All right, we're live on YouTube. Welcome everybody. If I could ask everybody to please stand for 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 leader and advertised on November 13, 2025. Notification was sent to the local source union county and is posted on the municipal website, the
municipal public bulletin board and filed in the office of the municipal clerk informing the public of the time and place according to the provisions of the open public meeting law chapter 241 PL1 1975. PL 2025C72 states that legal ads placed by the
municipality will not need to be published in newspapers beginning on March 1st, 2026 and will be posted on our burough website under the section titled Garwood legal notices. Roll call, please. Mr. Arthur >> here. >> Councilwoman here.
>> Councilwoman, >> here >> council here. res >> here. >> Roll call of staff and professionals, please. >> John, >> here. >> Uh, John, Jonathan P, chief of police.
>> Okay. Um, hi. >> You too. >> Yeah. We have a very special presentation to start our evening tonight, actually. Um, and uh, I really love this one. Let me
tell you a little bit about how this came about. Um, I got an email a few months ago from a resident, Christina Sosa, and she told me about a Garwood neighbor who came to her rescue and she wanted a way to honor her. Uh, and after I found out who this Garwood resident
was and heard the story, I knew she deserved the community spirit award. Christina's son Graham was born with a hand anomaly and this makes it difficult to find gloves in the winter that not only keep him warm but fit comfortably.
So traditional gloves just don't work. So Christina put up a post on the Garwood Facebook page as we do asking for help uh and asking if there was someone who could help make custom gloves. Uh she said Graham wanted some gloves that fit his hands just the way
they are. And immediately Tammy Tammy Kleman answered the call. She worked with Christina and Graham to make him several pairs of gloves. Now that generosity of spirit alone is enough to commend Tammy, and it is exactly the kind of community story that's important
to highlight, but I also know that it's not the only way that Tammy gives of herself. Uh from helping with the Garwood food drive to raising money for the Westfield Unity Bike Tour, uh Tammy's selflessness makes her a true community spirit winner. So, I would
like to invite Tammy uh and her husband Bill and the uh SOA family. We have Christina, SOA, and Graham up here uh at the microphone here to present Tammy with her award. Well, I want to start off by reading the resolution.
Uh, whereas the Burough of Garwood values and celebrates residents whose actions exemplify kindness, generosity, and a strong commitment to community. And whereas Tammy Kleman has consistently demonstrated these qualities through her selfless acts of service and genuine care for her
neighbors, embodying the true spirit of Garwood. And whereas Tammy's thoughtfulness and compassion were especially evident when she took the time to lovingly create a new pair of mittens custom made to fit the hands of young of a young Garwood resident, ensuring warmth, comfort, and a sense of
belonging. And whereas Tammy has further shown her dedication to the community by actively participating the Garwood Food Drive, helping support local families in need. And whereas Tammy also fundraises and supports the police unity tour, contributing her time and energy to honor police officers who have fallen in
the line of duty. And whereas through these acts and many others, Tammy Kleman has set a meaningful example of what it means to be a good neighbor and a positive force within the burrow. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Jen Blumensttock, mayor of the Burough of Garwood, do hereby recognize and honor
Tammy Kleman with the Community Spirit Award in appreciation of her kindness, generosity, and outstanding service to the Garwood community. And be of further resolve that the Bow of Garwood extends its sincere gratitude to Tammy Cleman for her compassion, civic involvement,
and the lasting positive impact she has made on the lives of others. Thank you. And this here is just a little gift that we give to our comm street, an iconic Garwood location, uh made by uh a resident who has since
passed, Bill Connelly, but it's just a a little something you can hang in your home to always have Garwood with you. Right. So, here you go. You're welcome. And would you like to say a few words? >> Would you like a to say a few things,
Christina? >> Sure. >> Um, you know, to to many this seems like, oh, it's a pair of gloves. It's But to a child who often feels different. Um, it really changed his winter. It's the first winter where he felt like he could play with his
friends, where he could be outside. Um, and I didn't know the Clemen family. She just was a stranger to me, responded and really helped him to feel a part of the community and part of his friends. Um, and it she just is the more I learn about Tammy and and everything that she
does for everyone, it just truly embodies what it means to be part of the Garwood community and small town, you know, big heart. So, thank you. >> Very well said. >> Thank you so much. >> I didn't say thank you so much. The reason I do things, like I always say, I do it for the cause and not for the
applause. But this is very sincere and very very nice. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Would you stay up for a picture? >> It's perfectly fine as long as we don't post their names like you can show us.
No. Yeah. Yeah. Picture sign there. Thank you. Thank you so much. And fun isn't over. We have another fun presentation tonight. Uh March is youth art month. Um and this is a month-long celebration
which focuses on the value of visual arts education for K to2 students. uh and it emphasizes that art education is vital for student development. It fosters self-expression and supports quality school programs. Um so thousands
of schools participate annually hosting student art exhibitions, special projects, uh schoolwide events and community showcases. So here in Garwood, uh Lincoln school art teacher Miss Becky Planer collaborated with the Garwood Library and the Garwood Partnership for
Arts and Culture to exhibit her students artwork. And as you can see, some of it is up here to at the burrow hall. And I am just so excited to honor these amazing young artists tonight. So, Miss Planer, if you could join me along with Councilwoman Nuli, who is the chair of
the Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture, and we will hand out the awards to the students. So, I love this. Um, it's just a small little kind of display here. We do 10 pieces here and 10 pieces at the Garwood Library. So, if you don't see your child's artwork here, it is on display
in the GL glass case at the library. Um, it's just a nice little kind of like peek at what we do. Um, a nice mixture of different grade levels and then we'll have our big art show in the spring to kind of keep that art going. So, thank you all for coming. >> Oh, I just wanted to make a note that
the list of artists, which we were going to post here, um had a misprint on it. So, we're going to be posting it uh after the meeting and there will be another copy at the library. So, if anyone wants to check that out, they can. >> Okay. All right. You want to
name You won't mess up last name like I will. >> Well, don't do that. I'll hold. Okay, perfect. Ryan Zachariah, you want to come on up? >> Congratulations. >> Make a little line. Um, Len Bonaventura,
Lucy Frell, Drew Andreola, I don't think he's here, but Lucas Carolyn, Meline Ramirez, Annabella Gomes. Ava Walawitz, >> Olga, Bonia,
Dimmitri Gather, >> Busy Night, Christina Howard, Howard, >> Pope Shadwel, >> Sophia Arus, Jordan Lane. Is that a lot of people? Yeah.
>> Lily Ortiz, Von Zeleleski, Tristan Dennis, Valerie Fino, and Rayma Gray. A lot of these artsy students that are not here were on a field trip with me today, so they may just be exhausted.
>> Sure. Come on over here. >> Good. How was all you got? >> Right. >> That one right here. Okay. >> Okay. Thank you for us and tell them how
awesome they are. with time. Okay, >> I'll send it out so I don't forget. >> I guess >> just give a few for everybody to make. >> Hi guys. Have a good night.
message. quiet. Okay, we will uh move on to our reports. Uh our borrow attorney. >> Uh nothing new to reporter. >> Okay. Uh our borrow administrator. >> How you doing tonight? So um and ladies
and gentlemen, see this is I know these are requirements. If you're looking to learn more, there was a presentation on March 4th that's on our YouTube channel and there also accompany PowerPoint slides that are on the website. If you cannot locate the
links to either, you can the joey-arthurgwin.org and we'll send you those links. On tonight's agenda, we will also see that upon council approval, we have a new school clerk scheduled to start on March 19th and a new recreation director to
start on the 1st. >> Thank you. And you took part in mine. Um, so I just wanted to thank everybody for attending last week's re redevelopment town hall. Um, we had a really good showing. Uh, Mr. Baler is here. Thank you for for being there. Um,
and the slides, as Mr. Arthur said are up on the burough website. If you go to government and affordable housing tab, that's where they are as he said. Um I know it was a little hard to see that night because it was a lot of numbers obviously. Um but if you check it out at home, you can zoom in and see all the
calculations right there. So, um I also know there were a lot of emotions that night as there usually is when discussing this issue, but this presentation was just meant to provide some detail and explanation of the various ordinances and resolutions that
both the council and planning board have been working on these past few months. Uh by meeting these requirements by the Monday deadline, so is are so that we can have immunity through 2035. Uh, and as I'm sure you've seen in the news, all of our neighboring towns have been doing
the same. Um, but I think Garwood's plan makes the best out of the circumstances and that it really looks to balance things a bit given the mandate. Uh, I am also happy to announce a full slate of activities for local government week, which is taking place April 13th
to the 18th. Local government week is a week sponsored by the New Jersey League of Municipalities to celebrate local government, our local departments, our committees, uh, and everyone who makes our community as amazing as it is. So, we will begin advertising our activities
this weekend with the full time and place details. Uh, but the rundown, the quick rundown is as follows. Uh, Monday will feature our senior walk sponsored by the Garwood Senior Department. Tuesday will feature our annual students in government night. Wednesday is a
Unami Park spruce up with the green team. Thursday has the library and gar revolution to 50 hosting a revolutionary war speaker at the library. Friday is coffee with a cop and Saturday will feature a litter cleanup with clean
communities. So keep an eye out uh online for more information. That is all I have for tonight. So we will move along to comments for the council. Councilwoman Anna Rally. Good evening everyone. Just a few quick comments. Obviously,
there are quite a few on the agenda today that to affordable housing. Um, and as I've mentioned in previous books, um, and accusing myself from these votes due to my
Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency and of what could be considered a conflict just clear. Thanks, Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman Bianca. >> Good evening, everybody. I don't have any comments for tonight. Thank you
anyway. Councilwoman Noli. Um, so the only thing I wanted to say was there's another activity as well for um for uh GPAC. This this month we are presenting u an alcohol art workshop
which is being held on March 26th at the rec center from 7 to 8. So, the recreation uh you can uh you can register on rec myre.com and you can learn how to create kaleidoscopic art using alcohol paint and special alcohol
art paper. >> Yeah, that's great. I never heard of it. So, that's great. Um, Councilman Padusniaak, >> thank you. Try to keep them relatively brief. I was attempting to sponsor. So, some of you may recall that we discussed
different approaches to holiday parking a couple ago. The mayor advised us uh the police committed the question which we the same recommendation as the prior time. Um I then took the resolution that we had passed last year uh secured the
support of two fellow of council and requested on the inclusion for full inclusion agenda. as you will see from different after I'm done speaking. So that design forcla
inclusion of caution that was candle which I think council bianc fixing but they do um a precedent but a few months ago saw a
similar situation where councilman Carney passed at basically the same closing state that question that was considered for the journal
time concern which true to a certain extent this is a far off issue though I think situation to rush So I'm just saying I'm sure disagree. I think that's sort of what politics is
by definition but I think it's transparent and so I just want to thank for your consideration and trusted with a great task and we all it
share together. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um and I agree we should be transparent and I think um we have been but um I will let Mr. Arthur if you want to explain um with this ordinance the the process.
>> Yeah. So in general sort of a straw poll to see if there's enough support before we go through the work of adding it to an agenda having turn review it which does cost some money obviously. um that has been the the precedent that I've understood since
I've started here, but it is now discussed with the bylaws committee actually poll towns. There's a wide variety of way that they finalize an agenda. Some some have the council president make the final call, some have the mayor make the final call. That's
what I've mostly seen as responses so far to my inquiries. But um it's kind of the estimate you know has been usually discussed at a meeting which are strong based on the results of the straw >> right um and I do know just I'll put it
out there you um uh councilman you had asked Mr. Arthur to bring it to the council and get the feedback. So, I guess he straw pulled everyone because it was uh in the straw poll 33 in which case I would break the tie. Um and I voted against after you brought that to me that it was 33. So, that was where it
ended. Again, um as you said, they're looking at at this method the methodology uh in the bylaws. So, hopefully that clears that up. >> Yeah, I think it does. And I think I I mentioned those things. I would just mention that when the ordinance that
passed with Councilman K was a 33 ordinance that happened to pass because of attendance at that meeting. So he would not be allowed to come. So it's a question of is it okay for it to fail? So >> I agree. I just think as we said we
should just create a set procedure so that we don't have a a back and forth about it from here on in. So thank you. Um, okay. Councilman Seka, >> I have no comments tonight. Thank you. >> Okay, Council President Bodto,
just congratulations to Miss. >> Okay. Um, moving along to the minutes, Mr. Arthur. send the regular meeting council on February 26th, 2026. >> Do I have a motion to accept the regular
meeting minutes? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Okay. Um we have no communications, but we have multiple ordinances up for
adoption tonight. Um and uh that means a public hearing on many of them. And as we have said before, most of them do concern board uh plan or uh for affordable housing. Uh we do have
Mr. Baylor here for any questions that may arise. Um so at this point, we'll start going through them and open up the the public hearings. And of course, if council has anything they need to discuss or ask questions of Mr. Baylor. Uh, please feel free during the
discussion of each. Um, okay. Mr. Arthur, can you read ordinance 26-02 by title only? 6-02 to repeal affordable housing and article 13 development fees in chapter 106 demand
use of the revised ordinances of amendment 14 affordable housing and local 13 fees. Chapter 106, land use of the revised ordinances of the to address the requirements of the fair housing act FHA
as amended and the uniform housing affordability controls UAC as amended regarding compliance with the most affordable housing obligations. >> Thank you. Do we have any cons uh correspondence concerning this? Okay. Does anyone present wish to be heard
concerning this ordinance? Please step to the microphone, state your name and address, and please limit your comments to 5 minutes. Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing on this ordinance? >> Second.
>> Okay. Um, we need a roll call. Uh, any discussion among council first. Okay. Um, may can I have a motion to adopt this ordinance? >> So moved to second. >> Okay. Roll call, please. Mr. Arthur.
>> Sure. Counciloman, >> excuse Bianca. >> Hi, Counciloman. >> I council. >> Councilman Za. >> Hi, >> Council President B. Can you please read uh ordinance 26-03
by title only? 26-03 go zone block 114 lot 42 to enact chapter 106-
Gwood plaza overlay zone block 114.02 02 regulations in chapter 106 use of the code of the government to provide district regulations for an over zone to address compliance with the affordable
housing. >> Thank you. Is there any correspondence concerning ordinance? >> Does anyone present wish to be heard concerning ordinance 26-03? Please step to the microphone. Uh, please state name and address and please
limit your comments to five minutes. >> Good evening, mayor. Ladies and gentlemen of the council, Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh, going to page four. Talks about front yard setback and it says no front yard setback is required.
Is that's actually saying it's zero setback. Is that what it's telling me? And the only reason why I'm talking about this front yard setback is this is right downtown. It is our uh North Avenue Mall and we have a cafe ordinance and something tells me that there should
be at least a minimum 20 to 25 foot setback so we can have uh a large space for uh common tables and such like that if we do have cafes or restaurants. us that uh also there was a possibility of
a on the south avenue so why don't we have a fountain on the north avenue we'd be known as the fountain burrow I guess so anyway so just need a little clarification what that means and hopefully that uh you recognize that it really should be changed uh because
there's going to be storefronts on that and and it should be set back and I I don't see a uh building right downtown coming right up to the uh right away uh of the town. You know, you need you need some you
need some footage setback. So, I guess that's that's it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Does anyone else wish to address the mayor and council regarding this ordinance? Okay. Seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing? >> Second.
>> Uh all in favor? Opposed? Okay. Um, any discussion among council? Okay. Uh, Mr. Baylor, I'm going to let you um handle that one if you wouldn't mind. >> Council, um, so what we applied for all
the overlay zones was the underlying zoning requirements uh, to be consistent with the development regulations of Garwood. So, the underlying zoning uh, had a 0 foot setback for that zone. Uh so we kept it as is uh to be consistent
and that was the reasoning for uh applying that standard for that area. >> And um I just wanted to ask you because you had mentioned this at uh the planning board meeting. Should a developer come in, there will be a redevelopment plan and at that point
anything that's in there supersedes this ordinance. A redevelopment plan supersedes an ordinance. So there could be setbacks put into that plan and that would supersede. >> Correct. And and in the same token you know um yeah is mentioned the redevelopment plan supersedes and the
design can be adjusted based on what is being proposed. So they could set it back feet if necessary. Uh but as mentioned the underlying zone is what we applied for these areas. So that setback was zero.
So we kept it as that. Okay. Any questions up here in council? Okay. All right. Can I have a motion to adopt this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Uh roll call, please.
>> In case I council >> council, council president. >> Okay. >> Um Mr. Arthur, can you please read ordinance 26-04 by title only?
It's the section of capitalism section 106.9.7 G west to one zone regulations in chapter 106 land use of the code of to provide
district regulations for an zone and to address compliance with the affordable housing obligations. >> Thank you. Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? Does anyone here uh wish to be heard concerning ordinance 26-04 I have a uh oh good evening mayor ladies
and gentlemen of the council Bruce Patterson 325 Willow add a couple of pictures I' I'd like to hand to the council they can take a look at it what I'm going to be talking about >> and give it to Mr. Arthur. All right. Share on this side.
>> Share this. That's all there is. >> Yep. >> All right. Uh yeah. Good evening, May 325. Uh th this will probably be a common couple of ordinances.
Uh a complex over on North Avenue past shop right. Uh it shows a large green space in front of it. Uh what we have on this ordinance is and it's as harbor noted it's it's just a a continuation of what
the existing zoning is. However, I would like you to amend it to make it a 20 foot setback on the front yard. Page four actually says it's only 10 foot. I think it it's about time we actually bring in some green space ahead of these these highintensity
uh uses that are that are going to be uh installed up and down South Avenue and North Avenue. Uh it should be easy peasy enough uh to to change that 20 foot setback to have more green space. Uh the
mayor actually created the green team. Uh some members are on the uh green team. So I mean obviously there is an environmental thread on this council. Uh, also the town is a is a tree city and and uh we're I think we're ri rated
bronze on the uh sustainable New Jersey. So I mean moving forward and and this is one of them and then of course I'll be talking on the other three but we should have larger green spaces in front of these high intensity and high density
developments. I mean it's only natural. I mean, as you're looking at that picture of whoever has the pictures now, but as you look at it, it actually gives a great aesthetic look. Um, this is the Garwood rest corner. It's a tight
corner, 100 by 100. However, I did some calculations and it looks like you can actually uh make the uh front yard set back from 10 foot to 20 foot. Uh, it's also matches across the street the uh it used to be a dental. I don't know what it is now, but on the other side of of
east, you have a uh dental uh facility. So, should be easy enough. Change it to 20 foot more green space. This is what we need uh in Garwood cuz right now everything is like butt up right against it right away and it's not good. So,
please consider that and please amend it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anybody else wish to be heard concerning this ordinance? Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh, Bill Nead 320 Hickory. I was not prepared to speak on this at all, but I'd like to give you a different version
of the front yard. As the author of the existing land use ordinance back in the 70s, um, yeah, the GB zone, um, the whole thought process was the central business district has a zero foot front yard setback. It's right up against a sidewalk.
general business zone. Uh you want we wanted a smaller setback, but the key thing with it is you want to have parking in the back. And so by allowing a developer to actually build closer to the street, um you're actually requiring in a way that parking to be in the back.
And so that's part of the general business zone thought process is you don't want the parking in the front. Um I don't know about everyone else, but I get tired of looking at parking lots. Um I'd rather have the building in front. Um, and I understand what Mr. Patterson is saying. I don't know the site corner
uh visibility question. I know what he's raising. I don't know how it relates to this property. It does somehow, but I don't know the act the exact part, but um there might be an argument for some type of front yard setback, but the whole reason, okay, it is what it is, is to
require that parking be set in the back rather than the front. And that's it, mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anybody else wish to address the man council? Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing on this order? >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Opposed? Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Nearstat, for um letting us know about that. Um, and Mr. Patterson, I hope when uh there's another ordinance concerning sustainability and improving sustainability here in Garwood that we have your support on that. we haven't in
the past and I would love to see that since you're very into this greenery. Um, but I believe that the answer for this question is going to uh remain the same. Uh, as Mr. Baylor said previously, there is a standard in our code that
this was created to be consistent with. And again if a developer comes in like uh for instance in paperboard there is a 20 foot setback at most of the locations in paperboard uh because they negotiated
that through the site plan um with that developer. So uh and that takes precedence over the ordinance. So Mr. Baylor if you want to just confirm that the answer would essentially be the same as as last time. >> Yes, Mayor. um as mentioned we applied
the underlying zoning uh bulk requirements for each of the overlays. So whatever the underlying zoning was we applied that standard to be consistent and as mentioned you know these are all opportunities to create affordable
housing. But if a developer comes in, there is a likelihood that a redevelopment plan will be formulated for each of these properties which can be adjusted based on a design plan, a concept plan which should be fine-tuned,
developed the bulk standards in relation to that concept plan. >> Thank you. Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. Uh, roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Biano,
>> hi. >> Councilwoman Milo, >> I council. >> Council me, >> I. >> Council President Bodto. >> Okay. Can we Can you read ordinance 26-05 by title only? >> 26-05.
The Avenue Gateway block 211 810 to enact section 106-90. the Avenue Gateway zone 211 lots 8 and 10 regulations in chapter 106 use of the
code of the bur of Gwood to provide district regulations for an overlow zone and to address compliance with the burrow's affordable housing obligations. >> Thank you. Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? Does anyoneing ordinance 26-05?
Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen, council. Bruce Patterson, 3:25. Uh, first I I'd just like to dismiss what uh Mr. Nearstead brings up about parking in the back. Um especially at uh guard rest, the parking is not going to be in the back. In fact, most of the
developments that you see, where where do you think the parking ends up? Underneath underneath the building. It doesn't end up parking in the back. There may be supplemental parking in the back, but the majority of the parking is underneath the building. And Harbor Consultants probably can verify that as
to how many how many highdensity projects have parking underneath versus how many have parking in the back. Uh on page four again, you know, talks about a 10- foot setback. This is at the standard nipple in the anchor building, which is historic, but
I, you know, obviously this is targeted. I'm on the historical committee, and I'd hate to see it go. It actually has a ghost sign on the side of the building that says Anchor uh Anchor Iron Works. That that was a uh manufacturing
facility back in around 1900. So anyway, but it's targeted. Uh not necessarily will be built. We don't know that. But anyway, it's targeted with an overlay zone at that point. I don't think parking is going to be in the back. It's um it's a fairly narrow lot.
I don't know what the dimension is, but it will end up underneath the building. So, if you can promise if you can promise the public out here that the parking will be in the back and not underneath the building, then I understand. uh Mr. Nearsteads and
even Harvard consultants uh uh discussion as to leaving it as a 10 foot. However, if the parking is underneath 20 foot setback. So, I mean at this point and moving forward cuz there's other ordinances also that I will be discussing about. But anyway, at
this point, I really would like to have a guarantee that yes, the parking will be in the back when the developers come with their proposals or I'd like a guarantee that if they are going to come with with the uh parking underneath the building, which I can
only assume is probably like a 90% guarantee, that you will make 20 foot minimum front yard setbacks for the greenery like you see in those pictures. It's beautiful. It's perfect for Garwood aesthetics. We were a manufacturing, a
factory town, a bluecollar town years ago. And and let's get rid of that stigma. Let's have more green space. And and your comment about me supporting the sustainability. I've never argued against that. Yeah. Make your faces all you want, mayor,
>> but you're the one you're the one that tried to cast a dispersion on me about sustainability. >> Continue civily. >> I'm sorry. I I digressed, >> but at this point, yes. Uh I want to hear some promises. I mean, obviously,
you're not the ones to be making it. It's actually the planning board who's the chair is sitting here and two other members. So, I'd really like to hear maybe them come up and talk about what's going to happen with parking. Will it always be in the back or will it be underneath the building?
Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Does anybody else wish to address the mayor and council regarding this ordinance? >> Okay, seeing none, um do I have a motion to close public hearing? >> Second. >> Uh all in favor? >> I
>> opposed. Okay, Mr. Patterson, there wasn't a face. I was smiling because I I simply recall a lot of uh um anti-skip the stuff comments coming uh when we did our skip the stuff ordinance, which is now law in the
state. So, uh, and I was very proud of that. So, just a little smile about that. And I hope if something else comes up like that, we we can all be in support of increasing sustainability here in Garwood. Um, and again, uh, well, as you know, a council cannot guarantee uh or or any anything for any
future council. So, that would not ever be possible. Um, Mr. Barely if you have anything else towards that that's what I would have on that in terms of >> this is base
example I mean there's no guarantee how the plan will be laid out how it will be designed uh so we can't predict what will happen we could just say these are the requirements and the developer will have to comply with them otherwise seek
a variance opportunity the option to request the variance. I can't predict. No one can predict how it's going to be laid out in terms of the parking. >> Thank you. Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt ordinance 26-05?
>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council, excuse. >> Council Biano. I council. Council. Hi. >> Council President B. Okay. Uh, can you please read ordinance
26-06 by title only? >> Ordinance number 26-06 South M plus or minus 3.66 acre portion of block 30
to section 6-6 South Avenue Gateway zone plus or minus 3.66 66 acre portion of block 301 regulations in chapter 106 and use of the code
to provide district regulations for zone and to address compliance with the affordable housing obligations. >> Uh any do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? Does anyone present wish to be heard concerning ordinance 26-06?
good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the council. Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh I think it's my first time up speaking here. Anyway, uh this is the uh ACP Bcliffe uh
uh property which is which is on the border down South Avenue uh right near the Westfield border uh portion of it obviously is is is targeted with this overlay zone. Uh on page four again it talks about a 10-ft setback and and here's a perfect example. right now that
wall comes right up to the right away and and everything's paved and and once a developer comes in maybe you know it'll be some open and then we have a 10-ft setback. However, of course you have looking at the pictures again uh looking at a 20 foot setback for a lot
more greenery. See the trick here is why don't you change it to 20 foot setback and that way you actually have some kind of negotiation. And you keep talking about these developers coming in and they would override it. Well, guess
what? If you have a 20ft number and they want to come in, they're going to have to beg to move out to the 10-ft set back. You know, taking that extra 10 foot of green space that that is really required. So, and and again, you know, amend it, make
it 20 foot. This is the last shot, I guess. You know, we just went through four. Every one of them was, you know, unanimous. For some reason, nobody's even thinking about green space, obviously. Bill and his parking behind it. It'll be underneath again, of course. But anyway, and just again going
off off tangent to skip the stuff. I wasn't arguing about skip the stuff. I was arguing about the reason why we were trying to impose skip the stuff on our burrow. I It's statewide. That's fine. I'm happy.
But it but anyway, if you want, I'll talk to you later. But see, you know, you're not really listening to a lot of my reasons. I mean, I'm just talking about up here and you're going to be unanimous again. You're going to ask Mr. Balor, and Mr. Balor will give his uh wrote answer, of course, but I mean,
here's a here's the last shot. Make it 20 foot. make it where you can actually negotiate with a developer what little control we actually have for this as we're being plowed under with high density. A little town like ours that has a realistic development potential of
zero and and we're just we're just going along making it as dense as possible. Cars going to be parked underneath the uh underneath the building. I I know there's no guarantee, but we just know looking at all the other uh projects
around the area. It's all under the bill. So, I mean, here we are. This is the last shot uh for round four. Make it 20 foot. Try to be nice to the residents for hopefully a little bit of greenery, much like we're looking at the Franklin
on North Avenue in Westfield. Think about it. Seriously, think about it. Greenery, sustainability, Tree City. I mean, you know, if you just want to throw it all that aside, be my guest, vote unanimous, whatever. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Does anybody else wish to address the mayor and counsel concerning this ordinance? Okay. Do I have a motion to close out public uh sorry, public hearing on this ordinance? >> Soon. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. Okay. M Mr. Patterson, the answer is going to be the same as the last time. And the implication that nobody up here wants any greenery or would be in favor of that is not true. We have a responsibility to be consistent with the code and that is
what this is. We cannot amend it to be inconsistent with the code. That would be irresponsible of the council. Um thank all right. So we will move on to a motion to adopt the ordinance. >> So moved. >> Second.
Uh, councilwoman. Oh, sorry. Okay, good job. Go for it. Call, please. >> Council man, >> excuse. >> Council Biano, >> I. >> Council, >> I council. >> Council Mr. >> Hi. >> Council.
>> Hi. >> Okay, we're getting there, everyone. All right. Mr. Arthur, can you read ordinance 26-07 by title only? Number 26-07 of the council of Gway County, New Jersey adopted
211 lot 6-75 pursuant to NJSA 483-1. >> Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? Uh, does anyone present wish to be heard
concerning ordinance uh 26-07? Okay. Do I anybody Okay. Do I have a motion to close public comment? Uh, sorry, public hearing. Oh, you did. I didn't see. >> I'm sorry. Bill said any discussion on what was submitted?
>> Discussion comes up after >> Thank you. Uh, can I have a motion to close public hearing? >> Some moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Um, I do have something
to report. Um, as and councilwoman Biano can jump into is that this concerns the planning board. Uh, last night at the planning board, the uh board made a recommendation to adopt the redevelopment plan. Uh but they asked
that uh language be inserted that would essentially reinforce what's already law um but just insert it into the plan. Uh they want um and the language said something to the effect of um that when
uh there I have it. Hold on. uh where the redevelopment plan is silent on a subject that the default will be that the burrow's land use ordinance will control that. Um so essentially if it's not in the redevelopment plan, it defaults to the
burrow's land use. Now that is already what the law is. Um but they felt they wanted a double check on that just for the sake of it. Um however I did uh speak to this last night that um
amending this plan may not be possible as the deadline is Monday um and that it was a part of the court settlement. Um I said however that I would reach out to our affordable housing attorney uh Bob
Bernard and I did. Uh his inclination at first was uh a no, but he asked if he could take some time and and think that and make some phone calls and ensure that he his inclination was correct and he did. He called me back and said that
uh it we should not amend this uh plan to include that. So while he understood uh he also felt that um we would not be able to do that and still be in compliance to send this uh to the state
on Monday or tomorrow. Um he also said that he did feel as this was said last night it is the law. he has never seen an issue with that because it it is it is already the law and that the
uh he he was comfortable with not with not having it in there. So I leave that with with the council. My recommendation obviously would be to do as he says so that we can remain compliant with the state mandate. Um but I did want to bring that to the
attention. Councilwoman if you have anything else to add. >> Well I completely agree. Um, and I think we need to remain compliant with the mandate and move forward. Um, if anything came up, it would fall to the land use ordinance regardless. So, I like the line, but unfortunately, it's
just not going to work with the timeline that is imposed upon us. And so, that's all I have on this. >> Okay. Any other discussion among council? >> Okay. Then, at this point, do I have a motion to adopt ordinance 26-07?
>> So moved. Second. Uh, >> roll call, please. Council >> Blancco. Councel I. >> Councilman. Council Maker. Hi. Council President.
>> Okay, moving on to some other fund ordinances. Can uh Mr. Arthur, can you read ordinance 26-08 by title only? 26-08 to authorize the 2026 project for county state of New Jersey
to appropriate the sum of 530,000 cost thereof to appropriate a straight state grant to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds.
>> Um do we have any cons uh correspondence concerning this ordinance? Does anyone present wish to be heard concerning ordinance 26-08? Seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing? >> All in favor? >> Opposed?
Okay. Um, can I have uh a motion to adopt ordinance 26-08? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Uh, roll call, please. Council. >> Hi. >> Councilwoman Biano. >> Hi. >> Counciloman. >> Hi.
>> Councilman Puzz. Councilman Zo. >> Council President Bo. >> And ordinance number 26-09. Can you please read this by title only? >> Ordinance number 26-9 code.
Chapter 134 entitled sewers R5 industrial listed fees subsection 134-15C. >> Okay. Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? Does anyone present wish to be heard concerning ordinance 26-09?
Okay. Seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Okay. Do I have a motion to adopt ordinance 26-09? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> I council. >> Hi. >> Council. >> Council. >> Hi. >> Council president. >> Hi. >> We did it.
You Mr. Baylor, you are I appreciate you coming to answer some of these questions. You are >> there's some resolution. Oh, you're right. There are some resolutions. So, if you're happy to stay, we would appreciate that then. Okay. Thank you.
>> Um finance um council president photo. >> Thank you. Today is scheduled for March 25th. Please discussion Tuesday
7. >> Okay. Thank you. Fire and OEM. Councilman Padusniaak 2026 in the 20 total costs include two, five cover assignments, two gas
emergencies assist, two public assists, two CO and two structure files. Um, so for the phone, uh, we came back
36 hours, which is >> not good. Good, but not good. Right. >> All right. Uh, thank you. Community Development, Councilwoman Biano. >> Good evening. Um, I would like to provide a brief update on the community development committee. The committee continues to work on reviewing and
updating the bylaws. We are taking the time to carefully go through the document to ensure the revisions are thorough and reflect the needs of the community moving forward. We will continue to work on these updates and we'll provide further information as progress is made. That concludes my report. Thank you, mayor.
>> Thank you. Public works Councilman SA. >> Hi. Um the DPW continued its normal operations as well as filling in uh potholes from plowing over the winter. Um, we have also continued discussion
off the Oak Street sidewalks. >> Okay, >> that is my report. >> Thank you. Um, police Councilwoman Nully. >> Thank you, Mayor. The Garwood Police Department recorded 24,478 calls during the month of February 2026.
These calls include 448 vehicle stops, three parking complaints, 145 fixed traffic posts, which is radar, stop sign, and distracted driving, 378 building and property checks, 44 medical
assists, 54 community policing posts, 71 walking posts, 19 suspicious person or vehicles investigated, 46 criminal investigations, and 26 motor vehicle crashes. During the month of February, all Garwood police officers and dispatchers
were reertified in CPR and AED. The training was conducted in-house by Detective Miller. Officer Herz attended resilience officer training to further assist him in serving in his role as the department's resilience officer. The Garwood Police Department would also
like to remind pedestrians and drivers to remain alert and avoid distractions while driving, walking, or riding a bicycle. With the nicer weather approaching, the department has observed an increase in residents walking and bicycling through the through the burrow. We encourage everyone to stay
aware of their surroundings and practice safe habits to help keep our community safe. In addition, the members of the Garwood PBA continue their tradition of giving back to the community this Easter with an Easter egg drop program. Residents are encouraged to check out
the Garwood PBA's Facebook page for details about this exciting new event. Families can sign up directly with the PBA to have members place Easter eggs on their lawn the night before Easter, allowing children to wake up to a fun Easter egg hunt right in their own front yard. I hope that wasn't a spoiler
alert. Kids, cover your ears. >> And that's all from my report. >> Okay. Thank you. And um also I'll give them a shout out to the PBA that there is a fundraiser at the station on Monday from 5 to 9 for St. Patrick's Day. So
they receive a portion of the proceeds. So everybody stop by the station to help them out. Um community engagement councilwoman Anna and community the garden Easter egg hunt will take place on Saturday
w complex distribution is needed Saturday April 4th if the doesn't hold out it's great to see so much participation from senates It sounds like the kids and parents are having fun.
Uh cheer and dance and new soccer clinics will be starting up on the 25th. These will take place on Saturday at the wreck and registration is normal/allcode classes will be held on Friday starting 17
this 4. Registration will be up soon. Turning to our adult activities, um, as council mentioned, Garrett culture that GPAC will be hosting a free
alcohol in workshop on March 27 class held on stage at Thank you. Um, library councilwoman Noli. Okay. School board leaison council president Bto.
>> Thank you. um for our senior our senior club. Uh unfortunately, I had to miss our last senior club meeting as I was under the weather, but uh Katya did attend as senior director and it was her last meeting. Uh so I know the seniors gave her a little a nice little going away speech and gifts uh which she told
me was greatly appreciated. Uh and she also let the seniors know about the Garwood PTA boo that was held last Friday. Uh, and I actually heard an update that one of our senior members actually ended up winning five baskets that night, though our seniors seem to
be very lucky. Our next meeting is on March 19th at 12 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. Uh, small business advisory councilwoman Bianca. Thank you, Mayor. Um, good evening. I'd like to provide an update as liaison to this Garwood Small Business Association.
We will be hosting a meet and greet with our local business owners on Monday, March 23rd at 6 PM at Borrow Hall. This event will bring together members of the business community with Mayor Blumentock, BO Administrator John Arthur, and myself. The meet and greet will provide an opportunity for our small business owners to network, share
ideas, and strengthen the communication between the burrow and our local business community. We look forward to welcoming many of our business owners and continuing to build strong relationships that support Garwood's local economy. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. looking forward to it. Um,
board of health, Councilman Sura. >> No. >> Um, planning board, Councilwoman Biano. >> Hello again. As on to the planning board, I'd like to provide a brief update to the planning board meeting held on March 11th, 2026.
The board adopted resolution for case PB25-06 regarding the property located at 400 Spruce Avenue, block 407, lot 16. The board adopted the resolution memorializing its decision. Additionally, the planning board
conducted a review of ordinance number 26-07, which proposes adoption of the amended Garwood paperboard redevelopment plan for block 211 lot 6 located at 75 North Avenue pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law. The board
reviewed the ordinance and as referred to the provided in comments as part of the statutory review process. That's all I have for that. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Um officer reports, Mr. Arthur. Enforcement officers report for February 2026. Code enforcement officers report
for February 2026. >> Do I have a motion to accept the officer's reports? >> So I second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Okay. Moving right along to public comment. If there's anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council, please step to the microphone,
state your full name and address, and please limit your comments to five minutes. Good evening, Loris. Uh, Thompson, 320 Pine AB, Garwood. Um, maybe Miss Bako can uh answer this
question. While we were at the town hall meeting last week, um a fellow citizen mentioned a property at 30 or 63 2nd Avenue. I know this property was uh left to the Church of St. An's. The
property is currently being looked at by a builder. She said they were going to put 12 units on that piece of property. Um, is that going to be part of the affordable housing? If they're putting if multiple properties there, shouldn't
that part of that property be counting for our our our needs? Um, and are we really approving that is my other question. It seems like a lot for that space. Um, I believe it is only two lots. Um, and that's it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen, the council. Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh, well, very disappointed at the uh outcome of
the past many ordinances. Um, I was I was hoping to at least get one of them to have a little bit of green space in front, but it is what it is. And somehow we're just riding down that hill to to the
destruction of what we once knew as Garwood. And it's really sad because, you know, nobody's really putting some heavy duty thought. Everything's going to be now at the planning board and I'll probably be speaking over there. Mr. Greet, >> I know.
>> Mr. Patterson, please address. >> Yes. And I am I'm welcome to speak over there, of course. Uh at this point, I just want to thank uh Katya Lizac for uh being the uh rec director for the senior walk. I enjoyed the uh
year or two. I was able to go on the senior walks with her uh Monday at 10:45 when the weather was good. and uh Pat Vazquez, I I wish her well also. Um she she was doing the Opras, so she was
helpful, both of them. Thank you very much to both of them. The uh resolution 26-61. Uh we're having a new clerk, so welcome aboard, I guess, soon. But the question
is, uh, I believe the previous clerk, Pat, had a 36-hour work week, and this one is actually listing only a 32 work hour work week. I'm just wondering why only 32 hours, and how will it be
dispersed uh through the week? Uh, in addition, uh, there's also a new recctor. I think it's under resolution 36 I guess something like that. But anyway, I guess
be a Garwood resident and guess you can say yes or no on that. And then the fi then my final question and and I'm glad Gabe stayed because he's the only one that obviously could answer it. But anyway, I I tried this three times asking this question.
Somehow I I I'm just not figuring out what is being said. It has to do with the uh paper board project where the lawsuit it came out the lawsuit that we actually have six more affordable housing units being uh
imposed on that. And I started back in my first questioning saying, well then obviously something somewhere one of the other four overlay zones are going to have a decrease of six affordable housing units. And that's only because
we had a prospective uh amount of 80 units. We were able to disperse them over the uh various uh zones and with whatever uh offsets and bonuses. So this lawsuit also came out and added six
more. So So to me, and I'm just the way I'm looking at it. So our prospective number actually went from 80 to 86 and the DCA along with Fair Share Housing Center actually uh addressed every town's obligation and we had an 80
obligation. So suddenly now we have 86 obligation. Something is not right. I'm glad Harbor Consultants is here because he's he's going to have to clarify why we are giving six more affordable housing units over what our round four
obligation and calculations were about. Uh and that's it. You know, I'm still just a disappointed resident at what happened with with the green space. There's some kind of virtue signaling that was here and gone and whatever. But
anyway, thank you very much. >> Okay. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and counsel? >> Okay. Can I have a motion to close public comment? >> So, >> second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed.
Okay. Uh, Miss Thompson, I I have no uh uh speaking to that um address 63 Second Avenue with 12 units. I don't know um what that is. is that has never come before the planning board. I'm not sure about anything
you're talking about. So, um it it just isn't true as far as I know. I don't know if anything has come uh to the planning board since, but I don't believe it has. Mr. Baylor, >> uh no, mayor. Um that no application for
that address came before this board. I I'll just point out that with this affordable housing ordinance that is on resolution to be adopted tonight, any application with five or more units has to provide affordable housing at a 20%
set aside. So if it is more than five units, it would be based on the percentage, but it would be required to provide affordable housing even if it is not identified in this plan. That's a mandatory set aside that applies throughout the burrow for any
residential development of five or more units. >> Thank you. Just checking that nothing had come in recently that I planning board hadn't heard of yet. Um so uh moving on to Mr. Patterson's um the
resolutions for the clerk and the rec director. Mr. Arthur, you want to address those? Um >> sure. So I don't think it's appropriate for me to disclose where somebody lives. Mr. Abramson is that okay so I'm going to not respond to asking why the person lives um
32 hours a negotiator sure what else there was to say about that on the fact it was negotiated and I think that was it for his questions essentially for those >> okay um and um with paper board I Mr.
tried to clarify this twice now. I'm not sure if you want to take another stab at it with with Mr. Patterson with this number. It isn't still >> No, nothing has changed with the number. The the affordable housing as Mr. Patterson mentioned perspective need is
80. Nothing has increased. That is the set number. what has increased what's called the realist realistic development potential that identifies projects that are going to be perspectively going to
be built. So what happened with the lawsuit it paper board increased to 88 units. So with that 20% set aside it's 18 units. So that the increase of six applied to that project only. It did not
apply to uh decreasing the perspective need of 80. That number stays does not change. What has to do is the burrow and based on this plan has to provide opportunities to provide that 80 number.
The realistic development potential is based on the paper board. It's 18 units plus a 5.5 bonus credit for 23.5. The remaining balance is unmet need which we address by the overlay ordinances as well as a mandatory set aside.
>> Correct. So I'm I'm wondering if if the issue is um that mandatory set aside essentially would be less is that what we're trying to get at if the number of um the units that we import to those uh
different overlay zones are correct. They're the same because it you have to add up to 80 >> unmet of those others would be because it would all it would be less but all still add up to 80.
>> Yeah, >> I hope I I hope that explains it. Uh but I because I understand I think where the discrepancy was but hopefully that gets it now. Um okay, thank you.
Uh, moving along to the consent agenda. Anybody have anything they need to remove? I have a few items that need to be okay individually. So that is resolution 26-59,
resolution uh 26-60, resolution 26-62, resolution 26-64, and resolution 26-65. Do you Mr. Arthur, maybe want to just do each one separately then anyway since
it's just about all there's only like two others. So, should we do is how's the easiest organization for you? >> Well, there's >> do a roll call for each. Okay, then >> do the consent for the other do the consent for the other three and then do the other four.
>> Right. >> Do I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda then as amended without those? >> Second. >> Second. Uh, roll call. Any discussion? Roll call, please.
>> Yep. So, we had Chase as a motion. A second. >> Council. >> Hi. >> Council, >> I council. >> I council. Councilman.
>> Hi, Council President Bodto. >> Okay. All right. Can I have a motion to adopt 20? >> So moved. >> Roll call, please. >> Council Biano. >> Hi. >> Council. >> Hi.
>> Council. >> Hi. >> Council. >> Hi. >> Council president Moto. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt 26-60? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Let me know if you need writing time. >> I just got to bounce around pages here. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> We have council. >> Council Bianca. Council.
>> Hi. >> Council Mr. Leica. >> Hi. Council pleas. >> Okay. The next one I have is 26-62. >> Do I have a motion to adopt? >> Soved.
>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council. >> Council. Council. >> Hi. >> Council. Council Maker. >> Hi. >> Council President.
>> Okay. Um, do I have a motion to adopt 26-64? >> Solved. >> Second. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> Council. >> Council Biano. Council >> I. >> Councilman.
>> Council. >> Hi. >> Council president Bolo. >> Hi. >> Uh, and do I have a motion to adopt 26-65? Served. >> Second. Roll call, please.
>> Council council. Council >> Maker. >> Hi. >> Council president. >> Okay. Did I get them all? >> Sure. I checked because we do have to file this with the so make sure I didn't
skip one. >> You think I got it all, Adam? All right. So, I have >> That's what I have. But >> where we at here? 5 second 60. I have >> Mhm.
>> 62. I have >> 64. I have 65. I have and the rest were covered by the consent agenda. >> Okay. >> Sweet. Okay. Good job everybody. Okay. Payment of claims. Mr. Arthur. >> Be it resolved that the following claims
as approved soon are hereby ordin properly and verified and as listed is hereby confirmed and ratified. >> Do I have a motion to adopt payment of claims? >> Second. Roll call please. C. >> I. >> Councilomano.
>> I. >> Council I. >> Council Leica. Hi, >> council president. >> Hi. >> All right, we did it. The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7
p.m. in council chambers. Information for meetings is posted on the borrow website. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? All right.
that you don't know when it's a 20% subside. that would be applied. No, that would >> because there's like one >> but there's
that to this that there's a midpoint review every five minutes and then we'll look at terms of >> what you know we have now the only See you very
soon. at you know any project there's a certain percent of projects that are not identified in citiz