September 24, 2026 · 3,849 words · 10 speakers · 243 segments
Present.
Mr. Shabazz.
Here.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILIPS: Present.
And, Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Present.
So, with five votes, we have a quorum. The first thing I’ll do is entertain a motion to appoint Deirdre Naughton, Esq. as acting Commission Secretary.
Motion.
Second.
OK, the motion is by Mr. Shabazz, and seconded by Mr. Mistry. I’ll do a roll call. Chairman Redd. Yes. Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
OK, congratulations, Deirdre.
Thank you. (laughter)
Congratulations or condolences; we’re not sure. (laughter)
We’re going to move on to old business. Agenda Item 1 is the approval of the June 4 and the August 14, 2026, meeting minutes. I’ll ask for a motion to approve the minutes.
So moved.
Second.
There’s been a motion and seconded. Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Do you need my vote? I wasn’t there, so I was going to abstain. But, do you need my vote?
You know what-- We can table it until-- Yes, we can table it until after Leader Bucco gets here. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: OK.
So, we’ll pull that back. We’ll move on to Agenda Item-- We’ll table that until Leader Bucco arrives. Agenda Item 2 -- Department of Environmental Protection request. Project: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, Block 5101.01, Lot 5.01, Township of Lawrence, Mercer County. Requesting party: On September 29, 2025, the State House Commission approved a request by the NJDEP to grant a permanent sewer line easement to the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority to serve the historic Port Mercer Canal House, located in Lawrence Township, Mercer County. Subsequent to the approval, NJDEP staff determined that the affected parcel should have been listed in the summary sheet as Block 5101.01, Lot 5.01 -- not 5201.01, Lot 5.01. The tax block designation was labeled correctly on the aerial map, but it was listed incorrectly in the summary sheet. Terms: The NJDEP now seeks to amend the original approval to correctly identify Block 5101.01, Lot 5.01, as the tax parcel in which the sewer line easement will be located. I’ll ask for a motion to approve.
Motion. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Second.
Roll call-- Or, is there any questions from the members? (no response) Any questions from members of the public? (no response)
What are we voting?
This is Agenda Item 2, Leader.
Oh, good. I don’t have any issues today, so. (laughter) ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Today.
Yes, I said today. (laughter)
We’ll take a roll call.
Roll call. Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
The matter has been approved.
Thank you. We will go back to Agenda Item 1, which is the approval of the June 4 and the August 14, 2026, minutes. We had already had that motioned and seconded, so we’ll just resume the roll call vote. So, you can just start from the top--
I’m going to start from the top, yes. Roll call. Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Abstain.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
The matter has been approved.
Thank you. We are moving on to new business -- Agenda Item 3, Department of Transportation request. Project: Route 78, Section 5B, a portion of parcel 17A, Block 203, Lot 1, Tax Map Number 2, Township of Springfield, Union County. Requesting party: The Department of Transportation requests approval to dispose of NJDOT-owned excess land located in the Township of Springfield, Union County, that was acquired as Route 78, Section 5B, a portion of Parcel 17A. The parcel consists of approximately 1,500 square feet or .0034 acres of triangular-shaped vacant land located on 98 Taft Lane, and can be identified on Tax Map Number 2 as Block 203, Lot 1. The request to purchase this land was submitted by the only adjoining property owner, Vincent Novellino, to be used as an assemblage to his existing holdings. The Commissioner of Transportation and various units within the Department have reviewed the area, and confirmed the land has no further use for transportation purposes. The County and the Township have expressed no interest in acquiring the parcel for public use. Terms: The property will be sold via direct sale to Mr. Novellino, in accordance with appropriate statutes -- particularly N.J.S.A. 27:12-1.1. The property will be sold for the administratively determined value of $12,500. I will ask for a motion to approve.
Just-- I just have one question, and it’s a general question. When we sell property like this to an adjoining property owner, do we put a condition in the deed that prohibits subdivision of the property -- further subdivision of the property? Do you know?
I don’t know. Do we have someone from DOT that can come up? Please come to the mic and identify yourself, and make sure you hit the light to turn it on -- the red button.
Sure. Hi, name is Tejas Patel. I am a Realty Specialist 2, representing DOT. We do not have those kind of conditions of restricting them from further subdividing it. But, while we are determining the value, we consider the highest and best use. And, sometimes those conditions are addressed in our appraisal report, and that’s how the values are conveyed out--
OK--
--to the requesters.
I just-- The value of a piece of property that’s not buildable is a lot less than a buildable piece of property. But, if you take that smaller piece, add it to your existing piece, and now you’ve got two lots, all of a sudden that property becomes a lot more valuable.
Right.
So, I was just wondering about that.
Most of the times we entertain these kind of requests to have a non-confirming lot convert into a conforming lot. But, there are instances where similar situations does occur--
Right--
--and we definitely take care of it in a manner where we appraise our conveyance.
OK; very good.
Thank you.
Wait, before you leave, sir, are there any other questions? (no response)
So moved.
Second.
Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Agenda Item Number 3 has been approved.
Thank you. We’ll now move on to Agenda Item 4, Department of Environmental Protection request. Thank you. Project: Ramsaysburg Homestead Historic Site, Block 57, part of Lot 20, Township of Knowlton, Warren County. Requesting Party: The NJDEP requests approval to enter into a 20-year lease agreement with the Township of Knowlton for the continued restoration, preservation, development, improvement, maintenance, operation, and interpretation of the Ramsaysburg Homstead. The proposed leased premises consists of approximately 11.73 acres of land within a portion of Block 57, Lot 20. The Township has managed the Homestead since 2006 under a 20-year lease with NJDEP. Over the course of the lease, the Township has invested over $1.4 million in public funds from both its own funds and grant funds to maintain and improve the Homestead. The proposed lease will benefit the public by allowing the Township to continue to maintain and improve the historic structures on the site, and to provide interpretive programs, projects, and activities to enhance the public’s awareness of the historic significance of the site. At present, the Township has obtained approval for grant funds totaling $1,355,725 -- from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, $815,000; from New Jersey Historic Trust, $365,725; and the Warren County Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund, $175,000, to continue the exterior and interior rehabilitation and restoration of the tavern, cottage, and wagon shed on the proposed lease premises for interpretation and visitor support services. The Township’s receipt of the approved grant funding is contingent upon the Township’s continuing to manage the Homestead under the proposed lease. Terms: Given the substantial past investment by the Township in restoring and maintaining the Homestead, the grant funds already approved to be used by the Township for the purpose -- for this purpose if a new lease is effectuated, and the Township’s commitment to continue to maintain, improve, and operate the Homestead during the new lease for the benefit of the public, a one-time payment of $20 is proposed for the 20-year term of the lease. I’ll now entertain a motion to-- Are there any questions first? I’ll entertain a motion.
So moved.
Second.
Roll call.
Roll call. Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Agenda Item Number 4 is approved.
Thank you. Agenda Item 5. Project: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, Block 54, part of Lot 100, Borough of Frenchtown, Hunterdon County. Requesting party: The NJDEP requests approval to enter into a 20-year lease agreement with Kenneth D. Miller and Lisa W. Miller for the use of approximately 700 square feet acre of land within a portion of Block 54, Lot 100, in the Borough of Frenchtown. These lands are administered by the NJDEP as part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. In 2003, the State House Commission approved a lease of 360 square foot, with an annual rent of $241, to the Bridge Café to allow outdoor dining on a small strip of land adjacent to the privately owned restaurant building. However, the original lease area was not well defined, and over time the outdoor dining area was expanded outside the original lease area. The Millers, who have operated the Bridge Café since 1987, have requested to turn over business operations via a sublease to Bridge Café, LLC, an entity owned and managed by the proposed tenant’s son and daughter-in-law. The proposed lease would, 1., allow for a sublease with NJDEP’s written approval, and, 2., expand the current lease area to accommodate the outdoor dining area as well as a patio and garden created by the tenants outside the leased area. Terms: The proposed rent for the first year of the proposed lease is $1,000 per year, with a 3% annual escalation. The proposed year one rental rate represents the NJDEP’s current standard minimum rental rate. The total rent due over the 20-year term of the proposed lease will be $26,870.37. The proposed lease will include new language, indicating that any further encroachment onto NJDEP lands beyond the proposed leased area will be considered a material breach of, and grounds for termination, of the lease. Further, the lease will specify that the existing garden area must only be used as a garden; no further structures or patios are to be added. Are there any questions? (no response) I’ll entertain a motion.
So moved.
Second.
Roll call.
Roll call. Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Agenda Item Number 5 has been approved.
Thank you. We’ll now move on to Agenda Item 6. Project: Musconetcong River Greenway, Block 3204, part of Lot 2, Township of Mansfield, Warren County. Requesting party: The NJDEP requests approval to quitclaim any legal interest it may hold in a portion of Block 3204, Lot 2, in Mansfield Township, Warren County, to Joseph and Robin Trench, the current owners of this lot, to resolve a deed overlap issue. In 1993, the NJDEP purchased approximately 24 acres of land from Norman and Mary Ann Severt for addition to the Musconetcong River Greenway. The Severt acquisition involved the following lots in their entirety, along with 5.3 acres of land, compromising the southern half of the bed of the Musconetcong River: Block 60, Lot 13, 11.3 acres in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County; Block 95, Lot 1, 4.96 acres, and Block 96, Lot 1, 1.24 acres, in Washington Township, Warren County. The deed from the Severts to the NJDEP also conveyed the Severts’ interest -- if any -- in a 10-foot strip of land along the northern bank of the river -- the deed overlap area -- located entirely within Block 3204, Lot 2, in Mansfield Township, Warren County. The survey, upon which the deed description for the acquisition is based, notes that Block 3204, Lot 2, 3.35 acres, was owned by the Butler Volunteer Fire Department and was subject to easement and possible deed overlap. The fire company acquired Block 3204, Lot 2 in 1997 from Carl and Dorthy Schafer. The Schafers acquired the property from Lelia Butler in 1965. In 2023, the fire company sold Block 3204, Lot 2 to Joseph and Robin Trench. Since then, the Trenches have paid property taxes to Mansfield Township on the entire lot, including the deed overlap area. The Trenches have now requested NJDEP clear up the deed overlap by disclaiming any interest it may hold in this area. The NJDEP is satisfied that the Trenches’ title to current Block 3204, Lot 2 extends to the middle of the river; 2., the Butlers never conveyed title to the northern half of the bed of the river to anyone in the chain of title for the Severts’ lots. And, 3., a 1965 conveyance from Lelia Butler to the Schafers did not except out ownership, either in fee or in easement, of the 10-foot strip. Therefore, at least from 1965 forward, if there is any dispute about the ownership of or the rights of others to use the 10-foot strip of land, it does not involve any property later acquired by the Menzas, Severts, or the NJDEP. Executing a quitclaim deed for the deed overlap area will not affect public access to the river because the NJDEP still owns the frontage on the other side of the river, and the area in question has never been open to general public access. Terms: Because the NJDEP does not believe it acquired title to the deed overlap area, no compensation is proposed. Any additional technical cost, such as, but not limited to, recording the quitclaim deed with Warren County, will be borne by the proposed grantees. Are there any questions? (no response) I’ll entertain a motion.
So moved.
Second.
Second.
Roll call.
Roll call. Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Agenda Item Number 6 is approved.
Thank you. Agenda Item 7. Project: Michael A. Milano Park, Block 548.01, Lots 21 and part of 23.04, Township of Brick, Ocean County. Requesting party: The NJDEP, on behalf of the Township of Brick, requests “after-the-fact” approval for the diversion of parkland for stormwater drainage and road-widening purposes as part of Ocean County’s 2002 improvements to Brick Boulevard and Drum Point Road. To accommodate the widening of Drum Point Road and construction of the stormwater detention basin to serve the overall road improvement project, the Township granted the County a stormwater drainage easement and right-of-way dedication over a 2.588-acre portion of Michael A. Milano Park. Neither the Township nor the County realized that the installation of the stormwater basin constituted a diversion of parkland. The unauthorized diversions remained undetected until 2009 when NJDEP staff identified them during a routine stewardship inspection. The Township has now completed the process necessary to determine -- to request “after- the-fact” approval of the stormwater easement and right-of-way dedication. Terms: As compensation for legalizing these uses, the County, in partnership with the Township, has acquired and preserved a 10.10-acre parcel in the Township of Brick, Ocean County, known locally as Beaton Tract -- Block 1370, Lots 3, 6, and 8 -- as replacement land. Are there any questions? (no response) Seeing none, I’ll entertain a motion.
So moved.
Second.
Roll call.
Roll call. Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Agenda Item Number 7 is approved.
Thank you. We are now moving on to Agenda Item 8, Division of Pensions and Benefits portion of the agenda. I’ll ask for a motion to sit as the Judicial Retirement System Board of Trustees.
So moved.
Seconded.
Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
The motion is approved.
Agenda Item 1 on the JRS agenda is approval of the minutes of meeting held on June 4, 2026. I’ll entertain a motion to approve the minutes.
So moved--
So moved--
Second.
Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Abstain.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Agenda Number 1 has been approved.
Thank you. We’ll now do Agenda Item 2, which is the JRS Actuarial Evaluation Report, as of July 1, 2025, presented by Cheiron on August 14, 2026. There is no vote for this. Agenda Item 3 is confirmation of Death Claims, Retirements, and Survivor Benefits. I’ll entertain a motion to approve.
So moved.
Second.
Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Number 3 has been approved.
Thank you. Now we’ll move on to JRS Agenda Item 4, receipt of financial statements from October, 2025, through June, 2026. We are only confirming receipt; there’s no vote for this item. I will now entertain a motion for us to conclude the JRS portion of the agenda and return to sitting as the State House Commission.
So moved.
Second.
Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Thank you.
Thank you. So, this is record time. I think we are done, folks. I do anticipate that we will probably have another meeting during December when you all are back here at some point. But, we will work with your offices to coordinate on that. Any comments before I entertain a motion to adjourn? ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: See what happens when DiMaio doesn’t come? (laughter)
He’s listening, though.
Much better.
Motion to adjourn.
Second.
Roll call.
Chairman Redd.
Yes.
Mr. Mistry.
Yes.
Mr. Shabazz.
Yes.
Senator Bucco.
Yes.
Assemblyman DePhillips. ASSEMBLYMAN DePHILLIPS: Yes.
Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
Yes.
Motion is approved.
Thank you. I want to thank the members for attending, all the members of the Committee. I also want to thank the staff who put this together, to make sure that everything goes through seamlessly. So, thank you to everybody for all your help. Thank you for putting it all together. And, we will see you all in a month or so. Thank you.