We're live recording. Sorry. Welcome everybody. Uh, 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 and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, 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 PL1975. Uh, roll call, please. Mayor
Blumensttock, here. Councilwoman Bodm, here. Councilman Foley. Councilman Carney, here. Councilman Lazro, here. Council President Naldi, here. Sorry. Uh, Councilman Padusniaak is excused tonight. He's under the weather. Uh,
roll call of staff and professionals, please. John Arthur, Burough Administrator, here. Adam Abramson, Burough attorney, here. Sandy Bruns, chief CFO treasurer, here. Warren Cori. Okay. Bureau Auditor here,
Doug Stoer here. Nice and loud. Okay. Well, it's an exciting night uh because we do have a little bit of business to attend before the regular business. A little bit of special business. Um tonight we have a special presentation
and we are joined by Director Harry Delgado. Uh he is the director of the New Jersey State Association of the Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Uh the accreditation program is the method by which police departments calculate and
improve their overall performance and set standards and objectives. Um and it is a long process by which they examine their procedures and adapt them to meet these standards. Mr. Uh, Director Delgado will go over this much in much
more detail than I can, but um, this past March, after a two-year process, Garwood's Police Department achieved this accreditation uh, with the New Jersey State Association of the Chiefs of Police. Um, and this was a huge achievement. Uh, even more so given the
small number of officers and staffs in our department. It is a great statement to our residents of how seriously our officers take their responsibility to Garwood. Our police department adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards in law enforcement in New Jersey and this accreditation proves
that. On behalf of the whole council, I want to thank Chief Stoofer, Captain Roco, and all of the officers in the department for successfully undertaking this effort. And at this point, I will turn this over to Director Delgado. Madame Mayor, I don't know that I can do
much better than that. Thank you. So, um, this is okay. That might mean somebody that Okay. So, uh, I think to add context to what mayor just said and how significant this achievement is. So, there's over 570 agencies in the in the
state of New Jersey, law enforcement agencies. I'm sorry. Just want to make sure it's on. There we go. Nearly 600 agencies that would be eligible to participate or to uh apply to our credit agent programs. But out of
those only 54% have actually made it successfully and the Garwood Base Department happens to be one of those. So it is quite an achievement. If you indulge me for two minutes, I'd like to share with you the significance of the achievement. So, the Garwood Police Department has made a commitment to adhering to best practices at the state
and national level in a highly regarded statewide law enforcement accreditation program. This program administered to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission has helped to transparently demonstrate the professionalism and preparedness of
today's law enforcement uh agencies. During these uniquely challenging times and the threat to health and safety, encouraging law enforcement agencies to follow standardized practices and and policies is a potentially life-saving and cost-effective investment of time and resources. Accreditation status
status represents a significant professional achievement. Now for the citizens as you know that u typically want want to know what's in it for them. Research provided by the mail shows that uh accredited agencies have 11% fewer police professional liability claims,
11% fewer worker compensation claims, 31% fewer auto liability claims. Moreover, municipalities that participate in a male affiliated insurance plan uh stand to uh uh receive significant discounts on their overall uh policy for the police department. Now, in addition to these fiscal
benefits, there are other important benefits of accreditation. Great Asian provides objective evidence of an agency's commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service delivery. Government officials can be more confident in the agency's ability to operate efficiently and meet
community needs. And officers, as I see many here tonight, can take credit that they've been objectively recognized for their professionalism and adhering to the highest standards. I'd like to say before I close uh that at the end of those uh rigorous two years as the mayor just alluded to there's an inerson
on-site assessment and typically we uh come here and there's over 400 proofs of uh adherence to the standards and so we find something okay for which we have to sort of uh uh uh challenge the agency. I must say that the uh go police department didn't have anything. Their
actual onsite was remarkable and out of the report that was generated. I just want to paraphrase some of what was said. Since 2023, Chief Stoofer has been committed to elevating the department standards and professionalism by pursuing accreditation. This was a longheld goal that reflected his
dedication to ensuring the department that the department operates at the highest level of efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Under the leadership of Chief Douglas Stuffer, the Garwood Police Department is committed to providing the best services to the residents, commuters, businesses, and consumers. With a change of
technology and the demands of state law, they're committed to providing best practices in law enforcement to keep everyone safe and protected. Again, I say the fact that they had no issues as I referred to as I we referred to them in this process is truly remarkable. So it is the opinion of the assessment team
that the Garwood Police Department is a highly professional and committed agency which exemplifies all of the tenants of law enforcement at the state and national level. So, it is indeed my honor here tonight on behalf of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs Police and the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission to
congratulate Chief Douglas Stoer, the accreditation manager, Captain Sam Roco, the members of the Garwood Police Department, Mayor Council President, and those citizens that they so proudly serve for having achieved their initial accreditation, joining a very, very exclusive group of law enforcement agencies that have made this commitment
to excellence in policing. So, to all indeed, congratulations. This is where you get the clap for you. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to present you and the chief with the accreditation certificate, which is nothing more. The pausing time means that I'll be back in
three years. Congratulations. You want to take one? Okay, there we Need more on this side. for I just want to real quick I thank the mayor and uh director for for everything
that he said but I just want to take one second and uh thank the men of the gargo police department especially Captain Ro your hard work over the last couple years to get this done was remarkable especially with some of the university that were facing us with manpower and
everything else. I want to thank you for that. Also want to thank Mayor and Council John Sandy Adam for your support throughout this process. Um you guys really help us get this. So thank you
for that support. Thank you. going to come up here just to go back down. But uh again um to the whole department, thank you for that. It is truly an honor to be able to say that our department is accredited and um I
know as as Director Delgado said, it does um it gives the elected officials up here a a sense of um safety that that our department is following the the utmost highest ethical standards and
procedures and we just couldn't be prouder. We really couldn't. So, thank you so much. Um, and at this time we have another fun presentation to do. We have uh another officer joining our ranks. Um, and I am honored to swear him
in tonight. Officer Christopher Smemedberg uh was born in Danville and raised in Brick, New Jersey, where he graduated from Brick Memorial High School. Officer Smemed began his law enforcement career in 2017 with the New
Jersey Department of Corrections where he worked at Trenton State Prison for approximately six years. In 2023, he graduated from the Camden County Police Academy and began his career as a patrolman, gaining valuable experience
working for Lakehurst Township. Now, as he joins the Garwood Police Department, he says he looks forward to dedicating the rest of his career to serving and protecting the residents of the Burrow of Garwood. So, Officer Smmedberg, if you'll join me and if you would like to
have they do that after your family come up and help swear you in. We're gonna face this way so the camera behind from over here
and if you raise your right hand. There we go. You got it. And please repeat after me. I, Chris Medford, I, Chris Medford, do solemnly affirm solemnly affirm that I will
uphold the Constitution of the United States. I will uphel the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. That I will bear true faith and allegiance I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same to the same and
to the government established to the government established in the United States in the United States. and in this state and and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people that I will faithfully I will faithfully impartially and partially and justly perform justly
perform all of the duties all the duties of patrolman of patrolman for the burrow of garland for the burrow of garland according to the best of my ability to the best of my ability congratulations Officer over here.
here. Anyone else? Anybody want to get a real quick question? You're welcome. watch and I'll send you. All right. Congratulations.
Okay. We don't need that. Yeah. You're you're welcome to stay for the boring stuff, but specifically sorry. Yeah, it's it's the chief's okay. If do you mind just shutting the
door? Thank you. Okay. At this point, I would like to request a motion to dis suspend the regular ordin order order business so that we can hold the public hearing on resolution 25-98 for the adoption of the 2025
municipal budget as advertised in the Union County Hawk on April 17, 2025. Do I have a motion? So moved to a second. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. Um at this point, I am
going to turn it over to our finance chair. I know he has a little something to say. Um but right before that, I just want to thank again the finance committee for all of the time and effort that they put into this. Thank you to Miss Bruns for
all of her work. Uh Mr. Arthur for all of your work. Mr. correcting for all of your work. We all know up here how much uh time and effort uh a bud putting together a budget takes and um it is very much appreciated. Uh Councilman
Foley, all you being there tonight, we introduced the 2025 municipal budget for consideration. Despite rising costs, including a 5% increase in our RVSA bill, a 12% hike in healthcare expenses, and a $95,000 payout for our B&D fund,
which we laterated this year, we remained focused on delivering a budget that protects both our residents and the future. I'm proud to report that tax increase from the average home assessed at 400,000 is $557, reduced from the earlier estimate
of $61. This was achieved through careful planning, cutting, and making the sound investments where we could and make every dollar count. Every budget tells a story. This budget prioritizes what matters most.
One, road safety. We're funding the circulation element of the master plan, which directly addresses traffic safety, pedestrian access, long-term infrastructure improvements to make our streets safer for everyone. Two, economic safety. Instead of relying on
additional bonding, we're using our operating budget to fund important upgrades and repairs like storm and sanitary sewer work, protecting our long-term financial health, and avoiding interest heavy debt. Three, public safety. We're continuing to invest in
our police, fire, DPW, ensuring that our departments are fully funded and are supported as required to protect the community. And finally, connected infrastructure. How government services how a government serves its
residents by funding online software modules for animal licensing, code enforcement, and rental inspections, improving access, efficiency, and transparency. I look forward to supporting this budget and it's passing. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Miss Vasquez,
can you list the correspondence received concerning the budget? Bruce Patterson, Garwood resident correspondence received via email on May 5th, 2025 concerning a letter addressed to the mayor and council. Okay. Um, does
anyone please come to the microphone, state your name and address, and please limit your comments to 5 minutes. Love it. Anyway, good good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen, the council. Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh, thank you very much, uh,
Sandy, Mr. Greky, the finance team, the staff, the mayor. Thank you very much, uh, Mr. Foley for responding to some of my questions along with Sandy, of course. But anyway, uh I reviewed the budget, a lot of questions. I also sent
two sheets. Uh hopefully, uh I submitted up front to save time and hopefully we get some answers for the public as to uh my questions. And what it is, it's actually more or less say an educational process uh for once these questions are
answered the viewing public the the audience and even uh parts of the governing body would at least understand some of the process of the making of the sausage which we call a municipal budget. So hopefully uh you know if you
can't answer the questions you don't have to answer the questions but hopefully they're reasonable enough to answer. Uh, the second item is the sore fee. That's part of the questions. I really I've been talking about the sewer fee for what, two months
now? I really can't get my head around it. Uh, there's $76,000 uh in the budget for sewer systems OE, which is other expense. And I don't know if there's the a state legal description
of what sewer system OE means, but yes, we have $76,000 in that line. Yet, we're going to be collecting $150,000 from the residents. So, there's $74,000 that I've discussed about before in the past couple of meetings. And I
really would like to know how that $74,000 is being identified because resolution 257 spec specifically says the purpose of the fee is for operation and maintenance. So I'd like to understand what that
$74,000 is because it's not in the sewer system other expenses which to me is the operation and maintenance. So maybe through you to the attorney hopefully he can clarify it a little better uh of the legalities of what this is. Uh number
three is um the second sheet with the percentages. Uh hopefully everybody looked at it. You know, I I I said this before, the debt ratio, which Councilman Carney actually said is is going down, but the but
that's a uh false comfort only because yes, the uh equalized value of our homes are going up and even the debt is going up, but the value of the homes are going up faster. So, it looks like the debt is going the debt ratio is going down and the debt is going down. That is not
true. Debt is going up. And just keep in mind that it's not it's not the value of our homes that are paying for for this debt. It's actually the hardworking families, our salaries or the money that we're making. That's where it really is
coming to hit home. Uh there's there's also four items on that sheet that I talk about. Uh number one is the budget increased 4.5% from last year. The total taxes increased
2.2%. The debt is up 5.9%. The debt service is up 3.5%. So even even though the total revenues in the budget is up, we're still increasing the taxes and we're still increasing the
debt. This is an indicator that possibly something is just out of control. If you if you really if you look at the budget, it's actually up 11% over the past two years. Uh there's uh I guess just to wrap it up because
you know we'll hear some answers from my questions, but just one thing I I think we should really take the lead um you know because the taxpayers have good news that Councilman Carney actually stated in the newspaper uh the media that and I'm just going to read it. It
was in the Westfield Leader April 3rd on page six. It says, "My number one, two, and three issues are making New Jersey more affordable for all families and to stop overt taxing our families." So, so I would assume he's going to be good to his word and he's going to vote no on
this. Hopefully, everybody follows his lead in voting no on the budget and we go back to the drawing board and we rehash out this sausage to be a lot better for the taxpayers. So, thank you for being very
much true to your word. So, thank you very much. Okay. Uh, is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? Okay. Um, can I have a motion
to close public comment? Moved. Second. Okay, Mr. Patterson, there really wasn't any questions um in your comments. So, um thank you for your commentary. You asked again about the sory and I'm at
this point just going to say asked and answered. Uh doing it any other way would be illegal. This is the way. This is the way the money is collected and there's nothing else I can
we can say asked and answered. Um, okay. So, does anybody have any discussion that they would like to have? We're all good. We're discussed out. Okay.
Um, can I get a motion to adopt resolution number 2598 for the 2025 municipal budget? So moved. Second. A roll call, please. Miss Vasquez. Councilwoman Bodto. Hi. Councilman
Foley. Hi. Councilman Carney. Hi. Councilman Lazero. Hi. Council President Ni. Hi. Okay. Can I have a motion to resume the regular session? So moved. Second. Clarissa. Uh, all in favor? I I Okay.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cari. Good night. Good night. Good night. Okay. All right. Thank you. Good night. Uh we will begin with the report from
our burough attorney. Nothing new to report. Okay. Report from our bur administrator. Well, I did first want to thank uh our CFO Sandy for her work on the budget finance committee. Um just seconding some of the comments that were already made about the process and the amount of work that went into it.
So, thank you to everybody who worked on that. Um also want to thank our recreation director. We just keep going for more and more grants. We did submit that grant to the county for the capital improvement fund. We are asking for an additional $358,000 for the turf field. Um it's not
a matching grant. So, let's hope for the best and and see if we can get all that all that money, but we should know in June how much how much we're getting. Um, with the passing of the budget and the introdu introduction of the bond ordinance, there are obviously a lot of
projects underway. So, we are actively getting quotes, going out for, you know, putting bids together and just getting everything together to make all these projects happen. Um, I also just wanted to commend Chief Stoer, Captain Roco, the whole police department for the
accreditation. Um, as you'll also see on the agenda, their retirements are on the agenda as well. So, you know, I'm thanking them for their service. It's been nice. I only worked with them for a little bit over a year, but it was really, really nice working with with both of them. And then you'll also see on the agenda the um proposed promotions
of Chief Pride, Captain Lewis, and Sergeant Zacharowski. So, congratulations to them as well. and a welcome to Officer Smidberg. That's it for my report. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Um I have a bit of mine. Sorry.
Um so as uh Mr. Arthur said, you will see resolutions on today's agenda officially retiring Captain Roco, whose last day was May 1st, and Chief Stoofer, whose last day is June 1st. We were able to honor Captain Rocker Roco and April before he left and we will honor Chief
Stoofer at our next meeting on May 22nd. So, I hope you will all join me for that. It is the end of an era with both Captain Roco and Chief Stoofer's long careers ending here in Garwood. But their work and mentorship will of course be strongly felt as we welcome our new
captain PJ Lewis and the new chief of police, Jonathan Pry. I am honored to nominate them for their respective positions. They went through a rigorous structured process uh and worked hard to earn these promotions. I am looking forward to working with them in these
new roles and we will do the ceremonial promotion ceremonies at our June 12th meeting. We also have another promotional ceremony that day as Detective Chris Sakarowski is promoted to sergeant. Uh it is a big time for our
police department and for Garwood. Uh congratulations to all of those officers and I know you will work hard to ensure our department continues on the great path that we're on today. Some fantastic news for Garwood. We have been awarded the $10,000 grant
from Sustainable Jersey for our upcoming Center Street corridor projects. Uh this is a non-matching grant and will essentially help us offset matching costs from the infrastructure grant that is going towards bike lanes and other safety features along center street.
This grant was available to Garwood due to our increased sustainability efforts as we reertified bronze with sustainable jersey this year. And I want to thank green team members Jeff Jots and Bill Nerstep for doing the heavy lifting to put the grant application together along with our engineer Mike Disco, Chief
Stoer, and John Arthur for all of their support with that. We previously received a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey to help create the rain garden at the rec complex. So, we're making good use of the possible funds that can come from Sustainable Jersey, and I'm really proud of all the work this burrow is
doing. As we continue on this topic of center street, um I want to address and clarify some things about the upcoming projects. Overall, I try not to address everything on social media as it gets difficult to converse in short paragraphs and go back and forth, but I figured I would address the comments
here that some of the ones that I saw. Um first, the curb bumpouts that we will be painting on June 21st as a part of safer streets day are temporary. The paint will wash away. The delineators are flexible rubber and they will be returned to Easy Ride. Um, this really
is a no harm project that can just introduce the concept to Garwood, educate both drivers and pedestrians and let us see just how it works at this intersection which was chosen after much discussion with our engineer and chief of police. Before we put anything
permanent in, we would need a full plan. We would have to look at grading and design. It would be a much more in-depth project. Um, one of the reasons we will be looking to do a circulation element to add to our master plan is to take a look at things like this and see if there's recommendations for these type
of traffic calming projects either at this intersection or other intersections. I personally think that there might be a need for these bumpouts at certain intersections on the north side, but obviously I am not a professional planner or engineer, so we obviously have to bring everybody into
that discussion in the future. There was also some concern that there are some towns that are ripping out curb bumpouts that they previously built. And I can't speak to every instance, but some of the ones that were mentioned, if you look closer, there's just a little bit more to the story. Some of those mentioned
were being ripped out because they weren't built properly and were having drainage problems. So, when the town was doing new street projects, they were being removed. Others were midblock curb bumpouts that they felt weren't working, which is a different situation with the
midblock. Intersection bumpouts are they're not for every intersection. That's true. Um, but every safety and traffic pedestrian organization out there is in urging governments to really look at them as a possibility for further
trafficcoming, which is another point I want to make. We are looking with every tool to mitigate accidents. Um the goal, yes, is zero and we will keep working to get there. Uh New Jersey recently created a target zero commission to
continue working on this for towns all throughout New Jersey. So yes, common sense is still necessary among both drivers and pedestrians, but part of our job up here is to not just say to residents, "It's on you." Our job is to
provide every tool or every piece that we can to improve things to the best of our ability. Um, you don't just elect us to throw up our hands. You elect us to continue to improve our burrow. Which leads me to my last point. Um, our
council and our administration work very hard to ensure that any project or burrow burrow improvement is done as coste effectively as possible. And this one is no exception. Making these safety improvements may not be on the top of
everyone's priority list, but when I came into office, I said that street safety was one of mine. Hence why we've been working with the police department for increased traffic stops with an incredible record number even just this last month. But it's not enough for us
up here just to rely on traffic stops. If there are other infrastructure improvements we can make, then it's our job to do them. Um, and we're making those through the use of two grants to make it as cost-effective as possible. The temporary curb bumpout project is at
no cost to the burrow and the bike lanes and other safety purchases are offset by grants and represent a minimal capital payment. So, I saw a lot about why are we adding things? Why are we changing things? And my question to those who feel we should just maintain status quo
in the burrow and not make any improvements is then why come to council with your concerns if not for us to work and improve things? Why have elected officials to make those decisions and push improvements forward? Maintaining status quo or not trying to improve
things in towns would mean that you're, you know, just fine with everything as it is now. But from what I hear from residents, they want to continue to make their community even safer. So the bike lanes, which by the way, the they begin
after the curb bump out on Willow so they don't interfere with it. The bike lanes are not just about a few people, you know, who like to ride a bike or just about sustainability or encouraging wellness. They are a safety feature. And overall, I think everyone
can agree that anything that improves street safety in Garwood is a good thing, especially when it can be done efficiently financially. So, even the students, it was interesting at at local government night who were pretending to be us up here,
uh, they knew that when when they actually asked us to consider bike lanes, uh, so that they could feel safer riding their bikes and scooters, so they wouldn't feel like they had to go up on the sidewalk at certain points. Uh, and I was really happy to let them know that we were already working on them and that
they should see them here soon. So, it was it was a nice moment. One last thing off of that topic, but one last thing, I want to officially invite Garwood's Council, our employees, and their families to join me on Memorial Day to march in the parade
in Cranford as we do annually. Uh, we will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Cranford Community Center. And for everyone who wants to watch and come to watch the parade, it starts at 9:00 a.m. And I hope to see all of Garwood there to celebrate. And then please join us
and the recreation committee for the annual memorial service at the Knights of Columbus, uh, where we will have an amazing veteran keynote speaker, US Army Sergeant Crystal Cordderero. So, the ceremony will be followed by lunch and it will begin at 12:00
pm. Um, and then before I know I said I had one last thing and now I have one really last thing. There's just something I I did bring it up at a re a meeting in the past and it's time to sort of bring it back up again. Um, we h Mr. Arthur has
been working with the bur administrator in Fanwood. Um, taking a look at sharing our court. Um, it's been talked about over years. I we tried to do it over many years when I was on council and things just never worked out. We're
continuing to try and do that to be more efficient, save some money. Um, as we all know, shared services are very important in small towns. Um, and so we're we're still looking at it. We're still working out details. We're still trying to figure out if it
would be a good thing for Garwood. But the question comes up as to whether we should do it in Fanwood or Garwood. And there are pros and cons to both. So the court would either be located here and the employees would work here in the
court office and court would be in session here in our chambers or we could do it in Fanwood um and the employees would work over there uh and the jud we would share a jud share a judge but the court sessions would be over there. It's a little bit different now than when we
first looked at this a few years ago because after co everything went online. So back then it was a little bit difficult when you had sessions to you know to share it and only be at one place or the other. Now since there's
very few in-person cases um and I don't know if you have Mr. Arthur have recall any of those numbers we've been looking at how many are in person and how how many aren't. I don't have exact numbers but I would say when I talk to our court administrator
and please these are rough numbers of course somewhere in the range of at least 75% to to maybe even 85% are are zoom based and I mean you can see it physically when you when there's a court day there's a handful of people in here
compared to you know the number of cases and to be honest most of those are not Garwood residents most of um the cases that come before our court do not involve Garwood residents. Um so it is a little bit different when making this decision.
Um the pro to having it in Fanwood would be freeing up space. We are tight completely tight up here and having that space would really help. Um having it here might get a little tight because we have to add a part their part-time employee would
essentially come over to here. Um but having it here would mean the opportunity in a leap grant for a lot of improvements to Burrow Hall um including um because we we do most of it on Zoom
including audiovisisual and all the technology involved and security and possibly architectural improvements if we needed that. there is a large uh possibly a couple hundred,000 in grants that we could get for here if we have it
here. So, there is a pro and con to both. Um I am interested I don't want to put anybody on the spot, but I am interested in hearing everybody's possible opinions to this. Um we are still looking into whether or not you
could drop off um tickets um at this location even if the court was in Fanwood or vice versa. Um but um I also would like after we if there's any discussion here for residents to please feel free
to provide some feedback. I'd really like to hear it. It is a different situation. I think a couple years ago it might have been no we should have it here definitely but now that everything is more zoom based I don't know how much of a difference that makes to everyone
so any thoughts I I will say also I when we spoke to the state they kind of reaffirmed this zoom thing is not going away anytime soon there the state actually almost likes that there's a lot of cases being you know they're seeing people show up more so it's probably
going to be the way of the future as far as the state, you know, is is expressing it at this point. I I just have a couple of questions for, you know, for clarification. I have the answers. I'll I'll just go right ahead.
We might not have them yet, but these are the thoughts that are entering my my head. One is um are these LEAP grants that you're talking about for improvements, are those improvements specifically designated for court improvements? Which
means that in other words, are we only limited to apply for them if we are improving a court or are these LEA grants accessible for other aspects of improvements to the burough hall? It's
it's to make the shared services happen. So that includes all of the things that like it can it could include for a year or two some staffing. After that we're on the you know what we pay for it. But um so it's it's as long as those improvements are related to the project
of bringing the courts together then then that's fine. But we can't just say we're doing the shared service. We also want to you know improve the put a gumball in the sh. So the brand is associated with the shared service words. That's that helps my understand
architectural upgrades to the building security anything that would help make court more efficient and safer. And then specifically like how many employees will be need to house in here if we're
now doing both fanwood and um you know garwood or hearings in in this in this building. and how many be to employees. But since we already share a court administrator, the good news on that is really just one more part-timer in the court administrative office, which we'd
have to do a little bit of rearranging in there to make work. Um, yeah, it it is tight. Not going to say it's not. It is tight in there. And we do run into a bit of a storage problem. Um, which we would have to figure out, uh, because we're bringing fanwoods, files,
everything over. That's probably to me the biggest thing to try to figure out cuz it's it's a fair amount of files. Um we might also have a class B officer in the court sessions, but that doesn't I mean they would sit in this room during the court sessions and that would be it. So that's not a big lift in any way.
Um covered by the grant as well. Yeah. For the first two years at least. Yeah. And then my other question would be obviously what kind of savings would we have if we were to have fanwood take over? Would we save money by not having
to you know I guess house it here location probably the location doesn't determine how much we're saving. I'll say is that a fair and accurate really whatever it the cost is is the same regardless of where as
far as you obviously we're still not fully this is not fully baked but is is fanwood um open to the possibility of it being here are more they're open to both ideas okay which is why it would essentially be I think in the end might come down to
our decision and that's why I kind of need feedback because I will say I'm kind of torn on it myself I don't know where to go with it myself because we we do need a lot more room here. We um are bursting but at the same
time do I mean would residents mind given that most of the cases that come before aren't really residents and it's on Zoom. Finally, I think um the potential for the upgrades to the building that would be helpful not only
for the court but also just for uh administration of these meetings as well as updating areas of the of the building that perhaps could be covered by these grants is an enticing aspect of that of that idea. Um, you know, I would leave
it to our, you know, burough administrator and in conjunction with our engineer to kind of like determine is it feasible within whatever those LEAP grants could provide, like how much are we talking of those grants would
cover whatever that we would need to enhance the building to determine whether or not this is a feasible and good idea. And that's still being determined. That's part of Mr. Arthur's job over the next couple weeks. But I mean, there's a lot of latitude with
with that grant, I will say. But it's Yeah, that's that's the pro on having it here essentially. Yeah, it's it's up to $400,000. So, we're not going to be able to like, you know, roll the whole Not that there's anywhere to go. You know, there's nowhere to build a wing. Um, but
maybe a storage closet or something. You know what I mean? like maybe a sort of a walk-in closet for files and things like that, but I don't even know where it would go, you know? So, we'd have to bring somebody in to see how feasible any of that is. Yeah. Yeah. Yes, council. Um, so, mayor, I do just want
to lead with I still have a little mental trauma from the LEAP grant in my first term that that didn't work out for us. Um, but, uh, it it is an enticing prospect and, uh, speaking to Mr. Arthur's point uh on the Zoom piece
um a lot of the superior court uh actions and cases are being conducted via Zoom as well now. Um it's just a lot more efficient, especially um for the for the attorneys as well as the the litigants because attorneys can
be in more places at once if they can do it all from their from their desk as opposed to having to travel to Garwood for a municipal court hearing and then to Elizabeth for a superior court hearing and then some other county for something else that they're doing. Um you know, it it it makes the system
actually more efficient. I think it actually is helping clear some of the judicial backlog out. So, I don't think the physical location of the court matters so much. Um, the ability to get that much in a in a LEAP grant if we could use it to
uh upgrade a few of these facilities like the room we're sitting in that we've for years kicked around adding some additional technology to. Um, it's definitely worth exploring. Um, I would be concerned about the records keeping piece. The, um, this is one of the
things I do at my day job and the retention schedule for court records and arrest records is uh, incredibly long. Uh, and it just it might be something where we'd have to look at additional off-site storage. Um, so I don't know if
the other thing I would say is and I can see Mr. Arthur wants to look at um is even when we looked at the the prior um shared service leap grant which had to do with uh 911 communications, the savings isn't always necessarily
upfront. It's a little bit more in the longer term. Uh so it might not be something where you show an immediate savings that I can, you know, wave in front of the finance committee to get support. It's it could be something that requires a little bit longer term. I I will agree with you on that. Um, in
terms of the finances here, we sharing this court would save us some money, but the real savings are longer term in terms of of I would say salaries. Yes, the the salary and wage on the on the judge, the
court employees, not having to cover it is a much longer term vision to save a a good amount of money. We'll save some, but it's really the long term that will affect be affected by sharing. It's not a dramatic savings upfront. And I think even the last time we started talking
about this, that was one of the reasons why it went off the rails. Yes, there's cost avoidance in the future. Really, that's word cost avoidance. And as for the the uh files, that is also my biggest concern with this. And we did flip through. We have to see if this is
even allowable, but Fland has a much bigger office in their court area. Maybe they could kind of be the off-site storage. And it's only we're looking into that as well. I mean, we don't I can't say that is definitely an option, but I think as long as it's secure, um, it's very secure. They have it's
separate from everything else. We have a ton of records in off-site archiving at an outside service that we actually recall as we need them, right? And it's I mean, our core administrator can drive. It's 10 minutes. So if they really need it, they can go over whenever they'd like. So that that's an
an idea that we would need to make sure the um administrative office of courts is comfortable with obviously. So I guess in short I'm saying yes, I would support exploring it further and I'm pretty much agnostic about where it's located. Um if it's more to our
benefit, I would say bring it here. But if it's no real difference, then reclaiming some space in the office would be a priority to me. Did I see somebody? Oh, or we're still thinking. Okay. And if I could ask
um uh the council members at some point over the next couple weeks before we discuss it again to just take a peek into the courtroom office over there just to get an idea. So, you'll see what we're talking about in terms of space since that is one of the items that's
being considered. Um whether or not we really do need that space back or not. And again, um, I encourage all residents to give me a call, send me an email, let me know what they're thinking about it. This really, like I said, I I really do
want some feedback in terms of where we we go with this because it is it really is up in the air. Yes. Has there been given to making all the paper files electronic? Can
they just keep paper ones, right? there I there are some actually the LEAP grant can pay for some digitization as well and archiving. Um I I don't know the exact specifics of like the rules for each type of file. Um that
gets very kind of in the the fine details of what the court administrator would know, but there is some potential to have archiving done with the grant. Um I I suspect some of those files do need to remain paper. Some of them probably can go digital, but I don't know this like which files without
looking at the retention schedules and all of that. Yeah. So, I apologize that we don't have like more information. I know some of that would be helpful. But I really just do want to get a sense of what everybody was feeling. So, if they're up in the air, too, then we can as we get more
information, we can make, you know, that decision. But I wanted to know if anybody had a really strong feeling one way or the other beforehand. So yeah, I think it's great and I think it's an opportunity to look into it and and save money for the taxpayers. Um I'm I'm
excited to hear more about it and learn more about it. So okay. All right. I am officially done. I promise. So we will know. Yeah. Uh I
moving on to council. Happy Mother's Day. Thanks. And happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there in Garwood. Uh especially a new mom named Lena, my wife. So, uh happy Mother's Day, Garwood. That's all. Thank
you, Councilman Carney. Uh thank you, mayor. Uh we have a lot happening tonight, so I'll be as brief as I can be for me. Uh first, again, congratulations to the Garwood Police Department on achieving accreditation uh from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. Uh we've talked about this a
lot, but I just need to highlight it again that uh accreditation is a significant accomplishment for our police department, its leadership, and its members. Uh but it represents more than just a mark of professional pride. Uh it demonstrates that the Garwood Police Department is operationally and
procedurally effective and has committed to continue doing this. Uh I'm proud to have supported this initiative as police commissioner for these last two years. Uh, and I'm even prouder of the men and women of the Garwood Police Department for coming together and putting in the necessary work to achieve this. So,
thank you all. Uh, I also want to congratulate Officer Smemedberg on his formal swearing in tonight. Uh, my message to new officers is always, uh, do right and be safe. Uh, I'm also looking forward to congratulating our incoming sergeant, captain, and chief of
police uh, after the consent agenda tonight uh, and working with them in their new roles. And of course, I'll also have a lot to say about Chief Stoer. Uh but I'm going to save it for his last meeting before he rides off into retirement. Uh finally, I'm asking the
council to support two resolutions that I've drafted. Uh resolution 25-109 calls on the state legislature to fully restore energy tax receipts to municipal governments. I believe this is an essential step in controlling or ever
having a chance at reducing uh property taxes at the source and a long overdue action as many local governing bodies have had to repeatedly advocate during the last few state budgets to receive literally any of this money at all when
all of the money was initially intended as direct local tax relief. Uh resolution 25-110 calls for the passage of uh S3398 or A50009 which is called the packaging
product stewardship act. Uh this bill would shift some of the recycling burden from local residents and taxpayers uh onto the companies that produce uh a significant source of plastics through their packaging materials. Uh if enacted, this cost cost shifting measure
will save taxpayer money by reducing the amount of material that requires recycling from our local pickups. And uh also I just want to echo Councilman Foley and wish uh all the moms sitting to my right a very happy Mother's Day. Also uh Veronica at home and all the
moms out there happy Mother's Day. Thank you. Thank you. Um and just a note with the energy tax receipt resolution. um at the conference of mayors which will be May 20th to 22nd, we will be pushing um all
of the mayors to get on board and sign um our own resolution and uh pushing all of the municipalities to do their own as well. It's something that um we are really going to be working hard to push the legislature on.
So, um, Councilman, uh, sorry, Councilman, yes, Councilman Lazar, I just will echo, um, the incredible pride I have in our police department. Um, I think it it is such a great testament um, to your
devotion to wanting to have these standards and procedures in place. Um, that I think makes everyone feel safer and confident in the Scarboard Police Department. And it's it's very meaningful to me and it's very meaningful to everyone of you on this on this council. Um so thank you very very
much. Council uh President Nllley Noly, sorry. Um, I will just echo again what um, Councilman Carney and Councilman Lazero just said about the police department and I'm super proud um, and and it was really my pleasure to work on the police
committee um, during the two years that I was on the committee um, and just see the process and how you worked through it was really um, it was really wonderful and thank you. Thank you. Okay. Minutes, Miss
Vatquez. Minutes of the regular and executive session meeting of the mayor and council held on April 22nd, 2025 and the special and executive session meetings held on April 29th, 2025. Do I have a motion to accept the regular and executive session
meeting minutes as presented? So moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. Communications. Miss Vasquez. New Jersey American Water Inc. filing for approval of proposed cost recovery of lead service line
replacement. Thank you. Um we have a number of ordinances up for introduction tonight. Can you please read ordinance 25-17 by title only? An ordinance fixing salaries and wages of certain officials and employees of the Burough Garwood in the county of Union State of New
Jersey. Do I have a motion to introduce this ordinance? Second. Uh, roll call, please. Councilwoman Bodto, hi. Councilman Foley, hi. Councilman Carney, hi. Councilman Lazro, hi. Council President Neli, I.
Miss Vasquez, can you read uh bond ordinance 25-18 by title only? Bond ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery, new communication and signal systems
equipment, new additional furnishings and a new automotive vehicle including original apparatus and equipment in by and for the Burough Garwood in the county of Union state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of
$390,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds.
Do I have a motion to introduce this ordinance? Second. Roll call, please. Councilman Bodto, I. Councilman Foley, I. Councilman Carney, hi. Councilman Lazro, hi. Council President Noly I.
Okay. Council standing committee reports. Finance. Councilman Foley. No report. Fire. Councilman Lazero. No report. Community development. Oh, sorry. Does anybody have anything from Councilman Padus? Okay. Um, public works. Councilwoman Bodto. I have a
report. Thank you. In addition to the reoccurring activities, DPW employees assisted with the setup and take down of tables for numerous recreation activities. Continue to perform preventive maintenance on miscellaneous public work trucks and
landscaping equipment. Completed spring cleanups at the sports complex, municipal complex, center street underpass, including Kennedy Plaza, Harmon Park, the firehouse, municipal lot 2, and miscellaneous barrel maintained rideway areas.
removed the soil stabilization matting along the new open air canopy at the sports complex and installed top soil and seed. Begun spring flower planting and street sweeping operations. Picked up and installed the garlet rocks
banners. Um I have a few quick reminders. This Saturday, May 10th, from 10 to 2, residents can drop off electronics, plastic bags, film, concrete, brick, and motor oil at the recycling center located in Willow Avenue. On Saturday, May 17th, clean
community's little cleanup day will be taking place from 9 to 11:00. Check-in is right here at Barl Hall. This is a rain or shine event. Um to pre-register, please email recreation director at
k-lizacardwood.org. All are welcome. Uh the deadline for boat pickup forums is Friday, May 23rd. Lastly, I have a quick report on the shaker tree activities. Congratulations to the burrow as the Arbor Day Foundation named Garwood at
2024 Tree City USA in honor of his commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees. that benefits community. In order to earn Tree City US recognition, a city must uphold four court standards, including maintaining a tree board or
department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. God would held Arbor Day on April 25th. A tree was planted at Lincoln School with the assistance of
students led by Shay tree officer Bill Mirstead and Shay tree committee volunteer Michael Mandell. Eighth grade student Enzo Gonado who won the poetry contest share his phone. He won 10 trees which he can plant um and he receives them at the end of the month. That
concludes my report. Congratulations Enzo. Um police Councilman Carney. Uh thank you mayor. Uh we're holding the uh ordinance with the update to chapter 58 that I previously reported out of this committee for another few meetings. Uh after speaking extensively with the
burough clerk and the burough administrator, uh the committee wants to see specifics on how the burrow's adoption of an online licensing portal will be configured to ensure the language and procedures covered in this chapter do not need further updates, which would then require another
ordinance later in the year. Uh we will provide a heads up when this is expected to land on a future agenda. Uh I also have the latest monthly activity report. Uh the Garwood Police Department recorded 2,19 calls for service during the month
of April 2025. Uh these calls include but are not limited to a uh and this is I I I thought this might have been a typo, but I confirmed it with the chief before the meeting. There were 362 motor vehicle stops conducted in the month of April. Uh 51 parking
complaints, 140 fixed traffic posts which uh include radar stop sign and distracted driving details. Uh 180 building and property checks, 36 medical assists, uh 88 community policing posts, and this is
another category that just continues to increase. uh 13 walking posts, 24 suspicious persons or vehicles investigated, and 18 criminal investigations. Uh and finally, Chief Stoofer is happy to announce that the Garland Police Department uh is
beginning a new bike helmet reward program. And uh Mayor, if I may, uh Officer Scott Erikson is here. He's the point man for this program. Can I call him up so he can tell us about it? officer. So, I gave a close. I know. So, everyone
can hear you. So, I know you don't want to like we're going to be starting in rewarding children and their kids. Well, all kids for wearing bike helmets around town. Um each car is going to be loaded up with coupons for local businesses um
for free pizza, slurpees, things like that. um and including gift cards to J Cycle in Westfield. Um so we had some good um input from local businesses, stuff like that. So if we see a kid, we basically issue them a a coupon. It's like getting a good ticket. That's what we called it. Um so maybe give a little
incentive for kids to properly, you know, make sure they're doing safety in all ways because we've had multiple bike accidents just in the last couple weeks. I've seen two electric bikes get hit in the last week and a half. Both are wearing helmets, both hit their heads.
Um, so yeah, you know, it's a small thing. Um, I know when I was younger, I didn't want to wear a helmet, but if somebody was giving me a war a reward for something, um, it might be helpful. Um, so like I said, it's a little bit of incentive to get the kids practicing
safety and, um, you know, hopefully we can increase it in the future, maybe get some more businesses on board or um, proper I know in the past we had done grants with the county where they actually provided bike helmet for us. Um, so we're working on that. Um, and then maybe we can expand in the future.
But for this, we're going to put it on our social media, get it out on the airways and, uh, post it in businesses so people can see it and, you know, get it moving. So, each car is going to have their own set of coupons and reward as as they see fit. This sounds terrific.
Thank you. I'm very excited about this program. Make sure you catch Cece. um say 7-Eleven, J Cycle, uh Mama's Pizza, and um the Garwood Lanes business on board. And u in the future, I'm going to see if other businesses are going to
want to get involved. I'm sure they want to get their names out there, promote their own businesses as well, you know, be part of the community. So, I'm I'm going to bring this to the Small Business uh association board and just kind We have a email chain there that we can blast this out to as well to see if
we can get some more supporters. Uh and this is great. I I have a 12-year-old kid that I have to argue with about a bike helmet all the time. So, uh I I appreciate this. Thank Thank you so much. Thank you. Is that it, Council? I'm sorry. It's my report. Yes, I'm done. Thank you.
Community engagement. Council President Naldi. Thank you, Mayor. I just have a couple of recreation updates. Um, there will be a meet and greet with the new summer camp director, Tanya Rivero, on Tuesday, May 20th from 7 PM to 800 PM right here at Burough Hall. Parents can
stop by any time during that hour to meet and talk to Tanya. And it will also be a chance to register for camp at the early bird rate. Uh, Miss Lysac will be there to assist with registration. Uh, just so you know, uh, the early bird rate will end um on May 23rd.
Adult open play soccer is every Friday night at 8:00 PM on the turf fields. The next ceramics class is Wednesday, May 28th at 7. The youth walking challenge is wrapping up. Um this is the last week of the challenge, so get your steps in. An adult walking challenge will take
place in the summer, so stay tuned. There will be a summer youth program on Saturdays provided by US Sports Group, which will start in July and registration will open soon at garwoodrec.com. And just as the mayor mentioned, the um the main event that we have coming up is
the Memorial Day ceremony and lunchon that will take place on Monday, May 26 at noon at the Knights of Columbus. So, please join us. And that's all for my report. Thank you. Uh library Councilman Lazero. Thank you, mayor. Some of the events coming up at the library include
a summer reading bookmark contest running from May 1st through May 15th. This year's theme is color our world, embracing the beauty of art in all its forms, drawing, painting, photography, decor, storytelling, fashion, and performance. Uh, 10 bookmarks submissions will be printed and
distributed by the library for everyone to enjoy. Winners will be chosen by libraries staff and announced on June 2nd. On May 13th at 3 p.m., there's a graband-go adult craft. Pick up your supplies and instructions for a seasonal craft. Registration is required for craft kits and is limited to 10
participants. Also on May 13th at 7 p.m. there's a program called Social Media Our Kids and Their Emotions. Join Aleandro Kellerman, a mental health professional, disability advocate, and educational consultant with more than 30 years experience working with children, teens, and families. She'll discuss the
current use of social media and effects it has on the well-being of children and teens. Registration is required. From May 16th through May 30th, there's a program called Garwood's Tiny Art Show. Cut up a 4x6 canvas while supplies last.
You can also use your own 4x6 canvas. Paint or draw something you love and return the artwork to the library by May 30th for the summer's tiny art show. This is not a contest. However, it's open to all carwood residents of all ages. Artwork will be displayed in the library showcase and all creations will
be returned to the artists in August. And finally, on May 29th from 10 a.m. to noon, the aging service kiosk will be visiting. This is the Union County Division of Aging Staff. Uh they're there to assist to seniors or their caregivers with information on services
such as meal delivery, respit care, adult daycare, and support services for caregivers. And just a reminder that the library will be closed on Monday, May 26th for Memorial Day. That's all for me report. Uh school board Councilman
Carney. Uh no report tonight, Mayor. Um I have a report for the seniors. Uh on May 1st, the senior club was joined by Mary from the green team looking for seniors to get involved in an upcoming activity. Uh the volunteers will be
taking seedlings that they planted and germinated over the winter and transplanting them into pots that will then be planted in UNAMI Park for their native plant meadow project. If any seniors are interested, please let me know and I will make the connection so you can participate. We were also joined
by Ellen Steinberg and Peter Humphre from the Senior Citizens Council to help guide the seniors through the new New Jersey property tax relief form. Um, this year's senior freeze, the anchor program, and the new uh New Jersey stay program will all be done through one
application. Eligibility for this benefit is based on residency, income, and age as of 2023 and 2024. Um, Ellen and Peter took us through the application line by line and explained all of the new changes and we thank them for taking the time with our club to
provide this help. The next meeting is on May 15th at 12:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. Uh, small business advisory Councilman Carney setup for the Taste of Goldwood is officially underway. Uh, our volunteer board members are busy stopping in our local eeries and uh,
recruiting. So, keep an eye on the Burrow website and social media for participating places and special offers. Uh, this year, the Taste of Garwood promotion is running between May 16th and May 23rd. Um, again, we will have a few gift cards for customers who
remember to snap that selfie and uh post it publicly using the hashtag tasteofgarwood. Uh, and as in past years, the gift cards are awarded randomly uh at the end of the promotion week. And that's all for this report. Can't wait. Um, board of health, Councilman Foley. No reports on it.
Thank you. Planning Board, Councilman Carney. Uh, thank you, mayor. Our next planning board meeting is on Wednesday, May 14th. Uh, we have one case on the agenda, which is a request for a zoning amendment of 543rd Avenue, uh, aka Stephanie Gardens. Uh the board will
also discuss a preliminary overview of proposed changes to the burough code regulating signage uh which the Garwood Small Business Association board has requested. Thank you. Moving along to officers reports. Miss Vasquez,
zoning enforcement officers report for April 2025 and property maintenance code enforcement officers report for April 2025. Do I have a motion to accept officer's reports? So moved. Second. Uh all in favor? I opposed. Okay. Moving along to
public comment. If there's anyone in the audience who wishes to address the mayor and council, please step to the microphone and state your full name and address and please limit your comment to 5 minutes. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. John Pritchard. My apology for not having
attended the council this past month due to other situations that require manages. I call police officers, firefighters, and res about this whole 24 hours a
day out cuz they have that kind of attitude that serves as well. One ant that was like to describe this was a little bit from
the west but the moral must attitude they have concerning us well firefighters rescue squads is not the answer and mark well what I say ladies and gentlemen should never be the answer you must back them up than ever
will because they're there for So our military personnel, we must back them up because they our indust fighting for our country in Vietnam. soul. They told us so.
Honesty. In affection, they told us so. They love us so they show us soy. where they show the
soul for all the families when they It took a lot to go mountain. Thank you. We need those muscles very very badly. We need those muscles very very badly. Pleasure. Thank you, Mr.
Pritchard. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? John Bartick, 231 Hemlock Avenue. U I just wanted to uh briefly make a couple of comments on 2510. I think Councilman Carney mentioned he drafted that. That's
actually a model ordinance. It's been kicking around for a couple of years. And the reason it's been kicking around for a couple years is the underlying bill is a mess. Uh, so I'm wondering if you're going to vote tonight on the uh consent agenda, how many of you have
read that bill before you vote to urge its passage, have you read the 25 pages that are in that bill? Because if you haven't and you vote on the behalf of this community, not just yourselves, to urge for that passage, you're committing
legislative malpractice. You got to know what you're what you're looking at. I know. Relax. Um, it's not like that you all, you know, come from the packaging industry. I I know your background. It's not to diminish
anybody's profession, but have you ever put a toe in a packaging plant, a manufacturing plant? Have you ever worked for a commercial business of any kind that made anything? Have you ever seen a P&L for a corporation? Yet when you have a a
resolution that says we're going to save millions and we're going to create jobs. Yeah, it's probably going to create jobs, lawyer jobs, bureaucrats and threaten jobs, pencil pusher jobs in industry. So I would really urge you at
least read the thing if you haven't already. at least try to understand it because if you say we're going to urge our legislators to pass this and you haven't read it, you don't understand it because somebody told you that it's a good thing. I think you're doing a
disservice to yourselves and in your role and and to the rest of us. Uh and I'm going to say one more thing because I'm addressing six Democrats tonight. I'm a Democrat, too. And by the way, I hate to have to come here and say that because I am passionate about environmental stewardship. I really am.
product stewardship, uh, financial stewardship. I am passionate, passionate, passionate about it. This bill is a mess. It's a bureaucratic approach to something that I I just I don't think it's going to solve anything. And having worked in industry and having had to deal with these kind
of regulations, I'm I'm just horrified at what this looks like. With that aside, as Democrats, we cry a river when Donald Trump gets elected president. when we lose the popular vote, when we lose the
House, when we lose the Senate, and we point the finger at the tens of millions of people who voted for that party and call them names without looking at ourselves and saying, "At this time in
particular, when industry is on the ropes, with the uncertainty in supply chains, with the uncertainty with tariffs and everything else, we're going to throw a regulation like this on the table." This is why people are fed up with our party. This is why the only place these kind of regulations can be
passed are in dark blue states like ours. We got to start to be a little bit smarter. I am all for uh packaging product store product storeship in general, chemical stewardship, but there are right ways to do it and there are wrong ways to do it.
While I may not agree with the approach that this particular bill takes, I do implore you at least read the thing. I'm sure Councilman Carney has. I I I have confidence that that he has. But for the other four of you that have to vote tonight, if you vote on something like that that you haven't read and you don't
understand, I I really think you have to ask yourself if that's the right thing to do. Thanks. Thank you. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the council. Bruce
Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh just to continue a different t, but I'm going to talk about resolution 2510, which is the packaging uh resolution that you're advocating for. So, but in instead of placating one resident's concerns, which
we'll call him the facilitator, Mr. X, you know, and also advocating for ketchup packets, advertising bags, you know, now this plastic food wrap, you know, why can't you put as a priority the burrow's paramount concerns of overdevelopment
with subsequent traffic and burdening of our infrastructure and the schools? I I mean we heard we heard crickets on this. I suggest you advocate for Senate Bill S465 requesting ailation through determination of the regional needs of
the affordable housing program and also stand up and oppose S1408/ A2757 that wants to override local zoning laws and our town's master plans. that that's a that's a
major that's a major assault on our communities. The owner development program needs to be severely addressed through the destruction right within our own community. This is your vanguard today, not as an advertising bag on your front lawns on Wednesday morning or a plastic bag of bread when you go
shopping. You can certainly advocate to remove plastic wrap, but how about actually thinking about our community and its residents being under attack for once? Carney's passed a resolution he had a couple of months ago. It was the funding uh for this for the from the
state for this program, but that was tepid at best and in my opinion it was kind of a waste of money. uh we look forward to your attention to these grave issues impacting directly on our community and not just these these packaging standards that you want to
advocate for. Uh in addition, you know, the the mayor back with the budget, the mayor said that there were no questions. There's about 10 questions and I was hoping that it would be read into the public record so everybody
could at least understand and get a little education of what the budget cycle is about and and the mechanics of how it's made. But the mayor just left it all. Said, "No, there's no questions." Well, there was there was 10 questions. And unfortunately, it kind of leaves us all a little more ignorant by
not answering the questions. I mean, there are people here that I'm sure have questions themselves that maybe they're afraid to ask. I don't know because it'll look like, you know, you don't know something. Well, you ask the questions. I've been coming to these budget hearings for 25 years or so. And
I ask questions. It doesn't make a difference. It makes me look foolish or not. I still ask questions. And that's what you should. So, hopefully um I would assume Sandy probably answered the questions. I thought the finance committee would, but uh Sandy answered them. So, I guess sit down and take a
look at the answers and also look at the percentages on that second sheet and just see how the dynamics are and how one line affects the other line and and the taxes go up and the and the debt goes up and the revenues go up. Something is out of control here. And I
pointed that out, but you know, you just slough it all off. Uh oh, my usual question is how many downtown parking tickets did we get? you know, if somebody could answer that. And uh I don't know. Is there anything else I have to say? No, not really. But, you
know, I I appreciate at least some kind of lip service for the budget questions and everything that I uh ask. So, thank you very much. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council?
Can I have a motion to close public comment? So moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. Um I'm just going to say one thing about your questions, Mr. Patterson, with the
budget. The email that you sent was charts that quite honestly it's it's very difficult to read. I know they make sense to you, but even the alignment of the of some of this was off. I think I don't it's very difficult to understand
what the questions were. Some of the ones that I could make out we have already answered many times up here um including the one about the grant including the one about the sore fee. And so there really isn't a point to going over those
continuously again. And if you have act if you do have questions, if you could please place them in an email with the question itself, this the the kind of chart that was created, it doesn't it I know I
understand it means something to you and you know what you're you're referring to, but it's very difficult for any of us up here to to do that. Um, and look, I I understand you've probably gone over these with Miss Brun. So, asking us, I feel
like I I understand you think that it we don't know what we're talking about or how the budget is made. And to be honest, that's very, you know, condescending that we sat up, you know, everybody up here at this point has been on the finance committee and has been
through this and does see how the sausage is made, as you would say. So I to say we have to ask the questions because we don't understand what's going on. I that's I just the accusation is kind of befuddling to me.
Um I'm going to leave it at that. Okay. Can I uh can I tell again, mayor? Sure. Thank you. Uh so first uh for for Mr. Bartleick. Um, you know, this is almost
deja vu to uh what you told this council last year about skip the stuff and you make it a point to point out our political affiliation up here as if that matters to the office that we're executing. We run for these offices in partisan elections. The service is for
everybody. That being said, um I do know off the top of my head, Ruby Red Mammoth Beach in Ocean County adopted the same Skip the Stuff ordinance that we did. Um this packaging, uh act, uh yes, I've read the
bill. Uh I admit to skimming through the 5 hours of testimony in front of the Senate committee. Uh I believe it was scheduled for an assembly hearing today. I haven't had a chance to to check on it. Uh I had an extensive conversation uh with Assemblyman Kennedy's office on
this and um the goal is exactly what it says. It it is cost shifting and as the same thing with Skip the Stuff and we had people in here uh decrying how this would negatively affect the operation of the the the Wendy's fast food assembly
line. That's not the concern or the point of doing legislation like this. Um, so you can oppose it on its principle, but to oppose it on process, I think is a little dishonest. Um, so I don't know if my colleagues had a chance to to read the
legislation. I I I assume that they did if they're going to vote on it tonight. Uh, that's between them and and and their conscience. Um, but uh the assemblymen that I spoke to felt very strongly about this particular bill and that it was finally starting to
advance. Um, and uh, yes, it was not 100% drafted by me, but when I do all of these model ordinances, I put my own color into them. Uh, so uh, in reference to some of the, um, legislation referenced by Mr.
Patterson, uh, S465 seeks to repeal the Fair Housing Act from 1985. Uh, to say that's dead on arrival in the Senate would probably be an understatement. Uh, that's one of those ridiculous posturing bills that
people in the opposition party like to put up. Um, what I'll say about affordable housing from from go is if this state had done what it was supposed to do after Mount Laurel 2, none of us would be having these conversations
today. Um, we have a multiple imperfect systems here. Everybody's doing the best that they can. Uh the legislation that was referenced that he wanted us to oppose uh S1408 uh has to do with reszoning um
office parks and retail centers into mixeduse developments. Uh I didn't see anything in it about overriding a municipality's planning board or or um or master plan, but I I'll admit I haven't read that far into this one yet.
literally just got a hearing in the Senate uh about a month ago. So, I will look into that one. But um just in in general, the the the disingenuousness of some of the the comments that come at us are frustrating
for me and uh that's all I have. Anybody else? Okay. Uh we will move along to the consent agenda. Does anybody need to remove anything? Okay. 25.
Okay. Anything else? Okay. Can I have a motion to uh adopt the consent agenda as amended? So moved. Second. Uh, roll call, please.
Councilwoman Bodto, Councilman Foley, Councilman Carney, I. Councilman Lazero, hi. Council President Naldi, I. Okay. Um, can I have a motion to adopt resolution 25-110?
Mayor, I'll make a motion to table 25-110. Okay. Can I have a second to table? Second. Okay. Um, roll call to table. Miss Vasquez.
Councilwoman Bodto. Hi. Councilman Foley. Councilman Carney. Councilman Lazero. Hi. Council President Naldi. Hi. Okay. We will table that for another
time. Um, any new business? Okay. Uh, payment of claims, Miss Fescus. 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? Second, please. Councilwoman Bodto, hi. Councilman Foley, hi. Councilman Carney,
Councilman Lazero, hi. Council President Naldi, I director uh record real quick. You that's an eyes for another discussion. So, I said no before, but could I offer on the record? No, I don't think we can
go back, but it's already it's already passed anyway. So, it's already tabled. You can at least have the record say you made a mistake for the minute. Yeah, for the minute. Okay. Made a mistake. I'm in the table. Sorry.
Okay. The regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on May 22nd, 2025 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Information for meetings is posted on the borrow website. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? Some moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed.
Okay, good night everybody. Um, okay. That's what I thought. Sometimes Yeah, my