Now they are >> good. Yep. >> Okay. Call this meeting to order. It's a regular meeting. Um All right. Here we go. Um calling the meeting to order. Everybody please rise. Pledge of allegiance.
I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> This is a meeting of the Hillsdale
Burough Council on this 14th day of October, 2025. Notice of the time and place of this meeting has been provided to the Ridgewood News and the Bergen Record. A copy was posted on the bulletin board outside of this meeting room and provided to any interested parties.
Please silence all cell phones. Please 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 President Oso
>> here. >> Council member Kleti >> here. >> Council member Fox >> here. >> Council member Mazuchong >> here. Council member MCO >> here. Council member Turtle >> here. >> We have a quorum. I will go go to the initial public comment period. It's limited to three minutes. Items on the
agenda only this time. Uh one topic per speaker. Please state your name and town of residence for the record. Would anybody like to be recognized for anything on the agenda? Not seeing anybody yet. No. Uh Rick, come on up.
>> Last week's meeting. Oh, Richard Ceino, 64 Westdale Avenue. At last week's meeting, there was a discussion of the I guess the evolution of the final plans for Memorial Park. And last winter there,
>> this is for the agenda only first. >> Well, I did there's a discussion on the agenda. >> Discussion. Okay. >> Um last I know it was this it was going to go to the planning board for review. There's a lot of elements in here that I think the planning board would look at
and that was all through the winter, all through the approval process. Every, you know, all the notices went out that there would be a planning board hearing. Um, so is that is this is this project going to go to the planning board. There's soil movement, there's drainage,
there's trees, there's we will the planning board will be heard from before we bring it there. They're we're negotiating to figure out the right timing. I'm just saying before the engineer goes it goes all away there should be that input.
>> But understand if I may please the planning boards reviews for master plan consistency. It does not give site plan approval. It does not give soil movement approvals. It does not give variances.
>> It is is this project consistent with the municipal master. >> Okay, >> that's all they have jurisdiction on. >> But but It was publicly the p the plan was for them to look at it. >> They they have looked at it. That's why we got variances and we >> and I know they're right now they're
bogged down with a series of meetings for the >> Yes. Storage. >> Yep. >> But um >> appreciate it. >> But I think the public would would be very interested in seeing how it's evolving and where it's going. >> Okay. Thank you. Would anybody else like to be heard on the agenda?
>> Memorial on the agenda, right? >> Well, it's discussion on the agenda. Yes. So Michelle Pini, Hopper Street. Um, so for Memorial Field, there was talk about buffers for Hopper Street up top. Um, as far as
landscaping goes and um, as far as the parking on the street, permit parking for residents only on that street. Um, where are we with that? >> Still that's still the case.
So, it hasn't been approved yet or >> No, it's all done. It's a it's it's on the plan. >> So, that's happening. >> Yes. >> So, so how is that going to work >> as far as the permit parking and >> there'll be an announcement will send all the residents on that street upper
street the uh uh the permit you fill out the get the permit and it'll be enforced. If you park there, you have to have a >> So, there's no parking either side on the street, >> right? >> Okay. And there's going to be a buffer from
>> the parking down below and landscape and >> there'll be a retaining wall and and the buffer up on top of that you can see. >> Okay. >> Y >> Thank you. >> Thanks for coming. >> Would anybody else like to make a comment agenda?
No. Seeing nobody else, uh let's move on to the discussion for moral memorial field. Uh BA Gas, >> thank you. Uh this is very brief. It's followup from last week's discussion and presentation by um the engineer. Uh we
are able to come below the 5.8 million. Uh we had a meeting with the fields committee and we went through all u the entire plan. Nothing really changed. Um, we are on target to move forward right now. Uh, we were looking to do a
groundbreaking ceremony. Uh, we, as the attorney says, we will go back to the planning board um and, uh, show them the plan, make sure it's in compliance with the master plan. It's an existing recreational facility, >> right?
>> Which reading the master plan, it gives in compliance. uh but we will make the presentation uh to the uh to the planning board and we're not too late and we're not too early in making that presentation. We can actually start the process. Uh we have the funding, we have
the plans. Uh but uh we will get a date from you and the council on when we can do that. Um I think the next meeting for the planning board is on the 28th. If we can get 15 minutes just to uh show the plans uh we will do that. But we I'll
send you some dates for for the groundbreaking. It's in c ceremonial because we have to start with the cleanup first. >> Right. >> So the first step is to actually fence the entire area and start to remove some of material inside and prep for the
work. >> Okay. >> Question. >> Mike, there was a a a resident mentioned last week about recycling >> recycling of the field, right? Um there was concerns about 10 12 years from now,
8 years from now what's going to happen with this field that we have. Um it's not a rubber inkill field. Uh it is polyethylene plastic which obviously still needs recycling. Um we had a conversation with Patty, right?
>> So if I can correct some of the misinformation that was presented last week by the resident. Um, so I I will have these in the front for for reference. So the turf is fully recyclable. They would actually come
take the turf, recycle it and remake it back to turf. Nothing goes to waste. Uh, so we have the information from the company uh that's that's in progress. So in in 10 12 years from now
I don't know what will happen then but there's one company at least for now that can do this for us. >> So Tenati is going to be doing it Mike. >> Yeah that's the manufacturer of the of the field itself >> right. So they will also take responsibility for the >> yes we when it's time to business over
100 years >> but they'll they'll take responsibility for the for the recycling of the plastic. >> Correct. Right. So they're not a fly by night company. You don't have to worry about them getting out of bed, >> right? It's an $800 million company.
>> So the flyer that I have and the flyer they have in the front talks about the recycling process. >> That's all I have for the field. >> So So the process happens domestically. It's not dependent on these foreign recycling that referenced
>> Mike. Um at the last council meeting it was said that by the engineer that the the specs that we had put out for the field were too expensive in a way. So what changes did the field committee make um to bring the price down to 5.8
million. >> So what did you have to give up in terms of this pass? >> Right. So we had the fields committee and we went over those changes make sure that uh we're all on the same page with that. So something like the retaining wall you know the blocks we had put you put very
uh expensive type of blocks the different price levels the engineer had put very expensive ones so we took them the the midsection the mid ones uh things like the the coaches box there were three coaches boxes on the original
plan each one was $200,000 it's a small field between all the different amenities in that the three boxes would be so close to each other. So, we will have just one at the 50 yard line. That's that's pretty much it. Uh and
then we went back to to the vendor and challenged some of the prices and and their margin and they were able to come down. >> And what about the the lighting that was supposed to be on the path? You know, the um guess the walking path that
there's there supposed to be lamps. >> Yeah. So, since it's going to be closed at sunset, no one's going to be walking there. We we will have lights uh in the parking lot, we will have flood lights at the uh fieldhouse pointing in three different directions, and we will have
lights by the uh left side of the field going out to the street, the emergency, but there'll be enough light on the field when we wanted to, but the flood lights are the additional. But so lights originally were So that's
one of the items that's also been changed. >> Those have to be in those, >> right? Okay. So it was three boxes that you said and now it's going to be one box and then there were lights going to be like lamp postul I guess at this uh this um pathway but that's eliminated
now. And then the change of the type of uh >> brick whatever was being used in the retaining wall. Is is that it? >> And the other major one was uh the soil movement. We were going to pay 200,000 to actually two things. Move out the soil. So, we're
going to keep half it half of it in the field. >> Mhm. >> And then the other one, we are going to be using our DPW and temporary help to do the cleanup. That was $200,000. [Music] >> Now, Councilwoman um Melissa Chong was
talking to me about how she walks through the park and Beachwood at night with the lights. Sometimes maybe without the lights, but I don't know. there are lights there and they go off at a certain time. We won't even have those pathway lights. >> So, she walks and whoever walks on that
side, they'll be walking on the side of the fieldhouse, >> right? >> That's where we will have lights. >> There will be lights, >> flood lights. >> It's flood lights. So, you have lights in the parking lot here. You know how it's like an L-shaped parking lot? We're going to have lights on this side if you're looking at it on the right side
all the way up to the to the fieldhouse and then where the APA compliant park will be hopefully have some lamp post. >> Will they be time to go off at a certain time? >> We can time them. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, so if an individual want to go walk
from Washington to Hills Avenue, they can walk >> through the park >> through the park and it'll be late >> on the perimeter. Walk >> right on the one side. on the one side >> on the west, right? If I remember. >> Yeah, on the west side. Yeah, the fieldhouse side. >> Yeah, west. I think >> the lights will be on the field house.
>> Yeah. >> Are the conduits for the electrical items for this say for the future for the pathway going to be put in or that's been scrapped >> all together? >> So, we will put that but you won't see it. >> No, you won't see it. But it was part of
the original concept. um the uh conduits and then even you know for the future should anything change in the future. So that's still being put in. >> We'll put that in and then just remember the the shelf life of this turf is about
10 to 12 years. So in 12 years technically it be you taken out and the field will be exposed. If we if we want to make more changes add additions we can do that you then also. >> Yes. Any
other questions? >> I think the only thing I would add is that the engineer is looking at installing the concrete pad for a potential uh box or or coach's box on the baseball site because that's required for potentially for tournaments is our understanding >> in the future if you want to.
>> So he's looking at installing a pad now for future. >> Now that you said that uh the pad for the playground is getting put in. >> That's that that is getting put in. Right. Okay. Okay. Well, I think the playground is going to be aligned with the delivery of the project, >> right? I just wanted I'm just checking
that the playground is still the preparation for the playground is >> on target. That's being provided to us by the G. >> Correct. >> The the donation of >> of the equip equipment. Yeah. Correct.
>> Right. Okay. Good. >> I just got a home email. Another subject. No one sees us tonight. You know that. Okay. >> They're just watching us. >> We're just on. >> We're on. We're off. >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> They hear us, but they don't >> see us. >> They don't see us. >> Hence, we all are. We have faces for radio. >> Okay. We're going to move on to the committee reports. Um, Councilman Kleti, would you like to begin?
>> Sure. Thank you, mayor. A quick update on the EV charging station grant that we're seeking. Uh the quote for installing and prepping the EV charging units and load sheet which is required to file with the D for that grant. Mike
is current our VA Mike Cassali is currently working with the PSEG preferred vendor to obtain that quote and load sheet. So once that is received, I believe we'll be in a position to hit the submit button uh on the grant application. Uh, moving over to the fire department,
September had 38 calls year to date. That's 278 versus 180 calls in the prior year. Uh, no new updates regarding the arrival of the ladder truck. Originally, that was expected March 2026. Now, it's expected June 2026 still. So, that date
hasn't moved. And as a reminder, uh, we will be u financing about 1.6 million or a little less than that for that ladder truck. And as we spoke about in September meeting uh that the fire department on numerous occasions was erroneously uh dispatched by the county
dispatch system. They've been working very closely with them to correct the issue. We're now up to 9/10 weeks without an issue. >> That's it. Great news. >> Councilman Fox to report. >> Council president also. >> Yeah. I just wanted to congratulate the
uh officers that were promoted uh and sworn tonight uh formally. Um, Chief Woods, uh, Captain Camperelli, uh, Lieutenant Buer, and Sergeant Mooney. >> Look forward to working with each each of one of them in the future.
>> Councilwoman Maz. >> All right, you guys ready? It's a long one. >> I know. >> You missed last time. So, >> okay. So, I'm going to read some impressive >> impressive ambulance stats because these guys are rocking it over there. Uh, there was a meeting on Tuesday,
September 16th. um 86 dispatches by the Bergen County PSOC. They answered 82 of the calls. 41 by volunteers and 41 by PRDM staff. They took 23 calls for other agencies. 14 were taken by the PRDM staff for
Riverville. Um and the other 14 were uh so 14 of the 41 calls actually occurred at Riverville, four by volunteers for Riverville and five by volunteers for Washington Township. Um there were four miss calls, two occurred while the party and staff were on other calls. um one
while volunteers were on another call for service and one while volunteers did not have a crew. Um they had 16 volunteers cover 99 scheduled shift slots for a total of 1,058 hours. Um they had 12 PDM members working shifts
for a total of 531.25 hours. Just a very impressive great month for the agency. So um just kudos to them. Okay. Uh board of ed here's some updates. There was a meeting um yesterday actually. Um we'll start with
the George White bond updates. District leadership recently met with our financial and legal partners. Phoenix advisers, bond council, and architect Joe Dara, excuse me, to finalize a timeline for selling the remaining portion of the voter approved
construction bonds. The goal is to complete the bond sale by the end of this calendar year. Our financial advisor also noted that the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting on the October 28th through 29th might result in a rate cut which would be creating favorable market conditions for us. So
with that in mind, the district is targeting the late November sale to take advantage of lower interest rates. Um there is a special it's it's called special education parent advisory group is hosting a meeting this Thursday uh from 6:00 to 7:00 at an blanch school
where child study team will explain the IEP development process and answer parent questions. Uh fire prevention and you guys know there's a fire event going on right now. Um the Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department will once again provide fire prevention assemblies at both
schools for Metobrook and Smith. Hillsdale Public Schools will reimburse the bureau of Hillsdale $1,25526 for fire prevention materials. Um and for providing those materials to the students during the assemblies. Uh George White had back to school night
last week. That's where I was. Uh it was a big success. Parents enjoyed visiting the classrooms, meeting teachers, seeing the modular campus come to life. Many parents expressed appreciation for the staff's hard work and welcome welcoming spaces created over the summer. It was a really uh nice to see the energy and the
excitement throughout the whole uh evening. Um also the DPW, there was a great letter sent to the mayor council recognizing the DPW for their outstanding support this summer at the start of this new school year. Their cleanup and landscaping work um greatly
improved the m modular campus. The plattop areas and their quick help in setting up the lighting also for the back to school night was successful for a safe event. The district really appreciates their commitment uh and teamwork in supporting our schools and community. Uh sorry guys. Lastly, the
two very successful fundraisers last week. Meet Brook had a walk-athon. Smith had a fun run last Friday. They were both a great success. So, thanks for the PTAs at FFA for bringing community spirit and for keeping these kids running and raising funds. Um, my last
update, which I haven't had a chance to update anybody on this yet, is the community center uh committee. So, we had a meeting last Friday to discuss several topics, including the naming of the new Hillsdale Community Center. While the official name is Hillsdale Community Center, um we are now
exploring just creative names for the individual rooms inside. We were also pleased to learn that the developer has graciously offered the support of their interior designer. We're excited to collaborate with them to bring our shared vision to life. Um during our meeting, we outlined a list of musthaves
and nice to haves to guide the design process and we reviewed mood boards for inspiration. We also finalized the document detailing our design direction with some finishes, some color palettes, overall functionality um which has been shared with Mr. here for uh to forward to the designer
to ensure that our ideas are clearly are clearly communicated. Um our next step is for the committee to meet directly with the designer. We'll move need to move quickly as all furniture does have to be ordered by the end of the year. Um but we're really excited to make this u another wonderful gym in town.
That's it. >> So when was the last time you were in there? >> I haven't been I heard the floors are down. >> Yeah, the floor >> I haven't seen the floors, >> but I need to get in there to measure some walls. I got it. >> Council member Jim.
>> Um yes. So I don't have any u details. Uh my library meeting is next uh Monday, October 20th. Um the next planning board meeting is October 28th and that'll be I believe the third and final meeting um
on the hearing of the new storage facility um that we've been working on at the last two meetings. So this will be the third meeting on the topic. >> This is actually the fourth meeting. >> Is it the fourth? Okay, sorry. The fourth meeting and I think it will be the final meeting and there'll be a vote
in this particular one on the 28th. Um, and then the I think the economic development committee is going to end up having a meeting, you know, this final quarter of the year. And so once we do that, then I'll be able to report on where we stand there. And that's it for
me. >> Just to clarify, the vote for the planning board is not whether or not to move forward with it. It's whether or not slight modifications are going to be part of it. The storage facility is moving forward. >> Yes. The storage. Yes. So, the role of the planning board is not to approve or
disapprove. Their role is to um look at the applicant's um application and see if it's in accordance with the zoning requirements of that area. And so, if the applicant is looking for any type of a variance or um something that requires
the planning board to approve that variance or a modification, that's what they'd be voting on. Um and as it stands right now there is no variance that they're looking for. Okay. So pretty much um not pretty much the storage
facility will be moving forward. It's just a matter if there's going to be any small little modification to some of the uh you know little >> right they they agreed to get rid of the sign on the west side and drop the other sign from 36 feet down to 20 ft.
>> Yes. There were two signs. One was on the side on the west side on Prospect that people who live on is saddle wood road would be able to maybe see it was supposed to be a lit sign too so that people would be able to see it through the trees I guess at night and the
residents along that road came to the meetings and expressed concern that they weren't too pleased with having a a lit sign that they can see from their house across the the book. So, um the um developer has agreed
to eliminate that one alto together and now they'll just be the one sign and they're dropping it lower so that it's not like up high on the building. And so that was to be a variance, but they themselves voluntarily have removed that
variance. So now that's not even a topic of discussion anymore. >> Okay. >> So it's looking all pretty good. Um and that's it. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Councilman Rukov. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, with respect to the seniors, the 50 plus club met at
Cornerstone on October 9th. Uh, they had increased turnout. It was fed by new members who have joined from other towns. As you know, that 50 plus club is not just for sale seniors, it's for anyone else who can join. They're planning future trips for uh for next year. Their budget this year allows
them, I think, about $2,700 left for for those types of trips. Um they're planning to arrange for an insurance policy uh separate from the burrows because they don't fall under our umbrella uh authority. Um they'll likely
need that in order to hold events either at St. John the Baptist or uh even at our new Patterson Street Community Center. U because they're not a Hillsdale in sponsored institution. They have a a fair amount of non-residents
who participate in that club. uh the uh senior lunch, the broader senior uh lunch uh program, they will they'll have their lunch tomorrow at St. John Baptist at 11:30. Um the Hillsdale Access for All Committee met on October 27th.
They're going to have a free fall arts and crafts workshop with pumpkin painting. It's planned for November 8th from 12:30 to 1:30 at the library for persons aged 4 through 21 who have disabilities. Art supplies are going to
be provided for free. There's limited space, so there's an online sign up. It's a long lengthy uh phrase, but for details, you can email uh the Hillsdale Access forall committee there, hillsdale access forallgmail.com.
And finally, the finance committee met today uh to discuss potential budgetary actions the bureau might take to offset the effects of the projected 36% increase in health insurance premiums that the state health um benefit plan is
going to levy on all municipalities. And as you know uh the bureau picks up approximately twothirds of the cost for most of its full-time employees depending upon whether they meet various salary thresholds and most of them will. Uh no decisions were made at the meeting
um other than to instruct the BA and the CFO to compile a list of possible steps and what savings they might realize uh from these steps and then report back to the committee. Uh if no steps are taken, if we just merily went along without
taking any steps, the potential municipal tax increase for residents would be far in excess of recent historical norms. So we have to pay attention to this. Something has to be done. That's all I have. >> And you guys have the the raw number. >> We we have
>> I'm not asking you to share anything, but you >> we have the raw number. Yes. This Yeah. >> Okay. Valid. >> Thank you. So, excuse me, John. That the increase in health insurance is a statewide thing, such as just correct >> only the burough. >> It's not just Hillsdale. That's why I
said it was all municipalities are facing that. >> Other other towns can handle it in different ways if they have surplus and other things that they >> Yes. >> Thank you, mayor. So, to follow up on the councilman's point there, we have
begun the 2026 budget process. All departments have received their worksheets and I asked them to keep the operating budget flat as we are expecting difficulty uh and higher than usual insurance cost. Uh I
ask the council members to please reach out to your departments as the leaison and begin their discussion with them before we we begin to challenge their budgets. With the budgets again we're working on ways to increase revenue to offset some of these claims. We're
working on a plan to offer mechanic shared service to surrounding towns. It's working in progress. Uh hope to have a report to you next next meeting on how we're doing this and the and the potential revenue that we we will be
getting. Uh finally, you will see work being done on Beachwood Nation Trail for ADA compliance uh for the access on both sides of the park and the retaining walls at the front of Boro Hall will be installed uh this week and plantings
will go in by end of the month. That's all >> my professional revenue for the town, right? Uh for the people watching in the audience, there's this big building going up on Patterson Street, right? Let me just explain a little bit as to when we could actually realize revenue
from that because feel like well it's got to be tax money coming from there but because it's not finished yet you can't. >> Yeah. So this won't be finished until April of 2026 we can't realize we can't anticipate revenue. So it will not help us in 2026. It will help us in 2027.
>> So any revenue coming in from that it'll come but we can't budget to spend it because we don't have it. >> Right. which makes it makes our situation constrained. >> 2026 will be very very difficult. 2027 will be a lot easier but in 2026 that's
why we're we're keeping our operating budget flat and uh we're cutting on some things but uh 2026 we have to work with >> and the anticipated first year revenue for the power system development is I mean it's been >> so it's been
>> it's a pilot it's pilot. >> Yeah. Yeah. So if it's fully uh in 2027, so there's 255 units, they're all full by then, which should be somewhere one to 1.2 million. >> Yeah. Incremental from the revenue that
we're picking up from the taxes >> term, right? >> Correct. >> You know, some of it will go toward >> the capital and it's not all you come into. >> Okay.
Any other questions for the BA? Okay, we're going to move on to our resolutions on the consent agenda. It's 25 250 through 253. Does anybody want to pull anything to non-consent? >> I'd like to make a motion to table 252.
And if there's a second, that order takes precedence. >> Second to table it. >> Table it. There was a second. >> There was a second. Okay. Well, we'll we'll vote on that separate
>> and I'd like to pull 25253 for discussion for discussion. >> Put it on consent. >> Yes. >> Consent. Okay. So then um let's first deal with the with the Anybody else have anything on that? Let's just first deal with the first three 2550 through 252.
Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> One one of those >> Oh, no. 252 was tabled. >> 251. So just the first two, >> but that motion takes precedence over everything else. And I think the attorney will will support me on that. We have to vote on >> I'm just going to move those two and
then and then come back to that one. All right. So if you want to do 25252, >> we have to vote on the on whether to table it or not. >> Right. So we have a f we have a motion a second for for tableabling 252. Um so the clerk please read the role. This is if they are in favor of
tableabling. >> Council member Kleti. >> Yes. >> Council member Fox. Yes. >> Council member Mazich. >> Yes. >> Council President Oso. Yes. >> Council member Ruko. >> Yes. >> Council member Chi. >> Yes. >> Okay. It's unanimous. We're going to table 252.
So then we're only voting on consent for 25250 and 251. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Clerk, please read the role. >> Council member Fox. >> Yes. >> Council member Mazich. Yes. >> Council President Oso, yes. Council member Rico, yes.
>> Council member Chimu, yes. Yes. Council member Klay. >> Yes. >> Consent agenda passed. Now, let's take up uh a motion for 253. >> A motion. >> We're going to discuss. >> I'll motion it. >> Second
>> for discussion. Second. >> Yeah. Right. So, now we're going to have a discussion. Uh Councilman, you brought it up. What would you like to do? I correct me if I'm wrong, but this was an issue that is relatively important because it involves connectivity
u between our PSEG station here and either the Waldwick or the new Milford. >> It's the Waldwick subwick. >> Um and this is going to benefit us as well as Waldwick because it's redundancy and which is a good thing. >> But my understanding from my times when
I sat in your seat was that This was going to go across um the south side of the of Hillsdale Avenue. This >> the north side. The north side. The north side. >> Correct. >> Um where there was that individual house
and then this church property, >> right? >> And I knew there were some discussions back and forth between the church and the arch dascese and the burrow. I thought that had been resolved, but I understand it hasn't been resolved. >> Right. Um, and now we have an
alternative which is going under Hillsdale Avenue, going on the library. They want an easement. >> This resolution would be for an exploration to do it this way. So basically the the church
um and PSEG could let's just be kind and say they couldn't reach a chord on what an easement would be valued at and whether or not it they were even willing to undertake it. So PSEG approached us
and we thought that it was too important to risk having residents without power in a storm without having redundancy built in. So of course if we can do it and we can do it in a way that can work
towards the benefit of the residents that we should we should exercise the most caution in in finding a way to do this. And if we choose to do it that alternative route. Yes. >> Is that going to cost the bureau more money than if it
>> Well, it won't cost the burrow per se the money. It's going to cost PSE and G. >> Just PSE and G for >> they're going to have to they're going to have to go out of their way. It's going to certainly take longer because you're no longer going the direct route that you're now going through vacant
land underneath the brook around through potentially putting a uh a mechanical well in the middle of the parking lot at the library extending it back up to Yeser and coming down to connecting hills. So
you're really kind of making a a a a U-turn >> to do this. It's not the best route. It's not what in a perfect world I don't want to speak for PSE and G, but they obviously were looking a different way before they came to us. Um, and so
that's that's how we ended up where we are today. >> But they they always have the PSAG always has the option of issuing a condemnation notice for the two properties. >> Yes. To take that section. Um, >> but I gather they don't want to do that. Well, the one it I don't know how you
know for the rationale as to why they want to do it or why they don't want to do it. I won't speak to that. What I will say is condemnation could take two or three years, >> right? Which is really that's not desirable. >> Which is not desirable because every day that you extend this, >> we're at risk.
>> We're at risk. We're at risk for loss of power in a storm. And it's just it doesn't make sense to do it. >> Okay. All right. I was just surprised that that we have to go this route. >> Yes. So, listening to this, I want to make sure I understand. Yep.
>> This is a um we're going to be voting on whether we want >> No, no. What we're voting on is to allow PSEG >> to do a feasibility study basically. >> Okay. >> We're not at the point of determining what the value of that easement is.
We're not at the point of saying we're approving it. We're allowing them to explore the possibility to see if it's feasible. If they determine it can be done, we will enter negotiations with council involved, come up with a
timeline uh you know some very serious specifics and evaluation for what that's worth and we'll we'll then decide as a governing body how we want to proceed. >> So um that's what I wanted to ask. So
you also use this word valuation. So, I'm reading this note that's written in here that I guess this is a a note letter email that came from PSENG and it says that for the past two years PSEG
had explored several options but that uh they had difficulties when the mons monsor who then asked his neighbors to be an ally. However, none were feasible for various reasons. So now have they abandoned that and now they're asking
>> I think they believe that they're at a dead end negotiating with them. >> But is there a when you use the word valuation are you indicating >> they had a they had a monary some kind of money >> they had a monetary amount that they were willing to compensate for the easement to do it.
>> Um that for whatever reason wasn't satisfactory >> to the church >> to the church or to the to the resident. And so now they're coming to us and deter and we have to have you know that's a step down the road about fig
now they just want to do a feasibility study and then they'll come back and say whether >> it's not what's the point of negotiating a dollar amount if they determine it can't be done >> okay but there is a potential dollar amount at the end of the >> yes yes there is >> okay
>> yeah well I I got to say you know >> having worked on this two years ago with prior administrator. I never had a clear explanation as to what the true concern was for why we could not use the northern
side of the bridge to run the power. Um, so here I am two and a half years later voting on an alternative which is is uh it's just secuitous. It's e it's extra work. Our our engineer is going to have to review
>> Yes. uh this and I presume because of the change in route if we decide if it's feasible yep >> our engineer is going to have to spend even more time than they would have >> correct >> under the >> I've already alerted him that possibility
>> it look none of us were in the room when they were trying to negotiate a deal but it you know they wouldn't come to us if they thought that there was a way to work out >> I just say also uh the utility company PSENG could condemn >> the brothers we talked about
condemnation >> if they wanted to but they but they decide not to >> it's messy it's long that's what the mayor was saying it's just it's time consuming to to do it >> right plus I don't think it really looks good
>> suffice to say PSG wants consent to do some exploratory test fits >> in the burrow including upon burough property >> does anyone think that's a bad thing >> no >> so that's what that's what we're talking No, that's what we're talking. >> But I'm just saying it's it's a shame
that we're at this point because the um the clearer route would have been straight across the north side of the bridge. >> But it also it also would have been much less disruptive to the residents should we end up going this way. >> Yeah. >> But it is it is what it is. We are where
we are. >> Yeah. It is what it is. >> Right. Is there any more discussion? Any questions? Seeing none, we've already had the motion on the second. Uh, will the clerk please read the role as to whether we're accepting 25253? >> Council member Machan,
>> yes. >> Council President Oso, >> yes. >> Council member Ruka, >> yes. >> Council member Trophy, >> yes. >> Council member Kleti, >> yes. >> Council member Fox, >> yes. >> The 253 passes. Okay. There is no longer anything of consent. It is time for
public comment on items that are any topic you wish. I I see some folks at the back that I'm sure would like to have uh have some say here. Um please come up, state your town of residence, your name, and uh and you've got your
three minutes. So, who would like to be recognized? >> Come on up, Ed. >> How you doing, everybody? Ed Grill, 33 Palm Street. Um two things. One, I just want to thank all of you for everything you do. Uh this is truly a wonderful town to live in. I'm born and raised in
Hillsdale. My family goes back wow 70 80 years. I know Denise remembers uh the girl family, you know, over the course of the year. So, just want to thank you all. This is truly a wonderful town and I really love living it. Uh the second um back in 19 god ' 89 1990 uh the
original fieldhouse over at Memorial. Uh my father was the one that actually took that down. Had a construction company at the time. Now he's long retired. Um, and I was talking to our BA about this that um, I was talking to him that he would actually come back to volunteer more of his services to maybe help with the
memorial field project, grading, whatever needs to be done. I know he's looking to uh, you know, do something like that again before he's uh, really retired and can't really do much. So, you know, his services are there if you guys would need it and uh, if it is uh, definitely let me know. So, it's a pleasure. And now you got to tell me
where you got that suit, Jose. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you. Would anybody else like to be recognized? >> Gentlemen, please come on up. >> Well, Juliana, Sandish Road. Um, really wasn't prepared to say anything, but
figure I'm here so my piece real quick. Um, so we currently share a police officer between Metobrook and Smith School. Um, and it's, you know, >> yeah, so they basically split the time between, uh, the two. Uh I know that uh
>> Oh, sorry. >> Here we go. All right. So, as you guys know, you guys split the officer between the two schools. Um I also know that the as the gentleman mentioned before, the 2026 budget is going to be tough this year. So, I just respectfully ask if it's possible to work with the board of
education to find out is there a way to get funds to possibly get a another police officer. So, each school has a full-time police officer. I know as a parent and also for the teachers in the schools, it would probably, you know, put everyone's mind at ease knowing that there's full-time protection at each
school for, you know, multiple reasons. So, that's it. >> Thank you. Just as a as a point of reference, um we're real just saying I'm uh I'm in touch with Superintendent Lombardi on a
regular basis, including starting at 657 this morning, >> and we were talking about this and and if there's a way to figure out to do it, especially we know what the constraints are. Um it's not that we oppose it, you know, it's always a matter of how you
put something like that together. So your concerns are well appreciated. We're glad you came and told them. >> Thank you guys and thank you for your time. >> And mayor, just to make sure I understand too, right, the special law enforcement officers three the three
>> that would um meet the the uh the request of the of the resident. Um they would be on the budget for the school, not our budget. Well, yeah, but the school has asked us because of funding purposes that they don't have they don't have it in budget and so they come to us
to ask us for support in that. Now granted ultimately the taxpayer pays the bill for that >> either way >> ultimately but yet it's not of which pocket it would come from and so you know it's >> there's a lot to be discussed
>> that's driving to the point of your your comments are better more efficiently directed to the board of education. >> They were there yesterday. >> They were there yesterday. >> And what did they say? >> Can we come to the mic? >> Yeah. Come on back.
So, hold on. There's a conversation going on behind you that's almost done. Good. >> Go ahead. >> Yes. >> So, uh yeah, we actually went to a couple of the board of education meetings. Um and just basically discuss the same thing I just discussed with you
guys. Uh each person presented their own case for why they felt the need to have a another police officer on staff. Uh we went to another meeting yesterday and you know just for you know I guess the on my end there really wasn't too clear on where the money would come from to
cover such a thing. Um it seemed like it would be something that the board of ed would would would do. But then I think I might have been under understanding that they also would maybe split the costs with the town which is why uh we came here today. I mean I could be mistaken. This is >> that's not the way it's ever been done.
>> Yeah. Right. in any town. Board of Eds finance the hiring of SEO. We train them. >> Um they reimburse, you know, if we get a SEO3 is it's not at the price of a of a regular officer.
Um but whatever the cost is, they pick up the cost. It's a schoolboard cost which then gets passed on as everyone is saying it to the residents. Mhm. >> Um, but as the chair of the finance committee, I want to make sure that our budget is well structured and well
protected. And I I would not want to see given what I know is coming down the pike, uh, us hiring hiring an additional police officer simply to save the chestnuts of the board of ed. Um, board of ed is responsible for determining
whether it needs a SO3 there. and and that might be the case. I'm new to this town. I'm new to how these things work. I just wanted to come as a concerned parent to voice my opinion to see if this was the right place to do it or the board of ed was the right place. So, >> appreciate it. >> I continue to work on the board of ed.
>> Okay. >> I will. Thank you. >> Would any would anybody else like to be recognized? >> Okay. Seeing no none. Um we don't we're not going into closed um council commentaries. Uh I'm going to begin
uh speaking of the board of ed. I wanted to thank uh Superintendent Lombardi who has been working with me. We've been having numerous conversations about the historic tree out in front of the white school and whether there's a possibility to save it. So we've been in discussions
about whether or not that's feasible, whether what the long-term health of the tree is, whether architects can can find a way to make it work. Um, but I want to thank him for his willingness to engage discussion with me. It's been productive
and we're just waiting for an arborist to come in and determine the long-term health of the tree before we make a decision one way or another or whether he does that. Um, I also wanted to share with council and the residents
um a discussion that I had with um the DP today uh with respect to the cleanup of the dry cleaners over on Broadway. >> Um we originally had scheduled
uh the soil removal for 1020 that has now been moved to 11:20. Uh they said the delay is due to the unexpected amount of time it's taken to secure waste transportation and dispos
disposal for the contaminated soil. I expressed my concern that we're now starting to back up on Thanksgiving. How solid do they think that that was going to be? They were fairly certain, but they've been fairly certain at all times
that it's not going to keep slipping. um they promised to update me weekly and to let me know if there's going to be any change. So, that's where we are with that. Um I also want to congratulate the four officers who were sworn in
officially. Actually, they were sworn in a little earlier uh officially, but this was the wonderful ceremony in the park. Again, I want to thank and Beachwood. I want to thank the D for putting that together. >> DPW. >> Oh, sorry, DPW. I've got the EP on my
mind. The DPW as well as um all the officers who were there, the ambulance crew that was there and the professionals in Burough Hall who coordinated it, two of them sitting on this deis, I thank them very much for
that as well. And since we started down there last time, let's start with Councilman Ruko. >> Uh thank you, mayor. Um, just as a point of reference, the I continue to get an email from my wife saying there's no
picture. So, um, and this is a a recurring thing. Uh, maybe it's just for for Optim users. I don't know how FiOS is doing, but uh, there's no picture, but >> we've had problems with YouTube for a while now because
>> Oh, you're able to watch it now? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And I don't know whether she >> Mike is so bored that he has to watch other programs. >> Yeah. I don't know whether it's the TV or on the YouTube on the on the web, but >> but just so the residents understand
that we use a separate recording device internally for the audio and video. And so when we put this up on the burrow website and on YouTube, they will be able to see it. They just aren't going to get it
as as these as these fine residents here are getting to see it in person. >> Yeah. >> And it's well worth the trip to come down here, right? So otherwise you I guess in some cases you're going to have to wait. >> Yep. And uh I have I have no further comments. >> Okay. Councilwoman Trini.
>> Um I just want to congratulate the uh officers that were sworn in tonight. I wasn't available to go attend the ceremony. Um, and that's it for me. Thank you, >> Councilwoman Mazich. >> Uh, same thing. Congratulations to
Travis Woods, Mike Temperelli, Matt Buer, and Cory Rooney on their well-deserved police promotions tonight. We have full confidence in their new dedication, and we wish them continued success as they serve our community. Um, and also the sixth annual doggy days uh
will take place this Sunday at Satanza Gardens from 1 to 3. The event will feature five dog dog show categories of prizes awarded to the winners. So don't miss the chance to come uh see some of the most adorable puppies in Hillsdale. >> This year Lucy's not eligible because you're on council.
>> This dog is not eligible this year. >> Lucy won an award last year. >> Won last year. >> Best costume. I think >> it did. >> It's from 1 to 3. >> Yeah. >> This Sunday. >> What's up? >> Council president. >> No. >> Council just want to congratulate the newly promoted officers. I wish them the
best of luck. Councilman Glenn, >> thank you. I would also like to congratulate our officers and echo your thoughts on I think that was an outstanding ceremony there >> to represent their introduction into the new position. So, job well done by everybody. Uh fire department will be hosting a
dining for dollars at the restaurant on October 16th. That's to benefit uh the ladies auxiliary. Again, that's October 16th. That's it. >> Okay, great. >> Um seeing no other business, uh can I get a motion to adjourn? Motion >> second. >> All those in favor say I.
>> I. >> We are done. We'll see you November 12th. Everybody. Thanks for watching.