Good. >> Okay, it's 7:06. Uh, thank you all for attending our reorganization meeting. Uh, call the meeting to order. Roll call. >> Councilman elect Bruce Bennett >> here.
>> Councilwoman Raina Leosa >> here. Councilman Frank Matthews >> here. >> Councilman elect Dominic Millie >> here. >> Councilwoman elect Anna Marie Sasso >> here. Councilman Mike Skiara >> here.
>> Councilman Joseph Waki >> here. >> 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, herefore adopted and posted on the official Bolt Burough website. Uh, email notices were sent out
and transmitted to the record. Herald News and all persons who requested a such schedule and a copy said schedule has remained on file in the office of the burough clerk from and uh since December 3rd, 2025. This time we have Pastor Howie Van Dyke
come forward for an invocation. >> Hello everyone. Happy New Year. Welcome to our reorganizational meeting. Um, yes. >> Loud voice. >> Testing God. >> There you go. >> There you go. Well, thanks. Let's open
with prayer, shall we? I'd like to do that with you. It's my honor to do that tonight. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come to you tonight on uh the beginning of a new year, and we come with great expectations. We ask uh for your presence here with us as we do the work of Hawthorne as we do the business of
this town. Uh I pray for our mayor and our our elected officials. I pray for all the workers who are here, fire departments and EMS and um police department. We just thank you for them. Lord, we know that this town is a very special town and it's one that you have
kept your hand of blessing on for many years. And so now as we begin a new year, we want to begin it with you. I pray that you would help our our mayor and his team uh to govern with justice and mercy and kindness. Uh that you'd give them tons and tons of wisdom as
they navigate through I'm sure what will be some very challenging times and decisions that they have to make. So we want to commit this time to you. We thank you for our volunteers. We thank you for all the folks that have put this together or the ones behind the scenes. Pray your blessing on our time now on this meeting tonight. In your name we
pray. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you, pastor. Before we begin, I would like to introduce some people in the audience. Uh, we have Senator Kristen Curado. We have Assemblyman Christa Phillips. We
have Assemblyman Al Baras, Captain King of the Police Department, Captain Joe Carr of the Police Department and the school board, uh, Alex Cleo from the school board, former Councilman John Bertolo, Fire Chief Joe Sparenza, DBW Head Bill Hafler, Councilman Donnie
Dillo of Wayne, and not not the least Jared Scara. Thanks. >> You're welcome. You can watch it over and over. The administering of the oaths will follow next. Mayor John Lane will be
sworn in by Senator Kristen Curado. Mayor The TV's over there, John. >> These new bikes, >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support Constitution >> the Constitution
>> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> to the same >> and to the governments established
in the United States >> and in this state under the authority >> of his people >> and we performed >> the duties of mayor for the burrow of >> faithful,
>> faithfully, impartially, and justly the best of my abilities. So, God, another four years. Next we have Bruce Bennett, Councilman at large, also being sworn in by Senator Curado.
Kristen into left hand on the Bible. I'm going to raise your right hand. >> Or she said, >> "Yep." >> State your name. >> I, Bruce A. Bennett, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support
>> the Constitution >> the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> to the same and to the government
established in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people and will perform the duties of councilmen at large for the burrow of
Hawthorne faithfully, impartially, and justly to the best of my ability. So help me God. lollipop. Congratulations. >> Welcome, new guy.
Next is Councilman Dominic Millie, also being sworn in by Senator Curado and the gang >> and friends. You're plus two. looking
right now. You ready? >> Hold the mic. I state your name. I, Dominic Mey, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> I will support >> the >> Constitution >> I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> United States >> the Constitution
>> and the Constitution >> New Jersey >> state in New Jersey >> true faith >> and we are true faith >> and allegiance >> to the same to the government established >> in the United States and in the state
and the authority of the I will perform of counseling at large bur hawthorne, >> faithfully and partially and justly the best of my ability to help me God.
Hello. Over there. >> Really? Over here. You start right here. He's never done this before. He's new. It's a new beach. >> But that was a statement. Bringing up the rear is Councilman Anam Marie Sasso, also being sworn in by
Senator Curado and friends. You did four yesterday. How many today? Today you have one. It's the last one. >> Save the best for last indeed. Sorry. >> Ready. I state your name. I am Marie
Sasso >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the >> Constitution >> the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same to the >> and to the government >> established in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority >> under the authority of the people >> of the people >> and will perform
>> the duties >> the duties >> council woman >> of councilwoman at large >> for the burrow of warthorne >> faithfully >> faithfully >> impartially >> and justly to the best of my >> to the best of my ability. So help me God.
No, she's coming back. Congratulations. On the way by. >> Yeah. Shake your hand. Okay. At this point, uh, the clerk recall the role. >> Councilman Bruce Bennett, >> still here.
>> Councilwoman Marina Leosa, >> here. >> Councilman Frank Matthews >> here. >> Councilman Dominic Mey >> here. >> Councilwoman Anna Marie Sasso here. >> Councilman Mike Skiara >> here. Councilman Joseph Waki here.
>> At this point, I'll turn the meeting over to the clerk so we can uh have nominations for officers. >> Thank you. Um good evening everybody and thank you for joining us tonight. Our first meeting of 2026, our reorganization meeting.
um want to wish you and your families all um very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2026. And with that, my uh the next order of business is going to be the nomination and election of the council president. I will call um the names in the order that
was drawn by lots in my office. So, I will now ask for nominations for council president. Um Councilwoman Sasso, do you have a nomination? Yes. I nominate Frank Matthews for president. Great. Thank you,
>> Councilwoman Leosa. >> Um, I second that. >> Leosa. Um, Councilman Matthews, any nomination? >> No nomination. >> Okay. Councilman Skiara, >> no nomination. >> Councilman Wki,
>> no nomination. Councilman Bett, >> no nomination. >> Councilman Mey, >> no nomination. >> Okay, thank you. At this time, I have a nomination and a second for Frank Matthews as president. >> And I will take the roll call. Sasso,
>> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> abstain. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> WKI, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Millie, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Frank Matthews is your council president for the year 2026. And
I will ask Mayor John Lane to administer the oath of office to council president Frank Matthews. Okay. I >> I >> Frank Matthews >> Frank Matthews >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution
>> that I will supportitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> and I will bear true >> and allegiance >> to the same >> and to the governments >> the government
>> established in the United States >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> the authority of the people and will perform the duties of >> Horththornne Burough Council President of the Burrow of Forthornne
faithfully and partially and justly to the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations. >> Well, I'll sign it later. >> The next order of business is nomination election of council vice president. I
will now ask for nominations in the same order. Councilwoman Sasso, any nomination for vice president? >> Yes. I nominate Mike Shier for vice president. >> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Leosa, any nomination or
second? >> Uh, second that. >> Okay. >> Council President Matthews, >> no nomination. >> Councilman Skiara, >> no nomination. >> Councilman MKI, >> no nomination. Councilman Bennett, >> no nomination.
>> Councilman Mey, >> no nomination. >> Okay, I have a nomination and a second for Councilman Mike Skiara for vice president. I will call the role. >> Uh, Sasso, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes.
>> Skiara, >> abstain. >> Waki, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Mey, >> yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. Uh, Councilman Mike Skiara is now our vice president for 2026, and I will ask Mayor John Lane to administer the oath of
office. The new old one. >> Here's the Bible. >> You feel older. >> Daddy, >> put the Bible down like that. >> Get you. Can you Can you see? Okay.
You have to see your phone. >> I got it. I got one right here. Okay. Is that all right here? >> Yeah. Okay. >> I, Michael Sierra, >> I, Michael Sierra, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey. and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the governments >> to the government
>> established >> established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and I will perform the duties of >> and I will perform the duties of >> Horththornne Burough Council Vice President >> Hawthorne Burough Council Vice President
>> of the Burrow of Horththorn >> of the >> faithfully faithfully >> and partially and justly >> to the best of my ability to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Please. I hate these chairs.
Okay, council president, I'll turn the meeting back to you this time. >> Thank you very much. >> I'd like to thank uh everyone for coming again tonight. Uh there's free cookies and drinks out back. Uh, I'd like to thank my colleagues for a vote of
confidence and my family for allowing me to do the job that we do. Now, last year we addressed a number of unfunded or underfunded largecale projects and this year will be more of the same. We completed the installation of our buroughwide water filtration system. We're up and running and meeting all the
current federal and state mandates. Our multi-year water main replacement project is ongoing. It'll take years to complete, but we're more than halfway through. Both of our mandated water related projects will have a financial impact on our water users. We will have
recouped about 80% of the cost of the filtration system through legal settlements. We've also reached an agreement with Rididgewood to sell them water with a multi-year agreement. This should make any future increases less and the money brought in will be used for future filtration material and will
be regularly uh required regularly and pay down our long-term debt caused by this requirement. We're also proceeding to implement another unfunded state mandate that requires all rental units to be inspected for lead paint. The bureau has engaged with the lead
inspector and the rental property owners should have been contacted already to arrange an inspection and receive the required certification at their expense. The state has also released their total number of affordable housing units for each town that is required to provide. And while we receive the totally
unattainable value, every city in the state has no obligation. We object to being told to overdevelop our community at the risk of losing our suburban feel. We reluctantly uh settled the builder's remedy lawsuit recently that was required by the end of last
year. That should satisfy our so-called obligation for the next 10 years. This is a requirement that's being challenged through a multi community lawsuit in federal court. No one appears happy about where we are with the choices that we've had to make, and we will continue to fight the fight until all options
have been exhausted. Last year, we worked with the police department to address their staffing needs. This year, we'll continue to work with them to make sure they have the personnel and tools they need to accommodate the additional residents as a result of the new required housing mandates. Our gateway area is also being
uh continued to be upgraded due to another year of funding in our neighborhood preservation program. And we also have a committee that's continued to provide programs and physical enhancements to a number of our downtown businesses. And the f facade improvements really are starting to look
great. Lastly, as we prepare to uh move forward this year with a budget that will come in with as low of an increase as possible, we look for ways to raise revenue and keep expenses as low as we can without cutting services. We have a number of high cost increases to address such as increased health
insurance premiums, increased utility cost, a new garbage collection and disposal contract to just to name a few. So balancing additional capital items and yearly items will be challenging. Please remember that the statemandated projects will have an impact on our
budget that are out of our control. We would love to say there will be no tax increase this year, but that's not realistic, but we will do our best to limit it. Few mion items are not a complete list, but rather an overview of what we were going to address this year. We look forward this year to working
with our administration, our new business administrator, uh, and our residents to keep in the place we all love to call home. Thank you again for joining us tonight, and I hope you all have a happy and healthy 2026. Thank you,
council vice president. Uh, thank you, council president. Um, I would like to thank the council for the confidence they have placed in me by selecting me as their vice president. I'm truly honored. I also would like to thank my family for the constant love and support. Most of all, I'd like to thank
the residents of Hawthorne. While I personally did not run for election this year, you've entrusted all of us up here with the responsibility to represent you and to make decisions in your best interest. That trust is not taken lightly. I promise to do my very best
for the residents of Orthorne. With the new year comes new goals, new resolutions, and optimism for the future. Progress and changes will be inevitable. They will bring challenges. And as your elected officials, we will
address those challenges in a practical common sense approach and a focus on what's best for our community. Hawthorne is truly special. Its strong sense of community, spirit, and volunteerism, and endearing kindness make it a unique and
exceptional place to live. Many of us appreciate this not because we've heard about it, but because we live it every day. Thank you. Joe, >> thank you. >> My comments will be brief as this is the mayor, Councilman Bennett, Councilman
Mey, and Councilwoman Sasso's evening. Congratulations to you all. I do want to thank the residents for their continued support and look forward to a successful 2026. I'm honored to have been inducted into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Hall of Fame for over 20 years of
elected service to the residents of Hawthorne. Additionally, I would like to congratulate Council President Frank Matthews on his induction to the Hall of Fame. I want to wish everyone a wonderful new year and ask you to keep my mother in your prayers as she continues to be in subaccute rehab.
Thank you, Rena. 2026 is here and it's continuing thanks and appreciation that I serve the Burl of Horththornne on your council representing you, the people of this community. As I enter my seventh year as
councilwoman, I'm committed to working with our new burrow administrator and serving all the residents of Horththornne to make us stronger. As I continue to serve the community, I have and will continue to listen to your concerns and ideas on how we can make
Horththorn better for everyone. My promise to you is that I will do everything in my power to sustain and continuously improve our community in 2026 and beyond and ensure your voice is heard on council. Last year was a difficult year for all of us and we did
hear the concerns and the issues that we had and maybe we didn't respond immediately at that time but we are really in our hearts and prayers with everyone and we are trying to come up with solutions that are lasting and durable and s sustainable. So I just
want you to know that it is heard. We do have conversation and we will take action, but it may take time that you may not want to hear, but we do need the time to make the right decision for all of us in all our community and the entire community. In addition, I'd like
to extend a huge thank you to our first responders, our fire, police, and ambulance teams. They have always dedicated and they're always there for the call of duty to protect our residents and businesses. Let us not forget our burrow employees working at municipal building, our
burrow and derpy clerk, our executive assistant to mayor, our finance or tax or health building, recycling and DPW departments which tirelessly continue to serve our residents. We are truly fortunate to have dedicated and caring
employees who make Horththornne special. To close, it's truly an honor to serve the residents of Horththornne. I wish everyone a happy, safe, and healthy new year. I look forward to getting 2026 off to a great start. Thank you.
>> Bruce. Uh, thank you, Council President. Happy New Year, everyone. I'd like to thank Senator Curado and Assemblyman Al Marles and Christa Phillips for doing me the honor of swearing me in tonight. And I'd
like to thank the voters of Hawthorne for giving me the privilege of once again serving as their councilman. As I've done for the last 24 years, I will continue to work with my council colleagues and the administration to serve our residents with honesty,
integrity, compassion, and the courage it takes to do the job right, regardless of the obstacles we sometimes face. As you know, 2025 was a difficult year for me personally. So, here's hoping 2026 is a happier and healthier new year for all
of us. And may God bless Halton. >> Thank you. I first would like to um start off by congratulating Councilman Mey, Councilman Bennett, and Mayor Lane on your um success during this election and welcome our new burl administrator.
Welcome to the family, Ben. batten down your hatches. Um, I also would like to thank the residents that um had confident me, voted for me, and welcomed me to uh work for you for another four years. I appreciate the role that you've
entrusted me to um work for you and and I take it very seriously. As I reflect on the first time I sat here, January of 2022, we were at the tail end of a pandemic. And I look over the last four years and um we've accomplished a lot in
the last four years. Some of them were not pleasant, some of them were, but they were really great jobs that this administration has done for you. And it it allowed me to have a greater level of knowledge for your benefit. This town is very very wellrun
fiscally and socially. Not every town is run this way. They achieve grants, bonding for large projects. It's the first town to achieve the POS
program complete in the old region of I would say P, Bergen, Morris areas. We were the first one to get the job done thanks to a lot of hard work. Um, I can tell you that it's a tremendous task and while nothing is perfect, we really are
very wellrun. um all for your benefit. We know how special our town is. That's why we choose to live here. I'm hoping to send a reassuring message to you that while many a lot of towns around us are in serious distress financially and and management wise, my goodness, we have
some towns looking in the lost and found for $20 million. Not your town. This current administration and the previous administration really performed for you. It's not an easy job, but I'm proud to share with
you that they do it very well. We have five firehouses, an ambulance core. I just can tell you the ambulance core in 2025 gave us 19,000 volunteer hours. I don't have the stats for the fire department. I'm sure it's close to that.
They help keep us safe. Please donate. Go to their fundraisers. They need it. of course, our police department, bar none. I would say to you that my greatest uh accomplishment during this four years was allowing the mayor and um
bur administrator allowing us to roll out a new website. It was such a thrill for me to be able to work alongside of um clerk Lorie Fernandez and Lisa Sulmaker. I'm so proud of this new website. It's an ever evolving product for you, the residents. The main goal
was up-to-date, current communication for the residents, accurate information, which is always changing. I challenge everybody to go to it for all of your questions. That little chatbot person will get you an answer if not in a
minute, within a day. I love the fact it was very important to all of us that if English is not your first language, which is the case for many many of us, you can click a button and pick any language you need and it converts to what your needs are. Forms to make the
department that you need fillable. It's a great um update for the town. I have a couple of projects that I have coming down the pike working with Councilman Neely to update the U municipal pool complex. The bathrooms,
it's going to happen this year and I'm very happy about that. We have a few other things coming down the pike. Um I'll keep that to myself. There little tricks up my sleeve. I have to find some grant money first. But um I'm I'm pleased that we're going to be
investing more into the burrow. um where we take ourselves, where we take our children, where we take our families. Um it's been a pleasure working on the ordinance committee whose chief goal in all of our meetings is your safety. Um
board of education knocks it out of the park. They're raising the bar educationally. I'm quite astounded at how they perform for our children, for everybody. The library is an amazing asset that we have. I encourage everybody to continue to go and use it.
Um, my goal in the next four years is to continue to focus on safety, communication from municipal to the residents and progress for our businesses and burough facilities.
Communicate with us. We're here. We're all accessible. We work for you. And that being said, a good team needs a core support system. You have a wonderful team here. We all bring something to the deis and we work well together.
We look forward to working for you the next four years. We also have great support systems. Mine happens to be here tonight, my family. So, I wish to thank them so much. I couldn't survive without you. Thanks for being here. I wish everybody a happy, healthy, and
prosperous new year. Thank you again. >> Feed that up. Thanks. Yeah, right. Exactly. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Horththornne to have confidence in me for my serve my fifth term as Republican councilman. I'd like
to thank my family. I especially my daughter Tiffany for updating all my uh Facebook for the campaign. Thank my wife Jean for having the patience with me smiling. Uh I'd like to thank our campaign
managers Mike Sierra Frank sorry treasurer Frank Matthews our Republican chairman John Bertollo and the Republican leadership of the county committee. Um, I'd like to let people know that since I'm chairman of the finance and public safety, our town is a
safe town thanks to the police department, our fire department, our ambulance corps. Our town is financially sound because we work very hard and we're very conservative people. I had a few things to talk about, but my most my most favorite thing I like to
talk about is the band shell. It's in our 10th year. It was one of my favorite projects that I worked on and to sit there and watch the people enjoy themselves to me is a great honor. I want to thank Michael Pashwell and his committee for doing a fabulous job. Without you guys, you know, it would
never worked out. Michael, thank you. And at this time, I'd like to congratulate our new administrator. Look forward to working with you and happy New York to everybody in Hawthorne. Thank you. At this point, if there's anyone here for anyone up here and you want to
leave, you're more than welcome to. Or you can stay and be part of the rest of the meeting if you're getting sworn in and just give me your shot to leave now if you'd like. >> Really? Nobody. There you go.
>> Yeah, it's past Luca's bedtime. Thank you, sweetheart. >> Okay. Can I have approval of the minutes for the regular meeting of December 17, 2025? So >> second >> motion by Wki, second by Sasso. Any discussion? >> POP.
>> WKI, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. Millie, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Public comment. Open the meeting to the public for anyone wishes to be heard on agenda items, come forward to the
microphone. State your your name. Seeing no one, I entertain a motion to close the public portion of the meeting. Some move. >> Motion by second by Bennett. All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. >> We'll turn to Mayor Lane's 2026 address.
Floor is yours, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Good evening, family, friends, residents, neighbors. Happy New Year. Thank you for your support and for the support of the Burough Council. We are
excited about serving an additional four years. And as always, we welcome your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, concerns because working together, we can Hello. Okay. Working together, we can
continue to accomplish great things building upon what we began in 2022. Tonight I will be swearing in our new burrow administrator, Vincent Carzo. Vinnie is a welcome addition to the Burrow family, and I am looking forward
to working with him. He brings many years of experience as an administrator, police chief, and corporate security. Vinnie will be an asset for the burrow. Our water capital projects and rates, the cost of the PIA system was $6.8
million. We were able to come up to cover some of the project costs to date. We received $4 million from 3M and Dupont. To be exact, we received $3,345,000
and we received $1 million in forgiveness from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. When we collect all the monies, we will have received over 80% of the cost. Our galvanized pipe replacement system is going fine. We are going out for bid
for phase four in the spring and phase five in the fall. We will be back on track to meet the 10-year deadline. Our other statemandate water project is also progressing. Three of the 10 phases are now complete. A contract was awarded
for the fourth and for the fifth. We have an application for lowinterest loans in review by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. Due to the POS money and the Ridgewood Water Agreement, the anticipated water rate increase of
9% for 2026 has been reduced to 5%. The Department of Public Works, our DPW director, Bill Heler, has many contacts with other directors. And because that we were able to borrow a garbage truck to collect leaves, this year, our leaf
pickup was completed quicker than it was in previous years. This truck worked out so well that we are in the process of purchasing a used truck in good shape to add to our DPW fleet website and social
media. Our entire website has been upgraded. This was a work on for the over 8-month period. I suggest that you look at it and familiarize yourself with our website. Again, as a reminder,
burrow information is readily available on our website, on our Facebook page, on our burough calendar, and notifications sent out viva Nixl, which I encourage you to sign up for as I send out my Friday newsletters, and it and it's
posted online. Our recreational facilities, we continue to upgrade our educa re our recreational facilities. The hockey rink was completed. The Franklin Field football lacrosse bleachers on wag 2 and
three were completed and the ADA and all ADA compliant and their new press box at the Franklin Field and and a security camera will be in place when we went out to bid for the new bleachers and they
are all ADA walk and the walkway to Wag One. Neighborhood preservation program. Last year, the neighborhood preservation program made significant progress in storefront revitalization and beautifification. 15 storefront facades
were completed by year end. Seasonal beautifification efforts were expanded throughout the G gateway district and we with enhancements to the pocket park and new lamp post decorations throughout the year. In 2026,
which is the final year for our grant, focus will be on completing the signage and facade program, continuing district-wide beautifification incentives, and enhancing our existing gateway green space, emergency, and public safety. Our police, fire, and
ambulance corps saw a significant increase in the total number of calls for emergency service. Our police department reported the following for 25. There were 49,694 CAT entries. Officers responded to
36,724 calls for service. There were 7,638 911 calls. 7,544 summones were issued. There were 2,237
warnings issued with they responded to 445 motor vehicle crashes and there were 382 arrests. In 2025, the fire department responded to 655 calls. The volunteer ambulance
corps answered 1,186 calls. Our dedicated police officers, firemen, and fire women, and the first responders keep us safe every day, and they aren't enough words to convey my thanks and to convey the thanks of all
the residents and the council. The police department had an increase of 39 officers to effectively serve the members of our community. Our traffic bureau is key to ensuring road safety and accessibility benefiting both
residents and vis visitors. Traffic officers have increased from three to six and this reflects the unified effort to meet the bureau's safety needs and concerns. The traffic the bureau with grants were
a total of $14,885 for distracted driving and drunk driving enforcement. And for the New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety, the pedestrian safety grant was from AAA. The calendar year of 2024, the
Horththornne Police Department conducted a comprehensive assessment of its vehicle fleet in response to raising costs associated with the purchasing and maintaining of police vehicles. As a result of that assessment, in 2025, the department entered into a partnership
with Enterprise Fleet Services to transition to a vehicle leasing model. This change projected to generate approximately $1 million in cost savings over a 10-year period while maintaining operational readiness and fleet res
readability. In zoning, we continue to encourage the commercial growth. In 2025, we hired a zoning officer. Glenn Tori is here to answer any questions you may have regularly from your for your home or for your business. Together with code
enforcers, they keep Horththornne safe and compliant. The building department in 2025, we hired a full-time building official, Harry Muscatello, and he is to answer any questions that you may have to assist you. Planning board in in 2025
brought in 41 new businesses were approved by the board in budget and finance. the committee, I'm sorry, the we continue to govern and be fiscally responsible. We have a challenge this year with a with our budget and that is
36% rate increase for state health benefits will affect our 2026 budget development projects. The development and redevelopment of property in our bureau remains a priority of my administration. Some of that development, however, has been forced
upon us by laws that in theory are designed to create affordable housing, but in reality results in overdevelopment of land and high profits for developers. We have fought hard to try to make these develop developments
work in the burrow and we will continue to do so. We do not oppose affordable housing. Again, we oppose overdevelopment in land. We saw the completion of the major redevelopment on Wagawa Road resulting
in the creation of 117 units of housing with 17 of the of them being affordable, a gym, a public storage facility, and and some specialty shops. This is far far better than the 300 units of housing
the developer originally wanted to build on this site. The result of our efforts is the creation of a project that is $42 million ratable, generating $1.3 million annually in taxes with without due tax
to our community. We are also witnessing the development of a property on Gel Road that will create 117 units of housing, again with 17 of those being affordable. While none of us are happy to see this beautiful open space
disappear, we will do all we can to ensure that this development fits into the community and is constructed with the least impact to our residents. North 8th Street, as you know, during the last four years, I've been working
with the diligently with the county in making North 8th Street a one-way street into Prospect Park. The county approved our plan and now they we are waiting for Prospect Park to get their traffic study completed. Prospect Park would like to continue the oneway from Pros Prescott A
to Helden Avenue and they are working on this now to see if this is feasible due to the truck and bus traffic. We will wait to see what their traffic study says and I hope that they will be able to continue the oneway into Helen Avenue.
additional projects that we have. I've been working with PSENG to have our street lights changed to LED versus high-pressure sodium. This change is saving us money and also making our streets brighter for security and for our first responders. I work I worked
with the county the last 2 and 1/2 years to prohibit the left-hand turn lane with traveling down Ray Avenue extension to North Wong Drive on specific morning hours and evening hours. We also have a lead green on Ray Avenue extension at Gel Road when turning north onto Gothal
Road. In 2026, we will be working on a new upgrades to our municipal pool to make it a more pleasing experience for our residents. We are working on a program to electronically sign up and pay by credit card for the pool membership and
badges. We will be doing renovations to our interior in the uh interior with new lighting and new bathroom facilities. The outside will see additional large umbrellas in the patio area outside in and in the deep end. We will continue to
work on our streetscape and grant monies. We will install ADA ramps at numerous intersections in town. Phase three of the streetscape is nearly completed. The combined 2425 road program is nearly completed. In
November, the burrow recognized for the we were recognized for the achieving silver level certification of the fifth time by sustainable Jersey. We are we are a sustainable leader in New Jersey. Councilwoman Leosa, chair of the
environmental commission, led the effort in the development of sustain sustainable Jersey submitt. As you know, I am in my office full-time every day. I welcome your input, suggestions, ideas, and we are and all your concerns. Please do not hesitate to
call up my office. Let us work together to make Horththornne the best that it can be. Thank you to the burrow attorney, Michael Pasqual, and my administrative staff, Ellen Brogno and Jennifer Scully, for the great job that they do each and every day for the
burrow and for all of its residents. I want to thank the burrow council, burrow clerk, deputy clerk for all your hard work and and commitment to our residents. To Chief Neper and the members of the police department, to Chief Spanza and members of the fire
department and Chief O'Brien, for the members of the ambulance corps, thank you for your commitment to our town and for keeping keeping it safe. You are the best of the best. To our outstanding DPW, thank you for the D. Thank you to Director Bill Hafler
and the DPW crew for all you do, especially behind the scenes to make the burrow well work well each and every day, 24/7. You work hard and the dedication as very much appreciated. To the very dedicated and professional
employees in Barrow Hall, thank you for your great job that you do each and every day to make Horththornne run smoothly. Your dedication to the residents is exceptional. And thank you to the members and volunteers who selfishly give of their
time all year long serving on boards, commissions, committees. To the residents who just step up and ask to provide their expertise on projects to support and serve the burrow. You are all in my heart of you are all the heart
of this community and I especially grateful that you volunteer your service. And to you, the residents and and our businesses, I want to thank you for caring so much about one another and your investment into Horththornne.
Horththornne has a reputation of caring about one another, and we take action when needed. Because of you, Horththornne is a very special place to live and to work. I'd like to thank my wife, Margot, and my family. Thank you for your unwavering support as
I serve. It is my honor to be your mayor and I am looking forward to the year 2026 to be a great year. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year. Thank you. And now at this time I'd like to introduce our uh business administrator
Vincent J. Caruso. Uh, and I am now would ask his family to come forward so I can swear them. I can swear Vincent. >> Did I have a motion to approve? So moved. Uh, motion by Bennett, second by Sierra. Roll call.
>> Bennett, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Mey, >> yes. >> Sasso, yes. Skiara, >> yes. >> Waki, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. Motion carries. Let's go around this way, guys. All these kids
>> I Vincent J >> I, Vincent J. Caruso >> I, Vincent J. do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> state of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith >> and I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the government >> established >> established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> in this state >> in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of people >> and will perform the duties of
>> and will perform the duties of BO administrator >> burrow administrator >> of the Burrow of Forthornne >> of the Burrow of Forthorn >> faithfully >> faithfully >> and partially >> and partially >> and justly >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations.
Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Welcome aboard. >> Thank you. >> Welcome aboard.
>> Welcome. I would now like to call up uh William Heepler, our Department of Public Works superintendent, I'm sorry, director, and Michael J. Pasqual, our director of legal department,
and our director of revenue and finance, Lorie Foley, is left work today. She was sick. So, uh, I will swear her in at a different time. >> Have a motion to approve the three people. So, moved. >> Uh, motion by WKI, second by Sierra.
>> Roki, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. >> Mi, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> I state your names. I will >> do solemnly swearnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution >> I support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments
>> established in this state >> and United States United States >> under the authority of the people under the authority of the people >> and will perform the duties of >> of the burrow of Forthornne faithfully and partially and justly to
the best of your ability. >> So help me God. Congratulations. Got to shake hands now. Congratulations. Keep up the good work. >> Nice to see you, Michael. >> Now, I'd like to call up our new tax
collector, Joane Karasota, and your family, please. Have a motion to approve. Joanne >> second. >> Motion by second by Leosa. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Mey. >> Yes. >> Sasso.
>> Yes. Skiara. >> Yes. >> Waki. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Oh, wait. Hold on. I, Joanne Kerosto, >> I, Joanne Keros, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same
>> and to the governments >> and to the government >> established >> established in this state >> in this state >> and United States >> in the United States >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and will perform the duties of >> and will perform the duties >> tax collector >> tax collector
>> of the burrow of fourthornne >> faithfully >> and partially >> and justly >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability >> so help me God >> congratulations I have I guess >> I'll collect it all.
>> Now I'd like our engineer to come forward. Joe Burn. >> I have a motion to approve. Joe Burn and Bible engineer. >> Second motion by Second by Bennett. >> Roll call. >> Becky.
>> Yes. >> Skier. >> Yes. >> Sasso. >> Yes. >> Mey. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> I >> I >> Joseph Burn. Joseph Burn >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution
>> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> and that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the government >> established established
>> in this state >> in this state >> and United States >> and the United States >> under the authority of the people >> the authority of the people >> and will perform the duties of >> I will perform the duties Burrow engineer >> burrow engineer >> for the burrow of Forthornne >> the burrow of Hawthorne >> faithfully >> faithfully >> and partially
>> partially >> and justly >> and justly >> to the best of my ability. >> Best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> You're stuck with us. Do we have any library trustees here? Nicole Mariela,
Michael Sabatage, Shireen Shuitt. Okay, moving forward. >> Nobody from the >> Nobody from the court. >> Nobody from the courts here. Right. >> Mention their name so they get >> the prosecutor Elizabeth Cruz.
The public defender is William Marada and the public defender is David Alpine. Zoning board of adjustment, Jody Demarco, Vince Catala, and Brian Lynn.
>> And I have a motion to approve all the names that the mayor just read off. So >> motion by Bennett, second by Mey. >> Bennett. >> Yes. Leosa, >> yes. >> Millie,
>> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> MKI, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Michael Candy. >> Okay. >> You want to turn around and look that way?
>> Turn right here. >> All right. State your names. I >> do solemnly swear >> that 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 governments established >> in the United States and in this state >> under the authority of the people and will perform the duties of
member of the board of adjustment of the burrow forthornne faithfully impartially and justly to the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Congratulations.
>> You got to walk around. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> G public agency complant officer Jen Scully. You go to the >> shade tree. >> Shade tree. >> Shade tree.
>> Shade tree. That's right. >> That's right. >> So you have the list here, man. >> I can't see. There we go. That's better. That's better. >> Yeah. Jody, >> hold on. So you got to announce him.
>> He got call off. Yeah, he's got to call them more. >> We got a lot more people. >> Everybody. >> I thought he was on Shade Tree. >> Where are they? >> All right. And so start with Sha Tree Commission. Jody DeMarco,
>> Bio Hatch. >> Oh, no. >> Welcome to Shade Tree. >> They're mayor's appointments. >> Jody DeMarco, Lisa Slacko, Michael Mariani. Okay.
Who's going to hold the Bible? >> You want to do everybody or do >> we can? Yeah, we can do everybody. >> Everybody, >> risk manager. >> Vincent, come on. >> Vince Caruso, Jennifer Scully,
>> Jeff Fun, Commissioner, and Jeff alternate. Those are the GIF fund comissioners. Do I want me to announce them? Mayor, >> go ahead. >> Yeah. GIF fund commissioner Vincent Caruso and the alternate Jennifer
Scully. Municipal Alliance, Nancy Agnello, Brian Cosgrove, Kyle Graham, Tommy Bushnakis, Captain Joseph Carr, John Miola, Lorie Fernandez, Josh Cabrell, James Neper, Matt Corvo, Robert
King, Joanne Gratziano, Shireen Schult, Tim Vega, Matthew Mcnanelli, uh, Ian Spone, Howard Van Djk, Benjamin Vinma, our public agency compliance officer, Jennifer Scully, Plenty board
members Christopher Debella senior Robert Lucabelloo and alternate to Brian Lane solid waste advisory council William Hafler alternate David Mayor office of emergency manager coordinator Matthew Fencart deputies Guy Tummanello
Andrew Sky Christopher Foresight if anybody wasn't announced you'll be sworn in separately could I have a motion to record all those names. So move motion by
second by WKI. All in favor? >> I got you. >> Am I holding a Bible, too? All right. I got >> you to be in the picture. >> Yeah, you have to squish together. Everybody Everybody raise raise your right hand.
I state your name. do solemnly swear that 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 and to the government's staff in the United States and in this state under the authority of people
and perform the duties of >> I heard a lot of mumbling >> around nice shot of the burrow of Horthornne faithfully and partially and justly to the best of my ability.
So help me God. Thank you everyone. What's that? >> Oh, thanks guys. >> Welcome back. Guys did a great job. >> Excellent job. >> Thank you.
>> Congratulations. I think >> is outside for you guys to sign your documents. >> Yeah, >> Mr. President, that concludes my >> that concludes my appointment. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Yes. >> Where are we here? Oh, for Okay,
>> that's ours. >> We'll give him a moment to go. Yeah. Let everybody walk. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah, I think. Yes, please. >> Why can't we do it at the end? >> Oh, just do that at the end. Do at the end. He's got to stay.
>> Don't make it stay. >> I'm ready. >> This is a good background. >> No, no. We're gonna do this at the end. >> Can we do >> Bye everybody. >> No, I was gonna stand right here. Sit right here if possible. >> Well, it's for the website, so it's your
choice. >> You guys are staying. >> Well, just papers. So, we just >> can we just do it at the end? Like, we'll do it again. >> Why make the day though?
Well, it shouldn't be much longer. Just >> only 10 minutes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> In charge by the operator >> and we'll pay him another hour. U we have council appointments uh of office for CA1 appointment of the 2026
municipal auditors to ple Clooney and company. I have a motion to approve. So move by me, second by WKI. >> Roll call. >> Waki, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. >> Mey, >> yes. >> Leosa,
>> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> We have no switchers here tonight. >> We do not. Correct. >> Can I nominate you, Frank? >> Uh, CA2. Uh, CA2 Planning Board Class 3
member 2026 Council Representative Frank Matthews. >> Second. >> Uh, can I get a motion to approve? >> Second. >> I'll approve it. Second. There we go. >> Roll call, please. >> Bennett. >> Um,
>> yeah. >> Leosa, yes. Millie, >> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> with enthusiasm, yes. I'm not going with enthusiasm, but yes. >> Matthews. >> Okay.
>> Motion carries. Mayor Lane, if you'll administer the oath of office, please. These damn chairs. >> I don't know. Yeah, Dominic. I heard him before. I volunteer. You know, we're friends. >> I helped them.
>> I state your name. I, Frank Matthews, >> do solemnly swearnly >> that I will support the Constitution >> 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 and to the governments established in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people of the people and will perform the duties of the duties of planning
of the burrow of Forthornne and faithfully and partially and justly >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> You do every other Tuesday. Close enough.
Resolutions. We have cassette agenda R1-26 through R22-26. R1-26 is the approval of the 2026 temporary budget. R2-26 is a reestablish of petty cash fund for 2026. R 3-26 designation of official
depositories for 2026. R4-26 is interest on delinquent taxes. R5-26 cancellation of tax overpayments or delinquent amounts less than $10. R 6-27 is designation of legal publications for
2026. R 7-26 is to reaffirm all previously adopted procedural rules, protocols, and resolutions for 2026. R 8-26 is 2026 professional services contract for burough engineer Basil Inc.
R9-26 is 2026 professional service contract for municipal planning consultant Burgess Associates. R 10-26 is 2026 professional services contract for special labor and employment council the Chileia business council LLC
11-26 is 2026 services for contract for bond council McManaman Scotland and Bowman R1 12-26 is 2026 professional services contract for burough attorney Michael Pasqual R3-26 is 2026 professional services contract for the
municipal auditors Clooney and company R14 14-26 is a 2026 professional services contract for risk management consultants, the VASA agency. R15-26 is a 2026 professional services contract for grant writers capital alternatives
corp. R16-26 is a 2026 professional services contract for appraisal services Mcernney and Associates. R1 17-26 is 2026 professional services contract for certified tree expert Alberta tree
services. R18-26 is a 2026 public agency compliance officer. R19-26 is 2026 acting qualified purchasing agent. R20-26 is to renew the used car lot licenses for 2026. R21-26
renew amusement device licenses for 2026. R22-26 is to renew massage establishment licenses for 2026. Have a motion. >> So move second. >> Motion by second by me. Any discussion?
>> Yes. Um, sorry. Um, are 627 the publications illegal? Um, I thought we were talking about tap into net tap into Horththornne >> doing the notices or not. >> We we didn't see that tap into was um we
designate ourselves as the official correct because that's what we have to be. alternate publication sites that we know of that qualify are the ones that we have listed. We're not aware that tap into does qualify for publication of
legal notices by other persons. >> Okay. >> So that that would be in other words somebody does a pling board notice they could do it in the record but I'm not aware that tap into qualifies uh for publication in that regard. >> Okay. May I add on?
>> I thought they did. >> Go ahead. >> Um um they also charge their proposal to um advertise and I'm talking legal notices. Um the clerk send
other notices that other people send. We pay them a monthly um fee for unlimited notices. I don't know if that includes our legal notices, but they did present a proposal which um quite honestly was um a lot.
So, our website per the state is the official publication um entity for legal notices which I I have set up that way and as obviously doesn't cost us anything. So, >> okay. So you can still proceed and do it
if you choose to but this >> if you choose to >> if this is what's designated >> but the per the state the new law is that it's on our website and then March in March the secretary of the state will have a page where they will list every
municipality's um website and the link. So, in in March, the Secretary of State website will have every municipality link to go to their um legal notices, but I have it on the front page front and center.
>> Yeah, I did notice that, Laura. And thank you for putting up the commission and agree like we talked about, but I know we've talked about Topnet doing >> um >> in the past, so that's why I brought it up. Thank you. >> No, I understand. I mean, if we can work out something with them, but you know,
it's a huge cost savings to us, obviously. >> Oh, absolutely. I agree. >> And just to clarify, that's R 6-26, not 27 if anyone's looking at their agenda. >> Oh, correct. 26. Thank you. >> I found the Waldo.
>> Roll call. >> Waki, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> Sasso, yes. Neil, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. 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 Leosa. Any discussion on any of the bills? >> Roll call. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Mey. >> Yes. >> Sasso. >> Yes. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Waki.
>> Abstain on the fire department. Yes. On all others. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Public comment. I open the meeting to the public. Anyone desires to be heard, come forward to the microphone. State your name. Sir, that was My name is Paul Der of 54 A Jack Lure
319 Van Winkl. We just wanted to say a quick thank you and congratulations to everybody that got reelected. Um obviously we're on the opposite side but we always appreciate the work that you guys do. Um we felt no ill towards anyone obviously personally on the campaign trail. Even at the doors I
always maintained that I never had any ill will personally towards anyone that we were running against. strictly professional even when I send minions to all of your doors not knowing they're your houses. But I just wanted to say thank you and congratulations. >> Thank you, Paul. >> And I want to echo that as well. Uh
congratulations to the mayor and to uh the elected uh council members Neely Sasso and Bennett. Uh we're in this together. We all want to see you succeed and we will support you in the future. So have a good year. Thank you very
>> anyone else wish to be heard. >> Seeing no one, can I have a motion to close the public comment? So moved. >> Motion by Scar, second by WKI. All in favor? I. >> At this point, can we have Pastor West come forward and do the benediction?
>> Pastor Wes, you waited a long time. It better be good. Hey, thanks for hanging in there. Yeah, >> no problem. Yeah, I mean, when you wait this long, you got to make sure it's good. I had a long time to think about
this one, so uh we'll be we'll be fine. Don't worry. Um let us just bow our heads momentarily for uh our benediction. Uh dear God, we just thank you so much. Uh now that the meeting has been completed, now that the work has been done, uh we simply place all of
these things into your hands. Uh we thank you for the council members. We thank you also for the mayor. Uh we ask that you would give them wisdom, insight uh so that they can uh discharge their responsibilities in a way that benefits all of the residents of Hawthorne. Uh we
also ask that you would uh uh cover all of those who are going to be committee members, those who are serving on boards, those who are going to be serving for the EMS and uh firefighters and police. Uh we ask that you would be with them as well. uh that as we depart from this place but not from your presence that you would keep us, protect
us, guide us, and sustain us as we seek to try to love our neighbor as our self. These things we ask in your name. Amen. >> Thank you, pastor. >> Thank you, pastor. >> Thank you, pastor. >> Our next council meeting is Wednesday,
January 27th at 7 p.m. Have a motion to adjourn. So move. >> Motion by Sierra, second by W. All in favor? >> I we journed