701. I call tonight's council meeting to order. Roll call. >> Bennett >> here. >> Excuse me. Leosa >> here. >> Mey >> here. >> Sasso here. >> Skiara >> here. >> WKI >> here. >> Matthews >> here. >> Please rise and join us in the pledge of allegiance.
I 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 public bulletin board at the municipal building, emailed to the Herald News, the record, the Gazette, and all persons who've requested the mailing as such since November 19th, 2024. Approval of minutes. Have approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of
September 17th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Motion by Sierra. Second by WKI. Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> WKI. >> Yes. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Sasso. >> Yes. >> Millie. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes.
>> Bennett. >> Abstain. >> 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. >> Seeing no one, I entertain a motion to
close public portion of the meeting. >> So moved. >> Motion by Sierra, second by WKI. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Presentation. We have a presentation from Bake County Open Space Grant. Uh we have County Commissioner Orlando Cruz
with us. Mayor, Commissioner Thank you. >> I want to see you get that in the ATM. >> Yeah, >> I've been saying that too. It's it's an interesting thing. Um well, good evening, mayor, honorable mayor, uh
council president, and fellow council members. Uh tonight, I am here on behalf of my colleagues on the board of county commissioners. proud to present a ceremonial open space check in the amount of $25,000 for the WA uh Ragwall Field Bleacher Replacement Project. Uh
this project represents more than just new seating. It represents opportunities for families, neighbors, and young athletes who gather here to cheer, to support one another, and continue building community right here in Hawthorne. On behalf of the commissioners and myself, I want to thank the burrow for your partnership
and commitment in making sure that our residents have safe safe, accessible, and welcoming recreational spaces. Together, we are investing in places where memories can be made uh and futures are granted. This year alone, P County has invested over $2 million in
open space grants to all 16 municipalities. Um and uh it's projects like this that uh are allow us to partner and and continue to enhance the quality of life of our residents. Um we have our continued work here in
Hawthorne uh as our partnership with the burrow goes even further. We are in the design phase of new improvements on the north end of Gothalbrook Park. uh a new playground, community garden, and the removal of the outdated maintenance garage, which will create expanded
parking for families to continue to enjoy uh our county park here in this burrow. So, uh thank you, mayor and council members, for this uh opportunity to present this check to you guys and uh together, we're hoping that the burrow residents uh continue to enjoy all of
the recreational opportunities that you guys have provided to them. So, thank you again. >> Thank you for considering us. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Say deposit my account. Commissioner Cruz, just following up on you said the north end of Galbrook Park,
the maintenance uh building. Are you planning on You said you're renovating or doing or taking it down? >> You are taking it down because I know that there was um some concerns with residents in Horththornne. >> Yep. We are removing it uh to expand the parking access. >> Okay. >> Yep. And then the other improvements to
the recreational uh amenities there as well. >> Was there any thought? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any thought given to dredging the >> pond? >> Yeah. Well, it's part of the larger >> chairman and they were walking out in the middle of the pond on the >> absolutely >> the island that's formed.
>> That is part of the overall um phase of the project. Um >> so there will be that that part of it as well. Yeah, we and again it's the constant communication uh and with Mayor Lane and and the team that's involved in this process. So there's a couple phases but we are uh moving along fairly
quickly. So, we should be seeing some progress there very soon. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. President. Several months ago, we had a meeting with the county. Matt Jordan was here. Uh we walk the park and uh that's going to be uh uh there's
going to be a new playground where the two buildings are on the uh with the pump house there across the street. There's an empty space to the right of it as you're looking at it. That area there is going to be a playground. We're going to have a cross bridge that crosses over the bu over the brook going
into the area where the house is right now that's coming down. So, and then there'll be more parking there so that people can walk back and forth. And they're going to they're going to dredge the uh the pond and they're also going to fix the dam. >> Some big stones are falling out.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. Adoption of ordinances. We have none this evening. old business. Dominic, we'll start your way. >> I'm okay. Frank >> Hannah Marie, >> I'm okay as well. Thank you, >> Bruce. >> No, sir. Reena,
>> um just want to um thank the uh police department and and really the traffic and and the mayor about the four-way stop on Pake and Shrew, I'm sorry, P and um Loretta Avenue. We put that up there from um concerns from residents and I
got to see him this weekend and I just said, "How is it going?" and he's like, "It's going well." And they have young children, so we really is a positive putting that four-way stop there. Thank you, >> Mike. No old, but I do have new when we're ready. >> Joe,
>> I'm going to hold mine till >> Yep. >> No, no, I'm going to hold it for administrative agenda after the swearing in. >> Okay. New business. >> Nothing. >> Mike? >> Yeah. I have a few things. Uh first I want to congratulate uh Councilwoman
Brena Leoso and her green team and environmental commission team uh for a great job or we have silver again. So congratulations. You guys did a phenomenal job to keep us uh keep us green. Um secondly um I want to wish everybody
of the Jewish faith a Yan Kapoor. Um, and uh, I will say that the mayor and Eric are off the hook because the email I sent earlier this week about the, you know, the maintenance garage on Gothaloon was answered and I was wondering how come I didn't hear back
from you. So, you're off the hook. I I was going to come down pretty hard today. Um, and lastly, something a little more sad. Um, if if you guys notice, I'm wearing a purple tie and a purple uh a purple ribbon. Um today typically we would be um having our
candlelight visual for the divert team. Um the county had suspended uh the divert team and I don't know why I don't know the particulars of it. I don't know if it's financial or whatever, but even though the divert team who does a phenomenal job, domestic violence still
happens. Even though this team's no longer here, and I'm hoping it's only temporary and way and the county can put it back, but domestic violence doesn't stop because because this program has been suspended. So for them, I'm still wearing it and observing
the hard work they that our Hawthorne divert team had done. I know they were phenomenal. it was stand out in the county and I'm very sad to hear that that right now it's suspended and we're hoping it's only temporary and maybe the commissioner could uh help us out and find out a little more information and
see where where that's at because it's a phenomenal program and domestic violence still happens if this is a if this either suspended or not it still happens. That's all. Thanks. >> Um just echoing what um Councilman Scara said about domestic violence. I'm
wearing purple. I was all anticipating of doing the candle light service, but um really need to get some answers on that because it is a great program for our residents that are in need and to also help the police in those situations and it's just a comfort to um the person
who is being abused. So hopefully we can uh regroup and look at that um program again. Second of all, um yes, we did get silver um sustainable jersey again for the fif thank you Frank
for the fifth time. Um this is a collaborative cooperative um effort. It's an all hands on deck for the whole burrow of Horththornne. Yes, the commission and the green team spearheads all the activities, but it's all the departments in the burrow that help me
put it together. It's it's sitewide um townwide and so I'm really excited that we made it the fifth time and of course you know I always have to fight for the points because they like to kind of nitpick on some of the work that we do. Um but we are one of the leaders um in
Pay County with silver. So Mayor Lane and uh will attending um the annual sustainable Jersey lunchon at the league and we will get our silver plaque again. And I just want to really thank everyone because when I reach out to everyone
that I need information, everyone gives it to me freely and we got the website up with all the documents. So, it's a great program. It's a lot of work and we'll see you in three years because I only do this every 3 years. It's tremendous amount of work, but thank you
for everything. Thanks, >> Bruce. >> No, sir. and Marie. >> Well, I echo all of my council members prior to me um congratulating uh Rea, you do an outstanding job. It is a multi-layered uh uh effort. When Rea
asks for help, everybody helps. Um all organizations inside the burrow, outside the burrow, um se Sunday, is it rain acres? Yes, >> we um Rotary and I'm sure other organizations help clean up green space.
Uh um she asked for help, people help. So, it's our pleasure to help and I'm honored that uh you've gotten this for our town. Um and and the domestic violence um suspension, the divert team, we always were the gold standard. Is that right?
Um so, I'm sure we'll uh hopefully that'll be reinstated soon. Um, I was surprised as well. So, I'm just echoing everybody else's sentiments and um, that's it for now. >> Dominic, mayor, don't we still have a
divert team? People from Horththornne still doing that? >> We still have it, but they're basically been uh, it's their involvement has been suspended. >> What do they do then? Don't they come under the chief, our chief of police? >> No, they come under the county divert
team. H. So, we have a problem. What do we do then? >> I mean, you know, like said, >> it >> exactly >> they they the the police would probably have to take him to a hospital or another home. Uh, but right now I don't
have an answer for you, but I can get an answer tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Cuz I thought we had a room set up in police department too, right? >> We do. >> Okay. I'm okay, Frank. Okay. Um, Eric, um, there's a deer that needs the animal controlled on Lincoln
A. I think it's on the Glenrock side. It's on the Glenrock side, so I know it's not us, but could you hook up with I don't know who's the animal control for Glenrock? >> I don't know either at all. >> It's on the corner of Lincoln and Florence. >> I think it's also the same as ours.
>> That's what I was thinking. >> I'm almost certain. >> Um, I didn't want to assume. No, I just was speaking with somebody the other day and and that same company's name came up. Okay. So, uh, >> perfect. We'll turn to the administrative agenda presented by Mayor Lane.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, tonight we have four uh police officers uh going to be uh hopefully coming off probation and being appointed as a permanent officer. So, I'd like to uh start off with Officer Michael McConn uh for advice and
consent. >> Can I have a motion to record? No move. >> Motion by Bennett, second by Mey. >> Roll call. >> Bennett? >> Yes. >> Leosa? >> Yes. >> Mey? >> Yes. >> Sasso? >> Yes. >> Skiara? >> Yes. >> Waki? >> Matthews? >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. Left hand. >> Left on. No, you're good. >> Left on the Bible. Right. He just wanted to make you move. >> Right hand up. Michael Mcnly swearly swear that I will support the Constitution. I the
Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And I will bear true faith and allegiance I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the government established to the government 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 will perform the duties of perform of the police department of the faithfully and partially and just to the best of my
knowledge best. >> Congratulations. Ready. Let's see him. Say this thing. Ready. Go. >> Okay. Uh, we have officer Evan J. Gokov. You have a motion to record. >> So move.
>> Sasso. Second. >> Motion by Bennett. Second by Sasso. Roll call. >> WKI. >> Yes. >> Skiara. >> Yes. >> Sasso. >> Yes. >> Mey. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
Evan, congratulations. >> Thank you, sir. >> I'm sorry. My my hand's cold. >> Ready. I, Evan J. Goff, >> I, Evan J. Gooff. >> 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 same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> to the governments >> 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 will perform the duties of >> and will perform the duties of >> police officer >> police officer >> of the police department >> of the police department >> of the burrow of Hawthorne >> of the burrow of Hawthorne >> faithfully >> faithfully >> and partially
>> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> They didn't. Yeah, they need a hug. >> Mom, you're going to be in trouble. You go
hug mom first. Okay, next we have officer Cameron v. Broofphy. >> Have a motion to record. Motion by Bennett. >> Second by Sasso. >> Roll call. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Millie, >> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. >> Skiara,
>> yes. >> Waki, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Congratulations. you. >> I, Cameron V. Bruffy >> I, Cameron V. 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 >> in the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established
>> and to the governments 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 will perform the duties of >> will perform the duties of >> police officer >> police officer officer >> of the police department >> of the police department >> of the burrow of Forthornne
>> of the burrow of >> faithfully >> faithfully >> and partially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability >> so help me God >> to help me God >> congratulations mother >> that's right Congratulations.
>> Congratulations. >> Last but not least is Officer Adam Zindaki. >> Have a motion to record. So move. >> Motion by Bennett, second by WKI. All in favor? >> Oops. Sorry. You guys fell for that one. Roll call.
>> WKI, >> yes. >> Skiara, >> yes. >> Sasso, >> yes. >> Mey, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Matthews, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> That's okay. >> Ready.
I, Adam Zindaki, >> I, Adam Zaki, >> do solemnly swearly >> swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> bear true faith and allegiance
>> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> to the governments established >> in this state >> in this state >> and the United States >> United States >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and will perform the duties of >> perform the duties of >> police officer officer. >> Police officer >> of the police department
>> police department >> of the burrow of Forthornne >> the burrow of >> faithfully >> faithfully >> and partially >> partially >> and justly >> and justly >> to the best of my ability. >> Best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations.
I've been doing this a number of years and we've never had four officers sworn in on the same evening. So, it's a testament to the growth in the police department. And good job, chief. Floor is yours, mayor.
>> Anybody wants to leave now? Now's your opportunity. >> There go. >> We'll give the mayor time to rest. We're only hurt a little bit. officers appointment ditch your uh your
>> on the diver. >> That'd be great. I appreciate that. >> Wonder where they're going to put the lawnmowers and stuff that are in the maintenance building. >> Oh, they don't use the one there. So, the building's basically not used then. Really? >> Margo got up to leave it.
the pet people. Uh yeah, >> first my congratulations to the four new police officers who I swore in and who are now permanent officers of the police department. Our police department is the best of the best and I am very proud of all of them. I want to thank everyone
who attended Hawthorne Day on Saturday. It was one of the best Hawthorne days and it was very well attended. Thank you to the committees and the volunteers who work so hard to make this event happen. And thank you to our police department, fire department, ambulance corps, DPW.
Everyone's support and hard work certainly made a great event possible. Next year's Hawthorne Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 26th. Congratulations to Councilwoman Randa Leosa and the Hawthorne Environmental
Commission and the green team on achieving silver level from sustainable Jersey again this year. I know how hard how much hopeo how much hard work it goes into and I am proud of all the accomplishments and thank you. As many
of you are aware, there is a lot of construction happening in town between the roads, sidewalks, curbs, and ADA ramps as well as PSEG installing new gas mains. I continue to ask you to keep informed with signing up for NIXL for
emergency information, and I thank you for your patience. I understand the frustrations that go with this type of construction work going on in front of your home, but when it is done, it'll look terrific. The downtown beautifification is
continuing on Lafayette Avenue and Legion Place. We where there were five businesses that that strip in that strip that are upgrading their facades. I also want to take time to thank the NPP
committee, especially Annie Hull for an outstanding job at the pocket park. It really is gorgeous and I have had many compl compliments on that. This week, 127 Main Street was given summones for
having an unlicensed vehicle in the driveway. We recently delivered two police cars that were hybrids. It is great to have hybrids as part of our fleet. This month, we are acknowledging breast cancer awareness month.
This Saturday, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage with an event at the Burrow Band Shell Grounds at 1 p.m. Please join us for the festivities. And now turn it over to our attorney, Michael Pasqual. >> Thank you, Mayor. U congratulations to
our four new officers. We have a great department and uh keeps keeps going well. Um many of you wore purple. Commendable. I decided tonight to wear pink in recognition of the many people that uh we all know who have survived
breast cancer and those unfortunately who did not. It is a scourge. It is uh awareness has grown tremendously and we got to keep fighting that fight. So, um, all month wear pink. I have pink socks
also, but can't really get them on camera. Um, today I had a conference for our affordable housing uh, challenges. As you know, there were two challenges filed uh, as to our housing element of
fair share plan. one by Fairshare Housing Center and the other was filed by an entity known as Dugan Development which is the current owner of the pan chemical site. Um the pro the
proceedings were conducted by retired judge judge Hanssbury who sat in Maris County and our special adjudicator which is the role formerly known as special master is Christine Kafone who we've worked successfully with in the past. Uh
Christine and I have spoken on and off all week long uh with John Sabbo our planner and the attorneys involved in the matter. Uh fair share quite frankly uh thought our plan was very much in keeping with what we were supposed to
do. They found that our numbers were good, solid. Um we are really working with them to fine-tune things. There are some things they pointed out that we can and will try to do. They're looking for some additional measures we could
possibly take uh to address what's called the unmet need. As you know, we have a prospective need, which is a need need to develop 200 new units of affordable housing in the next 10 years. We have a plan that would produce 23 of
those uh leaving 177 unmet and they'd like to see some uh stronger protocols to try to address that number. We will work with them. They have been working with us. Dugan's a bit of a different story. They want to overdevelop the pan
chemical site and we have told them in very clear terms uh we want to see development of that site but will not allow overdevelopment. So we'll keep fighting that fight. Uh we have court dates with Mr. Spoila. We have them in
early December and hopefully we will be able to gain uh something out of this. This is civil, not criminal. And this is him suing us for removing junk from his yard pursuant to a court order. And us
suing him for making his neighborhood a disgrace. His property is a disgrace. And what he does to his neighbors is disgraceful. And we're going to do all that we can to get that situation addressed. It's been an embarrassment to
our town. He's an embarrassment to our town, but we'll keep fighting that fight. And finally, Hawthorne Day. I do want to mention this because I know Ellen writes the mayor's reports with him and she refuses to put her own name in the reports, but I can do
differently. Um, I'm nominally the co-chair of author day. I don't do anything. I run the parking lot day of >> park cars. I I run the parking lot day of, but all the hard work that goes into that day, Ellen Bragno, Michelle Haims,
Joe Carr who does all the music, Alex Clejo who works so hard to put all the food together, uh, and so many other volunteers. I mean, that day we had people from the burrow offices. We had volunteers from all over the community.
We had so many volunteers showing up. We had volunteer students from the high school as we always do pitching in. I don't there's so many people I can't mention them all but there are a couple like I said Ellen and Michelle in particular who really run the whole
thing and uh so kudos to both of them to you mayor to the council. Uh, it was a great day and we look forward to next year where I will still be the co-chair and I'll still do very little, but I'm grateful for the support of others. So,
thank you. >> You do a great job at it, Michael, too. >> Well, you know, it's just you got to look good out there, but I don't do that much. >> You got nothing locked in. >> No. No. So, that concludes my report, Mayor. >> Thank you, Michael. And now I'll turn it over to our engineer, Joe Burn.
>> Thank you, Mayor. The 2425 road program that includes uh 4th Avenue, Ethel, and at Frederick, so on and so forth. Uh milling and paving is set for this week on 4th Avenue, Ethel, Florence, and Annette. Notices have been distributed
to residents and the subcontractor is finishing concrete work along Annette Avenue and will continue work along Frederick Avenue later this week. uh the 2425 local aid uh project which includes Hawthorne Avenue, Westervel, North Watch on Grand View. Uh the
contractor will be completing concrete work along Hawthorne Avenue this week with two blocks left on the east side of Kingston uh between Kingston and Moy. Um work could not be completed there previously due to a film crew. Uh as well as some
of the remaining work between uh division Wagner. Uh work will then begin on Grand View Avenue on Monday. Work was started uh at the bottom or the southern end of Westervelt Avenue and the contractor will continue to work their way north.
Uh the Lafayette Streetscape phase 3 project uh AA BMS has completed the walkway uh uh to the front of the public library and the remaining concrete work along Lafayette. The contractor has installed the electrical conduit which has been
inspected by PSENG and the contractor will be replacing the dead trees next. Uh I'm currently confirming a timeline on that but it will occur before the end of fall planting season. Um delivery of the remaining street lights uh lighting components is due sometime this month
and will be installed immediately upon receipt of the same. Uh the Hawthorne hockey rink improvements. Um we're awaiting revisions to change order number two for the additional time required to complete the project in the expedited schedule.
Uh Dan will return next week to uh finish installing the score uh scorekeepers tables and complete miscellaneous punch list items. Uh the Gal Hill Road emergency water mane replacement. The uh water man has been
installed and is in service. uh fire flow at the end of the burrow's limits is good. However, the Christian Health Center is still currently experiencing low flows. Uh test will be performed and a hydrant installed. Actually, the hydrant actually has been installed at
the end of the uh Golf Hill Road. Uh and uh our flows are good there. Uh but the Christian Health Center is still experiencing some low flows. Um and that concludes the report. Mayor, >> thank you, Joe. Now turn it over to our
administrator, Eric Mau. Well, >> thank you, Mayor. I offer my congratulations as well to our four uh officers on their permanent appointments, Sustainable Jersey Silver uh level. Nothing more needs to be said about the wonderful work by Raina and
her team. A few comments on resolutions on tonight's agenda. Resolution R1 155 authorizes the bureau to purchase through the North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System. um which you authorized us to join last meeting. New
grinders for our main sewer pump station and the Sycamac pump station. >> That's 157. You said 155. >> Oh, that's 155. I got them out of order. Sorry. >> I'm paying attention. >> Yep. Thank you. Um the uh as their name
suggests, these grinders grind up solid material um in our sewage, allowing the pumps to pump without clogging. Uh, see, make sure I get my numbers right from here on out. Resolution um R 158 authorizes Boswell to prepare
phase one of our watershed improvement plan, which is a requirement of our storm water permit with from the D. Um, if we didn't get the storm water permit, I don't know what we'd do with all the storm water that falls on our streets, but which is what why we have to get this permit. We actually took a
preliminary step this year um by development of a storm water system map. Resolution R1 159 is a late entry tonight for which I apologize. Um this was added after review by the council's IT committee on Monday. Um, this
resolution authorizes hardware upgrades necessary to replace computer equipment that will no longer be supported by manufacturers, including security patches, without which we'd have vulnerability to cyber security attacks. It also includes replacement of PCs and laptops not able to be upgraded to
Windows 11. Um this is mostly for the um Hawthorne Police Department network with about 10% of the cost so being for the municipal network uh for which major upgrades were done two years ago for the same reasons. The cost is significant
$283,000 but it's a price we must pay to remain secure in today's cyber environment. We have received official word of the feared but anticipated increase of roughly 36% in employee health insurance
rates through the state health benefits fund as the annual open enrollment begins today. Uh preliminary feedback from health insurance funds does not look promising in finding insurance at rates competitive to the state health
benefits plan. our um broker Dave Vaza will also look at commercial insurance. Um if something breaks along these lines, we may need to ask act fast. And so I'd like to set up a tenative insurance committee meeting um sometime next week to review any options we might
have at that time. So we'd be prepared to move forward with um action at the um October 15th meeting. Um I can discuss with that later. once once you figure out when. >> Okay.
>> Um I've been meeting with several phone vendors regarding switching our municipal building and DPW telephones to a hosted system. Once again, we're dealing with on-site hardware that is no longer supported by manufacturers. And in this case, there really are no options for replacement to a like
forlike system. A new contract here for multiple years should be below the bid threshold and therefore not require formal council action. Uh a meeting with Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission reps and our tree planting contractor will be held tomorrow regarding this year's tree planting project. The contract for which
was awarded um I think two meetings ago, one or two meetings ago. Um there will be several important matters coming to you for your view and attention at the October 15th meeting. One will be a resolution to approve an updated employee handbook for which I'll
distribute a draft ahead of time to the administration committee for review. Um our auditor will be here to review the 2024 audit uh and the administration will present our responses to the best uh practices inventory uh from the state. It should come as no surprise
that on this last item, Hawthorne once again meets the standard set by the state such that there is no loss in state aid and bas and after commissioner Cruz's uh um appearance earlier today, we will also have resolutions to accept
that grant and to a chapter 159 resolution to add it to the budget. And finally, just to add um a little bit to what the mayor said about the storefront improvements, um that the neighborhood preservation program uh priority this
year has been the uh storefront renovations. In addition to the ones that are upcoming that the mayor mentioned, there have been 10 um different storefronts that have been completed this year with money through the MPP program. Uh, Bagel Express,
Sparkle Cleaners, King Walk, ILG Gallo, Crystal Nails, Papy's Juice Bar, Fatimos, um, Always There Home Care, Hawthorne Auto Lab, and Puzzo's uh, restaurant. Um, thanks to Nancy Agnello and her NPP
team for um, making this program a success. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Eric. And, Mr. President, we'll re answer any questions that the council may have. Any questions for administration? >> Yes, sir. Drew.
>> Oh. All right. >> I'm up. Um, dump truck enforcement. Has there been any dump dump truck enforcement on North 8th in the area of Mohawk Avenue as I requested at the last council meeting?
>> I even sent a reminder email of the items I went through. >> I don't remember seeing an email, Joe. It was about the dump trucks now are diverting away from where the great enforcement is going on on Goffel Hill Road. So now they've all come down to
Mohawk Avenue area and where they're making their turns and as they're making their turns, they're dumping their load at North 8th. >> I had said that I picked up a lot of the gravel. >> Okay. >> Any of that ringing a bell? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. Thank you. So, if I could just ask
maybe we alternate if we're doing enforcement for the dump trucks because now they've just they see where you guys are and they've moved they've moved towards the Prospect Park area and they're coming down Halen Avenue. >> Any update on the abandoned bank on
Lincoln Avenue? It's looking just as jungle habitat as it did >> I have I have not heard back from the business manager there. has been cut. The lawn's been cut. >> The lawn's been cut, but the trees and the growth. >> Oh, look. Better than previous, but it's not 100%. >> Okay.
>> I emailed not only about the one item you mentioned, but also about the dead trees along May Street. I know they should still be under contract. They were recently installed. Well, I'll review that with our arborist and sha tree commission >> because they still should be under uh
right contract or a bid or whatever they have to hold. >> Yep. Well, I'll review it with our sha tree people. >> Performance bond. >> Performance bond. >> All right. Here's the last one. In the past, and I'm not speaking of the employee, I'm speaking of the process.
In the past, there have been a committee to interview for when we're doing a new burough administrator. Will there be a committee formed for interviewing process because we haven't heard any I have not heard anything. >> There will not be a committee formed but
the council once I pick a person then the council has an opportunity to review to answer any questions or ask questions of the applicant. >> So in the past yes I'm positive of it. There have been
you might not been on the council at that point. Maybe your wife was the uh clerk at the time. There was a committee of different people throughout the town, burrow, council, and they assisted in the hiring.
>> I appointed a committee to sit in with the review with the uh with myself and with the administrator to uh interview people. Yes, >> I think that's what he's asking. >> Oh, yeah. I I thought you meant >> So, the answer is yes. >> The answer is yes. appointed a
committee. >> Okay. Could you share who the is on that committee? >> I'd rather rather not hear. I'll I'll I'll tell you. >> Fair enough. I'm okay with that. >> We still need consent of a council though. >> Yes. >> Right. But we were included in the process in the past.
>> I wasn't included. >> I don't know that you were included, but it is a mayoral appointment. So, the mayor forms a committee and uh you know, so that's how it does work. I'm just saying we work very closely in the different committees that we are on.
It's been a pleasure working with Eric. I hope the next person No, I've never had a problem. I will say that I I hope that we are included in that process. >> Obviously not. >> Okay. Anything else? Any other questions?
>> I have a few. Yes. Sorry about that. Uh would you like to go? >> No. >> Okay. Um, I just want clarification from uh um Joe about the hockey rink >> because I'm sorry. >> Oh, I thought you were asking me. No, you're the wrong Joe.
>> Um, a >> little clarification because now school is in session. Um, what work do we still because we made a commitment to make sure everything was done before school was in session. So, we have some things that still left undone. It was my
understanding that basically there was some hardware bracket equipment that was missing from their original material delivery that basically would be used to secure the scorekeepers tables. The the boards and everything have been put up.
Everything's done. It's just um they had to get delivery of that hardware to secure the scorekeepers tables and then just miscellaneous cleanup items. >> Okay. So there's there's no disruption in that area that would affect the school or anything like that.
>> No. >> Okay, that was one thing. Um, if you can do me a favor also, Joe, uh, give me a little more clarification on the waterline that we replaced and now we still have some slow flow to um,
uh, Christian healthcare. So we are now tapped into we have a new line. Correct. I because last time when I asked this last meeting, we were still using the old line. We were installing it. Is the new line which is an 8 inch in diameter being used now?
>> Um the 8 in line has been installed. Um I know that the 6 in line is still active. I believe that Christian Health has been connected at this point. Eric, can you confirm that there? >> Um well, there there was no change at at Christian Healthc Care Center. the the
line from about uh um um from Cider Mill up 1,000 ft that 6 in that section of 6-in line has been replaced with 8 in line. >> Is that in use? that's in use and it's
it it's improved the uh um the the water that gets to up as far as Christian Healthc Care Center which is another 3,000 ft up through existing 6-in pipe up to that point. Um we we installed a
new fire hydrant at that location for the purpose of of doing a flow test so we could see the flow that we have there. Um and the flow I think is like 520 or 550 gallons per second where as we didn't have a comparable measurement
prior to the project but the the hydrant at the at the end of the new section of 8 in pipe um was I think at 350. So even further on a higher elevation um through
this um old 6-in pipe it there's an improvement. It's I don't think it's exactly what we were hoping to get and so there needs to be further investigation into it to see to figure out what might be going on.
>> Okay. So the to follow up on the last meeting um I asked if we could investigate when the pipe was removed if was it did we see what the if there was any blockage in there and if so what it was. >> I do actually have a photo of the
cavitation. I got it today. It's just uh it was in a proprietary iPhone format that I couldn't open up on computer. So, okay. >> I just need to do a conversion to get that back to a JPEG to email out and just let us know what it is. >> And just so we >> I'm not an engineer. You we abandoned
the old line in place. So we don't have the whole line, but we have pictures from the end. So you can see the type of of tuberculation that's ex happening in the line, but you can't see necessarily the full um extent of it because without
digging out the line and doing a bunch of cross. >> So you're not removing the line, you're leaving it in place. >> All right. But you have to do some type of investigation. I mean, is it just hard water? Is it, you know, because it's 50? I mean I'm looking for some idea. >> It's it's something they call
tuberculation. It's when when you have a cast iron pipe which has no in coating on the inside and you have you know our you know water with our chemistry running through it. You get buildup of of materials and very gnarly looking
shapes coming up off the sides of the pipe. And that is what uh um you know as it grows to the point where it causes a problem. So um with with the new pipe we don't have that cuz it's ductal iron
which has a coating inside and it's 8 in rather than 6 in and it's new pipe not 99y old pipe. So the flow that they're talking about that's little light is that on Burrow's pipe or is that
>> at the fire hydrant at the end of our pipe before it goes onto the Christian healthc care center it's it's 520 or 550 gallons per minute we would hoping to get more than that but exactly what could have been expected I don't yet. It
takes further um analysis investigation. >> You know where I'm headed. I'm wondering if we need to make it if we're going to have to be on the hook about another investment or uh >> off the top of my head at some point the rest of that 3,000 ft will need to be 8
in pipe. Whether that's an emergency that requires action now or not is something we need to determine yet. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Eric has a picture he can show you that he showed us on Monday. >> I can't wait.
>> I've got the I've got the photo as well. I can just pull it up after the meeting. >> Okay. All right. And I was just going to make a comment. This is about something completely different. The fact that the state health insurance increase of 30 36% is
just disgusting and that nobody can get their arms around this to get it under control. It's no one's fault here, but I just you scratch your head. How how could we continue doing this every year? It's is unbelievable.
>> And they knew about it when they passed their budget. >> It's disgusting. I'm just I'm sick. That's it. I'm sorry. >> Just following up with the waterline. So, Eric and and Joe, I thought the
piece the total piece was 3,000 ft. We were doing a,000 >> plus the 4,000 the total. >> All right. Well, cuz I thought it was three and we were doing one. So, that would be two left. But now I'm hearing there's >> close to four and we get00. It was close
to 3,000 more. >> They misstated the first time it was four, not three. You're not crazy. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I I just wanted to get clarification on that. So, um I'm glad that we put a hydrant at the end. Yes. The practice is abandoned in place with
the these old lines. Um, so I guess the engineer and our water department is evaluating, you know, what next steps to do further, but this sounds like we're going to be doing this in peacemail because it's a tremendous line. It it is
I mean to the when we did the resolution at the earlier meeting um there the concern is could we call something an emergency when we didn't know exactly what was going on in the in the larger piece of it. Could could we do
could we call 4,000 ft of replacement an emergency when we only knew about 1,000 given the amount of if we're talking about the difference of going from 40,000 to 100,000. Yeah. I would have said just let's do it. But we're talking about going from 400,000 to something
well over a million dollars as an emergency contract. >> Yeah. >> Um >> No, I totally understand that. I totally understand. We've we've addressed the immediate need and you know it's still low flow but they still in in the event
there is a fire we will be able to um >> it's it's better than it was. >> Okay. So >> I you know I I'm not just concerned about safety and reliability. >> I'm not an engineer. I'm not a a water person and I'm not a firefighter. Um but
so I'm not sure that what we have there if it's again it's better than it was. That's that's what we know. Okay. >> And uh >> that's fine. It's just that we'll put it part of the capital and part of the whole upgrades of our water infrastructure
that we've been doing with the galvanized piping. It goes to the points of what other lines we have that are extensive because we do not want to be in a situation that our friends in Patterson and was able to deliver and provide reliable
uh safe drinking water to those towns. So we want to you know think first to our our uh residents. Thanks. >> Any other questions on this side? >> Well, most of it's all been covered. Um, so I appreciate being on this end, but
so we all are thinking the same thing, right? So we've addressed that thousand feet and it's very uh I don't want to put in universe, but um we we'll just hope that there's no way we can rotorooer the rest of it when it
happens if it happens again. Right. Whatever this >> is. That's not necessarily true. I asked about >> really Okay, because that's what I'm thinking. You can put an augur in there or whip and see what comes up >> maybe to assist the pressure. >> You put a filter in place after so you don't just knock it off and send it
further up somewhere. Right. >> So I asked about that on Monday iron pipe Frank. That's the problem. >> No, it still needs to get replaced over time, but immediately if there's a low flow, you can snake it, >> Joe. >> So wait, you know, listen, great job. We
know what the issue is and uh proceed. So thank you. Um Mike and Raina for addressing that. Um Mike hit my roller ring question. The only other question I had um Joe I didn't get to hear everything you were
talking about the road program um in the streets and everything and my only common sense question is to the universe and I I know you'll have the answer is we're doing road programs and then PSCG is doing gas lines. Are they going to go
in the proper order of successions? Do we have any way of magic eightballing that? In other words, you know, a couple times it happens where we do the roads and then PSG comes and chops up those brand new roads and then >> um >> and that's frustrating and painfully expensive.
>> We log our uh we log the projects, the planned road projects uh with PSEG at the beginning of the year or at the end of the year too. Um so that way they're aware of what road work is going to go on. That way proper road moratoriums are logged in their system so they know
don't touch this road for at least 5 years. Um there was one small overlap this year that I believe was on a small section of Hawthorne Avenue >> by Wagner over there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Um but that was addressed and taken care of already. So >> great. PSEG put out a schedule of the high-pressure lines that they're replacing about two or three years ago and a schedule of when they're planning on getting to them. We've been trying to
do our road program around them as well. >> Oh, certainly. >> So, we don't go do something that they did and vice versa. >> I think we keep to our schedule. >> Yeah. >> They don't. You're right. So, appreciate it. That's all. >> Forget it. >> Okay. I got one for the mayor. >> Okay. You know,
>> shoot, Bruce. Speaking of these gas line replacements, um Prospect Park has been blocking off the roads and and monitoring for us. Is PSEG paying them or >> what do what do you mean by monitoring
us? >> Well, you know how when they dig up a road, you better have police cars at both ends, >> right? >> Well, they've been prospect park cars for the past all this week. >> Where? >> Yeah. Well, sometime sometimes what the
police do is because if we don't have >> the necessary manpower to do that, right? >> Instead of taking the regular shift off their patrol of Horththornne, the police department then asks neighboring communities if they could help. And a
lot of times we do get help. And we get a lot of that help a lot of times from North Halen, too. Yeah. >> And and it uh it just works out good. They get paid from public service. >> That's, >> you know, and >> that was the gist of my question, >> right? They get paid. It doesn't >> I don't care whose policemen are
monitoring keeping us safe. I just was curious about the financial arrangement. But >> we're good. >> We prefer our own because they know the town. They're better able. But but when they're not available, we need somebody and so we'll go outside. >> Yep.
>> That it. >> Yeah. Lori, would you like to give your report at the moment? >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um, just wanted to um mention import some important deadlines and dates that
are coming up regarding the 2025 general election which takes place on Tuesday, November 4th. So, the voter registration deadline to um for this election is Tuesday, October 14th.
This is for a new voter, an address or name change. Uh my office, the clerk's office will remain open until 9:00 p.m. If you'd like to stop in and fill out the application um here, you can do that and we will take your completed and
signed application. Um I do deliver them the next day to the superintendent's office in Patterson. Um, applications can also be found on the county clerk's website, on the bureau's website. You can also register online. Um, if you
just Google uh voter registration online in New Jersey, it'll take you to the nj.gov uh website, you can register. You do have to create an account because at the same time, you can also um
follow your vote by mail ballot online. Um, in-person early voting period will begin on Saturday, October 5th, and run through Sunday, November 2nd. Here in Hawthorne, the location is at our public library,
which is located at 345 Lafayette Avenue. Um, also many other locations throughout Payic County. And um any Payic County registered voter can use um take advantage of the early voting
period um at any location. The hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. And on election day, Tuesday, November 4th, the poll
voting polls locations in the municipality are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. vote by mail ballots, which are also known as absentee ballots. Um they have
the first batch of ballots were mailed out starting on September 20th. Uh many people have received them already. I have um seen the voters put their completed ballots in our dropbox which
is out in our um parking lot. Um, and just a reminder, it is under camera and it is um emptied out every other night by county sheriffs. Um, so
I would say they're secure, but that's your opinion. Um, the deadline to apply for your ballot by mail is Tuesday, October 28th. and um returning your completed ballot.
Um that does go in a dropbox. They are also located throughout Payic County. Um if you do use the US mail postal service, it must be postmarked no later than November 4th and received in the
county elections office by November 10th. And that completes my report. Um, feel free to call my office if you have any questions at 973-4271167. And that completes my report. And if anybody has any questions,
>> Lori, I have a question. >> I will be happy to answer. Sure. >> In the beginning, you had said early voting starts October 5th. >> I'm sorry, October 25th. >> 25. It's a Saturday. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> I have a quick question, Lori. Just
clarification. Um, the in-person voting can go to any location in PT County or any location in the state. >> Any location in the state. Yes. Thank you for the >> All right. So, it's not they don't have to be if they're in Bergen County and they see a early person, they work there, they can just go there. Okay.
Thank you. >> That's correct. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions, >> Mayor? Anything else? >> That concludes the report from administration. Mr. President, >> could I have a motion record the administrative? So moved. Motion by Meie, second by Skira. All in favor.
>> Motion carries. Introduction of ordinances. We have none this evening. Resolutions. We have consent agenda R1 155-25 to 159-25. 155-25 is the Hispanic Heritage Day performers. 156-25 is to amend the
assessment of costs for 2022 road program block 3 lot 8. 157-25 is a purchase order for the Muffin Monster repair at Gothal Hill and the Ryerson pump station rapid pump. R 158-25 is
professional services for Boswell at the watershed improvement plan phase one. And R 159-25 is purchase order for Pasc data for hardware and software updates. Have a motion. >> So moved. >> Motion by Millie, second by WKI.
>> Any questions? Yes, >> Eric. >> Yes. >> Uh the Pasc uh software update is that I have happen to know somebody who's in our who makes inspections and they put in for tablets. Is that part of the tablets coming out of there?
>> There's no tablets in in here. >> No tablets in here. Anything that needs tablets would have to be through some other um >> budgetary item. This is this is for replacement of of equipment that won't be supported that uh will be a security
risk um if if we don't do it. It it doesn't have any expansion of anything any new tablets or anything. But if you want to let me know what uh what someone's looking for, we can certainly uh >> you must know. >> Well, I I I don't know what you're referring to. I know places >> I'm referring to our fire inspectors.
They're they're working with tablets and they haven't got them yet and they said they ordered them six months ago. >> Okay. This is because of all the Windows 11, excuse me, Windows 10 is no longer supported. So, a lot of this is caused by security requirements of Windows 11.
>> So, that's 90% of it. >> Okay. I don't know. Um, I just want to reiterate what Eric said about um, 157-25 and that's about the co-ops that we um, join um, because it gives us power and
numbers and um, gives us really good pricing. So that is for the muffler monster repair, but it's all our wastewater or drinking water um, opportunities that we could uh, buy equipment and and materials. Yeah, we're
a member of probably one, two, we're probably a member of of seven or eight co-ops in addition to having access to this uh state cooperative pricing system. >> And that was going to be my second point is because we did at the last meeting, we bought um the fire chief, the assistant fire chief that vehicle
through that co-op. So, it's been very beneficial to the town being part of all these co-ops. And thank you for letting us know the total is seven. So, that's all >> about seven. I may have missed uh some that we haven't used in a while. >> 3,000 4,000. >> Yeah, but it it it cost it's a cost
savings to us and it's passed on to our taxpayers for our budgets. Thanks. >> I better come up with that. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Um I'm sorry, Council President. Can I make a comment also on a resolution? >> This going to be a good one?
>> It is. It is. I promise. Uh resolution R155, Hispanic Heritage Day performers. Um just want everybody to know um our committee did a wonderful job this year of um fundraising and so these
performers that are being paid is coming out of sponsorship money. So just it's not a budget item. It's from our committee. >> Good job. >> Right. Okay. That's all. Thank you. >> Way. Yeah.
>> Mui bueno >> on the leg. >> We are facto. >> Did Marge come back? Roll call. >> I'm trying to figure out how to say Bennett in Spanish. >> El Bennett. >> Benito.
>> El Benito. >> Sorry. >> Poppy. >> I needed that today. Um, Bennett. >> Yes. >> Leosa. >> Yes. >> Millie. >> Yes. >> Sasso. Yes. Kiara >> C on 15525. Yes on all others.
>> No, you got that wrong. >> Waki >> C on all of them. >> Matthews. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Good job. >> Okay. Reports of reports of special counsel committees. Dominic, we'll start your way. >> Okay. Um, I just want people to know
that the finance committee and public safety committee have committed to buy a fire pizza apparatus and at the Hawthorne day, one of the individuals in the fire department told me it's not going to be here until after 27. In other words, it hasn't even gone hasn't
even been ordered. I mean, hasn't even gone to construction yet. Is there a reason why? I mean, it takes that long. We knew that when years we knew that when uh when we ordered it because because we waited. So we don't we may not need it for another year or two. If we had waited then it would it would have been two years from then. But
that's that's the time it takes. >> It's not just for us. It's for anybody ordering fire apparatus now. You have to get in line and and it takes that long before they you it gets in production and then gets finished. >> I know. It's such a long time. >> Yes, it is.
>> And they knew it. They knew what time what the time limit was >> and and that's what they were pushing so hard then because they for whatever the immediate needs were. They knew that they wouldn't be able to address the immediate needs until two years down the road because it takes that long to for
the apparatus to get here >> and we approved it a long time ago. >> Yes, we approved it six months ago and and it just takes that long. >> Okay. I just want people to know that we are we and there's no water in this vehicle either, >> right? >> Jeez, there is >> it's a dry vehicle.
>> There's a purchase order. The price is locked in for today's prices, not for 2027 price, right? Um for the >> for the residents. >> Hi. Yes, the board of ed had their um
meeting this past week and um they gave a lovely applause to the um educators and staff members for their for those that had 25 years of dedicated service to our students. Um and I will say that um our new superintendent,
while he has very large shoes to fill um after Ricky Spuro retired, um he is off to a fantastic start. Um I'm I'm very excited for our our kids and and uh the parents. Um Wayne is very sorry to have lost Matt, but it is certainly our gain
here in Hawthorne. Um in addition to that, um the ambulance corps is selling their tickets handover fist for their beef steak November 1st. Don't wait till the last minute to get your tickets for that. Um, and on a side
note, the um, Hawthorne Rotary Club has had to make the decision to postpone our um, taste of Horththornne. There was a series of unforeseen glitches that affected um, this event on on many layers. So, in order for it to
be the absolute best that it always has been, it's going to be in the spring. Um, it will happen. Anyone who has purchased tickets online automatically will get a refund. and those that have purchased tickets from Manny will get a refund and any sponsors have the
opportunity to either have them move it forward or get a refund as well. So, um this has always been certainly my personal favorite fundraiser because it's just about eating and drinking and um socializing with with uh one another, but it's the only fundraiser that like
many you know that the the Rotary Club has, but it's the only fundraiser like many of these private organizations have. It's not private, but that they have for their scholarships. So, that's the only one they have. So, it will be held and we just want it to be the best possible. So, everyone's a little upset
about it, but uh rest assured it'll be great probably around March it will be announced. I think that's all. Oh, and I have to applaud everybody. Warthorn Day really was the best yet. Um
her Ellen does make it look like it's so easy, but I know it's not. Um, so I salute you, Miss Ellen. And um, our parkings are I know it's nothing's easy, but really this year just for some reason was just so much better.
Congratulations. That's it, >> Bruce. Well, yes, the public works committee had to meet uh to review with Eric what he talked about on the Gothal Hill Road water line. >> Yeah.
>> Going from the 6 in to an 8 in. So, I think Eric covered most of the details pretty well. That really is all I have to report. >> Just want to remind everyone on Sunday, help the Hawthorne be defeat litter at
the 8 Acre Woods from 10 to 12. So, come on down. Um, it's going to be a big event. Hawthorne Environmental Commission, the green team, the Burrow of Hawthorne, the Rotary Club, and the Girl Scouts will be there. Um, and we're going to have the Boy Scouts as well. So, and all everyone is invited to come
because we'll probably end up moving off of the 8acre woods and going into the streets to pick up the litter. So, come on out. Um, first 20 people get a grabber and everyone else gets a bag in the gloves. So, come on down to get your grabber. Thanks.
>> 21 done. >> Michael, >> thank you. Um, I also want to congratulate uh the whole team that did all the work for Hawthorne Day. Um, a lot of we all know behind the scenes. We know Ellen is is the pivotal person here. So, great job. You and the entire
team and and the mayor uh and all the DPW people and the sponsors that helped support it. It's something that we're very proud of and we just try to get everybody from even different communities to come by and enjoy Hawthorne. Um, with that being said, another great event's coming up this
Saturday. Um, it's Hispanic Heritage. We're going to be celebrating our fifth year and we have a lot of great things going on. It's it's it's going to be bigger than we've had before. So, we're really excited. We're going to have food. We have food trucks and food from the local uh local restaurants. We're also going to have music music from the
DJs. And we have a couple of bands. We have a Latin fusion band, a mariachi band. We have we also have uh a number of different types of dancers that will be there. We're going to have Zumba and Zumba contest. Uh we're gonna have a lot of things for the kids. A bouncy house
face painting. Um we're going to have uh stickers and little tattoos for the kids, balloons. Um so fun for the whole family. Uh so bring your kiddies and bring your wife and uh come down and enjoy it. It's it's open to everybody.
It's not exclusive to anybody of Hispanic persuasion. We want to in embrace everybody from every different background and culture and come experience uh the Hispanic culture. So, it's uh again this Saturday uh October 4th from 1 to 5:00 pm um we we are lucky
enough to have our MC being Flavio Romeo. Uh and we have our master ceremonies. I mean um our keynote speaker will be uh George Aasa. So, we're looking forward to it. Everybody come on down and enjoy yourself and make sure you come by and say hello. Thank
you. >> Cinco, >> Joe. All right. The next Sha Tree Commission meeting is Tuesday, October 7th. And then I also would like to reiterate what everyone's saying about Hawthorne Day. I thought it was amazing. Ellen, thank you so much. Not only being
an attendee, but also being a um a vendor, if you want to call it that, with the Hawthorne Fire Department, company number three. We sold our most amount of sausage we've ever done, and it's all because of you. Thank you so much for putting us in the same spot we always are, and uh we were successful
because of you. Thank you. Okay, the Chamber of Commerce held their annual fishing derby. It was a great day. The kids had a blast and we want to thank the sponsors uh such as Columbia Bank, GNS Financial Services, Boys and Girls Club for their tables and chairs
and the Falsam Corporation of Mawa for donating all the fishing rods and reels. They are also having their annual restaurant week which is coming up October 11th through 18th.
And oh last night we had a networking event with the Rididgewood Glenrock Fairlorn and Horththornne Chambers of Commerces. It was held at the uh Aqua Reserva facility on Lincoln A and it was probably about 50 or 60 uh people
networking and doing their chamber things. planning board uh meets this week. It's an off week for them uh because of the way the calendar falls. And the as Joe's going to talk about, the IT committee met to talk about the required updates
that we need for security reasons. And that concludes my reports. You didn't talk about the IT committee. >> I think Eric beat it up enough. I wasn't gonna No problem. >> Eric spent the $280,000. Not me. >> Correspondence. We have none. But we
have bills. Have a motion to approve the bills and send them to the >> for motion. >> Uh second >> motion by WKI, second by Leosa. >> That wasn't me. >> Oh, it was you. >> I can't. Okay. Okay. I can't. >> All right. Skier, I misheard.
>> Any questions or comments? >> Roll call. >> Abstain on the fire department. Yes. On all others. >> Skiara. >> Abstain on Bridgewood Press. Yes. On all others. >> Sasso. >> Yes. Millie, >> yes. >> Leosa, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Matthews,
>> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Public comment. I now open the meeting to the public. Anyone desires to be heard? Looking forward to the microphone. State your name. >> Boswell never did that. >> He's younger. >> Hi, I'm Jack Lure. Um, I have a couple
rambling things to suggest uh and to share with the with the council. Uh, first I want to congratulate you on what a busy and successful meeting this is. There have been a lot of really great things to celebrate and uh you can be proud. I think the clerk misspoke. I was
trained as a as a poll worker. I think you misspoke when you said that you could vote early voting in any place. It has to be within the county. And I checked this out just now online. Um, you can go to any any voting early voting place within the county and they
will have the municipal uh ballot for you there, but if you go to Bergen County, they won't have our our ballots. >> Okay. >> Uh, so I wanted to correct that. >> Uh, I also wanted to say I didn't get the message about the cancellation of the domestic violence reduction. So I
came with my candle and there was in fact a vigil outside, but I was the only one there. Um, but I was glad to participate to think of It was it was meaningful and u I felt like I was holding the fort if you will. Um at the
last meeting I heard u discussion of the ordinance and the contract that we have with our haulers regarding how early they begin collecting. And there was discussion that suggested that if we have an ordinance
we ought to enforce it and if we're not going to enforce it we ought to change it. Um, I'm here to suggest based on a conversation I had with one of the council members on Hawthorne Day. Um, that I should bring an idea here to the council. Actually, it arose when the
council member asked me why was I running for council? Couldn't I just bring my ideas here? And so, I'm going to bring at least one idea to share with the council. Uh, as I read it, the uh, in the health department's report for last year, we have only 23 cats
registered in the town of Hawthorne. It suggests that we're missing a few. And what I would like to suggest to you is that you have an ordinance that says in order to protect uh, us from rabies, we need to have all of our cats vaccinated
and all of our cats licensed. I want to suggest that the council take on the the task of promoting registration of cats within the within the burrow. And that one way to promote that would be to say for one year we'll have free registration. You won't be
charged the $10 fee. Let's get every every cat licensed within the town. Or if we're not going to follow the the ordinance, let's remove it. So that would be my suggestion. Um, I'm part of a team that actually has dozens of ideas
and suggestions and I think we recently published our platform and if you want to take some other ideas for the council to consider, we certainly would recommend those as well. But thanks for your time and thank you for the work that you do. >> Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard?
>> Seeing no one, I entertain a motion to close public portion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Scara, second by WKI. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Our next meeting is October 15, 2025 at 7 PM. Have a motion
to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Motion by WKI, second by Skeira. All in favor? >> I. >> We're adjourned. >> Loud.