All meeting minutes posted on the township website are unofficial minutes. Official copies of minutes may be obtained from the township clerk.

Minutes: January 5, 2023

A. OPENING OF REORGANIZATION MEETING

1. Opening of the Reorganization Meeting

The annual Reorganization Meeting of the Randolph Township Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Former Mayor Potter. This meeting is held pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of the meeting has been provided by posting written notice of the time, date, location, and, to the extent known, the agenda of the meeting in Randolph Township. This notice was posted on the Bulletin Board within Town Hall, on the main entrance doors to Town Hall, it was filed with the Township Clerk, and it was provided to those persons or entities requesting notification. Notice was also provided to the Randolph Reporter and the Morris County Daily Record on December 15, 2022, by emailing them the annual resolution adopted by the Council on December 8, 2022. The annual resolution, which included this meeting date, was advertised in the Randolph Reporter, the official newspaper of the Township of Randolph and the Daily Record on November 22, 2022. Notice was also provided to TapInto Randolph, the official Township online digital publication, on December 21, 2022.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Former Mayor Potter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Recognize Dignitaries

Present: Township Manager Poff; Township Clerk Luciani; Township Attorney Edward Buzak from the Law Office of Edward Buzak; Military and Veterans Liaison Willy Toba from the Office of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill; Senator Anthony Bucco; Assemblywoman Aura Dunn; County Commissioners Stephen Shaw, Tayfun Selen, John Krickus, Christine Myers, Morris County Sherriff James Gannon, Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling, and Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Glassner.

B. SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBERS

1. Councilmember Mark Forstenhausler

Councilmember Mark Forstenhausler was sworn in by his daughter, Lauren; his wife, Susan Forstenhausler held the bible.

2. Councilmember Marie Potter

Councilmember Marie Potter was sworn in by her husband, John; her sons, Sean and Matthew, held the bible.

3. Councilmember Lou Nisivoccia

Councilmember Lou Nisivoccia was sworn in by his wife, Jackie; his children, Emma and Raymond, held the bible.

4. Councilmember Helene Elbaum

Councilmember Helene Elbaum was sworn in by her fiance, Chad; her nieces held the bible.

5. Councilmember Joseph Hathaway

Councilmember Joe Hathaway was sworn in by Senator Anthony Bucco; his wife, Whitney, held the bible.

C. ROLL CALL OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL

PRESENT:
Councilmember Carey
Councilmember Elbaum
Councilmember Forstenhausler
Councilmember Hathaway
Councilmember Nisivoccia
Councilmember Potter
Councilmember Veech

D. SELECTION OF TEMPORARY MAYOR

Councilmember Nisivoccia nominated Township Clerk Donna Luciani to be the temporary Mayor. Councilmember Carey seconded the nomination, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilmember Carey
Councilmember Elbaum
Councilmember Forstenhausler
Councilmember Hathaway
Councilmember Nisivoccia
Councilmember Potter
Councilmember Veech

NAYS: None

E. NOMINATIONS AND SELECTION OF MAYOR FOR THE YEAR 2023

Councilmember Potter nominated Councilmember Nisivoccia to be appointed as Mayor of the Township of Randolph. Councilmember Carey seconded the nomination, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilmember Carey
Councilmember Elbaum
Councilmember Forstenhausler
Councilmember Hathaway
Councilmember Nisivoccia
Councilmember Potter
Councilmember Veech

NAYS: None

F. NOMINATIONS AND SELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR FOR THE YEAR 2023

Mayor Nisivoccia nominated Councilmember Carey to be appointed as Deputy Mayor of the Township of Randolph. Councilmember Veech seconded the nomination, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilmember Carey
Councilmember Elbaum
Councilmember Forstenhausler
Councilmember Hathaway
Councilmember Nisivoccia
Councilmember Potter
Councilmember Veech

NAYS: None

G. SWEARING IN OF MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR

Manager Poff congratulated Councilmember Nisivoccia and Councilmember Carey on their appointments as Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Nisivoccia was sworn in by his wife, Jackie; his children, Emma and Raymond, held the bible.

Deputy Mayor Carey was sworn in by her husband, Frank; her sons, Nick and Joey, held the bible.

H. RECOGNIZE 2022 RANDOLPH MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER

1. 2022 Mayor Marie Potter

Manager Poff acknowledged the service of former Mayor Potter with the following remarks:

"It is a privilege to recognize Mayor Potter for her service to the Township. I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Potter when she was a member of the Township Manager Search Committee. From that first meeting, I felt that I would enjoy working with her in that capacity. Working with Marie has been a privilege and honor. She made the transition for the incoming Township Manager easier by taking the time to get to know me and sharing the challenges and events going on within the township; she did an exemplary job. One of the things I admire most about Marie is her willingness to confront complex and sometimes difficult situations with intent, interest, and dedication that is unmatched. I was amazed at how quickly she would grasp the issues at hand, and at her willingness to roll up her sleeves and take care of things as needed. I knew that she was going to be supportive no matter the challenges and difficult situations and that she was going to do right by her elected colleagues and the township. She should be recognized for a job well done. The number of things Marie has championed while being mayor is too long to list. She took hold of and supported the state's NJ 2-1-1 program, and contributed to getting many residents familiar with the state resources available. Thank you and congratulations on being appointed as a councilmember."

Mayor Nisivoccia acknowledged the service of former Mayor Potter with the following remarks:

"Thank you, Mrs. Potter, for your leadership last year as our mayor. Many people don't know this, but Marie walked every road in Randolph. Some of us are content with reaching 10,000 steps every day. You are the most organized person I have ever met, paying attention to every detail, and thoroughly analyzing every situation with engineering precision. Every challenge you faced, big or small, was met with relentless determination while never sacrificing compassion or caring. Very early in your term as mayor, our township was presented with a difficult situation, a situation in which a positive outcome appeared unlikely. I vividly remember your words, "we are going to do everything possible to make this right for our residents, setting all consequences aside." You mobilized every available resource and attacked the problem from every angle. There was no settling good enough nor was there any working at the speed of government for you. I knew at that moment how lucky Randolph was to have you serving as our mayor, and how lucky I was to be there to learn from you. Thank you for taking me under your wing!"

Councilmember Potter stated the following:

"Good evening and happy New Year. Thank you, Mayor Nisivoccia, for those kind words."

"It was an honor to serve as Mayor in 2022. I could not have done it without the enormous help I received. First of all, I'd like to thank my husband John for all of the support he gave me, for all the times he accepted me being lost in my office to address situations, and for all the personal invitations we had to decline because I had a "mayor thing to go to that night."

"Thank you also to my other family members. As any volunteer knows, without your family's backing, it would be impossible to volunteer in any capacity."

"Thank you to my four children, Sean, Katie, Matt, and Caroline, who were proud of me and motivated me, and my sister, who offered her professional editing skills to proofread my writings. I'd also like to thank my mom for encouraging my endeavors."

"Thank you also to my friends who gave me great support. For all the times you were there for me at events, like tonight, where you could have been doing something else more exciting; I can't say how much I appreciate your backing."

"I also want to thank my fellow elected officials. First of all, Mayor Nisivoccia for acting as Deputy Mayor in 2022. Whenever I couldn't make an event or perform a wedding you were always available to step in. Councilmember Forstenhausler, I appreciated your training when I was Deputy Mayor during your 2021 term as Mayor. All of your advice came in very handy. Thank you also to all my fellow councilmembers. Many of you have served as mayor, some several terms, and were always there to support me."

"Tonight, I would also like to thank Mayor emeritus Jim Loveys. Even though I knew last year was your last year on council, I contacted you constantly for advice. I trusted your moral compass and your experience as a long-term council member. You always provided meaningful insights to many situations. Thank you for your service. You will be missed."

"I would also like to thank the township staff. I witnessed your respect for the Mayor's Office and felt your support for the success of that office. I offer my thanks to our Township Clerk Donna Luciani and her staff, who were always available with quick turnaround times on any issue."

"I also had the pleasure to work with two professional Township Managers in 2022; Steve Mountain and Greg Poff. I thank you both for helping me with my term as mayor. Steve made sure I was heading in the correct direction and provided expert information. Except for one piece. He told me the first 6 months were the hardest. That was perhaps a tad misleading. But otherwise, Steve offered me very valuable guidance. Greg thank you for always offering professional advice. You are an asset to this township. I am very grateful that you accepted the position of Randolph Township Manager. Randolph is lucky to have you at the helm for 2023."

"Congratulations to our new Mayor, Lou Nisivoccia. I appreciate you taking on this role. As a lifelong resident of Randolph, and an extremely accomplished and dedicated volunteer, you bring considerable and distinctive wisdom to this position."

"Congratulations to our new Deputy Mayor, Chris Carey. I think this is your third time as Deputy Mayor, and you have served as mayor two times. Your experience will certainly be valuable to the township as we address 2023."

"Congratulations to Lou Nisivoccia and Mark Forstenhausler for securing another term in office. Randolph is lucky to have such dedicated volunteers. Councilmember Helene Elbaum, welcome to the council. We are all enjoying tonight's history with your addition to the council; this is the first-time women have held the majority of the council seats on the Randolph Township Council."

"Councilmember Joe Hathaway, congratulations on your first elected term. Your efforts to meet so many residents and educate yourself on the issues facing Randolph were exceptional. Your energy and intelligence are an asset to the council."

"Last, but not least, I would like to thank the Randolph residents. Pretty much, every resident that contacted me with an issue during the year was grateful and appreciative. So many residents also offered a helping hand where they could. We live in a great community."

"This year I look forward to serving on several workgroups and committees. They include Environmental and Landmarks, Wildlife, Finance, Recycling/Sustainability, Land Use, Diversity, and Social Services. I will also be representing the township on the Rockaway Valley Regional Sewerage Authority. I like to joke that I've gone from Mayor to the Sewer. I guess this is an example of the circle of life in government."

"I am looking forward to the year ahead serving with the rest of the 2023 council. I have incredible pride for what we accomplished together in 2022 and have great enthusiasm for what we will accomplish together in 2023. Stay safe, and have a happy and healthy year. Thank you."

2. Former Councilmember James Loveys (12 Years)

Senator Anthony Bucco acknowledged the service of former Councilmember Loveys with the following remarks:

"I have known Jim for many years, and there is no one that wore Randolph on his sleeves like Jim Loveys. You name the organization in Randolph, and he participated in it. If there was something that was needed, he was there; whether it was the VFW, recreation programs, etc. you would find Jim Loveys wherever a helping hand was needed. They say a great leader is recognized when they leave their place a little better than they found it. Randolph has Jim's fingerprints all over it and you are leaving it a lot better than when you found it. This is a testament to your leadership, your ability to bring people together for a common cause, and the way you handled yourself. People wanted to get behind you. Tonight, I am honored to be here with Assemblywoman Dunn to present a resolution that was introduced to the senate and the assembly."

Assemblywoman Aura Dunn acknowledged the service of former Councilmember Loveys with the following remarks:

"It is an honor to be here tonight. Although, bittersweet to send you off. I knew you first as a mentor and then as a colleague, and now I can truly say, as a friend. Congratulations, and enjoy your retirement."

Members of VFW Post 7333 presented former Councilmember Loveys with a Certificate of Appreciation. They acknowledged and appreciated his participation in VFW events and the support he gave.

Former Councilmember Loveys thanked the VFW for their recognition. He stated that his sense of civic responsibility came out of gratitude for the service demonstrated by the VFW members and those serving the country. He expressed the importance of civic responsibility and being involved in the community. He thanked all the veterans present for protecting the freedoms and rights individuals can participate in. He stated that he appreciated all they did.

Manager Poff stated that Mr. Loveys' expression of gratitude to the VFW for their recognition of him demonstrated who Mr. Loveys is; a genuine, sincere, and dedicated public servant. He stated that Mr. Loveys represented Randolph Township through and through. As an incoming manager, he had the privilege of meeting Mr. Loveys during his capacity on the Township Manager Search Committee. He stated that it was his privilege to serve with Mr. Loveys and thanked the former councilmember for his service to the community and the short months they spent working together.

Mayor Nisivoccia acknowledged the service of former Councilmember Loveys with the following remarks:

"It has been my absolute pleasure to serve with you. Thank you for your mentorship and guidance. Jim and I had many discussions over the past four years, all of them informative and enjoyable, but rarely brief. Some of the topics included land use law, municipal budgets, the importance of voting with your heart, ordinances, care, and maintenance of the township parks and recreation facilities, how to re-caulk a bathtub, and how great it was to become a grandparent. You never put anyone or anything down; rather, your approach to every situation sought to bring out the best in everyone around you. A person of unquestionable integrity - you will be missed in these hallways. On behalf of Randolph Township, thank you for twelve years of dedicated service on the council, including two terms as mayor and two terms as deputy mayor."

Mr. Loveys thanked Assemblywoman Dunn and Senator Bucco for their kind words and partnered resolution. He thanked his family for their support. He explained how the past 12 years of commitment to public service placed demands on family life. He thanked his wife for being supportive every step of the way. He shared that he and his wife have lived in the community for over 30 years. He stated that it was an honor and a privilege to serve on the Township Council. He thanked the residents of Randolph. He stated that he was grateful for the opportunity and experiences he has had, such as meeting the many different residents within the community. He commented that even playing a small part in improving some lives was gratifying.

He acknowledged the bonds of friendship he formed over the course of his time on the Township Council. He thanked everyone present and commented that the friendships meant a lot to him. He stated that while they did not always agree, they agreed to disagree civilly. He thanked the many volunteers in the community, the VFW, past and present councilmembers and township staff, public safety employees and volunteers, the Police Department, Fire Department, and Rescue Squad. He commented that the services in the community were a result of a team effort. He stated that he had the opportunity to work with two Township Managers and acknowledged that one of the main functions of the Township Council was to select a Township Manager. He thanked Township Manager Poff and Township Clerk Luciani and commended them for their institutional knowledge and professionalism. He congratulated the newly elected councilmembers and the returning councilmembers. He congratulated Councilmember Potter for her service as Mayor. He commended her for her leadership and assistance in navigating the township through several complex issues. He wished the council and township the best of luck in 2023 and beyond. He thanked everyone for their attendance.

I. COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL

1. Goals and Objectives for 2023

Mayor Nisivoccia stated:

"Good evening, everyone and thank you for joining us. Special thanks to my wife, Jackie, and our two children, Emma and Raymond, for their support. My kids explain to their friends that I attend a lot of meetings and talk on the phone a lot. None of us serve alone, and I couldn't do all that I do without my family. I would like to thank my council colleagues for selecting me to serve as your mayor. I appreciate your confidence in me; I am honored, and I am humbled."

"Congratulations to Deputy Mayor Carey. I am looking forward to working with you and all the councilmembers to always put Randolph first. Congratulations Mark Forstenhausler, Marie Potter, Helene Elbaum, and Joe Hathaway on your elections. With Councilmember Elbaum, most of our council is now women, another first for Randolph Township."

"I would also like to congratulate all the volunteers being sworn into the township's boards and committees. Thank you for your service to our community, and thank you for continuing the proud tradition in this town of saying sure, "I would love to volunteer." I want to commend my long-time friend Tony Moschella for his many years with the Randolph Township Fire Department. Tony recently stepped down as our fire department chief and has served as either department chief or deputy chief for the past eight years. Due to a scheduling conflict, the new fire department leadership will be sworn in at the January 19th council meeting. Congratulations to new Fire Department Chief Michael Vanadia and Deputy Chief Kevin Dunn; both have served as chief of the department previously."

"I commend Township Manager Greg Poff, Township Clerk Donna Luciani, and the township staff for their efforts to improve communications with the residents, especially the very informative social media posts and the Friday 'News & Events' e-mail announcements. I encourage everyone to sign up for Swift911, the link to do so is easily found on the 'Stay Informed' page on the township website, along with links to other sources of township information."

"This year, I will continue to work with the township staff and the communications workgroup members to improve the what, how, and when information is shared with the residents, including the development of a new township website. One of the most important tasks for the council is the preparation of the township's annual budget. Fortunately, Randolph Township is on a solid financial footing from many years of prudent financial management and is one of only a select few New Jersey municipalities that maintain the AAA bond rating. The Township Council has three budget meetings planned: Saturday, January 28 at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, February 2 at 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, March 2 at 5:00 p.m. All of our meetings are open to the public, and we welcome your participation! This year, I will serve as the Council liaison to the Economic Development Committee and the Board of Education and will serve on the communications, emergency management, land use, and ordinance work groups. In closing, I wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy New Year - may 2023 be a tremendous year for all of us."

Manager Poff requested that the swearing in of the Municipal Court Judge be moved forward due to a scheduling conflict. The council agreed to advance the agenda item.

J. SWEARING IN OF MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE

Municipal Court Judge Ira Cohen was sworn in by Judge David Ironson; his wife, Mindy Cohen, held the bible.

I. COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL (CONTINUED)

1. Goals and Objectives for 2023 (CONTINUED)

Deputy Mayor Carey stated:

"Good evening and Happy New Year to all of you who were so kind to join us today. Thank you to all the family members, friends, staff, and elected officials who have come here today to be a part of this re-organization meeting."

"First, I want to thank our outgoing mayor, Marie Potter. Over the past year, Marie has done a great job while serving as Mayor. She has been a strong, organized, and compassionate leader. She led the Council through some complicated and tough issues, and we are grateful for her leadership. Next, I would like to congratulate our new mayor, Lou Nisivoccia. Lou is a "forever" resident of Randolph who has a long history of serving our community and working to make Randolph a great place to live. We are fortunate to have him serve as Mayor in 2023. I would also like to say farewell to Jim Loveys, who is leaving the Council after 12 years of service. Throughout his tenure, Jim has been an exceptional Council member, known for his empathy, dedication, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness. Jim has always kept the best interests of Randolph residents as a guide to all his decision-making. He is a very trustworthy and honest person with great wisdom and integrity. We couldn't have asked for a better colleague and we will miss him."

"I would also like to recognize our exceptional township staff and professionals led by our Township Manager, Greg Poff. The staff who work in this building and throughout the town do a fabulous job keeping this town safe, keeping it running very smoothly, and providing quality services to Randolph residents."

"I would also like to thank the many residents who raise their hands and volunteer to serve the Randolph community, on numerous advisory committees and boards, many of whom are being appointed this evening, and also those who volunteer in other ways in our community and especially as volunteers on the Rescue Squad and Fire Department."

"As we begin 2023, it's really an honor and a privilege for me to serve as a member of the Randolph Township Council and as Deputy Mayor. This year, I will serve on various boards and work groups and am looking forward to a busy and productive year. I will continue to serve as the mayor's designee to the Randolph Library Board of Trustees, where I will work with the other trustees to provide oversight of the library operations, bring improvements to the library, and find creative ways to serve the needs of our residents. I am also looking forward to serving, for the first time, as the Council Liaison to the Board of Health, which is charged with recommending measures to meet the health needs of the township. The Board also reviews proposed ordinances affecting matters of public health and makes reports and recommendations to the Township Council based on its findings.

"I will also be serving on five Council work groups: Along with Mayor Nisivoccia, I will serve as a liaison to the Randolph Board of Education. Elected representatives from both the Council and the Board of Education, along with the Superintendent of Schools and the Township Manager, meet regularly to discuss issues that impact both organizations. I will also be a member of the Environmental/Sustainability Work Group which will be focused in 2023 on developing an environmental action plan for Randolph Township that will outline our sustainability vision and identify and prioritize potential projects for implementation in our community."

"I will continue to chair the Cannabis Work Group that assesses information related to cannabis-related businesses and make recommendations regarding the licensing of these businesses within Randolph as a result of the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Jersey. I will also be chairing the Council Diversity Work Group which was newly formed in 2022 and includes representatives from religious organizations in Randolph, the Randolph PEACE group, and the Randolph Indian Association. The group will be meeting soon to further define its mission and goals. I will be joining the Communications and Technology Work Group which is actively evaluating strategies for improving communications with the public and getting relevant information out to residents in a timely manner."

"As I said earlier, I am expecting 2023 to be a busy and productive year. In closing, I want to thank my husband, Frank, and my children for all their encouragement and assistance as I serve on the Council. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Council, our Township Manager, and our dedicated staff as we serve the Randolph residents in 2023. Thank you very much."

Councilmember Elbaum stated:

"Good evening and happy New Year. I would like to thank everyone for attending this evening, with a special acknowledgement to all my friends and family. It means the world to me that you are here to support, celebrate and acknowledge all my hard work in becoming a new council member here in Randolph."

"I also want to thank all the Randolph residents who voted for me. I am truly humbled by your support and trust. I met so many of you on the campaign trail and I feel so honored to be a part of this wonderful, dedicated community."

"A very special thank you to my fiance, Chad, who chased me down the streets of Randolph (and kept losing me), as I campaigned for weeks and even learned how to use a cotton candy machine for our campaign booth at the Randolph Country Fair. He had cotton candy in his hair for days but loved every moment."

"I want to congratulate my running mates Marie, Mark, Joe and our new Mayor Lou on your re-election. I look forward to working with you and the entire Council for the next four years. I am also proud to serve on this historic women majority Township Council. "

"As an avid volunteer here in town and a resident of over 40 years, I am truly honored to continue my civil service as a Council Member. I look forward to being the Council Liaison on Trails Advisory Committee. Our Trails are truly one of Randolph's best attractions and I can't wait to work with the committee. Further, I will also serve as the Council Member on the Planning Board, of which I have served as a commissioner for over three years."

"I look forward to ushering in a new generation on the Randolph Township Council, encompassing all the hard work of my fellow council members, while providing a fresh, new perspective for the future. I hope to implement improved communication systems & transparency throughout the Township and will also continue to create pro-business initiatives in town. Thank you."

Councilmember Forstenhausler stated:

"Happy New Year, and thank you all for both voting and attending tonight's re-organization meeting this evening."

"It has been another busy year, thankfully we had Mayor Marie Potter at the helm! Mayor, you did an exceptional job! Thank you for devoting so much time and effort to serving Randolph Township. Though many residents are not aware of all the work that you did, we on the council were impressed with your level of commitment!"

"Congratulations to Mayor Lou Nisivoccia, I am sure that you will be great in the role, and please know that we are all here to help you at any time and in any way. One of the truly fantastic things that I have seen about this council over the years is the way that we all work together for the benefit of our residents and township."

"Congratulations also to Deputy Mayor Chris Carey. I am sure that all your experience will insure an excellent term as deputy mayor."

"I also want to publicly thank Fire Chief Anthony Moschella for his many years of service as a volunteer firefighter and especially the past eight years that he has served as a department officer."

"We have served together during many difficult calls; the department and I will miss his experienced, thoughtful leadership."

"I would certainly be remiss if I didn't acknowledge and praise the dedication of two-time past Mayor and long-time Councilmember Jim Loveys over these past 12 years. Thank you, Jim, for your service, and thank you Karen for sharing him with us!"

"We also had a major change last year when Steve Mountain retired, and we welcomed Greg Poff as our new Township Manager. Due in large part to Mayor Potter and Greg Poff himself, the change in manager was virtually seamless, and we kept Randolph open for business, functioning and moving forward."

"In 2023, I will serve as liaison to the Public Safety Committee and the MAC Committee."

"Thank you so much for everyone's efforts and support. I look forward to continuing to serve Randolph Township for another four years!"

Councilmember Hathaway stated:

"Good evening and happy New Year to everyone here tonight, and the entire Randolph community."

"I am incredibly grateful to have my wife, Whitney, here with me tonight. I am also equally as grateful to have my mom at home with our two children. Special thank you to Senator Bucco for taking the time to swear me in tonight; I really appreciate it."

"As we begin the new year, I want to first thank Councilmember Potter for an incredible job as Mayor in 2022. As I've said to her at our last meeting; she is the best mayor I've ever worked with. Also, congratulations to Mayor Nisivoccia and Deputy Mayor Carey. I look forward to your leadership this year, and working alongside both of you."

"It is an incredible honor to be able to serve on this council, not just as an appointed councilmember, but now as an elected one. I would also like to congratulate my running mates, Mark, Marie, Lou, and Helene on their elections as well. I would like to give a special acknowledgement to Councilmember Elbaum for making me no longer the new guy. Truthfully, I look forward to learning from your wealth of experience, and your long-time volunteerism as a business professional and resident in Randolph."

"During this past election we talked a lot about the goals and visions for Randolph that will make our town an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. Things like environmental stewardship, to managing our growth, to investing our communications capabilities. I really look forward to collaborating with my colleges on this council and within the community to achieve these goals moving forward."

"In terms of committees, I am very excited to return to my roots as a Council Liaison to the Recreation Committee, as well as the Traffic Advisory Committee; I look forward to working with these two committees towards the betterment of our community and its drivers, commuters, children, and parents."

"Thank you everyone. Happy New Year. Let's get to work."

Councilmember Potter stated:

Councilmember Potter stated that she had already shared her goals and comments during the recognition of her term as Mayor in 2022.

Councilmember Veech stated:

"Good evening, everyone and thank you for coming. Congratulations Lou, may you enjoy the coming year! Marie, job very well done! Jim, twelve great years of public service! It's been an honor to work with you. Thanks to my husband Skip for the many days and nights I am not home with him. He's been very patient with me over the last 11 plus years as I have served in this council role."

"This past year I was honored to serve as Council Liaison to the Parks Advisory Committee, and on the Community Garden Subcommittee, the Planning Board, the Communications & Technology Work Group, as well as the Cannabis Workgroup, and I chaired the Facilities Work Group. This coming year I will continue to chair the Facilities Work Group, serve on the Parks Advisory Committee and serve as the Mayor's Delegate on the Planning Board. I'll also continue on the Work Groups I mentioned and will be a member of the Ordinance Work Group.

"Over three years ago, we began the Communications & Technology Work Group to increase transparency and upgrade our communications, including our website and our township's technology infrastructure. We are well on our way on all fronts as we will have a newly designed website this summer allowing our residents to send in their concerns, be it a fallen tree, a pot hole or any question or issue they may have. We're investing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Federal Government's grant to accomplish these upgrades. We have upgraded our Friday Events e-blasts and social media posts to include the many activities going on throughout Randolph and we've added a Council Corner. We will continue to upgrade our weekly communications and you'll be hearing more from the Council this coming year. We've had excellent feedback so far on these posts. We are reviewing our current communications needs and staffing. The township is run by a limited group of employees, many of which wear several hats, and with our township growing and technology changing, we need to make sure we have the right people using the right tools to maximize our communication efforts."

"Our Facilities Work Group is continuing to look for ways within our budgeting process to enhance the Brundage Park Playhouse, the Brundage Skateboard Park, Artworks Studio, and other facilities. We have many parks with facilities, including buildings, sheds, bathrooms, playgrounds, etc. They all need periodic maintenance and review and this work group will focus on their needs."

"One of my goals on the Ordinances Work Group is to look for ways to declutter the signs that come with elections without interfering with anyone's free speech. I'm referring to the ones that are on intersection corners and littered all over town. It's been my pet peeve. They pollute our town for two months prior to every primary and general election. We also need to continually look at our older ordinances to see if they need to be rewritten, retired, or remain in place."

"In closing, I ask that if you haven't already signed up for township notifications, that you do as soon as possible. The links are on our website and easy to use. And all seven of us are here to answer your questions, our contact information is on the website. Please talk to us or call town hall. It's been an honor serving this township. Our residents and businesses make this township a real community; one that I've enjoyed living in for over 27 years. A happy and healthy 2023 to you all. God bless you and God bless America."

K. R-01-23 RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH

1. R-01-23 Resolution Recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month

Councilmember Forstenhausler made a motion to approve R-01-23 Resolution Recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. Councilmember Potter seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilmember Elbaum
Councilmember Forstenhausler
Councilmember Hathaway
Councilmember Potter
Councilmember Veech
Deputy Mayor Carey
Mayor Nisivoccia

NAYS: None

L. CONSENT AGENDA, COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Council Appointments for 2023

Deputy Clerk (one year)—Janet Pollio

Township Attorney (one year)—The Buzak Law Group—Edward J. Buzak

Emergency Management Coordinator (one year)—William Wagner

Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator (one year)—Richard Briant

Special Counsel for Labor and Negotiations (one year)—Trimboli and Prusinowski—James Prusinowski

Special Counsel for Tax Appeals (one year)—Dorsey and Semrau—Fred Semrau

Tax Appeal Appraisals (one year)—Appraisal Consultants—Jon Brody

Police General Legal, Hearings, and Police Contract Negotiations (one year)—Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy—Arthur Thibault, Jr.

Special Counsel for Negotiations and Preparation of Developer’s Agreements (one year)—Murphy, McKeon PC—Anthony Bucco, Jr.

Prosecutor (one year)—Horan and Aronowitz—John Horan

Public Defender (one year)—Denis Driscoll

Township Auditor (one year)—Nisivoccia LLP—Kathi Mantell

Bond Counsel (one year)—Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP—Robert Beinfeld

Municipal Historian (one year)—Gail Hari

Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee (CDRS):
Mayor’s Appointment (one year)—Richard Lindsay
Governing Body Appointment (one year)—Joanne Veech
Alternate Appointed by Mayor (one year)—Wayne Corsey

COMMITTEE/BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Board of Adjustment:
Member (four years)—Robert Sesko
Member (four years)—Lawrence O'Neill

Board of Assessments for Local Improvements:
Member (two years)—David Podell
Gina Fiscella (unexpired term of R. DeLorenzo - 12/31/23)

Board of Health:
Alternate #1 (two years)—David Ray

Economic Development Committee:
Member (three years)—John Ragan
Member (three years)—David Ehehalt
Member (three years)—Nathan Penn
Member (three years)—Phillip Fiscus
Alternate #1 —Ann Asbaty (unexpired term of N. Penn - 12/31/23)
Alternate #2 (two years)—Sydney Ugalde

Advisory Environmental & Landmarks Committee:
Member (three years)—Jay Thomson
Member (three years)—Walter Nickens
Carol Lindsey (unexpired term of V. Khetarpal - 12/31/23)
Alternate #1 (two years)—Michael Whiting
Alternate #2 Pete Cetta (unexpired term of M. Whiting - 12/31/23)

Library Board of Trustees:
Member (five years)—Evelyn Hammaren
Mayor’s Alternate (one year)—Chris Carey

Municipal Alliance Committee:
Member (one year)—Ronald Harmetz
Member (one year)—Brenda DeNure
Member (one year)—Barbara Anderson
Member (one year)—Audrey Verona
Member (one year)—Whitney Hathaway
Alternate #1 (one year)—Richard Reck
Alternate #2 (one year)—

Parks Advisory Committee:
Member (three years)—Sheila Bell-Helmke
Member—Mike Dziomba (unexpired term of H. Elbaum - 12/31/24)

Planning Board:
Member (four years)—Myra Sesko
Member (four years)—Leonard Suchyta
Mayor’s Delegate—Joanne Veech
Official Member—John Herold
Official Council Member—Helene Elbaum

Recreation Advisory Committee:
Member (three year)—Phil Sheehy
Member (three year)—Joe Faranetta
Member (one year)—Robert Kral
Member (one year)—Michael Jordan
Member (one year)—Michael Bryant
Member (one year)—Brandon Minde
Alternate #1 (one year)—Howard Hessel

Rockaway Valley Regional Sewerage Authority (RVRSA):
Member (five years)—Marie Potter

Traffic Advisory Committee:
Member (two years)—Deep Badlani
Member (two years)—Tom Burk
Alternate #1 (two years)—Ron Pawlikoski

Trails Advisory Committee:
Member (three year)—Phil Sheehy
Member (three year)—Marc Perez
Member (three year)—Janet McMillan
Alternate #1 (two year)—Lauren Patterson

Wildlife Management Advisory Committee:
Member (three year)—Marc Perez
Member (three year)—Russ Nee

Council Liaisons
Economic Development—Mayor Nisivoccia
Education (BOE, CCM) (2)—Mayor Nisivoccia, Deputy Mayor Carey
Advisory Environmental & Landmark—Council Member Potter
Health Advisory Board—Deputy Mayor Carey
Library—Deputy Mayor Carey
Media Communications Liaison—Mayor Nisivoccia
Municipal Alliance—Council Member Forstenhausler
Parks—Council Member Veech
Public Safety (Fire, Rescue, Safety Comm.)—Council Member Forstenhausler
Recreation—Council Member Hathaway
Traffic—Council Member Hathaway
Trails—Council Member Elbaum
Wildlife—Council Member Potter

RESOLUTIONS:

2. R-02-23 Rate of Interest on Delinquent Taxes and Delinquent Water and Sewer

3. R-03-23 Bank Depositories

4. R-04-23 Fees for Agendas

5. R-05-23 Signatures on Checks

6. R-06-23 Official Newspaper