Good evening everyone. Okay, we are calling this Hackinack City Council meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, December 16th, 2025. It is 5:41 p.m. If you can please read the notice. This meeting is being held in accordance
with the open public meetings act NJSA 104-6 at SEC notice of which was sent to the record the star ledger and was posted on the municipal bulletin board. Thank you. Roll call please. Mayor Gaines here. Deputy Mayor Tumi here. Council Councilman Carol here.
Councilwoman Clark Collins here. Councilman Diaz here. Thank you. If everyone can please rise to the flag salute. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I'd like to ask for a motion to approve the minutes of the November 10th, 2025 meeting and also the special meeting of
November 14th, 2025. Can I have a motion, please? Second. Thank you. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion carries. Thank you. Okay, so um we have a necessity to go into executive session
for a number of matters. I know there are a lot of people here, so we will be as quick as possible. We don't want to keep people waiting unnecessarily. Um, I'm going to ask for a motion to go into executive session. I'll offer. I'll second. All in favor?
I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, we will be back as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your patience, everyone. Thank you. Be right back. Thank you. [Music] That's it.
Okay. Thank you for your patience. Can I have a motion to close executive session? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. So,
we are starting this evening with a swearing in. Swearing in of Karen Gwyn as a judge here in Hackinack. And I'm going to ask for Superior Court Judge James Slattly to come forward, please. Thank you.
[Applause] Okay, great. So, while while he is getting ready, I'm going to make sure that we formally handle this. So, I'm going to
ask for a motion to approve resolution. They're reumbered. Which Which number is it? 45. 45. Got it. Yep. Resolution 45-25, resolution authorizing appointment of
temporary judge for the Hackinack Municipal Court. Can I have a motion, please? All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion carries. Thank you.
Superior Court Judge. Thank you. Yes, sir. Miss Quinn. Come on. Excuse me. When you're ready, put your left hand on the Bible. Raise your right hand. Okay. I
I Karen Gwyn Karen Gwyn do solemnly swear domly swear that I will support the Constitution I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and I will bear true faith
and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and allegiance to the same and to the governments established and the government established in the United States and in the United States in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and will perform the duties
and will perform the duties of temporary judge a temporary judge of municipal court of municipal court of the city of Hackinac of the city of Hackinack faithfully faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly to the best of my ability to the best of my ability
so help me God so help me God congratulations Congratulations. Thank you very much. So now it's official. So [Applause]
is there anything you'd like to say to the group? Uh I always offer it if you'd like to say a few words. I know you'll say a few words later, but anything you'd like to say now? You say a short one. Uh, yes. First, I'd like to thank First I like to thank God because um God is
faithful. He's faithful to um he's just faithful. Um he will be faithful to you if you're faithful to to him. Um I would like to thank the the town council. Thank you so much for having faith in me um to offer me this
position. Um I will do the best of my ability and I will not let you down. I really appreciate you having faith in me and um and offer me this and again I will do the best of my ability. Thank you just for being here today to scare me in. I really appreciate you. Um I
thank you for standing in and coming here. I thank you for everybody in the room here today for coming out. Thank you to my brother. Um my best supporter um just me and my brother. I wish my parents were here tonight um to be here
to witness this, but I know that um they're looking down today because um you know they would be really proud. I thank you to all my family. If I could have my family um stand up. My family
came from far and near. to be here. Thank you all for supporting me through it all. Um, I want to thank my sorority sisters, red and white. Thank you all.
Can my sority sisters please stand? [Applause] I truly appreciate you. The best sorority in in the world. I'd like to
thank you to all my friends. You know who you are. I'm not going to individually single you out. Those who have been my best supporters, my encouraers um throughout the years. I want to thank specifically Sheriff Keran um throughout the years um
always encouraging me being my best supporter ally. I want to thank you very much. Um you put that word out in the atmosphere of judgeship and I just thank you so much for all your support through the
years. I want to thank all the judges in the house for all the judges please stand up. administrative administrative law judge Kimberly Holmes, superior court judge Ian Sea. We have
appallet court judge Avis Bishop Thomas and we have uh retired judge Sandra Thomas. Thank you so much Sandra. You've been my best supporter. Thank you so much. everybody else in the room who all throughout the years have
been just my support, my confidant who has actually been there. Um, you know what this means to me. Um, and I just really I want to just thank you. Um, Hackasac PD, thank you guys. I'm back.
Thank you. and you and you know who you are who have been my ride or die and like really supported me and like pushed for me. Um I just really want to say thank you. Um if I missed anybody charge it to my head and not my heart but I
just want to thank you. Thank you Travis Tormet for being here um and for giving me an opportunity as a job when I left BCPO Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. Anybody? All my Bergen County Prosecutor Office people, please stand. And thank you.
I want to say thank you to Commissioner Tracy Zur. She was here earlier um but she had to leave, but I wanted to thank her personally. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, just so everyone is aware, we are going to do a little bit of jazz
with the docket for tonight. So, we have another proclamation that we are going to do at this moment and then I'm going to move public comment immediately after that. So anyone who would like to exercise their
ability to say anything um can do that after our next proclamation which I will come down and deliver. [Music] Okay. So for those who do not know, we have a annual uh Christmas production
here in Hackinack and it has been in existence for a very long time since 1982 I believe and we have uh one of the writers of this production, The Christmas Caper here, Maryanne Di Maria.
This the Christmas scabers performed every year at Hackpack. And before I read the proclamation, I just have to say on a personal note, um this is something that has been performed in the Hackinack public schools, has been performed at the Hackinack Performing Arts Center. I was
in it once upon a time ago. And I have to say, um, when when you talk about the impact of teachers, sometimes your mind goes to the teacher that you didn't
like. And I am so incredibly blessed that I have had so many amazing memories on the Hackinac High School stage and in the community with Maryanne Di Maria, with Nicholas Piciello, who's also going to be honored uh posumously in this proclamation. and I'm gonna read the
proclamation and then I have invited some past and present cast members over the last four decades from the show to come and sing one of the songs from the show that Maryanne Di Maria wrote for all of us today for the holiday season and then we will get back on to our
meeting. You're very welcome. So whereas Nicholas Piciello affectionately known as Mr. pick and Maryanne Di Maria's lifelong friendship and partnership started in 1978 while both of them were living in the city of
Hackinack. And whereas Mr. Pik was a beloved English teacher at Hackinack High School where he was instrumental in reviving the theater program while serving as a Hackinack educator. He also directed countless musicals within Hackinack and neighboring communities.
Mr. Pick attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and received his master's degree from William Patterson University. He was a published author who also proudly served his country and was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. And whereas Maryanne
is an an accomplished pianist, music composer, and teacher who began playing piano at the age of nine. During her career, she served as a music teacher for the Patterson public schools, Immaculate Conception High School, and Loi High School while also giving
private piano lessons out of her own home. Maryanne attended Manhattan School of Music and graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor's in music performance. And whereas Mr. Pick and Maryanne wrote and produced original musicals together, including The
Christmas Caper, which has become a Hackinack holiday tradition since its debut in 1982. The two also teamed up to write and produce A Little on the Heavy Side, The Promise, and an adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Mr. Pick and Maryanne co-directed musical revival at Hackinack
High School and regionally, including Westside Story, Greece, Oliver, and many more. And whereas Mr. Pick and Maryanne were known for their uncanny and unique ability to bring out the best of their performers, especially those who were young and new to theater and for
routinely being praised for their productions being better than Broadway. Now therefore, I, Kasim Gaines, mayor of the city of Hackinack, along with the members of the city council, do hereby recognize their contributions to our community and everlasting influence on
the city of Hackinack. Nicholas Piciello and Maryanne Di Maria's legacy will forever live on through the Christmas caper. Our city is eternally grateful for the joy they have spread for over 40 years and will continue to spread for generations to come.
So I'm going to ask for I believe Mike W. I was right there. Right. I couldn't see you. If you can come over and if everyone else would like to come on up. We'll just occupy this space right over here. We haven't practiced. [Music]
Christmas is love. Christmas is caring. [Music] Christmas is you and me. Home with the family tree
on a tree feelings. Lots of good feelings. [Music] When something fs
and good feelings start coming out. When Christmas time is near Christmas [Music] and
love. [Music] Christmas is Christmas [Music] everyone sharing the joys
of little girls by the fire. A jingle bell sleigh ride. Jingle jingle jingle if you need to wear all yours
and fears. Open your heart. Let all the good shining through to spread good and cheer. Christmas is living.
Everyone giving joy and peace and love. [Music] Christmas is Christmas. Merry Christmas.
Merry Merry Christmas. [Music] Merry Christmas to you. [Applause]
We'll see you next year. Okay. And before folks slip out, I have a copy of the proclamation that I'll give in just a moment. All right. And here are uh Mr. Picello and Maryanne as well. All right. So, at this moment, I'm going
to ask for a motion to open to the public. I'll make a motion. I'll second. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? Anyone from the public who would like to come forward?
All right. Hi. Uh, for everyone not that doesn't know me, I am Captain Ziz with Hackinack Police Department and I'm here on behalf of Chief Antista and our department. Uh, first and foremost to congratulate Judge Gwyn on her appointment tonight. Um, before I continue, I just want to say that was an
excellent performance and thank you to Maryanne for your contributions to our community. That's really great. Thank you so much. But, uh, the Hexac Police Department just wants to congratulate and wish you well. And we know that you come from a a
great career with police with the, uh, Bern County Prosecutor's Office. We know that you're accomplished. You know, we know exactly that you know what you're doing. and we think that you're going to be a great contribution to the city of Hackinack. So again, good job on the appointment. We appreciate you putting a judge in office that we can uh back and
and we support. So thank you so much and congratulations and good luck. All right. Thank you. Just um as folks come forward, if you can speak on any agenda item that the appointment is an agenda item. If you'd like to come forward and speak on that, you're more than welcome. Agenda items. Agenda items for right now. Yeah.
anything that's on the agenda. Okay. Good evening, everyone. How are we doing? Good. How are you? All right. I'm about to sound like a Baptist preacher because we celebrating my good friend, the judge here on her uh appointment. She alluded to it earlier.
And I'm Anthony Kurid and Bergen County Sheriff. I've known uh Karen since I think 1992. First time I met her at the juvenile court and I saw her then cuz she accosted me in a in a nice way. In a nice way. That's our That's our fun.
That's our joke. But she grabbed me, we had conversation, and from that point on, our relationship seemed grown. Um, even to the point she carried me down the aisle when I got married to make sure I stayed there with my wife. But that's another story. That's another story. But she's always demonstrated
that passion to want to serve the people. And every time we had conversation, it always alluded back to how can she become a judge? How could she serve the community much better? And all the time I witnessed her when she was dealing with the juveniles all the way up to drug court, you had to see it
in her face. You had to see the passion, the love of trying to help people out. And I think this appointment is like the most perfect thing for her because she believes in the scales of justice and she believes in making sure people get fair treatment. And I'm pretty sure when that comes before her, she will address
the issue and give the most fairest decision to make sure the lives of the person she's dealing with are are are addressed as well as serve justice as it's supposed to be served. And Karen, I love you. I thank you. Uh I know your brother's here, but I'm taking his spot
right now. Sorry, bro. It's only momentary. You can have her back. But Karen, I wish you the best. And of course, if you need anything, you know where you can find me. Thank you. Thank you, Sheriff. Anyone else on agenda items?
Thank you for this opportunity, uh, mayor and council, and congratulations to each of you. Also, I'm here to see you, hear you, of course, but also uh on behalf of Karen, when would you come up?
Judge Avis, I had to leave. Um, it's like doing homework constantly, 247. My name is Sandra Robinson and I'm a life member of the National Association of Women Judges.
and we heard about Karen, although we've known her many, many years, and wanted her to be a part of our family. I called Washington on yesterday to find out about Karen's um membership in the
National Association of Women Judges, and I was told that you're in. As of the point you were sworn in by Judge Satley, you're in. Not only Not only that, I'm told that as of 4:00
today, you are the 99,998th member of the National Association of Women Judges. And I mean, hopefully by tomorrow morning, you'll be the 10,000. We welcome you. I won't go through the mission. For anyone here that is
interested in the mission, please bring it up on your computer and read it. You're dynamite. We love you. We look to travel with you around the world and God bless you in all that you have to do. All right.
[Applause] I have a pinned judge win with the association pin of honor and she will wear it her gold and diamonds forever and ever.
Okay. Okay. [Applause] Okay. All right. Okay. Okay. I have with me also
uh a resolution that was left by uh Tracy Zor, one of our commissioners, and it's to of course her honor in honor and recognition of our swearing in ceremony as a municipal court judge
in the city of Hackinack. On behalf of the nearly 1 million residents of Bergen County, we congratulate you on this remarkable achievement and thank you for your unwavering commitment to making
positive impact in our community. Uh December 16th, 2003, signed by all of the commissioners. [Applause] Good evening, Mayor Gaines and city council members. My name is Tara Edmonds
and I'm the president of the Bergen County Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sarity Incorporated. And at this time, will all the members of Burton County alumni please stand? We would just like to say congratulations to Judge Gwyn on this
prestigious honor. We are so proud and looking forward to all that you will do in our community. Thank you and we love you. [Applause] Thank you. Anyone else from the public
wishing to speak on agenda items only? Okay, seeing none. Motion to close to the public. I'll second. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. For anyone who would like to take a photo
with Judge Gwyn or would like to just have a quick little breather, we're going to take a 10-minute breather. We'll be right back and we'll wrap up the uh we'll continue on with the meeting. Okay. Thank you. Stay here. Thank you. If you're staying, please have a seat if you don't mind. Thank
you. Okay, we are going to continue on. We are at number four on the docket. That is uh reports and presentations from professionals and department heads. And it is Ryan time.
[Music] Good evening. How you doing? I don't know. I got How are you, Ryan? Good. How are you? Very good. It's called vamping. We're just holding
it. There you go. All right. We're good. Okay. So, um just give our update for project management. Uh, and go to the next slide. I need a Oh, there we go. Uh, so here's the list
uh with just some brief updates. Um, Johnson Park, we're still uh kind of doing some redesign there. Uh, the firehouse engine too, the slab was poured. uh fashi is ongoing and I'll just I'll with the next slides I'll go
through I don't know I'll just go closer. Um yes the uh vendor installed the equipment for the SCADA system for the remote monitoring at all the stations. Uh there's just some programming that needs to be
complete. Uh, I took a screenshot of the dashboard and you can see the the green dots there are each one of our uh whether it be storm water sanitary or cso screening facilities. So that should be up and running hopefully in the near
future. I'll go to the next slide. Uh there's been a lot of activity over at Fashini. I tried to get uh some of it in these photos. Uh the bulk of the work uh was doing some drainage. They did the subbase for the third field and they've been installing uh the fence posts for
each field and the light in the light pole foundations. Uh the Grand A pedestrian safety improvements. Uh that project was out to bid and will be awarded at uh this evening's meeting. Again, that's
improvements to the intersection of Grand and Popppler and Grand and Fairmont. uh the 2025 paving program. Uh we were able to complete the CDBG roads of South Newman and DeWolf and the other roads
listed will be uh pushed to the spring uh once the weather breaks. Next slide. Uh similar with the PSEG reservicing uh do the gas main work. They were able to get a large portion of the roads done. It was a little chaotic
here for a few weeks. Um and the the roads on the right there uh will be pushed to the spring. Uh the municipal court safety improvements uh will be some ballistic shielding uh and new layout uh that I
have a start date of the 22nd, but that since I did the spreadsheet is pushed off till the 29th when that contractor will begin to start. There was a shipping delay with the the new door. So we're waiting until that arrives and then they're going to start work. Uh the city was also we applied um
earlier in the year for a local transportation project fund grant for the replacement uh and rehab of three bridges over the Kohl's one at Hamilton West Lookout I mean uh Lookout and West Anderson. And the DOT has awarded the
city over $317,000 for that work. Uh the total work um is has been estimated at 1.2 million. Uh the Hamilton bridge needs full replacement. So that's the bulk of that 1.2 million price tag. And the other two
just need some repairs. So uh the next phase for that would be uh submitting uh proposals from our engineers for design. And then again, no flushing wipes or anything like that down the sewer. And uh that's all I
have. If anybody has any questions. Uh, I do have a question. Yes, Ryan. Um, where are we with the sewer separation project? Um, and how far are we along?
Um, the the most recent was the Anderson phase one that was recently completed. Um, and then there is two that are currently in design. That's what we call the west of rail. So that continues on the west side of railroad up Clay Street and the second and third streets. So
that total project has been split into two phases. Uh the first phase is just about complete with design and then we should be going out to bid uh probably the early 2026 and then that second phase still needs to be designed
and then after those three phases there's more. Yes. Yes, there's more. Uh we do have um with the sewer separation we are using I I bank funding. Um so we do have a lot of different phases kind of lined up in there that we need to continue with
design work but yeah we still need to do more. Thank you. Yes. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to our city manager report. All right. Good evening everyone.
The uh annual tree lighting at the green brought together hundreds of residents for a festive evening. Residents gathered to enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and of course, Santa Claus. We'd like to thank all of our departments for their dedication to making this a safe and enjoyable event for our community.
We had two new businesses, Soul Fried Chicken and Advanced Medical, both celebrated ribbon cutings on Main Street and State Street. Congratulations and best of luck. This past Sunday, December 14th, our community came together for a beautiful manora lighting at the Bergen County Courthouse. Special thanks to the
Hackasak Police Department for ensuring safety during the car manora parade and the city of Hackasak Fire Department for their festive guilt drop. Events like these remind us that even a small light can dispel great darkness. On December 15th, members of the Hackac
Police Department, PBA Local 9, and Target partnered with Hackinack Public Schools to host the annual Shop with a Cop event. This special program gave students the opportunity to shop alongside Hackasac police officers during the holiday season. Elementary school principles selected two students
from each school to participate. We extend our sincere thanks to Target of Hackinac for their generosity and hosting the officers and the students. I'm not sure if 9A was involved in that, but I'll add that in case they were and this was a typo here. Um, some upcoming events real quick. Uh,
Santa Claus is coming to town. Come greet Santa with your local first responders from the Hackac Police and Fire Department. Sunday, December 21st, 2025. From 1 to 1:30 p.m., they'll be at Columbus Park. From 1:45 to 2:15, they'll be at Carver Park. And from 2:30
to 3:00, Sty Park. And lastly, our annual children's holiday party is Saturday, December 20th. Free tickets for the variety show are also available online. You can find any of these events on our website as well. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season. Thank you.
Thank you. Okay, we have already had number five public comment. So, moving on to new business. Resolution 480-25, final adoption of ordinance 47-2025. Any member of the public wishing to
speak on this ordinance? this ordinance only. Yes. Sorry. Can you read? Yeah. Thanks. Final adoption of ordinance 47-202025, a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of 1,320,000 providing for various capital
improvements and acquisitions in and for the city of Hackinac in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of 1,254,000 in bonds or notes of the city for financing part of the appropriation. This ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a
public hearing. Okay. Thank you. Can I have a motion? Okay. Once again, anyone looking to speak on this There you go. Anyone wishing to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance only, come on up. Sergey Toy Stoy, my question is on this
ordinance for bond issuance, what is our rating currently? I'm going to Sure, Jim. Yeah, we'll be f uh we'll be funding uh this bond ordinance through notes. Currently, our bond rating is a standard
and poor double A2 which is one below AAA because goes AAA 2 A1 and then A and we will be funding this with uh originally with notes and then eventually with serial bonds. Okay.
Thank you. Anyone else in the public wishing to speak on this? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close to the public on this ordinance. I'll second. Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions. Motion
carries. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac, county of Bergen, and state of New Jersey that ordinance number 47-2025 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Thank you. Resolution 481-25,
final adoption of ordinance 48-2025, an ordinance to amend chapter 155 of the code of the city of Hackinac taxi cabs to update section 5 insurance to reflect current regulations. That this ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a public hearing.
Thank you. Any member of the public wishing to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance only? Seeing none, I have a motion. I'll make a motion. All in favor?
Any opposed? Any obstensions? Motion carries. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac, County of Bergen, and state of New Jersey that ordinance number 48-2025 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Thank you. and resolution 482-25
reintroduction of ordinance 25-2025 an ordinance to amend chapter 170 of the code of the city of Hackinac vehicles and traffic to add residentonly on street parking areas overnight thank you can I have a motion please all in favor
I any opposed any abstensions motion carries be it resolved that the above ordinance being ordinance 25-2025 as introduced does now pass on first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on
January 6th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. where as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the city council and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance and that the acting clerk be and here he is hereby authorized and
directed to publish said ordinance according to law with the notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage. Thank you. Moving on to the consent agenda. Just reminding that we have
already voted on and approved resolution 485-25. 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 item requiring discussion will be
removed from the consent agenda and consent item agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes including any exceptions and/or additions. Thank you. Can I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda? Mayor, if I may, is there Can you turn your mic?
Mayor, if I may, thank you. Um, I believe there was at least two two resolutions on for new prints contracting. Is that true? Yes. Yeah. Would you could we uh please have the uh vote reflect that those will be pulled off and voted on separately? Yes.
That'd be four 504 and 505. Great. And the bills list as well. Thank you. 483. Okay. Okay. So, let's do all with the exception of those and then we'll go back and catch those up. Thank you, mayor.
Thank you. Okay. So, can I have a motion? Can I can I get the resolution numbers of the ones that we are pulling for the moment? That's we're pulling 483-25, 48525 has already been voted on, 504-25,
and 505-25. Great. Thank you. Okay. Motion to adopt the consent agenda absent resolution 483-25, 485-25, 450, 504-25, and 505-25.
Can I get a motion, please? I'll make a motion. I'll second. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Okay, let's do resolution 483-25.
Can I get a motion, please? A motion. Second. All in favor? I I I abstain. Okay. Any opposed? And there's one abstension.
So, mayor, because I have a conflict, I'm going to step off the dis for the voting on the last two resolutions. Thank you. Thank you. Hey, can I have a motion on resolution 504-25? A motion. All in favor?
I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. And can I have a motion for resolution 505-25? I'll make a motion. Second. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Okay. Can I have a motion to open to the public? Motion second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Once again, just because it's a new format,
we have struck the clock, but I'm going to keep time. Um, once you come forward, please just give your name and municipality and I will let you know once we've come to time and ask you to bring your comment to a close. Thank you. Good evening all. Joel Dawkins.
November 17, 2025. Janessa El Malvo Upper Defield was accused of being intoxicated when she pulled a pickup truck out of her driveway and collided with Robert Chevro of Upper Defield as he rode his motorcycle on the evening of
June 8th, 2022. He was killed. Armadaro tested positive for THC, cocaine, and alcohol in her system. According to prosecutors, on this date, under the terms of the
plea agreement, she received three years probation and no jail time. So, let's jump back about four years ago on this council meeting. We had an employee of a medical company, a uh home living equipment
maker, a teacher, a youth coach, and a homemaker. supposed to be examples of children, family, and home values. But they introduced and allowed Hackinack to have what we call the New
Jersey Cannabis Act in our city. Now, with it being that it's only a few months away, under the state statutes, section 31B,
a municipality may pro prohibit the ordinance that was introduced by the previous administration that I mentioned. That was ordinance 30, 2021.
So this Hackinac unites council has a time limit of August 2026 to prohibit that was enacted under that administration for the cannabis act and
the retail act that we now have in Hackinack. And if we are to be for children, families and community, this is what it should be as other municipalities have done except for a few who went for the
money instead. And on that note, I'd like to also thank Allison for her committed work because as a pole worker for the last three years, she had to take it upon herself this past November and she did an excellent
job and I hopefully would like to see that her commitment be rewarded. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dawkins. Thank you. Anyone else from the public? How are you?
Hi, good evening. Good evening. Please just state your name and your municipality. Thank you. My name is L. Lore. I live in 85 Lynen Street in Hackin for 30 years. And the situation I had right now is I get a
letter from the building department and they and I had abulation but uh I never think it was abulation they forced me to do this I live in 85 L street and for the many years I'm coming and I was they
play with me like tennis ball transit say go to the police department police say to the transit for many years because I can parking in that street that street is commercial and resident commercial area they had parking in front the buildings
But unallow the two house in industry we are not allowed to park in front of the house when you come in here and hacking some maybe I don't know times fly they decide to give you a sticker to
parking in hackin residence but you I come to the police department with my driver license oh I'm sorry you are not allowed to park you you are not allowed to get a parking I live in cross street for the Anderson
train station. If you coming to the Clinton place, you must have had the sticker because you don't have the sticker, you get that ticket. If in front of and they had a little end, a small street, but they had two house, they can have the parking sticker, but
in that house is like 10 apartments in two house. So, you never can park in any way. You don't find the parking even for two hours. I'm working and I get out 4:00 in the morning. I can looking for a parking many many blocks just because I
pay taxes. I pay I don't get discount because I live in Lynen Street and unfortunately you can parking. I I pay the whole taxes. I never apply to discount or review or less my taxes or
something. If they remove my taxes, wonderful. I will be walking pay Uber. don't use car and I I it's okay but I know I think I have rights they forced me to to build a parking in front my
house and right now we don't have parking finally two years ago something like that I can tell you somebody finally listen and give you three parkings and the end of the corner to Clinton place but
like I say I out early in the morning to go to work building and the close to Anderson and Clinton and Indian Street the parking in that three spots. I finally get it proof and people from the people from the train
because in Clinton place and around they don't had like the two hours but you never find the parking because people use the train even maybe Hackinson residence or Paramos or whatever is more closed because we are in the bordamos Maywood and they parking
all day. Sorry I don't want to interrupt you. I'm just going to ask you if you can start to bring your comment to a close. You don't have to wrap up right now, but just start to wrap it up, please. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. This I had the pictures for like I don't see did so this is this is
this is my house and this is what I did. I had plain space safe for for my house too for the cars. What's the address? 85 85 and I had this is the parking with the
two cars. This is the the without the car. I still had garden and everything. I love plants. I love and this is and then and then we got a notice of violation. Okay. So, we're here tonight to please um let us park our two cars in
front of our house. We have plenty of space uh like like we show you here. This is our house. This is 85 Lindon. Mind you, in front of us is the train station. So, we have our only two cars here. We have our garden. We have our stairs.
So, we're not blocking anybody even from the pavement here or our own house. We're not blocking entrance. So, what I'm going to what I'm going to ask you to do is if you can share those photos, if you don't mind, share those photos with Mr. Freeman, our city
manager. Um I'm sure that he will ask traffic to look at it. um and he will get right back to you with um some sort of answer as to folks looking at it. Um but if you can just get his information, if you can share with him your information, he'll
be in contact with you later on this week. Perfect. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I just I just want to added something. It's like I I like when I say it's revelation, I feel I don't do nothing wrong because when you walking around the city, you find it people is
parking and real block. But I think everybody had the rights to survive and I had very easy because people had two, three jobs and you know and right now and eventually we are going to be worse. I live in New York and I never never
want to be in New York. My husband is here and I say to him, I'm going to sign the lease for one year. Next year, if you want to stay in New York, you stay in New York, but I don't want my child grow out in New
York. I want my child grow out in New Jersey. Great. Thank you. I I just want to hold on. I'm so sorry, but it's it's we're way over time. I want to be respectful of everyone else's time here and everyone else's ability to have comments. Um, but thank you so much for for your comments and we'll look into it. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak? Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening. Doug Gafello, Anderson Street, Hackinack. I just like to publicly thank our DPW,
traffic, police, the whole thing, sanitation for the excellent job. This past Sunday, I was up and out first thing before 8 to go to mass. Summit Avenue was two full lanes clear, plows
and sanders. Everyone was out shoveling my property in the afternoon when the sun was out up Anderson Street again right to the curb line. Clouds, sanding, everything. The guys did a great job. This morning, bright and early sanitation came around. Emptied my pale
completely empty. There were no bags left on the bottom of my pale. Everything was great. So, thank you to your DPW senior manager Freeman. Everyone's doing a great job. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, good evening, Mayor Council. So, um,
Marlene Somerville, vice president of, uh, Jamaica Organization of Jim, um, New Jersey, John J. on behalf of John J, we just wanted to express our thank yous for the notification that the city council put in the newsletter in
reference to the hurricane in Jamaica. Right. Um, it was very much appreciated. You know I my family and most of the members of Jeanj and some people unfortunately had some damage to home and property but there was no loss of
life and at the end of the day that is what is more important to you know to all of us that there was no loss of life. So again the organization would just like to express our thank you and our gratitude on you guys posting the item in the newsletter. Um, second is I
will be sending out an email to you, Allison, and the city manager in reference to a couple of different events that we had. Um, I had already spoken to Allison in reference to this year in March, we had done something for um, women's history month. We would like
to see maybe if we can keep it going, you know, like in perpetuity until it ends in reference to doing a roundt of prominent women, the judge probably being one, right? uh for Women's History Month. We also did an exhibition of the black businesses in Hackinack for Black
History Month. Not sure if you guys have already had something on the agenda, but if not, if we can revive, you know, with inviting the black businesses to the civic center to walk through people understanding, you know, where the, you know, what is within the town and not
just anything that's solely on Main Street, right? We do have plenty of other black businesses located through Hackinack. So it was a nice event for them to come to. And then also for Anderson Street Park, I think in 2023 that was commemor commemorated as one love. So I think they would like to be
able to do an event in the park for you know the Caribbean community and you know our black and brown um folks for them to come together. So I will put together the email. I will send that out and if you guys can let me know if you haven't budgeted or if anything is not already planned for the 2026 calendar
year whether or not we can find some time. I think the women's history one we did at the hackpack. So that may be the hardest part is to find a date right at Hackpack when we can host the event. Awesome. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else from the public wishing to
speak? Seeing none, motion to close to the public. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Deputy Mayor Tumi. We're there. We're there.
We're there. Okay. Well, I'd like to start by thanking everyone for coming out tonight to our council meeting, our la our final meeting for the year. I'd like to congratulate Judge Gwyn on her appointment. I'm sure she will be a
great asset to the city. And recognizing Maryanne De Maria and Nick Pello for their many years of dedication and contribution to our city. Thank you for your performance tonight.
It was great. Uh thank you as well to everyone who made presentations this evening. I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to all our employees, the city manager, our city attorney, all board members, and everyone else who has taken
part in the city's ongoing efforts throughout the year since July 1st. It has been a truly remarkable ride so far, and I look forward to continuing this work together in the year ahead. On behalf of
the council, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and a happy and healthy new year. We'll see you next year. Thank you, Councilwoman. Um, as we conclude tonight's meeting, I'd like to take a moment to wish
everyone in our community a safe, peaceful, and happy holiday season. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kowanza, another tradition, or simply taking time to rest and reflect, we hope this season brings you warmth,
good health, and time with those you care about. Thank you to our residents, staff, and first responders who continue to serve our community, especially during the holidays. We look forward to the new year ahead and to continuing our
work together on behalf of our city. Please travel safely, take care of one another, and enjoy the season in whatever way is meaningful to you. As always, thank you for coming and get home safely.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Carol, good evening. I just want to say again, um, happy holidays to everybody. I hope uh next year brings uh maybe a better year uh for all of us.
I think we've had a very interesting six months so far. Um we've had some changes uh within the city. Uh we have new DPW superintendent and assistant.
Uh our snow Doug, where are where are you? Uh, yes, my street was cleaning very good. Trash was taken out well, so I hope they keep up the good work. Uh, I want to say I was at the tree lighting
last week. Uh, for most everybody here, it was cold. So, I want to thank all of you that I saw out there because we braved it just like you did. Uh, I wish it would have been a little warmer, but hey, we we take it as we have it. Uh
again, I want to wish everybody a happy holiday and hopefully we have a prosperous new year. Oh, and congratulations to our new judge, Gwen. I know that uh she had to leave. Um I think she'll do a
fine job for our city and I welcome her aboard. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. Good evening. I am pleased to join my fellow council members uh in celebrating the uh
appointment of a new judge uh Karen. Also uh saying uh congratulations to Mary Andy Maria and Mr. Pik for the great job that they've been doing for so long.
Uh this is a time to reflect on our successes, learn from our challenges, and look ahead. As we concluded our final public meeting of the year, I want to keep it simple to you. Just thank you.
Over the past 12 months, this community has demonstrated remarkable resilience and spirit. Together we have addressed difficult issues and celebrated meaningful accomplishments.
This progress is not limited to these walls here. It happens because of your engagement, your patience and your partnership. My commitment and the commitment of this council along with the city manager and
the city attorney remains the same to continue advancing the priorities you have established for us. I wish I wish you all a safe, restful and joyful holiday season.
take this time to recharge and return in the new year ready to build an even stronger Hackinack community. Then again, thank you and have a good night. Thank you, Councilman. So, um, as Councilman Carol said, it was
very cold the night of the tree lighting and, um, on Mon on Sunday night, actually, for the first night of Hanukkah, I went to the Manura lighting and, um, even colder. So, the the two outdoor events we had in the winter, very cold. Um, but again, just echoing
everyone's comments. Um, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Quanza. Um, whatever holiday you celebrate or if you don't celebrate any holidays during the season, have a very happy new year. Um, I wanted to just highlight a couple of other things. Um, again, soul fried
chicken, quite delicious. I was at the ribbon cutting and very juicy chicken. I'm not like I'm a I'm a bit of a foodie, so trust me on the recommendation. Very good. I'm not, you know, we we've got we're this is a this is an eating council
for those who don't know. We like to eat. Um but very juicy chicken. So if you're looking for a recommendation, you can take that one from me. Um street paving looks great, Ryan. The the roads that have been done really look wonderful. Um, I wanted to also highlight a number of people have asked
over the course of the last several months about resident stickers in a number of streets in Hackinack. It was something that was previously on the docket and then it got pulled um in the June meeting, the last meeting of the previous council. It has been put back
on um the docket and we had a first read on that tonight. So, for those who are um listening or those who are here, that would be uh the parking restriction would be from 2 am to 6:00 a.m. on the streets that are listed in the docket.
Um that is anticipated to be voted on at the next meeting, but for those who have asked about that um or if you know someone who's asked about it, please just spread the word to them that that is back in motion again. the Yeah, actually I think the only other thing that I wanted to say um
congratulations once again to Judge Gwyn. Um congratulations to Mr. Pik and Maryanne. um love them and I have to say one of um I think the greatest perk of this job is that you get to honor people and honor you know organizations that
that you love in Hackinack and so it's a really great thing to be able to do that um for her and finally I just want to say you know a lot of reflection has happened here about the last six months um I can't tell you how phenomenal it is
to work with this team sitting up here um what you see on social media, what you see on these meetings, you see us sitting here, we say yes, we cut a ribbon, we take some pictures. Um but there is so much hard work that goes in,
so many emails, so many um resident concerns, questions, comments, and we are incredibly receptive to all of those things. One of the things that I like to say is that um I hope that we always remember that our most important title
in Hackinack is that of resident and that we um are a liaison for the residents to city government and that's the way that we've operated over the last six months and that we will continue to operate over the rest of our
time here. But for everyone who has reached out um thank you for your questions, your comments, your concerns. It only makes Hackinack better. It always gives us something to think about. And um to my my friends and colleagues up here, I just want to say it's been a real honor so far and I'm
looking forward to 2026. And with that, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjurnn. I make a motion. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you.