Order at 7:02 p.m. The star salute the flag. >> 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. >> We're going to start with a moment of silent reflection in honor of Mrs. Edith Anttoinet Albert Blake, former resident of Fair Haven. She passed away on March 7th. She had turned 108 on February 25th. Thank you.
Sunshine Law Notice. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act, public meetings may be held in person or by means of communication equipment to include streaming services and other online meeting platforms. This meeting is being held in person through the Zoom meeting platform being broadcast from Burough
Hall, 748 River Road, Clare Haven, New Jersey. Public participation for this regular council meeting of March 9th, 2026 is available by calling phone number or through web conference Zoom. Members of the public will be unmuted until it's time for questions or comments which will be announced. At
that time, the public has the opportunity to question or comment by phone or through Zoom by the raise hand button. It will be called on at the appropriate time. Notice of this meeting was included in scheduled meetings which was adopted by resolution number 2026-13 and sent to the Asbury Park Press to
River Times on January 12th, 2026 post on the burough website. The Bolton board municipal building has remained continuously posted as required under the statute. With adequate notice having been given, the bro clerk is directed to include the statement in the minutes of this meeting. Alison, may I please have a roll call.
>> Council member here, here >> Olson >> here. >> We have administrative attorney soil and chief Montgome Director Kinsky is via Zoom. Thank you. Uh we have a request from
Paul Canella on behalf of the Jersey Shore Youth Rugby to display registration signs. Is Paul here? Chance online. Alison, anything else? >> Um you saw in your packets there's a brief email. It's not that much
information attached to it. Does anyone have any questions? >> I do. >> He says he's leaving the signs up until the 28th. Is that March or April? March. Just because >> you know how many signs, Alison?
>> I think in past years public >> so maybe if someone makes a motion they have it out. >> I'll make a motion that we have the amount of signs to be displayed to 20. >> Second. Alison, may I please have a roll
call? >> That'd be like >> Oh, you want me to go all in favor? >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> I. Anyone opposed? >> Yes, the long sign. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh we have a request for the esttoary art show at Bennett Hall April
24th and 25th. >> Well, are you >> um we are requesting and giving to use the um bsentennial hall again for another story art show at the end of April. It will be the same as last time, so Friday
night from 5 to 8. And it is a public free to the public event. Um there will be alcohol. We'll be getting another ABC permit and not for sale just on offer. Um the next it is a 21 and over only
event for the Friday night. And then we'll be open as well on Saturday from 11 to 5. And we will be hosting a communitywide meditation which is also free to the public. and we will be
working with um >> the shore house as a partnership with our nonprofit this year. We will also be donating to the landscaping efforts at BIP call. Um I'm told that there's a new plan for that and I'm happy to
coordinate with whoever's making that plan so we don't >> post, right? >> Yeah, there's no plan yet but >> there's an intention. >> Okay. Welcome. >> Um, we would like to use some of the pews, not as many as last time. Um, they
were great for display purposes only. Nobody used them for speeding. Um, it was kind of fun to have them out. It's part of the history of the building. And that's it. We're excited to hopefully do this again. Seemed like a popular event
and people have been asking for feedback where we all started. It's love day. So cross collaboration with back loop as well to make sure on Sunday I think we're getting rid of it some check it out. >> Is there anything different about that? >> Sure.
>> Is there anything different about this proposal than from what you did last time >> from it's different from the It's not different from the original. We did the art walk. So this is going back to Guy Hall, >> right? >> And the only thing is we actually use less of the people requests that we had.
So yeah. The pews are up against the wall. >> There were some in the middle. I don't >> Last time we had a few in the middle that were back to back. It just created a flow for us. Um, this time we'll just have them around the perimeter of the route. >> And you're requesting DPW to do the
moving up and down. Correct. >> Yes, I'm happy to be there. >> Any issues there? >> I don't have any issues, but I have to um just make sure that Nick has the bandwidth to do it. Um my only concern just with the pews um is you know just from looking at them a couple weeks ago they're they're not in great shape and
they are >> I wouldn't want to sit on them. >> No we don't. >> So um and I'm not talking about just cuz they're break. They just they need to be cleaned heavily clean. So I just want to make that expectation out there that if um you know you tell me how many you need, but you may want to clean them off ahead of time because
>> there's lots of time. >> You bring a lot of cleaning material. >> Just warning you ahead of time. So A few a few other questions. I see you're requesting a building from 420 to 427. I think like the 23rd to the 26th is a
little bit more realistic. Is there a reason you need it for that much longer? >> I don't think we need it beyond the 25th. Um the reason we used most of the week last time was for art collection um art setup and and then break it down
after the show. But that was leading. We needed more time on the runway up, less time coming down from it. So, we can stop it. >> We can be done out of there on the 26th for sure, which is the Sunday. Um, and like that's the day we used to break it
down. >> We had a conversation with DJ about using it the week up. He had no problem with it. >> I think there is one group that's in there that week. Um, on a Tuesday night, there's a meeting in there, >> which is obviously not a problem for us. Um, well, we can
>> just make sure the R is not >> He said he he'd work with the both our group and their group to make sure it's fine directly. >> And yes, if we need to shave off a day or so, that's fine, too. We're just kind of giving oursel lots of time and we pay for each day. So,
>> um, there was an issue last time, this was before Chris, with holes in the wall, I think, or something, something like that. I could have it wrong. >> No, you're right. >> Um, do we have a plan for that this time? >> So, we did remedy it. Um, I worked well
over the phone with u Teresa and all was fixed. We put it back to where the exactly how we've got it. This time we plan our the pieces that we're showing are not as big as the loop of bruiser that we had some of the larger ones. So we're going to utilize as many holes
that are there already. >> The existing hooks >> existing hooks and then we have we use man strips which help fine. There were a couple pieces that >> they were huge. >> They were big and someone had hand made the um stretchers for the canvas so they wouldn't sit flat with the command
strips. Um so we put a pin in the wall filled the hole. Well, I went Teresa saw it before I went back and got rid of the extra putty. So, I went back and cleaned it up. You can't tell. >> You'll be um the P pictures you're taking down. You'll number where they go and so they go back the same spot.
>> Oh, yes. >> I think they're out of order anyway. A piece of >> We can put them back up however we want. >> So, we may actually want to look at what order they're in. >> We're probably going to change that hanging configuration anyway with the um the punch list. We're putting a gallery rail in which will solve any problem
I've ever having to um nail into the wall again. So they'll be punk from a gallery rail. So >> um my last question I'm sort of even embarrassed to ask. It's a lovely event. So and I was there. So I don't want anyone to make them feel like this is like a crazy bar scene or anything like that.
>> But who who's responsible for checking that someone's 21? The I'm just worried about obviously someone coming in drinking in a public spot and >> Yeah. What? >> Um, we have b we well last time we had bartenders serving and so that's who was checking. >> They checked the ID. >> Yeah.
>> They probably didn't check everyone's ID, but they were we we told them if someone looks like they're >> under 25, you need to make sure. >> Say I neither could I. >> Um, and I'm sorry, I do have one more question. I see on the bottom you say
tents outside, small pop-up tents possibly. What would that be for? >> That's basically where one of one of the surprise fun parts of the evening is that we would have a local artist doing a mural uh in real time and if it's
rainy, we might pop up a tent. Nothing like that needs staking in the ground or anything. It's just like a you know fun that we have in the farmers market. So one of those >> I do have a question. Um, I just want to confirm you're not going
to put any more holes than what already exist in the walls. Confirmed. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. >> And uh you have here will will food and drinks be sold or made available? You answered yes, but which is it? >> Made available not sold. So nothing
sold. This is a free event. Yeah. And we answer the question about and um uh uh I think you you said you're having a musical vendor, right?
>> And is that aside from the artists, is that the only vendors that you plan on having? >> Yeah, I mean we'll have a florist, but that's really it. I mean, >> maybe not. >> Yeah, maybe. We'll have like um you know there may be a cheese board supplied by
somebody but other than that it's it's not uh >> Okay. >> And and what was the name of that last question? The nonprofit was >> Shore Shore House. >> Okay. Okay. >> What are they? Yeah. Who are they? Just
Just for the >> It's a It's a great local organization. They work with um people through mental health crisis and they provide free resources and job opportunities for people that are in a you know mental health crisis, but they also have an art element and they have teachers come and
teach them and they provide um supplies and painting and lessons so that people can work through some of their uh it's like art therapy. >> So we're going to focus on reading with them on Wednesday and we'll focus on that art piece specifically.
Um, so to give a little plug in Long Branch Shore House actually has their own gallery this Yeah. >> Um, so I support anything that brings art. So thank you guys for bringing your art to Fair Haven. A random question. Um, do we have your insurance on file?
Like is that all set? >> No, we'll have to read up. >> Okay. So that's just >> we're going to get um like liability insurance for the event and leading up to it. So the whole week will be covered at final. >> Okay. So, anything we approve like is just obviously in contra. Yes.
>> So, yeah, we'll get that um through partnering with a nonprofit, it's gives us a little more, but we'll get all of that to Allison for the event takes place. >> Just out of curiosity, do the um the sales of the art go directly to the artist or do some of the
>> It's broken down. So the artist gets the majority of it, but we cover our event costs with it and then a percentage goes to the um the nonprofit. >> So they don't pay to be in the show. We just pay percentage of the >> Yeah. Great. >> So we'll keep a a portion of it for any
of the landscaping things will work for them as well since it's our home at this point. Back to it. So back to it. >> Yeah. >> Just have one thing real quick. Um, could we just uh coordinate a meeting regarding the pews just as far as where you want them and um there's a couple
different shapes and sizes of them downstairs. Which ones you want to bring up and maybe we can select what's going to be the best >> just uh maybe a week or two, probably two weeks ahead of time so we can coordinate with DW. >> If someone has make a motion to uh approve your SA 2026 request,
>> all in favor? >> Anyone opposed? >> Congrats. Looking forward to it. >> There. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, >> next up we have 250th anniversary parade subcommittee status report. Susan
Strong, I believe. Tracy Dan Dan is Dan. >> Dan's on. >> Oh, he's on Dan. >> Um, so before we >> do that,
>> do you have this slides? want to put put my slides up first and then slip into Dan's. >> Just a quick update on uh the events. It's only a couple slides. Um the cocktail party was moved from the last time I was here. So, I just wanted to
make sure that you were updated on that uh to April 17th, which then in turn bumped the patriotic tea party from April 17th to May 3rd. So, the the um Liberty Cocktail Party is
at the Molly Pitcher and then the um Patriots uh parlor tea party we moved from Bsentennial Hall over to Smart Stark. >> May 3rd or third? >> May 3rd. >> Oh, it says May 13th. >> May 13th. It does. It's May 3rd. >> Okay.
>> God, I read that like 15 times >> and did not catch that. You read it once. Dang it. >> Young eyes. >> Put it back on. >> Yeah. Um, Saturday, June 13th is Fair Haven Day where we have the cliffs playing. We have a brand new menu. June >> June 13th. What did I say?
>> Oh my god. >> That hour. It's the hour. It's the hour that I lost this. I've lost it. Um, yeah. June 13th, Saturday. The cliffs are playing. We have a new menu. We're going to do some fun old statefare activities. So many more things. And
fireworks, of course. We are not starting at 4:00 this year. We're starting at 5:00 this year. because we only have one band and they're playing the whole time >> and they're a really good band. >> What other like what are some of the things you're doing? >> Oh, we're going to do a giant um a giant
musical chair chairs. Yeah, it's going to be fun. >> Sack races. >> Sack races. Um God, I'm not on that committee. So now you're putting me on the spot. Um just some other things. We're not doing We're not doing We are not doing egg spoon toss. We are not doing that. That'll be a mess. No, we
might do watermelon spinning. Watermelon sea spinning. We might do a couple things. >> What? >> Measuring? No, the kids do that at sickles. So, it's like a fun little thing. >> That one >> just to spread the germs as much as they can. >> Um, and then uh then there's just a
little calendar at the end which is just kind of in April we have the cocktail party and then the egg hunt. And at the um egg hunt this year, we're going to have a DJ. We have red and blue eggs for everybody. And then there'll be some special white eggs that we haven't exactly decided what they're going to
be, but if you get a white egg with a a flag on it, you get something special. Um to kind of keep with the red, white, and blue theme. Um the tea party, we're going to have the essay contest. We're we're coordinating with the school with the essay contest for Memorial Day and and GJ. Uh in June, obviously, we have
Fair Haven Day, even though I was saying it was in May, celebrating the 250th. And then in July leading up to the bike. So now I'll hand it over to Dan and I will go sit down and Dan's online.
>> Can I ask a question, Susan, real quick? >> Susan, sorry. >> Sorry. Sorry. What? The tea party. Is there a cost associated with that? Yes, there will be a cost associated with it. >> $75. >> $75. It's a good tea.
>> I've always loved everything else. >> So, there's there's one other thing. Um, there's a baseball tournament with the eighth, 8y olds, 9year-olds, 10 year olds, and 11 year olds are all going to be split, and it's just going to be one
big baseball tournament on July 11th. Uh, all day. Uh, DJ, everything. I think it's going to be really cool. Um I know because I'm I'm a coach of one of the teams, the 11 year olds. >> So that would be a lot of fun.
>> We have special in July. >> Community news center. >> Yeah, July is >> um is it community center or is it fair in the fields? >> I think it's I think it's community center. Yeah, the email that came. >> So that'll be awesome. We have we got
special jerseys for all the kids. Uh so it' be a lot of fun. Well, then July was the Okay. >> All right. Let's hear about >> Let's hear about this parade. Is Dan on the >> Dan ready to roll? >> Dan. >> Hi. Good evening everybody. Dan Romero's
Marter Avenue. >> What's going on? >> Dialing in from the community center with about 16 scouts who are also observing. Great to have all of you. >> Thank you. Good evening. So, I was asked to talk about the Independence Day
celebration. Um, and uh what we're proposing is a a simple parade and ceremony that would allow the residents of Fair Haven to participate and to uh symbolically symbolically reenact
uh some events that led to the birth of the nation. And uh Allison, if you could advance to the next slide, you'll see on number two is the sequence of events. >> We would assemble at the firehouse. Um and when I say a simple parade, uh
right now we're thinking pedestrians and cyclists only. We wouldn't have a motorcade. We would assemble at the firehouse and maybe we would have the kids decorate their bikes in red, white, and blue or some kind of theme like that. and then hopefully start off the parade at at
about nine o'clock. Within 30 or 40 minutes, arrive at 21 Fair Haven Road, which is to be named Albertina Park, to have a brief ceremony down there by the water. Um, after some opening remarks and an
invocation, uh, we are proposing to retire the Continental Union flag, which would be flown and on display already down at the site. And by retire, I mean lowering the flag,
folding it, and then presenting it to the historical society for safekeeping. After that, we would hopefully have people from the community come and read the Declaration of Independence. Each one can take an excerpt just like they
do in Shrewsbury every year. And then once independence is declared, we would raise the stars and stripes. Uh it would be the earlier iteration of the stars of stripes um with the 13
stars in the circle commonly referred to as the Betsy Ross. Once the stars and stripes are up, we would pledge of allegiance and maybe sing a song. National anthem was proposed and then we would have some closing
remarks. Um, we had intended to keep the, uh, ceremony brief just because we realized this is going to be Fourth of July on a Saturday in the middle of the beach season and um, you know, a lot of other competing events.
>> Wonderful job. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I would only add to talk about encouraging either period dress, something from the colloial or even um red, white, and blue or anything that's sort of in keeping with the spirit of
the holiday that day. It could be a simple white dress and a red sash. I think that was one suggestion. Um but just something to mark the occasion. And there was one note I was hoping you could expand on. Can you talk about the Liberty Fault?
>> Right. So, I think if you advance to Well, first I completely missed the the route. So, slide number three shows the route. Simply um start at the firehouse, proceed east on Ridge Road, north on Fair Haven Road, and we decided it might
be appropriate to march or parade through the historic district, which is quite possibly the only part of town that's inhabited in 1775. um and then end up at 21 Fair Haven Road. And then if you advance to um
slide four, we would have the flags flown on the Liberty Pole, which were ere erected in town squares in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Um and kind of serve as a a gathering
point for the Sons of Liberty or other towns people to vent their frustrations with British rule. Uh you see on number four is the art artist's depiction of a Liberty pole. We wouldn't go for something quite that grand. Um slide
five has a couple of simpler designs. Uh scouts have experience with erecting their olden flag poles in the field when they do camping. So, we would I would challenge them to try to come up with something that would be um appropriate
for this ceremony. Um they're temporary in nature. We don't have a fixed flag pole at 21 Fair Haven Road, but um you know, since since these were temporary fixtures and often dismantled by the British once they
found out what the purpose was, uh we thought it'd be appropriate to have something temporary for this particular se ceremony. Great. Thanks so much, Dan. >> Thank you. Maybe in case there's any questions. >> Um, you said just pedestrians and
bicycles. Do we think about having a horse up front? That' be pretty cool. >> Horse in the back. >> We drawing people over in the front run doesn't run anymore. >> We didn't talk about a horse, but we did talk about a pipe and drum or more than >> that would be cool, too. Yeah, I like
that. I'm just looking at this picture that's in here from the revolution. I see horses. >> I do see >> Hey, Mr. Mayor. >> I I would just add that we did propose we did propose a colonial era horse and
carriage if we could find one. >> That would be awesome. >> Yeah, like that. >> Yes, Betsy is definitely sitting in the horse and >> Mr. Mayor, one other note. Josh, >> yes. >> Just just one other note. It's not in
the um slides anywhere, but um if we could find a couple of musicians to play the fifon drums as we parade andor as opening music during the opening ceremony or opening comments down at
Albertina Park. >> May lovely idea. Yeah. >> Yeah. You're such a good brand. >> I just want to say thank you. I'm so excited about the bike train when I was a kid. We used to do at my grandmother's
house in Connecticut and it was one of my favorite things. So, I'm really excited about this. Thank you guys for organizing it. >> Yeah. So, it's fun. >> Any questions for anyone? Dan, great job. It's really great to be here. >> I don't have a question. I just want to add one thing. We're also looking at
like little kind of um things that we can give to DJ for the wrecking crew so that kids can bring their bikes to wrecking cruise and decorate their bikes before the event. So um the committee thought about you know buying a couple of kits things like that to just kind of give parents a little bit of a break and
help the kids and give them a project to do during the wreck and crew. One other thing, >> you know what? Sorry, there's a Well, Dan, there was one thing um along the path there are many homes. along the
parade route. there are many homes and um so we've committed to designing a kind of invitation slashannannouncement in the sort of colonial theme and um distributing that to the homes that are on the route inviting them to you know
hold a porch party or just show up at some encourage everyone your your Fourth of July >> like a college around the world except 13 >> more mature and professional and Community driven. >> Community driven. >> Yeah.
>> Love it. >> Great. >> Any other questions? Thank you, Dan, and the entire troop that's that's there with you. Thank you, Susan. Really appreciate this. This is going to be great. >> All right. >> Thank you, everyone. Good night.
>> Yes, sir. Yes. >> Um, next up, digital calendar versus printing calendar. I think we've spoken about this together. I'm not really sure if we have, but we have. So, um, it's a it's similar to the discussion we had with the focus. Um, we're spending a lot
of money every single year putting this calendar. >> I'm pretty sure they muted because we're finished. >> So, just attended a burrow hall meeting remotely. >> Muting them. >> We're good. >> We're good.
>> Um, we were so so last I think it was last year. year, you know, last year or the end of the year before, we we recognized we were spending a lot of money on the printing of the focus and the postage to get out to our community. Um, not everyone was reading it. A lot of them go in the garbage obviously, but a lot of people do appreciate it. Um, so
we started sending out digitally and now I believe it it might even been Susan that came up with the idea to print some copies of it and have it upstairs, which I believe that we're still doing now. Um, so we have the same sort of idea with the calendar. uh we spend a lot of money um printing the calendar, sending
it out, postage to all of our residents. I don't think everyone makes use of it. So, the idea was to go to a digital calendar uh moving forward and also printing some copies to be made for all for those people that wanted to come. >> Yeah, Mayor, I think just one thing to
add which was a concern um you know between the print and the digital is you know by the time you print the calendar it's obsolete. you know event she you know events change dates you know due to rain weather we have new events that are added after the printing that are not on
the printed calendar or maybe on digital calendar and sometimes they miss out on that as well. So having only a digital calendar and then having it available for print if needed for those that prefer to have a printed version um kind of solves a lot of that problem. So it forces people I mean probably 90% of the
people you know get their information off of their phone. So having a link where they can, you know, access all different burough events that's updated in real time versus a calendar for, you know, the the year that's printed sometime in November, beginning of December, we miss out on a lot of things. So that was our again with
communications like anything, we want to try to get as much information out there as possible and make sure it's as accurate as possible. So um having digital calendar allows us to do that and get information out. So >> and like you said, we change events as we need to from time to time. uh you
know the printed calendar is almost like not the accurate record of our dates at this point. >> And even a perfect example, you know, just like we had tonight with the estuary um event that's here that would not have been in the printed calendar because they're now coming to us in March for an event that's going to occur
in April. So um people might not know about it if they don't. >> Right. >> Probably a lot of them are not not because they came after. >> Yeah. So there's a lot of events like that to miss out and I think you know getting people to go more towards the digital. We our lives are pretty much digital as it is right now. Getting more
people to go to the digital allows us to um you know publicize these events a lot easier. So that's some of the take on it as well. >> Well I'm in favor of this if it saves us money and it improves our communication. Why wouldn't we? I think it's a great idea. >> So just a couple can you remind us about
how much we spend? >> It's roughly about 56 to 6,000. >> 600. >> That's what I thought. Um, so the only concern I have is for seniors who do rely on it who really aren't using their phones and everything. So I know that for the idea is that we'll solve that by printing them and leave them in burough
hall. Is there any way that we would mail them if someone did request if that's if that's a um direction that the governing body want us to go in? I I don't see where there'd be an issue. I mean again I I couldn't imagine that many of them being mailed. Yeah. Again, even with the focus,
>> say one thing. You could also bring them to the first meeting of the seniors in January. Correct. That's a good point. >> Yeah. And that would be an easy way to distribute to anybody that would want it. >> Yeah. I mean, I would I would roughly recommend that maybe we print 150
calendars um just to have them on hand. We see how many we use and you know, if we don't give out the whole 150 in 2027, you know, maybe we go down to 75 and we'll see as needed. But I would, you know, say that we do print a certain supply of them. So we have them. >> How many were we printing? >> We're printing one for every household.
So roughly roughly about 2500 calendars. >> Yeah. >> That's a great idea. >> Thank you. >> Do you want me to make a motion? >> Do we need a motion on the >> Let's do it for please. >> I would like to make a motion that we
eliminate the printed calendar. um focused entire focus on the digital calendar but still provide copies for any residents that may want a printed copy of the calendar. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed?
>> Thank you. Uh next up, public comment on agenda items only. Please observe a threeminut time limit. Please stand identify yourselves by clearly stating your name and address for the record. No one public comment agenda. Yes, >> Kurt. Yeah, as I was listening, Paul vers seven call the printed calendar
should probably say refer to the digital calendar for updated information. It currently says that now >> says it now. Yeah. >> Yep. Yeah, that was something we added last year. Um, you know, we we had got some calls about again events that had changed dates um you know due to rain or
you know whatever. Um and so on print calendar we put out this year it says refer to digital calendar for most accurate information. So we have that already. question. We had discussed the sign and how broad >> I think that's going to be on the next >> it's
on a ranking but we are going to discuss it. >> We are definitely discuss Carolyn Ferguson Clint. I wholeheartedly support everything Chris said. Uh we at our house take the calendar every year in the crash. Um, I think when we just think about like logically what kind of
information we have available, you know, I think we probably have a threemonth view that's pretty solid and anything more than that is completely not solid. As the chair of the natural area committee, every November I'm asked for what our meeting schedule is and I was
like, well, when we learn who our members are in January and then talk to them about what their availability is, we'll set our meeting schedule. So, um there's just a lot that's uncertain. Um I really like what uh I think as a user it's better to get one informative thing
than lots of things every day. And I really like the focus now has like two or three months of the calendar at the end. And I think that's great. So like if someone wanted to print those out at their house, they could. Um and then they could have a link to the whole year
and there is still good stuff in that whole year. Like from the business association point of view, we've talked about it would be nice to know like when the sidewalk sale is or when there's a library event, maybe the bookstore wants to do a co-promotion. Um, so like the
short view but linked to the long view I think could be very useful for everybody. >> Great. Thank you for making >> Thank you. >> Oh, I I didn't want to Susan O'Brien 875 road. I see that you're um doing a bond ordinance for
improvements to Cambridge an Avenue and I was riding down Tower Hill Avenue in Redbank and I saw their permit only parking signs and I thought can you include something like that for the Cambridge
Avenue because they're having so much trouble with the high school. >> We can but we won't. uh we just don't have the resources in town to run a parking authority. It's just not from from a cost standpoint, from a staffing standpoint. We we have discussed the last week and I actually had a
conversation um today with one council person about um another idea that we're considering that we think might be very impactful. Um but we're going to have to balance the impact it has on the residents as well. And that's the challenging part. >> Yeah. And Susan, just one thing with Red
Bank. Red Bank has an advantage. They do have parking authority. Um, again, don't quote me on that, but most of what Red Bank's parking authority is funded by is the U metered parking throughout the municipality. So, it's easy for them to have those employees that handle that enforcement handle permit parking as
well. Um, not having a parking authority, you know, would be it'd be hard for us to do that. >> Have to be, but don't rule it out because they're having such a difficult time there. Unfortunately, not every resident wants
to have parking permits or some some people >> has that even been broached by them. >> Which part? The parking permits. We discussed this at like five meetings with them. I was very clear uh specifically the last meeting of last
year where I I was very clear that it's not something that we're considering and that hasn't changed. >> Okay. But there has been no solution for that. >> We're working on a solution. >> Okay.
>> We continue to work on a solution. We we we understand it's an issue. >> Um and uh it's an important issue to us as well and we're trying to find the right way to handle it. >> Okay. >> Handle the issue. >> Thank you, Susan. >> Stay tuned.
Anyone else? Alson have eight attendees but no hands up. >> Thank you. Next up is approval of minutes February 23rd 2026 regular meeting by the motion. >> Second >> als please have a roll call.
>> Council members Cole. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Rip. >> Yes. >> H. >> Yes. >> Mi. >> Yes. >> Olen. >> Yes. >> Okay. Up next old business hearing and adoption of ordinances. We're going to start with 2026- year4 bond ordinance
reintroduction and improvements to Cambridge Avenue. I have a motion to open second. >> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? No having anyone in the public on this. Anyone on Zoom?
>> No, sir. >> I have a motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? I have a motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Second. Alison, may I please have a roll call? >> Council members, >> yes. Demon, >> yes.
>> Griffin, >> yes. >> Cotch, yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next up is 2026-05, replace affordable housing code 30-15 in its entirety. I have a motion open. >> Motion. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Anyone up here have anything on this? Anyone in the public have any? Anyone on Zoom? Anything on this? I have a motion to close motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Anyone opposed? I have a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Also, may I please have a roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. Griffin, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you. Next up is 2026-06.
Amend ordinance for affordable housing overlay AH-5. Methodist Church. That motion open. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? >> Anyone up here have anything on this? >> Anyone in the public have anything on
this? Anyone on Zoom have anything? >> No. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Motion to approve. Motion. >> Second. >> Alison, may I please have a roll call? >> Cole, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Rip.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Selei. >> Yes. Also, >> yes. Thank you. Next up, 2026-07, amend table AHO, subsection 30-5.1 for affordable housing. Do I have a motion to open? >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Anyone opposed? Anyone up here have any points? Anyone in the public have any? Anything on Zoom? >> No, sir. >> Have a motion to close. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? I have a motion to approve. Motion
>> second. >> Alison, may I please have a roll call? >> Council members, >> yes. Selling, >> yes. Griffin, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Olson, >> yes. Next up, uh, new business, introduction of ordinances, 1226-08,
cola index rate ordinance. Uh, anyone have any before I ask for a motion? Good. A motion to approve. >> Second. Alison, I please have a roll call. >> Paul, yes. Pet, yes. Griffin, >> yes.
Yes. Yes. Off. >> Yes. Okay. Uh, next up is the consent agenda. We're talking 2026-072 through 075 and then 078 through 081.
I'm separating 76 and 77. Um, let's just start with if no one has to separate any of the ones I listed. Anyone have to separate any of the ones I listed? So if that's so um you know
>> yeah make a motion to approve that and then we'll move on. >> Make a motion to uh adopt the uh consent agenda >> through 75 >> through 7 2026-075 >> and then and then also 783 >> and then also 2026-7
078 through 081. >> Uh just a second. Second. >> Alison, may I please have a roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Griffin, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> False. >> Yes. Thank you. We're starting with 2026-076. Um, is discussion wanted or just a separate vote? >> The separate vote. Someone have a motion? I mean, I I guess I'll just say
one thing is that um you know, I do think that it's very important that we have people show up for our our amazing positions. These are really important roles. They're making very important decisions. So, I definitely agree with that. Um it's also very important that we support our volunteers and we're lucky to have so many volunteers who run
this town. >> Well said. I have a motion to approve that motion. >> Second. Alison, might I please have a roll call. >> Bear with me. Councilman, >> yes. >> Abstain.
>> Griffin, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mi also. >> Yes. Thank you. Next up is 2026-077. Any discussion needed or just a vote? No discussions needed. Someone have a motion. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Allison, may I please have a roll call? Council >> members call. >> Yes. Dean, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you. Next up is Department of
Reports January 2026 Police Department February 2046 municipal clerk dog license. I have a motion to accept with the thank you. >> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? >> Also, >> next up is go to the burrow. Please stand and identify yourself by clearly
stating your name and address for the record. Please observe a time limit of three minutes anyway. We'll go to the borrow. I do, but I'm going to wait. >> I do. But why don't you go first? >> So, first I have a question for Administrator York. Yes. Uh the I think
we texted today about the pickup for the the storm, the branches. That's March 22nd. >> March 22nd. Correct. Um, DPW will be out um picking up all the storm debris starting on March 22nd. Um, if you do need to put it out a little bit ahead of time, that's fine. Um, but I wouldn't
put it out anytime before the week of the 16th. >> So, I had a a meeting with DBW director Nick Binsky. He's aware of it. Um, but again, it's this is for storm debris brush only. >> And then when March 22, >> March 22nd, we'll begin pickup. Yes. So,
make sure we play March 26. Is it meant to be Sunday? >> Uh, whatever the Monday is. >> I mean, >> 23rd. >> 23rd, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, 23rd, >> you can start putting, it has on the calendar, you can start putting it out on the 22nd, the day before. Um,
however, if you need a couple extra days ahead of time, we're fine with that. We're not going to be giving out some a couple extra days before, but just do not put it out before week of the 16th. >> I just want to make sure if we could communicate that specifically would be >> Yeah, we have it on the calendar. Um, so it is marked as a regular scheduled
pickup on the calendar. So nothing's changed there. So it actually worked out well. It's not a special pickup. It's what the scheduled pickup would be. >> But we're going to send the reminder out during the week. >> Yes. >> So second item is some of you may know
that the bureau issued bonds last week market. Um, and I want to shout out the mayor, the bur administrator, CFO Britain, the finance committee. Um, we had a couple of different ways to issue the bonds. There's a couple of different
choices that you decide based on facts and circumstances. Uh, and the path that we picked as opposed to the alternative by my calculations say there's $1.2 million. And I just want the the residents to know that the staff and the governing body, the finance committee um
really had taxpayers interest at heart and I think made a great team. >> So credit goes to I guess Heather Lower as well. us. Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. Heather Lar did a great job and also thank you to Brian as well because Brian did start this journey as a member in finance committee last year. Um so he
handed the torch to um our new chair Michael and also our co-chair Councilman Cole as well. Um so it was a really great team effort and um and looking at the rate. Do you want to say the rate guy? You want me to say it? >> I know what it is. I don't remember. >> It was so it was 3.44%. And just denied prime I think is still
what 6.75. So uh you know to get a percentage you know almost half a prime is pretty good. >> Yeah we had I think 13 or 16 banks fighting for >> dictine register 13 fought for it all within nine basis points. >> Why would you say our surplus contributed to that favorable outcome?
>> Absolutely. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Which contributed to our bond rating? >> Uh isn't pretty good on debt too. >> Yes. Sorry that >> um I just want to uh thank everyone um
who attended who contributed over the years. Habitat for Humanity uh we attended an event this week. Uh we welcomed a beautiful young family into our community. Um just a great story and a great um
situation all around. We're very happy with the result and uh we were able to add two affordable units to our community. Um thank you guys I won't say much about it but you see the fences are around the snowco site again that should
be a good thing coming there as well. Um and then uh two other things I just it was on the consent agenda and I just want to make sure that um I publicly uh reference Steven Schneider and his contributions to our community. um he
spent a lot of years in Fair Haven and I thought he was a fantastic um uh attribute to the safety and uh contributions that the Fair Haven Police Department bring to us on a daily basis
and um you know we're we're uh excited for his future in retirement, but we also miss him. We do a very good job. So >> wonderful. >> Um and then my last thing uh this one hits a little close to home. will maybe grab that. The RFH boys basketball team
won the group two sectional state tournament on Friday. They play again tomorrow at a neutral site in Monroe. Um if they win tomorrow, it's the most successful RFH basketball team in history. Wow, >> which is pretty.
>> That's cool. >> Well, mine isn't as exciting, but it's still fun. Um there's a tree pruning uh workshop at community center on Thursday run by the shade tree commission and I think it would be I mean I know I can use that. So anyone who's looking how to
prune trees properly it's part of an ongoing series that the EC and the green team and the shade tree are all doing to help kind of educate us with very helpful knowledge. It's the 12th. >> There's also you just reminded me. >> Isn't there a uh Third Street Trail? We
know. >> Oh, there is there. That's a good one. Third Street Trail is Sunday at 10 to 1, I think. >> 10 to 1. >> Yeah, 10 to 1. So, Third Street Trail. >> So, yeah. So, if you want to volunteer, >> supposed to be I think pretty nice. 11. What time is the pruning? The pruning is
at 12. >> Ferguson Park. Um, this you may not be able to answer this tonight. That would be fine. But I and some other people were appointed to the downtown district committee last year and we had two meetings, but then we haven't heard anything since then. and
also from the business association that was presented to us as a way to work with the burrow to kind of make things a little better or easier for businesses to succeed in town. So I'm just wondering if there's a status on what's going on with that.
>> So I give you an update. So uh Councilman Olsson and I um had a discussion uh about that actually today hex back and forth. Um we are working to on a lot of the recommendations that came out of both the downtown and also the land use. Uh working on a preparatory document. As soon as that is
uh done to fix a lot of those changes, we're going to set up another meeting. I would assume probably sometime in April. >> Yeah, I don't really recall recommendations from the downtown committee. I mean the business association presented I think too but
>> yeah these recommendations are what the burough staff would recommend to clean things up and then we'll circulate it and and try to talk. It's not not a done deal. It's just to sort of get things something to look at. Um what what I my frustration is not the right word but
what what I detected in the process is there's a lot of time spent talking about what a problem is and what I was trying to do is steer us towards what are some solutions just to get them down in pencil and then we can tweak the solutions. Um because it seems like we
just kept talking about this this thing needs to change that needs to change. Now we're trying to steer it to solutions. Get something on the paper pencil, right? >> It's not not in pen by any means. >> One of the suggestions that the business association shared, which we've been sharing for years, is to separate that
uh zoning permit application into two versions. Currently, there's one form that you fill out whether you're building a whole new building or just changing an air conditioning unit. So it's very hard to answer the questions correctly. It's very hard to provide the
correct list of documents. Um some of that cost people a lot of money and time which makes it very challenging for people trying to open new businesses. Um so the business association has you know does have a long list and we've been
trying to work with the burough for 8 to 10 years of things and we did take the approach saying we're not going to fix everything overnight. let's just do one or two things. Um, and we've even talked about the fact that even one or two things, if we could
publicize those and say, "Hey everybody, look, improvements were made." Like just one thing if we could get to people would be huge because there's been a long period of it being difficult um for business owners. So, we really want to partner with you to have some success
and we don't care if it's the littlest thing on earth. like um I think you know somebody told me at one point um like a change had been made. I think uh Rich was going to have office hours. I was like well tell everyone that like let's celebrate it. Let's let people know get
the sense that we're working for them. >> Um so we're really eager to participate and it doesn't need to be on the downtown district committee. Like first of all I think we were assigned to a committee. we should get some feedback about is it done,
is it not happening, is it happening um and if it's not happening then that business association would like to find another path to try to you know collaborate. So, so even just to add a couple things. I know even when I came here almost two years ago now when Councilman Delli was on the the leazison
to the business association. I know we came to one of the meetings and I've been pushing for a long time to get an invite to a meeting and um and you had actually Michelle Bier had invited us to a meeting and I think there were a couple things on list. I know we had changed a few things at the beginning. So we we have made progress with the business association. We had made
progress and I can go back on my emails and find out exactly those things we did fix. um the the zoning application, those are things that both Councilman Nolson and I have been talking about how we can make things better. We are we are making progress and even going back to even the list we had the spreadsheet one
of the things we found even with our zoning permits and even with the businesses we do turn our applications down in quite a pretty record time. um take taking a look at what the time was. Again, I can't speak from before I was here, but I can speak from after, you know, we have made a lot of um improvements in our speed and even in
Rich's office office hours. I mean, Rich is down there constantly. We have people that come in all day long that come in and see Rich. So, he's there quite often. So, the you know, the the fair haven of before I got here is not the fair haven of today. And so, we have him making these things. We're there. We're
there to advocate for you. I mean, anything you need. And again, it's just a lot cleaner to have a preparatory document there so we can, you know, we can clean up the things are there rather than have a group session that, you know, we get a lot of problems if we don't make any progress. And I think that's what council was trying to do. Not to waste anybody's time, but to get
a preparatory document so we can make some progress forward. I hope that helps. >> Chris, can I say something? Yeah. I I believe it was at the last downtown district meeting that um Rich gave us a handout. y >> of the number of applications, what the
time frame was when and most of those applications were approved without just through your office. So I I thought that that that was a good sign. But I also think what would be helpful based listening to Carolyn is not so much that
Rich is available in his office, but that people know that Rich will be in his office on Tuesdays from 3 to 5 so that they don't come here and he's busy doing something else. >> But if if Rich had a specific time set
aside to meet with residents, I think that would be helpful. >> Yep. >> We can communicate that maybe in one of the buzz or something. Yeah, we can put that out in the buzz. >> Yeah, we we had we had some times on the website. We could put that out in the buzz and let people know as well. Um, one of the again,
>> initially we had thought, you know, we'd have office hours, you know, from maybe two days a week on different times. Um, I've actually found there's been since since Rich is back in this building and out the other building, there's been such an overwhelming response for people to see Rich. I think he should start signing eight and a half by 10s pretty soon, but there's a line of people that
want to see him and talk to him. So, um, Rich has been here a lot more, so I didn't want to narrow it down that it looks like he's only available then. So, um, he's been available quite a bit and people have been walking down. So, but we can do that as well. >> Could be by appointment or >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Open particular times, but it's helpful to know that you will be here at specific time. >> I just wanted to touch on one thing related to this and I'm glad there's some movement. Um the you touched on the land use committee's work and I know there were a number of things particular
of particular importance to the business district. One had to do with the possibility of developing design guidelines and the other one had to do with um of course there's a land use regulatory comb through that probably needs to be done and there being one of the B2
will get rich soon. Yeah. And there was a third thing. It's just escaped my mind. But a lot of it, this is the right time to do some of that stuff because with the master plan underway, this is, you know, those goals will get set and then that next layer on board. But to do the consensus building now will tee us
up well. Absolutely. Able to take the next steps right away without losing a lot of time. >> Great points. >> And I would suggest that when there are improvements like the FHBA, we're we're begging to collaborate. If you send it to us, you see our emails. We'll send
them out to everybody, but our business owners don't live in town. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I don't think they're getting the buzz. So, you know, please use the communication channel that we have in addition to whatever else. >> And if you have a list of emails for them if you want to just send me a
document, I can have Betty input that into her database for the buzz so that they're getting the focus, they're getting the buzz, they're getting those announcements as well. You don't you don't have to res be on there. >> We have it on our website. >> Yeah. So, but we can So, >> okay. >> You're saying the emails are available. >> Yeah.
>> For every business owner. Yeah. Okay. >> Send me that link. Um, so I have and I'll have that in and put those all in tomorrow when she's back to work. >> And I I know people are making this uh comment about the applications are getting reviewed in a timely manner, but
that's also required by law, right? >> No, what we were saying was they're actually being reviewed faster than what's required by law. when we when we had that spreadsheet and I know um coun counciloman cotch was there councilman Olson was there via phone um I know his spreadsheet when we actually went there and Todd Leer had actually pointed it
out you know from the municipal land use law they're actually being done faster than what's required by law so we're not we're not just doing what the you know the minimum is we're trying to provide a better service than what you would get somewhere else and that's something that we again something I've strived to do since I got here and you know I have a
phenomenal staff that can get that done so >> I think what's required by law 10 days. >> That's for zoning, but the other thing is all the other prior approvals. So, we also assist with all of that other stuff. Whether they have to go to agency, whether they have to get another permit from another agency, whether they
have to see someone at Shade Tree Commission, we're we're guiding them and it's all day. >> Okay. Yeah. >> But I think the list we saw was the approval. So, the requirement is to >> No, it's both. It had both. I can send that to you again. And correct me if I'm
wrong, but the I think the vast majority were approved. I want to say 70 80%. There was a question about um are people um >> walking away from it >> or not understanding the process and they're not able to get approved. So it's the speed and then the ability to
get it approved. And the data to me at least that day suggest that they were getting through. Maybe it's a pull your hair out frustration to get it through. I don't know. But they were getting through. >> Yeah, that's important. There's a couple factors. Sometimes the application come in comes in, it's incomplete. We're
missing information about the business, the number of employees, the hours of operation, all that stuff. So, we work through that process. The other piece with with what you mentioned, if if something doesn't fall under what's considered exemptive element, which is an administrative approval, we will work
with that applicant to guide them and say, "Listen, if you do this many square feet, you don't exceed parking. You don't need to go to a planning board if we can handle this internally. So, and we also we call our architects, we call our engineers, we're we're working the
phones all day with not just the applicant but also their professionals. >> Yeah. >> And we also and we also increase and we increase the staff in that office too. It used to be two people, you know, a year ago, next month. >> So, back in the day, they used to
require signage become be part of the approval for the use. We bifurcated that so we can get them in the business, get them in the building, get them open for business, and then we'll deal with their signage because if you're in historic district, you have to go for HBC. So, we
separate a lot of that, too. We did mention that at those meetings, and that's helped streamline the process, >> right? We like I said, the our feedback has always been is that our business owners are truly small. They've never owned businesses before and they do not
understand the processes and we go to the website, we look for instructions. Um, like we go to Little Silvers and we see clearer instructions. It it presents a page that's like if you're putting up if you're a new business come to town, you do this. You fill out these forms.
If you do if you ask about something else, you get a different page that's like to do a fence or whatever it is. Here's all your information. This is what you provide. So there's like specific instructions for each thing, but our consistent message has been is that our business owners do not
understand the process. >> But we did a cleanup um not that you believe, but we did a clean up of our website. There was a lot of um information was on there that was dated. Um we have we did a cleanup since then. Um we plan on restructuring a good portion of our website as well with the
upgrade civic the new Civic Plus upgrade and changing layout, but there was a lot of information on there was obsolete that I had pulled off to the arch. So um so there's a lot of clean up that has been done as of those recommendations. I appreciate that feedback. >> Good. And when there is changes and improvements, if you could talk with us,
we will spread the word to the other people, you know, and we do help each other. We have structures to help each other. Like that's the way to get the word out. And like I said, we're eager to spread good news of >> um steps being taken to help the business community.
>> Yeah, we're going to need your feedback. I think this is sort of the next step and then we'll get feedback at the committee, feedback from business association, try to call something together. >> The other piece of it which I'll mention off of our last meeting which was I believe December
late last year >> we had um I assisted but I had one of the staff members we went out in the field and we inventory every single business. We have we took the administrative. We have everything logged in. We looked
at the business, the owner of the business, the address, the location, um the use. We categorize, you have all the updated data. I think that was one of the pieces we were missing is you have some information on your
website. We have some information. You had mentioned that there's a lot of businesses out there that don't have zoning permits. where we went out and, you know, went to every door and every address throughout the entire burrow for
businesses and that list. >> It was like purpose like for >> purposes and just to have an accurate list because the the comment came up that >> nobody knows they needed a zoning permit
or it was something along those lines. So, we want to be we we're comparing the data with the zoning permits we have on file, what the approved use was, the information we have on file at the administration office because we do have >> for compliance.
>> Are you looking for non-complian? >> We're just right now comparing. We're not looking for compliance. We're not looking for any of that. We're just comparing information. And one of the things when we had the when we had the meeting that you were at Carolyn actually I thought was was surprising to me was that FH only about a little over
a third of the businesses in Fair Haven belong to the FHBA. There's a good majority of them are not members. So you know that was concerning to both Rich and I because FHBA doesn't provide a full extensive list of what all the businesses that are represented. We always
>> been very clear about that. >> Right. No, I know that. we I didn't realize the the fact that it was as as as low of a number as it was. So, it was incumbent upon us to actually to have our own database that that was reflective of all the businesses that we have here in town. Um because whether they're members of FHBA or not, you
know, we have an obligation to make sure that they had the, you know, they get information from us and you know, um and you know, that we reach out if there are any needs they have. So, that was a lot of the uh the purpose and the genesis of that the beginning. >> Good. Yeah. I I've never heard anything about this,
which is fine, but I haven't heard any other business owners mentioning that they were in touch with you or give information or if you could do it. >> That's more of a walking by >> either through Google Street getting more, you know, going next door to see
what tenants are are in there and that type of >> collecting information. >> Okay. Yeah. And that was when Chris, when you guys came to the FHBA meeting, we suggested a listening meeting with the burrow so that we could catch all the businesses. The FHBA does have 70
member businesses, which we find we think is quite remarkable. Um, we believe there's about 150 businesses in town. Um, but we we don't think there's anything like this in any nearby towns. So, the committee, is it still on or? Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Great. Thank you very much. Thank you. here. >> Anyone else? Her world. >> No one has got their hand up. >> Okay. With that being said, we're going to move towards adjournment. Time is 8:06 p.m. I have a motion. So move.
>> Second. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Good night. Fair.