Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our Denell Burough Council meeting here on December 1st at 7 p.m. Uh, our first order of business is a call to order and the rise for the pledge of allegiance. So, please rise. I pledge to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. Item number two on the agenda is the reading of the sunshine statement and roll call by Mrs. Lauren Stats, our
municipal clerk. >> This meeting of the Denellan Burough Council is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings law. This meeting of December 1st, 2025 was included in a list of meetings that was advertised in the courier on January
9th, 2025 and as a teleconference was noticed on the official Denellan website on November 26th, 2025 and on the public bulletin board on North Avenue on November 26, 2025 and has remained continuously posted as the required notice.
>> Mayor Sento, >> present. >> Council President Sigman >> here. >> Mrs. Albertson >> here. >> Mrs. Lance >> here. >> Mrs. Rios >> here. >> Noted. Absent. >> No. Here. >> Here. >> She's joining virtually, I believe.
>> Can she hear us? >> Yeah. >> Councilwoman Bioski, >> I can hear you. Can you not hear me? >> Hear you now. Welcome virtually. So, she is present. >> Okay. >> Present. Uh, Mr. Scott >> here. >> And Mrs. Vandermark
>> here. Okay, item number three on the agenda says presentation, but if we're good with it, council, I'm going to move up approval of meeting minutes to number three, and then we'll just take in number four as presentation. So, can I have a motion and second on the regular
meeting minutes of November 17th, 2025? >> Move it, Sigman. >> Second, Albertson. >> Any comments, additions, or redactions to the meeting minutes as they currently stand? >> Without hearing any, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Albertson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lance, >> yes. Mrs. Rios,
>> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Vandermark, >> yes. >> Okay. Now, moving to item number three, which is now four on the agenda presentation. Today, we have Brandon from our our uh financial advisors, NW
Financial. He's going to be speaking to us about our sewer rates and uh what's going on and a plan that we have in place moving forward if so approved by council. So Brandon, the floor is yours.
So this presentation is going to be it's going to be in two parts almost going to be a review of how we got to where we are now and the rate study what we're going to do going forward. So sorry might be upside down. Yep.
Got it. All right. So, it's a relatively small sewer system that we have here in Denellan. Um, as as we know, uh, Parsa is who is in charge of your sewer. Um,
they get their their their build from MCU. Um, that is the 2025 Denellan ordinance. It was $365 for a single family. um 365 per unit for multif family residential and then at
the bottom there is the commercial non-residential that gets build the 365 plus 150 which is 515 minimum or if the usage was high enough it would be $4.25 per thousand gallons.
So, we looked into um selling the sewer system because of aging infrastructure. Um the sewer lines are starting to get old, so you need to um invest into them. Um also looking into paying off
municipal debt or the sale. Once you do the sale, the proceeds you have go off. You have to first pay the sewer utility debt that's outstanding, which for us was $2 million. The rest goes towards paying off general obligation debt,
which would have been $3.5 million. We're also trying to keep rates as stable as we can for the users here in Denon. So, we only received one bid. Um, it was from NJ American Water, who also does Denon's water. Um, the three main points
you can see at the bottom there, $5.5 million purchase price. They uh said they would put in $2.5 million in capital improvements over the first five years and they could hold uh Denellan residents to that structure
at the bottom. They did want Denellan to do a 10-year increase in rate in year one and then they would hold out the rest of the years. So, summary of the sale, we decided not to go through with the sale because we
thought that um it didn't have a big enough financial uh impact for what we were looking for for the budget. And there's certain things you could see here that are in the utility budget that have to be put
into the general fund budget. And because of that, it it wasn't worth us doing the sale. >> And the main reason we don't have We didn't have anything. >> Correct. So that is the background of the sale, our analysis of that. And then once we did that, we sat down with
everyone. We decided to look at a rate study and where rates need to go. So start this section. Um the goal was to create a financial scenario or have the same financial impact that the sale
would have. And because of this, we built in on the next page, I'll have a budget laid out, but we built in $175,000 a year in annual debt save servings. This is what would have been paid with the uh paid off with the sale
proceeds. And we also kept in $125,000 annually in the sewer utility budget. That's pulled over the general budget. um future debt service wanted to keep this kind of apples to apples as well. Um the 2.5 million that NJ American
Water said they would do in the first five years, we're also doing that, but it doesn't start with that service until 2028. Then we also added in a $30,000 flat fee just in 2026. Um, this is necessary because we're now
since we're going to be using usage, we're going to need to build a usage model and because of that, we just want to add in feet. So, we were in the ballpark. So, this page shows the 2025 budget. Um, in 2026, you can see we used the
remaining operating surplus that will be left over this year and then we increase the rents by our percentage that we're going to go over on the next page uh to get to the increased rent amount. The blue highlighted uh sections are what I talked about on the previous page.
That's going to be the $30,000 that we're adding. And we're also adding in that $175,000 and keeping the 125,000 so we can have the same financial uh impact as the sale. There's a small surplus there. Um this is a selfquidating
uh utility and we're trying to keep it the same. We just wanted to build in a little push in the stock. So up top is the Denellan ordinance right now which we went over earlier 365 per unit and then the $425 per thousand
gallons and for for the commercial. So in this chart we kept the flat fee the same. This is the 2026 projected rates. This is what we're going to do. We added in a $130 volumetric charge which is a usage
charge. >> Yes. >> Sorry. this become. Sorry. >> Let me say it. Sorry. >> It's a $30 >> I'm so sorry. Okay. $130 uh per 1,000 gallons of usage. So, that
will is being added on in addition to the $365 flat fee for we're going to do it by meter size. As you can see there, most residential units are in the 5/8 meter size. 2,000 of them out of I think it was 2,300.
Um, so and then we also added in the commercial unit rate. We kept the annual admin fee and the ad the minimum annual charge the same. We just added $1 on top of the current usage charge to get it to $5.25
per,000 gallons of usage. The next page will show us the the this is what you would be build based on your usage. 12,000 on the lower end, maybe a single user by themsel. Um
45,000 55,000. The average for the Nell was between 49,000 and like 50,000 gallons of usage. This is all annually. Uh so we just want to do a little bit on both sides so you can see the impact there. And then 85,000 is maybe for a larger family living in a house
together. And that will be the average annual dollar increase in those And then the last page is comps. Try to get it as close as possible. It's hard to find this information all the time, but we have Somerville, which they have
a flat rate plus a wastewater charge plus a treatment charge, which adds up to if you use 50,000 50,000 gallons average user, you get $818 is their average annual bill. They do bridgewater
which starts at 484 flat feet and then they add in their wastewater charge and treatment charge and you get $985 annually. And then Piscatoaway they're pretty much where we are now $360 but they get most of their um income
from the commercial it look like but I just wanted to have that in as it's nearby and a good comp. And that is it. Okay, Brandon, thank you. Uh, Scott, Alex, any of the council members, anything to ask
Brandon regarding what's being proposed? >> Um, >> when was the last time we did an increase in? >> Uh, there was a $15 increase in 2024. But for that I believe it was not increased since 2014
>> and each year we're as as a town we're getting charged more by >> yeah that's true mcua is chara more and then bara is charging the burough more the burrow hasn't that on consumers until this rate increase that
we're proposing. So basically, we're eating more of the cost within the current budget and doing less improvements because we're incurring those costs to keep it as flat as possible. But unfortunately, the time has come to keep up with inflation, the
increase of cost of the the our operator um and service provider that we need to consider doing this. And I think one of the fairest things we did was making sure that we didn't increase the flat fee and we kept at 365. And then if we do it by usage, then it's
at least up to the user on how much they want that they're going to wind up using. So they they have the control of doing that. And I think personally, if you're asking my personal view, if we had to do that, I think that's more equitable that you're paying for your own usage versus doing a almost $500
increase flat across the board. >> So um yeah, it's an aging infrastructure. We're trying to accomplish what we were trying to do in that bid, which was improve the infrastructure. We've been doing improvements every year, but at some point it's just it's it's eating too
much away to budget that at some point we need to increase the sewer utility thing. >> One of the um pieces of the of the sewer budget is the parsa piece. >> It's the largest cost associated with that. And one of the challenges in
putting this together was was we didn't know what that increase was until recently. So I believe that this these rates take into account what the par's charges are going to be for this coming year. >> Yep. That's correct. >> Y
>> and as per other municipalities, I know you had a couple listed on there, you know, I remember from one of the studies that we did do before that we are pretty much the lowest >> the lowest. Um it's hard to break out, but if you do it by the average usage,
it's definitely on the lower end. And and then if you just do it by flat fee, it's 365 is significantly lower than most surrounding towns. >> And and also in the plan, the plan is also to put back into our infrastructure. And
that would be uh repairing lining our sewer mains, which obviously would save the burough a lot of money because a break is $500,000, $300,000. And also by by lining or sewer mains, we would be protecting them not only from
breaks but also from INI. >> You're probably not being picked up. I think >> I got one right there. Perfect. >> Yeah. So, so, so it would obviously would help us out with INI because we're charged on whatever flow goes to par
goes to MCUA. So in a heavy rain event, we'll see the flow spike high because because of the infrastructure and it's taking on the the rainwater. So this obviously would help out that >> and this this analysis includes what
would have been that $2.5 million over a 10-year period that American Water was going to do. This fund this raises the funds to be able to keep that capital improvement plan for sewer utility. >> Sure. >> Okay. And that plan is being identified by a policy
or is it being amended to implemented through the board be implemented through the ordinance. >> Okay. >> With a plan obviously a plan to to put in place. >> Okay. So the goal is to do that work and hold this accountable to make sure that those dollars are spent on
infrastructure. So council any question for Brandon? Okay. Well, the presentation is the presentation the public this will be available tomorrow once we get through the introduction for public to review
and then at the next subsequent council meeting which is December 15th uh would be available for uh open discussion on said ordinance. So, okay, Brandon, thank you. >> Thank you. Uh item number five on the agenda is the
introduction of ordinances. Can I have a motion and second on 2025-21 an ordinance to amend the general legislation of the burough of Denell municipal code 233 sewer use article 1 general regulations section section 37 sewer rates >> move it segment. Second Scott
roll call >> Mrs. Albertson Mrs. Lance >> yes >> Mrs. Rios >> yes >> Mr. Mr. Scott. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sigman. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Vandermark. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Item number six on the
agenda is the adoption of ordinances 2025-20 bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of property in and by the burough Dellan in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey appropriating 1.1 million therefore and authorizing the issuance of 1 million45,000 bonds or notes of the burrow to finance part of
the cost thereof. Do we have a motion and second? >> Move it. Segment. >> Second. Scott, I will now open the floor to the public specifically and only to 2025-20 uh this bond ordinance which is for the purchase uh of 205 North Washington
Avenue which is the old investor bank property for municipal parking lot for downtown and future um assessment on whether what building we put there in terms of overall services.
Okay, I'll close that portion of the meeting. We'll open the floor to council for discussion on 2025-20. I will note that with the purchase of the Lutheran church and now this if it goes through we will be working with financial advisors and our bond council
on an assessment as well as the our building here on what is best appropriated in terms of municipal services for each property. So that is something that we will be working out through 2026. Okay. No further discussion. Can we take a roll call, please?
>> Mrs. Albertson, >> yes. >> Miss Lance, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rios, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Vandermark, >> yes. >> Okay. Item number seven on the agenda is resolutions. We have 388 through 391.
If uh Mrs. Stat, you can read them out and then give us an opportunity to uh discuss them. >> Resolution number 388 is to pay the bills. >> Move it. Segment. Second. Mrs. Albertson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lance, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rios,
>> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Vandermark, >> yes. >> Resolution 389 is to approve a service contract between Animal Control Solutions LLC and the Burrow of Denellan. >> Move it. Segment.
>> Second. Vandermark. >> Anything you would like to bring up on the animal control? Mr. Miller >> service the service that we start we use past year um where they a year and a half ago I started looking
at other services for animal patrol service and it's not an easy task to find a company that was willing to in the past we had Edison animal patrol and um they recently a year a little over a year ago they said that they no longer
want to they're cutting you do in other municipalities. So they they're they're scaling back on outsourcing. Um I reached out to Middle Sex. They use Franklin for animal control. Reached out to Franklin animal control. They did not
want to expand either. Uh so I contact did animal patrol services and they they took on the burrow last year. Uh they came they they the fee last year was 2,700 per month. Um, and he said, "Well,
we'll give you we'll charge you at this rate. We'll see what the how how much how many calls we have, what your volume is, all that stuff." So, after when the year was almost winding up, I said, "Well, could we work on those numbers a little bit?" They did come in at a more reasonable number. They also said if you
do a two-year deal, you you be able to save close to $10,000. So in and uh talk with them and try and again solicit other uh animal control services. This is who uh we end up coming up with um animal control
services. >> Okay. >> With the same about $10,000 over two years. >> How has there been any significant complaints about their services? >> I have not gotten any complaints about the services uh from residents or not at all. >> Thank you.
>> I hope there's discussion on it. Mr. Miller is here. >> Okay, I'll take a role. Mrs. Albertson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lance, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rios, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Vandermark, >> yes.
>> Resolution number 390 is a resolution of the burrow awarding the bid for the Second Street Improvements Phase 2 to Topline Construction Corporation. >> Move it. Segment. >> Second, Scott. Mr. Miller, anything on this? >> Uh, top eight. We had eight bids come in for
Second Street phase two. >> Two, >> right? >> Two, three, three just got approved, but two, uh, Top Line uh, came in with the the best number. Uh, Topline Line Construction uh, was a contractor that
did Lincoln a couple years ago. It did very good quality work. So glad to hear that they got the bid. >> Great. >> No questions. We'll take a roll. Mrs. Albertson. Yes, >> Mrs. Lance. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Rios. >> Yes,
>> Mr. Scott. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sigman. >> Yes, >> and Mrs. Vandermark. >> Yes. >> Resolution 391 is opposing the S4736 bill. >> Move it. Segment. >> Okay, let me go over this really quick
with everybody. Um so uh Senate Bill S473 4736 um was introduced to the New Jersey state senate on October 27th of this past of this year. Um and it require it would require it if it moves forward and I can tell you the conference of mayors
and league of municipalities is is against this bill. Um would require municipal planning board to approve an application to redevelop an eligible property into an inclusionary development regardless of the property's location within the municipality. And it dictates permitted of density of 40
units per acre and a height of one story which in Denellan it's three stories. So that would allow four stories. Um if this bill goes through above the maximum height otherwise applicable to the zoning district in which the property is located. Um an eligible property is defined as a property including
non-residential buildings owned by a religious organization or taxexempt nonprofit organization. So basically for example, church decides to build exclusionary affordable housing. Um this is not against affordable housing. So I want to make that very clear. It's
against this our opposition if we approve tonight. And I tell you I oppose it especially in my role as president New Jersey Conference of Mayors. um it's against basically taking away our local zoning rights and allowing the state to basically dictate it that if they have
this they can automatically go ahead and do it and basically surpass our planning board and automatically get approvals. Um the proposed legislation would completely bypass like I just said and undermine the careful municipal planning process that involves the establishment of a municipal master plan which we went through re-examination recently and
decided on those amendments um which and the extensive study of land use uh circulation community facilities economic development sustainability and storm water management within the municipality ensures ade and and ensures adequate uh infrastructure safety and
proper long-term planning. So instead, the proposed legislation, that's what a master plan does. It basically helps us with 10ear scope out what the plan is going to be, our storm water regulations, and everything else in place. So we're prepared over a 10-year period. But instead, this proposed legislation bypasses the local planning
process and mandates that regardless of location of property, a planning board must permit conversions or partial conversions of properties owned by religious organizations or taxexempt nonprofit or organizations into inclusionary developments provided that at least 20% of the residential units
are very low low and moderate income units and meet statemandated bedroom distribution requirements. uh it dictates a mandated density of 40 units per acre and a height of one story above the maximum otherwise applicable as we said earlier. Um so in short the
proposed legislation denies local autonomy and local land use and planning and completely ignores the careful and well thoughtout planning of m of municipal master plan which we took over a year two years ago to do. Spent a lot of money on it, took a lot of time, a
lot of studies, a lot of worked with other partners throughout the state. um and uh have a master plan that we amended that I think is good for the next 10 years. And we've never had any issues with fair share housing. We've had no issues on what we're doing with
affordable housing. In fact, I'd quite frankly say we're quite progressive with affordable housing with a lowercase P. Um and uh so and we've met Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate the laugh. Um so we're
we're in favor of it. This is not a Republican versus Democratic issue because a lot of Democratic mayors and their councils oppose this legislation as well. So, and uh again, this is about our home rule, our ability to have autonomy over our local zoning and our
planning process. So, that's why I would advocate and implore the council to uh vote in favor of this resolution to oppose uh the Senate Bill 4736. It'll be sent to the governor. It'll be sent to the governor elect Mike Dy
Cheryl. It'll be sent to our assembly district, our legislative district, as well as the two newly elected uh assemblymen. I've met with uh Assembly Elect Andrew Mccertie. He knows my position on this. Um so I hope um he
listens to those of us on the ground at local level on this issue when he gets into the assembly in January. Um so I think I've spoken enough. This is about us being able to have a say on our future in the state, not coming in and do a top- down approach, one-sizefits-all glove approach, um,
that they so famously do. And this isn't the only housing bill that they're coming out of Trenton. So remember, voting has consequences. Okay. All right. I'll take a role. Mrs. Albertson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lance, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rios,
>> yes. >> Mr. Scott. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Vandermark, >> yes. >> Okay. Item number eight on the agenda is the consent agenda 392 through 394. Um, if council can take a moment to review
it, let us know if you have any uh of the resolutions you want to pull out and discuss separately. No. Okay. Can I have a motion and second for the consent agenda? >> Move it. Segment. >> All in favor? I
>> I nays extensions. Okay. Next on the agenda is council reports. Councilwoman Vandermark, anything to report? >> Yeah, the Denellan PBA toy drive movie
nights are back. December 5th at 8:00 p.m. is a National Lampoon. December 6th at 400 p.m. will be Elf. December 6th at 700 p.m. is Polar Express. Admission is one new unwrapped toy per person
and this event supports umbrella and New Jersey youth in foster care. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Rios. >> Yes. Buildings and grounds. The DPW has begun installing holiday decorations throughout the burrow, including in the
downtown area, Burough Hall, and Washington Park, Washington Memorial Park. Minor electrical upgrades are also underway at Burough Hall and the OEM office. Parsa report. HSA assisted our
DPW with a sewer clog on Prospect Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, November 25th. Denellan Public Library. Please visit our Facebook page and website to explore our exciting programs. We also we also offer free museum passes to Denellan
Library card holders. The next Greenbrook Flood Commission meeting will be Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:30 p.m. The next Board of Ed meeting will be scheduled for December 16th at 7:00 p.m. And one last thing,
Living Hope Outreach Center on Whittier will hold their annual toy drive on December 20th. Please note, the children must be present to receive gifts. In addition, their monthly food drive will take place on the second Saturday of each month at 11 PM. Please remember to
bring your own bags. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, Councilwoman, you said four o'clock on Saturday for El. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> The sixth. >> Thank you, >> Councilwoman Albertson. 6:30 p.m. in your life. Carol fund would
like to thank everybody who donated for our Thanksgiving food drive. We're now gearing up for the winter holiday food drive and angel. All food and gifts go back for our community. Angel Tree will be virtual and in person. Donations can be dropped off at all three schools or
at 412 New Market Road. If you need assistance for the holidays, please reach out to us. You can contact us at carol fungmail.com or reach out to me at t albertson danellan-jv. American Legion will be collecting items
for the veterans at Menllo Park. Watch for their wish list on the following Facebook pages now American Legion Neighbors Helping Neighbors and my personal page. The fire department responded to 33 calls for service in
November. Total calls for 2025 is 458. Wow. Uh November in incidents fire for rescue 2 hazardous condition four service calls two good intent 9 false alarm 12. In addition to emergency
responses, the fire department attended several events and held several drills during November. On 1110 they had their monthly officers meeting and department work drill. On 1111 they attended the veterans day ceremony. On 1119 they had an instruction drill. 11:22 they set up
for the fire company Christmas tree fundraising sale. 11:26 was the monthly fire company meeting and they're happy to see that a number of residents continue to join the department over the past few months. The fire department is still looking for a few new members. Um
in order to be a um junior member, you have to be between 16 and 18. And the full member is open to anyone over 18. Visit their website at www.denellanfd.com or email join dfd at denelonfd.com for
more information. And don't forget the PBA toy drive at the Denellan theater on Friday and Saturday. That's so much fun. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Lance >> for the recreation department. uh recreation basketball program
registration is open for children grades K through 6. The program starts on January 3rd and will run for eight weeks wrapping up on February 21st. Basketball will take place on Saturday mornings at the Faber Gym and you can register online at www.danellan
parks andreciation.com. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is set for Sunday, December 7th at 6 p.m. at Washington Memorial Park. This is always a fantastic community event with hot chocolate carolling, a brass band, and a visit from Santa.
Please join us as we bring in the holiday season together. And Santa's elves have finally delivered his Santa mailbox to Denellan for children to mail their letters to Santa. The mailbox is located on Prospect Street outside of Burrow Hall. Letters
will be accepted from um November 14th to December 12th. Mail your letter and look out for a response from Santa and calling all Clark Griswalds. Enter this year's house decorating contest. Register by December 12th and keep your
holiday lights on between 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. from December 15 to the 21st as judging will occur during those times. The registrant is not required to be home for the judging. The winning registrant will be notified by the recreation department before the 24th
and you can register online at www.danellan parks andreciation.com. That's all. >> Okay. Thank you. I look forward to seeing Santa Claus on Sunday. >> Council President. >> Uh yes, for the Shade Tree Commission, they've actually done so much I had to
divide this report into four different branches. Uh-uh. >> So, uh, for the maintenance and planting, uh, the funds were used to plant and mulch 11 trees throughout the burrow. Uh, two memorial trees with plaques were planted. Overgrowth at the
railroad embankments on the south side of the underpass was cleaned and trimmed. And both the spring and the fall, and the tree at South Washington and New Market was decorated for Christmas. If you see uh Ken walking around town, make sure you give him a nice high five for that. Uh the pruning
of suckers and whips uh was performed at the base of numerous trees with plans in place for lower branch pruning over the winter. Uh in the inventory and planning branch, the commission completed an inventory of trees in Washington,
Colombia, and McCoy parks. And the plan is to complete the inventory of more craft and gavoric next year. A catalog of the most common street trees in Denellan was also created and the inventory of trees along public road
raways throughout town was also updated. Uh, additionally, there was a leaf and bark identification document that was completed. Uh, for education and outreach, uh, the commission gave an arbor day presentation to the first graders at Favor School and planted a
tree with them. Educational displays on the benefits of trees were placed at the Denellan Public Library and the Denellan Hotel. The Shade Tree Commission's Facebook page was fully revamped with fresh design and streamlined administration to better engage the public. Highly recommend you go online
and check it out. And the commission participated in the mayoral town hall event on volunteerism. And the commission provides uh contact information for residents interested in having a tree plant. Uh the commission provided information on how to join or
help the Shade Tree Commission. It is a fun group. Uh I know the mayor's uh volunteer form uh has gone out. Uh it's a it's a fun group to join. So if you have time to volunteer, please consider. Uh and for administrative and
professional development, uh Denellan was awarded the Tree City USA for the 22nd year. Uh the annual report was filed with the New Jersey state forestry and the commission met with Highland Park Shay Tree Commission to exchange ideas. Uh the members attended a session
on utilities and trees and members completed several continuing education courses on tree management. And that is my report. Well, thank you for talking about trees tonight. It was and they do a great job as you noted. Fantastic. Councilman
Scott >> definitely not going to be as funny as he was. >> For the DPW, they continue to routinely clean the downtown burough parks and properties. Weekly leaf cleanup in the parks and leaf cleanup downtown. Leaf crew has I'm sorry, the crew has
continued leaf bag collection. And a reminder, the curbside pickup will continue through the end of the year. They installed playground mulch and extended the border around the playground area in Warcraft Park. They delivered the Christmas trees to the downtown and have started the holiday decorations throughout the burrow. They
continue to service the DBW equipment and police vehicles. And they prepare for the winter equipment for the snow season that hopefully doesn't start tomorrow. And a reminder about parking restrictions during snow emergencies. To ensure snow plows can operate freely and effectively, allowing burrow streets and
roadways to remain accessible for essential and emergency functions. Parking restrictions will be in effect. The restrictions commence 1 hour after continuous snowfall begins and ends 12 hours after snowfall stops. During this time, no vehicles may be parked, stopped, or left abandoned on any
streets in the burrow. Vehicles on the street during snow events will be ticketed. Also, please don't direct your snowblower onto the plowed streets as that'll create ice. And for alternate off- streetet parking during snow emergencies, you can use the following locations. The American Legion Post 119
at 137 New Market Road, McCoy Park on North Washington Avenue, and Columbia Park on Orange Street. And that's my report. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh my report this evening, uh first up, I will note as Mr. Miller noted earlier, we applied for
fiscal year 2026 for the municipal aid grants through the state and we were awarded $448,271 for roadway work on Second Street phase three. So that's from Washington to the terminus uh by playing field. So uh
within 3 years all of Second Street will have been paved via a grant. So that's good news. And we are awaiting I believe still some of the other grants to be announced if we were a recipient of as as well. And this just keeps pushing us closer to the $10 million goal that we
well beyond. We want more than 10 million. I am selfish there. I think we should be greedy when it comes to grants. But um you know we're we're well over 8 million now and we're we're keep pushing that down the field. So let's keep doing good work. Um, and it's a lot
of it has to do with the master plan that we have and the studies that we've done around it and what they appreciate we've done as a municipality. So, just saying. Um, redevelopment town hall, Denell's annual redevelopment town hall is coming up next Wednesday on December 10th at 7
p.m. It's at the George W. Hajelik firehouse. Attendees will hear about the history of redevelopment in Denellan. Uh current projects, upcoming plans, and how we how the these developments benefit our community. Don't miss this opportunity to ask
questions, share your thoughts, and stay informed about uh the redevelopment efforts and what I would say positive changes are happening in our downtown. You can join and attend in ver in person or you can join virtually. You can RSVP at well, it's on the website, but tin
tinyurl.com/danellenttown. Um, just a shout out to Sydney, our hometown Olympian. Congratulations to her on uh on her induction into New Jersey Hall of Fame. This well-deserved honor is a testament to Sydney's incredible talent and historical
achievements, as well as her unwavering dedication, humility, and what I would consider the most important, her faith. Uh Sydney was also named as female track athlete of the year and female world athlete of the year by um world
athletics and we're incredibly proud to have Sydney representing our miracle mile as well as Union Catholic because we have a a great friendly relationship with them as well on the global stage as she continues to inspire future generations of athletes right here in our hometown and throughout the entire
world. Um, uh, council president noted it. Volunteer applications for terms starting in 2026 are open until Friday, December 19th. Giving your time is one of the most meaningful ways to support our community. And I know I speak on behalf of the entire council. We are
grateful for many of the Denellan residents and businesses who already serve and are such dedicated uh, members of our committees. Um these are opportunities for people of all interests to get involved and we have a plethora of committees and commissions
and boards and uh to be part of. Um the applications are available online. Um you can go to denellon-nj.gov volunteering or in person in the lobby of uh in the lobby of Burough Hall. Um
some roles of are appointed annually while others extend beyond 2026. So the descriptions are on the website. They will note how many years those terms are. People who are currently on them who are up their terms are expired. They have an opportunity to dis decide whether they want to continue serving.
We take take that into consideration amongst other factors. And then of course we always welcome new members to step up and be appointed to voting member roles. And if you're not appointed to a voting member role, we do take who those who sign up and we hand them over to those said committees or
commissions. So they can call upon you throughout the year for volunteer opportunities. Now once it gets in the hand of those committees and commissions, whether the chairperson person and their their committees do that, that's one thing, but I can say we do hand that contact information over to them. So um important to make sure
everybody has an opportunity to volunteer in the miracle mile. Um, we already noted the holiday events. Looking forward to them all coming up. We have a great holiday spirit, Christmas spirit here in Denellan. Uh, we have the Christmas tree lighting, letters to Santa, the house decorating contest, Hanukkah manora lighting. I
think that's the 16th at 6:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. And Santa around town. Uh, Second Street phase 2, which is from Madison to Washington Avenue. The bid award has gone to Topland Construction. We heard that tonight. Who was the contractor who did the work on Lincoln Avenue in 2023,
which is a very well done road. I already announced the grant. Um, Washington now beautifification project. The contractor, uh, double A BMS was instal has installed the conduit at, uh, the 300 block of North Washington Avenue
along with sidewalk replacement and concrete footings for the light poles. And you can see that they're going now down towards, uh, the train bridge. Um, so that's a good improvement. PSNG and LED lighting. Uh PSCG's informed the bureau administrator Alex Miller that
they have just received the new LED decorative lights for Washington Avenue between North Avenue, North A and Denellanav and they expect them to be installed within the next two weeks. They've also informed our VA that their lamp inspector is working on the intersection list of LED upgrades
currently. This is was the list of lights that are intersections that have been requested to have LED light upgrades and is the first step to the LED street light upgrades throughout the burrow. Again, we're replacing the ones that are currently there or the ones that aren't existing at the intersections. See what that does in a
radius of lighting. And then we'll do an assessment again of whether there needs to be more additional lighting. Um, our engineers report for client place corrective work has been completed and CME is preparing the closeout documents, which is I know our CFO is here. He loves to hear that because that means
our grant money is coming and can offset that debt. So, always good news. uh Washington Avenue street lighting the work as I just noted is underway. I'm not should take that out instead of repeating myself. The SS4A project uh which is the safe streets for all project uh the grant we got from the
federal government. Uh kickoff meeting was held November 6. Um they're currently working on data collection and then we're going to be doing some outreach to the public and also to focus groups such as mayor's traffic and pedestrian safety task force the youth one that is now through the high school so they can be a part of the process.
And then Bound Brook Road Streetscape. Um we're reviewing utility locations and obstructions to determine where the lights can be installed in areas that PSCNG has currently objected to. So um project that is underway, but some more work and engineering that needs to be done. Um so the NJ DOT has extend
approved the extension of that uh that grant for the timeline. So that's my report for this evening and so I will get back to the agenda. Okay, council discussion. How about this? Can we go to department head reports and then we'll come back to
council discussion because I think that will take a little time. Uh clerk's office, registers office >> registars's office. Sorry. Uh finance >> still financing. Okay, cool. BA, DPW
lot of it was Saturday tonight. Recreation, >> no report. >> Police, >> no. Rescue. >> I'll come up to the mic. >> Good evening, Janet Best for the Denal Squad. Back in 2024 when we vacated our
location on North Avenue. The burrow committed to providing us a climate controlled uh temporary facility. For the past year, we've been at working out of the industrial tent located behind the fire department. That
location has no heat and it is my understanding that it may be going away soon. No def no definitive time when that might be happening. I'm just wondering is there any um progress on finding us an alternate location?
>> Well, I will refer to Mr. Miller. I believe you guys have been having meetings and conversations. So, weeks ago and and kicked around some ideas and and after reviewing a couple things, it looks like that we're going to be looking at a home, a temporary
home at the DPWR. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Legal >> it. >> Okay. Thank you. Now we'll get to council discussion. Um volunteer of the
year and lifetime achievement award. uh a form was sent out by our public information officer asking for suggestions for volunteer of the year. We do have a listing of council members who and I also put one forward on lifetime achievement but we'll start
with volunteer of the year award um suggestions and um we all were provided that information. If there are other names you know you're not held just to this list if other names do come up in this conversation. Um, so, uh, the floor
is open for volunteer of the year. There's three individuals that have been listed. I'm going to allow those who recommended those names to speak upon who they're recommending and why. And then we'll discuss and have a consensus because we have to move on it
for Lauren. So, she gets the plaque. >> Okay. Okay, I'll just call I'll call names to say I can I can start. Uh so uh I am nom nominating uh David uh from the
rescue squad. Uh so first a little data and then I'll get into my narrative. So uh he has responded to uh looks like over 200 uh calls as part of the rescue squad while on call for 2,000 hours. uh
that equates to about two and a half calls uh per 24-hour period while also on his full-time job. Excuse me. Uh he has also recently joined the fire department and gone on uh numerous calls with them as well. Uh but my nomination
for him is more than just uh the number of calls uh that he has gone on. So when I first met David near the beginning of COVID, uh he taught us how to properly pronounce his name. Uh saying that Achinstein is me and Acheinstein is
quite fine. And this simple interaction is a perfect example of the inviting, friendly and positive vibe that David brings to his volunteer work. Uh his positive influence has a direct and measurable impact on the health of our volunteer services and for his steady
attitude which makes high stress environments feel like a welcoming community and for his measurable contri contribution to community spirit and volunteer recruitment. Uh I am proudly nominating David Ainstein uh for volunteer.
>> Thank you council president. Um other council members who have nominations to put forward. >> Uh Terry Albertson I put forward uh Ken Bordisel. Ken has been very active here for many many years being a council
member, being council president. Um but most importantly, I mean Cole, you really gave a good talk about the the commission there, the state commission. And if it wasn't for Ken, we wouldn't have that. I don't think we would have it or it wouldn't be around hadn't been
around as long as it has been. It's been around for over 20 years. And Ken has been involved in it forever. And and he's not just, you know, a guy that says, "Okay, you need to try to plant a tree and you need to to get out there and and pull leaves." He's out there.
He's working hard. I see this guy picking up trees that are growing. I one time had him come my house and pick up a a tree that was growing in my yard. It was a little thing, but he took it, put it in a pot, grew it, and planted it someplace here in Denal. So, I really
think that he deserves to be recognized for everything that he does here in town. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Um, Councilwoman Rios, you have a name. >> Yes. >> Um, I'm proud to nominate Sue Connelly
for volunteer of the year. Su has been a dedicated volunteer in Denellan since 2008. Serving both the rescue squad and the fire department with unwavering commitment. While her family volunteers in Greenbrook, Sue has consistently chosen to vote to devote her time and
talent to Denellan, demonstrating a remarkable loyalty to our community. For more than a decade, she has balanced the demanding responsibilities of family life. So, 17 years, she had a newborn at the time, I believe. Uh, so family life
and a full-time job, all while showing up day and night to support our residents in their moment of greatness, greatest needs. Her reliability, professionalism, and compassion embodies the highest standards of volunteer service. Suit doesn't just volunteer.
She represents the heart of community service. Her long-standing dedication, selflessness, and resilience makes her an outstanding candidate for volunteer of the year. Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh, any other council members have nominations to bring to the floor? Without Without
any other discussion, we'll close in and we'll just focus on the three names. all equally honorable and great public servants and worthy of the award. So, um, great recommendations this year. I know the decision is going to be tough, but a decision needs to be made
nonetheless. There's three names. There's Sue Connelly, David Atenstein, and Ken Bald and distl. >> I thought he said >> fine. >> Steen is Oh, Steen is mean. Stein is fine. Got it. Okay, that went over my
head. >> You're not going to step out. >> I thought he was just I just thought he was rhyming it with it. Not to >> Yeah. Well, That's what brings me down then, you
know. >> Okay. Three great names, but we got to pick. >> Well, I'm going to second on um David only because um you know,
he's younger and inspiring people of the next generation to continue to serve the community. And I think that's really important. And it's important that we encourage um the next generation to continue um to pour into their community. That's that.
>> Okay. >> Well, you can still >> I'm going to add that Sue is like one of the only females in the fire department right now. So, girl, girl power. >> Thanks, Councilwoman. So, I'll uh I'll throw it all for a loop
because both of them are members of mine in the fire department. But, uh I have to go with Terry with Ken. I think Ken's done a lot for the burrow. I think uh Ken uh you know the report the glowing four branch report we got earlier.
>> I think this is turning into 22 where I actually have to break a tie. this again. Very good. >> Okay. So, we have two for David, two for Ken, one right now for Sue, which leaves you where are you leaning towards? >> I put to Ken. Hal was very fond of him
and like the way he did things around here. So, >> okay. So, I think we have a winner and everyone was very equally deserving of this award. So if we're good, we have a consensus based upon the third vote on it that it's going to be Ken B and Distl
for volunteer of the year. >> Good job. >> Okay. Thank you everyone for your nominations and recommendations for volunteer of the year. Next up is lifetime achievement uh award and we have a few recommendations. Um if the
council's okay, I will put a name to the floor and then we can discuss other names. Um, so I wanted to I'm respectfully nominating and sominally nominating the late councilman Harold Vandermark uh for the Denell and
Lifetime Achievement Award. How is a dedicated public servant, NA Navy veteran, business owner and proud resident of our community for nearly four decades. His passing left a profound void in Denell and I personally feel. But his legacy of service, kindness, and commitment continues to
inspire all who have known him. Howal moved to Denown with his wife Liz and their children Joan and Howal Jr. in 1987 and their family quickly became woven into the fabric of the community. Over the years, he gave generously of his time and talents coaching Denellan
recreation baseball and softball to help guide the next generation and volunteering with the Denellan Downtown Management Organization and the Denellan Arts and Culture Commission. His lifelong passion for the arts led him to open the Inspire Art Gallery and Studio in 2018, where he celebrated creativity,
showcased local artists, and fostered artistic expression throughout the community. For many, the gallery became not only a place to appreciate art, but also a space to feel welcomed and encouraged. Before seeking elected office, how was a regular presence at the Denell and Burough Council meetings.
We all remember him uh always striving to stay informed and engaged. His deep concern for the well-being of the town he loved inspired him to run for council. Uh and in 2021, he was unanimously appointed, serving with dedication for four years. During his tenure, he served on the finance
committee, acted as a liaison to the office of emergency management inerts, worked to strengthen public safety as part of the police committee, and collaborated with the recreation commission to expand programs for residents of all ages. Howal gave his heart and soul to Denellan. He listened with compassion, advocated with
conviction, and cared carried an unwavering belief in what our miracle mile could be. His service to his country, to his town, and to his neighbors because he was in the Navy was marked by humility, integrity, and a genuine love for people. Though he is no
longer with us, how's impact endorses, his work, his spirit, his devotion to Denome will be remembered for years to come. I'm saying that regardless of what happens tonight, Pal Vandermark is deeply deserving of the Denellum Lifetime Achievement Award. That's my
nomination if council will consider it. And I know two other council members as well nominated. So if they want to speak on reasoning behind it, the floor is theirs. Danella everything we did was for
Danella's family. um the things that he did with that art gallery and and encouraging students, young and old, to um get involved in art and and things that he he did were just I mean so much
time that he gave much more than I think he ever got back in other than in adoration and love. I know the younger children loved to go and and take his art fuss and everything and his being involved in council and
all the things he did in town, the American Legion, he was a vice commander there. I mean that I have no doubt in my mind at how deserving he is. >> Counciloman Rios, I know you're another council member that listed. Would you like to say anything?
>> Yes. Um, I completely agree with what you both said and um, just to add that how could you not nominate for Olaf on Halloween? >> They dance down the street on 28. >> Absolutely.
>> I won't go with them. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman. Um, any other nominations? There isn't other names. Um uh yes, I actually um uh entered two nominations also for how
>> it's >> it didn't come out right. >> How uh I mean we were talking earlier about volunteer of the year and how important it is to inspire uh the younger generation. Um I can say personally he inspired me. Uh I know I'm not really part of the younger
generation anymore um but he inspired everyone wherever he was. Uh so I have him down. Um I also wanted to uh nominate Diana Stris uh for her years of work with the burrow. Uh I know she is
recently retired and um is moving. Um so I just wanted to make sure that she got uh the recognition she deserves as well. Okay. Any other council members for an recommendation?
Okay. Are we good with Council Member Alandermark? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. It It stinks that we couldn't give this to him while he was alive, but I know he's uh looking down on us from up above.
His hands on your shoulder over there. I know it. I know it with great pride of you. And uh This is an honor of him. So Howard, >> Alexander Mark lifetime achievement in Danella award. >> Thank you. >> Yes, of course. So, okay.
Okie do. Um, item number 12 on the agenda is public comments. We'll open the floor to the members of the public. We please ask that you state your name and residency. Uh we'll open the floor to those in chambers first and then we'll go to those online. This way we don't cross one another. So floor is
open to members of the public in person. Please state your name and your residency and we're here to listen to your concerns, address your questions. Okay, we'll open it now to those online. If you have any questions or want to make uh comments and state your concerns, we're here to listen. Just
please state your name and your residency. We'll open it up generally one last time to everyone in the public. Okay, we'll close that portion of the meeting to the public. And uh item number
395, which is our resolution to adjourn. Um, before we do that, our next council meeting is December 15th at 7 p.m. You can join us in person here in these chambers or online via Zoom, not Facebook. Zoom. So, can I have a
motion and second on 395? >> Move it. Second. >> Second, Scott. >> All in favor? >> I. Any.