of the May 6, 2025 work session, please. So moved. By Councilman Pagan. I have a second. Seconded by Councilman Demore. All those in favor? I. Any opposed or abstain? Abstain. Extension by Councilwoman Phillips. Next, I'll ask
for the approval of the executive session minutes of the May 6, 2025 business meeting. May I have a motion to approve those minutes, please? Motion by Councilman Harren. I have a second. Second. Seconded by Councilman Pagan. All those in favor? I. Any
opposed or abstained? Councilman Phillips. Abstain. Thank you. Y reminding me, mayor. Awesome. Wonderful. And now we will commence with what I believe many of you are here for tonight, and that is a proclamation honoring Ernest Merino and his
upcoming 100th birthday. So, if uh Ernie and his family, if he if you're okay with that, we'd like to stand up here in the center and we'll present you these proclamations. We can also move a chair if we have to or Yeah, maybe put a chair up
there. Here's sit. You could stand. Good. He says no chair. No chair. Textbook. Yeah. Greatest generation. I love it. World War II vet.
Yeah. Ernie, what? We'll uh All right. There you go. So, this is quite the honor of I've only done one other um proclamation for someone turning 100 years of age. So, this isn't an everyday
occurrence, shockingly. Um but is quite the honor for it to be you, Ernie. And um I'll read the proclamation. honoring Ernest Merino on the occasion of his 100th birthday this May 27th 2020 25 whereas Ernest Ernie Merino a distinguished resident of the Burough of
Haden Heights will celebrate his 100th birthday on May 27th 2025 marking a century of remarkable life and service and whereas Ernest Ernie Merino served with honor and distinction the United States Army during World War II stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines receiving many medals
including a distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in combat, standing amongst the brave men and women who defended our nation's freedom and democracy during one of history's darkest hours. And whereas following his military service, Ernie Merino married his long loving
wife, Doris Lamra, in 1950 and purchased his first and only home here in the burrow of Haden Heights, where he lived for 70 years, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our community and its future. And whereas throughout
his time in Haden Heights, Ernie Merino served with distinction on the Barrow Council and played a major role in the redevelopment of downtown Haden Heights, helping to shape and improve our beloved community. And whereas Ernie Merino dedicated himself to public service in
our community for 30 years, serving with exceptional skill and integrity as tax collector, treasurer, and chief financial officer for the Burough of Haden Heights until his retirement only in 2010, demonstrating exceptional
financial stewardship and commitment to the residents of the Brow of Haden Heights. And whereas beyond his professional accomplishments, Ernie Merino exemplifies the value and dedication, perseverance, and civic responsibility that define the greatest generation and serve as an inspiration
to all who know him. Now therefore, be it resolved, I, Zachary Hal, mayor of the Burough of Haten Heights, together with the members of the Burough of Council, do hereby proclaim May 27th, 2025 as Earnest Merino Day in the Bureau of Hatton Heights, and urge all citizens
to join in celebrating this remarkable milestone and expressing appreciation for his legacy of service and our community and our nation. Oh, thank you. So, if I can ask his family to come up and assist real fast. So, there are a number of proclamations here. I as as
much as I know Ernie uh would be a good soldier and stand at attention for all of them. I um don't want to challenge uh want to challenge. So I will just uh kind of summarize these proclamations. So the congressional the first congressional district of the United States of America, Congressman Norcross
could not be here. Um but he sent a proclamation honoring Ernie as well as well as a flag that was flown over the US capital. All right. And this is that proclamation. We also have
a proclamation from the congressman's office. Oh jeez. Wonderful. I have a proclamation from the fifth legislative district which is uh Assemblyman uh Bill Spearman, Assemblyman uh Bill Mowen and
uh Senator State Senator Nilsa Cruz Perez who uh again could not be here but uh acknowledge the proclamation uh on behalf of Ernie and all of his accomplishments and specifically his service to not only country but community. And finally, all right, um,
this, which I think is really cool, is a, uh, military service medal on behalf of Camden County, as well as a challenge coin, and that is on behalf of the Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Office of Veterans Affairs. Thank
you. You put my daughter. So, uh, Ernie, uh, you are truly a model citizen for all of us here in this room tonight. We're about to swear in one of our newest public servants, a firefighter, and I couldn't have asked for a better night for that to happen because he gets to see, as well as all
of us what it means to truly uh, be selfless and serve not only your nation, but the incredible community of Hades. And I want to thank all of his family and friends for coming out and honoring him and uh more importantly um of letting him you know continue to serve the pair of heads. Thank you. Thank you
very much. Glad you [Applause] Next, we'll have uh the swearing in of our newest career firefighters, David. Kevin, there you go. I was say that's a fudian slip there. Hi Do solemnly swear and affirm domly
swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same faith and allegiance to the same and to the government established in the United States government
and inly under the authority of the people authority of the people and then I will faithfully and partially and justly perform all the duties of the office of firefight according to the best of my ability.
Congratulations. And again, this is quite the honor for me because I remember Kevin when he was a very very we small little lad who was buffing fires with his father and to see him now a career fire with the head police fire department uh is is quite
the accomplishment. You've come a long way and I'm sure you've got a lot of great mentors that help you along. Congratulations. [Applause] Yes. Okay. Um Yeah. So, we're going to take a
twominut recess to allow fire department. If you would like any quick photos inside here or anything like that. Okay. And if Ernie would like All right. [Music] We're going to we're going to commence
with the meeting. You guys hang you guys. You can leave. You can do whatever you want. I just want you to know where it starts. That's all. [Music] I mean, he he he probably did about
let's see 30 * 12 * 2 24 couple close to a thousand again Ernie. We'll see you Monday. Tuesday's his birthday. Monday is
Memorial Day. He doesn't miss it. So nice. All right. So we will commence with the uh continue with the meeting. Um, next we have council member reports. Council, I will start at the end there. Councilman De Moore, uh, start off with
engineering committee reports. Just finalizing the details on the repair of the chair lift as well as the road paving program. Uh, first package is getting ready to go out to bid here shortly. Uh, focused on second a and seventh a in front of the schools first. Anything else? That's all I got. That's
it. Councilman Har. Thank you, Mayor. Um, from the civic event side, we have our Memorial Day celebrations coming up on Monday the 26th, starting at 10 a.m. at the Sons of Italy, the World War I Memorial. Um,
we'll start the ceremonies there at 10:00. Um, followed by the parade that will begin at 10:30. Um, with ceremonies starting at the canons, um, hosted by the BFW at 11:00. So, we are looking forward to that and um really excited for the day and to celebrate Ernie once
again. Um Fourth of July planning is well underway. Um we've made a call out on the neighbors group for um floats asking local uh school the schools clubs, local organizations and businesses to show off their spirit and
creativity with a float for this year. We have a few groups already signed up and eager to bring more into the fold. I know that floats have been a part of the parade in the past and we're excited to bring them back. Um, and uh I think um
want to thank everybody on the parks and recck committee and all the hard work that's gone into um the fields. The fields look fantastic. Um and happy to see all of the the groups out getting some good gains in. That's all. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Uh, Councilman Otis. Okay. Commission put in Jersey. tree. We got 30 trees 15 of them in the
ground 14. And then Mike report slow [Music] on the process. So I know I will have a
presentation station. Thank you Councilman Os. Um, Council President Morgan. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, yeah, I just want to echo uh the sentiments about the HIPP event this past weekend. It was a great turnout and, uh, great weather and
a lot of people got to see how great Station A is. Um, see what a special place the town could be. So, uh, thanks to HIP for doing that. Um, but otherwise, that's it for me. Just want to thanks. Okay, Councilman Phillips. Thank you, Mayor. Um, want to give a
congratulations again to our newest career firefighter, Kevin Man. Um, but it's my understanding he's been a longtime volunteer in Bington and now in Heights. So, we're happy to have him on officially. Um, in that regard, I'll give the fire department report for
April 2025, which I think came in the day after our last meeting. So, I don't think anybody reported on it last time. Um there were 18 calls in Haden Heights, 20 calls in Bington, 13 calls to mutual aid, five calls to the highway for a total of 56 calls in April. Uh average
firefighters per call was six and career staff calls was 23. So that's um good statistics and we appreciate the continued good work of the fire department. Um I will also provide the police monthly report for April 2025.
There was 1,047 calls for service, 14 arrests and charges, 15 accidents, and 188 motor vehicle summons issued. Um, continued good work from our police department as always. And just a reminder, uh, that National Night Out for this year is August 5th at the Dell.
That'll be from 5 to 7:00. Tons of activities, um, touch truck, face painting, popcorn, ice cream, pie eating contest that I always make fun of Mayor Hal for losing. I just don't win. I don't lose. I don't lose. I just don't lose. Although he always with a baby
spoon. He always does a great job. He just doesn't fight there. Um so we hope to see everybody there as well. And that's all I have. Thank you, Council Phillips. Councilman Pagan, you had to bring up that pie. Um the M municipal alliance
met yesterday putting the final touches on the National Night Out and the uh firecracker 5K. And for all the forgetful parents like me, tomorrow is game day. It's, you know, 26 day countdown. So don't forget it's the letter G. That's
it. Uh thank you. Uh Mayor's Report. Um obviously, as I said earlier, it was quite the honor to uh to be able to have the privilege of honoring um longtime civil servant and uh veteran uh Ernest Merina. and um and at the same time then
swear in um our newest civil uh and public servant um Kevin Urman with the career with the Had Heights fire department. Uh I want to thank not only Heights Grows for all of the beautiful work they have done and continue to do
maintaining the uh planters and gardens along Station Avenue. They got it done just in time despite a rain delay. And their work once again made our uh Avenue look absolutely beautiful when thousands of of both residents and um visitors uh
packed the downtown for hips rhythm and brute uh rhythm and bruise which for once in I think the last two or three years the weather finally cooperated. It was a beautiful day. It was great to see so many residents out there. Um and so again, thank you to HIPP to all of the
volunteers as well as Heights Grows for really really making Haden Heights shine. Um another one I just want to remind everybody primary day is is very quickly approaching. Um there are Can you remind me, Kell? There is a location
change, right, for several of our districts. Yes. So district Right. Wonderful. So again, just want to encourage people, don't forget about primary day. It's an important day to exercise our right to vote. And if you have a vote by mail ballot, which many
people do, there is a dropbox down by the operations center on Atlantic Avenue where the old DPW building was. And there's a dropbox right there. You can safely drop it in that box versus the mail slot, but you can also drop it in the mailbox. But just I'll make a reminder again the first meeting in
June. Um, but please don't forget to vote. Um, and finally, I wanted to just uh remind everybody that Bob Hunter, you can't miss him. He's typically either at the library or somewhere on our downtown. He is selling flags for to
honor um uh veterans on Memorial Day. You can honor a specific veteran or just make a donation uh to the Rotary to have flags planted along Station Avenue. Uh it's a beautiful site. You'll see it probably as of Saturday or Sunday. they typically get them in the ground leading
up to Memorial Day. So, um, and that is it. That's it for the mayor's report. Moving into unfinished business, we have public hearing and final adoption of ordinance 20251572, an ordinance of the Bureau of Haden Heights approving the application and financial agreement for a long-term tax exemption with the Whiters Pike Had Heights Urban
Renewal LLC for block 36 lots 10 and 11 on the official burrow tax map. We are electing to table this ordinance and uh end the public hearing until the next um the next burrow hall meet the next
burrow meeting which will be June 3rd correct Kell at June 4th but isn't the primary days the following primaries on the 10th
it is on for Tuesday I That's how you was on it. Somebody else somebody else. Yeah. So, it's so um public hearing and final adoption of ordinance 2025 1572 would be tabled. Yeah. Just a note of clarification. Um we're we're working
with our professionals on perhaps uh addressing some of the language within that agreement and so it might require a reintroduction. So I just depending on if it's substantial, but can we do a motion and a second mayor to table? Yes. Um, can we have a motion to table ordinance 20251572?
So moved. Motion by Council President Morgan, a second by Councilman Hagen. I have a roll call vote, please. Yes, Mayor. Council President Morgan, yes. Councilwoman Phillips, yes. Councilman Addison, yes. Councilman
Bean, yes. Councilwoman Harren, yes. Councilman Deore, yes. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. Um, so public hearing and potentially final adoption of ordinance 2025 1572 or a
reintroduction of the amended ordinance will occur at the June Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the regular barrel hall uh at the regular council meeting here in the barrel hall 625 Station Avenue, Haden Heights, New
Jersey. Read that a few times um to kind of memorize that. Thank you. All right. [Applause] And next we have resolution 2025, a resolution authorizing the 2025 municipal budget to be read by title
only. And so that's we introduced Did we introduce that last week or Right. So this is a public hearing portion, right? Yes. Read reading the um budget by title only. Um uh I'm tracking I'm saying this. Yep. It's the double resolution. So, may I have a motion for resolution
2025128, please? So, move. Motion by Councilwoman Phillips. May I have a second? Seconded by Council President Morgan. Have a roll call vote. Yes, Mayor. Council President Morgan, yes. Councilwoman Phillips, yes. Councilman Addison, yes. Councilman
Vagan, yes. Councilwoman Harren, yes. Councilman Deore, yes. Thank you. Next, may I have a motion to open the public hearing portion of the 2025 municipal budget, please? So, moved. Motion by Councilman
Pagan. May I have a second? Seconded by Councilwoman Haron. All those in favor? I oppose or abstain. Thank you. Public hearing portion for the 2025 municipal budget is now open. If you'd like to make a comment regarding our municipal budget, please step up to the microphone, state your name and the town
you live in for the record. Not seeing any public comment. May I have a motion to close the public comment portion? So move motion by Councilman Pagan. I have a second. Seconded by Councilman Addison. All those in favor? I. Any oppose or abstain? Thank you. And next I'll ask
for motion to adopt resolution 2025129, a resolution regarding adoption of the 2025 municipal budget. They have a motion to adopt resolution 2025129. Motion by Councilman Demor. Seconded by Council President Morgan. I
have a roll call vote, please. Yes. Mayor, Council President Morgan, yes. Councilwoman Phillips, yes. Councilman Addison, yes. Councilman Pagan, yes. Councilwoman Haron, yes. Councilman De Moore, yes. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have a batch of
resolutions here. It's resolutions 20 under new business. Resolution 2025130, a resolution requesting the insertion of a special item of revenue in the budget of the Barrow of Hen Heights pursuant to NJSA 484-87 chapter 159 PL1948 2022 recycling tonnage grant
resolution 2025131 a resolution authorizing an award of a non-fair and open contract for a special solicitor for labor and employment matters Armando vio thank you uh LLC resolution 2025132 resolution authorizing an award
of a non-fair and open contract for administrative agent services for affordable housing matters CGP and H resolution 2025133 resolution approving change order number one final for the Lake Street pump station emergency standby pumping equipment project resolution 2025 resolution 134
resolution approving a change order number one final for the 2024 Haden Heights Road program reconstruction of Garden Street resolution 2025135 resolution authorizing submission of grant application for the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Drug abuse. Resolution 2025136, a resolution authorizing the hiring of a career firefighter for the Bar of Head and
Heights, Barington Fire Department, Kevin Herman. Resolution 2025137, a resolution authorizing refunds of the summer recreation fees. Resolution 2025138, a resolution authorizing refund of a tax overpayment. Resolution 2025139, a resolution authorizing the payment of bills and claims for the
second half of May. Resolution 2025140, a resolution providing for a meeting not open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and JSA 10 col 4-12 potentially potential donation of surveillance cameras on station avenue.
Discussions about expected to be about uh 15 minutes in duration. Formal action may be taken on the foregoing matters following executive session. May I have a motion for those resolutions, please? So moved. Motion by Councilman Pagan. May I have a second?
Second by Councilman Harren. I have roll call vote, please. Yes. Mayor, Council President Morgan, yes. Councilwoman Phillips, yes. Councilman Addison, yes. Councilman Bean, yes. Councilwoman Haron, Councilman Deore, yes. Thank you. Thank you. Uh before we recess into
executive session, I'll open it up for public comment on anything at all. We have public comment on anything at all. Step up to the microphone. State your name in the town you live in. for the record. I have new business. Yep. Step on up to the microphone, ma'am.
Yep. Of course. Thank you. Thank you. Hi. Can you I'm Beth Thomas. I live at 610 Sycamore Terrace. Um I've been in Heights for 20 years. Actually 30. 10 at
Sycamore and 20 at Prospect Ridge. My kids were raised here, went through the schools. I am dealing with um an issue um Sycamore Terrace is an itty bitty little street and I'm having a neighbor um a rescue dog who was afraid of
flashing lights. And there is an ordinance already under it's actually under the dog section saying they should be off from 10 to 7. turn it off when you go to bed. And I have a number of people who
are refusing to do that. And there's no place I only have like one small area to walk her. She actually is afraid of the dark. So we only go between our house and across the street and that's it. And the way the lights are set up when they
move it out to the lampost, she's tears me home. You know, 78 pounds of fear. Um I just wanted to put an ordinance. There is no light ordinance um about turning it off when you go to
bed. Um she that same person actually um ticketed the police for trespassing because I was unplugging her so I could walk the dog and then plug it back in again. That was actually uh Rita um in the police department had recommended
that of how to get her walk because you know um two doors down is um the uh that's the fault. The other side two doors down has another issue also. So I have to kind of avoid her
with them by walking with her along the wall and then cross and then we get you know there's no way to avoid her. So this you're uh referring to uh the lights that people have the exterior lights they have on their home. Yes. And I'm you know holiday is fine and she
actually the Oswalds are the issue mostly. Um but it would solve the problem with the other ones too. Um I don't want to trespass but I I need my dog walk and there's no place to go. Okay. Um, in January I had the police out and they said I wasn't allowed to
walk on their path um because there's a little um sidewalk up there on the hill. Um and I one of the officers said to do that, but I wasn't comfortable with it because because she's going to remember and she's going to want to do it, you know, when the other people are around.
Um I tried taking her to another block um a couple different times. That didn't work. She dragged me home and in the fierce January wind I had to go get my car which is not funny. That was the last time I did that. Um you know just
if it was in the ordinance right now the police start it started up again. I thought I had until you know Christmas. Um but she put her Easter lights out and blinking. You know why she has um enough
other lights. Uh she's doing it to make a point. I don't understand. Miss Thomas, can can we have the opportunity to review what you've provided us here tonight? I know several pages and we'll take an opportunity to read through this and we've heard your concerns regarding the u the personal decorative lights
that are used on people's homes and let us look into this for for you and we'll get back to you. We appreciate that. Do you have can you provide us um best way to contact Yes, Thomas. Oh, her number's right there. Oh, I do see I see your number right there. Perfect. So thank you so much Thomas and we will we'll get
read through this take into consideration see what we can do. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Any other public comment busy place here at the planning commission. Oh am I supposed to do anything? Uh just
uh Greg Palmer, it's Haden Heights First Avenue. First Avenue, Haten Heights. So at the planning commission last Tuesday uh and I didn't realize it that the hours for construction are from 7 to 9. And uh none of our neighbors knew that.
When did that become We all thought it was like 7 to 5. Has that always been 7 to 9. Construction hours are 7 to 9. That's what the 301 ordinance you told us last week, right? Yeah. I know they begin at 7, but Sundays it's 8 to 8.
Yeah. Yeah. And I always everybody thought it was in our neighborhood was all 7 to 5. And I just wondered when that happened or when it didn't happen or if it's always been the case or it was driven by contractors as I told you last week when when the landscapers are out with their
Yes. You and I were talking. very hard to sit outside and it's not the landscaper's fault because the lobbyist didn't put mufflers on the machines, but it is what it is, so to speak. So, is that always been seven to nine? You can
probably drafted. Yeah, they're trying to see when it's been was maybe amended or changed if while they they examine. Um, is there a specific request, Mr. Mr. Palmer. No, I just wondered is it how it got there or where did it start from or is it
something that can be looked at to modify? I think we that's uh your request to ask us to look at that ordinance would be warranted and you know I mean I know years ago my aunt lived in Medford Lakes and they had no power tools on Sunday. Y you even if the owner had Yeah. And specifically even
the regarding till nine o'clock the thought that it is pretty late. Yeah. Very late. I mean I don't know if many people use it that late. Right. most with labor being as it is, it's very hard, right? And and painting, it really wouldn't matter if you're doing that
anyway. That was three of the items, construction, painting, and landscaping. So, painting is not really an issue, right? But it's just if you're sitting out and especially as you get to daylight savings times, you know. Yes. So, no, I I think what uh your request for us to look into that ordinance and
the hours of operation is warranted. And I believe everybody on council would agree we can take a look into that. Yeah. and see what we can possibly do. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's not earthshattering. It's just more summertime than I guess winter time, you know. So, so we do see it was uh adopted in
2004. Um certainly seems late 9:00 at night. And I wonder if it's a language thing where it could have meant, you know, if a contractor was working on the interior of a home into the evening like a paint like, you know what I mean? Like some like a project like that, not necessarily a full construction project
of a renovation or rebound. Perhaps it's a revision of language. It's something we can look at. Yeah. It just came to because of the house that we're putting next door and they figure it's a six-month job. Yep. And I don't expect there are contractors to be working past five based on prevailing wage rates. Right. Right. But, you know, there might
be three contractors, subcontractors, and one does the first job and somebody else does something else. Oh, sure. And it's we're not driving piles like they do in Ocean City, so we're way ahead of the game. Yes. Well, thanks for bringing it to our All right. All the best. Thank you, M.
All right. Any other public comment? All right. Not seeing any other public comment. I'll co I'll close the public comment portion. We're going to recess into this quick executive session and should be about 15 That's come out of executive session.
Motion by Councilman Pagan. I have a second. Second. Seconded by Councilman Phillips. All those in favor? I oppose or abstain. Thank you. We're out of executive session. Not seeing anything to act on. May I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion by Councilman Addison.
May I have a second? Second by Councilman Deore. All those in favor? Any oppose or abstain? Thank you. [Music] Great job, mayor. the the fact that you went to immediate
summarizing the I recognize the plaques.