All right. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good e good evening everyone. So nice to see everybody. So if I could have everyone's attention. Good evening everyone.
Hi. Hi. I know it's a it's a beautiful night. And for those who are watching us um from home, whether it be on television or live on Facebook, we have a packed house tonight because we have some really great things that we are going to be acknowledging and
celebrating. Um and so with that, I will call the meeting to order. Today is Monday, July 13, 2026, and it's a little after 7 o'clock. and I will ask our clerk uh to please read the open public meeting statement into the record.
>> 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 Press Tap into.net. In in addition, the notice was posted on the Burrow of Fanwood website, www.banwoodj.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 a name continuously posted. Now the notice having been given, the burough clerk is directed to include the statement in the minutes of this meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. So for those who are in the um audience, if we're going to stand for the pledge and then a moment of silence.
I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, [groaning] with liberty and justice for all. >> And I would ask you remain standing for a moment of silence that we keep our
first responders in our thoughts and in our prayers. And tonight we will be recognizing, celebrating those very individuals that make our community what it is, which is a safe community. It is the difference of who shows up for you
in a moment of terror um and how you feel after you get the care that Fanwood gives you here in those situations. So for that we will give thanks and protection always over our first responders.
>> Thank you. >> We'll start off with the roll call, please. Council President Gina Berry, >> present. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> present. >> Anthony Carter, >> present. >> Eric Mroy Barker, >> here. >> Katherine Mitchell >> here. >> Patricia Walsh, >> here. >> Mayor Mar,
>> present. All right, so again, uh, welcome. And so we're going to begin the meeting um with some proclamations, some presentations, and overall some acknowledgements of job well done. Um the first one I'm going to ask um
Councilwoman Eron Maroy Barker to please go to the podium because we are going to be celebrating and recognizing our Scotch Plains fan high school ball boys volleyball team who were group three state title WINNERS [applause] and um Erin as a mother of a volleyball
player herself understands the importance of the program and the excitement of the program and so she will be uh reading the uh citation into the record, but if you want to call forward those that are here for you. >> I see a couple, but can all of the
volleyball players who are present and the coaches, if you're here, I'm not sure if there's any coaches here, sorry, I had a different one, come up. Any parents that want to come come? >> Yes, please come forward. Come. You got a nice audience tonight. [applause and cheering] >> [applause] >> guys. Okay, they're all actually quite a
bit bigger than two years ago. So, pin here. There you go. Um, I'm a little jealous. My son graduated in June of 24 and a couple of you guys were on the team and we we nearly made it and we didn't, but this year you guys did. So,
congratulations. It's very exciting. Um, so whereas the Scotch Plains Fanwood High School boys varsity volleyball team faced extraordinary challenges at the outside outset of the 2026 season, yet demonstrated resilience, unity, and determination that define true
champions. Whereas the Raiders embraced a culture built on unity, strategy, and discipline on the court and off, rising to meet every challenge with purpose and accountability. Whereas the Raiders competed throughout the season on a demanding schedule, claimed the North
three sectional championship and advanced to the NJSIAA Group Three State Championship final and finally the Obridge. I just added that. Um whereas the Scotch Plains Fanwood Raiders crowned their season with a dominant 3- 0 victory over West Windsor
Plainsboro South, claiming the NJSIAA Group Three State Championship, the second state title in program history through disciplined blocking, precision serving, and a balanced team offense. Whereas the achievements of this team reflect not only athletic excellence,
but also the values of sportsmanship, perseverance, and community pride that the Burrow of Fanwood holds dear. Whereas the entire community of Fanwood takes great pride in the accomplishments of these student athletes whose dedication to their craft and to one another serves as an inspiration to all.
Now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and burrow council of the burrow of family in Union County, New Jersey, do hereby honor and congratulate the Scotch Plains Fanwood High School boys varsity team, its coaches, and all who supported this team on their outstanding achievement as the 2026 NJSIAA group 3
STATE CHAMPIONS. [applause] I DON'T KNOW IF THE coaches want to say anything. >> I have a little something prepared. Sure. >> I couldn't be more proud of what this team has accomplished. While our season was filled with championships and individual milestones, what I'm most
proud of is the character, commitment, resilience that these young men displayed every day. They represented our school and our community with class integrity and pride. I'd also like to thank our assistant coaches, athletic department, and administration, our
families, and everyone who supported us throughout this season. Your encouragement played a tremendous role in our success. These young men dedicated countless hours to becoming the best version of themselves, and it's my privilege to recognize what they have accomplished during this historic
season. With a winning record of 25 and three, the accomp accomplishments of the 2026 Scotch Plains Fanwood boys varsity volleyball team are as follows. 2026 NJ.com boys varsity volleyball team of
the year. [applause] 2026 number one team overall in the state of New Jersey. First time in the school's history. [applause] 2026 group three state CHAMPIONS [applause] 2026 group three state sectional
CHAMPIONS [applause] 2026 Bloomfield boys varsity invitational CHAMPIONS [applause] 2026 bridge nights invitational CHAMPIONS [applause] Brody Balstrino Junior setter all group
three second team Union County Conference all watch division first team a thousand assists milestone met during this SEASON [applause] Brandon Indo all state third team all group three first team all union county
all Wong division first team 500 plus kill milestone met during the SEASON [applause] Daniel and senior outside hitter 2026 NJ.com boys volleyball player of the YEAR
[applause] American Volleyball Coaches Association best and brightest first team of the year [applause] all state first team county conference all watching division first team a thousand kill milestone met during the
season. All-time SPF kill record holder with 1,085 kills. >> THAT'S GOING [applause] >> congratulations to all of these outstanding athletes. Truly, as a coach, the time that these athletes and parents
dedicate to us, we know it could be spent playing video games. We know you [clears throat] have missed a lot of parties. We understand and we appreciate you. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of this being the first time that I'm coaching boys volleyball.
>> And I've been coaching 13 years, but first time coaching boys. [laughter] It'll be a first season I will never forget. Thank you again for honoring us and recognizing us tonight. And thank you for supporting this program. We want to change the way Scotch Plains looks at
volleyball because it's here and it's today and it's going to be big for a long time. Please join me a loud and amazing round of applause. [applause] [applause]
>> I'm going to go this way. You guys have a great summer. [applause] >> You want me to go first? Okay. So many exciting things tonight. Okay, so um the highlight of our meeting tonight, as hopefully most of you who are here know, and we did turn the air
up. So, um is that we are making a captain and we are very excited and we're very grateful that everybody joined us. So, my name is Aaron Muy Barker. I've been on council for a long time, 10 and a half years, and I have been chair of
public safety uh for a year and a half. Um, it is my pleasure today to witness the swearing in of Dan Crance as the captain of the Fanwood Police Department. We started this journey a year and a half ago and more firmly uh
to more firmly establish consistent leadership in our department and support our officers. Thankfully, we have arrived here today finally and I am thrilled that Dan will be our captain. When I joined public safety four years ago, our department had recently
suffered the loss of most of our upper leadership and there was a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Out of necessity, Officer CR was promoted not once but twice in the last several years and he has risen to all of the challenges we have presented him
with, which have been many. He willingly took on new responsibilities and made it his business to learn under both the county leadership and our previous police director. Taking every opportunity for growth that was presented to him. He has also invested time in teaching younger our younger
generation what it means to be a police officer. Dan quickly became a strong leader within department and was made OIC when director Bram Hall left. When I took over as chair of public safety in January of 25, I knew I had large shoes to fill from Councilwoman
Walsh. But Dan made it easy. Since my first day as chair, he has made himself available, teaching me what I needed to learn to support him and the department. One of our first priorities was to establish the captain position and promote a captain to lead our young department. This has been critical as we
have many new and young officers and we have often operated with lower numbers than in the past. Since Dan took over as acting officer in charge a couple years ago, he has provided that leadership, blossoming into a strong, wellrespected leader who demonstrates an equally
strong commitment to the department and to this community. He is open, intelligent, and accessible. He is open to feedback and works extremely well with professionals both in and outside of Fanwood. He is a great representative representation of our community and he's
even funny at times. Um, I have grown to admire Dan for his intelligence, flexibility, and calm. He understands Fanwood in a way that most do not as he grew up here. He always has the best interests of this community as a top priority and does everything he
can to serve our neighbors, his officers, and the burrow despite significant constraints at times. Dan is a reliable and consistently strong presence in the department and in our town and we have all grown to depend on him more and more. We're just waiting
for him to move back to Fanwood from Hoboken, but he's refusing. Um, so we are very proud to have him become our captain today and we hope that you will all join as we celebrate our new captain. [applause] >> [applause]
>> So, a little uh point of uh how we're going to do your swearing in. Um we have a res going to just make a couple remarks and we have a resolution that we will pass um and then we will do the swearing in and you can call up. So, um really Dan, on behalf of myself and the
burough council and really the residents of Fanwood, we are honored to congratulate you tonight on your appointment as a captain. Um your journey to this moment reflects a remarkable commitment to public service. Prior to joining the police department, you served as a telecommunications
officer with the Union County and later as a United States Capital Police Officer in their first responders unit. You have consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a dedication to protecting others. And I also know that you have a set of parents
in Tom and Maryanne who are really true civic and public servants themselves. And so you learned well at the kitchen table of giving back. Since joining the police department in 2014, you've guided us through a period of growth and modernization. As a lieutenant, you not
only oversaw the critical investigations and daily operations, but you also worked to strengthen community policing. You have improved our training and expanded proactive enforcement efforts. You recently got your MBA and a graduation from the FBI National
Academy, which we were proud to support doing that. You demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in leadership. But what stands out most is your steady presence and your genuine commitment to Fanwood. Fanwood residents not not they know you
as a law enforcement officer but many of us know how deeply you care. But we are fortunate to have someone with your experience and your vision and your character now lead this police department. Congratulations on this promotion and let's swear you in.
[applause] Oh yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, I have to move this and then we'll get to you. Authorizing the promotion of a police officer, whereas the bureau of Fanwood finds it both necessary and appropriate to promote a police officer serving within the Fanwood Police Department to the P
position of captain. Whereas, Daniel CR has completed the necessary requirements for an ingrade promotion to captain. Whereas the mayor and council of the burrow of fan would find that Lieutenant Daniel CR is a qualified candidate for promotion to captain with a salary increase pursuant to the collective
negotiations agreement and rules and regulations of the burrow of Fanwood Police Department. Now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and council do hereby authorize Daniel Crant's promotion to captain on July 13, 2026 at the pay scale in accordance with the collectively negotiations agreement and
the rules and regulations of the Burrow of Fenwood Police Department effective July 14th, 2026. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the burough payroll officer to make necessary salary adjustments. So I move that second. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. [clears throat] >> Okay. Make it official. [applause] [applause] paper. I >> I Daniel Cran >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States
>> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially partially >> and partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> of the captain of the family police department >> of the captain of the family police department
>> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. [applause] >> I have a little here. Okay, please. >> All right, my turn.
>> You know, usually for these council meetings, I usually throw something into chat GBT and it comes out great. And for this one, I actually wrote it. It is hard. It is hard to write a speech, but here we go. Uh, thank you everyone. Thank you, Mayor
Mark, Council, Jesse, Courtney, Russ, everyone that wasn't here today. Um, everyone who played a role in this process and just uh plays a role in in operating and running our burrow to the to the to the extent that that we we can
um to the extent that we we can do. I don't know. It's my ad living. Um, you know, I I constantly try to be in rooms uh with people I don't deserve to be in. I try
to surround myself with people who are more impressive than me, smarter than me, uh have more law enforcement experience than me. You know, I I feel like I have imposttor syndrome all the time. Uh even right now, I I look at the people in this room, um the the chiefs
to my left, um you know, that have been through way more than I have professionally. And this may sound weird, but I try my hardest to be the dumbest person everywhere I go. Uh because those are the people that make you better. When you learn from the best, you elevate
yourself exponentially. I've always lived by that. And by looking at the people in this room, uh right now that I've surrounded myself with on a professional and a personal level, uh I can safely say mission accomplished. I'm officially the dumbest person.
[laughter] That didn't come out exactly the way it was supposed to, but you you get the point. Um, I want to start by thanking the members of the Fanwood Police Department, both present and past, who are here. Um, I'm honored to be part of this team we've built over the years, a team that I am so proud to be on.
Every time you're on an air airplane and you hit bad turbulence, you look at the flight attendants. You look to you you gauge how serious the situation is. People look for the calm flight attendant. We're looking for the anchors. When they're calm, I'm calm. If
they're panicking, our anxiety skyrockets. We look for this every day in conversations, in our daily routines, in the times of stress and turbulence in our lives. We look to those in authority and say, "If they're okay, I'm okay." And when you can be that person, the
anchor for others, that's the sign of a leader. So my message for all the Fanwood officers here is to continue being those leaders. Uh you don't need rank to be a leader. Frankly, I sit at a desk and and answer emails most of the day at at this point.
You know, you are the are the cops that are at ground zero. You're the flight attendants and people continue to look at you when there's turbulence. Be that calm flight attendant. I've seen every one of you do that already and I know it's in each I know it's in
each and every one of you. I'm here as the figurehead and to support you in whatever way I can, but you are the Fanwood Police Department. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my job easy most of the time. Most of the time. Um I want to thank my family and friends for being here. uh you
supported me moving from New Jersey to Washington DC uh to start a law enforcement career and then supported me when when I returned. I get texts all the time when something is happening in the news. Could be a a something happens to a cop in Alaska and I get a text saying, "Hey, just, you know, I saw it on the news. Just thinking about you."
And I I really appreciate it. That truly means a lot to me. I I don't take that for granted. I want to thank the Union County Police Chiefs Association uh to my left for their guidance and support since I've been a member. Um, I I'm in a network of dozens of experienced law enforcement
leaders to help navigate this industry we're in, which always gets more complicated, never gets easier, and will never get easier. Uh, and I I thank you. I thank you, gentlemen, for answering my calls and calling me just periodically and saying, "What, you know, how can I help?" And you, uh, Chief Mazerell and
everybody else. Um, I I really appreciate you being here and and for being there for me. I want to thank my fellow alumni and instructors of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy. Uh some of them are here today. I'm motivated by every class we teach together and I will
shamelessly plug the program to any agency who's thinking of sending one. It's a great program. Um send your people. I want to thank my fellow FBI National Academy classmates and friends right there. Brian back there some others around. Um, once again to
agencies who've never sent anyone, do it if you can. It was the most rewarding professional experience of my career. Uh, I want to personally thank Steve Dumbowski in the back, aka the Godfather, who helped guide me through this program. I look forward to continuing my role in the association and the New
Jersey chapter. I want to thank Mike Bramhol uh who's uh present uh the former director of the Fanwood Police Department for um your mentorship and friendship over the years. Um you've taught me that a leader empowers
those that he works with that that and that honesty and integrity are the staples of running a police department and that those can be taken away if not used correctly. I want to thank all the support the police department gets from the Fanwood Fire Department. Chief Napole is back there um and and some of the guys
Fanwood Rescue Squad, Brian Downing's back there, uh Fanwood DPW, Union County EMS, Church Auto, and so many other businesses and agencies that aid our mission. I want to thank I'm almost done, I promise. I want to thank the Fanwood
residents. Some are here today. Uh many of you may not have known this promotion was happening, but I'm thanking you anyway. uh in a way you're the most important people in this room because we are here to serve you. Um you're the reason we exist. So thanks for being here.
I truly believe that the most important decision a person can make in their life is who you choose to partner with and share it with. And I am blessed to have found someone that has supported me from day one. someone who [snorts] understands what being a police officer
spouse is like. Holly, I love you. Thanks for being patient through the last minute dinner cancellations, the I have to work Thanksgiving conversations and possibly a recent July 4th. Hey, I have to go into work. I'm sorry. Uh,
thank you for wearing your flexible hat, as your dad always says. Um, I wouldn't be here. I I wouldn't be who I am without you. And I certainly wouldn't be here. And no one here would be going to an open bar after this if it wasn't for her. So, let's give her a round of
applause. [applause] Uh, with all that said, this has been a very proud moment for me. I look forward to working with those in this room through times of peace, uh, but more importantly, times of crisis and instability. None of us get through this career operating alone and it's
essential that we continue to work together, build new relationships, foster existing relationships, and always stay open to new ideas. Let's not forget that. Thank you all very much. [applause] [applause] [applause] Congratulations
again. So I said before how this evening is a celebration and it's also a um recognition and shining a light on our first responders. And now, um, Dan is gonna help us, uh, shine a
light on a situation that occurred recently here at Burrow Hall in which we had basically a life ordeath situation occur, a life-saving situation occur here at Burrow Hall. Um, and it just went to show you that the
professionalism of our county EMS, our police department, and even our burough workers who found themselves in a position um that they didn't really expect when they came to work about two weeks ago. And so I would like to call
up the members and Dan will talk a little bit about what happened, but we wanted to take this evening to publicly thank our first responders who literally saved a life two weeks ago. Um, and to just not let that go on a course of
business and to just say um that the person who wasn't feeling well at all is doing much better. So, um, I'd like to call forward our own Brian Downing from our county EMS. Love you, BRIAN. [applause]
Detective Lieutenant Gilmore. Detective Lieutenant Gilmore. Sergeant Pakola. [applause] Detective Hud. Thank you. I'm going to turn it over to you, captain, now. >> Um, so about two weeks ago, and I'll
preface by saying I was not there. I was not at work that day. Um, on June 23rd, early in the morning, 7:30, 8:00 in the morning, uh, >> 7:52 >> 7:52, thank you. Uh, there was a medical
emergency, a severe medical emergency in Burough Hall. For those that don't know, the police department shares a building with Burough Hall. There's a wall that separates us. And we were alerted that uh somebody had collapsed and that they weren't breathing. And uh these three officers first accompanied by Brian
Downing and and Union County EMS and paramedics did what they do and they rushed over and um they performed CPR with an AED. The AED shocked right away and a life was saved. uh this is what we do. It's a little
different when you know the person. Um I will say but as soon as I heard about it when uh I think Lieutenant Gilmore called me and said what happened I I I before he even said what what the final result was I I knew that it was going to be the best possible result that could
be because whether it's these three the guys in back or the people that aren't here from Fanwood PD um this is what we do. We are trained in CPR and AED. We unfortunately do it more than we'd like. Um, but I appreciate you all being here.
I'm gonna read I'm just going to read the um awards and each one gets one. I'm going to read the one with Lieutenant Gilmore. So, insert your own name for this one. On June 23rd, 2026, Detective Lieutenant
Ryan Gilmore, Sergeant Danakola, Detective Hudith, and responding Fanwood police officers, and Union County EMS employees demonstrated exceptional lifesaving action at Fanwood Burough Hall. Upon arriving at the scene of a medical emergency involving an
unresponsive adult female, Detective Lieutenant Gilmore immediately initiated CPR alongside fellow officers. Through their rapid response, decisive teamwork, and the critical deployment of an AED, they successfully revived the patient and prevented a fatal outcome. Detective
Lieutenant Gilmores, Sergeant Colola, Detective Hudsmith, Brian Downing. Their exemplary conduct on this date reflects the highest standards of excellence upheld by the Fanwood Police Department. Their unwavering dedication, commitment, and professionalism are a credit to
their profession and the community they proudly serve. Um, I'm sincerely grateful, um, that you guys were working that day. Um, I I know for some of us this is not a I don't want to say it's not a big deal, but this is what we do. But, um, you guys handled it with
professionalism as always, and I I thank you for being there that day. [applause] [applause] do a good photo. Can you get Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. I I will just put a plug in for um CPR
training and um also understanding that the evolution of AEDs have become so simple um that it literally can talk to you and tell you what to do um and not to be afraid um to lean in in an emergency um
because it is amazing that you don't necessarily expect something like that to happen, but when you do you need calm and clear thinking and the the department and the men that showed up plus the staff here. I want to just say
to Jesse and to Courtney um who was right there in the office and to Pat Hines um who were steadyg guided hands. Um we came through it and we are so thankful for the community that we live in. And it also gives you an opportunity to stop sometimes in the world that we
live in and really just understand the importance of your life and your family and your friends and your community because sometimes we all move at such rapid paces that it's okay to just kind of reset of what's actually important in life and we saw that firsthand. So,
thank you. Thank you again. It's not yet. So, while we have some of our um audience members leaving, um I also want to just take uh a moment to um just
publicly discuss the July 3rd storm that uh hit that came through Fanwood on July 3rd. Um there were many people that were in town and there were many people that were not in town. And for those of us that were in town, 60% of our households
um went out of power. Um and many of those households went from Friday into Saturday, some into Sunday into Monday with finally the last ones coming back online on Tuesday. There was over 80 mph winds um that literally tore through
Fanwood. And in some respects, this was worse for us than Sandy just because of the amount of property damage that actually um occurred. Um there was so I want to thank I still see John Pakola here who was our fire chief but also was on the ground with public works and his
crew that he called in. Um the police department um our building official who came in because you got to remember it was July 4th weekend and we actually had probably eight or nine homes that had to be visually inspected. um and one unfortunately was deemed uninhabitable.
Um and so that is um that was very unfortunate. We also had many people that while they could stay in the homes, they received um significant significant damage to their homes with trees going into their homes. And so there's a lot of people that are um in a lot of pain
right now. Um and so I want to just thank the community. Um we tried to communicate out the best that we could. Um, we did a lot of, um, social media. I actually went into some of the local, uh, forms myself because it's really
important to have, uh, credible information in times of, uh, darkness, literally and figuratively. um and really advocated on behalf of public service and the governor's office um to really make sure that Fanwood did not
get lost in the shuffle of things because it's very easy when you have so much that goes out that you need someone that is literally reminding them of um what's going on. So, I want to thank all of our first responders and our staff um who we all worked through um the
weekend. Um, now we're going to move on for the approval of our um, minutes of our meetings from July 15, 2026. May I have a motion? >> Motion. Second. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Thank you. Um, I now would like to open up the meeting to the public. This is where if you would like to come forward, um, except excluding ordinances that have the second reading public hearing, now would be the time. So, can I have a motion to open up the meeting to the public? >> So, second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone wish to come forward? >> Just state your name and address, please. >> Uh, good evening, mayor. Ladies and gentlemen of the council, Bruce Patterson, uh, Belvadier Fanwood, and
Willow Avenue, Garwood, as you know. >> Double residence. >> Yeah. Dual citizenship, I call them. Anyway, um Oh, by the way, yeah, you're talking about a lot of homes got hit by trees. My family Presbyterian church. >> Yes, it was one of them.
>> Had big tree fell down, broke a roof, you know. >> I know. I was there. >> Oh, okay. I took pictures. I mean, if you want to see pictures, I can send it to you. It's horrible. But anyway, uh what I just talking about one of the resolutions. It was uh 07153,
which is a resolution for $3,000 for Acuity uh as the affordable housing agent that that is on the agenda that you're going to be voting on. And I'm just wondering, uh, the $3,000, uh, a lot of the, uh, financial agreements through the pilots
and such normally have a 2% administration fee possibly inserted, uh, to cover that cost for these agents that um, are here. I don't know the exact u responsibilities of acute but I would assume it's very similar but but
they are to assure that the affordable housing process is being okay with the developers or the management companies of the high density um and one thing is they're actually supposed to review the um audits there's supposed to be an audit by law that the affordable housing
uh development provides to this third party acuity and I I guess my question is or my two questions are one is these audits is is the are the public able to Oprah any of these audits uh that Acuity
supposed to verify and also the $3,000 is that uh is that really just a pass through dollar amount coming from uh the financial agreements uh which should have some kind of administrative cost inserted into the financial agreements
to pay for this third party. So those are the actually the two questions. >> Sure. So QD um hasn't worked for us yet. So they're going to be hired tonight. So number one. Um number two, the funding for that comes from the affordable housing trust fund that we have. So
that's where the funds will come from. And then the um pilots do get audited. And if you ask, I'm sure you can get a copy of them >> from the bureau. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else wish to come forward?
Seeing that there isn't anybody else, may I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? >> All in favor? >> Okay. Um uh thank you. Um I'm going to just go out of order. Um I'm going to ask Liz Jeffrey to come forward
and just do a little update for us. >> Good evening everyone. That was nice recognition tonight. I appreciate you being here for that. I've known most of them a long time, especially Jane Cran. Um, so I I don't want to um go back through
what I presented the last time I was here uh last meeting, which was basically sort of I guess the uh strategic perspective on why we do what we do as far as our redevelopment goes. Um, but I would like to just maybe hit on a few points and then bring you some
current current issues that are uh probably new information for you. Um, so our website is a work in progress. It's getting there. It takes a little work because, you know, as you know, we have, you know, uh, small contracts in Fanwood and we don't have devoted people
full-time to do these things, but we we are getting the the, uh, website up and running. It does include many before and afters and um you know sort of what we began focusing on with the development of the downtown block near the train station and why we chose to do um what
probably is the lowest density, you know, mixeduse housing you can do with retail on the first floor. um to meet our affordable housing obligations, to meet the smart growth goals of putting people living and working in your downtown, and to create and and foster
the creation of new retail spaces. Um and then as you know many as I said last time many many properties were vacant for decades or more up and down the South Avenue which we also wanted to sort of spur with you know adding in the
rehabilitation area and trying to attract investment there which took some time after even we we took our initiatives in 2015 and 2016 with the area in need of rehabilitation and other focused you know um promotion of trying
to um see that there could be continued investment in Fanwood. And we were super lucky um because even though it took time, we have seen that um in even in our longtime folks such as, you know, the Fanwood Animal Hospital buying the property across the street and doing
adaptive reuse and then, you know, selling his property for a small small multif family. Even the Il son site that sat vacant for so long to be, you know, encouraging that investment and seeing it happen. Um so um you know just a
reminder when we when I go when I go through trying to give the website people the before and after pictures as I said the last time you know it's really remarkable the amount of light industrial even brownfields you know the the sort of cohesive approach that was taking letting our people participate
such as enchantments or the Fwood Clipper if they wanted to um and being in the position that we are now um well I'll give you the big it was first. So, we're, you know, we have five businesses in Fanwood that have, you
know, either expanded or opened a second business in Fanwood and in the climate of the last 15 years. Like, that's saying a lot. It's saying a lot as to how personal our businessfriendly and our business outreach is. And it's saying a lot about this community, which we know. I mean, loyalty is like, as a
fan would loyalty New Jersey, like loyal to its sports teams, loyal to its neighbors, loyal to its businesses. Um, but it shows, you know, as I said before, you know, for for Mitt to be successful as a pharmacy in the world of bigarmacies and then not only be
successful, but look for a place where he could land and buy and actually own his property to continue with that success. um you know is a remarkable thing for our Fabios who we all love and adore to want to make a bigger stake to own their destiny to own in Fanwood to
put the amount of investment that they're putting in. Um and then you know Ron Chevlin and his wife you know seizing the opportunity with new space to to bring Beam Sauna to Fanwood their second business here. Um and and now over the past couple weeks I've been
working with um with Arman Sock, the owner of Jessica's. And um they have signed a lease for um the old family investor site. And um they have uh permit applications getting getting into process for a market there, kind of a
specialty Mediterranean uh market. Um, so it's it's very initial, but it's in. And um, I mean, I just have to say this to you because the the guy who ran Nostamos, the
Mediterranean place that fit into that small teeny kitchen and made a miracle over there with the quality of food that he put on. I don't know if any of you ever were there or were able to taste that food, but he was amazing. This the cook there, Petr. I went there personally multiple times like even
cleaned out the back room with him and organized things to make uh you know to make room for how he had to adhere to compliance with health and safety regulations and um you know he he lost it for a little while. He had other people backing him and he was put
someplace else and he he could he just could he couldn't wait to come back to Fanwood. So, it's it's that gentleman in conjunction with Armen and some others that are looking to create uh you know kind of a specialty market with homemade gelato and a bunch of probably cooked
food that will be um like what we had at the Mediterranean not exactly a restaurant but like what we had at the Mediterranean Grill. So, that is very very exciting news. Um and um it's just encouraging to see another
business looking to um expand or set up something new even in town. Um so that's the happiest thing I have to report to tonight. Um and the footings and foundations are going to be going in I I want to say maybe the beginning of next week into the uh first building at the
AMP site. So they've been clearing [applause] and working it and you know going through all the bureaucratic processes as we've talked about for two two years in this room. I've been you know giving you updates on how many uh entities they have to work with for their approvals. But uh yeah so that's
terrific news too. Um and I've been also getting some uh input just by virtue of where we are. You know I we have commercial real real estate brokers that work in our area. Silbert is a longtime commercial real estate entity that
represents Fanwood Crossing um and you know certainly is an expert in the field in our area and um I had some correspondents with him lately and he wanted to you know just pointed out to me that like we're at 3% vacancy which is like unheard like almost all the time
like the past you know decade or two of the level of vacancy that we've had compared to peer communities and neighboring communities And I mean they attribute it to the creation of new space which we needed. You know people have a hard time filling up old defunct
>> retail space and we've create and the creation of foot traffic the daily foot traffic from people living and working downtown as to you know that's created this sort of robust environment. Um and so he was um searching and asking about any other
space that I was aware of which there really isn't many. We we know we have a very solid residential, we we hardly ever have any vacancies. Um but to be consistently that way in retail, so um that's what we're about right now, like 3% vacancy. And it's something that you
should all be very, very proud of because it doesn't come by accident. It came by, you know, a lot of good planning and effort. Um peace site and the new market. I think that's about it. >> That's great news.
>> Yeah. Thank Thanks, Liz. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I think that um there's a lot of competition for people to um put their roots down when it comes to um opening a business. And so when we find
that um people seek out Fanwood, right, to open up a second business, like they know, right, they know that this is a solid community that um people will support it um and that is a businessfriendly climate that um we can
work with them. And I'm just excited that that sort of dilapidated building in the back will get a facade improvement and it will actually turn into um a thriving business right next to the train station and the parking will be ample there. Um and we know the
food will be second to none because you've got, you know, two guys who know what they're doing. So I look forward to seeing that come online. Awesome. Thank you. Okay, moving on. Um we have a first reading of two ordinances. So under administration and finance,
>> yes, I introduce ordinance number 0-2026-07-R and request that the title be read by the clerk. An ordinance of the Bureau of Fanwood amending chapter 153, article 23-5
of the code of the Burrow of Fanwood, County of Union, State of New Jersey, entitled fees. I move that ordinance number 0-2026-07-R be adopted on first reading and if adopted that the clerk advertise the
ordinance as required by law and that the second reading of the ordinance be held at the public hearing at Burrow Hall 75 North Martin Avenue New Jersey on August 10th >> 10th 2026 at 700 p.m. or as soon
thereafter as the matter can be heard. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Jesse, do you want to just give a high level of what this was? >> Yeah. So, um our tax collector had recommended two fee updates for
consideration. Um both of which included in this uh ordinance which uh would result in amendment to chapter 153 of the Burke Code. Um, first it establishes a $100 fee for duplicate tax sale certificates. This is standard practice amongst most municipalities and would
only ever be charged to lean holders who lost a certificate um, not to residents. Second, implementing a $25 in lil of mailing fee for the tax sale process. This fee also common among m among municipalities helps offset the cost of
online tax sales and actually provides delinquent taxpayers uh with additional notice to additional mailings making it more likely they'll respond before the sale. Um Scott Plains recently did this and they saw uh more people respond to the notices and reduce the number of
properties that went to tax sale. Um and the additional revenue helps pay for the cost of running the online tax sale. Um and so those are the two main >> Okay. >> Thank you. We have a next uh first reading out of a ordinance under public safety.
>> Yeah. So just um briefly to describe this um officer CR came to our last meeting to describe the package of changes and modifications that the police department and our engineering
department um are recommending. Um there are additional stop signs uh that they have requested as well as no stopping or standing um for vehicles um on multiple streets that are close to schools um as
well as left and right turn prohibitions again um to provide for better traffic safety. Um and then speed limits um across uh several uh several roads in town.
Primarily uh dropping speed limits uh on various roadways including Martin uh at many sections where the unbeknownst to me the speed limit changes every 5 seconds to something crazy. So, um this is a package of changes that was
discussed by the traffic committee um and uh agreed upon last time uh that really is aimed at promoting uh both traffic safety and pedestrian safety near the schools um and to reduce um
congestion. So, that's what this uh that's what this ordinance addresses. So this is the first reading of ordinance 2026-08-R, Ordinance of the Bureau of Fanwood, County of Union and State of New Jersey, amending chapter 280 of the Burough Code
regarding vehicles and traffic. Uh oh, I read that. Sorry, I'm going to keep going. Um, I move that ordinance 2026-08-R be adopted on first reading and if adopted that the clerk advise the ordinance is required by law and that the second reading of said ordinance be
held at a public hearing Burough Hall, 75 North Martine Avenue, Fanu, New Jersey on August 10th, 2026 at 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard. Second >> second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I.
>> Thank you very much. Um, now we have our second reading of our public hearing of our ordinance. Um, >> one more meeting. >> I'm sorry. Um, under administration finance. >> You want to explain that first? >> Uh, yes. So, um, also something that was
reviewed by our tax collector. Um, in our ordinance establishing the sewer utility, um, one of the exclusions of properties that was included under the ordinance uh, were school properties. Um, and reviewing uh state law and
understanding that it's uh utility service fee tax municipalities including Scotch Planes do not exclude school properties and so now with the Lrand school opening this fall um to be consistent uh with Scotch Planes and also to um you know follow what's
allowed under the statute. This ordinance would remove schools as an accepted property of the ordinance uh so that they would pay uh based on their sewer usage. >> Thank you. Please. Thank you.
>> I introduce ordinate number 0-2026-09-R and request that the title be read by the clerk. >> An ordinance amending amending chapter 242 article 32 242-12 of the code of the burrow of Vanwood County of Union state of New Jersey
entitled sanitary sewers. I move that this ordinance number O-20226-09-R be adopted on first reading if adopted that the clerk advertise the ordinance as required by law and that the second reading of said ordinance be held at the
public hearing at Hallar 75 North Avenue 75 North Martin Avenue Fan New Jersey on August 10th 2026 at 700 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. Second. >> All in favor?
>> Okay. Thank you. Um, now moving on to our second reading public hearing of our ordinance. Before we open it up to the public, I'd like to call forward Mike Michael Burns who is our uh tax attorney. Um, at our last meeting uh where we introduced this ordinance. Um,
Mike, he gave a basically a presentation and an understanding of what we were doing tonight. So, I thought it would be uh beneficial for those in the audience who were not here to just do that again. >> Sure. Um I I will apologize. I'm not going to be able to remember exactly
everything that I said last time, but I will do my best to try to cover all the points. >> Sure. >> Uh that were made the last time as well. Um, so the ordinance night is essentially the review that's covered under the state statute for the uh
short-term tax abatement ordinance that the municipality has in place. Uh, under that statute, uh, the municipality is required to take a look back and determine whether or not the ordinance uh, still serves a purpose and whether or not they wish to continue utilization
of that ordinance. Uh unfortunately when that ordinance was put into place uh that requirement was never put into the actual ordinance itself and so um essentially through ministerial error that review didn't take place when it
should. Uh that wasn't a choice by the burough council. It wasn't uh something that the uh council decided against doing, decided to ignore their responsibilities on it. Simply wasn't placed in the ordinance. And so unless someone actually went back and looked, which
eventually did happen, um that review wouldn't take place. And I know that the uh the bureau put on a very nice presentation the last time about everything that the ordinance has done and the thoroughess of the review that was conducted uh in order to determine
whether or not the short-term tax abatement uh still uh serves a function, serves a purpose. Um and essentially what the ordinance does now is take that information, make the determination that yes, the ordinance has served its
purpose. It has a little bit more work to do and sets an end date for when eligibility to apply for that u abatement uh will sunset essentially. uh basically creating a self-terminating ordinance um
to allow the the the process to finish itself out. Uh I think my understanding is that um it has encouraged certain growth within the the township in certain areas that needed it. it has rehabilitated certain
properties um and you know uh that certain properties have applied not been granted it because they didn't qualify under the specific uh standards of the ordinance others have um one of which has uh and you can correct me if I'm wrong but one of which has gone all the
way through the process uh one of which is about halfway excuse [clears throat] me about halfway through the process and one of which has just started the process um of going through the the abatement uh the abatement itself is fairly straightforward. Uh all that it
does is uh the property owner uh if they qualify, they will continue to pay taxes on the value of the property uh the land itself uh and any improvements that existed on the land prior to whatever improvements they made. and it phases in
them paying the taxes on the improvements that they put into place, essentially giving them uh an economic incentive to invest significant sums into developing some of these these properties that really needed it. Um
the burrow is essentially making up for um the ministerial error of uh not addressing that uh review. Uh I want to say about a year ago when when they should have addressed that
review in the first place. Um and essentially making the determination that yes, we want this ordinance in place, but yes, we want it to uh sunset uh once it finishes accomplishing the
tasks of the projects that were put into place and reliance on that ordinance um and give us all a way forward to um then be able to enjoy um the enjoy the fruits of essentially
>> right so tonight's ordinance um makes minor changes >> minor changes uh it uh well it does the statutory review uh it confirms the statutory review that the ordinance is in place for a proper
purpose um it changes the end date so that the ordinance itself does sunset I believe in two years >> yeah 24 months >> uh 24 months so that um after that no further their applications can be submitted, reviewed, uh put in. Uh and
uh it places the uh effective date for the ordinance so that it is a continuous period from when it was first adopted back in 2015 so that um there are no questions as to uh when something
qualifies. >> And you looked um at this because you are a tax appeal attorney. You're a tax attorney by >> Yes. profession. >> So, uh, uh, outside of Fenwood, um, I'm also the tax appeal attorney, uh, and have worked in tax appeals
>> I want to say for about 10 years now. um in uh Franklin, North Brunswick, uh Marorrow, um you know, Brook Township, uh probably three or four other towns where where I've handled the bulk of their tax appeals. Uh had to deal with
their trials, had to deal with, you know, not just valuation issues, but also some of these more esoteric issues as to where does the law apply, when does it apply, and how do we uh get here from the statutory interpretation? what's the intent of the statute, how
has it been interpreted, and how can we we move forward with it. In addition to that, I do township attorney work as well um in a number of townships, uh dealing with implementation of ordinances, how they're supposed to be written, how they're supposed to be adopted, and how to make sure that they
are um viable for what the township intends to do. So, I came at this from both sides to make sure um that it was being appropriately done, that it was being appropriately considered >> and that the uh the retroactivity of this ordinance was appropriate in this
circumstance. It's not always appropriate. Um it's not always appropriate in all circumstances. If the bureau had made a choice about this, if they had uh declined to do so um intentionally, uh if it was anything more than a mere ministerial error in
the fulfillment of the statutory requirements and intent, uh then my advice would be very different. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. So, >> do you want to add any presentation? >> Yes, sure.
I mean, I realize that tonight, you know, it's a second reading and some of the things I I can catch up on briefly because they're on our website. They have been on our website, most of this information about the redevelopment and and whether it's long-term or short-term tax abatements, but I think it would be
important tonight just to reiterate because it doesn't seem to have been covered. Maybe saying it again is is worthwhile that, you know, um this tax abatement is what we call the short-term tax abatement. was created by the state of New Jersey to help inspire uh to help
foster investment in in areas that were experiencing vacancy, dilapidation, even in historic preservation because it would in it would incentivize people to make significant investment to their properties. So that's the reason that the law was created by the state of New
Jersey and you have to satisfy certain criteria in order to be eligible and um you must be located in an area in need of rehabilitation which we established on the South Avenue corridor, not all of it but in certain of our vacant and underutilized sites in the South Avenue
corridor. We established an area in need of re rehabilitation. And even after we did that and had successful track record happening in the downtown uh redevelopment, we still had trouble uh seeing some investment come forward as I mentioned, you know, just Ilson Sonio
for as that example. Um so you do have to be located in the area in need of redevelopment and it isn't it is a a tax abatement that has a max has a term of 5 years and you never pay less than what you were paying. The pro it's conventionally taxed. Basically, your
property continues to be conventionally taxed. So, all the entities that receive that receive the money under that taxation continue to receive that. Um, it's administered by the tax assessor, not by the bureau. It basically is an application that's given to the tax
assessor. Um, and you gradu what happens is you graduate in on the new taxes based on your new assessed value, based on the improvements that you made. So, whatever your assessment went up,
you graduate into that new assessment. If your assessment went from $150,000 [clears throat] to a million, then you graduate in over the course of five years to paying uh you stay steady the first year to allow for lease up and financing stability. And then you pay 20% of the new assessed
value, 40% of the new assessed value, 60%, 80%, and then 100% of your assessed value. So, so I just want to state it out there again because I I you know it might be worthwhile just for the record for tonight's meeting. Um we have stated
this before and there is information on the website but um it is something that's created by the state of New Jersey. It has to be in an area in need of rehabilitation and is a graduation into your full new assessment not a relief of any prior existing investment.
>> So thank you questions. I'm happy to >> Thank you. Okay. So, >> so with that, I'd like to open the meeting to the public. So, move >> Oh, let me just read the uh ordinance into the record. I'm sorry. So, like to have the second reading in the public
hearing of tonight's ordinance. Sure. >> I call up for second reading, ordinance number 0-2026-06-s. Um, and request the clerk have a produced affidavit for publication. Also read the ordinance by title.
>> Ordinance of the Burrow of Fanwood amending and readdopting chapter 268 taxation articles 1 through 17 of the burough code. >> Okay. I move that um a public hearing be held on said or ordinance. I >> have a second.
>> All in favor? >> Okay. I'd like to call forward any members of the public that wish to come forward. Please state your name and address for the record. There's five minutes. No yielding of time. of coming back a second. So, Mr. Morris, welcome.
>> Terry Morris, 405 South Avenue. >> Um, out of curiosity, can I talk directly to the attorney? >> Well, you have a your time. I mean, he comes through me, Mr. Morris, as the >> All right. >> Mayor, >> I'm going to read uh first of all, Liz,
I'm sorry. I like you as a person. You're not correct about conventional taxation. distributed taxation. It's that's not conventional when you have a massive tax abatement. It's just not. Let's not play
with the words here. And you also said something that really stood out. Low density. We have no density requirements in our town. We can build anything. The Soho right now is more densely populated than Detroit.
Now, I'm sorry if I'm going off, but every time you guys talk, something else comes up and I'm I I go off I go off script. This is interesting. I was accused of misinformation in the last meeting and I just have to say something
to that. That is hilarious. That is absolutely hilarious. We are here tonight because I found this. Not the lawyer. I found it. I FOUND IT. THERE'S YOUR DOG. YOU HAVE PAID BY OUR tax money to find out if this was
sunseted. You failed. YOU DIDN'T DO IT. I DID IT. I HAVE [applause] NO LAW DEGREE. I just researched it. Okay. This is going to go across New Jersey. This is going to change NEW JERSEY BECAUSE EVERY town is doing this garbage. I'm
sorry. [applause] NOW [cheering] LISTEN TO THIS statement that this nugget that I found not on chat GPT. If town officials mistakenly told the developer the ordinance was active and
accepted the application during the gap, the developer might sue under the doctrine of equitable estoppel. I don't know how to pronounce that. However, New Jersey courts rarely rule against municipalities on tax matters based on a
town official's mistake as developers ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW the law. It's the developer's responsibility, too. They took they took way longer to build that building. If they did it on time, I could pull up tap into he could pull it
up for you right now on his he wrote an article that was supposed to be done in 2023. Had he done it in 2023, had he finished, he would have been able to apply for it. But he didn't, did he? He was late. And you know what that did to the neighborhood? More loud noises. More
loud noises. Do you know what it's like to live next to that? I know people who live next to that. And it was a nightmare. So, it was supposed to be just a few years. It turned into a five-year nightmare. Did anybody visit
to talk to the poor lady that lived next door? >> Co. >> Really? What is the deal? You can't go back in time. You know darn well that ordinances are meant for today and forward. There's
only special exceptions for that. It's for health and safety and for the public good and for the love of God. You're never going to tell me the public good was served. We don't have enough parking. What's going to happen when we open that new pl the new place that's going to be opening? Where's the parking
for the post office supposed to go? What are we doing here? We allowed somebody to build a building there that does not have enough parking. It has a deficit of parking. From my estimation, they're missing two parking spaces. Where's the variance to grant
that? What happened to the blocked fire lane that I'm told is misinformation? They suddenly changed that. Isn't that interesting? When I bring it up at a public meeting and they change the design, the fact is the design never had a dog run in it. It never did and we
allowed it to happen. Where are the variances? Who's approving it? Did somebody now approve the new thing? Why did that not come before the board? Why the heck were they not uh fined for blocking and obstructing a fire lane? A
fire lane. Is that a good partner for our town? I don't think so. We already gave them an abatement. They had two more years of construction with no new taxes. No new taxes. They're paying substantially less taxes than the
property that was there before. Everybody talks about, "Oh, the taxes don't go down." Oh, yeah. They do. When you take down buildings, they absolutely go down. They immediately dropped. Oh, you could shake YOUR HEAD ALL YOU WANT. You could shake your head all They went down. They went Are they paying Do you
think the building there before was paying more or less taxes than the Soho is paying right now? Answer that question. You can't. >> Morris, your time's up. >> Okay. One final thing. >> Your time is up, Mr. Morris. >> One final thing. Your time is up. SIR, LET LET ME ASK YOU, CAN WE GO BACK IN
TIME AND change the ordinance about 5 minutes? >> Can we do that? Can we make it 10 minutes? Can we change all ordinances? >> Time is up. >> Can we change that ordinance, too? >> Thank you, Mr. >> Oh, I'll be back at the rest of the meeting. >> I'm sure you will. Thank you, MR. [applause] >> WOW, it's a hard one to follow.
>> Can you please not shout at us? >> Can you please not interrupt my speaking time? >> [applause] >> Okay, first of course we want to thank the police, the fire, the DPW frontline heroes for all of their service and work during the recent storm and power outages. I know they left to go to the
open bar, but they were awesome. Um, also it's great to see Dan CR received such a well-deserved promotion to captain. He's a true leader. He'll always have our vote. Erin, congratulations on Duncan. We met him today. My dog is obsessed and he's
adorable. So, we were just That was delightful to see today. Okay. Next. Um I'd like to say I heard Councilman Carter's remarks last month. I'm sorry I wasn't here for that, but I did see it.
I think you owe Gary an apology. That was not cool or appropriate. Gary has been relentless in the pursuit of the truth via the Oprah process and everyone in this community knows this.
So, as long as we're talking about misinformation, I'm going to roll a video to you. >> Are you here to talk about the ordinance? Because that's what the public meeting is. Okay. >> I'm definitely here to talk about the ordinance. Let's start by talking about
the ordinance on this video. It should be noted that the developer is not seeking any tax relief. So they're not looking for abatements. They're not looking for, you know, any relief in that regard. So, it's one of those
projects that from that standpoint, it's going to be beneficial to the burrow, the residents of the burrow, and it allows us to, not to sound like a politician, for several years now, we've been able to pretty much hold the line on any residential, the burrow portion
of the taxes. We won't get into anyone else's portion, but the burrow portion of the taxes, the services continue. Uh, I heard him say there will be no tax abatement or exemption for the Soho. That's what
that's what the remarks were about in 2021. Why are they getting an abatement? I know you tried to explain that. It didn't seep through to me. Last time I asked this, you said because they applied for it. That was an unacceptable
answer to a bunch of residents and taxpayers. It was an unacceptable answer to Mrs. Ding who lives next door who just passed away. She has been through a lot and she now rest in peace has been through too much because of this
building. This building makes no sense to anyone except for this board. No sense to any Does this building make sense? The Soho. >> Anybody think this building makes sense? >> Does it belong in Fanwood? >> So we're we're going to need to have a
just a point. I still have Courtney from the >> Courtney. How much time do I have? >> Okay. How much time? >> Two. Two minutes. Okay. >> Okay. So, we urge you to vote no on ordinance 0-2026-06R, which we are the ones who told you it
had expired. It doesn't serve the public. It doesn't serve the public. It doesn't serve the public. Liz, I'm so glad you brought up Nasty Mouse because they were pushed out of our community. We're welcome back in, but they were pushed out because of 383 South. I know
we can't talk about that because there's a lawsuit, but that's why they left. Okay. So, just for clarification, I know that that was left out. That's all. Vote no. Vote for the residents. [applause] Like to call forward any members of the
public. Eric Felen, Scotch Plains. So, you might ask, [clears throat] why am I up here? I'm not a resident of Fanwood, right? Well, do you care? I do, and that's why I'm here. So, as Gary mentioned, and as others have mentioned,
this abatement that you are provisioning hurts both towns. It hurts Scotch Planes and Families. So you all know about pilots payment in lie of taxes and these abatements. So money is not going to the combined town school district and that's why I'm
here fighting. So I think the estimates were over a million dollars that's that's not going to the school system uh due to these taxes. Listen, I had my house uh remodeled recently. It would be nice if
I got a 20, 40, 50, 60 gradual increase in my taxes, too. You know, [applause] my house my house was a was deplorable, if that's your terms, because it there was a lot of work that needed to be done. It was dilapidated. It needed work. It needed a roof. It needed new
windows. But I I can't just push off my taxes like that. So why do we do this and give do you want to give this to other people to oh let's give the 20 40 60 or whatever rule so that we can just give them free money. I don't know who's here is is you know what deals are being made
on the side. I'm not going to make any insinuations. I do want to commend the town council though by the way for what you did during the during the July 4th power issue. The readers was very nice. Did the town pay for that or was that donated?
>> I paid for it. >> You paid for it. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay, so that's a nice thing. Now, I wasn't sure if that was something that the town had to pay for, but that's that's a nice gesture and the town should do another nice gesture and listen to the voice of the community.
Listening to the voices inside your head so that way you can keep yourselves reelected and keep yourselves up there and keep the developers or whatever it may be. I don't know what your personal agendas are, but it sounds like the town their agenda is different than your
agenda. All right. All this development, all these big buildings that we're building, listen, pilot was developed, I think 50 years ago to address, yes, deplorable, dilapidated areas that were no that that nobody wanted to move into,
that nobody wanted to develop in. We're talking about communities that are impoverished, you know, almost like war zones. As somebody mentioned here earlier today, one of you up there mentioned that we have like no vacancies anywhere, that all the apartments are rented, this
and that. There's no deplorable areas in in Fanwood. A piece of a piece of land you're calling deplorable just because it doesn't have a a tenant because it it no, it just needs the right finance or the right person to come in. And if that
right person to come in is not somebody that that that is for you, then who is it for? Okay, remember you're up here for everybody else that's out there? And I don't know where you found this clown because his confidence in what he
was doing here and I saw him up here. He has no confidence whatsoever of what he's talking about. So I I pray for you guys. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. [applause] [applause] >> Uh good evening, Mayor and Council. Ben Reposa, Willoughby Road, Fanwood. Um I
spent a lot of time over the past few days, uh reading the ordinances and the redevelopment plans and tonight's agenda because I wanted to understand what what the burrow is trying to accomplish. uh not just to react to it. The more I read, the more I realized that tonight isn't really just about one uh one
ordinance about it's about the direction of our town. Over the past 20 years, the bureau has adopted redevelopment plans, amended those plans, updated the zoning map, created commercial corridor districts, changed develop changes changed development standards, increased affordable housing requirements, and
tonight you're considering extending the bureau's authority to grant commercial tax abatesments. Each one of those decisions may make sense on its own, but residents don't experience them all at one time. We experience them all together. So, I have a few questions that I hope the council uh can help
residents understand. First, how do you decide when a tax abatement is actually needed? How do you know a project wouldn't move forward without one? If a developer asks for financial incentives, what does the bureau require
them to prove before taxpayers help make that project financially viable? These are honest questions because from a resident's perspective, we don't really see that process. Second, has the bureau ever stepped back and looked at the cumulative impact of
all these redevelopment decisions? Not just one building, not just one ordinance, all of them together. Have we looked at what they've meant for traffic, parking, infrastructure, municipal service, neighborhood character, and the quality of life of
the people who already live here? If that anal uh if that analysis exist exists, I think the residents would appreciate seeing it. Another thing I noticed while reading the ordinance ordinance is that an applicant has to explain why an abatement is needed, identify the expected public benefits,
and remain current on taxes and municipal charges. I think those are good requirements, [cough] but I'd also like to understand how the bureau measure measures success after an uh agreement is approved. How do we know the public actually received what was promised?
I'm asking these questions because Fanwood is changing. Some people welcome every new project, others don't. I'm somewhere in the middle. I understand that some redevelopment can be beneficial, but I also think there's a point where we need to ask uh whether we've reached enough. Fan was a small
town. One of the reasons many of us chose to live here is because we feel it it it it doesn't feel like every other town. I'd hate to lose what uh that without first having an honest conversation about where we're headed. I'm not here I'm not here tonight asking you to stop redevelopment. I'm asking
you to explain it. Explain why another tax abatement is needed. Explain what residents receive in return. Explain how success will be measured. and explain how you'll know when enough
redevelopment is enough. I don't think those are unreasonable questions to ask. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Anyone else like to come forward? >> Hi. Um Laura Crawford, 119 Hunter. So, I'm not anywhere near as prepared as our
previous uh people, but I do have a question. So I want to understand the ordinance. I understand the ordinance, the purpose of it. Um why, you know, it's so important to draw new businesses, all of that. My question is
why do we have to make this particular ordinance retrospective? What is the town gaining from that? Or is it just the develop developers that are gaining that from a clerical mistake? Like why is the town doing this? That's what I
want to know. Like what are we gaining financially from this? It seems like we're losing instead of just creating a new ordinance that might make more sense for the current environment. I just don't understand why we're retrospectively helping out,
you know, the developers instead of like maybe focusing on the residents who are not getting abatements. Our taxes are going up every year and it's frustrating because it's pushing a lot of us out. And that's really all I HAD TO SAY. >> [applause] >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISH TO COME
FORWARD? >> Uh good evening, Mayor Bruce Patterson, Belvadier Fanwood and Willow Avenue Garwood. The uh yeah, the ordinance uh that comes before us just just a little bit of uh factf finding that I did in
the last 10 years and this is actually back a couple of years anyway. In the last 10 years and I think I might have mentioned this once before in front of the council but anyway we have encountered so many high density projects from the Netherwoods train station all the way to the Cranford uh
Rosel border on South Avenue corridor which is about 7 miles long. And I and I did some calculations. It turns out about that South Avenue and one block in both sides. It turns out that we have a high density project every 1,500 ft.
1,500 ft. We have a high density project. You know, people wonder about the traffic. Well, there you go. There's your answer. Uh back to back to the Soho and this and this ordinance. And unfortunately what we you know I
I've been tracking all the high densities in Union County and and of course South Avenue corridor. But anyway and and I really didn't do a deep dive into this Soho until recently. I mean it was on it was on my radar only because you come out of Mr. Nick's uh pizza
parlor or Rockos and you see this big, you know, monstrosity o overshadowing everything. But anyway, this came about uh it was approved by our planning board and and the council of course back during the COVID years and unfortunately during the COVID years
were people really paying attention. I mean I hope they were but unfortunately looking at what came out of this Soho really makes me question it. The reason I say that is because the density that we're looking at at the Soho is 90 units
per acre. I know you only got about 53 units, but but we're talking about 90 units an acre as you normally [clears throat] analyze. And to tell you the truth, in Garwood, we have a vermela and that was 60 units an acre and that was a huge dense project and this one's
90. And one time I asked the planner, Bill Nerstand, you probably know him. And I I said, "How can we do 60 units an acre? That's amazing." And he goes, "Oh, it's even higher than that over in the city of Planefield and the city of uh Rawway and the city of Elizabeth." And he says, "You know, you see 60 uh units
an acre there." Yeah, they're cities. Gar is not a city. Neither is Famwood. And we're looking at 90 units an acre. That is a lot. But unfortunately, it's built and it's and it's now occupied obviously. So,
moving forward, what can we do? Well, retroact. It sounds like we can't do anything retroactive. So, we have to start from day one. And the government as as uh Mr. Mars did say, yeah, the government makes mistakes
and uh [laughter] you know, but the judge the judge ruled that yes, the government makes mistakes, but you know, that's how it is. And we've seen that before in Cranford where uh the construction department allowed this guy to build an 8-ft fence, but it was illegal. So, the guy actually had to take down the 8-ft fence even though the
construction uh department told him it was okay. Recently, Pompton Plains had a uh it was a uh candidate that that asked, "How many u signatures should I get on my petition?" They said 230. Turns out it was 250. She can't be a
candidate because she didn't have enough. She sued. The judge says, "Nope, that's the law. It's 250." So, here we are. We're looking at a an error, a gap period that you approved a uh an abatement. Obviously, we can consider
this instead of going retroactive, we can actually consider this a doover. And you really should be doing some kind of analysis now as to really whether he needs the abatement or not. Now that it's it's fully occupied, we have cash flow, we have revenue stream. So the
question is, do we need the abatement now or not? Uh, Miss Brink said vote no. I do agree that you should vote no. Do an analysis. Whatever's on whatever's in place right now, continue on until you finally uh come up with an analysis
whether an abatement is needed or not. uh as as to uh the lawyer mentioning no Miss Jeff actually mentioned that the land taxes that we get regular assessment on the land taxes that is true however I've seen a lot of pilot uh
financial agreements where the land taxes yes is paid that year but then the next year is actually deducted from the revenue stream. So, that's a question I'd actually like to hear whether the land taxes that Soho is paying is actually deducted next year, which means
they're really not paying taxes at all on that. Uh, I guess, you know, we're just we're just let me pick on the uh >> Mr. Patterson, your time's up. >> Uh, time's up. All right. I have a couple other items, but in consequence, [applause]
thank you. Hello. >> Hello. >> Cashar 37 South Avenue. Um the chippery is sort of I'm facing the chippery. And so when that conversation came into play that
they're going to build a huge unit over there and there's going to be no traffic problem, no parking problem, knowing that that street Old South Avenue has no place for cars to park as it is just just the residents.
[clears throat] So So that really boggled my mind thinking why is something so obvious is is is not realized. That's the only reason I started actually coming to these meetings. I wasn't even coming. I was thinking, "Oh, everything is fine. Things are working
great. Fanwood is great. I'm having a great time. Once I started seeing these projects and heard about these tax abatements, I got really concerned and I'm really concerned now about this ordinance going back giving the developer yet another
tax abatement. So, um, the impression that I have, the neighbors have all along Old South Avenue is that the government of Fanwood is favoring developers over and over and over again.
[applause] I wished I was wrong. I I re I came to this meeting to find out that, oh boy, you were wrong. They were just exaggerating. That's not what I'm finding. So, I would recommend voting no on this simply to give the residents a
sense that no, we're actually on your side. Um, so [applause] that's I appreciate. Thank you. [applause] >> Anyone else wish to come forward? Shown on Monro
real quick. No to the abatement. Just plain and simple. Everybody here that's not on that side of the room wants it. Want it to be know. Everybody on this side wants to know. I don't know how much time this tax
attorney can devote to Fanwood when he's representing a half a dozen or more towns. that just maybe that's why stuff gets missed. I don't know. All right. As regard to the improvements in the
town from the businesses, I'll tell you right now, the reason pharmacy is doing well in their new spot compared to their old spot. They're doing even a better job of taking care of their customers. The reason I go there is because I get
better customer service there. Even though I might be paying higher prices than if I go to the lead chain, Mitt and the ladies take care of the people that come in the door. Right. And that's important.
And that's all I've got for you tonight. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Anyone else wish to come forward? Good evening, Bud Lab and South Avenue. Um, [clears throat] congratulations to the new captain and and everyone for the rewards and everything tonight. Um, but I'm going to steal his I'm going to
steal his thing and say I'm the dumbest person in the room tonight at this point. Um, cuz I've been here for I'm in the town for 30 years now. Um, and listening to the tax attorney here who's our I believe he said is our tax attorney, right? um some of the things that he mentioned and also that Liz
mentioned here. Um [clears throat] first of all, he called it a ministerial error. I'm so I'm pronouncing that right, but it sounds to me like when this ordinance was written in 2015 or 16 that it was it was designed to be sunseted and that in 10 years. That's the way I read it. I mean, like I said,
I am the dumbest person in the room, but it sounds to me like there was a built-in fail safe for this to stop. And I think that I know now tonight what they're trying to put in a new ordinance. He said 24 months for the new one should it pass. Um which of course I'm against. Um but I think that it's
designed that way. And I don't know who up here on the board was here in 2016 when it passed. But I know the mayor was the mayor because I know I've been here for 30 years and she's been the mayor most of the time I've been here. Um but once again >> [clears throat] >> um you know we're not a dilapitated
dilapidated rundown area that is need and that is a blight and is need of people to come move here. What did you say we're 3% now? 3% vacancy. I mean come on that's not something that needs that needs to be filled. We we don't have a goal of reaching 100%. um when
this all when I got involved in this two years ago or so and started getting reading things and coming to the meetings um I understand that I think it was driven partially by the low-income housing requirements and I'm not against that at all but I think that that's why
that's what it was that's what it was driven by. But now we're at the point where a few meetings back we heard the lady from the state from that office gave a big presentation about how we don't have any free land. we can't we don't need to build anything new but should we build something then you have to have 17% of it has to be affordable
housing once again not against that um but I think that the point is that we don't need to go out and build this stuff it's nice to have the businesses it's nice to have the town but we're not um you know I just think it's it was mentioned also like you know who people wanted this to be in place and and I
don't know who that is because like I said everybody on this side it was said before I don't think anybody on this side wants that to be in place with this the ordinance that you guys would want to want to read and pass. Um, so I think in general I say vote no. I like appreciate if you would think of the
taxpayers because as someone else said, I don't see the benefit to the taxpayers for all of these tax abatements other than I've got a couple new stores downtown. That doesn't help me personally. All right. So or or new apartments. So thank you very much.
[applause] ANYONE else wish to come forward? >> They look so happy up there. >> You know, I'm not going to start dancing right now. >> Um, John Payne, 105 South Martine
Avenue. Um, two semesters of community college, you got kicked out, so I'm possibly the dumbest person. Um, last meeting you guys said that I I pay about $13,000 in in uh property tax. 3,000ish stays in
town, 9ish goes to the state, right? That's basically the breakdown that you guys said. Um, they've been building down the northeast corridor um from Hoboken, Jersey City, Raway, Puchin, Aanel, Woodbridge here. My property
taxes are going up. So, if you could explain to me why um it's beneficial to have more money coming into the town when all of our taxes keep going up. Does that make that make sense? Is that >> Yep. No, that makes sense.
>> Okay. Do you have >> I know you guys aren't really answering questions, but that's the one question that I asked. >> Well, no, this is what's my benefit to having more businesses and >> and and because this is the public's time, so we let you speak and then >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. That's okay.
>> All right. That's pretty much my question. So, >> okay. Thank you. [applause] >> Anyone else wish to come forward? >> Hi. Hi, can you hear me? Okay. Uh, I'm Gina Walsh and I'm from 23 Birwood Terrace. I moved here from the inner
city um where I grew up, very poor. My husband and I did not have fathers and we had to struggle to find our way because we knew seeing all of the things that you see growing up in Jersey City.
Um, we didn't want that for our kids. So, you know, we moved here when my daughter was a baby so that she could have a wholesome environment, so that she wouldn't be exposed to the things that we were exposed to as kids. Um,
I'm just I can't even believe though that my taxes have gone up $3,000 in three years. Like, my taxes are 20 grand. 20 grand. I am a teacher. Thankfully, I I work for Jersey City
Public Schools, so I'm I'm I do well. I've been there for 31 years. I had kids late in life. So, my husband and I were somewhat established. We had to work very hard to get ourselves out of poverty. So, that we would have the right to live in a place like this
because you have to earn your way out of that. You have to get educated. You have to work really hard when you have no parents and you grow up in the inner city so that you can afford a place for your children to live safely. I have people on my block now that
are living with extended family just to afford their taxes because they have young kids, you know. So, I don't think you're realizing, well, maybe you do realize growing up in Jersey City when Wall Street came over and, you know, all the tax abatements, it didn't help them either. We still had poor kids. Even
with Wall Street in Jersey City, we had poor kids. kids getting hit by cars, major traffic issues, major crime issues. I feel a little bit like Fanwood is becoming the city. I don't want to live in the city. That's why I moved here. That's why I struggled, put myself
through school. My husband did the same and worked really hard and saved our money so that we wouldn't have to deal with traffic and um you know people on our block living with 10 and 12 extended family members who we don't know crammed in like these are the things that happen
when you can't afford to live in your town. So we need businesses we need that but we need the taxes from them. You know, I can't imagine how a fan would a Scotch Plains fan would teacher could afford to live here. I can't afford to live here and I'm at the top of this the
pay scale like and they they're teaching with overhead projectors. When I started teaching in 1996 or '95, our overhead projectors were obsolete. These poor teachers are teaching with very limited resources. And God help
them if they actually have to live here cuz my taxes go up way more each year than I actually get in an increment. So I'm losing money by living here and we're unfortunately have to tell our kids that we may have to move and they're school age kids. I have a a
freshman and a fifth grader and they'll be brokenhearted. But I don't really know what else to do at this point. We're putting ourselves into debt when we should be looking forward to our retirement after 30 years of work. You know what I'm saying? But that's all I wanted to say. I would say no to the
ordinance. [applause] Anybody else? Anybody else? All right. So, with that, can I have a motion to close the public hearing? So, >> move second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. So, uh a couple things. Um, one, I
want to thank you all for coming out tonight, um, and to talk to us. I think that's very important. I think it's very important that we do hear from you. Um, there New Jersey has an affordability crisis, right? Like, so I understand,
right? I'm a single mother with three boys and I'm the sole provider and I live in a house in Fanwood, right? and I take care of everything and I've watched my taxes go up up and up. Um, we control 20
25% of your tax bill. So, I just need you to keep that in mind when I hear your anger and your frustration because I have it too. Um, we know what the schools are. We know what the county is. We know what the county open space is. Um I will stand sort of firm and say for
what stays here in Fanwood. I feel that we provide the level of services that you expect and deserve and when we falter and when something doesn't go right we try to make amends for that whether it's picking up or the roads or
something's going on in the park right the the library needed uh work to be done. So what we can control here is what we focus on because we all live here too. Um
the evolution of Fanwood's redevelopment has been going on for over 25 years. And I would ask that you remember that we're talking about one street which is South Avenue which is the corridor for Route
28 South Avenue for where we are talking about where this overlay zone exists. the residential part. Fanwood is still a community of over 90% single family
homes and our population today is less than the population that it was in 1970. Now, you may not feel it, but when you look back on the census when we did the um maybe the 70s or the 80s, I don't
have the exact number in me because we did this with the um master plan of where our housing um our population was. We did it to stimulate private investment and we did it to revitalize the areas along South Avenue to attract
new businesses. And the reason why I believe that Fanwood property values are so high is because we have a nice town that is anchored by good investment and people have chosen to come here and
spend upwards to some 14-15 million worth of investments. The ordinance allowed us to attract along the South Avenue corridor investment because we did have an affordable housing obligation. We did see the success that
we had around block 64 which is across the street from the train station and we wanted to spur on uh interest and investment which ultimately does help the town's ratables and overall um
evaluation numbers that we have here. Not everyone that applied for this short-term tax abatement gets it and not everybody that could get it does it. So we've had three I believe that are in the three that
>> one's completed >> one's completed. So the first one was um the Fanwood Animal Hospital, right? And so that was the first one that we did and that went over uh the course of five years. um and he paid what he paid in
his land and then the improvements graduated up and maybe the language needed to be a little bit more nuance that Liz talked about, but the money that comes in gets proportionally distributed back based on uh the
breakup. So the school system gets their 60% of what comes in, the county gets their 20% of what comes in, and then the balance stays here in Fanwood. Why did we do it was because we thought at the time that was the right thing to
do and it was because it spurred on the investment and for those who haven't lived here you know I'm here like 25 years the South Avenue corridor needed help and it attracted new businesses and we knew by temporarily reducing and then
graduating up over five years that we could get the investment that we were looking for which ultimately helps the bottom line of the tax ratable. It is a policy decision in advancing economic development principles. Um that in the
short term there's a long-term benefit. Um and so we saw that there was a benefit to doing this. Just want to go back because I want to make sure that I cover some of all of your questions here.
I live here too and I know many of you sitting here in this audience. Um, and I've been proud to be your mayor for as long as I have and I work for getting up every day to make sure that this is a really nice town and I know it is because each of us are in here and we
love family and we think it's a really nice community. I know that we may not agree on this abatement ordinance which is going to sunset in 24 months because it will have done ultimately what we set out to do back in 2015.
Um which is why that was important to this council um to take into account the projects that we know are um here and going to be possibly taking advantage of it. So, I don't know if any other councilman had council person has a
question or a statement before we go to the vote. >> Um, I I think that I'm I'm really hot. >> I want to express my appreciation for um the people who came up and spoke
respectfully. Um, whether you agree or you disagree and the questions you posed because it is our responsibility to try to answer them as best we can. Um, but you know, I I guess I do want to make it clear as I have many times sitting up
here and as you know, the mayor said, um, that we can agree or disagree, but that doesn't make us liars. It doesn't mean that we're in the pockets of the developers because we are not. Um, it doesn't mean we're showing any favoritism to the developers, and it certainly does not mean that we do not
care about the residents of Fanwick. As Colleen said, we are all paying the high taxes and I have been here since before the development was in Fanwood and the middle of town held nothing, no interest for me to take my kids into town, to go out for a
coffee, to have a bite to eat, nothing. There was virtually nothing there besides the Hallmark store realistically that drew us. What we did, we did in good conscience. We did with good intentions. Again, whether you agree or you disagree, the
intention was clear. I am not a paid politician. None of us are, right? We chose to do this to serve this community. So, you don't have to agree and I understand the difficulty of trying to afford the residential taxes
in this community. But I also see from this side what it costs to operate this town and this is a small town and we have very little revenue base in this town to balance the burden on individual
taxpayers and our goal is to make sure that single family residents >> there's there there's no there's no calling. >> You're going to say yes. It doesn't matter. We just go to the vote. >> So, so basically we've just listened for an hour and now no one on this side would like to listen. Is that what
you're saying? Because that's what I'm getting. What I am also getting is that there is a private Facebook where there is a lot of division and hostility that is fueled on a daily basis and very few people reach out to burough officials to ask questions with the exception of Gary
Morris who does. However, because there's no respect for the professionals that serve this community, the answers that are provided to him are disregarded as as untruths or incorrection. They're incorrect. And so, so I don't really know what the point is of our
professionals answering questions repeatedly when the answers are perceived as lies or untruths. So all I can say is that as a community we are trying to do the
best we can to uphold the agreements that we did make and I fully and as well as this whole council agrees that a tax abatement ordinance is no longer necessary beyond this period. We have done what we've needed to do as a community but we are
also responsible for holding to the agreements that we've made. And again, you can agree or you can disagree, but there is really no call to be disrespectful or to malign us. >> So, I want to make sure
>> and I and I don't think anyone on this council has done that. >> SO, THERE'S NO [laughter] THERE'S NO THERE'S no I'm I'm going to just a little point of order here. There's there's >> nice >> there's no yelling back and forth, please.
>> That was an uncontrolled laugh. Excuse me. Okay. All right. Um, >> um, >> yes. Yes or no. A lot has been made about the redevelopment
and as I stated at our last meeting when Liz uh, spoke that she took me down memory lane. I have lived in Fanwitt at various places since I was a teenager. >> Most of you here are relatively new
residents. >> I said relatively. >> No. >> Okay. I'm not >> Commissioner Morris, please control yourself. >> She How does she know? >> Let give her the respective letting her speak to you. Um, >> so we're we're not going to be able to
continue with the yelling back and forth from the audience to this. So at this point, >> you just want to go to a vote. >> Yeah. No, >> you don't remember when the area between Martin
and Second Street when the buildings collapsed because they were needed rehabilitation and the person who owned them decided not to put any money into the area at all and the buildings collapsed. You could go into one of those buildings and I remember very
distinctly one of the owners was in there in the middle of winter with her coat on because there was no heat and because the you could see from one the beginning of the when you walked in to the end you could see the draft and why
why it was drafty. So we certainly needed the rehabilitation and that's why All of these, thanks to the mayor, all of these obligations were met with the with the zoning and um and and literally
there there, as Erin said, there were there wasn't anything in town. There was a a hardware store, a bakery. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Kathy. What one of the questions that I just want to make sure I answered is um
what what are we receiving in return? And what I would tell you what you're receiving in return is a tremendous amount of private investment in a small town in an area um that actually is
investments into the town that adds assessments back onto the tax roles. So that what they were playing prior to any investment and we needed to stimulate with private investment and the millions that gets invested in turns out to have
a very significant increase that then gets distributed back to the schools back to the county and back here to Fanwood. So, but for that we would not be having as much of the investment that we have had in the past along South
Avenue because the corridor is exact is where the development for this takes place. So, I want to thank everyone for coming out and now we're going to move the we're going to close the public hearing on ordinance 02 2026s.
>> Need a motion. We need a motion toing closing closing of the public. >> Yes. So I have a motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. And now I need a motion to move ordinance 2026s. Motion. >> So move. Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Motion passes. Moving on to the consent agenda. Whereas the burough council has determined to increase efficiencies that the consent agenda shall be adopted. Whereas the following resolutions have been previously
reviewed by the governing body. They are limited between 151 to 163 and I will read each of them into the record. Resolution 20267151 is a resolution authorizing the payment
of claims. Resolution 20267152 is a resolution authorizing electronic tax sale. Resolution 20267153 is a resolution authorizing the professional services contract for the
affordable housing agent. Resolution 20267154 is a resolution adopting the affordable assistance policy manual which goes along with our affordable housing uh requirements. 20267155
is a resolution authorizing a shared service agreement between the Burrow of Fanwood and the Township of Scotch Plains for the provision of a chief financial officer and the qualified purchasing agent services. Resolution 20267156
is a resolution authorizing the appointment of the temporary CFO. Resolution 20267157 is a resolution authorizing burrow deposiitories designated signitories.
Resolution 20267158 is a resolution appointing a planning board secretary. Resolution 20267159 is accepting the bid and awarding the contract for the rehabilitation of the
property commonly known as 180 North Martine Avenue in Famwood pursuant to the Famwood home improvement program. And this is our obligation that we have for affordable housing is to provide um rehabilitation to homes. and this is an
individual that came forward and we are using our affordable housing trust fund to rehabilitate the home that met the requirements. Resolution 20267160 is a resolution to apply for the kids recreation trust grant. Resolution
20267161 is a resolution requesting permission for the dedication by Ryder for animal control fees recorded required by the Division of Local Government Services. And resolution uh 20267162
is a resolution for the duplicate tax uh sale certificate. Um may I have a um motion? >> So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Thank you. Under public safety resolution 2026 07163 is a resolution approving a new member of the fire the family fire department. Last name is Cassidy. We welcome him. Um, on to old business, which also I
think is partly of new business is a discussion on the Forest Road Park tennis pickle ball court designs and operation of ours. Um, under the old business, we know that we have a tennis court at Forest Road Park
that needs work. Um the recreation commission has been discussing this for quite a while and they have been going back and forth as to what ultimately [clears throat] they would like uh to put there. Um and what they have decided and they are bringing it forward to us.
Um is that in that footprint will be one tennis court, two pickle ball courts. um and that will be designed um by um our engineer and we will move forward using money that we have from grants. So is
that the is that the conversation that intend just before we have this discussion >> mayor on the final vote on the ordinance we should do a roll call. >> Okay. All right. Courtney.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Council President Jerry, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> Erin Mcro Barker, >> yes. >> Catherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Mr. Walsh, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Thank you. Um, under standing
committee reports, uh, Council President Gina, do you have anything else you'd like to share? Um we just approved a lot of the um ENF resolution that we discussed during our ANF meeting. Um, one of the things that
I did just want to just share is that uh the burrow is in discussion with the school district um for shared services agreement with um for the is it lasso
two or lasso three >> foro which is the resource officer for the lran um new lran school that is opening. So, we're in that process of um discussing with them and hoping that we can
finalize a shared service agreement to have a officer in that school. We do we did identify a officer that, you know, is ready to be hired once this agreement is is finalized. But I just wanted to let the council know that we are working
on that agreement and we're just waiting for the school district to respond to us in terms of the agreement. Um, and let me see. We talked about the tennis court. We do have an intern working with the burrow
and I know he's been very helpful um uh this past few weeks um working on um grant files, saving saving time um with staff, helping staff out with um
with a lot of the work that's being done. Um right now we are in the process of hiring. I think we >> hired right um the planning board, >> the the planning board secretary to
replace Pat Funks when she retires in September. So, we look forward to that new person starting and I believe she's going to be starting in August and getting some transition time with with Pat before her retirement. Um, so that
is all I want to report on that. Um I can go ahead right into the library. Sure you like. Sure. >> Okay. Um library we have a library meeting on Wednesday I believe of this
week. However, we have had some um activities happening at the library that I would like to report out. One of the things is we've been having a lot of HVAC issues at the library. Um, we have
had that resolved as of right now. I'm hoping that um, the fixes have been solidified and we don't have additional issues, but the staff has been trained. DPW um, staff has been trained as well on
how to manage the dashboard to control the system. Um we [clears throat] also had some electrical panel issues um at the library but since has been um issues have been resolved through um the
company ARC that has done the work. Um the team back to the HVHC, the team did identify two companies that we would present to uh the board library um at the board library meeting the next one
so we can hire a company to do the um services moving forward and magic man uh manage the HVAC system. Um external external lighting um has been replaced. Um there's those light bulbs and those
um poles outside the library. Those light bulbs have been replaced. Um we the last week and a half ago, I believe it was the beginning of this month. Um we had deep cleaning done at the library. So the library looking really
great. Um they did a two-day cleaning at the library scrubbing um all of the furniturees there. So, it's been um a lot of activities happening. As everybody know, we are in a search for a new library director and we're hoping to
have one um identified and hired as soon as possible. So, that's all I have. >> Thank you. Thank you. Under public safety. >> Yeah. So, congratulations again to Captain CR. Um,
so this is the report for the month of May, which doesn't make sense, but I don't have June, so I'm going to do May. June. >> Well, maybe he meant to say June. Anyway, the department generated 1357 CAD entries, 43 on average per day. This
included the following 326 building security checks, 201 traffic enforcement details, 10 hazardous conditions, 47 medical calls, and 22 alarms. During the month, 306 vehicles were stopped for traffic violations. A total of 353
summones were issued, 292 for moving violations, and 61 for parking. Officers attended 14 training classes, and there were unfortunately 10 arrests during the month. I'd like to express our gratitude to um the police department. Um, we have
been we were somewhat understaffed pretty significantly in the month of May and still they were able to accomplish quite a bit. I would also like to thank the police department, fire and rescue for their valiant efforts uh during the storm. Um,
as you heard, Captain CR came from Hope Oaken that day. Um, and many members of all the departments, including our vi volunteer fire department and our volunteer rescue squad, worked for several days um to help people during
the storm and make sure that our streets were safe and that they got the lights on. Um, so uh we're very grateful for everything that they did. And I would say um that if you if you are not yet following the Fanwood Fire Department and the Fanwood Police Department on um
Facebook, I don't know if they have Instagram. I think they do. They do. Um they actually post a ton of uh helpful updates um on their pages. Um so that is a place to follow. Um so you can get regular updates about things including
the storm which Fanwood also posted them. But um they are helpful uh helpful groups to follow for um continued updates on things. >> Okay. Thank you. Um rescue squad. >> Okay. Um
the captain's report for June. The family rescue squad was called into service for a total of 11 fanwood emergency calls for the month of uh June. their um and then plus they also aided
in a situation in playing field. They answered uh 12 calls. They had 244.5 coverage hours. Second call request was only one. Average response times were 6 minutes
and 50 seconds. Total response hours 190. >> Oxygen administrations was only one. They had um Where was it? >> Okay. They had four sick people called
uh three for cardiac situations in June. Um three people fell, one was a foot on fire. Um and um the other thing is they want to put out
to um the responder top responder of the month was Adam with 13. Honorable mention uh Kila with 12 and Austin with 11. That is the captain's report. >> Thank you. Uh Kathy, do you have the fire department?
>> Yes, I do. Um I have actually two reports from the fire department. One is for the month of June um as submitted by Chief Pakola. Um they um responded to 30 calls, two motor vehicle accidents including one rollover with enttrapment,
two structure fires, both in the same day. Um, five residential fire alarms, two elevator emergencies, two electrical hazards with wires and trees down, one two carbon monoxide alarms, one citizen
assist, one oven fire, six commercial fire alarms, one grill fire, three mutual aids, one smoke condition, and one uh special detail, and one assisted with the EMS. And then I have a very
short report regarding the um their response uh over the storm. During a period of July 3rd [clears throat] at 8:00 a.m. through July 6th, the burrow experienced a severe obvious
windstorm. And during that period, the Fanwood Fire Department responded to 37 emergency calls in 60 hour in a 60-hour period. Calls included trees and wires down, trees on homes, structured fires, motor
vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide, and natural gas alarms, and many other hazardous conditions. Um, and just to put that into perspective, on a normal month, the fire department answers 27 calls. And here in
this 4-day period, they answered 37 calls. The majority of calls were assisted by uh the chief Frank died Deal and Captain Vinnie Biano.
Um and of course the firehouse was staffed with about 12 members. Two 2 hours after the final storm incident, the Fanwood Fire Department was disach dispatched to the corner of Popppler and
Clement Avenues to rescue 10 ducklings from a storm sewer. The Fanwood Fire Department and the police department assisted in the rescue and all the ducklings were returned to mama duck. And that concludes
I just have to say um since we have so many new people in town, new [clears throat] residents, I I I just want to make it clear that the people on the fire department and the rescue squad are all volunteers. So that when as we are sitting home in our in
our um in the comfort of our homes most times they are out there answering pro um people's uh requests for service and it's it they don't get paid so I just have to um give them all a lot of
credit. It's that's all I can say. >> Thank you. Under public works [applause] under public works. Thank you. Uh this is the report from Clint Dixon, the director of public works for July uh June, sorry, June 12th uh through July
9th. So besides the recurring monthly activities of uh weekly litter patrols and inspection and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system, um setup and takedown of the senior meetings and uh the weekly nighttime sweeping, dragging
the baseball fields, um in early June, we have the summer brush pickup in all the quadrants of the burrow. And um they prepared Lrand Park for fan jam uh the concert and fair, cleaning up of the entire park, installation of event
fencing and removing the tables. They placed barricades along the streets and swept up before and after the event. They provided public works assistance during the event, cleaned the park, removed the fencing, and replaced the tables at the day after. We also had the
annual party in the park and uh public works prepared Lrand for this really successful party in the park um before and after. And then uh during the storm of July 3rd, the public works employees
worked I don't think it's an exaggeration to say almost around the clock for a few days. Um, and they performed traffic control devices uh in various locations for road closures. They
cleared up fallen trees and branches and debris from the roadways. They put out four-way stop signs um and generators when intersections were down due to the power failure. And just today, we got a note from Adam, uh, the nature center
caretaker, thanking public works very much for their prompt cleanup of the nature center, clearing all the down trees, and so the trails there are open again. Um, the public works department checked the burrow shade trees and
addressed many as were needed, um, reported to them by residents. They inspected all the burrow owned properties. They cut and picked up branches that fell from shade trees during the burrow. Picked up branches and uh storm debris, uh forest road
park, and lrand. And then they have a special one-time storm brush and branch pickup. All quadrants July 15th, um starting at 7:00 a.m. residents were asked to put the debris out by the curb and they will be picked up. Uh, also the
recycling center will be open on August 1st from 8:00 am to 11. And so I just want to say thank you very much to the Department of Public Works, to John Pakola for helping out um for the Fanwood Police. They all worked together, the burough officials that
came in. Uh we had a cooling center set up in uh Forest Road and also in the carriage house. Aaron and I visited both of those. residents were taking advantage of that and we're very thankful for that. Um,
and I think that's it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um, under uh land use and historic preservation, Councilman Carter. >> Yes. So, I'm going to give the construction report and later during the comments,
>> I'll take some time and address some of the concerns or questions. So, if you want to call Miss Breakback and let her know, I'm going to address it. I will later on, but right now, I'm just going to give the report. So, this is from the construction department
for the month of June. 37 new permits and two permit updates. The type of work, 36 alterations, two demolitions, and one addition. And the technical subcodes addressed.
Building 13, electrical 24, plumbing 4, fire 4, mechanical 20. The ownership on all of those permits processed was private
and the total value of the construction as they listed was 695,676. And as far as our certificates that were issued, there were 25 [snorts] I'm sorry, 29
CAS and two COS, 28 alterations, three additions and one demolition. And then I have some more update from Mr. Ray Sullivan who is our municipal land management official and zoning
official and just uh some from his quarterly report and I'm quoting and not paraphrasing there's a significant spike in inquiry on the residential improvement side
trending single family house demolition and new construction construction and many accessories anticipated. The land use office expects to remain steady and considering commercial developments
at South Avenue and South Martine Avenue. Planning board projects are soon to cue his forecast. He expects the land use office to see a steady home improvement
project request in near-term such as patios, decks, and porch. We had further conversation after the storm and
he expects to see the spike in generators, right? >> Fences and decks. Those things that were destroyed during the storm, those know my deck was one of them that
was destroyed by a 50ft tree. missed the house by a couple of inches. So, a lot of investment in downtown and our economic development. Person Liz
spoke about Arman and the Mediterranean gourmet and ice cream shop and that's expected to reach the construction department's desk. That's tomorrow. And there actually there were a few applications that were expected before
the planning board for generators. >> Talk about that actually. >> Yeah. So, and this was in advance of the storm. They wanted to get in front of it and they were just a little behind it, you know. So, I'm one of those who generator is going to be before you
guys. And that includes the report. Thank you to Lisa for her contribution to the report. our construction department and also Ray Sullivan who's our engineer. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> Thank you. Um historic preservation.
>> Thank you. Uh the historic preservation uh committee's report for June, they were really happy. They received notification that the Union County um Amrev 250 grant was awarded. Um we have another historical walking tour coming
up in the fall. Four centuries in a weekend will also be in the fall. Um, and we will display American flags from the last 250 years. We had a community reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8th, which was really successful. Thomas Jefferson was
there, portrayed by David Beerman, the president of Scotch Plains Family Historical Society. Copies of the Declaration of Independence were handed out. We had four readers. 104y old Joe Shot, Mayor Colleen Maher, Joan Scubish,
um the chair of historical preservation, and Jonathan Cole from Troop 104. Uh after that, we had um a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party on the patio at the library where children made little boats
and tea bags and threw them into the harbor. That was very cute. Um, and thanks to Pat Hines for preparing the Declaration of Independent Script and obtaining the four readers. That was a lot of work for her. So, we appreciate that. >> Um, and that is it for historical
preservation. >> Um, okay. Um, >> listen. >> We also should mention that we're going to start the restoration on the um, train station, >> right? As you know, as our at our last meeting, we awarded the contract um to a
pre-qualified candidate contractor that knows how to do with historic properties. Um and so we will be stripping down the historic um train station. We will be going down to the original base um and we will be painting
what we believe is the original colors um which are not too far from the shades that they are today. So, it shouldn't be a shocking change, but it'll be a um one that I think that we need uh to do as well as fixing the shutters and the windows and everything around that. So,
we will be documenting that because that is um as we say the jewel of our uh town. Um Kathy, is there anything on the green team? >> Um just a little bit. Uh I think today or sometime this week is the last um
date for collecting eyeglasses. Um and also at the last meeting um there's they're still very interested in composting. So they've done a lot of research. Um and apparently
one of the things that they found out is that they the environmental team in in Mituchen is working with the school system so that uh any of the leftover food from
the school system which apparently >> would go to waste is now being recycled. So, um, they they're have a lot more work to do on this before they my my my thought is that they're going to try and
work something out with the with the fan scotch playing school system. See how to see how that goes. >> That's great. And if anybody doesn't follow them on their social media and likes the environment, I would encourage you do because these are a pretty ba passionate but small group of residents
who are really doing some wonderful things. they just they truly believe in upycling, right? So, they have um collected blue jeans, they have collected bras, and they have recycled them back out to people who need it. And so, if you're uh interested in really
joining a great um dynamic green team, uh please reach out. Um I'm sorry, I missed the environmental commission. >> Okay. Um the report for the environmental commission for the month of June, uh they have been hard at work in the nature center. They continue to
nurture a new demonstration garden that is a small area that is free of inva invasive plants and deer and has also been cleared um for new plants and then they um planted at the main entrance on
crate terrace. Also the trails were blocked but thanks to DPW's hard work they are not anymore. Um, we wanted to ask the public to be conscious of uh kids riding motorized bikes in the nature center. Um, the police have been
notified of this and um recently unfortunately a bike jump trail was created in the woods and obviously that does damage to the trails. Um, so we would really like that to stop if possible. Um, we have the municipal
garden beds. Um and during the uh month of May, there was a big garden cleanup all by volunteers. Um there was an informative video taken which you can see on the environmental commission website. the upcoming projects. Uh,
Eagle Scouts um did have a rainbarrel demonstration um and they educated several residents and citizens on how to uh have sustainable practices and how to build a rain barrel. We had an apple tree planted as part of a grant from the
Union County Plant a Seed program that's next to the carriage house. And the environmental commission continues to work with the green team um on several projects around town. And again, they're all volunteers and work very hard. So if anyone's interested in joining, you are
most welcome. >> Okay. Councilman Banks, you want to do the planning board and uh recreation >> planning board uh next week. uh wreck um rec commission. Uh I didn't want to remind you uh tomorrow night they will
be showing Snow White um at 8:30 at Lrant Park. We also had a vote happen on the rec commission about operating hours of Forest Road Park. Um, and that would include the the uh new pickle ball, the
pickleball courts, the tennis courts, skate park will be 8:00 a.m. to dusk >> versus >> versus what? Nothing now. [laughter] >> That's a that's a recommendation from the commission to come before the council. The request is to the ordinance.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And that'll be it. >> Okay. Um, thank you. Um Kathy, anything else under health or >> No, they don't. None of them meet during the summer. >> Um okay. Um Liz gave her economic
development report. I'll just update a couple of our infrastructure projects as um we are out doing our summer road reconstruction. Um shade um we did a shared service with Scotch Plains for the Hetfield Avenue bridge that was done
in one day in and out. It looks pretty nice. Um construction started today on Watson Road right out here and Greybar Terrace and then um at the end of the month we will move over to Walden Road and Kite Place. Um both of those
received um over $345,000 respectively for each of those um projects. So we'll be busy out there. Um, we'll also be moving forward with the roof at our firehouse, which was part of um our bond improvements. And we
also will be moving forward with doing our sewer lining work over on Sun Valley Way. Um, let's see what else we got. I think that's it right now. Um, I forgot an important announcement. >> Yes, go ahead.
>> Sorry. Um, National Night Out, August 4th, uh, Lrand Park starts at 5:30 until 8:00. Um, this has grown and become quite a great event. Um, so it's usually
a very family fun event. Um, you usually can dunk Sergeant Paka and there's free food. It is a free event. Um, there's a DJ, there'll be rides, games, food, raffles, a bounce house, etc. Uh the police officers love um to have a big
crowd. So please feel free to come to Lrand on August 4th at 5:30. >> Okay. Thank you. [music] Um with that, that is um our standing committee reports. I would have a motion to open the meeting to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor? I
>> uh please come forward. Uh five minutes, no yielding of time. We're coming back a second. And please state your name for the address for your record. >> Gary Mars 405 South Avenue. Sorry, I got uh very emotional before. Um but I want
to talk about the the pickle ball situation. Um there is a sign now apparently that says 8:00 in the morning. I think that's what you're talking about. Um pickle ball, as you know, is one of the most multigenerational sports. My daughter
was there two weeks ago. She's home from uh actually less than two weeks ago. She's home from from uh um uh being a teacher in California and she called three friends to come into Fanwood. That's what you want. You want to spread the beauty of Fanwood to other people.
She gets there 7:45. She sees an an elderly couple playing pickle ball. It's going to be over 100° by noon. Okay, that's when you play pickle ball. I don't know about you guys, if you ever played it, you can't play in the heat of
the day. You're just you would melt. You would melt. So, she has she had the police called on her and had to had to deal with the police. One of the girls had never had an encounter with a policeman in her life. The policeman was very cool about it. He's like, "Somebody
called. I have to do this." But can we can we do something rather than shut down pickle ball before 8:00? Why not do some mitigation for the sound? Why not put they they have special soundproof
tarps you can put around um the uh you know the pickle ball courts do a mitigation thing. Why take it away from seniors who want to play? And there's also so you know and I actually just bought one. I'm trying it out. I'm just it doesn't quite work as well as a regular pickle ball but they make them
out of foam also. So maybe maybe give the cops like a foam ball to keep in their trunk if somebody complains. here's a phone ball rather than take away a game from people. Um, but what I found really interesting was how there was a mitigation obviously that came as
about from somebody complaining about noise. Let's talk about the noise at the Soho that you imposed on that poor lady next door. Okay, here raise your hand if you have seen the Soho application for the abatement.
Has anybody up here seen the Soho application? Raise your hand if you have not seen the SOHO application for the abatement. Raise your hand if you have seen the signed proposed tax agreement with the SOHO.
Raise your hand if you hate people who ask you to raise your hand in meetings. That speaks volumes right there. So now let me let me let me go over to the Soho application because I saw it. They claimed that that was a conversion or
alteration of a building or structure to a multiple dwelling. Excuse me. They leveled what was there before. Gone. Goodbye. They checked the wrong box. Ask our tax attorney. He'll tell you. You got to check the right box for it to be
legal. They check the wrong box. Secondly, date of completion. What is the date of completion? The date of completion is the TCO. The TCO was September 30th. They marked on this October 21st. That was done intentionally because if it was
September 30th, they would have had to pay up for those last three months of the year regardless of whether the abatement was granted. So that is tax fraud. Them not saying the real completion of the building. They were renting that building. I know they were. I know they were. I got the updates from
Liz Jeffrey in meetings. They're renting the building in October. Next, it's not signed by our tax assessor. He approved it, marked his name. It is signed by him. He never put a date,
which is really I have a good feeling about these things. I have a gut feel. When somebody doesn't put a date, that's really sus. That's really sus. The other thing that's interesting, there's no received date on this application. When something is th a 30-day limit after
completion, you need to have that dated. Everybody knows in an office, you stamp it with a date. As far as I know, there's never been a date on this. I asked for it. There's no supporting documents. And this is 100% true here. I
I operate all this stuff. They never supplied it. Okay? You literally need more documentation to get a dog license than a $1.6 million abatement in our town. Not because not because the law is
not there to require documents. We don't ask for them. We don't we don't enforce the law. Let's enforce the law. Let's get this guy to say why he needs this abatement so bad. He doesn't. And if he didn't get the abatement, how would he
pay for this? he would raise the rents, right? So, he's artificially able to keep his rents lower in in in that facility than he would ordinarily be able to do. >> That's not fair to people who don't have abatements. You're subsidizing rents in
our town. Thank you. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> Eric Felen, Scotch Plains. So, um, yeah. So, I I I I wanted to speak a little more last time, but I I just
didn't. And uh one of the things I wanted to mention more about the pilots is that the money you're taking away by not having the by having these abatements you're taking away from the school. Keep in mind the school has a budget that it needs to
operate on. And of course its budgets increased by a multitude of factors. You know for one yes we know insurance premiums are high. School attendance is higher. Right? We have more students now that we have more building and
apartments. So with a 7% yes 7% increase for the 2627 school budget everyone in Fwood should expect remember it's about 60% is your percent is your portion of the pie for your property tax
right so that 60% of it's going to go up 7%. Okay, which is substantial considering the rate of inflation this past year has been uh almost half of that and uh we're now approaching 7% almost double inflation. [clears throat]
So I know my job didn't pay me uh 7% more this year. I'll be like if I got 1%. So 7% put that in perspective the more baitments the more pilots that we grant people somebody's got to carry the
burden to pay the budget. It's doesn't come out of thin air. So yes, so everybody here in this room, congratulations. You've now become another prime boa example. You can now open up your wallet and pay more money.
So with that, I I thank everybody here on the on the council. You should give yourselves a little pat on the back for keeping your promise to the developer for an abatement, which obviously never should have been, but you kept your promise to them, which is
what you intended to do. And I don't know, miss Mr. Mayor, um I applaud you also. You keep a smile through all this. I don't know how, but the smile is is is very uh contagious. U but nobody here is smiling the whole time. You smiled with
everybody up here as if just all right, yeah, speak your thing and that's it. But give yourselves a pat on the back for keeping your promise to the developer. And unfortunately, I think you should all um just kind of think about the fact that
you did not keep your promise to the residents here that elected you all. So, everybody here on video that we heard earlier, you gave your promise. There will be no abatements. So, whose promise do you want to keep? the people that elect you
or the people that somehow you're you're you're so entrenched to get their investment which we don't really need. Thank you. >> I'm in my council meeting. Call me back in an hour. >> Ben Reposa 107 Willoughby Fanwood. Um,
so I guess just I have a couple questions that I don't believe were answered. Um, uh, regarding the abatement, just why is another abatement needed and what are we receiving in return? I mean, that's two simple
questions that should be able to be answered and I don't believe we've gotten that answer. Um, and then the second would be in just in general the redevelopments. I mean are are I assume we're looking at traffic, parking, and infrastructure, but are there any
analytics provided or available to show that we've done parking studies, infrastructure studies, and such that is available for request? >> Sure. So, I'll take your I'm sorry. >> Okay. No, no, that's that was pretty much all I had besides. >> So, I'll take your second
>> question first. And anytime there's a planning board application, that's part of it. So any major site plan, they do all of those things. They check the infrastructure. They require a traffic study. They have their professionals. So that that is on the person who comes
before us to do that. >> Okay. Um then with that being said, if I were to mess up on my application, would I have been giving the same grace as these developers are? I mean, I I did a renovation. I paid a developer's fee. I followed I mean above and beyond the
guidelines that were you know some unnecessary by some measures but you know what that's what we had to do I follow the rules. So that's that's just it seems it's going against the residents even though you may say it's not the the optics just is it looks doesn't look good on your guys side
that's all I'm saying so >> sure so again we are continuing on with the ordinance that we've had in place for 2015 that's the intent of the council and then it will sunset in 24 months from now that that is the
decision that no I no I understand but that's the decision that um the governing body has made to continue and finish I think what we started right which was to stimulate the private investment to to get get people to come
in and to revitalize uh the South Avenue corridor because that's what we're talking about is the South Avenue uh corridor um and we look at what they currently pay and then we see what the projection is over five years based on
the assessment of their investment. Um and in the end um each of the entities that proportionately get their share um get a lot of money in the end by the sixth year and we have the ability to have um good investment in
this community which not everyone will agree here tonight but there is a lot of people that find Fanwood because of the investment of this community because what it looks like right um because it's a thriving town um primarily of single
family homes in beautiful neighborhoods where people genuinely like to live here and they like the the ability to go and put their money in town which did not exist before. And so to get to that point, right, you need private
investment. And so we stimulated that private investment. We know that we see the end in front of us, which is why we are now sunsetting this in 24 months. Um, so I hope that and I know I didn't get to all of your questions, so I apologize, but you know, that's the why.
Um, and we see that there have been benefits here. >> What's what what could you please just give me an example of a benefit, too, because I'm just kind of >> Sure. >> Yeah, that's all. >> Sure. So, do you like going into the
town and walking around and spending money and sitting down and >> not particularly No. >> So, [clears throat] So then maybe wasn't your community to come to [laughter] >> maybe right. So >> I mean I moved here in 2016. So um no I
mean I I did I just but I don't I find all I'm of the generation where I find my stuff online right I mean I'll go in town and get a bagel and coffee. I mean, I would like to be involved in more in the town, but it just asking for >> there's many opportunities and we would welcome you to get involved as you can hear just in the reports, right? Like
there's a ton of stuff that anybody in this room can get involved in to kind of see the inner workings and how the stuff happens here and all of the hard um work. Um but so so my answers won't necessarily resonate with you because of sort of the position that you're in that
you do e-commerce and you don't necessarily go downtown. So that and that's cool. I mean because that's that's what we've been trying to fight against honestly. Um because if a town does not have a thriving downtown, your property values aren't going to coincide to that. And and I know that the
property values in this town are skyrocketing. I see a Cape Cod that goes for $900,000 today on the market. I mean that's not >> that's not a accident, you know, um because Fanwood is a desirable community. And then I say, well, why is
Fanwood a desirable community? Yes, we've got the schools, but yes, we have our parks, but yes, we also have things that people like to do, right? Like it's always funny like, you know, people talk about like night life. I don't think we have that much nightife, but you know, um a place like Jessica's when it spent
probably $300,000 to um bring that type of restaurant in would never have done it in a community that they didn't think, right, had a had a thriving downtown. You never would have gotten it. he would have gone somewhere else. He chose to come here. And I worked really close with that owner of that
property for the amount of investment that that property owner had to do because there was no kitchen, right? So if you look on the outside, you see the shoot that flute there. That didn't have that was on the property owners because he knew the caliber that if he put the money in, they will come. And so it's
almost similar to what I've seen sitting up here in over 20 years is that we have focused and we have worked and it has been a labor of love to have public meetings and redevelopment changes and all of the the dates that uh was thrown
out before about a redevelopment plan because it's been a journey. >> This didn't happen overnight. I mean, I have worked at this since I I got involved and actually became the mayor over an argument that was happening in town of what to do with the former Dean
Oil site. And if you don't know what the former Dean Oil site is, I would encourage you to go find it. It's on the corner of Lrand and second and it was our version basically of a super fun site because it had tar open tar pits around there and also home heating oil
and they couldn't figure out how to get anything done. So for the last 20 years there have been public conversations which many of you in this room probably have not participated in because that was not where you were at the time they were happening. Right. Um, and that's why I've spent the last couple weeks
going back and um, updating our economic development web page with pictures because I think for someone like yourself, you will really appreciate the amount of work that went into it and those that um, uh, what I'm just losing
track of my my words. That incentive >> that we put in place was done because there was a reason to do it. And tonight we're going to finish it. We're going to end it in 24 months because the work is done and it's been a journey. It's been a really long journey.
>> With that, I appreciate everything you said. Um and I thank you for for that and I will do some more research. Um >> call me. You don't have to come here [laughter] and just talk to me. >> Yeah, I know. I just um it's a thing. Um I know. >> Okay. Well, I I appreciate that. So, thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Okay. Phyllis Mahoney, 70 Pleasant Avenue. [clears throat] First, I like to say I was born and raised in Fanwood. My parents lived here. I'm in that house now. Um, so >> a lot about the area. Um, want to talk
about Forest Road Park. My backyard is essentially Forest Road Park, especially the existing tennis courts. I was here in 2024 for the meeting when I thought we had a great plan for the park and the tennis courts. We were going to tear
them down, make it a grass area. Um, and I thought that was a done deal. And then I found out that no, that's not the case. that apparently the ground is contaminated under the courts and it must remain covered. Um, and at a recent
reccomission I was found out the town I found out the town knew about this since 2016. Um, which causes concern because it's in such a deplorable condition with grass growing up through the cracks and water
and mosquitoes breeding there. Um, so now I find out there's a a new plan. So I just want to say I strongly agree with redoing the tennis courts, but to have two tennis courts. Um, not
additional pickleball courts. We already have two pickle ball courts. Um, two tennis courts would balance out. You know, it's not a big area of a park. And the tennis courts are 100 ft from my backyard. So, which now presents noise ordinance
issues. Um, from the Fwoods Municipal Code, excessive sound is a serious hazard to the public health, welfare, safety, and the quality of life. A substantial body of science and technology exists by which excessive sound may be
substantially abated, and the people of the bureau have the right to and should be ensured of an environment free from excessive sound. It is the policy for the bureau to prevent excessive sound that may jeopardize the health, welfare or safety of the citizens or degrade
their quality of life. Which in my opinion, having to listen to that impact sound of a pickle ball all day constantly would definitely degrade my quality of life. Um, we can already hear the pickle ball courts that are there because there is
no sound mitigation facing our property. And while it's not loud enough to be a a noise violation, it does ruin the, you know, trying to enjoy your your yard when you hear that noise. And definitely I do not open my windows on those nice days when it's
breezy and you want to freshen up your house. Um the there's data that shows that the impact of the tickle pickle ball being hit uh averages 70 dB at 100 ft. Um, it's it's called I forgot what
it's called. Um, but anyway, that would be in violation of our daytime noise limits of 65 dB. So, there would definitely be a I guess a noise ordinance issue. Another concern is the people who play early in the morning and after dusk when the park is supposed to
be closed despite new signs on the existing pickle ball courts saying play is restricted to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to dusk. In regards to the police being called, we were at a commissioner reccomission meeting. We were told people don't call, you know, we never
know about these issues. So their recommendation was if there are people there at not an appropriate time, we should call the police. So that's what we've been doing. So, between June 21st and just last Tuesday, I believe, there have
been eight calls that I have kept track of that either my neighbors or or I have um have made. And that's a constant problem in that park. There's kids there at night. There's people there all hours of night walking dogs with flashlights. And it's, you know, I don't know how
that's could be fixed. But, uh I also don't need to have people come in like the pickle ball courts. Let's say they are put behind my house. You have pickle ball, existing pickle ball courts. Somebody comes at f 7 in the morning to play pickle ball. All the courts are empty. Now, are they going to choose the
pickle ball courts that are farther from my house or are they going to come to the courts that would be put behind my house at 7 in the morning? That means now I have to get up, call the police, and try to get back to sleep. Um, we
made a suggestion that maybe you have someone lock and unlock the courts, but we were told that that is not feasible. It just seems like more responsibility should be taken when proposing changes like this instead of putting it on the citizens. I pay way too much in taxes,
as we've heard, >> to be the keeper of the park and to have to keep calling every time there's a violation. And, you know, pickle ball is an unusual noise. It's not it's not like a baseball game kids are playing two hours they're gone or like that constant
pot is nerve grading. Um and putting up signs they just put up signs. >> Mahoney, your time's up. I don't >> So that's okay. What's your What's your address? >> 70 Pleasant Avenue. I invite you all to come to my backyard. >> I'll I'll I'll follow up with you.
>> Seriously, because I don't know. >> Have people you know recommission? Do you come through and >> I'm on the recommendation and we we have talked about um if you may um we have talked about times time locks um you
know that will open at a certain 8 a.m. and they will close at dusk and because they do have that such a thing. Um I like I like Mr. Mars's idea about maybe there is some sound deadening material that we could put up. Um [snorts] there are options
um that we can still explore. >> Yeah, because trees don't cut it. When I walk down Woodland Avenue, which is the other side of the park, and even though there are all the trees, you can still hear the pickle wall being. It's not really loud, but >> So if you if you want to, you want to give your phone number over to Courtney
and I I can follow up with you. >> And then just maybe another good idea, you can maybe hire an independent noise. They have these engineering firms. Maybe someone to do a study to maybe let you know what the noise level is going to be if you do put pickle ball courts in
there. >> Thank you. >> And uh you know, we love the park and I love that you have all these recreational facilities for for everyone, but we are a one square mile town. We've got two pickle ball courts. You have courts all
over the place. So demand isn't even really there anymore like it used to be as far as PE people used to wait, you know, for the courts to open. Tonight before I came, there was one pickle ball court being used and one tennis court being used. So >> um maybe put a volleyball court in for
the Yes. >> to the big team we got. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Hello. Good evening. Uh Florian and Elias, I also live Pleasant Avenue and I also would like to comment on the tennis
uh pickle ball discussion because I live just behind the forest parks. So I was very pleased to hear that um the surface like the tennis court will be resurfaced um because it cannot be used at the moment. There's a lot of drainage issues as you all know. So I'm happy that this
will be fixed as well the drainage issues. But I was very surprised to add two more pickle balls because um honestly speaking um the two the two pickle ball puts that already are there that is sufficient. Um so there's no waiting time. So if you go there at any
time of the day there's basically no waiting time. Um but for tennis courts because in our area lots of tennis courts have been converted into pickle boards recently it's becoming more difficult to find tennis courts. So
that's why I believe the two uh dedicated tennis courts would be a better option and furthermore in my opinion the forest woodwalk is very nice because all the activities all the sports can be done there. So it's a nice um variety of sports.
>> So why adding now four pickle ball courts there just keep the two two pickle ball courts add two dedicated tennis courts and then it's a nice balance. Um I also would like to address the noise topic um which my previous speaker highlighted
and also during the recreation meeting. So I have been also there vocal um but I don't know if there will be a vote today but u please consider this my view here >> um because the the noise concerns they have been really downplayed in in this
recreation commission meeting. it was compared to a garbage truck or showing the movies um in Lrand during the summer. But let's face it, this comparison is really flawed. Um pickle ball is played, you heard it earlier, also operation 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. So
that's 12 hours. And just to sensibilize you and what kind of noise it makes, I have a quick recording which is like four pickle cords. I just play it for 15 seconds. So, there's only 15 seconds. I don't
know how many hits there are, but it's really a lot. Okay. >> So, this is this persistent and relentless noise. um when the ball hits the record. Um so with the suggested design that I was um um seeing in this recreation
meeting, the playground which is nicely done is in the middle of those two pickle ball courts. So just imagine this noise um not only for the neighbors but also for all the residents that will be using this this park. Um and the 100 ft distance has already been mentioned. So
it will be very close to our backyards. Um and this um noise ordinance had already mentioned. So I would ask you to check that. >> Sure. >> Um and what else?
So yeah, please um measure it with the noise um control officer in a 100 ft distance. What kind of noise level it is not to exceed the the maximum. And I also want to point out that there are multiple cases where they where towns invested in pickle ball courts, but they
had to be demolished because they're able to close the residential areas. So I believe let's make it really smart here, not invest money, tax money and then in the end we need to demolish it because it's too loud and too close to residential areas. So in summary,
um I'd suggest to re-evaluate first if additional pickable courts are really needed considering that numerous pickable courts have been installed in the area recently and if there's real demand, find a more suitable location for
pickable courts um not so close to residential area to comply with this noise ordinance. And then secondly, I asked the council to consider a proposal to simply restore the two dedicated tennis courts. This option would generate significantly less noise while
enhancing the variety of sporting objectives in the forest park. Thank you. >> Can can you just tell me your address again? I I missed it. >> Avenue. >> Which number? >> 18. >> 18. >> Oh, thank you. Sorry. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Anybody else?
>> Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen, council. Bruce Patterson, 170 Bel Avenue, and 325 Willow Arwood uh dual citizenship, of course. No, but anyway, my my wife and I actually want to thank
the burrow for offering the carriage house as a cooling center. You know, the power went out on the third. Uh, we made it through the night surprisingly. I guess we had to pretend we were like 10 years old again. But anyway, came the fourth. I mean, it was around two o'clock and we couldn't take it anymore.
So, we went to the carriage house, called the police, you know, we got in. >> Uh, yeah, there was nobody there. From 2:00 to 6:00, it it was very pleasant. We read, she read the book, I read the newspapers. Um, you know, and the police actually every two hours they came in and checked on us. So, that that was
great of them also just make sure we were all right. Uh the Miss Walsh, you know, mentioned that she was she was checking the two cooling stations. I was just wondering if she could say how many other people were actually using the cooling stations because I'll tell you that we were there and maybe six o'clock two other people showed, but I mean it
was a great it's a great uh program, but to me >> I think at Forest Road, Aaron and I when we were there were four people. >> Yeah. But the day that we were there was just after like just under a thousand homes had been restored where there were only about
>> not only there were about 340 houses I think left when we were there, >> right? >> So we really couldn't tell you how many pe I think there was actually there on the major day. >> Yeah. I was there on Saturday when we really were hit hard and um the fact that we could have two cooling stations
opened I think was really a great for us. Um, and I was very surprised how many people showed up at Forest Road Park to come and basically charge um, all their devices and and I was in and out of there. So, we probably had 12 to
14 people, you know, at a clip at that point. I had to keep on putting up more tables and more chairs and yeah, around the room next to the outlets. >> Yeah, North Avenue actually had had power a lot better than uh the south side of Famwood. That was that was interesting. But anyway, so but thank
you very much for offering that. It it was great. Um, you know, and just to continue >> on the Soho thing, you know, it's it's not often the government gets to do a goo a doover. You know, I I did mention two other items, but uh I you know, you
voted on it. Okay, it's done, but it's, you know, you had to do you had the chance to do it over again for the public's interest. Water under the bridge. Uh yeah, I I talked about traffic. I talked about every 1500 feet is a high density
development. I mean the sad part is we we are now faced with round four. I'm sure you uh place the uh appropriate affordable housing in different properties. the the trick that we're finding that this this traffic that we're
encountering is because normally the application takes to construction and occupancy is about three four people three or four years and and the traffic testimony that's what gets me. You know, they always say, well, it's only three or four cars and during rush hour. It's
minimal impact. But the sad part is all these all these highdensity applications are going more or less on the same time. So each one has like so many cars, but one application does not
impact the testimony of the next application since it's not under construction. >> Yeah. So here we are all a sudden boom we get a lot of traffic. It's like death by a thousand cuts. It's unfortunate. I mean the the unfortunate problem is that traffic even though the streets are 100%
capacity the intersections are rated DNF like in school is failing the traffic actually doesn't uh somewhere in the law it talks about the traffic doesn't impact the application process at all. Now that's that's what's amazing and that's why we're faced with all this
stuff. Uh just a couple of questions. Uh Acuity, you gave a a contract to Acuity. I was just wondering who was before cuty because you had a couple of highdensity projects already uh ongoing at that point. The uh post office parking
when the new in investor the investors building when the new uh restaurant or whatever it is opening up. I mean, what about the post office parking? You know, how's that how's that going to work? I mean, it's already like kind of tight there. >> So, just real quick. So, we'll just answer that real quick. Right. So, this
is private property. You know, uh the previous owners owned the part the post office and then they owned that big lot. Um new owners come in, new owners have a right to create whatever leases they have with their tenants. And so there is
an ongoing discussion going on with the tenant which is the post office and the new owner regarding parking because there was no defined parking arrangement as I understand it with the previous owner. And so he the new owner um is you I
guess is right to to for liability reasons trying to figure out this out and it's between you know two private parties. We're fully aware of it and I've spoken to all parties, but we don't really have >> Is there going to be a resolution? That's just it. I I mean, I do agree. It'll be through a lease.
>> They're negotiating the lease, >> the post office. >> Yeah, there's a lease that's involved. >> Great. Great. Um, what a question that wasn't answered in and uh that maybe you know or don't know, but anyway, I was talking about the land taxes on the high
density with the pilot. uh you know it's taxed assessed as normal taxation but then I asked is it in the financial agreement where it rolls over and it gets deducted from the next year's uh >> Mr. And your time is up. >> I can get you that answer. I don't I
mean off the top of my head, I would have to get you that answer. >> Do Do I have extra time because people were answering my question? It took some time there. >> I paused it. [laughter] >> She paused it. >> Well, thank you for pausing it. >> Okay. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Hi. Uh, Michael Lewis, 41 Beach Avenue in San uh, off topic. Um, just a quick reminder, uh, ebike regulations are coming into effect as of July 19th, I believe. >> Yes.
>> And you'll find additional information, I think, on the family police department website. >> Uh, that's coming into effect some for the general public. >> That's it. Thanks. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Lewis. And enforcement has begun. So, please if you
if you have children with ebikes, make sure you read the laws um because a lot has changed >> and it is posted on the Fanwood Police Department site. >> Hello. Again, John Payne, South Martine Avenue, 105 South Martine. um about the
overdevelopment um that she had said before about how the buildings were crumbling and they needed to be repaired and yeah brought back to to life as it as it is now. When you overdevelop now and the tax abatements end and the rents
inevitably go up and I don't know the stock market's in turmoil. Yeah, not turmoil, the stock market's going where it needs to go. But with AI and the the war in Iran and whatever else is going on in the world, when the boom stops, that's how when those two buildings were
built that were crumbling, they were built for purpose. that could, you know, my concern is at some point that's going to happen again because nobody's going to be able to afford $4,000 a month apartments, $900,000 cottages.
>> Your house tripled, >> okay, >> in value the last 25 years. Mine's doubled in the last three. So, like, it's, you know, is that fool's gold or is it actually like sustainable value? I mean, they say the market's not a bubble, but we only know what's going to
happen. normally is your biggest investment. >> Of course, but it's only good for me if I'm going to >> So, let me let me answer that for you. So, absolutely. >> So, a couple couple things I would stay in mind. >> What was there before >> Yeah. >> looks nothing was nothing built like
what's there and very we basically had light industrial >> if you go back. So that's really what the South Avenue corridor was, which is why we're putting up a lot of pictures over the next couple months, and I encourage people to go and to see what was really there. And it took 40
probably 40 or 50 years before any new building had been built in this town, right? So that just took almost half a century to kind of get to where we were. these buildings um are built well,
right? The you know, I'm not going to say, you know, what I think of them versus what you think, like that's, you know, it's in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. Um but it's just a very different construction. It's a very different use. The the whole corridor is completely different. You know, where
Helen Ling was was a one-story warehouse that never had a straight floor in it, right? like you had to go down like literally not a straight line, you know, it was the Florida fruit stand for people who kind of remember what was there. Um, so it's very very different
and to your point about if I could look into the future with the stock market and everything. Yeah, little fanwood is just little fanwood. >> But my concern would be your the Soho Soho 2. I mean, there was some grumbling about the post office. Maybe it looks like something's moving in which is
good. So, so we're we're not Fanwood is not immune >> to the same things that any community in the suburbs is immune for, right? Like, so we talk about the South Avenue corridor, we talk about the development, we talk about the traffic. You know, a lot of that is a direct outgrowth to the
affordable housing requirements and the fact that the state for the last 30 years has really pushed and targeted what they call transitoriented development. South Avenue is along the Ronin Valley line. So all you have to do
>> That's where I should be going. I understand that I said it before. >> But if you follow the line, right? >> I was hoping you guys would get >> from Highbridge, right? From H Highbridge all the way into Union, it is the same thing. And every community has basically been, you know, told to
develop around your train station, right? do shared service, I mean do shared parking on top of affordable housing requirements where the state does not give communities any other way to truly
meet the needs of the numbers that they give us an inclusionary development is really where it is and we was 15% and now it's 20%. Right? you know, they don't give the tax credits to the point that they should, I
think, to do pure affordable, right? And then people will probably may be upset that they're pure affordable, but it's all a evolution and what's happening in Fanwood is happening in Westfield, is happening in Raritin, is happening in Somerville, it's happening in Hybridge.
And you know, it's it's just that we're not in a unique situation and we're doing the best that we can over the last 20 years to to to stimulate the private investment in a corridor that I always said that if you got onto the Rent Valley train line 25 years ago and you
drove along and you looked out the windows, you would not see a downtown in Fanwood. You would not see a other than the train stations. Let's put that off to the side, but you wouldn't see that turn of the century building like you would see in Westfield or Planefield, right? You just wouldn't see it because
there's nothing there. >> It was just absolutely nothing was there. the train tracks came across South Avenue and it was just a big open space of whether it was tarpits to do the telephone poles, whether it was Dean
Oil, whether it was manufacturing um nuts and bolts from Livingston Wilbur, right? Whether it was properties, you know, that you remember the internet cafe. I do, you know, like right there, like what was going on there, right? people were saying, you
know, so it's and it was the focus that we needed better and we needed something that our community we could put people downtown and the world wouldn't end, right? That you could put density downtown which would then help a Jessica's, right? Or it would help a
coffee shop. I mean, he didn't like he came here invested in the coffee shop because he knows that they're, you know, he did his demographics, >> you know what I mean? new apartments were going in across the street. But but it all keeps it going. It all it's all churning, you know, with the
>> Well, we do the best. Listen, I >> We're all hoping, >> but I thank you for coming. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that was a sigh. >> Anybody else? >> Okay.
>> All right. We can wrap this up, right? Uh Bud Lavin, South Avenue. So, [clears throat] um some things, like I said, off topic. One of the things I just wanted to plant the seed, uh for the Shade Tree folks, uh I appreciate the work you're doing. Um I think one of the things that
hopefully the lesson we learned from 383 is that, uh with the other developments that are not yet been applied for, I would assume over there on Old South, uh I don't know, you address 107 109 on South Avenue there where they're starting to clear some stuff out. um
that we make sure that we don't have a repeat where all because I'm hearing rumors once again I know they're rumors so I'm not asking you to to you know confirm or deny but that we're hearing that there's people or businesses or organ um developers who own those three sets of properties that are in the back
there that go back up against the train tracks >> which I'm sorry I'm sorry >> what's the address >> next to the board of ed building I think >> yeah next to the board of ed building >> oh the board of ed building >> yeah I'm sorry I apologize I didn't know the address so Um, so I know that there's that one house that was in the
back that had been dilaping. >> That's one property. >> That's one property. And I was I I was told there might be I guess the border of bed property next to the border property and there might be a third one. Whatever the case is, I know there's some open stuff back there with the same developer or not. I'm just saying is I just want to make sure that people are
staying ahead of the game with tree situation because we don't want to repeat of what happened at 383 because there's a lot of trees back there. >> Yes. >> So that was that was the one thing I want to say. >> Yes. Do Thank you. Um, second thing, um, once again, as the guy said earlier, props out to all the fire department,
the volunteers, the police department, everything. Um, it was kind of mentioned a few meetings ago that Union County EMS, uh, covers us during the day for our BLS. >> Yes. >> So, so I mean, I know it's not really public knowledge and I'd like to definitely chat with somebody about it
as being in the field. I'd like to know what where we're going with that going forward. Um, because there is there are two bills that are out there. 108, Assembly 108 and uh Senate 1421, which are trying to um make BLS, which is the volunteer rescue squad here, and Union
County EMS, um an essential service, which is currently not in the state of New Jersey. I don't know who knows that or doesn't know that. >> Yeah, I think Yeah. So, it's how they get treated like dispatchers, I think, too. In there. >> Well, no. What it is is is is that currently in the state of New Jersey,
the township is required to provide the police department and the fire department. >> Yeah. Not the rescue, >> not the squad, right? >> Which was what called basic life support. So yeah, as somebody who works in the field, I kind of know a little bit about it. Um so that's [clears throat] my point is that this is something that's coming down the line that um
>> I'd like to hear more and it could be sidebar, whatever. >> Sure. I would encourage that. >> I'd like to hear that because the county is not doing it for free. I don't know what we're paying for them to be here 12 hours a day. Um I don't know if they're charging. We don't pay. >> I just don't want any misrepresentation. Is everybody here? >> No. No. He's talking about the county. >> No, not the county, >> right? The county who's here 12 hours a
day now is not volunteer. So, >> we don't get charged. >> We don't get charged at the town. We don't get charged as somebody who calls. >> Nope. >> You call 911. >> They go through your insurance and if your insurance if if if they move you, right? And if the insurance doesn't cover it, they don't pursue it.
>> Okay. So, they're not so not balance bill. >> Yes, that's correct. That was the term. >> All right. Okay. So, and like I said, I think it's just something that coming down the line, this this hopefully will pass because we all the towns should be providing BLS. Um, because we all want somebody to answer that call. Um, been
doing it for 40 something years, various places. And I do know that that, you know, when you call 911, you want somebody to come. It's great that the police officer saved a woman's life and and, you know, EMS was here from the county close by and did that. It's great. I'm sure the paramedics were involved at some point.
>> Yes. Um um the only other thing I'd like to say is is once again I know it's beating a dead horse because you guys voted on the I just wanted to know is when you count came with the 24 months going forward on on the um >> on the ordinance. Is there anyone else besides Soho that you guys are
anticipating is getting another and is getting an abatement that hasn't that's on the table that you guys chose 24 months and not 12 months. Is there something else? >> Well, we see that there's certain projects that are in the ground. >> Okay. So there are other there are other people who are potentially eligible for
it and that's why you picked 21. Okay, fair enough. And I guess the last thing uh two things, property values, yes, they're great that they're up and I know you mention that every time we we we all complain a little bit about stuff in our taxes, but that's literally what it is. As the gentleman said, my my property value is up, but I does me no good. It's
a it's a it's a um unrealized gain until I sell my house. And the other problem is is that my taxes go up because now my property value is up. So, [clears throat] so is that really, you know, is that one of the the gets that, you know, hey, great, we're building this all up and your property value is
going up, but now so's your taxes. So, and like I said, whether or not Yeah. If you put businesses downtown, that's great that I can shop there, but that's not making me >> that's not saving me money until the state of New Jersey can come up with a different way to fund public education.
>> Yeah. uh you know versus on the backs of the homeowners regardless of their ability to pay. >> And we love and we'd love that the and we would love that the the people who owe the taxes pay the taxes and the schools get their share. I think that was said as well. So that's all. Thank you very much.
>> Thanks. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> Okay. So with that, um I'd like a motion to close the public portion >> of our meeting. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay, that actually ends our official
business of the night. Um, I personally want to thank everyone for coming out for those who stayed um and to and through our three opportunities to talk to the um uh public. I don't know if there's any council comments to wrap up.
>> Yes. And we're already 10 >> 25 >> 25 >> 10:25. So I'll promise not to keep us here until 11:25. >> I didn't I didn't actually take a call
earlier. I just sometimes I'm a clown. I was clowning. And that's more of how I'm known the the bombastic nature that I had in one of our last council meetings. So I'm known around the town, many
people in Cook Carter. So I go to the school for graduation and they invited me to come don my Columbia University robe and sit up on stage and hand out some diplomas and that sort of stuff. And it was
fantastic. There were a bunch of young men and women who I remember having from third grade, second grade, and now they're actually graduating, seeing them around the town, them seeing
me and us around town. And one of them said to me, "Man, coach, you were pretty loud in that last meeting." Right? So, they know I can be loud when I'm coaching. Like, that's the kind of thing. So for them, if any of them or anyone
took the comments, the the tone the tone of them as being disrespectful in any way, then I'll apologize with a thousand tongues.
Right? So if you notice me, I'm always taking notes. Like I'm a no guy. I'm all I put down a lot of trees. I guess I'm always taking notes. And in my time on planning board, for those of you
who know, I'm nine plus years on council, I believe, and somewhere around that. And up until last year, I served on planning board. All of our positions are volunteer. You can say we get paid a dollar. None of us ever cash a dollar check. So, we're all
volunteers up here also. And I found my note, some of my notes from Soho and a bunch of the stuff was over it. So, if you look at some video, you'll
see me pounding away at the developer because what I would do up until last year, whether you were putting a small driveway in or an addition on your house or some kind of development,
either they would call me, come take a look at this, or I would take it upon myself to go and survey the prop, not survey engineering wise, but survey the property myself. So, having gone in the neighborhood of the Soho,
I heard a bunch of the things that the residents spoke about that may have been detrimental to their positive living environment. Could we absolutely stop the Soho from building? I don't know if we could or not. That's those things are for a
different time. But what I was able to do is pound away at them. And on the simple on simple notes, there was a resident who said when they turn on their lights from the parking lot, those
trees aren't high enough and they're spaced too far. And I remember saying to them, "We're going to need you to do this." And they said, "Okay." what they put a high or something there was something to
take to to minimize when that car turned on their headlights it didn't shine in that person's driveway or in that person's house right so those are the things that I know I personally did on planning board when people come to when
people developers come to planning board I take them at their word right so if I go and I play the recording. So, when I when it first came out, the recording came out and the and the page came out
and it had a picture of me on there. Wasn't a bad picture. It had the video of me talking and Mr. Mars had already said two or three times in in council meeting, Carter, you said there would be no tax
abatement. Well, you put up a recording that doesn't substantiate that. That's not what it says. It does not say there will be no tax abatement. Carter, you said there would be no tax abatement. That is
not what your recording says. I can rewind it if I want to waste your time. We've been here long enough, but you can pull it up yourself later. What it specifically and clearly states is at the time of that application coming
before us and me which was in 2020 the entire process I believe started in January and I believe that was from the December meeting. I was on planning board that was a planning board meeting and what I stated was at the time of that application
there was no talk about tax abatement. Tax abatement doesn't happen in council. That part of it, that's state mandate. Now, all this sunshine and all this stuff, we had to do ministerial stuff. I'm not even going to talk about that. That's for the attorneys.
But we're not the decision makers on who applies. So, I had this whole reply set that I was going to reply to it and talk about it. And I said, you know what? enough people know
that I'm not going to stand in front of them and lie. If I even said if I even said at that time that there was no abatement, then I would have stood on it. Hey, that's what I said at the time. I would have stood on it. I don't They said, "Did you did
it appear to you that the video's chopped up? Is that your voice?" Ah, that's no big deal. Whatever is there is there. Is it AI? Eh, [clears throat] whatever is there is there. Because what it does not say is they would receive no
tax abatement. And you disrespected me by saying on more than one occasion occasion, Councilman Carter said there would be no tax abatement. And then Miss Brink posted it.
I commend you for being an advocate in the community. You and I have been together. You call me out. You call me out for 383. You call me out for uh Fanwood Crossing. We talk about some things. I go back to our building
department. I go back to different people. I got on the phone and called the building department. You were under the impression that they were starting construction. Remember, on 383, remember Mr. Morris? >> Oh, yeah. >> Right. So, I got on the phone and I
called our construction department with you there and we talked it through and there was nothing illegal and nefarious happening, but you came to me. I met you there and we had the conversation about it. >> The same thing when you talked about South Avenue with the Fanwork crossing
with the uneven pavement and all the sort of things and and a bunch of other things. I get on the phone, I make the calls. That's what I do for all of us. That's what we do for all of us. What's the mayor saying right now? Oh, I'll come to your house on on Pleasant and and I'll stop by and we'll have some
coffee. We'll listen to the sound together. Like that is just what we do. So, >> grab your tape measure and we'll go to Soho. You make the time and I'll show you. I'll show you everything I found. >> So, so the contention this is not meant to be contentious. I
>> This is not contentious. I want I want your advocacy >> and let's do it. >> Personally, I'm okay if you have something to say, right? um >> but but it but from a professional standpoint in running the meeting it's
not what's supposed to happen. >> Right. So >> you're addressing me so I can respond. >> Right. Exactly. And I I agree. I don't you know me. I don't have >> I know you you know me. >> I don't have any issue. I don't I don't have any tape measure and let's go. >> I don't have any issue with that.
>> Okay. So the So the next thing I'm going to storm July 3rd, my power comes back on July 5th. Same time last year. By the way, I looked at my notes from PSEG.
Big tree comes down, smashes the back of the house. I say, you know what? It's not about giving out a free cup ofas because everybody can afford their own two or three bucks. I believe maybe maybe not. Most people can afford the two, three bucks and buy their own read
if they want it. But what I said was there probably people who have a little tension. Some probably can't get their devices charged the way they want. I set up a little charging table there and some just want to have someone to talk to. So, I'm not going to show people's
pictures, but if you want to come up and you can see there were all walks of life who came by and they had conversations and some of the conversation I asked them, I want to know how you feel about the town and what I can do different. I didn't have one of Rita shirt. I have my
councilman card and what I can do different. Some talked about the ebikes and safety. Guess what? July 19th. >> Some talked about the tennis courts. Guess what? We're addressing it. Some talked about the new Lrand School.
We're we're we're addressing it. Some talked about funding public education. We don't have full We don't have control of that. >> But what we had was we don't have full control. What we had was a lot of neighborly conversation. And there were
some people who said to me, I may not agree with everything that goes on, but we're able to have this sort of dialogue. We don't believe, but that's everyone is entitled to what they're entitled to. So,
thank you for coming out. Thank you everyone. I'm going to say it's great. I don't The meet for me, the meetings don't have to end in 15 minutes. It's great because then I'll see you at the bagel shop and we'll continue the conversation. Maybe not you. But I do bagel shop. I do dry cleaning. I do
Chinese food. Like I do all those things. >> You saying I don't eat bagels? >> No. My partner behind you. >> I do I do I do all the I do all those things. And I go in not with a a skull face cover. I go in and I'm laughing and I'm smiling and we talk about things.
>> This is our neighborhood. This is our community. And what I would hope I don't control anybody's thoughts or feelings. What I would hope is that we don't walk out of here with any kind of real animous. It could be some disagreement if you
want. We're all adults. You don't need me to say you're entitled to think the way you want. You don't need me to say that. But I'm certainly not going to be that person. I'm not going to see you out and say I can't believe you said that about me. You were you mistaken. You told the f, right? But I'm not going
to I'm not going to when I see you when I see you, I'm not going to say, "Hey, G, remember that? If you want me to come, I'll come somewhere with you later. It's fine." That's what that's for all of us here. I'm no saint. Not going to do everything right. But these people who sit up here, my colleagues, I
can tell you with my colleagues up here, they care about what they're doing. And we do >> okay, >> we do some things. >> Thank you, Anthony. >> Good things. >> Thank you, Anthony. We done. >> I think we're done. I think we're done
at 10:30. [laughter] >> Uh, so with that, I want to thank everyone for coming out. Um, and with that, I'd like I have a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting. It's a little after 10:30 p.m. All in favor? Good night and be safe.