Everyone that's quiet in school every day. >> No. Welcome everyone to the township workshop meeting Monday, April 13, 2026. This meeting is now called to order. All please ride to for the salute to the flag. Councilwoman Patel, please lead us
in salute. Please to the republic nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. You may be seated. Madam clerk, read the statement of public notice, please.
>> Take notice that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with NJSA 104-8 and NJSA 104-10 as follows. Notice of the meeting was prominently posted on the bulletin board at the municipal building located at 225 Main Street, Little Falls, New Jersey on
January 14th, 2026. A copy of the notice was sent to the North Jersey Herald and News and the record on the same date. Additionally, a copy of the notice was filed in the office of the township clerk on said date. A link and a telephone number to join the meeting virtually can be accessed on the township website at littlefallsnj.gov.
Electronic provisions have been established for the public to participate during the public comment portion of the meeting. Thank you, Madame Clerk. At this time, please call the role. >> Council member Patel, >> present. >> Council member Murphy, >> present. >> Council member Havlin, present. >> Council member Vaneri, >> present. >> Council President Scoba,
>> present. Mayor Damiano, the floor is yours. >> Thank you, Council President. This evening, before we recognize our four championship basketball teams that we have joining us, we have three proclamations that we would like to read
in recognition of National Donate Life Month, Earth Day, and National Child Abuse Awareness Month. We'll start off with those before we get to honoring all four of our incredible, very winning girls basketball teams that we've had here in Little Falls this year. So, to
start, we start with National Donate Life Month. and reads, "Whereas realizing the urgent need for organ and tissue donors across the country, the National Donate Life Month observance promotes a greater understanding about the life-saving benefits of donation and transplantation. Moreover, the need is
increasing and whereas the transplantation of organs and tissues is a miracle of modern medicine made possible through the compassion of organ and tissue donors, enabling surgeons to save thousands of lives every year. One organ donor can save eight lives and one
tissue donor can restore health to over 75 others. People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and religions are touched by donation and by the serious shortage of organ donors that exist. According to the NJ sharing network, currently there are 4,000 New Jersey residents and more
than 100,000 Americans awaiting life-saving transplant operations. And whereas every capable person should support this vital effort by registering as an organ and tissue donor, making their family aware of their wishes and being willing to give the precious gift
of health, sight, and life to people in need. And whereas the New Jersey Sharing Network is spearheading an awareness effort in order to educate the general public about the importance of organ donations and its and in its life-saving mission. Now therefore, be it resolved
that during April 2026, as National Donate Life Month, each of us will become better educated about organ and tissue donation. And be it further resolved that I, Mayor James Belelfford Demiano, do hereby recognize April 2026 as National Donate Life Month in the
township of Little Falls. The second proclamation we have this evening, as I indicated, is Earth Day. And we celebrate Earth Day here in Little Falls by planting a tree every single year. So I hope that all of you will join us in the park for another tree planting this year. And reads, "Whereas Earth Day originated in the US
in 1970 to increase awareness of environmental problems and was renamed by the UN as International Mother Earth Day. And whereas scientists estimate dozens of plants and animals will go extinct each day due to human activity. And whereas humans generate 4.5 pounds
of trash per day. And according to Recycle Now, nearly 80% of all plastic waste ever created by humans is still in the environment today. And whereas there are many small things we can do each day that will make a huge difference for our planet, such as to recycle, carpool, use
fuel efficient cars, and stop littering. And whereas every year on April 22nd, Earth Day demonstrates environmental support and how we can protect our planet from further harm. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor James Belfford Demiano, on behalf of the township of Little Falls, do hereby
proclaim April 22nd, 2026 as Earth Day in the Township of Little Falls. And our third and final proclamation this evening is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. And whereas children are vital to our community's future success, prosperity, and quality of
life, as well as being our most vulnerable assets. Whereas all children deserve to have safe, stable, nurturing homes, and communities they need to foster their healthy growth and development. And whereas child abuse and neglect is a community responsibility affecting both the current and future
quality of life of a community. Whereas communities that provide parents with the social support, knowledge of parenting and child development and concrete resources they need to cope with stress and and nurture their children ensure all children grow to their full potential. And whereas
effective child abuse prevention strategies succeed because of partnerships created among citizens, human service agencies, schools, faith agencies, and the business community. And now therefore, I, Mayor James Belfford Demiano, do hereby claim April
2026 as National Childhood Abuse Prevention Month in the Township of Little Falls and call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, and businesses to increase their participation in our effort to support families, thereby preventing child
abuse, and strengthening the communities in which we work. And now on to four incredible basketball teams that have had some absolutely amazing seasons. Before we get to calling out each individual team, I'll
start by saying that the Little Falls girls recreational basketball program capped an impressive winter with multiple championships, undefeated finishes, and strong performances fall across all eight. From third and fourth grade all the way up from the seventh and eighth grade squads, Little Falls
delivered dominant seasons built on defense, teamwork, and balanced play. And we have a winning team and both in our third and fourth grade teams, our fifth and sixth grade teams, our seventh and eighth grade teams and our 15 and
one eighth grade travel girls team. So this evening, give just a couple of extra minutes to our third and fourth grade teams who I know have a couple of players on the way. We're going to start with our fifth and sixth break team, the shooting stars who captured the title, defeating Woodland Park 17 to9 to win
the championship. Coached by coach Lonman, Little Falls finished undefeated and entered the playoffs with the top seed. The championship game proved competitive with Little Falls holding a slim lead entering the fourth quarter before falling ahead away late in the game. So, Coach Ron, I'm ask you to come
up here and introduce all your players. Start off by having They allow their own technical fire and only one February when it particular and what
I was And back 115 2.3 at 16 quarter now. Um, Jenna Fellow.
Hallelujah. Hold up. All right. What? All right, moving on to our seventh and eighth grade team that was coached by Mick Nukem. This team also complete an
undefeated championship season, showcasing consistent effort, confidence, and a strong team chemistry from start to finish. Together, the teams produced a standout season for Little Falls, highlighted by a major championship win that represented
resilience and a strong sense of teamwork. coach, if you come up and introduce your team. Hello everybody. Uh, let me start by calling out Jeremy Culver, coach. All right. The seventh and eighth grade
wreck girls team completed an amazing 10-0 undefeated season. Very dominant on defense and amazing amazing offense. They were very easy to watch but impossible to guard. So now it's my honor to introduce
um our champions starting with Danica Lightner, Nia Bardaji, Ken Gulver, Sophia Gabby PZ and Zoe Nukem, >> right? All right, we're going to jump to our
travel team. Our eighth grade girls travel team this year, coached by Anthony Blunt, who capped off an outstanding 15-1 season, going undefeated at home in capturing the NWBP 8th grade Continental C championship with a hard-fought 37-33
win over Rutherford on March 15th at the Wayne PAL. Throughout the season, the Hornets delivered impressive victories, including key wins over Lynhurst, season sweeps with Glenidge, Lincoln Park, and Little Ferry, and dominant season performances against Wayne Boys and
Girls in North Arlington. They secured a decisive 50-29 semi-final win over the North Arlington at home to reach the championship game. Under the guidance of head coach Anthony Blunt and assistant coaches Jeremy Culver and Janine Almondinger, the group showcased
remarkable teamwork and consistency built over the year of playing together. Their championship victory served as a fitting and memorable finale to their eighth grade Hornets careers. So coach, if you come up and introduce your team control the last couple years.
You're not That's another car. There you go. I All right, last but not least, our third and fourth grade team known as the Grinches went 8-1, coached by Desiree
Deono, and closed the season with a 20-10 championship win over Total. The group stood out for its energy, teamwork, and unselfish play with contributions from every single player on the team. I'll have you come up and introduce your team. >> Um, first I'd like to call Monique
Sasher, my assistant. Coach Cole, you can come up to Coach Cole. You can come. Come on, Cole. And I just want to say the girls were a pleasure to coach this year and they gave it their all every game. I'll start
with Payton Kavanagh, Jasmina, Allesius, Lav, Arya Deono, Olivia Suarez, Nicolina Slouchev and Michaela. I don't want to stay >> like you know eighth grade eighth grade
they're like you know that's why I got eighth I think it's in the public room. Sure. All right, we're ready, Council President. >> Mayor, the floor is yours. >> Great. Before we begin with the budget presentation this evening, uh I would
like to have the council vote on the appointment of Peter Tamasi to the Little Falls Library Board for a 5-year term expiring May 31st, 2031. That needs the advice and consent of council. His current term expires May 31st of this year.
>> Have a motion. >> So move. >> Moved by Council Murphy. Second by Councilwoman Habitz. >> Madame Clerk, call the role to appoint Peter Tamasi to a 5-year term on the library board. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member Habits. Council member Vaneri. Yes. >> Council President Scoba.
>> Yes. Mayor, the budget. Great. Thank you, Council President. And I'll ask that the budget presentation be shared here on the screen. Can you share it through the uh Zoom screen as well? >> There you go. Just screen.
>> Great. Thank you, Coun. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Nelson. So this is a 2026 municipal budget being proposed for introduction which will be introduced in May and adopted uh on June
6th 2025 as the I'm sorry June 8th 2026 as the proposed schedule stuck in last year. All right. So, as we move on through the next slide, the agenda this evening for the presentation, uh, the annual municipal budget provides
spending authority for all township departments. It represents an overview of the 2026 spending plan and estimates the funding required to support that plan. Only public information is presented herein and confidential information has been excluded. We'll go through some highlights, revenue,
appropriations, debt, and the tax rate. You'll see here on the next slide the comparison of the 2026 versus the 2025 budgets for this year. Happy to report there will only be fund balance utilized of $500,000 as opposed to last year's 1.1 million. Uh we have anticipated
revenues up a bit at 3.3 I'm sorry 7.39 million versus the 6.715 last year. Library taxes are increasing this year by nearly $80,000. We have receipts from delinquent taxes up slightly. The amount to be raised by
taxes is now going up to 18,220,993 from last year's 16,792,645, an increase of 1,428,348. And the explanations for those increases will be on the following slides. And this year's total budget is 27,628,237
up from last year's 25,931,260 $276. Uh an increase of 1,696,961. You'll see indicated an anticipated surplus this year. We'll be utilizing $500,000 in the 2026 budget with $857,242
remaining in our surplus. We'll have library taxes with an increase, as I indicated, to $94,047 from the $823,000 that it was previously at in the prior year. And we'll also see that appropriations have been set to reflect administrative salary increases
of 2.75%. We'll have collective bargaining agreements that have been settled with the PBA, the FNBA, the Public Safety Telecommunicators, Teamsters, and the International Association of EMTs. We'll see tax payments to the Little Falls board of education will increase by
2,482,34, which counts for 32.7% of the total tax bill, representing an a significant increase this year. And that is the total education cost including the regional high school account will represent 45.79% of the total tax bill. We have our New
Jersey group health insurance costs increasing by nearly $720,000 this year. An extremely significant increase that is uh impacting the budget pretty dramatically. Under our police department highlights,
we have vehicle acquisition program for the police continues with the purchase of four new vehicles in 2026. All of which will be leased to purchase through the current accounts. We have police operating expenses expected to decrease from $500,000 in 2025 to $435,000 in
2026 for a net decrease of $65,000. And we have police salary and wage expenses increasing to 5,227,725 in 2026 from the $4,96,714 in 2025 due to retirement pay for three officers. This is an increase of
$321,11. This is pursuant to the contracts that have been entered into with the PBA. The PBA contract does consider that after this current contract that expires in 2027, there will be no additional PBA uh
post, I should say, terminal leave contracts that will be permitted. And as I indicated, that by itself is another 321 in excess of $321,000 that we'll see in this budget year. the additional highlights as you'll see here and why the total increase is as high as
it is really if we look at five and even a sixth category here you'll see that health insurance costs are increasing by 38% this year representing a $719,266 increase in this year's budget on that single line item alone you'll see that
solid waste and recycling costs are increasing by $104,000 in 2026 you'll see that our public and PFRS retirement pension costs are increasing in excess of $36,000 by $36,338.
We're seeing utility costs increase just as everybody else is uh in New Jersey with the municipality having an increase cost of about $46,000 this upcoming year. We have a statutory library increase by $80,534
and that those items alone are an increase of $986,138 for statutory and essential operating costs. And if we add to that the police increase that we saw of $321,11 that I just previously talked about,
these six items represent $1,37,149 in total increases in this year's budget. Uh you'll see that the new amount to be raised by taxes on from the prior screen was $1,428,348. That means aside from these six
increases that I just discussed, there is a total increase in the rest of this year's budget of only $121,199. A fairly inconsequential increase with the exception of many of these statutory and required increases that we will be
paying this year. Next screen represents the revenue by source. Uh and you see here that a majority of the re the re revenues that the municipality needs in order to meet its financial obligations are raised in the form of
taxes as is true with every municipality. That is 65.9% of the total revenue that the municipality will need to raise in order to meet its expenses. That leaves 1.85 being paid from fund balance, about 26.8% 8% being paid from revenues
generated by the municipality, whether it be fines, whether it be payments for permits and things of that sort or again enrollment in various sports and activities. And you'll see we have about 5.4% covered by state aid. The next screen represents the
appropriations by source, which is just a breakdown of where the money is going. Uh you'll see that a majority of or the largest single expense that we have here in the municipality as most in New Jersey is the police followed by healthcare and pension contributions
followed by debt service administration public works solid waste landfill costs sewer costs our fire and EMS library utilities insurance parks and recreation our construction code department our municipal courts grants health and human
services and down at the bottom emergency management. On the next page, you'll see here the township has increased its budget in the amount of, as I indicated, 1,695,760 due in part to statutory requirements for pension and healthcare costs and police retirement pay. The Main Street
pilot in this past year earned revenue of $623,279 from the apartments and $1,257,953 for the town homes, which is a revenue that we are allowed to infuse into the budget, which has resulted in a total of
1,81,232 thou uh $232 not needing to be added to money to be generated by taxes from the rest of the taxpayers. This same 8 acre site previously produced about $300,000 for the municipality. Again, it is now
at about $1,881,000 and change. An increase in excess of $1.5 million that the municipality now has coming in as a revenue source that does not need to be made up by the remainder of the taxpayers here in Little Falls. And finally, on this page,
we have the administration continues to spread emergency services of police, fire, and EMS. all to protect our citizens in a fiscally responsible manner. The next page will indicate through 2025 uh our municipal debt including our limits, the municipal amount and the schools. And you'll see
there in 2025 uh the total limit was about $75 million. And I'm happy to report that on the next page, our current allowable municipal debt is $85,8326 85 million832,675 with authorized debt as of December 31st
of this past year only being $35,71,200, leaving us with available borrowing of 50,761,475. of course an available amount that we hope to never uh tap into in that great of an extent with a percentage of debt representing 1.43%.
The next page uh unless you are really into numbers is a bit of a headache and will be broken down in greater details on the future following pages. Uh but this year's estimated total tax rate will be about 3.85. Uh and that is a combination of
municipal county or open space or local schools or high schools uh based upon this year's assessed value uh valuation of the entire municipality which is 1 bill542830,300 slightly down from last year by about $2 million fairly inconsequential amount in
the total figure. And then you'll see as you continue on to the following pages, the local versus the total breakdown of taxes. And all of these right now in 2026 are estimates because we do not have the final county
tax rates from the county. So we have estimated a slight increase from the county. All these figures are subject to minor changes. Uh of course the local portions are are finalized. So the next page is how much did the average taxpayer pay? And you will see
here that the total tax on the average assessment uh is going up by about $96 a month on the average home here in Little Falls, which when broken down, even on apartments that are currently under rent control, a $2,000 a month apartment will
see an increase of about that per month on a rent controlled unit where here the average assessed val the average assessed home in the municipality will also see that similar increase. So, it's about a onetoone on a $2,000 a month apartment versus a home here assessed at
the average value of 318,729. And that is a reminder to everyone to keep in mind that the assessed value of your home is not what your home would likely sell for today in 2026. Where your home would likely sell for is far
in excess of what your average assessed value is right now because of property values. municipality has not done a revaluation in a number of years. They are extremely expensive to do. Uh they do sometimes assist some taxpayers while uh costing more to others. There does
come a time when our ratio is such that it's required. We are not there yet. Uh so again, the average home will see a $96 increase. The local portion of that this year is $32. It's a $32 a month increase to cover all of the uh additional expenses that the
municipality will incur throughout the entire year. So, we make up about a third of the total amount. So, only $32 a month of your total increase. And again, on the estimated total increase, uh we make up about $32 of that per month.
Again, the next chart just shows the municipal tax rate uh versus the schools, the county, the open space, and the library. And you will see there that the school portion of it makes up the greatest portion of your total taxes. Uh
followed by the municipal portion, then a slight slightly less amount by the county, followed by the library, and finally to open space. Last couple pages here discuss the capital budget plan for 2026. And for those that are not aware, a capital
budget is a required part of an annual budget for all municipalities in the state of New Jersey. And under NJSA484-43, it provides that the budget is a plan for the expenditure of public funds for capital purposes. The authorization to make the expenditure still requires a capital ordinance adopted by the count
township council for each specific project, which this council has done every single year. And a capital budget addresses the needs of the township's township's infrastructure and equipment requirements and if authorized by the council will reflect an increase in current debt of approximately $2.5 million despite there being about $4
million in total capital this year because there's a significant offset by grants. And you'll see on the next few pages a breakdown of each department and where those costs will be going. Uh you'll see under police under vehicles and equipment there's about $512,500
total uh in police capital DPW is asking for an F550 dump truck with a plow and salter for a total cost of about $80,000. Our recreation department has civic center improvements of about $100,000 and various municipal facility
improvements which has to do with primarily the uh field playground and bathrooms that will have about a $1.3 million cost with about $941,000 being offset by grants. That is the engineer estimate. We're hoping that the
total project actually comes back significantly less. This also includes bathroom uh improvements on the inside of the recreation center. Again, with the assistance of a grant that will offset that. That's not included in this because we're waiting on final numbers. We also have technology updates
throughout the municipality of about $75,000. The next page, there's OEM building upfit cost of about $74,000 for our office of emergency management. We have various equipment and pagers for our fire department about $102,000. And we have town improvement projects.
Uh we have our roadway resurfacing, our street paving program, a cost of about $500,000 per year. We have our streetscape project from Tulip to the on Main Street from Tulip to the Pekman River of about 500,000 with 351 of an
offsetting grant. We have the Stanley Street and Steven A parking lots of about $500,000 again with with the hopes that that's an overestimate of the total amounts to complete those projects. uh because of a pileup payment that has been made to the municipality offsetting
a significant amount of those costs. And we for those that are not aware, we received a grant from the federal government of about $1.1 million, just under $1.1 million that will fund the PCM riverbank stabilization project or
the first phase of it. uh we have a 25% match to that and therefore we are funding $220,000 worth of that project with about $1.1 million of additional work being paid for by the federal government to begin stabilizing the banks with the hopes
that the erosion will be eliminated, the undermining of the trees will no longer occur, and that our bridges will no longer be damned up during storms. This is a significant step forward towards our Pcman River stabilization and ensuring that our residents through town remain safe. This is much further
upstream than the uh current proposed flood tunnel project by the Army Corps. Uh so this is a funded project by the municipality unlike that by the Army Corps. Uh and it looks like to spend about $1.1 million, the municipality has to fund about $220,000
of that, which uh frankly to get about $1.5 million worth of work done. Uh a $220,000 cost to keep hundreds and hundreds of residents safe from flooding is a certainly a worthwhile expenditure. The next page just breaks this down uh a
little bit with the total of 3.9365 in total capital requests funded by grants is 1 point just under 1.3 million. That requires total down payments of just under $200,000 with author new authorized debt of 2.471
million with total 2026 debt issued of $2,471,312 assuming all of that is utilized. And finally, the as I indicated, the budget hearing and adoption will be on June 8th, 2026 at 7 p.m. here in council
chambers and of course on Zoom. Any questions from the council? >> Of course, the budget will be shared with council members for their full review prior to the introduction of the >> Thank you, mayor. Seeing no questions, we'll move on. Have a motion to open the
meeting to public for general matters and agenda agenda items. >> Moved by Councilman and Cherry. Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Habits. All those in favor. >> All those opposed. This motion carries. Madame clerk. >> Anyone wishing to address the township council may do so to the council
president. It is preferred if you give your name and address for the record. Comments are to be limited to three minutes. However, however, if appropriate, you may be granted additional time in the sole discretion of the council president. Members of the public who have joined the meeting virtually and desire to provide comment shall raise their virtual hand in the
Zoom application. The meeting moderator will cue the members of the public that wish to provide comment and the council president will recognize them in order. Members of the public who have joined the meeting by calling in must press star six to mute and unmute themselves and star 9 to raise their hand. Members of the public who have joined the meeting via the Zoom application must
click reactions icon and then the raise hand icon. Once the process is complete, we will return to the regular order of business. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The floor is now open. Is there anyone in our chat that like to speak that Mr. Baron? Mr. Bon, can you hear
us? >> Yes, I can. How are you, Council President? >> Good evening. The floor is yours, sir. >> Uh, I don't know if I heard you correct. Is this general matters or agenda only? Right now, it's >> it's both. >> Okay. Um, thank you. Good evening, everybody. Uh, my name is Thomas Barone.
I live at 26 Vmont Terrace here in Little Falls. Um about a year ago I asked the question about uh overnight parking and and specifically do we have an ordinance in place um like I I think five of our neighboring towns do. Um and
I the answer I received was something to the effect of um yeah we do but but during I I I don't want to misspeak. I think it was you Mr. mayor who said he was either during Katrina or uh Irene that we suspended um that ordinance or
enforcing that ordinance um in in either event some somewhere along the way it stopped being enforced uh and and I kind of accepted that as okay but over the last couple of uh meetings I' I've heard a couple of points brought up that I thought were kind of intriguing
as they speak again in my opinion to to overnight parking um a couple meetings ago someone had brought up the idea of uh expanding the um I don't know the exact terminology of it but it airbs and expanding their usage during I think it
was specifically during FIFA but in general just allowing uh a greater use of Airbnbs in our town which I I spoke about and I'm I'm strongly against myself or any kind of rental capacity for that matter and then last week uh or last meeting I should say another
gentleman spoke about um how he can't pull out of his driveway way because you know people park in his neighborhood sometimes days in a row and I know there's a you know three days or something like that is a violation but the fact that they're doing it at all uh is is again speaks to the overnight
parking. This doesn't take into account what I consider to be very dangerous for you know uh our emergency vehicles. that there's nights when you can't drive down some of our streets because people who have two and three car driveways are choosing to park on the street rather
than in their driveway um because I guess they just don't want to jockey in the morning which I understand it but you know I don't appreciate I think it's uh lazy and inconsiderate but I worry about you know a fire truck getting through or some kind of emergency vehicle um that's far more important than me doing the slalom through those
streets but it's really gotten bad in my opinion um and lastly I think, you know, it's kind of ironic that today's a budget day cuz if I remember correctly, the last time we collected revenue um for those tickets, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of like 60 or $70,000.
And I don't know how long ago that was. Uh but that's not, you know, a nothing sum of money. And that doesn't take into account what I would consider uh an opportunity to to have, you know, I know a lot of people today have more cars than they necessarily have driveway space. and I'm in favor of there being
some kind of permitting done for those folks and that's just another revenue stream. So for those points and and several others I I would just ask the council you know reconsider enforcing what as I understand is already existing ordinance and I'm not sure why it hasn't been.
>> Thank you Mr. Bone for joining us tonight. I'll just comment that was suspended by the mayor the overnight parking due to the hurricane. But this governing body does have the ability to uh take a look at you know bringing back overnight parking whether it be through the entire town or in portions of the
town or in sections of the town. Um it is a it is a discussion that has picked up quite p recently. Uh I do appreciate your comments. I um it has definitely some great points to it. I think on the policing front as and as well as
sometimes the cleaning of the streets. Uh but there are also issues I think you just alluded alluded to them that there are some sections of town where uh driveways would not support the amount of cars that are in the household.
Does the council have anything to add on that? Mayor, would you like to add? >> Sure. Yeah, the as far as the suspension of the ordinance, it was years before I was even on the council. It was during one of the prior significant hurricanes that hit the state of New Jersey as you
I don't remember or no in particular Sandy Irene one one of those uh and when I took office I know it was an issue that a number of people had raised the issue at the time was and still is as
you indicated the number of vehicles in each household. Uh it becomes a bit of an administrative nightmare to begin permit parking here in Little Falls. Um our budget already says we're tight on expenses. That I don't know is a role or
a task that we can assign to an employee that we already have here in town. It may require an additional employee to administer something like that which may cause additional increasing costs. And I don't know that the revenues associated
with parking permit in the municipality would necessarily offset that increased cost that we may see or feel as a result of potentially hiring an additional person. But to address your concern with respect to emergency vehicles getting through our streets here in the
municipality, uh years ago, uh Mr. Simone drove around and measured the width of every single roadway at every single point throughout the entire municipality. And in doing so, uh don't quote me on the exact numbers of the
roadway widths right now. It is part of uh our ordinance for our uh no parking, one side of the street parking or both sides of the street parking that we have here in town. Uh what was done at the time was depending on the roadway width. If it was between uh call it 20 and 30
ft, whatever it was, there might have been parking allowed on one side. If it was between 30 and 35 ft, it was both sides. If it was less than 20 ft, it was no side. So, there was uh a calculation done at the time to ensure that even the roads that have one side or two side of
the street parking that an emergency vehicle would be able to fit down uh each of those roadways and the biggest being our our fire trucks and our ambulances here in town. Now, that's not to say that if somebody's not parked illegally on a side of the street where it says there's no parking this side of
street that a vehicle would be able to fit, but for obvious reasons, uh again, that's becomes an enforcement issue and something that I know the police do ticket for and are aware of and are monitoring. Uh, so I can assure you that as long as all of the signs in town are
being complied with, a fire truck or ambulance can fit down every single roadway in town uh based on the roadway widths in the one side, two side or no side of the street parking uh that we have signed throughout the entire town. So that is uh I get it an understandable
issue or concern, but one that I believe was addressed when figuring out roadway widths and whether or not parking would or should or could not be permitted on those streets. You have any additional comments, Mr. Brun? Okay. Drop.
W wrong. Wrong one. >> There you go. Sorry. Yeah, someone muted me. Um, the only other comment I would make, and I I appreciate everything the mayor said, and and as always, I appreciate the council in general, but my only other comment would be the thing that we don't talk about is in my
opinion, I I know a few uh and I I bet you some of you do as well, there's there's also, I think, a number of illegal multif family houses in this town. Um, and in my opinion, if you're not registering a car to your house, that's just another deterrent. That's
like, hey, you can't have four cars that that park here when only two of you live in this house. Um, that would be my last my last point, but again, this is not that I expect anything to get resolved today, but I do want to bring it to the attention because I I think this is something that, you know, we we don't think of as a big deal, but it's just
yet another thing that we're kind of letting let go. um when I drive, you know, through the streets of at the, you know, late at night, I come home from work, I I work late hours, prospect in particular, it's like it's crazy. You literally are slaloming down both sides
of the road. Um, so while I hear you, and I'm sure, you know, Mr. D. Simone did a great job measuring, I I can't fathom, I mean, I'm in my Jeep Cherokee, and I can't fathom how a how a fire truck would want to or be able to navigate some of these streets, just as one concern. But um again, I just I
don't really understand why it went away being that it's an existing ordinance. And I'm pretty sure at least four, but I I think even more than that of our neighboring towns all have it and enforce it. So, it just seems like an odd thing that just kind of disappeared on us and and we're not enforcing it. It
just seems a little arbitrary to me, but I'll leave it to the council to figure it out. >> Thank you, Mr. Veron. Is there any anyone else like to come before this governing bodies this evening? See no one in the chat. See no one to come before the council chambers. Have a motion to close the public
comment. >> So moved by Councilman Patel. Second by Councilman Ventur. All those in favor. >> All those opposed? That motion carries. >> Mayor one, two, and three. Sure, Council President. These are all relatively
uh basic tonight. Uh the first is resolution designating Rose Street as non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. And what we are looking to do is determine if in the future once the uh levy wall is built by the Army Corps of Engineers in particular
potentially before that is to see if Rose Street uh is an area that can be developed or it's they call it an area in need of redevelopment. Again, it is not developed currently but is still the term in need of redevelopment. Uh to determine if it is something that we can
work with developers on. Uh there are a number of possibilities I believe that might work in that area and something that I would like our planner uh as well as the council and planning board to explore in deciding it or determining if it's an area that can be developed in the future. Uh so what we need is a
resolution just designating that area as a non- condemnation area and need of redevelopment. Uh primarily because there is municipally owned land there so there's nothing that the municipality would really need to condemn first of all. Uh so that makes this a fairly
simple process. The notices um are only being sent or would only need to be sent to the municipality in Pake Valley who borders uh the the properties there and some of the other vacant land in that area. So this is not a heavy lift. This is not condemnation where the municipality will be taking land from
anybody. Uh it is just an ability for us to explore whether or not this area would be developable for us in the future or now depending on the use that may go in that area. Any questions on number one? All right. Item number two is a resolution authorizing a change order
for Main Street street streetscape improvements. And as we see from time to time now that we are finally completing the sign installations along Main Street, uh there's a slight increase for the additional signs that are being installed along Main Street. Uh and there's a slight change order for that project. Any questions on item number
two? All right. And finally, item number three is a resolution authorizing vehicle lease to purchase agreement. Uh and as the municipalities aware and their council's aware, from time to time we enter into various co-ops to purchase uh various products, whether it be salt,
whether it be vehicles, things of that sort. And this is simply a resolution authorizing vehicle lease to purchase agreements uh with the vendor in this circumstance. Any questions on item number three? >> All right, council president. Turn it back. >> Thank you, Mayor. Have a motion to approve the following applications. is
the blue light permit application. The raffle sake valley raff of holy angels another raffle of holy angels and raffles for the sons of American legion post 109. So moved by council Murphy second by councilman venturi. >> Madam clerk call the role. >> Council member Patel.
>> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member Habas. Yes. >> Council member Vaneri. Yes. >> Council President Scler. >> Yes. Have a motion uh to approve resolutions A through C. >> So move. >> Moved by Councilwoman Hablt. Second. >> Second by Counciloman Murphy. This is a roll call. Madame Clerk, call the role, please.
>> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Murphy, >> yes. >> Council member Habless, yes. >> Council member Vaneri, yes. >> Council President Scoba, >> yes. Madame Clerk, read ordinance 1540, please. >> Second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1540, an ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township council of the township of Little Falls
and the county of Pay State of New Jersey to amend chapter 280 zoning of the code of the township of Little Falls. >> The public hearing on 1540 is now open. Does anyone wish to speak on 1540? Seeing no one come before us, the public
hearing on ordinance 1540 is now closed. Have a motion to adopt 1540. >> Moved by Councilwoman Patel. >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Habitz. Please call the role to adopt 1540. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. >> Yes.
>> Council member Habitz. Council member Van Cherry. >> Yes. >> Council President Scova. >> Yes. We're going to table uh ordinance 1541 for the meeting of 54. That's to May 4th. Councilwoman Habits, can you lead us off in discussion? Um, council member reports.
>> Thank you, Council President. Uh, so I'd like to say congratulations to, uh, Pete Tamasi. I'm happy to have him reappointed to the library board. A few more library updates. Uh there is a Play-Doh playd date on Tuesday, April
21st at 11:00 a.m. Uh ages three and up. Must register at the library website. For all of those parents, like when I was a parent of young children who don't like Play-Doh in their home, this is definitely the thing for you. Um also, the chess club um with Mr. Campbell is
still going strong. Uh that will be Wednesday, April 15th at 3:30 p.m. at the library. Um, all the other library events can be found on their social media or on their website. Um, I'm happy to report we will be having our annual uh Arbor Day celebration uh Friday,
April 24th um at Wilmore Park at 4:30 p.m. Uh the tree there will be a tree placed by our Girl Scouts and our Shade Tree Commission uh with a small program. And I'm also happy to report that we did receive our Tree City USA uh
designation. Um that was a process that we went through to get the redesignation. Um so that gives us six years as a tree city. Uh the placards will be going up on our signs and we have a nice flag here that we will probably be hanging at Walmart park. Um
I'm also wanted to talk about uh we're having our Earth Day shred event uh that will take place on April 25th from 9 to 1:00 p.m. here at town hall. Um, it's free for Little Falls residents and it's for paper and electronics. And then
lastly, our farmers market will have its grand opening at its new location, the Little Falls train station on Sunday, May 19th at 9:00 a.m. Uh, for our first market, we will have Cousins Main Lobster there. Uh, as well as over 25 new and returning vendors. So, we hope
to see everyone there. That's all I have for you. >> Thank you. Um, Councilman Venturia. >> Thanks, Council President. Um, first two, we just want to thank the kids for coming in tonight. It's great to see, you know, four different teams win and their faces when they get the medals. Uh, for sure. Um, there's a bunch of
events coming up, too. Uh, this weekend is the opening day parade for baseball and softball that kicks off in town at 9:00 a.m. Uh, the kids are going to march down Stevens, a quick ride right onto Maine, and a quick left on Patterson down to the field for the opening day ceremonies about 9:45 or 10.
So, if anybody's around, you know, please stop by um for the ceremonies. Um the other thing I do want to bring up too is if you haven't done so is some communications have been coming out from the three towns just about the holiday parade. Uh looking for people to volunteer potentially to help out with
some handshakes um on April 24th as well as April 25th. So, if anybody's interested, you know, just let us know because we're always looking for volunteers. It goes a long way. Um also want to mention too on May 22nd, we're going to have the concert in the park. Just finalizing the details there.
Flyers should be going out later this week. Same with May 23rd for our annual Memorial Day parade that takes place every year at 10 a.m. We will march down Main Street and end over at Wilmore Road Park Road. Um just finalizing the details with the flyers with our designer. And like I said, hopefully
I'll have that one out uh later this week as well. Mayor, wanted to ask um if you could I know you get a chance to do it on your end. provide an update because you know last week some work began on the municipal lot on Stevens A. I know the goal was to have it done
before school returned but obviously that didn't happen. Just wanted to know if you can provide an update. >> Yep. Thank you. Uh this Stanley Street lot there was a little bit of additional work that needed to be done in order to get the EV chargers uh up and ready to be up and running. Uh there is going to
be the repaving this upcoming Saturday, April 18th. It was supposed to happen during the spring break week with the hopes that it would be completed that week. Unfortunately, there was an issue with the paving contractors. So, it will be done this upcoming Saturday, April 18th. The lot will be closed uh on
Saturday, maybe even into early Sunday morning. So, please be patient as we finally get that lot repaved. If your vehicle is in that lot, please make sure that you remove it from that lot for this upcoming weekend. >> Thanks, Mayor. Um, just a couple other things, too. Uh, if you haven't seen the
news too with St. Agnes, uh, the food pantry, you know, things are changing. It's the last one this weekend. I know they are going to do a ceremony to honor the Solder family because the the late Nick Solder was a part of the original starting group of the pantry. So, if anybody's around on Saturday, stop by.
They will be there from like 7 to 11, you know, handing out food one last time. I I want just want to thank Bob Dumbrosski and his team. have done amazing work for so many people in the area and I know they're hoping to help out others through other means of doing so. But just want to say thank you for
all the work they did in St. Agnes. Um, one last thing I had to council president is something I emailed um over the weekend too if we can look into potentially. Um there is some new legislation that's taking place with ebikes. Uh the state is adopting, but a lot of municipalities are adopting
individualship ordinances. This is something we can look into before everything takes in effect. I know it's a hot button issue, a lot of people being hindered from new bikes. So, so this is something that we can look into. That's a winter meeting. That's it for me. Thank you, Councilman Cherry. I I
did attend a um on the mayor's behalf synopsis on ebikes. Uh I know the township of Ridgewood had quite some issues in their center of town. Um it's definitely a a complicated issue if those recall the days that mo mopeds
were around. Um they were licensed vehicles, but they also cause a lot of issues with traffic violations. Uh some of the ebikes definitely I think are warranted. Some are more like almost like motorcycles. So I think we we'll take a look at that and see how it's
affecting the township of Little Falls. We'll concur with uh the police department as well as get the mayor's input and council members input and staff and look at some other towns and see what they're doing. Councilman Murphy. >> Thank you, Council President. So, just a
quick announcement on the domestic violence awareness committee front. Um about two years ago, we teamed up with the P County Prosecutor's Office to do a presentation at Pake Valley High School for the senior class. And over the past two years, the administration over there, the superintendent, principal, and staff really found it quite
impactful. um on the students. So this year they asked us to come back and actually expand it with the junior class as well as the senior class. So we're expand the program. Uh on top of that uh Captain Gilchrist from the Little Falls Police Department reached out and she wanted to involve Little Falls Police Department as well. So this year we're
also expanding as well as the prosecutor's office, the DV committee. We're also involving Little Falls Police Department as well. So, this is going to be a uh a really big um starting to snowball really into a bigger thing which which we're really happy about and just want to give some kudos um to Chief PL and Chief Pressing. Uh Sergeant
Rakinelli is new addition to the DV committee and he's been uh he's been really really good. The committee's been very very happy with him as well as myself. So, um the partnership with the police department has been fantastic. We're expanding. It's working really really well. Prospector's office as well. Um and we also are starting discussions on next year for expanding
it to the freshman and uh sophomore classes as well. So starting to really take off. I'm happy to see that um things are really growing with the committee and that you know word's getting out there on awareness for for DV and it's actually making an impact on some of the younger generations. So just want to give some kudos, let everybody know what was going on and that's all I
have. Uh council president. Thank you. >> Thank you Council Murphy. Councilwoman Patel. >> Uh thank you council president. Just a few updates for the public health committee. Uh tomorrow the health department is hosting a free vein ultrasound from 9 to 12 at the Clifton
Health Department. So if residents are suffering from varicose vein, spider vein, uh general pain, you know, while walking, things of that nature, it'd be a great idea to go get it checked out. It is free. You do have to register. So if you're interested, just call AL
tomorrow at 973-470-5773. And then on Tuesday, April 21st and Thursday, April 23rd from 6:00 to 8:30 here at the Little Falls Civic Center, the Clifton Health Department is conducting a free youth mental health
first aid training um which teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adult adolesccents. Right? So, this training can be really beneficial for teachers, school staff, coaches, you know, anyone that works
regularly with children. Um, whoever is interested in registering, they could contact Erica at the Brooklyn Health Department at 5512373151. And the next public health committee will be Wednesday, April 22nd. Uh, that's going to be at 6:30 at the Civic
Center. That's all I have. President, >> thank you. Counciloman Mattel, May 1st is from 12:00 to 3:00 at the Little Fall Civic Center is going to be the Senior Advisory Spring Bling and we're happy that we have uh DJ Angelo performing.
Um this again will be from 12 to 3. Uh seniors are free. Little Fall Seniors are as non-payment. Non-residents it is $20. We will be eliminating uh I'm sorry seating is limited to 80 people. Um these events have been coming becoming
very crowded I think since we moved into the afternoon and the civic center can only hold about 80 to 85 individuals with seating. So please if you want to go uh call uh town uh call 973-2563884 that's direct department and register
yourself. Uh before we continue we have to circle back. I overstepped the my authority. Have a motion to table uh ordinance 1541 until May 4th. So moved by Councilman Cherry, second by Councilman Murphy. All those in favor? All those opposed?
>> Motion. Is that a roll call or a voice? >> You should do a roll call. >> You should do roll call. >> Okay, let's get it check. Let's do the roll call. Madam clerk, call the roll to move 1541 to May 4th. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Murphy, yes. >> Council member Havitz, >> yes. Yes. Council member Van Cherry. Yes.
>> Council President Scoba. >> Yes. Thank you, Council. >> Council President, may I have one more minute? >> Councilwoman Habits. >> Yes. I I just forgot something and I wanted to remind our residents uh the special election is taking place uh this Thursday, the 16th. Uh polls will be
open from 6:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. But the reminder or the notice is actually for our residents in District 4 and District 8. Uh due to St. Agnes closing. There were notices that g that were sent out to our residents. Uh but the polling
location will now be at the civic center. So districts four uh which is the Montlair Avenue uh section of town and the mill I'm sorry uh that's district 8 and district 4 which is the Parkway uh section of town and the Dwey Avenue section of town uh will now be at
the civic center. And again polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. Thank you council president. Deputy Chief Pressing. Anything? >> No, sir. >> Chief. Thank you. >> Have a motion to open the meeting to the
public for the agenda items only. Moved >> by Councilman Venturi. Second by Councilman Havs. All those in favor? >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Madam clerk, >> anyone wishing to address the township council may do so through the council president. It is preferred if you give your name and address for the record.
Comments are to be limited to three minutes. However, if appropriate, you may be granted additional time in the sole discretion of the council president. Members of the public who have joined the meeting virtually and desire to provide comment shall raise their virtual hand in the Zoom application. The meeting moderator will cue the members of the public that wish to provide comment and the council
president will recognize them in order. Members of the public who have joined the meeting by calling in must press star six to mute and unmute themselves and star 9 to raise their hand. Members of the public public who have joined the meeting via the Zoom application must click the reactions icon and then the raise hand icon. Once the process is complete, we will return to to the
regular order of business. >> Thank you. The floor is now open. Is there anyone in our chat? I don't see any hand up. Is that correct? >> Okay. Thank you. No one coming before us in the council chambers. Have a motion to close the public comment.
>> Moved by Councilman Veri. Second by council Murphy. All those in favor. >> All those opposed. The motion carries. I want to thank Mrs. Krauss and Mr. Control uh for our pre-agenda meeting. I know it has its challenges. I want to I'm grateful for your time and the effort of putting this agenda together.
Have a motion to adjourn this meeting. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Habit, second by Councilman Venturi. All those in favor. All those opposed. This meeting is now closed.