I thought there was a bed, but apparently cold. >> Yeah, that wetness here. I mean, she's British. >> She's alive. >> The meeting will come to order. Please stand also.
>> The bur has complied with the notice provisions 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 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. >> Okay. I need a motion to file the minutes. >> Second. >> Yeah. Uh we have the second reading of public hearing of salary ordinance 1825. >> So this is the public hearing for that.
If anyone has comments on that ordinance, this is the time to them. Commissioner Mley. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson Riley. >> Yes. >> Mayor Sana Ward. >> Yes.
>> We have uh public comment on the resolutions. Okay. We have a privilege settlement agreement with Fairshare Housing Center. We just got an email from Nardy that these Yeah, they compromised.
>> They got the date. Okay, great. So, yes. All right. And my signature date, so I may ask you to come back to the office. Is that possible somewhere? Sorry. Um, authorizing a shared service agreement with Camden
County Round 25 recreation enhancement funding. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Authorizing shared service agreement with federal oak lens, construction code official, building inspector, electrical plumbing and fire code officials. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Appointing Robert Allen as a fullin fire subcode official and fire inspector. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Appointing Thomas J. Appointing Did I say Robert Allen already? >> Okay. Appointing Thomas J. Sabat as a fellow building and plumbing sub code
official and a building plumbing and mechanical inspector. Yes. >> Approving the 2026 salary resolution. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Um I'm going to abstain on this and the reason is that the this is uh I have
budget concerns. This the salary resolution is giving raises to a bunch of folks. um not that they don't deserve it, but given raises to a bunch of folks. We're um we're
adding five five police officers. We um at least right now have are privatizing EMS, giving up $450,000 there. We uh and the budget, at least the draft budget that I've seen so far is for 26 is
simply doing little gimmicks. It is taking the a bunch of one-time money, taking the sale of ocean first, putting that in the budget to pay for things. Um, it is um taking a chunk of money out of much more out of surplus than we
usually do. It is reducing the amount that we have traditionally paid toward pilots uh toward debt service, I'm sorry, and reducing that number down and it's throwing it all into this. And I I I have concerns that it is not
sustainable. Uh we haven't had any discussion about the budget and I haven't seen any plan about like what comes in 27. It's great to give everybody raises and do all that. We're taking the we're we're up to the cap on what we can raise taxes. Um and I just
don't see it sustainable going into following years. That's all. So I abstain. Is there an opportunity to ask questions right now? >> At the end. >> At the end. Okay. Thank you. >> Approving uh the avingroving a budget transfer.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Awarding a janitorial contract to ABS AB the ABS facility solutions. >> Yes. >> Supporting executive order 315 guiding New Jerseys transition to 100% clean air
energy by 2035. Just wanted to provide some context on this one. Um some uh uh advocates reached out um to look for our support on this. Uh this is about using clean energy rather than fossil fuels that harm our health and the
environment. Um this supports that clean energy is faster, clean energy is cheaper uh and cleaner and will create an estimated $30,000 in state jobs over the coming years. vote on that. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Supporting the passage of state and New
Jersey immigrant trust act. >> Yes. >> Yes. And some comments on this as well. Uh many thanks to Gretchen Cybert who I don't see here but uh who reached out from Cooper River Indivisible. Um one in uh four New Jerseyians is an immigrant um as a descendant of immigrants.
Actually my grandfather came to Ellis Island exactly 100 years ago on December 29th. Um, this would protect immigrants in the state, codify the immigrant trust directive into law, and signals to the new governor to sign it. Thank you. >> Um, did we already not on that?
>> Yes. >> Sorry. Appointing Montgomery, McCracken, Walker, and Roads LLP as conflict council. >> Yes. >> I'm voting no on this. Uh, I presume this is an attorney getting hired by the burrow to defend an action which I filed
against the burrow. I didn't otherwise I don't know anything about it. Um and I'm objecting to it because um we we've had um I put at the last meeting put my objections to the mayor's casting the
vote on the EMS um issue because she has a conflict here. Um she was told by our burough solicitor that she c she cannot vote on it. She did. So now we're in a situation where the burrow is going to
spend money to defend an action that its legal council has told the burrow not to take. Uh we're in uncharted territories. Uh and I'll be voting no >> and approving the payment of bills as
presented by the CFO. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay, apologies. We skipped over um we were waiting to see if the them was going to be here, but they're not. Um January is Muslim American Heritage Month. So, we have a proclamation that
I'm going to read and then we'll just Can we share with them? We can we can share with them over at Jersey Kebab later in the month. Um >> um whereas the United States of America is a country founded on the principles of
diversity, freedom, and inclusion where individuals from all walks of life, religions, and backgrounds are valued and respected. And whereas the contributions of Muslim Americans have greatly enriched the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our nation with a rich history that spans over a century
and includes countless achievements in the field of science, education, politics, arts, civil rights, and beyond. And whereas Muslim Americans, like all Americans, have played an integral role in the development and success of our communities, helping to foster a more inclusive, peaceful, and
prosperous society. And whereas we acknowledge the significance of Muslim American Heritage Month as a time to celebrate the culture, traditions, and contributions of Muslim Americans to Commonwealth, the state of New Jersey, and the United States of America while also promoting education and dialogue about Islam and
Muslim communities. And whereas it is important to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights of all people, ensuring that Collins remains a place where every individual can live in peace and without fear of discrimination or prejudice, regardless of their faith or background. Now therefore, be it resolved by the
board of commissioners for Collins County State, New Jersey, hereby proclaim the month of January 2026 as Muslim Heritage Month, and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of Muslim Americans to our community while fostering greater understanding and unity among people of
all faiths and backgrounds. And then yeah, Michelle is another class. >> Okay. Um uh many thanks to uh the burough staff. Um we've had a lot of recent events. I won't list all of them. Um and I know
the mayor will likely mention the deck the calls event. Um but it's been a very busy month. So shout out to everyone for making all the events such a success. Um, I have a few announcements from our departments. Um, from the police, our upcoming reacredititation on-site assessment is happening in January. So,
this will be put out in an announcement um, asking for feedback and advertising it in the paper as well. I just wanted to mention that this is coming up um, from the library. The giving tree will be available through the end of the year. Um, and as noted at the last meeting, the Martin Luther King Day of
Service is coming up on January 19th. as well. Uh, usual library programs uh will be running this January, including Pokemon Pals, art club, Lego club, story times, craft times. Um, there's a book club for adults where they're reading a
Stephen King book. Um, so if you have January Blues, make some plans to join the library for all these great events, including a showing of the film American Fiction. Um, and then I just wanted to make a personal statement um, and
briefly acknowledge um, there was a recently proposed federal there was a recently proposed federal health and human services rules that would restrict access to gender affirming health care for minors. So, this is a federal action, but this will
be felt locally by families, young people, um, and healthcare providers who are here in Collingswood. Transgender and gender diverse young people already face significant challenges and disproportionate levels of stigma. Policies that further limit care uh,
seek can can impact real and lasting harm. U, major medical organizations recognize gender affirming care as legitimate, safe, and for some youth, essential, and life-saving healthcare. I believe medical decisions should be made by patients, their families, and qualified health care professionals and
not by any level of government. Medical care should be guided by evidence-based medicine and not politics. So, for these reasons, I just want our residents to know that I support you. I support inclusive, compassionate healthcare and the dignity and well-being of all children and families in our town. Uh,
on a final note, I'll have office hours this Friday. Um, Burough Hall will be open. Um, I'll be there on Friday. Um and I wish everyone happy holidays. Thank you. >> U just a couple things. One is um just with the holidays, Colleen and Cares um
we had some money that had been donated during the cuts and SNAP benefits and I want to thank everybody at the burrow, all of our residents for that. We coordinated an effort and um were able to help fill in uh gaps for people at the farmers market, but we have money um
over and above what we needed for that. And so we've caused Caris has donated about 7,500 bucks to uh local food pantries um head into the holidays. Um and I want to just thank everybody at the burrow for their work all year. I
hope everybody has a great holiday. That's it. >> And uh lastly, just want to say thank you to everybody who helped with calls Cares. So, Deck the Calls, sorry, Deck the Calls was our first annual giving event and we partnered up with Leader Up um and the school district to make sure
that we could reach the families most in need at all of our elementary schools. The gifting event was directed at kids 12 and under, but we did have gifts for older children. We had um we handed out to over 150 kids um over 750 gifts. This
room was filled with fresh fruit from virtual eat well and information on the farmers market that comes to Parkview once a week. We had um the Democratic Colleings of Democratic Club handing out um toiletries. We had pretzels from the
Collins Rotary uh snacks, arts and crafts down here while parents and caregivers were upstairs in the ballroom shopping. We had everything out to give agency to these families to choose what they wanted to give. We were able to give uh four gifts per child. Um people
were coming out here looking like Santa with trash bags and it was a really really wonderful event. Um we had Santa in the back room. Um DPW was fantastic in picking up boxes throughout the month. We had boxes at seven different local businesses as well as Burough
Hall. this community showed such an outpouring of of generosity and caring and it was a really wonderful event that we look forward to to hosting again. Um so thank you to everybody um including our police department that had someone here on Sunday to make sure everything
ran well. So thank you to everyone for that. Um I wish you a wonderful holiday season. Please stay safe, stay warm. Um that public comment. Yes. Sorry, >> Mr. Mey, I have a question about the action that you
>> name. Name an address for the >> Oh, sure. Uh Joe Sperto 194 alongside ad. Sorry, Holly. Uh Jim, you mentioned that you have filed an action against the burrow. I wanted to ask if that action is filed in your official capacity as a burrow commissioner or as
a private individual. >> It it it's filed by me personally. >> So as a private individual, right? >> So you are a private individual currently suing the Bureau of Callingwood. >> Yes. Okay, very good. And I understand why you would choose not to vote on the
conflict council. I do understand that abstension andor voting no. I think you said both words. Um, what I want to know is when this legal adventure of yours comes to a conclusion and you are not successful in your lawsuit, will you
reimburse the taxpayers of Collinswood? >> Well, we'll see where it all ends up. If you lose, will you reimburse the taxpayers? >> It's Listen, there is no one that does this work. >> Uhuh. >> No one anywhere that says that there
there was not a complaint here. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, I'm totally confident >> that you're going to win. But if you lose, if you lose, will you reimburse the taxpayers? No, you won't reimburse the taxpayers. Not going to happen. >> So, you were suing the bureau. It's
going to cost us money and there's no plan for you to reimburse it. >> Mr. Sperto, you do understand that the burrow attorney told the mayor. >> Yes, I understand. >> Let me finish. Go ahead. >> Told the mayor that she can't vote on this, >> right?
>> Never. I've never heard of such a thing happening. >> No one that does this work, no other attorney I have ever dealt with has ever heard of such a thing happening. Uh there's there is you find you find me an elected official that gets you find me a
planning board member, a zoning board member that's advised by their board attorney >> that they cannot vote on a matter and they say nope. That's okay. I'm still going to vote on it. >> Okay. The law is that if there's a
perception of a conflict conflict, an appearance of a conflict, you can't vote. It doesn't matter you have the best of intentions. It doesn't matter. You think you're not affected. If there's an appearance, you can't vote.
So, here we're dealing, it's the same as if I have been told, don't don't speed a truck down the road by our attorney and I go do it. Okay. My question is not what whether the I would reimburse the burrow. It's
what why the burrow is paying for something that's that's not authorized by the law, not authorized by the attorney for the burrow. They say you can't do it. >> And the attorney for the burrow, could you disclose how much he has donated to your political campaigns over the years?
>> I don't think he's donated at all. >> I guess you don't handle your own I guess you don't handle your own filings then. He's donated $900 in each campaign. He himself is conflicted. >> So Joe Okay. All right. So go for it. >> I will. I will. >> You go right ahead. >> Merry Christmas, sweetie.
>> Happy holiday. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Hi. Um name >> Oh, sorry. Donna Helms, 21 East Norbert Terrace. Can I comment on two things or three? Well, first I want to thank Chief Carrie. my neighborhood had a really
untenable situation happen um this summer and I was emailing him constantly and he had to keep talking me off the ledge which I totally appreciate and really helped us figure out a a good humane uh solution for everyone. So I really appreciate that. So I want to say
well done Collinswood Police Department as always. Secondly, as someone who lives with and cares for a medically vulnerable individual who has had to call an ambulance more than a few times in a scary situation, I'm really glad
that uh the commissioners have joined together to privatize and improve those services because there's real life impact if you're waiting too long for an ambulance um and your loved one is suffering. So, I'm all for it and I think that that was a great
recommendation and a good decision to make. And then thirdly, I want to thank the burrow. Um, I always get emotional. I'm so sorry. It's not just that they're banning gender affirming care. The United States House of Representatives,
which included four Democrats, voted to criminalize gender affirming care. So doctors or parents that offer their children gender affirming care can face up to 10 years in prison. So people in this town are liquidating 401ks or
talking to realtors are sleeping with passports under their pillows because they're afraid and they are ready to leave if they have to. And that's we're talking about kids that have to live with that stress level. And so it may not seem like much to for a small town
to speak up, but it's everything for you to speak up to families that are affected. And also the more little voices that speak up is the way we defeat the powerful forces that are seeking to hurt us. So I want to say thank you all very much for that comment
and for that support. Hi. Hi. Do I need to stand? >> Yeah. I have a name and address cyber 39 Harvard Avenue. Um actually I'm here just to acknowledge several things. First of all, the pocket park looking forward to the mural coming. I've been watching walking by that
parking lot for a lot of years and it always begged to be a little park um central gathering place. So, thank you for that. I also wanted to thank you. What might seem like a little thing, but they came and repainted our crosswalks on the intersection of Harvard and Mate. And I know that that happened in a lot
of places in town, which we are really grateful for because I live on the corner there. And I fret constantly. I'm like the grandmother crossing guard there who watches kids run out into the street all the time and cars don't stop at stop signs. So, I do think that that helps a it sends a little bit of a
message. Um I also wanted to thank the police department um just for constantly supporting any actions that we've been doing in a very professional and compassionate way whether it's political actions or there was an incident uh
involving a woman who was vulnerable at one point a couple of months ago and I reached out to you all at night. Well, someone else did who came to help me and you all helped with the situation and I know that the police department did a wellness check on the family and I just
really appreciate that compassion and I don't know that, you know, everybody complains about politicians these days. I'm among them myself. I will be doing it. But I also believe in my heart that like what Anne Frank said, most people are good and there are a lot of
politicians who go into the work for the greater good. And so I want to thank you all for the work that you're doing on behalf of our town and making it a beautifully aesthetically place to live and a place to live that has most importantly a good heart. So and that
includes you all too. Very very special. So thank you. Oh and by the way Bobby Hastings is amazing. Yes, >> that's the next one.
Okay, >> happy holidays everyone. >> Happy holidays.