Good evening. Welcome to the March 16th, 2026 meeting of the Emerson governing body. This meeting is being videotaped and may be viewed on your local public access channel either 36 or 77. The meetings are also available 247 on YouTube. Those for those of you present
in case of a fire, please follow the fire exit signs above the doors and exit uh calmly. Councilman Timberman, would you please lead us in 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, with liberty and justice for all. >> I would ask you to remain standing just to keep the um service men and women that um perished in the last month.
Thank you. This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings law and adequately noticed pursuant to NJSA 104-10. This meeting of March 16th, 2026 was noticed to the record in the
Ridgewood News on February 26, 2026, posted on the bureau's website and on the bulletin board in the municipal building and has remained continuously posted as required under the statute. Miss D. Simone, please call the roll call of the governing body. >> Mayor Deal, >> present.
>> Councilwoman Chelino >> here. >> Councilwoman Argentia is absent this evening. Councilman Ellis >> here. >> Council President Rice is absent this evening. Councilman Timberman >> here. >> Councilwoman Syers >> here. >> Okay. Um I want to thank the council
members that had to juggle their schedule to make it tonight. I know everybody kind of had something else, but um this was an important meeting to have this evening, so we appreciate that. Uh proclamations and citations. There are none this evening. Uh may I have a motion to excuse
Councilwoman Argenzia and Council President Rice from tonight's meeting? >> Someone second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Syers, >> yes. >> This is 4 Z. >> Perfect. As I said, there are no
proclamations or citations this evening. There are no appointments this evening. Uh minutes for approval. Um, actually, can I have a motion to table the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And that's I would like to table both minutes, the uh open and the the regular
and the closed. You still get a >> So moved. >> And a second. Okay. And a roll call, please. >> Uh, Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Counciloman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. Passes. That brings us to
correspondence, of which there is none this evening. Financial business. May I have a motion to approve resolution 102.26, approval of our March 16th, 2026 bills list? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Telino, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fers, >> yes. >> This is zero. >> Okay. Unfinished and new business. There is no discussion this evening on under either of those categories. Um but we do
have adoption of ordinances. Uh this is the second reading in public hearing of ordinance number 1712-26. Um no do you want to talk first before we start adopting these?
>> Sure. Um I thank you mayor. Yeah. Members of the council Caroline Writer, our um >> burrow planner. burrow burrow planner. >> Yes, I'm with TNM Associates, but I've been the burrow planner here since I think 2019. Yeah, if >> I remember seven years.
>> You're in your eighth year. >> There you go. So, I think maybe um if you'd like, mayor, I can give the brief description of um what's happening tonight and it may cover all three of
the ordinances. Um that does that work? I'm just checking to make sure that you don't have a meeting that you have to push that button so you're heard. >> It's red. I feel like I I'm hearing myself. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Michael had a trick mic at his first
meeting. >> Did he really? Okay. So, um I'll just give a brief Whenever you talk about affordable housing in New Jersey, it's difficult to have a brief summary, but I will do my best. Um,
and I think it's important to first recognize the bureau that it's been a very proactive with respect to this very important topic of affordable housing. Affordable housing in New Jersey is handled in periods of years that are known as rounds. We in July of 2025
started round four and that's what we're here to talk about tonight with respect to the ordinances. Um the rounds that came before were rounds one, two, and three. Rounds one and two are often combined and referred to as prior round. Um
there were a series of uh of lawsuits known as Mount Laurel. Um Mount Laurel is actually a municipality in um southern Jersey. Um, but many people refer to Mount Laurel housing when it's really that's really affordable housing.
I think that's because of the litigation. Mount Laurel one was in 1975. Mount Laurel 2 was at some point in the 80s and Mount Laurel 2 established the Fair Housing Act and also subsequently established the Council on Affordable Housing, which
many of you know as KA. When COA was in existence primarily in rounds, I believe it started in round two um and then part of round three, it would establish um affordable housing obligations for each town as well as uh prepare and adopt all
the affordable housing uh rules. Um in round three, KA first of all uh proposed their rules late. Um and then their rules uh had some had a a concept known as growth share, which is where
you link affordable housing obligations to new job growth and new um population gain. Those rules were overturned actually not once but twice in court. Um then what happened is KOA the council attempted to adopt another set of round
three rules. However, the council was not um properly there weren't enough appointees and there was a three-3 tie and the rules did not get adopted. They did not pass. Then there was a motion uh to advance litigance rights led by the fair share housing center which is
probably a group you've heard about. Um and then the affordable housing obligations were removed from KA. CO was declared morabund and uh the affordable housing obligations and responsibilities were returned to the court. That is why anyone who was here in round three, you
had to you went through the um DJ the declaratory judgment action. You attempted to achieve settlement with COA, excuse me, with the fair share housing center and with any um any objectors who were known as interveners.
Um the burough did achieve settlement with Fairshare Housing Center in round three um and did adopt a plan in round three as well. In March of 2024, there was new affordable housing legislation that was
um uh adopted by the legislature and signed into law by the governor at the time. Um that legislation amended the Fair Housing Act, created what we call Fair Housing Act 2, changed certain aspects of uh the rules, uh completely
eliminated COA, and um also established very aggressive deadlines with respect to municipalities needing to complete certain tasks, and that's why you're having a special meeting tonight. So uh the I will not I will spare you the
whole list of deadlines but basically uh the requirements were that by June 30th of 2025 municipalities had to adopt that's a planning board adopts the housing element and fair share plan and then the
governing body endorses it and the bureau did that. Your plan was adopted on June 19th by the land use board and endorsed on June 24th by the burough council. That date was important. Failure for the burrow to act would have
removed its immunity from what is known as builder's remedy litigation. and builder's remedy litigation um results in a developer or property owner coming into your town um indicating that you know you have no you don't have uh your
your zoning is exclusionary and the municipality no longer has protection. and they can build basically whatever type of residential high density uh and very dense residential development they want to wherever they want to um regardless of the size of building the
height of building number of units etc. So municipalities just like Emerson across the state um filed uh adopted and filed their plans by the end of June. The legislature the legislation then established a two-month time period
whereby any interested party could um submit a challenge to any municipalities plan. Those challenges had to be submitted by August 31st. Emerson received one challenge from the fair share housing center. The fair share housing center submitted literally
hundreds of challenges to municipalities plans statewide. Other municipalities had challenges also from developers. Emerson did not. Um the remaining um deadlines uh were that
all challenges were to be settled by the end of the year by December 31st and then by March 15th, which March 15th is a Sunday, so I'm told that it became March 16th today. all uh ordinances any plan amendments that needed to be made
had to be adopted and all ordinances that implemented the plans also had to be adopted. Now um Emerson did very well um and I really feel that's to the um credit of the mayor and council. Uh we have been going with this process from
even before the legislation was adopted. I think this is one of the first towns I did a presentation in on the legislation. I think it was June. And I was looking through my notes, it was June of 2024. Um, we also have had several subcommittee meetings and u pretty regular communication with
respect to what needs to be done. So kudos to the bureau for your proactive approach to this situation. Um, your round four obligation was 174 units. I'm not going to get into
the we're not we didn't need to redo your plan. We don't need so we don't need to talk about that that much but I want just to gently remind everybody or not so gently that affordable housing obligations in New Jersey are cumulative. Going to read to you what your obligations have been. Um prior
round which is rounds 1 and two 74 units. Round three 234 units. Round four 174 units. If my math is correct, that's a total of 482 units. In 2020 2035, when
round five starts, if there isn't a change to the legislation, you will have another obligation of affordable housing that will be added to your rounds one through four obligation. So, please note
that that's how this process works. So, um, very quickly, your round four plan recognized, as did the plans before it, um, that you, Emerson did not have enough land to build or to zone for its
total obligation. So, it went through a process known as a vacant land adjustment. Um the vacant land adjustment utilizes certain analyses and calculations and results in what's called a realistic development potential and RDP which is not a an
elimination of your obligation. It's an adjustment of your obligation. We um in the process of preparing your plan adjusted your obligation of 174 to zero. the difference. What happens then is your the rest the remainder which is 174
doesn't go away. It's handled differently. It becomes what's called unmet need and we need to provide what overlay zones and other mechanisms to offer the opportunity to capture um the opportunity for the provision of affordable housing with one change which
I'll get to having to do with the legislation. Um so the obligation was adjusted down to zero through the vacant land adjustment process and um that held through the challenge and subsequent mediation
sessions and the session. So that is what is in your settlement agreement which is good not good let me rephrase that which is it shows that the system worked for Emerson and that we went through all the processes and all the analyses and made all the right
arguments and that you know you truly don't have vacant land. So, >> we don't and I want to thank you and I want to thank Brian Giblin and all of our professionals who worked very hard on all of this as well as all of the council members that took time away from work and kids in order to have committee
meetings for all of these discussions. Um, as Caroline said, a lot of work did go into it. We were proactive about it. Um, and I just want to thank everybody. Um, and with that being said, I guess we should introduce the uh adopt the ordinances, Caroline, or do you have any? >> Yes, I'll go through them very very very
quickly if you'd like. Um, sorry, I lost my place. Um, so the first number is the ordinance number, the second number is the year. Okay. So, yes, you we have ordinances 1712, 1713, and 1714. I'm just going to
give an overview of each quickly and then the the governing body I I think that would be the most helpful way to do it. Okay. >> If you that's okay with you. >> The first one is the uh new zone >> 1712. So you have this unmet need obligation of 174 units. We to we
decreased that slightly because you did um approve and I think build uh about four veterans units on the um existing veterans housing. Are those are those built under construction? >> Built yet? We actually got word that um the staging is going to be taking place in the next couple of weeks I believe.
>> Right. Great. That's great news. So that's um so we uh we able to we reduced your unmet need by four units. the new legislation or the legislation I guess it's now fair housing act 2 has a
requirement and this was actually a very controversial part of the legislation because the uh there's its interpretation has been different by different attorneys regardless um basically uh requirement that 25% of the
unmet needs to be addressed via what's called like realistic zoning you have to identify areas what they call likely to redevelop likely likely to redevelop and then uh provide realistic zoning for that for those that that uh that number.
So basically uh the way that that works is you take your unmet need which is now reduced down to 170 25% of 170 is 43 affordable units but as we know that the affordable units are only a 20% set
aside of the total development. That's what inclusionary development is. you know, it's 80% market rates, 20% affordable units. So, you have to have zoning that would provide enough units for um you know for for the entire development
or offer the opportunity for the entire development. Um after much much discussion and um analysis, the determination was made to was to create an o what's called an overlay zone on block 1301 lots 101 and 102. Those are
the Shopright properties. Um the combined acreage is under is about 7.8 acres. 30 units an acre. There's the potential therefore of 234 units. 25% excuse me 25% of that actually gets us
past the requirement of 43 affordable units. So that was the overlay zoning and that's what ordinance 17 1712 is is a reszoning of that property. I want to uh note though if you look at the ordinance um it's continues to allow
permitted permitted use in the RC zone. So it's not so there that's whatever is permitted in the RC zone continues to be permitted as well as multif family residential use with a 20% set aside. So everyone understand what the set aside
is? That's the 20. Yeah. Okay. So that's ordinance >> originally 15 and then we just bumped it up. >> Well that's right. So what originally that's a thank you you stole my thunder for one of the other ordinances but um so in round three um the set aides were
a little different. They were typically 15% for any rental affordable units and 20% for for sale affordable units. One of the things that municipalities at least everyone that I'm working with is doing is making uh the set aside 20% across the board regardless of whether
it's for sale or or rental units. And that's another ordinance that we're going to be talking about tonight. So yes, it's 20. It's now 20% across the board unless there is something that's, you know, under con, you know, under construction or some other something that was determined as some other
litigation. But yes, that's correct. So that's what this ordinance 1712 does. 1713 is a new affordable housing and development fee ordinance which also contains the mandatory set aside that the mayor just referenced. Um the state
in December 15th adopted new rules known as U-Hack which is uniform housing affordability control rules as well as rules that we call 599 rules that deal with development fees. So um every state every town that is participating in this
process needs to adopt new ordinances to reference all the changes that were any changes in the rules or at least the new references. So every town is going through this. Um for a little bit of interesting information, there have been this is the ordinance which I think is about 50 pages was based on a state
template. Um so that's that's where it came from. Um the last one 1714-26 uh takes your existing overlay zones from round three. These are known as the
NFR AH zone, multif family residential affordable housing zones. There's NFR AH north and NFR AH South. And the only change with respect to those overlay zones is the um set aside that the mayor
referenced um is that the 15% set aside for rentals is now eliminated and it's a 20% set aside regardless of whether it's for sale or rentals. So, the density and other items in those overlay zones did not change from what was um negotiated as part of your round three settlement
and contained in your round three plan and currently in your ordinances. Okay, those are the three ordinances. Thank you. So, now we're going to go on to adopt them and have a public hearing. This is the second reading and public
hearing of ordinance number 1712-26. Miss Simone, would you please read the title of the ordinance? >> An ordinance amending burrow code to include a new zone district, the RC overlay zone. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting
for the public comment on this and this ordinance only? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting of public comment
on this ordinance? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carried. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1712-26 on second reading? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please.
>> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fire, >> yes. >> Passes 40. >> Very good. The second ordinance that we are required to um adopt is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance
number 1713-26. Miss D. Simone, would you please read the title of this ordinance? >> An ordinance amending borrow code to include a new affordable housing and development fee ordinance. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this and only this
ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay, we're open to the public. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting? So move >> a public comment on this ordinance. And can I get a second? >> Second. >> And all in favor?
>> I. >> Okay. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1713-26 on second reading? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman,
>> yes. Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Passes 40. >> Very good. And the last ordinance is uh 1714. This is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1714-26. Miss D. Simone, would you please read
the title of this ordinance? >> An ordinance to revise the required affordable housing set aside in the multifamily residential affordable housing overlay zone. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this on this ordinance only?
So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. We are open to the public. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting of public comment for this ordinance? >> Some second. >> All in favor?
>> No one's opposed. >> Okay. Motion carries. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1714-26 on second reading? >> So moved. >> Second. And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Counciloman Ellis,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Syers, >> yes. >> His 40. >> Very good. We did it, Caroline. >> We did it. Just fine. The two other things that are on your agenda, I don't need to speak for those. Um, are the adoption of the affirmative marketing
plan, which was actually prepared by your, um, agent, your administrative agent, CGP&H. Um, and then there's also the spending plan. um which is just a detailing of your trust fund. Um development fees
that are collected all are required to go into an affordable housing trust fund and um they have to uh and you have to prepare spending plan etc. That being said, your affordable housing trust fund is monitored throughout the year and and as well as uh various times of the year
as well. So >> okay. Um does anybody have any comments or questions for Caroline before she takes leave this evening? Maybe just a big thank you. >> Thank you. >> My pleasure. >> Thank you once again. Thank you,
Caroline. My pleasure. >> The next item on the agenda is introduction of ordinances. There are no ordinances being introduced tonight, which brings us to reports. Councilwoman Chelino, do you have a report for us this evening? >> I have a few reports. >> Oh, good.
Um, the Emerson Fire Department will be holding their annual Easter egg hunt on March 28th at noon at the Emerson Fire Department at 120 Thomas Street. Uh, a rain date of April 4th has been set aside. This is a free event for our community, including an Easter egg hunt, egg toss, and golden egg hunt. Um,
please come to the event for some family fun and the possibility of winning great prizes. Um for the environmental um commission applications for for the community garden are now being accepted by the environmental commission through
April 1st. All plots will be assigned on a first come first- serve basis and are strictly limited to Emerson residents. A donation of $20 along with the completed application can be dropped off the clerk's office. Applications are available on the borough website and at the clerk's
office. Um um this spring, the Emerson Environmental Commission will be taking the next step in advancing our pollinator protection initiatives. Over the past year, the commission has focused on educating our community about
the importance of pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and honey bees. These species play a crit critical role in our ecosystem by helping plants uh reproduce, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to the health of our local uh environment. As part of this
effort, we are currently applying for certification through B CityUSA, a national program that recognizes communities committed to protecting pollinators through education, habitat creation, and sustainable practices. There are currently only six towns in the state of New Jersey that have
achieved this designation, and Emerson is on track to become the seventh. A key part of this initiative will begin in the spring with the installation of tree honeybee colonies in Centennial Park. The colonies will help support local pollination, contributing to healthier
trees, flowers, and gardens throughout the community. They will also serve as an educational resource, helping residents and students learn more about the important uh role of pollinators um play and how we can all support them. We're excited to continue explaining Emerson's pollinator friendly efforts
and look forward to the positive impact this initiative will bring uh to our community. I have a few more reports. Sorry. Okay. Uh, from the DPW, um, Perry wanted to let us know, um, they only had two
minor breakdowns during the winter storms this season. Uh, the DPW is also getting ready to start its spring cleanups of all the parks and ball fields. The DPW had its annual EGIF environmental inspection. We scored a 98%. Uh, and Triestessa has already helped
fix one of those problems by installing our storm water link to the homepage of the website uh for the burrow. And a reminder, yard waste pickup will resume Monday, April 6th. Please note that DPW will always chip branches over 3 ft long all year long. Uh, and no need to wait
until April to put branches out. >> Good. >> I think so. >> You don't have one more for us? >> Uh, can't scrape one up. All right, Councilman Alice, do you have a report for us this evening? >> Yes. Uh to piggy back our shade tree news and update, the borrow of Emerson
through our shade tree commission will once again plant a tree in memory of those Emerson residents who have passed away between January of 2025 and the present in conjunction with our 2026 Aubber Day ceremony on April 25th at
Burough Hall starting at 10:00 a.m. A flyer will be forthcoming, but if you would like your loved one to be remembered at this year's Arbor Day ceremony, please contact the burough clerk at 20112626086 option 9 or by email at clerk
emersonj.gov. >> Thank you. >> Very good. Uh, Councilman Timberman, do you have a report for us this evening? >> Sure. Yeah, I have two things. Um, so I attended my first meeting of the library board last week. Um, it was a great group. A lot a lot of good things going
on at the library. Please check the library website for a calendar of events. Um, we discussed there's a ton of events going on from young children to adults. Uh, I heard Maan's very popular now. So >> uh, if you're interested in any of the
events at the library, check their website. Um and also from the recreation commission, spring sports are underway. Um opening day softball and baseball parade will be April 25th, Saturday in the afternoon. Um they've kind of turned
it into a full day of events and games. So that's interesting. And also um for younger families, the flag football and cheer board is in search of volunteers. Um, if any of your young ones are in the program or interested in the program,
they are looking for volunteers for their board. >> Good. There's a time change for opening day baseball. It's noon this year, correct? 12:00. >> Yeah. At noon. >> Yeah. >> Just so that nobody starts teeing up over there at 10:00 a.m. 12. We'll be we'll be at the um Sha Tree Commission's
uh commemorative ceremony at 10:00 and then we'll hop on over to the baseball opening day at noon. Um, Councilwoman, do you have a report for us this evening? >> No, I do not. Thank you. >> Okay. Um so this past week went to my mayor's meeting where we get together
and we talk about um all things that uh affect us here in the Pasco Valley and we had a visitor from our new governor's office um our liaison Bridget and they um mayors uh gave her a lot of information about the flooding that
happens throughout the Pasco Valley and asked for some um relief from the governor's office uh moving forward. We'll see where that goes. Um I also attended last Monday uh Congressman Gottheimr held a legislative day um
where he brought in a lot of the federal um departments in order to talk about funding and different programs that could assist with um us with grants and monies uh in order to help our budget. Um Mr. Carelli uh was there with me and
was kind of a full day. Um I also attended the for fun um the basketball game and unfortunately the kids did not win the uh boys basketball game. That was a couple of weeks ago. Um I did get there late but um at one point they were
tied up 4141 and unfortunately they just did not uh make it but they had a great season and again congratulations to uh John Picarillo on his thousand points. Um, I also went to the play God Spell
and uh, all of the plays are phenomenal. I love going to the high school plays. Um, this one was a was really special. Um, there was a lot of interaction with the audience which made it nice and uh, the kids really a lot of the same kids are in the play year after year. So,
they're starting to really hone up on their craft. Um hopefully we will find a day um to bring them here to give them accommodations um that works with their schedules. And I do want to thank uh Bill and Lisa Olman who really put on an
excellent show and get every last bit of sweat out of those kids to work their hearts out in order to give a really really top-notch performance. Um the Emerson Rotary Club, Oriel Emerson Rotary Club on March 28th, um we'll have
a food drive run by the Oriel um Voc Liber Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are able to, please donate to help the local food pantries. Um we talked about the community garden, right? Uh, the Philip Morgan blood drive
is being held at the senior center on April 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To schedule a donation appointment, please call 1800 redcross or visit redcrossblood.org and enter philiporggan to schedule an
appointment. Philip Morgan is a resident that sadly passed away um a few years ago. Uh he was a friend to many in our community. Uh the senior bus is available. the residents aed 55 and up to those with special and those with special needs. It runs each week,
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, please call Samantha at 20112626086 in order to book a ride. In addition, the county of Bergen offers senior van services for doctor's appointments outside of our coverage area. The
coverage area for our bus is Emerson, Westwood, Oriel, and Piranis. But if you need to go further, the Burton County bus system can help you. And you can call them at 2011-368-5955. And the next regular meeting of the governing body will take place on
Tuesday, April 7th at our regular time of 7:30 p.m. Mr. Carelli, do you have a report or should we should we let Dave go first and then you want to wrap it up? Dave, do you want to go? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Um, just want to update you all on a
couple of projects that are ongoing. Uh, so the senior center doors, we're still working with the contractor. We did get the doors um approved and authorized as far as the materials and products. So, that'll get ordered. Uh, it should have been actually ordered today. Uh, so we
are looking at a 6 to 8 week time on getting the doors here. Um and then once they're here, they'll get started on doing the replacement up. So things are moving along with that. Um uh met with your administrator and public works uh just to go through your
2026 road program, try to get everything kind of finalized as far as which roads we're going to be, uh looking to replace, and we'll be getting uh a proposal for us to prepare your plans and specs for that like we do every year. Um coming up um is your um part of
your annual permitting process for your storm water management as well as updating of the storm water pollution prevention plan. Um the deadline for that is May 1st. So we'll get that a proposal over for that as well so we can assist the burrow with preparation of that report uh like we've done for the
last however many years. Um just to update you as far as the storm water side of things. So last year uh I know we had a heavy year with some reports and different things that needed to be done um from the state. Um we did the first phase of what's called the
watershed uh management plan or inventory report. Um we're now rolling into phase two uh which is required to be submitted by the end of this year. Um, essentially it's piggybacking off of the information that we collected under
phase one, now rolling it into meeting with the public to discuss with them different options, different things, different ideas that the public has, as well as then roll that into looking at potential projects and things that can be done to help make improvements to
water quality and different elements uh throughout the burrow. Um and then essentially that plan what it'll do is roll that information come up with uh some different projects some different cost and kind of put a timeline to them so that things can get implemented. So
that is the next phase two of uh the DP storm water policies and procedures. Um take you back in office of storm water. Uh so the Vivian and Dorchester a drainage study. Um we've completed all
the existing um data analysis of that and then we're just fine-tuning some different options um related to some improvements to help um resolve not resol we're never going to be able to resolve everything but look to help >> improve >> alleviate uh some of the flooding that
occurs over in that area. So we anticipate having that completed hopefully by the end of this month uh for Vivian and Dorchester so we can report back to you on that. Uh the other one is the west side drainage study which really we've been focusing on uh forest and Jordan. Um that one we've
completed the analysis of all the existing system. We're in the process of going through and looking at a couple different uh potential routes and things that can be done to help again alleviate some of the flooding conditions over there. So um that one will probably have
something a little bit more to report in early April. So shortly after >> when when do you think we would be ready to sit down with the county again to talk about the plans? >> Um I would want to sit down probably in April. >> Okay. >> Um so we want to do that in short order because that project uh we've been having uh monthly meetings with the uh
DCA's office. I think it's DCA actually there's one tomorrow um which Michael will be part of. Um just to kind of go through the project uh status and where things are at. So, um that'll be something that's being kind of
fasttracked. So, and those are the main uh and then we assisted the the burrow with uh preparation of uh some grant requests for the west end drainage call it phase two to see if we can get some additional monies um for that because
the monies that we've gotten really won't cover the full overall scope. So, this portion uh is focused in that area but we broke it down into segments. So, >> well, thank you for that. You know, we I went to this um conference with uh Mr. Carelli and they said, "You got to
apply." He goes, "Because the money's got to go somewhere." And uh the more you apply, the more money you might be able to receive in order to uh uh help uh reduce the budget um needs. Michael, do you have a report for us this evening? >> Thank you, mayor. Uh so please note that
the finance committee met and continued its deliberations on the municipal budget uh tonight. Uh as previously discussed, budget introduction is tentatively scheduled for April 7, 2026. Uh the finance committee met and discussed a PowerPoint presentation that
we're going to do uh which would be a new item this year um at the public hearing and adoption of the budget in May. So we'll keep you posted on that. Uh on tonight's agenda, just to quickly highlight, we have a new purchasing uh
policies and procedures manual uh that Lauren and I uh put together for the burough staff and volunteers. So, I just wanted to thank Lauren uh for working with with me on developing this new policy. Again, on tonight's uh consent agenda,
we have four resolutions for grant requests through uh Senator Corey Booker and Senator Andy Kim for both the fire department elevator installation project and the West End phase 2 drainage improvements project. Uh so again, thank you to Dave uh the burough engineer for
working with us on those cost estimates. and the burrow's grants manager has submitted our applications through Congressman Gotheimer's office uh early last week. So, we are uh monitoring our applications and hoping for some good
news in the future. Um also, please note that the burrow has been awarded a $2,500 grant through the Bergen County Arts Regrant Program, uh which will fund an art class through the uh mayor's wellness campaign this year. So, we're
looking forward to working with Mayor Depala on that project and uh with the county and we thank them uh for their support on that project. And then lastly, I did have a meeting with MRC Recreation, otherwise known as Game Time uh to discuss the improvements to
Acriman Park project. Again, the parks committee uh has a meeting scheduled for for Friday to review conceptual plans and cost estimates for the playground portion of the project. As stated at the last council meeting, we are currently awaiting a response from the state
regarding the local recreation improvement grant funding uh for the FY2025 Bergen County local match that is required as part of this project. Uh once that determination is made from the state, we will be able to proceed with
the project. Again, the committee is looking at phasing the project with the playground installation in 2026 and a potential new pavilion in 2027. Um, so we are working with MRC Recreation on a cost estimate and we are preparing a
letter of intent and grant application through the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund uh for the pavilion. So, we are looking forward to that. uh that application is due at the end of the month at which point we will have to have a uh public hearing as part of the
grant requirements uh throughout you know throughout the uh process. And then lastly uh just wanted to note that uh we've been in contact with the digital sign vendor. Uh for those of you that don't know the digital sign is in disrepair, has been currently turned
off. Uh we do have a bunch of punch list items with the vendor to work on to get this project off the ground. So we are looking forward to that and uh that's all I have. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you. John, do you have a report for us this evening? >> Not a report, but I just want to
acknowledge a couple of things. one um way back in 2023 uh we start talking about affordable housing the next round actually right after CO because they were trying to plan to do this and then CO hit and there's a lot of there's some council
people that are no longer here some new people uh but one of the things that the mayor and council did the governing body did was unlike a lot of communities I'm in some of them um they prepared and uh
they proceeded to uh hire the appropriate professionals. I think that's also important here. It wasn't just we just hired anybody. We hired really good people. Uh our planner obviously uh she did a great job, Brian Giblin. So we hired really good people
and there was some debate about that if you recall at the time and who we were hiring to do this. In the same time, politics changed and there was uh not too long ago, maybe less than a year, there was a clamor within the community
and on this council to uh to join uh a lawsuit uh that was being put together by initially 50 or 70,000 maybe. It turned out to be 12. And the recommendation at that time uh by me was that that that lawsuit appeared to be
not going anywhere. and and also potentially costing a lot of money. There was, if you recall, at the time, it wasn't that they just wanted $20,000 to join the lawsuit. That particular at the time plan had no end in sight of how much more it would cost. Well, what's
happened is uh as we thought um and there was some debate on the council that that lawsuit ultimately has been thrown out of every court it's been tried into, including most recently the United States Supreme Court. There was a ray of hope and I even text I even left
a message for for the mayor who was leading the charge on that. There was a ray of hope when Judge Alto ordered the state to respond to the emotion but that obviously is not a win and ultimately the Supreme Court rejected to hear it because it's a state's issue. It's a state supreme court issue and also they
lacked a specific plaintiff. you know, the governing body, uh, Emerson, burrows, municipalities were all, uh, created by the state. So, we really didn't have standing to challenge that because of the state law. So, that
lawsuit is ultimately thrown out. The bigger problem for some of those towns, not all 12 of them, was they were really putting their eggs in that basket. So, it's not only that those towns wasted money and legal fees in fighting this, they're also way behind the April is to
meeting this deadline tonight. Um, I know that there's been a there's been a lot of uh hustling behind the scenes for a lot of these towns, but the fact of the matter is now some of these towns, even the plans that they voted on may not be sufficient uh and and some of
them may lose their immunity. And that's the most important thing. If you were leaving your your decisions, your planning decisions up to a judge uh to uh let a builder come in and have unrestricted
uh access to your zoning laws where height doesn't matter, as Caroline pointed out, uh size doesn't matter, scope doesn't matter, and you're leaving it up to uh superior court judge. And I don't mean any disrespect, but the history on those decisions in this state are horrible for the municipalities. it
it almost seemed like a license to steal for the developers. So, I want to congratulate not just the professionals and the good job that they did, but I also want to congratulate you, mayor, and the past council people and the
current council people uh in the face of uncertainty and you know, you stood the course. You did the right thing for the town. Um, as noted, uh, many towns have had these meetings and, you know, a lot of crowds showing up not understanding
what's going on. And that's the last thing I want to say is the you have done the mayor and council have done an effective job of communicating what this has been all about to the c to this to this community going back to 2023. When you look online and you see what took
place in some of these other towns, most of it was concerned, legitimately concerned citizens who didn't understand what was going on and that was a failure of communication by those governing bodies. And I don't mean that in a harsh way. It's just that they could have done a better job. They could have followed
your model, for example. So, >> I want to thank you guys both. We don't want to see anything negative happen to any of our neighbors, but we wish them well and uh we're just glad that we made the decisions that we did here. >> Y >> and uh with the guidance of of you, John, and uh uh some of our other
affordable housing attorneys. Um that brings us to Oh, I'm sorry. Tria, do you have a report for us? I'm sorry. I forgot. >> That's okay. Um yes. So, um, I encourage all residents to sign up for rave alerts
to receive emergency notifications and other borrow announcements. The easiest way to create an account is to go to the borrow's website and click the notify me button at the top of the home screen. If you need assistance, please contact my office. You can email me at clerk emersonj.gov
and either myself or Samantha, my deputy clerk, can get you set up with alerts. Um, as always, all of the news and current events are posted on the burrow's website at emersonj.gov/news, as well as, um, our social media pages,
Facebook X, and Instagram. And also, as a reminder, uh, Burrow Hall offices are closed in observance of Good Friday on Friday, April 3rd. Emergency services are always available 247.
>> Perfect. Thank you. Um, and that brings us to public comment. Um, members of the public are welcome to speak on any topic by coming to the podium and stating your name for the record. In the interest of time, speakers are limited to three minutes and consideration of all who may wish to
speak. Please keep your comments brief and concise. May I have a motion to open the meeting to public comment? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay, we are open to the public. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close the meeting to general comments from the public? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? I >> any opposed? Okay, we are closed. Uh that brings us to um resolutions on consent. May I have a motion to approve
um consent agenda resolutions 103-26 through 117-26. >> So move second. And as we know, the uh consent agendas are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the council and one roll call vote. Um
there's no separate discussion unless anyone needs to pull anything, which nobody did. So can I get a roll call now on consent, please? >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Is 40.
>> Okay, very good. Um that brings us to closed executive session. May I have a motion to go into closed executive session to discuss matters exempt from the public pursuant to NJSA 104-1 itself and adequately noticed by resolution
118-26. >> So move second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Tino, >> yes. >> Councilman Alec, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Passes 40. >> Thank you. Um we are now going into
close. Members of the public may remain on YouTube until we return to open session, at which time formal action may be taken. May I have a motion to reconvene? So >> second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay, we are back in
business. Uh with no more business to discuss. Correct. May I have a motion to adjourn at what's 9:44 p.m.? So move second. >> All in favor? >> We are. Any opposed? We are ajourned.