didn't want to go tomorrow. So now we're going to end up Tuesday night. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. So, welcome and uh welcome to the regular meeting of the mayor and Burke council. Today is Monday, November 17th, 2025, and it's
700 p.m. Um, I'd like to call the meeting to order, and we would like to read the Open Public Meetings Act by our uh burrow clerk. This meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of the meeting was sent to the Union County Hawk, now known as the Leader,
Westfield, New Jersey. The Courier News, Bridgewater, New Jersey, the Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey, the Union County Local Source, Union, New Jersey, and the Alternate Press, Tap into.net. In addition, copies of the notice were posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and filed in the
office of the burough clerk. Notices on the bulletin board have remained continuously posted. Proper notice having been given, the burough clerk is directed to include this statement in the minutes of this meeting. >> Thank you. For everyone that's here, would you please rise for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence?
>> 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. And I would say as we head into the holiday season and coming just off of a government shutdown where
we saw people who relied on federal benefits really put in a really bad way, it was uh really really wonderful that the community came together with respect to food and we unfortunately live in a society where people are going hungry.
So I want us to remember those people in need. Remember that we have a family wellness fridge here at Burough Hall. Remember the food pantries and the food banks and remember to check on our neighbors as we head into the holiday season. Thank you. >> May we have a roll call, please?
>> Council President Patricia Walsh >> here. >> Jeffrey Banks, Gina Barry >> here. >> Anthony Carter. >> Aaron Mroy Barker >> here. >> Katherine Mitchell >> here. >> Mayor Mahar >> here. Um we have we're going to start tonight off with a presentation. I'd
like to call for Lieutenant Dan CR. >> Good evening everybody. >> Good evening. >> Um, so I have to be limited. I have to be at the MirV in 20 minutes to do a fraud presentation. >> Oh. >> Um, so I can't stay long, >> but I believe we have come to the best
plan we can we can configure. Uh, I've been meeting with the town attorney and the burough administrator, Liz Jeffrey, and some other uh, stakeholders involved, and I think we've come to
um, a good compromise as far as overhauling not only the entire ordinance that um, speaks on traffic and parking laws in town, but specifically lot nine, which is the new name for the
the lot behind the bagel shop. I call it the bagel shop lot. I'm always going to call it that. But uh we are officially calling it lot nine as well as all the other burrow lots in town. There's 10 altogether. We've labeled them lot one to lot 10. So you know I'm I'm here to
answer some questions. I don't have an updated PowerPoint for you because like I said I honestly don't have time tonight to do a full presentation. But >> Right. So knowing that your time is limited but Jesse and Russ you worked on this right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So I think that if you want to
maybe just spend the time that you have because we have this on with maybe because we are live and we you know was our last meeting I don't think we were um it was a work session and maybe just give us some of the highlights you know the whole thing but you can
>> Sure. So like I said um the the overall change involved uh changing the name of all the lots. So, like I said, it's lot one is Forest Road Park lot all the way to lot 10, which is the um small lot on Marian Avenue attached to Lrand Park.
But lot nine um because it's a uh for lack of a better term, it's it's like a Mad Max movie. There's no law back there. Um it's just it we haven't been able to enforce it since COVID. So now we over the last couple years we've really taken the time to figure out all
the involved parties the best way we can um create rules back there to enforce. So I'll start with the the smaller uh change. So there's two rows of parking spaces directly behind the shops. So you're talking the ones
adjacent where where you park if you want to go to the bagel shop or um >> the tie place, whatever. So there's that row and then the row attached to like Kesler, so that the the spaces closest to the businesses. The proposal is to
essentially make that 2-hour parking from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and then no parking 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Now, the 2-hour parking would be Monday to Friday only. The no parking 11p to 5A is 7 days
a week. There's a few reasons for that. Um there's some DPW concerns about clearing uh the lot for uh during snow season as well as um other DPW issues and fire
department. Uh whether that entire row stays as a essentially a one-story complex or eventually it becomes a four or five story, we need to have those spaces cleared in the middle of the night uh for fire department response. So that's the smaller um of the changes
back there. So it's you're talking about 30 spots that would be for uh which are meant for transient business customers, right? So if you want to go to the bagel shop, you don't have to park at the far end and and walk 15 minutes. Um, and
then the rest of it, uh, where you're talking that the the main part of the lot, you're talking about 170, 180 spaces, those are going to be permitted based on the 2010, 2009, 2010 agreement between the burrow
and elite properties, which essentially distributes parking permits uh, at no cost to the residents of three specific buildings. 246 South A, 250 South A, and 233 L Grand A. Uh, it's essentially you get a
permit per bedroom for the parking lot. So, you have a twobedroom, you get two free permits for the lot. Um, as far as merchant parking, we will um essentially go off of the last time we
distributed merchant permits. So each business that's affected will get a certain amount of permits for the lot similar to resident uh residential buildings there. Um and we also will offer especially for the bigger
businesses the dental office monks um Jessica's where you may have 10 15 people a day coming in with cars they can pay for additional permits where you can park on the street which >> do they do that now? >> I'm sorry. >> Do they do that now? uh pretty much
everybody parks in the lot now. So, um they'll be able to park with that permit on parts of the Grand Avenue and Second Street, which is typically 2-hour parking, but if you have the applicable permit, um the two-hour parking doesn't apply to you. Also, with the train
station being free at noon until 5:00 am essentially, I think that that gives enough uh gives enough options for the businesses, you know, especially yep, >> you know, uh businesses that are open during the day, they can buy the permits. Jessica's cafe, you know,
primarily they don't start rocking until around noon. So, those um employees can park in the train station lot. So, I think we've come to a pretty good compromise. Uh, Liz Jeffrey is going to be speaking with the the businesses and
kind of get them on board and say, "This is why we're doing it. This is how we're going to do it." It'll pretty much be rolled out by the police department, similar to the how we distribute train station permits. And uh, and that's about it. That that's that's the 100 pages of ordinance
changes in about a five minute speech. So, I can take a couple questions if anybody has any. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> I just want to thank you and Ross and Jesse. I know that this uh has been many months in the making and um I'm I'm glad
we're going to have some order and some reliability for residents and merchants and customers. So, I don't have any questions. >> Right. So, so basically, um the name changes were a big part of this, right? So uniformity going to the name changes
for going forward. >> Yep. >> Um designating there. A lot of it stayed some of it stayed the same. Right. There's a lot of stuff that did not get touched. Right. >> Correct. Oh yeah. >> Turning but it's all wrapped up into one large
massive ordinance here. >> And then I think you said Dan there'd be all new signage at some point. >> Yes. Yes. Once we figure out and you know after today of course any questions, concerns we still want to work out any issues you know you appear
may have or if any of the residents have concerns once we've finally figured it out. We'll do we'll do signage. We're not going to enforce anything number one until there's until there's adequate signage. And even with the signage we're going to be doing a heavy
overcommunication of the new rules. It'll involve social media, uh the townwide eblasts, our Everbridge texts, um putting notes on people's cars as a reminder, uh and eventually we will start enforcing it, but it's it I think
it's only fair because it's been a lawless land for a couple years to explain what the rules are. >> Um >> well, that's where the lawlessness is, >> right? lawlessness is is a bit extreme, but but >> so and so part of the reason why we're doing this is because it's an ordinance
and it takes two readings. >> So, we really want to try to get this done so that starting in the new year, right, we can actually start to implement this um because if we wait any longer, we're just going to have to push it into January anyway and then it's like April or May and there's just no
need to do that. >> Okay, any other questions? Councilman Carter, I saw you come in. You want to come and join us? >> No, it's okay. >> Come on up. >> So, so, so we're going to uh introduce this a little later on tonight, >> right?
>> Yeah. Just just one thing. Um, Lieutenant CR, you also want to speak to the change on Hendrick Street effects traffic? >> Sure. Yes. the the one other change and and originally we went into this just to focus on lot 9 and then when we started sitting down on a bi-weekly basis we
realized the the overall ordinance chapter 280 is just the verbiage for different lots and it >> it needed to be uh organized better. So that's where this all came about. So Hendrick Street uh which many people don't know is a street in Fanwood because I think there's one house on it.
Um, we are making that essentially one side of the street is no parking during school days. And if you know that intersection or that street, it's between Montrose and Pleasant >> and people park curb to curb >> and it is very hard if you're making a
turn or god forbid a kid on a bike or or walking. It just it's very dangerous. So, we've actually had temporary >> no parking school days and it's been working great. Um but we want to make it official and get permanent signage up there. It has been working great. Um but
uh that you know some of the residents in the area brought that concern to us and uh I I you know Sergeant Bakola who's our traffic unit monitors that and we all agree that that's that's a good um move to stop parking from 8 to four school days.
>> Perfect. Anything else we should be aware of that >> I think that covers most. >> Okay. Well, good job. us and Jesse and Dan. Thank you. >> Yeah, I apologize. I can't say later. >> That's all right. Tell our seniors you say we say hello. >> We'll do. We'll do. >> Good night.
>> Okay. So, next we're going to have a uh a presentation and I'd like to call forward any members of our green team. And as they are making uh their way here, um I want to publicly just recognize um all the good work that our green team
is doing. Yes. Yes. Yes. That's why you're here. >> That's why you're here. >> Great. and um Councilwoman uh Kathy um Mitchell for first of all I need to uh just say congratulations and you know on your reelection
>> YES Kathy Kathy is our longest serving ever council person with this election how many years >> I think it's the eighth >> the eighth term and each term is three years
>> so right so thank you and to Gina congratulations and we'll WELCOME YOU BACK UP. SO, um I want to say probably less than 10 years ago, we uh Fanwood
really wanted to become a sustainable community and um and it was something that was important to us because what what we think about the environment and there is a program called sustainable New Jersey that actually lays this path
out on how one community whether it's a school or local government can actually become certified um on different levels. And that's kind of where our journey started. Um and it is not an easy process. Um and it's a very long process
and it's all based on points and it's reviewed and it really um is something that you have to truly embrace. And we started the journey out and we were fortunate that we started with a couple interns from college, right? that, you know, gave us a little time. And like
anything else, we are a small burrow um that has a small staff that wear many hats and one of those hats really started to kind of fall through the cracks with our sustain sustainability there. And then all of a sudden, you know, we had a green team and then this
green team is just percolated into all of this loveliness here. um and they are doing such fabulous things um and have so much energy um and are reaping statewide recognition and I hope you're
going to talk a little bit about that um where they recently uh just won an award and then tomorrow we'll be together some of us in Atlantic City down at the League of Municipalities at the sustainability lunchon where we receive our certification and I'm so glad that we can all be together. So, um, but
they're here today to kind of talk their next about their newest, um, campaign called Skip the Stuff. And one of the things that I think that sets this green team out from many, um, around is your focus on things that people can relate
to. So whether it's collecting the jeans, right, and making sure that they just don't go into the garbage or we can actually reuse them in different ways. the socks. Love the collection of socks. Love the Legos. Love the crayons. Loved everything about it. And you did the the
best thing by finding our the local partners, you know, in the businesses who, you know, agree with your approach and becomes very easy for the community to participate. So, tonight they're here to talk about their newest in initiative that they want our community to focus
on. It's called um Skip the Stuff. So, please >> thank you so much, Mayor Mar. Um, thank you everybody and thank you so much to the green team. Um, I don't know if you have copies, but I just made a list of just some of our 2025 accomplishments. So, um, we do the
the green tips in the mayor's newsletter. So, I hopefully people are, you know, learning from that. U, we did a composting webinar. We were president clean communities day that the collections that you just um mentioned. We did a very successful sports
equipment exchange that I mean it was just like thousands of items um going to people in need. Um and then we recently won the New Jersey Department award for our nontraditional recycling efforts. So that was really gratifying. So you know yeah we're like this little town and we
won this award throughout the whole state. So hopefully that's displayed >> um proudly. And then of course the the sustainable jersey reertification for bronze status. So that's what we're going to be celebrating tomorrow. And then and then we also did the walk with the mayor. So I know some of you were
there for that. So that's just some of the highlights for 2025. And then thinking ahead for 2026. You know, we really would like to build on the momentum that we have um this year. So we had talked about doing the adopted drain, kind of resurrecting that idea. Um we'd love to do a toy exchange uh in
the in the winter, another sports equipment exchange, of course the the family cares collection. So continue that. Um and then even just talking with Alex Loop, we were thinking about doing like a repair cafe, you know, and collaborating with Scott Planes. So you
know, I think in December, our meeting next month, we'll, you know, try and brainstorm and really come up with a plan for 2026. But I think there's, you know, good things to come. So thank you so much for the partnership. Um yes. So, I would like to talk about
um an item that I think is really important um within the community called skip the stuff. And I don't know if you're familiar with this concept, but I think we can all agree that single-use plastic and all the util the um unnecessary items that are provided by
our restaurants is really becoming very problematic. So much so that we're talking about billions of single-use plastic that's just, you know, polluting our environment. So, what can we do, what can we do as a local community to really
help address that and be um, you know, part of the solution. >> So, um, really we'd like to compel the eeries to provide the accessories um, for delivery only if the if the customer requests it. If you want a spoon with your soup, great, you can have it. But
if you don't want it, don't force it on me. I don't want the plastic spoon. Um, so really this the solution is to have this skip the skip the stuff program and it'll save the restaurants money. So it's really it's a win-win. So hopefully we can embrace this and allow it to
become, you know, fruition. Um, >> and isn't there a um some legislative >> Absolutely. >> Yes. or you know coming up. >> Yeah. So, a couple things. So, there's almost 30 um ordinances through
throughout the state. And when we think of Union County, uh Cranford, Garwood, and Westfield are already participating. Um they have the ordinances already established. And then, but I don't know how long it takes for something to get passed in New Jersey. Um I'm optimistic
with the new legislation, but you know, again, I don't like I'm not an expert on that, so I don't have no idea how long it takes. I don't know how long it would take for us to be able to put in place, but you know, our fur attorney here and Jesse can actually go get the
ordinances from our neighbors and um share that and just actually see what they are sort of legislating and how they are um talking about it. >> Yep. >> That would be the great there's 15 restaurants in in the the burrow. We've
approached 14 out of 15. So, um, as soon as you tell them it's going to save them money, like that, you know, they're receptive to that. You know, some of the Asian restaurants, there's a little bit of a barrier there, language barrier there. So, I don't know if they've like fully comprehended what we were trying
to um achieve, but I think they'll be on board with it. And so, you know, we as the green team, I think, can embrace this and really try and hold the restaurants accountable you with signage and just continuing to be, you know,
educating the community. But, um, yeah, overall like they thought it was great. And I do think, you know, depending upon the business, like Pinistro, for example, they need that nudge because they're reluctant to not provide those items, right, >> and not get a customer.
>> So, that's where You know, I think the ordinance will be helpful. >> So, if we could get your acceptance on that, great. >> That would be great. So, let's grab a nice picture while we're all here. This will be good. Um they're not at Ruckers on um well at
Ruckers >> the camera. >> All right team. >> Thank you for coming. >> Great job. Okay. Uh so next uh we have a proclamation uh
which actually um was recognizing Veterans Day which was uh last Tuesday which uh Councilwoman Barry and I had an opportunity to um attend. Um, and we want to thank um the American Legion Post 209 for actually organizing this
every year. And it's really um it's it's very nice. We were a um a small group, right? But we were nonetheless a group there. and people had um come out and uh laid the wreath and showed um what the
dedication and the courage looks like to our veterans and to always recognize um and thank them for things that they sacrificed for us here in the United States. Um let's see, moving on, we have a piece of correspondence, Jesse, on the
outcome. >> Yes. Um, so this was the first year we conducted a tax sale online. >> Um, >> so speak to premium versus >> the list that you have in front of you is the properties that were sold. Four
of them are are property tax and the other at least 10 15 more that were sewer sewer payments that were made. um a very successful online sale, something they have never done before, and it generated a great deal of premium
payments to the burrow. So once a bidder bids on a property, they start at um they bid on an interest rate and then they bid it down to zero. And once you bid it to zero, you start bidding on a premium and the borrow keeps that
premium in an interestbearing account for until it is either redeemed um or foreclosed upon. And if five years it is not redeemed or foreclosed upon, the bur gets to keep those funds. >> So regardless, we get the interest every
year until it is redeemed. Um, so that is beneficial to the bureau >> and and it worked well online. We've never done that. >> It wor it it worked well. It was a little hiccups here and there, but overall I would say it was definitely a success.
>> Great. So I guess that's the way we're going to go. >> Yes. >> From that one. >> I believe so. >> And is that cash that comes in at that moment? >> Yes. Um, so if you're going to bid, you put up like um like a security amount
and then on the day of the sale, if you win it, you have to make it whole on that day that the the sale goes through. >> Okay. And then if you didn't if you weren't a successful bidder, we return your your security, >> right? Okay. Perfect. All right. Thank
you. Um M moving on, we I'd like to have the motion to open the meeting to the public. So, >> so moved. >> Right. May I have a I have a second? >> I >> um All in favor? >> I I'd like to call forward any members of
the public that wish to come forward. If you come forward, please state your name and address for the record. 5 minutes. No yielding of time. Seeing that there isn't anyone that wishes to come forward, may I uh please have a motion to close this portion of the public hearing. We have another
public session public meeting a little later on. So move second. >> All in favor? I. >> All right. Next on the agenda is what we call a consent agenda where we determined that to increase efficiency here the consent agenda can be adopted with one resolution and the resolution
numbers that I will read um individually will make up that one resolution and they are resolutions uh 251199 through 251203. So under administration and finance we have resolution 20251199
authorizing the payment of claims for November 17 2025. Uh resolution 202511200 is establishing the official burrow holiday schedule for 2026. Resolution 2025 111201
which I want to get to because I want to make a comment on that is um resolution opposing S47 47 um 36 which is a Senate bill which we believe
through the League of Municipalities is actually infringing on local land use through zoning. Um so we are pushing back um against any proposal that actually would preempt the planning
process um without having us take that course here because they want to um yeah it bypasses local planning and it would actually increase density height regardless of our uh ability to ensure the safety of that project. So that is
uh resolution S436. Resolution 20251202 is awarding a contract to Prime Point for our payroll services, our time management and our human resources service. This will be a new vendor. And
public safety resolution 20251203 is implementing an increase as per the collective bargaining agreement for one of our um police officers which I'm trying to figure out what was this what what name was that?
Uh, >> Tim >> Tagay, right to step uh G of a patrolman. >> Um, and so may I have a motion to move that as one resolution. So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second.
>> May I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> affirm. >> Aaron Mroy Barker? >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell? Yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Councilwoman uh Marie Barker, you
have your introduction of your first reading of your ordinance. >> Yep. >> So, I call >> No, we need to go back to do the minutes. >> Oh, did I miss that? >> Approve the minutes. Number seven. >> Oh, yes, I did. Okay. Sorry. Um, we met
on November 3rd, 2025. That was our work session/aggenda meeting and we also had an executive session. So we have the minutes that were attached to your packet. So if there's no other comments or questions, can I have a motion to approve those minutes? >> So second. >> All in favor? I.
>> Thank you. Now we will go back to move on first reading and or uh the ordinance that we just actually were talking about. >> Right. So I move ordinance O-2025-14R. Um I call it up for first reading and request the title be read by the clerk.
An ordinance of the Burrow of Fanwood, County of Union and State of New Jersey, amending chapter 280 of the Burough Code regarding vehicles and traffic. I move that this ordinance be adopted on first reading and if adopted that the clerk advertise the ordinance as required by law that the second reading of said
ordinance be held at a public hearing at Burrow Hall Martin Avenue on December 1st. December 1st, 2020 at 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter as it can be heard. >> Okay. May I have a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. Our next ordinance that we're going to call up is um I think we should just talk about it for a second, right? Because this is a uh a new like a a new position. Um so what the police
department is doing is following um what the state uh allows for and what other departments have done around us where they have a auxiliary police unit. Um the auxiliary police unit allows volunteers to assist the police
department when it comes to things like traffic control, crowd control. Um and so what the burrow is doing is um allowing this because there may be uh someone who would be able to fit this profile that um would not be able to fit
within um you know other roles within the department. >> Right? >> So this creating a new unit but would not cost the bureau um any money in this particular role. >> Right. So, it's an auxiliary um police force is what it I guess they
technically um call it, but it's um it's governed by the police and the burrow. Okay, perfect. Um so, Councilwoman, >> so I call up ordinance O-2025-15R and request that uh it be read by the
clerk. An ordinance to the Burrow of Fanwood, County of Union and State of New Jersey, amending chapter 67 to provide for an auxiliary police force. >> I move that said ordinance be adopted on first reading and if adopted that the clerk advertise that the ordinance advertise the ordinance is required by
law and that the second reading of said ordinance be held at a public hearing at Burrow Hall, 75 North Martine Avenue, Fanwood on December 1st, 2020 at 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter as it can be heard. >> Okay, I have motion. I have a second. >> Second. May I have a roll call, please?
>> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks. Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> Erin Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Uh, Councilman Carter, you have one ordinance to move.
>> Okay. I introduce ordinance number O-20225-16-s and request that the title be read by the clerk. >> An ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 86 salaries and compensation and chapter 67 police department of the code
of the bureau of Fanwood. >> Thank you. I move that ordinance number O-20225-16-s be adopted on first reading and if adopted that the clerk advertise the ordinance as required by law and the
second reading of said ordinance be held at a public hearing at Burough Hall 75 North Martine Avenue Vanwood New Jersey on >> December 1st >> December 1st >> December 1st 2025
at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the magic can be heard. >> Okay. Thank you. I have a question. Does the does this have to be amended for the auxiliary? >> Um >> because I don't see it in here.
>> So the auxiliary is um those are volunteer positions. However, we did create a new title of crossing guard supervisor. Um and so this makes a couple minor adjustments to um some of the other titles and then also
establishes uh a new um stipen for crossing supervisor >> which would be aligned with that. >> Correct. >> And it also creates um which we had done by resolution earlier in the year but um establishes a stipen for OEM coordinator.
>> Ah right good. Okay thank you. So may I have a a second on that ordinance introduction? >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Um health. >> Okay. Um we have an ordinance for the health.
>> I call up for second reading ordinance number 0-2025-113R and request that the clerk having produced affidav affidavit of publication also read the ordinance by title. An ordinance of the Burrow of Fanwood, County of Union and State of
New Jersey, amending chapter 118 of the Burough Code regarding license fees for chickens. >> I move that a public hearing be held on set ordinance. >> May I have a uh second? >> Second. >> All in favor?
So this is the public portion if anyone wishes to have a question or a comment regarding this ordinance which was came to us from the health department um which has to do with licensing fees for chickens. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting to the public?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. Like to call forward any members? I move that said the ordinance be adopted on second reading and final passage and if adopted be published by law. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> I can't believe I'm the one who read that ordinance. >> You were meant to read it on the chicken. >> I saw spots for two years. >> Yes, I know. Yes, the chickens. Um,
okay. So that actually concludes our official business for this evening. Um we have no new business. We have no old carryover business. Um I see that our economic development uh downtown business leaison is here. Liz Jeffrey.
Liz, if you want to come forward. >> Hi everyone. I don't think I really have much to say since last meeting. Most of the things I reported on are still like in progress. So I just uh I'll be here just to answer any questions if you have any. But >> so I would take the time because the
last meeting I don't think we were on television. >> Oh, we were on air. Yeah. Oh. Oh, okay. No problem. Um so the last meeting I think I just mentioned where we were with the Soho, which is they were had rented and have occupied about uh 14 units. I'm imagining they're in the
neighborhood of 20 or 22 by now. uh at least because that was you know a few weeks ago. Um their buildout is happening for uh beam light therapy and for the hot yoga studios. Those seem to be progressing very nicely. Um as I
mentioned in previous meetings um we have a track record of current businesses wanting to do more in Fanwood. So, the uh Beam Light Therapy is owned by Karen and Ron Shovelin and uh so they they're endeavoring into a new business which is fun and exciting
and so we'll see how that moves along but I expect there's been no hiccups to date so I expect they'll be moving along fine and then they I don't think by Christmas but you know you never know. I know everyone always likes to shoot for the holidays for opening. I don't know how extensive their uh infrastructure
has to be for the beam light therapy, but they're moving as quickly as they can. Um 40 South is basically all the way full with their units. So, um you know, they're in place. You know, the rest of our businesses are doing fine. I did hear, though I'm not 100% sure, I
haven't seen any permits, that there may be a little coffee um a coffee uh small coffee space. I wouldn't even call it like a full-on like restaurant, but a coffee cafe, something small in the South Avenue, one of the South Avenue
spaces. So, I don't have any information on that yet, but um the owner who is the same owner as Houdini Pizza >> and Derby Road uh sent me a text from Florida >> and then I text him back like when give me the details and I didn't get that back. So, he must be enjoying warmer
weather than we're having. But, uh so I don't know. I'll update you, you know, when I can on that. But, uh we'll see if that comes to fruition. Fabios is moving along. >> You should have walked to Florida and met with >> Exactly. Urgent meeting. >> Yes. Um, Fabios is moving along. They've been, you know, working through their
permits and, um, I spoke to them just before I came into the meeting that they've got everything in place. They're doing some minor cover page revisions to the plans, but they will be moving forward to, uh, you know, concrete work and enough they'll go hopefully I would
expect probably nine months. Are are we doing anything or how are we going to promote small business Saturday because I realize that is >> Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving is upon us and um we do >> so we're just going to roll out what we usually do last year in the year you
know we rolled out PE promotion AMX used to do physical things uh years ago and then we sort of scraped together whatever we could um in in prior years so I mean basically we won't be promoting all of our local businesses some of them are offering specials Paul's is going to cover those special
in the there's something in the mayor's newsletter last week and then it'll be in the newsletter again. We >> Yeah, we probably should do a standalone eblast >> with their specials that would just target I think by the uh 19th, right? I asked them to submit their specials by
the 19th. Oh, great. And then we do a special blast that just only has the specials that are being offered all around. Um >> Okay. It's on the police sign, I think, at the station. And any anything that you can do to promote yourselves individually and if you happen to be
able to go downtown, I have my bag. >> I would love to share on social media. Mayor's got her great best bag ever, giant shop, small Saturday bag. Um, so if we're able to get downtown and do some promo down there that day, that's what we're we're going to be doing. >> Okay, great. Any questions?
>> I reached out to all the businesses for that. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um, Councilman Carter, would you like to update us on anything with the administration and finance standing committee? >> Yes. So, we met this past Thursday and our DH Jesse received a proposal
from Westville Regional Health Department for another 5-year contract. >> Our contract now is three years and uh it was in line and everyone was on board with it.
Do we have to prod do I'm sorry. Do we have to do that or does the board of health adopt that? >> Health officer is going to present it to the board at their December meeting. >> Okay. >> And then I recommend that we put it on for the December 15th. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Well, thank you. Uh you saw the resolution tonight, I believe, for our new payroll processor. >> Yes. after Jesse and our CFO a bunch of painstaking I guess research on our new payroll
provider and it's going to be fine fine point my colleagues on board with that as well looking at notes here spoke a little bit about retirey benefits but kind of still in the initial phases.
We talked about the J Garwood Joint Court and don't want to get ahead of oursel, but it's in the works and there's a lot of work being done there. Also, some things are still being patched out. So, keeping our fingers
crossed, I believe there should work fine. and police department contract is up December 31st. So there are negotiations that are going to take place there and we're going to have our next meeting on December 11th.
>> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um public safety. >> Yep. Um, so this is the police report for the month of October.
Fall has been very busy for the police. Um, we welcomed a new officer. Sorry. Okay, I'm going backwards. Okay, so the police helped with walk to school for school one on October 1st. Um the
the Fanwood PD, Fire and Rescue all helped significantly with the Fanwood 5K planning the route, making sure the route is covered, uh and making sure everybody was protected. So that was on, um October 19th. Um
uh they did a drunk driving simulation at Scotch Plains, um high school along with the Scotch Plains Police Department. Um, and they presided over the Halloween parade costume contest, which is also very important, on October
31st. Um, so we're very grateful for them. Um, they handled uh 1,211 calls for service, 39 on average per day, including 141 traffic enforcement details and 377
building security checks. Officers also conducted 91 park and walk details as well as responding to 45 medical calls and 18 alarms. Um during the month, 171 vehicles were stopped for traffic violations with a total of 274 summones
issued, 180 of those for moving violations and 94 for parking violations. Officers attended 24 training classes and there were five adult arrests during the month. Um and so that is it for the police for
October. >> Okay. Uh thank you. Uh rescue squad >> not here. You can report out at the next meeting. Uh fire department. >> Okay. Thank you. Um this is the month of October 2025.
Fire department. Um they responded to 29 calls for assistance which included motor vehicle accidents, structural fires, citizen assists, natural gas, residential elevator emergencies, water conditions, mutual aid, uh smoke
condition, appliance malfunction, um carbon monoxide, and some down wires. And they also assisted with the 5K um with the Halloween parade. And you know, our Fanwood Fire Department is always really whatever goes on in town, they're
there. So, um, they work with the police department and DPW on whatever is going on. On October 12th, um, at 8:10 p.m., the fire department was dispatched to the intersection of Lrand and Terrell Road for a serious motor vehicle
accident. One patient had to be extricated and transported to an area hospital and the other two were treated and released at the scene. Poor weather and visibility were a contributing factor. On October 31st at 9:59 p.m., the department was requested into
Planefield um for a standby assignment and then a few minutes later they were requested to the scene as the fire went to a second alarm. And um the call volume from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. this month was 19 and from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00
a.m. was 10. And there were no injuries reported during the month of October. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, moving on under public works. >> Yes. So, this is the public works. So, they do their recurring monthly activities, the litter patrol and
inspection and maintenance, um, garbage and recycling containers. They have been looking at signs in the burrow uh, that need to be repaired or, uh, new ones installed. And um they have uh removed
leaves and debris from storm drainage inlets before and after heavy rains so that the drainage would be better. Um and they are doing nighttime sweeping operations in the downtown business district.
Um they prepared all the polling locations for voting and they assisted our clerk throughout the day uh uh for the elections. They assisted during and after the Halloween event at Lrand. Um they picked up the light towers uh from
Union County. Um they picked up the donuts and cider from Melik's Farm for those events. Uh they installed veterans banners and they have started the annual leaf program um in the north and south
quadrants of the burrow. To date, most streets in the burrow have received two leaf pickups. Um, we want to remind residents not to mix in brush or branches with the leaves. Um, and please don't park within 20 ft of leaf piles.
Uh, also just see um yeah, they're about a third through the north quadrant now. And um this is starting the third pickup. So so far we completed two and this is starting the
third one. So that's good. Um they were on hand at the Veterans Day ceremony. Also um we had the 2025 bulk waste program. We sold 397 permits. Um, and we ended up
with a total revenue of $27,358.65, which was up from last year by about $3,000. One property maintenance violation was issu issued and the recycling center will be closed for the month of December due to leaf storage. It will reopen on
Saturday, January 3rd. And that's my report. >> Uh, thank you, uh, Councilwoman Barry. Yes. Um so the library um board library met last week
and for the month of October there was a total of 37 events adult programming that happened at the library with 40 446 attendees. um between those 35 events uh for
circulation there was a total of 6,194 items checked out during the month of October. Um there was also for the youth services program there was a collection of 109
items added to the juvenile collection and three items added to the youth adult collection. The volunteers, team volunteers, there was a total of 30 hours 30.5 hours given. Um programs for
the youth there was 33 youth services held during the month of October. 30 290 children or teens attended these events and 262 adults attended. Um there will be a um
a blood drive in January. Actually, it's going to be January 3rd, 2026 on a Saturday. Um, which will be conducted by the New Jersey Blood Services. So, mark your calendar. Um, there's also a
um hiphop artist um North Council member Depri Kelly that will be sharing his picture books during the family story time. And that event is going to happen Saturday, December the 6th.
Mayor, that is all for my reports. >> Okay. Um, thank you. Um, under historic preservation, >> thank you. Um, so today, this morning at 9:00 a.m., uh, Jesse met with, um, the historic preservation commission at the
train station with our architects for our new museum at the library. So they spent a lot of time at the train station looking over that and seeing what we have and then we've met um in the library. So that was a great meeting. Um
the Lego project is being discussed and we're going to get a date from the um from the schools uh to see where we can have that. Um four centuries weekend was a huge success. We have 154 visitors
which was up from last year. Um there's a new law from the governor requiring training for historical preservation committee members. Um so it's $250 for all the members on the HPC. So we'll have to see how we take
care of that. >> Is that something that we would just have them do and we'll pay for it? >> Is there a deadline when they have to do that? >> Um yes by I think it was January. No. >> Yeah. I'll I'll I'll get a date for that.
>> Courtney, you'll kind of I guess follow that just to make sure that our members >> Sure. >> Yeah. Um we uh are getting a sign for the carriage house which will be donated by the Fanwood Foundation, a new sign. Um there was a private tour of the museum
on October 9th by the Westfield Garden Club uh for the Westfield Garden Club. Um and they seem to enjoy that a lot. Um I think that is about it. Oh, the other thing was I wanted to just again say
thank you so much to Sally Drews and her family for this picture from 1874 of the train station and the um historic preservation committee. I think we're going to try to get maybe a larger one that would be um put in the new museum.
>> Beautiful. So, I think that's it. Anything on the environmental commission you wish to share? >> No, thank you. Okay, Councilwoman Mitchell, we kind of heard about the green team. >> Okay, I if you were here earlier, um you saw the presentation about the the uh
our green team. Um, I'm thinking that maybe so many people in Van don't even realize that we do have a green team, but they are being honored tomorrow at the league municipalities for their great work here in Fanwood um for things
that they have been recycling that are not mandatory. And I think if you uh you know they've collected socks and various things and uh their newest project is skip the stuff which um if you go to the food
places in town and they just automatically give you a spoon or a fork or whatever plastic material, you can opt out to say, you know, I don't need that. But if you need it, of course, they will give it to you. Um and
apparently there is some legislation floating around in um the uh New Jersey legislature too that is I guess trying to come up with a solution to the plastic uh pollution.
So um we are very honored we are very proud um of the hard work that these conscientious people team does. Uh I of all the team of all the um committees that I've been assigned to in the years,
I don't think I've seen one team that has been quite as enthusiastic as this team. So uh again, um we thank them and really kudos to them for all their hard work. Um Shade Tree, there's not too much to report. Uh they're winding down
there. Obviously there will be no more um tree planting. Uh however um they they have and so they will be identifying um places to plant trees in the in the spring and they have also
applying applying for um the Tree City USA certification again which we have gotten every year probably for the last 30 years or as long as I can remember. That's a long time. Uh, and I think that's it for those.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um, anything? >> Solution to the pollution. >> Yes. Okay. Councilman Cardi, you have anything else? >> Out of the landfill. That's the only That's the most important thing. >> Amen. Amen. Anything on the planning
board? >> I think you meet tomorrow or this week. >> We meet this week and we did meet uh two weeks ago, I believe. And there were some residents who were doing some work on their houses and yard and >> you like that
>> small addition. >> People investing >> a lot of a lot of that. >> Yep. People investing in the nice community that they call um home. >> Absolutely. >> A couple things on the record. I think just uh for the record, we know that we have the tree lighting that is coming up, right? So that will be Saturday,
December 7th, um 2:30 to 5:00. So, please and you have to pre-register um for your children to uh meet Santa and get a picture taken. And also on 121 is the season to start dropping off your
gifts for our annual Santa parade which is um really a herculean effort by our uh all volunteer Fanwood Fire Department. And on that day, the rescue squad and the police will take Santa around and give gifts to all the good
boys and girls. That's like awesome that they do that. Um, our playground on Forest Road is under construction. So, that's exciting that we can actually end the year with um a lot of good improvements in our parks, right? So,
we'll we'll look back on 2025 and we'll see some really great things that we were be able um to do. Um the board of ed has a survey out um on social media and is circulating targeted um to a
bunch of us maybe except Gina that is um surveys for individuals with children not in the school system >> right so why >> yeah and they but part of their planning process they want to hear from people who don't currently have children in the
pro in in their school system so um I know that's being um circ ulated on that. Um, and I think that's that's there and going. >> Did you want the rest of my report? >> No.
>> Okay, that's fine with me. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. Tell us what's going on with the health department. >> Okay. For the health, there was no meeting this month. They meet every other month. So, they won't be meeting
until December. But but but um on the 20th is the great American smoke out. Um and the idea behind that is obviously to um help people to uh stop smoking and the idea being that you stop smoking for
24 hours and then hopefully you will be able to progress to longer. And it is estimated that in um America there are 43 million people who smoke. So they're they're on
a crusade. And just as an FYI, it is also American Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Aware Awareness Month, National Family Caregivers Month, uh let me see, stomach cancer awareness month,
Alzheimer's uh awareness, and I think that's for the for the health. Now, for senior services, um there will be a Friends Thanksgiving
at Imagine Heart of Mary Church in Scotch Plains on Martin Avenue on this coming Sunday, actually the 20th or whatever date Sunday is. Um so that if you would like a nice Thanksgiving dinner, uh it's at 1:30 at the church.
There's adequate parking. Uh there are no steps so and it's open to all of the Fanwood and uh Scotch Plane seniors. You don't have to belong to the senior club. Um and but you do have to call to say that
you're going to be coming because if uh so that they know how much food to to uh prepare. If you if only 50 people say they're coming and then a hundred show up, I don't know if everybody will get something to eat.
>> No turkey. No turkey. >> Usually there's enough leftover for for some take-home. So, uh, if this is something that you that you're interested in, it's they usually have about 50 to 75 seniors. So, um, and then
there's I can't say that there's going to be one, but there's usually a bingo game afterwards with a prize, uh, monetary prize. So, um, just call the just call at 908892100. And the ministerium will uh will be
having their annual Thanksgiving uh tribute uh next Monday 7 o'clock at uh the Fed Presbyterian Church. And this is just a a h a gathering where uh many of
the um public figures in town, but also the board of uh are are are a good a fairly good amount of clergy people who, you know, get up and say a
few words and it's usually about Thanksgiving. And then there's a little social um afterwards. So uh it's all usually very nice. So if you're around next Monday at 7 o'clock, everyone is
welcome. And that concludes the report. >> Last year, um I know they asked for volunteers to pick up seniors to bring them to IHM. So I had gotten a list of people to go pick up. Are they doing that again? >> I don't know, but I can check tomorrow. >> Yeah. >> If people didn't ride, sure.
>> Okay. Okay. Um, >> did you have a question? >> Oh, I saw you did. um just at the end of uh October, I know that and I can't remember if I had reported on this last time, but um representatives of FAM would sat down
with representatives of Scotch Plains to talk about um the ebike and some ordinances and some common sense um ideas that the two communities can work on together since we actually are really
at its core one community, right? and we want to kind of send a consistent message. Um, so I believe the two mayors and representatives of the police department, BAS and attorneys sat down. It was a very nice meeting. It was a good productive meeting. Um, we shared
our ordinance where we do not allow ebikes in our parks um for them scotch plans to use sort of as a uh a a template. We know that the Union County Chief's Association is in the process of putting out a video, I believe, that they're going to be sharing on ebike
safety. Um, and that once that's done, there will be an outreach to the schools and to the community as a large um to really educate our young people about the safety of using something that actually uh goes quite fast. Um and in
addition, we're watching what's happening on the state level as we believe that there will be um some changes to the existing ebike and scooter law um that may actually um you know sort of affect what's actually
happening here. So it was a good meeting. Um it's always good to sit down with our friends in um uh Scotch Scotch Plains. And I just want to also I think just end by really thanking Sally Drews
who came here and um Sally's husband Har um >> Harold >> Harold sorry I was like Harry >> Howard um was a real longtime volunteer here in family. He was a police officer.
He was an OEM uh a head of our OEM during Sandy when I first started. Both of them are just really lovely individuals and the frame and I think Councilman Carter you have it. Um the frame was was given to us as a
recognition of our volunteer efforts here because this was something very special um that her husband collected which was memorabilia. And so this is a copy of an original photo which we believe is the could be the oldest photograph of the train station ever
taken. And she came out tonight to give each one of us this as a token of appreciation because I think she was moved by wanting to recognize the good work that goes on here at the council.
And I want to just say at our last meeting, there was a a lot of us that left here kind of unsettled by some of the public comments that were directed to this mayor and the council about actions that could be interpreted as
chipping away at the public trust. And I think that during that public session, um, it's a public session where it's not a discussion, but it's an opportunity for the public to come forward. And then I watched unfortunately the reporting of that meeting and it was very one-sided.
It was not nec necessarily given an opportunity for us on the governing body to address what really were um attacks on our character that's set up here. um by also really trying to insinuate
um that we were unethical um and that we were not transparent and that we were doing something that we should be called out on >> even as far as that we were chipping away at the trust that we have built. And so I thought about that and then I
saw Sally come here at our last meeting really out of the kindness of our heart and I thought you know I couldn't just let the meeting go by without saying saying something. Um and I'll frame it by the individual who came forward um is
very upset with the burrow in a very personal way and has a legal proceeding against the burrow and the planning board. Um, so I want to say to the public, um, we always come and do the best that we can. We are transparent.
Um, we are volunteers. I have made $20 over 20 years. I have never cashed any of the checks. Um, political donations, which is what was the insinuation that somehow we were unethical or that we did
not that we traded in something. um besides being fundamentally insulting um was actually um just really an egregious lie. Um we have a very fair and open process for procurement. Um we hire the
best. We make sure that their fees are in line with industry standards. We go through a vetting process. Um and we are transparent. So, I really want to just say as the mayor that it is my honor to serve with all of you up here. Um, and
that we have great staff. Um, and we have a wonderful town and that people are very happy to live in this town. Um, and so to portray anything other than we are um, doing the best job here um,
would actually be a disservice to all of us and to all of you um, watching from home. Um, so as we wind down our meeting and we enter uh the holiday season with the kickoff of Thanksgiving, I will just say that I am thankful for this
governing body. I am thankful to the community um that we live in. I am thankful um to drive around our nice streets with our nice homes and our nice schools. Um I know that it is challenging out there. I know that
people are struggling, but I also know that we live in a community um that feels that, sees it, and then responds back. So, um that's kind of like where I want to leave it. And I'll have a motion to open up the meeting to the public for the
second and last time. >> All in favor? >> I like to call forward any members of the public that wish to make a comment. >> Seeing that there isn't any, can I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? >> So, move second. >> All in favor? Hi. And again, we want to
wish um all of you from all of us a wonderful kickoff to the holidays. Be thankful for what we have. Um and with that, I'll have a motion to adjourn and we will see you at our next meeting on Monday, December 1st. >> So move second.
>> All in favor? Good night. Good night.