Okay. Mayor, I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Elwood Park Mayor and Council for June 12th, 2025 to order at 7:00 p.m. On roll call, we have council members here. Golg here. Samson
present. Sheridan here. Troy here. Council President Peline here. Mayor Kleti here. We have a quorum. Thank you, Chennai. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. And a fine evening it is at that. Am I right? Yes, sir. Beautiful day out there today. Finally got some
summer weather. Summer's here. We long for maybe a little too hot, but uh it's been a long time since we felt those kind of temperatures, especially with the week of rain. But the week of rain, what it did do was fill our reservoirs
up. And if you remember last year, there were droughts issued. And those reservoirs didn't get filled during the winter, so we're in good shape that way. Okay. Uh, let's get this meeting started. It sounds like I'm doing a weather report over here, but that's not what I'm supposed to be doing. Could
everybody please stand for our prayer and flag salute and and ministering our prayer tonight? We have Chapman Muhammad. God Almighty, the creator of the heavens and the earth, bringer of the spring,
the summer, fall and winter, creating us in all different shapes of others, creating us from Adam and Eve. Bring us the strength to face all the challenges of life. Grant this body of
governors and people who are respectfully representing us the wisdom, the kindness and the openness to see the other side and the understanding to choose what is best for all of us.
Grant us mercy for those amongst us who are feeling the challenge of the heat and all other challenges of life. Grant them mercy and ease in your name always we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Muhammad. That was beautiful. Whereas chapter 231 of the public laws
of the state of New Jersey require at the commencement of every meeting a statement of compliance be read by the presiding officer. Now therefore be advised that the meeting requirements for this meeting have been met by publishing a special notice in the
record Herald News and by posting such notice in the office of the burough clerk as well as in a public place within the municipality and by notifying interested citizens. Said notice was posted and transmitted on January 3rd, 2025 and published on
January 8th, 2025. Okay, first up we have ordinances on first reading. We have resolution R-188-25 introduce ordinance number 25-14 on first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending
section 7-13.1 parking prohibited at all times on certain streets to establish a no parking zone on Miller Avenue be passed and adopted on first reading. And be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, July 17th, 2025 at
7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter, as same can be heard, at which time any persons interested in said that ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law. Mr.
Fuller, would you mind breaking this down for us? Sure, Mayor, if I may. through your office, a resident contacted you uh regarding a parking space or a partial parking space between two driveways which was not big enough for vehicles to park yet. Vehicles were
parking there. So, she asked that we look into it and make it a no parking area so people didn't partially block her driveway. Uh and that's what we're doing here. Mayor, thank you. May I have a motion on the ordinance? So, move second. Any discussion?
Call the roll, please. First by Council President Peline. Second by Councilman Golbec. On roll call, we have Council Member Spolo. Yes. Goobec. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Pellegrine, yes. Motion carries. Next, we have resolution
R-189-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-15, our first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code section 7-9.1 to 7-9.15 residential parking permit area to allow
for the designation of residential parking areas on a trial basis be passed and adopted on first reading and be it resolved by a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday July 17th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same
can be heard at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard be it further resolved that the burough clerk being and she is hereby authorized to advertise in legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law. Mr. Feliggo, would you mind? Sure, Mayor. Um this is um relevant to the Rosemont
section of town which is north of Broadway uh a business district. The residential area has been inundated with vehicles parked from the businesses. So, several residents have come forward and asked for the council to try out a
residential sticker parking program during business hours on the first block from Broadway north to the first intersecting street to see if that will help their cause. So, I guess we'll give it a a good shot, see what happens, and
uh uh hopefully uh put it to sleep or we might have to readress it. Yes. Thank you. May I have a motion on the ordinance? So, move. Second. Any discussion? Call the roll, please. First by Council President Pelgine. Second by Councilman
Folo. On roll call, we have council members Folo. Yes. Golg, yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peline, yes. Motion carries. Next, we have resolution R-190-25.
Introduce ordinance number 25-16, our first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance repealing and replacing burough code chapter 21 shade tree to establish requirements for the tree removal and replacement be passed and adopted our first reading and be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be
heard in the municipal building on Thursday July 17th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter same can be heard at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard be it further resolved that the burough clerk then she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice
of introduction and final hearing as required by law Mr. attorney. Would you be so kind to break this down for us? Happily, uh, your honor. Uh, so basically, as you recall, we received direction from the burough engineer and a recommendation that we needed to update the shade tree ordinance, uh,
within the town based on some New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requirements. And the D basically had specific components of a shade tree ordinance that every municipality needed to adopt. um you had could have additional components like those that
were included in our old ordinance. So that resulted in the uh the bureau engaging in basically an incorporation of the old ordinance provisions with the new requirements from the D and uh this is the the development as a result of that process. Thank you. May I have a
motion on the ordinance? I need a second. Second. Any discussion? Call the role, please. First by Council President Peline. Second by Councilman Samson. On roll call, we have council members Folo. Yes. Golibbec. Yes.
Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peline, yes. Motion carries. Next, we have resolution R-191-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-17 on first reading. Bey resolved that a ordinance entitled an ordinance
repealing and replacing burough code section 20-1 and it subarts park a park athletic field and recreational facility use policy to establish revised recreation facilities procedures be passed and adopted on first reading and be it resolved that a final hearing on
said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday July 17th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk D and she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal
newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law. Thank you Mr. Attorney. Once again we call upon you. Thank you mayor. Uh so this is the the at the behest of some questions about what the existing ordinance said and some ambiguities in
terms of interpreting uh that. So, um, as you know, the the mayor and council established a committee to kind of look at the the field use, uh, ordinance as it currently exists, how it's been interpreted and implemented, how the, uh, burrow wants it to be interpreted
and implemented, and this is the developed process of that to make those changes. Thank you. Appreciate that. May I have a motion on the ordinance? I need a second. Second. Thank you. Any discussion? Yes, mayor. I just want to commend uh I had the opportunity to sit
on this committee. Uh I want to commend the the council members that were on the committee uh for their for doing their due diligence and and really sitting down and getting this ordinance uh cleared away. So thank you guys. Thank you Councilman. Any other discussion? If not, call the role, please. First by
Council President Peline, second by Councilman Folo. And roll call, we have council members Folo. Yes. Colbec. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, I'm going to recuse myself from this. Troy, recused. Council President Pelligraine, yes.
Motion carries. Next, we have resolution R-192-25 introduce ordinance number 25-18, our first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending and supplementing ordinance 25-03
entitled an ordinance to fix the salary wage and compensation of the officers, employees and servants of the burrow of Elwood Park County or Bergen State of New Jersey for the year 2025 regarding full-time building inspector salary be passed and adopted on first reading. And be it resolved that a final hearing on
said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 7 o'clock PM, or as soon thereafter, as same can be heard, at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk be and she is hereby authorized to
advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law. May I have a motion to open to the public? Oh, no. This is first reading. I'm sorry. First hearing. Yeah. Uh, this is uh first reading.
First reading. Okay. So, I just need Excuse me. I thought we were in the second. Okay. Uh, may I have a motion on the ordinance then? Second. Any discussion? Call the roll, please. Okay. First by Council President Peline, second by
Councilman Folo. On roll call, we have Council Members Folo. Yes. Colbec. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peline, yes. Motion carries. Moving on to ordinances on second
reading. We have resolution R-193-25 introduce ordinance number 25-11 on second reading. Whereas a public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code section 2-66 restricted areas to address municipal
building access was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday May 15, 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore, it be resolved by the mayor and council of the Bur of
Elwood Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code sections 2-66 restricted areas to address municipal building access pass on final reading. Now may I have a motion to open to the public? Second. Anyone from the public here to speak on
this ordinance and this ordinance alone? If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? Second. Second. Call the role, please. First by council president pelgine. Second by councilman Samson. On roll call we have council members. Yes.
Golbeck. Yes. Samson. Yes. Sheridan. Yes. Troy. Yes. Council president. Yes. Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-194-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-12 on second reading. Whereas the public
notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-21 multi-way stop intersections to add stop signs on Fininsk Avenue/Bank Street was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday May 15, 2025 and that
further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given the opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore, it be resolved by the mayor and council of the burrow and park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-21 multi-way stop
intersections to add stop signs on Finch Avenue/Bank Street pass on final reading. Motion to open to the public. Second. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance alone? If not, I'll close the public portion.
May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? So move. Second. Call the roll, please. First by Council President Peline. Second by Councilman Folo. On roll call, we have Council Members Folo. Yes. Golc. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan,
yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peline, yes. Motion carries. Next, we have resolution R-195-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-13 on second reading. Whereas the public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an
ordinance amending section 7-20 stop intersections to add stop sign on Elwood Terrace at Glenwood Avenue was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday May 15, 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance would be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in that
ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore, it be it resolved by the mayor and council of the bur of Elmo Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-20 stop intersections to add stop sign on Elwood Terrace at Glenwood Avenue pass on final
reading. May I have a motion to open to the public? So move. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance alone? If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? So move. Second. Call the
role, please. First by Council President Peline, second by Councilman Fuso. On roll call, we have council members Foso. Yes. Golc. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, um, yes. Council President Pellegrine,
yes. Motion carries. Moving on to resolutions listed on our consent agenda. We have the following resolutions. R-196-25 approval of payroll. R-197-25
approval of bills list. R-198-25 resolution for contract with Elwood Park Homeowners Association. R-199-25 authorized vacation buyback. R-200-25 award proposal for professional services Mercury Environmental for Environmental
Services. R-201-25 authorized final payment current estimate number three change order number two Orchard Street drainage Improvements R-202-25 authorized final payment current estimate number four change order number
two 2023 Burrow Road program R-20 R-203-25 resolution to refund tax overpayment R-204-25 authorized release of road opening performance bond R-205 5-25 authorized
retirement compensation police department R-206-25 appointment of public safety telecommunicator police department Carlo 2 R-207-25 Resolution appointing full-time building inspector R-208-25
approve Elmwood Park Fire Department stipen program first quarter compensation R-209-25 authorizing Elwood Park Police Department to participate in the defense logistics agency Law Enforcement Support Office 1033 program to enable the police department
to request and acquire excess Department of Defense equipment. R-210-25 renew liquor licenses for the 2025 2026 license term. R-211-25 resignation of firefighters. R-212-25
appointment of firefighters. R-213-25 appointment of board of adjustment member. R-214-25, resolution endorsing the fourth round housing element and fair share plan. R-215-25, a resolution renewing the group dental benefits program for eligible employees
and their covered dependents through Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. N-216-25 resolution to approve the consent agenda. Do you need to take a drink of water? No. Okay. It's permissible. Thank you.
May I have a motion on the consent agenda? Some move. I need a second. Second. Thanks. Any discussion? Yes, mayor, if I may. Uh, just a clarification from our administrator 20725. This is um
appointing full-time building inspector. This is the request that came from the building inspector about two months ago. That's correct. To add an employee. Thank you. Um, I'm going to be voting no on that resolution. I don't know the individual, so has nothing to do with them. Um, we adopted a budget uh earlier
this year, which is a double-digit tax increase. The budget process, according to the CFO, is a six-month process that uh starts with gathering data from our departments and culminates in the burrow council passing the budget. We passed the budget with a large tax increase and
a month later received a request for an additional employee that was not incorporated in the budget. I don't think that's responsible for us to do and I think it's contributing to some of the problems that we're facing financially. So I I don't support this. Thank you. Any other discussion?
Yes, mayor. Um I agree with Councilman Golbec on 207-25, but I am also going to be voting no on 215-25 uh for the 5% increase in uh Delta Dental uh when there were other plans that we could have uh went to. Do you
have any suggestions, Councilman? Yeah, the suggestion is on the chart that we received in the email yesterday. There's a cheaper plan. Okay. Any any other discussion? If I may, mayor, I I forgot to address 215. Um I I'm
disappointed that um the information to make a decision about um um this program renewal came, you know, last minute from our broker via email. It's expiring. You have to make a decision. Uh, I'm sure this expiration deadline was known well
in advance and I just don't think it's wise and efficient for us to um award contracts based on uh, you know, an email saying you got to do this cuz it's expiring. Just not I think the efficient way for us to do business. We should have received this by the end of May, discussed it at the June work session
and then made a decision uh, tonight. Thank you. Any other discussion? Call the role, please. Yes. First by Council President Peller Green. Second by Councilman Samson. On
roll call, we have Councilman Fullo. I'm going to vote uh no on 207-25. I'm going to recuse on 208-25. Recuse on 211-25. Recuse on 212-25.
No on 215-25. Yes to the rest. Okay. Councilman Golibbec, no to 20725, no to 21525. Yes to the rest. Okay. Uh Samson, yes total.
Sheridan, yes. Troy, we're recusing from R-208-25, R-211-25, R-212-25, and yes to the rest. Okay. And Council
President Peline, yes. Okay, motion carries. Next, we have departmental reports. We have the library board meeting minutes from April 21st, 2025 and the board of health meeting minutes from April 14th, 2025. May I have a motion to accept the
reports? Some second. Any discussion? Call the roll. All in favor? I'm sorry. I Thank you. Okay. Oh, Mayor, this concludes my portion of the meeting. I will turn it over to you for council reports. Thank you. Uh,
we'll start off with the Councilman Foso. Thank you, Mayor. I'm just baffled that, you know, we we voted the the certain council members voted for 5% increase in Delta Dental when we had a plan that was
2.5% cheaper with the same level of benefits. I just I'm baffled that we can take an email after a day and still renew with a 5% increase for our taxpayers progress. Mayor, Mr. Flu Flugno, do we
have anything on that to explain? Yeah, I I forwarded the email. I got this from Mr. Cavelli, I believe yesterday or Yes, yesterday. And I had a phone call with him just to clarify. He said our dental
is expiring June 30th and that we need to have this on for tonight's meeting. And that was his recommendations. I forwarded that along. Um so I don't I I don't know why he chose to handle it that way, but that's the way he chose to
handle it. Okay. Thank you. I think it's completely irresponsible. Like he sent the whole chart. If we read the email, if any of you read the email, we have the whole chart that compares all three plans. They are literally the same plan. One is 2 and a.5% cheaper than the other
one. The other one is raising 5%. Okay, moving along. Mr. Colomb, progress. Mayor, Councilman Samson. Yes. So, first off, uh, belated happy birthday to our mayor. Uh, yesterday was
his birthday, June 11th. They also sh you share a birthday with my youngest daughter. Happy birthday, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, uh, as far as committees, uh, finance committee met yesterday, reviewed and signed vouchers. Uh, that that got accomplished. Planning board met last night. We approved yet another new
business coming to our burrow at 272 Broadway. Uh, nail art is going to be another uh u nail shop there. Uh they the what I took from last night is that it's a local EP family. They've been in a burrow for many years. They've raised
their family here and now they want to start a business. All stuff, all positive stuff that helps this burough flourish. Um we also discussed the uh fair housing guidelines which we just voted on. Uh this basically just sets a boiler plate.
We have we had to make that decision uh by again June 30th. June 30 is like the witching day for a lot of things and we can adapt, we can um we can modify or edit that as long as we have it approved by the 30th. So that's why it was so significant to get that done. Really
wasn't in a rush. It's just something that had to be done. As far as my other activities in the burough, I attended the ARP meeting, the AARP meeting this afternoon, partic uh that went well. Um the next ARP meeting is
uh June uh June 10th uh July 10th, I'm sorry, pardon me. July 10th, the speaker was uh the Elks assoc the Elks Club, the Elks Lodge came in, talked about uh benefits of membership and what the Elks do for this for this community and
nationally. Um we have our street fair coming up on Saturday. Uh we're going to the Elks is going to incorporate Flag Day into that event. So, at 3:00, the monument across from St. Leo's, we're going to have our annual Flag Day celebration or uh observation. If you've ever seen it,
it's extremely uh very interesting and actually very educational. I remember a couple years ago, the chief made a comment about uh learning about all the flags from, you know, from the beginning from the 1770s. So, if you have an opportunity, if you're at the if you're at the uh fair anyway, stop by and
observe it. We were hoping to incorporate that and get uh more more involvement. Uh we have Linda Colini here. Always good to see Linda. Our homeowners trip next homeowners her home next home owners trip is going to be uh 6:27 Friday. Contact Linda or me for
further details. I can help you out. Get you in contact with Linda. And uh as you can see, mayor, we continue strong progress for our bureau. Yes. So tell us a little about the convention down there, the Elks Convention. Yeah, we had our Elks convention um this past
weekend. uh last weekend and um I I led the uh parade contingent because our exalted ruler had state uh uh state responsibilities to handle. So I'm her basically like her vice I'm like the vice uh exalted ruler there. I led the
parade on a boardwalk. This year was the first year that the parade was on the boardwalk which was interesting. And they do that for um security purposes. I'm sure the chief understands or sergeant understands why. So they're bringing even the vehicles came up and we got caught. It was a it was supposed
to be like a 45minute thing. It wound up being almost four hours because of the pouring rain. So we all we all had to seek shelter because it was a lightning and thunder warning. It was it was interesting. But the whole weekend uh was a very full weekend. Yes, I sang
Karoki. No, I don't have the video. And yeah, so did Pam. So did Pam. Sorry, sir. No, you won't. I I have the I have the video. Councilman Samson, don't cross me. Chief Ryan can't even find that. But uh Thank you, Chief. Uh thank
you, Mayor. So, Eric, the uh would you say vice exalt exalted ruler? Yeah. My my official position is leading knight, but you it's basically you're the assistant to the exalted ruler. Now, here's my question. Does that trump the mayor?
Nothing trumps the mayor. Okay. Just want to make sure about that. I mean, you know, I I might have to move to the end of the day. Nelson. Nelson. Thank you. Thank you for all that information. Councilwoman Sheridan, thank you, Mayor. Um, I'll keep it
short. Um, on June 8th, when everybody was coming back from the convention, um, a car went into the river. Okay. No one was hurt. It was done accidentally. Um the gentleman left it
in neutral and it just kept on rolling. But um needless to say, the park, the fire department, the police department showed up. Um everybody was safe. Everybody showed up. Everybody got it out and everybody went home. So it was a
very blessful day. Good ending to that story. Yes. Everybody actually went to go home. Got home. Even the guy got home that left his car in neutral. So, so it was a good day for Elmwood Park. Um, I was going to ask you about
the summer concerts, but that's out. So, um, I'm very impressed that you are actually going to have a mayor's night. Yes, we got some announcements on that at when it comes my term to report. Now, this gentleman that um, was he an elder
elderly gentleman? Did they take his keys away from him when he went home? Uh, they took his car. They took the car. Okay. Literally took the car. We don't wish that on anybody, but you know, there's a time and when we all have to admit that uh there's certain things we cannot do any further.
Exactly. And uh but it was it was an accident. I mean, he didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident. And thank God that nobody got hurt and everybody went home safe. Yeah. I know. We had a hard time with my grandfather. He was 93 and uh couldn't get the keys away from
him until he backed out of the garage with the garage door down. And that was the end for him. And he admitted it to himself at that point. Yeah. It's it's a very tough loss that independence of of the uh of the vehicle. It's very tough to to to live
with. Yeah, it is. It is. But it takes a lot to admit when when you're done. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Thank you. Anything else, Councilwoman? That's it. Thank you, sir. Councilwoman Troy. Oops. Sorry. Thank you, Mayor. uh for my Breck update.
Registration for summer camp closes tomorrow. Um on a disappointing note, uh we were not awarded the AARP grant for the community garden. Millennium has applied for another
smaller grant, but we will continue to pursue additional funding through other grants and um donations. The next rec board meeting is June 16th for my board of ed update. I attended
the senior awards ceremony on Monday 69 uh for scholarship award presentations and I would like to congratulate all of the students of the class of 2025. um listening to like their grade point
averages and some of the things that they've accomplished, it really truly makes me very proud to be an an alumni of Elmo Park High School and a crusader. Middle school graduation is June 25th.
Uh high school graduation is June 27th. And the next board of ed meeting is June 24th. And then lastly, I would once again like to personally
extend my sincerest apologies to our residents in the Muslim community for not attending the Eid celebration held at our recreation center. Please know that my absence was not intentional and I deeply regret the opportunity to
celebrate such a meaningful occasion with you. As your elected official, I'm committed to representing all residents of all faiths, of all backgrounds, and all political affiliations.
I value the rich diversity of Elmo Park. I look forward to building a more inclusive and united community. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman. Council President Lorraine Pelligrine. Yes. Good
evening everyone. Miami Park Police Department update. I have a report on the total documented incidents during the period of 1125 2025 through 531 2025. Here are some of the statistics. Summons issued 351.
Ambulance request 618. Housewatch checks 987. Motor vehicle accidents, 342 patrol checks, 4,862. There were also 100 arrests, 12 burglaries, and 96 acts of domestic
violence reported. Financial crimes, frauds, and identity thefts are all up. There are many other categories that demonstrate how hard Chief Aligno and his entire team work to keep our community safe. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. And just on a personal
note, being police commissioner for years with the team, really they go above and beyond each and every day, I see the caring first here, and I think we all do. We're also proud of all of our members of the police department and led by you, Chief. We really appreciate
all that's done. It It's really a loving community and you show that each and every day. You keep us safe and you show kindness and and love to our residents and we are all grateful for that. I can really say we bond on that. Um, tomorrow our Elm Park Police Department will be
participating in annual Chief of the Day event. This program is countywide and it gives children with chronic health conditions a behind-the-scen look at law enforcement and I've been to that many times over the years and it's really a rewarding experience to see that child's
face light up when he gets a badge or she gets a badge and it's just a wonderful opportunity to help one of our residents that truly suffers with with illness. So, thank you again for that with our police department. My Chamber of Commerce update. Their next meeting
will be held on Tuesday, June 17th at 6:30 p.m. at our local VFW. At this meeting, they will be planning their next event, which is a pizza party contest. Um, more details to follow once I go to that meeting on the 17th. For more information on the chamber or if
you want to join, you can go to elmwoodpark chamber.org. And the only other thing I want to say is I agree wholeheartedly with um Councilwoman Chisy. I would have loved to be at the celebration also for our
Muslim community and um just sorry that we weren't there. I'm glad that there was something for them and I'm glad everybody enjoyed it. I just wish that we could make a better effort. This isn't to bash anybody. I just wish there was a better effort with communication
through an email inviting us all because there was the mayor from another town there and other officials and and this is not to start a a big scene about this, but it just would have been nice that people would have had the opportunity to be there. And yes, it was
seen on Facebook at the 11th hour. Yes, there were elks that down down the shore area, but had they known with an email prior and possibly a week ahead of time, that would have been their choice whether they wanted to leave that function an hour or two earlier to make
the function at our recck department. Again, as I said, this is let's try to work together for our resident. Let's be kind. This is not a night of battle. It's just a night of let's be conscious of each other to work together. so that
we could have all been there at that moment. That's all. I don't want to start a big scene about this. I just want to say just be conscious. If it was an oversight, okay, then we learn from these experiences and we try to do better next time. None of us sitting up here is perfect, right? I don't know any
perfect people in the world. So, just everybody here, including myself and every other council person, we're a team. Once we sit together here on the deis, there's no Rs, there's no D's, there's no I's we're just here serving all the residents and we need to work
together. So, thank you all and progress mayor. Very, very well put. Uh, just to expand on that a little bit. Uh, some six years ago when I was elected and I came into these chambers, I advised the council at that point to leave their
politics at the door. Now, this incident reeks with politics, and I don't want to go into details, but that's not helping anybody. As you had said, councilwoman, we're here. We're charged by the people to be fair, just, and our job is to
serve them. We cannot have division within ourselves because then we short change the public out there. What was it, Lincoln, that said, u a house that's divided will fall. And that's what we I think that's the
lesson here. Let's keep the politics out of what we're doing here and keep our focus on on the people. 2025 summer concert series. Finally, we got some information that I can send out to you folks.
The concerts will start at 7:30. August 5th, Daybreak, a tribute to Barry Manalo. August 12th, the Chickallettes. August 19th, three decades rewind.
That's music from the 60s,7s, and 80s. That should be interesting. August 26th, Bobby Miranda and the Happenings. He's a favorite local favorite, right? Bobb's been at it a long time and he's still he's still got it. He does. Right.
Sep September 2nd, The Strangers, a tribute to Bill Joe. I know that our uh BA likes Billy Joe and maybe we can get him uh to to be with us that night. Huh, Mike? Yes, sir. All right. That promise? I promise. Okay. September 16th, No
Filter, classic rock. Good group, good rock and roll. September 23rd, the cameos, some good old doo- music. And then September 9th, the mayor's night, a tribute to Frankie Valley with Let's
Hang On. So that's our schedule and with that I think we should move along. I think we covered everything and uh I need a motion to open the floor to the public. Second. Anyone from the public here to speak on
any item whatsoever. Let's all be civil and not take no more than 13 seconds. No, I mean five minutes. Gladis Gladis Griswitz 256 Fac
don't know if I'm allowed to ask this question. Um if you remove a tree you we have to plant a tree. That's that's that's what that's excuse me that that's generally an overview. There are some exceptions and there's various other options uh payment
replacements but the intent this is uh related to the I believe the saltwater that's the oh god I can't think of the term uh the water basin and and and essentially yes they're trying to reduce the reduct water table that reduce the
number of of trees that are being removed without being replaced due to the impact on that on flooding and other things so that the roots will take the water down essentially that yes so there's certain requirements in there in terms of having to replace them with certain types of trees, certain and then a permit will be necessary to remove a
tree. Correct. Okay. Um and and I will s suggest that some of those requirements already existed, but I don't know to the extent that the public was aware of that following it. Yeah. So, we already had a shade tree ordinance in place. This just kind of expands the parameters and provides more definitive
guidelines and requirements. Okay. And then the second thing with the permit parking, um Lorraine, I spoke to you years ago about the um the red the red sticker program and I think that would be beneficial because you're looking to
give permits to people uh up at the uh Broadway. Okay. when the blue ribbon the blue ribbon the red um sticker program would actually flag who does not belong on that street, you know, and it not only that it would enable the cops when
they're driving down the street, their computer will flag if that car is stolen, if that, you know, um many other things if it's registered. So, uh Garfield does it, Loi does it. I don't know why we don't do it. And the only
other thing, Mayor, I just heard you say that um you're here, you know, to uh represent just and fairness, you know, and that includes politics. Now, I'm listening to Lraine. I'm listening to uh Troy saying that um they weren't invited
to this event last week. Did you know about it? No. Okay. If I knew about it, I would have been there. Okay. And I'm just curious, why are Patterson officials using our recreation department? Good question.
I mean, I think that more answers and more digging needs to be done here. I understand only one person that's not an accurate statement that Patterson officials are using our facilities, right? We have a an assemblyman that
represents the 35th district that I think requested use of the room. That person represents Elwood Park, Garfield, and other municipalities in P County. So to say that like Patterson officials like the insinuation like they didn't feel like getting a place there, so they came here is misleading. Well, I'm not
misleading. I'm asking do they have their own recreation facilities? Why couldn't they use it there? Who's who's they? The uh the mayor was there. um was it uh Wimbley there and the assembly the assemblyman that is in Trented represents us got the room represents
Elmwood Park. So it was an event for Elwood Park I guess residents within the district. So why why would they have to go to Patterson to have I just don't understand why they had to come here. Like you said you weren't notified. He represents our district. He represents
Elmwood Park. Like if this individual did not represent Elmwood Park and the district was nothing to do with it. I get where you're going with it, but where are you going with it? Well, where I'm going with it is um I understand that only uh Franchesco was there. Councilman Folo. C Councilman Fol. Thank
you. Yeah. You're welcome. Um so I don't understand. I just um I I'd like Glattus, can I just I want to comment on what he said. Um we had the assemblyman that represents our district, right? Why wasn't the mayor who represents but respect this
issue was addressed to the mayor and council by the BA as an internal personnel matter. Everyone here has the explanation. The fact that we continue to talk about it despite you having a very clear explanation again internal personnel matter that somehow leaked
onto the street which we all know where that's coming from. This matter was clarified to the mayor and council and closed. And the fact that everyone is like obsessing over this subject is is we're making this about ourselves and personally. I highly highly doubt it
would be even ethical or legal to as a condition of somebody renting our building that the mayor and council must be invited. Now, is it appropriate? Yeah, sure. People should have known. Did I see the flyer? I don't know. Whatever. I wasn't around. But we're really making this about us and
ourselves and our need to be there and our need our need to be in pictures. And that's not what this is this that's not what this is about. Well, Councilman, we're supposed to be everything's supposed to be all inclusive. We're supposed to be functioning as one bipartisan. This does not appear like that it was
bipartisan and it looks like politics. Did you read your emails where this matter was explained in detail to the council by the BA? Of course I did. Okay. So, are you doubting that that's true and legitimate? No. I I know this that
whenever I go to and I asked to speak at an affair or an event, I make sure that the clerk knows or the BA knows or the person running that event in is all inclusive with the the mayor and council. I want to see everybody there
if we can and then this quorum thing comes into effect too which we got to we got to watch. But that that's always been my policy everybody inclusive. So at this this junction right now, everyone was not inclusive and you could see why people feel feel hurt about that. And the
matter was explained to the mayor and council and the fact that it's still coming up publicly just makes me think that you all question the legitimacy of the explanation you got. And I find that troubling as well cuz there's there's really there's no other reason to talk about it unless you disagree or question
the legitimacy of the explanation you were given. I really cannot find another reason to bring this up at a council meeting. Anybody watching this is going to have no clue, no idea what we're talking about. This subject of us uh not being invited, not feeling welcome. Nobody in Elwood Park cares. Nobody in
Elwood Park cares that the that that a couple council members were not notified because of a breakdown in communication, which was the official reason that was given to you. They just don't care. This is a me me thing. Excuse me. Mayor, may I mayor, may I? This This was not about
who? This is not about the rec director. And if you wanted to know why we're bringing up if we don't buy it, I personally do not buy it. I do not lame blame on Dale Jr., okay? The blame lays with the people who organized this
event, high-powered politicians that disrespected the mayor of Elmwood Park, by coming into his town and not even giving him the courtesy to let them know that they would be here, that they would be using our taxpayer facilities to hold
an event that was an exclusive event. So, that's my issue. Thank you. Yeah, continue. Go ahead. I just want to say that I think it's shady. There's not a couple of councilmen or women. There was four not invited. Okay. Were you invited? Because you know No, I was not
invited. So that's five. Um and only I don't care because it's not about me. I'm not saying it's about me either, but what I'm saying is it's not transparency. And this is what you're supposed to be uh exuding to us is transparency. And the mayor not being
there, that's an insult. That's an insult to you and it makes you look weak. Okay, that's my personal feeling. And I didn't get I belong to the Elwood Park ROOC call and all that stuff. I never got anything. You don't have
Facebook. Uh Mayor uh Kleti, uh you don't have Facebook. So h how were people supposed to know? You know, so I just think that more transparency and I just think it's I think it's political and that's my opinion. Thank you. Thank
you. Can I just say one thing? Go ahead, Councilwoman. Okay. Um, Councilman Dolan back, you said that this came out of district 35, right? I can't hear you, Terry. This came out of district 35. I I was answering Miss
Grisco, so sure. Okay. So why wasn't if it came out of district 35, which we are part of Elwood Park, why didn't we get notified? Didn't they like blast it? I don't know. Pick up somebody pick up the phone and have a a conversation
about this. This is being turned into a a public spectacle with public apologies. This is this is ridiculous. We've officially spent more time talking about this issue than a double-digit tax increase that nobody wanted to spend any time about. Yet, we've spent 25 minutes how how how hurt everyone is that they
weren't invited to be at this event. If you picked up the phone and called the assemblyman, he'd probably say, "I'm sorry. It was a busy time of year. I called. I set up the event." Like, come on. There's been numerous events that everyone was invited at, and now this is like I I am flabbergasted at how offended everyone is by this.
Flabbergasted. How is how is Councilman Franchesco Fisolo aware of the event? through Facebook, Councilwoman, the same way you probably found out, but you were in Wildwood, too, so you wouldn't even have been there anyway. And it was it was two hours before the event. I looked
it up. I saw it on Facebook and I reposted it and I showed up. I didn't get a phone call from the assemblymen. I didn't get a phone call from our wreck director. I didn't get an email in our email. I looked on Facebook in the morning. It was what, a Saturday. I looked on Facebook, saw something was
going on at the wreck, and I showed up. Excuse me. You are lying and I'm going to call you out on it. I heard you talking Thursday night about the event. You did not see it on Facebook. Excuse me. So then So then you knew about the event.
I asked I asked at the Excuse me. I asked at the meeting if it was scheduled. The chief had no idea. So I had no idea because I was reached out. Somebody reached out to me and said, "Do we have
a place?" So, I said, "Oh, call uh the chief or the wreck." So, I don't know what channels they went through. I didn't know if the event was happening. I saw there was on on Facebook and I showed up. If you don't want to believe me, that's fine. It was not a political
event. There was no politics spoken at all. We were giving gifts for Eid, for children. That's it. Yeah. Councilman, was your running mate there? No, he was not. He wasn't? No. Oh, okay. I just mayor, real quick. Yes. I just want to
say so we seem to be like soft soft openness with the district 35 reps and and it's been acknowledged that the mayor of another municipality was here and I want to stress the fact stress the fact that a mayor from another municipality came into our municipality
and you weren't invited. And that to me, yeah, that to me trumps, you use the word trump, trumps everything over district 35 reps. Yeah. A mayor came in here and thumbmed his nose at this burrow. Thank you. Yeah. No courtesy. I I agree with that. All right. Look, we
don't want to beat this. So this Well, one second. So what I know now is that Councilwoman Troy knew on Thursday about the event. I didn't know about So why did you say that I knew about the event? I heard bits and pieces of you talking to uh So why don't you ask I didn't know
if it was happening. It looked like a private conversation. It was not a private conversation and all I heard was that yes, he got it talking about the rec center and you said something about yes, he got it for whatever x amount of orders and then I saw eyes moving like
sh. Okay. Yes. because if it was important, it would have been discussed at Thursday's meeting, especially when we were talking about use of recreational facilities. So, so, okay, let me have the last word on this, then we got to get off of this.
Certain people were hurt. Certain people are emotional about So, mayor, who should say sorry? I'm not finished yet. Who should say sorry then? If somebody's hurt, it's not my event, so I'm not I don't I don't feel like I have to say sorry. Okay. Well, it's not your event, then pick up the phone and call the person and express it and not use this
as a platform. I mean, this is this is insane. We have a new representative and and that that has pledged to, you know, try to get things into the budget for us to work with us. We spent 30 minutes like, you know, listening to our own voices speak about hurt we were and how offended we were that we weren't invited. It makes no sense. We are doing
our residents a tremendous disservice. Yeah, but obviously you're not listening to the people that are suffering from this. You're just We're suffering. This is not and and it was a cloaked campaign event using our taxpayers property. Wait a minute. If you were the mayor of this
town and another mayor walks in and is at an affair that you should have been invited with, what would you be saying right now? I would address it. I would first try to address it privately, which clearly is not the way this was handled. Clearly waited for the meeting to to do a to do a thing here. I just don't think it's in the burrow's interest. This us
serving the town is not about our feelings. It's not. It's about the people. Well, we got feelings and we're human, too. Yes. And their representatives should be present for them. They elected us. It is about the people. I'm I'm going to close the discussion on this.
If you add anything, any council person add anything to I'll consider it out of order. Yes, ma'am. Your name and your address. Yes. My name is Rosanna Ki. Could you the red the other mic there? That's it. My name is Rosanne Ki. I
reside at 265 Kip Avenue in Elwood Park, New Jersey. I My family has been in town for over 72 years. Um I never had a problem with the police. I never had a problem otherwise. I'm a double master
counselor. Um on I was blind for two years and I couldn't see anything. The other a month ago, not really a month ago, but probably three weeks ago, I read a police report regarding an
incident that happened at my house on January 25th, 2023. Again, I could not see, I could not read. What I could see was I could see shapes, I could see colors.
Um, what I saw was a squatter burning firewood in my basement. I called the police. The police did not do anything. They basically came to the house, stood in the room, went toward the window
where this daughter had many things. I was petrified for the police officer. And he um I I made a motion, you know, I said it's okay. Uh he got away from the window where everything was. I thought
he was going to fall. I didn't want him to get hurt. I'm a counselor again. I care about people. Okay. What happened is that the police officer did nothing. He said he was just going to file a report. I got very angry because I said,
"I'm a blind woman living by myself in this home. I need you to check the property. Please check the property." The individual was in a hedge in the front of the house. The officer missed it. The the firewood and the planter
that they were burning were in the backyard. He would have seen it. He did not check anything. Instead, what he did is he called 262 Helpline Care Plus and took me away and put me in a mental
institution for 3 weeks. The individual overseeing my care was somebody that had killed somebody at Barner Hospital when I was working as a vocational counselor. And he knew I knew about that. So, he
kept me there for 3 weeks. Um, I was raped at the facility. I was given the COVID vaccine, which I was told by CDC not to get because I was allergic to it. I was treated as if I was not blind. I
was blind. I was client of commission for the blind at the time. My counselor didn't even know where I was. Um, I was told by the police department after um that they did everything right. The report that I read was totally
false. It did not reflect what was going on. I want to know what's going to be done because in my field, if I write a false report on any client, I get killed. In other words, I I'm terminated. I'm out. But this officer
apparently is going to be staying in the department and nothing's going to be done. And I'm concerned. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mrs. Scott, you let me say this that you are blessed in the sense that you lost your eyesight for two weeks and it came back to you. That is a godsend. Two years. Two years. Two
years. Two years. Wow. Two years. You're blessed. Yes sir. Good evening. Uh how are you everybody? My name is Luis Casteller. I live by 50 Riper Avenue. Um I'm sorry about my English. I'm Latino. Um the first thing
I don't know what to say but I know what to say is like say thank you for everybody that is here the first time I really want to thank the police department here is the reason because I come here because if I tell you I've been living in Elmo Park for around 12
uh 12 years 20 years 12 12 12 years and I'm very happy and sometimes people don't thanks to the police department or the commun the community because they think that they are enemies or they like
the situation that we live in like for Latinos, black people, gay people da so we living in a in a time that the people is afraid or is a game to the police to the politics to everything and get quiet
but nobody say thank you. If I can say like at the police department here in Elmwood Park, uh I can say they very good, very polite. They always do that to the um to the people. I have like a fourth situation at my house the first time. I'm sorry I got only five minutes,
but I I really want to say something funny. No, with all these compliments, I'm giving you two extra minutes. Uh it's a couple situation that I have that been funny when I was living by Starlet Avenue. Um, somebody, you know, my
husband was coming home, so I let the door open like 12:00 at night. I was washing the dishes. Then somebody somebody drunk came to my house and just get inside like, you know, and I was like, "Oh, what happened?" But I was tranquil, you know. Thank God my sister
wasn't there because, you know, but I was drank. I called the police. I say because the person was very drunk. Then the guy left and in a lot of situation I'm sorry for my experience with the police and everything they will go behind this person and just put in the
jail or whatever but that night the police department went around they check out the the person and they took it to the hospital or something but they they care about this guy. The other thing like um at my house we have um somebody get inside to my house to robber my
house. Absolutely. They get inside and we got like 10 cars like a dog and everybody was taking care about what happened and it's many situation that I can say thank you to to the police department. I didn't know about all those uh reunion thank
for Angelica Angela right that I came here every time that I need something and I come to the office they very kind to the people and this is because I want to say thank you. Thank you because we feel safe. They uh for the police
department that I know you now. I was the president of the gay Latin community of New Jersey for 14 years and I'm not anymore. Why? Because the situation that I've been telling you. People is expecting more things about you that we can give it to you. So this is what I
want to thank you very much for that and I want to give applause for you guys. And another thing is like I wish to to have a permit to uh like me I don't know uh I don't know the uh all the police and you know be like part of the
community not a problem for the community so the people can know what kind of police we have because many people doesn't know don't even know I didn't know that you was the mayor I didn't know anything. Are you going to invite the mayor? Yeah, of course. And uh I want to do like a little something
for the public to make the people knows what what kind of people we have because you you you don't have like a many eyes to see what's going on around not to come here and complain just to come here and say thank you. Just to make the
people feel comfortable with the community and work with the community because if we don't work with you nothing going to happens. nothing gonna happen. So I wish to do something from the community. No for gays, not for black, no, no, for all the community in
the neighbors and do like a little block party or something like that just to invite the people to know who you are. I I love it. You know, when something looks good, smells good, and I cook very well. It It is good. So, you know, sometime I bring I'm sorry that to bring
food for the police department for Christmas or whatever. I bring something not to say like I'll text me but when I see the smile from them like two weeks ago and when I call the police I say can you come to my house to pick to bring some because I I cook for you guys I really cook for them and they just like
surprised like oh why somebody had to cook for us it's because that's the way that we got to say thank you because we are in a really really safe neighborhood. Okay well I'm going to give it over to Mr. Figgno on two two events just to address what he said and then the other part about the block
party that the mayor is going to be invited to. Thank you, mayor. And and thank you, sir. This is the the first time we're meeting. Um I I heard of you through through Angela and she said that you wanted to express, you know, your your thanks. So, I said you could either send an email or or come to a meeting
and I guess you chose to come to the meeting. So, uh welcome. Uh thank you for your kind words. Uh this is very refreshing. Um and uh and it and it makes it motivates us to want to do it even more. So, thank you very much. We
will chat uh through Angela and we'll we'll plan something to uh to to do what what you're looking to do. And uh again, thank you so much and uh yeah, you put a smile on my face. So, thank you very much. You're very welcome. Any council person want to comment on this gentleman's uh report?
Go ahead. I just want to say thank you and um welcome. You've been here for 12 years. Yeah. 12 for the year. Okay. Um, anything you need, we're here for you. I mean, we have a great police department. We have a great fire department or DPW.
The only thing you have to do is just pick up the phone and ask. Mayor and counsel also. Yes, mayor and counsel, too. Thank you very much. Is that That's it. Thank you, sir. Anybody else? Yeah, just thank you for taking the time out of I'm sure your busy day or your busy uh evening. You
just you should probably be home relaxing and it's it's good to hear um from the other side from the other from outside Burrow Hall what's going on because everybody here knows what happens inside Burough Hall. We don't know what happens, but it's refreshing to us when someone takes the time out of
their out their work a day world or an evening time when they're supposed to be relaxing to come and let us know and acknowledge what the the great work of the Yo Park Police Department, excuse me, and the park in general. Thank you. Very well, mayor. If I could just say something to I just like to say thank
you for your kindness and taking the time to come. There's nothing in this world you can do better than being kind and to take this opportunity to make these people feel special. They know they're already doing a good job, but when you take that extra time and come
and really tell us that, it really makes a difference. So, you really made a difference tonight in a lot of people's lives. So, I thank you for that and we look forward to getting to know you better and being at your block party. So, thank you. I'd like I'd like to make a comment as well. I love your idea of
the block party. Um, I understand the mayor is invited, but I sure hope we are also. Thank you. You're very welcome. Okay. Thank you, sir. You're very welcome. Have a great night. Okay. Will this block party be all inclusive? Whoever wants to come, everybody's
welcome to come. That's good. I got I got I'm sorry I going to say because you know I was telling Angela in this life is not good to have money. It's good to have connections and this is what I have and I want the people knows like every culture and not to make only one night
or one day only for what kind of people it's just for everybody. So be happy. Excellent. Thank you very much and have a great night. You have a great night also. Anyone else care to speak on any subject whatsoever? Let's try not to be redundant here this
evening. Whatever we covered I hope is covered already. Uh Martha Hayes, 259 Fence Act. Um I just wanted to know and I it may not ever happen here, but with all the unrest in LA and everything, what is our emergency procedure in case you know
something gets out of control in the town? Is that a rooc call or different things like that to notify the public? I guess it would depend on what actually is going on. Um I don't really want to divulge that, right, for safety purposes. I don't mean that to be
disrespectful and sound that way, but uh we're we're very experienced in dealing with stuff like that. Um the mayor can attest to that uh several years back when we he he rode with me firsthand in dealing with um protests and stuff. So So we're all trained in that and we
would definitely make sure that you're adequately notified uh if if you need to be and and just feel confident that we're we're trained and and we put our residents first. Oh, definitely. I I am confident about that. But it's just all with all this unrest lately and you know
I know and we're park small and nothing like in LA but you know things seem to be escalating out of control and I'm just you know I know that you're very confident but we just need that assurance that you know there there is I'm sure a plan in place and how people would be notified if they had to like
you know lock down in their homes and different things like that. Yep. We would uh utilize our reverse 911 most likely uh to to let the residents know if if they needed to know something for sure. Okay. Thank you. Let me just just add to that. Uh the chief is being modest because of
years back there was incidents and the whole area was covered and the people that were marching at the time didn't even know the area was covered because they were all way off of the inner circle. Not to escalate the problem, but
everything was covered. So we're in good hands. That's I think it's just concerning about how these things have elevated so much into people throwing rocks. I'm sorry. You know, how it's elevated into people throwing rocks and and people getting really out of control
that um and you see it on the news every day that you know it's just you know a very uneasy time. So it's it's good to know that you know we have that. I was just wondering how that would be communicated. Well, for those naysayers out there about our police force, once they see these films on on television,
especially in the last couple of days, and to see what these officers have to go through, stay there and take it and they they cannot do anything until I guess something actually physically happens. Uh it's a lot for a police officer and they got to go home to their family with with family problems. So we
we are fortunate I think here in the United States generally speaking and especially here in Elmer Park to have a good police force and and good police people. Definitely. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Anyone else care to speak?
If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to enter into executive? Second. All in favor? Thank you. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Have a good evening. Whereas the Open Public Meeting Act PL 1975
chapter 231 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances. And whereas this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist. And whereas the governing body wishes to discuss attorney client privilege information, minutes will be kept. And once the matter involving the
confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes can be made public. Now therefore, it be it resolved that the public be excluded from this meeting. Sounds good. Thank you. [Music]