Everybody good? >> Welcome everybody. If I could ask everyone to please stand for a moment of silence and salute to the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Adequate notice of this meeting was provided to the 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 PL1975. 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 posted on our burough website under the section titled Garwood legal notices. Roll call, please. Mr. Back there >> here. >> Councilwoman
Council Council >> here. Council a roll call of staff and professionals, please. >> Johnston, which is attorney here. Jonathan Bid, chief of
police. >> Okay. Uh we'll start with our report from our bur attorney, Mr. Abramson. Anything for us? >> Nothing new. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Arthur, report from our burrow administrator? >> Yes. So, uh we see four ordinances creating throughout the burrow res areas
and around affordable housing. Uh we also see an ordinance 26-02 which amends all ordinances to address requirements of the fair housing act and uniform housing affordability controls. Uh we do plan to also introduce the
paperwork on February 26th. We continue to hold week for the 2026 budget. Um earlier today actually have finance committee with the chief of police. Next week we'll meet with the fire chief. Week after that we'll meet with DPW and we'll continue discussions
as we work on budget. Um lastly you'll see a resolution 2640 which authoriz authorizes the termination of a court employee should point out this is simply because of the shared service with family the court is now over there so all the employees of that work for the
court employees of famwood also want to point out that the shared services so does a great job of transitioning over to fanwood and the municipalities we continue to this cost savings as we go
forward and other less tangible benefits, but it's going well so far. That is it from >> Terrific. Thank you. Um, and before I get started, I just want to let residents know that the BO is aware that the audio for our meetings has been
deteriorating, to put it nicely. Um, I'm hoping that tonight is a little bit better as we've replaced the laptop, but I urge finance to consider the full replacement of our audio system for chambers in this year's budget. It's been on the list for some time now, but of course, something like this doesn't
always make the priority list when we consider safety equipment and the like. So, um, understandable it kind of gets pushed to the back. we've kind of moved beyond the uh patching up replacement. So, um I just wanted to
mention that so the public knows we are aware and we're looking towards the solution. Um and I am very happy to hear that everything is going smoothly with the shared court services with Fanwood. As I've said before, this is something that has been discussed for years and for various reasons never got over the
finish line. So having it finally come to fruition is gratifying and a big thank you to Mr. Arthur and to the council members uh and all of our counterparts in Fanwood for seeing it through. Uh Council President Bodto and I met with the citizens advisory panel last
week. Uh we discussed the upcoming budget including possible capital purchases that are being requested from the various departments. Uh we got their feedback and we will of course relay it to the finance committee. But it was very helpful to hear the various points of view on these items.
Uh the committee for the circulation element also met last week to provide some final feedback to the draft. There will be a public hearing for this piece of the master plan at the planning board meeting on February 25th. Uh at that point, planning board members as well as
the public will be able to provide their feedback and any necessary changes will be made before it goes up for a vote at the March 25th planning board meeting. Um the draft of the circulation element should be up on the Garwood website by the end of the day tomorrow latest uh
Monday uh for the public's viewing before the public hearing. Uh it will be under the planning board department page where there is a master plan tab. Representatives from the RVSA including uh the executive director John Bonakora
will be at our next council meeting. Uh Mr. Arthur and I met with Garwood's representative Craig McCarrick. uh last month and we were able to ask some questions not only about budgeting and Garwood's allocation but about some concerns we had involving INI during
some of our big storms last year and how that has or hasn't affected the bottom line. Uh Mr. McCarrick was able to address those concerns and also let us know about some projects that our VSSA had been taking on to improve our system. But I wanted the public to be
able to hear about that and ask their own questions. Um, so I thank them for offering to come out to the next meeting and give us a rundown. Uh, I'd also like to now announce that the burrow will be holding a town hall on redevelopment on March 4th. Our
redevelopment professionals, those who've been working on our affordable housing mandates, as well as those involved in the paperboard planning, will be there to go into some detail on everything that's been happening this year with the new law and the fourth round mandate and particularly what it
all means for Garwood. Uh residents will also get a chance to see what will be happening with the paper boy property. uh find out more about what that will all look like and be able to ask their questions, especially uh as we begin moving forward passing all the ordinances and plans necessary to meet
the March mandate for the state. We will be advertising this town hall over the coming weeks. Uh and I encourage everyone to let their neighbors know to attend. Uh I want to end by talking about the gateway tunnel um and asking our residents to reach out to
representatives on both the state and federal level about this important topic. Uh as a member of the Rowden Valley Rare Rail Mayor's Alliance. I've spoken up here about the importance of the Gateway Tunnel project uh for any meaningful change to our rail line in
terms of future one seat rides. Uh last week the project officially ran out of money after the funding already allocated was frozen in October. A judge ruled against the federal government ordering restoration of the funds, but
the freeze was then extended until today to give the federal administration more time to produce its argument. Um I haven't seen word yet on where it stands today. But what does this mean overall for Garwood and for our entire region?
If these funds are not distributed, not only will thousands lose the jobs they currently in, but you, the taxpayer, will essentially be out millions and millions of dollars. The project was already underway. Halting it at this
point, even if it one day gets restored in a future administration, means years of delays and increased costs, with estimates at 50 to 20 million a month. Without this project, some tunnels, which were ravaged by Sandy, could one
day, and not too far in the future, unfortunately, be forced to shut down, which would obviously lead to far-spread economic disaster. And I'm not trying to sound hyperbolic, uh, but if the funds are not released, the consequences just
continue to build month after month, year after year. And just as they have after the Ark Tunnel was canceled by Governor Christie all those years ago, we've been here before. That work would actually project not been cancelled. So, it's a
bit of D decision. Costs only rise, damage only worsens. Um, and I know Garwood's representatives at both the state and federal level are fighting back, but it's important to contact the ones that aren't and tell them they need to.
Garwood needs stop more stops. We need the one seat ride, but we're only going to get there with the gateway project, which means this funding. I will leave it at that and move on to comments from the council. Councilwoman Anna.
Um so I have a uh update from the shade tree advisory board which met at the end of January. Um at that meeting we discussed um and plan for the board's goals and activities in 2026. Uh topics
discussed included uh national arbor day events, grant opportunities, planting priorities, and tree removal. We'll also include Tracy USA signs which will be placed on the coming from Cranford and South A coming from this field. Uh a
Tracy USA flag will also be placed in the center of the burrow. Uh in the comments, I would also like to thank DP uh for the the work and hours putting clean up the streets after the snowstorm. um appreciate the work and um having
clear roads and sidewalks. Um and ahead of the I would like to see that saw from uh in response to my NJHM and some of it could be deemed a
conflict of interest. It's all for me. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Bianca. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'd like to touch back to uh what you uh were talking about with the gateway tunnel and I would like to ask the council to put forth a resolution
for the next meeting in support of it funding for the tunnel. I think that's very important and I would like to see that happen. So, I'm asking the council >> Yeah. >> put forth a resolution. Thank you. >> Um I think that's a great idea and I would be fully in support of it. Get a
sort of straw poll. >> Okay. Um, so Mr. Arthur, if you would um look for um resolution wording and we can get that onto the next agenda.
>> Okay, thank you. >> Did you have um a specific Have you I know that there might be some towns going around. Do you have something you want to send? >> I uh I do I Fanwood has has something like this. So I will send that to you.
>> Okay. So, we can use that one. Okay. Um, Councilwoman Noly, thank you, Mayor. The Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture presents the second annual Garwood warms your heart yarn bombing, which is now on display through the end of February on Center Street in Garwood.
GPAC thanks Robin Marco, a member of the Garwood Public Library knitting club, who donated a large number of scarves, hats, and neck warmers. uh GPAC members Christine Gerierro, Amanda Barry, Chia Tyne and I sewed pieces together and we were joined on Saturday the 31st of
January by James Hart and Jack Kek to sew the 14 panels in place on the burough lampost and the flag pole on Center Street and South Avenue. Coming up in March, GPAC plans to celebrate youth art art month by presenting an art show of student curated art by Ms. is
Rebecca Planner, art teacher at Lincoln School. With the mayor's permission, uh we would like to honor these students along with their teacher at the first council meeting in March. And for more information, good. And for more information about Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture, please
visit our page on the Burough website. That's all for me. Terrific. No, I'd be happy to. And uh yeah, we'll discuss and get get everybody set up for that. >> Um and I, as always, love the yarn. and I love a little color in winter. So, that was a great project. Uh, Councilman
Padusniaak, >> thank you. Just little update on Rev 250, I suppose. Um, we had a lovely little beat at the library. Being too loud, but telling you,
>> kids at the library tonight and talk from Joel Farcus not too long ago. Please keep in mind that the bus trip to Philadelphia has been postponed to March um because it's been very frigid. Um just check our Facebook page for further details and I believe we're up on the
site too. So it's all there and yeah, happy Valentine's Day. Go. >> Councilman SA. Uh, I'd just like to second Councilwoman Anarelli in thanking the Department of Public Works for what, in my opinion was a great job clearing
the snow during and after the large storm on January 25th. Uh, especially given the large amount of snow and based on what I observed in other municipalities that I regularly travel through. >> Okay. Thank you. And Council President
Bodto. Um, >> thank you. Okay, moving along to the minutes. Mr. Arthur, >> of the L council head on January 22nd, 2026. >> Do I have a motion to accept regular
meeting minutes? So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Okay. Communications, Mr. Arthur. >> January 14th, 2026. >> Uh, received and filed. And we have one ordinance up for adoption tonight. Um,
Mr. Arthur, can you read ordinance 26-01 by title only? >> Ordinance number 26-01, an ordinance to establish a restricted parking zone pursuant to NJSA 39:4-197.6. six approximately 35 ft north of the corn
adjacent to 260 North Avenue. >> Do we have any correspondence concerning this ordinance? >> No. >> Does anyone present wish to be heard concerning ordinance 26-01? Please step to the microphone and state your full name and address. Please limit
your comments to five minutes. Good evening, mayor, ladies and gentlemen. The council Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Uh just just looking at this quickly, section one, you know, on the first page, it's confusing as to
why you're making this a restricted parking zone. Is this handicapped? I don't know if it's handicapped, but anyway, it mentions also the residents of Michael Bacott. And I'm I'm just wondering why why you're mentioning uh this gentleman's name especially in an
ordinance. So that's it. Thank you. >> Um does anybody else wish to uh be heard concerning this ordinance? Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing on this ordinance? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. Okay. Um it if you look at the first whereas you will see that it is for a handicap uh parking. Um and this is the typical way uh these ordinances are are
formed. Chief, do you have anything further you want to add other than that? But as far as it's >> Yep. >> We've we've done them before. Yeah. >> We've done a few since I've been here in the past two years. >> Yep. >> Same method. >> Terrific. Thank you. Um, do I have a
motion to adopt ordinance 26-01? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council, >> I council. >> Councilwoman, >> I. >> Council,
Council, Hi, Council >> President. And as we said before, we have a number of uh ordinance 26-02 by title only 26-02 and to repeal
14 Florida housing and article 13 chapter 106 of the revised ordinances and to amend article 14 Florida housing and 13 development fees chapter 106. fix
land use of the revised ordinances of the vote of Garwood to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act FHA as amended and the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls Newark as amended regarding compliance with the burough's affordable housing obligations.
>> Thank you. Do I have a motion to introduce ordinance 26-02? >> So moved. >> Second. >> A roll call, please. >> Councilwoman. >> Councilwoman Blanco. Council Men. >> Hi.
>> Councilman. Councilman. >> Hi. >> Council President Ba. Okay. >> Mr. Arthur, can you read ordinance 26-03 by title only? >> Ordinance number 26.03 Gwood Plaza
overload zoom block 14.4.02. An ordinance to enact chap is it chapter? What does it symbol? Chapter 106-9. Chapter section section 116-
Gwood Plaza 11402 zone regulations in chapter 106 use of the code of the Garwood to provide district district regulations for an overall zone and to address compliance with the Bur's affordable housing obligations.
>> Going to get your money's worth tonight reading all these. Do I have a motion to introduce ordinance 26-03? >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> Council, >> yes.
>> Council Blanco, >> council, >> hi. >> Council, Councilman Zoe. >> Hi. >> Council President Ba. >> Hi. >> Can you please read ordinance 26-04 by title only? Ordinance number 26-04
Gard West Overlow zone ordinance block 502 lot 1 and ordinance to enact section 106-98.7 guard rest overlay zone block 502 lot 8 zone regulations in chapter 106 land use of the code of the vote of guard to
provide district res regulations for an overlay zone and to address compliance with the affordable housing obligations. >> Do I have a motion to introduce this ordinance? Second. Roll call, please. >> Counciloman, >> recused. >> Councilwoman Biano.
>> Councilwoman, >> I. >> Council member. >> Council Mika. >> Hi. >> Council President, >> can you please read ordinance 26-05 by title only? 26-05 North Avenue Gateway
block 218 10 and to enact section 106-9 Avenue Gateway 211 8910 article 8 zone regulations chapter 106 land use of the code of the
vote of Gwood to provide district regulations from an overlay zone to address compliance with affordable housing obligations Do I have a motion to introduce 26-05? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman.
>> Council Blanco. >> Hi. >> Council woman. >> Hi. >> Council member. >> Council. Hi. >> Council president. >> Hi. >> Okay. Last one. Mr. Arthur, can you please read ordinance 26-06 by title only?
>> Number 26-06. South Avenue gateway villa zone plus or minus 3.66 Gibr section 106-96 South Avenue Gateway zone eastern 3.66
66 acre portion of block 301 zone regulations in chapter 106 the mandep of the code of the balwood to provide district regulations for an over zone and to address compliance with the rules affordable housing obligations >> do I have a motion to introduce
ordinance 26-06 >> soon >> second >> roll call please >> counciloman >> excuse councilomano >> councilwoman >> I counciloman back. Councilman. >> Hi,
>> Council President Bor. >> Hey. Council standing reports. Finance. Council President Bodto. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Fire and OEM. Councilman >> Padusnia.
attend to the um I'm liking the name yesterday and that is all for the report. >> Thank you. Community development councilwoman Biano. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening. I'd like
to provide an update from the community development committee. Approximately 30 years ago, the burrow explored the possibility of purchasing of the property located on Second Avenue. However, the homeowner was not interested at the time. Circumstances have since changed and the owner has approached the burrow with an
opportunity to acquire the property. I recently met with Mayor Blumentock, burough administrator John Arthur, and the homeowner to discuss a potential purchase. The homeowner has expressed a willingness to sell the property to the burrow at fair market value, presenting what we believe to be a valuable
opportunity for our community. The community has begun discussing potential uses for this property. As part of these conversations, we also believe it is important to evaluate the feasibility of our municipal buildings and properties overall. Taking a long-term view will help ensure our facilities operate as
efficiently as possible while meeting the needs of our growing community. Thank you. That's all. >> Thank you. Um, yes, we we had that meeting and while there's obviously a lot that still needs to go on and research and things like that to see if
the council is um approves of purchasing the uh lot. Um something that you mentioned doing a you know a feasibility type study of all the buildings I know in and properties in
our um in our burrow has come up a lot over the past few years um from department heads as we've kind of been growing and growing out of our space and um so I do think that that's something that this council might want to look
into doing as a sort of holistic type of situation to see where there might be places we can move buildings around or just rehabilitate buildings or whatever the case may be. Um, so I agree. I think maybe maybe it's time at least for the
finance to begin discussion on doing a study like that. Um, it is, you know, a decent cost to it, but I think given the age of our buildings and everything like that and and the way our departments and our town is growing, I think it it's
well worth it um to perhaps uh look into that. So, I'll leave it to finance to begin those discussions. >> I mean, I understand this is a long-term project. Things like the library could go there, green space, it could be a multitude of things. Correct. You know,
>> correct. Then I >> we need a feasibility study. >> We need to see what can go there if we if the council even approves of the purchase to be honest. Um we still the owner is not quite ready uh to have somebody come in and do a an a market
assessment. So, we're waiting on that and then at that point we have to have the discussion with the whole council honestly about whether we're willing to um so and then we also have to be
funding which is to be honest I just don't know. I I know of a few things out there like Green Acres if it were Greenland, but I just don't they're all and the grants are all also very um lengthy like you know we you have to wait for their deadlines and so this is
not something that's an overnight thing but I think it's definitely time to start looking and as you we get more information about this plot of land um I know community development will talk more about it and bring it to the council once we know more about costs
and things like that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh public works, Councilman Surka. >> Uh I'll start with a summary of the report of the superintendent. Uh DPW completed uh snow removal from municipal
streets and sidewalks, spread deicing agents, and continued to clear problem areas as needed. They have continued their regular duties including but not limited to waste management, groundskeeping, addressing tree concerns, repairing traffic signage and clearing underpass debris along with the
inspection and maintenance of snow removal equipment and completing the annual Christmas tree pickup program. As a reminder, March 20th is the deadline for the April 6th bul pickup and February 17th is a holiday, so there
will be no pickup. Uh, additionally the it was brought to the public works committee's attention uh by the police chief that during the storm 36 cars remain parked in the street which is less than in previous storms where approximately 100 have remained. All the
cars were ticketed but there is a cons there was a concern expressed by the police chief that uh the current fine of $25 is too low to discourage this behavior. The committee agreed unanimously with the recommendation of
the chief that the fee for not removing a vehicle ahead of a snowstorm should be increased. We also agreed that we should discuss amending or changing ordinances to allow uh the police to tow in these circumstances and we welcome further discussion with both the police
committee and the council. >> Terrific. Yes, I know police committee is on it. So, um, we'll I know we'll get a report back eventually as as everybody meets. And I fully agree. I think it's time, as I I think I've said before, to raise that fee. I think that'll go a
long way. Although 32 cars was not bad. Not bad, but let's get it down to zero. Um, police Councilwoman Nully. Thank you, Mayor. The Garwood Police Department recorded 2,732
calls during the month of January 2026. These calls include 392 motor vehicle stops, 91 parking complaints, 135 fixed traffic posts, 606 building and property checks, 40 medical assists,
54 community policing posts, 71 walking posts, 27 suspicious persons and vehicles investigated, 30 criminal investigations, and 20 motor vehicle crashes in the month of January.
Officers Matos Shakai attended an arrest, search, and seizure seizure class as well as narcotics identification class and a narcotics investigatory class. Detective Miller attended a juvenile law update class. The police department
assisted the DPW with removing vehicles from the roadway and with road closures for plowing and snow efforts. And that's all for my report. >> Thank you. Community Engagement Councilwoman Annoelli. So, last night um was the February adult
ceramics class. We painted uh some heart keepsake boxes which you can see displayed up here um in celebration of Valentine's Day. The next ceramics class will be held on March 11th at 700 pm at
the wreck and uh we'll be painting something bundle related in celebration of the coming of spring. Uh youth basketball is wrapping up its season and will conclude with an awards ceremony on Friday, February 27th. Um bowling, youth
bowling is set to start in March and I think that's almost all filled up. So, if there are one or two spots left, make sure to grab those. Um, there'll be a youthclad football clinic held during the week of spring break beginning uh April 6. And soon after, youth cheer and
dance and youth soccer will begin, which will be celebrating April 25th and through June 6th. You can register for these programs uh at garwood.com. And that's all for me. >> Thank you. This was my first ceramics
class last night because it was finally not on a a planning board night. So, it was a lot of fun. Uh, library Councilwoman Nuli. Thank you, Mayor. So, um, coming in February and March 18th
and adult game day. Socialize with others while playing cubes, sorry, cards. No registration required. February 18th and March 18th at 3 PM we have leg of a club inspired by this month's theme or build
whatever comes to mind. Registration is required. February 19th and 26th and March 12th and 19th at 3 p.m. build a robot with the Brooklyn Robot Foundry. It's a combination of engineering and crafts. Students can take their robots
home for more fun. This is for students in grades first and second grade. Participants must attend and registration is required. The meeting at 10:30 a.m. Learn how to knit or show
others how it's done while enjoying fun conversation. Open to all levels. New registration is required are provided to newcomers March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st at
10:00 a.m. and 11. Join me for stories at story time. Registration is required. March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st at 3:30 p.m. Code Forward. This offers Lincoln School students the opportunity
to learn computer programming languages such as Java, Python, and more. March 10th, 3M, the virtual kids craft. Pick up your supplies and instructions for craft. Uh, March 16th, 1 PM book club. Join us for a discussion of this month's
book, How to Grow Old Disgracefully. >> Sounds interesting. >> I like that. >> 18th and threeual adult craft. Pick up your supplies and instructions for a craft. many weeks of the re
played in the Revolutionary War including aspects that are little to this day such as the story of a dressed as a man in order to fight on the front lines of the Revolutionary War and the next meeting forth at 10 at 7:30 and the meeting is
open to the public and that is all from my library report. Thank you. School board le on council president bod. >> Thank you. Um um just a couple school for 17th.
>> Okay. uh for our seniors uh at our meeting on February 5th. I filled the seniors in on the upcoming Revolution 250 trip to Philly, which is now in March. Uh and I also took emails of those interested in my monthly newsletter. So, I'll put it out there
again. There is a new monthly newsletter. You can go on the Garwood website at the bottom and just sign up, put your email in, and you'll get it emailed uh at the end of each month. Um, our senior director is looking into a special trip to a Yankees game, which has interested a lot of club members.
Um, so more info on that to come. And our next meeting is February 19th at 12 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. Um, small business advisory. Uh, it is Councilwoman Biano. There is a typo on the agenda. Councilwoman, >> I have no report yet, but we are trying
to set up a meeting with all the business owners in town. I will be engaging with all of them and hope to invite them to come meet with us and I will have more on that next meeting. >> Thank you. Uh board of health councilman SA. >> No update. The next meeting is in March
so I'll have an update then. >> Okay. Uh planning board councilwoman Bianca. >> Thank you. Mayor planning board met on Wednesday, January 28th at 7:30. There were two applications listed on the agenda. However, one was postponed. The
applicant for 632nd Avenue appeared before the board seeking approval for a minor subdivision. After review and discussion, planning board granted the application. Next meeting for the planning board is scheduled for February 25th, 2026. And that's all for my report. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Moving along to officers reports. Mr. Arthur enforcement officers report for January 2026. Code enforcement officers report for January 2026. >> Do I have a motion to accept these reports?
>> All in favor? >> Opposed? Okay. Hitting heading to public comment. If there's anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council, please step to the microphone and state your full name and address. Please limit your comments to five minutes.
Okay. Uh, good evening, Mayor and Council. Ladies, I'm ladies and gentlemen of the council. Uh, Bruce Patterson, 325 Willow Avenue. Um, yeah, a couple of items. uh one is the
uh the DA was talking about the budget and he was saying we are meeting with so and so department and so I'm just wondering who are we you know the question is who are we are meeting so uh another one of course is my uh monthly question about how many parking tickets
downtown were distributed last month uh also there was a memo put out uh by the police chief and I believe the the mayor was on that also about uh I guess the situation with Minneapolis and and so
you you put out a uh missive that talked about I guess crowd control. It was tough to really understand. So I mean just for the public understanding could uh could the police chief just explain what that that uh missive was about that memo?
Uh yeah, I'm I'm very I'm very disconcerted and I'm not denigrating counselor Annaelli, but I mean like something something is wrong. Something is unfair to the town, you know, to us residents when it's
coming to this affordable housing and round four. Uh, and I mentioned this last meeting that possibly the the Democratic committee that chose the candidates uh, fell through on their on their proper vetting of of candidates.
And now we have somebody who is now sitting on council that has to excuse recuse herself for everything moving forward on the fair share housing issues of our town. And this is a major a major
issue that we're looking for that that could be larger and larger developments up and down South Avenue and even North Avenue. Um I I don't know. I'm I'm very disconcerted. Take it as it was. You know, I I don't
know if she should still stay up on council. I mentioned that last time also. Um, yeah, speaking of these ordinances that are on the agenda that she recused, thank you very much for pointing ahead of time that you were going to recuse. Uh, I could only expect
so much. But anyway, but these ordinances, you know, I'm looking at them and there's no addresses listed. I mean, there's a block in a lot, but us little people out here in in uh the town, we don't know what lot and block
means. you know, the tax assessor does, but but us little people really would like to have addresses. So, I mean, at this point, it's it's to be uh you know, discussed and reviewed, but I mean, I really you should have addresses on there, so we do
understand what that means. Uh the pilot, I was at the planning board meeting um last planning board meeting, I think it was the 22nd or something like that. No, it was the 28th. On the 28th, I asked about um the paperboard
project which was settled on a lawsuit and I was trying to at least have somebody explain is that really going to be a pilot for the project and uh I know the uh attorney Frasier kind of ran
interference, but I mean the mayor was there. She was she was also in the uh lawsuit proceedings and I was just wondering oh and I by the way I also did see it in the uh court documents Harbor Consultants put forward an item number
12 that says a pilot will be considered and that's what's thrown me is as as to what does that mean pilot to be >> one minute. So, I mean, if if the mayor or the attorney could at least explain what the term considered means, and if
we are going to have a pilot on that project or not, as you know, I'm I'm against pilots. It's it's it's shorting us a lot of money, the taxpayers, and placing a lot of onus on the existing taxpayers. Uh the Yeah, the that Second Avenue
house, it was mentioned 30 years ago. I was the one that was pushing the idea to purchase that second avenue house uh along with the Garwood first aid uh property that has the parking lot of the school now on it. And I'll tell you what, I don't know about the council or
the burrow buying it, but I'll tell you that it would be most advantageous to discuss it with the school to expand that parking lot. That parking lot is is jam-packed and spilling out onto the street. So, I mean, if that house is bought, it really should be bought by the board of
>> five minutes, Mr. Patterson. >> Pardon? >> You have five minutes. >> Okay. One last thing. Thank you, mayor, for putting out a newsletter. So, thank you very >> Is there anybody else who wishes to address the mayor and council? >> Okay. Can I have a motion to close public comment?
>> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Okay. Um the who is meeting for the budget is as you know the finance committee as every
year the finance committee meets to go through the budget. Um for your monthly question about parking tickets feel free to ask the chief after the meeting as usual. Um, in terms of the memo put out uh by the police chief and myself, um,
it was not in regards to necessarily what's going on in uh, Minneapolis. There has been a lot of um, ICE activity throughout the state and I've had residents asking questions about it and the memo simply states that the police
department will follow the AG's directive. I think it's a very um simple uh memo that was put out and states clearly what the police department will and won't do and that was the intent to just make it clear to
the residents. Um there is a directive from the state that we follow. Uh the ordinances do not have addresses in them. That's the way these ordinances are prepared. Uh the fourth round plan was discussed at length and will
continue to be discussed in the coming meetings as we will have to reapprove it. Um and so you will see the locations but you are welcome to always email and ask what the locations are and we can provide them but the ordinances are
written a certain way by law. Um the pilot, yes, as you know, it says it in the settlement agreement that a pilot will be considered. I disagree strongly with your statement about pilots. Um but yes, a pilot will be considered. Uh and
our financial company that the burough council is working with and W Financial is currently looking into that because we will have to do a financial agreement as you know with paperboard. Um and I think that was it. So, thank you very
much. We will move on to the consent agenda. >> Mayor, just really quickly, I just want to make the statement that it's not uncommon for council members to have a conflict of interest on something. And councilwoman Anarelli is not the first person on this council who has had conflicts. We've had prior council
members who had conflicts because they worked in real estate and they would be conflicted out multiple times. And counciloman Anarelli is not automatically conflicted from anything and everything regarding affordable housing. There are certain things that um these ordinances
attached potentially to her employment and that is why it is being done to ensure there's no influence. So >> thank you. Moving on to our consent agenda. Does
anybody have anything they need removed? Okay, then we will move right along to um roll call, please. Do I have a motion? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Enro, >> hi.
>> Councilwoman Biano. >> Councilwoman Mold. >> Hi. >> Councilman Pisniaak. Councilman Sora. Hi. Council President Bodto. >> Okay. I do have a little bit of new business actually. Um I wanted to
continue the tradition that was started by mayor before me, but I have continued it and would like to keep going with it. I think it's um just a nice way to welcome new council members. Um so I have gotten you your new official polo
shirt. So Councilwoman Anna, >> yes, I they that I paid for myself. The burrow did not pay. Thank you. You're welcome. It's my gift to you for thank you for your service. Councilwoman Biano, >> appreciate
>> Councilman SA, wear them in good health and I expect to see them at all our ribbon cutings and all of our events. Yes, >> right on top. I do the on top thing. Welcome. Thank you. Um, moving on to
payments of claims, Mr. either following the same are hereby ordered food properly signed and verified as listed is hereby confirmed and ratified. >> Do I have a motion to adopt payment of claim? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Counciloman. >> Councilwoman Blanco. Councilwoman >> I. >> Council Council Mora. >> Hi. Council President Bodto. >> Okay. The regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held on Thursday,
February 26, 2026 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Information for meetings is posted on the burough website. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. All right. Thank you everybody. Thank you. >> I know it doesn't affect everybody. >> It does. >> Community. >> You're welcome. And you know what? It as much as you say it doesn't affect everybody. I think it does because it's
our community. >> Yes. >> It's our community. We have Yeah.