We're good. >> Good evening everybody. >> This is the mayor and council meeting May 7th at 700 p.m. Linda, will you please read the open public meetings act announcement and call the meeting to order. >> In compliance with the open public meetings act, the notice requirements
have been satisfied. The meeting dates for the year are confirmed at the annual meeting, are posted on the public bulletin board in the municipal building and on the burough website, published in the record within the first 10 days of the new year, and copies are sent to the Rididgewood News and Star Ledger. >> All copies. >> Councilman Okonnell
>> here. >> Councilman Otul >> here. >> Council President Levis. >> Councilwoman Homeman >> here. >> Councilman Delawio. Councilman Yakarino here. >> Mayor Wazinski here. Everybody please stand als
one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. So first I am going to read a proclamation and then I will do a uh this is a proclamation in recognition
of mental health awareness month 2026. Whereas mental health is essential to overall health and well-being and all people experience times of difficulty and stress in their lives and should feel comfortable in seeking help and support to manage these times. Whereas
like physical illness, mental illness is a medical condition that can be treated effectively through prevention, early identification, and early intervention. And with effective treatments, all individuals with mental illness can make progress towards recovery and lead a
full and productive life. Whereas mental illness affects one in five people in the United States. And the experience can be devastating for individuals and families with little knowledge or access to mental health services. And this year's theme, more good days together,
encourages our community members to reflect on what a good day looks like for themselves and for their neighbors. fostering the insight needed to connect people to the right support at the right time. And whereas May is annually recognized throughout the nation as
mental health awareness month and it is the 13th anniversary of the beginning of the stigmafree initiative in Bergen County which began with parameters initially declaring itself stigmafree zone in 2013.
And whereas the Burough of Allenale having previously dis declared itself a stigmafree zone remains committed to supporting this vital initiative. Whereas stigmafree zones aim to inspire public interest and open dialogue about stigma, raise awareness of the disease
of mental illness and create a culture wherein residents who have the diseases of mental illness feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma. And whereas local resources are available to treat the disease of mental illness, so no resident needs to suffer
alone or feel helpless. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Burough of Allenale recognizes these community needs and continues to support the efforts of the county of Bergen in continuing to lead stigma free. Okay.
Um that is, you know, it's very important I think um to raise awareness of of me mental illness. It's not something that uh you see like a broken leg, but there's a lot of people who suffer from it. So, we're happy to be supporting that. Okay. Agenda review. We
have our second reading of the capital ordinance. And then we have um introduction of ordinance. One is to amend chapter 270-20. This was the maintenance standards. This has to do with the lighting in our uh downtown. Um then we have a resolution supporting
Bergen County open space application. This is for 274 West Allenale AB, also known as the Turner House. Also have the resolution that's in conjunction with that authorizing the bureau to submit the grant. Um, we are
adopting our local budget and we have our consent agenda, which are matters that are considered routine and enacted in one motion, but I do like to point some of the items out um to to highlight some of the work that we're doing and
what's going on in town. We are uh appointing um a temporary qualified purch purchasing agent and that is Allison Alano. Um we have we're starting with our supplements of the Crestwood Lake salaries. So that means Crestwood Lake is getting getting open soon. Um
we're going to be purchasing two vehicles for the police department. We are also appointing um Lou Environmental Services. This is a contractor that is going to look at um the lead paint in our uh some of our rental homes. This is
actually uh a state mandate and we are having um this uh environmental service do this for us and it's not going to cost the bill or anything. Um, we are also hiring a part-time building monitor and we have two seasonal employees that
we are um hiring and they're going to be starting um actually on Monday. Um, we also donated to Northern Highlands Safe and Sober Project Graduation as we do every year. >> Okay. So, uh, next I would like to open
the meeting to the public on uh, any agenda agenda items. Anybody from the public wish to speak on any agenda items? Not seeing anyone, I'm going to bring it back. Um, next we have our second clearing of our ordinance. This was part
two horicapp ordinance with which is um our fields part of the tennis courts and um a b a bunch of other uh capital projects. Uh, Linda, will you please read ordinance 26-12? The following ordinance
published herewith was first read by title only on April 23rd, 2026 and posted on the bulletin board of the lobby of the municipal building and burrow website. Ordinance 26-12, capital ordinance of the Burrow of Allenale in the county of Bergen, New Jersey,
authorizing various public improvements and acquisitions in, by, and for the burrow, appropriating therefore the sum of 1,500,000, and providing that such sums, so appropriated, shall be raised from the burrow's capital improvement fund and
from a state grant. >> Thank you. I'd like to open up the meeting to the public on ordinance 26-12. Not seeing anyone. Do I have a motion? >> Second, please. Couns Councilman Okonnell.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Otul. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Hman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Yakarino. >> Yes. >> All right. Next, we're introducing ordinance 25-14 to amend um the code uh
signs chapter 270-20. Um we uh are constantly reviewing our code in land use and this is just another example of it. We with all the new like bright lights that are coming we we are encouraging uh via ordinance um uh uh
not watts uh Kelvin Kelvin Kelvin of 2700 and we also just clarified the de definition of what a backlit sign is. So, some of the newer signs now have like a slight back lit that look okay. What we don't want is those big plastic ones that are completely lit up. So, we
have that clarified in our ordinance. Um, do I do I have motions for that one? >> Do I have a do I have a motion for ordinance 26-14? >> So, moved. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Okay. Councilman Okonnell? >> Yes.
>> Councilman Otul? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Hullman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Yakarino? >> Yes. >> All right. Oh, ordinance 26-14, an ordinance to amend, supplement, and revise the code of the burrow of Allenale, signs chapter 270-20I6,
article 5 maintenance standards. Uh, ordinance 26-14 has been introduced upon first reading and will be posted on the burough website on May 8th, 2026 and will be taken up for further consideration and final passage at the meeting of the mayor and council on May
21st, 2026 at 700 p.m. or soon thereafter. >> I have a motion. >> Next, we have resolution 26-137. So this is a resolution authorizing the bureau to submit the grant for um open space acquisition. This is also the
public comment for this grant application. Again, this is uh the Turner House. We were talking about this for uh quite some time. Um I think we have a very good chance of getting county money. Um I'm going to actually uh do a big presentation for them, but
I've been in in touch with the county and we literally have the perfect project for them. Um, so we are looking forward to receiving potentially up to 70 or 80% of acquisition costs and right now we're still in the middle of getting uh the appraisals which are
required for the grant. So do I have a motion? >> Thank you Amy for spearheading the work to do this grant. >> How many years? >> It's a lot and it really would be such a wonderful addition to
>> so um Oh yes. So, as part of the grant, we need to also open it up to the public. So, is there anybody from the public that would like to have any questions or speak to grant uh grant application for Burton County Open States?
Thank you. Um, okay. So, uh, do I have a motion? Yes. Homeman, please. Second, please. >> Second. >> Councilman Okonnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oul, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Hman, >> yes. Yes, Councilman Yakarino. >> Yes.
>> Next, we have resolution to amend the 2026 budget. Allison called me on this. It is um just an amendment where there is a salary line that instead of in two spots, they wanted it combined, but it didn't touch the bottom line. Um so, do I have a motion to approve 26-138?
>> Yes. >> Did we do public comment at the last meeting? >> We did do public comment. >> Okay. Sorry about that. >> That's okay. >> Homeman. >> Yes. Second, please. >> Second. >> Councilman Okonnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oul,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Hman, >> yes. >> Councilman Yakarina, >> yes. >> And then next we have the adoption of our municipal budget. I'll talk about this in my report, but resolution 26-139, adoption of the municipal budget. Do I
have a motion? >> So move. >> Second, please. >> Thank you. >> Councilman Okonnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ool. >> Yes. Councilwoman Hman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Yakarino. >> Yes. >> Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?
>> So move. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Councilman Okonnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oul. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Hman. >> Yes. >> Councilmanino. >> Stain 26148. Yes. The >> next we have our council reports. I will
start with um Councilman Okonnell. >> Thank you, Mayor. I don't have a report. I do wish to send my condolences to Joe Delu and his family on their >> Thank you, mayor. I too would like to extend my deepest condolences to Joe and
his family. Time for uh public safety committee met earlier this week. It's that time of year when things really start picking up. We discussed the upcoming Fourth of July events, planning a meeting with the holiday service to make sure that we have everything set for the big day. We
also discussed Memorial Day, the 250th parade and celebration signage in our downtown area. Discussed also a few rest of concern. Uh Chief Dylan reported that the transition of dispatch to our combined shared service with Ramsay is
going very well. Both very very smooth. Um, Chief Dylan has also secured a bender to pour the concrete pads for our safety slips, which are the automated parking monitors. Uh, we'll have four downtown by the crosswalks in them
parkings in the softwalks. Uh, so those should be deployed in the near future. And also this week, last week, we conduct an interview for our soon to be vacant sergeant position. Uh, I can say that we have an embarrassment of great candidates. So, we will have a great
sergeant to replace Jimmy Hillgarder who will be uh sending Lieutenant Lieutenant Rich. That's all I've got. >> Excellent. Thank you very much, Councilwoman Hman. >> Uh yes, thank you so much. First of all,
yeah, Joe Delawio has been fun and his guards certainly goes out to him, but so hopeful that he recognized his given to his father throughout the
years. Um, and I do also think it it's important to note the mental health proclamations. Mental health is something that I think the more we talk about it as individuals, the more open we actually do become to it and having my brother
really in what was a mental health need area. I think it's it's really just important that we become comfortable and I think having a proclamation like that and and having conversations around that is super important. And I'm sure you see a lot of that in the schools as well for
all the kids, right? >> Yeah, they're all everybody's growing and learning and experiencing different things all the time. So, it's important that we're open to talk about it so nobody gets excited. Um, so on the council part, certainly with water, it's
very uh continues to be very busy. Violia has a rate case in front of the board of public utilities. Allenale has uh registered as an intervenor in this case. So myself um Mayor Rosinski and
our awesome lawyer Ray Wis, we have attended several and have several more meetings um on the docket to be a part of the settlements portions uh which does involve also preparing information beforehand. So I think that we've worked
well as a team and we are committed um to try to work with all the parties for the bill to kind of their contract with the appropel which this year we do a 5% uh rate increase on our water. It is
much more complicated than when we would believe. >> Might do that if it's that well fed. >> Yes statement. >> Okay. Uh and I'll leave it at that. We certainly as we can um the settlements talks are not for public discussion so as we can share information we will but
um but we are definitely involved and uh as far as sewer goes there's a lot of moving parts and uh Ry is really Ray Wis is really managing much of that. We certainly they all revolve around uh the building that is currently going on and will be going
on in Saddle River and access to uh North Redber and sewer utility uh through Allenale in some way shape or form. So that also keeps us busy and we're trying to do the you know the right thing for Allenale. And that's it.
Thank you very much. >> Thank you mayor. um along with everyone else. Our best wishes to Dallas is here family. Uh short report next week they'll be meeting on site with some new concessionire. We'll be doing a walk through with them. Um Phoenix Station just making sure that they're ready to
go for opening weekend on Memorial Day. Um all the bands have been finalized. We look forward to bringing them and it looks like we will have a sponsor from All American Board for one of those. >> The spokes Domini who's the general manager and he's very happy to support
us. So, we're looking forward to bringing them on as a sponsor. So, they'll probably be sponsoring midlife crisis. >> Great. Great job. >> It's a good combination there. So, >> doesn't hurt to ask. >> You don't know unless you ask. >> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Love, are you okay? >> So, I think what we should do is you should give us a report on the traffic. >> Yes. Well, the estimated time I was supposed to be here was like 7:26 and I got here at like 71. part. So,
>> all to be here for you guys. Exactly. Sorry, Chief. Um, so I do apologize for being late. Um, I ended up staying in Baltimore longer than I anticipated. My daughter ended up needing to get a wisdom tooth pulled while we were down there moving her out of their apartment. She graduates next
week. Yay, Ally. Um, so she's fine. Everything's good. Now, I also want to join everyone here in extending my condolences to council councilman Joe Delawisio on the loss of his father. Um,
I uh as far as reports go, we had our land use committee report last week. I want to thank Tyler for being there this this time. It was awesome. Yes, instead of calling in, he was actually there. As always, we have a great team. Mayor Amy,
our CFO and BA Allison is there. Anthony, our code enforcement officer, Mike Vland, our engineer, Andy, our DPW superintendent, and we get together and uh discuss many issues in the town having to do
with land use, whether it be um road quality or >> or like residents. Sometimes there's that gray area that we discuss in committee to see whether they have to actually go to the >> deer issue which we have done things
about um extending fence heights and deer fencing. Um other than that I just want to commend our mayor on the beautiful pocket park that we have in town. You know, I got to tell you, as a council,
you know, I'd like to think we all are in this for the right reasons, and we are. And um we don't always all agree on stuff. And I have to say that the mural everyone's vision, but it totally was the vision of our mayor and an artist, a
local artist in town. And because we of our trust in Amy's taste and vision, um many of us joined the team. Um, I came back from Scarsdale, New York, seeing a Dine the Dale event there and brought it
into town and Amy Cody jumped on that and thought it was a fun idea and we had a great great day and I thank once again our chief for helping us event. >> It was fun. It was awesome. >> And now the mural is up and all the
naysayers >> are loving it. And then the beautiful pocket park in front of it is just a wonderful place for allow residents to enjoy. So mayor, thank you for that. >> Um I'm trying to think what else we had this week. A lot. I'll just pass them on
though. >> All right. Thank you very much. Our uh administration, Linda Cervino, our clerk. >> Um so I also want to uh give my deepest condolences to the Delawareio family. Um tonight is late night um in the clerk's
office. So, you know, Crestwood Lake um registration and compost and anything else that you can get in the clerk's office. Uh the last uh night to register to vote for the primary is May 12th. So, we will be open until um 9:00 p.m. to
register to vote. And um also um regarding the mental health awareness, um I also agree it's very very very important. Um, my son is 26 years old right now. And when he was
13, um, I want to say eighth gradeish, he came to me and cried and told me he wanted to talk to somebody. So, I had, um, got him, you know, someone that he could talk to. I explained to him that he can tell that person anything he
wanted to tell her and she's not allowed by law to um tell me as long as he doesn't hurt himself or threaten others. Um so I wanted I I enforced the fact that there was you know she will not tell me so he could tell her anything.
I'm not going to ask any questions um because I wanted him to feel comfortable um just going there and telling her whatever he wants to tell. So I he saw her for about two years. Um I'm kind of against medication. So it was really just a talk. Um that's all he needed was
just two years. And uh my my younger kids uh are you know six and seven years younger than him. So when they reached that age I encouraged them and I did the same thing without them even coming to me. So they both agreed and they wanted to and I did the same thing. Tell them
anything you want. So I think it's very important um for kids uh you know particularly you know six 7th 8th 9th 10th >> somewhere around that that age group um but I think it's important to let them know that um I think a lot of them are
scared too that you know they're going to say something to a counselor and you know they're going to run back to us. So, I just tried to tell them, you know, I'm not asking them any questions, but I did notice after they did speak to them, they walked out and they were very happy and they just very positive. So, I think
that's very, very, very important. >> And on top of that, um I do have an older brother um that I can't even tell you how many times as a young little girl that my mom got phone calls that he was g, you know, he would call and say he's going to kill himself. So he was he
was very suicidal, you know, but he's okay now, you know, but >> a lot of times it is phases and if something like this can help somebody get through. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. So >> it is. >> But um for some people >> Yeah. And that's that's all I have for now. >> Yeah. Thank
>> everyone's only May 7th here in Alville. >> Baseball, excuse me, opening day on Saturday. And then uh we're working with all different community organizations to facilitate safe events could be
carnivals or a parade or fireworks. Obviously this is our busy time of year. So we're switching to emergency preparedness mode and planning and um just appreciate the support of the mayor council and all the organizations that
meet with us to agree to have a very safe and uh successful drugs. We still have to get that holiday observer one on the calendar. They're already planning for Fourth of July. >> That's good. >> No, that's really we prompted that email, too.
>> Can I get a clarification on something? >> Sure. >> The electric scooter law that passed in >> not scooter electric bike law that passed in um New Jersey. >> Um what are the requirements that when did that take effect or does it take
when is is it already in effect? So, uh, the, uh, mute scooter ordinance, well, excuse me, the state law, uh, will go into effect. I will get you exactly, um, in essence, it creates a requirement. Was that >> I think it's a summer, right?
>> Yeah, it's um, second July, >> right? Um, >> that's okay. We don't need the exact date. >> The one that I have is not It says January, but I know it's not January. >> Yep.
>> But it means permitting in the >> Yes. So it creates a requirement for helmets and also license registration based on a classification if it's electric scooter, low speed electric bicycle and motorized bicycle. Um so in
essence it's uh based on your speed, right? So any uh motorized bicycle that's pedal or throttle, gas or electric higher than 28 miles per hour, you're required to have a license or registration. >> Thank you for that clarification. Um,
yes. So, that's probably scooter time now that the summer's >> Yeah, we're ready. Yeah. >> I I had to discourage parents from buying their instruments. Unfortunately, that's the only way to handle this. I really believe
>> like the Scrooge and steal all the motoring public are not ready for these motors. >> They're not they're not trained >> driven by children. >> I'm sure our police department will be on top of it. So, is that permitting through DMV or is that local
>> and uh I'm not 100% sure if DMV has figured out those logistics yet? >> Okay. >> Uh yes. >> They got it as well. >> Anything else in your report? >> Thank you, mayor. >> With our burough attorneys. very very briefly. Um we want to extend my
condolences to Joe and his family. U mental health uh as mentioned the proclamation uh actually recall it was a very sad situation just this week on the palisades where uh there was jumper you know as the husband was actually calling the police to try to locate her. So uh
you know obviously from high school children to you know adults it's you know it's a societal issue and a societal problem and unfortunately I think it's a realization also that there's not enough mental health professionals and facilities to accommodate the needs and you know
that's it's a shame but not a lot of resources there. Uh the the bureau was also mentioned I I think a lot of sense reaction when the mayor brought that one you're going to do what? Um and I think it was uh it was sheer force of will that uh that resulted in in that project
the the doing the financing the getting it done. Uh so that uh no small crew on your part mayor um councilman mentioned many things the last two weeks have us involved in. I think today was uh settlement conference number four on the rape case. Uh there have been other
meetings. There have been u our appearance before the judge at the inception of the case. Uh now there's a matter of putting together testimony. Uh it's a very strange show. There's probably about 15 plus people on the uh on the screen at any given time. I'm not
sure what 49 of them are doing at any given time. But I mean it's uh I did today to the to the mayor and to Councilman Hman that uh it is like watching paint dry. It's uh it is laborious. Uh and I have to say that
even though to some extent Allenale is a very very small part of it, um the work and the participation of the mayor and councilwoman Homeman in this proceeding not only on behalf of Allenale but on behalf of rateayers um is above and
beyond. And I think that the regular participants in the process are a little bit I'll say a gas but surprised by the dimension of that participation. have confessed to council oven that I probably need a tutorial on all the math she is crunching um because that's why I
became an attorney uh because math wasn't um uh so that and the iss uh sewer matter was mentioned mostly that's in connection with the toll brothers project um we are as was the case with Avalon we are having discussions with
both the developers attorney uh and also um with upcoming with saddle river itself as it would result in a modified sewer agreement with Saddle River. So, it's a very formative situation. Uh there's a lot of minor variables going on and there Councilman Hman being involved in some of those variables. Um
but uh it's progressing in orderly fashion, but you know, as they say, a deal isn't a deal till it's a deal. So, we have to see how that goes. And then also working with the chief on some departmental matters over the last couple weeks. That's it. >> Okay. I will give my report. Uh we had a DPW meeting um just this morning. Um
everybody's getting ready for Crestwood. um is the big push and the downtown we're getting all ready and spruce up for the troop roads that we have. Um I also walked the streets with police officer Neymop and Lieutenant Griffith to review all the signages on Main Street, so we're cleaning all that up.
So downtown's looking really great. Of course, the pocket park is just planted. Um there was somebody sitting in there today for quite quite a really really happy. Um so we are going to have to move one of our council meetings. I just want to formally make this announcement. Um, on
the 25th of June, I have to attend the Bergen County Open Space and give a presentation. So, we're going to move that meeting to the 18th. So, we have a June 11th meeting and an 18th meeting uh back toback. So, Linda, if you don't mind updating that, that'd be wonderful. >> No problem.
>> Um, the budget uh we adopted today. I just wanted to say I'm just very proud of this budget. We have one of the least lowest tax impact in all of Northwest Bergen County. Um, our tax rate has decreased six years in a row, this year being 10%. Um, and we've been very
creative outside of the box for revenue. As you know, we applied for every grant. We've uh received up to about 2 million gr $2 million in grants for the past four years. Um, people are going to have a less than 1% increase. The average uh would be around $38, but some people
will be re receiving none. Some people will be receiving a little more than that, some people a little bit less, and some people actually receive a decrease. And this is the numbers that we've been seeing um with all of our reevaluations. So 60% of the town after the revaluations does not receive a
significant increase. Uh they receive a decrease or they remain neutral. So I know a lot of people um think their taxes are automatically going to go up if they have a reout. Um, this week is municipal clerk's week and
so we want to thank Linda for all that you do for our burrow and running. >> A round of applause. Let's >> I didn't even think about it. >> The is putting in their permanent peas treatment from well 11 to well five and then down to the new street uh treatment
plant. The police have been uh doing a great job directing traffic and setting out notifications. So uh this is very worthy work. So, we are happy to accommodate the distraction for a bit. And I do want to say thank you to Councilman Homeman with all the work that she's doing with this rate
case. I'm very grateful for you and for your love of spreadsheets because she's making their head spin. Um, they're not used to this and it's actually really fun to watch. And with that, do we have any new business or unfinished business?
Um, I'd like to open up the meeting to the public on comments on any matter. Not seeing anybody. Motion to adjurnn. So move. >> All in favor? I. >> All right. Good night everybody. Thanks
for holding on. Good night.