Oh, she got somebody died. No. >> Welcome everybody. If I could have everybody please stand for a moment of silence and salute to the flag. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. My nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> 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 provisions of the open public meeting law chapter 241 PL1 1975. Roll call, please.
>> Mayor Blumentock, >> here. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> here. >> Councilman Foley, >> Councilman Carney, >> Councilman Lazero, here. >> Councilman Padusniaak, >> Council President Ni, >> here. Uh, roll call of staff and professionals, please. >> John Arthur >> here.
>> Adam Abramson, >> here. >> Michael Disco, >> here. >> John Pryy >> here. >> Um, okay. We will start with our report from our burough engineer, Mr. Disco. >> Thank you, mayor, and good evening, everybody. I prepared an agenda.
Hopefully, everybody got it. Um, it's just really an update of some of our projects. Yeah, >> thank you. >> Uh contract 2025-1, which is our municipal aid 24 uh project resurfacing
of sections of East Street, New Street, and Walnut Street. We had the uh pre-construction meeting recently. We commenced construction on August 25th. On the 28th, the contractor uh arrived at Walnut Street and did all the concrete work, the sidewalks, handicap
ramps, and uh the two aprons for the fire uh rescue squad there. And they completed that work prior to school opening, which was a good thing. Um the New Jersey American Water also did um I think three service repairs on Walnut
Street on the Saturday before school started. He also did some minor repair work on um New Street. National Water Man uh was at those three streets today doing um the alternate work for TV
inspection. Um I did speak with them multiple times throughout the day. All seem to be well, which is always a good thing. When I get the reports back, we'll review it and then we will um the trees are also scheduled to be planted very shortly. Caffrey has met with Bill
And uh we've added I think four trees to the project which is fine. And uh assuming New Jersey American feels confident in their settlement of the the um services they've done, we will look to schedule the milling and paving and
hopefully we can choose a time that works for Walnut in relation to the school. It is on the other side of um South and North Avenue from where the other two streets are. So we'll bumble through that in some way. Um, that's what I have on that project.
If there's any questions on that, going quickly and smoothly so far. Uh, quote 20252, which was the point repairs on various streets. National Water Man was the low bid contractor. So, we have confirmed a pre-construction
meeting for Friday. And I did get a text this afternoon, 9:30 we're going to shoot for on that. And uh it'll just be really John, myself, and perhaps DPW and the police. Um we listed the uh the repairs there for the base bid,
alternate one, and alternate two. And um that pro they probably will get about three repairs done in a day typically. So if you're looking at 6 8 10 of them, they're talking about a 3 4 day project there. So hopefully very contained with
traffic. Uh, South Avenue ramps are commencing. I know John had in interacted with the contractor and Denbar Construction who's worked in town before uh I know had picked up the county permits uh from u county um public works
department and they're beginning that tomorrow. I imagine that's going to be a fairly quick installation. Um excavation and curb forming probably going to happen tomorrow. the forming for the foundation for the beacons. So, it should be just a quick really
turnaround time other than waiting for the concrete to be ready for it. Um, we're we're looking at additional point repair quotes. I talked to National Water Main to confirm that they think they can get three in one day. So, it's just a question of whether we're
going to do a one-day quote or a two-day quote. And I will have those quotes out this week. Uh, we're targeting Oak Street where we think we would need the repairs. Uh any questions on those so far? >> Yeah. Yes. Um describe just
>> sorry. Can you describe in detail the point repairs? Sure. What exactly will that entail? And just so for the public's you know uh >> Yep. >> information so they understand. So when we have a sanitary sore defect and that defect is a very broad term but it could
be a protruding service could be a open joint could be a broken joint or could be a hole in the pipe um it could be uh tree roots that have entered a joint all of those things can be repaired and the traditional
uh repair options are a dig technique or a no dig technique. The dick tech technique is typical excavation and then pipe replacement and then back fill and restoration of the trench. Unfortunately, many of our soores,
especially be as those that tie into the trunk line, are very deep. We're talking some sores up to 15 ft deep. So, where we got lucky uh when we did hemlock and we had sores under 5t deep, that's an easy repair. But when they're 15 ft deep, you're talking about OSHA
requirements, uh, shoring traffic, very difficult and very expensive. So, the no dig dig techniques include lining or point repairs. Point repair is going to be a 6-foot liner section that's placed over
the defect or over multiple defects if they're in the same spot. It's impregnated with a liner and then you either cure it through heat um water or ultraviolet uh infrared sort
of uh which is very rare. So that basically they're going to impregnate this liner, put it in the right position as it cures throughout the day it hardens and it becomes a structural liner stronger than the original host pipe itself. So any of those defects
that shattered pipe, broken pipe, offset joint are now encapsulated in this new piece of pipe within a pipe. And there's it's smooth walled so the the flow isn't impeded. Uh it makes the condition better. You might take something that
might have in an 8 in diameter pipe an obstruction or something that is a paper catcher, which is a disaster in a sanitary source system. And that liner is now smooth and the the material flows right through it. So I hope I answered
the question. It did. Okay. >> Any other question? >> Anything else? >> Okay. >> And then the last thing on the agenda was um we will be looking to commence our fieldwork for the municipal a 25 work. Again, trying to go out to bid in
a spring uh of 2026 um position. Uh we listed the grant award, we listed what the approximate cost estimate was. It's always subject to change. So if we've got to prepare bonding, um those are some of the
numbers that we can use, rough numbers. >> Okay. >> And we listed the three streets that are involved. Um and um the municipal a 26 grant includes I think a portion of Willow that a lot of people have been asking about but that was included in the grant we
applied for back in June. >> Yes. >> So that's my report. >> Okay. Um thank you Mr. Disco. Um at our last meeting we passed a resolution purchasing some um pedestrian signals
for our center street corridor project and there was some work that went on this week. If you could just touch that on that with the ADA ramps. >> Sure. So uh John had indicated on center street the la the most southerntherly blocks Hickory Hemlock Hazel the eight streets
>> don't have um crosswalks that go across center street. They go across the minor streets, but they don't go across the wide street section. So, we were in a position that we utilized Midwest, who was doing the first um project here.
We're under contract on that and under the grant amount. So, we took that as an opportunity to install on two of those three intersections um additional handicap ramps that will now uh provide for handicapped access
across or traversing center street. So, the concrete work has been done. Um when they mo most likely when they come to do the striping for the paving, they would then go and do that striping. And if there's any obstacles or I shouldn't say
objects such as the new um arrows or bicycle s symbols, they will remove that, put the crosswalk in and then we would relocate those symbols immediately adjacent to it so that we don't lose that new functionability of it. The the
the ramps were added at Hazel and Hemlock and not on Hickory, which is really right by the park entrance. And um if you crossed on the south side of Hickory there, there's really no through traffic at that point. So um we we kind
of economized it and did two out of the three intersections. So >> Okay. Traffic. And and you said the painting then when they come to do the painting after the paving is >> I would think so only because otherwise they're going to bring in a striper just for that which we could do. Um, but I'm
thinking if the paving is very near-term based upon the results of the TV inspection, then we might be only talking about a week or two or three or something at this point in time. >> Terrific. Does anybody have any questions? >> Yes.
>> First, just a thank you for the for the quick work on the uh on the ramps and the uh crosswalks there. >> Uh we had had a resident come in. We had discussed it in police committee. Uh so, thank you for that. And um just a heads up, we've also been discussing uh sight
lines at intersections in police committee uh the last couple times we've been in. I'm probably going to reach out to you in reference to that for a couple of specifics from the engineering perspective. And I would imagine this is eventually going to end up in the public works committee uh for some some work.
But uh just a heads up, >> not an issue. Uh, one of John had gotten a call. One of the a sprinkler head which is somehow between the sidewalk and the curb really in our rightway somehow got damaged and the contractor
did react it when when I asked them to but uh they they didn't um weren't able to contact the homeowner. John gave me the phone number today which I then texted to them. So I imagine that sprinkler issue is going to be resolved very quickly. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. It's hard. It's without the water being on. Sometimes it's hard to see it. Although sometimes it's easy to see, but in this case they needed to get that. >> Okay. Terrific. Anybody else? All right. Thank you, Mr. Disco. >> Thank you.
>> You are free to head out. >> Back to work. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Report from our bur attorney. >> Uh nothing new to report. >> Okay, Mr. Arthur. Yes. Um, so you'll see
ordinance number 25-24 introduced tonight. Uh, this really just kind of cleans up language for animal licensing. Um, clarifies a lot of things, but mostly is setting us up to allow for launching an online module that will allow people to pay for animal licensing
through the online module. You'll also see a resolution for municipo tonight. That is what the processing company will be for the payment through that module. Um, so they kind of go together. Um so we're getting closer to launching those
modules the you know the >> code and >> the code enforcement but then also when you mention mentioned last me meeting not isn't it's not a complaint module but it's a a feedback module >> the reporting >> yes report concern
>> concern yeah >> resolution number 25-173 is for a grandthro insurance company uh this is to purchase safety equipment and it's not a matching grant. Um, we're looking at getting probably some bulletproof vests and high visibility shirts for the police department.
Uh, resolution number 25-174. Uh, recycling company is um being purchased by another recycling company, but all aspects of the current contract should stay in place under the new company. Uh, the crosswalk at South and
West, as Mr. Isco said should start tomorrow and they told me probably two two working days approximately. So we should hopefully have it done by the end of the week. Um depends on how the the concrete cures and weather and stuff like that. U also the basketball court
at the athletic field is mostly complete. Uh I thought it looked pretty good. I walked around today but the backboard still needs the lines and stuff like that. So I'd say it's about 90% complete. Um, so yeah, just welcome to those projects. Questions, let me
>> any questions for Mr. Arthur? Okay, thank you. Uh, a quick report tonight. Um, there will be a 911 remembrance ceremony here in Burough Hall on 911 at 7 p.m. Uh, our
first responder departments will be a part of the ceremony, uh, helping us mark the day. We will hear a poetry reading from Councilman Mark Lazerell. Uh and there will also be a special guest speaker from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Greg Johansson, uh who
worked evacuating terminals of the port of New York and New Jersey that day. So, please come and hear his inspirational words as we remember those we lost and honor their friends and families. Uh a reminder about the senior barbecue which the burrow is holding in
conjunction with the Garwood Lions Club. It will be at 12:00 p.m. on September 13th uh this Saturday with hamburgers and hot dogs and other goodies. There will also be some line dancing which will be a nice treat. It is a free event open to all Garwood seniors and will be
held at the Knights of Columbus. Um and just uh lastly, I know we've all heard about the young teenager Ivy who's gone missing here in Garwood. The Garwood Police Department is working their hardest to find her and there are pictures and other information up online
for everyone to share and help. We are all praying that she returns home safely and we send her family our thoughts and prayers as well. Uh before we move on to council comments, um I just wanted to make a
statement regarding the fourth round housing element. Uh, as you know, Garwood filed its fourth round housing element and fair share plan or HFSP with the DCA on June 13th in advance of
the June 30th deadline. The plan had gone through months of discussion before the plan between the planning board, council, and our affordable housing planner and attorney. The plan also had two public hearings and was and still is available to the public at garwood.org
or at the time, our planner and attorney did inform the public that any developer or interested party could challenge the plan up until the August 31st deadline other than a letter from the Fair Share Housing Center seeking additional documentation.
The only challenge was filed on August 27th by the record owner of the Garwood Paperboard property, which we understand to be a subsidi subsidiary of Garwood Homes. The challenge was not expected as up until that very day though Garden
Homes had not fulfilled its original third round agreement, we were working with Garden Homes in preparing a new redevelopment plan to be included in the fourth round HFSP. Obviously, as it now involves ongoing litigation, the council and planning
board cannot comment further. However, I feel it is important to let our residents know that the plan put forth was and is a solid plan. It took into account what the state of New Jersey requires of all municipalities regarding the state's affordable housing mandate
and also took into account the best interests of Garwood. We do intend to defend the plan and represent the interests of the residents of Garwood and we will not be intimidated nor swayed. I will provide any possible
updates as developments occur. Councilwoman Bodto, comments from the council. >> Thank you, Mayor. No comments tonight. >> Okay, Councilman Foley. >> Thank you, Maya. I just want to say that uh before I
speak on something tonight, it's important to first acknowledge our thoughts and prayers with Ivy and her family. We urge everyone in this community to do everything they can to help when something like this happens here at home and reminds us how important it is to come together as neighbors and we look forward to her
return. The second part I don't want to say and like uh I've been all day like going back and forth and I'm going to cuz I just feel like it's morally right to do. Um, so at this level of government, we often focus on potholes, budgets, and public
safety. Uh, but I would be remiss if I didn't know that what we're seeing on level right now is not normal. We massive number of cars ripping off streets and talks suggesting American city. It was wrong but simple. And in the first and second election, we put my
hand on the Bible and sworn both to the constitution. That oath was not to a party, to an individual, but to the ruler of law and the principles of democratic government. And an elected official when he or sees things at alone has a duty to speak up. Silence of the
face of what is happening liberalizes it. Speaking up matters even here in the chamber like this. And so I call on all neighbors and communities near and far. Do not send the signal that everything is fine. People do what others do.
People do theirs do. If we quiet, others will take their cue and too. But if we speak truth, it gives courage for others to do the same. Listen in terms of vows in this country. It is dangerous in this role. Thank you.
>> Very well said. Um, Councilman Carney. Uh, thank you, Mayor, and uh, thank you for that, uh, Councilman Foley. Well said. Uh, I have a quick highlight from tonight's agenda. Uh, ordinance 25-24 is
up for introduction. Uh, the police committee worked extensively with the chief of police, the Burough Clerk, the Burough Attorney, the Westfield Regional Health Department, and our board of health on this update to chapter 58 of the Burough Code uh, earlier this year.
Uh, as a reminder for everyone, the update is regarding pet licensing along with some general cleanup. Uh, we've held the linen committee while our clerk and front office uh, set up the new online licensing and payment portals that uh, Mr. Arthur just referenced in his report uh, to ensure the language
and procedures uh, in the text align with how things will work uh, both in the office and online. Uh this ordinance is recommended unanimously out of committee and I'm requesting full council support for the introduction this evening. Uh the police committee
also met uh right before tonight's council meeting uh with several items uh under continued discussion. Uh the committee is working on several updates to the burough code uh which will be in progress this month uh including a possible expansion of the time limit for
parking at JFK Plaza. a few public order related items uh that are being requested by the police department. Uh parking townwide related to sight lines at intersections uh continued support for the police department's accreditation and uh staffing
discussions for 2026. Uh all of these items are in various stages of committee work. Uh so I'll report out on them uh as they become ready for prime time over the next few meetings. And uh that's all for me. >> Thank you, Councilman Lizo.
Thank you, >> Councilman Padusniaak. >> Just my best wishes to Ivy and her family. >> You council president Naldi, I'll echo your comments. Um, safe return to Ivy.
Okay. Minutes, please, Miss Vasquez. Minutes of the regular meeting of the main council held on August 28, 2025. >> Can I have a motion to accept the regular minutes as presented? >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I opposed. >> Okay. Uh we have one ordinance up for introduction as mentioned. Uh can you please read ordinance 25-24 by title only? An ordinance amending the burough code of the Burough of Garwood by amending chapter 58 entitled animals.
>> Uh do we have a motion to introduce this ordinance? >> I'll make that motion. Second. >> Uh roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> I. >> Councilman Foley, hi. >> Councilman Carney, >> I. >> Councilman Lazro, >> Councilman Padusniaak, >> Council President Melody,
>> I. Uh, standing reports, finance, Councilman Foley, >> tonight, Mayor, >> Fire and OEM, Councilman Lazro, Community Development, Councilman Padusniaak,
>> public works, Councilwoman Boda. Thank you, Mayor. In addition to the reoccurring activities, DPW employees perform the following duties. Complete a residential pickup of household waste on wild goods. weekly pick up of residential brush and grass. Checked and
treated reoccurring problem sewer lines on a weekly basis. Cleaned up the litter and debris throughout the grounds at the sports and recreation complex. Both sides of the underpass sidewalks on Center Street and Kennedy Plaza as well as around the bus stop enclosures along
North and South Avenues. Repaired broken street and traffic signs in various locations. Clear debris from storm water drainage inlets on the north and south sides before and after heavy forecasted rains. Did no parking boxes and yellow
intersection line at the intersection of New Street and Willow Avenue and the handicap spots on Beach Street and 4th Avenue. Um just a few reminders since I'm sure many of us are starting fall cleanup. Both pickup applications are due on
October 3rd for October 20th pickup. Drop recycling is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th from 10 to 2:00 p.m. behind the DPW building at the end of Willow Avenue. Also, if anyone is interested in mobile paper shredding, the county is holding two events in
September. September 20th in Cranford at the Union College. Um, and on September 26 in Westfield at the Westfield Memorial Pool. These events are held rain or shine from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For any questions, you
can check out uh, ucmj.org. Thank you. >> Uh, police Councilman Carney. >> Feel like this side of the dis never never gets a light. Uh, I do have the latest police department report from Chief Pridey. Um,
the Garwood Police Department recorded 2,191 calls for service during August 2025. These calls include, but are not limited to, 443 motor vehicle stops, 45 parking complaints,
167 fixed traffic posts, which are radar, stop sign, and distracted driving details, 332 building and property checks, 32 medical assists, 77 community policing posts, 20
walking posts, uh 18 suspicious persons or vehicles investigated, uh 89 criminal investigations and 19 motor vehicle crashes. Uh and this actually happened only a few days ago, but I just want to highlight
uh the uh officers uh had a had a uh little bit of a incident that involved a uh a foot chase and they were able to uh apprehend the suspect and uh just job well done to the uh men there, chief.
Um, in the month of August, uh, Officer Shonberger, uh, became a certified Alcatest operator, uh, after completing a week-long class administered by the New Jersey State Police. Uh, this valuable certification allows an officer
to conduct breath testing in-house for alcoholrelated DUIs. So, uh, congratulations to Officer Shonberger. Uh, the Garwood Police Department would like to remind everyone that school is back in session. Please be alert while driving, walking, and bicycling. Also,
school zone safety is a top priority. No parking zones are established around our schools to ensure safety for pedestrians. If someone parks in a no parking zone, they are limiting the sighteline of motor vehicles and pedestrians, creating a hazard. Please
do your part and find a legal parking spot. Uh finally, a reminder that the Garwood Police Department continues to take proactive a proactive approach to better serve the community. Uh if anyone has a complaint, we ask that you call
the police desk at 908789-1500 to report it so that officers can be dispatched immediately. Thank you. >> Thank you. Community engagement, Council President Naldi. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll start with the recreation report. Youth soccer programs
uh begin on September 20th and run until October 25th. These programs are open for ages 1 and a half to 7 and take place on Saturdays. Registration is open at garwood.com. Starting Monday, October 6th, there will be two programs offered at the rec
center for uh grades K through 5 for 6 weeks. These are the two programs, Legends and Lore, provided by Crayola Imagine Arts Academy. and this is going to be exploring um legends and lore phoenixes in the sky. We'll tell their
stories through paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. These legends may inspire awe, curiosity, or surprise, but they will all inspire our imaginations. The other program is science surprise provided by Mad Science. Young scientists will mix, bubble, and fizz
their way through thrilling experiments. From hands-on chemistry to dazzly creations in the kitchen, and to uncovering nature secrets with bug investigations and earth explorations, every session will be packed with excitement. Kids will solve mysteries
like detectives, build wild machines, uncover movie magic, and dive into the science behind toys and weather. All were sparking curiosity and making discoveries. So, register for those programs. Adult programs, we have adult open play
soccer every Friday evening from 8 until 9:50 on the turf field. Um, and that is a free program. You just have to register. Adult open play basketball will start back up in September on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00. And this is
also a free program that you just have to register for at garwoodre.com. A couple of um art programs for adults. We have adult ceramics. Take home a themed ceramics piece. The dates are Wednesday, October 22nd, November 19th,
and December 10th. Canvas painting will take place on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7. And again, you're registering at garwoodre.com. So, we're going to have some programs that um are not open yet for registration, but I just want to highlight them. youth basketball will be
will begin um in December and run through February. And that registration will begin at the end of September. And we're also going to have a new program this year called Cheer and Dance Squirts. It's going to take place on Saturday afternoons in January and February. And that's also provided by US
Sports Institute and will be open to ages 3 through 8. So those are things to be looking forward to. Um, we have upcoming events, upcoming fall events, Halloween parade and costume contest taking place on Halloween night, the Halloween house decorating contest. Um,
enter the contest by October 25th to win bragging rights and a gift card. Um, now I'm going to switch over to Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture. 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 age of all ages are welcome to choose a recent piece that best expresses their creative ideas. We will accept small sculptures, framed watercolors, pastels, oil paintings, photographs or mixed
media works. Please send a photo of your work with the dimensions to cnold@garwood.org before October 1st along with an artist statement in which you describe and discuss your creative practice. This just helps people understand what your process is when they're looking at your
art. Please consider the questions um such as what are you working on in your creative practice? How do you choose your medium? And how do you nurture your creativity? And that's all for my report. >> Looking forward to it. Uh library Councilman Lazaro.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Just a few upcoming activities happening at the library that I'll highlight. So there are two coding programs. One is for middle schoolers. That's September 16th and 23rd at 3:15. Um the middle school students are invited to explore computer programming
languages like Java, Python, and more. And then for students in grades 2 through 5, there's a program on September 18th, 25th, and October 2nd, and 9th. Uh this is where they'll learn essential STEM skills through active coding. Registration is required and a
limit of 10 participants. And finally, there's a program called Decorate a Ghost or Witch. This is a ongoing uh activity from September 26th through October 21st. You can pick up a wooden ghost or witch to decorate while supplies last. Write your name on the back and return it to the library for
display through October 21st. Afterwards, take it home for Halloween. And this is uh designed for participants in K through 8th grade. Those people will receive a goodie bag upon returning a decorated item. And that's all for my report. Uh, school board leases on Councilman
Carney. >> The next board of education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16th. Our uh, monthly mayor and council coordination meeting with the district has been rescheduled for later this month. Uh, so I should have more to report at our next council meeting. Uh,
the first day of school in Garwood was last week, so uh, welcome back and best wishes for a great year to all students, teachers, and staff members. Uh we also have back to school night coming up this Thursday, September 11th. Uh also just
another reminder that all Clark schools, including ALJ, are closed next Monday, uh September 16th, for a special election being held there for a school referendum. And uh that's all for this report. >> Thank you. Um, for our seniors, our next
meeting is on September 18th at 12 PM. And of course, don't forget the senior barbecue this weekend at 12 at the Knights of Columbus. And just a quick note, our Christmas party will now be on Wednesday, December 3rd. Uh, small business, Councilman Carney.
>> Uh, a small town open for business welcome to, uh, Heritage Personal Image and Grooming. uh now open at the corner of Center Street and Willow Avenue. Uh the mayor and council helped cut the ribbon and welcome another small business to town. Uh so good luck and
best wishes to them. >> Thank you. >> Uh board of health, Councilman Foley. >> Uh no report tonight. >> Planning board Councilman Carney. >> Uh no report tonight, Mayor. The next planning board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th. Okay. Uh
officers reports, Miss Vasquez. Zoning enforcement officers report for August 2025. Code enforcement officers report for 2025. Uh do I have a motion to accept the officer's report? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Okay. We will move into public comment. Uh if there is anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council, please step to the microphone, state your full name and address, and please limit your comment to five minutes. Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the council, Bruce
Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue, and I apologize for missing the meeting last week. Um, I was at Kitty's 101st birthday party and thank you very much for uh putting it on the record that she turned 101. And actually, Brenda Caffrey is a relative of Kitty. So, she was at
the party also. Um, I will be asking my normal question about how many parking tickets were given out. So, I don't know if the chief wants to announce it or whatever. Um, you talked about crosswalks and uh Mr. Disco, the engineer, he
mentioned about removing the bike symbols. I I didn't know you could actually peel them up. So, I guess that's what you could do. Uh, couple other items. Let's see. The uh Yeah, I watched the meeting last uh last time from, you know, my computer, of course.
But anyway, uh February uh 2025 at the you were talking about getting with the county. Uh February 2025 about the flooding. there was a a um state development and redevelopment plan uh
given to the commissioners by the state uh I don't know if it was a special meeting or something but there's no agenda or anything uh to reach but the question is the the redevelopment plan is basically all these high densities that you see and also the round four now
that uh we're embattled down there at the uh paper board but anyway it's something that you should be uh looking into because that's part of the problem of the flooding. Uh what the state is having and maybe you're not aware and maybe I should send you uh a document I
got off the site, but anyway, they're having an October hearing. There's four of them and you can send your you can send your comments in actually uh in writing or you could attend virtually or you can attend in person. I'll I'll send
you the document uh so you're aware of it. But I mean it's something that you really should be uh outraged about because it's impacting the flooding. All the all this high density is impacting the flooding. I mean you know right now my opinion all the water is coming from
Westfield. I mean yeah gargo generates water but but we have issues and of course Westfield is building high density just like us. Uh the Yeah, you're talking about the uh flood mitigation study that was in your
meeting last time. Uh in 2026, you the mayor wants to create a flood mitigation study. Um that's a good idea. I I agree 100% with that. Uh initially if you want to see a document in 2013 uh burough engineer Goreello
actually walked the brook checking the gabons and the service of the brook uh with Councilman Jim Matthew and also Councilman Bill Nersteade. Uh they did a report so maybe you should be able to find that somewhere in in your database.
It was I think it was June 2013 and it was a a a brook walk they called it. Anyway, that this the committee that you want to put together is very important and uh should be made of professionals. You mentioned the engineer of course and and if you can get any volunteers
uh citizen volunteers maybe civil engineering related environmental related anyone actually had the uh their residents impacted too like so all this all this input is really needed and I know this is just an initial stage uh
but hopefully something can come together and you can actually address these issues that we're facing up and down this brook like I said coming from Westfield So the uh yeah minute >> okay Harbor Consultants has has a the
circulation study for it was about 15 grand which is great because the previous uh quote was for 25 grand. So I appreciate the savings. Just a question there is is the circulation study scope was that reduced at all or is is uh Vic
from Harbor actually coming forward and giving us a great price because uh he loves Garwood. No, he doesn't. The lawsuit at the paper board you mentioned, uh, if anybody could actually give the public the docket numbers so they can look up all those documents of,
uh, that came from Garden Homes. And I don't know if we actually u responded, whoever. Oh, yeah. Who who would be our uh our legal representation for that? I Robert Ren, maybe. And I'm just wondering uh the cost
I mean, is the cost actually are we spending money right now on this or or are we going to be doing it in 2026? Uh, another one you mentioned clean communities grant last meeting and I'm just wondering that's that's a straight grant. That's not a match, I assume. Uh,
that's that's about it. I appreciate uh >> your time is up. Yep. >> I appreciate the flood mitigation committee that you're putting together. Thank you. >> Okay. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council?
>> Hi, John Bartleick, 231 Hemlock Avenue. Uh, at the last meeting, I just wanted to follow up. Uh, there was a discussion about listening and you were, uh, referred to a piece of video from December 2023, I guess it was. So, I hope you all went back and looked at
that. Uh, but most importantly, I hope you rewound it a little bit earlier and got to listen to Mr. Councilman Lazro's comments because Councilman Lazro and former Councilman Graham both responded to citizen comments. But in
Councilman Lazro's comments, he acknowledged and thanked the people who had spoken. He identified points of agreement and disagreement. He uh very uh meticulously outlined his thoughts very respectfully and
thoughtfully about in areas where we disagreed and and personally disagreed tremendously. Never once did I hear my words coming out of his mouth by the way, but I knew he was listening. Um and he ended by committing to an ongoing thoughtful and respectful discussion
afterward. that should be the role model for how you make decisions and do what you do. In contrast, in uh former Councilman Graham's farewell address, uh it was a case study or a master class in contempt
for constituents. He began by dismissing citizen input, calling town halls and other open forums a waste of time. Uh insisting you can't take the time to educate people, and at the end of the day, half of them are going to agree and half of them are
going to disagree. Well, welcome to democracy. Uh going on to say since this was the topic of listening, that's why I was amazed that this was cited. He literally says you can't listen to these people out here. Literally says that verbatim. I'm quoting them. It's in the it's in
the recording. And he goes on to say, the the reason you can't listen to these individuals, not because they're dumb, but even if they're intelligent, you still can't listen, because only you, believe it or not, have all the information necessary to make all the
decisions and only you know what you know, the rest of us ignorant. So absolutely, you have decision rights, but great decisions are not made in a uh echo chamber or in a vacuum. And that's the difference between being a decider
and being a leader. You're not just elected to make decisions, but you're elected to lead. Uh so, uh you have to ask yourselves, frankly, I think Councilman Graham, if he were to go back and revisit those, uh comments, he might even choose different words, but he said
what he said, and it's been held up as the uh role model for what you all might want to be. I suggest, knowing most of you, you'd probably want to be more like Councilman Lazro's remarks than what former Councilman Graham offered. But I
might be wrong. If I'm wrong, please, this is for the candidates going forward. This is for all of you. If I'm wrong and you want to Councilman Graham model is what you want, please don't wait till the last hour of the last day of the last term in office to tell us
that. Tell us when you're running for office that that's your perspective on participative democracy. That when you're going around on a listening tour or asking for votes or pumping campaign material out, say vote for me, please
then shut up. Unless you're going to agree with me uh or uh praise me because that's what I heard in those comments. That was not empath empathy and listening. Uh, I'm just going to end with uh one other related comment.
Believe me, I think it's a little funny story, but I have a twisted sense of humor. 6 months earlier, 7 months earlier, our bureau engineer sat right here and suggested to the council investing infrastructure grant funds in sewer uh review, maintenance, and
repair. One council member objected and offered a litany of reasons why that should not be a priority. I'm going to leave you tonight to ponder who that might have been, but I'll give you some hints. He was a role model for how you're supposed
to act. He knows everything there was to know about the topic. And he turned a blowtorrch on me and a couple other members of the community because we dared to question the uh methodology for collecting funds in the future to uh uh perform th those same kind of
activities. And with that, I'll I'll leave you. Thanks. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to address the mayor and council? >> Laura Thompson, 320 Pine. Um, I know it's a legal matter, but if you're telling us that you
submitted this stuff on time and that our our plan was solid, can you explain to me what we're getting sued for? What exactly are their charges against us that we have to fight against? I think as part of the community, we deserve to
know what are we fighting against? What are what did what are they saying we did wrong? Thank you. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? Okay. Can I have a motion to close public comment?
>> So moved to second. All in favor? I >> opposed. Okay. Um I thank everybody for those who gave comments. Uh and
we will take them certainly under consideration up here. Uh I will answer the questions that were asked. Um, Miss Thompson, there the as the plan, our affordable housing
planner and our affordable housing attorney explained during the public hearing, any developer or interested party could file a challenge to our plan. It it is not necessarily what is it it's not what is wrong with our plan.
They can decide that they would like to challenge it. Um, paperboard has filed a challenge. It is public. I don't, as Mr. um, Patterson asked for the docket numbers. I don't have them. Um, I'm sure
they everything can be opened. Um, but they can decide that they, which as I said was a shock because we were working with them on a plan up until that very day which was encompassed in the fourth round affordable housing plan that we submitted. Um, so we thought they were
in agreement. They have decided they're not in agreement and they they are challenging what is there. It's not what the burrow did anything wrong and it's not about whether we filed in time or anything like that. Um, they this is the
process through the DCA for affordable housing. they had that time after June 30th to August 31st to decide whether they wanted to uh challenge what our plan is. Um, as I said, I think I do think it is a solid plan. I think it
took the interests of the Garwood residents into concern um while also providing for the affordable housing mandate. So, as I said, we will not be swayed by their challenge and we will go
forward. Um, going to Mr. Patterson's questions. Parking tickets, you can talk with the chief afterwards about that number. um the circulation element that is the the
scope was put into the RFP and that was what Harbor Consultants came back with. Um our legal representation for the affordable housing um challenge is uh Bob Bernard because
he is our affordable housing attorney. um clean communities grant is not a match and I think that is it. Okay, then we will move on to consent agenda. Can I have a motion to adopt the consent
agenda? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Uh, Councilwoman Bodto, hi. >> Councilman Foley, hi. >> Councilman Carney, hi. >> Councilman Lazero, >> hi. >> Councilman Puzzniaak, Council President Ni,
>> hi. >> Oh, um, payment of claims, 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? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Bodto, I >> Councilman Foley, I >> Councilman Carney, I >> Councilman Lazero, hi. >> Councilman Padusniaak, Council President Ni,
>> hi. All right. The regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Information for meetings is posted on the burrow website. Can I have a motion to adjourn?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. All right. at the same time. >> One second. I just wanted to give you an update on 250 thing.
250 >> then three minutes probably four buttons just