Okay. Can I get a motion to go back into open session? Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? We are back in open session. Um we our next order of business would be to swear in new cadets and new members for the fire department.
We're going to wait for our director of the OEM who is basketball. Hopefully in a couple minutes we'll take care of that. We have a minutes to approve. We're going to do the additional public comment. It's limited first to the items on the agenda only.
So, um if if uh anybody would like to be recognized, I don't see here. All those in favor they don't public comment. We're going to go. Okay. Anybody like to speak about anything on the uh on the agenda?
Not seeing anything correspondent? No. We're going to go to professional reports first. Um, let's go to the engineer report. Nick, >> put on my microphone. Come on. >> Hey, um, not a ton to report on tonight.
Um, I just did want to provide an update on the field project, which is really the main focus right now. Um, so we've had the the DPW site doing some of the clearing work. The contractor is going to come in and continue work. They're in talks with Downs Tree Service right now
as far as some of the tree putting that's needed. Um, and heavy equipment should be coming in soon to to really start getting things moving. So, that's where we're at right now. Um, we're we're still on schedule with what we originally projected so far. So, everything's moving in a good direction.
>> Okay. Questions? >> You usually have >> he's all we're kind of waiting, right? So, >> okay. Mayor, can you talk to the grant we got for uh from the DOT? Um,
>> sure. Um, the exact numbers I forget off the top of my head. I know it was slightly under $200,000 >> 198, >> right? So, uh, we do have that DOT grant. Uh, I'll be I'll be working with the administrator to figure out a schedule for that in terms of design and construction. And
>> what's that allocated for? Uh the 2026 DOT grant was for two roads. It was for Ralph Avenue from Kinder Legion Place and Legion Place from Hal. >> Okay. >> It's a nonmatching. So this is all
>> right. So that that's that's >> I like that. >> Okay. Um any questions from members of the governing body? See >> just to confirm that is non-matching. Not mention, right? We don't have to match. We move on to the chief of
police, >> Chief Woods. So, I was going to cover November 2025. Start with community policing. It's a slower month for us. We did a loving touch safety talk. The Sergeant Sing along with Officer
Ali. Uh we had 678 calls for service, 95 motor vehicle stops, 17 motor vehicle accidents. Uh we conducted se 17 special selective enforcement details, responded to 10 parking enforcement and parking
enforcement complaints, 68 medical calls. We had 47 written warnings issued, 11 more vehicle summones. We had three adult arrests, 118 property security checks to include schools. Our detective bureau investigated 30 cases.
They closed 19 of them. And our firearms investigation unit uh took in 13 permits and processed them, collected fees, and issued the uh corresponding permits for concealers. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions of the chief?
>> You getting up easy? >> You getting up easy? >> Okay. Have you guys decided who's going to give the DPW report? Okay. I am I am the acting superintendent right now. >> Let's see if you can act as well. >> Okay. >> Uh
uh field house field houses and park restrooms have been winterized for the season. Uh as well as seasonal meters removed. Irrigation systems have been turned off and winterized. DPW has begun site preparation work uh at Memorial
Field. Uh at Sapienza Gardens. There are six dead trees that are marked for removal and uh we have multiple occasions around town with marked trees for removal because they're dead. Uh we began to install the holiday season
decorations. Uh leaf collection is in full swing and preparation for snow season has begun. Uh the borole planting has been completed and that's all I have for this report. I do want to add u uh
mayor the DPW saved the town probably good $60,000 >> the work they do for memorial >> to work uh at Memorial uh although we did had to remove one crew from uh the services of collecting leaves but that
did save us about $60,000. >> Good job. Thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> That's okay. Great. Any other questions for anybody on DBW? No. Okay. We're going to move on to committee reports. Uh let's start at the top. Uh council
president Osa. >> Yeah, I'll provide my committee report next week. >> Okay. >> Okay. Just a reminder that the holiday lighting is on December 8th at 6:30 in Detroit Park. It's going to be cold that night. A hot chocolate will be set.
>> Council Getty. >> Okay. Thank you, Mayor. I'll start with the environmental commission. Uh Beachwood Park, the 1.0 grant. Uh the board work portion of that as well as the AVA entrances should be wrapped up this slash next week. Uh they're just
undergoing excuse me reviewing the final inspection checklist. So that should be completed shortly. Uh in energy conservation grant. So the environmental commission is attempting to assist in creating the municipal energy use profile for the burrow uh under a grant
received in March of 2025. Now it's we're finally taking action on it. Uh that was through sustainable Jersey and PSENG. Uh they're working closely with the uh sustainability institute at TCJ, the college of New Jersey uh to identify
energy conservation and improve sustainable uh sustainable energy options. Uh the goal at the end of the day is to prepare uh pretty much a portfolio or database of our buildings and their existing energy efficiency opportunities for further efficiency. uh
exploring other programs and incentives uh and eventually applying for those programs. Uh the annual styrofoam collection and recycling drive normally is planned by now, but we're having one difficulty in that the existing reclaimed styrofoam vendor uh is no
longer providing that service. So the environmental commission is hoping to schedule the collection um in the not too distant future as they're searching for another vendor. fire department had 24 calls in November. Year to date October, there
was 312 versus 225 calls same period in the prior year. I think one notable uh call was on November 15th. As we all know, there was an issue at Shopright. Uh worthy to note though that uh through the fire suppression system there plus
the actions of our fire department as well as uh the mutual aid response from Riverville Westwood and Woodcliffe Lake, they were able to contain that to the baking area. Um and in fact, I believe the store was open in the afternoon. So they did a wonderful job there. Uh Hillsdale Ambulance also responded to
that call. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant uh this is just a status update. It's still pending. Again, that was the grant for equipment that we applied for a few months back. We're still awaiting the outcome. That'll be anywhere most likely between
15 and $25,000. Uh maximum 40, but usually between 15 and 25. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Mazich. >> Okay. So, for ambulance, there's nothing to report until next week. uh for the board of ed. The next meeting is on
December 15th, so there won't be anything to report until next year. Um and then I'm going to bring up economic development again. I reported briefly on this last month, but I think we sort of glazed over it, so I want to just bring it back up for discussion. Um, as we
continue thinking about ways to support our local businesses, especially our restaurants, we have an opportunity now with the new residents coming into town to really connect with them and um, show them our downtown dining scene. So, one
concept we had was creating a short sort of like a sizzle reel to highlight the, you know, the restaurants, the owners, their your favorite meal. Um, and we want to display this potentially at the community center screens. Right. And eventually maybe even this
can grow into a taste of Hillsdale event. Um so at this point again I wanted to just bring it up for discussion if the council's aligned with pursuing this restaurant initiative. You know eventually we would evolve into something for the other businesses not just the restaurants. Um I just wanted to get to see if there was a consensus
because then Mr. you know Mike Cassali can help us move this forward as part of our 2026 economic development efforts. >> Okay. dropped. So, if everyone's okay with it, we're good. >> Okay. >> And that's all I got.
>> The the only thing I would add to that maybe is just a suggestion is it seems that we're focusing on restaurants when we have a lot of other service businesses in the town that could benefit from this. Yeah, >> I would kind of make it all inclusive. >> Yeah, absolutely. That's definitely part of the plan. And like I said, this would
be our first step at trying to really build that bridge between our businesses. you know, without a chamber of commerce, I think it this really does align with an economic development initiative. So, we can start there and eventually just start including all of our businesses in that.
>> Yeah. And and and I just asked the BA to just be fair and equitable across whatever it businesses actually uh choose to participate. Um, I think that it's very important for us as council people to make sure that everybody's getting spoken for and has equal
participation in whatever is done by the bureau, whether it be through communication, um, we have to get the word out, right? So, >> okay, >> is that it? >> That's it. >> Okay, council woman. >> Um, my library committee meets next
Monday, so I will be able to give you an update on that Tuesday. Okay. Um and um there's nothing else for me to report at this point. >> Thank you. >> You don't want to talk about planning for it just because it's fun. >> No. What should I say about the time?
>> Councilman Ruka. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh the 50 plus club is going to have their holiday Christmas lunch at Alba's Italian Restaurant at noon this Thursday. They'll also hold their regular meeting the following Thursday, December 11th, at Cornerstone at 11:30. The Hillsdale
Senior Group will hold their last monthly uh lunch at St. John Baptist Parish Center on December 17th at noon. The doors open up at 11:30. Board of Health held their regular meeting November 18th. Um I'm I was awaiting information from them as to what
transpired. Have not been contacted. Uh I was unable to attend the meeting due to the convention down in Atlantic City. However, I reviewed their materials. Uh the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Corporation in their report indicated that they there had been complaints about a resident uh handfeeding wild
animals at Oakidge. It has been taken care of. Residents really should not be feeding wild animals on their property. It only encourages rats and other women. Um so please stop. Uh there was a sewage backup on Broadway and the strip mall uh opposites Shopright. Grease traps were
inspected at several of the establishments and all were found satisfactory except Hunen New Jade. A notice of violation was issued, but it was subsequently addressed and taken care of. Okay. Uh there was a complaint against Emmeris Farms on a lack of refrigeration, but that was addressed
promptly by the farm management. Um the next board of uh health meeting is scheduled for December 16th here at Ber Hall at 7 PM. Access for All will hold their next meeting on Monday at 7 PM at the library and they'll hold uh their holiday dinner at Domani's restaurant at
6:15 p.m. on Monday, December 15th. They're also sponsoring a holiday card writing for the whole family uh uh to be these holiday cards will be sent to service members who are um serving abroad. Uh that's going to be held Sunday, December 7th, 1:30 to 3:30 at
the Hillsdale Library. Uh that those are the pleasant things on my report. I have the finance committee uh meeting to report on somewhat less pleasant. Um we met on November 26th. Department heads have submitted their proposed budgets to the BA and the CFO and everyone's been
very cooperative in keeping their budget requests flat or somewhat decreased from last year following instructions from the BA and given the projected financial pressures the bureau will experience next year. These pressures are estimated to cause a structural imbalance between
revenues and expenses in 2026 that would require anywhere between a 14 to 15% municipal tax increase absent extraordinary steps to contain them. >> Councilman, before you uh continue, just for the edification of the audience here, um we're all aware of what those
pressures are, external pressures are. Um could you just quickly relate, you know, saying that these issues? >> Oh, I'm gonna get to that point. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. I just didn't want >> I'm used to making financial reports. >> Okay. Okay. >> Uh the primary pressure I think what you want is emanating from the severe
increase in health insurance expenses that the bureau will incur by virtue of being a member of the state health benefit plan. Premiums are forecasted to rise by approximately 35 to 42%. Uh the numbers keep changing. I'm not sure. Maybe the VA has the final number
but for us I think I think I remember hearing 42%. Yep. >> 37. Yes. It still m it still has a big impact uh given the fact that the bureau assumes twothird of the cost for the premiums for most employees. It's a significant problem. U but there are
other factors at work here such as increased expenditures of about 55,000 annually needed for testing of Centennial Field as required by the Department of Environmental Protection due to the higher methane readings that have recently been experienced.
>> Well, we'd have to do that anyway. We still we're we're still on track whether there were higher ratings or not. The LSRP has to come in quarterly. Is it >> Well, my understanding from the committee was that there there was a base level that had to be required, but this is on top of that. So, it's an
additional 55,000 that will now be in in need to be addressed. Also, there is an unexpected increase in the cost of building the new memorial field playground facility as originally envisioned. The structural imbalance that I referred to earlier is expected
to ameliate somewhat in 2027 when pilot payments from the Patterson Street development kick in and then similar payments are expected to kick in from the self-s storage facility in the redevelopment area. So that's a helpful thing. >> So I'm looking at tw I'm looking at 2026
I I'll answer any questions at the end. I'm looking at 2026 as sort of an anomaly. Um, which hopefully will will just be that. Um, so the committee discussed various steps that could be taken next year to reduce
the property tax impact to a more modest four and a half 5%. Among the actions that we discussed, uh, one was a severe but temporary reduction in the money allocated to the capital improvement plan and the field improvement reserve. Two, a one-time transfer of surplus from
the Stony Brook pool to the burrow. Three, additional shared service contracts with other burrows that if they're adopted would reduce our operating expenses in 2026 and thereafter. Four, modifications to our health insurance plan or carrier. Five,
increasing the amount of debt that will be issued in 2026 in order to absorb the unplanned increase in expenses relating to the playground that is going to be placed on Memorial Field Complex. Um, six, postponing utilization of grant
money that we must put up. And finally, uh, delaying work on the Beachwood Park vans shell. Those were the options that that were discussed during that meeting. Nothing was decided, although I think the committee had certain predelections as to what what has to be done. We are
in an unusual move going to request and have requested the BA and the CFO to have another meeting of the finance committee before the end of the year uh so that we can review the budget situation with them. And that concludes my report. Any questions? >> Yeah. I just want to make sure that the residents understand that that's a
that's an increase only to the municipal portion of your tax. Absolutely. Not not the entirety of the tax. What count what council president OA was referring to is that the municipal portion of our budget accounts for about 20% of the overall tax bill that you get. Schools account
for 70% and then the county uh accounts for the other 10. >> Right. And also another pressure is the waste uh removal contract, right? Which is part of that 1.3 million. >> You mean with uh the GA? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, that's baked in the cake. That was that was
>> baked >> three years ago when the council decided on the rates that it was going to pay >> that now that's always when it comes up for renegotiation >> you may not want to re you may not want to go back to one time a week but that's an option
>> right >> I have but not related to finance the first uh part of your report you mentioned the uh 50 plus club and then you mentioned the seniors um can Can you just what is are those two different
clubs or Okay. Can you just elaborate a bit on that? >> No problem. The 50 plus club is a private club. Um it is it consists of basically Hillsdale residents but now um we see an increase. I'm a member so we see a large increase
in Montdale and and other burrows coming down. So now I would say it's 5050 >> only supporting the name of 50 plus. Um the other group is basically Hillsdale seniors who meet monthly uh at St. John
Baptist. There's a lunch and served. Outsiders from other towns, other seniors can attend, but they pay a much higher price to come to that lunch. >> And you said that they were having their last meeting. Did you mean the last meeting of the year? Not the last meeting
>> ever. No. Right. >> That's it. >> No. In fact, they're they're eagerly looking forward to meeting in our community centers. >> Okay. So, they're the ones that are going to be going into the community center. >> Both organiz >> both organizations have their eyes set on the community
>> because they both can go in there. >> Yeah. Right. Okay. That's it. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um BA, >> thank you, sir. >> You're up. >> Um so, Nick talked about the memorial field. Uh the one addition I'd like to
add is that we're looking at the style of the coaches box that will save us about $80,000. We can spend uh some of that money on a logo turf in the middle of the field. So that's still in the works. Uh this morning at 10:00 a.m. we opened uh one
sealed bid from Verizon to build a cell tower on the Stony Brook property. The bid is now in an attorney review uh period and will be ready to be presented to the governing body to award the bid as early as the next meeting. You may
choose to hold off until January to award it uh in January. The application will then move on to the planning board for approval after you award the bid. The public will have an opportunity to speak on the matter at any of these
council meetings. course during the open comments section and also at the planning board meetings. A notice will be sent out to all residents within 200 ft of the location and as courtesy to Rivervale. As soon as the bid is awarded, I will notify their business
administrator and their mayor. >> Mike, I'm not self. Um, can you just go over how this site selection actually happened? >> So, we worked with Verizon and with our engineer and we looked at several sites. Uh so they're looking for the height and
they're looking for flood-free area. Uh in that side on Stonybrook it's about it's on the street when you pull in make a right about six parking spots from the right end and then so it's 50 ft from
the brook. Uh that's where the site was selected. We looked at on top of the Hillsdale house. We looked at the field behind the Stony Brook. We looked at Beachwood. We looked at Memorial Um we're so there's one cell tower right
across the street from here and one on the DPW site. So that site was selected >> by the fire department. >> That's what he's talking first right there. >> So there's one by the fire and one by the >> And those are the ones that we're collecting revenue for those. >> We are. Yes. >> And there's a third one on the garden
state services. That's >> on state land, right? >> Yeah. We do not. >> So that's so that was selected by professionals. They >> When you say we, this is Ver Verizon. So Verizon and us. So the engineers also reviewed their plans and they determined based on the prof on the professionals.
So they need power and they need the height. And so that site was selected for that reason. >> Now you can choose to accept the bid. Sorry. >> The vendor actually pays for the the build out. >> So they build the house and they pay us fee, >> right,
>> to support their their traffic, right? >> So it's $48,000 per year. >> And that's one bit. That's one of them that we can help. We can have up to three vendors on. >> Plus, we're going to have our OEM. >> Plus, we'll have our own antenna on top of that. >> Right. And and there's three or four houses that are across the street on
Cedar Lane, I think, over there. Right. Those houses are in Riverdale, >> right? >> Yeah. So, they'll be uh noticed so they'll know when they hear. Uh the budget uh Councilman Nuko talked about will be ready to present a full
budget to the finance committee after we meet again in in January uh in December. Uh the community center at Patterson Street uh the furniture will be ordered later this week at a cost about $82,000
uh using a state grant for about $75,000 of that. That grant expires end of this month. So, we have to put in purchase order this week. >> The border will be funding the difference about $8,000. Uh we can use some of the recreation trust money to
fund some activities uh specific furniture to some activities that is ADA or uh so we can use some of the funds there. So, it it will be at no cost to the taxpayers. And that's all I have to have ready. >> Okay. So, what we're going to do now is we're going to take a little out of
order because now I want to swear in now that GDAU has arrived. Waiting for GDAU. We're going to we're going to swear to approve the members. >> Oh. Oh, right. Oh, sorry. We have to go back first and make a a motion to approve. So, I got to go back up to the
top here. Um, can I get a motion to approve the new members for the fire department? >> Motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Those in favor? >> I. >> Great. Okay. Now, I've taken a little out of order, but we're going to come
back down here now. And I don't know if you have a preference for order. Jonathan Piti, come on down. >> Do you have anybody that's with you here? >> Uh, yes. >> Would you like to hold the Bible?
Okay. >> Put your left hand to the bottom and raise your right hand up. >> It's like a Three Stooges skit. So, all right. If you just repeat after me briefly. I, Jonathan Kiti, >> I, Jonathan Ki, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> That I will support the Constitution
>> the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance 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. >> I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department >> of the office of Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department >> according to the best of my ability.
>> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help ME GOD. >> CONGRATULATIONS. WELCOME ABOARD. >> Thank you. >> Y Okay, next up, Mason Peterson. >> Someone else here. >> Okay. Exactly.
>> Okay, Mason, you ready? >> I, Mason Peterson, >> I, Mason Peterson, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will support the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
>> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly
>> and justly >> perform all the duties of the office >> to perform all the duties of the office >> of Hillsdale Fire Department >> of Hillsdale Fire Department >> according to the best of my abilities >> according to the best of my abilities. >> Shall I be done? >> CONGRATULATIONS.
Come on up, Jarians. Okay, you ready? I, Jack Naggerian, >> I, Jack Nagarian, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey. >> New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
>> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance 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. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully
>> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of the Hillsdale Fire Cadet Department >> of the office of Hillsdale Fire Cadet Department >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability to
help That's right. All right. >> Bible. >> That's it. Huh? >> Where are you going? Adam, you don't want to stay. >> You don't have >> I don't have anything to say tonight. >> Okay. >> Happy holiday.
>> Happy holiday. >> Everybody's going. >> Okay. >> It's okay. Go for the party. >> Okay. We have no ordinances on the on the books for tonight. We're going to move to the consent agenda. Uh the
consent agenda is 25283 through 25 290. Before we begin, does anybody have anyone that they want pulled off the consent agenda? >> No. Okay. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. Will the clerk please read the role? >> Council President Oso.
>> Yes. >> Council member Rico. >> Yes. >> Council member Trojin. >> Yes. >> Council member Kleti. >> Yes. >> Council member Fox is absent. Council member Mazich. >> Yes. The consent agenda passes. We're now moving on to the public comment. Three minutes for anything. It doesn't have to
be um on whatever. You get one topic, whatever you'd like to speak about. Um that's it. Um would anybody like to be heard? Come on up and Well, we'll see. Come up and say speak your name and uh the your
resident's address and tell us what you want to talk about. >> Okay. Um, my name is Robin Nearov and I live at one Drake Drive by Stony Brook Pool and um, I am responsible for circulating that petition that has
caused a little bit of a stir. I also have spoken to several people here and I appreciate the time that all of you are taking. I am aware although last minute I am aware that there's the proposal to um install a tower by the Stony Brook
pool in that parking lot and I apologize that I was not aware of this earlier or I would have um I guess with some concerns then I um am here at the moment representing over a hundred Hillsdale residents who are opposing the location
of the tower that has been proposed across from the elementary school across across from senior housing. And please know we are not against cell towers. We are really concerned particularly about this location. Um and there are risks to
cell towers. I understand that not everyone may be aware of them. I do have a background as an academic researcher. I dug very deeply into the research and attached to the petition are two hyperlinks. One is a financial impact statement. The second is um specific
research studies to support everything in the petition as well as the primary sources so that you can look for yourself to see what is said. The tower would be placed across the street from our elementary school where hundreds of children are attending. There is no
choice but to send your child to that school unless you're homeschooling. Next to that is senior housing with other vulnerable residents. This will be located in a wreck facility parking lot where families gather. It's also in the middle of a very densely populated residential neighborhood. I am one of 44
um condo association units. And then on the other side of Cedar Road, we have another condo association. I mapped out with Google Maps a 500 meter radius, which is um sort of a a a parameter that's been cited in research as an as
an area within which people would have an increased rate of all sorts of negative health impacts. And I don't know that it goes as far as the Edgewood town houses, but it does hit these two townhouse communities as well as many other surrounding homes in the area.
Um I have copies of a variety of things here to share. Um, one is the petition, one is the 107 signatures from Hillsdale residents, as well as some other um, local people, a um, a document with the scientific research on the health
effects of cell tower radiation and a property value impact analysis. I would like to propose, if possible, that you consider the location north of the high school. I do know that we are in a relatively dead zone for cell phone
service. I do know that there are sincere legitimate concerns about safety issues when people can't get service. >> You're three minutes. >> I'm three minutes. >> My job is to say that. >> Understood. So, can I please give to you? >> You'll give it to the clerk.
>> Can I please give to the clerk? This is copies of a letter from my neighbor who wasn't able to attend. This is copies of the map where I would like to propose an alternate location where there's nothing within a 500. >> Okay. We got if you just stop. Okay,
>> she'll circulate >> petitions. >> Signatures. >> Um, would anybody else like to be heard on the cell tower >> analysis? You come to a meeting and you don't want to be heard, Rick. Okay. Nobody else.
>> I'll just say hello to everybody. >> You can do away from there. Okay. You just did. Okay. Um, >> hello. >> Any anybody else? >> Nobody else wanted to do that. We're going to move on to council commentaries. I begin things off. So I
because I knew we were going to be talking about cell towers tonight or at least it was going to be part of the presentation. Uh I have a few remarks prepared with respect to that. Um thank you everyone for being here on this. Before I took office, I was already aware that we had serious gaps in our
cell service around our schools up avenue. I spoke with our police chief, both superintendent, members of the council, management in Stonybrook, and many of you. No matter who I asked, I heard the same thing. The coverage is poor, and it puts our kids at risk, our staff, and our first responders as well.
At the same time, many people warned me, "Good luck getting a tower built. There'll always be opposition." And I understand that. Nobody's excited to see a tower near their home, but safety comes first. So, I went to our office of emergency management. He he's not not here right now, but uh he was here to
swear his his son. OEM handles everything from fires to down power lines to flooding. The moment I mentioned the east side and our schools, the director immediately confirmed the communication gaps, he also asked that OEM be given space on any new tower for their antenna. That tells you how
serious the issue is for emergency response. Residents elect to protect us uh to protect their safety and the safety of their children. So, we did our homework. We consulted industry experts and we hired a cell phone tower professional
and we reviewed the findings from the American Cancer Society and from the FCC. The FCC is the federal agency responsible for determining what is and is not safe. Here are the facts and plain language. Cell towers send and
receive signals using radio frequency r waves. These are the same type of waves used in TV, radio, and even microwave ovens. These waves are nonionizing, which means they do not damage DNA. Exposure levels at the ground where we
live, work, and go to school are hundreds to thousands of times below the FCC's safety limits. And the FCC is very clear. There is no reason to believe cell towers near homes or schools pose a health hazard. The American Cancer Society says the same thing.
For perspective, the phone you hold against your ear um is far has far more RF energy than a tower hundreds of feet away. We all carry phones. We rely on on them for communication, for navigation, for emergencies, and to keep our
children safe. But phones don't work without nearby towers, and towers have to be built where the people are. Now, I completely understand that no one wants to look out their window and see a cell tower. I get that. But this is not the first time a new technology changed the landscape. When telephone poles were
first installed in New Jersey in the 1880s, people were furious about the way they looked. Today, we barely noticed them, and we certainly wouldn't want to live without the service they provide. 25 years from now, I suspect people will look back on us the same way. So, when I have to choose between the appearance of
a cell tower and the safety of our residents, especially our children, that's not a hard choice. Thank you. Um, as a part of my comment also, we're having the tree lighting ceremony December 8th. I welcome everybody to come and enjoy and we'll move on to the
next and let's start the other way since we did this last way. Councilman RO. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, a topic that I thought might come up uh was ebikes. I've discussed this with Councilwoman Melissa Hassa Chong. Um, something needs
to be done to our burough code to reduce the chances of a severe or deadly accident to young drivers who use these vehicles as well as to pedestrians and adult who are licensed drivers who are currently forced to share space with them. I also think personally having
read title 39 and I was warned by the chief that it's complicated and I agree um it needs attention given recent developments but that's not the focus of our responsibility or we can weigh in but I think title 39 does need a major rewrite. Um other towns are taking
action education alone is not the answer. I've heard police chiefs, not in our town, but in other towns, uh, say, "Well, it's the parents responsibility to educate their children." We have education for adults, uh, who drive cars, motorcycles, motorized bicycles,
and many of them continue to do stupid things when they drive. Uh, minor children are even more prone to do so because their mental and social ability to measure risk versus reward is not fully developed. Parents who act as if there's no cause
for concern and buy ebikes for their minor children this Christmas without carefully considering the risk are in my view guilty of parental neglect. Um that's why I'm behind any effort to raise the bar for minor children to ride motorized
by vehicles and tighten up safety restrictions on where they can be driven. And I've seen some correspondence sent to us by our burough attorney where other towns have taken this action. I think we should consider it with our attorney. I'd be more than willing to spend time. I would like to
hear first though, not tonight obviously, but from, you know, the views of the chief of police because I I view this in Hillsdale as a as a safety issue, a traffic safety issue. >> We're going to make him a video star. Blow this up. We make him our video star.
Uh, two other things. They're family photos at the American Legion Post 162. Uh, this this Saturday, December 6th, 11 to 3:00 p.m. >> Uh, it's a good good gig. I think they're free >> with Santa. >> With with Santa with Santa.
>> With Santa. >> They looking for a donation. >> Yeah, it's free. It's donation. I think it's 20 bucks. It's still a good thing. Bring your grandchildren, your children, bring yourself. >> It's free. And I want to thank uh say thank you to the new members um and cadetses of the Hillsdale Volunteer Fire
Department. I've always said, you know, these volunteers, they risk their safety at all hours to keep our property protected. It it's a job that I never even considered doing. Um even though I might be dimminionative in size and probably can't carry that equipment. >> Large in heart.
>> Large in heart, small in stature. Um, so I just again want to thank them for all that they do for the uh the town. That's all. >> Council Mr. Hume, >> I just want to congratulate the uh new cadets and the members of the uh Hillsdale Fire Department, volunteer
fire department and um that's it for me. I'll have more to say next week >> and we will about you as well. >> Only good only good things. Only good things. Remember everybody >> unexpected. >> There you go. Councilwoman Maza Chong, stop laughing at me.
>> Same thing. I just want to congratulate the new members of the fire department. Have anything else? >> Okay, Council President. >> Yes. Congratulations to the members of the fire department. I also wanted to congratulate Chris Camp and Anthony D. Roa who are sitting in the audience tonight. I look forward to working with
both of you next year. Uh we expect great things. Um uh also wanted to wish uh you know the best to an officer who was injured on duty uh a couple weeks back who who remains out on uh leave right now and I
think all council members would hope that she she regains her status and comes back to work as soon as possible. Right. >> Council, >> thank you. Um short and sweet. I wanted to thank the cadetses and the new member as well, but I'll just I'll name them
just to give them a little more notoriety. So, Jack Mcarian, Mason Peterson, and Jonathan Kiti. Thank you for your community service. >> Okay. Um, that's that seems like we're about to wrap. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. All those in favor?
>> I we are adjourned. We will be back again 7 o'clock on December 9th in the same location. Thanks so much for everybody attending. >> Yeah.