Good. All right, we are returning back from executive session. If I can have a motion to close executive session. No. >> Oh, we don't do that anymore. Oh, great. We just go. We're just rocking and rolling. All right, wonderful. Um, so thank you all for your patience. As you
know, we are testing out a new format. This is our our first time really going at this new format. So, thank you for your patience. We'll get it. Um, so uh we have a proclamation. I am very excited to uh to be able to have another
hundth birthday celebration. And so I'm going to come on down and read a proclamation for Mr. Joseph Zultansky. [Applause] >> There's one over here.
Thank you. Okay. All right. So, >> here. How are you? >> Very nice to meet you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Happy birthday. >> Thank you. >> There you go. Okay. >> Here you go. right next to me.
>> There you go. Yeah, please come on over. >> Very nice to see you. >> Where do you want me to go? >> You can come right here. >> So everyone can get a good look at you. >> All right. >> So, all right. And I'm going to give you this copy here, but I'm going to read this here for you. So, whereas Joseph
Francis Zultansky was born on November 2nd, 1925 in Trenton, New Jersey, the youngest of seven children to Polish immigrant parents. Whereas as a young man, Joseph served in the United States Army during World War II, an experience that shaped
his lifelong sense of duty and humility. Further, the war he blessed he was blessed by Pope Pius the 12th. After the war, he built a steady career with General Motors, known for his work
ethic, kindness, and loyalty. Whereas in retirement, Joseph met Kathy the love who became his partner in life and parenting. In 1986, they traveled to Rome and attended a private Catholic
mass with Pope John Paul II. Yes, he met two popes. The blessing they received was truly special. The following year, Joe and Kathy were blessed with becoming legal guardians of Cathy's granddaughter,
Sasha. Years later, they married in order to properly adopt Sasha, a decision that remains his proudest legacy. Whereas Joseph recently celebrated a hundred years surrounded by neighbors
and friends in Hackinack, grateful for a life of service, family, and community. His secret, lots of chocolate, and laughter. Now therefore, I, Casim Gaines, mayor of
the city of Hackinac, along with the members of the city council, do hereby congratulate Joseph Francis Zultansky on his 100th birthday and thank him for his contributions to society. Thank you.
[Applause] Yes. Okay. Please add a recog. [Applause] There you go. Please. >> Our pleasure. There you go. We'd love to
take a picture. And Franklin, do you have >> Hey, Daddy. Look right there. camera. >> All right. I'm just gonna move this just a little bit out of the way here. >> Thank you. Happy birthday.
[Applause] >> Thank you. >> And so we also have and we're going to take a a five or six minute recess because we have some lovely refreshments
here. Um, so please don't be shy, partake, celebrate. The the secret was chocolate, I think, was part of the secret. So please, um, it's right there. But, um, also come on up, say happy birthday as well. And we just want to thank you so much for being one of our
residents here. Thank you. >> Okay, great. If you want to partake, please. We're gonna just pause for a couple minutes. >> Congratulations again, sir. >> Thank you. No problem. This will be absolute pleasure. And once again, just happy birthday and
congratulations. And um if you if you're out there watching and listening and you are um 99 and a half and you'd like a proclamation on your 100th birthday, just reach out to the clerk's office and we will take care of you. Okay. Um
by Josh Cohen behalf of the SH committee. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> There we go. >> Uh I'm I'm Josh Cohen. I am chairperson of Hackinac Sha Tree Advisory Committee.
Um I'm here to update every everyone on some progress of what we've been working on specifically a recent grant that we were awarded. Um also share what's ahead for Hackin Sacks urban forest. This is something I I get excited about. I hope to share a little bit about that with
you. Um and then I have some some asks too at the end, you know, like like a like I like you should. Um, next next slide, please. Let's start with uh who we are and what we do as a as a committee. So, we we're a volunteer
municipal tree board. Um, we partner with Hackinack city officials. We're appointed by the city council to improve health equity of our urban forest through tree plantings, education, advocacy, long-term planning. Um, you
know, I I was asked to talk to you about a recent grant that we were awarded. This is my first time presenting in front of you all as a council. So, I'm going to start with a little introduction. Um, I joined the board in 2020. I became chair 2021. Uh, in 2022,
we were awarded $20,000 TD Bank and Arbor Day foundation grant to plant some trees at Jackson A Elementary School. We also helped create an outdoor classroom for them. Uh that was a project that helped me to see how well positioned HackinSack is for funding opportunities
like that and it also helped introduce this concept of equity um and environmental justice to me which I I'm not familiar with that previously you know here I'm not I'm not a horiculturist or an arborist or anything like that. This this is something I do
to um give back to the community. Um but also I do it because I think it's really important and and We'll get into why this is so important. Um, so some of the things that we can do, we organize citywide tree planting events. We can
engage residents. We have an annual Arbor Day celebration with school partnerships. Last year we planted a tree um in memoriam of Miss Whitaker from at Parker School. Um, we work on policy and advocacy so we can
advise the city council on best practices. Um, and something I've been focused on a lot during my tenure, um, we've partnered on over $250,000 in grants now, um, to help restore, um, oh,
I'd be remiss, uh, my other, uh, members on the board, we have Marggo Cooper, Frederick Mensah, Trip Avalone, our DPW liaison is is Fred Cowell. Um, we are a 33-year Tree City USA uh, city. That's a
pretty significant accomplishment. That means that the city uh values transparency in its tree operations. Um and we've established things. There are certain requirements you have to meet to do that. Um but it's really about being transparent. We're also certified with
NJUF which is a good amount of work. It means we have um more transparency. We have to do state reporting um to the state. Um and uh um all of that is is a a big accomplishment for for the city. Um, so you know what we help to do is
improve quality of life through trees. So let's talk about why that's important here in Hackinack. Next slide, please. Thank you. So just quick slide on why trees matter. Um, you know, this might be obvious to some, but I think some people don't really think about trees
that much at all. Um, you know, they help clean the air. They remove pollutants. They also remove uh particulate matter, diesel um particulate m that might come in through Route 80 or Route 4 on trucks and those are the
areas that have worse air quality in our city. Um they help cool the streets up to 10 degrees. So if you don't have trees, you're going to have hotter hotter air. It's called an urban uh heat heat island. Uh they help do flood pre flood prevent flood prevention. So it
won't might not stop massive floods, but it will help suck that water up faster. And the leaves do stop more, you know, water from from falling. It slows that down as they absorb the water. Um, and uh, the one that really resonate, it increases property values. It
encourages walking and being out in your neighborhood. You know, when you drive through beautiful towns, a lot of people think of like Ridgewood as being very beautiful. They have great trees. That's that's part of what's going on in in your um visuals as as you and so to
understand where trees are needed most. We use a lot of data. I I'm a data analyst um by trade and so um I've gotten a lot now a lot of decent maps on that. Um next map please uh Frank um this is called a tree equity
map. It's you can find them on every municipality in the country at treequity.org. Um, I put some comparisons on here. It's a little hard to see because it's a little smaller. Hackinack's on the left. We have T9. >> I don't think that was me. Hello.
Uh, you know, and and the the big takeaway for me here is Hackinack is orange and green. And you know know we're comparable to Newark with an average of 19% canopy coverage and and
that includes Newark's um Newark airport which doesn't have any trees. So you know I know we have some educators on the council. This this would be not not a good grade. Probably like a D. You know um we are a lot more urban than
T-neck. It's harder to plant trees in the southern and the eastern side of our city, but even, you know, Fairmount section is still olive. Um, Tene has very few olive areas. And so, even in the areas where it is easy to plant trees, we have fewer trees every year
because it's the program has been underfunded. You know, in 2023, more on stump removals than we did on planting trees. the the tree planting budget was $6,000 and we spent 20
something thousand on stump removals. Um you know we um yeah just for years decades we've insufficiently budgeted to plant trees for everyone that's that's removed. Um what what the thing I'm here to really
talk about tonight uh the Second Street Grant Project. Um it stands out as you know one of those orange areas in the centerish area of the city. Um and next we can start to talk about some of the uh resources that we brought to address
it. So next next slide. Here we are. Um these are some of our current active grants. Right now, we have gotten a $5,000 green communities grant that's through NJUCF, the state um state department. Um that's for funding a community forestry management plan. So,
we we are working on that right now. It's going to give us goals um for for our forestry program such as like planting x amount of trees or getting um professional development for our tree crew. and and we have we'll have a whole list of goals that we will then be
reporting on and submitting to the council for your review and following up on that. We got a $15,000 stewardship grant again through NJUCF um to contribute to the citywide street tree inventory. Uh I I frankly don't know what the status of this is right
now. It was being managed by Chris Weeden who left didn't give us any updates and I've been working with Robert to try to figure out where the status is of this one because we we need to close it out. uh this month, I think. Um we just partnered the city of Hackinack
um uh Hackinac Advisory, I'm sorry, Hackinack Sha Tree Advisory Committee um w with the Hackinack public schools on a $200,000 trees for schools grant that we were awarded. We're going to be planting schools, parks, and streets used by
by students. So it's about 100 trees at the schools, each of the school properties in the city and about 100 trees at Polifly, Baldwin, and Pilaski parks along with the streets surrounding those parts those those schools. So
thank you. Thank you. I think this is like a great example of of city school partnership. Um, we got a uh a lot of I think we got points. The the arborist we're using for our forestry management plan um was on the scoring committee for
this grant and she said like our partnerships were one of the things that really pushed us ahead and we had a solid plan around it. So um I think you know the more partnerships we do the more the better it looks with everyone. It helps to bring um build ghouls have been awesome with running running with this. think they um I've just been
really impressed with how how they've been implementing this project. And that's going to start spring 2026. We'll we'll get those um planted in the spring. Uh and then this last one came in just last about 6 weeks ago probably. Arbor Day Foundation reached out with um
a funding opportunity and uh uh it's going to support planting about 100 trees uh in the Second Street neighborhood. um Second Street, you know, when I when I had described this grant, um turns out Second Street is
going to be going undergoing some sewer separation. So, what we're doing instead is we went south, I'm sorry, east of Railroad A in that same area and and um we're doing areas that have already been separated. So, we're still doing that neighborhood. Once the um sewer
separation happens on Second, I believe um that's going to include trees being planted there also. Um, yep. So, one one of those grants, um, the Arbor Day Foundation grant, I talk about that next. Second Street Canopy Project. So, this is a map of of where where we are
planting trees. Um, you know, yeah, I went through all this a aims to reduce heat, manage storm water, it's going to improve the street appeal. This is an area that's historically redlined. Redlinining um happened uh in the 50s. Um it it you
know when um uh the the veterans came home from World War II, they were offered GI grants to purchase mortgages. Um but you weren't allowed to use that money in uh historically minority neighborhoods. And so funding was was excluded from those
neighborhoods. Um and that tree equity map highly highly highly correlates with socioeconomic and redlinining maps. You could almost overlay them and it would look the same. So, so um this is an environmental justice project. Um on the
next slide I talk about where we are with this project. We have identified 100 suitable planting locations. Uh we made a strong effort to do the right tree in the right space. So no large trees under wires. Um we we would only
do a larger tree if it had enough curb space for it. We would put smaller trees where there were wires. Um, and we so we really are trying to um not have trees be a source of um hardship. A lot of people think they'll mess with the
sidewalks or destroy their their curbs or something like that and so we really tried to pick the right trees for the right place. We also um have mailed letters to residents informing them of the project. The DPW went through and did that. Um what we've we've tried to
do here is set up like a model program. We are have not I don't think we have had the experience and capacity of doing this too many other times, but it's clearly something we need more of. Um and so reaching out to residents, informing them of a project is something
that's new of what we're doing and and um it's it's a best practice so that we get people on board and partner with them and and they aren't surprised when we just show up and drop a tree in front of their house. Um, and also it gives them a chance to if they don't want a tree, they can reach out. There's a contact number on there. Um, we have
ordered and received a shipment from um a a tree farm. We have 100 trees. They're waiting to be planted. Uh, right now we are waiting on utility markouts uh by PSCNG. Um, that that shows exactly
where electrical um um water, you know, utilities come in. You don't want to plant a tree right on top of those. Um again that's not something I think that we have done before but it is best practice and and uh I believe it's law
also to do that. Um so first time we're we're doing that I believe. Um and then once that happens November 14th I think they're starting uh to the 21st I think they said they'd be completed. We can start getting the trees in the ground um hopefully before the ground freezes. So
that's that's all in coordination with DPW. Um, Mr. Freeman, thank you very much for partnering with us on that. You've been a huge help. Appreciate that a lot. Um, and uh, yeah, we have more on the horizon. So, next next slide,
please. Uh, we have that trees for schools grant in the spring. >> Sorry, Josh. I don't want to >> We'll skip. We're done. >> No, no, no. I I know I know you have some asks and I would hate I would hate to be accused of cutting. >> No, no, I know you said eight minutes. I probably went a little over. So, >> that's okay. So, do you do you wanna Do you want to make your ass or do you want to
>> Yeah. Next, next slide. Go ahead. Next slide. Only ask um we need we need your participation to to make this work. Um we were able to get a one-time funding aotment. We had uh Councilman uh uh Jerry Carroll was our leazison previously. We we don't have a one-on-one relationship with anyone
right now. We really need that if if this is going to be a successful program. That's that's my that's my ask. We also have open board seats uh third Tuesday. You're welcome to come even if you don't want to to join the board. Come see what we're about. And if you like talking about trees, thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Sorry, I didn't mean to make
you rush that much. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Um, up next, we are moving on to our reports and presentations from professionals and department heads, and we have our CFO, Jim Mangan, who is going to come up to speak about the
annual audit and corrective action plan and bond ordinance introduction. >> Okay. Thank you, mayor. Uh, yeah. On the business portion of tonight's meeting, there are two resolutions. uh regarding the 2024 annual audit. I just want to speak to those resolutions for a minute.
Every municipality in New Jersey is required to have an annual audit done. Okay. And um the annual audit is this annual audit is for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2024. Okay. Just want to explain something uh for a
second. Now, I understand that this is for the fiscal year that you were not in office for. Okay? So, it's a little odd, but I just want to explain um what the audit is. Okay? The audit is done for
the benefit of our bond holders and our potential bond holders to give them asurances that we're in a sound fiscal condition and able to meet our debt obligations. uh our bond holders and potential bond holders are really the
audience for our audit. Okay. The resolution regarding the audit um is really um it's not the mayor and council's approval of the audit. It's not even your um your acknowledgement that you've
read the audit. Not you're not expected to read the audit. Okay. What it is is it's just an acknowledgment that you've received the audit and that you at a minimum have familiarized yourself with the recommendations for improvement.
There are seven recommendations uh for improvement. The order is made up of a whole bunch of financial tables and schedules like I said that make a lot of sense to the bond holders and potential bond holders. Okay, that's
the first resolution. The second resolution concerns those seven recommendations. Okay, along with the audit, uh I'm required to then a corrective action on how we intend to correct or deal with those seven
recommendations. Okay. Uh you have a draft of the uh of the corrective action plan. Um of the seven recommendations, uh four of them have already been corrected. uh one of them and you'll see in the corrective action plan will be
corrected uh in 2026. Uh one of them has been an ongoing project been going on for several years. It's in the process of being corrected. And finally, the last one, quite frankly, I'm going to need the auditor's help with. Um it's
it's kind of technical in my opinion. It's not even a financial problem. It's a computer problem. Okay, those are the seven recommendations. The uh second resolution is the acceptance of the CFO's com uh corrective action plan.
These two resolutions are required. They're actually required for the 2026 budget. Um after the resolutions are passed, I have to send them down to the state. State won't look at our 2026 budget unless they have these documents on
file. Okay. If you have any questions regarding them, I'd be happy to answer them. Once these resolutions are passed, the clerk will advertise them. They have to be posted in the newspaper. Um, and the corrective action plan has to be available for the uh public inspection.
Okay. Happy to answer any questions if you have any. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Sure. Thank you. Okay. Up next, Ryan time. >> Uh, good evening. >> I'm sorry. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Bond or
>> Oh, yes. I'm so Yes. >> Sorry. Oh, >> okay. Uh, my second topic was the um introduction of the bond ordinance that's going to happen tonight. Um now what this was is um city manager and I
had a discussion um well he had actually had discussions with several department heads about what their needs were and several department heads had mentioned um that they were in the need of vehicles. Um and he had explained to me which uh which we were both kind of
aware of how long vehicles are taking now to be built and to be delivered. Now, we had already known that we wanted to order um more garbage trucks, okay? Uh and we had planned to do that early
next year, but then departments needed other vehicles and given the fact that they take so long, we thought it would be best if we did another bond ordinance before the end of the year. So, we have a bond ordinance that's on for introduction tonight. It's uh $1,320,000.
And included in that bond ordinance are three vehicles for the police department, two garbage trucks for the Department of Sanitation. Uh there's a couple of pieces of equipment also for the Department of Public Works. There's a trailer for the parks department.
There's a drum roller for the streets department. Uh a pickup truck for the parks department. There are four vehicles for the building department inspectors. Um, and there's also uh funds in there for us to do some
preliminary expenses for a pedestrian safety action grant that we have that will be funding in 2026. Okay. Altogether, like I said, it's $1,320,000. Um, the introduction is tonight. Oh,
another reason why we're doing this now is that because of the local bond uh the local bond law, you can't introduce an a bond ordinance until after February 1st. Given that fact, given how long vehicles
take to order, we thought it would be best to do it introduction at this meeting, do the public hearing and the adoption at the uh December 16th meeting. So that's on for introduction at the business uh portion. If you have
any questions regarding the bond ordinance, be happy to answer them. >> I'm just going to ask if you can I feel like I always put you on the spot with the same type of question, which is cumulatively, you mentioned there are some garbage trucks, there's some other things for Department of Public Works.
Do you have a cumulative sense of the number of vehicles that we are anticipated to be able to cover through this bond ordinance? Um, well, like I said, there's in this bond ordinance, yeah, three police vehicles, four vehicles for the building department for
the inspectors and uh and the two garbage trucks as well as the um uh the three vehicles, the heavy duty equipment for the DPW. That's what this bond ordinance will pay for. >> So, about a dozen thereabouts. >> Mhm. Yep.
>> Okay. >> All right. >> All right. Sure. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Sorry about that. >> Okay, good evening. Uh so there's just an overview of the uh some of the ongoing projects uh that I
will be going into more detail with this presentation. Next slide. Okay. So, first up is the uh remote monitoring for our various storm water sanitary and screening CSO
facilities. Um the project has been awarded. The equipment uh is scheduled to be installed in a couple weeks, you know, mid November um to get that going so that we could uh better operate our collection system.
uh Fini Park 8 n and 10 from the last uh meeting. They're still ongoing with the installation of the foundations for the field lighting and they also set the uh concrete head wall which is in the photo uh on the right and they're uh
progressing with other drainage and the the foundation installs. Next slide. Uh the Grand Avenue pedestrian improvements. Uh this is at the intersections of Grand and Popppler and Grand and Fairmont. Uh this was
partially funded with some DOT funds and the project is out to bid with a bid opening of uh the 13th of this month and we'll schedule that for most likely the spring when school's out because it's, you know, right there by the
school. Uh our 2025 paving program has started. Uh the work has begun uh on South Newman from the Loi Street to the dead end. The concrete work is and drainage work is complete there and the crew has moved to
DeWolf where the concrete work is on growing. So with a curb, handicap ramps and some sidewalk. Uh weather permitting, they'll continue on with the other streets. And as mentioned in uh previous meetings, the PSENG gas uh resurfacing
work is anticipated to start uh this week. Um I have the list of streets uh milling and paving. Again, this this will continue until the weather changes. the the biggest um
I don't want to say problem but they they are going to be doing some work at the intersection by the hospital of Essex and Prospect. So the milling date for that is the November 18th with an
estimated pave date of November 24th. So that work is going to be for each milling and paving it's going to be approximately four to five hours and they're going to start after the morning commute. um and then get finished before the the afternoon commute to try to limit the disruptions as much as
possible. And then there's going to be a detour uh around that area on Summit on onto Central and then to First Street. Uh next slide. And then uh last just uh I want to bring this to everybody's attention about
maintaining a healthy sewer system. We did have uh quite a heavy rainstorm uh last week. Uh we did have some backups, but just, you know, don't flush baby wipes or paper towel or anything other than uh what should be going down a
toilet. And that's it. Any questions? >> I actually do have uh two questions, but one thing I just wanted to to go back, Frank, can you just go back one slide, please? >> I Nope. There you go. Thank you. Um, I I just wanted to to emphasize this point
because we are getting into the holiday seasons where we may be uh folks may be entertaining and it it is a good reminder while you may be responsible in your own home to remind people who are visiting um and maybe do not care about
your plumbing in the same way that you do um to be mindful of these things as well. So, it might not be a bad idea to um issue some gentle reminders to the folks during this season. Um or even get one of those cute little signs that you can leave in your bathroom just to
remind folks. Um but I just wanted to make that point because it seems like um around the holidays, whether it's the weather, I'm sure, is a contributing factor, but also it seems like that's where you get a lot of >> sewage backup excessively. So, >> I just wanted to sort of highlight that,
but >> Oh, yeah. Please, please. I just want to add to that that happened to me. Got in my sewer line and it cost me over $700. Those wipes are no joke. Um they aren't >> they are not flushable. No, I don't care
what the company tells you. They are not flushable. >> Yes, they don't break down. And then when they mix with um fats, oils, and grease, that's another thing that don't dump, you know, cooking oil, cooking grease down because it solidifies in your line and causes problems.
>> Yep. So, um, so please just be mindful of that for for all of our well-being and certainly your own well-being. Um, so two questions. One is once the road paving starts on a particular
street, how long does it usually take for that to be completed? >> Uh, it depends on the length of the street, but typically um, if they mill, it'll be one day mill and then one day pave. >> Okay. So, >> and is that weather? I'm assuming weather >> weather permitting >> permitting as well.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. But it it could be in theory it could be as within a week. >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. >> Um and then the other question someone had a a question at the last meeting um
about how streets are determined for >> being identified. Is that that something that the city is proactively looking or are people sort of is it based on number of calls that people get about a particular street? Just what is the >> the process for identifying streets?
>> It's a little of both. Uh so back in I believe it was 2020 2021 around that time we had uh one of our engineers do a rating of every street in the city and they got graded um a score you know A to F is similar to school. And what we did
was we started at the worst roads and then just continued down on our list with that. And then, you know, as residents call in and complain about certain streets, those those get uh monitored as well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Thanks. >> Okay. Up next, I'm going to ask for Tara Cooper, the Johnson Public Library. Thank you. Hi. >> I feel like that was a tough act to follow. Baby wipes getting flushed down the toilet and this might not be as
exciting. Hi everyone. Um, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Tara Cooper. I've been director of the Johnson Public Library here in Hackinack. It'll be seven years this week. Um, and this is the first time I've been asked to present. So, I'm really thankful for the opportunity and for being asked. So,
thank you guys so much for your time. Um, I'm just going to go through um a little bit about our facility and some improvements that we're excited to announce today that actually started today. Um, so this is timely. Um, but of course I'm a librarian, so I have to
give you guys a little bit of history before I get into that. So, um, why are we the Johnson Public Library? Senator William Johnson wanted to share his love of learning with the people of Hackinack in the spring of 1900 by offering the community a new building and $5,000
worth of new books for the establishment of a free public library. Senator Johnson purchased the property at the corner of Maine and Camden Street extending uh east to Moore Street and the site was soon constructed uh the library was constructed there. The building was worth $60,000 at the time
and it was made of brown Belleville stone and the walls were covered with ivy. There's an old postcard picture on the slide there. Um, it has been enlarged since then. Uh, but the original structure has never been torn down. Senator Johnson was so devoted to establishing a public library for the
town of Hackinack that as part of the deed giving the property to the library of trustees, Senator Johnson included the provision that the property would revert to the trustees of Princeton University if the property ceased to be used as a free public library. He was really serious about it staying a library pretty much. Um, and then in
November of 1902, the children's room, which is now the administrative office, if you've been in the library, open for use. We were one of the first public libraries to have a separate room just for children. And because uh Johnson public library history is Hackinack history, is New Jersey history. Um, Mr.
John Eugene Morrow was the first janitor who's also an ordained minister and his daughter Nelly K. Maro Parker, for whom the school is named, became Northern New Jersey's first African-American educator in 1922. His eldest son, Eugene, was the
second African-American to graduate from Hackinack High School in the year 1917. And yet another son, Frederick Morrow, was president of Eisenhower's President Eisenhower's executive assistant, the first African-American in history of the United States to achieve that position.
So, it all comes around. were all part of this great story of Hackinack and New Jersey history. In 1967, the library was renovated and expanded to add a huge amount of square footage. You can see the interesting choice that was made in 1967 of the Spanish stucco entrance
there. Um the main floor stacks and reading room, the children's department, the auditorium, periodicals department, and staff work areas were all part of this renovation addition. At this time, the library was designated as a government documents depository and had a large microfilm collection. Our
historical newspapers are still popular, and the library recently was awarded a grant by the state library to have our local newspapers digitized. However, other than cosmetic updates to the Main Street Plaza and exterior around the year 2000 and a few changes to carpet, paint, and furniture, the library
remains basically in the same state as it did when this addition was added six decades ago. Um, but to throw in some good news, it's not all bad news. We have completed some capital projects recently. Um, a previously underutilized stack room was turned into our beautiful
gallery in 2021, mostly due to the hard work of our staff. And we did get some new flooring in there. We added additional HVAC in the space in 2024 as we now use it from our for some of our larger events, including youth arts month. If you've attended that event, we had almost 800 people in the library and
it got pretty warm in there. Um, in 2022, with the support of the Hackinack Rotary, we opened the lawn as a public park. In 2024, the library completed its first community development block grant project, combining two small restrooms into one accessible family restroom.
This was our first ADA renovation of any kind to the library's facilities and only the second time that the library has been uh really renovated since that addition. And we got I got to use the big scissors to cut the ribbon, which is is one of the most exciting parts. And then these last two projects I like to
refer to as our root canals because they were really important, really expensive, but nobody sees them. Um, so the first was a sprinkler installation in the lower level and we're finally in compliance with fire code. And we also applied for and received an $800,000 incentive from PSENG and were able to
replace all of our lighting, HVAC, and install a new boiler. This was over a $1 million project and the difference the library is paying back with no interest over five years of our utility bills. Next slide, please. So, there's the library today. Most beautiful library in America, I would say. Thank you. There
she is in all her glory. Next slide. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, so by the numbers, we are the largest and best as I have on here, library in Bergen County, and our staff are really busy. We now host three to four social work interns year round. Depending on how their semesters fall,
it's three or four at any given time. Thanks to our partnerships with FDU and Rucker Schools of Social Work, they provide one-on-one assistance to our community members nearly every single day. Last year, we circulated 130,000 items, welcomed 15,000 people to programs, and responded to 45,000
requests for support, reference questions, computer assistance, and more. The library added over,200 card holders last year, too. We're open 62 hours a week, and we host over a thousand programs per year. All of our programs are free of charge. Next slide, please. Um, this is just a snippet from
our strategic plan, which is a very involved document that would be a whole another presentation that would be way more than 8 minutes long, but it's on our website if you want uh to read the full plan. But the reason I'm showing you the slide is because one of the key components to it was that we have a welcoming space for the community, and
that's what I'm about to talk about a little more. Next slide, please. Um, so we do have a planned renovation that actually started today. The renovation will create a new conference/meating room that can accommodate up to 25 people and will be available to the public and outside organizations when
not being used for library programs. Additionally, three quiet study rooms can be used for Zoom meetings, teleaalth, virtual court, confidential sessions with our social work interns, job interviews, and of course, also for studying. It will be added along with a lobby area directly adjacent to our new
teen space. The teen space itself will be just under 1,200 square feet and contain computers, collections, and seating area just for teens. The staff space will also be updated to include an egress corridor for fire and general safety, new flooring, walls, and paint. Public bidding took place, and
the lowest responsible bidder was H&M Company LLC. Their winning bid of $769,000 was higher than we expected, but it did include the cost to remove a large amount of asbestous tile. Thank you, 1967. Um, that abatement started today. This figure does not include the furniture
and technology necessary to get the space ready for public use, which we estimate will be approximately 150,000 additional dollars. Thankfully, this work will only necessitate a short closure during asbestous abatement, which is what started this morning, and demolition. We hope to stay open throughout most of the project and
operate with almost all of our services available. Work should be completed around February or March of 2026. This project is being funded by a charitable gift as well as library reserve funds. I do just want to mention something that's not in a slide. So, oh, I'm sorry, Frank, you can go to the next one. Thank
you. First of all, gaze upon the time capsule that is a lower level. It is very 1960s down there, or was anyway until we cleared it all out. Um, also those desks, I'm pretty sure, are leaded. If there was a nuclear war, you could just climb inside there and you'd be safe. Um, the general recommendation
for public library is that you have half a square foot to a full square foot per capita. So our building is approximately 44,000 square feet which should serve a population between 44,000 and 88,000. So our building is a good size. It's just that libraries are used very differently
than they were in the '60s and we weren't using the space well. So that's we really looked inside our walls of what we have to see what we could improve upon. We know the building's not magically going to grow. Um so we really wanted to work with the space that we had and make it usable. So the area that the renovation is taking place in is our
lower level which was that doc government documents depository that I mentioned earlier. Most of those documents have been digitized. The rest have been decommissioned and sent to various centers throughout the state. There's one in Trenton. There's one in New York. Um we are maintaining our microfilm collection and our historical
newspapers because we we get people from all over the country coming to do genealogy research. Um either way this is what the area looked like before. So you'll see the periodicals area. There was no real separation between public and staff space. There's that little red rope that we put up, but that's pretty
much it. And um the staff workroom is a security nightmare. Frankly, it was one large open space. Uh there's really no egress corridor. You could accidentally walk into someone's office space. There's no delineation between public and staff space there. And also, it's
just really old. It just hasn't been renovated since it was installed in ' 67. Next slide, please. Uh, I did my best here to try to lay out the plan and what it will look like. So, if you're familiar with the library, we are really lucky to have a very large auditorium downstairs. It holds up to
200 people and we use it for events all the time. That space is fine the way it is. It's not part of this renovation plan. That's that um you'll see that large gray space there. Thank you. And then the area that is being renovated are the pink and yellow areas. So, the
yellow area is is public space. Frank, you are working that mouse. Thank you so much for that. I really appreciate that. Um is that yellow space there. And then the staff space is the pink area. You'll see that egress corridor that was added in the center. We were able to squeeze in three study rooms. We get requests
for study rooms all the time. It's kind of just what's expected in a modern public library. Um and the thing we're most excited about is the teen space. Uh it's come up over and over again in strategic planning processes that we really needed an area for them to go. We're really close to the middle school.
The Y isn't in town anymore and we're just a great destination for kids after school. Currently, our teen collection is in a corner of the main floor, so they're right next to the reference computers. So, you have adults trying to like apply for jobs and work. And then you have eighth graders yelling 6, seven or whatever at them and playing Roblox
and stuff. So, they really need their own space where they can study and just be kids. And the lower level is the perfect spot. And this will be a good amount of square footage for them. Next slide, please. I tried to overlay the really sad pictures of the lower level just so you can get an idea of where
these spaces are on this map here. Next slide. And then this is a rendering of the full space. It's really exciting. So you'll see that conference room. Uh we have small businesses and nonprofits ask for meeting space all the time. There's a real lack of meeting space in Hackinack and we are open, you know,
till 9:00 4 days a week. So we get there's really high demand for that. So that'll help fill that need. That'll be an additional meeting space for us. Uh the teen space at the top there and then that outer reading area uh public lobby and then the three quiet study rooms. One of them holds two folks and then the
other two are large enough to hold about four people. Next slide. And there's my face. Uh that's me again. So if you have any questions, please reach out to me. Um if you're curious about uh the renovation, more about the bidding process, the plans, or any of that, you
can visit that link there. Uh, also if you just go to our general website, there's a um a clickable banner at the top about the renovation. And if you'd like to read more about the strategic plan, you can do that on our website, too, under board of trustees. Any questions?
Really, that was so easy. Guys, thank you so much for having me. We're we're really excited to give Hackinack the library that it deserves, and we hope that this renovation will carry us into the next 60 years. So, we really appreciate the support. >> Thank you, Tara. Thank you.
[Applause] >> Okay. And we are moving on to city professional presentations and we are going to ask for our grant writers at Bruno and Associate Bruno Associates to come on up, please. Thank you. >> Hi. Good evening, mayor, members of the
council. Thank you for allowing me a few minutes to speak. My name is Jod Franco. I'm the vice president at Bruno Associates. Um and it's been a privilege um to begin serving the city of Hackinac over these past few months. Um I'm here with my colleague Rob Maguire. Um when
we first came to uh on board in July, our goal wasn't simply to write new grants. Um it was really to understand and and get our arms around the awards that Hackin Sack had received over the years. Um we wanted to know what the city had earned. Um what awards were still on the table and how we could
bring every dollar back to Hackin Sack. Um and through that process, we discovered several completed park projects um that had been owed to the city for years. Um we helped close the loop on these programs and ensured that Hackinac received the full benefit of the awards it had already uh deserved or
had already earned. Um this is in addition to 136,000 in funding. We helped the city recoup through several other grant programs um further reinforcing um our goal to turn existing awards into real dollars um to benefit the community. Um at the same time, we
focused making uh the city stronger for the long term. Uh we've helped staff get credentialed in the systems needed to apply for grants online and to manage state and federal grants. um that's usually the the boring behind the-scenes work that um keeps opportunities going
and uh makes compliance simple. And then um rather than holding broad group meetings um with all of your department heads in one, um we've taken a slightly alternative approach. Um we've taken the time to meet one-on-one with department heads so we can really get into the granular level details in terms of their
priorities and their needs. we can listen um and listen more effectively um prioritize certain projects and and turn these conversations into tangible projects. Um already that approach has produced a growing pipeline of application ready initiatives um from
roadway safety and infrastructure improvements to funding that will help the city acquire um a parcel on Main Street. Um, in just a few months, we've become deeply familiar with your administrative staff, um, operations, and we're confident that our productivity will only increase as this
partnership continues to grow. Um, our philosophy is simple. Um, we're be proactive, be reliable, be a part of the team. Um, we try to serve as an extension of your staff and a force multiplier. Um, helping guide them through processes that they may be unfamiliar with, but that we deal with
on a on a day-to-day basis. Um, and we don't just pursue grants. Um, we make sure that the city captures their full value. Um, that every dollar awarded becomes a visible improvement that Hackinack residents can see and feel in their community. Um, we're proud of what's been accomplished in this first
quarter and even more proud to serve as a trusted partner to this governing body and the residents of Hackinack. Um, I'll take any questions that you might have for myself or my colleague Rob um, who's also um, been very involved with, um, the onboarding and the transition
process um, as our grant consultants. Um can you talk a little bit about some of the projects that you have currently and um maybe as part of that you mentioned $136,000 worth of projects have been awarded but just hadn't been
>> sure >> if you can elaborate. >> Yeah. So, one of the first things we did when we came on board was to, like I said, get an inventory of everything that was out there so that we knew how to effectively advise the town, the city on how to move forward. Um, so we reached out to the county um open space
trust fund. Um, and there were several years of pro of projects going back to 2016. One was for Carver Park. Um, one from 2018 was for Stide Park. Uh, 2019 was another Sty Park. Uh, 2020 was Columbus Park. Um, collectively those
those awards had not been effectively closed yet. Um, the city had to um file the paperwork showing that it had spent the money on these projects and it would get reimbursed. Um, somewhere along the line, I guess perhaps the prior
consultants um maybe didn't follow the thread on that, but never effectively closed the those awards out and that money has now been reimbursed to the city. So just just to make sure I'm I'm understanding um
so going back to as far back as 2016, there was money that was awarded to the city. >> Correct. >> However, the city since 2016 had not essentially moved forward in executing
whatever needed to be done in order to >> the paperwork the project was completed. the paperwork just hadn't been filed. >> So the the projects were done, the paperwork wasn't filed and so the money did not come in because paperwork wasn't filed. >> Correct. >> Expensive paperwork. >> Yeah. But that's you know we we see this
a lot in municipalities and that's those that's the lowhanging fruit that we try to go after because we know it makes a difference on your on your balance sheet and and these projects were completed and you know residents are using the parks so you might as well recoup the money that you spent or at least a portion of the money um that you put out
for these projects. And we thank you. >> We thank you for that. Yes, we do. >> You're welcome. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Is that satisfying? Yeah. Good. Okay. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much.
[Applause] >> Okay. Our city manager has been so patient. Mr. Freeman, please, if you don't mind, your report. Thank you. >> Thank you. I don't have a lot, so it'll be it'll be quick, hopefully. Um, just wanted to report on the emergency uh
food drive that was undertaken here in response to 2,788 Hackinack families losing their SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown. Uh, mayor and council launched an emergency food drive on October 30th. The community responded swiftly and generously, providing critical food
support to thousands. The city of Hackinac and and the CFA deeply appreciate this united effort and will continue working together to ensure food security for all residents in need. We're still collecting donations in various locations throughout the city. So, please check our website for all the donation sites.
On a similar note, we undertook a free box lunch program. On November 6, the city of Hackinac launched a free box lunch program to support families during the NGA NJA school closures. Thanks to a generous donation from Lorenzo Food Group, more than 1,000 lunches were
successfully distributed. Families were able to register for the program through the city's website and Nixl alerts. This initiative highlights Hackinack's continued commitment to supporting its residents and ensuring that no child goes hungry. And lastly, just a reminder, tomorrow, Veterans Day, we
have our Veterans Day event at 11:00 on the Green on Washington Place. Please join us in honoring all who served at this event. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, um we are going to move on to public comment. I just want
to take a moment. Um sorry, just sorry, just one second. Sorry. Thank you. Um so, uh this is our our second attempt at the new format regarding public comment. Frank, if you don't mind, if you can put up the the slide for me. Um so
there are two bites at the public comment apple here. Um the first we are going to ask that um not just ask, we're going to require that it be um on agenda items. So, what we are going to do is
ask that when you come up, you please state your name, state your municipality, and state what item on the agenda you are going to speak on. So, there are resolution numbers here. You can just follow along. You can let us know. So,
just give us a second. Let us find ourselves in the docket so we can keep track and write notes for ourselves. Um, if you have multiple things that you would like to talk about, that is totally fine. If you have one thing that's for the agenda and something else that's not for the agenda, we're going
to ask that you hold on that other thing until the second public comment. Um, in which case you can raise whatever you'd like to to share about. Um, so at this time, if there is anyone from the public
who would like to make a comment on an agenda item, please just let us know what that agenda item is. >> Thank you. And your state say your name, municipality. >> Toto. Oh, I'm so sorry. I need a motion to open to the No, you're good. No, no, you can stay right there. Sorry. I need
a motion to open to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, thank you. Sir J Stoy, uh Hackinack, uh this is for the uh financial report. Uh
what is the current bond rating for the city of Hackinack? >> Is that it's your time? So if you if you have anything else, >> that was for him. >> That's it. The second item would be for Ryan. In terms of the Kennedy pump station and
its monitoring, will it be done on a proactive basis before storms, during, or after storms? I'm sorry. I'm going to ask for you to repeat that last one because I don't know if you notice, I got a little
distracted. So, if you can just repeat that last one for me, please. Thank you. >> Uh, this one was for Ryan. Yeah. This was in reference to the Kennedy pump station >> and it's remote monitoring. Is it going to be done before the storm, during the
storm, or after the storm has already done its work? >> Okay. >> And that's the agenda. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Christy Oo, Hackinac resident and uh president of the library board of
trustees and want to speak on the library update and uh Mayor Gaines and Deputy Mayor Tumi and members of the council. On behalf of the library, we want to thank you very much for your support. It's really critical. We are going through a huge renaissance in our
town and the library needs to keep up with that. So, um, this building project that Terry talked about is a big big deal for us. We haven't had a major project in decades. And I want to take the opportunity to thank particularly Mayor Gaines who's a member of the
library board for your support and you're always thinking of the library. And to thank Tara who's an incredible leader and does so much for us. She's a visionary and she's a credit to not only the library but the city as well. And to thank the staff because
they have worked so hard and they have made this renovation possible and saved the library a lot of money by moving furniture and items that have been there for decades. So, um, we're really grateful to everybody and looking forward to seeing you all, if not sooner, at the ribbon cutting. Thank you
very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else from the public who would like to speak on an agenda item? Okay. Um, Dr. Po. Oh, sorry. Please. >> Good evening, staff. >> Good evening. I'm Helen McFaten and I'm
back here again this month. It's about the parking. >> Okay, hold on one second. Sorry. I just want to Is this is it on a an agenda item? >> The parking space is there on High Street. >> Is it? Yeah. So, I'm just going to ask for you and I I really hate to do this
to you, but we we've changed the format. So, I just want to so let you know. So, um if you can just hold that comment until the second public comment, but then I will be more than happy >> to to hear and receive it. >> Okay. >> Thank you so much. Thank you.
Y may the question was what the city's uh current bond rating is. Um our last bond sale was in 2024 which means our last bond rating was in 2024. It was from standard and poor and the bond rating was a double A2 uh which is one grade
below a AAA. Okay. >> Thank you. Sure. >> Thank you, >> Ryan. Not to put you on the spot. Did you want to? >> Yeah. >> Sure. Thank you. >> Um, so the the remote monitoring for Kennedy Street will be all those times. So, it's 247 remote monitoring that we
could pull up on a computer or our phones. Uh, and it currently does not have that capability. So, it'll be added and it'll be with all the other stations as well. No, this is we're monitored when the pumps are running, if the power goes out, things like that. We're also doing
other improvements there uh with the installation of two brand new pumps that they should be in like March and a March or April. They're in production right now. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else from the public on an
agenda item? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close this portion of public comment. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions?
Okay, moving on to new business. Resolution number 459-25. >> Got to pull it up. >> No problem. >> Final adoption of ordinance 4620 2025 and ordinance amending chapter 37 of the
code of the city of Hackinac. Rules of order. Thank you. Any member from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance or this resolution? Oh, it's a resolution. So, we just got >> No, this Sorry. This ordinance in this ordinance only.
>> Okay. Seeing none, can I get a motion to adopt? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries.
>> Resolution number 460-25. Introduction of ordinance 472025 a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $1,320,000 providing for various capital improvements and acquisitions in and for the city of Hackinac County and Bergen State of New Jersey and authorizing the
issuance of 1,254,000 bonds or notes of the city for financing part of the appropriation. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> I second. All in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries. >> Resolution number 461-25. >> Introduction of ordinance 482025, an ordinance to amend chapter 155 of the code of the city of
Hackinac Taxi Caps to update section 5 insurance to reflect current regulations. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion, please? >> I fir >> second. >> All in favor? I I >> Any opposed? >> Any abstensions? Motion carries. Moving on to the consent agenda. Alison, if you
don't mind. >> Okay. The following items are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. Any items requiring expenditure are supported by a certification of availability of funds. Any items requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda. Consent
agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes, including any exemptions and/or additions. Consent agenda is up on the screen. We changed the ordinance so I no longer have to read every single one. So, it's resolution 462 all the way
to resolution 478. >> Thank you. Motion to adopt the consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries.
Okay. So, now we are back for public comment. Before everyone makes their way up, just one quick um thing. You will notice uh oh, look at that. You will notice um that we have uh gotten rid of what I like to refer to as the um the
Orwellian totalitarian clock staring you down as you speak. Um however, I'm still keeping time. So, what I'm going to ask is uh if you go over the allotted time, I will just politely ask you to bring your point to a close. Um we just ask
that everyone please just respect that and um how about it? Can I get a motion to open to the public? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> She should go next. >> Okay. All in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. All right. Did you want to make your way back up? >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Okay. Hello everybody. >> Hello. >> I'm Helen McFaten. I'm back. Um it's the same problem we're having with
the parking on High Street. Please. Um it's getting worse right now. If you pass through there now, you see working trucks that's parked in the area where we don't have a place to park and that should not be um I gave um
this letter the copy of last time I was here but the timing they have the timing wrong. It should be a different timing from where they start parking. That's wrong. We we did um have that in a letter that that we had in the other when the other group was here. and we
hope that you can do something. Now I know what I have to do before I leave home. I had to put something there to let them know that I parked there. If I go back and didn't do that, I wouldn't have a parking space. So that should not be. So we asking please, please take care of this problem.
But it should not happen. It wasn't like that before, but since I guess so many more have moved in the area in the apartment building, so it's more traffic all on um Third Street all the way down. So if they can't find a park there, they
park wherever they can. And we have to switch over from like yesterday, we had to go to the other side and for this side, the other side to be clean this morning. So, I shouldn't have to walk all the way around the corner to get a parking space when I pay taxes
there. So, I'm asking please take care of the problem. >> I I I hear you. Thank you, Mr. P. >> Okay. And I'm asking I'm inviting y'all back to M Baptist Church that where y'all came through. We are members there. So, please please take care of
>> I think you have something on Thanksgiving, right? I think there's a Thanksgiving. I I plan on I plan on being there for >> Yes. Okay. >> All right. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Hey, my name Isabella Tilly. This is my friend. But she definitely needs some help because what's going to
happen to her when the snow come? She's out going to church. And then somebody got her parking space. She's got a problem with her knee as it is with the weather. We're getting old now. We're not getting young. So, it's a little problem. Can you can you help her a
little bit? Please, somebody give us something beside nothing. You didn't ask us that when you want to vote when want us to vote, right? We went down. >> We put you here. That's right. >> Paying the tax
>> hoping that you can come to our cry because she going to have a problem. Not just her problem, but her husband also that's unable. So, she's trying to do get this thing together before winter come. Snow is coming on the way, you know.
>> We thank you. >> Thank you >> for being kind to us and listen to us. Have a nice Thanksgiving. >> Thank you, M. Thank you. >> Have a nice evening. >> Thank you. >> Joel Dawkins, Hackinack, New Jersey.
Uh, blessings upon you and yours. Tonight, I pay homage to Brooklyn FDNY firefighter Patrick Brady at 42 years old who passed on protecting his community. And I also pay homage to 14-year-old
Belmar, Long Island Me High School freshman Jaden Flores, who riding an electric bike to school was killed November 6, 2025 by an SUV. And lastly, those people that were killed in the
recent fire in Patterson. I honored them today in a six second moment of silence. As said at the last meeting, safety within the city of Hackinack, New Jersey County seat in Bergen County needs to be a top priority for the children, the
families and community. Our bravest, the city of Hackinack fire department needs grants for free CO2 smoke detectors for the homes and quarterly Hackinack ward meetings, updates on how
to keep safe with fires and lithium batteries usage everywhere. Our finest, the city of Hackinack Police Department needs grants to implement a police blott either online or through apps like the
Fort Le police department. They also need increased grants funding for speed limit digital signage. And like my sister city, South Hackinack and the township of South Orange, speed bumps on the border
of the town limits which have been just implemented in South Hackinac. And if possible, authority for increased traffic checkpoints on weekends and a five mile per hour reduction of the
posted speeds everywhere so that these cars, trucks, and tractor trailers within our B boundaries and borders follow through. Finally, we as individuals need to res respect,
appreciate and compensate our strongest, the city of Hackinack DPW, where history has shown how an unsatis sanitary conditions have killed millions until we then develop modern mechanisms
to protect the public. We need our city of Hackinack DPW. When vehicles are damaged from street disarray, they fill and pave our potholes. When our parties and celebrations
produce extra waste, they pick up our When our natural resources, the tree, leaves, and trash fill our drains and streets, they clean and remove. When we seek improvements to landscapes and environment and the environment,
they're there to make it happen. >> Mr. Dawkins. >> So, let's make it happen for the city of Hackinac DPW. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Mr. Serbo, before you before you go, I just would I would be remiss, it's been mentioned a couple of times their
educator sitting up here. I'd be remiss if I did not say um there are children in the in the house today that I think are probably able to spell um certain four-letter words. So, just be mindful everyone who makes their way up. Thank you, >> Mr. Ser. All right. I Yeah, I missed
that. Okay. So, I'm very confused. I'm confused about the format. Everything is confusing to me. Okay. >> If you can state your name and municipality, I'll >> I am Richard Serbo. uh 46 Spring Valley Avenue, Hackinack, New Jersey. And
look, those electric bikes, I'll just mention because this gentleman uh said so just now. They're they're they're dangerous. They scare me. They cut in front and they're fast and they're on the road. I don't know. Maybe there's
some uh place that they should be uh on the side or something. I don't know. But uh there's something new and they're very scary. Okay. So, there's going to be more accidents. That's my prediction anyway. So, all right. Couple things are
I was watching today the uh DPW attempting to pick up uh leaves in the street and uh they use this old archaic system with the Michigan loader and the uh the what is it? The lobster arms on
it or something. Uh trying to pick up leaves. Okay. It's tedious and it's old style. Why don't we invest? We were talking just now about money allocated to
buy vehicles. Why don't we invest in more of the uh vacuuming of the uh leaves on on especially on on busy streets? I think it would benefit the city. Okay. uh uh the old style clamp
picking up leaves. It just seems too old. It really does. And it's so takes so long and I don't get it. So, sorry. All right. Another thing is the the library that Tara was so
um raving uh about is you know they've defined the um the idea of literacy itself. I mean she didn't mention that at all. There's nothing about reading books anymore or what books you read or
the great books of the world. No one is reading books at the library. It's about moving furniture and improving the walls or something to to that effect. But uh there should be more
focus on literacy. Uh not computer programs. That's the new literacy. Uh the literacy now is oh can you run that uh computer program? Can you do this on
the computer? It's not about reading or the books you read. Okay. So, uh that's something I I missed Tara though. She's gone. And u what else? Oh, last thing is I mentioned um a few things these last
few weeks. It seems everyone's unhappy with the things I mentioned too. But uh this council, this city was split with the school system. I guess it's about 30
or 40 years ago. It's it was one at one time. It was >> If you can bring your point to it's it's over time, but you can wrap up your point. >> It is overtime. >> Yes. But you can wrap up your point if you'd like to. >> All right. So the the city at one time
was one with the school system. And now it's split and it seems it's at odds with each other represented in you cuz you represent both of them. So I really I think we need an explanation or a discussion about that that now now that
that was split we are back to it being together in the person of you. So it's interesting and it's something to talk about. It is and all right it is >> I find it fascinating. Thank you Mr. Serbo,
>> take care. Thank you. >> Sorry. >> Hello. Good evening. My name is Delmeto. I'm a Hackinack resident and I would like to speak about um uh the recreation department. Uh we would like to request
an in-person meeting to address ongoing issues with the director of recreation, Mr. Caro and to share supporting documentation. We are not simply parents with complaints. We are parents committed to ensuring our children have positive experiences in the Hackinack
recreation program. Unfortunately, Mr. Carl um Mr. Cow's actions have made this challenging for the moms and the coach and our coach. He has questioned our coaches about fundraising efforts taking proceeds before they could even be counted and failed to respond to
follow-up communication for weeks. There were two incidents where the entire money the entire amount of money was taken from our fundraiser. Um the first time we weren't able to count the money we raised and till this day we don't know how much we raised at our event
which was the car wash event. Uh Mr. Carol disappeared for two weeks and never responded to our coach and how much we raised that day. The second time the money was taken by Mr. Carol but we stopped him and he stated he was going to take the cash box and count the money in his car. We stopped him from
proceeding and we were able to count the money that we raised that day. For the sake of transparency and the program's integrity, we believe Mr. Crow should not be involved in managing the cheerleader the cheerleading funds. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Hi, I am Sandra Rodriguez. I am from Hackinac. Well, not originally, but live here now. Okay. We, the parents and supporters of the Hackinack cheer team, are here to express our concern regarding the
ongoing lack of support and transparency within our program. Our coach consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our athletes are prepared for the season in including working diligently to get uniforms ready before the first football game. Unfortunately, year after
year, uniforms arrive incomplete and only a day before the season begins. This puts unnecessary stress on both the coach and the team. In addition, our parent group actively fundraises to provide essential items such as breast cancer awareness gear, transportation to
and from games, leggings, undershirts for cold weather, and other needs that arise throughout the season. However, we are deeply concerned that the funds we raised are being collected and managed by Mr. Gerard Carroll before we have the opportunity to count or track them. To this day, we have not
received any clear accounting or explanation of where these funds are allocated. We respectfully request full transparency regarding the management and the use of the cheer programs fundraising funds. Furthermore, we ask that Mr. Carol no longer oversee or
handle these funds as there is a clear conflict conflict of trust that must be addressed. Our only goal is to ensure our children and their coach receive the support, respect, and resources they deserve. We hope the administration will take our concerns seriously and work with us to create a more transparent,
supportive environment for everyone involved. Thank you. >> Thank you. Oh, here you go. The city manager, I think, is going to give you um his card to reach out to. Thank you. All right. You got it. >> Have a good night. >> Anyone else from the public wishing to
speak? Hello, my name is Estella Mina. I'm resident from Hackinac and I have I have a problem this week uh with the picking up that uh the branches from the street. I put in uh on Friday and uh they didn't
pick when I came back from work was still there. So I called the office and then said they said uh I have to call someone to pick it by myself because this is like uh doing me a a favor to me. So never happened to me that. So
that's what I was like what's going on here. And then the other thing is before was like just once a week uh coming the trash to picking the trash. Now it's twice. So in this season we
need like all the leaves is in the tree branches is coming down but we need I think more that instead of the garbage because when I see the garbage picking it's like empty nobody has garbage summer is okay because summer we need it
but for the in this time no we don't need it and you can see the street is empty nobody put trash but we need please I really I didn't like when I called the office they said oh we are I feel like they
they are doing me a favor and I'm resident for 15 years I don't know the lady I don't remember her name was a Spanish girl so I don't think this is normal I didn't like her really please if you can do something because
it never happened to me this okay thank you >> thank Thank you. Anyone else from the public? >> Okay, seeing none, motion to close to the public. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Deputy mayor. >> Yes. I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. We appreciate your presence and we appreciate your input.
Um I'd like to comment on a couple of events this past month um including um this Halloween celebration on Clinton Place uh which was well attended and a lot of fun. Uh this goes
on every year and and we um we are so um what's the word? Um we appreciate everything that everyone does and and put out on Clinton Place. Um we also went to a ribbon cutting uh for uh
reopening of Burger King on River Street. Congratulations to them uh and good luck. I would like to uh make comment and congratulate um congratulations to Joseph on his 100th birthday. I know
they left um but I was um I wanted to comment on his uh uh recipe to his longevity which he said was chocolate. So I love chocolate too. So So now I'll have to certainly eat more of it.
Yeah. So, I'd like to thank all our presenters tonight, uh Josh um on updating us on the shade tree uh committee. I I'm a big lover of trees and uh and I
appreciate all the uh updates that he gave us. Um and very interesting to learn more about the benefits of trees and I wish more people would like trees. I know there's a lot of people that don't like trees. they make a mess, but
um but they're beautiful to look at. So, I think one should um should look at that aspect of it. Um and thank you to Jim and Ryan and Tara for all their respective updates. Thank you to our
city manager for always keeping us in well informed as to what's happening uh throughout the city. And again, thank you for your for coming out and happy Thanksgiving to all.
>> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming out. And uh I just wanted to add to what Agatha was saying about Halloween. Uh Agatha and I met with Care on the Corner. Um Care on the Corner was established in
1999. Yes. Yes. Very, very good organization. Their purpose is to develop and provide resources that link people to varying uh varying backgrounds to services needed to improve their lives like the ESL
classes. Um they also do a lot for the children um of the community. So we met with the director of Care on the Corner uh Carol I I hope I'm saying her name right. Hayel is Hayley. Hey.
Um, and uh, at the Care One Nursing Facility, who used to be called Wellington. I don't know if you guys remember, uh, it was called Wellington. Um, they gave out goodie bags to this uh, to the seniors and she bought enough
bags um that the facility director said they could give to the kids that passed by the facility. So, just wanted to thank uh thank you to Care on the Corner and uh to Care One. That's that's our picture there with the staff. Uh they
all dressed up for Halloween for the seniors. So, it was really good. And it seems like they will now be partnering every year with um Care One. Uh so, that's a good thing. I also want everyone to remember that as the holiday
approaches uh the food pantries will continue to need uh or continue to be in need. Um I don't know uh if you guys are aware this those who shop at ShopRight, but they used to have this program. I'm not sure
if they have it this year. Uh, but if you spend $400, >> uh, you get a free turkey or ham. >> Mhm. >> Or you can also get lasagna if you're not into meat. They'll give you a a pan of lasagna. Um, if you think about
please donating that to the uh pantry because they're always going to be in need, especially around uh the holiday. We got Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up. So, please keep that in mind and again, thank you for coming and get home
safe. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman, >> thank you, Mayor. Good evening. Uh, I have to admit that when I when I moved to Hackinac six six years ago, I didn't know that longevity was one of the
strong characteristics of the residents in Hackinac. So, I think I made the right decision. So, now I'm praying, you know, to get at least 299. >> You got to make it to 100 so we can do that.
>> Well, you know, uh, one year at a time. Anyway, um, I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations uh to Mr. Joseph Sultansky on his 100th anniversary. He's an inspiration and
great sample of family service and community involvement. On a separate note, remember that tomorrow, November 11, is Veterans Day and we'll be on the green directly across from the courthouse for the ceremony.
So, if you have uh the opportunity, please join us as we celebrate our heroes. And as always, thank you for coming tonight, especially on this cold night. Your presence and support are sincerely appreciated. Stay warm. Happy
Thanksgiving and good night. >> Thank you. Um I wanted to echo the comments about Veterans Day and also acknowledge that today is the 250th birthday of the Marines and uh quite a significant day for Marines. So, for
those who served, uh, for those who know a Marine, um, reach out, acknowledge them. But it's a it's a big anniversary today. Um, I also wanted to just touch on a few things. Um,
not just to Miss Martinez, but certainly to all of our residents. Um, one thing that we take very seriously is we want everyone who interfaces with the city of Hackinack to have a positive experience interfacing with the city of
Hackinack. Um, I've had times where I've gotten maybe a maybe a speeding ticket or or two. Um, and I've had even pleasant interactions even though I'm not happy about getting the speeding
ticket. Um, I say that to say, um, I'm gonna ask for you to stick around and receive the city manager's card for you to, um, follow up. And we just want to make sure that everyone, regardless of
what department it is, if you are going to the city for assistance, for a question, um, you can call up the city and say nice things, too. Um, but we want to make sure that that you have a good interaction when you're done with it. So, um, please just follow up with
the city manager and he will give you his card um, when the meeting is over. Additionally, there were a number of things that came up about safety. Um, safety is something that we really pay attention to and try and um, prioritize some of these safety things. And I feel
like I know I've said this before, but the goal, our goal is to try and um get it right. Not just get it fast, get it fast, too, but to get it right. And so
um we are going to try our best to engage PD traffic. Um, obviously the manager runs point on all of those things, but um, we certainly hear every single traffic concern, pardon me, every
single traffic concern. Um, we've taken not the specific action, but we've taken some action on ebikes, even I think back in July and August regarding batteries. So, we're we're trying to make Hackinac safer for pedestrians, for bicyclists, for um, vehicles, motorists. So, we're
we're looking at things, but we certainly hear the things that are being raised and continue to put things on our radar. Um, I want to just take a moment and uh sincerely thank the not only residents
of Hackinack, but business owners, nonprofit organizations, uh, churches, schools. um we PD, fire, um health department,
manager's office. I And now now that I've started listing people, I'm going to exclude people and you know, I my apologies, but last time we were here, we mentioned that we were instituting an emergency food drive for individuals who had lost
their SNAP benefits. This is something that was brought to our attention on a Monday evening. We had a council meeting on Tuesday and by Wednesday there were boxes that were throughout the city. Um, some of it we figured out on the fly,
but we acted and we retoled as we needed to and we have donated. And I say we, not we the council. I say we the city. I say we all of us have donated vans and trucks
of food of household items. We have gotten private donations. Some from individuals who don't mind being named and thanked. Some from folks who did not want to be named and just wanted to contribute. and specifically wanted to
help out Hackinac residents who were in need during this time. I want to encourage you to continue to give even though maybe the novelty has worn off a little
bit. Um, but continue. There's a little bit of a jump ball if you follow the news in terms of what's going on with the government shutdown and in terms of SNAP benefits. We have heard that they were being restored at half and then
they were not being restored and then they were being fully restored and New Jersey restored and then the federal government took legal action to prevent people from getting SNAP benefits which is just frankly a concept I don't really understand. But I say this to say I
understand that nationally, as of today, it seems as if the shutdown is coming to a close. It seems as if it will soon, but there are a lot of qualifiers in that. And
until the ink is dry and people have money on their cards, not just in New Jersey, but throughout the country, please do not take your foot off the gas. This is the holiday season.
It is scary for a lot of people. And I had the opportunity to go to Center for Food Action um not just on this day that we're seeing, but I went and I I dropped off something another day. And there were folks that were
there that were saying that they had never used a food pantry before in their lives. Center for Food Action went from servicing 6060 families in our community on a regular
basis. In the height of COVID, they went up to 72 at the height. They are presently servicing about 116 a day. And so
I am so thankful. I am so proud, frankly, to sit here as the mayor of the city of Hackinack where when a call goes out, people jump in immediately regardless of their political affiliation. There are people that have
said people should not go hungry in America and people should not go hungry, especially in the city of Hackinack. and we are going to do all that we can to take care of our folks here. And so, please continue to have that spirit of
giving, especially in the spirit in the season of Thanksgiving. And I just want to thank everyone once again um for their contributions. Wish you a very good night, a good holiday season. Our next meeting is not until uh
mid December, so we're we're going away for a little bit, but we'll be back. Okay. Um but have a good night. And with that, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjourn. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, please. >> Um I just want to say one more thing because it's it's it's bothering me.
It's on my mind. Um when Mr. servo made the um uh comment that no one is reading books at the library. I just wanted to say that my children grew up in the library. Um I used to take them there
because as a single parent um doing uh things were limited because I didn't have the budget to do it. And so the library was a great place uh to take the kids. They had the reading for the children. As a matter of fact, I met
Cassine's mom at the library. That's how we became friends. Um, and they had a lot of programs there for the children. Uh, they also to this day still do, uh, I think Halloween,
uh, other programs. Uh, they have for the kids. Um, I used to, and I know I'm dating myself, but back in the day when people had DVDs, um, I be being on a budget, I couldn't afford to go and either buy it or rent
it. So, I went to the library and believe it or not, they always had the latest DVDs. The latest DVDs. They were always up on their game. And if they didn't have something, the great thing about the library is that all the
libraries in in uh Bergen County, even outside of Bergen County, they would find it for you and you could either pick it up or they would have it delivered to our library. That's efficiency. So my daughter to
this day, as a matter of fact, my daughter wrote a poetry book. And to this day, my daughter goes to the library and she continues to read. So I just wanted you guys to know that.
>> Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you. And with that, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Have a good night everyone and happy holidays. Thank you.