I call this meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Please read the statement for me. This meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings act. Notice of this meeting was sent to the Union County Local Source, Union, New Jersey. The Courier News,
Bridgewater, New Jersey. The Home News Tribune, Woodbridge, New Jersey, my central jersey.com. The Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey. The leader, Westfield, New Jersey, and the alternate practice tap into.net. In addition, the notice was posted on the Burough Fanwood
website, www.fanwoodj.org. Copies of said 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. >> Please stand for the pledgece 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. >> Can we have a roll call? >> Council President >> present. >> Jeffrey DS >> here. >> Anthony Carter. Aaron Mer. >> Catherine Mitchell >> here. Patricia Walsh
>> here. >> Mayor Mark. >> All right. Good evening everyone. Mayor Mark could not be with us today. Um but we will go ahead and get started with we have one proclamation. Um Councilwoman
Walsh, can you do that? >> Thank you. >> Do we have Annie, Dois, and Stephanie here? If you'd like to come up, please. >> Gabby and Jim is also here. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. >> All the planning board. Great.
>> Oh, right here is fine. Sure. I like your sweatshirt. >> Okay. Thank you. So this is a proclamation recognizing the planning committee of the 17th annual Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. And thank you all for coming and for your
hard work. Whereas the Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service celebrates its 17th year of bringing neighbors together in service and solidarity. And whereas over the years hundreds of service projects have been completed through the Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Day of
Service, addressing community needs and strengthening the bonds among our residents. And whereas this year's Day of Service featured over 20 projects taking place at multiple locations throughout our community, offering diverse opportunities for residents to serve their neighbors. And whereas the
opening program held in alternating years at the Fanwood Scotch Plains YMCA and the JCC of Central New Jersey serve as an inspiring tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring message that everybody can be great because everybody can serve. And whereas the
dedicated planning committee has worked tirelessly to organize this meaningful day, ensuring that Dr. King's vision of beloved community continues to flourish in our towns. And whereas the Martin Luther King Day of Service has become a celebration reflecting the best of our
shared values and collective spirit. Now for the therefore be it resolved that the mayor and council of the Burrow of Famwood hereby recognizes and commends the planning committee of the 17th annual Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service for their
outstanding dedication, leadership, and commitment to honoring Dr. King's legacy throughout meaningful community service. So we have a confiration for each of you and thank you again for your hard work and I know it was a great success as
always everyone. >> Thank you very much. >> Sure. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Um I think we have three members that are in here. >> Yes. >> Do you want to take them for them? >> Okay. >> Do you want to get a picture? >> Smile.
>> Turn it around. Open up. >> Thank you. >> The mayor and I were able to attend yesterday and it was really a beautiful service. So, good job. Um, so this time for privilege of the floor
to the public. Um, can I get a motion to open them? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone from the public has any comments? Want to come up >> on the agenda >> on the agenda items only? >> I see no one. Can I get a motion to
close? >> So move. >> Second. Second. >> All in favor? I. All right. We're moving on to the minutes, meeting minutes. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes from December 15th, 2025
and January, 20, Mr. Banks? >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay, I have a resolution 20 2026-01-047. Um Jesse, this is a resolution for the
bond um agreement. Can you want to talk about that? >> Yeah. So um this resolution authorizes the bureau to conduct a bond sale on February 25th uh in the amount of $10 million 10 million $699,000.
Um the last time the bureau did a bond sale was in April of 2021. Um and the purpose of this bond sale is to fold over a number of notes that we have. So, uh, in municipal finance journey, we have either bonds or notes, and notes
can only be rolled over 10 years, otherwise they must be paid in full. The ones that we're doing are rolling over the short-term notes um, into a longer uh, bond, which are usually 25 to 30 years. And so this bond sale will include a number of capital ordinances
including general capital ordinances from the last couple years, the improvements we made for the carriage house, the uh the notes we did for the um the new library um and um let's see and some improvement as
well. Those are the main items. Um if anyone has any additional questions, happy to answer them, but >> n question. >> No, thank you. All right. Resolution 20 2026-01-047 resolution combining bonds activate the
principal sum of 10,699,000 authorized by the 15th bond ordinance theretoforted to finance part of the cost of various general improvements and a special emergency appropriation in the burrow of
Fanwood. County of Union, New Jersey into one cons >> consolidated issue of bonds and providing for the form mutual and other details of said consolidated issue. Can
I get a motion to move? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I do I need to a roll call. >> Roll call, please. >> Council President Gina Barry >> present. Yes. Yes. >> Approved.
>> Anthony Bird. Aaron Moroy Parker. Cara Mitchell. >> Yes. >> Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Consent agenda. We have a few here. Resolution 2026-01-048.
Resolution 2026-1-049. Resolution 2026-01-050 Resolution 2026-01-051 Resolution 2026-01-052 Resolution Dash Resolution 2026- 01-053
Resolution 2026-1-4 454 resolution 20-01-055 resolution- 2026-1-056 resolution 2026-1-75 resolution 2026-
0 58 Anyone need to have a discussion or pull any of these resolutions. >> Uh, no, not me. >> No. Um, we have Diane here from the planning
board. Um, if you can talk about resolution 2026-01-058, which is a proven fair uh, share mediation agreement. As you may recall, I was here um a couple of times over the
past uh couple of months, and this is regard to the Fair Share Housing Cent's challenge to our uh submission of our um submission for the fourth round. So,
we did what we were supposed to do and we applied to the court and we told the court what we were going um we agreed with them and that we would uh do the required um number of units and uh fair share decided that they were going to
challenge practically every community and they did ours. It was not a significant challenge, but we had to end up doing a mediation agreement, which is um what the normal and basically it's a it's historical. It takes you through what um our fair share housing
obligations have been over the second, third, and now fourth round and then also um indicates what we have agreed to do and that is increase the set aside for the rental from 15 to 20%. Um so
that's the that's the major um element of this agreement. The rest is a lot of um uh boiler plate language that they're using in every mediation agreement that keeps us all on track with what the
requirements are for um this fourth round. As you know, there were deadlines and um both certain things have to be done by certain times as well as you know the midpoint um reports which and
it also um discusses those units that we have um on Cottage Way and whether or not those units are going to be extended um which it's there's it's not quite yet but um okay >> they do like to plan ahead a fair share.
Um there will be a couple of um things coming before you all. Um the housing element needs to be passed. Um the spending plan needs to be updated and the ordinance needs to be revised to change that set aside from 15 to 20%. So
over the I think actually next month um I believe the second uh the second meeting there has to be some in front of the planning board and then uh you will get them either before or after >> and then the the cottage way stuff will
be >> it may be included in the spending plan but it's very unrealistic like I I tried to discuss with them that point I I don't see a point including including it in the spending plan because you don't
know what that cost is going to be. It's going to be four or five years in the future. So there has to be some allocation to those units. >> So we will do that. >> Yeah, you'll see that in the spending plan. >> Okay. Okay. What is the date for the
fourth round to >> uh March 15th uh 2026 we should have everything done. >> Okay. >> So Okay. Um yeah, I think that that's about it. If um this is passed um if you
could sign it um and then if you would be kind enough to scan it to me tomorrow, that would be great. And then I can come pick it up. >> No problem. >> Thank you. Any additional questions?
>> No, I don't think so. Thank you. Appreciate it. Yep. >> Okay. Consent items. Do I need to read that? Read it again. >> Okay. So good. I don't have to read it
again. Okay. Can I get a motion for the consent items? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I think the roll call to the entire >> Yes. Council President Gary. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks.
>> Approve. Curs Arin Mroy Barker Katherine Mitchell. >> Yes. >> Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Okay. >> Now we have reports. >> Okay. So, we're going to do standing
reports if um we're going to go a little off um off the agenda right now. We'll start with um Liz. >> Thank you. Hi everyone. I appreciate you taking me on the early side. I have to I have
another commitment in a bit. So, um then not too much to report although it's good. Um so um um one of our final spaces on South Avenue um near the Fanwood Clipper same that gentleman who owns the Fanwood Clipper owns that building and put apartments above um and
they have signed a lease for with actually the owner of Houdini same owner local person um for 1874 coffee shop. So um >> we have somebody that's very happy. So he's excited and you know in these
circumstances he's you know has experience so he you know he knows how to proceed relatively quickly with fit out. I mean I don't want to curse the process but um so he's really looking around St. Patty's Day. >> Oh wow. >> Which is that they would be fit out and uh and ready to go. So I think it's the
other half of the S coutur space. >> It's you know >> old family pharmacy right? >> No nom um >> it's next to next to family clipper. Really? Oh, the clipper. Oh, I got it. The nail plates over that way. Over that way. Okay. Okay. Yeah. So, um so that's
exciting. And you know, otherwise we're plugging along. I think uh Soho is probably half full. Um and the affordables are five out of nine are have their folks in. So, um you know, moving along. Corano, I think the last time I was here, I did say that Corono Square would be putting in for their
permits, which they did do. So footings and foundation permits have been applied for and which means they've made significant progress on, you know, getting their permits from DOT for which takes a long time for access. It's really not that complicated. You know, they're reducing however many driveways
and having like two points of entry. So, but it's a big process. So they they're through that process and um still working through some of the utility relocations with the utilities, but they're uh they pulled their they're in the process of hopefully receiving shortly their footings and foundations for building A, which is the building
that has the restaurant, >> right? >> So So and then then once they do that and while they're re temporarily relocating the liquor store and then putting it back then because that has to be done prior to doing building B. So So you know, everybody's moving along.
>> Do you have an update on Fabio's There's a gigantic hole in the ground. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It is a big hole. >> That is my current update, which is good. Yeah. So, um you know, there's a lot that impacts that. >> It's tough to gauge how long construction like right now it's freezing.
>> So, certain things you can't do, certain you can't pour concrete. So, um it depends on winter is hard. It's nice to keep progress going. Um so, it's hard to put a finger on exactly how things will progress, but um they have a big hole. They have to fill it. So I I'm assuming
then, you know, as weather permits, that's how the progress will be made for right now. Yeah, it's exciting though. >> It is exciting. >> All right. Any questions or anything? Okay. Is the hot yoga spot? >> Yoga is it's open. Okay. >> My daughter took some uh class
>> and I went by I think it was Saturday morning. There were there were like 15 people walking in. >> Oh yeah. It's very uh it's really good for you. I mean I've taken it myself. It's hot, but I mean cuz everything then everything really stretches out of course in that heat, but um it's very
very popular. I'm sure they'll do well there. We don't have a lot around like not a ton right in this area. So >> I'm hoping they'll be super successful and so nice >> just you know I love the young entrepreneur. It's like one of my favorite things. >> Um so we'll see. And then being like Therapy will be right behind them. Yep.
So that'll be good. >> Cool. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. and we're going to continue with standing committee reports. Um Jesse, do you have anything you want to share with administration and finance?
>> So yes, so uh we discussed the status of the um shared court with Garwin that was authorized at the end of last year and uh we received approval from the administrative office of the courts to
begin uh the operation of the sher court on February 1st. So that is moving along. Oh, awesome. >> Um, and just a couple of other things that'll be appearing on future agendas. Um, but that was probably the biggest item. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um, public
safety. Do you have one? Um, Councilwoman Walsh, >> you have I do for public safety. No, I It's >> Oh, I'm sorry. You're not on public safety. You have fire. >> Okay. Yes, I do. >> So, you want me to proceed now with fire? >> Yes, please. >> Okay.
Um, okay. This, so this is for the month of December and it was submitted by Chief uh Piccola. Uh, so during the December of 2025, the fire uh department responded to 27 calls for assistance.
Um, one was for a structural fire, three for um residential fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarm, somebody was locked out of their car and came to the rescue. motor ve three motor vehicle five motor vehicle
accidents, two commercial fire alarms, one hazardous condition. Um, and they helped uh they assisted in helping find a missing person. So, they looks like they were pretty um
pretty busy during the month of December. And of course they were um and I think that that that's uh the whole report for the fire department. I do have their year end report too. Um
which is I don't know they were very busy. I'll just give you the total amount of calls that they did. They did 306 calls for in for emergency uh assistance during last year and
combined with the the calls that they had the drills and the meetings and special events there were 364. So they were very busy last year and um I have to remind everybody that um we always do these are people who are volunteers.
They give up on time and as you can see by the amount of hours that they put in um takes a lot of time out of their personal life and we are very thankful for them. And that concludes the report for the fire department.
>> Thank you. Rescue squad. >> Rescue squad. Okay. So the captain's report for December. Uh there were 21 calls answered, nine insufficient crew calls, one second call request. The
average response time came down to 8 minutes and 24 seconds and the total response hours were 117 um uh minute 117 minutes reported. Um special shout out to uh the
multiple December standbys. Um, out to the Santa parade crews, tree lighting crew, and the manora lighting crew, those who covered Christmas night and Girl Scout demonstration accomplishments. Um, and uh, that will be it for the
captain's crew. >> Thank you. Public works, Councilwoman Walsh. >> Thank you. Okay. So, we have the Department of Public Works, excuse me, report um from December 12th through January 16th. So,
they have their recurring monthly activities, litter patrol, inspection of the parks, um maintenance of sewer systems, recycling containers in both parks being um emptied. Um they continue to set up and take down tables and
chairs for the seniors meeting. Um they finished the leaf cleanup of all burrow owned properties um excuse me in this past month. Um they had the annual fall curbside leave pickup for uh
residents. They've picked up approximately 8,000 cubic yards of leaves from all the burrow owned properties. Um, of course, because of the snow, they've been deicing burough streets and parking lots and sidewalks as needed. Um, they helped out with the
HVAC system at the library. There was a major sewer block along South Avenue in the business district. Um, so they were helping out with that. The public works employees worked a total of 202 manh hours of overtime from
December 14th to the 20 28th. um for snow removal operations, deicing of streets and sidewalks and parking lots um pedestrian crossings, plowing
um and then removing snow from municipal parking lots behind the downtown businesses. Um and let's see, the uh annual Christmas tree pickup um has been going on and that ends very soon. I think within the next
week and the holiday wreaths and decorations and lighting will all be taken down. The annual winter brush pickup program in all quadrants of the burrow once completed um which they pretty much are I believe. Uh the next
one will be in April and the recycling center will be open on February 7th from 8 to 11. And that is it for public works. Okay. Thank you.
Um, Councilman Carter isn't here. I'm going to skip my report for now. Do you want to just continue with your >> Yes, I have historic preservation and environmental commission. So, historic preservation met on January 8th and um I
think Russ, you were working on the certificate of appropriateness. I think that's completed now. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, that we talked about. We had >> they wanted some input. There was a um application that they wanted me to review. I gave some input.
>> Yes. Thank you. Um, we had some new donations to the museum, but really the biggest thing that the uh historic preservation commission is thinking about and working on is um American Revolution 250. So, most towns are
having different events and things for to celebrate. So, we are as well. And um I think by now everybody on the council and in the burrow has heard about the Fanwood Lego build. So, we have a date that's March 21st. We have the map of
Fanwood uh being prepared and printing. Um photographs of all the historic buildings and homes have been taken and we're working on a brochure that will be distributed. The high school cafeteria has been reserved for the event. And
what the committee would like all of us up here to think about is how the different commissions and departments and liaison that you're to um could also participate in some kind of American
Revolution 250. So I know the library is thinking about helping out with book displays and maybe guest speakers. Um, uh, Fanny Wood Day, we'll maybe try to have some kind of theme for the American Revolution. Um, movies in the park, we'd
like to maybe try to do something with that. The environmental commission also wants to be involved. Um, the shade tree commi commission, we're hopefully going to be uh, help us in that. So, um, there's a letter from Joan Scubish, the
chair, that is to the mayor and council members. So, I'm going to ask Courtney if you could just give everyone one of these in their mailbox or at our next meeting. But in the meantime, when everybody meets with their different committees, if you could just bring this up and see what kind of activities
people might uh be interested in. Um oh, Saturday, January 24th, Westfield is having their Lego build. So, um that's from 1 to 3:30 at Westfield High School. So, if anybody wants to go and just see what it looks like and how they go about
it, um we'll be doing the same thing here um for our date. And that was it for historic preservation. You have environmental? >> I do have environmental. >> Okay. So, let's maybe uh Bob could do an
illustration for the right maybe be the face of it >> maybe. Yeah. I mean whatever ideas anybody comes up with and as I say who's ever on whatever committees and liaison you want to talk to them see what they how they'd like to be involved it would be great.
>> Um okay so for environmental commission we had our meeting on >> uh just whenever that was January 15th and again they discussed goals goals and activities for 2026. um they would like to come to a council
meeting um and uh review what they've done in 2025 and maybe set out some goals for 2026. One of them being they would like us to be certified um National Wildlife Federation Mayor's Monarch Pledge
program. So that's exciting. Um and what else? So the environmental commission continues to be concerned about the safety of the paths in the nature center. So they get damaged by heavy
rain and flooding. Um so uh they ask for DPW to help them take care of that. We do have the nature center caretaker who's moved around some gravel um and in hopes of kind of rectifying that situation. Uh let's see.
>> Do we have cameras there? >> We do. Yep. Um, they were asking about any grants, Jesse, that are applied for from the burrow that might have some kind of impact
or be involved in environmental that they could be apprised of any of those grants and maybe have some input or I think there was a grant that came up that they didn't know about that we' received that was maybe lent itself to some environmental issues. So, they'd
like to know about those if they come up. Um, the green team and the environmental commission want to work on the adopted drain program, which again, if they come to uh a meeting, we'll talk about that.
Um, and what is the status of the tree ordinance? Do we know >> that I need to circle back on? >> Okay, thank you. Um, I think that's it.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Councilwoman um Kathy Mitchell, do you have green team report? >> Uh, yes and no. The green team is meeting tonight. >> Okay. >> But I am happy to report that um the New
Jersey legislature has finally passed a bill of stop the stuff. >> Yes. Um, I don't know when it goes into effect though. Uh, and what it means is that when you go to a fast food place,
they are not going to be allowed to give you extra um utensils or even utensils. You have to ask for them and then they'll glad gladly give them to you. But all those extra packages of um mustard and
ketchup that you get um they're not they won't be allowed to do that anymore. I know uh I guess last month I was cleaning out one of my kitchen drawers and I I don't know I found about a dozen packages of those little ketchup things. So uh when we get more information I'll
I'll pass that off to you. Um but that's a good thing. Um, and they feel that uh it will save money for the establishments because they won't have to be giving out plastic utensils to
everybody that comes along. And as I said, they're meeting tonight. So that's it for the green team. >> Do you want me to proceed with the others? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Shade tree. >> I don't have a health report. The shade tree doesn't meet until the end of the
month and they did not meet in December because of I guess it was too close to Christmas. Um the seniors um are I have there's a um a new collaboration between St. Bart and
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Stein designed specifically for the seniors of Van Wood and Scotch Plains. And this is to give you just as it's uh named support and care. Um if you need a ride
someplace, if you to the doctor's office, the um grocery store, uh you need your laundry done, stuff like that for seniors. Um, >> so they're going to combine like >> they will. Yes, there are volunteers
from both parishes. Um, it doesn't matter what your religion is. It's not it's not, you know, Catholic affiliated. It's to any senior in uh who is and you don't have to have an income um specification. Everything is all taken
care of as as long as you meet our geographical um things. I mean, they're not going to come in and paint your house or, you know, they're going to do simple things. Um, but if you this is something that you think you want to investigate, just
call either church, either St. Barts in Scotch Plains or Magda Mirror in Scotch Plains. And I think that's re all of the report that I have. >> I think so far it's been a slow month, which is good. >> The wreck
>> wreck doesn't meet till next week, I think. and neither does the planning board. So, >> okay, >> that takes care of it. >> That takes care. Thank you for that. And I have a quick library report. The library actually have their first year
meeting tomorrow. Um, but I do have some updates for December. During the month of December, the library had 24 youth services event that was held. Um,
195 children, teens attended these events. >> Wow. >> 166 adults attended the events. >> Um, we had six teen volunteers um with a total of 288 hours um for the year between those six
volunteers. So, that's a lot of volunteering for the kids. >> Um, we had 51 items added to the juvenile collection, 11 items added to the young adults collection. Um, I think
Councilwoman Walsh mentioned the maker day on March 21st, which is the STEM event for families. I'm not sure if that's different from Is that the same thing from the Lego? Okay, this is a different one. Okay. So, we have a make
a day on March 21st that features um variety of STEM programs for families at the library. I had a chance to go to the last one and it was very well attended. >> Do you know the um times for that? Cuz that's unfortunate.
>> I don't have the time but I can certainly find out. um 20 121 reference um references were given out during month of December and they look forward to continuing the
program at the library. So that is my report for the library >> is happening. >> The library is happening. Um I think that concludes all of our committee reports. Any new business? >> No.
>> Any old business? Nope. Okay, I open the floor to the public. Um, comments on any items. Five minutes per speaker. Speakers must take um state their name and address for um for records. Can I get a motion to open the meeting to the
public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone on the public would like to come up? >> Nope. >> No. I see no one. Can I have a motion to close the meeting? >> Second. >> All in favor? I
>> can I get a motion to >> actually I just wanted to say one thing before we adjourn your timing. Um I don't know if anyone um noticed or heard but the governor the former governor um
Murphy actually signed a bill on Monday right before he left office on ebikes. Yep. >> Um, so you have to be 17 >> with a valid New Jersey driver's
license. It must be registered and it must have insurance. And motorized bicycles, you have to be 15 and also have a valid motorized
um, license to operate. So, um, just wanted to put that out there since, you know, we had to deal with some tragedy in in our close neighbors in our own town. So, it's important for us to kind of lift that up and um, let everybody
know that we do have a statewide law now um, >> that regulates hopefully that'll help a little bit. >> That's wonderful. >> All right. Um, >> I like the fact that you also put into law the bringing back cursive writing. >> Okay, cursive writing.
>> That's important. You got to sign your name. >> Everyone should do the same. Um, with that said, motion to adjurnn. So move. Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Thank you everyone. >> Have a good night everybody. >> 39.