Mark off your kind of overachieving. control. >> I think so. because it's just Yeah, continue. You don't come to order. Every one
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The bureau has complied with the notice of the sunshine law by adopting prior to January 10th of this year a resolution prescribing the dates, times and locations of all regular meetings of commission. This meeting is one of the
meetings listed in such resolution and copies of the resolution were by January 10th filed with the burough clerk. Motion to follow upon reports tax collector of municipal court and zoning official. Second. >> Okay.
>> All right. So, today we have a proclamation for the transgender day of visibility, which is not until March 31st, but since our next meeting is on April 13th, we didn't want to miss it and we wanted to um have it not just be a day, but maybe a full-on
month of disability. So, I'm going to invite up uh Morgan Herper from the Pride Support Alliance of the UUCC, Melissa Kenberg of the Transgender Rights Coalition of New Jersey, and Diane Nola and Jeff Pierce from the
Collinswood chapter of Key Flag. Whereas every March 31st marks International Day of Transgender Disability, a day to recognize and center the voices and contributions of our gender diverse community of transgender, twospirit, non-binary, and
interex people in our burrow. And whereas all Americans have the right to self-determination, adequate healthcare, and comprehensive free public education so that we all may live our lives as our trul. And whereas this day is dedicated
to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of our gender expansive community while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to address and anti-transgender violence and become a truly equitable community. And whereas our transgender and gender
diverse community members deserve love, respect, and a safe place to not just survive to thrive. Today's sports commissioners is dedicated to doing our part to make this a reality. And whereas everyone should use this day and months
to raise awareness around discrimination and violence that trans people still face while also showcasing the beauty and power of disability and pride. Our work does not stop with March 31st end. We must continue to uplift positive authentic voices from the transgender
community all year long and do our part to ensure their safety. So therefore, let it be resolved. We the Burough of Collinswood proclaim March 31st, 2026 as transgender day disability in the Bureau of Collins and with this proclamation
affirms that all transgender people in our community are heard, loved and belong. And therefore, let it be resolved our commitment to advocating for transgender expansive rights, not just on March 31st, but all year long. What happened?
All right. Um and I believe now we have our presentation that was for storm water presentation. So storm water management um we have a order here from our engineer representation is not that exciting. Okay, so this is about the Burough
Collegewood NADP MS4 which is the watershed inventory report specifically the uh separate storm source system that every township county um is required. Um so this is just a quick fact sheet because I gave you a full instruction to
sleep and six hours later. So the Bur Collinswood and all New Jersey municipalities are permitted to manage and treat municipal storm water under New Jersey MS4 which is the municipal separate storm source system MS4 municipal permits including but not
limited to storm water design collection treatment infrastructure and maintenance activities required per its permit to meet its permit obligations. Charles College was all municipalities were required to prepare and file a watershed
inventory report which is part of the watershed improvements plan for the NJP. An interim draft of this WIP phase one assessment report was completed for Burough Collinswood and filed prior to
the January 1st 2026 regulatory deadline. A copy of the phase one assessment report is available for public review on the burrow of Collinswood Township's stormwater website um under tab.
This current draft will be modified to include additional storm water infrastructure data also obtained from Burough Collinswood and review comments and input from the DP borrow staff and the public. And the important thing is as part of this permit process, we're
going to have two semianual public meetings that are required to make the public aware and to solicit questions or comments regarding the portion improvement plan. Um, all questions or comments regarding the WIP may be
directed to Bur Collinswood Stormwork Coordinator. Um, his name is Andrew Marker. is an SPC and his email is a m kellmanwood.com. First letter of his first name and then last name. And then additionally there
will be two future additional phases for the WIP reporting that will be necessary. It's the wershed assessment report which will be due January 1st 2027 and then we have a watershed improvement plan report which is due December 31st
2027. Then additional information on both of these future plans will be provided by >> Does anybody have any questions? >> Thank you. All right. The second reading of public hearing of ordinance 1827 authorizing a
tax abatement for a property located at 664 through 668 Hannah Avenue and authorizing the financial agreement pursuant to the 5-year exemption and abatement law. >> All right. Once again, this is the uh prior wall location. Um this is a second
reading. So this is the public comment on this ordinance. If anyone has any specific comments on this by your tax payment to get something back in there as soon as possible, this is your moment.
See no public comment. >> M. >> Yes. >> Henderson. >> Yes. >> Mayor Solano Ward. >> Yes. >> Right. the second reading of public hearing of ordinance 1828
uh auxiliary structures and sports courts. Um so here um we were taking the lead off of some surrounding burrows um where people wanted to start installing things like pickle ball courts outside um and
just making sure that our laws and callings would adequately cover different kinds of courts because now there's not as fast. So this is just more inclusive to make sure that um the zoning board would have the planning
board have an ability to approve whether there's enough space and um you know there's enough coverage of land and what so this is just preemptively it's not in response to any specific action in town just seeing some
neighboring towns and things they've had to face. So this is the second public reading of this ordinance. There's any comments? >> Mr. Mley, >> yes. >> Mr. Mayor, >> and then we have public comment on the
resolution agenda. Can I comment? Sorry. Um I sent a question out to Cass um on the the ongoing labor matters. Do we have an update on like whether that's a wrapup report or like what the
longevity is of the of that that special >> Oh yeah yeah yeah. So, uh, that matter is almost that matter is almost completed. I think it's limited to >> I don't want to go too into it. >> Yeah. Okay. They just have to wrap. >> Yep. It should be done relatively.
>> Okay. Just copy by surprise. I thought we kind of are so I wonderful. Thank you for that. Appreciate that. Sorry about that. >> Holly appointing Joseph Garry for 2026 tax office bankruptcy matters. >> Yes.
>> Yes. and a billboard on our tax collector asked for some extra support um for just to have some some legal backing on some potential executive issues. So that's what that's doing Anthony
as needed electrical inspectors construction office. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. appointing Triad Group as administrative agent for affordable housing. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Real quick. So Triad Group is
who uh 30 firm worked with for their affordable units. Um and their work has been really exceptional, really thorough. Their marketing plans are very laid out um in step with what the state requires. And as you'll see in the agenda, there's going to be a lot more
talk about affordable actually happening in town. So, it was time for us to have our own um our own administrative agent because the amount of bureaucratic lift for affordables is very heavy. So, that's why it's something that's going out.
>> Yes. Sorry, I stopped afterwards to not my appointing Parker Mccay and special counsel to continue ongoing labor matters. >> Yes. >> Yes. Abstain. Sorry, you heard about that a couple minutes ago, so I'm not going to go that
>> authorizing application for a library. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Um CDBG is the community development block grant. It's county money. Um, and we are planning to try to get eight game bathrooms at the library, but there's
been plans for a while now and so we hope this year was the establishment of the college of civic arts and design committee. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> So, this was u during the working meetings we talked about this group. Uh
this was at one point the um cultural the creative it was a creative committee um that was started during co and uh just you know due to zoom meetings and and all all that didn't really get off the ground but we have a group of very dedicated residents who
have wanted to get this up and running. So um stay tuned for more more information. You'll see some stuff in your town prior from them as well. So keep an eye out. Yes. >> Amending the authorized spending limit
for professional service contract Walker and Bros. Yes. Yes. Abstain licenses 2026 567 for St. John and 268 and 9 for the tender.
>> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Approving the reserve unfed taxes adjustments. >> Yes. So this was from our uh from our budget workshop.
>> Budget workshop. But at our budget workshop was our auditor. >> I'm so sorry. >> I'm so sorry. Um our auditors because of I think the the rebound that like the the numbers
were changed for that we had to set aside more. That's what Joe said. So that's why we had to adjust those numbers um for our auditors that work bills as presented by the treasurer. >> Yes.
Yes. Yes. Commissioner, I don't know is here. >> Well, I'm the payment of that bill. >> Okay. Uh just as a a matter of notice, uh there was an ordinance that was uh supposed to be on for adoption tonight. It's related to your affordable housing
regulations. That is going to be heard at a special meeting that um we are scheduling for March 11th. Um we can't adopt that ordinance until the planning board holds a hearing on the um housing element fair share plan which is
scheduled to happen um I believe next Monday. >> We had a lot of snow. The planning board got hit twice. Um so the meet >> not next the 11th. >> Our our meeting is the 11th. The planning board is on Monday.
>> Sorry. >> Yes. So that's why that's kind of got a little not really public comment first or usually whatever usually just uh the only thing I have is to simply uh it's pothole season uh as
the snow all clears away everybody be careful their tires but uh um use the burrow's um website the public works comment where you can submit requests Please use that. Uh it's it's the most
effective. It gets right to the folks at DPW that are going to be taking care of it. There's a couple really bad spots in town that primarily county roads that we've notified them and hopefully they're going to be out working with us to try to fill them. There's one on there's another one over here comics
pretty kind of lost big chunks. So uh but let us know there's going to be more. It's really really cold tonight. going to be really really warm this weekend and we're going to have more and more of a come. Okay, that's it. >> I have several things. Um so as you
heard referenced um in addition to this monthly meeting, we are now having meetings. So if you want to see more of us, um you can join us on the third Wednesdays of the month at 11:30. Um we've had two so far, but the next one is March 18th if you care to join. Um,
also in terms of some upcoming events, there is a town hall with the county which is next Thursday, March 12th, featuring the mayor, right? Oh, it's here in this space. Okay. In this space. And then, um, a final upcoming event is the town forum. So, in case you're
getting all of these meetings confused, so the town forum is the twice a year meeting with the governing body where we can talk about any and all issues, anything in regards to the governing body. So, that is March 25th. um a few announcements from various
departments. Uh first, Chief Kerry, would you like to share about the K9 program? >> Sure. So, we're going to be initiating a K9 program to settlement funds. We're expecting to get a last word retrieval.
So retrooth of March will be trained in archive detection. So we'll be able to do traces for missing particles missing people as well and both will be highly socialized. So we'll be able to use our community
to help our ongoing enhance our ongoing battle as well. We're also going to be a part of this. We're rolling out a contest for K to 5 to help the dogs and then 6 through 12 to help our fashion.
So, more information to come on that. >> Thank you, Chief Perry. Very much looking forward to that. I may have given a preview to my children and those names. I'm not going to make the list. They're all under um from the fire department. I spoke to Chief Joyce. A
reminder um as folks have heard about uh we're hiring a consultant that RFP is open until March 12th next week. I also have several announcements from the library. First, join us on Wednesday, March 11th, from 5:30 to 8 to watch a 2026 Academy Award best picture nominee
film. The film was inire inspired by the book Cam, a novel of the plague by Maggie Farerrell. Like freshman will be served. This movie is rated PG-13 and has a run time of 2 hours and 5 minutes. That event is sponsored by the content threats of the library.
Secondly, from the library, a new book club is coming to the library starting this March. Pride Loves to Read is an informal discussion group about LGBTQ plus romance novels for adults meeting quarterly. Chat about what you're currently reading or listening to, what to recommend, and what you're looking
forward to. If you love LGBTQ plus romance novels or you're curious about how to join us, all adults are welcome. Feel free to bring a book with you to discuss. This is a safe space for everyone to have fun reading and sharing ideas with like-minded fans. And finally, from the library on Saturday,
March 21st, we will host our annual Maker Day event from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. New Jersey Makers Day is a statewide initiative created to highlight STEM and maker culture. Kids can check out the Steam Cart, ages 6 to 11, and Steam Junior Creation Station,
ages four and up. Teens and adults can take spices and seeds from our spice and seed libraries. No registration required. Uh, finally, of course, March is the month of St. Patrick's Day. Um, several neighboring towns, which will go unnamed, like to have bar crawls and
other things, but I'd like to encourage you to shop locally. Um, namely our raccoon tap room is having a green beer special, uh, including a dollar off of Irish red ale. Um, so please patronize our local
businesses. Um, a few final things. Uh, in addition to, uh, the earlier proclamation, um, uh, the month of March is Women's History Month, so please support our womenowned businesses in town. I will not be in this uh, Friday for office hours. I'll be out of town
for my full-time job, but please feel free to send me an email. Don't forget to change your clocks on Sunday. That is always my yearly reminder that more daylight is on the way. And finally, just some personal remarks about Transgender Day of Visibility. Um, in
case folks in the room are not familiar, um, the first, uh, federal proclamation of this was in 2021 by then President Joe Biden. Um the reason for this is multiffold of course um but uh in my background working in public health um
we know that uh folks in the transgender community face very specific health disparities namely physical and mental health disparities. Transgender people compared to cisgender counterparts are more likely to face discrimination,
bullying, violence, depression, anxiety and suicide. So, I've said it before, but I'll say it again. If you are transgender and living calling, you are seen, you are loved, and you belong here. Thank you. We had our proclamation, but I want to thank all the people that came out
tonight. Um, it's really wonderful to see all the different groups represented. They were very off the ball. It's like early February, so can we get on the agenda? Yes, we can. Um, so thank you so much for coming out and being here with us tonight.
Um, switching gears a little bit, I attended uh the county's refresher on something called Project Save as the substance abuse visionary effort. And essentially, it's um it's a program that ties to
meet people where they are. and it's offered to the police department to um the prosecutors to municipal courts to try to offer services in that moment. Um they've started branching out and I wanted to
let everyone know I'm going to give a really brief bio. Um but there's a group that's going to be meeting that's already meeting. It is every Monday at Genesis Counseling 566 had and have and it's a group that will address several areas of need including grief, loss or
emotional distress, the impacts of substance abuse, conflict and relationship issues, anxiety, depression, PTSD or other mental health conditions, recovery and trauma and social skills and self-esteem. um from the group organizer. She said, "This is
a space that also allows open for those who want to feel understood, who need to feel less alone. You don't have to be struggling with a specific issue to join this group. It is open to anyone and everyone who is looking to heal and create a brighter future for themselves." Um so I have some more cool
posters. Um I'm going to give them to Chief Carrie and we'll put them up on the bulletin at Burough Hall as well. that that is open and we're lucky enough that it's a countywide effort, but it's happening in our town. So, we have that every Monday and it's free. So, if that's support that you or a loved one
or a family member or a friend needs, know that that's something available to a town. Um likewise, coming up April 2nd, Haden Healthc Care is having their second annual senior expo at the Collins Ballroom. I went this last year um just
out of out of curiosity and it's a very wide range of senior focused resources um everything from different kinds of insurance uh to be aware of different kinds of like the police departments are there with showing different kinds of elderly abuse and fraud to be aware of
different types of it's really really interesting event it's from 11 to 3 it is free and lunch is provided. Um, and I believe it's going to be even bigger than it was last year was quite popular. So, for older adults or for people who are now sandwich generation, um, if
you're taking care of your parents, want to keep a lookout, I highly recommend um, you take a look at that. I want to thank Lindsay for the beautiful town crier that should be arriving very soon in mailboxes. Um, a lot of the stuff that we're saying is going to be in
there, but um, keep a lookout and my reminders. March 21st is going to be the first night park cleanup. Our last two also got snowed out. So, we're hoping, it looks like there's very little bit of snow left, but March 21st will be out there. And it's still going
to be the second and fourth Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. meeting at the um at the Little League snack stand, but we want to do one in March just to get it kicked. Um and then we have Greenfest coming up on April 18th. There's also a
urban gentle seed swap that there's more info on the time prior. Um the green team is going to be doing its first uh child clothing swap taking place downstairs in living room the week after Greenfest. Um rain barrels, composters,
you got to get your orders in before Greenfest because you can pick them up there. We'll have a handful of them day of, but um they really are a fantastic price and they can, you know, Annie was up here talking about storm water management. A rain barrel at your gutter
can do a lot of things. So, um just get your orders in. If you have any issues, find there's a QR code, but if you just want to order one, you can borrow your checkbook and we'll figure it out. Um and I think
Oh, yes. I am still in my office hours 10 to 12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will not be be there this Thursday, March 5th. Otherwise, 10 to 12 I'm at Burl Hall every Tuesday. Every Thursday. Um you just have to go up some stairs. I'll come down and meet you if you need to. Um and I think that's it. So now
you're holding the date of the senior resource fair. The senior resource fair is on April 2nd >> from 11 to 3 at the Collins of Grand Ballroom which is a Scottish Right. Sorry. Which is the back of the Scottish right
Scottish right? Yeah. Yeah. So I have a name that Oh, sorry. I always forget Jerry Rock 740 Battle. Whatever. Um I have a comment. I had a question
actually. I was at your working meeting on February 18th and you may have resolved this issue. If you did, then stop me. But you were discussing the budget and specifically a line item for $220,000 approximately
uh that some folks were in favor of giving to the school district. uh which basically was offered to the school district last year when they were having their crisis of the $3 million shortfall. When in the middle of all
those conversations, the state government invited all the school districts statewide to submit a request for a one-time tax increase. And our school district not only requested $3 million, which was their shortfall, but
$4.4 $4 million which was approved. We all got a significant tax increase as a result of that. So in my view, taking their budget from about 6.5 million to just under 11 million should
be enough funds to make them whole. And in fact, if they're using good financial sense, they would be creating a reserve for future expenses and
emergencies. And therefore, I'm adamantly opposed to that 220,000 going to the school district. I think it could be used much better somewhere else in the burrow. Potholes came to mind when I was thinking about this. And my question
is also related to that. I know that would Lynn and Oakland pay a tuition per student that attends in our school district and in thinking about the tax increase we all experienced, I'm
wondering if that tuition fee was increased compensate with the tax increase that the burrow homeowners experienced with this 4.4 $4 million edition and if it hasn't why not?
>> That's a good question. Wrong body for that question. >> I thought I thought there's zero on their website about their budget or that information.
I'm gonna contend that there's more information the school the school's budget is a whole different beast and once again the the president of the of the school board is here um and I would never ever want to
do her job. Um but the school budget is very nuanced and broken down into line items in a way that the municipal budget is not. It's like even more broken down. Um, it's really hard to understand. I will give you that, but it's it's on there. Um, but I don't ha I don't have
any answers for you that I can say with any sort of >> stand on March 12. So our meeting actually just got pushed back. I believe it's March 16th the whole meeting and then I think it's March 23rd regular meeting
to come. Um and you know we don't really have a lot of that. We just budget to the county and then details of all that come later in like April and May. So it's going to be a while before we and also just to put in perspective uh
we as a bureau operate from like January 1st to December 31st and that's how we operate our budget. The schools operate from June to it's like the it's the school year. So like that's why theirs is, you know, further delayed because
they operate not in the calendar year but in the academic year. >> Yeah. >> Well, and I understand that. It's just I I'm not quite sure how they can not know what their budget is if we got $4.4 million tax increase.
>> Okay. And you know, is that like some wild? They won't they won't know what the next tax year, the next budget year is until after the governor after the state the governor's budget address because that's when they finalize school aid numbers.
Okay. So once they put those school aid numbers together, that's how the district probably has already together their appropriation budget, what they're going to spend, but the revenue side of it won't be finalized until the state >> and are you saying then that $4.4 4
million may be reduced. >> We're saying the budget will be out. >> We're we're all just saying the budget will be out after that. >> Part of your question. >> I thought that was a comment. >> What about the first part of your question? You asked them about,000.
>> Yeah. So, I don't know what you all I would like to just kind of clarify that last year was the first time that it wasn't given. has been given since 1999. So it wasn't like a one time last year like it had been given every year. It
was not last year because of all the different circumstances and there are a lot of feelings out there. I hear yours that you are adamantly opposed to that being transferred to the schools and you prefer >> since $4.4 million more. It seems to me
they shouldn't eat that. >> Why would they? >> All I'm gonna say is that poor Jim has gotten a lot of flack honestly for his support of pilot programs. And one of the reasons a lot of people don't like pilot programs and like one of the
things out there against pilots is what is h how it puts the burden of funding schools more on the property taxes and homeowners than what comes from the bureau because of just the way that money's structured. So doing something
like this which is I believe where the 220 started in 99 was because of park view and because of that pilot. So this was to >> offset >> to offset or to give them is that how it's I mean it started how did it start?
>> Oh my goodness. So so listen the I I I I was espousing the view that the 222 should not be paid to the schools because they did the tax increase of 4 and a.5 million uh last year and that four and a half million is still there this year. Um the two and the reason why
it the 222 was paid beginning in in 96 when the pilot started on the part view that was the amount of money that the school district was getting out of part view at the time and the deal that was struck was that we would keep that that number going to the school district
through the length of through the the run of the pilot. Last year things changed. Last year, as you referenced, the school came out and wanted us to wanted to borrow to write a check for 3 million, okay, to them. Um,
and we went through four or five months of fun and gains. And at the end of it, the school district did not um told us that they did not need the separate funding from us because they were going out for this tax increase. They actually
asked for six and got approval for like about four and a half. Uh went out and got that. So because of that, we did not we did not pay any money over to the school district. And on the budget on this year's budget, my my objection to
that is the burrow's budget when we when we introduce it is precarious. Okay? It's in a lot worse shape this year than it ever has been. The reason for that is last year, in
addition to not paying that 220 over to the school district, we the bureau did not increase taxes at all. Okay. So, unfortunately, in this game, when you go a year where you get no additional revenue,
you still have health care costs that have gone up. In our case, we did uniforms got big jumps. Um, you have utility bills go up. You all those things go up. And so when you do a a year when you don't get new revenue and
that was done to help taxpayers not get double whammed, then the following year you got to be a little more careful. Okay? Because you have again those health care cost everything's back up again. So that's why we I raised an objection. the the
budget as far as I know has not been finalized for introduction. So that's that's all I know about >> 25 East Terrace College. I've been working with a bunch of people in town on a plan to develop I really
the right word transform reuse um the old bro garage complex next door into a multi- multifaceted arts and education space that's community run community based community access.
It's been very exciting and a lot of people are very excited about it and I can't seem to get the three of you excited about it and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'd like there to be
I'd like to know how to approach a situation where a whole bunch of us towns people can come together and make a proper presentation to you. He's standing here right now is not the place to do that.
But it's really exciting and and and I truly believe that by doing this, it will transform this town from just being a really cool place, which it is, to being a destination where people will want to come here and
experience what's going on next door and they're shopping before they go in and they're coming out and they're eating in all the restaurants. It would be a boon for all of Haden Avenue. It would be a boon for all the town's people. Even
though it's being organized by members of the arts community, it's not some feat arts only thing. It's where you're going to learn how to dance with your beloved. Okay? It's it's where you're going to go teach a a a course. We're
going to teach a course on how to make the best tomato sauce during the during the fall when everybody's tomatoes are right. I mean, it's a community thing that's really active. This is a community center, but it's a very listed as such in its own way, but it's very
stoic. Nowhere in this town, if I had teenage kids, for example, there's nowhere in this town that they would feel comfortable to go and flop on a couch and lay out plans of some thing they want to do. Instead, they're going to Philly. They're standing around outside
the bed. Vala. Okay. I just really believe in this thing and I need to know how we, as in a whole bunch of town folks, can come together in a way that works for the three of you so that we can pitch this thing properly.
I'll address this public works building. It's just public property. But listen, I know you've been been excited about this for a long time, but I do believe for at every step of the way, you've been advised that the burrow does not have an interest in reusing that building in
that way. Um, and all along, you've been getting everybody excited about it even with that. So, God bless. That's great. But we have there are uh it's a big borrow. There's a lot of other priorities, a lot of things that we have
to have to do like conforming with some provisions of state law. And it's really not um it's not a space that we're looking to uh to to convert to an art space. Um with respect to so you have
made the pitch. We don't so far we have not agreed that that would be a good thing to use to do it for before even last May the commissioners were weren't looking to do anything at that property. Um we just have a difference of opinion
of how it could can be used. That's it. >> Question. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. I I would add that if it's if not we're talking about affordable housing and in a town that's as densely populated as
we don't have a lot of extra land. Um so what we do own is the same we're all talking about the same space right is that space. So when we have rounds of obligations that in round three we didn't actually meet our obligations and we had reasons why we had overlay zones.
We we showed why we couldn't do it. But now we're at round four and what's going to be at our special meeting on March 11th is that plan where we are going to be meeting those obligations and we need that space. So it's not that we don't believe in the arts and that we don't want to foster the arts and we don't
your your idea sounds wonderful and if we had a bunch of extra land and we owned a bunch of buildings it would be a different conversation. It's more that it's a limited space that we have and we have very real obligations by the state for affordable housing that are also
convening for the space that you are talking about. I would also like to keep in mind that this kind of energy in this organization is the kind of things we want to build into the master plan process because there is no saying that
what the affordable housing that will be built here is going to take up all the space. We don't know yet. And hopefully whatever is built there is something that can be integrated with the plans of what college will look like over the next 30 years. And if it's something
that you have 45 people come out, work on a plan, sketch something, show some sort of cost proposals, some sort of idea for how the space will be function, will be used, the different groups that would buy into it, that that's the kind of
thing that should have a space in a master plan so that when you're laying out what's going to get built next, when the municipal court, old municipal court building finally either falls down or comes down, you know, Like these are things that if there is a large part of
the community that is very interested and willing to invest their time and their energy into it, that's the kind of thing that can be put into a master plan to eventually build out for X, Y, and Z. The way that the 1999 master plan had
like, you know, it didn't just say it was going to happen next year. It said it was going to happen in five years and 10 years and 15 years, right? Um, so sometimes it just might be a longer play. Um, and the feedback is still welcome and we don't want to say we don't want to invest in the arts. It's
just that there's a lot of things that are statemandated for that space that we can't just pick to not do or we'll get sued by the state. As you said all along you said no every
step of the way and very definitely. >> So I have it just me. >> That's okay. >> Okay. So hi everybody. I have three people who are telling me no and I have 300 people who are telling me yes. >> Well, you just have to get a building. >> And you
represent those people. They elected you. We represent 14,000 people. >> Okay. >> Okay. just to be clear. >> Okay. >> And yes, and listen, I'm not we're not gonna argue about this. We we we have a difference of opinion as to what the
best use of that site is. And we're pursuing things in over the next month or so um to try to put that property, all of that land to productive use. And so we're going ahead with that. If we had if if we wanted to bring in our own
architect and our own engineer to size up the place to beef up our proposal to you so that it might be incorporated into what your plans are and talk to our architects about what your plans are so that they might be able to put together a proposal that includes both so that
we're doing that now instead of considering it several years from now. Is that doable? Can we have access to the building for to show our architects and to show our engineers? >> I believe you've already been in the building and videos and taking videos
because you posted them on social media. Those should be enough for an architect to at least, you know, >> it's a big box. It's not a lot. >> Mr. Kimmel, I'm in charge of public works, public property. You are not going back in that building. Okay. Has
it been environmentally clear? uh you you are not going back in that building. Okay. >> So even if I want to bring an architect and an engineer, we're not enter as we have said over and over for years, we are not
entertaining proposals for the use of that building. >> Anyone else? Yeah, actually two different topics. Um the first one was on the um topic of
the fire department challenges. I haven't been able to attend meeting. So I was just wondering if there's any information available about the recent maybe like the last three to five years of fire department budget and fire department compared to staffing levels
because I'm just wondering like what was the main trigger or catalyst for the sudden resource shortage because I don't remember hearing about that let's say like you know this time last year. >> Sure. So I'll take this one. um and bolstered by Chief Joyce as well as
Commissioner Mey. Um so first of all in terms of next steps what the current next step is is that we have >> Well, I know what the next steps are. >> Sorry, I thought that was your first question. No, my question was is there any publicly available information about the last several years of the fire department budget and staffing level? Um
and do you have any information about what trigger what like what was the triggering event of the current staffing challenge? So when we took office, it was one of the first emails that I got at the end of May um addressing this issue from Chief Joyce and the department um asking for help.
>> So there's no public information available. The last several years budget budgets will be on the website, Cassandra, right? The last several years budget should be on the website. >> Um I don't know that there's a place for that. Yeah,
>> it's pretty much 17, right, Jeffrey? 17 >> 17% like decrease in that number. >> Up until 2020, >> Jeffrey, you're going to need to stand up and like be a little bit louder. through 2020 up in 2022, we used
parttime staff to supplement the when we had a vacancy on the schedule and since co we lost the ability to retain people that are both firefighters and the most co world we're finding we're not getting people that want to be able to do both. So we struggle to maintain filling that
what we call fifth spot when somebody's off that previously part time and for the last few years we've been paying overtime to fill that and it's got to the point where the people that work for us are working over time that they're starting so that's that's where comes from
>> the partner people um and then um can I totally different. So, thank you. I didn't remember um totally different topic on the topic of what we've been hearing about in the
news about ice. Um and a lot of towns have passed resolutions that um that uh they say that they're not going to allow their public spaces used for for ice in station areas and whatnot. Do we have any such resolution? So, um I don't know if Chief is still
here. Oh, he's still here. Chief, do you want to take this one? >> So, we have an immigrant trust that anyway. So, however, they are. >> So, is that something our town can
consider passing a resolution on in terms of IC public spaces for their staging >> the enforcement piece of that will be difficult right you don't have that
>> I think it hasn't been an issue >> I hate to raise my hand and wave a red flag to make it an issue >> it has not been an issue I can tell you since 2016 I think the immigrant trust record was rolled out. There's been zero violations
for that statewide. So we haven't seen any impact here. We haven't seen any topics. >> Anyone else? >> You sure? The dog's sleep. >> I make a motion we adjourn.
>> Talk after meeting. >> Oh, no. Wait, now he really has a question. >> We can talk after. >> That everybody's talking. Yeah. >> Could that could those funds go to help
supplement some of the fire budget so that they can hire new people? >> So, my understanding of the 222, and if we want to stay longer, I'm happy to keep going on this as long as you'd like, Mr. Neld. But my understanding of the 222, so your municipal taxes, you
get your tax bill, 47% goes to the schools. Here's where the argument is and where we have a difference of opinion. This is a political argument. Okay? It's an So, you have 47%. So, imagine you pay $100
in your taxes. 47 of your dollars go to the schools. Starting in 1996, from that 47% two thou $222,500 was subtracted from that. So you would pay $46 whatever cents I don't have the
math in my head. It was subtracted as a credit. It is a difference of how the board of education does their books versus the board of commissioners. It is not an addition to it is a credit against. I know commissioner me has comments. >> No. Well that's the way it was but
that's not the way they were going to use it last year. They were going to use it as an extra. The answer to your question is the 222 won't help on salaries, wages on any department because we are already at our spending cap. Okay, there's two caps municipal
governments have how much you spend and what you can raise in taxes. For some reason, they didn't connect them. Okay, so we can raise taxes another $3 million. Okay. But we can't spend any more on
what they call cap expenses, which are pretty much running things. Okay. Salaries, run running the offices. We could, and this was the pitch the schools made last year, we could raise taxes $3 million and send them a check.
Okay? So, the 222 is outside of our cap. Knocking back the 222 doesn't increase or doesn't change what we're spending within the department within the burrow. What it does is just reduce your taxes
by 222. Okay, that's what it does. It's exciting stuff, Andy. We're making your stuff look exciting. >> Storm. >> All right. Now, >> can we make a second motion to adjurnn?
We're doing everything the whole night. >> I'll second. There's nothing online. All right. Thank you.