Can we get a motion to come back into public? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> We are back in public. Uh let's start with the council minute meeting for approval. December 9th. Camp and D.
Rosa. Abstain, please. And can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. Second. >> Those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Seeing none, those minutes are accepted. Council minutes from December 23rd,
2025. Camp Rosa abstain. Can we get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? We are passed there. We're going to go to the initial public comment. Um time limited to items only
on the agenda. One topic per speaker. Does anyone wish to be heard? Seeing no one, um, we'll move on into the discussion. Mike, should we go into the discussion now from the fe? >> Yes.
>> All right, we'll do that. Come on up. We're >> We're gonna we're gonna have a discussion now um from Mario SRP. We're good. Should we get you? >> I made packets for everybody just to make it a little easier. Thank you. >> If you want to pull that chair over.
>> Oh, okay. >> 15 minutes. Thank you. >> We'll pass. >> Oh, >> yeah. We'll get it. >> Great. You want to introduce yourself and tell us who you are and what why you're here. Okay. Sit down. That might too.
>> Thank you. Hi. So, my name is Lois Spagnola. My company is the Environmental Group and we've been managing the um maintenance at the landfill, the monitoring at the landfill uh Centennial Field since 2016. So,
I prepared some information to basically go over where we've come from. In summary, um you know, the landfill was closed back in um 1986 is when it stopped being used. in 1999
is when they did um the then town engineers did um a mining what's called a mining or demonstration project where they would look into the landfill to see what exactly had been dumped there. Now,
from what everyone had thought and was discussed and what they found out during that project, which was funded by D, the state of New Jersey, was that it was all household waste. Not necessarily household waste like your regular
garbage, but if you had debris, your curbside pickup, and a lot of leaves. So, we did some work with Nick's company with your engineers um back in 2023 where we did some test pits and basically found the same thing. So, I
wanted to just make sure everybody understood what was that landfill used for. It was not your typical garbage landfill. And and that's important because when we get into the next part of the conversation, which is I want I don't know how much everybody
knows about methane gas, but obviously we all know that what we monitor a landfill for is methane, but methane gas is a lot like radon. The minute the air hits it and disperses, it's not a problem. So, I don't know if any of you have been out at the ball field,
Centennial Fields, and you see those vents all around the property. They're designed so to help bring that that methane and put it into the air where which we test quarterly and have not had
any issues. So the vents are doing their job is basically what's happening. And it's not everyone hears methane and thinks, "Oh wow, it's really bad." But like I said, because it disperses so quickly once it hits the air, it's only
really a problem when it's trapped underneath the ground. So that's and I I did summarize some of that in here. If anybody has questions and wants to ask them of me later, as long as it's okay with you, mayor, you can feel free to
call me um or email me. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. It may be easier to have all questions go through the BA and then come to you. That way we're not all and we can track the questions. >> Okay, great. Um, so that basically summarizes where we're at
at this point. Uh, the environmental group took over sampling, quarterly sampling um, in 2016 and we've been doing it ever since. There's two methods that we use to sample. One is we go right up to those air vents and test and
make sure there's no methane being emitted. If there were methane being admitted, that would tell us that the vents were not doing their job. In the seven years we've been doing this, we haven't had a problem. Uh then the second method that we use quarterly is
called the slam bar. We literally take a bar, slam it into the ground just below your soil cap, which is six inches of soil, and test that to see if there's any methane. And the reason for my
coming and wanting to be to talk to you today was because we've been every year doing our quarterly sampling. Mike and I have discussed reducing that. The problem we had this year in 2025 is
in the slam bar, not in the vent testing, in the slam bar, we picked up what we call hits or, you know, we picked up methane. So technically, according to the protocol with D, we have to now expand the slam bar testing
because the perimeter may have changed from what was originally was there. Now, we don't believe anything is beyond your vents, but again, this is all part of the protocol. And the thing about D and landfills is it doesn't matter what it is or how big
it is or what's been buried in it. When they have regulations, they treat all landfills the same. So, they're going to treat this landfill like they would treat the landfill down in Carney. you you have certain things certain things that happen like this when we did the
slam bar and you have to follow protocol and extend your sampling. So what I did was I laid out in the second page the do a document that tells you this first
we we have these number 25TC149 that's our quarterly sampling that's what it cost us cost you annually to have us take those quarterly samples the slam bar and the vent testing now I've had many conversations and
emails as Mike has with D What they'd like us to do is apparently, and I don't know why this is. I wish I could. I did, but I don't. Apparently, they have a lot of gaps in data in their files. We have
proof that they were sent the information, but for some reason, they don't have it. So, I also don't know what exactly you have here in the burrow files. So what we're what DP asked us to do is to go through the burough files,
go through their files, and fill in the gaps wherever there's missing data. So you guys are all up to date whether it's and what we plan on doing is obviously we're not going to come in here with boxes and truckloads of reports, but we'll get it electronically and then you
can decide from there. And it's the same with D. And I have a feeling that because they've had changeover with who was assigned to us for oversight to this, you know, this landfill, they they've lost data because, believe me,
they would have been on the phone going, "Where's our quarterly reports?" Now, we did reports when we did the work with Nick's company a couple of years ago when you were going to do the drainage. We had to do the um what's called a permit modification, a landfill disruption. Let them know, hey, we're going to be disturbing the cap. we're
gonna put it back. This is why we're disturbing the cap because you want to improve the drainage out there, blah, etc. Um, but for some reason, they still keep asking us for the same report. I keep sending it, they keep asking. Poor
Nick's done it twice, but we'll, you know, they changed it a little bit what they were specifically asking for. But the bottom line is I think this will get everything right with them because it's been a bit of a boat of contention for quite a while with them. Um,
now I wanted to talk a little that there there's a cost for that additional work. That's a one-time thing. Specifics about each scope of work are included in the package. So, you can look at that. I didn't want to necessarily take all your time tonight
going through all the detail, but you can certainly do that. Um, most notably here, they also, if you may have noticed, you probably didn't, but there's four groundwater monitoring wells that surround the fields. They have not been tested, and they're
supposed to be, but we don't know if they're even viable at this point. They may be, they may not be. So this this third um additional uh third item 25PC148
del delineation via slam bar it's not completely accurate that title it's really a little bit more work than that. If you look at the attachment it goes into more detail about what that includes. There's some additional
delineation using slamar. Um, we may or may not do the GPR survey, which will save money. We'll just use the Advil plans that we get from Mick and know where we can sample and not damage
anything subsurface um mapping and we have to um go through those groundwater monitoring wells and make sure they're viable. Um, that's what this is for. Technically, the DP wants us to extend the slam bar every time we have
overages. Um, I think if we just do it once this year, we'll we'll be okay. Um, the the thing about D is although they technically h hold sway over you and but
if you they don't find you, you don't you're not going to get a fine, okay? because you're a municipality unlike a private in private industry you don't see fines so because it's that would have to be paid by the taxpayer it doesn't mean we don't want to be in
compliance but >> does that mean we could be doing slamar testing in the parking lot >> um no we don't I don't think we have to extend there we have to go behind it well when you drive down to Centennial Field to your left
>> I'm not sure I think is that a softball field anyway to your left there's a wooded area and that's where we're getting predominantly most of our that's where it's gonna be. >> So that's where we have to extend it. Okay. >> Now the reason I can't give you a firm price on that is because if we're
testing right there in the field we know nothing goes to a lab. So if I if we put a slam do a slam bar test and get a hit technically we're supposed to move it out until we stop getting hits. So
that's why it's a little bit hard to say, oh, we can do this in 10 samples. I don't know if we can do it in 10 samples. Um, and just to back up for one second, um, in this second item here on the budget on the budget sheet,
um, I talk about, let's see, yeah, if the additional work that's required by DP, if you look at the scope of work, the other thing that we want to do is we let's we want to do a comparison. Where are we at of compliance? Where are
we not? So that you folks can make an informed decision on what you want to tackle in your budget for 2027. In the past, we have like for example the equipment in the fieldhouse has not
worked for a long time. D is on to us. They came up, they did a test themselves independent of us. We did not report this and they said, "Hey, this stuff isn't working." So technically we're supposed to assess it. Is it worth getting it back online?
It you know is something obviously something's broken. What's broken? >> What what's in the field test? >> The monitoring. >> It's monitoring it. It tests the air in the field test. >> There's actually a monitor in the field. Yes. >> Okay. Now, what we do too is um
in the past when we've had to make some repairs, we work with Dave at the DPW and I walk them through >> who's a new sheriff at >> some of the repairs. >> Okay. >> So, we're going to as long as that's okay with Mike, with whomever we have to get the blessing from,
>> we're more than happy to do that. If it's something that can be done inhouse, >> obviously that's the way to go. So, you're not going to get a whole laundry list of what I'd like to present you with before your next budget is this is what's not working. This is how it can
be repaired. Can it be repaired by your DPW people or does it have to be done by an outside contractor? >> Once you have the first test done, I guess we can meet again together and go over that to see what needs to >> Yes, absolutely.
>> And nothing goes to D until I talk to you. Just so you have that level of comfort with it. >> So, let me make sure I understand. So, we were spending $57,000 quarterly a year. Anyway, that is going to
continue indefinitely is my understanding. >> Well, until I feel that until we get our arms around this having to extend this land bar, then I'll go back to DP and say, "Listen, this is what we have. This is a pretty, you know, low concern
landfill. We'd like to sample semianually or annually and get that approved. >> I wish you luck in that because we tried to do reduce the cord always s testing years ago and didn't work. I think >> well I think it's because you know
they're really that's what I mean about there's been a broad contention you know we look like because we're not in 100% compliance they're not happy right >> so they're not willing to extend us any grace whatsoever. So hence I thought,
hey, let's spend a little bit of the money this year. Let's figure out where we're not completely in alignment with them and and then let me give you the information and you guys can talk about it and say, you know what, this is ridiculous or this or this or this,
>> right? Because we're working on 2026's budget now. So I just want to make sure from the numbers that you said have here. >> This is for 2026. >> That's it. So 57 is that was baked in the cake >> and now they're saying we need to do further testing of 146 and 431.
>> Right now 146 is going to be the complete compliance evaluation where we look at the equipment and we look at the files and we see where we're not. Now as part of this any files we're just going to submit them, >> right? >> We're not going to say oh and now it's going to cost this much money to do
that. No, that's part of this. Okay. The only thing we're not going to do, we're just gonna make a list and evaluation of the equipment that's working or not working. >> We'll come you'll come back to that. Okay. >> And I'll come back to and that to me would be like a 2027 thing. >> So So for 2026, we're in for almost
115,000 testing. >> But 571 57120 was already >> But it's already in this basically. >> So that's what the price has done, right? But we can't say for sure what 2027's going to bring us at this point.
>> No, >> we'll leave that up. >> That was my question. >> Let's wrap it up quick because we've only got a question for you. Because there was a project done recently, did that have impacted the testing results. >> It may have, but you know, the thing is
you don't know until you do the testing. >> That's the hard part. >> Lois, thank you so much for coming by. >> Thank you for having me. I appreciate and like I said if you have questions Michael Yeah. more than happy. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Okay.
>> Um we're going to move on to correspondence one and two. We have a letter uh received on January 26th from the Hillsdale Fire Department requesting the use of the West lot for their annual carnival from May 3rd to May 9th. It's good that we got the date this year.
Hopefully we will not see any rain. Um it's a great event. So I encourage everyone to go and we received an email from Jill and Randy S regarding their proposed cell tower placement at the Stony Book Swim Club. Can I get a motion to receipt and file? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Those in favor. >> Anyone opposed? >> Consider it done. We will move on to the professional reports. Let's start with Nick. Nick Gio from Collier's to move this here so I can see.
>> Hi Nick. Hi. Um, so I'm gonna keep it pretty brief. Only a few things I know to hear about field. So I'll start with that. Um, things are moving along well. We've had some warm weather this this week and and the previous week. So they've been taking advantage of that and getting to work on the retain walls.
So some of the retaining walls are are starting to get installed. Uh the clearing site is done. So you know things things are moving forward in a good direction. We've been pretty lucky with the weather so far. Um, in addition
to that, um, we we did finish the nature trail. That was in December, but I don't know if I had a chance to speak on that. So, that was that was wrapped up. Um, we're just in the process of closing that out with the two grants that are associated with it. So, that grant, which is for the handicap accessibility
component of that project, and, uh, there's also Bernie County open space component of that. Uh we do think that there's going to be a good chunk of money left over in that pur county open space grant from that project. We're not going to use probably all of it. So
we're going to look at repurposing that into something else potentially something in the field or if there's you know something else that >> and we have latitude to do that. >> Yes. Yeah. You just you have to work with the county to do a scope change and they allow you to repurpose the rest of the money. We've done it many times.
>> Will you refresh our memory? Is that a matching grant or is that okay? Yeah, it's a 5050. >> That's right. Okay. >> Yep. Um and outside of that, we're also wrapping up the GIS mapping for the stormware system.
>> So, majority of that was done um in the fall and winter, there was a couple areas that they couldn't access, some inlets that were full of debris, things like that. So, working with Barry, DBW to get access to the open and to clear out the inlets that they couldn't access because they were full of stuff. Um, so
it's just like a couple straggling items that are left in terms of data collection. Then once we're done with that, we go into post-processing and putting it all together into the actual like deliverable which is product. Um, so once we have all that prepared, we submit the DP. D reviews it, make some
comments, we provide and they eventually approve it. That's when we have the final product that gets delivered to the town and we will offer a training session tow and anyone else who would be using that mapping to show how they can use that web- based interface to view
all infrastructure. It's actually really cool. I mean you can literally click through to any of the any of the infrastructure. It has pictures. It has depths. It has types of pipes coming in and out. Whole bunch of information. It's all viewed in real time and getting updated live.
Um, so that's that's what's coming should be complet. >> Yeah, I've been visiting homes that have lost uh landscaping trees. Um, >> not on their property, but they're visual. >> They're visual. So, they're completely open right now.
>> Exposed to memorial. >> Yeah. So some of them were we are going to uh talk about the plan and get trees on their properties because they're so high up and we're going to have to wait 10 15 years for the trees to reach that height. So they agreed that they want on their property. Uh so we'll talk about
that plan. I have the plan uh I visit one house today and uh there's one more tomorrow but uh Thursday but we will be putting more landscaping there. I know there was one concern about uh by the term from council president
>> about having a guard rail maybe >> or stones or um >> to prevent Washington >> ballards. Yeah. If you're traveling down Washington towards the center of town, it seems that there's no there's nothing to cover in the event that there's a car that veers off the road. It'll end up on
the basketball court. >> Yeah. essentially because before you had major tree coverage to protect anything that could fall over that >> there is a fence there, right? >> There's very specific design criteria that warrants or does not warrant guy route. So, we can evaluate that. Um, it has to do with if there's obstruction
within what's called a clear zone, if there's a certain slope. >> Uh, so there's there's >> there's a way to evaluate this very specifically in terms of like whether or not that is warranted in that place. So we can look at that. >> Um and if it's worth it then then yeah
we have to >> is the is the trees on the residents property um a change order >> or is that was that ever baked into it? You know this would be change will be a change order to plant trees. >> Yeah we can that's one of the possible applications that we can use some of the
extra funds from that county open space grant to help supplement. >> Okay stuff trees we can use. >> Okay. Any other questions, Nick? Thanks, Nick. >> And this doesn't look like Chief Woods
a little bit. >> Looks like Lieutenant for the Arizona Police Department through December of 2025. Um, the community police conducted a tour of our headquarters for the Boy Scouts. We participated in the Howley Grill Christmas at the Smith School and we had
another successful year of Toys for Tots. the uh traffic control units conducted um and responded to 600 calls for service, 50 motor vehicle stops, 37 motor vehicle accidents. We conducted seven incident enforcement details, 10
parking enforcement details. We responded to 75 medical calls. We issued 22 warnings, um 61 summones, we conducted 91 property checks, and we had two adult arrests. Our detective bureau
conducted 40 investigations, 25 of which they closed, which also resulted in 30 criminal charges. And our farms investigations unit conducted 16 farms investigations for our residents. And that concludes the
questions of the lieutenant. I guess you're off. There it is. Thank you very much for coming. >> And we don't have our DPW card. report. >> Very short. Very short. >> Um, >> we picked up almost 10 tons of leaves.
Um, this season, uh, December was a a very busy month. December 6th, we had 2 in of snow. December 13, we had 4.5 in of snow. 23rd 2 in and the 26 3.8 in. At
present time, all equipment and salt, calcium, and fuel have been repaired and replenished for the next snow event, which is possible for this weekend. >> Lovely. We're going to get more snow by my electric shovel. I'm very excited to
try it out. So, um, it's time for committee reports. Let's start down at the end here with uh, Councilman RO. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I have a somewhat lengthy report just on three three in the area, so I'll get much into it. The Hillsdale Access for All met
January 12th virtually last night. Um they noted passage of legislation in Trenton that regulated the operations of group homes which is expected to provide greater protection for their residents. Um it was resolved to pursue having an art show as they've done annually for
the last several years uh in the library in May. Uh they're requesting that the Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department allow approximately one hour when its carnival is held on that Saturday. I guess that's the last day of the the carnival to allow people with
disabilities uh to have certain access to rides without waiting. I told uh them to raise it uh uh that I would raise it with Councilman Kleti who is um who's on a fire >> chair the fire council. uh is something probably that you might may want to
mention to the fire department. Um and there access is willing to come to one of their meetings to speak as to why Bob. Uh they also resolved to hold the breakfast at Vans Park Zoo in the spring. Uh but that's still in the works. Seniors, the 50 plus club
membership uh last week authorized its board to forego its status as an independent club and bring itself under the insurance umbrella of the burrow. It essentially sunsets uh the 50 plus club as a separate organization. Details are being worked out with the BA
with the senior director Patty Hughes and the 50 plus club board members and treasurer which at the end of the process as I said will they'll cease to exist any other group >> as an entity not as individuals. >> Sorry. >> Nothing as an entity. >> Yes. Yes.
Um they um it will allow greater ease of access uh for the to the new community center as well as avoid the insurance expenses that the club would otherwise have had to have paid if it maintained its independent status and if it wanted
to use the community center. Um, and I recommended to the BA and I think he accepted it uh that our attorney prepare a resolution for the mayor and council's uh approval memorializing this change when it is finally approved.
Lastly, on FINCOM, here comes the bad news. Um, uh, we met yesterday, the mayor joined us. Uh uh the primary focus of the meeting was on the 2026 budget of which the CFO and the BA had previously warned
the committee of the challenges posed by the budget. We knew that this was going to be a challenging year. The committee discussed a draft and I want to emphasize that word draft. Nothing's final yet um um that the BA and CFO had prepared reflecting cooperative e
efforts from all the departments in meeting the making the challenge and meeting it a lot easier. All the department heads agreed to keep their proposed expenditures either flat or somewhat reduced >> year-over-year and this is reflected in the total appropriations in that draft
bud budget uh which for 2026 is down 2 a.5% uh from 19.2 last year to 18.7 million this year. So we have a reduction in appropriations. However, as it stands now and still subject to change, that
that budget will require an increase in the municipal plus library. And I like to think of that as they're together because that's the local part of the budget. Um the municipal and library portion of the annual property tax bill. We think at this point it's
approximately a 5.4% increase. Now, I remind everyone that that municipal plus library budget accounts for only 20% of the overall property tax bill that residents are going to have to pay. It's it's too early to know what the school bill will be or the county bill. I don't
want to go too much into the weeds of the of a draft budget, but there are a few items that I think bear commentary in an effort to be transparent with the residents and in a spirit of no surprises down the road um when we do introduce the budget. >> It's still deliber deliberative. I'd
like to make sure that you don't delve into too much that we haven't determined yet. >> No, no. And I'm going to be very specific about it's it's all in a draft. It's all and I'm not going to get into individual departments >> or numbers of >> No, no. I mean, this is at an aggregate
top top level. Um the budget assumes no capital expenditure items uh which last year we put in about 1.1 million. This year we can't we can't afford to put anything in there. Uh it does include our field improvement reserve
appropriation of about $500,000. We have a road program in the budget which although somewhat reduced is still respectable amount at roughly half a million dollars. One culprit is the very large increase in medical insurance premiums that the bureau is contractually required to pay
under state law for its employees. Uh it's a statewide phenomena. It's just not affecting hills. >> And that's that's 37%. >> No, it's actually >> higher. It's higher. >> Yeah. Well, the the increase I think we experienced >> in 2025 we budgeted about 1.5 million.
That's net of employee contributions and and reimbursements. >> This year we're we're we've got to put 2.2 million because of the the increase in premiums. We are looking at alternative insurance plans. Uh they're being explored by the bureau but uh not
expected to be feasible until next year. Y >> and it assumes agreements can be reached with our unionized workforce. All right. Um another culprit is that while last year we were able to rely on taking 2.8 million from fund balance which I like
to call surplus uh or capital I'm bankers. I think of it as capital but that was generated the prior year. The budget for 2026 really can only take 1.8 million. So we have to make up that additional 1 million shortfall. A third
culprit is what we were just talking about before, my old friend, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, uh, who's requiring us to add additional methane gas testing, uh, to Centennial Field, that $50,000 clip. Additional factors, uh, adding to
the tax burden are the increased property valuations, which we are experiencing, that mandates a $70,000 increase in the library. Um, and of course what we've all been seeing in our gas and electric bills, you know, for the burrow, that's an increase of about
$45,000. Um, so those are the the the um key drivers. There are some items that are not clear yet, like the the Bergen County Utility Authority, the budget, the BA, and the CFO. Why did we put in the same amount
as we had to appropriate last year? We don't know where that's going to be. I doubt it'll be last. It could be a little more, could be somewhat materially more. Don't know. So those are the key drivers for our budget and some of the numbers could change as the CFO and the BA continue their hard work
and meeting our financial challenge. Both gentlemen have been extremely uh good about focusing on the budget and trying to do their best along with the department heads to keep things to a manageable level. The committee expects that the 2027 uh that 2027 is going to
be a somewhat easier lift for us uh given increased revenue from the various redevelopment efforts that have begun in town. But as of now, our draft budget calls for relying on the residents to pay about 12.5 million in property taxes versus 11.9
uh last year, which is roughly the >> It's still very very first stage. Yeah, >> first stage, right? it'll change it. >> And and that's what I was about to say. Thank you. Um it's roughly a 5.4% increase. The committee was informed um
by the BA that the required townwide property reevaluation that has been pushed back uh one year. It's we thought it was going to take place in 2026, but it's been pushed back to 27. That's a good thing because it is an expensive uh
it's expensive to do these things. So that expense doesn't have to be treated in 2026. And I'm reasonably certain that the budget will change somewhat before we have to introduce it formally, but I wanted to give everyone a heads up as to the key dynamics and drivers in what was
going on. Um, so that's it. >> And John, just just to prepare the residents, the the the impact of the school um work that's being done over there at George White August time frame. I think the CFO mentioned that during our
meeting as well, right? >> Uh we'll know. I guess that's what he was saying, right? That we'll know >> by then what the impact I would might know a month or two sooner because they have to do their budgets, >> right?
>> So, >> okay. >> And it look there's no there's no, you know, hiding this. It's not going to be good, but it but but it's still preliminary and I really don't want to start going down a road of over disclosing even though we have there are going to be some tough decisions to
make. Um we're going to do them in the most judicious way we can and let's leave it at that for the moment so we know more. Thank you very much. Anything else? That's it. All right, Councilwoman Mazuchan. >> Okay. Um so rep committee, we met last
night. Uh here's some updates. Uh we'll start with basketball. Basketball began last week. It's been running smoothly. Registration numbers are consistent with last year and despite having access to fewer gym facilities. They've been able to work around it and um scheduling challenges have been okay and they've
offering the same number of games as last year. So, we're good with basketball. There is a spring brochure coming. Um it's scheduled to be released on February 17th, so keep your eyes out for that. Community center. Community center is underway. Um we're preparing hopefully for a grand opening in early
spring and we expect um to have a confirmed date to share shortly. Uh 2026 events. There's a full calendar of events that will be released also by the end of January so residents can plan ahead. Um there is the Crescent Remron lighting which is was very successful
last year. Um we're looking to schedule that in February. Um we touched already upon Memorial Field. It's it's continuing. It's moving forward. Um and we're excited to have the opportunity to start scheduling in the late spring um games and practices. As for summer
concerts, the we plan to offer about three summer concerts this year. We're also exploring the possibility of doing a concert at Veterans Park um which would be um really great to host one downtown. Now, I do have a board of ed unless Anthony you have something. This is from
last year because I never had a chance to report it, but I can certainly >> I was just going to mention the new newly appointed president and >> Okay, I can do a quick update on it just because I had it from last year that I never had a chance to share. Um, on December 20th, there was an email communication shared with parents
regarding the George White renovation. >> Um, so just here are some quick updates on that. Uh, okay. Okay. So, bonding bonding. On December 4th, the board of ed successfully closed the final round of school bonds totaling 47.359 million and securing a 3.78%
interest rate. Uh demolition phase. Uh demolition crews were scheduled to begin on December 22nd, starting with interior hand demolition followed by demolition of the multi-purpose room. This phase is expected to last approximately four weeks. Uh, as far as the timeline, while
the project experienced some early delays in March of 2025, the target completion date still remains July 2027. Um, gymnasium access, due to the adjusted timeline, the gym has been unavailable. Um, alternate arrangements have been made in place for lunch, PE,
and athletics, but gym access is hopefully going to happen on or about March 2nd. Um, and that's it. >> Great. Council Kleti. >> Thank you, Mayor. uh start with the planning board uh held its annual reorganization meeting on January 8th.
The next meeting is Tuesday, January 27th. The agenda was light, mainly housekeeping items, but worthy to note that Meredith Kates was elected chairperson, Steve Riden, uh vice chairperson, and Scott Raymond as secretary, and all of our existing professionals were reappointed.
Fire department December had 27 calls, bringing year-to- date total to 339. That's verse 244 in the prior year. So significant increase. Firehouse Subs public safety foundation grant. This was the grant we spoke about
probably over the last 6 months. Uh it's anywhere between 15 and 25,000. Could be as high as 40. We initially applied for it. We did not get it. However, we can apply for this quarterly. We just applied again on January 8th and we'll keep applying until we hopefully we get it.
Ladder truck. No updates. Still expecting I think June 2020 uh 2026 this year. Uh one new item that we don't have any detail on yet, but I want to make sure the council is aware of it. I think most are already, is that the fire
department is requesting potentially a new engine. Uh just some really brief background on that because they will be uh making a presentation to the fire committee, the VA and the CFO uh regarding the need, the potential expense, the justification at which time
the fire committee will analyze it and I guess take a position and recommendation to the council but all the details will be shared. Um, currently they have two very old engines. A 1996 which has a 500gallon reservoir, water reservoir on it, and a
2006 which is a 777galon reservoir. Uh, the ladder truck is a 1999, but we know that's being replaced. And then the rescue truck is 2004. So, Chief Farrell and Deputy Chief uh, Kelly, they're working on that presentation. Again, we're hoping to see
that this week at this point. I think it might be next week, but we're still hoping for this week. and we'll report back to the council. >> And all those vehicles are outside of their expected life expectancy anyway, one by over 10 years. >> Correct. And I I I believe it's blessed because of our mechanic and the program
we have to keep those up and running. >> Thank you. Right. And Bob, the the um the engine is usually the first apparatus to hit the scene. >> I'm not the best person to answer that, but to my knowledge, yes. >> All right. >> Okay.
Environmental Commission. This will be my last environmental update. Uh Clemente, Councilman Clemente also will be taking over that committee. Uh their next meeting is January 19th. The environmental commission uh wants to thank Bob Defilio for uh he's not
resuming his position. However, he did serve that committee for commission, excuse me, for four years and did a great job. Uh he was uh replaced by Tony Re. Tony was recommended by the environmental commission and appointed by the mayor. I've worked with Tony over
the past year and supported that appointment is great resource. Uh, one thing I'll add on Beachwood 1.0, I know. Uh, and Nick, please correct me if I'm wrong here, but tonight in the agenda, this resolution 26050, which is a change request for about $9,000 for that project.
Uh, that was a few scope items that were added, uh, including hot mix asphalt pavement repair, some additional concrete curbing, um, and installation of a cast manhole frame. So, that is on the agenda for approval this evening.
And finally, environmental commission wants to remind everyone again that we're still in a drought warning statewide and that anything that the departments can do, Mike, to help out with that in water preservation is greatly appreciated. That's it. >> Council president also.
>> Yes. Um we're going to keep the ball rolling on the environmental commission because we had a premeating the January 19th meeting. So I attended a meeting yesterday with both Fred Rebel, the commission chair, as well as Mike Cassi, the business administrator. Several things were discussed and just to summarize and provide a quick update on
the following with the completion of Beachwood 1.0 nature trail which focused in on entrances and ADA compliance to access the trail. Beachwood 2.0 may benefit and benefit in having the New York New Jersey trail conference engaged to provide input on design on design and
oversight. The BA and the commission chair will be looking into whether doing so will add value and if some cost savings can be achieved with their involvement. It will be important in the upcoming months to continue working on the trail, completing design and having a plan in place to complete the work
soon thereafter. In the interim, the DPW continues to make repairs to the boardwalk. Um, I don't know if Mike was going to provide that in his update, but they're working on correcting the plants that are there. uh the 2025 community forestry plan which is basically an
inventory of trees that exist on Hillsdale streets uh and their condition is basically completed and will be submitted to the new Jersey D shortly. I actually never knew a plan like that existed but it's pretty extensive and it actually identifies each tree on each
roadway of uh Burough Vista and their condition and their life and uh what needs to be done to maintain those trees. Um then the once that's filed the burl will be complying with qualification for program grants. Uh the environmental commission web page will
soon be accessed via link on the burrow website and things like meeting minutes, initiatives and educational content will be uploaded there. Uh the environmental commission, the DPW and the VA are considering a shared services agreement with Ridgewood for styrofoam uh
densification. Uh I'm getting a lot of requests because we stopped doing the styrofoam uh recycling here in town and they're looking for another option and Ridgewood may be one. Uh and work is being done to have a third party install
electric vehicle charging stations in the west lot. Uh terms are currently being negotiated. Also attended yesterday was a busy day, finance, environmental, library. I attended uh the library board meeting last night and a review of the 2020 activity 2025
activity was given. The library is very actively used and ranks very high in terms of engagement when compared to surrounding towns. Also on January 27th, the library will be celebrating its 90th year and cupcakes will be served on that
day after 2 p.m. So get there early and get >> council >> uh having just been given liaison uh commission assignments. I haven't really attended any meetings, but I just want to recognize that the local board of education that's Smith, George White,
and Mbrook. uh Kevin Donatello who's named president and on the regional board uh Elizabeth Calderon from Wilake and James Stenis from Riverville were reappointed. >> That's all I have right now. >> Councilman K. >> Similar similar to Anthony has been
appointed. So waiting uh for some some good meetings, but the tomorrow the swim pool commission will be meeting at 7 p.m. And looking forward to looking forward to joining that meeting. and your new role of the >> in my new role. Previously commissioner,
now now liaison, hoping for some better weather on those uh early uh spring summer months to uh drive some registration numbers up. >> Yeah. >> Is that all? >> That's all. >> Borrow administrator Cassali. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Quickly from the zoning uh department, uh just a quick
review for 2025. So you so you so you have the picture there. Uh there were 127 trees removed. About 85% of them uh were confirmed by professional to be dead or diseased and they don't have to
be replaced per our tree ordinance. About 50 trees were planted in 2025 and about 50 more trees are scheduled to be planted uh in the spring this season. Uh there were 64 fence installation, 41
driveways, 29 additions, 14 new businesses. Uh we issued a number of notice of violations for different reasons. Uh we do have one recommendation to the governing body uh that is to take a look at the ordinance
harboring non-domemestic animals. Uh currently uh the ordinance is silent uh on on what they could be. Uh, so it could be cat, could be pigs, could be anything. Uh, we're having issues with chicken.
So I I will talk to Mark, uh, our attorney. Uh, maybe come up with an amendment for your consideration, but we do have complaints about chickens frequently. What do you think? Next, uh moving from there, the furniture for the community center will
be arriving and installed on March 1st and March 2nd. And uh we will be handed the community center center end of February. We did the tour today. It is complete. Uh there's some final touches to it. Uh some um some, you know,
finishups, but we should have it uh by end of February. Uh the director of uh recreation will be in charge of the scheduling. We'll be in charge of the whole site along with the senior director. >> Mike, does the landlord have earmarked some parking for us in in the building
uh for scheduled events? >> Uh so so yeah. So uh if we have a special event, we have to reserve those parking ahead of time, >> but there are some spots available inside. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Yes. and we're looking at the street parking changes and neighboring businesses
>> uh to see if we can use some of their parking during our events. >> So, so yeah, so parking is uh the next thing to >> issue to address. >> Okay. >> Uh we will be having a town hall meeting
next Tuesday, the 20th at 7 p.m. here at Boro Hall to discuss the proposed cell tower. The format is intended to be informal. It's like your friends and neighbors in someone's living room talking about a town's issue. Uh we will
re redo the seedings. Uh uh so we won't be using the deis. >> Uh we'll have you know coffee and donuts and it'll be like in someone's home >> and you will act as the MC. >> I I I will be the MC. Uh hopefully uh we can you track the time but it'll be very
informal but if someone does take over we will have to uh stop and just move on with that. Uh we will have subject matter experts uh on hand uh in case we do have any any questions answered. >> Mike in the event that you have more
than uh people uh show up within the capacity in this room will they just stand outside? >> Yeah. Okay. Yep. >> Yeah, there's a number there by the fire department on how many we can have. Uh lastly, the owner of the Path Street Development and the self storage is the
same owner uh is looking to donate a parcel uh that he owns that's that sits on both sides of the brook and u I do have a schematic uh just where the island is and goes right behind the church and along the side on both sides
of the of of the brook. So we can use it and I'll send this out to you guys. Uh so so we can use it for recreation, we can use it for the fishing derby. Uh there's ideas to have a walking trail. We can even look at we can even go right
behind his house. >> Oh, it's behind your house. Yeah, >> my house is on the map. >> Yeah. Uh so yeah. So uh we So this morning we actually did u uh some testing there. We had our risk manager look at it, make sure that we're not taking the piece that we've stuck
with it. and they'll give us their report and pass on. That's all I have. >> My uh Mr. P, I had a quick question. Yesterday's uh library meeting uh we discussed the parking lot there at the
library. Uh and apparently there's a paid section and there's a not paid section. Well, it was paid, but they broke it up. >> It used to be a a house and it was returned to the state, right? Because of the water. >> Yeah. Um, is there any way that we can
look into doing something other than asphalt there uh to make it more of a Yeah, exactly. Because it could be a trip hazard >> and it makes it very difficult for cars to actually park and figure out where to go, especially when they have a great
deal of attendees. >> So, the last time we looked at that, it it has to be that kind of material for the water, you know, penetration. Uh unless we find something else that will probably be more costly, but I'll talk to David. >> Okay. >> This was about two years ago. We looked into it.
>> Yeah. Because now it seems that when they run functions, there's a lot more people there. >> Okay. >> And and the parking extends over into that area. >> I I think there's a D issue there, but I'll talk to David. >> I know we we did not change because of the water issue. >> Okay.
>> Question for you, Mike. Yes. Um, our attorney was kind enough to do a great deal of research on the ebike issue which he sent around to all the council members. Can you update us on to where that stands? >> So, we're actually getting uh drafts from other towns >> and I'm going to sit down with Mark and
the mayor and and just pick the best of all and and go with one. >> Okay. Because I know in in the legislature down in Trenton, they are also thinking about in fact they have a I think there was a draft bill. It's it's up for consideration, right? >> Excuse me. >> It's it's up for consideration for
consideration and and I actually shared that with the VA and our attorney. So, they have there was an article in the uh in NJ.com >> explaining that so that we can take into consideration what may be coming down the road on requiring it's class one, class two, class three combination
>> uh pedals, non-pedals. >> Yeah. Because last week there was a convention of ebikes right next to George White across the street in the basketball court. There were about 15 of them uh gathered. Uh I walked past them. I don't know where they were head to. They were stationary at the moment. God knows where they were.
>> Free range, >> huh? >> Free range ebikes. >> Uh maybe. >> Okay. Okay. Yep. It's it's it's in the works and we're we will uh we will be addressing.
So just beware. Uh okay. Let's move on to the ordinances. Um, starting with 2601, an introduction, an ordinance establishing recreation department program and summer camp fees in the burrow of Hillsdale. Be it resolved that ordinance, why is it 260?
2601 does now pass first reading of the set ordinance be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the mayor and council in the municipal building 380 Hillsdale Avenue, New Hillsdale, New Jersey on February 3rd, 2026 at 7 p.m. or soon as thereafter and at said time
and place. All persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. And the clerk is hereby play uh is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance on the Burough of Hillsdale website is required by public law at least one week prior to set hearing with the notice of in its introduction of the time and
place when and where said ordinance would be considered for final passage. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Those in favor. >> Anyone opposed? >> Great. We're going to move on to 2602, an ordinance establishing salaries for
the recreation department. Be it resolved that ordinance 2602 does now pass first reading and that said ordinance be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the mayor and council of the municipal building 380 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, New Jersey on February 3rd, 2026 at 7 p.m.
or soon as thereafter and at said time and place. All persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. And the clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish set ordinance on the Burough of Hillsdale website as required by public law at least one week prior to set hearing with the notice of its
introduction and of the time and place when and where set ordinance would be considered for final passage. Make it a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Seeing none, it is introduced. 2603 in ordinance amending
chapter 310 of the land use article 13 use schedule section 53.2 mixed use student district of the burough code to amend the permitted residential density to address the burrow's affordable housing obligation. Be it resolved that ordinance 2603
does now pass first reading and that said ordinance be further considered for final passage of meeting of the mayor and council in the municipal building 380 Hillsdale Avenue Hillsdale, New Jersey on February 3rd, 2026 at 7 p.m. or as soon as thereafter and at said time and place, all persons interested
will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. And the clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish set ordinance on the Burrow of Hillsdale website as required by public law at least one week prior to set hearing with a notice of its introduction and of the time and place when and where said ordinance would be
considered for final passage. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> It is now introduced. 2604 ordinance amending chapter 310 land use article 12 zones established section 48 districts
of the burough code and amending chapter 310 land use article 13 use schedule the burough code to create a new section 53.4 entitled T-C2 townhouse comp complex district to address the burough's affordable housing obligation. I'd like to just thank
Darlene for writing that out that way. Get all that reading in there with all the technical points. Be it resolved that said ordinance 26-04 is now pass a first reading and that said ordinance be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the mayor and council in the municipal building 380 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, New
Jersey on February 3rd, 2026 at 7 p.m. or as soon as thereafter and it said time and place all persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. And the clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish set ordinance on the burrow of Hillsdale website as required by law.
That is one week prior to set hearing with a notice of its introduction and of the time and place when and where set ordinance would be considered for final passage. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? No. It is introduced. Okay. So now we have a special
resolution 26061, a resolution suspending article 4, section 9 of the bylaws the mayor and council of the burrow of Hillsdale for set ordinance. Can I get a motion >> because we're the next ordinance is not going to conform to the 48 hour rule. We
have to um bypass that which we have the right as a governing body to do. So uh can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Seeing none. Uh it is passed. And now we will go on to 2605, an ordinance
amending chapter 310, article 33, affordable housing regulation section 141, applicability to revise the affordable housing set aside of the borrow code. be resolved that that ordinance 2605 does now pass a first reading and that said ordinance be further considered for
final passage in meeting of the mayor and council in uh in the municipal building 380 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, New Jersey on February 3rd, 2026 at 7 p.m. or as soon as thereafter and at said time and place. All persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. And the clerk is hereby authorized and directed
to publish set ordinance to the borrow of Hillsdale website as required by public law at least one week prior to set hearing with a notice of its introduction of the time and place when and where set ordinance would be considered for final passage. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I.
>> Anyone opposed? >> Abstain. >> You're going to abstain. Okay, it is abstained. We are now going to the consent agenda. Resolution 26040 through 26 to 2560. Does anyone want to pull
something from the consent agenda? >> Seeing nobody wanting to do so, can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> The consent agenda is passed. We have nothing off consent of public comment.
Here we go. Uh time limited to three minutes. Uh please state your name and town of residence for the record. Miss Martin, come on out and have a seat. >> Kristen Martinale for something new and different. Um I just wanted to thank
this council because you don't always hear people saying that their town council really listens to the community and I really feel that you do. And thank you, Councilman Oso, for uh taking the time to talk to me, as well
as our lovely mayor and our wonderful um BA. So, I really do appreciate all of your help. I also wanted to thank Chief Woods who spoke to me today regarding the ongoing um questions that I have regarding the parking in the street
overnight. Um, I did last time speak of my feeling of being targeting and I really feel I misspoke there and I want to just clarify that I just meant that I felt like since we were the only ones ticketed, that's what I meant by targeting. Um, I certainly appreciate
all the work that the police department does for our community and feel extremely fortunate to have a police department that really cares about the community members. and I don't want it to ever be thought that I don't um appreciate what what I have. So, I still
am looking for a better resolution, but I do appreciate that you're always looking for options and listening and willing to help the community. So, I do want to thank you. Um I also want to thank the Ridge Styrofoam. My husband has been stocking it up and I'm like,
please somebody take it out of my house u because he just won't let himself throw it out. So, I appreciate any uh any news on the wonderful Ridgewood program for the styrofone. I'm happy I came tonight so I can come home and tell him that. Um and also if there's any news on any sidewalk or curb repair
schedule timelines, um I know we have um lived in our house since 99 and our curbs have never been touched. So, I don't know if there's a timeline for the communities, but if there is some place I can find that, I would appreciate any information. But again, thank you for all you do. I'm very grateful. Thank you. If your husband would stop buying
all that Minnesota Viking merchandise, you wouldn't have so much styrofoam sitting around probably. >> Just so many issues that happen. >> Thank you again. >> Thanks. Okay, anybody else? Not seeing anybody else. We're going to go to public com we did comment council
comments. I'm going to start um just real quick. We took a tour today of the new community center. It is light years ahead of both schedule and where it was at the last time we visited it. It's looking in tremendous shape. It's going
to get a little personalization. Um but we're getting real close and I'm really now getting excited about its launch. So, um we're going to have we're scheduling a bunch of different stuff that um I think the public's really going to enjoy. So, I'll leave it at
that. And since we started here last time, let's go down here for council commentary. Start with Councilman Cam. >> Thank you. And and I have to echo those comments. The community center is absolutely beautiful that I'm so excited for everybody to get the chance to to go and see it themselves when it when it
finally opens. Um and it was already mentioned by uh our our BA, but um I really really want to encourage um everyone who's uh interested in the cell tower um to attend the meeting. um next
Tuesday at uh at seven, right? >> Y >> that's at at 7 o'clock right here. >> Um you're it's going to be very informative uh and a good casual conversation and very important um whe whether you uh
however you feel about the issue um to both uh speak how you feel and also to um uh maybe get some of the details ironed out for yourself. Um yeah, and that's it. Thank you. Okay, Councilman D. Rosa. >> Uh, yeah, just to piggyback on the
community center. Um, when we when I was on council and we first approved the redevelopment and we heard we were going to get some space for community center, I thought that was great and I was expecting, you know, the bare minimum from the developer, a plain vanilla vanilla box. And what I saw today was
nothing like that. It was just gorgeous. It's white, it's open, it's all windows. Um the well everything's brand new obviously but I think the residents are really going to be surprised and proud of what uh of what we have now. We've longed for for a long time. Uh so
looking forward to that opening and then just the we also got a tour of the building and the building is is like a high-end hotel. There's a a pool. Uh there's um yeah golf simulator um pods for work areas. um workout areas, uh
barbecues around the pool, fire pits, uh there's even a pet spa. So, um looking forward to that opening as well and and uh you know, new residents coming and enjoying that being so close to our downtown and the train station, too. So, I was very impressed.
>> Great. Council President Osa, >> no. >> No comments today. >> Council Kleti. >> Thank you, Mayor. No comments this evening. I'm going to ditto on the community center. Absolutely blown away today. Not just with the space for us, but for the
for these these beautiful apartments are just I felt like I was at a resort. Um so it was just it was so nice and high-end and I think we were calling the units found units. But anyway, um any as we head into next week, I just want to acknowledge um Martin Luther King Day
and reflect on Dr. King's legacy of service, equality, and unity that continues to um shape our community. >> Great. >> Council, I wanted you stole my son. That's fine. You know, next Monday, we're going to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. We
have a relatively small African-American community here in Hillsdale. It's less than 2% of our population. But the day carries a set of symbolic um messages that genu genuinely belong to everyone in the United States. regardless of
race, background, um, political leaning. The holiday isn't about remembering a single individual. It's more about reaffirming a set of national issues, uh, national values that Americans often agree on more than they realize. Uh, the belief that America can become better
than it is. That change achieved without violence is a change that lasts, that we should stand up for fairness in our workplace and community. Basically, do unto others as you would have done unto you. is biblical and that the content of one's character matters far more than
any descriptive category that can be applied to you. It is the individual that matters and I'd like to leave it at that. >> Thank you. >> Seeing that that's the business of the of the burrow for tonight, can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion second. >> Second. We have a second here.
>> All those in favor? We are adjourned and we will see you hopefully at the town hall on the 20th and then we'll be back here February 3rd at 700 p.m. the day the music died. See you then. Thank you.