I'll wait for John to step. Oh, sorry if every skipped this part. If everybody could please stand for a moment of silence and salute to the flag. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic
for it stands one nation under God, indivisibley 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 PL1975. Uh, roll call, please.
>> Mayor Blumentock, >> here. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> here. Councilman Carney >> here. >> Councilman Lazro >> here. >> Councilman Padusniaak >> here. >> Council President Noly >> here. Roll call of staff and professionals please. >> John Arthur >> here. >> Adam Abramson >> here. >> Michael Disco
>> here. >> Jonathan Pry. >> He's not here. He's in the hall. [laughter] [clears throat] >> Um at this m point if I could um get a motion to suspend the reg regular order of business. Uh and we will have discussion and appointment of the vacant
council seat. Can I have a motion to suspend the order of business? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh, in accordance with the municipal vacancy law, uh, the Democratic Municipal Committee has submitted the
following three names for consideration to fill the unexpired council term for December 4th, 2025 through certification of the election results of the November 3rd, 2026 general election. The three names, Deborah J. Ledger, Stephanie K.
Biano, and Thomas M. Engle. Uh, can I have a nomination to elect a council member? >> I would like to uh make a motion to elect Stephanie K. Biano for the vacant seat. >> Do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Okay. Uh, at this point I will open it for discussion. Um, which I'm actually going to start out if that's okay with everybody. Um, obviously I I think all
three names would be fantastic public servants, uh, and would do some very good work for Garwood. Uh, but, um, I thank you for nominating, uh, Miss Biano. Um, I think she would do a very good job and and I she have the
experience to know how good a job she would do. I think Councilman Lazero and I are the only ones up here who were um on council at the same time as Stephanie Biano uh when she was appointed back 2018. Um she was appointed uh for a
period of time to fill a term and um we I I have to say she did some amazing work during that time period for Garwood. Um it was lovely working with her then. um we came together and and really did some some good work and I
would be thrilled to have her up here. So, you know, I hope the rest of the council feels the same way. >> Yeah, I mean, I'm really thrilled that um Stephanie can can join this this body. Um she's collaborative. She um is
someone that is down to earth. Uh she'll tell you like it is. And uh I think that makes her a really great asset to have on on council. >> I completely agree. Yes. >> Um I would echo uh Councilman Lazero. I'm I'm thrilled to be able to get
Stephanie up here. Um I've had the uh pleasure of serving with her on the planning board uh for a couple years now. And uh back in 2018, I used to sit in the audience and live stream everybody else. So, uh, I remember some of those meetings and, uh, I remember
the the work that was put in there. So, and just the other the other two folks that we, uh, submitted, just putting my chairman hat on for 30 seconds. Um, you know, Debbie, who's also in the audience here tonight, would also be an outstanding pick. Um, one of the one of
the kinder people in town I know and and been a great volunteer for a lot of years. And, uh, Tom and Glee is just a stand-up guy. uh he served on this council uh I think back in the early 2000s. Uh so I mean we had three great
choices here. Um but I'm confident in the uh nomination we have before us. >> Okay. All right then. Without further ado, if we could have a roll call then please. >> Councilwoman Bodto. >> Hi.
>> Councilman Carnegie. >> Hi. >> Councilman Lazero. >> Hi. >> Councilman Padusniaak. Council President. >> All right, then. Congratulations, Miss Biano. >> I'd like to call you up and we will
administer the oath of office. Yeah. Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right and repeat after name to grant the between us. >> I, Stephanie K. Biano, >> I, Stephanie K. Biano, >> do solemnly affirm
>> do solemnly affirm >> that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States >> that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> Constitution of the State of New Jersey. that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> That I will bear true faith and
allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government established >> and to the governments established >> in this state >> in this state >> I messed that up to the governments established >> to the governments established >> in the United States
>> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> and partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all of the duties of council member
>> all of the duties of council member >> for the burrow of Garwood >> for the burrow of Garwood >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you madam. Excuse me. Thank you.
You're >> welcome. Congratulations. You have a borrow up there waiting for you. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, welcome back. We should say, right? [laughter]
>> But it feels the same. All right. Congratulations again. Um, do I have a motion to resume regular session? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I opposed. >> Okay, we'll move along to regular
business with our report from our burough engineer. >> Good evening, mayor and council. Uh, we'll start with very good news. So the first bullet point there was uh on the eve of the League of Municipalities,
we were uh informed of our NJ DOT um 2026 grant award in the amount of 322,825. So that's a a good solid award. Uh if you go down to the third bullet point, you'll see last year's award in the mid200s. So this is significantly more.
Why? I can't tell you. They generally say the higher the traffic on the street is, the better opportunity for the grant is. So, Second Avenue certainly has a lot of traffic. And uh I think the sidewalks on South Avenue probably also helped. We did get a letter from the
Union County engineer supporting that grant uh identifying location. So, um there we have it. So now I think Sandy does her magic and you know matches the grant and then mayor will have to sign some stuff and the clerk will have to
sign some stuff and sometime in 2026 that money will become available to use. >> Great. [sighs] >> Continuing with our NJP mandated stormwater mapping. Uh we've essentially completed all of our fieldwork and are working on the map and that map has to
be submitted by the end of the calendar year. There is a um New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers and Municipal Engineers webinar by the Union County NJD rep tomorrow. So, we're going to listen in on that and see if they have
any interesting to say that we're haven't incorporated yet. And we're on target to submit that mapping in compliance with the uh storm water um grant that each municipality has to do.
And then the next couple are just really recaps of some of the construction projects that we put out. Uh municipal 825 work that was done. I think that worked out very well with the school. We didn't seem to have great conflict
there. Uh the trees have been planted. Mayor, we're going to try to get those additional ramps on the side of the school building. That contractor is currently in Paripony wrapping up work. So when they complete, weather permitting, we're going to get out there. I've been out there. I would also
like to add maybe the sidewalks going into off the rightway into the first aid squad. Again, we're under on the grant right now and I think we can probably do that work for free. >> That would be great. >> Um
point repairs. Um again, National Water Main was given the first uh quote on that and they were out there in mid-occtober and did multiple of those point repairs. And I think we did another quote which was um a much smaller in scale. That was Vortex. I I
imagine we awarded that as well. And >> yes, >> I'll reach out to them, see if they can get going on that. >> That's really all I have is we want we really wind down the construction period now as the weather starts to turn. Uh the asphalt plants typically are open to
around Christmas around New Year's. Then they they typically shut for asphalt materials. So um unlikely that you're going to see mass uh paving in any uh format um in that interim. Our municipal
25 work that we're doing the fieldwork on. Again, we've finished all the fieldwork on Maple Street, which is the longest of those three on that grant, and West Street, and then Gallows Hill Follow. Obviously, we're trying to get that out to get a design to them for a
spring bid for that project. And that's what I have for you tonight, Mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Moving along pretty well, I think. Does anybody have any questions for Mr. Disco? Okay. And I just uh want to let
everybody know um as we've been working on, you know, the point repairs on our storm sore system, um Mr. Arthur and I have been talking uh with our our VSSA rep about our sanitary uh sore system.
Um and some, you know, just getting different information there. there was a project uh that they have done on um our system a regrouting of some of them to to fix some INI. Um but I I have asked them actually because of that and
because of just some other things that I'd like uh addressed um our representative is going to see if the RVSA can come into a meeting in the new year um so we can address that project. They can talk to us about what's been going on in Garwood. uh any questions
that our council may have. I know I had a few for the representative and um I think it would just be helpful if we did that in public. So, uh I just wanted to let everybody know that that will be forthcoming in the new year. Okay.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Disco. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome to head out if you'd like. >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Um a report from our bar attorney, Mr. Abramson. >> Uh nothing new to report. Okay, Mr. Arthur, report from our bur
administrator. >> Yes, thank you. I will first welcome and congratulations to Miss Biano. Um, also want to thank the fire department for their response to the recent fire which unfortunately did destroy a house in in Garwood. Um, they did respond quickly,
efficiently, and effectively. They were able to contain the fire before it spread to multiple properties. Um, so, you know, definitely proud of the work that they did. Um and please note also that there is a donation box for household goods for the family that was displaced in the hallway.
So please consider you know giving to that as well. We are actively working on the 2026 budget. Department heads and program managers have been asked to submit their uh budget requests to me and the CFO by Friday, January 2nd, and they've been given all the forms
necessary to do to do so. Uh, ordinance number 25-26 on the agenda tonight regarding body art. Um, discussed this last time, but just as a reminder, this came originally from the planning board approving um, and council voting body art into the code early this year, but
this update is needed to create an actual mechanism for the related to that code. Um, 25-27 changes paid parking in JFK Plaza from 6-hour spots to 10-hour spots. uh we found that those spots were being
underutilized compared to other parking zones in the burrow. So essentially we hope this creates uh encourages to use that lot. Ordinance number 25-28 sets forth listing sponsorships on resolutions and ordinances um as a duty of the municipal clerk. And that is it
for my report. >> Okay. Thank you. Um and I know some of this might be a little repetitive but um I think it's important. So, I did want to give a big thank you myself to the fire department um as well as our police
department DPW who was there and our mutual aid first responders. Um what was a catastrophic fire this past weekend on Center Street could have been even worse. Uh but our responders were able to evacuate everyone safely. Uh and our fire department was able to contain the
fire from spreading to adjacent houses. So, job well done everyone. I have been in contact with the family who live there as well as their close friends and family who are working on donations for them. They lost everything and of course are living with family temporarily. So
um as Mr. Arthur said, we are collecting household goods for them in the burrow hall burrow hall lobby and there is a gofundme which you can find on my social media pages. Uh I've heard from so many residents who are just looking to help so I know we can come together and make things just a little bit easier for
them. Uh two weeks ago, I attended the League of Municipalities along with Councilwoman Bodto. We attended some learning sessions, spoke with officials and professionals around the state, uh and researched possible vendors. Uh I
want to also announce that I was elected to the executive board of the League of Municipalities where I will join fellow mayors and the league staff in advocating for municipalities at the state level. I thank you. I am honored to be a part of this incredible group and I look forward to making sure
Garwood and other small New Jersey towns get a voice on the bigger scale. Last week we had our first committee meeting with Harbor Consultants to discuss the circulation element. It was a productive meeting with the group going over a very rough draft uh with
the basic elements and discussing areas we want Harbor to focus on. The police department is also still gathering some data for the element, but the intent is for the draft to be available to the public towards the beginning of February uh and for a public hearing on the element to be had at the February
planning board meeting before any adoption possibly set for March. The municipal alliance met earlier this month. Uh it looks like we will be switching next year from DARE to a new program called Alert. uh which is a very similar program that other towns around
us have already made the switch to. Uh and this program will will allow officers to be trained to in uh more officers to be trained to instruct the program at Lincoln School as it's uh a less intensive and timeconsuming training period. Thank you to everyone involved in the
Christmas tree lighting this past Saturday. The police, fire, first aid, and DPW all did a fantastic job. uh as did the celebration singers and Lincoln school choir. Uh a big thank you to Union County for the use of the stage. I
think it really added to the night. Uh thank you to the girl and boy scouts, the green team and the library, everybody who volunteered that night. And especially a big thank you to the recreation committee uh and rec director Katya Lysac uh as well as special
recreation volunteer Brian uh Brian Tag. He he did a lot of lifting that night. It was really a special evening. Uh, and it was always magical to see the kids light up when Santa arrived. So, I really enjoyed it and thank you, Santa.
Uh, as you all know, on Tuesday, we had an executive session to discuss ongoing negotiations with Fair Share and Garden Homes. As they are still ongoing, it wouldn't be wise to give the specifics just yet. But in terms of the process, we have a final session next week when
if there is no settlement beforehand, the judge will give his ruling based on the special adjudicator's recommendation. This has been an extremely crunched time period for this process. Uh, and with the holidays coming, it is even more
crunched. Um, I do intend to try and have a town hall meeting at the school at some point so our professionals can lay out where Garwood stands and what uh has transpired thus far. However, the date of the town hall is up obviously still up in the air depending on what
happens next week uh and what may transpire transpire following that meeting um as well as holiday timing. But I assure residents we'll have one as soon as we possibly can. Um, and as I said before, no one up here is happy to
be in this position where we are negotiating with a developer against a plan he was already literally ready to sign. Uh, but this is the process that the state has mandated and our professionals really are working as best as they can in our interests.
So, just one more item on tonight's agenda. You will see resolution 25-0 TW-202. uh which is to send a message to the state legislature that we oppose bill S4736.
So this bill would allow religious and nonprofit organizations to convert certain property to inclusionary developments with affordable housing. However, this bill allows for preempting local zoning authority. It would require
a municipal planning board to approve an application to repurpose or redevelop an eligible property into an inclusionary develop uh into an inclusionary development regardless of the eligibles eligible property's location in the
municipality. And it sets forth other specifics, including that the development project shall be allowed a density of 40 units per acre and a height of one story above the maximum height otherwise applicable to the zoning district in which the eligible
property is located. I know that's a lot. I urge everybody to go back and check and take a look at this bill uh and and read it over and process those those items. Um, but I want to encourage the council to vote for this proposed resolution as this could obviously be
detrimental to all municipalities, but especially smaller ones like Garwood. Um, the League of Municipalities and the Conference of Mayors have been advocating against this, and I I do hope that you'll agree to add Garwood's name to the growing list of towns sending out this resolution as well. So, that is all
from me, and we will move right along to our comments from the council. Councilwoman Bodto. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, just a congratulations to Council. >> Thank you, Councilman Carney.
>> Uh, thank you, Mayor, and uh a uh big congratulations and welcome to Councilwoman Biano. Uh I'm very thrilled to look over and see you over there, and this is not a planning board meeting, so >> uh welcome. Uh I also look forward to
being your constituent next month. Uh you will get a lot of advice uh and help up here from your new colleagues uh as well as our professional staff and department heads. Um still my best advice for approaching service in elected office is pretty simple. Uh be
curious about everything. Have an open mind. Read everything. uh and make the best decisions you can on behalf of the roughly 5,000 people that are counting on us to get things right for them. Uh and treat the term you won up here tonight as the only one
you're going to have. Uh tonight it was up to the five council members who were left on the body to elect you and fill the vacancy. Uh but ultimately it's up to the voters uh not us if we were ever returned to these seats after our first election. So, if you treat your service
here like that and you respect the commitment of time and attention that being in one of these seats requires, uh I can assure you you'll have at least some fun doing this work. Uh and many chances to help people and leave the place a little better than you found it.
So, again, uh congratulations and do not break a leg because we need you at work. Um on tonight's agenda, uh Mr. Arthur touched on two ordinances that are up for uh first reading uh that I'm requesting full council support for. Uh
25-27 is a minor update to the parking regulations that will extend uh paid parking hours at JFK Plaza from 6 to 10. Uh next year's police committee will need to follow up with the chief of police uh after the first few months to
assess the impact and uh possibly consider additional changes. However, this adjustment is being made uh after observations and data indicate a significant amount of available parking in that lot uh during the day during the week. Uh 25-28 originated from our
discussion in the last meeting about including sponsorship of resolutions and ordinances on our agendas. Uh while working on this with uh Mr. Arthur and Miss Vazquez. Uh we determined the most efficient way to implement the change uh and ensure its application was to amend
the clerk's duties in the code. Um with that being said, uh I would also uh recommend that next year's council uh conduct a a review and go a little in depth on our actual bylaws um which have only had minor adjustments during my
term of service here. Um, I believe administrative procedures uh such as bylaws should be periodically reviewed to ensure adherence to the best practices. So, no further train changes may be necessary, but we won't know that unless we apply a fresh perspective. Uh,
and finally, I just want to echo, I'm sure, everybody else here on my thanks uh to the uh Garwood Fire Department. uh uh in addition to the the response here in town, just a few hours later they were on mutual aid uh engaged in literally fighting another fire and
that's a lot of work two fires in 24 hours for for anybody. So um we do appreciate it and that's all from me. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilman Lazra. >> So welcome aboard again. I'm very happy that you're on on the council on the dis
here and uh I I I do have a report from the fire uh that we've kind of mentioned a couple times so I'll just kind of >> sorry >> wait on that um but I feel like it's worth mentioning again at the fire report because it was it was a a really important um victory in terms of making
sure everyone was safe. So I will do a full report of that on the for the fire report and that's all for me. Okay, Councilman Padusak. >> Thank you. I just sincerest thanks to the fire department. Um, I think it's just that
everyone is safe and they're able to act so efficiently is a wonder. So, thank you, >> Council President Naldi. >> Thank you, Mayor. I would like to welcome uh our new councilwoman Bianca and I would also like to thank the fire department. Um I can tell you that I was
in my neighborhood on that very uh afternoon and it was nothing short of terrifying. So I I have the just the thanks from the bottom of my heart for um their swift response and their ability to um control that fire in in a
short period of time because it was it was terrifying. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And Councilwoman Biano, do you have anything you would like to comment tonight? Okay. So, I'm welcome, Tim. >> I'd like to say thank you to the Guard
Fire Department for their swift response and their volunteerism is is incredible. And with that, I'd like to thank everybody on this council for appointing me to the vacant seat this evening. In a way, this moment feels a bit full circle as this is actually the second time I've
been appointed by the Democrats. Even though the first time back in 2018, I was sitting here as a Republican. >> Anyone who knows me knows that I am not someone defined by labels. I've always believed in substance over symbolism and in action over rhetoric and focusing on
what truly matters. My commitment is and always has been to the people of Garwood. I am here to serve every resident regardless of political party and regardless whether they vote or not. We are fortunate to live in a remarkable small town, one with tremendous character and so much potential. I believe that Garwood is is even a
brighter future ahead and I am honored to play a role in help shaping it. I look forward to working collaboratively with every member on this council as well with our burough administrator and our department heads to serve this community to the very best of my ability. Thank you again for your trust and for this opportunity to continue
giving back to the burrow of Garwood. Um, one more thing, uh, please be advised, effective immediately, I am stepping down from my class 4 position on the planning board. It was my pleasure to serve it, but I am not allowed to serve both. >> So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh, minutes. Miss Vesquez. Minutes of the regular meeting of the main council held on November 17th, 2025. Do I have a motion to accept the
regular meeting minutes as presented? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Communications. Miss Vasquez. >> RVSA approved minutes from November meeting. Westfield notice of public
hearing on ordinance 2025-23 regarding land use requiring the provision of bicycle parking and establishing standards. Therefore, Westfield notice of public hearing on ordinance 2025-24
regarding land use ordinance requiring issuance of a zoning permit and Westfield board of adjustment public notice regarding appeals for bulk C and or D variance relief from requirements of the Westfield land use ordinance. All
received and filed. Thank you. Okay, moving along to ordinances. Uh, Miss Vasquez, can you read ordinance 25-26 by title only? >> An ordinance amending the Bureau of Garwood Code by creating a new chapter 112 entitled body art, tattooing, and
related services. >> All right. Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? >> Um, no, cuz I believe she wants this for public comment. Okay. >> All right. Does anyone present wish to
be heard concerning ordinance 25-26? Okay. Do I have a motion to close public hearing? No. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. All right. Any discussion among council? Okay. Do I have a motion to adopt this
ordinance? >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call, please. Councilman Bodto, >> I. >> Councilman Carney, >> Councilman Lazero, >> hi. Councilman Petusak, Council President Nel, >> I. >> Councilwoman
Biano, >> okay, we have two ordinances for introduction. Miss Vasquez, can you read ordinance 25-27 by title only? An ordinance of the burough code of the bureau of Garwood by amending chapter 21 entitled vehicles and traffic article
one traffic and parking section 21-8.8 paid parking zones. Okay. Do I have a motion to uh sorry to introduce this ordinance? >> So moved. Second. >> Uh roll call, please.
>> Councilman Bto. >> Councilman Carney. Councilman Lazero. >> Hi. >> Council, sorry. Councilman Padusniaak. >> Council President Naldi. >> I. >> Councilwoman Biano. >> Stay. >> Okay. Can you please read ordinance
25-28 by title only? An ordinance to amend section 5-11 duties of the burough clerk in article 2 office of the burough clerk in chapter 5 administration of the code of the bureau of garwood to amend the duties of the burough clerk to add
ordinance and resolution sponsorship to the agenda. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to introduce this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Uh roll call, please. Councilwoman Bodto, >> I have a couple of reservations of this.
Sorry. >> Um, okay. Do we want to open it for discussion or do you want to do discussion? We can do discussion at the second hearing. You want to open discussion? All right. We can open discussion. All right.
Anybody would you like to start? >> Sure. Um as he was mentioning two bylaws next year and we're going to revise. Yeah. >> Right. Um I think that was is a little wasteful.
Um also the changes are substantial when we have incoming council people that I really think should go in on this. >> Okay. All right. Anybody else? >> Um yeah. I mean I I the intent of the ordinance I think um I
think is in in good spirit. I I do um where I struggle is I don't know I have I did did not see any other town have sponsorship and I'm wondering why that
is. Is there other reasons that perhaps we're not seeing as to why that might be the case? Maybe there is some sort of, you know, legal reason or there's some other reason where it may be honorous for those municipalities as well. So, I
feel like I just am not ready to move forward on this tonight for me personally. Um, so that's where I'm at right now. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> Councilman, >> uh, the ordinance speaks for itself. Um,
I will motion the question. >> Okay. If there's any other discussion, we can move to roll call. >> Okay. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Bod. >> Councilman Carney. >> I.
>> Councilman Lazero. >> Hi. >> Councilman Padusniaak. >> Council President Nel. >> Hi. Councilwoman Biano stay.
>> Okay, this is introduction and we will move along. Council standing reports. Um, we don't have uh finance at this moment. Um, fire Councilman Masro.
So, as I mentioned before, this is going to be somewhat redundant, but maybe a little bit more specific, but I still think it's worthwhile for us to celebrate the fire department, even if we do it multiple times. So, at around 2:30 p.m. on November 29th, uh the same night as our tree lighting festivities,
a confirmed structure fire on Center Street in Garwood occurred. Garwood Fire Department unit 1 arrived on the scene with uh eventually multiple mutual aid engines joining to help out. After several hours, the fire was contained. The fire is currently under
investigation by the Union County Fire Investigation Task Force and no injuries were reported. The family and friends of the family displaced by the fire have put together a collection for household items that can be dropped off at Garwood's Burough Home as mentioned by
Bur Menstrred. Um and uh also uh I want to you know personally thank the fire department for still being able to pull up ensuring that Santa arrived at Christmas lighting festivities given the severity of the fire call. It was a really miraculous uh feat of you know
strength in in working together as a team to accomplish yet making sure that fire was controlled as well as still making sure that our uh the spirit of that night still stayed strong. So that's all from my work. >> Thank you. And yes, actually I I sent a
note over to the Scotch Plains Fire Department because obviously our fire trucks were indisposed um and Santa likes to arrive in Garwood by fire truck. So they were kind enough to to bring him over for us. So thank you to them. Um community development
Councilman Padusniaak, >> uh public works Councilwoman Bodto. >> Thank you, Mayor. In addition to the work activities, DP decorations, prepare the department spread or sorry, installed all holiday
decorations and assistance with the blows and tree lighting. Please the is scheduled for the week of December 17 and south sides. That's all for my report. >> Okay. Thank you, police. Councilman Carney.
>> Uh, thank you, mayor. The Garwood Police Department has recorded 2,48 calls during the month of November 2025. These calls include, but are not limited to uh 487 motor vehicle stops, 42
parking complaints, 130 fixed traffic posts, which are radar stop sign or track distracted driving details. Uh 451 building or property checks, 33 medical assists, 74 community
policing posts, 14 walking posts, 19 suspicious persons or vehicles investigated, uh 47 criminal investigations, and 21 motor vehicle crashes. Uh
I also have training and equipment updates from Chief Pridey. Uh in November, multiple officers attended state police training for the new uh Alco instrument. Uh this updated system is being introduced in phases and it will replace the current vitalizer units
in service throughout New Jersey. Uh also, Detective Miller successfully completed an interview and advanced interrogation course, which was one of my personal favorites uh from things I've attended over the years. Uh and also property and evidence management training. uh and all members of the
department completed the required training and qualified with the newly issued department handguns uh at the range. These upgraded firearms replace older models and they feature flashlights and mounted red dot sights to enhance accuracy and safety. Uh and
that's all for this report. >> Thank you. Uh community engagement Council President Ni. >> Thank you, Mayor. So, I think you've thanked everybody, but I'm just going to go through the list one more time. Many thanks are in order for the wonderful tree lighting on Saturday. Thank you to Katya Lysk for organizing and making
sure that everything ran smoothly. Thank you to Garwood Recreation Committee, Garwood Police Department, Garwood Public Works Department, Garwood PBA, Garwood First Aid Squad, Alen Keith Entertainment, Garwood Lincoln School Choir, the Celebration Singers, the Boy
and Girl Scouts, the Garwood Eighth Graders, the Garwood Shop, and the Garwood Dunkin Donuts, which provided the delicious baked goods and hot cocoa, the Garwood Green Team, who participated, as well as the Garwood Public Library. A fun family skate night followed at Warenko following the tree
lighting. We still have several things to look forward to with our holiday celebrations. Uh Santa's mailbox is um up and running at the Garwood Library. Students uh I mean children are invited to drop a letter into Santa's mailbox by
no December 20th to receive a reply by Christmas. The holiday house decorating contest. The deadline is December 20th. Winners will receive a gift card and bragging rights. The link to enter the contest is posted on the Garwood Recreation Facebook page. The Manura lighting will
take place on Tuesday, December 16th from 700 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. here at Burrow Hall. There will be music, free cider, and donuts for the attendees. Um, historical committee met on November 24th to discuss plans to organize materials collected at the library
during the coming year. There will be no meeting in December. And that's all for my report. >> Thank you. Uh, library Councilman Lizrael. >> Thank you, Mayor. Now through December 20th, the holiday photo station at the library is available. Come take your holiday picture at the do-it-yourself
holiday photo station, complete with a festive backdrop and a cardboard Santa. On December 9th and 16th at 3:30 p.m., there's a program called Code Forward, which offers middle school students the opportunity to learn computer programming languages such as Java,
Python, and more. On December 11th at 3 p.m., you can build a robot with the Brooklyn Robot Foundry. It's a combination of engineering and crafts. Students can take their robots home for more fun. This is for students in second to fourth grade, limit of 10. And on
December 16th at 3 p.m., there's a virtual adult craft. Pick up your craft supplies and instructions. Registration is required for the craft kits and is limited to 15 participants. Sign up on the library's website or calendar by or by phone. And that's all for my report.
>> Thank you. School board leaison Councilman Carney. >> Uh thank you, mayor. The Garwood Board of Education met on Tuesday, November 18th. Um the board heard a presentation on student safety and honored the monthly
Mustang movers um for board actions that were relevant to the burrow. Uh approval was given for use of the Lincoln School gym for youth basketball practices and games on Tuesdays and Thursdays through February of 2026. Uh and for some
basketball clinics and extra practices in December. Uh the mayor and I met with the board president and superintendent Dr. Marks earlier this week uh where an update on uh redevelopment was provided. uh discussions continued on a uh partnership between the burrow and the
district in uh 2026 and beyond. Uh the mayor is committed to uh continuing these regular meetings in the new year with uh whichever council member is selected uh as the board liaison for next year's council. Uh and the board will hold its final regular meeting of
2025 on Tuesday, December 16th. uh and has scheduled its annual reorganization meeting uh for Tuesday, January 6th. Uh that's all for this report. >> Thank you. Um Garwood Seniors have quick report.
Um well, yesterday we started the holiday season with our annual Christmas party at the Westwood. Uh it was great to once again enjoy good food and music as we celebrated and we danced a lot. Uh a big thank you to Jenny Brown for once again coordinating the event. She always
does a really great job. Um, and it was a very merry celebration. Our next meeting is December 18th at 12 p.m. at Knights of Columbus. Uh, small business advisory Councilman Carney board. >> Okay. Um, we'll move to planning board.
Councilman Carney. >> Uh, the next scheduled meeting for the Garwood Planning Board is on December 10th. Uh, the applications previously on the agenda have been moved to the January meeting. Uh but the board will still be meeting that night and holding an executive session regarding uh
affordable housing litigation. Uh and the planning board has rescheduled its annual reorganization meeting uh for Wednesday, January 14th uh 2026. And that's all for this report. >> Thank you. Uh officers reports, Miss Vasquez,
>> zoning enforcement officers report for November 2025. Code enforcement, excuse me, code enforcement officers report for November 2025. Do I have a motion to accept officer reports? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Uh all in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Public comment. If there's anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council, please step up to the microphone and state your full name and address. Officers, firefighters and resc Excuse
me. police department and should never be concerned. I was sung there. So So And they kept us free. They took the gar. very badly.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Pritchard. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? Please state your name and address and limit your comments to 5 minutes. >> Good evening, uh, ladies and gentlemen of the council, mayor, uh, Bruce Patterson, 325 Will Avenue. Welcome,
Steph. >> Thank you, Bruce. Haven't seen you up there since what was it 2018 for what's said. So, okay. Um, one thing I'm nothing I'm not holding anything against um, Miss Anna Relli, but but in the
emergency meeting, you had an executive session and it looked like she went into executive session about 10 years ago. And I'm sure you and I think Lazaro might have been on council, but anyway, Renard was the our burough attorney. And at that point, I actually thought or I
mentioned it was probably a good idea to have like the uh upcoming counselors go into executive session prior to being sworn in. And that's where attorney Renard said they're not sworn officials yet, so therefore they cannot go into executive session. I don't know if she
did or not, but she headed that direction. I just want to point that out unless something did change. uh as as to the three names u that the Democrat committee uh brought up. Debbie Le being one of them, Tom Glace, I know Tom very well. But anyway, I guess they get a
second bite at the apple once councelor K Carney goes upward to the assembly. The uh ladder truck, is there something wrong with the ladder? That's that's what the rumor is going around town. If you could just verify that that there may be an issue with the ladder.
the uh ordinance 25-28 uh that was for introduction. I think it passed three to two. But anyway, uh if you want to see something about sponsorship, take a look at the county agendas. Uh you'll see something similar. I don't know if other towns do
it, but the county does that. The uh yeah, the parking tickets, that's normal question. In the beginning of every month, I'm just wondering how many parking tickets were given out downtown. If you could have Chief Friday come up to the microphone for transparency and
give that number, that would be great. Uh, Reszo 25-202, that's the one with the bill. Uh, what's the bill number? Uh, S4736. It, you know, the federal the federal
government actually has an act called the Ruupa Act. I don't recall exactly what the letters stand for, but that is very close to what that this bill is. So, I mean, you can oppose the bill, but I'll tell you the the federal RU Lupa uh
act, I think, is going to supersede it probably. Uh just Yeah. One more comment. At the emergency meeting, I I was talking about pilots and that these pilots don't fund uh the district end with the special cost and such and and
Councilman Carney, what did he say? He said uh it's a constitutional right uh to provide special ed which I do agree but then he says it's our job as a community to provide it. Let me just point out and again as going back to the emergency meeting
maybe he's unaware of exactly what pilots payment in lie of taxes are about which are tax abatements but the pilots do not fund the board of ed which obviously has the special ed costs in it and I also mentioned about referendums
that the uh board of eds of Westfield Scotch Plains uh fam are having and the vot pilots don't fund that So, I mean, you know, he's going to be an assemblyman. He's going to be going up to the upper level and and he really
needs to be on the ball and and not make general statements that are erroneous. If if you would like to sit down with me and talk about pilots and and the mechanisms about the pilots, I'll be glad to sit down with you. >> I'll answer you on the record here when you're done.
I just don't I just don't want to see, you know, a member of Garwood going up to the assembly and just uh having a bad reflection on our town. I guess that's, you know, that I don't
want to see. So, I mean, I I'd be glad to talk to you about it, you know, inform you. I know you like to learn things. You like to read a lot. I mean, it's a fact. I know that. So, but anyway, that's my suggestion. Thank you very much. If you could answer the questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council?
Please step to the microphone. Okay. Do I have a motion to close public comment? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Um, regarding executive session and council
people elect, um, I have to disagree with the scenario and timeline of, uh, your comment, Mr. Patterson. I actually remember I I actually did go into executive session as a council elect, and so did Councilman Lazro. Um, so I
don't recall us not being allowed to because I actually it was actually about paper board. >> So, uh, so did so did I, Mayor. Yeah. So, um, council people elect are allowed to go into, um, executive session if it's about an issue that will be continuing on into
their, uh, term. Um, so again, at that point, negotiations were underway for paper board. And we did go in and full circle, we're still doing negotiations uh, in 2025 um, with the same the same developer.
So, uh, so yes, Miss Anarelli was allowed to go in as anybody who would be a council person elect would be. Um, Mr. Arthur, can you, uh, comment on the ladder truck? >> Yes, the ladder itself is not damaged in
any way. Okay. There was something um, and this is getting a quote from the chief. Um, a welding something about the welding on the outrigger part of the truck, which is covered by warranty, had some damage to it. Sounds like it's pretty minor, covered by warranty, and should not
really be a very big deal from what I understand. >> The ladder itself, uh, not not damaged. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Um, and just to, you know, let everybody know, all of our trucks, including, you know,
police and, uh, DPW, and every so often something needs to be repaired. So I I know sometimes a lot is a big deal is made out of um the ladder truck, but we often have garbage trucks in the shop at
various points and it's just a matter of providing these services. This is what happens. So um >> I was thankful to find it was under warranty though. So >> yes, that helps immensely. Um Chief, do you have the parking ticket number offhand that you want to come up or do
you want to do it after if you don't have it? You have it. All right. You're always ready. That's what I like like to hear that. All right. Thank you. >> 149 uh for pay party offenses. >> Thank you. Um and that's it. I expect
Council Carne, you said you wanted to respond. Uh yeah, it's going to be a pretty short response uh especially for me, but uh the reference that I made in the special meeting was the um continual efforts to tie these things together that have nothing to do with each other. And the
whole argument that's gone on in this town and many towns for years over pilots uh not funding the school district is just fundamentally dishonest. At the end of the day, the council has to provide the school district with whatever bill they send
us. Uh I am happy to report that there's uh legislation currently advancing uh in the lame duck of the assembly that may be able to address this with some some defined uh breakdowns of pilots to support school districts. Uh I believe
primarily the the legislaturator's interest in that was to stop these arguments from happening locally constantly. Uh so you know that being said I I've sat on this body for years. We have provided pilot payments um to the district. That's not required by the
law. It's something that this council has chosen to do every year. And uh I know going forward as we look at newer developments uh and however those things shake out, uh while the mayor and I were were meeting uh with the district the other day, uh we committed to continuing
that conversation as new developments happen. So um I I can assure you I have a pretty solid understanding of the issue. Uh, and we've spoken offline about it before. And because we've spoken offline about it before, you know, specifically why I'm objecting to
having special ed education brought up repeatedly with this concern. So, I will leave it at that. And thank you, mayor. >> Um, and I do want to apologize. I was just uh made aware or to remember that there was a comment brought um for the
council for public comment on through email previously. So, I'm going to ask the clerk to relay that comment. >> Um, this is from Allison Manor. Is that how you pronounce Menor? Okay. To the mayor and council of Garwood. I am writing because I'm unable to attend in
person, but I want my experiences to be included in the public record as you consider the new body art code. When I was a lease tenant in Garwood and I attempted to open Lost and Found Tattoo Studio in Garwood in 2026, I was
subjected to a series of harmful determinations by the zoning officer Burough Planner. These determinations were enabled by an incorrect 2012 resolution that claimed permanent cosmetics is not tattooing. This
resolution was contrary to the health department's own guidance at the time. Although my testimony in my use variance hearing was accepted as expert testimony by the Garwood planning board and although I repeatedly supplied the correct statutory definition, my
expertise aligned with state guidelines was ignored. I attempted several times in writing and through a planning board request for interpretation application to correct the misinformation, but the zoning officer continued to enforce the incorrect classification
and the planning board supported it through their resolution. As a result, I faced financial loss, delays, and emotional and administrative burden during a period when I was simply trying to open a lawful business. Today,
with the introduction of the new body art code, the bureau is finally acknowledging what has always been true. Permanent cosmetics is tattooing. I am not opposed to this code or to body art establishments operating in Garwood. My
purpose in writing is to ensure that the harm caused by earlier misinterpretations is not erased from the record. The same truth that is now being codified was my plea in 2026 and the burough's refusal
to recognize it at the time had real consequences for me. I respectfully ask that this statement be entered into the minutes so that the historical record reflects both the progress being made today and the harm that occurred to me and my business in the past. Thank you.
Allison Manor, 230 North Avenue West, Cranford, New Jersey. Thank you. >> Uh, mayor, just for the record as well, that individual was represented by an attorney in that situation and had every right to appeal and never brought it beyond that.
>> Correct. Um, and we did mention that when um at the last meeting. Um, but I will agree that I'm glad now that this uh type of business is allowed in Garwood. I think that um something like that could be bene very beneficial to our business, our local business
community. So, here's here's fingers crossed. Um, we will move on to the consent agenda. Does anybody have anything that they wish to remove? Okay, seeing none, um, can I have a motion to
adopt the consent agenda? >> Second. Okay. Any discussion? >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> hi. >> Councilman Carney, >> Councilman Lazero, >> Councilman Medusniaak, Council President
Noli, >> I. >> Councilwoman Biano, >> abstain. >> All right. Payment of claims, Miss Vasquez. Be it resolved that the following claims as approved B 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? >> Second. >> Uh roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Bodto, I. >> Councilman Carney, I >> Councilman Lazero, I.
>> Councilman Padusniaak, Council President Ni, I. Councilwoman Biano. >> Same. >> Okay. The regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Information for meetings is
posted on the burough website. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed. Okay. Thank you everybody. Do you mind? >> Okay. Thank you.
[laughter] >> This is yours again. >> Thank you.