Mayor, would you like to proceed? >> Yes, please. >> Good evening. This is a meeting of the Burough of Highlands Mayor and Council regular meeting on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026. The notice requirements provided for in the open public meetings act have been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly given by transmission to
the Aspberry Park Press and the Two River Times by posting at the Burough Highlands Municipal Building and website and finally with the 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. >> First, we have an immor memorial for
Thomas Pac. >> Um, before we get to Mr. attack. I just wanted to ask that we observe a moment of silence for one of our longtime residents in uh Highlands housing housing commissioner Ida Cotch who
passed away recently. And now I would like to uh formally uh recognize a remembrance of Thomas John Pac. He was um a young man that lived here in
Highlands and he was um our only uh casualty killed in action during the Vietnam War. Um, every year I I post something to social media, but this year I wanted to read this out into the record. So, it is um
on audio and video uh for the family who is very appreciative that we remember him every year. Thomas John Patac was born on February 1st, 1948. The second son of Geraldine and Ben Patac.
His home of record is Highlands, New Jersey. He was part of a family of 11, four brothers and six sisters named William, Thomas, Karen, Greg, Eileene, Andrew, Maryanne, Joan, Anne, Peggy, and
Peter. Tommy was baptized and attended eight years of grammar school at Our Lady of Pet Perpetual Health Catholic Church. He joined the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Little League. He also tried guitar lessons for a short time. He liked
swimming in the Shbury River where he learned um under the Highland learned how to swim under the Highlands Bridge. There was a 12-oot runabout and before he mastered the art of racing motors, he
ran over the fisherman's line at the docks and they gave everyone a good laugh. It's a mother's remembrance is a is a pure one for sure. Um it wasn't a laughing matter to the men though. He also uh took a dare to ride his bike
off the tea dock for a dollar and the boy boys cheered him as he rode for spending money. He actually had a paper route uh for four years. Tommy then attended Redback Catholic School for two years and during the
summer he worked for Mr. steagel at the state park at Redbank Catholic. He was into wrestling and also uh did Music Man in his freshman year. Junior and senior years, he transferred over to Henry Hudson where he made a lot of nice
friendships. Rather than waiting to be drafted, Tommy enlisted in the army so he could choose the branch he wanted, which was the paratroopers. He left for Fort Dicks and then to Fort Benning and jump school. He attended he attained the rank of
specialist 4, otherwise known as SP4, and he came on home in December of 1967 as they were leaving for Vietnam. Tommy was killed during a Tet offensive on March 22nd, 1968, only one month after
his 20th birthday. Highlands honored him with a plaque at Henry Hudson High School, a playground at Highlands Elementary School, and a plaque at the senior comp complex as he was the only one from town who was killed there. That senior complex is
after is also named after him. He was awarded the Purple Heart, a good conduct medal, medal medal, sorry, uh, national defense medal, as well as Vietnam service and campaign medals. And all of the information here was provided
by Geraldine Patac, his mother, and the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. Thank you for your patience. >> I will now do roll call. Council member Svantes here. >> Council member Schlack >> here. >> Council member Melnik
>> here. >> Council President Chesky >> here. >> Mayor Ban >> here. >> Thank you. Next we have approval of minutes March 18th, 2026 meeting minutes. >> I'll second. >> Council member Cha >> abstain.
>> Council member Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President Ovesky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Ban. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to approve March 18, 2026 meeting minutes. Next we have March 18, 2026 executive session minutes. >> I'll offer.
>> I'll second. >> Council member Tac. >> Abstain. Council >> Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President Oesky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bulan. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to approve March 18th, 2026 executive session minutes. Next, we have public hearing on proposed
ordinance 02606 bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of a new street sweeper appropriating 400,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 380,000 bonds and notes to finance a portion of the cost thereof authorized
in and by the burough violence in the county of Mik, New Jersey. Um this is to um replace our um our street sweeper that served us well but it is um nearing its end of useful life.
And do I have an offer? >> I got a question. Is is um does it cost $400,000 >> fully outfitted? Yes. >> For the whole thing. Okay. So it's that money going to other >> equipment? No, it's just for the street
sweeper, which is also equipped uh with um with hoses to put down into the um storm sewer grates and suck out all of the leaves. >> Um I know there's other attachments that go with it. Um but it's it's not just
sweeping the streets. It does it does provide other functions as well. >> Okay, >> Carol, we're opening for public comment, right? Like >> No, no, this is just introduction. Oh, this is a public comment, right? So any other questions from this side before I open it to >> Are we sharing this with somebody else
too? My mind >> we share street sweeping services with Sebrite in and in in a uh in a cooperation to lower what they charge us for the lifeguards. >> Yeah. >> But we'll be sending the old street
sweeper over there. >> Any other questions? No. >> Okay. Then I'd like to open it to the public. Do you have any questions? >> Okay. You got it. >> Uh then with that, I will uh offer this ordinance. >> Okay.
>> Council member, >> yes. >> Nikki, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Mayor Brine, >> yes. >> Motion carries. O260 pass on second and final reading. Next we have 02607 removing restricted parking space in front of residents
previously occupied by a person with disabilities. And this uh one is for a uh resident who had a restricted parking space at uh on Water Avenue and she has moved out of town and so that's why we're going to
take that uh restricted spot away. Are there any questions? >> No question. I'll offer. We'll have first I have to ask you have any questions? You're good. >> Sorry. Okay. >> Now I'll offer. There you go. I'll second.
>> Council member TLA. >> Yes. >> Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President Schesky. Yes. >> Mayor Bulan. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. O2607 pass on second and final reading. Next we have introduction of proposed ordinance 02608 designating restricted parking in front of residents
occupied by a person with disabilities. And so we lose one and we get one. So, uh this is just generally it's it's for another uh resident who is disabled and has asked for this accommodation which um I feel is something that we do often.
So I will offer this. >> I'll second. >> Council member Tulac. >> Yes. >> Councelor Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President Chesky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Berlin. >> Yes. Motion carries to pass 02608 on first reading with a public hearing to be held on April 15th, 2026. Next, we
have consent agenda. Mayor, would you like me to read the resolutions to my title? >> Yes, please. >> R 26090 recognizing Arbor Day for April 24th, 2026. R 26091 recognizing the month of April 2026 as Alcohol Awareness
Month. R26092 recognizing New Jersey Local Government Week, April 12th to 18th, 2026, and encouraging all citizens to support the celebration and corresponding activities. R 26093 authorizing the
purchase of a Bravo 5 R5 street sweeper through the source cooperative purchasing plan program. R 26094 authorizing refund of tax overpayments. R2695 amending resolution 26-004
entitled authorizing an award of a fair and open contract for professional services municipal auditor R26096 authorizing payment of bills. >> Do I have another? >> I I have one question on payment of bills. I just want to know what something is. Mike, perhaps you can
help. It said check checkmate neoprene clamp $29,425. It's at the beginning of uh I just wanted to know what it was. >> Oh, it just Okay. I just I don't know exactly what it is.
>> Okay. All right. Good. Okay. Carol, >> are we waiting for an offer? >> I will I will make the offer. >> Okay. I'll second. >> Council member Slack. >> Yes. >> Council member Melnik. >> Yes. >> Council President Oesky.
>> Yes. >> Mayor BL. >> Yes. Motion carries to adopt resolutions R26090 through R26096. Next we have mayor's report. >> Okay, I have that right here. Okay, so
updates. Uh these are the March updates. Uh for emergency services, we had first aid squad uh number of incidents is 27, fire 23, and police 788. For code enforcement, we had three
summons, two warnings, 11 reports, 20 inspections, 13 permits, and five OPRAS. Building department, there were 51 inspections where 45 passed, two failed, one was not ready, and nine permits issued.
Uh regionalization, there's uh there's nothing holding us back. The Supreme Court said we can go. So, we are uh still just uh talking between the three mayors trying to get this done for this year. Uh but nothing to report on that as of
yet. Um for the land use board, uh the sea street uh is looking to improve their parking and um and zoning improvements. We had the first hearing back in December and second uh has not yet been scheduled. Uh at the last
meeting in March, uh the affordable housing ordinance was deemed consistent with the master plan and uh the solar powered uh 44 Miller Street um is scheduled for its fourth meeting and that will be on
May 14th. Uh, Shadowon continues to go through its environmental and DP. Um, uh, nothing to report back at Cove except that we did replace all three of the outfalls with inline check valves.
That has been completed. Uh, Bay Avenue redevelopment, uh, we have one that the agreement is completed and we have another one that should be completed uh, within the next month. Uh the tide valves, that's what I was
talking about with coes. We have one last one to be done, and that is the 19in uh Jackson Street. Uh overlook is moving along. Now that the weather has heated up, we're going to be able to see a lot that really
taking place. Um as well as Frank Hall. Uh we found that the um condo association uh left us a present of they put a sewer uh cleanout in the middle of the park. >> Yeah. So we're dealing with them and
they will be paying to have it uh rerouted. >> Um all of the forms for the botchi ball court are on site. Pavers are on site. Um all of the shrubberies have been um ordered for both Overlook and Frank
Hall. Um and we should be seeing that uh breaking ground soon for that little section of uh Twin Light Terrace in South Peak. that's repairing the drainage uh the repairing the retaining wall at the bottom of South
Peak and also uh snaking that drainage um from the storm drain on Twin Lights Terrace and bringing it down over land um onto South Peak. So that way it keeps
it less expensive. It's uh and easier to deal with. um grants. Uh we are still waiting um we're still waiting for um
D to sign off on the Lynen Water Witch Bay and Snug Harbor drainage improvements. Uh so we can't really that's in a holding pattern until we hear back from that organization. Um for grand tour, uh we're going to have to look at this as we are um at the
process of crafting the budget to see what we can actually afford to get done even though we do have a couple of grants. Um but if we can't provide the match, then we can't do the entire job. So that's what uh Mike and Patrick and I
are working on stamping out uh what we can afford to do in the 2026 budget. Um, also the Mammoth County Open Space, we won a little bit over $225,000 to resurface the playgrounds at Vets,
Huddy, and Wreck, and also fix the courts at Snug. So, uh, once that gets a little bit further, um, we can put that out to bid. Um the repy were also uh we're waiting to hear back on the imple implementation
grant which is should be in May or June. Uh there's also the NJ agro tourism grant and that is to uh provide a video link to the clan plant that can be displayed um uh at a at a TV that we're envisioning can be right outside this
room so that visitors that come to the burrow will be able to see the clammers at work and how that whole process works which is very super cool. Absolutely. um uh the flood mitigation and green infrastructure cooperation between us
and uh our friends at Mammoth Hills. Uh we reapplied for congressional spending for that one. We also never got a formal uh standing letter from our friends at
FEMA uh to see if if indeed the brick program is back. Uh so we don't know if that's really going on. Uh we also don't know if we would need to reapply because we were already awarded the grant and
then it got defunded and then and now it's back. So there's a lot of questions that need to be answered by the federal government and uh we have not heard back from them at all yet. Uh then there's also a Hudson River Foundation that grant uh it is called
building community capacity for resiliency program and that is to update and replace all of our outfalls not just the four that we've targeted in this year but to get the other ones done. Um, and other things that we're looking
for is uh the sanitary sewer phase 2. So, we're looking at the getting funding from the New Jersey Water Bank, USDA water, New Jersey CHS, and any other option we can possibly find. Uh, the new first aid and DPW headquarters, we're
looking funding for that. Uh, the new pumper truck for the fire department. We put seed money in last year's budget and this year's budget. Um and we're exploring grants to help us make that purchase as well. Uh the multi-use uh overpass over Route
36 to take people from um the wet side of 36 over to Kujan in a safe manner instead of people just froggering across the four-lane highway. Uh I'm actually uh been gone back and forth with the um
the county planner uh to see if he can't or his department can help in some way because it is both a county road and it's a state highway. Um to see if they can't help us with some sort of uh funding formula for that to actually
work. Um, and then last but not least, we reapplied for the T-Mobile grant for that bronze hoodie statue that should be in the Huie Park, and we're trying to see if we can't get that done for um if not for Fourth of July, but for
uh this year. Um and other uh 250 news, we received two wonderful flags from uh the county uh that I have uh given over to uh Spencer so that we can have them displayed at at
some point. We'll do a ceremony um and then we could have them up at uh a burrow the burrow one of the one of the burrow parks and up here at the buildings. I think that would be nice for folks to see uh before the spec
festivities begin for the 250th. Um then coming up in April, I will say happy Passover, happy Easter, and happy Orthodox Easter to everyone. Um there is a clean ocean action beach sweep at the community center on uh April 11th from 9
till 12:30. And then uh there will be an open house for local government services week on April 16th and that will be right here at the burrow and uh all of the different departments will be represented and we will have uh light
refreshments and snacks. Uh and we hope to see you we hope to see you there. I don't have anything else I think I need to add. Does anyone else have anything they would like to add? >> Not at this time. Then I will uh let's go to public
portion. >> Okay. >> Individuals wishing to address the council shall be recognized by the presiding officer and shall give their name, address, and the group that they need 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 perspective or current employee. There is a threeminut time limit for your comments. >> Okay. Um okay then seeing um
no one from the public I would like to make a motion to adjourn. I'll second. All >> in favor? I I >> thank you. Meeting adjourned at 7:22. Welcome.