Dean Ferraro

The meeting agenda primarily focused on reorganization items for 2026. Key topics included the swearing-in of new and re-appointed board members across various classes, the nomination and election of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for 2026, and the appointment of Board Professionals, including the Board Attorney, Board Engineer, and Board Planner, based on bid proposals reviewed by the RFQ Subcommittee. The Board also planned to confirm the designation of newspapers for legal notices and finalize the calendar for regular and special meetings for 2026. The Reorganization Meeting was immediately followed by a Regular Meeting, during which the Board planned to address Resolution PB25/10 concerning a minor subdivision and variance relief request for 127 & 129 Pennsylvania Ave., and application PB25/09 regarding preliminary and final major site plan approval for B&B Commercial LLC to reconfigure and expand a parking area at 404 Highway 35 So.

The meeting agenda included the reorganization proceedings for 2026, involving the election of officers (Chairperson, First Vice Chairperson, Second Vice Chairperson) and the reaffirmation of Board Professionals (Attorney and Engineer) based on subcommittee recommendations and qualifications reviewed in December 2025. The board also confirmed the designation of official newspapers for legal notices. A schedule for Regular and Special Meeting dates for the 2024 Calendar Year was confirmed. The sole application for review listed was ZB/16 concerning an appeal by the Abbas Osman Family Trust regarding a zoning denial for a use variance at 216 Highway 35 in the B1 Zone.

The meeting began with an announcement regarding the satisfaction of public notice requirements, followed by presentations (none). Discussions in open session included acknowledging receipt of the 2025 Best Practices Survey, with a specific note on utilizing artificial intelligence technology. An executive session was held to discuss Personnel (Staffing & Compensation, Appointments) and Attorney Client Privilege matters (Professional Service Contracts, Contracts, Contract Negotiations/Litigation). Following the executive session, the committee approved the minutes from the October 16 meeting and amended the agenda to include additional resolutions. Committee comments covered community events, safety incidents (garbage truck fire), early voting, and upcoming local events. The Acting Business Administrator provided updates on the School Budget Meeting schedule, monitoring of pedestrian bridge areas, resolution of drainage pipe concerns, sewer authority responses, park lighting status, tax assessment issues, and ongoing judicial review. The public hearing for Ordinance 25-26 (amending handicapped parking zones) resulted in its adoption. Ordinance 25-27 (authorizing acquisition of property at 1215 Corlies Avenue) was introduced on first reading, with a public hearing scheduled for November 10, 2025. The Consent Agenda, adopted as amended, included authorizing bill payments and awarding a contract to Grinding Services, LLC for the Sunshine Village Soccer Fields Sand Slit Drainage Project. Several resolutions authorized Chapter 159 budget amendments for grant revenues (NJDCA Public Facilities Improvement Grant, Older Americans Act - Title IIIB Grant, NJ Highway and Traffic Safety Drunk Driving Enforcement Grant, and FY2026 Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program). Resolution 25-360 authorized advertising for Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for 2026 professional services under the "fair and open process." Personnel actions included authorizing reclassification for a DPW employee and approving a stipend for an employee performing Mercantile Officer duties. Separately adopted resolutions included Res. 25-358 opposing the closure of Monmouth Medical Center hospital in Long Branch, and Res. 25-363 appointing a temporary Rent Leveling Board Secretary. Public comments addressed concerns about the Monmouth Medical Center resolution, handicapped parking spot review, redevelopment projects, and the school budget.

The primary focus of this workshop meeting was a detailed presentation and review of the proposed 2018 municipal budget by the Chief Financial Officer. Key discussion points included the increase in average home value, the proposed municipal tax rate for 2018 compared to 2017, and the percentage increase in budget appropriations. It was noted that the total Township debt remains well below the 3% threshold requiring state approval, and both the marina and sewer utilities are self-liquidating. The budget was scheduled to be formally introduced at the regular meeting that evening, with a public hearing set for April 9th.

The Township Committee Workshop Meeting included discussions on the 2014 Municipal Budget, a proposed Memorandum of Understanding with labor unions regarding temporary hiring for Township projects, and a review of committee calendars and outstanding issues, including ongoing capital improvement projects. Subsequent to the workshop, the Township Committee held its regular meeting which involved introducing three bond ordinances concerning sidewalk/accessibility projects and Veterans Park development, and first readings for ordinances related to exceeding budget appropriation limits for the 2014 budget and adding a handicapped parking zone on Abbott Avenue. The regular session also addressed numerous resolutions via a consent agenda, covering temporary no parking for a craft show, confirming a grant application, accepting resignations, authorizing stand-by duty payments, granting a leave of absence, authorizing a deposit refund, approving park use for an Easter Sunrise Service, authorizing Memoranda of Understanding with three different labor unions (Carpenters Local 715, Plumbers Local 9, and IBEW Local 400), authorizing street closings for multiple festivals and a marathon, authorizing an agreement for architectural services for a new Municipal Marina building, employing Tourism Representatives, authorizing a revocable license agreement for encroachment, authorizing the transfer of 2013 budget appropriation reserves, accepting a performance guarantee for sewer improvements, authorizing endorsement of a tax sale certificate cancellation, accepting additional resignations, authorizing a contract for telephone service, authorizing the public sale of surplus property, authorizing an interlocal service agreement for brush disposal, introducing the 2014 Municipal Budget, appointing a member to the Housing Authority, and authorizing the payment of bills.