Um, good evening everybody. By the way, this is a regular meeting of the Allendale land use board at which formal action will be taken on the items listed on the agenda and upon any other matters which may properly come before the land use board. The requirements of the open public meetings have been satisfied with
posting on the public bulletin board and in the municipal building and in the burough website and by publication in the record on January 13, 2025 with copies being sent to the Richmond News and the Herald News. Certain agenda items will be open to the public for comment andor testimony. The board will
advise the public when such matters are open for their comment andor testimony. Before we get started, if everybody would join me in so please behind us. Uh I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, great. >> Linda, please may I have a roll call? >> Vice Chairwoman Bergen >> here.
>> Board member Rosala. >> Board member Petrino >> here. Okay. Did he because we did hear? >> I heard it. Okay. Okay. >> Board member >> present. >> Councilman Yakarino is absent. Board member Dallow
>> here. >> Mayor Wasinski is absent. Board member Butler. >> Alternate Ki >> here. >> Thank you. Um, next on our agenda before we get to the hearings is the uh approval of the minutes for the August 20th, 2025
regular meeting. Um, I looked at them provided there look okay. Anybody have any comments, questions on the meeting notes? Seeing none, could I have a motion for approval, please? >> Make a motion. Do I have a second?
Okay. Vice Chairwoman Bergen. >> Yes. Board member Walo. >> Board member Patrino. >> Yes. >> Board member Dalo. >> Yes. >> Chairman Crico. >> Yes. >> Board member Butler. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um we're going to we're going to
dive right into everything on the public hearings. The first one is a carry from our meeting of August. It's applicant file number 2025-10. The applicant is standp. The application is a construction of a one-story addition and an enlargement of
an existing deck. Okay. Please, if you care to come up with this. All right. Would you be carried? >> No, we're we're all set. So, Mr. Res, you um as well as Allison and Pat were already previously sworn in. you remain
sworn on the road. So, >> yes, >> at the chairman's pleasure, you can continue prosecuting your application that you started um last month. >> Uh well, again, coming, we we ask you for some additional information. Yes. Provided along with pictures. So, if you just want to briefly take us through the
pictures and uh Sure. >> the information that you have and then we can >> All right. So, yeah, with the uh the photos that I provided, the uh the first one is just a um a picture of the neighborhood aerial view. Um, pardon me
if I'm missing. Uh, day one. >> These were part of a submission, right, Linda? >> These photos? >> Yeah. >> No, these were the ones you gave us afterwards, right? >> But they they were filed more than 10 days out of this public hearing. They were submitted to They were submitted to you. Yes.
>> Yes. We went into more details. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. I'm sorry. No problem. >> Just need to make sure. >> Okay. Of course. Uh, yeah. So, the first one was just a aerial view of neighborhood. um you know just to kind of show where we were looking. The second photo I
provided is a uh measurement just showing from the the distance from current structure to the shed that was in the yard behind us. Just something that had come up during the initial meeting. Uh the third
picture is showing the distance currently from where our garage stands to the curb. And then the uh the distance is listed below. >> So the 3645 is to the curve. >> Yes. Okay. So the curve um moving to the
fourth picture showing the distance from the people that live on Alton across Harding and their distance from their structure to the curb at 32.67. So their structures are being closer. Right.
Then we have the fourth picture which is on Arton Avenue um 111 which is the house on the other side of line showing that they're 37.33 ft from the curb. Uh next is a picture from the deck
currently out towards the back of the yard which which is where the you know proposed addition will be. After that is a picture from that same area but to Harding Avenue. That fence that's depicted there that's your fence.
>> Yes. Yeah. And then so after that is just a picture from the front. Um just showing you know from Arton what you know what you would see which you know the addition is going to be behind that part of the house right there. So you wouldn't really see anything from Alton.
Um after that I have a photo from the opposite corner of Harding. And then the last photo is from the across the street to the back of the property. And again, the fence was completely.
>> Yes. Also provided another set of vegetation. Yes. landscaping. Um if you care to try to take you plan you plan to add new
shrubbery. >> Yes. Yes. >> Right. Exactly. Some new shrubbery there and then just showing where all the existing shrubbery and trees areing. Obviously, as you noted here, you're going to have to modify relocate parts
of the fence or potentially. >> Um, yeah, >> I see the words. I see modify existing fence relocate gate. >> Yeah. Which which is a uh Yeah. >> Yes. And that one dimension, the the shed,
just out of curiosity, maybe you don't have this dimension, the their shed is roughly how many feet off the property line. You probably don't have that dimension. >> Yeah. That that I don't know. >> Okay. I don't know if it's material to the conversation. >> Only because you had that the one
dimension called, >> right? Um, and I think it's it's great how you have everything marked here as to where you took the pictures. So, thank you for that on on this sheet. Thank you. Um,
board members, questions, comments, >> the additional information is very helpful. So thanks for >> Yes. >> Welcome >> providing it. >> I don't have any I don't have any questions for this wait this evening. So
um if we open up to the public okay so are there any board member any I'm sorry any members of the public have any questions for this witness on what you heard now or what was presented in the last meeting? Okay, seeing none, bringing it back.
Further discussion from the board. >> Okay, seeing none, uh, a motion to issue. Please, please go ahead, please. >> Yeah. Our only issue is the secondary front yard. Is that That's the open issue. That's what I recall.
>> That's everything. >> Yeah, that's what I recall is the issue. Yes. >> And there's really no change to the investment here, right? at the last meeting we had requested to just see you know some of the measurements see what they wanted to do with some of the
landscaping I remember so okay um do I have a motion to approve I'll make a motion uh chairman to approve I I did drive through the neighborhood again and like what I did
notice is this is much it's it's in line with what exists there across the street down the road. Um, so I I think it kind of works well with what what's happening in that neighborhood. It's a quaint neighborhood. The houses are mostly kind
of all went through a similar renovation and so I I didn't I didn't see it as impactful at all uh to any of the neighbors. Um, I'm going to make a motion to approve. >> Frank, that motion we had talked about three conditions and whether or not your motion would include those or not. The
three conditions we talked about was it was uncertain as to where the HVAC might be located, but it would not be located in the new side yard. Correct. It would honor the setback and be screened if needed. Um, compliance with the Van Clee engineering report that issued as well as the addition to remain open and accessible to the existing residents so
that there wasn't the opportunity for it to be dwelling units. >> Correct. We did that. >> Yeah. All a motion with those three conditions um to approve. >> Thank you.
Do I have a second? I'll second, sir, please. >> Vice Chairwoman Bergen, >> yes. >> Board member Wala, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Board member Patrino, >> yes. >> Board member Dalo, >> yes.
>> Chairman Crico, >> yes. >> Board member Butler, >> yes. So, But yeah, Kurt at our next meeting we will u memorialize all of this. Okay. Um you can start to put together
uh you know start through your applications etc. But suggested that you you once we go through the resolution at your next meeting. >> Okay. >> Then it becomes all formed but you could start to get things ready. Got it. Okay. >> All right. Excellent. Thank you very
much. Thank you. Say hi to your vote. >> Okay. Okay. Moving on. The next application that we have is application file 2024-4,
Allenell Rehabilitation and Healthcare, 85 Haritton Road, Allenale, New Jersey 07401, block 601, lot 7. The application is the construction of an 8,541 ft addition to a non-conforming assisted
living and skilled nursing home. And this has been carried uh a few times but most recently from the June 16th 2025 meeting everyone sir how are you think again welcome back
to everyone as well I'm here on behalf of the applicantale senior living um we are here for fifth meeting we have the two same witnesses we had last time to try resolved some operations issues that were that arose.
I believe we all had chief of police here this evening and I think perhaps it might be prudent to start with him rather than with us. Do you think we can then respond to whatever he has to say? You know, Mike because of the lapse in time we we talked about this on the
board. Maybe you want to give a high level summary of where you left things off um just because of the lack of continuity since you started prosecuting this. you know, for no fault of your own, it's been a sensation of months repair. So, if you think it's worth giving the board a summary, I think that can only help
what we have left and where we are. >> This is an application um to construct an 8,500 square 8,541T addition to an existing 111,368 building which operates as a senior
living center. It has basically two sections. Skilled nursing on one and assisted living on the other. There's also a memory care component to skilled nursing. Um the addition would be constructed on the southern side of the building. Um
set back from the uh lot line substantially. Um we originally proposed to reconfigure the parking lot by maintaining the 170 existing parking spaces through discussions with the board that would reduce to 154. It
involved moving the um dumpster which was along the southernly pro property line into the parking lot southernly part of the building. It also removed it also involved removing all parking spaces in the northwest parking lot
which faced north and the residents along in Ramsey. Um that includes both existing parking spaces as well as proposed parking spaces and that resulted in the reduction in the number of spaces from existing 170 to the 154
that now are shown on the plans. Uh there are landscaping improvements that are proposed. There's an entirely new lighting system that would go in the northwest to alleviate uh the glare that some of the neighbors have complained about. Um all that would be reviewed and
approved post construction through uh the light analyses that would be done at night. Um, we replace we're going to replace the gate at uh Harrington Road with a more secure
sliding gate, 6 foot high um, black I guess brown >> with brown slats. Um, and um, again we have been here and um, engaged
in a lot of issues. board, the people who are have here will talk about the operations issues, the radio contact, the um we're going to defer to the chief at first at least with respect to the uh service calls, the ambulance calls. Um I
know that there have been discussions which I have not been privy to, so I won't even try to tell you what was said, but I believe that's why he's here. >> Chairman, if I might, there were a number of speculations throughout the course of the prior hearings. And Mike, this is just, you know, this may not be an exhaustive list, but it's probably
pretty close to it. And some of it you touched on just just to go through it quickly on the programming modifications along the way and the stipulations that the applicant conceded to to date. I'll run through them quickly. You let me know if I'm missing any or if I have any wrong. The gate to remain closed at all
times, only used for emergencies. Uh the gate might be solid on the page. This is to be determined by the fire official ultimately and deferred to the fire official. HVAC units to be screened. radio survey to be performed for existing and new structure. You're going to work with the burrow and amplification as needed. The renderings
and plans um are an accurate representation of the building color materials to be utilized for construction. Uh the applicant conceded to a nightlight field test conducted for a uh post buildout review of the addition and the existing conditions.
Light intensity sitewide shall be dimable and turned off overnight if not needed for safety purposes. This is to be determined following field test. Light temperature is going to be 3,000 Kelvin. That's sitewide. The storage pods will be removed post construction. Um, you were working on the address, the
new address to be designated for the property. Um, >> you'll learn that that's been taken care of and done with the post office and everything. >> You've got a Route 17 address now. Yes. >> Okay. Good. So, you can >> she'll she'll go through most of all of these things and provide a status update on every one of them.
>> Good. Good. But you don't you don't have but you don't have my list. Yes. Let me go through this list. Um, new business signage, um, limited to illuminated by a ground lighting source. Employee parking signage to be installed by the new building. Uh, trash compactor to be utilized during business hours only.
Trash compactor area runoff mechanism to tie to the municipal system as may be required by the board professionals post implementation. Roughuse collection hours are going to be controlled 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Um, updated plans for the boards, uh,
including Mr. Breland's engineer report um requested that you adjust to proper FEMA elevations and confirmation of no activity within regulated areas. Your engineer will work on that with Mr. Breland's office. Coordinate with the word of utility regarding the easement updated amendments that you've got um
related to that utility easement. This is going to be reviewed by board staff post um post approval if the board votes in favor of the application. You're adding landscaping to screen the refu area to the satisfaction of the board professionals. Stormwater management final design shall address the increased
lot coverage subject to board engineering final review and approval. You were going to utilize a private service provider for medical transport and ambulance needs. The area near the emergency entrance must remain cleaned and maintained at all times. Knoxbox requirement on the
emergency gate. Um you were going to implement internal guidelines or work on that rather and a methodology to control and enforce against employee loitering. Uh that was an issue with some of the public and that was agreed to be submitted to the burrow whatever those written guidelines
might be SOS box added to the gate gate to be tied to the facility generator power fire official as well as other officials have the right to review all final plans and the final plan details that goes without saying construction vehicles access has to be along route 17 only. Uh you were eliminating those 12
spaces as you said in the northern end and four in the southern end and you would conceded to add plantings in that area. We talked about evergreen six to eight feet at planting to the satisfaction of the board professionals. You mentioned the fencing. The link is going to be brown clad if possible. If
not, then it was black. Coordinate final fencing relocation with the board staff. We talked about that at the June public hearing and the implementation plan regarding facilities efforts with memory care patients and their families to remove the phones where you could to avoid any undue calls
to 911 when there truly was an emergency. U there was an implementation plan we talked about you folks working on and submitting. >> Okay. Yes. Um, and I'm I have a briefation. >> Still under oath. You were here last
time and you spoke still under oath. Great. >> You want to hear from the chief first? >> I think you should prosecute case however you'd like. But before either of your witnesses speak, let's just get their names on the record. >> Yeah, we we'll do that. But my feeling, Mer, is that there's a lot of issues
that have gone on with discussions between our people in the town. when we tried to explain those last time, there was a sense that we should have the police here to confirm what we were trying to say.
>> So, I think I think that before we respond to anyone, we should hear from him and I think we might be able to resolve a lot of issues rather than us telling you what he said, let him speak for himself. If the chairman and the board are
amendable to that protocol that I have no issues. I don't see a problem anybody on the floor. Okay. Sorry. And thank you for this.
>> I probably will. >> Unless you want to say it. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Chief uh you know protocol. >> Sure. Uh You want to swear name first. >> Your name for the name. Name the position, please.
>> Yeah, sure. Michael Dilla, chief of police for the burrow bound. >> Okay. Excuse me. >> Are you good? You're good. You're hearing that. >> Well, we're trying to get um Jason. Yeah. Ask him if he can hear. He's on speaker. >> I want to put Unless you want to put him. You can hear. Okay, he's good. Okay. All right. Thank you, sir.
>> Chief, would you raise your right hand, please? Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to provide with the truth? The whole truth, nothing but the truth. >> I do. Thank you, >> Michael. I'm going to or I'm sorry, Chief Dylan. I was going to leave it to you. >> Are you got something to prepare to say?
>> Just a brief opening statement. So, >> uh I'm here tonight at the pleasure of the uh committee as well as the applicant uh to explain the law enforcement related complaints or at least uh the issues that we've been addressing over uh the course of my tenure as police chief. >> Thank you.
>> Uh so, the uh medical part of this or the EMS ambulance part, right, really should be handled by the EMS chief, right? I'm only here on the law enforcement related or the dispatch center related issues just so um we understand the scope of my testimony. Um
we have been working with the nursing uh facility uh for some time now trying to address some of these ongoing issues that have been pervasive for a long time uh far before this application was made to the board. Um some of those issues
were addressed in uh the uh the report uh that's the list that you read off before. Um and uh and we are actively addressing these issues uh as of today. So um I'm here for your questions or to
uh address the applicant's questions, but um other than that, ready for your service, whatever you need. Okay. Um there were, you know, there were a couple call outs that that Mr. Kelly um
I I'd like to hear, you know, your your feelings on on on defense. >> Sure. >> To aid it in their coming up then. >> Sure. Council, you're I mean I'd like >> Yeah, I'm going to ask you that question, too. >> Okay. They they've asked for um sirens
and things like that on that fence. They also want it to be okay and we just want to see feedback with respect to that whether that's >> Sure. So um a little history I've been police officer for 20 years and that gate has uh uh been on and off malfunctioning for 20 years um in its
current state. So uh we tried a couple different of different uh ways of activating that gate based on community complaints whether to be uh swapping codes, changing addresses and such. and uh we really could never get full compliance with that emergencyon
designation for the gate. So I know that there was some discussion about a siren operated gate. I had concerns over that um specifically from the area residents. Uh the nursing home is such a facility where um many different ambulance
providers are uh rendering aid to their residents and we don't know who's coming. So, it's very hard to have a set code or a key. Um, so the siren in uh general thought would be functional, but with the proximity to the houses in the
area, I had concerns about the noise levels and the sirens at 24 hours a day. Um, I know on your list here, uh, that you had provided or at least gone over before, we spoke about the gate being sliding with a Knoxbox. Um the Knoxbox
functionality is limited to the fire department at this time. Uh EMS providers and the police departments do not have access to a Knoxbox. Um so we would uh basically have to use the highway entrance to the facility um
going through Ramsey. So that's uh down Route 17 from Lake Street or up East All U-turn uh delaying our response. The fire department has a Knoxbox key and they can access through Haron Road, but the police department will not be able to ignore the camp and is it safe for
you to safe for me to carry that that's a concern that you would have the law enforcement aspect of it? Yes. >> Um the uh gate itself, I know we spoke about key fobs also. Um that's a
possibility for a local solution. Uh like I said, there's many ambulance providers that will be servicing the facility on a daily basis and it's just physically impossible to provide them all with keys. Um so uh we would rely on access from the highway uh which not
necessarily a problem for units or resources coming from other jurisdictions but from us from Allenale uh would definitely mean a delay. Just to put context around that, you may not have this answer, but in your estimation,
how long do you think it would take? How much time does that? And again, I know traffic conditions are in 17. >> Yeah. >> Five minutes. >> Yeah. I I mean, I would be guessing to tell you the truth. I don't have exact time, but you're responding from Haridan
Road through to Burough Ramsey down Lake Street to Route 17 South and and back down. what in your in your professional estimation, what other um what other you know game what other options you know I
I don't want to put you on the spot here but I'm at a loss you know I'm an engineer I'm at a loss on what else >> yeah so um I'm not overly concerned about ambulances that are coming from other jurisdictions because chances are they're coming from the highway anyway So, um, that's not really an issue of
mine, but the access for Allenale is unique. Uh, and I would I would believe that a key fob system would work the best for that backing, but only limited to Allenale. So, if this is not an Allenale response, it comes from the highway.
There was also, if I remember right, there was also some conversation about, >> excuse me, chairman, can you speak into the mic? >> Sorry, Jason. There was there was also some conversation about, if I remember right, the gate being um the slides were
in the sliding part of that gate. It's okay to have a solid fencing. I there were some notes here about that. >> I can Yes. And they talked about having it opaque by using splats rather than leaving it
open. Now the rest of the fence it's slated. The question was should the gate open and visible through so that emergency providers can see what's going on behind them if necessary. >> Um not necessarily. As long as the areas around it are opaque, we can see through
it. Um but like uh so it's transparent. >> I misspoke. >> Okay. >> Um what what do you mean by that? The areas around. >> So um from what I understand the way you're describing it, the gate itself
you would not be able to see through, but the fencing that's attached to the gate you would. >> Not transparent. >> Okay. Okay. >> Uh what are the specifications on that gate again? How high? Six foot.
>> Six foot. >> So um I would prefer if the gate itself you could see through at least we have some sort of visual uh you know unobstructed view of the facility. with the remaining gate uh being in the
you can't see. It's fine. Sorry, depends. That's >> And then the SOS box. >> Yeah. >> Where's that going? Where does that get transmitted if somebody uses that? >> Michael, I think this question's for you. >> I'm sorry.
>> That's okay. the SOS box that's uh to be added to the gator proposed. Where would that call? How would that function? >> I think it's going to be where X2 looks. >> Oh, that's what the SOX box is. Okay. Sorry. Where was that? I'm sorry. That's
a siren activated. We're eliminating that. Okay. Chief Dyl uh just just to help me understand u I guess one of my concerns
that I've been echoing is is u I guess I broke it down to three questions. I guess the first one would be um and with your experience with the facility over the last 20 plus years, what's the overnight impact from your
view on on the current number of officers that you you have in a in a shift at any given night and how what's your ability to respond to those frequent calls and how does it impact the how does it impact the borrow?
That that would be my first question. So, uh, for context, our overnight shift runs from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Typically, there's, uh, uh, police units that are, uh, on are out 20 are out throughout the night. The volunteer fire department, EMS are
dispatched through our control center. um the overnight impact. If you were referencing calls for emergency medical assistance, we receive the call and then we give that to an ambulance dispatch center that dispatches the closest
ambulance based on GPS. Uh that may or may not dictate a police response. Uh that's dependent on the facility and the call screener. So, if it's a a serious medical call, uh we typically will send it a police officer, but if it's a
transport, we just request the ambulance and then leave it in the ambulance provider's hands. >> So, you got it's not you don't necessarily from the law enforcement side respond just because there's a there's a medical call. Correct. >> It's situational dependent.
>> Gotcha. Okay. And then I guess they kind of answered uh two of my questions. So then I guess over the the last you know over this period of time have you observed like any trends that are concerning like are you know and again unfortunately the
applicant hasn't been you know in charge of the facility the whole time in the last 20 years. But are there trends that would be concerning that we we we need to address with the amount of calls that we've seen or that we that have been presented to us because that's another
concern of ours why we have asked them to kind of um privatize that portion of the uh calls like are there any concerns like that? I mean do you see anything that is just that are just could possibly be avoided?
>> Sure. So, um, the, uh, item on your list of the proposed, uh, prospective conditions, uh, one of which was, uh, the phones in the memory care section. So, I I think that's that's the most impact we have to our dispatch center is calls to 911, uh, that are from the
memory care section. Uh, we do talk about that on a frequent basis. I provide them call examples uh, and frequent callers uh, so they can address those issues with the family uh, of those callers. uh it's very hard to uh
not have that going on a rolling basis because usually we'll have somebody new in the facility or somebody new in memory care where we need to then educate them or their families. Um from what I understand legally they're required the facility facility is required to put a phone in these rooms.
Um so uh it's hard to overcome that legal requirement, but that's the most impact that we have. Um not only receiving a phone call, but screening it if it is a false report, though not malicious. Uh it's just a false report from the memory care. We've had all
sorts of things reported from that memory care. Um if you have a skilled uh operator on the phone, we understand that that is in fact a dementia facility or people with dementia reside there. So we sort of take it as it comes. Um but there is there is the uh frequency of
that that concerns us the most. >> Thank you. >> Labor that's involved facility. Is it unusual unusually high? Does it take up 10% of your manpower? >> So, have you ever tried to figure that out?
>> No, I I have no calculations other than accurate number of uh calls to our police station requesting aid from the facility and that's medical aid or just assistant public or or abandoned 911, right? aggregate numbers because that's
really where the workflow comes from is that phone ringing at our dispatch center because we're screening the calls then deciding if we're sending various resources situational dependent. So the the the uh trend this year between 24
and 25 they are coming down. Um I think it's due to our communication with the facility. Uh we've been in uh bimonthly meetings once every two months or so. um and then uh addressing issues as they come along. We've always we've always
we've all also put in some uh communication layers uh whether that be through um uh Wi-Fi because there was issues in the facility with cellular coverage and radio coverage which I'm sure we'll address shortly. So we're we
are addressing those issues. uh we are also now like I said before giving the ambulance responses to a nonvolunteer organization so they're the ambulance responses are coming from the hospitals a hospital-based EMS system that's been
since March of this year so um the volunteer allow volunteer ambulance court does not respond to the facility as of March >> so we became very concerned I guess and I know you don't represent the ambulance court but Excuse me, Greg. Can you
please speak into this? >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, just to repeat, um we we as a group very concerned about the number of ambulance core um falls that were happening from the home. And I think the I guess from my perspective, the issue
was was it impacting their readiness to serve the town of Allenale for other things? And I guess I'm asking the same question of you. Um it's a kind of labor thing. How many people are out? If two people show up at the home, does that
mean there's too few people walking the streets in Allenale, so to speak? Is it a problem or is it cost us money or any of those things? >> Sure. So, um just for clarification on the record, uh the Allenale nursing home uh has not been serviced by the Ald Volunteer Outlaw since February 4th,
2025. Just a a point of correction there. >> Got it. So, uh, typically our staffing levels fluctuate. Um, in the daytime we may have more officers available to respond for calls buroughwide. Um, night time is typically less. Uh, so the type of incident or
type of response will dictate how many officers we send. So if is it possible that we would send our entire department that's working that particular shift to any one location in town? Yes, it happens quite frequently. happens uh even outside the facility. Um so it's a
hard question to answer especially if you're asking for some sort of a like a um a percentage of our workload or or impact on the rest of the burrow. Um I would say this about any facility if I have my entire staff there the other
rest of unprotected right so u it's not unique to nursing home but it's just the the nature of fees so to speak. Yeah. And I think the concern is just the readiness to serve the rest of the community is really same discussion basically. >> Yeah. I think also the the fact that
we're looking to increase the type of patients there. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> So if we're happy the numbers are going down, but what do those numbers look like once we increase certain areas of the facility? >> Well, that's just we're trying to just
understand, you know, that I understand. Yeah, that's where all these questions are. >> Yeah, correct. Um um anybody else on the board have question?
>> Go ahead. and the type of >> purpose of um of the application is is to to it's the patients are actually going to go up. So I know that we keep referencing historical sort of visits
but the mix is going to change because the acuity of the patient needs is going higher. So I guess how should we factor that into consideration because it's not going to be an applesto apples comparison potentially. Um so you know again it's difficult for
me to answer that because uh dependent on what the initial report is is how many resources we send there right so the uh acuity of patients will increase realistically the medical incidences you
have the potential to increase right um but the law enforcement aspect of it I'm not entirely um uh I don't really have a opinion on that at this point because it's very difficult. That's what I'm what I'm hear you you've said it a
couple of times is that situations the situation >> right because if you I if you if you receive a 911 call that just asks hey I can't get a hold of a staff member then we'll forward that accordingly and it takes no law law enforcement response
right uh but if you have something that is a cardiac arrest we will send two police officers along with the ambullets so it's very hard to foretell how that workflow will increase or workload will increase with the as the application
stands now it's it's difficult for me to say and it's also our only skilled nursing facility in the burough so I really have no comparison so >> I I believe you said earlier all those call
>> sure so 911 is d is called from the facility it will go to a 911 uh entry point ours is bur county and it's fielded to our own police station where our dispatchers will then handle any question is are you concerned that the
uh municipal tax your team and their ability or readiness to serve the the burrow? So I would say my bigger concern other than the poss potential for an increased call volume is communication with the facility. Um
we've found that it's uh at times difficult to get actual somebody uh at the facility at different times especially overnight and um a lot of the problems that come in through 911 can be handled telephonically. So we are experiencing some communication
difficulties whether that be with the uh cellular lack of cellular coverage or um just lack of uh the ability to uh get uh call a nursing station. Uh right now we're using uh WhatsApp >> WhatsApp communicate which is a a app on
a cell phone. We have a cell phone at the police desk and we communicate through WhatsApp. That WhatsApp group has probably about 10 or 12 recipients on it. So it's a checks and balances including myself. So at all hours of day or night whenever there's a message through I'll be able to see it. The
ambulance court chief sees it and many people from the facility. Um so uh this we're kind of >> who initiates the WhatsApp messenger. >> What's that? >> Who initiates that message? >> So uh typically it's a police desk. >> So you're getting a call in from the 911
and then you left basically the facility to see what's going on. >> Correct. Yeah. situational dependent. If it's something we could just dispatch and dis and send that resource, that's fine. If we have a difficulty locating somebody on facility, we would use a WhatsApp to try to contact a nurse or
some employee workers overnight hours. So, we have a communications issue and the sol is going through Wi-Fi versus landline. >> Well, to talk to the world, >> correct? It's one of the resources we have. We have the nursing station phone
numbers posted predominantly at the desk. Um, if it's a non-emergency, we also have uh the facility has a um toll-free number that uh that will I guess um be answered. You could probably explain a little better than I end. But if a family member calls and says we're
trying to get a hold of uh our family member, we usually will we'll send them to the the hotline that sends uh various people within the facility management team. >> So let me understand. Not only are you, you just open, you just said something else now. Not only are you getting calls
or the possibility, how about this? I'll put it this way. Not only are you getting calls from the facility, but you also at times get calls emergency or non to the station. >> Yes. >> By family members who are trying to get
information. >> Yes. Not as many times as we get from the facility, but they exist. was called. >> Okay. Further taxing resources or at least uh referrals. >> Mike, um few questions. Um at night
time, how many officers do we have on shift? Generally, >> minimum of two. Um and maximum of three. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Are you hiring? Were you hiring? We are actually talking.
>> Um, so I I guess here's my other question. Um, let's say there's a call, it's serious, and you send everybody in, all three or two, and then there's another call, something else that's very serious, and then another call. Right. At that point, what's the protocol? Do
you call like a joining neighborhood like police forces that would jump in or how would that work? >> Correct. So, if we're able to free an officer from that particular emergency, whether it's on facility that we're uh discussing tonight or another area of town, uh we're able to free an officer
out of that three or even out of that two to respond to the other emergency, but we rely pretty heavily on uh mutual aid from other jurisdictions, especially during the overnight hours, and it's reciprocal. It goes back and forth. >> I was getting that's a pardon me for that's a just for the record, that's a common thing in this area, correct?
Actually agreements with county law enforcement agencies. Anybody else? I just I really just have one question. I just want to make sure it's clear that um irrespective of how many additional
calls might come from this facility as result of this addition, the only additional burden that places on emergency services in Allenale is the disadvantage >> unless it's a call that requires a
police response or fire. >> Right. But that would be true no matter what. Right. But I mean in terms of the calls that are come to you for ambulance service >> that is just dispatched out to a nonlandale ambulance service. Correct.
>> Correct. And if it's a serious medical emergency or the nursing staff requires or requests police officers, we send them. >> But other than that, you're just police officer responding to emergency there just as they would an emergency in someone's home. >> That's correct.
you guys. Michael. >> All right. So, um, members of the public, you've just heard some testimony from Chief Phillip. Do you have any questions relative to the testimony that you just had of this witness? If you do,
please come up, state your name, ask the question. Okay. Seeing none, I bring it back to the board. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Appreciate it. Okay.
>> Thank you. Um we're going to start with Dan Npalitano as a presentation. >> Okay. So, so just for the record. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. You know, you know the number, >> you know, I've been looking I've been looking through all my notes over the past year and change on this. I think
you're somehow only up to A4. Linda, do you happen to know what they're up to? >> I don't have the minutes, but I can look it up. >> Okay. And that would mean you submitted everything ahead of time, Mike, which I'm sure you did, and you didn't have to mark too many things, but I I think for, you know, we can tentatively mark it as
A4 this evening if you want to identify it and then we can always adjust it for purposes of of resolution as needed. >> Yeah. I mean, my notes confirm yours. >> Okay. I think that's where you are. There was one objector. This is A4. There was one objector exhibit to date and there is one board exhibit to date and three of yours. So,
>> okay. So, this is day four into the power council. If we have to modify, you said that you agree to any kind any Yeah. Thank you. That's it. Any kind of modification, we're good with that. >> Yeah. >> The police chief. >> No, no, no. If we have to modify, if our numbers are wrong. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Okay. Just want to make sure. >> Thank you. Sure. >> Um because I don't know how to connect to their screen. So I have some extra powerpoints if I like. Do >> you know how to use the
>> We could try it. >> We could try it. Okay. >> Otherwise, >> otherwise you have it in front of you and I can share some with the public. >> Like I may have missed one. Can you identify this for the record? This this multi-page deck that you've got here. >> It's a good presentation. The witness
will identify it. She prepared it. I did not. Okay. Do you have a remote situation? Thank you. Close the window. >> This is the same story. The paper question
outside. still. >> Oh, good. >> You want to FaceTime? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We could show him >> and he could still talk on his feet. >> There you are.
>> I'm sorry. I don't feel good. with a club instead of But you expensive. >> Are we Are we good? software. >> Yeah, microphone. >> She could take the long.
>> Yeah, you know, maybe take the buttons. >> Yeah. >> This way. This way. You can take it to the microphone. >> Okay. And then I can just sit there and >> Yeah, we can do it that way. >> Okay.
>> Council, you good with that? All right. Got it. >> Make sure >> we were pausing for station identification. So, I guess I'm >> Yes. State your name on the record. I know you've already sworn in yourself, but
this record if you could state your name for the record again and then identify the exhibit A4 that you're about to present. >> Okay. I am Dina Npalitano. I'm the owner's representative for Marquee Health Services and the Allenale Rehabil
Community Rehabilitation Center. Um, and we are looking at A4 which I have brought today. It's a PowerPoint presentation and I've made some copies for the board. >> Which slides? >> Six.
>> So, as we've all heard here tonight, this is a continuation of our previous hearing, and I I want to thank you all the board and and staff for welcoming us back again. um but that we do appreciate your time
and your thoughtful consideration of our application. Um our interest this evening is to respectfully seek the approval of as you've stated before the 8541 square foot addition to our existing
building. And also, as we've heard tonight at the last meeting, you asked us to come back um with more detailed information uh regarding the amplatory services and their operational impact. We do have
that information here for you tonight so that you can see um where that lies. We also asked um of the community and the board uh that you give us and our new leadership team the opportunity to
demonstrate our intentions um our professionalism and our comm commitment um to operating this facility responsibly and in alignment with the town of Allenale and its residents and your expectations.
So what does that all look like? what I just said and slide advance the slide please. Okay, it looks like this. It's a coordinated um respectful response to your concerns
and from addressing zoning criteria to providing operational detail and engaging with staff and the community in good faith. Um, we're a team together, all of us here, that is fully invested in becoming a
good neighbor and a long-term contributor to the community. We have coordinated with the board and created an ongoing action plan, which we've mentioned here a few times tonight. Um
and through that action plan you can see um some of the things that we've talked about and the 911 call trackings that we are doing now are happy to say that you know when chief gives us some numbers and we look at our
numbers they're in alignment. um we know where they're coming from and they're accurate so we're all on the same page. um the EMS the building access that they've requested and this is all going on
behind our our action plan meetings that we have been conducting and will continue to conduct as you know chief mentioned before we're doing them at first we were doing them weekly then bi-weekly and I think now we're at every
other month or quarterly um we discussed the Wi-Fi um passwords radio communication um which is in progress and estimated to be completed at the end of Brian the end
of next week. We have a mass notification which also chief mentioned um we have an alternate ambulance sources which is my uh group health phone numbers, door labeling, keypads, codes, DNR binders
and staff education. Staff education is not only a you know a clinical education. It's also um they have policies and procedures and talk about the things that we need to talk
about for being neighborly. Next slide please. So through the five four times that we've been here um there's been many good opportunities that have arisen. Um and those opportunities I'm going to see
if I can read this with my silly glasses. Um these opportunities um are all meant to strengthen our relationship and the community. And I think we're doing a good job. So the benefits to
um that have come through the meetings that we've had is that we've changed our address which was actually changed years ago and for some reason it didn't hit the media and such but we've gone through what we needed to. It took some
time. The address change is completed with the post office. It's completed with Google ways. Um the other one there's another one any all the different service um Apple Maps.
Um we've also made sure that internally our email um signature lines on our emails have been changed to reflect the corrected address and we are in the process of changing letterhead and things like that.
um tree removal. There was there was a neighbor that had some some dead trees and some issues. That's been taken care of. Uh another neighbor had a light disturbance who still has a light disturbance and we are in the process of
taking care of that as well. We have identified that that light is actually not our light. Um although it's on our property so we need to rent it. and I brought the information, but they've assured us um
Rockland Electricity has assured us that that light is going to be taken care of regardless of what happens here today. Um they're going to either lower it or shade it or something. It shouldn't be that way and we're fixing it.
um the trash recycling, the pickup times, um both trash and recycling those pickup times. Brian's worked tireous tirelessly with them and we have made great progress. They understand their
times. Um there was one item stated before that I'd like to just remind me please to circle back to because um you had mentioned that no trash would come in after I think 5 or 6:00 something like that
>> 8 a.m. to 5 >> 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. But at their last testimony um here we did mention that one of those was not possible because of the um hours of
dinner and the compost. So that compost does need to go out after 5:00 p.m. but we said we would do it by 7 or 7:30. Is that correct? >> By 7:30 just for the compactor. We can't leave that. We're talking about refuge
collection I think was the >> Okay. So refu refuge collection has been addressed. Um as chief stated and I've stated we have um the EMS Allenale Volunteer um EMS as
far as ambulatory has not been servicing the facility since February 4th of 2005. they 25 2025 um they are now using the mycom um
system to cover that and I won't get into it because you've heard it all from chief tonight um and our action plan is always continuing those things are done they're being worked on and that was a positive outcome from the past four meetings
but just to hit upon a few of the other benefits Um that would be upon approval would be replacing of that fence, the gated access, however we come to an agreement with it with the board and the chief. um the
buffers, the landscaping, the lighting, the tree areas, um the trash areas, the enclosures, um the employee lunch areas that we're putting in. And the residents of Allenale in Allenale Community Rehabilitation
Center are going to have private rooms, upgraded rooms, more common space, and a place to call home. skilled nursing areas are uh skilled nursing facilities. There's a need for skilled nursing beds.
Um and it's it's going to grow. I mean, we're getting into the baby boomers. We're getting into it's the trend. We're we're getting we're going to be there. I'm going to be there someday. Um but it is growing. It's a growing need.
So, what does that look like? It looks like a reduction of 17 residents. Oops, next slide. Next slide. I'm sorry. Okay. As you can see here, there will be a reduction of 17 residents and
I understand your concerns and I want to mitigate those. We have 120 short and long-term beds. We want to increase that by 20 beds and
we'll be at 140. Our memory care unit will not be changing. There's 48 beds. It's staying at 48 beds. As chief said, people come and go. We understand that. But there are not
going to be any more than 48 beds in that memory care. Assisted living currently has 163 and will be going down to 126. And the net is a loss of 17 beds.
Next side. Okay, that's fine. All right. Okay. Just to go over those 911 emergency management calls. Yes, absolutely. considered short-term and longterm please
and where you say it's going you know short-term or long term I'm familiar with nursing homes unfortunately from a family standpoint >> so um just elaborate yeah I'm sorry can you just elaborate on the definitions the
board and for the public >> I can defer to Yeah. Yes. >> Yes. So, Brian Huna, vice president of plan operations. So, I'm not a clinician, but I will do my best. So, when the the term short-term patients
basically mean a short stay for possibly uh rehab, hip replacement. So, short stays typically is a a 21-day stay um that we look at calling it short term. are not there, you know, forever. >> Uh long term is they're there, that is their home, and they're probably going
to stay there, you know, with us for the rest of their remaining lives. Um so that's really the, you know, the dumb it down version of short-term versus long-term. Okay. So, so, so anybody good? Okay. So, we're at 120
under the umbrella of short and long term. and you're you're increasing it 20 I guess for the sake of everybody for the benefit of everybody against been going off for some time
what's the definition of the 20 is that 20 long term >> it's a probably a combination the beds are used universally so somebody can come in in that same unit for a long-term stay or for you know again a short-term hip replacement rehab and they're and they go home in 3 weeks so
there's no definition between the two. We kind of look at them the same admission process. It just depends if they're staying with us long term or or leaving us shortly. Does the does the intensity of use, for lack of better words,
is there a higher intensity of use in short and long term than there would be over say assisted living? >> In my opinion, >> funding where you're dropping, you know, 40 beds. >> Sure. Again, in my opinion, short term is lease care if you think about it
because they're usually a younger population that again are getting their hips replaced, getting new knees and coming for rehab. So, typically healthwise, they're okay beyond the rehab piece. So, the long-term care beds would be the more critical, the more old people, the more they have, more issues,
that would be the higher risk of acuity for care. Does that make sense? >> But yeah, but at any given time, it could fluctuate. >> Yes. Absolutely. Yeah. >> Okay. >> What is assisted living though compared to long-term or short-term? >> So assistant living is you are still
somewhat independent. So you don't need 24-hour nursing care. So what happens there is you live in an apartment and you have an aid check on you. >> It's long term. >> Yeah, it's longterm. They'll live there. >> Correct. Correct. are typically people
that can still mobile, go to the dining room, can, you know, live a productive life. They just need a little bit of assistance being, you know, giving them proper meds, a little bit uh maybe incontinent care that they needs help with. >> So, what the long-term that's listed there that live there, do they not need
as much help? >> They need more help. The long-term care is the high is the highest. Yeah. Because they are uh either wheelchair bound typically or or bed bound. and uh need more direct nursing care daily.
They meds 100%, you know, uh given where assistant living can sometimes they can take some of their own medications, but the long-term beds is the highest care level. Again, my opinion um plant operations, but I've been in the business for 35 years, but uh that's
that would be the layman's definition of those care levels. Yes. And again, under that umbrella, at any given time, it's a fair assessment to say that there's a possibility that 140 of those beds could be long-term intensive care.
>> I I can't answer that question if it is. I will I will condition it. See, the likelihood of that is not, but it could be a higher number. It could be. But I will say this, uh, in the financial world, um, the short-term rehab is much more profitable than the long-term care.
So, I don't think they're going to be, if they have the choice between long-term, and I don't run the company, but long-term and short-term, it's more lucrative to have the short-term residents in beds than the long-term residents, >> if that makes sense. >> It does.
Does um, M. All right. Thank you. Unless the board unless the board wants to spend on a year of that, I'm going to let Mr. Paul Town continue. Okay, please do. >> Okay. >> So, on the slide that's before you is
the actual 911 calls that have come in over the last four months, um May, June, July, and August. And on the first line, it tells you whether it's a sniff or AL skilled nursing, sorry, SNF is skilled nursing
facility. AL is assisted living. Um, which by the way are different licenses. Um, Mrs. Bergen, because you were asking about that, the AL is a different
license. An AL bed, assisted living bed, cannot go into a skilled nursing facility. those beds are not transferable. >> Yeah. Can I add just also for the board um in the skilled nursing facility SNF that includes the memory care the chief
was talking about getting the 911 calls they are considered part of the sniff. So as you can see in May um the sniff had 14 calls go out to EMS and zero from the AL side.
Seven were repeat calls. There were seven repeated calls which the 14 plus the seven made 21 actual calls coming into the 911 center. False. When you say that
>> repeated calls are calls that were came from the same room, same incident most of the time within minutes of each other, sometimes five minutes, you know, but most of the time within minutes.
>> You're welcome. So, out of the 21 calls that came in, 14 were real calls. And out of the 14, eight times the um dispatch came out. Six calls were
actually cancelled and that's how this whole slideshow goes through. And the bar chart, I'm sorry that that came out so light, but it's the exact same information that's in the chart below so that it was more legible for everyone
to further go um to further explain that. Um, as we said, as of February, Allenale is not responding to th to those calls. They're using the MCOM, you know, which is the licensed medical transport coordinator. Um,
I feel this gives you a good understanding, but what I'd really like to point out is that if you kind of do the math, if you look at our worst case scenario, 20 calls in one month with 120 individuals,
if we go up to 140, we're looking at a possibility of an extra four calls a month. Um, so if Allenale had to respond to something,
again, you know, we're looking at four about four calls a month, how this would directly impact. And um, just the next slide, we go to slide six, last slide. There we go.
Um, I just wanted to say that both, you know, on behalf of Marquee and Allenale Community Rehabilitation Center, um, I hope that what we've put together here is helpful. I know it's, you know, things that have been asked. I think
we're trying to address and continue commu communications. Um and I I think it does show that you know the there would really not be a burden a great burden on the township um and
the community. Uh also that these these people are residents of the community as well and we hope to support more people from Allenale when they get to that point. I'm not saying they hope to support you in our nursing home, but
when and if you do need some place, we want you to be able to call that home and have your loved ones close to you. Um, I guess I'm just going to say that um, you know, we're here to address the board. We address the concerns and we're
respectfully and hopefully um would get the board's approval for our application in hopes that we can move forward and continue to be good neighbors and enhancement to to the community as a whole. >> You've indicated most of the calls are
coming from memory care and memory care beds are not increasing. uh the fact that you estimated based on the current ratio of call to beds probably be less than that because the number of memory care beds aren't increasing and that's where most of the
calls come from. Correct. Yes, we can we can say that that would happen. Additionally, um, in regards to the the memory care area, we are actively u we've been successful in in some
instances with being able to remove the phones from the rooms. Um, it's not an easy process, but it can be done. You have to give the family um notification. The family needs to agree. And I'm I'm probably getting a
little bit beyond where I know. So, okay, I don't want to say something I'm not supposed to um you know that I'm not qualified to say. Um but I know we are making strides. We have um a great administrator who has 30 years
experience, successful experience um who's joined us and she is well aware from day one on some things that she can implement to assist with that as well. and she and Daryl are supposed to be
getting together together to work on that. We'll make sure that that does happen. Did I answer? Did I say that at all? Okay. Okay. >> Right. The only thing I'd like to add is uh you know when we first met Chief Dylan
personally me it was about a year ago in our first meeting that when I took Tom Kilor's position which I know he Tom was in this meeting prior uh you know Chief Dylan said the the one thing we need that's never been addressed prior to us owning in that building is the poor
radio frequency of that center is uh his police can't talk to each other on their walkie-talkies and the fire chief has the same problem like when h handling a real issue. They could could not communicate. So, we said on the in the PowerPoint as of next Friday,
we spent I think it was $97,000 putting in a um radio frequency system. So, all the radios will work in in our property and in the building so they can communate communicate when they need to. And Chief Dylan's going to be invited uh hopefully, you know, uh the week after
to test. He said he's going to bring his guys out and they're also going to test the radios and uh confirm that everything is in good working order. So, I'm just excited about that because uh again, we're trying to show our commitment to the town and uh we had no problem in putting that system in to keep keep the town safe, keep our police
and fire uh firemen safe and also our residents and staff. I'm letting you guys go for the board. The numbers that presented tonight are consistent early on
applications. I'm curious. Can I just respond to that if I may? The chart that was shown showed 169 calls as a maximum over the course of the year. Here's a
a graph. If if there are 65 calls over four months and you divide and you multiply that by three, that comes up to 200. So we are at the same number I guess 195
195. Those graphs show 168 169 over the course of those years. and chief testified that based upon finding they're actually coming down now. So >> I guess the big difference is the body respons but I think that chart was closed not
respons no chart that was showing I know it was called >> yes that was that was call line. So and and what I'm saying is the numbers really are well in fact the numbers we're showing are actually a little more
than what you had. Chief said they're coming down and chief said we don't we won't send our ambulance out in so what we have set up now and chief talked about a little bit is we're reviewing every call. So he's sending us each call we're reviewing it with them confirming it. So we're actually on the same page
now. So, I think some of the information maybe on both sides was a little skewed for whatever reason, but now we're definitely those numbers are definitely accurate right now, right? It's definitely helping for sure
members Um I have a question. The chief, you know, mentioned that they have to use WhatsApp to get um access to ask a question, you know, if a call comes in. Now WhatsApp, I know you used to call another country, not a
mile down the road. Why can't they just use a landline? Why is it not that simple? >> They can. Chief Chief has the numbers for the admit, >> but he said he couldn't get anybody. >> Not not all the time. Sometimes he can. So the WhatsApp is kind of like a a
backup. I can't answer that question. Sometimes maybe that charger might be taking care of a resident so that phone is not ringing. Maybe it's passed when the receptionist leaves at night. I'm not sure. But the WhatsApp is kind of a backup helpful tool. And like we our company uses for every building. Like I have probably 50 on my phone right now.
So it is a good communication device. Um especially if you can't get somebody for whatever reason on the phone right away. >> You were saying that families can reach which Yeah, I'd be curious on how many times that actually happened, but obviously that's unacceptable. We need to look
into that, but I mean I I can't say that I'm surprised that that the numbers uh organically got reduced because now there's a there's a focus on these calls, right? So, they're virtually going to decrease. My concern is what
happens when the concentration effort slowly wears off because it's when you have a brand new broom, it sweeps great. Once the bristles wear out, the broom doesn't sweep as good. And so we're having communication issues. We're relying on an app, which apps don't
always work, especially if WhatsApp tells you they need to get updated and at that particular time it's not going to work. And I'm trying to unpack this presentation. Why do we need an action plan? Why is
this necessary in and and to s significantly involve the burrow's representatives? Is this level of burrow involvement typical for your facilities? Like we it's all hands- on deck here. Yeah, we're partners, but the burrow
didn't choose to be your partner. we they had to become a partner because there's a there's a communication breakdown. And so, you know, I don't think, you know, the administration is is happy that they have to have this level of involvement. They're just doing it because of the
complaints. And so, it's hard for me to look at this and say, why are we so involved? I mean, that's my concern. I mean, it's your business. Well, we I can answer that because in all our buildings currently oversee about 60 buildings in PA, New Jersey. Every building you go
to, we want to be good neighbors with the township, with that town. We want to have community days. We already talked about, for an example, bringing all the EMS in place. >> It's different than asking the community to to be meet with you monthly, make sure your communication's good, make sure there's checks and balances,
communicate with WhatsApp. Like it's different from being a good neighbor than being forced in a relationship where you have to be involved because otherwise you know you don't the calls are going to increase. There's there it just doesn't make sense to me. Those are
two different things. >> Yeah. So we heard the complaints when we got the building. Obviously there's numerous of them before I came around. Right. The action plan is to fix those and address them and do things right by you and by our residents and build a relationship. I can't control if you
don't want a relationship with us, but we want to have a good foundation and have a good reputation in Allenale because we give good care. So if it's it's human nature to want to build a relationship with who you work with and
who you because we do interact at some degree. So that that's our mindset is the action plan was developed to address the issues on this board and in the community, strengthen that relationship so we can be looked at. I think we're your only nursing home in Allenale, right? So we
want to be your provider for your town for a long time. We're not a company that buys buildings and sells buildings two years later. We haven't sold a building. So, we are actively trying to fix this relationship so you guys and the community can look at us as a good
nursing home. I want my mother there. I want my sister there. That's what we're trying to get to. Question for you regarding this whole messaging thing and people not answering. Ever thought of putting somebody at a desk seriously and just having them sit
there? We do and they get numerous calls coming at the same time. Some go to voicemail return. But there's I can't I believe at this building there's a reception center between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. And then at night it switches over to the nurses stations for the charge nurses that most time are at
their desk or that area to answer phones. >> Thought of putting someone there 24 hours to stop the issue. It's typically not our MMO to do that, >> but it could alleviate the problems of um loved ones panicking that they can't
get a hold of their >> I don't think that honestly I I'd love to see those numbers. I think that's very few and far in between. But does it happen? Sure. It's life. But and and ultimately if there's a need and we have to do it and problems continue, our
company will probably definitely look at that and say, "Do we need a 24-hour um receptionist here?" The other thing is you're going to get those calls. Um, anyway, I I hope none of you have been in the situation where I have, but you
know, when my mother was ill, she was delirious, you know, and you could only control so much. And to say that somebody's not in front of you and unreachable, unreachable when you're standing right in front of that
loved one. >> I'm telling you, >> it happens though. But those calls, but that that is what you're saying. You're saying that you're getting calls that that that we're not there for them. And that's why Brian is saying that, you
know, we we will staff our facility the way we need to staff it. But you also have to understand that the amount of times you might be hearing that, you know, it it's kind of like that telephone line and how it goes. How many of those are actual real issues where no
one has been there? Like I say is those phones are transferred over the evening for the for the night supervisors off. Uh, >> hang on, Jason. Hang on. Hang on. >> All right. Go ahead. All right. Go ahead. Um, I guess when we we talked
about being good neighbors and and part of the U and while I do want to acknowledge, you know, that that uh over the recent months there has been an improvement talked about um but if if history does
repeat itself um and if things do start to go back to to the pattern that we've noticed, could you just help tell the board or could could you suggest to the residents sort of in the audience sort of what the tolerance policy is going to be on that or what the enforcement
mechanism from your standpoint is going to be on that just to give us some comfort. Sure. >> So one of the things that we did uh at the center is we brought an experienced uh administrator 30 years experience uh
to much more better communicator. Um we also have a hotline 247 that you can call with problems that we have to respond to. Um, again, will issues happen? Absolutely. But I think the direction we're heading, uh, we can continue not to let it slide. And if
something does slide, we will address it, take care of it. I get, in my position, when somebody makes a complaint on the hotline, I get everyone as the VP of plan ops. It could be with it could do with nursing, it could be with dietary.
We get everyone so we can respond and assist each other. So, we have a very good leadership team. I think we're getting where we need to be hopefully with with everyone uh in this community, and we'll continue to do what we need to do to be successful with you guys and
with uh the town. So, I don't think I could say anything more, but we we we will not let it slip. Can I say things will happen from time to time? Absolutely, it does, but we will address them quickly and and make sure everybody's uh on the same page and part and good with it.
Just to add to that, um, we we are also a business and and we want to be a good business and we want to get people to come to us and all of these things that have taken place are are making it a better place to be. So, so regardless of
what what municipality it's in, these are things that we would be we do we do meet with with boards and with town leaders and and it's part of what we do. So, we want this place to be successful.
So, do we want it to slip and go back? Absolutely not. about four years ago. >> Yeah. 2021 and then of course we had co you know which kind of just changed the whole world.
>> I I I guess what I'm wrestling with here is all right let's just say let's just say four years. We agree we'll say four years. >> Yeah. John. Okay. things have been raised over the last how many meetings? Five meetings, four meetings, whatever we've had. Okay. What
I always wrestle with on stuff like this in these types of applications is there's things that have been brought forward to your company, by the board, by residents, etc., etc. If if you weren't before us asking us to
build this new building and increase the use, etc., etc., how much of this would have been addressed? How much of this would have been brought to your attention? I mean, I'm I'm sitting here and maybe I'm alive. I start, you know,
that >> I'm seeing I'm sitting here and listening to, you know, to eight, nine people raising stuff over the time and and it's like I I'm getting the feeling that you wouldn't know or or you might have addressed a couple things and
that's fine, but you might not have addressed all of this and the resident's concerns if you weren't before us asking us for this variance. A common question. I'm It's a comment. correct is a comment and you know just as personal dialogue I can say that
um of course a venue like this does al always always brings out whether good bad or indifferent it's going to bring people out and we were just lucky that
one we heard it and the people came and and told us but also So our company being in this whole purchasing it doesn't happen in a year or two years changing changing
a facility obviously you know that I mean we're doing the assisted you know the AL side it takes time and in the time you know seems like forever but in the short amount of time that we've been doing this
we've made changes not because of this we made changes that were going to happen anyway. You know, Ryan's predecessor is no longer with the company. That has nothing to do with I mean, he was responsible for a lot of lot of
companies. Things weren't getting done the way Marquee wants it done. And they brought in somebody that's getting it done. And just like the new administrator at this building, they're bringing an administrator that has 30 years experience in this building
because that's what's needed in this building. There are some buildings, I'll tell you, that a two-year administrator can handle it. This building is a you brought on the right person. And as I said, we want to be successful. So
>> mentioned during the course of this whole week. So honestly, you know, we have >> to hear you. Sorry. >> No, I'm just saying that everything you mentioned is everything that's happened over the course of the year application.
>> And that's that's actually the point that I'm trying to make. Well, and and and believe me, I mean, in fairness, you know, I'm trying to >> Okay. >> to balance it. >> Yeah, I understand. >> Okay. Please. So, uh, without trying to
get this application approved, we have, you know, renovated the building, renovated the PT, the owners of Marquee put millions of dollars into the buildings to make them beautiful, hire the right people for the right
care. So it it's not just because of this hearing that we're doing these things. It's what we do at Marquee. I can only speak for myself as a VP of plan ops. Again, I've been around about a year now. I only can take care of what I know. The the issues since in Allenale
since I've been here a year, I have addressed or am addressing each and every one. And I don't just do that for a board. I do it for all my properties. I have five regionals under me. We are dedicated crew and we take care of our residents and our buildings. So,
it's not about this hearing. It might seem like it cuz you guys have been dealing with it for, you know, since 2020. Um, but I've been around for a year now. And, um, honestly, in my world, I I could really care less about this
application. I just care about the building, strengthen the relationship. Obviously, the owners want to do their business model and expand the building and do what we need to do for the company and for Allentown, but personally, I'll just share with you Allenale. Sorry, I live in Allentown.
So, so personally, uh I I just want to let you know that, you know, as as a company, we're not just responding because we're trying to get this application. It's it's what we do. And if I know about the issues, I mentioned that hotline. Um I get them
every day. And if it's in my realm, I'm addressing it. Members, any further or questions here? >> So, at this time, we're going to open it to the public for any questions of the two witnesses you heard this evening. The first witness was dismissed. As you know, there were no questions of Chief
Dylan, but of Mr. Apollo and Mr. Hton. Um, any questions from the public based upon their testimony this evening? Now would be your time to come up and ask those questions. >> Okay, seeing none, I bring it back to the board of the comment.
>> I have no further witnesses. Okay. All right. you want to defer closing until if there's any public comment. I was so >> Okay. So, you know what? Go ahead. Go ahead. >> If anybody from the public would now like to get up and make a sworn statement for or against the
application, doesn't need to be a question. Now would be that time. >> Uh yeah, if you if you wouldn't mind, sir. Thank you. Okay. State your name for the record, sir. Please spell your last name and provide an address as well.
>> Uh, James Briggs, uh, 24 R I GS. The last name, uh, the address is 244 Nottingham Road, Ramsey. >> Swear or affirm testimony you're about to provide will be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Please proceed, sir.
>> Good evening. Uh, as mentioned, my name is Jim Briggs. Uh, myself and my wife live at 244 Nottingham Road in Ramsey. We've been at all the previous meetings and gave public comment at a prior one. As a reminder, our property is block 5503, lot 22, which is in the northwest
corner of the subject property and adjacent to project area one in the plan submitted with the application. Appreciate the opportunity to provide further comment to the board. We've previously pointed out that the Allenell facility is held within a Tricco partners investment portfolio and
we've seen or heard here several examples of the owners seemingly putting the bottom line and investors first with little regard to the community that they operate within. Largest example of this to me was the s significantly increased burden that was
put on the Allenale Volunteer Ambula ambulance corps upon Troy Co taking over ownership in 2021. costs that a previously family-owned facility used to bear were pushed to the community and its volunteers in the name of profits. These meetings may have helped change
that given the concern the board had expressed at previous meetings we've seemingly seen some of the progress um in the numbers uh presented today. It has taken much back and forth during these meetings to get the facility to
consider more neighborfriendly options in their plan. The suggestions to reduce planned parking spots in project area 1, including removing all the current or projected parking spots that face our houses on Nottingham Road are welcome, as are the suggestions in the requests
by the board to have more and larger trees planted in the area in project area 1. We're thankful that the trash and recycling that was planned for project area 1 has been relocated in the previous plans. We've seen examples throughout the course of these meetings where the
community would bring up issues the facility would say that they would address and the next meeting would come and the issues would still not be resolved despite the facility's promises. The time of the garbage pickup being consistently earlier than pitmitted despite the facility's continuing promise here to fix has been
a great example and unfortunately it is one that continues to persist. Just in September, there were two uh pickups prior to not only 8:00 in the morning, but 7 o'clock in the morning. One at 6:20 on September 4th and one at 5:50 in
the morning on September 11th. There had been little reason or experience to suggest that the facility would do the right thing for its immediate neighbors or the broader community and less forced. As one of the board members mentioned at the last meeting, the prior track record hasn't been good. Prior to last meeting, we
found that there was a new operations representative, Mr. Hunton, to speak to if we have issues. To Mr. Hunton's credit, he's the first representative of the facility to follow through on requests and promises regarding overgrowth affecting our property. We've been trying to get traction on this
since 2021, which don't know if that goes to the chairman's point. Mr. Hunton had has addressed that since the last meeting. Um, a large thank you to you, Mr. Hun, for for that. We are left in a difficult position with
respect to the application. I believe the primary beneficiaries of approval of the application are going to be the investors and the property. Unfortunately, Christine and I feel the only way for us and our neighbors to see any improvement to the condition conditions that exist today, be that the overbearing nature of the existing
lighting, be that the removal of existing or planned parking spaces facing our home, be that the planning of additional screening vegetation is for the board to approve the application subject to all of the conditions that have been previously discussed. If the board was to do so, we hope there is a
mechanism to force compliance with such conditions as our experience over the course of these meetings and over our last several years of interactions with the facility have served to diminish our faith that owners will put the community over profits voluntarily. Thank you again for the opportunity to provide
comment. >> Thank you. other members of the public. Okay, seeing none, I bring it back to the board. Discussion. No, no. I think everybody's heard >> I think he's >> so
deliberation. just pre-eliberated. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. I'm going to um council, if you're okay, take a five minute break, right? Let's uh >> Yeah, let's five minutes. Okay.
All right. I'm still happy. Yeah. Thank you. Johnson can Yeah. actually I mean she'll say hello
Yes. Yes. But it's not just just once sing. Yes. very good.
I'm living. >> It's weird. I can't see it in his hands. >> Oh, okay. >> He just wants the restroom. >> Okay. I had stopped count warehouse. Yeah.
>> Fair enough. It's a nightmare. We still need to be ready. >> Chairman, you ready? >> Um, yeah. Just one one quick second. evidence in two weeks until
Okay. >> Council, we good. >> You're good. >> Okay. All right. I'm bringing it back after our short break. Um before you know before there's any further discussion here I ask our
professional uh comments anything you you know please okay and then council if there's any questions that come from there please do okay >> it's with purchase associates what the
application is just for the board's information and maybe revisiting the product planning testimony. It's a devariance relative to the expansion of a pre-existing non-important use. And what's being proposed tonight was this application of many nights is the
expansion of that use due to the adjustment of the uses or the activities within the building. Usually when you look at these types of applications, you look at the positive and negative criteria related to the variances. Under the positive criteria
in this instance, this is a nursing facility. So it's similar to a hospital in that regard. It's serving a public interest. So there's definite public positive criteria that's being met in this application. Although the board does have the ability
under situation that type of view is to impose conditions or look at the negative criteria. What are the impacts to the community? And in that aspect, this board has been, I think, appropriately investigating all the various issues, whether they be service,
communications, the emergency services to the facility, uh traffic, the traffic increase, uh will impacts from other features such as the expansion of the parking lots or redustments to the parking lots. Will there be enough parking in the facility? Am I coming
through loud enough? Sorry, I'm not sure if this microphone. >> Okay, so there that is one of those are the issues that's worth looking at. Obviously, the applicant has provided my testimony tonight certain conditions and agreed to certain conditions and are
those conditions enough offset by the concerns the board may have in the increase in activity. uh that is really what you're weighing as a criteria difference. It's so substantial is usually the word as you uh that the use
itself be detrimental to the town plan and to the neighborhoods within the overall um location as well as the master plan. Master plan calls out various things that protect single family neighborhoods and protect uh the overall public
interests at stake. So those are ratios that I would offer with the board's consideration. U heard of certain operations and adjustments that they've proposed. Uh they're going to have an increment
service on site or serving the site itself. Um they're making landscape improvements, lighting improvements, and adjusting the parking lot as I see it. Those are the issues that you can weigh in your deliberations considerations and this application
that I would offer both members and question. >> Thank you. >> So what is our responsibility in terms of the operational execution order? How do we feel comfortable that
operationally as we move forward kind of on this right track after we get these fixes in place? >> The only comfort level you can probably draw are the conditions that you're imposing. Are those conditions enough to give you enough satisfaction that if in
fact they're not conditions? Obviously any resolution of approval with conditions, you can enforce those conditions. zoning officer, they have the ability to go and scientifically if in fact they're not doing certain works with resation.
Uh but then it also comes down to obviously the operations discussions about that you have a comp. Thank you. Anybody else on the board? Michael,
it's it was months ago, but we heard, you know, from their their traffic engineer testimony adequacy of the parking, their site engineer made some modifications to the circulation and location statistical features. There's still some engineering
work that needs to be done with regards to regulated areas of storm water management. Um, but if you have any technical questions regarding, you know, any of the engineered aspects of of what's been presented so far, I'll be
available to answer your questions. Council, I'll give you the opportunity to have anything you want to up to that that you heard. I just really have one question for Mr. Snip. Uh speed, excuse me, snip. You talked about an increased
activity on the site. Uh how do you how do you draw that conclusion given the reduction in the number of beds, right? Um way I've heard it through the testimony is that you're adding skilled nursing to the facility compared to independent living the assisted living
which can have working nursing. Obviously in that situation uh people need bedrooms but it's also nursing doctors of that as well as it could possibly be uh visiting
doctors of that nature for people to help treat those individuals. So it's that activity that I think is what is being drawn out in this application. >> Well that all that activity would occur inside the facility. Correct. Correct. So that's just really a function of whether or not there's sufficient
parking to accommodate those additional cars that you just described. Correct. >> As far as an operation of the site, >> right? And and the determination by the board was that in fact we could reduce the number of parking spaces that we have down to 154. So there really isn't
any question that that that the site can accommodate the increase activity that you that you were concerned about. Correct. you had pointed out parking and it's not just the activity that would increase or potentially be adjusted let's say uh it would also services and
activities to the building due to the change in the type of nursing that's occurring well you can't quantify that can I any further comments questions Um, I just want to note one one thing and I'm not and I and I and I just want to
point it out. I'm not sure if this is something that you can do, but we always keep talking about the address here. Okay. I checked three different sites. They're still showing going through the neighborhood to get to your facility. >> What sites did you check? Thanks.
>> I uh I checked this while we were sitting here. >> I got to skip here. >> Um Bing, Ways, and Map Quest. Map Quest still has the old address. Bing had the directions going through
the neighborhood and Ways still had the directions going through the neighborhood. >> I use ways today to get here to >> I put my address in my personal address to there and it showed me going through there on my
computer, not my cell phone. Okay. I I again >> you I'm just sorry. I'm trust >> No, no, no. >> That's more than fair because I don't know if you control this, but I just want to point it out. Okay. Because that wasn't that was a photo. >> When you said it takes you through the neighborhood, does it then take you 17?
>> No, >> it takes you 85. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. That that's I'm sorry. It takes you to the residential neighborhood >> to to the Harrington entrance. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Correct. I'm sorry I wasn't correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> That's okay. We'll have our IT
>> Okay. >> gurus get on that again. >> Okay. I mean, I just did it, you know, but and I'm not saying I'm a genius here doing this stuff. time a you know a fluke comes up or something like that it it immediately I have a team now that I
immediately send it to them and they say oh let me see what's going on and they the programming thing and >> so we'll look at it again >> thank you um all right board I think we you know we've discussed this we've heard enough
so I ask the board for a motion Um, I guess I'll go. Um, that this I I just after after carefully considering this, I I can't personally I can't support the application. While I appreciate the facility's efforts, I
have concerns that once this focus inevitably diminishes, things are going to change and I don't know if they're going to change for the better. I'm not excited about the action plan that was presented that requires a
high level of burrow involvement. Um, I I believe I believe it focuses too much on community resources and and I for that I can't support the application. So, I'm going to make a motion to deny.
>> I would also make a motion to deny. >> Council motion >> and a second denial. So at this point, Linda, I I think you take the roll call and we see where it lands. It's a D case. The applicant is aware they need a supermajority vote in order for this to be approved. You've got a motion in a
second. So I I think the procedure would be the roll call now of the the day of voting board members. >> Vice Chairwoman Bergen. >> Yeah. We just need to make sure we're clear about how council. Yes. Well, yes and no. Me >> in this case there please. your vote
would be I think that for the record's clarity if you agree with the motion of the second you say I concur in the vote of a denial anybody that wants to vote to approve I think you should say no I vote
to approve the application okay talking backwards but you got counting um who's on first >> I am in agreement to vote to deny Board member Warzala,
you made the motion. Second, >> board member Petrino, >> vote to deny. >> Board member Gogaro, >> um I'm voting no uh for the simple reason of I believe since the beginning
and now it's come a long way. Um, I do agree that yes, we are using resources in the town, but they've kind of complied with everything that we've asked them to do so on. >> Board member Dallow, >> I vote no
>> to deny. >> To deny. >> Chairman Cer, >> I vote to deny. >> Or member Butler, >> I vote to deny. Yeah. alternate conte um I vote to deny as well.
>> Thank you. Have a good >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you for your Okay. >> Yeah. >> Would you like to lock the camera? Maybe like >> Yeah.
>> All right. Yeah, we have one more. Okay. All right. Um move on. Good. All right. Sorry. Just want to make sure. >> Okay. >> Right. Next on the agenda. Linda, we good.
Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Hang on a quick second. Thank you. >> Right there. No question. >> That better. >> Yes. There we go. There we go. >> Okay. All right. Next on our agenda is
applicant file number 2025-09 Keith and Jennifer Bashetti, 414 Canterbury Avenue and Allenale07401, block 411, lot 2. The application is the addition to a house and a bank expansion pursuant to 27064B
parenthesis 2, 2763A parenthesis 3, 270-54D, and 270-B. And this was carried from the original public hearing date of August 20th, 2025.
Mr. Whitaker, welcome back. >> Nice to be here. Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Chairman, members of the board, for the record, Bruce Whitaker from the Pro McDonald Whitaker representing the applicants, Keith and Jennifer Boschetti. As you stated, they're the owners of 414 Canterbury Drive in Allenale. Shown on your tax map as block
411, lot number two. The applicant is making a land use application for certain variance relief. Property is located in the double A zone. Uh you've seen the map, you've seen the site plan proposed. Uh I believe this is a poster child type of lot when we talk about
under the C-section of the ordinance an irregularly shaped lot. Uh and the lot has a number of nonconformities that prompt uh the necessity for variance relief uh because trying to comply with the ordinance in this instance would constitute a hardship. The
nonconformities consist of a lot area with only 10,64 ft where 26,000 ft is required in your double A zone. The front yard setback is currently at 28.5 ft where 30 ft is required. You have a front yard setback of 25
uh 3 feet as I said where 30 ft is required on another part of the building and you have a rear yard setback of 23 ft where 50 ft is required. Uh why is there a rear yard and front yard setback? Because if you had to comply with the double A zone for uh lot depth
in this instance where there's only at the the maximum 90 ft uh to comply with this you basically have a home that would be 10 ft in depth uh to conform to both. So, we have a lawfully existing house on this property. And what the
applicant is proposing to do is to put a master bedroom on the second floor over the garage. Uh to expand the kitchen to provide a very modest area to have an eat-in kitchen, which is very relevant today's world, and to add a a porch um
for the property and to cantal the second floor to just expand a bedroom. On the basis of that, the applicant is seeking a variance for a sideyard setback of 20.9 ft where 20.4 ft exists. So we're talking about a matter of
inches. Uh and currently you know 30 20 ft uh is what is required. Um a maximum floor area ratio of 28.2% 2% where 20% currently exists and where 24.9 is the
maximum required and that constitutes the D variance that we talk about the D4 variance and what we're proposing to you and will proper as testimony for that because it goes beyond the C variance is that we're basically looking at this and
the uh property I would suggest the proposal being suggested um the non-compliance will not affect the suitability of this property and um the problems that you normally have with F uh large expansion of a property on a
small lot doesn't exist here because the majority with a capital M of the uh square footage we're proposing is above the existing footprint of the house. You'll hear from our architect planner that the uh amount of square footage that is beyond the footprint of the
house now is basically dimminimous in nature. Um and on the basis of that um there's no problems associated with this F because the problems can be accommodated. There's going to be an upgrade in drainage over what's there right now. And there's going to be uh
most importantly uh a refurbishing and renovation uh bringing today's h this house perhaps we could say in today today's world as far as style is concerned and Mr. Santini is going to explain that all to you when I give him the chance. Um, with that said, uh,
you've repeated what the variances are that we're requesting. It pertains to the F sideyard setbacks, the rear yard set back to a deck and the front yard set back to the porch. uh we believe on the overall uh concept that the both
variances can be permitted under the C1 and C2 criteria and that the standard for an F which is different than the use variance it's a lesser standard can certainly be uh in compliance with what we're proposing this evening that's an overview of the application and unless there's any questions of me I will call
on to our architect planner have him qualify and take us through existing conditions and what's being proposed >> we're good Y can proceed. >> Thank you. >> Please do for >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. >> Good evening. Would you state your name for the record last name?
>> Stantini. S I N I. A licensed architect and a licensed professional planner in the state of New Jersey. I also hold several other architectural licenses in several other eastern seabboard states. >> Do you swear or affirm the testimony about brought to the provider of the
truth to hold truth, nothing but the truth? >> Yes, sir. I do. Your licenses are current and in good standing in the state of New Jersey. You've testified before once or twice in the state of New Jersey. I assume >> I counted the municipalities. I got about 160 municipalities that I've
appeared for the last 40 years. >> There's too many towns in the state. >> Have you before this point? >> My address is 560 Silvin Avenue, Anglewood Cliffs, New Jersey. >> Thank you. his sweet 1290.
>> Mr. Santini, just quick, have you rec Have you ever appeared before us? >> I have not appeared before, but I have done a lot of projects in the industrial area. Okay. >> And all the u the warehouse type buildings there in
17 >> along 17. >> Okay. So, you're familiar with the town? Yes. >> Thank you. >> Have qualified tonight as a licensed architect in the state of New Jersey as well as a licensed planner. Thank you, Mr. Santini. I would like you to take us through uh what currently
exists on the property and then walk us through what is being proposed. >> Okay. Um I have two three exhibits that I like here and show you this evening. Um the first exhibit and I believe you have the first two pages that was
submitted with the application. uh you should have this page which is labeled A1 and then you should have the elevation of the proposal which is A2. Uh on the diagram that we have here
labeled A1 is the site plan um the existing condition survey that had been prepared by uh uh Mr. lot to blame. I'm I'm not sure if I say its name correctly. Anyway, is a a site a survey
that illustrates the irregular shape of this particular parcel. Uh having um having only one sideyard, it is 42% in deficient in the total area that's
required in the AA zone. Uh it has an irregular shape to it. It's along the curve of Canterbury and it really is a hardship consideration for this board to uh to analyze.
The existing property has this multiple structure on it. On the very top is the front elevation uh which shows a partial twostory portion of the house. We also had uh a porch that is kind of deficient and what
we have done you'll see in the our proposal is to show how we think that the porch uh work much more functionally. Uh there's another view along patter the the street starts to curve uh and
illustrates the house and it illustrates the area where we are proposing to put the second floor edition. Um, as as Mr. Whitaker has said before, a majority of the house is on the second floor and I'll explain that to you. Uh, here is
the garage in the middle photograph and that is the area that we will uh adjust and have the new proposed primary bath and bedroom at that particular location. And the last photograph on the set
diagram that you have is the rear yard with the existing deck. Um there is no modification to the existing deck and I believe there was uh mentioned in uh one of the the engineers report that we were going to add u to the deck and that's
not the case. On the left side of the drawing are the existing conditions drawings. Um my team went to the house and made all of these drawings um by hand measure. We uh we determined that
the first floor has an existing area of 135 square ft. That means the existing second floor has a total of 862 square ft. And that gives you the total of 2167
square feet that's existing for this house currently. What we are proposing to do is to expand that you have property with a modest addition on the second floor and a very
minor dimminimous addition on the first. The second diagram is the plans of the proposal. The first floor plan is proposed. It's on the left side of this drawing. Um,
and the area in yellow on the first floor plan indicates what we are expanding. We are redesigning the interior of this house to make it much more functional and make it more uh current with today's
trends in and actual living uh requirements for this type of residential structure. The existing two cars arrived this day. Uh we are reconfiguring the interior environment to create a brand new
kitchen. We are talking about adding a 47 square foot breakfast nook all glass so we can allow more light to come into the to the uh to the residence. Uh we are re configurating some of the area as
to creating a a mud room and a new bathroom uh with a pantry that kind of thing. So that the access into from the garage into the house will be a controlled uh kind of easier and more functional. So
groceries can be taken in from the car, brought into a counter and then put away into the pantry area. The other thing that we're doing for this house, and you'll see in the elevations, we're adding a covered portion of the front
entrance. Right now, the front entry has a very side entrance is not uh facing the street in any way, shape, or form. It's hard to identify where the front of this house is uh right now, and we're
going to try to correct that. The other thing that we're going to correct in the first floor is to expand the existing front porch by three feet. Right now it's approximately five feet or a little bit less and it's very hard to put a
couple of chairs out there you can't even pass by. So we have added three feet to create a much better and more functional front porch that addresses the streetscape and will have very nice pronounced uh visual uh effect. The
second floor edition everything in yellow. This is over the garage. This whole portion is going to be the primary bedroom, primary bath and dressing area. Uh and then we are adding to the back of the to the
left side of the house. We are adding another uh there is a bedroom. We're expanding the bedroom. We're adding a proper size bathroom and a properiz dressing facility. So that totals the
second floor totals 771 square ft and the first floor totals 47 square ft. So the majority of the 818 square ft that we are proposing for this house is on the second floor footprint that has no
impact negatively. So on the bottom of the page is the front elevation where it illustrates the areas that you see this diagonal line is what we've added. That's the section of the garage that we're adding for the
primary bedroom. And then on this the the left side of the front elevation is the area that we're proposing for the additional uh reconfiguration of the existing bedroom and adding a primary bath and a dressing closet.
The side elevation, the right side elevation illustrates the two garages. Um it illustrates the windows that will be in the primary bedroom. Uh, and it illustrates the widened out porch to 8
ft. And then it also indicates the 4ft projection to the balcony to the deck. That will be the breakfast nook. Uh, the breakfast nook is only 4 by 12 as indicated here. It's 47 or so square
feet. 48 square ft. And then one of the things that we're doing on the front elevation is in the primary bedroom, we are creating another gabled element to balance the facade and and to create visual interest for this residential
structure. There's a uh a small projection with the sliding glass door and a cross balcony railing that you can't use the balcony, but it's a visual connection to the street. It makes it much like a more visual uh edition.
>> Miss Anthony, before you continue, just because it's highlighted Bruce, let's just mark this as A1. I know it's a filed sheet, but because it's marked up, >> mark the whole A1 with today's date. >> A1 with today's date and it'll be it's your sheet A2 highlighted to show the areas of improvement. Is that right, Mr. Santini? >> Show both of these.
>> Yeah. A1 will be the front page. >> A you marked up. Yeah. >> You didn't mark that one up there, did you? Got it. >> Just an X sheet. Just an X sheet with just for the highlighting the highlighted one. A1
>> just for the record sake. Thank you. Okay, that diagram is my A2. It's marked as A1 today's date for the exhibit that we have. Um, the next exhibit is a rendering of what
the house is going to look like. >> This one more A2, please. >> Absolutely. Julie Martin. So this is basically the result of taking and modifying this existing house uh on this irregular
shaped lot uh with with a with only one sideyard. It's on the configuration of the curve portion. And what we have done is to create a much better and impressive
front facade that addresses the street and becomes a welcoming kind of uh environment. What we are proposing on the second floor is there is this portion of the second floor is existing. This will be the new area of the primary
bedroom. This is the porch that we have expanded by 8 ft. And then this is the front entrance. We're we're going to address it with a brand new entry door with a side light. Uh and the brick surround will be the material that will
be used at the entrance level. We're proposing to use hardy plank siding which is a cementitious and sustainable material uh for the exterior siding. Uh we are uh going to provide new windows
uh new white aluminum frame windows to match the existing. There will be some new railing and uh columns. The vertical columns will help express the architectural character of this proposed
facade that indicates to the passing public that wow this is a kind of a better look for this particular uh house. it updates it and it becomes a much more desirable visual environment. Um the materials that we have selected
as I said are sustainable. Um they will u fit in nicely with the neighborhood. Um I've studied the neighborhood pretty uh in depth and these are the kind of forms and the kind of materials that you
see in this particular area. Now before I get into the variances, what I'd like to do is show you another diagram. And I can mark this as a three if you'd like. Please. This is a diagram that's an exp an an
expanded copy or an enlarged copy of the actual site the actual property which is outlined in that format. The house that's existing is in gray and I have
put the two lines. There's a colored line that's a blue line that represents the 30 foot setback for the front of the property is and the red line represents the 50 foot setback for the rear yard.
And what is left is approximately 10 ft. It's impossible to to obviously build on that if we had to comply with those regulations. I wanted to illustrate this because this really is the the heart of the hardship
for this particular property. U and I think that uh my uh presentation for the variances are going to be based basically on how this relates to this existing irregular nonconforming lot.
First of all, the area the lot area is supposed to be 26,000 square ft. were deficient by we only have 10,604 square feet or 40% of what's required. Um the the lot is not changing. So it's
an existing nonconformity and we respect we consider that the front yard that we have at the new uh covered entry and that's uh the go back to the regular
The front yard will have at this location where the this front entry projects out uh is supposed to be 30 ft. Uh the current uh house is 25.3 ft and we're moving it back uh of moving it
closer to the side. So it will be 23.8 ft or 24 feet approximately. So that's the the first C variance that we are requesting. The rear yard um as I discussed is 50 ft. That's what the zone
requirement allows. The existing to the frame of the house from the property line is 23 feet. The 4ft projection of the breakfast bay window will bring that portion of the house to 19 ft. The rest
of the house and the deck will remain in the location of where it currently is and still be at 23 ft. >> So that infringement that's in the rear yard setback. What's the width of that bump out? >> 12 ft. >> So it's a 12T infringement more so in the rear yard.
>> Yes sir. That's the only that's the only infringement that we have. And then getting into the F obviously the uh the floor area ratio is very critical. um in in reviving the calculation
it comes up to about 20 what's allowed or required now with the additional square footage comes up to about 25%. Let's say 24.9%. The existing house has an F of 20.44%.
And what we are proposing is 28.15% or an increase of 3.25%. 25%. Now, the increase obviously is a is is a a small amount. It's it's not a um a large differentiation there. And it's
basically because the entire irregular shaped lot and all of the the setback requirements and encumbrances on the site are necessary for us to request that particular variance. Now all of the variances that we are
seeking they all relate to the undersized irregular shaped lot with the existing lawful building on it. The property can support the proposed project. These are going to be the reasons now why I think you should
consider uh granting variance for this for this uh application. The modest addition of 47 feet on the ground floor and 771 square feet on the second floor which is
mostly over the garage area and on the existing rest of the structure. The proposed addition will not negatively impact the light air and open space of the adjacent neighbors. Um
the uh two bulk variances that we have with the street type variances are also related to the hardship of property. um the D4 variants of which in the um light
increase in the building um which is 3.25% above the requirement of of what your your zone has or allowed. Um and that
that's a reason uh that if you look at how the configuration of the house is, we can actually support this house on the existing footprint so that it does not have a negative impact in any way,
shape or form. Another reason for you to consider is that the aesthetic improvements depicted by the rendering illustrated the architectural scale and character that is consistent with the existing community which is also a benefit to the
public. Um we are promoting a desirable visual environment and will be the uh the house u if it's approved will be up will be brought up to the new IRC residential code requirement and standards.
The variances requested for this project will not be a detriment to the intact purpose of the zoning plan or the zoning ordinance or would it be a detriment to the public good? The purposes of zoning would be advanced
in my opinion uh with your affirmative vote. um as I think we have demonstrated the balance between the positive and the negative criteria uh and with no negative impact into the neighborhood. >> Mr. Santini, just to follow up with
that, one of the things I believe is important to also understand is when you have a substandard block area-wise, substandard with setbacks that sometimes there's a concern about massiveness of a house and height of a house. Am I
correct in saying in this instance there's a current height of 26.5 ft. What you are proposing remains at 26.5 ft and the zone code require or permits uh a house to be as high as 35 ft. >> Yes sir. That's correct. We have not
impacted that negatively so as not to have a a a detriment to the light air and open space of the adjacent residential property. And based upon the testimony you provided, the basis and foundation that you have here, in your opinion as a licensed professional
planner in the state of New Jersey, that the application meets the criteria under the C1 and C2 uh aspects of the municipal land use law uh pertaining to the bulk variances. >> Yes sir, it does. And you recognize that
as far as a F variance is concerned um what we have to show is that we can accommodate any problems that would be associated with a deviation from the F. >> That's absolutely correct. >> Do we create any problems by doing this? >> No sir, we do not. In fact, we are
enhancing um things like for instance down spouts and and gutters and rainwater leaders will all be connected to a new drainage system that our engineer has provided and has shared with the municipal um consultants.
>> And with that said, just a couple of stipulations that the applicant would make and I put that into the application because it's a board's concern in many instances. the open front porch that we have here we're stipulating will not be enclosed. So that's one of the things that sometimes a board is concerned
with. Uh second stipulation is that we can meet the requirements of your engineer uh and our engineer uh can coordinate efforts uh if there's modifications that are necessary uh to the drainage improvements uh we will meet those requirements. Uh we did note
that uh your burough engineer saw uh water accumulated one time. I I wrote to him. I didn't I don't think I got a response. >> I was keeping it a secret. >> A busy day, but okay. >> A big deal tonight. >> Okay. We had a neighborhood that had a sprinkler system going. So we got flooded.
>> I was spin. Okay. There we are. So that solves that one. Okay. >> I swear under elephant. >> That's some substance of our testimony and presentation. >> Thank you. Sure.
>> Before we go to that >> either way. >> All right. I'd like you guys please >> before we open it up to the public. >> Yeah. Maybe just a couple clarifying Thank you. >> clarifying points. Uh the deck expansion that I was referring to
the expansion along the back side of the existing deck is roughly 14 ft deep by 32 feet wide. Bose deck is going to be the same roughly 14 ft deep, but now it's going to be 32
plus another 8 ft. So there's going to be a deck area in front of the sun. >> I stand correct that you are absolutely correct. There is a small portion of the deck that expanded out and part of the reason I made that as a point was
because the setback is measured that not the building. So encroachment into the rear yard is is more than because we're measuring from a different point to the ground.
And that dimension would then be >> uh that roughly that's what that's what a secret scale. We had raised the question um suggested hear some testimony regarding exterior lighting mechanical equipment um being
proposed. We haven't addressed any of that yet. There will be no uh fuel mechanical equipment unless um there is existing mechanical condenser that's on the exterior of the house. Now that should remain at that
particular same location. As far as lighting is concerned, what I would probably do is to have a couple of down lights underneath the canopy of the covered porch uh and two side lights adjacent to the um entrance
uh brick wall that we're illustrating on the elevations. The primary concern there is the proximity of the deck and the outdoor entertaining area to the rear property. Is there any proposed outdoor lighting
on there? >> No, we're not proposing any of that. >> Any any proposed landscaping or tree removal that there will be landscaping that is proposed that I suggest that that's going to be on the engineers plan.
I would suggest that should be subject to review and approve by myself. Go ahead. >> No objection. Okay. two. >> As as we do in all in nearly all these applications, we recommend that the
existing utility services be investigated and repaired and replaced as necessary prior to reuse. >> No objection. >> We addressed the standing water issue. Um and Bruce touched on the fact that uh
we were looking for some modifications the drainage calculations and I indicated that that could be accomplished by >> we'll be done. >> Those are the primary comments that I reach in my Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you.
>> And Mr. Chairman, um with regard to the site plan, I just wanted to clarify a few things. Uh if you can refer to McFlen engineering drawings I know they're the architects for that. You're the only records that I heard. >> Yeah, they could not appear.
>> That's okay. I just wanted to clarify something for the record. Really? Um I think you indicated that breakfast is going to be one story. It seems to be indicated on the plan. Say that again. I think breakfast
is one story. Yes. I think it's indicated on that plan as a few stories. That could be corrected. >> Yes. >> On the right. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's got that incorrectly stated correct.
>> Also, coordinate um it seemed to be confusing to me. I know what was indicated is the relocation along the front of the building of the walkway in front of the the residence and the near extent of the covered porch. The actual
extent of the seconds story addition would be the closest point would be that new balcony area. Would you agree? Um addition that does not project any further. It's only a twoft projection
from face of the existing structure. Okay. So that does extend beyond the overhang that's shown on the site plan that we know it's up to that overhang. Okay. So it's not further increasing. No, that's better. Okay. Um
saying how the second story addition on the back of the building is following the existing overhang. >> Yes, exactly. Eventually with the exception of the new bedroom area that's off on the north side, >> right? Absolutely correct. >> Okay. understand that in your testimony
regarding the variance, I I understood your point as far as the um existing conditions or the uh the hardship that the property has as far as it size. Although even though the property has a smaller size, there is also maintainment
of the F requirements um under the the negative criteria when we review the impacts to the F standards we're looking at the intent of the F requirements. In your professional opinion as a planner, what would you
offer to the board as the intent of the FP requirements, excuse me? Well, I would just u professionally say that since it is dimminimous at 3.25%
and that the property can support the proposed addition as we have depicted. I think that that would mean an advancement to the purposes of zoning. In my opinion, that would be for the positives. But yet under the negative criteria, we look at
the intent of the F. Will it be more of the mass and scale of the building? >> The mass and scale of the building is appropriate. It does not exceed any height uh limitations. Um I think we have a benefit to the community with the aesthetic improvements. uh creating a
desirable visual environment is also one of the purposes of zoning and I would believe that that would be a part and parcel to approval for this project including the F var you don't see the
impacts of the overall scale of the addition is having a impact or substantial impact purpose of vaccine >> no I I do not and it's also reinforced that it's a very modest addition that has been reinforced by the zoning
officer uh and the construction official who wrote in their report that they feel that this would be a welcome addition to the the neighborhood because of the aesthetic uh enhancements and the
overall scale and character of the house fits in very nicely with the existing neighborhood. >> In your testimony, I think you talked about certain architectural features. What are these features that would point out that would offset the massive scale that's being provided? The gable to
cable features that we have in the structure uh that are being proposed. The gable element that is creating the front entrance uh gives you the prominence of this um identifying where
the front entrance to the building is and also the adjustment of the secondary gable and the roof uh at the master primary bedroom above the new covered uh
uh porch is really promotes a desirable visual environment, breaks up the scale and the massing of the facade in my opinion on the rear facade. I guess the the most impact is from the breakfast area,
right? Yes, that's towards the back towards the property line. That's correct. Thank you. Nothing. >> Thank you. Um, I have a question just I don't think you answered it when Ed um asked. Sorry
if you did, but on the second floor in the new primary bedroom, the what's not shown on the um engineer's plan is the gross square footage that's listed there include I know it's minimal, but that the additional square
footage for that provide that to you really definitely do that. Um if we go back to the first exhibit that has not been marked up, there is the information of the building area. Um it
has a chart on this at the lower level at the bottom of the page. It gives you the existing and um existing living area and the proposed addition area. And it also outlines the total for each floor.
So the first floor which is the middle column has an existing square footage of 135 square ft. The addition is 47 square ft and the total would be 1352 square ft. Um the second floor as an addition
uh that's existing is 862 square feet or adding 771 square ft for a total of 1633 square ft. So it's pretty much outlined >> right but I guess it's just because it was missed on the engineering plan. I just want to confirm that it's that
square footage is included in that 6 that Um, I guess my question is more in line with the uh site plan and I guess um ju just in case you can't answer it, I'm going to defer to our engineer. the
location of the the proposed uh drywall or conx chambers, water quality chambers there. Um they're real close to the property line. So, I don't know if perhaps Mike, there's no overflow proposed, but there is a catch basin
close to there and maybe you guys will consider perhaps tying in an overflow just so that if if the soil doesn't permit the the proper amount of percolation that it wouldn't per it wouldn't just flow onto the neighbor. >> We would be open to that suggestion and
cooperate with your engineer. >> We could adjust that. We can adjust >> maybe re I don't know if it's you know that's the only spot but maybe just look into that because it is very close to >> I think that's a good tie and open there is an existing >> it's right in the I just looked it's
right >> just to tie it in without a problem we don't create any additional burden to the neighbor is there a street view photo that you you present send it to us. Um >> the third
>> just that. But I have this preview that I taped on there just for my own use. I can show it to you if you'd like to see it. >> Show the um the rendering that you have the front rendering. >> Yeah, that's the street view.
>> No, the street I'm more complex at Google Earth. >> Oh, I thought you was that one. I show you this close up. >> I'm looking at my phone and it looks the houses look very close together. >> Those are the lots of a country club.
>> Here's Canterbury. >> And these are the lots that are mostly everybody's not >> and it's all landscape. >> It's right on the bend, right? >> Yes. Right on that curve. Yeah, that's pretty much it. >> Pretty close to the property line.
>> Anybody else see it? >> And the other piece of that is most of the houses across the street are all significantly smaller. >> That's the one you can see here. No, they're all they're all free. the one in Ramsey's
>> house is right across the street from market. >> It's all part of the Rams and Go Country Club. The Ramsey Goplin Country Club was formulated in the 19 40s early. Uh it stopped it it's it created all the lots
for people to buy. Uh it was a unique uh concept at the time. It predates Ramsay zoning code which would have required uh at least 14,000 square ft and many of them are not. Um
building occurred after World War II. A little bit of a history buff when I live in the town, but that's what basically happened. It uh it had a lot of prohibitions in the master deed that would not be permitted today. And uh it was people that bought lots but never
built in after World War II. Uh many of the homes got built. Many of the smaller lots were left vacant until later on. Most of the homes originally were ranches and Cape Cods. And if you go into the country club to now, you can see that many of them have been modified.
>> What year did the current owner buy the steps? >> 2018. >> 18. So it's pretty much the way you bought it. >> Absolutely. So you kind of look at what you were buying the biggest in one point >> in terms of the lot size in terms of the
building >> we were buying >> we should probably swear client >> I'm sorry just to make it all legal >> we good >> yes all right >> please state your name for the record >> Jennifer >> please raise your right hand you swear
or affirm the testimony you're about to provide the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth >> sir do you plan to say do you plan to add anything >> possibly. My name is Keith Bashetti. I do swear. >> Okay. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thanks.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> What was the question? >> So, the question was when did you go buy it? >> We were buying the same. >> We were buying into the Ramsey Golf and Country Club, which would there are a lot of benefits to living in that area.
and the house we we just wanted a house there and that was the house that we could get at the time that we were looking to purchase when that area. >> Completely understand. Yeah. I just I guess the point is is the house was in the same condition if you will and it
had the same size >> then as it does now. you kind of knew >> well family grows co happened >> and to be honest my father passed away and now he left us some money that we're
able to >> so is it is it on on Google it says Ramsay >> yes the address is Ramsey because the post office delivers the mail but it's in the Allenale pound Yep. Any
other questions? All right. Um, I'm going to open to the public. >> All right. I open it to the public, please. Um, sir, please come up. State your name. >> Sure. >> Address, etc., etc. >> Thank you.
>> You got it, man. >> My name is Tom Fritz. uh 420 Kbury Drive, Ramsey, New Jersey. We're actually Allenale. Uh our kids went to Highlands, but we have a Ramsey mailing address. If you send our mail to Allenale, it goes around the horn for a
week and then comes back. Um