Um, if you could join us, Gordon and Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation and justice for all. In accordance with chapter 231 of the
open public meetings act, adequate and proper notice of this meeting has been given to the public by publishing a notice in the Glenidge paper, Glenriidge Voice, Montlair Times, and the Star Ledger and posting said notice on the bulletin board in the municipal building. The agenda and public handouts
for this meeting can be viewed online at www.nj glenrichenj.org. A public comment period will be held as listed on the agenda. Please state your name for the record and note that comments will be limited to three minutes per person. Mike, could you do a
roll call, please? >> Yes, mayor. Councilors Leovitz >> here. >> Hughes >> here. >> Zimit >> here. Law >> here. >> Meyer >> here. >> Moody >> here. >> Mayor, you have a quorum.
>> Thank you so much. Mike, do we have any um written communications? >> Not this time, mayor. >> All right. Thank you. Um I do have comments, but I'll save them for the annual meeting, which is following this meeting after we swear in our new folks. Um and so with that, the big highlight
of this meeting, is to embarrass Peter Hughes as much AS POSSIBLE. [laughter] >> [applause] >> UM, SO I have a proclamation and then I I think most of us would like to give personal remarks. So thanks for bearing with us. So
honoring Peter A. Hughes again. Whereas Peter Hughes was born in Stamford, Connecticut to Joseph and Rita Hughes. And whereas Peter Hughes earned his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his
masters in ancient history from the University of California, Berkeley. And whereas Peter worked for US Steel in San Francisco and Chicago before relocating to New Jersey to work for Atlantic Track and Turnout Company in Bloomfield. Peter is currently the president of Atlantic
Track and employs over 200 people with multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities and sales offices internationally. And whereas Peter and his wife Susan are longtime residents of Glenidge where
they raised their three children, Andrew, Claire, and Jackie. And whereas Peter has been a longtime public servant to the Burough of Glenidge beginning in 2000 when he joined the Burough Council to fill an unexpired term, Peter was then sworn in as mayor of the Burough of
Glenidge on January 7th, 2008 and served in that capacity for two four-year terms. And whereas in 2016, Peter was again appointed to fulfill an unexpired term [laughter] on the burough council and served as the chair of the finance
and administration committee. And whereas Peter was elected in 2019 and 2022 to serve two three-year terms on the council and served as the police commissioner and the chair of public safety committee. And whereas Peter has dedicated his service to improving the
bureau's finances, infrastructure, and public safety during his time on the council. And whereas Peter exemplifies the volunteer spirit of Glenidge, and we are indebted for his service to the community. So, join me in thanking
Peter. [applause] I'll I'll just add Peter's just been a wealth of information and um always there when I have a question, always there when I don't have a question, but I need to know something, he knows I
need to know, which is really great. And I know I can still count on him um because of um just his dedication to to the community. So with that, I'll open it up um for our fellow counselors. Um I don't know Lori Jean if you want to
counsel somebody. >> Oh expected to go last. Well, the nature of our >> giving David more time to write his own. [laughter] >> Um, what to say about Peter that people haven't said a million times, but I
personally am so grateful for the fact that I over overlapped with you for these two years of service. um you know your your breadth of knowledge of this burrow
from your years of service not only is it just so ad I'm aruck and so grateful to you as a citizen truly um but as a fellow counselor I learned a lot in a really quick period of time and
one thing that I felt like public the public should know about you if they don't already is that your experience translates to common sense and that your willingness to impart knowledge infuses
the entire council and staff [clears throat] the entire team. Um, and that you always have the resonance. You like you just have this clarity about domino effects, unintended consequences,
and seeing things through so that they're concise, they're clear, and that the way the lived experience of a resident in this town plays out with the decisions we make in this room is always
central. And that has really I will carry that with me in my own service. And I've just also enjoyed getting to know you personally. >> Thank you. >> I don't know how to how I how do I how
[laughter] do I how do I follow that? I won't follow that with how old I was when Peter [laughter] Peter started serving on um on the council. But um >> I think you were an intern. I think [laughter] >> a brownie I believe. >> Brownie node. I had graduated college at
that point. So I was I was old enough to uh um so when I was sworn in, I kind of paid homage to my mom for her dedication and service and inspiration. And I look to you really in that same way. Whenever
I think it's too much work, takes too much time, frustrated by an issue that we can't solve, I I think about you and your resilience and commitment to keep serving through really difficult
times with the burrow and in good times. Um, and I I think what I have learned most from you is commu effective really communication. the way you respond even in heated moments, you really bring
things into perspective. And again, like LJ said, with a focus on the people in this town and and the way you're able to do that, it just it's it's something I'm I'm continuing to aspire to as I as I
continue my service on the council. So, I will miss your service. I will miss your jokes and jabs and all of the all of the fun you bring to the meeting as well, but really your your dedication and work and effort. It's really no
small feat sitting on the council for as many years as you have in all the various positions. So, best of luck in your council retirement. When I uh first ran for council six years ago, Peter was up for reelection.
And I'll never forget one Saturday morning, it was right before the election, and I was out there cutting my grass and there was a small army canvasing Forest Avenue and it turned out to be Peter's family and supporters.
And I kept gutting my grass. And of course, his daughter came up to me and made an impassion plea to vote for Peter Hughes. And I said, "I appreciate you stopping by, but I'm also running for council as well." Her face
dropped and a couple seconds later, she continued with her speech about [laughter] why I should support her father. Um, but in all seriousness, I'm convinced that, you know, Peter's service ranks amongst the most distinguished
and consequential in the bureau's history going back from 1895. And it sounds like a strong statement, but to test my belief, I re reached out to our burrow historian at Sally Meyer.
And the research is still ongoing [laughter] because we have a long way to go back. But we haven't found anybody, you know, who's served as long on the council or as mayor, you know, as you have. So
that's quite a statement to make and hopefully it's supported by the facts once the research is done. But uh but I really yet thank you for your dedicated service, you know, to the burrow. Um, I'm really grateful for the mentoring role that you've played for me as well
as everybody else, you know, on this council. Uh, you basically set the standard for how this work is supposed to be done and it's been a privilege to work with you professionally as well as to get to know you professionally as well as your wife. So, uh, I admire your
accomplishments and believe your impact in the community will be felt for years to come. So, thank you, Peter. >> [applause] >> Um, I'll jump in and just say that I'm offended to be honest. For 25 years he's held this position, been been part of
this council of mayor and then I joined and he's like, so I won't take it personally. Um, but in all seriousness, uh, I've been fortunate to to serve with Peter for for a year
and just in that time, um, I mean, everybody talks about Glen Ridge. You know, we run on volunteers. None of us are paid that well for this. >> Wait, you get paid? >> Oh, sorry. >> Um,
but uh I mean, nobody better exemplifies the dedication to the community than than Peter does. I mean, you know, people serve on various boards and things and that's fantastic. And and volunteer with various organizations, but the the level of his involvement over the past 25 years, the continuity is just incredible. Um, and as has been
said, you know, the the leadership, the the gravitas that he brings, the wealth of knowledge, um, it's not lost on me. And certainly even just in in one year of working with him again I feel fortunate because from day one he was very welcoming like oh sit here and explaining things to me and talking me
through everything. Uh so I'm a little sad that I don't get to spend a little more time with you up here but uh I very much appreciate the time that we have spent. Um and again the town uh it's owes you a big debt of gratitude for for all you've done for it. You will
certainly be missed. So, um, I'm going to start by delivering a crushing disappointment. Uh, no lik. [laughter] >> Honestly, I wasn't expecting to see you here. >> I know.
>> And, uh, yeah. So, I I was spent the last 48 hours desperately trying >> Why don't you just recircle the way we did the last? >> Just kidding. >> Um, so So, I I'll have to get serious for a moment uh and and say that uh your
public service, Peter, on this council and as mayor because I joined the council in the middle of your your time as mayor and continued uh continued uh with you for all the rest of those years except one when I
narrowly lost to Rich [laughter] was talking [snorts] about. Um Parenthetically, I as you know, I can visit your brother's house. >> You are my brother's house. [laughter] >> Had a recent moment there. Um, but
Peter, what I've always admired about you on this council is your ability to really focus on the issues, focus on the knowledge that is is necessary to work
effectively. And I mean, how many years did I see you mayor uh recount all of the important things that had happened over the past year uh in Glenn Ridge. They sit there thinking, "Oh, yes, we did do that and we could do that, too."
And and you were able to really focus and recall all of those things with such clarity, not just of the knowledge, but why it's important. Uh and so you know the ability to do that while running a
company uh and to keep the interests of the the residents front and center um with with such focus and dedication uh is something that I've always found exemplary and will continue to aspire to
um after after you are no longer a colleague on the council. So thank you very for your service and thank you very much for your example. [applause] >> Do you want to say anything? >> Absolutely. [laughter] >> So,
Peter and I have been through it I think the whole 25 years plus or minus a few months back and forth and um really what haven't you seen or done? So, I think all of us can say Peter exemplifies what makes a small town special and that's
how Peter has [snorts] um led on council and provided counsel to to us. Um it's that be nimble and adapt and keep moving. Uh take care of your staff and take care of your equipment and your facilities are kind of the mantra that and and do it
fiscally responsibly. Uh we've been through I can't tell you how many natural disasters, hurricanes, snowstorms, um just hurricane Sandy. Peter rode with me for a little while and just to see what was going on to get his hands in there. We've been through financial
failures. um >> not failures, >> not failures, financial crisis of um uh you know, when we first started here in our our reserve, we had $225 in our our reserve fund, which is kind of terrifying. You know, 25 years later,
we're we're where we should be in a very healthy uh financial uh good shape. We've seen um some infrastructure failures outside the town that have put us on the brink of crisis. We had a sixoot water main break fail um that
supplied us with water. We were teetering very close to you know not having water for the community at that time. But we we just we plowed [clears throat] through these things and just troubleshoot and just kept adapting and moving. And um really you've been there, you've done that and uh you know
with the Boy Scouts they always say leave it better than you found it. And I think you can proudly say that uh you've listen to this community um better than the the when you first started here 25 years ago. And thank you so much for um all my phone calls of panic and terror
and calming me down. And I I appreciate your counsel um and friendship. Thank you. >> Thank you. I know the chief has a [applause] >> sorry my voice is a little bit scratchy but um I'm not quite as eloquent as the
rest of the council so I did write mine down and uh being that Peter was uh instrumental in getting me um selected [laughter] more appropriate to be a little more detailed. Uh so Peter Hughes has been a
member of the public safety committee since well before my time as police chief. Over the years, he has served in several roles on the committee, most recently as the chair and police commissioner. Throughout his tenure, Commissioner Hughes has been a steady and reliable presence for the department. [clears throat] Commissioner Hugh selected me to serve as chief of
the department 2021, and since that time, your knowledge, experience, and insight have had a lasting impact on me and will continue to guide my decisions in the future. You're you were a genuine partner to this department, approachable, supportive, and consistently engaged. Your confidence in
the department staff has helped foster collaboration and steady progress and as a result of your uh partnership we achieved important milestones that will continue to benefit the department as well as the burrow uh in the future. One of the achievements we're especially
proud of is earning uh New Jersey State Association chief of chiefs of police accreditation, one that only uh small percentage of departments in the state currently have. Uh that accomplishment reflects the highest professional standards in law enforcement has
required tremendous effort from everyone involved. Your unwavering support and trust in the process make it possible and has set a lasting benchmark spark for excellence within our department. Additionally, during your tenure, we accomplished several um other important initiatives. We launched the
department's drone program launched uh assisted in conquering a or conquering acquiring a federal grant for the installation of automated license plate readers um which have been used to solve countless criminal cases since their installation. Um we introduced the take
me home initiative for uh special needs residents. We established a traffic safety unit and a traffic officer which has been uh exponentially uh beneficial to the regarding traffic is uh concerns. Uh we implemented using Epipens in
patrol um and we created the prescription medicine drug takeback program at Lucaro and that is only what was done during my tenure. So I can't speak to what was done prior. So um but these accomplishments are more than just programs. They reflect your leadership
and care. They represent lives protected, emergencies handled more effectively, and the trust you help build between the police department and our community. Your vision and guidance made all of this possible and your impact will be felt for years to come. On behalf of the Glers Police Department, I want to personally thank you Commissioner Hughes for your
mentorship, dedication and genuine commitment to both this department and community you serve. It has truly been an honor to work alongside [applause] [applause] >> [applause] [clears throat] >> Wow. >> That's it from us. I don't know, Peter, if you want to say a few things.
>> I I I would. Um, >> this is uh a bittersweet moment for me. I I've been involved, it seems, since since I don't know, high school. It seems like I've been involved with uh municipal government in Glennidge. It's
been a true privilege and honor to be able to serve our residents and to be involved in an organization uh that I think is absolutely top-notch. The the thing that I'm I think I I am
most proud of is just the type of group and organization that this council and mayor has been. Um it is one that is dedicated to service to the residents, to doing the right thing for the right
reasons. Um and I'm very proud to be a part of that tradition. Um, this group is colleial in its approach. It's wellinformed. It's it's deliberate.
Um, it's thoughtful. It's welcoming to new ideas, I believe, and is quite open to uh tableabling something when when we when we hear from the residents that wait, have you have you thought this
through? you understand the impact whether it's to that person individually or to a neighborhood or to a group and I'm proud to have been a part of that for for 25 years because I think we really have accomplished many many good
things and we have made this burrow better than the way we found it and while it's hard to leave I I leave very confident in the council that we have today we have really really good people
on this council. Uh and we have we're very fortunate to have such a great capable mayor in Denver Mans. She has just been great. Um, but I would like to personally thank uh
the two administrators that I worked with and for uh Mike starting with Mike Rohal uh who was a terrific administrator uh and succeeded by an even better one and Mike S. who's just been a terrific partner. And
the residents, if you don't know, you should know how lucky we are to have such a highly capable and competent guy who is here on the weekends. He's cleaning out the uh storm water systems in advance of a of a of a
big uh rainstorm. He's here checking out the snows during Hurricane Sandy. We were in the truck going around from house to house to see what was the I mean he's here all the time and it's just we're just so lucky to have him. Um I want to thank uh all the members of
the staff public works and Bill Bartlett. What a great team. They [snorts] make us all look good all the time. Uh I want to thank um Jim Cowan and the recck department. I want to particularly thank him for taking Ga off
my back and handling that. Um I want to thank the Glenrich Police Department uh and our current chief who's really doing an excellent job and our we are so lucky to have such a qualified professional
serviceoriented uh police department. It's one of the real things that makes this community special. Our library is an excellent our our our Glenbridge volunteer ambulance squad, HPC, um the planning board, the board of
adjustment, all of you the board of health, all of these, our shade tree commission, all the things that work so hard, environmental committee that that you know are staffed with volunteers who amaze me all the time that they're so
willing to step up and just do good things for our community for free. For free. And that's that to me is the best thing because and I'll finish with this. No, I won't. I got one more thing I want
to say, but I mean I got a lot I want to say, but I I'll keep it short. Um, we we are just so fortunate to have so many so such a good spirit uh in our community. And the one person who's not here tonight that I I really want to say
thank you to is John Malisa, our our our attorney. John uh has become a very close personal friend of mine. Um, I'm leaving and and frankly I as I said I I'm very comfortable leaving with the quality of people that we have here
and with my replacement in in Anthony Turiana who's coming in and he is really a just remarkably accomplished man who I'm sure will will fit in very very well on the council and will help foster that
that that sense of [clears throat] collegiality and and cooperation and communication that we have here. Um, but John Malisa, he's going to be hard to replace. I mean, that man is so essential to uh every every
[clears throat] part of what we do. And um he's he's he's fantastic. So, with that, I would just like to say thank you really to all the residents for for supporting me over all these years and to to all the council members for all the very nice things that you said to
me, mayor. Thank you very much. And of course to my lovely wife Susan [snorts] who's been with me all along. And uh we're looking forward we're packing our suitcases tonight. We're leaving for California tomorrow. [laughter]
And uh we'll be in Florida in February. Uh but I am certainly uh going to be around and welcome I welcome any any questions or phone calls. Thank you very much. >> [applause]
>> Thanks. I know a lot of you are here today to support Peter, so we appreciate that. So, with that, um, we will continue on with the agenda. The next item, um, is our regular comments of the public. Uh, please come up to the mic. If you have a comment, state your name
and address. Um, we willss ourselves available after the meeting if you prefer that. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for taking questions. Uh I'm Har I'm res
and I don't know whether this was discussed earlier in the meeting but uh did want to ask to get a little more detail about the position to change service
and uh what process is that why uh we're considering cutting that service if we why we're doing that. >> Um, sure. So, no, we don't want to cut the the Jitney service. Um but uh you can let councelor Lecoitz talk in more
detail, but um given the cost of the program in addition to the retirement of one of the drivers and the need to replace one of the jitneys as a large capital cost, it was kind of a moment a reflection moment on the program um to see if there were viable alternatives
that could be found for a reasonable price that provide a similar service without disruption to to the residents. So that's the phase we're in right now. Um, council efforts, did you want to add anything? I know you're the kind of the head of the ad hoc committee looking at this.
>> Sure. Um, so first of all, nice to meet you, Har. >> Um, so as as the mayor said, you know, we're at a sort of inflection point because of the retirement uh imminent retirement of one of the chneys and the imminent and the actual retirement of
one of the drivers. Um so to replace either of them is a relatively big commitment uh at a time when the use of the jity at least as far as we can track it uh has fallen quite a bit. So um if
we look at the numbers that have been riding the jity in the last couple of years it works out to about a 60% fall in writership compared to before the pandemic. >> [clears throat] >> um which is a bigger fall than wrership
of the so wrership of the train is down. It's recovered somewhat but it's still down quite a bit but wrership of the jity is down more. Um and so uh we have always heavily subsidized the the Jity
the uh most of the cost of running it is just paid out of general uh funds of the town. It's the the I don't think ever covered more than about a quarter of it. But uh the reason that it was judged to be a worthwhile
expense is because it ameliated you know the parking shortage uh and uh reduced congestion around the center of town. As we know uh the intersection of Ridgewood and
Bloomfield, it's a difficult intersection. It's very congested the area around the train station. There's limited space for vehicles to come and go. So, the jitney was meant to address that. Uh and
the the point that we're at now is that so fewer people uh at least as far as we can track are using it that we have to question whether we should continue that same commitment or find a different way uh
possibly that is more ad hoc more like alakart. Uh so for example um county has a has a a ride share program that they've just put in uh in cooperation with the VIA company uh and people pay a
small amount. I think it's a $150 a ride to ride that. So, we're going to learn about that. Um Uber also has a ride share program for commuters. So, we're looking at that, too. So, we don't want
to completely rule out the jity, but there has to be a substantial user to continue you know the substantial capital commitment that it takes. >> Thank you for that explanation. Couple points of
thinking about one uh you know not for a long time you know that's one to make it more you know in line with so I think people would would be agreeable
uh that is one and two maybe having some kind of uh electronic pass like you have in the I don't know much about the technology behind that. I'm pretty sure making that a little more efficient
like having a passing pulled up and the Friday that would be one of the ways that you increase the efficiency and I'm sure you guys thought through all of this but also I was curious to see the percentage of the subsidy as a percentage of the
overall revenues of the terms tax revenues has that also been increasing or that steady state Um so it's definitely increased. Um you know it's I mean the total expense of running the jity is about
$290,000 a year. So that is by itself a relatively modest amount in the overall you know 13 million budget of the town. Um but still uh you know we're have very
tight budget tolerances. So, so we don't want to the main thing is not so much the money that it costs, it's the public benefit that it serves. So, in order to keep on doing it, it has to keep on serving the
public by encouraging mass transit use and clearing up traffic and making up for the lack of parking. So, if people use it heavily, then it's accomplishing all those things. and it's worth
subsidizing. If people don't use it heavily, then it's not accomplishing those goals and we have to look at something different uh that would serve the purpose. [snorts] >> I appreciate your
uh responses over here and would very much like to be uh made aware of any kind of decisions going forward because I won uh and I'm pretty sure that I don't speak for myself. I find it a very useful service unique service and during
the time it says in the morning which are the most valuable time you know get up that is very high value time it's really great >> I I I agree to people to people who use
it I I totally see the value I I my own walk to the chain is seven minutes so I've never been on a journey in my life but I advocate for public transit and I think it's very important. Um I should >> I think yeah I think you guys are looking at having a a public information
session, a public meeting to kind of be lay things out more and and gather >> Exactly. >> feedback and another way to gather feedback. We've gotten a lot of emails coming in though. >> Yes. >> It's like stay It's like stay tuned, right? Like we're we're in early explor
we're exploring and so appreciate you uh >> bringing the concern. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Yes. >> If I'm here for the same reason, can I add to that or >> Yeah, come on up. Yep. Yep. Yep. >> Hi, thank you so much for giving me a minute. My name is I Stanford Place and
I've been bridge for about four years. Um, so I'm also an aid user of the I would repeat a lot of the things that this gentleman just said and I will not do that, but I just wanted to make sure as part of the process for having some kind of public hearing that there would be to include like ongoing input from
the people that use it and maybe there would be some inputs around you know this sort of common technology like I'm happy to help us think through what system would work best I think around affairs makes less sense too I think there's just a lot more that people want to contribute to this because it has
been such quality people use it I think there's other benefits beyond that I'm sure you guys have considered too but I just wanted to make sure that we all have a ongoing way to communicate with these clients >> okay That's fair. Thanks. Um, yeah, if folks aren't signed up for our email distribution, which you can do on our
website or on the Facebook page and our Instagram, that's how we're trying to get a lot of information out. >> So, I won't similar to what was just said, I won't take a lot of time. I'm Mark to Cambridge. I've been l for about a year and a half. And just wanted to I'm not going to reiterate things
because obviously time is valuable, but just want to make sure a couple things are clear. One thing when we came here and talked to people about this town talking about people who were exploring town was a not unique but fairly valuable service that a lot of people talked about as being a big driver
who work in the city regularly and [snorts] do that to that sort of the emails and the posts and things over the last several days I think sort of drove to me that not just involvement in hearing about the process but some sort of interchange about having contributed to
added discussions. I don't know if you mentioned committee on this. I don't know if there's a group of people that brought the involved with that or the frequent town meetings, but some actually I think we all probably things we've seen from being on the judgy. I'm also a fairly heavy user of it three or four days a week that we may have seen the
things we wanted to do didn't work or ways to make more time using a lot. Just want to make sure there's some way we can stay informed but actually stay contributing and seeing the impact on the process. >> Okay. Like a focus group.
Thank you. >> Thank you all. Steven Shai 214. I just wanted to throw in on top of that that I think if we get rid of the Jney bus as a service, we lose a lot other things along with it. We may not be thinking about, you know, because once you're no
longer using the Jens every day, we're not going to keep the buses. Let's face it, they're too expensive to maintain the oneoff usages that we have. But that's the senior going to the the grocery store every week. It's also seems like once a year gets used for the
Glenidge kitchen tour. We won't have those buses that much less thing. But I think more importantly it's it's what defines us as a separate and special community. It's it's partly like our you know gas lamps. It's unique to Glenidge
may not necessarily be the most method, but it definitely makes us unique. But, you know, if we quit having the Jimmy bus, we probably won't have the train station in the morning, which, you know, as a commuter, having a warm train station when it's, you know, 20°
outside is hugely invaluable. You know, I'm a huge supporter of public transportation. Um, from there's significantly factor choosing where we live based on the fact because was there. I didn't choose a house that was
next to the train station. I most definitely live otherwise. I've been here for 16 years now. I write it every day. I'm literally pass this year. Last year I helped work getting the system up so that it was the online
purchasing of tickets there. I use it every year. If we take that away and try to replace it with like a you know ride share, we lose what it means to become another community.
It will detract from people's public transportation. I think there are ways that we can get the wrership back up. Our ridership on the journey is lower than New Jersey Transits wrership on the train. There are reasons for that. And if we address those reasons, I think the
wrership will reflect that as well. So I think instead of trying to cancel the program focusing on fixing the things that are broken with it, improving it, building upon that, adding value to it because I think it does define us as a community set.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Amanda. I live at 163 forest. I've been living in Conri since 2017 and I actually moved in the years that I've been here on the north end of town and I actually had to walk
to the first uh the the northernmost stop on the jney so that I can get to work. Um so I see the immense value especially for your far north end or far south end to get to the train on time. J was invaluable when I was pregnant with
both of my children having to commute with belly and you know speed of snow. Um and like this gentleman said it's really a part of our community. a lot of great neighbors through the program. It certainly helped um the value of my
house when I sold it to move to another part of Clich. So that is a huge driver and I hope um it's great to hear that there are going to be these learning sessions, info sessions. Um I think it's incredibly important to have um writers and potential writers weighing in on how
to make it better. Like you said, let's try to fix the problem instead of showing the problem. >> Thank you. [clears throat] I'm sorry. What was your address again? I'm Forest. What was that number? >> 163. >> 163. Great. Thanks so much.
>> Hello. My name is Hall. I live at 94 Stonehouse res. Don't want to repeat what you've already heard. So, I'll just make three points. Um, first, I encourage the council to talk to realtors because a major selling
point for those of us that meet in the city was You're one, two, three minutes away from the journey stop, not 15 minutes away from Walnut Street by foot. I'll bike, I'll walk, I'll use the all three ways, but when I moved here was
the town. And so I suggest what you're doing and subsidizing the subsidizing the property values of every single house. Point two, there's some really inexpensive ways to improve the experience. One specific thing I
encourage you to is real time tracking of the buses. I know from personal experience if you want to get in touch with things there are really inexpensive ways to do that. Tremendous improvement to the experience. Fair collection. I often see a lot of
people a lot of residents people I know in town not paying. You have one of the gentlemen back there maybe once or twice checking make sure people are paying tickets. That'll end just like that. Revenue will go up. And third and third point I'd like to make is just perhaps and I'd say this to
the the entire council be consider about how you make an announcement like this um a Facebook post by the court on New Year's Eve and even the email today that went out that definitely had more information about the subsidy and so forth. I'd encourage you to think about maybe that's not the right way for such
a crucial service that the town provides. But on that we everyone said and I'm confident that this uh council will help make the right decision to continue to subsidize the service especially in consideration property values of the town. Thank you
sir. Sorry. How do you spell your last name? >> It's H. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay, thank you. Um, with that, uh, we'll move
it over. We have some resolutions. Uh, councelor Lew. >> Yes. Um, Madame Mayor, it gives me a great pleasure to offer resolution 165-25, commendation and grateful acknowledgement for the value and
services of >> Where is he? >> There he is. >> Right there. No. >> Jeffrey, >> raise your hand. >> Jeffrey Derby, >> you were in my blind spot. [clears throat]
Uh, whereas volunteering Whereas volunteering is the most powerful way to impact and connect with your community. Glen Ridge could not thrive without the time, energy, and resources of our resident volunteer [clears throat] resources that our resident volunteers
contribute to our bureau. We recognize the impact they have in the community. Whereas the mayor and the burough council of the burough of Glen Ridge desire to convey an expression of our commendation and grateful acknowledgement for the valued services rendered by Jeffrey Derby in the public
interest as a member of the Glendridge Library Board of Trustees. Now therefore, be it resolved the mayor and Burough Council sincerely appreciate the worthwhile contributions that he has made toward the welfare and development of this [snorts] fine community. And may
I to that that it has been my personal honor and pleasure to serve with you, Jeffrey, on the library board and to really be uh inspired by your your commitment, your dedication that really the heart and the passion that you have
put into this role. Uh so, so I think that you have inspired me and the other members of the library board with that. So, so a personal thank you to add to this commendation. >> [applause] >> So, Mike, it's it says resolution, but
it's really accommodation. Do we need >> No, it's a resolution. Yeah. So, we need a second on it. All right. Perfect. All right. So, you've heard the motion by councelor Lewitz. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Heard the motion by council leftwit, seconded by councelor Hughes. Any further discussion?
Uh, seeing Mike, please call the role. >> Councilors Leovitz, >> I. >> Hughes, >> hi. >> Zimit. >> Hi. >> Law. >> Hi. >> Meer. >> I. >> Moody. >> I. >> Six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. You did it. [laughter] >> We got you again. We'll see how you do on the next one.
>> Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] >> We're coming. >> Councelor Hughes. >> Uh, mayor, I have resolution 166-25. Whereas volunteering is the most powerful way to impact and connect with your community, Glenbridge could not
thrive without the time, energy, and resources of our resident volunteers that they contribute to the burrow. And we recognize the impact that they have on the community. And whereas the mayor and burough council uh desired to convey an expression of its commendation and grateful acknowledgement for the valued
services rendered by Sydney Kerry in the public interest as a member of the Glenrich Board of Health. Now therefore be resolved. The mayor and council sincerely appreciate the worthwhile contributions that she has made towards the welfare and development of this fine community. Mayor I move the resolution.
>> You've heard the motion by councelor Hughes. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> You've heard the motion by councelor Hughes, seconded by councelor Meyer. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, Mike, please call the ball. >> Councelors Leovitz. >> Hi. >> Hughes. >> Hi. >> Zimit.
>> Hi. >> Law. >> Hi. >> Meer. I >> Moody >> I. >> Six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. >> Thank you. Councelor [clears throat] Zimmit. >> Uh Madame Mayor, I have resolution number 167-25. Um and if this wasn't Peter Hughes
Memorial Night, uh Jeffrey Darby would be a close second. So, uh, [laughter] construct, but, uh, I I won't I won't read everything that's been said, uh, as we just went through this for for Jeffrey, but I I just want to say, uh, he he has been the, uh, part of the
Historic Preservation Commission for 15 years, the past five as as chair. Um, during which time he expanded, uh, the number of commissioners uh, on it. And this past fall was the [clears throat] culmination of a a multi-year modernized ordinance that not
only streamlined applications but closed loopholes. Uh again, this was something that that went on uh for years and Jeffrey bro across the finish line um this past fall. Uh and I I worked with him briefly, but in talking to some folks on the historic preservation
commission, uh he is thorough. He is exceptionally thoughtful. Um he is a consensus builder among his colleagues. Uh and it was noted that he he is very good at explaining complex issues to uh residents who are in front of the HPC which I think is uh invaluable to help
them understand what what they're in for and what they're up against. Um and so not only recognized by his colleagues but um Shipo, the state historic preservation office um snuck into one of the meetings and after witnessing the
meeting that he ran uh or several meetings that he ran uh issued an A grade and said that it was exemplary uh a great example of an effective commission being run. So, um, with that, kudos to Jeffrey Derby for his work in the historic preservation. [applause]
Madame Mayor, I I uh would like to move resolution 167-25 and recognizing uh Jeffrey for his contribution as part of the HBC. >> Thanks. It was really nice. Um, you've heard the motion by councelor Zimit. Do I have a second? >> I would like to second that. You've
heard the motion by councelor Zimit, seconded by councelor Moody. Any further discussion? >> Mayor, I'm just going to throw in here from the sidelines. >> Audible >> with uh Jeff between the library and HBC. I it's
hard to envision um not seeing him in one way or another active in the town. and um um when he comes up with a a concept or a vision of where he thinks something needs to go, he rides that
train all the way through, no matter how how hard it gets. He will put the time and effort in and rally the resources to uh to make it happen. And um working with uh him throughout the years has just been a pleasure and it's it's really um um we're going to miss you and
thank you so much for all of your service to the community. >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you. [applause] >> So with that, mayor, now I'll call the role. I'll keep my I'll be quiet now. >> Thank you. >> Councilors Levitz >> I. >> Hughes. >> Hi. >> Zimit. >> Hi. >> Law. >> Hi.
>> Meyer. >> Hi. >> Moody. >> I. >> Six eyes. No nays. The motion carries. >> Thanks so much. Councelor Moody. Uh in this evening of commendation and recognition, I have two such resolutions
to offer uh for service on our planning board. The first resolution I'd like to offer, Madame Mayor, is uh 6825 accommodation and grateful acknowledgement for the valued services of Robert Marorrow. Um I won't again
repeat because the uh resolutions are similar in their structure but I just want to say how much we have I mean it's over 20 years uh that you've been on the planning board. >> [clears throat] >> We I I'm feeling like the trend tonight
is like the a brain train [laughter] but uh just such dedicated volunteerism and service and conscientiousness and through um I can say similarly for Anthony but Anthony is stepping up to
the council and that's the next resolution I have but through some big issues in the town issues in terms in terms of of you know zoning uh issues in terms of the Claris uh so you know
really thinking of as we talk about like what is the impact on what this town is how it feels to live here but also embracing you know contemporary challenges and you know people getting to live here um and so
we're deeply appreciative of that so Madame Mayor I would like to uh offer resolution 6825 for Robert Marorrow. >> You've heard um the motion by council Moody. I would like to personally second that. Is that okay, Mike? >> Sure.
>> Um and thank Bob for all his service. Um and with that, any further discussion? >> Just a quick Yeah. Uh acknowledgement of of both Jeffrey and and Bob for all their years of service. um they had the misfortune of being personal friends of
mine and at one point I put the twist on their arms, [laughter] step up and serve and they they both did and did it just wonderfully. Thank you guys. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. [applause] >> Well, now you guys can all hang out together at the country club on Monday
night. So, [laughter] >> um with that, Mike, can we make a roll call? Mayor, again, I'm just two second sidelines here, but Bob, the the steady hand of Amaro is going to be uh >> Bob's been trying for 10 years to get off a planning board, [laughter] and
we've been twisting his arm for 10 years to keep him on. But again, congratulations and really your calm and your calmness and analytical mind and to be able to present it clearly of what you're thinking in the process. We're really going to miss and uh thank you so much for being a part of it. So again,
I'll be quiet, mayor, and I'll call the role. So we have councilors Leovitz. >> Hi >> Hughes. >> Hi >> Zimit. >> Hi >> Law. >> Hi >> Meyer. >> Hi >> Moody. >> Hi >> Mayor. >> Hi. >> Motion carries.
Uh, and madame mayor, I have resolution 169-25, a commendation and grateful acknowledgement for the valued services of Anthony Triano, also for the Glen Rich Planning Board, also [clears throat] for distinguished service pressed
by councelor Hughes. And I just want to extend my delight uh having worked with you for the last year that you're stepping into the role on council with us. So, thank you for that. So, I offer the resolution.
>> You've heard the motion by council Moody. Do we have a second? >> May I second? >> You've heard the motion by council. Seconded by councelor Hughes. Any further discussion? >> Seeing that, please call. >> Councilors Leovitz. >> I. >> Hughes.
>> Hi. >> Zimit. >> I. >> Law. >> Hi. >> Meer. >> Hi. >> Moody. >> I. >> Six eyes, no naysay. The motion carries. Thank you so much. [applause] COUNCELOR MEYER. >> UH, Madame Mayor, I'd like to offer
resolution 170-25 for our commenation and grateful acknowledgement for the valued services of Anna Davidson. much like my counselors before. I won't read the entire text, but she has been a um member of the Glenidge Environmental
Advisory Commission and I've watched the activities and impact of that commission grow over my years in the burrow in the last 12 years from the ecoair and really the advocacy for environmental
and really public health concerns of the community. the group really does a excellent job of public education and really considering all of all of the residents in their in their actions and activities. So that's an again another
important volunteer organization within our community. Want to thank her for her services. And with that, Madame Mayor, I move resolution 17-25. >> You've heard the motion by councelor Meyer. Do we have a second? >> I'd like to second this one as well.
Yeah, you have the motion by councelor Meyer, seconded by councelor Moody. I'll just add um Anna is also really spearheaded the revival of the Benson Street garden which has um donated hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to a
local food pantry. So, she's been really amazing for our town. Um any other discussion? >> Seeing none. >> Councilors Leovitz. >> Hi, >> Hughes. >> Hi, >> Zimit. >> Hi, >> Law. Hi >> Meyer.
>> Hi >> Moody. >> Feel like I already did it. I was like I already said something. >> Moody. [laughter] >> I >> six eyes. No names. The motion carries. >> Thanks. If there is no further business to come before this council, I will entertain a motion to adjourn this
meeting. Cena. >> Uh madame mayor, I move that this meeting be adjourned. Cena. [laughter] >> All right. Right. We always have debates on how to pronounce that, but we got it. I declare this meeting adjourned and announced that the burough council will reconvene immediately following the
swearing and commit ceremony, which will happen right now. >> All right. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. >> Or do you want to keep >> um I want to give him a better one. The printer wasn't working.
All right. Who do you want first? >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Now we're going to start the second question with our swearing in. If we could have councelor elect Richard Law
present himself for the purposes of subscribing to the office. All right. >> Raise your right hand. Make sure we can't back down. I state your name. >> I, Richard Law, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear
>> that I'll support the Constitution of the United States of America >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> I will bear true faith >> I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. and
allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> I solemnly swear
>> I solemnly swear >> I will perform the duties >> I will perform the duties >> and responsibilities upon the incumbent upon a counselor >> and the responsibilities incumbent upon counselor >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> With that, we'll ask councelor elect Anthony Terriano to present himself for the purposes of describing the open office. Hello. >> You want your two adult sons?
>> What's appropriate? >> Sure. >> I left hand on the right hand. >> I state your name. I, Anthony Toriano, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I'll support the Constitution of the United States of America
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. I will bear true faith >> I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and >> allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established
>> to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> I solemnly swear >> I solemnly swear >> I will perform the duties >> I'll perform the duties
>> and responsibilities >> and responsibilities >> incumbent upon a counselor >> incumbent upon a counselor >> according to to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] [applause]
still respons. >> All right. >> It's a little wacky. >> Go up. cheat sheet. >> All right, we'll get the meeting started. >> Need it. >> In accordance with chapter 231 of the
open public meetings act, adequate and proper notice of this meeting has been given to the public by publishing a notice in the Glenidge paper, Glenidge Boyce, Monontlair Times, and the Star Ledger, and posting said notice on the bulletin board in the municipal building. The agenda and public handouts
for this meeting can be viewed online at www. glenridgeenj.org. A public comment period will be held as listed on the agenda. Please state your name for the record and note that comments will be limited to three minutes per person. Um Mike, could you
do a roll call, please? >> Councilors Leovitz >> here. >> Law >> here. >> Zimit >> here. >> Terriiano >> here. >> Meyer >> here. >> Moody >> here. Mayor, you have a quorum.
>> All right. Welcome. >> Um, councelor Meyer, do you have a uh nomination for >> I have a nomination. Mayor, it is my honor to pass the torch and nominate councelor Moody to serve as the council president of the burough council for the
year 2026. [applause] >> Congratulations. Yeah, councelor Meyer, thank you for serving in that position in the last year. It's been really wonderful to know that you were always there in case I needed you, which I did. [laughter]
Um, with that, I will turn it over to Councelor Lewit. >> Yes, Madame Mayor. Uh, I'm pleased to offer the first resolution of the new year, resolution 1-26.
Um, first time anyone has used 26 in a resolution. Uh, be it resolved that the bylaws of the Burough Council for the year 2026, as amended and supplemented, are hereby adopted as the bylaws of the
Burough Council for the year 2026. >> You've heard the motion by council efforts. Do we have a second? >> Happy to second. >> Congratulations, [applause] You heard the motion by councelor
Lefowitz, seconded by councel terriiano. Any discussion? Seeing none, um Mike, please call the role. >> Councilors Levitz, >> I. >> Law, >> I. >> Zimit >> I. >> Terriiano. >> Meyer >> I. >> Moody >> I.
>> Six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. >> Thank you. Um, we are just changing up our committees a little bit. Um so I will go through that. I'm uh hereby um appoint the following to the 2026
standing committees of the burough council. Um and the first name is in each committee shall serve as that committee's chairperson. Finance and administration is Lecoitz, Moody, and Meyer. Public safety is Law, Meyer, and
Zimit. Community affairs and public relations is Zimit, Lecoitz, and Tyriono. Public Works, Tyriono, Lecoitz Law, Parks and Recreation, Meyer Law and Moody, Planning and Development, Moody,
Tyriono, and Zimit. Okay, so that's good. [laughter] And with the advice and consent of the Barrow Council, um, I appoint John Melissa Esquire, a minor land to the position of municipal attorney for the
term of one year infinity. >> [laughter] >> Uh, with that, councelor Lewitz, uh, do you have the resolution for that? >> Yes, madame mayor. Resolution 2-26 be it resolved that the mayor's appointment of John Malisa Esquire and the firm uh,
Miner and Landis to serve as this burough's municipal attorney for the year 2026 B and the same is hereby approved and confirmed. You've heard the motion by councelor Lewit. Do I have a second? >> I'll second.
>> We've heard the motion by councelor Lewit, seconded by councel Moody. Any discussion? Seeing none, might please call the role. >> Councilors Leovitz, >> I. >> Law, >> I. >> Zimit, >> I. >> Terriiano, >> I. >> Meer, >> I.
>> Moody, >> I. >> Six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. >> Thank you. Uh with the advice and consent of the burough council, I appoint the following to serve as officers and employees of the Burough of Glenidge and members of the various boards, commissions, and committees.
It's a very long list. It's included in the agenda packet. Um and we'll talk a little bit more about uh some of the new folks coming on. Uh with that, uh let's see. Council Law, do you have the resolution for that? >> Just wanted to mention I feel inspired
in this chair here. Resolution [laughter] number uh 3-26, be it resolved that the mayor's appointment of members for the various boards, committees, commissions, uh and for the terms mentioned in the resolution be approved and confirmed. Uh
madame mayor, seek to move resolution. >> You've heard the motion by council law. Um may I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Heard the motion by council law, seconded by councelor Lewis. Any discussion? Uh, seeing none, Mike, please call the role. >> Councilors Leovich,
>> I. >> Law, >> hi. >> Zimit, >> hi. >> Terriiano, >> hi. >> Meer, >> I. >> Moody, >> hi. >> Six eyes, no ace. The motion carries. >> Thanks, councelor Zimit. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. I have resolution 4-26, which lays out the
schedule of regular meetings for the mayor and council going forward. Uh generally the second and fourth Mondays of every of every month uh when there are holidays it gets moved to Tuesday. Stay tuned, send your packet, look at the town calendar, you'll see
for if you have any questions. Uh additionally, there will be a workshop meeting for the council at 6:30 prior to each meeting and for the public safety committee at 5:30 uh preceding the first regularly scheduled meeting. Um so with that, madame mayor, I would like to move resolution 4-26.
Um, you've heard the motion by councelor Zimit. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> You've heard the motion by councelor Zimit, seconded by councelor Meyer. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, Mike, please call the role. >> Councilors Leovitz, >> I. >> Law, >> hi. >> Zimit. >> I.
>> Terriiano. >> I. >> Meer. >> I. >> Moody. >> I. >> Six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. >> Councelor Tyiano. >> Yes, madam mayor. I'm pleased to present my first resolution, resolution number 526. Um, be it resolved that the following
dates are hereby designated as official holidays for the offices and employees of the Blower Oak Glen Ridge. They're the typical holiday days, but I see two that I'm happy about. There's a pre Christmas day and a post Thanksgiving day. So, um, I'd like to move this for approval. Madame Mayor,
>> you heard the motion by councelor Tyrion. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> You heard the motion by councelor Triiono. Seconded by councelor Law. Any discussion? Any favor holidays? [laughter] >> Mike, please call the role.
>> Councilors Leovitz. >> I. >> Law. >> Hi. >> Zimit. >> Hi. >> Triano. >> I. >> Meer. >> I. >> Moody. >> I. >> Six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. >> Thanks. Councelor Meer. Um, Madame Mayor, I have resolution 6-26, which is
a temporary appropriations for operating purposes. Whereas, New Jersey regulation provides that where any contracts, commitments, or payments are to be made prior to the adoption of the 2026 budget, temporary appropriations be made for the purposes and amount required in the manner and
time therein provided. Whereas, the date of this resolution is within the first 30 days of January 2026. Whereas, the total appropriations in the 25 budget exclusive of any appropriations made for the principal and interest of debt. Public assistance
and the capital improvement fund is a sum of 17,755,38 for the current fund and 2 million approximately 2 million for the water utility fund and 515,000 for the pool utility and the temp whereas the temporary budget shall not exceed 26.25%
25% of the total appropriations in the 2025 budgets. Um, and the capital improvement fund, which is a sum of $4,660,768 for the current fund and lots of other numbers in here.
[laughter] And so, essentially, we're going to approve money to temporarily spend until we formally pass the 2026 budget. And now therefore be resolved by the mayor and council of Burough and Glenbridge that the above temporary 26
appropriations are approved. Mayor, I would make a motion to approve this resolution. >> Thank you. You've heard the motion by councelor Meyer. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Heard the motion by councelor Meyer, seconded by councelor Lewoods. Any discussion? >> Madame Mayor, I'm happy that wasn't my
first resolution. [laughter] >> It's a it's a pretty straightforward business one, but there's a lot of numbers. >> A lot of numbers. Yeah. >> Um, Mike, could you please do the roll call? >> Councilors Leovitz, >> I. >> Law, >> I. >> Zimit, >> I. >> Terriiano.
>> I, >> Meyer. >> I, >> Moody. >> I, >> six eyes, no nays. The motion carries. >> Thanks. Councelor Moody, >> I also have numbers. Uh, Madame Mayor, I have resolution number 7-26.
Uh, and this is a resolution for approval of 2026 petty cash. Be it resolved that the following claims be approved and warrants drawn for the same from the current fund administration of petty cash of $600 and police department
petty also of $600. Uh, be it resolved that the chief financial officer, treasurer of the bureau of Glenidge is hereby authorized to issue a petty cash fund. Madame would like to Motion to approve this resolution. >> You've heard the motion by councelor
Moody. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Your second. Second. >> I just like to say that every time. Um you've heard the motion by councelor Moody, seconded by councelor Tyiano. Any discussion? >> Madam Mayor, I'd just like to point out
that um according to what Mike said before and just in continuing to sing the praises of Peter Hughes, uh $600 in petty cash was twice what we're was in the coffers. >> Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] >> We have one reserve. >> So, the the honorary Peter Hughes petty
cash fund. Yeah. >> Has been approved. >> May we have a roll call on the Peter Hughes cash? >> Yes. Yes. Mayor Counselors Lefkovitz. >> I. >> Law. >> Hi. >> Zimit. >> I. >> Terriiano. >> I Meyer. >> Hi. >> Moody. >> I. >> Six eyes. No. Nace. The motion carries.
>> All right. Great. I have um if you're indulge me some brief remarks. It's lovely to have everyone here so we can tell you what we've been doing uh at the council meetings all year um uh on on behalf of the the residents. So, as we
close out 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and acknowledge our team. Uh some highlights include in the planning area, we successfully adopted round four of our housing element and fair share plan, also known as New Jerseys affordable
housing law in accordance with state law. We comprehensively updated the bureau's historic preservation ordinance to create a minor application review and clarify requirements. And thank you to councelor Moody for her work on both the council and the planning board on these
important issues. We successfully settled numerous tax appeals, some of which were pending for over five years. That's how long tax sorts take. and our burough attorney, John Malisa, who's not here this morning, goes above and beyond to ensure that the bureau is always well
represented. And thank you as well to councelor Rich Law. He's over. He moved um who led our council effort in tax court by participating in court conducted mediation proceedings and providing valuable oversight in the various proceedings.
We began a long overdue comprehensive upgrade to the electrical circuit serving our neighbors on the south end. The project includes new poles, wires, and equipment. We launched a new burough website. We undertook a county ordered property revaluation
and we received a $500,000 grant from the state for a study of flooding issues in the Tony'sburg wershed. And that's a special thank you to Assemblyman Mike Beneia, Assemblywoman Carmen Morales, and State Senator Brittney Timberlake for their support on this important
issue and getting it in the state budget. We upgraded our residential water meters, which now include advanced leak detection systems to reduce water loss and backflow prevention to help prevent water contamination. And uh we launched a townwide survey to
improve our understanding of issues in the community, services offered, and where residents get town related information to optimize outreach. Special thank you to councelor Steve Zimit for spearheading this effort and to Rohit Tote for crunching the data. Be
on the lookout for a second survey that we'll be conducting in collaboration with New Jersey Transit, Montlair, and Bloomfield to assess interest in expanded weekend transit service. Our public library >> weekend and off peak basically
>> weekend and off peak. Thank you. Yes. >> Yes. So that's that's important survey as well. Um our public library continues to serve as a community hub offering everything from a seed library to a pressure washer in its library of things. And we thank councelor David
Lewitz for being our liaison to the count library board. And thanks to the leadership of councelor Rebecca Meyer and director Jim Cowen, we have maintained a close working relationship with the GRAA as we work together to provide fun and rewarding athletic
opportunities for our students. Uh we successfully secured additional playing field access this past year for our growing program. Yes, it's in Montlair, so let's just keep it quiet. Um, our police department
worked with county and state law enforcement to crack down on car thefts as well as stepped up traffic enforcement. Thank you to counselor, former counselor Peter Hughes, Chief Quinn, and the entire police department for their leadership in protecting our community. Their dedication and
professionalism are a source of pride for Glenidge. On a personal note, I was honored to perform seven marriages this year, which is always a highlight for me. Um, and I can do renewals, so just keep me in mind. And thank you as well to Burough
Administrator Mike Skellyy, Deputy Administrator Eric Dign, and the entire burough staff for all you do, especially putting up with our numerous questions. And we are excited to welcome a new clerk within the coming weeks. Can we get a sneak peek?
>> [applause] >> We're very excited about that. And as you know, Glen Ridge is a volunteer-driven community. And we are pleased to welcome six brand new folks to our boards and commissions. Thank you for stepping up to serve. And thank you to our neighbors who care for us through
their work with the Glen Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Squad, who beautify our burrow through maintaining public gardens throughout town, including Freeman Gardens, who entertain us with amazing theater arts programming, provide community support and programming like
our beautiful women's club, which was just featured in the recently released movie Songs on Blue. Trish can take you on a tour of that. who educate us and promote our historic character like the Glenrich Historic Society, who feed our friends, including
volunteers at the Benson Street Garden, who donate hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to the human needs pantry, and who protect our lightning bugs and implant native plants led by our environmental advisory committee. In the new year, we'll be focusing on I don't
know if you heard, but analyzing feedback and object options for the bure burough jity service, pressing PSENG to make further upgrades to our aging electrical grid, implementing our housing element and fair share plan, and celebrating the
250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Be sure to pick up your free calendar, which highlights the bureau's history and bsentennial celebration. They're I think they're downstairs. >> They're in the lobby. >> They're right in the lobby. >> And continuing fiscal stewardship as we balance the statemandated tax cap and
high property taxes with maintaining highquality schools and highquality services. So on behalf of the burough council, thank you for the trust that you place in your local government. I wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year, and it's
an honor to serve as your mayor. [applause] Um, with that, this is another opportunity for comments from um the public if you're >> can put up with it. >> All right, mayor. I'm speaking then. >> Are you kidding me?
>> Just two seconds here. I just want to [laughter] >> thank the mayor and council again for your your faith in uh myself and the staff. We just have uh department heads that are just phenomenal and they're make uh all of our all of the work that we do uh easy and and what they take on.
And just a huge um thank you to John Melisca. Uh I I don't think I've spoken to anybody more than John, including family members this past three years. uh he is around the clock every day um just
just charging through trying to get these uh issues resolved and behind us and um and again our new clerk Jen Lisa is out there and we will be swearing her in on the uh next meeting. Our next meeting is the 20th and uh that's a
Tuesday because we're off on Monday. So we we'd love to see this this everybody here again to uh cheer on her, welcome her to welcome her to our community and thank you mayor. Yeah, and I noticed I I did forget uh to mention our DPW and and Bill Bartlett who I actually give a lot
of questions to. Is this recyclable? What's going on here? So, um I did want to give them a shout out as well. Any other seeing no other remarks? Um if there's no further business or remarks to come before the council, uh I'll entertain a motion to adjourn this
meeting. >> Mayor, I will take that entertainment and move that this meeting beer. declare this meeting is hereby ajour and you're welcome to join us next door in Fitzgerald's uh thank you so much for your time [applause]