Okay, go ahead. Call this meeting to order. Please rise as table for the flag. 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
all. >> This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meeting. This meeting November 10th, 2025 is included in the post of meetings notice sent to the courier news in January 6, 2025 posted on the vote bur hall on that
date as remains the post is required. In addition, a copy of the motion notice is and has been available to the public and is on file in the off to the bur. Have a roll call from council >> here >> counciloman >> here. Councilwoman Pora
>> here. >> Councilman Levit >> here. Council Vice President Long >> here, >> Council President Parker is absent, and Mayor Farah >> here. You have no presentations tonight. Um, >> what?
>> No. Um, have a couple things. First of all, I'd like to welcome Beth Herbert who is council woman elect as well as council and them on their wins on Tuesday. And welcome Beth. You are invited into the
executive session if you have meeting tonight if you wish to stay. Um, I also just want to um publicly uh bring up the fact that um on behalf of the bureau um as my design um Councilman Levit filed
with an NJTPA a grant to um design some um bike bike bike lanes, traffic calming lanes on Route 31 um to be presented to the NJ DOT possibly uh
in conjunction with them doing some improvements to Route 31. Um this grant came up kind of suddenly from the county. It was right after our last meeting and that grant had to be filed for by uh the 7th of November prior to
this meeting. So, um there was some um um consensus on uh blind copy emails online but not publicly discussed and for transparency sake I just want the public
to know uh that this was filed. Um um the county the new the new planner of the county Alan Hunt actually wrote the document on the gap of the bureau but it had to be filed by either me or our non-ducive business administrator and um
I was reading town some friends in South Jersey. So the county allowed me to designate Councilman Le who I thank very much to um put in that document. So, does anybody have anything they want to add about that or discuss it at all? >> We're all good.
>> Okay. Um, >> yeah. >> One small thing. >> Sure. >> We don't have the resolution to be done, do we? >> No, the resolution has to be done before December something like before Christmas. >> We have that. >> We have Yes, we can do it. >> We can do it at the next meeting. Um
Carla, if you want to put that on me for the meeting and just remind myself for Councilman Le and we'll get a copy of that from the county as well because that is part of the whole package. Um well, we have we definitely have a good
month to put that in couple meetings. Um and we have a successful clinical council woman talked about and uh I don't think there's anything else. I don't think there is. Art Ventures is having another art opening uh next week
down at the chamber which is great um the burough um and I think that's my whole report. So um let's start with the council members. Um Catherine Long.
>> Hey guys, can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Okay, cool. All right. I was having audio stuff. All right. Uh I kind of lengthy. I'll try to breeze through it. Um I again uh just to repeat the mayor's comments. Congratulations to uh Beth
Herbert, uh Councilwoman elect Herbert and Susan uh Councilwoman Anglehart for your re-election. All right. All the best into that new year. All right. So, uh OEM, uh just a couple of things. We had some
uh search team members are uh now online ready to go. And then the search team itself was deployed last Friday to deliver snap food deliveries to burrow residents who were unable to get to the drive-thru at the county complex on Route 12. Uh police
department, I got some numbers um for October. We had 47 criminal investigations and 13 arrests. In the month of October, the department investigated 38 motor vehicle crashes. Out of those, eight involved commercial vehicles and four uh of those crashes
reported injuries. Enforcement is still being followed through town. Uh particular attention to distracted driving, sign enforcement, and speeding. Sorry if you hear a dog in the background. Ensuring roadway safety, your man's top priority. If you have a
traffic related concern or complaint about your street, do not hesitate to contact the department at 908-782-3434. community policing. Uh right now we've we had uh on October 7th the police department participated in Faith and
Blue at the Salvation Army. That was the fourth year participating. They served food, played games, and had a question and answer with children. On the 25th, the police department participated in DEA's Takeback program, collecting 31 pounds of unneeded or expired medication. This initiative provides
safe, convenient, and responsible ways for the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. It's a nationwide program. Uh November 25th, this is an upcoming event. Police department will once again take part in serving Thanksgiving dinner to local children. This marks the third
consecutive year of the department's participation event. The annual dinner provides uh an opportunity for officers to connect with children in a warm, caring environment while helping spread the spirit of gratitude and togetherness during that season. On December 8th, the police department will be conducting a
fraud and scam prevention presentation for the residents of Herman Cap. Uh that's our senior resident residents on the corner of Church and uh Broad Street. The program is going to focus on educating seniors about common scams targeting older adults, including phone,
internet, and identity theft schemes. Officers will provide practical tips on how to recognize fraudulent activity, protect personal information, and report suspicious behavior. Uh employment status as of November 5th, the six-month probationary period for police secretary
Rebecca Leavinsky will conclude. During this time, Rebecca has demonstrated exceptional performance, consistently showing strong punctuality, reliable professionalism, and initi professionalism and initiative in her role. She's taken a proactive approach to learning the operations of Hunter Countyy's dispatch and has built
effective working relationships with the Hunter County Prosecutor's Office and the Flemington Riden Municipal Court. Positive attitude, organizational skills, and courteous communication have greatly enhanced the department's efficiency. Feedback from both staff and external partners have been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting
her dependability and dedication. Based on her outstanding performance and conduct, her employment status has changed from probationary to full-time employee. The uh hiring of full-time police officer uh is taking place right now. The uh
department is currently seeking qualified candidates under the direction of the chief. Officers are responsible for protecting life property, enforcing laws and ordinances, maintaining public order, and providing community oriented policing services. Applicants must be US citizens, possess a valid New Jersey
driver's license, have a high school diploma or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates with college education, military experience, and prior law enforcement certification, also known as PTC. Candidates must pass a written exam, physical fitness test, and background investigation along with
medical and psychological evaluations. The department is current uh currently hiring a crossing guard uh for this school year. Under the direction of the chief, the crossing guard is responsible for ensuring the safety of children at designated street crossings before and after school by assisting pedestrians. Applicants must be 18 years of age or
older, be a New Jersey resident, and successfully complete a medical examination, background check, motor vehicle record review. Applications can be picked up and returned to Chief Rotella at the Burough Police Department on Main Street. Position pays $208 per hour. Follows the school calendar.
That's two and a half uh hours per school day and is conducted in person and outdoors. Events real quick. Uh we have November 27th, the annual turkey trot. There'll be road closures. December 5th, we have the 103rd Flemington Christmas tree lighting will be road closures. And on the 6th, we'll
have the holiday parade as usual. uh lysum at the October lysum lecture hosted by Arc Venture President Premkumar. There were a lot of very interesting comments, questions and observations made by the audience members. I felt like it was a catalyst event because Kumar emphasized a growth
of our venture but the audience itself hit upon an issue was very real and very close at hand and something that really inspired me personally to create this series in the first place. So simply put, people sometimes just don't know what they don't know. For example, how
many Flemington residents are aware of Art Venture? How many people in Har County as a whole know what Art Venture is? This is no fault of anyone. It's just how things are. Every single ICM lecture gets me thinking afterwards and this one was a standout. So,
that said, the next one is going to be Thursday night. Uh that's the 13th this week at the Hunter County Chamber of Commerce and the lecture is entitled Youth and Civic Voice. Are we listening to the next generation? We'll have two high school students delivering this lecture. And I really think this one's
going to be special. If you can help out with snacks, please let me know. Uh, and as it were, co coincidentally, the art venture is also having their art profile series that same night. So, if you want a double whammy, feel free to stop by the chamber at 5 for that reception,
which will include local artists who work with oil, pastel, and photography. immediately afterwards. Stay for the lysm lecture and I guarantee your Thursday night will not disappoint. It's going to be a cultural overload in a good way. And finally, thank you Robin
Leitus. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the Flemington Business Improvement District's recent news of the resignation of Leitus who served as executive director of the improvement district. Uh she's the love Flemington lady for those acquainted with her manner. I just wanted to thank Robin publicly for her work and say that I
personally appreciate what she did for Flemington Burough. I was able to work with her as a liaison to the SAP for a couple of years and a lot of the work that gets done uh a lot of that stuff nobody really sees uh it gets done by people behind the scenes and Robin was able to get some cool stuff done here.
So I wanted to thank Robin. She got stuff done. Most interesting Robin uh gave a lecture that was part of the Lysm series and it was really well done. Not only did she talk about a lot of work that the FBI does, this uh conceptual stuff, these ideas, uh not only did she
do that, but she was able to simply let the audience get up out of their seats and see a lot of what she was simply talking about. It was manifested right in front of their faces. Uh it was a fully realized experience. It was really cool. Stangle was alive that night and she was able to to take things that are
more conceptbased and really give them life. So, thanks again, Robin. And that is my report. >> Thank you. Just a quick question. The four accidents that resulted in injuries, do you know what were they mostly on the highway or the circles?
>> Um I I I don't want to speak out of term, but usually these are that the one section of the circle. Uh and and maybe uh you know, Sergeant McN can can clarify on this, but my understanding is many accidents happen in that one spot.
I don't know if all of them happened there. Um, but I can dig more into the report if you'd like. >> That had the injuries like how fast people were going. >> I could look into that. But yeah, majority of them I'd say uh just probably about 70 80% are on the circle.
That's our that's our hot spot. But >> are people like driving too fast? Are they >> No, most of them are low impact. Uh there's a lot of cars. It's signed now. Yeah. And I find myself uh as I'm going through it, I get cut
off quite a bit. >> Close calls with that crossover, especially at that 31. >> Yeah. People who aren't aware >> right in front of that. >> Yeah. >> Sign, shall we say? >> Yes. >> There. And the crossover for um 202.
>> Okay. >> There's a lot of >> And sorry, I didn't realize Chief Rutella was there. I'm looking at Brian. Sorry. I'm gonna talk this test to make sure you Sorry. Sorry, Jerry. Didn't mean that. >> Oh, good. >> Thank you, Cas.
>> Thank you. >> Um, yes. I just want to say congrats to Beth and Susan. Look forward to working with you guys. Um, I want to thank the police and DPW for their work on Halloween. I'm not sure how it went on Panel Street, but I can definitely say it was a great time over abroad. Uh, the
environmental commission met last Monday. We reviewed one uh application for development. Um I was also informed that we may be looking into an ordinance to regulate bamboo uh in the burrow. Not sure what the exact issue was, but we will hopefully have something on that
next month. And the shade tree commission will be meeting next Monday, November 17. That's it. Um the issue with the bamboo is we had a resident who lives on the courts who wrote to council president Parker and myself about um a
border property that was allowing the bamboo to get into their property. Um since that time Dave Giuliani had a conversation with the owner of the bamboo um and they are you know cutting it way
back. Uh, but she did ask the the Abbott Court property owner. She asked about putting in an ordinance that would at least prevent additional additional plantings. I don't know if we can do anything retroactive because it's so invasive. Um, Councilman Parker wrote
that he would support an ordinance and um um but we need to see what you know there's a lot of municipalities that have a no bamboo ordinance, but like I said, I don't think we can make anybody pull it out because it's just too difficult and expensive to do that. we can certainly
uh work on preventing people from not putting any more in because it is so incredibly invasive. So that was the issue. So thank you uh council. >> Oh uh two thank yous to the Flemington uh police department.
Uh Broad Street was wonderful on Halloween and we saw the explorers out there and they were outing candy and really interacting with people and I absolutely loved it. I'm always out there on that corner every year. So, it's nice to see that and also for your continued support at the library in
terms of security and and the safety of not only our staff but our patrons. But this evening on that note of the library uh you see on the 24th we have finally finally been able to lock down our interim library director who will be
Jean Haven who's also president of our board and Heidi Hush will be our let make sure I've got it precisely correct. She is the assistant. She is the Sorry. There we go.
I've got two of you here. Sorry if I say it wrong. I know it'll create people coming in here and I don't want to do that. She's the She is the assistant pro library director and programming person and she's now
full-time at um a reasonable salary. So, that's good. Um that's it. That's it for Thank you, Counciloman. >> Yes. Thanks for all your well wishes. I really appreciate it. Um
realize I'm not talking. Um okay, there's no animal report that was given um yet, so there's nothing to report there. Um I wanted to thank everybody who participated in the yard sale. We had a pretty good turnout this year and we
were able to promote it on both the website and the Facebook page. So, thank you to Carla and Brian for that. Just a reminder that there's bulk pickup this Friday. Um, I'm meeting with the construction
officials. Well, I met with one last week, two this week, and another next week. Um, in regards to their budget requirements next year. Um, I want to thank everybody who donated to the
Halloween candy um, donation program. Um, specifically, I want to call out the Salvation Army. I don't know where they got the biggest box of Smarties we've ever seen, but it was huge. It was fun when she when she and and she ran out so quick, we weren't even able to get her
name, but um, thank you to them. Thank you to Brownstone Properties as well as Courthouse Square um, development. they all um gave us um significant and generous donations um as well as just individual people were dropping off
candy all week. So, thank you for all of them. Thank you to the volunteers um who helped give out candy as well as Carla who stayed open late that night to give it out and that was really kind of me. Thank you. Um, the film ordinance. I mentioned a couple
weeks ago the film commission keeps moving the uh goalpost on us. I did speak to um the mayor of Clinton who also happens to be sitting on the commission. Um, and he basically said the same thing. Um, and Mark Sal from
the uh county tourism and economic development uh group. So, even though there is a lot to be done on the ordinance, they asked uh if we can turn it around quickly. So, I'm not exactly
sure what that means. Um they gave us a markup and Chris and I are going to work on the uh revisions. Um let's see. Uh we have a parking meeting this week with um Masha and Adrian. Um and thank you for
all that came to the Ravies Clinic over the weekend. Um and Dave Dave Kuliani did mention the bamboo um ordinance and I'm certainly in favor of that as well. Um he was uh you know obviously approaching it from a code enforcement
um perspective. And finally um I want to thank uh Momento's um boutique for hosting a new event in town this year which was the Day of the Dead. And of course, there's lots of um celebrations
on November 1st and 2nd for the the that holiday, but being that Halloween is such a big deal in Flemington, um I got to attend with Councilman Aerys and um the altar was just gorgeous. It was just it was beautiful.
It was really moving. So, thank you for that. And um there was talk at the event to make it a little bigger and kind of combine it with some other Halloween events in the burrow next year. So I hope they do uh do that. It was a nice nice
>> you have to live. >> So first of all, congrats to council like Beth Herbert and councilart. Basically congratulations to you guys. I'm excited and just can't wait to work with you guys. Um, so moving on. I'm gonna uh talk about Halloween up on El
Street because it was jumping. It was full of kids. It It was awesome, man. The kids out there having a good time. It started pretty early. Last year it started like around 6:30 say 6:00. This time started like 5:00. All the kids are climbing. We ran out of ramen. My
sister, well, my sister took care of it. She had ramen and those four large bags of candy you could get at Costco. local. It's really good night and it was just blast seeing everybody out there. It was really awesome. Uh then moving on uh for the parks. Uh so I did mention uh I
think like two or three meetings ago about a berry house event we wanted to do at Tucker Park. I finally got a date for that. We wanted to do something in November, but unfortunately because the Girl Scouts uh they have a lot of events going on right now. They're pretty busy. So couldn't really do anything for this
year. But Taylor F, she's a Girl Scout troop leader. Uh she hit me up and told me April. Uh we have a whole like poster ready to put out basically just telling people, hey, look, you guys are interested. Uh April 2026, uh it's going
to be the first house event we're going to have. Basically, just uh use all natural materials with plastics and harmful items for wildlife. And uh you can use nails, screws, gorilla glue, and wood glue for like structures, but little houses so you can put on the the
trail for the park. >> Good question for you. I don't think everybody here I think some people know what a miniature is. Please engage me. I might have I have stacks of basswood, true good basswood, non-toxic shingles, everything. And I might even be able to
put together a box for the girls that of all of my scraps and pieces for my different. >> Yeah, I could email You want me to help? I can certainly help. Very >> helpful. >> It's we got I got a flyer I can send out to everybody. Uh basically sending the
email because they want to uh they want people to uh submit their own entries and stuff like that. It's on pool, you know, part. So I got email if you guys want it. I'm going to post everywhere. So it's all over social media.
And then um and lastly, yeah, same things talking about the day of the dead and boutique. Uh they really went all out on the altar. They made me from out of being Mexican roots. It was a really good great event.
Really showed the spirit of what it is. And it's just people come together just having fun. Uh living for those who can't live on no more. and just sharing food, music, and stuff that they would also enjoy because the whole point there
is to live for them, you know, and to enjoy it as if they were still there and to not forget who they are and what they brought to the world when they were here. So, it was really awesome and yeah, just want to thank them for that and uh yeah, that's my report. Thank you.
>> Thank you. U we're up to public comment session number one. Please keep your comments down 40 minutes. for the holiday. >> Um, if you have any comments online, please uh raise your hands and come up to the mic and state your name and address for the record.
Please >> mayor and council. My name is George Mueller. I'm a resident township with my heart and soul in Flemington. Had a family business here for 100 years. Flemington Cut Glass Company. Um I'm here uh to speak to the uh council to
about consideration of the children's choir school building which the county owns on course place. Uh I'm going to leave this with the clerk. You're going to have see a history of it written by the organist at the Presbyterian church
about uh through Jay Smith about this historic society actually probably the oldest children's fire school in the United States when founded I actually attended it but it closed before I don't
finished but uh but uh it was closed uh before I graduated from grammar school. Uh, I spoke with recently to commissioner Sean Van Doran about state of the property because when I was a freeholder in 1980, the county is looking for a home for the cultural and
heritage commission and having a lot of space unavailable in Fington or anywhere else. Um, this building came to my attention because I was a colon alumni at the school and the county made an arrangement to acquire this property and
established uh an area downstairs that house the cultural and heritage commission and the choir school could use the upstairs for piano lessons. They really wouldn't exist. However, when the cultural and heritage moved out, nothing was done with the building. It's in disrepair. Now I'm asking the burrow to
look into cons getting this property back into the hands to use it as a public building could be used for meetings also. It's in a perfect location where the town is being developed. That could be work with your uh your partnership with the which has a
has an office or a tourist office or just having lectures or information on Flemington Burrow uh there and uh I ask you to pursue that to see if you could put this building back to its proper place and the history of this beautiful
town. And speaking of history, I have concerns about what's going on on our approach into Flemington. One of the gateways into Flemington is on Frame Boulevard. When you come down this into this historic town which goes back to 1756,
you encounter a mural on a wall that's in somewhere else outside of Flemington, New Jersey on that Away building that that has to go. It's it's just your gateway people. You're trying to get people to this town, wanting to come and
spend money or visit a town and come down this road and all of a sudden they see this mural there and that's that's their vision of what Flemington is and that's not Flemington. It's we need more respect and to nourish our history.
Years ago in Lambertville, the mayor of Lambertville said to me, why is everybody going to New Hope and not coming to Lambertville? I said, ' Mayor Ptori, this very simple. The railroad station, which was closed for 50 years, looked like it was in in a war zone and
the town should actually buy it from Conrail and change that railroad station and work on it to make it a economical growth for the town. They did. You can see the evidence with the Dimerville House and the station, everything there.
It's it's the what the impressional is. That's part of what we need here in Fington. We need to get that off either paint it or hang something in it. And I believe the building is to be condemned and destroyed. But you really I don't know that it's been empty for so many
years. But just to get that off and I was really all the effort you put into putting Christmas lights and the cost in that coming into the town and yet you come into this town, why not make it a nice Christmas? make it white and make
it so people can really have the passion to come to this community and get off that uh wall and straighten it out. Instead of say tear down that wall, tear down that building. Let's get let's get it fixed up and
let's be proud of this family. Let's make everybody proud. I'm proud as can be. I know you are. You're serving the community. keep up your good work and consider doing something positive for the people and the town. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, Mr. Mo, just for the record, yes,
>> the fire school is not empty. Not room 300 still occupies it, which is my non for profit. Um, we use it for mostly inventory now because there's no place to park. So, it's very hard for meetings to happen in there because there is no parking lot >> um or handicapped parking at all in the
area. Um, but it's inside is just old and needs to be it needs a lot of TLC, but it's not falling apart in English. It's got a brand new roof. It's got some new windows. It's got a relatively good boiler. So, I don't want you to like I
want to lay your fears that it's about to fall apart. Needs to be repointed. It needs like some TLC. >> I wasn't suggesting it's falling. Um, the bureau has requested I started in 2023 asking the freeholders when they were still freeholders for consideration about turning it over to the to the
bureau. They have not given us an answer um at this time and I have asked every year since I became mayor. Um, and but unofficially like what is happening with it? Burough is the only place that you've give it to for a dollar. Um,
otherwise they have to go through archaeologicals and up public bid. Only the broke could take that building from the the county. And then regarding um the building, the Guitar Boy mural. I wish uh council president Parker was here. Um there's been a question by me
for over a year to the bid from community partnership about getting a new mural painted there. Um I don't know what the status of that is, but they were talking about doing a contest. They were talking about all kinds of stuff. um that is a redevelopment area that
does not have approvals yet uh because of the D. So I without council president Parker here I don't know the answer on the status of a new mural. >> No I think you have a half a million dollar budget that the part partnership has. I'm just not I'm not picking on it.
I'm just saying there's not to private property but to get some paint or something >> private property. We can't just go there. It's private property private meal. So the the bid is supposed we're supposed to go talk to the owner to see if something can be done. >> Yeah. >> So because it's we can't just go there.
It's not our building. >> No, but but the bid got it put on the building. So they should be available to try and get it taken off. >> Right. But we're not somebody is on the bid, but he's not here tonight. So >> well, all I'm doing is it's urgent to
get the credit. And I I can assure you I'm not being misqued, but Sean Vandor when I spoke with him about one month ago said that county definitely would consider doing that. >> Well, arrange a meeting with him. I'll be happy to do it. >> He's he's one of five. So,
>> I don't need you to arrange a meeting. I think I can call Sean myself. He's on my board. >> I know. >> So, well, >> you know, he's on 130 board as well. So, um, you know, it's a matter of them deliberating and doing whatever they're going to do. >> But why can't you write a letter to the board of chosen freeholders and say you
you're interested in making some arrangement with them? >> They they know we're interested. They know there is an interest. They know it. >> Fine. Well, let's >> sure may not have known it, but >> let's bring it to the surface. >> So, >> let's bring it to the surface. >> So, can I ask a question, George? It's good to see you. Uh, it's been a few
years. I'm so glad you're here. Can I ask a question? I I didn't quite understand. Your proposal is to uh ask the county to give >> give it give it to us for a dollar or because you had also mentioned putting
the culture cultural and heritage commission there. >> No, they were there were I misunder I misunderstood that. So you're asking you're you're suggesting what we already Marsha is correct. we have approached the the the uh county on it and we we'll
continue to do so. I think it's an an >> I just don't think I don't think government to government we should be vetting that here in public about conversations. >> Um that's up to the free to talk about they know we're interested. >> We bought it for a dollar and we can buy it back and buy it back for a dollar. I mean that's not the problem. It's always
>> and I think it would be an excellent addition to our museum house collection here. I it really would be fixed up. I I've seen the inside with Marcia. It's beautiful. >> I think it's a good It's been well maintained, but I think the the town should own it. >> County doesn't use it.
>> Washington use it and does a great job. >> I actually have a second question for you. Um, the last time I saw you, you had mentioned that there was a possibility for a cut glass museum eventually in Flemington. Has your dream of that kind of developed at all or?
>> Well, it's still a dream, but uh I I am going to be doing some presentations with Iron County Historical Society. >> Great. >> Uh I actually going through stuff in my home, found a punch bowl that we had two
made for the World's Fair in 1932 39. >> And I have a replica of it, but we made two kids one broke. And I'm going to donate that to them and give a background and story of it because this the town I had a lot of heritage of a lot of us people went around where the
old egg auction is they call it that was really Empire cut glass company and that's how my grandfather came here the general manner of that in 192 and cut glass. So we probably have more glass heritage in the United States than
most any state this time. Well, you know, like I said, I know your your dream is to have an actual physical museum. If if at all we can help maybe have a a temporary exhibit at the library or maybe encourage at the at the courthouse or or somewhere in a public
setting, that might be a nice first start or even at one of the museums. >> The historic Society is doing exhibitions now as I you know, and he's actually on our list to do an exhibition in the future. People don't realize who who that owned hundred year old
businesses. My family has one down south. >> Yeah. >> Asking to step up and do something in Talladega County or in Birmingham, Alabama. And the amount of work that it took to all of that. It's always sounds so easy until you have to pull the exhibition. >> And Empire came here because there were
three railroads serving this town. >> Yeah. >> Think about that. >> Well, like I said, I know it's a been a dream of yours forever. So, if we can at all help um facilitate >> Thank you. I'll make my phone calls, >> mayor. Sorry. >> Thank you, Mr.
>> Holiday. I'll leave a copy with you so you can read the It's really an interesting history. >> I'll stand it and send it to everybody. >> Public namely online your name and your address for the record, please.
>> 45 Street want to thank you all for doing the jobs that you do. Congratulations to those who have been elected and thank you for joining the council. Uh I'm here to just uh sort of I guess you know
get on with the north end and George referring to what we call on the north end as little Elvis. Uh, I need to have somebody on this council as a North End leaison to
basically come to the neighborhood, hear from somebody that's lived there for almost four decades, and I'm still looking out and seeing a neglected area.
Uh, I'm going to use the word ghetto. Okay. And if anybody wants to challenge me on that, you know, I'm ready to spar with you. Uh, if little Elvis could only open up his eyes, he's going to see the same thing he saw
when he was first put up there how many years ago? >> Okay. >> Anyway, >> it's a focal point. In other words, it's >> it's >> No, the whole north end is really you walk up there. It's
>> we have we have uh infrastructure whether it's telephone polls whether it's a bodega that basically exists for cigarettes and lottery tickets for the most part as basically I mean they spruced up the place but it really
doesn't have to be there. I'm also trying to find out somebody that would actually make Steve Store an area of redevelopment as it was considered good number of years ago, but basically I
guess was it was turned down. I don't say for a serious reason other than the fact that it was an existing business. Okay. Well, we know there's a business there, but again, cigarettes, I got cigarette butts all over the front
of my property. Lottery tickets, a peso, and a drink. You know, they come there, they got money in their pockets after a hard day's work, and boom, it goes to the state of New Jersey for what? Again, it's it's it's it's really not something
that I would think would be useful down the road in Fington. I'd rather see something else there, even if it was just a mini park, a dog park. Uh whatever. I mean, it's it's open to
conjecture, but I I think it's seen its use, and I don't really think that as an existing business, it's a great thing for the neighborhood there. I really don't. I think the time has come. Aguay
is gone. A lot of these other businesses are gone, yet Steve Store is still there. And again, it's in it's in the wrong place. It should be up where the apartments are. Should be right. right there. So, nobody has to trek down, trek
up, and that's just that's just logistics. So, again, that's just part I probably hit my three minutes. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. But again, I have a laundry list of here and I would like a leazison to come to the north end so I could point
out some of these uh really problems really deficiencies and uh maybe we can go from there because main street is you know ready to come back. Liberty Village is down and
it's ready to come back but the north end is really really cursed. I would I would like on north end. I might not have spoken to you, but I think they know me on West Avenue and
that area. I'm not out campaigning. I'm just out talking to people. Um I have something Saturday morning at 11 >> at noon. I could certainly come by your house, walk around with me and let's take a look at it because it's the best the best thing as a council person is to be able to go out, talk to people, see
it visually, understand it. My one caution would be and then I think the mayor knows my feelings about this. When you say area need of redevelopment now you open us up to pilots ref which we don't want. So we have to look also has to it also has to fall into certain
state categories and it doesn't qualify. >> It doesn't clean site and the owner doesn't want to isn't want to sell. It's a robust business. So I don't want to debate that with you. But again it's private property and private business and you could always buy it from him and move it wherever you want if you you
know don't want it there. Well, again, maybe somebody on council, somebody with some political pull or economic knowledge could actually maybe, you know, find somebody that wants to buy that property. Again, it it's under the D. It's in a flood zone. There's no
question about it. You know, I don't know what kicked the can down the road and basically took something that looked like it was something was going to go the town homes, whatever. >> Are you talking about fees? >> No, I'm talking about the oldway property. >> Oh, they're both under deep. review. Both of them are
>> But again, they're under review. >> I was talking about Steve specifically, not >> Steve that entire area. Uh again, it's just uh it's >> well the Aguay building, the old store
is just pending a map changed by FEMA. They're ready to go if they get that map changed by FEMA. the the building the locally calls a good hardware building the old mill that doesn't have any approvables at all because what they
designed and planned at the burrow said we liked DP said you can't build that. So that's kind of stuck. >> You got to get something up and running whether you just take the buildings down uh make make parkland out of it. I don't
know what you want to do, but >> what they want to do is keep it as a commercial site >> and then they don't have to go to the DP. They use the existing building the way it is for commercial. They don't have to go to DP. Oh, I don't need any approvals.
>> That's what I want to do. against one. >> You know, like I say, for me, between the traffic that comes down that roadway, okay, the congestion, the pedestrian traffic, uh the population in general that we have there, uh I I would just basically rather see it green. I
would rather see it all green. In other words, take a look at Well, I just saw this on Highway 202 now as I was approaching a circle. They finally erected one of those gargantuan uh warehouse. I don't know if anybody's
seen that. I saw it today for the first time. Maybe they just put it up over the last day or two, you know, one of those >> over here for about four months. >> Yeah. Well, the frontage is there now where you can see it from the highway. I mean, I was up a couple weeks ago. I I didn't see anything there.
>> Uh >> Whoa. Let me tell you something. >> What an eyes sore. I know it's highway frontage, but >> it's also township. >> I know. And I I followed it. I saw the people hearings >> come up go to the hearings. Yo, what are
you going to do and why? Well, again, I don't want the north end of Lemonson turned into something like that. Okay. I I don't want to have somebody come in and say, "Oh, this this is good for this. This is good for that." Because as far as I'm concerned, if that whole area 15 years ago, if that stuff had been
demolished and they planted trees and put a parklet in there and whatnot, I'd be a happy man today. In fact, my property would be more valuable than it is today. And that's straight from the tax assessor's office. So, please, so please, let's try to concentrate on the
north end of Flemington. And like I said, I think little Elvis, you know, is a foregone conclusion. It's got to go. Council woman. Thank you very much. Anybody else from the public? Seeing none, approval of minutes regular session September 29th, 2025. Could I
have a motion, please? >> Is there a second? >> All in favor? >> I resolution 202518, resolution declaring a vehicle surplus and authorizing donating vehicles the Flemare rescue first aid rescue squad.
Um, I have a motion, please. >> Log move. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Um, I didn't ask if anybody want anything pulled off the thing. Does anybody have any discussion on this? Roll call, please.
>> Council Aras, >> yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. Lev, >> yes. >> Council Vice President W. >> Yes. >> We don't have any ordinances being introduced tonight. Um
public hearing ordinance 2025-26 bond ordinance amending in part bond ordinance numbers 2020-18 adopted on December 14, 2020 is amended by bond ordinance number 2021-4 adopted on March 1721 providing the
various roadway improvements to the bureau of Fington in order to increase the appropriation therefore by $173,500 representing a grant received from the state of New Jersey Department of Transportation. for a total appropriation of $1,92,628
to blend the purposes there for thereof. Authorized invite the bureau of Fington in the county of Hunter, New Jersey. Uh the public hearing do have a motion to open to the public. >> I'll move. >> Is there a second? >> Sorry, I'll second. All >> in favor? >> All right. >> Public hearing is now open. Anybody
wishing to speak from the public or online, please come to the microphone and state your name for the record and address or raise your hand online. Seeing none, can I have a motion to close to the public? >> Move. >> Is there a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. Uh, can I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2025-26? >> Move. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Discussion. Again, this is really to consolidate and get the language right that was picked
up uh by our bond council that there was some errors made back in 21 and in 20 um and the way it was they were combined. So, this fixes that. Um can I have a roll call for
>> Oh, sorry. Council Harris, >> yes. Counciloman, >> yes. Councilwoman Para, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. Council Vice President B. >> Yes. >> Ordinance 2025-27, an ordinance amending the historic
preservation ordinance of the Bureau of Flemington to comply with the requirements of the certified local government CLG program. Uh I'm going to open this to public, but I am going to state that there is going to be amendment put through probably at the next meeting because the state has
rejected having the HPC as the reviewer. >> Okay. >> No. So it would have to probably be somebody out of our construction office to refer it then to the HPC. >> So they moved the goalposts on the HPC, too. >> Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. Don't feel Don't feel
you're the only one with >> So um so this can have a motion to open to the public. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Is now open to the public. Uh, anybody wish to speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand online or come to the
microphone and state your name and address for the record. Seeing none, can I have a motion to close? >> Move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Public hearing is now closed. Have a motion to adopt ordinance 2025-27. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> So, I have a question. Do we have to do the whole thing again or just like a paragraph? Well, anywhere where it says HTC, >> take all those. >> Yeah, it's going to be it's going to be a find and replace in Mass.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> Aras. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Langler. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman, yes. >> Counciloman Levit, >> yes. >> And Council Vice President Long. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Ordinance 2025-28 ordinance amending a tra amending 78 traffic
schedules to authorize a handicap parking spot on Grant Avenue. Uh this this ordinance sorry can I have a motion to open the public? >> Move. >> Is there a second? >> Engle will second. All >> in favor? >> I ordinance is now open to the public. Anybody wishing to speak on ordinance
2025-28 please come to the microphone or raise your hand and state your name and address for the record. >> Seeing none. Can I have a motion to close the public hearing? >> Is there a second? >> Second. All >> in favor. Can I have a motion to adopt 2025-28?
>> Move. Is there a second? >> Angelhart will second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Aras, >> yes. >> Councilman Englehart, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fara, >> yes. >> Uh, Councilman Love, >> yes.
>> President, sorry. >> You're too fast. >> This is not easy on this side. I >> uh ordinance 2025- 204. I open it to the public. Um I'm going to turn to our attorney about making an amendment. >> Sure. Council already mentioned an
amendment in the last meeting. All that needs to be done here is the whereas clause which is very plain and concept should be removed amend to a motion be made to amend the ordinance on final hearing uh with that whereas clause
removed and I just let just reference it numerically if >> this is done after the public hearing is closed. >> I would say that it could be done either time. I mean it's non substitute over clauses are always non substitute but you could proceed to do it whenever you def
up to you guys. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Can have a motion to open up ordinance 2025-29 to the public. >> Liver move. >> Is there a second? >> Harle second. All >> in favor. Public hearing is now open ordinance 2025-29. Anybody wishing to
speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand online or come to the microphone here. State your name and address for the record. Seeing none, do I have a motion to close the public hearing? I have a >> move. Is there a second? I >> have a second. All >> in favor? I
>> um do I have a motion to adopt order 2025-29 as amended with the removal of the last whereas clause angle will move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion?
>> I got to find it. Yeah, careful finding just by pointed, we we just so the council understands that the reasoning behind this is nons substantive. You could introduce an ordinance with no whereas clauses, right? You could have introduced this ordinance without a warehouse clause whereas clauses really
inform a general reader as the ordinance advances uh they don't substantively affect a right or a privilege of someone that would come into play with the passage of the ordinance. So that's why this can easily be amended. So Susan, that's the fourth paragraph.
>> That's the fourth paragraph. Eliminate the whole thing. >> Gotcha. Okay. Councilman Eric. >> Yes. >> Wait, where are we? Okay. Sorry. >> Um, Councilwoman Negle, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Facara, >> yes. >> Counciloman Levit, >> yes. >> And council vice president law.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. Regular agenda. Uh, resolution 2025-189, resolution appointing Heidi Hush as full-time assistant library director of operations and programming for the public library. Have a motion, please. Is there a second?
>> There's a second. >> Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Manares. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Ehart? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. Council, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Long, >> yes. Resolution 2025-190 resolution
appointing Jame Haven as acting public director for the public library. >> Sorry, I'll move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Um item discussion is Jane planning on resigning her position as a board member. It's interim. It's interim.
>> That would be conflict of interest. >> Listen, no one brought this to me except Carl and I had a brief conversation. I have not had a chance >> Heidi sour. That's I'm not comfortable voting. had a chance >> tell you that right now. >> Yeah. And >> Facebook's
credit you brought it up to me. I have not evaluated the gall >> and remember the board is also has independent powers too. >> They have independent powers but >> um >> they do have their own
expert. So >> I wouldn't vote yes on this if we had if we called the two a vote right now. I want >> I'm going to ask I'm going to ask for a motion to table before our next meeting. >> Sorry. >> Is there a second? >> Will second. >> Um, any other discussion?
>> Uh, roll call, please. >> Council Harris, >> yes. >> Counciloman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Pora, >> yes. >> Counciloman Levit, >> yes. >> Council vice president, >> yes. >> Thank you. Um we'll we'll put it back on
to agenda at the next meeting and hopefully >> if someone has something they want me to review here I'm happy to review it. >> I mean just to speak to their attorney >> and also the labor if there's a labor element I did mention this to Carl during your meeting >> Frank that he should also be engaged.
>> Okay I give credit to bring up but nobody says >> but I have another I mean we already approved the first resolution. Yeah, which is fine. >> Which needs to happen. She looks, >> you know, that's fine. That's fine.
>> It's about Jane having a conflict. >> She's not on the board. Heidi is not on the board. >> And she's not and she's been working at very low pay. >> Very long. >> Yeah, but you got an independent board. I don't want to discuss this. It's a personal matter.
>> I don't want to discuss it in public. It's a personal matter >> and it's not our personnel. Doesn't belong here. Just to be clear, six and seven because they have their own attorney. I have not evaluated. Right. That's why I rely on the on >> that's why I'm asking councilar to have a conversation with their attorney as
well as our labor attorney. Okay. Resolution 2025-191 resolution appointing fund commissioner. Can I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Is there a second? So, I'll second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. Councilman Harris. >> Yes. >> Counciloman, yes.
>> Councilman Pasara, >> yes. Councilman Levit, >> yes. Council Vice President Wong. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2025-192. Resolution appointing risk management consultant. Can I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Any discussion? Ro, please nurse. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fara, >> yes. >> Le, yes. >> Council Vice President W. >> Yes. Resolution 2025-193, resolution authorizing a budget appropriation
transfer. Just so the public knows, our budgets are locked into place uh annually by the state of New Jersey. On November 1st, they unlock and money can be moved around from line item to light item holds. We're moving about $30,000 on a multi-million dollar budget, which
is pretty darn good for Bill H and his budgeting. I think he's online. Uh can I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Is there a second? Is there any discussion or questions for Bill? >> I have a question. Go ahead. >> Was the construction department
considered as part of this because I know that they're really low on hours right now and they basically are are spreading their time over the next eight weeks. Um, you know, half time. >> Bill moves money. >> No, it's needed.
>> It says where it's going. >> I see where it's going. That's why I'm saying did anybody ask Ken or date because I know both of them are >> are really overwhelmed and pushed on ours. >> Bill, can you come in as a panelist? >> Sorry.
>> Please. And explain why and when you were running. >> Good evening. Um, yeah. So, uh, as What do you mean by the construction department? Um,
>> I I've only had preliminary budget talks with, uh, uh, Ken, Dave, and John, but when I, the first conversation I had was up with both Ken and Dave was very casual, like in this meeting, you know,
in this building saying, "Hey, you know, let's get our schedules together and make a make an appointment." But I said, "Is there anything in particular that we should that you know you were concerned about for next year?" And and particularly Dave said, "Well, it's not next year I'm concerned about. It's for
the balance of this year." Um they have about um uh Bill Bill I think you might have mentioned this to them that he only has x amount of hours left for the rest of the year and the amount of work that he has is essentially uh at least you
know at least a third or double. So he has to spread out that time. I'm a little concerned that um uh you know reviews of projects whether it's John or code enforcement issues with Dave or
inspections with Ken and Mike are going to be delayed because they've run out of hours for the week. Did can you >> So I than I can >> Yeah. So the um construction department they're fine they're all salaried.
there's money in enough money in them in their budget to do their stuff. Same with the uh fire inspector uh Kent McCormack. The only one that was running low was property maintenance. >> Yeah. Um so I mean if
>> if you think if you want me to transfer more, I could you know next next meeting I can try to find some more to put a you know a little bit more in there to do. I it just you know I had a set amount of hours he was going to do for the year. So that's what I budgeted for. But if you think he should be doing more,
that's fine. That's that's your call. That's not mine. >> Well, it's not mine. I think it's what the the amount of work that he that he has on his plate right now. So I he and I he's gone this week, so I guess we're kind of safe on hours for this week. Um and he and I have a meeting on the 21st.
Um so is our next meeting >> the 24th. That might be a little too late. So maybe um maybe if you and and if you want me to be in on it or or not, it's fine. Maybe you can just touch base with him and see if maybe we can add
something to the next meeting on the 24th to address his shortfall. Um that would be great. I think Ken was more concerned about next year, but Dave I know had a shortfall this year. So I just want to make sure that that department isn't um you know we're we
get complaints like hey why isn't anybody doing this? he's like, "Oh, well, we don't have enough hours for the guy to go out and actually do his job." So, I think that's the that's the one um issue that maybe didn't get rolled in. He
>> um what I'll do is after this payroll, which is Friday, I will do an analysis of what uh he has left and then I'll talk to him to see, you know, tell him how many hours he has. We'll figure out. That's perfect because he'll be he's out this week and if you know if you talk to
him end it this week early next and work that out it can get on the next agenda. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um >> I don't think we voted on it. >> We haven't voted on that. Right. >> Okay. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Angelart. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman. >> Yes. Councilman Lever. >> Yes. >> And council vice president Long. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Resolution 2025-194 contracted Solomon Construction LLC 150979 Street North Birdie New Jersey
07047 for the Burough Hall sanitary sewer main at last improvement project in the amount of $65,917.50. As you all recall, this was the last bid we went out for. We rejected it because it came in almost three times the amount
as this bid. Um, this was crazy. So, um, can I have a motion, please? >> Sorry. I'll move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Comment. >> The power of waiting until it's cold weather.
>> Roll call, please. >> Nargas. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Negore. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Fazar. >> Yes. >> Council mother. >> Yes. And council by President Long. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Resolution 325-195 resolution of the burough fund from
county of Hunter in state of New Jersey awarding an engineering service agreement under the bureau's current contract with Remington and Vernick Engineer for engineering services in support of various infrastructure projects. Um again this goes handinhand
with resolution 2025-196 um where uh representative Verdick who is our engineer is the only recognized engineer that the state I bank uses uh to do technical uh services for municipalities qualify. Um I did apply
for this on behalf of the municipality about a month ago and had a major conference call with the uh I bank and they awarded us based on nine projects basically almost $2 million worth of technical services that we have to
prepay for or that's what this ordinance basically does. Um we'll be paying as we go and then they're going to reimburse 100% of that money back to us. So even if we don't have the money to do all those projects right away, all of the design work will be in the can and ready
to go whenever we do have the money for the next few years. Uh all of these projects will also qualify for 80 to 100% full reimbursement if we can get them done within the next three years. Uh of course we have a cap that we have to follow. um we can't borrow more than
we we are allowed to by law, but if we can work through these fast enough, we'll be able to get reimbursed and roll over money. Um like the main street project. So, can I have a motion, please? >> Sorry, I'll move. >> Is there a second? >> April will second. >> Any other discussion?
>> Just want to thank the mayor for this. This is wonderful. I know. >> Me, too. Thank you. Uh roll call. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman, yes. >> Councilwoman Sara, >> yes. Councilman Levit. >> Yes. And council vice president. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 2025-196 resolution with Royal Flemington County of Hunter in the state of New Jersey authorizing the approval of a grant application and execution of loan and grant contract with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for various infrastructure projects. Uh can I have a motion please?
>> Is there a second? >> Will second. >> Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Councilman Erics. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Inkhart. Yes. >> Councilwoman Facara. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Levit. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President. >> Yes. >> You don't have a work session scheduled.
Public comment session number two. Anybody from the public online or in the room wishing to speak? Raise your hand or come up to your address for the record. Hold your comments for three minutes. Seeing none. Can I have a uh public comment session closed? Payment
of bills authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $1,15,989. Can motion please move. >> Is there a second? Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Harris, >> yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman,
>> yes. >> Councilman Levit, yes. From council vice president, >> yes. >> We do have an executive session under public safety. Um, can I have a motion to go into the executive session, please? >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Oh, we doing roll call. >> All because I love it. >> Yes. >> I got to do roll call. >> No. Okay. All in favor? I >> All right. Um, okay. So, we'll be moving into executive
Okay, then I have a motion to >> get out of here. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Everybody good night.