Yes, sir. >> It's 7:01. I call tonight's council meeting to order. >> Roll call. >> Bennett >> here. >> Leosa >> here. >> Millie >> here. >> Sasso. >> Skiara >> here. >> Waki >> here.
>> Matthews. >> Yes. Please rise and join us in the pledge of allegiance. I >> pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the annual schedule of regular meetings. here for adopted and posted on the public bulletin board at the municipal building posted on the official burough website emailed to the Herald news the record the gazette and all persons who've requested the mailing
since November 17 2025 approval of the minutes we have none for this evening public comment I now open a meeting to the public on agenda items if anyone wishes to be heard on agenda items come forward and state your name
seeing no one I make a motion to close public >> so moved second motion by >> is that this is not the regular public session. This is just on the item that's >> field. >> Later
uh motion by Wki, second by Skira. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Adoption of ordinances. We have bond ordinance number 2389-26. Bondor is providing for the road reconstruction including milling, paving and resurfacing as well as curbing and
related improvements on various streets and properties described herein or hereafter identified all in the burrow of Hawthorne in the county of Pake New Jersey appropriating 1,800,000 for therefore and authorizing issuance of bonds and notes for the burrow in the
sum of 1,710,000 for the financing of the same. I now open the meeting to the public. Anyone desires to be heard regarding this ordinance, come forward to the microphone, state your name. This is for our road resurfacing program. Well, this is not the assessment.
Sidewalks, but that's separate. I'll give you a wink. That's the next one. special test. Have a motion to close the uh big hissing noise. >> One.
>> There you go. >> There you go. >> There you go. Um did I get a motion to close? >> No. >> Motion to close the public portion of the bond orders. >> We did. So move >> with second motion by WKI. Second by Skira. Any discussion?
>> Roll call. >> WKI. >> Yes. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Mey. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Bond ordinance 2390-26. bond ordinance providing for the reconstruction and replacement of sidewalks and driveway aprons on various
streets identified in the schedule made part thereof and described specifically herein and by the burough of Horththornne in the county of Pake New Jersey appropriating $428,000 therefore authorizing issuance of bonds or notes in the amount of $46,600
for the financing part of the cost therefore and directing a special assessment of the cost thereof. Now open the meeting to the public. Anyone desires to be heard on this ordinance, please raise your hand, come forward to the microphone, state your name. >> Hello,
>> I'm Carolyn Miller. Um, I live up at the top of Westerville. Okay. And um I have a concern about first of all when they're going to do this project because I was told that it would probably be the end of August, beginning of September. I don't know if any of you have been up
there when school is like now that place is like a parking lot up there. What are they going to do with all those cars? There's a six family house that's across from me. They those people don't have driveways and there's no place for them to park other than on the street. There could be 18 and in that short block
could be like 18 cars parked there. Where are we going to park when our we can't even park in our driveways anymore cuz they have to replace the the front of the driveway. Um I'm really concerned about how this is all going to work out and where we're supposed to park. And um
I I not too long ago they were going checking the um the water um pipes, >> the lines. Yes. >> Yes. And uh there was a truck there and my road was blocked off. And I asked if I could get through so I could just go
to my driveway. And I was told no. And then I said, "Well, you know, like what am I supposed to do?" And they said, "Well, you can walk down there." They weren't by my They were before my driveway. I said, "I have groceries." So I said, "Well, can't you carry them up and down?" I don't want to have to deal
with that. I'm 82 years old. I don't have to deal with that. Uh, I just want to know where they're going to put all our cars when this is going on. >> First of all, that was the wrong answer to be giving you. I apologize on behalf of our employees, but I'll direct it to the engineer for timing.
Um, timing we're currently looking at is late summer. Um, as far as, uh, I guess what's the question here? >> When are they doing it? Is it during school time? Hopefully, it's before. And secondly, have you contacted school to
see if anybody could park in the school parking lot if it is before the school session starts? >> We haven't reached out to the school yet. As far as hours of hours of construction, typically in the past, it's been from 7:00 to 5:00. >> I think she's really talking about
before the school year starts would be preferable. >> That's what we're aiming for. We're trying to prioritize any roads that near the schools to be paved before the school year starts. >> Okay. >> Obviously, that's an important one.
>> Yes. Very important. >> Yes. Okay. >> And you have a you wanted to ask about that. >> Yeah. Exactly. Um they said the aprons. Now, why what exactly makes it so what
are they doing? Are they angling more towards your driveway? >> When you're resurfacing a road, you could be raising the elevation of the roadway. >> Okay. >> So then you may have to put in a new apron, put a little shallower pitch to it >> so that you're not trapping water in there like a lot of your cur curb cuts
at the corners do that >> part where it sink down a little bit. Now I know there's companies out there. I've seen it before. I don't know if they're around here, but I'd like to check it out where they could put this foam underneath and it raises it up. It's supposed to cost less. You know, trying to replace a whole slab.
>> Sure. >> How much time do we have actually does my mom have to, you know, go through all this? How much time before the town says, "Nope, this is what we're doing it." And you're getting it done. That's what I >> obviously got a letter that has an estimate of how much the cost will be,
>> right? And it should give you obviously an estimate of time of when they're going to start the project. >> I I don't I don't talk to my mom yet. >> Is that a is that a job that is >> you can get it done on your own? You can do it. The only question I'll have to have the engineer confirm with you is if they're raising the elevation of the
sidewalk, then raising one slab isn't going to do it. >> Well, it's actually the one slab actually saying down. >> No, no, but they may be raising the elevation of your entire sidewalk if the curb height is going up. I'll defer to the engineer on that. But that would be something that
give him your name and number and he can coordinate and tell you is it just slab replacement or or raising it up as well. >> Yeah. So if you want to give him a contact number, uh he'll get back to you. But turn your mic off, Joe.
>> That is off. >> Oh, do you have the power? It is. >> Yeah, >> we can have him turn it up. >> It was low.
>> I think because it was fuzzy. >> Yeah. Who knew Lori had she could mute anybody? I could have used that. Does >> anyone else wish to be heard on side? >> Nobody. Yeah. >> Come on forward. >> Well, he's dealing with that. No sense
wasting time. >> No. >> Good evening. Thomas Lawrence. I live on 280 Horththorn A. It's on the corner of Horththorn A and Mini. >> Okay. >> I got some discrepancies with the sidewalk. Last year you did Horththorn
A. >> Not great. >> Okay. >> Destroyed my lawn. Never planted seed. Did a botch job on the ramps. Left material on hor on u minn in front
of my house for 30 days. Mounds. I called the town. They weren't even working on Mini. They were working on Horton. But they decided to use my front of my house >> staging >> as staging for 30 days. Called the town.
They said, "Oh, call this guy." I had to call the contractor. Took another 3 days. Needless to say, the work not great. The ramps look like crap on my corner at least. I have special grass. It's not standard. They didn't even throw seed
down. destroyed my lawn. I even left the plugs cuz it's Zoya grass. I left the plugs there. Put a note. So, could you put them back? They took them. >> I have the same grass and it's great when it's dry
>> and it's not cheap to buy. >> Anyway, now they want to do mini. So, that's the other side of my That's the front of my house. >> Okay. >> My sidewalk's mint. I mean, it's mint. My grandfather third I'm a third generation. It's mint. He did it 20
something years ago. They're marking it up saying it has to be repaired. I understand my apron is asphalt, which I understand that that's fine. My sidewalk, somebody needs to come there and show me because my sidewalk's mint. And not only that, if they start patching the front of my
house, it's bad enough the side of my house is on Horththorn have. >> Okay. >> The front, it looks like patchwork quilt. You look down the street, it's not appeasing at all. Look down. It looks like >> checkerboard. >> Checkerboard. >> That's because of the water. >> It's not
>> broken slabs just instead of doing a whole bunch. >> But like they should have like made us pay some. They fixed the It looks terrible. >> So I know we're trying to beautify, but it doesn't look good. And I don't want that in the front of my house. So, somebody has to come there and tell cuz
they're saying I need to do the apron, which I understand, but they're also saying I have to do 10 cubic yards in front of my sidewalks and it's going to make my the front of my house look horrendous. >> The engineer will set up an appointment to have someone come and show you what
they're planning and if there is a reason why. Obviously, the apron you're not supposed to have. >> The apron I get, >> you get it. >> But the other one, there ain't nobody's going to point out something that ain't there cuz there ain't nothing there. It's flat. It's perfect. There's not a crack. >> But even putting the apron in, there should be care taken so that you don't have the same
>> and like like I said, who who does the checks and balances? Who's when these guys are doing the work, who's following up and doing a punch list and saying that's that's wrong, >> that's not good. >> His company field inspections that go with
>> and we hire them as the town. We hire them obviously to do that. >> All right. So, they're not doing it because I could show you my my front. It looks like somebody took two fingers on the ramps and just smooshed it around. It looks terrible. Not happy. But now they want to ruin the
front of my house. And I take pride. I'm on the corner. >> Well, the only advantage is it's never the same contractor each year usually. >> And they need to get restrooms for these guys. They're they're they have no border Johns. Last year, my neighbor said he's they're peeing behind trailers
and stuff. So, it's like the planning just doesn't seem good. And no, and whoever's doing the checks and balances, they ain't doing a great job. And I unfortunately live on a corner and I'm reaping not good stuff coming out of it. And I don't want the front of my house
destroyed looking like a checkerboard when it's mint. It's mint. It's not the old rock concrete. This is newer my grandfather put in. It's mint. And I don't want that ruined. So, we got to we got to work on something there. >> We'll do give give the >> Excuse me, sir.
>> What's your address, please? >> 280 Hororn. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Give him a phone number so he can coordinate when somebody's going to come and talk to you. >> Good evening. by Minnie across from Tom.
They they started marking these things. Nobody ever even saw anybody doing his work. They've been marked up since before Thanksgiving. So, we had to look at all this crap from, you know, all through the holidays. But that being said, I'm like I think the second
highest person on this list as far as cost. I pay over $13,000 in taxes a year for what? We get garbage once a week. And I've talked to other contractors and a friend of mine who had a town tree had
fallen. That was all covered by the town. I talked to two contractors that said when they do a road replacement program, they usually absorb the cost. Why do we have to pay for all of this? >> The contractors are incorrect. >> Two of them. >> Yes.
>> No. the town. >> I disagree. One of them is extremely well known. >> The town takes care of the curb costs, but the sidewalk costs are the homeowner's responsibility. There's a newer ordinance. If you put a tree in and it now lifts your sidewalk,
the town will be responsible for replacing that slab. >> I do not have a tree. >> Just throwing that out there. >> Okay. >> But the costs for the sidewalks are the homeowners and it always has been. >> And I I get my aprons need to be replaced. And I have two of them cuz I have two driveways. Um, but none of my
sidewalks are lifted up at all. There might be a little divot here, a little divot there. So, I I've been trying to um email you and I keep getting the emails bounced back. I've sent about three of them. >> Did they give you one on that letter to
>> I have a copy? Tom had a copy of the card. So, >> maybe he can give you Yeah. to give, >> but I would like somebody, my email basically said that I would like somebody to come out and point out what the problems are because none of the slabs are raised up
>> at all. Little divot here, aprons. Totally agree with that name replacement, but I would like somebody to come out when I'm home to go over this because all this was done and nobody even saw. They didn't, you know, notify us like a nigle alert. They're
going to be in your neighborhood. You know, be on the alert. If you have questions or something or want to discuss this, nothing. And it's been marked up since November. >> Give him your name and contact information. Someone from the engineering company will get in touch
with you and show you what you >> Okay. One one other question. It says in this letter that you can finance it, >> the cost of it, >> but at at a search charge. I was wondering if you know what the uh deal would be with that. >> Normally it takes us about three years
to bill you and then you can do a fiveyear payment plan. >> The rate of that I do not know. It it's whatever the publish rate at the time it's been running around two to change 3%. It's a very low interest rate. It's
the bond rate. So um might be 4% by now for us. Um, but it's it's in that neighborhood. >> Okay. Because I mean I'm a I'm a senior citizen, you know, trying to pay these bills. Yeah. Get my taxes on time. I get my water bill early. You get everything.
>> The good I mean the only good news is again as council president said, it takes about 3 years for the first bill to even come to you. There's no interest tacked on to that bill and then it's paid over the course of 5 years and the
interest rate does tend to be fairly low. We generally get a better price buying in bulk than a homeowner could do on their own. >> But if your neighbor's a Mason and he wants to do it for you, more than happy.
You just have to meet the neighbor. >> Oh, I thought his family was. >> He said his grandfather. >> Oh, okay. But even if you do know one, as long as it meets the standards, you're more than welcome to have the work done if you can get it done cheaper. You should have gotten an estimate or will be an estimate. second
highest one on this freaking list. You know, >> it's those two aprons that are doing in >> Well, no, that's that's the that's a six a five inch slab versus a four. So, I mean, that's what's doing it for you. >> Second highest one on the sidewalls.
Sorry, third highest. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard? Oh, okay. >> Good evening. >> Could be like >> I have the same issue. My name is Kia.
>> And your address? >> 52 Second Avenue. >> Okay. >> And I have the same issue with the slab with the sidewalk and the apron. I don't My sidewalk and apron. They're they're not uneven. There no cracks in them. And
um I don't I need somebody to come tell me, show me, you know, the reason why. I sent out an email. I didn't get a response on it. You know, I just want to know, you know, what needs to be done and why am I getting this? >> Certainly fair question to ask and you
should have received an email back. Uh, I'll ask you to give your contact information to our engineer and he will arrange for someone to come out for you as well. >> Thank you. >> You got it. Hello, my name is Honeyani and the
address is 57 McFarland Avenue. Yeah, I received the letter also for the sideway, but um the problem is that the tree and I think it's from the roots of the tree and lifted the concrete. So, if I fix it after a few years and it's
going to happen again. Normally what happens in that instance is our arborist should go out there to see whether that root can be trimmed back. If not, then we're going to end up killing the tree. Um, but I guess they scheduled the arborist to go out and see
whether it can be done. >> Yeah, I don't know the timing on that, but I do know that we look to see whether or not the trees need to come down. >> Cherry, if you see it, I just go just now. life. So basically, >> we have no no problem replacing it, but
it's going to happen again cuz the roof. >> Yeah, you're going to do it two years later. You'll be back here. >> We have got it placed on it already. We have no issue doing it. And the tree is a city. Is that city property? Yes. It's leaning on my propert. >> How big is it? >> It's getting the biggest on the on the lot. You placed it maybe 10 or 15 years
ago. We got for new trees. We water it and it's growing. >> It's fallen into my my area. Are we responsible to cut it or do you guys have different? That's up to us to cut the tree. >> Yeah, it's getting out of here with the tree and it's definitely the rule. We ask somebody to come and check it out is
raising the sidewalk. We said we have no we have no problem fixing it, repairing it. It's going to happen again. If you guys can put something to write it after we repair it the first time, that's responsible. We'll we're fine with that. >> Give him your name and information. He'll come and have the arbor the engineer uh he'll have the arborist come
and see what could be trimmed. If the tree has to be taken down, we'll arrange with our shade tree commission. And the good news is if we plant a new tree and it does it to you, then it's on us because there was a point last year in June that we said from this point forward, we're going to absorb the slab
replacements for trees because we're trying to encourage tree replacement. A lot of people didn't want to have trees replanted because it was >> slab small. We we don't mind, but it just >> but it's the principle of it. Yeah, >> it would cost too much to then absorb every tree at this point, but any new tree, we're also trying to get trees
that uh go root deep and don't lift up how a high route and they also put a barrier at the side of your uh your uh slabs when we >> trim over the tree still. >> He doesn't do that, but he will coordinate with the slab replacement and our arborist to see what can or can't be done with that route.
>> Okay, thank you so much. >> So, give me that information. >> I have one more question. Is there a time limit that we have? Uh, how long do we have to fix it or >> uh I guess I would assume it's before the letter says Wooding to start, which is probably right before the school
year. If you said Westerville, >> no. Well, you're up in by the school area anyway. So, you're in the same time frame as the West. >> So, around September, you're saying >> I would think so. Before that, late August, I would think because school starts. >> Yeah. As soon as we have an answer, we're going to start doing it.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. Yeah, but that's not this past tree planting. >> The tree planting before. So, it's recent. >> Yeah, it's a new tree. >> Yeah, bud. >> Oh, the date is in your letter. The clerk is saying, >> okay, thank you.
>> Okay, >> come on up. >> You got to come up here. >> Okay. No, no, no, no, no. State your name and and what what the issue is. State name and address. >> My name is Gilbo Melgar. I'm living 149
Western Avenue Horton, two block from the school. My sideway is in good condition. The only problem I have is the tree over here. You can show the picture. >> Okay. >> So, you already have a go around
sidewalk. No. Okay. 149 Western >> Joe is our liaison with the Shade Tree Commission. That's why he's taking down the tree issue. >> I talk with the lady in this case and they want to they trying to do something
you know but they said I'm sorry it's not my I can't do nothing. So you have to explain over there what happens. So whether the tree has to come down or not, we'll go through that. But give the engineer the I think the like 150 years or something like that. So it's old
tree. >> Yeah. >> And I can show how >> Oh, we do have trees that are old trees that it's just time. >> Thanks. >> Okay. I'll give the engineer your
contact and he'll have the same thing. Anyone else wish to be heard on trees? Come on forward, Anthony now that I know your name. >> Good evening. How you all doing? Good. My name is Anthony Amiratis. I live I
don't live. I own the building at 157 West Belt Avenue. Okay. and I received this certified letter on the 21st of May. Last week, I met with Joe in an effort
to understand specifically what part of my sidewalk needs to be repaired. I was told by Joe that he would send people out to specifically identify what slab needed to be replaced. That hasn't
happened. There was no white X's on them or an arrow that says between here and there. >> Well, there was something like that. But anyhow, >> okay, >> this letter says we have 30 days or 31 days from the time of receipt to identify
whether we are going to have someone else do it rather than the people that you contracted for. I would like to understand should I get someone to do that? Who is going to identify whether it was done properly? >> Well, if you're going to do a sidewalk
replacement, you need a building permit. So, the inspector, you have to do >> How much is that? That wasn't one of the questions I had. What does a building permit cost? >> $15, $20 for one. How many slabs are you replacing? >> I don't know. >> Oh, okay. Well, that's helpful, too. Now, we're trying to find Joe's got
>> I was hoping that I would have a report. What does the estimate on your letter say? That'll give us >> It just says the square yards. >> How many square yards does it say? >> 27. >> So that's How many slabs is that, Joe?
>> He's figuring it out. >> 3200. >> No. How many slabs is that? >> That's the amount of money that will be spent. >> 27. I don't think there's 27 slabs in front of his pal or in front of >> No, that's square feet. >> I was going to say
>> cubic feet. Cubic yards. >> Square. Yes. >> I think Joe measured from the sidewalk of my neighbor from my neighbor's property to the store. >> So, it's pretty much all your slabs. What's that?
>> 15 slabs, I'm assuming, is about >> The way we figured it out, it was like $3,000. Yes, that's what he just came up with. >> Yeah. Well, >> well, he should have his person should meet with you just like everybody else and say, "This is why they need to be replaced." And uh
>> but I'm more concerned with who's going to determine whether if I hire somebody that it was done properly because there are many alternatives rather than just ripping up the entire sidewalk. The building permit process is you you dig them out and obviously you form it. You
put your gravel down, you have a a roughing inspection and then >> so someone from your building, >> the building department will will come and inspect the work after it's done. >> Yes. >> Can I determine from them whether what is specifically required?
>> Boswell should be showing you. You can even ask them to put an X on whatever slab is coming out cuz that's normally what they do from a, you know, usually if it's the whole width in front of your house, you have a white line with an arrow and a white line with an arrow facing each other and that's the >> Well, there are some parts where the town is going to assume the
responsibility and there are some parts that I have to assume the responsibility. >> I have a question for Joe. He doesn't have a grass section. It goes right to the road. So, it's almost like three slabs with
That's all his because normally if you had grass, you don't have to pay for that area. But because he doesn't have grass, >> that's his. >> You're saying it's more square yardage than your normal slab. >> Yeah. Because normally we have the curb cut, which is what, three feet?
>> Hers his is all >> Yeah. I I've been to the site. Um I'm going to be having my guys come within the next day or two to respray paint, remark out. >> Okay. Um, >> give him your phone number so that he can call. The guys can call you, you
have it. But I'm just If he didn't have it, so that you can at least be there when they're there. >> It sounded mostly like most of the work was going to be done between my neighbors property, the sidewalk leading to the store. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Yeah.
>> Um, I think part of his concern also was if he has someone else do the work that he's on a corner property. Um, so the ADA ramp, those slabs he wouldn't be responsible for. Um, we have them marked out on our plan. So again, I'll have
someone from my team come out. >> And then also there was a situation where they did some work in the front of the store to when there was a I forget what it was. Was it the gas pipe or water or something? >> Water line replacement recently. >> No, no, a long time ago. >> Okay.
>> But they filled it in with grapple. Oh, I should not be responsible for that. >> If it was a PSEG repair or a water department repair, that should have been covered up back then. >> Okay. All right. Thank you.
>> Anyone else wish to be heard on sidewalks? >> Mr. Lore, my name is Jack Lore, 319 Van Winkle. I am not part of the affected community. However, when this bond ordinance was
raised, I did ask a question about notification. And so what I'd like to do is ask the council and the administration if there might be a a better way to communicate with the people who are not here tonight, the people who won't be able to
give their phone numbers to the uh engineer, but who also are being affected by this, who who doubtless are going to find themselves experiencing some of the same frustrations and concerns when all of this begins to happen. uh they have now what two and a
half weeks to make their decision and respond. They may not even have realized what's coming. So I asked the question of the council and of the administration is there not perhaps when the engineers team is going out perhaps through additional communication is there not
some way to let the community know in a in a more effective way what's actually happening here? That's my concern. Well, the system that's in place is has a phone number on that letter. They're supposed to be able to get through to someone who answers the phone
and will reply to them. So, the process works, but the system is failing. So, if you could get your people to verify the number that's on that letter and ask them to respond to residents that call, that would help the
situation versus reinventing the the process. As far as I can tell, I've been getting phone calls and emails from residents. I actually met with about 10 of them last Thursday. Um, and I've been checking my
messages every day and responding to people who I haven't had too many new messages because I've been in the office to receive them. But, >> well, obviously there's a number of people tonight that said they could not get communication to and from. I got a an email from that person who
was having their emails kicked back. It looked like a spam email just in the way that the system had formatted it, but it was specifically a send error email that looked like it it looked like it was coming from my iPhone, which I don't have an iPhone, but it was coming from
their email address as well. And specifically, my email was mis was misspelled. So they clicked W instead of E in engineering which you know the keys are right next to each other. So but I I have their I have their contact
information. I'll be in touch with them tomorrow. Fair enough. Anyone else wish to be heard? Okay. A motion to close the uh >> public session uh motion by me. >> Second.
>> Second by Bennett. Any discussion? Communication has to be better. >> Yeah, that's definitely >> roll call. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Mey, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> Watucky, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes.
>> Motion carries. Bond ordinance number 2391-26, a bond ordinance providing for the road reconstruction, resurfacing, drainage, curb, sidewalk, and improvements on various streets and described specifically here in the burrow of Horththornne in the county of Pake, New Jersey, appropriating $928,000
therefore and authorizing an issuance of bonds or notes in the amount of $480,664 uh for the burrow for the financing of the same. I'll now open the meeting to the public. If anyone desires to be heard on this ordinance, please raise your hand to be recognized at the
microphone. Seeing no one, I entertain a motion that this hearing on this ordinance be closed and be resolved that this ordinance was posted on the bulletin board on the official internet bur website and at the clerk's office in the municipal building. Um, Mr.
>> We know who the contractors are yet. >> I don't know. >> We haven't gone out to have to adopt first. Yeah. Uh, so can I have a motion? >> So move. >> Motion by WKI. Second by Mey. Discussion.
>> Roll call. >> WKI. >> Yes. >> Skiara? >> Yes. >> Mey? >> Yes. >> Leosa? >> Yes. >> Bennett? >> Yes. >> Matthews? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Old business. Joe will start your way. All right.
So, I brought up a couple meetings ago about the wires hanging throughout Hawthorne from the utility poles. I'm really happy about the banners that are up there honoring our military personnel, but the wires are hanging in front of the banners. Is there a way we
could just snip those wires down? Like in front of my son, Joseph's, his Marine picture, there's a wire that's just dangling in front of his face. Can we call New Jersey Bell or >> Jo? I've I've spoken to the representative from public service, from
Optimum, and from Verizon. Uh Verizon was more uh uh what's the word? They were more friendly and said that they would get people out there. Um, so cuz I actually took a ride around uh and
looked myself where they are so I could give them addresses uh and uh I I can check tomorrow to find out what the status is. >> I most of it's Verizon. >> I did take a picture of it. None of it looks like it's electric. So I don't when they're up there maybe they could
just snip it so it's not whacking the banner. >> They can't. We can't. Let's put it that way. >> We can't. >> All right. All right. It's fiber optic, I guess, isn't it? >> That would be >> it's just hanging down. >> They they What happens is if you need a
new wire going into your home or something, they may take the old wire, snip it from your house and just roll it up instead of just finishing the job with within 2 or 3 minutes after after that to cut it and put the wire in their truck and take it back to their shop. But Verizon doesn't do that. They just
roll it up and eventually it'll start to work its way down to the ground. >> Seen it down. >> This This is my over. >> Yeah. >> All right. Back to the pool parking lot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> What are we doing? 20 cars yesterday. >> Well, Joe, I'll tell you, the police got an order from me to do it. Um, I can't control them, but I can also talk to the chief again. Uh, but what I would suggest is when you see them, just call
the desk yourself right then and there and have ask them to have a cargo down. >> All right, I will do that. But it's getting it's every night. >> You could also email the >> acting sign up, aren't we, mayor? We putting a bigger sign up, too. >> Bigger signs up. >> Bigger one.
>> Mhm. >> Okay. >> So, email the picture to the acting chief and let him know that we expect >> I think I sent it to you and mayor. I said I sent you and >> I did see it. >> Okay.
>> And Michael P. Okay. >> All right. Last one is uh streets striping. Where are we with street swiping? Striping. >> I got to find out from from Bill what what's his schedule? Cuz I know uh I'm going to say it tonight, but I know he's
starting to gear up to uh to fix the fields. the the cat your tongue or something? >> No, I I asked about street streeting, not about >> I told him I don't I I don't know his schedule. He's gearing up for another project, so I will find out what the schedule is.
>> Thank you. >> It may be not immediate because the fields are a priority to get that done. >> School is still in session. >> Yes. >> Okay, that's it. Michael, um the the only other thing I was going to follow up on, um Mayor, um I know with the pool
parking lot, I I don't know, maybe maybe Councilman WKI mentioned it. Are we getting a bigger sign down there for no parking? And >> it's up. >> It is up. Okay. >> I just Councilman Neely. >> So, once once again, we realize that people don't read signs and we don't
have control over that. Um, but we also talked about maybe possibly putting a remote camera down there that might help, you know, is that something that you you guys are considering? >> Yes. >> To work on. >> Yeah. But the the thing is it's there
could be a Hawthorne resident that maybe lives on Main Street that for some reason parks their car there for a couple hours or even overnight. Uh, I wouldn't want to give that person a ticket because maybe there's a problem in their in their driveway or front of their house that they can't park their
car there in front of their house or in their driveway, so they just park it so it's off the street that night. >> I I I would agree with that, but I think it the onus of responsibility would be on that resident to say, "Hey, listen. I'm a resident at XY Main Street. Just
let you know that I have this issue. I'm going to be using the pool parking lot ahead of time." >> They can do that, >> right? And so do call the desk. >> So call the desk and and and it relieves them from any any fines or or tickets. >> Uh meanwhile, you know, the rest of the
people that aren't there that don't deserve that courtesy could get the tickets and we could uh you know and and then we don't have to council with that. >> I'm even okay with let's rent them 20 spaces. Let's rent the business owner and say you guys aren't following our
lead. We don't want to ticket everybody like one Washington Holdings. Let's rent them 24 spaces. >> Well, the the police did go and speak to the manager at the gym and advise the manager that tickets will be given out.
Uh and please tell your your patrons that uh cuz at night, from what I understand, the parking lot is full and the gym is full. That's how many people uh to go work out. All right. >> Um just um accelerate um parking lot
down by the Wag Fields um or the gateway to the Pacific River. The the sign in that parking lot there's a mini excavator. There's a tote and there's equipment and he there was someone in the car in that area. So, I don't know
what they were doing. I didn't feel comfortable going over to them on Sunday. Um, can you look into that? Are we renting that out? >> No, there's no rental there. >> Okay. I didn't think there was, but >> we'll have we'll have the police tell them. That's all. >> If if I could just comment today PSENG
is going down Wagar Road. So, it might be PSEG's equipment. I can find out because I know PSEG is working on a lighting project on Wagawa Road for for for the burrow to change change all all street lights.
>> John Bertollo's old house. I don't I don't remember what number it was, but that's where they were digging when I came home. >> Corner red one. >> Okay. I just didn't think it was supposed to be there. So, if you guys can look into it. Thanks. >> Bruce. >> No.
>> And you knew Dominic knew? Nope. >> New. >> Not tonight. >> New? Nope. >> Nope. >> I have no >> I ran into someone last night uh and they asked me if we could call the county to see what can be done about the
traffic coming in and out of Ryerson Way onto Wagler Road from the ball fields because the drivers really don't let anybody out of there. No. So whether it could be a a flasher, I I don't know the answer, but I said I would ask us to
contact the county to see what can be done. >> That's that's at night when they're when they're playing uh baseball or softball. >> I think this person went to the recycling center, so I think it was during the day. And let's face it, people are in a hurry. They don't let people come in and out of the side
street anymore. I well I I say for the softball because we're down there with my granddaughter and my grandson. Uh and um you know you take your life going in if you know if it's if it's between a certain time like 6:00 to 8 or something
like that we might be able to get a car down there just for the police to stop. >> I even asked if you're coming out are you making a right or a left because obviously going across the lane is a little more difficult and she said it didn't matter. So, okay, I'll relay the information at tonight's meeting.
Thank you. We'll turn to the administrative agenda presented by Mayor Lane. >> Thank you, Mr. President. In honor of Pride Month, the Pride flag was hung on our on our cause flag pole
this past Monday. It will stay up through the 30th of this month. This Saturday, June 6, Valley Hospital will be at the Hawthorne Library from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as part of the mayor's wellness campaign. This free familyfriendly
day will focus on helping everyone feel their best. They will be doing variety of free health screenings including lipus and glucose testing, blood pressure checks, and heart heart health assessment. You will also have the
chance to ask a doctor your health questions in in a relaxed and welcoming setting. I encourage you all to to stop by and take advantage of of such a free uh opportunity. Just a reminder that our library has many great programs. On June
10th, a presentation on senior investment fraud and scams will be given by the SEC. I encourage you to look into the library website. They have a lot of programs that are there every every day and throughout the the month and they
they're uh usually free of charge. The pool will be open this Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. If you are registering the pool in person, please be sure to bring your identification paperwork with you.
You can also sign up online. The last sign up for the summer wreck will be this Monday evening, June 8th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the municipal lobby of this building. I would also like to let everyone know
that I did receive uh several emails pertaining to the Franklin Field and what the condition of the field is. Uh myself, our DPW director, and a field engineer uh went down to the site. We walked the entire field. Um and that
person gave us an idea of what can be done uh to make it much safer. Uh our DPW director also stated that he knew another field engineer and he contacted that person and that person met with
myself and our field uh I'm sorry our DPW director and with that we made a determination to go with the second person because that person also takes care of professional uh baseball uh
fields. So, what what's going to happen is the they're going to start probably in I would say maybe within a within 2 weeks uh to redo the field uh in all of the areas that are just dirt right now.
There will be sod laid down uh and maybe some of the the existing grass may be taken up and also put down some sod and hopefully that will uh help the field with regard to its elevations and whatever holes there are or potholes so
that nobody gets hurt and everybody uh is able to play there. We're hoping that this will take place before the Cubs decide to play uh practice football uh in beginning of August and hopefully it'll be uh a field that uh at least
it'll be good for one season and then we're going to take under consideration what we can do in the past, I'm sorry, what we can do in the future with regard to the uh the condition of the field and what we can uh how we can keep it up to
date with uh with all the sports that are there. The problem, one of the other problems are is that we we we really are out of fields. We we we we don't have too many fields that we can go on. In the past, we had the three fields at at
Diamond Bridge and we had other fields uh and uh it it's just difficult to have a group of uh of youngsters uh come onto the field, practice, play a game, uh and then uh as soon as they're done
or sometimes before they're done, another another activity comes on the field and uh the field just doesn't get a rest. The only time that the field gets a rest is basically in the winter once we uh put down some some top soil
and grass seed and put down the blankets. One of the major things that really took place uh over the last year and a half uh and yeah, I'd say year and a half is that when we went to put the new lights up on the field, uh the
contractor was was instructed by us not to put any any equipment on the field, not to lay the light poles on the field or the lights in order to keep the blankets there and not have them uh all disturbed. they can use the perimeter of
the field to move around. Well, the contractor decided to take it upon himself and he put all the lights on the field, brought all his heavy equipment with the huge tires and basically ripped up our blankets and ripped ripped up all
the the seed that was that was down and the then the grass coming up. And yes, he did pay a handsome uh fine for that. But uh that's one of the reasons why the field was was uh in not the best of shape, I'll call it, uh probably for the
for this past season that's that's basically getting over. So I just wanted to uh let everyone know that uh we are working on it. We worked on it uh a lot and uh it's it's uh it will come back and I just hope we can get the
field done in order for the uh Cubs to start their football practices and then their games. And that's all I have, Mr. President, and I'll turn it over to our attorney, uh Michael Pasqual. >> Thank you, Mayor. A couple quick things. First of all, the good news for
everybody which I think you received from me. Uh, Judge Delsardo, the superior court entered an order granting the Burrow of Hawthorne 10 years of immunity from any developers actions
against us. We have met our affordable housing obligation. We have satisfied what's called round four by creating the realistic opportunity for the development of affordable housing. And
as a result, nobody can bring a builder's remedy lawsuit against us until after 2035. Um, we had to make some decisions that were not wonderful or easy. We made hard choices, but we ultimately did what we
always do, which is do what's best for our community. And so I want to thank all of you for your hard work and we are good. We have our immunity. Um, ordinance 2393 to be introduced this evening. I described briefly. It is
making sure that we get a proper fee for the creation of bodywn camera footage when request of our police. We have plenty of people who come to us asking for bodywn camera footage when they've been involved in an accident when they
uh perhaps were involved in a motor vehicle stop all kinds of good and legitimate things. We also have YouTubers who go ahead and request under pseudonyms differing tapes. They look to
see if it looks interesting uh from a police report. Then they get the body word and camera footage. Then under a different name altogether they post it to YouTube. And there are people who delight in watching motor vehicle stops
uh all at our expense. So we have made sure that if people are going to request body warn camera footage that they're going to compensate our police officers who are spending significant time doing the work. So uh this ordinance will at
least hopefully discourage some of the people who are in it for the wrong reasons. For people who are in it for the right reasons there in fact if you're a victim of crime there is no charge. you can get the body warn camera footage because you're entitled to it.
So, we want to make sure we protect those who are entitled to protection, but also make sure we protect our taxpayers from the wasteful use of time of our police officers when they have to redact footage. So, I do hope you'll
introduce and adopt that. Um, the spoil the matters. I spoke with our court administrator this morning. She is scheduling them 32 tickets in all coming from Prospect Pa Park back to Hawthorne
plus summones issued here. We're not going to be issuing summones for a couple of weeks to make sure we get them all piled up in one place and then we're going to conduct at least one and possibly two days of trials to make sure that Mr. spoiled uh is brought before
our court and made to answer for the deplorable condition of his property. So that's coming up. Uh and now the good news for all of you because you've been waiting for this. You've all been to the bandell. I'm assuming so the band shell
schedule is now fixed. On Saturday, July 11th, we will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of this great nation with the Silver Starlight Orchestra and we are planning with the 250th
committee, other surprise events. We are working on good things. We want to make this a family day, a fun day, and uh so stay tuned. But that is the kickoff. On Sunday, July 19th, we have Super Trans Am coming back. They are fantastic. They
do a great 70s rock show. Captain Jack, who does a Billy Joel tribute, is on July 26th. Fallet of Soul, who are fantastic Mottown performers, are on August 2nd. On Tuesday, August 4th, we
have National Night Out. Join our first responders for you guys. Make your parents bring you here. You get to interact with our first responders, our police, our fire, our EMTs. You can look at fire engines, ambulance, hopefully
from the outside, not the inside on the ambulance. But um for all of these things, it's a great night. And then we have a very special play that is coming on Friday, August 7th. Estelle Barbie was actually just texting me before
they're ready to start rehearsing. and she wrote another play. It is called 8acre Wood. It is in conjunction with our shade tree and environmental commissions. Uh it's a bunch of students who recently graduated from our high
school. We're so proud of Estelle. She does beautiful work and all the kids who perform in it um are students who graduated very recently or current students of Hawthorne High School. So, it's a great night. August 7th, that's a Friday. rang dates. The next night on
August 9th, in addition to it being my birthday, of course, uh we will have Dana Hers. She is a vocalist. She does jazz, neo soul. She blends it with the folkloric. This is from her thing.
Folkloric features of Middle Eastern music. It's a vocalist that we haven't had before. She's a beautiful well-known singer, just a great voice. So, it's a great night to do something different. On the 16th, we have Frontiers, which is
a Journey tribute band because everybody likes Journey. On August 23rd, Harper Lovey comes back. She is a great young talent doing her own music. And then the big one for you guys out there, we are
going to be showing the Minecraft movie and that'll be on Sunday, August 30th. We will be building Legos beforehand. So, make sure you show up, you do some Lego building. There's some giveaways from our municipal alliance. It's a nice
night. So, that's it. That is the schedule. It'll be posted pretty soon to our website and flyers all over town. But again, come out and uh since your parents dragged you here tonight, they can bring you to like some events down
there. So, thank you. That concludes my report. >> Thank you, Michael. And now turn it over to our engineer, Joe Burn. >> Thank you, Mayor. The uh 2425 uh local aid uh project, that's Hawthorne Avenue, Westervelt, Northwatch on Grand View. Uh
PSCG has designated a job number for that gas man running underneath the existing guide rail. Sorry, scam call. They've designated a job number for the uh gas man under the existing guide rail. Um, their engineering department
is currently processing that and should get back to me within the next week or two. I apologize for how long it's taking. This is just how fast PSEG moves. I once got free electricity at my place for a month because they took that long to schedule someone to come out and
fix one of their wires um and put my meter back in. In the meantime, they had a bypass. So even when it's costing them their money, they will be that slow. Um paving along Westervelt and Hawthorne Avenue is currently set for the week of
August 3rd. This is to avoid conflicts with the various summer programs that go on throughout the burrow and to avoid, you know, school. Um paving along those roads was previously delayed due to PSEG work on Hawthorne
Avenue. Um and uh the uh galvanized service removal along Westervelt. Um the lead service uh the galvanized service line uh removal phase 4.
Approximately nine galvanized service replacements are left. Additionally, we have 14 decommissions that will be done on Westervelt where old lines will be stubbed and cut at the curb of former properties that have been uh that where lines have been abandoned. And the PSEG
uh gas main uh and service line project. Uh PSEG is currently planning their timeline of paving operations in the burrow um to finalize their gas main and service line project. But so they've done all their gas work that now it's
just to come out and do the paving and repairs. And that concludes my report. Mayor, >> thank you. Now turn it over to our administrator, Vince Kuso. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh just a couple things. The uh municipal pool opening
over Memorial Day weekend went okay. Um there were a few technical glitches and a short internet outage, but in the end we were able to get everything straightened out. Uh the weather did not cooperate for swimming that weekend, so it was a smaller crowd, which actually
lent itself to us uh smoothing out some of the issues and uh being able to check the system out, the new system out in real time. Uh this past weekend was much better and it'll get better every weekend. Um I want to thank everyone for
their hard work in preparation and execution of the Memorial Day events and parade. Um as you know this was my first Memorial Day uh here in Hawthorne and I have to say that it was run extremely well with excellent cooperation among
all the agencies and and groups that were involved. The services and the parade were extremely impressive and uh I look forward to next year's event. Um lastly, I have completed the draft of
the employee handbook and I'm sending it to currently to my department heads have it for review and comment. Uh it'll then go to the bargaining units for comments and lastly it'll go to our legal department for review and approval for adoption hopefully at the first or
second meeting in July. Um, as previously I have told everyone, this was an extensive rewrite um that includes updated rules and regulations, uh, human resource issues, policies and procedures, and other necessary
housekeeping changes. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Joe, just one thing. Um, you mentioned August 3rd for the paving on Westervelt. make sure it gets done that week because
we don't want to have a problem up there like we had around Lincoln School this past uh past past time and this was because there's an awful lot of traffic and congestion up there as the lady said earlier on. So do what you have to do
and make sure it's done by the end of that week on on August 3rd. Okay, please. >> It'll get done that week. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes the reports from administration. We'll listen to any questions or comments that the council may have. >> Jill,
>> just a simple one. Will we get a copy of the manual before it is distributed? >> That's it. >> Have issues. >> If it's extensive changes, I would like to know what they are before. >> Okay. >> Mike,
>> no. Not right now. >> No. >> Um, not tonight. Thanks. No, >> that's it. >> Mr. President, that concludes a report from administration. >> Can I have a motion to record the administrative agenda? >> Second. >> Motion by Mey, second by uh WKI. All in
favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Introduction of ordinances. We have ordinance 23uh 92-26, an ordinance to fix the 2026 salaries and amend the ordinance 2386-26 wages and compensation of the burough uh
employees of the burough of Horththornne, county of Bake, state of New Jersey. Re resolved. This ordinance does now pass first reading and said ordinance to be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the governing body in the municipal building 445 Lafayette Avenue Horththornne New Jersey on July 8th 2026 at 7 p.m. At
which time all persons interested were given the opportunity to be heard in connection with the said ordinance and during the week prior up to and including the date such meeting copies of said ordinance will be made available on our burough website and at the clerk's office in the said municipal building to members of the general
public who request the same. Have a motion. >> So move motion by Wii. >> Uh second by Leosa. Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Bennett. Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Millie. >> Yes.
>> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Waki. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Ordinance number 2393-26. An ordinance to further amend and supplement the code of Burough of Horththornne to revise chapter 220 fees. Section 220-25 Department of Public
Safety subsection B police department to add there to section B uh 11 bodywn camera footage. Be resolved. While this ordinance is now passed first reading, it said ordinance be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the governing body in the municipal building 445 Lafayette Avenue,
Horththornne, New Jersey on July 8th, 2026 at 7 p.m. at which time and place all interested members of the public who were given an opportunity to be heard in connection with the said ordinance and a week prior to the ordinance a meeting date and copies of said ordinance will be made available on the burough website
and at the clerk's office in the municipal building to members of the general public who request the same. I have a motion. >> So move. >> Second. Motion by Ameilia, second by Scara. >> Right. Discussion. >> How do we determine, Michael, who wants
request like for body cameras? Like they're not going to use it with something else. How do we determine that? >> What we do is we get them usually by way of Oprah request, but they come in as a request for the footage. And they do have to certify that they're not using it for commercial purposes, but it's
very hard to tell. We can generally tell though the people who are indeed the victim of a crime or the person in there, right? So, those are easy to discern. The rest of them are harder. Uh but then again, if you're asking for
body warn camera footage of something that doesn't involve you or anyone related to you, then you're probably >> have to give it to him or >> Yes. Um, you know, there's nothing to uh prevent us with exceptions, but we have
to go through all the footage and redact it. We can't allow for pictures of youth, minors. We can't allow for pictures on a medical scene or things like that because people are entitled to rights of privacy as well in the
footage. So it takes hours to go through the footage to redact out faces of you know you blur faces and all that stuff. >> They ask the clerk first, right? She has to go through you first request. >> Um the Oprah request comes through me. Yes. And so um
>> take care of it, >> right? after I read through it. Um, as Michael said, it's obvious it's coming from a lawyer's office or they have a um case number um of the police or police
report number. So, that's pretty obvious. But when it comes from Texas or California or Oregon and there's a um string, it comes from Oprah machine with
a string of numbers like this. So, um you're allowed to anonymously submit Oprah request and then that's a string of numbers who we send it back to, but um it goes directly to the detective
department and they have to first send it to the prosecutor's office. >> Correct. prosecute for >> review and who then gives the okay and as Michael says they have to physically
sit and look through the footage to redact or um I'm going like this you know when they cover the face this and that so it's a called a extraordinary exuberant >> not exuberant yeah the extraordinary
time material >> yeah so the extraordinary service charge is what you're allowed to charge under Oprah. Uh, and again, the the process goes to Lori, goes to me, it goes to Ian and Matt in the detective
bureau. Um, it goes to the Pay County Prosecutor's Office, back to our police. It's it's a terrible waste of of our resources. So, we don't want to be bearing that expense. our taxpayers shouldn't be paying for people who are
getting their jollies uh posting stuff to YouTube. >> So that's the whole purpose of it. >> Michael, isn't wouldn't footage like this be covered under copyright law or IP law?
>> It is not. It's a public record. And because bodywn camera, even though body war and camera footage is not technically a public record, there are rules and laws specifically as the body ward camera footage that makes it very
similar to public record. And once it's a public record, it can be requested uh to be produced unless there's some reason not to produce it. And again, those would be privacy reasons more often than
>> but I mean in terms of people posting it on YouTube >> if there's no copyright protection. No, >> no, there's nothing like that. And what happens is it changes hands multiple times. >> So Oprah does not allow you to use it
for your commercial purposes that you can go ahead. But what happens is the requesttor transfers to another to another and then the person who actually posts it is someone else altogether and you really just can't get to the people >> can't make it up. >> Who'd have thunk it?
>> Yeah. It's >> I never million years thought of a scheme like that. >> Yeah. Well, they're making good money on it because the people advertise on these uh postings. And if I may also add um the retention
period of a um of the video is only 30 days. So that's a good thing because they some requests come in. I don't know how they get the names of they have the names of um I I don't know if I want to
say victims, but the participants in the video. Yeah. >> But they could be years old. So, they're somehow accessing these records um of somebody that's been involved with some kind of infraction. But because
retention periods 30 days, so that's a good thing. Then we can say no records exists cuz they've been destroyed at that point. >> Roll call. >> Um I'm so sorry. We're at Here we go. WKI. Yes. >> Skiara.
>> Yes. >> Mey. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Ordinance 2394-26. An ordinance to further amend and supplement chapter 530 water section 530-30. Payment of bills exceptional
circumstances subsection A so as to modify the period of delinquency prior to shut off of service. Be resolve. This ordinance is now passed first reading and said ordinance be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the governing body in the municipal building 445 Lafayette Avenue, Horththorn, New
Jersey on July 8th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at which time and place all persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard in connection with the set ordinance one week prior to the week uh up to the meeting. Copies of said ordinance will be made available on the burough website and at the clerk's
office in the municipal building to members of the general public who request the same. I have a motion. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Bennett, second by Mey. Any discussion? >> Council present. >> Council woman.
>> Thank you, Michael. I was trying to figure out what are we modifying? Like I read that like three times and I just couldn't. I wish sometimes these were like redlinined. What would we change? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I could probably do that in the future for you on something like this. Apparently, when uh Vincent was
hired, he read the entire code book and he did see that somehow we had a shut off for water. Basically, if you're 10 days delinquent, we could shut off your water. And all of us realized it was a little aggressive and unfair to our
residents. So, we decided that the more appropriate time would be two quarters. >> Okay? So that this way look somebody could have a difficult time in their life a period where they they are delinquent with their payments because
of a health circumstance or a financial circumstance. We don't want to be inhuman about it. So we decided two quarters was an appropriate time period before you shut off the water. >> Okay, that's the basic question cuz it's like modifying the periods. What was it before? So it was 10 days.
>> It was it was really short >> besides the fact that it was 10 days. The other problem was that it wasn't really being enforced and there were delinquent bills for a very long time. Um, so now we have some teeth in the
ordinance to shut them down and go get the money that's owed to the burrow. >> And what about putting the tax lans, the water leans on that? can't if we can't collect it based on you know our uh efforts initially based on the ordinance then we would put a tax lean on
>> because I know we have water leans and we have tax leans that we can do. Okay. Thank you for that clarification of what we're going to make sense. Thank you. >> You still have time. >> Roll call, please. Bennett, >> yes. >> Leosa,
>> yes. >> Mey, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> WKI, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Resolutions, cassette agenda, M04-26, R88-26, and R89-26. M426 is to install a
handicap parking space block 95, lot 9. R88-26, settlement of a tax appeal for block 34, lot 9. R89-26 is a band shell artist for 2026. Have a motion. So moved.
Motion by Skier. Second by Millie. Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Wii. >> Yes. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Millie. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Reports of special council committees.
Dominic will start your way. >> I have nothing but I want to make an announcement. Tomorrow night is Horththorn High School's prom. Children, please be safe. And on June the 10th, I'm assisting our two chefs this year at the at St. Anony's feast, Mr. Pushal and
Dougli. I'll be assisting them in the kitchen. >> Will you have a hairet? >> Will you have a body part? >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Bruce. >> Oh, Raina. >> Uh, yes. Just want to make an announcement. Um, we are partnering the
Horon Green team with the New Jersey Children of Revolution. Um, we're going to be doing a presentation at the library at 7:00 on Operation Horse Project. Um, Zoe Mogel is going to be speaking about it and what it is is a
program for our vets um to work with horses cuz it's therapy. So, um, it's it's going to be a great program. It will be on Tuesday, June 16th at 7 p.m. Thanks. It will be in the mayor's letter. >> Thanks.
>> No, not tonight. Dominic stole my thunder. >> Okay. Well, I had the planning board meeting last night was canceled due to election uh night and there was no activity anyway. and Chamber of Commerce. They had an open
meeting last night at the Lighthouse Pregnancy Center to have any members speak about uh any ideas that they'd like the chamber to address. Plans are underway for the event with the Cabillos on Saturday, June 20th at the Horththorn High School football field from 5 to
8:00 p.m. Flavio Romeo will be our MC and the Hawthorne Farmers Market opens on June 21st and the car show is scheduled for August 16th. more to follow. Correspondence. We have C1, a new firefighter applicant, Sean Warner to
rescue five. Have a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion by Scar. Second by Millie. >> Roll call. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Mey. >> Yes. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Wii.
>> Abstain. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Bills. Have a motion to approve the bills and forward them to the treasurer for payment. >> So move. >> Motion by Millie. >> Second. >> Second by Skier. Any discussion on any of the bills?
>> Roll call. >> WKI. >> Abstain on the fire department. Yes. On all others. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Millie. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Abstain on Hor Environmental Commission. Yes. On all others. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Public comment. Now open the meeting to the public. Anyone desires to be heard, please raise your hand to be recognized. Come forward to the microphone. State your name for the record. >> Before I start, I just have a flyer for everyone uh that I want to show. Um I'm
speaking about the field. So is it okay if I go around? >> So my name is uh Tony Enraj. I live at 115 Van Winkle. I'm going to try not to break the microphone. Okay. Uh, good evening, mayor and council. Thank you for being here tonight and
listening to our concerns. I am here because I care deeply about the children and the families who use Franklin Field. The flyer I provided outlines many of the concerns regarding the conditions of the field, including uneven playing surfaces, extensive loss of grass
coverage, dust and dirt exposure, and the potential safety and health concerns these conditions create for our athletes. What I want everyone to understand that this is not a new problem. These issues have existed for years and have been brought to the attention of the burrow on multiple
occasions. In 2022, I personally contacted the mayor regarding the condition of Franklin Field. And at that time, SAD was installed as a solution. Unfortunately, that sad did not last through the entire football season, and from what many of us observed, it was
not properly maintained after that season ended. In 2024, the field sprinkler system broke. To my knowledge, those repairs were never completed. Without a functioning irrigation system, it becomes even more difficult to maintain healthy grass coverage and
prevent the dusty conditions we see today. In March of 2024, residents reported significant tire track damage left on the field by construction vehicles. At the last council meeting and tonight, it was mentioned that the contractor was heavily fined and
blankets were purchased. However, that damage itself was never properly repaired. This past January, the mayor was contacted by the Cubs to express concerns that offse season maintenance was not taking place. That email included photographs documenting the
condition of the field at that time. In addition, members of the lacrosse community have repeatedly raised concerns about the field's condition over the years. Despite all of these reports, we continue to find ourselves discussing the same issues. The condition of Franklin Field has also
become a concern for other towns in both our football and lacrosse leagues. Several organizations have raised concerns about the playing surface and have asked not to play games at our fields. This not only impacts the safety perception of our facility, but also
hurts our reputation and reduces important fundraising opportunities. Home games generate revenue through concession and apparel sales that help support our programs. At the last meeting, two comments were made that I would like to clarify. One
is that our field is regulation sized for football and it is acceptable for lacrosse as well. At the last meeting, it was mentioned that our field is not regulation size, but it is. The second comment was when someone said they want a turf field. What we want is
a safe, playable field where we can proudly host games and events. If the burrow can properly maintain a natural grass field, then that should absolutely be considered. But if years of experience have shown that maintaining a healthy grass field is not realistic
with the current resources and maintenance practices, then turf may need to be seriously evaluated as an alternate. There have been many comments about potential safety concerns about turf fields. I would simply ask that any decision be based on actual research,
data, expert guidance rather than hearsay or assumptions. Every service has advantages and disadvantages. What cannot be ignored is that our current field already presents safety and health concerns today. Children are playing on uneven ground. They are playing on large
sections of exposed dirt. Dust is regularly picked into the air and inhaled by athletes, coaches, and spectators. These are real conditions that currently exist. Most importantly, this condition, this conversation, sorry, should not be about grass versus
field turf, I'm sorry, grass versus turf. It should be about providing Hawthorne's children with a safe place to play. I want to make it clear that I'm not here simply to point out problems. I would much rather be part of finding a solution. As new condominium
develop developments and retail projects continue to be approved throughout our community, perhaps the bureau should explore opportunities for developers to contribute towards improvements that directly benefit residents. If these projects are going to increase the population and generate revenue, then
it's reasonable to ask those developers to invest in the community they are becoming part of. Many local o other local towns um are doing the same thing. Whether through developer contributions, grants, public private partnerships,
capital improvement, or other funding opportunities, there are ways to move this project forward if we choose to make it a priority. Our athletes deserve better than a temporary fix. There have there has to be a long-term solution. I respectfully ask the mayor and the
council to acknowledge the history of these issues, commit to a plan for improvement and work with residents, our sports organizations, community stakeholders to create a field that is safe, sustainable, and worthy of the children who use it every day. I also
want to thank all the uh children that are here tonight because I want them to understand that this is how change is made in their towns and what the adults in their towns are doing for them. So, thank you. Any questions here? Can I have a question? >> Michael, are we allowed to ask a builder
to contribute to this? I don't think we can. Can we? >> We can enter entertain discussion. Antonian's right. There are ways of you know addressing this through public private partnership through so there are
ways of doing it. You cannot extract a fire engine in exchange for variance. We know that. But it doesn't mean that there can't be some public and private working together uh for this kind of project. So these are things that we everything she said are things we can
and should explore. So we can >> Thank you. I just want to uh point out the one uh the front side of that are all these are all pictures that have been in my my phone of the the kids playing. So the front side is pictures that of our field at Franklin Field. The
backside is the fields that we visit and those are both grass and turf. It's not just turf. So that's where those pictures came from. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to be heard? Sir, high school right there.
>> Maybe for that age group. Yeah. Hopefully Voss. >> John Baird 1381 AB. Uh I am the president Hawthorne Cubs organization. Uh I come here to represent the Hawthorne Cubs and Franklin Field and all these parents and players. The field
conditions if Tony went over that's hard to come back. We've been collecting this information for months and years and this is 13 years of most importantly a parent and a volunteer for the Cubs. Baseball parades, we do it all. All these faces you see here are your
patrons to your town. This field has gone neglected for far too long. Um we look forward to you guys, the board, the mayor to make these decisions what's best for the town. The ask is not turf grass. The ask is a safe place for
our kids to play. If you go down there, if you have kids that played in these programs, you have family members, gieases, nephews, you would be disgusted and appalled by what you see down there. There's not saying that there's not hardworking people mowing these grasses and jobs. We understand all that. But
the maintain and consistency is not there. The consistency to maintain these fields as Wagfield and other fields get played on through Franklin Field is the most visited field next to the high school. It has hundreds and thousands of people through Cubs, lacrosse, JD
baseball, boys and girls club every year. We pack those stands. If you've been down there, you know it. We have packed these stands. parking lots filled and the the uproar from parents of mother towns are saying they don't want to play us. We don't take care of our town. Wonderful improvements have been
done. Lights, fencing, new bleachers, which aren't correct to a certain degree. Wonderful things. The field is the playing field. The aesthetics around it are great. The field is the most important. And I know that everybody points at the Cubs and says, "Oh, you
damage it. You destroy it." As you pointed out, mayor, we have limited availability to play. We have to go to the high school and beg and plead with the board of education to use their fields. Can't use their practice field because there's no lights. The excuse
machine is unbelievable. Downs did a great job in trying to prepare the field, but in August, you're not fixing the field in two weeks before the the games start. The consistency of putting tarps down. The the whole way a thermal barrier
works is it's one consistent tarp or not strips. They blow off. They've left them on pallets all winter long. I've taken pictures. I go to the board of wreck meetings. I've I challenged all of you to come to the field and walk and see
that 12 in of difference in grade. How can a kid run from one side of the field to the other and not trip? And it's not the turf monster getting them. It's not the grass jumping up at them. There's literally a 12 inch difference in grade in some spots. The sprinklers go off. We can't no longer call anybody. We have to
send an email, call Jane. Jane calls somebody. Somebody else gets better and we'll see it Tuesday when we cut the grass. The field's flooded now. We can't practice on it. It's a mess. These kids, these these people who visit us, you who represent our town need to fix this.
What's the right thing? This is why you guys are here. There's a lot of smart people in this room. There's a lot of great parents behind me. Needs to be addressed. We love this program. 13 years. 13 years. Many of these people, same thing. Your kids probably came
through these programs. You can't tell me it's the same as it was. We have 100 kids coming in this year. Maybe more, maybe less. But parents are going away and going to other programs, leaving us. We're a self-run organization. We get minimal. We have the highest expense of all town. when equipment, helmets and
and reconditioning fees and shoulder pads and shoes and belts and pink socks and we do it year after year and scrape by to keep this program alive. 65 years this program has been involved and now we're at the pinnacle of are we going to end it this year? Is this the last year
of the Cubs? Does it end this year because the field is so bad people don't want to sign her? And I'm passionate. You can see it. These guys deserve more. Even if I left tomorrow, the field will not be fixed. But it needs to. And it's
up to you guys to do the right thing for this town, for these children, my kids. I've raised kids that went through this program. And I'm proud of it. But I'm proud of everyone here for showing up. I wish more did. I wish I had all 130 kids come down here because they deserve it.
And lacrosse and JD baseball cuz they're not here right now. But they deserve your attention on this. It's the most used field, boys and girls club. They're on it every single day. Great program. They do a lot for us. They do a ton to support the Cubs and other organizations. They all deserve better.
They all deserve better. I hope you do better. Anybody? Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to be heard? So, Robert and Jessica, we're um the incoming president organization for Hawthorne Lacrosse and we wanted to lend
our voice, support John, everything that he said, said today. And, you know, although we are incoming and we are new to the, you know, the leadership of that organization, we want to show that we support everything that has been said so far tonight. We absolutely 100% want to
make sure that the kids have a safe place to play. Um but also that we are open to a dialogue. You know, we understand that it is a challenge. We understand that there is always a give and take, but we want to have that dialogue. We want to make sure that we are communicating and that we can work together if there is a solution that can
be found. Um in addition to um our own players and our own parents who have voiced this concern, we have other towns uh from from the lacrosse community that have wanted to lend their voice and support that you know we our team, our
coaches, our players are valued members of that community and it not wanting to come here has nothing to do with the kids. It has nothing to do with the game. It has everything to do with the fact that the field on which we play um just isn't good enough.
>> We have a statement actually from the head of Fairlon Lacrosse who was nice enough to lend their support to our cause. We understand the current plan in place is the fix for possibly the football season. That does nothing for
us in lacrosse by the time football's done with it. We understand our son plays football and lacrosse. He's on that field probably more than he's at home. And every time we bring him there, we're not sure if he's going to come back with a broken bone because he's now stepped in 12in divot that looked good
enough from somebody who doesn't come to the fields all that often. But anyway, Fairlon Lacrosse was nice enough to lend their support to us and they have written this statement. Feralon Lacrosse is proud to be a part of a strong local youth sports community and we have had
the opportunity to compete against Hawthorne for many years across football and lacrosse. Our programs share the same goals providing kids with a safe, positive and competitive environment where they can learn, grow, and enjoy youth athletics. Hawurn has always been
a valued member of our league and surrounding sports communities and we believe their athletes, coaches, and families deserve facilities that reflect that same standard. Unfortunately, the current grass field used by Hawthorne has become a significant concern for
visiting programs. The field is not well-maintained. It's undersized for play, and it is widely viewed by many coaches, parents, and families as a potential safety hazard. It has reached the point where teams do not look forward to playing here.
Not because of the Hawthorne programs, because of the conditions and the limitations of these facilities themselves. Hawthorne is also the only town in our league without a turf field, which places their athletes and community at a clear disadvantage compared to the neighboring programs. We
strongly support Hawthorne's efforts to to secure a safer, more appropriate, and more competitive field for their youth athletes. Investing in an improved playing surface would benefit not only Hawthorne's football and lacrosse programs, but also the broader league,
visiting teams, and the overall quality and safety of youth sports in our area. Aaron Selma. We also have another report that we were um given by the Junior Norseman Association, which is >> Let me just stop you there. The purpose
of public meeting is for our residents to express their opinions, not necessarily. >> Well, we're saying that we are not the only >> No, no. I I don't disagree with you, but I'm saying technically it's against the Robert's rules of order to be reading a letter from another town as your statement. Um just trying to play by the
rules. >> Understandable. I hear what you're saying and obviously obviously the field is good enough size for the for the Cubs to play on but it's undersized for your sport. So the we can't make it bigger so we can try and look for another >> much it's so it's not so much that's
under the lines were not drawn up properly and then they were not fixed. >> You said the field was under sized. >> Well because when the lines were drawn up the lines were under >> that's a whole other issue. We could we could speak our DPW draw the lines for your event size. You're saying overall
it just contributes to the lack of maintaining. >> Got it. >> Yeah. Fine real estate. That's all I'm saying. >> No, I understand. >> No, we can certainly ask our DPW and the board to make it be the conforming linage that or lineage or whatever you want to call for your use.
>> And again, you know, we we love this sport. We love all the sports. We support the rec leagues. We support this town. Every time these boys or girls put these uniforms that say Hawthorne on their back, they go out to the other communities and they represent our town.
And it's just a shame that when other people come to our town, they're disappointed. We've had other people had coaches tell us we don't want to play here. We tell them, "Well, then you guys forfeit there, you play us. We can't do anything about what the field say." >> Sure. >> So much pride here. We just don't want this to detract from it.
>> Okay, that's fair. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else want to be heard? >> Oh, okay. >> Anyone else? Seeing no one, I close uh entertain a motion to close the public portion of
the meeting. >> So move. >> Motion by me. >> Second. >> Second by Leosa. All in favor? I >> I uh at this point we're going to go into close session. So >> over meeting is basically over for the
rest of you. Uh so pursuant to NJSA 10 col4-13 and the attorney general's formal opinion 291976 I entertain a motion to adopt resolution CS2-26 >> that the public be excluded from this portion of the meeting in order to the
council may discuss affordable housing litigation. Items to be discussed in close session could be disclosed in public when the course of action is determined and a decision has been reached. Have a motion. >> Motion by second by Skier. All in favor? I.
>> Motion carries. >> They are All in favor? I Okay, now we're back in session. Our next Our next council meeting is June 17th, 2026 at 7 p.m. Have a motion to adjourn. >> So moved. Motion by Scar, second by
Leosa. All in favor? I. Motion carries.