Okay. Welcome everybody. If >> I could ask everybody to please stand for a moment of silence and salute to the flag. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America. Adequate notice of this meeting was
provided to the Union County Hawk and advertised on December 26, 2024. Notification was sent to the local source Union County and is posted on the municipal website, the municipal public bulletin board, and filed in the office of the municipal clerk informing the public of the time and place according
to the the provisions of the open public meeting law chapter 241 PL1975. Roll call, please. >> Mayor Blumentock, >> here. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> here. Councilman Foley here. >> Councilman Carney >> here. >> Councilman Lazero here. >> Councilman Padusniaak. >> Council President Noli
>> here. >> A roll call of staff and professionals, please. >> John Arthur here. >> Adam Abramson >> here. >> Chief Pryy >> here. >> Okay. We will start with our reports from our BAR attorney. Anything for us? >> Nothing new to report.
>> Thank you. Report from our BAR administrator. >> Yes. Thank you. So on tonight's agenda, you will see pedestrian crosswalk signals, um LED and flashing speed limit signs. These purchases uh complete the center street safety corridor uh project while complete purchasing the equipment.
DPW will then install all of it in the next, you know, month or two depending on when comes in. So thank you to them. They're already planning to do all of that. And also thanks to Union County for the infrastructure grant. Um, reminder that the concession stand at the athletic field complex is now open.
Hours will generally be 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. weekdays and 11 to 7:00 p.m. weekends, although it's weather and activity schedule dependent to some extent. So, just check if it's open before you stop stop in. Um, we've been working with the police department and
police committee on updates to the codeing disorderly conduct, including noise offenses, as well as destruction of property and disturbing the peace, which you will see introduced tonight. Um, last week I walked in the Garwood Book with our burough engineer.
He got a lot more wet than I did because he gave me the better equipment to walk in. So, thank you to him for that. So uh we assessed some of the overgrowth of inv invasive species uh specifically on the 200 and 400 blocks of uh we did identify some areas where we
can focus our efforts and we'll be soliciting some quotes from vendors so that we can get a sense of pricing to as we go into the next budget. Um obviously cleaning up the entire book would be a massive and expensive undertaking. So if we if we do anything it's going to have
to be piece by piece. So agreed to certain section that I think was the most overgrown that would probably be the first focus among those those two blocks. So we'll get some let's see together and get back to you for budget next year. And that's it for
>> Okay. Thank you. Does anybody have any questions for Mr. Arthur? >> Okay. Thank you for uh getting uh things started with that vegetative project. I know. Um eager to see what this ends up being. Um who knows, maybe we'll be able
to do more than one section. So, we'll we'll see the uh ending end up costs. Um but I do know it's we we do get certain uh addresses that have uh been in touch with us that the vegetation is is overgrowing. So, it's good to get
started on it. Thank you. Okay. Uh on September 13th, the Burrow and the Lions Club joined up to bring the annual senior barbecue to Garwood seniors. Uh the event was well attended and guests
enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cookies, and ice cream. Uh and then the seniors got to work off that lunch uh with some line dancing uh with our senior instructor. So, thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make that day a success. Uh the green team participated in two
trails stays this month uh at Unami Park, their adopted park. Uh volunteers rejuvenated the wood chip trails and created new ones and also removed invasive grasses. Uh the green team also met to discuss upcoming fall and winter events as well as possible upcoming
projects. So I want to thank those volunteers who have been giving so much of their time to the green team efforts. Uh, I have mentioned before that I have been in communication with New Jersey Transit about ongoing station upgrades and cleanup that needs to be done. I'm
happy to say that the work has begun. The vestibule windows uh have been replaced, the benches cleaned, and surrounding vegetation cut back and some of the graffiti has been cleaned up. However, there's been additional graffiti popping up now. Um, so I will
continue to inform New Jersey Transit of this so they can remedy that. And um, they have also promised some new signage to replace the faded and cracked old signs. And I'm working on getting some new trash recepticles as well. While uh,
I know we all will continue to push for uh, more stops and handicap accessibility at our station, I feel it's also important for New Jersey Transit just to continue to maintain what is already there. Um, and thankfully they've been very open to this and we are showing progress as I
said, but we will keep pushing for more. Um, I also want to ask residents to immediately let our burough administrator or myself know if they see graffiti pop up so that we can forward it along to be taken care of. I want to take a minute to thank the Garwood
Police Department, particularly Chief Pridey and Detective Miller for their help bringing the missing juvenile back home to Garwood safe and sound. Uh it was a lot of work that went on um work that they couldn't necessarily make public while it was going on and and they devoted many hours to this but uh I
am truly grateful. So thank you and I also want to thank the PD as well for the work they do with the safe routes to school program. Uh today Easy Ride had their annual recognition lunchon and we once again achieved silver status. So,
congratulations also go to Lincoln School who scored a bronze award for their safe routes to school program. Great job by all. And this provides a good segue into my next announcement. Um, you should see the delineators
around the painted curb bumpout at Willow and Center removed this weekend. The demo has officially come to an end and we have to return the delineators to Easyide. You'll remember Easy Ride got us the grant from NJTPA for the paint and other materials used for the
project. I'd like to ask the police committee at their next committee meeting to discuss with uh our chief any feedback uh from the project on their end and then we can either touch up the painted uh street or at some point or
just let them fade depending on what you discuss and what comes out of that. Uh, I also want to take uh just a quick second as we're talking about roads and streets and safety um just to send my condolences to the family of the young
man in Scotch Plains uh who was killed. There was a uh middle schooler who was riding an ebike and was uh hit by a landscaping truck at an intersection of Scotch Plains and he did not unfortunately make it. Uh my uh thoughts
are with them. I obviously having two kids can't even imagine such a tragedy. Uh all I can say is that please please please talk to your kids. Um I I don't and before I say that I don't know the details of the accident or what was
involved. Of course I'm sure it's going to be an ongoing investigation, but drivers please keep an eye out. There's more and more kids on bikes and ebikes um which go particularly fast. And parents, please talk to your kids who
are using these ebikes to uh as well as regular bikes to make sure they are following the rules of the road. Uh moving on to paperboard litigation. Um I know that's on many people's minds, so I can just say that it is continuing.
We are continuing to to um fight the challenge brought on by Garden Homes. We have had one hearing and there will be more over the coming weeks. We've been continuing to defend the redevelopment plan that Garden Homes actually originally created
and agreed to. Um, but we will keep standing firm and fight for our residents and what is best for Garwood. And then some good news for Garwood. We are officially film ready. Garwood has been certified with uh the New Jersey
Film Commission, which means we are officially part of their databases of municipalities uh that film and television production companies use to find locations to film in New Jersey. And we have the certificate from the New Jersey Motion
Picture and Television Commission here, which will Yay. Yeah, we can clap. It's good. This is a good thing. Um, we will proudly display it on the wall out in the in the hallway at Burrow Hall. Um,
as you know, we passed our ordinance and we have a full application process. Uh, all of which can be found at garwwood.org. Uh, and the many possible film locations, each with several pictures can be found on the New Jersey Film Commission's website, as can the many
businesses in our town that can provide services to talent and crews during filming. Cranford has been having a boom in filming um and that has spilled over to Garwood. You may have seen film crews filming a movie over the Garwood lanes a few years a few weeks ago. So now that
we are film ready, we are hopeful that this will put Garwood on the film map. Uh and at this point I just want to sincerely thank Councilman Chase Padusniaak. He is the reason uh we have achieved all this. He deserves all the credit. uh from attending the seminar,
working on the ordinance to coordinating film locations and their photo shoots and interfacing with Garwood businesses. Uh Councilman Padusniaak just took this mission and ran with it. Uh and I am so appreciative of all the work you put into this. So, thank you very much.
And that is it for me. So, moving on to comments from the council. Councilwoman Bodto. >> Thank you, Mayor. I also want to commend the police department of detective Sergeant Sakurasi. We're very fortunate to have such dedicated officers. I want
to wish a very happy 97th birthday to Mr. Pat De Fabio. His smile always brightens up my day. A happy birthday to our very own Councilman Folly. I won't share his age. >> That's all for me today.
>> Thank you. Happy birthday, Mr. DeFabio. who was just here last week at our citizens advisory panel meeting getting in there with everybody. So, he's still going strong. Councilman Foley, >> I just want to uh second uh what Councilman Councilwoman Bodto uh said
and uh I'm happy to hear Ivy's home and you know I really am uh appreciative of the Garwood Police Department they did the hard work and you know dedication to making sure she got home safe and my condolences to the family of the young boy who uh uh you know tragically passed
on and uh my thoughts and prayers are with the family and the community. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Carney. >> Uh, thank you, mayor. Uh, I'd like to draw everyone's attention to ordinance uh 25-25, which is on for introduction
tonight. Uh, in our last council meeting, I reported that the police committee was working on various updates to the burough code. Uh the changes outlined in 25-25 are requested by the police department in consultation with our municipal court judge and the
burough attorney uh to modernize the language and provide our police officers and court personnel with additional options for both enforcement and adjudication of issues that are not fully addressed in New Jerseys criminal code. Uh this ordinance is recommended
unanimously from committee. Uh, and I'm requesting full council support for its introduction this evening. Uh, the police committee is working on some additional items related to uh, public order and parking with the chief. So, we'll probably see a few more code changes before the end of the year. Uh,
and that's all I have tonight. >> Thank you, Councilman Lazro. >> Um, yeah, I actually had a question um, that's probably best directed to Chief Pry um, because I just had a conversation with my neighbor about this and I actually didn't know the answer to this. I thought that would be relevant since we're talking about safety,
pedestrian safety, bike safety, etc. Um, and they were asking the question about when the pedestrian light goes on. Is it the responsibility of the car to stop when the light is on until the light is off or they're supposed to stop at the
light, look to see if there's anybody there? If there's no one there, they can cross through the light. And I actually didn't know the answer to that. I was curious if you can provide some guidance. >> And this is the pedestrian beacon. >> This is the pedestrian beacons. Yes.
>> So somebody somebody It only illuminates if somebody presses it. So as soon as they enter the crosswalk, I mean, you don't want to slam on your brakes. So as soon as you get rear ended, but stop, slow down, stop as safely as safely as you can. You know, if you're doing the speed limit and the light goes on, yeah,
don't come to a hold stop. The pedestrian also has to obey by the law as well. So, and then once they get on the side, you can go as long as there's no pedestrians. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> That's it.
>> Okay. Councilman Padusniaak. >> Thank you. I just thank [Music] different things. would hold different pain, but everyone came together in hope that the situation would be resolved well and thankfully it has. So I just
want to express my gratitude for a community that was able to come together in time of difficulty and offer support to the family who need and for me I just wanted to say I'm really proud thank for getting this process going and
particular thanks to Jeremy and the Ken who was there at absolutely step I appreciate your thanks but of course to businesses the vendors locations who just miss a breeze um and
to work with us. So, I'm very appreciative of that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council President Naldi. >> Thank you. I'm just going to echo um everyone's feelings of um gratitude to the police department uh for making sure that Ivy came home safely. And also
congratulations to Councilman Padusnia for wonderful job on the film ready project. We're really excited about that. That's all for me. >> Thank you. Okay. Minutes. Miss Fazquez. >> Minutes of the regular meeting of the
mayor council held on September 9th, 2025. Uh do I have a motion to accept the regular meeting meeting minutes as presented? >> Second. >> All in favor? Opposed? Communications, please.
>> RVSA approved minutes from the September 2025 regular meeting. adopted ordinances received from Township of Cranford, Ordinance 2025-15 pertaining to vacant property registration program and ordinance
202517 pertaining to permitted and conditional uses in the C1 zone and Union County public notice regarding cancellation and rescheduling of agenda setting session and regular meeting. All received and filed. Thank you. We have
one ordinance up for adoption this evening. Can you please read ordinance 25-24 by title only >> and a sorry an ordinance amending the burough code of the bureau of garwood by amending chapter 58 entitled animals.
>> Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? >> No, we do not. >> Okay. At this point, if anybody present wish to be heard concerning ordinance 25-24, please come to the microphone, state your name and address, and please limit your comments to 5
minutes. Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the uh governing body, professionals, Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh looking at this, just going to page 13 and 14. That's the uh the cat section
that was added. Just some questions on that in the middle of the block. Uh 58-42 is license fees. Uh who actually initiated this whole cat section? Who who was that that that wanted this added
to the uh ordinance? And and it's I I must say, you know, we're coming out with so many fees. So many fees. We got the recreation fee now. We have the store fee, this cat fee. I mean, you know, our pockets can only handle so much. I don't have a cat, but I'm sure
the cat owners, which nobody, I guess, is here to say anything, but I don't know. I I I think you really should remove that. Um, but hey, moving on. That's 5842. 5844 is the enforcement. And and this is
where it gets confusing because the way I'm reading it, and there's a lot of words, but I'll just the provisions of this article shall be enforced by any private citizen. And then at the end of this sentence, at the end of the paragraph, it says to exercise the duty
and authority of animal control officer. I mean, there it mentions a lot of other people, board of health, police department. And I it's just it sounds like the private citizens are now going to exercise the duty and authority of animal control officer. That doesn't sound right. Maybe that paragraph needs to be rewritten.
Uh on page 14, I think that's last page. Uh 58-47 is cost to maintain a cat. And I'm I'm reading it. I mean, it kind of makes sense. But then in the back of my mind I'm saying, well, what about the wild
cats, the feral cats that are running around? Um, you know, is is there anything talking about that? And also the last sentence of of that 5847, the first paragraph under that it it says are determined by the housing
authority of such cats. I guess I would need an explanation exactly what that means. And that's it. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Thank you. Does anybody else wish to be to address the mayor and council concerning this?
Okay. Um, seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. So the um just a a quick
note um you mentioned a recreation fee. I'm not really sure what that refers to. Some of the classes have some fees, but there is no recreation fee per se. So, I just wanted to put that out there for the record. Um, so the board of health
actually initiated uh this particular section. Um, and they the I believe all of the uh municipalities within our shared board of health have this um and we were the
only ones who did not at this point. And with bird flu uh on the rise last year, they did ask us to begin uh initiating this to um help with that issue. Um so every other town has the has CAT
licensing. Um we kept the fee low to sort of encourage this since it is new. Um, but it was initiated through the board of health to help stem any sort of rise in bird flu, especially um those who who have outdoor
cats that run around outside. It it can be especially uh dangerous um in that area. So, that's really where it comes from. Um, and in terms of your
enforcement with 5844, it's not a private citizen going around um, you know, to a house and, you know, yelling at about the cat. They have, it says private citizen signing a formal complaint. So, they would have to come
in to the burrow uh to the police station if they know that somebody has, you know, an outdoor cat that's, you know, not licensed. Um, they would have to come in and file a formal complaint. Uh, yes. >> Yeah. I just referring to Mr. Patterson at the very
end when it says who council of the board of God and so on is uh to put on the English teacher hat, but it's one thing for such other person. Yeah, >> that's to the private citizen part to the broader category of another person who's
been so designated for that part. >> Can I can I try to explain that without a English professor? There's >> an explanation. >> Pretty much every place there's an or it's a separate category of someone or something that can do enforcement.
And then for your last part, it is um the housing authority would be the police just as you know if if there's a lost dog or anything like that, they're held here that would it would be the same thing. Um so
that is it. Is there any further discussion? Okay. Do I have a motion to adopt this ordinance? Second. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> hi.
>> Councilman Foley, >> Councilman Carney, >> Councilman Lazero, >> hi. >> Councilman Petusak, >> Council President Nulgi, >> I. >> Okay, we have one ordinance up for introduction tonight. Can you please read ordinance 25-25 by title only? An
ordinance amending the Burough Code of the Bureau of Garwood by amending chapter 115 entitled miscellaneous offenses, article one, disorderly and offensive conduct, article two, violations and penalties and creating a
new article not sorry 11 public property and 12 disorderly conduct. >> Thank you. Do we have a motion to introduce this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Uh roll call, please. Councilman Bodm. >> Hi. >> Councilman Foley. Hi.
>> Councilman Carney. >> Hi. >> Councilman Lazero. >> Hi. >> Councilman Padusnia. Council President Noly. >> Hi. >> Okay. Moving to standing reports. Finance. Councilman Foley. >> Fire and OEM. Councilman Lazro.
>> Yes. Uh, two weekends ago, eight Coward Fire Department members participated in 16 hours of water rescue training. They include Captain Guessier, Lieutenant Fishman, Lieutenant Digny, firefighter Kartnik, firefighter Kugnu, Cogno, firefighter Cassidy, firefighter Ryan,
firefighter Trojan, and they are now certified to the water rescue operations level and are scheduled to go to the technician training in October. And that's all for my report. >> Great. Thank you. Community development Councilman Padusniaak,
uh, public works, Councilwoman Bodto. >> Thank you, Mayor. In addition to the reoccurring activities, the DPW performed the following duties. Remove debris from both sides of Center Street and Kennedy Plaza underpass sidewalks. Repair damaged street and traffic signs
throughout the barrel. Clean bus door bus enclosures and surrounding areas on North and South avenues. Inspect and clear roof drains at the municipal complex as needed. Meet with the shade tree officer to address residential tree issues. helped their recreation director
with bimonthly Hartman Park and sports complex inspections. Clear debris from all storm water inlets before and after heavy rain, provide public works assistance for the specialty anyways recycling event and with the sanitary sewer backup at the
municipal complex. Uh they also perform traffic line striping in the following areas. uh yellow no parking boxes at the intersection of Hamlock, Lexington, Hickory East, Second Oak, and
Cedar and Second, all municipal parking lots, commuter spots at Kennedy Plaza, and the Godwood Shopright. Um I have a report as part of Sha Tree. The GAW Sha Tree board met on Monday,
September 22nd, and discussed the following. NJ dot funded plantings on North Avenue approximately 20 trees that will take place late this fall or early spring 2026. Yun County planting of approximately 12 trees on South Avenue that will take
place late fall 2025. Down tree service will be planting the much delay summer how weather and then drought force the delay spring 2025 tree plantings either this week or next. The bill was simulating the contracts for
tree removal and stump grinding for work this fall. This is approximately 30 trees. Um Cafe Nurseries will be planting the 18 trees associated with the recent road improvement projects at New Street, East Street, and Walner Street next week. The
board asks that the residents please assist us in watering the trees if possible. Please also note that shade tree members will be taking their pruning clips and inspecting each barrel tree and pruning all suckers and growth below a
4ft height on every tree in the barrel right away during October. So if resident sees some pr trees hopefully it will be one of the board members. I should not have to contact the police but after
please make the call. Um, everyone here that pick up applications are due October 3rd by 2:30 p.m. and pickup is scheduled for October 20th. And that's all for me tonight. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
Okay. Uh, police Councilman Carney. >> No report. >> Uh, community engagement. Council President Naldi. >> I'll start with >> the Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture. Uh, the Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture will be holding its
fall art show entitled Fall into Art. The theme is creativity. Garwood artists of all ages are welcome to choose a recent piece that best expresses their creative ideas. We are accepting small sculptures, framed watercolors, pastels, oil paintings, photographs, or mixed
media works. Please send a send a photo of your work with the dimensions to scenold@garwood.org or before October 1st along with an artist statement in which you describe and discuss your creative practice. Please consider these questions. What are you working on now
in your creative practice? How do you choose your medium? How do you nurture your creativity? And now I have the recreation report uh which is quite long so bear with me. There's a lot going on. The US sports soccer program started this past
Saturday with soccer squirts, parent and knee squirts, and soccer skills and scrimmage programs. These programs will be offered again in the spring. The concession stand at the Garwood Sports and Recreation Complex is now open. The Blue Stone Grub and Go by Legacy
Hospitality and Entertainment Group offers delicious sandwiches, wraps, sides, snacks, and beverages. Hours are generally Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 9:00 and weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00, but hours and menu items
are subject to change. Stop by and grab a bite. A reminder that the burrow is a member of the TriCan collaboration. Tryan coordinates inclusive recreation and social development programs for children and adults with special needs. Upcoming
programs include musical theater class, Tuesday hangout, tennis, basketball, Pilates, cooking, social skills, and golf. There's also a peer mentor program for ages 13 and up. Trainings take place throughout the year with the next one
scheduled for October 2nd. Mentors assist Tryan program participants as they interact with peers or test out new skills, helping them gain the confidence they need to have a positive overall experience. For more information about the peer mentorship program or all Tryan
programs, please contact David Guida from the city of summit by emailing David Grea at city of summit.org by calling the telephone number is 908-2772932. And you can also find out more about these programs by visiting garwood.org/recreation
and clicking on the tryan link. Um, so there's also a lot of programs going on now for grades K through five. We have Legends and More provided by Crayola Imagine Arts Academy. Science Surprise provided by Mad
Science. Um, and we also have some adult programs. Adult open play soccer from 8:00 p.m. to 9:50 on the turf free field. And this is free. Just uh make sure you register at garwoodrec.com. Adult open play basketball Wednesday
evenings from 6:30 to 9 at Lincoln School. This is also free and registration is at garwoodrec.com. Uh we have adult ceramics dates are Wednesday, October 22nd, November 19th and December 10th. Canvas painting
creating a canvas a canvas masterpiece lo using acrylic. This class will take place on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7 PM. And both of those programs, the ceramics and the canvas painting, you would register at garre.com. So for the winter, we can look forward
to youth basketball. Basketball registrations will open soon and the season will run from December to February. We will be offering a new program called cheer and dance squirts and that will be on Saturdays starting in January.
um that will be for ages um three to eight and will take place between January and February. Uh I'm sorry, yes, Saturdays, January and February. Um and then as far as upcoming events are concerned, we have upcoming the Halloween parade and costume contest
taking place on Halloween night, Halloween house decorating contest. Enter the contest by October 25th to win bragging rights and a gift card. And that's all for me tonight. Thank you. Library Councilman Lazro.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Some of the upcoming events of the library include the uh decorating uh opportunity. Uh pick up and decorate a wooden ghost or witch while supplies last. Don't forget to put your names on the back. Return it to the library for display through October 21st. Then take it home for Halloween.
Each participant will receive a goodie bag when they return a decorated pumpkin. Um and this is for kids in kindergarten through 8ighth grade. Another program is coding with unruly splats. This will take place on October 2nd and 9th. This is for kids in grades 2 through 5. Um they will learn
essential STEM skills through active coding. Registration is required. Limit of 10 participants. On October 7th at 3 p.m. uh there's a virtual kids craft and on October 14th there's also a virtual adult craft. Pick up supplies and instructions for a Halloween inspired
craft. Registration is required for craft kits and it's limited to 15 participants. Sign up on the library's website calendar or by phone. And on October 22nd at 7 PM, there's a uh program for Ghoulish Delights Dessert
Contest, a Halloween inspired bake off where adults put their creepiest, crawliest, and most creative desserts to the test. Treats will be judged on taste and presentation with prizes for first, second, and crowd favorite. That was a
very popular event last year. So I encourage everyone to go. Okay. It's all from the board. >> Thank you. School board liaison Councilman Carney. >> Thank you, mayor. The public board of education uh held their
regular meeting on Tuesday, September 16th. Uh I have nothing to report from that meeting. Uh our monthly mayor and council coordination meeting with the school district has been rescheduled for later this month. Uh and the referendum vote held in Clark last week was
successful. Uh this was a special election for a $34.8 million capital improvement bond. Uh the next regular board meeting is scheduled for October 21st. >> Thank you. Um for our seniors, um our
next meeting is October 2nd at 12:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. Our senior classes are starting back up as well soon. So, please reach out to our senior director, Katya Lysac, if you are in need of the senior's activity calendar. Uh, small business councilman Carney,
>> no report. >> Board of Health Leaison, Councilman Foley. >> The September 17th council will occur on December 17th and be the final meeting of the year. That is all. >> Uh, planning board councilman Carney. Uh the regular planning board meeting
scheduled for uh last night was cancelled due to a lack of business and uh the next regular meeting is set for October 22nd. Thank you. Okay, moving on to public comment. If someone in the audience wishes to address the council, please step to the microphone, state your full
name and address, and please limit your comment to five minutes. Johnny E. Pritchard 410 Garwood. We must back our police officers, firefighters, and rescue squad personnel
as they perform their duties. They're they're out there for us. They're the ones you can count on. They all have the uh I'll be there never fear kind of attitude that serves us well.
Abolishing police departments, abolishing fire departments and demolishing rescue squads is not the answer. And Mark say ladies and gentlemen should never be the answer. We must back our government because we can count on them.
We also must thank our soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen as they to protect and defend our country both at home and abroad. Back them up and the way we failed to do
so during war in Vietnam during which time of God's sons lost their lives fighting for us in Vietnam. in honesty in affection. They s
and they they showed us so. They were our defenders and they kept us free. They took it off the guards and thought and finally last September
We know that we know the anniversary of the September attacks 25 years ago today or rather 24 years ago today. Let's not forget that nearly 3,000 own countrymen have been slaughtered like hog in a pan.
We must activate certain hospitals such as Menburg because what if occurs? We'll need those hospitals very very badly. It's time to pressure the state legislature in Trenton to reactivate some hospitals
because we need them badly. The sooner we those hospitals, the better off we are will be. [Music] >> You Mr. Patrick, is there anyone else who wishes to address the mayor and council?
Laura Thompson, 320 Pine Avenue, Farwood. Um, couple questions on the resolutions still to be talked about here. Um, where are these signals actually going and where is the flashing speed limit
signs going? On what blocks are we talking about? Um, also I'm a little confused as to why what cat licensing has to do with bird flu. I I know cats can get bird flu, but putting a license on it isn't protecting them
from bird flu. So, I'm a little confused why that kind of went together there. And the other question was, how much of the brook did we walk this past week? Thank you. >> Anybody else wish to address the mayor and council?
Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the council. Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh, first I'd like to read a public service announcement I feel is important for drivers to know. Um, I bring up an unknown detail at parking lots that
drivers may not be aware of. Uh for the regular drivers planning to park next to a handicap parking spot, and these are all marked in blue, as you know, make sure your wheels don't go over and touch the blue paint at all. If you do, you are liable to get a ticket for parking
in the handicap spot, even if you didn't park there. There is no ticket given for touching the blue. So, it's all or none, and it's given out as parking in a handicap spot. Uh, this has been confirmed with the police chief and the prosecutor and it comes with a fine. I
note this from my recent personal experience when I was just running in to pick up something for Brawl Hall that I had touched the blue paint and thus got a ticket for parking in the handicap spot. So, luckily it was converted to a very minimal fine. So, I'm happy for that. But drivers just be wary when
parking next to one of those spots painted blue. Don't touch the blue. uh to Chase Councilman, thank you very much for making Garwood film ready. I mean, you know, it seems that it makes me excited, you know, and if uh they're looking for maybe a Brad Pitt standin, you know, I'm
here down on Willow Avenue. Uh last meeting and and I'm actually taking it back. last meeting, Councilman Foley, he actually uh from his comments in the beginning of the meeting uh he said he didn't want to say this, which he probably shouldn't have said it, but he
says there the national level is not normal and he sees things wrong that the values our country, the values of our country are going in the wrong direction. I councilman Foley, I suggest that's really your opinion.
You're not speaking for everybody. You're speaking only for yourself. I suggest you really apologize for your comments because I find that very unoured as what you said uh on the f on the federal level. So we'll expect an
apology anyway. Uh the Brook assessment that you walk through uh I guess there's going to be a report. Um so I guess we can oper it. Yes. No. There also appears to be uh a recent major upset with our
underground sewer system. by Councilwoman Bodto mentioned about the um the community center. I I don't know if that's what I'm talking about, but I thought there was something on Center Street that there is some major uh sewer upset. So, could anybody elaborate if it
is or it was just the wreck complex? Uh reszos, I do have a couple of questions on the reszos. I I didn't notice quantities. Um yeah, 251 178 didn't mention quantities
in this and also 251 179 also didn't mention quantities and and my question is how come these are two different uh devices being bought and how come there isn't like a a single device combined with both of those you know that would
show the speed limit and also a flashing speed limit sign. It sounds like I've seen them before on the road, so I don't know. Somebody could answer that. Uh 251 177. Uh it's approving a contract for pedestrian crosswalk signal. So
obviously there's more out there in the future coming and it's from bond ordinance 25-18. I'm just wondering what part of that bond ordinance is identified for that. It it it could be that $39,000
that you're actually borrowing. So, I guess if you could just confirm that uh the pedestrian crosswalk signal I see is $14,800. And that is it. >> Thank you. >> As a public just like an apology from Councilman Foley. Thank you.
>> I'll just note that is you would like an apology from Councilman Foley, not the public. So that's which is your right to ask but it's just asked on you. I we not getting into we I'm just letting
everybody know when you come to the podium you're speaking for yourself obviously. Excuse me. Please don't yell out from the audience. Okay. Oh, actually we still need to close. So motion to close public comment.
>> So moved second. Uh all in favor? >> I >> Okay. Uh I'm I point that out because um there are often comments made about the public is saying the public wants and
you know it's very hard to speak for the entire public. Um and then like similarly sometimes we say things up here that are your opinion and you're allowed to sp speak your opinion um up here that's just yours or someone may
share it but when somebody gives their opinion they are allowed to do that. Um you're looking at me so I assume you might want to address or not. Okay you don't have to. Um I'm going to start with Miss Thompson's. the signals are going along Center
Street um at at the various intersections. Uh Mr. Arthur, you want to talk about that? And that kind of goes to how many of each? >> Yeah, these two in particular for the pedestrian crosswalk signals will be going on
Hazel and hemlock. >> Yes, >> there's two sets essentially. So, it's four to cover both sides of each crosswalk. Um, Chief Pride, you might have to confirm this, but the flashing speed limit signs, I believe there's
three we're purchasing. Is that correct? >> Yeah. >> Apparently, those are not compuls. >> Okay. And I'll just repeat the answer so everybody could hear that. Um, there's three speeding uh signals signs that are being purchased.
And the reason they're not combined is that that actually does not um it's not in compliance. So if you've seen that a township may not be in compliance, but we like to do things the right way here, right? So uh that is the
answer to that. Um the bird flu uh the reason it corresponds to registration for cats is that if there is an increase in bird flu, it allows the burrow i.e. also the board of health then to know um who owns
any po possible outdoor cats and so they can then do whatever the board of health may need to do. Obviously, that's a little bit beyond my knowledge, but it's >> I I own a cat, so I know a little bit about this, but basically, more or less,
cats are much more prone to get uh bird flu because especially outdoor cats, cuz sometimes cats, they like to bring home >> birds. >> Birds that they kill. And some of these birds could have aven flu which then if they get this and it goes to the cat it
potentially has the potential to you know go to humans. Uh and so this is why this tracking is kind of important because that you know we don't know for sure if that could be a significant health risk you know long term. So that's that's the main reason and I
think you were going to say something as well. I was just going to add I think it's conversation to remember which also talks about the necessity of vaccination as part of the licensing process. So, I have an I own two cats. Uh, I was involved in the committee that
was thinking about this legislation. We talked about it a lot. And obviously, when it comes to any communicable disease, who owns the cat, knowing uh what to list, things like this, it just helps with
tracking and vulnerable safety because if you know who there might be sick, you can notify them and take things from there. Thank you. Um, and in terms of the brook, how much of it was walked? Mr. Arthur said it was
the um, 300 and 400 block of Myrtle >> 200. Oh, >> sorry. >> Walk the 300 because it was on the way to the 400. >> There you go. So, 200 Mr. Disco entire thing uh, twice a year. Uh but this particular walk was to look
at the vegetation um uh you know growing along the Gabrian walls and those are really the blocks that we have to concentrate on that if you take a look you can obviously see it. Um and those are where we get the most complaints. So that was the the focus of this walk in
particular. Um I don't believe there's any sort of brook report. Mr. Arthur they were gathering um you can talk more about it if you'd like. I know you were just gathering addresses so that you could provide a quote. >> Yeah, basically I need to provide to the vendors, you know, from this address to
this address. How much would it cost essentially to to clean it all up? So, I just need to give them a range of addresses. It was a lot easier to see from inside the book than from, you know, around people's houses and stuff like that. um getting in there was pretty apparent where the more
problematic spots were as opposed to the the less problematic spots from, you know, inside the book. It was a lot easier to see. Yeah. >> Okay. Um I think we answered uh and Mr. Patterson
asked where the um bond part of the bond was. It was the infrastructure match part. Correct, Mr. Arthur? >> Yeah. funding, but I believe it literally says Center Street Safety Corridor. >> I believe so. >> In that portion of the bond and when you said it's 39,000, um I also believe that
amount is correct. There might be a little bit extra for down payment and stuff like that, but but yes, I believe without it being in front of me, I believe that was correct. >> Okay. >> Um and the sewer issue was not at the wreck complex. Councilwoman, >> this is sanitary sore back up at the
municipal building. here. Um, I can get more detail if you like, but this is the only thing that just says they were here for sanitary sort of knockout, which I'm assuming for bathrooms. >> Yeah, >> bathrooms and from what I understand it's isolated to to so
it's not >> and it's isolated specifically to one. It's not it's not a widespread major, >> you know, issue or anything like that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, consent agenda. Let me just
make sure we answered everything. Yep. Okay. Consent agenda. Does anybody have anything they need to remove? Okay. Any discussion? Um, >> do I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda?
>> Second. >> Thank you. Sorry. Uh, roll call, please. Councilwoman Bodto. >> Hi. >> Councilman Foley. Hi. >> Councilman Carney. >> Hi. Councilman Lazro. >> Hi. >> Councilman Padusnia. >> Council President Naldi.
>> Hi. >> Okay. Um, no new business. Payment of claims, please. Miss Vasquez. >> Be it resolved that the following claims as approved be and the same are hereby ordered, paid when properly signed and verified, and the payment of payrolls as
listed is hereby confirmed and ratified. >> Do I have a motion to adopt payment of claims? Served. >> Second. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Bodto. Hi. Councilman Foley. Hi. Councilman Carney. Hi. Councilman Lazero. Hi.
>> Councilman Padusniac. Council President Noli. >> Hi. >> Okay. >> The regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Information for meetings is posted on the burough website. Do I have a motion to adjourn?
>> Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Okay, thank you everybody.