I think he's talking about All right, everything's ready. Everything's going. Maybe McDonald's. Everybody, >> uh, I'm going to ask everybody to stand for a moment of silence and the salute
to the flag. If everybody could please keep the Lawrence family in your uh, thoughts tonight as we do our moment of silence. Our longtime volunteer uh, Patty Lawrence recently passed away. Um she
was on the lady's auxiliary uh for the fire department for many many years. Uh and we just want to wish uh her family uh all of our condolences and thank her and uh think of her as as we take this moment in silence. I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the leader and advertised on
November 13, 2025. Notification was sent to the local source Union County and is posted on the municipal website. at the municipal public bulletin board and filed in the office of the municipal clerk informing the public of the time and place according to the provisions of the open public meeting law. Chapter 241
PL1 1975 PL 2025 C72 states that legal ads placed by the municipality will not need to be published in newspapers beginning March 1st, 2026 and will be ped on our municipal website at this link Garwood legal notices. This meeting
is called pursuant to the state statutes for the purpose of organizing the governing body for the year 2026 to make appointments and to transact any business pertinent thereto. If I could have a roll call, please. >> Sure. Mayor Blumensttock >> here. Councilwoman Biano
>> here. Councilwoman Bodto >> here. Council Councilman Carney >> here. Councilman Padusniaak. >> So Councilman Padusniaak unfortunately could not be here tonight. It is a religious holiday for him. Okay. Well,
before we get to why you're all here, um the fun part, the swearing in of our two elected officials, uh I just want to recognize a few people here tonight. Um we have uh Mayor Lombardo, Mayor Charles Lombardo here. We have uh planning board
vice president and former councilwoman Kathy Velagio. uh planning board chair Steve Greet, uh Councilman Graham, and Councilman Nearest. I just want to thank you all for being here and showing your support. Uh and I'd also like to recognize uh Mayor Curran from Cranford
who's here tonight. Uh we have a a fantastic relationship with Cranford, work really well together, and he's just been um just a real uh joy to work with this past year, and so look forward to another year as he was just recently sworn in again to the Cranford Township
Committee. So congratulations. So we move to beginning our reorganization meeting with the swearing in of two of the most professional and dedicated women I know. Councilwoman Noli and Councilwoman Elect Anorelli.
The Burrow of Garwood will be lucky to have you standing up here for them for the next three years. And what better person to swear these two women in but the amazing superstar public servant, Miss Joanne. So, Mr. Jaffy,
>> good evening, Mayor. >> Good evening, council people. Good evening, everyone. And happy new year. Um, it's a pleasure to be able to do this and I can certify that they were duly elected also. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Jppy is our county clerk for those of you who we have some members of uh
Miss Anarelli's family from Florida. So, this is our union county clerk. Um, and she oversees just about everything in the county. Um, and she is pretty much the center of of Union County. She's the person that the other counties go to for answers to their questions. So, thank
you for being here. >> I'm very happy to do this, especially this year, beginning of the 250th anniversary of our country. So, what better way to celebrate than with an election, right? >> Terrific. >> Councilwoman Carney, I mean, sorry,
Councilwoman Noli, I was looking at you. We were just talking about you're the only man. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> You raise your left hand. You're going to repeat after me. I your name. I, Clarissa Naldi, >> 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 >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
>> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and the governments established 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 impartially and
justly >> That I will faithfully impartially and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all of the duties >> of council member >> of council member >> for the burrow of Garwood >> for the burough of Garwood >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability.
>> Congratulations. You need to sign this >> final sign. >> Councilwoman, if you would like to do any pictures with uh Mr. while while she's here, feel free. >> Oh, you know,
>> you're welcome. All right, please join us on the deis. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Councilwoman elect Annaelli, if you would please join Mr. Daffy at the Rothstrom. >> I love your purple.
>> Is that lilac or >> lavenderish? That's my wedding color. It's >> my wedding colors. Oh, I don't know. So this way >> of Canada >> do solemnly affirm >> do 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 >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Saint >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Saint
>> and to the governments established in the United States >> and governments established 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 and partially and justly perform >> I will faithfully and partially and
justly perform >> all the duties of councilmen >> all the duties of council member >> for the burrow of borrow >> for the burough of garland >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> congratulations Thank you.
Okay. Let me get this over. Councilwoman, if you'll join us up here. >> Uh, and now, Miss Vasquez, if we could have another roll call, please. Councilwoman Annaelli
>> here. Councilwoman Biano >> here. >> Councilwoman Bodto. >> Counciloman Carney. >> Councilwoman Noli >> here. >> Chase is excused. >> Terrific. If there is anybody in the audience at this point who wanted to say
a little something and make it a presentation, please feel free to get up and step up to the mic. Hi, thank you, mayor. I'm Jeff Jotss, the president of the Garwood Democratic Club. Um, I just want to thanks for the uh invitation tonight and uh we on
behalf of the club, I have uh some gifts uh to present uh council council member Annarelli and council member Noli. Um, I was just telling Mark that uh this is my third uh reorg meeting of the week, but I know that Joanna Rajapy probably has all of us beat, even you, Vinnie,
>> because she gets around and uh she's very well respected among Union County's municipalities and across the state and and country. So, we're very fortunate to have her here, the constant professional through and through. Um, but again on behalf of the club, uh, Kathleen and
Clarissa, this is a gift from us on, uh, to, uh, kind of get you guys through the rough time. Kathleen, I'm gonna tell the council to support a, uh, 100% raise for you and the rest of your your your colleagues. Um, and wish you guys
the best of luck this year. Uh, it's going to be a rough year. Uh, you know, insurance costs are through the roof for everybody. Uh we're we're dealing with new new laws, dealing with uh access to records and social media and uh there's always infrastructure headaches that are going to come come around. So I wish you
guys >> good. Feel good. >> Well, you know, I'm getting you ready. Thanks. You know, >> ready because it's not a walk in the park and uh and you know, you guys all know it's not Well, Kathleen, you don't know yet, but it's not a walk in the lot of respect for uh for you guys for uh
for putting in the the work that you do. So So Kathleen and Clarissa, give it to you guys. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody else? Okay. All right. At this point, if I can
ask the burough council to nominate and elect a council president. >> I would like to nominate uh Karina Boto. Councilwoman Boto or Council President. >> Okay. Are there any other nominations?
Okay. Seeing none, if uh Miss Vasquez, if we can have a roll call for Councilwoman Bodto for council presidents. >> Councilwoman Anna. >> I. >> Councilwoman Bianca. >> I. >> Councilwoman Bodto. >> Hi.
>> Hi. >> Hi. Congratulations, Council President. Councilwoman Noli can tell you all the good stuff and council men Carney,
they'll they'll get you through it. Congratulations. Um, we are going to just quickly move through our consent agenda. Uh for those of you who uh it may be your first meeting here, these are essentially some uh appointments that we award uh all at
once through the consent agendas. Um and I would uh ask the council at this point to make a motion just for consent agenda part A. >> I'll make the motion to adopt consent agenda part A. >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. Councilwoman Annarelli. >> I. Councilwoman Biano, >> I. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> Councilman Carney, >> I. >> Councilwoman Noli, >> I. >> Okay. >> And then in consent agenda part B, we
obviously have a few more appointments um to some of our positions in the burrow uh as well as our temporary budget and a couple and other some paperwork type of items. So, if I could have the council uh make a motion to adopt consent agenda part B.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> And roll call, please. Councilwoman Anorelli, >> I. >> Councilwoman Biano, >> I. >> Councilwoman Bodto, >> hi. >> Councilman Carney, >> I. >> Councilwoman Noli, >> hi.
So before we move to the next part of our meeting, um I'm going to ask the council if I could get a motion to suspend the regular order of business. And I'll let everybody kind of know what what we're doing and why. >> Some second.
>> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Um, so in a minute I'm going to ask uh Bob Bernard, who uh as you know is our affordable housing attorney, to come up and and talk to everybody for a bit. Um, at our last meeting I did let everybody know that we
had reached a settlement agreement with uh Garden Homes, who owns Paperboard and Fairshare Housing. Um and though we don't normally do this type of business at the reorg, unfortunately we are put into the position with deadlines with the state where we had to do it as soon
as possible. It was technically, you know, at the end of the year that um we were supposed to get this in. However, they do know that councils, you know, there was the Christmas holiday and New Year's and councils have their meetings, you know, coming up in the new year. So, we are still okay, but we do need to get
it in um as soon as possible. Uh if this does pass through the council, then the council will have to vote on it. Um but we did have Mr. Renard uh and Mr. Mstreda uh it go through everything uh in previous meetings in executive session with both the council and the
planning board. So everybody is aware of everything uh ahead of time. They have received the agreement uh already uh ahead of time. Um, and I do want to point out for the public that I'm I actually think we came out really well
with this. Um, I I do know you heard me over many meetings tell you about how frustrated I was and how it was just a very tough litigation. um as as you you can imagine with garden homes, but I do
think our professionals did a really good job in keeping this plan as close to the original as was possible. Um and so I I am happy with the the way it did turn out and I'm glad that we, you know, stuck it out and fought hard. Uh I I do
think the residents uh will really get something well deserved with this um because of that. So, I'll ask uh Mr. Onad if you can come up at this point and just explain a little bit more, go into a little bit of detail about the settlement agreement itself. >> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Um I'm sorry that we had to do this tonight. Uh as the mayor indicated, uh these things all came to a head uh very recently and the um state requires that these settlements, they should have been done actually by January 1, but it
wasn't possible for us to do that. So, uh, I'm here tonight. Uh, if you, uh, for those people who still read newspapers, there was an article in the Star Ledger this morning, uh, for example, that said that I believe there were 420 or so municipalities that filed
uh, for an affordable housing um, judgment or uh, judgment of compliance uh, of which something like I think it was 380 or so settled. So, um, we are one of many. And again, I'm sorry that I
had to come tonight, but I'm pleased to be here. I actually was planning on coming anyway as I told the mayor. So, I'm pleased to be here. Um, it was hard fought. Uh, the mayor was tenacious and uh, attended every session. uh was one of the more active uh mayoral members of
the whole process and uh really uh fought for the municipality and did a terrific job in uh negotiating and keeping this settlement uh to something that we could be proud of. uh the uh
settlement. I I know that you're familiar generally with the details, but we were able to keep all of the units over the original 124, which was the third round uh settlement to be age restricted. Um that was a an important
uh item. It's not uh there is no way that had the matter not reached the settlement uh that we would be able to uh enforce such a restriction. So that was a a big win and one that not a lot of municipalities I believe were uh
successful in negotiating. Uh we were able to keep the the negotiated community space uh the same aesthetics, the same architectural design as the original uh design uh for the third round and also
the the tenative design uh for the fourth round that was uh put before you previously. Uh we still have the dedicated community spaces uh community parking spaces I should say as well as some uh additional uh shared spaces. So
the the I guess the details that uh you and the public would want to hear are uh there will be at the paperboard site a grand total of 212 units of which at least 88 will be age restricted.
uh there will be from the third round these are from the third round there will be uh 19 uh affordable units actually I think it's 18 and and one unit that's got two uh uh it's got two
credits uh and then for the fourth round we will have these u additional 88 units which are age restricted 20% of the 88 will be affordable units uh and they
will um they will be uh family units. So um but that that does not affect the number. In other words, that that 88 number over the 124 that was the third round uh is are all affordable units,
but some uh uh I'm sorry, are all age restricted units, but some of those are affordable units that will be in the uh other area. So um as you know originally in the
third round there was a a self-s storage facility that was proposed. These uh units are in lie of that self- storage facility that is not going to take place anymore. Uh the general outline of this is that of our uh perspective need
obligation of 80 units. We actually during the course of this were able to reduce u the realistic development potential that is the RDP to 22 units that we've satisfied through this uh
process. Uh everything that was in the uh plan in other words there's nothing new that's in this plan for affordable units that you hadn't seen before that was originally approved. one of the uh developments or proposed developments or
I shouldn't really say perspective developments at 500 South Avenue uh moved from an RDP site to an unmet need site that the technicalities of that are not really important but it's not um
it's that the the um the units themselves or I should say the developments have not changed. So, it's the same plan uh that we presented. I guess I was here in May uh and I've been here a few times since. So, it's it's
essentially the same plan. There are a few more um age restricted units. Um as I said, I think if you compare it with settlements in other municipalities, I think it's a very good settlement. We had, as I said, of of an RDP of 80. uh
we're actually uh providing uh 22 units which is the 20% whereas the third round was uh 15%. So unless there are any uh questions that's um that's the settlement and so we're asking that you approve a resolution tonight to approve
the settlement agreement which I believe is in your packages. >> Does anybody from the council have any questions for Mr. Anod? Okay, Mr. Naut, if you're okay, I'm gonna just open it up to the public um to answer a few questions since we have
you here. Um I would ask that the public keep the same rules as our normal public comment um and keep their questions to five minutes. So, Mr. I don't know if you want to have a seat and they can come up. Um that way we can hear everybody.
Thank you, Mr. Arthur, if you can make sure the microphone is on. Uh so if there's anybody that does have any questions, feel free to come up and just say your name uh and address and please stick to five minutes. >> Russ Liberty Court. Uh good evening
mayor and ladies and gentlemen of the council. Uh Mr. Nod, um the burning question in my mind after all these years is basically if the resolution is approved, uh when are they going to break ground and and start building this
thing? Well, the uh one of the conditions was that we well, it's a condition anyway, but one of the conditions is that we have to get our ordinances and so forth adopted by March 15th. Uh Graywood Paperboard is uh
chomping at the bit to start. They claim so uh I believe this is this is going to take place. I mean, they have been pushing us to to get this done. So, hopefully it's going to take place soon. And I know that everybody's tired of looking at uh at uh rubble and weeds and
the so forth. So hopefully very soon. >> Yes. So um as Mr. Renard said, we as a burough council and as a planning board will need to adopt um several standard resolutions and ordinances that every
municipality has to do by March 15th. Um but on top of that we have to uh go through a redevelopment plan a redevelopment agreement with garden homes another one we had one obviously um that is null and void um that was
many years ago. Uh so we do have to go through essentially the whole process again. Uh so we do have to do that agreement and then there again will have to be another site plan at um with the planning board another financial
agreement. So, uh, there will be a they will be able, I'm assuming, to break ground before everything is finished. Um, but I we'll still have a few months of process left here before they can they can do that. Um, but I don't
anticipate it being a very long drawn out process. I mean, as I said, the agreement needs to be by March 15th. The other portions, I mean, we have a lot of it already kind of set from the last time. We're just sort of adding to it. So,
does anybody else have any questions for Mr. Anod? >> Hi, Laura Thompson, 320 Pine AB. Um, when we were discussing this disagreement between the paperboard builders, there was a discussion of that
they wanted 60 units per acre and the original agreement was 40 units per acre. Where did we end up? >> This is about 47 45 >> is what I calculated when I So, >> I like 45 better, right? No, I think it
is 45 if you look at because we were at 181 last time with the plan. and now we're at 212. >> Okay. Um the other question was um when they're go to do this project, you said that they need to go through the um the
planning uh the actual plans again. Are we going to include water reservoirs underneath this facility so that we can potentially avoid more runoff issues in the streets? >> That'll be part of the site plan review. The engineer, the board engineer will
review all the plans. they are required to comply with all of the uh state storm water regulations. So um yes, there should be no uh increase in runoff from the facility. >> Thank you.
>> Yep. >> Does anybody else have any questions? Okay, we'll close that out. Thank you, Mr. Renard. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Um may I ask for a motion to resume regular session? Sumped
>> second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. So, we have resolution dash uh with consent agenda part C 26-42. Can I get a motion and a second to adopt consent agenda part C?
>> Some moved. Second. Uh roll call, please. Councilwoman Anarelli. Um, so I'm going to recuse myself from this vote because um, for my work I've worked on uh, the regul affordable housing regulations um, and worked with
other elements of uh, the state enforcement. So um, I am going to recuse but I um, I I've I've read the plan um, I've read the settlement. I I know what a process it can be and it's a a brand new process at that for everyone. And um I think uh Garwood has landed on a plan
that makes sense uh for Garwood while also fulfilling its obligations according to the uh constitutional uh obligation to provide affordable housing. So I think it's in a really good place. >> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Bianco >> I.
>> Councilwoman Bodto. >> Councilman Carney. >> Councilwoman Ny. >> Okay. So at this point in the meeting um we have our mayor's appointments which are our various boards and our
committees. Um they do not require a vote. They are uh mayor's appointments only. But um I just want to take a moment. We have uh for planning board um Mr. Nearest is is coming back and we
also have some uh several new members uh that uh I would just like to note. Um we have Craig McCarrick coming to uh filling the unexpired term in class 4. Um we have uh Keith Mason, Brian De Maria,
and Thomas James Biano are new to the board as well for alternate. So I just want to thank them for stepping up and joining. Um as we know now with paper board, we're going to have some some good long meetings ahead of us. Um, we
have our library board of trustees and uh, Maria Kohish is uh, renewing her term. Our Garwood board of health, we have Barbara Greet renewing her term, our Shade Tree Advisory Board, uh, everybody, let's see, we have our two
renewals, um, Lenny Navaro and Doug Stoer. green team. We have uh several new renewals on there and our historical committee remains the same as well as does our recreation committee. Um our
Garwood Partnerships for Arts and Culture has a few new members. We have uh Amanda Bry, Tony Grunwald, and uh oh, Mark Lazero. That's right. We we got to
keep them going somewhere around here. um our CI municipal alliance we uh welcome uh again um Sergeant Zacharowski and uh Molly Hulk will be our coordinator this year. Our citizens
advisory panel uh we have one new member Ken Kappa Biano. Our advis our small business advisory committee remains the same. Um and I and our Union County solid waste and transportation advisory board liaison
remain the same this year. But I just want to thank everybody who is new to these boards and committees but also everybody who is continuing your their work on them. These are obviously extremely important to our town. Uh we we always talk about our volunteers here
and you know essentially the elected officials. We are volunteers as well and so we know just how hard it is to put in that time and we do appreciate it. Our standing committees, finance will be chaired by Councilwoman Bodto, joined by Councilman Padusniaak
and Councilwoman Annarelli. Fire committee will be chaired by Councilman Padusniaak, joined by Councilwoman Biano and Councilman Carney. Community development will be chaired by Councilwoman Biano, joined by Councilwoman Nuli and Councilman Carney.
Public works will be chaired by Councilman Carney, joined by Councilwoman Anna and Councilwoman Biano. Police will be chaired by Councilwoman Noli, joined by Councilman Padusniak and Councilwoman Bodto. And community
engagement will be chaired by Councilwoman Annarelli, uh joined by Councilwoman Noli and Councilwoman Bodto. Senior CI citizen liaison will be myself. Uh board of health councilman Carney. Library will be Councilwoman
Nuli. School board will be Councilwoman Bodto. Citizens Advisory Panel Councilwoman Bodto as well. Green team liaison will be myself. Small business will be Councilwoman Biano. Shade tree will be councilwoman Annaelli. And our business and industry chamber of
commerce liaison will be Carol Carney. So, moving to our next uh piece of business. I am very honored to be presenting this next piece of business, which is a proclamation for Councilman
Carney, who as you all know is resigning from his role on council next week. And then the very next day, is it the 13th? The 13th, will be sworn in as a assemblyman in the New Jersey legislature for the 21st district. This
is it was a groundbreaking major uh milestone election for for us here in the 21st district and we are just so lucky to have someone from Garwood representing that this district and giving us a little our little town a
big voice in there. So, we're very proud. And Councilman, if you would join me down there so I can present this to you. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Finance committee.
So pro proclamation honoring Councilman Vincent Carney on his election to the New Jersey state assembly. Whereas Vincent Carney has faithfully served the residents of the burrow of Garwood as a member of the Garwood Burough Council for 5 years
during which time he demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to the betterment of the community. And whereas throughout his tenure on council, Vincent Carney worked collaboratively with fellow officials, staff, and residents to advance
initiatives that strengthen municipal operations, enhanced quality of life, and reflected the values and priorities of the people of Garwood. And whereas Vincent Carney's service on the Garwood Burough Council has been marked by responsiveness, diligence, and a genuine
desire to serve the public good. And whereas in recognition of his leadership and commitment to public service, Vincent Carney has been elected to serve as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 21st Legislative District. And whereas this achievement is a source of pride for the
Burrow of Garwood and the community extends its congratulations and best wishes as he undertakes this important responsibility on behalf of the residents of the state of New Jersey. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor and council of the Burough of Garwood do hereby recognize and honor
Vincent Carney for his five years of dedicated service on the Garwood Burough Council and congratulate him on his election to the New Jersey State Assembly as a legislator for the 21st Legislative District. And be it further proclaimed that the Burrow of Garwood extends best wishes for continued
success in his service to the people of New Jersey. Okay, before we go back, I do just have a little something for you. Even though you probably have one already, you can never have too many because if you're like me, we have a little New Jersey
state flag pin to go. is no longer the burrow seal. Now we're working with the state flag. >> Thank you so much. Uh if I any I want to open it up if anybody has any comments from the council for uh Councilman Carney. I know
we're all very excited about this move. Feel free. I know. >> Congratulations. Very very happy to see you going to New Jersey State Assembly. You'll be sorted here in Garwood. I assure you. But happy to see you moving
up. Thank you. >> Congratulations, Councilman Carney. I'm so proud of you and I know how hard you worked for this and um I know you will continue to work just as hard in your new role. So, congratulations.
>> Thank you. >> We started this together. Um you know, I'm I'm starting my day with you. I can tell everybody and everybody knows that no one has knocked
rain she >> was snow once. >> Yeah. >> Congratulations. Uh you definitely work hard and um you know best wishes in everything that you do. >> Thank you, Council President.
>> And congratulations. I have seen you work so hard uh throughout the campaign season. um and you're so passionate about good policy and public service and you're going to make an
excellent assembly and I cannot wait to watch you uh in committee. So um I look forward to seeing Garwood have uh representation in the New Jersey assembly. It'll make it a lot more fun to watch. >> Thank you for that. And for those who
don't know, uh Councilwoman Annarelli watches a lot of the legislative hearings. So, um, I feel some pressure that there's going to be judgment coming from that way. And also, I'm now Joanne Rajapi's assemblyman. So, I have I got a
lot I got a lot to do. But, thank you. >> Did you have something you or was that it? We don't want to I don't want to keep you from it. You want to do it with council comments. Council >> comments. >> You got it. All right. Thank you. At this point, I will um open to council
comments, starting with uh Councilwoman Annarelli. >> Good evening, everyone. Um and happy new year. Um as I begin my my term um as a member of Garwood Council, I want to
begin by thanking the voters of a of of Garwood for um allowing me the honor to serve this community. I deeply appreciate the trust that you all have put in me and I take uh very seriously
the responsibilities of this office. Um I promise as councilwoman that I will lead with integrity, make informed and thoughtful decisions. Um and to always approach governing as the act of service it is intended to be. I would like to
thank my loved ones who have supported me, namely my husband Rich. Um, and my parents, Jim and Anna, who are here from Florida. Your love, support, encouragement, uh, really have no limits, and I'm always grateful for that. Um, I'd also like to thank my
friends and family who have supported me uh, throughout this this process, getting to uh, sit up here on the DEAS and uh, who have traveled from near and far to be here today. Um, I also like to thank uh Mayor Blumensttock who has spent a lot of time getting me up to
speed on council matters and procedures. Um, as well as Councilman SLA assemblymen elect Carney uh who suggested I run in the first place and who has been an incredible source of guidance over the last few months. Uh, Councilwoman Bodto has uh shared her
knowledge and really welcomed me with open arms. And uh, of course, Councilwoman Nuli, who was both an excellent running me and someone who graciously offered her wisdom and experience as I uh, navigated the election process. Um, Councilwoman
Bianca, I am very excited to work together. Um, and know that all of us up here will be doing our very best this year. Uh, for all the residents of Garwood. I also look forward to working with all of the bureau staff including Mr. Arthur and Miss Vasquez. Um, with
each of the departments and of course with theeers we have in Garwood who are here with us today. Um over the next three years, I hope that we can work together to continue making infrastructure improvements and to further investigate uh flood mitigation
strategies. Um especially I'm looking forward to diving into the 2026 budget uh where I'll be looking for ways that we might more effectively and efficiently resources and provide the high quality of services that Garwood needs and
enjoys. Um and as community engagement chair, I am excited to continue fostering Garwood's already very strong sense of community. Um we engage with one another through these in-person activities and events ultimately form
the ties that bind us. And so whether you're a senior child, um I will support uh the uh wreck department and the events um to ensure that there's something for you. And I also want to make sure I pursue this in a way that's
fiscally responsible, looking for uh different fundraising or sponsorship opportunities uh to bring as much as we can to Garwood at the lowest cost. So with that, I'm excited for the year ahead and all of the work that lies before me and the council um to ensure
government's continued success and bright future. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh I'm going to go a little out of alphabetical order. So Councilwoman Null D, good evening everyone and happy new year.
Uh, thank you to the voters of Garwood for allowing me to serve as your councilwoman for another three-year term. I'm honored and humbled by your trust in me. Tonight, I've committed to serve you over these next three years by working collaboratively with my colleagues on committees and supporting
all of our depo departments and employees who keep our burrow running smoothly and safely. I thank Mayor U. Jane Jen Blumentock for her continued support and my fellow councilmen and women. It's an honor to serve with you. I'm thrilled to welcome our newest
councilwoman, Kathleen Anarelli. Her intelligence, experience, and insight will have a positive impact on our community, and we are so fortunate to have her join us. I'm honored to be sworn in tonight by Joanne Rajabi. Her story, career in public service is an
inspiration to all of us. I would also like to thank my family, my husband Gonzalo, my kids Sophia, Matteo, and Isabella for their encouragement and love. As we look ahead to 2026, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on some of the work that we've done together over
the last year. As chair of the community engagement committee, I've had the pleasure of working alongside our dedicated community volunteers to maintain the long-standing traditions for Garwood families and neighbors to enjoy together. Whether handing out quickly melting ice cream on a hot
summer night or warm donuts on a frigid winter evening, many hands make light work. And I'm so grateful to the recreation committee. It has been a pleasure to work with you. I am deeply thankful for the dedication of our burough employees, John Arthur, our
burough administrator, the DPW, police and fire departments who provide essential support. I would especially like to thank Katya Lysac, our full-time recreation director, for coordinating and organizing these events and programs. Let's take a moment to
celebrate some of the numbers. 155 participants in Garward's summer recreation camp, 158 participants in our current basketball season, three new youth STEM programs, two new sponsors for community events, 12 successful
recreation community events, approximately 250 participants in our youth and adult programming, and $92,000 awarded from the state local recreation improvement grant. Additionally, the basketball court at the sports complex was resurfaced and the concession stand
was reopened. She deserves some applause for that. The Gar Partnership for Arts and Culture held several memorable art events throughout the year, including your heart young and bombing in February, an exhibit featuring the
artwork of our youngest artists in March as part of our art in schools month, the second annual Garwood Poetry Festival in April, our second annual Garwood Celebrates Pride Community Art Project in June, and our third annual fall into art show in Octo. October. We look
forward to expanding our network of Garwood based artists and developing new arts and culture initiatives in the year ahead. I'm looking forward to the work ahead with this council. Together, we will collaborate thoughtfully in our committees and continue striving to make
Garwood an even better place to work, work and live in 2026. Thank you and I wish everyone a happy, successful, healthy new year. >> Very nice. Thank you. Those are some good numbers. >> Yes, did a great job. Okay, Councilwoman
Biano, >> I'd like to congratulate once again Mini Carney going to the assembly. That's wonderful. And also to Councilwoman Anna Ali and Councilwoman Naldi for their new three-year term. And um I'm really looking forward to serving on council
this year as the chair of the community development and to working with everybody on the fire committee and department of public works. I'm also excited to serve as liazison to the planning board and our small business community. I'm eager to collaborate, listen to work on the issues that matter most to our residences and businesses.
Thank you for the opportunity. Look forward to serving you Garwood. >> Thank you Councilwoman Boda. Council President Boda. I'm sorry. Happy. Thank you for coming. Council, great pleasure and sincere congratulations and I welcome the
council. Your election to this important is a testament to your dedication, vision, and commitment to serving the community. Step um responsible council a significant achievement and keep forward to working together. Councilman Moody,
congratulations as well. Perspective and logic are invaluable. I am excited to continue working together to address the needs and aspirations of our residents. To our mayor and all council members, I look forward to contributions to policy link community engagement
governments. This is a time for innovationship and growth. As we move ahead, I encourage open dialogue respect and a spirit of cooperation. Let us embrace the opportunities that
strive for the decision we make. Together we can build a stronger the values and hopes of all our residents. I would again like to extend my appreciation to council for his dedicated service. Best wishes as you
move on to bigger and better things. Lastly and as always to all for their support and patience. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Carney. >> Uh, thank you for for the proclamation
and uh also for everything over the years that we've served here together. Thank you. Uh, I I also um because uh our county clerk is still with us in the audience. I just have to share a quick anecdote from election night. Um, my
campaign team brought in Joanne Rajapi to ensure that I believe them. They told me that I had won the election and because she's Joanna Rajapy, she's you couldn't possibly question that. Although somebody in New Orleans did and
she she served them up. It was great. Uh and also my my running mate, my my uh my first partner on the on the door knockocking Garwood. Uh Councilman Graham is here. Uh Russ, thank you for everything. Um, you're a large part of the reason that I
was able to sit up here in the first place. Uh, standing next to you. Anybody looks better. So, to say that the other way around. I better standing next to you. Um, but no, seriously, uh, thank thank you, Russ. Um
before I make my uh final comments as a member of the council, um I do need to congratulate uh Councilwoman Clarissa Ni on your welldeserved re-election. Uh you a consent professional. um you have me in
class and how you life uh and you really inspired me with your tireless dedication to expanding uh community program and in Garland. Um I'm so excited for you to become the next police commissioner. I've uh told Chief Biden that he is in
good hands with you in that room. Look forward to watching you knock this new assignment out of the park the way you did with community engagement over your first term. And uh next a hearty congratulations uh and also a a huge
thank you to Councilwoman Kathleen Anori. Um thank you so much for stepping up to serve uh and for working so hard to win your seat. Uh, I knew the night that I knocked on your door and you stepped out to your porch in
your socks to talk with me for at least 20 minutes in the freezing cold that you would make one hell of a council member if I could talk you into making the run. So, here you are. Um, I can't wait to see the good things you do on council.
Uh, again, thank you for stepping up stepping up. I've been honored to serve with you. It's just for this this one meeting. Um I wanted to serve in the uh in the state assembly since I was a high school senior. Uh a significant moment in my
life is when Assemblyman Alan Augustine of Scotch Plains uh helped my family with legislation and that's uh a big part of what eventually led me to this council seat and now to the assembly seat that assemblyman Augustine once
held. Um I often reflect on the low father's uh survivor's pension and the relief that brought my mother as he financial burdens. uh without that assemblyman's help today uh I wouldn't
have developed a passion for state and local government that led to all of the service. Uh unfortunately assemblyman Augustine passed away in 2001. Um he provides a great example good friend uh Greg Vartan often describes as one of
two types of politicians. The one who wants to do something with the office and that something is helping people. This begs the question of course is what's the other type of politician? Those are the ones that want to be somebody and they definitely help
themselves and this is not a partisan thing. There's examples of of both of these things throughout history. Um I've never viewed my role on this council through the lens of a reelection. So, in my final message, and somewhat copying Councilman Graham's uh final message
from 2023, uh I'm addressing my colleagues at now and those of you here position in the future. This job is not about you. It's about serving the community to write for those residents.
Sometimes you may have to make uncomfortable decisions. Who enjoys raising their own property taxes? None of us uh yet we've all done it served sometimes means doing that raising taxes
issuing a bond personal comfort level making tough calls and compromises to benefit Garwood that is an always job of council member the guiding principle up here is what makes us as council members feel good or positions us for votes it's
doing the right thing even if it's pop. If you get criticized for spending money, which in my case was on things as valuable as LED snowflakes that from my first year, um those are holiday decorations, by the
way. And um to support the volunteer firefighters. Look, matters. It's not those who do our jobs. Uh we're only here on friends. We're here to serve. And I say this as a guy who is still standing on guada on an entire block of
metal and even parking decals and there's an entire Facebook group dedicated to hating me. Um I want to say have the courage of your convictions up here. Uh level with do get it right and if you get it wrong and
remember that how we do things up here matters just as much as getting done. If we all approach this job like it's the only term we're able to serve, do everything we can to make things better with the time we have in these seats, we leave it on the field and that's how the
town moves forward. And finally, what I've done is made possible by working with the people I've served with on this governing body and by the dedicated service of our professionals, employees, and volunteers. Uh I thanked all of them
at the last December meeting. So I'm not going to again. Uh so uh a thank you to everyone who I served alongside up here since 2021 and to the residents who have placed their trust in me repeatedly. I've truly enjoyed serving on this
council. It's really a privilege to sit in these seats and election to it was an absolute honor. and sitting here tonight as both the once reelected councilman and now an assemblyman elects the theory of elected service that I've loaded out
here tonight sound um my deepest and final thanks go to my wife Alana it's one of the only times she's ever been in this room while counseling bill is going on >> she was not just my partner she is my best friend she's my everything uh her
steady support is essential to who I am today and it allows me to serve as both a cop, as a councilman, uh to run for the assembly and to be a good dad. Uh I love you. I love you boys more than anything, and I hope that I make you all
proud. And finally, I wish this council nothing but success in 2026 and beyond. Uh I will do my best to support Garland and the towns in the 21st district. And with that, I wish everyone
Mr. V and uh from the last time that's fully mouth. >> Thank you. It was a good >> a nice way to end council comments. So um at this point we will open the floor to public comment. If there is anyone in the audience who wishes to
address the mayor and council, please step to the microphone, state your full name and address and please limit your comments to five minutes. >> Russ Liberty Court and uh good evening again everyone. Um I hadn't heard my name mentioned that often since I sat up
there saying Councilman Graham, how do you but u thank you Vinnie for those kind words. um you know everything you got fully deserved and um you know I I look forward to in the near future being having an opportunity to introduce you
formally. So uh that'd be a great honor for me and I'm so happy you brought that up today. Um to Councilwoman Noli, congratulations on your uh reelection. Um you've been a uh you know a force in your own right. uh you brought a new
perspective to the council while I served um and a new perspective for the whole town and it's been remarkable to see how it's grown and how you've uh carried through on it. Um it takes a lot of dedication to do that and I really
appreciate your efforts and congratulations on that. and to our newest council woman and I'm glad I don't have to say that too often but uh well I already called called everybody by their first name so it wouldn't be easy um congratulations to
you and um you know just sitting here listening to you uh Garwood is truly blessed by you know having someone so talented, intelligent, poised um I know you're going to be great. You know this is not an easy thing to do.
uh you get as much out of it as you you put in and um I know you're going to be wonderful and I can already see your your dedication and your your u your intelligence and everything is going to be a tremendous benefit for this council
in this town and also a new council woman councilwoman Bianca who I haven't had an opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment and welcome to the council. It's so wonderful to see you sitting there. You you uh you've been doing a great job in
the background for such a long time for this town and it's wonderful to see you have a chance to serve in a meaningful uh position. Um mayor, you know, you're you're just continuing to amaze me. Um
you're doing such a professional job of mayoring this little town of ours. Um, it's it's so gratifying to see you've turned it into a full-time job, which uh is pretty amazing and I know Andy appreciates that every day
>> when the uh dishes are still in the sink and you know what but uh you know you made a lot of sacrifices for this and you know I I fully encourage you last year right your term. So uh you know please keep doing what you do. I know um
you get a lot of respect from the other mayors in the area and uh you know you're you're definitely you know doing a professional job at this this job which is really saying something and I don't want to leave you
out uh council um you know congratulations council president you know it's quite an honor and you know come the summertime when the mayor's away you'll get to sit there and >> stumble through How was that? Yeah,
>> just like I did one time. >> It's a lot of fun and uh hopefully you do a little bit better job than the kids that sit up there and >> but uh hey, thank you all for what you do and you know, continue to to work
hard and I know that you will and good luck and happy new year everybody. >> Happy New Year. Thank you, council. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion
to close public comment? >> Second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Okay, I know everybody's getting a little eager to to get out of here. It's not too long an address, so Um, but I I just want to start by
thanking everybody again for coming out tonight. Um, and of course once again congratulating Councilwoman Nuli uh on her second term and Councilwoman Annaelli as she begins her first. I am truly honored to be working alongside such intelligent, thoughtful women who
value public service much the same way as I do. Uh being a council person or any kind of public servant uh is not something that anyone takes lightly these days. As you've heard tonight with everything going on in the world and with family and friends and our regular
jobs competing for our time, choosing to step up and serve your community isn't an easy decision. Uh but it's an important one. And our towns only thrive when good people who genuinely care are willing to step forward. uh and honestly this whole system we call democracy only
works because of that. So as we begin our 250th year of our country, that idea feels especially meaningful to me. As we plan all of the celebrations that reflect our nation's history and we honor the people who brought us to this moment, I think it's just as important
to recognize the everyday people and the local decisions that quietly keep this great experiment moving forward. local government plays a much bigger role in our daily lives than people sometimes realize. Uh, and I want to thank all of my colleagues up here for being a part
of that work. So, speaking of running our local community, I want to take a few moments just to reflect on what we were able to accomplish in Garwood this past year. And as I enter the final year of my term as mayor, I'm struck by not only how
quickly the time has gone, but by just how much we've been able to get done and the real positive progress progress we've seen while staying true to who we are as a small town. Because in a state where small towns are often under pressure and during an economy that's
been anything but predictable over these last several years, our burough departments and council have worked incredibly hard to meet those challenges head on. And because of that teamwork, we've been able to expand services and create new opportunities, all while
keeping costs truly minimal. In 2024, as Councilwoman Noli said, our recreation complex saw some exciting improvements, thanks to the Union County Kids and WCK grants. We renovated the basketball court and added new painted backboards and nets and added a new shade structure
with benches. And we also introduced the concession stand. Uh something that we know many residents have asked for over the years. And again, the stand is coordinated with games and rentals. And while the burrow doesn't pay for the service, its continuation depends on community use. So please stop by,
support it, and help us keep it going. And we also made major strides in modernizing our burough technology. This year, our website was redesigned to be more userfriendly with a homepage calendar that clearly shows meetings, events, and holidays. And several of our
services moved online this year as well, including pet registration, landlord registrations, and our report a concern feature, which allows residents to directly alert the appropriate department in real time. Improving constituent services is always a priority for me, but this was an
important step forward. Street safety was obviously another major focus you've heard a lot about this year. Our police department continued to make traffic enforcement a top priority with traffic stops increasing significantly each month. And that's kind of an understatement I
think. But at the same time, the council worked to improve the infrastructure that makes our streets safer and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. We installed the new pedestrian crossing signal at south and west and this helps more safely connect Vermela residents as well as all the residents living in that
area on the south side of Garwood to the downtown. Along center street we added ADA ramps and crosswalks at Hazel and hemlock and Hickory's on the way. Uh we installed solar pedestrian crossing signals and solar speed signs. uh created a painted
bumpout at Willow with the help of volunteers and we added bike lanes and bike racks. These proven safety measures work together to reduce speeding and they make Center Street more walkable, something every healthy, thriving town needs. And that work doesn't stop here.
As we move into the coming year and prepare to review the circulation element of our master plan, we'll continue to look for practical ways to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout town. Now, public safety saw another major accomplishment as well this year. As we
said goodbye to Chief Stoofer and Captain Roco, their leadership left a lasting legacy with the police department, achieving accreditation through the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police. This is a significant achievement, especially for a small town with limited resources, and it speaks
volumes about the professionalism of our department. I know our new chief, Jonathan Pry, along with Captain Lewis and all of our officers, including those hired this year, will continue to build on that legacy. The department has added
new certifications, introduced a bike patrol unit, and expanded community involvement through the PBA, all of which strengthened the relationship between our officers and the residents they serve. And Garwood also continued to grow economically this past year with
several new businesses opening their doors, including game changers, uh, strong Pilates, and solar salons, just to name a few. Starting a small business is no easy task, especially in today's economy, and we're committed to being a supportive partner. This year, the
planning board worked with the small business advisory members to update our sign ordinances. Small changes that can make a big difference for local businesses. Sustainability, something you all know is close to my heart, also remained a
major priority in 2025. We planted more trees than ever before and earned recognition as a Tree City USA municipality. Our green team continued its litter and brook cleanups and made ongoing improvements to Unami Park. And as we head into 2026, protecting our
environment and addressing climate change will remain front and center. And in that vein, looking ahead, one of the most pressing issues we need to address is flooding. With climate change bringing more frequent and intense storms, it's clear we need to explore
additional protections to our community. Now, while larger regional solutions have now proven difficult without federal funding, we can't afford to stand still. I'm asking the council to fund an engineering study in this year's budget to take a deeper look at our source system and identify potential
solutions. Whether that means smaller green infrastructure projects or larger detention systems, residents deserve real answers and this study is an important step towards finding them. Another project I hope to see us tackle is the removal of invasive vegetation
along our books Gabian walls. While the walls themselves are secure, the overgrowth has become a real concern for nearby residents. Our burough administrator has already begun addressing assessing the issue and I would like this to be a priority project beginning this spring even if it means
addressing it in phases. And as we continue our focus on street safety, I also want to build on the progress we've made with sidewalks and ADA accessibility. After the success of the West Street sidewalk project, we'll be adding sidewalks this year along South Avenue so that entire length of
the street through Garwood is will be walkable. We've made great progress with paving over the years, and now it's time to think creatively about how we use some of those same grants to further improve accessibility across town. Communication with our residents is
another area where we're always looking for ways to improve through social media, Nixa alerts, and our mailed annual schedule of services. We work hard to keep residents informed. And in fact, that hard copy mailing is something very few towns still do, but I am committed to continuing that
practice. I'm now also committing to launching a monthly emailed mayor's newsletter in 2026, which residents will be able to sign up for through the burough website. So stay tuned for more details. And on a lighter note, I'm very excited to share
that we've received several submissions from mural artists for the underpass project. We're in the process of forming a committee to review the applications, and I can't wait to see this project come to life. Bringing color and creativity to that space has been a longtime goal of mine, and I'm thrilled
that this is finally a year that it will happen. So, as I close, um, I just want to thank everyone who helped make 2025 such a successful year in Garwood. from our burrow employees and elected officials to our dedicated volunteers and to our
newly elected officials, appointed professionals, and some of our new volunteers. I am grateful to be working alongside you in 2026. I am truly full of hope for this new year, and I look forward to making positive strides and bringing new opportunities and lasting improvements
for the residents of Garwood. Thank you. Okay, everybody. Thank you. So, regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on Thursday, January 22nd at 2026. January 202, 2026 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
Information for meetings is posted on the burrow website. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Happy new year everybody.
What happened?