##VIDEO ID:0lkkQ2bWPuU## I like to call this meeting to order it's 6 o'clock this is a regular meeting of the township of Washington in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey statutes regarding open public meetings notice this meeting was was legally advertised in a curent post in South Jersey Times that post on the bulletin board the municipal building fire exits are located through the double doors to your left and right please silence all mobile devices this meting been videotaped anyone does what should be seen on television may be excused this will be shown on Comcast channel 9 every week Sunday at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and Friday at 10 p.m. and Saturday 10 p.m. will continue until the next meeting this meeting is being live streamed on YouTube and can be found at WT Productions under the live stream agenda which is on the Township's official website please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge Allegiance flag United States roll call please Mr Bennett here Mr Brown here Mr delpia here Mr Jus Mr deell here mayor Burns here Mr Russo Mr Wright all right moving on before we give our our presentations there's something that we do here in town they're actually down now because we're we're we hang every mayor's picture up on the wall and tonight we're going to do the unveiling of Mayor Burns's picture so we're very excited for this so mayor Burns if you can come down here so we can do your unveiling for Four 3 2 [Applause] [Applause] if you know me you know I write everything down a year ago I was honored to be appointed as mayor to fill Joan Gat Nell's unexpired term I stepped into this role knowing it would be both a challenge and a privilege and what an incredible journey it has been being born and raised here in Washington Township has always been my home and serving as your mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life over the past year I've had the privilege of working alongside so many dedicated individuals our council members department heads Township staff and most importantly the residents of Washington Township together we fac challenges celebrated milestones and work tirelessly to make our community stronger one of the greatest joys of this role has been connecting with so many of you whether it was at events in meetings or just in conversation and passing your voices have inspired me every single day being mayor has been the has been given being mayor has given me the chance to see firsthand the heart and resilience of our community qualities that make Washington Township such a special place to call home this past year has also been a time of growth and learning for me I gained a deeper appreciation for complexities of leadership and the importance of collaboration every decision made every initiative pursued has been driven by a love for this town and a commitment to serve the people through my role as mayor is coming to an end my dedication to Washington Township will remain as strong as ever I will always be proud to have the opportunity to serve this community and I look forward to continuing to support it in whatever ways I can to my family my friends my colleagues and all the residents who have supported me throughout this journey thank you your encouragement and belief in me have meant more than I can ever express and as I close this chapter I do so I do so with appreciation for the opportunity to serve as your mayor it has been the honor of a lifetime and I will forever cherish the memories of this past year thank you and may Washington Township to continue to thrive and shine as the incredible community that it [Applause] is e [Applause] even everyone I'm I'm thrilled to be here to congratulate our incredible Deck Hockey League on an absolutely outstanding accomplishment this season going undefeated in the 2024 season is not a small feat it takes Talent dedication teamwork and an Unstoppable Spirit you're not only made Washington Township proud but have also shown us the true power of preservation and Unity on behalf of our community thank you for representing us with such Excellence here's the C celebrating your success and looking forward to many more victories in your future so can I have the entire team and the coaches come up here what yeah yeah that's fine I apologize in advance if I mess your names up okay head coach James DeMarco we really do have it together yeah no stay please not coach Brian [Applause] Bernardo coach Dominic barrero I say that [Applause] right and then we have our team representative Julie DeMarco you'll take it [Applause] for ARA [Applause] odonnell Bren Harrington [Applause] Bryce Bernardo Charlotte Egan Christian marov marovitz Dominic spero III Dominic dilio Eddie Kenyan Kenyan Ellie Bowers Eli what is it it's Eli right yeah I said that wrong I'm sorry Elijah IM imper not here Harper you want to stay here is it Killian Killian Finn Liam Harrington rean Reagan Sammy and Vincent dearco congratulations anything [Applause] in front of the in front of the the trophies are in the way of the move over to the wall our picture over there's that [Applause] he I need to I need to eat dinner too thank you congratulations thank you congratulations so tonight's a wonderful night to celebrate the holiday season and the creativity that lights up Washington Township the light of the town Christmas house decorating contest has become one of our favorite traditions and this year's theme holiday classic brought out some truly stunning displays before we announce the winners I want to thank everyone who participated in making this SE this season extra special your efforts have brought joy and inspiration to so many in our community um last Friday the 13th Peter and I took a took a bus along with um some of our other residents um and we toured 26 houses that submitted to be part of this contest and it wasn't easy let me tell you to the point where I think I took this little one my granddaughter out twice over the weekend again to drive by myself to see these houses and try to pick the winners um they were all fantastic so I I applaud everybody's hard work that you put into it our first winner up is the chief's Choice Award he too drove around the township with his family looking at all the pictures and his award went to sixie Goodwin Parkway you'd like to come up it's the very yep go ahead you can hand it to them Paisley go ahead what do you your display impressed with us its creativity precision and holiday spirit congratulations on orning earning the chief's approval [Applause] oh the snow when this when they saw this snow they went nuts yeah they did they did next up our our award for most original yard this this display showed us that you went above and beyond to make your yard truly one of a kind I had a hard time picking this one because I almost made it my mayor's favorite but it went to 19 pindal Court [Applause] Mr Chuck donu Pino I'm sorry did I say that wrong PIN I my paper said pin but it is pinoke with the fireplace outside and the Santa Claus I may have driven by a couple times you were still putting it out there believe work somebody has here right the next award is for best use of theme it goes to 228 East hle Avenue your display perfectly captured the nostalgic magic of a holiday classic beautifully reflecting this year's theme [Applause] this this contest is a lot of fun because I think it challenges your neighbors to have to compete with you when you put up your lights but the next one is the Clark Griswald award for the home that truly went above and beyond with lights and decoration your display was nothing short of spectacular pure holiday energy and this award goes to 62 [Applause] Cranford e so the next one is the Mayor's Choice Award now my granddaughter here and I went back and forth over and over again and I did not picked the one that she wanted I picked the one that I wanted so I have to say that this display was my personal favorite because of the Whimsical gnome theme as many of you know gnomes are my favorite and they hold a special place in my heart and this home's festive charm and creativity were simply Unforgettable the winner of the Mayor's Choice Award this year goes to 19 thornfield Circle [Applause] every so our last award is the People's Choice Award now they had all weekend to go on and Drive by all 26 homes and vote through a Google form that they could submit and at 9:00 on Sunday the answer was revealed that the most meaningful award tonight is chosen by all the residents and it goes to one Palmer Court your display captured the hearts of our community embodying the true Spirit of the Season congratulations d so let's give a big round of applause for all of our winners but before we end I'm going to recommend to the new mayor Anthony over here for uh next year 2025 and going forward that we add a um choice to the People's Choice Awards where they go on the Google search and and do it and add to a Kids Choice Award so the kids can choose and add an award because it truly was so much fun with this little one here and all the kids that took the bus store with us they loved every second of looking at these houses and obviously her theme I mean if I could give it to her to pick she would have picked 22 um Renfield as her um honorable mention that was my granddaughter's favorite was 22 Renfield they're not here today because we didn't have a choice award and I thought about it as I was driving by and had to drive by there five times um check it out if you if you guys haven't seen it yet it is it is really a really cool house all of them are um the list is still up on our website I highly recommend everybody going by um but I really do think a Kids Choice it may get even more people award yeah take it add that add that for then um so again let's give a big round of applause to all the winners your creativity enthusiasm have made Washington Township glow with holiday cheer thank you for participating we love them all thank you wasn't the December 1 PR that's it's just today's Buist the whole thing that's news to me supicious we'll talk about it l all right moving on can I get a motion to approve the bill list for December 17th 2024 motion second roll call please Mr Bennett yes Mr Brown yes Mr yes Mr de yes can I get a motion to approve the regular minutes for November 26 2024 motion second roll call please Benn yes Mr Brown yes Mr Delia yes Mr deell yes moving on to ordinances we have 8-24 this is an ordinance amending chapter 80 of the code of the township of Washington entitled fees this ordinance of her adoption after public hearing can I get a motion open to the public on ordinance 0018 d24 motion all in favor I anyone wishing to speak about ordinance 18 please come up and state your name and address seeing none can I get a motion to close motion can I get a motion to approve ordinance 18-22 24 motion roll call please Mr Bennett yes Mr Brown yes yes yes ordinance 0019 d224 this is an ordinance adopting the amended Redevelopment plan for the deli Drive Redevelopment area in accordance with the requirements of local Redevelopment Housing law njsa 04a 12 A-1 this ordance off for adoption after public hearing can I get a motion to open to the public on ordinance 19-22 24 Mo second all in favor I I anyone wishing to speak about ordance 19 please step up state your name and your address seeing none can I get a motion to close to the public on ordinance 19224 motion second all in favor I can I get a motion to approve ordinance 19-22 24 I'll make that motion roll call please it yes Mr Brown yes Mr yes Mr yes ordinance -002 d224 this is the ordinance of the township of Washington County of glou the state of New Jersey repealing township code chapter 216 streets and sidewalks sections 38 through 41 pertaining to sidewalk maintenance and amending chapter 179 Property Maintenance and housing standards section 7 hazardous and unsanitary conditions duty of owners and operators to include maintenance of sidewalks this ordinance is uper public a public hearing can I get a motion to the public to open to the public on ordinance 002 d24 motion all in favor I I anyone wish to speak on ordinance 20 please come up state your name and address seeing none going to get a motion to close the public ordinance 2024 all in favor I can I get a motion to approve ordinance 202024 motion roll call please Mr Bennett yes Mr Brown yes Delia yes Mr derella yes the following resolutions are by consent agenda only require vote for all listed each one must be read by title if any member of the council wishes to have one removed and heard separately they need to indicate prior to the reading of the titles does anyone need anything removed Madam clerk would you please read the resolutions resolution 304 resolution authorizing the municipal clerk to advertise requests for proposals for 2025 Professional Services 305 resolution authorizing assignment of tax certificate number 23-26 to pause in motion 306 resolution amending resolution 294 2024 canceling taxes for Sarah over hter 239 914 for Street effective October 31st 2024 307 resolution authorizing the T Wasington to accept subgrant award of the federal fiscal year 2024 of Emergency Management performance Grant and Emergency Management agency assist 308 resolution authorizing a transfer of budget appr appropriation 309 resolution requesting approval of Revenue and Appropriations the Department of Community Affairs for the Federal Emergency Management assistance grant in the amount of $10,000 31 resolution to close out the township of Washington's petty cash fund of $500 for the fisc year of 2024 311 resolution authorizing contracts with certain approved State contract vendors for contract Contracting units pursu to njsa 40a 11-12 312 resolution authorizing a change order from Paving plus LLC for FY 2023 NJ do trust fund Selena Road improvements project 0818 431 33 resolution approving the release of a maintenance guarantee to Sterling United properties milpond Village Center located at 32386 Harbor Road block 19427 project 0818 48i 314 resolution awarding a contract with C County Educational Services Cooperative Jersey Turf Consultants LLC Turf application and service for the Washington Township Soccer Complex 315 resolution aing a bid to Charles marandino LLC FY 22 NJ do Johnson Road pedestrian improvements project 0818 439 316 resolution authorizing the release of contract for the purchase of 451 and 453 herlock Road 37 resolution fixing the salaries wages compensation and benefits for fire Commissioners for the Washington Township Fire District number one fiscal year 2025 thank you man clerk I get a motion to approve resolutions r304 d224 to r317 d224 motion second roll call please Bennett yes Brown yes Mr yes moving on to Old business new business and reports why don't we start Mr all righty um I'd like to all the res thank all the residents and the historic preservation committee for the magic with Christmas I think it was a big success um and again I think it's important part of the community uh having the magic of Christmas at the old ston house gets you a chance to go into the building see the history and again and we just love more people to come out um also like to thank my boy scouts for helping me over the last uh five weeks with breaking leaves for the seniors in town so I appreciate that happening uh you know Lori gave me a list of uh different uh seniors who were needy and needed their gra uh their leaves taken care of and I did take care of that with the help of the Boy Scouts um also like to thank Lorie Burns for a great job over the last years uh working with us to make sure the town is better um just a key thing uh is with uh lawn waste we have to make sure that if you have lawn waste from uh November 1st to ail April 1st that it has to be you have to go online to put in your address so it's picked up uh we we don't want to have people continuously having stuff outside on the road and on the street so make sure that or or yeah or you can call make sure that your yard Wati is picked up usually during this time there's not a lot of yard waist pickup and the reason why we're doing this is to eliminate uh unnecessary uh trucks being out on the road thank you thank you Council Council Brown um I want to thank all those who um assisted and set up with the tree lighting is a again a wonderful event uh a lot of people hard work into it uh nice attendance again this year um can't wait to do it again next year uh a lot of things just happened this month with all the Christmas activities everybody who's participated thank you um for all of your dedication and hard work um making Christmas season the holiday season enjoyable for everybody um nothing from the library this month um getting ready to start the new year I'm sure they'll have some upcoming events for 2025 um I too want to thank mayor Burns for her term uh filling in for mayor gatelli uh it was a pleasure working with you this entire time we had a lot of fun a lot of joking around um was really fun working with you and to the residents the employees uh my fellow council member and mayor uh Merry Christmas and happy New Year keep it as safe fun um unfortunately we've had some very serious accidents in town pedestrian wise police department has really been going up and above beyond the duty um and let's appreciate our First Responders for all that they do especially during this holiday season um many of them their table is in a fire Tru or a patrol car or an ambulance uh taking care of us while we're home uh enjoying ourselves so keep them in your prayers and um show them appreciation when you're out thank you also I want to see is right I put you on a spot but you did you did but um I just want to say how proud I am of you um for those that don't know Lor is my sister and watching her develop into the person she is today has just inspired me and I'm so proud of you and I look forward to everything that you have planned for your future so shine shine shine on thank you pres thank you council president um first want to congratulate the hockey team uh it was great to have them here um I want to thank councilman Bennett one of the seniors did come up to me the other day and RAV that uh you and the Boy Scouts went over raked her leaves she said she had a lot of leaves and you guys did it old school you guys raked it went to a tarp drug it to the curb she couldn't thank you enough so it's great to see what you and the boy scouts do out there for our residence so thank you for doing that um it is a time of giving um the tree lighting was great as the mayor mentioned Lisa did a great job with the Rangers Public Works uh Nick Lenny from Denis party Reynolds who did the the tent it's great to see the community get together for events like that um to all the winners with the decorating of the lights it again those community events are great maybe next year we can do a Halloween one too yeah these people doing a lot of Halloween stuff so maybe we could do a Halloween um contest as well I like that um and we can still do a Kids Choice okay um and also last thing I want to say is Mayor it it has been an honor um for anybody doesn't know you know we ran against each other but we still kept our friendship kept our professionalism and um you were put in a hard position coming in cold with a year in front of you just getting thrown in there you handled it with Grace you did a great job it was it was an honor working alongside you um and I think we've said this before we gained a I gained a friend so I wish you the best in everything you do thank you for everything you did and um you know we'll see you around I'm sure and uh just want to wish everybody Merry Christmas happy healthy New Year and that's it thank you H vice president so I got a list here I I'll speak for Jack as well because I'm sure he had some things uh so yesterday we the the police department put on coffee with with the seniors so that was great if anybody got to see that we posted some of the pictures there thank you Chief and thank you to all the officers that was actually a really great event yesterday also congratulations to the girls uh Girl Scouts I was at the Pitman theater on uh on Sunday and were there and we got to spend some time together so it was nice to see them over there if anyone's been to the Pitman theater definitely take your kids it really is it's great we also had a fundraiser for the men anden basketball team which was was which was a lot of fun so thank you to coach and all the people put that together that was a success also congratulations to T was it Tut's and Tiaras is that right two tias and Tiaras what a what a great concept so definitely checked out the brand new business here in Washington Township we were all there for the opening congratulations to to a big her name is Rose on that opening she had a really ni nice job Rosie yeah it was really really it really good concept I liked it I I think anyone who's looking for something to do with your children or or or you know for a birthday party or event definitely check that out rotary did their annual dictionary giveaway to all fifth graders I believe all fifth graders third graders all third graders got their annual dictionary from the rotary so thank you to Rotary Dave portney was in town I don't know if anybody saw that slice was uh uh Dave portney was in town he gave slice a 7.4 so it's pretty cool that he was here in town I know we had talked about trying to get him to town he just comes in and and he does tell anybody he's coming but he was here in town he did give that so I think slice has definitely seen an uptick in business we were there the next night we go there anyway but it was it was good uh congratulations to Michelle pill I don't know if anybody saw the the the U Washington to neighbors magazine she was recognized on the cover so if you don't know them if you don't know pastor and that family just wonderful people they just do so many great things for the community not just Washington town but glosser County as a whole so congratulations to them had the chance to ride with Jim Connor if anybody knows Jim what what a what a great just what a great individual great human he we we drove together on the fire truck in the Blackwood parade and the Washington Township Fire Department congratulations to them they won best decorated ladder so congratulations it was actually a lot of fun Jim's a great guy we really had a lot of fun together we also had the Gloucester County veterans laying of the reefs so I was I was there with with with some of the council here as well uh also stuff the cruiser was a big success Chief again always thank you so much to agency also did a toys for Todd and also Lenny and Dan's party Reynold congratulations to the junior Roc they got really high marks Council vice president and I were there congratulations to the police officers again uh tomorrow and Thursday I'll be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army anybody at the def mall I'm in front of bosov so any wants to stop by there and on a on a personal note um oh also yes that's right thank you thank you president Council vice president I and Nancy had lunch Friday Friday Friday with the owner of Monster Golf so if anybody has not been to monster go that's coming year to Washington Township it's going to be 22,000 square feet of fun what a great concept we actually went and saw the one they have in Cherry Cherry Hill Cherry Hill the the owner Bob is is is a great guy and uh we're really excited about this yeah laser Tag's coming he's got a hole so we' seen a lot of team building here in the building I I see the fire versus the police coming up I see some real fun stuff in the in the future here so I I see uh uh some of the some of the teams going out but really a lot of fun so a lot of his business is corporate events so anybody looking for some good team building and again on a personal note uh mayor it has truly been an honor to work with you and definitely like like Council vice president it's it's friend it was always when you came in your personality you wanted to get to work you were just such a great fit for us and that is the very first key to the city that is the very first one and we're going to give those out sparingly so you have the very first one and it's it's I truly think of you as a friend now I appreciate your your dedication and service to the town and I think I can speak for the whole town we really congratulate you on a job well done um I don't think we ever had a question of that but you really shined and we got a lot of good and and and Council Brown was we had a lot of good last together we really worked well together and I and I really do commend both of you because I think the election really shows that everyone can work together this town really showed that and and just to watch you two work together and to watch all of us it really was a lot of fun so thank you so much for all right all right moving on Municipal complex will be closed on Tuesday December 24th through Thursday December 26th in observance of the Christmas holiday we wish everyone a very merry Christmas happy Hanukkah to those who are celebrating M comp will be closed on Wednesday January 1st in observance of the New Year's holiday we wish everyone a safe and happy New Year and the reorg meeting will be January 3rd at 6 PM so I'm pretty sure the reor meeting is going what's that it's going to be at the it's going to be at the high school and the whole town is invited so please please come out bring your families bring your children we're going to have it's going to be a lot of fun and and we ask everyone to please come now we're going to move on to public participation please follow the public theor posted has been attached to the public agenda and limit your comments to 5 minutes once you've completed your comments or questions please take a seat and I'll ask if any member of the governing body or the need wishes to address your comments or questions asked by the person who spoke can I get a motion open to the public motion all in favor I I anyone wishing to speak from the public Maxine sure you had papers in your hand I thought you wanted to say something anyone else seeing none okay can I get a motion to close it the public motion second all in favor I the next council meeting is scheduled for Friday January 3rd 2025 at 6 p.m. can I get a motion to adjourn roll call please I know you can do a Jour but you wrot roll call so I'll go with the roll call Mr Brown yes Mr Delia yes Mr yes the meeting of jours