hello good evening so we got an extra special crowd tonight so let me ask is there anyone who has uh attended the service or military that's in the crowd if you can can you stand up and me it to the plg of [Music] Allegiance I of the United States of America the for stands Nation indivisible with liy and justice for all thank you you and I have a moment of silence call May mayor heny police CH mayor Henley can you please read the requirements of the sun law certainly requirements of the Sunshine Law have been met is advertised in Burlington County Times on January 7 2020 24 electronic notice was given to the njac 5 39-15 we will now have a proclamation reading of the EMS week read it special weing I didn't her so we're live no yes we're live yes yes yes okay Proclamation for Emergency Medical Services we whereas Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service and whereas the members of Emergency Medical Services teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day 7 days a week and whereas access to Quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury and whereas Emergency Medical Services has pro has grown to fill a gap by providing important out of hospital care including preventive medicine follow-up care and access to Tele medicine and whereas the Emergency Medical Services System consists of First Responders emergency medical technicians paramedics emergency medical dispatchers firefighters police officers Educators administrators prehospital nurses emergency nurses emergency physicians trained me members of the public and other out of Hospital Medical Care Providers and whereas the members of Emergency Medical Services teams whether career or volunteer engaged in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life saving skills and whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value and accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services provided providers by designating the Emergency Medical Service is we now therefore that we West hampon Township in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 19th through 25th 2024 as an emergency medical services week now we have a presentation for our 2003 Police Department award thank you good evening I'm um tonight I have an award for one of my officers we had our department meeting back in March U the officer received a certificate that time um a little while to come in so tonight I think it's proper to read in front of the public and um I'm sure everyone knows what it really happens in our town on a daily basis and the proactivity our officers um put in every day night so on May 23rd 2023 appr um 4 in the morning let's W located at 76 Spring Road for the report of a wellbe cheuck on M sleep the vehicle patrol s dve in the air located vehicle make contact with the driver um while making contact with the driver driver appeared to be under the influence of some drug sweetie notice a large Dr Light gar pocket um has the driver of the vehicle is other weapons in the vehicle driver then began reaching for the CER Council um before we could remove the knif driver was subsequently arrested for KN search also conducted a loaded s automatic handgun and the Center Council where the subject was reaching for um which was loaded with illegal hollow point ammunition the driver was later determined to be a certain person being a felon that should not have been possessed in fire told me Morrison and they're commended for outstanding investigative efforts and safety tactics so approximately 2 weeks before then P Morris and P Sweeny would also double up again uh P Sweeny was on the F program uh became contact with the u i in the same area of a motor vehicle a one of the drivers um Wasing signs of intoxication um during the search of the vehicle and the search of the person we recovered a large amount foring our prodcts also a BL at night uh in the vehicle um pres investigation led to the vehicle and you can see a semi-automatic handgun sticking out the driver's seat in the driver's door this vehicle was open searched which revealed the object of the initation fire that still presented a threat to the offic loation offended was arrested in charge to offenses once again F Bo now to February 14th of 2023 F sweee now body on his own in contact with a suent vehicle the best parking lot he D the M sleeping in his vehicle and one appeared to be smok from Department he made contact with the subject and determined that work was coming from the L cigarette while the subject was asleep with the wellbe check completed the subject currently exed the vehicle himself sweee TR sede then began looking around the subject vehicle that the subject had left the window down cash was Ling all over the seat and saw several shotgun shells Ling on the floorboard phone spe what appeared to be a shotgun partially covered under laundry after observing this located mail was walking inly around the hotel and attemped to get away as result the nail identified and found have a warrant for his arrest subsequent search of the vehicle turned over a large amount of nothing Pam shot with f ammunition a large C and several illegal fireworks defended was arrested charge accordly once again TR was committed for his thir build as a result of that taking one legal fire off the street uh a t of legal narcotics and some other weapons um trollman Eric Sweeny is awarded the exceptional Duty award for his actions taking during the year 2023 [Music] thank you appr minutes May 7 2024 regular meeting minutes is there a motion motion second any discussion uh yes mayor I have a question on I guess page two last time we had a resident who send an email for every time the person in the audience was allowed to make a comment and I'm wondering going to start at the precedent for that happening we used to have what was called OPM page where some could not make it would uh write a me one message to the township committee and it would be read and this is five or six places can you imagine if 20 people from five or six different times had to have an email written so maybe we need to have a a policy or a resolution how to do that I know people can't come and they want their voice to be heard but I think that we should go back to the O op page where they can put all the comments in one place um I was also on the next page I I'm not going to ask for these to be changed cuz they never are changed but I did not say that we don't have any snow my complaint about the snow clouds are that it cost $200 an hour to have a company come and especially if we don't have a lot of snow we don't need to have 20 in of snow cloud I don't think we need to hire a company to do earwood at $200 an hour I think there are other options we can find other things and I have suggested there's lots of people who do la side a work and do construction work that have noow clouds that we could hire at cheaper rate um also talking about the committee I never said that we should give them unspent toship money what I said was once the school budget is complete they cannot get any more M any more money from townships that we collect we collect money from the work development they pay school pack taxes but it cannot go to the school the school is a budget and it's our responsibility to give them the money whether it's not enough or too much and so I was trying to say if we get a lot of extra money that they're paying already for school taxes and the school had to let go of six or seven teachers and we don't need their school tax money that we should find some way to share with them said that their taxes do not have to go up and they don't have to get rid of taxes so I there's other things but I will stop right now than worries uh just as a reply I do think that with the way technology is now that people should have an option to be able to at least email in their their questions or comments but I mean that's something that we'd have to see like what like how what system we can set up so I don't have an issue with that as uh I don't have any issue with that I think that's that's a good plan as far as as what we talked about last week with the schools so what ends up happening is if if we raise first of all to be clear we ra the taxes were raised 6.7 Cent not 6.7% which if your home is assessed at a at $400,000 which is about $67 a quarter remember we're talking about assessment so that's the little that's the green packet or the green card that comes in the mail and what your homes assessed that is 6.7 cents I've seen a few times on Facebook where there's been people quoting 6.7% that would be a drastic difference but I digress so the issue would be that if we're raising taxes 6.7 and we give away money then we'll end up raising taxes ourselves higher so it's coming the money's coming out of the same place more or less if we swing them money and we have to raise taxes but I mean again to your point is something that we got to look at when we get a little closer down the line but 85% of our taxes are the people who work here and what I said last week just to recover it again is if you have 500 Plus Homes going over on Springside which there's no fire presence there right now um if I'm not mistaken the last quote that we got about our new Firehouse is about $17 million Chief right and that still would give us a fire presence across town to cover the the new homes that are going that went in over there not to mention we're going to need more police to cover the area we're going to need more fire and we may need more fire vehicles I just didn't see budget wise where we would have the money to give away to to to to to Aid the schools when we have to Aid some of these things that are coming up and we just increase the taxes by 6.7 C but I mean at that point in time if you know windfall comes maybe someone makes a huge donation or something we got we got some options um with that being said roll call yes yes yes yes yes May 7 2024 executive session minutes we have a motion second any discussion roll call [Music] yes yes yes yes monthly reports there a construction police Public Works courts Fire EMS and tax collector now question about the tax collect I need report um on the report it says total burrow distribution I was under the impression that we did not put any money into the budget reips from them because we did not know we didn't have a contract that they would pay us a certain amount and it was depending on what we got and then what we got from the court from King's Court would stay with us and maybe I'm wrong but I'm reading it but it looks like total burrow distribution means they're sending it back to haes burrow burrow hesport burrow is it coming to us or is it going back to need for now come through us now that and how did you read it did you read it as though it's in the agenda that there money going out no no no no I know you're saying that there's money going out say what does it mean too is we're not we're at township does that make sense yes we definitely are a Township what's the difference between the town and the burrow the kind of government huh the type of government bars are smaller but one burs bigger M berley yes your question is the $663 uh for April and then the $3,375 40 your question is whether that was dispersed to the Bur of hesport or if it was retained by West Township okay I I don't know the answer to that and I i' be glad to wait find out answer I'm sorry what was that I said I'll be glad to wait to find down the answer but do you understand why I ask that question yes I understood the background behind that um so the courts would have to answer that question for us so we now open a meeting for public Comon and agenda items only please remember to state your name and address for the record reminder this is for comment only on agenda items first of all I want to congratulate uh Patrol meeting great work thank you for keeping our to Chris Hamilton 16 St Andrew's Court um glad to see the the bond issue back on on the agenda um I I'd like to encourage you to to vote against that uh when we're raising the taxes like we are I think we could probably look at the stuff that's in that bond issue maybe wait a year um just to keep our taxes down as much as possible thank you good evening Thomas Fox o best Lan in reference to resolution 5 21 24 I know to for close to third close to 30 years I started as a ref new soccer in 1995 i w the adult Le when I started I played four for and with in soccer and softball both of which I still play and Captain currently during this time I have made friends and teates many of them you will see tonight I have Pur soccer for my leases and currently my daughter my daughter also participates in Holiday activities and Rec summer rec programs the rec program is multigenerational I witnessed players in the youth league I Rec that are now parents coaching watching and or joining their kids in the programs they used to experience themselves all these programs are an asset to the township and surrounding communities Tod has always been professional fair and a role model to the youth and my pars his priority is always to put the youth and residents first he has put in countless hours for all programs he runs and is so passionate about them who else would be at the complex toing Port Ro at 7 or 8: in the morning on a Saturday or Sunday we making sure the gems are ready each and every night a day or night staying until the last game is complete to make sure the area was clean and cled clearly not anyone on Council I challenge you to find someone as equally dedicated he is a textbook definition of a public Serv is his job description cook after school caretaker custodian no but he did it because he cares there needs to be transparency in the coun the days of having personal vendettas against veteran career public servants must end this toxic work practice needs to stop so that employees don't fear retaliation or firing for trying to do the best job possible your agenda and decisions will directly affect the resident of the township and possibly your employees Library dat in closing instead of discussing termination of TI we should be discussing where the statute should be placed or when the complex is going to be renamed in his honor as founder of the current and successful Rec program oh so it is agenda items is that on the [Music] agenda yes he he referenced agenda item number 52 uh 17 okay perfect thank you sir evening uh my name is Elmer I've been a uh taxpayer of property own in this Township for 42 years I lived in this Township prior to that with my family and I am a former Recreational Department volunteer for this Township for a number of years I had to resign due to some health issues but I have been helping Todd with this Recreation committee and with running some of the leagues in particular the softball league and I think it's a travesty that we're facing this issue right now uh I am appalled that this can even be considered I implore you to take a real good close look of what's going on in this Township and to give him every benefit of the doubt and give him his due process um I I can assure you I've known him for 20 plus years I find it hard to believe I've helped him and he has been a dedicated U person running this Township's recreation department and running programs that benefit many children in this Township as well as some other townships as well as the adults there was no Recreation for adults in this town for many years and now there is all these programs that he's been running and this is going to be a a really uh a a stain on this Township if you proceed with this what's going on now I just cannot understand how this can be allowed to happen I will tell you this much um I have volunteered myself like I said through the recreation department and through just volunteering helping with on my own with the programs that he has run in this Township he asks a lot of volunteers he is very dedicated and the gentleman doesn't even have a child in this Township he does not have kids he is dedicated himself to trying to to make this a Township where people would like to bring to come and live and have their kids grow up and I I just am appalled and saddened by that what's I've heard going on here and I really implore you to really take a look at what's going on behind the scenes in this Township and you're going to find out that there is more to than what me you I just appreciate you for uh listening to me ramble on I'm sorry I did not have a prepared speech fine but um I really think just based on the Applause that gentleman Tommy just before me had uh made his speech and the Applause that tells you the residents that are here right now are here for one reason one reason only to stand behind Todd V thanks excuse me um if I can just make a couple of comments um since there's a lot of new faces here tonight uh in order to make sure that everybody in the public has an opportunity to make comments uh public comments is listed limited to 3 minutes per person we will have a timer running so if you do hear the timer go off you could kindly wrap it up I appreciate it uh and also make sure that when you come up to provide your public comments you state your name and your um address for the record thank you Lor huh I couldn't hear anything said me repeat it no I can repeat it sorry I apologize sir uh so in order to make sure that all the everybody from the public has an opportunity to speak public comments are limited to 3 minutes we'll have a timer running here if the alarm goes off just request that you wrap up what you're saying uh additionally everyone when you come up to make your public comment if you could state your name and address with a record that'd be appreciated Lori hustus just have a few things to say hress I had to actually type this so I wouldn't forget what I had to say right now I'm sad and disappointed I do want the records to show that everything I say here is from me and not my husband who does work for the township and I hope nothing's held against him no I'm being serious not with you but you all know what I'm referring to I brought my grandson Liam here tonight to show support for the wreck department AKA Todd mman Liam went to his soccer camp a few years ago and loved it it's hard for the autistic kids to really engage in sports but he loves playing the sports thanks to Todd he has done so much for the children of this Township and adults and also people outside the township my last question for you committee members is what is the common denominator and why the employees are leaving retiring or being fired think real hard about that please and thank you my name is aesco s road I live in eastco s Strath Road eastampton um I had a great honor of working with Todd for about 15 years throughout soccer his camps refereeing he's put on an excellent program on there I mean as everybody says everybody loves it Todd is all for the kids he does nothing but for the kids he is commendable the program is very successful he's turned a lot of things around and I think he's an excellent person I think you guys are going to be sad when he leaves thank you so much good evening my name is Joe Rome I live on on Augusta Drive and I'm by trade I'm a CFO and I'm an HR Manager and when you have somebody that's due to retire at the end of the year you let him serve out his term everybody here is a benefit of one of Todd's programs they love the guy he's a friend let the man we're going we love the program that he runs who is now going to run it you're going to have him stop and then you're going to bring in somebody new that doesn't know the town that doesn't know the kids that doesn't know the schools and expect them to run the same level program that we have for our children in this town that's what SS that's a problem and as an HR Manager you really need to look at why people are leaving we all know why they're leaving and that should be addressed by by you guys Mr Mayor I put that in your hands thank you very much my my name is Elizabeth Rondo I live at 46 Robert Drive um I just had a question uh comment um also about Mr CHD uh mine is not sports related um I'm not sure if people are aware that there are other organizations and things that go on that fall under Todd that fall under um Westampton R um so my question is what happens to non-sports organizations clubs and people who fall under Westampton wreck now that Mr Todd has been let go um Todd Mitman has been our Ed organization representative for Cubs Scouts Pack family pack 2117 um for all the years that I've lived here um he was the first person I met in Westampton and dealt with and I was the connection uh to Mr Todd to keeping our organization running for those whole three years almost four that I've lived here um meaning he's trained for us he takes the background check for Boy Scouts as a National Organization um and keeps us afloat we can only be an organization because he Charters us his name is on everything um he vets and signs all of our adult volunteer leader applications then they are sent out to be background checked he gives us space to host meetings and store all of our materials which is a lot um he keeps our organization involved in the town events and includes Us in what he's doing um and has had a positive partnership with us for the whole four years that I've lived here um I know a little bit of the sports schedules that he set forth and camp that he has started can continue in his absent upfront not that we like it we can we have applications that need to be signed as of today and there's no one and no one calls us back and we don't know who to go to next in his absence we don't want to go to anyone else he's been amazing and wonderful but there are things that fall under him that I think are just falling by the wayside and we don't want to have to leave Westampton to go to a different town to accomplish these things and we shouldn't have to thank you thank you my name is James Forbes a b court and I just want to say it's nice everybody came out here for tdd like the end of a Hallmark movie and everybody comes out to support their Hometown hero restores A Little Bit of Faith and Humanity um both my kids are have grown up with the programs that tius had he's also a neighbor um and my question is at what point are you going to let the township ad Ministry and keep dictating what goes on in this town um she hir she hires people with no experience and has train them she's forced out in any season staff and brought in new staff at the same rate of the outo staff that's not saving any money her lack of managerial skills has caused a high turnover rate she tries to run the police department and has cut their budget she continues to have the incorrect rabes Clinic information that's been sent for the past 2 years with no correction she takes on additional salary for herself as the clerk's J job and also had to get sent out to get certified at the town's DME on that as well uh let's see what else her new act for her circus is trying to fire Todd on a bunch of fabricated nonsense simply because she does not like him Todd puts an immeasurable amount of his own time and effort into these programs that he does for these kids and as been stated before Tod doesn't even have kids he could be retiring enjoying life and instead he continues to fight for everything that the kids do so my question to you is are some of the past as some of the past at current Township committee members are too busy chasing their own kushy County jobs as seems to be the mo lately I wonder if you're going to put that aside I wonder if you're going to put that aside and do what's right and either reign in the township administrator or dismiss her good evening panle my name is Kevin Andis I live at 25 Lancaster Drive I've been in town for 38 years I vividly remember going up ran cookus road and it was nothing but grass anybody's been here a long time knows that the only reason there's a field there is was a one person one person at all when I started playing softball here it was 18 I watched the growth what I want to know is right here item 15 there's a re Recreation committee meeting on June 12th who's going to chair that meeting I'm concerned about who's going to chair the recreation cuz I'd rather see all those kids on that field when I drive by on Sunday mornings there's hundreds of kids on that field I want to know whoever you're going to hire replace Todd is going to carry that on now I also want to know that that person is going to dedicate the amount of time that Tod has I want to know that at 9:00 on a Sunday morning and the field a lot and he's going to show up with a key I want to know that he losing town I don't want to know that he has a system Todd has done it all by himself alone and alone and alone he he the great break break great man the other thing I want to know is that um the last time last few times I was here we talked about uh U Tim Buck we passed that we've had an amazing thing about history here then we came together and it was supposed to be a housing projects over by Home Depot we came together and rooted that down now I figured the next time I was going to be here we to rename that field for Todd because that's what he that's what he deserves he doesn't deserve any of this kind of stuff he's been an amazing man now you're going to replace Todd with somebody and here's my question is going to be a tournament in that left field and that ice he breaks who's that guy going to call does he have a knife guy it's going to be 9 90° in Sunny we need tents does that guy know a t guy that's going to need volunteers in that field does that guy have volunteers yet no Todd did we're going to miss but def F should be named after him hi my name is Andrew Moore um I'm actually a former resident of West hampon not even supposed to be here but here I am you're fine um I'm on over Road great great Road by the way um I'm here for one reason only it's for Todd okay okay if anyone in this room you probably recognize me I've been his right-hand man since day one been working for the recck since probably 2000 and there's not been a day that goes by that this guy has not done something extraordinary for this town okay I don't think you guys really understand what kind of guy he is okay I've been him with him when we go to the stores to collect SAS for the pizza party and the fact that one store didn't have a Capri Sun but we have to go to this shop right that shop right didn't have it we go to a different town that's the kind of guy he is we need to make sure everything is right and that's what he did he um one memory sticks out of my head where a couple kids had a trophy broken we would go back after the season's over and he would literally go to his office after hours to hot glue a plate on there just so that kid could be happy and have a smile on his face I shouldn't be here right now none of us should that aren't a part of this town all I got to say is it's a it's a complete disgrace and that's all I got to say Todd is the man Aaron worb 60 over Road um I of course support Tod here for that main reason but one thing I can't help but Wonder somebody said it earlier somebody's dis closure retirement you let them ride it out to fire them at this point I can't help but think is this a way to get out of paying a pension and if that is the case or if there's that kind of mentality behind it I question this town and I just want that we would never do that Malcolm Whitley Ford over this will started Friday night when someone told me what was going on so I put a post on Facebook thinking it wouldn't go anywhere seems to be different now doesn't it so ladies and gentlemen of Township Council fellow residents thank you we address you today I've been a resident of 17 years and active in this Comm Community I'm a proud member of this VI Community today I stand before you to discuss a matter close to all of our hearts the future of our recreational program all my kids have come through this program and I have coached and been forced to volunteer or volunt as it was said and I've also played Sports in this toship offered by the W Department with the w Department survive this political attack I would like to say yes will it be the same I highly doubt it where will the money come for the inevitable lawsuit that puts up sorry where will the money come from when the inevitable lawsuit comes putting it right this travesty I know one come from anyone living in Tabernacle living in another town taking a couple salaries lining pocket while destroying out town perhaps it should we'll see how it plays out in the next few months I don't know I did not know that our police chief was also anyone's personal investigator and was to find out who doesn't like them we're not in high school anymore this is serious business as I was told in a recent Facebook post grow up here stand up and admit you don't like Tod stop the cronyism and hiring your friends for jobs we know we don't own this town you don't own this town we do stop thinking about yourselves and think about the rest of us if you think this fight is over you're greatly mistaken when you go back in an executive session please ensure you can come back in a public session and make your vote so we are willing so we can see who's willing to go along with this lynching people need to stop being sheep don't let the majority of this committee and their friends pull the wall over our eyes I think he has a very pris suggestion people have been asking questions they feel like they don't know anything and there's been truth and there's been a lot of rers that are not true that are out there and it's up to us to make sure they know the truth so whatever happens in executive session I would like to request that we come back whether we can tell them anything or not we can at least tell them what the future is and what we're planning on doing and if we have to make any votes to be positive or negative and it's done in public so they can tell what's going on than excuse mayor excuse me mayor uh under the open public meetings act the uh Township committee and all of the officers and in es have an obligation to protect the personal privacy of its employees therefore anything uh as a employment matter cannot be discussed in open if there is any formal action to be taken to [Music] um sever employment of any of any individual it does it would have to be done in in open uh and no such action has taken place nor is one anticipated to take take place this evening I understand but what I was talking about is the saying we're still investigating or we have dropped whatever concerns we have or that's what I'm talking about not necessarily give all the details but where are we going and have we made a decision so I think that's what I'm asking for so I think to to be fair to be fair I think that you have to go and close session first and have that conversation right that's up listen the guy yeah like it's tough because list people who know Todd know I mean I can't even say his name but people know know that he has a lot of relationships not just D there relationship up here too right so we want to say more but legally we can't say more that doesn't mean we don't agree with you or disagree with you I think it's one thing I think is tough is that the administrators catching a lot of heat and she didn't even do anything so I'm just listen I'm just I'm just listen I'm so fairly right d it's not year you had the mic though right so what I'm saying is is that I have no reason to say one thing or another I'm just you can listen you all know Todd ask him I'm not going to first of all I'm not going to lie I'm not going to cover anything up it doesn't mean that much to me like I'm a part of the community just like you guys are and if you've been around then you see me and Jamie with him and doing doing different things or working within the recreation department the recreation department is extremely successful no one didn't say that it extremely successful and it's been built up to be one of the best where kids from all over come to participate in the rec department so that listen that I Know [Music] Dan but mayor even if you say we're not making a motion tonight but we are making I don't know who we're going to do I haven't heard anything I haven't we haven't talked is the public comment still open sorry I didn't hear you Clos the public comment no no no you're good okay my name is Dan Mill I live at 14 Lancaster Drive I've been a resident in the Westampton Township for almost 40 years I served on this body for 15 years 13 as mayor I've sat in your seat many many times and saw a crowd like this there's something wrong in this Township between to her I've been in this building a few times over the course of the last several years I've been out of office 15 years I served on the left committee for 30 I've worked hand in hand with Todd I've worked hand in hand with other administrators I worked handing him with other Mayors I've never I haven't seen anything that's absurd of getting an email from wheny against me on Friday telling me that I'm not allowed to St to the director of recreation because he's been put on administrative leave this is a Travy Mr Mayor you need to fix it and you need to fix it now needs toix there there are many things that happen that you do have control of you have control over every expenditure in this Township it's your responsibility not Todd melman's not hers yours the number one role of your body is to manage the funds of this Township once you approve a bill list and you put everything on that bill list and you sign your name to it and you say yes to that resolution it's gospel and you guys need to make sure you understand that because I don't think you do and this person over here is running the not you that's your job all the job is I probably said more than I wanted to say cuz I really just wanted to sit here and listen to what everybody else did like God guys you need to stand up and vote don't wa for executive session don't let the freaking attorney tell you how to do it I what you think you need to do and you are the elect officials I sat in this room about 35 years ago well actually not this room it was actually the little tiny room in the department at the time which was then the town's committee room and the mayor told me I hadn't lived here long enough to have a say and I told the mayor at that time if I have to run against you I will now I'm a old old and a little bit tired but I'll tell you you know need to do something because you're going to have a lot of people running against you and you will not be real like hi my name is moiss gastro I live at 58 Sher with Lane I have not had the opportunity to know Todd as long as I would like but he knows my two children's names he textes my husband when it's raining hey in 20 minutes if the call is not made I'm we're we're canceling if the rain doesn't let up will the next person do that will my kids run up to the next person give them a hug hey Mr Todd how are you cuz I don't think they will and he was a pillar in our community and I wish I had the privilege to know him longer thank you for your time hello Abby Rogers 12 lawence Lane I just wanted to say as someone who is extremely involved in this community and in West dton programs um that Todd and his programs have been truly lifechanging and I really hope that he remains in this position because his programs will help and Inspire others as it did to me I truly urge further consideration in this matter because I certainly know that this decision is not for the better simply no one would have half as much motivation and passion for this line of work as him this Township needs Tom me and my teammates need Tom Dina Rogers 12 Lawrence lean I just wanted to say fully support with the sentiments of my daughter and the rest of the speakers and support of Tom Todd Todd's services are invaluable and he is irreplaceable when the recck department cannot find coaches Todd does he's there nights weekends and truly Sports the town I've seen this program in work for over 11 years I mean I've seen the field hockey team grow from kindergarten up until watching 10th grade in my own kids coach it I've watched indoor W soccer from basketball you will not find another person like Todd from the pizza parties to the play to the activity to the phoneless to the contacts to the snow calls there is truly not a person as dedicated as Todd I urge you to reconsider any decision regarding Tod's employment thank you hi I'm George D 23 Augusta Drive I've been in this Township for 43 years my son's 37 when he was seven he started playing indoor soccer I met Todd Todd was Co also coaching my daughter in softball he needed some help that's really where I met him I became his assistant and I was so impressed with the level of dedication and integrity of this guy that I volunteered for the next five or six years on the rec committee and I just want to say that um his level of Integrity I mean I don't know you guys I I would suspect anybody on either side of this rail would be lucky would be blessed to have the level of trust and respect and appreciation of the people in this community for what he's done so I would only ask that you obey the Golden Rule do unto others as you would have them do unto you allow this guy his dignity to finish out till his retirement and just Barry everything just make this sense thank you my name is Levi Suter I live at five Roberts Drive and it's my first time to this meeting or any meeting like this and I think this is I'm sorry let me I'm sorry I don't want to make a mockery of it I think it is unfortunate for some and I think it is entertaining in a way and and deplorable in other ways I don't know the crime against Todd or how gous it is or anything like that so I can't speak to that but what I would offer is uh let's find an offering let's find an offer some way that we can remediate the situation in everyone's safe space because my son and I we've been we've been living overseas for almost most of our lives and we came to your town and and all these Sports Camps are available and they're affordable and it's it's a circus during the summer but man that Todd guy stands tall so if it's not Financial related and that means we can afford to see him through the end of this then I propose we find some sort of an off off ramp that finds that sweet spot between adhering to your policies and rules and whatever they are and I to be honest I don't know what they are so if someone wants to pull me aside there's a lot of elephants in the room that I honestly have no idea what's going on but I want to let you know you have a good product you have a reliable consistent product in your Recreational department and as a homeowner and as a dad that's a product I don't want to see dissipate or be tainted by any way shape or form so if you can have an off ramp that appeases all parties that would be my recommendation find a creative solution so everyone can come out a winner and appreciate that thank you thank you hi gentem my C drive um I had the privilege of serving on the rec committee um I still have the recreational program uh brought resident together uh these relationships developed beyond the actual recreational programs um and contributed to a stronger sense of community the program is and was an affordable um program uh particularly for young uh families um affording them their their young children uh activities the recreational program grew and adult programs were added and again fostering strong residential relationships look around at all these people that are here rarely do you get five people from the township to come to these meetings but apparently um I can't say for everybody but it appears a lot of people are very unified in their support of the recreational program and the full-time employee and and and part-time employees and volunteers who run this program um we know change is coming um you know an individual did put in their retirement and like the previous gentleman said you know um we should let him retire um uh with dignity and the respect um that he deserves from from all of us within the community and then the change will occur someone's going to come on and run the program let's do right by the individual thank you my name is Casey hord I live in Fort Chase Court I appreciate you take my comment today um I've been a resident in West s since 2015 prior of being a taxpayer here as an adult I grew up here much like many the fellow residents that are in this room I remember the days of West an Recreation adult Co at softball indoor soccer hockey at Holly Hills uh even tball at Sunnyside farm with my sponsor I was proud to have core memories that stuck with me as an adult and when I had the chance to have my kids grow up in the town I grew up in I couldn't be happier and in those memories both long ago and now more recently with my kids there's always been one Conant which was Todd mitan I didn't see Todd years but when I came back he remembered exactly who both my wife and I were um Todd is a perfect example of what a recreation director should be someone who is selfless gives back to the community we would drive our kids to indoor soccer and see Todd handing out shirts speaking with residents an hour later we go to the basketball game Todd would still be there checking on the games checking on the other teams and now I don't know what to think of make of this town anymore I don't recognize this place that I thought that gave me so much as a kid you learn that the in work as a public service is not to the public but it's for yourselves since 2020 when our C administrator was hired there have been 16 employees who either have looked for employment elsewhere or been fired in that time we've had a Township Clerk my wife I'm speaking for her this is my comment she left because of the hostial work environment and I I know some of you gave her an Al branch and I appreciate that but there's still one problem that's exists today and it's over there the new Township administrative position with almost the same duties as a deputy clerk was open and filled with a starting St of 60,000 my wife started at 40,000 the recreation assistant position opened up as well and the that time has also been filled which by by the way both of these positions are high school classmates of our mayor do we not have the revisionist history do we not remember the previous fire Chief /u safety director that we hired in which after he received so much of the backlash was fired and given a 500,000 payout paring from our taxes because it's another political move every other couple months we look at new Warehouse proposals we see strangers walking our neighborhoods that aren't from this area Conant soliciting complaints at the Wawa I know the officers deal with it all the time is this the township we want I asked the council how would you feel if this was in your neighborhood in your side of town would do you feel safe is this a town that you want your kids to grow up in I can't have my kids walk out my court anymore I had my neighbor followed by somebody even with their dog never met the guy I know one of a council member who had a naked guy knocking on his door it's coming through this town I I emplore you to do something about it please please look at yourselves in the mirror and stop playing this political game is it bit hard is it that hard for you to create an environment that is welcoming Community oriented and a place that treats people with dignity and respect because that's the what that I remember thank you hello Jonathan Davidson 32 Tallwood Drive um I moved here about 2021 and I've been here once before uh I've asked several times and uh for different things from this government and I think there's a problem here this this government's very opaque and it shouldn't be it's very hard to get any any answers on many things uh my first Township meeting here I asked for just with the bylaws on everything I got a phone call referencing a law that I had to look up I had to print out I asked for a copy didn't get it I asked Police Department most of the time they respond with whenever questions I have fire department is okay and now we have somebody who's getting laid off and very little information very Scamp there's people here supporting it uh it just seems that there's something wrong here that you know other places I've lived in California and here in New Jersey I I call a Township office with our tax collector or anything I get a response I leave a message I get a response what's the point of government if people can't even get answers um and that's kind of the end of my comment I I leave that with you the elected officials because you are our representatives and uh you're come I I hope that you you take this seriously because when uh I have somebody is a new family who's raising three kidss here I want these programs for my kids and I want to be able to have answers from my government when I ask simple questions thank you motion to close you want you're coming up good evening how everybody doing tonight tonight I'm the vice president of the RV Chiefs ran Valley Chiefs we play the uh Westampton sports complex and just go for the uh where everybody saying we here in support of Todd excuse me sir can you say your name uh L B B thank you sir we're on to support to when we first came here we had nowhere to go nowhere to play we had 40 kids roughly and basically our organization thr depended on somebody just saying yes to give us a corner little SP spot on the field to grow up that person was TI we now standing almost 200 kids strong over there that was 10 years ago and Todd has been very instrumental in his St way of helping start out or that my own Todd I can't I consider Todd a friend Todd has been there for me as far as my organization fundraising just charity food anything to do with those kids and the growth of organization TI has been there every SE way I don't know what we at we probably W be an organization right now I'll probably somewhere looking for looking for work or looking for a coaching job and kids scatter all over the place for us to have a solid team that we've had the organization that we had the last 10 years I owe all that to Tod in the Westampton staff over there in the recreation program yall have over here I watched that flag f flag uh football program go from this to probably the biggest around this area Todd has a personal relationship with everyone there everyone knows Todd on the first game Bas let you see it's Todd it's not Mr I but it's not that it's to Tod knows everybody from the grandparents to kids and he's always been always been there no matter how irritated he might be in the situation he's there and he's a definitely a killer in this community that needs to stay there he needs to be able to leave and after we do his job and we really do his job on his own on his own FL so I'm here to support a Todd and he wouldn't be here to was to him so hi my name is Jan hen I am the adate of R ches um so I actually live in Florence and because of tith of football and son he was able to come to bampton play football because I to say this that where live is not the best so he gave the opportunity for my time to go and play F football and now on Ved football for the arm Chiefs so I'm grateful for ti so please give him a chance thank you do we now have a motion to close public comment all in favor ordinance second reading 7 Das 2024 B ORD is authorized in the acquisition of various Capital Equipment and completion of various Capital Improvements in and for the township of West Hampton Burlington County of Burlington New Jersey appropriating a sum of 1,9 $1,135 therefore authorizing the issuance of General obligation obligation bonds or Bond anticipation notes of the T West Hampton County of Burlington New Jersey and the aggregate principal amount of$ 1, 39,42 making certain determinations in covenants and authorizing certain related actions in connection with the foregoing do we have a motion make a motion for 7 second for public hearing he if I just made um I believe the first Speaker during public comment U Mr Hamilton spoke regarding this ordinance I just asked that his comments be added to the public hearing for this ordinance absolutely Gary I think you you have something question sure G 138 Wednesday so on the ordinance I was here for the budget workshops I appreciate all the work that went into it um I think everyone was very thoughtful and contemplative and sort of viewing that as an investment in the township so it made a lot of sense to me and I appreciate um all of that went went into it so I think it does make sense from a resident I think it's going to have a big Roi eventually nobody likes to pay taxes I get it but this is really an investment so uh from where it um I would urge you to support and vote yes thank you with no other comments roll call yes yes right yes yes motion cares resolution 7324 payment of vouchers this resolution approves the payment of bills through 521-2020 for do you have a motion motion any discussion yes mayor I did contact the administrator and the uh person who is taking the Bob's uh place right now under open space I have a lot of concerns um I'm concerned that we're taking $30,000 from open space and putting into Administration salaries and wages I know that this person is problem excuse me can I finish please but I don't think this person spends 50% of his time in open space if we want to have this person do some open space but not 50% of his job is open space Also I I've had a problem with this for many years that we have a 2 and a half I think of our custodians are ping through open space we had one person who does work constantly at the fields that's open space I have no problem pay this person from open space but the open space is being reimbursed for $230,000 also from open space we're paying tree removal at playground for $500 um I just think that right now in this bill alone and we only have about $450,000 we collect from your tax dollars in open space it's 4 cents on the tax rate we have already spent $450 in this fill loan $33 $628 I I don't think we should spend open space money like this open space is go yes it's supposed to go for recreation it is supposed to go for historical things and it's supposed to go for buying open space it is not supposed to go for some of these other things so either we remove them or I voting on on BS so my understanding I've seen an email about the $30,000 being moved from open space that $30,000 is to can you follow up with the email the email back and forth so the way that this the structure for salaries is set up is that multiple people work from different departments so the salaries are structured to pull from different line items that is an accounting procedure that has been put in place since before I stepped in here it's just something that our CFO has been doing from year after year to accommodate for each of these salaries for everybody that works across different departments thank you but I have talked to the CFO before when I was able to talk to him and there were only two salaries that are coming out of that administrative salary line right now the others one comes out of the construction line and one comes out of the um uh tax collection line so if later uh administrator you can tell me what people come out of this line besides the two people that I think I would I would like to see that and I do believe now I'm thinking about this as well the the employee that you're talking about part of their title is as far as open space open space coordinator or something like that and we put that in place because they were there to maintain the open space right they're there cuz there's grants and different funds that the county offers that will help us keep some of our open space available and that was something that I think if I'm not mistaken that our residents asked for they asked for us to try to keep some of the open space available and the step that I remember taking is that Medford has an open space coordinator and when I sat with that person or talked to that person they stated that their role was basically Gathering some different branch and putting themselves in position so that we can so that they can keep some of their open space available now when we had some of the other things that came up as far as building different things one of the things that people stated that they wanted to keep some areas designated as open space and for us to gather funds to be able to support that we put somebody in place to be able to gather some of that so if my if I'm not mistaken part of that person's title has to do or part of what we were looking for when we put in uh when we opened up the record direct for that position was that they would they would be involved with maintaining some of the open space and some of the rollness of West Hampton how do you open a maintain that is Public Works to maintain no I'm not talking about M the lawn I'm talking about you can designate certain areas so that people can't build them like how when we redid the um when we redid the zoning of the different areas so that there are certain areas that people just can't build on so we can maintain it besides the wetlands so and so what happens is when we have open space the taxes that we get from them are minimal so in order to balance our off the taxes and that and and and what we're able to get from that we can get different grants that will bring in money that will support that open space I still have a hard time believing that % of this person's time is spent with open space protecting our weets I think you just have to ask them you have to ask the person and see what their day looks like no no no I'm not going against you I'm saying ask the person see what their day looks like and if that doesn't make sense then obviously we have something that we have to discuss but if we don't know what their day looks like like that's what their role is to do now we can look at what their day looks like and if their day isn't their day looks like that they're not doing that then right you're right you have an issue but my understanding is is that that person does do things that have to do with open space that's what my understand may we should been given that information before this bill came before us so we had information to know how to vote well I have the information you do but you didn't get it to me well I haven't I talked to the other day nany what you talking about about no not job right did you ask I'm sorry sir see this would you like to comment on what all can we talk about Personnel we can't talk about person we can talk about what the job pertains right right fair enough so so mayor when excuse me the floor is not open so so mayor if I may um when the uh positioning question was was originally hired uh the committee discussed the role of the individual as well as a 50% of his uh salary would come from open space and one of the titles as you said um similar to Medford would the open space coordinator working on grants from d uh as well as miscellaneous other things I don't think that the employees here specifically track their hours um or to to allocate it uh but instead it's just an estimate of the amount of time that's spent or the amount of effort that's spent on the different task and P especially somebody in essential or administrative role then their salaries pulled from the various different lights of different departments thank you that help I still have my opinion okay sure call yes yes yes consent agenda resolutions note consent agenda items are considered to be routine and will be enacted with a single motion any items requiring expenditure or support of the certification of the availability of funds any items requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda is there a motion I'd like to remove for discussion please sir for Item B 754 second 7524 any discussion which one do we discuss 7524 I don't have is that the grant no no no that's not the grant we remove the grant remove theant okay policy for donation is time okay any discussion roll call wait wait for S time or for the grant sir we removed the grant we have a motion and a second on the floor 75 a motion and a second on the floor we remove the grant so you can discuss the grant roll call yes yes yes yes [Music] yes resolution 7424 resolution authorizing Grant application I have a question it seems like and I appreciate anyone just going after gr I'll make a motion for you have a chance give me one second you got one motion are you second in second now discussion right have no problem going after grants even if it's only $1,000 this is $111,000 to build a new Firehouse it's 11 million 11,000 11 million excuse me if we could get $11,000 fires we get eight of firehouses all over the I apologize 11 million we still have $17 million I don't know how much we're going to get I can't imagine this giving us $1 million let's say they give us $2 million this Brant says whatever they give us we are required to execute and build the firehouse so are we going to be stuck if we don't $1 million to build a firehouse that cost 17 million if they give us 2 million are we going to be required to build we have to act on that or can we deny and say 2 million is not enough because 700 million is the same amount as our budget is total fair you have 17 million and it's like percent interest it's $850 $850,000 year now in 1922 excuse me 202 too our bond issues were 4% and 5% I have no idea what they were last year we were never told I am just worried about not knowing how much they're going to give us and it will require to get a lot less if we have to build this Firehouse so if you could give me the answer I would like to know so I will say this I think that Craig will have a conversation about it but there's no way around the firehouse I don't know if anyone's been been there I have been there several times and I was there during a rainstorm if I may if you don't mind me saying and Craig has water running down the back of his office as it's raining when I go into the first they take me to the first room there's a PB so one of the things I did ask Craig to do we had a meeting that day I said I need you to do me a favor I said when we decide to look at buying a firehouse let's make sure that we contact the residents have the residents come out and you can do a presentation on why we this Firehouse you can show them you know what you guys are dealing with some of the most expensive Vehicles we have are fire engines that are sitting underneath a place that they F out as much as also we talk about you know the safety of others sometimes the safety is a question with the fire department staying in there so it's really about how much we can spend for a firehouse um versus whether we're going to need one we've needed one 10 years ago if I'm if I if I'm being accurate so I know that they've gotten one brand for one million and the last time Craig and I talked we I asked if we could use that million dollar to transfer the rec center into another fire another fire area over there because that was going to cost about a million dollar and then we have nothing there and then we look at getting more grants for the firehouse that we need to rebuild over there on that land but I I don't want to do it a disservice credit you have a second to to say so um so we got the original uh plan from the architect $17 million we recognized that that was just astronomical and not any perform we went back to architect and we to get down to about $10 million we're working on that now to get it down to $10 million the grant that we're applying for is Department of Defense uh Grant because of our location to Joint Base and our response to areas around the joint base and also the amount of veterans and active service in Westampton um we're going to attempt to get the10 million um for the bill um so part of the Great application is this resolution saying if awarded and if I'm not mistaken if I'm not mistaken committee M car went out there and met with them to solidify yes the base commander to get his approval that's also one of the U requirements to bring so understanding a debt is an expense that's coming due or a bill that's coming due we want to try to get as much money as we can because we know that is something that we really need um and we've needed it for for quite some time so that's why we're you know trying to get as much money as we can through grants through different proposals um to be able to soften that blow because again we're still going to need more police we're still going to need more fire we're still going to need more of a few other things that you know may cost a little bit more so that's the the by what we were told before $17 million I didn't know it was go down to 10 but we've been working on it we've been shaving them down tell us well man not for nothing like I'm going to Craig's office and meeting with them and sitting down with them and talking to them like you talk to Craig too like I'm saying when we talk to these when we talk to our division heads or whoever they are a lot of times I talked to I talk to Chief Ferguson today and we talked about Personnel different things to make the community safer or then when not this is what a lot of the time is and then I'm sitting down with Craig to talk about he wants to show me the water running down the wall right and then he want to talk about the plan so that our residents understand where the money's going and what that and what that's all about so and listen and spent time with with plenty of other people about what their plans are as far as the town goes and what we can do to be better so it's not about not including you it's just that sometimes just got to jump in we know that there's a firehouse that needs to be done right I understand but when it inds US1 something we need all the information we now the grant there different right but that's why I know that we need to gr so thank you no worries we need a fire I know that volunteers I know the floor is sinking and I know fire engines are heavier than they ever were before so I I agree it's a safety I just was afraid of ending up with a bond isip for $15 million n we can't afford that as a town a $15 million Bond I would also say that this only gr that she I believe has on there's other grants supplement this will take the rest of the slide not rece the entire work yes sir G are you able to hear me yep is this better there's other grants that will this as well pursuing Chief very making financial decisions pursuing support be fair we would know that that $15 million Bond would be outrageous that's why we're trying to do what we can to gather up the funds to get it done so with that being said we have a first and a second we had a discussion roll call yes yes no yes right yes yes now open the meeting for public comment remember to state your name and address for the record uh remember this is for comment only There's No Limit my name is Levi Suter I live at five Roberts Drive thank you for allowing me to speak tonight I appreciate it uh I'm soft clay haven't been killed fired yet so I know you've taken a beting so if you see me around I'd love to hear what's going on I know you all took some comments tonight so if you see me ac me or something then pull me aside to get everyone in the room uh I don't know a lot of what you know so again I invite you to pull me aside uh I'm an adult and I will make my own decision but I'd sure love to hear all sides cuz they got they got very uh heated today just a random question dispensaries just um they're forgive the phrase it sure SCS they're growing like weeds we need that I've been I've been I've been saving that one for about a half hour so so I don't I just wanted to plant the seed that as we evaluate businesses look I understand the need for tax revenue and jobs and filling vacant buildings I would just I would definitely like you to publish if there's ever going to be a meeting to discuss growth of businesses in my community and for those of you who maybe are owners or part owners of this business I admit that I am naive I don't know the benefits of a dispensary I just I have my own personal opinion based on observations in history and some of the towns that my parents lived and it was a it was a downward spiral so I would just wanted to plant that seed now that if there comes a moment in the future where you're exploring businesses then let's have a public conversation on that that'd be okay thank you thank you do you want to tell them we already voted on that may you can during our comment com excuse me com com ding AR hello my name is Amber Kor and I live at 71 sherw Lane um for my public comment I do have a concern that kind of Echoes what people were talking about earlier with Todd situation but it's not about Todd um you heard a gentleman talk about emails going unanswered phone calls going un returned learned well I'm trying to get a couple projects done in my backyard I've got the same kind of situation March 21st I emailed Ry whose email address is on the township website with a question about what do I need to do to get a patio in my backyard I patiently waited I never got a response 6 and 1/2 Weeks Later I call on May 6 so I'm a little frustrated at this point it's 6 and 1/2 weeks since I sent this email I think it's more than fair that I waited patiently but I'm a little upset you can hear it in tone of my voice right now I call and um the person who answers the phone I truly do not remember their name immediately dismisses my very valid statement that I wait at 6 and 1/2 weeks and goes well he works part-time excuse me that is unacceptable that is never a response in any job I have ever had in my life that would be considered acceptable 6 and 1 12 weeks oh he works part-time that's mismanagement either that gentleman should not be part-time and he should be a full-time employee because the workload is too much for a part-time employee or somebody's not allowing that person to budget their time where they can respond to their emails then I have a separate question about the shed situation because I went on the website and I thought I was following the rules there's multiple areas it's like a little choose your own Venture on the township website because nothing's in one spot um so I follow there's a shed requirements guidelines page there's a project guidelines page and it says if you're getting a shed under 100 square foot you don't need a permit you don't need an inspection okay great another page if you have a shed under 100 square ft you don't need a permit unless you're trying to run an electrical outlet to it and then you get a separate electrical permit great but my neighbor goes you know what I I had some type of zoning approval when I got my shed many years ago why don't you call them and ask about it well it turns out in our town we do need a zoning application for a shed but it's nowhere on our website how are we supposed to know what rules we're supposed to follow if it's not published I looked at Burlington Township Lumberton Township Mount Hy Township and hesport Township and guess what they also all require zoning approval for shed and I know that because it's on their website it's not on our website um but that's that's one thing um when I Tri to talk with this person on the phone about how it's not on the website she talked over me and said I'm not responsible for talking to you about what's on the website then pretended to transfer me to somebody who could help me with the website issue I was having um but she hung up on me so then I called back multiple times and it went to voicemail but guess what that voicemail box was full great but I just kept on calling and finally the Fire Marshall answered and I was real hated at this point I'm like oh I'm getting run around he is an example of excellent customer service in this town he immediately diffused the situation he got literally on the same page as me and said what are you talking about the website let me pull up the website that's customer service he says oh you know what you're right it's not on there let me go ahead and see how I can help you we need more people like this but they seem like they're rare these days and it sounds from what people are talking about with Todd that Todd is one of those great customer service people we cannot allow this mismanagement to continue of unanswered emails for six plus weeks at a time websites without data information employees who no longer work for the township are listed on the website information that is vital to our zoning needs is not on the website voicemail boxes are full this is unacceptable that is not a way that a town should be run that is not customer service or public service thank you [Music] G 148 wnes Dead uh couple of things first of all uh th swing okay thank you and chief well done in the training so you should be proud I read through the reports Police Department reports all Police Department should be proud too so thank you for the hard work in those reports same thing Chief from the fire department a lot of good work we did in those reports question about the report that um on the tax collector form and maybe this is a Kathy MK question there was a line on in there for aers does anyone I don't even know how it's calculated um are we tabulating those arear like under the cash accural method do you know and what would be the difference with the interest line payment on there that's just you don't have to get to it right away so if you want to ask Kathy about that okay great um I I'm over in Rolling Hills East and the new playground's going in and I'm astonished the public work guys are working so hard I mean this is back breaking labor I'm seeing them do and I was astonished to talk to Chris I said you got to be kidding me we didn't contract this out this is really heavy heavy labor there they're doing and he said you know what it's my guys and we're saving the township money so well done on that so it seems like they're on time and on budget so I appreciate that um I looked on the website for the um the minutes from May the 7th but I didn't see them published up there uh just it looks like it's for April and I Nancy raised a fair point um when you were talking about the agenda item on the approval of the minutes for May the 7th and I had reached out and submitted some nonp Persona comments but in Wendy's role as clerk my understanding she acts as the parliamentarian and I believe that she used a rule under parliamentary procedure to invoke to allow his comment so I don't know if you need a policy I'm assuming Robert's Rules of orders is going to carry the day on that that's why she allowed it that's my understanding I could be wrong about you can double check on that so and then finally I just want to say to all of my fellow residents and neighbors who are going to be thinking of loved one Memorial Day hopefully their happy memory assuages any of your grief when you're thinking about your loved one a Memorial Day thank [Music] you um was com hi Brian Jansen 114 Hillside Road I love this town we came here in 2006 so I decided to build a new house cuz we were going to stay we loved it and then the administrator came Town used to run the Clockwork um the administrator running this thing into the ground she refused to give me a fire request uh she won't let people talk to each other there's a lot of stuff going on I'm sure you all know that needs to be fixed cuz we voted you in you need to vote her out um the building department used to run my Clockwork used to be top three around that I've been going to now it's the bottom three it come in you know cuz you have 21 working days when I give you an application to um for a perit okay so they're not following that then you have when I do get the permit then they come in because they only 21 days and they'll say oh it's ready come on in then you come in okay it's $200 come back in 3 days and we'll give it to you that's not how it works you have 21 days cuz the rule is if you don't do that you can get a $2,000 f a day just like we can if we do a job at that apartment we can have everybody start calling to State and have this done if that's what you want I don't want to do that to my town but it needs to be fixed um you know and then then you call for an inspection they have 72 hours not 73 not 6 days very common for four five and 6 days and um you know and you know that's what the law is to to do that and they're just they're just not foll and you know I just you guys need to fire her now I'm Molly and bonster at 209 Ox me Road um I just wanted to bring up something that Nancy had mentioned about the um grant for the fire station so that was an interesting point too and that was the first thing that came to my mind if we have a $17 million bill and they're only awarding us5 million we're obviously going to have to make up the difference forgive me I don't usually come to the meeting so I don't know if this has been discussed but if we fall short of the money that's needed to build a new one is it possible for the grant money to be applied to repair what we have now rather than adding on another expense of a bond to make up the difference I mean I don't know how much in disrepair the building is but surely if we're getting 5 six million rather than the 17 we truly need or if the Architects are able to adjust the pricing maybe that money can be applied towards repairs instead just a thought I mean you know we I can answer you in our comments ma'am like at the end we have comments I can answer you on comments okay all right thank you no I wasn't telling you had to go if you had more that was it okay that was it cuz I like I said I don't usually come so I didn't like I felt like asking right at the moment but I didn't no worries all right thank you thank you now close for public comment all in favor I than to remember next T committee meeting is June 11th at 7:00 p.m. Land Development board meeting is at June 5 5th at 7: p.m. historic commission May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Recreation committee meeting June 12th at 7:00 p.m. memorial day celebration our ceremony I'm sorry is May 27th at 10:00 a.m. at the American Legion building at the flag pool do we have any comments I'd like to make a comment um so if I wasn't on this side of whatever barrier this I would probably be on that side I will not mention names because we don't know who we're here for um I've been in Westampton just about 15 years but prior to that I see I recognize spces of some people that I actually played co-ed softball with I met um this gentleman through coed softball I then became part of the rec committee who I sat on with many of you I probably wouldn't be sitting here um in this seat if it were not for this gentleman um I want you to know that he is very well supported up here um I I think you said it best if there's an elephant in the room we don't all have the information including the five of us um so there's information out there I keep hearing the word fired and you know eliminating him from his position that's never been told to me until tonight so there is a closed executive session for us to discuss personel matters um which involve more than one individual um and that's when we will be given our information there is no decision as far as I know being made because again we haven't been given that but I do want to share that he is a a friend I would consider a friend of mine my kids have gone through the wck department um in so many sports had the um Chiefs here talking and you know my son was a bigger kid and had to play in unlimited it's it's all I sat on the rec committee when we were looking at plans of how to develop the Westampton field so I just want to say that he is more than supported um by many of us up here because we are a part of this community as well and um and and we know what what he's to our um to Westampton sor comments comments spent my whole lifeon want up here been touched or contributed to the rec part part here some but I'm deeply appreci all my neighbor comments all my I've [Music] seen I think you did an outstanding job and will deserve a your protection as we all are hisory I'm very very apologize but you have to experience that there no excuse for that second one see your comments Public Service our public servants and our customer service should always me your expectations I agree with your com that's all I have mayor I'm on the uh committee for the historical preservation commission under the aison so I actually have other things to report to you um if you're not aware grandus Village is on the national and New Jersey historical register as well as Peachfield is uh we're trying to get Tim up too on that register too uh we did have a meeting uh and we have a person who wants if you're familiar with the village there's an Exon station on the corner that's been closed to years and it's a very old house next schol was born and this gentleman wants to this person wants to uh tear down the historic house and tear down the Exon and put a storage facility there and the Historical Society we listen to him we have to listen to him but he needs permission from the Historical Society to demolish any historical building this is one of the very old older buildings I remember as a little girl people there and we would go to the back and pump water with the pump and play in the bars and we are dedicated to preserve history to the buildings like this including the American Legion building and other buildings in Westampton so we we hope that if we have a meeting about this we let you know you come out and you support not tearing down historical buildings uh Patrol thank you very much well since you this guy has a lot of Courage he is very my goodness so I appreciate all your service um someone asked a question about depositories uh de year and a half and two years ago we had to vote whether Westampton would allow depositories or not every ex me dispensaries depository they work they work differently they work very differently forg me um yeah whatever it was I do it all the time I'm tired um we had to go whether we would allow marijuana to be so w c every town municipality city had to decide that may decided it but Terry Hol we decided no so unless we change I don't think we will we cannot sell arijana in was hampon we can have stores that sell the CB the CBDs yeah right the gummies and things like that there's one in the on cus Road in 541 No 5 P that has that they can be but that's not uh and find some please excuse me okay the other thing is um you're going to talk about the grant to repair right um excuse me I agree the cup Scouts are wonderful and I think what people don't realize too is Todd runs a senior Den senior citizen Christmas dinner every Christmas and we not only Supply Christmas dinners to our seniors but to some of the seniors who live in nursing homes in M Hol he works with the school district and um we used to have it in the school but when Co came it was just too hard so but we delivered to a couple hundred seniors and they love it and so we haven't forgotten me for our seniors and TOD puts that all together and it's a lot of work and he has a lot of volunteer delivering um so as Jamie said on saving this for the last if I wasn't here I would be down there I I have worked with Todd I volunteered for the Recreation committee I help with things I love the Easter egg hunt that's really fun um and I just seen his heart he loves he loves Westampton he lives in Westampton it's killing him I'm sure and we do have as as Jamie said we can't say names another person we're discussing who has been here for 39 years third think about that 39 years TD been here for what Bob I mean n 32 32 years okay so we're not taking this lightly we're taking this very seriously we will have a discussion and if I will support what's right or what's wrong I think you seen tonight I'm not a r Stamper but if there is evidence we might have to put it off and decide but if there's no evidence there's no way so I can't make a decision I can't tell you what it's been out but I'm very upset about this and I know you are and we take it very personally when we F the the last time we fil the courtroom was when had to do with master plan and we listen to you when we Chang things so thank you thank you for um I'll just add I'm I'm microphone microphone I got you um I'm a newer West campon resident and I was a Lumberton resident for many many years and I brought all three of my children to West Hampton um I asked what do you guys like Lumberton doesn't have this one they said no go to Westampton the director over there is wonderful and my kids played indoor soccer and there were times where things would go wrong lights went out and they're like I didn't know the name Todd but call Todd and so I understand and I hear what everyone has their concerns tonight and we appreciate you coming out to use your voice and you know like the other committee members that said you know there is an investigation and Todd does have support so you know let us do what needs to be done and we we are not the poers completely that be on everything um but when when I when I say that in terms of the investigation part and there's other matters that that's what I'm speaking of um but what I just like to say is that your voices are definitely heard so one um Amber I apologize for what you went through and that's not the way business should be done here at all um I did notice I actually Googled and looked up something on the township he said we had a few people there that need to be changed around so I I did bring it up today but that's something that we we need to get done and customer service is a big part of you know I to be fair like I do say often that we wouldn't be here if we all and I say we are not just not just you guys but also the people who are here are taxpaying residents so without you know we wouldn't have what we had and we just and you guys deserve the best service possible so I do apologize for that and I'll guarantee you that tomorrow I'll make a call to make sure that somebody gets in contact with you one way or another I now the will help me out okay thanks V Hees this much too he but um we talk I was going to talk about some the repair of the firehouse where yes she continu Grand money for yes I'm sorry I'm old s so I had I had a similar question when I was visiting the firehouse I said and I whispered it cuz Craig looked like he was going to kill me when I said well do you think if we get a certain amount of money we can just fix this Firehouse um but kind of what he said I think that what people will begin to see is that the the firehouse is probably far going you know residence built it years ago so it's really something that we've got our use out of and the more fire trucks that we have and as expensive as fire trucks are we want to make sure that you know we're protecting them and putting them in the right place so I think that is AD missing I asked the same question so I do think that's a good question um last but not least oh patrolman Sweeny listen I think that our chief the Chiefs before have done a great job of bringing in great talent to protect us and they do a lot with a little trust me and you know I'm thankful that P the patrolman Sween on the street to be able to help us along with the other officers and I'm thankful for the leadership not just with the chief with the lieutenants and everyone who leads them because they do a fantastic job um last but not [Music] least really what huh someone asked a question are we coming back after executive session we can I don't but we may not have a decision but we can whether stay there's no action though is there any there's no action there's no action no there'll be no action um but what I was going to say if I if I could quickly um so I lived in West hon for 22 years my kids have played Sports um my kids have also worked the basketball games I've coached a lot basketball flag football when it first started uh time after time I've been to the recreation meetings when I was when I first got elected one of the people and and you know and I say this because you know a lot of people say a lot of things right you can ask the guy and and he will verify some of the things that you may hear but um the first person that I talked to was him and he passed along some pretty good advice he said that typically and if you guys know who I'm talking about this is his words when people get on that that committee they get beer muscles don't be like that so anywhere I go anybody I've talked to if they try to call me maram I was like call me Sandy that's a way and I and me talked and I said that's way that that won't happen that's a person that a lot of us have a relationship with some the same as you some better than you but it doesn't that doesn't matter but I think that we all got to keep that in mind too he would say that I have a relationship with him I the tits Ro pops there I'm one of the only people who e the tits Ro pops there and he keeps them there for me I don't know if anybody's paid attention I know that they're there but that's usually he put a little sign up there for me too and we talk you know we argue we fight then we laugh and we joke then we argue and we f fight and it goes over and over and over again um and I say that to say to to to piggy back on for what Jamie said that we're we're going to be fair but we got we don't know everything that went on and we got to out and see what's we have fiduciary responsibility for the township but it's not that we don't have a relationship with that person because that relationship is stronger than some weaker than others some of the people I recognize when you come up because you've been around um been at Fields gave me my first pork rle he's done a lot of things so um lastly I appreciate everyone coming here because it looks like a community and it feels like a community and we are community and that means a lot for whatever reason and I hope to see you more we don't never run from the heart issues we like to hear what you guys have to say and we like to put this thing into action so thank you I appreciate you guys coming I appreciate hearing what you have to say with that being said we're going to go into executive session resolution number 521 2024 resolution authorizing Township committee and support staff to meet in private session authorizing an execution of the public the exclusion I'm sorry of the public from the portion of the meeting dealing a specific issue requiring non-public discussion attorney privilege Personnel we have a motion motion second any discussion roll call [Music] yes