2025. It is about 7:07, I think, and we'd like to call the meeting to order. Um, we can start by reading the Open Public Meetings Act 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 Hawk, now known as the leader, Westfield, New Jersey, the Courier News, Bridgewater, New Jersey, the Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey, Union County Local Source, Union, New Jersey, and the Alternate Press, Tap into.net. In addition, copies of the notice were
posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and filed in the office of the burough clerk. Notices on the bulletin board have remained continuously posted. Proper notice having been given, the burough clerk is directed to include this statement in the minutes of this meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. Can we please stand for the pledge?
>> I pledge algiance 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. Okay. Can we have the roll call, please?
>> Council President Patricia Walsh, >> here. >> Jeffrey Banks >> at the Monora Lightning. >> Gina Bry here. Anthony Carter >> present. >> Erin Malroy Barker >> here. >> Katherine Mitchell >> here. Mayor Maher >> at the Monora.
>> Um okay. We don't have any appointments, proclamations, or presentations or correspondence. Can I have a motion to approve the m meeting minutes of December 1st, 2025? >> So moved to second. >> Thank you. And um >> All in favor? >> All in favor?
>> I I >> I >> Okay. Um, and can I have a motion and a second to open the meeting? Uh, privilege of the floor by the public. >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> We will have comments on agenda items
only. Five minutes per speaking per speaker. And would anyone care to come up? No. Okay. Having seen no one. Um, can we have a motion to close this portion? >> So, moved. >> Second. All in favor? I.
>> Okay. Next, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Whereas the burough council of the Burough of Famwood has determined that to increase efficiency, the consent agenda shall be adopted with one resolution. And whereas the following resolutions require no discussion and
have been previously reviewed by each governing body member 2025-12-211 through 2025-12-216. Um, therefore, be it resolved by the Burough Council of Burough of Famwood City, County of Union, State of New Jersey,
that each of the listed resolutions be approved and adopted by the Burough Council with the same legal effect as though each was read in its entirety at the December 15, 2025 meeting and adopted by a separate vote. And I think I will read them just by title.
Resolution 2025-12-211 authorizing the payment of claims. Resolution 2025-12-212 authorizing the transfer of funds for public safety. Resolution 2025-12213
authorizing the execution of a municipal shared court services agreement between the Burough of Famwood and the Burrow of Garwood. Resolution 2025-12-214. Resolution approving a sidebar agreement between the Burough of Garwood and the Burrow of
Fanwood. For health, we have resolution 2025-12-215 approving a contract with Westfield Regional Health Department and resolution 2025-1216 for recreation authorizing the burough
to award a contract to a vendor for the addition of playground equipment at Forest Road Park. Is there anybody that would like to discuss any of those? >> Nope. >> Okay. Um, >> roll call, please.
>> We need a motion. >> Oh, sorry. >> Can I have a motion and a second? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Um, roll call. >> Council President Patricia Walsh. >> Yes. >> Jeffrey Banks. >> Manorberry.
>> Yes. Anthony Carter, >> Aaron Mroy Barker, >> yes. >> Katherine Mitchell, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Thank you. I don't believe we have any new business or old business. Is that correct? Okay. So, we can move on to the standing committee reports.
First, we have um administration and finance, council member Anthony Carter. >> Thank you. So, we met this past Thursday with the committee and just really a couple of items. We continuing our CFO and our discussions
related to closing out the budget from last year and getting reports ready for next year. >> Okay. And both department heads are submitting their requests for 26 budget. >> Perfect. And this second portion was um
there's BA and it really referred to what we just wanted. We just passed our shared service agreement with um >> the court service with Garwood and I'm going to print it off to our VA now. And we have the gentleman here. I believe
he's one of the attorneys and he'll introduce him and have some words for us also. >> Thank you, Councilman. Um so the agreement that you all just voted on formalizes a a shared core agreement with the Burough of Garwood. We
currently have a um shared services agreement for court administrator. This combines facilities and staff completely between both municipal court operations. Um and if there are any questions about the agreement, we do have Scott Sammon
who represents the burough in those negotiations. Um but this is in reference to the the resolution earlier and the sidebar agreement that came after it. Um because the new shared court goes into effect April 1 or I'm sorry not April February
1st pending authorization by the administrative office of courts um this extends our current agreement for our court administrator to be Gar's administrator until such time as the AOC approves this >> so we just we have to wait
um but again if if there are any questions um Mr. Sammon is here to to answer those as well >> now or >> Okay. Anybody have any questions? >> No. >> Gina? No. >> No. I said
>> any questions? >> No. I was that many. >> Okay. >> Anthony, any questions? >> Is that the AOC or the AOC? >> It's the squad. >> It's the squad. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um, public safety, police commissioner Aaron. >> Wait, I think he has to do is the monthly tax report done? >> Um, yes, he just has to uh everyone has to sign it. >> Okay.
>> Um, okay. Yeah. So, I have the police report for the month of November. Um the department I was wondering if this was a big number because it seems like quite a big number for such a small department but um and
actually calls for service have increased pretty significantly this year. So in the month of November there were um 1230 um calls for service uh which averages about 41 per day. Um this included 131
traffic enforcement details. and 468 building security checks. >> Um, officers conducted 77 park and walk details as well as responding to 49 medical calls and 19 alarms. During the month, 181 vehicles were stopped for
traffic violations, totaling 218 summones that were issued, 190 for moving violations, and 28 for parking violations. Um a reminder to everybody as well that the um the new parking ordinance was
passed for the municipal lot behind the um the businesses and so please pay attention to all the signage in January. So you do not get a ticket. Um and then um various officers attended six different training classes and there
were two adult arrests during the month. Um the police also participated in the Veterans Day ceremony. Um several uh police officers participated in that at the library. Um officers also provided tours of the police headquarters to um
the little ones at Brunner um in November. And there was a fraud um presentation at Mirav also in November uh by Lieutenant CR. And that's it. Thank you. Okay. Well, thank you and sorry that
myself and Councilman Banks arrived late. We just came from the um Manora lighting um at the family train station. They had the Hanukkah parade that came. You know what? It was very cool to see the noun of Manura's stura in the back
of a cyber truck. >> Yeah. And they were all lit. So they had a really cool parade with music. Um and then they lit the candles, you know, and so we stayed for the ceremony and it was uh it was very nice, especially against the backdrop of the attack that happened
in Australia on the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. Um which turned really like a beautiful night like tonight was, right, into something that really was an evil attack. Um and one of the the rabbi tonight, his
counterpart was killed, >> you know, on the beach there. uh while lighting the first candle, you know. So that was, you know, addressed and you know, you try to just acknowledge, you know, the evil in the world, but yet never lose faith of of the goodness um
and what is needed um to persevere. So sorry we were late, but it was really a nice place for us to be um represented and I sent the entire council's wellw wishes. Um um are we on to the rescue report? rescue squad. Is that where we ask?
>> Or do you want me to come back? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Uh do you have the fire department? >> I do. Um this is the fire chief's report for November 2025. During the month of November, the department responded to 20
22 calls for assistance. um smoke condition, motor vehicle accident, residential fire alarms, commercial fire alarm, carbon monoxide, brush fire, uh and mutual a seven mutual aid requests. Um on December 13th, the fire
department embarked on the annual Santa package delivery detail. Um yeah, >> Santa visited over 450 homes, delivering over 1,000 gifts. >> It's and it's bigger this year than it was last year. every year continues to grow.
>> You know, we're so thankful for all the members. They spent countless hours collecting and sorting gifts for the event. They departed the firehouse around 10:40 and they didn't finish until about 8:30 p.m. >> Wow. >> Which is a really long day, but special thanks to all the family members that assisted with this event. Girlfriends
came out and were elves and lots of people. Um, and obviously we couldn't do it without them. There were no injuries reported during the month of November for the fire department. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um yeah, first aid first aid squad
um for month of November, they had 60% of their calls answered. Um 40% of insufficient crew calls. Uh second call request uh was only one to two. Average response time is down to 9
minutes and 24 seconds and response hours were 42 hours and 38 minutes. Two oxygen administrations and uh two uh mutual aid calls, one uh and one cancelled.
And um they want to I want to do a shout out to them for being at the uh uh the tree lighting event and the parade Santa parade. Um and uh and thank you >> tonight. They were >> tonight. They were there. >> They were just there. Yeah. >> All right. Moving on. Under public
works. >> Yes. I have the um report from Clint for uh the month of November. So, they completed their recurring monthly activities, inspections, and patrols um emptying garbage and recycling. Um they
performed work for the senior handyman program and uh obviously removing leaves and debris from storm drainage and um the last day to place leaves in the street was December 8th. Residents are asked to
hold any remaining leaves on their properties until the spring pickup in April 2026. and please do not place them uh place it in the street as the department prepares for the possibility of inclement weather which as we know we just had. Um so I'd like to recognize
and thank um public works. I know that they started they came in at 2:00 a.m. on >> what was that? Saturday night. >> Saturday morning >> Saturday night Sunday morning and they worked till 300 p.m. on Sunday. So, we
we really are thankful for that. Um, they removed veterans banners and American flags, and we now see all our season greetings banners along South Avenue and the downtown business. Um, there are holiday lights in several areas. The train station, municipal lot.
The sled was placed here. Um, wreaths and ribbons are around. Um, you can see they decorated the chambers here. So, they've been busy. Um what else? There was one new property maintenance
notice uh issued. Uh the recycling center will be open January 3rd from 8 to 11. And just a reminder that plastic bags and film will be accepted at public works um on January 3rd. That's
okay. Um thank thank you very much. um library council. >> Um yes, the library actually will meet on Wednesday the 17th. However, um I will give a report for the month of November. During the month of November,
um we received 20 22 youth services event happened. 172 children or teens attended the events. 122 adults attended. We received 11.5 volunteer
hours from teen volunteers. Uh there was 14 items added to the juvenile collection during the month of November. The library also celebrated the children's book week uh which was November 3rd through the 9th which was
really nice. They also had a open mic night last week which I stumbled into. It was I didn't mean to go into it, but it was really nice >> and it was well attended, right? >> It was really, really packed. I couldn't understand why there was so many cars
outside, but it was really nice to see that happen. Um, the staff will also receive training on FEMA uh active uh active shooting training on January 26, which next month. There's also a New
Jersey blood drive services happening on January 3rd from 9:30 to 300 p.m. So if you want to give blood, they will be happy to receive some blood from you. Um so that again is January 3rd from 9:30
to 300 p.m. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you very much. Under historic preservation. >> Yes. Um, so our at our last meeting we discussed the AmRev 250 and actually um Joan Scubish and one of our members
attended the county meeting on December 10th. So they're getting some more information on how we can participate in that. >> The Lego building project is moving forward. Um, yes, very exciting. Um, two days were spent driving through Fanwood photographing over 50 buildings for the
project. We have a date. It's Saturday, March 21st. We will be doing it at the high school. >> Um there is the Lego build uh at in Westfield on January 24th. So if anybody wants a little bit about what what it is, >> it's it's really it's a great program.
It is um this company comes in, they take pictures of historical buildings or homes in your town and then they create a big map, gigantic map and um and then families
can sign up and they are assigned one of the buildings and they get the Legos and they build them all up and then you have this beautiful representation of the town with all the buildings. Um, Colleen wants to keep them, but we can't. >> You get to keep it, right?
>> She said, she's like, "We keep them, right?" No, no, we don't keep them. Um, but it's a really fun activity. A lot of towns have done it. I think Westfield, >> maybe their third or fourth year. Um, so I'm really looking forward to it and I think it'll be really a lot of fun and I
think we'll get I'm sorry, when is it? >> It's March 21st. Okay. >> At the high school. But as I said on January 24th at Westfield High School, that's the Westfield. Lego they go build. So I'm thinking of going just to see, >> you know, what it looks like. Um several
of the historical preservation committee will go and council members are uh certainly welcome. >> And that is it for historical preservation. >> Anything on the environmental commission? >> Yes. Um, in the environmental committee,
we had an Eagle Scout project just completed in the nature center. 11 Atlantic white cedar saplings were planted by Payton Rose and he selected the area, cleaned it all out, planted the trees, he put up tree guards. Um,
and we have seen an increased usage of the nature center. So the nature the environmental commission is happy about that because they feel like the activities um have had a positive impact and people are aware of what's going on there. Um and that is it for the
environmental group. Oh, I'd like to thank Leslie Speck and um any of the other members that helped her come and thin out and clean up the gardens here at Burrow Hall for the winter. >> Uh thank you. Moving on uh councilwoman
to the green team or the sha tree. >> Neither one of them have met this month yet. >> Okay. Okay. >> You want you want the rest of them? >> Sure. >> At the same time. Okay. Sure. Well, the seniors had their party last last uh Monday at the Westwood. Um no business
was really uh attended to. And then the ministerium had their meeting um at the board of ed. uh the board of ed always uh hosts on this partic you know in December. So and so they had the all the
kids they transported all the kids from McInn to entertain us the whole the whole Oh it was adorable. >> Oh that's cute. >> It was adorable. >> All the kids. All the kids. >> All the fourth graders. >> Wow. >> Yes. Two buses. All the fourth graders
to entertain us. >> That's nice. Uh, and that's my report. >> Okay. >> Take please take note that I think it's the shortest report I've ever given. >> I I >> But I think in a few minutes you're going to say, "Wait, I forgot
something." >> Duly noted. >> Uh, Councilman uh Carter, anything on the planning board? >> Yes. So, we had a meeting last month. Our next meeting is December 17th. Couple days. And and the thing I
can say, right, and it's going to be pretty robust to appear. Throughout the course of the year, there have been a tremendous amount of residents who have their single family homes who come in for additions, >> uh, second floors, expansions,
and patios and decks and those sort of things. >> There were a few who actually moved from Scotch Plains into Fanwood. And it's just it's it's a welcoming site for us. You see families growing So, you know, they need to add a room or add a couple rooms, but it's a testament to the great
work that the council does and all of our people and the work that the planning board does also. They do a tremendous job. All volunteers, they do a fantastic job. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Recreation. >> Oh, yeah. I want to do a shout out for the Santa parade, the tree lighting and
uh everything they do and planned and served and and volunteered for was uh done really well and uh I know we're working on hard on uh the you know Forest Road Park new playground. So that's in process. So
>> Okay, there you go. And we're meeting tomorrow night. So >> thank you. Um, so Liz was not able to join us who handles our economic development, but she did want me to put a plug in for everybody to make sure that they shop local for your Hanukkah and your Christmas gifts. Right. The
backbone of our community is a vibrant downtown. Um, people love to have a vibrant downtown, but it relies on all of us to make sure that we go in and that we spend some money and that we give back to to them because a lot of our local businesses are here for us.
Finally, the Double Jelly, uh, which is the, um, the the retail establishment next to the bagel store, Double Jelly, is going to have its ribbon cutting on December 20th, and so we will make sure that we promote that. So, that is our
um, our latest um, addition to our downtown. We have our two retail um, spots that are in the Soho, which are pulled their permits and are at work. One is light beam therapy and the other one is hot yoga. I've saw the signage
has gone up for that. Um, Corano Square finally, which is the also known as the former AMP site, has finally received their final DOT permits over a year that they have been the uh the quagmire of the DOT. And that
means that they will actually start to pull um foundation permits for what they call is building A um which would be the um first residential unit that is closest um to the daycare center if
you're looking at it straight on. Um and that would also include the restaurant um which is a 5,000 square foot um restaurant. So work will start to move on on that. That's a kind of a complicated development process because
it's got actually like three pieces to it. It's got the first building, it's got the second building, and then it has the relocation and of the liquor store and then ultimately a brand new liquor store um which um it's the vacation of Old South Avenue, which is sort of that
shoehorn behind the fan with liquor. That's going to go away. The liquor store will go into temporary facilities on the site there. Um, so that building will get demolished. The whole thing will get moved up to the street. >> I spoke to the owner of the liquor
store. He is very excited. >> He's very excited and he's also very thankful on another note that we actually did recently changed the hours of operation for the liquor store and allowing them to be opening up on Sunday. He said the amount of people that were usually waiting in his parking
lot. Not sure what that says. Um on a Sunday morning to uh get some were going taking their business elsewhere. Um and so we've got some movement um on that. And really as we sit here, this is our
last meeting of the year. Um I really do want to um personally thank the dozens and dozens of volunteers that we talk about each meeting when we report out. Um they are truly the backbone of our committee um of our town. If you hear
and come to our meetings, you hear us talk about the Shade Treaty, you hear us talk about the library, historic preservation, um the planning board, so many and every single one is is our residents who seat
themselves. They lean in. We thank them because we're a small town and the professional staff that you see or you see upstairs here at Burough Hall or you see here, um they're already doing two, three, and four jobs each. So that does not go unnoticed. Um and so in gratitude
and in thanks as we end 2026, um I really want to thank all those that make this town special. Um along with our volunteer fire department, which they just graduated three young graduates that will actually join um our volunteer
ranks. One is uh got to put a shout out for Doug Gurminder. Um his father Doug is also a volunteer and also a professional fireman. Um so young Doug Germinder is really the third generation because his father his grandfather I think was a police officer here
>> um in town, right? So you really now we've all been here long enough, right, to watch three generations of Van Woodians um give back to our community. So I want to um just like a little shout out there. Um is there anything else before? Yes, I wanted to add it that um
just a reminder to the public that tomorrow um the district will be having a community session uh to discuss the new uh um changes to Brunner. >> All right. >> And Nedingham. So creating space. Uh so
that's tomorrow at Tero Middle at 700 p.m. >> Right. Yeah. They've done a pretty good job in trying to hear from people especially people who don't have kids in the system which I thought was a pretty interesting approach to um to get that and I know that the year ahead we'll see
movement at the Lrand school >> right they they're they have a contractor I believe and they're ready to kind of rock and roll um with all the improvements that the two communities have authorized through the um bond referendum. All right. Anything else? So with that,
I'd like to have a motion to open the meeting to the public. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> like to call forward any members of the public that is here. If you just going to come forward and please state your name for the um the record. >> Gary Morris, 405 South Avenue. I was
wondering if you could tell me if 40 South is a pilot or not. So, it's not a pilot, >> right? >> Because I I was looking at the taxes and it seemed to it seems like they're only paying about $8,000 a year in taxes,
which is I think less than everybody who has a house. So, I'm not understanding why they are not fully taxed at this point. If maybe that maybe there's something wrong with the the the system, the the online tax system on on that, but um just throwing that out there.
Another thing that I think would be good for the community if we could get an official word on where you can park at the post office now with the I don't know if you saw the towing sign in front of the thing. And I would imagine it said it just says customers. I think
they mean customers of the post office, but it just puts that little thought in your mind. You don't want to get your car towed. >> So if there's a way to get some official dispensation on whether you can park there for the post office, it would be great. >> Yeah. So we know that the property has
been sold, >> right? And so there's new owners of the property, right? So >> you're talking about the property where the florist Yeah. the florist and the post office and family in where the old family
investors was. Right. So uh D and Lorie Flowers who we all know from Scotchwood, right? um and their family, you know, recently sold to a new uh entity who I have not had a chance to really connect with, but we do hear that new signs went up.
>> Um and they are not allowing it seems the public to park that's prop to park at the um >> No, you can't. >> Oh, you can't.
No, the sh you can. >> Well, that's the I understand it. >> Loft is still open. So, it says anything further. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, but but again, it's a very generic thing. It doesn't say Shaveloft customers. I'm like, you could be a customer of Jessica's and
theoretically partner and say, I'm a customer, you know, but I don't think everybody realizes that the post office is part of that same property. So, I think they mean that, but it would be great to get just a >> clarification. Yeah, we've gotten a couple um calls from uh some frustrated
residents. >> Um the other thing is on Soho, I went by there today and they they shoveled the sidewalk in front of the fire lane slash dog run, but the snow is piled up in the
street outside. They didn't shovel that. So, if a fire truck is trying to get into that fire lane, they're going to be hitting a snow bank. And this was not a lot of snow. If we have a lot of snow, that's going to be a disaster for somebody to try to get through there.
They were able to shovel the o entrances and exits for their driveways, but not that driveway, which again is theoretically that is a fire lane. So, if we could have somebody look into that, that would be great. Thank you
very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else wish to come forward? >> Seeing that there isn't any, may I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> All right. That concludes um our
business for this evening. We do have the need to go into executive session. So I will make a motion to uh put forth resolution 202512-217 whereas the public body um permits the exclusion from the public at the meeting
under certain circumstances and this is for the purposes of attorney client privilege. So if I can have a motion to go into executive session. We will not be taking any action any official action but only to come out to expressly adjurnn. Uh so can I have a I have a motion? May I have a second? All in
favor? >> Right. Happy holidays. >> Happy holiday. >> Happy holidays everybody.