Pazaskki, that's why I requested the subcommittee be formed to make a a good determination of what we should do, market value, what's the best options for doing all that um back in February. But I got to say, Mr. Mayor, the price appreciation of the properties has uh been greatly appreciated in the last six years. So, missed out on three real estate booms. Three real estate booms already.

I I I think the town will do better than it would have six years ago if we disposed of them. Absolutely. I wholeheartedly agree. Um, seeing no uh more audience comments, I'd like to close audience comments. Uh, I'd like to see if the clerk can read resolution 2025-308, please. Resolution 2025308 entering executive session. Um, may I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, second by Councilman Collins. Uh, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Dan Brown. I. Councilman Collins. Hi.

Councilman Mao. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Posnansky. I. Councilman Potter. I. We can say it here. Okay. Thank you. Um, we're going to, if everyone could please step out while we have executive session. Thank you.