Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our October 20th council meeting. Our first uh order of business is a call to order and the rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. >> Item number two on the agenda is the reading of our sunshine statement and roll call by our municipal clerk, Mrs.
Lauren Stats. This meeting of the Denellan Burough Council is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings law. This meeting of October 20th, 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 October 17, 2025 on the public bulletin board on North Avenue on October 17th, 2025 and has remained continuously posted as the required
notice. Mayor Sento >> present. >> Council President Sigment >> here. >> Mrs. Albertson >> here. >> Mrs. Lance >> here. >> Mrs. Rios >> here. >> And Mr. Scotch >> here.
Okay. Um, next is a nomination of candidate. We have resolution 358. Um, it's a resolution to nominate a candidate to replace Harold Vandermark on the Denellboroough Council. Uh so before I ask uh what I'll do is I'll
read through the resolution then ask very formal motion and second on one of the three individuals names. We'll take a roll call on who was first motioned and second. If we don't have a majority we'll move on to the to uh one of the other individuals that might be motioned
or seconded at that time. So is am I correct? Am I able to do it that way? That's correct. >> Okay. So resolution 358, a resolution to nominate a candidate to replace Harold Vandermark on the Denellan Burough Council. Whereas Harold Vandermark
passed away on October 2nd, 2025, which create a vacancy in the position of council member for the Burough of Denellan. And whereas the Republican Municipal Committee has presented to the Denellan Burough Council the names of three eligible persons to fill the
vacancy. And whereas the three persons are David Denapoli, Sherry Muha, and Elizabeth Vandermark. And whereas by motion and second blank has been presented to the council for nomination
and council vote. So at this moment in time, I will ask ask for a motion based on one of the three names followed by a second if there wasn't if there is one on the floor. So, do we have a motion on one of the set name? >> Motion to uh choose Elizabeth Vandermark.
>> Is there a second to that name? Second. >> Okay, let's take a roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> Sign. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, it sounds like it's unanimous. So therefore, be it resolved by the
mayor and council for the burough of Denellan that Elizabeth Vandermark will be selected to fill the vacancy of the council seat held by her late husband Harold Vandermark said term to expire on December 31st, 2026.
Congratulations, Elizabeth Councilwoman to be uh once she is sworn in. So thank you. Any other business on this item that we have to do? I know that fulfills the requirements fulfill the vacancy that has been taken care of.
>> Okay. Thank you. Item number four on the agenda is the approval of our meeting minutes. Can I have a motion and second on the regular meeting minutes of October 6, 2025? >> Move it. Sigman. >> Second. Rios. >> Are there any comments, additions, or redactions to the meeting minutes as
they currently stand? Without hearing any, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Albertson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lance, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rios, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> And Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> Item number five on the agenda is resolutions 359 through 361.
I'm going to hand the floor over to Mrs. Lawrence Stats to read them out and give the mayor and council an opportunity to uh make comments or ask any questions. >> Resolution number 359 is to pay the bills. >> Move it. Second. >> Second, Albertson. Mrs. Albertson,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Lance, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rios, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> And Mr. Sigman, >> yes. >> Resolution 360 is authorizing the memorandum of understanding for the use of specialized equipment for the 2026
calendar year. >> Move it, Sigman. >> Second, Rios. >> Uh, I have a question. Sure. Um, I just wanted a little bit more information about what this exactly um was about. What would be specialized equipment
specifically? >> It's for OEM and the police to use equipment from Middle Sex County basically that we don't have here that they could just borrow. >> Okay. So, it could be any equipment. >> Yeah. Yeah, that Middle Sex County has that we don't. >> Okay. >> If you want, I could send you over the
agreement, but that's just a short. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. I'll take a role. Mrs. Albertson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lance? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rios? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Sigma? >> Yes. >> Resolution 361 is authorizing a request
to extend NJ dot municipal aid fiscal year 2024 second street improvement phase 2. >> Move it. Sigman. >> Second. Rios. >> Mrs. Albertson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lance. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rios. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott.
>> Yes. >> And Mr. Sigma. >> Yes. >> Okay. Item number six on the agenda is the consent agenda. We have resolutions 362 through 366. If council can just take a few moments to review and then
let us know if there's any uh resolutions specific you would like to pull and we'll speak about them and then we'll vote for the remainder uh together as a consent agenda. Okay, without hearing any, can I have a motion and a second on 362 through 366?
>> Move it. Albertson. Second segment. All in favor? >> I >> I any nays? >> Sorry, I realized that's supposed to be a roll call, but that's technically a roll call, is it? Not
>> any abstensions. Sorry if you want to do it formally. I I don't know why I was towards >> Should we do that? >> I think should be indiv. >> Yeah, do individual call. >> Wow. 16 years. on that one. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rios,
>> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> And Mr. Sigma, >> yes. >> Okay. Item number seven on the agenda is council reports. Uh, Councilwoman Albertson, anything to report this evening? >> No report today. Thank you.
>> Wow. You'll play the lottery this evening. Councilwoman Rios, >> of course. Buildings and grounds report. Uh the burrow recently received a fire inspection certificate approval from the fire marshall for both the fieldhouse and the senior center. All burough
buildings have now successfully completed their fire inspections. County court re pre review. Middle six county court administration conducted a security review of courtroom operations
with court administrator Denise Donado, Captain Banders, Judge House, and Alex Miller. The county was satisfied with the current procedures. Uh maintenance. Town plumbing replaced gaskets on two toilets in the library bathroom. Parsa
report. Parsa will be assisting with a sewer related calls while the burrow's jetack truck is out of service for transmission repairs. The board of ed. The next board of ed meeting will be held on November 18th at 7 p.m. There
will be no school on uh November 6th and 7th for teacher conferences and Faber Elementary will have an early dismissal on November 11th and 12th. The Janellan Public Library uh join us October 29th at 3:30 p.m. for the Dental Public Library party Halloween party. Enjoy
crafts, storytime, games, and of course candy. Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., join us for musical story time. Visit the library's website for more activities and events happening throughout the month. That's all. >> Okay. Thank you, Council Me.
>> Councilwoman Lance. >> Okay. So, for recreation, the Halloween parade is scheduled for this Sunday, October 26th. The route will remain the same as last year. Registration will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the library parking lot with the parade kicking off at 1 p.m. marching towards Washington
Park. And Denellan is turning another year old. So join us for Founders Day this Sunday, October 26th at Washington Park from 12:00 p.m. to 400 p.m. This event will celebrate the rich history of our Miracle Mile. It promises to be a
communitywide celebration that unites residents and visitors in a festive atmosphere to honor our town's heritage. Founders Day will showcase local vendors, live performances, children's activities, and more. Come join us this Sunday for a day of fun for everyone.
>> That's it. >> That's all. >> Okay. Thank you, Council President Sigman. >> Uh yes. I just want to take a moment to actually uh thank all of the volunteers that helped put on all of these wonderful events. There's Harvest Fest that although there was a storm, uh there was still a lot of volunteer hours
that went into making that successful. And thank you to uh Kelly and the Founders Day uh staff for accepting some of those vendors uh into their event. Uh and the Haunted Trail uh was another amazing event, also sort of uh
encumbered by the weather. Uh but there's just so many volunteers uh that go in uh put all the hours into making these events wonderful and I just want to say thank you to them. >> Okay. And that's it. >> Hey, thank you, Council President.
Councilman Scott, the DPW continues to clean the downtown area parks and properties, continue the weekly lawn and landscape maintenance parks and properties, and including leaf pickup. Now, uh, they walked the streams to ensure there's no blockages, and checked the head walls, watered the trees
downtown, cleared the catch bay and lids throughout the burrow, prepared the park for the haunted trail, and they started leaf bag pickup throughout the burrow. They serviced the police fleet, DPW fleets, as they came due for maintenance and breakdowns, and started winter prep equipment preparation. And please note
that although curbside branch pickup has ended for the year, you can still bring your branches down to the public works. And that's my report. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilman. Uh, my report's pretty short tonight, too. Uh, for Jackson Avenue mill and pave project, the enhanced striping that was originally scheduled for completion
today has been delayed due to overnight rain. It has now been rescheduled for completion on Wednesday, October 22nd. Uh, the second street phase two, which is Madison to Washington. Um the project like phase one will include removal and replacement of severely damaged curbing and sidewalks, milling and paving of the
roadway, uh removal of replacement of select trees as needed, installation of hand striping and speed radar signs. Uh the bidding process will begin later this month with a bid opening scheduled for mid- November. CME, who is our our engineer, will then provide recommendations to the burrow and the
bid award is expected to be this December. Morcraft Park. Um, just want to note that recreation director, Kelly Cedar, will meet with the installer from MRC Recreation tomorrow morning at Morcraft Park to review plans for the installation of new playground addition.
So, good work there, Miss Cedar. Um, this is also uh due to the funding that we received through community benefits from 526 Metro Park. They donated over $50,000 to park enhancements to Morcraft Park. So, um it's benefit to what
redevelopment is doing in Denellan. Our engineers report, uh Washington Avenue street lighting, uh they received electrical plans from NJ DOT confirming that the department does not own the illuminated signal sign. Uh the one that says uh do not, you know, um what does
it say? Stop here on red. Uh the burrow plans to replace it with a standard do not block driveway sign. Uh notice to proceed has been issued to the contractor and CM has requested the project schedule emphasizing the burrow's urgency. Um if you remember these are the street decorative street lights along Washington Avenue
completing them by the bridge and also up by St. John's Park and Washington Memorial Park. Um, Bound Brook Road Streetscape project um CME engineers similar it's with the decorative lighting that we got a grant for uh is reviewing existing utility locations and
obstructions to identify potential areas for light installation especially where PSEG has raised objections. There are certain locations along Bound Brook Road on Route 28 in which driveways are more extended uh widthwise for ingress egress
and so just um CME has to go back and do better coordination and planning to see where those polls should go. Uh so more update on that in the near future. Outside of that, that's it for me tonight on my report. Okay, item number eight on the
agenda is council discussion. We have two items this evening. First up is best practices inventory which will be presented by our municipal clerk, Mrs. Lawrence Stats. Each year, the Department of Community Affairs disseminates a bestes inventory
and distributes it to all of 564 municipalities. It is designed to obtain vital information about the status of municipal government practices in New Jersey. The inventory assesses each municipality's compliance with various laws and evaluates the implementation of
fiscal and operational best practices. The inventory is regarded as one way taxpayers can evaluate their municipalities performance. This year there were a total of 70 questions, 50 scored and 20 unscored questions on a survey format. Four questions in the
unscored category are divided into multiple subparts to better facilitate data tabulation. Some of the topics this year were budgeting, capital projects, emergency services, ethics, financial, financial administration, insurance,
lead remediation, personnel procurement, shared services, utilities, and compliance with the filing the annual financial disclosure statements and information that must be on our website. The state can withhold some of our discretionary aid if we do not answer a
sufficient amount of questions correctly. This year we needed a score of at least 32 and we received a score of 40. Thus, we will receive full funding. >> Y and everybody got a copy of best
practices. >> Thank you. Good work to >> Okie do. Uh, next up on our council discussion is consideration of alternate side street parking on South Madison Avenue between Lehi Avenue, Center Street during school hours. The
accountable Lance provided uh some uh information on that for our consideration. So, um, floor is yours. >> Yeah. So, I'll just read what the request um states. It says the request pertains to observe traffic congestion and safety concerns during school drop
off and pickup times on South Madison A between Lehi A and Center Street. The roadway becomes significantly narrowed when vehicles are parked on both sides, creating unsafe conditions for both motorists and pedestrians, especially given the absence of sidewalks in this area, which forces pedestrians to walk
in the middle of the street um to get to school. So during school hours, approximately 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and then again 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days, South Madison A between Lehigh again and center um street
experience that heavy vehicle um and pedestrian activity. And again um currently as it stands with parking on both sides of the street, it limited it limits the roadway width. Um it reduces visibility and creates unsafe walking
conditions for families walking to school. So um I'm requesting that we uh consider alternate side parking to alleviate the congestion, improve traffic flow, and enhance pedestrian safety along um the school access route.
and working together with the parking authority may be um providing temporary signage or pilot enforcement during peaceful times to assess effectiveness before permanent implementation. >> Well, I think something with that would be difficult to pilot because you can't
enforce something that's not on an ordinance or on the books. So, piloting a program like that would might be a little difficult. Um but in terms of uh law enforcement hearing the proposal um any thoughts from your perspective or you want to sit
on it and think about it first when you take away all class where they favor. >> Well, this would be specifically between Lehi and center, meaning that between Lehi and Walnut there's significant
parking and the roadway is wider, which means that it would be easier to park on both sides of that street. Um, I mean, I've walked in the middle of the street with headlights like >> two feet in front of me.
between Lehi and >> Bulma. >> Lehi and >> No, most of them park between South Madison Lehi I'm sorry between Lehi and center because it's closer to Lehi which
then brings them over to Favor. But they could do the same exact thing just on the other side between Lehi and Walnut. I just don't think that they're using enough of that street parking
as much as they are on the other side. >> Close, >> right? Just because it's closer. I know you're saying it's going to get pretty bad a lot of >> Well, I propose that um first I walk
through the neighborhood um just between those areas between Lehi and um center just to see what the residents would think of that first. Um because I know that some residents are parking their cars on the street, so that could also
be an inconvenience to them and I want to acknowledge that. Um, and that's where that would go. At least for a first step, >> I think a secondary step would have to be the consideration of residents that live between Lee High and >> Walnut who now will have cars in front of their house that they're not used to
having, >> right? Um, I as I I did see your email come in earlier, um, I did suggest if capital allows us to maybe get an estimate of what a sidewalk system would be on one of the sides of the of the
street there. Um, so I think that might be uh so long as capital allows for it, uh, a long-term plan for us. Yeah, >> that would be a better alternative. >> I tend to agree with you. It's just it's sometimes the more expensive route. So,
uh, Mr. Miller, if you can just check with just an estimate somehow some way, even if it's just a sidewalk system to start in one year between Lehi and center, um, I'm assuming it would probably be,
if you're looking on it, um, the side of what favors on for South Madison just because that would make most sense. You're not going to have people cross the street this way to then come this way to come right across again. So >> yeah, >> that's true because I know along on that
side there's a lot of uh retainer walls and there's one that's up on a hill. So there's engineering that has to go into play. Yeah. I mean, even if it was for a smaller portion, right, it doesn't have to run along the whole side of South
Madison, but even extending, say, 50 ft from the corner would then um give pedestrians an alternate way to walk as opposed to walking right into the street. >> Yeah, we would just have to think about
is is that allowed statutoily to just create a sidewalk system in that the town puts in and then just stop midway? Uh I I you can do it in segments uh as part of the plan. I don't see why it would have to continue on.
>> Yeah, let's start there. >> I think that's a good starting point. >> Yeah. Have we ever done a traffic study? Like a true pedestrian traffic study? Well, we're going to be underneath the safe routes for all. >> Okay.
>> Which that grant which should be onboarding soon. Um does a whole burrowwide systemwide where do we don't have sidewalks where sidewalks can be suggested and it's an assessment and action plan that then could be implemented into an overall capital
improvement plan in which we can start going after some grants that would assist in it. >> Yeah. So, I mean, if we're okay to wait a little while, that would be a we can use that as part of the scope of it, but you're probably looking a year or two
out on the overall >> analysis and then overall implementation. I >> mean, I I agree with Chris. It definitely needs to be looked at. Obviously, my house is right there. >> Yeah, >> it definitely is an issue there, but I I don't know if there is a solution. It's I do agree with you. Yes.
>> We've discussed that as well, Alex. I off the record. Yeah. >> I think >> that like I feel >> situation because somebody and then also you have to remember to remember oh I
can't talk that other >> well I mean now that you mentioned Colombia yes that is also a problem Um, I'm I I I don't want to work with, you know, ideals because really the
ideal situation would be what was suggested, but I'm looking for something that could possibly be implemented on our side. And again, I'm talking about using what we already have. We already have the space. I know that we have the
space. I see it. The road is wider in that section. It is just about navigating the eight cars, just the eight cars that park right there by the corner that make it so
narrow that it becomes just wide enough for one car to go through and barely wide enough for a car and a pedestrian to be going on the same street at the same time. So, I'm talking about working with what we already have. That's all.
>> No, I understand. I'm also trying to pitch your enforcement of it as well because you have already >> parking authority now at the elementary school. You have officers trying to guide traffic who's now on South Madison to ensure that that's being enforced. So the I mean it I think the root of the
issue is legitimate and we have to have a serious conversation around that. I think we do have plans to assess it based upon the grant that we got for safe routes for all burrowwide. Um, we can't pilot a program because it needs to be done by ordinance because you
can't enforce a pilot. And um, I I do tend to agree with councilwoman Rios is that the school needs to be buying into this whether it's creating an alternate around towards uh, Hall Street up on board center or thinking about uh,
staggered school start and end. I think that honestly would solve it all. Um, so that honestly I think that alone would solve it all the stack of start and end time. >> Yeah. I mean the reason they park like they do on South Madison is I mean I trying to go home. I've been stuck in
traffic on uh High Street 20 minutes just trying to >> on Walnut Street right before you turn exactly what you're I think the traffic study Yeah. I think this traffic study will give us >> the true counts will give us the options. Give us what space we have. I
think that's going to be the key in getting the school involved, >> but still get the estimate for the sidewalk. I'd be curious. I think we're all curious to know what that price would be. Yeah. And maybe it's something because this is caused by the school that if it's say it's 100,000, we put up 50. We have to take put up 50. We've
shared service. We did a shared service on the sidewalk system up to Palaski Street. So, something to consider. So, if a sidewalk was part of the grant application the last time around, it would have been installed, but it wasn't a part of the grant application. So, we're not able to do anything beyond the
grant. So, but uh it doesn't mean that the problem still doesn't exist. So, I appreciate you bringing it up tonight. Anything else on this discussion? Okay. So, we've copied notes. We have a few action items that uh hopefully for the end of the year we can come back
with some updates as a team. Thank you. Anybody else? >> Okay, moving on to item nine. Uh, department heads. Uh, let's start over there in it. Are you iting? >> Yes, I am. >> Everything's working.
>> Everything's working. >> Okay. >> Okay. Legal. >> Uh, no. The partner. Thank you. >> Okay. Clerk, registars's office. >> Sure. Just a little bit. The same thing I do every meeting. Districts one and two, senior center. Districts three and
six, the firehouse, and districts four and five, the library. >> Okay, thank you. Administration, DBW, recreation, no report, nothing. Okay, PD.
Okay, I don't see OEM or uh rescue squad unless they're online. No, you do. Uh, next up is item number 10 on the agenda, public comments. We ask that members of the public state their name and their residency, whether you're here
in person or online, and I mean virtually online, not on Facebook. Okay. Nothing. Uh, item number 11 is adjournment. We have resolution 367. And before we do that, our next council meeting is on November 3rd at 7 p.m. in these chambers or you can join
virtually. Can I have a motion and second on resolution 367? Move it. Sigman. >> Second, Scott. >> All in favor? I. I. >> Any nays? Okay. Good night, everyone.