PUBLIC COMMENT, ANY TOPIC

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ANTHONY BAIER – 4 OVERLOOK DRIVE – Jackson resident since 1985. Questioned the Council about Resolution 362R-21 annual Municipal subscription for proprietary computer software material in the amount of 53,000.00. Wanted to know the name of the computer software of the proprietary that you’re purchasing.

BA Wall stated that relates to a product called GovPilot; it’s a program that automated forms throughout various departments in town and that’s an annual subscription. That would relate to licenses and other types of things. OPRA requests that you typically have a manual paper oriented process to automate many items in the Clerk’s office and other offices. Folks can transact business online at their convenience from whatever device of their choice, populate the forms automatically and flip it over to Municipality if there’s a particular payment; that’s another payment module when Covid shut everything down.

Mr. Baier assumed there are other Ordinances on this proprietary software; he wanted to know where he can find a list of all the proprietary software that our taxpayers pay for. He is most concerned with the protection of our public information in our computer systems. He wants to understand the ransom software and the computer security and cyber security measures we are taking to protect that.

Mr. Baier’s concern was about the Whispering Hills development, homes turning into shabbats, and vans come in on Friday nights. People are coming and going from different states that are visiting. Code violations being violated with 40 mattresses piled in the garage. Mr. Baier called police for parking violations, the police came but there was nothing that could be done about that, that they are just visiting.

Mr. Baier next concern is that New Jersey contractors are working on a property that has stop work order. He walked up to one of workers one day and asked what he was doing because there is a stop work order; he stated he gave the worker courtesy and told his boss he was going to tell the town that he is doing work on a home with a stop work order.

Mr. Baier stated when he spoke to a Police Officer; they come by to drive by when people are parked the wrong way and the Police state they did everything they could. He feels they do not do anything or enforce the law.

Council President Kern stated that Council is often asked by citizens why we can’t direct a Township Official to take a certain action to go and enforce something or to do something specific. The answer to that question is because under our form of government here in Jackson, Council members have no authority to do so. Council President Kern stated that 15 years ago the residents of Jackson voted to change from a Committee where the Mayor is selected by this group each year; under the current form of government, the Mayor is the only person authorized to direct the day to day operations of the Township. He is the only one who is allowed to authorize the functions. All department heads expect our Clerk report to our Administrator, Mr. Wall and not to this Council. The best comparison to make is the Mayor is the Governor and the Council is like the legislature; we can pass ordinances, resolutions, approve contracts but we cannot tell the Mayor how to run the town. We cannot infringe on the authority granted them by law. There are number of towns that have the same form of government as Jackson, including Newark, Trenton, Brick, Berkeley and Toms River. This Council has and always will listen to the concerns of our residents and will continue to forward concerns to the Mayor and Administration. We urge you to do the same.

ELENOR HANNUM- 7 EVERGREEN COURT- Ms. Hannum’s first concern was about illegal use in residential properties. Residents asked for action and got nothing; they have asked for accountability it was pointed elsewhere.

Ms. Hannum’s second concern is about 71 East Connecticut Concourse code violations, zoning, building and no “CO”. Other health situation is about the septic.