There it goes. Welcome everyone to Township Council meeting Monday, November 10, 2025. This meeting is now called to order. Council Murphy, lead us in the salute to the flag, please. 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. >> Thank you, 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. A notice of the meeting was prominently posted on the bulletin board at the municipal building located at 225 Main Street, Littlefold, New Little Falls, New Jersey on January 7th, 2025. A copy of notice was sent to the North Jersey Herald and News and the Record on the same date.
Additionally, a copy of 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 littlefallsenj.gov. Electronic provisions have been established for the public to participate during the public comment portion of the meeting.
>> Thank you. Thank you. At this time, please call the role. >> Council member Patel, Council Member Murphy, >> Council Member Habitz, >> Council Member Vaneri, >> Council President Scoba, >> present. Mayor Dan Ando, the floor is yours. >> Thank you, Council President. This evening, we have a couple of
proclamations to present. But before we do, uh, I would just like to acknowledge the good work that this council has done in the past amending the film ordinance here in town. Little Falls has been very busy with movies being filmed here in Little Falls. Uh we have another uh big
one coming up soon that I think we can announce in in some time with some exciting individuals involved and directors involved. Uh it's really exciting to see that Little Falls is a place that people want to come and film, that people want to come and be. And
there's going to be a number of locations in town where this movie will be filmed over the next couple of weeks. Uh we're very excited to have uh all of these movies in town lately and look forward to seeing Little Falls and places throughout Little Falls make their way into movies that are on Netflix and other major series. So uh
looking forward to that and as more becomes available and more information can be shared. We will be happy to do so and we'll ask everybody to be on the lookout for all of our great places throughout town where they'll be recording. Next, we have an epilepsy awareness month proclamation. And I'm
going to ask the Sarona family or anyone from them to join me up here for the presentation of an epilepsy awareness month proclamation. All right. And the proclamation reads, "Whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent
unprovoked seizures and whereas epilepsy and seizures affect 3.4 million people across the United States, including 470,000 children and over 123,000 people in New Jersey. And whereas epilepsy can affect anyone no matter what their
gender, race, age, religion, educational background, or socioeconomic status. And whereas epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder among adults in the United States behind Alzheimer's and stroke. And whereas one in 10 people will experience a seizure
in their lifetime. One in 26 will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. And whereas while epilepsy cannot currently be cured, many of those diagnosed with epilepsy can control their seizures with modern medicine and surgical techniques. And whereas people with epilepsy continue to face social
stigmatization and discrimination. And whereas National Epilepsy Awareness Month is designed to increase the awareness of the disorder in an effort to encourage more Americans to understand the effects of epilepsy. And now therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor James Belelfford Damiano, on
behalf of the Little Falls Township Council, do hereby proclaim November 2025 as epilepsy awareness month in the township of Little Falls. I want to thank you guys for joining us here to bring attention to this. I'm ask the council to join me up here
as well for a quick photo. Here's another one. And up next, to acknowledge the incredible efforts and a Guinness World Record being set at Yogi Barra Stadium, I am going to invite Eve, the director of the Yogi Bear Museum, and Billy, join
me up here in front for the reading of a proclamation this evening about a world record being set right here in Little Falls. And the proclamation reads, "Whereas in 2025, Yogi Barra would have turned 100 years old. And whereas in celebration of
that milestone on Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the Yogi Barra Museum and Learning Center invited the community to participate in Yogi's Big Catch Challenge, an attempt to capture the official Guinness World Records title for the largest game of catch on the
ball field at Yogi Bear Stadium. And whereas the date was significant, marking the day before Yogi's first major league game in 1946, as well as the day before the 10-year anniversary of his passing in 2015. And whereas breaking the record required a
minimum of 973 pairs or 1,946 participants standing 10 ft apart playing catch simultaneously for 5 minutes. And whereas on that Sunday, the official adjudicator counted 1,179
pairs, setting a new world record, a fitting tribute to Yogi's commitment to community, teamwork, and fun. Now therefore, I, James Belelfford Damiano, mayor of the township of Little Falls with the township council, do hereby recognize Yogi Barra Museum and Learning
Center for their accomplishment of setting a new world record for the largest game of catch on the ball field at Yogi Barra Stadium. I want to thank you for your incredible effort in making this really dream come true, bringing a world record right here to Little Falls. And I want to give you the microphone to say just a few words about that
incredible day. Well, first of all, I'd like to say that among those players on the field was your very own mayor together with his daughter Olivia. It was just a spectacular day and we couldn't think of a better location. Yogi loves Yogi Barra Stadium. Um, loved it and uh, as we
said, we had a beautiful day cuz somehow he was looking down on us. So, thank you very much. And I do want to just say a special thanks to Billy. I mean, I think everyone in Little Falls must know Billy by now. He's just extraordinary and we really couldn't have done it without his support. Thank you for being here. If the couch
wants to join us for a photo up here, Thank you very much. >> Anything else? Mayor, >> unless there's any questions of the council, that's all that I have this evening. >> Have a motion uh to open the meeting to the public for general matters and agenda items. Moved by Councilman Van Cherry, second by Councilwoman Havitz.
All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Madame clerk. >> Anyone wishing to address the township council may duce 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, 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 the 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. Seeing no one come before us in the council chambers
and no one in the chat. Correct. Have a motion to close the public comment. >> So move. >> Move by Councilman. >> Second. >> Murphy. Second by Councilwoman Habits. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries. >> Uh items one through eight. Mayor, would you like to discuss them?
>> Absolutely. Council President, the first resolution is a resolution authorizing the participation in the P County co-op pricing system. And as we hear uh numerous times throughout the year, uh there are various co-ops that we can
join as a municipality to receive co-op pricing on various items. Uh we are looking to join the P County co-op uh with this particular resolution. Something that we should probably continue to do every single year along with the Mars County co-op and several
others that we frequently purchase from. It allows us to purchase items at state pricing uh with pre-approved vendors uh avoiding the need for the town to have additional delays and securing items from time to time when these items that we require are already on the approved
list by the state. So that is what this very first item is uh here. The next is the resolution for assistance to firefighters grant and uh fortunately from time to time we are able to secure
grants that we are then required to add into our budget. This year we were able to secure $98,812.38 as part of a grant that was made possible by the US Department of Homeland Security. Uh so this is funds that we can add to our budget here so
that we can then expend those funds. Uh and this year I believe they are looking to purchase additional turnout gear for the firemen throughout the department. Something that offsets the cost of what taxpayer dollars would otherwise need to fund. So very thankful for this grant uh
and assistance in purchasing all of this gear. >> Mayor, for those that don't know, what's turnout gear? >> Turnout gear. Sure. Turnout gear is every bit of equipment that you see a fireman wearing at a fire scene. The most expensive, notably being the the
jacket and pants that you often see them with. Uh but it also includes as part of this their entire uniform. This includes helmets. Uh this includes boots. This includes gloves. So there's a number of things that this will help to offset with our cost. >> I'm just curious if you don't know the uh answer. Is it like each fire member
is that like $3,500 or $3,000 for the turnout gear from head to toe? closer to $5,000 per fireman per full set of gear right now. >> Per full set of gear. >> And several years ago, we had a list of um the list was significant with the
number of firemen in town whose turnout gear was at or near its expiration. Uh with these grants that we've been securing these past handful of years, uh I believe that we are well beyond the uh firemen being at or near their expiration of any of their turnout gear.
and we are caught up now uh with all of their turnout gear. So hopefully in the next couple of years we may be able to use these grants for some other things moving forward and then when the need arises again if turnout gear is required in the future we'll be able to utilize it for that as well. But fingers crossed that we are caught up now with turnout
gear and we'll be able to to continue to purchase other things for the fire department for use with this grant. >> Thank you. Uh the third is a tax refund resolution for a tax overpayment and that's exactly as it sounds from time to time there's an overpayment in taxes and a refund is
required. So that is simply what that item uh is there. Item number four, Wilmore Road handicap parking. I'll do that in conjunction with item number five which is main street handicap parking and I'll also do that in conjunction with number six which is main street loading zone. uh as
we discussed, I believe it was in in October, uh that there was a need to modify parking spaces and add handicap parking spaces and a loading zone. We're doing this on Wilmore Road. We're doing this on Main Street uh closer to uh Maple A, between Maple and Patterson A.
Uh as well as adding a loading zone in that area to assist our residents who have a disability or a handicap placard who require closer parking spaces. So, we are looking forward to having that accomplished because from time to time we do receive uh a concern or a
complaint raised by a resident indicating that they were they wish that there was additional handicap parking in these areas. So, we are looking to address that with items number four and five as well as adding a loading zone with item number six. Any questions as to those?
All right. The next seven uh and eight, as you see from time to time, as our recreation center either adds programs or needs to change the fee structure for particular items, uh we need to amend our fee ordinance, chapter 71, to allow
for those fees to be paid either in a range or with a specific dollar amount. Uh the ones that we are looking to add this year or add as a brand new addition is our holiday trolley ride uh which we are very excited to announce and I believe Councilwoman Habs you'll be
speaking to that a little bit. >> Yes I will. >> So I won't get too far into detail but there's going to be a fee related to that a very small fee to view all of the homes in town. And again our recreation sports fees are also looking to be amended uh based on item item number
eight. Any questions from the council? That's all I have. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have a motion u to approve the raffle application. Moved by Councilman Venturi. Second by Councilman Havs. This is a roll call. Uh Madam Cler, can you read what the raffle's for?
>> Uh sure. It's a Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church calendar raffle December 2025 through March 26, various dates. And um it's from 10:00 in the morning and it's being held at 465 Main Street in Little Falls. >> Thank you. Please call the role. >> Council member Murphy,
>> yes. >> Council member Habits. Council member Van Cherry. >> Yes. >> Council President Scova. >> Yes. Have a motion uh to approve resolutions A through D. Moved by Councilman Venturi. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Murphy. Please call the role for resolutions A through D. >> Council member Murphy.
>> Yes. >> Council member Habitz. >> Yes. >> Council member Vaneri. >> Yes. >> Council President Scova. >> Yes. Madame Clerk, read ordinance 1529, please. Second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1529, an ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township council of the township of Little Falls in the county of Pay state
of New Jersey to amend chapter 7 on street regulations handicapped parking of the code of the township of Little Falls. >> Thank you. The public hearing on ordinance 1529 is now open. Does anyone wish to speak on ordinance 1529? Seeing no one come before us.
The public hearing on ordinance 1529 is now closed. Can I have a motion to adopt ordinance 1529? So move >> moved by Councilwoman Habits. Second by Councilman Ventur. This is a roll call. Please call the RO for 1529. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member Hits. Council member Venturi. Yes. >> Council President Scoba.
>> Yes. Madame clerk. 1531. Please. >> Second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1531. An ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township council of the township of Little Falls and County State New Jersey to amen chapter 7 on street regulations of the code of the township of Little Falls. >> The public hearing on ordinance 1531 is
now open. Does anyone wish to speak on 1531? Seeing no one come before the council chambers or on our chat. 1531 is now closed. Have a motion to adopt 1531. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Venturi. Second by Councilman Murphy. Please call the role for 1531.
>> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member Hitz. Council member Venter. Yes. >> Council President Scova. >> Yes. Madame Clerk. 15:30. >> Introduction of ordinance number 1530. An ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township council of the township of Little Falls of the county of Payic, state of New Jersey to amend chapter 7
on street regulations, handicap parking of the code of the township of Little Falls with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for November 24th, 2025. >> Have a motion to introduce 15:30. >> Moved by Councilman Bener's, I'm sorry, moved by Councilwoman Hlett, second by
Councilman Ventur. Please call the role. >> Council member Murphy, >> yes. >> Council member Habits, Council Member Ventur, yes. >> Council President Scoville, >> yes. Mountain clerk 1532 >> introduction of ordinance number 1532 an ordinance entitled ordinance of the township council of the township of little falls in the county of Vay state
of New Jersey amending the township code chapter 71 fees with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for for November 24th 2025. >> Have a motion to introduce 1532. >> So moved by council Murphy second by counciloman habits. Please call the role. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. Council
member Hits. Council member Vaneri. Yes. Council president Scoba. >> Yes. Madame clerk. 1533. >> Introduction of ordinance number 1533, an ordinance entitled Ordinance of the Township Council of the Township of Little Falls in the County of Pay State of New Jersey, amending the township code chapter 71 fees with a second
reading and public hearing scheduled for November 24th, 2025. >> Have a motion to introduce 1533. >> Move by Councilman Venturi. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman uh Councilman Murphy. Please call the role. >> Council member Murphy, yes. Council member Habits, Council Member Venturi,
Council President Scoba, >> yes. Councilwoman Hlettz, you're gonna lead us off with the trolleys. >> Yes. But first, a few library updates. Um, just a few library updates. Um, they will be having on um November 18th a Lincoln portrait presentation presented
by Mallalerie Morino uh to discuss the famous WFR uh Traers portrait of Lincoln and that will be at 6:30 on the 18th. Um, also there will be a Dungeons and Dragons uh for grades 5 through eight uh
at 6:30. You can register at the library website and um this is a program for Little Falls residents only. For any more updates from the library, you can go on their website as well as your social media posts. Um and then as we were talking about the holiday season is
upon us and I am so happy to say that this year we will be adding a holiday trolley. Um, our holiday decorating, a light decorating contest, uh, will start and added this year will be the trolley. Uh, the ride will be on December 18th,
Thursday. There will be two trolleys. Uh, the ride times are 600 p p.m. and 700 p.m., but the seating is limited and it's for Little Falls residents only at this time due to the limited seaf bless you. And you will be able to sign up at community pass. And anyone who
knows me knows that I've been waiting for this day for a while. So, I'm very happy. >> Thank you, Matt. Anything else? >> That's it. Thank you, >> Councilman Venturi. >> Thanks, Council President. Uh, if
anyone's around tomorrow at 11:00, please stop by Norvote Park. The American Legion Post 108 Zack is going to host their annual Veterans Day services at 11 tomorrow. A chance to honor the men and women that have served. So, if you are in town, you
know, please stop by. Um, also want to mention before we know it, it's going to be the end of the month. The holiday parade for the three towns is almost here, November 29th at 5:00 PM. Had a chance um a couple weeks ago to attend the latest meeting and I think everyone's going to be excited. There is
a great lineup of floats and a lot of participants are still signing up. Um, so look forward to that in just about three weeks. Um, also I know this week, mayor, you know, phase two of our project with the crosswalks being addressed, uh, is going to be taken care
of later this week. You know, one of the things that we talked about the last few months was just making all of our crosswalks uniform. So, big thank you to Little Falls Police Department and DVW helping out with that. So, look for more crosswalks to be updated um later this
week. Uh, also want to mention too with the three ordinances 1529, 1530, and 1531. Um kudos to Chief Crawl, Purple Canola as well. We worked uh closely just listening to the feedback from you know some of the residents as well as the businesses. You know adding two
parking spaces at Walmart park for handicap is definitely helpful especially when you know some people who have the handicap placers want to take their grandkids to the park. They have a chance now to park a lot closer because we always set up um temporary ones when we do the services and stuff but it's nice to have some permanence there. Um
and then also two with the two additions that are coming soon on Main Street having one in front of Total Recovery and one in front of AIM on 44 Main. Again, you know, two physical therapy places where they've been asking for this for a while. So, I know Jack and Raphael are pleased with this coming through. And then same thing with the
loading zone uh by 44 Main over by Diamond Floral. Something Lewis and I know a lot of delivery drivers have been asking for. Sort of mimicking what we have further down between Center and Stevens. So just grateful for, you know, the work that was done behind the scenes. And I also want to thank, you know, Commissioner Orlando Cruz because,
you know, these were county roads and just working closely with him too to get things uh resolved. That's it for me. >> Councilman Murphy. >> Thank you, Council President. So this past Thursday on behalf of the domestic violence awareness committee. Um we had a meeting with the Jersey Batter Women's Services and Lieutenant Bill Chris from
Little Balls Police Department. Um and at that meeting, we spoke about a couple things. um as they're now the organization that won the bid with the county to take over the responsibility that the PAC um county DV and SV uh center was handling. So they're based
out of Morris County. Um they seem to have a lot of resources that are going to be new to us um which is very exciting. We also spoke about getting a divert team up and going here in Little. So we actually have a meeting tomorrow night with our committee um on that training and some of the things that are involved in that. Um we also spoke about
doing uh teleconferences with um survivors and victims which is something new to us as well. Um as well as community outreach that they seem to will be able to provide to us. So as as well as teaming up with the committee now JBWS will be able to team up with us
for events in town which is awesome. Um and we also spoke about collaborating more with the police department. So a lot of exciting things to come. Uh I know the committee as well as the police department and the JBWS is really excited about what's uh what's forthcoming and I'll keep everybody updated but meeting tomorrow night. So
look forward to that and that's all I have council president. Thank you. >> Thank you chief. >> Nothing more on the police side. I just say happy birthday to all my fellow Marines out there and then tomorrow
weather. >> Thanks Chief Mayor. You have anything else >> aside from the ceremony tomorrow? As we've heard now a couple times at Wilmore Park tomorrow. That's all that I have this evening. Um and I all those veterans out there who have served
thanking you for your service uh and looking forward to seeing many of you at Wilmore Park tomorrow. >> Can have a motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items only. >> So moved by Councilman Ferry, second by Councilman Murphy. Uh there's a voice. All those in favor I. >> All those opposed this 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, he 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. 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 the reactions icon and then the raise hand icon. Once the process is complete, we will return to the regular order of business. Thank you. Is there anyone in the chat that like to speak to us? Seeing no one in council chambers. Can I have a motion to close the public comment? Moved >> by Councilman Ventur, second by
Councilman Murphy. All those in favor. >> All those opposed. That motion carries. I want to thank staff for assisting me in putting this agenda together. Have a meeting. I have a motion to adjourn this meeting. So move. >> Moved by Councilwoman Habits, second by Councilman Venturi. All those in favor? I. >> All those opposed. This meeting is now
closed.