--------- Tell them we're ready. A little bit extra. >> So, hold on a second. I just got to grab some. I'm >> just saying. Can't pull my cherry on. >> Yeah. Roll the balls. >> Weird. >> I can't see. My glasses are so dirty.
>> Why do you have to? >> You ready? >> Ready, Candy? >> Am I ready? >> Are you ready? >> I'm ready. >> Are you ready? You ready? >> Okay. All right. Ready? Jeff is hungry, so let's go. >> All right. Jeff is hungry, so we need to make this fast.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Jeff, they are also hungry at this end, so we will make as fast as we can. >> Okay. All right. So, good evening and welcome to the regular scheduled meeting of the mayor and burough council. Today
is Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, and it is about 7:04. So, we'd like to call the meeting to order, and we'd like to read the Open Public Meetings Act, please. This meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was sent to the Union County Hawk, Westfield, New
Jersey, the Courier News, Bridgewater, New Jersey, the Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey, Union County Local Source, Union, New Jersey, and the Ultimate Pass Tap into.net. In addition, copies of the notice were posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and filed in the office of the burough clerk. Notices
on the bulletin board have remained continuously posted. Proper notice having been given, the burough clerk is directed to include the statement in the minutes of this meeting. >> That's great. So, for everyone that is here, if you would please rise and then we'll stand for a moment of silence to the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um, and I would just say that this month is go red, where we
celebrate women's heart health. Um, and we'd like to keep all the women in our prayers that have succumbed to heart attacks or heart disease and to remind women that to take care of themselves first and second. Thank you.
Okay. So, with that, I'd like to have a um roll call, please. >> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> here. >> Jeffrey Banks >> here. >> Gina Barry, >> here. Anthony Carter >> present. >> Erin Mroy Barker >> here. >> Katherine Mitchell >> here. >> Mayor Mah
>> present. Okay. Thank you. So we will begin tonight's meetings um with um an appointment and I always say that we are so thankful for our residents that answer the call um to bring their professional skills to many of the boards and commissions. And so tonight,
um, I have the honor of, uh, swearing in a good Fanwood resident that I have gotten to personally know, uh, to the board of health. So, I'd like to call for uh, Diane Cook, please. >> Do I have the board of the Where's the
>> It should be in. >> Okay. Okay. And then where's the >> the Bible is at the podium. >> Okay. So would you like to ask a family member to come forward because I have to swear you in >> Thank you so much for
your right hand and repeat after me and I I your name in the swear solemnly swear >> thou 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 >> the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government 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 >> and partially and partially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties all the duties of a member of the board of health of a member of the board of health according to the best of my ability to the best of my ability.
>> Thank you here because I signed there. >> And who's the liaison to the board of health here? Jeff this year. >> Jeff, are you the le to the >> Okay. Will that wasn't a trick question, but okay.
>> It's Kathy Mitchell will be the >> Hi, welcome. >> Thank you. >> All right, Jeff. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
>> We appreciate you. Jeff is working. >> Okay. All right. >> Um, okay. Moving on. Oh, I should have stayed up there. Moving on. Let me just sign this. Um, okay. Moving on. I'm going to go back over here.
And I'd like to call for members of our own social justice matters that are here in the audience. >> I see Joan. I see Taisha. >> So, it's nice to see you guys. Yeah. Uh, so thank you for coming and accepting this proclamation
on behalf of the governing bodies recognition um of Black History Month. So you want to wait for a minute? >> And who is this that we have coming to? So I don't know if I >> Hi Doris, >> welcome. Thank you for coming out
tonight. >> Thank you. You too. I always wonder if people do Um, so like I said, the governing body is proud tonight to recognize Black History Month, which was formally established in 1976 to honor and
recognize the profound contributions and significant of Black History throughout our nation. And whereas the historian uh Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week in 1926, choosing the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of President
Abraham Lincoln on the 12th and abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglas on the 14th of February. And whereas Congress expanded Black History Week to National Black History Month 50 years later during the nation's bicesentennial celebration at which time
then President Gerald Ford urged the country to seize the opportunity to honor the two often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history. And the theme for this year's Black History Month is AfricanAmericans
and labor, which in which encourages our reflections on the intersection between black people's work in their workplace and in all forms, as well as key moments, themes, and events in history and culture. And Black History Month serves as a time for all Americans to
reflect on the rich heritage, the resilience, the accomplishments, while acknowledging the ongoing progress and contributions brought to our society. So, it's my honor to hear tonight to proclaim and read into the minutes of the meeting that Black M History Month in the Burrow of Fanwood and we
encourage all residents to celebrate the creativity, the cultures, the tradition of African-Americans to participate in any way that they can during the monthlong of educational events that honor and recognize the invaluable contributions to our community and our
nation. So, thank you for coming. Let's grab a picture first here. Let's hold this. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Tashiro Wheeler and I'm the
president of Social Justice Matters Incorporated. I would like to thank Mayor Maher and the Fanwick Council for this honor and recognition this evening and for being a supporter of Social Justice Matters Incorporated. Social Justice Matters Incorporated,
SJM, was formed in 2009 and is a grassroots nonprofit organization. Our members are committed to active inquiry into matters of race in our society and to working toward an equitable community. SJM
serves as a resource for community concerns and facilitates truthful and meaningful discussions and action about race and race related topics. Some of the efforts in which we are involved include serving as funding sponsor of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of
Service. SJM has also sponsored and co-sponsored an event at each of these celebrations. Over the last eight years, SJM has sponsored and hosted seven Juneenth celebrations and we are grateful to the burrow of Fanwood for your help and
support in making these celebrations successful and we hope that we will continue this support this year. Each year the celebration has grown in size and in sponsorship. SJM is also a part of the coalition of organizations, the New Jersey Faith
Allies for Reparations Task Force, Say the Word, working to pass a bill to create a reparations task force in New Jersey. Other members of the coalition include the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Unitarian Universalist Faith Action New Jersey, the People's
Organization for Progress, and the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, among others. SJM was also the convenor of the Scotch Waynees and Fanwood joint committee for truth, racial healing and tr and transformation TRT that was supported by
the Ruckers University. Our SJM board and general members have worked with residents of the historic Kramer Manor um neighborhood in Fanwood to form a research team to compile a comprehensive history of the Kramer Manor neighborhood. We proudly wrote a
letter of support to the New Jersey Historical Commission for the inclusion of the Kramer Manor neighborhood in New Jersey in the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. And I'm very happy and I believe you all recognized um the work that Jill Jackson Jones did just a few weeks ago
that that neighborhood is now a part of the historic Black History Trail here in New Jersey. So, we are very very proud of um Jill Jackson Jones, also the members of Kramer Manor, but also our SJM members. We're proud to support and
have worked to make sure that this historic area right here in your burrow still remains a historic area and that no one is forgotten about that history. Forgive me.
SJM continues to support the Scotch Plains Family High School Black Student Union and their various projects and we provide funding for the annual BSU scholarship that is given through the Scotch Plains Fanwood scholarship foundation. Social justice matters. We
will continue to work with our community partners and community members to eliminate inequity and to lift up diverse voices by fostering positive relationships among neighbors through education and advocacy. Again, I thank
you, Mayor Maher, for everything. I thank you to each of the council members and to all of the community members assembled here tonight. Thank you so much for this honor and recognition. So before you go and because we go live on Access Television, I think it would be
worth just a couple minutes to just make sure people understand why Kramer Manor was placed on the trail because I don't assume that everybody really fully appreciates that history. >> Yes. Well, Kramer Manor, uh, for those
who do not know, um, was is a historic black neighborhood. um Kramer um se sectioned off a portion of your historic Fanwood Burrow specifically for black
residents. Um what's important to note is that um during the time there was a lot there was redlinining that was going on and so black residents were not allowed to buy homes in certain areas
and so um Mr. Kramer thought, you know what, they deserve an opportunity. They deserve a chance. And this area, which um and forgive me because I'm not I'm a Scotch Plains girl. So, I knew Kramer Manor. I had many friends who grew up in
Kramer area. Um but right where McInn School is by the Kramer um Manor Park all the way down to about Seville Road um that is your historic Kramer Manor area. So if you are living in that area
now, you are in a wealth of history. There's a lot of um there's still residents who are still there living today um who grew up um in that area. And what's beautiful about the Kramer Manor history project is that um Jill
Jackson Jones um Pam Brooks um who's a former board member of SJM Pam Brownstein a board member and many other um Kramer Manor residents they were able to interview um older residents and capture that history. um Deacon Ella Green, one of
the founding members, being able to purchase that house and build that house in Kramer Manor. They captured his voice um before he passed away. Um and this is really really important because um to
get that information while our elders are still living and to capture that and to keep talking about it, it never dies. It never dies. And so you have a gem right here in the midst of your burrow and you know social justice matters and
all educators anyone anywhere we want to make sure that this gem is always always talked about and never forgotten. Um so it is very a very proud moment um for that to be on the New Jersey Historic Black History Trail. Um and just the
fact that we have it also housed on our SJM website. So if you don't know anything about the Kramer Manor history, you can go to our website www.socialjusticematters.org. We have a tab specifically dedicated to Kramer Manor. You can view the film. You can look at the transcripts. You can see
and read the words of Zeon Green and others. So that way you can understand the importance of why um Kramer Manor really is the gem of Fanwood. So um I thank you for allowing me to go without that cuz that's really
>> Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. >> It is a moment right cuz you don't nec you have to apply right and and not every application gets a designation. >> Yes. So you have a gem right here. But thank you again. >> Thank you. Thanks for coming out. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. All right. Uh, so we have one piece of correspondence um, which is asking us to light up Barl Hall for eating disorders awareness week February 24th to March 2nd.
>> Um, do we do we know >> is there a specific color on that? >> I'm reading it here. Um, >> it's blue and green. >> Okay. And our public works doesn't mind getting that. Okay. So I think >> you know about it. They're ready. Good
idea. Um, okay. So, that's Yeah, that's that's perfect. So, we will be lighting up our hall on February 24th to March 2nd to draw attention to eating eating disorders. Um, at this moment, I'd like to go to the public section of our
meeting and have a motion to open the meeting to the public for any comments that the public may have at this point. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. I'd like to call forward any members of the public. Please state your name and address for the record. >> Michael Lewis, 41 Beach Avenue and F.
What do you have? Resolution 2025 02063. Uh when you get to that one on the consent agenda, could you just elaborate a little on that in terms of why you need and how much it's going to cost? Thank you. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um with that, may I have a anybody else wishes to come forward? >> With that, can I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? >> So move. Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. Um, we have minutes of our work session meeting which was held on
February 3rd, 2025. May I please have a a motion to move? >> You have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. Um, so, so we have resolutions 260 to 268.
>> Um, first >> Oh, missed that. Okay. Uh, so, uh, Councilman Carter, could you please move resolution uh,059? >> Yes. I move resolution 2025-02-059 authorizing payment of claims for
February 18th, 2025. >> Second. >> Okay. May I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> affirm. >> Aaron Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. Motion carries.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um, so I'm just going to go to the resolutions that were on under the consent. I know that we are going to pull resolution 063 out. Um,
>> 062. >> I think he just asked for 063. >> I don't see any maximum they shall be paid. >> Want an elaboration on that? >> Approve any profession. I'm assuming maximum that they shall be paid >> labor council services. >> Okay. So, which one are you talking
about before we just go off? I was just pulling >> 062 and 063. >> So, there's >> Okay. So, so why don't we do this >> three all together that we should probably discuss. >> Okay. So, how about this? How about we're not going to do the consent agenda because we don't have that many and I will just go through them individually
because by the time we do that, that's half of the ones that are there already. Um, all right. So, Council Carter, do you want to move um under ANF060? >> Yes. I'll move resolution 2025
2060-02-060 authorizing acceptance of grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the Burrow of Fanwood for Recreational Improvements 2025. So, this is this is the money from the
state for the improvements at uh the Grand Park tennis courts. Correct. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. Awesome. Okay, so we have a move and a second. May I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter,
>> Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Carries. >> Okay. So then we have 061. And so before that's read into uh the record, uh Jesse or Trish, do you want to discuss >> 061 is to accept the grant agreement for
the uh second grant we received. >> Oh, I'm sorry. That's my bad. I thought that I didn't realize that. I'm sorry. Go ahead, Anthony. I move resolution 2025-02-061, a resolution authorizing acceptance of grant agreement with the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs for the Burrow of Fanwood for capital improvements in 2025. Second. >> Okay. May I have a roll call on that, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter,
>> upon Mroy Barker, >> yes. Katherine Mitchell. >> Yes. >> Carries. >> Okay. Now, Jesse, sorry. >> So, 062, 063, and 064. Um, we had approved professional service agreements with Shane Schaefer at the
beginning of the year. The firm was bought by another firm, renown. >> Um, so this is just >> Oh, noations. This is like a novation agreement where they just changed the name because we awarded them a contract
at the reorganization meeting with our other professional services and they no longer exist as we awarded them. >> Correct. The dollar amounts are kept the same. So for 063 we allocated not to exceed $1,000. We kept the same >> not to exceed $1,000. >> 1,000. Okay.
>> So can we can we attach that to each of them? >> 062063064. So we have dollar. >> Oh, you want attach the dollar amount? >> Well, the dollar amount may be different for each. I have to look. >> Tell you what, but the I have the dollar amount for each.
>> So it does say right in the resolution it references the resolution, right? It says 0128 because we did that in January, right? 0120 and 0123. >> Correct. They're all amendments of the original.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Does that suffice? >> I mean, in the in the past, we've said that it becomes a bit cumbersome to try and have someone refer back to another resolution where we can just include it
in the resolution we have here. >> However you I mean like you do we >> preference >> whatever the council wants to do. >> Okay. So we can make a note to amend the resolution right now to reflect the original awards that was done on the
original resolution. Right. So we can um take a if you want to move and second the resolution with the amendment to reflect the dollar amount so that the next one will have the same that's referenced in 0128 and then 0120 and
0123. >> So you'll read in the dollar amounts. >> I don't know if he has them all. That's what they're saying. I I >> CFO has >> I have the last two for sure. They're both $1,000. The labor council I would have to verify.
>> Okay. So, can we just make a motion then to have that amended as was just pushed by you? >> Just move it as amended. >> Okay. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay.
>> So, and I'm referenc I'm sorry. >> No, just >> Okay. >> Just confirming something. >> Okay, that's fine. I want you to feel good. Okay. So, if we can move 0261, please. >> Yes. >> I think you >> I move 610.
>> And then I need a second. >> Second. >> May roll call. >> Council President Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks? >> Yes. >> Gina Barry? >> Yes. Anthony Carter fire. >> Aaron Mroy Barker. >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell.
>> Yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. 062. >> All right. So, I'll move resolution 2025-062-02-062. And it's the resolution amending 2025-01-28 approving a professional services
agreement for the provision of labor council services as our BA has explained that it replaces uh this previous resolution because there's a change in ownership in the firm and the dollar
amounts remain the same. >> Okay, we have a second. >> Second. May >> I have a roll call, please? Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> affirm. >> Erin Mroy Barker, >> yes.
>> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Um, next 063. >> All right. I move resolution 20. Thank you. I move resolution 2025-02-063 and it's a resolution amending 2025-01-20 approving a professional services
agreement for the provision of Oprah Council Services with the dollar amount as stated by our CFO >> $1,000. >> $1,000. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second. >> May have a roll call. >> Council President Patricia Walsh. Yes.
>> Jeffrey Banks. >> Yep. >> Barry. >> Yes. >> Anthony Carter. >> Affirm. >> Erin Mroy Barker. >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. I move resolution 2025-02-064. Resolution amending 2025-01-23
approving a professional services agreement for the provision of tax appeal attorney services in the amount stated by our CFO. $1,000. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> May I have a roll call? >> Council President Patricia Walsh?
>> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks? >> Yes. >> Gina Barry? >> Yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> Erin Mroy Barker? >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Next. >> Next, I move resolution 2025-02-065.
And it's a resolution authorizing block 88 lot 37 as tax exempt and authorizing refund of 2025 first quarter taxes. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second.
>> We have a roll call. >> Excuse. >> Council President Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks. >> Yes. >> Gina Barry. >> Yes. >> Anthony Carter. >> Affirm. >> Aaron Mroy Barker. >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell. >> Yes. Motion carries. Next.
>> Next, I move resolution 2025-02-066 and it's a resolution authorizing block 78 lot 7 as tax exempt and authorizing refund of 2025 first quarter taxes.
>> Second. We have a roll call, please. >> Council President Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks. >> Yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. Anthony Carter, >> Erin Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Thank you very much. Moving on into public works. We have uh two
resolutions that we'd like to move for this evening. >> Yes. Um I move resolution 2025-02-067 authorizing the borrowed advertisement solicit bids for curbside collection and disposal services of recycling materials pursuant to the New Jersey public contracts law.
>> Second. May I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> Erin Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Great. And for those at home, this is
because our recycling contract is set to expire December 31st, 2025. And the D um has some pretty stringent uh procurement regulations which has to have the RFP out on the streets, so to speak, for like 3 months,
>> 16. >> Yeah, two months, you know, before we can make anything. So, we're kind of right on target here to make sure that there's no issues. Um uh so next I have a I have a question on this one. This is um approving a shared service agreement
for Parsa. So is this a new agreement because we actually finished the first round of cleaning. >> The old agreement actually lapsed last
year. They did not inform us that it was up for renewal. We reminded them and they kept the price the same. >> But so this is now just going back again >> and doing the same. >> It's renewing the same agreement.
>> But but they the first agreement was to do >> each quadrant, >> right? Four quadrants. >> So they've done the four quadrants and now they're going back to the I guess the first quadrant x amount of years later and continuing. I mean that's what
we're doing here. Okay. Okay. Yep. Thank you. I move resolution 2025-02-068 approving a shared service agreement with Parsa for maintenance and cleaning of sewers. >> Second.
>> Um, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> affirm. >> Erin Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Motion carries. So, the only question I have on this is
is that they talk about how it's for a 5year term, but it goes out to 2034. >> Yeah, I got to double check that. >> So, if you look at the now, therefore, >> it basically says that we will pay them
a an annual fee for each year of the five-year term. and the end and that's what I'm used to was that it was a fiveyear term but the contract and the resolution goes out to 2034 which is more than five years >> I will I will call him about that
>> okay so so we need to >> I don't think they're allowed to go out that far >> right so so we need to pull that and >> five years of their New Jersey public right but >> but that's not what they gave us so we'll just pull that.
>> So, we need to >> Well, you could pass the resolution >> for 5 years. >> No, let me double check what the resolution says. >> That's 2030. >> 2034. >> That's nine years. >> Yeah. >> So, we can just pull it.
>> Yeah. When's it expire again? Just >> It has. >> It did already. >> So, what's another two weeks is not going to be an issue. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Just appreciate that. Check that. >> Thank you. >> I think it's five. >> Okay. So, let the record show. I think
Did we move that? >> No, we didn't. >> We didn't move that, right? >> We did. >> Okay. We just did it. Yes, >> we Okay. So, we need to resend that. >> Okay. >> So, I need to have a motion and then a second to resin the resolution due to the errors in the uh
resolution and the agreement and we'll bring it back at the next meeting. >> Okay. So, um >> just need a motion. I'd like to make a motion to resend resolution 2025-02-068. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> May I have a roll call, please?
>> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Gina Bry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, >> Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Under ANF, we have one ordinance, please.
>> Yes. I call up for second reading ordinance number O-20225-01-R and request that the clerk having produced affidavit of publication also read the ordinance by title
>> an ordinance by the mayor and council of Fanwood County of union and state of New Jersey amending the bureau of family code of ordinances to repeal chapter 257 flood damage prevention to adopt a new chapter 257 flood damage prevention to
adopt flood hazard maps to designate a flood plane administrator and providing for severability and an effective date. >> Thank you. I move that a public hearing be held on set ordinance. >> May I have a motion
to open the meeting to the public? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. If you like to call forward any members of the public that wish to make a comment on this ordinance where the biggest change is that we just had to the D wanted some clarification on
one or two words. There was nothing substantive. Seeing that there isn't anyone that wishes to come forward to make a comment. May I have a motion to close the public hearing? >> Some move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Thank you. I move that this ordinance be adopted on
second reading and final passage and if adopted be published by law. >> Okay. May I have have a second? >> Second. May I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Patricia Walsh? >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks? >> Yes. >> Gina Barry? >> Yes. >> Anthony Carter? >> Affirm.
>> Aaron Mroy Barker? >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell? >> Yes. >> Carries. >> Thank you. Um, okay. So, that uh handles our one ordinance. Do you have a new business? >> Yes. So, um, our new tax collector,
Paula Ferrer, who's also our QPA, pointed out, um, that there are contracts that can be procured between the bid threshold of 17,500 and the threshold that is raised higher
if you have a QPA on staff of 44,000. Anything in between 175 and 44 is called a window contract. um you can pass a resolution designating your EPA to be able to enter into those contracts and then pass a subsequent
resolution confirming those contracts here at the governing body. >> So what I'm asking the governing body is is it okay the next meeting to have one resolution giving the QPA the authority to enter into those contracts while also understanding that when we do those contracts we will give its own
resolution here at a council meeting to confirm it. Um, and the one quote that you see there is for our, um, janitorial services contract. Um, it's under the $44,000 threshold over 175. Um, it is
more appropriate to procure it in this manner. >> Yeah. Than it is through. Any questions? >> No, not that. >> Okay, I think that's Yep. makes sense. Okay. Um, no old business being carried
over. We will get into our standing committee reports and begin with administration and finance with uh Councilman Anthony Carter. >> Thank you. So ANF had a meeting last Thursday and we'll start off. Many of you will be glad to hear that the ambulance was finally sold.
>> Yay. And the amount was 92,000 or so. >> 94,000. So kudos to our VA and CFO and all of those who got behind it. And
>> I was a skeptic. >> I was I was a skeptic. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> So that's great news. >> And they'll find the appropriate place to use it in our budget >> as before by law
>> next year. >> Next year. >> 26. >> 26. All right. The next thing is and it was mayor's desire also to float some dates for our budget discussions amongst council. So you know people have schedules and be certain that they can
clear their schedule but make time in appropriate amount of time. So hopefully this week we'll get some dates floated to council and see what fits everyone and we'll have our budget meetings. Of course, the state is mandated that if
we don't plan on hitting or if we don't hit the mandated mandated date for passing the budget, we have to pass a resolution beforehand extending the time and giving some target date on when we may hit. So,
we're going to try to avoid that as much as we can, but things aren't always in our control. We can do the municipal side of course we have control of that but we have little to no control over when the county says their number or the school board gives their number or even
you know state passing there. So we don't have full control over budget and some people may believe we do the only portion we can control is the municipal part that that we can bring in but we can't bring in a full budget until the others adopt theirs and tell us what the
number is that needs to be included. I know we discussed not going too deep in the past we've come up with our municipal number and then once the other say county and and school board came in
with their number we have judiciously made adjustments to our municipal number so it wouldn't hit our our residents. So, you know, one of the things we discussed is the municipal number is kind of what it is to not affect any
services there. And when the school board and the county come in with their number, then you know, we can we'll have to have those discussions as they arise. Judiciously, the county has been pretty flat or low over the last several
several years, but you know, the school board is another thing and whatever they come in with is what they come in with. just the the collector and the payer in that regard. Um, okay. Then we again, we're not to go too
nuts. We had some more discussion about marijuana and where it is in our immediate vicinity and where we are with it right now. And one of the things our BA needs to know from us as a council, and I don't believe we need a formal
vote on this, mayor, you can tell me, is is it okay for him to just enter into discussion with our planner? Doesn't cost us anything on what the cost would be to put together a plan that can be
presented to council for some direction. But before he even enters into the conversation with the planner, which doesn't cost us anything, he needs some direction on us from us, right, >> on whether we even want to >> go down the road of exploration, right? >> So, I leave that up to council to make
that determination, >> right? So, I think that >> we just had a meeting this morning, >> right? I think there's a um desire, right, to investigate. Um, but I I think and I see our zoning officer here. So, really our zoning officer is very uh
important to that conversation. I know that um Rey has done quite a bit of work already, right, looking into this. So, I think that we've got to polish off your uh notes um and have Rey, our zoning
officer, in that with the planning because they just really go hand in hand with that conversation. So that's a yes. >> I think there's a yes to to get a proposal from the planner to work right to just kind of understand what that
>> what that means information. >> Yeah. >> Because there's a lot of um she's going to look for direction from us. So we need to be able to give it to her. But you got to start somewhere. >> Yeah. Jesse need just needed to hear from us that it was okay to have conversation with her to open it up.
Yeah, you got to just make sure the plan zoning is involved in place if you >> that guy. >> Okay, thank you. And then we have uh continuing the conversation with Garwood regarding regarding our shared service court agreement and I believe we know
that we currently share the court administrator only and we had a copious conversation about it but ultimately it's the AOC who are they're the state regulatory board for the courts and they will jump in and make the decisions on
certain matters here. for instance as which court which court building we'll actually use and then there are a couple different models we can use but we'll get into that as we get a little closer also. Okay. >> All right. And then we had discussion
about reviewing the current ordinance related to the development in the areas in need of and I believe we have some meetings forthcoming and we'll discuss those and report back to council
>> and that's it. >> Okay. Uh thank you. I think we have the tax collectors report to move >> under. >> Yes. >> Administration finance, please. >> I'll make the motion to accept the tax collector's report for January 2025.
>> May I have a second? >> Second. And may I have a roll call, please? Council President Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks. >> Yes. >> Gina Barry, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter, up front. >> Aaron Mackoy Barker? >> Yes. >> Katherine Mitchell?
>> Yes. Carries. Okay, thank you. Um, moving on under, uh, public safety. >> Um, okay. So, for the month of January, uh, the police department handled 891 calls for service, 28 on average per
day. This included 127 traffic enforcement details and 334 building security checks. Officers conducted 60 park and walk details, as well as responding to 38 medical calls and 30 fire or burglar alarms. During the month, 47 vehicles were stopped for
traffic violations and a total of 122 uh substances were issued. 38 for moving violations and 84 for parking. I actually think it's 127, but that's okay. Um various officers uh attended uh three different training classes and
there was one adult arrest this month. Um, public safety has been working with uh the lieutenant and our VA to um hire a new officer um to fill um a vacancy that
we already have. Um and so we are in the process of conducting final interviews and I hope that we will be hiring someone or bringing that person to council um very soon. Um uh we are also working with the police department
pretty closely to plan um as we are expecting two more retirements from the Fanwood Police this year. Uh we are expecting um an officer to retire this summer and um a ranking officer I should say and another officer will be retiring
before the end of the year. So, we will continue to work with the police department to make sure that uh the police department is well staffed um and able to meet the needs of the community. Um and we believe that Lieutenant CR is uh fully aware of the needs of this community and is doing whatever he can
to make sure that we are covered. So, uh we appreciate that. I think that's it for me. >> Okay. Uh rescue squad. >> Okay. We have uh I guess we're doing the month of January here. Um Brian sent me his report. Um we
had 14 calls answered. We had uh we had nine insufficient crew calls. We had uh nothing um for second call request. Average response time is 7
minutes and 33 seconds. Total response hours are 72 hours. Um and we had five oxygen administrations also. So um under that we want to thank uh to Juliana for we're representing F
FRS with the monks visiting Burough Hall. Um I am responding is now being utilized and e dispatches will no longer be received. All active members must download the app. Please please make sure you're you
sure your settings are appropriate. Um that is for that. >> Okay. Thank you. under fire. >> Uh, no report. Thank you. Um, okay. Moving on under public works. >> Okay. This is um the public works
summary report from January 17th to February 13th. So, uh they continue recurring monthly activities and r uh routines for inspection and maintenance, cleanup and repairs. Um they have cleaned the storm drainage um inlets and
as far as seasonal activities um they complete the an completed the annual winter brush pickup program and the next program will not be until April. So they're asking that residents be reminded not to place any additional brush in the streets until April um as
the department deals with inclement weather and snow. Um the public works assisted the school referendum special election. Um they had a uh some overtime because of deicing operations on the
streets and the parking lots and the sidewalks um during the snow events on February 2nd and February 6th. Um there were also snow removal operations for January 19th, February 8th and 9th and the 11th and 12th. So, they've I've
heard they've done a great job on that. Um, several people were saying um that they were happy with the removal of the sto snow snow and the timing that they they got the plowing done. So, we want to thank them for that. Uh, the recycling center will be open on March
1st from 11 uh 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for the self-service drop off. And also residents are reminded that plastic bags and film are accepted at the public works facility by appointment during the next specialty recycling event on March
1st. And that's that. >> Okay. Um, thank you. And uh, under land use and historic preservation, Jamie, >> we actually have a meeting tomorrow morning. So I can report that the next one. >> Okay. Um, and then the library, we also
have a meeting tomorrow night. >> Have a meeting tomorrow night. Yes. All right. Thank you on that. Um, historic preservation. >> Yeah. Uh, we had our meeting and, um, the commission is involved now in planning for the AmRev 250 events which
are coming up. Um, and we will be attending a joint meeting with Scotch Plains Fanwood Historical Society on March 7th to discuss some joint events that we might want to do. Um, and to continue discussions on what we might be doing just in Fanwood. So, we're gathering some information about some
exciting things that we might be able to do. >> So, so as they start to talk about that, we should like hear back what they have to say because everything's going to change. >> I think after this >> planning and some money and and you know, like what >> we want to do to celebrate the country's
birthday here, right? And >> yeah, there's a lot of ideas floating around. So, we have to narrow down what each town is going to do or what we're combined. >> And and if you can just have them make sure we understand what the county is doing because each county is doing >> Yes. >> a bunch of stuff around the state. You
know, they're kind of the >> they already um joined the county group, >> right? So, they're going to do stuff. >> We just I think you just need to kind of make sure we understand what they're doing. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Yep. Thank you. Thank you. >> Tell them thank you. Um Environmental
Commission Uh we have no report. >> Thank you. Uh Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell. >> Um first of all, I have the green team. I don't really have a report ex because they're meeting tonight and I
>> So unless they haven't been able to >> do that, but I'd like to report that um our sustainable New Jersey application has been uh sent in. >> That's good. We needed 150 points and they were able to get us to 250.
>> Wow. >> Does that change our level or is that just the cushion of a good level? So, um really have to thank uh Kate Gerlick and her her team for all of their hard work. I know they've had um quite a few meetings and quite a few discussions
with everybody in the in the burrow to >> We need to celebrate when we get our reertification for sure. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Um and as they're meeting tonight, um they're planning I don't know exactly what they want to
collect this year. Um I think as I have reported in the past their their collections last year of the sneakers and the crayons and I think they something else were very very successful um for those things to be recycled and
the most important thing is it kept out of the landfills. Um, and let me see. >> Shade tree. >> Shade tree. Oh, >> great meeting the other night, two weeks uh a week or so ago. >> First of all, we um
have have received this plaque >> which tells us that um well, first of all, >> we are in our 32nd year as a Tree City USA. >> And this is this can go up on the on the wall and barrel hall. >> How many years? >> Oh, that's nice. How many years?
>> 32. >> That's great. >> And they've already uh sent the application in for to for this year. >> That's great. >> Um there was some initial discussions for Arbor Day which will be April April
25th. So that's we'd have a little time for that. Um we finally decided that um to get started with the uh labeling the the trees in uh the arboritum as the budget allows.
>> Um and to go ahead with the memorial tree program. Um >> that's nice. >> Yeah. >> You got all your forms. >> Uh we Yes, we have a form I think. Don't Yeah, Jesse sent me a form a long time ago. Um also, uh they're also going to
start replacing the markers the for people have already have memorial trees, but the markers have been damaged or have disappeared over the years. So, they're going to um put those markers
back in place. And uh let me see. Oh, the spring planting. They will start planting probably in May. So, um, if you want a tree in front of your house to please
get in touch with someone here in Burough Hall or I think there's an application on the website also for that. >> Kathy, is that just to replace >> any of the other trees? >> Is that just to replace a tree or or you can request also a
>> request? Okay, thanks. >> If you want a tree in front of your house, yes. >> Oh, that's nice. Okay. >> And the way they designate what tree goes there, it depends on the wires, the overhead wires. So, you're not going to plant an oak tree or a maple tree on on
a street where on the side of the street where there are wires because they grow to be quite tall. And I think that's it for those two committees. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, moving on. Um, anything on the planning board, Councilman Carter?
No, we meet again on the 26th. >> Yeah, it's been kind of quiet so far. >> Yes. >> Okay, moving on. Under recreation. >> Okay. Um, under recreation, we uh we are tossing around we started some meetings
with for the 5K for for this coming year. Um, where we have more to discuss on that. Um, also um they are looking for counselors for summer camp already. So, if anybody knows anybody who would
like to become a counselor, please uh contact Bob Budansky or at the or just go to the recreation site. That'll do it as well. Um on on another note, Memorial Day parade, uh we are thinking about since it was cancelled last year, we're
thinking about asking the St. the Santos brothers again to come back and uh and have their day in the sun. So, so to say hopefully it's sunny. inside. >> So that that's kind of important. >> Okay. Um thank you. Under anything under
health? Nothing. >> Under what? >> Health. >> The health department. >> Uh no, the board of health did not meet this this month. >> Okay. >> But I do have >> your seniors. >> Seniors. Yes. >> Please. >> I just they met two um a week ago and
they will be meeting this coming Monday. Um, and their guest speaker will be George Rufa. >> Greg is Greg. >> Pardon? >> Greg. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Mr. Rufa, >> uh, Greg Rufa, who is um 100 years old
>> and paints like nobody else. >> Yeah, I'm getting into that. Yes. >> Seriously. >> And he is an artist and he's a painter. He's a World War II veteran. and he's going to be there and give us a little update on his hundred years of living um
and explaining his explaining his paintings. >> And so that's uh this coming Monday. And then for the future, they have um a representative from Mr. Tech coming to talk to the seniors and maybe helping
them with any of their devices. >> And um >> again, at a future date, >> what time? Pardon? >> When is that? >> I don't know what the need. >> They're working on scheduling a date. >> Okay. >> In April, probably. >> I was going to say you were pretty quick
then. >> Talked to him, but we didn't we didn't hammer it all out yet. >> Another date. Uh we just giving you some updates of, you know, upcoming things. Somebody from Sage is going to be there and they're going to talk, they're going
to talk to us about furniture restoration. >> Yeah. So, sounds like um some exciting event for >> for the seniors. >> And I think that concludes my report. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh Liz is not here. She's on vacation for her economic
development um update. >> Yes. >> I have something. >> Yes. >> I didn't want to interrupt. So, as I was signing our invoices, I noticed that the PSEG bill for the library, which was uh a point of
discussion during construction, >> yes, >> has decreased by almost 100%. As we stated, that lights had to be adjusted. Things were left on overnight. Yes. >> And I can see that from July right through August, September, October,
December, and a steadily decline, even though we have to heat that place up the same way we had to condition the air for cool. >> So, you're seeing now the bills decrease substantially. >> Yes. >> This last one is truly substanti
though because utility rates are going up about 17% across the state, >> which we can't control. Yes, >> we got a little reprieve, but we will get a across the board. >> Isn't that June? I think they started the silver. >> But it's almost 100% decrease from July. >> That's good because we have our meeting
tomorrow night. So, we'll we'll mention that to them. >> The the other thing is we like to give credit where it's due to our employees. So, our court administrator, part-time court personnel have been diligently working
>> to to get the tickets that were kind of set aside during CO and there was no real enforcement. They've been calling the individuals who have those tickets and giving them the opportunity to come in and pay them
>> and there's been a a substantial uptick >> in in that. So, we want to give our >> part-time court staff that we work diligently. >> That's good. >> To bring that in. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's it. >> Okay. Thank you. And I think I'm going to uh come back over to my right with
Councilman uh Councilwoman Walsh, who has the uh fire report to please read to the public. >> So, for the month of January, the fire department responded to 27 calls. Uh we had two odor investigations, four fire alarms, two down wires, an elevator
emergency, four water conditions. Uh they assisted a citizen, carbon monoxide alarms, commercial fire alarm, a dumpster fire, uh a transformer fire, and three mutual aid calls. Uh there were no injuries reported during the month of January.
>> So they were busy. >> They were busy. They were busy. Yes. And I believe I spoke to Chief Pakola which you'll confirm is coming in next month. >> Yes. >> I think he has his annual report and then we have the special presentation um that will be on tap. >> Nice little fundraising opportunity.
>> Yes. And they have their dinner coming up in March >> uh with the rescue squad right the 9th I think. Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Of course. Um all right. So with that, I'd like to have a motion to open the meeting to the public. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? like to call forward any
members of the public that wish to make a comment. Please state your name and address for the record. Excuse me. >> Seeing that there isn't anybody that wishes to come forward, I'd like to have a motion to close the meeting to the public. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Thank you. Um and with that, that concludes our meeting this evening. Uh we will come back um for our work session which is on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 at 7:00. um as we are blowing through the month of February, right? Um
to please stay safe out there with the weather and uh take good care of yourself and we'll see you soon. Thank you. Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Second. >> All in favor? >> Good night. Part: 2
Well, good evening and happy new year, right? Happy new year to everybody, 2026. And um I'm Colleen Maher and I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the mayor here in this great small but mighty burrow of Fanwood. Um I come
before you tonight as I start my 23rd year >> as your mayor. WOOHOO. AND the reorganization meeting is really one of my favorite times of the year because this is the time when governments all across our country
reorganize. We swear in those who step forward to be on the ballot um in November to serve their community which we will do tonight and we set the reset button on how we operate the daytoday of our daily government. So, we will now continue and open up our meeting and I
will ask our clerk, Courtney Agnello, to please read the open public meeting statement. 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 addition, the notice was posted on the Burrow of Fanwood website, www.fanwoodnj.org.
Copies of said notice were posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and filed in the office of the burough clerk. Notices on the bulletin board have remained continuously posted. Proper notice having been given, the burough clerk is directed to include this statement in the minutes of this meeting.
>> Thank you very much. So, we're going to have our flag salute and our pledge. Is Nala here? >> Nollie Foster. >> AWESOME. SO, I don't Can we maybe have her hand her the microphone so she doesn't get lost
behind the podium? >> There you go. So, for everyone that is here, I would please have you stand. And for the flag which Nolly will uh lead us in. >> I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> If you can remain standing please. We have our invocation. If father Michael Ward of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Roman
Catholic Church in Scotch Plains, God of all nations, father of the human family, we give you thanks for the freedom we exercise and the many blessings of democracy we enjoy in these United States of America. We ask for your protection and guidance
for all who devote themselves to the common good, working for justice and peace at home and around the world. We lift up all our duly elected leaders and public servants. Those who will serve as president, as legislators, as judges,
those in the military and law enforcement. Unite us, oh Lord, with a common purpose, dedication, and commitment to achieve liberty and justice in the years ahead. for all people and especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.
Assist us with your spirit of counsel and fortitude, wisdom and understanding for our mayor, our recently reelected council members Kathy Mitchell and Gina Barry and all the council members and civic leaders of this burough of family. May they always seek the ways of
justice, truth, and mercy. Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protection to lead our community with honesty and integrity. We ask this your blessing, God of power and might, wisdom and justice, now and always. Amen.
>> Amen. >> Thank you very much. >> So, our first order of business is actually to certify the election and we will ask our burough clerk if she would like to come over to the podium and do the certification of the election.
Hello. I'll be loud. As circumstances would have it, our Union County Clerk, Joanne Majapy, is unable to be here today. So, in her absence, it falls to me as the municipal clerk to certify the elections
of November 4th, 2025. Miss Ropy sent her congratulations and to our newly reelected council women Gina Barry and Katherine Mitchell. She expressed her best wishes and great appreciation for the demands that are made on you along with the privilege and
opportunity you have to serve the burrow. On her behalf, I'm honored to present the certifications of elections to both of you. And I have letters your certifications. >> Wait, hold on one second here. Yes, sorry
there. This is for you. How many of these you have now? >> 10. She has 10 of these. >> Running out of wall space, huh? >> Thank you. Um, thank you very much. Um,
now comes the really um, fun and important piece is that we get to take the oath of office. And so for our first o oath of office, I'd like to call forward our Assemblywoman, Linda Carter, who represents us in the 22nd district since 2018 and who's a lifelong resident
of our neighbor in Planefield. Assemblywoman, welcome. Thank you, Mayor. >> Good evening, everyone. >> Good evening. On behalf of Senate President Nickqatari, Assemblyman Kennedy, and myself, I'd like to say happy new year, Fanwood. Wow, what a
great time. And it's truly is a pleasure to be here this evening. I want to first also take a time to congratulate Councilwoman Barry and Councilwoman Mitchell on your successful re-elections. This means a lot. The
confidence that your town, the family has in you has truly been heard and the work that you have done in this community. Everyone absolutely sees what you are doing and so do we. Even your surrounding towns and I want to take an
opportunity to thank you. Thank you for giving of your service. The confidence your leadership reflects what the community has placed in you. and I wish both of you much success as you begin a new term. But I also extend my best wishes to the entire family
council and the mayor for a productive, collaborative, and prosperous new year. Now, we're really going to get to the fun part. So, I'm going to ask you to come on up. Yes. So, we can have some
fun up here. I get to swear you in. Thank you. This is such an honor. So, so councilwoman like do do you have your family members that you'd like to call for and someone to hold your Bible? >> She almost was like, "What? >> Are you doing the Bible?"
>> And >> um Paul, make sure that they're standing in a way that you can get the photo, please. >> Paul's going to make sure which way. So, you're going to turn around this way so everybody can see you. >> All right. >> Left hand on the Bible. Correct.
>> Raise your right hand. Raise your right hand. >> Okay. Repeat after me. I, Gina Barry, >> I >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> and the Constitution
>> of the State of New Jersey. that I will bear true faith >> I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to saints and to the governments established established >> in the United States >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people
authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> and justly perform all the duties of councilwoman >> according to the best of my ability to the best of my ability so help me
You excited for another term? assembly if you could just make sure you sign that and please um as she's doing that um I just had uh made a now you can be seated you can you can now join us
>> um so you're right here so um before we continue I Um, in my uh I overlooked something very important and was to actually recognize and to have our uh governor, Lieutenant Governor elect Dale Caldwell come and say a few words to us.
Um, but a little bit about uh Dr. Caldwell. He has spent his entire life serving us here in New Jersey in leadership roles in the public sector, the private sector and higher education. Are you have you still >> Friday was my last day. party was his last day as the president of Setinary
University. He >> has done an amazing job. >> Yep. And as you didn't probably hear before when he was talking to Kathy that he has volunteered on the new uh New Brunswick school board for 26 years. He So you understand local government being
closest to the people. Um, but the doctor is also a a neighbor of ours because he's the pastor of the Covenant United Methodist Church right here in Planefield where he has built a congregation based on the values of inclusivity, community, and acceptance.
So, we are really thrilled that you were able to take some time out of what is really your busy schedule as you kick off 2026 and your own uh swearing in coming up shortly to stop here in Fanwood. Say a few words and then you're going to be swearing in our new council
president. So, please say a few words. >> I would be honored to and I've seen your work for many many years and so uh you know they're lucky to to have that and and it's very special to see the young lady. My daughter uh I was on the New Brunswick board from 1998. My daughter
was born in 2004. So I was on the board before. So when she was young, she would see me serve and volunteer on the New Brunswick Board of Education. And now she's the youngest elected school board member. She was elected at 20 and she's 21 now. So >> this idea of public service and
volunteer service is really what America is is is all about. And um as you know may have heard I'm going to be the secretary of state which oversees the office of volunteerism and and we're going to really really celebrate the folks who really make New Jersey those who volunteer those who work in public
service as well. You know even if they get a small uh small stipen and so this is really really important. We take Mikey and I take this very seriously. Mikey has had to be in another location. So I'm honored to be here and um in a minute I'll administer the oath. But I
just want to thank all of you who do this. And and I also want to remind you that public service is hard and that public servants are going to do things that disappoint everyone, right? Disappoint everyone. And so be but but but they're here and know what their heart is all about. Their heart is here
to make a difference. And as long as you remember that even if they're doing things that you may not like, you know, give them the grace. And so so thank you all very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And I and I think us here at the at the DEIS can understand about a small stipen
because we receive a dollar a year to serve and I don't think any of us have ever cash the check. So so now we're going to administer the office to um uh Kathy Mitchell and so and doing that Russell our burough attorney and friend
of Kathy will be administering it. And for those that are here with Kathy to stand next to her please come forward. And just make sure you have Paul that they don't hold the Bible. >> It's not He's here. He's
>> Catherine Mitchell. 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 pay for >> and that I will faithfully
>> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties of councilwoman >> perform all the duties of councilwoman >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of li my ability so help me God >> so I think that's a standing ovation for
as she goes into her 29th Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> all right. So, as Kathy makes her way over to her seat for to start her 28th year, is it >> 29th?
>> 29th year of sitting up here on this. >> Yeah, we're all like can't do math. >> It seems like 29th >> and we will do our first um roll call for 2026. Then we will go to the election of the council president. So,
uh may we have our first roll call for the year, please? >> Sure. Jeffrey Banks. here. >> Gina Bry >> here. >> Anthony Carter. >> Aaron Mroy Barker >> here. >> Katherine Mitchell >> here. >> Patricia Walsh >> here. >> Mayor Maher >> present. Thank you. And now I'd like to
have a nomination for the election of our council president for 2026. >> So move. >> Gina Bry. >> Second. Okay. Um all in favor. >> Congratulations. >> So you HAVE DR.
RIGHT THERE. >> And then if someone like to call forward and and hold the Bible for the council woman. >> Congratulations. >> Anyone? >> Anyone? Come on. >> All right. We need one person from the audience to come. All right. Linda will
do it. Well, here comes your son. >> Yeah. Oh, that's a great picture. I love that. I love that. How are you? >> Okay, just make sure we get it. We get the picture. >> All set. >> I feel like I am. >> I, Gina Barry, >> I
>> do solemnly swearly >> swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> support the Constitution >> 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 >> I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same
>> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority >> and that I will faithfully >> that I will >> impartially and justly perform
>> partially and justly perform >> all the duties of council president >> all duties of council president >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> SO HELP ME THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I know that um Dr. Caldwell has to watch the time.
>> So, we really thank you so much for stopping in tonight and helping us kick off a great year. And I really look forward to working with you. We're so excited to work with with all of you with Fanwood. And so this is a challenging time, but it's an exciting time. And one of the things that I was
so impressed with Mikey is that she's a listener as am I. So we want to hear how we can do things better. We can't promise we'll always keep you happy, but we can promise we're going to make progress together. So thank you all very much. >> Thank you very much. >> Good night. >> Okay. So, we have one presentation
tonight and I'd like to call forward former councilman um Tom CR who is representing the Fanwood Democratic Committee. >> Thanks, Mayor Council. Happy New Year, everybody. >> Happy New Year. >> Happy New Year. Um on behalf of the Fanwood Democratic Committee, uh I come
bearing gifts and I come bearing congratulations to my friends Gina Barry and Kathy Mitchell for being returned to the Fanwood Burough Council by the voters of Fanwood. Uh, I worked with Kathy during my two terms as counsel. Um, I missed Gina when I was uh left the
council when she came on, but when I was PIO, I worked with her. And uh, you know, if you watch enough cable TV, you might glean that this is probably not the best time in history to be a Democrat, but in Fanwood, it's a great time because in Fanwood, you've got this group of people sitting right up here,
uh, who are actually there because they want to be there. Our council people don't get any money. They don't get any benefits. They're there because they want to be there and they're there to benefit the town. And uh I can't say that any any more strongly about uh anybody other than Kathy and Gina. Gina
and her family have lived here for 20 years. They raised their three kids. Uh she and Jamal uh have been involved in the community. Um Gina is known uh in the public school sector. She was on the PTAs of both um let's see, Brunner and
Nettingham, correct? Or was it Mc School One and and Nettingham? Sorry. Uh she's a professional educator right now. She's an education administrator at a private school in Patterson. Correct. Uh and she embarks tonight on her second uh term on
the family bureau council. So we congratulate her for that. And Kathy Mitchell over there for three decades has been in service to this town. First as a registered nurse. She worked at Reynolds for many years. Um, and for pretty much all of those 30 years she's
been in service at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, working on their in their food pantry, working in their homeless pro uh program. Uh, she does a lot of stuff over there and a lot of people in the community know her for that. I know her, of course, because she was, you know, she's batted around twice on every
every position that you have on the council. She's been on every committee at least twice. She's been the police commissioner. She's been the president. She is, I think, still the liaison to the Sha Tree Commission and maybe the environmental commission. Um, it's just been a pleasure to know both of these ladies here. And tonight, Kathy embarks
on her ninth consecutive term as a Fanwood Burough council person. So, that would be her at the end of this term would be 27 years. So, today I guess starts the 25th year. So, that rocks.
So on behalf of the committee, um congratulations uh to both of you. Um I will hand your gifts out here shortly, but uh I wish you nothing but the best in 2026 and happy new year to everybody else. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Congratulations to you, Council. They are pretty lord having a party over there. >> Yeah. Let me say I would normally never leave the deis but that's the food for the reception. So So thank you and thank
you Tom and and thank you for really the family Democratic committee who actually is made up of all of your neighbors were represented in they're represented into seven districts um and they are um really the eyes and ears and really part of our community from a political point
of view for the Democratic party. So thank you for coming tonight on their behalf. Um, as we continue on with the appointment of the 2026 burough officials, just get here. We're going to start with the oath um of
office. And tonight I am really very excited to officially announce um and will be going along with the next oath of office um is that we have between the Burough of Famwood and the Burough of Garwood um are going into a shared
municipal court um and which will start off in February of 2026 next month and for us here on the day it's very important that we um never become become complacent when we seek to run
government on a daily basis. And shared services is one of those tried and trueue ways uh for us to be able to try to be fiscally conservative while also never in making sure that how we provide a service never actually becomes
anything but stellar. So we have at the end of last year we passed a shared service agreement with the burrow of Garwood and my hat goes off to our bar administrator Jesse Mullman who really quarterbacked it with the business administrator in Garwood. Um and it
really is it's going we're going to be taking the lead here in Fanwood. So the joint the shared court will be housed here. Um, but we will be saving money and we will be efficient and we will make sure that whether it's the residents of Fanwood or Garwood or those
out of uh both of those communities that receive any sort of summons get treated with nothing but dignity and respect. And that starts with who we appoint um to oversee our courts. So tonight, it really is my honor to swear in who will
be our new representatives um representing Fanwood in this shared. So, I'm going to come over here and administer the oath of office um to our new prosecutor. And I do call forward uh Russ Yuka, please.
>> I can do double duty. I just got to make sure it's the right one. I state your name. I, Russell Eagle, >> 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 >> in the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and 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 >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> of municipal prosecutor >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best
>> help um and then is Richard here defender residing Come. Okay. Oh, right. Sorry. Right. So, our public defender Chopkins is not um able to be here tonight, but um he
will get um sworn in. And I would uh just want to make notion that um we will also be passing a resolution a little later on, but I do not actually perform the ceremony um or the swearing in for who will be our new municipal judge, and
that is um Mr. Gary Bundy, who I know is in the house. So, thank you, judge, for stepping forward, and we'll pass that resolution. Okay. Um members of the Fanwood Rescue Squad, are you here? Yay. So, our family
rescue squad, like many of our boards, commissions, our fire department are run really solely on the backs and the sweat and the love of volunteers. And for those who may have read my New
Year's uh day message, it was really focused on those volunteers. Um because I would be totally remiss as the mayor to not sing the praises and support and have their backs for the very people who
come forward because Fanwood is a small community. We are less than 10,000. We are a little less than 8,000. Um but we operate on all Got to go. >> Got to go. >> Okay.
I would understand if you got to go. Um but one of those is the uh Fanwood rescue squad. Um and we really have to just uh say one thank you and then we are represented tonight for those who are uh going to be leading the rescue
squad. So it is my pleasure. So if you please just raise your right hand and just repeat after me and then fill in for your name. I >> I >> do solemnly swearnly swear >> that I support the Constitution of the United States. I 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 >> I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> 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 >> and that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties of
>> of the family rescue squad >> according to the best of my ability. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. Okay. Moving on. We have a council appointment that is going to is a class three member of the
planning board for a one-year term. Councilman uh Jeff Banks. Thank you, Jeff. >> You're welcome. >> We have our um council appointment for the representatives to the Union County Community Development Revenue Sharing. That's our Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell.
And the following are our appointments of the terms that had expired or and new terms will begin. Um and let me see if there's anyone here tonight that wishes to get sworn out. I see the hand in the back and your number. So Leslie Cron spec um who is representing the
environmental commission also on the planning board is here if you want to come forward. I'm just Is there anybody else here this evening that would be up? I have Sandra Rder who will be reappointed. Tanisha McGriff is here for a member of the board of health. If you could come
forward. Moren Dy from the Historic Preservation Commission. Is she here? >> Okay. Um Maryanne Alfano of the board of health. Nicole Haley will go back onto the library board of trustees. And then we
have Frank Guzo, Robert Brennan, Paul Martyr, and Amy Hamill for the planning board. and Erin Sinclair for the recreation commission. So awesome. Do this. Thank you guys for coming tonight. Say, I state your name.
>> I do solemnly swearnly swear that I support the Constitution of the United States. that I the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance
>> I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> 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
>> and partially >> and partially and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties all of a member of >> a member of >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability.
>> Thank you very much. >> Okay. So as we move along, we also have our standing committees for 2026. In the burough form of government, we sort of governed by committee where each council person is a chair of a committee along
with two others for a total of three. And the standing committees for 2026 are listed. May I have a motion? >> A second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, as we um move on under
resolutions 2026101 um I can read these and then just do one motion designating the regularly scheduled public meetings for the mayor for 2026. 0102 is designating our official newspapers and our media outlets. 0103
is the resolution designating the official deposiitories or banks for the burrow for 2026. 0 104 is a resolution appointing Gary Bundy to the position of municipal judge. 0105 is the resolution appointing Richard Hawkins to the position of our municipal public
defender. 0106 is a resolution appointing Russo to the position of municipal prosecutor. 0107 we will be adopting a temporary budget until we pass the final one which is usually in March or April or I should say May or June. 0108 is a resolution to
adopt a cash management plan. 0109 is a resolution approving a professional services agreement for the provisions of general legal services as the bureau attorney to Russell Yugle. 0110 is a resolution approving a professional services agreement for the provision of
a registered municipal accountant and auditing firm of Subly Clooney. 011 is a resolution approving a professional services agreement for the provisions of an architect and historic architect for the burrow to Dibasi and Seminara. 0112
is a resolution approving a professional services agreement for bond council to Gibbons. 013 is the resolution approving professional services agreement for the provisions of conflict attorney to Jardeem and Meiser. 0114 is the resolution approving the professional
services agreement for dental and life insurance brokerage services to Brown and Brown. 015 is the resolution approving the professional services for the provision of environmental engineering to Narian and Prestige Company. 0116 is the resolution
approving the professional service agreement for financial advising services to NW Financial. 0117 is the resolution approving the professional service agreement for the provisions of our general liability insurance brokerage to Reliance Group Insurance
Group. 018 is the resolution approving professional services agreement for grant writing to Millennium Strategies. 0119 is the resolution authorizing the professional service agreement for IT consultant services to Eton Computing.
0120 is the resolution approving a professional service agreement for the provisions of our newsletter and our editorial services to VMI. 0121 is a resolution approving approving professional services for the provisions of Oprah council services to Reon
Coughlin. 0122 is a resolution providing professional services agreement for special engineering services to CME Associates, Neglia and Narian. 0123 is the resolution providing professional services for TV and
videography to Colonia Productions. 0124 is the resolution to provide professional services agreement for tax appeal attorney to Rainon Coughlin Manello and Florio Kenny in Raval. 0125 is providing professional services for
our web master services to VMI. 0126 is a resolution approving professional services for the provisions of her being our burrow engineer to TNM Associates. Resolution 0127 is providing professional services agreement for
affordable housing planner to TNM. 0128 is a resolution providing professional services for affordable housing legal services to Rogot McCarthy and Jason Lampereell. 0129 is a resolution approving our professional services for the provision
of labor council to Clary Jacobe as well as Jason Lampereell. 0130 is a resolution providing professional services for our health insurance broker to Fairview Insurance. 0131 is a resolution approving professional services for our ethics
committee council to Jason Lampereell. 0132 is a resolution authorizing the award of a window contract and that is another way of saying that this contract is within a certain limit for cleaning services to building stars. 0133 is a
resolution authorizing a contract for the payroll processing services to Lar Associates. 0134 is the resolution authorizing the award of a window contract for economic development services to EJ Economic Development Advisors LLC. 0135 is a resolution
approving professional services for our cyber security for 2026. Who is that going to? >> Harvard. >> Harbor Technology. I'm sorry. It just wasn't in the title. 0136 is a resolution appointing the public agency
compliance officer for the Burough Fanwood, which is that you Jesse? >> Yes. Resolution appointing the municipal representatives to the County of Union Community Development Revenue Sharing. 0138 is the appointment of our representatives to the Planefield Area
Regional Storage Authority. 0139 is a resolution of who represents us to the Garden State Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. 0140 is a resolution appointing a delegate to the Union County Transportation Advisory Board. Resolution 0141 appoints a
representative to the Bergen Municipal Employee Benefits Fund. That's our health insurance fund. 0142 is the resolution appointing a municipal housing liaison. 0143 is a resolution authorizing the burrow tax collector to establish the
interest rate in the grace period for the collection of our taxes for the year 2026. 0144 is a resolution authorizing the cancellation of property tax overp payments of less than a dollar less than $10. 0145 is a resolution establishing the
salaries for non-contractual employees. 0146 is the resolution authorizing the bureau to award a contract to a vendor for municipal dumpster, library, and street side can disposal services. There's any questions? >> May I have a motion? May I have a
second? >> May I have a roll call, please? Council President Gina Bry, >> yes. >> Jeffrey Banks, >> yes. >> Anthony Carter. >> Aaron Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Trisha Walsh, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you very much. That actually
concludes our uh formal business because tonight is really just about um celebration and setting us up for success as we head into the year. I will now um turn to our uh newly reelected council women to make some uh a few
comments. I'll go with Councilman Barry. >> Start with >> Oh, she just said, "Don't start with me." That just that was out of my mouth too quick. >> That's okay. Um, good evening everyone. Thank you so much for being here. I
actually wrote down my speech this time around. Um, um, thank you everyone for being here tonight. Standing before you again as my second term as councilwoman is truly an honor. Um and it it's one that I will
not take lightly. Um first I'd like to thank my family for their constant support, patience, and encouragement. Public service requires sacrifice and I'm deeply grateful to your unwaverly support. I also like to thank my fellow
council members, municipal staff, um, first responders, volunteers, community leaders, um, who have worked every day to make our town stronger. When I first took the um, oath of
office, I committed to serving with integrity, transparency, and compassion. Over the past term, we have faced challenges, made tough decisions, and navigate change, but we did it together,
always with the best interest of our residents in heart at heart. I'm I'm especially thankful for the residents who have engaged in the process by attending meetings, reaching
out with concerns, and sharing ideas. Your voice matter and they guide our work every day. As I begin my second term, I do so with renewed energy and strong commitment to
fairness, fiscal responsibility and collaboration. I will continue to advocate for those voices that are not always heard and work towards resolution that strengthen our entire community.
This term is about building on progress, working together in preparing our community for the future through thoughtful leadership, open dialogue, and shared values. Thank you to my fellow council members for trusting me
to be your council president. I promise to continue to show up, to listen, and to lead with honest and open heart. Thank you to the res residents of Fanwood for your trust, your support, and the privilege to serve the community
again. Thank you, >> Councilwoman Mitchell. Good evening, everyone, and happy new year. Um, and of course I'd like to congratulate uh Gina on being reelected. And I can tell you that I am truly
humbled and honored to have to the have been reelected again. Um, that the citizens and the residents of Fanwood have um put their trust in me for so many years. As we look for as we look
behind and look forward, I I have to thank our professional staff, all of whom wear many hats, not just the one that they were hired for. Um, they are the ones who keep us on the
straight and narrow, who guide us through all the new rules and regulations that come out of Trenton and and uh and the federal government. the laws that we have to abide by. Most of all, I have to thank the volunteers. Um,
they serve for no pay. They serve because they love Fanwood. They serve because they feel maybe that they have to give back, but mostly because they feel that they love Fanwood and are interested in
in keeping things making things better for everyone. On a personal note, I have to thank so many volunteers. I think some of you know that uh 2025 was not the
best year for me healthwise, but many many people in the community and in my church have have come to my assistance and there are no words in the English language that I can
that I can say how grateful I am for everyone's help. When I sat here last year, I had two goals. One of which was to get the um well to get the shelter
up and going. It took us till the last minute to do it, but we finally got it done. Um and the other one was to get the memorial tree program going. Um, we've had some a little bit of talk and some of the work
has been done on getting that going. So, hopefully we will be able to accomplish that this year. I will not going to I'm not going to make you any promises. Um, I think Gina pretty much said everything, but I I will promise you the only thing that I can really promise you
is that I will do my best. >> Thank you. Happy new year. >> Happy new year and thank you Gina and Kathy for serving again. And thank you really to all the council people and the staff and the mayor.
Sometimes if I don't necessarily know like when your business hours end. Um because it's I'm always on and this and this council is always on. we work. Even though it is technically a part-time job for a dollar a year, nobody up here actually believes that. Um, we take this
seriously and it is a is a full-time job. 2025, I'm really proud to say, was a really good year for Fanwood because we are healthy in the sense of our neighborhood and in our safety, but we're also healthy from an economic
development point of view for our brick and mortars and our businesses. Because you can tell a thriving downtown when you have people that are living and working and shopping. And Fanwood has always been fortunate to once we started
the redevelopment to have those storefronts. Sometimes there'll be a vacancy or two because that's normal. But nine times out of 10 that vacancy will get actually filled. Um this year alone we welcomed Flourish Spa along on South Avenue which is a wonderful
high-end uh spa. We welcome Panini Beastro, which is another ery here, which is doing fabulous. We recently cut the ribbon on uh double jelly, which I will tell you, go in and find out exactly what that means. And and and um
it's a actually beautiful inside interior place to sit, have something to drink, and a sweet. Um, we are about to welcome light be beam light therapy which is least a portion of what we refer to as the Soho and a hot yoga studio literally just opened up like two
days ago. Um, and is offering wonderful specials. Um, and if you really want to sweat and if you really want to stretch and you want to believe that you're capable of doing all of that and starting the new year, I tell you to do that. We continue to have through our recreation commission unbelievable
events and that really is the backbone. So Bob Buddies, you're sitting right in front of me. So I want to thank you and all of the commissioners because time and time again, what I hear is what makes Fanwood so special is the events that you quarterback each year that you put on from our summer camps to the
lighting of the Christmas tree and the and the 5K is just amazing and it deserves the recognition. So thank you. We make sure that we try really hard to do specific things that make people happy. So, we did the uh fan wolf day,
right? Which was like the second time I think we did fan wolf and I was not necessarily sure we were going to do it this year until someone looked at me and they were like, Colleen, are you kidding me? What makes people happy? They're dogs, right? So, bring them together.
And sure as sure as sure as dogs. Um it was a wonderful day of again of just being kind of silly but actually bringing people together um for a free event and we do our wonderful summer fan jam which brings people in from all over New Jersey for a full day of um of
events. But what I also know how we're doing well is people are investing in their properties and we follow that because you have to pull permits and you have to go to our zoning officer who does a great job, Ray Sullivan. And we are seeing again year-over-year such
improvements from pools to decks, you know, to the expansion to the planning board that people go when they need variances that there is no true sign of people investing in something that they love as investing in their home because they're putting down the roots. Even
though that value right now is skyrocketing, right? And a lot of people should have smiles on their faces, right? because the property that you own here in Fanwood is worth probably more than if you're like me, been here 20 years or so than you when you bought it. Um, and that is a testament to the
community um that we have. So, I will just say thank you. Thank you to the public who puts their faith in us up here and to the staff that really make sure that we get the job done. People
always are so amazed when they meet me as the mayor of Fanwood and doing this for a long time. I know a lot of people and what they are amazed in is how much we actually do here. We are a really small town if you think about it. You know, we're less than 8,000. We're less
than two square miles. But don't tell us that, right? Because we are constantly doing and improving and and never just sitting and just waiting for things to come to us. The new shared service with Garwood cannot be underestimated for its
significance because we are a small town because we do recognize that we should look for shared services that we should be saving money every time. We don't have a lot of uh revenue that comes in. We don't belong on we have property on Route 22. We don't have a great commercial uh base here. So we know that
it is really on the backs of our individuals that own property here and that is primarily single family homes. So we know we have to do better each and every year. So the shared service that will start with the court is done with a purpose is to make sure that we can deliver the best municipal court
services while saving money and I am telling you we will save money and that is a very good thing. So really um I look forward to a bright 2026. I want to thank everybody up here. It's always a pleasure to to know you, to do business with you, and when we get a chance to
socialize. And to everyone that came here tonight to support um our newly reelected, thank you for taking the time. We're going to close the meeting. I'm going to open it to the public and then we're going right around the corner to the municipal library. So, with that, I'd like to have a motion to open the meeting to the public.
>> Second. All in favor? I like to call forward any members of the public that wish to come forward at this point. Gary Morris, 405 South Avenue. I have some pictures here. I'll give them out afterwards. But um I too was
excited about the uh the hot yoga opening because it gave me an opportunity to get a closer look not at the hot yoga but at the building. I took my tape measure down there this weekend and the Soho original plans showed a 23 foot wide fire lane and yet the actual
lane measures 199 in which is less than 17 ft. That's not even close in my book. That's awful. Okay. Again, I see something, I say something. We talk about volunteers in our town. That puts
our volunteers at risk when you have a fire lane that's not the proper width. Next, inside the parking lot, the Soho original plans did not show any support columns. It was literally approved without support columns and now there's
magically these huge support columns in there which certainly makes parking rather tricky. Um in this picture it says look at how the columns impinge on the ADA spot.
Literally there's a column partially in the ADA van spot. Again, these are vulnerable members of the community, people with disabilities. They have a right to have access to go to hot yoga or the beam therapy. It's
literally sauna is therapy and it's there's medical uh uses for that. So, you're going to have people who want to use those spots. Again, there's another spot where where it's clearly a foot of the pillar is into one of the spots, not for an ADA
spot, for a regular one. And it's right where a door is. How does that poor person get out of his car? Does he have to get out of the passenger side? Again, those things could have been handled with a variance or something like that, but I don't believe they were. Um, and so you had, you know, I've seen in parking garages where you could say
compact cars only or something like that. Something could have been done. But if that's supposed to be a 9 ft width and there's a there's a a column in it, it's not a 9 ft width. Something needs to be done with that. Finally,
the SOHA has two spots designated as ADA van accessible spots. The clearance, the vertical clearance for the parking area is marked on the building as 7'4 in, which is 88 in, but ADA van
accessibility requires 98 in of vertical clearance. No variance is ever allowed for this difference. They need to find someplace else for a van accessible spot. In addition, the blue striped space between the two spots is being
used as a delivery pathway for Amazon Postal Service, Door Dash, and for moving van workers. And as for all I know, it's also an entrance for tenants or anybody else who wants or visitors. This area is intended only for
unobstructed use for unloading ADA equipment and passengers. Now, you may say, "Well, Gary, why do you care? You you you don't you don't have a wheelchair, right?" But my wife has spent the last 6 and a half years taking care of a young man who's a
parapolgic, and I got to tell you, it makes you super sensitive to the needs of these people. It's unreal. She literally had a 700 lb powered wheelchair break down in the middle of
the road at Kain University and had to push that thing across the street. Couldn't get it into the vehicle. She had to call the fire department and the entire fire squad shows up in a fire fire truck to help her out.
Why can't we be sensitive to the needy people in our community so that they can also enjoy, you know, some of these businesses in town? You we can't have a new building. It's so hard to retrofit it. How do you
how do you increase the size of a fire lane now? It can't be done. They have to buy the property next to it to do it. So again, I'm just putting it out there. We have to do better in utilizing the space that these these people wanting to build
in our community. They need to have enough space for loading zones. Literally on the way over here, there's a U-Haul truck parked in an illegal spot on First Street. That's not the loading zone. The next spot over is the loading zone. At what point are we going to drop
fines on these people for not parking in the right spot? It's really difficult for somebody to be pulling out of that spot. They lit literally have to hold their breath as they're making a left out of there because they can't see past a U-Haul and they have to somehow just
well at night it's easy because you can see the light, but during the day it's impossible. You can't tell. So, you just have to hold your breath and pull out of there. Again, simple things like that. It would be great if we could if we could look into those things. I'm putting it on record. Also, I don't
believe the Soho has recycling. I could be wrong, but there's only one trash bin there. >> All right. Thank you. Um, just for the record and to put it out there, I understand. Did you have a conversation with Chief John Pakola? >> I I I emailed him.
>> Okay. So, you have emailed him and spoke to him. I understand. >> So, just so the record will show that you shared your concerns with the chief. And the other thing I will just say um is um I'll just take exception to the
fact that you'll you would infer that the burough fan was insensitive to needy people. Um you know I'm going to disagree with that. Um and I will take the other issues that you brought and we will speak to the management company where that is where it belongs. With
that, is there anybody else that wishes to come forward? >> Seeing that there isn't any, may I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? So move >> all in favor. >> Um and then we will close out um our meeting with our benediction. If you'd
like to call for Father Mike, >> you want to stand up? >> Loving and eternal God, we thank you for our civil liberties and freedom, for our opportunities and our privileges, and for all who are elected and called to serve the people. grant us your continued blessing now and throughout
this new year. Amen. >> Amen. So with that, uh if we would like to move over to the library to have uh something to eat and drink, we look forward to having with you. And I'd like to have a motion to adjurnn. So move second. All >> in favor. Good night.