Municipal Council - Regular Meeting

uh meeting of a little while, so hang on.

Welcome. I'm going to call the meeting of the Lawrence Township Council to order. Um it's great to see everyone here. It's going to be a happy day today. We're squaring in some new officers, which is always which is always exciting. It's great to see so many people from the community. So with that, I'll read the statement of proper notice. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Lawrence Township Council being held on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 has been provided through the posting of the annual meeting schedule of said council in accordance with section 13 of the open public meetings act. Said notice was ordered to the tronium, the times and the princet on December 12th, 2025. And now we can have the inspiration and allegiance. May we carry out our work at this meeting in a just in a just honorable and sincere manner always bearing in mind our duties and been continuing to keep a wonderful community in which to live.

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Carter, we have the roll call, please. Miss Farmer here. Mr. Kaki, here. Miss Santos, here. Mayor B

here. Without further ado, let's get into uh the oath of office for the new police officers. I believe we're going to do I'll let the chief announce chief writing announce who's who's going first and I'll just follow your lead chief. Appreciate it. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Bobbit, members of town council, town administration, manager Dwinsky, public safety director Longo, Attorney Cipek, Madam Clerk, honored guests, and members of the community. My name is Kevin Reading. I'm proud to serve as the interim chief of police for the Lawrence Township Police Department. Thank you all for being here tonight for the swearing in of our police officers. This evening is about commitment. The officers being sworn in tonight have chosen a profession in service and integrity. They have worked hard to reach this moment and will have a career dedicated to protecting others and serving the Lawrence Township community with honor. I would also like to take a moment to reflect on 2025, which was truly a great year for the Lawrence Township Police Department. Throughout the entire year, we were proud to welcome these new officers. This growth strengthens our department, enhances our ability to serve the community, and demonstrates the continued commitment to public safety. These these officers all graduated from the Kate May County Police Academy in three separate classes throughout the year. Kate May police academy is one of the state's most respected law enforcement. I would also like to recognize the family members and loved ones in attendance tonight. Your support, encouragement, and patience make this journey possible. Policing is not a commitment made by the officers alone. It is one shared by their families. To our newest officers, you're joining a

department with a proud history and a strong partnership with the community we serve. You are entrusted with great responsibility. And with that comes the expectation that you will uphold the values on your on the patch you wear. honor, knowledge, and integrity. You will have professionalism, compassion, and respect every single day. At this time, I'd like to call up first three. It's my privilege to introduce Kaylee San Falippo, badge number 273, Zachary Thomas, badge number 274, and Kanan Smith, badge number 275. all graduated from the Kate County Police Academy class 57 in January of 2025. Kaylee grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After graduating graduating high school in 2018, she received a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in criminology and criminal justice. Before joining the Lawrence Township Police Department, Kaylee worked at Starbucks, which is how she was able to put herself through college. In her free time, she enjoys working out, training in martial arts, spending time with her family and friends, and cuddling with her doll. Kaylee also loves watching shows like Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and Avatar the Last Airmen. When she was hired during her interview, she said her ultimate goal of Lawrence Police is to be a canine officer. Until then, she'd like to work through the ranks and learn as much as she can. Officer San Felippo is eager to hit the ground running and said that every day at large police is different and excited for what the future holds. When asked what made her want a career in law enforcement, she said that she wants to be able to have a positive impact on the community. We're lucky to have her in the Lawrence community.

Officer Zachary Thomas, badge number 274. Zach was born and raised in How, New Jersey. After graduating high school in 2017, he furthered his education at Brookdale Community College and then on to Rutgers University where he decided to pursue a future in law enforcement. Before joining the Lawrence Township Police Department, he worked for Bel Bait and Tackle. In his free time, he enjoys fishing anywhere from freshwater to saltwater. He loves a good steak while watching Netflix shows like Alone and The Last of Us. Zach grew up playing baseball and says his favorite player is Bryce Harper because he is the definition of a true baseball player who plays with his heart. During his interview when he was hired, he said, "In 10 years, I hope to move up ranks. I also hope to one day be a father and respectable role model for younger generations. Officer Thomas is eager to learn the area, get to know the people of Lawrence Township, and when when asked what made him want a career in law enforcement, he said that every person he has met in this line of work has been someone he wanted to emulate with good character. Officer Kanan Smith, badge number 275. Kanan was born and raised in Lawrenville, New Jersey. After graduating high school in 2014, he furthered his education at Mercer County Community College. Before joining the Lawrence Dona Police Department, he worked for Mercer County Parks Commission. In his free time, he enjoys working out, reading motivational books, and spending time with his loved ones. He's a diehard Eagles fan. He loves watching basketball.

While he doesn't have a favorite NBA team, some of his favorite players are LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Luca Donuch, admiring their hard work, dedication, and the love for their craft. During his interview, he said, "My goal is to be the best I can be. I'm committed to reaching my full potential and continuously improving to be the best version of myself. In 10 years, I see myself being a strong piece of the puzzle in Lawrence Police Department. as well as the Lawrence community. Officer Smith is eager to hit the ground running. Said that every day at Lawrence Police is different. He's excited for what the future holds. When asked what made him want a career in law enforcement, he said that his dad was in law enforcement and an important role model for him growing up. So, he knew early this was the profession for him. Now minister officer please. All right, raise your right hand. Ready?

I state your name. I do solemnly swear thou 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. and that I will bear true faith I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and allegiance to the same and to the governments to the government established in the United States established in the United States and in this state 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 justly perform all the duties all the duties of police officer of a police officer

according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God.

CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT, I'd like to introduce Emmy Yard, badge number 276, and Jeppi Joe Orari, badge number 277. both graduated from the Cape County Police Academy, class number 58 in June of 2025. Officer Emmy Yard graduated from the I'm sorry, Emmy is from Burlington Township, New Jersey. She completed her undergrad at Rowan University and continued her education at Liberty University, receiving her master's degree in criminology and forensic psychology. Before joining the Lawrence Township Police Department, she worked at the Mercy Prosecutor's Office as a vict victim advocate. In her free time, Emmy enjoys being at the beach with her friends and family, tending to her garden, and working out. She's an avid Philadelphia Flyers fan and loves watching her favorite show, Dexter. When asked why she wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, she said, "I come from a long line of police officers and I never really thought about being anything else. I I always knew I wanted to have a career where I can help people." Emmy also hopes for a future in leadership within this department and plans to continue to work hard to reach her goals. She has also loved being out in the community

events and getting to know the people of Lawrence. Officer Jeppi Joe Orari, badge number 277. Joe also graduated Kate Bay June 11th, 2025. Joe grew up in Holland, Pennsylvania, graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2022, where he not only received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice, but was a student athlete on the football team. Before joining the Lars Police Department, he worked as a cook at the Richboro Pub. He loves a good cheese steak or chicken parm. Joe enjoys being with his friends and family, going to the gym, and watching sports. His favorite teams are we'll start Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Sixers, and the Dallas Cowboys. When asked why he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, he said, "I have honestly never seen myself doing anything else." He has loved being out in the community and especially at the community events such as the egg hunt, Fourth of July fireworks, National Night Out. When we asked Joe what some of his goals are with El Barren Police, he said he hopes to keep moving. until I keep improving and progressing and just be the best officer he can be. Right

hand. Ready. Repeat after me. I state your name. I, Jari, 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. and that I'll bear true faith. And that I'll bear true faith and allegiance and 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 I will faithfully and I will faithfully and partially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties

all the duties of police officer of police officer

according to the best of my ability. according to the best of my ability. So help me God. Like to introduce Keon Taylor, badge number 279. Anthony Deresi, badge number 280. both graduated from the Kate May County Police Academy, class 59 on January 9th, 2026. Keon graduated from the Kate May, I'm sorry, currently resides in Euing with his uh partner and son. In 2023, Keon graduated from Keen University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a minor in public administration. He also played collegiate football. During his free time, Keon enjoys spending time with Ariana and their two-year-old son. This profession has intrigued Keon since freshman year of college, and he was inspired by those around him who had a profession in law enforcement led him to apply to this department. Keon loves the idea of making a positive impact by assisting others and helping to make the community a safer place. John seeks an honorable career path within his profession by advancing throughout the department. Officer Anthony Durus Anthony graduated also January 9, 2026. He's from Montgomery Township of New Jersey. He received a bachelor degree in law and justice from Rowan University while also playing college football. He went into the academy after college as an alternate room and we hired Anthony while he was still in the

academy in December. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, as well as working out. When asked why, Anthony wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, he said, "I've always wanted to become a police officer since I was little. I always looked up to police officers. My great-grandfather was a police officer in Reading, Pennsylvania, and my dad would always tell me stories about him." Anthony also hopes for a future in leadership within the department and plans to continue to work hard to reach these goals.

All right. I state your name. I do solemnly swear. We shall swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution the Constitution of the State of New Jersey of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and allegiance in allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments 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. Now faithfully now faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties all the duties of police officer a police officer

according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability to help As we conclude tonight's ceremony, I want to recognize three recruits. who are in attendance to support these officers and they will be attending the next Kate May County Police Academy which starts this Monday.

First Dennis Hickey, second Jacob Wagner and third Rel Perez. Good luck. Face back into supper.

I want to once again congratulate each of our newly sworn officers. Remember that every interaction matters. The words you choose, the decisions you make, and the integrity you demonstrate, especially when no one is watching, will define not only your career, but the reputation of this department. Never lose sight of why you chose this profession and always hold true to the values. Thank you for all attending this evening. Please join us in congratulating the new officers. Stay safe and have a wonderful evening. ALL RIGHT. THANKS, CHIEF. I JUST WANT TO NOTE UM ALL THE officers who are also in attendance in the back of the room. It's always it's always great to see you all here supporting your uh newly uh sworn in. With that, um, friends and family are invited to stick around and hear about what's new with Trails and Open Space and the rest of the business of attention. Or you can or you can or you're excused now. So, your choice

Hello. All right. Next under special proclamations recognition and presentation by trails and open space and stewardship advisory committee to discuss the committee focus for year 2026. Hi, my name is David and I'm here with Mike Marine who is also on our committee and of course we're here to talk about space but the um new theme that runs through our presentation is how to improve things for the community in those regards and do that using someone else's money. So our talk is divided into three parts. um Sing White is going to address and then we're going to talk about a um situation with the Shab Creek and the new bridge that D is putting in next to Col Park and then some opportunities for green race and each of those can be paid for either entirely or substantially by utilizing money that's available from different sources which we'll get into

more detail. But first we'll start with um Saturn chemical and Mike who has um that's his experience and profession working with past sites. So he's going to take you through that.

Hi. Um so I I want to just give a brief overview of the property. Uh so here's this is uh the former Saturn Hammer. I'm sure most if not all know about this property. Um it's about 5.3 acres. Uh it's in it's in a location that's adjacent to the Delaware Canal State Park to the east southeast. Also has a couple of parks nearby, Hamna Memorial and National Memorial Park. Um the site has operated as a manufacturing manufacturing facility since 1918. So back over a hundred years. Uh and this operated through um about 1981 as a chemical manufacturing facility with various chemical manufacturers. Saturn Chemical Company owned the property from 77 to 89. Um so in 81 lower right I believe was a pretty significant fire for a fire that occurred that caused the facility to cease operations. Uh but they continue to operate uh as a storage warehouse for chem hazardous materials till 84 and then they cease that operation. Um so in doing so when you cease operations at an industrial facility in New Jersey it triggers environmental compliance regulations uh particularly the ECRA regulation in 84 and Saturn did do some work uh based on their um being a responsible party but not a lot of work and it sort of petered out after the 84 trigger and

they did some work but not a lot of work. There's not much in the record. Um, but in the mid 90s, the township applied for some funding to assess or further assess the soil and groundwater conditions at the property. Um, and they did utilize the the state groundfield fund for that. That was in the mid 90s. Um and then more recently in in 2019 uh additional work was done uh which furthered the investigation but did not complete it. Um and I would also want to mention in in 2002 two the township did fund demolition of the structures on the site. They came across three large tanks of tar like resin and they stopped. Um, but they were able to utilize the EPA um to remove those tanks in 2004. So that takes us to where we are now, which is that there's still soil and ground water contamination on the property. Um and it's largely investigated but not fully investigated and it's the extent of the of the soil grower quality impacts are not completely delineated. Um and that's where we can utilize the hazards to start site remediation fund which is the state brownfield fund. Um this site is considered a brownfield property. It's vacant. It's unoccupied. it's underutilized, it's industrial, and there is contamination. So, that checks all boxes for brownfield site.

Um, and the eligibility for this grant fund is um is met. Um specifically, um tax there's tax lean on taxing on property. uh there's no viable responsibility or responsible party I should say and there's documented impacts in water and soil and uh based on discussions we've had with um municipal representatives there's an interest and a commitment to to completing this investigation to finding the contamination remediating the site and bringing it back into some uh functional use uh as determined by the municipal plan or the municipal initiatives. So I so what I would like to just briefly talk about is the money that's available. Uh the fund will pay for 100% of the investigation to complete investigation on this property. Um and in addition to that, if it's going to be used for open space, either partially or fully, the fund will extend that um dollars toward the remediation of the property. Um particularly if it's open space and recreation, the fund will match up to 75% of the remediation cost. Um and so it's a great candidate. It aligns well with the funding program. Uh the fund itself is well uh funded in terms of balance of unused funds. It's I think believe 156 million at this point. So it's rich in funds and it seems like a really good time to utilize the fund

to get this property back into some functional use. Um and in addition to that um the um the the fund is easy to use and there's very little out of pocket to apply. It's $500 for your application fee. Um, and I would help with the application, seeing it through to the approval, and then maintaining administrative requirements for reporting. Um, so it's it's a to me it seems like the right time to uh to use the fund for the benefit of the town. Quick question. Um, will we be able to ask questions at the end or you want me to Can we ask questions?

Um, go ahead. Yeah, at the end now it's fine, too. Is that all right? Okay, we can take it.

Okay, sure. Thank you, Mike. And um the emphasis here is that the extra funding available if it does go to a recreational open space and being adjacent to the canal to top path and also to a couple parks in the at the dog park as a matter of fact um nearby is a nice um it's right in between those and it would work great as an open space resource. Um there's concrete there. I don't know if that could be converted into escape park or active, but there's also words in the property for more passive use. Okay, bringing us to can I go backwards? Okay. Um so this is something that we as a committee has been have been working at looking at for some time and that is that the NJP is going to be replacing the bridge this bridge right here that's over the creek right at where Sappa Creek goes into Colonial Bay and the township has invested quite a bit of resources in acquiring and expanding uh Colonial Bay Park and the trail system and soil restoration. So that's all very good and I think it has increase the use of the park and now it's possible to do a trail loop around the park but the connection of the trail loop is less than ideal. is this bridge and basically the DOT plan is to replace it with something very similar same width of sidewalk solar on the new design looks a little narrower

10 ft it's rather than than 11 ft and the current height on the bridge will be 6 in as opposed to the current 7 in and um on the that's on the bridge leading up to the bridge will oranges. But what we've heard from the community is that people feel unsafe walking across that six foot sidewalk with all the traffic coming on um in front of you this way but behind you if you're walking carefully. So what people are asking is that the town council would be would to be to put in a resolution to the NJ asking them to make it safer for people going across. Now, the um design of the replacement bridge does meet DOT safety standards and so they probably or could not possibly not be terribly interested in doing more since it meets their standards. But, um I would ask that the council put in a resolution. We have some proposed wording here that um you know tells them that the community wants um improved pedestrian safety and um that you're replacing the bridge. So now is the time to do something if something's going to happen. And we'll leave it up to them to determine how to address safety concerns. And it's something that maybe they'll do something, maybe they won't. But if we do ask them and they say no, well, we haven't lost anything, but perhaps that there'll be something.

And the other topic we're going to cover is development of green waste, development of trails, and the opportunities that are available to get funding for these. And I'm just going to present three examples that we've talked about. And um well before I say what I want to say, let me just go over this slide. So county has announced a new trail grant program. It started this month and it runs through September 5th, September 1st. And it will fund 50% of project costs up to 25,000 for feasibility studies. And you can see the $50,000 for design of permitting, $100,000 for rehabilitation, and half a million dollar for new construction. And the only requirement is that it has to be on public land or has to be on private land with public access. And um in addition to these funds which are I think pretty generous uh NJB has a trails grant program or rec recreational I have a few notes here. recreational trails grant program that comes from Federal Highway Administration money and they will contribute up to $24,000 if they approve your application for design or construction. So some examples of what could be done and each of these examples we've discussed in the committee but they have also come from the commute community asking for things to be done and this one in particular um a parent

of a Ben Franklin school student was looking for a quicker way to get to Lis and of course since then Um, we now know LIS is going to be third, fourth, and fifth grade rather than fourth through sixth as it is now. So, there is a way to get here using existing trails from Turtleback Park and a connection from Turtle Back Park to 206 along the five mile run. The township has a trail eastment from the bridge academy. So we're that dotted line is adjacent to 206 that's um an existing care. So if the township were to apply for the county funds and get 50% funding to design and construct that that would be a big plus to the community. It also fits in we also have a um larger scheme that's not on here but we put into our recommendations for the master plan. If you look in um this area right over here, this is about 10 acres that's owned by transfer. And what we've recommended in the master plan is that the township seek to either acquire some to offer property or at least to get trail easements so that we could connect from Turtle Back Park through the transport property to Central Park and the Loveless Nature Preserve going this way and also um and it could be actually an expansion. This is called Battleground Battleground Park. And if we were to expand the park down this way, we'

actually get them closer to where the actual battle was back in um 1776. But um if um the trail network could go through the transport property and connect up to the white pines which are still in that area. So that would be um yeah it' be a great connector um for the schools and also for people in general for the larger scheme that's fur in the future I think more immediately the township already is able to make this connection if um you know we get the funding another connection that was brought to us by a vested And actually we something we've been looking at over time would be a way to get from Princess Road which is where the Amazon warehouse is to the DNR canal to path now in the branch in the um sorry planning board um approval for the warehouse that where Amazon is now. There was a requirement to provide an easy to um connect from business road to the north canal state park the park the existing part this is an old abandoned road that is still walkable and so they did grant that easement and over the summer the committee along with um our um farmer thank you for coming to us um walked that path to explore You see um Dennis Wers there. Um I'm there. Um Jeff Lang M Puffs was there also. Somehow he escaped the picture and the other person

was the photographer Jim Her took that picture. So the six person made that walk and um it was fairly open. And again this is something that the um township has control over. for the easement park. We'd of course have to work with the state DP and the um parks um division on the pway and connecting to the DNR canal to path. The most expensive part of this would be a new trail bridge over their feet over the talking creek. And um and the funding opportunity here is actually even better than any other trail I'm going to talk about because of the um valley regional planning commission and their emphasis on the circuit trails and the circuit trails goes around the Philadelphia area but extends up well into Mercy and both the DNR canal to path and the Lawrence Hooker Trail are considered part of the circuit trail and they've been they they have funding from the William Pen Foundation and they've been very generous. That's how we got full funding for the Mhead Meadows Boardwalk that are the RHC that's now open and they've also funded the um pretty book road um way in the north of the township on the other side of the Stony Brook. So P road um the LHT is now on the road. We'd like to move it off the road and the council has gotten funding from the um Delaware

regional valley DPC say that way to um to do that construction. So here is a nice connection that could be done with um basically no money by the township. The um issue probably I should have said this earlier but the issue here for this jail connection is that um nice reminder that um we have I 295 here on cutting off this these neighborhoods from the north where we have a trail access that is Um the B house is the closest one and we have US run freeway that cuts across here and the canal is on that on the other side of the streaming. So, um, it's these people in here that really don't have if they're walking or biking, don't have such great access to the canal. And looking at the census block there, this is about 5,900 people that live in this cut off area. 5,900 people, that's like 16 of the population. In fact, the um resident um who was really advocating for this lives on Westborn Drive and last this is the last one. So um we talked about asking the NJ to um improve this this pitch portion over here for the replacement

and um they may say yes but they may also say no. Another approach would be to complete that loop over the ship talking um Sabaton the Sabaton's entrance into the colonial lake with a bridge. Now at the southern end where sorry the eastern end where um the sabak exits belong we have this nice bridge that you see in the picture. So given the availability of county funding, at least we could probably get to the feasibility and planning stages using 50% support from the county to um get a bridge design that's within the park. And you can see where the bridge over there. And that way we don't have to worry about what happens on South. And then once we have a design for the bridge, we can worry about paying for the construction later. The um grant program to the county expires on September 1st. So that's our presentation and we welcome questions. Thank you for the leazison. I will start.

Thank you for your presentation and the detail. Um you can tell that the trail building states have been hard at work over the past year or so um investigating all of these options for our town. So just want to say thank you for that. And also I just wanted if you could um for those who don't know where scattering chemical is what is the address there about yes New York Avenue kind of behind was that Pent Park and Nash Park.

So yeah Ohio Avenue is the um main street they parks and then the next street over towards the canal is New York Avenue. But it's opportunity for a southern part of the township to have some addition. I'll leave it at that. I I'm pretty familiar with So are the the grants for the trails? Are they is this like one block grant that you apply for all at once or is this their by by project?

By project. So you have to act pretty quickly, I guess, once you get the feasibility study finished and so on. Yes. Yes. So the county funds they will fund up to whatever the column number was. I have to go back to the slide for a feasibility study. So the county will fund feasibility uh development maintenance. They also have a maintenance grant and there's also um construction and so like right if there are existing jails that need maintenance um there is money there from the county to fund half of it. But you're right, we'd have to act quickly to get as many stages done as possible because it expires on September 1st.

Uh, and when do we have a timeline for um the bridge replacement? So based on what I saw, they have like um draft timelines on the NJ DOT website. So it looks like they're going to at least look at doing quite quite a work this year and the construction um is expected to be um I hate to say because it's been a while since I looked at it, but certainly by 2027 2028 they'll be constructing Just thinking in terms of like timelines for all of these.

Yeah. And they have states constructions. They're going they're going to close half the bridge and leave out the traffic to the other half and demolish and rebuild that and then do the other half. Council that's before I have one I have a few questions. Is it is it is the C Saturn chemical site a super fun site the US super fund site as well or is it it's not it's um it's the lead agency is New Jersey park yeah I thought that for some reason because of I guess the dramatic photos and everything else

well there was an EPA removal action and that was removing the tank the product so but that but that doesn't even run site it was just sort of an EPA removal action you have our cost. Have you in in your research, have you seen anything? I'm not expecting in terms of what's been expected to date or how much how much those prior studies thought it might cost or

um well, if we're talking about like what we what what the township would apply for to finish the remediation. Um well, okay, that's a great question. We there is $3 million available per applicant per year to investigate. Okay. So, that's more than enough um for this site. Um but I I believe I did a a draft application on this site. I don't have it with me, but I believe the investigation was about 150,000 I believe. um remediation um would be in concert with redevelopment in my view if it was going to be converted to open space recreational use. Meaning if we're going to turn it into a park with public access and there's historic fill on this property, which means there's metals and base neutral compacts in the soil that would need to be capped. But the capping can be done in concert with the development of the park and its amenities and features and there would be funds available to pay for that cap. So that in itself that's it's about $212,000 $100,000 per acre to cap. So five to cap it. That's ballpark and the fund has that money available to match that cost.

It would be a 75% match. Thanks. And then I'm really excited about the uh the trails that you're proposing because I' I've seen those historically before. Um heard about those different routes and I know the county is very interested in sort of developing new trails and I'm definitely things I'm really interested in the next couple years is sort of mobility throughout the township without using the car. So

music to our alignment there for sure. Um I did have one question about the the bridge over Colonial Lake. Do you see that in addition to say let's say the DOT does um do change their design? You see that as an ad or an eitheror or

so so it's the advantage of having DOT make modifications to improve the safety is that it won't cost us a penny. So, but thinking longer term, it would be nice to complete the trail move. So, say the DOT does um you know listen to the C township and make those changes then of course the new bridge would be not present priority. But since the money is available from the county to fund half feasibility and design course, it might be um prudent to just go ahead and do that and then just have something available should um we get another opportunity for grant funding that um that will allow us to build the bridge. But um so the bridge would be ideal but that's obviously a longerterm solution. The bridge the existing US1 bridge is going to be done within the next few years and um maybe that's cons can be longterm in some sort but for government that's actually very very very quick. So um so yeah, the speedy solution would be to have EOT make the crossing feel safe for pedestrians and it won't cost us won't cost us a time.

I appreciate your optimism. Well, I I I am It's sort of like, as I was saying, it's something that won't cost us anything to ask whether or not they agree to do something or they just blow us off. But, um, it's so there's no downside to asking. The worst that could happen is they'll say no, of course. And I have one question for the manager. Yes. Do you have any sense of what the timeline is for that bridge? I'm not If you don't, that's okay. I'm sure. I do not know. Okay.

I I can tell you that there was discussions we had with the state DOT representatives about widening that um bridge to make it safer for pedestrian use. We did not get a positive response back. Didn't meet their standards. Yes. And honestly um You know, there has always been a plan to put a bridge, a pedestrian bridge over that portion, eastern portion of Colonial Lake to keep the trail within the lake and away from Route One traffic. Um, given what we've created at um, what's the house? Um, Maiden Head.

Maiden Head. That whole boardwalk situation says to me, "Wow, that's a great opportunity to put that over at at Colonial Lake Park." Absolutely.

And that and and there most likely would be grant funding for that and the maintenance of that. See, one of the things that I always think about too is okay, we get this open space, we now have to maintain it with manpower, public works and things like that. So, um, but I think something like that is really worth our, um, our time and effort, um, if we could keep everyone in that colonial lake park walking around a loop that has nothing to do with Rub. Yes,

I do have a question though if you don't mind. with the Saturn. I I was the township attorney way back in the in the 2002 2003. I I actually went down to Washington DC at the EPA EPA offices for conferences with all of the ownership and leasehold interests of that site before it was Saturn from 1918 all the way through. and the EPA was eyeballing all of those o potential owners as being a responsible party. Um, so I don't know I don't know if if it ceased being a super fun site or it never actually was, but there was EPA action that compelled all of the owners to go before the EPA and hash out how long did you own it, what did you do there to determine culpable parties. Um, so you know, it's just what your presentation kind of triggered me thinking, wow, there's got to be more information out there with regard to that because the one thing that I've learned um in dealing with the pit stop site, which was which is an application to the same program, and the craft cleaner site, which is also an application that's pending. those two sites that we identified first as giving our time, effort, and resources to because they are so prominently situated in our community to stop right on Lawrence Roadcraft right on as a part of our redevelopment of the Brunswick pipe that there has to have been an ownership interest or control of the site. So, for example, Pit Stop, I had to locate a family member of the defunct LLC's um

managing partner who was deceased to get them to agree to allow us to pursue the study of this site, the remediation of the site, and and once it was completely done, then the township would take it over after getting a no further action. because we don't ever want to take over ownership or control of a site that would then come back at us as being liable for a cleanup that we aren't respons weren't responsible for and now our community taxpayers are paying millions of dollars to to fund something. So, so that's the other question I'll have about Saturn say is how do we now I know there's over $800,000 in tax leans right that that are out there unpaid um and I don't know how we legally um become a controller of that site without acting upon those tax lanes which I would not want to do because we don't want any part of that land until we know it's cleaned. Yeah, I can. So, it's like a conundrum of sorts, right? And that's why zombie properties exist all over the place because nobody wants to dive in and get it done.

AB, understood. Um, I can comment on what the D and the EDA consider site control. It's a deed, it's a tax lane, or it's int or it's an intent to acquire for purposes of redevelopment. Those are the big three pro uh site control criteria that the EDA and the D look for in order to deem an application eligible. So if we came in with with an application for SAT with a tax lane, that would be the criteria that would be enough to move it through to approval.

Okay. Um and so that that's maybe a different definition than another you know another entity site control but that's the site control definition.

And step two my concern would be we have actively identified two sites already within our town utilizing that fund and needing more from that fund in the future. Do we want to add a third substantial site to compete against these two sites that we've already put time, effort, and years into like the pit stop we are we were able to study the site, have it 100% covered, be able to remove the building 100% covered by it. Uh, and then now the next part is we need to study the ground underneath the building because that was the one that was never studied and there's a lot of waterways underneath there. So that that would be just another piece of the equation of determining whether or not we want to add another site to compete with two sites that we're down the road with and we can kind of see the end game with both of them. So it's just something I I understand I've worked with hundreds of municipalities with this grant program. Um, and I would say that again there's $3 million available per year per applicant. So depending on how much was spent well this year, it's a new year. Okay. Um, then you would only be you could manage it in a way that you wouldn't be essentially competing with the other grant projects as long as

three million in total per applicant. Is that Yeah. Yeah. Per investigate. So that so you can weigh what you're putting into these two and see what you have left and again it resets every year. It would be interesting to be able to do a study of the Saturn study site. Um that study would also reveal all the things in my head with regard to the federal government that that will all come to the I was going to comment on that because the first step that we would propose to do is a preliminary assessment paper study that goes back to undeveloped and it would identify all the entities and all the the environmental history of the project

and then if we could get a cost for remediation that would be key for everything. That would be the end game for the investigation which is paid for 100% which is uh complete the investigation then we get our arms around the extent and then the cost.

Yeah. We we had um a company reach out to us years ago when I was here. This was like maybe 2019 2018 interested in that site to use it for I think solar panels. And so it's sites like that that um appeal to those companies because they're not going into the grounds. It's capped and over the top and the um the interest for municipalities would be they have to pay the the tax lane in total. Um so that that fizzled out, you know, as most of them always do. But um okay,

it's just it's there's a lot of questions, but I think we could if the council is committed, we could probably take some steps towards what you guys want us to do.

You know, I was I was going to say this is interesting conversation and thanks thank you to Councilman Farmer and for you to have this presentation because I think it's it's giving us a lot of things to think about. Um so I'm excited about the year ahead for the trails basically. Thank you for your time and attention. That isn't good. So now public participation 5 limitation per speaker. There's also another one later. So, all right. Thank you. Um, review and revision of the agenda.

Yes, we will have we do need a close session. Okay, mayor. Since the agenda was printed, we we a matters come up involving litigation that we like to briefly address uh with council. Um, we ask that the agenda be amended to reflect a close session u with regard to pending litigation. And do we need to take a motion to amend for that? Yes. Motion to agend amend the agenda. I'll make a motion to agend the agenda. Need a vote. M

yes Mr. Kaki. Yes. Miss Santos. Yes. Mayor, yes. Thank you, Mayor. Adoption of minutes of previous meetings. Make a motion to adopt the minutes from regular meeting October 21st, 2025 and regular meeting November 6th, 2025. Second. Second. Second. M. Farmer. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Miss Sus. Yes.

Mayor. Yes. Awarding and awarding and or rejecting a bids. motion uh for number 54 authorizing awarding a bid to Techna Pro electrical LLC for traffic signal maintenance 26. Second,

Mr. Yeah, the township does um maintain uh traffic lights throughout the municipality and we do have a company um that we've retained to provide uh certain maintenance when needed and this is a contract not to exceed 46,550. There's really no way to determine um what's going to be needed. Thank you. Any comments or questions from the public? Seeing none, Mr. Burman. Yes. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Santos. Yes. Mayor B. Yes. 10. Introduction of ordinances.

I can make a motion to move ordinance number 253-26. An ordinance amending ordinance number 252-25 salary ordinance of the township of Lawrence unclassified and/or exempt seasonal emergency non-union employees for 23 through 20 2023 to 2025 deleting the title of municipal treasurer from schedule B grade 18 and adding the title of municipal treasurer to schedule B grade 23. This is um a paving waiting for eventually a CFO to take over from Peter Products was scheduled to uh retire December 1st, 2025. Our CFO search proved to be a little bit challenging. Um, we did identify and you interviewed several uh applicants and um Christopher Hart was an applicant that met our criteria. Um, however, we had a concern that uh a new CFO coming in cold in the beginning of the budget season and with other things that happened in terms of bond refinancing and things like that. In April, we asked um Mr. circadas to delay his retirement and help with the transition to the new CFO. Um he's agreed to do that. We cannot have two CFOs um in place at this time. So Mr. Hart has agreed to uh take the position of municipal treasurer for the time period. his offer letter that went out provides that it's the CFO position that will uh he will take over hopefully June 1st 2026 if all goes as planned um once we get over this um this part of it the funding piece to it because the position did not exist within the salary range

that we needed um uh the council was going to be asked at the next council meeting for a resolution approving the appointment of Mr. Hart for the two positions that we've identified. Hopefully that's enough. I have a question. So that um Mr. Hart will come on board before June 1st. Yes, that's what we're Yeah, absolutely.

Our township has been pretty lucky in that um individuals that have taken over the CFO position have come with from within the organization who have the experience of how our organization operates within our finance department and with other department heads. Um I think we could go back 25 years maybe more. U with regard to that uh this would be the first time that we would go uh and appoint somebody from the outside who has no training or experience with how we conduct our financial situation more than capable of doing that. But this is a situation where this is the community's finances and I think it's in the best interest for our municipal government and the community's finances to take advantage of um our CFL willing to stay on and provide a succession planning type of situation

Miss Farmer. Yes. And thank you to our for doing this. appreciate it. Mr. Kaki, yes. Santos, yes. And Mayor B. Yes.

I'd like to make a motion to move ordinance number 254-26, an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain real property on Almar Avenue for open space purchases. This is a uh ordinance that would allow us to buy a basically a vacant lot on Baltimore Avenue. Uh this was highly negotiated and we've we've come to a we think a reasonable uh fair market value of $82,000. This is not the actual acquisition. This just allows us to go to contract. We have multiple due diligence clause due diligence clauses within the contract and we will uh once once we go through the second reading and then we need a resolution we will uh move forward with uh reviewing uh both title and other aspect other aspects of the lot uh prior to us actually acquiring it. So this is like the first step for us to go to eventually acquiring this lot which uh I think will benefit the community managers. Any

this this is a companion lot adjacent to the pit stop area that will fit into our open plan. This is where uh right across from Basio's billboard was there. It's just a lot that's where people have parked. Um we think that um the plan in the end if we were to get pitif cleaned and become a township um property that we turn into a passive park um this is essential to expanding it and to make it more prominently situated right on Lawrence Road um for a better experience for everybody. Any other questions? Seeing none.

Miss Farmer, yes. Mr. Daki, yes. Miss, yes. Mayor, yes. Manager's report.

I do have um five items. First is Federal City uh road traffic improvement. A couple things have happened. Our engineer informed me today that the township had submitted a preliminary design for two left-hand lane turns uh left hand lane turn changes uh for the light that we want to install at uh federal point. Um the de dot had uh reviewed our initial plans that did not provide for left turns. They came back saying we want to see a plan that includes that. Uh so uh we submitted um tenative plans that would include left-hand turn lanes uh in both directions which uh we think will improve the safety for navigating um that intersection. Uh it will require some rightway negotiations with an adjacent property owner but it's not so significant that we think it's going to be an issue. So we hope that once uh we get back from uh New Jersey DOT that they are good with our concept plan, we will then put those plans uh into final design, submit it to the DOT for approval and Mr. Farice has a target date of actually doing work in the summer of this year. all goes well. Ewing Township uh has informed the mayor and council that the grant that they were going for from New Jersey DOT was awarded in the amount of $800,000 and that was for um the installation of a roundabout at Federal City Road and Bull Run Road had a traffic calming device to stop the speeding that was going on in that area. Um the mayor has reached out and asked for cooperation

from both um Lawrence Township and Hopewell. Um I'm waiting to find out what their level of cooperation is for us at our traffic light. See if we can all agree that that entire strip that affects Euing, Hopewell, and Lawrence should be addressed collaborative collaboratively together. And we'll see where we go with regard to that. But um Euing is going to be moving forward with the work that's going to the design work that's necessary to modify that area. Tren Waterworks, a couple things. Um and I'm not going to step on Art's toes with regard to this. I'll just simply say that the litigation aspect of this, as you all know, the New Jersey de um D filed a lawsuit against Trenton Woodworks in the city of Trenton um several years ago. Um Lawrence Hopewell viewing and Hamilton joined in that that suit and we have been actively advocating on behalf of our resident um customers for Trenton Waterworks. that litigation has essentially not really gone too far. Um the D has uh taken over or has exercised regulatory action over Trent Waterworks which caused um the litigation to kind of simmer down. However, um it's now picking up steam. the the judge that's presiding over it wants us to get to the bottom of this and wants the towns and the DP and city of Trenton to exchange discovery at a at a more um quicker pace and so interrogatories depositions of parties and fact witnesses are going to be taking place. We had a meeting Friday at uh the D before the commissioner. I

think his last day was today. Um where the second part to this is is that the D had an RFP that went out for to retain a firm to do an indepth study of Trent Waterworks um um to kind of deal with four different aspects of of of investigating what Tre Waterworks needs and what regionalization may look like or what type of other uh ownership and control could potentially look like involving the outside water users Hamilton doing and um we were advised that the firm has been selected and that they are proceeding on that path as a litigation path is happening at the same time. Um I have not seen whether or not a press release has been issued by the D with regard to that. I'm not going to provide any more detail. I'll let the their press release um indicate who they've selected and what the um parameters are for the study. What the end is with regard to that. I'll just tell you it was a very serious conversation among city of Trenton and the other townships.

Thanks. Thanks for stepping in for that. Well, we we are um I mean I hope the Trent Waterworks customers understand that every towns are advocating doing what they can and it seems like the pedals to the metal at this point in time. Um our own fire study has started with the firm coming to our location and um starting um meetings conducting meetings with certain players uh to get some background information to form the basis of of their study. Um, our public safety director, Chris Longo, is taking over control and lead for the township with regard to the study. He's scheduled a meeting on February 18th at 6:30 p.m. here where the firm that we selected to represent will be here will provide a presentation and we'll be here to answer any questions of anybody in the public um with regard to what they're doing and what they should expect at the end of this process. Um we also have some good news to report. The township presented an offer which was accepted by the property owner of 36 Landover Road. This is the small schoolhouse looking building across from the Lawrence Neighborhood Center. Um, and our vision was that we acquire that property. It's been vacant for years and that we uh preserve it and turn it into a museum to celebrate the history of that area and neighborhood. I think I was told that it once was the original

Yes.

neighborhood center. Um so, um Art and the other attorney are are working together to um craft an agreement which will come before you as a resolution. Um we're pretty excited about that. Um the purchase price is $70,000. So, we still have the studies. We're It's all contingent upon everything being what it needs to be for us to accept ownership of it. Finally, the 2026 budget schedule. This is the plan that we have in place and certainly your feedback. Um, if if you deem that you think something needs to be changed, please let me know. The recommended budget and CFO budget presentation is scheduled for February 17th. The department heads will provide their presentations to council on March 3rd. The introduction of the 2026 budget will occur on March 17, 2026. and the adoption vote will occur on April 21st, 2026. That's that's late plans

and that's all I have. Thanks, Mr. Report. Uh my discussion will be in close session as indicated earlier with regard to some pending litigation. Mayor, nothing else. Thank you. report. Just a couple of things. Our um

well anyway our new uh program is up and running and it is running successfully. They can go through the portal put in the portal. It's u for tracking and efficiency. So, so far we're pleased with the departments are pleased with that. We also have, you know, there's a new law about public notices and everything. So, we have been working hard behind the scenes. We have a new button there where we have put a lot of resolutions as was requested, minutes, um, we're trying to go back as far as we can. um our agendas, uh everything is a lot of stuff is up there, contracts and things of that nature is up there as well. And then of course we know um at our reward um our council person resigned. So um and there is a press release that's out on our website as to that resignation. um that process will uh the effective date was January 31st. So it won't start until February. Uh there is 15 days um that the Democrat Municipal Committee will present this council three names. Then within 30 days um the council will um pick one of those names. If they fail to do so, it will go back to the committee and then they will pick me. Um, so far uh the information I have is that the uh date is set for fee uh February 7th and then I should have the name of the nominee by uh February 10th. I have reached out to the county clerk

and um we seem to think that because this has happened before the primary and they're uh that we might have to have a special election for sure, but nominated petitions can be done, but she's going to confirm that with her legal counsel. So, as it is, so that's how we're going to be moving forward with that. March uh 23rd uh 400 pm sharp will be the cut off for nominating petitions that can be um in the clerk's office and that's all I have to say on that matter. So and that is it that's my

mayor if can I ask a question um to Mr. side. Does that how does that work with regards to our budget season and the voting that we're will be doing? Does that does the election impact the timing in regards to our budget? It won't impact it. It should not. It should not. I don't see right now top of my head. I don't see how it should. Okay.

All right. Unfinished business. new business appointment to board and committees and everyone's okay with me reappointing people for all the committees. All right, I'll make a motion before uh I'll start with affordable housing. Um I'll make a motion to reappoint Dennis Michael and Jean Washington second. Are we going to call the word for each one you want to do?

Do you want me to just do each one? I'll ask my council colleagues. Would it be all right if I just list all the re appointment names and then

I want to have you cancel. So that's what it takes. I'm all for it. So that's for affordable housing. Um we have no reappointments for cable and solid communications. We do have two for construction board of appeals. Nick Farah and William Hart on diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. We have Patricia Deani, Paige Johnson, Ria Patel, and Mining Zang are interesting reappoint. So I'm putting them into nomination for the environmental resources and sustainability green committee. Michael Merine, Donald Little, Ryan Coulter, and Annette Loveless. Uh for the growth redevelopment committee, uh Edward Garcia, Melissa Clark, Peter Peron for Health Advisory Board, Moren T. Adams for Municipal Alliance on Drug and Alcohol Ause. Michael Pen Patanella for planning board. Uh I'd like to nominate Jim Kaki as the class three council appointment. Um Ian Denver and Terence Le for public safety. Uh Mr. Mr. Kaki as well as Charles Sist for the recreation advisory committee. Ed Bazinski, Glenn Collins, Bonnie Jiglio, Ernest Sir III and Kenneth Kieran for senior executive committee Leverne Sneed and Melbina Israel for shade tree David Boston and for trails and open space and stewardship advisory committee Jeffrey Lang David Boston John Emmens that's all I have

I have a question I gave you applications for some of those boards were you going to do those tonight or you going to do We'll do that at the next meeting. At the next meeting,

Miss Barner. Yes. Mr. Kaki, yes. Miss Santos, yes. And then yes, it's time for public participation. Three minute limitations per speaker. That's fine. I will vote participation and move on to resolutions. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to move into a block uh 18A through uh 18 H5

M. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Yes.

Um, council initiatives and reports. It was March the 15th day yesterday. So, I just wanted to recordation. Um, I'll just say I don't have anything about my committees, but I I would like to thank again the Tres for giving the presentation. I think uh where possible. I think this would be great a great way to kick off the year and I think it would be great for other committees as well when they're ready um to update council on what they're up to, what their interests are, and how we can help. So, that's wonderful. No written communications. Do I have a motion to go into executive session? Thank you all. Have a great evening. Stay safe out there.