--------- Ladies and gentlemen, when the call order of the stands, one nation, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Make sure my microphone is on. There you go. This is a meeting of the Hillsdale
Borrow Council this 7th day of April, 2026. Notice of the time and place of this meeting has been provided to the Bergen record as well as posted on our website as now required by public law. A copy was also posted on the bulletin board outside of the meeting room and provided to any interested parties.
Please silence all cell phones. wait to be recognized by the mayor during the public hearing and the public comment part of the meeting. You will need to state your name and town of residence for the record. Will the clerk please read the role? >> Mayor Shinfield >> here. >> Council member Camp >> here. >> Council member Kleti
>> here. >> Council member D. Rosa >> here. >> Council member Mazachan >> here. Council President Oso >> here. Council member Rugo >> here. >> Everybody's here. Great. Uh we're going to approve the minutes from the council meeting on March 10th, 2026. Can I get a motion?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I oppose. So passed. Okay. Council minutes from March 17th, 2026. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I have it. >> I abstain for the record >> for your absence. Thank you, sir. Good to have you back. Um the initial public comment time limited items on the agenda only one topic per speaker. Would
anybody like to speak during this period? Mr. Kenduk. >> Hi. Uh Mike Kenduk 54 Winthrop Road Hillsdale. My question is about uh ordinance 26-13,
which is are residents going to have to pay in order to get a permit to park outside the Hillsdale Community Center. That's my question. >> Okay. Well, initial public comment, but if the BA wants to answer that, >> so this is for the community center.
when someone signs up for an activity at the center, uh they'll be printed a pass uh a permit uh with that activity for the period of time of that activity, >> but there won't be no there's no charge for it. >> Correct.
>> You just apply, you'll get it, you you'll attend and that'll be it. >> Okay. Anybody else? Okay. Not seeing anybody. We're going to move on to correspondence. Um, we have two letters and a motion to receipt and
file. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> So be it. It's done. The professional monthly reports. Start out with the engineering report. Nick, welcome.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um couple items to provide updates on the uh NJ DOT fiscal year 2025 municipal aid grant project for u Liberty A and Arcadia we just had the bid opening for this morning. Um we
received a total of eight bids. The apparent low bidder was for cleanup with a price of $264,127. Uh the engineer's estimate on this was $299,346. So, we're well below that number on the low bid price. That bid still needs to
be reviewed um and recommended for award, but that's the apparent low bidder from the bid opening this morning. Um in addition to that, we're currently working on the burrow's tier A annual report, which is part of compliance with the MS4 permit. So, we do the annual
reporting for that every year. That's due May 1st. So, we're in the process of working through that right now. Um, we're also planning for the NJ DOT fiscal year 2026 municipal a grant project which is for Ralph and Legion.
Um, we'll probably start design on that after budget approval. Um, so, you know, around a month from now is when we're looking for, you know, to be in designing that. Um, for Memorial Field, they are moving along pretty quickly.
I'm sure everybody's seen a lot of activity there over the last couple weeks. They finished building one of the larger retaining walls uh yesterday and they're starting on the second large retaining wall this week. Um there's probably about four more weeks
worth of retaining wall work to finish all that and then from there we'll start to see stuff move really quickly because that's they need those retaining walls in before they can start to build out the the whole middle of the field basically. Um so we are we are moving forward and they're making good progress.
I have a question. >> Sure. >> The large retaining wall you were referring to, the one AC by Hopper, will there be a fence above that? Just confirming. >> Yes. All all of the retaining walls that are above 4t in height will have a safety fence. Yeah. >> Okay.
>> You you probably saw those black tubes that >> those black tubes, >> those are for the mounting of the fence posts. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Other other questions. >> Yeah. Nick, we had a conversation earlier today about the artificial turf, >> correct? Correct. >> And about the lines on the turf, uh h
has that configuration been sent out already to be manufactured? >> Yes. So the um the turf manufacturer is already working on that. They're planning on shipping it out at the end of this month. >> Uh so all that has was finalized a while ago. It was finalized back in December.
>> So and and for that turf field, we have soccer, baseball, and football, right? >> For striping. Yes. >> Yeah. No lacrosse. >> No lacrosse currently. So, and there are temporary solutions that we could put in later on for lacrosse if need be. Correct. >> That's correct. There there are there
are products that are made for uh basically it's like line painting that is a temporary paint that wears off after a few days. >> And we do and we do have infields for either saw both saw or soft field. Correct. >> All all three have infields. Yeah. Like
colored infields, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So that no lacrosse was because there just be too many lines. >> Correct. Yeah. Yeah, it gets very busy. Um, if you're going to do men's and women's lacrosse, which is both different lines, it gets it gets very busy.
>> Mhm. >> And you couldn't do one without the other. >> Correct. Yeah, it's if you're going to do if you're going to do one gender lacrosse, you kind of have to do both. So, yeah. >> Any other questions? >> The big question when?
>> Still don't know. I would say um probably after we get through April, we'll have a more solid schedule. April is still like an iffy weather month with rain. Um, but so far so good. I mean, we've we've been we've been pretty lucky. We've had intermittent rain, but not no like one whole week of sustained
downpours. So, they've been able to work a good amount. Um, a as of as of right now, we're probably looking at something like mid June, you know, plus or minus a few weeks depending on how weather goes pretty much.
>> I like the plus. the other way. >> The contractor is doing everything they can to move. They're definitely not >> I don't think anybody's doing a slow walk. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> process. >> Um it is what it is. Okay. Anything else?
>> No, that's it. >> Great. Um no more questions of Thank you very much. All yours. Thank you. Uh Chief, you're on. >> Thank you, Mayor. um just going to cover March uh March's monthly report for community policing. We participated in
George White Middle School. We did the uh opening day coin toss. Um and St. John's Academy did a tour of headquarters. For traffic and patrol, uh we had 707 calls for service, 86 motor
vehicle stops, 25 motor vehicle accidents. Selective enforcement details, we conducted 16 of them. parking enforcement details. Uh we conducted 35 responded to 53 medical calls. We issued 70 written warnings. We
issued 25 summones. We had two adult arrests and 141 uh security checks for uh businesses and schools. Our detective bureau uh investigated 43 cases. We closed 31 of them. Uh two charges came out of those uh the closed cases. and
the firearms investigation unit did 12 investigations for pistol permits, um, carry conceal permits, etc. >> Any questions of our chief? >> Chief, you want to touch on the the one call we got at 6:30 a.m. >> this morning?
>> No, yesterday. >> Yesterday. >> Have you called? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, >> sorry. >> Yep. So, I don't I don't want to release any names yet just because we haven't um you know, we've we've spoke to the mother, but we want to do it the formal way at a meeting in a few months. But, uh two of our officers, also two
ambulance core um uh medics >> y >> uh successfully delivered a baby record time. Yeah. >> On the kitchen floor. >> What's that? >> On the kitchen floor. >> Yeah. Yeah. In the in the house. Uh and and >> the last time, you know, last we checked
at the hospital, baby's healthy, thank God. And uh >> and yeah, and the medics had to do it wasn't just a simple there was there was >> no there was there was some complications with it and it was a you know full delivery in the house. So it was a very good day. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Great outcome. >> You can go first. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um it seems like with the bicycles, even regular y >> pedal bicycles, uh sometimes some of these kids that are driving them seem to have declared open season on pedestrians
walking. >> Have you guys thought about conducting in the schools a um like a little seminar on what the rules of the road should be like? I know for example when I checked y >> um pedestrians have the right away
>> on the site. >> Yep. I don't sense that that message has gotten through to a lot of our bicyclists. >> Yep. So, we're in the process currently of uh narrowing down, you know, where the majority of these bicycle drivers are going to school. >> Yeah.
>> Once we narrow that down, um just like anything else, any issues that arise um necessarily involving kids, we're going to go and do a um assembly. We do a safety assembly, go over the rules of the road, um hopefully get some notices
out to the parents, but talk to these kids in the schools so we can get them all together and just reiterate that, you know, driving a bicycle is not it's not a free-for-all. Still got to buy traffic and both. >> So, do you have to find out where they're going to school before you do that? >> No. No. We just want to try and narrow
us down to the correct school so we're not doing assemblies at every single school. If we have to, we will. But if it's concentrated to a specific school, that way it'll be easiest to, you know, bring all of our resources there. >> From what I've seen, having been almost been run over on Broadway. Um, it would
be George White and it would be the high school. I don't think that middle >> and Smith. So, you're really down to just Yep. >> two schools. >> Yeah. And if we got to do it at both of them, we will. Um, you know, gladly. We do assemblies there uh every year for >> I'd urge you to do it before the summer.
Right. >> So that I'm piggybacking off on you because that was going to be my comment as well because the chief and I spoke about this last week. I spoke to Mr. Lombardi today. He's um on board with you know an assembly as well. So you guys can can just connect set that up >> um and he can help in any way and he can
send out a letter to the parents after. >> Yeah, absolutely. We'll do uh we'll do all that. I think it would be very helpful. Yes, chief. We're still kind of in a in a waiting period for enforcement, aren't we? >> For ebikes. >> Kids on bicycle. >> No, I understand. But but the two go hand in hand.
>> Sort of. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Chief, do you just want to describe what actions you could actually take? Because we talked about this a little bit yesterday. It's kind of limit. >> Yeah. I mean, it's I mean, the number one message I put out to all parents is to educate your children. That's that's
the biggest thing. Um, as far as children driving bicycles, ebikes is different. Ebikes are going to be considered a a motorcycle essentially. Um, that's going to begin July 1st. There's a six-month trial period with the new laws that came out. Uh, so enforcement will begin then. Um,
as far as the bicycles go, they got to adhere to if they're in the roadway, you got to adhere to the ways of the road. Um, the same as everybody else. Uh, sidewalks as well. You got to wear your helmet if you're underage. You got to have reflectors on the bikes. Um, you have to drive them properly. you can't,
you know, impede a flow of traffic. Uh, and if they are impeding it, you know, they are subject to title 39 violations, which is motor vehicle violations, um, as well. So, you know, we can always, you know, take those bikes, release them to the parents. We have to contact the parents. They're juvenile. Um,
>> but you can't follow these >> and disclaimer is correct. We've had multiple children uh take off, meaning the police come for a call wherever it is, and they see the police car and they scatter. Uh the safety is paramount. We're not going to chase a kid on a
bicycle. God forbid they get hit by a car. Um you know, but that is happening too. So please tell your kids not to run from the police over, you know, doing wheelies. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Chief. >> Yep. Thank you.
>> I assume that the BA will be doing the report for our superintendent for the DPW. >> Yes, sir. So the super is in class again. He's going for certification. Uh a quick report from him. The fields Centennial Field irrigation and
fieldhouse water meter installed along with spring cleanup. Softball and baseball fields maintenance has been completed. Memorial field water meter for the fieldhouse has been installed, but of course it's off for now. Um the
parks spring cleanups uh that were taken back uh because of the weather. Just starting again this week. Uh the pothole repairs are ongoing. Snowplow damage is being repaired as they are reported to the DPW.
There are a few signs that are down being uh repaired. If you see any potholes, please call Ball and tell us. We'll try to find as many as we can. Um the TPW mechanic shop heater is broken and unrepaiable. Temporary heat is in
place. Hopefully, you will get warmer weather. We don't need that for a while. Um, Ramadan decorations were installed and then removed at the conclusion of the 30-day celebration. And that's all. Yeah. >> Okay, great. Thanks. Um, committee reports.
Start at the far end. Councilman Roco. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, regarding access for all, plans are proceeding to have uh they're planning to have a party at the Vans Park Zoo on April 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 with a capacity of about
42 people. There's going to be a presentation from a naturalist. There'll be snacks, access to the small animals for the children. Um, and a full day access to the zoo, including tickets for the training ride there. There's an art show for people with disabilities. Uh opening reception is Thursday, May 7th
at 6:30 in the library. Uh I encourage all council members to to attend if they can. Uh even if it's just for a couple of minutes. Uh the exhibit runs the entire month of May. Um application deadline is April 10th and the art uh work drop off is April 23rd from 4 to 6
p.m. in the library. Their next meeting is April 27th at 7 p.m. in the library. Board of Health did not meet on March 18th. Their next meeting is April 22nd at Burough Hall, 7 p.m. Uh the finance committee met this afternoon. We focused on the budget. Uh I know the CFO is
going to be presenting uh uh he making a presentation on the budget. I'll have some words to say on that as well. Uh with respect to seniors, the Forever Young program, which was formerly the 50 plus club, it is now meeting the second Thursday of the month from October
through May. Plans are being made for cooking classes, arts and crafts workshops, music lessons, games, live entertainment, and educational seminars. Their next meeting is April 9th. That's this Thursday, 11:00 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hillsdale Community Center, where an
outside group called the Flavor Lab will take over at noon to teach the members how to make energy bites, which really are sugar sugar bombs. Uh separately, uh senior lunches will continue monthly, but they'll be held at
the new community center as opposed to St. John the Baptist. Uh the next one is April 15th, and there's another on May 20th. They run from 11:30 to 1:30. You have to make your reservations at least 4 days in advance by calling senior activities director uh Patty use at
2011-4971560. Patty is making available special timed parking passes for all who sign up. And you don't have to sign up um you do have to sign up at least four days in advance or you won't be granted admission and that's it.
>> That's it. And and trip overseas in there as well. You've been busy. >> Ah but that was a personal adventure. >> Did you report on that? >> No no no Leo refused to speak to me. >> Councilwoman Maj. >> Okay. We'll start with economic
development. Uh so we met yesterday, April 6th, to review resumeums from the Hills residents for the economic advisory committee that we're putting together. Uh we're very impressed with both the level of interest and the quality of applicants. Um so everyone who applied, I just want to thank them.
Um you've probably received an email today with details on the meeting and the next steps and we're looking forward uh to getting this committee in place. Uh next up is Wreck. So we also met yesterday for Wreck. Update on the community center. There have been some several classes and meetings already
held at the community center. Everything has been running smoothly. There is a ribbon cutting scheduled for April 29th. So that will be also in partnership with the Piermont that will be hosting some tours for their open house. Uh the egg hunt this past Saturday was a great success. If you were there, there were
about 250 participants across all the age groups. We also had a bubble show which was a big hit amongst the little ones. Um and the weather was perfect. So, just want to thank Dan and um his team for making that such a su successful event. Uh summer camp update.
Uh let's see. Camp Pasca, Camp Adventure, and Camp Viewer all were sold out. Uh Camp Little Hawks, which is for kindergarten, still has some limited space available, and we are exploring ways to expand capacity for next year so that we're not turning away Hillsdale residents. Um also, most of the trips
have been extended this year with lunch provided. Um and last but not least, there are more activities being added to the Beachwood Days based on uh feedback from last year's survey. Uh summer concerts currently in progress um and they're booking bands as we speak. Dates
will be announced later this month. Uh there is a Memorial Day parade scheduled for May 25th. We're also exploring ways to incorporate something special for the 250th anniversary. And spring sports, they're on their way underway. The field scheduling is in progress. And we just want to thank all the sports
associations for their patience as we work collaboratively without George White Memorial FA fields being available. So thanks to them. That's it. >> Councilman Kleti. >> Thank you, Mayor. Start with the fire department. March had 21 calls versus 28
in March of the prior year. This is actually the first month that's been lower as compared to the prior year in quite some time. Uh but still on a year-to- date basis, there were 87 alarms versus 80 alarms in the prior year. And again, just to reiterate, 2025
was 39% higher than 2024. So, it's still a slight upward trend in calls. In regards to the ladder truck, uh we have received pictures from the manufacturer of the unit in production. So, pictures of the chassis and the cab being manufactured. So, exciting news for the
fire department there. And finally, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant. Unfortunately, uh we were not granted the grant in the last round. However, we did file again. I think it was this morning. >> This morning, we submitted again.
>> In terms of the planning board, next meeting is April 9th. The last meeting was on March 24th. During the meeting, it was business as usual, administrative duties, but also one concept review and one new application for proposed three
unit town houses requiring use variance on Broadway. >> That's it. >> Okay, any questions? M president, >> thank you. Um, just update the residents on some uh environmental commission events uh over the next few weeks. Uh,
Thursday, April 23rd at 4:15 p.m. we have Arbor Day tree planting ceremony with the Daisy Girl Scout Troop 99133 at Burrow at the Burrow property behind the library. On Friday, April 24th, Arbor Day, uh, Meadow Brook School uh, tree
planting along Street by Stony Brook Pool. Uh, we're going to confirm the time and uh, we're coordinating that with the board of education. Uh, on Saturday morning, May 2nd, we have a tree seedling giveaway. Uh it's going to be most likely next to the train station and we're going to firm that time up.
And then uh Saturday, May 16th. Uh and this is a big thing for us. Uh the styrofoam collection at 11:30 for uh at the Burrow West parking lot near Chipotle. That's something that we have an arrangement with Ridgewood that we approved a couple of meetings ago. Uh
and that's it. >> Councilman D. Rosa. >> Thank you. I just want to report the uh ambulance service, Hillsdale Ambulance Service uh and the Burrow are in preliminary discussions with Riverdale Ambulance to possibly require acquire their second ambulance. They're getting
a new one. Um the uh Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service also expressed interest in purchasing a new rig themselves with the help of the burrow. Those two avenues are or the goal of those two avenues is to if we have two
ambulances, we can then charge insurance companies for uh for calls, certain calls, and that produces revenue for both the ambulance service and the town. So, um as I said, it's very preliminary, but that's the goal and um we're
pursuing those two avenues. That's all I have. >> That would also be that to be clear that it wouldn't be a cost to the residents. >> No. No. So it's balance billing. So the residents would not be asked to pay a deductible on on that ambulance call. It would correct be waved by the
burough. Okay. Counciloman Camp. >> Thank you, Mayor. Okay. Stony Brook Pool Commission. So last month I focused primarily on opera operational updates from the commission as there were many and I wanted to briefly supplement that
uh report with a summary of recent discussion around the cell tower which remains an ongoing topic as we approach the uh opening season. Uh the commission discussed the proposal following Verizon's presentation in March including questions around site configuration and how placement and
design could impact parking and access. The commission also discussed information presented at the recent town hall and I shared findings from the bureau's independent consultant which identified specific specific areas of unreliable coverage in the eastern part
of town largely influenced by terrain and true density and noted uh that existing carrier networks in the area provide generally similar coverage patterns. In addition, there were operational questions raised regarding construction timeline and whether any work would impact inseason pool
operations. Part: 2
decrease in capital funding. Um, as we've looked at where the ley was um, we understand while what happens in the schools is not really overly always relevant to what we do um, here in town.
We do know that with the referendum and the impact that that debt service is going to hit the residents with, we really did as much as we could to try to limit the increase on a municipal side. And and David, what what month do you expect that to hit? August. >> Uh August is a bill where we will see
the increase to all of these budgets, whether it's the school, the county, um the regional, or us. Uh that shows up in the August tax bill. >> August tax. >> There you are again. There we go again. In case you didn't hear it first time.
>> That's right. Um any questions on in any of the departments in terms of where they're going or what's driving their their increases or decreases? >> Well, um I I want to get clear because
in my um report earlier, I had referenced that uh landscaping uh had a had a greater savings and I think we were uh I was going through the numbers with Barry about uh what what drove that. Um there was a I understand there
was an existing uh contract uh for landscaping for over 100,000 uh and the that the new contract is around 20 or 21,000 and then after you uh take out take out the equipment cost like the
savings is actually greater. Is that is is there a factor that we are missing or is this a >> Yes. Yes, there is. There there are other things that are going into landscaping and maintenance. We have other contracts with other companies and other things that we've got to do to maintain the fields and especially the
new fields. So we've actually left some of those things into budget. Um so we're not seeing the savings in the budget. May we see them this year in terms of um actual expenditures? Yes. But those will come back as soon as we get Memorial Online and have the increased cost for
what we have to do there to maintain that. So while a change this year in terms of those expenditures, not a item for item, dollar per dollar budget impact. >> Gotcha. >> Okay. um is
is so I I'm seeing that the uh that the the funding is is obviously less and I think that's a question that's going to come up for for residents that in the past that uh instead of having that impacted tax levy
and you're maybe you're getting to this uh having instead of having it impact the tax levy that we use surplus in the in the past can you explain to the residents what why we wouldn't use uh surplus again to to uh wipe out that
increase or >> I'm going to hit the forward button to the next slide. >> I just wanted to set you up like a great volleyball player. >> So yeah um next next slide we've got the uh revenue analysis. So there's five and a half
we'll call state aid separately. you know, there are some key drivers for our revenue. Um, and what we typically do as we do a bottoms up plan is we figure out what we think the expenditures are going to be and then we start looking at our revenue streams. Um, miscellaneous
revenue. Um, this is fees, permits, um, cell tower leases. There's a whole bunch of different items that will flow into that. Um, it's about 20% of the budget. That's relatively flat year-over-year.
Um about $52,000 up. What's driving that actually is some of the shared services that we're we've got coming in that are outgoing services that people are sending us money. Uh be it an increase for a full year on an extra sle and then
the vehicle maintenance. So outside of those, our our revenues there are flat and we don't expect them to increase. Uh we've had a gift over the last couple years with Patterson Street. The construction fees for that multi multi-million dollar project were in the
hundreds of thousands of dollars. Well, we're not going to get those ongoing. Uh we don't have those type of projects. So, we can't anticipate at that level. Uh the other big driver in there is interest um on our investment and on the money that we have in our banks. And as
most of you have seen over the last six, nine months, the Feds have reduced the rate three times. Every time they do that, I cringe because that means I get less revenue um every month from our interest earnings. So those two things are probably netting out to about
$250,000 less in terms of revenue this year. So normally we'd like to see a slight increase in miscellaneous revenue, but we're not seeing that. And that means where else can you get increased revenue? And it's going to be on the tax side.
>> David, before you get there, um, >> we've got pilot revenue we're anticipating from the peer bond. >> Yes. >> I is does that transact? Does that begin when we get get the co signed or is
there I was on the person was going to be until 27. We're not getting we are not anticipating any revenue from the pilot program this year. Um >> but they will have a COO this year, right? >> They will they will have a COO probably in
>> June >> for the story for the >> for the per month. They have it now. >> They have Okay. So So once they start generating revenue, we will start seeing you know monies coming to us through the
pilot. Um the the state's very tight in terms of when and how you can anticipate those revenues. Uh that revenue will actually now come in and feed surplus. So the revenues that >> I'm not trying to dedicate it anywhere else. I just want to know when the spot turns on. >> The spot turns on as soon as they start
generating revenue and have a quarterly report. >> And we can't anticipate any loop anywhere along there because we can't realistically know. But I mean, if we we hear that there's a waiting list of 245, we can pretty much think that they're going to be close to full capacity
>> at some point >> pretty quick. >> Yes. >> Right. Yes. >> And I don't think when we originally did the documents, I thought we were somewhat conservative in assuming that they wouldn't ramp up as fast as it appears that they're going to be able to. >> That is Councilman Ro, you're laughing at this. Is this
>> No, only because the uh the price of those uh apartments is something that is out of my fiscal range. >> Okay. Okay. Well, somebody out there can afford to do it. God love them. Uh and they're going to come into our town and we'll welcome them. Um but that is going
to be but but we're >> that's that's going to be additional revenue. Um, we we've pushed our surplus utilization pretty high this year to kind of minimize that tax. The nice thing about that not being anticipated and again, we
don't know what it is going to be or when it's going to get there um is that it will generate surplus replenishment. So, as we look at next year's budget, we won't have to reduce our utilization of surplus because we'll have that replenishment and we'll have that
revenue from the pilot to be able to offset some of the other budget challenges we know we have for next year. >> Our double-digit healthcare increase again next year. Uh we've we've and again this has been a very difficult budget with a a $655,000
increase on a single line item actually by itself represents a three and a half in% increase to the budget, >> right? >> Just everything else, you know, all being equal, it would have been bad. Uh we have utilized almost all of our reserves for debt service. Um we have a
pilot payment that we get from Patterson Street of $250,000. that won't be there next year. So, a lot of that pilot revenue that we're in anticipating next year, we've we spend it. >> You know, we've got we've got the 250,
we've got the 300 from the reserves. We have an $800,000 debt payment coming due next year now that we're going to out to bond all of the debt. So, so >> we haven't I wouldn't don't say we necessarily expect it. It's reflected in our it's built into the to the the
formulas here. We we're we're anticipating these expenditures and these reductions in revenues next year. So, it's >> we're we're on a we're on a three-year budget plan now. >> Okay. >> Right. That'll help replenish our capital, too.
>> Uh we will be able to start building back up our capital reserves and having a larger capital program this year. >> Right. So, that rate came in right at the right time. >> I would have preferred it be fully on books this year, but yes, it's it's pretty close to on the right time. Yeah. Next year will be a lot easier than this
year. We can afford to turn the AC on next year. >> Yeah, it's a it's a it's it is a get that is going to be >> No, I get it. And then hopefully after that we've got the self- storage facility coming online and more of the
redevelopment plans that we've got. uh dur during our bond rating call today, we talked with, you know, S&P, you know, about some of those futures and, you know, we we feel pretty strongly that health benefits and what they do there,
you know, being the biggest driver, we should be able to get, you know, easily back to a two two and a half%, you know, cost of living type increase on our taxes, you know, once we get through this year. >> Yeah. you know, so so that's what we're outlooking moving forward, you know, as
we look at that. This this is a tough one. >> Yep. >> And this is consistent with other municipalities, right? >> Oh, abs. Absolutely. My my peers are talking about anywhere from 3% to 10% in terms of budget increases. Um, and the 3% ones are saying this is too much. We
should be higher because we're hurting our reserves or utilizing too much surplus. Uh I've got two peers that haven't yet gotten a budget that is compliant to cap cap laws. Um so the the the budget challenge is not just municipalities, it is schools. Um
schools you can probably are hearing that you know there schools that are looking at probably having to reduce staff um and still be at a five or a 6% increase. Yes. It's a tough year. >> That's exactly what the high school said when they present their budget last month. They they eliminated two
positions and some support staff and they cited mostly the healthcare. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's a it's it's tough and we know for the local on top of all of that they've got debt service coming on board this year. Uh so it's a >> tough year.
Okay. Um state aid is flat. Um and it has been for for quite some time with the exception of a couple years ago they gave us a a small additional gift than they took it away. Um surplus uh you mentioned that we're actually anticipating using about
865,000 less than we did last year. Um the council's adopted and they're trying to stick to a very good surplus policy in terms of how much we use because the more you use this year, you decrease the
amount that you have available next year, which means that tax increase that you may have moved off this year, you've now stuck into the future tax. Um so we we looked at that. We actually started at about 1.76 million in terms of
surplus. Um, but through the finance committee and what they were looking to do uh with the residents and what they wanted to try to get the tax levy to, we've tweaked that up and switched it up and switched it up and it's it's farther than I would like it to be. And same
thing on the other side in terms of capital our our capital outlay and council Roco and I we've talked about this at the finance meeting today. We've had a really strong capital program for the past four or five years. uh this year is a little bit lighter. Um
normally you wouldn't want to do it that light. You certainly would want to do it more than once, but again the pressures on the budget have been significant. >> Are there any um are there any risks um to having less capital like if you're we don't have enough as much to spend on
roads for instance or whatever is is there any analyzed impact to how much more would cost like down the line for for that kind of thing? So, so roads have been really really well taken care of the last few years. Um, besides the work that PSC and G has done, we've done
how many roads? >> 70 roads in the last three years. >> 70 roads in the last, you know, three years, well, two years and plus plus this year's program. So, the roads are in pretty good pretty good shape. We're still going to do a road program, be slightly smaller. Um, I am very very
conservative in terms of my approach to finance. Uh, so when I say our reserves are stretched, we're down to around 750,000 in capital, you know, after we've done everything that we plan on doing, that's that's less than I'm, you know, really comfortable with. But it
would have to be very significant significant happening for us to go through that level of reserves. >> And we're expecting the average road life is what 10 years? >> 15 to 20. >> 15 to 20.
>> Okay. I I was using the roads as one example, but is there anything else off the top of your head that is is reduced? >> Uh, no. We've we've done some we've done lots of work. Uh, we've done we've done the police department downstairs. We've done significant work to this building. DPW is currently going through um
renovations, obviously, the field projects. Uh, we've done lots of money over at Centennial. Centennial is in very, very good shape. Um, so there we're we're in very good shape in terms of how we've maintained the infrastructure. Um, would we like to
have another $400,000 for Beachwood that puts a roof on the band shelv? Yes. Yeah, we would love to have those type things. Um, but that's a at at the moment with everything else that's probably a want versus a hard need. Uh, still replacing vehicles as we need to.
Um the police, you know, deferred one last year so that, you know, we could manage help manage our capital and they'll probably replace that this year. Um DPW, same thing. They replaced some last year and they've, you know, deferred some and we're we're doing some. So it's a little bit of
everything. >> And David, just so the residents are aware, every 100,000 is about a 1% increase to the municipal portion of the taxes, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. And we could, you know, budget cap laws would allow us to go another $250,000, but I but I don't know that
the residents would really be happy with another two and a half%. So, >> right. >> Um, we'll bank that for future use if we need it. >> Let's work on our revenue. >> Um, that that is key. >> It is. >> Um, and you got a good good administrator here. spends a lot of his
time on new revenue streams, whether it's working with downtown businesses or looking at every possible piece of property and how we can best utilize that in a good way for the burough. >> Balance billing will help too with the ambulance if we can get there. But
>> yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, the bad news um we look every year at the value of the average home. Um, so if your home is currently assessed at $477,000,
uh, this will be your municipal tax bill. Um, the rate's going to be about 727. That's about a 5 and a half% increase. It kind of mirrors usually the budget in including the library. That means the municipal portion of the bill
will be $3,473ish dollars. Um, not not a bad bill for everything that you get from those services, but it is $190 higher than last year's and every everything else is up too. >> That's assessed value, not fair market value.
>> That is assessed value. That is correct. >> So, look at your tax bill to see what your assess well tax bill tell you what your taxes are, but that's that's what it's related to when we do the reval. Um, and this will be one of the cons considerations that we have to make as we do that. Do we want to go to the
rolling assessment? Um, a rolling assessment is something where they instead of waiting 10 or 15 years to do another reval, they will do 20% of the town every year. Tie that to all of the other factors that go into a
reassessment. And you'll have new new numbers every year. Um, I've know a couple of towns that have done them. I work in one. I live in one. it reduces the tax appeals because your assessment is always very very close to 100%. Um,
>> but you you you slowly it's a Chinese water torture. It slowly is continuously increasing as opposed to getting a reprieve for a number of years and they're getting hit once. >> It it keeps it keeps it very steady. It really is is focusing on what's happening right now. So at at that point
your your assessed value is become very close to what your real value is all the time. right now. I think I think we're at >> 79% I say it's real value and that's that's really far off. >> Yeah, but it's not uncommon.
>> No, no, it's not. >> And then this is again, this is just our municipal stuff. So, >> this is just municipal stuff. >> What happens what what residents are going to feel from the referendum is a separate consideration. >> It is. I mean, I know you only get one
tax bill, but >> you get one tax bill. Um, by the middle of May, I will be coming to the governing body with a resolution to do the estimated tax bill. At that time, I will have probably solid numbers from both schools in the county where we'll
have a good idea of what the total impact will be. I won't know till then because they haven't given me any numbers yet. And then we'll no end of third quarter, beginning of fourth quarter where we are officially, right?
>> It'll be it'll be fairly official. The the state puts a stamp on it later, but once the schools tell me what what they're at, that's official because we will sign off on that before we send it to the county. We'll know what ours is because you'll have adopted it in the first week of May. The library is the
library. Um, I have some contacts at the county, so I'm fairly sure what their rate's going to be, so I'll be able to figure that. It'll be Yeah, it'll be within a very small margin of error. >> We're talking about like Yeah. hundreds of percentages off of maximum. Yeah.
>> Yep. Anything else on revenue? >> Um, so again, we've we've said it and you'll hear it a bunch of times. Uh the other thing I I like to I call make an honest representation. Um the budget's really down about 360,000, not 560,000.
Uh a big chunk of that is grants. We anticipate grants in the budget, but most of the grants happen after the county and the states have adopted their budgets. So they roll in throughout the year and we add them to the budget. So if you take the grants out and you take the library out because they're big
drivers, we're still down. Um, but a real real number here is we're down about 1.9%. Which is pretty good considering that that increase. Um, biggest chunk of that is capital. I'd rather not be having reduced our capital outlay by about 1.3 million. That's
that's a lot in terms of reduction. Um, but we'll get most of that back next year. So, and you've already heard about the initials, the high deductible plan, um, continued shared services and medical billing. Those will probably not impact us this year. Uh but we have to
do them this year so that they can have full effect next year. Questions before we move on to the Stony Brook Utility. >> Just just a comment. Um, I was pleased to hear that you and the finance committee considered the impact of the
referendum because we're all one big happy family and uh, I'm glad you considered that impact in addition to our the municipal capital. >> This this budget has been that challenging that I have done three things that I had said I would never do in a budget process this year because it's that challenging.
>> Started drinking. >> I've always done that. But no. Um, just just what we've done in terms of reducing capital, you guys did a good job of putting that in over the last four years. You know, pulling that out was hard. >> Knowing that the pilot's coming next year, so it'll be easy to put it back is
probably the reason we've been able to do do a lot of the things that we had to do in this budget. >> I think it's good that we take a little bit of a longer term view understanding coming down the pipe with the 255 units plus the storage facility and being able
to replenish our our our lineup. So, >> yeah, I know we we again we we kind of outlook we did last year when we've heard about the storage. We outlooked we kind of assessed at what we thought it was going to be and then we waited and waited for the plan to be finalized say okay we're not going to get it this year
it'll be next year. So, we we do look we do look those out and on the far side of that you know we know what's going to happen with solid waste. uh we ramp that up because of the initial impact in that first year was huge, but once we get to the top, the next year will come back
down a couple hundred,000. So, that'll be a nice budget relief, you know, two years two years out. >> I just want to be clear that it's a responsible budget all things considered, >> especially uh incorporating those schools referendum. >> Yeah. Yeah. We we we have not pushed on
anything related to day-to-day services that we provide the community. >> The the the 20% um municipal the share of the entire pie there. How's that compare to uh other years of the the
amount of pie? Is is it usually 20%? Is it 24%? between between 20 and 23%. You can probably draw that same chart for every town in northern New Jersey. It really is very very consistent. Um in Oakland we're at 23%. Um but we have a
bit higher capital, you know, plan. They they've built that in over the years. Um in my hometown we're at 22, you know, so it really is, you know, very very consistent in terms of that pie. Stony Brook.
>> Yep. >> Um Stony Brook going to go through fairly quickly. Um the total total budget for Stony Brook this year is $1.28 million. That is down around
$76,000 from last year. Um biggest biggest driver of that is uh their debt service that they they paid down last year. did a pretty good job of of managing their their short-term loan in terms of reducing that. Um, one of the
line items that is in the budget that we had to add actually based upon audit feedback um was we were we are anticipating about $50,000 in surplus from the utility into the town's budget statutoily. That is okay. We're
permitted to do that. Uh the utilities surplus fund balance is very good. Um, they did a nice job of managing things and replenishing it. That's that second thing that I said I really never would want to do. Utilities are utilities. Let them spend their money. But again, to
try to do everything we could. They don't have any near-term large capital expenditures that they they need that level of cash for and they have the ability to replenish it. Uh, we are doing that this year. Uh, so that is a new thing in the utility budget that you haven't seen
before. >> So, we shouldn't get used to it. No, that question was also asked today at our finance meeting. I said no. You know, they they they've got some things. They had a really tough year last year in terms of capital outlay and cash outlay with some of the challenges uh
with repairs and things and they've got they've got a good maintenance plan that they've got laid out over the next few years. So, they'll they'll need their surplus to to manage their business. Yeah, I think I think that's something that I was concerned about with the amount of repairs that had that happened
across last season. It was definitely uh I I was taken back reviewing that the bureau needed $50,000 and wanted to just ensure that like that that it was a one-time emergency uh need and if what what would need to
happen in the future that you guys would even consider that again? Nothing. >> Yeah. No, it's it's it's it's this it's it's when we reduced our capital expenditure to a very very very small amount. Okay. >> Um we've tapped a lot of our reserves.
Um you know so and we've again we mentioned it we've got the school side of the impact as well. So when we were looking at the original budget were we were we close to 7% when we first came to you? I think when we first
presented to the finance committee, we were close to 7%. And you you told Mike and I to go and look and see everything, every lever that we could pull and this is one of them. >> I thought it was more of a double digit. >> Yeah. >> Double digit. But the first time we met
first >> it was it was tough. It was tough. >> The first conceptual was 13%. >> Yeah. Okay. So again, so that that's what happened is you said, "Okay, what are all the things that we can do to try to lessen the impact?" >> So something that um that was an issue
with uh the the pool utility meeting their numbers last year was the fact that the the interest uh on investments didn't come as strong. And as you noted earlier, that that's going to be a potential issue this year. It it's
currently an issue. Um, is that going to have any negative impact like is that it says amended, but is is that 56,000 um that we see there? >> Yeah, that's that's what last year's last year's budget was. The reason it says amended if they had any grants or a
chapter 159 that that's included there. >> I'm sorry, I got my year screwed up there. I was looking at 2025 like it was 2026. >> 2026 you can see is 40,000, >> right? The cash in the bank is not less than what they had last year, but we're anticipating a lot less because of what the feds have done to the rates.
>> And is it is there a risk that would be even less than the 40,000? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. There is. So far, we haven't, you know, had another reduction. >> Um, and you know, they're talking about
with everything else that's happening that we they may push it off again. >> We'll see. Yeah, >> my daughter wants to buy a house. She's happy when the Fed reduces the rate. You know, I I collect $600,000 in interest for the municipality. I don't want the
rate to go down. You know, it's a conflict of you know, what's good for who, >> right? Um so these are these are things one of the things that we did structurally that you know the commission has been looking for a few years is terms of how we bring
the revenue in how we post it how we record it. Uh so we've kind of redone everything from where they bring it into community pass all the way up through the general ledger and how we report it. So you see a little bit of a different look from last year's if you have last year's budget around.
>> Next slide. Next slide. >> And and then appropriations the other side. Uh utilities are self-lippiing. They've got a balanced uh but the revenues and the expenditures. Um not a whole lot of changes here. You can see that their their payment um payment on
the principal and notes is down. Uh so that that's the only the major major change in their their budget. >> Can you go back to your the other slide please? >> Yes sir. I just noticed the membership for resident is 213,000 and the membership for non-resident is double
that or almost two and a half times right >> that's that's in line with the uh the the plan the mix report that I shared uh earlier with the the number of members there's more non non-resident
>> so the pool's primarily being uh supported by non-residents I I'm just curious It's it's been that way for um the last two three years. It wasn't quite as dramatic, but it's it's increased
>> as other as other towns clos. >> Yeah, that's something we we we covered a couple months ago. >> Have you council said >> so along that line, Chris? Um >> I'm pulling out the numbers. Have you did the pool commission factor into
what's going on in Westwood at all or is that a nonfact? >> Well, I I know that uh that Patty has uh reached out to Westwood and membership in Westwood that in the mo in the most recent uh commission meeting, she
touched on um that Westwood is trying to to stay open even despite the them missing their deadline for raising the funds they needed to stay open. So, there's a little that's a little bit up in the air. There's there's a pool commission meeting tomorrow. I'm
wondering if that will be touched on. >> Okay. >> Yeah, there was an article in the record that said they found a lifeline recently, a couple days ago, right? >> Okay. Well, they're looking for it. I know that I know that uh the burrow is trying to do everything they can over there to
save it. I don't know. The the thing about Stonybrook and the the non-resident members is that that the the the swim teams are very popular, very competitive and so you get a lot of people from out of towns looking to join
swim teams and be part of that programs. Okay. >> Uh so that is the budget that you would be looking to introduce. Um obviously if you have any questions as you go through some of the details um over the next
couple of weeks absolutely reach out and I'll get you the answers that you need and uh hopefully we can adopt this uh in May and get on with the rest of running the council. >> Any more questions because then we'll have David read the entire budget.
Right. That mean I am I am ready for Denise to do that. >> Well, I'll tell you what then. Why don't we why don't we move to 26100 for a uh a waiver of the reading of the full budget. >> I just want I want to thank David Young for all his hard work. It was a pleasure working with him. I thought he was he
did a great job on this. >> Thank you. >> Not over yet, but thank you. And people might not realize this, but David uh as a new council member, I always tell people like you know the ramp up to be being on council is is very small because we got workers like David who
sit to you with one of the first month of you going there with a large deck explo explaining all burrow and local finances and everything and it was I found that to be a very helpful session. So uh it's he's he's very good at what he does. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. If um if you'll permit me, Mr. Mayor, as the chairman of the finance committee, please. This will be the last year I chair the finance committee. The last year I'm on the finance committee. Um I wanted to thank the burough administrator, Mr. Gassali, uh who is charged by law. He's the guy who's
responsible for assembling the budget and he does it with the the technical and incredible advice that he's gotten from David Young um our our CFO and um and also from the finance committee consisting of myself, council members
Asso and council member Kleti. Um the committee has dutifully exercised its its role in in the budget process. that meets regularly with the BA and the CFO uh to assess how the bureau is doing financially. You know, and I I was thinking about it this morning because I
knew a meeting was coming up this afternoon with with David and BA. A municipal budget, developing one is a lot like um being assigned to fly a plane from point A to point B in the course of a year. Um while you got to be
aware that you also have to fly it in subsequent years again. uh without crashing and all the while making these trips as pleasurable as possible for the uh the passengers or the residents all of whom have diverse wants and needs uh
and varied income to pay for the trip. The municipality can always rely on getting sufficient fuel to fly the plane because it's got the availability to tax the residents, but that's a cost that causes pain at different levels. Some residents prefer to fly business class
and some residents prefer to fly fly economy. Um so you they don't either because they don't need some of the technicality the the thrills or they want the the best flight
experience or they don't want it. They don't have the means to pay for it. Um, as David said, the budget being introduced tonight is very sensitive to the overall situation that we found ourselves in. To some extent, it pleases the members of the finance committee and to some extent it doesn't. It pleases
the finance committee because it adequately addresses um the situation that we find ourselves in this year. uh and it provides for the spending decisions made by this council and by prior councils um which have a knock-on
financial effect that goes throughout the years. The budget displeased me and I guess some of us because in the second year in a row it calls for raising taxes above 5%. Um, and that's something that while we tried to avoid it, this year it
was just impossible uh to do unless you know you wanted to draw down your surplus as David was saying down to a ridiculously unsafe level. When we met last fall, the finance committee, we were staring at a double-digit increase. David was very upfront with us and
saying, "If you don't do much, if if you go down the standard route, you're going to have to increase taxes." I think Bob, if I remember, you were right about 11, 12, 13%. And I think I reported that at some of the earlier council meetings.
Um, and um, you know, we u we were staring at it and and we knew it was being driven by a health insurance increase of 41% um that we partially subsidized for our employees as a benefit to them. Um,
other inflating factors were also at work and they have been addressed in 2026 or they will be addressed in subsequent budgets and David went through these u cost of trash removal, increased expenses from storm uh water
management, uh various utility expenses being farmed out to us by the county in an environment where the state refuses to increase our state aid. And that's been the situation for over a decade, right Dave? I think it's been going on for 15 years. Um, the higher tax the
bureau is required to collect to uh on behalf of our library. This is formulaic. It's driven by law. Uh, the anticipated increase in debt servicing to pay off the bonds that we soon will issue to pay for new and improved fields and parts. uh the increase in annual
expenditures that are needed to maintain and protect our new and improved parks and playgrounds and the cost of making our friends at the New Jersey D uh feel comfortable that we're not harming our residents with the modifications made to Centennial Field because it's built on a
landfill. We're hopeful that they will reconsider some of that, but I think as Nick Chellius might agree with me that that's not likely to happen right away. Uh given it's the New Jersey D. Um after that fall meeting that we had with the
committee, uh the we encouraged both the BA and the CFO, as David said, to bring us a budget that was well under 6% and he's done that. And we had to significantly reduce capital expenditures in 2026. We had to forego
the funding of our field improvement reserve fund. We had to require the departments hold the line on operating expenses. We had to reap the benefits of having provided a robust road improvement program for the past decade and step back a little bit from that. And David alluded to that. We'll have a road program, but it'll be a little less
robust than it's been in the past. In doing so, we also had to monitor how much our so-called fund balance or surplus we might use to cover the cost of budgetary appropriations. This year, we couldn't rely on using quite as much as we did last year because we didn't
close out the year with as much as we did in year end 2024. And as David said, all is not dower. We expect the pilot payments uh to help us alleviate the financial pressure from Patterson Street. um they'll take effect next year and we also expect significant
pilot payments from the uh self storage facility and that'll be completed in 2027. Um nevertheless, I mean I personally think that we've done a very good job. I really want to thank David. He's a real financial professional this whole thing
and probably one of the best CFOs I've had to work with over the course of my 12 years. Uh the bureau will need to exercise tight control over its salary expenditures in the future, most of which are governed by union contracts and be willing to constantly scrut
scrutinize the size of departments aligning it with needs um and engage in more shared service arrangements as we've started to do quite successfully in the past three years. That's all I wanted to say, Mr. Mayor, as the chair of the finance committee.
>> Well, thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, anybody else have any comments before we move on? Okay, seeing none, now we can move to the waiver of reading the budget in full for 2026. Um, 26100.
Can I get a motion? >> Motion. Second. >> We have to ask for a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> You are relieved of that duty. Or Denise is relieved of that duty. Ah, >> well done. >> Something.
>> The next one is 26101, the 2026 self-examination of the budget. >> Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> And there's no one opposed. We'll do
that. Okay. We're now um on to the introduction of the 2026 budget. Resolution 26102. Can I get a motion to introduce the budget? >> Motion. Second. >> Second. >> Did you get you get the Okay, good. All
those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> The budget is introduced. >> You can sleep tonight, David. >> I can. Thank you. There we go. Okay, we're going to move on to the ordinances now for adoption 2612
capital ordinance of the Burrow of Hillsdale in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, authorizing various improvements and acquisitions in, by, and for the burrow, appropriating therefore the sum of $55,000 and providing that such sum so appropriated shall be raised from the
burrow's general capital fund balance. Be it resolved that ordinance 2612 entitled capital ordinance of the burrow of Hillsdale in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, authorizing various improvements and acquisitions in, by, and for the burrow, appropriating
therefore the sum of $55,000, and providing that sum that such sum so appropriated shall be raised from the burrow's general general capital fund balance, having hereby been read by title, shall have a hearing held at this date. Is there a motion to open to the
public? >> Motion. Second. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Would anybody like to be heard on this topic? See nobody. Um can uh let's see. Motion public be resolved. Okay. Um
>> motion to close. >> Yeah. Motion to close. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, be it resolved that ordinance 2612 be passed on final reading and a notice of adoption of said ordinance be
published on the official borrow website according to law. Can I get a motion to adopt ordinance 2612? >> Motion second. >> I I'd like to have a slight discussion on this. >> Um, in looking at it, this is a camera
system if I'm familiar. >> Right. >> So, what's the purpose of such a system? I mean who's responsible for for doing this? I mean what is it? Is it a >> responsible who's responsible for the system for maintaining it for
monitoring? Is that the the police? Is that >> So it's the police and me whole new system that we have to install. >> Okay. So my question is why is it being paid by taxpayer funds which I assume from the way it's worded and not DEA
funds from our office of wrong program. So these are to replace uh the cameras in the park and on the roadways. Uh the system we've had for the last maybe 10 15 years and uh we're just going to replace what we have. Why is it not from
the DEA fund? >> We we chose the capital. I don't know chief if you have any input on that. Why not the DEA funds? >> We didn't ask the DA funds. >> Yeah. I mean the So the cameras cover more than just the police department as
well. Cameras are throughout the entire town. >> No, but it's for surveillance. It's for law enforcement purposes. >> Uh yes and no. If it needs to be um we use them, you know, when the time comes for it. But whether the cameras are
solely for the police department or not, I don't know >> because the guidelines issued by the Department of Justice and the Treasury, although the Treasury is not an issue here, they allow for the DEA to pay for these types of expenses and you've got money in that DEA account. >> The one thing I will say is with
respect, you know, let's refer to it as a forfeite fund. Not refer to it as any government agency, any officer from here. Just for safety purposes of our officer, we'll just keep it as a forfeite fund. >> Agreed. >> Yep. So my question remains, why hasn't it been paid out of the forfeite fund?
Why do we stick the taxpayers with $55,000 increase? >> So So that fund is solely at the discretion of the chief, >> not not me, not you, not the mayor, not the police. It's solely 100% at the discretion of the chief. >> And how much do you have in that account
right now? >> Well, it's not, you know, it's not a it's not an endless fund. Um, >> how much do you have in it? >> How much is sitting in there currently right now? >> Yeah, >> off the top of my head, I couldn't tell you. Probably in the world of 200 or so
thousand, >> right? I could tell you that at year end 2025, it was about $254,000. >> Why can't we spend 55,000 out of the out of the forefeiter fund and remove this burden from paying why do we need a capital expenditure? As the chief said,
these cameras are not always used, not all used for for surveillance. So, we have some in the park, some on the roadways, some by the train station that that we use. >> Uh, so not all the cameras are used by the for the PD. >> Is it a split cost?
>> Can we split cost again? I mean, that's 100% at the discretion of the chief and was made the decision that we don't capital. >> May I? >> Sure. Um, the police department, the chief has used
significant significant amount of those funds every year that I have been here that are offsetting other operating costs that we're not putting into his budget. As we went through budget conversations for his equipment, for his training
equipment, for even firearms and and ammunition, we asked him to reduce his budget so that you know we could manage overall tax levy knowing that he had available the funds that are at his discretion. So when we talked about this
particular thing, yes, we could. We're already asking him to use those funds for other operating things that we've kind of held at obeyance out of our budget. Last year, we did several budget transfers in 2024 out of the police
department's operating into other funds that were needed to add monies to and he then funded the rest of those things for his year out of the for other forfeite funds. So he's he's been managing it pretty well to the benefit of the burrow
and you know as I said well don't think we've got a huge amount of surplus sitting there. We don't have some surplus sitting on our side in capital. So, I thought this was a a fair use of those funds and and those funds.
Actually, if I need to tap that 55, Chief Chief and I'll figure out how to do that through operating like we did in 2024. >> Well, you've got 254,000. You use 55, you're left with $200,000. >> So, we don't we don't we've The burrows hasn't supplied us with a vehicle, a
police vehicle in years. One vehicle is $120,000. >> Oh, no. I'm aware of So if we if we continuously tap into an account that has a ceiling to it, we're not going to be able to provide a our our primary service is patrol. We need vehicles to patrol. Our that account has almost
solely been used to provide vehicles for the police department. Tapping into that for and as well as community pleasing as well as our equipment. It's pretty much primarily funded our the existence of our department >> and I think it will continue to do so. You'll have ample money in there for
when you buy two SUVs the following year budget cuz you're on a two for one two and then one the following year. >> We don't have anything. >> And the DOJ says you can use it for furniture, audiovisisual equipment, office supplies, telecommunications equipment, copers, safes, fitness
equipment, computers, computer accessories, software, body armor, body worn cameras, cloud data storage. This surveillance system seems to be covered by it. >> Well, it's a it's a town camera system. not a surveillance system. We have surveillance cameras for that. We we we
have cameras there if we need to conduct surveillance. >> Well, that's why I asked the original question like why who these cameras what are they used for? Who uses them? Who administers them? Do you sit and watch the cameras? Mike, does does the DPW
mayor? >> But primarily it's for safety. >> For for safety. I mean, we don't just watch people, >> right? We have the cameras on. >> I I don't see I don't see why we can't pay for that out of the the forfeit.
Sorry. But >> yeah, I'm going to respectfully agree to disagree on this one. >> Is there is there a regular balance that you try to maintain for >> you can't forecast uh seizure funds? >> Yeah. No, I know. But I mean, but you can you can say I don't feel comfortable
below a certain level. >> Yeah. I mean, our the lowest we can go is what a vehicle cost, you know, which $120,000 >> and you're a year out from the time you cut a purchase order to that vehicle hitting the road on patrol is about a year. >> What's the what's the age of our oldest
vehicle? >> Over 100,000 miles. The the one that we're hoping to replace now is I mean it's it's not on the road for longer than a week or two without going down. >> And ultimately some some of these vehicles ultimately are going to end up with.
Yeah, it's another issue. Um, if you want me to talk about it, we have class three officers that that So, a class three officer is a retired police officer. It falls under Hillsdale Police's uh umbrella per se. That officer primarily does work at the school.
>> Half of the battle for safety, you look up any active shooter, any um name it uh incident, half of that battle is having a marked police vehicle outside. >> Yeah. Currently three out of five class 3es that we have drive the personal vehicles to school or to the school. So
you have name the personal car sitting outside of a school. It's not doing much for the deterrence purpose as well as liability on the town. Yeah. So we're looking at these these need to be in vehicles to go to the school. So in theory then we're replacing three new
vehicles for 370 thou 36060,000 with those other three oldest in service with six figures in mileage in front of the schools as a deterrent as those >> correct. Yeah. The uh the patrol oldest patrol vehicle will get recycled down to
a you can label it as a traffic vehicle. Overtime details um they're not serviceable for patrol. They're serviceable for getting from point A to point B. So, they're going to fall into that category where the class 3es will then use that to get from Burough headquarters to the school that they
work at. I just think he should use the opportunity when it comes up and whether we pay 55,000 >> out of the fore funds for the camera system, the surveillance system, or whether we have to pay a little more
because he doesn't the police department doesn't get the same amount of money that we've been getting in the past, right? You're going to be your balance was 200 a quarter of a million dollars at the year end. That's going to be
added to by whatever we get in 2026. >> To me, it seems like that would pay for at least two SUV vehicles in 20, you know, in the next year. >> So, I I believe in taking advantage of the opportunity when you get the
forfeite funds and use them. >> Why Why should the taxpayer take a a back role to this? But anyway, that's just my view. >> Okay. Any any other comment question? >> I got nothing. >> Okay. Um, we've had uh a motion to adopt
the ordinance and it was seconded. Um, >> why don't we give a roll call on this one? >> Um, will the clerk please read the role for motion to adopt ordinance 2612? >> Council member Wa. >> No. >> Council member Camp. >> Yes. >> Council member Kleti. Yes.
>> Council member D. Rosa. >> Yes. >> Council member Mazer. >> Yes. Council >> President Oso. >> Yes. >> The count is 5 to one in favor and the motion is adopted for uh ordinance 2612. Now for moving on to 2613 ordinance
ordinance of the borrow of Hillsdale County of Bergen, New Jersey to amend chapter 292 of the burough code entitled vehicles and traffic to revise and amend article four titled municipal parking lots and revising section 292-33 titled
parking regulations to include restrictions for parking for the burrow of hills community center which will allow street parking by permit only. Be it resolved that ordinance 2613 entitled ordinance for the borrow of Hillsdale, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey to
amend chapter 292 of the burough code titled vehicles and traffic to revise and amend title four title municipal parking lots and revising section 292-323 titled parking regulations to include restrictions for parking for the B of
Hillsdale Community Center which will allow street parking by permit only having hereby been read by title shall have a hearing held on this date. Is there a motion to open this to the public? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. All those in favor?
>> It is open to the public. Would anybody care to speak on this? >> Seeing no one interested in speaking of it, can I get a motion to close? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Okay. We're going to move on to motion
to adopt ordinance 2613. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion here? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Anyone opposed?
>> It is adopted. Uh we're moving on to the resolutions on the consent agenda. Resolution 26103 through 26107. Uh, does anybody have anything they want to move to the off consent agenda?
>> I'd like to move 26103 off the consent. >> 26103. Anybody else? Everybody to move off. Okay. Um, so I would like to get a motion for to adopt um resolutions 26104
through 26107. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. All those in favor? I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Those resolutions are adopted. We will now address uh resolution 26103. Can I get a motion?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Discussion. uh confirm for me that my understanding is this is the outcome of an agreement that we have um with the police department to
buy one vehicle for one year and the following year we buy two vehicles. This is the normal replacement process. Is that correct? >> Yes. This is from last year, >> right? So this is being charged to the 2025 budget, not the 2026.
>> This is from the fore funds from 2025. Oh, okay. All right. Um, will this result in a net increase in the fleet? >> Yes. >> And why aren't we considering
auctioning off an older vehicle or selling it or >> for the reason that the chief mentioned that we're actually short three vehicles for the sleos to have them at the schools. Currently, they take their own cars and that's one is liability. uh to
it's more of deterrent to have police car with the SLEO at the school. >> Okay. And does the current So contract with the schools call for the the board of ed to pay >> no
>> for deprec depreciation or >> no it's only for the salary. >> That's not true though. I read the soy contract that we just executed and it does call for $900 annually >> for the car. >> Yeah. To cover the cost of of insurance
>> for Okay. >> Okay. Now, I don't know how that's been executed because you're saying that several members several of the don't use >> don't have >> don't have police vehicles. They use their own. >> So, I'm a little bit unsure about just
how this is all going to work. will go from needing threeos >> who don't have vehicles to two. >> And our goal is to try to give every So a car >> over time. That would be the ideal >> eventually. Yes. >> Eventually.
>> So where will all these vehicles be parked? We've got I mean we our parking lot is filled with police vehicles. We've got five in the in the I mean in the bay usually uh and a couple in the regular parking lot
>> across the street. >> We have a >> we got four across the street. >> We have four and then we also have the fire department that we have if we need to. >> So is it necessary that ao have is a vehicle that we're >> well we just heard that it's it's a deterrent >> deterrent
>> a deterrent to have a marked vehicle in front of the schools. I don't know if if there's any statistics about how much less likely someone is to go in or try to do something seeing a you know a
vehicle there than than not. But >> I agree it's a deterrent. I mean I I would >> you know someone is in there. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't argue that point. I just I I just thought that given, you know, the the amount of police vehicles
that we have on our property that we're paying insurance for, um, and the board of ed picks up a small portion of that cost. They pay $900. It's not clear from the contract by whether it's $900 in total for the year or is it $900 per
vehicle. Um but but you're definitely you definitely need to review that contract that that was signed by the mayor. Um okay I I just wanted to get some clarification on this. >> I'll look into that as well because I
want to make sure I understand the building process because my office technically builds the school for the skill. >> No, there's a clause in that talks about $900. Yeah. >> Okay. And David, the balance in that forfeite funds account is not met with Tahoe
obviously because it wasn't purchas authorized. >> Go ahead. >> When we authorized the capital ordinance in 2025 for the vehicle, the funding source was the >> forfeiture fund. So when you did that, I
took the money out of the fund, put it in the capital. So it is there with a purchase order. uh will return anything that's not spent. That's how we process the monies in and out for large capital. >> Okay. So, it's been about Okay. >> Just just a point of information and and
correct me if I'm wrong, but the forfeerture money that we're talking about is a direct result of the officer on loan program that a prior council had approved and municipalities that participate that in that program share it in the recovered money from drug
bust, from organizational crime. Um it's all put into a pool and it's distributed to municipalities >> accordingly. Yeah. >> So that money is helping pay for the vehicle actually that we're >> it's also off offsetting basically the salary of the individual who's over there. >> Right.
>> Because that that salary is on our books as well. >> And it seems that over the years it's been beneficial to us. >> Well, we train an officer. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Not even then that dollars back and forth, right? >> I think even if it's a wash, we still have to pay for an officer.
>> I know. the the total monies coming in supersede the money's going out right >> at this point because the the program did not produce any funds for us the first two years then it started to produce money one year it had a very good year >> um I think I've seen some recent
statistics that suggest that you know it's still positive for us but marginally so >> any other discussion We've had a motion. We've had a second. Um, >> will the clerk please read the role? >> Council member Mach. >> Yes.
>> Council President Oso. >> Yes. >> Council member RO. >> Yes. Reluctantly. >> Member. >> Yes. >> Council member Kleti. >> Yes. >> Council member D. Rosa. >> Yes. >> 26103 passes unanimously. We are done with the off consent and it
is time for public comment. Hand went up pretty quickly. Okay. 3 minutes. Topic of your choosing. Please state your name and town for the record. >> Jerry Bey, 64 Westdale Avenue, Hillsdale. Um, I just wanted to um
concur about the concern that I have about the kids and the bicycles and what's happening in town, about kids riding dangerously in and out of traffic, um, safety for the kids, for the drivers, for pedestrians. Um and also the reported level of disrespect
that's going on um towards our citizens and towards our police department. Um the town's reputation is also impacted by this. It's all over social media um in in a big way. I know people should be probably emailing the council and the police, but and I don't know if anybody
monitors that on your end and reads what goes on, but there's a huge conversation going on on social media um that really does impact the reputation of our community. um uh a an eighth grader in Garfield was killed last week um due to
one of these kinds of bicycle craziness and um before something really bad happens in Hillsdale. I I hope that we can get on board. Um I'm glad to see um the police chief here today. Uh I don't know the law. I know there's laws about ebikes. I don't know about pedal bikes.
Um I hope that our duty police are patrolling. Um uh if you're talking about deterrent, maybe a car parked where the largest amount of this kind of uh behavior is going on might be something. Uh kids are riding their bicycles in and out of stores in town.
Um so it uh a deterrent certainly would be good. At one point the town did have a cop on a bike um program and so I don't know if that's something. Um I know kids are riding away from the police, but bad guys always run from the police and so but we don't let that
continue. So hopefully we can figure out um how to stop that. I would um suggest maybe even a task force that it's that serious an incident and um maybe parents, police, schools, rec department, other professionals um gather together and try to brainstorm
some good solutions for this serious problem. Um a quick thing, um I'm a grandparent. I bring my um granddaughter to Hillsdale United every uh day for uh preschool and there is a crossing guard at that corner. Um we love Miss Lillian.
Um but when she is absent there's only a police officer there until 8:30 and um that 8:30 to 9:00 piece is not covered. Um and uh I've driven by I've I've gone to the police station to um ask about
it. Um, I would respectfully request I think good community policing, building relationships with these little kids and their parents and grandparents would be a good thing. Um, so I respectfully request that, um, the officer stay the other half hour. Um, and the last thing
just to bring to anybody's attention is that um, uh, the police website doesn't have an email address to reach out to the police department. I did call the police department about this and the uh person who I spoke to said she had to check if she was allowed to give me an
email address that I could reach out to Chief Woods. Um there's no names of police officers on that site there. So it would be helpful I think to have some kind of again community policing. Let us know who you are and how to contact you and and that would be a recommendation.
Thank you. >> Thank you. I see the chief is taking notes. So, >> who else would like to be heard from? Please come on up. Said your name in town and talk to discuss. >> Susan Staliano, Conland, of Hillsdale.
Um, I wanted to take the opportunity tonight to thank everyone, uh, mayor and council. I am part of Hillsdale's troop, uh, Scout Troop 108. And over the last several months, all of you have been so kind enough to listen to three of our
scouts, life scouts, and have approved their projects. One is currently underway at the uh Hillsdale Cemetery on Hazelwood and um especially to uh give a a big thank you to Mr. Cassali for
working with our young boys because this is something that they haven't they don't have a lot of experience. um they're learning about communication, they're learning about their community. And so again, three of our uh scouts will be working on projects. And um one
of the things I also wanted to say, I know our superintendent isn't here for a DPW, but to pass it along to say thank you to the DBW, the uh project was ongoing at the cemetery. Uh large branches. We had picked up everything.
We had there were a lot of leaves and we were trying to uh collect them but there you know there isn't a process. We didn't have all the garbage cans and everything that we needed to try to work out removal. And the DPW uh had been passing by at the
time and they were so kind enough to offer to help to remove all of that. And um it was really really appreciated because it was just it was going to be a a a difficult process to try to get a lot of those logs and things into the car to get it to TBW. So uh thank you
very much to them for for stepping up and for helping out. And they offered again to should any of the scouts need help on the ongoing projects that they would be happy to do so. So I really thought that's really really great of them to offer that. And we will be having a project going on in Sapienza
Garden starting soon and at Beachwood. So, thank you very much for supporting the scouts. >> Nice to hear. Special shout out to the BDW who really just always any email, anything, they are super responsive. Who
would like to be heard? Please name the town of residence, please. >> Amelia Bowers, 44 Palm Street, Hillsdale. Um, I am a volunteer member of the Stony Brook Swim Club Commission. My family and I, husband and small three children, um, have been members of the
swim club since 2021. I want to be clear, the placement of a cell phone tower in the club parking lot is strongly opposed by the swim club commission. Unfortunately, this position was not included in the commission's council leaison's report of the pool
commission last month. Whether intentional or not, exclusion of two simple facts. one, this was discussed for over 30 minutes, and two, that the commission is opposed to the to the location of the tower demonstrates partiality and preference. I urge that
future council liaison reports serve the commission better and without bias. I do understand that there was a follow-up that was given this evening. I still question why it had to be a follow-up and that it wasn't initially included. Our swim club is not just another facility. It's widely recognized as the
crown jewel of our town and perhaps even Bergen County. Families gather there all summer long. Children learn to swim there. Lifelong memories are made there. Placing a 130 ft cell phone tower in that space fundamentally changes the character of what has always been a
beautiful, welcoming community asset. Quite simply, it would be an eyesore. Equally concerning is the lack of transparency in this process. The original proposed location of the tower was was changed without clear communication to those most directly impacted. As a result, we are now facing
the loss of at least nine parking spaces in a lot that already reaches full capacity every weekend during peak season. This is not a minor inconvenience. It is a serious operational concern. Reduced parking directly impacts the club members
experience. If families cannot reliably access the facility, they will make the un understandable decision not to renew their memberships and that leads to a larger issue, financial sustainability.
Stony Brook Swim Club operates on a tight budget. Membership is our lifeblood. If we lose members due to decreased accessibility, we risk no longer being able to operate in a healthy and sustainable way. that not only affects the club's ability to
maintain the facility, but also its ability to give back to the town. Just last year, as we heard tonight, despite the club's own financial pressures, which were extremely significant last year, $50,000 was contributed from the
club's operating budget back to the town. That kind of support is only possible when the club is thriving, not when it's being compromised. We understand the need for improved infrastructure and connectivity.
However, this location is not appropriate. It places an undue burden on a community institution that has served this town for generations. We respectfully ask the mayor and council to reconsider,
identify an alternative location that does not negatively impact the swim club, its members, or the broader Hillsdale community. Thank you. Please. Uh, next. Anybody want to be heard? Next.
>> Hi, Robin Nearov. One Drake Drive. I'd like to dovetail on what was just said and follow up on the feasibility question I have regarding the use of the high school. It's been stated multiple times at these meetings, in my opinion, falsely, that the high school has come
out against any sort of telecom communication uh equipment being installed at the high school. And somehow the correspondence that I sent to you guys never makes the public record. So on March 17th, I sent two correspondence. I directed it to
everyone who was sitting up here and I would respectfully ask that it be officially entered into the record that Mr. Phillips representing our school as the PV superintendent said that he met with you and Mr. Puchio and the board of
ed has not and I repeat has not taken an official stand on the cell phone on the cell to terror project. There is no objection that they have. They are open to exploring options. I copied him on that email and stated that he was copied with my with his permission in order to
offer any clarification if there was anything that needed to be corrected for the record and there was no correction made. So to say that this has been explored to say that the school is against this to say that this is not feasible does not seem to be in the interest of honesty and transparency
within our community. I would respectfully request that you explore and report back to the community who's very interested to know why it is that Wi-Fi cannot be allowed within the high school so that cell phone calls can be
made. Um why we cannot work with county community services or our town community services to install infrastructure within the high school. I would like to know whether there has been any legitimate pursuit of the option for multicarrier small cells to be installed
on the high school campus or nearby properties and we would respectfully request an impartial feasibility study of the possibility of a macro tower behind the high school. The expert that you brought in only used data from Verizon rather than gathering his own
objective data and analyzing differences in coverage between the three carriers. Why is that? How is that in the interest of really moving this forward in a fair way? And we would like to know why there are other carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile who can cover cells service gaps without a new tower while Verizon
says they cannot. Lastly, we appear as a town to already be in contract with a multi-arrier cell service that can install small cells. Has anyone been in touch to find out how many cells where they would need to be and how we can actually resolve
our gap coverages without the use of a macro tower? And if in fact one is needed, why there seems to be an unwillingness to seriously pursue another alternative to the pool. Thank you. >> Please.
>> Who else would like to be heard? Tammy Calibet, Kathy RH Hillsdale. It's just amazing to me that the last meeting on March 6th, it be went through two hours of people providing very strong, legitimate arguments against the cell tower and is any of that being taken
into consideration? I sat here for two hours. Tonight, I'm sitting here for another two hours. Apparently, there are many residents in this town who are against this. And Mr. camp also to add did not mention the fact that he said all carriers drop calls eight like the
lady said before me he did not mention that there was at least five or six people that came up last meeting and said that they switched to AT&T or T-Mobile and now they have service and honestly I feel I'm a high school teacher and I feel that a tower near any
type of school whether it's high school grammar or middle school you are interfering with the brain development and there are health risks and I really feel this needs to be taken into consideration. Again, we're talking, we're going over this all the time and I just feel like nobody's really listening
to the citizens of Hillsdale. >> Thank you. Who else would like to be heard? >> Good evening. Harold Schill 7 Bradshaw Court in Hillsdale and I'd like to thank the mayor and council and Mr. Gasi for extending the period for public input
and um I know uh Miss Councilman Camp has met with pool commission and that is appreciated and u I'm interested in knowing um what some of the other council members have perhaps done in the past few weeks to further inform
themselves about the issue of the cell tower. >> Can I just interject for one second? This is council commentary. So everybody who's asking up here um sorry this is public commentary so you're not going to get people this isn't a back and forth just
>> understood understood. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. U anyway we live at 7 Bradshaw and that is a location where we will have direct visual contact with the new tower every time that we come into our
driveway. Um, I have written to council in the past about the question of property values. I've used Google maps to do concentric circles and identify the number of homes that would be affected within certain perimeters. I will be glad to resend any of that
information if that would be of use uh to the mayor and council. But living where we do um the question of property values is a really serious question for us. We have a neighbor who we overheard,
actually my sister-in-law overheard um a few days ago while walking her dog uh talking, apparently having an argument with her realtor about the um uh whether or not the realtor was obligated to tell the um prospective buyers about the
possibility of a new cell tower being built in the area and whether that would have effect on property values or health issues or aesthetic questions. But uh I have done research I've shared a
bibliography with council in the past of uh systematic academic studies that have been done on the topic and I would urge you to consider the issue of property values as one of real import um as a
conservative estimate if a home valued at three $600,000 were to suffer a 5% loss in property value that is a $30,000 loss for that individual home. And that is something that's real. It's something that is
talked about in the neighborhood. And uh so I know other people have different concerns. I respect what the pool is doing. They're a very good neighbor to us and we live 750 ft away. And so it is a real concern for us and I think for
quite a few other people in the neighborhood. And I thank mayor and counsel for considering and if you have anything further to share with us or would like any further information uh from me I will be glad to provide it as objectively as possible. Thank you.
Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Anybody else like to be heard? >> Either one come on up. My name is uh John Sanchez. >> These are usually on this microphone. That one's on. >> Yeah. >> My name is John Sanchez at 7 Drake in
Stonybrook. And I haven't been involved in the uh the uh back and forth between our community and the town here with the cell travelers. And my concern and the reason I'm speaking today is that I just come back from about a month being away
from a month trying to catch up on emails and I saw emails from Robin and then from Sam Resnik who have written pretty detailed letters and explanations of why they're concerned about the cell towers. And my concern is that both of
these letters have not been included in the minutes or the meetings or whatever that process would be where other people could see what they wrote because there's pretty significant information here that makes us very concerned about the cell towers. So it's really the
process that I'm talking about why the letters are not been included and when will be they shown to the people who participate in this. Thank you. Thank you. >> Megan Garin, Tendri Drive, Helsdale. Um,
I am speaking to you today because I'm concerned regarding the cell tower and the Pier 4 report. The report that was provided by Mr. Pearson falls short of what was promised by Mr. Gassali whom personally persuaded the con the council to hire. He vouched for Pier 4's ability
to answer why cell issues occurred in Hillsdale, optimal solutions, and locations. Residents were assured a true independent data-driven analysis with real world radio frequency testing would be delivered. Instead, we received a report without verified field data,
without carrier comparisons, and without methodology needed to support its conclusions. Mr. Pearson himself acknowledged he lacked the capability to perform these real world testing and that winter conditions were not appropriate. That raises serious
concerns about how our taxpayer funds were used and the validity of the Pier 4 report. The report also fails to address critical issues like why AT&T and T-Mobile appear to provide strong service in many of the same areas where Verizon does not. Without that analysis,
there's no basis for concluding that a 120 foot macro tower is the appropriate solution. Equally concerning is the claim that 20 small cells or even 60 across carriers would be required. That originates from Verizon and was never
independently verified. In contrast, the burough's own consultant, Mr. Peter Lupo, indicated that a far smaller number may be sufficient to close the gap. The original concern that reliable service in schools would also remain
unresolved. There's no evidence that a micro tower of this size would improve indoor coverage in school buildings. Proven alternatives such as small cells, antenna systems, and Wi-Fi calling were not meaningfully evaluated. The proposed location is also problematic. The report
itself does not show Strony Brook to be the optimal location. In fact, it's the third or fourth one on the list. Placing a 125 foot tower in the center of a residential neighborhood adjacent to a heavily used recreational facility is inconsistent with the typical sighting
practices and raises legitimate concerns about community impact. Additionally, site condition, including flood risk and subsurface instability, warrant further review. At this point, key questions remain unanswered. moving forward without addressing them would be
premature and put the town residents in a terrible position being forced to have a 30-year unbreakable contract. I respectfully ask you guys to pause and truly find an independent analysis that shows verified real world radio frequency testing across all carriers in
the spring or summer. A clear explanation of existing cell discrepancies. an objective evaluation of small cell and alternative solutions of better loca of better locations and hold a public meeting with the superintendence of Hillsdale and Pasc
Valley to help build trust in our community as discrepancies regarding their stance have materialized. Ensure complete information is given to all parties involved as omission or withholding of all pertinent information would be and is a disservice to our
town. This long-term decision is to our community. >> Three minutes. You've got three minutes. If you want to wrap up quick, >> I can I can I have one sentence. Okay. Okay. >> This is a long-term decision for our community. It must be based on complete, objective, and independently verified
information. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Gene M. Rosian, 11 Drake Tribe in Hillsdale. Um, I was so happy to hear about the budget and the budget for the pool, the budget for the town, the the concerns about like insurance and that
changing and how the town needs money and needs a to look over as Councilman um Roco said like over time it's we have to think about it over time and I think about the um what we could profit from
Verizon which really in the grand scheme of things is not a lot of money And I'm wondering if in the budget in consideration of maybe that profit that might be made. I didn't hear anything about the and I'm not like I'm not
criticizing the budget. I'm just saying like it would be reasonable to say there could be a drop in revenue from the value of the homes, the taxes we would receive the as a town also the membership of the pool like that isn't
being addressed. It's almost like I know you said like right now things look good. Well, but what if it changes significantly? Like what's the plan for that? That's my question. >> Thank you. >> Gentleman in the back behind has been
waiting. You want to go up? Okay. >> Hi, Rob Stigwaniano 6 Conquale. I'm the chairman of the Stony Brook Swim Club Commission and I just want to say and I know one of our commissioners has already spoken, we're against having the
cell tower installed on the swim club property. The director of the swim club along with her staff, they work diligently to maintain the swim club. The property is beautiful with landscape grounds and the pools are wellmaintained. The facility is amazing and it's kept this way through hard work
and diligence. To put a cell tower anywhere on the property would diminish the beauty of the swim club and could hurt the club financially. Registration for 2026 swim season opened on March 16th. On that day, the director of the
pool received an email from a potential member questioning the status regarding the the cell tower. It was explained that the cell tower would not be going in this swim season, but could very well be installed prior to the 27 swim season. The individual stated if the
cell tower was installed on the property, they would not be coming back to the pool. The director has also received phone calls from people asking whether or not the cell tower would be put on the property, stating they would not likely join or come back to the swim
club if the cell tower was there. Membership, as you know, drives our revenue. If we lose members, we lose revenue. As you know, we're a self- sustaining swim club. We receive no funds from the town. Over the past five swim seasons
that I've been involved with the commission, we have come out each year with the surplus of funds. The swim club was closed in 2020, of course, because of COVID, as were clubs all over. Our 21 season was very difficult. Many repairs
were required due to the pool being closed for almost two years. That said, the club still had a surplus at the end of the 21 season. We're a milliondoll operation. In 2024, the Swim Club had
1146 families. We averaged $1.3 million in revenue and we had expenses of around 1.1 million, leaving a surplus of $194,000. The average family membership was $710.
In 2025, the swim club had 1143 families. There was a total revenue of 1.33 million and total expenses that year was 1.2 million, leaving a surplus of 90,000. The average family membership
was $714. Our expenses in 24 exceeded the expenses in excuse me, in 25 exceeded the expenses in 24 by around $100,000. This amount was due to emergency repairs that were required to the pools and the
pump house throughout the season last year. Expenses were above and beyond our normal maintenance expenses to which we had budgeted. Fortunately, we had the finances to handle the excessive repairs and still turn a surplus. >> You're at three minutes if you want to
wrap up, please. >> Okay. I urge the the council to please vote no on the tower being installed on the swim club property. We understand the cell coverage needs to be better. We ask the council to consider spots other
than where we are uh to to place this tower. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Alexander Tisher 23 Avenue Hillsdale. Uh in le of information that Dr. Roman of president, I urge the council to answer
the question that she raised and uh uh maybe suggesting a meeting involving the department of education high school. So it will be not back and forth between that room but maybe have in one room and discuss it publicly because they will
benefit and they might uh also get something not very great for them from the system and it's important for them as well. So that's my suggestion and that's my ask for the council mayor and B attorney. Thank you
very much. Appreciate it. Thanks. Um anybody else want to be heard? Jay Weinstein, one Drake Drive in Hillsdale. I just wanted to know if you have the financial professional here. I know we can't answer the question, but I want to know has an impact study been
done for this proposed macro tower. I mean just in terms of the diminishment in the values of the homes and the resultant diminishment in the tax revenue that would be generated. Also, how about attraction attraction of new
people into Hillsdale? I will tell you for one thing, if I were looking to buy a new home and I saw that a mackerel tower was a couple hundred feet away from an elementary school that my son was going to attend, I would I would choose another town. I think many people
would. It it it colors the image of the entire town. This is a beautiful town, a welcoming town. A 130 foot cell town, a couple of hundred feet away from
your elementary school, one of two in the entire town. It's unthinkable. Look at alternatives. Be the champion for all of the people. We want better cell coverage. Be a champion for everyone. Find the alternatives. Why
blight half the town and discourage new residences? This is Bergen County. It's not a cheap mid, you know, southern or central New Jersey uh uh town where where the people don't
have any any any any say or don't know what's going on in the town. You can stick it in somebody's yard. Don't don't do it to the own town. And you know what else? for your own professional uh uh uh
resume, for your own reputation in the town. Solve the problem. Don't create a new problem of diminishing tax revenues, of blighting a neighborhood, of pissing off half the residents of the town by putting this monstrosity there. Come on,
you're all more intelligent than that. Thank you. >> Anybody else like to be heard? Okay, seeing nobody else, uh, closed council comment, uh, closed comments. Um, it's now time for council comments.
Um, I'm going to defer this week and um, let's start well, start down this way. >> Sounds good. So, uh, yeah, I'll start off. Um, I would like to say to the
commission that my door is always open. Um, the first time I heard that there was a problem with my report was over public correspondence, which is completely fine, but I'm a transparent person and I'm willing to to make adjustments to the report. When I made
my initial report, I can guarantee there was no no ill will or anything weird going on. I was focused on operational updates, which there were many that month, both for the DPW and the Sony Brooks Club. Now I will also say that I
think uh the chairman is taking a little bit of liberties with speaking for the entire uh for the entire commission because it's not telling the whole story of what goes down in those meetings. There are two members that are not on
board with everything that's being said. And I think I encourage the chairman to review with all of the members their exact positions before coming to public and speaking for them all because they do not hold the same opinions
and and we we should be aware of that and I will report uh very closely what happens tomorrow um when we can discuss that. Now, uh, relates property values is something that comes up quite a bit,
uh, with with this. I I've I've I've seen a lot of the studies that get referenced for, uh, I get I've seen a lot of studies that get referenced for, uh, property values. A lot of studies get are from different states. They're
they're dated maybe from 20 years ago. um and they they are not taking in they're not taking the factors in that are similar to communities like ours. So I don't find them very uh very
comparable to the macron economic situations that come happening in our real estate market. Uh Hillsdale is very competitive place to live. Uh we just heard that that there's a a huge waiting list for
the Puremont and uh anecdotal uh stories show that things are just flying off the shelves uh when it comes to to to real estate. So I do not comp me myself personally I do not believe that I could um use the real estate price concern
when assessing the decision. Now, I will also say I can hear. >> I think you should probably keep it brief, Chris. Okay. >> I know. I just I mean I was I've I've been uh addressed several times. So, I just wanted I wanted to speak to that,
but uh >> I think you'd be better sort of talking to somebody directly than probably doing this all here. >> Great. All right. Thank you. That's it. >> Okay. >> Councilman D. Rosa. uh just speaking for myself, but I'll venture to say most of my colleagues, if not all, will agree
with this. We we see what you're sending us. We read what you're sending us. Um we have educated ourselves u about cell phone towers. Um we not experts, but we've we've done our research. Um, so
while we may sit here during public comment rather stoic and not respond to you, we're taking it all in and it'll factor into all our decisions. So uh, and one last thing, I just want to thank, switching gears, uh, the recreation commission, the DPW for a
great uh, egg hunt event. It was a great day. The bowls were great. Um, it's great to see the kids and and so many young families uh, participate. So, thanks for that. That's all I have. >> Yeah, I'd al also like to agree with Anthony D. Roza here. Um, we do spend a
lot of time evaluating options and considering uh the input from the residents. Um, I know that uh over the last few weeks I've spent a lot of time reading and listening. I think it's very important for what we do up here. Um, even though we may be approaching this a
little bit differently, I think we all want the best decision made for the burrow and uh I hope that we net to that point. That's all I have to say. >> Thank you, Matt. Want to start by again thanking our CFO. Um, you know, I think
we've said over and over and over again that this was an extraordinarily difficult budget season and budget process uh given all of the both internal and external pressures that the town is facing from a financial perspective. And he did a masterful job. I know in one of my first meetings with
him, he focused on long term. We can't just think one year. We got to think two, three years out. He started setting up the chess pieces to achieve that. And I think that type of forward thinking is exactly why we're not at 13% this year and we're at the five and change. So,
thank you for that. Um, in regards to the public, I want to echo what was said over here by uh Councilman Oso and Councilman Anthony Rosa.
>> Um, thank You know, I I I love you. Um, >> maybe we shouldn't have left this mic on. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. We uh we we listen to everybody, right? And and part of this job is representing everyone and, you know, managing our own biases out of the
process, right? That's the key thing in my opinion. Um, so every email that's come through and every opinion on both side of this issue, I promise you, is being listened to. Thank you. >> Thanks. So, I also just want to thank the finance committee and David for all
their hard work. I'm sure there's a lot of uh tears, sweat, and everything put into that. So, we really appreciate it. Um I want to also again thank Dan and Jill for their hard work on that Easter egg hunt. And um and that's it. >> Okay. Go. >> Uh yeah, I'm looking forward to the
formal dedication of our new community center. Um I think it's April 29th if I remember the date. five o'clock or something. Um, it's been a goal of the burough to have such a facility uh for decades. I mean really um and I'm proud of the work that I and the other council
members both who were sitting on this day as now and also prior council members uh that they put in the work they put in over the years uh and that they invested their time and effort in terms of bringing it to fruition and now it's going to happen.
So that it >> that's it. >> Great. Thanks. Thanks again. Seriously, you guys phenomenal. Um, >> Mr. Mayor, point of order. >> We're We're That's That's outside the scope here. You had You had >> I would like to address the comments.
>> No, you can address him privately if you want. We're done with that publicly. >> Um, can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> A motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> We are adjourned. You guys would like to talk please. I
had to do so.