Township Committee - Regular Meeting

Okay, it's 8 o'clock.

I'd like to call the regular meeting to order at? 8 o'clock. 8 o'clock. We're going to do a flag salute followed by a moment of silence. Do you young men want to start us off on the pledge allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, the United States of America, through the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Everybody remain standing, please, for a moment of silence. Thank you. All attendees and participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for public gathering. Individual speakers should be advised that no right of privacy protects persons' public comments made in a public forum. Accordingly, all participants bear responsibility for their own statements and commentary. So tonight we have two presentations. Eagle Scouts, so I'm gonna turn the microphone on over here. And if you wanna come up.

Thank you.

Okay, there you go. Hi, good evening everyone. I hope everyone's doing well. Thank you for allowing me to speak today. I'll be speaking about my Eagle Scout project called Woodville Village. If you can just... You just say next and I'll... Oh, next. Thank you. Okay, so before I start off this presentation, I'd like to thank everyone who made this project possible. We have Ms. Pat Butch from Barrett Homestead. She's been a great mentor towards me and really helping coordinate everything, and she's been a great help. I have Dr. Bill Erickson from the Rutgers Department of Agriculture. He helped with the planting and making sure all the trees were planted and good to go. Mr. Kevin Abernathy from DPW, making sure all the supplies were there. And then a couple other organizations, the Millstone Township Historic Preservation Commission, the Shade Tree Commission, and my scouts and leaders from Troop 116. Next. A little bit about me. I'm a Boy Scout from Troop 116 here in Millstone Township. And I'm working towards my Eagle Scout project to help create a meaningful project. The purpose of this garden is to honor and preserve the history of an African-American community that worked on Barrett Farm. And after emancipation, they moved to an area called Woodville Village, where they still live to this day. And the story of the resilience, unity, and contribution to the township will be shared through this space. Next. All right, so the project details includes building two construction benches and a sign. And there's already a concrete slab there, if you can see, and an informational sign. The sign will go in front of it. The one on building is just the name of the park. And then May 9, which already happened, we planted the trees and bushes and fenced it all up. And yeah. Thanks. All right, so first off, we needed to fundraise because this is a Boy Scout project and the cost was over $1,000. We needed to fundraise for this, so I was lucky enough to meet my goal. I reached out to my friends, my family, my Scouts, and it was really successful. All right, so now that the fundraising's done, we did the soil testing because we're planting trees. So basically, soil testing is where you dig holes into multiple grounds, and you want to make sure you cover the whole area of the trees that you planted You put it in a bucket, mix it around, and then I went to Rutgers, dropped off the soil bag, and they got it tested for me. Next up was marking out the trees. Dr. Villarsen, he recommended that we do 10 feet per tree in distance. This would give it enough time for the roots to grow out and for everything to grow properly. May 9th was my first work day, so I headed up 30 minutes early and went to go prep. It was supposed to rain, so that's why you see the tent and the shovels and all that. And then after that, we did the digging of the holes. When all my scouts and friends came over, we were able to dig the holes two feet by two feet, and that was good enough for the trees to be able to be planted. And testing results for the soil came back, and Dr. Erickson recommended that we treat it because it was very acidic for the trees. So basically what I'm doing is I'm putting the treatment, and I'm dispensing it around the whole area to making sure that the soil is treated. Planting the trees and shrubs, once the tree, once the holes are dug and the dispensed, if all the amendments are done, we dug the holes two feet by two feet and then we put the trees and shrubs in. And the key tip Dr. Erickson recommended is that the roots of the dirt should be level with the ground. Otherwise, if the tree's too far into the hole, it can get suffocated. And we didn't want that. And then fencing, while we were working on digging the holes and planting the trees, we had another group doing the fencing. And we did this because the bushes are, like, to be fine with with the deer, but the deer will eat the trees, so we wanted to keep as much control in there for the deers. Next. Next up was watering the trees. So first we didn't have the water bag, so we just put the hose on for the trees for about 30 seconds to a minute, and that was good enough, and now we do have the water bag, so that's all watered up. And lastly, we put the wood chips in the mulching so it looks more visible and it'll protect the roots and soil. And those are my scouts and friends and volunteers that came to help me with this project. And so coming out May 24th, this Sunday, if the weather allows me to, we will be doing the last part of my project, which is the benches and the sign. And so it's two benches that are already pre-treated, and then we just need to build them there, and then the sign is there as well.

Okay.

Kevin, get in here.

Come on, Mr. Kevin.

You're named in the presentation. DPW. DPW.

One, two, three. One second, one. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Congratulations. Thank you. Well done. Sounds like a great project. Thank you so much.

Chris, what was the most challenging part of the project?

So we did have to postpone the project a couple of times due to making sure that everything was there, especially the trees, because we had to get them from Rutgers. But other than that, once everything was coordinated, we were good to go.

How did you get the water there?

The water buffalo. Mr. Welder and Mr. Abernathy helped to get that there also.

And what kind of trees and shrubs did you plant?

So Rutgers donated the dogwood trees, and then we also got two trees from Ant Nursery that were sweet crepe myrtles, and then Dr. Erickson donated the shrubs, which were the sweet bushes. Very nice.

Great job.

Thank you.

Well done. Okay, you're next. Do you have a presentation? No, I just have a little speech here. That's okay.

Hi, my name is Millen Shaw. I'm a Boy Scout with Troop 40. I'm a Life Scout and the SPL of my troop. I'm here to talk to you guys today about an Eagle project that I've started to plan. It's still in the planning process, so I've talked to my Scoutmaster and my Eagle coach, and they've given me the good to go. So right now I'm just working on figuring out the materials and what I need to do in the future. So I'll be building a garden at the Baird Homestead, which is going to focus on historical medicinal plants. And the garden will be about 10 by 15 feet. It might be a little bit bigger as I'm planning, and that's bound to change in the future. But that's about what we have right now. I'll be researching with my troop what kinds of plants we'll use. Some of them will be from colonial times, others will be from present day. I'll have labels set up for the plants to teach visitors about their uses and how we use them today and in the past. The purpose of the project is to be a little bit educational as well. So along with those labels, I'll be building a website with my troop. It could be in addition to the Baird Homestead website or just my own website. And it'll have information, like I said, about the use of the plants, the history of the plants, and kind of their impact on... you know, the environment. And in addition to the garden, I'm hoping to build a fence to prevent deer and rabbits and any other animals from getting inside the garden, and also a gravel pathway around the side of the garden, so that way it makes it nicer and makes it more accessible for the visitors. And I just wanted to let you guys know my plans for the project, and I'm looking forward to working with Baird Homestead and Millstone. So thank you. Yeah, so we have, it's like closer to the entrance, so it's like right next to one of the pathways. The gravel pathway will be on the other side of the garden, so that way visitors can walk on the side that already has the pathway and then the gravel pathway on the other side of the garden. Do you have a favorite plant yet? So we, I'm going to plan on researching the plants with my troop. But two of the ones I was thinking about was chamomile and dandelions, which are both anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. So that's just two examples of plants that we use. Excellent. Sounds great. Thank you. True Forty is where? True Forty is in West Windsor, so about 30 minutes away. Great.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

GOOD LUCK. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

SO, WATERS.

TRIPPING HAZARD.

SO, PAT, THESE ARE BOTH RUN THROUGH THE HISTORIC?

THEY'RE BOTH BEING MENTORED BY THE FRIENDS OF MILSTON ATTACHED HISTORIC REGISTERED PROPERTIES, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AT THE BEAR AND ELMSTED. AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE ASKING THE BOYS you permission for the boys to go home and do their homework instead of staying through the whole meeting. Oh, no.

Absolutely. You're more than welcome to stay, but the weather could get a little iffy, so feel free to leave.

We're very proud to be working with two very young men who are very dedicated and showing great leadership.

Yeah, great projects. If we can help in any way, obviously you know how to reach out. to DBW.

Thank you, guys.

Have a great night.

All right. Thank you.

All right. Take care. Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Okay, we're going to start with correspondence, resignation letter from Denise Juhasz, violation clerk, effective May 1st, 2026. Ordinances, second reading, ordinance 2610, an ordinance accepting right-of-way dedication for a portion of block 48, 11.02, located at 103 Brookside Road.

Explanatory statement this ordinance accepts a right-of-way dedication for the portion of block 48 lot 11.02 affidavit of publication presented I will open up to the public to discuss this at 813 No, I will close it to the public at 813 can I ask for a motion to adopt or table I'll make the motion Any committee discussion

Nope. Okay. Going to do roll call vote. Deputy Mayor Morris? Yes. Committee Person Zabrowski? Yes. Committee Person Ziner?

Yes.

Committee Person Davis?

Yes.

Second reading, Ordinance 26-11. Ordinance accepting conservation easement for a portion of Block 16, Lot 9.06, located at 900 Reich Drive.

Explanatory statement, this ordinance accepts a conservation easement for a portion of block 16, lot 9.06 upon completion of improvements and release of performance guarantees, affidavit of publication presented. I will open up to the public at? 813. I will close it to the public at?

814.

I will ask for a motion to adopt your table.

I move to adopt.

I'll second it. Any committee discussion?

No. Okay, roll call. Committee person Zabrowski? Yes. Committee person Ziner?

Yes.

Committee person Davis?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Morris? Yes. First reading, Ordinance 26-12. Bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $1 million, providing for the acquisition of land and improvements thereto, and for the Township of Millstone and the County of Monmouth, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of 950,000 bonds or notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation.

Explanatory statement. This ordinance provides funding for the acquisition of land and improvements for the township of Millstone and appropriating a million dollars for such purpose. I get a motion to adopt our table. I'll second it. Any committee discussion? No.

Okay, roll call. Committee person Ziner?

Yes.

Committee person Davis?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Morris?

Yes.

Committee person Zabrowski?

Yes.

Second reading and public hearing to be held on June 3rd, 2026 at 8 p.m. at the Millstone Township Meeting Room, 215 Millstone Road, Provineville, New Jersey. First reading, Ordinance 26-13. Ordinance accepting conservation easement for a portion of Block 39.01... Lot 19.02, located at 76 Backbone Hill Road.

Explanatory statement. This ordinance accepts a conservation easement for a portion of block 39.01, lot 19.02. Can I get a motion to adopt our table? I'll make the motion to adopt.

I'll second.

Any committee discussion? No? No.

Okay, roll call. Committee person Ziner?

Yes.

Committee person Davis? Yes. Deputy Mayor Morris? Yes. Committee person Zabrowski? Yes. Second reading and public hearing to be held on June 3rd, 2026 at 8 p.m. at the Millstone Township Meeting Room, 215 Millstone Road, Permineville, New Jersey. Resolutions 26-127. Resolution setting forth reason for delay of introduction of municipal budget for 2026.

Can I get a motion to adopt your table? I'll make the motion to adopt.

I'll second. Any committee discussion?

No? Okay, roll call. Committee person Davis? Yes. Deputy Mayor Morris? Yes. Committee person Zabrowski? Yes. Committee person Ziner? Yes. Resolution 26-128, introduction of the municipal budget for the year 2026.

Can I get a motion to adopt your table?

I'll make a motion to adopt. I'll second.

Any committee discussion?

No. Okay, roll call. Deputy Mayor Morris? Yes. Committee Person Davis? Yes. Committee Person Zabrowski? Yes. Committee Person Ziner?

Yes.

Okay, the public hearing to be held on June 17, 2026 at 8 p.m. at the Millstone Township Meeting Room, 215 Millstone Road, Perrineville, New Jersey, 08535. Consent resolutions. All matters listed under item consent agenda are considered routine by the Township Committee and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion on these items. If discussion is desired of any item, that item will be considered separately. 26-129, payment of vouchers, May 20, 2026. 26-130, governing body certification of compliance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 26-131, resolution denying consent for treatment works approval permit application for 520 Route 33, LLC, Block 20, lot 3.14, located at 520 Route 33. 26-132, resolution authorizing execution of a shared service agreement between the Township of Millstone and the Borough of Englishtown for shared tax collector services. 26-133, amending resolution number 26-01, appointing professionals for 2026 and authorizing execution of a consent to assignment of contracts with Arathon Inc. 26-134, resolution appointing members to the Open Space Preservation Council. 26-135, resolution of the Township of Millstone, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, opposing Senate Bill number S-1786. Can I get a motion to adopt your table? I'll second. Roll call. Committee person Davis?

Yes.

Committee person Zabrowski? Yes. Committee person Ziner?

Yes.

Deputy Mayor Morris? Yes. Reports from various departments for April 2026. Tax collector, $2,523,291.08. Clerk's report, $1,889. Dog license, $1,274.40. Municipal Court, $9,133.21. Recreation, $25,919.72. Construction, $39,551. COA, $7,356. And the 2026 interest revenue is included. Can I get a motion to file? I'll make a motion. I'll second it. All in favor? Aye. Okay. Township committee minutes. There are none presented. Application for a social affairs permit. Millstone Township Elks PBOE number 2613 filed for a social affairs permit for an event to be held on August 15, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 22 Burn Tavern Road, Clarksburg, New Jersey. Rain date is August 16, 2026.

Can I get a motion to approve our table? I make the motion to approve it.

I'll second.

And there is an all in favor, please.

All in favor? Aye.

Loyal order of Moose Jackson Lodge number 1459, five for a social affairs permit for an event to be held on June 5th, 2026 and June 6th, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 560 Monmouth Road, Millstone, New Jersey.

Can I get a motion to approve or table?

I'll make a motion to approve.

Awesome.

Okay.

I'll second.

All in favor? Aye. Okay. We've got the liaison reports.

The first is George Washington's encampment will be held on Saturday, May 30th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baird Homestead at 24 Baird Road. Free and open to the public, family-friendly with activities for people of all ages. Come join Millstone Township as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Food and drink will be available for purchase from food trucks on site. Free parking will be available from the Baird Homestead at the Millstone Township Middle School. The second thing I have is the Millstone Township Open Space Preservation Council and Agricultural Advisory Council will be holding their annual Clambake on Sunday, June 7th at Wagner Farm Park. Tickets are available for $60 for adults, $15 for children. Tickets must be purchased in advance and they actually have to be purchased by May 29th in order to attend. That's it.

Thank you, Tara.

Yeah, first of all, from the Environmental Commission, I want to thank the public who came out on April 18th for our annual stream bank cleanup. We collected one ton of garbage, basically, which is actually a lower amount than usual, which means we're making headway. Normally we have tires and a lot of heavy stuff that we have to collect. This year it's just mostly litter and smaller beer bottles and liquor bottles. But we did a lot on that day, so thank you everybody who came out. Also, the Environmental Commission is working with the regional commissions around our area as there's watershed management plans that are required by the NJDEP to be performed We have joined a regional group to do the Assapink water management plan at no cost to the town. So there's another meeting coming up this week to perfect those plans, but that's what's going on from the Environmental Commission. And the Shade Street Commission and... For Arbor Day, planted a sugar maple tree over at the Millstone Park. We have gator bags there. And there's other trees that were planted previously all doing very well, thankfully. So more trees to make everything beautiful and help our environment. So that's what I got.

Thank you. Okay, a couple of quick updates from a recreation meeting this past week. First thing was the condition of the fields in our parks. Big area of discussion. Not a new discussion, but a big area in concern of the conditions, the maintenance, and where we're going. So engaged with Administrator Abernathy, consulting with turf management experts, to get an understanding of where the current fields are and what the remediation plans will be. The impact to that would be we're going to have to be rotating fields and we may not be able to use the preferred fields that programs want to use. The small impact during that time, you know, the turf and the condition of the turf are going to outweigh, you know, using Millstone Park versus Abbott Park or Wagner Farm Park. So the Rec Commission is also coming up with a field rotation plan on once we do have a remediation plan and we review our maintenance plan to make sure that, you know, whatever we do and spend the money to remediate, gets maintained properly so we're not in the same condition again. There'll be a resting plan that's going to show how we're going to keep that and make sure we don't put ourselves right back in the same position. Also met with a contractor this week at Abbott Park to evaluate the conditions there. Avakian was there as well. Multiple options that are going to be available that would prevent cracks in that surface for up to 50 years, which is a new product that we just made aware of. It's definitely more expensive than we anticipated, but I would say in the next couple weeks we'll get something a little more concrete. I'm hoping to have numbers back in the next couple days. on how we're going to do that, what it's going to be, you know, the first pass is basically every surface is going to be redone, the wall's going to be removed, cracks can be remediated, the parking lot's going to be looked at, budget permitting to do something there.

Basically the fence, the post go, but maybe the fence can be solved.

Yeah, sounds like the only thing we can solve is the fence, so, you know, that's going to be purely budgetary. We're going to open it up to the public at the end, and you can come up and ask any question you'd like to ask. Another project that's well underway was a grant that was written called Rest and Reflect. You may have saw some cement pads out in No Stone Park, and I think we got at least 50% of the benches installed. There'll be over 100 trees installed after. Obviously, that was not the ideal planting time. It'll be in the fall. The idea behind that was to put them around the walking path, put them in certain areas that people can sit and enjoy, whether they watch a game or they're watching the courts. And then there's going to be a program that's going to be initiated that you would be able to donate and add plaques and put family names or in memory of or whatever you would like to do. We'll be putting that information out. It'll be pushed not only through them, Township website, but the recreation website. If the program gets great adoption, then we will move that to other areas of the town, including other parks. That's all from my Nissan updates. Kevin, you have anything before we get on the new business? No, I think for now, I think you're good. I'll do these and comments from the base.

Okay.

Okay. All right, new business, buck mining renewal application for a two-year mining permit.

Do you want him to come up and talk or?

I mean, to us it's pretty self-explanatory what you're asking. Right, I think we're relying on you to give us an update of where we currently are.

I did a report, and you have it too. This mine's been around for 50, 60 years. It was approved to certain elevations back then, and we still haven't reached that elevation yet. But a few years ago, they slowed down. They came here, we thought they were done. Then they came back for, they had another customer to sell more soil. Then I don't know if they finished that or not. Then they came back again. So anyway, we've been giving them one year extensions every time for the last three, four years. And one of the problems we had was the Pine Hill roads condition. So they paved it knowing that we're gonna be done this year so we don't have to have trucks going over this newly paved road. And we also released a bond for paving the road. So now they want to come back again for two more years of soil removal, which I'm concerned with the road condition, what would happen to it.

Yeah, I mean, we're also concerned. I think that the two year, we haven't approved a two year in the last three years. So I don't anticipate us approving anything more than a year if we even do that. I think that would be the start of our point.

And one thing that was the Monmouth County Park System has been shown interest to purchasing this mine plus the adjoining mine, the Campo mine. And I haven't heard anything from the county. I don't know, Kevin tried to reach out to them. Did you hear from anybody, Kevin?

I think there's still a conversation.

There's still a conversation. From what I hear, they've gone there a few times. They've done some appraisals. But I don't know what's going on with the county either. Because usually the county says, We'll take it to this elevation and we'll buy it or leave it as it is. But we haven't heard anything from the county how they want to purchase this and when. So that's where we're at. But right now the problem is we just paved the road.

Well, look, our issue was the residents that came in and was concerned about the conditions.

The only complaint we've had for this mine all these years was the road condition. I'm not saying, well, the road is dirty, but they cleaned it up right away. It's just the road condition being the major problem that we have with this mine. And it's fixed, but I'm just afraid what would happen to it next.

Well, I think, again, if we're going to consider THE APPLICATION. WE WOULD NEED TO UNDERSTAND REINITIATING THE BOND BECAUSE IT CLEARLY CAN'T COVER ANOTHER YEAR OF WEAR AND TEAR. We need to understand that all your requirements that you kind of set forth are being covered.

Right.

And then we absolutely would like to know where the conversations with the County are going and the timing of that. Right. We we've always said we never wanted to kind of limit and stop you from being able to make money. Right. But it's, it's preserving the roads and how we want to do it, I think is going to drive our decision. I don't, I can't think of how we would extend it more than one year based on what we've done for the last three years. So I think if you want to come back at the next meeting and maybe have answers to all that, that would be very helpful, and then we can consider the application.

Well, as far as I know, the county wants to buy it. They're definitely going to buy it, regardless if they buy Campos or whatever. They want ours. Could you state your name for the record, please?

I know, sorry.

I guess you've been working today, huh?

I had an MRI done on my knee. I don't know what's wrong with it. Sorry. Old age. William Stone, representing Buck Mining. My wife's been in constant contact with, I think the fellow's name is Paul, from the county. They're definitely interested in our property, regardless if they buy Campos or not. One of the things they did ask us, if we could, is if they do purchase Campo, we'd be willing to help them if there's any kind of work that has to be done. And we said, no problem. We had the big contract, which we've been talking about. We've been supplying with material. Now that it fuels over $5 a gallon, we can't get truck drivers that want to work. The only reason we want to keep going is generate the money to do the restoration, which we started doing in certain areas.

Yeah, I don't think we want to get in the way of that, but we just need to make sure that all the stipulations that we've been agreed in working with you and the operation just maintains that way.

I have the package. Again, right now our concern is the road condition.

Yeah, it's beautiful.

Right now, yes. You could do 80, 90 miles an hour. Hey!

We would prefer you didn't.

What would happen if it starts cracking up?

Yeah.

We fix. You will fix it, but there's no bond. There's no assurance.

The bond issue is going to be a requirement of just, you know, I can save you a step for next time, but I think that's going to be something. And it's something we've already required and you've already provided. So I think at a minimum that's, because that will cover if, you know, another resident comes in and complains and we're not in compliance and you're not doing your part of the deal. Right. So far it's holding up. Good. I mean, there's no, you know.

It's been fine so far. I don't know how many trucks they go through there. You're not that busy. It's only not right now. It's just when you get busy, you have so many trucks going back and forth, that's when the trouble starts.

Is the local municipal tax up to date?

Yeah. I think that we just paid it yesterday. All the taxes are paid in full.

So you want him to come back next month to see what he wants to do as far as posting a bond? Absolutely.

I mean, follow the... Do you have a number in your head, you think, or you want to... Before the next meeting, we could, you know, present something.

I do have a number on my report, $100,000. But the price of that stuff is going up, so... I think we paved... They paved it last time for $70,000, $80,000, somewhere there.

It's like $85,000. Is it? Yeah. The original big was I think $76,000.

That was MECO.

Yeah, MECO did it. But by the time we did it, the price went up.

And if you pave it now, it'll probably be $150,000. The price of asphalt's gone up. I'll be okay with $100,000, to be honest with you, because if something goes bad on the road, it's not the whole road. You may have to do the section on the road.

And currently we have one bond on file for 51.

That bond is for restoration of the mine.

Oh, that's for restoration. So you want another bond for $100,000.

For the road repair.

Is the 51 adequate enough to restore the steep slopes? Under the new bond act, yes.

And they're going to have to restore it. They're going to sell it to someone too. I'm thinking if he has to do a camp over it. I don't know. Again, Those are unknown questions. Nobody knows what the county wants.

Nobody knows what they're doing right now. I think there's lawyers involved. If you can get us an update next meeting, too, that would be helpful. Well, we did ask Paul to write a letter, but he never did.

It would be great to get something from them, where they're going with this thing. Do you think one year is all you need? I know you asked for two years in our application. It's because it's a two-year bond.

Yeah, two-year by ordinance. That doesn't mean I want to keep going two more years. I just want to be able to sell if I need to, and then it'll cover the cost to see the fuel. I know that's right now. I bought fuel yesterday. It was $4,000. And then one of my excavators went down. It was $15,000 for a turbo. Not including the two days they came to look at the machine to find out what was wrong with it. That was another $5,900. Very inexpensive, the equipment.

Let us know by next meeting what you want to do.

The permit renews June 30th?

End of June.

When's the next meeting? June 3rd.

June 3rd.

It's the first Wednesday of June.

Then there's another one two weeks after that. So we have two meetings in June, right?

Third and 17th.

I'll let her know. If you get somebody from the county to come talk to us, it would be great. A letter or anything, I know.

Like I said, they're very interested in that piece.

We'll just have them call me if you want.

if you have somebody from the county if you know if they don't want to come to a meeting you know have them relay what their interest is to me yeah well they're supposed to be coming out um well the doctor the guy from rutgers he was supposed to dr miller yeah in march but with the weather conditions now i think maybe sometime in june so hopefully is the county going to meet him there as well i hope so if somebody wants to let me know when it is Yeah, I'll let you know. You can come out here yourself. Thanks, Wade. All right, have a good night. Thank you.

Thanks for coming out. Okay, any old business? Any additional comments from the days? I have a couple. So the primary election early in-person voting will be conducted on Tuesday May 26th through Sunday May 31st. Designated polling locations will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The two closest locations would be Manalapan Township, Monmouth County Library Headquarters, meeting rooms one, two, and three at 125 Sims Drive, or in Upper Freehold Township, Hope Fire Company number one meeting room, which is located at 82 Route 526 in Allen. Would also like to read something on behalf of Mayor Farrow on the passing of one of our employees. Donna Marie Arbia, 60, of Millstone, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8th, 2026. Members of the Arbia family, friends and neighbors and residents of our community. We read this today with heavy hearts, but also with minds full of profound gratitude. I speak on behalf of the town that is grieving, but more importantly, a town that was made immeasurably better by Donna. who lived in it. To lose someone like Donna is to feel a sudden quiet absence in the places that used to be filled with her warmth. She was not someone who sought the spotlight or demanded recognition, yet her impact on our community was undeniable. She understood a fundamental truth, that many of us spend a lifetime trying to learn that true friendship and true service is not about titles, but about the quiet, constant acts of kindness and dedication that hold a community together. Donna Marie was the kind of resident every mayor and township dream of having in their community. She was a builder of bridges, a comforter of those in need and a steady, reliable presence of grace. Whenever there was a need in our town, Donna didn't look around to see who would step up. She simply rolled up her sleeves and did the work herself. Her compassion wasn't abstract. It was felt by everyone who crossed her path. Donna was born on October 19, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York and spent her early years there and then in Staten Island before making her home in Millstone 17 years ago. She embraced the farm lifestyle wholeheartedly, finding joy in gardening, caring for her animals, horseback riding, barrel racing, and team penning. All else above, she cherished her family. Donna enjoyed cooking and hosting holiday gathers and had her famous meatballs and lasagna, which were always a favorite. She had a special way of turning an ordinary day into a celebration for people she loved. Donna was honored as a Golden Gloves recipient for her skills at shortstop. She also enjoyed listening to country music with her husband, Ralph, and together they shared a fondness for dragonflies. Donna was a caring, loving person who touched the lives not only of her children, but every person fortunate to know her. Donna is now reunited in heaven with her beloved parents, Dominic and Winfred Kofi, I hope I didn't say that wrong, and mother-in-law, Anna Marie Arvia. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her devoted husband of 33 years, Ralph, her children, Melissa, Ralph III, Justin, and Joseph. To her beloved family, Please know the people in town wrap their arms around you. We share in your sorrow, but we also share in the immense pride. The legacy she leaves behind isn't written in stone or in the walls of town hall, but is written in the hearts of people she touched, the lives she bettered, and the community she helped shape. As we say our final goodbyes to Donna, let us honor her memory not just with our tears, but with our actions. Let's carry forward her spirit of selflessness. Let's be a little kinder to our neighbors, a little more present to our families, and a little more dedicated to the town she dearly loved. Donna Marie, thank you for your beautiful life, your generous heart, and your endless service to all. May you rest in eternal peace.

God bless you.

I don't know if anyone has anything else to say.

Yeah, I'd actually add to that. A lot of the residents may know Donna. You know, she was a dear friend and colleague working in our construction department. So whenever you came in there, she always was very helpful and she didn't need to work. She just enjoyed helping the residents.

Very sweet. Very sweet lady.

I'll tell you a quick story. So when she was, we had an opening in the rec department and she knew that we were struggling trying to get it off and running because the programs run, they don't stop and we have to keep it. And she sat and she asked me about the job because we wanted to interview for it and she was like, I don't know anything about recreation, but I know you need it and I'm happy to do it. So that just shows the character of this woman. Didn't really care that she didn't know how to do it, but knew there was a need and just wanted to step in and fill it. Okay. Any other comments from the days? Okay. I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC AT? 843. 843. DO YOU WANT TO COME UP? I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW, BUT... STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT AT RESIDENT RUN, COIL HILL ESTATES FOR 32 YEARS. Purpose of my being here tonight is to hopefully close the process for the road on Quail Hill. I've been meeting with the Department of DPW, Leon, probably over two and a half years.

Matt.

Oh, Matt?

Now you know why it didn't get done. I know he's retiring.

That's good to say. He's retiring. You can call him whatever you want.

Anyway, I'm trying to close this process. The potholes, potholes, there's no longer potholes. When you drive up Coil Hill, it looks like a bunker bomb hit the middle of the street. It's 15 feet front to back, the width of the road. Dangerous. And I don't know how often I have to make a comment to people at the department a couple times. It's always on the top of the list.

Well, I don't know if it's top of the list, but if you don't mind, I'll answer for you. So I'm supposed to tomorrow get the, there's a handful of roads. Dugan's Grove, there's Quail Hill, there's Gordon, the north side of Parkside, and then there's Fletcher. Fletcher. Fletcher. Fletcher. Part of Felcher is in us, part of us is East Windsor. The mayor of East Windsor said if we do ours, she'll work on getting theirs done and the same with Gordon. So I'm supposed to have these numbers tomorrow. So as soon as we get the numbers tomorrow, I'm hoping that reasonably priced that we'll be able to try to get a special program to get those roads addressed as soon as we can get it out to bid and maybe not even have to put it out to bid.

Yeah, what if it doesn't? Can you continue?

My intention is get it done.

Because those are bad. What we need to avoid is a mishap. Kids ride up and down with their little motor scooters.

They hit that. Well, there shouldn't be ride motor scooters on the road. Well, it doesn't matter.

That's what they do. They shouldn't do a lot of things.

It's almost breaking laws.

I can't help you. The road needs to be fixed.

It needs to be fixed. More than potholes. Yes. There's a whole section. Do you remember how many feet off A and Matt? How many feet, Matt, Michael, they're measuring out for?

I don't think he measured Quail. No, it was.

Quail was definitely there.

But we're not doing a whole Quail Hill. Correct. We're doing it off to a certain point. When you come in.

Yeah, Foxburg Road, I think 300 feet in. Yeah, something like that. I don't have the exact number here.

It should not be as expensive as whole road.

Yeah, I'm supposed to have those numbers tomorrow, and hopefully I'll be able to, with our budget here that we're in the process of passing, there was monies left to make sure that we have that kind of numbers.

And if you do get the budget, the funding will happen this year? Yeah.

We have a contractor already, so it will be done.

I'm hoping like, you know, not even fall, like, you know, like summer or earlier, the better. We realize, I don't know if I asked a couple weeks ago if you wanted to take a ride at Gordon, go take a ride at Felcher if you haven't. And then, you know, just see why they're in the same kind of, you know, they're actually worse than you.

You've got to see all the blacktop that's on the side of the roads. I know all your neighbors. Builds up, builds up, builds up. No, I understand. I know, I'm not. I know you're working on it. I just need to resolve it.

But the patching isn't going to resolve it anymore. Oh, no.

It has to be mailed and paid. That's all. Yes.

So the idea is if we can put a few of the roads together, we get a better price on somebody to come in, bang it out, and be done. Yep. Can I stop by your office next week and get an update? Will you know before next week? He'll tell you to come see him in June because he won't be here, but that's another story. Well, whoever's there.

Somebody will be there.

You can come see my office. I wasn't in. You were in the other day, and I wasn't in my office. So I'm in the back next to Kathleen's office.

One other item. You brought it up about Bay Park and the pavement. The tennis courts. Tennis courts aren't bad, but you've got joints.

No, they're bad.

They're bad.

Every surface there, the plan is to redo. And not fix. completely replaced, brand new everything, and we're even looking at different systems that we're being told that it's 50 years without a crack.

Get rid of the asphalt, put four inches of concrete down to put a material on top of it.

Well, you know what? If you have a process and you have timelines, I'm great with that.

So we're getting pricing now. We have to leverage that pricing to what we already budgeted. We're certainly going to look for grant money to try to leverage the dollar that we spend. And either way,

something massive is getting done there yeah and the concession that i not that i'm part of the process my concession would be is fill in the crack well we've done that it's not really it's not working well we would prefer to it doesn't last that long yeah no the courts are 20 years old already it's ready it's ready to go why it is why it is it's dangerous yeah all right thank you thank you for your time have a good night all right

Yeah, not on this one. Good evening.

Oh, sorry.

No, I was just going to say, please drive. I don't know if you drove those other streets since I mentioned it two weeks ago.

I hit Quail Hill today. I hit that pothole. Hit Gordon Road. And I'm not a motorcycle.

No, I know. That's what I'm saying. That's where we've got to get taken care of.

Sorry. No, no worries at all. Good evening chair. Good evening body. I'm Daniel Francisco. I'm the mayor in English town borough right south north of you guys. I'm joined by my colleague John elite was our council president. Just to put it briefly, I just want to extend my gratitude on the resolution to work together on the shared service. Appreciate it. Mr Abernathy, your help with Kim. And for us, we're a small borough. We're 2300 people smaller than you guys. It's very important to us that we leverage these kind of relationships to run our borough efficiently. So just wanted to say Thank you and looking forward to working together. Mayor Farrow has always been a class act. He visits our borough often. We get along really well with him, so we're looking forward to our teams working together. And say hello to my friend Sam as well when you see him. Thank you, everybody. Sam's there too. Thank you. Thank you. All right, thank you. Thank you. Go to work right there.

Do we need to lower that mic for you, Mr. Mayor? Maybe. Yes. I'll give you a chair.

I'm Pat Butch, 40 Prottle and Way. I'm here tonight to invite everybody to come to the Washington, George Washington encampment on May 30th, next weekend, a weekend from next Saturday, a week from this Saturday. It's a free event. Please come, enjoy the day. We are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation. We will have George Washington there with two of his soldiers, New Jersey's 1st Infantry. We will have Martha Washington, Hannah Till. We will be doing presentations and we'll have a game for FOR STUDENTS TO PLAY WITH FREE PRIZES. WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYBODY. AND IF SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP, WE COULD STILL USE SOME EXTRA VOLUNTEERS. YES.

I'LL VOLUNTEER. THANK YOU.

OKAY. I HAVE YOUR NAME ON THERE.

I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CHOICE FOR THAT. BARRED HOSTEAD.

Yes, and actually George Washington and his two men and their horses will be camping overnight there the night before. So yes, it should be an exciting day.

Tara already put a push. I don't know if you were here when she put a plug out for you already as well.

No, I think I went out to the park for a few minutes.

But thank you for that plug.

I did not hear.

I've been plugging it for weeks now. Good.

And Tara also helped us get the middle school as a rain location in case we have bad weather. So please come out and join the celebration.

I'm looking forward to it. Speaking of celebrations, Monday is Memorial Day. Yes. So the parade kicks off in 4 Red Valley Road in Millstone Park and goes about a quarter mile up to the municipal building and the memorial. So the parade, I guess assembly is at 8, parade's at 9, and you're probably in your car by 10.15, 10.30 on your way home.

When is the ceremony? No, actually, the ceremony is at 10 o'clock. 10 o'clock? It starts at 10, the parade is 9.15.

It won't start before 10, it'll start at 10 or later.

The ceremony, 10. Okay, thank you.

Anyone else? All right, I'd like to close to the public at? 8.53. I will entertain a motion to adjourn. I'll make a motion. Second.

What would I have? Tara and Jeff.

All in favor? Aye. Time out.

Time out. 853.

Thank you. Everybody get home safe. Yes.