Yes, please. >> Good evening. This is the meeting of Burough Highlands Mayor and Council regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026. The notice requirements provided for in the open public meetings act have been satisfied. Notice of this meeting
was probably given by transmission to the Aspberry Park Press in the Two River Times and by posting at the Burough of Highlands Municipal Building and website and filing with Burough Clerk all on January 1st, 2026. Items listed on the agenda are subject to change. Please stand for 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. >> I will now do roll call. Council member
Svantes here. >> Council here. >> Council me here. >> Council President >> here. Mayor Bulan >> here. >> Thank you. Um, first we have approval of minutes May 6, 2026 meeting minutes. >> I'll
have second. >> Council member Svantes, >> yes. >> Council Chilac, >> yes. >> Council member Melnik, >> yes. >> Council President, yes. >> Mayor Bulan, >> yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries to approve May 6, 2026 meeting minutes. Next, we have May 6, 2026 executive session minutes.
All >> council member Svantez, yes. Council >> Chilac, yes. Councelor Melnik, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. Mayor Bulan, >> yes. >> Motion carries to approve May 6, 2026 executive session minutes. Next, we have consent agenda. Mayor, would you like me
to read the resolutions by title? >> Yes, please. >> R 26116, authorizing the budget to be read by title only. R2617 governing body certification of compliance with the United States Equal Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission's enforcement guidance on consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment decision decisions under title seven of civil rights act of 1964 R 26118 authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for
professional services slope stability analysis consulting services R 26119 author revising the award of a non-fair and open contract for beach sifting services at Snug Harbor Beach and Miller Street Beach for the summer of 2026.
R26120 acknowledging receipt and review of the land use board consistency report for ordinance 02610. R26121 declaring acceptance of the contract for tide bay wave installations. R26122 appointing special
police officer. R 26123 authorizing payment of bills. R 26124 authorizing the award of a contract for services in connection with local government meteorological services. >> We just need an offer. I'll offer second. >> Go ahead.
>> Council member Santes. >> Yes. >> Council Chak. >> Yes. >> Council Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bulan. Yes. Motion carries to adopt resolutions R26116 through R 26124.
Next we have public hearing of proposed ordinance 02610 amending chapter 21 zoning and land use regulations section 21-65.9 grading and top soil removal. Section 21-84B's steep slopes and slump slump blocks.
Section 21-99 enforcement. and section 21-107B fees of the B code of the burough highlands. >> Um, are there any questions from the council on this ordinance? Again, this was cleaning up some typos of the
disposition of fees um and some procedural um ways in which we deal with um chapter 21 within the building department. I have one question if this may not be the right place to answer it. I'm still
trying to understand >> that if you are not adding more than five or if you are adding 500 or more square feet um then you have to go through all of these things. But what if you're not adding 500 square ft? It doesn't seem to
be clear anywhere. I don't know who I'll find somebody else. I was going to say uh that would be you should reach out to Dustin. >> I have >> the land use attorney to uh have him explain that. >> Yeah. Yeah. I haven't gotten a total clear answer, but I I will again.
>> Are there any other questions regarding this ordinance? Then I'll open up to the public. Uh gentlemen, do you have any questions regarding uh this ordinance at all? No. Okay. Okay. And then with that, I will
close the public portion and uh I will offer this ordinance. >> Second. >> Council member Svantes. >> Yes. >> Council Chal, >> yes. >> Council member Melik, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Mayor Ban, >> yes.
>> Motion carries. 02610 pass on second and final reading. Next we have O2611 amending chapter 3 section 2.4 entitled exceptions. certain noise permitted at certain hours of the code of the burrow of highlands. >> Uh this is correcting uh an error in
which for uh construction projects uh the hours the permitted hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. but our ordinance said 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. So we had to correct that so that it is is exactly what um it should be and that is
the only change for this ordinance. Sounds good. >> Again, any questions from >> So, it is from 7 to >> construction. Yes. >> Yeah. And 9 to 6 on weekends like >> 9 to 6 Sunday. Saturday and Sunday.
>> Yeah. Saturday, Sunday. >> Saturday, Sunday. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um but that's the only change. It's not a change to any of the other hours for anything other than construction. >> No. Any questions? >> No.
Uh, I'll open a public portion. Are there any questions on this ordinance? >> Okay, then I'll close the public portion. >> I'll offer. >> Okay, >> we'll take the motion. >> Council member Svantes, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Council member Melnik, >> yes.
>> Council President, >> yes. >> Mayor Bulan, >> yes. >> Motion carries. 02611 pass on second and final reading. Next we have introduction of proposed ordinance 02612 amending ordinance 02608 designating
restricted parking in front of residence occupied by a person with disabilities. Um again this is for a person that has uh given all of their information but to the police department have a designated step. This is going to be my answer for
the next one as well. um that they would uh they have their uh disability certificate, but what we do is then we give a designated spot that has their house number on it or apartment number, however that may be and uh so that they have a dedicated place to park that's
near their home. >> Any questions? >> Just change the utility pole in that person. >> Yeah, >> like the address is the same. >> I know, but the address is the same, but the utility >> P. Exactly. >> So the utility pole designates, you
know, where in front it says in front of X utility pole. They're moving it from one pole to another pole so that it's closer to this person's front door. >> Cool. >> Uh without any other questions, I will offer this ordinance.
>> Second. >> Council member Santes. >> Yes. >> Council member. Council member Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Mayor Bulan. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to pass 02612 on first
reading with a public hearing to be held on June 6, 2026. Next, we have O2613 designating restricted parking in front of residents occupied by a persons with disabilities for previously removed parking space identified in ordinance
02607. I'll offer. I was going to just to explain that this one is uh because the person that had this space and then we removed it because uh she moved out of town. Um but then another person uh
moved in and she's also disabled and so now we're redesating that space for this new resident. >> Changes. >> Yeah. So Karen offered, do we have a second? >> I'll second. Council member Santes. >> Yes. Council member Chilac,
>> yes. >> Council member Melnik, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Mayor Bulan, >> yes. >> Motion carries to pass 02613 on first reading with a public hearing to be held on June 3rd, 2026. Next, we have >> Nancy, before we move on, I I just want
to confirm. I believe you said before item 14, the prior ordinance, that it was June 6th, but June 3rd is the next council meeting date, correct? >> June 3rd. Yes. Great. Thank you. Sorry. >> Thank you. Next we have administrator's report. Uh report has been uh placed at your
desk. I have a couple other things I wanted to add to it. Um bit of good news on on health insurance. We got our Delta dental renewal and we signed up for another 24 months, but it's only an 8.3% increase. So compared to the 36 and a
half. Yeah, that's really good. >> Uh the other issue is our um our auto repair shared service with Atlantic Island is ending in about 6 weeks and we've been we've gone out to uh RFP and we haven't received any responses from
any private businesses. So I reached out to Long Branch um and asked them if they were interested. They said maybe in the fall, not right now. I previously reached out to Rumson um and they can't do it right now either. So, we're going
to send out an RFP again. Um, and I'll keep you updated on where we're at. And that's all I have. >> In in the event that nobody responds that RFP and that runs out in six weeks, what's the >> um Well, I talked to Andy about this
before and hope we can contract a >> just on an ad hoc basis as needed. Yeah, >> makes sense. >> Yeah. Well, if you have a favorite mechanic uh that is in the area, >> we could uh get that information over to
uh to Mike. >> I have no skills. >> Okay. All right. Um moving forward, next we have letter of support with a guest here.
Hello everybody. My name is Davis. I am here with FC. I'm in this county professional soccer team. We represent the county across the country. Um we recently received a grant from the state of New Jersey. Thanks to the squad parties for the
greater northern Mon County area. Um, and I've been a friend of Leos for many years now. He was of course a big software supporter supporter of ours as well. So really happy to be here. Appreciate the invite. Um, but essentially um we're we're really looking to work with neighboring states
for us on what we have going on these initiatives. Some dates kind of break down our June 11th is the um ceremony. We're hosting a Mexico watch party on Broadwalk Redbank. um as well as June 18th and 19th will be some pretty large
festivals um to there. So looking for municipal partners if they're interested working on transportation options busing um I've spoken with islands as well possibly se or local routes to be able to have route that go island fair and
then possibly start stop at RPR things of that nature. Well, um it's something interesting to start residents and have them be a part of it. The whole experience is completely free. That's the whole purpose of this. Um just to be able to have this sort of area of the
county involved working together. So if any of you are interested in any initiatives here in Highlands and I live in Fort M right goes all the time. So um we would love to be able to support here as well. So
thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have the public hearing on license 1317/33-008--00006 placeto place transfer applications >> and mayor if you want me to chime in. >> Yes please. >> So I know the governing body scheduled a
hearing this evening for the liquor license at issue. This is for the sea street property. Um the there were a few concerns with the property, specifically traffic, uh parking in the area and the safety of the lot. Um since this hearing
was scheduled, however, Sea Street has actually submitted or not has submitted has met with the burrow and indicated that they will be submitting a land use application which may very well address a number of the burrow's concerns that we had with respect to the liquor license application. Uh so at this point
um I would recommend that we carry this liquor license hearing on the uh placetoplace transfer application until the next meeting on June 3rd. Um the applicants council has confirmed in writing that they consent to carrying that hearing until June 3rd without any
further notice required. >> Okay, any questions? So, if everyone's on board, I would just suggest a quick motion and second to carry that hearing until the third. >> Sure. I will make that motion to uh move it to the third.
>> I'll second. All >> in favor? >> I >> I >> Thank you. Um, our CFO has been delayed a wee bit. So, I want to skip down to number 21, which is uh the chubby pickle person to
person transfer. Just need an offer on that one. >> Uh, yes, I'll second. >> I'll offer that. Mayor seconding. >> I am >> on um council member Vantes. >> Yes, I am.
>> Council member, >> yes. >> Council member Melnik, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Mayor Bulan, >> yes. >> Thank you. Um do we want to move to public portion? >> Uh why don't we just do number 22? >> Oh,
>> yes. Um >> 127 >> 127. Yes. >> Yeah. >> And that's supporting the association of the United States Navy Operation Reachout Program. I met with the two
gentlemen uh both the executive director uh retired Navy and u his assistant who is in the reserves at the Coast Guard. And what this operation reach out is all about is um to put it succinctly, all of
our military is extensively trained, but nobody trains their families. So, especially in times when their family members are deployed um or somebody sees some crazy stuff on the news and it's all about reaching out
to military families in town and um introducing them to each other um so that they could have a support network onto themselves um for families that are going through the same thing that they're going through. but having a way
to connect them. Um so what I did when I met with these gentlemen is I I offered to um work with both Legion and the um VFW to get known people that they know
to connect. Um, and also there are people that don't go to the Legion or they don't go to the VFW or they don't go like they don't drink so they wouldn't be in that environment ever. So, um, we're looking
for other ways that we can get, uh, this socialization going on between military families, um, whether they're active duty or retired or past or whatever it may be. um in order to get a better
support system network within the town. Um so this association this uh association for the United States Navy is a nonprofit organization created by retired Navy and Coast Guard members.
But what they are doing with their their prime directive is it doesn't matter what branch of uh the military you're from. They just want everyone to be supported at home. So, they have uh taken on the daunting task of reaching
out to mayors in every town in America, which is considerable, a lot of work. Um, but we were doing uh the pledge of allegiance event that that we went to uh back in April over at the Twin Lights celebrating the uh the first
mass pledge of allegiance. And that's how I was able to meet with Steven Rogers, who's the executive director. And so I'm happy to report that Highlands is the first town in the country to sign on with these guys. Um,
and I'm very very uh hopeful that this will be a great situation. Both the folks at the VFW and American Legion are very excited about it. um because I know that there's people that they can't reach and this might be a way to reach them and then get everybody together
whether it's just hanging out at one of the parks or >> doing a dinner or doing a lunch or doing something to that uh to that effect just to get people together. >> How do we find out, you know, >> well, how is it going to
>> I've created a survey >> that is very it's very short. It just explains what the organization is about. It asks if you want to be uh contacted. How do you want to be contacted? Do you want mail? Do you want phone? Do you want email? Um and then through the
regular channels, we'll put that out on the burough website, the burrow socials. I will um uh send a paper version over to Patak and James Parker because I know there's a lot of veterans in those two areas. Uh
Jackie will help at the community center and we'll we'll I have a feeling that we're going to do really well with this. Uh there's a great deal of folks that are both active duty um and retired that
uh work at Earl um and also at work, you know, throughout. >> Sure. >> So, um I'm I'm hopeful that this will be wellreceived and that we can do something that's not centered around. um always settled with the wrong alcohol.
>> Good. That's good. >> And to to get people the support they need because it's scary out there, especially when your loved one is in harm's way. Okay. May I have a motion? >> I will offer this.
>> I'll second. >> Council member Svantes, >> yes. >> Council member L. Yes. >> Council Mel. >> Yes. >> Council President Chesky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Balanch. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion approved >> for R26127. Um Mike, would you like to say a few
words regarding the budget? >> I'll just go over some of the uh some of the biggest increases. Um, as I mentioned when we introduced the budget, the largest increase um was health insurance, which was about a 36 12%
increase from state health benefits plan, which came up to a $540,000 increase. >> Wow. >> Um, some of the other biggest uh drivers for it, payroll, contractual payroll is up $232,000.
Our liability insurance is up by 60,000 and debt service is up by 88,000. Um we are anticipating uh since we started collecting the cannabis uh tax that that's roughly around $50,000 that
we're going to be bringing in this year. Um, for capital we have $171,000 which will allow us to incur about a little over $3.5 million for capital
projects and debt going forward. Um, and if there's any questions from every anybody, I'll do my best to answer. Did you just say before when uh you were giving your report something about 8%.
>> That was for um dental. >> Oh. Oh, okay. Okay. >> We we could have done one year for um it was within a percentage or two. So, we let's just walk in two because who knows where it's going to go. >> Okay.
I have a question too. Like, do we and I don't know the answer. Uh I hope you said this while you're asking it. Do do we do employees pay more? Is there some established ratio that when the cost to health insurance go up that they have to they have to pay more?
>> Yes, there's a um it's based on your income up to to um max is 35% um of the of the actual cost of the plan that you're in. Um mine, for example, I think mine went up about $5,000. Wow.
for this year. Um, and it it depends, you know, there there's different levels of plans. I actually have one of the kind of the cheaper middle of the road plans and anybody that actually has one of the the richer plans, uh, they saw
probably bigger increases. >> Yeah. >> Okay. This really Somebody's got to do something. This is just >> we've tried. It's always been my the the county needs to take this over. We want it to be part of the county's plan. It's the only way that it's going to be
sustainable. >> Yeah. >> I reached out to them and they didn't respond. >> Shocker. I'm going to reach out to them. >> Well, the other insurance costs too liability insurance. Yeah. Works comp
that went up about 60,000. >> Yeah. pay my >> nothing like the health insurance a half a million dollars that's a lot >> next year they're they're looking at another I think 22% >> oh my god they're trying to make it unsustainable >> I think basically they're trying to to
kill it off for municipalities and school boards >> yes >> but they're going to have to >> you would imagine that if they had more people together in their plan for the county that they would get much better rates because it's more people >> right have have we priced or taking a
look at what what the same or a similar plan on the individual market would be, >> they won't take us. >> No, no, no. I'm just saying like if if you just didn't offer it anymore and give a allowance to allow for that purchase on their own in the individual marketplace. >> I brought that up actually. I don't
think we can. I think we have to offer the health plan for >> we also tried to go directly with say like uh like Verizon Blue Cross or Adna, >> but since we're so small >> No, I understand that. that's not going to give you the power you need. They just didn't know if there was an opportunity. It's just >> yeah, sort of defay the cost for
somebody having to buy it on their own because right >> that at that point you're talking about being in the state market. Right. So you're an individual among all the millions in New Jersey at that point. >> And I also spoke with the Bayore mayors to see if maybe we could band together,
but Middletown self-insures, which has its own pitfalls um in that certain things are not covered. Mhm. >> Um but because they do it that way, it's a lesser of a cost. So that what made it
more palatable to their employees. >> But the other towns, I'm not sure what kind of what obstructs us without a structure of doing it within the county um framework. >> It's going to be an entity, right? It has to be an entity and we would need to
form an entity and then we would have to pay somebody to manage the whole thing and >> there goes your cost. >> Yeah. There goes your cost savings. It's all gone. >> So, uh, so that's where we all every town have the same >> Absolutely. We all have the same. We're all in the same boat. Same.
>> How are the the rates um figured? Uh, is it based on age? >> Uh, no. That's basically we get a bill from the states in terms of state health benefits. Uh a lot of the things that we're paying for this year, they had to do a $400 million u special loan in
order to keep it solvent. It's it's just been it's been just from the professionals I spoke with, it's been mismanaged for years and now they're just trying to play catch-up on it. Mhm. >> Um, a couple of years ago when we had our first big increase, um, the governor
was was nice enough to make the municipalities cover the whole increase and not the state employees. >> Wow. >> But it's gotten to the point now where we're just all all pay, >> right? >> Because the the plan that we do at our business is based on age.
>> So the older you get, the more expensive it is. You know, you can be someone that's, you know, healthy, very healthy. Exactly. Very healthy and not be on any medications and not be just because you're, you know, whatever 70s something. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. You get the ding. >> Are there any questions from the public regarding the budget at all? >> Question. >> Could you just could you just state your name and address for the record? >> Joe Walsh 37 Drive Fire.
Um I actually work in commercial insurance not not but I was just asking um you guys like a county risk management I'm sure it's probably >> yeah I I've seen uh we we work with program called basically municipal
municipalities go through next specifically they offer a bunch of different insurance capabilities so you guys do it yourself >> now we're part of the uh the mama gif for that insurance and we go through Danskin agency as our risk manager
>> for sure. >> Um, okay. If there's no other comment on the budget, I'm going to offer it. >> Second, right? >> Council member Slack, Mr. Vantes, >> yes. >> Council Mitchell, >> yes. Council me,
>> yes. >> Council President Shesy, >> yes. >> Mayor Bon, >> yes. >> Thank you. Um, can we please have the public portion statements? Public portion. Individuals wishing to address the council shall be recognized
by the presiding officer and shall give their name, address, and the group of entity they represent. Although the council encourages public participation, it reserves the right through its presiding officer to terminate remarks to and or by any individual not in keeping with the conduct of a proper and efficient meeting. If any individual
refuses to conduct themselves in a proper manner, they will be removed from the meeting. The council will not during the public portion of this meeting discuss matters involving employment, appointment, termination of employment, negotiations, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of promotion or discipline
of any specific or prospective or current employee. There's a 3minut time limit for your comments. >> Are there any comments at all? No. Okay. Seeing none, I will close the public portion and a motion to adjurnn. I'll
second. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Meeting adjourned at 7:30. >> Thank you everyone. >> Thank you.